JP2004269069A - Feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a feeder having excellent separating capability and manufacturable at low cost regardless of the type of a rubber material in use. <P>SOLUTION: This feeder comprises a feeding means 4 feeding recording materials P, a pressing means pressing the recording materials P to the feeding means 4, and a separating means 6 separating the multiple sheets of recording materials P fed by the feeding means 4 and the pressing means from each other so that only one sheet of recording material P pressed against the feeding means 4 can be fed. The separating means 6 comes into contact with the feeding means through the recording material P when the recording material P is fed, the surface 6c of the contact part is formed of a rubber material, and the adjacent teeth thereof are arranged in the recording material feeding direction in a serrated shape. By this, durability can be increased even if the rubber material with low wear resistance is used on the surface of the separating means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a feeding device provided in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, a word processor, and a facsimile apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of feeding device, for example, there is the following device.
[0003]
An example of a laser beam printer having a conventional feeding device will be described with reference to FIG. 10 and a conventional feeding device will be described with reference to FIG.
[0004]
In FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a feeding device 2, a pair of conveying rollers 7 for conveying the recording material P sent from the feeding device 2 to the image forming unit, and a recording material conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 7. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 of the process cartridge 11 as a developing unit is transferred by a transfer roller 13 to form an image forming unit for forming an image, and the recording material P on which the toner image has been transferred by the image forming unit. The fixing device includes a fixing device 15 that fixes the toner image on the sheet by heating and pressing, and a discharge roller pair 16 that discharges the toner image to a storage tray 18 that supports the recording material P after fixing.
[0005]
The feeding device 2 includes a feeding tray 3 that supports the recording paper P, and a pressing plate 5 that is a pressing unit that presses the leading end side of the recording material P supported by the feeding tray 3 against the feeding roller 4. And pressurizing springs 24 and 25 for urging the pressurizing plate 5, a separating pad 6 serving as separating means for separating the recording material P sent out by the feed roller 4 one by one, and supplying the separating pad 6. And a separation spring 27 that urges the feed roller 4. The width regulating plates 28 and 29 provided on the pressure plate 5 can move in the recording material width direction on the pressure plate 5 in accordance with the recording material size in order to regulate the recording material width of the recording material P. The cams 30 and 31 are fixed to the shaft 21, respectively, and are in contact with the cam portions 5a and 5b of the pressing plate 5 and are opposed to the pressing springs 24 and 25 so that the recording material P does not contact the feeding roller 4 in the apparatus standby state. The pressing plate 5 is biased. The shaft 21 and the pressure plate 3 are rotatably held by a frame 32, respectively. A separation sheet 26 is provided on a portion of the pressure plate 5 pressed against the feed roller 4. The separation sheet 26 is made of cork, synthetic bark, or the like, and prevents double-feeding of the lowermost recording material of the recording materials P stacked on the feeding tray 3. The separation pad 6 includes a rubber member 6a that comes into contact with the feeding roller 4, and a holder 6b that holds the rubber member 6a. The rubber surface 6c of the rubber material 6a is polished or milled in the direction A or B shown in FIG. 11, and polished or milled perpendicular to the recording material feed direction. The separation pad 6 separates the recording material P by polishing or milling in a direction perpendicular to the recording material feed direction, without being affected by the polishing or milling direction, due to the friction characteristics of the rubber material 6a.
[0006]
The feed roller 22 is rotatably held by the shaft 21 and abuts on the separation pad 6 in a standby state of the apparatus. During the conveyance of the recording material P fed to the conveyance path by the feed roller 4, the recording material P Through the separation pad 6. The gear 23 is fixed to the shaft 21, receives driving from the motor 20 as a driving source, and rotates the feeding roller 4.
[0007]
The feeding tray 3 is provided at a lower front portion of the apparatus main body (lower right portion in FIG. 10), and a storage tray 18 is provided at an upper portion of the apparatus main body (upper portion in FIG. 10). The front end of the feeding tray 3 and the rear end of the storage tray 18 are connected by a conveyance path including a feeding unit, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit with the fixing unit 15 directed obliquely upward to the top. These make up a vertical C-shaped path as a whole.
[0008]
The feed roller 4 is provided at the front of the process cartridge 11, and contacts the image forming surface of the recording material P supported by the feed tray 3 to separate the recording material P separated by the separation pad 6 into one sheet. Feed to the transport path.
[0009]
A laser scanning optical system 9 is provided for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 12.
[0010]
The recording material P fed by the feeding device 2 is transported to the transfer roller 13 by the transport roller pair 7, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 12, which is the image carrier of the image forming unit, is transferred by the transfer roller 13. .
[0011]
Then, the recording material P to which the toner image has been transferred is heat-fixed by the fixing device 15 and is discharged to the storage tray 18 by the discharge roller pair 16.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the above-described conventional technology, the following problems have occurred.
[0013]
In recent years, with the increase in types of recording materials and diversification of user needs, the specifications of image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines, printers, word processors, and facsimile apparatuses have also been diversified according to applications.
[0014]
For example, general-purpose printers have a small number of durable paper sheets but guarantee a wide variety of paper types.For business use, paper types with a small guarantee of paper types are highly durable. There are various guarantees.
[0015]
In such a recent situation, in the above-described feeding device, among the rubber materials of the separation pad used in the feeding device, those that can separate various types of paper and have high durability No, different rubber materials must be used for products of each specification. For this reason, there is a problem that the cost of the separation pad increases because the rubber material cannot be diverted between the feeding devices.
[0016]
In addition, a highly durable product can be set as a user-replaceable part by using a low-durable separation pad rubber material, but there is a problem that usability is reduced.
[0017]
In addition, when the rubber material is transported to the production site due to the diversification and globalization of the production site of the image forming apparatus and the like, there is a problem that the cost of the rubber material increases due to transportation costs, customs duties, and the like. Alternatively, it is possible to obtain a rubber material at the production site of an image forming apparatus or the like, but it is not always possible to obtain a rubber material that meets the specifications at that site. There is a problem that must be mastered.
[0018]
In addition, cork and synthetic bark, which are conventionally used as the material of the separation sheet provided on the pressure plate, also increase the material cost due to transportation costs, customs duties, etc. due to diversification of production areas such as image forming equipment and globalization. There is a problem. Further, since the unit price of the material is higher than that of the rubber material or the like, it has been a factor that hinders the cost reduction of the feeding device.
[0019]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive feeding apparatus which has excellent separation performance regardless of the type of rubber material used. .
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a feeding means for feeding a recording material, a pressing means for pressing the recording material against the feeding means, and a feeding means for feeding the recording material by the feeding means and the pressing means. Separating means for separating the plurality of recording materials to be pressed so as to feed only one recording material to the feeding means, wherein the separating means supplies the recording material. When the sheet is fed, the sheet comes into contact with the feeding means via the recording material, and the surface of the separation unit that comes into contact with the feeding means is made of a rubber material. The saw teeth are arranged side by side, and the tips of the saw teeth are oriented in the recording material feeding direction.
[0021]
A feeding unit that feeds the recording material; a pressing unit that presses the recording material against the feeding unit; and a feeding unit that feeds the plurality of recording materials fed by the feeding unit and the pressing unit. And a separating unit that separates only one recording material that is pressed against the paper so as to feed the recording material, wherein the separating unit is configured to supply the recording material via the recording material when the recording material is fed. The surface of the separation unit that is in contact with the feeding unit and that is in contact with the feeding unit is made of a rubber material, and has a saw-tooth shape in which adjacent teeth are arranged in the recording material feeding direction. Is characterized in that it faces in the direction opposite to the recording material feeding direction.
[0022]
It is preferable that the surface of the separation unit that comes into contact with the feeding unit is formed in a saw-tooth shape by polishing or milling.
[0023]
Further, in a feeding apparatus comprising a feeding unit for feeding a recording material, and a loading pressing unit for loading the fed recording material and pressing the feeding unit, the recording material of the loading pressing unit is provided. The surface of the abutting portion that comes into contact with the feeding means via the rubber member has a saw-tooth shape in which adjacent teeth are arranged in the recording material feeding direction, and the teeth of the saw teeth face the recording material feeding direction. It is characterized by having.
[0024]
Further, in a feeding apparatus comprising a feeding unit for feeding a recording material, and a loading pressing unit for loading the fed recording material and pressing the feeding unit, the recording material of the loading pressing unit is provided. The surface of the abutting portion that comes into contact with the feeding means through a rubber material has a saw-tooth shape in which adjacent teeth are arranged in the recording material feeding direction, and the tooth tips of the saw teeth are different from the recording material feeding direction. It is characterized in that it faces in the opposite direction.
[0025]
It is preferable that the surface of the contact portion of the loading pressing means with the feeding means is formed in a saw-tooth shape by polishing or milling.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto unless otherwise specified. Absent.
[0027]
(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a feeding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking a laser beam printer, which is an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic method, in which a laser beam is scanned and recorded on a photosensitive member as an example.
[0028]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus 1 including a feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the feeding device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0029]
The schematic configuration of the laser beam printer according to the present embodiment will be described below.
[0030]
In FIG. 1, a recording material P loaded on a recording material loading surface 3 a of a feeding tray 3 on which a recording material P fed into the image forming apparatus is loaded is disposed on an upper front end side of the feeding tray 3. The sheet is pressed against a feeding roller 4 as a feeding means by a pressing plate 5 as a pressing means and is picked up. The sheets are separated and fed one by one by a separation pad 6 and a feeding roller 4 constituting a separating means, and are conveyed to a transfer unit by conveying rollers 7a and 7b of the conveying means.
[0031]
The registration sensor 8 synchronizes the light emission timing of the laser scanner 9 as an exposure light source with the position of the leading end of the recording material P, and draws an image from a predetermined position on the recording material P. Reference numeral 10 denotes a folding mirror.
[0032]
The process cartridge 11 includes image forming means such as a photosensitive member 12, a developing device, a cleaner, and a charging roller, and a recording material on which a toner image on the photosensitive member 12 in the process cartridge is transferred by a transfer roller 13. P is guided to the fixing device 15 by the conveyance guide 14, and is heated and fixed by the fixing device 15. Thereafter, the recording material P is discharged by a discharge roller 16 onto a storage tray 18 formed integrally with the exterior cover 17.
[0033]
Hereinafter, the recording material conveyance angle will be described.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 1, a feeding device including a feeding roller 4, a pressure plate 5, and a separation pad 6, a transfer roller 13 as a transfer unit, and a fixing unit 15 as a fixing unit are substantially arranged with the fixing unit 15 at the top. They are arranged obliquely upward on a straight line.
[0035]
After the recording material P stacked on the feed tray 3 is fed by the feed roller 4, the recording material P is conveyed to the transfer unit by the conveyance roller 7 along a substantially straight conveyance path, and thereafter, by the photoconductor 12 and the transfer roller 13. The toner image is nipped and conveyed to the fixing device 15 simultaneously with the transfer of the toner image. Since the conveyance path of the recording material P during this period is substantially straight, the sliding noise between the recording material P and the guide member during the conveyance of the recording material P can be reduced, and the recording material P can be stably conveyed. Has a configuration capable of improving the reliability of the device.
[0036]
Further, since the fixing device 15 is disposed at the uppermost portion of the recording material conveyance path, even when the printing operation is continuously performed, heat generated from the fixing device 15 is not formed in the outer cover 17 (not shown). From the louver part of the device. Since the process cartridge 11 and the laser scanner 9 are disposed below or beside the fixing device 15, it is possible to always obtain a good output image without being affected by the heat generated from the fixing device 15. It becomes.
[0037]
The arrangement of the laser scanner will be described below.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 1, the laser scanner 9 has a unit arrangement that is arranged to the right from the scanner polygon 9a. Here, in order to make the size of the image forming apparatus as small as possible, as shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive member 12 is moved from a direction substantially perpendicular to a recording material conveyance path from a feeding device to a transfer device to a fixing device. It is most effective to make a laser beam incident on the substrate. With this configuration, the depth and height of the image forming apparatus can be reduced to minimum dimensions.
[0039]
Further, since the scanner motor 9b for rotating the scanner polygon 9a is in a substantially horizontal state, there is no load applied to the bearing of the scanner motor, and the problem that the life of the scanner motor 9b is shortened due to the shaving of the bearing does not occur. It can be used for a long time.
[0040]
Further, with the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge 11 can be attached and detached substantially horizontally in the direction of the feed tray 3, and jam processing and replacement of the process cartridge 11 in the image forming apparatus can all be performed from the same direction. Can be done, improving usability.
[0041]
The electrical system layout will be described below.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 1, an electrical unit 19 composed of an AC power source, a DC power source, and a high-voltage power source is disposed below the recording material transport path extending obliquely upward from the feeding device to the fixing device, and feeds a space area in the electrical unit. It is configured to increase from the section to the fixing section. In this way, the path of the airflow generated by the heat generated from the electrical unit 19 is secured.
[0043]
Further, heat generated from the fixing unit 15 disposed above the electrical unit 19 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus from a louver unit (not shown) provided on the exterior cover 17. At this time, by providing a space between the rear surface of the fixing device 15 and the exterior cover 17, it is possible to generate an air flow due to waste heat of the fixing device 15 in this portion.
[0044]
Therefore, as described above, a large space is provided below the fixing unit 15 and the electrical unit 19 is arranged, and a space is provided on the rear side of the fixing unit 15 so that the electrical unit 19 can be provided even without a cooling fan or the like. Thus, it is possible to generate an air flow for waste heat from the image forming apparatus to the fixing device 15, thereby eliminating heat buildup inside the image forming apparatus and preventing temperature rise.
[0045]
The arrangement of the driving sources will be described below.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 1, the motor 20 as a drive source is directly mounted inside a side wall which is a part of a frame of the image forming apparatus, and is attached by screws. Further, it is arranged below a recording material conveying surface including a feeding device, a transfer unit and a fixing device.
[0047]
In this way, by arranging the lower part of the recording material conveying unit, when responding to the high speed of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to flexibly cope with an increase in the size of the motor or a change from a stepping motor to a DC motor. Becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to easily achieve a speed increase from, for example, 10 ppm to 20 ppm.
[0048]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the feeding device will be described.
[0049]
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic partial sectional view.
[0050]
In the feeding device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the feeding roller 4 serving as feeding means is composed of a half-moon shaped roller having a D-shaped cross section and a shaft 21. On both side surfaces of the feeding roller 4, a feeding roller 22 rotatably held by a shaft 21 is provided. The feeding roller 22 is circular and has a diameter slightly smaller than the maximum outer shape of the feeding roller 4. A gear 23 is provided at one end of the shaft 21. The feed roller 4 rotates by receiving a drive from a motor 20 via a gear 23.
[0051]
The pressure plate 5 is urged by pressure springs 24 and 25 and presses the recording material P against the feed roller 4 when the recording material P is fed. A separation sheet 26 is provided at a pressing portion of the pressing plate 5 where the recording material P comes into contact with the feeding roller 4. The separation sheet 26 is made of cork or synthetic bark, and has a coefficient of friction with the recording material P of about 0.5 to 1.0, and contributes to preventing double feeding of the lowermost recording material of the recording material P on the pressing plate 5. are doing.
[0052]
The separation pad 6 includes a rubber material 6a for separating the fed recording material P into one sheet, and a holder 6b for holding the rubber material 6a. The surface 6c of the rubber material 6a is polished or milled in the forward direction of the feeding direction C of the recording material P. The separation pad 6 is in contact with the feeding roller 22 by the pad spring 27 in the apparatus standby state.
[0053]
The width regulating plates 28 and 29 provided on the pressure plate 5 can move in the recording material width direction on the pressure plate 5 in accordance with the recording material size in order to regulate the recording material width of the recording material P.
[0054]
The cams 30 and 31 are fixed near both ends of the shaft 21, and are in contact with the cam portions 5 a and 5 b of the pressurizing plate 5, and in a device standby state, pressurizing springs 24 and 25 so that the recording material P does not contact the feed roller 4. The pressing plate 5 is urged against this. The shaft 21 and the pressure plate 5 are rotatably held by a frame 32, respectively. Reference numeral 33 denotes a recording material guide from the feed roller 4 to the transport roller 7.
[0055]
Next, the feeding operation and the characteristics of the separation pad 6 will be described.
[0056]
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the feeding device during a feeding operation. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the surface of the rubber material 6a of the separation pad 6 for explaining the characteristics of the separation pad 6 used in the feeding device of the present embodiment.
[0057]
The driving force is transmitted from the motor 20 via the gear 23 to the feed roller 4 and rotates in the direction of arrow D in FIG. With the rotation of the feeding roller 4, the urging of the pressing plate 5 by the cams 30 and 31 is released, and the recording material P is pressed against the feeding roller 4 by the pressing plate 5 with the force of the pressing springs 24 and 25. . Several recording materials P near the upper portion of the recording material P abutting on the feeding roller 4 are conveyed by the feeding roller 4, and subsequently fed through the rubber material 6 a of the separation pad 6 and the nip N by the feeding roller 4. It is separated into only one sheet of the recording material P contacting the roller 4.
[0058]
The separation pad 6 is composed of a rubber material 6a for separating the fed recording material P into one sheet and a holder 6b for holding the rubber material 6a. The surface 6c of the rubber material 6a has a surface as shown in FIG. The recording material P is polished or milled in the forward direction with respect to the feeding direction C, and the surface 6c has a sawtooth shape, and the tip of the sawtooth faces the recording material feeding direction. For this reason, at the time of this separating operation, the fluff 6d of the surface 6c of the rubber material 6a falls down in the recording material feeding direction as shown in FIG. 5, and the contact area S between the recording material P and the rubber material 6a increases. In this way, by increasing the contact area S between the recording material P and the rubber material 6a, the wear of the rubber material 6a can be reduced, and the durability can be improved. Further, the frictional force applied to the recording material P by the rubber material 6a is stabilized, and the separation performance can be improved. Therefore, even if the rubber material 6a having low wear resistance is used on the surface of the separation pad 6, it is possible to provide a feeding device having excellent durability and stable separation performance.
[0059]
Therefore, the rubber material can be diverted between several types of feeding devices having different specifications, and high durability is required even when the rubber material available at the product production site is a rubber material having low wear resistance. Therefore, the cost of the feeding device can be reduced.
[0060]
(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the feeding device according to the present invention will be described.
[0061]
FIG. 6 is a schematic partial sectional view of a feeder according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described. And description thereof is omitted.
[0062]
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the surface of the rubber material 6a of the separation pad 6 for explaining the features of the separation pad 6 used in the feeding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0063]
In the present embodiment, the surface 6c of the rubber material 6a is polished or milled in the direction E opposite to the feeding direction of the recording material P, and the surface 6c has a saw-tooth shape as in the first embodiment. However, unlike the first embodiment, the tooth tips of the saw teeth face in the direction opposite to the recording material feeding direction.
[0064]
In the present configuration, the recording material P is pressed against the feeding roller 4 by the pressing plate 5 and is conveyed by the feeding roller 4, and subsequently, the feeding roller 4 is nipped by the rubber material 6 a of the separation pad 6 and the feeding roller 4. During the separating operation in which only the recording material P contacting the recording material P is separated into one sheet, the surface 6c of the rubber material 6a is formed into a saw-tooth shape with the tooth tip facing in the direction opposite to the feeding direction of the recording material P. Since the polishing or the milling is performed, the fluff 6d on the surface 6c of the rubber material 6a is turned in the recording material feeding direction as shown in FIG.
[0065]
For this reason, the contact resistance force between the recording material P and the rubber material 6a increases due to the rubber elastic resistance force of the fluff 6d added to the frictional characteristics of the rubber material 6a. Therefore, even when the rubber material 6a having a low friction coefficient is used on the surface of the separation pad 6, a predetermined contact resistance force can be applied to the recording material P and the rubber material 6a, and the recording material can be reliably separated.
[0066]
Thus, a material having a low coefficient of friction can be used as the rubber material 6a, so that an inexpensive rubber material can be used and the range of material selection can be increased. Therefore, the rubber material can be diverted between several types of feeding devices having different specifications, and even when the rubber material available at the product production site is a material having a low coefficient of friction, it is possible to separate many types of paper. Since it can be used for required products, the cost of the feeding device can be reduced.
[0067]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a feeding device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0068]
FIG. 8 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a feeding device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Only the differences from the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described, The same reference numerals are given to the members, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0069]
In the first embodiment, the feeding roller 4 is loaded via the recording material of the pressing plate 5 which is a stacking pressing means for stacking the fed recording material P and making contact with the feeding roller 4 as the feeding means. Is a cork or a synthetic bark, but in the present embodiment, a rubber material such as EPDM or silicone rubber is used. Then, in this embodiment, the separation sheet surface 26a is polished or milled in the forward direction with respect to the feeding direction of the recording material P as shown in FIG. 8, and the surface 26a has a sawtooth shape. The tips of the saw teeth are oriented in the recording material feeding direction.
[0070]
Therefore, according to the same principle as in the first embodiment, even when a rubber material having low wear resistance is used, the wear of the separation sheet 26 can be reduced, and the durability can be improved. Therefore, as the material of the separation sheet 26, an inexpensive rubber material can be used instead of cork or synthetic bark which has been conventionally used, so that the cost of the feeding device can be reduced.
[0071]
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a feeding device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0072]
FIG. 9 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a feeding device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Only the differences from the third embodiment will be described, and the same members will be denoted by the same reference numerals. And description thereof is omitted.
[0073]
The surface 26a of the separation sheet 26 is polished or milled in a direction opposite to the feeding direction of the recording material P, and the surface 26a has a saw-tooth shape as in the third embodiment. Unlike the third embodiment, the tooth tips of the saw teeth face in the direction opposite to the recording material feeding direction.
[0074]
Therefore, according to the same principle as in the second embodiment, even when a rubber material having a low friction coefficient is used, the contact resistance between the recording material P and the rubber material 26a can be increased, and a predetermined contact resistance can be obtained. Can be realized.
[0075]
Therefore, a rubber material having a low coefficient of friction can be used as the material of the separation sheet 26, so that material costs can be reduced for cork and synthetic bark which have been conventionally used, and the cost of the feeding device can be reduced. it can.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides a feeding unit that feeds a recording material, a pressing unit that presses a recording material against the feeding unit, and a plurality of sheets that are fed by the feeding unit and the pressing unit. And a separating unit that separates the recording material into a single sheet so that only one sheet of the recording material is pressed into contact with the feeding unit. Abuts on the feeding means via a recording material, and a surface of a contact portion of the separating means with the feeding means is made of a rubber material, and has a sawtooth shape in which adjacent teeth are arranged in the recording material feeding direction. Since the tooth tips of the saw teeth are oriented in the recording material feed direction, the surface of the saw-toothed contact portion is elastically deformed during the separating operation, so that the contact area between the recording material and the separating means increases, Wear of the separating means can be reduced. Therefore, the durability can be improved even if a rubber material having low wear resistance is used for the surface of the separating means. Further, since the frictional force applied to the recording material by the rubber material is stabilized, the separation performance can be improved. Therefore, an inexpensive rubber material having low wear resistance can be used, so that the cost can be reduced and the range of material selection can be increased.
[0077]
Further, when the recording material is fed, the separating means abuts on the feeding means via the recording material, a surface of the contact portion is made of a rubber material, and adjacent teeth are moved in the recording material feeding direction. Since the tooth tips of the saw teeth are oriented in the direction opposite to the recording material feed direction, the contact resistance between the recording material and the separating means can be increased, so that And the recording material can be separated. Therefore, even when a rubber material having a low coefficient of friction is used for the surface of the separating means, the recording material can be reliably separated. Therefore, an inexpensive rubber material having a low coefficient of friction can be used, so that the cost can be reduced and the range of material selection can be increased.
[0078]
From the above, it is possible to divert the rubber material between several types of feeding devices having different specifications regardless of the type of rubber material used for the surface of the separation means. Since they can be used together, the cost of the feeding device can be reduced.
[0079]
Further, in a feeding apparatus comprising a feeding unit for feeding a recording material, and a loading pressing unit for loading the fed recording material and pressing the feeding unit, the recording material of the loading pressing unit is provided. The surface of the abutting portion that comes into contact with the feeding means via the rubber member has a saw-tooth shape in which adjacent teeth are arranged in the recording material feeding direction, and the teeth of the saw teeth face the recording material feeding direction. By doing so, the contact area between the recording material and the separating means increases, so that the abrasion of the pressing means can be reduced. Therefore, even if a rubber material having low wear resistance is used for the pressing means surface, the durability can be improved, so that it is not necessary to use cork, synthetic bark, or the like which has been conventionally used, and cost can be reduced.
[0080]
When the recording material is fed, the pressing means comes into contact with the feeding means via the recording material, and the surface of the contact portion is made of a rubber material, and the adjacent teeth are moved in the recording material feeding direction. Since the teeth of the saw teeth are oriented in the direction opposite to the recording material feeding direction, a predetermined contact resistance force can be given between the recording material and the separating means. The recording material can be reliably separated. Therefore, even if a rubber material having a low friction coefficient is used on the surface of the pressing means, the recording material can be reliably separated, so that it is not necessary to use cork, synthetic bark, or the like which has been conventionally used, and cost reduction is achieved. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus including a feeding device according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the feeding device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the feeding device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a feeding operation of the feeding device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a separation pad of the feeding device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a feeding device according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a separation pad of the feeding device according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of a feeding device according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a feeding device according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus including a conventional feeding device.
FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of a conventional feeding device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming apparatus
2 Feeding device
3 feed tray
4 Feed roller
5 Middle plate
6 Separation pad
7 Transport roller
8 Registration sensor
9 Laser Scanner
9a Polygon mirror
9b Scanner motor
10 Folding mirror
11 Process cartridge
12 Photoconductor
13 Transfer roller
14 Transport Guide
15 Fixing device
16 Discharge roller
17 Exterior cover
18 storage tray
19 Electrical components
20 motor
21 shaft
22 Feed roller
23 gear
24, 25 pressure spring
26 Separation sheet
27 pad spring
28, 29 Width control plate
30,31 cam
32 frames
33 Recording Material Guide

Claims (6)

Feeding means for feeding the recording material, pressing means for pressing the recording material against the feeding means, and pressing the plurality of recording materials fed by the feeding means and the pressing means against the feeding means. Separating means for separating only one sheet of recording material to be fed,
When the recording material is fed, the separating means abuts on the feeding means via the recording material, and the surface of the separating means in contact with the feeding means is made of a rubber material. A feeding apparatus, wherein adjacent teeth have a saw-tooth shape arranged in the recording material feeding direction, and the teeth of the saw teeth are oriented in the recording material feeding direction. Feeding means for feeding the recording material, pressing means for pressing the recording material against the feeding means, and pressing the plurality of recording materials fed by the feeding means and the pressing means against the feeding means. Separating means for separating only one sheet of recording material to be fed,
When the recording material is fed, the separating means abuts on the feeding means via the recording material, and the surface of the separating means in contact with the feeding means is made of a rubber material. A feeding apparatus, wherein adjacent teeth have a saw-tooth shape arranged in a recording material feeding direction, and the tips of the saw teeth are oriented in a direction opposite to the recording material feeding direction. The feeding device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of an abutting portion of the separating unit with the feeding unit is formed in a saw-tooth shape by polishing or milling. A feeding unit that feeds the recording material, and a loading pressing unit that loads the fed recording material and presses the feeding unit,
The surface of the abutting portion of the stacking and pressing means, which comes into contact with the feeding means via the recording material, is made of a rubber material and has a saw-tooth shape in which adjacent teeth are arranged in the recording material feeding direction. Is a feeding device which is oriented in a recording material feeding direction. A feeding unit that feeds the recording material, and a loading pressing unit that loads the fed recording material and presses the feeding unit,
The surface of the abutting portion of the stacking and pressing means, which comes into contact with the feeding means via the recording material, is made of a rubber material and has a saw-tooth shape in which adjacent teeth are arranged in the recording material feeding direction. Is a feeding device which is directed in a direction opposite to a recording material feeding direction. The feeding device according to claim 4, wherein a surface of the stacking pressing unit that abuts on the feeding unit is formed in a saw-tooth shape by grinding or milling.

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