Sheet feeding device, image forming apparatus, and image forming system

摘要

A sheet feeding device includes: a sheet stacking member; an air blowing unit configured to blow air onto the sheet bundle placed on the sheet stacking member to suspend multiple sheets of the sheet bundle; a lifting/lowering unit configured to lift/lower the sheet stacking member; an optical reflection sensor configured to detect a suspended sheet suspended by the air blowing unit; and a control unit configured to control the lifting/lowering unit based on an output value of the optical reflection sensor. The optical reflection sensor is configured to be capable of detecting an area corresponding to multiple sheets in a sheet suspension zone extending between a non-suspended sheet bundle and a conveying member configured to convey an uppermost sheet of the multiple suspended sheets. The non-suspended sheet bundle is made up of sheets not suspended during a period when air is blown by the air blowing unit.

主权项

1. A sheet feeding device comprising:
a sheet stacking member on which a sheet bundle is to be placed; an air blower configured to blow air against a leading end and side surfaces of a top portion of the sheet bundle placed on the sheet stacking member to suspend multiple sheets of the top portion of the sheet bundle; a lifting/lowering drive motor configured to lift/lower the sheet stacking member; multiple optical reflection sensors configured to detect a suspended sheet suspended by the air blower; and a controller configured to control the lifting/lowering drive motor based on an output value of the multiple optical reflection sensors, wherein the multiple optical reflection sensors are configured to be capable of detecting an area corresponding to multiple sheets in a sheet suspension zone extending between a non-suspended sheet bundle and a conveying member, the non-suspended sheet bundle being made up of sheets not suspended during a period when air is blown by the air blower, the conveying member being configured to convey an uppermost sheet of the multiple suspended sheets, and wherein the controller determines which one of the multiple optical reflection sensors is to be used based on a type of sheet placed in the sheet stacking member.