Image reading device and image forming system

Abstract

To improve the quality of image reading using image reading means compared to a case where a recording medium is guided only by a rotary body and the image reading means when the recording medium passes between the rotary body and the image reading means disposed at a position opposed to the rotary body.SOLUTION: An elastic body 400 is mounted to an upper rotary body 51. The elastic body 400 consists of a tabular member. The elastic body 400 is partially protruding from an outer peripheral surface 51R of the upper rotary body 51. A protrusion 610 protruding from the outer peripheral surface 51R of the upper rotary body 51 is provided by the partial protrusion of the elastic body 400. The protrusion 610 protrudes from the upper rotary body 51 toward a lower image reading section 222.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a white reference plate is provided on the photoelectric conversion element side with respect to the transport path, and in preparation for shading correction, its own color (white) is directly read by the photoelectric conversion element. Patent Document 2 discloses an original transport device including an elastic sheet-like member extending in the original width direction and provided so as to protrude from an original transport surface of an original transport path into an original transport space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-261859 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-234074 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An image reading device that reads an image on a recording medium may employ, for example, a configuration in which the recording medium passes between a rotating body and an image reading means disposed opposite the rotating body. Here, if the gap between the rotating body and the image reading means is large, the behavior of the recording medium will become unstable as it passes between the rotating body and the image reading means, which may result in a decrease in the quality of the image read by the image reading means. The object of the present invention is to improve the quality of image reading using an image reading means when a recording medium passes between a rotating body and an image reading means arranged opposite the rotating body, compared to when the recording medium is guided only by the rotating body and the image reading means. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 is an image reading device comprising a transport means for transporting a recording medium along a transport path, an image reading means arranged on one side of the transport path for reading an image formed on the recording medium transported along the transport path, a rotating body arranged rotatably and positioned on the opposite side of the transport path from the side on which the image reading means is installed, and a protrusion arranged at least at one end and the other end of the rotating body in the axial direction, protruding from the rotating body toward the image reading means. A second aspect of the present invention is the image reading device according to the first aspect, wherein the protrusions are provided on both the one end and the other end of the rotating body. The invention recited in claim 3 is the image reading device recited in claim 1, wherein the protrusion is not provided at a central portion in the axial direction of the rotating body. The invention described in claim 4 is an image reading device described in claim 1, in which when a specific portion of the outer surface of the rotating body is in a state facing the image reading means, the protrusion protrudes toward the image reading means. The invention described in claim 5 is the image reading device described in claim 1, wherein the protrusion is arranged in a non-contact state with the image reading means and with a gap between it and the image reading means. The invention described in claim 6 is the image reading device described in claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed in a plate shape and has an edge portion at its tip in the protruding direction extending in the axial direction of the rotating body, and a portion of the edge portion is located farther from the image reading means than another portion of the edge portion whose position in the extending direction is different from that of the first portion. The invention described in claim 7 is an image reading device described in claim 6, wherein the portion of the edge is located closer to the center of the rotating body in the axial direction than the other portions, and the portion located closer to the center of the rotating body is located farther from the image reading means than the other portions. An invention described in claim 8 is the image reading device described in claim 7, wherein the edge of the protrusion is provided so as to become gradually farther away from the image reading means from the other portion toward the one portion. The invention described in claim 9 is an image reading device described in claim 6, in which the image reading means uses a reduction optical system to focus reflected light from the recording medium on a light receiving unit to read the image of the recording medium, and when the optical axis of the reflected light traveling from the recording medium to the light receiving unit is taken as a reference, the other part of the edge is located farther from the optical axis than the one part. The invention recited in claim 10 is the image reading device recited in claim 1, wherein the protrusion is constituted by a rotating member attached to the rotating body. An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the image reading device according to the tenth aspect, wherein the rotating member rotates about a rotation axis extending along the axial direction of the rotating body. The invention described in claim 12 is an image reading device described in claim 10, in which a plurality of planes are provided on the outer surface of the rotating body, the planes being positioned at different circumferential positions of the rotating body, and when the image is read by the image reading means, one of the plurality of planes faces the image reading means, and the rotating member is arranged in a manner such that a portion of it protrudes from the one plane. The invention described in claim 13 is an image reading device described in claim 10, in which a plurality of planes are provided on the outer surface of the rotating body, the planes being positioned at different circumferential positions of the rotating body, and when the image is read by the image reading means, one of the plurality of planes faces the image reading means, and another plane located one adjacent to the one plane is located upstream of the one plane in the movement direction of the recording medium, and the rotating member constituting the protrusion is provided at the junction between the one plane and the other plane. The invention described in claim 14 is an image reading device comprising: a transport means for transporting a recording medium along a transport path; an image reading means arranged on one side of the transport path and using a reduction optical system to focus reflected light from the recording medium onto a light receiving unit to read an image formed on the recording medium; a rotating body arranged rotatably and disposed on the opposite side of the transport path to the side on which the image reading means is installed; and a protrusion arranged on the rotating body and at least at a position off the optical axis of the reflected light heading from the recording medium toward the light receiving unit, protruding from the rotating body toward the image reading means. The invention recited in claim 15 is the image reading device recited in claim 14, wherein the protruding portion is configured by a rotating member or a plate-like elastic body. The invention recited in claim 16 is the image reading device recited in claim 15, wherein the rotating member rotates about a rotation axis extending along the axial direction of the rotating body. The invention described in claim 17 is an image forming system comprising an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium, and an image reading device for reading the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming means, wherein the image reading device includes an image reading device described in any one of claims 1 to 16. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the invention of claim 1, when a recording medium passes between a rotating body and an image reading means arranged opposite the rotating body, the quality of image reading using the image reading means can be improved compared to when the recording medium is guided only by the rotating body and the image reading means. According to the invention of claim 2, the quality of the read image obtained by the image reading means can be improved compared to when the protrusion is provided on only one of the one end and the other end of the rotating body. According to the invention of claim 3, the load acting on the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be reduced compared to when the protrusion is provided in the center of the axial direction of the rotating body. According to the invention of claim 4, when a specific portion of the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body is in a state facing the image reading means, the protruding portion can be made to protrude towards the image reading means. According to the invention of claim 5, the load acting on the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be reduced, compared to the case where the protruding portion contacts the image reading means. According to the invention of claim 6, the load acting on the portion of the recording medium that comes into contact with this portion can be reduced compared to when the distance between a portion of the edge and the image reading means is equal to the distance between the other portion of the edge and the image reading means. According to the invention of claim 7, the load acting on the portion of the recording medium passing through the center side in the axial direction of the rotating body can be made smaller than the load acting on the portion of the recording medium passing away from the center, compared to when the distance between a portion of the edge and the image reading means is equal to the distance between the other portion of the edge and the image reading means. According to the invention of claim 8, the recording medium can be guided by the protrusion more smoothly than when a step is provided on the edge of the protrusion. According to the invention of claim 9, compared to a case in which the distance between a portion of the edge and the image reading means is equal to the distance between the other portion of the edge and the image reading means, it is possible to stabilize the behavior of the portion of the recording medium that passes through a portion away from the optical axis, while reducing the load acting on the portion of the recording medium that passes through a portion close to the optical axis. According to the invention of claim 10, the load acting on the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the protrusion is not constituted by a rotating member and the protrusion does not rotate. According to the invention of claim 11, the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be moved more stably than when the rotating member rotates around a rotation axis that is not aligned with the axial direction of the rotating body. According to the invention of claim 12, the recording medium passing between one plane of the rotating body and the image reading means can be guided by using a rotating member provided on the rotating body. According to the invention of claim 13, before the recording medium enters between the rotating body and the image reading means, guiding of the recording medium using the protruding portion can be started. According to the invention of claim 14, when a recording medium passes between the rotating body and the image reading means arranged opposite the rotating body, the quality of image reading using the image reading means can be improved compared to when the recording medium is guided only by the rotating body and the image reading means. According to the invention of claim 15, the load acting on the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the protrusion is not formed of a rotating member and the protrusion does not rotate, and the load acting on the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the protrusion is not formed of a plate-shaped elastic body and the protrusion does not undergo elastic deformation. According to the invention of claim 16, the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be moved more stably than when the rotating member rotates around a rotation axis that is not aligned with the axial direction of the rotating body. According to the invention of claim 17, when a recording medium passes between the rotating body and the image reading means arranged opposite the rotating body, the quality of image reading using the image reading means can be improved compared to when the recording medium is guided only by the rotating body and the image reading means. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a control unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inspection device, showing the location where the upper rotating body is installed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the upper rotating body and the light transmitting portion. [Figure 6]1 is a diagram showing the upper rotating body and the like when viewed from diagonally below the upper rotating body. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a view of the upper rotating body as viewed from below the upper rotating body and in the direction indicated by arrow VII in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing an image reading range by a lower image reading unit; FIG. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of the elastic body. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing other configuration examples of the upper rotating body. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the upper rotating body taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing other configuration examples of the upper rotating body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system 1. As shown in FIG. The image forming system 1 of this embodiment is provided with an image forming device 100 that forms an image on paper P, which is an example of a recording medium, an inspection device 200 that inspects the image formed on the paper P by the image forming device 100, and a paper storage device 300 that stores the paper P discharged from the inspection device 200.

[0009] The image forming system 1 has a function of inspecting an image formed on a sheet P, and can also be regarded as an image inspection system. The inspection device 200 also has a function of transporting paper P, which is an example of a recording medium, and can be regarded as a recording medium transport device. The inspection device 200 also has a function of reading an image formed on paper P, and can be regarded as an image reading device.

[0010] Image forming apparatus 100, which functions as an image forming unit, obtains image data that is the source of an image to be formed from a PC (Personal Computer) (not shown) or the like. Based on the acquired image data, the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet of paper P, which is an example of a recording medium, using a material such as toner. There is no particular limitation on the mechanism for forming an image on the paper P. The image is formed on the paper P by, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

[0011] The inspection apparatus 200 is provided with a paper transport path R as an example of a transport path along which the paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 is transported. The inspection device 200 is also provided with a plurality of transport rolls 213 as an example of a transport means for transporting the paper P along the paper transport path R. In this embodiment, the plurality of transport rolls 213 transport the paper P downstream.

[0012] In this embodiment, the transport rolls 213 include upstream transport rolls 213A disposed on the most upstream side in the transport direction of the paper P. Also, downstream transport rolls 213D are provided on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P. Furthermore, a first intermediate transport roll 213B and a second intermediate transport roll 213C arranged downstream of the first intermediate transport roll 213B are provided between the upstream transport roll 213A and the downstream transport roll 213D.

[0013] Each of the transport rolls 213 is composed of a driving roll 31A that is driven to rotate, and a driven roll 31B that is pressed against the driving roll 31A and receives a driving force from the driving roll 31A to rotate. The driven roll 31B receives a driving force from the driving roll 31A at a contact portion where the driving roll 31A and the driven roll 31B contact each other. The driven roll 31B receives a driving force from the driving roll 31A and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the driving roll 31A.

[0014] The inspection device 200 is also provided with an image reading section 220 that reads the image formed on the paper P. In this embodiment, the image reading section 220 includes an upper image reading section 221 and a lower image reading section 222, which are examples of image reading means. The upper image reading unit 221 is disposed above the paper transport path R. The upper image reading unit 221 reads an image formed on the upper surface, which is an example of one of the two surfaces that the paper P has.

[0015] The lower image reading unit 222 is disposed below the paper transport path R. The lower image reading unit 222 reads an image formed on the lower surface, which is an example of the other surface of the two surfaces of the paper P. Furthermore, the inspection device 200 is provided with a control unit 240. The control unit 240 controls each unit provided in the inspection device 200.

[0016] Each of the upper image reading unit 221 and the lower image reading unit 222 is provided with a light source 225 that irradiates light onto the paper P, a light receiving unit 226 that receives the light reflected from the paper P, and a light reflecting member 227 that reflects the light reflected from the paper P and directs this reflected light toward the light receiving unit 226. The light receiving section 226 is provided with a plurality of light receiving elements 226A constituted by photodiodes or the like, and the reflected light from the paper P is received by the plurality of light receiving elements 226A. The light receiving elements 226A are aligned in one direction, specifically, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. In other words, the multiple light receiving elements 226A are lined up along a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the paper P in the inspection device 200 and perpendicular to the thickness direction of the paper P being conveyed.

[0017] Each of the upper image reading section 221 and the lower image reading section 222 is provided with an imaging optical system 228 such as a lens that forms an image on the light receiving section 226 using light reflected from a light reflecting member 227 . In this embodiment, each of the upper image reading section 221 and the lower image reading section 222 is an image reading section equipped with a reduction optical system. In this embodiment, a rotatable upper rotor 51 is provided on the opposite side of the paper transport path R from the installation side of the lower image reading unit 222. A rotatable lower rotor 52 is provided on the opposite side of the paper transport path R from the installation side of the upper image reading unit 221. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a drive motor (not shown) which is a drive source for rotating the upper rotating body 51, and a drive motor (not shown) which is a drive source for rotating the lower rotating body 52 are provided.

[0018] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 240. The control unit 240 is realized by a computer. The control unit 240 includes an arithmetic processing unit 11 that executes digital arithmetic processing according to a program, and a secondary storage unit 19 that stores information. The secondary storage unit 19 is realized by an existing information storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor memory, or a magnetic tape.

[0019] The arithmetic processing unit 11 includes a CPU 11a as an example of a processor. The arithmetic processing unit 11 also includes a RAM 11b used as a working memory for the CPU 11a, and a ROM 11c in which programs executed by the CPU 11a are stored. The arithmetic processing unit 11 is also provided with a non-volatile memory 11d that is rewritable and can retain data even if the power supply is interrupted, and an interface unit 11e that controls each unit, such as a communication unit, connected to the arithmetic processing unit 11.

[0020] The non-volatile memory 11d is composed of, for example, a battery-backed SRAM, a flash memory, etc. In the secondary storage unit 19, various types of information such as the programs executed by the arithmetic processing unit 11 are stored. In this embodiment, the arithmetic processing unit 11 reads a program stored in the ROM 11c or the secondary storage unit 19, whereby the processing performed in the inspection device 200 is executed.

[0021] The program executed by the CPU 11a may be provided to the inspection device 200 in a state where it is stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium (such as a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk), an optical recording medium (such as an optical disk), a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The program executed by the CPU 11a may also be provided to the inspection device 200 using a communication means such as the Internet.

[0022] In this specification, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.). In addition, the operations of the processor may not only be performed by one processor, but may be performed by multiple processors in physically separate locations working together. The order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in this embodiment, and may be changed.

[0023] The image forming system 1 will be further described with reference to FIG. The paper storage device 300 is provided with a housing 310. The paper storage device 300 is also provided with a paper stacking section 320. The paper stacking section 320 is disposed inside the housing 310, and in this embodiment, the paper sheets P sequentially discharged from the inspection device 200 are stacked on this paper stacking section 320. Furthermore, the paper storage device 300 is provided with a delivery roller 330 that delivers the paper P discharged from the inspection device 200 to the paper stacking section 320 .

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. Note that Fig. 3 shows an example of the image forming apparatus 100, and the device configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 3. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 3 is an apparatus that forms an image using a so-called electrophotographic method, but the image forming apparatus 100 may be an apparatus that forms an image using, for example, an inkjet method. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 may be an apparatus that forms images using a method other than the electrophotographic method or the inkjet method.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming section 10, a paper transport section 20, and a control section 40. The image forming section 10 includes image forming units 11 (11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K), an intermediate transfer belt 12, a secondary transfer section 13, and a fixing device 14. In this embodiment, the image forming units 11 include four image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K corresponding to toner of four colors, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), respectively.

[0026] The four image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K are arranged side by side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 12, and form toner images by electrophotography. Each of the four image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K includes a photoconductor drum 111, a charging section 112, an exposure section 113, a developing section 114, and a primary transfer section 115. Each of the four image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K forms a toner image of any one of the colors YMCK, and transfers the formed toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 12. As a result, a toner image in which the toner images of the respective colors YMCK are superimposed is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 12.

[0027] Photoconductor drum 111 rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure at a predetermined speed. Charging unit 112 charges the circumferential surface of photoconductor drum 111 to a predetermined potential. Exposure unit 113 irradiates the charged circumferential surface of photoconductor drum 111 with light to form an electrostatic latent image on the circumferential surface of photoconductor drum 111. The developing unit 114 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the circumferential surface of the photoconductor drum 111. The primary transfer unit 115 transfers the toner image formed on the circumferential surface of the photoconductor drum 111 onto the intermediate transfer belt 12.

[0028] A voltage of a polarity opposite to the charge polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer unit 115. As a result, the toner images formed on the circumferential surface of the photoconductor drum 111 are electrostatically attracted in sequence onto the intermediate transfer belt 12. As a result, a single overlapping color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 12. The intermediate transfer belt 12 is supported by a plurality of roll-shaped members and is a belt-shaped member that circulates and moves in the direction of the arrow B in the figure.

[0029] In this embodiment, the roll-shaped members include a drive roll 121 that is driven by a motor not shown in the figure and drives the intermediate transfer belt 12, a tension roll 122 that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 12, an idle roll 123 that supports the intermediate transfer belt 12, and a backup roll 132.

[0030] The paper transport section 20 is provided with a paper storage section 21 in which a plurality of sheets of paper P are stored in a stacked state, and a pick-up roll 22 that picks up and transports the paper P stored in the paper storage section 21. The paper transport section 20 is also provided with a transport roll 23 that transports the paper P picked up by the pickup roll 22 along the paper transport path 60, and a guide section 24 that guides the paper P transported by the transport roll 23 to the secondary transfer section 13. Further, the paper transport section 20 is provided with a transport belt 25 that transports the paper P after the secondary transfer to the fixing device 14.

[0031] The secondary transfer section 13 is provided with a secondary transfer roll 134 that is arranged in contact with the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12, and a backup roll 132 that is arranged on the inner side of the intermediate transfer belt 12 and serves as an opposing electrode to the secondary transfer roll 134. In this embodiment, a metallic power supply roll 133 that applies a secondary transfer bias to the backup roll 132 is provided. In the secondary transfer section 13, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 12 is transferred onto the paper P that has been conveyed thereto.

[0032] The fixing unit 14 is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer unit 13 in the transport direction of the paper P. The fixing unit 14 is provided with a fixing roll 141 having a heat source (not shown) and a pressure roll 142 that is disposed opposite the fixing roll 141 and presses the fixing roll. In this embodiment, the paper P that has passed through the secondary transfer unit 13 is transported between the fixing roll 141 and the pressure roll 142, and the unfixed toner image on the paper P is melted and then fixed onto the paper P. As a result, an image made of the toner image is formed on the paper P.

[0033] In addition, in the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, an image can be formed on both sides of the paper P, and a reversing conveying path 61 used for forming an image on both sides of the paper P is provided. The reverse transport path 61 is provided so as to branch off from the paper transport path 60 downstream of the fixing unit 14. When the reverse transport path 61 starts at a connection point 2A with the paper transport path 60, it heads toward the left in the figure and joins the paper transport path 60 upstream of the secondary transfer unit 13.

[0034] When an image is formed on both sides of the paper P, the paper P after an image is formed on one side is once transported downstream of the connection part 2A. Then, the transport direction of the paper P is reversed, and the paper P is sent to the reverse transport path 61 with the end portion that was previously located at the rear end in the transport direction of the paper P as the leading end. Then, this sheet P is fed again to the secondary transfer unit 13 via the reverse transport path 61.

[0035] As a result, in the secondary transfer unit 13, the toner image is transferred to the other side of the paper P. Thereafter, the paper P is directed to the fixing device 14, where the toner image is fixed to the paper P. Through this process, images are formed on both sides of the paper P. It should be noted that the manner of forming images on both sides of the paper P is not limited to this. For example, image forming units may be provided corresponding to one side and the other side of the paper P, and images may be formed on both sides of the paper P using the image forming units provided for each side of the paper P.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inspection device 200, and is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inspection device 200 at the installation location of the upper rotating body 51. More specifically, FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the inspection device 200 taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51 and passing through the side of the upper rotating body 51 close to one end 51A. In this embodiment, the upper rotating body 51 as an example of a rotating body has one end 51A and the other end 51B that are located at different axial positions. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional state of the inspection device 200 in a vertical plane located near the one end 51A. In the following, the upper rotating body 51 and the lower image reading unit 222 will be described, but the lower rotating body 52 (see Figure 1) and the upper image reading unit 221 also have the same configuration as the upper rotating body 51 and the lower image reading unit 222.

[0037] In this embodiment, the lower image reading unit 222 (see FIG. 4) as an example of an image reading means is disposed on one side, that is, the lower side, of the paper transport path R. The lower image reading unit 222 reads an image formed on one side of the paper P transported on the paper transport path R. The lower image reading section 222 is provided with a light transmitting section 63 that is disposed on the lower side, which is one side of the paper transport path R, and through which reflected light from the paper P passes. The light transmitting portion 63 is a plate-shaped member. The light transmitting portion 63 is made of glass, etc. Note that the light transmitting portion 63 may be made of a material other than glass as long as the material is capable of transmitting light.

[0038] Furthermore, the lower image reading section 222 is provided with a placement member 64 that is disposed around the light transmitting section 63. In this embodiment, the light transmitting section 63 is supported by the placement member 64. In this embodiment, the upper rotating body 51 is provided on the opposite side of the paper transport path R to the side where the lower image reading unit 222 is installed. The upper rotating body 51 is provided in a rotatable state. The upper rotating body 51 is formed in a polygonal shape, and an outer circumferential surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51 is provided with a plurality of flat surfaces 51C arranged in the circumferential direction of the upper rotating body 51.

[0039] The flat surfaces 51C are disposed at different positions in the circumferential direction of the upper rotor 51. Each of the flat surfaces 51C faces outward in the radial direction of the upper rotating body 51. In other words, each of the flat surfaces 51C faces the side opposite to the side on which the rotation axis 51X of the upper rotating body 51 is located. In this embodiment, a white reference plate HK, which is an example of a calibration member, is provided on some of the planes 51C out of the multiple planes 51C. Further, a color calibration plate EK as another example of a calibration member is provided on another part of the plane 51C.

[0040] The white reference plate HK and the color calibration plate EK are formed in an elongated shape and are provided along the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51. On the color calibration plate EK, for example, a plurality of color patches of different colors are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51. In this embodiment, when the paper P is not being transported, the upper rotating body 51 is rotated to make the white reference plate HK and the color calibration plate EK face the lower image reading unit 222. Then, the lower image reading unit 222 reads the white reference plate HK and the color calibration plate EK.

[0041] In this embodiment, the lower image reading section 222 is calibrated based on the result of this reading by the lower image reading section 222. Specifically, based on the result of this reading, for example, correction parameters used to correct image data obtained by reading with the lower image reading unit 222 are generated. Furthermore, based on the result of this reading, for example, the reading conditions when the lower image reading unit 222 reads an image are changed.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a cleaning member 51E is provided on another part of the flat surface 51C of the upper rotating body 51. The cleaning member 51E cleans the lower image reading unit 222. In this embodiment, the upper rotating body 51 rotates, whereby the cleaning member 51E moves while contacting the light transmitting portion 63, which is an example of a portion to be cleaned. In this way, the light transmitting portion 63 is cleaned. The shape and material of the cleaning member 51E are not particularly limited, and the cleaning member 51E is made of, for example, nonwoven fabric or an elastic porous material.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper rotating body 51 is provided with a reading guide surface 51G. In this embodiment, when the lower image reading section 222 reads an image on the paper P, the reading guide surface 51G is located above the paper transport path R and guides the paper P which passes through the paper transport path R. The reading guide surface 51G is provided as a part of the outer circumferential surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51. The reading guide surface 51G is constituted by one flat surface 51C provided on the outer circumferential surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51.

[0044] In this embodiment, when the lower image reading section 222 reads an image on the paper P, the reading guide surface 51G is disposed in a state facing the lower image reading section 222. More specifically, the reading guide surface 51G is disposed in a state facing the light transmitting section 63. Furthermore, when the lower image reading section 222 reads an image on the paper P, the reading guide surface 51G is disposed in a state in which it is parallel to the light transmitting section 63.

[0045] In this embodiment, when the lower image reading section 222 reads an image on the paper P, the paper P passes between the reading guide surface 51G and the light transmitting section 63. At this time, the paper P is guided by the reading guide surface 51G and the light transmitting portion 63. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the paper P passes between the reading guide surface 51G and the light transmitting portion 63, the lower image reading portion 222 reads the image formed on the paper P.

[0046] In this embodiment, the upper rotor 51 is provided with an upstream guide surface 51H and a downstream guide surface 51K. The upstream guide surface 51H and the downstream guide surface 51K are also formed by a flat surface 51C that the upper rotor 51 has. When the reading guide surface 51G faces the light transmitting portion 63, the upstream guide surface 51H is located upstream of the reading guide surface 51G in the conveying direction of the paper P.

[0047] Further, when the reading guide surface 51G faces the light transmitting portion 63, the upstream guide surface 51H is disposed in a state inclined with respect to the transport direction of the paper P. When the reading guide surface 51G faces the light transmitting portion 63, the upstream guide surface 51H is disposed so as to gradually approach the light transmitting portion 63 toward the downstream side in the paper P transport direction.

[0048] When the reading guide surface 51G faces the light transmitting portion 63, the downstream guide surface 51K is located downstream of the reading guide surface 51G in the conveying direction of the paper P. Further, when the reading guide surface 51G faces the light transmitting portion 63, the downstream guide surface 51K is disposed in a state inclined with respect to the transport direction of the paper P. Furthermore, when the reading guide surface 51G faces the light transmitting portion 63, the downstream guide surface 51K is disposed so as to gradually move away from the light transmitting portion 63 toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P.

[0049] The reading guide surface 51G, the upstream guide surface 51H, and the downstream guide surface 51K are formed by bending a single piece of sheet metal. As a result, in this embodiment, the reading guide surface 51G, the upstream guide surface 51H, and the downstream guide surface 51K are integrated. As will be described later, the upper rotating body 51 of this embodiment is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes from the upper rotating body 51 toward the lower image reading unit 222 side.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, another flat surface 51C of the upper rotating body 51 constitutes a conveying guide surface 51M. In this embodiment, when paper P is passed between the light-transmitting section 63 and the upper rotating body 51 without reading the image by the lower image reading section 222, the upper rotating body 51 rotates and its conveying guide surface 51M is placed opposite the light-transmitting section 63. In this embodiment, the distance between the transporting guide surface 51M and the light transmitting portion 63 when the transporting guide surface 51M is facing the light transmitting portion 63 is greater than the distance between the reading guide surface 51G and the light transmitting portion 63 when the reading guide surface 51G is facing the light transmitting portion 63.

[0051] The upper rotating body 51 is provided with at least two flat surfaces 51C that are spaced apart from each other at different distances from the rotation axis 51X of the upper rotating body 51. Specifically, the two flat surfaces 51C include a conveying guide surface 51M and a reading guide surface 51G. In this embodiment, as described above, when the transporting guide surface 51M is facing the light-transmitting portion 63, the distance between the transporting guide surface 51M and the light-transmitting portion 63 is greater than the distance between the reading guide surface 51G and the light-transmitting portion 63 when the reading guide surface 51G is facing the light-transmitting portion 63.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is provided a retraction section 53 that is arranged to be retractable from the paper transport path R. This retraction section 53 is provided above the paper transport path R. The retraction section 53 is capable of moving upward. In addition, this retraction section 53 is provided so as to extend along the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51. In this embodiment, one end 51A and the other end 51B in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51 are supported by the retraction portion 53. In this embodiment, when the retraction portion 53 moves upward, the upper rotating body 51 moves in a direction away from the lower image reading unit 222.

[0053] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the upper rotating body 51 and the light transmitting portion 63. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, an elastic body 400 is attached to the upper rotating body 51 . The elastic body 400 is configured by a plate-shaped member. There is no particular limitation on the material of the elastic body 400. One example of the material of the elastic body 400 is a resin material. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a part of the elastic body 400 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51.

[0054] In this embodiment, the elastic body 400 protrudes partially, forming a protruding portion 610 protruding from the outer circumferential surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51. The protrusion 610 protrudes from the upper rotating body 51 toward the lower image reading unit 222 . The protruding portion 610 has an edge portion 610A located at the tip in the protruding direction, and a base portion 610B located on the outer circumferential surface 51R side of the upper rotating body 51. The edge portion 610A is provided so as to extend in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51. In other words, the edge portion 610A extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG.

[0055] In this embodiment, the protruding portion 610 is inclined with respect to a straight line 620 extending from the rotation axis 51X of the upper rotating body 51 toward the base portion 610B of the protruding portion 610. The straight line 620 is aligned along the radial direction of the upper rotating body 51, and the protruding portion 610 is inclined with respect to this radial direction. As a result of the protrusion 610 being inclined in this manner, in this embodiment, the position of the root portion 610B in the circumferential direction of the upper rotating body 51 and the position of the edge portion 610A in the circumferential direction of the upper rotating body 51 differ from each other.

[0056] In this embodiment, when a specific portion of the outer peripheral surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51 faces the lower image reading unit 222, the protrusion 610 protrudes toward the lower image reading unit 222. In other words, in this embodiment, when a specific portion of the outer peripheral surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51 is in a state facing the lower image reading unit 222, the protrusion 610 is positioned so as to extend toward the lower image reading unit 222.

[0057] More specifically, in this embodiment, when the reading guide surface 51G provided as part of the outer peripheral surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51 is in a state facing the light transmitting portion 63 provided in the lower image reading section 222, the protrusion 610 protrudes toward the lower image reading section 222. More specifically, in this embodiment, the protruding portion 610 protrudes toward a portion of the lower image reading portion 222 where the light transmitting portion 63 is provided.

[0058] In this embodiment, as described above, the distance between the transport guide surface 51M and the light transmitting portion 63 is greater than the distance between the reading guide surface 51G and the light transmitting portion 63. In this embodiment, the distance between the rotation shaft 51X of the upper rotor 51 and the reading guide surface 51G is greater than the distance between the rotation shaft 51X of the upper rotor 51 and the transport guide surface 51M.

[0059] 5, the reading guide surface 51G, which is the flat surface 51C of the upper rotating body 51 that is farther from the rotation axis 51X, faces the lower image reading unit 222. In FIG. In this embodiment, when the reading guide surface 51G is in a state facing the lower image reading section 222, the protrusion 610 protrudes towards the lower image reading section 222 side.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the upper rotating body 51 and the like when viewed from diagonally below the upper rotating body 51. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, protrusions 610 are provided on one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51 in the axial direction. The protrusion 610 is not provided on a central portion 51F of the upper rotating body 51 in the axial direction.

[0061] The protrusion 610 may be provided on only one of the one end 51A and the other end 51B in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51. In this embodiment, the protrusion 610 is provided on at least one of the one end 51A and the other end 51B in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51. Furthermore, providing a protrusion 610 at the central portion 51F of the upper rotating body 51 in the axial direction is not excluded, and a protrusion 610 may also be provided at the central portion 51F of the upper rotating body 51 in the axial direction.

[0062] In addition, when a protrusion 610 is also provided at the central portion 51F in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51, it is preferable to make the amount of protrusion of this protrusion 610 provided at the central portion 51F smaller than the amount of protrusion of the protrusion 610 provided at one end portion 51A and the other end portion 51B of the upper rotating body 51. More specifically, the amount of protrusion of protrusion 610 provided at center portion 51F is preferably smaller than the amount of protrusion of the portion of protrusion 610 provided at one end portion 51A and the other end portion 51B that has the smallest amount of protrusion.

[0063] In this embodiment, as described above and as shown in FIG. 6, the outer peripheral surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51 is provided with a plurality of flat surfaces 51C that are positioned at different positions in the circumferential direction of the upper rotating body 51. The elastic body 400 constituting the protruding portion 610 is attached to one of the flat surfaces 51C. Specifically, the elastic body 400 is attached to the upstream guide surface 51H. In this embodiment, the elastic body 400 is attached to the upstream guide surface 51H in a state in which one surface of the elastic body 400 and the upstream guide surface 51H are in surface contact with each other.

[0064] In other words, in this embodiment, the elastic body 400 is attached to one flat surface 51C of the upper rotating body 51 with one surface of the elastic body 400 being in surface contact with this one flat surface 51C. The elastic body 400 is formed in a plate shape and has two surfaces, one surface and the other surface 402. In this embodiment, the elastic body 400 is attached to one flat surface 51C of the upper rotating body 51 in a state where one of the two surfaces is in surface contact with this one flat surface 51C.

[0065] More specifically, in this embodiment, the elastic body 400 is attached to one flat surface 51C by double-sided tape (not shown) placed between this one surface of the elastic body 400 and this flat surface 51C of the upper rotating body 51. The elastic body 400 may be attached to the first flat surface 51C using not only double-sided tape but also fastening members such as screws, adhesive, or the like. Here, "a state in which one surface of elastic body 400 and one flat surface 51C of the rotating body are in surface contact" is not limited to a state in which one surface of elastic body 400 and one flat surface 51C of the rotating body are in direct contact with each other, but also includes a state in which they are in contact via other members such as the above-mentioned double-sided tape.

[0066] In this embodiment, when an image is read by the lower image reading unit 222, as shown in Figure 4, a reading guide surface 51G included in multiple planes 51C provided on the outer peripheral surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51 faces the lower image reading unit 222. Furthermore, when the lower image reading section 222 reads an image, an upstream guide surface 51H, which is an example of another plane 51C, is located upstream of the reading guide surface 51G in the moving direction of the paper P.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 6, the elastic body 400 is supported by the upstream guide surface 51H of the upper rotor 51. The protruding portion 610 formed by the elastic body 400 protrudes from one end portion 511 of the upstream guide surface 51H toward the light transmitting portion 63 provided in the lower image reading portion 222, as shown in FIG.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 5, the upstream guide surface 51H has one end 511 and another end 512 that are located at different positions in the circumferential direction of the upper rotor 51. One end 511 is located on the side closer to the reading guide surface 51G, and the other end 512 is located on the side farther from the reading guide surface 51G. As shown in FIG. 5, the protruding portion 610 protrudes from one end portion 511 located on the side closer to the reading guide surface 51G toward the light transmitting portion 63 provided on the lower image reading portion 222. In other words, the protruding portion 610 protrudes from the joint 88 between the upstream guide surface 51H and the reading guide surface 51G toward the light transmitting portion 63 provided in the lower image reading section 222.

[0069] 5, the reading guide surface 51G of the upper rotating body 51 faces the lower image reading unit 222. In this state, the protrusion 610 formed by a part of the elastic body 400 is disposed at a position facing the lower image reading unit 222. In FIG. 5, the protruding portion 610 is disposed in an inclined state so as to gradually approach the light transmitting portion 63 provided in the lower image reading section 222 toward the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P.

[0070] In other words, in FIG. 5, the protruding portion 610 is disposed in an inclined state so as to gradually approach the guide surface 631 provided on the lower image reading section 222 toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the paper P. The light transmitting portion 63 has a guide surface 631 that guides the transported paper P. The protruding portion 610 is disposed in an inclined state so as to gradually approach the guide surface 631 toward the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P.

[0071] The upstream guide surface 51H is provided so as to extend from the other end 512 toward the one end 511. When the lower image reading section 222 is reading an image, the light transmitting section 63 of the lower image reading section 222 is located on the extension surface 400X of the upstream guide surface 51H that extends from the other end 512 toward the one end 511. In other words, in this embodiment, the guide surface 631 formed by one surface of the light transmitting portion 63 is located on the extension surface 400X of the upstream guide surface 51H extending from the other end portion 512 toward the one end portion 511.

[0072] When the lower image reading unit 222 reads an image on a paper P, as shown in FIG. 5, a reading guide surface 51G provided as part of the outer peripheral surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51 faces the lower image reading unit 222. In this embodiment, when this reading guide surface 51G is in a state facing the lower image reading section 222, a protrusion 610 formed by a part of the elastic body 400 protrudes toward the lower image reading section 222.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 5, the protruding portion 610 is disposed so as to be located within the gap 420 between the reading guide surface 51G and the lower image reading unit 222. The protrusion 610 is disposed in a non-contact state with the lower image reading section 222 with a gap therebetween. More specifically, the protruding portion 610 is disposed in a non-contact state with the light transmitting portion 63 of the lower image reading portion 222 , with a gap therebetween. When the protruding portion 610 is arranged with a gap between it and the light transmitting portion 63, the load acting on the paper P from the protruding portion 610 when the paper P passes through the protruding portion 610 is reduced. In this case, jamming of the paper P due to the load acting on the paper P is less likely to occur.

[0074] Of the surfaces of the light transmitting portion 63, the surface facing the upper rotating body 51 functions as a guide surface 631 that guides the transported paper P. The lower image reading portion 222 has this guide surface 631 that guides the transported paper P at the location where the light transmitting portion 63 is provided. The guide surface 631 is disposed at a position facing the upper rotating body 51. Moreover, the guide surface 631 is disposed so as to extend along the direction of movement of the transported paper P, and comes into contact with one side of the paper P to guide the paper P. 5, in this embodiment, the protruding portion 610 is disposed in a state inclined with respect to the guide surface 631. More specifically, the protruding portion 610 is disposed so as to gradually approach the guide surface 631 as it proceeds toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the paper P.

[0075] In this embodiment, the paper P on which the image is to be read by the lower image reading section 222 passes between the light transmitting section 63 of the lower image reading section 222 and the reading guide surface 51G of the upper rotating body 51. At this time, the paper sheet P is guided by the protruding portion 610 and urged toward the light transmitting portion 63. In other words, the paper sheet P is guided by the protruding portion 610 and moves toward the light transmitting portion 63.

[0076] This reduces the displacement of the paper P in the thickness direction of the paper P, and makes image reading by the lower image reading section 222 more stable than in a configuration in which the protruding portion 610 is not provided. In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the protrusion 610 is positioned so that the protrusion 610 and the light transmitting portion 63 are not in contact with each other. However, the protrusion 610 may also be positioned so that the protrusion 610 and the light transmitting portion 63 are in contact with each other.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion 610 is positioned at a location that is off of a virtual plane 432 along the optical axis 430 of the reflected light traveling from the paper P toward the light receiving unit 226 (see FIG. 1). This imaginary plane 432 is an imaginary plane that is aligned with the optical axis 430 of the reflected light, and is an imaginary plane that is aligned with the width direction of the paper P that is moving. Hereinafter, in this specification, this imaginary plane 432 will be referred to as the "width direction plane 432."

[0078] Here, the above-mentioned "width direction of the paper P" refers to the direction in which the side that extends along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P extends among the four sides of the paper P that is transported and moving downstream. In this embodiment, the paper P is formed in a rectangular shape and has four sides. The "width direction of the paper P" refers to the extension direction of one of the four sides that extends in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P. The "width direction of the paper P" can also be said to be a direction perpendicular to both the direction in which the paper P moves and the thickness direction of the paper P.

[0079] In this embodiment, the image of a portion 98 to be read, which is a portion of the paper P being conveyed and which is located at a predetermined reading position, is read by the lower image reading section 222. In this embodiment, light reflected from the read portion 98, which is generated when light from a light source 225 (see FIG. 1) is irradiated onto the paper P, travels toward the light receiving section 226. As a result, the image of the portion 98 to be read of the paper P is read by the lower image reading section 222.

[0080] In this embodiment, the protrusion 610 is provided at a position that is off the width direction plane 432 along the optical axis 430 of the reflected light from the read portion 98 toward the light receiving section 226 . The protruding portion 610 is located upstream of the width direction plane 432 in the movement direction of the paper P being transported. In this embodiment, when comparing the positions in the movement direction of the paper P that is transported and moves downstream, the protruding portion 610 is located upstream of the width direction plane 432 .

[0081] Here, if the protruding portion 610 were on the width direction plane 432, the protruding portion 610 would be located behind the paper sheet P, behind the portion 98 of the paper sheet P to be read. In this case, the protrusion 610 may affect the reading of the read portion 98 by the lower image reading section 222, and the quality of the read image obtained by the lower image reading section 222 may be degraded. In contrast, when the protruding portion 610 is provided at a position that is off the width direction plane 432 as in this embodiment, the effect of the protruding portion 610 on the reading of the read portion 98 becomes smaller.

[0082] In this embodiment, when the upper rotating body 51 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. More specifically, when the upper rotating body 51 rotates and the reading guide surface 51G does not face the lower image reading unit 222, the protrusion 610 is positioned outside the gap 420. When the upper rotating body 51 rotates and, for example, the conveying guide surface 51M faces the lower image reading unit 222, the protruding portion 610 is positioned outside the gap 420.

[0083] Fig. 7 is a diagram of the upper rotating body 51 as viewed from below the upper rotating body 51 in the direction indicated by the arrow VII in Fig. 5. Note that Fig. 7 also shows the paper P being transported. 7, in this embodiment, the rotation axis 51X of the upper rotating body 51 is aligned with the side extension direction, which is the direction in which the leading edge 82, which is the edge located at the leading edge of the paper P that is transported and moving downstream, extends. This side extension direction coincides with the above-mentioned "width direction of the paper P."

[0084] In this embodiment, the paper P is formed in a rectangular shape and has four sides, and in this embodiment, the rotation axis 51X of the upper rotating body 51 is aligned along the side extension direction, which is the direction in which one of the four sides, the tip side 82, extends. In other words, in this embodiment, the rotation axis 51X of the upper rotating body 51 is aligned with the width direction of the paper P. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protruding portion 610 extends in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51. In other words, in this embodiment, the protruding portion 610 extends in the side extension direction, which is the direction in which the leading edge 82 of the paper P extends.

[0085] In this embodiment, as described above and as shown in FIG. 7, the protrusions 610 are provided on one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51 in the axial direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the protruding portion 610 does not come into contact with the entire area of ​​the paper P in the side extension direction, but comes into contact with a part of this entire area. Specifically, the protruding portion 610 contacts both one end 84 and the other end 85 in the side extension direction of the paper sheet P. The protruding portion 610 does not contact a center portion 86 of the paper sheet P in the side extension direction.

[0086] The protruding portion 610 does not contact the entire area of ​​the sheet P in the width direction of the sheet P. The protruding portion 610 contacts one end 84 and the other end 85 of the sheet P in the side extension direction. In this embodiment, by configuring the protrusion 610 to contact a portion of the entire area of ​​the paper P in the direction of the edge extension, the load acting on the paper P from the protrusion 610 is reduced, making the paper P less likely to become jammed. If the load acting on the paper P from the protruding portion 610 is large, the paper P will be difficult to move, and there is a risk of the paper P becoming jammed.

[0087] In this embodiment, the contact area between the paper P and the protruding portion 610 is reduced to reduce the load acting on the paper P, making it less likely for the paper P to become jammed. In addition, this does not exclude a configuration in which the protrusion 610 contacts the entire area of ​​the paper P in the direction in which the edge extends. For example, the protrusion 610 may be provided over the entire axial direction of the upper rotating body 51, so that the protrusion 610 contacts the entire area of ​​the paper P in the direction in which the edge extends. However, in this case, it is preferable to make the amount of protrusion of the protrusion 610 (not shown) located at the central portion 51F in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51 smaller than the amount of protrusion of the protrusion 610 located at one end portion 51A and the other end portion 51B in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 7, each of the protrusions 610 extends in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51. In this embodiment, the elastic body 400 is formed in a plate shape, and accordingly, the protruding portion 610 formed by a part of the elastic body 400 is also formed in a plate shape. The two protrusions 610 provided on each of one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51 have an edge 610A extending in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51 at the tip in the protruding direction.

[0089] An edge 610 A provided on each of the protrusions 610 has a first portion 71 and another portion 72 . The portion 71 is located at one end 301 in the extension direction of the edge 610A and is located on the side closer to the center portion 51F of the upper rotating body 51 in the axial direction. The other portion 72 is located at the other end 302 in the extension direction of the edge 610A and is located on the side away from the center portion 51F of the upper rotating body 51. In this embodiment, the position of a part 71 of the edge 610A in the extension direction of the edge 610A and the position of another part 72 of the edge 610A in the extension direction of the edge 610A are different from each other. Here, the "extension direction of edge portion 610A" is synonymous with the direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of protrusion 610. In addition, the "extension direction of edge portion 610A" can also be said to be the longitudinal direction of edge portion 610A.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 6, in each of the protrusions 610, the protrusion amount of a portion 71 of the edge 610A is smaller than the protrusion amount of another portion 72 of the edge 610A. In each of the protrusions 610, a portion 71 of the edge 610A is located farther from the lower image reading unit 222 (not shown in FIG. 6) than another portion 72 of the edge 610A. In this embodiment, a portion 71 located closer to the central portion 51F of the upper rotating body 51 is located farther from the lower image reading unit 222 than another portion 72 located away from the central portion 51F. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, each edge 610A of the protrusion 610 is arranged at an incline so as to gradually move away from the lower image reading unit 222 from the other portion 72 toward the portion 71.

[0091] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the image reading range by the lower image reading section 222. Fig. 8 shows the state when the lower image reading section 222 etc. are viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P. Here, it is assumed that one end 84 of the paper P in the side extension direction is displaced in the thickness direction of the paper P while the paper P is passing the position facing the light transmitting portion 63. In this case, on the read image obtained by reading using the lower image reading section 222, the image 84A formed on this edge portion shifts in the main scanning direction.

[0092] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an imaging optical system 228 such as a lens is provided. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, an image formed on the paper P located within a reading range that gradually expands from the imaging optical system 228 along the width direction of the paper P is read. In this embodiment, the lower image reading unit 222 uses a reduction optical system to focus reflected light from the paper P on the light receiving unit 226 (see Figure 1) and reads the image formed on the paper P that is located within the reading range.

[0093] In this embodiment, when the lower image reading unit 222 reads an image, the image formed on the paper P is read within a strip area 808, which is a strip-shaped area extending from one side edge 801 (see Figure 7) of the paper P to the other side edge 802. As shown in FIG. 7, the paper P has one side 801 and another side 802 that are located at different positions in the width direction of the paper P and are aligned along the direction in which the paper P moves. In this embodiment, of the images formed on the paper P, the images positioned within a band-shaped area 808 extending from one side 801 to the other side 802 are read.

[0094] In this embodiment, as described above, a reduction optical system is used. In this case, reflected light from a portion of the paper P located within the band-shaped region 808 is directed toward the light receiving section 226 (see FIG. 1) having a length smaller than the distance between one side 801 and the other side 802. In this embodiment, the length of the light receiving portion 226 in the side extension direction is smaller than the distance between one side 801 and the other side 802. In this embodiment, the reflected light from an image present between one side 801 and the other side 802 is collected onto the light receiving section 226 using a reduction optical system, and the image is read.

[0095] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, when one end 84 in the side extension direction of the paper P is displaced in the thickness direction of the paper P, as shown by the dashed line, the image 84A formed at this end is also displaced in the thickness direction of the paper P. In this case, on the read image obtained by reading with the lower image reading section 222, this image 84A moves in the main scanning direction toward the center of this read image.

[0096] In this case, the position of the image 84A changes on the read image even though the position of the image 84A does not change with respect to the paper P. In this case, the quality of the read image obtained by the lower image reading section 222 decreases. Although not shown in the figure, similarly, when the image formed on the other end 85 in the side extension direction of the paper P is displaced in the thickness direction of the paper P, the position of the image formed on the other end 85 on the read image changes. In this case, the quality of the image read by the lower image reading section 222 also deteriorates.

[0097] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, a protrusion 610 is provided in a shape corresponding to one end 84 and the other end 85 in the side extension direction of the paper P. In this case, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the one end 84 and the other end 85. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the deterioration of the quality of the read image is suppressed.

[0098] A central portion 86 of the paper P (see FIG. 8) located at the center in the direction in which the sides extend is located at the center in the longitudinal direction of the reading range. In this case, even if the central portion 86 moves in the thickness direction of the paper P, the image formed in the central portion 86 does not move on the read image, or the amount of movement is small.

[0099] In this embodiment, the load acting on the paper P is reduced by reducing the contact area between the paper P and the protruding portion 610 (not shown in FIG. 8). In this embodiment, the load acting on the paper P is reduced by configuring the protrusion 610 not to come into contact with a portion of the paper P located in the center 86 in the longitudinal direction of the reading range.

[0100] In this embodiment, the protrusion 610 does not come into contact with the central portion 86 of the paper P, which has little effect on the read image even if the paper P moves in the thickness direction, thereby reducing the load acting on the paper P. As a result, in this embodiment, the load acting on the paper P can be reduced while preventing deterioration in the quality of the image read by the lower image reading section 222.

[0101] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, one end 51A and the other end 51B in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51 are positioned at positions deviated from the optical axis 430 of the reflected light. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protrusions 610 provided on the one end 51A and the other end 51B are also positioned at positions deviated from the optical axis 430 of the reflected light.

[0102] Here, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a virtual plane 191 is assumed that is aligned with the optical axis 430 of the reflected light and is aligned with the moving direction of the moving paper P (hereinafter, referred to as "moving direction plane 191"). In this embodiment, one end 51A and the other end 51B in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51 are located at positions different from this moving direction plane 191, and are located at positions deviated from this moving direction plane 191.

[0103] In this case, if one end 84 of the paper P (see Figure 8), which is the opposing part located at the opposing position of one end 51A of the upper rotating body 51, is displaced in the thickness direction of the paper P, the quality of the read image obtained by the lower image reading unit 222 will decrease. Similarly, when the other end 85 of the paper P, which is the opposing part located at the opposing position to the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51, is displaced in the thickness direction of the paper P, the quality of the read image obtained by the lower image reading unit 222 decreases.

[0104] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to suppress this deterioration in the quality of the read image, as shown in Figure 7, etc., protrusions 610 are provided on one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51, so as to suppress displacement of the above-mentioned opposing parts in the thickness direction of the paper P. In this embodiment, a protrusion 610 is provided on a portion of the upper rotating body 51 that is located off the movement direction plane 191, and displacement of the portion of the paper P that is located off the movement direction plane 191 in the thickness direction is suppressed.

[0105] In other words, in this embodiment, in order to suppress deterioration in the quality of the read image, protrusions 610 are provided on one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51, which are located at a position offset from the optical axis 430 of the reflected light, to suppress displacement of the above-mentioned opposing parts in the thickness direction of the paper P. In this case, the displacement of the facing portion in the thickness direction of the paper P is suppressed, and the deterioration of the quality of the image read by the lower image reading section 222 is suppressed.

[0106] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the protruding portion 610 comes into contact with one end 84 and the other end 85 of the paper P, which are located at different positions in the side extension direction. In this case, the displacement of the one end 84 and the other end 85 in the thickness direction of the paper P is suppressed. As a result, as described above, image movement on the read image is suppressed, and degradation in the quality of the read image obtained by the lower image reading section 222 is suppressed.

[0107] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when the optical axis 430 of the reflected light is used as a reference, another portion 72 of the edge 610A is located farther from the optical axis 430 than the portion 71 of the edge 610A. Also, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when the movement direction plane 191 is used as a reference, the other portion 72 of the edge portion 610A is located farther from the movement direction plane 191 than the portion 71 of the edge portion 610A.

[0108] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, another portion 72 of the edge 610A, which is located farther from the optical axis 430, protrudes more than a portion 71 of the edge 610A. In this case, the other portion 72 is located closer to the lower image reading unit 222 than the portion 71 . In other words, in this embodiment, the portion 71 located closer to the optical axis 430 is located farther from the lower image reading unit 222 than the other portion 72 .

[0109] In this embodiment, among the sides of the paper sheet P, the closer to the side along the direction of movement of the paper sheet P, the farther away from the optical axis 430 the paper sheet P is. In this case, for example, even if the side edge portion of the paper P where this side edge is located moves slightly toward the thickness of the paper P, this movement can affect the read image and lead to a deterioration in the quality of the read image. On the other hand, the inner portion, which is a portion of the paper P located inside the side edge, is located closer to the optical axis 430. Even if the inner portion moves in the thickness direction of the paper P, the effect on the read image is small.

[0110] In this embodiment, as described above, the other part 72, which is located farther from the optical axis 430, protrudes more than the part 71, and the other part 72 is located closer to the lower image reading section 222 than the part 71. In this case, movement of the side edge portion in the thickness direction of the paper P can be more effectively prevented. Furthermore, as in this embodiment, when the portion 71 located closer to the optical axis 430 is located farther from the lower image reading section 222 than the other portion 72, the load acting on the paper P can be reduced while suppressing any deterioration in the quality of the obtained read image.

[0111] Here, when the protruding amount of the other portion 72 and the protruding amount of the portion 71 are the same and are large, the movement of the side portion in the thickness direction of the paper P is suppressed. In this case, however, the load acting on the paper P becomes large. Furthermore, when the protruding amount of the other portion 72 and the protruding amount of the portion 71 are the same and are small, the load acting on the paper P becomes small. In this case, however, the side edge portion is likely to move in the thickness direction of the paper P, which may lead to a deterioration in the quality of the read image. If the other portion 72 is configured to protrude more than the portion 71, the load acting on the paper P can be reduced while preventing degradation in the quality of the read image.

[0112] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modified example of the elastic body 400. In FIG. In the above, a configuration example has been described in which two elastic bodies 400 are provided to provide the protruding parts 610 corresponding to one end 84 and the other end 85 in the side extension direction of the paper P, respectively. In the modified example shown in FIG. 9, one elastic body 400 is provided with protrusions 610 corresponding to one end 84 and the other end 85 in the direction in which the side of the paper P extends.

[0113] In this modification, protrusions 610 are provided on one elastic body 400 at locations corresponding to one end 84 and the other end 85 in the direction in which the side of the paper P extends. In other words, in this modified example, the single elastic body 400 is provided with the protrusions 610 at locations corresponding to the one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51, respectively.

[0114] In this modification, a notch 404 is provided in a central portion 404X of the single elastic body 400 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, in this modified example, the protruding portion 610 is not provided in the one elastic body 400 at a location corresponding to the center portion 86 in the direction in which the side of the paper sheet P extends. In this modification, similarly to the above, in each of the protruding portions 610, the other portion 72 is located closer to the lower image reading unit 222 (not shown in FIG. 9) than the portion 71.

[0115] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the upper rotating body 51. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the upper rotating body 51 taken along the line XI-XI in Fig. 10. Fig. 10 shows the upper rotating body 51 as viewed from the reading guide surface 51G side. Fig. 11 shows a cross section of the upper rotating body 51 at a location where a rotating member (described later) is provided.

[0116] In this configuration example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, similarly to the above, and as shown in FIG. 10, protrusions 610 are provided on one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51. The protrusion 610 is constituted by a rotating member 850 attached to the upper rotating body 51 . Each of the rotating members 850 rotates about a rotation axis 850X (see FIG. 11) that extends along the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of rotation members 850 are provided at each of one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51. Specifically, two rotating members 850 are provided at each of one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51. Note that the number of rotating members 850 is not limited to two, and three or more rotating members 850 may be provided. In this configuration example, the protruding portion 610 is formed by the rotating member 850, and similarly to the above, the protruding portion 610 is provided on each of the one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51. Each of one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 610.

[0118] The plurality of rotating members 850 provided at each of one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51 are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51. In other words, the plurality of protrusions 610 provided on each of the one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51 are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51.

[0119] In this configuration example as well, the protrusion 610 formed by the rotating member 850 is disposed at a position deviated from the optical axis 430 of the reflected light. In other words, also in this configuration example, the protrusion 610 formed by the rotating member 850 is disposed at a position deviated from the movement direction plane 191 (not shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, see FIG. 8). Furthermore, in this configuration example as well, as shown in FIG. 11, the protruding portion 610 formed by the rotating member 850 protrudes from the upper rotating body 51 toward the lower image reading unit 222.

[0120] As in the above, in this configuration example, when the reading guide surface 51G faces the lower image reading unit 222, as shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 610 formed by the rotating member 850 protrudes toward the lower image reading unit 222. In this configuration example, the portion of the rotating member 850 that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51 serves as the protruding portion 610.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 11, each of the rotating members 850 constituting the protruding portion 610 is provided at a joint 88 between the reading guide surface 51G and the upstream guide surface 51H. Here, "provided at joint 88" refers to a state in which joint 88 is located inside outer peripheral surface 850G of rotating member 850 when joint 88 and rotating member 850 are projected onto a virtual plane (not shown) in the axial direction of upper rotating body 51 and perpendicular to this axial direction.

[0122] In this embodiment, as described above, when the lower image reading section 222 reads an image, the reading guide surface 51G, which is an example of one plane 51C, faces the lower image reading section 222. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, when the reading guide surface 51G faces the lower image reading unit 222, the upstream guide surface 51H is located upstream of the reading guide surface 51G in the movement direction of the paper P.

[0123] Each of the rotating members 850 is provided at a joint 88 between the reading guide surface 51G and the upstream guide surface 51H. Furthermore, in this configuration example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, each of the rotating members 850 is provided so that a portion thereof protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, an outer circumferential portion 850K of the rotating member 850 is configured to protrude from the outer circumferential surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51. In this embodiment, the outer circumferential portion 850K of the rotating member 850 becomes the protruding portion 610 that protrudes from the upper rotating body 51 toward the lower image reading unit 222.

[0124] In this configuration example, when the paper P is transported from the upstream side, the paper P is guided by the protruding portion 610 formed by the rotating member 850, in the same manner as described above. In this configuration example, when the paper P is transported from the upstream side, the force acting on the rotating member 850 from the paper P that comes into contact with the rotating member 850 causes the rotating member 850 to rotate. When the rotating member 850 rotates, the load acting on the paper sheet P is smaller than when the rotating member 850 does not rotate.

[0125] In this configuration example, the rotation axis 850X of the rotation member 850 is aligned along the axial direction of the upper rotor 51, as described above. In this case, when the rotating member 850 rotates, the contact portion 850Y, which is the portion of the rotating member 850 that comes into contact with the paper sheet P, moves downstream in the direction in which the paper sheet P moves. In this case, the load acting on the paper P is smaller than when the contact portion 850Y moves in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the paper P, for example.

[0126] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the upper rotating body 51. In FIG. In this configuration example, the rotation member 850 is provided in such a way that a part of it protrudes from the reading guide surface 51G. Although not shown, in this configuration example, similarly to the above, a plurality of rotating members 850 are provided at each of one end 51A and the other end 51B in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51. As described above, in this embodiment, the reading guide surface 51G faces the lower image reading section 222 when the lower image reading section 222 reads an image.

[0127] In the configuration example shown in FIG. 12, the rotating member 850 is provided in such a manner that a part of it protrudes from the reading guide surface 51G that faces the lower image reading unit 222. In other words, in this configuration example, the outer circumferential portion 850K of the rotating member 850 protrudes from the reading guide surface 51G. In this configuration example, when the paper P is conveyed from the upstream side to the upper rotating body 51, the paper P is guided by the rotating member 850 that plays the role of the protruding portion 610, as in the above case. Furthermore, when the paper P is transported from the upstream side to the upper rotating body 51, the rotating member 850 receives a force from the paper P and rotates.

[0128] 10 to 12, the rotating member 850 is configured to come into contact with the lower image reading unit 222. Specifically, the rotating member 850 is configured to come into contact with the light transmitting portion 63 of the lower image reading unit 222. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotating member 850 and the lower image reading section 222 may be configured to be non-contact with each other. If the rotating member 850 and the lower image reading section 222 are configured to be non-contact with each other, the load on the paper P passing between the rotating member 850 and the lower image reading section 222 is further reduced. Although not described above, the upper rotating body 51 is provided with an elastic member that biases the rotating member 850 toward the lower image reading unit 222. This allows the rotating member 850 to move toward the rotation shaft 51X of the upper rotating body 51 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, when the rotating member 850 passes through the opposing position of the light-transmitting portion 63 while in contact with the light-transmitting portion 63 as the upper rotating body 51 rotates, the rotating member 850 moves toward the rotation axis 51X of the upper rotating body 51 against the force from the elastic member.

[0129] In the configuration example shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, no rotating member 850 is provided at the central portion 51F (see FIG. 10) in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51. In this embodiment, when imaginary planes (not shown) extending along the movement direction of the paper P and passing through each of the rotating members 850 are assumed, these imaginary planes are configured so as not to pass through the optical axis 430 of the reflected light. In other words, even in the configuration examples shown in Figures 10 to 12, the rotating member 850 is not provided on the above-mentioned movement direction plane 191 (see Figure 8), but is provided at a location away from this movement direction plane 191.

[0130] It is not essential that each of the rotating members 850 is provided at both one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51, and the rotating member 850 may be provided at only one of the one end 51A and the other end 51B. In other words, the protrusion 610 formed by the rotating member 850 may be provided on only one of the one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51.

[0131] Furthermore, a rotation member 850 (hereinafter referred to as "central rotation member 850") may be provided at a central portion 51F (see FIG. 10) of the upper rotating body 51 in the axial direction. Furthermore, when the central rotation member 850 is provided in the central portion 51F, the central rotation member 850 may be provided on the movement direction plane 191 (not shown in FIG. 10) (see FIG. 8).

[0132] In addition, when a central rotating member 850 is provided on the upper rotating body 51, it is preferable that the amount of protrusion of the central rotating member 850 from the outer peripheral surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51 is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the end rotating members 850 from the outer peripheral surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51. Here, the "end rotating member 850" refers to the above-mentioned rotating member 850 provided at one end 51A (see FIG. 10) or the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51. In other words, the "end rotating member 850" refers to the rotating member 850 shown in FIGS.

[0133] When the amount of protrusion of the central rotation member 850 is made smaller than the amount of protrusion of the end rotation member 850, for example, the outer diameter of the central rotation member 850 is made smaller than the outer diameter of the end rotation member 850. As a result, the amount of protrusion of the central rotating member 850 becomes smaller than the amount of protrusion of the end rotating members 850. Alternatively, for example, the central rotating member 850 may be disposed closer to the rotating axis 51X (see FIG. 11), which is the axis of the upper rotating body 51, than the end rotating members 850.

[0134] In this case as well, the amount of protrusion of the central rotating member 850 is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the end rotating members 850. Alternatively, the outer diameter of the central rotating member 850 may be made smaller than the outer diameter of the end rotating member 850, and the central rotating member 850 may be disposed closer to the rotation axis 51X of the upper rotating body 51 than the end rotating member 850.

[0135] Furthermore, when providing an end rotating member 850 at least at one of the one end 51A and the other end 51B of the upper rotating body 51, only one end rotating member 850 may be provided for this one end, rather than multiple end rotating members 850. In addition, when multiple end rotating members 850 are provided on at least one end of the upper rotating body 51, the amount of protrusion of the end rotating member 850 located closer to the central portion 51F (see Figure 10) in the axial direction of the upper rotating body 51 may be made smaller than the amount of protrusion of the end rotating member 850 located away from the central portion 51F. The “amount of protrusion” here refers to the amount of protrusion of the end rotating member 850 from the outer circumferential surface 51R of the upper rotating body 51.

[0136] When the amount of protrusion of the end rotating member 850 located closer to the central portion 51F is made smaller than the amount of protrusion of the end rotating member 850 located away from the central portion 51F, for example, the outer diameter of the end rotating member 850 located closer to the central portion 51F is made smaller than the outer diameter of the end rotating member 850 located away from the central portion 51F. As a result, the amount of protrusion of the end rotation member 850 located closer to the central portion 51F is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the end rotation member 850 located away from the central portion 51F.

[0137] In addition, the end rotating member 850 located closer to the central portion 51F may be positioned closer to the rotation axis 51X (see Figure 11) of the upper rotating body 51 than the end rotating member 850 located away from the central portion 51F. This also causes the amount of protrusion of the end rotation member 850 located closer to the central portion 51F to be smaller than the amount of protrusion of the end rotation member 850 located away from the central portion 51F.

[0138] Alternatively, the outer diameter of the end rotating member 850 located closer to the central portion 51F may be made smaller than the outer diameter of the end rotating member 850 located away from the central portion 51F, and the end rotating member 850 located closer to the central portion 51F may be positioned closer to the rotation axis 51X of the upper rotating body 51 than the end rotating member 850 located away from the central portion 51F.

[0139] (Additional Note) (((1))) A conveying means for conveying the recording medium along a conveying path; an image reading unit disposed on one side of the transport path and configured to read an image formed on a recording medium transported along the transport path; a rotating body that is rotatably provided and disposed on an opposite side of the conveying path from a side where the image reading means is installed; a protrusion provided at least at one end of the rotating body in the axial direction and protruding from the rotating body toward the image reading means; An image reading device comprising: (((2))) The image reading device according to (((1))), wherein the protrusions are provided on both the one end and the other end of the rotating body. (((3))) The image reading device according to ((1))) or (((2))), wherein the protrusion is not provided at a central portion in the axial direction of the rotating body. (((4))) An image reading device described in any of ((1)) to ((3))), wherein when a specific portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body is in a state facing the image reading means, the protrusion protrudes toward the image reading means. (((5))) The image reading device described in any one of ((1)) to ((4))), wherein the protrusion is arranged in a non-contact state with the image reading means and with a gap between the image reading means and the protrusion. (((6))) the protruding portion is formed in a plate shape and has an edge portion at a tip end in a protruding direction, the edge portion extending in an axial direction of the rotor, An image reading device described in any of ((1)) to ((5))), wherein a portion of the edge is located farther from the image reading means than another portion of the edge whose position in the extension direction is different from that of the portion. (((7))) the one portion of the edge portion is located closer to a center portion of the rotor in an axial direction than the other portion, The image reading device according to ((6)) above, wherein the portion of the rotating body located closer to the center is located farther from the image reading means than the other portions. (((8))) The image reading device according to ((7))), wherein the edge of the protrusion is provided so as to become gradually farther away from the image reading means as it goes from the other portion to the one portion. (((9))) the image reading means uses a reduction optical system to collect reflected light from the recording medium onto a light receiving section, and reads the image on the recording medium; The image reading device described in (((6))) above, wherein, when the optical axis of the reflected light traveling from the recording medium to the light receiving unit is taken as a reference, the other part of the edge is located farther from the optical axis than the one part. (((10))) The image reading device according to any one of ((1)) to (((5))), wherein the protrusion is constituted by a rotating member attached to the rotating body. (((11))) The image reading device according to (((10))), wherein the rotating member rotates about a rotation axis extending along the axial direction of the rotating body. (((12))) A plurality of flat surfaces are provided on an outer surface of the rotor, the flat surfaces being located at different positions in a circumferential direction of the rotor, When the image is read by the image reading means, one of the plurality of planes faces the image reading means, The image reading device according to ((10))) or ((11))), wherein the rotating member is provided so that a part of the rotating member protrudes from the one plane. (((13))) A plurality of flat surfaces are provided on an outer surface of the rotor, the flat surfaces being located at different positions in a circumferential direction of the rotor, when the image is read by the image reading means, one of the plurality of planes faces the image reading means, and another plane adjacent to the one plane is located upstream of the one plane in the moving direction of the recording medium; The image reading device according to ((10))) or ((11))), wherein the rotating member constituting the protrusion is provided at a joint between the one plane and the other plane. (((14))) A conveying means for conveying the recording medium along a conveying path; an image reading unit that is disposed on one side of the transport path and that uses a reduction optical system to collect reflected light from the recording medium onto a light receiving unit and read an image formed on the recording medium; a rotating body that is rotatably provided and disposed on an opposite side of the conveying path from a side where the image reading means is installed; a protrusion provided on the rotating body and disposed at least at a position deviated from an optical axis of the reflected light traveling from the recording medium to the light receiving unit, the protrusion protruding from the rotating body toward the image reading means; An image reading device comprising: (((15))) The image reading device according to (((14))), wherein the protrusion is constituted by a rotating member or a plate-shaped elastic body. (((16))) The image reading device according to (((15))), wherein the rotating member rotates about a rotation axis extending along the axial direction of the rotating body. (((17))) An image forming system comprising an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium, and an image reading device for reading the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming means, the image reading device including any of the image reading devices described in (((1))) to (((16))).

[0140] According to the image reading device of (((1))), when a recording medium passes between the rotating body and the image reading means arranged opposite the rotating body, the quality of image reading using the image reading means can be improved compared to when the recording medium is guided only by the rotating body and the image reading means. According to the image reading device of (((2))), the quality of the read image obtained by the image reading means can be improved compared to when the protrusion is provided on only one of the one end and the other end of the rotating body. According to the image reading device of (((3))), the load acting on the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be reduced compared to when the protrusion is provided in the center of the axial direction of the rotating body. According to the image reading device of (((4))), when a specific portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body is facing the image reading means, the protrusion can be made to protrude toward the image reading means. According to the image reading device of (((5))), the load acting on the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be reduced, compared to when the protruding portion contacts the image reading means. According to the image reading device of (((6))), the load acting on the point of the recording medium that comes into contact with this portion can be reduced, compared to when the distance between a portion of the edge and the image reading means is equal to the distance between the other portion of the edge and the image reading means. According to the image reading device of (((7))), the load acting on the portion of the recording medium passing through the center side in the axial direction of the rotating body can be made smaller than the load acting on the portion of the recording medium passing away from the center, compared to when the distance between a part of the edge and the image reading means is equal to the distance between the other part of the edge and the image reading means. According to the image reading device of (((8))), the recording medium can be guided by the protrusion more smoothly than in the case where a step is provided on the edge of the protrusion. According to the image reading device of (((9))), the behavior of the portion of the recording medium that passes through a portion away from the optical axis can be stabilized while the load acting on the portion of the recording medium that passes through a portion close to the optical axis can be reduced, compared to when the distance between a portion of the edge and the image reading means is equal to the distance between the other portion of the edge and the image reading means. According to the image reading device of (((10))), the load acting on the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the protrusion is not formed of a rotating member and the protrusion does not rotate. According to the image reading device of (((11))), the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be moved more stably than in a case where the rotating member rotates about a rotation axis that is not aligned with the axial direction of the rotating body. According to the image reading device of (((12))), a rotating member provided on the rotating body can be used to guide the recording medium passing between one plane of the rotating body and the image reading means. According to the image reading device of (((13))), guiding of the recording medium using the protrusion can be started before the recording medium enters between the rotating body and the image reading means. According to the image reading device of (((14))), when a recording medium passes between the rotating body and the image reading means arranged opposite the rotating body, the quality of image reading using the image reading means can be improved compared to when the recording medium is guided only by the rotating body and the image reading means. According to the image reading device of (((15))), the load acting on the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the protrusion is not formed of a rotating member and the protrusion does not rotate, and also, compared to a configuration in which the protrusion is not formed of a plate-shaped elastic body and the protrusion does not undergo elastic deformation, the load acting on the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be reduced. According to the image reading device of (((16))), the recording medium passing between the rotating body and the image reading means can be moved more stably than in a case where the rotating member rotates about a rotation axis that is not aligned with the axial direction of the rotating body. According to the image forming system of (((17))), when a recording medium passes between the rotating body and the image reading means arranged opposite the rotating body, the quality of image reading using the image reading means can be improved compared to when the recording medium is guided only by the rotating body and the image reading means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 1...image forming system, 51...upper rotating body, 51A...one end, 51B...other end, 51F...center, 51G...reading guide surface, 51H...upstream guide surface, 71...part, 72...other part, 88...joint, 100...image forming apparatus, 200...inspection device, 213...transport roll, 222...lower image reading unit, 226...light receiving unit, 400...elastic body, 430...optical axis, 610...protruding portion, 610A...edge, 850...rotating member, 850X...rotating axis, P...paper, R...paper transport path

Claims

1. A conveying means for conveying the recording medium along a conveying path; an image reading unit disposed on one side of the transport path and configured to read an image formed on a recording medium transported along the transport path; a rotating body that is rotatably provided and disposed on an opposite side of the conveying path from a side where the image reading means is installed; a protrusion provided at least at one end of the rotating body in the axial direction and protruding from the rotating body toward the image reading means; An image reading device comprising:

2. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions are provided on both the one end and the other end of the rotating body.

3. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is not provided at a center portion in an axial direction of the rotating body.

4. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein when a specific portion of the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body faces the image reading means, the protrusion protrudes toward the image reading means.

5. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is disposed in a non-contact state with the image reading means, with a gap between the protrusion and the image reading means.

6. the protruding portion is formed in a plate shape and has an edge portion at a tip end in a protruding direction, the edge portion extending in an axial direction of the rotor, 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the edge is located farther from the image reading means than another portion of the edge that is located at a different position in the extension direction from the portion of the edge.

7. the one portion of the edge portion is located closer to a center portion of the rotor in an axial direction than the other portion, 7. The image reading device according to claim 6, wherein the portion of the rotating body that is closer to the center is located farther from the image reading means than the other portion.

8. 8. The image reading device according to claim 7, wherein the edge of the protrusion is provided so as to become gradually farther away from the image reading means from the other portion toward the one portion.

9. the image reading means uses a reduction optical system to collect reflected light from the recording medium onto a light receiving section, and reads the image on the recording medium; 7. An image reading device as described in claim 6, wherein, when the optical axis of the reflected light traveling from the recording medium to the light receiving unit is taken as a reference, the other portion of the edge is located farther from the optical axis than the one portion.

10. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed of a rotating member attached to the rotating body.

11. 11. The image reading device according to claim 10, wherein the rotating member rotates about a rotation axis extending along an axial direction of the rotating body.

12. A plurality of flat surfaces are provided on an outer surface of the rotor, the flat surfaces being located at different positions in a circumferential direction of the rotor, When the image is read by the image reading means, one of the plurality of planes faces the image reading means, 11. The image reading device according to claim 10, wherein the rotary member is provided so as to partly protrude from the one plane.

13. A plurality of flat surfaces are provided on an outer surface of the rotor, the flat surfaces being located at different positions in a circumferential direction of the rotor, when the image is read by the image reading means, one of the plurality of planes faces the image reading means, and another plane adjacent to the one plane is located upstream of the one plane in the moving direction of the recording medium; 11. The image reading device according to claim 10, wherein the rotary member constituting the protrusion is provided at a joint between the one plane and the other plane.

14. A conveying means for conveying the recording medium along a conveying path; an image reading unit that is disposed on one side of the transport path and that uses a reduction optical system to collect reflected light from the recording medium onto a light receiving unit and read an image formed on the recording medium; a rotating body that is rotatably provided and disposed on an opposite side of the conveying path from a side where the image reading means is installed; a protrusion provided on the rotating body and disposed at least at a position deviated from an optical axis of the reflected light traveling from the recording medium to the light receiving unit, the protrusion protruding from the rotating body toward the image reading means; An image reading device comprising:

15. 15. The image reading device according to claim 14, wherein the protrusion is formed of a rotating member or a plate-like elastic body.

16. 16. The image reading device according to claim 15, wherein the rotating member rotates about a rotation axis extending along the axial direction of the rotating body.

17. 17. An image forming system comprising an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium, and an image reading device for reading the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming means, the image reading device including the image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

Images