Manuscript intake device

Abstract

To enable manuscripts to be taken into a device body properly with a relatively simple structure.SOLUTION: A manuscript intake device includes: an intake port part for taking a manuscript into a device body; a manuscript stopper which may rotate between a first attitude, at which the manuscript stopper inhibits the manuscript from being taken into the device, and a second attitude, at which the manuscript stopper allows the manuscript to be taken into the device; a holding part which holds the manuscript stopper at the first attitude; and a biasing part which biases the manuscript stopper held at the first attitude so that the manuscript stopper takes the second attitude.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to document feeders. [Background technology]

[0002] Among document feed devices that can be installed in printers, scanners, etc., some are provided with a pivotable stopper to control whether or not a document is allowed to be fed into the device body (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-207944 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to Patent Document 1, the stopper is biased in the direction opposite to the document feed direction, which may damage the document, and this may prevent the document from being properly fed into the device body.

[0005] An exemplary object of the present invention is to enable proper feeding of an original into an apparatus body with a relatively simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a document feeder, the document feeder comprising: an inlet for taking in a document into the device body; a document stopper that is rotatable between a first position that prevents the document from being taken in and a second position that allows the document to be taken in; a holding portion that holds the document stopper in the first position; a biasing portion that biases the document stopper held in the first position to the second position; Equipped It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately take in an original document into the device body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image reading apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the intake portion and its surrounding area. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the intake portion and its surrounding area. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the intake portion and its surrounding area. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image reading apparatus. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a method for performing image reading of a document. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a rotational state of a guide member. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a rotational state of a guide member. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a rotational state of a guide member. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an operation mode of the document feed mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an operation mode of the document feed mechanism. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an operation mode of the document feed mechanism. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an operation mode of the document feed mechanism. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an operation mode of the document feed mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more features among the multiple features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] (First embodiment) 1 shows an example of the configuration of an image reading device 1 according to the first embodiment. Although details will be described later, the image reading device 1 takes in an original Sh to be subjected to image reading into the device body (inside a housing 10) and reads the image of the taken-in original Sh. The original Sh after image reading is discharged from a discharge port 11 onto a discharge tray 12, and when there are two or more sheets of original Sh, they are stacked on the discharge tray 12.

[0011] Here, the document Sh is a sheet-like member (typically paper, etc.) and images are formed on one side and the other side of the document Sh. The concept of an image includes visible objects such as characters, symbols, figures, photographs, etc., as well as spaces that may be formed around or between them.

[0012] In this embodiment, the image reading device 1 is described as having a scanner function, but in other embodiments, the image reading device 1 may additionally or alternatively have other functions. In this respect, the image reading device 1 may be expressed as a document input device, a document feeder, a feeding device, a paper feeder, etc.

[0013] In addition to the discharge tray 12, the image reading device 1 also includes a loading tray 13, an intake port 14, a transport mechanism 15, a reading unit 16, a document intake mechanism 17, power sources 18a and 18b, and a power transmission mechanism 19.

[0014] The stacking tray 13 is capable of placing the originals Sh thereon, and when there are two or more originals Sh, the originals Sh can be stacked. The stacking tray 13 may be expressed as a stacking section, etc., but when the originals Sh are paper, it may also be expressed as a paper feed tray, paper feed section, etc. The stacking tray 13 is preferably extended and inclined so that one end on the device body side faces downward and the other end faces upward.

[0015] The intake port 14 is a portion that forms an opening for taking in the document Sh from the loading tray 13 into the device body, and is formed by one or more members that constitute the housing 10 and have a frame shape.

[0016] 1, the transport mechanism 15 is configured to form a transport path for the original Sh from the stack tray 13 to the discharge tray 12, and in this embodiment includes a feed roller 151, a separation unit 152, a roller pair (transport rollers) 159a, and a roller pair (discharge rollers) 159b. In addition, in FIG. 1, the transport path for the original Sh is indicated by a dashed line, and the transport direction is indicated as direction D0.

[0017] The feed roller 151 is a drive roller provided near the intake port 14, and in this embodiment, rotates in a direction D1 by receiving power from a power source 18a described later. The feed roller 151 has a built-in one-way clutch, and rotates with the original Sh when the original Sh moves at a speed faster than the peripheral speed of the feed roller 151 by the roller pair 159a or the like.

[0018] The separation unit 152 shown in FIG. 1 includes a separation roller 153 and a holder member 154 (see FIG. 3). The separation roller 153 can pinch the document Sh taken in from the inlet 14 together with the feed roller 151. The separation roller 153 has a built-in torque limiter, and rotates in a direction D2 (see FIG. 3) by receiving power from the power source 18a, but can rotate in a direction D2' when a torque equal to or greater than a reference value is applied from the feed roller 151 or the document Sh. As a result, when two or more documents Sh are taken in from the inlet 14, the documents on the separation roller 153 side among the two or more documents Sh are returned from the inlet 14 to the stack tray 13, or are prevented from entering from the inlet 14. That is, the documents Sh are taken in one by one toward the downstream side into the device body and appropriately transported toward the reading unit 16 described later.

[0019] In this specification, the term "downstream" refers to the same direction as the transport direction D0. Also, the direction opposite to the transport direction D0 is referred to as "upstream."

[0020] Here, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of image reading device 1 as viewed from the side of inlet 14. Although details will be described later, Figs. 3 to 5 are enlarged schematic views showing the internal structure of inlet 14 and its surrounding area.

[0021] 3 rotatably holds the separation roller 153. Here, the separation unit 152 is fixed to the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about an axis Ax1 as a rotation axis, and is pressed toward the feed roller 151 by the biasing portion 20a. This allows the separation roller 153 to come into contact with the feed roller 151 and to sandwich the document Sh together with the feed roller 151.

[0022] 1, the roller pair 159a is capable of pinching the document Sh being transported between a drive roller and a driven roller, and is disposed upstream of the reading unit 16, and in this embodiment, is disposed between the feed roller 151 and the reading unit 16. The roller pair 159b is capable of pinching the document Sh being transported between a drive roller and a driven roller, and is disposed downstream of the reading unit 16, and in this embodiment, is disposed between the discharge port 11 and the reading unit 16. In this embodiment, the drive rollers of the roller pairs 159a and 159b are driven based on the power of the power source 18b.

[0023] The reading unit 16 is installed between the pair of rollers 159a and 159b on the transport path of the original Sh. In this embodiment, a pair of reading units 16 is installed, one reading unit 16 reading an image on one side of the original Sh, and the other reading unit 16 reading an image on the other side of the original Sh. A known image contact sensor may be used for the reading unit 16, and for example, an imaging device constituted by a CCD / CMOS image sensor may be used.

[0024] The enlarged schematic diagrams shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 show the driving manner of the document feed mechanism 17 for feeding or suppressing the feeding of the document Sh.

[0025] The document feed mechanism 17 includes an arm portion 171, a pressing portion 172, a document stopper 173, and a holding portion 174. The arm portion 171 is installed in the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about an axis portion Ax2 as a rotation axis, and is biased by a biasing portion 20b in a direction approaching the feed roller 151. The arm portion 171 is rotatable in a direction away from the feed roller 151 by receiving power from a power source 18b.

[0026] The pressing portion 172 is supported by the arm portion 171, and is located on the opposite side of the document Sh to be fed from the feed roller 151. In this embodiment, a driven roller is used for the pressing portion 172, but any roller capable of slidably pressing against the document Sh or pressing while following the movement of the document Sh may be used. The arm portion 171 is rotatable between a position P1 (see FIG. 3) which is a first position where the pressing portion 172 is separated from the document Sh, and a position P2 (see FIG. 5) which is a second position where the pressing portion 172 presses the document Sh (see FIGS. 3 to 5), and the pressing portion 172 presses the document Sh by the rotation of the arm portion 171.

[0027] The document stopper 173 is supported by an arm portion 171 so as to be rotatable about an axis portion Ax3 as a rotation axis, and is biased by a biasing portion 20c so as to rotate in a direction D3.

[0028] The holding portion 174 holds the document stopper 173 so that the document stopper 173 maintains the upright position while the arm portion 171 is located at the position P1 (see FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the document stopper 173 includes a locking portion 1731 that locks with the holding portion 174, and is thereby held in the upright position.

[0029] When the arm portion 171 rotates from position P1 to position P2, the document stopper 173 is released from the holding portion 174 and rotates in direction D3 by the biasing force of the biasing portion 20c from the upright position to the inclined position (see FIG. 4). Thereafter, the arm portion 171 is maintained in the rotated state to position P2 while being pressed by the pressing portion 172 until all of the documents Sh on the stacking tray 13 are taken in (see FIG. 5).

[0030] With this configuration, the document stopper 173 prevents the document Sh from being taken in when in the upright position (first position), and allows the document Sh to be taken in when in the inclined position (second position). The holding portion 174 may be fixed integrally to the upper portion of the housing 10 or may be fixed separately.

[0031] 4 and 5, document stopper 173 urged by urging portion 20c is locked by abutment with holder member 154. Therefore, document stopper 173 assumes a tilted posture as arm portion 171 moves away from position P1. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, document stopper 173 assumes an upright posture as arm portion 171 approaches position P1, and when arm portion 171 rotates to position P1, document stopper 173 is held by holding portion 174 and maintained in the upright posture.

[0032] In this embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 19 is configured to be able to transmit the power of the power source 18a to the feed roller 151 (see FIG. 1), but in other embodiments, the power transmission mechanism 19 may be configured to additionally / alternatively transmit the power to the arm portion 171. Therefore, the power transmission mechanism 19 is disposed in a path between the power source 18 and the arm portion 171 and / or the feed roller 151.

[0033] In addition, the timing of power transmission from the power source 18a to the feed roller 151 and the arm portion 171 can be adjusted. This may be achieved by driving control of the power transmission mechanism 19, or may be achieved additionally / alternatively by other elements such as a clutch mechanism, a lock mechanism, etc.

[0034] A known electric motor may be used for the power sources 18a and 18b. In this embodiment, the power source 18a corresponding to the feed roller 151 and the arm portion 171 and the power source 18b corresponding to the drive rollers of the roller pairs 159a and 159b are provided separately, but in another embodiment, a single power source may be shared. Alternatively, in still another embodiment, a power source may be provided separately for each of the feed roller 151, the arm portion 171, the drive roller of the roller pair 159a, and the drive roller of the roller pair 159b.

[0035] 2, a feed roller cover 130 is provided on the transport path side of the feed roller 151. A guide member 131 is provided on the feed roller cover 130. The guide member 131 forms a placement surface f1 on which a document Sh (in this embodiment, the downstream end) to be taken into the intake port 14 can be placed. In this embodiment, the guide member 131 is supported by the feed roller cover 130 so that the placement surface f1 can rotate from a position where the placement surface f1 protrudes toward the center of the transport path from the surface of the feed roller 151 (see FIG. 8) to a position away from the center of the transport path from the surface of the feed roller 151 (see FIG. 10).

[0036] In this embodiment, the guide member 131 is biased toward the center of the conveying path by the biasing portion 20d (see FIG. 8) in a side view (viewpoint when viewed in the axial direction of the feed roller 151) and abuts against an abutting portion (not shown) (see FIG. 8). When the number of documents Sh is relatively small, the downstream end of the documents Sh is located toward the center of the conveying path (upper) from the surface of the feed roller 151 and is directed between the feed roller 151 and the separation roller 153. This makes it possible to prevent the documents Sh from being caught by the feed roller 151 and being unable to be set at a predetermined set position when the number of documents Sh is small, etc., when the documents Sh are loaded on the stacking tray 13. When the number of documents Sh is relatively large, the guide member 131 rotates due to the weight of the documents Sh, and the placement surface f1 is located in a direction (lower) away from the center of the conveying path from the feed roller 151. Thereby, when the document Sh is taken in, the guide member 131 can guide the document Sh so that the document Sh comes into contact with the feed roller 151 while being pressed by the pressing portion 172, and is appropriately taken in.

[0037] 6 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the image reading device 1. The image reading device 1 further includes a document loading sensor unit 21a, a double feed detection sensor unit 21b, a first document detection sensor unit 21c, a second document detection sensor unit 21d, an operation input unit 22, and a control unit .

[0038] The document loading sensor unit 21a to the second document detection sensor unit 21d can be installed at several positions on the transport path of the document Sh. In Fig. 6, the document loading sensor unit 21a to the second document detection sensor unit 21d are shown as a sensor group 21. The document loading sensor unit 21a is rotatably provided on the upper part of the housing 10 (see Fig. 2) so as to be aligned with the document stopper 173 in the left-right direction (a horizontal direction that is substantially perpendicular to the transport direction; the width direction of the device) and to be located slightly upstream of the document stopper 173 in the transport direction, and rotates when the document Sh comes into contact with it to output a predetermined detection signal.

[0039] The multi-feed detection sensor unit 21b is capable of detecting that separation by the separation roller 153 has not been performed properly, and is installed downstream of the separation roller 153 inside the housing 10, and outputs a predetermined detection signal when two or more originals Sh are detected (so-called multi-feeding has occurred). In this embodiment, a sensor equipped with an ultrasonic transmission element and a reception element is used to detect multi-feeding by utilizing the attenuation of ultrasonic waves caused by the originals Sh.

[0040] The first document detection sensor unit 21c is installed in the housing 10 on the upstream side of the roller pair 159a and on the downstream side of the double feed detection sensor unit 21b, and is capable of detecting that the leading edge of the document Sh has reached the feed roller 151, and outputs a predetermined detection signal when the document Sh is detected. In this embodiment, an optical sensor is used to detect the arrival of the document Sh by the light being blocked by the document Sh.

[0041] The second document detection sensor section 21d is installed downstream of the roller pair 159a and upstream of the reading unit 16 in the housing 10, and is capable of detecting that the leading edge of the document Sh has reached the roller pair 159a and that the trailing edge of the document Sh has passed through the roller pair 159a, and outputs a predetermined detection signal when the document Sh is detected. In this embodiment, an optical sensor is used to detect the arrival of the document Sh by the light being blocked by the document Sh.

[0042] However, the sensors are not limited to those described above, and any known sensor may be used for each of the document stacking sensor unit 21a to the second document detection sensor unit 21d. For example, a lever-type sensor may be used for the document stacking sensor unit 21a. For example, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like may be used for the double feed detection sensor unit 21b to the second document detection sensor 21d. Each of the double feed detection sensor unit 21b to the second document detection sensor 21d may be configured with a transmitting sensor and a receiving sensor.

[0043] The operation input unit 22 is an operation panel through which the user inputs instructions to read an image, and may be installed at any location on the exterior of the housing 10. The operation input unit 22 may further include a function as a display unit, and in this embodiment, a touch panel display may be used as the operation input unit 22 as a typical example.

[0044] The control unit 23 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 231, a memory 232, and a communication interface 233. The CPU 231 reads a predetermined program from another memory (non-volatile memory such as ROM) not shown, develops it on the memory 232 (volatile memory such as RAM), and executes each step described later (see FIG. 7) to realize image reading. The CPU 231 can also receive input signals from the operation input unit 22 and detection signals from the document loading sensor unit 21a and the like via the communication interface 233, and can also receive other input signals from external devices not shown.

[0045] In another embodiment, the control unit 23 may be configured with a semiconductor device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), that is, the functions of the control unit 23 may be realized by either hardware or software. Also, the control unit 23 may be expressed as a drive control unit, an image reading control unit, a document input control unit, etc. according to its function, or may be provided separately according to each function.

[0046] With this configuration, the control unit 23 performs drive control for each of the above elements so as to realize image reading of the document Sh (and the accompanying intake and discharge of the document Sh) based on the input signal of the operation input unit 22, the detection signal of the document loading sensor unit 21a, etc. Although details will be described later, for example, the control unit 23 can control the power transmission mechanism 19 so as to drive the feed roller 151 after the arm unit 171 starts to rotate from the position P1.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the document stopper 173 and the feed roller 151 are arranged side by side, and preferably a plurality of each of them are arranged side by side. In this embodiment, the document stopper 173 is provided integrally with the arm unit 171 so as to be rotatable at three locations in total, namely, the central portion, the left side portion, and the right side portion, and the feed roller 151 is provided at two locations in total, namely, between the central portion and the left side portion, and between the central portion and the right side portion. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the document stopper 173 in the upright position and the feed roller 151 can be moved to a position where they overlap with each other in a side view. As a result, the document stopper 173 in the upright position is located immediately upstream of the feed roller 151, and the leading edge of the document stack including the document Sh before the start of feeding the document Sh is aligned along the document stopper 173, so that the movement of the document when the document Sh is taken in can be stabilized, and the taking in of the document Sh can be appropriately suppressed.

[0048] 7 is a flowchart showing a method for reading an image of the original Sh. This flowchart is mainly executed by the control unit 23, and the outline thereof is to prevent damage that may occur to the original Sh due to the feed roller 151 being driven after the arm unit 171 starts to rotate from the position P1.

[0049] In step S1010 (hereinafter simply referred to as "S1010." The same applies to other steps described below), it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to start image reading. If there is an instruction to start image reading, the process proceeds to S1020, and if not, the process returns to S1010.

[0050] In S1020, the presence or absence of the document Sh on the stacking tray 13 is determined based on the detection signal of the document stacking sensor unit 21a. If the document Sh is present on the stacking tray 13, the process proceeds to S1040, and if not, the process proceeds to S1030. Note that if the document Sh is not present, the process may be configured to repeat the determination in S1020 until a predetermined time has elapsed, and to proceed to S1030 after the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0051] In S1030, a notification is output to indicate that no document Sh exists on the stack tray 13, and then this flowchart ends. This notification may be performed by the touch panel display that is the operation input unit 22.

[0052] After S1040, the document Sh is assumed to be present on the stacking tray 13 and the document Sh is taken in. In S1040, the driving of the power source 18b for driving the roller pair 159a and the like is started, and the arm portion 171 rotates from position P1 to position P2. Accordingly, the document stopper 173 changes from the standing position to the inclined position. At this time, as described above, the document stopper 173 is engaged by the holder member 154 while being urged by the urging portion 20c, so that the document stopper 173 appropriately changes from the standing position to the inclined position. As a result, the intake port portion 14 changes from a closed state to an open state, and the document Sh can be taken in.

[0053] In addition, in a state where the pressing portion 172 has moved from position P1 to position P2, the document stopper 173 functions as a transport surface for the document Sh. The posture of the document stopper 173 at this time is determined by the document stopper 173 sliding against a locking portion provided on the holder member 154, and the sliding surface of this locking portion is formed in an arc shape coaxial with the rotation axis of the separation roller 153. This makes it possible to keep constant the amount by which the surface of the separation roller 153 protrudes from the transport surface of the document stopper 173 during the process in which the pressing portion 172 moves from position P1 to position P2, and to maintain a stable paper feeding state.

[0054] As described above, the stacking tray 13 is extended at an incline. Moreover, due to the above-mentioned rotation of the arm portion 171, the document Sh on the stacking tray 13 is pressed by the pressing portion 172. Moreover, the document Sh moves by its own weight to a position where it abuts against the feed roller 151, and is pressed against the feed roller 151 by the pressing portion 172.

[0055] In S1050, the power source 18a is driven to start driving the feed roller 151. As a result, the document Sh is taken onto the stacking tray 13 through the open intake portion 14.

[0056] In S1060, based on a detection signal indicating that the leading edge of the document Sh has reached the document, which is output from the second document detection sensor section 21d, the reading unit 16 starts reading an image of the document Sh while the document Sh is being conveyed. At this time, the first document detection sensor section 21c simultaneously performs jam detection such as whether the document Sh has reached the second document detection sensor section 21d or the like within a predetermined time after the feed roller 151 has started to be driven.

[0057] In S1070, similarly to S1060, the driving of the power source 18a is stopped and the driving of the feed roller 151 is interrupted (temporarily stopped) based on a detection signal indicating that the leading edge of the original Sh has reached the second original detection sensor unit 21d. That is, when the downstream end (leading edge) of the original Sh reaches the second original detection sensor unit 21d, it means that a single original Sh has been properly taken in, so the start of taking in the next original Sh is suppressed until the image reading and discharge of the original Sh are completed. Note that, although S1060 and S1070 are shown to be executed sequentially in FIG. 7, they may actually be executed in order or simultaneously.

[0058] In S1080, image reading is stopped based on a detection signal indicating that the upstream end (rear end) of the document Sh has passed the second document detection sensor unit 21d, and the presence or absence of the document Sh on the stacking tray 13 is determined based on a detection signal from the document stacking sensor unit 21a. If the document Sh is present on the stacking tray 13, the process returns to S1050, and if not, the process proceeds to S1090. That is, if the document Sh remains on the stacking tray 13, S1050 to S1080 are repeated, and if the document Sh does not remain on the stacking tray 13, the process proceeds to S1090.

[0059] In S1090, it is assumed that no originals Sh remain on the stacking tray 13, and the power source 18b is driven in the direction opposite to the feeding direction of the originals Sh to rotate the arm portion 171 from position P2 to position P1. Accordingly, the original stopper 173 changes from the inclined position to the upright position. In this way, the take-in of the originals Sh is stopped, and the process returns to S1010.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the document stopper 173 can rotate between an upright position that inhibits the document from being taken in and an inclined position that allows the document to be taken in. In the upright position, the document stopper 173 is held by the holding portion 174 and is urged by the urging portion 20c to the inclined position. When the document Sh is taken in, the document stopper 173 rotates from the upright position to the inclined position prior to the driving of the feed roller 151, and the take-in port portion 14 is opened from a closed state. Therefore, before the start of feeding the document Sh, the leading edge of the document stack is aligned following the document stopper 173, and the movement during the take-in of the document Sh can be stabilized, and after the start of feeding the document Sh, the document stopper 173 is urged in a direction retracting from the document Sh. Therefore, the document Sh is not pressed against the document stopper 173. As a result, the document Sh is properly taken into the device body without being damaged (bent, warped, etc.) due to interference with the document stopper 173 in the upright position, and the image can be properly read.

[0061] Second embodiment The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the rotation of the guide member 131 in the feed roller cover 130 of the image reading device 1 is driven and controlled by the control unit 23. The rotation of the guide member 131 may be performed based on the power of the power source 18b, for example. In this embodiment, the guide member 131 rotates so that the placement surface f1 is located above the feed roller 151 when the document stopper 173 is in the upright position, and so that the placement surface f1 is located below the feed roller 151 when the document stopper 173 is in the inclined position. This can be configured to be controlled by the drive direction of the power source 18b. For example, by driving power source 18b in the reverse direction, document stopper 173 takes an upright position, and a cam member (not shown) pushes up guide member 131 so that mounting surface f1 of guide member 131 is positioned above feed roller 151; by driving power source 18b in the forward direction, document stopper 173 takes a tilted position, and the cam member (not shown) releases its contact with guide member 131, and guide member 131 is pushed down by spring 20d, so that mounting surface f1 of guide member 131 is positioned below feed roller 151.

[0062] 8 to 10 are schematic diagrams showing the rotational state of the guide member 131 while the document stopper 173 is in the upright position from the upright position to the tilted position. The guide member 131 rotates about the shaft Ax4 as a rotational axis. While the document stopper 173 is in the upright position, the guide member 131 maintains a state in which the placement surface f1 is located above the feed roller 151 by a cam member (not shown) to which the power of the power source 18b is transmitted (see FIG. 8). When the arm portion 171 rotates from position P1 to position P2, the document stopper 173 separates from the holding portion 174 and tilts due to the biasing force of the biasing portion 20c, during which the guide member 131 maintains a state in which the placement surface f1 is located above the feed roller 151 (see FIG. 9). Thereafter, the guide member 131 is released from the pressure from the cam member, and rotates due to the biasing force of the biasing portion 20d until the placement surface f1 is positioned below the feed roller 151 (see FIG. 10).

[0063] According to this configuration, when the document Sh is taken in, if the document stopper 173 is in the upright position (the intake port 14 is closed), the document Sh on the stacking tray 13 does not come into contact with the feed roller 151, and is not caught on the surface of the feed roller 151 when being loaded on the stacking tray 13, improving the ease of loading. Also, the document stopper 173 aligns the leading edge of the document stack including the document Sh loaded on the stacking tray 13, and the movement of the document can be stabilized when the document is taken in. Since the document stopper 173 is biased in the D3 direction in FIG. 8, the document Sh is not damaged unexpectedly due to interference with the document stopper 173. Also, if the document stopper 173 is in the inclined position (the intake port 14 is open), the document Sh on the stacking tray 13 comes into contact with the feed roller 151, and is appropriately taken into the device body from the intake port 14. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the document Sh can be captured more appropriately.

[0064] In this embodiment, the drive of the feed roller 151 starts after the document stopper 173 is in a tilted position (a state in which the intake port 14 is open), but this is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient if the document Sh is prevented from hitting the document stopper 153 when the document Sh comes into contact with the driven feed roller 151 in a state in which there is no gap between the document stopper 173 and the feed roller 153 through which the document Sh can pass. Therefore, the timing of starting the drive can be adjusted within a range that does not deviate from this purpose.

[0065] In this embodiment, the control unit 23 drives the power source 18b to rotate the guide member 131, but in another embodiment, the guide member 131 may be mechanically configured to be linked to the rotation of the arm unit 171. For example, the guide member 131 may be linked to the arm unit by a link mechanism, and may rotate with the arm unit 171 when the arm unit 171 rotates from position P1 to position P2. Also, each drive unit may be configured to be driven by a separate power source. Also, the power sources 18a and 18b may be configured by the same power source, and in that case, the timing of the drive transmission to each unit may be mechanically shifted using a cam or the like.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the guide member 131 is pushed up above the feed roller 151 by a cam member (not shown), and when the pressure from the cam member is released, the urging force of the urging portion 20d pushes the guide member 131 down below the feed roller 151, but the opposite is also possible. That is, the configuration may be such that the urging force of the urging portion 20d pushes the guide member 131 up above the feed roller 151, and the engagement of the cam member pushes the guide member 131 down below the feed roller 151.

[0067] Third embodiment The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments described above in that the loading tray 13 of the image reading device 1 is configured to be capable of locking the document stopper 173 in the upright position.

[0068] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the document feed mechanism 17 according to this embodiment. Figs. 12 to 16 are schematic side views showing the operation of the document feed mechanism 17. In this embodiment, the arm portion 171 is biased by a biasing portion 20b' in a direction approaching the feed roller 151. In this embodiment, the image reading device 1 further includes an arm support portion 31, a rotating member 32, a rotating member support portion 33, and biasing portions 20e and 20f.

[0069] The arm support unit 31 is rotatably installed on the housing 10 with the shaft Ax5 as a rotation axis. The arm support unit 31 is urged in the direction D4 by the urging unit 20e. Also, it receives power from the power source 18b and rotates in the direction D4', thereby holding the arm unit 171 in a state where it can be maintained at the position P1. Here, when the arm unit 171 is at the position P1, the document stopper 173 is in an upright position, and when the arm unit 171 is at the position P2, the document stopper 173 is in a tilted position.

[0070] The rotating member 32 is attached to the feed roller cover 130 (see FIG. 2) so as to be rotatable about the shaft portion Ax6 as a rotation axis. The rotating member 32 includes an extension portion 321, and the guide member 131 of the feed roller cover 130 is provided with an abutment portion 1311 that abuts against the extension portion 321.

[0071] The rotating member support part 33 supports the rotating member 32 from below, and is installed to be rotatable with respect to the housing 10 around the shaft part Ax7 as a rotation axis. The rotating member support part 33 is biased in the direction D5' by the biasing part 20f. When the rotating member support part 33 receives power from the power source 18b, it is rotated in the direction D5, and thereby supports the rotating member 32 so that the extension part 321 abuts against the abutment part 1311. In this embodiment, the guide member 131 is biased by a biasing part (not shown) in a direction in which the placement surface f1 moves away from the center of the transport path, and the extension part 321 abuts against the abutment part 1311, so that the guide member 131 is held at the position shown in FIG. 12. Note that the placement surface f1 may be configured to move in a direction away from the center of the transport path due to the weight of the guide member 131 or the document itself.

[0072] With this configuration, the rotating member 32 forms a gap G1 between the guide member 131 and the rotating member 32, into which the document stopper 173 in the upright position can fit. That is, while the arm portion 171 is at the position P1, the document stopper 173 fits and is held at the edge portion that forms the gap G1 (see FIG. 12). From this point of view, it can be said that the gap G1 functions as a second locking portion that locks the document stopper 173 in the upright position. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the document stopper 173 from being deflected due to the load of the documents Sh on the stacking tray 13, and it is possible to prevent the document stopper 173 from being accidentally damaged and to prevent the leading edge of the document from coming into contact with the separation roller 153 and starting paper feeding in a state where the leading edge is not aligned.

[0073] On the other hand, when the power of the power source 18b transmitted to the arm support portion 31 is cut off, the arm support portion 31 rotates in the direction D4 and the arm portion 171 rotates from the position P1 to the position P2 by the biasing force of the biasing portion 20b', and at the same time or prior to that, the guide member 131 rotates until the placement surface f1 is positioned below the feed roller 151. This rotation of the guide member 131 occurs as a result of the rotation of the rotating member support portion 33 rotating in the direction D5' and the rotation member 32 rotating in a direction in which the extension portion 321 is retracted from the abutment portion 1311 by the biasing portion (not shown) (see FIG. 13). As a result, the document stopper 173 is released from the gap G1 and can be tilted by the biasing force of the biasing portion 20c.

[0074] Thereafter, the arm support portion 31 further rotates in the direction D4, and the arm portion 171 rotates (see FIG. 14). Accordingly, the document stopper 173 has the locking portion 1731 separated from the holding portion 174, the holding by the holding portion 174 is released, and the document stopper 173 changes from the upright position to a tilted position, and the pressing portion 172 presses the document Sh (see FIG. 15). Thereafter, in this state, the document Sh is taken in (see FIG. 16).

[0075] According to this embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as the first and second embodiments, it is possible to prevent unexpected damage that may occur to the document stopper 173, and to prevent the leading edge of the document from contacting the feed roller 151 and the separation roller 153 when setting the document on the loading tray 13.

[0076] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the power source 18a and the power source 18b are described as separate power sources, but they may be configured as the same power source. In that case, a clutch that blocks the transmission of the driving force or a delay mechanism that delays the transmission of the driving force to shift the drive timing may be provided in the drive transmission path from the power source to each roller, etc.

[0077] (others) In the embodiments, each element is named based on its main function, but the functions described in the embodiments may be sub-functions and are not strictly limited to those expressions. Furthermore, those expressions can be replaced with similar expressions. In the same spirit, the expression "unit" may be replaced with "component," "member," "structure," "assembly," etc., or may be omitted.

[0078] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1: image reading device (original input device), 14: input port portion, 173: original stopper, 174: holding portion, 20a to 20d: biasing portions.

Claims

1. an inlet for taking in a document into the device body; a document stopper that is rotatable between a first position that prevents the document from being taken in and a second position that allows the document to be taken in; a holding portion that holds the document stopper in the first position; a biasing portion that biases the document stopper held in the first position to the second position; Equipped 13. A document feeder comprising:

2. a pressing section for pressing a document to be fed into the feed opening; an arm portion that supports the pressing portion and rotatably supports the document stopper, and is rotatable between a first position where the pressing portion is separated from the document and a second position where the pressing portion presses the document; Further comprising 2. The document feeder according to claim 1.

3. The holding portion holds the document stopper in the first position when the arm portion is in the first position.

3. The document feeder according to claim 2.

4. The document stopper includes a locking portion that locks onto the holding portion so as to be held in the first posture when the arm portion is in the first position.

4. The document feeder according to claim 3.

5. The pressing portion is a driven roller.

5. The document feeder according to claim 2, wherein the document feeder is a document feeder having a first end and a second end.

6. The document feeder further includes a feed roller provided on the opposite side of the pressing portion with respect to the document to be fed into the feed opening portion.

6. The document feeder according to claim 2, wherein the document feeder is a document feeder having a first end and a second end.

7. The feeding roller further includes a separation roller for holding the document together with the feeding roller.

7. The document feeder according to claim 6.

8. The separation roller is further provided with a holder member for rotatably holding the separation roller. The holder member locks the document stopper in the second position biased by the biasing portion.

8. The document feeder according to claim 7.

9. the holder member has a locking portion for locking the document stopper, The locking portion has an arc-shaped sliding surface coaxial with the rotation axis of the separation roller.

9. The document feeder of claim 8.

10. The separation roller and the holder member are held in the device body so as to be able to swing, and the separation roller is biased against the feed roller by a second biasing portion provided on the holder member.

10. The document feeder according to claim 8 or 9.

11. a conveying roller provided downstream of the feed roller, The conveying device further includes a power source that generates power for rotating the arm portion and driving the conveying roller.

11. The document feeder according to claim 6, wherein the document feeder is a document feeder having a first end and a second end.

12. the power source further includes a delay mechanism provided in a power transmission path from the power source to the feed roller so that the feed roller is driven after the arm portion starts to rotate from the first position.

12. The document feeder of claim 11.

13. a power transmission mechanism disposed on a path between the arm portion and / or the conveying roller and the power source; a control unit that controls the power transmission mechanism so that the feed roller is driven after the arm unit starts to rotate from the first position.

13. The document feeder according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The document stopper and the feed roller are arranged in parallel, When viewed in the axial direction of the feed roller, the document stopper and the feed roller in the first position overlap each other.

14. The document feeder according to claim 6, wherein the document feeder is a document feeder having a first end and a second end.

15. A plurality of the document stoppers and a plurality of the feed rollers are arranged in parallel.

15. The document feeder of claim 14.

16. a guide member that forms a placement surface on which a document to be taken into the intake port can be placed, the placement surface being rotatable from a position above the feed roller to a position below the feed roller when viewed in the axial direction of the feed roller; 16. The document feeder according to claim 6, wherein the document feeder is a document feeder having a first end and a second end.

17. The guide member is When the document stopper is in the first position, the placement surface is located above the feed roller, When the document stopper is in the second position, the placement surface is located below the feed roller. Rotate like this 17. The document feeder of claim 16.

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