JP2002002985A - Paper feeding method, paper feeding device, and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To prevent double feeding of printing paper. SOLUTION: After a hopper 2 is lifted and a sheet P is pressed by a sheet feeding roller 3 and a separation pad 11a contacts the sheet feeding roller 3, the sheet feeding roller 3 and the conveying roller 6 are contacted.
Rotates forward, and the sheet P is fed to the transport roller 6. Further, an amount equal to or more than the length along the feeding path between the position of the front end of the sheet P placed on the sheet feeding tray 1 and the center of contact between the separation pad 11a and the sheet feeding roller 3. , Paper P is sent out from the transport roller 6. Subsequently, the feed roller 3 and the transport roller 6 are stopped, the hopper 2 is lowered, and the separation pad 11a is separated from the feed roller 3. Thereafter, the transport roller is rotated in the reverse direction by the rotation amount corresponding to the length or more, and the sheet P is returned.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeding method for feeding a recording material in a printing apparatus, a paper feeding apparatus, and a recording apparatus having the paper feeding apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recording apparatus, for example, a serial printer, a paper feed roller comes into contact with the uppermost one of printing papers (cut sheets) stacked on a paper feed tray (paper tray). The printing paper is taken out, wound up, and fed to a transport roller (paper feed roller) downstream of the paper feed roller. Then, the transport roller transports the fed printing paper to the recording unit (printing unit) at a constant pitch, so that printing is performed in the recording unit.

In the vicinity of the downstream side of the paper feed tray, a separation pad for preventing the next and subsequent print papers from being fed (ie, multi-feed) together with the top print paper is provided with a roller of the paper feed roller. It is provided so as to face the surface. The separation pad is pressed against the paper feed roller, thereby pressing the fed printing paper between the paper feeding roller and separating the uppermost printing paper from the subsequent printing paper. .

[0006] The state in which the printing paper is pressed by the separation pad is released when printing in the recording section is started. This is to reduce the transport load (also referred to as transport resistance or back tension) applied to the transport roller, improve transport accuracy, and thereby improve recording quality.

[0005] On the other hand, the leading edge of the next or subsequent printing paper separated by the separation pad exists on the separation pad.
When the pinching state by the separation pad is released, there is a possibility that the sheet is double-fed with the uppermost printing sheet. For this reason, in a conventional printer, an auxiliary roller (idle roller) is provided in addition to the paper feed roller, and the auxiliary roller presses the uppermost printing paper and the next and subsequent printing papers against the separation pad, thereby providing a separation pad. A configuration was adopted to prevent double feed of printing papers after the next rank.

[0006]

However, the printing paper taken out of the paper feeding tray is fed about a half way around the paper feeding roller surface and toward a transport roller in a direction opposite to the direction in which the printing paper is taken out. In a printer having a substantially U-shaped (hereinafter simply referred to as “U-shaped”) feeding path in side view, the printing paper is
Since the paper is fed while being bent in a U-shape, the back tension is inherently higher than that of a printer having a linear feeding path. For this reason, in a printer having a U-shaped feeding path, there is a demand to release the pressing of the printing paper by the auxiliary roller between the printer and the separation pad in order to reduce the back tension as much as possible.

On the other hand, when the pressing of the printing paper by the auxiliary roller between the separation pad and the separation pad is released, there is a problem that double feeding may occur. In particular, in a printer having a U-shaped feeding path, the paper feed roller rotates with the transport roller even during printing to reduce the back tension. The risk of being sent increases.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to prevent double feeding of printing paper.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper feeding method comprising: a recording material storage section on which a stacked recording material is placed; By rotating the sheet, the sheet feeding roller for feeding the uppermost sheet of the recording material placed on the sheet of recording material can be rotated forward and reverse. A transport roller that transports the fed recording material to the recording unit, and a contact position where the recording material placed in the recording material storage unit contacts the feed roller, and is separated from the feed roller. A recording material contacting means capable of arranging the recording material storage section at a separated position; and a first recording material contacting means to contact a recording material fed at a position facing the roller surface of the paper feed roller. An abutting position having an abutting portion, wherein the first abutting portion abuts on the paper feed roller; A separation position at which the recording material is separated from the sheet feeding roller can be set. First to separate from
And a separation means, wherein the recording material contact means and the first separation means are displaced to respective contact positions, and the paper feed roller and the transport The recording material is fed by rotating the roller forward, the front end of the recording material is engaged with the transport roller, and the front end of the recording material placed there in the recording material storage section. The engaged recording material is sent out from the transport roller by an amount equal to or longer than the length along the feeding path between the position where is located and the contact center point of the separating means and the paper feed roller, Stopping the sheet feeding roller and the transport roller, displacing the recording material contacting means and the separating means to respective separated positions, and rotating the transport roller in a rotation amount corresponding to the length or more. Features.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the recording material contacting means and the first separating means are displaced to the respective contact positions, and subsequently, the paper feed roller and the transport roller rotate forward to receive the recording material. The recording material is fed, and the front end (tip) of the recording material is engaged with the transport roller. The engaged recording material is located at a position in the recording material storage section where the front end of the recording material is located, and at a contact center between the first separating means and the sheet feeding roller. The paper is sent out from the transport roller by an amount equal to or longer than the length along the feeding path between the points. At this time, the first
Is located at the contact position, so that the uppermost recording material is fed, while the subsequent recording materials are located near the contact center point between the first separating device and the feed roller. Is in a stopped state.

Subsequently, the sheet feeding roller and the conveying roller are stopped, the recording material contacting means and the first separating means are displaced to respective separated positions, and the rotation amount corresponding to the length or more, the conveying roller is moved. Is reversed. Due to the reverse rotation of the transport roller, the uppermost recording material is returned to the recording material storage section via the paper feed roller. Further, for the next and subsequent sheets near the contact center point between the first separating means and the sheet feeding roller, the uppermost recording material is returned by the transport roller, so that the adhesion between the recording materials ( The recording material is returned together with the uppermost recording material by frictional force, electrostatic force, or the like. Since the returned amount is equal to or greater than the length, the recording materials of the next and subsequent ranks are returned to the recording material storage unit.

Therefore, even if the recording is performed while the uppermost recording material is being conveyed after the return, the recording materials following the next recording material are not on the first separating means, and the recording materials at the separated position are not located on the first separating means. Since it is in the material storage section, double feeding of the recording material after the next position is reliably prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the amount equal to or greater than the length is set to the length in the feeding path from the sheet feeding roller to the transport roller. It is the length to which the amount of deflection that the recording material can bend is added, and the rotation amount corresponding to the length or more is the length,
The rotation amount is a rotation amount corresponding to a length obtained by adding the amount of bending that can cause the recording material to bend in a feeding path from the paper feed roller to the transport roller.

When the uppermost recording material is returned by the reverse rotation of the transport roller, the uppermost recording material may bend in the feeding path between the transport roller and the paper feed roller. According to the invention described in claim 2 of the present application, the transport roller has the length
A rotation amount corresponding to the length obtained by adding the amount of deflection that can cause the recording material to bend in the feeding path from the sheet feeding roller to the transport roller, and the recording material is returned in a reverse direction, so that the recording material is bent. In this case, it is possible to reliably return the next or subsequent recording material to the recording material storage section.

Before the transport roller reversely rotates, the uppermost recording material has been fed out to the transport roller by a length obtained by adding the amount of deflection, so that the uppermost recording material is returned. In this case, the uppermost recording material is not released from the engagement of the conveying rollers, and the uppermost recording material is securely returned. Can be reliably returned.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet supply device in which a recording material storage section on which a recording material is placed is rotatable in the normal and reverse directions. A feed roller that feeds a recording material placed on the paper feeder; Disposing the recording material storage section at a roller and at a contact position at which the recording material placed at the recording material storage section contacts the paper feed roller and at a separation position at which the recording material is separated from the paper supply roller; A recording material contacting means, and a first contacting portion at a position facing the roller surface of the paper feed roller, the contacting portion contacting the recording material to be fed. A contact position to make contact with the paper feed roller, and a separation position to make separation from the paper feed roller. First separating means for separating, at the abutting position, the uppermost one of the recording materials placed in the recording material storage unit from the subsequent ones; , Forward and reverse control of the feed roller, forward and reverse control of the transport roller, displacement control of the contact position and separation position of the recording material contact means,
And a control means for controlling displacement of the contact position and the separation position of the first separation means, wherein the control means comprises the recording material contact means and the first Is displaced to each contact position, and the sheet feed roller and the transport roller are rotated forward to engage the recording material with the front end of the recording material engaged with the transport roller. Along a feeding path between a position in the material storage unit where the front end of the recording material placed there is located, and a contact center point between the first separating unit and the paper feed roller. The engaged recording material is sent out from the transport roller by an amount equal to or longer than the length, the paper feed roller and the transport roller are stopped, and the recording material contacting means and the first separating means are moved to respective separated positions. , The amount of rotation corresponding to the length or more, Reversing the conveying roller, and controls so as to, characterized in that. Claim 3 of the present application
According to the invention described in (1), the same operation and effect as the above-described invention (1) can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeding apparatus according to the third aspect, the paper feeding apparatus further includes a second separating unit and a first auxiliary roller, wherein the paper feeding roller is provided with the recording material. The recording material is taken out and wound by contacting the uppermost recording material of the recording material storage portion, which is located above the storage portion, and is transported to a transport roller located in a direction opposite to the direction in which the recording material is taken out. The first separating unit is disposed near the downstream side in the feeding direction of the recording material storage unit, and the control unit records on the fed recording material. At the time of recording, the first separating means is displaced to the separated position, and the second separating means is arranged near the downstream side in the feeding direction of the recording material storage unit, and the roller of the paper feed roller is arranged. Attached to the fed recording material, spaced apart from the surface The second includes a contact portion that, the second
The angle formed between the leading end of the fed recording material and the second contact portion when the leading end of the fed recording material contacts the second contact portion is fed. The recording material is arranged so as to be larger than the angle formed between the leading end and the first contact portion when the leading end of the recording material contacts the first contact portion at the separated position. The first auxiliary roller is freely rotatable, and at the time of recording on the fed recording material, presses the second contact portion to sandwich the recording material. The uppermost recording material is separated from the next and subsequent recording materials, and a contact center point between the first auxiliary roller and the second contact portion is determined by the first contact portion. And at a downstream side in a feeding direction from a contact center point between the sheet feeding roller and the sheet feeding roller.

According to the invention described in claim 4 of the present application, during the recording on the recording material, double feeding of the recording material after the next position is prevented by the second contact portion. Therefore, in combination with the invention described in claim 3 of the present application, it is possible to more reliably prevent the double feeding of the recording material. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail.

The paper feed roller is located above the recording material storage unit, and takes out and winds the recording material by coming into contact with the uppermost recording material in the recording material storage unit. The sheet is fed to a transport roller located in the opposite direction to the above. Therefore, the recording material is stored in the recording material storage unit.
The sheet is fed to the conveying roller through a U-shaped feeding path.

The first separating means takes a contact position at the time of feeding the recording material to the transport roller, and sandwiches the recording material between the first contact portion and the sheet feeding roller. As a result, the uppermost recording material is separated from the next and subsequent recording materials so that the uppermost recording material is fed by the paper feed roller. Therefore, at the time of feeding, the uppermost recording material is separated from the next and subsequent recording materials and fed to the transport roller. On the other hand, the first separating means takes the separated position during recording on the fed recording material. Thus, at the time of recording, the uppermost recording material on which recording is being performed is not sandwiched between the sheet feeding roller and the first separating means, so that back tension is reduced and recording quality is improved. Can be.

At the time of recording, the first auxiliary roller presses the second contact portion of the second separating means to sandwich the recording material, and separates the uppermost recording material from the next and subsequent recording materials. To separate. As described above, the first separating means takes a separated position during recording, so that during recording, the next or subsequent recording material is brought into close contact with the uppermost recording material (frictional force, electrostatic force, etc.). ) May cause double feed. However, double feeding is prevented by the first auxiliary roller pressing the second contact portion to sandwich the recording material.

The second contact portion is formed between the leading end portion of the fed recording material and the second contact portion when the leading end portion of the recording material contacts the second contact portion. The angle is arranged so that the angle formed between the leading end of the fed recording material and the first contacting part when the leading end of the recording material contacts the first contacting part at the separated position. You. Therefore, the load (contact resistance) when the leading end of the recording material contacts the second contact portion
Is larger than the load (contact resistance) when the first contact portion contacts. Thus, a small pressing force for the first auxiliary roller to press the second contact portion is sufficient. That is, the first auxiliary roller presses the second contact portion with a pressing force smaller than the pressing force when pressing the first contact portion, thereby preventing double feed. as a result,
When the recording medium is sandwiched between the first auxiliary roller and the first contact portion, the back tension caused by sandwiching the recording material between the first auxiliary roller and the second contact portion is increased. Can be made smaller than the back tension. in this way,
The back tension can be reduced while preventing double feed.

Further, the contact center point at which the first auxiliary roller contacts the second contact portion is located downstream of the contact center point between the first contact portion and the paper feed roller in the feeding direction. Since it is located, the next and subsequent recording materials that are being double-fed from the first contact portion to the downstream side in the feeding direction can be reliably stopped at the second contact portion. The term “contact” also includes pressure contact in which a pressing force is applied to make contact.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeding apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the first auxiliary roller is configured to allow the second abutting roller to feed the recording material to a transport roller. And a separated position separated from the part. According to the invention as set forth in claim 5 of the present application, the first auxiliary roller takes a separated position separated from the second contact portion when the recording material is fed to the transport roller, so that the first auxiliary roller is separated from the recording material. No contact resistance occurs, and the recording material can be fed smoothly.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sheet feeding apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, further comprising a second auxiliary roller, wherein the second auxiliary roller is provided above the recording material storage section. The recording medium is arranged at a position deviated from the paper feed roller in the rotation axis direction of the paper supply roller, and when recording is performed on the fed recording material, the roller surface is The paper feed roller protrudes toward the recording material side from the roller surface.

According to the invention described in claim 6 of the present application, the second
The auxiliary roller is disposed above the recording material storage section.
During recording on the fed recording material, the roller surface protrudes more toward the recording material than the roller surface of the paper feed roller. Accordingly, the uppermost recording material wound around the paper feed roller and the next and subsequent recording materials being overlapped with the uppermost recording material are separated from the paper supply roller by the second auxiliary roller. They will be separated. here,
At the time of recording, the uppermost recording material is wound around the paper feed roller and sent to the transport roller, so that it is again brought into contact with the paper feed roller and transported. On the other hand, the next and subsequent recording materials are separated by the first separating means, and the leading end thereof is in contact with the first contact portion or the second contact portion, but is supplied by the second auxiliary roller. By being separated from the paper roller,
The leading end is urged by the two contact portions that are arranged opposite to the sheet feeding roller. As a result, double feed can be more effectively prevented.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, the first sheet feeder is provided with the first sheet feeder.
A pressing means for pressing the auxiliary roller to the second contact portion is provided in the vicinity of the first auxiliary roller. According to the invention described in claim 7 of the present application, the pressing means for pressing the first auxiliary roller against the second contact portion is the first pressing means.
Is provided in the vicinity of the first auxiliary roller, it is possible to directly apply a load to the first auxiliary roller, and it is possible to apply an appropriate load with little error and no loss in the applied load. Become.

[0028] The paper feeder according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, the pressing means is constituted by a spring. According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the pressing means for pressing the first auxiliary roller against the second contact portion is constituted by a spring, the load applied to the first auxiliary roller is changed by replacing the spring. Accordingly, the first auxiliary roller can be arbitrarily and easily changed, and the first auxiliary roller can be pressed against the second contact portion with the most appropriate load. That is, when the pressing force is obtained only by the own weight of the auxiliary roller holder that supports the first auxiliary roller, the pressing force cannot be easily changed, but according to the invention of claim 8 of the present application. The load can be easily changed by changing the spring, and the first load can be changed with the most appropriate load according to the friction coefficient of the second contact portion and the recording material and considering the back tension. The auxiliary roller can be pressed against the second contact portion.

Further, since the spring is lightweight, it is possible to reduce the weight of the sheet feeding device as compared with a case where the pressing means is constituted by a weight or the like. Therefore, in particular, even when an impact due to a drop or the like is applied, problems such as breakage and decomposition do not occur, and an effect of excellent impact resistance is exhibited.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus including the sheet feeding device according to any one of the fourth to eighth aspects. This makes it possible for the recording apparatus to obtain the above-described effects of any one of claims 4 to 8 of the present application.

[0031]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First embodiment 1.1. Outline of Ink Jet Printer In the following, referring mainly to FIG. 1 and appropriately referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an ink jet printer as a “recording apparatus” according to the first embodiment of the present invention An outline of the jet printer will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an ink jet printer 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view (top view) of the ink jet printer 100, and mainly shows the hopper, the hopper holder, the control shaft 5, and the paper feed roller 3.
FIG. 3 is a plan view (top view) showing the control shaft 5.

An ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) 100 is a printing paper (cut sheet, hereinafter simply referred to as “paper”) P as a “recording material”.
Has a substantially U-shaped feed path in side view.
At the start end of the feeding path, a sheet feeding tray 1 as a “recording material storage section” is provided, and on the feeding path, a sheet feeding roller 3 and a conveying roller (paper feeding roller) 6 are provided. ing. A carriage 8 is provided downstream of the transport roller 6.
And a paper discharge roller 7.

The paper feed tray 1 holds a plurality of stacked sheets P
And is detachably attached to the printer 100 with the paper P stored. Installation is
It is performed by being inserted almost horizontally from the near side of the printer 100 (the left side in FIG. 1) to the back of the printer 100 (the right side in FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of (five in this embodiment) paper feed rollers 3 are attached to the paper feed roller shaft 3a. Some of them (in this embodiment, 3
) Has a rubber material 3b attached to its roller surface,
The paper P is wound around the surface so as to be easily fed. Another paper feed roller 3 (2 in this embodiment)
No rubber material 3b is attached to the surface of
These paper feed rollers 3 assist feeding of the paper P by the paper feed roller 3 having the rubber material 3b. These paper feed rollers 3 are driven to rotate (forward and reverse) around a paper feed roller shaft 3a by a drive motor (not shown).

The transport roller 6 includes a drive roller 6a rotated by a drive motor (not shown) and a drive roller 6a.
a driven roller 6b that is driven and rotated by being pressed against
And The transport roller 6 is configured to sandwich the paper P between the drive roller 6a and the driven roller 6b, and transport the paper P at a constant pitch in the sub-scanning direction (left direction in FIG. 1).

The carriage 8 includes a carriage (not shown).
The motor is configured to reciprocate along the guide shaft 12 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the front and back of the paper in FIG. 1). An ink cartridge 8a is detachably attached to the carriage 8, and the ink in the ink cartridge 8a is sent to a recording head 8b provided on the surface of the carriage 8 facing the paper P. The recording head 8b discharges ink from a nozzle row (not shown) formed on a surface facing the sheet P onto the sheet P conveyed onto the platen 9, thereby performing printing.

A control shaft 5 is provided obliquely below and behind the paper feed roller 3.
Are arranged in parallel with the feed roller shaft 3a. The control shaft 5 is rotatable (forward and reverse) independently of the paper feed roller 3, the transport roller 6, and the paper discharge roller 7 by a drive motor (not shown). 2 and 3
As shown in (1), a slit wheel 90 for detecting the rotation reference position of the control shaft 5 is attached to the left end of the control shaft 5. A slit (not shown) is formed in the slit wheel 90 in the radial direction, and an optical sensor (not shown) that allows light to pass through the slit is provided in the vicinity. The position where the light of the optical sensor passes through the center of the slit is defined as the rotation reference position of the control shaft 5 (hereinafter, also referred to as “position at a rotation angle of 0 °”). Also, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Followed roller units 40 and 41, separation pad unit 30, and sheet return units 50 and 50 are provided.

Below the sheet feed tray 1, a hopper 2 and a hopper holder 18 as "recording material contact means" are arranged. The hopper 2 is attached to the bottom of the sheet feed tray 1 so as to be rotatable (forward and reverse) about a hopper shaft 2a, and forms a part of the bottom. Hopper holder 1
8 is provided below the hopper 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the hopper holder 18 has a fulcrum shaft 18a,
The printer 100 is attached to a main body frame (not shown) so as to be rotatable (forward and reverse) about the fulcrum shaft 18a. A spring 18b for urging the hopper holder 18 upward is attached to the right end of the hopper holder 18, and a convex portion 18c for pushing up the lower part of the hopper 2 is formed at the left end.

As shown in FIG. 2, a key-shaped arm 18d extends from the right end of the hopper holder 18, and has a hopper cam follower 18e at the end.
Are formed. Hopper cam follower 18e
Are engaged with a hopper cam 21 fixed to the control shaft 5 (see also FIG. 3). The rotation of the hopper cam 21 accompanying the rotation of the control shaft 5 causes the hopper cam follower portion 18e.
Abuts on and is released from the hopper cam 21, whereby the hopper holder 18 is configured to be rotationally displaced about the fulcrum shaft 18a. In addition, hopper
With the rotational displacement of the holder 18, the hopper 2 is also rotationally displaced about the hopper shaft 2a via the projection 18c. Thus, the paper P placed on the hopper 2 is configured to be pressed against the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3 and released.

As described above, between the fulcrum shaft 18a serving as a rotation fulcrum of the hopper holder 18 and the hopper cam follower portion 18e serving as a rotational force point, the projection 18c serving as an action point for rotating and displacing the hopper 2 is provided. Is provided. By arranging the operation points in this way, the error of the rotational displacement due to the manufacturing tolerance of the hopper cam 21 and the hopper cam follower portion 18e can be reduced at the operation point. As a result, the rotational displacement of the hopper 2 can be reduced. The quantity can be made even more precise. Also, the force applied to the power point can be made smaller than when the power point is inside the action point,
As a result, it is possible to reduce the size and power consumption of the motor that rotates the control shaft 5.

The details of the hopper cam 21 and the hopper cam follower portion 18e, and the hopper holder 18 and the hopper 2 connected thereto will be described later in detail.

Returning to FIG. 1, a second portion for assisting the feeding operation by the sheet feeding roller 3 is provided near the side of the sheet feeding roller 3.
Are provided. The second auxiliary roller 10 is supported by an auxiliary roller holder 10a.
The second auxiliary roller 10 is not connected to a drive motor, and is configured to freely rotate (forward rotation and reverse rotation) in contact with the paper P as the paper P is fed.

A separation pad unit 30 (see FIG. 2) as a "first separation means" having a pad holder 11 and a separation pad 11a is provided at a lower rear portion of the paper feed roller 3. As shown in FIG. 3, a pad pad fixed to the control shaft 5 is provided in the separation pad unit 30.
A cam 31 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is arranged,
The pad holder 11 is engaged with the pad cam 31. The pad holder 11 is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the paper feed roller 3 by the rotation of the pad cam 31 accompanying the rotation of the control shaft 5, and the separation pad 11a of the pad holder 11 Surface, and
Pressing is released. Assuming that the friction coefficient between the rubber material 3b and the paper P is μ1, the friction coefficient between the separation pad 11a and the paper P is μ2, and the friction coefficient between the papers P is μ3, μ1>
μ2> μ3. Further, the friction coefficient μ2 is set to be larger than a friction coefficient between a guide surface of the sheet guide member 16 described later and the sheet P. The detailed contents of the separation pad unit 30 including the pad holder 11 and the separation pad 11a will be described later.

A plurality of (three in the present embodiment) paper feed driven rollers 4 are provided on the back surface of the paper feed roller 3. The paper feed driven roller 4 is provided in the driven roller units 40 and 41 (see FIG. 2), and is arranged to face the paper feed rollers 3 (three in this embodiment) having the rubber material 3b. The driven roller unit 40 has two feed driven rollers 4, and the driven roller unit 41 has one feed driven roller 4. These driven roller units 40 and 41 include driven roller cams 42 and 42 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) as shown in FIG.
Are fixedly arranged on the control shaft 5 and are respectively engaged with the paper feed driven rollers 4. The paper feed driven roller 4 is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the paper feed roller 3 by the rotation of the driven roller cam 42 accompanying the rotation of the control shaft 5, and is pressed against the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3. It is released.
A driven roller unit 4 having the paper feed driven roller 4
0 and the detailed contents of the driven roller cam 42 will be described later in detail.

A paper guide member 16 for guiding the paper P is provided around the paper feed roller 3 along the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller 3.
And 17 are provided at a fixed distance (for example, 2 mm) from the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller 3 (the outer peripheral surface of the rubber material 3). The arcuate guide surfaces (inner peripheral surfaces) of the guide members 16 and 17 are provided with a plurality of free rotations for facilitating the feeding of the paper P and preventing the paper P from being damaged. A possible guide roller 15 is mounted.

Between the paper feed roller 3 and the transport roller 6,
A paper detector 13 is attached. The paper detector 13 is
The leading end and the trailing end of the sheet P are detected. This detection signal is
It is provided to a control device (not shown), and is used for detecting the current position of the sheet P, identifying the size of the sheet P, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, sheet return units 50 and 50 (not shown in FIG. 1) are provided near the sides of the separation pad unit 30 and the driven roller unit 41, respectively. ing. The paper return unit 50 on the right side is arranged so as to be located at substantially the center in the width direction of normal paper (for example, vertically long A4 size paper) P printed by the printer 100.

Each of the paper return units 50, 50 is provided with a paper return lever (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) as "recording material return means", and a control shaft 5 is provided.
A paper return cam (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) is provided. The paper return lever is configured to engage with the paper return cam, rotate and displace by rotation of the paper return cam accompanying rotation of the control shaft 5, and return the paper P to the paper feed tray 1 side. The details of the sheet return unit 50 having the sheet return lever and the sheet return cam will be described later in detail.

Subsequently, the hopper 2, the hopper holder 18 and the hopper cam 21, the separation pad unit 30 and the pad cam 31, the sheet return unit 50 and the sheet return cam, and the driven roller unit 40 will be described below. And the driven roller cam 42 will be described in detail individually, and then, the paper feeding operation by the coordination of these will be described.

1.2. Configuration and Operation of Hopper, Hopper Holder, and Hopper Cam First, specific configurations and operations of the hopper 2, the hopper holder 18, and the hopper cam 21 will be described.
4A and 4B show the hopper cam 21, in which FIG. 4A is a side view, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. The hopper cam 21 includes a disk-shaped main body 21a having an insertion hole 21d through which the control shaft 5 is inserted and fixed, and a bearing 21 of the control shaft 5.
b and a cam portion 21c. The cam portion 21c is
It is formed integrally with the main body 21a and protrudes in the rotation axis direction in an arc shape along the outer peripheral portion of the disk surface of the main body 21a. The range in which the cam portion 21c is formed is:
This is a range of angles at which the hopper holder 18 maintains the lowered state (see FIG. 26 described later).

As shown in FIG. 2, the hopper cam 21 is disposed at a position where the cam portion 21c engages (contacts) the hopper cam follower portion 18e of the hopper holder 18 on the control shaft 5. And rotates integrally with the control shaft 5.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of the operation of the hopper holder 18 and the hopper 2 as the hopper cam 21 rotates. FIG. 5A shows a state of the control shaft 5 at the rotation reference position. The hopper cam follower portion 18e has a forward slope (front left side in FIG. 5),
A rear slope is provided rearward (right side in FIG. 5), and a top surface thereof has a concave curved surface substantially matching the curved surface of the cam portion 21c.

In the state shown in FIG. 5A, the outer peripheral surface of the cam portion 21c of the hopper cam 21 is in contact with the top (recessed curved surface) of the hopper cam follower portion 18e. As a result, the hopper holder 18 is connected to the hopper spring 18b (FIG. 1).
2 and FIG. 5 and FIG. 6) (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). The hopper 2 also maintains a lowered state (almost horizontal state) due to its own weight and the weight of the sheet P placed thereon. In this state, a slight gap 1 is provided between the hopper 2 and the convex portion 18c of the hopper holder 21.
The hopper 2 and the hopper holder 18 are arranged so that 8f is formed. This gap is provided so that the rotational displacement of the hopper holder 18 is not immediately transmitted to the hopper 2.
In addition, the vibration of the printer 100 itself is directly affected by the hopper 2.
It is provided so as not to be transmitted to.

FIG. 5B shows a state immediately before the control shaft 5 rotates clockwise from this state, and the contact between the cam portion 21c and the hopper cam follower portion 18e is released. FIG. 6A shows a state where the control shaft 5 is further rotated clockwise. With the rotation of the hopper cam 21, the contact position of the rear end of the cam portion 21c moves from the top of the hopper cam follower portion 18e to the front slope. Due to the contact with the front slope, the hopper holder 18
Due to the urging force of the hopper spring 18b, it rotates slightly counterclockwise about the fulcrum shaft 18a, and
Start contact.

When the hopper cam 21 further rotates, the contact between the cam portion 21c and the hopper cam follower portion 18e is released. By releasing the contact, the hopper / holder 1
8 is a fulcrum shaft 18 by the urging force of a hopper spring 18b.
Further rotate counterclockwise about a. This allows
The protrusion 18c pushes up the hopper 2, and the hopper 2 rotates counterclockwise about the hopper shaft 2a, and its front end (the right end in FIG. 6) rises. As a result, the paper P (not shown in FIG. 6) placed on the hopper 2
(The outer peripheral surface of the rubber material 3b). In this state, as will be described in detail later, the paper feed roller 3 starts rotating in the counterclockwise direction, the uppermost one of the paper P is wound around the paper feed roller 3, and the feeding of the paper P starts. Then, the front end of the sheet P is fed to the position of the transport roller 6.

When the feeding of the paper P is completed, the control shaft 5 rotates clockwise again, and the front end of the cam portion 21c starts contacting the front slope of the hopper cam follower portion 18e.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6B, the hopper comes into contact with the top of the hopper cam follower portion 18e. As a result, the hopper
The holder 18 rotates clockwise about the fulcrum shaft 18a, and the hopper 2 pushed up by the projection 18c also rotates clockwise about the hopper shaft 2a. As a result, the hopper holder 18 and the hopper 2
The state returns to the state similar to the state shown in FIG. And the rotating shaft 5
Further, it rotates clockwise and returns to the rotation reference position shown in FIG.

1.3. Configuration and Operation of Separation Pad Unit and Pad Cam Next, separation pad unit 30 and pad cam 3
1 will be described.

FIG. 7 shows the pad cam 31 and FIG.
Is a side view, and (b) is a BB cross-sectional view of (a). The pad cam 31 includes a cylindrical main body 31a having an insertion hole 31c through which the control shaft 5 is inserted and fixed, and a cam 31b. The cam part 31b is a main part 31a.
And is formed so as to protrude radially in a part of the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 31a. The range in which the cam portion 31b is formed is a range of angles (see FIG. 26 described later) in which the state that the pad holder 11 is separated from the sheet feeding roller 3 is maintained.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the detailed structure of the separation pad unit 30, and FIG. 9 is a view (partial cross-sectional view) of FIG. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. The separation pad unit 30 includes a pad holder 11, a separation pad 11a, and a first pad spring (compression coil spring).
(Spring) 11c, a pad spring holder 11d, and a pad release lever 11f. In addition, the separation pad unit 30 is provided with a pad base member (not shown) attached to a base frame (not shown) of the printer 100. The pad base member includes, as a part thereof, a pad guide member 16a for supporting the pad holder 11, and a pad release member.
The rotation shaft 116 of the lever 11f is formed. Further, the paper guide member 16 is provided with a stopper 16b for defining a separation distance of the pad holder 11 from the paper feed roller 3.

The pad holder 11 has a T-shape having a head portion 110 and a shaft portion 112. On the top surface of the head 110, a separation pad 11a is attached. The separation pad 11a has the friction coefficient μ2 described above.
(Coefficient of friction with paper P). The shaft portion 112 penetrates through the pad guide member 16a, and the pad guide member 16a causes the shaft portion 112 to move forward and backward with respect to the paper feed roller 3 (that is, to move between the contact position and the separated position with the paper feed roller 3). Will be guided.
The first pad spring 11c is provided around the shaft portion 112 and between the head portion 110 and the pad guide member 16a, and urges the pad holder 11 toward the paper feed roller 3. I have.

The pad spring holder 11d is
2 is attached to a lower end portion of the shaft member 112 by a fixing member (for example, an E-ring) 11h so as to be integrally movable with the shaft portion 112. Inside the pad spring holder 11d, a second pad spring (compression coil spring) 11e and a spacer arranged at the upper end (end on the paper feed roller 3 side) of the second pad spring 11e. 11g are stored. The second pad spring 11e urges the spacer 11g toward the paper feed roller 3, and the urging force is set to be stronger than the urging force of the first pad spring 11c. Two rectangular openings 11 are provided on the upper surface of the pad spring holder 11d.
3 and 113 are formed so that the two hook-shaped tips 115 and 115 of the pad release lever 11f can directly press the spacer 11g through these openings 113 and 113. .

The pad release lever 11f is rotatably attached to a rotating shaft 116 formed on a pad base member (not shown). At the center of the pad release lever 11f, a pad cam follower 117 extending integrally to the pad cam 31 in parallel with the control shaft 5 is integrally formed.

When the lower surface (back surface of the top surface) of the head portion 110 of the pad holder 11 comes into contact with the stopper 16b and the pad holder 11 is stopped, the separation pad 11a is brought into contact with the guide surface 160 of the paper guide member 16. It is arranged at a position slightly protruding toward the paper feed roller 3 side (for example, a position protruding 0.5 mm). As a result, as will be described later, it is easy to separate the paper P after the next paper from the uppermost paper, thereby preventing double feeding (that is, feeding two or more papers P one on top of the other). .

The stopper 16b is not provided on the pad base member attached to the paper guide member 16,
By providing the separation pad 11a directly on the paper guide member 16, the protrusion size of the separation pad 11a from the guide surface 160 can be set more accurately. Pad the stopper 16b
In the case where the pad / base member is provided on the paper guide member 16, an attachment tolerance is added when the pad / base member is provided on the paper guide member 16. However, when the stopper 16b is provided directly on the paper guide member 16, this attachment tolerance may be eliminated. Because you can.

Next, the operation of the separation pad unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 8, and FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the pad holder 11 accompanying the rotation of the pad cam 31, and is a continuation of FIG.
In these figures, FIG. 13 shows the state of the control shaft 5 at the rotation reference position.

In the state shown in FIG. 8, the cam portion 31b of the pad cam 31 is not in contact with the pad cam follower portion 117, and the pad holder 11 is separated from the paper feed roller 3. No force is acting. For this reason,
The pad holder 11 is moved toward the paper feed roller 3 by the urging force of the first pad spring 11c, and
1a is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rubber material 3 of the paper feed roller 3 (pressure contact)
Let's stop.

FIG. 11 shows a state in which the control shaft 5 rotates clockwise from this state, and the contact between the cam portion 31b and the pad cam follower portion 117 is started. FIG. 12 shows a state in which the control shaft 5 is further rotated clockwise.
Is shown in With the rotation of the pad cam 31, the cam portion 31b presses the pad cam follower portion 117. As a result, the pad cam follower unit 117
It rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 116, and its tips 115, 115 press the spacer 11 g in the pad spring holder 11 d in a direction away from the paper feed roller 3.

At this time, since the urging force of the second pad spring 11e is stronger than the urging force of the first pad spring 11c, the second pad spring 11e is not compressed, and
The pad spring 11c is compressed and the pad holder 1
1 and the pad spring holder 11d
Move in a direction away from Then, the head portion 110 of the pad holder 11 comes into contact with the stopper 16b, and the movement of the pad holder 11 and the pad spring holder 11d stops. By this movement, the separation pad 11a
Are arranged apart from the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3, and are slightly projected from the guide surface 160 of the paper guide member 16 by the stopper 16.

FIG. 13 shows a state where the control shaft 5 is further rotated from this state. With the rotation of the pad cam 31 accompanying the rotation of the control shaft 5, the pad release lever 11f further presses the spacer 11g. On the other hand, the pad holder 11 and the pad spring holder 11d
Is restricted by the stopper 16b so as not to move. Therefore, the rotational displacement of the pad release lever 11f at this time is absorbed by the compression of the second pad spring 11e. By providing the stopper 16b and the second pad spring 11e in this manner, the accurate separation position of the separation pad 11a can be easily specified. That is, the dimensions of the pad cam 31, the pad spring holder 11d, and the pad release lever 11f do not need to be precise in order to accurately define the separation position of the separation pad 11a.

1.4. Configuration and Operation of Sheet Return Unit FIGS. 14A and 14B show the sheet return cam 51, FIG. 14A is a side view, and FIG. The paper return cam 51 has an insertion hole 51c through which the control shaft 5 is inserted and fixed.
And a cam portion 51b. The cam portion 51b is integrated with the main body portion 51a,
Further, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the main body 31a is formed in a hook shape.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the paper return unit 50, and FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line GG of FIG. Figure 1
7 shows a main lever 52 and a sub lever 53 constituting the paper return unit 50, and (a) shows the main lever 52.
Left side view of lever 52, (b) is a front view of main lever 52, (d) is a left side view of sub lever 53, (e)
Is a front view of the sub-lever 53, and (c) shows the sub-lever shown by the mounting angle when the sub-lever 53 is mounted on the main lever 52 in the state of the left side view shown in (a).
It is a left view of the lever 53.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the paper return unit 50 includes a main lever 52, a sub lever 53, a paper return holder 54, and a first lever spring (tension coil spring) 55. And a second lever spring (torsion coil spring) 56. The urging force of the first lever spring 55 is set weaker than the urging force of the second lever spring 56. In the following, both the main lever 52 and the sub lever 53 may be collectively referred to as a “sheet return lever”.

As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B,
The main lever 52 includes a hook-shaped lever portion 52a for hooking the leading end of the sheet and returning the sheet to the sheet feeding tray 1, and a main body portion 52b for accommodating the sub lever 53 at a base end side of the lever portion 52a. And both are integrally formed. As shown in FIG. 16, when the leading end of the sheet P is located on the separation pad 11a of the pad holder 11, the lever portion 52a is set to a length that engages with the leading end.
At the base end of the main body 52b, an insertion hole through which the rotating shafts 53c, 53c of the sub lever 53 are inserted is formed, and the bearings 52c, which serve as bearings for the rotating shaft 53c, are formed.
52c are integrally formed. Behind the left bearing 52c, it projects toward the inside of the main body 52b,
An arc-shaped main engaging projection 52d formed coaxially with the center axis of the bearing 52c is integrally formed.

As shown in FIGS. 17D and 17E,
The sub lever 53 is a cam portion 51b of the paper return cam 51.
And a paper return cam / follower portion 53a which engages with the main body portion 52b.
Both are integrally formed. A spring hook 53e to which one end of the first lever spring 55 is attached is formed integrally with the right end of the sheet return cam follower 53a. The other end of the first lever spring 55
As shown in FIG. 16, it is attached to the rear end of the paper return holder 54. Rotary shafts 53c, 53c rotatably inserted into and mounted on the bearings 52c, 52c are integrally formed on both side ends of the sub main body 53b. The sheet return cam / follower section 53 at the left end of the sub body 53b.
An arc-shaped sub-engaging projection 53d that protrudes outward from the sub-main body 53b and is formed coaxially with the center axis of the rotating shaft 53c is integrally formed on the base end side of a. The sub-engaging projection 53d is arranged so as to be located outside the main engaging projection 52d when the sub-lever 53 is attached to the main lever 52.

The main lever 52 and the sub lever 53 are integrated as follows. That is, after the coil portion of the second lever spring 56 (see FIGS. 15 and 16) is attached to the left rotating shaft 53c,
c, 53c are fitted into bearings 52c, 52c.
By rotating the sub-lever 53 and setting the mounting angle of the sub-lever 53 shown in FIG. 17C with respect to the main lever 52 shown in FIG. The sub-engaging protrusions 53d are arranged so as to overlap each other. In this state, the two terminals of the second lever spring 56 attached to the left rotating shaft 53c are connected to the main engaging projection 52d and the sub-engaging projection 5 overlapping each other.
It is attached so as to sandwich 3d.

FIG. 18 shows a state in which the main engaging projection 52d and the sub-engaging projection 53d are sandwiched by the second lever spring 56. Second lever spring 56
Urges the main engaging projection 52d and the sub-engaging projection 53d in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. The degree of the urging force of the second lever spring 56 will be described later in detail.

After the sub lever 53 is attached to the main lever 52, both ends of the rotating shafts 53c, 53c are rotatably attached to the sheet return holder 54, and the first lever spring 55 is Spring hook part 5
3e and the rear end of the paper return holder 54,
The sub lever 53 is pulled backward (to the right in FIG. 16).

Next, the paper return operation by the paper return unit 50 will be described. FIGS. 16 and 19 show the operation when the paper P is returned to the paper feed tray 1 normally. Here, the case where the paper P is returned to the paper feed tray 1 normally means that the leading end of the paper P is on the separation pad 11a (for example, the contact center point (nip point between the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3 and the separation pad 11a). ) Near and upstream)
This refers to the case where the lever 52a engages with the leading edge of the paper P.
FIG. 16 shows a state where the control shaft 5 is at the rotation reference position. Further, the sheet return unit 50 shown in FIG.
16 corresponds to the sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG. 15, as in FIG.

At the rotation reference position of the control shaft 5, the lever portion 52a of the main lever 52 is disposed at the "standby position" which is retracted inside the paper guide member 16 in a substantially upright state. When the sub lever 53 is pulled rearward by the first lever spring 55, the main lever 52 is also moved to the standby position by the main engagement protrusion 52d and the sub engagement lever 52d sandwiched by the second lever spring 56. It is formed by being pulled rearward integrally with the sub lever 53 by the engaging projection 53d.
The main lever 52 is regulated by the sheet return holder 54 so as not to rotate backward from the standby position, whereas the sub lever 53 is not regulated in this way. However, since the urging force of the second lever spring 56 is set to be stronger than the urging force of the first lever spring 55, the sub lever 53 is moved by the urging force of the second lever spring 56. -It stops at the standby position integrally with the lever 52.

At the rotation reference position, the cam portion 51b of the paper return cam 51 is
3a and the pad holder 11
Is in a state of being separated from the paper feed roller 3.

From this state, the rotation of the paper return cam 51 accompanying the clockwise rotation of the control shaft 5 causes the cam portion 51b to rotate.
Abuts on the sheet return cam follower 53a and pushes the sheet return cam follower 53a forward from behind.
Thereby, the sub lever 53 and the main lever 5
2 rotates integrally in the counterclockwise direction, and the lever portion 52a rotates while drawing an arc of a dashed line shown in FIG. 16, and is displaced to the "return position" shown in FIG. As a result, the lever 52
“a” engages with the leading edge of the sheet P located on the separation pad 11a, and returns the sheet P to the sheet feeding tray 1. The lever 52a is disposed at a position where it does not come into contact with the paper feed roller 3 in the width direction of the paper P (that is, also in the main scanning direction and the front and back sides of the paper surface in FIGS. 16 and 19). There is no hindrance by the feed roller 3.
On the other hand, as described above, since the right sheet return unit 50 shown in FIG. 2 is located substantially at the center in the width direction of the sheet P, the lever 52a acts on the center of the sheet P in the width direction. The paper return operation is performed. As a result, the sheet can be returned more effectively than when it is applied to the side edge of the sheet P.

In the state shown in FIG. 19, the cam portion 51b
The main lever 52 and the sub-lever 53 are integrally rotated clockwise by the urging force of the first lever spring 55 to move to the standby position. Return.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show the operation when the paper P is not returned to the paper feed tray 1 normally. Here, the case where the paper P is not returned to the paper feed tray 1 normally means that the leading end of the paper P is located further downstream than the separation pad 11a (for example, near the nip point) and the lever 52
This means that a contacts the middle of the sheet P instead of the leading end. Normally, the next and subsequent sheets P are separated by the separation pad 11a, and the leading end is located near the nip point of the separation pad 11a. In some cases, the leading edge of the next sheet P is pulled downstream beyond the separation pad 11a. A similar situation may occur if the user turns off the power of the printer 100 during the feeding of the paper P and turns on the power again in that state. In addition,
FIG. 20 shows a state where the control shaft 5 is at the rotation reference position. The sheet return unit 50 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 corresponds to a sectional view taken along line GG of FIG.

At the rotation reference position of the control shaft 5, the main lever 52, the sub lever 53, the paper return cam 5
1, and separation pad 11a of pad holder 11
Are at the same position as shown in FIG.

From this state, the rotation of the paper return cam 51 accompanying the clockwise rotation of the control shaft 5 causes the cam portion 51b to rotate.
Abuts on the sheet return cam follower 53a and pushes the sheet return cam follower 53a forward from behind.
Thereby, the sub lever 53 and the main lever 5
2 rotates integrally in the counterclockwise direction, and the lever portion 52a rotates in a dashed-line arc shown in FIG. However,
As shown in FIG. 21, during this rotation, the lever 52
a contacts the middle part of the sheet P. As a result, the lever 52a receives resistance due to the weight of the paper P,
The rotation of the lever portion 52a stops at a position where the lever portion 52a contacts the sheet P. On the other hand, the cam portion 51b pushes out the paper return cam follower portion 53a to try to further rotate the sub lever 53. At this time, only the sub lever 53
Rotate against the urging force of the lever spring 56. As a result, as shown in FIG. 21, both terminals of the second lever spring 56 are opened, and the main engagement projection 52d and the sub engagement projection 53
“d” is displaced to a state where only a part of them overlaps or a state where all do not overlap.

That is, when the resistance of the sheet P due to its own weight is applied to the lever portion 52a, the main lever 52 is stopped and only the sub lever 53 is rotated. It is set to let.
As described above, when the lever 52a comes into contact with an intermediate portion of the sheet P, the lever 52a is configured to stop, so that the sheet P is not damaged by the lever 52a. . That is, when the lever 52a further rotates in the state shown in FIG. 21, the lower part of the paper P is pushed up, while the other part of the paper P is pressed by the paper feed roller 3, so that the lever 52a The sheet P is pinched by the roller 3 and wrinkles and / or scratches may occur on the sheet P. However, when the lever 52a stops, these wrinkles and scratches are prevented.

In this case, the paper P is not returned to the paper feed tray 1;
Can be returned to the paper feed tray 1 by rotating the paper feed roller 3 in the clockwise direction as described later.

In the state shown in FIG. 21, the contact between the cam portion 51b and the sheet return cam follower portion 53a is released, and the sub-lever 53 is first turned clockwise by the urging force of the first lever spring 55. After the rotation and the sub-engagement projection 53d overlap the main engagement projection 52d, the main lever 52 and the sub-lever 53 rotate integrally clockwise and return to the standby position.

As will be described later, after the paper return operation,
After the main lever 52 and the sub lever 53 return to the standby position, the control shaft 5 is configured to be able to return to the rotation reference position by reversing. At this time, the paper return cam 51 also rotates in the reverse direction, and as a result, the cam portion 51b comes into contact with the paper return cam / follower portion 53a in a direction opposite to the direction in which the paper return operation is performed. In this case, since the main lever 52 is attached so as not to retreat from the standby position as described above, the main lever 52 is not rotated and displaced. 16 to rotate clockwise in FIG. 16 to escape from the contact of the cam portion 51b. Thus, the paper return cam 51 can return to the rotation reference position even by reverse rotation. Further, after the sub lever 53 escapes from the contact, the second lever spring 53
The state shown in FIG. 16 is returned by the urging force.

1.5. Next, the specific configurations and operations of the driven roller unit 40 and the driven roller cam 42 will be described.
Note that the driven roller unit 41 includes the paper driven driven roller 4.
Driven roller, except that only one
Since the configuration is substantially the same as that of the unit 40, the description thereof will be omitted below.

FIG. 22 shows the driven roller cam 42.
(A) is a side view, (b) is FF sectional drawing of (a). The driven roller cam 42 has a cylindrical main body 42a having an insertion hole 42c through which the control shaft 5 is inserted and fixed.
And a cam portion 42b. The cam portion 42b is formed integrally with the main body portion 42a and protrudes radially on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 42a. Cam part 42b
Is a range of angles (see FIG. 26 to be described later) in which the state where the paper feed driven roller 4 is separated from the paper feed roller 3 is maintained.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are side views showing the detailed configuration of the driven roller unit 40, and FIG. 25 is a front view thereof. FIG. 23 shows a state where the control shaft 5 is at the rotation reference position.

The driven roller unit 40 includes a paper feed driven roller 4 and a slider 4a for holding the paper feed driven roller 4.
And a driven roller spring (torsion coil spring) 43,
And a spring holder 44 for holding the driven roller spring 43.

The slider 4a is mounted on the paper guide member 16. Two feed driven rollers 4 are rotatably attached to the slider 4a (while,
One feed driven roller 4 is rotatably attached to the slider 4a of the driven roller unit 41).

The first slider shafts 4b, 4b and the second slider shafts 4c, 4c are provided at the left and right ends of the slider 4a.
Are provided before and after. The first slider shafts 4b, 4b and the second slider shafts 4c, 4c are connected to two paper guide members 16 provided on the left and right of the slider 4a (that is, before and after in the main scanning direction) (see FIG. 25). (Not shown) are fitted into slide grooves 165 formed respectively, and are guided and moved by the slide grooves 165. Thereby, the slider 4a and the slider 4a
The feed driven roller 4 attached to the
5 and can be moved. Slider groove 16
The reference numeral 5 is lowered as the distance from the paper feed roller 3 increases (that is, as it moves toward the rear). The descending inclination angle is set to, for example, 15 degrees with respect to the horizontal. A driven roller spring 43 is provided at the center of the slider 4a.
The contact part 4d with which the contact is made is integrally formed.

The spring holder 44 holds the paper guide member 16.
It is attached to the lower rear of the. A driven roller spring 43 is attached to the spring holder 44 with both terminals 43a and 43b rising upward. The coil portion 43c of the driven roller spring 43 has a coil shaft 44a provided on the spring holder 44 in the main scanning direction.
Are inserted and support the driven roller spring 43. The terminal 43a located on the rear side (the right side in FIG. 23) of the driven roller spring 43 is supported forward by a rear wall rising on the back of the spring holder 43. The terminal 43b located on the front side (the left side in FIG. 23)
The support portion 4d of the slider 4a is urged forward (that is, toward the paper feed roller 3).

A driven roller cam 4 fixed to the control shaft 5
2 is disposed at a position where the driven roller spring 43 comes into contact with the terminal 43b. In the rotation reference position shown in FIG. 23, the cam portion 42b of the driven roller cam 42
b, and presses the terminal 43b backward. As a result, the terminal 43b is rotationally displaced clockwise around the coil portion 43c. Since the slider groove 165 is formed so as to descend rearward, the terminal 4b is rotated by the rotational displacement of the terminal 43b.
The slider 4a supported by 3b moves rearward (that is, in a direction away from the paper feed roller 3) along the slider groove 165 by its own weight. As a result, the paper feed driven roller 4 is arranged at a position separated from the paper feed roller 3.

At this separated position, the dimensions of the slider 4a, the driven roller cam 42 and the driven roller spring 43 are such that the roller surface of the paper feed driven roller 4 is the paper guide member 1.
6 (slightly 1.0 mm, for example).
It is configured to protrude.

When the control shaft 5 rotates clockwise from the rotation reference position to reach the state shown in FIG. 24, the contact pressing of the terminal 43b by the cam portion 42a is released. Thus, the terminal 43 b urges the slider 4 a toward the paper feed roller 3. As a result, the slider 4a moves toward the paper feed roller 3 along the slider groove 165, and the paper feed driven roller 4 comes into contact with the paper feed roller 3 and is pressed.

1.6. Next, the paper feeding operation of the printer 100 will be described in relation to the rotation angle of the control shaft 5. The rotation of the control shaft 5 and the rotation of the paper feed roller 3, the transport roller 6, and the paper discharge roller 7 are synchronously controlled by a control device (not shown) as follows.

FIG. 26 (a) shows the rotation angle of the control shaft 5 and
The above-mentioned slit wheel 90, hopper 2 (and hopper holder 18), separation pad 11a (and pad holder 11), paper feed driven roller 4, and paper return lever (main lever 52 and sub lever 53) 6 is a time chart showing a relationship with each operation. FIG. 3B is a time chart showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the control shaft 5 and the rotation (forward rotation and reverse rotation) of the paper feed roller 3. FIG. 3C is a time chart showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the control shaft 5 and the reversible area of the paper feed roller 3.

In the time chart shown in FIG. 26A, a rectangular graph of "slit wheel" indicates that the slit of the slit wheel 90 has been detected by the optical sensor. "L" of "hopper" indicates that the hopper 2 is at a position separated from the sheet feeding roller 3, and
“H” indicates that the hopper 2 is at the contact position with the paper feed roller 3. "L" of the "separation pad" indicates that the separation pad 11a is at a position separated from the sheet feeding roller 3, and "H" indicates that the separation pad 11a is at a contact position with the sheet feeding roller 3. I have. “L” of “paper feed driven roller” indicates that the paper feed driven roller 4 is at a position separated from the paper feed roller 3, and “H” indicates that the paper feed driven roller 4 is in contact with the paper feed roller 3. It indicates that there is. "L" of "paper return lever" indicates that the paper return lever is at the standby position, and "H" indicates that the paper return lever is at the paper return position.

Before the paper feeding operation is started, the optical sensor
By detecting the slit formed in the slit wheel 90, the control shaft 5 moves the rotation reference position (rotation angle 0).
Degree position). Here, slit wheel 9
The slit of 0 has a certain width, but since the width is known in advance, the rotation angle of the control shaft 5 is adjusted so that the detection light of the optical sensor passes through the center of the slit in the width direction. The adjusted position is set as the rotation reference position. The fixed width of this slit is θ ₀ (for example, 10.57 degrees) when the rotation angle of the control shaft 5 is obtained.
Hereinafter, this section is referred to as a “first section”.

In the first section, the hopper cam 21
Is in contact with the hopper cam follower portion 18e of the hopper holder 18 as shown in FIG. 5A, and the hopper holder 18 and the hopper 2 maintain the lowered state. As a result, the sheet P placed on the hopper 2 is located at a separated position separated from the sheet feeding roller 3. Pad cam 3
1 is in contact with the pad holder 11, as shown in FIG. 13, and the separation pad 11a is located at a position separated from the sheet feeding roller 3. The feed driven roller cam 42 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the paper feed driven roller 4 is in contact with the driven roller spring 43, and is at a separated position separated from the paper feed roller 3. As shown in FIG. 16, the paper return cam 51 does not push up the paper return lever, and the paper return lever is at the standby position. Further, the paper feed roller 3 is stopped.

From this rotation reference position, the control shaft 5 moves the angle θ _0.
/ 2 forward (i.e. rotation in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2), the contact between the paper back cam 51 and the sheet return lever shown in Figure 16 is started, the control shaft 5 is further angle theta _{1 (e.g.} 60 °) positive The contact is released by turning. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 19, the paper return lever is displaced from the standby position to the return position, and returns to the standby position again. As a result, the paper P on the separation pad 11a is returned.
Is present, the paper P is returned to the paper feed tray 1. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the sheet P may not be returned, but the handling of the sheet P will be described later.

The control shaft 5 is further rotated by an angle θ ₂ (for example, 10 °).
This section is also referred to as a “second section” hereinafter. When the forward rotation is performed, the contact release between the pad cam 31 and the pad release lever 11f starts, and the pad holder 11 moves toward the contact position where the pad holder 11 contacts the sheet feed roller 3. When the control shaft 5 further rotates forward by an angle θ ₃ (for example, 30 degrees), the separation pad 11 a comes into contact with (presses against) the paper feed roller 3. The state of this contact position is determined by the angle (θ ₄ + θ ₅ +
θ ₆ + θ ₇ + θ ₈ ) and a part of the angle θ ₉ .

In the second section, the section of the angle θ ₃ , and the section of the angle θ ₄ (hereinafter also referred to as “third section”), the sheet feeding roller can rotate reversely (ie, rotate clockwise in FIG. 1). (Illustrated in FIG. 26 (c)). By rotating the sheet feeding roller 3 in the third section where the separation pad 11a is in the contact position, the sheet P that is not returned by the sheet returning lever described above.
(See FIGS. 20 and 21) is pressed against the paper feed roller 3 by the separation pad 11a, and thus is reliably returned to the vicinity of the nip point of the paper feed tray 1 or the separation pad 11a.

The reverse rotation of the paper feed roller 3 can be performed for each paper feeding operation, or once every several feeding operations. In addition, the paper feed roller 3
Is set to an angle sufficient to return the paper P not returned by the paper return lever to the vicinity of the nip point of the paper feed tray 1 or the separation pad 11a.

When the paper feed roller 3 is rotated in the reverse direction, the control shaft 5 is also rotated in the reverse direction and returns to the rotation reference position. Then, the paper is rotated again, and the paper return operation by the paper return lever is started. In this way, the paper P on the separation pad 11a is reliably returned to the paper feed tray 1 before feeding.

After the third section, the paper feed driven rollers
The contact release between the cam 42 and the driven roller spring 43 is started.
And the angle θ₅(For example, 71.3 degrees)
The contact is completely released. This enables the feed driven roller
4 is displaced to the contact position, and comes into contact with the paper feed roller 3 (pressure contact).
I do. This contact position is the angle θ₅Angle θ following the section of ₆
Section (for example, 10 degrees, hereinafter also referred to as “fourth section”)
U. ), Angle θ₇Section, angle θ₈Section (for example, 1
0 degrees, hereinafter also referred to as “fifth section”. ), And angle θ
₉Is continued for a part of the section.

[0111] In the angle theta ₅ sections, the abutment release the hopper cam 21 and hopper holder 18, hopper holder 18 pushes up the hopper 2, as a result, the hopper 2 is displaced to the contact position Then, the paper P placed on the hopper 2 comes into contact with the paper feed roller 3. The abutting position is continued during part of the fourth section and angle theta ₇ sections.

In the fourth section in which all of the hopper 2, the separation pad 11a, and the paper feed driven roller 4 are in the contact position, the paper feed roller 3 and the transport roller 6 rotate forward to perform the paper feed operation. (Illustrated by the solid line in FIG. 26B). FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the sheet feeding operation.

First, both the paper feed roller 3 and the transport roller 6 rotate forward, and the paper P is fed from the paper feed roller 3 to the transport roller 6 (step S1). That is, since the hopper 2 is at the contact position, the paper P on the hopper 2
It is pressed against the paper feed roller 3, wound around the paper feed roller 3, and fed. Further, at this time, since the separation pad 11a squeezes the paper P between the paper feed roller 3 and the above-described relationship of the friction coefficient (μ1>μ2> μ3), double feeding of the paper P is prevented, Only the uppermost sheet P is fed toward the transport roller 6 through the U-shaped feeding path. Further, when the paper feed driven roller 4 abuts (presses) on the paper feed roller 3 during feeding, the conveyance force of the paper feed roller 3 is obtained, and the paper P is quickly and reliably transferred to the conveyance roller 6. Can be fed.

This feeding is continued until the leading end of the uppermost sheet P is nipped by the transport roller 6 and slightly protrudes downstream from the transport roller 6. The feed roller 3 and the transport roller 6 are temporarily stopped with the leading edge of the uppermost sheet P slightly protruding downstream from the transport roller 6 (step S2).

Subsequently, only the transport roller 6 is rotated in the reverse direction and the normal direction, and a skew removing process for correcting the skew of the sheet P is performed (step S3). That is, once the transport roller 6 is rotated in the reverse direction and then rotated forward again, the leading end of the sheet P is made parallel to the roller axis of the transport roller 6.

After being made parallel, the paper feed roller 3 and the transport roller 6 are both rotated forward, and the paper P is fed further downstream (step S4). When the paper P is fed by a predetermined amount to the downstream side, the paper feed roller 3 and the transport roller 6 temporarily stop (Step S5). Here, the predetermined amount is defined as a feeding amount between a contact center point (nip point) between the sheet feeding roller 3 and the separation pad 11a and a portion of the sheet feeding tray 1 where the leading end (front end) of the sheet P is located. The length along the transmission route (that is, the length between S and T in FIG. 29 described later)
The transport amount is more than one minute. Step S6 of FIG. 28 described later
When the transport roller 6 is rotated in the reverse direction, the uppermost sheet returned by the reverse rotation may bend in the feed path on the upstream side of the transport roller 6. Is preferably equal to or more than the sum of the length and the amount of deflection. In addition,
The control shaft 5 is controlled to stop rotating in the fourth section until the sheet feeding operation shown in FIG. 27 is completed.

After the paper feeding operation is completed, the control shaft 5 is moved to the angle θ.
₇(For example, 87.8 degrees) while the hopper
The cam 2 contacts the hopper holder 18 again, and the hopper 2
Is displaced to the separated position. Subsequently, the control axis 5 is further angled
θ₈(Fifth section) and angle θ ₉(For example, 60 degrees)
To rotate. Angle θ₉During rotation of the pad cam 31
The contact with the pad release lever 11f starts, and
The separation pad 11a is displaced to the separation position. In addition, the driven low
The contact between the la cam 42 and the driven roller spring 43 starts.
Then, the paper feed driven roller 4 is displaced to the separated position.

[0118] Then, the control shaft 5, further the angle theta _0/2
Is rotated to return to the rotation reference position again. Thus, one rotation of the control shaft 5 completes one paper feeding operation. Incidentally, the sum of the angle from the angle theta ₀ described above to theta ₉ 36
The angle described in parentheses as a specific value of each of these angles is partly rounded off, but the total of the specific angles described in parentheses is 360 degrees.
Not a degree.

In this rotation reference position, that is, in the first section, the printing process is performed after the process of returning the next and subsequent sheets to the paper feed tray 1 is performed. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the flow of these processes.

First, only the transport roller 6 is reversed by a predetermined rotation amount, and the uppermost sheet is returned by a transport amount corresponding to the predetermined rotation amount. It is returned to the paper tray 1 (step S6). Here, the predetermined rotation amount may be a rotation amount necessary to convey the predetermined amount in step S5 described above, or may exceed the rotation amount, and may be a rotation amount exceeding the predetermined amount. May be a rotation amount that does not release the engagement with the transport roller 6. Also, the returned topmost sheet may bend in the feed path on the upstream side of the transport roller 6, but the predetermined amount of rotation is limited to the length between S and T shown in FIG. It is preferable that the transport amount is equal to or more than the added transport amount.

FIG. 29 is a principle explanatory diagram for explaining the principle that the subsequent paper is returned to the paper feed tray 1 by the reverse rotation of the predetermined rotation amount of the transport roller 6. In the first section, immediately before the transport roller 6 reversely rotates, the separation pad 11a is separated from the paper feed roller 3 as shown in FIG.
Leading edge of the sheet P ₂ of the next or subsequent is located near the nip point on the separation pad 11a. Further, the second auxiliary roller 10 projects below the roller surface of the sheet feeding roller 3,
It is pressed toward the sheet P ₁ and the next or subsequent sheet P ₂ the uppermost downwards.

[0122] In this state, when the reverse conveying roller 6, the sheet P ₁ in the uppermost, is returned to the paper feed tray 1 by its rigidity. In this case, depending on the rigidity of the uppermost sheet P ₁ , the sheet P ₁ may be returned to the sheet feeding tray 1 while being bent in the feeding path on the upstream side of the conveying roller 6. At this time,
Paper P ₂ of the next or subsequent, since in contact with the paper P ₁ of highest level by pressing the second auxiliary roller 10, the outermost by adhesion between the sheets of the contact portions (frictional force, electrostatic force, etc.) together with the paper P ₁ higher, it is returned to the paper feed tray 1.
The amount to be returned, since an amount corresponding to the predetermined rotation amount as described above, the sheet P ₂ of the next or subsequent becomes be reliably returned to the paper feed tray 1. Returned second and subsequent sheets P
₂ falls into the paper feed tray 1 at the separated position due to its own weight. Thus, as described below, then, the sheet P ₁ in the uppermost be fed to the downstream side, the sheet P ₂ of the next or subsequent is prevented from being doubly fed.

Subsequently, the feed roller 3 and the transport roller 6
Rotate forward, and the topmost paper P ₁Start recording
It is sent to the position (step S7). That is, the so-called
A cue operation is performed. Then, the paper feed roller 3 and
The feed roller 6 rotates forward at a constant pitch to feed the paper.
Then, printing by the recording head is performed (step S
8). Top-level paper P fed₁Until printing is completed.
The spindle 5 stops rotating.

By rotating the feed roller 3 forward during printing, the transport resistance (transport load or back tension) is reduced, and the transport accuracy of the transport roller 6 can be improved. Further, in the first section, the paper feed driven roller 4 is in the separated position, so that the paper feed driven roller 4
Back tension can be eliminated. That is, when the paper feed driven roller 4 is at the contact position, the rear end of the paper P being printed is pressed between the paper feed roller 3 and the back tension is generated. Back tension due to pressing can be eliminated. Further, as described above, the paper feed driven roller 4 keeps the guide surface 16 of the paper guide member 16 even at the separated position.
Since it slightly protrudes from zero (see FIG. 23), the contact friction resistance between the guide surface 160 and the sheet P is eliminated, thereby also reducing the back tension.

[0125] 2. Second Embodiment FIG. 30 is a schematic side view of a printer 200 according to a second embodiment. Printer 10 according to first embodiment
The same components as those of 0 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference from the first embodiment is that, in addition to the second auxiliary roller 10, a first auxiliary roller 20 is added. The point is that the pad 150 is provided. The other points are the same as those of the first embodiment, and only the different points will be described below.

The guide pad 150 is arranged at a position deviated from the separation pad 11a in the sheet width direction (the front and back direction in FIG. 30) so that the sheet feeding roller 3 does not come into contact with the sheet supply roller 3, and is fixed to the sheet guide member 16. It is established. The pad surface of the guide pad 150 protrudes slightly (for example, 1 mm) from the guide surface 160, so that the leading end of the fed sheet P can easily contact the guide pad 150. . The guide pad 150 is formed of a friction member having the same friction coefficient as the separation pad 11a.

The first auxiliary roller 20, like the second auxiliary roller 10, is attached to the auxiliary roller holder 10a so as to be freely rotatable. The first auxiliary roller 20 is pushed upward through the sheet P placed on the hopper 2 and the second auxiliary roller 10 with the rise of the hopper 2,
It is separated from the guide pad 150. On the other hand, as the hopper 2 moves down, the first auxiliary roller 20
It is lowered by the weight of the holder 10a, the spring force of an unillustrated urging spring attached to the auxiliary roller holder 10a, and the pressing spring 131 as a "pressing means" described later in detail. The sheet P is configured to be pressed.

Therefore, in the fourth section (see FIG. 26) in which the paper P is being fed, the first auxiliary roller 20 is separated from the guide pad 150 and printing is performed. In the first section, the sheet P abuts (presses) on the guide pad 150 and sandwiches the sheet P.

The flow of the processing shown in the time chart of FIG. 26 described above, the feeding processing in the fourth section (the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 27 described above), and the processing in the first section (FIG. 28 described above) The processing of the flowchart of (1) is also performed in the same manner in the second embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

[Structure and Operation of First Auxiliary Roller and Second Auxiliary Roller] FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a 0th and a second auxiliary roller 10, and an auxiliary roller holder 10a holding the same. FIG.
2 is a schematic plan view of the auxiliary roller holder 10a attached to the printer 200. Hereinafter, in the auxiliary roller holder 10a, the paper feed roller shaft 3a side is referred to as "front" or "front end", and the paper discharge roller shaft 7a side is referred to as "rear" or "rear end".

The auxiliary roller holder 10a is integrally formed of a resin material. At the front end of the auxiliary roller holder 10a, holding portions 110 and 120 provided before and after in the rotation axis direction of the sheet feeding roller shaft 3a (that is, in the width direction of the sheet P) are formed.

The two second auxiliary rollers 10, 10 are respectively attached to the holding portions 110, 120 by the rotating shaft 10.
b and 10b so as to be freely rotatable. One holding portion 110 is extended longer than the other holding portion 120, and a first auxiliary roller 20 is attached to a tip of the holding portion 110 so as to be freely rotatable via a rotation shaft 20b. The first auxiliary roller 20 is arranged so as to be located forward and diagonally above the second auxiliary roller 10. The specific positional relationship between the first auxiliary roller 20 and the second auxiliary roller 10 is determined when the second auxiliary roller 10, 10 is pushed upward by the sheet P as shown in FIG. Is that the first auxiliary roller 20 is separated from the guide pad 150 and its roller surface retreats substantially inward or inside the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3, as shown in FIG. , The roller surface of the second auxiliary roller 10, 10 is pressed by the holder spring 117, the weight of the auxiliary roller holder 10 a, and the roller of the paper feed roller 3 by the pressing spring 131 as “pressing means” described later in detail. When the first auxiliary roller 20 descends below the surface, the first auxiliary roller 20 contacts the guide pad 150 and presses it. Incidentally, the interrelationship of the three elements pressing the first auxiliary roller 20 will be described later in detail.

The holding units 110 and 120 are arranged such that the center axes of the second auxiliary rollers 10 and 10 held therein substantially coincide with the center axes of the feed roller shafts 3a, or the center axes of the former are the latter. Printer 20 slightly from the center axis of
0 (upper side in FIG. 32, right side in FIG. 1). Also, the holding unit 1
The interval between 10 and 120 is the second auxiliary roller 10, 1
0 is set to a distance arranged near each side of the two paper feed rollers 3. The paper feed roller shaft 3a has a paper feed roller 3 having the rubber 3b mounted thereon and a paper feed roller not having the rubber material 3b mounted thereon (a roller for assisting the paper feed operation by the paper feed roller 3). ) 30 is also fixed, and the auxiliary roller holder 10a slides (in the left-right direction in FIG. 3) along the feed roller shaft 3a by sandwiching the feed roller 30 to such an extent that the feed roller 30 slightly contacts. Not to be held.

On the upper portions of the holding portions 110 and 120, a first support portion 111 extending substantially horizontally toward the front is provided.
a and 111b are formed. First support part 11
1a and 111b are disposed above the paper feed roller shaft 3a when the auxiliary roller holder 10a is mounted on the paper feed roller shaft 3a. The first support portion 111a is configured to support the auxiliary roller holder 10a by suspending it on the paper feed roller shaft 3a. The first support portion 111a is configured such that the paper feed roller shaft 3a is connected to the first support portion 111a.
a, the respective roller surfaces of the second auxiliary rollers 10, 10 are slightly (for example, several meters) from the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3 (the outer peripheral surface of the rubber material 3b) as shown in FIG.
m) It is configured to protrude.

The distance between the first supporting portion 111a and the holding portion 120 facing the first supporting portion 111a is a dimension capable of displacing the feed roller shaft 3a by a predetermined amount, in other words, the distance between the auxiliary roller and the feed roller shaft 3a. The holder 10a is set to a size that allows displacement by a predetermined amount. As shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later, the second auxiliary rollers 10 and 10
When pushed upward, the respective roller surfaces of the second auxiliary rollers 10, 10 can retreat to the same position as the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3 (the outer peripheral surface of the rubber material 3b) or to the inside thereof. Quantity.

On the other hand, the first support portion 111b is disposed above the first support portion 111a, and
The space between the first support portion 111a and the holding portion 110 facing the first support portion 111a is formed larger than the space between the first support portion 111a and the holding portion 120 opposed thereto. Therefore, even if the first support portion 111a is in contact with the paper feed roller shaft 3a, the first support portion 111b is kept in contact with the paper feed roller shaft 3a.
, So that a gap is formed between them. This is to prevent the auxiliary roller holder 10a from being damaged by the forced force when the force is applied from the outside due to the jam of the sheet P or the like.

At the rear of the auxiliary roller holder 10a, a tail 113 extending to the position of the discharge roller shaft 7a is formed. At the tip of the tail 113, the discharge roller shaft 7a is rotatably gripped. In addition, a second support portion 112 for suspending and supporting the auxiliary roller holder 10a is formed on the discharge roller shaft 7a.

The auxiliary roller holder 10a is attached to the printer 200 by the first support 111a and the second support 112 while being suspended by the feed roller shaft 3a and the discharge roller shaft 7a. .

In the vicinity of the side of the holding part 120, a spring housing part 115 is formed. In this spring storage part 115,
After the holder spring (compression coil spring) 117 is stored, the spring cap 116 is placed on the upper part. The spring cap 116 has protrusions 116 at its front and rear.
a, 116a (the rear projection 116a is not shown). These projections 116a, 116a
Are fitted into slits 118 and 119 formed in the front wall and the rear wall of the spring housing 115, respectively. As a result, the spring cap 116 and the holder spring 117 do not fall out of the spring housing 115. When the auxiliary roller holder 10a is attached to the paper feed roller shaft 3a, the holder spring 117 is used to hold the paper feed roller shaft 3 via the spring cap 116.
a, and the auxiliary roller holder 10a is urged downward (that is, toward the sheet P placed on the sheet feed tray 1).

A pressing means for pressing the first auxiliary roller 20 against the guide pad 150 is provided behind the first support portion 111b. In FIGS. 31 and 32, reference numerals 130 and 131 constitute the pressing means, and indicate a pressing member and a pressing spring (compression coil / spring), respectively. The attachment of the pressing member 130 to the auxiliary roller holder 10a is performed by using the fitting hole 1 formed at the distal end of the arms 136 and 136 formed on the pressing member 130.
33, 133 and projections 132, 132 formed on the auxiliary roller holder 10a.

The pressing member 130 is integrally formed of a resin material. A spring holding portion 137 for holding the pressing spring 131 is formed on the pressing member 130.
Are the spring holding part 137 and the auxiliary roller holder 10a.
Is pressed between the spring contact portion 138 formed in the first portion and the second portion.

On the other hand, in front of the pressing member 130, the tongue 13
4 are formed. After the pressing member 130 is disposed so that the tongue piece 134 protrudes from the window 135 formed in the auxiliary roller holder 10a, as described above, the fitting hole 13 is formed.
Attachment is achieved by fitting 3,133 to the projections 132,132. Therefore, the pressing member 130 uses the projections 132, 132 as pivot points and
4 is rotatable within a range where it contacts the upper and lower portions of the window 135. Further, the tongue piece 134 is formed in a size and a shape capable of contacting the sheet feeding roller shaft 3a from below in a state where the tongue piece 134 protrudes from the window 135.

FIG. 33 shows a state in which the tongue piece 134 presses the paper feed roller shaft 3a from below (a state in which the first auxiliary roller 20 comes into pressure contact with the guide pad 150). It is sectional drawing. In FIG. 33, a protrusion 137a is formed inside a spring holding portion 137 that holds the pressing spring 131, and the pressing spring 131 is held without being displaced by fitting into the protrusion 137a. As described above, since the pressing spring 131 is sandwiched between the spring holding portion 137 and the spring pressing portion 138, the pressing force of the pressing spring 131, which is a compression coil spring, causes the tongue piece 134 to move as shown in FIG. It receives an upward pressing force. As a result, the tongue piece 134 exerts a force to push up the paper feed roller shaft 3a from below. However, since the feed roller shaft 3a is fixed by a bearing (not shown), the auxiliary roller holder 10a is
3, the first auxiliary roller 20 receives the downward pressing force, so that the first auxiliary roller 20 is placed under the guide
It will be in pressure contact with the pad 150.

Here, in the auxiliary roller holder 10a, the holder spring 117 is located near the first support portion 111a.
Is installed. Since the holder spring 117 exerts a force to push up the sheet feeding roller shaft 3a from below, the first auxiliary roller 20 also receives a force pressing the guide pad 150 by the holder spring 117. .

FIG. 34 shows how a load is applied to the first auxiliary roller 20 by the holder spring 117 and the pressing spring 131, and is a view as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. Further, FIG. 34, the first auxiliary roller 20, and shows a state of pressure contact with the guide pads 150, shows the pressure contact position between the horizontal position H ₁ is the guide pad 150. Note that the horizontal position H ₂ is determined by the second auxiliary roller 10
And shows the position to be in contact with the paper P during printing, the second auxiliary roller 10, 10 from the position of the horizontal position H _2,
The sheet P being printed receives a pressing force directed upward, whereby the auxiliary roller holder 10a rises.

In FIG. 34, the holder spring 117 is
Against the paper feed roller shaft 3a, it exerts an upward pressing force F ₂ via a spring cap 16. As a result, the first
Is pressed against the upper portion of the feed roller shaft 3a (the portion indicated by reference numeral C in FIG. 34). Here, as described above, the first support portion 111b is connected to the first support portion 111a.
For located more upward, thereby the auxiliary roller holder 10a, moment force that rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 34 the pressure point C as a rotation fulcrum acts, as a result, the pressing force F ₂ is the One auxiliary roller 20 is pressed against the guide pad 150.

Similarly, the tongue piece 134 is
1 also by the upward pressing force F ₁ to be applied to the paper feed roller shaft 3a (not shown in FIG. 34), the first auxiliary roller 20 receives a force for pressing the guide pad 150. The pressing force F _1, because they are located on the first auxiliary roller 20 near the first auxiliary roller 20, and more can be pressed directly, thereby, a small and highly accurate error It becomes possible to apply a load. Further, the first auxiliary roller 20 receives a force of pressing against the guide pad 150 by the weight of the auxiliary roller holder 10a. As described above, the holder spring 117,
The force T ₁ (combined force) of pressing the first auxiliary roller 20 against the guide pad 150 is synthesized by the three elements of the weight of the pressing spring 131 and the auxiliary roller holder 10a.

Here, the pressing force T applied to the paper P being printed by the second auxiliary rollers 10, 10 by the three elements described above.
_{2, T 3} is, as a relationship of substantially _T 2 = _{T 3,} the 3
Elements are allocated and configured. That is, pressing force T ₂ = T ₃
Are established, the spring constant of the holder spring 117 and the pressing spring 131 and the weight of the auxiliary roller holder 10a are determined.

Further, the pressing force of the holder spring 117, the weight of the auxiliary roller holder 10a, and the pressing force of the pressing spring 131 are different from those of the second auxiliary rollers 10, 1 during printing.
0 is larger than the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3 so that the paper P fed by the paper feed roller 3 is separated from the paper feed roller 3, and the first auxiliary The roller 20 is pressed against the guide pad 150 to sandwich the sheet P, and is set to a size such that the next and subsequent sheets P are dragged by the uppermost sheet P and are not multi-fed.

The holder spring 117 and the pressing spring 131
As an alternative to the above, a weight that weights the auxiliary roller holder 10a may be used, but it is preferable to use a spring from the viewpoint of reducing the weight of the entire apparatus and improving the shock resistance performance against a shock such as a drop.

Next, the first auxiliary roller 20, the second auxiliary roller 10, 10, the auxiliary roller holder 1
The operation of 0a will be described. First, the operation when the paper feed tray 1 is mounted will be described. In a state where the second auxiliary rollers 10, 10 are not subjected to a pressing force from below toward the upper side by the sheets P stacked on the sheet feeding tray 1, the second auxiliary rollers 10, 10
7, the weight of the auxiliary roller holder 10 a, and the pressing force of the pressing spring 131 slightly protrude from the sheet feeding roller 3. The first auxiliary roller 20 is also provided with a pressing force of the holder spring 117 and the auxiliary roller holder 1.
The guide pad 150 is pressed by its own weight of 0 a and the pressing force of the pressing spring 131. That is,
The state is substantially the same as the state of the first auxiliary roller 20 and the second auxiliary rollers 10, 10 shown in FIG.

In this state, when the sheet feeding tray 1 on which the stacked sheets P are placed is mounted, if the amount of the sheets P is small (for example, if the specified number of sheets of the sheet Case), the sheet P is placed on the second auxiliary roller 1
Mounted without touching 0,10. In this case, the paper P does not contact the paper feed roller 3.

On the other hand, when the amount of paper P is large (for example,
(When paper exceeding the specified number of sheets in paper feed tray 1 is placed)
The uppermost sheet is loaded with the second auxiliary roller 10,
10 may be contacted. Even in such a case, the second auxiliary rollers 10, 10 can rotate freely and can be retracted upward by the compression of the holder spring 117. 1
Numeral 0 contacts the uppermost sheet and rotates and retracts, whereby the entire sheet tray 1 and sheet P are guided in the mounting direction. Thus, the paper P is first
Of the sheet P is prevented from being bent (buckled), wrinkled, or damaged by the sheet P being directly contacted with the sheet feeding roller 3 and blocked. can do.

Next, the operation at the time of feeding and printing the paper P will be described. FIG. 35 is a schematic side view (partially sectional view) of the printer 200 at the time of feeding the paper P taken out of the paper feed tray 1, wound around the paper feed roller 3, and sent out to the transport roller 6. FIG. 36 is a schematic side view (partially sectional view) of the printer 200 at the time of recording (at the time of printing) in which printing is performed while the paper P is transported in the sub-scanning direction at a constant pitch by the transport rollers 6 after the paper feeding shown in FIG. Figure). In FIGS. 35 and 36, the front portion of the auxiliary roller holder 10a is indicated by AA in FIG.
It is shown as a sectional view.

First, referring to FIG. 35, at the time of feeding, hopper 2 and sheet P are pushed up by hopper holder 18. Accordingly, the second auxiliary roller 1
0 and 10 are pushed upward by the paper P. As a result, the auxiliary roller holder 10a is displaced upward against the pressing force of the holder spring 117 until the roller surface of the second auxiliary roller 10, 10 is at the same position as the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3. I do. Thereby, the second auxiliary roller 1
0, 10 is displaced to a position where the roller surface thereof coincides with the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3, and the leading end of the paper P is placed on the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3 (and the roller of the second auxiliary rollers 10, 10). Surface). On the other hand, the first auxiliary roller 20 is separated from the guide pad 150 with the rise of the auxiliary roller holder 10a, and its roller surface is substantially the same as the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3 or retracts inward. . At this time, the separation pad 11a and the paper feed driven roller 4 are arranged in a state of being pressed against the roller surface of the paper feed roller 3.

Thereafter, in this state, the paper feed roller 3 starts rotating counterclockwise. Thus, P ₁ the uppermost sheet of paper P being in contact pressed against the paper feed roller 3 is wound paper feed roller 3 wound, passes between the between the separation pad 11a and the paper feed follower roller 4 Then, after the roller surface of the sheet feed roller 3 has been rotated substantially half way, the sheet is fed to the transport roller 6 on the downstream side.

On the other hand, the separation pad 11a is
P₁Paper P immediately after ₂(The next paper
Crab, paper directly under it, and paper directly under it
And so on. ) Is paper P₁To be fed with
And paper P₁And P₂Between the paper feed roller 3
By utilizing the difference of friction coefficient μ1> μ2> μ3 described above,
To separate these sheets. That is, the separation pad 1
1a, the paper P₁Only is wound around the feed roller 3
Sent out. And paper P₂Is the tip
The contact center point (nip) between the roller 3 and the separation pad 11a
Stop on the separation pad 11a in the position near
I do.

[0158] Incidentally, in case the feed, the second auxiliary roller 10, 10, since the contact with the sheet _{P 1,} the paper _{P 1}
Rotates following the feeding of the sheet. On the other hand, since the first auxiliary roller 20 is separated from the guide pad 150,
Paper P ₁ of the top-level guide the first auxiliary roller 20
The paper is smoothly fed without being caught by the pad 150.

[0159] When feeding of the conveying roller 6 of the sheet P ₁ in the uppermost ends, as shown in FIG. 34, the hopper 2 is lowered, thereby pressing state of the paper feed roller 3 of the sheet P is released . As a result, the second auxiliary rollers 10, 10
Is released, so that the auxiliary roller holder 10a
Is lowered by the pressing force of the holder spring 117, its own weight, and the weight. Then, the second auxiliary rollers 10, 10
Roller surface of the slightly protrude downward by a roller surface of the paper feed roller 3, to urge the uppermost sheet P _{1 (and} the paper P ₂ of the next or _subsequent) from the top. The pressing force of the holder spring 117, the weight of the auxiliary roller holder 10a, and the pressing force of the pressing spring 131 (see FIG. 33) are equally distributed to each of the two second auxiliary rollers 10, 10. Therefore, the topmost sheet P ₁ (and the next and subsequent sheets P
₂ ) The urging from the upper part is performed by two second auxiliary rollers 1
The pressing is performed with equal pressing force from each of 0 and 10. Thus, the paper P ₁ is fed in a state where the skew (skew) is prevented.

On the other hand, the first auxiliary roller 20 presses the guide pad 150 with the lowering of the auxiliary roller holder 10a. Thus, the paper P ₁ of the top-level is in a state sandwiched between the first auxiliary roller 20 and the guide pad 150.

The separation pad 11a and the paper feed driven roller 4 are separated from the paper feed roller 3. This conveyance by the separation pad 11a and the paper feed follower roller 4 presses the trailing end of the sheet P ₁ between the paper feed roller 3 roller 6
This is to reduce the back tension that is applied to.

[0162] Then, in this state, the sheet P ₁ is gradually being printed (recorded) by the recording head 8b while being transported at a predetermined pitch by the conveying rollers 6. At the time of printing (at the time of recording), the paper feed roller 3 is configured to rotate counterclockwise together with the transport roller 6 in order to reduce the back tension caused by the paper feed roller 3. Thus, the rear portion of the sheet P ₁ is gradually conveyed by the paper feed roller 3.

At this time, the second auxiliary rollers 10, 10
Is arranged on the upstream side of the separation pad 11a, since there is no pressing the paper P ₁ between the separation pad 11a,
Back tension is reduced.

[0164] On the other hand, the second auxiliary roller 10, 10 so urges the sheet feeding roller paper P ₁ uppermost and protrudes from the roller surface of the third and the next or subsequent sheet P ₂ downward , The two sheets P ₁ and P ₂ are transferred to the second auxiliary roller 10,
In the portion 10, both are separated from the paper feed roller 3. Here, the paper P ₁ of the top-level, because the downstream portion thereof is wound paper feed roller 3 wound, the second auxiliary roller 10, 10
Is temporarily separated from the paper feed roller 3 at this point, but is again wound in contact with the paper feed roller 3. On the other hand, the paper P
_2, the downstream portion (tip) is not wound, because on the separation pad 11a, in a state of being separated from the paper feed roller 3, is oriented toward the separation pad 11a due to the rigidity of the sheet P ₂ . Further, the separation pad 11a so having a coefficient of friction as described above, by the coefficient of friction to lock the leading end of the sheet P ₂ in the next or subsequent near its contact center point. Thus, during printing, even while the paper feed roller 3 carrying the sheet P ₁ in the uppermost rotates, the next or subsequent sheet P
₂ of double feed is first prevented by the second auxiliary roller 10, 10 and the separation pad 11a.

[0165] On the other hand, depending on the type of paper, a large adhesion force between the sheets, the sheet P ₂ is, double feeding is the fact there is more than a separation pad 11a. Here, the first auxiliary roller 20
The center point of contact between the guide pad 150 and the separation pad 11a is located downstream of the center point of contact between the separation pad 11a and the paper feed roller 3, and the first auxiliary roller 20 causes the guide pad 150 to It is in the pressed state. Therefore, even when the sheet P ₂ is double feed beyond the separation pad 11a,
Paper _{P 2,} the first auxiliary roller 20 and guide
It is stopped by the pad 150, so that the double feeding of the sheet P ₂ is prevented. In particular, since the guide pad 150 is formed of the friction member having the above-described friction coefficient, the double feed prevention effect is large. Thus, the second auxiliary rollers 10, 10 and the separation pad 11a, and the first
2 called auxiliary roller 20 and guide pad 150
Since double feed is prevented by the steps, double feed is reliably prevented.

[0166] Here, as described above, the angle between the tip and the guide pad 150 at the time the leading edge of the sheet P ₂ is brought into contact with the guide pad 150, the separation pad 11a that the tip is in the separate position The angle is set so as to be larger than the angle formed between the tip and the separation pad 11a at the time of contact. Therefore, the tip is the guide pad 1
The load (contact resistance) at the time of contact with the contact pad 50 is
It becomes larger than the load (contact resistance) at the time of contact with 1a.
As a result, the first auxiliary roller 20 moves the guide pad 1
Even if the pressing force for pressing the separation pad 11a is smaller than the pressing force for pressing the separation pad 11a, double feed prevention can be sufficiently achieved. As a result, the separation pad 1
The double feed can be prevented with a smaller pressing force than pressing the 1a, and the pressing force can be reduced, so that the back tension generated by pressing can be reduced.

[0167] Note that the first auxiliary roller 20, so mounted for free rotation, rotates with the conveyance of the sheet P _1.

Further, even when the printing is advanced and the rear end of the uppermost sheet P ₁ is separated from the winding of the sheet feeding roller 3,
Paper P ₂ of the next or subsequent, since apart from the paper feed roller 3, will not be conveyed is wound paper feed roller 3 wound being rotated. In particular, the two second auxiliary rollers 10, 1
0 are both disposed near the sides of the two paper feed rollers 3, so that the paper P ₂ after the next paper is fed to the paper feed rollers 3.
The effect of separating from is large. The sheet P _2, which has reached the position of the first auxiliary roller 20 also, since it is arranged at a position spaced from the paper feed roller 3 by the first auxiliary roller 20, will not be conveyed. In this way, the double feeding of the sheet P ₂ of the next or subsequent upon the print paper P ₁ the uppermost is reliably prevented.

Since the second auxiliary rollers 10 and 10 are in elastic contact with the paper by the holder spring 117, the vibration of the paper due to the conveyance during printing can be absorbed, and wrinkles and the like on the paper can be absorbed. Can be prevented, and the paper can be protected. In addition, two second auxiliary rollers 1
Since the rolls 0 and 10 also perform a rolling operation with the point supported by the holder spring 117 as a fulcrum, the vibration of the paper is also absorbed and the paper is protected.

In this embodiment, two second auxiliary rollers 10, 10 are provided, but one or three or more auxiliary rollers may be provided. Although a plurality of first auxiliary rollers 20 can be provided, a smaller number is more preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the back tension as much as possible. The first and second embodiments described above. In the above, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a printer has been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is also applicable to a recording device such as a copying machine and a facsimile.

[0171]

According to the present invention, after the next recording material (paper) is returned to the recording material storage portion (paper feed tray), the highest recording material is recorded while being conveyed. Therefore, double feeding of the recording material after the next rank is reliably prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view (top view) of the ink jet printer, mainly showing a hopper, a hopper holder, a control shaft, and a paper feed roller.

FIG. 3 is a plan view (top view) showing a control axis.

FIG. 4 (a) is a side view of a hopper cam,
(B) is AA sectional drawing of (a).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the hopper holder and the hopper accompanying rotation of the hopper cam.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the hopper holder and the hopper accompanying rotation of the hopper cam.

FIG. 7A is a side view of a pad cam, and FIG.
FIG. 3A is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a detailed configuration of a separation pad unit.

9 is a view (partial sectional view) as viewed from C in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation of a pad holder accompanying rotation of a pad cam.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation of a pad holder accompanying rotation of a pad cam.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation of the pad holder accompanying rotation of the pad cam.

FIG. 14A is a side view of a paper return cam,
(B) is EE sectional drawing of (a).

FIG. 15 is a front view of the paper return unit.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line GG of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17A is a left side view of the main lever, and FIG.
Is a front view of the main lever, (d) is a left side view of the sub lever, (b) is a front view of the sub lever, and (c)
5A is a left side view of the sub lever 53 shown at an attachment angle when the sub lever is attached to the main lever in the state of the left side view shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 illustrates a state where the main engagement protrusion and the sub-engagement protrusion are sandwiched by a second lever spring.

FIG. 19 is a side view showing the operation when the paper is returned to the paper feed tray normally.

FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating an operation when a sheet is not normally returned to the sheet feeding tray.

FIG. 21 is a side view illustrating an operation when a sheet is not normally returned to a sheet feeding tray.

FIG. 22 (a) is a side view of a driven roller cam,
(B) is FF sectional drawing of (a).

FIG. 23 is a side view showing a detailed configuration of a driven roller unit.

FIG. 24 is a side view showing a detailed configuration of a driven roller unit.

FIG. 25 is a front view showing a detailed configuration of a driven roller unit.

FIG. 26 (a) shows the rotation angle of the control shaft and the slit angle.
6 is a time chart showing the relationship between the operations of a wheel, a hopper (and a hopper holder), a separation pad (a pad holder), a paper feed driven roller, and a paper return lever (a main lever and a sub lever). (B)
6 is a time chart illustrating a relationship between a rotation angle of a control shaft and rotation (forward rotation and reverse rotation) of a sheet feeding roller. (C)
5 is a time chart showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the control shaft and the reversible area of the paper feed roller.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a sheet feeding operation process.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process of returning a subsequent sheet to a sheet feeding tray and a printing process in a first section.

FIG. 29 is a principle explanatory diagram for explaining the principle that the next and subsequent sheets are returned to the sheet feeding tray by the reverse rotation of the predetermined rotation amount of the transport roller.

FIG. 30 shows an ink jet printer according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the printer.

FIG. 31 shows a first auxiliary roller and a second auxiliary roller,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an auxiliary roller holder holding the same.

FIG. 32 is a schematic plan view of an auxiliary roller holder attached to an ink jet printer.

FIG. 33 is a sectional view of the auxiliary roller holder and the pressing member (a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 32).

FIG. 34 is a front view of the auxiliary roller holder (as viewed in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 32).

FIG. 35 shows a state in which a sheet is taken out from a sheet feeding tray, wound around a sheet feeding roller, and fed to a conveying roller.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view (partially sectional view) of the printer.

36 is a schematic side view (partial cross-sectional view) of the printer at the time of recording in which printing is performed while the paper is conveyed in a sub-scanning direction at a constant pitch by conveyance rollers after the paper feeding illustrated in FIG. 35.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 200 ink jet printer 1 paper feed tray 2 hopper 3 paper feed roller 3a paper feed roller shaft 4 paper feed auxiliary roller 5 control shaft 6 transport roller 8 carriage 10 second auxiliary roller 10a auxiliary roller holder 11 pad Holder 11a Separation pad 18 Hopper holder 18e Hopper cam follower unit 20 First auxiliary roller 21 Hopper cam 30 Separation pad unit 31 Pad cam 40, 41 Follower roller unit 42 Follower roller cam 43 Follower roller Spring 50 Paper return unit 51 Paper return cam 52 Main lever 53 Sub lever 53a Paper return cam follower section 110 Holding sections 111a, 111b First support section 112 Second support section 115 Spring storage section 116 Spring cap 117 Holder spring 30 pressing member 131 presses the spring 150 guide pad _P, P _1, P ₂ printing paper

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A recording material storage section on which a stacked recording material is placed, and a top and bottom of the recording material placed on the recording material which can be rotated forward and reverse, and which rotates forward. A feed roller that feeds the recording material; a transport roller that is rotatable forward and reverse, and that transports the recording material fed by the feed roller to the recording section by rotating forward; A recording material in which the recording material storage unit can be disposed at a contact position where the recording material placed in the recording material storage unit contacts the paper feed roller and a separation position where the recording material is separated from the paper supply roller. An abutting means, and a first abutting portion at a position facing the roller surface of the paper feeding roller, the abutting portion being in contact with the fed recording material, and the first abutting portion is provided to the paper feeding roller. A contact position for contact and a separation position for separation from the paper feed roller. First separating means for separating, at the abutting position, the uppermost one of the recording materials placed in the recording material storage section from the one placed after the next one; A paper feeding method in a paper feeding device, wherein the recording material contacting means and the first separating means are displaced to respective contacting positions, and the paper feeding roller and the transport roller are rotated forward to thereby perform the recording. The recording material is fed, the front end of the recording material is engaged with the transport roller, and the position of the front end of the recording material placed in the recording material storage portion is provided. Sending out the engaged recording material from the transport roller by an amount equal to or longer than the length along the feed path between the roller and the contact center point with the roller, stopping the paper feed roller and the transport roller, The recording material contacting means and the separating means are displaced to respective separated positions, Rotation amount, reverse the conveying roller, paper feeding method characterized by corresponding to more than the length. 2. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the amount equal to or greater than the length corresponds to the amount of deflection that allows the recording material to bend in a feeding path from the paper feed roller to the transport roller. It is the added length, and the rotation amount corresponding to the length or more is
A rotation amount corresponding to a length obtained by adding the amount of bending that can cause the recording material to bend in the feeding path from the paper feed roller to the transport roller to the length. Paper method. 3. A recording material storage section in which a recording material is placed,
A feed roller that feeds the recording material placed on the recording material by rotating forward and reverse, and is capable of rotating forward and reverse by rotating forward; A transport roller for transporting the recording material fed by the paper feed roller to a recording section; a contact position for bringing the recording material placed in the recording material storage section into contact with the paper feed roller; A recording material abutting means capable of arranging the recording material storage section at a separating position separated from a paper roller; and a recording material fed at a position opposed to a roller surface of the paper feed roller. A first abutting portion for abutting the first abutting portion, the first abutting portion having a contact position for abutting the paper feed roller and a separating position for separating the first abutment portion from the paper feed roller; At the top of the recording material placed in the recording material storage section First separating means for separating the separated material from the material arranged after the next position, forward and reverse rotation control of the paper feed roller, normal and reverse rotation control of the transport roller, and the recording material contact means And a control means for controlling the displacement of the contact position and the separation position of the recording medium and the displacement control of the contact position and the separation position of the separation means. The material contacting means and the first separating means are displaced to respective contact positions, the paper feed roller and the transport roller are rotated forward to feed the recording material, and the front end of the recording material is A position between the position where the front end of the recording material placed in the recording material storage section is positioned, which is engaged with the conveyance roller, and the contact center point between the separation means and the paper feed roller. More than the length along the feed path of the The recording material is sent out from the transport roller, the paper feed roller and the transport roller are stopped, the recording material contacting means and the separating means are displaced to respective separated positions, and the rotation amount corresponding to the length or more And a control unit that controls the transport roller to rotate in the reverse direction. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein:
A first auxiliary roller, wherein the paper feed roller comprises:
The recording material is located above the recording material storage portion and is taken out and wound by contacting the uppermost recording material of the recording material storage portion, and is positioned in a direction opposite to the direction in which the recording material is taken out. The first separating means is disposed near the downstream side in the feeding direction of the recording material storage section, and the control means controls the recording on the fed recording material. During recording, the first separating means is displaced to the separated position, and the second separating means is arranged near the downstream side of the recording material storage section in the feeding direction, A second abutting portion that is spaced apart from the roller surface of the paper roller and abuts on the fed recording material, wherein the second abutting portion is provided on the fed recording material; Angle formed between the tip and the second contact portion when the tip contacts the second contact portion May be larger than the angle formed between the leading end portion and the first contact portion when the leading end portion of the fed recording material contacts the first contact portion at the separated position. The first auxiliary roller is freely rotatable, and when recording is performed on the fed recording material, the second contact portion is pressed to perform recording. By sandwiching the recording material, the uppermost recording material is separated from the next and subsequent recording materials, and the contact center point between the first auxiliary roller and the second contact portion is defined as A recording apparatus, which is located downstream of a contact center point between a first contact portion and the paper feed roller in a feeding direction. 5. The recording medium according to claim 4, wherein the first auxiliary roller takes a separated position separated from the second contact portion when the recording material is fed to a transport roller.
A sheet feeding device, characterized in that: 6. The recording medium according to claim 4, further comprising a second auxiliary roller, wherein the second auxiliary roller is located above the recording material storage section and in a rotation axis direction of the paper feed roller. When recording is performed on the fed recording material, the roller surface is located closer to the recording material side than the roller surface of the paper feeding roller. A sheet feeding device, which protrudes. 7. The pressing device according to claim 4, wherein pressing means for pressing the first auxiliary roller against the second contact portion is provided in the vicinity of the first auxiliary roller. And a sheet feeding device. 8. A sheet feeding device according to claim 7, wherein said pressing means is constituted by a spring. 9. A recording apparatus comprising the sheet feeding device according to claim 4. Description: