JP7101467B2 - Seat supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet supply device that feeds out the top sheets loaded one by one.

For example, there is known a paper feed device that feeds the topmost paper loaded on the paper feed table one by one to an image forming apparatus. In this type of paper feed device, if the next paper is caught in the burr at the time of cutting generated on the edge of the paper or the papers are in close contact with each other due to static electricity, multiple sheets of paper are repeatedly fed to the image forming device and jammed. Will cause.

Therefore, it has been proposed to blow air from the side onto the top of the loaded paper and allow air to flow between the top paper and the next paper to separate the two papers. And, in this kind of proposal, air is intermittently blown to the paper by opening and closing the shutter, and the top paper is repeatedly raised and lowered to make the top paper and the next paper. Some have enhanced separation effects (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4492249

By the way, in order to fully exert the print processing ability of the image forming apparatus, it is important to supply the paper to the image forming apparatus at a pace commensurate with the printing processing ability of the image forming apparatus. In order to realize this in the above-mentioned proposal, it is necessary to intermittently blow air from the side to the top of the loaded paper at a cycle corresponding to the printing processing capacity of the image forming apparatus.

However, in the above-mentioned proposal that realizes the intermittent blowing of air by the opening / closing operation of the shutter, there may be a limit to shortening the intermittent blowing cycle of air depending on the specifications of the mechanical elements involved in the opening / closing operation of the shutter. Unavoidable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to mechanically combine the top sheet and the second sheet by an air flow blown from the side onto the loaded top sheet. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet feeder which can be separated at high speed without depending on the operation of an element.

In order to achieve the above object, the sheet supply device according to one aspect of the present invention is
An air outlet that blows air to the side of the top of the loaded sheet,
The air is projected upward from the upper edge of the air outlet, extends above the edge of the top sheet loaded from the air outlet, and is ejected from the air outlet. A rectifying member that generates an air flow by the above along the upper surface of the loaded top sheet, and
To prepare for.

According to the present invention, it is possible to separate the top sheet and the next sheet at high speed without depending on the operation of the machine element by the air flow blown from the side to the top sheet loaded. can.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of the main part of the inkjet recording apparatus equipped with the paper feed device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of the paper feed apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention applied to the external paper feed table of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the phenomenon which occurs in the top sheet by blowing the air from an air ejection port to the top sheet loaded with the paper feed device of FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the phenomenon which occurs in the top sheet by blowing the air from an air ejection port to the top sheet loaded with the paper feed device of FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the phenomenon which occurs in the top sheet by blowing the air from an air ejection port to the top sheet loaded with the paper feed device of FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the phenomenon which occurs in the top sheet by blowing the air from an air ejection port to the top sheet loaded with the paper feed device of FIG. 2. (A) to (c) are explanatory views which show the structure for adjusting the angle of the rectifying member of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts and components are designated by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings.

The embodiments shown below exemplify an apparatus or the like for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention describes the material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc. of each component. It is not specific to the following. The technical idea of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of claims.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part of an inkjet recording device equipped with a paper feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The inkjet recording device shown in FIG. 1 is an inkjet line color printer.

Further, in the following description, the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1 is defined as the left-right direction, and the paper surface front direction is defined as the right side. Further, the vertical direction of the paper surface in FIG. 1 is the vertical direction, and the horizontal direction of the paper surface in FIG. 1 is the front-back direction. The right direction of the paper is the front, and the left direction is the rear. The path shown by the thick line in FIG. 1 is the transfer path R to which the paper P, which is the printing medium, is conveyed. In the following description, upstream and downstream mean upstream and downstream in the transport path R.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet recording device 1 of the present embodiment includes a paper feeding unit 2, a printing unit 3, a control unit 9, and an operation panel 10.

The paper feeding unit 2 feeds the paper P (corresponding to the sheet in the claim) to the printing unit 3. The paper feed unit 2 includes an external paper feed tray 11, an external paper feed unit 12, a plurality of internal paper feed trays 13, a plurality of pairs of internal paper feed rollers 14, and a plurality of pairs of internal paper feed transfer rollers 15. A resist roller 16 is provided.

The external paper feed tray 11 is loaded with the paper P used for printing. A part of the external paper feed tray 11 is installed so as to be exposed to the outside of the housing (not shown) of the inkjet recording device 1.

The external paper feed unit 12 takes out the paper P one by one from the external paper feed table 11 and conveys the paper P toward the resist roller 16 along the transfer path R. The external paper feed unit 12 sucks the paper P by the air sucked from the suction hole (not shown) of the belt 12a which is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), and moves the paper P forward along the circumferential direction of the belt 12a. Transport toward the transport path R.

The internal paper feed tray 13 is loaded with the paper P used for printing. The internal paper feed tray 13 is arranged inside the housing (not shown) of the inkjet recording device 1.

The internal paper feed roller 14 takes out the paper P one by one from the internal paper feed table 13 and feeds them to the transport path R. The internal paper feed roller 14 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown).

The internal paper feed transfer roller 15 conveys the paper P taken out from the internal paper feed table 13 toward the resist roller 16. The internal paper feed transfer roller 15 is arranged along a transfer path R between the internal paper feed roller 14 and the resist roller 16. The internal paper feed transfer roller 15 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown).

The resist roller 16 temporarily stops the paper P conveyed from the external paper feed unit 12 or the internal paper feed transfer roller 15, and then conveys the paper P toward the printing unit 3. The resist roller 16 is arranged on the downstream side of the external paper feed unit 12 and the internal paper feed transfer roller 15. The resist roller 16 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown).

The printing unit 3 includes a belt platen unit 3a and four inkjet heads 4A to 4D corresponding to each color of CKMY.

The belt platen unit 3a sucks and holds the paper P fed from the paper feed unit 2 on the belt and conveys it. The belt platen portion 3a is arranged on the downstream side of the resist roller 16.

Each of the inkjet heads 4A to 4D ejects ink of each color corresponding to the paper P conveyed by the belt platen portion 3a to print an image. The inkjet heads 4A to 4D are arranged above the belt platen portion 3a.

Each of the inkjet heads 4A to 4D is configured to be movable in the vertical direction by the head gap adjusting unit 6. By raising and lowering the inkjet heads 4A to 4D by the head gap adjusting unit 6, the distance (head gap) between the inkjet heads 4A to 4D and the paper P conveyed by the belt platen portion 3a can be adjusted.

Below the inkjet heads 4A to 4D, cleaning devices 5A to 5D are provided corresponding to the inkjet heads 4A to 4D. Each of the cleaning devices 5A to 5D receives the ink discharged by each of the inkjet heads 4A to 4D performing a purge operation for cleaning.

Further, the cleaning devices 5A to 5D wipe off the residue of the ink discharged by the inkjet heads 4A to 4D by the purging operation from the nozzle surface of the inkjet heads 4A to 4D.

A print job from the outside is input to the control unit 9. Further, an operation panel 10 is connected to the control unit 9. On the operation panel 10, various information related to printing, for example, specifications of paper P to be loaded on the external paper feed tray 11 and the internal paper feed tray 13 of the paper feed unit 2 (paper size, paper type, etc.) are displayed on the operation panel 10. Information and environmental information (temperature, humidity, etc.) of the installation location of the inkjet recording device 1 are input by the user.

The control unit 9 supplies the paper P of the external paper feed tray 11 and the internal paper feed tray 13 to the print unit 3 based on the input print setting information of the print job and the information input from the operation panel 10. The image is printed on paper P.

Next, a schematic configuration of the paper feed device according to the embodiment of the present invention applied to the external paper feed table 11 will be described with reference to the explanatory diagram of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed device 20 (corresponding to the sheet supply device in the claim) of the present embodiment applied to the external paper feed board 11 of FIG. 1 is loaded with paper P and placed on it. It has a paper feed table 21 and a pair of guide members 23, 23 erected on the left and right ends of the paper feed table 21, respectively. Note that FIG. 2 shows a state in which the paper feeding device 20 is viewed from the main body side (printing unit 3 side) of the inkjet recording device 1 of FIG.

The paper feed tray 21 is moved up and down by the elevating unit 25 according to the increase and decrease of the loaded paper P. By raising and lowering the paper feed table 21 by the elevating unit 25, the position of the top paper P loaded on the paper feed table 21 is maintained at a height at which the belt 12a of the external paper feed unit 12 can be attracted. ..

Each guide member 23 abuts on the left and right sides of the paper P loaded on the paper feed tray 21, and restricts the movement of the paper P in the left-right direction. Each guide member 23 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction with respect to the paper feed tray 21 according to the size (paper width) of the paper P.

At the upper end of the inner wall surface 27 that abuts on the paper P of each guide member 23, an air ejection port 29 facing the uppermost side of the paper P loaded on the paper feed tray 21 is formed. The air outlet 29 communicates with an air flow path 31 formed inside the guide member 23, and the air flow path 31 is connected to a fan 33 housed in the guide member 23.

The air outlet 29 is formed with a flow path cross-sectional area smaller than that of the air flow path 31. Therefore, the flow velocity of the air supplied from the fan 33 to the air flow path 31 increases due to the throttle effect when passing through the air ejection port 29.

A rectifying member 35 is attached to the upper edge of the air outlet 29. As shown in the explanatory view of FIG. 3, the rectifying member 35 projects slightly upward from the upper edge of the air outlet 29, and the left and right edges of the paper P loaded on the paper feed tray 21. It extends above.

In the paper feed device 20 of the present embodiment configured in this way, the jet of air ejected from the air outlet 29 faces the upper surface of the top paper P1 loaded on the paper feed table 21 due to the Coanda effect. The air flow A1 flows along the lower surface of the rectifying member 35.

Due to the nature of the jet, the air flow A1 flowing along the lower surface of the rectifying member 35 entrains the air existing in the gap B1 between the paper P at the top of the paper feed table 21 and the rectifying member 35, while entraining the air in the gap B1 of the rectifying member 35. Head toward the tip 37. The air flow A1 that reaches the tip 37 of the rectifying member 35 becomes the air flow A2 that moves away from the loaded paper P due to the diffraction effect generated at the tip 37 of the rectifying member 35.

Therefore, the gap B1 between the top paper P1 loaded on the paper feed tray 21 and the rectifying member 35 extending above the edge of the paper P1 becomes a negative pressure state, and the top paper P1 The edge of the paper is attracted to the rectifying member 35 side. Therefore, as shown in the explanatory view of FIG. 4, the top paper P1 whose edge is attracted to the rectifying member 35 side and the second paper P2 from the top loaded on the paper feed tray 21 A gap B2 is formed between them.

Then, the air ejected from the air ejection port 29 flows through the gap B2 formed between the top paper P1 sucked on the rectifying member 35 side and the second paper P2 from the top. The air flow A3 flowing through the gap B2 between the two sheets P1 and P2 gives buoyancy to the top sheet P1 sucked toward the rectifying member 35, and the edge of the sheet P1 is the rectifying member 35 for the top sheet P1. Hold it in a floating state until it comes into contact with.

Further, when the air ejected from the air ejection port 29 flows through the gap B2 between the top paper P1 and the second paper P2 from the top, it is along the lower surface of the top paper P1 due to the Coanda effect. It becomes the air flow A3 flowing through. Due to the nature of the jet flow, the air flow A3 flows out to the side of the paper P loaded on the paper feed tray 21 while entraining the air existing in the gap B2 between the papers P1 and P2. Therefore, the gap B2 between the two sheets P1 and P2 is in a negative pressure state, and the second sheet P2 is sucked to the surfaced top sheet P1 side.

As a result, as shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 5, the second paper P2 from the top sucked to the top paper P1 side and the third paper P3 from the top loaded on the paper feed tray 21. A gap B3 is formed between the two. Then, the air ejected from the air ejection port 29 flows through the gap B3 formed between the second sheet of paper P2 from the top and the third sheet of paper P3 from the top sucked to the top paper P1 side. It will be like.

Then, the air flow flowing through the gap B3 between the two sheets P2 and P3 gives buoyancy to the second sheet P2 from the top, which is sucked to the top sheet P1 side.

Further, the air ejected from the air ejection port 29 becomes an air flow flowing along the lower surface of the second sheet P2 from the top due to the Coanda effect when flowing through the gap B3 of both sheets P2 and P3. Due to the nature of the jet flow, this air flow flows out to the side of the paper P loaded on the paper feed tray 21 while entraining the air existing in the gap B3 between the papers P2 and P3. Therefore, the gap B3 between the two sheets P2 and P3 is in a negative pressure state.

Here, the gap B2 between the top paper P1 and the second paper P2 from the top exists over the entire surfaces of both papers P1 and P2. This gap B2 has a larger volume than the gap B1 (FIG. 3) formed between the edge of the top paper P1 and the rectifying member 35 by the air flow A1 from the air ejection port 29.

Therefore, while the air flow A3 flows through the gap B2 between the top paper P1 and the second paper P2 from the top, the air flow A3 is larger than the air flow A1 flowing along the lower surface of the rectifying member 35. It is decelerated to a low flow velocity. That is, the degree of jet flow of the air flow A3 is smaller than that of the air flow A1. Therefore, in the gap B3 between the two papers P2 and P3, the gap B1 formed between the edge of the top paper P1 and the rectifying member 35 by the air flow A1 from the air ejection port 29 (FIG. 3). Only a smaller negative pressure is generated than the negative pressure generated in.

Therefore, the suction force when the second sheet P2 is attracted to the top sheet P1 side is when the edge portion of the top sheet P1 is attracted to the rectifying member 35 side (FIG. 4). Therefore, the floating amount of the second sheet P2 is smaller than the floating amount of the top sheet P1.

Therefore, the air flow flowing through the gap B3 between the second sheet of paper P2 sucked to the top paper P1 side and the third sheet of paper P3 loaded on the paper feed tray 21 flows to the rectifying member 35 side. The flow rate is smaller than that of the air flow A3 flowing through the gap B2 (FIG. 4) generated between the sucked top paper P1 and the second paper P2 from the top.

Therefore, the buoyancy given to the second sheet P2 by the air flowing through the gap B3 between the second sheet P2 and the third sheet P3 loaded on the paper feed tray 21 is higher than that of the top sheet P1. The air flow A3 flowing through the gap B2 (FIG. 4) generated between the two sheets and the second sheet P2 is smaller than the buoyancy given to the top sheet P1. Therefore, the second sheet P2 sucked to the top paper P1 side flows through the weight of the second sheet P2 and the gap B3 while being sucked to the top paper P1 side. Due to the turbulent flow of air flow, the paper descends to the P3 side of the third sheet loaded on the paper feed tray 21.

After that, the second sheet of paper P2 is loaded on the top sheet P1 and the paper feed tray 21 which have surfaced until the edge abuts on the rectifying member 35 by repeating ascending and descending in the above-mentioned flow. It moves up and down between the sheet and the sheet P3. That is, the second sheet P2 moves up and down in a short cycle between the top sheet P1 and the third sheet P3 loaded on the paper feed tray 21 due to an action that does not involve the operation of the machine element. ..

Further, while the second sheet P2 is floating on the top sheet P1, the second sheet P2 and the third sheet P3 are combined with each other as shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. Between them, a phenomenon similar to the phenomenon that occurs between the top paper P1 whose edge is attracted to the rectifying member 35 side and the second paper P2 occurs. While the third sheet P3 is floating on the second sheet P2 side, it is sucked to the top sheet P1 side between the third sheet P3 and the fourth sheet P4. A phenomenon similar to the phenomenon occurring between the second sheet P2 and the third sheet P3 is generated.

Then, due to the vertical movement of the second and subsequent sheets P2, P3, ..., Fine vibration is applied to the top sheet P1 from the bottom surface side, and this vibration causes the top sheet P1 and the second sheet P2 and the like. The second sheet P2, the third sheet P3, and the third and subsequent sheets P existing at the top of the sheet P loaded on the paper feed tray 21 are separated from each other in a short time. Will be done.

Therefore, the air from the air ejection port 29 sprayed from the side onto the uppermost paper P loaded on the paper feed tray 21 causes the uppermost paper P1 and the second paper P2 to operate as mechanical elements. It can be separated at high speed without depending.

Therefore, the paper P1 at the top of the paper feed tray 21 can be fed to the transport path R at high speed by the external paper feed unit 12, and the print processing capacity of the inkjet recording device 1 can be fully exhibited.

Further, in the paper feeding device 20 of the present embodiment, the air from the air ejection port 29 is blown to the left and right side portions of the uppermost paper P loaded on the paper feeding table 21.

Therefore, the uppermost paper P of the paper feed tray 21 can be separated from the next paper P on the left and right sides in a short time, and the two uppermost paper Ps of the paper feed tray 21 can be separated from each other in a short time. It can be separated reliably at high speed.

Further, in the paper feeding device 20 of the present embodiment, the guide members 23 are brought into contact with the left and right side portions of the paper P loaded on the paper feeding table 21, respectively, and the feeding table is fed from the air ejection port 29 of each guide member 23. Air is blown from both the left and right directions to the side portion of the paper P at the top of the 21. Therefore, the guide member 23 restricts the movement of the paper P of the paper feed tray 21 in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the air from the air ejection port 29 is blown onto the uppermost paper P of the paper feed tray 21, the uppermost paper P1 is moved to the upper rectifying member 35 side whose movement is not restricted by the guide member 23. It can be easily separated from the second sheet of paper P2.

The angle of the rectifying member 35 extending from the upper edge of the air ejection port 29 of the guide member 23 may be fixed, but the rectifying member 35 is attached to the guide member 23 via a hinge mechanism or the like (not shown). Therefore, it may be configured to be swingable in the undulating direction (vertical direction).

In that case, the angle of the rectifying member 35 may be manually adjusted, or may be adjusted by the power of the actuator 39 as shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 7A. Further, when the actuator 39 is used, the angle of the rectifying member 35 may be automatically adjusted by the control of the control unit 9.

Further, when the angle of the rectifying member 35 is adjusted by the control unit 9, for example, the print setting information of the print job input to the inkjet recording device 1 and the specifications of the paper P (paper size) input from the operation panel 10 are used. , Paper type, etc.) or the environmental information (temperature, humidity, etc.) of the installation location of the inkjet recording device 1, the control unit 9 may adjust the angle of the rectifying member 35 to the optimum angle. ..

Then, when the angle of the rectifying member 35 is configured to be adjustable, the angle of the rectifying member 35 with respect to the paper P at the uppermost portion of the paper feed tray 21 can be made horizontal as shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 7B, or FIG. 7 ( As shown in the explanatory diagram of c), the depression angle of the rectifying member 35 with respect to the uppermost paper P is adjusted, and as shown in FIG. 7 (a), the depression angle of the rectifying member 35 with respect to the uppermost paper P is adjusted. You will be able to do it.

Therefore, for example, specification information such as the size, thickness (basis weight), stiffness, and paper quality (smoothness of the surface) of the paper P to be loaded on the paper feed tray 21, and the temperature of the installation location of the inkjet recording device 1. When the degree of adhesion between the papers P differs or changes due to humidity or the like, the angle of the rectifying member 35 can be adjusted to an elevation angle or a depression angle according to the degree of adhesion between the papers P.

Thereby, the elevation angle or the depression angle of the rectifying member 35 can be easily adjusted to an angle at which the air ejected from the air ejection port 29 tends to become an air flow A1 flowing along the lower surface of the rectifying member 35 due to the Coanda effect. ..

In the present embodiment, the case where the paper feed device 20 is a part of the inkjet recording device 1 (external paper feed table 11) has been described, but the present invention is not used by connecting to the inkjet recording device 1. It can also be applied to the attached paper feed device.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the external paper feed tray 11 of the inkjet recording device 1 to configure the paper feed device 20 for supplying the paper P to the printing unit 3, but the present invention has been described. , It can be widely applied to a device that supplies thin sheets other than paper one by one to a supply target.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the air volume of the fan 33 of each guide member 23 may be adjusted by the control of the control unit 9.

As a result, the flow velocity of the air ejected from the air ejection port 29 is adjusted, and the air flow A1 flowing through the gap B1 between the top paper P1 and the rectifying member 35 and the gap between the two sheets P is the jet flow. Depending on the property, it becomes a flow that entrains air existing in the gap between the two papers P, and the negative pressure generated in the gap can be adjusted to a degree corresponding to the degree of adhesion between the papers P.

In addition, the configuration in which air is blown from the air ejection port 29 to the side portion of the paper P at the top of the paper feed tray 21 is such that the paper P loaded on the paper feed tray 21 is configured as in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. It may be provided on both the left and right sides, or may be provided on only one of the left and right sides.

Further, in addition to, or instead of, the air ejection port 29 on both the left and right sides of the paper P, or instead, on the back side of the paper P in the transport direction (front-back direction in FIG. 1) of the paper P on the paper feed tray 21. A configuration may be provided in which air is blown from the air ejection port 29 to the side portion of the paper P at the uppermost portion of the paper feed tray 21.

Then, the invention of each aspect shown below is disclosed by the embodiment described above.

First, as an invention according to the first aspect,
An air outlet that blows air to the side of the top of the loaded sheet,
It extends above the edge of the top sheet loaded from the air outlet, and an air flow due to the air ejected from the air outlet is generated along the upper surface of the top sheet loaded. The rectifying member to make
A seat feeder comprising the above is disclosed.

Then, according to the sheet supply device of the invention according to the first aspect, the rectifying member in which the jet of air ejected from the air ejection port extends above the edge of the loaded top sheet by the Coanda effect. Is rectified by the air flow along the lower surface of the rectifying member facing the upper surface of the top sheet.

Due to the nature of the jet, the air flow flowing along the lower surface of the rectifying member becomes an air flow toward the tip in the extending direction of the rectifying member while entraining the air existing in the gap between the top sheet and the rectifying member. The air flow that reaches the tip of the rectifying member becomes an air flow that moves away from the loaded sheet due to the diffraction effect generated at the tip of the rectifying member.

Therefore, the gap between the loaded top sheet and the rectifying member extending above the edge thereof becomes a negative pressure state, and the edge portion of the top sheet is sucked toward the rectifying member side. Therefore, a gap is formed between the top sheet whose edge is attracted to the rectifying member side and the second sheet from the top loaded.

Then, the air ejected from the air ejection port flows through the gap generated between the top sheet sucked to the rectifying member side and the second sheet from the top. The air flow flowing through the gap between the two sheets gives buoyancy to the top sheet sucked to the rectifying member side, and keeps the top sheet in a floating state until the edge abuts on the rectifying member.

In addition, the air flow ejected from the air outlet flows along the lower surface of the top sheet due to the Coanda effect when flowing through the gap between the top sheet and the second sheet from the top. Will be. This air flow flows out from the periphery of both seats to the side of the loaded seat. Therefore, the gap between the two sheets is in a negative pressure state. Therefore, the second sheet is sucked to the surfaced top sheet side.

However, the gap between the top sheet and the second sheet from the top exists over the entire surface of both sheets, and the volume is larger than the gap between the edge of the top sheet and the rectifying member. big. Therefore, the air flow flowing through the gap between the top sheet and the second sheet from the top is decelerated, and the jet flow is larger than the air flow flowing through the gap between the edge of the top sheet and the rectifying member. The degree of is small. Therefore, in the gap between the top sheet and the second sheet from the top, a negative pressure smaller than the negative pressure generated in the gap between the edge of the top sheet and the rectifying member is generated. ..

Therefore, the suction force when the second sheet is sucked to the top sheet side is smaller than the suction force when the edge of the top sheet is sucked to the rectifying member side. Therefore, the floating amount of the second sheet is smaller than the floating amount of the top sheet.

Therefore, the air flow flowing through the gap between the second sheet sucked to the top sheet side and the loaded third sheet is from the top sheet sucked to the rectifying member side and from above. The flow rate is smaller than the air flow flowing through the gap created between the second sheet and the sheet.

Therefore, the buoyancy given to the second sheet by the air flowing through the gap between the second sheet and the loaded third sheet is between the top sheet and the second sheet from the top. The air flowing through the created gap is less than the buoyancy given to the top sheet. Therefore, the second sheet sucked to the top sheet side is sucked to the top sheet side, and the weight of the second sheet and the second sheet and the third sheet are taken into consideration. Due to the turbulent flow of air flowing through the gap between the seat and the eye sheet, it descends to the side of the loaded third sheet.

After that, the second sheet repeatedly rises and falls in the above-mentioned flow, and moves up and down between the top sheet that has risen until the edge abuts on the rectifying member and the loaded sheet. That is, the second sheet moves up and down in a short cycle between the top sheet and the loaded sheet by an action that does not involve the operation of the mechanical element.

Further, between the second sheet and the third sheet, and between the third and subsequent sheets existing at the top of the loaded sheets, the above-mentioned top sheet and 2 are also formed. The same phenomenon that occurred with the first sheet occurs respectively.

Then, the vertical movement of the second and subsequent sheets applies fine vibration to the top sheet from the bottom surface side, and this vibration causes the top sheet and the second sheet, and the second sheet and 3 The second sheet and the third and subsequent sheets existing at the top of the loaded sheets are separated from each other in a short time.

Therefore, the air flow blown from the side to the top sheet loaded can separate the top sheet and the next sheet at high speed without depending on the operation of the machine element.

Next, as an invention according to the second aspect,
Disclosed is a sheet supply device having a plurality of the air outlets that blow air from a plurality of directions to the side of the uppermost portion of the loaded sheet.

Then, according to the sheet supply device of the invention according to the second aspect, air is blown from a plurality of air outlets to the uppermost side portions of the loaded sheets from different directions. Therefore, the loaded top sheet is separated from the second sheet at a plurality of edges of the sheet in a short time as in the sheet supply device of the invention according to the first aspect. Both sheets can be separated more reliably and at high speed.

Subsequently, as an invention according to the third aspect,
Disclosed is a sheet supply device further comprising a guide member having an air flow path inside that abuts on the side of the loaded sheet and communicates with the air outlet.

Then, according to the sheet supply device of the invention according to the third aspect, since an air flow path for supplying air to the air ejection port is provided inside the guide member that abuts on the side portion of the loaded sheet, it is loaded. Air can be blown from the air outlet to the side of the uppermost part of the loaded seat while restricting the lateral movement of the seat by the guide member.

Therefore, the air blown to the uppermost side of the loaded sheet may move the uppermost sheet or the second sheet to the upper side (rectifying member side) where the movement is not restricted by the guide member. can.

As a modification of the invention according to the first to third aspects,
A sheet supply device in which the air outlet is formed with a flow path cross-sectional area smaller than that of the air flow path is disclosed.

Then, according to the sheet supply device according to the modified example of the invention according to the first to third aspects, the flow velocity of the air passing through the air flow path of the guide member increases due to the decrease in the cross-sectional area of the flow path at the air ejection port. do. Therefore, the air ejected from the air ejection port flows at high speed in the gap between the edge of the loaded top sheet and the rectifying member.

Therefore, the negative pressure in the gap between the top sheet and the rectifying member is increased, which is generated by the air flow flowing through the gap between the top sheet and the rectifying member as a flow that entrains the surrounding air due to the nature of the jet. Then, the edge of the top sheet can be sucked to the rectifying member side with a large suction force.

Further, as another modification of the invention according to the first to third aspects,
The rectifying member discloses a seat supply device configured so that the elevation angle or the depression angle with respect to the loaded top seat can be adjusted.

Then, according to the sheet supply device according to another modification of the invention according to the first to third aspects, the angle at which the air ejected from the air ejection port tends to flow along the lower surface of the rectifying member due to the Coanda effect. , The elevation angle or the depression angle of the rectifying member can be easily adjusted.

Next, as an invention according to the fourth aspect,
Disclosed is a seat supply device further comprising an angle adjusting unit that adjusts the elevation angle or the depression angle of the rectifying member based on at least one of the specification information of the loaded seat and the environmental information around the seat.

Then, according to the sheet supply device of the invention according to the fourth aspect, the specification information such as the size, thickness, rigidity (strength and weakness) of the loaded sheet, the smoothness of the surface, and the periphery of the loaded sheet are obtained. The elevation angle or depression angle of the rectifying member is adjusted according to the environmental information (temperature, humidity, etc.) of the rectifying member.

Therefore, when the degree of adhesion between the loaded seats differs or changes depending on the specifications of the seats and the environmental conditions around the seats, the angle of the rectifying member is adjusted to the elevation angle or the depression angle according to the degree of adhesion between the sheets. Due to the nature of the jet, the air flow that flows through the gap between the top sheet and the rectifying member becomes a flow that entrains the air that exists between the two, and the negative pressure generated in that gap is the degree of adhesion between the sheets. It can be adjusted to the appropriate degree.

Subsequently, as an invention according to the fifth aspect,
A sheet supply device further including a flow rate adjusting unit for adjusting the flow rate of air ejected from the air ejection port is disclosed.

Then, according to the sheet supply device of the invention according to the fifth aspect, the flow rate of the air flowing through the gap between the top sheet and the rectifying member is adjusted by adjusting the flow rate of the air ejected from the air ejection port. However, due to the nature of the jet flow, this air flow becomes a flow that entrains the air that exists in the gap between the top sheet and the rectifying member, and the negative pressure generated in that gap is adjusted to an appropriate degree. Can be done.

1 Inkjet recording device 2 Paper feed unit 3 Printing unit 3a Belt platen unit 4A to 4D Inkjet head 5A to 5D Cleaning device 6 Head gap adjustment unit 9 Control unit 10 Operation panel 11 External paper feed stand 12 External paper feed unit 12a Belt 13 Inside Paper feed table 14 Internal paper feed roller 15 Internal paper feed transfer roller 16 Resist roller 20 Paper feed device (sheet supply device)
21 Paper feed stand 23 Guide member 25 Lifting unit 27 Guide member inner wall surface 29 Air outlet 31 Air flow path 33 Fan 35 Rectifier member 37 Rectifier member tip 39 Actuator A1 to A3 Air flow B1 to B3 Gap P, P1 to P4 Paper ( Sheet)
R transport route

Claims (5)

An air outlet that blows air to the side of the top of the loaded sheet,
Said It extends above the edge of the top sheet loaded from the air outlet and generates an air flow by the air ejected from the air outlet along the upper surface of the top sheet loaded. Rectifying memberWhen,
An angle adjusting unit that adjusts the elevation angle or depression angle of the rectifying member with respect to the loaded top seat based on at least one of the specification information of the loaded seat and the environmental information around the seat.
of A seat supply device equipped. The sheet supply device according to claim 1, further comprising the plurality of air outlets that blow air from a plurality of directions to the side of the uppermost portion of the loaded sheet. The sheet supply device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a guide member having an air flow path inside that abuts on the side portion of the loaded sheet and communicates with the air outlet. A flow rate that adjusts the flow rate of the air ejected from the air outlet. The sheet supply device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising an adjusting unit. An air outlet that blows air to the side of the top of the loaded sheet,
A rectifying member that projects upward from the upper edge of the air outlet and extends above the edge of the top sheet loaded from the air outlet.
An angle adjusting unit that adjusts the elevation angle or depression angle of the rectifying member with respect to the loaded top seat based on at least one of the specification information of the loaded seat and the environmental information around the seat.
A seat feeder equipped with.

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