Pressing force adjustable roller unit, transport system of sheet member in image processing apparatus therewith and supply system of sheet member in image processing apparatus

Abstract

There are disclosed a pressing force adjustable roller unit, a sheet member or transport system in an image processing apparatus provided with the roller unit, and a sheet member supply system in which multi-transport can securely be prevented. In a holder to which a roller is attached via a holding shaft to move the roller in a load direction from a peripheral surface, a torsion spring is connected in a direction in which the holding shaft is pressed downward, a windup degree of a winding portion of the torsion spring is adjusted by engagement of an engaging arm projecting from the winding portion with a first or second stopper disposed on a holder side, and a roller pressing force can therefore be adjusted. There are also provided a hopper for piling sheets, a supply roller for picking up and feeding out the sheet, and a multi-transport preventing roller pair of a separation roller and a retard roller so that the hopper can vertically move with respect to the supply roller. When the sheet multi-transport is detected by a multi-transport detection sensor, disposed on an immediate downstream side of the separation roller and retard roller, for detecting the sheet multi-transport, the hopper is shifted in a downward direction apart from the supply roller, a nipping force between the separation roller and retard roller is reduced, and a retard roller rotation torque is increased.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.