Paper feeding device, control method thereof, and storage medium storing control program thereof

Abstract

A paper feeding device capable of reliably feeding various paper sheets different in size, thickness, weight, etc. one by one. A perforated endless conveyor belt 3 is stretched between driving and idler rollers 1, 2, and a suction box 8 is provided between the upper and lower belt portions 3c, 3d of the perforated endless conveyor belt. Abutting bodies 11a-d are installed at positions corresponding to the perforated endless conveyor belt of a support mechanism 10 and are pressed against the perforated endless conveyor belt. A suction area 12 is formed on the upstream side of the abutting bodies of the suction box, and suction holes 8b are formed in the suction area. Lift plates 14a-c extend between the perforated endless conveyor belt at least in the range of the suction holes of the suction area. The lift plates move up and down between a first position in which the suction holes are opened and a second position in which the suction holes are closed, the first position being protruded from the conveying surface 3b of the perforated endless conveyor belt and the second position being retracted from the conveying surface of the perforated endless conveyor belt.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper feeding device and its control method for so-called top-feed (a method of sequentially feeding the topmost paper from a stack of papers) or bottom-feed (a method of sequentially feeding the bottommost paper from a stack of papers), and a storage medium storing the control program thereof. Background Technology

[0002] As a conventional top-feed paper feeding device, there is, for example, the device described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The paper feeding device described in Patent Document 1 includes: a paper platform on which a paper stack is placed and which is movable; an alignment plate disposed near the front of the paper platform and opposite to the front end face of the paper stack on the paper platform; and a conveying unit disposed above the uppermost paper of the paper stack on the paper platform and opposite to the uppermost paper, which, as the paper platform gradually rises, picks up the uppermost paper and conveys it forward over the alignment plate.

[0004] The conveying unit includes: a horizontal drive roller and an idle roller, which are arranged at intervals above the paper loading platform along the paper conveying direction and extend perpendicularly to the conveying direction; an open-ended annular conveyor belt, which is mounted between the drive roller and the idle roller; a suction box, which is disposed between the upper and lower belt portions of the open-ended annular conveyor belt and has multiple suction ports formed on its lower surface; and a suction unit that creates a negative pressure inside the suction box.

[0005] The suction unit consists of a suction pump, a suction pipe connecting the suction box and the suction pump, and a solenoid valve configured in the suction pipe. The suction box switches between adsorption and desorption by opening and closing the solenoid valve.

[0006] Furthermore, during the operation of the paper feeding device, the perforated annular conveyor belt moves in a circular motion, and the solenoid valve opens and closes at specified times.

[0007] In addition, an air blowing unit is provided on the alignment plate. Moreover, during the operation of the paper feeding device, air is constantly blown from the air blowing unit to the upper layer of the paper stack on the paper platform, and the paper on the upper layer of the paper stack is suspended from the paper stack in a separate state.

[0008] In this way, during the operation of the paper feeding device, the topmost sheet of paper, which is lifted by the air, is attracted by the suction box and the circular conveyor belt with openings that move around it, and is then sent forward.

[0009] In addition, as a conventional bottom-feed paper feeding device, there is, for example, the device described in Patent Document 2.

[0010] The paper feeding device described in Patent Document 2 includes: a paper receiving section that holds paper in a stacked state; a bottom feeding mechanism disposed at the bottom of the paper receiving section and sequentially feeding the lowest paper from the stack of paper contained in the paper receiving section; a delay roller that separates and feeds multiple sheets of paper fed out of the paper receiving section in a stacked state by the bottom feeding mechanism; and a limiting guide slope wall disposed on the outlet side of the paper receiving section and inclined downward toward the delay roller from the upstream side of the paper feeding direction.

[0011] The limiting guide slope wall causes the front ends of the papers housed in the paper receiving section to come into contact with each other, so that the papers forming the paper stack are staggered from bottom to back.

[0012] A drilling inhibition component is provided on the limiting guide slope wall to prevent the paper that comes into contact with it from drilling downwards along the slope.

[0013] The bottom feeding mechanism includes: a first conveyor roller group disposed on the inlet side of the paper receiving section and capable of rotating about an axis extending perpendicularly to the feeding direction; a second conveyor roller group disposed parallel to the first conveyor roller group on the downstream side of the first conveyor roller group; a first support roller shared by the rotating axis and the second conveyor roller group; a second support roller disposed close to the delay roller; and a conveyor belt stretched between the first and second support rollers.

[0014] The delay roller includes a torque limiter and abuts against the conveyor belt on the second support roller of the bottom feed mechanism.

[0015] Furthermore, during paper feeding, the delay roller is stopped by the torque limiter, allowing the bottommost sheet of paper to enter from the stacked sheets fed between the delay roller and the rotating conveyor belt, while preventing the remaining sheets from entering. Then, when the bottommost sheet is sandwiched between the delay roller and the conveyor belt, the delay roller rotates freely overcoming the torque limiter's restraint, thus only the bottommost sheet is fed forward.

[0016] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0017] [Patent Documents]

[0018] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 006747 Summary of the Invention

[0019] However, if the differences in paper size, thickness, and weight become more pronounced, it becomes difficult to simultaneously address both paper stacking and countermeasures against incorrect feeding (poor paper supply).

[0020] Furthermore, setting the separation parameters for separating sheets of paper one by one, based on factors such as paper size, thickness, and weight, is complex.

[0021] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a paper feeding device, its control method, and its control program, so as to reliably separate and feed the paper one sheet at a time from the paper stack, even when there are large differences in the size, thickness, and weight of the paper.

[0022] A paper feeding device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a conveyor belt that carries the uppermost or lowermost piece of paper from a paper stack on a conveyor surface and conveys it in a feeding direction, and has a plurality of ventilation holes; a suction unit disposed on a back side of the conveyor belt opposite to the conveyor surface, and having a first suction hole for attracting the paper through the ventilation holes; a lifting plate that reciprocates between a first position located further in the paper stacking direction than the conveyor surface and a second position located at the same height as the conveyor surface or closer to the back side of the conveyor surface, and opens a second suction hole different from the first suction hole formed in the suction unit when located in the first position, and blocks the second suction hole when located in the second position; and a control unit that controls the operation of the lifting plate, wherein the control unit moves the lifting plate from the second position to the first position when conveying the uppermost or lowermost piece of paper.

[0023] The top or bottom sheet of paper in the paper stack is attracted and adsorbed on the conveyor surface of the conveyor belt through the first suction hole of the suction unit and the vent. The paper is then conveyed while adsorbed on the conveyor surface. Furthermore, while conveying the top or bottom sheet, the lifting plate moves from the second position to the first position. This causes the paper to leave the conveyor surface via the lifting plate, and the second suction hole, which was blocked by the lifting plate, is opened. By causing the paper to leave the conveyor surface, a change in height is created between the lifting plate and the conveyor surface, causing the paper to deform and facilitating the separation of the conveying paper from the next sheet placed on top of it. Additionally, by opening the second suction hole blocked by the lifting plate, the suction force from the first suction hole is reduced, decreasing the adsorption force on the conveyor surface and reducing the conveying force of the next sheet following the current sheet.

[0024] Therefore, regardless of differences in paper size, thickness, and weight, paper can be reliably separated and supplied one sheet at a time from the paper stack.

[0025] Furthermore, in one aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention, the conveyor belts are provided in a plurality of manner and are arranged parallel to each other at predetermined intervals in a width direction orthogonal to the feeding direction, and the lifting plates are provided in a plurality of manner and are arranged between adjacent conveyor belts and / or on the side of the conveyor belts.

[0026] By setting multiple lifting plates and placing them between and / or on the sides of the conveyor belts, paper can be handled stably.

[0027] In addition, since the lifting plate and the conveyor belt are arranged alternately in the width direction, when the lifting plate is in the first position, the paper can be wrinkled (corrugated) to promote paper separation.

[0028] Furthermore, in one aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention, a plurality of conveyor belts and a plurality of lifting plates are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the width direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction.

[0029] Because the conveyor belt and lifting plate are arranged symmetrically with respect to the width direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, the paper can be fed correctly.

[0030] Furthermore, in one aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention, a discharge roller is included to grab the front end of the paper conveyed from the conveyor belt and discharge it. When the discharge roller grabs the front end of the paper conveyed from the conveyor belt, the control unit causes the lifting plate to move from the second position to the first position.

[0031] If the leading edge of the paper is gripped by the discharge roller, the paper is supported by the discharge roller, so even if the lifting plate is actuated, it will not affect the separation of the paper. Therefore, by actuating the lifting plate at the moment the leading edge of the paper is gripped by the discharge roller, more reliable control can be achieved. For example, it is preferable to install a paper detection sensor downstream of the discharge roller in the feeding direction.

[0032] Furthermore, in one aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention, an abutting body is provided on the upstream side of the discharge roller in the feeding direction, which abuts against the front end of the paper.

[0033] By setting the contact body upstream of the discharge roller in the feeding direction, a paper stack can be formed on the upstream side of the discharge roller where the paper is temporarily stacked.

[0034] Furthermore, in one aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention, the conveyor belts are provided in a plurality of manner and are arranged parallel to each other at predetermined intervals in a width direction orthogonal to the feeding direction. The abutment is provided between adjacent conveyor belts and / or on the side of the conveyor belts and is formed as an elastic plate-like body having a front end as a free end that abuts against the paper.

[0035] Because the abutment is positioned between and / or on the side of the conveyor belts, it will not slide into contact with the conveyor belt. This reduces wear on the abutment.

[0036] The contact body is an elastic plate-shaped body. Since its free end contacts the paper, it can bend with elastic force when it contacts the paper. Thus, it can impart appropriate contact force to the paper.

[0037] As a resilient contact material, rubber is preferred, for example.

[0038] Furthermore, in a paper feeding device of one aspect of the present invention, a contact surface is provided on the abutment body at a position opposite to the front end, and the contact surface and the conveying surface are at the same height.

[0039] Because it has a contact surface that contacts the front end of the abutment, and this contact surface is at the same height as the conveying surface, the paper can be smoothly conveyed on the conveying surface without deformation.

[0040] Furthermore, in one aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention, a guide plate is included, the guide plate including an inclined portion that guides the paper toward the front end of the abutment.

[0041] By guiding the paper along the inclined portion of the guide plate, the leading edge of the paper can be reliably directed toward the leading edge of the contact body. Specifically, the inclined portion is arranged such that the distance between the contact surface that contacts the leading edge of the contact body gradually decreases toward the contact body.

[0042] The inclined section prevents the paper from curling up when the leading edge of the paper comes into contact with the contact body. Furthermore, even if curled paper enters, the inclined section can suppress it.

[0043] Furthermore, in a paper feeding device according to one aspect of the present invention, the guide plate includes a gap between itself and the abutting body, and includes an abutting portion that abuts against the abutting body when it elastically deforms toward the guide plate.

[0044] A stop portion is provided on the guide plate, which abuts against the contact body when it elastically deforms towards the guide plate. This limits excessive deformation of the contact body. For example, when paper is pulled out in the opposite direction (guide plate side) during a paper jam, the contact body deforms towards the guide plate along with the paper. Excessive deformation of the contact body at this time can be suppressed by the stop portion.

[0045] Furthermore, in one aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention, the abutment is a delay roller that is pressed onto the conveyor belt.

[0046] By setting the contact body as a delay roller, paper can be reliably separated and transported.

[0047] Furthermore, in a paper feeding device of one aspect of the present invention, at least one of the lifting plates includes an extension that extends to a position corresponding to the abutment or downstream of the abutment in the feeding direction.

[0048] Because at least one extension of the lifting plate is positioned at a corresponding position on the delay roller or downstream of the delay roller in the feeding direction, when the lifting plate is in the first position, it is possible to significantly deform the paper sandwiched between the delay roller and the conveyor belt. Thus, by making the shape of the paper being conveyed different from that of the next sheet, it becomes difficult for the next sheet to enter the delay roller.

[0049] The position corresponding to the delay roller refers to the nearest position (directly below) of the delay roller and its vicinity.

[0050] Furthermore, in one aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention, the extension can be detached from the provided lifting plate.

[0051] Since the extension can be detached from the existing lifting plate, the length of the lifting plate can be changed as needed.

[0052] One aspect of the present invention is a control method for a paper feeding device, wherein the paper feeding device includes: a conveyor belt that carries the uppermost or lowermost piece of paper from a paper stack on a conveyor surface and conveys it in a feeding direction, and has a plurality of ventilation holes; a suction unit disposed on the back side of the conveyor belt opposite to the conveyor surface, and having a first suction hole for attracting the paper through the ventilation holes; and a lifting plate that reciprocates between a first position located further in the paper stacking direction than the conveyor surface and a second position located at the same height as the conveyor surface or closer to the back side of the conveyor surface, and opens a second suction hole different from the first suction hole formed in the suction unit when located in the first position, and blocks the second suction hole when located in the second position, wherein the lifting plate moves from the second position to the first position when conveying the uppermost or lowermost piece of paper.

[0053] One aspect of the present invention is a storage medium storing a control program for a paper feeding device, the control program causing a computer to perform control of the paper feeding device as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0054] [Invention Effects]

[0055] Even when there are large differences in paper size, thickness, and weight, it is possible to reliably separate and supply paper one sheet at a time from the paper stack. Attached Figure Description

[0056] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (A) is a top view and (B) is a front view.

[0057] Figure 2 This is an enlarged front view of the suction box and the contact body of the paper feeding device shown in Figure 1. In the figure, the suction box is depicted in a longitudinal section.

[0058] Figure 3(A) is from Figure 2 (B) is a longitudinal sectional view taken from the upstream side of the delivery direction, along the direction that crosses the delivery direction. Figure 2 A side view observed from the downstream side of the delivery direction.

[0059] Figure 4(A) is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of line XX, (B) is along... Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the YY line.

[0060] Figure 5(A) is an enlarged front view of the suction box and the contact body of the paper feeding device in Figure 1, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view taken from the upstream side of the feeding direction in (A) along the direction that runs through the feeding direction.

[0061] Figure 6 illustrates the paper feeding operation of the paper feeding device in Figure 1. Figure 2 Similar diagrams.

[0062] Figure 7 is a diagram similar to Figure 3(A) illustrating the paper feeding operation of the paper feeding device in Figure 1.

[0063] Figure 8 is a front view showing the operation of the slide of the paper feeding device in Figure 1. (A) shows the state where the slide is at the minimum length of the paper stacking area, and (B) shows the state where the slide is at the maximum length of the paper stacking area.

[0064] Figure 9 This is a schematic front view of a paper feeding device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Figure 10 This is a side view showing the paper feeding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Figure 11 It is an enlarged representation Figure 10 A magnified side view of the area around the abutment plate.

[0067] Figure 12 This is a top view showing the paper feeding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Figure 13 shows the extension of the lifting plate, (A) is a top view and (B) is a side view.

[0069] Figure 14 This is a top view of the paper feeding device with the extension of the lifting plate installed. Detailed Implementation

[0070] [First Implementation Method]

[0071] Hereinafter, the structure of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and based on preferred embodiments.

[0072] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a paper feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1(A) is a top view and Figure 1(B) is a front view. Figure 2 This is an enlarged front view showing the suction box and the contact body of the paper feeding device in Figure 1. In the figure, the suction box is depicted in a longitudinal section.

[0073] Figure 3(A) is from Figure 2 Figure 3(B) is a longitudinal sectional view taken from the upstream side of the delivery direction, along the direction that crosses the delivery direction. Figure 2 A side view observed downstream of the delivery direction. Additionally, Figure 4(A) shows a view along... Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along the XX line, Figure 4(B) is... Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the YY line.

[0074] In addition, Figure 5(A) is an enlarged front view of the suction box and the contact body of the paper feeding device in Figure 1, and Figure 5(B) is a longitudinal sectional view along the direction that runs through the feeding direction, viewed from the upstream side of the feeding direction in Figure 5(A).

[0075] In this embodiment, the paper feeding device consists of a bottom-feed paper feeding device (a paper feeding device with a bottom feeding method): the paper feeding device is arranged between two paper processing devices, temporarily accumulates the paper discharged from the paper processing device on the upstream side, and sequentially conveys the bottommost paper of the accumulated paper to the paper processing device on the downstream side.

[0076] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, according to this embodiment, the paper feeding device includes: a drive roller 1 and an idle roller 2 that are spaced apart from each other in the paper feeding direction and extend horizontally and perpendicularly to the feeding direction, respectively; at least one (four in this embodiment) perforated annular conveyor belt 3 that is mounted between the drive roller 1 and the idle roller 2; and a roller drive mechanism 4 that rotates the drive roller 1.

[0077] The drive roller 1 includes a horizontal rotating shaft 1a and four first roller elements 1b, which are mounted on the rotating shaft 1a at axial intervals and are rotatable integrally with the rotating shaft 1a.

[0078] As shown in Figures 1(A) and 4(A), in this embodiment, the four first roller elements 1b are symmetrically arranged with respect to a predetermined centerline CL that extends orthogonally to the drive roller 1 and the idle roller 2. The centerline CL coincides with the center of the width direction orthogonal to the feed direction of the conveyed paper P1.

[0079] The idle roller 2 includes four second roller elements 2b, which are rotatably arranged about an axis 2a parallel to the rotation axis 1a of the drive roller 1 and are respectively opposite to the four first roller elements 1b.

[0080] Furthermore, each perforated annular conveyor belt 3 is mounted between the first roller element 1b of the paired drive roller 1 and the second roller element 2b of the idle roller 2, and the four perforated annular conveyor belts 3 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center line CL. Each perforated annular conveyor belt 3 has a plurality of ventilation holes 3a uniformly distributed along its entire length.

[0081] The roller drive mechanism 4 includes a pulley 4a fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 1a of the drive roller 1, a motor 4b whose drive shaft extends parallel to the drive roller 1, a pulley 4c fixed on the drive shaft of the motor 4b, and an annular belt 4d spanning between the pulley 4a and the pulley 4c.

[0082] Moreover, during the operation of the paper feeding device, as the motor 4b drives the drive roller 1 to rotate, the four perforated annular conveyor belts 3 rotate together at a certain speed, and the paper P1 placed on the conveying surface 3b of the four perforated annular conveyor belts 3 is conveyed from the idle roller 2 side to the drive roller 1 side.

[0083] In addition, the paper feeding device also includes: a carriage 5, which is reciprocally disposed above the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 along the length direction of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3; at least one (two in this embodiment) sliding guide 6, which extends along the length direction of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 and is slidably mounted on the carriage 5; and a carriage drive mechanism 7, which causes the carriage 5 to slide.

[0084] The carriage drive mechanism 7 includes a motor 7a and a pulley 7b spaced apart along the length of the sliding guide 6. The drive shaft of the motor 7a and the rotation shaft of the pulley 7b extend parallel to the drive roller 1 and the idle roller 2.

[0085] A pulley 7c is fixed on the drive shaft of motor 7a. An annular belt 7d is strung between pulley 7c and pulley 7b, extending parallel to the sliding guide 6. A carriage 5 is fixed on the annular belt 7d.

[0086] Furthermore, by using motor 7a to rotate the annular belt 7d in both directions, the carriage 5 can reciprocate along the sliding guide 6.

[0087] The paper feeding mechanism also includes: a suction box (suction section) 8, which is reciprocally arranged between the upper belt portion 3c and the lower belt portion 3d of the four perforated annular conveyor belts 3 along the length direction of the perforated annular conveyor belts 3 and is mounted on the carriage 5; and a suction fan (suction source) 9, which is directly connected to the suction box 8 and generates negative pressure in the suction box 8.

[0088] The upstream side of the surface 8a of the suction box 8 opposite to the upper belt portion 3c in the feeding direction becomes the adsorption region 12. On the adsorption region 12, a plurality of suction holes (first suction holes) 8b are formed, and the upper surface of the paper stack S is arranged opposite to it.

[0089] A support mechanism 10 is provided downstream of the adsorption area 12 in the delivery direction of the suction box 8. The support mechanism 10 is positioned above the surface 8a and extends transversely through the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 in the width direction. Four abutment bodies 11a to 11d are supported in the support mechanism 10 at positions corresponding to each perforated annular conveyor belt 3. Each abutment body 11a to 11d is pressed against the corresponding perforated annular conveyor belt 3.

[0090] Furthermore, the four abutting bodies 11a to 11d are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line CL.

[0091] The contact bodies 11a to 11d are composed of delay rollers.

[0092] As shown in Figure 1, Figure 2 As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the L-shaped cross-section fixing plate 5a is mounted on the lower surface of the carriage 5. The fixing plate 5a extends in a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the surface 8a of the suction box 8 and transversely through the perforated annular conveyor belt 3.

[0093] Furthermore, the support mechanism 10 includes first and second receiving plates 10a and 10b disposed on the upper and lower flow sides in the delivery direction, separated by a fixed plate 5a. The first and second receiving plates 10a and 10b extend in the direction traversing the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 and are respectively slidably mounted up and down relative to the fixed plate 5a.

[0094] The first receiving plate 10a is inverted U-shaped, and a horizontal support shaft 10e extending along the width direction of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 is provided on the outer side of each foot of the first receiving plate 10a. A pair of abutting bodies 11a and 11d located on the outer sides of the four abutting bodies 11a to 11d are mounted on these support shafts 10e.

[0095] A spring support portion 10c is provided at the center of the upper end of the first receiving plate 10a. A compression spring 10d is arranged between the spring support portion 10c and the fixed plate 5a. The compression spring 10d always causes the first receiving plate 10a to exert a downward force on the fixed plate 5a (thereby pressing a pair of abutting bodies 11a, 11d onto the corresponding perforated annular conveyor belt 3).

[0096] The second receiving plate 10b is T-shaped, and a horizontal support shaft 10h extending along the width direction of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 is provided at the lower end of the second receiving plate 10b. A pair of abutting bodies 11b and 11c located in the center of the four abutting bodies 11a to 11d are installed at both ends of the support shaft 10h.

[0097] A spring support portion 10f is provided at the center of the upper end of the second receiving plate 10b, and a through hole extending vertically is formed on the slide 5 at a position corresponding to the spring support portion 10f. Furthermore, the compression spring 10g is embedded in the through hole with its lower end pressed against the spring support portion 10f, and the upper opening of the through hole is closed by the pressing plate 5b.

[0098] By compressing the spring 10g, the second receiving plate 10b always exerts a downward force relative to the fixed plate 5a (therefore, a pair of abutting bodies 11b, 11c are pressed onto the corresponding perforated annular conveyor belt 3).

[0099] In this way, by connecting the four abutment bodies 11a to 11d, which are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center line CL, respectively, and pressing them onto the corresponding perforated annular conveyor belt 3, the pressing force of the abutment bodies 11a to 11d on the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 can be made uniform with respect to the center line CL. As a result, not only can the stacking of paper P1 be reliably prevented, but also the skewed movement of paper P1 can be reliably prevented.

[0100] A pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b are mounted on the carriage 5. The pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b are positioned vertically opposite each other across the conveying path between adjacent perforated annular conveyor belts 3 on the downstream side of the suction box 8 in the delivery direction, and are capable of rotating about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the delivery direction. Three lifting plates 14a to 14c, extending along the length of the perforated annular conveyor belts 3, are provided between adjacent perforated annular conveyor belts 3 on the surface 8a of the suction box 8.

[0101] A paper detection sensor 13c is provided downstream of the feed direction of a pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b. The paper detection sensor 13c detects the leading edge of the paper P1 discharged from the discharge rollers 13a and 13b. The output of the paper detection sensor 13c is sent to a control unit (not shown).

[0102] Three lifting plates 14a to 14c are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line CL. The two outer lifting plates 14a and 14c of the three lifting plates 14a to 14c extend into the range of the suction hole (second suction hole) 8b of the adsorption region 12. The central lifting plate 14b of the three lifting plates 14a to 14c, for example as shown in FIG4(A), extends from the upstream end of the adsorption region 12 in the delivery direction (the upstream end of the suction box 8) to the position corresponding to the contact body 11a to 11d (hereinafter, depending on the situation, the lifting plate 14b is referred to as the "expanded lifting plate 14b").

[0103] As shown in Figure 4(A), the expanded lifting plate 14b is configured such that its center in the width direction is aligned with the center line CL (symmetrical with respect to the center line CL).

[0104] A lifting plate drive mechanism 15, which moves the lifting plates 14a to 14c up and down, is mounted on the carriage 5. The lifting plate drive mechanism 15 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). The lifting plate drive mechanism 15 positions the lifting plates 14a to 14c at a first position protruding beyond the conveying surface 3b of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 (see reference). Figure 2 (See Figure 3) The lifting plates 14a to 14c move back and forth between the conveying surface 3b of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 and the second position (see Figure 5) where they are on the same surface or retracted further downward than the conveying surface 3b. In the first position, the lifting plates 14a to 14c leave the surface 8a and open the suction hole 8b. In the second position, the lifting plates 14a to 14c press against the surface 8a and close the suction hole 8b.

[0105] Lifting plate drive mechanism 15, for example Figure 2 As shown, it includes: two bushings 16a and 16b arranged at intervals along the length of the lifting plates 14a to 14c on the wall of the suction box 8, respectively, and extending through the wall; and guide rods 17a and 17b that pass through each bushing 16a and 16b, have their upper ends connected to the back of the corresponding lifting plates 14a to 14c, and their lower ends extended into the suction box 8.

[0106] The lower ends of each guide rod 17a and 17b are connected by a single horizontal connecting plate 18. Compression springs 19a and 19b are wound around the outside of the part of each guide rod 17a and 17b that protrudes into the suction box 8 and extend between the connecting plate 18 and the suction box 8, always applying force to the lifting plates 14a to 14c toward the second position.

[0107] The lifting plate drive mechanism 15 also includes two rotating shafts 21a and 21b on the lower side of the connecting plate 18 inside the suction box 8. The two rotating shafts 21a and 21b are spaced apart from each other in the length direction of the lifting plates 14a to 14c and extend horizontally in the width direction of the lifting plates 14a to 14c respectively.

[0108] Two rotating shafts 21a and 21b are respectively mounted in a rectangular support frame on the inner bottom surface of the suction box 8, and a pair of frame portions 20 extending along the length direction of the lifting plates 14a to 14c (for example, refer to Figures 4(A) and 4(B)) are rotatably supported about the shafts.

[0109] As shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B), one end of one of the two rotating shafts 21a and 21b passes through the frame portion 20 and protrudes outward from the suction box 8.

[0110] The lifting plate drive mechanism 15 also includes: a pair of plate cams 22a, 22a; 22b, 22b, which are mounted integrally with the rotating shafts 21a, 21b at positions corresponding to the two sides of the connecting plate 18; and a cam drive mechanism 23 that enables the two rotating shafts 21a, 21b to rotate synchronously.

[0111] In this case, as shown in Figure 5(A), when the plate cams 22a and 22b reach their lower stop point, the plate cams 22a and 22b move away from the connecting plate 18, and the lifting plates 14a to 14c take the second position. On the other hand, as... Figure 2 As shown, when the plate cams 22a and 22b reach their top dead center, the connecting plate 18 is pushed up by the plate cams 22a and 22b, and the lifting plates 14a to 14c are configured to take the first position.

[0112] The cam drive mechanism 23 includes: a pulley 24a fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 21a, a pulley 24b fixed to the rotating shaft 21b at a position corresponding to the pulley 24a, and an annular belt 25 spanning between the pulleys 24a and 24b. Additionally, as shown in FIG1(A), the cam drive mechanism 23 includes: a motor 26 fixed to the carriage 5 outside the suction box 8, with its drive shaft extending parallel to the rotating shaft 21b; a pulley 27a fixed to the drive shaft of the motor 26; a pulley 27b fixed to the rotating shaft 21b at a position corresponding to the pulley 27a; and an annular belt 28 spanning between the pulleys 27a and 27b.

[0113] In this way, the two rotating shafts 21a and 21b rotate synchronously via the motor, and the plate cams 22a and 22b rotate accordingly.

[0114] Furthermore, when the plate cams 22a and 22b reach their lower limit, the lifting plates 14a to 14c take the second position, and when the plate cams 22a and 22b reach their upper limit, they take the first position.

[0115] As shown in Figure 1(B), the area from the contact body 11a to 11d to the upstream end u of the conveying surface 3b of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 forms a paper accumulation area 29.

[0116] As shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B), an air blowing unit 30 is provided on the carriage 5. The air blowing unit 30 is located downstream of the contact bodies 11a to 11d in the delivery direction, that is, above the conveying surface 3b of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3, and blows out separated air along the conveying surface 3b toward the upstream side in the delivery direction.

[0117] In addition, the air blowing unit 30 can be provided as needed or omitted.

[0118] The control unit is part of the computer system, which includes, for example, a CPU, ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs executed by the CPU, RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as the working area for each program execution, a hard disk drive (HDD) as a large-capacity storage device, and a communication unit for connecting to networks, etc. These parts are connected via a bus.

[0119] The series of processing steps used to implement the various functions described later are recorded in the form of a program in a hard disk drive or similar storage medium. The CPU reads this program into RAM or similar storage medium and performs information processing and calculations, thereby implementing the various functions described later. Alternatively, the program can be provided in a way that is pre-installed in ROM or other storage media, in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or distributed via wired or wireless communication units. Computer-readable storage media include hard disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, semiconductor memories, etc.

[0120] The length of the paper stacking area 29 can be freely changed within the range of minimum length (see Figure 8(A)) and maximum length (see Figure 8(B)) by changing the position of the carriage 5, i.e. the suction box 8, the abutment bodies 11a to 11d, the pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b, and the air blowing unit 30.

[0121] Therefore, even if the length of the paper to be supplied is changed, the change in paper size can be easily and quickly addressed by adjusting the length of the paper stacking area 29.

[0122] Next, the operation of the paper feeding device in this embodiment will be explained.

[0123] Figure 6 illustrates the paper feeding device and its operation as shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 Similarly, Figure 7 is a diagram similar to Figure 3(A) illustrating the paper feeding operation of the paper feeding device of Figure 1.

[0124] Referring first to Figure 1, before the paper feeding device is operated, the upstream paper handling device is connected to the upstream end u (refer to Figure 1(B)) of the conveying path of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3, while the downstream paper handling device is connected to the downstream end w (refer to Figure 1(B)) of the conveying surface 3b of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3.

[0125] Furthermore, in Figure 1(B), representing the upstream paper handling device, a pair of conveyor rollers 31 is depicted, which is located at the paper outlet of the paper handling device and extends in a direction traversing the paper stacking area 29 of the paper feeding device. Representing the downstream paper handling device, a pair of conveyor rollers 32 is depicted, which is located at the paper inlet of the paper handling device and extends in a direction traversing the conveying surface 3b of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 of the paper feeding device.

[0126] Next, adjust the position of the carriage 5, i.e. the position of the suction box 8, the contact body 11a to 11d, the lifting plate drive mechanism 15, the pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b, and the air blowing unit 30 in accordance with the length of the paper to be processed (length in the delivery direction), and set the length of the paper stacking area 29.

[0127] When the paper feeding device and each paper handling device start operating, the initial (lowest) sheet of paper P1 is conveyed by the conveyor roller pair 31 of the upstream paper handling device and enters the paper stacking area 29 of the paper feeding device. Then, before the front end of the initial (lowest) sheet of paper P1 reaches the contact portion between the contact body 11a-11d and the perforated annular conveyor belt 3, as shown in Figures 6(A) and 7(A), the lifting plates 14a-14c rise from the second position to the first position.

[0128] If the lifting plates 14a-14c are in the first position, the suction hole (second suction hole) 8b in the adsorption area 12, which is opposite to the lifting plates 14a-14c, opens, and external gas flows into the suction box 8 through the opened suction hole 8b, thus weakening the adsorption force of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3. At the same time, the initial (lowest) paper P1 on the adsorption area 12 leaves the perforated annular conveyor belt 3.

[0129] As a result, the conveying force of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 in the adsorption region 12 is reduced.

[0130] Thus, the initial (lowest) paper P1 remains in the paper stacking area 29 while being blocked by the abutting bodies 11a to 11d.

[0131] Then, at the moment when the next sheet of paper P2 is conveyed by the conveyor roller pair 31 and stacked on the initial (lowest) sheet of paper P1, a paper feeding signal is sent from the downstream paper handling device to the paper feeding device to start the paper feeding operation of the paper feeding device.

[0132] At the moment when the initial (lowest) paper P1 is fed, the perforated annular conveyor belt 3, the suction fan 9, the air blowing unit 30, and the pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b begin to operate continuously, and as shown in Figures 6(B) and 7(B), the lifting plates 14a to 14c descend from the first position to the second position.

[0133] When the lifting plates 14a-14c are in the second position, the suction holes 8b in the adsorption area 12 opposite to the lifting plates 14a-14c are closed. External gas flows into the suction box 8 only through the ventilation holes 3a of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3, thus enhancing the adsorption force of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3. At the same time, the lowest piece of paper P1 comes into contact with the perforated annular conveyor belt 3.

[0134] As a result, the conveying force of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 in the adsorption region 12 increases.

[0135] In this way, the bottommost paper P1 is attracted and conveyed by the perforated annular conveyor belt 3, and is sent out between the contact bodies 11a to 11d and the perforated annular conveyor belt 3.

[0136] Then, when the front end of the lowest paper P1 passes through a pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b, the paper detection sensor 13c detects the front end of the paper P1. According to the instructions of the control unit, as shown in Figures 6(C) and 7(C), the lifting plates 14a to 14c rise from the second position to the first position.

[0137] When the lifting plates 14a-14c are in the first position, the suction holes 8b in the adsorption area 12 opposite to the lifting plates 14a-14c open, and external gas flows into the suction box 8 through the opened suction holes 8b, thus weakening the adsorption force of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3. At the same time, the lowest piece of paper P1 on the adsorption area 12 is removed from the perforated annular conveyor belt 3.

[0138] As a result, the conveying force of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 in the adsorption region 12 is reduced.

[0139] In addition, when the lifting plates 14a to 14c are in the first position, the lowest paper P1 and the next paper P2 form a corrugated shape in the direction that crosses the feeding direction.

[0140] Furthermore, when the expanded lifting plate 14b is in its first position, in addition to the effects described above, the lowest paper P1 is also lifted by the expanded lifting plate 14b directly below and downstream of the abutment bodies 11a to 11d, and is pressed onto the abutment bodies 11a to 11d, becoming wavy in the direction of transverse delivery.

[0141] As a result, a gap is created between the lowest paper P1 and the next paper P2, which promotes the flow of separation air between paper P1 and paper P2, and the blocking force of the contact body 11a to 11d on paper P2 is further increased.

[0142] In this way, the lowest sheet P1 continues to be delivered, while the next sheet P2 is reliably blocked by the abutting bodies 11a to 11d.

[0143] Then, at the moment when the feeding of the lowest sheet P1 ends, a paper feeding signal is sent from the downstream paper handling device to the paper feeding device. In response to the paper feeding signal, the lifting plates 14a to 14c descend from the first position to the second position and begin the feeding operation of the next sheet P2.

[0144] On the other hand, after the lowest paper P1, which has passed through a pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b, is conveyed by the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 to the conveyor roller pair 32 of the downstream paper processing device, it is introduced into the downstream paper processing device through the conveyor roller pair 32.

[0145] Thus, according to this embodiment, by arranging lifting plates 14a to 14c in at least the adsorption area 12 of the suction box 8, the lifting plates 14a to 14c are raised and lowered at a predetermined time, thereby enabling simultaneous switching of the strength of the adsorption force of the perforated endless conveyor belt 3 on the paper, and the contact and non-contact switching of the bottommost paper P1 of the paper stack S and the perforated annular conveyor belt 3. Furthermore, since the bottommost paper P1 is fed out, the paper P1 and the next paper P2 form a corrugated shape in the direction traversing the feeding direction, even when the differences in paper size and thickness are large, the paper can be reliably separated from the paper stack one by one and supplied.

[0146] That is, the bottommost sheet P1 of the paper stack is attracted and adsorbed on the conveying surface 3b of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3, through the first suction hole 8b of the suction box 8 and the vent 3a. Thus, the paper P1 is conveyed while adsorbed on the conveying surface 3b. Then, when the leading edge of the paper P1 is gripped by the discharge rollers 13a and 13b, the lifting plates 14a to 14c move from the second position to the first position. As a result, the paper P1 leaves the conveying surface 3b of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 via the lifting plates 14a to 14c, and the second suction hole 8b, which was blocked by the lifting plates 14a to 14c, is opened. By causing the paper P1 to leave the conveying surface 3b of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3, a change in height is created between the lifting plates 14a to 14c and the conveying surface 3b, causing the paper P1 to deform and facilitating the separation of the conveying paper P1 from the next sheet P2 overlapping it. In addition, by opening the second suction hole 8b blocked by the lifting plates 14a to 14c, the attractive force from the first suction hole 8b is reduced, the adsorption force of the paper P1 on the conveying surface 3b is reduced, and the conveying force of the next sheet of paper P2 after the paper P1 in the conveying process can be reduced.

[0147] Because the lifting plate 14b is extended to the corresponding position of the abutment bodies 11b and 11c, or downstream of the abutment bodies 11b and 11c in the feeding direction, when the lifting plate 14b is set to the first position, the paper P1 sandwiched between the abutment bodies 11b and 11c and the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 can be significantly deformed by the lifting plate 14b. As a result, by making the shape of the paper P1 being conveyed different from that of the next paper P2, the next paper P2 is less likely to enter the abutment bodies 11b and 11c.

[0148] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the structure of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications can be conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the claims of this application.

[0149] For example, in the above embodiment, a pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b are arranged on the downstream side of the feeding direction of the suction box 8. When the front end of the paper P1 at the bottom of the paper stack S passes through the pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b, the lifting plates 14a to 14c are raised from the second position to the first position. However, the pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b is not a necessary component of the present invention, but is provided as needed.

[0150] In addition, without the pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b, after the paper feeding operation starts, the lowest paper P1 is fed out of the contact body 11a to 11d by a predetermined length, and then the lifting plates 14a to 14c are raised from the second position to the first position.

[0151] In addition, in the above embodiment, the abutment body 11a to 11d is composed of a delay roller, but as the abutment body 11a to 11d, a plate-shaped or block-shaped elastomer may be used instead of the delay roller.

[0152] In addition, in the above embodiment, the paper feeding device is configured to temporarily accumulate the paper discharged from the upstream paper processing device and sequentially transport the bottommost paper of the accumulated paper to the downstream paper processing device. In order to accommodate various paper sizes, the length of the paper accumulation area 29 can be changed, but the paper feeding device can also be configured as a conventional paper feeding device.

[0153] In the case where the paper feeding device of the present invention is a conventional paper feeding device, the paper stacking area 29 is configured as a paper stacking area with a fixed length. Therefore, in this case, the carriage 5, the sliding guide 6, and the carriage drive mechanism 7 are omitted, and the suction box 8, the abutment bodies 11a to 11d, the lifting plate drive mechanism 15, the pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b, and the air blowing unit 30 are fixed or supported on the frame of the paper feeding device.

[0154] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the paper feeding device is composed of a bottom-feed paper feeding device, but as... Figure 9 As shown, by configuring the paper feeding device of the above embodiment to be upside down, and arranging the upper surfaces of the paper stack S opposite each other in the adsorption area of ​​the suction box 8, the paper feeding device can be made into a top-feed paper feeding device.

[0155] In addition, Figure 9 In the diagram, symbol 33 is a paper platform that is vertically mounted on the frame F of the paper feeding device and on which the paper stack S is placed; symbol 34 is a vertical alignment plate that is positioned near the front of the paper platform 33 and opposite to the front end of the paper stack S on the paper platform; and symbol 35 is a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the paper platform 33.

[0156] Thus, when the paper feeding device starts feeding, the uppermost piece of paper P1' in the paper stack S is attracted by the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 and conveyed over the alignment plate 34, and then sent out between the contact bodies 11a to 11d and the perforated annular conveyor belt.

[0157] When the topmost sheet P1' is delivered, if the next sheet P2' is followed and conveyed over the alignment plate 34, it is reliably blocked by the abutting bodies 11a to 11d.

[0158] exist Figure 9 In the modified examples, the same effects as the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 8 can also be obtained.

[0159] [Second Implementation]

[0160] The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment described above is that, as the abutment bodies 11a to 11d, abutment plates formed as plate-like bodies are used instead of delay rollers. Other structures are basically the same; therefore, the differences from the first embodiment will be described below, and common structures will be marked with the same symbols and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0161] like Figure 10 As shown, the abutment plate (abutment body) 40 is mounted on the support mechanism 10 located below the carriage 5. The abutment plate 40 is made of an elastomer such as rubber and has a plate shape. Figure 10 As shown, the abutment plate 40 is erected vertically, with its wide side facing the conveying direction. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the back side of the abutment plate 40 (downstream side in the conveying direction): Figure 11The abutment plate 40 (left side) is supported by the back panel 10i of the support mechanism 10. The front end 40a of the abutment plate 40 protrudes downward beyond the back panel 10i. Within the protruding area, the front end 40a side of the abutment plate 40 elastically deforms. The abutment plate 40 is detachable from the support mechanism 10. Thus, it can be easily replaced in case of wear, etc.

[0162] When viewed from the conveying direction, the lower end of the abutment plate 40 is, for example, rectangular or a trapezoid that tapers downwards. The lower edge 40b of the front end 40a of the abutment plate 40 is positioned to contact the upper surface (contact surface) 42a of the opposite receiving plate 42.

[0163] The receiving plate 42 is flat and fixed relative to the upper surface 8a of the suction box 8. The height of the upper surface 42a of the receiving plate 42 is the same as the height of the conveying surface 3b of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3. Therefore, the paper conveyed on the conveying surface 3b of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3 slides across the upper surface 42a of the receiving plate 42.

[0164] The contact state between the lower edge 40b of the abutment plate 40 and the upper surface 42a of the support plate 42 is set to a level that allows a sheet of paper to pass through. This contact state is set by a height adjustment mechanism provided on the support mechanism 10 and a compression spring 10d that applies downward force to the abutment plate 40 (see reference). Figure 10 )conduct.

[0165] On the upstream side of the conveying direction of the abutment plate 40 ( Figure 11 A guide plate 44 is provided on the right side. The guide plate 44 is fixed to the support mechanism 10. The guide plate 44 includes an inclined portion 44a, which is arranged such that the distance between the inclined portion 44a and the receiving plate 42 gradually decreases in the conveying direction. Preferably, the inclined portion 44a is arranged such that the extension line of the inclined portion 44a is substantially aligned with the lower edge 40b of the abutment plate 40.

[0166] An abutment portion 44b, bent into an R shape and erected upwards, is connected to the abutment plate 40 side of the inclined portion 44a. The abutment portion 44b is provided with a predetermined gap between it and the abutment plate 40. In the event of elastic deformation of the front end 40a of the abutment plate 40 towards the guide plate 44, the deformation of the abutment plate 40 is restricted by the abutment portion 44b.

[0167] like Figure 12As shown, two abutment plates 40 are arranged on the left and right sides when viewed from above. Specifically, they are respectively arranged between two of the four perforated annular conveyor belts 3 starting from one end and between two starting from the other end. Alternatively, the abutment plates 40 can also be arranged in other positions, namely between the two central perforated endless conveyor belts 3 of the four belts, or on the outside of the four perforated endless conveyor belts. Unlike the delay roller described in the first embodiment, the abutment plates 40 are not arranged above the perforated annular conveyor belts 3. That is, as... Figure 11 As shown, the abutment plate 40 is disposed on the stationary receiving plate 42.

[0168] In this embodiment, the three lifting plates 14a, 14b, and 14c have the same length. Therefore, the ends of the three lifting plates 14a, 14b, and 14c on the abutment plate 40 side are located upstream of the abutment plate 40 in the conveying direction. Figure 12 (Right side of the middle)

[0169] In the case where the length of the central lifting plate 14b is extended towards the abutment plate 40 as in the first embodiment, the extension 14d shown in Figures 13(A) and 13(B) can also be installed on the central lifting plate 14b. Figure 14 The text indicates the state where the extension 14d is installed on the central lifting plate 14b. For example... Figure 14 As shown, by installing the extension 14d, the lifting plate 14b can be extended further downstream in the conveying direction than the abutment plate 40.

[0170] As shown in Figures 13(A) and 13(B), the extension 14d is a plate with the same width as the lifting plates 14a, 14b, and 14c. The extension 14d has a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm and is made of stainless steel. Clamping portions 14d1, formed by cutting and bending, are provided at two locations along the length of the extension 14d.

[0171] like Figure 14 As shown, after the clamping part 14d1 is inserted into the hole formed on the central lifting plate 14b, it is slid along the length direction, thereby fixing the extension part 14d relative to the lifting plate 14b.

[0172] Alternatively, the structure of extending the lifting plate 14b by extending the extension portion 14d can also be applied to the first embodiment.

[0173] According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the following effects are also achieved.

[0174] Because the contact plate 40 is positioned between and / or on the side of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3, the contact plate 40 will not contact or slide with the perforated annular conveyor belt 3. This reduces wear on the contact plate 40.

[0175] The contact plate 40 is an elastic plate-shaped body. Since the lower edge 40b of the front end 40a, which is the free end, abuts against the paper, it can bend with elastic force when the lower edge 40b abuts against the paper. As a result, an appropriate contact force can be applied to the paper.

[0176] Since the upper surface 42a that is in contact with the lower edge 40b of the abutment plate 40 is located on the receiving plate 42, and the upper surface 42a is at the same height as the conveying surface of the perforated annular conveyor belt 3, the paper traveling on the conveying surface can be conveyed smoothly without deformation.

[0177] The guide plate 44 is positioned upstream of the abutment plate 40, and the leading edge of the paper is guided along the inclined portion 44a of the guide plate 44. As a result, the leading edge of the paper can be reliably directed toward the leading edge 40a of the abutment plate 40.

[0178] The inclined portion 44a prevents the paper from rolling up when the leading edge of the paper comes into contact with the abutment plate 40. In addition, the inclined portion 44a can also suppress the entry of wound paper.

[0179] An abutment portion 44b is provided on the guide plate 44, which abuts against the abutment plate 40 when it elastically deforms towards the guide plate 44. This limits excessive deformation of the abutment plate 40. For example, when paper is pulled out in the opposite direction to the transport direction (towards the guide plate 44) during a paper jam, the front end 40a of the abutment plate 40 also deforms towards the guide plate 44 along with the paper. In this case, excessive deformation of the abutment plate 40 can be suppressed by the abutment portion 44b.

[0180] Since the extension 14d can be detached from the existing lifting plate 14b, the length of the lifting plate 14b can be changed as needed.

[0181] In addition, in the above embodiments, when the amount of paper accumulation is greater than the specified value, the lifting plates 14a, 14b, and 14c can be moved up and down multiple times while the separated air is blown out from the air blowing unit 30 (see Figure 1).

[0182] Figure Labels

[0183] 1. Drive roller

[0184] 1a Rotation axis

[0185] 1b First Roller Element

[0186] 2 Idle Rollers

[0187] 2a axis

[0188] 2b Second Roller Element

[0189] 3. Perforated Circular Conveyor Belt (Conveyor Belt)

[0190] 3a Vent

[0191] 3b Conveying surface

[0192] 3C upper side band

[0193] 3D lower side band

[0194] 4-roller drive mechanism

[0195] 4a pulley

[0196] 4b motor

[0197] 4c pulley

[0198] 4d ring belt

[0199] 5 carriages

[0200] 5a Fixing Plate

[0201] 5b pressure plate

[0202] 6 Sliding guide rails

[0203] 7. Carriage drive mechanism

[0204] 7b motor

[0205] 7b Pulley

[0206] 7c pulley

[0207] 7d ring belt

[0208] 8. Suction box (suction unit)

[0209] 8a side

[0210] 8b Air intake ports (first air intake port, second air intake port)

[0211] 9. Intake fan (intake source)

[0212] 10 Support mechanism

[0213] 10a First Receiving Plate

[0214] 10b Second Receiving Plate

[0215] 10c Spring support

[0216] 10d compression spring

[0217] 10e support shaft

[0218] 10 f Spring support section

[0219] 10g compression spring

[0220] 10h support shaft

[0221] 10i rear panel

[0222] 11a~11d Contact body

[0223] 12 Adsorption Region

[0224] 13a, 13b discharge rollers

[0225] 13c paper detection sensor

[0226] 14a~14c lifting plate

[0227] 14d extension

[0228] 14d1 Clamping part

[0229] 15 Lifting Platform Drive Mechanism

[0230] 16a and 16b bushings

[0231] 17a, 17b guide rods

[0232] 18 Connecting Plates

[0233] Compression springs 19a and 19b

[0234] 20. Framework Section

[0235] Rotation axes 21a and 21b

[0236] 22a, 22b plate cams

[0237] 23 Cam drive mechanism

[0238] 24a, 24b pulleys

[0239] 25 Circular Belt

[0240] 26 motors

[0241] 27a, 27b pulleys

[0242] 28 Circular Belt

[0243] 29. Paper stacking area

[0244] 30 Air blowing unit

[0245] 31 and 32 conveyor roller pairs

[0246] 33 Paper tray

[0247] 34 Alignment Plate

[0248] 35 Lifting Mechanism

[0249] 40. Abutment plate (abutment body)

[0250] 40a Front End

[0251] 40b lower edge

[0252] 42 Receptacle Plate

[0253] 42a Upper surface (contact surface)

[0254] 44 guide plate

[0255] 44a Inclined section

[0256] 44b Reception Section

[0257] CL centerline

[0258] F Frame

[0259] S Paper pile collective

[0260] P1 The initial (lowest) paper

[0261] P1' The topmost sheet of paper

[0262] P2 Next sheet of paper

[0263] P2' Next sheet of paper

[0264] upstream end of u (conveying surface)

[0265] w (downstream end of the conveyor surface)

Claims

1. A paper supply device comprising: A conveying belt which places the uppermost or lowermost sheet of a stack of sheets on a conveying surface and conveys it in a delivery direction, and is formed with a plurality of air holes; A suction portion which is provided on a back surface side opposite to the conveying surface of the conveying belt, and is formed with first suction holes which suck the sheet through the air holes; A lift plate which reciprocates between a first position located further in a stacking direction of the sheet than the conveying surface, and a second position located at the same height as the conveying surface or on the back surface side from the conveying surface, and opens second suction holes different from the first suction holes formed in the suction portion when located at the first position, and blocks the second suction holes when located at the second position; and a control portion which controls the operation of the lift plate, wherein the control portion causes the lift plate to operate from the second position to the first position when conveying the uppermost or lowermost sheet.

2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying belts are provided in plurality and are arranged in parallel at a prescribed interval in a width direction orthogonal to the delivery direction, the lift plates are provided in plurality and are arranged between adjacent conveying belts and / or on the side of the conveying belts.

3. The sheet feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of conveying belts and the plurality of lift plates are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the width direction orthogonal to the delivery direction of the sheet.

4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, comprising an ejection roller which grips the leading end of the sheet conveyed from the conveying belt and ejects it, the control portion causes the lift plate to operate from the second position to the first position when the ejection roller grips the leading end of the sheet conveyed from the conveying belt.

5. The sheet feeding device according to claim 4, wherein a contact body which comes into contact with the leading end of the sheet is provided on the upstream side from the ejection roller in the delivery direction.

6. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the conveying belts are provided in plurality and are arranged in parallel at a prescribed interval in a width direction orthogonal to the delivery direction, the contact bodies are arranged between adjacent conveying belts and / or on the side of the conveying belts, and are formed as elastic plate-shaped bodies having a leading end which is a free end and comes into contact with the sheet.

7. The sheet feeding device according to claim 6, wherein a contact surface which comes into contact with the leading end of the contact body is provided at a position opposite to the leading end of the contact body, the contact surface is at the same height as the conveying surface.

8. The sheet feeding device according to claim 6 or 7, comprising a guide plate which includes an inclined portion which guides the sheet toward the leading end of the contact body.

9. The sheet feeding device according to claim 8, wherein the guide plate includes a gap between the contact body and the guide plate, and includes an abutting portion which abuts when the contact body elastically deforms toward the guide plate side.

10. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the contact body is a delay roller which is provided in a manner pressed on the conveying belt.

11. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein ​ At least one of the lift plates includes an extension portion that extends to a position corresponding to the abutting body or a position downstream of the abutting body in the delivery direction.

12. The paper feeding device according to claim 11, wherein The extension portion is detachable from the provided lift plate.

13. A control method of a paper feeding device, The paper supply device includes: A conveyor belt that places the uppermost or lowermost sheet of a stack of sheets on a conveying surface and conveys the sheet in a delivery direction, and is formed with a plurality of air holes; An air suction portion that is disposed on a back surface side of the conveyor belt opposite the conveying surface, and is formed with first air suction holes that suction the sheet through the air holes; A lift plate that reciprocates between a first position located further in a sheet stacking direction than the conveying surface and a second position located at the same height as the conveying surface or on a back surface side of the conveying surface, and opens second air suction holes different from the first air suction holes formed in the air suction portion when located at the first position, and blocks the second air suction holes when located at the second position, wherein the lift plate is caused to move from the second position to the first position when conveying the uppermost or lowermost sheet.

14. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a control program of a paper feeding device for causing a computer to perform control of the paper feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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