JPH05105253A - Feeder for stacked paper sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Correction) [Purpose] In a paper feeding device having a structure in which paper stacked on a paper table is separated by a rotating roller to prevent unevenness in the paper width direction and paper skew at the time of paper feeding. [Arrangement] Offsetting means 3a and the like are provided for positively moving the uppermost sheet 1a toward the movable guide 7 that guides the side 9 opposite to the reference side when the sheet 1 is fed. The offset means 3a and the like have a structure that gives a moving force in the sheet width direction to the sheet 1 when the friction roller 2 rotates, and a structure that gives a moving force in the sheet width direction to the sheet 1 when the sheet feeding table 5 moves upward. adopt.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating stacked sheets of paper and sending them to a printer or a copying machine of an information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a device for separating and sending out the sheets stacked on a paper feed table one by one, various structures are practically used, but as shown in FIG. The structure in which the friction roller 2 is brought into contact with the upper surface and the paper 1 is fed by the rotation of the roller is widely used especially as a printer of an information processing apparatus or an automatic paper feeder of a copying machine.

In the automatic paper feeder, one side (reference side) of the paper 1 is used regardless of the widthwise size of the paper 1.
There are a structure in which 8 is supplied at a fixed position and a structure in which the center of the sheet is supplied at a fixed position. The former structure is characterized in that it is easy to set the position in the paper width direction, and the paper feed tray 5 is fixedly provided with a reference guide 6 for guiding the reference side 8 of the paper. The side (anti-reference side) 9 is guided by a movable guide 7 whose distance from the reference guide 6 can be freely adjusted.

On the other hand, a friction roller 2 that contacts the upper surface of the sheet 1
Has a length commensurate with the maximum width of paper that can be processed, and usually has a structure in which a plurality of roller elements 3 are arranged at intervals along the roller shaft 20.

[0005]

In the apparatus having the above-mentioned structure, when the width of the paper 1 opposite the reference side 9 is just below the roller element 3, the width of the stacked paper 1 is Paper skew may occur due to variations. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, when the anti-reference side of the second sheet 1b from the top is in a state of protruding from the anti-reference side 9 of the uppermost sheet 1a, the uppermost sheet 1a is sent out. At this time, the peripheral surface of the roller element 3 comes into contact with the projecting portion of the second sheet 1b, and a biasing feeding force is applied to the second sheet 1b, so that the second sheet 1b is fed to the sheet feeding table 5 It becomes slanted above.

Usually, the movable guide 7 is used for stacking the sheets 1
The sheet is positioned according to the width of the sheet 1. However, in order to ensure the smooth feeding of the sheet 1, it is not possible to provide a certain amount of play between the side edges 8 and 9 of the sheet and the guides 6 and 7. It is indispensable, and in addition to the fact that the width of the sheet 1 often varies, the sheet skew due to the above-mentioned cause occurs.

[0007]

In the apparatus of the present invention, the offset means 3a, 3b, 3 for positively moving the uppermost sheet 1a toward the movable guide 7 when the sheet 1 is fed out.
By providing c, 3d, 3e, and 6a, paper skew due to the above reason is prevented.

The offset means has a structure for applying a moving force in the paper width direction to the paper 1 when the friction roller 2 is rotated, for example, a structure in which the roller element 3b is temporarily moved in the axial direction by the action of the cam 25 during rotation. A structure in which the peripheral surface of the roller element 3e is formed in a spiral shape or the like can be adopted.

As another specific structure of the offset means, a structure for giving a moving force in the paper width direction to the paper 1 when the paper feed table 5 moves upward, for example, a flexible roller element 3a.
Structure in which a partial conical projection 4 is provided on the peripheral surface of the roller, a structure in which the entire roller element 3d having flexibility is formed into a conical shape, and the roller frame 32 is swung when the sheet feeding table 5 is moved upwards to cause the friction roller 3c.
It is possible to employ a structure in which the base is moved in the axial direction, a structure in which the reference guide 6a is slightly inclined toward the movable guide 7, or the like.

[0010]

According to the above structure, when the paper 1 is sent out,
The uppermost sheet 1a sent out is sent out after the anti-reference side 9 comes into contact with the movable guide 7,
Since the phenomenon in which the anti-reference side of the second and subsequent sheets of paper protrudes to the outside of the uppermost sheet 1a cannot occur, the second and subsequent sheets of paper protrude from the anti-reference side 9 of the uppermost sheet 1a. It is possible to avoid the sheet skew caused by this.

Further, the variation in the width direction of the paper on the paper feed table 5 is also corrected by the contact between the paper 1a and the movable guide 7, and the position in the paper width direction can be accurately defined and the paper can be fed.

Further, in the apparatus having the above structure, the uppermost sheet 1a is flexed upward by positively applying a moving force in the sheet width direction to the reference side 8 side of the uppermost sheet 1a, so that the uppermost sheet 1a is deflected upward. Air layer 40 (Fig. 1,
6) is formed, whereby the uppermost sheet 1a can be sent out in a state of being separated from the second and subsequent sheets, and the stacked sheets can be separated and supplied more reliably.

[0013]

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a friction roller 2 abutting on the upper surface of a stack of sheets 1 is shown.
The roller element 3a of a is provided with a partial conical projection 4 as shown in FIGS. The roller element 3a stands by with the partial conical projection 4 facing downward when the paper feed tray 5 is in the lowered state, and raises the paper feed tray 5 to bring the uppermost sheet 1a into contact with the roller element 3a. When the sheet 1 is moved, the partial cone projection 4 is bent by the upward movement of the sheet 1 as shown in FIG. 1, and the uppermost sheet 1a is pushed toward the movable guide 7.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is provided with the friction roller 2a in which the roller element 3a having such a partial conical projection 4 is provided only on the reference side 8 side of the stacking paper 1.
The uppermost sheet 1a is strongly pressed against the movable guide 7 to bend the sheet 1 upward between the movable guide 7 and the friction roller 2a, and then the friction roller 2a is rotated to rotate the uppermost sheet 1a.
The structure is such that a is sent to the feed roller 10 in a separated state.

In the apparatus of the illustrated embodiment, the friction roller 2a and the feed roller 10 are drivingly connected by gears 11, 12 and 13 so as to rotate simultaneously. Further, the paper feed tray 5 is driven up and down by reciprocating rotation of the pinion 14 when a pinion 14 partially shown in the drawing and a rack (not shown) fixed to the paper feed tray 5 mesh with each other.
The topmost sheet 1a sent out is the feed roller 1
After reaching the position of 0, the sensor (not shown) detects the leading edge of the sheet and rotates the pinion 14 to lower the sheet feeding table 5. Then, after the first sheet 1a is completely fed out, the friction roller 2a is placed at a position where the partial conical projection 4 faces downward.
Then, the feed roller 10 is stopped, and in that state, the pinion 14 is driven to move the paper feed table 5 upward, and the above paper feed operation is repeated.

5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the roller element 3b of the friction roller 2b is fixed to the shaft 20 at an eccentric position, and the shaft 20 is movable in the axial direction. Gears 22 and 23, which are rotatably supported by the frame 21 and drive the shaft 20, are provided. A cam roller 24 is fixed to an intermediate portion of the shaft 20, and a spring 27 is provided to urge the cam 25 to an immovable member 26 provided on the reference guide 6 side.

In the device of the second embodiment, the shaft 20
The roller element 3b moves toward the movable guide 7 when the cam 25 abuts on the immovable member 26 by rotating, and the long diameter portion of the roller element 3b abuts the sheet 1 at this time. Therefore, when the shaft 20 moves to the movable guide 7 side due to the contact between the cam 25 and the immovable member 26, the roller element 3b comes into contact with the uppermost sheet 1a, and the uppermost sheet 1a moves to the movable guide 7. After being moved toward and deflected upward to be separated from the second and subsequent sheets, the sheet is fed by the rotation of the roller element 3b.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the friction roller 2c is axially supported by the roller frame 32 connected to the immovable member 30 via the swing link 31, and the swing link 3
Reference numeral 1 connects the immovable member 30 and the roller frame 32 with two pins 33 and 34 parallel to the feeding direction of the sheet 1. When the paper feed tray 5 is in the lowered state, the swing link 31 is in a state in which the roller frame 32 side is lowered as shown in FIG. 7, and the lower limit of the roller frame 32 in this state is the stopper 35. Is regulated by.

From the state shown in FIG. 7, the paper feed table 5 is moved upward to bring the upper surface of the paper 1 into contact with the friction roller 2c, and the paper feed table 5 is further raised by a predetermined amount. At the same time, the swing link 31 rotates leftward in the figure, which moves the friction roller 2c to the right side in the figure, that is, to the movable guide side. By the axial movement of the friction roller 2c, the uppermost sheet 1a is brought into contact with the movable guide 7, and then the friction roller 2c is rotated to rotate the uppermost sheet 1a.
a is sent out.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which one roller element 3d of the friction roller 2d is formed into a conical shape with a soft material, and the large diameter portion of the roller element 3d is different from that of the other roller element 3. By making the diameter larger than the peripheral surface and moving the paper feed table 5 upward to bring the upper surface of the sheet 1 into contact with the conical roller element 3d, as in the first embodiment, the contact is made. Utilizing the deformation of the large diameter portion of the conical roller element 3d in the section,
After moving the uppermost sheet 1a until it abuts the movable guide 7, the friction roller 2d is rotated to move the uppermost sheet 1a.
a is sent out.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which the spiral groove 3 is formed on the peripheral surface of the roller element 3e of the friction roller 2e.
By providing 8, the peripheral surface of the roller element 3e has a spiral shape, and the roller element 3 when the friction roller 2e is rotated.
By the screwing action of e, the uppermost sheet 1a is moved to the movable guide 7
It is made to contact with.

FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which the reference guide 6a and the movable guide 7a are slightly slanted toward the movable guide 7 so that the upward movement of the sheet feeding table 5 is performed. Causes the uppermost sheet 1a to move to the movable guide 7a side from the second sheet and the following sheets.
This is to prevent the anti-reference side of the first and subsequent sheets of paper from projecting from the anti-reference side 9 of the uppermost sheet 1a.

[0023]

As described above, according to the apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to feed the uppermost sheet fed at the time of feeding the sheet with the movable guide being in contact with the sheet, and the second sheet or less. It is possible to prevent the skew of the sheet and the variation in the position of the fed sheet in the width direction due to the anti-reference side of the uppermost sheet protruding from the anti-reference side of the uppermost sheet.

Further, by pressing the uppermost sheet more positively against the movable guide, the uppermost sheet is bent upward so that an air layer is formed between the uppermost sheet and the second and subsequent sheets, and the sheets are separated from each other. There is an effect that it is possible to more reliably separate the uppermost sheet by reducing the friction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing the operation of the device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the friction roller according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the friction roller according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view schematically showing the operation of the device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the reason for paper skew.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Paper 2a-e Friction roller 3a-e Roller element 5 Paper feed table 6a Reference guide 8 Reference side 9 Anti-reference side

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Papers (1) stacked on a paper feed table (5) are sent out by rotating a friction roller (2) which is in contact with the upper surface of the papers (1) with its reference side (8) always in a fixed position. In the stacking paper (1) feeding device, an offset that applies an urging force in the direction opposite to the reference side (9) to the paper (1) that contacts the roller (2) due to the upward movement of the paper feed table (5). Means (3a), (3c), (3d),
(6a) is provided, a stacking sheet feeding device. 2. Papers (1) piled up on a paper feed table (5) are sent out by rotating a friction roller (2) which is in contact with the upper surface of the papers (1) with its reference side (8) always in a fixed position. In the stacking paper (1) feeding device, the anti-reference side (9) is attached to the paper (1) that abuts the roller (2) by the rotation of the friction roller (2).
An apparatus for feeding stacked sheets, comprising offset means (3b), (3e) for applying a biasing force in a direction.