JP6609966B2 - Feeding device and image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device that feeds a sheet and an image recording apparatus including the sheet feeding device.

  In an image recording apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus, when a recording unit feeds recording paper from a paper feed tray to a recording unit that records an image, multiple feeding occurs in which a plurality of recording sheets are overlapped. There are things to do. In order to prevent overlap feeding, a guide member having a guide surface (inclined surface) for guiding the recording paper is provided downstream of the paper support surface of the paper feed tray in the feed direction, and the recording to be fed is provided on the guide surface. There is known an image recording apparatus in which a separating piece for separating a sheet from other recording sheets is provided (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). The separation piece functions to separate the uppermost recording sheet from the other recording sheets among a plurality of recording sheets sent in an overlapped state. Generally speaking, the separation piece separates the uppermost recording sheet from other sheets (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as separation performance), and generally speaking, the height at which the separation piece protrudes from the guide surface of the guide member is large. It gets higher.

  However, in an image recording apparatus, for example, a recording sheet is fed by a frictional force between a circumferential surface of a feeding roller as a feeding unit and the paper surface. In this case, if the resistance force that the uppermost recording paper receives from the separation piece exceeds the feeding force of the recording paper due to the frictional force, an idle feed that cannot feed the recording paper to the recording unit may occur. is there. In order to prevent idle feeding of recording paper, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, a separation member provided with a plurality of separation pieces can be moved in a direction parallel to the guide surface and downstream in the feeding direction. Provided. In the apparatus of Patent Document 2, the separation member provided with a plurality of separation pieces is provided so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the support surface of the feed tray and toward the downstream in the feed direction.

JP 2004-75394 A JP 2011-148622 A

  However, as in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable that idling cannot be sufficiently suppressed only by providing the separating member so as to be movable in the direction parallel to the guide surface and downstream in the feeding direction. In particular, in order to increase the separation performance of the separation piece, when the height at which the separation piece protrudes from the guide surface is increased, the recording sheet separated by the separation piece upstream in the feeding direction is separated from the separation piece downstream in the feeding direction. It is likely to be caught in the air, and it becomes easy to generate the idle feed.

  Moreover, when the separating member is provided so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the support surface and downstream in the feeding direction as in Patent Document 2, it is considered that the overlap feeding cannot be sufficiently suppressed. Since the movement direction of the separation member in Patent Document 2 is different from the direction in which the recording paper fed by the feeding unit actually travels, it is difficult for force to be applied to the separation piece from the recording paper, and overlapping feed is likely to occur. . In order to avoid this, if the separation piece protrudes sufficiently high from the guide surface, for example, when recording paper that is difficult to deform, such as glossy paper, is used, the recording paper is likely to be caught by the separation piece, and the skip feed is suppressed. It becomes difficult to do.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a feeding device capable of satisfactorily suppressing both overlap feeding and idling of sheets and an image recording apparatus including the feeding device. There is to do.

(1) A feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a support member having a support surface that supports a sheet in a stacked state, and a feeding device that feeds the sheet supported by the support surface in a feeding direction. And an inclined surface that is provided downstream of the support surface in the feeding direction, is inclined with respect to the support surface and is in contact with a sheet fed by the feeding unit, and guides the sheet. A plurality of guide members that are provided on the guide member and that protrude from the inclined surface along the feeding direction and that are fed by the feeding unit. A separation member having a separation piece, and a unit direction vector v1 in a first direction defined by the following formula and a second direction opposite to the first direction. A support portion for movably supporting the separation member; .
Formula: v1 = a × v2 + b × v3
Where v2: a unit direction vector in a third direction parallel to the inclined surface and downstream in the feeding direction, v3: a unit direction in a fourth direction parallel to the support surface and downstream in the feeding direction. Vector, a and b: constants greater than 0 and less than 1.

  (2) Alternatively, a feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention feeds a support member having a support surface that supports the sheets in a stacked state and the sheet supported by the support surface in the feeding direction. A feeding portion, and an inclination that is provided downstream of the support surface in the feeding direction, is inclined with respect to the support surface and abuts on a sheet fed by the feeding portion and guides the sheet A guide member having a surface, and a plurality of sheets that are provided on the guide member and that protrude from the inclined surface along the feeding direction and are fed by the feeding unit. A separating member having a separating piece that is separated from an acute angle θ1 provided in the guide member, parallel to the inclined surface and formed in a third direction toward the downstream in the feeding direction, and Parallel to the support surface and the feed A first direction smaller than an acute angle θ3 formed by the inclined surface and a plane parallel to the support surface is smaller than an acute angle θ2 formed with the fourth direction toward the downstream in the feeding direction, and a first direction opposite to the first direction. And a support part that movably supports the separation member in two directions.

  According to the above configuration, the sheet supported in a stacked state by the support surface of the support member is fed in the feeding direction by the feeding unit. Among the sheets supported by the support surface, when a plurality of upper-layer sheets are fed in a state of being overlapped by the feeding unit, the plurality of sheets abut against the inclined surface and abut against the separation piece. The uppermost sheet among the plurality of sheets is fed in the feeding direction by a feeding force caused by a relatively large frictional force with a feeding unit that is a feeding roller, for example. The other sheets are fed in the feeding direction by a feeding force caused by a relatively small frictional force between the uppermost sheet and the like. When the plurality of sheets come into contact with the separation piece, the separation member moves in the first direction, and the plurality of sheets receive the reaction force.

  The first direction is a direction between the third direction and the fourth direction. The third direction is a direction in which the sheet fed by the feeding unit actually travels, and the fourth direction is a direction in which the height protruding from the inclined surface of the separation piece decreases. The reaction force has a component in the opposite direction of the third direction and a component in the opposite direction of the fourth direction. The other sheet is restrained by the component opposite to the third direction, and only the uppermost sheet fed by the relatively large feeding force is fed in the third direction and separated from the other sheets. In addition, since the separation member is movable in the fourth direction, even if a large reaction force in the opposite direction to the third direction is applied to the uppermost sheet, the separation member moves in the first direction. The height at which the separation piece protrudes from the inclined surface is reduced. Thereby, it is suppressed that the uppermost sheet is caught by the separation piece, and the pre-feed is suppressed.

  As described above, even when a recording sheet that is difficult to deform, such as glossy paper, is used when the height at which the separation piece protrudes from the inclined surface is increased in order to improve the separation performance of the separation piece, the recording sheet is caught on the separation piece. Is suppressed, and idle feed is suppressed. As described above, it is possible to satisfactorily suppress both overlapped feeding and idling of sheets. The acute angle θ1, the acute angle θ2, and the acute angle θ3 can be defined as angles in a plane that is perpendicular to the inclined surface and whose normal is perpendicular to the feeding direction.

  (3) Preferably, the feeding device further includes a biasing member that is provided on the guide member and biases the separation member supported by the support portion in the second direction.

  According to the above configuration, when the sheet fed by the feeding unit comes into contact with the separation piece, it becomes easy to apply an appropriate amount of reaction force from the separation piece to the sheet, and the sheets are repeatedly fed. In addition, it becomes easy to satisfactorily suppress both the idle feed and the idle feed.

  (4) Preferably, the feeding device further includes an adjustment mechanism that is provided on the guide member and adjusts the urging force of the urging member.

  According to the above configuration, the urging force of the urging member can be adjusted in accordance with the rigidity of the sheet to be used, and both the sheet overlap feed and the idle feed can be satisfactorily suppressed. Therefore, for example, in the case of an image recording apparatus, when using a recording paper that is more rigid and less deformable than general recording paper such as glossy paper, by appropriately adjusting the biasing force of the biasing member, Both feed and idle feed can be satisfactorily suppressed.

  (5) Preferably, in the feeding device, the separation member includes a first surface on which the separation piece is disposed, a second surface intersecting the first surface, and a second surface opposite to the second surface. The second surface and the third surface have a plurality of convex portions, and the support portion is provided on the guide member, and the second surface. A first facing portion that faces the second surface, a second facing portion that faces the third surface, a plurality of the convex portions on the first facing portion and the second facing portion, and Correspondingly, a plurality are provided, extending along the first direction and the second direction, and having a fitting portion into which the convex portion is movably fitted.

  According to the above configuration, since the separation member is movably supported by the plurality of convex portions movably fitted to the plurality of fitting portions, the separation member is smoothly moved in the first direction and the second direction. Can be made.

  (6) Preferably, in the feeding device, the height at which the first piece of the plurality of separation pieces protrudes from the inclined surface is higher than the first piece of the plurality of separation pieces in the feeding direction. The 2nd piece located upstream is larger than the height which protrudes from the said inclined surface.

  According to the said structure, the height which the 1st piece located in a feed direction downstream from a 2nd piece among several separated pieces protrudes from an inclined surface is larger than the height of a 2nd piece. By placing a separation piece with a large height from the inclined surface and high separation performance downstream in the feed direction, the sheet idle feed can be minimized and the separation performance of a plurality of separation pieces can be improved as a whole. Can do. Therefore, it is easy to satisfactorily suppress both the sheet overlap feed and the idle feed.

  (7) Preferably, in the feeding device, the separation piece has a contact surface that comes into contact with a sheet fed by the feeding unit, and the third piece of the plurality of separation pieces The acute angle θ4 formed by the contact surface and the inclined surface is an acute angle formed by the contact surface and the inclined surface of the fourth piece located upstream of the third piece in the feeding direction among the plurality of separation pieces. It is larger than θ5.

  According to the above configuration, the acute angle θ4 of the contact surface of the third piece located downstream of the fourth piece in the feeding direction among the plurality of separation pieces is larger than the acute angle θ5 of the contact surface of the fourth piece. It has become. Thereby, the third piece has higher separation performance than the fourth piece. By placing the third piece with high separation performance downstream in the feed direction, as with the case where the separation piece having a large height from the inclined surface is arranged downstream in the feed direction, sheet feeding is minimized. In addition, the separation performance of the plurality of separation pieces can be improved as a whole. Therefore, it is easy to satisfactorily suppress both the sheet overlap feed and the idle feed.

  (8) Preferably, in the feeding device, the separating member is a resin molded product.

  According to the above-described configuration, the separation member can be formed from a resin that is easy to process and is less expensive than metal or the like, which facilitates manufacture of the feeding device and suppresses manufacturing costs.

  (9) An image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the feeding device and a recording unit that records an image on a sheet.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to satisfactorily suppress both sheet overlap feeding and idle feeding.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multifunction machine 10. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the feeding tray 20 and the guide member 72 as viewed from above. 4A is a plan view of the main part of the guide member 72 when the inclined surface 67 of the guide member 72 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface 67, and FIG. 4B is a top view when the guide member 72 is viewed from the upper direction 7A. b). FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a back surface portion with respect to the inclined surface 67 of the guide member 72. 6 is a right side view (a) of the guide member 72 and a cross-sectional view taken along line VI (b) -VI (b) in FIG. 4 (a). FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the guide member 72 taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 4A, in which the separating member 80 is located at the first position (a) and located at the second position. A state (b) is shown. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle 100 of the inclined surface 67 shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7B of a guide member 84 which is a modified example. FIG. 10 shows a unit direction vector v1 in the first direction 51A, a unit direction vector v2 in the third direction 51C, and a unit in the fourth direction 51D when viewed from a direction parallel to the inclined surface 67 and perpendicular to the feeding direction 17. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship of direction vector v3.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, the upper direction 7A and the lower direction 7B are defined based on the state where the multifunction device 10 is installed so as to be usable, and the surface on which the opening 13 of the multifunction device 10 is provided is the front (front surface). A front direction 8A and a rear direction 8B are defined, and a left direction 9A and a right direction 9B are defined when the multifunction machine 10 is viewed from the front (front side).

[Overall configuration of MFP 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The multifunction machine 10 includes a printer unit 11 that records an image on a recording paper 12 (an example of a sheet, see FIG. 2) using an ink jet recording method. The multifunction machine 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. The printer unit 11 is an example of an image recording apparatus that includes a feeding device.

  The printer unit 11 has a housing 14 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. An opening 13 is formed on the front surface of the housing 14. A feed tray 20 (an example of a support member) and a discharge tray 21 can be inserted and removed from the opening 13 into the housing 14 in the forward direction 8A and the backward direction 8B. Note that the feeding tray 20 and the discharge tray 21 may be completely removed from the housing 14, or may be attached to the housing 14 instead of being completely removed from the housing 14. It may be drawn from the state to the middle. On the feeding tray 20, recording sheets 12 having a desired size such as A4 size or B5 size are placed in a stacked state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 11 includes a conveyance roller pair 58 and a discharge roller pair 59 that convey the recording paper 12, an ink jet recording unit 24 that records an image on the recording paper 12, a feeding device, and the like. I have. The recording unit 24 is not limited to the ink jet method, and may be an electrophotographic method, for example.

  The feeding device feeds a feed tray 20 (an example of a support member) having a support surface 23 that supports the recording paper 12 in a stacked state, and the recording paper 12 supported by the support surface 23 of the feed tray 20. A feeding unit 15 that feeds in a direction 17 (an example of a feeding direction) and a guide member 72 (an example of a guide member) are provided. The guide member 72 has an inclined surface 67 (an example of an inclined surface) that is inclined with respect to the support surface 23. The inclined surface 67 is provided downstream of the support surface 23 in the feeding direction 17 and is in contact with the recording paper 12 fed in the feeding direction 17 by the feeding unit 15 so that the recording paper 12 advances. In a direction along the inclined surface 67. As a result, the recording sheet 12 is guided by the inclined surface 67 to the conveyance path 65 that conveys the recording sheet 12 along the conveyance direction 16 indicated by the one-dot chain line arrow in FIG.

  The conveyance path 65 extends from the rear end portion of the feeding tray 20. The conveyance path 65 includes a curved portion 33 and a straight portion 34. The bending portion 33 extends while being curved with the rear direction 8B as the outer curve direction and the front direction 8A as the inner curve direction. The straight line portion 34 extends in the forward direction 8A. The bending portion 33 is formed by a first guide member 18 and a second guide member 19 that face each other with a predetermined interval. Each guide member 18 and 19 is extended in the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B which are directions orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. The straight line portion 34 is formed by the recording portion 24 and the platen 42 facing each other at a predetermined interval at a position where the recording portion 24 is disposed.

  The first guide member 18 is configured to be rotatable in the direction of an arrow 66 around a shaft 48 formed in the lower portion. The first guide member 18 forms the curved portion 33 at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2, and exposes the curved portion 33 to the outside at the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. The user of the multifunction machine 10 can take out the recording paper 12 jammed in the curved portion 33 by rotating the first guide member 18 to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. The first guide member 18 may change its state by other than rotation. For example, the first guide member 18 may be configured to be detachable from the printer unit 11.

  The recording sheet 12 fed in the feeding direction 17 by the feeding unit 15 abuts on a guide member 72 disposed in the housing 14. As a result, the direction in which the recording paper 12 is fed changes from the feeding direction 17 along the inclined surface 67 to a direction perpendicular to the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B. Thereafter, the recording paper 12 is transported along the transport direction 16 by the feeding unit 15 and the transport roller pair 58. At that time, the recording paper 12 is guided along the conveyance path 65 by the first guide member 18 and the second guide member 19. Therefore, the conveyance direction 16 of the recording paper 12 changes from the middle direction between the rear direction 8B and the upper direction 7A to the upper direction 7A. Thereafter, when the recording paper 12 passes through the curved portion 33 and reaches the linear portion 34, the conveyance direction 16 of the recording paper 12 is changed from the upward direction 7A to the forward direction 8A. The recording unit 24 records an image on the recording paper 12 conveyed through the linear part 34. The discharge roller pair 59 conveys the recording paper 12 on which an image is recorded in the forward direction 8 </ b> A and discharges it to the discharge tray 21.

[Recording unit 24]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 24 is provided in the upward direction 7 </ b> A of the linear part 34. A platen 42 is provided at a position facing the recording unit 24 in the downward direction 7 </ b> B of the recording unit 24. The platen 42 is a member that supports the recording paper 12. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 40 and a recording head 38.

  The carriage 40 is supported so as to reciprocate in the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B by two guide rails (not shown) arranged at an interval in the front direction 8A and the rear direction 8B. The recording head 38 is mounted on the carriage 40. Ink is supplied to the recording head 38 from an ink cartridge (not shown). A nozzle 39 is formed on the lower surface of the recording head 38. When the carriage 40 moves in the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B, the recording head 38 ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 39 toward the platen 42. As a result, an image is recorded on the recording paper 12 that is conveyed in the conveying direction 16 and supported by the platen 42.

[Conveying roller pair 58 and discharging roller pair 59]
As shown in FIG. 2, a conveyance roller pair 58 is disposed upstream of the recording unit 24 in the linear portion 34 in the conveyance direction 16. A discharge roller pair 59 is disposed downstream of the recording unit 24 in the linear portion 34 in the transport direction 16.

  The conveyance roller pair 58 is disposed opposite to the conveyance roller 60 in the downward direction 7B of the linear portion 34, and opposed to the conveyance roller 60 in the upward direction 7A of the linear portion 34, by a coil spring (not shown) or the like. And a pinch roller 61 biased toward the transport roller 60. The discharge roller pair 59 is disposed opposite to the discharge roller 62 disposed in the downward direction 7B of the linear portion 34, and opposed to the discharge roller 62 in the upward direction 7A of the linear portion 34, and is provided by a coil spring (not shown) or the like. And a spur 63 biased toward the discharge roller 62.

  The conveyance roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 are rotated by a driving force transmitted from a conveyance motor (not shown). As a result, the recording paper 12 sandwiched between the transport roller pair 58 and the discharge roller pair 59 is transported in the transport direction 16.

[Feeding tray 20]
As shown in FIG. 3, the feeding tray 20 is formed in a box shape with the top opened. The feeding tray 20 has a generally rectangular bottom plate 81 and a pair of side plates 82 that are erected in the upward direction 7A and extend in the forward direction 8A and the backward direction 8B at both ends of the bottom plate 81 in the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B. And a front plate 83 standing in the upward direction 7A and extending in the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B at the end portion of the bottom plate 81 in the front direction 8A. The bottom plate 81 has a plate shape having planes along the front direction 8A and the rear direction 8B, and the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B. The upper surface 7 </ b> A of the bottom plate 81 constitutes a support surface 23 that supports the recording paper 12 in a stacked state.

  A pair of side guides 78 that can move in the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B are attached to the bottom plate 81. The side guide 78 abuts on the left end or the right end of the recording paper 12 placed on the bottom plate 81. When one of the pair of side guides 78 is moved, the other is moved in an opposite direction in conjunction with the other. With the side guide 78 as described above, recording papers 12 of various sizes can be placed on the bottom plate 81 with reference to the center of the left plate 9A in the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B. In FIG. 3, only the side guide 78 provided in the right direction 9 </ b> B of the bottom plate 81 is visible among the pair of side guides 78. A side guide 78 provided in the left direction 9 </ b> A of the bottom plate 81 is hidden by the side plate 82.

  The feeding tray 20 includes a stacking restriction unit 79 that defines the maximum height of the recording paper 12 stacked on the support surface 23 from the support surface 23. The stacking limiting portion 79 is disposed in the vicinity of the end portion of each of the pair of side guides 78 in the front direction 8A. The stacking restriction portion 79 has a claw portion 79A at a position corresponding to the maximum height in the upward direction 7A and the downward direction 7B of the side guide 78. The claw portion 79A protrudes in the left direction 9A or the right direction 9B toward the central portion of the feeding tray 20 in the left direction 9A or the right direction 9B. The user can stack the recording paper 12 on the support surface 23 until the upper surface of the uppermost recording paper 12 in the left direction 9A and the rightward direction 9B comes into contact with the lower surface of the claw portion 79A.

  The side guide 78 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the side guide 78 may be configured by one instead of a pair, and the recording paper 12 may be aligned by the side guide 78 and one of the pair of side plates 82. In this case, recording papers 12 of various sizes can be placed on the basis of one of the pair of side plates 82, that is, the left end or right end of the bottom plate 81.

[Discharge tray 21]
A discharge tray 21 can be disposed on the opened upper portion of the feeding tray 20 (see FIG. 1). The discharge tray 21 is supported by the front plate 83 and the pair of side plates 82 of the feeding tray 20. The discharge tray 21 is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 85 provided at a center portion in the front direction 8A and the rear direction 8B of the feeding tray 20 with a rotation shaft (not shown) provided at an end portion in the rear direction 8B. . Thereby, the discharge tray 21 can be rotated so as to open and close the upper side of the feeding tray 20. The user can put the recording paper 12 in and out of the feeding tray 20 in a state where the discharge tray 21 is rotated so that the upper side of the feeding tray 20 is opened.

  The feed tray 20 is inserted into the opening 13 of the housing 14 with the end in the rear direction 8B first, and the front plate 83 is flush with the front surface of the housing 14 as shown in FIG. It is moved in the backward direction 8B to the state. As a result, the feeding tray 20 is mounted on the printer unit 11 (the state shown in FIG. 2). In the state where the feeding tray 20 is mounted on the printer unit 11, the rear end 8 </ b> B of the feeding tray 20 feeds the recording paper 12 fed by the feeding unit 15 in the feeding direction 17 to the conveyance path 65. It is close to the guiding member 72 to be guided. Further, the feeding tray 20 is pulled out from the printer unit 11 by moving in the forward direction 8A from the state in which it is mounted on the printer unit 11. In a state where the feeding tray 20 is mounted on the printer unit 11 as shown in FIG. 2, the recording paper 12 placed on the feeding tray 20 can be fed to the conveyance path 65 by the feeding unit 15. is there.

[Feeding unit 15]
As shown in FIG. 2, a feeding unit 15 is provided above the feeding tray 20. The feeding unit 15 includes a feeding roller 25, a feeding arm 26, and a shaft 22. The feeding arm 26 has a transmission mechanism (not shown) that reaches the feeding roller 25 with a driving force of a feeding motor (not shown) that rotationally drives the feeding roller 25. The transmission mechanism can be composed of a gear, a pulley, a belt, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shaft 22 is provided at one end of the feeding arm 26. As a result, the feeding arm 26 rotates about the shaft 22 in the direction indicated by the arrows 51 and 52. The feed roller 25 is rotatably supported at the other end of the feed arm 26. The feeding arm 26 is urged in the direction of the arrow 52 by an urging member such as its own weight or a spring. As a result, the feeding roller 25 comes into contact with the uppermost recording paper 12 among the recording papers 12 supported in a stacked state by the support surface 23.

[Guide member 72]
The guide member 72 is attached to the housing 14 inside the housing 14. In the state in which the feeding tray 20 is mounted on the printer unit 11, the guide member 72 is disposed at a position where the end of the feeding tray 20 in the rear direction 8B is close as shown in FIG. The guide member 72 has an inclined surface 67 inclined with respect to the support surface 23. The inclined surface 67 is located downstream of the support surface 23 in the feeding direction 17. The inclined surface 67 is a surface in the front direction 8A of the guide member 72, and the end portion in the upper direction 7A is located downstream of the end portion in the lower direction 7B in the feeding direction 17. As shown in FIGS. 4B and 5, the guide member 72 has a substantially rectangular plate-like portion 72 </ b> A having an inclined surface 67 on one surface (surface located in the front direction 8 </ b> A). Yes. The guide member 72 has a back surface 72C on the other surface (surface located in the rear direction 8B) of the plate-like portion 72A. The guide member 72 is extended in the rear direction 8B perpendicular to the plate-like portion 72A at the ends of the plate-like portion 72A in the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B. The support plate portion 72B is provided.

[First separation piece 74]
As shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 6A, and FIG. 7A, the first separation piece 74 (the separation piece 74) is formed at the center of the inclined surface 67 in the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B. An example) is provided. A plurality of first separating pieces 74 protrude from the inclined surface 67 along the feeding direction 17. In a state in which the feeding tray 20 is mounted on the printer unit 11, the central portion of the recording paper 12 and the central portion of the guide member 72 in the left direction 9 </ b> A and the right direction 9 </ b> B substantially coincide with each other. The first separation piece 74 separates the uppermost recording sheet 12 from the other recording sheets 12 by abutting against the plurality of recording sheets 12 when the plurality of recording sheets 12 are overlapped and fed from the feeding tray 20. . As a result, only the uppermost recording sheet 12 is guided to the conveyance path 65 by the inclined surface 67.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first separation piece 74 (74 </ b> A, here an example of the first piece) that is the most downstream in the feeding direction 17 among the plurality of first separation pieces 74 protrudes from the inclined surface 67. The height H1 at which the first separation piece 74 (74B, one example of the second piece) located upstream of the first separation piece 74 (74A) in the feeding direction 17 protrudes from the inclined surface 67. It is higher than H2. Each of the first separation pieces 74 has an abutment surface 70 that abuts on the leading end portion of the recording paper 12 in the feeding direction 17. The acute angle θ4 formed by the contact surface 70 and the inclined surface 67 of the first separation piece 74 (74A, here, an example of the third piece) that is the most downstream in the feeding direction 17 among the plurality of first separation pieces 74 is The acute angle formed by the contact surface 70 and the inclined surface 67 of another first separation piece 74 (74B, here, an example of the fourth piece) located upstream of the first separation piece 74 (74A) in the feeding direction 17 It is larger than θ5.

[Separation member 80]
As shown in FIGS. 4B and 5, the first separation piece 74 is integrally formed with a separation member 80 that is disposed opposite to the back surface 72 </ b> C of the plate-like portion 72 </ b> A. The separating member 80 includes a rectangular first surface 80A (an example of the first surface, see FIG. 6B) arranged in parallel with the inclined surface 67, and the first surface at the end in the left direction 9A of the first surface 80A. A second surface 80B perpendicularly intersecting 80A (an example of the second surface, see FIG. 4B), and a third surface perpendicularly intersecting the first surface 80A at the end in the right direction 9B of the first surface 80A 80C (an example of the third surface). The first separation piece 74 is provided so as to protrude from the first surface 80A. 80 A of 1st surfaces are formed in the rectangular-shaped plate-shaped member corresponding to the shape. The second surface 80B has a trapezoidal shape, and one side extends along the left end 9A end of the first surface 80A, and the opposite side is parallel to the left end 9A end of the first surface 80A. The side in the upper direction 7A is perpendicular to the first surface 80A, and the side in the lower direction 7B is parallel to the front direction 8A and the rear direction 8B. The second surface 80B is formed as a trapezoidal plate-like member corresponding to the shape. The third surface 80C also has the same trapezoidal shape as the second surface 80B, one side extends along the end of the first surface 80A in the right direction 9B, and the opposite side is the end of the first surface 80A in the right direction 9B. The side of the upper direction 7A is perpendicular to the first surface 80A, and the side of the lower direction 7B is parallel to the front direction 8A and the rear direction 8B. The third surface 80C is formed as a trapezoidal plate-shaped member corresponding to the shape.

  The separating member 80 has reinforcing ribs 80D provided in parallel with the second surface 80B and the third surface 80C. The separating member 80 has a cylindrical spring receiving portion 80E opened in the rear direction 8B. The spring receiving portion 80E is provided integrally with the reinforcing rib 80D in a concave portion provided in the center portion of the upper direction 7A and the lower direction 7B of the reinforcing rib 80D. For example, one end of a spring 80F that is a coil spring is fitted to the spring receiving portion 80E. The other end of the spring 80F is in contact with a contact portion 80G provided in the housing 14.

  The axis of the spring 80F is parallel to the first direction 51A (an example of the first direction) and the second direction 51B (an example of the second direction). Accordingly, the spring 80F biases the separating member 80 provided to be movable in the first direction 51A and the second direction 51B in the second direction 51B. The contact portion 80G is provided in the housing 14 so as to be movable in the first direction 51A and the second direction 51B, and a plurality of pin holes 80H are provided on the peripheral surface along the first direction 51A and the second direction 51B. It has been. A pin 80I is provided in the housing 14 so as to be movable along a direction perpendicular to the first direction 51A and the second direction 51B and to be fitted into the pin hole 80H. By fitting the pin 80I with one of the plurality of pin holes 80H, the contact portion 80G can be positioned at each position along the first direction 51A and the second direction 51B. As described above, the biasing force by which the spring 80F biases the separating member 80 in the second direction 51B can be adjusted.

[Convex part 75]
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, the separating member 80 has a substantially rectangular plate-like convex portion 75 protruding from the second surface 80 </ b> B and the third surface 80 </ b> C. A plurality (two in the illustrated example) of the convex portions 75 are provided on each of the second surface 80B and the third surface 80C. As shown in FIG. 7, the convex portion 75 has a pair of surfaces S1 and S2 parallel to the first direction 51A and the second direction 51B. Two protrusions 75 are disposed on the second surface 80B and the third surface 80C, respectively, at different positions in the direction perpendicular to the first direction 51A and the second direction 51B. Thereby, when the rotational force about the axis | shaft parallel to the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B acted on the separation member 80, rotation of the separation member 80 can be suppressed, and the separation member 80 is controlled in the first direction 51A and the first direction. It can be moved smoothly in two directions 51B. Therefore, when three or more convex portions 75 are provided on each of the second surface 80B and the third surface 80C, at least two of them are in a direction perpendicular to the first direction 51A and the second direction 51B. It is preferable to provide them at different positions.

[First opposing portion 71A, second opposing portion 71B]
The guide member 72 is erected perpendicularly to the back surface 72C of the plate-like portion 72A, and is erected vertically to the rectangular plate-like first opposing portion 71A that opposes the second surface 80B, and the rear surface 72C of the plate-like portion 72A. And a second opposing portion 71B having a rectangular plate shape facing the third surface 80C.

[Fitting part 71C]
As shown in FIG. 7A, the first facing portion 71A has a long hole-like fitting portion 71C extending in the first direction 51A and the second direction 51B (an example of the second direction). The fitting portion 71C has surfaces S3 and S4 that can be brought into sliding contact with the surfaces S1 and S2 of the convex portion 75. With the convex portion 75 fitted into the fitting portion 71C, the separation member 80 is It can move in the first direction 51 and the second direction 51B. The first facing portion 71A is provided with a plurality of (two in the illustrated example) fitting portions 71C corresponding to the plurality of convex portions 75 provided on the second surface 80B. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the second facing portion 71 </ b> B similarly has a long hole-like fitting portion 71 </ b> C extending in the first direction 51 and the second direction 51 </ b> B. The second facing portion 71B is also provided with a plurality (two in the illustrated example) of fitting portions 71C corresponding to the plurality of convex portions 75 provided on the third surface 80C.

  FIG. 7A shows a first state in which the convex portion 75 has moved along the fitting portion 71C until the first surface 80A of the separating member 80 comes into contact with the back surface 72C of the plate-like portion 72A (first position). P1 is shown. FIG. 7B shows the second state P2 in which the projecting portion 75 has moved along the fitting portion 71C until the separating member 80 reaches the position where the first separating piece 74 does not protrude from the inclined surface 67 (second position). Show.

As schematically shown in FIG. 10, the first direction 51A is a direction between the third direction 51C and the fourth direction 51D. Unit vector v1 in the first direction 51 A can be defined by the following equation 1. Where v2: a unit direction vector in the third direction 51C parallel to the inclined surface 67 and downstream in the feeding direction 17, v3: a unit in the fourth direction 51D parallel to the plane 23A and downstream in the feeding direction 17 Direction vector, a and b: constants greater than 0 and less than 1.
v1 = a * v2 + b * v3 (1)

  Alternatively, as schematically shown in FIG. 10, the acute angle θ1 formed by the first direction 51A with the third direction 51C and the acute angle θ2 formed by the first direction 51A with the fourth direction 51D are greater than zero and are inclined surfaces. 67 and an acute angle θ3 formed by the flat surface 23A. The acute angle θ 1, the acute angle θ 2, and the acute angle θ 3 are angles in a plane that is parallel to the inclined surface 67 and whose normal is perpendicular to the feeding direction 17. The acute angle θ1 and the acute angle θ2 change correspondingly when the values of the constants a and b in Equation 1 change. The third direction 51 </ b> C is a direction parallel to the inclined surface 67 and downstream in the feeding direction 17, and is a direction in which the recording paper 12 is actually fed along the inclined surface 67. The fourth direction 51 </ b> D is a direction parallel to the plane 23 </ b> A parallel to the support surface 23 and toward the downstream of the feeding direction 17. When the separation member 80 moves in this direction, the first separation piece 74 moves away from the inclined surface 67. The protruding height is reduced.

  The first direction 51A may be a direction between the third direction 51C and the fourth direction 51D. For example, the first direction 51A is set in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface 70 of the first separation piece 74. be able to. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when there is a first separation piece 74 (74A) having a particularly large acute angle (θ4) between the contact surface 70 and the inclined surface 67, the first separation piece 74 ( 74A), the first direction 51A can be set in the same direction as the direction D1 perpendicular to the contact surface 70 and downstream in the feeding direction 17. In addition, the acute angle formed by the contact surface 70 of the first separation piece 74 and the inclined surface 67 can be the same in all the first separation pieces 74. In this case, if the acute angle formed by the contact surface 70 and the inclined surface 67 is θ11 (see FIG. 8), the first direction 51A is set to a direction D2 perpendicular to the contact surface 70 and downstream in the feeding direction 17. Can be set. As described above, in the implementation, when the angle formed by the contact surface 70 and the inclined surface 67 and the first direction 51A in which the separation member 80 is moved are optimized, the two can be associated and optimized.

[Colo 76]
As shown in FIG. 4, a roller 76 is rotatably attached to the guide member 72 at predetermined positions in the left direction 9 </ b> A and the right direction 9 </ b> B with respect to the first separation piece 74. Two rollers 76 are provided along the feeding direction 17 at predetermined positions in the left direction 9 </ b> A and the right direction 9 </ b> B with respect to the first separation piece 74. The roller 76 is disposed so that a part of the peripheral surface protrudes from an opening formed in the inclined surface of the guide member 72. The roller 76 is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 76B perpendicular to the feeding direction 17 and parallel to the inclined surface 67 in a state where a part of the roller 76 is exposed from the inclined surface 67. As a result, the roller 76 rotates in contact with the recording paper 12 fed by the feeding unit 15. A rib 73 that guides the recording paper 12 into the roller 76 is provided protruding from the inclined surface 67 upstream of each of the plurality of rollers 76 in the feeding direction 17.

[Second separation piece 77]
As shown in FIG. 4, the guide member 72 is provided with second separation pieces 77 at predetermined positions in the left direction 9 </ b> A and the right direction 9 </ b> B with respect to the first separation piece 74. Similarly to the first separation piece 74, the second separation piece 77 has a function of separating the uppermost recording sheet 12 from the other recording sheets 12 among the recording sheets 12 fed in the feeding direction 17 by the feeding unit 15. doing. A plurality of second separating pieces 77 protrude from the inclined surface 67 along the feeding direction 17 at the predetermined position. As shown in FIG. 7, the interval between the second separation piece 77 and the inclined surface 67 arranged on the inclined surface 67 and in the direction perpendicular to the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B is such that the first separation piece 74 is The distance is smaller than the interval in the direction perpendicular to the left direction 9A and the right direction 9B and parallel to the inclined surface 67 disposed on the inclined surface 67. As shown in FIG. 7, the height at which the second separation piece 77 protrudes from the inclined surface 67 is smaller than the height at which the first separation piece 74 protrudes from the inclined surface 67.

[Feeding operation]
Hereinafter, a feeding operation in which the recording paper 12 loaded on the feeding tray 20 is fed by the feeding unit 15 will be described in detail.

  When a plurality of recording papers 12 in the upper layer among the recording papers 12 supported while being stacked on the support surface 23 of the feeding tray 20 are moved in the feeding direction 17 by the feeding operation of the feeding roller 25, The leading ends of the recording sheets 12 abut on the first separation piece 74. Those recording sheets 12 press the separating member 80 in the first direction 51A, and move the separating member 80 in the first direction 51A against the urging force of the spring 80F.

  At this time, the recording sheets 12 receive a reaction force from the first separation piece 74 in the second direction 51B. The reaction force includes a component in the opposite direction to the third direction 51C, which is the direction in which the recording paper 12 is actually sent, and the uppermost recording paper 12 is subjected to another recording by the first separation piece 74 due to that component. Separated from the paper 12. This prevents overfeed. The first direction 51 </ b> A is a direction between the third direction 51 </ b> C and the fourth direction 51 </ b> D in which the height at which the first separation piece 74 protrudes from the inclined surface 67 is reduced. When the separating member 80 moves in the first direction 51A, the height at which the first separating piece 74 protrudes from the inclined surface 67 is lowered. For this reason, it is suppressed that the front-end | tip of the recording paper 12 is hooked on the 1st separation piece 74, and idle feeding is suppressed.

  Even when the uppermost recording sheet 12 is not separated by one first separating piece 74, the uppermost recording sheet 12 is separated by another first separating piece 74 that is downstream of the first separating piece 74 in the feeding direction 17. To be separated. In particular, as shown in FIG. 8, among the plurality of first separation pieces 74, the first separation piece 74 (74 </ b> A) that is the most downstream in the feeding direction 17 has a height H <b> 1 protruding from the inclined surface 67. It is getting bigger. Thereby, the uppermost recording sheet 12 is more reliably separated from the other recording sheets 12. Further, the acute angle θ4 formed by the contact surface 70 of the first separation piece 74 (74A) and the inclined surface 67 is also relatively large. Thereby, the uppermost recording sheet 12 is more reliably separated from the other recording sheets 12. Further, the plurality of second separating pieces 77 are separated from the leading end portions of the other recording paper 12 by slightly separating the leading end portion of the uppermost recording paper 12 in the feeding direction 17, for example. It assists in separating the recording paper 12.

  The uppermost recording paper 12 separated as described above moves while the leading end of the feeding direction 17 is in contact with the inclined surface 67. As a result, the vicinity of the leading edge of the recording paper 12 is deformed from the shape along the feeding direction 17 to the shape along the inclined surface 67, and the recording paper 12 is changed in the feeding direction and moved along the conveying direction 16. To start.

  When the uppermost recording sheet 12 further moves along the inclined surface 67 and reaches the roller 76, the recording sheet 12 is smoothly fed in the conveying direction 16 by the rotation of the roller 76, and the conveying path 65 passes through the curved portion 33. Via the straight line 34.

[Effect of the embodiment]
According to this embodiment, in order to increase the separation performance of the first separation piece 74, when the height at which the first separation piece 74 protrudes from the inclined surface 67 is increased, for example, a recording paper that is not easily deformed, such as glossy paper. Even if is used, the recording paper 12 is restrained from being caught by the first separation piece 74, and the pre-feed is suppressed. As described above, both the overlap feeding and the idling feeding of the recording paper 12 can be satisfactorily suppressed.

[Modification]
FIG. 9 shows a modification of the above embodiment. In the guide member 84 of this modification, instead of the plate-like convex portion 75, a plurality of cylindrical convex portions 75A are provided to protrude from the second surface 80B and the third surface 80C of the separating member 80, respectively. . Since the convex portion 75A is cylindrical, the sliding resistance between the convex portion 75A and the fitting portion 71C can be reduced, and the separation member 80 is smoothly moved in the first direction 51A and the second direction 51B. be able to. Thereby, in particular, it is expected that the effect of suppressing the idling of the recording paper 12 can be increased.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the transport device is used for the ink jet recording apparatus as the image recording apparatus has been described. However, the conveyance device of the present invention can be used not only for an ink jet recording apparatus but also for other image recording apparatuses such as a laser printer. Further, the conveying device of the present invention is not limited to use in an image recording apparatus, and can be used in all devices that use sheets. In addition, the guide member 72 is supported by the casing 14 of the printer unit 11 in the embodiment, but may be supported by the end portion of the feeding tray 20 in the rear direction 8B.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, height H1 in which the 1st separation piece 74 (74A) most downstream in the feed direction 17 among several 1st separation pieces 74 protrudes from the inclined surface 67 is other 1st separation. The separation piece 74 is higher than the height (for example, H2) protruding from the inclined surface 67. However, the height at which the first separation piece 74 protrudes from the inclined surface 67 may be the same for all the first separation pieces 74. In the case where the heights protruding from the inclined surfaces 67 of all the first separation pieces 74 are equal, the acute angle formed by the contact surface 70 with the inclined surface 67 may be equal in all the first separation pieces 74, for example, The acute angle formed by the contact surface 70 of the first separation piece 74 downstream with the inclined surface 67 may be larger than the acute angle formed by the contact surface 70 of the other first separation piece 74 with the inclined surface 67.

  The convex portions 75 and 75A may be arranged at the same position in the direction perpendicular to the first direction 51A and the second direction 51B on the second surface 80B and the third surface 80C, respectively.

10: Multifunction machine 11: Printer section (image recording device)
12. Recording paper (sheet)
16 ... Conveying direction 17 ... Feeding direction 20 ... Feeding tray (supporting member)
23 ... support surface 24 ... recording part 67 ... inclined surface 71A ... first opposing part 71B ... second opposing part 71C ... fitting part 72, 84 ... guide member 74 ... first separation piece (separation piece)
75 ... Projection 80 ... Separation member 80A ... First surface
80B ... Second surface
80C ... Third surface 80E ... Spring receiver 80F ... Spring (biasing member)

Claims (9)

A support member having a support surface for supporting the sheets in a stacked state;
A feeding unit that feeds the sheet supported by the support surface in the feeding direction;
A guide member that is provided downstream of the support surface in the feeding direction, has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the support surface and that abuts against the sheet fed by the feeding unit and guides the sheet. When,
Separating pieces provided on the guide member, wherein a plurality of sheets protrude from the inclined surface along the feeding direction and separate the uppermost sheet from other sheets fed by the feeding unit. A separating member having,
A support portion that is provided in the guide member, and that supports the separation member in a first direction in which a unit direction vector v1 is defined by the following formula and a second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the separation member is movable. Prepared,
Among the plurality of separation pieces, the height at which the first piece protrudes from the inclined surface is such that the second piece of the plurality of separation pieces located upstream of the first piece in the feeding direction protrudes from the inclined surface. Feeder that is higher than the height to be.
Formula: v1 = a × v2 + b × v3
Where v2: a unit direction vector in a third direction parallel to the inclined surface and downstream in the feeding direction, v3: a unit direction in a fourth direction parallel to the support surface and downstream in the feeding direction. Vector, a and b: constants greater than 0 and less than 1 A support member having a support surface for supporting the sheets in a stacked state;
A feeding unit that feeds the sheet supported by the support surface in the feeding direction;
A guide member that is provided downstream of the support surface in the feeding direction, has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the support surface and that abuts against the sheet fed by the feeding unit and guides the sheet. When,
Separating pieces provided on the guide member, wherein a plurality of sheets protrude from the inclined surface along the feeding direction and separate the uppermost sheet from other sheets fed by the feeding unit. A separating member having,
A support portion that is provided in the guide member, and that supports the separation member in a first direction in which a unit direction vector v1 is defined by the following formula and a second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the separation member is movable. Prepared,
The separation piece has a contact surface that comes into contact with a sheet fed by the feeding unit,
The acute angle θ4 formed by the abutment surface of the third piece and the inclined surface of the plurality of separation pieces is the fourth piece of the plurality of separation pieces that is located upstream of the third piece in the feeding direction. A feeding device that is larger than an acute angle θ5 formed by the contact surface and the inclined surface.
Formula: v1 = a × v2 + b × v3
Where v2: a unit direction vector in a third direction parallel to the inclined surface and downstream in the feeding direction, v3: a unit direction in a fourth direction parallel to the support surface and downstream in the feeding direction. Vector, a and b: constants greater than 0 and less than 1 A support member having a support surface for supporting the sheets in a stacked state;
A feeding unit that feeds the sheet supported by the support surface in the feeding direction;
A guide member that is provided downstream of the support surface in the feeding direction, has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the support surface and that abuts against the sheet fed by the feeding unit and guides the sheet. When,
Separating pieces provided on the guide member, wherein a plurality of sheets protrude from the inclined surface along the feeding direction and separate the uppermost sheet from other sheets fed by the feeding unit. A separation member having
A fourth direction provided on the guide member, parallel to the inclined surface and formed in a third direction toward the downstream in the feeding direction, and an acute angle θ1 parallel to the support surface and downstream in the feeding direction. The separating member is arranged in a first direction smaller than an acute angle θ3 formed by an inclined angle θ2 larger than zero and smaller than an acute angle θ3 formed by a plane parallel to the inclined surface and the support surface, and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A support unit that supports the movable body,
Among the plurality of separation pieces, the height at which the first piece protrudes from the inclined surface is such that the second piece of the plurality of separation pieces located upstream of the first piece in the feeding direction protrudes from the inclined surface. Feeder that is higher than the height to be. A support member having a support surface for supporting the sheets in a stacked state;
A feeding unit that feeds the sheet supported by the support surface in the feeding direction;
A guide member that is provided downstream of the support surface in the feeding direction, has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the support surface and that abuts against the sheet fed by the feeding unit and guides the sheet. When,
Separating pieces provided on the guide member, wherein a plurality of sheets protrude from the inclined surface along the feeding direction and separate the uppermost sheet from other sheets fed by the feeding unit. A separation member having
A fourth direction provided on the guide member, parallel to the inclined surface and formed in a third direction toward the downstream in the feeding direction, and an acute angle θ1 parallel to the support surface and downstream in the feeding direction. The separating member is arranged in a first direction smaller than an acute angle θ3 formed by an inclined angle θ2 larger than zero and smaller than an acute angle θ3 formed by a plane parallel to the inclined surface and the support surface, and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A support unit that supports the movable body,
The separation piece has a contact surface that comes into contact with a sheet fed by the feeding unit,
The acute angle θ4 formed by the abutment surface of the third piece and the inclined surface of the plurality of separation pieces is the fourth piece of the plurality of separation pieces that is located upstream of the third piece in the feeding direction. A feeding device that is larger than an acute angle θ5 formed by the contact surface and the inclined surface.   The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a biasing member that is provided on the guide member and biases the separation member supported by the support portion in the second direction.   The feeding device according to claim 5, further comprising an adjustment mechanism that is provided on the guide member and adjusts an urging force of the urging member. The separation member has a first surface on which the separation piece is disposed, a second surface intersecting the first surface, and a third surface opposite to the second surface, and the second surface and A plurality of convex portions each provided on the third surface;
The support part is
A first facing portion provided on the guide member and facing the second surface;
A second facing portion provided on the guide member, facing the third surface;
The first facing portion and the second facing portion are provided with a plurality corresponding to the plurality of convex portions, respectively, extend along the first direction and the fourth direction, and the convex portions are The feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a fitting portion that is movably fitted.   The feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the separating member is a resin molded product. A feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An image recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that records an image on a sheet.

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