JP2007031070A - Suction unit and paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a suction unit that can be miniaturized and a sheet feeding device provided with the suction unit.
A sheet feeding table on which a bundle of sheets is stacked is provided in a sheet feeding device, and a suction unit is provided on an end portion of the sheet feeding table on the transport direction side. In the suction unit 1, a support plate 2 is provided, and the suction chamber 7 is fixed to the support plate 2. Then, an opening 7 c for sucking air from above the sheet bundle is formed on the lower surface of the first portion 7 a of the suction chamber 7. Further, the discharge chamber 8 is connected to the lower surface of the second portion 7 b of the suction chamber 7. In the discharge chamber 8, an opening 8a for discharging air toward the side surface of the sheet bundle is formed. Further, the inside of the discharge chamber 8 is communicated with the inside of the suction chamber 7 through the communication hole 9, and the fan 10 is provided in the discharge chamber 8.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device that takes out sheets one by one from a stack of stacked sheets, and a suction unit that is mounted on the sheet feeding device and performs suction and discharge of air.

  2. Description of the Related Art There are a friction type paper feeding device and a suction type paper feeding device as a paper feeding device that takes out sheets one by one from a stacked paper bundle. The friction-type paper feeder includes a friction roller and a friction pad that are pressed against each other, and includes a friction coefficient between the friction roller and the paper, a friction coefficient between the paper, and a friction coefficient between the paper and the friction pad. The difference between them is used to separate the paper from the paper bundle. The suction-type paper feeder separates papers by discharging air and holds a single paper by sucking air. Suction-type paper feeding devices can be fed without problems even when art-coating paper is used as paper, and recently, they are frequently used in paper feeding devices.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional suction-type paper feeding device. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing this conventional paper feeder. As shown in FIG. 14, the conventional sheet feeder 101 is provided with a sheet feed tray 102, and a sheet bundle S 0 is stacked on the sheet feed tray 102. A shutter 103 is provided in front of the paper feed tray 102 so that the front end of the sheet bundle S0 contacts the shutter 103.

  A suction head 104 is provided above the front end of the sheet bundle S0. The suction head 104 includes a suction chamber 105, a pair of rollers 106 provided before and after the suction chamber 105, and belts 107 stretched around the pair of rollers 106 and disposed on both sides of the suction chamber 105. It is configured. The suction chamber 105 has an opening 105a formed on the lower surface thereof, and the inside thereof communicates with an air suction source (not shown). The air suction source sucks air, whereby the suction chamber 105 The inside becomes a negative pressure, and air is sucked from the outside through the opening 105a.

  Further, a discharge chamber 108 is provided below the suction head 104 on the front side of the shutter 103. The discharge chamber 108 has an opening 108a formed on the upper surface thereof, and the inside thereof communicates with an air discharge source (not shown). When the air discharge source discharges air, The inside becomes a positive pressure, and air is discharged to the outside through the opening 108a.

  Furthermore, a roller 109 and a roller 110 that are pressed against each other are provided at a position in front of the suction head 104 and above the discharge chamber 108. The roller 110 is in rolling contact with the roller 109, and when the roller 109 rotates, the roller 110 is driven to rotate. Note that the suction head 104, the air suction source, the discharge chamber 108, and the air discharge source constitute a suction unit.

  In this conventional paper feeder 101, the air discharge source discharges air, so that the discharge chamber 108 discharges air from the opening 108a, and blows air from the front side to the upper portion of the sheet bundle S0. As a result, a gap is formed between the sheets constituting the upper part of the sheet bundle S0. In this state, the air suction source sucks air, so that the suction chamber 105 of the suction head 104 sucks air through the opening 105a. As a result, the uppermost sheet S1 of the sheet bundle S0 is separated from the sheet bundle S0 and contacts the belt 107. As the roller 106 rotates, the belt 107 transports the sucked uppermost sheet S1 forward, and feeds the sheet S1 between the roller 109 and the roller 110. As a result, the roller 109 and the roller 110 hold the sheet S1 and convey the sheet S1 further forward.

JP 2002-226068 A (FIG. 8)

  However, the conventional techniques described above have the following problems. In the sheet feeding device 101 shown in FIG. 14, the suction head 104 needs to suck the uppermost sheet S1 of the sheet bundle S0, and must be disposed above the sheet bundle S0. On the other hand, in order for the discharge chamber 108 to discharge air from the front of the sheet bundle S0, at least the opening 108a must be disposed in front of the sheet bundle S0. For this reason, since the suction head 104 is disposed above the uppermost sheet S1 and the discharge chamber 108 is disposed below the sheet S1, the conveyance path of the sheet S1 is between the suction head 104 and the discharge chamber 108. Will intervene. Therefore, the air suction source communicated with the suction chamber 105 of the suction head 104 and the air discharge source communicated with the discharge chamber 108 are disposed at positions separated from each other across the conveyance path of the sheet S1. There is a need. As a result, there is a problem that the paper feeder becomes large.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a suction unit that can be reduced in size and a sheet feeding device including the suction unit.

  A suction unit according to the present invention is provided in a sheet feeding device that takes out sheets one by one from a stacked sheet bundle, and discharges air between the sheets of the sheet bundle and sucks the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle. In the unit, a suction port that is disposed directly above the sheet bundle and sucks air upward and a discharge port that discharges air toward the side surface of the sheet bundle is formed, and the air sucked from the suction port is A suction discharge unit that sends the discharge to the discharge port and a transport unit that transports the sucked paper in the transport direction.

  In the present invention, the uppermost sheet is separated from the sheet bundle by sucking air upward from the region directly above the sheet bundle and discharging the sucked air toward the side surface of the sheet bundle. Only the topmost sheet can be transported. Then, by providing the suction port directly above the sheet bundle and providing the discharge port on the side of the sheet bundle, the route for sending the air sucked from the suction port to the discharge port is formed so as not to intersect the paper transport route. can do. For this reason, a suction discharge part can be comprised integrally. Thereby, size reduction of a suction unit can be achieved.

  The suction discharge unit is disposed above the sheet bundle and in a direction intersecting the transport direction as viewed from the sheet bundle on the side of the sheet bundle and the suction chamber in which the suction port is formed. It is preferable that the inside of the suction chamber has a discharge chamber in which the discharge port is formed by communicating with the inside of the suction chamber, and a blowing unit that circulates air from the suction chamber toward the discharge chamber. Thereby, the inside of the suction chamber can be set to a negative pressure and the inside of the discharge chamber can be set to a positive pressure by one blowing unit, and the suction unit can be further downsized.

  Further, the air blowing means may be a fan provided in at least one of the suction chamber and the discharge chamber. Thereby, a ventilation means is realizable by simple structure.

  Further, at least a part of the suction chamber is provided between the first roller, the first roller extending in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, the motor rotating the first roller, and the first roller. A second roller provided in parallel with the first roller at a position sandwiching the first roller, and an endless belt stretched between the first and second rollers, and the first chamber in the suction chamber. It is preferable that the suction port is formed in a portion disposed between the roller and the second roller. As a result, the suction chamber sucks the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle, and this sheet is attracted to the endless belt, and the motor rotates the first roller so that the endless belt conveys the sheet in the conveying direction. can do.

  Further, at this time, as viewed from above, a portion of the suction chamber disposed between the first roller and the second roller, the first and second rollers, and the endless belt are the paper. It is preferable that the remaining portion of the suction chamber, the discharge chamber, the blowing unit, and the motor are disposed in a region outside the region directly above the bundle of sheets. As a result, only the portion of the suction chamber, the first and second rollers, and the endless belt are arranged in the region directly above the sheet bundle, and therefore the thickness of the suction chamber and the first and second If the diameter of the roller is designed to be sufficiently small, the thickness of the suction unit can be reduced. As a result, the height of the paper feeding device can be reduced.

  The sheet feeding device according to the present invention is a sheet feeding device that takes out sheets one by one from a stacked sheet bundle, and a sheet feeding table on which the sheet bundle is loaded, and the suction provided above the sheet feeding table. And a unit.

  In the present invention, since the suction unit can be downsized, the paper feeding device can also be downsized.

  Further, the suction unit may be arranged in a region including a region directly above an end portion on the transport direction side of the paper feed table. As a result, the end of the sucked sheet on the conveyance direction side does not hang down, and the sheet can be reliably conveyed.

  Alternatively, the paper feeding device according to the present invention includes auxiliary air means that is disposed in a region including a region directly above the end portion on the transport direction side of the paper feeding table and discharges air toward the side surface of the paper bundle. The suction unit may be disposed in a region including a region immediately above an end portion of the paper feed table on the opposite side to the transport direction. As a result, since the next sheet can be adsorbed immediately after the transport means sends out the uppermost sheet, a plurality of sheets can be sent out in a partially overlapped state. As a result, the number of sheets sent out per unit time can be increased. Further, by providing the auxiliary air means, it is possible to prevent the end portion of the sucked paper on the conveyance direction side from sagging and to reliably convey the paper.

  Alternatively, two suction units are provided, and one of the suction units is disposed in a region including a region immediately above an end portion on the transport direction side of the paper feed table, and the other suction unit is You may arrange | position in the area | region including the area directly above the edge part of the reverse direction side of the said conveyance direction in a paper supply stand. By disposing the other suction unit on the opposite side of the transport direction, the transport means can pick up the next paper immediately after sending out the uppermost paper. It can be sent in a state. As a result, the number of sheets sent out per unit time can be increased. Further, by disposing one suction unit on the conveyance direction side, the end of the sucked sheet on the conveyance direction side does not hang down, and the sheet can be reliably conveyed.

  Furthermore, the sheet feeding device according to the present invention has a hook provided on the conveyance direction side as viewed from the sheet feeding table and locking an end portion of the sheet bundle on the conveyance direction side, It is preferable that the sheet can be transported in the direction opposite to the transport direction. As a result, after the suction and discharge unit sucks the uppermost sheet, the conveying unit once conveys the sheet in the reverse direction and removes it from the hook, and then the conveying unit can convey the sheet in the conveying direction. By doing so, it is possible to arrange the roller provided on the conveyance direction side of the suction unit and receiving the sheet conveyed by the conveying means so that a part of the roller is positioned immediately above the sheet feeding table. Thereby, the paper conveyance path can be shortened, and the paper feeding device can be miniaturized.

  At this time, the sheet feeding device according to the present invention includes a lifting / lowering unit that lifts and lowers the sheet feeding table, and a switch that switches whether the lifting / lowering unit is operated or stopped. At least a part of the hook is the sheet. The switch moves up and down according to the position of the upper surface of the bundle, and the switch is switched according to the position of the part. It is preferable to raise the paper table. As a result, when the number of sheets stacked on the sheet feed table is reduced and the position of the upper surface of the sheet bundle is lowered, a part of the hook is lowered to switch the switch, and the lifting means raises the sheet feed table, The position of the upper surface of the sheet bundle can be returned to the original position. As a result, the position of the upper surface of the sheet bundle can always be kept within a certain range, and the sheet feeding operation can be stabilized.

  Furthermore, the paper feeding device according to the present invention includes a reference plate that is provided in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction when viewed from the paper supply table, and whose surface is perpendicular to the orthogonal direction. It is preferable that an opening with which the discharge port is communicated is formed. Thus, by bringing the side edge of the sheet bundle into contact with the reference plate, the position of the side edge of the sheet bundle can be fixed regardless of the size of the sheet. Therefore, even if the size of the paper loaded on the paper feed table changes, there is no need to move the suction unit, and therefore there is no need to provide means for moving the suction unit. As a result, the configuration of the paper feeding device can be simplified.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the paper feeding device according to the present invention includes a rear end separation member that locks an end portion of the sheet bundle opposite to the transport direction. As a result, the uppermost sheet can be bent and separated from the sheet bundle by temporarily transporting the uppermost sheet in the reverse direction while being held by the trailing edge separating member. As a result, it is possible to enhance the effect of sheeting.

  Another sheet feeding device according to the present invention is a sheet feeding device that takes out sheets one by one from a stacked sheet bundle, and is provided above the sheet feeding table and a sheet feeding table on which the sheet bundle is stacked. A suction discharge unit that discharges air between the sheets of the sheet bundle and sucks the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle, a trailing edge separating member that locks an end of the sheet bundle, and the sucked sheet And transporting means for transporting in the transport direction away from the rear end rolling member after transported toward the rear end rolling member.

  In the present invention, the uppermost sheet is once transported in the reverse direction in a state of being locked to the trailing edge separating member, so that the uppermost sheet can be bent and separated from the sheet bundle. As a result, the effect of scooping paper can be enhanced.

  The sheet feeding device includes a reference plate that is provided in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction when viewed from the sheet supply table, and whose surface is perpendicular to the direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding base. It may be attached to the plate so as to be movable in the transport direction and in the opposite direction. Thereby, since the trailing edge separating member is movable with respect to the reference plate, it is possible to cope with sheets of various sizes.

  Alternatively, the sheet feeding device may include an angle member that is attached to the sheet feeding table and supports the trailing edge separating member. Thereby, there is no restriction on the arrangement position of the trailing edge separating member, and it is possible to deal with a sheet having a short length in the transport direction.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the shape of the said rear end rolling member is a column shape. Thereby, an appropriate locking effect can be obtained without scratching the paper.

  According to the present invention, the suction and discharge unit can be configured integrally by sucking air from the region directly above the sheet bundle and discharging the sucked air toward the side surface of the sheet bundle. Can be miniaturized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a bottom view showing a suction unit according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view showing the suction unit, FIG. 3 is a side view showing the suction unit, and FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB ′ shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a top view showing the paper feeding device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. FIGS. 8A and 8B are front views showing the paper feeding device, FIG. 8A shows a case where paper is stacked, and FIG. The case where the number of sheets is reduced from the state shown in a) is shown.

  First, the suction unit according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the suction unit 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a sheet feeding device 11 (see FIG. 6) to be described later, and is loaded from the sheet bundle loaded on the sheet feeding table of the sheet feeding device. The upper sheet is picked up and conveyed in the conveying direction 100. In the suction unit 1, a support plate 2 is provided. The support plate 2 is provided with a rectangular top plate 2a having the conveying direction 100 as a longitudinal direction, and side plates 2b and 2c standing downward from a pair of long sides of the top plate 2a. A rectangular notch is formed at the lower end of the side plate 2c. Further, an upright plate 2d that stands up to the same height as the side plate 2b is provided on the lower surface side of the end of the top plate 2a opposite to the conveying direction 100 (hereinafter also referred to as the rear side) so as to face the side plate 2b. It has been.

  Between the side plate 2b and the upright plate 2d, there is provided a roller 3 extending in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction 100 (hereinafter referred to as the width direction). The roller 3 is rotatably supported by a side plate 2b and an upright plate 2d. Further, a roller 4 extending in the width direction is provided between an end portion of the side plate 2b on the conveyance direction 100 side (hereinafter also referred to as a front side) and the side plate 2c. The roller 4 is rotatably supported by the side plates 2b and 2c.

  Further, a stepping motor 5 is provided on the extended line of the central axis of the roller 4 on the outer surface side of the side plate 2c. The stepping motor 5 can rotate the rotation shaft 5a by an arbitrary rotation angle both in the forward direction and in the reverse direction. The rotation shaft 5a of the stepping motor 5 is connected to the roller 4, and the roller 4 is rotated when the stepping motor 5 is driven.

  Furthermore, an endless belt 6 is stretched around the rollers 3 and 4. In FIG. 1, illustration of a part of the endless belt 6 is omitted for convenience. The endless belt 6 has a plurality of openings 6a. Five or six openings 6a are arranged in a line along the width direction of the endless belt 6, and the row of the five openings 6a and the row of the six openings 6a are endless. The belts 6 are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction of the belt 6.

  A suction chamber 7 is provided on the lower surface side of the support plate 2. The suction chamber 7 is fixed to the inner surface of the side plate 2 b and the lower end portion of the side plate 2 c, passes through the cut portion of the side plate 2 c, and extends in the width direction from the region immediately below the support plate 2. The thickness of the suction chamber 7 is uniform and is slightly smaller than the diameter of the rollers 3 and 4. That is, the suction chamber 7 includes a first portion 7a and a second portion 7b, and the first portion 7a is located between the roller 3 and the roller 4, that is, in a region surrounded by the endless belt 6. The second portion 7 b protrudes from one side in the width direction from between the roller 3 and the roller 4, and a part of the second portion 7 b protrudes from the region directly below the support plate 2. When viewed from below, the shape of the suction chamber 7 is a pentagon obtained by cutting off the corner on the transport direction 100 side (front side) in the second portion 7b from the rectangle whose short direction is the transport direction 100. A stepping motor 5 is arranged in the region. For example, 20 openings 7 c are formed on the lower surface of the first portion 7 a of the suction chamber 7. Each opening 7c has a rectangular shape extending in the width direction. For example, ten openings 7c are arranged in the transport direction 100 and two in the width direction.

  A discharge chamber 8 is connected to the lower surface of the second portion 7 b of the suction chamber 7. When viewed from below, the discharge chamber 8 is located inside the outer edge of the second portion 7b of the suction chamber 7 and has a substantially circular shape. The lower end of the discharge chamber 8 is below the endless belt 6. Furthermore, an opening 8 a is formed in the discharge chamber 8 toward the space below the first portion 7 a of the suction chamber 7, that is, the space below the endless belt 6. A circular communication hole 9 is formed between the suction chamber 7 and the discharge chamber 8, and the inside of the discharge chamber 8 is connected to the inside of the suction chamber 7 through the communication hole 9. A fan 10 is provided in the discharge chamber 8 as a blowing means. The suction chamber 7, the discharge chamber 8, and the fan 10 constitute suction and discharge means.

  Next, the paper feeding device according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 (a) and 8 (b), in the sheet feeding device 11 according to the present embodiment, the surfaces thereof are perpendicular to the width direction so as to be parallel to and spaced from each other. A pair of frames 12a and 12b standing upright is provided. The frames 12a and 12b constitute both side portions of the sheet feeding device 11 in the width direction. A paper feed table 13 is provided between the frame 12a and the frame 12b so that the upper surface thereof is horizontal, and lifting means 20 for raising and lowering the paper feed table 13 is provided. In addition, a reference plate 14 that stands vertically is provided so as to be in contact with the edge on the frame 12 a side of the paper feed tray 13. A surface on the frame 12b side of the reference plate 14 is a reference surface 14a. The reference surface 14a is perpendicular to the width direction.

  Further, a shutter 15 is provided on the front side of the paper feed tray 13 between the frames so that the surface thereof is perpendicular to the transport direction 100. The shutter 15 is in contact with the front ends of the paper feed table 13 and the reference plate 14. Furthermore, a roller 16 extending in the width direction is provided above and slightly in front of the shutter 15. The roller 16 is pivotally supported by the frames 12a and 12b. In addition, a roller 17 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the roller 16 is provided above the roller 16 so as to make rolling contact with the roller 16. Similarly to the roller 16, the roller 17 extends in the width direction and is rotatably supported by the frames 12a and 12b. A part of the roller 17 is located immediately above the sheet feed table 13.

  Furthermore, a hook 18 is attached to the upper part of the front end of the frame 12a. The hook 18 is provided with a rotating portion 18a. The rotating portion 18a extends along the transport direction 100, and a rear end portion thereof is pivotally supported on the frame 12a by a shaft portion 18b. Further, an extending portion 18c extends from the front end portion of the rotating portion 18a toward the frame 12b. When viewed from the width direction, the shape of the extending portion 18c is L-shaped, and is composed of a horizontal portion 18d whose surface is horizontal, and a vertical portion 18e standing downward from the front end portion of the horizontal portion 18d. ing. The horizontal portion 18d and the vertical portion 18e pass above and in front of the reference plate 14 and reach the frame 12b side of the reference plate 14, respectively.

  Further, a micro switch 19 is provided below the front end portion of the rotating portion 18a. The micro switch 19 is pressed by the front end when the front end of the rotating portion 18a rotates downward and reaches the lowered position, and is turned on when pressed. When the micro switch 19 is turned on, the lifting / lowering means 20 is activated to raise the paper feed table 13, and when the micro switch 19 is turned off, the lifting / lowering means 20 is stopped to raise the paper feeding table 13. ing.

  And the above-mentioned suction unit 1 is attached to the upper part of the front-end part of the flame | frame 12a. That is, the side plate 2c of the support plate 2 of the suction unit 1 is in contact with the inner surface of the frame 12a and is fixed to the frame 12a. In the suction unit 1, the support plate 2, the rollers 3 and 4, the endless belt 6 and the suction chamber 7 are arranged above the reference plate 14 and the hook 18, and the discharge chamber 8 is hooked at the same height as the hook 18. It is arranged behind 18.

  Of the portions disposed above the reference plate 14 and the hook 8 in the suction unit 1, the rollers 3 and 4, the endless belt 6, and the first portion 7 a of the suction chamber 7 are inside the reference plate 14, that is, the paper feed. Arranged immediately above the base 13. Further, the stepping motor 5, the second portion 7 b of the suction chamber 7 and the discharge chamber 8 are arranged outside the reference plate 14, that is, in a region deviated from the region directly above the sheet feed table 13 to the frame 12 a side. Further, the frame 12a is formed with an opening through which the stepping motor 5 is inserted and an opening through which the suction chamber 7 and the discharge chamber 8 are inserted, whereby the entire stepping motor 5 and the second portion of the suction chamber 7 are formed. A part of 7b and a part of the discharge chamber 8 are disposed outside the frame 12a. Furthermore, the reference plate 14 is formed with an opening 14b through which the opening 8a of the discharge chamber 8 communicates, so that the air discharged from the opening 8 of the discharge chamber 8 passes through the opening 14b. In this way, the ink is discharged onto the paper feed tray 13.

  Next, the operation of the sheet feeding device according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, first, the sheet bundle S0 is placed on the sheet feed table 13 of the sheet feeder 11. At this time, the end edge (front end edge) on the conveyance direction 100 side of the sheet bundle S0 is in contact with the shutter 15, and the end edge on the frame 12a side is in contact with the reference surface 14a of the reference plate 14. At this time, the rollers 3 and 4 of the suction unit 1, the endless belt 6, and the first portion 7a of the suction chamber 7 are arranged in the region directly above the frame 12a side portion of the front end portion of the sheet bundle S0. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the upper surface of the sheet bundle S0 is at the reference position, the horizontal portion 18d of the hook 18 is locked on the upper surface of the sheet bundle S0. It is separated from the switch 19. For this reason, the microswitch 19 is not pressed and remains off.

  In this state, the fan 10 (see FIG. 1) is operated. Thereby, air flows from the suction chamber 7 toward the discharge chamber 8, the inside of the suction chamber 7 becomes negative pressure, and the inside of the discharge chamber 8 becomes positive pressure. Accordingly, air is sucked upward from the opening 7c, and air is discharged from the opening 8a through the opening 14b of the reference plate 14 in the width direction. As a result, the air discharged from the opening 8a of the discharge chamber 8 is blown to the upper side surface of the sheet bundle S0 and flows between the sheets stacked on the upper portion of the sheet bundle S0. A gap is formed. The opening 7 c of the suction chamber 7 sucks air through the opening 6 a of the endless belt 6, so that only the sheet S 1 positioned at the top of the sheet bundle S 0 is sucked into the opening 7 c, and the endless belt 6. Adsorb to.

  Next, the stepping motor 5 rotates by a predetermined amount in the reverse direction. As a result, the roller 4 rotates in the reverse direction, the endless belt 6 rotates in the reverse direction, and the roller 3 follows. As a result, the uppermost sheet S1 adsorbed by the endless belt 6 is once conveyed in the reverse direction of the conveying direction 100, that is, rearward, and the hook 18 is unlocked. Thereafter, the stepping motor 5 rotates in the forward direction. As a result, the sheet S <b> 1 is transported in the transport direction 100 by the endless belt 6, passes over the hook 18, and is inserted between the roller 16 and the roller 17. Next, the sheet S <b> 1 is sandwiched between the rollers 16 and 17 and further conveyed in the conveying direction 100. When the uppermost sheet S1 is separated from the sheet bundle S0, the next sheet is attracted to the endless belt 6 and conveyed in the conveying direction 100. In this way, the sheets are separated one by one from the sheet bundle S0 and conveyed in the conveying direction 100.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, since the horizontal portion 18d of the hook 18 is locked on the upper surface of the sheet bundle S0, the sheets are sequentially conveyed from the sheet bundle S0, thereby reducing the number of sheets. When the position of the upper surface of the bundle S0 is lowered, the rotating portion 18a of the hook 18 is rotated about the shaft portion 18b by its own weight, the position of the front end portion of the rotating portion 18a is lowered, and the micro switch 19 is pressed. To do. As a result, the microswitch 19 is turned on, and the lifting / lowering means 20 raises the sheet feed table 13. When the upper surface of the sheet bundle S0 reaches the reference position, the rotating portion 18a of the hook 18 rotates in the opposite direction, the position of the front end portion of the rotating portion 18a rises, and the micro switch 19 is turned off. Thereby, the elevating means 20 stops the ascent of the paper feed tray 13.

  Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, air is sucked upward from the region directly above the sheet bundle S0, and the sucked air is discharged toward the side surface of the sheet bundle S0, whereby the uppermost sheet S1 from the sheet bundle S0. And only the uppermost sheet S1 can be conveyed. Then, the opening 7c (suction port) of the suction chamber 7 is provided immediately above the sheet bundle S0, and the opening 8a (discharge port) of the discharge chamber 8 is provided on the side of the sheet bundle S0. The path for sending the sucked air to the opening 8a can be formed so as not to intersect the sheet conveyance path. For this reason, the suction chamber 7 and the discharge chamber 8 can be connected and integrated. For this reason, the suction unit 1 can be reduced in size, and the paper feeder 11 can be reduced in size.

  Further, the inside of the suction chamber 7 is communicated with the inside of the discharge chamber 8 through the communication hole 9, and the fan 10 is provided inside the discharge chamber 8. In addition to the pressure, the inside of the discharge chamber 8 can be positive. As a result, the configuration of the suction unit 1 can be simplified and the suction unit 1 can be further reduced in size.

  Further, since the first portion 7a of the suction chamber 7 is disposed between the roller 3 and the roller 4 and the opening 7c is formed in the first portion 7a, the suction chamber is formed in a region surrounded by the endless belt 6. 7 can be arranged, and the portion composed of the rollers 3 and 4, the endless belt 6 and the suction chamber 7 can be thinned.

  Furthermore, as viewed from above, the first portion 7a of the suction chamber 7, the rollers 3 and 4, and the endless belt 6 are disposed in the region directly above the sheet bundle S0, and the second portion 7b of the suction chamber 7, the discharge chamber 8. Since the fan 10 and the stepping motor 5 are arranged in a region outside the region directly above the sheet bundle S0, only the first portion 7a, the rollers 3 and 4, and the endless belt 6 are located in the region directly above the sheet bundle S0. Will be placed. For this reason, the thickness of the suction unit 1 can be reduced, and the height of the paper feeder 11 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the suction unit 1 is arranged in a region including the region directly above the end (front end) on the transport direction 100 side of the paper feed tray 13, the front end of the sucked paper S1 does not hang down. The sheet S1 can be reliably conveyed.

  Furthermore, since a hook 18 is provided to be engaged with the front end of the sheet bundle S0 and the stepping motor 5 is a motor that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, the suction chamber 7 adsorbs the uppermost sheet S1. The stepping motor 5 once transports the sheet in the reverse direction and removes it from the hook 18, and then the sheet can be transported in the transport direction 100. In this way, the roller 17 can be disposed so that a part of the roller 17 is located in the region immediately above the sheet feed table 13. Thereby, the paper conveyance path can be shortened, and the paper feeding device 11 can be further miniaturized.

  Furthermore, as described above, the hook 18 rotates in accordance with the position of the upper surface of the sheet bundle S0, and the elevating means 20 of the sheet feed table 13 is interlocked with the rotation of the hook 18, so that the sheet bundle The position of the upper surface of S0 can always be kept within a certain range, and the paper feeding operation can be stabilized.

  Furthermore, since the sheet feeding device 11 is provided with the reference plate 14, the sheet bundle S0 is brought into contact with the reference surface 14a of the reference plate 14 by contacting the side edge of the sheet bundle S0 regardless of the sheet size. The position of the side edge of S0 can be fixed. Thereby, even if the size of the paper stacked on the paper feed tray 13 changes, it is not necessary to move the suction unit 1, and therefore, it is not necessary to provide means for moving the suction unit 1. As a result, the paper feeding device 11 can be simplified.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the sheet feeding device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in the sheet feeding device 21 according to the present embodiment, the suction unit 1 is in a region including a region immediately above the end (rear end) on the opposite side of the transport direction 100 in the sheet feeding table 13. Is arranged. Further, in the paper feeding device 21, auxiliary air means 22 is provided in a region including a region directly above the end (front end) on the transport direction 100 side of the paper feed tray 13. In the auxiliary air means 22, a discharge chamber 23 is provided, and an opening 23a and an intake port (not shown) are formed in the discharge chamber 23. In addition, a fan (not shown) is provided inside the discharge chamber 23. When this fan is operated, air is sucked from the intake port, and this air is directed from the opening 23a in the width direction. To be discharged. Further, an opening 14 c is formed in the reference plate 14, and the opening 23 a of the discharge chamber 23 is communicated with the opening 14 c of the reference plate 14. Thereby, the auxiliary air means 22 discharges air toward the side surface of the upper front end portion of the sheet bundle S0 through the openings 23a and 14c. Other configurations in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, since the suction unit 1 is provided in the region directly above the rear end of the paper feed tray 13, the next paper is immediately after the suction unit 1 sucks and feeds the uppermost paper S1. Can be adsorbed. Therefore, a plurality of sheets can be sent out in a partially overlapping state, and the number of sheets sent out per unit time can be increased. Further, since the auxiliary air means 22 is provided immediately above the front end portion of the paper feed tray 13, the front end portion of the sucked paper does not hang down, and the paper can be reliably conveyed. Operations and effects other than those described above in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the sheet feeding device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in the paper feeding device 31 according to the present embodiment, two suction units 1 are provided, and one of them is arranged in a region including a region directly above the rear end portion of the paper feeding table 13. The other is disposed in a region including a region directly above the front end portion of the paper feed tray 13. Other configurations in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, since one suction unit 1 is provided in the region directly above the rear end of the paper feed tray 13, the suction unit 1 is the uppermost sheet as in the second embodiment. After S1 is sucked and sent out, the next sheet can be sucked immediately. Therefore, a plurality of sheets can be sent out in a partially overlapping state, and the number of sheets sent out per unit time can be increased. Further, since the other suction unit 1 is provided in the region directly above the front end portion of the paper feed tray 13, the front end portion of the sucked paper can be prevented from hanging down, and the paper can be reliably conveyed. In the present embodiment, unlike the second embodiment described above, since two suction units 1 are used, it is not necessary to provide special auxiliary air means, and the design is easy. Operations and effects other than those described above in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a top view and a front view showing the paper feeding device according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 12A to 12F are views showing the operation of the paper feeding device according to the present embodiment. a) is a front view showing an initial state, (b) is a top view thereof, (c) is a front view showing a next step of (a), (d) is a top view thereof, (E is a front view showing the next step of (c), and (f) is a top view thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the paper feeding device 41 according to the present embodiment, the height of the upper end edge in the approximately half on the rear side of the reference plate 14 is higher than the height of the upper end edge in the approximately half on the front side. An elongated hole 14 d extending in the transport direction 100 is formed in the rear side portion of the reference plate 14. The long hole 14d is formed to be higher than the upper surface of the sheet bundle S0 when the sheet bundle S0 is stacked on the paper feed tray 13. A support member 42 that is movable along the long hole 14d is fitted in the long hole 14d. That is, the support member 42 is guided in the elongated hole 14d and can move in the transport direction 100 and in the opposite direction. Further, the support member 42 extends to the frame 12b side, and a rear end rolling member 43 is provided so as to extend downward from the extended portion. The shape of the rear end rolling member 43 is a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The trailing edge separating member 43 locks the portion on the reference plate 14 side at the trailing edge of the sheet positioned at the top of the sheet bundle S0. Other configurations in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the sheet feeding device according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, when the sheet bundle S0 is stacked on the sheet feed tray 13 (see FIG. 11), the trailing edge separating member 43 is placed on the sheet positioned above the sheet bundle S0. The position of the support member 42 is adjusted so as to be engaged with the portion on the reference plate 14 side at the rear end edge. In this state, the fan 10 (see FIG. 1) is operated, the uppermost sheet S1 of the sheet bundle S0 is attracted to the endless belt 6, the stepping motor 5 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the sheet S1 is once transported in the transport direction 100. Transport in the opposite direction (backward). At this time, since the trailing edge of the sheet S1 is locked by the trailing edge separating member 43, the trailing edge of the sheet S1 bends upward as shown in FIGS. Separated from the paper. Then, when the sheet S1 is further conveyed in the reverse direction, as shown in FIGS. 12E and 12F, the rear end portion of the sheet S1 bypasses the rear end separating member 43 and extends backward. Thereafter, the stepping motor 5 is rotated forward to transport the paper S1 in the transport direction 100 (forward). Operations other than those described above in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

  In the present embodiment, by providing the trailing edge peeling member 43, it is possible to further enhance the effect of sheet feeding and more reliably prevent the sheet from being double-fed. Further, since the trailing edge separating member 43 can also serve as the trailing edge guide of the sheet bundle S0, the sheet winding effect can be enhanced with a simple structure without increasing the number of parts. Further, by forming the long hole 14 d in the reference plate 14 and providing the support member 42 guided by the long hole 14 d, the rear end rolling member 43 can be moved along the transport direction 100. Thereby, the position of the trailing edge separating member 43 can be adjusted according to the size of the paper.

  Furthermore, by making the shape of the trailing edge separating member 43 cylindrical, it is possible to achieve an appropriate locking effect on the paper without damaging the paper. In other words, when the paper is moved backward by a movement amount less than a predetermined amount, the paper is locked by the trailing edge separation member 43 and bent, and when the paper is moved backward by a movement amount of a predetermined amount or more, the rear edge is moved to the paper. The spreading member 43 can be bypassed. Note that the columnar rear end rolling member 43 can be easily procured, for example, by diverting a shaft member. The effects of the present embodiment other than those described above are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is a top view and a front view showing the sheet feeding device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, in the sheet feeding device 51 according to the present embodiment, an angle member 52 erected upward at an end of the upper surface of the sheet feed table 13 opposite to the reference plate 14 at the rear end. Is provided. The angle member 52 has an L-shape, and includes a bottom plate 52a extending in the horizontal direction and an upright plate 52b extending in the vertical direction. A magnet (not shown) is embedded in the bottom plate 52a, and is attached to the paper feed tray 13 by a magnetic force. The upright plate 52b stands upward from the end of the bottom plate 52a.

  A support member 53 is attached to the upper end portion of the upright plate 52 b of the angle member 52. The support member 53 extends to the side opposite to the bottom plate 52a when viewed from the upright plate 52b. A rear end separating member 54 extending in the vertical direction is provided between the support member 53 and the paper feed tray 13. The upper end portion of the trailing edge separating member 54 is connected to the support member 53, and the lower end portion is in contact with the paper feed table 13. The shape of the rear end rolling member 54 is a cylindrical shape, and its central axis extends in the vertical direction.

  In the above-described fourth embodiment, since the rear end striking member 43 (see FIG. 11) is attached to the reference plate 14, the rear end striking member 43 can be easily moved along the long hole 14d. The trailing edge separating member 43 cannot be disposed immediately below the suction unit 1 and cannot cope with a sheet having a short length in the transport direction 100. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the rear end separation member 54 is provided on the opposite side of the reference plate 14, there is no restriction on the position of the rear end separation member 54, and the length in the transport direction 100 Can also handle short paper. In addition, since the angle member 52 is attached to the paper feed tray 13 by a magnetic force, the trailing edge separating member 54 can be easily moved relative to the paper feed tray 13. Operations and effects other than those described above in the present embodiment are the same as those in the above-described fourth embodiment.

  In the fourth and fifth embodiments described above, a trailing edge separating member may be provided at each end of the trailing edge of the sheet feed table 13. As a result, it is possible to further improve the paper-sheeting effect.

It is a bottom view which shows the suction unit which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows this suction unit. It is a side view which shows this suction unit. It is sectional drawing by the A-A 'line | wire shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing by the B-B 'line shown in FIG. It is a top view showing a paper feeder according to the present embodiment. It is a side view which shows this paper feeder. (A) and (b) are front views showing this paper feeding device, (a) shows a case where sheets are stacked, and (b) shows a case where sheets are reduced from the state shown in (a). . It is a front view which shows the paper feeder which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the paper feeder which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the upper side figure and front view which show the paper feeder which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (f) is a figure which shows operation | movement of the paper feeder which concerns on this embodiment, (a) is a front view which shows an initial state, (b) is the top view, (c) ) Is a front view showing the next step of (a), (d) is a top view thereof, (e is a front view showing the next step of (c), and (f) is a top view thereof. It is. It is the top view and front view which show the paper feeder which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the conventional paper feeder.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1; Suction unit 2; Support plate 2a; Top plate 2b, 2c; Side plate 2d; Standing plate 3, 4; Roller 5; Stepping motor 5a; Rotating shaft 6; Portion 7c; Opening 8; Discharge chamber 8a; Opening 9; Communication hole 10; Fan 11; Paper feeding device 12a, 12b; Frame 13; Paper feed table 14; Reference plate 14a; Reference surface 14b, 14c; Long hole 15; shutter 16, 17; roller 18; hook 18a; rotating portion 18b; shaft portion 18c; extension portion 18d; horizontal portion 18e; An auxiliary air means 23; a discharge chamber 23a; an opening 31; a paper feeding device 41; a paper feeding device 42; a support member 43; a trailing edge separating member 51; Angle member 52a; bottom plate 52b; upright plate 53; support member 54; trailing edge separating member 100; transport direction 101; paper feed device 102; paper feed tray 103; shutter 104; suction head 105; suction chamber 105a; Roller 107; Belt 108; Discharge chamber 108a; Opening 109; Roller 110; Roller S0; Paper bundle S1;

Claims (16)

A suction unit that is provided in a paper feeding device that picks up one sheet at a time from a stacked sheet bundle and that discharges air between the sheets of the sheet bundle and sucks the topmost sheet of the sheet bundle; A suction port that is disposed in the area and sucks air upward and a discharge port that discharges air toward the side of the sheet bundle, and a suction discharge unit that sends the air sucked from the suction port to the discharge port; A suction unit that transports the sucked paper in the transport direction. The suction discharge unit is disposed above the sheet bundle and disposed in a direction intersecting the transport direction as viewed from the sheet bundle on the side of the sheet bundle, and a suction chamber in which the suction port is formed. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a discharge chamber that communicates with the inside of the suction chamber and has the discharge port; and a blower that circulates air from the suction chamber toward the discharge chamber. Suction unit. The suction unit according to claim 2, wherein the blower is a fan provided in at least one of the suction chamber and the discharge chamber. A position where the conveying means sandwiches at least a part of the suction chamber between a first roller extending in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, a motor for rotating the first roller, and the first roller. A second roller provided in parallel with the first roller, and an endless belt stretched between the first and second rollers, and the first roller in the suction chamber and the The suction port is formed in a portion disposed between the second roller and the portion disposed between the first roller and the second roller in the suction chamber as viewed from above. , The first and second rollers, and the endless belt are disposed in the region directly above the sheet bundle, and the remaining portion of the suction chamber, the discharge chamber, the blower, and the motor are disposed directly above the sheet bundle. Off Suction unit according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that disposed in the region. 5. The sheet feeding device for picking up sheets one by one from the stacked sheet bundle, wherein the sheet bundle is stacked and provided above the sheet feed table. 6. And a suction unit. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the suction unit is disposed in a region including a region directly above an end portion on the transport direction side of the sheet feeding table. Auxiliary air means for discharging air toward the side surface of the sheet bundle is disposed in a region including the region directly above the end portion on the transport direction side of the sheet feeding table, and the suction unit is the The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the sheet feeding device is disposed in a region including a region directly above an end portion on a side opposite to the transport direction. Two suction units are provided, and one of the suction units is disposed in a region including a region immediately above an end portion on the transport direction side of the sheet feeding table, and the other suction unit is disposed of the sheet feeding unit. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the sheet feeding device is disposed in a region including a region directly above an end portion on the opposite side of the conveying direction in the table. A hook is provided on the transport direction side as viewed from the paper feed tray and engages the end of the sheet bundle on the transport direction side, and the transport means transports the paper in the direction opposite to the transport direction. 9. The paper feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the paper feeding device is possible. Elevating means for elevating and lowering the paper feed table, and a switch for switching between operating and stopping the elevating means, and at least a part of the hook moves up and down according to the position of the upper surface of the sheet bundle. 2. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch is switched according to the position of the part, and the lifting means raises the paper feed table when the part is in the lowered position. The sheet feeding device according to 9. A reference plate is provided in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction when viewed from the paper feed table, and a surface of the reference plate is perpendicular to the orthogonal direction. The reference plate has an opening through which the discharge port communicates. The paper feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the paper feeding device is provided. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 5 to 11, further comprising a trailing edge separating member that locks an end portion of the sheet bundle opposite to the conveyance direction. In a paper feeding device that picks up one sheet at a time from a stack of stacked sheets, and discharges air between the sheets of the sheet bundle provided above the sheet feeding table and the sheet feeding table on which the sheet bundle is stacked. A suction discharge section that sucks the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle, a trailing edge separating member that locks an end of the sheet bundle, and after the sucked sheet is once transported toward the trailing edge separating member And a conveying unit that conveys the sheet in a conveying direction away from the trailing edge separating member. A reference plate that is provided in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction when viewed from the sheet feed table and whose surface is perpendicular to the direction orthogonal to the sheet supply table, The paper feeding device according to claim 13, wherein the paper feeding device is attached to be movable in the opposite direction. The sheet feeding device according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising an angle member that is attached to the sheet feeding table and supports the trailing edge separating member. The paper feeding device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein a shape of the trailing edge separating member is a cylindrical shape.

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