Document conveyance device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022084590
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-05-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-20
AI Technical Summary
Conventional document reading devices require a recycle lever and motor to separate documents before and after image reading, increasing the number of parts and processing time.
A U-shaped curved conveyance path with a document table, paper feeding, separating, conveying, and ejecting members, and a document regulating member with a second stacking surface to stack ejected sheets, reducing the need for additional parts and optimizing processing time.
Reduces the number of parts and shortens the scanning process from document setup to completion by efficiently stacking sheets on the second stacking surface of the document regulating member.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
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[0001] The present invention relates to a document feeder for document scanners, facsimiles, printers, copiers, etc. It relates to.
Background Art
[0002] Regarding the configuration of a conventional document feeder, a document scanner will be used as an example for explanation.
[0003] In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, a document placed on a document tray is conveyed to a reading position via a first conveyance path to read single-sided image information, switched back at a switchback section, and then conveyed back to the reading position via a second conveyance path to read the back-side image information. A technique for discharging the document from which both-sided image information has been read to the document tray from the outlet of the first conveyance path is disclosed. Here, an identification mechanism section is provided on this document tray for identifying by distinguishing between the document before reading the image information placed thereon and the document after reading the image information.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] The conventional document scanner described above uses a recycling lever to separate documents before and after image scanning. The recycling lever is driven by a recycling motor. When the user presses the operation start switch, the recycling motor is activated, the recycling lever rotates, and is positioned above the document before image scanning which is placed on the document tray. At this time, the first document cannot be ejected until the recycling lever has been rotated to the top of the document, which increases the total processing time from the start of scanning to the completion of scanning. In addition, the use of a recycling lever and recycling motor to separate documents before and after image information scanning which are placed on the document tray increases the number of parts.
[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above problems and provides a technology that can reduce the number of parts and shorten processing time. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] In view of the above, the document transport device according to the present invention is A U-shaped curved transport path, A document tray for stacking documents, A paper feeding member for feeding documents from the document placement platform, A separating member is positioned opposite the aforementioned paper feeding member and separates the original document into individual sheets, A transport member is positioned downstream of the paper feeding member and transports the original document, A paper discharge member is positioned downstream of the transport member and discharges the original document, A first loading surface for loading documents ejected by the aforementioned paper ejection member, A document restricting member is provided on the document placement table and has a document restricting surface that restricts the edges in the width direction of the document placed on the document placement table. Equipped with, The document regulating member is characterized by having a second loading surface downstream of the first loading surface for loading documents discharged by the paper discharge member. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to the present invention, by stacking the output paper on the second stacking surface of the document regulating member on the document placement table, the number of parts required for output paper stacking can be reduced, and the time required for the scanning process from setting the document to the completion of scanning can be shortened. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1] A schematic cross-sectional view of a document transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A block diagram of the control unit of a document transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] A view of a document transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen by arrow A. [Figure 4] A schematic cross-sectional view of a document transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention (document output and stacking state). [Figure 5] A perspective view of a document transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention (with the document regulating member open). [Figure 6] A perspective view of the document transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention (with the document regulating member closed). [Figure 7] A perspective view showing another embodiment of the document transport device according to the present invention. [Figure 8] A schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the document transport device according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] Embodiments of the document transport device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image reading device 10, which is an example of a document transport device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and reads an image of a document while transporting the document. <Device Configuration>
[0011] In the image reading device 10 shown in FIG. 1, a paper feed tray 12, which is a document placement table for placing the document S, is supported by the device main body 10A so as to be openable and closable. The paper feed tray 12 is in an open state (the state in FIG. 1) with the document S placed thereon. The paper feed tray 12 has document regulating members 31 and 32 that abut against both ends in the width direction of the document S to regulate the position of the document S in the width direction. Note that FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram in which the document regulating members 31 and 32 are drawn large for the purpose of explanation.
[0012] A plurality of documents S stacked on the paper feed tray 12 are separated one by one from the topmost document by a paper feed roller 14 and a separation pad 30 and sent out to a conveyance path. The document S sent out to the conveyance path is conveyed downstream by a first conveyance roller pair (a driving roller 16 and a driven roller 17). The document S conveyed downstream in the conveyance path is read for images on both the front and back sides by a reading sensor in the image reading units 18 and 19, and then is further conveyed downstream by a second conveyance roller pair (a driving roller 20 and a driven roller 21). The document S conveyed downstream in the conveyance path is changed in its traveling direction by a U-shaped curved conveyance path and then is discharged by a paper discharge roller pair (a driving roller 22 and a driven roller 23). Note that the paper feed roller 14, the separation pad 30, the first conveyance roller pair, the second conveyance roller pair, and the paper discharge roller pair are each an example of a paper feed member, a separation member, a conveyance member, and a paper discharge member, and are not limited to these modes, and other modes may also be possible. For example, a paper feed belt may be used as the paper feed member, or a separation roller may be used as the separation member.
[0013] The document S includes, for example, OA paper, checks, bills, business cards, etc., but is not limited thereto. <Paper Feeding> As shown in FIG. 1, a first conveyance unit as a feeding mechanism for feeding the document S along the conveyance path is provided. In the case of this embodiment, the first conveyance unit includes a paper feed roller 14 and a separation pad 30 arranged to face the paper feed roller 14, and sequentially conveys the documents S on the paper feed tray 12 one by one in the conveyance direction.
[0014] <Separation Structure> The separation pad 30 arranged opposite to the paper feed roller 14 is a pad for separating the original manuscripts S one by one, and is pressed against the paper feed roller 14 with a constant pressure. To ensure this pressed state, the separation pad 30 abuts against a compression spring (not shown) and is biased toward the paper feed roller 14 side.
[0015] In this embodiment, the separation mechanism is constituted by the paper feed roller 14 and the separation pad 30. However, such a separation mechanism does not necessarily have to be provided, and any feeding mechanism that sequentially feeds the original manuscripts S one by one into the conveyance path may be used. Further, when providing a separation mechanism, instead of the configuration such as the separation pad 30, a separation roller may be pressed against the paper feed roller 14 so that a similar separation effect can be exhibited.
[0016] <Conveyance Structure> As shown in FIG. 1, the second conveyance unit as a conveyance mechanism on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper feed roller 14 and the separation pad 30 includes a drive roller 16 and a driven roller 17 driven by the drive roller 16, and conveys the original manuscript S conveyed from the paper feed unit to the downstream side thereof. A driving force is transmitted from a motor or the like to the drive roller 16, and it is rotationally driven. The driven roller 17 is pressed against the drive roller 16 with a constant pressure and rotates with the drive roller 16. This driven roller 17 may be configured to be biased against the drive roller 16 by a biasing unit (not shown) such as a spring.
[0017] The third conveyance unit on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the above-described second conveyance unit includes a drive roller 20 and a driven roller 21 driven by the drive roller 20, and further conveys the original manuscript S conveyed from the second conveyance unit to the downstream side in the conveyance direction. A driving force is transmitted from a motor or the like to the drive roller 20, and it is rotationally driven. The driven roller 21 is pressed against the drive roller 20 with a constant pressure and rotates with the drive roller 20. This driven roller 21 may be configured to be biased against the drive roller 20 by a biasing unit (not shown) such as a spring.
[0018] <Double Feed Detection> The double-feed detection sensor 40 disposed between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit is an example of a detection sensor (a sensor that detects the behavior and state of the document) for detecting the case where documents S such as paper are adhered to each other by static electricity or the like and pass through the first conveyance unit (that is, in the case of the double-feed state where they are conveyed overlapping). As the double-feed detection sensor 40, various types can be used, but in the case of this embodiment, it is an ultrasonic sensor, which includes an ultrasonic transmission unit 41 and its reception unit 42, and detects double-feed based on the principle that the attenuation amount of the ultrasonic wave passing through the document S differs between the case where the documents S such as paper are double-fed and the case where they are conveyed one by one.
[0019] <Registration sensor> The medium detection sensor 50 disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from such a double-feed detection sensor 40 is an example of an upstream detection sensor (a sensor that detects the behavior and state of the document) disposed on the upstream side of the second conveyance unit and on the downstream side of the first conveyance unit, and detects whether the end of the document S conveyed by the first conveyance unit has reached or passed through the detection position of the medium detection sensor 50, specifically, the position of the medium detection sensor 50. As the medium detection sensor 50, various types can be used, but in the case of this embodiment, it is an optical sensor, which includes a light emission unit 51 and its light reception unit 52, and detects the document S based on the principle that the light reception intensity (light reception amount) changes due to the arrival or passage of the document S.
[0020] In the case of this embodiment, when the leading end of the document S is detected by the medium detection sensor 50, the medium detection sensor 50 is provided on the downstream side in the vicinity of the double-feed detection sensor 40 so that the document S has reached a position where double-feed can be detected by the double-feed detection sensor 40. Note that the medium detection sensor 50 is not limited to the above optical sensor, and for example, a sensor (such as an image sensor) that can detect the end of the document S may be used, or a lever-type sensor protruding into the conveyance path may also be used.
[0021] <Arrangement of CIS> The image reading units 18 and 19, located downstream of the media detection sensor 50, for example, optically scan the original document, convert it into an electrical signal, and read it as image data. They are equipped with a light source such as an LED, an image sensor, a lens array, etc. In this embodiment, one image reading unit 18 and 19 are arranged on each side of the transport path, reading both the front and back sides of the original document S. However, they may be arranged on only one side of the transport path to read only one side of the original document S. In this embodiment, the image reading units 18 and 19 are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the transport path, but they may also be arranged with a gap in the direction of the transport path.
[0022] Alternatively, at least one of the two image reading units 18 and 19 may be supported so as to be able to swing in the thickness direction of the original document S. For example, one image reading unit 19 may be fixed to the lower unit, and the other image reading unit 18 may be supported in the upper unit so as to be able to swing in a direction perpendicular to the transport surface, and biased by a spring or the like to abut against the opposing image reading unit 19. With this configuration, as the original document passes through, the image reading unit 18 on the upper unit side floats according to the thickness of the original document, making it possible to read images from thin paper to thick paper.
[0023] <Start reading based on the output of the resist sensor> The control unit (not shown) starts reading the image of the document S transported by the second transport unit using the image reading units 18 and 19 at a timing based on the detection result of the media detection sensor 50, temporarily stores the read image, and sequentially transmits it to an external PC. The document S whose image has been read is ejected by the third transport unit and the fourth transport unit, and the image reading process for that document S is completed.
[0024] <Paper feeding and transport control> In this embodiment, the image reading device 10 reads images using image reading units 18 and 19 positioned between the second and third transport units. Therefore, the second and third transport units transport the original document S at a constant speed. If the transport speed of the first transport unit is set to a speed faster than that of the second and third transport units, the original document will bend when it is nipped by both the first and second transport units. Therefore, the transport speed of the first transport unit should be the same as or lower than that of the second and third transport units. In this embodiment, the transport speed of the first transport unit is the same as that of the second and third transport units.
[0025] <Paper output> The fourth transport section, located downstream of the third transport section described above, is equipped with a drive roller 22 and a driven roller 23 that moves with the drive roller 22, and discharges the document S transported from the third transport section to the upper surface of the device. The drive roller 22 is driven by a motor or the like, which transmits driving force to it. The driven roller 23 is pressed against the drive roller 22 with constant pressure and rotates along with the drive roller 22. The driven roller 23 may be configured to be biased against the drive roller 22 by a biasing unit (not shown) such as a spring. The document S discharged by the drive roller 22 and the driven roller 23 is loaded onto the first loading surface 33 provided on the upper surface of the device.
[0026] Furthermore, as will be described later, in the image reading device 10 according to this embodiment, when a document S longer than the length of the first stacking surface 33 in the paper discharge direction is discharged, the second stacking surfaces 31b and 32b provided on the document regulating members 31 and 32 are positioned at the location where the document S lands or where the leading edge of the document S slides across the first stacking surface 33 during discharge can make contact, thereby improving the alignment of the discharged documents S.
[0027] <Explanation of block diagram> The control unit 80 will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the control unit 80 of the image reading device 10.
[0028] The control unit 80 includes a CPU 81, a memory unit 82, an operation unit 83, a communication unit 84, and an interface unit 85. The CPU 81 controls the entire image reading apparatus 10 by executing a program stored in the memory unit 82. The memory unit 82 is composed of, for example, a RAM, a ROM, etc. The operation unit 83 is composed of, for example, switches, a touch panel, etc., and receives operations from an operator.
[0029] The communication unit 84 is an interface for information communication with an external device. When assuming a PC (personal computer) as the external device, examples of the communication unit 84 include a USB interface, a SCSI interface, etc. Also, in addition to such a wired communication interface, a wireless communication interface may be used, or it may be provided with both a wired communication and a wireless communication interface.
[0030] The interface unit 85 is an I / O interface for data input / output with an actuator 86 and a sensor 87. The actuator 86 includes a drive unit 15, a transmission unit, etc. The sensor 87 includes a double-feed detection sensor 40, a media detection sensor 50, image reading units 18, 19, etc.
[0031] <Drive by receiving a start instruction from a PC> The basic operation of the image reading apparatus 10 will be described. When the control unit 80 receives an image reading start instruction from, for example, an external personal computer to which the image reading apparatus 10 is connected, it starts driving the first conveyance unit to the third conveyance unit. The sheet S stacked in the paper feed tray 12 is conveyed one by one from the sheet S located at the topmost position thereof.
[0032] Also, as will be described later, the image reading may be started by a start key provided on the operation unit 83 of the image reading apparatus 10, and then the start of the image reading may be notified to the external personal computer.
[0033] <Start of reading according to the output of the registration sensor> The control unit 80 starts reading the image of the sheet S using the image reading units 18 and 19 at a timing based on the detection result of the media detection sensor 50, temporarily stores the read image, and sequentially transmits it to an external PC. The sheet S from which the image has been read is discharged from the device by the third transport unit, and the image reading process for that sheet S is completed.
[0034] <Manuscript regulation component> Figure 3 is a view of the image reading device 10 as seen from arrow A in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the document restricting members 31 and 32 have document restricting surfaces 31a and 32a that are perpendicular to the mounting surface of the paper feed tray 12 and restrict the edges of the documents in the width direction (left and right direction) while they are being fed and stacked, and second stacking surfaces 31b and 32b that are substantially parallel to the mounting surface of the paper feed tray 12.
[0035] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the image reading device 10 with the original document S loaded on the second loading surfaces 31b and 32b. As shown in Figure 4, when an original document S longer than the first loading surface 33 is ejected, the original document S can be supported by the second loading surfaces 31b and 32b of the original document regulating members 31 and 32. At this time, the rear end of the original document S is supported by the rear end contact surface 33a, which protrudes upward from the first loading surface 33 at the upstream end in the paper discharge direction of the first loading surface 33.
[0036] Here, the first loading surface 33 also serves as an outer cover, and the second loading surfaces 31b and 32b also serve as document control plates, eliminating the need to add additional parts for paper output and reducing the number of parts in the device.
[0037] Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of the image reading device 10. Figure 5 shows the document regulating members 31 and 32 moved to positions corresponding to the maximum document width, and Figure 6 shows the document regulating members 31 and 32 moved to positions corresponding to the minimum document width. As shown in these figures, the second loading surfaces 31b and 32b of the document regulating members 31 and 32 are comb-shaped, and even if the position of the document regulating members 31 and 32 is changed to match the width of the documents S loaded in the paper feed tray 12, a surface sufficient to load the ejected documents is formed. Therefore, documents of various widths can be ejected and loaded.
[0038] Furthermore, it is preferable that the comb-shaped portions of the right and left regulating members, each having a second stacking surface 31b and 32b configured in a comb-tooth shape, overlap in the paper discharge direction. In addition, it is preferable that the portions constituting the second stacking surfaces 31b and 32b, which are configured in a comb-tooth shape, are arranged in a stepped manner such that the distance from the stacking surface of the paper feed tray 12 decreases as the paper discharge direction is approached. This configuration makes it possible to prevent documents from getting stuck when being discharged.
[0039] Furthermore, since the paper tray is ready for output simply by loading the original document S into the paper feed tray 12 and adjusting the original document regulating members 31 and 32 to the width of the original document S, there is no need to extend the output tray or perform other operations. Therefore, the time required for the scanning process, from setting the original document to completing the scan, can be shortened.
[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, similar to the document restricting surfaces 31a and 32a, the output document restricting surfaces 31c and 32c, which restrict the edges of the document S in the width direction, are provided above the second document stacking surfaces 31b and 32b (direction B in Figure 4). By restricting the width direction of the stacked documents with these surfaces, the alignment of the output documents can be improved. The output document restricting surfaces 31c and 32c are provided so as to be in the same position as the document restricting surfaces 31a and 31b with respect to the width direction of the document S (flush with the second document stacking surfaces 31b and 32b in between).
[0041] The embodiments described above are examples of the document transport device according to the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0042] For example, Figure 7 is a perspective view of the image reading device 10 showing another configuration of the second document stacking surfaces 31b and 32b. As shown in this figure, the second document stacking surfaces 31b and 32b may be provided to extend along the document restricting members 31 and 32 in the transport direction (paper discharge direction). In this case, the second document stacking surfaces 31b and 32b should be provided so that they protrude in the width direction of the document to the extent that they do not collide with each other when the document restricting members 31 and 32 are moved to a position corresponding to the minimum document width. With this configuration, at least the widthwise end of the discharged document S can be stacked on the second document stacking surfaces 31b and 32b.
[0043] Furthermore, as shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of Figure 8, a rear end contact member 33b may be provided that can be deployed by rotating from the first loading surface 33 side with the upstream side in the paper discharge direction as the pivot point relative to the rear end contact surface 33a. By providing the rear end contact member 33b, when the stacking amount of discharged documents increases, the rear end can be returned to the upstream side, preventing misalignment and jamming caused by the next document to be discharged getting stuck underneath the previous document. Note that when this rear end contact member 33b is deployed, it becomes more difficult for documents discharged from the paper discharge roller pair to be discharged onto the first loading surface 33, so it is preferable that the length of the rear end contact member 33b in the paper discharge direction be about 1 / 4 or less of the minimum document length. In addition, the document transport speed in the paper discharge roller pair may be set faster than the transport speed in the transport roller pair so that documents discharged can easily pass over the rear end contact member 33b. Alternatively, a detection sensor may be provided to detect when the rear end contact member 33b is deployed to the state shown in Figure 8, and the paper ejection speed may be increased only when the detection sensor detects this state. [Explanation of symbols]
[0044] S Manuscript 10 Image reading device 10A Main Unit 12 Paper feed trays 14 Paper feed roller 16 drive rollers 17 Driven roller 18 (Upper) Image Reading Unit 19 (Bottom) Image Reading Unit 20 drive rollers 21 Driven roller 22 drive rollers 23 Driven roller 30 Separation Pads 31 Manuscript regulating member (right regulating member) 32. Manuscript regulating member (left regulating member) 33. First Loading Surface 33a Rear end contact surface 40 Double feed detection sensor 50 Medium detection sensors
Claims
1. A U-shaped curved conveying path; a document placement table for placing documents thereon; a paper feed member for feeding the document on the document placement table; a separating member disposed opposite the paper feed member and configured to separate the documents one by one; a conveying member disposed downstream of the paper feed member and configured to convey the document; a paper discharge member disposed downstream of the transport member and configured to discharge the document; a first stacking surface for stacking the original documents discharged by the paper discharge member; a document regulating member provided on the document placing table and having a document regulating surface for regulating an end portion in a width direction of the document placed on the document placing table; Equipped with The document conveying device, wherein the document regulating member has a second loading surface downstream of the first loading surface, on which the document discharged by the document discharge member is loaded.
2. The document transport device as described in Claim 1, characterized in that the document regulating member has an ejected document regulating surface above the second loading surface in the document thickness direction, which regulates the widthwise end of the ejected document.
3. The document conveying device as described in Claim 2, characterized in that the discharge document regulating surface and the document regulating surface have the same position in the width direction of the document.
4. 2. The document transport device according to claim 1, wherein the second loading surface of the document regulating member is provided so as to extend along a document discharge direction.
5. 2. The document transport device according to claim 1, wherein the first stacking surface has, at its upstream end, a rear end contact surface capable of receiving a rear end of the document discharged by the document discharge member.
6. The document transport device according to claim 5, further comprising a rear end abutment member that is provided upstream of the first stacking surface and that is capable of receiving the rear end of the document discharged by the discharge member by rotating about its upstream end as a rotation center.