SHEET SEPARATING MECHANISM OF AN AUTO SHEET FEEDER AND AUTO SHEET FEEDER INCORPORATING THE SAME

摘要

An auto sheet feeder used for a device comprises an upper frame, a pick roller and a sheet separating mechanism secured on the upper frame. The sheet separating mechanism includes a bracket and a pair of arms disposed on the bracket and spring-biased toward the pick roller. A separator pad is disposed on the bracket and spring-biased toward the pick roller. A press plate is positioned on the bracket and presses against the separator pad. A torsion spring mounted above the press plate has at least two coil portions. Two adjacent ends of the coil portions extend toward the same side and then joint each other to form a contact portion which always props the upper frame. Two ends of the torsion spring have a retaining arm respectively. The two retaining arms are opposite each other and pivotally engage to two sides of the press plate respectively. The torsion spring is compressed by the press plate when the sheets push the separator pad and pushes the press plate and the separator pad to be reposition after the lowermost one of the sheets is separated.