# US 9,738,471 B2 · Automatic document feeder and image forming apparatus including the same

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- Number: US 9,738,471 B2
- Document ID: US9738471B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/036,532
- Filed: 2015-04-10
- Published: 2016-10-13
- Granted: 2017-08-22
- Earliest claimed: 2014-05-30
- Assignees: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
- Applicants: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
- Inventors: Toru Nakayama
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9738471B2

## CPC

- B65H 5/068: {between one or more rollers or balls and stationary pressing, supporting or guiding elements}
- B65H 5/06: by rollers {or balls, e.g. between rollers (transport by suction rollers B65H5/226)}
- B65H 5/062: {between rollers or balls}
- G03G 15/00: Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern (G03G16/00, G03G17/00 take precedence)
- G03G 15/602: {for transporting}
- G03G 15/6508: {Automatic supply devices interacting with the rest of the apparatus, e.g. selection of a specific cassette (matching the image with the size of the copy material G03G15/5095)}
- G03G 21/1633: {using doors or covers (G03G21/1638 takes precedence)}
- G03G 21/1638: {directed to paper handling or jam treatment}
- H04N 1/00: Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N 1/00543: {Allowing easy access, e.g. for maintenance or in case of paper jam (H04N1/00538 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/00551: {Top covers or the like}
- H04N 1/00554: {Latches or hinges therefor}
- H04N 1/00588: {to the scanning position (H04N1/00572, H04N1/00594 take precedence)}
- G03G 2215/00189: original moving
- H04N 2201/0081: Image reader (H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence)
- H04N 2201/0091: Digital copier; digital 'photocopier' (H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence)
- B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

An automatic document feeder (300) includes a housing (301), conveyance roller pairs (313 to 317), and a pressure releasing mechanism. The housing (301) is openably/closably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus. The conveyance roller pairs (313 to 317) pinch an original document sheet with pressure and feed the original document sheet. The pressure releasing mechanism detaches one rollers (313b to 317b) of the conveyance roller pairs (313 to 317) from the other rollers (313a to 317a) in conjunction with an operation of opening the housing 301 against the main body.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An automatic document feeder, comprising:
a housing openably and closably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus;
a conveyance roller pair configured to pinch an original document sheet with pressure and feed the original document sheet;
a pressure releasing mechanism configured to reduce a pinching pressure of the conveyance roller pair or detach one roller of the conveyance roller pair from the other roller in conjunction with an operation of opening the housing against the main body; and
a hinge portion openably and closably connecting the housing to the main body, wherein
the pressure releasing mechanism includes an axis moving member that is slidably supported inside the housing and has an elongated hole formed therein for guiding an axis of one roller of the conveyance roller pair, and
the axis moving member slides in conjunction with an operation of the hinge portion, in opening the housing against the main body, to reduce the pinching pressure of the conveyance roller pair, or detach one roller of the conveyance roller pair from the other roller.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein
the pressure releasing mechanism includes a projecting member provided on the hinge portion, and
the projecting member projects from the hinge portion when the housing is opened against the main body.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The automatic document feeder according to claim 2, wherein
the axis moving member slides when the projecting member projects from the hinge portion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The automatic document feeder according to claim 3, wherein
the pressure releasing mechanism further includes a cam portion provided in the axis moving member and engaged with the projecting member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

An image forming apparatus, comprising:
the automatic document feeder according claim 1; and
the main body, wherein
the main body includes a document reading section reading an image from an original document sheet fed by the automatic document feeder, and forms an image on a recording medium on the basis of a signal generated by the document reading section.