JP7373884B2 - media supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a medium supply device.

Conventionally, paper feeding devices that supply paper to the printing section of a printing device, etc., include a loading platform on which multiple sheets of paper are stacked, and a suction conveyor that conveys the topmost sheet of the multiple sheets stacked on this loading platform. 2. Description of the Related Art Paper feeding apparatuses are known that include a mechanism and a suction mechanism that suctions the uppermost sheet of paper to a suction conveyance mechanism by suctioning air.

By the way, if a jam occurs during continuous feeding of paper and the conveyance is stopped, the paper is left in the conveyance path. In this case, paper other than the paper that caused the jam becomes a target for clearing the jam, and even paper that can be used may end up being wasted paper.

Therefore, a paper feeding device has been proposed that transports the paper back onto a stacking table when a jam occurs in the paper transported by the suction transport section (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP2014-223978A

As mentioned above, the paper feeding device that transports the paper backwards onto the stacking table can prevent usable paper from becoming wasted paper, but when the suction transport unit transports the paper backwards, the suction The paper is attracted to the suction transport section by the mechanism. Therefore, since the reversely conveyed paper is attracted by the suction conveyance unit, it takes time for the paper to fall onto the stacking table even if the floating air for floating the paper is stopped. The operation of returning the medium sucked by the suction conveyance mechanism onto the loading table is performed not only when the medium is reversely conveyed, but also when the conveyance of the medium is temporarily stopped.

In this way, it takes time for the medium, such as paper, which has been sucked by the suction transport mechanism, to fall back onto the loading table.

An object of the present invention is to provide a medium supply device that can reduce the falling time of the medium.

In one aspect, the medium supply device includes a loading table on which a plurality of media are loaded, an adsorption conveyance mechanism that conveys the uppermost medium among the plurality of media loaded on the loading table in a conveyance direction, and an air suction conveyance mechanism. a suction mechanism that suctions the uppermost medium to the suction conveyance mechanism by suctioning the uppermost medium; and an upper part that returns the medium onto the loading table by blowing air onto the upper surface of the medium adsorbed by the suction conveyance mechanism. It is equipped with an air blowing mechanism.

According to the above aspect, in the medium supply device, the falling time of the medium can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of a printing system in an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a paper feeding device in an embodiment. It is a figure for explaining the upper air blowing mechanism in one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view (part 1) showing a blocking section in one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view (part 2) showing the blocking section in one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control configuration of a paper feeding device according to an embodiment. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a jam is detected in one embodiment. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of each part when a jam is detected in one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining the operation of the paper feeding device when a jam is detected in one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining the operation of the upper air blowing mechanism when a jam is detected in one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the operation of the paper feeding device when a jam is detected in one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the operation of the upper air blowing mechanism when a jam is detected in one embodiment. It is a figure for explaining the upper air and separation air blowing mechanism in a modification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A paper feeding device (an example of a medium feeding device) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of a printing system 100.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the paper feeding device 1. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the upper air blowing mechanism 40.
4A and 4B are plan views showing the blocking section 31. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control configuration of the paper feeding device 1. As shown in FIG.
Note that the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions shown in FIGS. 1 to 4B and FIGS. 8A to 10, which will be described later, are only examples when the transport direction D1 (see FIG. 2) of the paper P is set as the front. However, for example, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are the horizontal direction, and the up-down direction is the vertical direction.

The printing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes two paper feeding devices 1, 1 and a printing device 101.

The two paper feeding devices 1, 1 are arranged vertically and supply paper P to the printing section 110 of the single printing device 101. The object to which the two paper feeding devices 1, 1 supply paper P is not limited to the printing device 101, but may be other devices such as a conveying device. Further, the paper P is an example of a medium, and the medium may be another medium such as a film.

Note that the number of paper feeding devices 1 may be one or three or more. Further, the direction in which the plurality of paper feed devices 1 are arranged may be the front-back direction or the left-right direction, and is not particularly limited. Further, the paper feeding device 1 may be integrally provided in the printing device 101.

The two paper feeders 1, 1 are different in length and direction, with the exception that the upper paper feed transport route R1 of the upper paper feeder 1 and the lower paper feed transport route R2 of the lower paper feeder 1 are different. They can have the same configuration. Therefore, a single paper feeding device 1 will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the paper feeding device 1 includes a loading table 10, a suction conveyance mechanism 20, a suction mechanism 30, two upper air blowing mechanisms 40, 40, a conveyance mechanism 50, and a paper detection mechanism. It includes a sensor 64, a central floating air blowing mechanism 71, a central separation air blowing mechanism 72, two side floating air blowing mechanisms 81, 81, and two side separating air blowing mechanisms 82, 82.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the paper feeding device 1 includes a control section 61, a storage section 62, an interface section 63, a loading table elevation drive section 91, a suction conveyance drive section 92, and a conveyance drive section 93. Equipped with

A plurality of sheets P are stacked on the stacking table 10 shown in FIG. 2 . The loading table 10 is raised and lowered by driving a loading table raising/lowering drive section 91 shown in FIG.

The suction conveyance mechanism 20 includes a conveyance belt 21 and pulleys 22 and 23 around which the conveyance belt 21 is stretched. One of the pulleys 22 and 23 is a driving pulley, and the other is a driven pulley. The drive pulley is rotated by the drive of the suction conveyance drive unit 92 shown in FIG. 5, and rotates the conveyance belt 21. Thereby, the suction conveyance mechanism 20 conveys the uppermost sheet P1 in the conveyance direction D1 (to the right in FIG. 2). Although details will be described later, the suction conveyance drive unit 92 reversely rotates the drive pulley, so that the suction conveyance mechanism 20 moves the paper P in the reverse conveyance direction D2 (see FIG. 8A), which is opposite to the conveyance direction D1. Reverse transport is possible.

The conveyor belt 21 is provided with a plurality of through holes through which suction air A1 sucked by a suction mechanism 30, which will be described later, passes through.

Although this is an example, two suction conveyance mechanisms 20 (an example of a plurality of suction conveyance mechanisms) are arranged side by side in the width direction of the paper P at the center of the width direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2) perpendicular to the conveyance direction D1 of the paper P. ing. In this case, one suction mechanism 30, which will be described later, is preferably disposed in each suction transport mechanism 20. Of course, only one suction conveyance mechanism 20 may be arranged.

Note that the suction conveyance mechanism 20 may have another conveyance member such as a conveyance roller instead of the conveyance belt 21 as the conveyance member. When the suction conveyance mechanism 20 has a conveyance roller, the conveyance drive section 82 rotates the drive roller (conveyance roller) instead of the drive pulley.

The suction mechanism 30 sucks suction air A1 upward from a region surrounded by the conveyance belt 21 of the suction conveyance mechanism 20 through a plurality of through holes of the conveyance belt 21. Thereby, the suction mechanism 30 causes the suction conveyance mechanism 20 to attract the uppermost sheet P<b>1 of the plurality of sheets P stacked on the stacking table 10 .

The suction mechanism 30 includes a blocking section 31 that blocks suction of the suction air A1.
The blocking part 31 is arranged, for example, on the bottom surface inside the suction mechanism 30 (inside the chamber). Note that the blocking section 31 may be arranged on the bottom surface outside the suction mechanism 30 (outside the chamber).

4A and 4B are plan views showing the blocking section 31. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the blocking section 31 includes a shutter 31a, an opening member 31b, and a rotating shaft member 31c.

The shutter 31a swings (rotates) in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions within a range of 45 degrees, for example, with the rotating shaft member 31c as the central axis of rotation, by the drive of a shutter drive unit (for example, an actuator such as a motor) (not shown). )do.

The shutter 31a has, for example, four blade portions 31a-1. These four blade portions 31a-1 are provided at equal intervals (for example, at 90 degree intervals) in the rotational direction of the shutter 31a.

The opening member 31b is, for example, a disc-shaped plate material. The opening member 31b has, for example, four through holes 31b-1 through which the suction air A1 sucked by the suction mechanism 30 passes. These four through holes 31b-1 are provided at equal intervals (for example, at 90 degree intervals) in the rotational direction of the shutter 31a, similarly to the blade portion 31a-1.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the shutter 31a has a blocking position (1) in which the blade portion 31a-1 covers the through hole 31b-1 to block the suction of the suction air A1 shown in FIG. 3, and a blocking position (1) as shown in FIG. 4A. Then, since the blade portion 31a-1 does not cover the through hole 31b-1, it swings (moves) from the blocking position (1) to the retracted position (2), where the suction of the suction air A1 is not interrupted.

Note that due to the arrangement of the opening member 31b, the opening member 31b blocks suction of the suction air A1 in the portion of the opening member 31b where the through hole 31b-1 is not provided. Since blocking the suction of the suction air A1 by 31b hardly affects the suction force of the paper P, it can be considered that the suction of the suction air A1 is not blocked. Further, the through hole provided in the bottom surface of the suction mechanism 30 has the same shape as the through hole 31b-1 of the opening member 31b and is provided so as to overlap the through hole 31b-1, or the opening member 31b is omitted, When the shutter 31a moves to the blocking position that covers the through hole provided in the bottom surface of the suction mechanism 30 and the retracted position, the opening member 31b does not block the suction of the suction air A1.

Note that the blocking section 31 is an example of a blocking device that stops or weakens the suction of air to the paper P. This cutoff means may be a suction mechanism control circuit that controls ON/OFF of the power of an air suction source (air suction means) such as a fan of the suction mechanism 30 and the strength of the air volume. Furthermore, the blocking section 31 adjusts the volume of the suction air A1 by rotating the shutter 31a, but there are no particular restrictions on the direction of the rotation axis or the number of shutters. Alternatively, the volume of the suction air A1 may be adjusted by sliding the shutter.

As shown in FIG. 3, the two upper air blowing mechanisms 40, 40 can have the same configuration except that they are symmetrical. Therefore, a single upper air blowing mechanism 40 will be described below. Note that, like the suction conveyance mechanism 20 and the suction mechanism 30, one or more upper air blowing mechanisms 40 may be arranged at the center of the width direction (horizontal direction) of the paper P, and the position where they are arranged is particularly determined. Not restricted.

The upper air blowing mechanism 40 includes a fan 41, which is an example of a supply source (air supply means) for the upper air A2, and a flow path 42 for the upper air A2 supplied by the fan 41. The upper air blowing mechanism 40 blows upper air A2 onto the upper surface of the paper P that has been sucked by the suction mechanism 30 onto the suction conveyance mechanism 20 (not shown in FIG. 3), thereby returning the paper P onto the stacking table 10. It is preferable that the upper air blowing mechanism 40 blows out the upper air A2 diagonally downward or vertically downward, but if the upper air blowing mechanism 40 blows out the upper air A2 from above the paper P attracted by the suction conveyance mechanism 20, it may blow out the upper air A2 horizontally. The upper air A2 may also be blown out. As will be described in detail later, the upper air blowing mechanism 40 returns the paper P0 shown in FIG. 9B, which has been conveyed to the upper side of the loading table 10 in the reverse conveying direction D2 (see FIG. 8A) by the suction conveying mechanism 20, onto the loading table 10. It is preferable to blow the upper air A2 onto the upper surface of the paper P as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transport mechanism 50 includes a plurality of roller pairs (an example of a transport member) disposed on the upper paper feed transport route R1 or the lower paper feed transport route R2. In this pair of rollers, one may be a driving roller and the other a driven roller, or both may be driven rollers. The drive roller of the transport mechanism 50 transports the paper P in the transport direction D1 by the transport drive unit 93 rotating the drive roller, and transports the paper P in the transport direction D1 by rotating the drive roller in the reverse direction. It is possible to reversely transport the paper P in the reverse transport direction D2 (see FIG. 8A), which is opposite to the above.

The control unit 61 shown in FIG. 5 includes a processor (for example, a CPU: Central Processing Unit) that functions as an arithmetic processing unit that controls the operation of the entire paper feeding device 1, and controls the operation of each part such as the suction mechanisms 30 and 40. do. Note that in a case where the paper feeding device 1 is integrally included in the printing device 101, the control unit of the printing device 101 may function as the control unit 61.

The storage unit 62 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which predetermined control programs are recorded in advance, and a working storage area as needed when the processor executes various control programs. These include RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a semiconductor memory that is used and can be written and read at any time.

The interface unit 63 exchanges various information with external devices such as a control unit of the printing apparatus 101. For example, the interface unit 63 receives information such as a paper feed request and a paper feed stop request from the control unit of the printing apparatus 101, and the control unit 61 controls the operation of each part of the paper feeding apparatus 1 based on this information. do.

The paper detection sensor 64 shown in FIG. 2 is, for example, an optical sensor that detects passage of paper P.
The central floating air blowing mechanism 71 is disposed downstream of the plurality of sheets P loaded on the stacking table 10 in the conveyance direction D1, and is used to, for example, float about 10 sheets P including the topmost sheet P1. The center floating air A3 is blown out diagonally upward.

The center separation air blowing mechanism 72 is disposed downstream of the plurality of sheets P loaded on the stacking table 10 in the conveying direction D1, and is used to separate the topmost sheet P1 from the second sheet P2. The separation air A4 is blown out diagonally upward.

The two side floating air blowing mechanisms 81, 81 (only the right side is shown in FIG. 2) can have the same configuration except that they are symmetrical. Therefore, the single side floating air blowing mechanism 81 will be described below.

The side floating air blowing mechanism 81 is placed on the right or left side in the width direction of the plurality of sheets P loaded on the stacking table 10, and similarly to the central floating air blowing mechanism 71, for example, Side floating air A5 for floating a sheet of paper P is blown diagonally upward. The central floating air blowing mechanism 71 and the two side floating air blowing mechanisms 81, 81 are examples of floating air blowing mechanisms that blow out air so as to float a plurality of sheets P including the topmost sheet P1.

The two side separation air blowing mechanisms 82, 82 shown in FIG. 3 can have the same configuration except that they are symmetrical. Therefore, the single side separation air blowing mechanism 82 will be described below.

The side separation air blowing mechanism 82 is located on the right side or left side in the width direction of the plurality of sheets P loaded on the stacking table 10, and is a side separation air blowing mechanism 82 for separating the topmost sheet P1 and the second sheet P2. Air A6 is blown diagonally upward. Note that the central separation air blowing mechanism 72 and the two side separation air blowing mechanisms 82, 82 are examples of separation air blowing mechanisms that blow air to separate the top sheet P1 and the second sheet P2. .

The side separation air blowing mechanism 82 includes a fan 82a, which is an example of a supply source (air supply means) for the side separation air A6, and a flow path 82b for the side separation air A6 supplied by the fan 82a. Although not shown, the central floating air blowing mechanism 71, the central separation air blowing mechanism 72, and the side floating air blowing mechanism 81 also have a fan and a flow path like the side separating air blowing mechanism 82.

The loading platform elevating drive section 91 shown in FIG. 5 includes a motor (an example of an actuator) that raises and lowers the loading platform 10.

The suction conveyance drive unit 92 includes a motor (an example of an actuator) that rotates a drive pulley, which is one of the pulleys 22 and 23 of the suction conveyance mechanism 20 .

The conveyance drive unit 93 includes a motor (an example of an actuator) that rotates a drive roller of the conveyance mechanism 50.

Next, the printing apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 1 will be explained.
The printing apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 1 includes a printing section 110, a suction conveyance mechanism 120, a conveyance mechanism 130, and a reversing section 140. Note that FIG. 1 shows a confluence conveyance path R3 where the upper sheet feed conveyance path R1 of the upper sheet feeder 1 and the lower sheet feed conveyance path R2 of the lower sheet feeder 1 merge, and a discharge conveyance path. R4 is shown by a solid line, and the circulation reversal conveyance path R5 is shown by a broken line.

The printing unit 110 has, for example, line head type inkjet heads (not shown) for each color used for printing. Note that the printing method of the printing unit 110 may be a printing method other than the inkjet printing method.

The suction conveyance mechanism 120 is arranged to face the printing section 110. The suction conveyance mechanism 120 conveys the paper P using a conveyance belt while adsorbing the paper P, for example.

The conveyance mechanism 130 includes a plurality of roller pairs (conveyance members) arranged on a combined conveyance path R3, an ejection conveyance path R4, or a circular reversal conveyance path R5. In this pair of rollers, one may be a driving roller and the other a driven roller, or both may be driven rollers.

The reversing unit 140 has a reversing path, a pair of switchback rollers, and the like that reverses the front and back of the paper P whose front surface is printed by the printing unit 110 and is conveyed to the circulation reversing conveyance path R5.

Note that the paper P that has been printed on only one side or on both sides in the printing unit 110 is ejected from the ejection conveyance path R4, and is sent to another printing device arranged in series with the printing device 101 or a paper ejection device (medium It may be transported to a discharge device (an example of a discharge device), a post-processing device, or the like.

The operation of the paper feeding device 1 when a jam is detected will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9B.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing when a jam is detected.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of each part when a jam is detected.
8A and 9A are diagrams for explaining the operation of the paper feeding device 1 when a jam is detected.

8B and 9B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the upper air blowing mechanism 40 when a jam is detected.

Note that each process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is started by detecting a jam based on an output signal of a sensor (not shown) of the printing device 101 or paper feeding device 1, for example, and is performed by the control unit 61 shown in FIG. .

First, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the control unit 61 controls the central floating air blowing mechanism 71, so as to stop the central floating air A3, the central separation air A4, the side floating air A5, and the side separation air A6. The central separation air blowing mechanism 72, the side floating air blowing mechanism 81, and the side separating air blowing mechanism 82 are controlled (step S1).

Further, the control unit 61 determines whether or not the upper air blowing mechanism 40 blows out the upper air A2 based on sheet information (an example of medium information) described later on the plurality of sheets P loaded on the loading table 10. (Step S2).

When the control unit 61 determines that the upper air blowing mechanism 40 should blow out the upper air A2 (step S2: YES), the upper air blowing mechanism controls the upper air blowing mechanism to start blowing out the upper air A2, as shown in FIG. 8B. 40 (step S3). At this time, the control unit 61 may adjust the air volume of the upper air A2 based on the above paper information.

Note that when the control unit 61 determines that the operation of blowing out the upper air A2 by the upper air blowing mechanism 40 is unnecessary (step S2: NO), the control unit 61 does not allow the upper air blowing mechanism 40 to blow out the upper air A2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8A, the control unit 61 moves the paper P0 in the upper paper feed transport route R1 or the lower paper feed transport route R2 to the reverse transport direction D2 using the suction transport mechanism 20 and the transport mechanism 50. The suction conveyance drive section 92 and the conveyance drive section 93 shown in FIG. 5 are controlled so as to convey P in the reverse direction (step S4).

Note that the center floating air A3, the center separation air A4, the side floating air A5, and the side separation air A6 are stopped (step S1), the upper air blowing mechanism 40 starts blowing out the upper air A2 (step S3), and the adsorption The start of reverse transport by the transport mechanism 20 and the transport mechanism 50 (step S4) may not be performed in the above-mentioned order, but may be performed simultaneously or with a changed order.

Next, the control unit 61 determines whether the paper P0 being reversely conveyed in the reverse conveyance direction D2 has passed the paper detection sensor 64 (or is no longer detected by the paper detection sensor 64) after being detected by the paper detection sensor 64. Determination is made (step S5). The control unit 61 repeatedly determines whether or not the paper P0 has been detected by the paper detection sensor 64 (step S5) until a predetermined period of time has elapsed (step S6: YES). This predetermined time is a time for determining that there is no paper P0 to be transported in the reverse direction, and may be determined based on, for example, the size of the paper P, the orientation (vertical or horizontal), the transport interval, etc.

When the passage of the paper P0 is not detected by the paper detection sensor 64 (step S5: NO) and a predetermined period of time has elapsed (step S6: YES), the control unit 61 ends the process shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9A, when the paper detection sensor 64 detects the passage of the paper P0 (ON→OFF at times t1 and t3 shown in FIG. 7) (step S5: YES), the control unit 61 performs the control unit 61 as shown in FIG. 9A. The suction conveyance driving unit 92 is controlled to stop the reverse conveyance by the suction conveyance mechanism 20 as shown in FIG. The suction mechanism 30 is controlled to do so (step S7). As a result, the paper P0 attracted by the suction conveyance mechanism 20 falls and returns onto the loading table 10 by the upper air A2 blown out by the upper air blowing mechanism 40.

Next, the control unit 61 determines whether the second and subsequent sheets of paper P0 that are reversely transported in the reverse transport direction D2 are detected by the paper detection sensor 64 (step S8). The control unit 61 repeatedly determines whether or not the paper P0 is detected by the paper detection sensor 64 (step S8) until a predetermined period of time has elapsed (step S9: YES). This predetermined time may be the same as the predetermined time in step S6 described above.

When the paper P0 is not detected by the paper detection sensor 64 (step S8: NO) and a predetermined period of time has elapsed (step S9: YES), the control unit 61 ends the process shown in FIG.

When the paper P0 (OFF→ON at time t2 shown in FIG. 7) is detected again by the paper detection sensor 64 as shown in FIG. 9A (step S8: YES), the control unit 61 causes the suction transport mechanism 20 to reverse transport. At the same time, the suction mechanism 30 is controlled to start (ON) suction of the suction air A1 (step S10), and the process returns to step S5.

As shown in FIG. 7, the blowing of the upper air A2 by the upper air blowing mechanism 40 is started in step S3 of FIG. 6 and continues until the process shown in FIG. 6 is completed. This means that even if the upper air blowing mechanism 40 blows out the upper air A2, the suction of the paper P0 to the suction conveyance mechanism 20 is maintained by the air volume of the suction air A1 by the suction mechanism 30, which is stronger than the air volume of the upper air A2. It's for a reason. However, since the paper P0 attracted by the suction conveyance mechanism 20 falls and returns to the loading table 10 after the process in step S7 in which the suction mechanism 30 stops suctioning the suction air A1, the suction mechanism 30 The upper air blowing mechanism 40 may blow out the upper air A2 only while suction of the suction air A1 is stopped (for example, triggered by the paper P0 passage detection (OFF) by the paper detection sensor 64).

Here, the paper information in step S2 described above includes, for example, the size of the paper P, the orientation of the paper P, the type of the paper P, and the like. Note that the paper information is acquired by the control unit 61 based on the print job, for example.

The size of the paper P is, for example, A3 (297 x 420 mm) or A4 (210 x 297 mm). The orientation of the paper P is vertical, where the longitudinal direction of the paper P is parallel to the transport direction D1, or horizontal, where the longitudinal direction of the paper P is perpendicular to the transport direction D1. The type of paper P may be plain paper, thick paper, thin paper, etc., but may also be based on basis weight, etc.

For example, if the paper P is thick paper, even if the upper air blowing mechanism 40 does not blow out the upper air A2, the paper P will fall onto the loading platform 10 in a short time only by stopping the suction air A1 by the suction mechanism 30. Sometimes. Therefore, for example, when the paper P is cardboard, the control unit 61 determines that the upper air blowing mechanism 40 does not need to blow out the upper air A2 (step S2: NO), and the upper air blowing mechanism 40 blows out the upper air A2. The speech balloon (step S3) may be omitted.

Further, for example, when the paper P is thick paper, the control unit 61 controls the air volume of the upper air blowing mechanism 40 to blow out the upper air A2 (step S3) to be weaker than when the paper P is thin paper. The blocking section 31 may also be controlled. In this way, the control unit 61 preferably adjusts at least one of the amount of upper air A2 blown by the upper air blowing mechanism 40 and the presence or absence of the blowing operation, based on the paper information.

Note that the control unit 61 controls at least one of the blowout amount of at least one of the center floating air A3, the center separation air A4, the side floating air A5, and the side separation air A6 and the presence or absence of the blowout operation based on the paper information. At least one of the central floating air blowing mechanism 71, the central separation air blowing mechanism 72, the side floating air blowing mechanism 81, and the side separating air blowing mechanism 82 may be controlled so as to adjust.

In addition to (or in place of) the paper information described above, the control unit 61 acquires environmental information such as humidity and airflow of the environment in which the paper feeding device 1 is installed from a sensor (not shown), and Based on the information, at least one of the amount of upper air A2 blown by the upper air blowing mechanism 40 and the presence or absence of the blowing operation may be adjusted. For example, the lower the humidity, the smaller the weight of the paper P, and the longer it takes for the paper P attracted to the suction transport mechanism 20 to fall onto the loading platform 10; It takes time for the paper P to fall onto the loading table 10. The control unit 61 adjusts at least one of the amount of upper air A2 blown by the upper air blowing mechanism 40 and the presence or absence of the blowing operation, depending on the length of time for the paper P to fall onto the loading table 10. good.

In the embodiment described above, the paper feeding device 1, which is an example of a medium feeding device, includes a loading table 10, a suction conveyance mechanism 20, a suction mechanism 30, and an upper air blowing mechanism 40. A plurality of sheets P (an example of a medium) are stacked on the stacking table 10 . The suction conveyance mechanism 20 conveys the uppermost sheet P1 of the plurality of sheets P stacked on the stacking table 10 in the conveyance direction D1. The suction mechanism 30 causes the uppermost paper P1 to be attracted to the suction conveyance mechanism 20 by suctioning the suction air A1. The upper air blowing mechanism 40 blows air onto the upper surface of the paper P (paper P0) attracted by the suction conveyance mechanism 20, thereby returning the paper P onto the loading platform 10.

As a result, for example, paper feeding is performed by paper P0 transported in the reverse transport direction D2 through the upper paper feeding transport path R1 or the lower paper feeding transport route R2, or by a temporary stop of paper feeding (medium supply). The paper P, such as the missing paper P, which is attracted to the suction conveyance mechanism 20 can be returned to the loading table 10 in a short time by being knocked off by blowing upper air A2 onto the upper surface of the paper P by the upper air blowing mechanism 40. can. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the amount of time it takes for the paper P attracted by the attraction and conveyance mechanism 20 to fall onto the loading table 10. As a result, when there is a plurality of sheets P0 to be reversely conveyed in the reverse conveyance direction D2 after a jam is detected, the next sheet P0 cannot be reversely conveyed until the sheet P0 sucked by the suction conveyance mechanism 20 falls, or It is possible to suppress an increase in the downtime of the paper feeding device 1 due to the inability to restart paper feeding immediately after it is temporarily stopped. Note that in this embodiment, the upper air blowing mechanism 40 causes the paper P to fall onto the loading table 10, so that the sheets P are stacked more orderly on the loading table 10 than when the sheets P fall naturally. You can also do it.

Further, in this embodiment, the paper feeding device 1 includes a control section 61 that controls the suction mechanism 30 and the upper air blowing mechanism 40. The suction transport mechanism 20 is capable of transporting the paper P0 in a reverse transport direction D2 opposite to the transport direction D1. The control unit 61 controls the suction mechanism 30 to stop or weaken the suction of the suction air A1 to the sheet P0 that has been conveyed to the upper side of the stacking platform 10 in the reverse conveyance direction D2 by the suction conveyance mechanism 20, and also controls the suction mechanism 30 to stop or weaken the suction of the suction air A1 to The upper air blowing mechanism 40 is controlled to return the paper P0 onto the loading table 10 by blowing upper air A2 onto the upper surface of the sheet P0. As a result, the time required for the paper P0, which has been reversely transported in the reverse transport direction D2 through the upper paper feed transport route R1 or the lower paper feed transport route R2 and has been sucked by the suction transport mechanism 20, to fall onto the loading table 10, can be adjusted. The time period can be shortened not only by blowing the upper air A2 onto the upper surface of the paper P by the air blowing mechanism 40, but also by stopping the suction of the suction air A1 by the suction mechanism 30 or by reducing the air volume. Therefore, downtime of the paper feeding device 1 can be further reduced. Furthermore, since the paper P0 is reversely transported in the reverse transport direction D2 by the suction transport mechanism 20, it is possible to reuse the paper P0 that remains in the upper paper feed transport route R1 or the lower paper feed transport route R2 after a jam is detected. can. Therefore, the occurrence of paper waste (discarded media) due to jam detection can be minimized. In addition, in this embodiment, since the two (plural) paper feeders 1, 1 are arranged, the upper paper feeder is The transport route R1 and the lower paper feed transport route R2 (especially the upper paper feed transport route R1) become longer. As a result, when a jam is detected, the number of sheets of paper P0 that are reversely conveyed from the upper sheet feed conveyance path R1 or the lower sheet feed conveyance path R2 also increases, and the time required for reverse conveyance tends to become longer. In this regard, in this embodiment, as described above, it is possible to shorten the time it takes for the paper P0 that has been reversely transported and attracted to the suction transport mechanism 20 to fall (return) onto the loading table 10. When the sheets P0 are sequentially returned onto the stacking table 10, the more the number of sheets P0 that are reversely conveyed increases, the more the downtime of the sheet feeding device 1 can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the paper feeding device 1 includes a control section 61 that controls the upper air blowing mechanism 40. The control unit 61 determines the amount of upper air A2 blown out by the upper air blowing mechanism 40 and the presence or absence of the blowing operation based on the paper information (an example of medium information) of the plurality of sheets P loaded on the loading table 10. Adjust at least one of them. As a result, the control unit 61 can perform control according to the falling time of the paper P attracted to the attraction transport mechanism 20 onto the loading table 10, which varies depending on the size, orientation, type, etc. of the paper P. Therefore, it is possible to reliably shorten the time it takes for the paper P0 sucked by the suction conveyance mechanism 20 to fall onto the loading table 10.

<Modified example>
Next, a paper feeding device 2 (an example of a medium feeding device) in a modified example shown in FIG. 10 will be described. The paper feeding device 2 in this modification is similar to the above-described paper feeding device 1 except that an upper air and separation air blowing mechanism 210 that serves both the upper air blowing mechanism 40 and the side separation air blowing mechanism 82 shown in FIG. 3 is disposed. However, the other things can be the same. Therefore, detailed explanation will be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the upper air and separation air blowing mechanism 210 in a modified example.

As shown in FIG. 10, the two upper air and separation air blowing mechanisms 210 can have the same configuration except that they are symmetrical. Therefore, a single upper air and separation air blowing mechanism 210 will be described below.

The upper air and separation air blowing mechanism 210 includes a fan 211 , a common flow path 212 , an upper air flow path 213 , a separation air flow path 214 , and a switching mechanism 215 .

The fan 211 is an example of a supply source (air supply means) of air (upper air A2 and side separation air A6).

The common flow path 212 is a flow path for air supplied by the fan 211.
The upper air flow path 213 is a flow path to which upper air A2 is supplied from 211 via the common flow path 212. The separation air flow path 214 is a flow path that is disposed below the upper air flow path 213 and is supplied with side separation air A6 from the fan 211 via the common flow path 212. Note that the upper air passage 213 functions as an example of an upper air blowing mechanism that blows the upper air A2 onto the upper surface of the paper P attracted by the suction conveyance mechanism 20 to return the paper P onto the loading table 10. Further, the separation air flow path 214 is an example of a lower air blowing mechanism that blows air upward (for example, diagonally upward).

Note that in this modification, an upper air and separation air blowing mechanism 210 that serves both the upper air blowing mechanism 40 and the side separating air blowing mechanism 82 of the embodiment described above is arranged; A blowout mechanism that also serves as the side floating air blowout mechanism 81 and has a common fan may be disposed. In this case, a floating air flow path is arranged as the lower air blowing mechanism in place of the separation air flow path 214.

The switching mechanism 215 is, for example, a plate member that is movable between a position where the upper air flow path 213 is closed and a position where the separation air flow path 214 is closed. The switching mechanism 215 switches the targets to which air is supplied by the fan 211 to the upper air flow path 213 (upper air blowing mechanism, upper air A2), the separation air flow path 214 (separated air blowing mechanism (lower air blowing mechanism), side Switch to separated air A6).

Note that even if the switching mechanism 215 switches the air supplied by the fan 211 to the upper air A2 and the side separation air A6, as explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Since it is not necessary to blow out A2 and side separation air A6 at the same time, there is no problem. However, a position where the switching mechanism 215 blocks both or one of a part of the upper air passage 213 and a part of the separation air passage 214, or a position where neither the upper air passage 213 nor the separation air passage 214 is blocked. The upper air A2 and the side separation air A6 may be blown out at the same time. Note that when the switching mechanism 215 moves to a position where it closes both or one of a portion of the upper air flow path 213 and a portion of the separation air flow path 214, the air volume of the upper air A2 or the side separation air A6 is adjusted. can do.

In this modification, the paper feeding device 2 includes a separation air flow path 214 that is an example of a lower air blowing mechanism that blows air upward, an upper air flow path 213 (an example of an upper air blowing mechanism), and a separation air flow path 214 that is an example of a lower air blowing mechanism that blows air upward. (an example of a separation air blowing mechanism), and a fan 211 (an example of an air supply means) that supplies air to both the upper air flow path 213 and the separation air flow path 214. A switching mechanism 215 for switching is provided. This makes it possible to selectively supply the upper air A2 and the side separation air A6 using, for example, the existing air supply means (fan 211) for supplying the side separation air A6 (or side floating air A5). can. Therefore, it is possible to omit additional installation of an air supply means associated with arranging the upper air blowing mechanism (upper air passage 213).

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, but can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements within the scope of the invention at the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, all the components shown in the embodiments may be combined as appropriate. It goes without saying that various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Below, the invention described in the original claims of this application will be added.

[Additional note 1]
a loading platform on which multiple media are loaded;
an adsorption conveyance mechanism that conveys the uppermost medium among the plurality of media loaded on the loading table in the conveyance direction;
a suction mechanism that suctions the uppermost medium to the suction conveyance mechanism by suctioning air;
and an upper air blowing mechanism that returns the medium onto the loading platform by blowing air onto the upper surface of the medium attracted by the suction conveyance mechanism.

[Additional note 2]
further comprising a control unit that controls the suction mechanism and the upper air blowing mechanism,
The suction transport mechanism is capable of transporting the medium in a reverse transport direction opposite to the transport direction,
The control unit controls the suction mechanism to stop or weaken suction of air to the medium conveyed in the reverse conveyance direction to above the loading table by the suction conveyance mechanism, and The medium supply device according to appendix 1, wherein the upper air blowing mechanism is controlled to return the medium onto the loading platform by blowing air onto the upper surface.

[Additional note 3]
further comprising a control unit that controls the upper air blowing mechanism,
The control unit adjusts at least one of the amount of air blown by the upper air blowing mechanism and the presence or absence of a blowing operation based on medium information of the plurality of media loaded on the loading platform. The medium supply device according to supplementary note 1.

[Additional note 4]
A lower air blowing mechanism that blows air upward;
an air supply means for supplying air to both the upper air blowing mechanism and the lower air blowing mechanism;
4. The medium supply device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, further comprising a switching mechanism that switches the object to which air is supplied by the air supply means to the upper air blowing mechanism and the lower air blowing mechanism.

1, 2 Paper feeding device 10 Loading platform 20 Adsorption conveyance mechanism 21 Conveyance belt 22, 23 Pulley 30 Suction mechanism 31 Shutoff section 31a Shutter 31a-1 Blade section 31b Opening member 31b-1 Through hole 31c Rotating shaft member 40 Upper air blowing mechanism 41 Fan 42 Flow path 50 Conveyance mechanism 61 Control section 62 Storage section 63 Interface section 64 Paper detection sensor 71 Center floating air blowing mechanism 72 Center separation air blowing mechanism 81 Side floating air blowing mechanism 82 Side separation air blowing mechanism 82a Fan 82b Flow path 91 Loading platform elevating drive section 92 Suction conveyance drive section 93 Conveyance drive section 100 Printing system 101 Printing device 110 Printing section 120 Suction conveyance mechanism 130 Conveyance mechanism 140 Reversing section 210 Upper air and separation air blowing mechanism 211 Fan 212 Common flow path 213 Upper part Air flow path 214 Separation air flow path 215 Switching mechanism A1 Suction air A2 Upper air A3 Center floating air A4 Center separation air A5 Side floating air A6 Side separation air D1 Conveyance direction D2 Reverse conveyance direction P Paper R1 Upper paper feed conveyance path R2 Lower side paper feed conveyance path R3 Merging conveyance path R4 Discharge conveyance path R5 Circulation reversal conveyance path

Claims (5)

a loading platform on which multiple media are loaded;
an adsorption conveyance mechanism that conveys the uppermost medium among the plurality of media loaded on the loading table in the conveyance direction;
a suction mechanism that suctions the uppermost medium to the suction conveyance mechanism by suctioning air;
an upper air blowing mechanism that blows air onto the upper surface of the medium adsorbed by the suction transport mechanism to return the adsorbed uppermost medium onto the loading table ;
a control unit that controls the suction mechanism and the upper air blowing mechanism,
The suction transport mechanism is capable of transporting the medium in a reverse transport direction opposite to the transport direction,
The control unit performs suction of the medium while the medium is reversely conveyed in the reverse conveyance direction by the suction conveyance mechanism, and stops suction of air to the medium conveyed to above the loading platform; By controlling the suction mechanism to weaken the suction mechanism and blowing air onto the upper surface of the medium conveyed in the reverse conveyance direction, the upper surface returns the medium conveyed in the reverse conveyance direction onto the loading table. Control the air blowing mechanism
A medium supply device characterized by : The control unit adjusts at least one of the amount of air blown by the upper air blowing mechanism and the presence or absence of a blowing operation based on medium information of the plurality of media loaded on the loading table. The medium supply device according to claim 1. A lower air blowing mechanism that blows air upward;
an air supply means for supplying air to both the upper air blowing mechanism and the lower air blowing mechanism;
The medium supply device according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a switching mechanism that switches the object to which air is supplied by the air supply means to the upper air blowing mechanism and the lower air blowing mechanism. further comprising a floating air blowing mechanism that blows out air so as to float a plurality of the media including the uppermost medium,
If a jam is detected during conveyance of the medium, the control unit controls the floating air blowing mechanism to stop blowing out air, and controls the suction mechanism to reversely convey the medium in the reverse conveyance direction. controlling the upper air blowing mechanism to return the adsorbed uppermost medium onto the loading table by controlling the conveyance mechanism and blowing air to the upper surface of the medium;
The medium supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: a loading platform on which multiple media are loaded;
an adsorption conveyance mechanism that conveys the uppermost medium among the plurality of media loaded on the loading table in the conveyance direction;
a suction mechanism that suctions the uppermost medium to the suction conveyance mechanism by suctioning air;
an upper air blowing mechanism that returns the medium onto the loading table by blowing air onto the upper surface of the medium that has been adsorbed by the suction conveyance mechanism;
a control unit that controls the suction mechanism and the upper air blowing mechanism,
The suction transport mechanism is capable of transporting the medium in a reverse transport direction opposite to the transport direction,
The control unit performs suction of the medium while the medium is reversely conveyed in the reverse conveyance direction by the suction conveyance mechanism, and stops suction of air to the medium conveyed to above the loading platform; A medium supply device characterized in that the suction mechanism is controlled to weaken the suction mechanism, and the upper air blowing mechanism is controlled to blow air to the upper surface of the medium to return the medium onto the loading table.

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