Patent Publication Number: US-7584956-B2

Title: Image forming apparatus, sheet size detection device, and sheet size detection method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-213943 filed on Aug. 20, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present patent application relates to a sheet size detection device and method for detecting multiple sheet sizes, and an image forming apparatus, such as a multifunctional machine including at least one of a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a plotter, that includes the sheet size detection device and employs the sheet detection method. 
     2. Discussion of the Background Art 
     According to a background technique, a machine is caused to recognize the sizes of recording sheets stacked on a tray thereof on the basis of a manual operation performed by an operator. In the event of an operating error on the part of the operator, however, the machine cannot check the error. As a result, a failure such as a paper jam occurs. 
     Even in a machine provided with a tray capable of detecting the sheet sizes, if the detection is based on a method of detecting the sheet sizes only in a sheet conveyance direction, the detectable sheet sizes are limited. Meanwhile, there are mechanisms which detect the sheet sizes both in the sheet conveyance direction and a sheet width direction. Such mechanisms, however, only provide a general indication of the sheet sizes. Consequently, the detectable sheet sizes are limited, or the costs are increased due to multiple sensors provided to precision detection of the sheet sizes. 
     In the event of an error in the detection of a sheet size, even if a paper jam does not occur, an image forming unit performs such processes as the transfer of a toner image and the cleaning of toner remaining after the transfer process, in an area larger than the area of a recording sheet. As a result, a process cartridge is consumed more quickly and thus replaced more frequently. In other words, the life of the process cartridge is shortened. 
     In the control of a sheet feeding and separating unit, a situation is assumed in which the sheet size is unknown or the sheet size has been erroneously set. Therefore, it is necessary to bring forward the timing of stopping the drive of a feed roller included in the sheet feeding and separating unit. As a result, a sheet slip suppressing area is reduced, and the accuracy of sheet conveyance is degraded. Such deterioration affects productivity. 
     There are known sheet size detection devices for preventing the above-described undesirable phenomena attributable to operator error. Each of the background devices includes side fences and an end fence each slidable and positioned according to the sheet size, two levers interlocking with the side fences and the end fence, respectively, and a detection sensor including multiple push switch elements. 
     Each of the levers includes a concavo-convex pattern used for the recognition of the sheet sizes. The levers are superimposed to have the same center of rotation and the same locus formed by the leading end of the concavo-convex pattern away from the center of rotation. The thus-superimposed concavo-convex patterns form a combined concavo-convex pattern for selectively pressing the multiple push switch elements. With this configuration, multiple sheet sizes can be detected. 
     Along with the diversification of sheet sizes in the market, however, the possibility of erroneous recognition of the sheet sizes has been increasing, and a more minute concavo-convex pattern of the levers has been increasingly required. Further, greater accuracy of the operation performed by the operator is also required. 
     In an area of the concavo-convex pattern in which adjacent convex portions are closely located near each other, even a slight positional displacement of the side fences and the end fence can cause a change or a shift in the overall combined concavo-convex pattern. As a result, there is a risk of erroneous recognition of the sheet size. 
     Therefore, each of the fences needs to be accurately set at the position for the intended sheet size. Further, accuracy is constantly required in the sheet setting operation performed by the operator. In view of the above issue, it is conceivable to lower the detection accuracy by increasing the distance between the adjacent convex portions of the concavo-convex pattern. In such a case, however, the number of detectable sheet sizes is reduced. 
     According to one known sheet size detection device, a sheet feeding tray includes a member for locking, at a determined position, each of the fences serving as regulating members. However, it is easily predictable that the operator may forget to perform the locking operation. 
     If the operator forgets to perform the locking operation, the possibility of erroneous detection caused by the positional displacement of the fences is increased due to such factors as the shock caused in the attachment of the sheet feeding tray to the body of an image forming apparatus, the vibration occurring in an image forming operation, and the shock caused by unexpected external force exerted on the sheet feeding tray or the body of the image forming apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This patent specification describes an image forming apparatus. In one example, a sheet size detection device detects multiple sheet sizes, and includes a sheet width direction regulating member, a sheet conveyance direction regulating member, two levers, a detection sensor, and a pattern supplementing device. The sheet width direction regulating member is slidable and positioned in accordance with the sheet size of a recording sheet to regulate a sheet width direction. The sheet conveyance direction regulating member is slidable and positioned in accordance with the sheet size of the recording sheet to regulate a sheet conveyance direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet width direction. The two levers each have a concavo-convex pattern, interlock with the sheet width direction regulating member and the sheet conveyance direction regulating member, respectively, and are superimposed in a sheet stacking direction to have the same center of rotation and the same locus formed by a leading end of the concavo-convex pattern away from the center of rotation. The concavo-convex pattern of at least one of the levers is shaped to prevent, in a particular detection pattern, erroneous detection attributed to positional displacement of the concavo-convex pattern. The detection sensor includes multiple push switches to detect the sheet size of the recording sheet in accordance with a combined concavo-convex pattern formed by the superimposed levers to selectively press the push switches. The pattern supplementing device supplements the concavo-convex pattern of the at least one lever to prevent, in another detection pattern, erroneous detection attributed to the shaping of the concavo-convex pattern for preventing the erroneous detection attributed to the positional displacement of the concavo-convex pattern with respect to the push switches. 
     This patent specification further describes a sheet size detection device. In one example, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism configured to form an image on a recording sheet, and a sheet size detection device configured to detect multiple sheet sizes. The sheet size detection device includes a sheet width direction regulating member, a sheet conveyance direction regulating member, two levers, a detection sensor, and a pattern supplementing device. The sheet width direction regulating member is slidable and positioned in accordance with the sheet size of the recording sheet to regulate a sheet width direction. The sheet conveyance direction regulating member is slidable and positioned in accordance with the sheet size of the recording sheet to regulate a sheet conveyance direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet width direction. The two levers each have a concavo-convex pattern, interlock with the sheet width direction regulating member and the sheet conveyance direction regulating member, respectively, and are superimposed in a sheet stacking direction to have the same center of rotation and the same locus formed by a leading end of the concavo-convex pattern away from the center of rotation. The concavo-convex pattern of at least one of the levers is shaped to prevent, in a particular detection pattern, erroneous detection attributed to positional displacement of the concavo-convex pattern. The detection sensor includes multiple push switches to detect the sheet size of the recording sheet in accordance with a combined concavo-convex pattern formed by the superimposed levers to selectively press the push switches. The pattern supplementing device supplements the concavo-convex pattern of the at least one lever to prevent, in another detection pattern, erroneous detection attributed to the shaping of the concavo-convex pattern for preventing the erroneous detection attributed to the positional displacement of the concavo-convex pattern with respect to the push switches. 
     This patent specification further describes a sheet size detection method. In one example, a sheet size detection method detects multiple sheet sizes, and includes: forming a concavo-convex pattern in each of two levers such that the concavo-convex pattern of at least one of the levers is shaped to prevent, in a particular detection pattern, erroneous detection attributed to positional displacement of the concavo-convex pattern with respect to multiple push switches forming a detection sensor; superimposing the levers in a sheet stacking direction such that the levers have the same center of rotation and the same locus formed by a leading end of the concavo-convex pattern away from the center of rotation; regulating a sheet width direction in accordance with the sheet size of a recording sheet; regulating a sheet conveyance direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet width direction in accordance with the sheet size of the recording sheet; supplementing, when necessary, the concavo-convex pattern of the at least one lever to prevent, in another detection pattern, erroneous detection attributed to the shaping of the concavo-convex pattern of the at least one lever; and detecting the sheet size of the recording sheet in accordance with a combined concavo-convex pattern formed by the superimposed levers to selectively press the push switches. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the present patent application and many of the advantages thereof are obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sheet feeding tray provided with a sheet size detection device according to a first example embodiment of the present patent application; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the sheet feeding tray after the attachment thereof to the body of an image forming apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the sheet feeding tray immediately before the attachment thereof to the body of the image forming apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating a combined concavo-convex pattern formed by the concavo-convex patterns of respective levers; 
         FIG. 5A  is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the combined concavo-convex pattern and a detection sensor, particularly illustrating an enlarged view of an encircled portion of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the combined concavo-convex pattern and the detection sensor, particularly illustrating the relationship between the width or height of a push switch and the width or height of the combined concavo-convex pattern; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating interlocking displacement of the respective levers occurring when an end fence and side fences are moved; 
         FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view of essential parts of the sheet feeding tray, illustrating the positional relationship of the levers in the vertical direction; 
         FIG. 8  is a longitudinal sectional view of essential parts of the sheet feeding tray in the vicinity of the end fence; 
         FIG. 9  is a table illustrating the relationships between the sheet sizes and the concavo-convex patterns and so forth; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a pressed state of push switches in a combined concavo-convex pattern for an A4Y sheet size; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating a pressed state of push switches in a combined concavo-convex pattern for a 12-inch by 18-inch sheet size; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating a pressed state of push switches in a combined concavo-convex pattern obtained in the erroneous setting of the A4Y sheet size; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating a method of preventing the erroneous setting of the A4Y sheet size, wherein a convex portion is removed; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating a side effect caused by the removal of the convex portion; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating a configuration using a pattern supplementing device to prevent the side effect caused by the removal of the convex portion; 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view illustrating a pattern supplementing device according to a second example embodiment of the present patent application as viewed from the back side of the sheet feeding tray, particularly illustrating the pattern supplementing device before a supplementing operation; 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of the pattern supplementing device; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the pattern supplementing device at a supplementing position, as viewed from the back side of the sheet feeding tray; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view illustrating a sheet separating configuration of a sheet feeding device; and 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In describing the example embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the purpose of clarity. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so used, and it is to be understood that substitutions for each specific element can include any technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner. 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, particularly to  FIGS. 1 to 15 , description will be first made of a first example embodiment of the present patent application. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a sheet feeding tray  23  serving as a tray from which a recording sheet (a recording medium) is fed and sent out. Side fences  54  and an end fence  52  regulate a sheet bundle  53  of recording sheets to prevent positional displacement of the sheet bundle  53 . Each of the side fences  54  is slidingly movable, and serves as a sheet width direction regulating member. The end fence  52  is also slidingly movable, and serves as a sheet conveyance direction regulating member. 
     The body of an image forming apparatus (not illustrated) includes a sheet size detection sensor (hereinafter referred to as the detection sensor),  51 , which is provided independently of the sheet feeding tray  23  and includes multiple push switches later described. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate a detailed configuration of the sheet feeding tray  23 .  FIGS. 4 ,  5 A, and  5 B illustrate in detail an interlocking mechanism of the side fences  54  (hereinafter referred to as the side fences  54   a  and  54   b ), the end fence  52 , and levers  1  and  2  each including a concavo-convex pattern. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the sheet feeding tray  23 , the side fences  54   a  and  54   b , the end fence  52 , the detection sensor  51 , and the levers  1  and  2 . The sheet feeding tray  23  includes a bottom plate  5 , and is formed with long holes  70  and  73 . The side fence  54   a  includes a side fence interlocking shaft  4 . The end fence  52  includes an end fence interlocking shaft  3 . The levers  1  and  2  include a center of rotation  11  and a groove  57 . The lever  1  is formed with a long hole  74 , and the lever  2  is formed with a long hole  71 . The detection sensor  51  is provided on a side plate  55  of the body of the image forming apparatus (not illustrated). The side fences  54   a  and  54   b  are provided with racks  7  and  8  and a pinion gear  9 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the sheet feeding tray  23  includes the bottom plate  5  for elevating the recording sheets of the sheet bundle  53  (not illustrated) stacked thereon to an arbitrary position. As described above, the sheet bundle  53  is regulated in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction by the slidable side fences  54   a  and  54   b , and is regulated in the sheet conveyance direction by the slidable end fence  52 . 
     The end fence interlocking shaft  3  located under the sheet feeding tray  23  is engaged in the long hole  71  of the lever  2  via the long hole  70  of the sheet feeding tray  23 . Along with the sliding movement of the end fence  52 , the end fence interlocking shaft  3  is moved in the long hole  71  of the lever  2  to rotationally move the lever  2  about the center of rotation  11  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  are moved in the sheet width direction by the racks  7  and  8  and the pinion gear  9  provided thereto. Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the side fence interlocking shaft  4  provided to the side fence  54   a  on the far side in the drawing is engaged in the long hole  74  of the lever  1  via the long hole  73  of the sheet feeding tray  23  extending in the sheet width direction. Along with the sliding movement of the side fences  54   a  and  54   b , the side fence interlocking shaft  4  is moved in the long hole  74  of the lever  1  to rotationally move the lever  1  about the center of rotation  11  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The end fence  52 , the side fences  54   a  and  54   b , the levers  1  and  2 , the detection sensor  51 , and so forth constitute a sheet size detection device. 
     If the sheet feeding tray  23  is attached to the body of the image forming apparatus in an insertion direction or a setting direction indicated by an arrow  6  in  FIG. 3 , the concavo-convex pattern formed on the leading end of each of the levers  1  and  2  faces and comes into pressure contact with the detection sensor  51  provided to the side plate  55  of the body of the image forming apparatus, not shown, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     In this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 5A  illustrating an enlarged view of an encircled portion L of  FIG. 4 , a combined concavo-convex pattern formed by the respective concavo-convex patterns of the levers  1  and  2  arbitrarily presses the push switches of the detection sensor  51 . As a result, an ON signal is emitted from the pressed push switches. In  FIG. 5A , a dotted portion corresponds to an overlapping portion of the levers  1  and  2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , each of the push switches (a push switch E is herein illustrated as an example) has a width w 1  in the vertical direction. The width w 1  is set to be greater than a width w 2  of the combined concavo-convex pattern formed by the levers  1  and  2 . 
       FIGS. 4 ,  5 A,  5 B, and  6  illustrate a change in convex and concave portions of the combined concavo-convex pattern for pressing the push switches of the detection sensor  51 . The change is caused by the movements of the levers  1  and  2  in accordance with the movements of the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  and the end fence  52 . As the two superimposed levers  1  and  2  are rotationally moved, a combination of the concavo-convex patterns of the levers  1  and  2  forms a combined concavo-convex pattern or a combined pattern for pressing the push switches of the detection sensor  51 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an overlapping configuration of the two levers  1  and  2 . In the sectional view of the sheet feeding tray  23 , the levers  1  and  2  are configured such that the side fence interlocking shaft  4  of the side fence  54   a  on the far side of the drawing interlocks with the lever  1 , and that the lever  1  is superimposed on the lever  2 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a configuration in which the lever  2  interlocks with the end fence interlocking shaft  3  of the end fence  52 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates combinations of the concavo-convex patterns of the levers  1  and  2 . In the table of  FIG. 9 , A to E represent the push switches or the push switch elements of the detection sensor  51  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In the table, the value 0 represents the OFF state in which the switch is not pressed, i.e., the switch faces a concave portion of the combined concavo-convex pattern, while the value 1 represents the ON state in which the switch is pressed, i.e., the switch faces a convex portion of the combined concavo-convex pattern. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , in the formation of the concave and convex portions by the levers  1  and  2 , it is difficult to make the concave and convex portions constantly fit with the intervals of the push switches of the detection sensor  51 . As indicated by an arrow  10 , therefore, an end portion of the concavo-convex pattern of the lever  2  may fail to come into contact with a push switch C by a small margin, for example. 
     In this case, however, the intervals of the push switches produced in the mass production do not always cause the contact failure between the push switch C and the corresponding convex portion. Thus, a configuration can be formed in which the concavo-convex pattern of the lever  1  presses the push switch C to enable mutual supplementation between the concavo-convex pattern of the lever  1  and the concavo-convex pattern of the lever  2 . 
     If the types of the detectable sheet sizes are increased, however, the distance between adjacent convex portions of the concavo-convex patterns is reduced. As a result, if the setting of the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  is not sufficiently accurate, e.g., if the width between the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  is increased due to a setting error caused by an operator, the misalignment of the sheet bundle  53 , the shock caused in the setting of the sheet feeding tray  23 , and so forth, a detection pattern may become different from the information of the actually set recording sheet. Herein, the detection pattern refers to the combined concavo-convex pattern obtained in a state in which there is no positional displacement in the respective positioning fences, i.e., the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  and the end fence  52 , corresponding to the sheet size. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in the detection of a generally frequently used sheet size of A4Y, the concavo-convex pattern corresponding to the lever  1  interlocking with the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  is 11000, and the concavo-convex pattern corresponding to the lever  2  interlocking with the end fence  52  is 11000. From the combination of the above concavo-convex patterns, a detection signal having a value 10000 is synthesized. 
     It is now assumed that the positions of the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  have been shifted for some reason from the side fence positions for the width of the A4Y sheet size, which is 297 millimeters, to the side fence positions for the width of a 12-inch sheet size, which is 305 millimeters, one size larger than the A4Y sheet size. In this case, as observed from  FIG. 9 , the concavo-convex pattern corresponding to the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  shifts from 11000 to 10001. As a result, a detection signal having a value 11001 is synthesized from the concavo-convex pattern 10001 corresponding to the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  and the concavo-convex pattern 11000 corresponding to the end fence  52 . 
     The thus obtained concavo-convex pattern 11001 corresponds to the detection pattern of an A3 sheet size. However, the actually set recording sheet has the A4Y sheet size. Therefore, if the operation of feeding the recording sheet is performed in this state, a paper jam is caused. Even if the paper jam does not occur, an image forming unit performs, in an area larger than the area of the recording sheet, such processes as the transfer of a toner image and the cleaning of toner remaining after the transfer process. Therefore, a process cartridge is replaced more frequently, and the life of the process cartridge is shortened. 
     In a system such as a color image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer belt, an image writing process may start before the sheet feeding operation starts. In this case, if the paper jam occurs due to the erroneous sheet size detection, the image in the writing process is discarded. As a result, wasteful toner consumption and the cleaning operation of the respective parts are inevitable. 
     The present patent application prevents the erroneous detection even in the event of the above-described accidental failure such as the setting error. 
     Subsequently, the sheet size detection device according to the present example embodiment will be described in detail on the basis of  FIGS. 10 to 15 . In the present example embodiment, the prevention of the above-described erroneous detection of the A4Y sheet size will be described as an example.  FIG. 10  illustrates a state in which the A4Y sheet size is normally set. In the drawing, the levers  1  and  2  are indicated by a solid line and a broken line, respectively, for distinction therebetween. Further, for easier understanding, the levers  1  and  2  are illustrated with the positions thereof slightly displaced from each other. 
     In the present example, the combined detection pattern, i.e., the combined concavo-convex pattern is 11000. That is, the push switches A, B, C, D, and E have the values 1, 1, 0, 0, and 0, respectively. It is now assumed that the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  have been moved or displaced slightly outwardly for some reason. It is further assumed that the side fence positions have been shifted to side fence positions for a standard sheet size one size larger than the A4Y sheet size, i.e., that each of the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  has been fit in a notch device (not illustrated) set to the 12-inch width. In this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the lever  1  is rotationally moved in the direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing, i.e., the lever  1  shifts from the position indicated by an alternate long and two short dashes line to the position indicated by a solid line. As a result, a combined concavo-convex pattern 11001 is obtained. 
     Herein, it is assumed that the lever  2  corresponding to the end fence  52  has a fixed concavo-convex pattern 11000. This is due to the following reason. That is, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , it is assumed in the present example embodiment that the setting direction of the sheet feeding tray  23  indicated by the arrow  6  is the same as the sliding direction of the side fences  54   a  and  54   b . Therefore, there is a relatively high possibility that the width between the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  may be increased due to the shock caused in the setting of the sheet feeding tray  23  to the body of the image forming apparatus, as compared with a relatively low possibility of positional displacement occurring in the end fence  52 . 
     For the recognition of the A4Y sheet size, however, each of the push switches C, D, and E needs to have the bit  0  with respect to the concavo-convex pattern of the lever  1  corresponding to the side fences  54   a  and  54   b . That is, a hatched portion  75  illustrated in  FIG. 13  is an unnecessary convex portion causing the erroneous detection. 
     In the present example, if the unnecessary hatched portion  75  is removed from the lever  1  corresponding to the side fences  54   a  and  54   b , i.e., if the width in the rotation direction of the convex portion of the lever  1  is reduced, a shift from the concavo-convex pattern 10001 to the concavo-convex pattern 10000 can be easily attained. Such modification, however, conversely prevents the detection of the 12-inch width. 
     In the above case, if the standard sheet size having the 12-inch width is the 12-inch by 18-inch sheet size, the correct combined concavo-convex pattern is 11111, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , however, the correct combined concavo-convex pattern 11111 is shifted to the incorrect combined concavo-convex pattern 11110 due to the combination of the concavo-convex pattern 11110 corresponding to the end fence  52  and the concavo-convex pattern 10000 corresponding to the side fences  54   a  and  54   b , which has been shifted from 10001. The thus shifted concavo-convex pattern corresponds to the combined concavo-convex pattern of an HLTY sheet size in the row number ten of  FIG. 9 . As a result, the sheet size is erroneously recognized as the smallest sheet size of HLTY in the fence setting for the largest sheet size of 12 inches by 18 inches. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , therefore, to prevent the erroneous detection as the side effect caused by the removal of the convex portion, a pattern supplementing device  56  is provided to the lever  2  corresponding to the end fence  52  which regulates the longitudinal direction. The pattern supplementing device  56  is operated only when the end fence  52  is set at the 18-inch position. With this configuration, the desired combined pattern 11111 in the row number one of  FIG. 9  is obtained. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the pattern supplementing device  56  includes a supplementing plate  56   b  and a torsion spring  56   c . The supplementing plate  56   b  is a band plate-like member swingably or rotatably supported by a rotation fulcrum  56   a  provided to the lever  2  corresponding to the end fence  52 . The torsion spring  56   c  is a biasing member for biasing the supplementing plate  56   b  to prevent the erroneous detection due to the positional displacement. 
     The torsion spring  56   c  is fit and attached to the rotation fulcrum  56   a . One free end of the torsion spring  56   c  at a lower position in the drawing is fixed onto the lever  2 . The other free end of the torsion spring  56   c  is in contact with the supplementing plate  56   b . With this configuration, the supplementing plate  56   b  is constantly biased in the direction indicated by an arrow N, and stays at a normal standby position indicated by an alternate long and short dash line, i.e., the position at which the supplementing plate  56   b  prevents the erroneous detection due to the positional displacement. The standby position is determined by a stopper  59 . 
     The bottom surface of the sheet feeding tray  23  is provided with a projection  58  serving as a supplementing plate drive member not interfering with the two levers  1  and  2 . In the present example, the levers  1  and  2  are formed with the groove  57  extending along the locus of the rotational movement of the levers  1  and  2 , and the projection  58  is inserted through and engaged with the groove  57 . 
     Along with the movement in the direction indicated by an arrow H of the lever  2  interlocking with the positioning movement of the end fence  52 , the projection  58  comes into contact with a rear end portion of the supplementing plate  56   b . Then, the supplementing plate  56   b  is rotationally moved in the direction indicated by an arrow G to be set at a supplementing position indicated by a solid line. 
     In the state in which the supplementing plate  56   b  is set at the supplementing position, a leading end portion of the supplementing plate  56   b  facing the detection sensor  51  acts on the convex portion of the lever  1  to supplement the removed hatched portion  75 . 
     With the above configuration, the supplementing plate  56   b  can be rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow G at desired timing, i.e., at a desired position, and the leading end portion of the supplementing plate  56   b  is set at the position for pressing the push switch E. 
     Accordingly, the pattern supplementation causing the shift in the combined concavo-convex pattern from 11110 to 11111 can be performed only when the end fence  52  is set at the 18-inch position, i.e., the most outward position. 
     Subsequently, a second example embodiment of the present patent application will be described on the basis of  FIGS. 16 to 18 . In the present example embodiment, the same members as the members of the first example embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals. Further, description of the already described configurations and functions will be omitted, unless particularly necessary, and only essential parts of the present example embodiment will be described. 
     In the first example embodiment, the supplementing plate  56   b  is the elongated plate-like member disposed on the upper surface of the lever  2  between the levers  1  and  2 . In the present example embodiment, the pattern supplementing device is formed by a single member into a compact shape and disposed on the lower surface of the lever  2 . 
     As illustrated in the diagram of  FIG. 17  illustrating the sheet feeding tray  23  as viewed from the back side, a pattern supplementing device  76  of the present example embodiment includes a supplementing plate  76   b  and a spring portion  76   c . The supplementing plate  76   b  is rotatably and axially supported by a rotation fulcrum  76   a  formed integrally with the lower surface of the lever  2 , and integrally includes a supplementing portion  76   b - 1  and a driven portion  76   b - 2 . The supplementing portion  76   b - 1  corresponds to the leading end portion of the supplementing plate  56   b , and the driven portion  76   b - 2  corresponds to a rear end portion of the supplementing plate  56   b . The spring portion  76   c  serves as a biasing member. The above members are integrally formed of a resilient plate material, e.g., a plate spring by press working or the like. The sheet feeding tray  23  is provided with the projection  58  for driving the supplementing plate  76   b  at predetermined timing. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a state in which the supplementing plate  76   b  is set at a standby position by the biasing force of the spring portion  76   c . As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , as the end fence  52  moves to the 18-inch position, the lever  2  is rotationally moved in the direction indicated by an arrow “a”. Then, the driven portion  76   b - 2  is hit by a point K, and the supplementing plate  76   b  is rotationally moved in the direction indicated by an arrow “b”. Thereby, the supplementing portion  76   b - 1  faces the push switch E to perform the pattern supplementation. 
     The pattern supplementing device  76  of the present example embodiment can be formed into a compact shape and disposed in a small space on the back surface of the lever  2 . Therefore, the pattern supplementing device  76  can be more easily assembled than the pattern supplementing device  56  provided between the levers  1  and  2 . Further, as described above, the pattern supplementing device  76  can be integrally formed of a resilient plate material, e.g., a plate spring. Thus, the production costs can be reduced. 
     In the configurations of the example embodiments described above, the pattern supplementing device  56  or  76  is provided to the lever  2  corresponding to the end fence  52  on the basis of the fact that the positional displacement is larger in the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  which regulate the insertion direction of the sheet feeding tray  23 . The setting of the pattern supplementing device  56  or  76 , however, is not limited thereto. Thus, if at least one pattern supplementing device is provided to either or both of the levers  1  and  2  to obtain desired patterns, responses to a variety of situations can be provided. 
     If the insertion direction of the sheet feeding tray  23  is regulated by the end fence  52 , the pattern supplementing device may be provided to the lever  1  corresponding to the side fences  54   a  and  54   b . Further, the lever of the fence provided with the pattern supplementing device may be determined on the basis of the difference in the slide pitch, i.e., the positioning pitch between the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  and the end fence  52 . This is based on a tendency of the positional displacement to occur in a fence having a small slide pitch. 
     In the configurations of the example embodiments described above, the projection  58  serving as the supplementing plate drive member for driving the supplementing plate  56   b  or  76   b  is provided to the sheet feeding tray  23 . Alternatively, the supplementing plate drive member may be provided to the body of the image forming apparatus. For example, a stick-like member fixed to the body of the image forming apparatus and horizontally extending between the levers  1  and  2  can drive the supplementing plate  56   b  or  76   b.    
     Further, the pattern supplementing device  56  or  76  may be provided to the body of the image forming apparatus. In this case, the pattern supplementing device  56  or  76  may be configured to operate in an interlocking manner with the operation of the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  or the end fence  52 , or to operate independently of the operation of the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  or the end fence  52 . 
     Further, the pattern supplementing device  56  or  76  may be configured to be manually switched on and off. If the pattern supplementing device  56  or  76  is set only when the 12-inch by 18-inch sheet size is used, functions similar to the functions described above can be obtained. In this case, if the first example embodiment is used, the pattern supplementing device  56  is provided to the lever  1  corresponding to the side fences  54   a  and  54   b  and having the concavo-convex pattern including the removed convex portion. Further, if the rotation fulcrum  56   a  of the pattern supplementing device  56  is provided on the lever  1 , a more compact configuration can be provided. Furthermore, even if the moving distance of the lever  1  is short, i.e., even if the stroke of the lever  1  is short, the supplementing plate  56   b  can be rotationally moved in a reliable and prompt manner. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a sheet separating, configuration of a sheet feeding device, to which the present patent application is applied. Description will be made of a sheet feeding device for separating and conveying recording sheets by nipping each of the recording sheets between a feed roller and a separating, member which comes into pressure contact with the feed roller, particularly of an FRR (Feed and Reverse Roller) separating device in the present example. The FRR separation device is a sheet feeding device capable of separating and conveying the recording sheets in a sheet-by-sheet manner on the basis of operations described below. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a feed roller  61 , a reverse roller  62 , a pick-up roller  63 , a spring  64 , and a torque limiter  70 . The reverse roller  62  is provided with a driven gear  62 A meshing with a drive gear  62 B. In  FIG. 19 , one of the stacked recording sheets (not illustrated) is guided to the feed roller  61  by the pick-up roller  63 . The feed roller  61  is rotated in a sheet feeding direction  68 , and is supplied with predetermined torque by the torque limiter  70  in the opposite direction to the sheet feeding direction  68 . The torque is supplied via the driven gear  62 A, which is provided to the shaft of the reverse roller  62  to mesh with the drive gear  62 B, by teeth surface pressure  67  acting between the drive gear  62 B and the driven gear  62 A and initial pressure. Along with the driving of the reverse roller  62  brought into pressure contact with the feed roller  61  by the force of a resilient member, i.e., the spring  64  in this example, the FRR separating device separates and conveys the recording sheets in a sheet-by-sheet manner. 
     In the sheet separating mechanism as described above, if the reverse roller  62  performs a sheet separating operation until the recording sheet passes through the nip between the feed roller  61  and the reverse roller  62 , the recording sheets can be prevented from being conveyed in an unseparated or overlapped manner due to adhesion between the recording sheets. If the feed roller  61  is stopped and the reverse roller  62  is driven, however, force in the opposite direction to the sheet feeding direction  68  is applied to the recording sheets due to the load of the torque limiter  70 . As a result, the slip of the recording sheets is increased. 
     In view of the above, the feed roller  61  is driven. However, if the feed roller  61  is not stopped before the recording sheet passes through the nip between the feed roller  61  and the reverse roller  62 , the subsequent recording sheet may also be conveyed. Thus, the feed roller  61  is stopped before the passage of the recording sheet through the nip. If the time point for stopping the feed roller  61  is precise, the slip of the recording sheets can be minimized due to the increase in the driving time of the feeding roller  61 . Therefore, if the sheet size is accurately detected, relatively highly accurate sheet conveyance can be performed. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a third example embodiment of the present patent application, in which an image forming apparatus  1000  includes the sheet feeding tray  23  described above. An image forming apparatus body  10  that is included in the image forming apparatus  1000  includes an image forming unit  100 . The image forming unit  100  includes an image carrying member or a photoconductor  11  formed over a drum member and surrounded by a charging device  12 , a development device  13 , a transfer and conveyance device  14 , a cleaning device  15 , and so forth. The image carrying member  11 , the transfer and conveyance device  14 , and the cleaning device  15  form a single unit, i.e., a process cartridge. 
     Further, a laser writing device  16  is provided above the image forming unit  100 . Although illustration is omitted, the laser writing device  16  includes a light source such as a laser diode, a rotary polygon mirror for scanning, a polygon motor, an optical scanning system including an f-theta lens and mirrors, and so forth. 
     On the left side of the cleaning device  15  in the drawing, a fixing device  17  is provided. The fixing device  17  includes a fixing roller  18  including a heater and a pressure roller  19  pressed from below against the fixing roller  18 . 
     The image forming apparatus body  10  further includes in a lower part thereof a duplex unit  22  and four vertically arranged sheet feeding trays or sheet feeding cassettes  23 . Each of the sheet feeding trays  23  stores recording sheets or sheet materials, such as paper sheets and OHP (Over Head Projector) sheets. The duplex unit  22  is connected to a sheet re-feeding path A. The sheet feeding trays  23  are connected to respective sheet supply paths B. The re-feeding path A and the sheet supply paths B lead to a common sheet feeding path C extending to a position under the image carrying member  11 . The duplex unit  22  forms a sheet reversing path E branching from an intermediate point of a sheet discharge path D extending from the exit of the fixing device  17 . 
     On the upper surface of the image forming apparatus body  10 , a contact glass  26  is provided on an image scanning unit  24 . Further, on the image forming apparatus body  10 , an automatic document conveying device  27  is openably and closably provided to cover the contact glass  26 . The automatic document conveying device  27  and an optical scanning device  20  form an image scanning device  200 . 
     On the right side of the image forming apparatus body  10  in the drawing, a manual sheet feeding tray  28  is openably and closably provided to guide a manually set recording sheet into the sheet feeding path C. Further, a mass sheet feeding device  30  is externally attached to the image forming apparatus body  10 . The mass sheet feeding device  30  stores a stack of recording sheets, and can raise and lower the recording sheets. 
     On the left side of the image forming apparatus body  10  in the drawing, a sheet post-processing device  31  is externally attached to the image forming apparatus body  10 . The sheet post-processing device  31  includes an upper tray  32  and a lower tray  33 . The sheet post-processing device  31  receives the recording sheet discharged through the sheet discharge path D. Then, the sheet post-processing device  31  directly discharges the recording sheet to the upper tray  32 , or performs post-processes such as stapling and punching on the recording sheet and discharges the processed recording sheet to the upper tray  32  or the lower tray  33 . 
     In a copying operation using the image forming apparatus as described above, an original document is set on the automatic document conveying device  27 , or is directly set on the contact glass  26  after the automatic document conveying device  27  is opened. Then, upon pressing of a start switch, not illustrated, the optical scanning device  20  starts scanning the document. 
     At the same time, an appropriate one of sheet feeding rollers  34  is rotated to send out a recording sheet from the corresponding one of the multiple sheet feeding trays  23  provided in the image forming apparatus body  10 . The thus sent out recording sheet is conveyed into the sheet feeding path C through the corresponding sheet supply path B, conveyed by the corresponding conveyance roller  35 , and hit and stopped by a registration roller pair  36 . The registration roller pair  36  is rotated at proper timing with the rotation of the image carrying member  11 , and the recording sheet is sent to the position under the image carrying member  11  of the image forming unit  100 . 
     Alternatively, a sheet feeding roller  37  is rotated to feed a recording sheet from the mass sheet feeding device  30 . Then, the recording sheet is conveyed into the sheet feeding path C through a sheet conveyance path F, conveyed by the corresponding conveyance roller  35 , and hit and stopped by the registration roller pair  36 . Still alternatively, a sheet feeding roller  38  provided in a manual sheet feeding unit is rotated. Then, a recording sheet set on the opened manual sheet feeding tray  28  is conveyed into the sheet feeding path C and hit and stopped by the registration roller pair  36  in a similar manner. The registration roller pair  36  is then rotated at proper timing with the rotation of the image carrying member  11 , and the recording sheet is sent to the position under the image carrying member  11  of the image forming unit  100 . 
     Meanwhile, upon pressing of the start switch (not illustrated), the image carrying member  11  of the image forming unit  100  is rotated in the clockwise direction in the drawing at the same time as the operations described above. As the image carrying member  11  is rotated, a surface of the image carrying member  11  is first uniformly charged by the charging device  12 , and then is applied with a laser beam in accordance with the data scanned by the optical scanning device  20 . Thereby, the writing process by the laser writing device  16  is performed. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the image carrying member  11 , and toner is adhered to the electrostatic latent image by the development device  13 . Thereby, the electrostatic latent image is developed into a visible toner image. 
     Then, in the transfer and conveyance device  14 , the visible toner image is transferred onto the recording sheet sent to the position under the image carrying member  11  as described above. After the transfer of the toner image, the cleaning device  15  cleans the surface of the image carrying member  11  by removing the toner remaining on the surface. Thereby, the image carrying member  11  is prepared for the next similar image forming operation. 
     After the transfer of the toner image, the recording sheet is conveyed into the fixing device  17  by the transfer and conveyance device  14 . In the fixing device  17 , the recording sheet is applied with heat and pressure by the fixing roller  18  and the pressure roller  19 . Thereby, the transferred toner image is fixed on the recording sheet. Thereafter, the recording sheet is discharged through the sheet discharge path D to the sheet post-processing device  31 . 
     In the formation of images on both surfaces of the recording sheet, the recording sheet is conveyed into the sheet reversing path E from an intermediate point of the sheet discharge path D and reversed and re-fed by the duplex unit  22 . Then, in the transfer and conveyance device  14 , another toner image formed on the image carrying member  11  is transferred onto the back surface of the recording sheet. Thereafter, the transferred toner image is fixed on the recording sheet in the fixing device  17 , and the recording sheet is discharged to the sheet post-processing device  31 . 
     The above-described example embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present patent application. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements at least one of features of different illustrative and example embodiments herein may be combined with each other at least one of substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims. Further, features of components of the example embodiments, such as the number, the position, and the shape, are not limited the example embodiments and thus may be preferably set. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure of this patent specification may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.