Medium feeding device and image reading device

Abstract

To solve the problem in conventional techniques such that no consideration is given to such a point that switching means is a consumable article and needs to be replaced, switching means for switching between a state in which power is transmitted to a feeder and a state in which power is not transmitted.SOLUTION: A medium feeding device comprises: a medium support section that supports a medium; a feeding section that feeds the medium from the medium support section; a power source for the feeding section; a switching section that can switch between a state in which power is transmitted from the power source to the feeding section and a state in which power is not transmitted; a removable feeding unit that includes the feeding section and the switching section; and a unit mounting section to which the feeding unit is mounted, wherein the switching section is removable from the feeding unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium feeding device that feeds a medium, and an image reading device including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 proposes an original feeding device in which rollers and functional parts associated with the rollers are integrated together, thereby enabling functional parts relating to original feeding to be replaced all at once. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-134495 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The switching means capable of switching between a state in which power is transmitted to the rollers and a state in which it is not transmitted is a consumable item and may need to be replaced, but the configuration described in Patent Document 1 does not take this into consideration at all. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the media conveying device of the present invention is a media feeding device capable of feeding a medium, comprising a media support section that supports a medium, a feeding section that feeds the medium from the media support section, a power source for the feeding section, a switching section that is switchable between a state in which power is transmitted from the power source to the feeding section and a state in which power is not transmitted, a unit that comprises the feeding section and the switching section, and is characterized in that it comprises a detachable feeding unit, and a unit mounting section to which the feeding unit is mounted, and the switching section is detachable from the feeding unit. The image reading device of the present invention is characterized by including the medium feeding device and a reading section that reads the medium fed by the medium feeding device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a medium transport path in the image reading device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the image reading apparatus with the opening / closing unit closed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the image reading apparatus with the opening / closing unit open. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the unit mounting portion with the cover attached. [Diagram 5] 13 is a perspective view of the unit mounting portion with the cover removed and the feeding unit mounted. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the unit mounting portion with the cover and the feeding unit removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a feeding unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a feeding unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a feeding unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a feeding unit and a unit mounting portion according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] The present invention will now be briefly described. The medium feeding device of the first aspect is a medium feeding device capable of feeding a medium, and comprises a medium support section that supports the medium, a feeding section that feeds the medium from the medium support section, a power source for the feeding section, a switching section that is switchable between a state in which power is transmitted from the power source to the feeding section and a state in which power is not transmitted, a unit that comprises the feeding section and the switching section, a detachable feeding unit, and a unit mounting section to which the feeding unit is mounted, and the switching section is detachable from the feeding unit.

[0008] According to this aspect, the medium feeding device is a unit including the feeding section and the switching section, and includes a feeding unit that is detachable from the medium feeding device, and the switching section is detachable from the feeding unit. This makes it easy to replace or maintain the switching section when it becomes necessary. In particular, by removing the feeding unit from the unit mounting section and then removing the switching section from the feeding unit, the switching section can be removed with even greater ease.

[0009] A second aspect is a dependent aspect of the first aspect, and is characterized in that the feeding unit includes a storage member that stores the feeding section and the switching section, and the switching section is detachable from the storage member.

[0010] According to this aspect, the feeding unit includes a housing member that houses the feeding section and the switching section, and the switching section is detachable from the housing member, making the feeding unit easy to handle.

[0011] A third aspect is a dependent aspect of the second aspect, and is characterized in that the feeding section includes a pick roller that sends out the medium from the medium support section, and a feeding roller that is located downstream of the pick roller in the medium feeding direction and feeds the medium further downstream, and a roller unit including the pick roller and the feeding roller is detachable from the feeding unit.

[0012] According to this aspect, the feeding section includes the pick roller and the feeding roller, and the roller unit including the pick roller and the feeding roller is detachable from the feeding unit, so that when the need arises for replacement or maintenance of the feeding section, the work can be easily performed. In particular, by removing the feeding unit from the unit mounting section and then removing the roller unit from the feeding unit, the roller unit can be removed with even greater ease. Incidentally, this aspect is not limited to the second aspect, and may be subordinate to the first aspect.

[0013] A fourth aspect is an aspect dependent on the third aspect, and is characterized in that the pick roller and the feed roller are each detachable from the roller unit. According to this aspect, since the pick roller and the feed roller are each detachable from the roller unit, it is possible to replace only one of the pick roller and the feed roller, improving usability of the device.

[0014] A fifth aspect is a aspect dependent on the third aspect, characterized in that a detectable portion is provided in at least one of the switching portion and the roller unit, and the unit mounting portion is equipped with a detection portion capable of detecting the detectable portion when the feeding unit is mounted.

[0015] According to this aspect, a detection portion is provided on at least one of the switching portion and the roller unit, and the unit mounting portion includes a detection portion that can detect the detection portion when the feeding unit is mounted, so that it is possible to detect that the feeding unit has been mounted in a state where the switching portion or the roller unit has been forgotten to be mounted on the feeding unit, thereby enabling the medium to be fed appropriately. Incidentally, this aspect is not limited to the above-mentioned third aspect, and may be subordinate to the above-mentioned fourth aspect.

[0016] A sixth aspect is an aspect dependent on the fifth aspect, and includes a display unit capable of displaying various information, and a control unit capable of receiving detection information from the detection unit and controlling the display unit, and is characterized in that when the control unit receives a feeding instruction without detecting the detected part based on the detection information from the detection unit, it suspends feeding of the medium and displays an alert on the display unit.

[0017] According to this aspect, when the control unit receives a feeding instruction without detecting the detected portion based on the detection information of the detection unit, the control unit suspends feeding of the medium and displays an alert on the display unit, thereby notifying the user that the switching unit or the roller unit is not installed. As a result, the usability of the device is improved.

[0018] A seventh aspect is an aspect dependent on the third aspect, and includes an apparatus main body having the power source, and an opening / closing unit which is a unit that can be opened and closed relative to the apparatus main body, and which forms a part of a transport path for transporting a medium when closed, and opens a part of the transport path when opened, and is characterized in that the unit mounting portion is provided on the opening / closing unit, and the apparatus main body includes a separation roller that nips and separates the medium between itself and the feed roller.

[0019] According to this aspect, the device includes an opening / closing unit that can be opened and closed relative to the device main body, the unit mounting portion is provided on the opening / closing unit, and the device main body includes a separation roller that nips and separates the medium between itself and the feed roller, thereby obtaining the functional effects of the third aspect described above. Incidentally, this aspect is not limited to the above-mentioned third aspect, and may be subordinate to any of the above-mentioned fourth to sixth aspects.

[0020] The image reading device of the eighth aspect is characterized in that it comprises the medium feeding device of any of the first to seventh aspects and a reading unit that reads the medium fed by the medium feeding device. According to this aspect, in the image reading device, the operational effects of any one of the first to seventh aspects described above can be obtained.

[0021] The present invention will be specifically described below. The XYZ coordinate system shown in each drawing is an orthogonal coordinate system, and the X-axis direction is a direction intersecting the medium transport direction, that is, the medium width direction and also the device width direction. The Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the device. The +Y direction of the Y-axis direction is the direction from the rear side of the device to the front side of the device, and the -Y direction is the direction from the front side of the device to the rear side of the device. The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, which corresponds to the height direction of the device. In the Z-axis direction, the +Z direction corresponds to the upward direction, and the -Z direction corresponds to the downward direction.

[0022] The image reading device 1 of this embodiment is a scanner capable of reading an image on a medium, and is a sheet-fed type scanner that reads the image on the medium while conveying the medium. Here, the image on the medium 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. From the viewpoint of feeding a medium, the image reading device 1 can also be called a medium feeding device 2. In this case, the image reading device 1 includes the medium feeding device 2, and a first reading unit 25 and a second reading unit 26, which will be described later.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the image reading device 1 is equipped with a transport path T for transporting a medium. The transport path T is formed inside the device body 3. In Fig. 1, the transport path T is indicated by a dashed line. In the transport path T, the medium P is transported linearly along the -Y direction, then turned over upward and discharged in the +Y direction. Below, the configuration of the transport path T will be described along the direction in which the medium is transported. Note that below, the direction in which the medium is transported may be referred to as the "downstream" direction, and the opposite direction may be referred to as the "upstream" direction.

[0024] A medium support unit 9 that supports the medium is provided at the most upstream of the transport path T. The medium support unit 9 supports the medium horizontally. Of course, the medium support unit 9 may support the medium in an inclined position. The symbol P indicates the medium supported by the medium support unit 9. Hereinafter, the medium will be referred to as medium P with the symbol P attached. The medium support unit 9 moves up and down in the vertical direction while maintaining its posture by a power source (not shown). When the medium support unit 9 moves up, the medium P supported by the medium support unit 9 can come into contact with the pick roller 11.

[0025] The pick roller 11 is driven by a motor 31, which is an example of a drive source, and sends the medium P supported by the medium support unit 9 downstream. A feed roller 12 is provided downstream of the pick roller 11 in the transport path T. The feed roller 12 is driven by a motor 31 and feeds the medium P downstream. The pick roller 11 and the feeding roller 12 constitute a feeding section 10 that feeds the medium P from the medium support section 9. The feeding section 10 is driven by a motor 31, which is an example of a driving source.

[0026] A separation roller 13 is provided at a position facing the feed roller 12. The separation roller 13 separates the medium P by nipping the medium P between the feed roller 12 and the separation roller 13. The separation roller 13 is driven by a motor (not shown) in a direction returning the medium P upstream. A torque limiter (not shown) is interposed in the power transmission path between the separation roller 13 and the motor (not shown). When only one medium P is present between the feed roller 12 and the separation roller 13, the separation roller 13 comes into contact with the medium P and rotates in response to the torque limiter. When multiple media P are present between the feed roller 12 and the separation roller 13, the separation roller 13 rotates by the power of the motor (not shown) in a direction returning the medium P upstream, thereby preventing double feeding. Instead of the separation roller 13, a separation pad may be used. The above-mentioned pick roller 11, feed roller 12, and separation roller 13 are provided at the center position in the medium width direction.

[0027] Next, on the transport path T, a first transport roller pair 15, a second transport roller pair 16, and a third transport roller pair 17 are provided in this order downstream of the feed roller 12. The section of the transport path T from the pick roller 11 to the third transport roller pair 17 extends horizontally. At least one roller of the first transport roller pair 15, the second transport roller pair 16, and the third transport roller pair 17 is driven by a motor 31. The first transport roller pair 15, the second transport roller pair 16, and the third transport roller pair 17 transport the medium P downstream.

[0028] A first reading unit 25 is provided between the first transport roller pair 15 and the second transport roller pair 16, on the upper side of the transport path T. In addition, a second reading unit 26 is provided between the second transport roller pair 16 and the third transport roller pair 17, on the lower side of the transport path T. The first reading unit 25 reads an image on a first surface of the medium P. The second reading unit 26 reads an image on a second surface of the medium P opposite to the first surface. The first reading unit 25 and the second reading unit 26 are, for example, CIS (Contact Information System). The system is equipped with a 3.3 V 1.2 V 2.0 V 1.1 V 1.2 V 1.1 V 1.0 ...

[0029] The transport path T curves upward and reverses downstream of the third transport roller pair 17. In this curved and reversed section, a fourth transport roller pair 18, a fifth transport roller pair 19, and a sixth transport roller pair 20 are provided in this order toward the downstream. At least one roller of the fourth transport roller pair 18, the fifth transport roller pair 19, and the sixth transport roller pair 20 is driven by a motor 31. The fourth transport roller pair 18 and the fifth transport roller pair 19 transport the medium P downstream. The sixth transport roller pair 20 discharges the medium P in the +Y direction. The medium P discharged by the sixth transport roller pair 20 is supported by the discharge receiving portion 23. The discharge receiving portion 23 supports the medium P in an inclined position. Of course, the discharge receiving portion 23 may support the medium P in a horizontal position.

[0030] A series of operations, such as the lifting and lowering operation of the medium support unit 9, the rotational operation of each roller, and reading of the image on the medium P by the first reading unit 25 and the second reading unit 26, are controlled by the control unit 30. The control unit 30 includes a CPU, non-volatile memory, etc. (not shown). Programs, parameters, etc. for performing various controls are stored in the non-volatile memory.

[0031] 2 and 3, an opening / closing unit 5 is provided in the device body 3 so as to be capable of being opened and closed. The opening / closing unit 5 opens and closes by rotating about a rotation axis (not shown). The opening / closing unit 5 forms a part of the transport path T in the closed state shown in Fig. 2. The opening / closing unit 5 opens a part of the transport path T in the open state shown in Fig. 3. In particular, the opening / closing unit 5 is provided with a pick roller 11 and a feed roller 12. As will be described in detail later, the opening / closing unit 5 includes a unit mounting section 5a, and a feed unit 45 (see FIG. 5) is provided in the unit mounting section 5a. The pick roller 11 and the feed roller 12 are provided in the feed unit 45.

[0032] In the above configuration, when the opening / closing unit 5 is opened, the feed roller 12 moves away from the separation roller 13. The device body 3 is provided with a display unit 6 that displays various information and accepts various operation settings. The display unit 6 is, for example, configured with a touch panel.

[0033] The frame 28 constituting the base of the device main body 3 is provided with a power transmission mechanism 35. In Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, reference numeral 32 denotes a drive shaft of a motor 31. A drive gear 33 is provided on the drive shaft 32. The power transmission mechanism 35 obtains power from the drive gear 33. The power transmission mechanism 35 transmits the power of the motor 31 to a pulley 36. A gear (not shown) that rotates coaxially with the pulley 36 is provided in the +X direction with respect to the frame 28, i.e., inside the device body 3. When the opening / closing unit 5 is closed, this gear meshes with a gear 37 provided in the opening / closing unit 5 to transmit power to the gear 37. When the opening / closing unit 5 is opened, the gear 37 provided in the opening / closing unit 5 moves away from the gear (not shown).

[0034] 4, the gear 37 is provided on a drive shaft 38. The drive shaft 38 is journaled on a bearing portion (not shown) provided on a unit mounting portion 5a constituting the opening / closing unit 5. A cover 40 is provided on the unit mounting portion 5a. The cover 40 can be removed by pulling an operating lever 41. The cover 40 has a locking portion (not shown) that can engage with an engaging portion (not shown) provided on the unit mounting portion 5a. The cover 40 can be unlocked by pulling the operating lever 41. The cover 40 may be detachable from the unit mounting portion 5a by a snap fit method. Further, instead of the cover 40 being detachable from the unit mounting portion 5a, the cover 40 may be configured to be openable and closable with respect to the unit mounting portion 5a.

[0035] An opening 40a is formed in the cover 40. The feeding section 10, i.e., the pick roller 11 and the feeding roller 12, are exposed through the opening 40a. The pick roller 11 and the feeding roller 12 configure a roller unit 48. The opening 40a exposes a part of the roller unit 48.

[0036] When the cover 40 is removed, the feeding unit 45 is exposed as shown in Fig. 5, and the feeding unit 45 can be attached and detached. The feeding unit 45 is accommodated in a recess 5b provided in the unit mounting portion 5a. The feeding unit 45 can be attached by inserting it obliquely into the recess 5b as shown by the arrow S1 in Fig. 7, and then sliding it in a direction parallel to the bottom surface of the recess 5b as shown by the arrow S2. To remove the feeding unit 45 from the recess 5b, the feeding unit 45 can be removed by sliding it in the opposite direction to the direction shown by the arrow S2, and then pulling it out in the opposite direction to the direction shown by the arrow S1. The feeding unit 45 can slide in the X-axis direction in the recess 5b. However, the dimensional relationship between the recess 5b and a housing member 46 described later is set so that the feeding unit 45 cannot move in the Y-axis direction.

[0037] The feeding unit 45 is held in the unit mounting portion 5a by attaching the cover 40. However, the feeding unit 45 may be configured to be held in the unit mounting portion 5a by a snap-fit ​​structure, a screw fixing structure, or the like. In other words, as long as the feeding unit 45 is detachable from the unit mounting portion 5a, any means may be used to hold the feeding unit 45 in the unit mounting portion 5a.

[0038] The feeding unit 45 has a base member of a storage member 46. The storage member 46 is formed in a tray shape. The feeding unit 45 has a roller unit 48 and a switching unit 60 detachably attached to the inside of the storage member 46. The roller unit 48 has a base member 49 as a base. The pick roller 11 and the feed roller 12 are rotatably provided on the base member 49. The base member 49 is provided with a power transmission mechanism (not shown) that transmits power from the rotation shaft 52 of the feed roller 12 to the pick roller 11. This power transmission mechanism can be composed of a plurality of gears. One or both of the pick roller 11 and the feed roller 12 may be configured to be detachable from the base member 49. For example, when the feed roller 12 is configured to be detachable from the base member 49, it is preferable to provide the base member 49 with a bearing portion into which the rotation shaft 52 of the feed roller 12 can be snapped into. The same applies when the pick roller 11 is configured to be detachable from the base member 49.

[0039] The base member 49 is provided with an attachment portion 49a (see FIGS. 5 and 6), and a fitting hole 49b is formed in the attachment portion 49a. The base member 49 is also provided with an attachment portion 49c (see FIG. 7), and a fitting hole 49d is formed in the attachment portion 49c. The accommodation member 46 is formed with a boss 46j as shown in FIG. 6, and also formed with a boss 46k as shown in FIG. The boss 46j can be fitted into the fitting hole 49b. The boss 46k can be fitted into the fitting hole 49d. A certain amount of friction is generated between the boss 46j and the fitting hole 49b, and between the boss 46k and the fitting hole 49d. This allows the roller unit 48 to be held in the housing member 46.

[0040] Holding the roller unit 48 by the above-mentioned frictional force achieves the following. First, in the process of opening the opening / closing unit 5 from the fully closed state (FIG. 2) to the fully open state (FIG. 3), the roller unit 48 does not fall off from the storage member 46, regardless of whether the cover 40 is attached or not. Second, in the process of closing the opening / closing unit 5 from the fully open state (FIG. 3) to the fully closed state (FIG. 2), the roller unit 48 does not fall off from the storage member 46, regardless of whether the cover 40 is attached or not. Third, the roller unit 48 can be removed from the storage member 46. In addition, the horizontal positions of the pick roller 11 and the feed roller 12 are regulated when the opening / closing unit 5 is in a fully closed state by the engagement between the boss 46j and the fitting hole 49b, and the engagement between the boss 46k and the fitting hole 49d.

[0041] If the end of boss 46j is made larger than the diameter of fitting hole 49b and configured to be elastically expandable and contractable, mounting portion 49a can be attached and detached in a snap-fit ​​manner to the accommodating member 46. Similarly, if the end of boss 46k is made larger than the diameter of fitting hole 49d and configured to be elastically expandable and contractable, mounting portion 49c can be attached and detached in a snap-fit ​​manner to the accommodating member 46. Furthermore, the mounting portions 49a, 49c may be configured to be fixed to the housing member 46 by screws (not shown). That is, as long as the roller unit 48 is detachable from the feeding unit 45, any means may be used to hold the roller unit 48 relative to the feeding unit 45.

[0042] Next, the switching unit 60 will be described. The switching unit 60 can be in a state where it is engaged with the drive shaft 38 and a state where it is disengaged from the drive shaft 38. When the feeding unit 45 is mounted to the unit mounting portion 5a, the switching unit 60 and the drive shaft 38 are engaged. When the feeding unit 45 is removed from the unit mounting portion 5a, the switching unit 60 is disengaged from the drive shaft 38. In this embodiment, the switching unit 60 is an electromagnetic clutch. The switching unit 60 is switchable between a state in which the rotation of the drive shaft 38 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 52 and a state in which the rotation of the drive shaft 38 is not transmitted to the rotary shaft 52, according to the control of the control unit 30 (see FIG. 1). The switching unit 60 is provided with a gear 61. The gear 61 meshes with a gear 53 provided on the rotation shaft 52, and transmits power to the gear 53. As a result, the power of the motor 31 (see FIG. 1) is transmitted to the feed roller 12 and the pick roller 11. When the switching portion 60 is removed from the feeding unit 45, the gear 61 and the gear 53 are no longer engaged with each other.

[0043] The housing member 46 has a shaft hole 46a formed therein as shown in FIG. 6. One end of the drive shaft 38 protrudes into the recess 5b of the unit mounting portion 5a as shown in FIG. 7. When the feeding unit 45 is mounted to the unit mounting portion 5a, the drive shaft 38 enters the shaft hole 46a of the housing member 46. The drive shaft 38 then fits into a fitting hole (not shown) provided in the switching portion 60. This allows the power of the motor 31 (see FIG. 1) to be transmitted from the drive shaft 38 to the switching portion 60. In addition, the drive shaft 38 enters the shaft hole 46a of the housing member 46, so that the drive shaft 38 holds the feeding unit 45 so that it does not fall out of the recess 5b. When the feeding unit 45 is removed from the unit mounting portion 5a, the drive shaft 38 comes out of the shaft hole 46a, and the drive shaft 38 and the switching portion 60 are separated from each other.

[0044] A cable 73 extends from the switching unit 60, and is provided with an inner connector 72. An outer connector 70 is provided on the outside of the accommodating member 46, as shown in Fig. 6. The inner connector 72 is connectable to the outer connector 70 on the inside of the accommodating member 46. 7, a connection portion 71 is provided in the recess 5b of the unit mounting portion 5a. When the feeding unit 45 is mounted in the unit mounting portion 5a, the outer connector 70 can be connected to the connection portion 71. This establishes an electrical connection between the switching portion 60 and the control portion 30 (see FIG. 1), and the switching portion 60 can be controlled by the control portion 30. When the feeding unit 45 is removed from the unit mounting portion 5a, the connection between the outer connector 70 and the connecting portion 71 is released.

[0045] 6, the switching portion 60 is provided with an attachment portion 62. A fitting hole 62a is formed in the attachment portion 62. The housing member 46 is formed with a boss 46m. The boss 46m can be fitted into the fitting hole 62a. A certain amount of friction is generated between the boss 46m and the fitting hole 62a. This allows the switching unit 60 to be held relative to the housing member 46.

[0046] Holding the switching part 60 by the above-mentioned frictional force realizes the following. First, when the opening / closing unit 5 is in the fully open state (FIG. 3), the switching part 60 does not fall off from the storage member 46 when the feeding unit 45 is attached to the unit mounting part 5a. First, when the opening / closing unit 5 is in the fully open state (FIG. 3), the switching part 60 does not fall off from the storage member 46 when the feeding unit 45 is removed from the unit mounting part 5a. Third, the switching part 60 can be removed from the storage member 46.

[0047] If the end of the boss 46m is made larger in diameter than the fitting hole 62a and is configured to be elastically expandable and contractible, the mounting portion 62 can be attached to and detached from the housing member 46 in a snap-fit ​​manner. Furthermore, the mounting portion 62 may be configured to be fixed to the housing member 46 by a screw (not shown). That is, as long as the switching section 60 is detachable from the feeding unit 45, any means may be used to hold the switching section 60 relative to the feeding unit 45. When the switching section 60 is removed from the feeding unit 45, the inner connector 72 is removed from the outer connector .

[0048] As described above, the image reading device 1 or the medium feeding device 2 includes a switching unit 60 that can switch between a state in which power is transmitted from the motor 31 (see FIG. 1), which is an example of a drive source, to the feeding section 10 and a state in which power is not transmitted. The image reading device 1 or the medium feeding device 2 is a unit that includes the feeding section 10 and the switching unit 60, and includes a detachable feeding unit 45 and a unit mounting section 5a to which the feeding unit 45 is attached. The switching unit 60 is detachable from the feeding unit 45. This allows easy replacement or maintenance of the switching part 60 when it becomes necessary. In particular, by removing the switching part 60 from the feeding unit 45 after removing the feeding unit 45 from the unit mounting part 5a, the switching part 60 can be removed with even greater ease.

[0049] In this embodiment, the switching unit 60 is an electromagnetic clutch, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured to be switchable between a state in which power is transmitted from the motor 31 (see FIG. 1) to the feeding unit 10 and a state in which power is not transmitted. For example, the switching unit 60 may be configured by a gear device that has gears that are displaced by the operation of a solenoid and that is switchable between a state in which meshing is formed and a state in which meshing is released by the displacement of the gears.

[0050] In this embodiment, the feeding unit 45 includes a housing member 46 that houses the feeding section 10 and the switching section 60. The switching section 60 is detachable from the housing member 46. This makes the feeding unit 45 easy to handle. Incidentally, without using the housing member 46, for example, the switching portion 60 may be configured to be detachable from the roller unit 48.

[0051] In this embodiment, the feeding section 10 includes a pick roller 11 and a feeding roller 12 that is located downstream of the pick roller 11 in the medium feeding direction and feeds the medium further downstream. A roller unit 48 including the pick roller 11 and the feeding roller 12 is detachable from the feeding unit 45. This makes it easy to replace or maintain the feeding section 10 when it becomes necessary. In particular, by removing the feeding unit 45 from the unit mounting section 5a and then removing the roller unit 48 from the feeding unit 45, the roller unit 48 can be removed with even greater ease.

[0052] Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In the following, the same components as those already described will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be avoided. In addition, the embodiments described below will have the same functions and effects as the above-mentioned embodiments, provided that they have the same configuration as the above-mentioned embodiments, as long as no technical contradictions arise. 8, the switching portion 60 is provided with an attachment portion 64. The containing member 46 is formed with a boss 46b protruding inward. A nip portion 64a that nips the boss 46b is formed in the mounting portion 64. The switching portion 60 can be held in the accommodating member 46 by nipping the boss 46b with the nip portion 64a.

[0053] Next, still another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In a feeding unit 45B shown in Fig. 9, the pick roller 11 and the feeding roller 12 are each configured to be detachable from the housing member . Specifically, two wall portions 46c are formed in the storage member 46. The wall portions 46c extend in a direction intersecting with the rotation shafts 52 and 59. The wall portions 46c are provided at an interval along the axial direction of the rotation shafts 52 and 59. The rotation shaft 59 is the rotation shaft of the pick roller 11.

[0054] The wall portion 46c is formed with a fitting portion 46d into which the rotating shafts 52, 59 are snap-fitted. The rotating shafts 52, 59 are detachable from the fitting portion 46d, and are rotatably supported by the fitting portion 46d in the attached state. Incidentally, a lever portion 58 is provided on the rotating shaft 52, and the rotating shaft 52 can be easily removed by pinching the lever portion 58. Also, a lever portion 57 is provided on the rotating shaft 59, and the rotating shaft 59 can be easily removed by pinching the lever portion 57. Incidentally, a gear 54 is provided on the rotating shaft 52. A gear 55 meshes with the gear 54. Furthermore, a gear 56 is provided on the rotating shaft 59. The gear 56 meshes with the gear 55. In this way, a driving force is transmitted from the rotating shaft 52 to the pick roller 11.

[0055] As described above, if the pick roller 11 and the feed roller 12 are configured to be detachable from the roller unit 48, it is possible to replace only one of the pick roller 11 and the feed roller 12, improving the ease of use of the device.

[0056] Next, still another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. In Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, roller unit 48 is provided with detected portion 75. Detected portion 75 is provided on base member 49 that constitutes the base of roller unit 48. Detected portion 75 has a shape that protrudes in the mounting direction of feeding unit 45C. An opening 46e is formed in the housing member 46. When the roller unit 48 is attached to the housing member 46, the detected portion 75 protrudes from the opening 46e to the outside of the housing member 46. When the roller unit 48 is not attached to the housing member 46, the detected portion 75 does not protrude from the opening 46e to the outside of the housing member 46.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 11, an opening 5c ​​is formed in the unit mounting part 5a-1. A detection part 76 is provided inside the opening 5c. When the feeding unit 45C with the detected part 75 protruding outside the housing member 46 is mounted in the unit mounting part 5a-1, the detected part 75 can enter the opening 5c. This allows the detection part 76 to detect the detected part 75. The detection part 76 may be an optical sensor in which the optical axis of detection light is blocked by the detected part 75, or may be a contact sensor that is pressed by the detected part 75. Then, based on the detection information from the detection section 76, the control section 30 (see FIG. 1) can detect that the feeding unit 45C has been installed, and can detect that the roller unit 48 is installed in the installed feeding unit 45C.

[0058] In this way, the unit mounting section 5a-1 includes the detection section 76 that can detect the detected section 75 when the feeding unit 45C is mounted. This makes it possible to detect that the feeding unit 45C has been mounted in a state where the roller unit 48 has been forgotten to be mounted on the feeding unit 45C. As a result, the medium can be properly fed. Incidentally, instead of providing the detected portion 75 on the roller unit 48, the detected portion 75 may be provided on the switching portion 60. This makes it possible to detect that the feeding unit 45C has been attached in a state where the switching portion 60 has been forgotten to be attached to the feeding unit 45C. Alternatively, in addition to providing roller unit 48 with detected portion 75, switching unit 60 may also be provided with a detected portion similar to detected portion 75, and unit mounting portion 5a-1 may be provided with a detector similar to detector 76. This makes it possible to detect when both roller unit 48 and switching unit 60 are not mounted.

[0059] When the control unit 30 (see FIG. 1) receives a feeding instruction without detecting the detected portion 75 based on the detection information from the detection unit 76, the control unit 30 may suspend feeding of the medium and display an alert to that effect on the display unit 6 (see FIG. 2). This makes it possible to inform the user that the switching unit 60 or the roller unit 48 is not installed. As a result, the usability of the device is improved.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, but various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1...image reading device, 2...medium feeding device, 3...device main body, 5...opening / closing unit, 5a...unit mounting section, 5b...recess, 5c...opening, 6...display section, 9...medium support section, 10...feed section, 11...pick roller, 12...feed roller, 13...separation roller, 15...first conveying roller pair, 16...second conveying roller pair, 17...third conveying roller pair, 18...fourth conveying roller pair, 19...fifth conveying roller pair, 20...sixth conveying roller pair, 23...exhaust Receiving portion, 25...first reading portion, 26...second reading portion, 28...frame, 30...control portion, 31...motor, 32...drive shaft, 33...drive gear, 35...power transmission mechanism, 36...pulley, 37...gear, 38...drive shaft, 40...cover, 40a...opening, 41...operating lever, 45...feed unit, 46...accommodating member, 46a...shaft hole, 46b...boss, 46c...wall portion, 46d...fitting portion, 46e...opening, 46j, 46k...boss, 46m...boss, 48... roller unit, 49... base member, 49a... mounting portion, 49b... fitting hole, 49c...mounting portion, 49d...fitting hole, 52...rotating shaft, 53...gear, 54, 55, 56...gear, 57, 58...lever portion, 59...rotating shaft, 60...switching portion, 61...gear, 62...mounting portion, 64...mounting portion, 64a...nip portion, 70...outer connector, 71...connection portion, 72...inner connector, 73...cable, 75...detected portion, 76...detecting portion, P...medium, T...transport path

Claims

1. A medium feeding device capable of feeding a medium, A medium support section that supports the medium; a feeding section that feeds a medium from the medium support section; A power source of the feeding section; a switching unit that is switchable between a state in which power is transmitted from the power source to the feeding unit and a state in which power is not transmitted; a detachable feeding unit that is a unit including the feeding section and the switching section; a unit mounting portion to which the feeding unit is mounted; Equipped with The switching unit is detachable from the feeding unit. A medium feeding device comprising:

2. 2. The medium feeding device according to claim 1, the feeding unit includes a housing member that houses the feeding section and the switching section, The switching unit is detachable from the housing member. A medium feeding device comprising:

3. 3. The medium feeding device according to claim 2, The feeding section includes: a pick roller that feeds the medium from the medium support section; a feed roller located downstream of the pick roller in a medium feeding direction and feeding the medium further downstream; Equipped with a roller unit including the pick roller and the feed roller is detachable from the feed unit; A medium feeding device comprising:

4. 4. The medium feeding device according to claim 3, the pick roller and the feed roller are each detachable from the roller unit; A medium feeding device comprising:

5. 4. The medium feeding device according to claim 3, a detection target portion is provided on at least one of the switching portion and the roller unit, the unit mounting portion includes a detection portion capable of detecting the detection target portion when the feeding unit is mounted. A medium feeding device comprising:

6. 6. The medium feeding device according to claim 5, A display unit capable of displaying various information; a control unit capable of receiving detection information from the detection unit and controlling the display unit; Equipped with When a feeding instruction is received in a state where the detection target portion is not detected based on the detection information of the detection portion, the control portion suspends feeding of the medium and displays an alert on the display portion. A medium feeding device comprising:

7. 4. The medium feeding device according to claim 3, A device main body having the power source; an opening / closing unit that is a unit that can be opened and closed with respect to the device body, the opening / closing unit forming a part of a transport path for transporting a medium when closed, and opening the part of the transport path when opened; Equipped with The unit mounting portion is provided on the opening / closing unit, the device body includes a separation roller that nips and separates the medium between the device body and the feed roller, A medium feeding device comprising:

8. The medium feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a reading unit that reads the medium fed by the medium feeding device; An image reading device comprising:

Images