Compactly assembled sheet feeding apparatus with a movable paper tray and separating member

摘要

A sheet feeding apparatus for use in an image forming system includes a pivoting tray and a pivoting separating member which press against a feed roller. The movement of the tray and separating member is controlled by a cam having a first cam surface which controls the movement of the tray and a second cam surface which controls the movement of the separating member towards and away from a feed roller. The cam includes a gear having a segment without gear teeth. A spring pushes a third cam surface of the cam in order to rotate the cam so that the portion of the gear of the cam having teeth mesh with an idler gear which imposes a rotational force from a motor onto the cam.