Sheet separation method and sheet separation mechanism for automatic document feeder (adf)

Abstract

A sheet separation method for an automatic document feeder (ADF) is provided. The ADF includes a sheet tray for supporting sheets, and a sheet separation surface for separating the sheets. A sheet separation angle is formed between the sheet separation surface and a placement surface of the sheet tray, and the sheet separation method comprises the steps of: (a) determining the characteristics of the sheets; and (b) adjusting the angle according to the characteristics of the sheets.

1 . A sheet separation method for an automatic document feeder (ADF), wherein the ADF comprises a sheet tray for supporting sheets and a sheet separation surface for separating the sheets, a sheet separation angle is formed between the sheet separation surface and a placement surface of the sheet tray, and the sheet separation method comprises the steps of: (a) determining the characteristics of the sheets; and (b) adjusting the angle according to the characteristics of the sheets. 
     
     
         2 . The sheet separation method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ADF further comprises a sheet separation plate obliquely disposed corresponding to the sheet tray for forming the sheet separation surface, and the sheet separation method in step(b) further comprises: driving the sheet separation plate for adjusting the angle. 
     
     
         3 . The sheet separation method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ADF further comprises a sheet separation plate obliquely disposed corresponding to the sheet tray for forming the sheet separation surface, and the sheet separation method in step(b) further comprises: manually driving the sheet separation plate for adjusting the angle. 
     
     
         4 . The sheet separation method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ADF is used in image processing device including a user interface, and the sheet separation method in step (a) further comprises: utiliting the user interface to set the characteristics of the sheets. 
     
     
         5 . The sheet separation method according to  claim 4 , wherein the ADF further comprises a sheet separation plate forming the sheet separation surface, and the sheet separation method in step (b) further comprises: driving the sheet separation plate or the sheet tray for adjusting the angle. 
     
     
         6 . A sheet separation mechanism for transporting sheets on an automatic document feeder (ADF), wherein the sheet separation mechanism comprises:
 a sheet tray having a placement surface for supporting the sheets;   a sheet separation surface moveably associated with the sheet tray, wherein a sheet separation angle is formed between the sheet separation surface and the placement surface according to the characteristics of the sheets.   
     
     
         7 . The sheet separation mechanism according to  claim 6 , wherein the sheet separation mechanism further comprises a sheet separation plate forming the sheet separation surface and a driving mechanism coupled to the sheet separation plate for adjusting the angle. 
     
     
         8 . The sheet separation mechanism according to  claim 7 , wherein the driving mechanism is coupleded to a rotation grip, and the angle between the sheet separation surface and the placement surface is changed using the rotation grip. 
     
     
         9 . The sheet separation mechanism according to  claim 7 , wherein the ADF comprises a sheet thickness detector and a control unit which controls the driving mechanism to change the angle between the sheet separation surface and the placement surface according to detected thicknesses of the sheets by the detector. 
     
     
         10 . The sheet separation mechanism according to  claim 6 , wherein a sheet feeding roller is disposed on the sheet tray, and the sheet separation surface is disposed on a front end of the sheet tray in a sheet feeding direction. 
     
     
         11 . The sheet separation mechanism according to  claim 6 , wherein the sheet separation mechanism can be adapted to a fax machine, a scanner, a copier or a printer. 
     
     
         12 . The sheet separation mechanism according to  claim 6 , wherein the sheet tray is moveably disposed, and a driving mechanism is coupled to the sheet tray for adjusting the angle. 
     
     
         13 . The sheet separation mechanism according to  claim 6 , wherein the characteristics of the sheets includes thicknesses of the sheets. 
     
     
         14 . A sheet separation mechanism, comprising:
 a sheet tray having a placement surface for supporting sheets;   a sheet separation plate having a separation surface for separating the sheets, wherein a sheet separation angle is formed between the separation surface and the placement surface; and   a driving mechanism coupled to one of the sheet tray and the sheet separation plate for changing the angle according to thicknesses of the sheets.   
     
     
         15 . The sheet separation mechanism according to  claim 14 , wherein the sheet separation mechanism is used in image processing device including a user interface and a control unit, wherein the user interface is used for setting the thicknesses of the sheets, and the driving mechanism is driven by the control unit according to the thicknesses of the sheets in the user interface.