Image reading device

Abstract

To provide an image reading device capable of suppressing a floating of a sheet.SOLUTION: An image reading device comprises: a conveyance mechanism of a script; a reading unit that reads the script at a reading position extended in a cross direction with a conveyance direction; and a first conveyance guide and a second conveyance guide, and they are arranged in an order of the first conveyance guide, the second conveyance guide, and the reading position from an upstream in the conveyance direction. A conveyance path of the script contains: a first conveyance region; and a second conveyance region at a position that is different from the first conveyance region in the cross direction. The script is guided to the reading position from the first conveyance guide in the first conveyance region, and is guided in an order of the first conveyance guide, the second conveyance guide, and the reading position in the second conveyance region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a reading device that is mounted on an inkjet printer, a multifunction machine, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or the like and that reads an image recorded on a document. In addition, in such a reading device, a conveying device is used that includes a sheet conveying means for conveying a sheet to a reading unit and a sheet conveying path for guiding the sheet. When conveying a sheet with such a conveying device, in order to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of image reading, it is necessary to convey the sheet so that the sheet does not float in the reading unit. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2013-251692 A) discloses a sheet conveying device that has a conveying guide with an arc-shaped cross section on the upstream side of the reading unit in the conveying direction, and conveys the sheet to the reading unit via the arc-shaped conveying guide. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-251692 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The configuration of Patent Document 1 has a problem that if the tip of the arc-shaped transport guide is deformed due to factors such as warping, the sheet floats in the reading section, resulting in poor image quality.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an image reading device capable of suppressing sheet floating. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention employs the following configuration. a transport mechanism for transporting the document; a reading unit that reads an image of the document conveyed by the conveying mechanism at a reading position; a first transport guide that guides the document transported in a transport direction by the transport mechanism; a second transport guide arranged at least partially downstream of the first transport guide in the transport direction and configured to guide the document transported in the transport direction; An image reading device comprising: a transport path formed by the first transport guide and the second transport guide includes, in a cross direction intersecting the transport direction, a first transport region and a second transport region different from the first transport region; This is an image reading device characterized in that in the first transport area, the original document is guided from the first transport guide to the reading position, and in the second transport area, the original document is guided in the order of the first transport guide, the second transport guide, and the reading position. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading device capable of suppressing the floating of a sheet. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image reading device in an open state; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image reading device in a closed state; [Diagram 3] Cross-sectional view of the image reading device when the automatic sheet feeder is closed [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the image reading device when the automatic sheet feeder is closed. [Diagram 5] (A) is a top view of the scanner unit, and (B) to (D) are cross-sectional views. [Figure 6] Back view of glass frame unit [Figure 7] Top view showing the internal configuration of the image reading device [Figure 8] Exploded perspective view of the conveying path [Figure 9] Exploded view of the transport guide [Figure 10] Exploded perspective view of the conveying guide [Figure 11] Perspective view of the conveying guide [Figure 12] Plan view of the transport guide [Figure 13] 1 is an exploded view of a glass frame unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conveying guide according to a second embodiment; [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control circuit of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The configuration according to the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those alone. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, etc. of the members once described in the following description are the same as those described initially, unless otherwise specified. Well-known or publicly known technologies in the relevant technical field can be applied to configurations and processes not particularly shown or described. Furthermore, duplicated descriptions may be omitted.

[0010] An image reading device equipped with the sheet transport mechanism of the present invention can be applied to a flatbed scanner device, or a copying machine, facsimile, multifunction machine, etc., which is a combination of a flatbed scanner device and a printing device, etc. Below, as an example, an image reading device that imports a sheet image into a computer, etc. will be described. Note that the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. X, Y, and Z indicate directions that are perpendicular to each other. X is the width direction of the image reading device, Y is the depth direction, and Z is the height direction.

[0011] [Embodiment 1] 1 and 2 are external perspective views of a multifunction machine 1 in which an image reading device main body 100 according to the present invention is combined with a printing device 400, which is an inkjet printer. The image reading device main body 100 of this embodiment is roughly composed of an image reading section (hereinafter, a scanner section 200) and a sheet transport section (original transport section, hereinafter, an ADF section 300). An automatic document feeder (ADF) is a device that automatically transports multiple documents to a reading unit in sequence. The ADF unit 300 can be opened and closed relative to the scanner unit 200. Fig. 1 shows the ADF unit 300 in an open state in order to place a sheet on the scanner unit 200. Fig. 2 shows the ADF unit 300 in a closed state.

[0012] The configuration of the ADF unit 300 of the image reading device main body 100 will be described below with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the scanner unit 200 and ADF unit 300, which are the image reading device main body 100, taken along the XZ plane when the ADF unit 300 is closed. Figure 3 shows the configuration of a sheet transport path 311 (indicated by a thick solid arrow) in the ADF unit 300, and part of the sheet transport path 311 is made up of part of the scanner unit 200.

[0013] The ADF section 300 includes a sheet placement table 301 on which sheets are placed, a sheet transport mechanism (transport mechanism), and a discharged sheet stacking section 320. The configuration of the sheet transport mechanism will be described below in order from the upstream side of the sheet transport. 3 shows the entire sheet transport mechanism from the pickup roller 304 to the discharge roller 309.

[0014] A conveying sheet 310 that is automatically conveyed and placed on a sheet placement table 301 is conveyed toward a separation roller 305 by a pickup roller 304 of a sheet conveying mechanism. Thereafter, the conveying sheet 310 is conveyed one by one by a separation roller 305 and a separation pad 306 to a downstream conveying roller 307. Next, the conveying sheet 310 passes through a first conveying guide 203a by the conveying roller 307, and is conveyed to a downstream second conveying guide 203b. When the conveying sheet 310 passes through the second conveying guide 203b, the conveying sheet 310 is pressed by a white pressing plate 308, so that the conveying sheet 310 is in close contact with the second conveying guide 203b. At this time, the conveying sheet 310 is read by an image sensor 206. The white pressing plate 308 has a size that covers the entire area in the main scanning direction of the image sensor 206 shown in FIG. 7.

[0015] Next, the conveying sheet 310 that has passed the second conveying guide 203b passes through a sheet size indicator member 205 downstream of the second conveying guide 203b in the conveying direction, and is discharged to a discharged sheet stacking section 320 by a downstream discharge roller 309. The above-mentioned second conveying guide 203b and sheet size indicator member 205 are components of the scanner section 200. Here, various sheet detection sensors (not shown) are arranged in the sheet conveying mechanism section, which detect the passage of the leading and trailing ends of the sheet, and the outputs thereof are used to control the timing of reading by the image sensor 206.

[0016] The sheet reading method of the image reading device main body 100 of the present invention can be selected between two methods: a fixed sheet reading method (flatbed reading) and a sheet conveying reading method (ADF reading). The fixed sheet reading method is a method in which a sheet is fixed on the sheet set table glass 202, which is a placement table, and the reading unit 207 is moved in the sub-scanning direction (X direction) to read the sheet. The sheet conveying reading method is a method in which the reading unit 207 is stopped at a predetermined position (ADF position) below the second conveying guide 203b, and the sheet is conveyed by the ADF section 300 while being read. In the present invention, the sheet set table glass 202 also serves as the ADF glass at the ADF position, but the sheet set table glass 202 and the ADF glass may be separated. In the fixed sheet reading mode, the sheet set table glass 202 functions as a placement table on which an original is placed on one side and on which the reading unit 207 arranged on the other side reads the original. In the ADF reading mode, the sheet set table glass 202 also functions as a flat member for reading the original document passing along one side while keeping a predetermined distance between the original document passing along one side and the reading unit 207 arranged on the other side, and allowing the original document to pass smoothly through the reading position.

[0017] Reading unit 207 in scanner section 200 in FIG. 3 is shown in a standby state at the ADF position to read conveying sheet 310 that is automatically conveyed by ADF section 300 described above.

[0018] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of dotted line portion K in Fig. 3. The first transport guide 203a is attached to the ADF section 300, and the second transport guide 203b is attached to the glass frame unit 201 of the scanner section 200. A sensor lever SL for detecting a sheet is provided in the sheet transport path 311, and the sensor lever SL comes into contact with the sheet being transported and rotates in the arrow direction R. The first transport guide 203a has a cutout portion SLC for retracting the rotating sensor lever SL.

[0019] The configuration of the scanner unit 200 of the image reading device main body 100 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0020] 5(A) is a top view of the scanner unit 200 when the ADF unit is removed from the image reading device main body, and shows the entire glass frame unit 201. This glass frame unit 201 is composed of a sheet set table glass 202 on which a sheet is placed and a glass frame 204 that holds the above-mentioned second transport guide 203b for reading an automatically transported sheet. The glass frame 204 also includes the above-mentioned sheet size index member 205 and sheet abutment reference 226 between the sheet set table glass 202 and the second transport guide 203b.

[0021] Fig. 5(B) is a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 5(A). Fig. 5(C) is a cross section taken along line BB in Fig. 5(A), showing a cross section in the main scanning direction (Y direction) of the reading unit 207. Fig. 5(D) is an enlarged view of a portion C around the sheet size indicator member 205 of the glass frame unit 201 in Fig. 5(B).

[0022] In the drawing, a white sheet 224 is disposed on the sheet placement surface side of the sheet set table glass 202. In this cross-sectional view, white areas 224W and black areas 224B are simply shown, but in reality, the configuration is as described in FIG.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the glass frame unit 201 of FIG. 5(A), and a part of the white sheet 224 is shown. The sheet set table glass 202 is abutted against two glass frame abutting parts 228 of the glass frame 204, and the position in the X direction is determined. In the direction of view of this figure, the white sheet 224 is arranged on the rear side of the sheet set table glass 202, and is on the same surface as the sheet placement surface. In FIG. 6, the X direction position of the white sheet 224 is arranged between the glass frame abutting parts 228 and the stationary sheet reading area 237. In addition, the white sheet 224 is integrally provided with a white area 224W for performing shading correction of the image sensor 206 and a black area 224B which is the sub-scanning direction reference position of the image sensor 206 shown in FIG. 7. In order to perform shading processing, the white sheet 224 has a size that covers the entire area in the main scanning direction of the image sensor 206 shown in FIG. 7. The position of the black area 224B in the sub-scanning direction (X direction) within the white sheet 224 is formed closer to the stationary sheet reading area 237 than the white area 224W.

[0024] FIG. 7 shows a state diagram in which the glass frame unit 201 has been removed from the top view shown in FIG. 5(A) to show the overall internal configuration of the scanner section 200, and shows the arrangement and configuration of the reading unit 207 and base frame 223.

[0025] A guide rail 221, whose longitudinal direction is the sub-scanning direction, is disposed at approximately the center of the base frame 223 in the Y direction. The slider 218 of the reading unit 207 described above is disposed on the guide rail 221 so as to be slidable in the sub-scanning direction (X direction). When a driving input is applied to the motor 220 of the reading unit 207, the belt 222 moves in response to the input, and the reading unit 207 can reciprocate along the guide rail 221 via a drive transmission section to which the belt 222 is connected.

[0026] Although this embodiment is a belt-driven type in which the drive unit is arranged on the base frame 223 and the drive force is transmitted by a belt, it can also be used in a self-propelled type reading unit in which the drive unit is arranged in the reading unit 207.

[0027] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the reading unit 207. The reading unit 207 includes an image sensor 206, a sensor holder 217, and a slider 218. The image sensor 206 has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and the longitudinal direction is also called the main scanning direction. The reading unit 207 is scanned in a sub-scanning direction (scanning direction) that is a direction intersecting (typically perpendicular to) the main scanning direction. At both ends of the image sensor 206 in the main scanning direction, It is preferable to provide a roller unit that guarantees the focal length, and a rotatable roller is preferably provided at the distal end of the roller unit in the sub-scanning direction. It is also preferable to provide a biasing means such as a pressure spring between the image sensor 206 and the sensor holder 217, so that the image sensor 206 is constantly pressed against the rear surface of the document table glass. With this configuration, the reading unit 207 can be smoothly moved in the sub-scanning direction by the roller while being pressed against the document table glass.

[0028] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit of the entire device. The circuit operation of this embodiment will be described below. The image sensor 206 is a sensor in which three color LEDs 102, which are light sources, are integrated. In the case of the fixed sheet reading method, this image sensor 206 is moved in the scanning direction under the platen glass. At the same time, the LEDs 102 of each color are switched and turned on for each line by the LED drive circuit 103, so that it is possible to read a color image in RGB line sequence. In the case of the sheet conveying reading method, the document is read by the stopped image sensor 206 while being conveyed. The amplifier (AMP) 104 amplifies the signal output from the image sensor 206. The A / D converter 105 performs A / D conversion of the amplified output of the amplifier 104 to obtain, for example, an 8-bit digital output.

[0029] The shading RAM 106 stores data for shading correction obtained by reading the white region 224W for the above-mentioned shading processing and performing arithmetic processing on the data. The shading correction circuit 107 performs shading correction on the image data read by the image sensor 206 based on the data in the shading RAM 106. The peak detection circuit 108 is a circuit that detects the peak value in the read image data for each line, and is used to detect the reference position of the reading unit 207. The gamma conversion circuit 109 performs gamma conversion on the read image data according to a preset gamma curve.

[0030] The buffer RAM 110 is a memory that primarily stores image data in order to match the timing of the actual reading operation with that of communication with the host computer. The packing / buffer RAM control circuit 111 performs a process of writing the data into the buffer RAM 110 after performing a packing process according to an image output mode preset by the host computer, and a process of transferring the image data from the buffer RAM 110 to the interface circuit 112 for output. The image main output modes include binary, 4-bit multi-value, 8-bit multi-value, 24-bit multi-value, etc. The interface circuit (transfer means) 112 receives control signals and outputs image signals from an external device 113. The external device 113 is a device such as a personal computer that serves as a host device (computer) for the image reading device.

[0031] The CPU 115 has a ROM 115a storing processing procedures and a working RAM 115b, and is, for example, a microcomputer type CPU that controls each part according to the procedures of the program stored in the ROM 115a. The CPU 115 controls the rotation direction, rotation speed, and rotation amount of the motor 220 by reading slit information of a code wheel 241 rotatably fixed on the same axis of the motor with an encoder 242. In other words, it controls the moving direction, moving speed, distance, etc. of the reading unit 207. The OSC 116 (oscillator) is, for example, an oscillator such as a crystal oscillator. The timing signal generating circuit 114 divides the output of the OSC 116 according to the setting of the CPU 115 to generate various timing signals that are the basis of operation.

[0032] In this embodiment, the boundary between the black area 224B and the white area 224W serves as a reference mark for image reading by the image sensor 206. The reference mark read by the image sensor 206 is detected by an encoder and stored in the RAM 115b in the CPU 115. The reference position is stored as a reference position. The CPU 115 functions as a control means for detecting the reference mark, determining the reference position of the image sensor 206 based on the detected reference mark, starting image reading, etc. Furthermore, the CPU 115 moves the image sensor 206 in the sub-scanning direction based on the reference position determined by the reference mark detected in the sub-scanning direction.

[0033] The configurations of the first transport guide 203a and the second transport guide 203b in this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0034] 8 is an exploded view of the scanner unit 200 and the ADF unit 300 in this embodiment. The first transport guide 203a is attached to the ADF unit 300, and the second transport guide 203b is fixed to the glass frame unit 201 of the scanner unit 200.

[0035] 9 is an exploded view showing the positional relationship between the first transport guide 203a and the second transport guide 203b during sheet transport in this embodiment. As described above, conventionally, for example, at the end of the first transport guide 203a, warping was likely to occur especially in the X and Z directions, causing the sheet to float. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first transport guide 203a and the second transport guide 203b are provided as shown in the figure, which will be described below.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first conveying guide 203a and the second conveying guide 203b have a first conveying area FA1 and a second conveying area FA2 in the sheet width direction WD. In the illustrated example, the first conveying area FA1 is located in the center, and the second conveying area FA2 is located at both ends. In the first conveying area FA1, the conveying sheet 310 is guided by the first conveying guide 203a to the conveying document reading section RP, and in the second conveying area FA2, the conveying sheet 310 is guided by the first conveying guide 203a and the second conveying guide 203b in this order and conveyed to the conveying document reading section RP. That is, the conveying sheet 310 reaches the conveying document reading section RP directly without touching the retracting section 203b2 by lifting the center part of the conveying sheet 310 by the extension section 203a1. The conveying document reading section RP is a position where the fixed image sensor 206 reads an image while the conveying sheet 310 is being conveyed, and is a position extending in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction.

[0037] The first conveying guide 203a has an extension 203a1 at approximately the center of the sheet width direction WD and a retraction portion 203a2 at both ends of the sheet width direction WD. The second conveying guide 203b has a retraction portion 203b2 at approximately the center of the sheet width direction WD and an extension 203b1 at both ends of the sheet width direction WD. The first conveying area FA1 has the extension 203a1 of the first conveying guide 203a and the retraction portion 203b2 of the second conveying guide 203b. The second conveying area FA2 has the retraction portion 203a2 of the first conveying guide 203a and the extension 203b1 of the second conveying guide 203b. The second conveying area FA2 of the second conveying guide 203b is provided with a plurality of ribs for supporting the sheet. The apex of the rib of the second conveying area FA2 is higher than the glass frame 24. On the other hand, the extension 203a1 of the first conveying guide 203a is not provided with a rib.

[0038] Here, "retracted" means that the retraction section 203a2 is away from the transported document reading section RP. Also, "extended" means that the extension section 203a1 is extended longer than the retraction section 203a2, and is closer to the transported document reading section RP. In other words, in the sheet transport direction, the downstream end of the extension section 203a1 is closer to the transported document reading section RP than the downstream end of the retraction section 203a2.

[0039] The first conveying guide 203a is configured such that, in the conveying direction FD, the substantially central portion in the sheet width direction WD is long and the both ends in the sheet width direction WD are short, and the cutout portion SLC is provided in the long portion in the substantially central portion in the sheet width direction WD. The sheet is pressed against the vicinity of the notch portion SLC by the force of the sensor lever SL. With this configuration, the sheet can be supported by the long portion of the first conveying guide 203a near the notch portion SLC, so the posture of the sheet can be stabilized. That is, by installing the sensor lever SL at the center of the sheet width direction WD, a configuration that is advantageous for preventing the sheet from skewing is achieved, and by providing the long portion of the first conveying guide 203a at the center, the sheet can be easily supported.

[0040] 10 is a perspective view of the second transport guide 203b in this embodiment fixed to the glass frame unit 201. The second transport guide 203b has both ends in the sheet width direction WD fixed to the glass frame unit to correct deformation due to warping of the guide. This configuration makes it possible to prevent both ends of the sheet from floating at the transported document reading section RP compared to guiding the sheet to the transported document reading section RP only with the first transport guide 203a.

[0041] 11 and 12 are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the first conveying guide 203a and the second conveying guide 203b during sheet conveyance in this embodiment.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 11, the first conveying guide 203a has an extension 203a1 at approximately the center of the sheet width direction WD and a retraction portion 203a2 at both ends of the sheet width direction WD. The second conveying guide 203b has a retraction portion 203b2 at approximately the center of the sheet width direction WD and an extension 203b1 at both ends of the sheet width direction WD. At approximately the center of the sheet width direction WD of the conveyed sheet, the sheet passes through the extension 203a1 of the first conveying guide 203a and is conveyed to the conveyed document reading portion RP. On the other hand, at both ends of the sheet width direction WD of the conveyed sheet, the sheet passes through the retraction portion 203a2 of the first conveying guide 203a and then passes through the extension 203b1 of the second conveying guide 203b and is conveyed to the conveyed document reading portion RP. In addition, outside the maximum sheet width, the fixed portion 203c extends from the second conveying guide 203 downstream of the conveyed document reading portion RP. The fixing portion 203 c prevents the second transport guide 203 from rotating within the surface of the glass frame 204 .

[0043] With regard to the second conveying guide 203b, "retracted" means that the retracted portion 203b2 is away from the conveyed document reading portion RP. Also, "extended" means that the extended portion 203b1 is extended longer than the retracted portion 203b2 and is closer to the conveyed document reading portion RP. In other words, in the sheet conveying direction, the downstream end of the extended portion 203b1 is closer to the conveyed document reading portion RP than the downstream end of the retracted portion 203b2.

[0044] 9 to 12, the first conveying guide 203a and the second conveying guide 203b overlap in a comb-tooth shape in the conveying direction FD. Therefore, the sheet can be conveyed without the leading edge of the sheet getting caught at the boundary between the first conveying guide 203a and the second conveying guide 203b. Specifically, by raising the sheet by the extension portion 203a1, it is possible to prevent the sheet end from getting caught in the conveying guide.

[0045] The first conveying guide 203a retracts both ends of the sheet width direction WD where deformation due to warping is likely to occur. The second conveying guide 203b fixes both ends of the sheet width direction WD to the glass frame unit to correct deformation due to warping. At both ends of the sheet width direction WD, the sheet is guided by the extension portion 203b1 of the second conveying guide 203b whose deformation has been corrected, and is conveyed to the conveyed document reading section RP. The configurations of FIGS. 9 to 12 make it possible to suppress the sheet from floating at both ends of the sheet width direction WD when the sheet is conveyed to the conveyed document reading section RP. In this embodiment, the second conveying guide 203b is configured as a separate part from the glass frame unit, but the second conveying guide 203b may be configured integrally with the glass frame unit.

[0046] FIG. 12 shows the maximum number of guides corresponding to the first conveying guide 203a and the second conveying guide 203b. The figure shows the positional relationship when a size sheet 310L and a minimum size sheet 310S are stacked. Both the maximum size sheet 310L and the minimum size sheet 310S pass through the extension 203a1 of the first transport guide 203a at approximately the center in the sheet width direction WD, and are then transported to the transported document reading section. In addition, at both ends in the sheet width direction WD, the sheet passes through the retreat section 203a2 of the first transport guide 203a, passes through the extension 203b1 of the second transport guide 203b, and is then transported to the transported document reading section. With this configuration, if the sheet is of a compatible size, it is possible to prevent both ends of the sheet in the sheet width direction WD from floating due to warping deformation of the guide.

[0047] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the sheet set table glass 202, the second transport guide 203b, and the glass frame 204. The sheet set table glass 202 is attached to the glass frame 204. After that, the second transport guide 203b is attached to the glass frame 204. The second transport guide 203b has engagement shapes 203F and 203R that engage with the glass frame 204, and the engagement shapes 203F and 203R are configured on the second transport area FA2 side. The engagement shapes 203F and 203R are arranged outside the transport path in the width direction of the document. The glass frame 204 has engagement parts 204F and 204R. The engagement shape 203F of the second transport guide 203b engages with the engagement part 204F of the glass frame 204, and the engagement shape 203R of the second transport guide 203b engages with the engagement part 204R of the glass frame 204, so that the second transport guide 203b is attached to the glass frame 204.

[0048] (Embodiment 2) 14 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the first conveying guide 203a and the second conveying guide 203b during sheet conveyance in the second embodiment. The first conveying guide 203a has a retraction portion 203a2 at approximately the center of the sheet width direction WD and an extension portion 203a1 at both ends of the sheet width direction WD. The second conveying guide 203b has an extension portion 203b1 at approximately the center of the sheet width direction WD and a retraction portion 203b2 at both ends of the sheet width direction WD. At approximately the center of the sheet width direction WD of the sheet to be conveyed, the sheet passes through the retraction portion 203a2 of the first conveying guide 203a, then passes through the extension portion 203b1 of the second conveying guide 203b, and is conveyed to the conveyed document reading unit RP. At both ends of the sheet width direction WD of the sheet to be conveyed, the sheet passes through the extension portion 203a1 of the first conveying guide 203a, then is conveyed to the conveyed document reading unit RP.

[0049] With this configuration, the first conveying guide 203a and the second conveying guide 203b overlap in a comb-like shape in the conveying direction FD, so that the sheet can be conveyed without the leading edge of the sheet being caught at the boundary between the first conveying guide 203a and the second conveying guide 203b.

[0050] The first conveying guide 203a is retracted from the approximate center of the sheet width direction WD where deformation due to warping is likely to occur. The second conveying guide 203b is fixed to the glass frame unit at the approximate center of the sheet width direction WD to correct deformation due to warping. At the approximate center of the sheet width direction WD, the sheet is guided by the extension portion 203b1 of the second conveying guide 203b whose deformation has been corrected, and conveyed to the conveyed document reading unit RP. The configurations of Figs. 9 to 12 make it possible to suppress the sheet from floating at the approximate center of the sheet width direction WD when conveying the sheet to the conveyed document reading unit RP. In this embodiment, the second conveying guide 203b is configured as a separate part from the glass frame unit, but the second conveying guide 203b may be configured integrally with the glass frame unit.

[0051] Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to sheet discharging devices other than image recording devices.

[0052] [Configuration 1] a transport mechanism for transporting the document; a reading unit that reads an image of the document conveyed by the conveying mechanism at a reading position; a first transport guide that guides the document transported in a transport direction by the transport mechanism; a second transport guide arranged at least partially downstream of the first transport guide in the transport direction and configured to guide the document transported in the transport direction; An image reading device comprising: a transport path formed by the first transport guide and the second transport guide includes, in a cross direction intersecting the transport direction, a first transport region and a second transport region different from the first transport region; In the first transport area, the document is guided from the first transport guide to the reading position, and in the second transport area, the document is guided in this order by the first transport guide, the second transport guide, and the reading position. 1. An image reading apparatus comprising: [Configuration 2] The first conveying region is located at a center portion in the cross direction. 2. The image reading device according to configuration 1, [Configuration 3] The second transport region is located at a center portion in the cross direction. 2. The image reading device according to configuration 1, [Configuration 4] The first transport guide is configured such that a downstream end portion in the first transport region is closer to the reading position than a downstream end portion in the second transport region. 4. The image reading device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, [Configuration 5] The second transport guide is configured such that a downstream end portion in the second transport region is closer to the reading position than a downstream end portion in the first transport region. 5. The image reading device according to configuration 4. [Configuration 6] The first transport guide and the second transport guide overlap each other in a comb-like shape to form the transport path. 6. The image reading device according to configuration 4 or 5. [Configuration 7] an image reading section having the reading unit, The second transport guide is attached to the image reading unit. 7. The image reading device according to configuration 6, [Configuration 8] the image reading section includes a flat plate member having one surface on which the document is placed during reading and another surface on which the reading unit is placed; The reading unit reads the document through the flat plate member. 8. The image reading device according to configuration 7, [Configuration 9] a document transport unit having the transport mechanism, the first transport guide is attached to the document transport section, the document transport unit is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the image reading unit, When the document transport section is in a closed state, the transport mechanism transports the document, and the reading unit reads an image of the document at the reading position. 9. The image reading device according to configuration 7 or 8. [Configuration 10] the second conveying guide is configured to be detachable from the image reading unit, The second transport guide has an engagement shape for engaging with the image reading unit in the intersecting direction. The conveying path is provided on the outside. 10. The image reading device according to any one of configurations 7 to 9, [Configuration 11] 10. The image reading device according to any one of configurations 7 to 9, wherein the second transport guide has a fixed portion extending downstream in the transport direction from the reading position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 100: image reading device main body, 200: scanner unit, 202: sheet set table glass, 203a: first conveying guide, 203a1: extension unit, 203a2: evacuation unit, 203b: second conveying guide, 203b1: extension unit, 203b2: evacuation unit, 300: ADF unit, 311: sheet conveying path

Claims

1. a transport mechanism for transporting the document; a reading unit that reads an image of the document conveyed by the conveying mechanism at a reading position; a first transport guide that guides the document transported in a transport direction by the transport mechanism; a second transport guide arranged at least partially downstream of the first transport guide in the transport direction and configured to guide the document transported in the transport direction; An image reading device comprising: a transport path formed by the first transport guide and the second transport guide includes, in a cross direction intersecting the transport direction, a first transport region and a second transport region different from the first transport region; In the first transport area, the document is guided from the first transport guide to the reading position, and in the second transport area, the document is guided in this order by the first transport guide, the second transport guide, and the reading position.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

2. The first conveying region is located at a center portion in the cross direction.

2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus comprises:

3. The second transport region is located at a center portion in the cross direction.

2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus comprises:

4. The first transport guide is configured such that a downstream end portion in the first transport region is closer to the reading position than a downstream end portion in the second transport region.

4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is a scanning apparatus.

5. The second transport guide is configured such that a downstream end portion in the second transport region is closer to the reading position than a downstream end portion in the first transport region.

5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4,

6. The first transport guide and the second transport guide overlap each other in a comb-like shape to form the transport path.

5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4,

7. an image reading section having the reading unit, The second transport guide is attached to the image reading unit.

7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 6,

8. the image reading section includes a flat plate member having one surface on which the document is placed during reading and another surface on which the reading unit is placed; The reading unit reads the document through the flat plate member.

8. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7,

9. a document transport unit having the transport mechanism, the first transport guide is attached to the document transport section, the document transport unit is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the image reading unit, When the document transport section is in a closed state, the transport mechanism transports the document, and the reading unit reads an image of the document at the reading position.

8. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7,

10. the second conveying guide is configured to be detachable from the image reading unit, The second transport guide has an engagement shape on an outer side of the transport path that engages with the image reading unit in the cross direction.

8. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7,

11. 8. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second transport guide has a fixed portion extending downstream in the transport direction from the reading position.

Images