Medium loading device, and image forming device

Abstract

To reduce an operational burden on a user.SOLUTION: A medium loading device includes: a supply part that supplies air from the edge sides of a plurality of loaded recording media to the recording media to float and separate the recording media; a photographing part that photographs the plurality of recording media to which air is being supplied by the supply part from the edge sides; a movement part that moves in response to a movement operation by a user; and a cleaning part that cleans the photographing part in conjunction with a movement of the movement part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet stack comprising a placement section capable of placing a sheet bundle formed by stacking a plurality of sheets vertically, an air blowing means for blowing air onto the sheet bundle placed on the placement section to float at least the topmost sheet, an adsorption / transporting means provided above the placement section and for adsorbing the topmost sheet floated by the air blowing means and transporting it in a predetermined transport direction, a first light source for emitting a first slit light having a band-like component extending vertically and intersecting at least a first edge of a first sheet and a second edge of a second sheet below the first sheet among the plurality of floated sheets, and The disclosed sheet supplying device is characterized by comprising: an imaging means for imaging the first slit light irradiated onto a first sheet and a second sheet, and having an imaging direction different from the emission direction of the first slit light from the first light source in a plane parallel to the first sheet and the second sheet; a calculation means for calculating the vertical distance between the first sheet and the second sheet based on the first slit light captured by the imaging means; and an air volume adjustment means for adjusting the air volume of the air blowing means based on the vertical distance between the first sheet and the second sheet calculated by the calculation means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-24868 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A possible media loading device may include a supply unit that supplies air to the edges of multiple loaded recording media to lift and separate the recording media, a photographing unit that photographs the multiple recording media to which air is supplied by the supply unit from the edges, a moving unit that moves in response to a user's movement operation, and a cleaning unit that cleans the photographing unit.

[0005] In the medium stacking device, if the user cleans the shooting unit by performing an operation to move the cleaning unit separately from the moving operation to move the moving unit, the operational burden on the user is large.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to reduce the operational burden on a user compared to a case in which the user cleans an imaging unit by performing an operation to move a cleaning unit separately from a moving operation to move a moving unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first aspect includes a supply unit that supplies air to the recording media from the edge side of a stack of recording media, thereby floating and separating the recording media, a photographing unit that photographs the recording media from the edge side to which air is supplied by the supply unit, a moving unit that moves in response to a movement operation by a user, and a cleaning unit that cleans the photographing unit in conjunction with the movement of the moving unit.

[0008] The second aspect is the first aspect, further comprising a sending section which sends out the topmost recording medium separated by the supply section in a sending direction, the moving section being a loading section on which the multiple recording media are loaded and which a user can pull out and insert into the device body when refilling the recording media, and the cleaning section cleans the shooting section in conjunction with the movement of the loading section where the pull-out and insert operations are performed.

[0009] In a third aspect, in the second aspect, the cleaning unit cleans the imaging unit in conjunction with both the movement of the loading unit caused by the drawing out and the movement of the loading unit caused by the insertion.

[0010] In a fourth aspect, in the second aspect, the cleaning unit moves back and forth in contact with the photographing unit during one movement of the loading unit caused by the drawing out or the insertion to clean the photographing unit.

[0011] In a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the cleaning unit moves back and forth a plurality of times in contact with the photographing unit during one movement of the loading unit by the pulling out or the inserting to clean the photographing unit.

[0012] In a sixth aspect, in the second aspect, the photographing section is provided on the loading section and moves integrally with the loading section on which the pull-out and inserting operations are performed.

[0013] In a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the cleaning unit is provided on the loading unit, and moves integrally with the loading unit while cleaning the photographing unit in conjunction with the movement of the loading unit when the pull-out and inserting operations are performed.

[0014] In an eighth aspect, in the second aspect, the cleaning unit is located at a non-contact position where it is not in contact with the photographing unit when the loading unit is inserted into the device body.

[0015] In a ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the cleaning unit is located outside an imaging area of ​​the imaging unit in the non-contact position.

[0016] A tenth aspect includes the medium loading device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, and an image forming section that forms an image on the recording medium sent out from the medium loading device. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the configuration of the first aspect, the operational burden on the user is reduced compared to a case in which the user cleans the imaging unit by performing an operation to move the cleaning unit separately from a moving operation to move the moving unit.

[0018] According to the configuration of the second aspect, the frequency with which the photographing unit is cleaned is increased depending on the frequency with which the recording medium is fed out, compared to when the moving unit is a moving unit in which the user performs moving operations regardless of the replenishment of recording media.

[0019] According to the configuration of the third aspect, the cleaning performance of the cleaning unit is improved compared to when the cleaning unit is linked to only one of the movement of the loading unit due to the drawing out and the movement of the loading unit due to the insertion.

[0020] According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the cleaning ability of the cleaning unit is improved compared to a case in which the cleaning unit moves only one way in contact with the photographing unit during one movement of the loading unit to clean the photographing unit.

[0021] According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the cleaning ability of the cleaning unit is improved compared to a case in which the cleaning unit moves back and forth only once in contact with the photographing unit during one movement of the loading unit to clean the photographing unit.

[0022] According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, the photographing unit is provided in the device body, and compared to a case in which the positional relationship with the recording media loaded in the loading section changes as the loading section moves when the drawer is pulled out, focus shifts are suppressed when the photographing unit photographs multiple recording media from the edge side.

[0023] According to the configuration of the seventh aspect, the cleaning unit is provided in the device body, and compared to a case in which the cleaning unit remains in the device body even when the loading unit is pulled out, it is easier to replace the cleaning unit with the loading unit pulled out from the device body.

[0024] According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, deterioration of the cleaning unit is suppressed compared to when the cleaning unit is located at a contact position where the cleaning unit contacts the imaging unit even when the loading unit is inserted into the device body.

[0025] According to the configuration of the ninth aspect, when the cleaning unit is in a non-contact position, the cleaning unit is less likely to interfere with photographing when the photographing unit photographs multiple recording media from the edge, compared to when the cleaning unit is located in the photographing area of ​​the photographing unit.

[0026] According to the configuration of the tenth aspect, the operational burden on the user is reduced, compared to a case in which the user cleans the imaging unit by performing an operation to move the cleaning unit separately from a moving operation to move the moving unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [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 cleaning mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the cleaning member in the cleaning mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the cleaning member in the cleaning mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the cleaning member in the cleaning mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control unit of the medium feeding device according to the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] 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.

[0029] <Image forming apparatus 100> Image forming apparatus 100 is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet material P, and as shown in Fig. 1, includes a medium feeding device 10 and an image forming section 102. Note that medium feeding device 10 may be configured to be provided in advance in device body 101 of image forming apparatus 100, or may be configured to be added and attached to device body 101 of image forming apparatus 100 as an option or the like. Sheet material P is an example of a recording medium. Medium feeding device 10 is an example of a medium loading device.

[0030] <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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] <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, a feeding section 16, and a camera 18. Furthermore, 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. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, the medium feeding device 10 includes a cleaning mechanism 60. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the medium feeding device 10 includes a control section 40. The stacking section 12 is an example of a moving section. The camera 18 is an example of a photographing section.

[0034] <Loading section 12 and side guide 13> The loading section 12 is a component on which a plurality of sheet materials P are loaded, and which is pulled out and inserted by a user relative to the device body 11 (see FIG. 1) of the medium delivery device 10 when replenishing the sheet materials P. As shown in FIG. 2, the loading section 12 includes a loading section body 12B, a bottom plate 12A on which the plurality of sheet materials P are loaded in a vertically stacked state, and a lifting device (not shown) that lifts and lowers the bottom plate 12A in the vertical direction.

[0035] The loading section main body 12B has a function of supporting each component provided in the loading section 12. In this embodiment, the loading section main body 12B supports the bottom plate 12A so that it can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction. Then, the lifting device lifts the bottom plate 12A so that the position of the topmost sheet member P of the sheet members P loaded on the bottom plate 12A is at a predetermined height.

[0036] The stacking unit 12 is movable to the side of the sheet material P with respect to the device body 11. Specifically, the stacking unit 12 (specifically, the stacking unit body 12B) is attached to the device body 11 (see FIG. 1) so as to be movable along the width direction of the sheet material P (the device depth direction D in FIG. 2).

[0037] In this embodiment, the user manually pulls out the stacking unit 12 from the device body 11 (see FIG. 1) in one direction in the width direction (hereinafter referred to as the pull-out direction D1), and after the sheet material P is replenished in the pulled-out state, the stacking unit 12 is inserted in the other direction in the width direction (hereinafter referred to as the insertion direction D2) into the device body 11. In this way, the stacking unit 12 functions as a moving unit that moves in response to a moving operation by the user. The pull-out direction D1 is indicated by an arrow D1 in FIG. 2, and the insertion direction D2 is indicated by an arrow D1 in FIG. 2.

[0038] 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.

[0039] <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 (corresponding to the insertion direction D2 side)). 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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).

[0043] <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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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).

[0046] <Camera 18> The camera 18 is a component that photographs, from the edge side, the plurality of sheet members P to which air is supplied by the supply unit 14. As shown in Fig. 2, the camera 18 is disposed on the lateral side of the side ends of the plurality of sheet members P (specifically, on the far side in the device depth direction D (corresponding to the pull-out direction D1 side)).

[0047] In this embodiment, the camera 18 captures, for example, a still image of the side edge of the sheet material P from one side in the width direction of the sheet material P (corresponding to the pull-out direction D1 side). The medium feeding device 10 includes a light source (not shown) that irradiates the side edges of the multiple sheet materials P stacked on the stacking unit 12 with light.

[0048] The camera 18 has a lens 18A that forms an image of the sheet member P. The lens 18A is disposed at an end of the image capturing direction of the camera 18. The lens 18A is a cleaning target that is cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 60.

[0049] Camera 18 is provided on loading section 12 (specifically, loading section main body 12B) and moves integrally with loading section 12, which is operated for withdrawal and insertion. That is, camera 18 moves integrally with loading section 12 in the withdrawal direction D1 when loading section 12 is manually pulled out from device main body 11 (see FIG. 1) in the withdrawal direction D1 by the user, and moves integrally with loading section 12 in the insertion direction D2 when loading section 12 is inserted into device main body 11 in the insertion direction D2.

[0050] The camera 18 is attached to the loading section 12 (specifically, the loading section main body 12B) in a state where it is positioned relative to the loading section 12 in the vertical direction, the width direction, and the depth direction of the device.

[0051] <Cleaning mechanism 60> The cleaning mechanism 60 shown in Fig. 5 is a mechanism that cleans the camera 18 by a cleaning member 61 in conjunction with the movement of the loading unit 12. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the cleaning mechanism 60 has a cleaning member 61, a support body 62, a compression spring 63, and a roller 64 as a rotating body. The cleaning member 61 is an example of a cleaning unit.

[0052] The cleaning mechanism 60 is provided in the loading section 12 (specifically, the loading section main body 12B) shown in Fig. 2, and moves integrally with the loading section 12 that is pulled out and inserted. Therefore, each part of the cleaning mechanism 60 (cleaning member 61, support body 62, compression spring 63, and roller 64) moves integrally with the loading section 12 in the pull-out direction D1 when the loading section 12 is manually pulled out from the device main body 11 (see Fig. 1) in the pull-out direction D1 by the user, and moves integrally with the loading section 12 in the insertion direction D2 when the loading section 12 is inserted into the device main body 11 in the insertion direction D2.

[0053] Cleaning member 61 is a member that cleans camera 18 (specifically, lens 18A). Specifically, cleaning member 61 has a main body 61A, a brush 61B, and an attachment portion 61C, as shown in Fig. 5. Main body 61A has a length along the device width direction W. Brush 61B is provided on a side surface 61D of main body 61A in pull-out direction D1.

[0054] The mounting portion 61C extends upward from the center of the main body 61A in the longitudinal direction, and a roller 64 is rotatably attached to the upper end of the mounting portion 61C. The roller 64 is rotatable about its axis of rotation in the device width direction W.

[0055] The support 62 is a component that supports the cleaning member 61 (specifically, the main body 61A) so that it can move in the up and down direction. Specifically, a pair of supports 62 are provided on the stacking section 12 at an interval along the device width direction W. Each of the pair of supports 62 is formed of a pin (shaft) that extends upward.

[0056] The pair of supports 62 are inserted through one end and the other end of the main body 61A in the longitudinal direction. The main body 61A is movable in the vertical direction between rings 62E fixed to the upper and lower ends of the pair of supports 62.

[0057] The vertical movement range L1 of the cleaning member 61 is longer than the vertical dimension of the camera 18, and the cleaning member 61 moves between an upper standby position above the camera 18 (the position shown in Figures 6 and 8) and a lower standby position below the camera 18 (the position shown in Figure 7).

[0058] Compression spring 63 is attached to support 62 and pushes main body 61A upward. As a result, cleaning member 61 is located at the upper standby position when stacker 12 is inserted into device main body 11. Both the upper standby position and the lower standby position of cleaning member 61 are non-contact positions where cleaning member 61 is not in contact with camera 18 and are positions outside the shooting area of ​​camera 18.

[0059] Therefore, when the loading section 12 is inserted into the device body 11, the cleaning member 61 is not in contact with the camera 18 and is located outside the image capturing area of ​​the camera 18.

[0060] In the cleaning mechanism 60, a guide section 65 for guiding the rollers 64 is provided on the device body 11 (see FIG. 1) of the medium discharging device 10. The guide section 65 is disposed at a position where the rollers 64 pass when the stacking section 12, where the pull-out and insertion operations are performed, moves. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, the guide section 65 is formed of a convex portion that protrudes in the vertical direction, and guides the rollers 64 so that the rollers 64 move in the vertical direction when the stacking section 12, where the pull-out and insertion operations are performed, moves.

[0061] As a result, the cleaning member 61 moves between an upper standby position (the position shown in Figs. 6 and 8) and a lower standby position (the position shown in Fig. 7) in conjunction with the movement of the loading section 12 during the pull-out and insertion operations. This movement of the cleaning member 61 causes the brush 61B to move up and down while in contact with the lens 18A of the camera 18, cleaning the lens 18A. The movement range L1 of the cleaning member 61 is determined in advance by the vertical length L2 of the convex portion of the guide section 65.

[0062] As described above, in the cleaning mechanism 60, the cleaning member 61 cleans the camera 18 in conjunction with both the movement of the loading unit 12 due to the drawing out and the movement of the loading unit 12 due to the insertion. In this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 moves back and forth in contact with the camera 18 to clean the camera 18 during each movement of the loading unit 12 due to the drawing out and the insertion (see FIGS. 6, 7, and 8).

[0063] <Control unit 40> 9, 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] <Action according to this embodiment> In the cleaning mechanism 60 according to the present embodiment, the cleaning member 61 cleans the camera 18 in conjunction with the movement of the loading unit 12. This reduces the operational burden on the user compared to the case where the user cleans the camera 18 by performing an operation to move the cleaning member 61 separately from the movement operation to move the loading unit 12.

[0068] Specifically, in this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 cleans the camera 18 in conjunction with the movement of the stacking unit 12 (an example of a moving unit) where pull-out and insert operations are performed. Therefore, the frequency with which the camera 18 is cleaned is increased in accordance with the frequency with which the sheet materials P are sent out, compared to a case where the moving unit is a moving unit where a user performs a moving operation regardless of the replenishment of the sheet materials P.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 cleans the camera 18 in conjunction with both the movement of the loading unit 12 due to being drawn out and the movement of the loading unit 12 due to being inserted. Therefore, the cleaning ability of the cleaning member 61 is improved compared to when the cleaning member 61 is linked to only one of the movement of the loading unit 12 due to being drawn out and the movement of the loading unit 12 due to being inserted.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 moves back and forth in contact with the camera 18 during one movement of the loading unit 12 due to pulling out or inserting to clean the camera 18. Therefore, the cleaning ability of the cleaning member 61 is improved compared to the case where the cleaning member 61 moves only one way in contact with the camera 18 to clean the camera 18 during one movement of the loading unit 12.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the camera 18 is provided on the loading section 12 (specifically, the loading section main body 12B) and moves integrally with the loading section 12, which is operated for withdrawal and insertion. Therefore, compared to a case in which the camera 18 is provided on the device main body 11 and the positional relationship with the sheet materials P loaded on the loading section 12 changes with the movement of the loading section 12 due to withdrawal, defocusing when the camera 18 photographs the multiple sheet materials P from the edge side is suppressed.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 is provided on the loading section 12, and moves integrally with the loading section 12 while cleaning the cameras 18 in conjunction with the movement of the loading section 12 when the loading section 12 is pulled out and inserted. Therefore, it is easier to replace the cleaning member 61 when the loading section 12 is pulled out from the device body 11, compared to when the cleaning member 61 is provided on the device body 11 and remains in the device body 11 even when the loading section 12 is pulled out.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 is located at a non-contact position where it is not in contact with the camera 18 when the loading unit 12 is inserted into the device body 11. Therefore, deterioration of the cleaning member 61 is suppressed compared to when the cleaning member 61 is located at a contact position where it is in contact with the camera 18 even when the loading unit 12 is inserted into the device body 11.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 is located outside the photographing area of ​​the photographing unit in the non-contact position, which prevents the cleaning member 61 from interfering with photographing the sheet members P from the edge side of the camera 18, compared to when the cleaning member 61 is located in the photographing area of ​​the camera 18 in the non-contact position.

[0075] <Modification> In the present embodiment, the camera 18 is used as an example of the photographing unit, but is not limited thereto. An example of the photographing unit may be, for example, a video camera that photographs moving images, or any other component capable of photographing the sheet member P.

[0076] 2, the camera 18 is disposed on the side of the stacked sheet members P in the pull-out direction D1, but is not limited to this. For example, instead of or in addition to the camera 18 being disposed on the side of the stacked sheet members P in the pull-out direction D1, the camera 18 may be disposed on the side of the insertion direction D2 of the sheet members P. Accordingly, the cleaning mechanism 60 is also disposed on the side of the insertion direction D2 of the sheet members P.

[0077] In addition, in this embodiment, the loading unit 12 is used as an example of the moving unit, but is not limited thereto. An example of the moving unit may be the side guide 13, and may be any component that moves due to a moving operation by the user. When the side guide 13 is used as the moving unit, the cleaning member 61 cleans the camera 18 in conjunction with the side guide 13 being moved by the user.

[0078] In the present embodiment, the cleaning member 61 is a member that cleans using the brush 61B, but is not limited to this. The cleaning member 61 may be a cleaning member made of sponge or nonwoven fabric, etc., as long as it is a member that can clean the image capturing unit of the camera 18, etc.

[0079] In addition, in this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 cleans the camera 18 in conjunction with both the movement of the loading section 12 due to being drawn out and the movement of the loading section 12 due to being inserted, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the cleaning member 61 may be configured to clean the camera 18 in conjunction with only one of the movement of the loading section 12 due to being drawn out and the movement of the loading section 12 due to being inserted. That is, in this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 may be configured to clean the camera 18 in conjunction with at least one of the movement of the loading section 12 due to being drawn out and the movement of the loading section 12 due to being inserted.

[0080] In addition, the cleaning member 61 moves back and forth once in contact with the camera 18 to clean the camera 18 during one movement of the loading unit 12 by being pulled out or inserted, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the cleaning member 61 may move back and forth multiple times in contact with the camera 18 to clean the camera 18 during one movement of the loading unit 12 by being pulled out or inserted. In this case, a convex portion is formed on the guide portion 65 according to the number of times the cleaning member 61 is moved back and forth. In other words, when the cleaning member 61 is moved back and forth twice, two convex portions are formed on the guide portion 65.

[0081] According to the configuration in which the cleaning member 61 moves back and forth multiple times while in contact with the camera 18 to clean the camera 18 during one movement of the loading section 12 by pulling out or inserting, the cleaning ability of the cleaning member 61 is improved compared to a case in which the cleaning member 61 moves back and forth only once while in contact with the camera 18 to clean the camera 18 during one movement of the loading section 12.

[0082] Furthermore, the cleaning member 61 may be configured to move only one way in a state of contact with the camera 18 during one movement of the loading section 12 to clean the camera 18.

[0083] In addition, in the present embodiment, the camera 18 and the cleaning mechanism 60 are provided in the loading section 12 (specifically, the loading section main body 12B) and the guide unit 65 is provided in the device main body 11, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the camera 18 and the cleaning mechanism 60 may be provided in the device main body 11 and the guide unit 65 may be provided in the loading section 12. In this case, the guide unit 65 moves in conjunction with the movement of the loading section 12 in which the pull-out and insertion operations are performed, and the cleaning mechanism 60 moves the cleaning member 61 to clean the camera 18.

[0084] In the present embodiment, the cleaning member 61 is located at a non-contact position where it is not in contact with the camera 18 when the loading unit 12 is inserted into the device body 11, but this is not limiting. For example, the cleaning member 61 may be located at a contact position where it is in contact with the camera 18 even when the loading unit 12 is inserted into the device body 11.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.).

[0087] 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.

[0088] <Additional Notes> (((1))) a supply unit that supplies air to the recording media from the edge side of the stacked recording media to float and separate the recording media; an imaging unit that images the recording media to which air is supplied by the supply unit from the edge side; a moving unit that moves in response to a moving operation by a user; a cleaning unit that cleans the imaging unit in association with the movement of the moving unit; A media loading device comprising:

[0089] (((2))) a sending section that sends out the top recording medium separated by the supply section in a sending direction; Equipped with The moving unit is a loading section in which the plurality of recording media are loaded, and which allows a user to perform operations of pulling out and inserting the recording media into the device body when replenishing the recording media; The cleaning unit includes: The imaging unit is cleaned in conjunction with the movement of the loading unit in which the pull-out and inserting operations are performed. A medium loading device as described in (((1))).

[0090] (((3))) The cleaning unit includes: The photographing unit is cleaned in conjunction with both the movement of the loading unit due to the drawing out and the movement of the loading unit due to the insertion. A medium loading device as described in (((2))).

[0091] (((4))) The cleaning unit includes: During one movement of the loading unit by the pulling out or the inserting, the loading unit moves back and forth in contact with the photographing unit to clean the photographing unit. A medium loading device as described in (((2))) or (((3))).

[0092] (((5))) The cleaning unit includes: During one movement of the loading unit by the pulling out or the inserting, the loading unit moves back and forth a plurality of times while in contact with the photographing unit to clean the photographing unit. A medium loading device as described in (((4))).

[0093] (((6))) The photographing unit is provided on the loading unit and moves together with the loading unit on which the pull-out and inserting operations are performed. A medium loading device as described in any one of (((2))) to (((5))).

[0094] (((7))) The cleaning unit is provided on the loading unit, and moves together with the loading unit while cleaning the imaging unit in association with the movement of the loading unit in which the pull-out and inserting operations are performed. A medium loading device as described in (((6))).

[0095] (((8))) The cleaning unit includes: When the loading unit is inserted into the device body, the loading unit is positioned at a non-contact position where the loading unit is not in contact with the photographing unit. A medium loading device as described in any one of (((2))) to (((7))).

[0096] (((9))) The cleaning unit includes: In the non-contact position, the imaging unit is located outside the imaging area. A medium loading device as described in (((8))).

[0097] (((10))) A medium loading device according to any one of (((1))) to (((9))), an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium sent from the medium loading device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0098] According to the configuration (((1))), the operational burden on the user is reduced compared to a case in which the user cleans the imaging unit by performing an operation to move the cleaning unit separately from the moving operation to move the moving unit.

[0099] According to the configuration (((2))), the frequency with which the photographing unit is cleaned is increased according to the frequency with which the recording medium is fed out, compared to a case in which the moving unit is a moving unit in which the user performs moving operations regardless of the replenishment of recording media.

[0100] According to the configuration (((3))), the cleaning ability of the cleaning unit is improved compared to a case in which the cleaning unit is linked to only one of the movement of the loading unit due to the loading unit being pulled out and the movement of the loading unit due to the loading unit being inserted.

[0101] According to the configuration (((4))), the cleaning ability of the cleaning unit is improved compared to a case in which the cleaning unit moves only one way while in contact with the photographing unit during one movement of the loading unit to clean the photographing unit.

[0102] According to the configuration (((5))), the cleaning ability of the cleaning unit is improved compared to a case in which the cleaning unit moves back and forth only once in contact with the photographing unit during one movement of the loading unit to clean the photographing unit.

[0103] According to the configuration (((6))), the photographing unit is provided in the device body, and compared to a case in which the positional relationship with the recording media loaded on the loading section changes as the loading section moves when the drawer is pulled out, focus shifts are suppressed when the photographing unit photographs multiple recording media from the edge side.

[0104] According to the configuration (((7))), the cleaning unit is provided on the device body, and compared to a case in which the cleaning unit remains on the device body even when the loading unit is pulled out, it is easier to replace the cleaning unit when the loading unit is pulled out from the device body.

[0105] According to the configuration (((8))), deterioration of the cleaning unit is suppressed compared to when the cleaning unit is located at a contact position where it contacts the photographing unit even when the loading unit is inserted into the device body.

[0106] According to the configuration (((9))), when the cleaning unit is in a non-contact position, the cleaning unit is less likely to interfere with photographing when the photographing unit photographs multiple recording media from the edge, compared to when the cleaning unit is located in the photographing area of ​​the photographing unit.

[0107] According to the configuration (((10))), the operational burden on the user is reduced compared to a case in which the user cleans the imaging unit by performing an operation to move the cleaning unit separately from the movement operation of moving the moving unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10 Media delivery device (an example of a media loading device) 11. Device body 12 Loading section (an example of a moving section) 12A Bottom Plate 12B Loading section main body 13 Side guide 14 Supply section 16 Transmission section 18 Camera (example of a camera) 18A Lens 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 60 Cleaning mechanism 61 Cleaning material (an example of a cleaning part) 61A Main Unit 61B Brush 61C Mounting part 61D Side 62 Support 62E Ring 63 Compression Spring 64 Coro 65 Information Department 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 the edge side of the stacked recording media to float and separate the recording media; an imaging unit that images the recording media to which air is supplied by the supply unit from the edge side; a moving unit that moves in response to a moving operation by a user; a cleaning unit that cleans the imaging unit in association with the movement of the moving unit; A media loading device comprising:

2. a sending section that sends out the top recording medium separated by the supply section in a sending direction; Equipped with The moving unit is a loading section in which the plurality of recording media are loaded, and which allows a user to perform operations of pulling out and inserting the recording media into the device body when replenishing the recording media; The cleaning unit includes: The imaging unit is cleaned in conjunction with the movement of the loading unit in which the pull-out and inserting operations are performed. The media loading device of claim 1 .

3. The cleaning unit includes: The photographing unit is cleaned in conjunction with both the movement of the loading unit due to the drawing out and the movement of the loading unit due to the insertion. The media loading device of claim 2 .

4. The cleaning unit includes: During one movement of the loading unit by the pulling out or the inserting, the loading unit moves back and forth in contact with the photographing unit to clean the photographing unit. The media loading device of claim 2 .

5. The cleaning unit includes: During one movement of the loading unit by the pulling out or the inserting, the loading unit moves back and forth a plurality of times while in contact with the photographing unit to clean the photographing unit. The media loading device of claim 4 .

6. The photographing unit is provided on the loading unit and moves together with the loading unit on which the pull-out and inserting operations are performed. The media loading device of claim 2 .

7. The cleaning unit is provided on the loading unit, and moves together with the loading unit while cleaning the imaging unit in association with the movement of the loading unit in which the pull-out and inserting operations are performed. The media loading device of claim 6 .

8. The cleaning unit includes: When the loading unit is inserted into the device body, the loading unit is positioned at a non-contact position where the loading unit is not in contact with the photographing unit. The media loading device of claim 2 .

9. The cleaning unit includes: In the non-contact position, the imaging unit is located outside the imaging area. The media loading device of claim 8 .

10. A medium loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium sent from the medium loading device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images