Sheet conveying device, sheet reading device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A sheet conveyance device, a sheet reading device, and an image forming apparatus, the sheet conveyance device including: a sheet placement member on which a sheet to be conveyed is placed; a plurality of first detection members that detect the sheets placed on the sheet placement member; a second detection member that detects the sheet placed on the sheet placement member in a detection manner different from that of the first detection member; and a plurality of support members to which the first detection members and the second detection members are attached, the plurality of first detection members being attached to the same support member that can be attached to and detached from the sheet placement member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sheet conveying device, a sheet reading device, and an image forming device. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, technologies related to sheet conveying devices, such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, have been proposed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 is configured such that, in the wire handling of the original document reading section of a fax machine device, the original document reading section includes: an electrical wire connected to a drive member that serves as a drive source for transmitting the original document; an electrical wire connected to a reading member that reads the image of the original document during transmission; and a wire assembly member that is mechanically and electrically connected to a control unit disposed in a location other than the original document reading section.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses an image reading device comprising: a scanner for reading images; and a box-shaped electronic unit integrally disposed at the lower part of the scanner. The image reading device is configured such that a tray for mounting electrical components for processing images is disposed in the electronic unit, and the tray is capable of being placed in a storage position and a withdrawn position relative to the electronic unit.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-23153

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-107931 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to improve the recyclability of the sheet conveying device compared to the case where multiple detection components with different detection methods are installed on the same support component without considering the detection method.

[0008] The invention described in Scheme 1 is a sheet conveying device, which comprises:

[0009] Sheet material carrier, which holds the sheet material to be conveyed;

[0010] Multiple first detection components detect the sheet placed on the sheet placement component;

[0011] The second detection component detects the sheet placed on the sheet carrier component using a different detection method than the first detection component; and

[0012] Multiple support components are used to mount the first detection component and the second detection component.

[0013] The plurality of first detection components are mounted on the same support component that can be loaded and unloaded from the sheet mounting component.

[0014] The invention described in Scheme 2 is the sheet conveying device according to Scheme 1, wherein,

[0015] The plurality of first detection components are reflective detection components arranged adjacent to each other on the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheet.

[0016] The invention described in Scheme 3 is the sheet conveying device according to Scheme 2, wherein,

[0017] The plurality of first detection components include a detection component disposed at an end on the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction and offset from the center of the width direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction toward the width direction, and a detection component disposed at an upstream side of the end on the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction and at the center of the width direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction.

[0018] The invention described in Scheme 4 is the sheet conveying device according to Scheme 3, wherein,

[0019] The plurality of first detection components are installed on the same first support component.

[0020] The invention described in Scheme 5 is the sheet conveying device according to Scheme 1, wherein,

[0021] The second detection component is a transmission-type detection component that detects the size of the sheet along the width direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet.

[0022] The invention described in Scheme 6 is the sheet conveying device according to Scheme 5, wherein,

[0023] The second detection component detects the position of the side guide plate that abuts against the end of the sheet placed on the sheet carrier in the width direction, which intersects with the conveying direction of the sheet.

[0024] The invention described in Scheme 7 is the sheet conveying device according to Scheme 6, wherein,

[0025] The second detection component is installed on the same second support component.

[0026] The invention described in Scheme 8 is a sheet reading device, which comprises:

[0027] The sheet conveying device according to any one of Schemes 1 to 7; and

[0028] A reading component that reads information about the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying device.

[0029] The invention described in Scheme 9 is an image forming apparatus comprising:

[0030] The sheet reading device described in Scheme 8; and

[0031] The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium using the information of the sheet read by the sheet reading device.

[0032] Invention Effects

[0033] According to the first aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where multiple detection components with different detection methods are installed on the same support component without considering the detection method, the recyclability of the sheet conveying device can be improved.

[0034] According to the second aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where multiple first detection components are composed of transmission (light-shielding) type detection components, it is easier to arrange them adjacently on the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheet.

[0035] According to the third aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where a plurality of first detection members are composed only of detection members disposed at the end of the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheet and offset from the center of the width direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet towards the width direction, it is also possible to detect sheets of extremely small size.

[0036] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where multiple first detection components are installed on different support components, inspection during recycling and reuse becomes easier.

[0037] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the second detection member is composed of a reflective detection member of the detection sheet itself, it is possible to detect the size of multiple types of sheets with fewer detection members.

[0038] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the second detection member is composed of a reflective detection member that detects the position of the side guide plate, the position of the side guide plate can be detected with high precision.

[0039] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the second detection component is installed on a different support component, inspection during recycling and reuse becomes easier.

[0040] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the recyclability of the sheet reading device is improved compared to the case where the sheet conveying device is not provided in any one of aspects 1 to 7.

[0041] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the recyclability of the image forming apparatus is improved compared to the case where the sheet reading device described in aspect 8 is not provided. Attached Figure Description

[0042] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures.

[0043] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of an image forming apparatus to which the sheet conveying apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied;

[0044] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a manuscript reading device to which the sheet conveying apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied;

[0045] Figure 3 It is a planar structural diagram showing the arrangement of the original artwork on the glass tabletop;

[0046] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram showing the original document reading device;

[0047] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram representing the original manuscript tray;

[0048] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the inspection mechanism used to determine the dimensions of the original manuscript;

[0049] Figure 7 It is a chart or graph representing the dimensions of the original manuscript;

[0050] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing the control device of the sheet conveying device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 9 This is a rear structural diagram of the original document receiving tray of the original document reading device to which the sheet conveying device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied;

[0052] Figure 10 This is a top view showing the first support substrate;

[0053] Figure 11 This is a top view showing the second support substrate;

[0054] Figure 12 This is a rear structural diagram of the original document tray of the original document reading device to which the sheet conveying device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is applied;

[0055] Figure 13 This is a rear structural diagram of the manuscript tray of the manuscript reading device to which the sheet conveying device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is applied.

[0056] Symbol Explanation

[0057] 1-Image forming apparatus, 2-Apparatus body, 12-Original, 28-Original tray, 81-First support substrate, 82-Second support substrate, 100-Presence or absence of sensor, 101-First size sensor, 102-Second size sensor, 103-Third size sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0058] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] [Implementation Method 1]

[0060] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram showing the overall outline of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, which includes a sheet conveying device and a manuscript reading device.

[0061] <Overall Structure of the Image Forming Apparatus>

[0062] The image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 is, for example, a panchromatic image forming apparatus that forms panchromatic or monochrome images on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes a document reading device for reading images from original documents.

[0063] like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming apparatus 1 generally includes an apparatus body 2, a document reader 3, multiple or single paper receiving sections 5, a paper feeding section 6, a paper conveying section 7, an image forming section 8, and multiple or single paper discharge sections 9. The apparatus body 2 is configured as a longitudinally elongated, generally rectangular frame. The document reader 3 is positioned at the top of the apparatus body 2. The paper receiving section 5 is located inside the apparatus body 2 and houses recording paper 4, an example of a recording medium. The paper feeding section 6 feeds the recording paper 4 housed in the paper receiving section 5 in a separate, individual sheet manner. The paper conveying section 7 conveys the recording paper 4 fed by the paper feeding section 6 along a desired conveying path. The image forming section 8 is an example of an image forming member that forms a full-color or monochrome image on the recording paper 4 conveyed by the paper conveying section 7. The paper discharge section 9 discharges the recording paper 4 from which the image has been formed by the image forming section 8. In addition, the paper transport unit 7 is equipped with a double-sided transport unit 7a, which flips the front and back of the recording paper 4 on which an image is formed on one side (front) and transports it to the image forming unit 8 again.

[0064] As for the image forming unit 8, it is not particularly limited as long as it can form a full-color or monochrome image on the recording paper 4. For example, the image forming unit 8 can be used to form a full-color or monochrome image on the recording paper 4 using four colors of toner: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) and by electrophotography. Furthermore, the image forming unit 8 can also be an image forming unit that forms full-color or monochrome images on the recording paper 4 by inkjet recording.

[0065] <Structure of the Manuscript Reading Device>

[0066] The original document reading device 3 according to Embodiment 1 functions as a DADF (Duplex Automatic Document Feeder) capable of automatically reading original documents on both sides. As described above, the original document reading device 3 is, for example, disposed on the upper part of the device body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1. However, the original document reading device 3 may also be disposed separately from the image forming apparatus 1, or in combination with electronic devices such as image processing apparatuses that perform other graphic processing.

[0067] like Figure 2 As shown, the document reading device 3 includes a document reading device body 13 that reads an image of a document 12, which is an example of a sheet placed on a tabletop glass 11. An automatic document transfer device 14, which is an example of a sheet transfer device that automatically transfers the document 12 to the reading position on the tabletop glass 11, is mounted on the upper part of the document reading device body 13. The automatic document transfer device 14 functions as a document pressing member (tabletop cover) that presses the document 12 placed on the tabletop glass 11. The automatic document transfer device 14 is mounted on the upper part of the document reading device body 13 in a manner that allows it to open and close, centered on a rotation pivot point (not shown) located on the inner side of the figure and opening upwards towards the front side of the figure. Furthermore, as described later, the automatic document transfer device 14 not only automatically transfers the document 12 to the reading position on the tabletop glass 11, but also functions as a second image reading unit that reads an image of the other side (reverse side) of the automatically transferred document 12.

[0068] The main body 13 of the document reading device is a rectangular frame with an opening covering approximately the entire upper surface, except for one end along the outer periphery and one end in the width direction (left end in the figure). A platform glass 11 for holding the document 12 is disposed at the opening on the upper surface of the main body 13. Figure 3As shown, the stage glass 11 employs a so-called side registration method: using one end 11a (upper end in the figure) along the reading direction (main scanning direction) of the original document 12 and the near-front end 11b (left end in the figure) along the direction intersecting the reading direction (sub-scanning direction) of the original document 12 as a reference, the corresponding edge 12a and 12b of the original document 12 are abutted together for positioning. The stage glass 11, with its reading surface facing down, is pressed by the automatic original document transport device 14 to position the original document 12 for image reading. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 As shown, the automatic manuscript conveying device 14, which also functions as a manuscript pressing component, has an elastomer layer 15 that presses the manuscript 12 onto the table glass 11, and the lower end face opposite to the table glass 11 is white.

[0069] like Figure 2 As shown, the main body 13 of the document reading device houses a light source 16, a full-rate mirror 17, two half-rate mirrors 18 and 19, an imaging lens 20, and a reading element 21. The light source 16 is composed of an LED or halogen lamp, etc., that illuminates the image of the document 12 placed on the stage glass 11. The full-rate mirror 17 reflects the reflected light image from the document 12 toward the reading element 21. The two half-rate mirrors 18 and 19 reflect the reflected light image of the document 12 from the full-rate mirror 17 onto the reading element 21. The imaging lens 20 images the reflected light image of the document 12 from the half-rate mirrors 18 and 19 onto the reading element 21 at the desired magnification. The reading element 21 is composed of a panchromatic or monochrome CCD, etc., that reads the reflected light image of the document 12. Furthermore, the light source 16, the full-rate mirror 17, the two half-rate mirrors 18 and 19, the imaging lens 20, and the reading element 21 constitute the first image reading component. The light source 16 and the full-rate mirror 17 are mounted on the first reciprocating stage 22. The half-rate mirrors 18 and 19 are mounted on the second reciprocating stage 23.

[0070] When the original document reading device 3 reads the image of the original document 12 placed on the stage glass 11, it moves the first reciprocating stage 22 and the second reciprocating stage 23 along the sub-scanning direction at the required speed, and the reading element 21 reads the image of the entire original document 12 at the required magnification and in full color or monochrome mode.

[0071] Here, the main scanning direction refers to the direction in which the reading element 21 scans the image information of the original document 12 when it reads the image of the original document 12, that is, the arrangement direction of the reading element 21. The sub-scanning direction refers to the direction that intersects with the scanning direction, that is, the direction in which the light source 16 or the full-rate mirror 17 and the half-rate mirrors 18 and 19 move.

[0072] And, as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, a first reading section 26 is provided at the end of the table glass 11 near the front side (left side in the figure) along the sub-scanning direction. The first reading section 26 is composed of a slit-shaped glass surface that reads an image of one side (front) of the original document 12 conveyed by the automatic original document transport device 14. An original document guide 27 with a roughly triangular cross-section is disposed between the table glass 11 and the first reading section 26. The original document guide 27 abuts against the end of the original document 12 placed on the table glass 11 and guides the original document 12, which has passed through the first reading section 26, to the downstream side, i.e., obliquely upward, along the transport direction. The side of the original document guide 27 on the side of the first reading section 26 is provided as a concave curved surface so that the original document 12 can be smoothly guided to the downstream side along the transport direction. In addition, a guide roller 27a for guiding the original document 12 to the first reading section 26 is rotatably disposed on the upstream side of the first reading section 26.

[0073] When the original document reading device 3 reads the image of the original document 12 transmitted by the automatic original document transport device 14, it causes the first reciprocating stage 22 and the second reciprocating stage 23 to... Figure 2 Stop at the indicated position. Then, illuminate the image of one side, i.e. the front side, of the original document 12 passing through the first reading unit 26 with the light source 16. At the same time, the original document reading device 3 images the reflected light image of the original document 12 reflected by the full-rate mirror 17 and the half-rate mirrors 18 and 19 onto the reading element 21 using the imaging lens 20, and the reading element 21 reads the image of the original document 12.

[0074] like Figure 2 As shown, the automatic document transport device 14 includes, as an example, a document tray 28 (a sheet loading member), an automatic document feeder 29, a first reading unit 26, a second reading unit 30, and as an example, a discharge tray 31 (a sheet discharge member). The document tray 28 holds a document 12, which is a sheet material. The automatic document feeder 29 transports the document 12 loaded in the document tray 28 along the document transport path 40, allowing it to pass through the first reading unit 26. The first reading unit 26 reads an image of one side (front) of the document 12 transported by the automatic document feeder 29. The second reading unit 30 includes a second image reading member that reads an image of the other side (back) of the document 12, which is also transported by the automatic document feeder 29. The discharge tray 31 discharges documents sequentially while they are loaded with images read from the first reading unit 26 and the second reading unit 30.

[0075] The second reading unit 30 is composed of a CIS (Contact Image Sensor), which is an example of a second image reading member capable of reading an image of the reverse side of the original 12 being transported along the original transport path 40 from a close position.

[0076] Furthermore, the automatic document transport device 14 according to Embodiment 1 includes both a first reading unit 26 for reading an image of one side (front) of the original document 12 and a second reading unit 30 for reading an image of the other side (back) of the original document 12. However, it is not limited to this; the automatic document transport device 14 may also include only the first reading unit 26 for reading an image of one side (front) of the original document 12. In this case, the automatic document transport device 14 is configured such that a reverse transport path (not shown) is provided in a part of the document transport path 40, and the front and back sides of the original document 12 are reversed and transported to the first reading unit 26 again through this reverse transport path.

[0077] like Figure 4 As shown, the original document tray 28 is formed as a flat plate capable of holding original documents 12 of a maximum size A3 (297mm × 420mm) (long side direction) by using an extension tray (not shown) that can be pulled out and is provided at the rear end side along the transport direction of the original document 12. The length of the original document tray 28, for example, along the main scanning direction (width direction) intersecting the transport direction of the original document 12, is set to a size capable of holding original documents 12 of A4 size (210mm × 297mm) in the direction intersecting the transport direction. The original document 12 is placed on the original document tray 28 with the reading surface facing upward, in a state where its front end along the transport direction is aligned with the abutment plate 32 provided on the original document tray 28 or the automatic original document transport device 14.

[0078] In this implementation method 1, such as Figure 5 As shown, the document tray 28 includes a presence / absence sensor 100 as an example of a first detection component. This presence / absence sensor 100 detects the presence or absence of the document 12 at its downstream end along the document 12's transport direction (sub-scanning direction), located slightly off-center from the center in a width direction intersecting the document 12's transport direction. The presence / absence sensor 100 is a reflective sensor that illuminates the document 12 placed on the document tray 28 and detects its presence or absence based on the presence or absence of reflected light. A rectangular opening and a transparent plate are provided at the location of the presence / absence sensor 100.

[0079] And, as Figure 5 As shown, the original document tray 28 includes a first size sensor 101 as an example of a first detection member. This first size sensor 101 detects the size of the original document 12 at a position located at the center of the width direction intersecting the transport direction of the original document 12 and a short distance from the downstream end of the original document 12 in the transport direction. Similar to the presence / absence sensor 100, the first size sensor 101 is a reflective sensor that illuminates the original document 12 placed on the original document tray 28 and detects the presence or absence of the original document 12 based on whether there is reflected light reflected from the original document 12.

[0080] Furthermore, the document tray 28 includes a second size sensor 102, which serves as an example of a second detection component. This second size sensor 102 detects the size of the document 12 at a position located at the center of the width direction intersecting the transport direction of the document 12 and at a distance L1 from the downstream end of the document 12 in the transport direction. Similar to the first size sensor 101, the second size sensor 102 is a reflective sensor that illuminates the document 12 placed on the document tray 28 and detects the presence or absence of the document 12 based on whether there is reflected light reflected from it.

[0081] Furthermore, the original document tray 28 is equipped with a third size sensor 103, which serves as an example of a second detection component. This third size sensor 103 detects the size of the original document 12 at a position located at the center of the width direction intersecting the transport direction of the original document 12 and at a second distance L2, which is longer than the first distance L1, from the downstream end of the transport direction of the original document 12. Similar to the first size sensor 101, the third size sensor 103 is a reflective sensor that illuminates the original document 12 placed on the original document tray 28 and detects the presence or absence of the original document 12 based on whether there is reflected light reflected from it.

[0082] The first size sensor 101, for example, detects whether the length of the original document 12 along the transport direction (sub-scanning direction) is at least L0, which is the minimum size that allows image formation in the image forming apparatus 1. Here, the minimum length L0 is set, for example, to a value close to the length of the original document 12 along the short side of the business card size, i.e., 55 mm, and slightly smaller than 55 mm by the length ΔL (approximately 50 mm). Therefore, the first size sensor 101 detects, for example, whether the original document 12 placed on the original document tray 28 is at least L0, which is at least L0, along the short side of the business card size.

[0083] Furthermore, the second size sensor 102 detects, for example, whether the length of the original document 12 along the transport direction (sub-scanning direction) is greater than or equal to a first length, L1. Here, the first length L1 is, for example, set to a value close to the length of the original document 12 along the A4 size, i.e., 297 mm, and slightly smaller than 297 mm by a length ΔL (approximately 290 mm). Therefore, the second size sensor 102 detects, for example, whether the original document 12 placed on the original document tray 28 is greater than or equal to the length along the short side of the A4 size.

[0084] Furthermore, the third dimension sensor 103 detects, for example, whether the length of the original document 12 along the transport direction (sub-scanning direction) is greater than or equal to a second length, L2. Here, the second length L2 is set, for example, to a value close to the length of the original document 12 along the B4 dimension, i.e., 364 mm, and slightly smaller than 364 mm by the length ΔL value (approximately 360 mm). Therefore, the third dimension sensor 103 detects, for example, whether the original document 12 placed on the original document tray 28 is greater than or equal to the length along the long side of the B4 dimension.

[0085] And, as Figure 5 As shown, the document tray 28 has a pair of side guides 33 and 34, which are aligned so that their ends abut against each other in the main scanning direction (width direction) intersecting the transport direction of the document 12. Unlike the tabletop glass 11, the document tray 28 uses a so-called center registration method to place the document 12 with the center of the main scanning direction intersecting the transport direction of the document 12 as a reference. The side guides 33 and 34 are respectively provided on both sides of the document tray 28 along the main scanning direction. The left and right side guides 33 and 34 are configured to move (link) with the center of the main scanning direction intersecting the transport direction of the document 12 as a reference, so as to abut against the two ends of the document 12 placed on the document tray 28.

[0086] To elaborate further, the left and right side guide plates 33 and 34 are mounted so that they can move along the two guide slots 61 and 62 provided on the original document tray 28 to near the center in the width direction. For example... Figure 9 As shown, left and right rack components 63 and 64 are respectively mounted on the left and right side guide plates 33 and 34. These rack components 63 and 64 are disposed inside the original document tray 28 and move integrally with the left and right side guide plates 33 and 34. One of the rack components 63 and 64 is configured as a relatively narrow, elongated rectangular plate. The other rack component 64 is configured as an elongated rectangular plate with a width wider than the rack component 63. The rack components 63 and 64 have racks 65 and 66 on their opposing surfaces, respectively. The rack components 63 and 64 are arranged parallel to each other at a required distance along the paper transport direction. The racks 65 and 66 of the rack components 63 and 64 mesh with the teeth of a pinion 67 that are opposed in the diametrical direction. The pinion 67 is rotatably mounted at the center of the original document tray 28 in a direction intersecting the transport direction. Therefore, if one side guide plate 33 is moved along the width direction, the other side guide plate 34 will move the same distance along the width direction via racks 65 and 66 and pinion 67. As a result, the original document 12 placed on the original document tray 28 is aligned with the center of the main scanning direction intersecting the transport direction, with the left and right side guide plates 33 and 34 abutting against the two ends of the original document 12.

[0087] And, as Figure 6 As shown, a rack member 64 of a side guide plate 34 includes a first actuator 68 and a second actuator 69. The first actuator 68 and the second actuator 69 are configured as elongated, flat, protruding portions erected along the length of the back surface of the rack member 64. The first actuator 68 and the second actuator 69 are arranged parallel to each other along the width direction of the rack member 64. Furthermore, the first actuator 68 and the second actuator 69 have multiple or single notches 70 and 71 at desired positions along the long side of the rack member 64.

[0088] Inside the original document tray 28, there are fourth dimension sensors 104 to seventh dimension sensors 107, which are examples of third detection components. The fourth dimension sensors 104 to seventh dimension sensors 107 detect the positions of the left and right side guide plates 33 and 34, i.e. the width of the original document 12, by detecting the notches 70 and 71 of the first actuator 68 and the second actuator 69.

[0089] The fourth size sensor 104 is disposed inside the original document tray 28 near the pinion 67. The fourth size sensor 104 detects the notch 70 of the first actuator 68. The fifth size sensor 105 and the sixth size sensor 106 are disposed further outward along the width direction of the recording paper than the fourth size sensor 104. Furthermore, the seventh size sensor 107 is disposed near the pinion 67 on the opposite side from the fourth size sensor 104. The fifth to seventh size sensors 105 detect the notch 71 of the second actuator 69. As the fourth to seventh size sensors 104, the seventh size sensors 107 are transmissive sensors that detect the position of the right side guide plate 34 based on whether there is transmitted light through the notches 70 and 71 of the first and second actuators 68 and 69.

[0090] The original document tray 28, equipped with fourth-size sensors 104 to seventh-size sensors 107, is capable of detecting up to 16 dimensions of the original document 12 along the width direction based on the combination of ON / OFF outputs of the fourth-size sensors 104 to seventh-size sensors 107.

[0091] In this implementation method 1, such as Figure 7As shown, the ON / OFF combinations (groups) of the outputs of the 4th size sensor 104 to the 7th size sensor 107 employ 12 types: "ON, OFF / ON, OFF, ON", "ON, OFF, OFF, OFF", "ON, OFF, ON, OFF", "ON, OFF, ON, ON", "ON, ON, ON, ON", "ON, ON, ON, OFF", "OFF, ON, ON, OFF", "OFF, ON, ON, ON", "OFF, ON, ON, ON", "OFF, OFF, OFF, OFF, OFF", "OFF, OFF, ON, OFF". Here, "ON, OFF / ON, OFF, ON" in group 1 indicates that the output of the 5th size sensor 105 can be either OFF or ON.

[0092] Each of the groups 1 to 12, which combine the outputs of the fourth-size sensor 104 to the seventh-size sensor 107, has a certain detection width. The detection width of group 1 is set as W1≥W≥W2, the detection width of group 2 is set as W2>W≥W3, the detection width of group 3 is set as W3>W≥W4, the detection width of group 4 is set as W4>W≥W5, the detection width of group 5 is set as W5>W≥W6, the detection width of group 6 is set as W6>W≥W7, the detection width of group 7 is set as W7>W≥W8, the detection width of group 8 is set as W8>W≥W9, the detection width of group 9 is set as W9>W≥W10, the detection width of group 10 is set as W10>W≥W11, the detection width of group 11 is set as W11>W≥W12, and the detection width of group 12 is set as W12>W≥W13.

[0093] like Figure 2 As shown, the automatic document feeder 29 includes a document transport path 40, which serves as an example of a sheet transport path. This document transport path 40 transports the original documents 12 loaded on the document tray 28 to the first reading unit 26 and the second reading unit 30. At the upstream end of the document transport path 40, there is a push roller 41 that feeds the uppermost original document 12 loaded on the document tray 28, and a separating roller pair 42 that separates the original documents 12 fed by the push roller 41 one by one downstream of the push roller 41 along the transport direction of the original documents 12. In addition, if the sensor 100 detects that the original document 12 is loaded on the document tray 28, the push roller 41 descends to come into contact with the uppermost original document 12 loaded on the document tray 28.

[0094] The separating roller pair 42 consists of a feed roller 43 that conveys the original 12 toward the downstream side and a delay roller 44 that presses against the feed roller 43 and rotates in the opposite direction to the feed roller 43 or applies force in the opposite direction.

[0095] The automatic manuscript conveying device 14 is provided with the following on the manuscript conveying path 40: multiple conveying roller pairs 45 to 49 for conveying the manuscripts 12 that are separated and conveyed one by one by the separating roller pair 42; multiple guiding members 50 to 55 for guiding the front and back sides of the manuscripts 12 conveyed by the multiple conveying roller pairs 45 to 49; and discharge roller pair 56 for discharging the manuscripts 12 onto the discharge tray 31, which is an example of a discharge member.

[0096] like Figure 2 As shown, a paper path sensor 108, serving as an example of a detection member for detecting whether a document 12 being conveyed by the separation roller pair 42 is present, is positioned near the center in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the document 12, downstream of the separation roller pair 42 along the document conveying direction and upstream of the first conveying roller pair 45 along the document conveying direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 As shown, in the original document transport path 40, a paper jam sensor 109 for detecting poor transport of the original document 12 is disposed downstream of the transport roller pair 46. Furthermore, in the original document transport path 40, a front-end sensor 110 is disposed downstream of the transport roller pair 47 and upstream of the guide roller 27a. This front-end sensor 110 detects the front end of the original document 12 and is used to ensure the storage area storing the data that should be read from the original document 12 by the reading element 21.

[0097] like Figure 2 As shown, a flat alignment abutment 57 is provided upright on the discharge tray 31. This flat alignment abutment 57 abuts and aligns the end of the original document 12 with the upstream end along the discharge direction of the original document 12. The discharge tray 31 has a first inclined portion 58 located below the original document tray 28 in the vertical direction and inclined upward at the rear end in the horizontal direction, and a second inclined portion 59 located downstream of the first inclined portion 58 and inclined upward at a greater degree at the rear end in the horizontal direction. The original document 12 discharged onto the discharge tray 31 by the discharge roller pair 56 is discharged by gravity onto the first inclined portion 58 and the second inclined portion 59 of the discharge tray 31 according to its size.

[0098] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing the control device of the original document reading device 3 according to Embodiment 1.

[0099] exist Figure 8In the diagram, symbol 200 indicates a control device that controls the operation of the document reading device 3. The control device 200 includes, as an example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, which is a control member for controlling the operation of the document reading device 3; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 storing programs executed by the CPU 201; a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 temporarily storing parameters used in the program; a bus 204 connecting the CPU 201 and the ROM 202; and a communication interface 205 for communicating with the control device (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0100] The CPU 201 receives detection signals from the presence / absence sensor 100, the first-size sensors 101 to the seventh-size sensors 107, the paper path sensor 108, the paper jam sensor 109, and the front-end sensor 110. Furthermore, the CPU 201, based on the detection signals from the presence / absence sensor 100, the first-size sensors 101 to the seventh-size sensors 107, the paper path sensor 108, the paper jam sensor 109, and the front-end sensor 110, references a pre-stored data structure in the ROM 202. Figure 7 The table shown is used to determine the size of the original 12 placed on the original tray 28 of the original reading device 3.

[0101] Furthermore, symbol 206 indicates an operating device that includes the image forming apparatus 1 of the original document reading device 3. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the operation device 206 is disposed on the front surface of the original document reading device 3. The operation device 206 includes: an input unit 207 for inputting and specifying the reading mode, such as the type or number of recording sheets 4 used to form the image in the image forming apparatus 1, or when reading the image of the original document in the original document reading device 3, whether to read only one side (front) of the image or read both sides of the image, or read the image of the original document in full color or in monochrome; and a display unit 208 for displaying the input type or number of recording sheets 4, or displaying the reading mode of the original document image.

[0102] However, as Figure 2As shown, in the document reading device 3, the document tray 28 on which the document 12 is placed is equipped with a plurality of size sensors 101 to 107 for detecting the size of the document. The first size sensor 101 to the third size sensor 103, as part of the plurality of size sensors 101 to 107, are reflective sensors that detect the size of the document 12 by receiving reflected light from the document 12 when light is irradiated onto the document 12 placed on the document tray 28. Furthermore, the fourth size sensor 104 to the seventh size sensor 107 are transmissive sensors that detect the position of the right side guide plate 34 based on the presence or absence of transmissive light transmitted through the notches 70 and 71 of the first actuator 68 and the second actuator 69 provided on the side guide plate 34.

[0103] The original document reading device 3 is recycled together with the image forming device 1 during recycling. Then, the original document reading device 3 is disassembled to remove various parts, and a cleaning process is performed to determine whether it can be reused.

[0104] In the original document reading device 3, multiple size sensors 101 to 107 are used as size sensors to detect the size of the original document 12. These size sensors 101 to 107 vary in detection method, such as reflective sensors or transmissive sensors, depending on their location or function.

[0105] Therefore, when recycling and reusing the existing original document reading device 3, it is necessary to remove each size sensor 101 to 107 for cleaning and check whether each one can be reused, which presents technical challenges such as cumbersome work.

[0106] To elaborate further, the size of the original document 12 that the original document reading device 3 can read has become more diverse according to user needs. In particular, in recent years, the size of the original document that the original document reading device 3 can read has shifted towards smaller sizes, such as express invoices or drafts, checks, receipts, and aircraft boarding passes.

[0107] Typically, if the size of the original document 12 that can be read in the original document reading device 3 increases, the number of sensors installed on the original document tray 28 will also increase accordingly.

[0108] Therefore, the original document reading device according to Embodiment 1 is configured to include: a plurality of first detection members for detecting the sheet placed on the sheet holding member; a plurality of second detection members for detecting the sheet placed on the sheet holding member in a detection method different from that of the first detection members; and a plurality of support members for mounting the first detection members and the second detection members, wherein two or more detection members of the first detection members and the second detection members having the same detection method are mounted on the same support member that can be attached to and detached from the sheet holding member.

[0109] That is, such as Figure 9 As shown, in the original document reading device 3 according to Embodiment 1, the presence / absence sensor 100 and the first size sensor 101, which are both reflective sensors used to detect the presence / absence and size of the original document 12 disposed on the original document tray 28, are mounted on the same first support substrate 81, which is an example of a first support member. The first support substrate 81 is constructed of a printed wiring board or the like. The first support substrate 81 is formed into a horizontally elongated planar rectangular shape. Figure 10 As shown, the presence / absence sensor 100 and the first dimension sensor 101 are mounted at the desired positions on the first support substrate 81. The first support substrate 81 is fixed to the inner surface of the original document tray 28 by screws 90.

[0110] And, as Figure 9 As shown, in the original document reading device 3, the fourth to seventh size sensors, which are all identical transmissive type sensors, are mounted on the same second support substrate 82, which serves as an example of a second support member, and are used to detect the presence and size of the original document 12 disposed on the original document tray 28. The second support substrate 82 is constructed from printed wiring boards, etc. The second support substrate 82 is formed into a planar irregular shape. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the fourth dimension sensor 104 to the seventh dimension sensor 107 are respectively mounted at the desired positions on the second support substrate 82. The second support substrate 82 is fixed to the inner surface of the original document tray 28 by screws 91.

[0111] Furthermore, a second dimension sensor 102 and a position sensor 111 for detecting the rotational position of the original document tray 28 are mounted on the second support base plate 82. The position sensor 111 is a transmission type sensor.

[0112] Thus, in the original document reading device 3 according to Embodiment 1 above, as Figure 9 As shown, the presence / absence sensor 100 and the first size sensor 101, both composed of the same reflective sensor, are mounted on the same first support substrate 81.

[0113] Therefore, when recycling and reusing the original document reading device 3, such as Figure 10 As shown, the first support substrate 81, on which the presence / absence sensor 100 and the first dimension sensor 101 are mounted, can be removed from the original document tray 28. Furthermore, cleaning or inspection processes for the presence / absence sensor 100 and the first dimension sensor 101 can be performed integrally while they are mounted on the first support substrate 81. In particular, regarding the inspection of the presence / absence sensor 100 and the first dimension sensor 101, since both sensors 100 and 101 are identical reflective sensors, the same reflector can be used to easily perform the inspection in a single process.

[0114] Furthermore, in the original document reading device 3 according to Embodiment 1 above, such as Figure 11 As shown, fourth-size sensors 104 to seventh-size sensors 107, which are composed of identical transmissive sensors, are mounted on the same second support substrate 82. While other second-size sensors 102 and the like are mounted on the second support substrate 82, cleaning or inspection processes for the fourth-size sensors 104 to seventh-size sensors 107 can be performed integrally, thereby improving operability.

[0115] [Implementation Method 2]

[0116] Figure 12 This is a structural diagram of the original document reading device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0117] That is, such as Figure 12 As shown, in the original document reading device 3 according to Embodiment 2, the second size sensor 102 and the third size sensor 103, which are both reflective sensors, are mounted on the same third support substrate 83. The third support substrate 83 is composed of a printed wiring board or the like. The third support substrate 83 is formed into a longitudinally elongated planar rectangular shape.

[0118] Thus, in the original document reading device 3 according to Embodiment 2, apart from the presence or absence sensor 100 and the first size sensor 101, the second size sensor 102 and the third size sensor 103 are mounted on the same third support substrate 83.

[0119] Therefore, in the original document reading device 3 according to Embodiment 2, although the presence or absence sensor 100 and the first size sensor 101 are configured separately, the operability during recycling can be improved compared to the case where the same reflective size sensors, namely the second size sensor 102 and the third size sensor 103, are installed separately on the original document tray 28.

[0120] Other structures and functions are the same as in Embodiment 1, therefore their descriptions are omitted.

[0121] [Implementation Method 3]

[0122] Figure 13 This is a structural diagram of the original document reading device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0123] That is, such as Figure 13As shown, the original document reading device 3 according to this embodiment 3 is configured as follows: a second size sensor 102 and a third size sensor 103, which are arranged in relatively close positions but with different detection methods among the sensors that detect the size of the original document 12 arranged in the original document tray 28, are mounted on the same support substrate as the fourth size sensor 104 to the seventh size sensor 107, namely the second support substrate 82.

[0124] In the case of the original document reading device 3 according to Embodiment 3, by mounting the transmissive sensors, namely the fourth-size sensors 104 to the seventh-size sensors 107, and the reflective sensors, namely the second-size sensors 102 and the third-size sensors 103 with different detection methods, on the same second support substrate 82, the number of support substrates can be reduced compared to Embodiment 2, and the number of parts can be reduced and operability can be improved.

[0125] Furthermore, in the document reading device 3 according to Embodiment 3, although the detection methods are different, the fourth-size sensors 104 to the seventh-size sensors 107 are arranged close together, and similarly, the second-size sensors 102 and the third-size sensors 103 are also arranged close together. Therefore, when recycling and reusing the document reading device 3, the second-size sensors 102 and the third-size sensors 103, and the fourth-size sensors 104 to the seventh-size sensors 107 can be removed from the document tray 28 via the same second support substrate 82.

[0126] Furthermore, the cleaning and inspection of the second-size sensor 102, the third-size sensor 103, and the fourth-to-seventh-size sensors 104 and 107 can be performed separately for the second-size sensors 102 and 103, which are mounted on the same second support substrate 82 and arranged close together, and for the fourth-to-seventh-size sensors 104, which are also mounted on the same second support substrate 82 and arranged close together. Therefore, compared to the case where the second-size sensor 102 and the third-size sensor 103 are mounted on different support substrates, overall operability can be improved.

[0127] Other structures and functions are the same as in Embodiment 1, therefore their descriptions are omitted.

[0128] (Postscript) (1)

[0130] A sheet conveying device comprising:

[0131] Sheet material carrier, which holds the sheet material to be conveyed;

[0132] Multiple first detection components detect the sheet placed on the sheet placement component;

[0133] The second detection component detects the sheet placed on the sheet carrier component using a different detection method than the first detection component; and

[0134] Multiple support components are used to mount the first detection component and the second detection component.

[0135] The plurality of first detection components are mounted on the same support component that can be loaded and unloaded from the sheet mounting component. (2)

[0137] According to the sheet conveying device described in (1), wherein,

[0138] The plurality of first detection components are reflective detection components arranged adjacent to each other on the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheet. (3)

[0140] According to the sheet conveying device described in (2), wherein,

[0141] The plurality of first detection components include a detection component disposed at an end on the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction and offset from the center of the width direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction toward the width direction, and a detection component disposed at an upstream side of the end on the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction and at the center of the width direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction. (4)

[0143] According to the sheet conveying device described in (3), wherein,

[0144] The plurality of first detection components are installed on the same first support component. (5)

[0146] According to the sheet conveying device described in (1), wherein,

[0147] The second detection component is a transmission-type detection component that detects the size of the sheet along the width direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet. (6)

[0149] According to the sheet conveying device described in (5), wherein,

[0150] The second detection component detects the position of the side guide plate that abuts against the end of the sheet placed on the sheet carrier in the width direction, which intersects with the conveying direction of the sheet. (7)

[0152] According to the sheet conveying device described in (6), wherein,

[0153] The second detection component is installed on the same second support component. (8)

[0155] A sheet reading device, comprising:

[0156] The sheet conveying device as described in any one of (1) to (7); and

[0157] A reading component that reads information about the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying device. (9)

[0159] An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0160] (8) The sheet reading device described above; and

[0161] The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium using the information of the sheet read by the sheet reading device.

[0162] According to the sheet conveying device involved in (1), compared with the case where multiple detection components with different detection methods are installed on the same support component without considering the detection method, the recyclability of the sheet conveying device can be improved.

[0163] According to the sheet conveying device involved in (2), compared to the case where multiple first detection components are composed of transmission (light-shielding) type detection components, it is easier to arrange them adjacent to each other on the downstream side along the sheet conveying direction.

[0164] According to the sheet conveying device involved in (3), compared to the case where multiple first detection members are only composed of detection members disposed at the end of the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheet and offset from the center of the width direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet to the width direction, it is also possible to detect sheets of extremely small size.

[0165] According to the sheet conveying device involved in (4), compared to the case where multiple first detection components are installed on different support components, the inspection during recycling becomes easier.

[0166] According to the sheet conveying device involved in (5), compared to the case where the second detection member is composed of a reflective detection member that detects the sheet itself, it is possible to detect the size of multiple types of sheets with fewer detection members.

[0167] According to the sheet conveying device involved in (6), compared to the case where the second detection member is composed of a reflective detection member that detects the position of the side guide plate, the position of the side guide plate can be detected with high precision.

[0168] According to the sheet conveying device involved in (7), compared to the case where the second detection component is installed on a different support component, the inspection during recycling becomes easier.

[0169] According to the sheet reading device involved in (8), the recyclability of the sheet reading device is improved compared to the case where the sheet conveying device is not provided in any one of (1) to (7).

[0170] According to the image forming apparatus described in (9), the recyclability of the image forming apparatus is improved compared to the case where the sheet reading device described in (8) is not present.

[0171] The embodiments of the present invention described above are provided for illustrative purposes. Furthermore, these embodiments do not encompass the entirety of the invention, nor do they limit the invention to the disclosed methods. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations will be readily understood. These embodiments were chosen and described to most readily explain the principles and applications of the invention. Thus, those skilled in the art can understand the invention through various modifications that are assumed to be optimized for specific uses of various embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the foregoing claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A sheet conveying device, comprising: Sheet material carrier, which holds the sheet material to be conveyed; Multiple first detection components detect the sheet placed on the sheet placement component; The second detection component detects the sheet placed on the sheet carrier component using a different detection method than the first detection component; and Multiple support components are used to mount the first detection component and the second detection component. The plurality of first detection components are mounted on the same support component that can be loaded and unloaded from the sheet mounting component.

2. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of first detection components are reflective detection components arranged adjacent to each other on the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheet.

3. The sheet conveying device according to claim 2, wherein, The plurality of first detection components include a detection component disposed at an end on the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction and offset from the center of the width direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction toward the width direction, and a detection component disposed at an upstream side of the end on the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction and at the center of the width direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction.

4. The sheet conveying device according to claim 3, wherein, The plurality of first detection components are installed on the same first support component.

5. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The second detection component is a transmission-type detection component that detects the size of the sheet along the width direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet.

6. The sheet conveying device according to claim 5, wherein, The second detection component detects the position of the side guide plate that abuts against the end of the sheet placed on the sheet carrier in the width direction, which intersects with the conveying direction of the sheet.

7. The sheet conveying device according to claim 6, wherein, The second detection component is installed on the same second support component.

8. A sheet reading device, comprising: The sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and A reading component that reads information about the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying device.

9. An image forming apparatus comprising: The sheet reading device according to claim 8; and The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium using the information of the sheet read by the sheet reading device.

Images