SHEET SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Description

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a sheet supply device and an image forming apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In a sheet supply device of an image forming apparatus, a sheet bundle in which a plurality of sheets are stacked is stacked. The sheet supply device conveys the sheets of the sheet bundle one by one.

However, in the sheet bundle, the adhesion force between the sheets may be strengthened. In this case, multiple sheet feeding is likely to occur during sheet conveyance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating a sheet supply device;

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the sheet supply device;

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of the sheet supply device;

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of the sheet supply device;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating a sheet supply device according to a comparative embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a sheet supply device according to a comparative example;

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of the sheet supply device;

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of the sheet supply device;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification example of a stopper; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification example of the stopper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment, a sheet supply device includes a sheet stacking unit, a first roller, a second roller, and a stopper. The sheet stacking unit has a stack surface on which a plurality of sheets are stacked. The first roller is configured to convey an uppermost sheet among the sheets from the sheet stacking unit toward a downstream side in a conveying direction of the sheet. The second roller is configured to further convey the sheet conveyed by the first roller. The stopper has an abutting surface against which a leading end of the sheet on the downstream side in the conveying direction abuts. The stopper is configured to be rotatable around a rotation shaft along a width direction of the sheet parallel to the stack surface and perpendicular to the conveying direction. The stopper rotates around the rotation shaft such that a posture of the stopper switches between a first posture and a second posture. The first posture has a first angle at which an angle between the abutting surface and the stack surface is an obtuse angle. The second posture has a second angle at which an angle between the abutting surface and the stack surface is an obtuse angle, the second angle being more than the first angle.

Hereinafter, a sheet supply device and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the respective drawings, the same components will be represented by the same reference numerals. The dimension and shape of each of the members are illustrated in an exaggerated or simplified manner.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a multi-function peripheral. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a display 110, a control panel 120, a printer unit 130 (image forming unit), a sheet accommodation unit 140 (sheet supply device), and an image reading unit 200. The printer unit 130 in the image forming apparatus 100 may be a device that fixes a toner image or an ink jet device.

The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet with a developer such as toner. For example, the sheet may be a sheet-shaped recording medium such as paper, label paper, a resin sheet, a post card, or an envelope.

The display 110 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display 110 displays various information relating to the image forming apparatus 100.

The control panel 120 includes a plurality of buttons. The control panel 120 receives the operation of a user. In addition, the control panel 120 outputs a signal corresponding to the operation input by the user to a control unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 100. The display 110 and the control panel 120 may be configured to be integrated into a touch panel.

The printer unit 130 forms an image on the sheet based on image information generated by the image reading unit 200 or image information received through a communication path. The printer unit 130 forms an image through, for example, the following process. The printer unit 130 forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive drum based on the image information. The printer unit 130 applies the developer to the electrostatic latent image to form a visible image.

Specific examples of the developer include toner. A transfer unit of the printer unit 130 transfers the visible image to the sheet. The fixing unit of the printer unit 130 applies heat and pressure to the sheet to fix the visible image to the sheet.

The sheet accommodation unit 140 accommodates the sheet used for forming the image in the printer unit 130. The sheet accommodation unit 140 conveys the sheet to the printer unit 130. The sheet accommodation unit 140 configures a sheet supply device (paper feed device) 1 according to the embodiment.

The image reading unit 200 reads image information of a reading target based on brightness and darkness of light. The image reading unit 200 records the read image information. The recorded image information may be transmitted to another information processing apparatus via a network. Based on the recorded image information, the printer unit 130 may form an image on the sheet.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sheet supply device 1 includes a tray 2 (sheet stacking unit), a pickup roller (first roller) 3, a paper feed roller (second roller) 4, a separation roller (third roller) 5, two stoppers 6, and a pressing plate 7 (refer to FIG. 3).

For example, the tray 2 is formed in a rectangular flat shape. As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the tray 2, a sheet bundle SS in which a plurality of sheets S are stacked can be stacked. An upper surface of the tray 2 is a stack surface 2a on which the sheet bundle SS is stacked. For example, the stack surface 2a is a horizontal surface.

As a local coordinate system of the tray 2, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is adopted. An X direction (first direction) is a supply direction of the sheet S parallel to the stack surface 2a of the tray 2. A −X direction is a downstream side of the supply direction of the sheet S. The −X direction is a conveying direction of the sheet. The −X direction will also be simply referred to as “downstream side”. A Y direction (second direction) is a direction parallel to the stack surface 2a and perpendicular to the X direction. The Y direction is a width direction of the sheet S. A Z direction is a direction perpendicular to the stack surface 2a of the tray 2. A +Z direction is a direction in which the sheet S is stacked on the stack surface 2a. The +Z direction is a height direction. A position in the Z direction is a height position.

The pickup roller 3 is a driving roller. The pickup roller 3 has a rotation shaft (not illustrated) parallel to the Y direction. The pickup roller 3 can come into contact with an uppermost sheet SA in the sheet bundle SS (hereinafter, also referred to as “uppermost sheet SA”) stacked on the tray 2. The pickup roller 3 conveys the sheets S in the sheet bundle SS stacked on the tray 2 to the downstream side one by one in order from the uppermost sheet SA.

The pickup roller 3 is positioned in the +Z direction with respect to the tray 2. The pickup roller 3 can move close to and away from the tray 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pickup roller 3 is present at a position close to an end portion 2b of the tray 2 in the −X direction when seen from a direction parallel to the Z direction. The length of the pickup roller 3 in the Y direction is shorter than the dimension of the tray 2 in the Y direction. The position of the pickup roller 3 in the Y direction is a position corresponding to the center portion of the tray 2 in the Y direction.

The paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5 are disposed outside of the tray 2 in the −X direction when seen from the direction parallel to the Z direction. The paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5 have a rotation shaft (not illustrated) parallel to the Y direction. The paper feed roller 4 is a driving roller and conveys the sheet S at the same speed as that of the pickup roller 3. The lengths of the paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5 in the Y direction are shorter than the dimension of the tray 2 in the Y direction. The positions of the paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5 in the Y direction are positions corresponding to the center portion of the tray 2 in the Y direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the separation roller 5 is positioned in the −Z direction with respect to the paper feed roller 4. The separation roller 5 is a driven roller that operates together with the paper feed roller 4.

The paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5 further convey the sheet S conveyed from the tray 2 with a nip interposed therebetween. The nip is a portion where outer circumferential surfaces of a pair of rollers come into contact with (are pressed against) each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the stopper 6 is present at a position close to the end portion 2b of the tray 2 in the −X direction when seen from the direction parallel to the Z direction. Two stoppers 6 are provided at different positions in the Y direction. Among the two stoppers 6, a first stopper 6A is present at a position in the +Y direction further than the center portion in the Y direction. Therefore, the position of the first stopper 6A in the Y direction is positioned in the +Y direction with respect to the rollers 3, 4, and 5 at the center portion in the Y direction. Among the two stoppers 6, a second stopper 6B is present at a position in the −Y direction further than the center portion in the Y direction. Therefore, the position of the second stopper 6B in the Y direction is positioned in the −Y direction with respect to the rollers 3, 4, and 5.

The two stoppers 6 are provided at different positions in the Y direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet S. Therefore, the sheet S can be stably positioned. The position of the first stopper 6A in the Y direction is a position in the +Y direction with respect to the pickup roller 3, and the position of the second stopper 6B in the Y direction among the two stoppers 6 is a position in the −Y direction with respect to the pickup roller 3. Therefore, the sheet S can be stably positioned.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the stopper 6 is formed in a plate shape. A surface of the stopper 6 in the +X direction is an abutting surface 6a against which an end (leading end) of the sheet S in the −X direction abuts. The stopper 6 restricts the movement of the sheet S in the −X direction.

The stopper 6 is rotatable around the rotation shaft 8 in a θ direction.

The rotation shaft 8 is disposed in the Y direction at an end portion (a lower end portion in FIG. 3) of the stopper 6 in the −Z direction. The θ direction is a direction around the rotation shaft 8. A +θ direction is a clockwise direction in FIG. 3. A −θ direction is a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3.

The rotation shaft 8 is present at a position close to the end portion 2b of the tray 2 in the −X direction. The position (the height direction in FIG. 3) of a shaft center 8a of the rotation shaft 8 in the Z direction is the same as the direction of the stack surface 2a in the Z direction or is present at a position in the −Z direction with respect to the stack surface 2a. Specifically, in FIG. 3, the shaft center 8a of the rotation shaft 8 is present at a height position that is lower than or equal to that of the stack surface 2a.

When the shaft center 8a of the rotation shaft 8 is present at a height position that is lower than or equal to that of the stack surface 2a, the stopper 6 allows an operation of moving from a first posture P1 (refer to FIG. 3) to a second posture P2 (refer to FIG. 4).

The stopper 6 rotates around the rotation axis 8 in the θ direction such that the posture thereof can switch between the first posture P1 (refer to FIG. 3) and the second posture P2 (refer to FIG. 4).

In the first posture P1, the abutting surface 6a of the stopper 6 is tilted toward the downstream side (−X direction) as the distance from the stack surface 2a in the +Z direction increases. Specifically, the abutting surface 6a is tilted upward in the −X direction. In the first posture P1, a tilt angle of the abutting surface 6a with respect to the stack surface 2a will be referred to as “α1” (first angle). The tilt angle α1 of the abutting surface 6a in the first posture P1 is more than 90°. The tilt angle α1 is an obtuse angle. The tilt angle α1 is an angle between the abutting surface 6a and the stack surface 2a.

In the first posture P1, the stopper 6 restricts the movement of the sheet S in the −X direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the second posture P2, the abutting surface 6a of the stopper 6 is tilted toward the downstream side (−X direction) as the distance from the stack surface 2a in the +Z direction increases. Specifically, the abutting surface 6a is tilted upward in the −X direction. In the second posture P2, a tilt angle of the abutting surface 6a with respect to the stack surface 2a will be referred to as “α2” (second angle). The tilt angle α2 of the abutting surface 6a in the second posture P2 is more than the tilt angle α1 of the abutting surface 6a in the first posture P1. The tilt angle α2 of the abutting surface 6a is more than 90°. The tilt angle α2 is an obtuse angle. The tilt angle α2 is an angle between the abutting surface 6a and the stack surface 2a.

For example, the stopper 6 can freely adjust the tilt angles α1 and α2 of the abutting surface 6a in the first posture P1 and the second posture P2. In a case where the tilt angles α1 and α2 can be adjusted, for example, when multiple sheet feeding is likely to occur, the tilt angle α2 is reduced to suppress multiple sheet feeding. In addition, when the conveyance of the sheet S is likely to be congested, the tilt angle α2 is increased such that the conveyance of the sheet S can be smoothly performed. By adjusting the tilt angle α1, the adhesion force between the sheets S can be adjusted.

It is desirable that the tilt angle of the stopper 6 can be adjusted by the operation of the user in the control panel 120 (refer to FIG. 1).

The sheet supply device 1 includes a stopper driving unit such as a motor (not illustrated). The stopper driving unit rotates the stopper 6 around the rotation shaft 8 in the θ direction. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the stopper driving unit rotates the stopper 6 in the −θ direction (the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 3 and 4) such that the stopper 6 can rotate from the first posture P1 to the second posture P2.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the pressing plate 7 has a pressing surface 7a configured to press an end (trailing end; an end opposite to the leading end) of the sheet bundle SS in the +X direction on the tray 2 in the −X direction. The pressing surface 7a is a tilted surface that is tilted toward the downstream side (−X direction) as the distance from the stack surface 2a in the +Z direction increases. The pressing plate 7 has a dimension in the Y direction such that an end surface SSr (trailing end surface SSr) of the sheet bundle SS in the +X direction can be pressed over the entire region in the height direction. The tilt angle of the pressing surface 7a with respect to a reference surface 2c as an extended surface of the stack surface 2a in the +X direction will be referred to as “β”. The tilt angle β of the pressing surface 7a is more than 90°. It is preferable that the pressing surface 7a is tilted in the same direction as that of the abutting surface 6a in the first posture P1. It is desirable that the tilt angle β of the pressing surface 7a is equal to the tilt angle α1 of the abutting surface 6a in the first posture P1. When the tilt angle β of the pressing surface 7a is equal to the tilt angle α1, the end surface of the sheet bundle SS can be accurately tilted at a predetermined angle.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the pressing plate 7 is not illustrated.

The pressing plate 7 can be slid in the X direction. By moving the pressing plate 7 in the −X direction, the trailing end surface SSr of the sheet bundle SS can be pressed in the −X direction with the pressing surface 7a.

The sheet supply device can also adopt a configuration in which the pressing plate is not provided. In this case, it is preferable that, after stacking the sheet bundle SS on the stack surface 2a, the sheet bundle SS is pressed using a different unit from the pressing plate to enter a state where the end surface is tilted (refer to FIG. 3). For example, the end surface can also be tilted as described above by the user pressing the trailing end surface of the sheet bundle SS in the −X direction.

The control unit 150 (refer to FIG. 1) can control the posture of the stopper 6. For example, the control unit 150 can cause the stopper driving unit to change the posture of the stopper 6 from the first posture P1 to the second posture P2 along with the start of driving of the pickup roller 3 based on a signal for starting the driving of the pickup roller 3. A timing at which the posture of the stopper 6 changes from the first posture P1 to the second posture P2 may be at or after the start of driving of the pickup roller 3.

The control unit 150 can also cause the stopper 6 to change the posture from the first posture P1 to the second posture P2 along with the start of driving of the paper feed roller 4 based on a signal for starting the driving of the paper feed roller 4. The control unit 150 can also cause the stopper driving unit to change the posture of the stopper 6 from the second posture P2 to the first posture P1.

Next, the operation of the sheet supply device 1 will be described.

In FIG. 3, the stopper 6 is in the first posture P1. The sheet bundle SS is stacked on the stack surface 2a of the tray 2. At this time, the leading end surface and the trailing end surface of the sheet bundle SS are perpendicular to the stack surface 2a.

By moving the pressing plate 7 in the −X direction, the trailing end surface SSr of the sheet bundle SS can be pressed in the −X direction with the pressing surface 7a. Due to the pressing operation, an end surface SSf (leading end surface SSf) of the sheet bundle SS in the −X direction is pressed against the abutting surface 6a of the stopper 6 in the first posture P1. The leading end surface SSf of the sheet bundle SS is a tilted surface along the abutting surface 6a. The trailing end surface SSr of the sheet bundle SS is a tilted surface along the pressing surface 7a. The leading end surface SSf and the trailing end surface SSr are tilted surfaces such that the relative position of the sheets S forming the sheet bundle SS changes in the X direction. Therefore, the adhesion force between the sheets S decreases.

By bringing the pickup roller 3 into contact with the uppermost sheet SA in the sheet bundle SS, the driving of the pickup roller 3 starts.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control unit 150 (refer to FIG. 1) causes the stopper driving unit to change the posture of the stopper 6 from the first posture P1 to the second posture P2 along with the start of driving of the pickup roller 3.

The pickup roller 3 conveys the sheets S in the sheet bundle SS to the downstream side one by one in order from the uppermost sheet SA. The uppermost sheet SA abuts against the abutting surface 6a of the stopper 6 and is guided to a gap between the paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5 along the tilt of the abutting surface 6a.

The pickup roller 3 may be conveyed in a state where two or more sheets S overlap each other. The conveyed sheets S abut against the abutting surface 6a of the stopper 6. Since the tilt angle α2 of the abutting surface 6a in the second posture P2 is large, the uppermost sheet SA slides and travels on the abutting surface 6a and is guided to the gap between the paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5. On the other hand, the sheets S other than the uppermost sheet SA are stopped at the abutting surface 6a. Therefore, only the uppermost sheet SA is guided to the gap between the paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5.

When two or more overlapping sheets S are guided to the gap between the paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5, only the uppermost sheet SA is separated as follows. As described above, the adhesion force between the sheets S is decreased. Therefore, the coefficient of friction between the sheet S on the upper layer (upper-layer sheet) and the other sheets S (lower-layer sheets) is lower than the coefficient of friction between the paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5, and the sheet S. Therefore, when a conveying force is applied from the paper feed roller 4 to the upper-layer sheet, only the upper-layer sheet (the uppermost sheet SA) is conveyed, and the lower-layer sheets are stopped with the separation roller 5.

The paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5 further convey the sheet S with a nip interposed therebetween. The sheet S is conveyed to the printer unit 130 through a conveying device (conveying unit; not illustrated) including a guide 9.

The sheet supply device 1 and the image forming apparatus 100 include the stopper 6 that is freely rotatable. The stopper 6 can switch the posture between the first posture P1 and the second posture P2 having a tilt angle more than that in the first posture P1. Therefore, the sheets S can be conveyed one by one in a state where the posture of the stopper 6 is changed from the first posture P1 to the second posture P2 after tilting the end surface of the sheet bundle SS with the stopper 6 in the first posture P1.

When two or more sheets S are conveyed in a state where the sheets overlap each other, the sheets S come into contact with the abutting surface 6a. However, only the uppermost sheet SA slides and travels on the abutting surface 6a having a large tilt angle and is guided to the gap between the paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5. Accordingly, multiple sheet feeding of the sheets S can be suppressed.

In order to clarify the effects of the sheet supply device 1 according to the embodiment, a sheet supply device according to a comparative embodiment will be described as an example. The components common to those of the sheet supply device 1 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5 are represented by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a sheet supply device 101 according to a comparative embodiment includes a tray 102, the pickup roller 3, the paper feed roller 4, the separation roller 5, and a stopper 106. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the stopper 106 includes a main portion 106a perpendicular to a stack surface 102a and a tilted portion 106b. The tilted portion 106b is tilted upward to the downstream side (−X direction) from an upper end of the main portion 106a.

The sheet bundle SS is stacked on the stack surface 102a of the tray 102. The end surface of the sheet bundle SS is perpendicular to the stack surface 102a.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the tray 102 is lifted such that the uppermost sheet SA is conveyed to the downstream side by the pickup roller 3. When two or more sheets S are conveyed in a state where the sheets S overlap each other, the sheets S may be guided to the gap between the paper feed roller 4 and the separation roller 5.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams illustrating modification examples of the stopper 6.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, a surface material 16 may be detachably attached to the abutting surface 6a of the stopper 6. A surface 16a of the surface material 16 has a coefficient of static friction different from a coefficient of static friction of the abutting surface 6a. The surface 16a functions as a new abutting surface 16a.

With this configuration, the coefficient of static friction of the surface (the abutting surface) of the stopper 6 can be set depending on the characteristics of the sheet S (the adhesion force between the sheets, the rigidity of the sheet, and the like). Accordingly, multiple sheet feeding can be suppressed, and smooth conveyance can be realized.

A method of adjusting the coefficient of static friction of the abutting surface 6a of the stopper 6 is not limited to the attachment of the surface material 16. For example, an adjusting member having a coefficient of static friction different from that of the abutting surface may be inserted into a hole portion formed in the stopper.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the sheet supply device 1, the number of the stoppers 6 is two. However, the number of stoppers is not particularly limited. For example, the number of the stoppers may be 1 or any number of 2 or more.

In at least one of the embodiments described above, the stopper 6 rotates such that the posture can switch between the first posture P1 and the second posture P2. Accordingly, in the sheet supply device 1, multiple sheet feeding of the sheets S can be suppressed.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

Claims

1. A sheet supply device, comprising: a sheet stacking component having a stack surface on which a plurality of sheets are stacked;a first roller configured to convey an uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets from the sheet stacking component toward a downstream side in a conveying direction of the sheet;a second roller configured to further convey the sheet conveyed by the first roller; anda stopper rotatable around a rotation shaft along a width direction of the sheet parallel to the stack surface and perpendicular to the conveying direction, the stopper having an abutting surface against which a leading end of the sheet on the downstream side in the conveying direction abuts,wherein the stopper rotates around the rotation shaft such that a posture of the stopper switches between a first posture having a first angle at which an angle between the abutting surface and the stack surface is an obtuse angle, anda second posture having a second angle at which an angle between the abutting surface and the stack surface is an obtuse angle, the second angle being greater than the first angle.
2. The sheet supply device according to claim 1, wherein a shaft center of the rotation shaft is present at a height position that is lower than or equal to a height position of the stack surface.
3. The sheet supply device according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is configured to freely adjust the angles of the abutting surface in the first posture and the second posture.
4. The sheet supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: a pressing plate configured to press a trailing end of the sheet stacked on the stack surface opposite to the leading end such that the leading end is pressed against the abutting surface.
5. The sheet supply device according to claim 4, wherein the pressing plate has a pressing surface configured to press the trailing end of the sheet, anda tilt angle of the pressing surface with respect to the stack surface is equal to a tilt angle of the abutting surface when the stopper is in the first posture.
6. The sheet supply device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of stoppers are provided, andthe stoppers are provided at different positions in the width direction of the sheet.
7. The sheet supply device according to claim 1, wherein a surface material having a coefficient of static friction different from a coefficient of static friction of the abutting surface is attachable to the stopper.
8. The sheet supply device according to claim 1, wherein the first roller, the second roller, and stopper are configured to convey a single sheet in the conveying direction, with the proviso that two or more sheets are not conveyed at one time by the first roller, the second roller, and stopper.
9. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a sheet supply device, comprising: a sheet stacking component having a stack surface on which a plurality of sheets are stacked;a first roller configured to convey an uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets from the sheet stacking component toward a downstream side in a conveying direction of the sheet;a second roller configured to further convey the sheet conveyed by the first roller; anda stopper rotatable around a rotation shaft along a width direction of the sheet parallel to the stack surface and perpendicular to the conveying direction, the stopper having an abutting surface against which a leading end of the sheet on the downstream side in the conveying direction abuts,wherein the stopper rotates around the rotation shaft such that a posture of the stopper switches between a first posture having a first angle at which an angle between the abutting surface and the stack surface is an obtuse angle, anda second posture having a second angle at which an angle between the abutting surface and the stack surface is an obtuse angle, the second angle being greater than the first angle; andan image forming device configured to form an image on a sheet conveyed by the sheet supply device.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a controller configured to control a posture of the stopper.
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the controller causes the stopper to rotate from the first posture to the second posture along with the start of driving of the first roller.
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a shaft center of the rotation shaft is present at a height position that is lower than or equal to a height position of the stack surface.
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the stopper is configured to freely adjust the angles of the abutting surface in the first posture and the second posture.
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a pressing plate configured to press a trailing end of the sheet stacked on the stack surface opposite to the leading end such that the leading end is pressed against the abutting surface.
15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the pressing plate has a pressing surface configured to press the trailing end of the sheet, anda tilt angle of the pressing surface with respect to the stack surface is equal to a tilt angle of the abutting surface when the stopper is in the first posture.
16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of stoppers are provided, andthe stoppers are provided at different positions in the width direction of the sheet.
17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a surface material having a coefficient of static friction different from a coefficient of static friction of the abutting surface is attachable to the stopper.
18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first roller, the second roller, and stopper are configured to convey a single sheet in the conveying direction, with the proviso that two or more sheets are not conveyed at one time by the first roller, the second roller, and stopper.
19. A sheet supply method, comprising: conveying by a first roller an uppermost sheet of a plurality of sheets from a sheet stacking component having a stack surface on which the plurality of sheets are stacked toward a downstream side in a conveying direction of the sheet;conveying by a second roller the sheet conveyed by the first roller; androtating a stopper around a rotation shaft along a width direction of the sheet parallel to the stack surface and perpendicular to the conveying direction, the stopper having an abutting surface against which a leading end of the sheet on the downstream side in the conveying direction abuts, and switching a posture of the stopper between a first posture having a first angle at which an angle between the abutting surface and the stack surface is an obtuse angle, anda second posture having a second angle at which an angle between the abutting surface and the stack surface is an obtuse angle, the second angle being greater than the first angle.
20. The sheet supply method according to claim 19, further comprising: pressing a trailing end of the sheet stacked on the stack surface opposite to the leading end such that the leading end is pressed against the abutting surface.

SHEET SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

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Description

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