JPH02110040A - Sheet handling device for picture image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the sheet feeding operation for sheets including an OHP film by applying a lubricant for reducing a friction coefficient on the surface touching the sheet of the separation member composing a sheet handling device. CONSTITUTION:In a sheet handling device 7, cut sheets P are housed in a sheet feeding cassette 1, etc., a sheet feeding roller 5 and a sheet handling means 10 are arranged facing the sheet feeding side end part of the cassette 1, and the sheets are separated one by one to be fed. The retard pad 10 as the separation member of the device 7 is composed of urethane rubber, etc., and a lubricant is applied on the surface corresponding to the sheet feeding roller of the member. The lubricant applied on the surface of the pad 10 is formed as the applied part 11 of the lubricant on both the side parts excluding the middle part to the length direction of the sheet feeding roller. Thus a proper sheet handling action can be made even for an OHP film, etc., and the sheet feeding for special sheets can be performed without the use of a hand operated tray.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a paper feed 5A position in an apparatus for creating recording paper using cut paper, such as a copying machine or a printer, and in particular, When a paper handling device is configured by arranging a retard pad or the like facing a paper roller, a paper handling device configured to allow the paper handling device to perform a handling action on 0(-1P film, etc.) in a good condition. Regarding equipment.

(Prior art) In devices such as copying machines and printers, paper is stored in a paper tray or paper cassette, and the paper cassette is installed at the paper feed position V4 and the paper feed position is installed at the paper feed position 5A. Generally, a method is used in which paper is sent out using a paper feed roller.

In the paper feeding device as described above, a paper handling mechanism is arranged together with a paper feeding means using a paper feeding roller,
The paper is configured to be sent out to the recording section one by one in a state that prevents double feeding.

For example, in the case of a paper feed cassette, the above-mentioned paper handling mechanism is provided with a snapper pawl or the like to engage with the light end on the feeding side of the paper.
Due to the action of the claws, paper handling can be performed in good condition.

In addition, in the case of a device configured to be able to accommodate a relatively large number of sheets of paper, such as a paper tray,
A paper feed roller is often disposed on the paper feed side optical man of the paper tray, and a paper handling mechanism is often provided following the paper feed roller.

This paper sorter 111M4 is provided with a retard pad, a retard roller, etc., facing the roller driven in the paper feed direction, and the paper feed roller and the separation member, and the J! between the paper sheets! ! The structure is such that a paper handling action can be performed depending on the difference in friction coefficient.

Then, through the paper handling mechanism as described above, the sheets are separated one by one and transported through the paper transport path of the image forming apparatus toward the printing section, recording paper production section, etc. become.

The paper handling mechanism as described above is configured, for example, as a device as shown in FIG. In the paper feeding device shown in FIG. 8, paper P is stored in a paper feeding cassette 1, and a bottom plate 2 provided on the paper feeding cassette
is swung while supporting the leading edge of the paper on the paper feed side.
The paper is pressed against the paper feed roller 5 with a predetermined pressing force.

Further, a paper handling device 7 is provided opposite to the paper feed roller 5.
are arranged, and the paper feed roller 5 and paper sorting device 7
A paper handling device is formed by the above. The paper sorting device 7 is provided with a retard pad 10 as a separation member at a position corresponding to the paper feed roller, and the retard pad 10 is generally made of a material made of the material of the paper feed roller, such as urethane rubber. Also used are members that have high wear resistance.

And, the paper handling device can perform its handling action in good condition! In order to achieve this, it is necessary to configure the respective constituent members to have different coefficients of friction, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the friction coefficient between the feeder and the paper is μP, 911
The friction coefficient between the 11 members and the paper is μP, and the friction coefficient between the sheets is μP, and it is necessary to configure the structure to satisfy the following conditions: μP>μP>μP.

That is, if μP<μP, paper feeding is impossible, and if μP>μP, a problem arises in that double feeding occurs.

The above-mentioned conditions apply whether the separating member constituting the paper sorting device is a roller or a pad. Conventional paper handling devices have been configured to fully satisfy the above-mentioned conditions and to exhibit excellent paper handling functions.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, members such as separation members that constitute the conventional paper handling device as described above use materials such as urethane rubber, but rubber It has the property that the coefficient of friction on the surface gradually decreases.

Therefore, in order to maintain a constant friction coefficient with the paper against the deterioration of the rubber as described above, the I! The l1m1 coefficient is large, and the rubber is often constructed to have the characteristics of rubber so that a predetermined friction coefficient can be maintained during paper feeding operations.

However, as mentioned above, even if the initial coefficient of friction of the separation member is large, the paper handling effect on paper can be exerted relatively well, but it is difficult to perform paper handling on a sheet member with a smooth surface such as an OHP film. However, a problem arises in that the sheet handling function cannot be effectively exerted.

That is, at the beginning of use of the image forming apparatus or directly after replacing the separating member, the friction coefficient of the separating member is relatively large, and while the image forming apparatus is in use (for example, (with 5,000 sheets fed), the separation member a! The friction coefficient decreases to the set value and settles in the optimum region as shown in the graph of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the initial friction coefficient of the separation member is high, the friction coefficient between the separation member and the 0l-IP film is higher than the friction coefficient between the paper feed roller and the OHP film. This also causes a problem in that it is not possible to feed the OHP film.

Therefore, it is possible to make the separation member harder and lower the initial coefficient of friction so that even OHP films can be fed from the beginning, but after feeding a large number of sheets, the separation It's the part! If the friction coefficient becomes too low, it will deviate from the optimum region as shown by line w4 in the figure, causing problems such as double feeding. Along with this,
The paper feeding operation for the OHP film is not performed normally, resulting in disadvantages such as the paper feeding operation for all types of paper cannot be performed normally.

Due to the above-mentioned drawbacks, conventional devices such as copying machines use paper trays and paper feed cassettes.
In many cases, a manual feed tray is used instead of feeding a sheet with a smooth surface such as f-IP film.

On the other hand, when trying to feed OHP film from a paper feed cassette or paper tray, for example,
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 2-34216, etc., it is necessary to use a paper sorting device with a complicated mechanism.

By providing a paper handling device with a complicated mechanism as described above for each of the many paper feeding cassettes installed in a copying machine, the configuration of the paper feeding device of the copying machine becomes complicated, and the manufacturing process of the device increases. This poses problems such as having a large impact on costs.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of conventionally used paper handling mechanisms, and uses relatively simple means such as applying a lubricant to the separation member. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that enables paper feeding operations for paper containing an OHP film to be carried out in good condition from the beginning of use of an image forming apparatus.

(Means and effects for solving the problems) The paper handling device of the image forming apparatus of the present invention accommodates cut paper in a paper feed cassette or the like, and faces the paper feed side end of the paper feed cassette.
The present invention relates to a device configured to include a paper feeding roller and a paper handling means, and to be able to separate and feed paper sheets one by one.

In the apparatus of the present invention, a lubricant for reducing the coefficient of S friction with respect to the paper can be applied to a part or the entire surface of the separation member constituting the paper handling device that comes into contact with the paper, The lubricant is a member that gradually falls off due to friction with the paper, and can be made of a material used as a filler for paper.

Further, in the image forming 1ffi paper handling device of the present invention, the lubricant applied to the separation member is applied to a portion farthest from the center portion in the length direction of the paper feed roller, symmetrically from the center portion. It is possible to use means such as applying it to specific positions.

By forming the lubricant-applied portion on the separation member as described above, the friction coefficient of the separation member at the initial stage of use can be set low, and even for smooth sheets such as OHP films. It is possible to exhibit good separation performance in the paper sorting device.

Then, while using the paper sorting device, it becomes possible to gradually obtain a constant coefficient of friction, and it becomes possible to make good performance of the paper sorting action by the separating member.
Paper feeding can be carried out without causing the paper to be skewed or the like.

(Example) The configuration of a paper handling device of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described according to an illustrated example.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows an example in which a paper feed roller 5 is arranged as a paper sorting device and a glue tart pad 10 is arranged as a separation member. In the paper handling device shown in FIG. 1, the retard pad 10 is made of urethane rubber or the like, similar to those commonly used in the past, but a lubricant is added to the surface of the separation member corresponding to the paper feed roller. is coated.

As shown in FIG. 1a, the lubricant applied to the surface of the retard pad 10 is formed as lubricant applied parts 11 on both sides of the paper feed roller in the length direction, except for the central part. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1b, any means can be used, such as forming a lubricant application portion 11 over the entire surface of the retard pad 10.

However, as shown in FIG. 1b, the retard pad 1
Providing the lubricant-applied portion 11 over the entire surface of the 0 is sometimes undesirable because the lubricant has a large effect of reducing the mm coefficient, as will be described later. Applying a lubricant within a predetermined range to both sides of the pad (in the width direction of the paper) often yields better results in paper handling.

Further, the paper sorting device of the present invention can be constructed by arranging a sorting roller 15 facing the paper feed roller 5, as shown in FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the main body of the cutting row 515 is provided with a roller member made of urethane rubber or the like around the shaft, and as shown in FIG. Lubricant application areas 16.16 are provided on both sides of the roller lengthwise.

As described above, by forming a lubricant-applied portion on the sorting roller 15, a paper sorting device configured with the paper feed roller 5 and the sorting roller 15 facing each other can have a good paper sorting effect. Demonstrated in a state of
Rukoto can.

In the paper handling device configured as described above, the lubricant applied to the retard pad 10 or the handling roller may be, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, or silicate used as a filler material for paper. Aluminum (kaolin) or the like can be used. Furthermore, the above-mentioned filling material is also used as a filling material for rubber, and does not have an adverse effect on the urethane rubber used as the separation member.

It is important to select a material for the lubricant as described above that does not affect the photoreceptor or corotron (discharge device), but it is important to select a material that does not affect the photoreceptor or corotron (discharge device), but it is recommended to use a material that is used for ordinary paper. In this case, no particular problem will occur.

When applying the above-mentioned lubricant to the surface of the separation member, the lubricant is mixed with a urethane binder (urethane paint), but the mixture is diluted with a solvent and sprayed using an air gun or the like. can be used.

Using such means means that, for example, if the lubricant is applied as a dry powder to the separation member, the lubricant will easily fall off due to friction with the paper.
A problem arises in that the effect cannot be effectively exhibited.

Therefore, in the separating member of the present invention, by using a urethane binder or the like as described above and firmly adhering it to the surface of the separating member, the running speed of the paper is reduced to 5000.
The effect of the lubricant can be maintained until the number of sheets is reduced.

When the separating member is provided with a lubricant-applied portion as described above, as shown in the graph of FIG. , which can be set within the optimum range, and as shown by #1m in the figure, the degree of change in the coefficient of friction can be reduced compared to the case where no lubricant is applied. becomes possible.

Therefore, when the separation member is provided with a lubricant-applied portion as described above, the paper handling device prevents problems such as double feeding or inability to feed sheets to the OHP film. You can.

In the paper handling device of the present invention configured as described above, forming lubricant applied parts on both sides of the separation member allows the following effects on the paper and paper handling action to be exerted. I can do it.

In the separation member of the present invention, when providing lubricant-applied parts on both sides of the central part of the retard pad 10, it is necessary to form the lubricant-applied parts at symmetrical positions. Changes in the FJ friction coefficient are balanced, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of skewed paper feeding.

In other words, if there is a difference in the coefficient of friction on the surface of the separation member and the friction coefficient is higher in the area away from the center, the difference in the coefficient of friction of the separation member that the paper receives will cause a rotational moment against the paper. This is because it has a large effect.

For example, as shown in FIG.
When a part A near the center of the paper and a part B far away from the center are formed with parts with high friction coefficients, the resistance that the paper receives in each part is shown in Figures 5 and 6. It becomes like this.

In other words, when there is a part with a high coefficient of friction at position A near the center (Fig. 5), and when there is a part with a high coefficient of friction at position B far from the center part (Fig.
As shown in Figure 6, when the area with a high coefficient of friction is far from the center position, the rotational moment received by the paper becomes larger, and as a result, the paper However, the degree to which skew feeding occurs increases.

Therefore, in the separation member of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, if a lubricant-applied portion of a predetermined width is formed at a symmetrical position with respect to a position away from the central portion,
This allows the separation member to effectively perform the paper handling action.

In addition, when providing a lubricant-applied area of a predetermined width on both sides of an annex member, the central part of the separating member may be a retard pad or a sorting roller. Install a shielding part such as tape or the like to expose the exposed parts on both sides of the shielding part. The lubricant liquid can be applied with a spray, etc. in minutes.
This makes it easier to carry out the work.

Then, as described above, by providing lubricant coated parts of a predetermined width on both sides of the part lIi member,
A part with a high friction coefficient is placed in the center of the separating member, and the parts on both sides! The low coefficient makes it possible to perform accurate separation operations without causing any rotation or the like to the paper.

Furthermore, in the paper handling device of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the entire S friction coefficient of the separating member is equal to the lubricant applied portion;
By averaging the area where no lubricant is applied, the value can be set to the optimum value for the paper feeding action on the OHP film, and as the paper rubs against the separation member while using it, the lubricant gradually increases. The coated area will peel off.

In addition to the above-mentioned peeling of the lubricant-applied area, the friction coefficient of the area without the lubricant-applied area decreases due to changes over time, and as a result, the friction coefficient changes as shown in Figure 3. can be obtained.

In addition, when the part member provided with the lubricant application part configured as described above is provided on the retard pad, or
It can be applied to any case where it is installed on a separating roller, and a paper separating device using such a separating member is suitable for image forming devices that use cut paper such as copying machines, printers, and facsimiles. It is possible to apply it to a paper feeding device.

(Effects of the Invention) Since the paper handling device of the image forming apparatus of the present invention has the above-described configuration, it is possible to form the lubricant applied portion on the separating member at a position away from the central portion thereof. With this, normal paper handling can be performed even for OHP films, etc., and special sheet feeding can be performed without using a manual feed tray.

By configuring as described above, the configuration of the paper handling device can be simplified, and sheets such as OHP film can be fed from any paper feed cassette etc. in the 8 image forming positions. It is possible.

Further, in the paper handling device of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the lubricant applied to the separation member is applied to a portion farthest from the center portion in the length direction of the paper feed roller, symmetrically from the center portion. It is possible to use means such as applying it to specific positions.

By forming the lubricant-applied portion on the separation member as described above, the friction coefficient of the separation member at the initial stage of use can be set low, and even for smooth sheets such as OHP films. It is possible to exhibit excellent separation performance in the paper handling device.

Then, while using the paper sorting device, it becomes possible to gradually obtain a constant coefficient of friction, and it becomes possible to make good performance of the paper sorting action by the separating member.
Paper feeding can be carried out without causing the paper to be skewed or the like.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of the paper handling device of the present invention;
Figures 1a and 1b are a plan view showing an example in which a lubricant coating part is provided on the separation member, respectively, Figure 2 is a side view in which the paper handling VL@ is configured with two rollers, and Figure 2a is a front view when a lubricant coating portion is formed on the separating roller, Figure 3 is a graph showing changes in the coefficient of friction due to the paper handling device of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and Figure 4 is a front view of the case where a lubricant applied portion is formed on the separating roller. An explanatory diagram when a lubricant application part is provided, FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams showing the state of rotational moment by the separation member, respectively, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the lubricant application part provided on the separation member. , FIG. 8 is a side view showing the configuration of a paper feeding device using a general paper feeding cassette, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the paper sorting function in a paper sorting device, and FIG. + in the device! ! It is a graph showing the state of change in friction coefficient. Reference numerals in the figure: 1...Paper feed cassette, 5...Paper feed roller, 7...Paper sorting device, 10...
Retard pad, 11...Lubricant application part, 1
5...Separation roller, 16...Lubricant application part. Figure 1 Figure 10 Figure 2 Figure 3 q Measure β; 4 < 5,000 J Nu L Bodhisattva 4 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Store cut sheets in a paper feed cassette, etc., and arrange a paper feed roller and paper handling means facing the paper feed side end of the paper feed cassette to separate and feed the sheets one by one. A device configured to handle paper, characterized in that a lubricant for reducing the coefficient of friction against the paper is applied to part or all of the surface of the separation member constituting the paper handling device that comes into contact with the paper. A paper handling device for an image forming apparatus. (2) The lubricant is a member that gradually falls off due to friction with the paper, and is made of a material used as a filler for paper. A paper handling device of the image forming apparatus described above. (3) The lubricant applied to the separating member is applied to the part farthest from the central part in the length direction with respect to the paper feed roller.
A paper handling device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coating is applied at symmetrical positions from the central portion.