JP2011168345A - Paper feeder and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feeder and an image forming device, capable of informing a user of the replacing timing of a suction belt prior to the non paper feeding timing. <P>SOLUTION: The suction belt 2 is constituted as a layer out of a construction material in different two colors, and is set in a thickness of substantially making a B color layer 2B appear on a surface when abrasion advances at a level where a friction coefficient of an A color layer 2A reduces. A friction coefficient of a construction material of the B color layer 2B is set higher than the A color layer 2A, and even if the friction coefficient reduces since the abrasion of the A color layer 2A advances, the B color layer 2B appears on the surface, and the friction coefficient of the whole suction belt 2 increases, and the occurrence of non-feeding is prevented. The abrasion of the A color layer 2A of the surface advances while being constituted of two layers, and the B color layer 2B appears about the time when the friction coefficient of the layer starts to reduce. Since the surface of the suction belt 2 is periodically confirmed for an inspection and cleaning, the fact of the service life is nearly finished as the suction belt can be simply and easily recognized when the B color layer 2B appears on the surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feeding device that can be provided in a copying machine, a printer, and an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction machine that combines these functions, and in particular, the uppermost sheet that is stacked on a tray is drawn by a suction belt. The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device that sucks and feeds an image forming unit, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet feeding device.

  2. Description of the Related Art A paper feeding device that feeds paper one by one to an image forming apparatus or an image forming unit is known. The outline is shown in FIG.

  1 feeds air from blower means (nozzles, etc.) 1 and 7 such as a blower toward the front end surface and the side end surface of a plurality of sheets P stacked on the tray T, and the sheets P, Air is sent between P and floats up to the height of the suction belt 2, and the uppermost sheet of the paper P is adsorbed by the suction belt 2. Thereafter, the sheet P is transported to an image forming unit (not shown) by transporting the suction belt 2, and then image formation is performed. The air blowing units 1 and 7 not only send air between the papers P and float them to a predetermined height, but also blow the wind onto a region in a predetermined height direction to handle the paper P.

  In addition, the height of the sheet P is detected by contacting the uppermost surface of the sheet P so that the distance h between the uppermost surface of the bundle of sheets P and the suction belt 2 that is decreased by the sheet P passed through is always constant. Detection means 3 is provided. The detection means 3 has an actuator 4 and a sensor 5 for detecting the swing of the actuator. The actuator 4 swings due to the decrease of the paper P, and the amount of movement is detected by a photo sensor or the like. The bottom plate 6 is raised and adjusted by elevating means or the like.

  The paper P is aligned with the front end surface as a reference surface so as to match the size of the paper P on the tray. The attachment position of the actuator 4 is provided in the vicinity of the rear end of the paper P which is not easily affected by the blower 1 and 7 as shown in FIG.

  A conveyance roller 8 is disposed downstream of the suction belt 2 in the sheet conveyance direction, and conveys the arrived sheet P. The conveying force of the conveying roller 8 is set larger than the conveying force of the suction belt 2. A paper feed sensor 9 that detects the arrival of the paper P is provided on the downstream side of the transport roller 8 in the paper transport direction.

Next, a paper feeding operation of such a conventional paper feeding device will be described.
(1) When a paper feed command is received from a control device or the like provided in the image forming apparatus, the air blowing means 1 and 7 are operated as shown in FIG. At the same time, air suction of the suction belt 2 starts. As a result, the uppermost paper P1 floats and the uppermost paper P1 is adsorbed to the suction belt 2 as shown in FIG.
(2) The suction belt 2 and the conveyance roller 8 start to be driven, and the sheet P1 is conveyed (FIG. 3).
(3) After the paper P1 reaches the paper feed sensor 9, the driving of the suction belt 2 is stopped (FIG. 4). The transport roller 8 continues to transport the paper P1 while the suction belt 2 is stopped.
(4) Immediately after the sheet P1 passes through the suction area, the sheet P2 is levitated and sucked by air (FIG. 5).
(5) The driving of the suction belt 2 is resumed according to the set paper feed interval, and the paper P2 is fed.
(6) Thereafter, the sheets P are sequentially conveyed by repeating the above-described (2) to (5).

  In the paper feeding operation described above, when the paper P is transported by the transport roller 9 with the suction belt 2 stopped as in (3), the friction between the paper P and the suction belt 2 causes the suction belt 2 to move. It causes wear. The amount of wear for passing one sheet of paper P is very small, but the wear gradually progresses by passing a large amount of paper, and the surface of the suction belt 2 becomes smooth and sucked. The friction coefficient of the belt 2 is lowered from the initial state.

  If the reduction of the friction coefficient of the suction belt 2 exceeds a certain level, the sheet cannot be fed. Therefore, the user wears the suction belt 2 when the sheet feeding apparatus starts to feed the sheet. Since the user knows for the first time that the process has progressed and begins to prepare to replace the suction belt 2 from that time, it may cause a sudden loss of time to the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and a paper feeding device capable of notifying the user of the replacement timing of the suction belt without being in a non-paper feeding state. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.

  The paper feeding device according to the first aspect of the present invention has a stacking tray having a substantially horizontal surface on which a plurality of stacked sheets can be placed, and a sheet adsorbing unit that adsorbs sheets by a suction belt. The sheet conveying means for attracting and conveying the sheets one by one to the sheet adsorbing section and feeding them to the image forming section, and the uppermost sheet among a plurality of sheets stacked on the tray by air adsorption The suction means for sucking the paper suction section of the transport means and the topmost paper and the topmost paper by blowing air to one end portion of the paper at a position near the topmost paper among a plurality of papers stacked on the tray. An air discharge means for levitating the end face of the paper in the vicinity of the upper surface paper and separating the plurality of papers from each other; a drive means for moving the paper suction portion to the image forming portion by driving the paper transport means; and a tray The vertical direction A sheet upper and lower position detecting means comprising an actuator that contacts the uppermost sheet and swings up and down according to the height of the uppermost sheet, and a sensor that detects the vertical position of the actuator; A sheet feeding device including a control unit configured to drive the elevating unit based on the detection position detected by the upper surface position detecting unit and elevate the stacking tray so that the uppermost sheet height on the tray becomes a predetermined height. In the above, the suction belt is formed as a two-layer structure by forming layers of different materials of two colors.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stacking tray having a substantially horizontal surface on which a plurality of stacked sheets can be placed, a sheet adsorbing portion that adsorbs sheets by a suction belt, and the sheets are separated one by one. A sheet conveying unit for adsorbing and conveying the sheet to the image forming unit and feeding it to the image forming unit, and an uppermost sheet among a plurality of sheets stacked on the tray are adsorbed to the sheet adsorption unit of the sheet conveying unit by air adsorption The top surface of the sheet and the end surface of the sheet near the top sheet by blowing air to one end of the sheet at a position near the top sheet among the plurality of sheets stacked on the tray. An air discharge means for levitating and separating a plurality of sheets from each other, a drive means for moving the sheet adsorbing section to the image forming section by driving the sheet conveying section, and a tray for raising and lowering the tray in the vertical direction Ascension A sheet upper surface position detecting means comprising: a sensor, an actuator that contacts the uppermost sheet and swings up and down according to the height of the uppermost sheet; and a sensor that detects the vertical position of the actuator; In the sheet feeding device, the suction belt is driven by the lifting and lowering means based on the detected position and the control means for raising and lowering the stacking tray so that the uppermost sheet height on the tray becomes a specified height. Are formed as a two-layer structure by forming layers of the same material having two different colors.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeding device according to the first or second aspect, among the materials constituting the layer of the suction belt, the friction coefficient of the inner layer is made higher than the surface side layer. And

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeding device of any one of the first to third aspects, a color discrimination sensor for monitoring the color of the suction belt surface is provided, and the wear state of the suction belt is automatically monitored and discriminated. It is possible to make it possible.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect includes the paper feeding device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the image forming apparatus is a copier, a printer, and a multi-function machine having a combination of these functions.

  According to the present invention, when the surface layer of the two-layer suction belt starts to wear and the friction coefficient begins to decrease, the inner layer appears, and the user recognizes that the life of the belt is approaching due to the difference in color. It is possible to know when to replace the belt without actually causing a non-feed, preventing the occurrence of downtime due to non-feed or sudden belt change, It is possible to reduce the occurrence of loss.

Further, according to the present invention, when wear of the surface layer of the two layers of the suction belt progresses, the inner layer appears on the surface and the coefficient of friction of the entire suction belt increases, so that the occurrence of non-feeding is prevented. Can be prevented.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus provided with the paper feeding device according to the present invention, even with the paper feeding method using the suction belt, wear of the suction belt and damage to the paper can be reduced, and the conveyance quality as an apparatus is improved.

Conceptual diagram showing an example of a conventional paper feeder Explanatory diagram of paper feeding operation of a conventional paper feeder Explanatory diagram of paper feeding operation of a conventional paper feeder Explanatory diagram of paper feeding operation of a conventional paper feeder Explanatory diagram of paper feeding operation of a conventional paper feeder Configuration explanatory diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus that can be a target including the paper feeding device of the present invention The perspective view which shows the internal structure of the paper feeder which concerns on this invention Figure with the paper feed unit removed from the paper feeder View of the paper feed unit from below Schematic diagram (A) and side view (B) of the suction belt used in the paper feeder according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present invention, the suction belt is formed in a layer structure with two different colors or the same material to form a two-layer suction belt. Then, when the wear of the surface layer proceeds and the coefficient of friction starts to decrease, the inner layer appears on the surface. Since the colors of the two layers are different, the user recognizes that the life of the suction belt is approaching when different color parts appear on the surface. This means that it is possible to grasp the belt replacement time without actually causing a non-feed, and it is difficult for a downtime due to a non-feed or a sudden belt change to occur. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate time loss for the user.

Further, according to the present invention, the friction coefficient of the material on the inner side than the surface side is increased for the material of the two layers of the suction belt. Even if the wear of the surface layer proceeds and the friction coefficient decreases, the inner layer appears on the surface. As a result, the coefficient of friction of the entire suction belt increases, so that occurrence of non-feeding can be prevented.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus that can be a target including the paper feeding device of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the paper feeding device according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 11 includes an image forming apparatus main body 12 and a paper feeding device 13 connected to one side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 12.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the paper feeding device 13 takes out a paper feed tray (paper storage unit) 21 having a bottom plate 6 on which a bundle of paper P is stacked, and the uppermost paper of the paper bundle one by one. A sheet feeding unit (sheet feeding means) 22 that feeds paper to the forming apparatus main body 12 side is provided. In the paper feed tray 21, the width direction of the bundle of sheets P stacked on the bottom plate 6 (in FIG. 7, the direction from the paper feed tray (paper storage unit) 21 to the paper feed unit (paper feed means) 22). A pair of side fences 23, 23 that are perpendicular to a certain sheet feeding direction and that guide side surfaces of the sheet feeding tray 21 in a direction in which side fences 23, 23 (described later) face each other, Is provided with an end fence 24 for pressing the rear end face of the sheet bundle. The side fence 23 is provided with air blowing means (side air 7) for performing sheet floating and sheet peeling.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram in which the paper feeding unit 22 is removed from the paper feeding device 13. As shown in the figure, an air blowing means (side air 1) is provided immediately below the paper supply unit 22 for performing paper floating and paper suction.

  FIG. 9 is a view of the sheet feeding unit 22 as viewed from below. The sheet feeding unit 22 is provided with a suction belt 2 and a drive motor 26 connected thereto. The suction belt 2 is rotationally driven at each preset paper feed timing. A suction chamber is provided inside the suction belt 2, and suction is performed from a suction hole 2 a formed in the suction belt 2. A suction blower 28 is connected to the suction chamber by a suction duct 27 to maintain an appropriate suction static pressure.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic view (A) and a side view (B) of the suction belt 2 used in the paper feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, the suction hole 2a is omitted, but actually, it is opened over the entire circumference of the belt.

  As shown in the drawing, the suction belt 2 is made of two different color materials and is configured as a layer. In this embodiment, the outer side of the belt is an A color layer 2A and the inner side is a B color layer 2B. In the figure, the A color layer and the B color layer are described as having a considerable thickness. However, when the wear progresses at a level where the friction coefficient of the A color layer 2A decreases, the B color layer is actually thin. The thickness is set so that 2B appears on the surface. For example, the A color layer 2A may be about 300 μm, and the B color layer 2B may be about 700 μm. Although it is not always necessary to make the B color layer 2B a thin layer, it is necessary to consider the bending state of the suction belt 2.

  Further, the friction coefficient of the material of the B color layer 2B on the inner side is higher than that of the A color layer 2A on the front side. As a result, even if the wear of the A color layer 2A progresses and the friction coefficient of the suction belt 2 decreases, the B color layer 2B appears on the surface, so that the friction coefficient of the suction belt 2 as a whole increases and no paper is fed. Can be prevented.

  Further, by constituting two layers like A color and B color, the wear of the A color layer 2A on the surface proceeds, and when the B color layer 2B appears when the friction coefficient of the same layer starts to decrease, Since the user periodically checks the surface of the suction belt 2 for periodic inspection and cleaning, the fact that the B color layer 2B has appeared on the surface of the suction belt 2 has brought the life of the suction belt approaching. It can be easily and easily recognized.

  Therefore, it is possible to grasp the replacement timing of the suction belt 2 without actually causing non-feeding, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of downtime due to non-feeding or sudden belt replacement. No time is lost to the user.

  In the present invention, the description “a material having two different colors” may be “the same material having two colors”. In the above-described embodiment, the user visually confirms. However, the wear state of the belt may be automatically monitored by a color discrimination sensor that monitors the color of the belt surface, and the discrimination may be automated.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus provided with the above-described paper feeding device, the user can be notified of the replacement timing of the suction belt 2 without going through a process such as non-feeding, and an unexpected downtime is caused. Since there is no such thing, the quality of the equipment is increased.

1: Air blowing means (side air)
2: Suction belt 2a: Suction hole 2A: A color layer 2B: B color layer 6: Bottom plate 7: Blowing means (side air)
11: Image forming apparatus 12: Image forming apparatus main body 13: Paper feed apparatus 21: Paper feed tray (paper storage unit)
22: Paper feeding unit (paper feeding means)
23: Side fence 24: End fence 26: Drive motor 27: Suction duct 28: Suction blower P: Paper

JP-A-2005-321551

Claims (6)

A stacking tray having a substantially horizontal surface on which a plurality of stacked sheets can be placed;
A paper transport unit that has a paper suction unit that sucks paper by a suction belt, sucks and transports the paper one by one to the paper suction unit, and feeds the paper to the image forming unit;
An adsorbing means for adsorbing the uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets stacked on the tray to the sheet adsorbing portion of the sheet conveying means by air adsorption;
By blowing air to one end of the paper at the position near the uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets stacked in the tray, the end surface of the uppermost sheet and the sheet in the vicinity of the uppermost sheet are levitated to Air discharge means for separating from each other;
Driving means for moving the sheet adsorbing unit to the image forming unit by driving the sheet conveying unit;
Elevating means for elevating the tray in the vertical direction;
A sheet upper surface position detecting means comprising an actuator that contacts the uppermost sheet and swings up and down according to the height of the uppermost sheet, and a sensor that detects the vertical position of the actuator;
Control means for driving the elevating means based on the detection position detected by the paper upper surface position detecting means to elevate the stacking tray so that the uppermost paper height on the tray becomes a specified height;
In a paper feeding device comprising:
The suction belt is formed as a two-layer structure by forming layers of different colors of materials,
A paper feeder characterized by that. A stacking tray having a substantially horizontal surface on which a plurality of stacked sheets can be placed;
A paper transport unit that has a paper suction unit that sucks paper by a suction belt, sucks and transports the paper one by one to the paper suction unit, and feeds the paper to the image forming unit;
An adsorbing means for adsorbing the uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets stacked on the tray to the sheet adsorbing portion of the sheet conveying means by air adsorption;
By blowing air to one end of the paper at the position near the uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets stacked in the tray, the end surface of the uppermost sheet and the sheet in the vicinity of the uppermost sheet are levitated to Air discharge means for separating from each other;
Driving means for moving the sheet adsorbing unit to the image forming unit by driving the sheet conveying unit;
Elevating means for elevating the tray in the vertical direction;
A sheet upper surface position detecting means comprising an actuator that contacts the uppermost sheet and swings up and down according to the height of the uppermost sheet, and a sensor that detects the vertical position of the actuator;
Control means for driving the elevating means based on the detection position detected by the paper upper surface position detecting means to elevate the stacking tray so that the uppermost paper height on the tray becomes a specified height;
In a paper feeding device comprising:
The suction belt is formed as a two-layer structure by forming layers of the same material having two different colors.
A paper feeder characterized by that. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 or 2,
Of the materials constituting the layer of the suction belt, the friction coefficient of the inner layer is made higher than the surface layer,
A paper feeder characterized by that. In the paper feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
It is possible to automatically monitor and discriminate the wear state of the suction belt by providing a color discrimination sensor for monitoring the color of the suction belt surface,
A paper feeder characterized by that.   An image forming apparatus comprising the paper feeding device according to claim 1. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is a copier, a printer, or a multifunction machine having a combination of these functions.