JP2015199571A - Feeding device, recording device, and feeding method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress occurrence of a paper jam and remove paper powder and dust more reliably from recording paper.SOLUTION: Feeding devices 2 and 3 comprise: transportation means 5 and 29 for transporting recording paper P; suction means 11 including a suction port 11a and facing the recording paper P transported by using transportation means 5 and 29; an energization member 12 provided so as to energize the recording paper P toward the suction port 11a; and control means 14 for controlling the operation of the energization member 12. The control means 14 separates the energization member 12 from the suction port 11a till the recording paper P reaches the suction port 11a, and energizes the recording paper P toward the suction port 11a by using the energization member 12 after the recording paper P has reached the suction port 11a.

Description

  The present invention relates to a feeding device that feeds recording paper, a recording device that includes the feeding device, and a method for feeding recording paper.

2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus that includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet is known. Paper dust or dust adhering to the recording paper before image formation drops after printing and becomes white spots, or clogs the opening of the image forming means, which causes a failure to obtain good printing results. One technique for solving such a problem is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which paper dust and dust are removed before a recording sheet is conveyed to an image forming unit. More specifically, the recording apparatus includes a suction unit provided upstream of the image forming unit in the conveyance direction of the recording paper. The suction means includes a surface that contacts the surface of the recording paper, and a suction port is provided on the surface. By sucking air from the suction port, paper dust and dust are removed from the surface of the recording paper.

JP 2002-103737 A

However, the recording apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. That is, when a recording paper having a relatively high rigidity and a relatively large curl (warp) is used, a gap is formed between the recording paper and the suction means, and there is a possibility that paper dust or dust may not be sufficiently removed.
In order to narrow the gap between the recording sheet and the suction unit, it is conceivable to provide a biasing member that biases the recording sheet to the suction unit. However, in this case, a paper jam may occur when the recording paper is fed between the suction unit and the urging member.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress the occurrence of paper jam and more reliably remove paper dust and dust from recording paper.

In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording sheet, a suction port, a suction unit that faces the recording sheet conveyed by the conveying unit, and a suction port. An urging member provided so as to be able to urge the recording sheet toward the recording medium, and a control unit that controls the operation of the urging member. The control unit holds the urging member until the recording sheet reaches the suction port. After separating from the suction port and the recording paper reaches the suction port, the recording paper is biased toward the suction port using the biasing member.
In another aspect of the present invention, the recording sheet is conveyed to a position facing the suction port of the suction unit, and the biasing member is separated from the suction port until the recording sheet reaches the suction port. Urging the recording sheet to the suction port using the urging member after the recording sheet reaches the suction port.
In each of the above inventions, since the urging member is separated from the suction port until the recording paper reaches the suction port, the recording paper is smoothly conveyed to the suction port, and paper jam hardly occurs. Further, since the recording paper that has reached the suction port is urged to the suction port by using the urging member, the gap between the recording paper and the suction means is reduced, and paper dust and dust can be sufficiently removed. it can.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of paper jam and more reliably remove paper dust and dust from recording paper.

1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. The fragmentary sectional view of the manual feeding part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the outline of the control system of a manual feeding part. The fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the preparatory operation | movement of a manual feeding part. The fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating feeding operation | movement of a manual feeding part. The expanded fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the flow of the air at the time of feeding operation | movement. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the manual feeding unit 3; The perspective view of a suction duct and a biasing member. The fragmentary sectional view of the automatic feeding part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the outline of the control system of an automatic feeding part. The fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating 1st conveyance operation | movement. The fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the 2nd conveyance operation following a 1st conveyance operation. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of an automatic feeding part. The fragmentary sectional perspective view of the feeder which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The fragmentary sectional perspective view of the feeder which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding elements. Further, a reference numeral with an alphabetic character added to a reference number indicates a subordinate element constituting an element having only a number without an alphabetic character.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applicable. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1 includes an automatic feeding unit 2, a manual feeding unit 3, and a recording unit 4. The automatic feeding unit 2 and the manual feeding unit 3 are also called “feeding devices”. The recording unit 4 forms an image on the recording paper fed using the automatic feeding unit 2 or the manual feeding unit 3.
The automatic feeding unit 2 is formed so as to be capable of setting a sheet bundle formed by stacking a plurality of recording sheets. Then, the automatic feeding unit 2 pulls out the recording sheets one by one from the sheet bundle and feeds the recording sheets to the recording unit 4.
The manual feeding unit 3 is formed so that recording sheets can be set one by one. Then, the manual feeding unit 3 feeds the one recording sheet to the recording unit 4. Examples of the recording paper set in the manual feeding unit 3 include art paper that is difficult to separate and feed the recording paper one by one from the paper bundle due to the influence of paper dust or dust.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, an example in which the present invention is applied to the manual feeding unit 3 will be described.
First, the structure of the manual feeding unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the manual feeding unit 3 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the manual feeding unit 3 includes a feeding roller 5, a supporting member 6, first and second auxiliary rollers 7 and 8, a supporting member 9, and a guide member 10. Prepare.
The support member 6 supports the feeding roller 5 in a rotatable manner, and the support member 9 supports the first and second auxiliary rollers 7 and 8 in a rotatable manner. The guide member 10 forms a path for transporting the recording paper P (hereinafter also referred to as “transporting path”), and guides the recording paper P prepared by the user to a predetermined position.
The manual feeding unit 3 includes a suction duct 11 including a suction port 11a and a discharge port 11b, an urging member 12 provided so as to be able to urge the recording paper P to the edge of the suction port 11a, and the recording paper P And a stopper 13 provided so that the movement can be restricted. The suction port 11a is open toward the transport path and faces the surface of the recording paper P that moves on the transport path. The discharge port 11b is connected to a suction fan (not shown).
With the operation of the suction fan, paper dust and dust on the surface of the recording paper P are sucked into the suction duct 11 from the suction port 11a together with the atmosphere (air). As a result, paper dust and dust are removed from the surface of the recording paper P. Paper dust and dust sucked into the suction duct 11 are discharged out of the suction duct 11 through the discharge port 11b. In other words, the suction duct 11 functions as a suction means.

The biasing member 12 is located on the side opposite to the suction port 11a with respect to the transport path. The urging member 12 can be switched between a first state pressed against the edge of the suction port 11a and a second state separated from the edge of the suction port 11a without pressing against the edge of the suction port 11a. Is provided. The state of the urging member 12 is switched using a motor.
The stopper 13 is movable to a first position located on the transport path and a second position located outside the transport path. When the stopper 13 is in the first position, the stopper 13 restricts the movement of the recording paper P, and when the stopper 13 is in the second position, the stopper 13 does not restrict the movement of the recording paper P.
In the present embodiment, the stopper 13 is rotatably supported, and the rotation center of the stopper 13 is located inside the suction duct 11. When the stopper 13 is in the first position, a part of the stopper 13 protrudes from the suction port 11a to the transport path, and restricts the movement of the recording paper P on the transport path. When the stopper 13 is in the second position, the stopper 13 is accommodated in the suction duct 11. As a result, the recording paper P can freely move on the transport path. A moving means (not shown) moves the stopper 13 from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a control system of the manual feeding unit 3. A control system of the manual feeding unit 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
The control means 14 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 16, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 17. The ROM 16 stores programs, required tables, and other fixed data. The RAM 17 forms a work area.
The trailing edge detection sensor 18 detects whether the trailing edge of the recording paper P has passed through the suction port 11a. The trailing edge detection sensor 18 is connected to the control means 14, and sends a signal to the control means 14 indicating that the trailing edge of the recording paper P has passed through the suction port 11 a.
The motor driver 19 drives the support member motor 20. The supporting member motor 20 rotates the supporting member 6 to bring the feeding roller 5 closer to the first auxiliary roller 7 or move the feeding roller 5 away from the first auxiliary roller 7. The motor driver 21 drives the feed roller motor 22. The feed roller motor 22 rotates the feed roller 5 to convey the recording paper P.
The motor driver 23 drives the urging member motor 24. The urging member motor 24 rotates the urging member 12 so that the urging member 12 is pressed against the edge of the suction port 11a and the urging member 12 is separated from the edge of the suction port 11a. Switch to the second state. The motor driver 25 drives the stopper motor 26. The stopper motor 26 rotates the stopper 13 to move the stopper 13 to a first position located on the conveyance path and a second position located outside the conveyance path.
The fan driver 27 drives the suction fan 28. By operating the suction fan 28, the gas is sucked into the suction duct 11 from the suction port 11a.

Next, the operation of the manual feeding unit 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 are partial cross-sectional views for explaining the operation of the manual feeding unit 3. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the manual feeding unit 3. 2 shows the manual feeding unit 3 together with the recording paper P in which the biasing member 12 is in the second state and the stopper 13 is in the first position.
The user inserts the recording paper P between the second auxiliary roller 8 and the guide member 10 and pushes the recording paper P toward the suction duct 11. The recording paper P is sent to the stopper 13 through the first auxiliary roller 7 and the feeding roller 5 and between the suction duct 11 and the biasing member 12. When the recording paper P hits the stopper 13 and stops moving, the setting of the recording paper P to the manual feeding unit 3 is completed.
When the recording paper P is set, the feeding roller 5 provided on the support member 6 is in a position away from the first auxiliary roller 7, and the urging member 12 is in a position away from the suction duct 11. Accordingly, the recording paper P is inserted into the stopper 13 relatively easily.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining an operation (preparation operation) before feeding the recording paper P set in the manual feeding unit 3. When a recording start command is sent from the recording apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1) to the control means 14 of the manual feeding unit 3, the control means 14 drives the urging member motor 24 via the motor driver 23 and the motor driver. The support member motor 20 is driven through the motor 19.
The urging member 12 rotates in the direction (A direction) approaching the suction port 11a as the urging member motor 24 is driven (S101), and presses the recording paper P against the opening edge of the suction port 11a. Further, the support member 6 rotates in the direction approaching the first auxiliary roller 7 (direction C) in accordance with the driving of the support member motor 20 (S102), and the feed roller 5 and the first auxiliary roller 7 The recording paper P is sandwiched.
Note that the rotation of the biasing member 12 (S101) and the rotation of the support member 6 (S102) may be performed simultaneously, or the rotation of the support member 6 before the rotation of the biasing member 12 (S101). (S102) may be executed.
When the recording paper P is pressed against the suction duct 11 using the urging member 12, the control means 14 drives the stopper motor 26 via the motor driver 25. The stopper 13 rotates in a direction (B direction) away from the urging member 12 with the driving of the stopper motor 26 (S103). When the stopper 13 moves to the second position, the restriction on the movement of the recording paper P by the stopper 13 is released.
Thereafter, the control means 14 drives the suction fan 28 via the fan driver 27 (S104). By operating the suction fan 28, the paper dust and dust on the recording paper P are sucked into the suction duct 11 from the suction port 11a.
At this time, since the urging member 12 presses the recording paper P against the suction duct 11, the curling of the recording paper P is corrected. Therefore, even when the curl amount of the recording paper P is relatively large, the recording paper P can be sufficiently brought into close contact with the suction duct 11, and paper dust and dust adhering to the recording paper P can be more reliably removed. It becomes.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining an operation (feeding operation) for feeding the recording paper P set in the manual feeding unit 3. The control means 14 drives the feed roller motor 22 via the motor driver 21. The feed roller 5 rotates in the E direction as the feed roller motor 22 is driven (S105).
As the feed roller 5 rotates in the E direction, the recording paper P is conveyed in the D direction, and the first auxiliary roller 7 rotates in the F direction. By rotating the first auxiliary roller 7, the recording paper P is conveyed in the D direction without damaging the surface of the recording paper P.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view for explaining the air flow during the feeding operation (see FIG. 5). A suction fan 28 is connected to a discharge port 11 b provided in the suction duct 11. The suction duct 11 is provided with a suction port 11a for sucking and removing paper dust and dust adhering to the surface of the recording paper P. FIG. 6 shows a state where the biasing member 12 presses the recording paper P against the suction duct 11 and a suction fan (not shown) is operating.
The air is sucked into the suction duct 11 through a minute gap between the suction duct 11 and the recording paper P (X1), and the paper dust and dust adhering to the surface of the recording paper P are wound up (X2) while sucking the duct. 11 (X3). Thereafter, the air is discharged together with paper dust and dust from the discharge port 11b (X4). In this way, paper dust and dust are removed from the recording paper P when the recording paper P passes between the suction duct 11 and the biasing member 12.

Refer to FIG. 5 again. When the recording paper P is fed along with the rotation of the feeding roller 5, the trailing edge detection sensor 18 provided in the manual feeding unit 3 detects the trailing edge of the recording paper P (S106). The trailing edge detection sensor 18 sends a signal indicating that the trailing edge of the recording paper P has passed through the suction port 11 a to the control means 14.
The control means 14 stops the feeding roller motor 22 via the motor driver 21 and stops the rotation of the feeding roller 5 (S107). Further, the control means 14 stops the suction fan 28 via the fan driver 27 (S108).
Further, the control means 14 drives the support member motor 20 via the motor driver 19 and drives the stopper motor 26 via the motor driver 25. The support member 6 rotates in the direction opposite to the C direction (see FIG. 4) as the support member motor 20 is driven (S109). The stopper 13 rotates in the direction opposite to the B direction (see FIG. 4) as the stopper motor 26 is driven (S110).
Finally, the control means 14 drives the urging member motor 24 via the motor driver 23. The urging member 12 rotates in the direction opposite to the A direction (see FIG. 4) in accordance with the driving of the urging member motor 24 (S111), and the manual feeding unit 3 is in the initial state (the state shown in FIG. 2). Return to).

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the suction duct 11 and the urging member 12. As shown in FIG. 8, the suction port 11 a is wider than the recording paper P in the width direction Y of the recording paper P. Therefore, the width direction end Y2 of the suction port 11a can be arranged outside the width direction end Y1 of the recording paper P. In other words, the suction port 11a can be extended over the entire width direction of the recording paper P. According to such a configuration, the entire width direction of the recording paper P can be sucked using the suction duct 11.
The urging member 12 is wider than the suction port 11a in the width direction Y of the recording paper P and the transport direction D of the recording paper P. Therefore, the width direction end Y3 of the urging member 12 can be disposed outside the width direction end Y2 of the suction port 11a. In other words, the urging member 12 in the second state can cover the suction port 11a. According to such a configuration, even when the size of the recording paper P in the width direction Y is relatively small, almost no gap is formed between the suction duct 11 and the biasing member 12, and paper dust and dust Can be sucked with a stronger force. As a result, paper dust and dust are more reliably removed from the recording paper P.
The “width direction Y” means a direction along the surface of the recording paper P that intersects the transport direction D.
The recording unit 4 (see FIG. 1) forms an image on the recording paper P that has passed between the suction duct 11 and the biasing member 12, that is, the recording paper P from which paper dust and dust have been removed. Therefore, white spots in the image and clogging of the recording unit 4 due to paper dust and dust are suppressed. As a result, the quality of the image formed on the recording paper P is improved.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, an example in which the present invention is applied to the automatic feeding unit 2 (see FIG. 1) will be described.
First, the structure of the automatic feeding unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of an automatic feeding unit according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the automatic feeding unit 2 includes a feeding roller 29, a separation roller 30, a support member 31, a paper feed table 32, a base member 33, a guide member 34, and a suction duct 11. And a biasing member 12. The support member 31 rotatably supports the separation roller 30.
A plurality of recording papers P are placed on the paper feed tray 32. The recording paper P placed on the paper feed tray 32 is aligned when the leading edge of the recording paper P hits the base member 33. The guide member 34 forms a transport path, and guides the recording paper P from the paper feed tray 32 to the suction duct 11.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a control system of the automatic feeding unit 2. The control system of the automatic feeding unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
Since the control means 14 is the same as that described in the description of the first embodiment, it is omitted here. The leading edge detection sensor 36 detects whether or not the leading edge of the recording paper P has reached the suction port 11a. The leading edge detection sensor 36 is connected to the control means 14 and sends a signal to the control means 14 indicating that the leading edge of the recording paper P has reached the suction port 11a.
The motor driver 37 drives a paper feed table motor 38. The sheet feeding table motor 38 rotates the sheet feeding table 32 to bring the sheet feeding table 32 closer to the feeding roller 29 or move the sheet feeding table 32 away from the feeding roller 29. The motor driver 39 drives the support member motor 40. The support member motor 40 rotates the support member 31 to bring the separation roller 30 closer to the feed roller 29 or move the separation roller 30 away from the feed roller 29.
The motor driver 41 drives the feed roller motor 42. The feed roller motor 42 rotates the feed roller 29 and conveys the recording paper P. The motor driver 43 drives the separation roller motor 44. The separation roller motor 44 rotates the separation roller 30 to separate one recording sheet P from the sheet bundle.
Since the motor drivers 23 and 27, the urging member motor 24, and the suction fan 28 are the same as those described in the description of the first embodiment, they are omitted here.

Next, the operation of the automatic feeding unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. 11 and 12 are partial cross-sectional views for explaining the operation of the automatic feeding unit 2. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic feeding unit 2. FIG. 9 shows the automatic feeding unit 2 in which the biasing member 12 is in the second state, together with the recording paper P placed on the paper feed tray 32.
The user places a plurality of recording papers P on the paper feed tray 32. By applying the end of the recording paper P to the base member 33, the position of the recording paper P is aligned. At this time, the separation roller 30 is at a position away from the feeding roller 29, and the urging member 12 is at a position away from the suction duct 11.
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining an operation (first transport operation) for transporting the recording paper P placed on the paper feed tray 32 to the suction duct 11. When a recording start command is sent from the recording apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1) to the control means 14 of the automatic feeding unit 2, the control means 14 drives the paper feed table motor 38 via the motor driver 37 and the motor driver. The support member motor 40 is driven via 39.
The paper feed tray 32 rotates in the direction (G direction) approaching the feed roller 29 as the paper feed stand motor 38 is driven (S201), and the sheet bundle including the recording paper P contacts the feed roller 29. . Further, the support member 31 rotates in the direction approaching the feed roller 29 (H direction) as the support member motor 40 is driven (S202), and the separation roller 30 contacts the feed roller 29.
Thereafter, the control unit 14 drives the feeding roller motor 42 via the motor driver 41 and drives the separation roller motor 44 via the motor driver 43. The feed roller 29 rotates in the I direction as the feed roller motor 42 is driven (S203), and the separation roller 30 rotates as the separation roller motor 44 is driven. One recording sheet P is separated from the sheet bundle by using the separation roller 30, and is conveyed along the guide member 34 in the J direction. At this time, since the urging member 12 is separated from the suction duct 11, the recording paper P is smoothly conveyed from the paper feed table 32 to the suction duct 11.
When the recording paper P is fed along with the rotation of the feeding roller 29, the leading edge detection sensor 36 provided in the automatic feeding unit 2 detects the leading edge of the recording paper P. The leading edge detection sensor 36 sends a signal to the control means 14 indicating that the leading edge of the recording paper P has passed through the suction port 11a. The control means 14 determines whether or not the recording paper P has been conveyed by a predetermined amount based on the signal sent from the leading edge detection sensor 36 (S204). When it is determined that the recording sheet P has been conveyed by a predetermined amount, the control unit 14 stops the feeding roller motor 42 via the motor driver 41.
Note that whether or not the recording paper P has been conveyed by a predetermined amount may be determined based on the number of rotations of the feeding roller 29.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining an operation (second transport operation) following the operation described with reference to FIG. After the recording paper P reaches the suction port 11 a, the control unit 14 drives the urging member motor 24 via the motor driver 23.
The urging member 12 is rotated in a direction (K direction) approaching the suction port 11a as the urging member motor 24 is driven (S206), and the recording paper P is pressed against the suction duct 11. Since the urging member 12 presses the recording paper P against the suction duct 11, the recording paper P can be sufficiently adhered to the suction duct 11 even if the curl amount of the recording paper P is relatively large.
Thereafter, the control means 14 drives the suction fan 28 via the fan driver 27 (S207). The suction fan 28 is connected to a discharge port 11 b provided in the suction duct 11. The air flows from the suction port 11a through the suction duct 11 to the discharge port 11b by the suction fan 28 (X5). As a result, paper dust and dust adhering to the surface of the recording paper P are sucked through the suction port 11a and discharged from the discharge port 11b. Since the recording paper P is sufficiently in close contact with the suction duct 11, the paper dust and dust attached to the recording paper P are easily sucked, and the paper dust and dust can be more reliably removed.
After the suction fan 28 is activated, the control unit 14 drives the feed roller motor 42 via the motor driver 41. The feeding roller 29 starts to rotate (S208), and the conveying roller (not shown) of the recording unit 4 (see FIG. 1) starts to rotate (S209). As the recording paper P is conveyed in the L direction, paper dust and dust adhering to the recording paper P are removed using the suction duct 11.
After the feeding roller 29 has further rotated by a predetermined amount (S210), the control means 14 drives the paper feed table motor 38 via the motor driver 37 and drives the support member motor 40 via the motor driver 39. . The paper feed table 32 rotates in the direction opposite to the G direction (see FIG. 9) with the drive of the paper feed table motor 38 (S211), and the support member 31 moves in the H direction with the drive of the support member motor 40. And rotate in the opposite direction (S212).
Thereafter, the control unit 14 stops the feeding roller motor 42 via the motor driver 41. The rotation of the feed roller 29 is stopped (S213), and the recording paper P is transported only by the above-described transport roller (not shown). When the trailing edge detection sensor 18 detects the trailing edge of the recording paper P (S214), the control unit 14 stops the suction fan 28 via the fan driver 27 (S215). Thereafter, the control means 14 rotates the biasing member 12 in the direction opposite to the K direction via the motor driver 23 (S216), and the automatic feeding unit 2 returns to the initial state (the state shown in FIG. 9).

(Third embodiment)
As described in the description of the first and second embodiments, the suction fan operates in a state where the urging member 12 presses the recording paper P against the suction duct 11. In the third embodiment, an inlet is formed in the suction duct 11 so as to generate an air flow more reliably in the suction duct 11.
The third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the feeding device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the suction duct 11 includes an inflow port 11c. The inflow port 11c is formed so as to create a flow of gas (air) toward the suction port 11a obliquely with respect to the surface of the recording paper P pressed against the suction duct 11.
Air is sucked into the suction duct 11 from the inflow port 11c (X6) and travels toward the suction port 11a. The air hits the surface of the recording paper P and winds up the adhering dust and paper dust (X7). Thereafter, the air containing paper dust and dust moves in the suction duct 11 (X8) and is discharged from the suction duct 11.
According to the present embodiment, since air strikes the surface of the recording paper P from obliquely above, dust and paper powder attached to the surface of the recording paper P are likely to roll up. In addition, since the air resistance when the air hits obliquely from above is smaller than when the air hits from the conveyance direction of the recording paper P, the paper dust adhered to the surface of the recording paper P while maintaining a relatively high feeding performance and Dust can be removed.

(Fourth embodiment)
As described in the description of the first to third embodiments, the recording paper P is conveyed in a state where the urging member 12 presses the recording paper P against the suction duct 11. In the fourth embodiment, a roller is provided to reduce the load during conveyance.
The fourth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the feeding device according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the urging member 12 includes an auxiliary roller 45, and the suction duct 11 includes an auxiliary roller 46 and a guide rib 11d. The auxiliary rollers 45 and 46 are in contact with the recording paper P when the urging member 12 presses the recording paper P against the suction duct 11. The guide rib 11 d contacts the recording paper P when the urging member 12 presses the recording paper P against the suction duct 11.
According to the present embodiment, the recording paper P is sandwiched between the auxiliary roller 45 and the auxiliary roller 46 and between the auxiliary roller 45 and the guide rib 11d. Therefore, the load acting on the recording paper P during feeding is reduced, and the recording paper P can be transported more smoothly. Paper dust and dust attached to the surface of the recording paper P can be removed while maintaining a relatively high feeding performance.
In the example shown in FIG. 15, the urging member 12 and the suction duct 11 include auxiliary rollers 45 and 46, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, only the suction duct 11 may include the auxiliary roller 46 and the biasing member 12 may not include the auxiliary roller, or only the biasing member 12 may include the auxiliary roller 45 and the suction duct 11 may not include the auxiliary roller 46. May be. That is, at least one of the suction duct 11 and the biasing member 12 only needs to include an auxiliary roller.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments and examples, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and examples. The present invention can be modified in various ways that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is used in a recording apparatus having a recording unit for forming an image such as a scanner, a printer, a facsimile, a copying machine, and a multifunction machine and having a feeding device for feeding recording paper as described in the embodiments. can do.

2 automatic feeding unit 3 manual feeding unit 5 feeding roller 6 support member 11 suction duct 12 urging member 14 control means

Claims (15)

Conveying means for conveying recording paper;
A suction unit including a suction port, the suction port facing a recording sheet conveyed using the conveyance unit;
An urging member provided to urge the recording sheet toward the suction port;
Control means for controlling the operation of the biasing member,
The control means separates the urging member from the suction port until the recording paper reaches the suction port, and uses the biasing member to suck the recording paper after the recording paper reaches the suction port. Feeder that urges towards the mouth.   The feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the suction port is wider than the recording sheet in the width direction of the recording sheet.   The feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the urging member is wider than the suction port with respect to a width direction of the recording paper and a conveyance direction of the recording paper. It further comprises a stopper provided to restrict the movement of the recording paper,
The control means uses the stopper to restrict the movement of the recording paper when the urging member is away from the suction port, and the urging member urges the recording paper to the suction port. The feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the restriction of the recording paper by the stopper is released.   The feeding device according to claim 4, wherein the stopper projects from the suction port to a conveyance path of the recording paper when restricting movement of the recording paper.   The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the suction unit includes an inflow port for taking in gas toward the suction port.   The supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the suction unit and the biasing member includes a roller that comes into contact with the recording sheet when the biasing member presses the recording sheet against the suction port. Feeding device. A feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
And a recording unit that forms an image on a recording sheet that has passed between the suction unit and the urging member. Conveying the recording paper to a position facing the suction port of the suction means;
The biasing member is separated from the suction port until the recording paper reaches the suction port, and the recording paper is moved to the suction port using the biasing member after the recording paper reaches the suction port. Energizing to a feeding method.   The feeding method according to claim 9, wherein the recording sheet is smaller than the suction port with respect to a conveyance direction in which the recording sheet is conveyed and a width direction intersecting the direction.   The feeding method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the biasing member is larger than the suction port in a transport direction in which the recording paper is transported and a width direction intersecting the direction. Restricting movement of the recording paper when transporting the recording paper;
The feeding method according to claim 9, further comprising: releasing the restriction on the movement of the recording sheet when the recording sheet is urged to the suction port.   The feeding method according to claim 12, wherein when restricting movement of the recording paper, a stopper is projected from the suction port to a conveyance path of the recording paper.   The feeding method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the suction means is provided with an inflow port for taking a gas toward the suction port.   The feeding method according to claim 9, further comprising bringing a roller into contact with the recording paper when the recording paper is urged to the suction port.

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