JP2009274836A - Medium supply device, image forming device and separation member - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce vibration of a separation member, by using a weight member different from the mass of a separation member body. <P>SOLUTION: This medium supply device KS has: a sending-out member Rp for sending out a medium S stored in a medium storage vessel TR1; the separation member body 6 movably supported in the contacting and separating direction to the sending-out member Rp; a separation part 12 supported by the separation member body 6 and separating the medium S sent out by the sending-out member Rp one by one by contacting with the sending-out member Rp; a pressure applying member 8 for applying force for pressing the separation member body 6 to the sending-out member Rp side; and the separation member 4 having a weight storage space 6e formed in the separation member body 6, and the weight member 11 stored in the weight storage space 6e in a relatively movable state to the separation member body 6 and different from the mass of the separation member body 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium supply device, an image forming apparatus, and a separating member.

  In the image forming apparatus, as a technique for separating the media one by one so that the plurality of media are not sent out in an overlapped state when supplying the media on which an image is recorded, Patent Documents 1 and 2 The described techniques are known.

  In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-168981 as Patent Document 1, a separating member main body (61) made of a box having a rectangular cross section is disposed to face a sheet feeding roll (6), and the separating member main body (61) is arranged. Is supported so as to be rotatable about the support shaft (64), and the main body (61) is pressed against the paper feed roll (6) with a predetermined pressure by a coil spring (66) disposed on the bottom surface. The configuration is described. That is, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the paper feed roll (6) and the friction pad (13) on the surface of the separating member main body (61) are pressed against each other with a predetermined pressure by the coil spring (66), the paper is fed. The pressure applied to the paper (S) is kept constant. Further, in Patent Document 1, in order to suppress the so-called stick slip, vibration caused by the slip, and rattling, the scooping member main body (61) moves in a direction parallel to the paper feeding direction as the paper moves. A technique is described in which a leaf spring (70) for urging the separating member main body (61) in a direction parallel to the paper feeding direction is provided. Further, in Patent Document 1, weights (80, 81) are arranged on the inner bottom surface of the whispering member main body (61) to make the whirling member main body (61) itself less likely to vibrate, thereby reducing the occurrence of abnormal noise. The technology is described.

  In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-205840 as Patent Document 2, the separation pad (9) is substantially parallel to the sheet feeding direction with respect to the separation pad (9) pressed against the sheet feeding roll (4). Even when a recording medium having a high friction coefficient is used, the separation pad (9) vibrates by arranging a mylar film (15) to be pressed on the surface, an urging member (21) such as rubber, and a buffer member (30). A technique for preventing the occurrence of abnormal noise is described.

JP 2000-168981 A (“0043” to “0054”, FIGS. 2 and 3) JP 2002-205840 A (“0019” to “0022”, “0027” to “0032”, FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 6, FIG. 7)

  This invention makes it a technical subject to reduce the vibration of a rolling member.

In order to solve the technical problem, the medium supply device according to claim 1 comprises:
A delivery member for sending out the medium stored in the medium storage container;
A separating member disposed opposite to the delivery member, the separation member main body supported so as to be movable away from and in contact with the delivery member, and supported by the separation member body and attached to the delivery member Formed on the separating member main body, the separating member that separates and separates the medium sent out by the feeding member one by one, the pressure applying member that applies a force for pressing the separating member main body against the feeding member side, and The weight member having a weight housing space and a weight member housed in the weight housing space in a state of being relatively movable with respect to the body member, and different from a mass of the body member.
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 2 is the medium supply apparatus according to claim 1,
The weight housing space having an opening in which a lower portion in the direction of gravity is opened;
A weight holding portion that holds a weight member formed at an edge of the opening and accommodated in the weight accommodation space;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 3 includes a medium storage container for storing a medium,
A delivery member for feeding out the medium stored in the medium storage container;
A separating member disposed opposite to the delivery member, the separation member main body supported so as to be movable away from and in contact with the delivery member, and supported by the separation member body and attached to the delivery member Formed on the separating member main body, the separating member that separates and separates the medium sent out by the feeding member one by one, the pressure applying member that applies a force for pressing the separating member main body against the feeding member side, and The weight member having a weight housing space and a weight member housed in the weight housing space in a state of being relatively movable with respect to the body member, and different from a mass of the body member.
An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a medium sent out by the sending member;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, the rolling member of the invention according to claim 4 is:
A separating member main body supported so as to be movable in the direction of contact and separation with respect to a delivery member that sends out the medium;
A separation unit that is supported by the separation member main body and that separates and separates the media sent by the delivery member in contact with the delivery member;
A pressure-applying member that applies a force to press the rolling member body against the delivery member;
A weight housing space formed in the main body,
A weight member that is housed in the weight housing space in a state of being relatively movable with respect to the firing member body and is different from the mass of the firing member body;
It is provided with.

According to the first, third, and fourth aspects of the present invention, the vibration of the rolling member can be reduced.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the weight member can be attached to and detached from the weight housing space through the opening.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

1 is a perspective explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an overall explanatory view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention with the side cover opened.
1 to 3, a printer U as an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention feeds paper as an example of a medium storage container that stores a recording medium S as an example of a medium on which an image is recorded. A tray TR1 is detachably attached to the lower portion, and a manual feed portion TR11 for manually feeding the recording medium S is provided on the front surface of the paper feed tray TR1. A medium discharge portion TRh is provided on the upper surface of the printer U. Further, an operation unit UI for performing various operations such as button input is provided on the upper portion of the printer U.

The printer U according to the first exemplary embodiment is provided on the image forming apparatus main body U1, a front cover U2 as an example of an openable opening / closing unit provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body U1, and a side surface of the image forming apparatus U1. And a side cover U3 as an example of an openable and closable opening / closing part. The front cover U2 is opened when the inside of the image forming apparatus main body U1 is opened in order to replace an image carrier cartridge, a developing device, a failed member, etc., cleaning maintenance, or to remove a paper jammed recording medium S. The side cover U3 is opened when the developer supply container, so-called toner cartridge, is replaced.
In FIG. 3, when the side cover U3 of the printer U is moved to the open position, the side of the printer U is opened, and toner cartridges TCy, TCm, TCc, TCk as an example of a developer supply container can be handled. In the first exemplary embodiment, the toner cartridges TCy to TCk are detachably mounted in order of the toner cartridge TCy, the toner cartridge TCm, the toner cartridge TCc, and the toner cartridge TCk from the bottom. The toner cartridges TCy, TCm, TCc, and TCk contain Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) developers, respectively, and each color is stored in the image forming apparatus main body U1. The developer is replenished.

2, the printer U includes a control unit C that performs various controls of the printer U, an image processing unit IPS that is controlled by the control unit C, an image writing device driving circuit DL, a power supply device E, and the like. ing. The power supply device E includes charging rolls CRy, CRm, CRc, CRk as an example of a charger to be described later, a developing roller as an example of a developer holding member, and a transfer roll T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k as an example of a transfer unit. Apply voltage to
The image processing unit IPS converts print information input from an external image information transmission device or the like into latent images corresponding to four color images of K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). The image information is converted into image information for image formation and output to the image writing device driving circuit DL at a predetermined timing. The image writing device driving circuit DL outputs a driving signal to the latent image writing device ROS according to the input image information of each color. The latent image writing device ROS emits laser beams Ly, Lm, Lc, and Lk as an example of image writing light for image writing of each color in accordance with a drive signal.

In FIG. 2, a toner image as an example of a visible image of each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) can be formed in front of the latent image writing device ROS. Visual image forming apparatuses UY, UM, UC, UK are arranged.
The K (black) visible image forming apparatus UK has a photoreceptor Pk as an example of a rotating image carrier. Around the photosensitive member Pk, a charging roll CRk as an example of a charger, a developing device Gk for developing the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member into a visible image, and a developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive member Pk are removed. A photoconductor cleaner CLk as an example of an image carrier cleaner is disposed.

The surface of the photosensitive member Pk is uniformly charged by the charging roll CRk in the charging area facing the charging roll CRk, and then the latent image is written by the laser beam Lk in the latent image forming area. The written electrostatic latent image is visualized in a developing area facing the developing device Gk.
The black visible image forming apparatus UK according to the first exemplary embodiment includes an exchangeable image carrier cartridge in which the photoconductor Pk, the charging roll CRk, and the photoconductor cleaner CLk are integrally formed, and a developing device Gk. And a possible developing cartridge.
The visible image forming apparatuses UY, UM, and UC of other colors are configured by an image carrier cartridge and a developing cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body U1 in the same manner as the black visible image forming apparatus UK. ing. In the first embodiment, the four visible image forming devices UY to UK are supported by a detachable frame Ut, a so-called exchange frame Ut, and the four visible image forming devices UY to UK form an image. The apparatus main body U1 is configured to be exchangeable integrally.

  In FIG. 2, a belt module BM as an example of a recording medium transport device supported by a front cover U2 is disposed in front of the photoreceptors Py to Pk. The belt module BM includes a medium conveying belt B as an example of a transfer conveying member, a belt driving roll Rd as an example of a driving member that supports the medium conveying belt B, and a driven roller Rj as an example of a driven member. A belt support roll (Rd + Rj) as an example of a member support system, transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k as an example of transfer means arranged to face the respective photoreceptors Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk, and transfer A belt cleaner CLb as an example of a conveying member cleaner. The medium transport belt B is rotatably supported by the belt support roll (Rd + Rj).

  The transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k are urged toward the photoreceptors Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk by compression springs SPy, SPm, SPc, and SPk as examples of urging members. The medium transport belt B contacts the photoconductors Py to Pk with a predetermined contact pressure. In Example 1, the urging force by the compression springs SPy to SPk is set so as to increase in the order of the photosensitive member Py, the photosensitive member Pm, the photosensitive member Pc, and the carrying photosensitive member Pk in the order of the downstream side in the conveying direction. ing. In the first embodiment, the urging force by the compression spring SPy is set to 170 gw, the urging force by the compression spring SPm is set to 180 gw, the urging force by the compression spring SPc is set to 190 gw, and the urging force by the compression spring SPk is set to 200 gw.

  The image density sensor SN1 is for detecting the density of a density detection image formed by an image density adjusting means (not shown) of the control unit C, that is, a so-called patch image, at a predetermined time. The adjusting means adjusts the voltage applied to the charging rolls CRy to CRk, the developing devices Gy to Gk, and the transfer rolls T1y to T1k based on the image density detected by the image density detecting member, and the latent image writing light Ly to By adjusting the intensity of Lk, image density adjustment and correction, so-called process control is performed.

The recording medium S of the paper feed tray TR1 disposed below the medium transport belt B is sent out by a paper feed roll Rp as an example of a sending member and transported to the recording medium transport path SH.
The recording medium S in the recording medium conveyance path SH is sent to a registration roll Rr as an example of a medium conveyance timing adjustment member. The registration roll Rr conveys the recording medium S to the transfer area Q3y at a predetermined timing. The registration roll Rr according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a registration roll unit URr as an example of a medium transport timing adjustment unit. The registration roll unit URr is supported by the image forming apparatus body U1 so as to be exchangeable integrally when the registration roll Rr is soiled.
The recording medium S supplied from the manual supply unit TR11 is inserted by the user until the front end of the recording medium S reaches the registration roll Rr, and is conveyed to the transfer region Q3y by the registration roll Rr at a predetermined timing.

By the medium conveying belt B, the recording medium S sequentially passes through the transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k that are in contact with the photoreceptors Py to Pk.
To the transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k disposed on the back side of the medium conveying belt B in the transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k, toner is supplied at a predetermined timing from the power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. A transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity is applied.
In the case of a multicolor image, the toner images on the respective photoreceptors Py to Pk are transferred onto the recording medium S on the medium conveying belt B by the transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. Further, in the case of a monochromatic image, so-called monochrome image, only a K (black) toner image is formed on the photoreceptor Pk, and only this K (black) toner image is transferred to the recording medium S by the transfer roll T1k. .
The photoreceptors Py to Pk after the toner image transfer are cleaned by the toner remaining on the surface being collected by the photoreceptor cleaners CLy to CLk, and charged again by the charging rolls CRy to CRk.

The recording medium S to which the toner image has been transferred is in contact with a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating fixing member of a fixing device F as an example of a fixing device and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure fixing member. Fixing is performed in the fixing region Q5 formed in this manner. The recording medium S on which the image is fixed is discharged from a discharge roll Rh as an example of a medium discharge member to the medium discharge unit TRh.
The medium conveying belt B after the recording medium S is separated is cleaned by the belt cleaner CLb.
The visible image forming devices UY to UK, transfer rolls T1y to T1k, fixing device F, and the like constitute image recording devices UY to UK + T1y to T1k + F of the first embodiment.

(Description of thatched member)
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the paper feed tray according to the first embodiment.
2, 4, and 5, the paper feed tray TR <b> 1 includes a rear medium storage unit 1 that stores media, and the manual feed unit TR <b> 11 that is disposed on the front side of the medium storage unit 1. . The front manual paper feed unit TR11 includes a manual paper feed port TR11a and a tray-side manual feed path TR11b for guiding the medium S from the manual paper feed port TR11a toward the registration roll Rr. The manual feed path TR11b is connected to the main body side manual feed path TR11c of the image forming apparatus main body U1.
The medium accommodating portion 1 includes a bottom wall 1a, a front wall 1b extending upward from the front end of the bottom wall 1a, a left side wall 1c extending upward from left and right ends of the bottom wall 1a, a right side wall (not shown), and a guide wall As an example, a sheet feed guide wall 1e extending obliquely upward from the upper end of the front wall 1b is provided.

  The left and right side walls 1c support a lifting plate 2 as an example of a medium support member that is rotatably supported around a rotation center 2a. An elevating spring 2b as an example of an elevating biasing member is disposed between the lower surface of the front end of the elevating plate 2 and the bottom wall 1a of the paper feed tray TR1, and the front end of the elevating plate 2 faces upward. Generates a force to energize. The elevating plate 2 is loaded with the medium S on the upper surface and moves to the raised position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 when mounted on the image forming apparatus main body U1 to replenish the medium and so on. When it is removed from, the elevating plate 2 moves to a lowered position along the bottom wall 1a. As for the mechanism for raising and lowering the elevating plate 2 between the raised position and the lowered position, for example, JP-A-6-64765, JP-A-6-107344, JP-A-6-166441, etc. Since various configurations known in the art can be employed, detailed description and illustration are omitted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective explanatory view of the whirl member of the first embodiment.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.
In FIGS. 4 and 5, a concave-shaped separating member housing portion 3 is formed at a position facing the paper feed roll Rp at the center in the left-right direction of the paper feed guide wall 1e of the paper feed tray TR1. A whispering member 4 is supported in the whispering member receiving portion 3. 4 to 7, the firing member 4 has a box-shaped firing member main body 6. A shaft support hole 6a extending in the left-right direction is formed through the rear portion of the rolling member body 6 as an example of a shaft mounting portion. A rotation shaft 7 extending in the left-right direction is penetrated and supported in the shaft support hole 6a, and is supported in the rolling member accommodating portion 3 so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 7. Accordingly, the separating member main body 6 is supported so as to be movable in a direction in which it contacts and separates from the paper feed roll Rp around the rotation shaft 7.

A pair of left and right spring support portions 6c is formed on the bottom surface 6b of the rolling member body 6 as an example of a pressed portion. In FIG. 4, a coil spring 8 as an example of a pressure applying member that urges the separating member main body 6 toward the paper feed roll Rp is interposed between the spring support portion 6 c and the bottom wall 3 a of the separating member housing portion 3. It is installed.
In FIG. 4, a leaf spring 9 as an example of an urging member is mounted between the front surface 6 d of the rolling member body 6 and the front end wall 3 b of the rolling member housing 3 in order to cope with stick slip. ing. The leaf spring 9 urges the winding member body 6 in a direction along the upstream side in the medium supply direction.

In FIG. 7, a concave weight housing space 6 e is formed inside the whispering member body 6, and a weight member 11 having a mass and specific gravity larger than that of the whispering member body 6 is housed in the weight housing space 6 e. Has been. The weight member 11 is formed to be smaller than the weight housing space 6e, and a gap is provided between the weight member 11 and the weight housing space 6e so that the weight member 11 can move relative to the rolling member body 6. Is formed.
On the upper surface of the whispering member main body 6, a whirling pad 12 as an example of a whirling portion is supported so as to close the weight housing space 6e. The separation pad 12 is supported in a state where it is in contact with the sheet feeding roll Rp by the elastic force of the coil spring 8 during normal times when sheet feeding is not performed.
In the first embodiment, the burning member body 6 is made of resin, the peeling pad 12 is made of a high friction material such as urethane or rubber, and the weight member 11 is made of metal.
Further, the members 4 and the like with the reference numerals 6 to 12 constitute the separating member 4 according to the first embodiment, and the feeding roller Rp and the separating member 4 supply the first embodiment as an example of a medium supply device. A paper device KS is configured.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the printer U according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the paper feed tray TR1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body U1, the lift plate 2 is moved to the lift position by the lift spring 2b and is stacked on the lift plate 2. The top medium S of the medium bundle contacts the paper feed roll Rp. At this time, the winding pad 12 of the winding member 4 is held in contact with the paper feed roll Rp by the coil spring 8.
When the image forming operation is started and paper is fed from the paper feed tray TR1, the medium S is transported toward the registration roll Rr by the paper feed roll Rp. At this time, even if a plurality of media S are overlapped and conveyed by friction between the media S, static electricity, or the like, the lower medium S is stopped by the separation pad 12 of the separation member 4 and the upper medium S is fed. By being conveyed by the roll Rp, the medium S is separated and conveyed one by one. That is, so-called double feeding, in which a plurality of media S are transported in an overlapped state, is reduced.

In the separating member 4 of the first embodiment, when the medium S enters between the separating pad 12 and the sheet feeding roll Rp, the coil spring 8 is elastically deformed by the thickness of the medium S, and the separating member 4 and the sheet feeding roll. When the medium extends and the medium passes, the winding member 4 is again brought into contact with the paper feed roll Rp by the coil spring 8. At this time, there is a possibility that the whirling member 4 may generate vibrations or abnormal noise accompanying the vibration. However, when the whirling member main body 6 vibrates, the weight member 11 that is free to move and has a different mass differs from the vibration of the whispering member main body 6. Is generated, and the vibration of the rolling member body 6 is attenuated. Therefore, vibration and abnormal noise of the rolling member 4 are reduced by the vibration attenuation of the weight member 11.
Further, when the medium S is transported, when the so-called stick-slip in which the whirling member main body 6 moves along the medium transporting direction due to the friction between the medium S and the whirling pad 12 occurs, the shaft Although vibration and noise may occur due to rattling between the support hole 6a and the rotating shaft 7, in the first embodiment, the leaf spring 9 pushes the rolling member body 6 upstream in the medium conveyance direction. Thus, the vibration of the rolling member body 6 is reduced. Further, even if the whirling member main body 6 vibrates, the vibration and noise of the whirling member 4 are quickly reduced by the vibration damping effect of the weight member 11.

In particular, the generated vibration varies depending on the type of the medium S, for example, plain paper, coated paper, OHP, etc., the thickness of the medium S, and the like. However, the effect is insufficient, but in the first embodiment, the vibration attenuation of the weight member 11 reduces the occurrence of vibration and abnormal noise as compared with the conventional case.
In order to cope with a plurality of types of media S, it is conceivable to increase the pressing force of the leaf spring 9 along the medium conveyance direction. However, if the pressing force of the leaf spring 9 is increased, the winding member 4 is supplied. It becomes resistance to movement in the direction of approaching and separating from the paper roll Rp. Therefore, if the pressing force of the leaf spring 9 is increased, the contact pressure between the separating member 4 and the paper feed roll Rp may be reduced, the ability to separate and roll the medium S may be reduced, and double feeding may occur. There is sex. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the weight member 11 can quickly attenuate the vibration to reduce the vibration and the abnormal noise. While reliably preventing feeding, vibration and noise during stick-slip are reduced.

FIG. 8 is a perspective explanatory view of the separating member of the second embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 6 of the first embodiment.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8, and corresponds to FIG. 7 of the first embodiment.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

  8 and 9, in the rolling member 4 ′ of the second embodiment, a weight housing having a semicircular arc shape in the lower part is placed inside the rolling member main body 6 ′ instead of the rectangular parallelepiped weight housing space 6 e of the first embodiment. A space 6e 'is formed. Corresponding to the weight housing space 6e 'of the second embodiment, a columnar weight member 11' is housed inside instead of the rectangular weight member 11 of the first embodiment. The diameter of the weight member 11 ′ of the second embodiment is formed to be smaller than the radius of the semicircular arc of the weight accommodation space 6 e ′, and the weight member 11 ′ is free to move within the weight accommodation space 6 e ′. Is housed in.

(Operation of Example 2)
In the whirling member 4 ′ of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the weight member 11 ′ having a different mass and freely movable even when vibration is generated in the whirling member 4 ′ is formed in the weight housing space 6 e ′. Relative movement is performed with a vibration different from that of the main body 6 ', and the vibration of the rolling member main body 6' is attenuated. Therefore, even in the rolling member 4 ′ of the second embodiment, vibration of the rolling member 4 ′ and abnormal noise accompanying the vibration are reduced.
Further, when the rectangular parallelepiped weight receiving space 6e or the weight member 11 is used as in the first embodiment, a sound may be generated at the time of movement when the wall surface of the weight receiving space 6e and the weight member 11 are in contact with each other or when a collision occurs. However, in the second embodiment in which the semicircular weight housing space 6e ′ and the columnar weight member 11 ′ are used, the circular circumferential surfaces are in continuous contact with each other, and the sound at the time of contact is reduced. ing.

FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view of the rolling member of the third embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 6 of the first embodiment.
11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10 and corresponds to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment.
Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first and second embodiments, and the detailed description thereof will be given. Is omitted.
This embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in the following points, but is configured similarly to the first and second embodiments in other points.

10 and 11, in the rolling member 4 ″ of the third embodiment, an opening opened on the bottom surface 6b side is provided inside the winding member main body 6 ″ instead of the rectangular parallelepiped weight receiving space 6e of the first embodiment. A cylindrical weight housing space 6e "having 6f" is formed. Further, four holding claws 6g ″ extending toward the inside of the opening 6f ″ are formed as an example of the weight holding portion on the edge of the weight housing space 6e ″ on the bottom surface 6b side. At the lower end, a weight receiving surface 6g1 ″ that is inclined inward toward the weight housing space 6e ″, that is, upward is formed.
In the weight housing space 6e ″, a cylindrical weight member 11 ″ is housed as in the second embodiment, and the weight member 11 ″ is dropped from the weight member housing space 6e ″ by the holding claws 6g ″. The diameter of the weight member 11 "is smaller than the diameter of the weight member accommodation space 6e" and is accommodated in a freely movable state within the weight member accommodation space 6e ". Yes.

  In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the rolling member body 6 ″ is made of resin, and the holding claws 6g ″ are also made of resin. Therefore, when the weight member 11 ″ is mounted on the scooping member body 6 ″, the weight member 11 ″ is brought into contact with the weight receiving surface 6g1 ″ and is pushed inwardly from the outside of the weight member accommodating space 6e ″. The claw 6g ″ is elastically deformed, the weight member 11 ″ is accommodated in the weight member accommodation space 6e ″, the holding claw 6g ″ is elastically restored, and the weight member 11 ″ is held by the holding claw 6g ″. That is, in Example 3, the weight member 11 ″ is mounted on the winding member body 6 ″ by so-called snap fit.

(Operation of Example 3)
In the rolling member 4 ″ of the third embodiment having the above-described configuration, the weight member 11 ″ having a different mass and freely movable even if vibration is generated in the rolling member 4 ″ is the rolling member in the weight housing space 6e ″. Relative movement is caused by vibrations different from the vibration of the main body 6 ″, and the vibration of the rolling member main body 6 ″ is attenuated. Therefore, also in the rolling member 4 ″ of the third embodiment, similar to the first and second embodiments, vibration of the rolling member 4 ″ and abnormal noise accompanying the vibration are reduced. Also, in the whirling member 4 ″ of the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the sound during the movement of the weight member 11 ″ is reduced.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H06) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In each of the above-described embodiments, the printer U is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a copying machine, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions. Further, although the paper feed tray TR1 that is inserted / removed in the direction along the medium transport direction has been described, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and can be applied to a paper feed tray that is inserted / removed in the medium width direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction. It is.

(H02) In each of the above embodiments, the shapes of the weight member housing spaces 6e, 6e ', 6e "and the weight members 11, 11', 11" are not limited to the shapes illustrated in the embodiments, and the weight member is a weight member. It is possible to have an arbitrary shape that can be held in a relatively free movement state within the accommodation space.
(H03) In each of the above-described embodiments, the materials of the rolling member body 6, 6 ', 6 "and the weight members 11, 11', 11" are not limited to the exemplified materials, and any material can be used. is there.
(H04) In each of the embodiments described above, the weight members 11, 11 ′, 11 ″ have an arbitrary configuration that generates different vibrations so as to attenuate the vibrations when the rolling member bodies 6, 6 ′, 6 ″ vibrate. It is possible to use a weight member that is heavier than the main body, but it is also possible to use a weight member having a light weight and a small specific gravity to generate and dampen different vibrations.

(H05) In the above-described embodiment, the separating member bodies 6, 6 ', 6 "are configured to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 7, but are not limited to this configuration, and are in contact with and separated from the paper feed roll Rp. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that allows sliding movement in the direction of movement.
(H06) In the above embodiment, as an example of the feeding member, the paper feed roll Rp that contacts the bundle of stacked media S and also contacts the rolling members 4, 4 ', 4 "is exemplified. Without limitation, a feeding member that contacts and feeds the top surface of the medium bundle, a so-called pickup roll, and a paper feeding member that contacts the separating member and separates the medium fed by the pickup roll one by one and conveys it downstream The present invention can also be applied to a paper feeder having a so-called feed roll.

1 is a perspective explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall explanatory view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention with the side cover opened. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the paper feed tray according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective explanatory view of the whirl member of the first embodiment. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective explanatory view of the separating member of the second embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 6 of the first embodiment. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8, and corresponds to FIG. 7 of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view of the rolling member of the third embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 6 of the first embodiment. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10 and corresponds to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

4, 4 ', 4 "... thatched member,
6, 6 ', 6 "... the main body
6e, 6e ', 6e "... weight housing space,
6f "... opening,
6g "... weight holder,
8 ... Pressure applying member,
11, 11 ', 11 "... weight member,
12 ... The whispering part,
KS: Medium supply device,
Rp ... delivery member,
S ... medium
TR1 ... Medium container,
U: Image forming apparatus,
UY to UK + T1y to T1k + F: Image recording apparatus.

Claims (4)

A delivery member for sending out the medium stored in the medium storage container;
A separating member disposed opposite to the delivery member, the separation member main body supported so as to be movable away from and in contact with the delivery member, and supported by the separation member body and attached to the delivery member Formed on the separating member main body, the separating member that separates and separates the medium sent out by the feeding member one by one, the pressure applying member that applies a force for pressing the separating member main body against the feeding member side, and The weight member having a weight housing space and a weight member housed in the weight housing space in a state of being relatively movable with respect to the body member, and different from a mass of the body member.
A medium supply apparatus comprising: The weight housing space having an opening in which a lower portion in the direction of gravity is opened;
A weight holding portion that holds a weight member formed at an edge of the opening and accommodated in the weight accommodation space;
The medium supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: A medium storage container in which a medium is stored;
A delivery member for feeding out the medium stored in the medium storage container;
A separating member disposed opposite to the delivery member, the separation member main body supported so as to be movable away from and in contact with the delivery member, and supported by the separation member body and attached to the delivery member Formed on the separating member main body, the separating member that separates and separates the medium sent out by the feeding member one by one, the pressure applying member that applies a force for pressing the separating member main body against the feeding member side, and The weight member having a weight housing space and a weight member housed in the weight housing space in a state of being relatively movable with respect to the body member, and different from a mass of the body member.
An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a medium sent out by the sending member;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A separating member main body supported so as to be movable in the direction of contact and separation with respect to a delivery member that sends out the medium;
A separation unit that is supported by the separation member main body and that separates and separates the media sent by the delivery member in contact with the delivery member;
A pressure-applying member that applies a force to press the rolling member body against the delivery member;
A weight housing space formed in the main body,
A weight member that is housed in the weight housing space in a state of being relatively movable with respect to the firing member body and is different from the mass of the firing member body;
A whispering member characterized by comprising:

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