Medium sending-out device and image forming device

Abstract

To increase the degree of freedom in positioning of a photographing part.SOLUTION: A medium sending-out device includes: a supplying part that supplies air from the edge sides of multiple stacked recording media to the recording media to float and separate the recording media; a sending-out part that sends out the topmost recording medium separated by the supplying part in the sending-out direction; a contact part that contacts the side ends of the multiple recording media from the lateral sides of the multiple recording media; a projection part that is provided in the contact part and projects images of the side ends of the multiple recording media toward the sending-out direction side; and a photographing part that is positioned on the sending-out direction side of the multiple recording media and photographs the images projected on the projection part when air is supplied by the supplying part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium delivery device and an image forming device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a sheet feeding device that includes an air blowing means for blowing air onto a sheet stack loaded on a sheet stacking section to lift up the uppermost sheet of the sheet stack, a feeding means for feeding the lifted topmost sheet, and an imaging means for photographing the sheet lifted by the air blowing means, wherein the imaging range of the imaging means is set so that the feeding surface of the feeding means and at least the topmost sheet of the sheet stack loaded on the sheet stacking section are photographed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-152535 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A possible media feeding device is one that includes a supply unit that supplies air to the edges of multiple stacked recording media to lift and separate the recording media, a sending unit that sends out the topmost recording medium separated by the supply unit in the sending direction, and a photographing unit that photographs the side edges of the multiple recording media.

[0005] In this medium feeding device, when the photographing unit directly photographs the side ends of multiple recording media, it needs to be placed in a position opposite the side ends of the multiple recording media, so the freedom in the placement position of the photographing unit is low.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to increase the degree of freedom in the placement position of the imaging unit compared to a case in which the imaging unit directly images the side edges of multiple recording media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect includes a supply unit that supplies air to the edge side of a plurality of stacked recording media, thereby floating and separating the recording media, a sending unit that sends out the topmost recording medium separated by the supply unit in a sending direction, a contact unit that contacts the side ends of the plurality of recording media from the lateral side of the plurality of recording media, a projection unit that is provided in the contact unit and projects an image of the side ends of the plurality of recording media toward the sending direction side, and an imaging unit that is arranged on the sending direction side of the plurality of recording media and images the image projected on the projection unit when air is supplied by the supply unit.

[0008] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, the photographing section is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the recording medium sent out by the sending section.

[0009] In a third aspect, in the second aspect, the photographing section is disposed on the lateral side of a position through which the recording medium sent out by the sending section passes.

[0010] In a fourth aspect, in the first aspect, the contact portion is movable to a side of the recording medium, and the photographing portion moves to the side in conjunction with the movement of the contact portion.

[0011] In a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the photographing section is connected to the contact section and moves integrally with the contact section.

[0012] In a sixth aspect, in the first aspect, the projection unit is detachable from the contact unit.

[0013] A seventh aspect is the first aspect, further comprising a light source that irradiates light onto side edges of the plurality of stacked recording media and does not irradiate the light onto a projection surface on which the image is projected in the projection unit.

[0014] An eighth aspect includes the medium feeding device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, and an image forming section that forms an image on the recording medium fed from the medium feeding device. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the configuration of the first aspect, the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of the photographing section is increased compared to a case in which the photographing section directly photographs the side edges of a plurality of recording media.

[0016] According to the configuration of the second aspect, failure in feeding the recording medium is suppressed, compared to a case where the photographing unit is disposed at a position where it interferes with the recording medium fed by the feeding unit.

[0017] According to the configuration of the third aspect, the freedom of positioning of the photographing unit is increased in the vertical direction compared to when the photographing unit is positioned above or below the position through which the recording medium sent out by the sending unit passes.

[0018] According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, defocusing is suppressed when the capturing unit captures images of the side edges of multiple recording media projected onto the projection unit, compared to when the capturing unit is always located in a fixed position.

[0019] According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, defocusing is suppressed when the capturing unit captures images of the side edges of multiple recording media projected onto the projection unit, compared to when the capturing unit is separated from the contact unit and moved separately.

[0020] According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, the projection unit can be cleaned more easily than when the projection unit is irremovably fixed to the contact unit.

[0021] According to the configuration of the seventh aspect, compared to when the light source also irradiates light onto the projection surface of the projection unit, poor capture is suppressed when the capture unit captures images of the side edges of multiple recording media projected onto the projection unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a medium delivery device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a supply unit of the medium delivery device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which air is supplied to a plurality of sheet members in the configuration shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a projection unit and a camera according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a projection unit and a camera according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a projection unit and a camera according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control unit of the medium feeding device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a projection unit and a camera according to a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a projection unit and a camera according to a modified example. [Figure 11] 11 is a side view showing a state in which a sheet member has been fed out in the configuration shown in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a projection unit and a camera according to a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a projection unit and a camera according to another modified example. [Figure 14] 14 is a side view showing a state in which a sheet member has been fed out in the configuration shown in FIG. 13. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] An example of an embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, arrow H indicates the up-down direction (vertical direction) of the device, arrow W indicates the width direction (horizontal direction) of the device, and arrow D indicates the depth direction (horizontal direction) of the device.

[0024] <Image forming apparatus 100> The image forming apparatus 100 is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet member P, and includes a medium feeding device 10 and an image forming section 102, as shown in Fig. 1. The medium feeding device 10 may be a device that is provided in advance in the device body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100, or may be a device that is additionally attached to the device body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 as an option or the like. The sheet member P is an example of a recording medium.

[0025] <Image forming unit 102> 1 is a component that forms an image on the sheet material P sent out from the medium sending device 10. As the image forming unit 102, for example, an electrophotographic image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet material P using toner is used.

[0026] In an electrophotographic image forming unit, for example, the processes of charging, exposing, developing, transferring, and fixing are performed to form an image on a sheet member P. Specifically, in an electrophotographic image forming unit, for example, the processes of charging, exposing, developing, and transferring are performed to form an image on a transfer body, the image is transferred from the transfer body to the sheet member P, and then the image is fixed to the sheet member P, thereby forming an image on the sheet member P.

[0027] In addition, an example of the image forming unit is not limited to the electrophotographic image forming unit described above, but may be, for example, an inkjet image forming unit, and various image forming units can be used. In the inkjet image forming unit, for example, ink droplets are ejected from an ejection unit onto the sheet member P to form an image on the sheet member P.

[0028] <Media delivery device 10> The medium feeding device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that feeds out a sheet material P toward an image forming section 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the medium feeding device 10 includes a stacking section 12 and a feeding section 16. As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, the medium feeding device 10 includes a side guide 13 and a supply section 14. As shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, the medium feeding device 10 includes a tip guide 15, a projection section 20, a camera 18, and a light source 22. As shown in FIG. 8, the medium feeding device 10 includes a control section 40. The side guide 13 is an example of a contact section. The camera 18 is an example of a photographing section.

[0029] <Loading section 12, side guide 13 and end guide 15> The stacking section 12 is a component on which the sheet members P are stacked. As shown in Fig. 2, the stacking section 12 includes a bottom plate 12A on which a plurality of sheet members P are stacked in a vertical direction, and a lifting device (not shown) that lifts and lowers the bottom plate 12A in the vertical direction. The lifting device lifts the bottom plate 12A so that the position of the topmost sheet member P of the sheet members P stacked on the bottom plate 12A is at a predetermined height.

[0030] 2, the side guides 13 are components that come into contact with the side edges of the sheet members P from the lateral sides of the sheet members P. Specifically, the side guides 13 are disposed at both side edges of the sheet members P stacked on the bottom plate 12A. That is, a pair of side guides 13 are provided. The pair of side guides 13 contact both side edges of the sheet members P stacked on the bottom plate 12A (i.e., both edges of the sheet members P in the width direction (arrow Y direction)) to restrict the position of the sheet members P in the width direction.

[0031] The pair of side guides 13 are movable to the sides of the sheet material P. Specifically, the pair of side guides 13 are attached to the device body 11 (see FIG. 1) of the medium feeding device 10 so as to be slidable in the device depth direction, which is the width direction (see the direction of the arrow Y) of the sheet material P. In this embodiment, the side guides 13 are manually moved in the width direction of the sheet material P by the user in accordance with the size of the sheet material P in the width direction, thereby contacting each of the side edges on both sides of the sheet material P and restricting the position of the sheet material P in the width direction.

[0032] 6 and 7, the leading edge guide 15 is a component that comes into contact with the leading edges of the sheet members P from the downstream side in a sending direction (the side in the direction of the arrow W1 in FIG. 2) of the sheet members P, which will be described later. Specifically, the leading edge guide 15 is disposed on the leading edge side of the sheet members P stacked on the bottom plate 12A. The leading edge guide 15 comes into contact with the leading edge (i.e., the downstream end in a sending direction, which will be described later) of the sheet members P stacked on the bottom plate 12A, thereby restricting the position of the sheet members P in the sending direction (i.e., the conveying direction).

[0033] <Supply section 14> The supply unit 14 is a component that supplies air to the sheet materials P from the edge side of the multiple sheet materials P stacked on the stacking unit 12, and floats and separates the sheet materials P. As shown in Fig. 2, the supply unit 14 is disposed, for example, inside one of the pair of side guides 13 (the front side in the device depth direction D in Fig. 2). As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the supply unit 14 includes a duct 50 in which a supply port 50A is formed, and a blower 54 that supplies air into the inside of the duct 50.

[0034] 3 and 4, the duct 50 extends in the vertical direction, and a supply port 50A is formed at the upper end portion of the duct 50 on the side facing the stacked sheet materials P. The blower 54 is disposed below the duct 50, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and supplies air to the inside of the duct 50.

[0035] In the supply unit 14, the air supplied into the duct 50 by the blower 54 rises inside the duct 50 and is supplied to the side end side (an example of the edge side) of the sheet material P through the supply port 50A, as shown in Fig. 4. Then, by supplying air between the sheet materials P present on the upper side among the multiple sheet materials P in a stacked state, the multiple sheet materials P are lifted and separated.

[0036] In this embodiment, the supply unit 14 supplies air from one side end side (the front side in the device depth direction D in FIG. 2) of the plurality of sheet members P, but this is not limited thereto. For example, instead of or in addition to one side end side (the front side in the device depth direction D in FIG. 2) of the plurality of sheet members P, the supply unit 14 may supply air from at least one of the other side end side (the back side in the device depth direction D in FIG. 2), the leading edge side (the downstream side in the sending direction described below), and the trailing edge side (the upstream side in the sending direction described below).

[0037] <Transmission section 16> The delivery section 16 is a component that delivers the uppermost sheet member P separated by the supply section 14 in a delivery direction (see arrow W1 in FIG. 2). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the delivery section 16 is disposed above the uppermost sheet member P of the multiple sheet members P stacked on the bottom plate 12A of the stacking section 12. The delivery section 16 includes an adsorption section 30 and a delivery roll 26.

[0038] The suction unit 30 is disposed above the leading edge of the topmost stacked sheet material P. The suction unit 30 then adsorbs the levitated topmost sheet material P, and moves in the delivery direction (see arrow W1 in FIG. 2) while adsorbed, thereby conveying the sheet material P in the delivery direction.

[0039] The delivery roll 26 is disposed on the delivery direction side of the adsorption unit 30, receives the sheet material P conveyed by the adsorption unit 30, and delivers the received sheet material P toward the image forming unit 102 (see FIG. 1).

[0040] <Projection section 20> 5, 6, and 7, the projection unit 20 is provided on the side guide 13 and is a component that projects images of the side ends of the multiple sheet members P toward the sending direction side. Specifically, the projection unit 20 is composed of a reflecting mirror as a reflecting unit that reflects light from the side ends of the sheet members P toward the sending direction side.

[0041] The projection unit 20 receives light from the side end side of the sheet member P and reflects the light in the sending direction. As a result, the projection unit 20 projects images of the side ends of the multiple sheet members P toward the sending direction side.

[0042] The projection unit 20 is attached to the side guide 13 so that, for example, the projection surface 20A on which the image is projected is at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the feed direction and the width direction of the sheet material P. Furthermore, the projection unit 20 is detachable from the side guide 13. The projection unit 20 is attached to the side guide 13 so as to be detachable from the side guide 13. This makes it possible to perform maintenance and inspection of the projection unit 20, such as cleaning the projection surface 20A, with the side guide 13 attached to the device body 11 of the medium feed device 10.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the side guide 13 is open in two directions, the downstream side in the sending direction and the side end side of the sheet material P, with respect to the projection unit 20, and is closed in directions other than these two directions (i.e., other directions including the up and down directions) with respect to the projection unit 20. Therefore, light can enter and exit the projection unit 20 in two directions, the downstream side in the sending direction and the side end side of the sheet material P.

[0044] <Light source 22> The light source 22 is a component that irradiates light onto the side edges of the sheet materials P stacked on the stacking section 12. In this embodiment, the light source 22 is disposed, for example, on the lateral side of the side edges of the sheet materials P, downstream in the sending direction relative to the side guide 13, and above the leading edge guide 15 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The light source 22 irradiates light onto the side edges of the sheet materials P from the above-mentioned arrangement position.

[0045] Furthermore, the light source 22 does not irradiate light onto the projection surface 20A onto which the image is projected in the projection unit 20. Specifically, the light from the light source 22 toward the projection surface 20A is blocked by the side guide 13, so that the light is not irradiated onto the projection surface 20A from the light source 22. The light source 22 is, for example, configured of a light emitting element such as an LED.

[0046] <Camera 18> The camera 18 is a component that captures an image of the sheet material P projected on the projection unit 20 in a state in which air is being supplied by the supply unit 14. As shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, the camera 18 is disposed on the sending direction side of the multiple sheet materials P. Furthermore, the camera 18 is disposed at a position that does not interfere with the sheet material P sent out by the sending unit 16. Specifically, the camera 18 is disposed on the lateral side of the position (see P1 in Fig. 6) through which the recording medium sent out by the sending unit 16 passes. In this embodiment, the camera 18 is disposed at the same height as the position (see P1 in Fig. 6) through which the recording medium passes.

[0047] Furthermore, the camera 18 is connected to the side guide 13 and moves integrally with the side guide 13. That is, the camera 18 moves laterally in conjunction with the movement of the side guide 13.

[0048] Specifically, camera 18 is connected to side guide 13 by mounting portion 17 and connecting member 19. Mounting portion 17 is a component to which camera 18 is attached. Mounting portion 17 has, for example, side plate 17A that supports camera 18 from the sending direction side, and bottom plate 17B that supports camera 18 from below.

[0049] The connecting member 19 has, for example, a pair of arms 19A formed in an L-shape in a side view. One end (specifically, the upper end) of the pair of arms 19A is fixed to the bottom plate 17B, and the other end (specifically, the upstream end in the sending direction) of the pair of arms 19A is fixed to a lower portion of the side guide 13.

[0050] As described above, the camera 18 arranged on the sending direction side of the sheet material P loaded on the loading section 12 captures an image of the side end of the sheet material P projected onto the projection section 20 from the sending direction side of the sheet material P, for example as a still image.

[0051] <Control unit 40> 8, the control unit 40 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, a storage 44, and a communication interface (I / F) 45. Each component is connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus 49. The CPU 41 is an example of a processor.

[0052] The CPU 41 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. The ROM 42 stores various programs including a control program and various data. The RAM 43 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 44 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive) or a flash memory, and stores various programs including an operating system and various data. The control program may be stored in the storage 44.

[0053] The communication interface 45 is an interface for the control unit 40 to communicate with the camera 18, the sending unit 16, the supply unit 14 (specifically, the blower 54), the image forming unit 102, etc., and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc.

[0054] In the control unit 40, the CPU 41 reads various programs including a control program from the ROM 42 or the storage 44, and executes the programs using the RAM 43 as a working area. The CPU 41 executes the control programs to control the operation of the supply unit 14. Specifically, in this embodiment, for example, the supply amount of the supply unit 14 (specifically, the blower 54) is adjusted according to the interval between the sheet materials P photographed by the camera 18, and the supply unit 14 is controlled to be stopped and operated.

[0055] <Action according to this embodiment> In this embodiment, the projection unit 20 provided on the side guide 13 projects images of the side edges of the multiple sheet materials P toward the sending direction side, as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7. The camera 18 captures the image of the sheet materials P projected on the projection unit 20 in a state in which air is being supplied by the supply unit 14.

[0056] This increases the degree of freedom in the placement position of the camera 18 compared to when the camera 18 directly photographs the side edges of multiple sheet members P. Furthermore, with this configuration, the camera 18 can photograph not only the side edges of the sheet members P, but also the ends of the sheet members P in the sending direction.

[0057] In this embodiment, the camera 18 is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the sheet material P sent out by the sending section 16.

[0058] Therefore, compared to a case where the camera 18 is disposed at a position where it interferes with the sheet material P sent out by the sending section 16, poor sending out of the sheet material P is suppressed.

[0059] In this embodiment, specifically, the camera 18 is disposed on the lateral side of the position through which the recording medium sent out by the sending unit 16 passes (see P1 in FIG. 6).

[0060] Therefore, the degree of freedom in the position of the camera 18 is increased in the vertical direction compared to when the camera 18 is disposed above or below the position through which the sheet material P sent out by the sending unit 16 passes. In this configuration, the camera 18 can be disposed at the same height as the position through which the sheet material P sent out by the sending unit 16 passes.

[0061] In this embodiment, the camera 18 moves laterally in conjunction with the movement of the side guide 13.

[0062] Therefore, compared to when the camera 18 is always located at a fixed position, defocusing when the camera 18 captures images of the side edges of the multiple sheet members P projected onto the projection unit 20 is suppressed.

[0063] In this embodiment, the camera 18 is connected to the side guide 13 and moves integrally with the side guide 13 .

[0064] Therefore, compared to when the camera 18 is separated from the side guide 13 and moved separately, focus shifts are suppressed when the camera 18 captures images of the side ends of multiple sheet members P projected onto the projection unit 20.

[0065] In this embodiment, the projection unit 20 is detachable from the side guide 13.

[0066] Therefore, cleaning of the projection unit 20 is easier than when the projection unit 20 is fixed to the side guide 13 in an unremovable manner.

[0067] In this embodiment, the light source 22 irradiates the side edges of the sheet members P stacked on the stacker 12 with light, and does not irradiate the projection surface 20A of the projection unit 20 with light.

[0068] Therefore, compared to when the light source 22 also irradiates light onto the projection surface 20A of the projection unit 20, the light is less likely to be reflected on the projection surface 20A, and poor capture is suppressed when the camera 18 captures images of the side edges of the multiple sheet members P projected onto the projection unit 20.

[0069] <Modification> In this embodiment, the camera 18 is used as an example of the image capturing unit, but is not limited to this. An example of the image capturing unit may be, for example, a video camera that captures moving images, and may be any component that can capture an image projected on the projection unit 20.

[0070] In addition, in the present embodiment, a reflecting mirror is used as an example of the projection unit 20, but this is not limited thereto. For example, a prism or the like may be used as an example of the projection unit 20, and it is sufficient if it is a component that projects images of the side ends of the multiple sheet members P toward the sending direction side.

[0071] In addition, in the present embodiment, a light emitting element such as an LED is used as an example of the light source 22, but the present invention is not limited to this. The light source 22 may be, for example, another light emitting unit that emits light, and may be anything that irradiates light onto the side edges of the multiple sheet members P. Furthermore, the medium delivery device 10 may be configured without including the light source 22.

[0072] In addition, in this embodiment, camera 18 is positioned to the side of the position through which the recording medium sent out by sending unit 16 passes (see P1 in Figure 6) and at the same height as the position through which the recording medium passes (see P1 in Figure 6), but this is not limited to this.

[0073] For example, the camera 18 may be disposed below the position (see P1 in FIG. 6) through which the recording medium passes, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. In this case, the sheet material P sent out by the sending unit 16 passes above the camera 18 in a side view, as shown in FIG. 11. Furthermore, in this case, the camera 18 may be disposed at a position that overlaps with the position through which the sheet material P sent out by the sending unit 16 passes in a plan view, as shown in FIG. 12. In other words, the camera 18 may be disposed below the position through which the sheet material P sent out by the sending unit 16 passes.

[0074] Furthermore, the camera 18 may be disposed above the position (see P1 in FIG. 6) through which the recording medium passes, as shown in Fig. 13. In this case, the sheet material P sent out by the sending unit 16 passes below the camera 18 in a side view, as shown in Fig. 14.

[0075] In addition, in this embodiment, camera 18 moves sideways in conjunction with the movement of side guide 13, but this is not limited to the above. For example, camera 18 may be configured to always be located at a fixed position. In this case, camera 18 may be configured to change the shooting angle (direction) according to the position of projection unit 20 after the movement of side guide 13.

[0076] In addition, in the present embodiment, the camera 18 is connected to the side guide 13 and moves integrally therewith, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the camera 18 may be configured to be separated from the side guide 13 and move separately. In this case, the movement and the amount of movement of the side guide 13 may be detected by a detection unit such as a sensor, and the camera 18 may be moved by the driving force of a drive unit such as a drive motor based on the amount of movement detected by the detection unit, so that the camera 18 is linked to the movement of the side guide 13.

[0077] In addition, in the present embodiment, the projection unit 20 is detachable from the side guide 13, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the projection unit 20 may be configured to be fixed to the side guide 13 so as not to be removable.

[0078] In the present embodiment, the light source 22 is configured to irradiate the side edges of the sheet members P stacked on the stacker 12 with light and not to irradiate the projection surface 20A of the projection unit 20 with light, but is not limited thereto. For example, the light source 22 may be configured to irradiate the projection surface 20A of the projection unit 20 with light as well.

[0079] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the above-described modified examples may be combined in combination as appropriate.

[0080] In addition, in the above embodiment, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes a general-purpose processor (e.g., the aforementioned CPU, etc.) and a dedicated processor (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0081] In addition, the operations of the processor in the above embodiment may be performed not only by one processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. The order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in the above embodiment, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0082] <Additional Notes> (((1))) a supply unit that supplies air to the recording media from an edge side of the stacked recording media to float and separate the recording media; a delivery section that delivers the top recording medium separated by the supply section in a delivery direction; a contact portion that contacts side ends of the plurality of recording media from a side of the plurality of recording media; a projection unit provided in the contact unit and configured to project images of the side edges of the recording media in the sending direction; an imaging unit that is disposed on a side of the plurality of recording media in a sending direction and that images the image projected on the projection unit in a state in which air is supplied by the supply unit; A media delivery device comprising:

[0083] (((2))) The imaging unit includes: The recording medium is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the recording medium sent out by the sending unit. The medium delivery device according to (((1))).

[0084] (((3))) The imaging unit includes: The recording medium is disposed on the side of the recording medium conveying section. The medium delivery device according to (((2))).

[0085] (((4))) the contact portion is movable to a side of the recording medium, The photographing unit moves to the side in conjunction with the movement of the contact unit. The medium delivery device according to any one of ((1))) to (((3))).

[0086] (((5))) The photographing unit is connected to the contact unit and moves together with the contact unit. The medium delivery device according to (((4))).

[0087] (((6))) The projection unit is detachable from the contact unit. The medium delivery device according to any one of ((1))) to (((5))).

[0088] (((7))) a light source that irradiates light onto the side edges of the plurality of recording media that are loaded, and does not irradiate the light onto a projection surface on which the image is projected in the projection unit; Equipped The medium delivery device according to any one of ((1))) to (((6))).

[0089] (((8))) A medium delivery device according to any one of (((1))) to (((7))), an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium sent out from the medium sending device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0090] According to the configuration (((1))), the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of the photographing unit can be increased compared to a case in which the photographing unit directly photographs the side edges of a plurality of recording media.

[0091] According to the configuration (((2))), failure to feed the recording medium is suppressed, compared to a case in which the photographing unit is disposed in a position where it interferes with the recording medium fed by the feed unit.

[0092] According to the configuration (((3))), the freedom of positioning of the photographing unit can be increased in the vertical direction compared to when the photographing unit is positioned above or below the position through which the recording medium sent out by the sending unit passes.

[0093] According to the configuration (((4))), focus shifts are suppressed when the capturing unit captures images of the side edges of multiple recording media projected onto the projection unit, compared to when the capturing unit is always located in a fixed position.

[0094] According to the configuration (((5))), defocusing is suppressed when the capturing unit captures images of the side edges of multiple recording media projected onto the projection unit, compared to when the capturing unit is separated from the contact unit and moved separately.

[0095] According to the configuration (((6))), it is easier to clean the projection unit compared to a case in which the projection unit is irremovably fixed to the contact unit.

[0096] According to the configuration (((7))), compared to a case in which the light source also irradiates light onto the projection surface of the projection unit, photographing errors are suppressed when the photographing unit photographs images of the side edges of multiple recording media projected onto the projection unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 Media delivery device 11. Device body 12 Loading section 12A Bottom Plate 13 Side guide (example of contact part) 14 Supply section 15 Tip guide 16 Transmission section 17 Mounting part 17A side plate 17B Bottom plate 18 Camera (example of a camera) 19 Connecting members 19A Arm 20 Projection section 20A projection surface 22 Light source 26 Sending Roll 30 Adsorption part 40 Control section 41 CPU 42 ROM 43 RAM 44 Storage 45 Communication Interface 49 Bus 50 Duct 50A supply port 54 Blower 100 Image forming device 101 Device body 102 Image forming section P sheet member (an example of a recording medium)

Claims

1. a supply unit that supplies air to the recording media from an edge side of the stacked recording media to float and separate the recording media; a delivery section that delivers the top recording medium separated by the supply section in a delivery direction; a contact portion that contacts side ends of the plurality of recording media from a side of the plurality of recording media; a projection unit provided in the contact unit and configured to project images of the side edges of the recording media in the sending direction; an imaging unit that is disposed on a side of the plurality of recording media in a sending direction and that images the image projected on the projection unit in a state in which air is supplied by the supply unit; A media delivery device comprising:

2. The imaging unit includes: The recording medium is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the recording medium sent out by the sending unit. The media delivery device of claim 1 .

3. The imaging unit includes: The recording medium is disposed on the side of the recording medium conveying section. The media delivery device of claim 2 .

4. the contact portion is movable to a side of the recording medium, The photographing unit moves to the side in conjunction with the movement of the contact unit. The media delivery device of claim 1 .

5. The photographing unit is connected to the contact unit and moves together with the contact unit. The media delivery device of claim 4 .

6. The projection unit is detachable from the contact unit. The media delivery device of claim 1 .

7. a light source that irradiates light onto the side edges of the plurality of recording media that are loaded, and does not irradiate the light onto a projection surface on which the image is projected in the projection unit; Equipped The media delivery device of claim 1 .

8. A medium delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium sent out from the medium sending device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images