JP2002137838A - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feeder that can always and properly feed paper one by one, while the balance of friction force generated between a lower end of the paper and a paper separating pad, with feeding force of a feed roller is kept well. SOLUTION: In a predetermined area downstream of a skirt portion 15B of the separating pad 15 in a direction of carrying paper, two lower faces 15B1, 15B2 are supported via a pad supporting portion 16A of a pad supporting member 16 disposed to a main body casing 2 to strongly support the separating pad 15 to prevent the separating pad from bending to increase resistance against the paper. In a predetermined area upstream of the skirt portion 15B in the direction of carrying paper, only the lower face 15B2 is supported via a supporting portion 16B of the pad supporting member 16 to support the separating pad 15 weakly compared with the downstream area, so that suitable flexibility is maintained when stacked paper abuts on the elastic separating pad 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is applicable to a facsimile apparatus and other various printing apparatuses. When a plurality of sheets stored in a stacked state are fed by a feed roller, a sheet separating member is used. In particular, the present invention relates to a sheet feeding apparatus capable of always properly feeding sheets one by one without being influenced by a use environment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of sheets are supported and stored in a main body case in a stacked state, and a sheet separation pad is disposed downstream in a sheet feeding direction, and the sheet is supplied via a sheet feeding roller. Various types of paper feeding that separate paper one by one by cooperating with the paper feed operation by the paper feed roller and the frictional force generated between the paper separation pad and the lower end of the paper when paper is fed A device has been proposed.

[0003] As this kind of conventional apparatus, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the separation pad P is arranged so that the lower end surface of the sheet H is in contact with the separation pad P.
There is a sheet separator configured so that only the uppermost sheet is separated by the frictional force between the sheet and the lower end surface of the sheet H. In this type of conventional apparatus, the separation pad P is provided with a protrusion PT provided to protrude from a long hole provided to extend in the sheet stacking direction of the metal holder member K.
The protrusion PT is always protruded from the holder member K by disposing foam rubber in the hollow portion of the separation pad P or by using the elasticity of the material.

In these methods, a friction member made of polyurethane or the like is used as a separation pad, and the movement of the entire sheet is prevented by a friction force generated between the friction member and the lower end of the sheet. Only the top sheet is separated.

[0005]

However, the paper separating pad used in the conventional sheet separating apparatus is generally formed of a resin material such as polyurethane, but this kind of resin material is not used. In many cases, the physical conditions significantly change depending on the environmental conditions. For example, the flexibility of the resin material tends to increase in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, while the flexibility of the resin material tends to decrease in a low-temperature and low-humidity environment.

When the paper separation pad is formed from such a resin material, the flexibility of the paper separation pad may be changed and further deformed depending on the use environment conditions. That is, since the projecting portion PT is configured to project from the holder member K by utilizing the elasticity of the material, if the flexibility changes, the projecting portion PT loses the pressing force from the lower end portion of the sheet, and FIG. Paper separation pad P as in D)
For example, when the hardness of the paper separation pad increases at low temperature and low humidity, the entire paper separation pad sinks due to the pressing force from the lower end surface of the paper. As shown in FIG.
T is entirely recessed to a position where it does not protrude from the holder member K over the entire area extending in the paper stacking direction, and the lower end surface of the paper does not contact the paper separation pad P,
When the flexibility of the separation pad P increases in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, the sheet separation pad near the lower end surface of the sheet gradually sinks, as shown in FIGS. 13C and 13D. The separation pad P is held by the holder member
The separation pad P is entirely recessed, and the lower end surface of the paper is
There is a problem that normal separation of the paper cannot be performed because the paper is not brought into contact with the P.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is intended to prevent the paper separating pad from being deformed without being affected by the use environment conditions and to make the entire paper separating pad flexible. The paper can be kept one sheet at a time while maintaining a good balance between the frictional force generated between the lower end of the paper and the paper separation pad and the paper supply force of the paper supply roller. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device capable of feeding sheets properly.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding apparatus for feeding sheets stacked in a main body case by a sheet feeding roller. In a sheet feeding device having a sheet separating member for separating sheets one by one in cooperation with a sheet feeding operation, the sheet separating member has an elongated hole formed in a stacking direction of the sheets, and is disposed in a main body case. A holder member disposed below the holder member, a protrusion projecting from the elongated hole by a predetermined amount and contacting the lower end of the sheet, and a skirt portion continuous with the protrusion. And a pad support member provided on the main body case and supporting the skirt portion of the elastic separation pad from below, wherein the skirt portion has a first supported surface serving as a lowermost end, and a 1
A second supported surface provided between the supported surface and the protruding portion, wherein the pad supporting member has a second supported surface with respect to a predetermined area of the skirt portion on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction. It is characterized by supporting.

In the paper feeder according to the first aspect, the pad supporting member provided on the main body case supports the second supported surface with respect to a predetermined area on the downstream side of the skirt portion of the separation pad in the paper transport direction. By strengthening the supporting state, the separation pad is prevented from bending, and the resistance to the paper is increased. On the other hand, for the predetermined area on the upstream side in the transport direction of the skirt, by supporting only the first supported surface, the support state is weakened compared to the downstream side, and the paper is stacked on the elastic separation pad in a stacked state. When in contact, it is possible to maintain appropriate flexibility. Thus, on the upstream side of the separation pad in the sheet conveyance direction, the separation pad is appropriately bent so that the stacked sheets are reliably sent out toward the downstream side, and the separation pad is downstream of the separation pad in the sheet conveyance direction. On the side, if the sheet is bent in the same manner as the upstream side, the paper will slide further in the stacked state, and in order to prevent this, the supporting state of the skirt portion by the pad supporting member is strengthened and the separation pad is bent. So that only one sheet is separated. That is, by changing the amount of deformation between the upstream side and the downstream side of the separation pad in the paper transport direction, the balance between the frictional force generated between the lower end of the paper and the separation pad and the paper feed force of the paper feed roller can be improved. This makes it possible to always properly feed one sheet at a time while maintaining it.

As a material for forming the elastic separation pad, a polyurethane resin material is desirable, and its hardness is 75.
It is desirably in the range of degrees to 85 degrees.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder of the first aspect, the pad supporting member is provided between a predetermined area on the downstream side of the skirt portion in the paper conveying direction and a predetermined area on the upstream side. A gap that does not support the first supported surface is formed therebetween. In the paper feeder according to the second aspect, when the separation pad is formed of a material having a relatively high hardness, there is a possibility that an appropriate bending cannot be generated until the separation pad reaches the downstream side of the separation pad. Therefore, in order to assist this, a gap that does not support the first supported surface is formed in the pad supporting member between the predetermined area on the downstream side of the skirt portion and the predetermined area on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction. In addition, by easily bending even a material having high hardness, it is possible to always properly feed one sheet at a time.

Further, the paper feeding device according to claim 3 is the paper feeding device according to claim 1 or 2,
It is characterized in that minute irregularities are formed. The minute unevenness formed on the protrusion has an effect of improving the frictional force generated between the projection and the lower end of the sheet, thereby reducing the number of sheets.
It is possible to reliably separate sheets one by one.

Further, the paper feeder according to claim 4 is the paper feeder according to claims 1 to 3, further comprising a cover member provided with a bent portion facing the paper housed in the main body case. The bent portion of the cover member is regulated so as to abut on the sheet and maintain the stacked state. As described above, by restricting the sheet by contacting the sheet in the stacked state via the bent portion of the cover member, it is possible to prevent a plurality of sheets from falling into the paper feeder at the same time and to perform the double feeding of the sheet. Can be reliably prevented.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the center of the paper feed roller and the elastic separation pad are arranged along the width direction of the paper. The center is separated from the center by a predetermined distance. Here, it is empirically known that if the predetermined distance is too long, double feeding of papers is likely to occur, while if the predetermined distance is too short, empty feeding of papers is likely to occur. In the apparatus, since the predetermined distance is set in consideration of the balance between the paper feeding force of the paper feeding roller and the paper regulating force of the elastic separation pad, it is possible to prevent double feeding and empty feeding of paper. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the main body case is provided with paper support members on both sides of the paper separation member. The leading end surfaces of the holder member of the sheet separating member and each sheet supporting member are flush with each other on the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction. In the paper feeding device according to the fifth aspect, since the leading end surfaces of the holder member and each paper supporting member are flush with each other on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction, the paper is fed in the width direction during paper feeding. Are supported at three positions on the same line, so that skewing of the sheet can be prevented.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sheet feeding apparatus of the sixth aspect, each of the sheet supporting members is provided with an inclined portion that gradually becomes lower toward the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction. It is characterized by having been done. With this configuration, the leading edge of the paper is smoothly guided in the paper feeding direction via the inclined portion, and the leading edge of the paper is prevented from curling in the opposite direction to the paper feeding direction, thereby preventing jamming. Becomes possible.

Further, in the paper feeder according to claim 8, in the paper feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the main body case has a slope that becomes gradually lower toward the downstream side in the paper feeding direction. A guide rib having a portion is provided. In such a paper feeding device, the leading edge of the paper is guided in the paper feeding direction via the inclined portion of the guide rib at the time of paper feeding, so that the leading edge of the paper is prevented from curling in a direction opposite to the paper feeding direction, Jamming can be prevented.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder according to any one of the fourth to eighth aspects, the cover member is provided with a film member abutting on sheets stored in a stacked state. It is characterized by having. In such a sheet feeding device, since the film member abuts on the sheet and regulates the leading end of the sheet on the elastic separation pad, even if the leading end of the sheet is curled in the direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction, It is possible to reliably prevent double feeding of sheets.

Further, according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the upper surface of each of the sheet supporting members is formed lower than the upper surface of the holder member. It is characterized by the following. In such a paper feeder,
Since the upper surface of each paper supporting member is formed lower than the upper surface of the holder member, even when the leading end of the paper is curled, the leading end of the paper is formed by the elastic separation pad projecting from the long hole of the holder member. As a result, the sheet is reliably brought into contact with the protruding portion, whereby the sheets can be surely separated one by one.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a paper feeder according to the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment embodying the present invention with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the sheet feeding apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the paper feeder, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the paper feeder, and FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing the schematic front view shown in FIG.

1 to 3, the paper feeder 1 has a main body case 2, and the main body case 2 has a bottom wall 3 and an inclined body integrally formed so as to form an obtuse angle from the bottom wall 3. A wall 4 is provided (see FIG. 9). Here, the bottom wall 3 and the inclined wall 4 constitute a paper stacker that stacks the sheets in a stacked state, and when the sheets are stacked in the stacked state, the lower end of the sheet abuts on the bottom wall 3 and The back side of the sheet is supported by the inclined wall 4.

A paper feed roller shaft 6 is mounted between a pair of side walls 5 formed on both sides of the main body case 2. A roller gear 8 meshed with a drive mechanism 7 fixed to the side wall 5 is provided at an end (right end in FIG. 1) of the feed roller shaft 6.
A roller support member 9 is rotatably attached to a substantially central position of the paper feed roller shaft 6. A gear train (not shown) for transmitting the rotation of the paper feed roller shaft 6 is provided in the roller support member 9.
A paper feed roller 10 rotated via the gear train is rotatably supported. The roller support member 9 is
It is urged toward the sheet via the urging spring 11.

When feeding the sheet at the uppermost position among the sheets stored in a stacked state on the bottom wall 3 and the inclined wall 4, the feed roller shaft 6 rotates via the drive mechanism 7 and the roller gear 8. The paper feed roller 10 is driven by the gear train in the roller support member 9 based on the driving. As a result, the paper is fed in the paper feeding direction via the paper feed roller 10 that is driven to rotate.

A paper separating member 12 is disposed on the bottom wall 3 of the main body case 2 at a position slightly deviated to the left from the center of the paper feeding roller. The paper support member 13 is disposed at the bottom.

Here, the configuration of the sheet separating member 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 6, and 7. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the sheet separating member 12, FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line B1-B1 in FIG. . FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a holder member, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an elastic separation pad.

In these figures, the paper separating member 12
Is basically pressed from a SUS thin plate so as to be convex when viewed from the end, and is formed of a resin member such as polyurethane, which is disposed below the holder member 14 holding the elastic separation pad 15 and the holder member 14. A separation pad 15 formed and elastic; a pad support member 16 formed on the bottom wall 3 of the main body case 2 to support the separation pad 15 from below;
Further, the holding member 17 is made of a polyacetal holding member 17 into which one end of the holder member 14 and one end of the separation pad 15 are inserted to hold the two in an integrated state.

The holder member 14 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in (A), the upper wall portion 14A is formed in a convex shape when viewed from the end face, and the horizontal upper wall portion 14A, the side wall portions 14B continuous downward from both sides of the upper wall portion 14A, and the horizontal direction from each side wall portion 14B. It has a bent engagement portion 14C. Also,
The holder member 14 has a predetermined length in the paper stacking direction (see FIGS. 10 and 11). As shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), the long holes 14 extend along the paper stacking direction.
D is formed. The long hole 14D exposes the protrusion 15D formed on the separation pad 15 to the upper side. A positioning hole 14E is formed at an end (the left end in FIG. 6B) of the long hole 14D, and a positioning protrusion 17A formed on the inner upper wall of the holding member 17 is formed in the positioning hole 14E. Are fitted. Thereby, the positioning and fixing of the holder member 14 and the holding member 17 are performed.

Each of the locking portions 14C of the holder member 14 is formed with a projection 14F projecting upward. Each projection 14F is integrated with the main body case 2 on both sides of the pad support member 16. The fixed piece 18 (see FIG. 4B) comes into contact with the back surface of the formed fixed piece 18. Thus, the holder member 14
Has its lower end contacted by a step portion of the pad support member 16, and each projection 14F contacts the back side of the fixing piece 18 via the elastic force of the locking portion 14C.
The holder member 14 is fixed to the main body case 2.

Further, one side wall portion 14 of the holder member 14
As shown in FIG. 6 (C), a locking groove 14G whose bottom is open is formed in B. The locking groove 14 </ b> G locks a locking piece 15 </ b> F formed on the separation pad 15 and performs an operation of positioning the holder member 14 and the separation pad 15 relative to each other.

The separation pad 15 is made of a resin material such as polyurethane having a relatively large hardness in the range of 75 to 85 degrees, and as shown in FIG. It has a substantially matching convex end face shape. The separation pad 15 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the upper wall portion 15A is basically arranged below the holder member 14, and the skirt portion 15B extends downward from both sides of the upper wall portion 15A.
Consists of The separation pad 15 has a predetermined length in the paper stacking direction (see FIGS. 10 and 11), similarly to the holder member 14. On both side edges of the upper wall 15A,
Protrusions 15C, 15C are formed, and between each protrusion 15C, a protruding portion 15D formed higher than the protrusion 15C.
Is provided. The height of the protruding portion 15D is set so as to protrude from the elongated hole 14D of the holder member 14 by a predetermined amount, and the lower end of the sheet is directly in contact with the protruding portion 15D in a state of being stored in a stacked state. The skirt 15B
An inner wall surface 15B2 having a horizontal portion continuing from the upper wall portion 15A and a vertical portion bent from the horizontal portion and extending downward, and an inner wall surface 15B2 composed of the horizontal portion and the vertical portion is shown in FIGS. B)
As shown in the figure, in a predetermined area on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction, the lower surface 15B1 which is in close contact with the step portion of the pad support member 16 and is the lowermost end of the separation pad 15
The pad is also in contact with the lower part of the step of the pad support member 16. Thereby, the separation pad 15 is firmly supported by the pad support member 16.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12A, the projection 15D is normally projected from the holder member 14, and the lower end surface of the sheet is in contact with the projection, so that the lower end surface of the sheet and the projection 15D The second and subsequent sheets from the uppermost sheet are not transported together with the first sheet against the sheet feeding force of the sheet feeding roller 10 due to the frictional force generated between them, and normal sheet separation is performed. Done. Further, even in a case where the hardness of the entire separation pad is reduced or increased in an environment of high temperature and high humidity or low temperature and low humidity, as shown in FIG. Since the projection 15D is firmly supported on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction, the protruding portion 15D is not recessed on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction. 15D, and normal separation of paper feed is performed.

Further, on the upper surface of the protrusion 15D, FIG.
As shown in (B), minute unevenness 15E is formed. The minute irregularities 15E serve to increase the frictional force generated between the small irregularities 15E and the lower end of the sheet. Based on the balance between the effect of the minute irregularities 15E and the sheet feeding force of the sheet feeding roller 10, The sheets are surely separated one by one.

As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, a locking piece 15F is formed from the side surface of one skirt portion 15B of the separation pad 15, and the locking piece 15F is It is locked in the locking groove 14G of the holder member 14 described above. The separation pad 15 and the holder member 14 are positioned relative to each other based on the locking relationship between the locking pieces 15F and the locking grooves 14G.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the pad supporting member 16 has two supporting portions 16A and 16B having a protruding shape along the longitudinal direction of the separation pad 15. As shown in FIG.
The support portion 16A on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction includes a lower surface 15B1 which is the lowermost end of the separation pad 15 and a lower surface 15B.
We support both. In addition, the support portion 16B on the upstream side in the paper transport direction is a lower surface 15B1 of the separation pad 15.
Only support. At this time, the support portions 16A and 16B of the pad support member 16 supporting the upstream side and the downstream side of the separation pad 15 and the lower surface 15B1 of the skirt portion 15B.
A space 16C will be formed between them. Even when the gap 16C is formed of a resin material having a high hardness so that the physical characteristics of the separation pad 15 are not affected by the use environment, the separation pad 15 is formed in a state where the sheets are stacked.
When it comes into contact with the upper surface, the separation pad 15 functions to maintain appropriate flexibility. As described above, it is possible to impart appropriate flexibility to the separation pad 15 based on the existence of the gap 16C, so that the frictional force generated between the lower end of the sheet and the separation pad 15 and the paper feed roller 10
Paper while maintaining a good balance with the paper feeding force
Sheets can be separated properly. Separation pad 1
Depending on the material of No. 5, the space 16C may not be formed, and the lower surface 15B1 of the skirt portion 15B may be supported by the pad supporting member 16 over the entire length.

The holding member 17 has a long hole 1 of the holder member 14.
A positioning projection 17A fitted on the positioning hole 14E formed at the end of the 4D has an inner upper wall. The positioning projection 17A is fitted into the positioning hole 14E of the holder member 14 in a state where the separation pad 15 and the holder member 14 are integrated based on the locking relationship between the locking piece 15E and the locking groove 14G. Accordingly, the holding member 17 holds the separation pad 15 and the holder member 14 integrally.

The paper separating member 12 constructed as described above
Of the separation pad 15 disposed on the
As shown in FIG. 1, the center of 0 is separated by a predetermined distance P along the width direction of the sheet. Here, it is generally known that if the distance P is too long, the double feed of the paper is likely to occur, while if the distance P is too short, the empty feed of the paper is likely to occur. Is set. In the present embodiment, the paper feed force by the paper feed roller 10 and the separation pad 1
By setting the distance P to about 20 mm in consideration of the balance with the sheet regulating force according to No. 5, double feed and empty feed of sheets can be prevented.

Outside the one paper support 13 (the paper support 13 on the left side in FIG. 1), a triangular guide rib 19 is formed across the bottom wall 3 and the inclined wall 4 of the main body case 2. (See FIGS. 1, 3, and 9). The guide rib 19 has an inclined portion 19A that becomes gradually lower toward the downstream side (the lower side in FIG. 1) in the sheet feeding direction. At the time of paper feeding, the leading edge of the paper is guided in the paper feeding direction via the inclined portion 19A of the guide rib 19, so that the leading edge of the paper is prevented from curling in the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction,
This can prevent paper jamming.

Next, the structure of the paper support 13 disposed on the bottom wall 3 on both sides of the paper separation member 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the paper support 13, and FIG.
5A is a sectional view taken along line AA, and FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along line A1-A1 in FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the sheet support member.

5 and 8, the paper support 13
Is basically formed by disposing a paper support member 20 integrally formed of a resin material so as to be convex when viewed from the end face on a support portion 21 formed on the bottom wall 3 of the main body case 2. Is done.

Here, the paper support member 20 corresponds to FIG.
As shown in (A) and (B), basically, a horizontal upper wall portion 20A, side wall portions 20B that are continuously hung from both sides of the upper wall portion 20A, and a horizontal direction from each side wall portion 20B Is formed of a locking portion 20C extending to the end. Each locking part 2
0C indicates that each side wall portion 2 is formed as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C.
0B, and extends in the horizontal direction, and is formed integrally with the step portion formed on the fixing member 21A of the support portion 21 and the main body case 2 (see FIG. 5B).
Abuts on the back side. Thus, the paper support member 2
0, the locking portion 20C is brought into contact with the step portion of the fixing member 21A, and is brought into contact with the back side of the fixing piece 22;
As a result, the support member 20 is fixed to the support portion 21 of the main body case 2.

Further, from the upper wall portion 20A, there is provided an inclined portion 20D which becomes gradually lower toward the downstream side (the right side in FIG. 5A) along the sheet feeding direction. The inclined portion 20D functions to smoothly guide the leading edge of the sheet in the sheet feeding direction and to prevent the leading edge of the sheet from curling in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction. As a result, paper jamming can be prevented.

Each paper support 1 configured as described above
3 and the leading end surface of the holder member 14 in the sheet separating member 12,
As shown by a broken line L in FIG. 2, they are flush with each other on the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction. In this manner, by forming the leading end surface of the paper support member 20 and the leading end surface of the holder member 14 to be flush with each other, the paper is supported at three positions on the same line in the width direction during paper feeding. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the sheet from skewing.

The upper surface of the paper support member 20 in each paper support 13 is formed lower than the upper surface of the holder member 14 in the paper separation member 12, as shown by the dashed line M in FIG. Based on this, even when the leading end of the sheet is curled, the leading end of the sheet is reliably brought into contact with the protrusion 15D of the separation pad 15 projecting from the long hole 14D of the holder member 14, Therefore, the sheets can be reliably separated one by one.

In the paper feeder 1 of the present embodiment, a cover member 30 is provided on the opposite side of the main body case 2 as shown in FIGS. The cover member 30 has a bent portion 31 opposed to the sheets stored in a stacked state over the bottom wall 3 and the inclined wall 4.
Are formed. The bent portion 31 abuts on the uppermost sheet and regulates the sheet to keep the stacked state. As described above, by restricting the bent portion 31 of the cover member 30 by abutting on the stacked sheets, it is possible to prevent a plurality of sheets from falling into the sheet feeding device 1 at the same time in an avalanche, This makes it possible to reliably prevent double feeding of sheets.

Further, an elastic film member 32 is attached near the bent portion 31 of the cover member 30, as shown in FIGS. The film member 32 performs a regulating action such that the leading end of the sheet H comes in contact with the uppermost sheet H stored in the stacked state and the leading end of the sheet H rides on the protrusion 15 </ b> D of the separation pad 15 in the sheet separating member 12. Accordingly, even when the leading end of the sheet H is curled in the direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction, the double feeding of the sheet can be reliably prevented.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, since the film member 32 has elasticity, the film member 32 can flexibly follow and contact the uppermost sheet H even if the stack amount of the sheet H increases or decreases. is there. FIG. 10 and FIG.
FIG.

As described in detail above, in the paper feeder 1 according to the present embodiment, the pad supporting member 16 provided on the main body case 2 is moved to the predetermined area on the downstream side of the skirt portion 15B of the separation pad 15 in the paper transport direction. Two lower surfaces 1
By supporting both 5B1 and 15B2 and strengthening the supporting state, the separation pad 15 is not bent so as to increase the resistance to the sheet. On the other hand, for a predetermined region on the upstream side in the transport direction of the skirt portion 15B, one lower surface 15
By supporting only B1, it is possible to weaken the support state as compared with the downstream side, and to maintain appropriate flexibility when the sheets abut against the elastic separation pad 15 in a stacked state. Thus, on the upstream side of the separation pad 15 in the sheet conveyance direction, the separation pad 15 is appropriately bent so that the stacked sheets are reliably sent out toward the downstream side. On the downstream side in the direction, if the sheet is bent in the same manner as the upstream side, the paper slips further in the stacked state, and the skirt portion 15B by the pad supporting member 16 is used to prevent this.
Is strengthened so that the separation pad 15 is not bent, and only one sheet is separated. That is, by changing the amount of deformation between the upstream side and the downstream side of the separation pad 15 in the sheet conveyance direction, the balance between the frictional force generated between the lower end of the sheet and the separation pad 15 and the paper supply force of the paper supply roller 10 is improved. , And it is possible to always properly feed the sheets one by one.

On the upper surface of the projecting portion 15D of the separation pad 15, fine unevenness 15E is formed, and the fine unevenness 15E formed on the projecting portion 15D generates a frictional force generated between the projecting portion 15D and the lower end of the sheet. This makes it possible to reliably separate sheets one by one.

Further, a cover member 30 provided with a bent portion 31 facing the paper stored in the main body case 2 is provided, and the bent portion 31 of the cover member 30 comes into contact with the paper and is laminated. Since the state is regulated so as to maintain the state, it is possible to prevent a plurality of sheets of paper from falling into the sheet feeding device 1 at the same time and to surely prevent double feeding of sheets.

The center of the paper feed roller 10 and the center of the separation pad 15 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance P along the width direction of the paper. Since the setting is made in consideration of the balance between the paper strength and the regulating force of the paper by the separation pad 15, it is possible to prevent double feeding and empty feeding of the paper.

Further, the paper separating member 1 is
The paper support 13 is provided on both sides of the paper support 2, and the holder member 14 of the paper separation member 12 and the leading end surface of the paper support member 20 of each paper support 13 are flush with each other on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction. Therefore, at the time of paper feeding, the paper is supported at three positions on the same line in the width direction of the paper, so that the skew of the paper can be prevented.

The paper support member 20 of each paper support 13 is provided with an inclined portion 20D that gradually becomes lower toward the downstream side in the paper feeding direction, so that the leading end of the paper passes through the inclined portion 20D. The paper is smoothly guided in the paper feeding direction, and the leading end of the paper is prevented from curling in the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction, so that jamming can be prevented.

Further, since the main body case 2 is provided with the guide rib 19 having the inclined portion 19A which becomes gradually lower toward the downstream side in the paper feeding direction, the leading end of the paper is Since the sheet is guided in the sheet feeding direction via the inclined portion 19A, the leading end of the sheet is prevented from curling in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction, and jamming can be prevented.

The cover member 30 is provided with a film member 32 which comes into contact with the sheets stored in a stacked state. The film member 32 comes into contact with the sheet so that the leading end of the sheet rides on the separation pad 15. Therefore, even when the leading end of the sheet is curled in the direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction, it is possible to reliably prevent the double feeding of the sheet.

Further, since the upper surface of the paper support member 12 in each paper support 13 is formed lower than the upper surface of the holder member 14, even if the leading edge of the paper is curled, the leading edge of the paper is The projection 15D of the separation pad 15 projecting from the long hole 14D of the holder member 14 is reliably brought into contact with the projection 15D.
It is possible to surely separate the sheets one by one.

The present embodiment is not intended to limit the present invention, and it is needless to say that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0057]

As described above, in the paper feeder according to the first aspect, the pad supporting member provided on the main body case is provided with the first region on the downstream side of the skirt portion of the separation pad in the paper transport direction. By supporting both the supported surface and the second supported surface and strengthening the support state, the separation pad is prevented from bending, and the resistance to the paper is increased. On the other hand, for the predetermined area on the upstream side in the transport direction of the skirt, by supporting only the first supported surface, the support state is weakened compared to the downstream side, and the paper is stacked on the elastic separation pad in a stacked state. When in contact, it is possible to maintain appropriate flexibility. Thus, on the upstream side of the separation pad in the sheet conveyance direction, the separation pad is appropriately bent so that the stacked sheets are reliably sent out toward the downstream side, and the separation pad is downstream of the separation pad in the sheet conveyance direction. On the side, if the sheet is bent in the same manner as the upstream side, the paper will slide further in the stacked state, and in order to prevent this, the supporting state of the skirt portion by the pad supporting member is strengthened and the separation pad is bent. So that only one sheet is separated. That is, by changing the amount of deformation between the upstream side and the downstream side of the separation pad in the paper transport direction, the balance between the frictional force generated between the lower end of the paper and the separation pad and the paper feed force of the paper feed roller can be improved. This makes it possible to always properly feed one sheet at a time while maintaining it.

In the paper feeder according to the second aspect, when the separation pad is formed of a material having relatively high hardness, an appropriate bending is generated before the separation pad reaches the downstream side of the separation pad. In order to assist this, a gap that does not support the first supported surface is also provided between a predetermined area on the downstream side of the skirt portion in the paper transport direction and a predetermined area on the upstream side. By forming it on the pad supporting member and making it easy to bend even a material having a high hardness, it is possible to always properly feed the sheets one by one.

Further, in the paper feeder according to the third aspect, since the minute unevenness formed on the projecting portion has an effect of improving the frictional force generated between the paper and the lower end of the paper, the paper is fed one by one. Separation can be performed reliably.

Further, in the paper feeder according to the fourth aspect, a plurality of papers can be simultaneously placed in the paper feeder by restricting the paper in a stacked state through the bent portion of the cover member. It is possible to reliably prevent double feeding of sheets by preventing collapse.

In the paper feeder according to the fifth aspect, the predetermined distance is set in consideration of the balance between the paper feed force of the paper feed roller and the paper regulating force of the elastic separation pad. It is possible to prevent sending and empty sending.

Furthermore, in the paper feeder according to the sixth aspect, the leading end surfaces of the holder member and each paper support member are flush with each other on the downstream side in the paper feed direction. In some cases, the sheet is supported at three positions on the same line in the width direction, thereby preventing skew of the sheet.

In the paper feeder according to the seventh aspect, the leading edge of the paper is smoothly guided in the paper feeding direction via the inclined portion, and the leading edge of the paper is prevented from curling in the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction. Thus, jamming can be prevented.

Further, in the paper feeding apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the leading edge of the paper is guided in the paper feeding direction via the inclined portion of the guide rib during paper feeding, so that the leading edge of the paper is in the opposite direction to the paper feeding direction. Thus, it is possible to prevent the paper from curling, and to prevent jamming.

In the paper feeder according to the ninth aspect, since the film member contacts the paper and regulates the leading end of the paper on the elastic separation pad, the leading end of the paper is in the opposite direction to the paper feeding direction. Even if the paper is curled, it is possible to reliably prevent double feeding of paper.

Furthermore, in the paper feeder according to the tenth aspect, since the upper surface of each paper support member is formed lower than the upper surface of the holder member, even if the leading end of the paper is curled, the paper can be used. The leading end surely comes into contact with the projecting portion of the elastic separation pad projecting from the long hole of the holder member, whereby the sheets can be surely separated one by one.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a sheet feeding device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the sheet feeding device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing the schematic front view shown in FIG. 1 with the angle shifted.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a sheet separating member, and FIG.
4 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1, and FIG.
It is a B1-B1 line sectional view in (A).

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a paper support, and FIG.
5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG.
It is an A1-A1 line sectional view in (A).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a holder member.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an elastic separation pad.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a paper support member.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of a sheet feeding device.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view partially showing a sheet feeding device.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view partially showing a sheet feeding device.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheet separating member;
FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1 during normal operation, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1 at high temperature and high humidity or at low temperature and low humidity.

13A and 13B are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the sheet separating member in the conventional apparatus, wherein FIGS. 13A and 13B are schematic cross-sectional views during normal operation, and FIGS. It is a schematic cross section at the time of wet or low temperature and low humidity.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feeder 2 Main body case 3 Bottom wall 4 Inclined wall 10 Paper feed roller 12 Paper separation member 13 Paper support 14 Holder member 14D Long hole 15 Separation pad 15D Projection 15E Micro unevenness 16 Pad support member 16A, 16B Support portion 19 Guide Rib 19A Inclined section 20 Paper support member 20D Inclined section 30 Cover member 31 Bend section 32 Film member H Paper

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A sheet separating member for separating sheets one by one in cooperation with a sheet feeding operation of a sheet feeding roller when feeding sheets stacked in a main body case by a sheet feeding roller. In the paper feeding device, the paper separating member has a long hole formed along a stacking direction of the paper, a holder member disposed in a main body case, and a lower member disposed below the holder member, and A projecting portion that projects a predetermined amount and a bottom end of the sheet abuts, and an elastic separation pad provided with a skirt portion continuous with the projecting portion; and a skirt portion of the elastic separating pad provided on the main body case. A pad supporting member for supporting the skirt from below, wherein the skirt portion is a first supported surface serving as a lowermost end, and a second supported surface provided between the first supported surface and the protruding portion. Having the pad support portion A sheet feeding device, wherein the material supports a second supported surface in a predetermined area on the downstream side of the skirt portion in the sheet conveying direction. 2. A gap that does not support the first supported surface is formed in the pad support member between a predetermined area on the downstream side of the skirt portion and a predetermined area on the upstream side in the paper transport direction. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein fine protrusions and depressions are formed on an upper surface of the projecting portion. 4. A cover member provided with a bent portion facing the paper stored in the main body case, wherein the bent portion of the cover member contacts the paper to maintain a stacked state. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the feeding is regulated. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a center of the paper feed roller and a center of the elastic separation pad are separated by a predetermined distance along a width direction of the sheet. A paper feeding device according to any one of the above. 6. A paper supporting member is provided on both sides of the paper separating member in the main body case, and a holder member of the paper separating member and a front end surface of each paper supporting member are arranged in a paper feeding direction. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the two components are flush with each other on the downstream side.
A paper feeding device according to any one of the above. 7. The sheet feeding device according to claim 6, wherein each of the sheet supporting members is provided with an inclined portion that gradually becomes lower toward the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction. 8. A guide rib having an inclined portion that is gradually lowered toward the downstream side in the paper feeding direction is provided near the body case side wall of the body case near the paper separating member. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: 9. The sheet feeding device according to claim 4, wherein the cover member is provided with a film member that comes into contact with the sheets stored in a stacked state. 10. The sheet feeding device according to claim 6, wherein an upper surface of each of the sheet supporting members is formed lower than an upper surface of the holder member.