JP2019142672A - Sheet feeding apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sheet feeding apparatus capable of preventing multiple sheet-feeding even when regular irregular sheets are stacked, an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.SOLUTION: The sheet feeding apparatus 2 includes a mounting table 71 on which a plurality of sheets P are placed, a suction unit 74 for sucking the plurality of sheets P placed on the mounting table 71 from above one by one, a sheet feeding and conveyance unit 73 for conveying the sheet P to be sucked by the suction unit 74, and an attitude changing unit for changing the attitude of the sheet P conveyed by the sheet feeding and conveyance unit 73. The attitude changing unit makes the orientation of the uppermost sheet P and the orientation of the sheet next to the uppermost sheet P relatively different from each other among the plurality of sheets P placed on the mounting table 71.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a sheet feeding device, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an air suction type paper feeding device is known as a paper feeding device that supplies paper to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. Some air suction type paper feeders include a transport unit that sucks air by generating a negative pressure above the stacked paper and sucks the uppermost paper. Such an air suction type paper feeding device feeds paper one by one out of a plurality of stacked papers by blowing air from the leading edge or side edge of the paper and causing it to float in order to attract the paper to the transport unit. be able to.

  By the way, if the paper is uneven, when the paper is sent out, the uppermost paper and the lower paper may be caught at the uneven portion. In this case, since the paper cannot be fed properly, changing the position of the air to be blown according to the uneven part of the paper eliminates the catch between the top paper and the lower paper, and feeds paper properly. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, there has been proposed one that prevents the carry by shifting the position of the upper sheet and the position of the lower sheet by vibrating the sheet in the sheet feeding direction by a vibrating member provided at the rear end of the sheet ( For example, see Patent Document 2).

JP2015-174740A JP 2011-042467 A

  However, even in the conventional technique as described in Patent Document 1, if the unevenness formed on the sheet is regular over the entire sheet, the uppermost sheet and the lower sheet are caught. There is a risk that it cannot be resolved. Further, even in the conventional technique as described in Patent Document 2, if the unevenness formed on the paper is regular over the entire surface in the same manner as described above, the upper and lower phases are changed by the vibrating member. Even if the sheet is shifted, the sheet is caught in another phase, and there is a possibility that a carry will occur.

  The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of sheet feeding even when sheets having regular unevenness are stacked.

  A sheet feeding device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a mounting table on which a plurality of sheets are mounted, a suction unit that sequentially suctions the plurality of sheets mounted on the mounting table from above, A sheet feeding conveyance unit that conveys the sheet sucked by the suction unit, and a posture changing unit that changes the posture of the sheet conveyed by the sheet feeding conveyance unit from the start of sheet floating to the sheet conveyance start, The posture changing unit relatively changes the orientation of the uppermost paper and the orientation of the next highest paper among the plurality of papers placed on the mounting table.

  In addition, the posture changing unit includes a direction of the uppermost sheet placed on the mounting table, and a direction of the uppermost sheet adsorbed to the sheet feeding and conveying unit by suction of the suction unit. It is preferable to change the posture of the paper on the paper surface so that the two are different.

  And a guide member that is disposed along the paper transport direction and that restricts the side edge of the paper, and a guide member that extends to an upper end of the side edge regulation portion. It is preferable that the posture changing unit includes the guide member, and changes the orientation of the sheet by the guide member.

  Also, a first side end air portion that is arranged on either one of both side edges of the paper along the paper transport direction and blows air to the side edge of the paper, and both end sides of the paper along the paper transport direction And a second side end air part that blows air to the side edge of the paper, and the posture changing unit includes the first side end air part and the second side end. An air portion is included, and the wind direction of the first side air blown from the first side end air portion is opposite to the wind direction of the second side air blown from the second side end air portion. In addition, it is preferable that the line of action of the first side air and the line of action of the second side air are mismatched.

  In addition, the paper feed conveyance unit includes a first belt member arranged along a paper width direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction, and a second belt arranged at least one of both end sides of the first belt member. A belt member, and the posture changing unit includes the first belt member and the second belt member, and the inclination correction amounts of the first belt member and the second belt member are different from each other. Is preferable.

  In addition, it is preferable that the posture changing unit shifts the orientation of the uppermost sheet out of the plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table from the sheet conveyance direction.

  In addition, it is preferable that the plurality of sheets placed on the placing table are aligned in an upright direction with respect to the sheet conveying direction.

  In addition, it is preferable that the posture changing unit causes the orientation of the uppermost paper out of the plurality of papers placed on the mounting table to be upright with respect to the paper transport direction.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table are aligned in a direction inclined from the sheet conveying direction.

  In addition, the posture changing unit is configured such that, when the uppermost sheet among the plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table is adsorbed to the sheet feeding / conveying unit by the suction of the suction unit, the lowermost sheet It is preferable to shift the direction of.

  In addition, the guide member includes a hinge mechanism that can adjust an inclination angle from an upper end of the side end regulating portion around a rotation axis along the sheet conveyance direction, and the posture changing unit includes the mounting table It is preferable that the orientation of the uppermost or lower sheet among the plurality of sheets placed on is changed by the hinge mechanism.

  Further, it is preferable that the guide member is disposed on the upstream side in the paper transport direction from the paper feed transport unit.

  And a side end restricting portion that is disposed along the paper carrying direction and restricts a side edge of the paper, and the side end regulating portion is located in the paper carrying direction with respect to a rear end position of the paper feed carrying unit. And is shorter than the paper feed conveyance unit in the paper conveyance direction.

  In addition, the posture changing unit may include at least the uppermost sheet and the uppermost next sheet according to at least one of the paper type, the basis weight, and the uneven pattern of the plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table. It is preferable to change the phase with the other paper.

  In addition, a front end air section that blows air to the front ends of a plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table, and a front end air flow path that blows air from the front end air section, opens and closes the front end air flow path. It is preferable to further include a free shutter and a control unit that controls an open / close state of the shutter.

  The image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present disclosure includes a mounting table on which a plurality of sheets are mounted, and a suction unit that sequentially sucks the plurality of sheets mounted on the mounting table from above. A sheet feeding and conveying unit that conveys the sheet sucked by the suction unit; and a posture changing unit that changes a posture of the sheet conveyed by the sheet feeding and conveying unit. Among the plurality of sheets placed on the sheet, the direction of the uppermost sheet and the direction of the next uppermost sheet are made relatively different.

  An image forming system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure includes a suction unit that sequentially sucks a plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table from above, and a feeding unit that transports the sheets sucked by the suction unit. A paper transport unit; and a posture change unit that changes a posture of the paper transported by the paper feed transport unit, wherein the posture change unit is a plurality of papers placed on the mounting table. The orientation of the upper sheet and the orientation of the uppermost next sheet are made relatively different.

  According to the first, second, and third aspects of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being fed even when sheets having regular unevenness are stacked.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of an image forming system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of a sheet feeding device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control system of a sheet feeding device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of various sensors that detect a sheet P in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a side end regulating unit 72 viewed from the rear end of a sheet according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a figure which shows an example which looked at the side edge control part 72 in Embodiment 1 of this indication from the paper upper direction. FIG. 5 is a diagram specifically illustrating an example of various types of air that is blown onto the front end of the sheet according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which sheets P placed on a placement table 71 in the first embodiment of the present disclosure are aligned in an upright direction with respect to a sheet conveyance direction. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the sheets P placed on the placing table 71 in the first embodiment of the present disclosure are aligned in a state of being inclined from the sheet conveyance direction. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of shifting a lower-level paper P from a paper transport direction when the uppermost paper P is attracted in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a control example of the sheet feeding device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a figure showing an example which is embossed paper in Embodiment 1 of this indication. It is a figure which shows an example which looked at the position which sprays the side air in Embodiment 2 of this indication from the paper upper direction. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control system of a sheet feeding device 2 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 10 is a flowchart for describing a control example of the sheet feeding device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a figure which shows an example which looked at the sheet | seat conveyance parts 73_1 and 73_2 in Embodiment 3 of this indication from the paper upper direction. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control system of a sheet feeding device 2 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. 10 is a flowchart for describing a control example of a sheet feeding device 2 according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which embossed paper is fed by a conventional paper feeding unit 2000.

  Hereinafter, although embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of an image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 has a configuration in which an external large-capacity sheet feeding device 2 is connected to the side of the image forming device 3. The paper feeding device 2 includes three stages of paper feeding units 201A, 201B, and 201C inside, and feeds the paper P to the image forming device 3 one by one. The sheet feeding device 2 includes a control unit 200. The control unit 200 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage unit, and the like. The storage unit is realized by, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive, and stores various data. The control unit 200 controls the operation of each unit of the sheet feeding device 2 in cooperation with the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 3. The control unit 200 controls the paper feed conveyance unit 73, the suction unit 74, the conveyance path unit 75, and the like based on a control signal from the image forming apparatus 3 and the like. Details of the sheet feeder 2 will be described later. The control unit 200 may be configured as a hardware processor whose storage unit is a semiconductor memory.

  The image forming apparatus 3 is an apparatus that forms an intermediate transfer type color image using electrophotographic process technology. The image forming apparatus 3 is a vertical tandem in which photosensitive drums corresponding to four colors of YMCK are arranged in series in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt, that is, in the vertical direction, and each color toner image is sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt in one procedure. The method is adopted. That is, the image forming apparatus 3 primarily transfers the Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) toner images formed on the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt, and the intermediate transfer belt. After the four color toner images are superimposed on each other, the image is formed by secondary transfer onto the paper P or S.

  The image forming apparatus 3 includes an image reading unit 10, an operation display unit 20, an image processing unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a paper transport unit 50, a fixing unit 60, and a control unit 100. The control unit 100 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage unit, and the like. The CPU reads out a program from the ROM in accordance with the processing content, expands the program in the RAM, and controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 3 in cooperation with the expanded program. The storage unit is realized by, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive, and stores various data. Various data stored in the storage unit is referred to when the CPU controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 3. The control unit 100 controls the operation of the paper feeding device 2 in cooperation with the control unit 200 of the paper feeding device 2. Note that the control unit 100 may be configured as a hardware processor whose storage unit is a semiconductor memory.

  The image reading unit 10 includes an automatic document feeder 11 and a document image scanning device 12. The automatic document feeder 11 is called ADF (Auto Document Feeder). The automatic document feeder 11 transports a document placed on a document tray by a transport mechanism and sends it out to a document image scanning device 12. The automatic document feeder 11 can continuously read images of a large number of documents placed on a document tray. The automatic document feeder 11 can read both sides of each document by the paper reversing mechanism when continuously reading images of a large number of documents. The document image scanning device 12 optically scans a document conveyed on the contact glass from the automatic document feeder 11 or a document placed on the contact glass. The document image scanning device 12 reads the document image formed on the document by forming an image of reflected light from the document by optical scanning on the light receiving surface of the CCD sensor. The image reading unit 10 generates input image data of a document image based on the reading result by the document image scanning device 12. The input image data is supplied to the image processing unit 30, and the image processing unit 30 executes preset image processing.

  The operation display unit 20 is realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as the display unit 21 and the operation unit 22. The display unit 21 displays various operation screens, image states, operation states of functions, and the like according to display control signals input from the control unit 100. The operation unit 22 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key. The operation unit 22 generates an operation signal by receiving various input operations by the user. The operation signal is output to the control unit 100.

  The image processing unit 30 includes a circuit that performs digital image processing according to initial settings or user settings on input image data. For example, under the control of the control unit 100, the image processing unit 30 performs gradation correction on input image data based on a gradation correction table in which gradation correction data is set. In addition to tone correction, the image processing unit 30 performs various correction processes such as color correction and shading correction, compression processes, and the like on the input image data. The image forming unit 40 performs various processes based on the input image data subjected to such various digital image processes. The image forming unit 40 forms an image using each color toner of Y component, M component, C component, and K component based on the input image data. The image forming unit 40 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and an intermediate transfer device. The surface of the photosensitive drum is uniformly charged by the corona discharge of the charging device. When the exposure device irradiates the photosensitive drum with laser light corresponding to the image of each color component, an electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. When the developing device supplies the toner of each color component to the surface of the photosensitive drum, the electrostatic latent image is visualized and a toner image is formed. The toner image is transferred onto the paper P or the paper S by the intermediate transfer device.

  The fixing unit 60 fixes the toner image on the paper P or the paper S by heating and pressurizing the toner image transferred onto the paper P or the paper S. The paper transport unit 50 includes a paper feed unit 51, a paper discharge unit 52, a transport path unit 53, and the like. The paper feeding unit 51 is accommodated for each type set in advance based on the basis weight, size, and the like of the paper S. The conveyance path unit 53 conveys the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding device 2, the sheet S accommodated in the sheet feeding unit 51, or the sheet P or the sheet S on which the image is formed on either the front or back side. . The paper discharge unit 52 discharges the paper P or the paper S on which an image is formed outside the apparatus.

  The sheet feeding device 2 includes a side end regulating unit 72, a sheet feeding and conveying unit 73, a suction unit 74, and a leading end regulating unit 78 in each of the sheet feeding units 201A to 201C. Separate and discharge. The paper P discharged from the paper supply units 201 </ b> A to 201 </ b> C is conveyed to the image forming apparatus 3. When any of the paper feeding units 201A to 201C is not particularly limited, it is referred to as a paper feeding unit 201. A suction unit 74 is disposed above each of the sheet feeding units 201. Side edge regulating portions 72 are arranged on both side surfaces of the sheet feeding unit 201. A placing table 71 is disposed between the side end regulating portions 72. The mounting table 71 can mount a plurality of sheets of paper P. Therefore, each of the side end regulating portions 72 that are opposed to each other aligns the positions in the width direction of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71. A front end regulating portion 78 is disposed on the front end side of the paper P loaded on the mounting table 71. The leading edge regulating unit 78 can control the posture of the paper P by blowing the leading air to the paper P while aligning the leading edge side of the paper P among the positions in the length direction of the paper P loaded on the mounting table 71. is there. A rear end guide member may be disposed on the rear end side of the paper P loaded on the mounting table 71.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of the sheet feeding device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control system of the sheet feeding device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The tip restricting portion 78 includes a tip air portion 781 and a tip restricting member 782. The leading edge regulating member 782 regulates the leading edge position of the paper P. In the example of FIG. 2, the tip air portion 781 is provided adjacent to the tip restricting member 782, and the tip air blowing destination can be changed by the tip air openings 784A, 784B, 784C. The front end air openings 784A, 784B, and 784C are collectively referred to as the front end air openings 784. Although details will be described later, the leading edge regulating unit 78 further includes a shutter 785 and a solenoid 786, and the leading edge air blown onto the paper P can be blocked by the shutter 785 and the solenoid 786. The side edge restricting portion 72 is disposed along the paper conveyance direction, and includes a side edge air portion 723 to restrict the side edge of the paper P. The side end regulating portion 72 is provided with a side end air opening 721 at a position facing the side surface side of the paper P. The side end regulating portion 72 can blow side air from the side end air portion 723 to the side end of the paper P through the side end air opening 721. In the example of FIG. 2, the side end air portion 723 is accommodated inside the side end regulating portion 72. Therefore, the side end air portion 723 can blow side air onto the side surface side of the paper P by the side end air opening 721. In addition, although the side edge detection sensor 724 is provided in the side edge control part 72, the detail is mentioned later. In addition, the leading end regulating portion 78 and the side end regulating portion 72 are positioned by the drive motor 915 in any one of the orientation that is upright with respect to the paper conveyance direction and the direction that is inclined from the paper conveyance direction. It can be changed.

  The suction unit 74 is disposed above the mounting table 71 and includes a suction chamber 740, a suction air unit 741, a suction detection sensor 742, and a detector 743. The suction unit 74 holds a plurality of sheets P placed on the mounting table 71. Aspirate in order. The paper feeding / conveying unit 73 includes a belt member 731, a driving roller 733, and driven rollers 734 </ b> A, 734 </ b> B, and 734 </ b> C, and conveys the paper P sucked by the suction unit 74. Since the driven roller 734 </ b> C only needs to be provided to form the corrugation on the paper P, the driven roller 734 </ b> C does not have to be configured with all the belt members 731. In addition, when a part or all of driven roller 734A, 734B, 734C is named generically, it will call the driven roller 734. The belt member 731 is composed of, for example, an endless belt, and is maintained at a constant tension by the driving roller 733 and the driven roller 734, and a plurality of holes 732 are provided. The hole 732 is a through hole. The drive roller 733 is driven to rotate. The driven roller 734 follows the belt member 731 that rotates as the driving roller 733 rotates. The adsorption chamber 740 is at least partially provided on the inner peripheral side of the belt member 731. The suction air unit 741 is provided on the side surface side of the suction chamber 740 and applies a negative pressure to the suction unit 74 by generating a negative pressure in the suction unit 74 by suction air generated by sucking the air in the suction chamber 740. . Therefore, the belt member 731 uses the holes 732 to attract and convey the paper P to which negative pressure is applied by the suction unit 74. The driving roller 733 controls the conveyance of the paper P by the belt member 731.

  The suction unit 74 sequentially sucks the paper P that is floated by the tip air blown from the tip air part 781 and the side air blown from the side end air part 723 from the top. For example, the suction unit 74 separates the first sheet P among the sheets P placed on the placing table 71. The suction unit 74 conveys the separated first sheet P to the conveyance path unit 75 shown in FIG. The conveyance path unit 75 includes a paper feed detection sensor 751, a conveyance roller 752, a driven roller 753, a conveyance guide 754, and conveyance rollers R11 to R15. The paper feed detection sensor 751 is realized by, for example, a photo sensor including a light receiving unit and a light emitting unit. The position of the paper P is detected by the paper feed detection sensor 751. The sheet P is held by the conveyance roller 752 and the driven roller 753 and is conveyed by the conveyance guide 754 disposed between the upstream side of the conveyance roller 752 and the downstream side of the suction unit 74 along the sheet conveyance direction. The posture is adjusted, and the sheet is conveyed downward along the vertical direction by the conveyance rollers R11 to R14 and then guided in the direction in which the conveyance roller R15 is disposed. The transport roller R15 functions as a registration roller that takes timing with the image forming process of the image forming apparatus 3 when the paper P is transported to the image forming apparatus 3.

  The guide member 91 extends to the upper end of the side end regulating portion 72 and abuts on at least a part of the side end of the paper P. The guide member 91 includes a hinge mechanism 911. The hinge mechanism 911 includes a flap 911A, a shaft 911B, and a base 911C. The shaft 911 </ b> B serves as a rotation axis of the flap 911 </ b> A, and is provided in the side end regulating portion 72 so that the rotation axis is along the sheet conveyance direction. The base 911C rotatably supports the shaft 911B and is provided with a member that arbitrarily fixes the position of the shaft 911B on the circumference around the shaft 911B. For example, although not shown, a leaf spring that rotates together with the shaft 911B may be provided on the shaft 911B, and a recess that fixes the protrusion provided on the leaf spring at an arbitrary position may be provided in the base 911C. With such a configuration, the hinge mechanism 911 can adjust the inclination angle from the upper end of the side end regulating portion 72 around the rotation axis along the sheet conveyance direction. Therefore, if the flap 911A is fixed to one end portion of the shaft 911B, the flap 911A can be fixed at an arbitrary position. For example, when manually adjusting the position of the flap 911A, the damper portion 914 may be provided at the other end of the shaft 911B. When the position of the flap 911A is automatically adjusted, the drive motor 913 may be attached to the other end of the shaft 911B via the gear portion 912.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of various sensors that detect the paper P according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 4A, the suction detection sensor 742 can detect the displacement of the position of the detector 743. Therefore, if the paper P is attracted to the belt member 731 by the suction air portion 741, the position of the detector 743 is displaced, and therefore whether or not the paper P is attracted to the belt member 731 by the suction detection sensor 742. Detected. In FIG. 4B, the side edge detection sensor 724 is, for example, a reflective photoelectric sensor, and includes a light projecting element 724A and a light receiving element 724B, and can detect the paper P passing through the detection region D_A. is there. Therefore, it is only necessary to detect the floating position of the paper P by adjusting the detection area D_A by the optical system of the side edge detection sensor 724. The side end air portion 723 can change the amount of side air sprayed according to the flying position of the paper P detected by the side end detection sensor 724.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the side end regulating unit 72 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the rear end of the sheet. As shown in FIG. 5, the hinge mechanism 911 is fixed at a position inclined from the upper end of the side end regulating portion 72 around the rotation axis along the sheet conveyance direction, so that the hinge among the plurality of sheets P is hinged. The position of the object that contacts the mechanism 911 is shifted. That is, the guide member 91 provided with the hinge mechanism 911 can change the orientation of the paper P, and can change the posture of the paper P conveyed by the paper feed conveyance unit 73. It is comprised as. Such a posture changing unit includes the orientation of the topmost paper P and the next topmost paper among the plurality of papers P placed on the placement table 71 from the start of paper floating to the start of paper conveyance. The direction of the paper P is made relatively different. The orientation changing unit determines the orientation of the uppermost sheet P in the state of being placed on the placing table 71 and the orientation of the uppermost sheet of paper P in the state of being attracted to the paper feeding / conveying unit 73 by suction of the suction unit 74. The posture of the paper P is changed on the paper P surface so as to be different. In the example of FIG. 5, each of the sheets P inclined by the hinge mechanism 911 is in a state of floating and deviating in the sheet width direction, and a force is applied in the sheet conveying direction by the sheet feeding / conveying unit 73. As a result, the orientation of the uppermost sheet P adsorbed on the paper feed conveyance unit 73 and the orientation of the uppermost next sheet P are relatively different. That is, the posture changing unit shifts the orientation of the uppermost paper P from the paper transport direction among the plurality of papers P placed on the placement table 71.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the side end regulating portion 72 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from above the sheet. In the example of FIG. 6, the mounting table 71 is changed to a state in which the mounting table 71 is tilted together with the front end regulating unit 78 and the side end regulating unit 72 from the sheet conveyance direction. Even in such a state, a part of the floating paper P is tilted by the hinge mechanism 911 so that the part of the floating paper P is shifted in the paper width direction, and the paper is further fed. By applying a force in the paper conveyance direction by the conveyance unit 73, the direction of the uppermost sheet P adsorbed to the paper supply conveyance unit 73 and the direction of the uppermost next sheet P are relatively similar as described above. Be different. In order to change the orientation of the uppermost sheet P using the guide member 91 provided with the hinge mechanism 911, the guide member 91 is disposed on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the sheet conveying section 73. It is preferable.

  As described above, the relative orientation of the uppermost sheet P and the uppermost next sheet P is different from the phase between the uppermost sheet P and the uppermost next sheet P. The amount of deviation can be varied by the inclination angle of the hinge mechanism 911. The inclination angle of the hinge mechanism 911 may be determined according to at least one of the paper type, the basis weight, and the uneven pattern of the plurality of sheets P placed on the placing table 71. Since the paper P placed on the placement table 71 is sucked in order from the top by the suction unit 74, the phase of the uppermost paper P and the lower paper P below the uppermost paper P is changed. However, at least if the phase of the uppermost sheet P and the uppermost next sheet P is changed, the uppermost sheet P does not carry the uppermost next sheet P. It is conveyed to the image forming apparatus 3 side. In order to separate the uppermost sheet P from the uppermost next sheet P, it is preferable to control the leading end air and the side air.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram specifically illustrating an example of various types of air blown to the front end of the sheet according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example in which the spraying operation to the paper P by the side air and the leading end air is started in a state where a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber 740 by the suction air unit 741. By attracting the flap 787 to the solenoid 788B, the leading end air is blown horizontally along the surface of the sheet P through the leading end air opening 784A facing the leading end of the sheet P. Due to the tip air that is blown horizontally and the side air that is blown from the side end air portion 723, some of the sheets P placed on the placing table 71 float. .

  FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example in which the blowing of the side air is stopped and the wind direction of the leading end air is changed upward in a state where some of the sheets P have floated. Whether or not a part of the paper P has floated may be determined based on the detection result of the side edge detection sensor 724. By attracting the flap 787 to the solenoid 788A, the wind direction of the leading end air is upward, and the leading ends of the plurality of sheets P on which the leading end air floats through the leading end air opening 784B facing the sheet feeding and conveying unit 73. Since the air is blown to the side, it is possible to spread a plurality of sheets P that are floating.

  FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the blowing of the leading-end air that stops the flying paper P is stopped. The shutter 785 is provided in the flow path of the tip air blown from the tip air portion 781, and can freely open and close the flow path of the tip air, and the open / close state is controlled by the control unit 200. In the example of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the shutter 785 is attracted to the solenoid 786A, and therefore the tip air opening 784C above the tip air portion 781 is closed. In the example of FIG. 7C, since the shutter 785 is attracted to the solenoid 786B, the tip air is blown through the tip air opening 784C. That is, as a result of the tip air being deflected from the paper P, the tip air is not blown to the paper P. Therefore, the tip air is shielded from the paper P and other than the uppermost paper P adsorbed to the paper feed conveyance unit 73, the mounting table 71 Fall into.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the sheets P placed on the placing table 71 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure are aligned in an upright direction with respect to the sheet conveyance direction. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example in which all the papers P placed on the placement table 71 are aligned in an upright direction with respect to the paper conveyance direction. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the orientation of the sheet P that has floated is shifted from the sheet conveyance direction. FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating an example in which the orientation of the uppermost paper P among the floated paper P is shifted from the paper transport direction and the orientation of the lower paper P is returned to the original upright state. As described above, among the plurality of sheets P placed on the placing table 71, the orientation of the uppermost sheet P is shifted from the sheet transport direction, and the orientation of the lower order sheet P is upright on the placing table 71. You may align.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the sheets P placed on the placing table 71 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure are aligned in a state of being inclined from the sheet conveyance direction. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating an example in which all the sheets P placed on the placing table 71 are aligned in a state inclined from the sheet conveying direction. FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example in which the surface of the sheet P that has floated is set upright with respect to the sheet conveyance direction. FIG. 9C shows an example in which the orientation of the uppermost paper P among the floated paper P is set to be upright with respect to the paper transport direction, and the orientation of the lower paper P is returned to a state inclined from the paper transport direction. FIG. As described above, among the plurality of sheets P placed on the placing table 71, the direction of the uppermost sheet P is set to be upright with respect to the sheet conveyance direction, and the direction of the lower sheet P is changed from the sheet conveyance direction. You may arrange in the direction of the state which inclined.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of shifting the lower sheet P from the sheet conveyance direction when the uppermost sheet P is attracted according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an example in which all the sheets P placed on the placing table 71 are aligned in an upright direction with respect to the sheet conveying direction. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an example in which the orientation of the sheet P that has floated is maintained in an upright orientation with respect to the sheet conveyance direction. FIG. 10C illustrates an example of a state in which the orientation of the uppermost paper P among the floated paper P is maintained in an upright orientation with respect to the paper transport direction, and the orientation of the lower paper P is shifted from the paper transport direction. FIG. FIG. 10D is a diagram illustrating an example in which the lower paper P is dropped onto the mounting table 71 in a state where the direction of the lower paper P is shifted from the paper transport direction. As described above, among the plurality of sheets P placed on the placing table 71, the direction of the uppermost sheet P is maintained in an upright direction with respect to the sheet conveyance direction, and the direction of the lower sheet P is changed to the sheet conveyance direction. They may be shifted from each other and aligned with the mounting table 71. As described above, when the uppermost paper P among the plurality of papers P placed on the placement table 71 is adsorbed, the orientation of the lowermost paper P may be shifted.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the sheet feeding device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In the processing from step S11 to step S19, the paper P is floated, the uppermost paper P is attracted to the paper feeding / conveying section 73, and the lower paper P is dropped onto the mounting table 71. The processing of step S20 to step S23 is to change the phase of the paper P, and is effective, for example, when the paper P has a continuous irregular pattern such as an embossed paper. . In addition, the process of step S14-step S19 and the process of step S20-step S23 may be performed in parallel.

  In step S <b> 11, the control unit 200 starts driving the suction air unit 741. In step S <b> 12, the control unit 200 starts driving the front end air unit 781 and the side end air unit 723. In step S13, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the paper P has floated. When the control unit 200 determines that the paper P has floated (step S13; Y), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S14. When the control unit 200 determines that the sheet P has not floated (step S13; N), the control unit 200 continues the process of step S13. In step S14, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the uppermost sheet P is sucked. When the control unit 200 determines that the uppermost sheet P is attracted (step S14; Y), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S15. When the control unit 200 determines that the uppermost sheet P is not attracted (step S14; N), the control unit 200 continues the process of step S14. In step S <b> 15, the control unit 200 stops the driving of the side end air unit 723. In step S16, the control unit 200 changes the wind direction of the tip air blown from the tip air unit 781 from the horizontal direction to the blowing direction. In step S <b> 17, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the sowing time has elapsed. When determining that the sowing time has elapsed (step S17; Y), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S18. When determining that the sowing time has not elapsed (step S17; N), the control unit 200 continues the process of step S17. In step S <b> 18, the control unit 200 blocks the tip air blown from the tip air portion 781. In step S <b> 19, the control unit 200 stops driving the tip air unit 781.

  In step S <b> 20, the control unit 200 determines whether or not to change the phase of the second and subsequent sheets P after being attracted. When the controller 200 determines that the phase of the second and subsequent sheets of paper P is to be varied after being attracted (step S20; Y), the process proceeds to step S21. When it is determined that the phase of the second and subsequent sheets of paper P is not changed after the suction (step S20; N), the control unit 200 ends the process of controlling the guide member 91. In step S <b> 21, the control unit 200 determines whether the placed paper P is inclined with respect to the formed image. When determining that the placed paper P is inclined with respect to the formed image (step S21; Y), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S22. When the control unit 200 determines that the placed paper P is not inclined with respect to the formed image (step S21; N), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S23. In step S <b> 22, the control unit 200 causes the guide member 91 to align the orientation of the paper P with the formed image, and ends the process of controlling the guide member 91. In step S <b> 23, the control unit 200 changes the orientation of the paper P by the guide member 91.

  By the configuration and processing as described above, even when the paper P has a continuous irregular pattern like an embossed paper or the like, it is possible to prevent the paper P from being fed. Can do. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of embossed paper according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating an example of embossed paper in which a concavo-convex pattern is regularly present at a pitch X1 and a depth X2. FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating an example of embossed paper in which uneven patterns are randomly present. In the embossed paper as shown in FIG. 12A, since the concave / convex pattern is continuous over the entire surface of the paper, the upper paper P and the lower paper P are likely to be caught in the uneven portions. With the embossed paper as shown in FIG. 12B, the upper paper P and the lower paper P are unlikely to get caught. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example in which embossed paper is fed by a conventional paper feeding unit 2000. In the case of the paper feeding unit 2000, even if the paper P is vibrated in the paper conveyance direction, which is the paper feeding direction, the positions of the upper paper P and the lower paper P are shifted and the phases of the papers P are shifted. When the other phases overlap, the paper P is fed. Further, by simply changing the position of the side air to be blown according to the uneven portion of the paper P, the unevenness is formed over the entire surface of the paper, so that the catch between the papers P cannot be eliminated. In other words, unless the configuration and processing are as described above, if the paper P has a concavo-convex pattern such as embossed paper that is continuously present regularly, the paper P will not be fed. It cannot be prevented.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the orientation of the uppermost paper P and the orientation of the uppermost next paper P among the plurality of papers P placed on the placement table 71 are relatively different. Therefore, the directions of the sheets P adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are changed. Therefore, even if the paper P having regular irregularities is stacked, it is possible to prevent the paper P from being fed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the orientation of the uppermost sheet P in the state of being placed on the placement table 71 and the uppermost sheet P in the state of being attracted to the paper feeding / conveying unit 73 by the suction of the suction unit 74. The orientation of the paper P is changed on the paper surface so that the orientation of the paper is different. Therefore, it is possible to reliably shift the phase between the paper P that has already been attracted to the paper feeding and conveying unit 73 and the paper P that has not yet been attracted to the paper feeding and conveying unit 73. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the paper P from being fed.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the orientation of the paper P is changed by the guide member 91 extending at the upper end of the side end regulating portion 72. Therefore, the orientation of the floating paper P can be changed by the guide member 91. Therefore, it is possible to change the orientation of the sheets P that are floating with a simple configuration.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the orientation of the uppermost paper P among the plurality of papers P placed on the placement table 71 is shifted from the paper transport direction. Therefore, the uppermost paper P can be reliably shifted from the paper P placed on the placement table 71. Therefore, in the operation of feeding the sheets P one by one by the sheet feeding / conveying unit 73, the phases of the sheets P can be shifted with certainty.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of sheets P placed on the placing table 71 are aligned in an upright direction with respect to the sheet transport direction. Therefore, if the flying paper P is shifted from the paper transport direction, the phases of the plurality of papers P placed on the placement table 71 and the flying paper P can be easily shifted. Therefore, the phases of the sheets P can be easily shifted.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, among the plurality of sheets P placed on the placing table 71, the direction of the uppermost sheet P is set to be upright with respect to the sheet conveyance direction. Therefore, if the orientation of the plurality of sheets P placed on the placing table 71 is changed, the phase between the plurality of sheets P placed on the placing table 71 and the floating sheet P is easily shifted. be able to. Therefore, the phases of the sheets P can be easily shifted.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of sheets P placed on the placing table 71 are aligned in a direction inclined from the sheet transport direction. Therefore, if the floating paper P is set in the paper conveyance direction, the phases of the plurality of papers P placed on the placement table 71 and the floating paper P can be easily shifted. Therefore, the phases of the sheets P can be easily shifted.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the uppermost paper P among the plurality of papers P placed on the placement table 71 is adsorbed to the paper feed conveyance unit 73 by the suction of the suction unit 74, The orientation of the following paper P is shifted. Therefore, it is possible to reliably shift the phase between the sheet P adsorbed by the sheet feeding / conveying unit 73 and the uppermost sheet P or less. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the paper P from being generated particularly remarkably.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the direction of the uppermost or lower sheet P among the plurality of sheets P placed on the placing table 71 is changed by the hinge mechanism 911. The hinge mechanism 911 is capable of adjusting the inclination angle from the upper end of the side end regulating portion 72. Therefore, the orientation of the uppermost paper P can be changed with a simple configuration. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the paper P from being fed at low cost.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the guide member 91 is disposed on the upstream side in the paper transport direction from the paper feed transport unit 73. Therefore, it is easy to transmit the force for changing the direction of the paper P by the guide member 91. Therefore, the directions of the sheets P can be surely shifted by the force applied to the sheet P by the sheet feeding and conveying unit 73 and the guide member 91.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, at least the uppermost paper P and the uppermost paper P according to at least one of the paper type, the basis weight, and the concave / convex pattern of the plurality of papers P placed on the placement table 71. The phase with the next paper P is changed. Therefore, the phase of the sheets P can be changed in consideration of the characteristics of the sheets P. Therefore, for example, when the paper P is embossed paper and there are regular irregularities, the phases of the papers P can be effectively shifted. Note that the paper type, basis weight, and uneven pattern of the plurality of sheets P placed on the placing table 71 may be extracted from information registered in advance in the image forming apparatus 3. You may acquire by the thing which can read the surface state of the paper P like an imaging device etc. not shown, and can convert into various data. These various data may be appropriately adjusted according to the hardware configuration of the sheet feeding device 2.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the second embodiment, descriptions of configurations and functions similar to those of the first embodiment are omitted. In the second embodiment, the tip restricting portion 78, the suction portion 74, and the paper feed / conveying portion 73 have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the posture changing unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a side air blowing position according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from above the sheet. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control system of the sheet feeding device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating an example of a state before the paper P is tilted from the paper transport direction. FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an example of a state after the sheet P is tilted from the sheet conveyance direction. As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the side end regulating portion 72_11 and the side end regulating portion 72_12 are disposed downstream of the rear end position of the paper feed conveyance portion 73 in the paper conveyance direction and are fed. It is shorter in the paper transport direction than the paper transport unit 73. In the present embodiment, the side end regulating portion 72_11 and the side end regulating portion 72_12 are collectively referred to as the side end regulating portion 72.

  The side end regulating portion 72_11 faces one end portion in the width direction of the paper P. The side end regulating portion 72_12 faces the other end portion in the width direction of the paper P. Therefore, the position in the width direction of the paper P is regulated between the inside of the side end regulating portion 72_11 and the inside of the side end regulating portion 72_12. A first side end air portion 723_1 is provided outside the side end regulating portion 72_11. A second side end air portion 723_2 is provided outside the side end regulating portion 72_12. In other words, the first side end air portion 723_1 is arranged on either one of both side ends of the paper P along the paper transport direction, and blows air to one of the side edges of the paper P. The second side end air portion 723 </ b> _ <b> 2 is arranged on either one of both side ends of the paper P along the paper transport direction, and blows air to the other side end of the paper P. The 1st side end air part 723_1 and the 2nd side end air part 723_2 are comprised as an attitude | position change part in this embodiment.

  Specifically, the posture changing unit includes a first side end air unit 723_1 and a second side end air unit 723_2, and the wind direction of the first side air blown from the first side end air unit 723_1 The air flow direction of the second side air blown from the second side end air portion 723_2 is reversed, and the action line L1 of the first side air and the action line L_2 of the second side air do not match. Let me. In the present embodiment, the first side end air portion 723_1 and the second side end air portion 723_2 are collectively referred to as a side end air portion 723. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the side end air portion 723 includes a fan 921 and a drive motor 922 that drives the fan 921. The blowing position and the blowing air volume of the first side air and the second side air are determined according to at least one of the paper type, basis weight, size, and uneven pattern of the paper P.

  For example, the fan 921 and the drive motor 922 themselves may be moved by the drive motor 924 via the gear portion 923. In addition, the direction of the duct portion 925 that connects the side end air opening 721 and the fan 921 is changed by the drive motor 926, whereby the wind directions of the first side air and the second side air blown from the fan 921 are changed. It may be configured. Alternatively, the drive motor 922 may be configured to change the air volume of the first side air and the second side air blown from the fan 921 by changing the number of rotations according to the input pulse. Further, the shutter 927 provided in the side end air opening 721 is controlled by the drive motor 928, so that the opening area of the side end air opening 721 is variable, and the air volume of the first side air and the second side air is variable. It may be configured. With any one of the above-described configurations or a combination thereof, the uppermost sheet P floating above the side end regulating portion 72 can be attracted to the sheet feeding and conveying portion 73 in an inclined state. In the present embodiment, the first side air and the second side air are collectively referred to as side air.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the sheet feeding device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, since the process of step S51-step S59 is the same as the process of step S11-step S19, it abbreviate | omits about the description. However, the process of step S51 may be performed before step S41, and may be performed between step S41 and step S50. In step S41, the control unit 200 determines whether or not to change the side air blowing position. When it determines with changing the blowing position of side air (step S41; Y), the control part 200 transfers to the process of step S42. When it determines with the control part 200 not changing the blowing position of side air (step S41; N), it transfers to the process of step S46. In step S42, the control unit 200 determines whether or not to move the fan 921. When determining that the fan 921 is to be moved (step S42; Y), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S43. When determining that the fan 921 is not moved (step S42; N), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S44. Although it is preferable to move the drive motor 922 together with the fan 921, only the fan 921 is moved as long as the driving force of the drive motor 922 can be transmitted even if the distance between the fan 921 and the drive motor 922 is increased. You may let them.

  In step S <b> 43, the control unit 200 determines the moving position of the fan 921 according to at least one of the paper type, basis weight, and uneven pattern of the paper P. In step S44, the control unit 200 determines whether or not to change the wind direction of the side air. When it determines with the control part 200 changing the wind direction of side air (step S44; Y), it transfers to the process of step S45. When it determines with the control part 200 not changing the wind direction of side air (step S44; N), it transfers to the process of step S46. In step S45, the control unit 200 determines the wind direction of the side air according to at least one of the paper type, the basis weight, and the uneven pattern of the paper P. In step S46, the control unit 200 determines whether or not to change the side air blowing air volume. When it determines with the control part 200 changing the blowing air volume of side air (step S46; Y), it transfers to the process of step S47. When it determines with the control part 200 not changing the blowing air volume of side air (step S46; N), it transfers to the process of step S51. In step S47, the control unit 200 determines whether or not to change the air volume of the fan 921. When determining that the air volume of the fan 921 is to be changed (step S47; Y), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S48. When determining that the air volume of the fan 921 is not changed (step S47; N), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S49.

  In step S <b> 48, the control unit 200 determines the rotational speed of the fan 921 according to at least one of the paper type, basis weight, and uneven pattern of the paper P. In step S49, the control unit 200 determines whether or not to change the opening area of the side end air opening 721. When determining that the opening area of the side end air opening 721 is to be changed (step S49; Y), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S50. When determining that the opening area of the side end air opening 721 is not changed (step S49; N), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S51. In step S50, the control unit 200 determines the opening area of the side end air opening 721 according to at least one of the paper type, the basis weight, and the uneven pattern of the paper P.

  Note that, in any of the processes of step S43, step S45, step S48, and step S50, a larger force is applied to the paper P in order to change the orientation of the paper P as the pitch X1 in the concavo-convex pattern increases. Need to give. The same applies when the depth X2 in the concavo-convex pattern is increased.

  From the above description, according to the present embodiment, the wind direction of the first side air blown from the first side end air portion 723_1 and the second side air blown from the second side end air portion 723_2. The first side air action line L_1 and the second side air action line L_2 are made to be inconsistent with each other. Therefore, torque is generated in the floating paper P. Therefore, the uppermost paper P and the lower paper P can be reliably separated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the side edge regulating unit 72 is disposed downstream of the rear end position of the paper feed transport unit 73 in the paper transport direction and is shorter than the paper feed transport unit 73 in the paper transport direction. Therefore, torque can be easily generated in the paper P by the first side air and the second side air. Therefore, the uppermost sheet P and the lower sheet P can be particularly remarkably separated.

Embodiment 3. FIG.
In the third embodiment, descriptions of configurations and functions similar to those of the first and second embodiments are omitted. Specifically, in the third embodiment, the tip regulating portion 78 and the suction portion 74 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and the arrangement location and length of the side end regulating portion 72 are the same as those in the second embodiment. . In the third embodiment, different controls are executed along the width direction of the paper P depending on the inclination correction amount of a part of the paper P and the other inclination correction amount of the other part of the paper P. And different. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the sheet feeding / conveying units 73_1 and 73_2 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from above the sheet. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control system of the sheet feeding device 2 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a paper feed conveyance unit 73_1 and a paper feed conveyance unit 73_2 are provided along the width direction of the paper P. The sheet feeding / conveying unit 73_1 includes a first belt member 731_1, a driving roller 733_1, and a driven roller 734_1. The sheet feeding / conveying unit 73_2 includes a second belt member 731_2, a driving roller 733_2, and a driven roller 734_2. The side end regulating portion 72_21 faces one end in the width direction of the paper P and includes a side end air portion 723 and a side end detection sensor 724. The side end regulating portion 72_22 faces the other end portion in the width direction of the paper P, and includes a side end air portion 723 and a side end detection sensor 724. The first belt member 731_1 and the second belt member 731_2 have different inclination correction amounts. In the present embodiment, the paper feed conveyance unit 73_1 and the paper feed conveyance unit 73_2 are collectively referred to as the paper feed conveyance unit 73. Further, in the present embodiment, when the side end restricting portion 72_21 and the side end restricting portion 72_22 are collectively referred to as the side end restricting portion 72.

  In other words, the paper feed conveyance unit 73 is arranged along at least one of the first belt member 731_1 arranged along the paper width direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction and at both ends of the first belt member 731_1. Belt member 731_2. In the present embodiment, the first belt member 731_1 and the second belt member 731_2 are configured as posture changing units. In the first belt member 731_1, the inclination correction amount of the paper P is changed by driving of the driving roller 733_1 controlled by the control unit 200. In the second belt member 731_2, the inclination correction amount of the paper P is changed by driving of the driving roller 733_2 controlled by the control unit 200. Note that the sheet P is changed to a tilted state due to the difference in tilt correction amount between the first belt member 731_1 and the second belt member 731_2. At this time, the rear end of the paper P that is detached from the paper feed conveyance unit 73 hangs down. However, since the side edge regulating unit 72 is shorter than the paper feed conveyance unit 73, the rear end and the side end of the paper P are side edges. It is not regulated by the regulation unit 72. Therefore, the phase between the uppermost paper P and the lower paper P is variable. Accordingly, if the sheet feeding conveyance unit 73_1 and the sheet feeding conveyance unit 73_2 are driven in synchronization after the conveyance of the sheet P is started, the sheet P is conveyed to the downstream side in an inclined posture. It is possible to transport the paper P while preventing the concave and convex patterns from overlapping with each other. In the present embodiment, when any of the paper feed conveyance unit 73_1 and the paper feed conveyance unit 73_2 is not particularly limited, it is referred to as a paper feed conveyance unit 73 and any of the driving roller 733_1 and the driving roller 733_2 is not particularly limited. In the case where it is called a driving roller 733 and any one of the driven roller 734_1 and the driven roller 734_2 is not particularly limited, it is called a driven roller 734.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for describing a control example of the sheet feeding device 2 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, since the process of step S71-step S79 is the same as the process of step S11-step S19, it abbreviate | omits about the description. In step 80, the control unit 200 determines a different inclination correction amount for the paper P for each paper feed conveyance unit 73. In step S <b> 81, the control unit 200 starts driving the driving roller 733 of each paper feed conveyance unit 73. In step S82, the control unit 200 determines whether or not a set time has elapsed. When determining that the set time has elapsed (step S82; Y), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S83. When determining that the set time has not elapsed (step S82; N), the control unit 200 continues the process of step S82. In step S <b> 83, the control unit 200 determines whether to start transporting the paper P. When determining that the conveyance of the paper P is to be started (step S83; Y), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S84. When determining that the conveyance of the paper P is not started (step S83; N), the control unit 200 continues the process of step S83. In step S <b> 84, the control unit 200 synchronizes the driving of the driving roller 733 of each paper feeding / conveying unit 73 and ends the process of tilting the uppermost paper P. However, when the sheet P is continuously conveyed, the processes of steps S71 to S84 are performed also on the next highest sheet P among the lower sheets P.

  From the above description, in this embodiment, the first belt member 731_1 and the second belt member 731_2 are controlled so that the respective inclination correction amounts are different. Therefore, torque is generated in the paper P adsorbed on the first belt member 731_1 and the second belt member 731_2. Therefore, the uppermost paper P and the lower paper P can be reliably separated.

  As described above, the image forming system 1 according to the present disclosure has been described based on the embodiment. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. For example, in the present embodiment, an example in which the image forming system 1 includes the paper feeding device 2 and the image forming device 3 has been described, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the image forming system 1 may include an image reading device, a relay device, a post-processing device, or the like. In the present embodiment, an example in which the paper feeding device 2 has an external configuration has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The configuration described in the present embodiment may be applied to the paper feeding unit 51 in the image forming apparatus 3. In the present embodiment, an example in which the guide member 91 includes the hinge mechanism 911 has been described. However, the hinge mechanism 911 may be formed of, for example, a so-called torque hinge.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system, 100 Control part 2 Paper feeding apparatus, 200 Control part 201,201A, 201B, 201C, 2000 Paper feeding part 3 Image forming apparatus, 10 Image reading part, 11 Automatic document feeder 12 Original image scanning apparatus, 20 Operation display section, 21 display section, 22 operation section 30 image processing section, 40 image forming section 50 paper transport section, 51 paper feed section, 52 paper discharge section, 53 transport path section, 60 fixing section 71 mounting table, 72, 72_11 , 72_12, 72_21, 72_22 Side end regulating portion 721 Side end air opening 723 Side end air portion, 723_1 First side end air portion, 723_2 Second side end air portion 724 Side end detection sensor, 724A Projecting element, 724B Light receiving elements 73, 73_1, 73_2 Paper feeding and conveying unit 731, 731_1, 731_2 Belt member 732 hole, 733, 733 1,733_2 Driving roller 734, 734_1, 734_2, 734A, 734B, 734C Driven roller 74 Suction unit, 740 Suction chamber, 741 Suction air unit 742 Suction detection sensor, 743 Detector 75 Transport path unit, 751 Paper feed detection sensor, 752 Conveying roller 753 Followed roller, 754 Conveying guide 78 Tip restricting portion, 781 Tip air portion, 782 Tip restricting member 784, 784A, 784B, 784C Tip air opening 785 Shutter, 786, 786A, 786B Solenoid 787 Flaps, 788, 788A, 788B Solenoid 91 Guide member, 911 Hinge mechanism 911A flap, 911B shaft, 911C base, 912 gear part 913 drive motor, 914 damper part, 915 drive motor 921 , 922 drive motor, 923 gear section, 924 drive motor 925 duct section, 926 drive motor 927 shutter, 928 drive motor P, S paper, R11 to R15 transport roller, D_A detection area L_1, L_2 action line, X1 pitch, X2 depth

Claims (17)

A mounting table on which a plurality of sheets are mounted;
A suction unit for sucking a plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table in order from the top;
A paper feed transport unit for transporting paper sucked by the suction unit;
A posture changing unit that changes the posture of the paper transported by the paper feed transport unit from the start of paper floating to the start of paper transport;
With
The posture changing unit
Among the plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table, the orientation of the topmost paper is relatively different from the orientation of the next topmost paper.
Paper feeder. The posture changing unit
The orientation of the sheet so that the orientation of the uppermost sheet placed on the mounting table is different from the orientation of the uppermost sheet attracted to the paper feeding / conveying section by suction of the suction section. Change on the paper surface,
The paper feeding device according to claim 1. A side end regulating portion that is arranged along the paper transport direction and regulates the side edge of the paper;
A guide member extending to the upper end of the side end regulating portion;
Further comprising
The guide member is
It is in contact with the side edge of the paper,
The posture changing unit
Including the guide member, and changing the orientation of the paper by the guide member;
The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 or 2. A first side-end air unit that is disposed on either one of both side edges of the paper along the paper transport direction and blows air to the side edge of the paper;
A second side end air portion that is disposed on either side of the both ends of the sheet along the sheet conveying direction and blows air to the side end of the sheet;
Further comprising
The posture changing unit
Including the first side end air portion and the second side end air portion;
The direction of the first side air blown from the first side end air part is opposite to the direction of the second side air blown from the second side end air part, and the first The line of action of the side air and the line of action of the second side air are made inconsistent,
The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 or 2. The paper feeding and conveying unit
A first belt member arranged along a paper width direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction;
A second belt member arranged on at least one of both end sides of the first belt member;
With
The posture changing unit
Including the first belt member and the second belt member;
Different inclination correction amounts of the first belt member and the second belt member,
The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 or 2. The posture changing unit
Among the plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table, the direction of the uppermost sheet is shifted from the sheet conveying direction.
The paper feeding device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. The plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table are aligned in an upright direction with respect to the sheet conveying direction,
The sheet feeding device according to claim 6. The posture changing unit
Of the plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table, the direction of the uppermost sheet is set to be upright with respect to the sheet conveying direction.
The paper feeding device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. The plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table are aligned in a direction inclined from the sheet conveying direction.
The paper feeding device according to claim 8. The posture changing unit
Among the plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table, when the uppermost sheet is adsorbed to the sheet feeding and conveying unit by the suction of the suction unit, the direction of the uppermost or lower sheet is shifted.
The sheet feeding device according to claim 3. The guide member is
A hinge mechanism capable of adjusting an inclination angle from an upper end of the side end regulating portion around a rotation axis along the paper transport direction;
With
The posture changing unit
Of the plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table, the direction of the uppermost sheet or less is changed by the hinge mechanism,
The paper feeding device according to claim 10. The guide member is
Arranged upstream of the paper feed transport unit in the paper transport direction,
The paper feeding device according to claim 11. A side edge regulating portion that is arranged along the paper conveyance direction and regulates a side edge of the paper;
Further comprising
The side end regulating portion is
Disposed downstream of the rear end position of the paper feed transport unit in the paper transport direction and shorter than the paper feed transport unit in the paper transport direction;
The paper feeding device according to claim 4 or 5. The posture changing unit
The phase of at least the topmost paper and the topmost next paper is changed according to at least one of the paper type, basis weight, and uneven pattern of the plurality of papers placed on the mounting table. ,
The paper feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 13. A tip air section for blowing air to the tips of a plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table;
Provided in the flow path of the tip air blown from the tip air portion, and a shutter that can freely open and close the flow path of the tip air;
A control unit for controlling the open / close state of the shutter;
Further comprising
The paper feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. A mounting table on which a plurality of sheets are mounted;
A suction unit for sucking a plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table in order from the top;
A paper feed transport unit for transporting paper sucked by the suction unit;
A posture changing unit that changes the posture of the paper conveyed by the paper feeding and conveying unit;
With
The posture changing unit
Among the plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table, the orientation of the topmost paper is relatively different from the orientation of the next topmost paper.
Image forming apparatus. A mounting table on which a plurality of sheets are mounted;
A suction unit for sucking a plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table in order from the top;
A paper feed transport unit for transporting paper sucked by the suction unit;
A posture changing unit that changes the posture of the paper conveyed by the paper feeding and conveying unit;
With
The posture changing unit
Among the plurality of sheets placed on the mounting table, the orientation of the topmost paper is relatively different from the orientation of the next topmost paper.
Image forming system.

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