Image processing apparatus

Abstract

Provided is an image processing apparatus capable of suppressing conveyance abnormalities when a sheet is continuously fed. The image processing apparatus includes a paper feed roller (92), a separation roller (54) located on a downstream side of the paper feed roller, a first conveyance roller (44) located on a downstream side of the separation roller, and a compound clutch (160, 170). The compound clutch (160) includes a bidirectional clutch (161) having a transmission portion (163) and a transmission-receiving portion (164) that rotates as a driven portion with a delay of less than one revolution with respect to the transmission portion, and a unidirectional clutch (162). The compound clutch (170) includes a bidirectional clutch (171) having a transmission portion (173) and a transmission-receiving portion (174) that rotates as a driven portion with a delay of less than one revolution with respect to the transmission portion, and a unidirectional clutch (172). A maximum play angle (θ1max) set between the transmission portion and the transmission-receiving portion in the bidirectional clutch is greater than a maximum play angle (θ2max) set between the transmission portion and the transmission-receiving portion in the bidirectional clutch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a clutch in the transmission path of the driving force from an electric motor. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, techniques exist for rotating a first feed roller, a second feed roller, a paper feed roller, and a paper discharge roller respectively using the driving forces of a feed motor, a paper supply motor, and a paper discharge motor. Furthermore, in this prior art, the driving force from the feed motor is transmitted to the first feed roller via a first one-way clutch and to the second feed roller via a second one-way clutch. This results in a structure where, when the feed motor rotates forward, the driving force is transmitted to both the first and second feed rollers; conversely, when the feed motor rotates in reverse, the driving force is not transmitted to either the first or second feed rollers.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-37020 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] When conveying sheets along the conveyor path, sometimes the sheet conveying speed of the conveyor roller located downstream of the separator roller is faster than the sheet conveying speed of the feed roller and the separator roller. In this case, smooth conveying can be achieved by installing a one-way clutch on the feed roller and the separator roller. However, when the rear end of the sheet conveyed by the conveyor roller disengages from the feed roller and the subsequent sheet is conveyed by the feed roller, conveying abnormalities such as wrinkles and overlapping may occur.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can suppress conveying abnormalities during continuous sheet feeding.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is characterized by comprising: an electric motor capable of rotating in a first rotation direction or a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction and generating a corresponding driving force; a feed roller that rotates by the driving force transmitted from the electric motor and feeds sheets in a conveying direction; a separating roller located downstream of the feed roller in the conveying direction and rotated by the driving force transmitted from the electric motor to separate the sheets fed from the feed roller one by one; a conveying roller located downstream of the separating roller in the conveying direction and rotated by the driving force transmitted from the electric motor to convey the sheets at a conveying speed faster than the feed roller and the separating roller; a first compound clutch disposed in the transmission path of the driving force from the electric motor to the feed roller; and a second compound clutch disposed in the transmission path of the driving force from the electric motor to the separating roller, the first compound clutch comprising: a first bidirectional clutch; and a first unidirectional clutch connected to the first bidirectional clutch, transmitting a second driving force from the electric motor rotating in the second rotation direction, but not transmitting a second driving force from the electric motor rotating in the first rotation direction. The first driving force of the electric motor, the first bidirectional clutch having: a first transmission part that rotates about a first axis by the first driving force or the second driving force; and a first transmitted part that is rotatable about the first axis and can abut against the first transmission part in the circumferential direction of the first axis, and is driven to rotate with a delay of less than one revolution relative to the first transmission part; the second compound clutch having: a second bidirectional clutch; and a second one-way clutch connected to the second bidirectional clutch, transmitting the second driving force from the electric motor but not transmitting the first driving force from the electric motor; the second bidirectional clutch having: a second transmission part that rotates about a second axis by the first driving force or the second driving force; and a second transmitted part that is rotatable about the second axis and can abut against the second transmission part in the circumferential direction of the second axis, and is driven to rotate with a delay of less than one revolution relative to the second transmission part; a first maximum clearance angle set between the first transmission part and the first transmitted part in the first bidirectional clutch is larger than a second maximum clearance angle set between the second transmission part and the second transmitted part in the second bidirectional clutch.

[0011] In this invention, a first compound clutch and a second compound clutch are respectively provided in the transmission path of the driving force from the motor to the feed roller and the separation roller. The first compound clutch includes a first one-way clutch. When the conveying speed of the downstream separation roller is set to be faster than the conveying speed of the upstream feed roller, the feed roller is pulled and rotated by the sheet being conveyed at high speed through the rotation of the separation roller while the sheet is being conveyed across both the feed roller and the separation roller. By providing the first one-way clutch in the first compound clutch, when the separation roller rotates to convey the sheet through the second driving force from the motor, thereby causing the feed roller to rotate as described above, no force in the opposite direction to the second driving force is applied to the feed roller, thus preventing slippage between the roller surface and the sheet and enabling smooth conveying. When a roller that conveys at a faster speed than the separation roller is provided downstream of the separation roller, similarly, by providing the second one-way clutch in the second compound clutch, smooth conveying is possible during the rotation of the separation roller.

[0012] When multiple sheets are fed from the upstream side of the feed roller, during the period when the preceding sheets are conveyed across the conveyor roller, the separator roller, and the feed roller, the conveyor roller's conveying speed is faster than that of the feed roller and the separator roller. Therefore, the feed roller and the separator roller rotate in tandem due to the conveyor roller's speed. In this state, the first clearance angle between the first transmission section and the first transmitted section, and the second clearance angle between the second transmission section and the second transmitted section, generated by the speed difference between the first bidirectional clutch of the first compound clutch and the second bidirectional clutch of the second compound clutch, increase.

[0013] Subsequently, when the rear end of the preceding sheet disengages from the feed roller, the feed roller stops rotating, and as a result, the clearance angle between the first transmission part, which receives the second driving force from the motor, and the first transmitted part, which is opposite to the first transmission part in the circumferential direction, decreases sharply. When the reduced clearance angle becomes 0, the first transmission part comes into contact with the first transmitted part and transmits the second driving force to the feed roller, and the feed roller begins to feed the subsequent sheet exposed after the rear end of the preceding sheet disengages.

[0014] Because of this behavior, for example, when the clearance angle in the first bidirectional clutch associated with the feed roll and the clearance angle in the second bidirectional clutch associated with the separator roll are set to approximately the same value, the feed roll may sometimes begin feeding the subsequent sheet toward the separator roll before the rear end of the preceding sheet has disengaged from the separator roll. Thus, if the feeding start timing of the feed roll becomes relatively early, insufficient space cannot be created between the preceding and subsequent sheets, potentially resulting in overlapping feeding. Furthermore, because the clamping load from the separator roll is applied while the subsequent sheet fed by the feed roll overlaps near the rear end of the preceding sheet, wrinkles may form at the front end of the subsequent sheet.

[0015] Therefore, in this invention, the first maximum clearance angle is greater than the second maximum clearance angle. The first maximum clearance angle is the maximum value of the first clearance angle set in the first bidirectional clutch of the first compound clutch that transmits the driving force to the feed roller, and the second maximum clearance angle is the maximum value of the second clearance angle set in the second bidirectional clutch of the second compound clutch that transmits the driving force to the separation roller. Thus, at least compared to the case where these two clearance angles are set to approximately the same value as described above, the timing of the feed roller's transport of subsequent sheets can be delayed. As a result, transport abnormalities such as overlapping transport caused by insufficient spacing between preceding and subsequent sheets, and wrinkling caused by the clamping load of the separation roller, as described above, can be suppressed.

[0016] Invention Effects

[0017] According to the present invention, conveying abnormalities during continuous sheet feeding can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the conceptual overall structure of a multifunction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional view showing the external structure of the multifunction printer.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a top view showing the external structure of the multifunction printer.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a transverse sectional view of the main cross-sectional structure of the reading unit, viewed from the rear.

[0022] Figure 5 It means in Figure 4 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the structure with the cover open.

[0023] Figure 6 It means in Figure 4The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the structure with the open / closed cover in place.

[0024] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view and a partial enlarged view showing the state in which the stop and the locking lever are engaged.

[0025] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view and a partial enlarged view showing the state in which the stop and locking lever are disengaged.

[0026] Figure 9 It is a cross-sectional view showing the transmission structure of the driving force from the electric motor to the conveyor roller and the paper discharge roller.

[0027] Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view showing the transmission structure of the driving force from the electric motor to the conveyor roller and the paper discharge roller.

[0028] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate the structure through which the driving force from the electric motor is transmitted to the separating roller.

[0029] Figure 12 It means in Figure 11 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the structure with the cover open.

[0030] Figure 13 It is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate the transmission structure of the driving force from the electric motor to the paper feed roller.

[0031] Figure 14 It is a partially enlarged sectional view used to illustrate the transmission and disconnection of driving force achieved by the movement of planetary gears and the oscillation of the retaining member.

[0032] Figure 15 It is a partially enlarged sectional view used to illustrate the transmission and disconnection of driving force achieved by the movement of planetary gears and the oscillation of the retaining member.

[0033] Figure 16 This is a functional block diagram representing the electrical structure of the multifunction printer.

[0034] Figure 17 This is a partially enlarged view showing the structure of the compound clutch and gear mechanism in the state where both the paper feed roll and the separation roll are driven by an electric motor, as well as a sectional view of section XVIIB-XVIIB in the partially enlarged view.

[0035] Figure 18 This is a partially enlarged view showing the structure of the compound clutch, which rotates together with the gear mechanism, in a state where the paper feed roller and the separation roller rotate together due to the rotation of the first conveyor roller, and a sectional view of section XVIIIB-XVIIIB in the partially enlarged view.

[0036] Figure 19This is a conceptual illustration of the behavior of two sheets of paper fed into the feed roller when the maximum clearance angles of the feed roller side and the separation roller side are set to be approximately the same.

[0037] Figure 20 This is a conceptual illustration showing the behavior of two sheets of paper being fed into the paper feed roller in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are used to illustrate the technical features that can be employed in the present invention, and the structures of the described apparatus are not limited thereto, but are merely illustrative examples.

[0039] <Overall Structure of the Multifunctional Machine>

[0040] Figure 1 The overall schematic structure of the multifunction printer 1 in this embodiment is conceptually represented. The multifunction printer 1 is an example of an image processing apparatus. Figure 1 In the multifunction printer 1 shown, the front, back, left, right, and up / down directions are displayed with the direction facing the front of the paper defined as the front of the device and the direction facing the left hand of the paper defined as the left. Furthermore, all directions shown in subsequent figures are consistent with... Figure 1 The directions shown are displayed accordingly.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the multifunction printer 1 includes a main body unit 2 and a reading unit 3. The reading unit 3 includes an ADF (AutoDocument Feeder) section 9 and an FB (Flatbed) section. An operation panel 40, serving as a touch panel or similar device, is provided on the front surface of the FB section 5 of the ADF section 9 (see description below). Figure 16 ).

[0042] like Figure 1As shown, the main unit 2 is a flat, roughly box-shaped body that has an image forming unit 4 inside. The image forming unit 4 forms an image on a recording paper based on image data received from a personal computer connected to the multifunction machine 1, image data generated by reading an image of an original by the reading unit 3, etc., by an inkjet method, a laser method, or the like. The reading unit 3 is disposed above the main unit 2. The FB unit 5 is used when reading an image of an original placed on an original support surface 101A described later. The ADF unit 9 has a supply tray 12, a discharge tray 14, and a conveying unit 6. The conveying unit 6 conveys a sheet SH placed on the supply tray 12 along a conveying path P1 and discharges it to the discharge tray 14. The ADF unit 9 is used when reading an image of a sheet SH placed on the supply tray 12 while sequentially conveying it along the conveying path P1. In addition, sheets to be read include not only sheets such as paper and OHP (Overhead Projector) films but also originals, etc.

[0043] <Appearance of ADF unit>

[0044] The external structure of the ADF unit 9 is shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 . As shown in this Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the ADF unit 9 is supported by a hinge portion (not shown) disposed at the rear so as to be able to swing about an opening / closing axis X9 extending in the left-right direction. In the closed state shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the ADF unit 9 covers the original support surface 101A described later from above. Although not shown, the ADF unit 9 swings about the opening / closing axis X9 so that its front end portion is displaced upward and rearward, thereby exposing the original support surface 101A. Thus, the user can support an original to be read on the original support surface 101A.

[0045] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the supply tray 12 is formed in the right part of the ADF unit 9. The upper surface of the supply tray 12 is a paper supply surface 12A that supports a sheet SH from below. A plurality of sheets SH to be read conveyed by the conveying unit 6 are loaded on the paper supply surface 12A. The paper supply surface 12A is a flat surface inclined downward to the left. A front guide 17F and a rear guide 17R are respectively provided on the supply tray 12 so as to be able to slide in the front-rear direction. By making the front guide 17F and the rear guide 17R approach or separate from each other, various sheets SH of different sizes supported on the supply tray 12 are clamped from the front and rear. As Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the discharge tray 14 is located below the supply tray 12. The upper surface of the discharge tray 14 is the discharge surface 14A, which supports the sheet SH from below. The sheet SH, whose image has been read by the image sensor 3S and discharged by the conveyor unit 6, is loaded onto the discharge surface 14A. The discharge surface 14A is a flat surface that slopes upward from left to right.

[0046] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, an opening / closing cover 32 is provided on the upper part of the ADF section 9. The opening / closing cover 32 is a generally flat plate member extending from approximately the center of the ADF section 9 to its left end in the front-rear and left-right directions. The left end of the opening / closing cover 32 is bent downward. Furthermore, the opening / closing cover 32 is supported at its left and lower ends in a manner that allows it to swing about an opening / closing axis X32 extending in the front-rear direction. Thus, the opening / closing cover 32 can... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The closed position is indicated by the solid line and described later. Figure 5 The displacement is between the open positions shown. In the closed position, the opening / closing cover 32 functions to cover the conveying path P1.

[0047] <Cross-sectional structure of the reading unit>

[0048] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the main parts of reading unit 3 from the rear. Figure 5 This diagram shows the state in which the opening / closing cover 32 is open within the cross-sectional structure. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this assembly, a platen glass 101 is disposed on the upper surface of the FB section 5. A document support surface 101A is formed on the upper surface of the platen glass 101. The image sensor 3S is disposed within the FB section and below the platen glass 101 in a manner that allows it to move in the left-right direction. When the image sensor 3S reads an image of a stationary document, the document support surface 101A supports the document from below.

[0049] A reading surface 101B is formed on the upper surface of the platen glass 101. When the image sensor 3S within the FB unit 5 reads images of the sheets SH being transported one by one by the transport unit 6, the reading surface 101B guides the transported sheets SH from below. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the object whose image is read using the original document support surface 101A is recorded as the original document, and the object whose image is read while being transported by the transport unit 6 is recorded as the sheet SH. The original document and the sheet SH can also be substantially the same.

[0050] The FB unit 5 reads the sheet SH or original document and generates image data based on the image of the sheet SH or original document. The FB unit 5 includes the image sensor 3S described above, a scanning mechanism (not shown), and the platen glass 101 described above. The scanning mechanism moves the image sensor 3S back and forth in the left-right direction below the original document support surface 101A and the reading surface 101B. When reading an image of the original document supported by the original document support surface 101A, the image sensor 3S reads while moving below the original document support surface 101A. When reading an image while the sheet SH is being transported by the transport unit 6, the image sensor 3S is stopped at a predetermined stationary reading position. Here, the stationary reading position where the image sensor 3S stops is a position opposite to the reading surface 101B from below. As the image sensor 3S, a known image reading sensor such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used. In addition, the image sensor 3S is an example of an image reading unit.

[0051] A base component 9A is provided in the lower part of the ADF section 9. The base component 9A forms the bottom of the ADF section 9. The right part of the base component 9A forms the aforementioned discharge tray 14. A conveying section 6 is provided between the opening and closing cover 32 of the ADF section 9 and the left part of the base component 9A. The conveying section 6 has an upper slide groove component 130 and a lower slide groove component 140 assembled to the base component 9A. The lower slide groove component 140 is located below the upper slide groove component 130. The base component 9A is located below the lower slide groove component 140.

[0052] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, multiple guide ribs 32R extending in the left-right direction are formed side-by-side along the front-back direction on the inner surface of the opening / closing cover 32. An upper guide surface 32A is formed from the lower edge of these guide ribs 32R. The aforementioned upper guide surface 32A defines the upper path P1A (described later) in the upper transport path P1.

[0053] The upper surface of the upper chute component 130 has a first upper conveying surface 130A and a second upper conveying surface 130B. The first upper conveying surface 130A is adjacent to the left end of the supply tray 12 and is a flat surface that slopes downward to the left. The first upper conveying surface 130A of the upper chute component 130 and the paper supply surface 12A of the supply tray 12 constitute a loading surface 150A. Multiple sheets of paper SH, which are to be read, are loaded onto the loading surface 150A and are conveyed by the conveying unit 6. The second upper conveying surface 130B is a generally flat surface that follows the first upper conveying surface 130A and slopes upward to the left.

[0054] Lower guide surfaces 140A1 and 140A2 are formed on the lower surface of the slide groove component 140. Lower guide surface 140A1 is a generally flat surface that slopes downward to the right from the vicinity of the left end of the ADF section 9 toward the reading surface 101B. Lower guide surface 140A2 is a generally flat surface that slopes upward to the right following lower guide surface 140A1. Lower conveying surface 140B1 and lower conveying surface 140B2, which are opposite to lower guide surface 140A1 from below, are formed on the upper surface of the base component 9A.

[0055] The conveying path P1 in the conveying unit 6 is defined as the space enclosed by the first upper conveying surface 130A and the second upper conveying surface 130B of the upper chute component 130, the lower guide surfaces 140A1 and 140A2 of the lower chute component 140, the upper guide surface 32A of the opening and closing cover 32, the lower conveying surfaces 140B1 and 140B2 of the base component 9A, and various conveying rollers. More specifically, the conveying path P1 includes an upper path P1A, which is the portion extending to the left from the paper feeding surface 12A of the supply tray 12 along the first upper conveying surface 130A and the second upper conveying surface 130B of the upper chute component 130. Next, the conveying path P1 includes a curved path P1B, which is the portion that connects to the upper path P1A and curves downwards. Next, the conveying path P1 includes a lower path P1C, which connects to the curved path P1B. This lower path P1C consists of a portion that slopes downwards from the lower end of the curved section towards the reading surface 101B and extends shortly to the right along the reading surface 101B, and a portion that slopes further to the right and upwards from the right end of the reading surface 101B to reach the discharge tray 14. The upper path P1A and the lower path P1C overlap vertically. The conveying direction of the sheet SH conveyed by the conveying unit 6 is left in the upper path P1A of the conveying path P1, changes from left to right in the curved path P1B of the conveying path P1, and is right in the lower path P1C of the conveying path P1. Furthermore, the extension direction and shape of this conveying path P1 are given as an example.

[0056] <Separation rollers, separation pads, paper feed rollers, etc.>

[0057] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the conveying unit 6 includes a separation unit 50, a separation pad 56A, and a separation ramp 56B. The separation unit 50 includes a separation roller 54 with a rotating shaft 54S, a holding member 51, and a paper feed roller 92 with a rotating shaft 92S, which will be described in detail later.

[0058] The separating roller 54 is located to the left of the feed roller 92, that is, downstream in the conveying direction of the conveying path P1. Furthermore, the separating roller 54 is positioned opposite the second upper conveying surface 130B of the upper chute component 130 from above. The rotating shaft 54S of the separating roller 54 is a cylindrical shaft extending with a rotating axis X54 as its axis, which extends in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet SH, i.e., in the front-to-back direction. Figure 6 As shown, the front end and rear end of the rotating shaft 54S of the separating roller 54 are rotatably supported in a frame (not shown) inside the front cover 31F forming the front end of the ADF section 9 and the rear cover 31R disposed at the rear end of the ADF section 9. The separating roller 54 is assembled in the center of the rotating shaft 54S.

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, the separation pad 56A, together with the second upper conveying surface 130B, forms the conveying surface of the sheet SH. The separation pad 56A is positioned opposite the separation roller 54 from below. The separation pad 56A is a plate-shaped body made of a soft material such as rubber or an elastomer. The separation pad 56A is pressed against the separation roller 54, for example, by a force-applying spring (not shown). Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the separation slope 56B is set between the paper feed roller 92 and the separation roller 54 on the conveying path P1.

[0060] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the retainer 51 houses the separating roller 54 in a state that covers it from above and clamps it from the front and rear. Details will be described later. The retainer 51 is supported on the rotating shaft 54S in a manner that allows it to swing about the rotation axis X54 of the separating roller 54. Furthermore, the retainer 51 extends to the right relative to the rotating shaft 54S, i.e., upstream in the conveying direction.

[0061] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the feed roller 92 is positioned opposite the first upper conveying surface 130A of the upper chute member 130 from above. Furthermore, the feed roller 92 is configured to contact the sheet SH loaded on the loading surface 150A from above. The feed roller 92 is located to the right of the separating roller 54 and is housed within the retainer 51. The feed roller 92 is supported on the retainer 51 in a manner that allows it to rotate about a rotation axis X92 parallel to the rotation axis X54. Therefore, by swinging the retainer 51 upwards or downwards about the rotation axis X54 of the separating roller 54, the feed roller 92 is configured to be displaceable between a position close to the loading surface 150A and a position separated from the loading surface 150A.

[0062] like Figure 6As shown, a drive gear 55 is provided at the rear end of the rotating shaft 54S. The drive gear 55 is driven by the electric motor 70 (described later) to rotate the rotating shaft 54S. When the drive gear 55 rotates, the rotating shaft 54S rotates, and the separating roller 54 and the feed roller 92 rotate synchronously. The outer peripheral surface 92A of the feed roller 92 applies a conveying force to the uppermost sheet SH in the sheet SH loaded on the loading surface 150A, thereby feeding the sheet SH towards the separating roller 54. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the separating roller 54, together with the separating ramp 56B and the separating pad 56A, separates the sheets SH conveyed by the feed roller 92 one by one and conveys them downstream in the conveying direction of the conveying path P1.

[0063] <Conveyor Roller>

[0064] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the conveying unit 6, located on the upper path P1A of the conveying path P1, to the left of the separating roller 54 (i.e., downstream of the separating roller 54 in the conveying direction), has a first conveying roller 44 and a pinch roller 44P. The first conveying roller 44 and the pinch roller 44P rotate by a driving force transmitted from the motor 70, clamping the sheets SH separated one by one by the separating roller 54, the separating ramp 56B, and the separating pad 56A, and conveying them downstream along the conveying path P1 in the conveying direction. The first conveying roller 44 is an example of a conveying roller.

[0065] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the conveying unit 6 has a bending guide surface 45G, a bending guide surface 45H, a second conveying roller 45, and a pinch roller 45P in the curved path P1B of the conveying path P1. The bending guide surface 45G and the bending guide surface 45H are opposite each other at a predetermined interval. The bending guide surface 45G defines the downward curved portion of the curved path P1B from the outside. The bending guide surface 45H defines the downward curved portion of the curved path P1B from the inside. The second conveying roller 45 and the pinch roller 45P are disposed at the lower end of the curved path P1B. The second conveying roller 45 and the pinch roller 45P clamp the sheet SH conveyed by the first conveying roller 44 and the pinch roller 44P, and further convey it to the reading surface 101B. Between the first conveying roller 44 and the pinch roller 44P and the reading surface 101B, the lower guide surface 140A1 and the lower conveying surface 140B1 are opposite each other at a predetermined interval, thereby defining the left portion of the lower path P1C.

[0066] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the conveying unit 6 also includes a paper discharge roller 48 and a pinch roller (not shown). Between the reading surface 101B and the paper discharge roller 48 and the pinch roller, the lower guide surface 140A2 and the lower conveying surface 140B2 are opposite each other at a predetermined interval, thereby defining the right portion of the lower path P1C.

[0067] The path formed by the lower guide surface 140A2 and the lower conveying surface 140B2 slopes upward toward the paper discharge roller 48 and the pinch roller, located to the right of the pressing member 49. The paper discharge roller 48 has a drive shaft 48a and is located at the right end of the lower guide surface 140A2 of the slide chute member 140. The pinch roller is located at the right end of the lower conveying surface 140B2. The paper discharge roller 48 and the pinch roller clamp the sheet SH that has passed on the reading surface 101B and discharge it toward the paper discharge surface 14A of the discharge tray 14.

[0068] <Stop component>

[0069] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the ADF unit 9 of this embodiment includes a pair of front and rear stops 80F and 80R located between the separating roller 54 and the feed roller 92 and abutting against the front end of the sheet SH in the conveying direction to restrict the movement of the sheet SH. In addition, the front stop 80F and the rear stop 80R are generally referred to as "stop 80" below.

[0070] The stop 80 is configured to be able to Figure 7 (a) and Figure 7 (b) shows the restriction status and Figure 8 (a) and Figure 8 (b) shows the switching position between the restricted and released states. In this example, in the restricted state, the stop 80, as described later, engages with the locking lever 100 and protrudes toward the first upper conveying surface 130A that defines the conveying path P1 of the sheet SH, thereby restricting the passage of the sheet SH. The position of the stop 80 at this time is an example of the first position. In the restricted released state, the stop 80, as described later, becomes free by releasing the engagement of the locking lever 100, and is thus pushed by the front end of the sheet SH and rotates from the first position to move upward away from the first upper conveying surface 130A, allowing the sheet SH to move downstream, i.e., allowing the sheet SH to pass. The position of the stop 80 at this time is an example of the second position. In addition, the stop 80, together with the retainer 51 which includes the separation roller 54 and the feed roller 92, is supported on the opening and closing cover 32.

[0071] <Transmission of driving force to the conveyor roller / paper discharge roller>

[0072] In the laminating machine 1, the transmission path and method of the driving force from the aforementioned electric motor 70, which serves as a common drive source, to the first conveying roller 44, the second conveying roller 45, and the paper discharge roller 48 are different from the transmission path and method of the driving force to the separating roller 54 and the paper feed roller 92. Firstly, using... Figure 9 and Figure 10 The transmission of driving force to the first conveying roller 44, the second conveying roller 45, and the paper discharge roller 48 will be explained.

[0073] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the ADF section 9 includes an electric motor 70, a planetary gear mechanism 73, a toothed pulley 74, a belt 75, a toothed pulley 76, a transmission gear 61, a drive gear 44b fixed to the rotating shaft 44a of the first conveying roller 44, a drive gear 45b fixed to the rotating shaft 45a of the second conveying roller 45, an intermediate gear 53, and a transmission gear 55 fixed to the rotating shaft 54S of the separating roller 54.

[0074] The electric motor 70 is a motor that does not generate torque when not energized; in this example, it is a stepper motor. The forward, reverse, and stop rotation of the motor 70 are controlled by the control unit 110 (described later). Furthermore, the control unit 110 can control the amount of rotation of the motor 70 in each direction. The motor 70 will... Figure 9 The clockwise rotation direction is designated as the X-direction, and the counterclockwise rotation direction is designated as the Y-direction. Furthermore, the X-direction rotation of the motor 70 is designated as forward rotation, and the Y-direction rotation as reverse rotation. The X-direction is an example of the second rotation direction, and the Y-direction is an example of the first rotation direction.

[0075] The planetary gear mechanism 73 consists of a sun pulley 78 and planetary gears 79. An electric motor 70 is connected to the sun pulley 78 of the planetary gear mechanism 73 via a pulley (not shown) and a belt 72. The planetary gears 79 of the planetary gear mechanism 73 are coaxially engaged with a gear (not shown) disposed on the sun pulley 78, and rotate and revolve as the sun pulley 78 rotates. Depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor 70, the position of the planetary gears 79 switches between a transmission position engaged with the toothed pulley 74 and a cut-off position disengaged from the toothed pulley 74.

[0076] <Transfer to the first conveyor roller, the second conveyor roller 45, and the paper discharge roller 48>

[0077] For example, when the motor 70 rotates in the X direction as shown in the diagram, the sun belt pulley 78 also rotates in the X direction. As the sun belt pulley 78 rotates in the X direction, the planetary gear 79 rotates on its own axis in the X direction while revolving in the L direction as shown in the diagram. Furthermore, as... Figure 9As shown, when the planetary gear 79 engages with the toothed pulley 74 and transitions from the cutting position to the transmission position, the toothed pulley 74 prevents the planetary gear 79 from revolving in the L direction. Consequently, the toothed pulley 74 rotates in the X direction along with the planetary gear 79's rotation in the X direction. That is, at this transmission position, the driving force of the motor 70 is transmitted to the toothed pulley 74. Furthermore, the driving force generated at this time due to the forward rotation of the motor 70 is an example of a second driving force. Through the rotation of the toothed pulley 74 in the X direction, the drive shaft 48a connected to the toothed pulley 74 is driven, thereby rotating the paper discharge roller 48.

[0078] Furthermore, the rotation of the toothed pulley 74 in the X direction is transmitted to the toothed pulley 76 via the transmission belt 75, causing the toothed pulley 76 to rotate in the X direction. This rotation of the toothed pulley 76 in the X direction causes the transmission gear 61 meshing with it to rotate in the X direction. As a result, the drive gears 44b and 45b meshing with the transmission gear 61 rotate in the X direction, causing the aforementioned rotating shaft 44a fixed to the drive gear 44b to rotate, thereby rotating the first conveyor roller 44. And the aforementioned rotating shaft 45a fixed to the drive gear 45b rotates, thereby rotating the second conveyor roller 45. Thus, the sheet SH, fed by the paper feed roller 92 and the separating roller 54 after being placed on the supply tray 12, is conveyed. At this time, the tooth ratios of the toothed pulleys 74 and 76, the transmission gear 61, and the drive gears 44b and 45b, as well as the radii of the first conveyor roller 44, the second conveyor roller 45, and the separating roller 54, are set to appropriate values ​​so that the conveying speed of the sheet SH conveyed by the first conveyor roller 44 is faster than the conveying speed of the sheet SH conveyed by the separating roller 54 and the paper feed roller 92, and the conveying speeds of the first conveyor roller 44 and the second conveyor roller 45 are approximately equal to each other. Furthermore, the conveyor rollers are not limited to the first conveyor roller 44 and the second conveyor roller 45; three or more can be appropriately arranged along the conveying path P1. In this case, the second driving force from the motor 70 is transmitted to the conveyor rollers other than the first conveyor roller 44 and the second conveyor roller 45 in the same manner as described above. Alternatively, conversely, only either the first conveyor roller 44 or the second conveyor roller 45 may be provided.

[0079] Conversely, when the motor 70 rotates in the Y direction, the sun pulley 78 also rotates in the Y direction. Furthermore, the driving force generated at this time due to the reverse rotation of the motor 70 is an example of the first driving force. As the sun pulley 78 rotates in the Y direction, the planetary gear 79 rotates on its own axis in the Y direction while revolving in the R direction. When the planetary gear 79 revolves in the R direction, as... Figure 10 As shown, the planetary gear 79 disengages from the toothed pulley 74, cutting off the transmission path of the driving force. As a result, the driving force of the motor 70 is not transmitted to the first conveying roller 44, the second conveying roller 45, and the paper discharge roller 48.

[0080] <Transmission of driving force to the separating roll / feed roll>

[0081] On the other hand, regardless of whether the planetary gear 79 is in the aforementioned transmission or disengagement position, the intermediate gear 53 is operatively connected to the sun pulley 78 of the planetary gear mechanism 73. That is, the driving force of the motor 70, as described above, is transmitted to the sun pulley 78 and then to the intermediate gear 53 via the rotation of the sun pulley 78, causing the intermediate gear 53 to rotate. When the intermediate gear 53 rotates, the intermediate gear 57, which is operatively connected to the intermediate gear 53 via a gear or pulley (not shown), also rotates. This intermediate gear 57 is used as a... Figure 9 and Figure 10 Sectional views of different cross sections Figure 11 As shown, it meshes with the aforementioned transmission gear 55. Through the rotation of the aforementioned intermediate gear 57, the transmission gear 55 rotates, resulting in the rotation of the rotating shaft 54S of the separating roller 54. Furthermore, as... Figure 12 As shown, when the opening and closing cover 32 is open, the rotating shaft 54S of the separating roller 54 and the transmission gear 55 are lifted upward together with the opening and closing cover 32, and the engagement between the intermediate gear 57 and the transmission gear 55 is disengaged.

[0082] For example, when the motor 70 rotates in the X direction and the sun pulley 78 rotates in the X direction, the intermediate gear 53 rotates in the X direction, thereby causing the intermediate gear 57 and the drive gear 55 to rotate in the X direction. As a result, the separating roller 54 further conveys the sheet SH fed from the feed roller 92 after being placed on the feed tray 12 to the aforementioned first conveyor roller 44 and second conveyor roller 45 on the downstream side. Conversely, for example, when the motor 70 rotates in the Y direction and the sun pulley 78 rotates in the Y direction, the intermediate gear 53 rotates in the Y direction, thereby causing the intermediate gear 57 and the drive gear 55 to rotate in the Y direction. The aforementioned stop 80 is switched by the rotation of the drive gear 55 in the Y direction, which will be described later.

[0083] <Stop switching mechanism>

[0084] The state of the stop 80 is switched by transmitting driving force to the separating roller 54. Hereinafter, using the above-described... Figure 7 and Figure 8 and Figures 13-15 To explain its details.

[0085] exist Figure 13As described above, the separating roller 54 and the paper feed roller 92 are disposed on the retaining member 51, which is supported on the rotating shaft 54S of the separating roller 54 in a swingable manner. The retaining member 51 is also provided with a shaft gear 154 fixed to the rotating shaft 54S, a planetary gear 153 that meshes with the shaft gear 154 and is movable by meshing with a fixed tooth 32a disposed on the opening / closing cover 32, an intermediate gear 156 that meshes with a shaft gear 157 fixed to the rotating shaft 92S of the paper feed roller 92, and an intermediate gear 155 that meshes with the intermediate gear 156. These shaft gears 154, planetary gears 153, intermediate gears 155, 156, and shaft gear 157 constitute a gear mechanism 15, which transmits the driving force input from the motor 70 to the rotating shaft 54S of the separating roller 54 to the rotating shaft 92S of the paper feed roller 92.

[0086] As described above, when the driving force generated by the rotation of the motor 70 in the X direction is input to the rotating shaft 54S, the rotating shaft 54S moves towards... Figure 14 When the planetary gear 153 rotates in the X direction in (a), it moves upstream in the conveying direction, thereby, as Figure 14 As shown in (b), it engages with the fixed tooth 32a. In this engaged state, it rotates further in the X direction via the rotating shaft 54S, thereby, as Figure 14 As shown in (c), the retainer 51 swings about the rotation axis X54 so that the paper feed roller 92 side descends. As a result, the paper feed roller 92 comes into contact with the sheet SH.

[0087] If used Figure 7 and Figure 8 As described, a stop 80 is provided near the retainer 51 in the opening / closing cover 32. The stop 80 is supported in the opening / closing cover 32 in a manner rotatable about a shaft member 80c, and has a stepped portion 80a and a sheet limiting portion 80b. A locking lever 100 is rotatably supported near the feed roller 92 in the retainer 51. The locking lever 100 is controlled by a suitable spring member (not shown). Figure 7 (b) and Figure 8 Force is applied in the S direction as shown in (b). Figure 13 , Figure 14 (a) Figure 14 As shown in (b), before the retainer 51 swings as described above to lower the paper feed roller 92 side, as Figure 7 (a) and Figure 7 As shown in (b), the front end 100a of the locking lever 100 abuts against and engages with the stepped portion 80a. As a result, the rotation of the stop 80 is prevented, thus achieving the aforementioned restricted state.

[0088] When the retaining member 51 moves in conjunction with the planetary gear 153 as described above, it rotates about the rotation axis X54 of the rotation shaft 54S and as... Figure 14When the paper feed roller 92 is lowered as shown in (c), the contact surface 100b of the locking rod 100 abuts against the contact rib 132 provided on the opening / closing cover 32. Thus, as shown in (c), Figure 8 (a) and Figure 8 As shown in (b), the locking lever 100 is displaced by rotating in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned direction. As a result, the front end 100a of the locking lever 100 disengages from the stepped portion 80a, and the stop 80 becomes freely rotatable, i.e., the above-mentioned restricted release state.

[0089] exist Figure 14 After reaching the state shown in (c), it moves further upstream in the conveying direction via planetary gear 153, thereby, as Figure 15 As shown in (a), the planetary gear 153 disengages from the fixed tooth 32a. Figure 15 As shown in (a), the planetary gear 153, disengaged from the fixed tooth 32a, meshes with the intermediate gear 155. Thus, the driving force from the motor 70 is transmitted via the rotating shaft 54S, planetary gear 153, intermediate gear 155, and intermediate gear 156 to the shaft gear 157, causing the feed roller 92 to rotate and convey the sheet SH towards the curved path P1B. At this time, the tooth ratios of the shaft gear 154, planetary gear 153, intermediate gears 155 and 156, and shaft gear 157, as well as the radii of the separating roller 54 and the feed roller 92, are set to appropriate values ​​so that the conveying speed of the sheet SH by the separating roller 54 is faster than the conveying speed of the sheet SH by the feed roller 92.

[0090] On the other hand, when the driving force generated by the rotation of the motor 70 in the Y direction is input to the rotating shaft 54S, the rotating shaft 54S rotates in the Y direction... Figure 15 When rotating in the Y direction as shown in (a), the planetary gear 153 moves downstream in the opposite conveying direction, thereby disengaging from the intermediate gear 155. This cuts off the transmission of driving force from the motor 70 to the feed roller 92. Then, the planetary gear 153 moves further, thereby... Figure 15 As shown in (b), it engages with the fixed tooth 32a. In this engaged state, it rotates further in the Y direction via the rotating shaft 54S, thereby, as Figure 15 As shown in (c), the retainer 51 swings about the rotation axis X54, causing the feed roller 92 to rise. As a result, the feed roller 92 moves away from the sheet SH.

[0091] When the retaining member 51 swings in conjunction with the movement of the planetary gear 153 as described above, causing the paper feed roller 92 side to rise, as used Figure 8 (a) and Figure 8 (b) As described above, the locking lever 100 is lifted by abutting the abutting surface 100b against the abutting rib 132. Figure 7 (a) and Figure 7 (b) Displaces in a manner that rotates in the aforementioned S direction. As a result, the front end 100a of the locking lever 100 engages with the aforementioned stepped portion 80a, and the stop 80 is in the aforementioned restricted state.

[0092] <Electrical Structure of the Multifunctional Machine>

[0093] Next, the electrical structure of the multifunction printer 1 in this embodiment will be described. For example... Figure 16 As shown, the main unit 2 of the multifunction printer 1 includes a control unit 110. The control unit 110 includes a known CPU 110A, ROM 110B, RAM 110C, NVRAM 110D, and interface unit 110E. The CPU 110A executes predetermined processing according to the control program stored in the ROM 110B, RAM 110C, etc., thereby controlling the various parts of the multifunction printer 1.

[0094] The control unit 110 includes an image forming unit 4, a LAN (Local Area Network) communication unit 111, an operation panel 40, an image sensor 3S, a sheet transport sensor 113, a motor 70, a motor 114, and a sheet loading sensor 112. The image forming unit 4 and the LAN communication unit 111 are located in the main unit 2. The operation panel 40, the image sensor 3S, and the motor 114 are located in the FB unit 5. The sheet loading sensor 112, the motor 70, and the sheet transport sensor 113 are located in the ADF unit 9.

[0095] Additionally, the control unit 110 monitors signals from the sheet loading sensor 112 and the LAN communication unit 111. The LAN communication unit 111 consists of a communication interface device corresponding to wireless LAN and a communication interface device corresponding to wired LAN. The motor 114 is a power source for moving the image sensor 3S in the left-right direction within the FB unit 5. The sheet loading sensor 112 is a sensor that detects when the sheet SH is loaded on the loading surface 150A. The sheet conveying sensor 113 is a sensor that detects when the front end and rear end of the sheet SH being conveyed in the ADF unit 9 have passed predetermined detection positions in the conveying path P1.

[0096] <Features of this embodiment>

[0097] The characteristic of this embodiment is that the transmission path of the driving force is configured such that when the driving force is transmitted from the motor 70 to the feed roller 92 and the separation roller 54 to drive each roller to rotate, the feed roller 92 starts to rotate after the separation roller 54 starts to rotate. Details of these provisions will be described below.

[0098] As mentioned above Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the motor 70 rotates in reverse in the Y direction or in the opposite direction of rotation, i.e., in the X direction, generating a corresponding driving force. The feed roller 92 rotates in the X direction by the driving force transmitted from the forward-rotating motor 70, feeding the sheet SH out in the conveying direction. The separating roller 54 is located downstream of the feed roller 92 in the conveying direction and rotates in the X direction by the driving force transmitted from the forward-rotating motor 70, separating the sheets SH fed out by the feed roller 92 one by one.

[0099] A compound clutch 160 is provided in the path of transmitting the driving force from the motor 70 to the paper feed roller 92, and a compound clutch 170 is provided in the path of transmitting the driving force from the motor 70 to the separation roller 54. In addition, the compound clutch 160 is an example of a first compound clutch, and the compound clutch 170 is an example of a second compound clutch. Figure 17 and Figure 18 This shows the detailed structure of compound clutches 160 and 170.

[0100] Figure 17 (a) is a partially enlarged view showing the structure of the compound clutches 160 and 170 together with the gear mechanism 15 in the state where the paper feed roller 92 and the separation roller 54 are driven by the electric motor 70. Figure 17 (b) is Figure 17 (a) Sectional view of section XVIIB-XVIIB. Figure 18 (a) is a partially enlarged view showing the structure of the compound clutches 160 and 170 together with the gear mechanism 15, in a state where the paper feed roller 92 and the separation roller 54 are rotated together by the rotation of the first conveying roller 44. Figure 18 (b) is Figure 18 (a) is a sectional view of section XVIIIB-XVIIIB. Additionally... Figure 17 (a) and Figure 18 (a) shows the following state: as described above Figure 15 As shown in (a), planetary gear 153 meshes with intermediate gear 155, and the driving force from motor 70 is transmitted to shaft gear 154, and then to shaft gear 157 via planetary gear 153, intermediate gear 155 and intermediate gear 156.

[0101] Furthermore, as described above, since the conveying speed of the first conveyor roller 44 is faster than that of the separating roller 54 and the feed roller 92, when the sheet SH is conveyed across the first conveyor roller 44, the separating roller 54, and the feed roller 92, the separating roller 54 and the feed roller 92 rotate in a manner pulled by the sheet SH conveyed by the first conveyor roller 44. In this specification, such a rotation method is appropriately referred to as "continuous rotation".

[0102] like Figure 17 (a) and Figure 17 (b) and Figure 18 (a) and Figure 18 As shown in (b), the compound clutch 160 includes: a two-way clutch 161 capable of transmitting both the driving force from the motor 70 rotating in the Y direction and the driving force from the motor 70 rotating in the X direction; and a one-way clutch 162 connected to the two-way clutch 161, transmitting the rotational driving force from the motor 70 in the X direction, but not transmitting the rotational driving force from the motor 70 in the Y direction. Furthermore, the two-way clutch 161 is an example of a first two-way clutch, and the one-way clutch 162 is an example of a first one-way clutch. The two-way clutch 161 includes: a protruding transmission part 163 that rotates about a rotation axis X92 by the driving force from the rotating motor 70 in either the reverse or forward direction; and a protruding received part 164 capable of rotating about the rotation axis X92, and capable of abutting against the transmission part 163 in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis X92, and driven to rotate with a delay of less than one revolution relative to the transmission part 163. The transfer unit 163 is connected to the one-way clutch 162, and the transferred unit 164 is connected to the paper feed roller 92. In addition, the rotating shaft X92 is an example of the first shaft, the transfer unit 163 is an example of the first transfer unit, and the transferred unit 164 is an example of the first transferred unit.

[0103] The one-way clutch 162 includes: a fixed-side clutch 162a connected to a shaft gear 157, having gear teeth on the paper feed roller 92 side; and a movable-side clutch 162b having gear teeth meshing with the gear teeth of the fixed-side clutch 162a, and being subjected to force by a force-applying unit (not shown) towards the fixed-side clutch 162a side. Figure 17 As shown in (a), when the paper feed roller 92 does not rotate, the gears of the fixed-side clutch 162a and the movable-side clutch 162b mesh, and the driving force of the shaft gear 157 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 92. On the other hand, as Figure 18 As shown in (a), when the paper feed roller 92 rotates along with it, the movable side clutch 162b is configured to move axially on the rotation axis X92, thereby disengaging the gear teeth of the fixed side clutch 162a and the movable side clutch 162b, and the driving force of the paper feed roller 92 will not be transmitted to the shaft gear 157.

[0104] The compound clutch 170 includes: a two-way clutch 171 capable of transmitting both driving force from a motor 70 rotating in the Y direction and driving force from a motor 70 rotating in the X direction; and a one-way clutch 172 connected to the two-way clutch 171, transmitting rotational driving force from the motor 70 in the X direction but not transmitting rotational driving force from the motor 70 in the Y direction. Furthermore, the two-way clutch 171 is an example of a second two-way clutch, and the one-way clutch 172 is an example of a second one-way clutch. The two-way clutch 171 includes: two protruding transmission portions 173 that rotate about a rotation axis X54 by driving force from a motor 70 rotating in either the reverse or forward direction; and two protruding received portions 174 capable of rotating about the rotation axis X54 and abutting against the transmission portions 173 in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis X54, and driven to rotate with a delay of less than one revolution relative to the transmission portions 173. The transmission unit 173 is connected to the one-way clutch 172, and the transmitted unit 174 is connected to the separating roller 54. In addition, the rotating shaft X54 is an example of a second shaft, the transmission unit 173 is an example of a second transmission unit, and the transmitted unit 174 is an example of a second transmitted unit.

[0105] The one-way clutch 172 includes: a fixed-side clutch 172a connected to a shaft gear 154, having gear teeth on the separating roller 54 side; and a movable-side clutch 172b having gear teeth meshing with the gear teeth of the fixed-side clutch 172a, and being subjected to force by a force-applying unit (not shown) towards the fixed-side clutch 172a side. Figure 17 As shown in (a), when the separating roller 54 does not rotate, the gears of the fixed-side clutch 172a and the movable-side clutch 172b mesh, and the driving force of the shaft gear 154 is transmitted to the separating roller 54. On the other hand, as Figure 18 As shown in (a), when the separating roller 54 rotates along with it, the movable side clutch 172b is configured to move axially on the rotating axis X54, thereby disengaging the gear teeth of the fixed side clutch 172a and the movable side clutch 172b, and the driving force of the separating roller 54 will not be transmitted to the shaft gear 154.

[0106] In the bidirectional clutch 161 of the compound clutch 160, a circumferential clearance angle, namely the clearance angle θ1, is formed between the transmission section 163 and the transmitted section 164. The clearance angle θ1 decreases when the paper feed roller 92 does not rotate, such as... Figure 17 As shown in (b), the minimum clearance angle θ1min (=0°) is reached, and the transmission section 163 abuts against the circumferential side of the transmitted section 164. As a result, the driving force of the shaft gear 157 is transmitted to the feed roller 92. On the other hand, the clearance angle θ1 increases when the feed roller 92 rotates in conjunction with it, as... Figure 18As shown in (b), the maximum clearance angle θ1max is reached, and the transmission section 163 abuts against the other circumferential side of the transmitted section 164. As a result, the driving force of the feed roller 92 is transmitted to the movable side clutch 162b, but as described above, since the engagement of the gear teeth between the fixed side clutch 162a and the movable side clutch 162b is disengaged, the driving force of the feed roller 92 is not transmitted to the shaft gear 157. Furthermore, the maximum clearance angle θ1max is an example of the first maximum clearance angle.

[0107] Similarly, in the bidirectional clutch 171 of the compound clutch 170, a circumferential clearance angle, namely the clearance angle θ2, is formed between the transmission part 173 and the transmitted part 174. The clearance angle θ2 decreases when the separating roller 54 does not rotate, such as... Figure 17 As shown in (b), the minimum clearance angle θ2min (=0°) is reached, and the transmission part 173 abuts against the circumferential side of the transmitted part 174. As a result, the driving force of the shaft gear 154 is transmitted to the separating roller 54. On the other hand, the clearance angle θ2 increases as the separating roller 54 rotates, as... Figure 18 As shown in (b), the maximum clearance angle θ2max is reached, and the transmission section 173 abuts against the other circumferential side of the transmitted section 174. As a result, the driving force of the separating roller 54 is transmitted to the movable-side clutch 172b, but as described above, since the meshing of the gear teeth of the fixed-side clutch 172a and the movable-side clutch 172b is disengaged, the driving force of the separating roller 54 is not transmitted to the shaft gear 154. Furthermore, the maximum clearance angle θ2max is an example of a second maximum clearance angle.

[0108] like Figure 18 As shown in (b), the maximum clearance angle θ1max is larger than the maximum clearance angle θ2max. The deviation between the maximum clearance angle θ1max and the maximum clearance angle θ2max is set such that the driven rotation of the conveyed part 174 caused by the rotation drive of the conveyor 173 begins after the driven rotation of the conveyed part 174 caused by the rotation drive of the conveyor 173 begins. In other words, the above deviation is set such that the paper feed roller 92 begins to rotate after the separating roller 54 begins to rotate. As an example, the maximum clearance angle θ1max is set to approximately 295°, and the maximum clearance angle θ2max is set to approximately 50°.

[0109] Furthermore, the sheet feed sensor 113 detects when the leading and trailing ends of the sheet SH being fed in the ADF unit 9 pass predetermined detection positions in the feed path P1. If the separation distance between the trailing end of the preceding sheet SH and the leading end of the following sheet SH, i.e., the paper-to-paper distance, is insufficient, the sheet feed sensor 113 may be unable to detect the leading and trailing ends of the sheet SH. Therefore, a lower limit value for the paper-to-paper distance that can be detected by the sheet feed sensor 113 is set. This deviation is set such that when multiple sheets SH are fed onto the feed roller 92, the paper-to-paper distance between the trailing end of the preceding sheet SH and the leading end of the following sheet SH is above the lower limit value for sheet detection. The lower limit value for sheet detection is set to different values ​​depending on the size of the sheet SH, and the deviation is set to a value larger than the lower limit value when it reaches its maximum value, for example, the lower limit value when the sheet size is the smallest A6 size in the target range. In addition, the sheet conveying sensor 113 is an example of a sensor, and the aforementioned lower limit value is an example of a first threshold value.

[0110] Furthermore, the control unit 110 has the following function: it detects the presence or absence of skewed sheets SH based on the image generated by the FB unit 5, and corrects the image tilt through software processing when skewed sheets SH are detected. Assuming that the separation distance between the rear end of the preceding sheet SH and the front end of the subsequent sheet SH, i.e., the paper-to-paper distance, is insufficient, these rear ends overlap with the front ends, and it may be impossible to determine the tilt of the sheet SH based on the edges of the image read by the FB unit 5. Therefore, a lower limit value for the paper-to-paper distance that can determine skew is set. The aforementioned deviation is set such that when multiple sheets SH are fed into the paper feed roller 92, the paper-to-paper distance between the rear end of the preceding sheet SH and the front end of the subsequent sheet SH is set to be higher than the aforementioned lower limit value for skew determination. The lower limit value for skew determination is set to different values ​​depending on the size of the sheet SH, and the aforementioned deviation is set to a value larger than the lower limit value when it becomes the maximum value, for example, the lower limit value when the sheet size is the largest A3 size in the target range. Furthermore, the aforementioned lower limit value is an example of a second threshold.

[0111] <Effects of the Implementation Method>

[0112] Regarding the effects obtained by the composite machine 1 of this embodiment as described above, on the one hand... Figure 19 The comparison examples shown are compared while using Figure 20 Please provide an explanation. Figure 19 and Figure 20 This is a conceptual illustration showing the behavior of, for example, two sheets SH1 and SH2 being fed into the paper feed roller 92. Figure 19This represents the behavior in a comparative example when the maximum clearance angles θ1max and θ2max are set to be approximately the same. Figure 20 This indicates the behavior in this implementation.

[0113] In this embodiment, compound clutches 160 and 170 are respectively provided in the transmission path of the driving force from the motor 70 to the feed roller 92 and the separation roller 54. The compound clutch 160 has a one-way clutch 162, and the compound clutch 170 has a one-way clutch 172. As described above, the conveying speed of the downstream first conveyor roller 44 is set to be faster than the conveying speed of the upstream separation roller 54 and the feed roller 92. Therefore, when the sheet SH is conveyed across the first conveyor roller 44, the feed roller 92, and the separation roller 54, the separation roller 54 and the feed roller 92 are pulled and rotated by the sheet SH conveyed by the rotation of the first conveyor roller 44. By providing a one-way clutch 162 in the compound clutch 160 and a one-way clutch 172 in the compound clutch 170, even when the separating roller 54 and the paper feed roller 92 are rotating in the aforementioned manner, the paper feed roller 92 will not exert a force on the shaft gear 157 in the opposite direction to the driving force, and the separating roller 54 will not exert a force on the shaft gear 154 in the opposite direction to the driving force. Therefore, there will be no slippage between the roller surfaces of the paper feed roller 92 and the separating roller 54 and the sheet SH, and smooth conveying can be achieved.

[0114] For example, when two sheets SH1 and SH2 are fed from the upstream side of the feed roller 92 and begin to be conveyed by abutting against the stop 80, such as Figure 19 As shown in (a), during the period when the preceding sheet SH1 is conveyed across the first conveyor roller 44, the separating roller 54, and the feed roller 92, the separating roller 54 and the feed roller 92 are respectively in a state of rotation caused by the conveying of the first conveyor roller 44. Furthermore, the above... Figure 18 (a) and Figure 18 (b) shows the state of this linkage rotation. In this state, in the bidirectional clutch 161 of the compound clutch 160 of the paper feed roller 92, due to the speed difference with the first conveying roller 44, the clearance angle θ1 generated between the transmission section 163 and the transmitted section 164 expands to become the maximum clearance angle θ1max. Furthermore, in the bidirectional clutch 171 of the compound clutch 170 of the separating roller 54, the clearance angle θ2 generated between the transmission section 173 and the transmitted section 174 expands to become the maximum clearance angle θ2max. Additionally, the subsequent sheet SH2 may also stop at the stop member 80 at its leading edge, but... Figure 19As shown in (a), there are also cases where the leading edge of sheet SH2 is pulled by the preceding sheet SH1 and moves to the clamping position of the separating roller 54. In the latter case, the leading edge of sheet SH2 starts from the position of the separating roller 54, and the distance between sheets SH1 and SH2 tends to become smaller. Sheet SH1 is an example of the first sheet, and sheet SH2 is an example of the second sheet.

[0115] After that, as Figure 19 As shown in (b), when the rear end of sheet SH1 disengages from the feed roller 92, the feed roller 92 stops rotating, and as a result, the clearance angle θ1 between the transmission section 163, which receives the driving force from the motor 70, and the transmitted section 164, which is circumferentially opposite to the transmission section 163, decreases. As in this comparative example, when the maximum clearance angle θ1max in the bidirectional clutch 161 of the feed roller 92 and the maximum clearance angle θ2max in the bidirectional clutch 171 of the separation roller 54 are set to approximately the same value, the reduced clearance angle θ1 becomes 0° relatively early. Thus, the transmission section 163 comes into contact with the transmitted section 164, the driving force is transmitted to the feed roller 92, and the feed roller 92 begins to transport the subsequent sheet SH2, which is exposed after the rear end of the preceding sheet SH1 has disengaged. As a result, the timing of the feed roller 92 starting to transport becomes relatively early.

[0116] After that, as Figure 19 As shown in (b), when the rear end of sheet SH1 disengages from the separating roller 54, the rotation of the separating roller 54 ends and it stops rotating. As a result, the clearance angle θ2 between the transmission section 173, which receives the driving force from the motor 70, and the transmitted section 174, which is circumferentially opposite to the transmission section 173, decreases. When the reduced clearance angle θ2 becomes 0°, the transmission section 173 comes into contact with the transmitted section 174, the driving force is transmitted to the separating roller 54, and the separating roller 54 begins to convey the subsequent sheet SH2 exposed after the rear end of the preceding sheet SH1 disengages. The state after the initial conveying by the separating roller 54 is as described above. Figure 17 (a) and Figure 17 The state shown in (b).

[0117] After that, as Figure 19 As shown in (d), the first sheet SH1 is conveyed by the first conveying roller 44, and the subsequent sheet SH2 is conveyed by the separating roller 54. Since the sheet SH2 is conveyed across the separating roller 54 and the feed roller 92, the feed roller 92 is in a state of rotation caused by the conveying of the separating roller 54.

[0118] Due to the behavior described above, in this comparative example, such as Figure 19As shown in (b), it is possible that the feeding of the subsequent sheet SH2 by the feed roller 92 may begin before the rear end of the preceding sheet SH1 has disengaged from the separating roller 54. In this case, the clamping load from the separating roller 54 is applied while the preceding sheet SH1 overlaps with the subsequent sheet SH2 fed by the feed roller 92. Consequently, if the subsequent sheet SH2 has low rigidity, such as being thin paper, wrinkles may form at the leading edge of the sheet SH2. Furthermore, even if the sheet SH2 has high rigidity and wrinkles do not form, it is not possible to adequately create a gap between the preceding sheet SH1 and the subsequent sheet SH2, such as... Figure 19 As shown in (d), the sheets SH1 and SH2 overlap in the first conveying roller 44, which may result in overlapping conveying. Thus, in the comparative example, conveying abnormalities such as wrinkles and overlapping conveying may occur.

[0119] Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, the maximum clearance angle θ1max set in the bidirectional clutch 161 of the compound clutch 160 that transmits the driving force to the paper feed roller 92 is greater than the maximum clearance angle θ2max set in the bidirectional clutch 171 of the compound clutch 170 that transmits the driving force to the separation roller 54. Thus, at least compared to the case where these two clearance angles are set to approximately the same value as in the comparative example described above, the timing of the feeding start of the paper feed roller 92 for the subsequent sheet SH2 can be delayed.

[0120] Specifically, such as Figure 20 As shown in (a), during the period when the preceding sheet SH1 is conveyed across the first conveying roller 44, the separating roller 54 and the feeding roller 92, the separating roller 54 and the feeding roller 92 are respectively in a state of joint rotation, the clearance angle θ1 in the bidirectional clutch 161 of the feeding roller 92 expands to become the maximum clearance angle θ1max, and the clearance angle θ2 in the bidirectional clutch 171 of the separating roller 54 expands to become the maximum clearance angle θ2max.

[0121] After that, as Figure 20 As shown in (b), when the rear end of the sheet SH1 disengages from the feed roller 92, the clearance angle θ1 in the bidirectional clutch 161 of the feed roller 92 decreases. However, since the maximum clearance angle θ1max is set relatively large, the conveying by the feed roller 92 does not start immediately.

[0122] After that, as Figure 20As shown in (c), even though the rear end of sheet SH1 disengages from the separating roller 54, the conveying by the feed roller 92 has not yet begun because the maximum clearance angle θ1max is set relatively large. On the other hand, as the rotation of the separating roller 54 stops after the accompanying rotation ends, the clearance angle θ2 in the bidirectional clutch 171 of the separating roller 54 decreases. When the clearance angle θ2 of the separating roller 54 becomes 0° before the clearance angle θ1 of the feed roller 92 becomes 0°, the transfer section 173 comes into contact with the transferred section 174, and the driving force is transmitted to the separating roller 54, and the conveying of the front end of the subsequent sheet SH2, which is exposed after the rear end of the preceding sheet SH1 disengages, begins by the separating roller 54.

[0123] After that, as Figure 20 As shown in (d), the preceding sheet SH1 is conveyed by the first conveyor roller 44, and the subsequent sheet SH2 is conveyed by the separating roller 54. Since the conveying speed of the first conveyor roller 44 is faster than that of the separating roller 54, the gap between the rear end of sheet SH1 and the front end of sheet SH2 is increased, ensuring a sufficient gap D at the point when the front end of sheet SH2 reaches the first conveyor roller 44. As a result, the overlapping conveying caused by insufficient gap between the preceding sheet SH1 and the subsequent sheet SH2, as described above, can be suppressed. Furthermore, as... Figure 20 As shown in (c), since the conveying by the separating roller 54 can begin before the conveying by the paper feed roller 92 begins, the occurrence of wrinkles at the leading edge of the sheet SH2 as described above can be suppressed. In this way, conveying abnormalities caused by wrinkles, overlapping conveying, etc., can be suppressed.

[0124] Furthermore, in this embodiment, specifically, the feed roller 92, the separation roller 54, and the first conveyor roller 44 are rotated by a driving force transmitted from a shared electric motor 70. Assuming that the feed roller 92, separation roller 54, and first conveyor roller 44 are driven by different electric motors, even if the clearance angle θ1 of the feed roller 92 becomes 0° after the rear end of the preceding sheet SH1 disengages from the feed roller 92, the timing of the feed roller 92's start-up can be delayed by temporarily not driving the electric motor of the feed roller 92, thereby preventing the aforementioned conveying abnormality from occurring. However, since multiple electric motors are required, the laminating machine 1 becomes larger, heavier, and more expensive.

[0125] In this embodiment, the feed roller 92, the separation roller 54, and the first conveyor roller 44 rotate by being driven by a shared electric motor 70. Furthermore, by employing the aforementioned clutch structure to delay the start timing of the feed roller 92's conveying operation compared to the start timing of the separation roller 54's conveying operation, the aforementioned conveying abnormalities can be suppressed. Therefore, compared to using multiple electric motors as described above, the multifunction printer 1 can be miniaturized and lightened, and costs can be reduced.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, specifically, the paper feed roller 92, the separation roller 54, and the first conveyor roller 44 sequentially convey the sheet SH as described above, thereby feeding the sheet SH into the FB section 5 located downstream along the conveying path P1. In the FB section 5, each sheet SH is read to generate image data based on the image of that sheet SH. According to this embodiment, in the structure of the laminating machine 1 equipped with the ADF section 9, which serves as a mechanism for sequentially feeding the sheet SH into the FB section 5, the aforementioned effect of suppressing conveying abnormalities can be obtained.

[0127] Furthermore, in this embodiment, specifically, when the maximum clearance angle θ1max on the feed roller 92 side is greater than the maximum clearance angle θ2max on the separation roller 54 side, the deviation is set such that the feed roller 92 starts rotating after the separation roller 54 starts rotating via the driving force transmitted through the bidirectional clutch 171. This reliably delays the timing of the feed roller 92's feeding start, thus more reliably suppressing the aforementioned feeding abnormalities. Additionally, unlike the case where the distance between the first feed roller 44 and the separation roller 54 is increased to suppress overlapping feeding, this avoids the overall increase in the size of the laminating machine 1.

[0128] Furthermore, in this embodiment, specifically, the front and rear ends of the conveyed sheet SH are detected by the sheet conveying sensor 113. At this time, if the deviation between the maximum clearance angle θ1max and the maximum clearance angle θ2max is relatively small, the time from the end of the continuous rotation of the feed roller 92 to the time when the clearance angle θ1 between the transfer section 163 and the transferred section 164 becomes 0° is shortened. As a result, the gap between the two sheets that are continuously conveyed sequentially becomes smaller. Therefore, depending on the size of the sheet SH, there is a possibility that the sheet conveying sensor 113 may fail to detect the gap between the two sheets that are conveyed sequentially and separately, and mistakenly detect a single long sheet. Therefore, in this embodiment, the lower limit value that the sheet conveying sensor 113 can detect is determined in relation to the size of the sheet SH, in the separation distance between the rear end of the preceding sheet SH1 and the front end of the subsequent sheet SH2, and the deviation between the maximum clearance angle θ1max and the maximum clearance angle θ2max is set such that the separation distance during conveying is above this lower limit value. Therefore, the aforementioned false detections by the sheet conveying sensor 113 can be suppressed.

[0129] Furthermore, in this embodiment, specifically when multiple sheets SH are sequentially transported separately as described above, if the separation distance between the sheets is insufficient, the control unit 110 may be unable to determine the image tilt based on the image data generated by the FB unit 5. Therefore, in this embodiment, the separation distance between the rear end of the preceding sheet SH1 and the front end of the following sheet SH2 is determined according to the size of the sheet SH, with a lower limit value corresponding to the size of the sheet SH, to determine the image tilt based on the image data, and the deviation between the maximum clearance angle θ1max and the maximum clearance angle θ2max is set to be above this lower limit value. Thus, even if the sheet SH is tilted, the tilt of the image data generated by the FB unit 5 can be detected.

[0130] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit and technical concept. These modifications are also included within the scope of the invention.

[0131] That is, the above-described structure employs a faster conveying speed of the separating roller 54 for conveying the sheet SH than the faster conveying speed of the feeding roller 92 for conveying the sheet SH, but it is not limited to this. For example, a structure in which the conveying speed of the separating roller 54 is approximately the same as the conveying speed of the feeding roller 92 can also be used.

[0132] Furthermore, the swinging of the retainer 51 described above is also achieved using the driving force from the motor 70, but it is not limited to this. That is, the retainer 51 can also be swinged using a driving force from a different driving source than the motor 70.

[0133] Furthermore, the above description uses the example of applying the present invention to the document feeding mechanism within the ADF unit 9 when the user inserts the original document into the ADF unit 9, but it is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention can also be applied to a manual insertion feeding mechanism when the user inserts recording paper from a manual insertion feeding port separately provided in the main body unit 2. In this case, the same effects as described above will be obtained.

[0134] Furthermore, the above description, using a multifunction printer 1 as an example of an image processing apparatus, is not limited to this. That is, as another example of an image processing apparatus, the present invention can also be applied to a reading device that does not have a portion corresponding to the image forming unit 4 described above, but only has a portion corresponding to the reading unit 3. In this case, the same effects as described above will be obtained.

[0135] In addition to the above-described contents, the methods of the above-described embodiments and various modifications can also be appropriately combined and utilized.

[0136] Furthermore, although not all examples are provided, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from its spirit.

[0137] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0138] 1. Multifunction printer (an example of an image processing device)

[0139] 5. FB section (an example of an image reading section)

[0140] 44 First conveyor roller (an example of a conveyor roller)

[0141] 54 Separating Rollers

[0142] 70 Electric Motor

[0143] 92 Paper feed rollers

[0144] 113 Sheet conveying sensor (an example of a sensor)

[0145] 160 Compound Clutch (An example of a first compound clutch)

[0146] 161 Two-way clutch (an example of a first two-way clutch)

[0147] 162 One-way clutch (an example of the first one-way clutch)

[0148] 163. Transmission Unit (An example of the first transmission unit)

[0149] 164 The transmitted part (an example of the first transmitted part)

[0150] 170 Compound clutch (an example of a second compound clutch)

[0151] 171 Two-way clutch (an example of a second two-way clutch)

[0152] 172 One-way clutch (an example of a second one-way clutch)

[0153] 173. Transmission Unit (An example of the second transmission unit)

[0154] 174 The transmitted part (an example of the second transmitted part)

[0155] SH film

[0156] SH1 sheet (an example of the first sheet)

[0157] SH2 sheet (an example of a second type of sheet)

[0158] P1 Conveying Path

[0159] X54 Rotation axis (an example of a second axis)

[0160] X92 Rotation axis (an example of the first axis)

[0161] θ1max is the maximum clearance angle (an example of the first maximum clearance angle).

[0162] θ2max is the maximum clearance angle (an example of the second maximum clearance angle).

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus characterized by comprising: Possessing: An electric motor capable of rotating in a first rotation direction or a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction and generating a corresponding driving force; A paper feed roller that rotates by being transmitted the driving force from the electric motor and feeds out a sheet in a conveyance direction; A separation roller located at a downstream side of the paper feed roller in the conveyance direction and rotating by being transmitted the driving force from the electric motor to separate the sheet fed out from the paper feed roller one by one; A conveyance roller located at a downstream side of the separation roller in the conveyance direction and rotating by being transmitted the driving force from the electric motor to convey the sheet at a conveyance speed faster than the paper feed roller and the separation roller; A first compound clutch provided in a transmission path of the driving force from the electric motor to the paper feed roller; and A second compound clutch provided in a transmission path of the driving force from the electric motor to the separation roller, The first compound clutch has: A first bidirectional clutch; and A first unidirectional clutch linked to the first bidirectional clutch to transmit a second driving force from the electric motor rotating in the second rotation direction without transmitting a first driving force from the electric motor rotating in the first rotation direction, The first bidirectional clutch has: A first transmission portion that rotates around a first axis by the first driving force or the second driving force; and A first transmission-receiving portion capable of rotating around the first axis and capable of abutting against the first transmission portion in a circumferential direction of the first axis and following the first transmission portion by less than one revolution, The second compound clutch has: A second bidirectional clutch; and A second unidirectional clutch linked to the second bidirectional clutch to transmit the second driving force from the electric motor without transmitting the first driving force from the electric motor, The second bidirectional clutch has: A second transmission portion that rotates around a second axis by the first driving force or the second driving force; and A second transmission-receiving portion capable of rotating around the second axis and capable of abutting against the second transmission portion in a circumferential direction of the second axis and following the second transmission portion by less than one revolution, A first maximum play angle set between the first transmission portion and the first transmission-receiving portion in the first bidirectional clutch is larger than a second maximum play angle set between the second transmission portion and the second transmission-receiving portion in the second bidirectional clutch.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The paper feed roller, the separation roller, and the conveyance roller rotate by being transmitted the driving force from a common one of the electric motors.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The image processing apparatus further has an image reading section that reads an original as the sheet to generate image data based on an image of the original, The paper feed roller, the separation roller, and the conveyance roller convey the sheet to the image reading section along a predetermined conveyance path.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein ​ The image processing apparatus further includes an image reading section that reads image data based on a document serving as the sheet, The sheet is conveyed to the image reading section along a predetermined conveyance path by the sheet feed roller, the separation roller, and the conveyance roller.

5. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a deviation between the first maximum play angle in the first bidirectional clutch and the second maximum play angle in the second bidirectional clutch is set so that driven rotation of the first transmission target portion caused by driving rotation of the first transmission portion starts after driven rotation of the second transmission target portion caused by driving rotation of the second transmission portion starts.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The image processing apparatus further includes a sensor that detects each sheet being conveyed, the deviation is set so that, when a plurality of the sheets including a first sheet and a second sheet are fed to the sheet feed roller, a separation distance between a trailing end of the first sheet and a leading end of the second sheet conveyed subsequent to the first sheet is greater than a first threshold value for sheet detection by the sensor, the first threshold value is variably set in accordance with a size of the sheet.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the deviation is set so that, when a plurality of the sheets including a first sheet and a second sheet are fed to the sheet feed roller, a separation distance between a trailing end of the first sheet and a leading end of the second sheet conveyed subsequent to the first sheet is greater than a second threshold value for skew determination, the second threshold value is variably set in accordance with a size of the sheet.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the deviation is set so that, when a plurality of the sheets including the first sheet and the second sheet are fed to the sheet feed roller, a separation distance between a trailing end of the first sheet and a leading end of the second sheet conveyed subsequent to the first sheet is greater than a second threshold value for skew determination, the second threshold value is variably set in accordance with a size of the sheet.

Images