Medium supply device and image forming apparatus

A medium supply device that is configured to be attached to an image forming apparatus body including a medium separating mechanism, the medium supply device comprising:

• a medium conveying mechanism that supplies a recording medium from stacked recording media to a predetermined position;
• and
• a first mechanism that reduces a braking force generated in the medium separating mechanism
• a first frame unit that supports the medium conveying mechanism and is configured to be attached to the image forming apparatus body, wherein:
• the medium separating mechanism includes first and second rollers, each rotatable about a respective central axis thereof, and whose outer peripheral surfaces are in contact with each other,
• the first mechanism is a pressing mechanism that applies a first force to the second roller, thereby causing the second roller to press against the first roller, and
• the pressing mechanism includes
• a support shaft rotatably supported on the first frame unit,
• a lever member fixed to the support shaft and having a first end from which the first force is transmitted to the second roller and a second end that receives a second force for generating the first force, and
• an elastic member that applies the second force to the second end.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image forming apparatus body including a medium separating mechanism which comprises a first and a second roller;
• and
• a medium supply device attached to the image forming apparatus body, wherein the medium supply device includes a medium conveying mechanism configured to supply a recording medium from stacked recording media, through a position between the first and second rollers and to a predetermined position, and
• a pressing mechanism applying a first force to the second roller and causing the second roller to press against the first roller,
• wherein when a pressing force of the second roller acting on the first roller is increased by the pressing mechanism, a braking force exerted by the second roller on the recording medium decreases.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image forming apparatus body including a medium separating mechanism;
• and
• a medium supply device attached to the image forming apparatus body, wherein the medium supply device includes a medium conveying mechanism that supplies a recording medium from stacked recording media to a predetermined position, and a first mechanism that reduces a braking force generated in the medium separating mechanism, and a first frame unit that supports the medium conveying mechanism and is configured to be attached to the image forming apparatus body, wherein:
• the medium separating mechanism includes first and second rollers, each rotatable about a respective central axis thereof, and whose outer peripheral surfaces are in contact with each other,
• the first mechanism is a pressing mechanism that applies a first force to the second roller, thereby causing the second roller to press against the first roller, and
• the pressing mechanism includes
• a support shaft rotatably supported on the first frame unit,
• a lever member fixed to the support shaft and having a first end from which the first force is transmitted to the second roller and a second end that receives a second force for generating the first force, and
• an elastic member that applies the second force to the second end.