Patent ID: 7481421
Filing Date: 2009-01-27
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A sheet feeding apparatus comprising: a feeding tray on which a plurality of record sheets are set; a first feeding member that feeds at least an uppermost record sheet from the feeding tray; a second feeding member that feeds the uppermost record sheet fed by the first feeding member; a separating member, wherein a nip portion is formed between the separating member and the second feeding member, and when the uppermost record sheet and at least one of a next record sheets overlapping each other enter the nip portion, the separating member separates the entered at least one of the next record sheets from the entered uppermost record sheet; an adjusting unit that changes a force of the separating member acting on the entered at least one of the next record sheets; a detecting unit that detects a distance by which the entered at least one of the next record sheets is transported beyond the nip portion; and a controller that controls the adjusting unit based on a detection value of the detecting unit; wherein the detecting unit has a detecting arm that pivots in accordance with the distance, and the detecting unit detects the distance based on a pivoting angle of the detecting arm.