US20130154180A1 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130154180A1 US20130154180A1 US13/711,353 US201213711353A US2013154180A1 US 20130154180 A1 US20130154180 A1 US 20130154180A1 US 201213711353 A US201213711353 A US 201213711353A US 2013154180 A1 US2013154180 A1 US 2013154180A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- image forming
- cassette
- forming apparatus
- stacked sheets
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
- B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
- B65H3/0623—Rollers or like rotary separators acting at least during a part of each separation cycle on the articles in a direction opposite to the final separating direction
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
- B65H3/50—Elements, e.g. fingers, plates, rollers, inserted or traversed between articles to be separated and remainder of the pile
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
- B65H3/54—Pressing or holding devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/66—Article guides or smoothers, e.g. movable in operation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
- B65H5/06—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by rollers or balls, e.g. between rollers
- B65H5/062—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by rollers or balls, e.g. between rollers between rollers or balls
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
- G03G15/6502—Supplying of sheet copy material; Cassettes therefor
- G03G15/6511—Feeding devices for picking up or separation of copy sheets
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
- B65H2405/30—Other features of supports for sheets
- B65H2405/33—Compartmented support
- B65H2405/332—Superposed compartments
- B65H2405/3322—Superposed compartments discharge tray superposed to feed tray
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2601/00—Problem to be solved or advantage achieved
- B65H2601/50—Diminishing, minimizing or reducing
- B65H2601/52—Diminishing, minimizing or reducing entities relating to handling machine
- B65H2601/523—Required space
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/03—Image reproduction devices
- B65H2801/09—Single-function copy machines
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet feeding device configured to separate sheets one by one from stacked sheets and convey each sheet to an image forming section.
- Some image forming apparatus each include an image forming section to form an image on a sheet and a sheet feeding device (feeder) to feed the sheet to the image forming section.
- a sheet feeding device feeder
- Many of sheet feeding devices are each provided with a separating mechanism for separating sheets one by one from stacked sheets to feed one sheet each.
- JP-A-3(1991)-51230 discloses a sheet feeding device configured to rotate a separating roller in a reverse direction (see an arrow Tb in FIG. 1 of JP-A-3(1991)-51230) and thereafter rotate the separating roller in a forward (normal) direction (see an arrow Ta in FIG. 1 of JP-A-3(1991)-51230) to convey a sheet. This is to separate an uppermost sheet from stacked sheets and convey the sheet along a sheet conveying path.
- JP-A-2002-87606 discloses a sheet feeding device including an auxiliary roller which rotates in a reverse direction and thereafter rotates in a forward direction (see FIG. 2 and others in JP-A-2002-87606). This is to prevent double sheet feeding.
- the width of a conventional image forming apparatus is, as shown in FIG. 1 , equal to or larger than the sum (“A+B” in FIG. 1 ) of the width (see a dimension line A in FIG. 1) of a sheet cassette and the width (see a dimension line B in FIG. 1 ) of a section wherein a sheet conveying path is contained. Accordingly, the size of the image forming apparatus in a width direction has a lower limit at this width (A+B). The same applies to sheet feeding devices disclosed in JP-A-3(1991)-51230 and JP-A-2002-87606.
- the present invention has been made to solve the above conventional problems and has a purpose to provide an image forming apparatus including a sheet feeding device configured to sequentially feed sheets one by one from stacked sheets and ensure a reduced width of the image forming apparatus.
- one aspect of the invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet cassette configured to accommodate stacked sheets; a separating member configured to separate an uppermost sheet from the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette; a sheet feed roller configured to feed the uppermost sheet from the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette; an image forming section configured to form an image on the sheet fed from the sheet cassette; and a sheet conveying path placed between the sheet cassette and the image forming section, wherein the image forming section and the sheet conveying path are placed in a position within a width of the sheet cassette defined between a front end and a rear end of the cassette in a sheet feeding direction and above the sheet cassette, the separating member has a tip to be placed to contact with a portion of the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette between the front end and the rear end of the cassette, and the sheet feed roller is placed in a position between the front end and the rear end of the sheet cassette and apart from the tip of the separating member toward the rear end of the sheet cassette.
- a sheet cassette configured to
- an image forming apparatus including a sheet feeding device configured to sequentially feed sheets one by one from stacked sheets and ensure a reduced width of an image forming apparatus.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view to explain a conventional image forming apparatus
- FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration view to explain an image forming apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration view to explain a sheet cassette in the embodiment
- FIG. 4 is a view to illustrate conveying rollers and a separating blade in the embodiment
- FIG. 5 is a view (Part 1) to show a sheet feeding operation of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment
- FIG. 6 is a view (Part 2) to show the sheet feeding operation of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment
- FIG. 7 is a view (Part 3) to show the sheet feeding operation of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment
- FIG. 8 is a view to show a case where a number of sheets are loaded in a sheet cassette in the embodiment
- FIG. 9 is a view to show a case where only one sheet is loaded in the sheet cassette in the embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration view (Part 1) to explain a sheet cassette in a modified example
- FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration view (Part 2) to explain a sheet cassette in a modified example.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration view (Part 3) to explain a sheet cassette in a modified example.
- An image forming apparatus 100 is a black and white printer having a schematic configuration shown in FIG. 2 .
- This image forming apparatus 100 includes a sheet cassette 10 , a sheet feed roller 14 , a sheet conveying path 20 , an image forming section 30 , a transfer roller 40 , a fixing unit 50 , a pair of sheet discharging roller 61 , a discharge tray 62 , a motor M, and a controller 90 .
- the sheet cassette 10 is arranged to accommodate stacked sheets and feed an uppermost sheet from the stacked sheets. A fed sheet is conveyed along the sheet conveying path 20 to the image forming section 30 . The details of this configuration will be explained later.
- the sheet cassette 10 can be pulled out to the front side (near side) in FIG. 2 from the image forming apparatus 100 .
- a right-to-left direction to the image forming apparatus 100 in FIG. 2 is referred to as a width direction.
- a maximum size of the image forming apparatus 100 in the width direction is referred to as a “full width W” and a length of the sheet cassette 10 from a front end to a rear end in a sheet feeding direction is referred to as a “width W 1 ”
- the sheet feed roller 14 is used to pick up and feed an uppermost sheet from stacked sheets loaded in the sheet cassette 10 toward the sheet conveying path 20 .
- This sheet conveying path 20 is arranged to convey the sheet fed out from the cassette 10 toward the image forming section 30 .
- the sheet conveying path 20 is provided with a timing sensor 21 to determine the timing at which a sheet is fed to the transfer roller 40 .
- the sheet conveying path 20 is located in a position within the width W 1 of the cassette 10 and above the cassette 10 . Accordingly, the full width W of the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is not so greatly different from the width W 1 of the cassette 10 . In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is smaller in size than the conventional image forming apparatus.
- the image forming section 30 is arranged to form an image on a sheet.
- This image forming section 30 includes a photoconductor drum 31 , a charging unit 32 , an exposing unit 33 , and a developing unit 34 , and a cleaner 35 .
- the photoconductor drum 31 is an image carrier to carry a toner image thereon. This drum 31 is therefore rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow D 2 in FIG. 2 .
- the charging unit 32 is arranged to uniformly charge the surface of the drum 31 .
- the exposing unit 33 is configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the drum 31 .
- the developing unit 34 is arranged to impart toner to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the drum 31 .
- the cleaner 35 is used to remove untransferred residual toner from the drum 31 .
- the transfer roller 40 is a transfer member for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 31 to a sheet.
- the sheet having the toner image transferred thereon is then transported along the sheet conveying path 20 in a direction indicated by an arrow D 1 in FIG. 2 .
- the fixing unit 50 is arranged to fix the transferred toner image on the sheet.
- the pair of discharging rollers 61 are arranged to discharge the sheet having the toner image fixed thereon to the discharge tray 62 .
- This tray 62 is a tray for receiving the sheet having the toner image fixed thereon.
- the motor M is a drive source to drive the photoconductor drum 31 and various rollers to rotate.
- the sheet feed roller 14 and conveying rollers 17 mentioned later are to be driven by the motor M.
- Each component such as the drum 31 is also to be driven by the motor M. These components are rotated in sync with the rotation of the motor M. However, the rotation speeds of the components are not necessary equal to each other because of the use of a reduction gear or the like.
- the controller 90 is configured to control the operation of each component of the image forming section 30 and the rotation of the motor M.
- the image forming section 30 and the sheet conveying path 20 are located in a position within the width W 1 of the sheet cassette 10 in the image forming apparatus 100 and above the cassette 10 .
- FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration view to explain the sheet cassette 10 .
- this cassette 10 is configured to separate an uppermost sheet P 1 from stacked sheets P and sequentially feed one sheet each to the sheet conveying path 20 .
- an end portion of the sheet P 1 which becomes the head (leading edge) of the sheet P 1 during conveyance to the image forming section 30 , is referred to as a leading end PT.
- the other end portion of the sheet P 1 which becomes the tail (bottom edge) of the sheet P 1 during conveyance to the image forming section 30 , is referred to as a rear end PE.
- the sheet cassette 10 includes a cassette body 11 , a lifting spring 12 , and a lifting plate 13 .
- the cassette body 11 is a sheet feed case for accommodating stacked sheets P.
- the cassette body 11 has a bottom plate 11 a, a front end portion 11 T, and a rear end portion 11 E.
- the front end portion 11 T is a side wall of the cassette body 11 on a side facing the leading end PT of the sheet P 1 before conveyance (in a loaded state).
- the rear end portion 11 E is a side wall of the cassette body 11 on the other side facing the rear end PE of the sheet P 1 before conveyance (in the loaded state).
- the rear end portion 11 E of the cassette body 11 includes a slanted surface 11 b.
- This slanted surface 11 b is slanted from the bottom plate 11 a to an upper end of the rear end portion 11 E so that the rear end portion 11 E is more apart from the front end portion 11 T of the cassette body 11 with distance from the bottom plate 11 a.
- the slanted surface 11 b can function, as mentioned later, to guide the sheet P 1 moved back by the sheet feed roller 14 to be warped or curved upward from the sheet cassette 10 .
- the lifting spring 12 is arranged to lift up the portions of the stacked sheets P near the leading end PT by way of the lifting plate 13 .
- This lifting plate 13 is a sheet loading section to actually load thereon the stacked sheets P.
- the sheet feeding device includes the sheet feed roller 14 and the guide member 15 in addition to the sheet cassette 10 .
- the sheet feed roller 14 and the guide member 15 are provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and are not allowed to be pulled out together with the sheet cassette 10 .
- the sheet feed roller 14 is placed in a position upstream from the guide member 15 and a separating blade 16 mentioned later in a sheet conveying path. Further, the sheet feed roller 14 is located between the front end portion 11 T and the rear end portion 11 E of the cassette body 11 and somewhat apart from the tip of the separating blade 16 toward the rear end portion 11 E.
- the sheet feed roller 14 is configured to, under the control of the controller 90 , rotate in a forward (normal) direction (indicated by an arrow DN in FIG. 3 ) to move forward the sheet P 1 to the sheet conveying path 20 and rotate in a reverse direction (indicated by an arrow DR in FIG. 3 ) to move backward the sheet P 1 from the sheet conveying path 20 .
- the guide member 15 is an element for guiding conveyance of the sheet P 1 toward the sheet conveying path 20 .
- the guide member 15 includes the separating blade 16 and the conveying rollers 17 a, 17 b.
- the blade 16 is attached to the leading end of the guide member 15 and serves as a separating element for picking up and separating the sheet P 1 from the stacked sheets P.
- the blade 16 is placed in such a manner that the tip of the blade 16 is in contact with an uppermost surface of the stacked sheets P between the front end portion 11 T and the rear end portion 11 E of the cassette body 11 .
- the conveying rollers 17 a, 17 b are arranged on the end portion of the guide member 15 opposite to the separating blade 16 .
- the conveying rollers 17 a, 17 b serve to feed the sheet P 1 fed by the sheet feed roller 14 to the sheet conveying path 20 .
- the guide member 15 is provided with a press-contact spring 18 that pulls the guide member 15 to swing, thereby swinging the separating blade 16 together, so that the tip of the blade 16 is urged in press-contact with the stacked sheets P in a thickness direction thereof. Unless the blade 16 presses against the stacked sheets P, there is a risk that the leading end PT of the sheet P 1 moved back by the sheet feed roller 14 as mentioned later may go under the blade 16 when the sheet P 1 is thereafter moved forward. It is to be noted that the press-contact spring 18 is not illustrated in FIG. 4 and subsequent.
- FIG. 4 is a view to illustrate the configuration of the guide member 15 in the present embodiment.
- the separating blade 16 and the conveying rollers 17 b are configured integrally with the guide member 15 .
- the blade 16 is used to press the stacked sheets P.
- the blade 16 also serves as a member for preventing double-sheet feeding in order to convey only one uppermost sheet Pl.
- the separating blade 16 and the conveying rollers 17 b are configured to be integral with the guide member 15 .
- the guide member 15 is supported so as to swing about the rotation axis of the conveying rollers 17 b.
- the rotation center of the guide member 15 does not necessarily coincide with the rotation axis of the conveying rollers 17 b, and has only to be located near the end portion of the guide member 15 opposite the blade 16 .
- the blade 16 and the conveying rollers 17 b may be configured to be separate from the guide member 15 .
- the guide member 15 and the separating blade 16 are each made of a resin film such as polyester film or polyethylene film. Instead, they may be made of stainless sheet or steel sheet.
- the blade 16 may also be made of a material with a high friction coefficient or designed in a shape subjected to surface finishing to provide a high friction coefficient. This is because such a separating blade 16 can easily separate the sheet P 1 from the stacked sheets P.
- the sheet feed roller 14 is first rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow DR (reverse rotation) in FIG. 5 .
- the amount of rotation with which this roller 14 is to be rotated reversely may be determined in advance.
- the amount of reverse rotation corresponds to the amount of rotation to move the leading end PT of the sheet P 1 in a range between the tip of the separating blade 16 and the sheet feed roller 14 .
- This reverse rotation of the sheet feed roller 14 moves the uppermost sheet P 1 from the stacked sheets P in a direction away from the sheet conveying path 20 .
- the sheet P 1 is substantially separated from the stacked sheets P. Then, the rear end PE of the sheet P 1 bumps against the slanted surface 11 b, thereby curling or curving upward. At that time, the conveying rollers 17 a, 17 b are not rotated.
- the sheet feed roller 14 is rotated in the direction indicated with the arrow DN (forward rotation) in FIG. 6 , thus moving the uppermost sheet P 1 toward the sheet conveying path 20 . Therefore, the sheet P 1 is separated from the stacked sheets P by the separating blade 16 and conveyed toward the sheet conveying path 20 .
- the conveying rollers 17 a, 17 b start to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow D 3 in FIG. 6 .
- the rotation of the rollers 17 a, 17 b has started before the leading end PT of the sheet P 1 reaches the conveying rollers 17 a, 17 b.
- the sheet P 1 is conveyed by the conveying rollers 17 a, 17 b and the sheet feed roller 14 into the sheet conveying path 20 .
- the sheet feed roller 14 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow DN (forward rotation) in FIG. 7 and the conveying rollers 17 a, 17 b are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow D 3 in FIG. 7 , respectively.
- the leading end PT of the sheet P 1 reaches the timing sensor 21 , conveyance of the sheet P 1 is temporarily stopped.
- the conveying rollers 17 a, 17 b and the sheet feed roller 14 are rotated to move forward the sheet P 1 to the location of the transfer roller 40 . Thereafter, the sheet P 1 is subjected to transfer of a toner image by the transfer roller 40 .
- the number of stacked sheets P loaded on the sheet cassette 10 decreases every time image formation.
- the following explanation is given to changes in the angle of the separating blade 16 according to the amount of sheets loaded in the sheet cassette 10 .
- FIG. 8 illustrates a case where the stacked sheets P are loaded up to a maximum loading capacity.
- the lifting spring 12 is sufficiently compressed by the weight of the stacked sheets P. Accordingly, the angle OA of the lifting plate 13 to the bottom plate 11 a is not so large. At that time, the angle between the upper surface of the stacked sheets P and the separating blade 16 is an angle ⁇ 1 .
- FIG. 9 illustrates a case where only one sheet P 1 is accommodated in the sheet cassette 10 .
- the lifting spring 12 is in almost fully elongated state.
- the angle ⁇ B of the lifting plate 13 to the bottom plate 11 a of this state is larger than the angle ⁇ A of the lifting plate 13 to the bottom plate 11 a in the full loaded condition.
- the separating blade 16 makes the pressing action.
- the angle ⁇ 2 between the upper surface of the sheet P 1 (the lifting plate 13 ) and the separating blade 16 is smaller than the angle ⁇ 1 in the full loaded condition.
- the sheet conveying path 20 is placed within the range of the sheet cassette 10 in the width direction and above the cassette 10 .
- the full width of the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is not so greatly different from the width of the sheet cassette 10 . That is, the size of the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is smaller than the size of the conventional image forming apparatus.
- a cassette body 211 of this cassette 210 includes a rear end portion 211 E not slanted, located on a rear end side of the stacked sheets P, in addition to a bottom plate 211 a and a front end portion 211 T.
- a lifting plate 313 with an angular bent shape may be adopted for loading stacked sheets P instead of the lifting plate 13 shown in FIG. 3 .
- the stacked sheets P loaded on the lifting plate 313 are also bent in the form of an upward convex curve.
- the shape of the lifting plate may also be designed to take a round bent shape of an upward convex curve.
- a sheet cassette 410 including a high friction member 412 may be used.
- This configuration is obtained by making the slanted surface 11 b of the cassette body 11 (see FIG. 3 and others) from the high friction member. Accordingly, the high friction member 412 is placed on a rear end portion 411 E of the cassette body 411 .
- the high friction member 412 is made of a material having a larger friction coefficient than that of any other portions (a bottom plate 411 a and a front end portion 411 T) of the sheet cassette 410 than the slanted surface 11 b.
- this material is selectable from cork, rubber, or the like.
- the separating blade 16 can easily separate an uppermost sheet P 1 from the stacked sheets P.
- the image forming apparatus 100 in the embodiment is configured such that the sheet feed roller 14 and the separating blade 16 to convey the sheet P 1 to the section above the cassette body 11 are provided within the width W 1 of the sheet cassette 10 . Accordingly, there is realized the image forming apparatus 100 capable of feeding each sheet P 1 sequentially from the stacked sheets P and conveying the sheet P 1 to the sheet conveying path 20 located above the cassette 10 .
- the sheet conveying path 20 is also placed in the upper section within the width W 1 of the sheet cassette 10 .
- the full width W of the image forming apparatus 100 is not so greatly different from the width W 1 of the sheet cassette 10 . That is, the image forming apparatus 100 is smaller in size than the conventional image forming apparatus. Such a size-reduced image forming apparatus can be achieved.
- the above embodiments are mere examples not limiting the invention thereto.
- the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof.
- the invention is not limited to the black and white printer, but alternatively may be a color printer.
- the invention is applicable to a copying machine as well as the printer.
- the invention can be applied to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus configured to transmit/receive print jobs through public lines, and a combination machine.
- the invention is applicable to any type of apparatus regardless of the kinds of toner and also to an image forming apparatus using a liquid color forming agent instead of toner.
- the guide member 15 and the separating blade 16 may be provided as an integral single piece.
- the aforementioned image forming apparatus preferably includes a sheet feed roller controller configured to control the sheet feed roller to rotate reversely to feed the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets in a direction opposite to the sheet conveying path and thereafter rotate forwardly to feed the sheet in a direction toward the sheet conveying path. This makes it possible to appropriately feed an uppermost sheet from stacked sheets.
- an amount of reverse rotation of the sheet feed roller to be controlled by the sheet feed roller controller is determined to an amount of rotation at which a leading end of a sheet is moved to a position between the tip of the separating member and the sheet feed roller.
- the aforementioned image forming apparatus preferably includes a press-contact member configured to bring the tip of the separating member into press-contact with the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette. This configuration can prevent the leading end of each sheet to be fed from going under the separating member.
- the aforementioned image forming apparatus preferably includes a conveying roller configured to convey the sheet toward the sheet conveying path, the sheet having been fed by the sheet feed roller from the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette and separated by the separating member. The separated sheet is thus delivered into the sheet conveying path.
- a guide member holding the separating member at one end the guide member being configured to be rotatable about a position (axis) opposite to the separating member and to feed the sheet separated by the separating member toward the sheet conveying path, wherein the conveying roller is provided at the other end of the guide member opposite to the separating member.
- the separated sheet can be directed to the sheet conveying path irrespective of the amount of sheets in the sheet cassette.
- the aforementioned image forming apparatus preferably includes a conveying roller controller configured to control the conveying roller to start rotation to convey the sheet toward the sheet conveying path before the leading end of the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette reaches the conveying roller.
- a conveying roller controller configured to control the conveying roller to start rotation to convey the sheet toward the sheet conveying path before the leading end of the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette reaches the conveying roller.
- the rotation of the conveying roller may also be started after the forward rotation of the sheet feed roller is started.
- the sheet cassette includes a lifting plate having a bent or curved shape to load the stacked sheets in the form of an upward convex curve. This configuration makes it easy to separate an uppermost sheet from the stacked sheets.
- the sheet cassette includes a slanted surface at the rear end, the slanted surface being so slanted as to be more apart from the front end of the sheet cassette with distance from a bottom plate of the sheet cassette. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a sheet temporarily moved back from being folded.
- the slanted surface is made of a high friction member having a larger friction coefficient than a material forming other portions of the sheet cassette than the slanted surface, so that separation of each sheet can be performed adequately.
- the high friction member may include cork or rubber.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a sheet cassette, a sheet feed roller, and a separating blade. An image forming section and a sheet conveying path for conveying a sheet to the image forming section are placed in a position within the width of a cassette body defined in a sheet feeding direction and above the cassette. The tip of the separating blade is placed in a portion of stacked sheets accommodated in the cassette between a front end portion and a rear end portion of the cassette. The sheet feed roller is placed in a position between the front end portion and the rear end portion of the cassette and apart from the tip of the separating blade toward the rear end portion.
Description
- This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-274864 filed on Dec. 15, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet feeding device configured to separate sheets one by one from stacked sheets and convey each sheet to an image forming section.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Some image forming apparatus each include an image forming section to form an image on a sheet and a sheet feeding device (feeder) to feed the sheet to the image forming section. Many of sheet feeding devices are each provided with a separating mechanism for separating sheets one by one from stacked sheets to feed one sheet each.
- For example, JP-A-3(1991)-51230 discloses a sheet feeding device configured to rotate a separating roller in a reverse direction (see an arrow Tb in FIG. 1 of JP-A-3(1991)-51230) and thereafter rotate the separating roller in a forward (normal) direction (see an arrow Ta in FIG. 1 of JP-A-3(1991)-51230) to convey a sheet. This is to separate an uppermost sheet from stacked sheets and convey the sheet along a sheet conveying path. JP-A-2002-87606 discloses a sheet feeding device including an auxiliary roller which rotates in a reverse direction and thereafter rotates in a forward direction (see FIG. 2 and others in JP-A-2002-87606). This is to prevent double sheet feeding.
- In recent years, meanwhile, there has been an increasing demand for downsizing of an image forming apparatus to address environmental issues or save office space. However, the width of a conventional image forming apparatus is, as shown in
FIG. 1 , equal to or larger than the sum (“A+B” inFIG. 1 ) of the width (see a dimension line A in FIG. 1) of a sheet cassette and the width (see a dimension line B inFIG. 1 ) of a section wherein a sheet conveying path is contained. Accordingly, the size of the image forming apparatus in a width direction has a lower limit at this width (A+B). The same applies to sheet feeding devices disclosed in JP-A-3(1991)-51230 and JP-A-2002-87606. - The present invention has been made to solve the above conventional problems and has a purpose to provide an image forming apparatus including a sheet feeding device configured to sequentially feed sheets one by one from stacked sheets and ensure a reduced width of the image forming apparatus.
- To achieve the above purpose, one aspect of the invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet cassette configured to accommodate stacked sheets; a separating member configured to separate an uppermost sheet from the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette; a sheet feed roller configured to feed the uppermost sheet from the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette; an image forming section configured to form an image on the sheet fed from the sheet cassette; and a sheet conveying path placed between the sheet cassette and the image forming section, wherein the image forming section and the sheet conveying path are placed in a position within a width of the sheet cassette defined between a front end and a rear end of the cassette in a sheet feeding direction and above the sheet cassette, the separating member has a tip to be placed to contact with a portion of the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette between the front end and the rear end of the cassette, and the sheet feed roller is placed in a position between the front end and the rear end of the sheet cassette and apart from the tip of the separating member toward the rear end of the sheet cassette. In this image forming apparatus, the overall or full width of the image forming apparatus does not greatly differ from the width of the sheet cassette. That is, downsizing of the image forming apparatus is achieved.
- According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a sheet feeding device configured to sequentially feed sheets one by one from stacked sheets and ensure a reduced width of an image forming apparatus.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view to explain a conventional image forming apparatus; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration view to explain an image forming apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration view to explain a sheet cassette in the embodiment; -
FIG. 4 is a view to illustrate conveying rollers and a separating blade in the embodiment; -
FIG. 5 is a view (Part 1) to show a sheet feeding operation of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment; -
FIG. 6 is a view (Part 2) to show the sheet feeding operation of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment; -
FIG. 7 is a view (Part 3) to show the sheet feeding operation of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment; -
FIG. 8 is a view to show a case where a number of sheets are loaded in a sheet cassette in the embodiment; -
FIG. 9 is a view to show a case where only one sheet is loaded in the sheet cassette in the embodiment; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration view (Part 1) to explain a sheet cassette in a modified example; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration view (Part 2) to explain a sheet cassette in a modified example; and -
FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration view (Part 3) to explain a sheet cassette in a modified example. - A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be given referring to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the invention is applied to a black and white printer.
- An
image forming apparatus 100 is a black and white printer having a schematic configuration shown inFIG. 2 . Thisimage forming apparatus 100 includes asheet cassette 10, asheet feed roller 14, asheet conveying path 20, animage forming section 30, atransfer roller 40, afixing unit 50, a pair ofsheet discharging roller 61, adischarge tray 62, a motor M, and acontroller 90. - The
sheet cassette 10 is arranged to accommodate stacked sheets and feed an uppermost sheet from the stacked sheets. A fed sheet is conveyed along thesheet conveying path 20 to theimage forming section 30. The details of this configuration will be explained later. Thesheet cassette 10 can be pulled out to the front side (near side) inFIG. 2 from theimage forming apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, hereinafter, a right-to-left direction to theimage forming apparatus 100 inFIG. 2 is referred to as a width direction. A maximum size of theimage forming apparatus 100 in the width direction is referred to as a “full width W” and a length of thesheet cassette 10 from a front end to a rear end in a sheet feeding direction is referred to as a “width W1” - The
sheet feed roller 14 is used to pick up and feed an uppermost sheet from stacked sheets loaded in thesheet cassette 10 toward thesheet conveying path 20. Thissheet conveying path 20 is arranged to convey the sheet fed out from thecassette 10 toward theimage forming section 30. Thesheet conveying path 20 is provided with atiming sensor 21 to determine the timing at which a sheet is fed to thetransfer roller 40. Thesheet conveying path 20 is located in a position within the width W1 of thecassette 10 and above thecassette 10. Accordingly, the full width W of theimage forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is not so greatly different from the width W1 of thecassette 10. In other words, theimage forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is smaller in size than the conventional image forming apparatus. - The
image forming section 30 is arranged to form an image on a sheet. Thisimage forming section 30 includes aphotoconductor drum 31, acharging unit 32, anexposing unit 33, and a developingunit 34, and acleaner 35. Thephotoconductor drum 31 is an image carrier to carry a toner image thereon. Thisdrum 31 is therefore rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow D2 inFIG. 2 . Thecharging unit 32 is arranged to uniformly charge the surface of thedrum 31. Theexposing unit 33 is configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of thedrum 31. The developingunit 34 is arranged to impart toner to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of thedrum 31. Thecleaner 35 is used to remove untransferred residual toner from thedrum 31. - The
transfer roller 40 is a transfer member for transferring a toner image formed on thephotoconductor drum 31 to a sheet. The sheet having the toner image transferred thereon is then transported along thesheet conveying path 20 in a direction indicated by an arrow D1 inFIG. 2 . - The fixing
unit 50 is arranged to fix the transferred toner image on the sheet. The pair of dischargingrollers 61 are arranged to discharge the sheet having the toner image fixed thereon to thedischarge tray 62. Thistray 62 is a tray for receiving the sheet having the toner image fixed thereon. - The motor M is a drive source to drive the
photoconductor drum 31 and various rollers to rotate. Thesheet feed roller 14 and conveying rollers 17 mentioned later are to be driven by the motor M. Each component such as thedrum 31 is also to be driven by the motor M. These components are rotated in sync with the rotation of the motor M. However, the rotation speeds of the components are not necessary equal to each other because of the use of a reduction gear or the like. Thecontroller 90 is configured to control the operation of each component of theimage forming section 30 and the rotation of the motor M. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , theimage forming section 30 and thesheet conveying path 20 are located in a position within the width W1 of thesheet cassette 10 in theimage forming apparatus 100 and above thecassette 10. - 2-1. Configuration of Sheet Feed Cassette
- The configuration of the
sheet cassette 10 will be explained below.FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration view to explain thesheet cassette 10. Specifically, thiscassette 10 is configured to separate an uppermost sheet P1 from stacked sheets P and sequentially feed one sheet each to thesheet conveying path 20. Herein, an end portion of the sheet P1, which becomes the head (leading edge) of the sheet P1 during conveyance to theimage forming section 30, is referred to as a leading end PT. The other end portion of the sheet P1, which becomes the tail (bottom edge) of the sheet P1 during conveyance to theimage forming section 30, is referred to as a rear end PE. As shown inFIG. 3 , thesheet cassette 10 includes acassette body 11, a liftingspring 12, and a liftingplate 13. - The
cassette body 11 is a sheet feed case for accommodating stacked sheets P. Thecassette body 11 has abottom plate 11 a, afront end portion 11T, and arear end portion 11E. Thefront end portion 11T is a side wall of thecassette body 11 on a side facing the leading end PT of the sheet P1 before conveyance (in a loaded state). Therear end portion 11E is a side wall of thecassette body 11 on the other side facing the rear end PE of the sheet P1 before conveyance (in the loaded state). - The
rear end portion 11E of thecassette body 11 includes a slantedsurface 11 b. Thisslanted surface 11 b is slanted from thebottom plate 11 a to an upper end of therear end portion 11E so that therear end portion 11E is more apart from thefront end portion 11T of thecassette body 11 with distance from thebottom plate 11 a. The slantedsurface 11 b can function, as mentioned later, to guide the sheet P1 moved back by thesheet feed roller 14 to be warped or curved upward from thesheet cassette 10. The liftingspring 12 is arranged to lift up the portions of the stacked sheets P near the leading end PT by way of the liftingplate 13. This liftingplate 13 is a sheet loading section to actually load thereon the stacked sheets P. - 2-2. Sheet Feed Roller, Guide Member, and others
- The sheet feeding device includes the
sheet feed roller 14 and theguide member 15 in addition to thesheet cassette 10. Thesheet feed roller 14 and theguide member 15 are provided in a main body of theimage forming apparatus 100 and are not allowed to be pulled out together with thesheet cassette 10. Thesheet feed roller 14 is placed in a position upstream from theguide member 15 and aseparating blade 16 mentioned later in a sheet conveying path. Further, thesheet feed roller 14 is located between thefront end portion 11T and therear end portion 11E of thecassette body 11 and somewhat apart from the tip of theseparating blade 16 toward therear end portion 11E. Thesheet feed roller 14 is configured to, under the control of thecontroller 90, rotate in a forward (normal) direction (indicated by an arrow DN inFIG. 3 ) to move forward the sheet P1 to thesheet conveying path 20 and rotate in a reverse direction (indicated by an arrow DR inFIG. 3 ) to move backward the sheet P1 from thesheet conveying path 20. - The
guide member 15 is an element for guiding conveyance of the sheet P1 toward thesheet conveying path 20. Theguide member 15 includes theseparating blade 16 and the conveyingrollers blade 16 is attached to the leading end of theguide member 15 and serves as a separating element for picking up and separating the sheet P1 from the stacked sheets P. Theblade 16 is placed in such a manner that the tip of theblade 16 is in contact with an uppermost surface of the stacked sheets P between thefront end portion 11T and therear end portion 11E of thecassette body 11. The conveyingrollers guide member 15 opposite to theseparating blade 16. The conveyingrollers sheet feed roller 14 to thesheet conveying path 20. - The
guide member 15 is provided with a press-contact spring 18 that pulls theguide member 15 to swing, thereby swinging theseparating blade 16 together, so that the tip of theblade 16 is urged in press-contact with the stacked sheets P in a thickness direction thereof. Unless theblade 16 presses against the stacked sheets P, there is a risk that the leading end PT of the sheet P1 moved back by thesheet feed roller 14 as mentioned later may go under theblade 16 when the sheet P1 is thereafter moved forward. It is to be noted that the press-contact spring 18 is not illustrated inFIG. 4 and subsequent. - 2-3. Configuration of Guide Member
-
FIG. 4 is a view to illustrate the configuration of theguide member 15 in the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 4 , theseparating blade 16 and the conveyingrollers 17 b are configured integrally with theguide member 15. Theblade 16 is used to press the stacked sheets P. In case thesheet feed roller 14 delivers two or more sheets in overlapping manner at a time, theblade 16 also serves as a member for preventing double-sheet feeding in order to convey only one uppermost sheet Pl. In the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4 , theseparating blade 16 and the conveyingrollers 17 b are configured to be integral with theguide member 15. Theguide member 15 is supported so as to swing about the rotation axis of the conveyingrollers 17 b. However, the rotation center of theguide member 15 does not necessarily coincide with the rotation axis of the conveyingrollers 17 b, and has only to be located near the end portion of theguide member 15 opposite theblade 16. Of course, theblade 16 and the conveyingrollers 17 b may be configured to be separate from theguide member 15. - The
guide member 15 and theseparating blade 16 are each made of a resin film such as polyester film or polyethylene film. Instead, they may be made of stainless sheet or steel sheet. Theblade 16 may also be made of a material with a high friction coefficient or designed in a shape subjected to surface finishing to provide a high friction coefficient. This is because such aseparating blade 16 can easily separate the sheet P1 from the stacked sheets P. - A sheet feeding operation carried out in the sheet feeding device will be explained below. As shown in
FIG. 5 , thesheet feed roller 14 is first rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow DR (reverse rotation) inFIG. 5 . The amount of rotation with which thisroller 14 is to be rotated reversely may be determined in advance. However, the amount of reverse rotation corresponds to the amount of rotation to move the leading end PT of the sheet P1 in a range between the tip of theseparating blade 16 and thesheet feed roller 14. Specifically, it is necessary to hold the sheet P1 free from pressure contact with theblade 16 but in pressure contact with thesheet feed roller 14. This reverse rotation of thesheet feed roller 14 moves the uppermost sheet P1 from the stacked sheets P in a direction away from thesheet conveying path 20. Thus, the sheet P1 is substantially separated from the stacked sheets P. Then, the rear end PE of the sheet P1 bumps against the slantedsurface 11 b, thereby curling or curving upward. At that time, the conveyingrollers - Subsequently, the
sheet feed roller 14 is rotated in the direction indicated with the arrow DN (forward rotation) inFIG. 6 , thus moving the uppermost sheet P1 toward thesheet conveying path 20. Therefore, the sheet P1 is separated from the stacked sheets P by theseparating blade 16 and conveyed toward thesheet conveying path 20. At the timing when the leading end PT of the sheet P1 goes up onto theseparating blade 16, the conveyingrollers FIG. 6 . Thus, the rotation of therollers rollers - As shown in
FIG. 7 , after the leading end PT of the sheet P1 passes the conveyingrollers rollers sheet feed roller 14 into thesheet conveying path 20. At that time, thesheet feed roller 14 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow DN (forward rotation) inFIG. 7 and the conveyingrollers FIG. 7 , respectively. When the leading end PT of the sheet P1 reaches thetiming sensor 21, conveyance of the sheet P1 is temporarily stopped. In accordance with the timing of forming an image on thephotoconductor drum 31, the conveyingrollers sheet feed roller 14 are rotated to move forward the sheet P1 to the location of thetransfer roller 40. Thereafter, the sheet P1 is subjected to transfer of a toner image by thetransfer roller 40. - The number of stacked sheets P loaded on the
sheet cassette 10 decreases every time image formation. Thus, the following explanation is given to changes in the angle of theseparating blade 16 according to the amount of sheets loaded in thesheet cassette 10. - 4-1. Full Loaded Condition
-
FIG. 8 illustrates a case where the stacked sheets P are loaded up to a maximum loading capacity. In this case, the liftingspring 12 is sufficiently compressed by the weight of the stacked sheets P. Accordingly, the angle OA of the liftingplate 13 to thebottom plate 11 a is not so large. At that time, the angle between the upper surface of the stacked sheets P and theseparating blade 16 is an angle θ1. - 4-2. Empty Condition
-
FIG. 9 illustrates a case where only one sheet P1 is accommodated in thesheet cassette 10. In this case, the liftingspring 12 is in almost fully elongated state. The angle θB of the liftingplate 13 to thebottom plate 11 a of this state is larger than the angle θA of the liftingplate 13 to thebottom plate 11 a in the full loaded condition. Also in this case, theseparating blade 16 makes the pressing action. However, because no stacked sheets P exist under theblade 16, theseparating blade 16 presses the liftingplate 13 directly. The angle θ2 between the upper surface of the sheet P1 (the lifting plate 13) and theseparating blade 16 is smaller than the angle θ1 in the full loaded condition. - As explained in detail above, the
sheet conveying path 20 is placed within the range of thesheet cassette 10 in the width direction and above thecassette 10. Thus, the full width of theimage forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is not so greatly different from the width of thesheet cassette 10. That is, the size of theimage forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is smaller than the size of the conventional image forming apparatus. - 5-1. Shape of Cassette Body
- Modified examples of the present embodiment are explained below.
- Although the above embodiment provides the slanted
surface 11 b in thecassette body 11, the slantedsurface 11 b is not necessarily provided. As shown inFIG. 10 , asheet cassette 210 with noslanted surface 11 b may also be adopted. Acassette body 211 of thiscassette 210 includes arear end portion 211E not slanted, located on a rear end side of the stacked sheets P, in addition to abottom plate 211 a and afront end portion 211T. - As shown in
FIG. 10 , when thesheet feed roller 14 is reversely rotated (in a direction indicated by an arrow DR inFIG. 10 ), an uppermost sheet P1 is moved to the opposite side to thesheet conveying path 20. At that time, the sheet P1 bends in a curve while the rear end PE is in contact with therear end portion 211E of thecassette body 211. This bending allows the sheet P1 to separate from the stacked sheets P. Since static electricity of the sheet P1 is somewhat released into the atmosphere, the sheet P1 is less likely to stick to the stacked sheets P again. The image forming apparatus including thissheet cassette 210 does not need the width for providing the slantedsurface 11 b, and is smaller in full width than theimage forming apparatus 100 of the above embodiment. - 5-2. Shape of Lifting Plate
- As shown in
FIG. 11 , as another example, alifting plate 313 with an angular bent shape may be adopted for loading stacked sheets P instead of the liftingplate 13 shown inFIG. 3 . In asheet cassette 310, the stacked sheets P loaded on thelifting plate 313 are also bent in the form of an upward convex curve. Thus, when an uppermost sheet P1 is to be fed, this uppermost sheet P1 is easily separated and moved from the stacked sheets P. Furthermore, noise during sheet separation is low. The shape of the lifting plate may also be designed to take a round bent shape of an upward convex curve. - 5-3. High Friction Member
- As shown in
FIG. 12 , asheet cassette 410 including ahigh friction member 412 may be used. This configuration is obtained by making the slantedsurface 11 b of the cassette body 11 (seeFIG. 3 and others) from the high friction member. Accordingly, thehigh friction member 412 is placed on arear end portion 411E of thecassette body 411. Herein, thehigh friction member 412 is made of a material having a larger friction coefficient than that of any other portions (abottom plate 411 a and afront end portion 411T) of thesheet cassette 410 than the slantedsurface 11 b. For example, this material is selectable from cork, rubber, or the like. Thus, theseparating blade 16 can easily separate an uppermost sheet P1 from the stacked sheets P. - As explained in detail above, the
image forming apparatus 100 in the embodiment is configured such that thesheet feed roller 14 and theseparating blade 16 to convey the sheet P1 to the section above thecassette body 11 are provided within the width W1 of thesheet cassette 10. Accordingly, there is realized theimage forming apparatus 100 capable of feeding each sheet P1 sequentially from the stacked sheets P and conveying the sheet P1 to thesheet conveying path 20 located above thecassette 10. - In the
image forming apparatus 100 in the embodiment, thesheet conveying path 20 is also placed in the upper section within the width W1 of thesheet cassette 10. Thus, the full width W of theimage forming apparatus 100 is not so greatly different from the width W1 of thesheet cassette 10. That is, theimage forming apparatus 100 is smaller in size than the conventional image forming apparatus. Such a size-reduced image forming apparatus can be achieved. - The above embodiments are mere examples not limiting the invention thereto. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. For instance, the invention is not limited to the black and white printer, but alternatively may be a color printer. Further, the invention is applicable to a copying machine as well as the printer. The invention can be applied to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus configured to transmit/receive print jobs through public lines, and a combination machine. Moreover, the invention is applicable to any type of apparatus regardless of the kinds of toner and also to an image forming apparatus using a liquid color forming agent instead of toner. The
guide member 15 and theseparating blade 16 may be provided as an integral single piece. - The aforementioned image forming apparatus preferably includes a sheet feed roller controller configured to control the sheet feed roller to rotate reversely to feed the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets in a direction opposite to the sheet conveying path and thereafter rotate forwardly to feed the sheet in a direction toward the sheet conveying path. This makes it possible to appropriately feed an uppermost sheet from stacked sheets.
- In the aforementioned image forming apparatus, preferably, an amount of reverse rotation of the sheet feed roller to be controlled by the sheet feed roller controller is determined to an amount of rotation at which a leading end of a sheet is moved to a position between the tip of the separating member and the sheet feed roller. Thus, each sheet can be temporarily moved back to be appropriately separated from the stacked sheets, and fed forward one by one.
- The aforementioned image forming apparatus preferably includes a press-contact member configured to bring the tip of the separating member into press-contact with the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette. This configuration can prevent the leading end of each sheet to be fed from going under the separating member.
- The aforementioned image forming apparatus preferably includes a conveying roller configured to convey the sheet toward the sheet conveying path, the sheet having been fed by the sheet feed roller from the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette and separated by the separating member. The separated sheet is thus delivered into the sheet conveying path.
- In the aforementioned image forming apparatus, preferably, there is provided a guide member holding the separating member at one end, the guide member being configured to be rotatable about a position (axis) opposite to the separating member and to feed the sheet separated by the separating member toward the sheet conveying path, wherein the conveying roller is provided at the other end of the guide member opposite to the separating member. Thus, the separated sheet can be directed to the sheet conveying path irrespective of the amount of sheets in the sheet cassette.
- The aforementioned image forming apparatus preferably includes a conveying roller controller configured to control the conveying roller to start rotation to convey the sheet toward the sheet conveying path before the leading end of the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette reaches the conveying roller. Thus, the separated sheet can be reliably delivered into the sheet conveying path. The rotation of the conveying roller may also be started after the forward rotation of the sheet feed roller is started.
- In the image forming apparatus, preferably, the sheet cassette includes a lifting plate having a bent or curved shape to load the stacked sheets in the form of an upward convex curve. This configuration makes it easy to separate an uppermost sheet from the stacked sheets.
- In the image forming apparatus, preferably, the sheet cassette includes a slanted surface at the rear end, the slanted surface being so slanted as to be more apart from the front end of the sheet cassette with distance from a bottom plate of the sheet cassette. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a sheet temporarily moved back from being folded.
- In the image forming apparatus, preferably, the slanted surface is made of a high friction member having a larger friction coefficient than a material forming other portions of the sheet cassette than the slanted surface, so that separation of each sheet can be performed adequately.
- The high friction member may include cork or rubber.
-
- 10, 210, 310, 410 Sheet cassette
- 11, 211, 411 Cassette body
- 11 a, 211 a, 411 a Bottom plate
- 11 b Slanted surface
- 11T, 211T, 411T Front end portion
- 11E, 211E, 411E Rear end portion
- 12 Lifting spring
- 13, 313 Lifting plate
- 14 Sheet feed roller
- 15 Guide member
- 16 Separating blade
- 17 a, 17 b Conveying roller
- 18 Press-contact spring
- 20 Sheet conveying path
- 30 Image forming section
- 40 Transfer roller
- 50 Fixing unit
- 61 Pair of discharging rollers
- 62 Discharge tray
- 90 Controller
- 100 Image forming apparatus
- 412 High friction member
- P Stacked sheets
- P1 Sheet
- PT Leading end
- PE Rear end
Claims (13)
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a sheet cassette configured to accommodate stacked sheets;
a separating member configured to separate an uppermost sheet from the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette;
a sheet feed roller configured to feed the uppermost sheet from the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette;
an image forming section configured to form an image on the sheet fed from the sheet cassette; and
a sheet conveying path placed between the sheet cassette and the image forming section,
wherein the image forming section and the sheet conveying path are placed in a position within a width of the sheet cassette defined between a front end and a rear end of the cassette in a sheet feeding direction and above the sheet cassette,
the separating member has a tip to be placed to contact with a portion of the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette between the front end and the rear end of the cassette, and
the sheet feed roller is placed in a position between the front end and the rear end of the sheet cassette and apart from the tip of the separating member toward the rear end of the sheet cassette.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further including a sheet feed roller controller configured to control the sheet feed roller to rotate reversely to feed the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets in a direction opposite to the sheet conveying path and thereafter rotate forwardly to feed the sheet in a direction toward the sheet conveying path.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein an amount of reverse rotation of the sheet feed roller to be controlled by the sheet feed roller controller is determined to an amount of rotation at which a leading end of a sheet is moved to a position between the tip of the separating member and the sheet feed roller.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further including a press-contact member configured to bring the tip of the separating member into press-contact with the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further including a conveying roller configured to convey the sheet toward the sheet conveying path, the sheet having been fed by the sheet feed roller from the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette and separated by the separating member.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , further including a guide member holding the separating member at one end, the guide member being configured to be rotatable about a position opposite to the separating member and to guide the sheet separated by the separating member toward the sheet conveying path,
wherein the conveying roller is provided at the other end of the guide member opposite to the separating member.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , further including a conveying roller controller configured to control the conveying roller to start rotation to convey the sheet toward the sheet conveying path before the leading end of the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette reaches the conveying roller.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , further including:
a conveying roller configured to convey the sheet toward the sheet conveying path, the sheet having been fed by the sheet feed roller from the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette and separated by the separating member;
a guide member holding the separating member at one end, the guide member being configured to be rotatable about a position opposite to the separating member and to guide the sheet separated by the separating member toward the sheet conveying path,
wherein the conveying roller is provided at the other end of the guide member opposite to the separating member, and
a conveying roller controller configured to control the conveying roller to start rotation to feed the sheet toward the sheet conveying path after the sheet feed roller is started to rotate forwardly but before the leading end of the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette reaches the conveying roller.
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sheet cassette includes a lifting plate having an angularly bent or round curved shape to load the stacked sheets in the form of an upward convex curve.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sheet cassette includes a slanted surface at the rear end, the slanted surface being so slanted as to be more apart from the front end of the sheet cassette with distance from a bottom plate of the sheet cassette.
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the slanted surface is made of a high friction member having a larger friction coefficient than a material forming other portions of the sheet cassette than the slanted surface.
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the high friction member is made of cork.
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the high friction member is made of rubber.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2011-274864 | 2011-12-15 | ||
JP2011274864A JP2013124175A (en) | 2011-12-15 | 2011-12-15 | Image forming apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130154180A1 true US20130154180A1 (en) | 2013-06-20 |
Family
ID=48582649
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/711,353 Abandoned US20130154180A1 (en) | 2011-12-15 | 2012-12-11 | Image forming apparatus |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130154180A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2013124175A (en) |
CN (1) | CN103159050B (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN108216944A (en) * | 2017-12-27 | 2018-06-29 | 王权 | A kind of ear-nose-throat department promotional pamphlet place apparatus |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1123342B (en) * | 1960-12-05 | 1962-02-08 | Standard Elektrik Lorenz Ag | Device for separating stacked flat objects |
BE792370A (en) * | 1971-12-08 | 1973-06-06 | Xerox Corp | LEAF FEEDING DEVICE |
JPS5561538A (en) * | 1978-10-27 | 1980-05-09 | Fujitsu Ltd | Automatic paper feeding apparatus |
DE3151004A1 (en) * | 1981-12-23 | 1983-08-04 | Agfa-Gevaert Ag, 5090 Leverkusen | SHEET SEALING DEVICE |
JP2536930Y2 (en) * | 1989-05-23 | 1997-05-28 | 日本ビクター株式会社 | Paper feeder |
JPH05147752A (en) * | 1991-11-26 | 1993-06-15 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Method and device for sheet feed in image forming device |
JP3168044B2 (en) * | 1992-01-13 | 2001-05-21 | 株式会社リコー | Paper feeder |
JPH09278191A (en) * | 1996-04-19 | 1997-10-28 | Tohoku Ricoh Co Ltd | Paper feeding device |
DE69725824T2 (en) * | 1996-11-18 | 2004-08-05 | Canon K.K. | Image forming apparatus |
JP5402491B2 (en) * | 2009-10-08 | 2014-01-29 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Medium feeding device and recording device |
JP2012096902A (en) * | 2010-11-02 | 2012-05-24 | Canon Inc | Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus |
-
2011
- 2011-12-15 JP JP2011274864A patent/JP2013124175A/en active Pending
-
2012
- 2012-12-11 US US13/711,353 patent/US20130154180A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2012-12-13 CN CN201210540820.0A patent/CN103159050B/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2013124175A (en) | 2013-06-24 |
CN103159050B (en) | 2016-03-30 |
CN103159050A (en) | 2013-06-19 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7992861B2 (en) | Recording medium supply apparatus and image forming apparatus having buckling prevention unit | |
CN100555094C (en) | Sheet feeding device and imaging device | |
JP2008037587A (en) | Sheet conveying device, image reading device, and image forming device | |
US9409734B2 (en) | Manual paper feeder that ensures stable paper feeding operation and image forming apparatus including the same | |
JP2008280121A (en) | Sheet feeder, image reading device, and image forming device | |
JP6095373B2 (en) | Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus | |
TWI269947B (en) | Paper sheet conveyance control unit of image forming apparatus | |
US9746808B2 (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
US8849174B2 (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
US20130154180A1 (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
JP5597570B2 (en) | Paper feeding device and image forming apparatus using the same | |
JP2013103783A (en) | Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus having the same | |
JP2006282289A (en) | Paper feeding device and image forming device | |
JP2007121885A (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
JP2013060277A (en) | Paper feeding device and image forming apparatus including the same | |
JP5251937B2 (en) | Sheet conveying apparatus, image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus | |
JP6460031B2 (en) | Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus provided with sheet conveying apparatus | |
JP2008094523A (en) | Paper-separating/feeding device | |
JP4760309B2 (en) | Sheet supply apparatus and image forming apparatus | |
JP4415917B2 (en) | Recording sheet conveying mechanism and image forming apparatus | |
JP2008069002A (en) | Separating and feeding device | |
JP2015101411A (en) | Sheet feeding device and image formation device | |
JP4924988B2 (en) | Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus | |
JP2008169024A (en) | Sheet feeder, image forming device equipped with the same, and facsimile equipment | |
JP2008127198A (en) | Feeder and image forming device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ASAKURA, NAOICHI;MURAMOTO, KOUKI;REEL/FRAME:029486/0657 Effective date: 20121127 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |