US20190233226A1 - Sheet feeding apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents
Sheet feeding apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system Download PDFInfo
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- US20190233226A1 US20190233226A1 US16/240,280 US201916240280A US2019233226A1 US 20190233226 A1 US20190233226 A1 US 20190233226A1 US 201916240280 A US201916240280 A US 201916240280A US 2019233226 A1 US2019233226 A1 US 2019233226A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- side edge
- edge air
- air
- along
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- 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.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/08—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device
- B65H1/20—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device controlled by weight of pile; Floating arrangements
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- 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
- B65H3/08—Separating articles from piles using pneumatic force
- B65H3/12—Suction bands, belts, or tables moving relatively to the pile
- B65H3/124—Suction bands or belts
- B65H3/128—Suction bands or belts separating from the top of 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
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/08—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device
- B65H1/16—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device comprising pneumatic or hydraulic means
-
- 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
- B65H3/08—Separating articles from piles using pneumatic force
-
- 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
- B65H3/48—Air blast acting on edges of, or under, articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
- B65H7/02—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors
- B65H7/04—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to absence of articles, e.g. exhaustion of pile
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- 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
- B65H2405/10—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked substantially horizontally
- B65H2405/15—Large capacity supports arrangements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
- B65H2511/11—Length
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2515/00—Physical entities not provided for in groups B65H2511/00 or B65H2513/00
- B65H2515/30—Forces; Stresses
- B65H2515/34—Pressure, e.g. fluid pressure
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a sheet feeding apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system.
- an air suction type sheet feeding apparatus is known as a sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a sheet to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.
- an air suction type sheet feeding apparatus including a conveyer that generates a negative pressure above stacked sheet and suctions air to cause the uppermost sheet to be suctioned.
- Such an air suction type sheet feeding apparatus blows air from the front edge or the side edge of the sheet to float the sheet to cause the sheet to be suctioned by the conveyer, thereby being able to feed sheets of the plural stacked sheets one by one.
- the present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to enable stable floating operation in a non-contact manner while avoiding an increase in size and cost of the apparatus.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of an image forming system in an embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main part configuration of a sheet feeding apparatus in the embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a control system of the sheet feeding apparatus in the embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a floating posture of a sheet when front edge air is blown to the sheet from a front edge air part in the embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the floating posture of the sheet when side edge air is blown to the sheet from a side edge air pan in the embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the floating posture of the sheet when the sheet separates from a conveyer in the embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the floating posture of the sheet in the embodiment of the present disclosure is between a conveying surface of the conveyer and a stacking surface of the sheet;
- FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the floating posture of the sheet in the embodiment of the present disclosure has come out of side edge guide members;
- FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating an example of blowing order of air to the sheet in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a position of a side edge air opening of the side edge air in the embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a variable configuration of a blowing direction of the side edge air of the side edge air part in the embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the floating posture of a second sheet in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a floating detection function in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control example in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of an image forming system 1 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the image forming system 1 has a configuration in which a sheet feeding apparatus 2 of an external type with large capacity is connected to a side of an image forming apparatus 3 .
- the sheet feeding apparatus 2 includes three stages of sheet feeding units 201 A, 201 B, and 201 C, and feeds a sheet P one by one to the image forming apparatus 3 .
- the sheet feeding apparatus 2 includes a controller 200 .
- the controller 200 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and a storage unit.
- the storage unit is implemented by a hard disk drive or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, and stores various data.
- the controller 200 cooperates with a controller 100 of the image forming apparatus 3 to control operation of each unit of the sheet feeding apparatus 2 .
- the controller 200 controls a conveyer 73 , a suction part 74 , and a conveying path unit 75 on the basis of a control signal from the image forming apparatus 3 . Details of the sheet feeding apparatus 2 will be described later.
- the image forming apparatus 3 is an apparatus that forms color image of an intermediate transfer system using an electrophotographic process technology.
- a vertical tandem system is adopted in which photosensitive drums respectively corresponding to four colors of Y, M, C, K are serially arranged in a traveling direction, that is, in a vertical direction of an intermediate transfer belt, and each color toner image is sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt in a single procedure.
- the image forming apparatus 3 forms an image by performing primary transfer of each color toner image of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K) formed on each photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt, and laying over the toner images of four colors on the intermediate transfer belt, and then performing secondary transfer to the sheet P or a sheet S.
- the image forming apparatus 3 includes an image reading unit 10 , an operation display unit 20 , an image processing unit 30 , an image forming unit 40 , a sheet conveying unit 50 , a fixing unit 60 , and a controller 100 .
- the controller 100 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and a storage unit. The CPU reads a program depending on processing details from the ROM and deploys the program on the RAM, and controls operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 3 by cooperating with the program deployed.
- the storage unit is implemented by a hard disk drive or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, and stores various data. The various data stored in the storage unit are referenced when the CPU controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 3 .
- the controller 100 cooperates with the controller 200 of the sheet feeding apparatus 2 to control operation of the sheet feeding apparatus 2 .
- the image reading unit 10 includes an automatic document sheet feeding device 11 , and a document image scanning device 12 .
- the automatic document sheet feeding device 11 is referred to as an Auto Document Feeder (ADF).
- ADF Auto Document Feeder
- the automatic document sheet feeding device 11 conveys a document placed on a document tray with a conveying mechanism, and feeds the document to the document image scanning device 12 .
- the automatic document sheet feeding device 11 can continuously read images of a large number of documents placed on the document tray. When continuously reading images of the large number of documents, the automatic document sheet feeding device 11 can read both sides of each document with a sheet reversing mechanism.
- the document image scanning device 12 optically scans a document conveyed on a contact glass from the automatic document sheet feeding device 11 or a document placed on the contact glass.
- the document image scanning device 12 reads a document image formed on the document by forming an image of reflected light from the document obtained by optical scanning on a light receiving surface of a CCD sensor.
- the image reading unit 10 generates input image data of the document image on the basis of a reading result by the document image scanning device 12 .
- the input image data is supplied to the image processing unit 30 , and the image processing unit 30 executes preset image processing.
- the operation display unit 20 is implemented by a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, for example, and functions as a display unit 21 and an operation unit 22 .
- the display unit 21 displays various operation screens, a state of the image, operating conditions of the functions, and the like, in accordance with a display control signal input from the controller 100 .
- the operation unit 22 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key. The operation unit 22 accepts various types of input operation by a user, thereby generating an operation signal. The operation signal is output to the controller 100 .
- the image processing unit 30 includes a circuit for performing digital image processing according to an initial setting or a user setting, on the input image data. For example, under the control of the controller 100 , the image processing unit 30 performs tone correction on the input image data on the basis of a tone correction table in which tone correction data is set. Besides the tone correction, the image processing unit 30 performs on the input image data various types of correction processing such as color correction, shading correction, and the like, and compression processing. On the basis of the input image data on which various types of digital image processing has been performed, the image forming unit 40 performs various types of processing. On the basis of the input image data, the image forming unit 40 forms images of the respective color toners of Y component. M component, C component, and K component.
- the image forming unit 40 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and an intermediate transfer device.
- the exposure device irradiates the photosensitive drum with laser light corresponding to the image of each color component, whereby an electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum.
- the developing device supplies the toner of each color component to the surface of the photosensitive drum, whereby the electrostatic latent image is visualized and a toner image is formed.
- the toner image is transferred to the sheet P or the sheet S by the intermediate transfer device.
- the fixing unit 60 heats and pressurizes the toner image transferred to the sheet P or the sheet S to fix the toner image on the sheet P or the sheet S.
- the sheet conveying unit 50 includes a sheet feeding unit 51 , a sheet ejection unit 52 , and a conveying path unit 53 .
- the sheet feeding unit 51 is accommodated for each preset type on the basis of the basis weight, size, and the like of the sheet S.
- the conveying path unit 53 conveys the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding apparatus 2 , the sheet S accommodated in the sheet feeding unit 51 , or the sheet P or sheet S on which an image is formed on either the front or back side.
- the sheet ejection unit 52 ejects the sheet P or the sheet S on which the image is formed out of the apparatus.
- the sheet feeding apparatus 2 includes side edge guide members 72 , the conveyer 73 , the suction part 74 , and a front edge guide member 78 , and separates and ejects the sheet P one by one.
- the sheet P ejected from the sheet feeding units 201 A to 201 C is conveyed to the image forming apparatus 3 .
- any one of the sheet feeding units 201 A to 201 C is not particularly limited, it is referred to as a sheet feeding unit 201 .
- the suction part 74 is arranged above each sheet feeding unit 201 .
- the side edge guide members 72 are arranged on both side surface sides of each sheet feeding unit 201 .
- a placing table 71 is arranged between the side edge guide members 72 .
- the sheet P is placed on the placing table 71 .
- each of the side edge guide members 72 facing each other aligns positions in the width direction of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71 .
- the front edge guide member 78 is arranged on the front edge side of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71 .
- a rear edge guide member 77 is arranged on the rear edge side of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71 .
- the front edge guide member 78 and the rear edge guide member 77 align positions in the length direction of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71 .
- FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main part configuration of the sheet feeding apparatus 2 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a control system of the sheet feeding apparatus 2 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the front edge guide member 78 is provided with a front edge air part 781 , and a front edge air opening 784 is formed to face the front edge side of the sheet P.
- the front edge air part 781 includes a blower fan, and blows front edge air A_ 1 along a conveying direction of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71 to the front edge side of the sheet P from the front edge air opening 784 under the control of the controller 200 .
- a flap 785 is provided on the back side of the front edge air opening 784 .
- a direction of the flap 785 is changed by a solenoid 786 , and a wind direction of the front edge air A_ 1 can be changed.
- the side edge guide members 72 are each provided with a side edge air part 723 , and a side edge air opening 721 is formed to face a side surface side of the sheet P.
- the side edge air part 723 includes a blower fan, and blows side edge air A_ 2 along an orthogonal direction to the conveying direction of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71 to the side surface side of the sheet P from the side edge air opening 721 under the control of the controller 200 .
- a flap 725 and a solenoid 726 are provided on the back side of the side edge air opening 721 , and a wind direction of the side edge air A_ 2 can be changed.
- the side edge air A_ 2 assists operation of causing the sheet P to be suctioned to a conveying body 731 of the conveyer 73 by the front edge air A_ 1 and suction air A_ 3 .
- the front edge air A_ 1 and the side edge air A_ 2 are collectively referred to as air A.
- the side edge guide members 72 are each provided with a side edge detection sensor 724 , which will be described later in detail.
- the suction part 74 is arranged above the placing table 71 , and includes a suction chamber 740 , a suction air unit 741 , a suction detection sensor 742 , and a detector 743 .
- the conveyer 73 includes the conveying body 731 , a drive roller 733 , and a driven roller 734 .
- the conveying body 731 includes, for example, an endless belt, and is kept at a constant tension by the drive roller 733 and the driven roller 734 , and a plurality of holes 732 are formed.
- the drive roller 733 rotationally drives.
- the driven roller 734 follows the conveying body 731 that rotates in accordance with rotational driving of the drive roller 733 .
- the suction chamber 740 is provided on the inner circumference side of the conveying body 731 .
- the suction air unit 741 is provided on a side surface side of the suction chamber 740 , and generates a negative pressure in the suction part 74 by suction air A_ 3 generated by suctioning air in the suction chamber 740 , thereby applying the negative pressure to the suction part 74 .
- the conveying body 731 suctions and conveys the sheet P to which the negative pressure is applied by the suction part 74 .
- the drive roller 733 controls conveying of the sheet P by the conveying body 731 .
- the suction part 74 suctions, in order from the top, the sheet P floated by the front edge air A_ 1 blown from the front edge air part 781 and the side edge air A_ 2 blown from the side edge air part 723 .
- the suction part 74 separates the first sheet P out of the sheets P placed on the placing table 71 .
- the suction part 74 conveys the separated first sheet P to the conveying path unit 75 illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- the conveying path unit 75 includes a sheet feeding detection sensor 751 , a conveying roller 752 , a driven roller 753 , a conveying guide 754 , and conveying rollers R 11 to R 15 .
- the sheet feeding detection sensor 751 is implemented by a photosensor including a light receiving unit and a light emitting unit, for example.
- a position of the sheet P is detected by the sheet feeding detection sensor 751 .
- the conveying direction is adjusted by the conveying guide 754 arranged between the upstream side of the conveying roller 752 and the downstream side of the suction part 74 , and the sheet P is conveyed downward along the vertical direction by the conveying rollers R 11 to R 14 and then guided in the direction in which the conveying roller R 15 is arranged.
- the conveying roller R 15 functions as a registration roller that takes a timing with an image forming process of the image forming apparatus 3 .
- FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a floating posture of the sheet P when the front edge air A_ 1 is blown to the sheet P from the front edge air part 781 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the sheet P floated by the front edge air A_ 1 is suctioned by the conveyer 73 by the suction air A_ 3 .
- the sheet P is of the length protruding from the conveyer 73 , it is difficult to float the sheet P with only the front edge air A_ 1 , so that the side edge air A_ 2 is blown to the side surface side of the sheet P.
- FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a floating posture of the sheet P when the front edge air A_ 1 is blown to the sheet P from the front edge air part 781 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the floating posture of the sheet P when the side edge air A_ 2 is blown to the sheet P from the side edge air part 723 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the sheet P floats with the front edge air A_ 1 and the side edge air A_ 2 , but the sheet P rises above a conveying surface S_ 1 of the conveyer 73 in a portion where there is no conveyer 73 .
- the floating posture of the sheet P becomes unstable.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the floating posture of the sheet P when the sheet P separates from the conveyer 73 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , since the front edge air A_ 1 is likely to enter between the conveyer 73 and the sheet P, turning force is generated on the sheet P, and sheet bending is likely to occur.
- Such a phenomenon is caused by the fact that the sheet P comes out of the side edge guide members 72 that guide the posture of the side edge of the sheet P before the sheet P is suctioned by the conveyer 73 and the floating posture of the sheet P is determined, and such separation is likely to occur in particular in a case where the sheet P is hard. It is therefore preferable that the front edge air A_ 1 and the side edge air A_ 2 are blown to the sheet P to float the sheet P in a posture in which a portion protruding from the conveying body 731 of the conveyer 73 of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_ 1 of the conveyer 73 .
- FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the floating posture of the sheet P in the embodiment of the present disclosure is between the conveying surface S_ 1 of the conveyer 73 and a stacking surface S_ 2 of the sheet P. As illustrated in FIG. 7 , it is preferable that the sheet P is positioned lower than the conveying surface S_ 1 and higher than the stacking surface S_ 2 of the sheet P in a floating state. Even in a case where the sheet P is longer than in the case illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 , the same phenomenon may occur.
- FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the floating posture of the sheet P in the embodiment of the present disclosure has come out of the side edge guide members 72 . In the example of FIG. 8 , illustration of the suction air unit 741 is omitted. As illustrated in FIG. 8 , when the rear edge side of the sheet P excessively rises, the sheet P comes out of the side edge guide members 72 being on the upstream side.
- FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating an example of the blowing order of the air A to the sheet P in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the front edge air A_ is blown to the front edge side of the sheet P.
- FIG. 9B out of the side edge air A_ 2 , downstream side edge air A_ 21 is blown to the sheet P from the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheet P.
- FIG. 9B out of the side edge air A_ 2 , downstream side edge air A_ 21 is blown to the sheet P from the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheet P.
- upstream side edge air A_ 22 is blown to the sheet P from the upstream side along the conveying direction of the sheet P.
- the upstream side edge air A_ 22 is not required to be blown.
- a preset threshold for example, a length that faces a plurality of sets, for example, two or more sets, of the side edge guide members 72 provided along the conveying direction of the sheet P, until the sheet P is suctioned by the conveyer 73
- FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a position of the side edge air opening 721 of the side edge air A_ 2 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the position of the side edge air opening 721 of the upstream side edge air A_ 22 may be provided at a lower position in a stacking direction of the sheet P than the position of the side edge air opening 721 of the downstream side edge air A_ 21 .
- an air volume or a blowing direction of the side edge air A_ 2 may be set depending on the size or basis weight of the sheet P.
- FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a variable configuration of the blowing direction of the side edge air A_ 2 of the side edge air part 723 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the flap 725 is made rotatable about a rotating part 727 and a position of the flap 725 can be varied by the solenoid 726 , whereby the blowing direction of the upstream side edge air A_ 22 may be set more downward in the stacking direction of the sheet P than the blowing direction of the downstream side edge air A_ 21 .
- FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the floating posture of a second sheet P_ 2 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the height of the upstream side of the second sheet P_ 2 to be conveyed next to an uppermost sheet P_ 1 may be higher than the conveying surface S_ 1 as illustrated in FIG. 12 . In such a case, the blowing of the side edge air A_ 2 only needs to be stopped.
- FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of the floating detection function in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the suction detection sensor 742 detects displacement of a position of the detector 743 .
- the side edge detection sensor 724 is, for example, a reflective photoelectric sensor and includes a light emitting element 724 A and a light receiving element 724 B, and can detect the sheet P passing through a detection area D_A.
- the side edge air part 723 only needs to change an amount of blowing of the side edge air A_ 2 depending on a floating height of the sheet P detected by the side edge detection sensor 724 .
- FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control example in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the controller 200 acquires sheet information.
- the controller 200 determines whether or not it is necessary to include also the upstream side in the conveying direction in a blowing range of the side edge air A. In a case where it is determined that it is necessary to include the upstream side in the conveying direction in the blowing range of the side edge air A (step 912 ; Y), the controller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S 13 .
- the processing in steps S 13 to S 27 corresponds to a case where the length of the sheet P is equal to or greater than the preset threshold, and corresponds to a case where both the downstream side edge air A_ 21 and the upstream side edge air A_ 22 are blown to the sheet P.
- the controller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S 28 .
- steps S 28 to S 37 corresponds to a case where the length of the sheet P is less than the preset threshold, and corresponds to a case where the downstream side edge air A_ 21 is blown to the sheet P out of the downstream side edge air A_ 21 and the upstream side edge air A_ 22 .
- step S 13 use is determined of the side edge air parts 723 being on the upstream side and the downstream side.
- step S 14 the front edge air part 781 starts blowing of the front edge air A_ 1 .
- step S 15 the side edge air part 723 being on the downstream side starts blowing of the side edge air A_ 2 on the downstream side, that is, the downstream side edge air A_ 21 .
- step S 16 the controller 200 determines whether or not the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_ 1 and higher than the stacking surface S_ 2 .
- step S 16 ; Y the controller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S 18 .
- step S 16 ; N the controller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S 17 .
- step S 17 the side edge air part 723 weakens the side edge air A_ 2 , specifically, the downstream side edge air A_ 21 , or changes the blowing direction, and the controller 200 returns to the processing in step S 16 .
- step S 18 the side edge air part 723 being on the upstream side starts blowing of the side edge air A_ 2 on the upstream side, that is, the upstream side edge air A_ 22 .
- step S 19 the controller 200 determines whether or not the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_ 1 and higher than the stacking surface S_ 2 . In a case where it is determined that the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_ 1 and higher than the stacking surface S_ 2 (step S 19 ; Y), the controller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S 21 . In a case where it is not determined that the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_ 1 and higher than the stacking surface S_ 2 (step S 19 ; N), the controller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S 20 .
- step S 20 the side edge air part 723 being on the upstream side weakens the side edge air A_ 2 on the upstream side, that is, the upstream side edge air A_ 22 , and the controller 200 returns to the processing in step S 19 .
- step S 21 the conveyer 73 starts conveying of the sheet P.
- step S 22 the controller 200 determines whether or not the sheet P has come out of the side edge guide members 72 on the upstream side. In a case where it is determined that the sheet P has come out of the side edge guide members 72 on the upstream side (step S 22 ; Y), the controller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S 23 . In a case where it is determined that the sheet P has not come out of the side edge guide members 72 on the upstream side (step S 22 ; N), the controller 200 continues the processing in step S 22 .
- step S 23 the side edge air part 723 being on the upstream side ends the blowing of the side edge air A_ 2 on the upstream side, that is, the upstream side edge air A_ 22 .
- step S 24 the controller 200 determines whether or not the sheet P has come out of the side edge guide members 72 on the downstream side. In a case where it is determined that the sheet P has come out of the side edge guide members 72 on the downstream side (step S 24 ; Y), the controller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S 25 . In a case where it is determined that the sheet P has not come out of the side edge guide members 72 on the downstream side (step S 24 ; N), the controller 200 continues the processing in step S 24 .
- step S 25 the side edge air part 723 being on the downstream side ends the blowing of the side edge air A_ 2 on the downstream side, that is, the downstream side edge air A_ 21 .
- step S 26 the front edge air part 781 ends the blowing of the front edge air A_ 1 .
- step S 27 the controller 200 determines whether or not to start the next sheet feeding. In a case where the controller 200 determines to start the next sheet feeding (step S 27 ; Y), the front edge air part 781 returns to the processing in step S 14 . In a case where the controller 200 determines not to start the next sheet feeding (step S 27 ; N), the processing is ended.
- step S 28 use is determined of the side edge air part 723 being on the downstream side.
- step S 29 the front edge air part 781 starts the blowing of the front edge air A_ 1 .
- step S 30 the side edge air part 723 being on the downstream side starts the blowing of the side edge air A_ 2 on the downstream side, that is, the downstream side edge air A_ 21 .
- step S 31 the controller 200 determines whether or not the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_ 1 and higher than the stacking surface S_ 2 .
- step S 31 ; Y the controller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S 33 .
- step S 31 ; N the controller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S 32 .
- step S 32 the side edge air part 723 weakens the side edge air A_ 2 , specifically, the downstream side edge air A_ 21 , or changes the blowing direction, and the controller 200 returns to the processing in step S 31 .
- step S 33 the conveyer 73 starts conveying of the sheet P.
- step S 34 the controller 200 determines whether or not the sheet P has come out of the side edge guide members 72 on the downstream side. In a case where it is determined that the sheet P has come out of the side edge guide members 72 on the downstream side (step S 34 ; Y), the controller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S 35 . In a case where it is determined that the sheet P has not come out of the side edge guide members 72 on the downstream side (step S 34 ; N), the controller 200 continues the processing in step S 34 .
- step S 35 the side edge air part 723 being on the downstream side ends the blowing of the side edge air A_ 2 on the downstream side, that is, the downstream side edge air A_ 21 .
- step S 36 the front edge air part 781 ends the blowing of the front edge air A_ 1 .
- step S 37 the controller 200 determines whether or not to start the next sheet feeding. In a case where the controller 200 determines to start the next sheet feeding (step S 37 ; Y), the front edge air part 781 returns to the processing in step S 29 . In a case where the controller 200 determines not to start the next sheet feeding (step S 37 ; N), the processing is ended.
- the front edge air A_ 1 and the side edge air A_ 2 are blown to the sheet P to float the sheet P in a posture in which a portion protruding from the conveyer 73 of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_ 1 of the conveyer 73 .
- At least one of the strength, blowing position, or blowing direction of the side edge air A_ 2 is set to float the sheet P in a posture in which the sheet P is lower in the lifting of the sheet P by the upstream side edge air A_ 22 than in the lifting of the sheet P by the downstream side edge air A_ 21 .
- the floating posture of the sheet P can be controlled without direct contact to the sheet P. Therefore, a possibility can be avoided of generating a scratch mark or paper dust on the surface of the sheet P.
- the strength of the upstream side edge air A_ 22 is set weaker than the strength of the downstream side edge air A_ 21 .
- the floating posture of the sheet P can be controlled by the strength of the side edge air A_ 2 . Therefore, an increase in size and cost of the apparatus can be avoided particularly noticeably.
- the position of the side edge air opening 721 of the upstream side edge air A_ 22 is provided at a lower position in the stacking direction of the sheet P than the position of the side edge air opening 721 of the downstream side edge air A_ 21 .
- the floating posture of the sheet P can be controlled with a simple configuration. Therefore, an increase in cost can be avoided particularly noticeably.
- the blowing direction of the upstream side edge air A_ 22 is set more downward in the stacking direction of the sheet P than the blowing direction of the downstream side edge air A_ 21 .
- the floating posture of the sheet P can be controlled by the blowing direction of the side edge air A_ 2 . Therefore, an increase in size and cost of the apparatus can be avoided particularly noticeably.
- the side edge air part 723 changes the amount of blowing of the side edge air A_ 2 depending on the floating height of the sheet P detected by the side edge detection sensor 724 .
- the floating height of the sheet P can be controlled to an appropriate position. Therefore, the floating height of the sheet P can be stabilized particularly noticeably.
- the side edge air part 723 stops blowing of the side edge air A_ 2 in a case where it is detected by the side edge detection sensor 724 that the sheet P has come out of the side edge guide members 72 .
- the side edge detection sensor 724 detects excessive rise of the sheet P. Therefore, the floating height of the sheet P can be stabilized particularly noticeably.
- the image forming system 1 includes the sheet feeding apparatus 2 and the image forming apparatus 3 ; however, the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto.
- the image forming system 1 may include an image reading apparatus, a relay apparatus, or a post-processing apparatus.
- the sheet feeding apparatus 2 has an external type configuration; however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
- the configuration described in the present embodiment may be applied to the sheet feeding unit 51 in the image forming apparatus 3 .
Abstract
A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a front edge air part that blows front edge air, along a conveying direction of a sheet stacked, to a front edge side of the sheet; side edge air parts that are provided to face each other along an orthogonal direction to the conveying direction of the sheet and blow side edge air, along the orthogonal direction, to respective side edge sides of the sheet; a suction part that suctions, by a negative pressure, the sheet to which the front edge air and the side edge air are blown; and a conveyer that suctions and conveys the sheet suctioned by the suction part, wherein the front edge air and the side edge air are blown to the sheet to float the sheet in a posture in which a portion protruding from the conveyer of the sheet is lower than a conveying surface of the conveyer.
Description
- The entire disclosure of Japanese patent Application No. 2018-016430, filed on Feb. 1, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The present disclosure relates to a sheet feeding apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system.
- Conventionally, an air suction type sheet feeding apparatus is known as a sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a sheet to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. There is an air suction type sheet feeding apparatus including a conveyer that generates a negative pressure above stacked sheet and suctions air to cause the uppermost sheet to be suctioned. Such an air suction type sheet feeding apparatus blows air from the front edge or the side edge of the sheet to float the sheet to cause the sheet to be suctioned by the conveyer, thereby being able to feed sheets of the plural stacked sheets one by one.
- Thus, if the sheet is long, since the entire sheet does not float only by blowing air from the front edge of the sheet, air blown from the side edge is increased depending on the length of the sheet. By floating the sheet with the air from the side edge, the floated sheet can be brought into a state not in contact with the sheet still stacked. If contact between sheets due to suction can be avoided, it is possible to suppress double feed of the sheets, conveying resistance, and paper dust generation due to rubbing between the sheets. However, although the floated sheet can be suctioned and stopped at a place where there is the conveyer, the sheet excessively rises at a place where there is no conveyer, and a floating posture of the sheet becomes unstable. As the sheet length increases, it becomes disadvantageous to stabilize the floating posture of the sheet. An apparatus has therefore been devised in which a regulating member is provided above a stacking surface of a sheet to regulate floating of the sheet at a portion where there is no conveyer (for example, see JP 2013-043745 A).
- However, even with the conventional technique as described in JP 2013-043745 A, if a portion of the sheet protrudes from the regulating member, it becomes impossible to suppress the protruding portion of the sheet with the regulating member, and the floating posture of the sheet becomes unstable. As a result, there is a possibility that the sheet separates from the conveyer and the sheet twists on the way. Thus, to perform stable floating operation by the above conventional technique, it is necessary to increase the size of the regulating member as the length of the sheet becomes longer, so that it is not possible to avoid an increase in size and cost of the apparatus. In addition, in the above conventional technique, since the regulating member directly contacts the sheet, there is a possibility of generating a scratch mark or paper dust on the sheet surface, and the regulating member that contacts the sheet is undesirable.
- The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to enable stable floating operation in a non-contact manner while avoiding an increase in size and cost of the apparatus.
- To achieve the abovementioned object, according to an aspect of the present invention, a sheet feeding apparatus reflecting one aspect of the present invention comprises: a front edge air pan that blows front edge air, along a conveying direction of a sheet stacked, to a front edge side of the sheet; side edge air parts that are provided to face each other along an orthogonal direction to the conveying direction of the sheet and blow side edge air, along the orthogonal direction, to respective side edge sides of the sheet; a suction part that suctions, by a negative pressure, the sheet to which the front edge air and the side edge air are blown; and a conveyer that suctions and conveys the sheet suctioned by the suction part, wherein the front edge air and the side edge air are blown to the sheet to float the sheet in a posture in which a portion protruding from the conveyer of the sheet is lower than a conveying surface of the conveyer.
- The advantages and features provided by one or more embodiments of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention:
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FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of an image forming system in an embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main part configuration of a sheet feeding apparatus in the embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a control system of the sheet feeding apparatus in the embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a floating posture of a sheet when front edge air is blown to the sheet from a front edge air part in the embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the floating posture of the sheet when side edge air is blown to the sheet from a side edge air pan in the embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the floating posture of the sheet when the sheet separates from a conveyer in the embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the floating posture of the sheet in the embodiment of the present disclosure is between a conveying surface of the conveyer and a stacking surface of the sheet; -
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the floating posture of the sheet in the embodiment of the present disclosure has come out of side edge guide members; -
FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating an example of blowing order of air to the sheet in the embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a position of a side edge air opening of the side edge air in the embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a variable configuration of a blowing direction of the side edge air of the side edge air part in the embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the floating posture of a second sheet in the embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a floating detection function in the embodiment of the present disclosure; and -
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control example in the embodiment of the present disclosure. - Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
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FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of animage forming system 1 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 1 , theimage forming system 1 has a configuration in which asheet feeding apparatus 2 of an external type with large capacity is connected to a side of animage forming apparatus 3. Thesheet feeding apparatus 2 includes three stages ofsheet feeding units image forming apparatus 3. Thesheet feeding apparatus 2 includes acontroller 200. Thecontroller 200 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and a storage unit. The storage unit is implemented by a hard disk drive or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, and stores various data. Thecontroller 200 cooperates with acontroller 100 of theimage forming apparatus 3 to control operation of each unit of thesheet feeding apparatus 2. Thecontroller 200 controls aconveyer 73, asuction part 74, and aconveying path unit 75 on the basis of a control signal from theimage forming apparatus 3. Details of thesheet feeding apparatus 2 will be described later. - The
image forming apparatus 3 is an apparatus that forms color image of an intermediate transfer system using an electrophotographic process technology. In theimage forming apparatus 3, a vertical tandem system is adopted in which photosensitive drums respectively corresponding to four colors of Y, M, C, K are serially arranged in a traveling direction, that is, in a vertical direction of an intermediate transfer belt, and each color toner image is sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt in a single procedure. That is, theimage forming apparatus 3 forms an image by performing primary transfer of each color toner image of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K) formed on each photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt, and laying over the toner images of four colors on the intermediate transfer belt, and then performing secondary transfer to the sheet P or a sheet S. - The
image forming apparatus 3 includes animage reading unit 10, anoperation display unit 20, animage processing unit 30, animage forming unit 40, asheet conveying unit 50, afixing unit 60, and acontroller 100. Thecontroller 100 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and a storage unit. The CPU reads a program depending on processing details from the ROM and deploys the program on the RAM, and controls operation of each unit of theimage forming apparatus 3 by cooperating with the program deployed. The storage unit is implemented by a hard disk drive or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, and stores various data. The various data stored in the storage unit are referenced when the CPU controls the operation of theimage forming apparatus 3. In addition, thecontroller 100 cooperates with thecontroller 200 of thesheet feeding apparatus 2 to control operation of thesheet feeding apparatus 2. - The
image reading unit 10 includes an automatic documentsheet feeding device 11, and a documentimage scanning device 12. The automatic documentsheet feeding device 11 is referred to as an Auto Document Feeder (ADF). The automatic documentsheet feeding device 11 conveys a document placed on a document tray with a conveying mechanism, and feeds the document to the documentimage scanning device 12. The automatic documentsheet feeding device 11 can continuously read images of a large number of documents placed on the document tray. When continuously reading images of the large number of documents, the automatic documentsheet feeding device 11 can read both sides of each document with a sheet reversing mechanism. The documentimage scanning device 12 optically scans a document conveyed on a contact glass from the automatic documentsheet feeding device 11 or a document placed on the contact glass. The documentimage scanning device 12 reads a document image formed on the document by forming an image of reflected light from the document obtained by optical scanning on a light receiving surface of a CCD sensor. Theimage reading unit 10 generates input image data of the document image on the basis of a reading result by the documentimage scanning device 12. The input image data is supplied to theimage processing unit 30, and theimage processing unit 30 executes preset image processing. - The
operation display unit 20 is implemented by a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, for example, and functions as adisplay unit 21 and anoperation unit 22. Thedisplay unit 21 displays various operation screens, a state of the image, operating conditions of the functions, and the like, in accordance with a display control signal input from thecontroller 100. Theoperation unit 22 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key. Theoperation unit 22 accepts various types of input operation by a user, thereby generating an operation signal. The operation signal is output to thecontroller 100. - The
image processing unit 30 includes a circuit for performing digital image processing according to an initial setting or a user setting, on the input image data. For example, under the control of thecontroller 100, theimage processing unit 30 performs tone correction on the input image data on the basis of a tone correction table in which tone correction data is set. Besides the tone correction, theimage processing unit 30 performs on the input image data various types of correction processing such as color correction, shading correction, and the like, and compression processing. On the basis of the input image data on which various types of digital image processing has been performed, theimage forming unit 40 performs various types of processing. On the basis of the input image data, theimage forming unit 40 forms images of the respective color toners of Y component. M component, C component, and K component. Theimage forming unit 40 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and an intermediate transfer device. By corona discharge of the charging device, the surface of the photosensitive drum is uniformly charged. The exposure device irradiates the photosensitive drum with laser light corresponding to the image of each color component, whereby an electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The developing device supplies the toner of each color component to the surface of the photosensitive drum, whereby the electrostatic latent image is visualized and a toner image is formed. The toner image is transferred to the sheet P or the sheet S by the intermediate transfer device. - The fixing
unit 60 heats and pressurizes the toner image transferred to the sheet P or the sheet S to fix the toner image on the sheet P or the sheet S. Thesheet conveying unit 50 includes asheet feeding unit 51, asheet ejection unit 52, and a conveyingpath unit 53. Thesheet feeding unit 51 is accommodated for each preset type on the basis of the basis weight, size, and the like of the sheet S. The conveyingpath unit 53 conveys the sheet P fed from thesheet feeding apparatus 2, the sheet S accommodated in thesheet feeding unit 51, or the sheet P or sheet S on which an image is formed on either the front or back side. Thesheet ejection unit 52 ejects the sheet P or the sheet S on which the image is formed out of the apparatus. - In each of the
sheet feeding units 201A to 201C, thesheet feeding apparatus 2 includes sideedge guide members 72, theconveyer 73, thesuction part 74, and a frontedge guide member 78, and separates and ejects the sheet P one by one. The sheet P ejected from thesheet feeding units 201A to 201C is conveyed to theimage forming apparatus 3. In a case where any one of thesheet feeding units 201A to 201C is not particularly limited, it is referred to as a sheet feeding unit 201. Thesuction part 74 is arranged above each sheet feeding unit 201. The sideedge guide members 72 are arranged on both side surface sides of each sheet feeding unit 201. Between the sideedge guide members 72, a placing table 71 is arranged. The sheet P is placed on the placing table 71. Thus, each of the sideedge guide members 72 facing each other aligns positions in the width direction of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71. The frontedge guide member 78 is arranged on the front edge side of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71. On the rear edge side of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71, a rearedge guide member 77 is arranged. The frontedge guide member 78 and the rearedge guide member 77 align positions in the length direction of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71. -
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main part configuration of thesheet feeding apparatus 2 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a control system of thesheet feeding apparatus 2 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The frontedge guide member 78 is provided with a frontedge air part 781, and a frontedge air opening 784 is formed to face the front edge side of the sheet P. The frontedge air part 781 includes a blower fan, and blows front edge air A_1 along a conveying direction of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71 to the front edge side of the sheet P from the frontedge air opening 784 under the control of thecontroller 200. On the back side of the frontedge air opening 784, aflap 785 is provided. A direction of theflap 785 is changed by asolenoid 786, and a wind direction of the front edge air A_1 can be changed. The sideedge guide members 72 are each provided with a sideedge air part 723, and a sideedge air opening 721 is formed to face a side surface side of the sheet P. The sideedge air part 723 includes a blower fan, and blows side edge air A_2 along an orthogonal direction to the conveying direction of the sheets P stacked on the placing table 71 to the side surface side of the sheet P from the sideedge air opening 721 under the control of thecontroller 200. As will be described in detail later, aflap 725 and asolenoid 726 are provided on the back side of the sideedge air opening 721, and a wind direction of the side edge air A_2 can be changed. The side edge air A_2 assists operation of causing the sheet P to be suctioned to a conveyingbody 731 of theconveyer 73 by the front edge air A_1 and suction air A_3. The front edge air A_1 and the side edge air A_2 are collectively referred to as air A. In addition, the sideedge guide members 72 are each provided with a sideedge detection sensor 724, which will be described later in detail. - The
suction part 74 is arranged above the placing table 71, and includes asuction chamber 740, asuction air unit 741, asuction detection sensor 742, and adetector 743. Theconveyer 73 includes the conveyingbody 731, adrive roller 733, and a drivenroller 734. The conveyingbody 731 includes, for example, an endless belt, and is kept at a constant tension by thedrive roller 733 and the drivenroller 734, and a plurality ofholes 732 are formed. Thedrive roller 733 rotationally drives. The drivenroller 734 follows the conveyingbody 731 that rotates in accordance with rotational driving of thedrive roller 733. Thesuction chamber 740 is provided on the inner circumference side of the conveyingbody 731. Thesuction air unit 741 is provided on a side surface side of thesuction chamber 740, and generates a negative pressure in thesuction part 74 by suction air A_3 generated by suctioning air in thesuction chamber 740, thereby applying the negative pressure to thesuction part 74. Thus, the conveyingbody 731 suctions and conveys the sheet P to which the negative pressure is applied by thesuction part 74. Thedrive roller 733 controls conveying of the sheet P by the conveyingbody 731. - The
suction part 74 suctions, in order from the top, the sheet P floated by the front edge air A_1 blown from the frontedge air part 781 and the side edge air A_2 blown from the sideedge air part 723. For example, thesuction part 74 separates the first sheet P out of the sheets P placed on the placing table 71. Thesuction part 74 conveys the separated first sheet P to the conveyingpath unit 75 illustrated inFIG. 1 . The conveyingpath unit 75 includes a sheetfeeding detection sensor 751, a conveyingroller 752, a drivenroller 753, a conveyingguide 754, and conveying rollers R11 to R15. The sheetfeeding detection sensor 751 is implemented by a photosensor including a light receiving unit and a light emitting unit, for example. As for the sheet P, a position of the sheet P is detected by the sheetfeeding detection sensor 751. While the sheet P is nipped by the conveyingroller 752 and the drivenroller 753, the conveying direction is adjusted by the conveyingguide 754 arranged between the upstream side of the conveyingroller 752 and the downstream side of thesuction part 74, and the sheet P is conveyed downward along the vertical direction by the conveying rollers R11 to R14 and then guided in the direction in which the conveying roller R15 is arranged. When the sheet P is conveyed to theimage forming apparatus 3, the conveying roller R15 functions as a registration roller that takes a timing with an image forming process of theimage forming apparatus 3. -
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a floating posture of the sheet P when the front edge air A_1 is blown to the sheet P from the frontedge air part 781 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 4 , if the sheet P is not of a length protruding from theconveyer 73, the sheet P floated by the front edge air A_1 is suctioned by theconveyer 73 by the suction air A_3. However, if the sheet P is of the length protruding from theconveyer 73, it is difficult to float the sheet P with only the front edge air A_1, so that the side edge air A_2 is blown to the side surface side of the sheet P.FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the floating posture of the sheet P when the side edge air A_2 is blown to the sheet P from the sideedge air part 723 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 5 , the sheet P floats with the front edge air A_1 and the side edge air A_2, but the sheet P rises above a conveying surface S_1 of theconveyer 73 in a portion where there is noconveyer 73. Thus, as the length of the sheet P increases, the floating posture of the sheet P becomes unstable. - For example, when the sheet P rises above the conveying surface S_1 of the
conveyer 73, the sheet P separates from the conveying surface S_1.FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the floating posture of the sheet P when the sheet P separates from theconveyer 73 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 6 , since the front edge air A_1 is likely to enter between theconveyer 73 and the sheet P, turning force is generated on the sheet P, and sheet bending is likely to occur. Such a phenomenon is caused by the fact that the sheet P comes out of the sideedge guide members 72 that guide the posture of the side edge of the sheet P before the sheet P is suctioned by theconveyer 73 and the floating posture of the sheet P is determined, and such separation is likely to occur in particular in a case where the sheet P is hard. It is therefore preferable that the front edge air A_1 and the side edge air A_2 are blown to the sheet P to float the sheet P in a posture in which a portion protruding from the conveyingbody 731 of theconveyer 73 of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_1 of theconveyer 73.FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the floating posture of the sheet P in the embodiment of the present disclosure is between the conveying surface S_1 of theconveyer 73 and a stacking surface S_2 of the sheet P. As illustrated inFIG. 7 , it is preferable that the sheet P is positioned lower than the conveying surface S_1 and higher than the stacking surface S_2 of the sheet P in a floating state. Even in a case where the sheet P is longer than in the case illustrated inFIGS. 5 to 7 , the same phenomenon may occur.FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the floating posture of the sheet P in the embodiment of the present disclosure has come out of the sideedge guide members 72. In the example ofFIG. 8 , illustration of thesuction air unit 741 is omitted. As illustrated inFIG. 8 , when the rear edge side of the sheet P excessively rises, the sheet P comes out of the sideedge guide members 72 being on the upstream side. - It is therefore preferable to stabilize the floating posture of the sheet P by forming blowing order on the sheet P.
FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating an example of the blowing order of the air A to the sheet P in the embodiment of the present disclosure. First, as illustrated inFIG. 9A , the front edge air A_is blown to the front edge side of the sheet P. Next, as illustrated inFIG. 9B , out of the side edge air A_2, downstream side edge air A_21 is blown to the sheet P from the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheet P. Next, as illustrated inFIG. 9C , out of the side edge air A_2, upstream side edge air A_22 is blown to the sheet P from the upstream side along the conveying direction of the sheet P. In a case where the sheet P is not in a position facing, the upstream side edge air A_22 is not required to be blown. As illustrates in an example process ofFIGS. 9A to 9C , in a case where the length of the sheet P is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, for example, a length that faces a plurality of sets, for example, two or more sets, of the sideedge guide members 72 provided along the conveying direction of the sheet P, until the sheet P is suctioned by theconveyer 73, it is preferable to control the front edge air A_1, the downstream side edge air A_21, the upstream side edge air A_22, and the suction air A_3 to float the sheet P in a posture in which the sheet P is lower in lifting of the sheet P by the upstream side edge air A_22 than in lilting of the sheet P by the downstream side edge air A_21. - Although it may be added to the above blowing order, it is possible to stabilize the floating posture of the sheet P even if it is not the above blowing order.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a position of the side edge air opening 721 of the side edge air A_2 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 10 , the position of the side edge air opening 721 of the upstream side edge air A_22 may be provided at a lower position in a stacking direction of the sheet P than the position of the side edge air opening 721 of the downstream side edge air A_21. In addition, an air volume or a blowing direction of the side edge air A_2 may be set depending on the size or basis weight of the sheet P. Specifically, strength of the upstream side edge air A_22 may be set weaker than strength of the downstream side edge air A_21. In addition,FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a variable configuration of the blowing direction of the side edge air A_2 of the sideedge air part 723 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 11 , theflap 725 is made rotatable about arotating part 727 and a position of theflap 725 can be varied by thesolenoid 726, whereby the blowing direction of the upstream side edge air A_22 may be set more downward in the stacking direction of the sheet P than the blowing direction of the downstream side edge air A_21. - During conveying of the uppermost sheet P, if the uppermost sheet P is conveyed, the second sheet P rises high. Thus, in this case, if the uppermost sheet P comes out of the side
edge guide members 72, it is preferable to stop blowing of the side edge air A_2.FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the floating posture of a second sheet P_2 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The height of the upstream side of the second sheet P_2 to be conveyed next to an uppermost sheet P_1 may be higher than the conveying surface S_1 as illustrated inFIG. 12 . In such a case, the blowing of the side edge air A_2 only needs to be stopped. Whether or not the sheet P comes out of the sideedge guide members 72 may be determined using a timer calculated from an amount of feed of conveying of the sheet P, or may be determined using a floating detection function such as thesuction detection sensor 742 and the sideedge detection sensor 724.FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of the floating detection function in the embodiment of the present disclosure. InFIG. 13A , thesuction detection sensor 742 detects displacement of a position of thedetector 743. Thus, when the sheet P is in a suctioned state by thesuction air unit 741, since the position of thedetector 743 is displaced, it is detected by thesuction detection sensor 742 whether or not the sheet P is suctioned by the conveyingbody 731. InFIG. 13B , the sideedge detection sensor 724 is, for example, a reflective photoelectric sensor and includes alight emitting element 724A and alight receiving element 724B, and can detect the sheet P passing through a detection area D_A. Thus, it is only necessary to be able to detect whether or not the sheet P is between the conveying surface S_1 and the stacking surface S_2, by adjusting the detection area DA with an optical system. That is, the sideedge air part 723 only needs to change an amount of blowing of the side edge air A_2 depending on a floating height of the sheet P detected by the sideedge detection sensor 724. -
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control example in the embodiment of the present disclosure. In step S11, thecontroller 200 acquires sheet information. In step S12, thecontroller 200 determines whether or not it is necessary to include also the upstream side in the conveying direction in a blowing range of the side edge air A. In a case where it is determined that it is necessary to include the upstream side in the conveying direction in the blowing range of the side edge air A (step 912; Y), thecontroller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S13. The processing in steps S13 to S27 corresponds to a case where the length of the sheet P is equal to or greater than the preset threshold, and corresponds to a case where both the downstream side edge air A_21 and the upstream side edge air A_22 are blown to the sheet P. In a case where it is determined that there is no need to include the upstream side in the conveying direction in the blowing range of the side edge air A (step S12; N), thecontroller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S28. The processing of steps S28 to S37 corresponds to a case where the length of the sheet P is less than the preset threshold, and corresponds to a case where the downstream side edge air A_21 is blown to the sheet P out of the downstream side edge air A_21 and the upstream side edge air A_22. - In step S13, use is determined of the side
edge air parts 723 being on the upstream side and the downstream side. In step S14, the frontedge air part 781 starts blowing of the front edge air A_1. In step S15, the sideedge air part 723 being on the downstream side starts blowing of the side edge air A_2 on the downstream side, that is, the downstream side edge air A_21. In step S16, thecontroller 200 determines whether or not the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_1 and higher than the stacking surface S_2. In a case where it is determined that the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_1 and higher than the stacking surface S_2 (step S16; Y), thecontroller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S18. In a case where it is not determined that the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_1 and higher than the stacking surface S_2 (step S16; N), thecontroller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S17. In step S17, the sideedge air part 723 weakens the side edge air A_2, specifically, the downstream side edge air A_21, or changes the blowing direction, and thecontroller 200 returns to the processing in step S16. In step S18, the sideedge air part 723 being on the upstream side starts blowing of the side edge air A_2 on the upstream side, that is, the upstream side edge air A_22. - In step S19, the
controller 200 determines whether or not the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_1 and higher than the stacking surface S_2. In a case where it is determined that the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_1 and higher than the stacking surface S_2 (step S19; Y), thecontroller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S21. In a case where it is not determined that the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_1 and higher than the stacking surface S_2 (step S19; N), thecontroller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S20. In step S20, the sideedge air part 723 being on the upstream side weakens the side edge air A_2 on the upstream side, that is, the upstream side edge air A_22, and thecontroller 200 returns to the processing in step S19. In step S21, theconveyer 73 starts conveying of the sheet P. In step S22, thecontroller 200 determines whether or not the sheet P has come out of the sideedge guide members 72 on the upstream side. In a case where it is determined that the sheet P has come out of the sideedge guide members 72 on the upstream side (step S22; Y), thecontroller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S23. In a case where it is determined that the sheet P has not come out of the sideedge guide members 72 on the upstream side (step S22; N), thecontroller 200 continues the processing in step S22. - In step S23, the side
edge air part 723 being on the upstream side ends the blowing of the side edge air A_2 on the upstream side, that is, the upstream side edge air A_22. In step S24, thecontroller 200 determines whether or not the sheet P has come out of the sideedge guide members 72 on the downstream side. In a case where it is determined that the sheet P has come out of the sideedge guide members 72 on the downstream side (step S24; Y), thecontroller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S25. In a case where it is determined that the sheet P has not come out of the sideedge guide members 72 on the downstream side (step S24; N), thecontroller 200 continues the processing in step S24. In step S25, the sideedge air part 723 being on the downstream side ends the blowing of the side edge air A_2 on the downstream side, that is, the downstream side edge air A_21. In step S26, the frontedge air part 781 ends the blowing of the front edge air A_1. In step S27, thecontroller 200 determines whether or not to start the next sheet feeding. In a case where thecontroller 200 determines to start the next sheet feeding (step S27; Y), the frontedge air part 781 returns to the processing in step S14. In a case where thecontroller 200 determines not to start the next sheet feeding (step S27; N), the processing is ended. - In step S28, use is determined of the side
edge air part 723 being on the downstream side. In step S29, the frontedge air part 781 starts the blowing of the front edge air A_1. In step S30, the sideedge air part 723 being on the downstream side starts the blowing of the side edge air A_2 on the downstream side, that is, the downstream side edge air A_21. In step S31, thecontroller 200 determines whether or not the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_1 and higher than the stacking surface S_2. In a case where it is determined that the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_1 and higher than the stacking surface S_2 (step S31; Y), thecontroller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S33. In a case where it is not determined that the floating height of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_1 and higher than the slacking surface S_2 (step S31; N), thecontroller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S32. In step S32, the sideedge air part 723 weakens the side edge air A_2, specifically, the downstream side edge air A_21, or changes the blowing direction, and thecontroller 200 returns to the processing in step S31. - In step S33, the
conveyer 73 starts conveying of the sheet P. In step S34, thecontroller 200 determines whether or not the sheet P has come out of the sideedge guide members 72 on the downstream side. In a case where it is determined that the sheet P has come out of the sideedge guide members 72 on the downstream side (step S34; Y), thecontroller 200 proceeds to the processing in step S35. In a case where it is determined that the sheet P has not come out of the sideedge guide members 72 on the downstream side (step S34; N), thecontroller 200 continues the processing in step S34. In step S35, the sideedge air part 723 being on the downstream side ends the blowing of the side edge air A_2 on the downstream side, that is, the downstream side edge air A_21. In step S36, the frontedge air part 781 ends the blowing of the front edge air A_1. In step S37, thecontroller 200 determines whether or not to start the next sheet feeding. In a case where thecontroller 200 determines to start the next sheet feeding (step S37; Y), the frontedge air part 781 returns to the processing in step S29. In a case where thecontroller 200 determines not to start the next sheet feeding (step S37; N), the processing is ended. - From the above description, according to the present embodiment, the front edge air A_1 and the side edge air A_2 are blown to the sheet P to float the sheet P in a posture in which a portion protruding from the
conveyer 73 of the sheet P is lower than the conveying surface S_1 of theconveyer 73. Thus, even if the length of the sheet P is increased, there is no possibility that the sheet P separates from theconveyer 73 and twists on the way. Therefore, stable floating operation can be performed in a non-contact manner while avoiding an increase in size and cost of the apparatus. - According to the present embodiment, at least one of the strength, blowing position, or blowing direction of the side edge air A_2 is set to float the sheet P in a posture in which the sheet P is lower in the lifting of the sheet P by the upstream side edge air A_22 than in the lifting of the sheet P by the downstream side edge air A_21. Thus, the floating posture of the sheet P can be controlled without direct contact to the sheet P. Therefore, a possibility can be avoided of generating a scratch mark or paper dust on the surface of the sheet P.
- According to the present embodiment, the strength of the upstream side edge air A_22 is set weaker than the strength of the downstream side edge air A_21. Thus, the floating posture of the sheet P can be controlled by the strength of the side edge air A_2. Therefore, an increase in size and cost of the apparatus can be avoided particularly noticeably.
- According to the present embodiment, the position of the side edge air opening 721 of the upstream side edge air A_22 is provided at a lower position in the stacking direction of the sheet P than the position of the side edge air opening 721 of the downstream side edge air A_21. Thus, the floating posture of the sheet P can be controlled with a simple configuration. Therefore, an increase in cost can be avoided particularly noticeably.
- According to the present embodiment, the blowing direction of the upstream side edge air A_22 is set more downward in the stacking direction of the sheet P than the blowing direction of the downstream side edge air A_21. Thus, the floating posture of the sheet P can be controlled by the blowing direction of the side edge air A_2. Therefore, an increase in size and cost of the apparatus can be avoided particularly noticeably.
- According to the present embodiment, the side
edge air part 723 changes the amount of blowing of the side edge air A_2 depending on the floating height of the sheet P detected by the sideedge detection sensor 724. Thus, the floating height of the sheet P can be controlled to an appropriate position. Therefore, the floating height of the sheet P can be stabilized particularly noticeably. - According to the present embodiment, the side
edge air part 723 stops blowing of the side edge air A_2 in a case where it is detected by the sideedge detection sensor 724 that the sheet P has come out of the sideedge guide members 72. Thus, excessive rise of the sheet P can be avoided. Therefore, the floating height of the sheet P can be stabilized particularly noticeably. - Although the
image forming system 1 according to embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in detail, the disclosed embodiments are made for purposes of illustration and example only and not limitation. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted by terms of the appended claims. For example, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which theimage forming system 1 includes thesheet feeding apparatus 2 and theimage forming apparatus 3; however, the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto. For example, theimage forming system 1 may include an image reading apparatus, a relay apparatus, or a post-processing apparatus. In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which thesheet feeding apparatus 2 has an external type configuration; however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The configuration described in the present embodiment may be applied to thesheet feeding unit 51 in theimage forming apparatus 3.
Claims (9)
1. A sheet feeding apparatus comprising:
a front edge air part that blows front edge air, along a conveying direction of a sheet stacked, to a front edge side of the sheet;
side edge air parts that are provided to face each other along an orthogonal direction to the conveying direction of the sheet and blow side edge air, along the orthogonal direction, to respective side edge sides of the sheet;
a suction part that suctions, by a negative pressure, the sheet to which the front edge air and the side edge air are blown; and
a conveyer that suctions and conveys the sheet suctioned by the suction part, wherein
the front edge air and the side edge air are blown to the sheet to float the sheet in a posture in which a portion protruding from the conveyer of the sheet is lower than a conveying surface of the conveyer.
2. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
two or more sets of the side edge air parts are provided along the conveying direction, and
in a case where a length of the sheet is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, until the sheet is suctioned by the conveyer, at least one of strength, a blowing position, or a blowing direction of the side edge air is set to float the sheet in a posture in which the sheet is lower in lifting of the sheet by upstream side edge air of the side edge air blown from an upstream side along the conveying direction than in lifting of the sheet by downstream side edge air of the side edge air blown from a downstream side along the conveying direction.
3. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
strength of upstream side edge air of the side edge air blown from an upstream side along the conveying direction is set weaker than strength of downstream side edge air of the side edge air blown from a downstream side along the conveying direction.
4. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
a position of a side edge air opening of upstream side edge air of the side edge air blown from an upstream side along the conveying direction is provided at a lower position in a stacking direction of the sheet than a position of a side edge air opening of downstream side edge air of the side edge air blown from a downstream side along the conveying direction.
5. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
a blowing direction of upstream side edge air of the side edge air blown from the upstream side along the conveying direction is set more downward in a stacking direction of the sheet than a blowing direction of downstream side edge air of the side edge air blown from a downstream side along the conveying direction.
6. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising
a side edge detection sensor that detects a posture of a side edge of the sheet, wherein
the side edge air part
changes an amount of blowing of the side edge air depending on a floating height of the sheet detected by the side edge detection sensor.
7. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising
a side edge guide member that includes the side edge air part and guides the posture of the side edge of the sheet, wherein
the side edge air part
stops blowing of the side edge air in a case where it is detected by the side edge detection sensor that the sheet has come out of the side edge guide member.
8. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a front edge air part that blows front edge air, along a conveying direction of a sheet stacked, to a front edge side of the sheet;
side edge air parts that are provided to face each other along an orthogonal direction to the conveying direction of the sheet and blow side edge air, along the orthogonal direction, to respective side edge sides of the sheet;
a suction part that suctions, by a negative pressure, the sheet to which the front edge air and the side edge air are blown; and
a conveyer that suctions and conveys the sheet suctioned by the suction part, wherein
the front edge air and the side edge air are blown to the sheet to float the sheet in a posture in which a portion protruding from the conveyer of the sheet is lower than a conveying surface of the conveyer.
9. An image forming system comprising:
a front edge air part that blows front edge air, along a conveying direction of a sheet stacked, to a front edge side of the sheet;
side edge air parts that are provided to face each other along an orthogonal direction to the conveying direction of the sheet and blow side edge air, along the orthogonal direction, to respective side edge sides of the sheet;
a suction part that suctions, by a negative pressure, the sheet to which the front edge air and the side edge air are blown; and
a conveyer that suctions and conveys the sheet suctioned by the suction part, wherein
the front edge air and the side edge air are blown to the sheet to float the sheet in a posture in which a portion protruding from the conveyer of the sheet is lower than a conveying surface of the conveyer.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2018016430A JP2019131383A (en) | 2018-02-01 | 2018-02-01 | Paper feeding device, image forming device, and image forming system |
JP2018-016430 | 2018-02-01 |
Publications (1)
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US20190233226A1 true US20190233226A1 (en) | 2019-08-01 |
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ID=67391876
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US16/240,280 Abandoned US20190233226A1 (en) | 2018-02-01 | 2019-01-04 | Sheet feeding apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system |
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US (1) | US20190233226A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2019131383A (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20220081237A1 (en) * | 2020-09-11 | 2022-03-17 | Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp. | Sheet-shaped-medium feeder and sheet-shaped-medium handling apparatus |
US20220371838A1 (en) * | 2021-05-24 | 2022-11-24 | Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp. | Sheet-shaped-medium feeder and handling apparatus |
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Also Published As
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JP2019131383A (en) | 2019-08-08 |
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