Paper feeder, image forming apparatus, paper feeding method, and program

Abstract

To provide a sheet feeding device, an image forming device, a sheet feeding method and a program capable of reducing the step of firstly adjusting sheets, by using a sheet adjustment device, before setting them in a sheet feeding tray, and, after completing the sheet adjustment, resetting the sheets on the sheet feeding tray.SOLUTION: A sheet feeding device includes: a sheet load tray loaded with sheets; an air blower that, facing a tip of the sheets in a feeding direction, blows air to the sheets to float and separate the sheets; a side air blower that, facing an end of the sheets in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction, separates the sheets; and a controller that causes the sheet load tray to rise the sheet load tray after a predetermined time elapses from when the sheets are loaded on the sheet load tray being pulled out from an image formation device body, adjusts the sheets to which air is blown from the air blower and the side air blower with the sheet at an upper limit position after the rise, and lowers the sheets on the sheet load tray to a position of an intermediate remaining amount sensor between the upper limit position and a lower limit position of the sheet load tray after completion of the sheet adjustment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper feeding device, an image forming apparatus, a paper feeding method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] If a paper separating operation is not performed in advance before setting the paper on the paper feed tray (an example of a paper stacking table), the adhesion of the paper cannot be removed. Therefore, in the market, a paper separating device using vibration or air is purchased, and once the paper separating operation is performed in advance with the paper separating device, after the paper separating operation is completed, the paper is reset on the paper feed tray.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, in the above technology, before setting the paper on the paper feed tray, it is necessary to perform paper separation with a paper separating device and then set the paper on the paper feed tray, so the number of working hours increases.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a paper feeding device, an image forming apparatus, a paper feeding method, and a program capable of reducing the step of once performing paper separation with a paper separating device and then resetting the paper on the paper feed tray after the paper separation is completed, before setting the paper on the paper feed tray.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the present invention provides a paper stacking platform on which paper is stacked, an air blowing unit provided opposite to the leading edge of the paper in the feeding direction of the paper stacked on the paper stacking platform and blowing air onto the paper to levitate and separate the paper, a side air blowing unit provided opposite to the end of the paper in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the paper stacked on the paper stacking platform and blowing air onto the paper to separate the paper, and the paper stacking platform being pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus The system includes a control unit which, after a certain period of time has elapsed since the paper was set on the paper stacking platform in the specified state, raises the paper stacking platform to move the paper to the upper limit position, blows air onto the paper from the air blowing unit and the side air blowing unit to disperse the paper when the paper on the paper stacking platform has moved to the upper limit position, and after the paper dispersal is completed, lowers the paper on the paper stacking platform to the position of the intermediate remaining amount sensor between the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the paper stacking platform. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the step of first separating the paper with a paper separation device before setting the paper in the paper tray, and then re-setting the paper in the paper tray after the separation is complete. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with a paper feeding device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of a sheet feeding device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a sheet feeding device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the sheet feeding device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the overview of the paper feed tray mechanism according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 illustrates an example of the raising and lowering operation of the paper feed tray when replenishing sheets in a conventional sheet feeding device. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the raising and lowering operation of the paper feed tray when replenishing sheets in the sheet feeding device according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the paper handling flow in the sheet feeding device according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes in detail embodiments of the paper feeder, image forming apparatus, paper feeding method, and program with reference to the attached drawings.

[0009] Figure 1 shows an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with a paper feeding device according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming unit 2 as an image forming means and a paper feeding unit 3.

[0010] The image forming unit 2 forms an image on the supplied sheet (recording medium such as paper) using known methods such as electrophotographic processes and inkjet processes. The detailed configuration of the image forming unit 2 is not essential and therefore will not be explained.

[0011] The paper feeding unit 3 is equipped with a sheet feeding device 10 (see Figure 4), which is an example of a paper feeding device, and this sheet feeding device 10 feeds (supplies) sheets to the image forming unit 2 via a transport path.

[0012] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of the sheet feeding device according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the sheet feeding device according to this embodiment. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the sheet feeding device according to this embodiment.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 100, a paper feed control unit 101, an upper limit position detection unit 17, a lower limit sensor 18, an intermediate remaining amount sensor 19, a paper feed tray lifting unit 20, a blower fan 22 for floating air, a blower fan 23 for separated air, a blower fan 24 for side air, a blower fan 25 for suction air, and a drive motor 30.

[0014] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the sheet feeding device 10 (an example of a paper feeding device) includes a paper feeding tray 11, a floating air blowing device 12 as a floating air blowing means, a separating air blowing device 13 as a separating air blowing means, a side air blowing device 14 as a side air blowing means, an air suction device 15 as an air suction means, and a suction belt 16 as a sheet feeding means.

[0015] The controller 100 controls the image forming operation in the image forming unit 2 based on input signals from the operation input unit or from an externally connected host computer, and also outputs a paper feed signal to the paper feed control unit 101.

[0016] The paper feed control unit 101 controls various operations in the sheet feeding device 10, such as the separation suction operation and the paper feeding operation, based on the paper feed signal input from the controller 100.

[0017] The paper feed tray 11 is disposed below the sheet feeding device 10, and a stack of sheets is placed on its upper surface. That is, the paper feed tray 11 is an example of a paper stacking table for stacking paper. Further, the paper feed tray 11 can be moved up and down in the vertical direction (up and down direction) by a paper feed tray elevating unit 20.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed tray elevating unit 20 is connected to the paper feed control unit 101 and performs the elevating operation of the paper feed tray 11 based on an input signal from the paper feed control unit 101. Specifically, the paper feed control unit 101 controls the paper feed tray elevating unit 20 so that the paper feed tray 11 reaches a specified position based on detection signals from an upper limit position detection unit 17, a lower limit sensor 18, and an intermediate remaining amount sensor 19 connected to the paper feed control unit 101. The paper feed tray elevating unit 20 includes a drive unit such as a lifting motor.

[0019] Further, the paper feed tray 11 has an end fence 11a and a side fence 11b. The end fence 11a is provided at the rear end on the side opposite to the front end side in the sheet feeding direction, and is an end fence that abuts against the rear end to align the rear ends of the sheets. The side fences 11b are provided on both end sides in the direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, and are a pair of side fences that support the sheet during feeding.

[0020] The floating air blowing device 12 is provided facing the front end of the sheet in the sheet feeding direction of the stack of sheets, and has a floating air blower fan 22 (see FIG. 2) as a floating air blowing drive source. The floating air blowing device 12 blows air generated by driving the floating air blower fan 22 against the front end of the sheet in the sheet feeding direction of the stack of sheets, so as to float the sheets in the upper part including at least the uppermost sheet of the stack of sheets. The floating air blowing device 12 has a plurality of nozzles that blow air against the sheet along the front end of the sheet in the sheet feeding direction.

[0021] The separating air blowing device 13 is provided to face the leading end of the sheet in the sheet feeding direction of the sheet bundle, similarly to the floating air blowing device 12, and has a blower fan 23 for separating air (see FIG. 2) as a separating air blowing drive source. This separating air blowing device 13 blows the air generated by the drive of the blower fan 23 for separating air against the leading end in the sheet feeding direction of a plurality of sheets lifted by the floating air blowing device 12, so as to separate the plurality of lifted sheets one by one. That is, the floating air blowing device 12 and the separating air blowing device 13 are an example of an air blowing portion provided to face the leading end of the sheet in the sheet feeding direction and blowing air against the sheet to lift and separate the sheet. The separating air blowing device 13 has a plurality of nozzles for blowing air against the sheet along the leading end of the sheet in the sheet feeding direction. Here, the air volume of the air blown from the plurality of nozzles against the sheet can be adjusted for each nozzle.

[0022] A pair of side air blowing devices 14 are provided to face both ends of the sheet bundle in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, and have a blower fan 24 for side air (see FIG. 2) as a side air blowing drive source. This side air blowing device 14 blows the air generated by the drive of the blower fan 24 for side air against both side ends of the sheet bundle, so as to separate the plurality of sheets lifted from both side ends of the sheet bundle one by one. That is, the side air blowing device 14 is an example of a side air blowing portion provided to face the ends of the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction and blowing air against the sheet to separate the sheet. The side air blowing device 14 has a plurality of nozzles for blowing air against the sheet along the ends of the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction. Here, the air volume of the air blown from the plurality of nozzles against the sheet can be adjusted for each nozzle.

[0023] The air suction device 15 is disposed above the floating air blowing device 12 and the separating air blowing device 13, and has a blower fan 25 for suction air (see FIG. 2) as an air suction drive source.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the air suction device 15 includes a suction chamber 26 housed in a space surrounded by upper and lower suction belts 16, and a suction duct 27 connecting a suction air blower fan 25 and the suction chamber 26.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the suction belt 16 is stretched between a driven roller 28 and a drive roller 29, and moves endlessly as the drive roller 29 rotates. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the drive roller 29 is connected to a drive motor 30 and rotates when driven by this drive motor 30. Furthermore, the suction belt 16 has multiple holes 16a formed therein for drawing in air.

[0026] Therefore, the air suction device 15 creates negative pressure inside the suction chamber 26 by drawing in air through the operation of the suction air blower fan 25.

[0027] As a result, the suction belt 16 holds the top sheet separated from the sheet bundle by adsorption through multiple holes 16a. Furthermore, based on a drive signal from the paper feed control unit 101, the drive motor 30 is driven at predetermined timings set for each sheet, causing the suction belt 16 to move endlessly while holding the top sheet by adsorption. This allows the held top sheet to be fed in the sheet feeding direction.

[0028] The upper limit position detection unit 17 detects when the sheets loaded in the paper feed tray 11 have moved to the upper limit position. Specifically, the upper limit position detection unit 17 has a lever that contacts the upper surface of the sheet and can swing according to the height of the sheet stack, and a detection sensor such as a transmissive photointerrupter. When the sheets loaded in the paper feed tray 11 reach the upper limit position, the upper limit position detection unit 17 detects that the sheets have reached the upper limit position by swinging the lever, which causes the transmissive photointerrupter to switch from a shielded state to a light-receiving state.

[0029] The lower limit sensor 18 detects when the paper feed tray 11 has reached a lower limit position, which is below the upper limit position. Specifically, the lower limit sensor 18 has a lever portion that contacts the lower surface of the paper feed tray 11 and can swing according to the height of the paper feed tray 11, and a detection sensor such as a transmissive photo interrupter. When the paper feed tray 11 reaches the lower limit position, the lower limit sensor 18 detects that the paper feed tray 11 has reached the lower limit position by causing the transmissive photo interrupter to change from a shielded state to a light-receiving state as the lever portion swings.

[0030] The intermediate remaining sheet sensor 19 detects when the sheets loaded in the paper tray 11 have moved to an intermediate position. Here, the intermediate position is a position that is below the upper limit position and above the upper limit position. Specifically, the intermediate remaining sheet sensor 19 has a lever part that contacts the top surface of the sheet and can swing according to the height of the sheet stack, and a detection sensor such as a transmissive photo interrupter. When the sheets loaded in the paper tray 11 reach the intermediate position, the intermediate remaining sheet sensor 19 detects that the sheets have reached the intermediate position by swinging the lever part, which causes the transmissive photo interrupter to switch from a shielded state to a light-receiving state.

[0031] Furthermore, the sheet feeding device 10 has a paper feeding control unit 101, and as shown in Figure 2, the paper feeding control unit 101 is connected to an upper limit position detection unit 17, a lower limit sensor 18, an intermediate remaining amount sensor 19, a paper feeding tray lifting unit 20, a drive motor 30, a blower fan for floating air 22, a blower fan for separated air 23, a blower fan for side air 24, and a blower fan for suction air 25.

[0032] The paper feed control unit 101 stops the drive of the paper feed tray lifting unit 20 based on the detection signal input from the upper limit position detection unit 17, and controls the drive of each blower fan—the floating air blower fan 22, the separation air blower fan 23, the side air blower fan 24, and the suction air blower fan 25—at different timings.

[0033] As a result, the air blowing by the floating air blowing device 12, the air blowing by the separating air blowing device 13, the air blowing by the side air blowing device 14, and the air suction device 15 are all performed at different times.

[0034] Figure 6 shows an example of the overview of the paper feed tray mechanism according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the paper feed control unit 101 (an example of a control unit) controls the paper feed tray lifting unit 20 based on a detection signal from the upper limit position detection unit 17 after a certain period of time has elapsed since the paper feed tray 11 was pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and a sheet was set in the paper feed tray 11, thereby raising the paper feed tray 11 and moving the sheet to the upper limit position.

[0035] Next, with the sheet on the paper tray 11 having moved to the upper limit position, the paper feed control unit 101 blows air onto the sheet from the floating air blowing device 12, the separating air blowing device 13, and the side air blowing device 14 to spread the paper. This eliminates the need to spread the paper with a paper spreading device before setting the sheet in the paper tray 11, and then to reset the sheet in the paper tray 11 after the paper spreading is complete.

[0036] In this embodiment, the paper feed control unit 101 blows air from the floating air blowing device 12, the separating air blowing device 13, and the side air blowing device 14 in the direction of aligning the sheets by handling the paper, thereby moving the paper towards the aligned sheet. Specifically, the amount of air blown onto the sheet by the floating air blowing device 12, the separating air blowing device 13, and the side air blowing device 14 by the paper feed control unit 101 decreases as the direction of aligning the sheets increases.

[0037] For example, as shown in Figure 6, the paper feed control unit 101 sets the airflow volume of the nozzles on the side where the sheets are to be aligned to a low level, and the airflow volume of the nozzle on the opposite side of the nozzles on the side where the sheets are to be aligned to a high level. As a result, the sheets are skewed by the air on the paper feed tray 11, and the sheets that were uneven are straightened out.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the paper feed control unit 101 can also adjust the amount of air blown onto the sheet from the nozzles of the floating air blowing device 12, the separating air blowing device 13, and the side air blowing device 14, depending on the size or thickness of the sheet. For example, as the size or thickness of the sheet increases, the paper feed control unit 101 increases the amount of air blown onto the sheet from the nozzles of the floating air blowing device 12, the separating air blowing device 13, and the side air blowing device 14. This allows the air to be blown onto the sheet with an amount of air appropriate to the size or thickness of the sheet, thereby improving the accuracy of paper handling.

[0039] Furthermore, after the paper handling is complete, the paper feed control unit 101 controls the paper feed tray lifting unit 20 based on the detection signal from the intermediate remaining amount sensor to lower the paper feed tray 11 to an intermediate position. This allows the paper feed tray 11 to be lowered to an optimal position to add sheets in multiple batches while the sheets are being handled in the paper feed tray 11. As a result, the time the paper feed tray 11 is lowered while sheets are being loaded can be shortened, enabling the sheet loading operation to be completed with the minimum necessary lifting time.

[0040] Figure 7 illustrates an example of the raising and lowering operation of the paper feed tray when replenishing sheets in a conventional sheet feeding device. Figure 8 illustrates an example of the raising and lowering operation of the paper feed tray when replenishing sheets in a sheet feeding device according to this embodiment. In a conventional sheet feeding device, the paper feed tray 11 is pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, and after the sheets are set in the paper feed tray 11, the paper feed tray 11 is stored inside the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, and the paper feed tray 11 rises to its upper limit position. After that, the sheet feeding device starts feeding sheets with the paper feed tray 11 in the upper limit position.

[0041] In contrast, in this embodiment, after the completion of paper handling, the paper feed control unit 101 controls the paper feed tray lifting unit 20 based on the detection signal from the intermediate remaining amount sensor to lower the paper feed tray 11 to the intermediate position. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, after the completion of paper handling, if the intermediate remaining amount sensor 19 detects that the sheets loaded on the paper feed tray 11 have moved to the intermediate position before the lower limit sensor 18 detects that the paper feed tray 11 has reached the lower limit position, the paper feed control unit 101 moves the paper feed tray 11 to the intermediate position.

[0042] In other words, the paper feed control unit 101 switches between lowering the paper feed tray 11 to an intermediate position or lowering it to its lowest position, depending on the amount of sheets loaded (remaining amount) in the paper feed tray 11. This allows the paper feed tray 11 to be lowered to the optimal position to add more sheets after the initial sheet has been processed in the paper feed tray 11. As a result, the time the paper feed tray 11 is lowered while sheets are being loaded can be shortened, enabling the sheet loading operation to be completed with the minimum necessary lifting and lowering time.

[0043] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the paper handling flow in the sheet feeding device according to this embodiment. First, the paper feed control unit 101 determines whether or not the paper feed tray 11 has been pulled out (step S901). If the paper feed tray 11 has been pulled out (step S901: Yes), the paper feed control unit 101 notifies the user that the paper feed tray 11 is not set (step S902).

[0044] Next, the paper feed control unit 101 determines whether the paper feed tray 11 has reached its lower limit position based on the detection signal from the lower limit sensor 18 (step S903). If the paper feed tray 11 has reached its lower limit position (step S903: Yes), the paper feed tray 11 has reached its lower limit and is ready to load sheets, so the paper feed control unit 101 proceeds to step S907 without lowering the paper feed tray 11. On the other hand, if the paper feed tray 11 has not reached its lower limit position (step S903: No), there may be leftover paper from the previous job, and it is necessary to lower the paper feed tray 11 to its lower limit position to make it ready to load sheets. Therefore, the paper feed control unit 101 lowers the paper feed tray 11 by driving the paper feed tray lifting unit 20, that is, by turning on the lifting motor (step S904).

[0045] Next, the paper feed control unit 101 determines whether the paper feed tray 11 has reached its lower limit position based on the detection signal from the lower limit sensor 18 (step S905). If the paper feed tray 11 has reached its lower limit position (step S905: Yes), the paper feed control unit 101 controls the paper feed tray lifting unit 20, that is, turns off the lifting motor, to stop the paper feed tray 11 from descending (step S906), and proceeds to step S907.

[0046] Next, the paper feed control unit 101 waits for a certain period of time (for example, 5 seconds) for the user to load sheets into the paper feed tray 11 (step S907). After the specified period of time has elapsed (step S907: Yes), the paper feed control unit 101 controls the paper feed tray lifting unit 20, that is, turns on the lifting motor, and starts raising the paper feed tray 11 (step S908). Then, the paper feed control unit 101 determines whether or not the upper limit position detection unit 17 has detected that the sheets loaded into the paper feed tray 11 have moved to the upper limit position (step S909).

[0047] If the paper feed control unit 101 detects that the sheets loaded in the paper feed tray 11 have moved to the upper limit position (step S909: Yes), it controls the paper feed tray lifting unit 20, that is, turns off the lifting motor, to stop the paper feed tray 11 from rising (step S910). Next, the paper feed control unit 101 blows air onto the sheets from the floating air blowing device 12, the separating air blowing device 13, and the side air blowing device 14 to spread the paper (step S911). After spreading the paper for a certain period of time (for example, 5 s) (step S912: Yes), the paper feed control unit 101 stops blowing air onto the sheets from the floating air blowing device 12, the separating air blowing device 13, and the side air blowing device 14 (step S913).

[0048] Next, the paper feed control unit 101 controls the paper feed tray lifting unit 20 to turn on the lifting motor and lower the paper feed tray 11 (step S914). Then, the paper feed control unit 101 determines whether or not the intermediate remaining amount sensor 19 has detected that the sheets loaded on the paper feed tray 11 have moved to an intermediate position (step S915). If it is detected that the sheets loaded on the paper feed tray 11 have moved to an intermediate position (step S915: Yes), the paper feed control unit 101 controls the paper feed tray lifting unit 20 to turn off the lifting motor and stop the lowering of the paper feed tray 11 (step S916).

[0049] Next, the paper feed control unit 101 determines whether the paper feed tray 11 has been installed inside the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 (step S917). If the paper feed tray 11 has not been installed inside the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 (step S917: No), the paper feed control unit 101 returns to step S907 and waits for a certain period of time, as there is a possibility that more sheets may be loaded onto the paper feed tray 11. On the other hand, if the paper feed tray 11 has been installed inside the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 (step S917: Yes), the paper feed control unit 101 notifies the user that the paper feed tray 11 has been set (step S918) and terminates the paper handling operation.

[0050] Thus, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when loading sheets into the paper feed tray 11 in multiple batches while handling the sheets in the paper feed tray 11, the paper feed tray 11 can be lowered to an optimal position to add more sheets after the handling of the previously loaded sheets is complete. As a result, the lowering time of the paper feed tray 11 during sheet loading can be shortened, enabling sheet loading with the minimum necessary lifting time.

[0051] The program executed in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided pre-installed in ROM (Read-Only Memory) or the like. The program executed in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment may also be provided as a file in an installable or executable format, recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0052] Furthermore, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading it via the network. Alternatively, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0053] The program executed in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment has a modular configuration including the above-described parts (paper feed control unit 101). In actual hardware, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) reads the program from the ROM and executes it, loading the above-described parts onto the main memory, and generating the paper feed control unit 101 on the main memory.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present invention is described using an example in which it is applied to a multifunction device having at least two functions from among a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. However, it can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a copier, printer, scanner, or facsimile device.

[0055] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> A paper stacking platform on which paper is loaded, An air blowing unit is provided opposite to the leading edge of the paper in the feeding direction of the paper loaded on the paper stacking platform, and blows air onto the paper to levitate and separate the paper; A side air blowing unit is provided opposite to the edge of the paper in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the paper loaded on the paper stacking platform, and blows air onto the paper to separate it. A control unit that, after a certain period of time has elapsed since the paper was set on the paper stacking tray while the tray was pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus, raises the paper stacking tray to move the paper to the upper limit position, blows air onto the paper from the air blowing unit and the side air blowing unit while the paper on the tray is at the upper limit position to disperse the paper, and after the paper dispersing is completed, lowers the paper on the tray to the position of the intermediate remaining amount sensor between the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the paper stacking tray. A paper feeder equipped with a paper feeder.

[0056] <2> The air blowing unit has a plurality of nozzles that blow air onto the paper along the leading edge of the paper in the feeding direction, The side air outlet has a plurality of nozzles that blow air onto the paper along the edge of the paper in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction, The control unit blows air in the direction that aligns the paper by handling the paper, thereby moving the paper towards the direction that aligns the paper. <1> The paper feed device described above.

[0057] <3> The airflow rate from each of the aforementioned nozzles can be adjusted for each nozzle. The control unit adjusts the amount of air blown onto the paper from the plurality of nozzles according to the size or thickness of the paper. <2> The paper feed device described above.

[0058] <4> The control unit switches, depending on the remaining amount of paper on the paper stacking platform, whether to lower the paper stacking platform to the lower limit position or to the position of the intermediate remaining amount sensor after the paper handling is completed. <1> from <3> A paper feeder as described in any one of the following.

[0059] <5> <1> from <4> An image forming apparatus equipped with a paper feeding device as described in any one of the following.

[0060] <6> A paper feeding method performed by a paper feed device, The process involves raising the paper stacking platform to move the paper to the upper limit position after a certain period of time has elapsed since the paper was set on the paper stacking platform with the paper stacking platform pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus, With the paper on the paper stacking platform having moved to the upper limit position, the process of handling the paper involves blowing air onto the paper from an air blowing unit, which is provided opposite to the leading edge of the paper in the feeding direction of the paper stacked on the paper stacking platform and blows air onto the paper to lift and separate it, and from a side air blowing unit, which is provided opposite to the end of the paper in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the paper stacked on the paper stacking platform and blows air onto the paper to separate it, and After the completion of the paper handling, the process involves lowering the paper on the paper stacking platform to the position of the intermediate remaining amount sensor between the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the paper stacking platform. A paper feeding method including the following.

[0061] <7> Computers, With the paper stacking platform on which the paper is loaded extended from the main body of the image forming apparatus, after a certain period of time has elapsed since the paper was set on the paper stacking platform, the paper stacking platform is raised to move the paper to the upper limit position, and with the paper on the paper stacking platform at the upper limit position, an air blowing unit is provided facing the leading edge of the paper in the feeding direction of the paper stacked on the paper stacking platform and blows air onto the paper to levitate and separate the paper, and a side air blowing unit is provided facing the edge of the paper in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the paper stacked on the paper stacking platform and blows air onto the paper to separate the paper, and after the paper handling is completed, a control unit lowers the paper on the paper stacking platform to the position of an intermediate remaining amount sensor between the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the paper stacking platform. A program designed to function as such. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming unit 3. Paper feed unit 11 Paper feed tray 12. Floating air blowing device 13 Separation Air Blowing Device 14. Side air blowing device 15. Air suction device 16 Suction belt 17 Upper limit position detection unit 18 Lower limit sensor 19. Intermediate remaining charge sensor 20 Paper feed tray lifting mechanism 22. Blower fan for floating air 23. Blower fan for separated air 24 Side Air Blower Fan 25. Blower fan for suction air 100 controllers 101 Paper feed control unit [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0063] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-157207

Claims

1. A paper stacking platform on which paper is loaded, An air blowing unit is provided opposite to the leading edge of the paper in the feeding direction of the paper loaded on the paper stacking platform, and blows air onto the paper to levitate and separate the paper; A side air blowing unit is provided opposite to the edge of the paper in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the paper loaded on the paper stacking platform, and blows air onto the paper to separate it. A control unit that, after a certain period of time has elapsed since the paper was set on the paper stacking tray while the tray was pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus, raises the paper stacking tray to move the paper to the upper limit position, blows air onto the paper from the air blowing unit and the side air blowing unit while the paper on the tray is at the upper limit position to disperse the paper, and after the paper dispersing is completed, lowers the paper on the tray to the position of the intermediate remaining amount sensor between the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the paper stacking tray. A paper feeder equipped with a paper feeder.

2. The air blowing unit has a plurality of nozzles that blow air onto the paper along the leading edge of the paper in the feeding direction, The side air blowing unit has a plurality of nozzles that blow air onto the paper along the edge of the paper in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction, The control unit blows air in the direction of aligning the paper by handling the paper, thereby bringing the paper closer in the direction of alignment, according to claim 1.

3. The airflow rate from each of the aforementioned nozzles can be adjusted for each nozzle. The paper feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit adjusts the amount of air blown onto the paper from the plurality of nozzles according to the size or thickness of the paper.

4. The paper feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit switches, after the completion of paper handling, whether to lower the paper stacking platform to the lower limit position or to the position of the intermediate remaining amount sensor, depending on the remaining amount of paper on the paper stacking platform.

5. An image forming apparatus comprising the paper feeding device described in claim 1.

6. A paper feeding method performed by a paper feed device, The process involves raising the paper stacking platform to move the paper to the upper limit position after a certain period of time has elapsed since the paper was set on the paper stacking platform with the paper stacking platform pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus, With the paper on the paper stacking platform having moved to the upper limit position, the process of handling the paper involves blowing air onto the paper from an air blowing unit, which is provided opposite to the leading edge of the paper in the feeding direction of the paper stacked on the paper stacking platform and blows air onto the paper to lift and separate it, and from a side air blowing unit, which is provided opposite to the end of the paper in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the paper stacked on the paper stacking platform and blows air onto the paper to separate it, and After the completion of the paper handling, the process involves lowering the paper on the paper stacking platform to the position of the intermediate remaining amount sensor between the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the paper stacking platform. A paper feeding method including the following.

7. Computers, With the paper stacking platform on which the paper is loaded extended from the main body of the image forming apparatus, after a certain period of time has elapsed since the paper was set on the paper stacking platform, the paper stacking platform is raised to move the paper to the upper limit position, and with the paper on the paper stacking platform at the upper limit position, an air blowing unit is provided facing the leading edge of the paper in the feeding direction of the paper stacked on the paper stacking platform and blows air onto the paper to levitate and separate the paper, and a side air blowing unit is provided facing the edge of the paper in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the paper stacked on the paper stacking platform and blows air onto the paper to separate the paper, and after the paper handling is completed, a control unit lowers the paper on the paper stacking platform to the position of an intermediate remaining amount sensor between the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the paper stacking platform. A program designed to function as such.

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