JP2002255426A - Sheet separator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet separator for integrally separating a plurality of separating pawls from one another. SOLUTION: Arms 7a, 7b are protruded on both sides in the cross direction of the plurality of separating pawls 3 turnably provided in parallel and the arms 7a, 7b of the adjacent separating pawls 3 are overlapped with each other. When the separating pawls 3 on the operation side are separated from each other, the overlapped portions allow the separating pawls 3 adjacent thereto to be separated from one another in sequence. The plurality of separating pawls 3 are integrally separated from one another in association.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet separating apparatus for separating a sheet from a roller for conveying the sheet such as a fixing roller of an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, a toner image is formed on a sheet conveyed by a sheet conveying member such as a roller, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet by a heating roller system. It is often performed by a fixing roller. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed to the next step by the fixing roller.

The fixing roller of the heating roller type fuses a toner image with heat and pressure to fix the toner image on a sheet, and is likely to cause a sheet conveyance error due to winding of the sheet around the fixing roller. For this reason, the fixing roller is often coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene coat or a release agent to improve the releasability of the fixing roller, but the sheet is fixed only by applying the polytetrafluoroethylene coat or the release agent. There is a risk of not separating from the roller.

On the other hand, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-586
As described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 65-65, there is a case where a sheet separating device provided with a plurality of separating claws which are in sliding contact with a fixing roller is provided to separate a sheet from the fixing roller. Each separation claw of the sheet separation device is rotatable about a rotation axis, so that the separation claw can be separated from the fixing roller and the separated state can be maintained. When a conveyance jam occurs due to slippage, each separation claw is separated from the fixing roller so that the sheet wound around the fixing roller can be removed.

[0005]

However, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-5
In the sheet separating apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 8665, the separation claws are independent of each other, and the separation of the separation claw from the fixing roller and the sliding contact with the fixing roller need to be performed for each separation claw.
Therefore, it takes time to remove the sheet wound around the fixing roller, and the number of persons who can perform the operation is limited.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a plurality of separation claws arranged in parallel in the width direction of a sheet conveying member such as a roller or a belt so as to be detachable from and contacting the sheet conveying member. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet separating apparatus capable of separating a plurality of separation claws integrally by separating them in conjunction with each other, and capable of efficiently performing jam processing. here,
The separation claw separates the sheet from the sheet conveying member by slidingly contacting the sheet conveying member such as a fixing roller of a heating roller type that fuses the toner image and fixes the toner image on the sheet, and conveys the sheet around the sheet conveying member. This is to prevent jam.

The separation claw can be separated from the sheet conveying member. When the sheet slips through the separation claw and a conveyance jam occurs, the separation claw can be separated to remove the wound sheet. Further, each separation claw is configured to be able to separate and contact independently of each other, and even when the distance from the sheet conveying member at the time of separation is different for each separation claw, all separation claws are urged by a predetermined force, Each separation claw is slid on the sheet conveying member without being affected by the other separation claw.

When the separation claw is formed so as to partially overlap the adjacent separation claw and the separation claw is overlapped when the separation claw is separated, when one separation claw is separated, the overlapped portion becomes the adjacent separation claw. By sequentially separating the claws, a plurality of separation claws can be separated in conjunction with each other. That is, by separating one of the plurality of separation claws urged independently of each other and separating the other separation claws together, the plurality of separation claws can be integrated. In addition,
When the separation claws come into sliding contact with each other, they come into sliding contact with each other independently by the urging force of each separation claw.

If a part of the separation claw is formed as an arm protruding in the width direction, this arm can be overlapped with an adjacent separation claw and the separation claw can be linked. At this time, the arm can be overlapped with the adjacent separation claw by making the length of the arm longer than the installation interval of the adjacent separation claw. In addition, when the separation claw slides on the sheet conveying member, if the arm of the separation claw is positioned so that the arm of the separation claw is not in contact with the adjacent separation claw, the separation claw can be freely separated and connected independently of each other. Can be.

The number of arms is not limited to one, and a plurality of arms may be provided. For example, if arms are protruded on both sides in the width direction of the separation claw, the arms of adjacent separation claws are overlapped with each other to move the separation claw. be able to. At this time, the arms of the separation claws are projected from both sides of the separation claws so as to be shifted from each other so that the arms of the adjacent separation claws are not in contact with each other when the separation claws are in sliding contact with each other. And can be freely separated and connected.

An operation arm is provided on one side of the separation claw located at one end side in the width direction, and the operation arm is movably guided by a frame for supporting the sheet conveying member, so that the operation arm is moved. The plurality of separation claws can be integrally separated. In addition, if the engaging portion for engaging the operation arm is formed on the frame, the separation claw can be held in the separated state. In addition, by making the separation claws having the arms protruding in the same shape, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of parts.

Further, as an interlocking means for integrally separating the separation claws, an interlocking rod may be inserted into a through hole formed in each separation claw. If the interlocking rod is formed smaller than the through hole, the interlocking rod and the separation claw do not come into contact with each other when the separation claw is slid, so that the separation claws can be separated and connected independently of each other. On the other hand, when the separation claw is separated, the interlocking rod comes into contact with the separation claw,
The separation claw can be integrally separated.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the sheet separating apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a sheet separating apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of a fixing device provided with the sheet separating apparatus, and FIG. Show. FIG. 4 is an arrangement diagram of the separation claws. 2 and 3 show a surface (one side in the width direction) on which the user operates the fixing device and the sheet separating device.

The sheet separating apparatus 1 includes a plurality of separation claws 3 which slide in contact with a pair of upper and lower fixing rollers 2 serving as a sheet conveying member to separate the conveyed sheet from the fixing roller 2.
And a tension spring 5 for urging each separation claw 3 so that the separation claw 3 rotatably supported by the rotation shaft 4 comes into sliding contact with the fixing roller 2.

The separation claw 3 has a thickness in the width direction of 5 mm to 6 m.
The separation claw body 6 has a substantially trapezoidal shape, the tip of which is in contact with the fixing roller 2 at an acute angle, and arms 7a and 7b protruding from both sides of the separation claw body 6 in the width direction.
All separation claws 3 are formed in the same shape from a heat-resistant engineering plastic such as polyimide, polyamide, or poniphenylene sulfide. In addition, R = 0.05 mm to 0. A roundness of about 1 mm is formed to prevent the fixing roller 2 from being damaged.

A through hole 8 is formed at the base end side of the separation claw main body 6, and a rotating shaft 4 supported at both ends by a frame 13 described later and arranged in parallel with the fixing roller 2 is provided with a separation claw. By passing through the through hole 8 of the main body 6, a plurality of separation claws 3 are arranged in the width direction on the downstream side of each fixing roller 2.

The required number of separation claws 3 may be arranged downstream of the fixing roller 2 in accordance with the maximum sheet conveying width. For example, in the case of an A4 vertical size, three to five separation claws 3 may be arranged. When four separation claws 3 are used for each fixing roller 2, the installation interval of each separation claw 3 is set to about 80 m.
m. Also, when using five separation claws 3,
The separation interval between the separation claws 3 may be about 60 mm.

The distal end of the separation claw 3 is located in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of each fixing roller 2 so that the separation claw 3 slides in the sliding contact direction (in the upper separation claw 3, When the portion is moved upward (in the lower separation claw 3, the leading end moves downward), the leading end comes into sliding contact with the fixing roller 2 and separates (in the sliding contact direction). Opposite direction)
, The leading end is separated from the fixing roller 2. Here, each of the separation claws 3 is rotatable around a rotation shaft 4, and each of the separation claws 3 can be separated from and connected to the fixing roller 2 independently of each other.

The tension spring 5 is interposed between a tension spring mounting hole 9 formed in the separation claw main body 6 and a tension spring mounting piece 10 projecting from a frame 13 to be described later. Are urged in the sliding direction. The tension spring 5 is attached to each separation claw 3, and only the separation claw 3 is urged. Further, the strength of the tension spring 5 is such that the tip of the separation claw main body 6 is applied to the fixing roller 2 by several g to several tens g (preferably 10 g).
-20 g).

On one side and the other side in the width direction of the separation claw main body 6,
Each of the one-side arm 7a and the other-side arm 7b is fixed to the separation claw main body 6, or protrudes by being integrally formed with the separation claw main body 6. The other side arm 7b overlaps with the one side arm 7a of the adjacent separation claw 3 and moves from the tip of the one side arm 7a of each separation claw 3 so as to interlock the rotation of the adjacent separation claw 3 when separated. The length up to the tip of the other arm 7b is longer than the installation interval of the adjacent separation claws 3.

For example, when the pitch of each separation claw 3 is 80 mm, the length from the tip of one arm 7a of the separation claw 3 to the tip of the other arm 7b is 90 mm, and the pitch of each separation claw 3 is 60 mm. In this case, the length from the tip of one arm 7a of the separation claw 3 to the tip of the other arm 7b is 70 mm.

The other arm 7b and the one-side arm 7a of each separation claw 3 are arranged so as to be displaced from each other in the rotating direction. The one arm 7a and the other arm 7b of the claw 3 are in a non-contact state without interfering with each other. That is, the one arm 7a is disposed so as to be located on the side in the direction of separation from the other side arm 7b, and by moving the separation claw 3 on one side in the width direction in the direction of separation, the arms 7a and 7b are overlapped with each other. All the separation claws 3 can be separated.

The ends of the arms 7a and 7b are bent in the same direction, so that even if the separation claw 3 is shifted in the width direction at the time of separation, one arm 7a and the other arm 7b of the adjacent separation claw 3 are separated. Are ensured to overlap each other. It is to be noted that even if the projecting position of the one arm 7a and the projecting position of the other arm 7b are set to the same position and the tips of the arms 7a and 7b are bent in the sliding direction or the separating direction, they can be overlapped. Good.

The sheet separating apparatus 1 is mounted on a frame 13 in which the fixing roller 2 is rotatably mounted. The frame 13 includes an upper frame 11 having a substantially inverted U-shaped cross section and a lower frame 12 having a substantially U-shaped cross section. The sheet separating device 1
Is mounted in the frame 13 by fixing the rotating shaft 4 to both side walls of the upper and lower frames 11 and 12, and attaching the other end of the tension spring 5 to the tension spring mounting piece 10 protruding from the upper wall and the lower wall. It is done by that.

The upper frame 11 and the lower frame 12 are rotatably connected at their upstream ends by pins 14 and are fixed at their downstream sides by screws 15. The upper and lower frames 11, 12 are opened by removing the screws 15. can do.
The frame 13 may be integrally formed into a box-shaped cross section without being divided into the upper and lower frames 11 and 12.

One side arm 7a of the separation claw 3 at one end in the width direction
Project out of the frame 13, and this arm is used as an operation arm 16. On one side wall of the upper frame 11 and the lower frame 12, a guide 17 for guiding the operation arm 16 in the sliding contact and separation direction is formed. In addition,
As the operation arm 16, an arm different from the one-side arm 7 a may be provided to protrude from the separation claw 3 at one end in the width direction.

The guide 17 is a groove formed in an arc shape, and the operation arm 16 slides along the guide 17. A step is formed in the middle of the guide 17, and the operation arm 16 is hooked and engaged with the step.
That is, the step 18 engages the operating arm 16 with the engaging portion 18.
When the separation claw 3 is separated from the fixing roller 2,
By engaging the operating arm 16 with the engaging portion 18, the separated state is maintained against the urging force of the tension spring 5. When the jam processing or the like is completed, the engagement is released by utilizing the elasticity of the operation arm 16 or the engagement portion 18 and the separation claw 3 can be slid.

Fixing roller bearings 19 are fitted on both side walls of the upper and lower frames 11 and 12, and rotatably support a pair of upper and lower fixing rollers 2 respectively. In the case of a color image forming apparatus, the fixing roller 2 has a configuration in which, for example, a rubber layer made of silicone rubber is provided around an aluminum core, and in the case of a monochrome image forming apparatus, the fixing roller 2 has an aluminum core. It is configured to be coated with polytetrafluoroethylene or the like. A heater 20 made of a halogen lamp or the like is provided inside at least one core of the fixing roller 2, and the two fixing rollers 2 are pressed against each other.

Around the upper fixing roller 2, a releasing agent applying roller 21 for applying a releasing agent such as silicone oil to the surface of the fixing roller 2 and cleaning the surface of the fixing roller 2, and not shown. Heater 20 in the control unit
And a temperature detector 22 such as a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the fixing roller 2 to control the temperature. The sheet separating device 1, the fixing roller 2, the release agent applying roller 21, the temperature detector 22, and the frame 13 accommodating them constitute a fixing device for fixing a toner image on a sheet.

Next, the operation of the sheet separating apparatus 1 will be described. First, when the image forming apparatus is operated, a toner image is formed on one side of the sheet, and the sheet is fed into the frame 13 from the upstream side of the fixing device. The sheet is conveyed by a pair of upper and lower fixing rollers 2 rotating in opposite directions, and is discharged from the downstream side of the frame 13.

When the sheet passes through the pressure contact surface between the fixing rollers 2, heat generated by the heater 20 of the fixing roller 2
The toner image is melted and fixed on the sheet by the pressure caused by the pressing of the fixing roller 2. The surface of the upper fixing roller 2 with which the toner image of the sheet is in direct contact is applied with a release agent such as silicone oil and cleaned by a release agent application roller 21. The heater 20 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) based on the temperature of the fixing roller 2 detected by a temperature detector 22 such as a thermistor.

At this time, each separation claw 3 is urged by the tension spring 5, and the tip of the separation claw main body 6 is in sliding contact with the fixing roller 2. The arms 7a, 7 of adjacent separation claws 3
b are in a non-contact state, and the separation claws 3 do not interfere with each other. Therefore, each separation claw 3 slides on the fixing roller 2 with an appropriate pressure by the urging force of the tension spring 5.

When the sheet is stuck to one of the fixing rollers 2, the leading portion of the sheet moves with the rotation of the fixing roller 2. When the leading end of the sheet comes into contact with the leading end of the separation claw 3 that is in sliding contact with the fixing roller 2, the movement of the leading end is prevented, and the sheet is separated from the fixing roller 2. Is prevented from winding.

On the other hand, when the leading portion of the sheet adhered to the fixing roller 2 passes between the fixing roller 2 and the tip of the separation claw 3, the sheet is wound around the fixing roller 2 and a conveyance jam occurs. With respect to this conveyance jam, the operation arm 16 is moved in the separating direction along the guide 17 to separate each separation claw 3 from the fixing roller 2 and remove the wound sheet.

At this time, the operating arm 16 is connected to the frame 1
By engaging the engagement portion 18 with the engagement portion 18 and maintaining the separated state of the separation claw 3, the jam clearance is facilitated. The frame 13 may be opened by removing the screw 15 of the frame 13 and rotating the upper frame 11 around the pin 14 to remove the sheet wound around the fixing roller 2.

The situation when the operation arm 16 is moved in the separating direction will be described. The separation claws 3 are arranged at equal intervals from one side in the width direction to the other side. When the operation arm 16 of the first separation claw 3 on one side is moved in the separating direction, the other arm 7b of the separation claw 3 is moved to the one arm 7a of the adjacent second separation claw 3. Contact the lower side. Then, the second separation claw 3 moves in the separating direction in conjunction with the first separation claw 3. This movement causes the separation claw 3 on the other side to move to the arm 7
a, 7b, so that all the separation claws 3 are separated from the fixing roller 2.

At this time, after one separation claw 3 separates and moves by a distance corresponding to the gap between the arms 7a and 7b, a separating force is transmitted to the adjacent separation claw 3. Therefore, after the separation claw 3 on one end is separated, the separation claw 3 on the other end is separated.
Until is separated, a slight time difference occurs between the separation claws 3.

According to the above configuration, each separation claw 3 is connected to the rotating shaft 4.
Each of the separation claws 3 is independent of each other by being urged by a tension spring 5 so as to be rotatable around the fixing roller 2.
Can be freely attached to and detached from. At this time, each of the separation claws 3 slides on the fixing roller 2 with a predetermined force without being affected by the other separation claws 3. Therefore, depending on the surface accuracy of the fixing roller 2 and each of the separation claws 3 or the error of the position of each of the separation claws 3 with respect to the fixing roller 2, the fixing roller 2
Can be prevented from being present.

Further, at the time of separation, the one side arm 7a and the other side arm 7b of the adjacent separation claw 3 are arranged so as to overlap with each other, and the adjacent separation claw 3 is linked to each other. By separating the fixing rollers 3, all the separation claws 3 can be separated from the fixing roller 2 at once. Also,
Since the one side arm 7a of the separation claw 3 at one end is made to protrude from the frame 13 to serve as the operation arm 16, the separation claw 3 can be easily separated.

Further, by shifting the position of one arm 7a of the separation claw 3 and the position of the other arm 7b, each separation claw 3 can be formed in the same shape, thereby reducing the unit cost of parts and the assembly cost of the fixing device. Can be reduced.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, pivot shafts 25 project from both sides of each separation claw 24 in the width direction, a bearing piece 26 supporting the pivot shaft 25, and a tension spring. The separation claw fixing member 28 on which the attachment piece 27 is formed is fixed to the frame 13, and the separation claw 2 is attached to the separation claw fixing member 28.
4 is attached.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a fixing device provided with the sheet separating device.
4 shows a state in which the upper frame 11 is rotated around the pins 14 and the frame 13 is opened. Further, the separation claw 24 indicated by the lower solid line is in a separated state, and shows a state in which the separation claw 24 from one end to the other end is gradually shifted in the sliding contact direction. Note that the shapes of the arms 7a and 7b are the same as in the above embodiment.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7, one inverted L-shaped one-side hook 30a projecting to the side opposite to the fixing roller 2 is formed at the tip of the one-side arm 29a. Two inverted Ls projecting from the end of the fixing roller 2 at the tip of the fixing roller 2 so as to sandwich the one-side hook 30a.
The other hooks 30b are formed to form the arms 29a,
9b has a high degree of connectivity.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.
Bearing pieces 26 that support the rotating shafts 25 on both sides in the width direction of the
A separation claw 31 is attached to a detachable separation claw fixing member 32 composed of a tension spring mounting piece 27 to form a unit. The separation claw fixing member 32 is attached to the separation claw mounting plate 3 of the frame 13.
3, the separation claw 31 is fixed to the frame 13
And the separation claws 31 can be easily attached.

In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG.
An interlocking rod 36 as an operation arm is inserted into the separation / contact through hole 35 formed on the tip end side of the reference numeral 4. By moving the interlocking rod 36, the separation claws 34 are rotated in the sliding contact direction or the separation direction around the rotation shaft 4 so that the separation claws 34 are separated from and brought into contact with the fixing roller 2.

In this case, the interlocking rod 36 is connected to the through hole 35
By making the separation claw 34 smaller, the interlocking bar 36 and the separation claw 34 do not come into contact with each other when the separation claw 34 slides, and the interlocking bar 36 can contact the separation claw 34 when the separation claw 34 separates. Therefore, the separation claws 34 can be freely separated and contacted independently of each other, and the separation claws 34 can be reliably brought into sliding contact with a predetermined urging force.

In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a rotation shaft 38 for rotatably supporting a plurality of separation claws 37 is provided, and each separation claw 37 is attached to the rotation shaft 38 in a sliding contact direction. A biasing spring is attached. In this sheet separating apparatus, the rotating shaft 3
8, a plurality of leaf springs 39 are protruded in accordance with the positions of the separation claws 37, and each separation claw 37 is formed with a leaf spring mounting portion 40 composed of two projections. With the leaf spring mounting portion 40 sandwiching the vicinity of the tip of the leaf spring 39, the leaf spring 39
The tip spring is slidably mounted in the vicinity thereof, and the rotation of each separation claw 37 around the rotation axis 38 is regulated by the leaf spring 39. Note that a torsion coil spring may be used instead of the leaf spring 39.

When the rotating shaft 38 of the sheet separating device is rotated in the sliding contact direction, each separation claw 37 rotates together with the rotating shaft 38, and the leading end thereof contacts the fixing roller 2. When the rotation shaft 38 is further rotated, the leaf spring 39 is deformed without rotating the separation claw 37. At this time, each separation claw 3
7 is urged by the elastic force of the deformed leaf spring 39 so as to slidably contact the fixing roller 2 with a predetermined force.

In this sheet separating apparatus, since each of the separation claws 37 is urged by another leaf spring 39, the separation claws 37 can be freely separated from and separated from each other. Also,
Each separation claw 37 is interlocked by a rotation shaft 38, and by rotating the rotation shaft 38 in the separating direction, each separation claw 37 is rotated.
Can be integrally separated.

In the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a support plate 42 for slidably supporting a plurality of separation claws 41 toward the fixing roller 2 is provided.
Is attached to the fixing roller 2. In this sheet separating apparatus, a support plate 42 having a rectangular cross section is used.
Are arranged in parallel with the fixing roller 2, and a support plate through hole 43 through which the support plate 42 penetrates is formed in each separation claw 41.

The support plate through-hole 43 is a rectangular hole. The short side of the support plate through-hole 43 is long enough to allow the support plate 42 to penetrate, and prevents the separation claw 41 from rotating. On the other hand, the long side of the support plate through-hole 43 has a length that allows the separation claw 41 to slide in the plate width direction of the support plate 42. The support plate 42 and each separation claw 41 are connected by a tension spring 5, and each separation claw 41 is urged toward the fixing roller 2 by this tension spring 5.

When the support plate 42 of the sheet separating apparatus is moved toward the fixing roller 2, each separation claw 41 moves together with the support plate 42, and the leading end thereof contacts the fixing roller 2. When the support plate 42 is further moved, the separation claw 41 does not move, and the extension spring 5 extends. At this time,
Each separation claw 41 is urged by the elastic force of the extended tension spring 5 to slidably contact the fixing roller 2 with a predetermined force.

In this sheet separating apparatus, each of the separation claws 41 is urged by another tension spring 5, so that the separation claws 41 can be freely separated and connected independently of each other. Also,
The separation claws 41 are linked by a support plate 42, and by moving the support plate 42 linearly away from the fixing roller 2, the separation claws 41 can be integrally separated.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention. For example, in a sheet separating apparatus in which arms are protruded from the separation claw main body of each separation claw to interlock the separation claw at the time of separation, the arms protruding on both widthwise sides of each separation claw main body are vertically overlapped. Instead, the one-side arm may have a rod shape, and the other-side arm may have a pipe shape through which the one-side arm is inserted, or vice versa.
At this time, by making the inner diameter of the pipe larger than the outer diameter of the rod, the arms can be kept out of contact at the time of sliding contact, and the separation claws can be freely separated and connected independently of each other.

Further, in the sheet separating apparatus in which the separation claws are interlocked when the separation claws are separated from each other by projecting the arms to the separation claw main body of each separation claw, the arm protruding from each separation claw main body is attached to each separation claw main body. In addition to protruding on both sides in the width direction, it may be protruding on one side in the width direction. In this case, the length of the arm is longer than the interval between adjacent separation claws, and a contact portion is formed on each separation claw body such that the arms of the adjacent separation claws overlap when separated.

At this time, a contact hole as a contact portion is formed in the separation claw main body, and the contact hole is made larger than the arm, so that the arms are not in contact with each other at the time of sliding contact, and each separation claw is formed. Can be separated and connected independently of each other. Also,
By shifting the position of the arm of each separation claw or bending the distal end of the arm, the arms of adjacent separation claws can be prevented from interfering with each other. Further, the surface of the separation claw body on the sliding contact side may be used as the contact portion. In this case, the distal end portion of the arm is bent and brought into contact with the contact portion.

The sheet conveying member is not limited to the fixing roller, but may be another conveying roller or a conveying belt. As the interlocking means for interlocking the separation claws at the time of separation, not only an arm and an interlocking rod but also a plurality of separation claws may be integrally separated by using an electromagnet. in this case,
It is preferable that the switch be switched when the frame is opened so that the separation claw is separated.

[0058]

As is apparent from the above description, in the sheet separating apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of separating claws cooperate to separate from the sheet conveying member integrally. At this time, if the adjacent separation claws are overlapped at the time of separation, there is no need to provide a separate interlocking member, and a compact and low-cost sheet separation device can be realized. Then, by separating one separation claw from the operation side, a plurality of separation claws are sequentially separated. Therefore, it is not necessary to separate and contact each separation claw, and the operation becomes easy, and the jam can be efficiently removed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a sheet separating apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a fixing device provided with a sheet separating device, showing a sliding state of a separating claw.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the separated claw in a separated state.

FIG. 4 is a layout diagram of the separation claw.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of a sheet separating apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the fixing device provided with the sheet separating device, showing a state where a frame is opened.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a sheet separating apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a main part of a sheet separating apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main part of a sheet separating apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part of a sheet separating apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main part of a sheet separating apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sheet separation apparatus 2 Fixing roller 3 Separation claw 4 Rotating shaft 5 Tension spring 6 Separation claw main body 7a One side arm 7b Other side arm

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Atsushi Ide 22-22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka F-term in Sharp Corporation (reference) 2H033 AA16 AA29 BA06 BA10 BA16 BA20 BA21 BB01 BB28 2H200 GB22 KA01 KA14 3F053 AA20 AA22 LA02 LA07 LA07 LA07 LA07

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A sheet separating apparatus in which a plurality of separation claws are arranged in parallel in a width direction with respect to a sheet conveying member, and each of the separating claws can be separated from and separated from the sheet conveying member independently of each other. A sheet separating apparatus, further comprising interlocking means for interlocking the plurality of separation claws and integrally separating the plurality of separation claws from a sheet conveying member. 2. A sheet separating apparatus in which a plurality of separation claws are arranged in parallel in a width direction with respect to a sheet conveyance member, and each separation claw is configured to be able to freely contact and separate from the sheet conveyance member independently of each other. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separation claw has a shape in which a part thereof overlaps with an adjacent separation claw, and the separation claw is overlapped and interlocked when the separation claw is separated. 3. The sheet separation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a part of the separation claw is an arm protruding in a width direction of the sheet conveying member. 4. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a length of the arm is longer than an interval between adjacent separation claws. 5. The sheet according to claim 3, wherein the arm is positioned such that the arm is not in contact with an adjacent separation claw when the separation claw slides on the sheet conveying member. Separation device. 6. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the separation claw has arms protruding on both sides in the width direction of the separation claw, and arms of adjacent separation claws overlap each other. 7. The separation claw is rotatably supported on the same axis. Arms on both sides of the separation claw are provided so as to be displaced from each other. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the arms are not in contact with each other. 8. An operation arm is provided on one side of a separation claw located at one end side in the width direction, and the operation arm is movably guided by a frame for supporting a sheet conveying member. Item 7. The sheet separating device according to item 3 or 6. 9. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an engaging portion for engaging an operation arm for holding the separation claw in a separated state is formed on the frame. 10. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the separation claws provided with the arms are formed in the same shape. 11. A through-hole is formed in the separation claw, an interlocking means is an interlocking rod inserted into the through-hole of each separation claw, and the interlocking rod formed smaller than the through-hole is the separation claw. 2. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is not brought into contact with the separation claw at the time of sliding contact of the sheet, and comes into contact with the separation claw at the time of separation of the separation claw.