# Rear paper loading mechanism

This mechanism feeds the paper set on the Hopper to the intermediate feeding mechanism. The retard separation method is used for paper separation.

#Rear feeding mechanism drive path

The rear feeding mechanism is driven by the ASF Motor. The ASF Motor's drive force is transmitted via the ASF Compound Gear B then through the Rear ASF Spur Gear, and rotates the LD Roller via the ASF Clutch Gear. The Hopper and the Paper Back Lever Right/Left are driven together by the cams on both the right and the left sides of the LD Roller.

Rear feeding operations by ASF Motor's rotational directions

The drive path from the ASF Motor to the rear feeding mechanism is partly the same (from the ASF Motor to the ASF Compound Gear) as that of the intermediate feeding mechanism.¹ Therefore, even the ASF Motor rotates counterclockwise (opposite to the paper feeding direction), the LD Roller rotates in the paper feeding direction.
Since the ASF Motor drives the pick-up mechanism and intermediate feeding mechanism, the ASF Clutch Gear and Rear ASF Solenoid Assy turn the drive force ON/OFF so that the LD Roller rotates during the rear feed only.

*1: See Intermediate feeding mechanism for the details.

#Operation of the rear feeding mechanism

This section explains the operation of rear feed and how the ASF Motor's drive force is controlled by the ASF Clutch Gear and Rear ASF Solenoid Assy.

Drive force control by the ASF Clutch Gear and Rear ASF Solenoid Assy

The Rear ASF Solenoid Assy controls the operation of the Change Lever by electrifying the Solenoid*¹. The relationship of the electrifying status of the Solenoid and the status of the Change Lever is as follow.

Electrifying status of the Solenoid and the operation of the Change Lever

When the Change Lever engages with (or locks) the hook on the ASF Clutch Gear, the clutch of ASF Clutch Gear is cut off and the ASF Motor's drive force is not transmitted to the LD Roller.
When the Change Lever releases (unlocks for driving the rear feeding) the hook on the ASF Clutch Gear, the clutch of ASF Clutch Gear engages and the ASF Motor's drive force is transmitted to the LD Roller.

*1: Equipped with a pull type Solenoid in which the magnetic body id pulled by the electromagnetic force.

When performing the rear feed

When the printer starts performing the rear feed, the Solenoid of the Rear ASF Solenoid Assy is electrified and the Change Lever is pulled toward the rear of the printer. Then the clutch of the ASF Clutch Gear engages and the drive force of the ASF Motor is transmitted to the LD Roller. After the lock is released, the ASF Motor drives the ASF Clutch Gear and LD Roller to move the hook on the ASF Clutch Gear away from the lock position. Therefore, when electrifying the Solenoid is stopped and the Change Lever is back to the original position, the hook on the ASF Clutch Gear is positioned lower than the Change Lever due to the rotation of the LD Roller and not going to be locked again.
After electrifying the Solenoid is stopped, the ASF Motor rotates clockwise further and the LD Roller rotates in the paper feed direction.

A sheet of paper set on the Hopper is separated by the LD Roller and Retard Roller and fed to the intermediate feeding mechanism.
When the LD Roller rotates once, the Change Lever engages with the hook on the ASF Clutch Gear and the roller is locked. Then, the ASF Motor's drive force to the LD Roller is cut off and the rear feed process is complete.*²

*2: The LD Roller is D-shaped. This shape allows the LD Roller and Retard Roller to release the paper when the paper reaches the intermediate feeding mechanism so as not to affect the paper feeding process of the intermediate feeding mechanism.