PURPOSE: To rotate a paper feed knob lightly when a user manually rotates the knob for feeding paper by providing operation detection parts arranged on the paper feed knob and a control part releasing a holding torque of a paper feed motor in accordance with a detection signal issued from the operation detection part.

CONSTITUTION: Detection switches 2 are peripherally arranged on a paper feed knob 1. When receiving a signal from the detection switch 2, a control part 3 cuts a holding current to a paper feed motor 5 under control. A paper feed driver part 4 passes an electric current for rotating or holding the paper feed motor 5. When a user touches the paper feed knob 1 by hands for feeding paper, the detection switch 2 detects the touch and issues a signal to the control part 3. When receiving the signal from the detection switch 2, the control part 3 transmits a signal to the driver part 4 for the paper feed motor 5 to cut a holding current to the motor. Then, a force for holding the paper feed knob 1 is eliminated, and the paper feed knob 1 is lightly rotated.