Image reading device

Abstract

To efficiently collect a foreign matter by suppressing diffusion of the foreign matter in the transport direction of a transport path.SOLUTION: An image reading device 1 includes a reading unit 4 that reads an image on a medium S transported in a transport direction F on a transport path 3, and a cleaning unit 7 that cleans a cleaning target 5 on the transport path 3 with an airflow B. The cleaning unit 7 includes a foreign object moving unit 17 that moves a foreign object 12 on the cleaning target 5 from one end 8 to the other end 16 by blowing an airflow B in a direction C from one end 8 to the other end 16 of the transport path 3 in a direction intersecting the transport direction F, and a first storage unit 14 that is located at the other end 16 of the transport path 3 and receives and stores the foreign object 12 moved in the direction C by the airflow B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] One example of this type of device is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses an image reading device that includes an image reading means and an airflow generating means that generates an airflow from a position upstream of the image reading means on the conveying path. A dust collector that collects dust is disposed downstream of the image reading means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-297023 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the device of Patent Document 1, the air current generated by the air current generating means flows from the upstream to the downstream of the transport path, and so there is a problem in that dust is scattered to the downstream side of the transport path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the image reading device of the present invention comprises a reading unit which reads an image on a medium transported in a transport direction on a transport path, and a cleaning unit which cleans the transport path by an air current, and the cleaning unit comprises a foreign object moving unit which moves foreign objects present on the cleaning target from one end to the other end of the transport path by blowing an air current in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a first storage unit which is located at the other end of the transport path and receives and stores the foreign objects moved in that direction by the air current. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the cleaning unit of the embodiment, with a portion thereof in cross section. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are a side cross-sectional view and a partially enlarged view of the cleaning unit of the embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of a cleaning unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of a cleaning unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of a modified example of the cleaning unit of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of a cleaning unit according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a cleaning unit according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 10A] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a main portion of a third embodiment. [Figure 10B] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a main portion of a third embodiment. [Figure 11A] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a cleaning part of embodiment 6. [Figure 11B] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a cleaning part of embodiment 6. [Figure 12A] FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a structure that enables replacement of the second cleaning tool. [Figure 12B] FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a structure that enables replacement of the second cleaning tool. [Figure 13A] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main part illustrating a structure that enables replacement of the second cleaning tool. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main part illustrating a structure that enables replacement of the second cleaning tool. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] The present invention will first be briefly described below. A first aspect of an image reading device according to the present invention comprises a reading unit that reads an image on a medium transported in a transport direction on a transport path, and a cleaning unit that cleans a cleaning target on the transport path with an airflow, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a foreign object moving unit that moves an airflow in a direction from one end to the other end of the transport path in a direction intersecting the transport direction, thereby moving foreign objects adhering to the cleaning target from the one end to the other end, and a first storage unit that is located at the other end of the transport path and receives and stores the foreign objects moved in that direction by the airflow. In this specification, the term "cleaning target of the transport path" is used to mean not only the path component members themselves that constitute the transport path for transporting the medium, but also other members positioned opposite the medium. In other words, the term is used to mean that other members such as the reading unit and rollers that apply a transport force to the medium that are arranged along the transport path are also included in the cleaning targets.

[0008] According to this aspect, the cleaning unit is equipped with the foreign object moving unit and the first storage unit, and the foreign object moving unit moves foreign objects adhering to the cleaning target to the first storage unit by flowing an air current in a direction from one end to the other end in a direction intersecting the transport direction, thereby suppressing the diffusion of the foreign objects in the transport direction of the transport path and efficiently collecting the foreign objects.

[0009] A second aspect of the image reading device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, and is characterized in that the foreign object moving unit includes an airflow generating unit and an airflow direction regulating unit that sets the direction in which the airflow supplied from the airflow generating unit flows from the one end to the other end.

[0010] According to this aspect, an airflow direction regulating unit is provided for regulating the flow direction of the airflow supplied from the airflow generating unit to a direction from the one end to the other end, whereby the airflow direction regulating unit regulates the direction of the airflow to a direction from the one end to the other end, so that the foreign matter can be efficiently moved toward the first storage unit.

[0011] A third aspect of the image reading device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, and is characterized in that the first storage section is provided with a collection section that allows the air flow to pass and collects the foreign matter.

[0012] According to this aspect, the first storage section is equipped with a collection section that allows the airflow to pass and collects the foreign matter, so that the foreign matter can be collected efficiently without disturbing the flow of the airflow in the direction from the one end to the other end.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the image reading device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the second aspect, and is characterized in that the airflow direction regulating portion comprises a tubular portion that is elongated in a direction from the one end to the other end, and a plurality of blowing hole portions arranged in parallel in a direction from the one end to the other end at a portion of the tubular portion opposite the transport path, and the blowing direction of the airflow from the blowing hole portions is inclined toward the other end.

[0014] According to this aspect, the airflow from the plurality of blowing holes provided in the tubular portion and arranged in parallel in the direction from the one end to the other end is inclined toward the other end. That is, the airflow is blown from the plurality of blowing holes from the one end to the other end. This allows the foreign matter to be guided from the one end to the other end, and the foreign matter can be efficiently collected.

[0015] A fifth aspect of the image reading device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the fourth aspect, characterized in that the tubular portion is rotatable around an axis extending in a direction from the one end toward the other end, the tubular portion is provided with a first cleaning tool that scrubs the object to be cleaned, and a second storage portion that receives foreign matter on the object to be cleaned that has been cleaned by the first cleaning tool by rotating the tubular portion, and the foreign matter stored in the second storage portion is moved to the first storage portion by the air flow.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the image reading device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the fifth aspect, and is characterized in that the second storage section is provided with a second cleaning tool, and the second cleaning tool comes into contact with the rotating first cleaning tool to clean the foreign matter attached to the first cleaning tool and store it in the second storage section.

[0017] According to this aspect, the second cleaning tool comes into contact with the rotating first cleaning tool to clean the foreign matter attached to the first cleaning tool and store it in the second storage section, thereby making it possible to efficiently collect the foreign matter without reducing the cleaning ability of the first cleaning tool.

[0018] A seventh aspect of the image reading device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the fifth aspect, and is characterized in that the second storage section is capable of moving toward and away from the object to be cleaned, and cleaning is performed by the first cleaning tool in the approaching state.

[0019] According to this aspect, the second storage unit can approach and move away from the cleaning target, and cleaning is performed by the first cleaning tool in the approaching state. When the second storage unit is brought into a state where it is brought into a state where it is brought into a state where it is brought into a state where it is brought into contact with the cleaning target, the diffusion can be more effectively suppressed.

[0020] An eighth aspect of the image reading device according to the present invention is dependent on the fourth aspect, in which the first container portion and the cylindrical portion are integrated and are movable along the transport path.

[0021] According to this aspect, the first storage portion and the cylindrical portion are integrated and movable along the transport path, so that the cleaning can be easily performed over a wide range of the transport path in the transport direction.

[0022] [Embodiment] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the In the following explanation, the three mutually orthogonal axes are referred to as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, as shown in each figure. The directions indicated by the arrows on the three axes (X, Y, Z) are the + directions of each direction, and the opposite directions are the - directions. The Z-axis direction corresponds to the vertical direction, i.e., the direction in which gravity acts, the +Z direction indicates a vertical upward direction, and the -Z direction indicates a vertical downward direction. The X-axis and Y-axis directions correspond to the horizontal direction. The +Y direction indicates the front direction of the device, and the -Y direction indicates the rear direction of the device. The +X direction indicates the right direction of the device, and the -X direction indicates the left direction of the device.

[0023] <Overall Schematic Structure of Image Reading Device> The image reading device of this embodiment is a scanner capable of reading an image on a medium that is an original. Here, the image means something that is visually recorded on the medium, such as characters, figures, tables, pictures, photographs, etc. The medium is not limited to sheets, but also includes cards, booklets, etc. The image reading device 1 is not limited to a scanner, but may be a copy machine, a facsimile machine, etc. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an image reading device 1 of this embodiment includes a device main body 2 and includes a medium conveying device 11 and a reading section 4 therein. The medium transport device 11 includes a transport path 3 for transporting a medium S (FIG. 2) such as paper in a transport direction F. A plurality of transport rollers (not shown) are arranged along the transport direction F on the transport path 3. The transport rollers apply a transport force in the transport direction F to the medium S by rotating about their axes. The reading unit 4 is disposed along the transport path 3. The reading unit 4 optically reads an image on the medium S transported along the transport path 3 to obtain image information. In this embodiment, the transport path 3 has an inversion unit .

[0024] The front of the image reading device 1 forms a medium placement section 9 on which a medium is placed. The medium placement section 9 is in an open state in which a medium S can be placed thereon by pivoting around its lower end as a pivot point and positioning the upper end section horizontally with the upper end section opening toward the user (in the +Y direction). In FIG. 1, the medium placement section 9 is in a closed state. The media S placed on the media loading section 9 in the open state is picked up one by one by a pick roller (not shown), transported along the transport path 3 in the transport direction F, where the reading is performed in the reading section 4, and then transported through the inversion section 5 and discharged to the discharge receiving section 10 located at the top of the device main body 2.

[0025] [Embodiment 1] The image reading device 1 of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. The image reading device 1 of the first embodiment includes a reading unit 4 that reads an image on a medium S transported in a transport direction F on a transport path 3, and a cleaning unit 7 that cleans a cleaning target 5 on the transport path 3 with an airflow B. In this specification, the term "cleaning target 5 on the transport path 3" is used to mean not only the transport path component members 36 (FIG. 8 described later) themselves that constitute the transport path 3 for transporting the medium S as the cleaning target 5, but also other components positioned opposite the medium S as the cleaning target 5. In other words, the term is used to mean that other components such as the reading unit 4 and rollers that apply a transport force to the medium S that are arranged along the transport path 3 are also included in the cleaning target 5. The reading unit 4 has a light-transmitting member 15 such as glass. In this embodiment, the light-transmitting member 15 of the reading unit 4 is the cleaning target 5 of the cleaning unit .

[0026] <Cleaning Department> The cleaning section 7 includes a foreign object moving section 17 and a first container section 14. 4, the foreign matter moving section 17 is configured to cause an air current B to flow in a direction C from one end 8 to the other end 16 in a direction intersecting the transport direction F with respect to the transport path 3, thereby moving the foreign matter 12 adhering to the cleaning target 5 from one end 8 to the other end 16. Note that the illustration of the foreign matter 12 adhering to the cleaning target 5 is omitted, and only the foreign matter 12 accommodated in the first accommodation section is shown. The first storage section 14 is located at the other end 16 of the transport path 3, and is configured to receive and store the foreign matter 12 moved in the direction C by the air current B.

[0027] <Foreign object moving section> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in this embodiment, foreign object moving section 17 includes airflow generating section 13 and airflow direction regulating section . In this embodiment, the airflow direction regulating section 18 includes a tubular section 46 that is long in a direction C from one end 8 toward the other end 16, and a plurality of blowing holes 20, 20, ... provided in a portion 19 of the tubular section 46 that faces the transport path 3. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the plurality of blowing holes 20, 20, ... are provided in a single row in parallel in the direction C from one end 8 toward the other end 16. Note that two or more rows may be provided.

[0028] As shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 4, the blowing holes 20, 20, . . . are formed so that the blowing direction D of the airflow B is inclined toward the other end 16. Here, the airflow generating unit 13 is a blower. The airflow generating unit 13 and the tube portion 46 of the airflow direction regulating unit 18 are connected by a duct 53. The airflow generated by the airflow generating unit 13 is ejected from the airflow outlet 55 of the duct 53 to the airflow inlet 22 of the tube portion 46 and flows into the tube portion 46. As shown in FIG. 4, the airflow B that flows into the tube portion 46 flows in the direction C inside the tube portion 46 and is ejected from the blowing holes 20, 20, ... obliquely, not perpendicularly to the cleaning target 5. By ejecting the airflow B obliquely to the cleaning target 5, the foreign matter 12 attached to the cleaning target 5 can be carried, that is, moved, in the direction C.

[0029] <First storage section> As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, the first storage section 14 includes a collection section 21 that allows airflow B to pass through and collects foreign matter 12. The collection section 21 is a filter that blocks foreign matter 12. The direction in which airflow B passes through and exits the first storage section 14 is not limited to the downward structure shown in Fig. 4. It may also be an upward or lateral structure. The first storage section 14 has an airflow inlet 23. The airflow inlet 23 is spatially connected to a region between the cleaning target 5 and a portion 19 where the blowing holes 20, 20, ... of the tubular section 46 are provided. The first storage section 14 can receive, from the airflow inlet 23, the foreign matter 12 moved in the direction C by the airflow B of the foreign matter moving section 17.

[0030] The overall operation of the image reading device 1, including the cleaning operation of the cleaning unit 7 on the cleaning target 5, is performed by a control unit (not shown). The control unit includes a CPU, a flash ROM, and a RAM. The CPU performs various arithmetic processing according to programs stored in the flash ROM and controls the operation of the entire image reading device 1. The flash ROM, which is an example of a storage means, is a non-volatile memory that can be read and written. Various information is temporarily stored in the RAM, which is an example of a storage means.

[0031] <Explanation of Effects of First Embodiment> (1) In the image reading device 1 of this embodiment, the cleaning unit 7 includes a foreign matter moving unit 17 and a first storage unit 14, and the foreign matter moving unit 17 moves the foreign matter 12 adhering to the cleaning target 5 to the first storage unit 14 by blowing an air current B in a direction C from one end 8 to the other end 16 in a direction intersecting with the transport direction F. This makes it possible to efficiently collect the foreign matter 12 by suppressing diffusion of the foreign matter 12 in the transport direction F of the transport path 3.

[0032] (2) Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is provided an airflow direction regulating unit 18 that regulates the flow direction of airflow B supplied from airflow generating unit 13 to direction C from one end 8 to the other end 16. As a result, airflow direction regulating unit 18 regulates the direction of airflow B to direction C from one end 8 to the other end 16, so that foreign object 12 can be efficiently moved toward first housing unit 14. (3) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first storage section 14 is provided with a collection section 21 that allows the air flow B to pass through and collects the foreign matter 12. Therefore, the foreign matter 12 can be efficiently collected without disturbing the flow of the air flow B in the direction C from one end 8 to the other end 16.

[0033] (4) In this embodiment, the multiple blowing holes 20, 20, ... that are provided in the tubular portion 46 and arranged in parallel in the direction C from one end 8 to the other end 16 have a blowing direction D of the airflow B that is inclined toward the other end 16. In other words, the airflow B is blown out from the multiple blowing holes 20, 20, ... from the one end 8 side toward the other end 16 side. This allows the foreign matter 12 to be guided from the one end 8 side toward the other end 16 side, and the foreign matter 12 can be efficiently collected in the first storage portion 14.

[0034] [Embodiment 2] Next, an image reading device 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description of the configurations and corresponding effects will be omitted. 5, in this embodiment, the tubular portion 46 is configured to be rotatable around a shaft 24 extending in a direction C from one end 8 toward the other end 16. The rotation of the tubular portion 46 is realized by transmitting the rotation of the motor 30 to a first gear 31, a second gear 32, and a third gear 33 in that order. The third gear 33 is fixed to the shaft 24 of the tubular portion 46 so as to rotate integrally therewith. 6, the tubular portion 46 is provided with a first cleaning tool 25 that scrubs and cleans the cleaning target 5. The first cleaning tool 25 is a brush with a base end fixed to one side surface of the tubular portion 46. The first cleaning tool 25 cleans the cleaning target 5 by scrubbing it in a sweeping manner by rotating the tubular portion 46 from the state shown in the left position of FIG. 6 in a clockwise direction R about the shaft 24 as the center of rotation. When the tubular portion 46 rotates from the state shown in the left position of FIG. 6, the tubular portion 46 rotates one or more times to clean the cleaning target 5 in a sweeping manner.

[0035] The second storage section 26 is also provided with a second storage section 26 that receives foreign matter 12 on the cleaning target 5 cleaned by the first cleaning tool 25 by rotating the tubular section 46 in direction R around the axis 24 as the center of rotation. The second storage section 26 has substantially the same length as the entire length of the tubular section 46 and is disposed along the tubular section 46. The side of the second storage section 26 facing the tubular section 46 is open over the entire length of the tubular section 46, and is configured to be able to receive therein foreign matter 12 cleaned by the first cleaning tool 25. The foreign matter 12 accommodated in the second accommodation section 26 is moved to the first accommodation section 14 by the airflow B. As shown in Fig. 5, the first accommodation section 14 is disposed at a position displaced in the -Y direction from the structure of the first embodiment to avoid the position of the third gear 33. The airflow inlet 23 of the first accommodation section 14 is configured to be capable of receiving the airflow B containing the foreign matter 12 that is ejected from the blowing holes 20, 20, ... of the tubular section 46 toward the cleaning target 5 and flows in the direction C. 6. Furthermore, the first storage section 14 is configured to be able to receive the airflow B flowing in the direction C inside the second storage section 26. That is, in this embodiment, the first storage section 14 is configured to receive the airflow B flowing in the direction C inside the second storage section 26 by the tube section 46 in the state shown in the right position of FIG. 6, in addition to the airflow B flowing in the direction C over the object to be cleaned 5 by the tube section 46 in the state shown in the left position of FIG.

[0036] 5, in this embodiment, the second storage portion 26 includes a second cleaning tool 27. The second cleaning tool 27 is a brush having a base end fixed to the second storage portion 26. 6 , and comes into contact with the first cleaning tool 25. As the cylindrical portion 46 rotates in the direction R, the second cleaning tool 27 is brought into contact with the first cleaning tool 25. As the cylindrical portion 46 further rotates in the direction R, the foreign matter 12 on the first cleaning tool 25 is scraped and cleaned by the second cleaning tool 27, and is then accommodated in the second accommodation portion 26.

[0037] <Explanation of Effects of the Second Embodiment> (1) In this embodiment, the second storage section 26 is provided to receive the foreign matter 12 on the cleaning target 5 cleaned by the first cleaning tool 25 by rotating the tubular portion 46, and the foreign matter 12 stored in the second storage section 26 is moved to the first storage section 14 by the air flow B. This makes it possible to store the foreign matter 12 in the first storage section 14 and the second storage section 26, and the foreign matter 12 can be efficiently collected while preventing diffusion of the foreign matter 12 in the transport direction F. (2) In addition, in this embodiment, second cleaning tool 27 comes into contact with rotating first cleaning tool 25 to clean foreign matter 12 adhering to first cleaning tool 25 and stores the foreign matter 12 in second storage section 26. This allows foreign matter 12 to be efficiently collected without reducing the cleaning ability of first cleaning tool 25.

[0038] [Modification 1 of the second embodiment] 7 shows a modified example of embodiment 2. This modified example differs only in that first cleaning tool 25 is fixed to the other side surface of tube portion 46 instead of the one side surface. The cleaning action and corresponding effects of first cleaning tool 25 are basically the same, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] [Embodiment 3] Next, an image reading device 1 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the description of the configurations and corresponding effects will be omitted. In addition, since the structures of the tube portion 46 and the reading portion 4 are the same as those in FIG. 6, in FIG. 10, hatching indicating some of the components and cross sections is omitted to simply illustrate them.

[0040] 10, in this embodiment, second storage section 26 is configured to be able to move toward and away from cleaning target 5. Second storage section 26 is equipped with a rack 43. The movement of second storage section 26 toward and away from cleaning target 5 is achieved by a rack-and-pinion mechanism between pinion 42 and rack 43, in which rotation of motor 40 is transmitted from first gear 41 to second gear 42 (the same reference numeral is used) which becomes pinion 42. In this embodiment, the cleaning is performed by the first cleaning tool 25 with the second accommodation portion 26 brought close to the object 5 to be cleaned.

[0041] In this embodiment, the second storage section 26 can approach and move away from the cleaning target 5, and cleaning is performed by the first cleaning tool 25 in the approaching state. When the second storage section 26 is brought into a state close to the cleaning target 5, it is possible to effectively suppress the airflow B from diffusing in the transport direction F. In particular, when the second storage section 26 is brought into a state in contact with the cleaning target 5, the diffusion can be suppressed even more effectively.

[0042] [Embodiment 4] Next, an image reading device 1 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the description of the configurations and corresponding effects will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 8, this embodiment shows a case where the cleaning target 5 is a transport path component 36 that constitutes the transport path 3. Fig. 8 corresponds to a state where a part of the transport path component 36 is set as the cleaning target 5, and the cleaning target 5 is cleaned by airflow B with the tube part 46 in the state shown in the left position in Fig. 6, and then the tube part 46 is rotated to the state shown in the right position in Fig. 6. As in the first and second embodiments, the transport path component 36 is the cleaning target 5, and cleaning can be performed to remove the foreign matter 12.

[0043] [Embodiment 5] Next, an image reading device 1 according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The same parts as those in the first, second and fourth embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the description of the configurations and corresponding effects will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the cleaning target 5 is the transport drive roller 37 that constitutes the transport path 3. Reference numeral 38 denotes a driven roller. In this embodiment, the transport drive roller 37 is rotated, and the rotating transport drive roller 37 is the cleaning target. FIG. 9 corresponds to a state before the rotating transport drive roller 37 is cleaned by cleaning with the airflow B flowing in the direction C, and the tube part 46 is rotated in the direction R, here counterclockwise, and the transport drive roller 37 is rubbed and cleaned by the first cleaning tool 25. By further rotating the tube part 46 counterclockwise from this state, the transport drive roller 37 can be rubbed and cleaned by the first cleaning tool 25. The foreign matter 12 resulting from the cleaning is stored in the second storage part 2. As in the first and second embodiments, the transport drive roller 37 is the cleaning target 5, and cleaning can be performed to remove the foreign matter 12.

[0044] [Embodiment 6] Next, an image reading device 1 according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the description of the configurations and corresponding effects will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the first storage unit 14 and the tube portion 46 are integrated and configured to be movable along the conveying path 3. In FIG. 11, the first storage unit 14 is not visible. Here, the airflow generating unit 13 and the duct 53 are also integrated. The configuration that integrates the first storage unit 14 and the tube portion 46 and the like and enables them to move along the conveying path 3 is realized by a motor 51, an endless belt 52 that is wound around the pinion of the motor 51 and moves in a circular motion, and a frame 50 to which the motor 51 is fixed and that movably holds the integrated first storage unit 14, the tube portion 46, and the like. The integrated first storage unit 14, the tube portion 46, and the like are attached to the endless belt 52 and move together with the endless belt 52. The upper position in Fig. 11 shows a state in which the reading unit 4 is the cleaning target 5 and the tubular portion 46 and other parts are positioned away from the reading unit 4. The lower position in Fig. 11 shows a state in which the tubular portion 46 and other parts have moved to a position for cleaning the reading unit 4. Note that in Fig. 11, cleaning targets other than the reading unit 4 are not shown.

[0045] In this embodiment, since the first container 14 and the cylindrical portion 46 are integrated and movable along the conveying path 3, the cleaning can be easily performed over a wide range in the conveying direction F of the conveying path 3.

[0046] [Other structure: structure that allows replacement of the second cleaning tool] A structure that enables replacement of the second cleaning tool will be described with reference to Figs. As shown in Fig. 12, the tubular portion 46 is configured to be slidable in the -Z direction by releasing the connection state of the connection portion to the surrounding members. By sliding the tubular portion 46 in the -Z direction from the upper position in Fig. 12, the third gear 33 on the tubular portion 46 side moves away from the second gear 32 on the motor 30 side, as shown in the lower position in Fig. 12. When the third gear 33 is separated from the second gear 32, the second cleaning tool 27 is accessible as shown in the upper position of Fig. 13. The second cleaning tool 27 has a knob portion 35. As shown in the lower position of Fig. 13, the second cleaning tool 27 can be easily replaced by pulling it out of the second storage portion 26 via the knob portion 35. Incidentally, for first cleaning tool 25, a structure similar to that which enables replacement of second cleaning tool 27 can be applied.

[0047] Other Embodiments The image reading device 1 according to the present invention is based on the configuration of the embodiment described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit some of the configuration without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the foreign object moving section 17 has been described as including the airflow generating section 13 and the airflow direction regulating section 18. However, it may be configured so that the airflow B is strongly blown out in the direction C from the duct 53 in contact with the cleaning target 5, that is, the airflow direction regulating section 18 is not provided and the foreign object 12 is moved to the first storage section 14. In the case of this structure, it is preferable to provide a suction blower in the first storage section 14 so that a suction force is generated at the airflow inlet 23. In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, instead of the airflow generating unit 13, a structure in which only the suction blower is provided on the first storage unit 14 side may be used, or a structure in which both the airflow generating unit 13 and the suction blower are provided may be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1: image reading device; 2: device body; 3: transport path; 4: reading unit; 5: cleaning target; 6: conveying roller; 7: cleaning unit; 8: one end; 9: medium placement unit; 10: discharge receiving unit; 11...medium conveying device, 12...foreign object, 13...airflow generating section, 14...first storage section, 15... light-transmitting member, 16... other end, 17... foreign object moving portion, 18... airflow direction regulating portion, 19: part facing the transport path 3; 20: blowing hole part; 21: collection part; 22...airflow inlet, 23...airflow inlet, 24...shaft, 25...first cleaning tool, 26: second storage section, 27: second cleaning tool, 28: reversing section, 30: motor, 31...first gear, 32...second gear, 33...third gear, 35...knob portion, 36: conveying path component, 37: conveying drive roller, 38: driven roller, 40...motor, 41...first gear, 42...second gear (pinion), 43...rack, 46: Cylinder portion, 50: Frame, 51: Motor, 52: Endless belt, 53: Duct, 55...Airflow outlet, B: Air flow, C: Direction in which foreign objects move, D: Air flow blowing direction, F: Conveyance direction, S: medium, R: direction of rotation

Claims

1. a reading unit that reads an image of a medium conveyed in a conveying direction on a conveying path; a cleaning unit that cleans a cleaning target on the transport path by airflow, The cleaning unit includes: a foreign object moving unit that moves foreign objects present on the cleaning target from one end to the other end by blowing an air current in a direction intersecting the transport direction with respect to the transport path; a first storage unit located at the other end of the transport path and configured to receive and store the foreign object moved in the direction by the air current; An image reading device comprising:

2. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, The foreign object moving unit includes: An airflow generating unit; an airflow direction regulating unit that regulates the flow direction of the airflow supplied from the airflow generating unit from the one end to the other end; An image reading device comprising:

3. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, The first storage section includes a collection section that allows the airflow to pass and collects the foreign matter.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

4. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2, The airflow direction regulating unit is A cylindrical portion that is elongated in a direction from the one end to the other end; a plurality of blowing holes provided in parallel in a direction from the one end to the other end at a portion of the cylindrical portion facing the transport path, The blowing direction of the airflow from the blowing hole portion is inclined toward the other end.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

5. 5. The image reading device according to claim 4, The cylindrical portion is rotatable about an axis extending in a direction from the one end toward the other end, The cylindrical portion includes a first cleaning tool that scrubs and cleans the cleaning target, a second storage portion that receives foreign matter on the cleaning target that is cleaned by the first cleaning tool by rotating the cylindrical portion; The foreign matter accommodated in the second accommodation section is moved to the first accommodation section by the air flow.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

6. 6. The image reading device according to claim 5, The second storage section includes a second cleaning tool, The second cleaning tool comes into contact with the rotating first cleaning tool to clean the foreign matter attached to the first cleaning tool and store the foreign matter in the second storage section.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

7. 6. The image reading device according to claim 5, The second storage section is The cleaning target can be approached and moved away from the cleaning target, Cleaning is performed by the first cleaning tool in the approaching state.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

8. 5. The image reading device according to claim 4, The first storage portion and the cylindrical portion are integrally movable along the conveying path.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

Images