Radiological image reading device

Abstract

To hold an imaging plate in the state of being contacted with a support surface while suppressing shading obstacles.SOLUTION: A radiological image reading device comprises: a stage body having a support surface 64F contactable with a reverse side 10b of an imaging plate 10; a positioning mechanism including a positioning surface 70F coming into contact with an edge of the imaging plate located on the support surface and positioning the edge from the outside thereof in the extension direction of the support surface and pressing the edge against the support surface; an excitation light source; and a light detector. With an end edge of the positioning surface that is located forward of the support surface and on the far side from the support surface defined as a distal end edge 70Fe, the positioning mechanism is constituted to be changeable between a first state in which the distal end edge 70Fe is placed to be apart by a first distance L1 from the support surface and a second state in which the distal end edge 70Fe is placed to be apart by a second distance L2 smaller than the first distance L1 from the support surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a radiation image reading apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a radiation image reading apparatus including a transport mechanism for transporting an imaging plate. As an example of the transport mechanism, an example including a belt for holding the imaging plate and a belt drive mechanism for circulating the belt is disclosed. The imaging plate is transported while being placed on a holding surface that is a part of the belt.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a configuration where the imaging plate is placed on the holding surface of the belt as in Patent Document 1, due to warping or the like of the imaging plate, a part of the imaging plate may be held in a state of being separated from the holding surface. If the imaging plate is separated from the holding surface, it may not be possible to correctly read the latent image of the imaging plate.

[0005] In order to bring the imaging plate into contact with the holding surface, it is conceivable to press the imaging plate toward the holding surface using a pressing component. In this case, the component for pressing the imaging plate may be reflected in the radiation image as a shadow obstacle.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to be able to hold the imaging plate in a state of being in contact with the support surface while suppressing shadow obstacles.

[0007] The radiation image reading device of the present disclosure is used for reading image information of dental X-ray imaging. In dental X-ray imaging, X-ray imaging of teeth is performed using an imaging plate. During this X-ray imaging process, the imaging plate may be bent (curved).

[0008] The occurrence of bending of the imaging plate will be described below. In X-ray imaging of teeth using an imaging plate, the imaging plate is inserted into the oral cavity of a person or animal to be imaged. At this time, depending on the imaging method and means, it is necessary to align the imaging plate along the tooth row forming a curve. Therefore, due to the external force received in the oral cavity at that time, the imaging plate may be bent from its flat state before use for imaging. This bending of the imaging plate becomes an obstacle to the precise reading of the captured image. Therefore, it is preferable to read the latent image of the imaging plate in a state where the bending of the curved imaging plate is reduced in order to obtain clear and detailed image data.

[0009] When attempting to reduce the bending of the imaging plate, the imaging plate will be gripped so as to be in a flat state. Regardless of the magnitude of the bending (curvature), that is, even for an imaging plate with a large bending, a gripping design (such as the positioning mechanism of the present invention) that can reach a certain height is desired to ensure gripping.

[0010] On the other hand, a gripping design that can correspond to a certain height is likely to interfere, such as blocking the irradiation when the excitation light irradiates the imaging plate. Also, when the light detector detects the emitted light from the imaging plate, it is likely to interfere with the light reception. It can be said that the reading device of the present disclosure solves such a double bind in design. The present disclosure simultaneously realizes the ability to securely grip an imaging plate in any curved state and set it in a normal posture, and a configuration that does not generate obstacle shadows that pose a clinical problem in the generated image.

[0011] Even for a large imaging plate with warping, it has a mechanism for gripping the imaging plate that can correspond to a certain height so as to reliably hold down the bulging part. Also, when the imaging plate is read, the gripping mechanism is configured not to cause shadow interference during the reading of the image information of the imaging plate. This is a feature of the present disclosure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The radiation image reading device is a radiation image reading device that reads a radiation image from an imaging plate, and includes a stage body having a support surface that can contact the back surface of the imaging plate, and a positioning mechanism that contacts the edge portion of the imaging plate located on the support surface and positions the edge portion from the outside in the extending direction of the support surface and presses the edge portion against the support surface, an excitation light source that irradiates excitation light onto the imaging plate held by the stage body, and a photodetector that detects the light emitted from the imaging plate by the excitation light. Among the positioning surfaces, the edge located in front of the support surface and on the far side with respect to the support surface is defined as the distal edge. The positioning mechanism is configured to be able to change its state between a first state in which the distal edge is arranged at a first distance from the support surface and a second state in which the distal edge is arranged at a second distance smaller than the first distance from the support surface. It is a radiation image reading device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to this radiation image reading device, the imaging plate can be held in a state of being in contact with the support surface while suppressing shadow interference.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] {First Embodiment} Hereinafter, a radiation image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0016] <Overall Configuration> FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the reading device 20. In FIG. 1, the housing 30 is shown by a two-dot chain line. FIG. 2 is a partial exploded perspective view showing the reading device 20. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1. In FIGS. 1 and 3, the stage 60 is located at the discharge position P3. In FIG. 2, the set guide 96, the stage 60, and the reading unit 90 are disassembled with respect to the support member 40. In FIG. 3, the set position P1 and the reading position P2 are located inside (above) the discharge position P3.

[0017] The radiation image reading device 20 is a device that reads a radiation image from the surface 10a of the imaging plate 10. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the imaging plate may be referred to as IP. That is, in the present application, IP means an imaging plate.

[0018] The IP 10 has a flat shape having a radiation image forming layer 11 and is a storage medium that stores a radiation image. The radiation image forming layer 11 is exposed on the surface 10a side of the IP 10. The surface of the radiation image forming layer 11 is synonymous with the surface 10a of the IP 10. The radiation image forming layer 11 is a layer that accumulates the energy of the irradiated radiation and emits light corresponding to the accumulated energy. For example, the radiation image forming layer 11 is formed by applying a stimulable phosphor to one main surface of a film formed of resin. When X-rays from an X-ray generator pass through the object to be imaged and irradiate the IP 10, energy corresponding to the intensity of the X-rays is accumulated in the radiation image forming layer 11. Since the intensity of the X-rays is based on the distribution of the X-ray absorption regions in the object to be imaged, the distribution of the energy accumulated in the radiation image forming layer 11 is a radiation image of the object to be imaged by the X-rays. Thus, the IP 10 stores the radiation image by X-rays as a latent image.

[0019] The reading device 20 is a device that reads a radiation image from the radiation image forming layer 11 and generates image data of the radiation image. The reading device 20 includes a stage 60, an excitation light source 92, a photodetector 94, and a set guide 96.

[0020] The IP10 is supported on the stage 60 via the setting guide 96. The excitation light from the excitation light source 92 is irradiated onto the IP10 supported on the stage 60. When the IP10 is irradiated with the excitation light, the radiation image forming layer 11 of the IP10 emits light. This emitted light is detected by the photodetector 94. Image data of the radiation image is generated based on the detection signal of the photodetector 94.

[0021] The image data of the radiation image generated by reading the IP10 may be transmitted by wireless communication or wired communication to another computer (not shown) that can communicate with the reading device 20. The image data of the radiation image may be recorded on a data recording medium (for example, a flash memory) detachable from the present reading device 20. In this embodiment, although the description is made assuming an IP10 of one size, a plurality of sizes of IP10 that can be held by the stage 60 may be prepared.

[0022] The configuration of each part of the reading device 20 will be described.

[0023] The reading device 20 includes a housing 30 that houses the stage 60, the excitation light source 92, the photodetector 94, and the setting guide 96 (see FIG. 1).

[0024] The housing 30 has an opening 31. The opening 31 is formed, for example, on one of the side surfaces around the housing 30. The opening 31 is formed in a shape that can expose the portion of the setting guide 96 where the insertion port 97h is formed to the outside. The user of the present reading device 20 can insert the IP10 into the insertion port 97h of the setting guide 96 through the opening 31.

[0025] The recovery tray 49 is provided at the lower portion of one side surface of the housing 30, for example, below the setting guide 96. The recovery tray 49 has, for example, a rectangular tray portion 49t having a bottom portion and a peripheral wall portion surrounding the bottom portion. The recovery tray 49 is set in the housing 30 with the tray portion 49t being inclined. A discharge port 49th is formed in the upper portion of the peripheral wall portion of the tray portion 49t (see FIG. 3). The IP10 discharged from the stage 60 is discharged into the tray portion 49t of the recovery tray 49 through the discharge port 49th. The recovery tray 49 may be detachably or non-detachably set with respect to the housing 30.

[0026] The housing may be provided with a switch for receiving various instructions. The housing may be provided with a display device for displaying various information. The display device may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (electro-luminescence) display panel.

[0027] The respective component configurations provided inside the housing 30 will be described.

[0028] A support member 40 is provided inside the housing 30. By this support member 40, the stage 60, the excitation light source 92, the photodetector 94, and the setting guide 96 are supported. Note that the support member 40 is described as an example, and the configuration for supporting each component in the housing 30 is not limited to the example described here.

[0029] The support member 40 includes a base plate 41, an intermediate support plate 42, and a frame-shaped portion 44.

[0030] The base plate 41 is a plate-shaped member disposed along the horizontal direction (a direction perpendicular to the gravitational direction) at the lower part in the internal space of the housing 30. Here, the base plate 41 is formed in an elongated rectangular plate shape. The base plate 41 can close the downward opening of the housing 30.

[0031] An intermediate support plate 42 is supported in an erected state on a base plate 41. The intermediate support plate 42 is configured such that a back plate portion 42a and a side plate portion 42b are connected in an L shape. The back plate portion 42a is erected upward from the rear end portion of the base plate 41. The side plate portion 42b is erected upward from one side portion of the base plate 41.

[0032] One side portion of a frame-shaped portion 44 is fixed to the side plate portion 42b, for example, by screwing. Thereby, the frame-shaped portion 44 is supported by the intermediate support plate 42 in an inclined posture with respect to the gravitational direction.

[0033] A circuit unit 43 may be supported by the intermediate support plate 42. The circuit unit 43 is, for example, a unit in which various electrical components are mounted on a circuit board. Such a circuit unit may be, for example, a control unit that executes various controls of the reading device 20, or a power supply circuit that supplies power to each part of the reading device 20. The circuit unit 43 may be supported by other parts other than the intermediate support plate 42, for example, the base plate 41, the housing 30, or the frame-shaped portion 44.

[0034] The frame-shaped portion 44 includes a pair of longitudinal side plates 45, a pair of transverse side plates 46, and a bottom plate 47. The bottom plate 47 is in the shape of a rectangular plate that is long in one direction. Each of the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate corresponding to the length of the long side of the bottom plate 47. The pair of longitudinal side plates 45 are supported in an upright state on the pair of long sides of the bottom plate 47. Each of the transverse side plates 46 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate corresponding to the length of the short side of the bottom plate 47. The pair of transverse side plates 46 are supported in an upright state on the pair of short sides of the bottom plate 47. As a result, the frame-shaped portion 44 is configured such that the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 and the pair of transverse side plates 46 are connected in a square frame shape. Since the bottom plate 47 is provided at the bottom of the frame-shaped portion, the frame-shaped portion 44 has the bottom plate 47 as the bottom, and forms a box shape that encloses one main surface side of the bottom with the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 and the pair of transverse side plates 46. Hereinafter, the upper one of the pair of transverse side plates 46 may be distinguished as the transverse side plate 46U, and the lower one may be distinguished as the transverse side plate 46L. The frame-shaped portion 44 is open on the side opposite to the bottom plate 47. The fixing of the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 and the pair of transverse side plates 46 to the bottom plate 47 is performed, for example, by screwing or welding.

[0035] As described above, the frame-shaped portion 44 is supported in an inclined posture by the intermediate support plate 42. The frame-shaped portion 44 faces the same side as the opening 31 and is open obliquely upward.

[0036] The pair of longitudinal side plates 45 also extend in an inclined posture with respect to the direction of gravity. Therefore, the edges of the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 on the side opposite to the bottom plate 47 also extend in an inclined posture with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0037] An excitation light source 92 and a photodetector 94 are attached to a portion of the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 opposite to the bottom plate 47. The excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 are located between the pair of short side plates 46 and closer to the lower short side plate 46L. The excitation light source 92 irradiates excitation light toward the frame portion 44, and the photodetector 94 detects light from the frame portion 44 side. The excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 are attached to the frame portion 44, for example, by screwing. For example, the reading unit 90 is configured to accommodate the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 in a case 91. The reading unit 90 is fixed to the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 so as to span the pair of longitudinal side plates 45.

[0038] The stage 60 is movably supported inside the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 between the pair of longitudinal side plates 45. In the following description, for convenience, the relative movement direction of the stage 60 with respect to the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 may be referred to as the main scanning direction A1. When the IP10 held by the stage 60 passes inside the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94, the excitation light from the excitation light source 92 irradiates the IP10, and the light emitted from the IP10 by the excitation light is detected by the photodetector 94.

[0039] The frame portion 44 supports the operating plate 80. The operating plate 80 is supported at a portion of the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 closer to the lower short side plate 46L and extends obliquely downward from the lower short side plate 46L. The operating plate 80 may be an operating member that is not plate-shaped.

[0040] A setting guide 96 is attached to the operating plate 80. The setting guide 96 is attached to the operating plate 80, for example, by screwing.

[0041] A space in which the stage 60 can be arranged is formed between the operating plate 80 and the setting guide 96. The stage 60 extends obliquely downward from the lower short side plate 46L in the main scanning direction A1 and can be arranged at a position overlapping the operating plate 80.

[0042] The stage 60 is disposed between the actuating plate 80 and the setting guide 96 in a state of extending obliquely downward from the frame-shaped portion 44. The stage 60 can be located at the setting position P1 and the discharging position P3 in a state of extending obliquely downward from the frame-shaped portion 44. The setting position P1 is a position where the IP10 is set with respect to the stage 60, and the discharging position P3 is a position where the IP10 is discharged. The discharging position P3 is a position obliquely downward from the setting position P1.

[0043] The setting guide 96 has a plate guide surface 97g. The plate guide surface 97g is a surface that guides the IP10 from the insertion port 97h toward the stage 60 located at the setting position P1. When the user of the present reading device 20 inserts the IP10 into the insertion port 97h, the IP10 is guided so as to slide down along the plate guide surface 97g. Thereby, the IP10 is set on the stage 60 at the setting position P1.

[0044] The recovery tray 49 is located on the obliquely downward extension of the actuating plate 80. In a state where the stage 60 is located at the discharging position P3, the IP10 discharged from the stage 60 falls into the recovery tray 49 and is recovered.

[0045] The excitation light source 92 irradiates the IP10 with excitation light. The excitation light is light for exciting the radiation image forming layer 11, and is, for example, laser light having a specific wavelength for exciting the radiation image forming layer 11.

[0046] The excitation light source 92 may be configured to include a laser light source that emits laser light as excitation light and a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirror. For example, the laser light source may be reflected by the MEMS mirror so that the irradiation target of the laser light from the laser light source moves along the sub-scanning direction A2 that intersects (is orthogonal to) the main scanning direction A1 with respect to the surface 10a of the radiation image forming layer 11. Note that as the mirror configuration, instead of the MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirror, a galvanometer mirror, a polygon mirror, or the like can also be used. Depending on the mirror configuration, a lens system configuration may be separately required, but it can be used in this reading device with an appropriate combination.

[0047] The photodetector 94 is a sensor that detects light emitted from the IP10 by the excitation light and outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity thereof. Based on the signal from this photodetector 94, image data of the radiation image is generated.

[0048] The photodetector 94 may be configured such that the elements for detecting light are arranged in a row. For example, the photodetector 94 may be arranged in a posture where the arrangement direction of the elements is parallel to the sub-scanning direction A2. The elements for detecting light may be a silicon photomultiplier tube, a photomultiplier tube, a photodiode, or the like.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 are integrated as a reading unit 90. For example, the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 are integrated while being housed in the module case 91. In the module case 91, an elongated reading slit is formed along the sub-scanning direction A2 in a portion facing the support member 40 side from the photodetector 94. The excitation light is irradiated toward the IP10 through the reading slit. The light emitted from the IP10 is detected by the photodetector 94 through the reading slit.

[0050] During the movement of the stage 60 along the main scanning direction A1, the laser beam from the excitation light source 92 is incident on the surface of the radiation image forming layer 11 of the IP10 held by the stage 60, and the irradiation position moves along the sub-scanning direction A2. As a result, the surface 10a of the radiation image forming layer 11 sequentially generates emission light along a line along the sub-scanning direction A2.

[0051] The photodetector 94 is provided at a position where it can detect the emission light of the radiation image forming layer 11 generated by the laser beam from the excitation light source 92. For example, the excitation light source 92 is arranged to irradiate the IP10 with the laser beam from an oblique direction, and the photodetector 94 is arranged in front of the position where the IP10 is irradiated with the laser beam. Then, when the surface 10a of the radiation image forming layer 11 sequentially generates emission light along a line along the sub-scanning direction A2, the emission light is detected by the photodetector 94.

[0052] During the movement of the stage 60, by repeatedly performing the scanning of the excitation light source 92 in the sub-scanning direction A2 and the scanning by the photodetector 94, a radiation image of a wide surface of the IP10, for example, the entire surface of the IP10, is read by the photodetector 94.

[0053] Note that it is not essential to perform the reading during the movement of the stage 60. For example, the stage 60 may be stopped, and the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 may move. Also, a configuration in which both the stage 60 and the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 move may be adopted.

[0054] <Regarding the stage and the configuration for its movement> The stage 60 moves along the main scanning direction A1 while holding the IP10. A configuration for movably supporting the stage 60 will be described.

[0055] The stage 60 can move along the main scanning direction A1 between the edges of the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 on the side opposite to the bottom plate 47. Further, the protruding dimension of the lower short-side side plate 46L with respect to the bottom plate 47 is smaller than the protruding dimension of the longitudinal side plate 45 with respect to the bottom plate 47. For this reason, the stage 60 can move obliquely downward from between the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 across the lower short-side side plate 46L along the main scanning direction A1. That is, the stage 60 can reciprocate between a position between the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 and a position protruding below the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 along the main scanning direction A1 (see FIG. 3).

[0056] The stage 60 is configured to be movable by a stage body moving mechanism 50. The stage body moving mechanism 50 includes a moving drive unit 52 and a pair of guide rods 56.

[0057] The moving drive unit 52 is a part that applies a driving force along the main scanning direction A1 to the stage 60. In the present embodiment, the moving drive unit 52 includes a motor 53 and a screw shaft portion 54. The screw shaft portion 54 is a rod-shaped member having a screw groove formed around it. In FIG. 3, a screw groove is shown in a part of the screw shaft portion 54. The screw shaft portion 54 is rotatably supported by the pair of short-side side plates 46 so as to span between the pair of short-side side plates 46. The motor 53 is fixedly secured to the frame-shaped portion 44 so as not to rotate. For example, the motor 53 is fixedly secured so as not to rotate outside the lower short-side side plate 46L. The shaft of the motor 53 is fixedly secured to the screw shaft portion 54 so as not to rotate relative to each other, and the screw shaft portion 54 is rotationally driven in the forward rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction according to the forward rotation or reverse rotation of the motor 53. The rotational movement of the shaft of the motor 53 may be transmitted to the screw shaft portion 54 via a transmission device such as a gear or a pulley.

[0058] The stage 60 has a through hole 62h1 having a screw groove (see FIG. 2). The screw shaft portion 54 is screwed into the through hole 62h1. By the rotation of the screw shaft portion 54, the stage 60 into which the screw shaft portion 54 is screwed is driven to move along the main scanning direction A1.

[0059] The guide rod 56 is an elongated rod-shaped member and is fixed to the pair of short-side side plates 46 so as to span between the pair of short-side side plates 46. The guide rod 56 is inserted into a guide hole 62h2 or a guide groove formed in the stage 60 (see FIG. 2). Thereby, the guide rod 56 can serve to suppress the rotation of the stage 60 around the screw shaft portion 54. Here, a plurality (two in this embodiment) of guide rods 56 are provided, but one may also be sufficient.

[0060] The moving direction by the moving drive unit 52 is not limited to the above example, and may be a horizontal direction or a gravitational direction. The moving drive unit 52 may be an actuator that moves the stage 60, and in addition to the above configuration, it may be a linear motor or the like, or a mechanism that moves by a belt. Instead of moving the stage, the reading unit 90 may be moved to read the IP on the stage. If the reading unit is a sensor that can read the planar information of the IP, it is also assumed that neither the stage nor the reading unit moves.

[0061] The stage 60 is reciprocally moved between the set position P1 and the reading position P2 by the stage body moving mechanism 50.

[0062] At the set position P1, the portion near the upper end of the stage 60 is disposed on the short-side side plate 46L, and the longitudinal intermediate portion and the lower end portion of the stage 60 extend downward from the lower short-side side plate 46L.

[0063] The stage 60 has a support surface 64F facing the side opposite to the bottom plate 47. The support surface 64F is inclined with respect to the gravitational direction. Here, the support surface 64F is inclined along the same inclination direction as the extending direction of the longitudinal side plate 45. That is, the support surface 64F is inclined so as to face obliquely upward.

[0064] The stage 60 located at the set position P1 can receive the IP10 guided by the setting guide 96. It is not essential that the set position P1 is set at the above position. For example, depending on the positional relationship with the setting guide 96, it may be set between a pair of longitudinal side plates 45.

[0065] The reading position P2 is the position where the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 read the radiation image, that is, the position where the photodetector 94 reads the radiation image of the IP10 according to the excitation light from the excitation light source 92. In the present embodiment, the reading position P2 is set at a position between a pair of longitudinal side plates 45. More specifically, the reading position P2 is set at a position between a pair of longitudinal side plates 45 and is set at a position that slopes downward.

[0066] That is, the reading unit 90 including the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 is fixed between the outer edge portions of a pair of longitudinal side plates 45. The reading unit 90 is located between a pair of longitudinal side plates 45 and is closer to the set position P1. When the IP10 on the stage 60 passes through the position facing the reading slit of the reading unit 90, the radiation image of the IP10 is read. The reading position P2 may be understood as the position where the IP10 on the stage 60 reaches the reading slit and the reading starts.

[0067] Different from the above example, it is also assumed that the reading unit moves along the main scanning direction A1 to read the radiation image for the IP stationary at a fixed position, or the radiation image is read by a three-dimensional sensor for the IP stationary at a fixed position. In this case, the position holding the IP stationary at a fixed position is the reading position P2.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the stage 60 also moves to the discharge position P3 by the stage body moving mechanism 50. The discharge position P3 is set at a position farther from the reading position P2 than the set position P1. Not limited to this example, at a position different from the discharge position P3, for example, the IP10 of the stage 60 at the set position P1 may be discharged by a separate mechanism.

[0069] As already described, the collection tray 49 is provided below the discharge position P3. The discharge port 49th of the collection tray 49 opens on the lower extension of the stage 60. The IP10 slides down on the stage 60 at the discharge position P3, passes through the discharge port 49th of the collection tray 49, and is discharged into the collection tray 49.

[0070] In this embodiment, the stage 60 is also moved to the back position P4 by the stage body moving mechanism 50 (see FIG. 3). The back position P4 is a position on the opposite side of the set position P1 with respect to the reading position P2. That is, the stage 60 can move from the set position P1 through the reading position P2 to the back position P4. At the back position P4, the IP10 on the stage 60 may be in an exposed state without being covered by the reading unit 90, or may be covered by other members, as long as the IP10 is not accidentally exposed.

[0071] The operation control of the stage body moving mechanism 50 is performed by the control unit 43P (see FIG. 1). The control unit 43P is constituted by, for example, a computer including at least one processor and a storage unit. The processor is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like and is constituted by an electric circuit. By the processor executing the reading program, various functions for reading are realized. By this control unit 43P, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the motor 53 are controlled, so that the movement of the stage 60 along the main scanning direction A1 is controlled. It is assumed that such a control unit 43P is a circuit realized by the circuit unit 43.

[0072] The control unit 43P may control the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 of the reading unit 90. By the control unit 43P, various signal processes, image processes, display processes for the display device, etc. for generating a radiation image based on the signal detected by the photodetector 94 may be performed.

[0073] <Regarding the stage> The overall configuration of the stage 60 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view partially disassembling the stage 60 located at the lower end of the frame portion 44. FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the stage 60, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are exploded perspective views showing the stage 60. The movable support 62 is omitted in FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the positioning portion of the stage 60.

[0074] The stage 60 includes a stage body 61 and a positioning mechanism 70.

[0075] The stage body 61 has a support surface 64F that can be in surface contact with the back surface 10b of the IP10. In this embodiment, the stage body 61 includes a movable support 62 and a plate-like portion 64.

[0076] The movable support 62 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A through hole 62h1 is formed in the movable support 62 (see FIG. 2). As already described, a screw shaft portion 54 that can be rotationally driven in both forward and reverse directions by the motor 53 is screwed into the through hole 62h1. When the screw shaft portion 54 rotates in the forward rotation direction, the stage 60 moves to one side along the screw shaft portion 54, and when the screw shaft portion 54 rotates in the reverse rotation direction, the stage 60 can move to the other side along the screw shaft portion 54. Such a structure may be, for example, a structure called a ball screw.

[0077] A guide hole 62h2 parallel to the through hole 62h1 is formed in the movable support 62. For this reason, the movable support 62 is guided by a guide rod 56 inserted into the guide hole 62h2, and is driven to move in both directions along the main scanning direction A1 in response to the rotation of the screw shaft portion 54 screwed into the through hole 62h1 in the forward rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction.

[0078] The plate-like portion 64 has a shape that spreads in a plate-like manner larger than the IP10, and here, it is formed in a square plate shape. It is not essential that the plate-like portion 64 is formed in a square plate shape, and it may be formed in other shapes such as an elliptical shape.

[0079] A support surface 64F is provided on one surface of the plate-like portion 64. The support surface 64F may extend wider than the IP10. When multiple sizes are assumed for the IP10, the support surface 64F may extend wider than the largest IP10.

[0080] More specifically, the plate-like portion 64 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long along one direction (here, the main scanning direction A1). Of the other surface of the plate-like portion 64 (the surface opposite to the support surface 64F), one portion in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like portion 64 is fixed to the movable support 62. The fixing is performed, for example, by screwing. The plate-like portion 64 is supported in a cantilever manner by the movable support 62 so as to extend from the movable support 62 toward the set position P1 along the main scanning direction A1. A part of the lower portion of one surface of the plate-like portion 64 is recessed more than the other parts. The bottom surface of this recessed portion is the support surface 64F that can be in surface contact with the back surface 10b of the IP10.

[0081] In a state where the stage 60 is supported by the support member 40, the plate-like portion 64 and the support surface 64F are inclined with respect to the gravitational direction (downward direction), and the support surface 64F faces obliquely upward. In this embodiment, the inclination angles of the plate-like portion 64 and the support surface 64F are the same as the inclination angle in the extending direction of the longitudinal side plate 45. The plate-like portion 64 and the support surface 64F move along the main scanning direction A1 while being guided by the guide rod 56 while maintaining a certain inclination angle. When the movable support 62 moves closer to the lower short-side side plate 46L, the portion of the plate-like portion 64 extending from the movable support 62 passes over the lower short-side side plate 46L and extends obliquely downward. In this state, since the support surface 64F is inclined so as to face obliquely upward, the IP10 supplied onto the IP10 through the setting guide 96 can be received on the support surface 64F.

[0082] The support surface 64F may not be inclined with respect to the gravitational direction. For example, the support surface 64F may be along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the gravitational direction, or may be along the gravitational direction.

[0083] The positioning mechanism 70 is a mechanism for positioning the IP10 in a normal posture on the support surface 64F. The normal posture is the position and inclination state of the IP10 preset with reference to the stage 60, and is a predetermined position and inclination suitable for reading by the reading unit 90.

[0084] Here, for convenience of explanation, the left and right clamping directions and the up and down clamping directions will be described. The left and right clamping direction is the direction along the support surface 64F. The up and down clamping direction is the direction along the support surface 64F and is a direction perpendicular to the left and right clamping direction. That is, the left and right clamping direction and the up and down clamping direction are perpendicular to each other on a plane horizontal to the support surface 64F. In the present embodiment, the left and right clamping direction is the direction along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the gravity direction. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the left and right clamping direction coincides with the sub-scanning direction A2. Hereinafter, it may be described as the left and right clamping direction A2. Note that the left and right clamping direction A2 may be a direction intersecting the horizontal direction. Also, in the present embodiment, the up and down clamping direction is a direction along the support surface 64F and perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction A2. For this reason, the up and down clamping direction coincides with the main scanning direction A1. Hereinafter, it may be expressed as the up and down clamping direction A1. Note that the up and down clamping direction may be a direction different from the main scanning direction A1. That is, the left and right clamping direction and the up and down clamping direction only need to be directions along the support surface 64F and intersecting each other, and may be referred to as the first direction and the second direction, respectively.

[0085] The positioning mechanism 70 contacts the edge portion of the IP10 supported on the support surface 64F and positions the edge portion from the outside in the extending direction of the support surface 64F.

[0086] In the present embodiment, the positioning mechanism 70 includes a left positioning portion 72A, a right positioning portion 72B, a lower positioning portion 72C, and an upper positioning portion 72D. The left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B position the IP10 in the horizontal direction in the left and right clamping direction A2. The lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D position the IP10 in the up and down direction in the up and down clamping direction A1.

[0087] The IP10 moves to the reading position P2 while being held in the normal posture by the positioning mechanism 70. At the reading position P2, the radiation image of the IP10 held in the normal posture on the stage 60 is read by the reading unit 90.

[0088] In the present embodiment, the stage 60 supports the IP10 in a posture in which the longitudinal direction of the IP10 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. Specifically, the longitudinal direction of the plate-like portion 64 and the support surface 64F on one surface side of the plate-like portion 64 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the short-side direction is along the horizontal direction. Therefore, when the IP10 is supported on the stage 60 in a posture in which the longitudinal direction of the IP10 is along the longitudinal directions of the plate-like portion 64 and the support surface 64F, the longitudinal direction of the IP10 is in a posture inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0089] In the present embodiment, the minimum distance between the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B in the left-right clamping direction A2 (horizontal direction) is smaller than the minimum distance between the lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D in the up-down clamping direction A1. Also, in the present embodiment, the maximum distance between the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B in the left-right clamping direction A2 (horizontal direction) is smaller than the maximum distance between the lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D in the up-down clamping direction A1. For this reason, the stage 60 has a configuration suitable for supporting the IP10 in a posture in which the longitudinal direction of the IP10 is along the longitudinal directions of the plate-like portion 64 and the support surface 64F.

[0090] Regardless of the present embodiment, the stage may support the IP in a posture in which the short-side direction of the IP is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. For example, the longitudinal direction of the plate-like portion and the support surface of the stage may be along the horizontal direction, and the short-side direction may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0091] <Regarding the positioning mechanism> The positioning mechanism 70 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the positioning mechanism 70 includes a left positioning portion 72A and a right positioning portion 72B. The left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B are arranged at intervals along the left-right clamping direction A2. At least one of the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B moves along the left-right clamping direction A2. Thereby, the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B come into contact with the left and right edge portions of the IP10 so as to clamp the IP10 supported on the support surface 64F along the left-right clamping direction A2. Thereby, the IP10 is positioned at a fixed position in the left-right clamping direction A2.

[0092] Note that the letters indicating the left-right and up-down positional relationships attached to the heads of the respective positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D are attached according to an example of the positional relationship in the present embodiment, and do not limit the left-right and up-down positional relationships of the respective positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D.

[0093] In the present embodiment, the left positioning portion 72A is fixed at a fixed position on the stage body 61. The right positioning portion 72B moves closer to and away from the positioning portion 72A along the left-right clamping direction A2 on the stage body 61.

[0094] Also, as described above, the positioning mechanism 70 includes a lower positioning portion 72C and an upper positioning portion 72D. The lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D are arranged at intervals along the up-down clamping direction A1. At least one of the lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D moves along the up-down clamping direction A1. Thereby, the lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D come into contact with the upper and lower edge portions of the IP10 so as to clamp the IP10 supported on the support surface 64F along the up-down clamping direction A1. Thereby, the IP10 is positioned at a fixed position in the up-down clamping direction A1.

[0095] In the present embodiment, at least at the set position P1 and the reading position P2, the lower positioning portion 72C is fixed at a fixed position on the stage main body 61. The upper positioning portion 72D moves closer to and away from the lower positioning portion 72C along the vertical clamping direction A1 on the stage main body 61.

[0096] When the IP10 is located at the set position P1, the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B are in an open state. Also, the lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D are also in an open state (see FIGS. 5 and 10). In this state, the IP10 is set on the support surface 64F of the stage 60.

[0097] When the IP10 is located at the reading position P2, the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B are in a state of approaching each other. Here, the right positioning portion 72B that moves with respect to the left positioning portion 72A at a fixed position is in a state of approaching. The edge of the IP10 on the side of the right positioning portion 72B contacts the movable right positioning portion 72B, and the IP10 is pushed toward the left positioning portion 72A side. Then, the edge of the IP10 on the left positioning portion 72A side contacts the fixed left positioning portion 72A. Thereby, the IP10 is positioned in the left - right clamping direction A2.

[0098] Also, when the IP10 is located at the reading position P2, the lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D are in a state of approaching each other. Here, the upper positioning portion 72D that moves with respect to the lower positioning portion 72C at a fixed position is in a state of approaching. The upper edge of the IP10 contacts the movable upper positioning portion 72D, and the IP10 is pushed toward the lower positioning portion 72C side. Then, the lower edge of the IP10 contacts the fixed lower positioning portion 72C. Thereby, the IP10 is positioned in the vertical clamping direction A1.

[0099] In the present embodiment, at the time of setting and reading, the positioning portions 72A and 72C are arranged at fixed positions on the support surface 64F of the stage 60. The state where the edge portion on one side of the IP10 contacts the left positioning portion 72A and the edge portion on the lower side of the IP10 contacts the lower positioning portion 72C is the normal posture.

[0100] In addition, in the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B, either one may be the movable side or the fixed side. Both the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B may move in an opening / closing manner. Also, in the lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D, either one may be the movable side or the fixed side. Both the lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D may move in an opening / closing manner.

[0101] Moreover, it is not essential for the positioning mechanism 70 to include all of the four positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D. For example, the upper positioning portion 72D may be omitted.

[0102] However, in order for the positioning mechanism 70 to position the IP10 at a predetermined position on the support surface 64F, it is preferable that the positioning mechanism 70 includes the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D that position the IP10 from four surrounding directions.

[0103] The positioning mechanism 70 has a positioning surface 70F that contacts the edge portion of the IP10 located on the support surface 64F. Thereby, the positioning surface 70F positions the edge portion from the outside in the extending direction of the support surface 64F and presses the edge portion against the support surface 64F.

[0104] In the present embodiment, an example in which each of the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D has the above-described positioning surface 70F is described. It is not necessary for all of the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D to have the positioning surface 70F in the above sense. For example, some of the plurality of positioning portions may be surfaces that do not have the function of pressing the edge portion of the IP against the support surface, for example, surfaces orthogonal to the support surface.

[0105] The positioning surface 70F has a distal edge 70Fe that is located in front of the support surface 64F and on the side far from the support surface 64F among the positioning surface 70F (see FIG. 9).

[0106] When the positioning reference portion 70Fs is defined as the intersection portion located on the support surface 64F or the portion located on the extension of the support surface 64F within the positioning surface 70F, the distal edge 70Fe may be located closer to the center of the support surface 64F than the positioning reference portion 70Fs. Thereby, the portion of the positioning surface 70F that protrudes inward from the positioning reference portion 70Fs can press the edge portion of the IP10 toward the support surface 64F.

[0107] The positioning mechanism 70 is configured to be able to change its state between a first state and a second state. The first state is a state in which the distal edge 70Fe is disposed at a first distance L1 from the support surface 64F. The second state is a state in which the distal edge 70Fe is disposed at a second distance L2 smaller than the first distance L1 from the support surface 64F.

[0108] In the first state, the distal edge 70Fe is located at a first distance L1 greater than the second distance L2 from the support surface 64F. Therefore, even if the edge portion of the IP10 floats significantly from the support surface 64F, it is easy to dispose the distal edge 70Fe on the opposite side of the support surface 64F with respect to the edge portion of the IP10.

[0109] In the second state, the distal edge 70Fe is located at a second distance L2 smaller than the first distance L1 from the support surface 64F. Therefore, it is easy to press the edge portion of the IP10 toward the support surface 64F at a portion of the positioning surface 70F inside the distal edge 70Fe.

[0110] From this point of view, in the first state, the positioning operation of the edge portion of the IP10 may be performed using the positioning surface 70F. Also, in the second state, a radiation image may be read from the IP10 by the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94.

[0111] The positioning surface 70F only needs to be in contact with the edge portion of the IP10 as a whole, be able to position the edge portion from the outside thereof, and press the edge portion against the support surface, and its shape is not particularly limited.

[0112] For example, assume that the positioning surface 70F has a main positioning surface 70Fa and a main pressing surface 70Fb (see Fig. 9).

[0113] The main positioning surface 70Fa is a surface along a direction perpendicular to the support surface 64F. Here, perpendicular includes perpendicular within an error range, for example, perpendicular within the range of 90° ± 5°, preferably within the range of 90° ± 3°.

[0114] The main pressing surface 70Fb is a surface that protrudes inward from the support surface 64F from the edge on the front side of the support surface 64F among the main positioning surfaces 70Fa. The main pressing surface 70Fb is continuously connected to the main positioning surface 70Fa. The main pressing surface 70Fb protrudes from the main positioning surface 70Fa so as to face the support surface 64F.

[0115] The direction in which the main pressing surface 70Fb extends with respect to the main positioning surface 70Fa is arbitrary. The angle of the direction in which the main pressing surface 70Fb extends with respect to the main positioning surface 70Fa may be 90°, may exceed 90°, or may be less than 90°.

[0116] The main pressing surface 70Fb may be a curved surface, may be a flat surface, or may be formed in a stepped shape by a plurality of continuously formed steps.

[0117] Also, the boundary between the main positioning surface 70Fa and the main pressing surface 70Fb does not need to be constituted by a valley line where a plane intersects a plane. For example, it may be constituted by a boundary where a plane intersects a curved surface.

[0118] Also, the main pressing surface 70Fb may be a curved surface, may be a flat surface, or may be constituted by a plurality of continuously formed steps.

[0119] In the example of this embodiment, the main pressing surface 70Fb is an inclined surface that faces away from the support surface 64F as it extends from the front edge of the support surface 64F on the front side of the main positioning surface 70Fa toward the inside of the support surface 64F. That is, the distance between the main pressing surface 70Fb and the support surface 64F increases as it extends from the front edge of the support surface 64F on the front side of the main positioning surface 70Fa toward the inside of the support surface 64F. Further, the main pressing surface 70Fb is a concave curved surface.

[0120] Among the main pressing surface 70Fb, the edge that is farthest from the main positioning surface 70Fa is the distal edge 70Fe.

[0121] Note that the positioning surface 70F is not limited to the above example. The positioning surface 70F only needs to be in contact with the edge portion of the IP10 as a whole, position the edge portion from the outside thereof, and be able to press the edge portion against the support surface. For example, the positioning surface may be entirely composed of a surface inclined with respect to the support surface, or may be entirely composed of a curved surface.

[0122] In this embodiment, an example in which the main positioning surface 70Fa and the main pressing surface 70Fb are integrally formed is described. However, the main positioning surface and the main pressing surface may be separate bodies. In this case, while keeping the protruding length of the main positioning surface with respect to the support surface constant, the main pressing surface may be moved closer to and away from the support surface, and the position of the distal edge with respect to the support surface may be made variable.

[0123] <Regarding the positioning mechanism in the left - right clamping direction> As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the left positioning portion 72A is an elongated portion that extends along one side portion in the horizontal direction of the plate - like portion 64.

[0124] The left positioning portion 72A includes a positioning main body portion 73A and a height - direction driven member 75A.

[0125] The positioning main body portion 73A includes an elongated main body 73Aa, a pair of leg portions 73Ab, and an intermediate extension piece 73Ac.

[0126] The main body 73Aa has a long and flat shape along the vertical clamping direction A1 and is arranged on one side portion of the plate-like portion 64.

[0127] A pair of legs 73Ab project from both ends of the main body 73Aa toward the plate-like portion 64 side. The pair of legs 73Ab are arranged in guide recesses 64Ah1 formed in one side portion of the plate-like portion 64.

[0128] The intermediate extension piece 73Ac is a plate-like portion that protrudes from the edge on the right positioning portion 72B side at the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the main body 73Aa toward the plate-like portion 64 side. The intermediate extension piece 73Ac is arranged in an elongated through-hole 64Ah2 formed in one side portion of the plate-like portion 64.

[0129] Then, with the pair of legs 73Ab arranged in the corresponding pair of guide recesses 64Ah1 and the intermediate extension piece 73Ac arranged in the through-hole 64Ah2, the left positioning portion 72A is assembled to the plate-like portion 64.

[0130] In this state, the left positioning portion 72A protrudes from the support surface 64F. With the pair of legs 73Ab guided by the corresponding pair of guide recesses 64Ah1, the left positioning portion 72A can be repositioned so as to change the height with respect to the support surface 64F, that is, the protruding length.

[0131] The positions of the surfaces on the right positioning portion 72B side among the pair of legs 73Ab and the intermediate extension piece 73Ac are aligned in the left-right clamping direction A2. Also, the edge on the right positioning portion 72B side of the main body 73Aa protrudes further to the right positioning portion 72B side than the pair of legs 73Ab and the intermediate extension piece 73Ac.

[0132] The positioning surface 70F of the left positioning portion 72A is formed by the surface on the right positioning portion 72B side among the pair of legs 73Ab and the intermediate extension piece 73Ac and the edge on the right positioning portion 72B side of the main body 73Aa.

[0133] A coil spring Sp as a biasing member is interposed between a plate-like portion 64 and a left positioning portion 72A. One end of the coil spring Sp is fixed to the left positioning portion 72A, and the other end of the coil spring Sp is fixed to the plate-like portion 64. For example, each end of the coil spring Sp penetrates the left positioning portion 72A or the plate-like portion 64 and is fixed by a pin P or the like so as not to be pulled out from the left positioning portion 72A or the plate-like portion 64. By the coil spring Sp, the left positioning portion 72A is biased toward the plate-like portion 64, that is, in a direction of reducing the height.

[0134] The height-direction follower member 75A includes a rod-shaped portion 75Aa and a follower portion 75Ab.

[0135] The rod-shaped portion 75Aa penetrates the plate-like portion 64 and is connected to the main body 73Aa. For example, the rod-shaped portion 75Aa is connected to the main body 73Aa at a position between a pair of leg portions 73Ab. The connection is made, for example, by fastening and fixing a fastener S penetrating the main body 73Aa to an end portion of the rod-shaped portion 75Aa. The fastener S may be, for example, a screw or a rivet.

[0136] An end portion of the rod-shaped portion 75Aa protruding to the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64 is formed thicker than an intermediate portion of the rod-shaped portion 75Aa. Thereby, the rod-shaped portion 75Aa is suppressed from being pulled out to the support surface 64F side. As described above, the fastener S penetrates the main body 73Aa, and the head of the fastener S is hooked on the main body 73Aa. Thereby, the left positioning portion 72A can be prevented from coming off. For example, a space is provided between the head of the fastener S and the end portion of the rod-shaped portion 75Aa protruding to the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64, which allows the left positioning portion 72A to move in the height direction with respect to the plate-like portion 64 but suppresses the pair of leg portions 73Ab from coming out of the guide recess 64Ah1.

[0137] The follower portion 75Ab is rotatably supported on an end portion of the rod-shaped portion 75Aa protruding to the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64. The follower portion 75Ab is, for example, a sphere or a roller.

[0138] The height-direction follower member 75A protrudes from the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64. In conjunction with the change in the height dimension of the left positioning portion 72A with respect to the plate-like portion 64, the protruding length of the height-direction follower member 75A from the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64 changes.

[0139] This left positioning portion 72A is supported at a fixed position in the direction along the support surface 64F. In the direction orthogonal to the support surface 64F, the left positioning portion 72A is constantly biased in the direction of reducing the height dimension with respect to the support surface 64F by the coil spring Sp. And by moving the height-direction follower member 75A protruding from the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64 in the retracting direction, against the biasing force of the coil spring Sp, the left positioning portion 72A can move in the direction of increasing the height dimension with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0140] The right positioning portion 72B is provided opposite to the left positioning portion 72A with a space therebetween. Here, the right positioning portion 72B is provided with a space along the left-right clamping direction A2 with respect to the left positioning portion 72A.

[0141] The above left positioning portion 72A was arranged at a fixed position in the direction along the support surface 64F, but this right positioning portion 72B is supported movably along the left-right clamping direction A2 along the support surface 64F with respect to the stage body 61.

[0142] More specifically, a slit 65Ba along the left-right clamping direction A2 is formed in the portion of the plate-like portion 64 opposite to the left positioning portion 72A. The slit 65Ba opens outward along the left-right clamping direction A2. Long guide protrusions 65Bb extending along the left-right clamping direction A2 protrude from both side surfaces of the slit 65Ba.

[0143] The positioning mechanism 70 includes a variable clamping base 76B that is movably supported along the left-right clamping direction A2 along the support surface 64F with respect to the stage body 61. The variable clamping base 76B is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. Guide recesses 76Ba into which the guide protrusions 65Bb are movably fitted are formed on both side portions of the variable clamping base 76B.

[0144] By fitting the pair of guide protrusions 65Bb of the slit 65Ba into the pair of guide recesses 76a of the variable clamping base 76B, the variable clamping base 76B is movably supported along the left-right clamping direction A2.

[0145] A coil spring Sp is interposed between the portion of the plate-like portion 64 on the back side of the slit 65Ba and the variable clamping base 76B. One end of the coil spring Sp is connected to the portion of the plate-like portion 64 on the back side of the slit 65Ba, and the other end is connected to the variable clamping base 76B. By the coil spring Sp, the variable clamping base 76B is constantly biased toward the back side of the slit 65Ba.

[0146] A width-direction driven member 77B protrudes from the variable clamping base 76B so as to protrude to the back side of the plate-like portion 64. The width-direction driven member 77B includes a driven portion 77Bb. The driven portion 77Bb is, for example, a roller. The driven portion 77Bb is rotatably supported around an axis orthogonal to the support surface 64F. The driven portion 77Bb is disposed at a position protruding from the back surface of the plate-like portion 64.

[0147] The variable clamping base 76B is constantly biased toward the back side of the slit 65Ba by the coil spring Sp. By moving the driven portion 77Bb to the opening side of the slit 65Ba, the variable clamping base 76B can be moved to the right outer side along the left-right clamping direction A2.

[0148] The right positioning portion 72B is variably supported with respect to the variable clamping base 76B at a height with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0149] More specifically, the right positioning portion 72B includes a positioning main body portion 73B and a height-direction follower member 75B.

[0150] The positioning main body portion 73B has a left-right mirror-symmetric structure with respect to the above-described positioning main body portion 73A, and includes a main body 73Ba corresponding to the main body 73Aa, a pair of leg portions 73Bb corresponding to the pair of leg portions 73Ab, and an intermediate extension piece 73Bc corresponding to the intermediate extension piece 73Ac. A positioning surface 70F is formed on the left side portion of the positioning main body portion 73B.

[0151] Similar to the left positioning portion 72A, the right positioning portion 72B is biased in the direction of reducing the height by a coil spring Sp. The height-direction follower member 75B is connected to the right positioning portion 72B in the same manner as the above-described height-direction follower member 75B and moves in the height direction together with the right positioning portion 72B.

[0152] A pair of guide recesses 64Bh are formed on the other side portion of the plate-like portion 64. In order to allow the movement of the right positioning portion 72B in the left-right clamping direction A2, the guide recesses 64Bh are formed as recesses that are longer in the left-right direction than the guide recesses 64Ah1.

[0153] Then, with the pair of leg portions 73Bb disposed in the corresponding pair of guide recesses 64Bh and the intermediate extension piece 73Ac disposed in the slit 65Ba, the right positioning portion 72B is attached to the clamping variable base 76B disposed in the slit 65Ba.

[0154] In this state, the right positioning portion 72B protrudes from the support surface 64F. In a state where the pair of leg portions 73Bb are guided by the corresponding pair of guide recesses 64Bh, the right positioning portion 72B can be repositioned so as to change the height with respect to the support surface 64F, that is, the protruding length.

[0155] A coil spring Sp serving as a biasing member is interposed between a variable clamping base 76B and a right positioning portion 72B. One end of the coil spring Sp is fixed to the right positioning portion 72B, and the other end of the coil spring Sp is fixed to the variable clamping base 76B. For example, each end portion of the coil spring Sp is fixed to prevent removal from the right positioning portion 72B or the coil spring Sp by a pin P or the like in the same manner as described above. By the coil spring Sp, the right positioning portion 72B is biased toward the plate-shaped portion 64, that is, in the direction of reducing the height.

[0156] The height-direction driven member 75B includes a rod-shaped portion 75Ba corresponding to the rod-shaped portion 75Aa and a driven portion 75Bb corresponding to the driven portion 75Ab, similar to the height-direction driven member 75A.

[0157] The rod-shaped portion 75Ba penetrates the variable clamping base 76B and is connected to the main body 73Ba. The connection is made by a fastener S, for example.

[0158] An end portion of the rod-shaped portion 75Ba that protrudes to the back surface side of the variable clamping base 76B is formed thicker than the middle portion of the rod-shaped portion 75Ba. Similar to the support structure of the left positioning portion 72A with respect to the plate-shaped portion 64, the height-direction movement of the right positioning portion 72B with respect to the variable clamping base 76B is allowed by the head of the fastener S and the end portion of the rod-shaped portion 75Ba that protrudes to the back surface side of the variable clamping base 76B, and the pair of leg portions 73Bb is suppressed from disengaging from the guide recess 64Bh.

[0159] The height-direction driven member 75B protrudes to the back surface side of the variable clamping base 76B. In conjunction with the change in the height dimension of the right positioning portion 72B with respect to the variable clamping base 76B, the protruding length of the height-direction driven member 75B from the back surface side of the variable clamping base 76B changes.

[0160] This right positioning portion 72B is constantly biased toward the right positioning portion 72B by the coil spring Sp within the slit 65Ba in the direction along the support surface 64F. Then, by moving the width-direction driven member 77B to the right in the left-right clamping direction A2, the clamping variable base 76B and the right positioning portion 72B can be moved in a direction away from the left positioning portion 72A against the biasing force.

[0161] Also, in the direction orthogonal to the support surface 64F, the right positioning portion 72B is constantly biased in a direction to reduce the height dimension with respect to the support surface 64F by the coil spring Sp. Then, by moving the height-direction driven member 75B protruding from the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64 in the retracting direction, the right positioning portion 72B can be moved in a direction to increase the height dimension with respect to the support surface 64F against the biasing force of the coil spring Sp.

[0162] Here, since the height-direction driven member 75B penetrates the clamping variable base 76B, it can move along the left-right clamping direction A2 together with the right positioning portion 72B and the clamping variable base 76B. For this reason, no matter where the right positioning portion 72B moves, the height of the right positioning portion 72B can be changed by the displacement of the height-direction driven member 75B.

[0163] The above-mentioned left positioning portion 72A and right positioning portion 72B are examples of a height variable positioning portion whose height with respect to the support surface 64F is variable. The height variable positioning portion may be directly supported by the stage body 61 with its height variable like the left positioning portion 72A, or may be indirectly supported by the stage body 61 with its height variable like the right positioning portion 72B.

[0164] Since the above-mentioned right positioning portion 72B is supported by the clamping variable base 76B with its height with respect to the support surface 64F variable, it is an example of a two-axis direction variable positioning portion that is variable in both the left-right clamping direction A2 and the height direction.

[0165] Further, the left positioning portion 72A faces the right positioning portion 72B as a two-axis direction variable positioning portion, and is an example of a fixed-position variable positioning portion that is supported at a fixed position in the direction along the support surface 64F and has a variable height with respect to the sandwiching variable base 76B.

[0166] <Regarding the positioning mechanism in the vertical sandwiching direction> The lower positioning portion 72C is a portion on one side in the vertical sandwiching direction A1 of the plate-shaped portion 64, here, the lower side portion. The lower positioning portion 72C extends along the left-right sandwiching direction A2 along the lower boundary of the boundary surrounding the support surface 64F. The lower positioning portion 72C protrudes from the support surface 64F and projects from the support surface 64F. The surface facing the inner side (upper side) of the lower positioning portion 72C is formed on the positioning surface 70F.

[0167] In the present embodiment, the lower positioning portion 72C is an example of a discharge variable positioning portion. The lower positioning portion 72C is rotatably supported via the discharge base 76C and is supported with a variable height with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0168] More specifically, the lower positioning portion 72C includes a main body 72Ca, a regulating piece 72Cb, a support shaft portion 72Cc, and a receiving piece 72Cd.

[0169] The main body 72Ca is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The edge portion of the inner portion of the main body 72Ca that is distant from the front of the support surface 64F protrudes linearly toward the plate-shaped portion 64 side, and the remaining portion is a plane. The portion of the main body 72Ca facing the plate-shaped portion 64 is the positioning surface 70F.

[0170] The support shaft portion 72Cc partially protrudes from the main body 72Ca. An insertion hole 72Cc1 is formed in the support shaft portion 72Cc along the left-right direction. A partial recess 72Cc2 is formed in the middle portion in the width direction of the support shaft portion 72Cc.

[0171] The regulating piece 72Cb protrudes in the left-right direction at a position away from the support shaft portion 72Cc in the main body 72Ca.

[0172] The receiving piece 72Cd extends so as to protrude from the main body 72Ca to the back side of the plate-like portion 64.

[0173] A partial recess 64Cg is formed in the lower part of the plate-like portion 64. Insertion recesses 64Ch are formed in portions of the lower part of the plate-like portion 64 on both sides of the recess 64Cg.

[0174] The discharge base 76C includes a shaft 76Ca and a driven portion 76Cb.

[0175] With the lower positioning portion 72C disposed in the recess 64Cg, the shaft 76Ca passes through the insertion recess 64Ch of the plate-like portion 64 and the insertion hole 72Cc1 of the lower positioning portion 72C. In this state, both ends of the shaft 76Ca protrude from both sides of the lower part of the plate-like portion 64. Driven portions 76Cb are attached to both ends of the shaft 76Ca. Thereby, the shaft 76Ca is prevented from falling off. The central axis of the shaft 76Ca is in the direction along the support shaft portion 72Cc, and more specifically, in the direction along the left-right sandwiching direction A2.

[0176] Thereby, the lower positioning portion 72C is supported via the discharge base 76C so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the support surface 64F with respect to the stage main body 61.

[0177] The posture in which the main body 72Ca protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the support surface 64F is the positioning posture of the lower positioning portion 72C. The posture in which the main body 72Ca is tilted so as to be separated from the support surface 64F is the discharge posture of the lower positioning portion 72C. In this posture, the positioning surface 70F of the lower positioning portion 72C tilts so as to face obliquely downward. Thereby, the IP10 supported on the lower positioning portion 72C is discharged so as to slide downward by gravity.

[0178] In the recess 72Cc2, a torsion coil spring Spt as a biasing member is attached to the shaft 76Ca. One end of the torsion coil spring Spt is in contact with the back surface of the plate-shaped portion 64, and the other end is in contact with the main body 72Ca. Due to the biasing force of the torsion coil spring Sp, the lower positioning portion 72C is constantly rotationally biased toward the positioning posture. When the receiving piece 72Cd is pushed toward the inside of the plate-shaped portion 64, the lower positioning portion 72C can rotate toward the discharging posture against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring Sp.

[0179] Also, the insertion recess 64Ch at the lower part of the plate-shaped portion 64 is formed in a concave shape that is long in a direction intersecting (here, orthogonal) to the support surface 64F. Therefore, the shaft 76Ca can move in a direction intersecting the support surface 64F.

[0180] In the insertion recess 64Ch, a coil spring Sp as a biasing member is interposed between the inner surface of the insertion recess 64Ch and the shaft 76Ca. The coil spring Sp biases the shaft 76Ca toward the back surface side of the plate-shaped portion 64 with respect to the support surface 64F. Thus, the lower positioning portion 72C is constantly biased in a direction to reduce the height with respect to the support surface 64F. In this state, when the driven portion 76Cb is pushed in a direction protruding from the support surface 64F, the lower positioning portion 72C can protrude greatly from the support surface 64F against the biasing force of the coil spring Sp.

[0181] The upper positioning portion 72D is provided opposite to the lower positioning portion 72C with a space therebetween. Here, the upper positioning portion 72D is provided with a space along the vertical clamping direction A1 with respect to the lower positioning portion 72C.

[0182] The lower positioning portion 72C was arranged at a fixed position in the direction along the support surface 64F, but the upper positioning portion 72D is supported so as to be movable along the vertical clamping direction A1 along the support surface 64F with respect to the stage body 61.

[0183] More specifically, a slit 65Da along the vertical clamping direction A1 is formed in a portion of the plate-like portion 64 on the side opposite to the lower positioning portion 72C. The slit 65Da is open on the outside along the vertical clamping direction A1. Long guide convex portions 65Db extending along the vertical clamping direction A1 protrude from both side surfaces of the slit 65Da.

[0184] The positioning mechanism 70 includes a clamping variable base 76D that is movably supported along the vertical clamping direction A1 along the support surface 64F with respect to the stage body 61. The clamping variable base 76D is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a slit-like recess 76Db. Guide recesses 76Da into which the guide convex portions 65Db are movably fitted are formed in both side portions of the clamping variable base 76D.

[0185] When the pair of guide convex portions 65Db of the slit 65Da are fitted into the pair of guide recesses 76Da of the clamping variable base 76D, the clamping variable base 76D is movably supported along the vertical clamping direction A1 in the slit 65Da.

[0186] A coil spring Sp is interposed between a portion of the plate-like portion 64 on the back side of the slit 65Da and the clamping variable base 76D. One end portion of the coil spring Sp is connected to a portion of the plate-like portion 64 on the back side of the slit 65Da, and the other end portion is connected to the clamping variable base 76D. By the coil spring Sp, the clamping variable base 76D is constantly biased so as to face the back side of the slit 65Da.

[0187] In the above support state, the clamping variable base 76D protrudes to the back side of the plate-like portion 64. By pushing the protruding portion of the clamping variable base 76D along the vertical clamping direction, the clamping variable base 76B can be moved upward along the slit 65Da.

[0188] The upper positioning portion 72D has a main body 72Da and a pair of side portions 72Db.

[0189] The main body 72Da is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The surface of the main body 72Da facing the support surface 64F is the positioning surface 70F. The pair of side portions 72Db extend from the main body 72Da toward the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64. A gap is formed between the pair of side portions 72Db.

[0190] A driven portion 75D is rotatably supported between the tip portions of the pair of side portions 72Db via a shaft 75Da. The driven portion 75D is, for example, a roller. The shaft 75Da is along the left - right clamping direction A2, and the driven portion 75D is rotatably supported around an axis along the left - right clamping direction A2.

[0191] In a state where the upper positioning portion 72D is disposed in the slit - shaped recess 76Db of the clamping variable base 76D, the convex portions 72Dap on the outer surfaces of the pair of side portions 72Db fit into the guide recesses 76Dbg formed on the pair of inner surfaces of the recess 76Db, so that the upper positioning portion 72D is movably supported in a direction intersecting (here, orthogonal) to the support surface 64F. When the convex portion 72Dap contacts the bottom of the guide recess 76Dbg, the movement of the upper positioning portion 72D in the direction of moving to the back surface side of the plate - like portion 64 is restricted.

[0192] Both ends of the shaft 75Da project outward from the pair of side portions 72Db. Recesses 76Dbq in which both ends of the shaft 75Da can be disposed are formed in the pair of opposing portions of the recess 76Db. By fitting both ends of the shaft 75Da into the recesses 76Dbq, the detachment of the upper positioning portion 72DC to the front surface side of the plate - like portion 64 is suppressed.

[0193] A coil spring Sp as a biasing member is interposed between both ends of the shaft 75Da and the inner - side portion of the recess 76Dbq at the back. By the biasing force of the coil spring Sp, the upper positioning portion 72D is biased in a direction to reduce the height with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0194] The driven part 75D supported by the upper positioning part 72D is arranged so as to protrude from the concave part 76Db to the back surface side of the plate-like part 64. By pushing the driven part 75D toward the plate-like part 64, the upper positioning part 72D can move so as to increase the height with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0195] The lower positioning part 72C and the upper positioning part 72D are examples of a height variable positioning part whose height with respect to the support surface 64F is variable. The height variable positioning part may be indirectly supported so as to have a variable height with respect to the plate-like part 64, like the lower positioning part 72C or the upper positioning part 72D.

[0196] Since the upper positioning part 72D is supported so as to have a variable height with respect to the support surface 64F with respect to the sandwiching variable base 76D, it is an example of a two-axis direction variable positioning part that is variable in both the vertical sandwiching direction A1 and the height direction.

[0197] Further, the lower positioning part 72C faces the upper positioning part 72D as a two-axis direction variable positioning part, and is an example of a fixed position variable positioning part that is supported at a fixed position in the direction along the support surface 64F with respect to the sandwiching variable base 76D and has a variable height.

[0198] <Regarding the drive mechanism of the positioning part> The drive of the positioning parts 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D may be performed by any configuration. For example, the positioning parts 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D may be driven using the force that drives the stage 60. The positioning parts 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D may be driven by a drive part (for example, a motor, a solenoid actuator) different from the drive part (for example, a motor) that drives the stage 60 based on the control of the control part 43P.

[0199] In the present embodiment, the positioning parts 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D are driven using the force that drives the stage 60, and the configuration therefor will be described below.

[0200] As described above, on the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64, there project a driven portion 75Ab for moving the left positioning portion 72A, driven portions 75Bb and 77Bb for moving the right positioning portion 72B, a receiving piece 72Cd and a driven portion 76Cb for moving the lower positioning portion 72C, and further, a driven portion 75D and a clamping variable base 76D for moving the upper positioning portion 72D. As the stage 60 moves, on the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64, by moving the driven portion 75Ab, the driven portion 75Bb, the driven portion 76Cb, and the driven portion 75D, the heights of the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D with respect to the support surface 64F change. Also, as the stage 60 moves, on the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64, by moving the driven portion 77Bb, the right positioning portion 72B can be moved along the left-right clamping direction A2. Further, as the stage 60 moves, on the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64, by relatively moving the clamping variable base 76D with respect to the plate-like portion 64, the upper positioning portion 72D can be relatively moved along the up-down clamping direction A1 with respect to the plate-like portion 64. Furthermore, as the stage 60 moves, on the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64, by moving the receiving piece 72Cd, the lower positioning portion 72C can be changed in posture between the positioning posture and the discharging posture.

[0201] As shown in FIG. 4, the actuating plate 80 is arranged to be located on the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64 in the moving path of the stage 60. As the stage 60 moves, the above-described portions 75Ab, 75Bb, 77Bb, 72Cd, 76Cb, 75D, and 76D come into contact with the actuating plate 80 and move, whereby the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D are driven.

[0202] In the present embodiment, the actuating plate 80 includes a first actuating plate 82 and a second actuating plate 86. The first actuating plate 82 and the second actuating plate 86 are overlapped with the first actuating plate 82 being located near the plate-like portion 64. The actuating plate may be configured of a single layer or may have a configuration of three or more layers.

[0203] Moreover, the mechanism for operating each of the above-described parts is not limited to the above example. Each of the above-described parts may move in contact with a frame-shaped part or another part attached to the frame-shaped part. Further, each of the above-described parts may be driven via a link mechanism.

[0204] As described above, the operation plate 80 is supported so as to extend obliquely downward at a lower portion of the frame-shaped part 44. The stage 60 can overlap the operation plate 80 in a state where the stage 60 is located at the set position P1. When the stage 60 moves from the set position P1 toward the reading position P2 or the discharge position P3, the stage 60 moves relative to the operation plate 80, so that the operation plate 80 can move the above-described parts 75Ab, 75Bb, 77Bb, 72Cd, 76Cb, 75D, 76D.

[0205] More specifically, the first operation plate 82 includes a pair of support side portions 82a, a base portion 82b, and elongated portions 84, 85.

[0206] The base portion 82b has a width corresponding to the width of the frame-shaped part 44. A pair of support side portions 82a extend in parallel from both left and right ends of the base portion 82b. By fixing the tip of the base portion 82b to a lower portion of the frame-shaped part 44, the operation plate 80 is fixed to the frame-shaped part 44. In this state, the base portion 82b is supported at a position obliquely downward from the frame-shaped part 44.

[0207] On the intermediate portion in the left-right direction of the base portion 82b, an inclined surface 82bf whose height gradually increases downward is formed. The IP10 from which the stage 60 is discharged is guided toward the recovery tray 49 by the inclined surface 82bf.

[0208] Two elongated portions 84, 85 extend from the intermediate portion in the left-right direction of the base portion 82b toward the frame-shaped part 44. The pair of support side portions 82a and the two elongated portions 84, 85 extend in parallel with a gap therebetween.

[0209] The long portion 84 has guide surfaces 84f1 and 84f2. The guide surface 84f1 is an inclined surface that slopes outward from the tip to the base of the long portion 84. The guide surface 84f2 is continuous with the base side of the guide surface 84f1 and extends along the vertical clamping direction A1. When the driven portion 77Bb contacts the guide surface 84f2, the right positioning portion 72B is kept in a state of being separated from the left positioning portion 72A. When the driven portion 77Bb contacts and moves along the guide surface 84f1, the right positioning portion 72B can move along the left - right clamping direction A2.

[0210] The long portion 85 has a contact surface 85f1. The surface facing upward in the vertical clamping direction A1 at the tip of the long portion 85 is the contact surface 85f1. When the variable - clamping base 76D contacts the contact surface 85f1, the upper positioning portion 72D is kept in a state of being separated from the lower positioning portion 72C.

[0211] Also, the first operating plate 82 has a contact surface 82f located between the long portions 84 and 85. The contact surface 82f faces upward in the vertical clamping direction A1. When the receiving piece 72Cd contacts the contact surface 82f, the lower positioning portion 72C is changed from the positioning posture to the discharging posture.

[0212] The second operating plate 86 is overlapped on the side opposite to the plate - like portion 64 with respect to the first operating plate 82. The second operating plate 86 may be fixed to the first operating plate 82 or may be fixed to the frame - like portion 44.

[0213] The second operating plate 86 includes a portion that spreads in the regions between the pair of support side portions 82a of the first operating plate 82 and the two long portions 84 and 85.

[0214] On one side of the second actuating plate 86, a left inclined surface 87f1 is formed between the support side portion 82a and the long portion 85, and on the other side, a right inclined surface 87f2 is formed between the support side portion 82a and the long portion 84. The left inclined surface 87f1 and the right inclined surface 87f2 are inclined so as to move away from the plate-like portion 64 as they go upward along the vertical clamping direction A1. In other words, the left inclined surface 87f1 and the right inclined surface 87f2 are inclined so as to move away from the movement locus of the stage 60 from the set position P1 to the reading position P2.

[0215] A flat surface 87f1p is continuous diagonally below the left inclined surface 87f1, and a flat surface 87f2p is continuous diagonally below the right inclined surface 87f2. The flat surfaces 87f1p and 87f2p are surfaces parallel to the support surface 64F.

[0216] When the driven parts 75Ab and 75Bb are in contact with the flat surfaces 87f1p and 87f2p, the left positioning part 72A and the right positioning part 72B keep a constant height with respect to the support surface 64F. When the driven parts 75Ab and 75Bb are in contact with the inclined surfaces 87f1 and 87f2 and move in the vertical clamping direction A1, the left positioning part 72A and the right positioning part 72B change their height with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0217] Lower inclined surfaces 87f3 are formed respectively between one support side portion 82a and the long portion 85 of the second actuating plate 86, and between the other support side portion 82a and the long portion 84. The two lower inclined surfaces 87f3 are positioned diagonally lower than the left inclined surface 87f1 and the right inclined surface 87f2. The lower inclined surfaces 87f3 are inclined so as to move away from the plate-like portion 64 as they go upward along the vertical clamping direction A1.

[0218] A flat surface 87f3p is continuous diagonally below the lower inclined surface 87f3. The flat surface 87f3p is a surface parallel to the support surface 64F. An opposite inclined surface 87f3q is continuous diagonally below the flat surface 87f3p. The opposite inclined surface 87f3q is inclined in the opposite direction to the lower inclined surface 87f3. That is, the opposite inclined surface 87f3q is inclined so as to move away from the movement locus of the stage 60 from the set position P1 to the discharge position P3.

[0219] In a state where the driven part 76Cb is in contact with the flat surface 87f3p, the lower positioning part 72C keeps the height with respect to the support surface 64F constant. When the driven part 76Cb comes into contact with the lower inclined surface 87f3 or the opposite inclined surface 87f3q, the lower positioning part 72C changes the height with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0220] An upper inclined surface 87f4 is formed in a region that further extends upward from the region between the long parts 84 and 85 of the second actuating plate 86. The upper inclined surface 87f4 is inclined so as to face away from the plate-like part 64 as it faces upward along the vertical clamping direction A1.

[0221] A flat surface 87f4p is continuous diagonally below the upper inclined surface 87f4. The flat surfaces 87f3p and 87f2p are surfaces parallel to the support surface 64F.

[0222] In a state where the driven part 75D is in contact with the flat surface 87f4p, the upper positioning part 72D keeps the height with respect to the support surface 64F constant. When the driven part 75D comes into contact with the upper inclined surface 87f4, the upper positioning part 72D changes the height with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0223] Also, a contact surface 87f4q is formed adjacent to the upper inclined surface 87f4. The contact surface 87f4q faces upward in the vertical clamping direction A1. The contact surface 87f4q contacts the clamping variable base 76D in the same way as the contact surface 85f1 and regulates the position of the clamping variable base 76D in the vertical clamping direction A1.

[0224] The state where the stage 60 is located at the set position P1 is shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. This state is the first state.

[0225] The left positioning part 72A is fixed at a certain position in the direction along the support surface 64F with respect to the plate-like part 64. The left positioning part 72A is biased by the coil spring Sp in the direction of reducing the height with respect to the support surface. Since the driven part 75Ab is in contact with the flat surface 87f1p, the left positioning part 72A is maintained in a state of protruding significantly with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0226] The right positioning portion 72B is biased toward the left positioning portion 72A by the coil spring Sp. Since the driven portion 77Bb is in contact with the guide surface 84f2, the right positioning portion 72B is kept in a state of being greatly separated from the left positioning portion 72A.

[0227] Also, the right positioning portion 72B is biased in a direction to reduce the height with respect to the support surface 64F by the coil spring Sp. Since the driven portion 75Bb is in contact with the flat surface 87f2p, the right positioning portion 72B is maintained in a state of protruding greatly with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0228] The lower positioning portion 72C is fixed at a certain position in the direction along the support surface 64F with respect to the plate-like portion 64. The lower positioning portion 72C is rotationally biased toward the positioning posture by the torsion coil spring Spt, and is kept in the positioning posture by the biasing force. Also, the lower positioning portion 72C is biased in a direction to reduce the height with respect to the support surface 64F by the coil spring Sp. Since the driven portion 76Cb is in contact with the flat surface 87f3p, the lower positioning portion 72C is maintained in a state of protruding greatly with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0229] The upper positioning portion 72D is biased toward the lower positioning portion 72C by the coil spring Sp. Since the clamping variable base 76D is in contact with the contact surfaces 85f1 and 87f4q, the upper positioning portion 72D is kept in a state of being greatly separated from the lower positioning portion 72C.

[0230] Also, the upper positioning portion 72D is biased in a direction to reduce the height with respect to the support surface 64F by the coil spring Sp. Since the driven portion 75D is in contact with the portion closer to the flat surface 87f4p among the flat surface 87f4p or the inclined surface 87f4, the upper positioning portion 72D is maintained in a state of protruding greatly with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0231] In this state, the distal edge 70Fe of the positioning surface 70F of each of the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D is maintained at a first distance L1 from the support surface 64F (refer to the positioning surface 70F shown by the solid line in FIG. 9).

[0232] In this state, the IP10 is supplied to the stage 60 through the setting guide 96. The IP10 is supported on the support surface 64F between the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D.

[0233] The state immediately after the IP10 is sandwiched between the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B while the stage 60 is moving from the setting position P1 to the reading position P2 is shown in FIGS. 13 to 15.

[0234] When the stage 60 moves from the setting position P1 toward the reading position P2, the driven portion 77Bb moves from the guide surface 84f2 to the inclined guide surface 84f1 and rolls on the guide surface 84f1. As the stage 60 moves from the setting position P1 to the reading position P2, the driven portion 77Bb moves to the left according to the inclination of the guide surface 84f1. Then, the right positioning portion 72B moves toward the left positioning portion 72A by the biasing force of the coil spring Sp.

[0235] When the IP10 is placed on the support surface 64F, the right positioning portion 72B contacts the IP10 and pushes the IP10 toward the left positioning portion 72A. Even if the IP10 is tilted on the support surface 64F, the inclination is corrected by the right positioning portion 72B pushing the IP10 toward the left positioning portion 72A.

[0236] When the distance between the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B becomes approximately the same as the width of the IP10, the right positioning portion 72B stops in a state where the IP10 is sandwiched between the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B. The IP10 is sandwiched and held between the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B by the biasing force of the coil spring Sp that biases the right positioning portion 72B.

[0237] The clamping variable base 76D of the upper positioning portion 72D is in contact with the contact surfaces 85f1 and 87f4q. Since the stage 60 is moving in an obliquely upward direction with respect to the contact surfaces 85f1 and 87f4q, the upper positioning portion 72D relatively moves with respect to the stage 60 and approaches the lower positioning portion 72C accordingly. However, it is preferable that the IP10 is not clamped between the lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D (the distance between the lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D is not close enough to clamp the IP10).

[0238] After clamping the IP10 between the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B, by clamping the IP10 between the lower positioning portion 72C and the upper positioning portion 72D, the inclination correction effect of the IP10 by the clamping between the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B is likely to be exerted.

[0239] In this state, the driven parts 75Ab, 75Bb, and 76Cb are located on the planes 87f1p, 87f2p, and 87f3p. Therefore, similar to the set position P1, the left positioning portion 72A, the right positioning portion 72B, and the lower positioning portion 72C are maintained in a state of protruding greatly with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0240] With the distal edge 70Fe maintaining a large distance L1 with respect to the support surface 64F, the IP10 is clamped between the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B. Therefore, when the IP10 is clamped and held, the edge portion of the IP10 is difficult to be clamped strongly between the support surface 64F and the main pressing surface 70Fb. Thereby, it is easy to correct the inclination of the IP10.

[0241] For example, if the tilted IP10 is clamped between the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B. In this case, the corner portion of the IP10 may be pressed against the positioning surface 70F. If the corner portion of the IP10 is clamped strongly between the support surface 64F and the main pressing surface 70Fb, it becomes difficult for the corner portion of the IP10 to slide smoothly along the positioning surface 70F, and there is a possibility that the inclination of the IP10 cannot be corrected.

[0242] When the IP10 is clamped between the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B, if the support surface 64F and the main pressing surface 70Fb are far apart from each other, the corner portions of the tilted IP10 can smoothly move entirely on the positioning surface 70F, so the tilt of the IP10 is easily corrected.

[0243] Regarding the lower positioning portion 72C as well, in order to enable the IP10 to smoothly move on the positioning surface 70F, it is preferable that the distal edge 70Fe maintains a large distance L1 from the support surface 64F.

[0244] Regarding the upper positioning portion 72D, it is considered highly possible that it may not be in contact with the IP10 during the clamping in the left - right direction. For this reason, regarding the driven portion 75D, it may have reached the inclined surface 87f4, and even if the height of the upper positioning portion 72D starts to become smaller with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0245] The state in which the IP10 is completely positioned and held by the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D is shown in FIGS. 16 to 18. This state is the second state. With this holding state maintained, the stage 60 moves to the reading position P2, and the radiation image of the IP10 is read by the reading unit 90.

[0246] The driven portion 77Bb of the right positioning portion 72B is located obliquely above the guide surface 84f1. For this reason, the right positioning portion 72B is biased by the coil spring Sp toward the left positioning portion 72A, and due to the biasing force of the coil spring Sp, the IP10 is in a state of being clamped between the left positioning portion 72A and the right positioning portion 72B.

[0247] The clamping variable base 76D of the upper positioning portion 72D is in a state of being obliquely upward and separated from the contact surfaces 85f1, 87f4q. Thereby, due to the biasing force of the coil spring Sp, the upper positioning portion 72D is biased toward the lower positioning portion 72C, and due to the biasing force of the coil spring Sp, the IP10 is in a state of being clamped between the upper positioning portion 72D and the lower positioning portion 72C.

[0248] Therefore, in the direction of the support surface 64F, the IP10 is positioned and held at a fixed position.

[0249] While the stage 60 is moving toward the reading position P2, the driven parts 75Ab, 75Bb, 76Cb, 75D move on the inclined surfaces 87f1, 87f2, 87f3, 87f4 and gradually move away from the plate-like part 64 toward the back side. As a result, due to the biasing force of the coil spring Sp, the positioning parts 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D move so as to reduce the height with respect to the support surface 64F. Finally, the driven parts 75Ab, 75Bb, 76Cb, 75D may move beyond the inclined surfaces 87f1, 87f2, 87f3, 87f4 and be in a state where they are not restricted in position by the operation plate 80.

[0250] As the heights of the positioning parts 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D decrease, the distance of the distal edge 70Fe with respect to the support surface 64F is changed from the first distance L1 to a smaller second distance L2. Then, the main pressing surface 70Fb presses the edge portion of the IP10 toward the support surface 64F, the warp of the IP10 is eliminated, and it approaches a flat state along the support surface 64F.

[0251] With the IP10 held flat, the stage 60 reaches the reading position P2 and the radiation image of the IP10 is read by the reading unit 90. By keeping the distance between the IP10 and the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 as constant as possible, a clearer image can be obtained.

[0252] The stage 60 reaches the back position P4 beyond the reading position P2. When returning from the back position P4 to the set position P1, the reverse operation to the above is performed.

[0253] The stage 60 located at the discharge position P3 is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

[0254] When the stage 60 moves from the set position P1 to the discharge position P3, the receiving piece 72Cd of the lower positioning portion 72C contacts the contact surface 82f, and the lower positioning portion 72C rotates from the positioning posture to the discharge posture against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring Spt. When the lower positioning portion 72C inclines greatly with respect to the support surface 64F, the IP10 on the positioning surface 70F of the lower positioning portion 72C is easily discharged downward by gravity.

[0255] Also, the driven portion 76Cb rolls on the opposite inclined surface 87f3q and moves in a direction away from the back surface side of the plate-like portion 64. Since the shaft 76Ca is pushed by the biasing force of the coil spring Sp, the lower positioning portion 72C is displaced so as to reduce the height with respect to the support surface 64F. When the protruding length of the lower positioning portion 72C with respect to the support surface 64F becomes smaller, the IP10 is easily discharged over the lower positioning portion 72C downward.

[0256] As described above, the coil springs Sp as biasing members that bias the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D in the height direction, the driven portions 75Ab, 75Bb, 76Cb, 75D as receiving portions that receive the force for moving the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D, and the inclined surfaces 87f1, 87f2, 87f3, 87f4 as operating surfaces for operating the receiving portions are an example of a positioning portion operating mechanism that moves the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D as height-variable positioning portions so as to reduce the height with respect to the support surface 64F in accordance with the movement of the stage body 61 from the set position P1 to the reading position P2 by the stage body moving mechanism 50. It is not essential that the above receiving portion be a driven portion, but it is preferably a member that can reduce the sliding resistance with the counterpart.

[0257] Further, a coil spring Sp as a biasing member for biasing the right positioning portion 72B or the upper positioning portion 72D, a driven portion 77Bb or a clamping variable base 76D as a receiving portion for receiving a force for moving the right positioning portion 72B or the upper positioning portion 72D, guide surfaces 84f1, 84f2 which are operating surfaces for operating the receiving portion, and contact surfaces 85f1, 87f4q are an example of a positioning portion operating mechanism that moves the clamping variable bases 76B, 76D toward the edge portion of the IP10 in accordance with the movement of the stage body 61 from the set position P1 to the reading position P2 by the stage body moving mechanism 50.

[0258] Further, the receiving piece 72Cd and the contact surface 82f are an example of a positioning portion operating mechanism that rotates the lower positioning portion 72C so that the lower positioning portion 72C, which is a discharge variable positioning portion, moves away from the edge portion of the IP10 in accordance with the movement of the stage body 61 from the set position P1 to the discharge position P3 by the stage body moving mechanism 50.

[0259] <Effects, etc.> According to the radiation image reading apparatus 20 configured as described above, if the positioning surface 70F moves toward the edge portion of the IP10 from the first state, even if the edge portion of the IP10 floats from the support surface 64F, it is easy to press the edge portion against the support surface 64F (see FIGS. 21(a) and (b)). If the radiation image is read from the IP10 using the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 in the second state, the positioning surface 70F hardly blocks the excitation light La and the emitted light Lb, and shadow interference hardly occurs (see FIG. 21(c)). Thereby, it is possible to hold the IP10 in a state of being in contact with the support surface 64F while suppressing shadow interference.

[0260] Assume a case where, as shown in FIGS. 21(d) and (e), the positioning surface 500 is a surface that is generally inclined in front of the support surface 64F. In this case, in order to press the IP10 that is separated from the support surface 64F by the same degree as above against the support surface 64F, it is assumed that the length of the positioning surface 500 in the inclination direction is increased. In this case, the positioning surface 500 may largely cover the inside from the edge of the IP10. In this case, since the excitation light La and the emission light Lb are blocked by the positioning surface 500, the influence of shadow interference may increase (shadow interference is likely to occur) at the edge portion of the IP10.

[0261] According to the present embodiment, since the amount by which the positioning surface 70F covers the IP10 can be reduced, the influence of shadow interference can be reduced (shadow interference can be made less likely to occur).

[0262] Further, since the distal edge 70Fe of the positioning surface 70F is located inside the support surface 64F rather than the positioning reference portion 70Fs, the IP10 can be effectively pressed against the support surface 64F.

[0263] Further, the positioning mechanism 70 includes positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D as a height-variable positioning portion with a variable height with respect to the support surface 64F. If these positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D include the positioning surface 70F, the position of the distal edge 70Fe of the positioning surface 70F can be changed by changing the height of the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D as the height-variable positioning portion.

[0264] Further, if the positioning surface 70F includes the main positioning surface 70Fa and the main pressing surface 70Fb continuous with the main positioning surface 70Fa, in the first state, the main pressing surface 70Fb can be arranged far away from the support surface 64F. Therefore, even if the protruding length of the main pressing surface 70Fb with respect to the main positioning surface 70Fa is small, it is easy to press the edge portion of the IP10 against the support surface 64F. In the second state, the main pressing surface 70Fb approaches the support surface 64F positioning surface. Since the protruding length of the main pressing surface with respect to the main positioning surface can be reduced, shadow interference is less likely to occur. Also, depending on the directions of the excitation light La and the emission light Lb, by being able to reduce the protruding length of the positioning surface with respect to the positioning surface, there is a possibility that shadow interference can be made less likely to occur.

[0265] Also, since the main pressing surface 70Fb is an inclined surface that faces away from the support surface 64F as it moves away from the main positioning surface 70Fa, it is easy to position the IP10 along the support surface 64F while pressing it against the support surface 64F.

[0266] Further, the positioning mechanism 70 includes sandwiching variable bases 76B, 76D, and the right positioning portion 72B and the upper positioning portion 72D as height variable positioning portions function as two-axis direction variable positioning portions that are variably supported in height with respect to the sandwiching variable bases 76B, 76D. The IP10 can be positioned while being pressed toward the support surface 64F by the right positioning portion 72B and the upper positioning portion 72D as two-axis direction variable positioning portions.

[0267] Further, the positioning mechanism 70 includes a left positioning portion 72A and a lower positioning portion 72C as fixed-position variable positioning portions that are variably supported in height at a fixed position in the direction along the support surface 64F. Therefore, the IP10 can be positioned at a fixed position on the support surface 64F with reference to the left positioning portion 72A and the lower positioning portion 72C as fixed-position variable positioning portions.

[0268] Further, the lower positioning portion 72C, as a variable positioning portion for discharging, is variably supported in height with respect to the support surface 64F via the discharge base 76C and is rotatably supported. Therefore, by rotating the lower positioning portion 72C, the lower positioning portion 72C as the variable positioning portion for discharging can be moved in a direction away from the edge portion of the IP10. Thereby, the IP10 can be easily discharged.

[0269] Also, in conjunction with moving the stage body 61 by the stage body moving mechanism 50, the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D as the height variable positioning portions are moved so as to decrease the height with respect to the support surface 64F. Thereby, after the IP10 is set, by moving the stage body 61 to the reading position P2, the IP10 can be pressed against the support surface 64F with a simple configuration. Note that the positioning portions (positioning portions 72C and 72D in this embodiment) in contact with the short side of the IP10 may be configured not to be variable in the vertical direction.

[0270] Also, in conjunction with moving the stage body 61 by the stage body moving mechanism 50, the clamping variable bases 76B and 76D are moved toward the edge portion of the IP10. Thereby, after the IP10 is set, by moving the stage body 61 to the reading position P2, the IP10 can be positioned with a simple configuration.

[0271] Also, in conjunction with moving the stage body 61 from the setting position P1 to the discharging position P3 by the stage body moving mechanism 50, the lower positioning portion 72C as the variable positioning portion for discharging rotates so as to move away from the edge portion of the IP10. Thereby, if the stage body 61 is moved to the discharging position P3, the IP10 can be easily discharged.

[0272] {Second Embodiment} A radiation image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the radiation image reading apparatus 120, FIGS. 23 and 24 are exploded perspective views of the internal structure, FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the stage main body 161, and FIG. 26 is a view of the internal structure as seen from the front side of the support surface 164F. FIG. 27 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XXVII-XXVII of FIG. 26. In FIG. 27, mainly the plate-like portion 164, the left positioning portion 172A, the right positioning portion 172B, and the fitting positioning portions 200 and 202 are shown. FIG. 28 is a view showing a state in which the fitting positioning portions 200 and 202 are fitted to the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B as the stage-side positioning portions.

[0273] Similar to the first embodiment, the reading apparatus 120 is an apparatus that reads a radiation image from the IP 10, and includes a stage main body 161, a positioning mechanism 170, an excitation light source 92, and a photodetector 94. As the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94, those having the same configuration as those described in the first embodiment can be used.

[0274] The stage main body 161 is a portion corresponding to the stage main body 61, and has a support surface 164F that can contact the back surface 10b of the IP 10.

[0275] The stage main body 161 is movably supported by the frame-shaped portion 144, and is driven along the main scanning direction A1 by the stage main body moving mechanism 150.

[0276] Similar to the frame-shaped portion 44, the frame-shaped portion 144 is formed in a rectangular frame shape having a pair of longitudinal side plates 145 corresponding to the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 and a pair of short-side plates 146 corresponding to the pair of short-side plates 46.

[0277] Similar to the frame-shaped portion 44, the frame-shaped portion 144 is housed in the housing 30 and supported in a fixed posture.

[0278] The stage body moving mechanism 150 includes a moving drive unit 152 corresponding to the moving drive unit 52, a screw shaft portion 154 corresponding to the screw shaft portion 54, and a guide rod 156 corresponding to the guide rod 56.

[0279] A movable support 162 is fixed to the back side near the upper end of the stage body 161. The stage body 161 and the movable support 162 constitute a stage 160 corresponding to the stage 60. The guide rod 156 is inserted through the movable support 162, and the screw shaft portion 154 is screwed into a screw hole formed in the movable support 162. When the screw shaft portion 154 rotates by the rotational drive of the moving drive unit 152, the stage 160 is driven to move along the main scanning direction A1.

[0280] Similar to the first embodiment, the stage body moving mechanism 150 can move the stage body 161 from the set position P1 diagonally below the frame portion 144 through the reading position P2 in the frame portion 144 to the back position P4, and vice versa. Further, the stage body moving mechanism 150 can reciprocate the stage body 161 between the set position P1 and the discharge position P3.

[0281] In the frame portion 144, the operation plate 80 is omitted. A pair of support portions 148 extend obliquely downward from the lower portions of both side portions of the frame portion 144. In a state where the stage body 161 is located at the set position P1, the stage body 161 is disposed between the pair of support portions 148. The pair of support portions 148 support the set guide 96. The IP10 supplied through the set guide 96 is supplied to the stage body 161 between the pair of support portions 148.

[0282] A collection tray 49 is located diagonally below the pair of support portions 148. Similar to the first embodiment, when the IP10 slides down from the stage body 161 located at the discharge position P3 diagonally below the set position P1, the IP10 is collected in the collection tray 49.

[0283] The positioning mechanism 170 is a part corresponding to the above-described positioning mechanism 70, and includes positioning surfaces 170Fa and 170Fb (see Fig. 32). The positioning surfaces 170Fa and 170Fb are surfaces that come into contact with the edge portion of the IP10 located on the support surface 164F, position the edge portion from the outside in the extending direction of the support surface 164F, and press the edge portion against the support surface 164F.

[0284] In the above-described first embodiment, an example was described in which the distance between the support surface 64F and the distal edge 70Fe is changed by changing the height of the positioning surface 70F with respect to the support surface 64F.

[0285] In this second embodiment, the positioning surface 170Fa is configured by adding the combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F, which are different surfaces in the first state, to the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF that form the positioning surface 170Fb in the second state. Further, an example is described in which the distance between the distal edges 170Fae and 170Fbe with respect to the support surface 164F is changed according to the presence or absence of the combination of the other combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F with respect to the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF (see Fig. 32).

[0286] In this embodiment, the positioning mechanism 170 includes a left positioning portion 172A and a right positioning portion 172B as stage-side positioning portions, and mating positioning portions 200 and 202. The left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B as stage-side positioning portions are incorporated in the stage 160 and move along the main scanning direction A1 together with the stage 160. The mating positioning portions 200 and 202 are supported at a fixed position in the main scanning direction A1 by the frame-shaped portion 144. According to the position of the stage 160 in the main scanning direction A1, the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B mate with or separate from the mating positioning portions 200 and 202. When the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B mate with the mating positioning portions 200 and 202, separate mating positioning surfaces 200F and 202F are added to the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF. When the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B as stage-side positioning portions separate from the mating positioning portions 200 and 202, the separate mating positioning surfaces 200F and 202F separate from the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF.

[0287] Each component configuration will be specifically described.

[0288] <Regarding the overall configuration of the stage> The overall configuration of the stage 160 will be described. The stage 160 includes a stage body 161 and a positioning mechanism 170.

[0289] The stage body 161 has a support surface 164F that can be in surface contact with the back surface 10b of the IP10. In this embodiment, the stage body 161 includes a movable support 162 corresponding to the movable support 62 and a plate-shaped portion 164 corresponding to the plate-shaped portion 64, similar to the stage body 61.

[0290] The plate-shaped portion 164 is formed in a plate shape having a support surface 164F corresponding to the support surface 64F, similar to the plate-shaped portion 64. The main difference between the plate-shaped portion 164 and the plate-shaped portion 64 is the configuration for supporting the positioning mechanism 170.

[0291] The positioning mechanism 170 includes a left positioning portion 172A, a right positioning portion 172B, a lower positioning portion 172C, and an upper positioning portion 172D.

[0292] Similar to the first embodiment, the IP10 is positioned in the left - right clamping direction A2 by the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B. In this embodiment, the left positioning portion 172A moves along the left - right clamping direction A2, and the right positioning portion 172B is fixed at a certain position with respect to the plate - shaped portion 164.

[0293] The IP10 is positioned in the up - down clamping direction A1 by the lower positioning portion 172C and the upper positioning portion 172D. In this embodiment, the lower positioning portion 172C moves along the up - down clamping direction A1, and the upper positioning portion 172D is fixed at a certain position with respect to the plate - shaped portion 164.

[0294] In a state where the stage 160 is located at the set position P1, the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B are in an open state. Also, the lower positioning portion 172C and the upper positioning portion 172D are in an open state (see FIG. 26). In this state, the IP10 can be set on the support surface 164F of the stage 160.

[0295] When the stage 160 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2, the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B close. Also, the lower positioning portion 172C and the upper positioning portion 172D close. Thereby, the IP10 is held at a certain position on the support surface 164F.

[0296] Before the stage 160 reaches the reading position P2, the lower positioning portion 172C moves away from the IP10. In a state where the stage main body 161 reaches the reading position P2, the IP10 is clamped and held at a certain position by the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B, but the lower positioning portion 172C is in a state of having moved away from the IP10. Therefore, when reading the IP10, it is suppressed that the lower positioning portion 172C covers the lower edge of the IP10.

[0297] When the stage 160 returns to the set position P1, the left positioning part 172A and the right positioning part 172B are in an open state. Therefore, the IP10 can escape from between the left positioning part 172A and the right positioning part 172B.

[0298] When the stage 160 moves from the set position P1 to the discharge position P3, the lower positioning part 172C moves further downward. As a result, the IP10 moves downward with respect to the plate-like part 164 by gravity and can come into contact with a discharge guide surface 168g described later. The IP10 moves obliquely downward by gravity and contacts the discharge guide surface 168g. Then, the IP10 separates from the support surface 164F and can be discharged obliquely downward over the lower positioning part 172C.

[0299] <Left and right positioning mechanisms> The positioning mechanism in the left and right clamping direction A2 will be described more specifically.

[0300] The right positioning part 172B is an elongated part extending along one side part of the plate-like part 164. In the present embodiment, a long right positioning part 172B separated from the plate-like part 164 is fixed to one side part of the plate-like part 164 by screwing or the like. The right positioning part 172B protrudes from the support surface 164F.

[0301] The right positioning part 172B is an example of a stage-side positioning part protruding from the support surface 164F. The surface of the right positioning part 172B facing the left positioning part 172A side is a stage-side positioning surface 172BF that extends forward from the support surface 164F or on an extension of the support surface 164F. The stage-side positioning surface 172BF only needs to extend to the front side of the support surface 164F and does not need to face the support surface 164F. The stage-side positioning surface 172BF is an inclined surface that faces away from the support surface 164F as it faces the center of the support surface 164F. That is, the distance between the support surface 164F and the stage-side positioning surface 172BF in the direction perpendicular to the support surface 164F decreases as it faces the center of the support surface 164F.

[0302] When the stage-side positioning surface 172BF is an inclined surface, the stage-side positioning surface 172BF may be a flat surface or a curved surface. The stage-side positioning surface 172BF does not have to be an inclined surface. For example, it may be a stepped surface.

[0303] In the present embodiment, the right positioning portion 172B is constituted by a member different from the plate-shaped portion 164, but the right positioning portion may be a portion integrally formed with the plate-shaped portion by cutting or the like.

[0304] The left positioning portion 172A is provided at an interval in the left-right clamping direction A2 with respect to the right positioning portion 172B.

[0305] More specifically, slits 165a and 165b along the left-right clamping direction A2 are formed in a portion of the plate-shaped portion 164 on the side opposite to the right positioning portion 172B. In the present embodiment, the two slits 165a and 165b are formed in parallel at different positions in the up-down clamping direction A1. The two slits 165a and 165b are open on the outside along the left-right clamping direction A2.

[0306] In a part around the slits 165a and 165b in the front side portion of the plate-shaped portion 164, recessed portions 165g1 and 165g2 recessed more than the support surface 164F are formed.

[0307] The left positioning portion 172A is separate from the plate-shaped portion 164 and is supported so as to be movable along the left-right clamping direction A2 by the slits 165a and 165b. More specifically, a part of the left positioning portion 172A is formed in a shape that can be disposed in the slits 165a and 165b, and the other part of the left positioning portion 172A is disposed at a position protruding more than the support surface 164F.

[0308] More specifically, the left positioning portion 172A includes positioning members 172Aa and 172Ab and a back support 172Ac. The positioning member 172Aa is a portion disposed in the slit 165a and the recess 165g1 around it. The positioning member 172Ab is a portion disposed in the slit 165b and the recess 165g2 around it. The positioning members 172Aa and 172Ab protrude from the support surface 164F.

[0309] The back support 172Ac is a portion that continues on the side opposite to the support surface 164F with respect to the positioning members 172Aa and 172Ab. The back support 172Ac contacts the portion between the slits 165a and 165b of the plate-like portion 164 from the side opposite to the support surface 164F. When the positioning members 172Aa and 172Ab contact the bottom surfaces of the recesses 165g1 and 165g2 from the support surface 164F side, and the back support 172Ac contacts the plate-like portion 164 from the side opposite to the support surface 164F, the left positioning portion 172A can move along the slits 165a and 165b in a state of being positioned in the thickness direction of the plate-like portion 164.

[0310] The left positioning portion 172A is an example of a stage-side positioning portion that protrudes from the support surface 164F. The surface of the positioning members 172Aa and 172Ab of the left positioning portion 172A facing the right positioning portion 172B side is a stage-side positioning surface 172AF that extends forward from the support surface 164F or on the extension of the support surface 164F. The stage-side positioning surface 172AF only needs to extend to the front side of the support surface 164F and does not need to face the support surface 164F. The stage-side positioning surface 172AF is an inclined surface that faces away from the support surface 164F as it faces the center of the support surface 164F.

[0311] When the stage-side positioning surface 172AF is an inclined surface, the stage-side positioning surface 172AF may be a flat surface or a curved surface. The stage-side positioning surface 172AF does not need to be an inclined surface. For example, it may be a stepped surface.

[0312] The stage 160 has a coil spring Sp as a biasing member that biases the left positioning portion 172A toward the right positioning portion 172B. For example, on the back side of the plate-like portion 164, one end of the coil spring Sp is fixed to the back side support 172Ac, and the other end is fixed to a certain position on the back surface of the plate-like portion 164. Between the back side support 172Ac and the back surface fixing position of the plate-like portion 164, the coil spring Sp is always in an extended state, and the left positioning portion 172A is biased toward the right positioning portion 172B by the compressive force of the coil spring Sp.

[0313] A driven portion 172Ap is integrally combined with the left positioning portion 172A as a receiving portion that receives a force for moving the left positioning portion 172A. In the present embodiment, the driven portion 172Ap is rotatably supported by the back side support 172Ac. The driven portion 172Ap is a roller and protrudes to the back side of the plate-like portion 164. When the stage 160 moves, the left positioning portion 172A moves along the left and right clamping direction A2 by the driven portion 172Ap coming into contact with an operation plate 182 fixed to the frame-shaped portion 144.

[0314] The left positioning portion 172A is an example of a stage-side variable positioning portion that is movably supported along the left and right clamping direction A2 along the support surface 164F with respect to the stage body 161. Further, the right positioning portion 172B is an example of a stage-side fixed positioning portion that faces the left positioning portion 172A as a stage-side variable positioning portion and is supported at a fixed position with respect to the stage body 161.

[0315] The movement operation of the left positioning portion 172A accompanying the movement of the stage 160 will be further described later.

[0316] The left positioning portion 172A has a transmission portion 172Aq that transmits a force along the left - right clamping direction A2 to the fitting positioning portion 200. In the present embodiment, the transmission portion 172Aq is rotatably supported on each of the positioning bodies 172Aa and 172Ab. The transmission portion 172Aq is a roller and protrudes from the left positioning portion 172A in the thickness direction of the plate - shaped portion 164. The rotation axis direction of the transmission portion 172Aq is a direction orthogonal to the support surface 164F. The two transmission portions 172Aq are separated in the up - down clamping direction A1 and are located at both ends of the left positioning portion 172A in the up - down clamping direction A1 here. The two transmission portions 172Aq are arranged at the same position in the left - right clamping direction A2.

[0317] <Upper and lower positioning mechanisms> The lower positioning portion 172C is a portion located on one side in the up - down clamping direction A1 of the plate - shaped portion 164, here, the lower side portion.

[0318] More specifically, a slit 167 along the up - down clamping direction A1 is formed in the lower portion of the plate - shaped portion 164.

[0319] The lower positioning portion 172C is formed in a long plate shape along the extending direction of the slit 167. The thickness of the lower positioning portion 172C is larger than the thickness of the plate - shaped portion 164. The middle portion in the thickness direction of the lower positioning portion 172C is disposed in the slit 167. Guide grooves 172Cg are formed on both side portions of the lower positioning portion 172C. With both side edges of the slit 167 fitted into the guide grooves 172Cg, the lower positioning portion 172C is supported so as to be reciprocally movable along the direction along the slit 167. The lower positioning portion 172C can move along the slit 167. The lower positioning portion 172C is located at a standby position for receiving the lower edge portion of the IP10 during the setting and reading of the IP10. After the setting of the IP10 and before the reading, the lower positioning portion 172C can move to a clamping position above the standby position. Also, when the IP10 is discharged, the lower positioning portion 172C can move to a separation and discharge position below the standby position.

[0320] The surface of the lower positioning portion 172C facing the inner side (upper side) is formed on the positioning surface 172CF. The positioning surface 172CF supports the IP10 on the support surface 164F from below.

[0321] The stage 160 has a coil spring Sp as a biasing portion that constantly applies an upward force to the lower positioning portion 172C. For example, on the back surface side of the plate-like portion 164, one end of the coil spring Sp is fixed to the inner side portion of the slit 167, and the other end is fixed to the lower positioning portion 172C. Between the inner side portion of the slit 167 and the lower positioning portion 172C, the coil spring Sp is constantly in a stretched state, and due to the compressive force of the coil spring Sp, the lower positioning portion 172C is biased upward along the vertical clamping direction A1.

[0322] A shaft portion 172Cq is integrally formed on the lower positioning portion 172C. The shaft portion 172Cq is provided at a portion of the lower positioning portion 172C facing the side opposite to the support surface 164F. The shaft portion 172Cq protrudes from the back surface of the plate-like portion 164. A link mechanism 185 is connected to the shaft portion 172Cq. In response to the operation of the link mechanism 185, the lower positioning portion 172C is driven to reciprocate along the vertical clamping direction A1. The link mechanism 185 will be described later.

[0323] Also, the stage 160 has a discharge guide 168 that is located below the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B in the vertical clamping direction A1. The discharge guide 168 is fixed at a certain position with respect to the plate-like portion 164 so as to protrude from the support surface 164F. The discharge guide may be a portion integrally formed with the plate-like portion.

[0324] In this embodiment, the discharge guide 168 has a plate-shaped portion perpendicular to the support surface 164F, and the upper end portion thereof protrudes from the support surface 164F adjacent to the lower positioning portion 172C located at the standby position. On the upward portion of the discharge guide 168, a discharge guide surface 168g is formed in a direction away from the support surface 164F as it goes downward along the vertical clamping direction A1. That is, the height of the discharge guide surface 168g with respect to the support surface 164F increases as it goes downward along the vertical clamping direction A1.

[0325] The lower positioning portion 172C located at the standby position is located above the discharge guide surface 168g in the vertical clamping direction A1. More specifically, the positioning surface 172CF of the lower positioning portion 172C located at the standby position is located above the discharge guide surface 168g. For this reason, when the IP10 on the support surface 164F slides down on the support surface 164F by gravity, the lower edge portion of the IP10 is supported in contact with the positioning surface 172CF before contacting the discharge guide surface 168g.

[0326] Also, the lower positioning portion 172C located at the separated discharge position is located below the discharge guide surface 168g in the vertical clamping direction A1. More specifically, the positioning surface 172CF of the lower positioning portion 172C located at the separated discharge position is located below the discharge guide surface 168g. In this state, the IP10 on the support surface 164F is not supported by the positioning surface 172CF and contacts the discharge guide surface 168g. Since the discharge guide surface 168g gradually protrudes from the support surface 164F downward, the lower edge portion of the IP10 is lifted in a direction away from the support surface 164F by the discharge guide surface 168g. Thereby, the IP10 can fall downward from the stage 160 without interfering with the positioning surface 172CF.

[0327] The above discharge guide surface 168g may be omitted. In this case, for example, the IP10 on the stage 160 may be taken out by hand.

[0328] The upper positioning portion 172D is located on the other side in the vertical clamping direction A1 of the plate-like portion 164, here, on the upper side. The upper positioning portion 172D is formed separately from the plate-like portion 164. The upper positioning portion may be integrally formed with the plate-like portion.

[0329] The upper positioning portion 172D is provided to face the lower positioning portion 172C with a space therebetween in the vertical clamping direction A1. Preferably, in the left-right clamping direction A2, the position of the lower positioning portion 172C and the position of the upper positioning portion 172D are the same, and the lower positioning portion 172C and the upper positioning portion 172D face each other frontally in the vertical clamping direction A1 to clamp the IP10.

[0330] The upper positioning portion 172D protrudes from the support surface 164F. A surface that protrudes from the support surface 164F and faces inward (downward) of the upper positioning portion 172D is formed as the positioning surface 172DF. When the lower positioning portion 172C moves upward while the IP10 supported on the support surface 164F is supported by the positioning surface 172CF of the lower positioning portion 172C, the IP10 is pushed upward and moves. Eventually, the upper edge portion of the IP10 comes into contact with the upper positioning portion 172D, and the upward movement of the IP10 is restricted. Thereby, the IP10 is in a state of being clamped between the lower positioning portion 172C and the upper positioning portion 172D in the vertical clamping direction A1. In this state, the upper edge portion of the IP10 contacts the upper positioning surface 172DF, and the positioning of the IP10 in the first direction is achieved.

[0331] The positioning surfaces 172BF and 172DF may be inclined surfaces that face away from the support surface 164F as they approach the center of the support surface 164F.

[0332] <Regarding the mating positioning portion> The mating positioning portions 200 and 202 are located away from the support surface 164F. For example, a space is provided between the mating positioning portions 200 and 202 and the support surface 164F that allows the left positioning portion 172A or the right positioning portion 172B to be arranged.

[0333] Further, each of the fitting positioning portions 200 and 202 includes fitting positioning surfaces 200F and 202F that protrude with respect to the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF and are arranged to face the support surface 164F. That the fitting positioning surfaces 200F and 202F protrude with respect to the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF means, for example, that in the left-right clamping direction A2, the fitting positioning surfaces 200F and 202F protrude toward the center side of the support surface 164F more than the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF.

[0334] The fitting positioning portions 200 and 202 can be changed in state between a state of being fitted to and a state of being separated from the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B as stage-side positioning portions.

[0335] In the present embodiment, the fitting positioning portions 200 and 202 are located midway while the stage 160 moves from the set position P1 toward the reading position P2. The fitting positioning portions 200 and 202 are supported, for example, directly or indirectly at a fixed position in the main scanning direction A1 with respect to the frame-shaped portion 144.

[0336] The ends of the fitting positioning portions 200 and 202 closer to the set position P1 are located on the reading position P2 side of the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B of the stage 160 located at the set position P1. For this reason, in a state where the stage 160 is located at the set position P1, the fitting positioning portions 200 and 202 do not overlap the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B.

[0337] The ends of the fitting positioning portions 200 and 202 closer to the reading position P2 are located on the set position P1 side of the light irradiation position Pr by the reading unit 90 (see FIG. 26). The irradiation position Pr is the position where the excitation light from the excitation light source 92 is irradiated onto the IP10, and is, for example, the position in front of the photodetector 94. For this reason, when the stage 160 is read by the reading unit 90 at the reading position P2, the excitation light is irradiated onto the IP10 without being blocked by the fitting positioning portions 200 and 202.

[0338] Note that the combined state means a state in which the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF can position the IP10 together with the combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F (see Fig. 28). For example, in the combined state, the combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F overlap the entire portions of the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF that contact the side edges of the IP10.

[0339] Also, the separated state means a state other than the above combined state. For example, in the separated state, the combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F do not have to overlap the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF (see Figs. 26 and 32). Also, for example, in the separated state, the combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F may overlap a part of the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF, but a part of the portions of the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF that contact the IP10 at the side edges may extend to the reading position P2 side (see Figs. 29 to 31).

[0340] In the first state, the combined positioning portions 200 and 202 are combined with the left positioning portion 172A or the right positioning portion 172B as the stage-side positioning portion. The positioning surface 170Fa in the first state includes, on the left side in the left and right clamping direction A2, the left positioning portion 172A and the combined positioning surface 200F, and on the right side, the stage-side positioning surface 172BF and the combined positioning surface 202F. The distal edge 170Fae of the positioning surface 170Fa on each of the left and right sides is the edge located on the side farther from the support surface 164F among the combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F (see Fig. 33(b)).

[0341] In the second state, the combined positioning portions 200 and 202 are separated from the left positioning portion 172A or the right positioning portion 172B as the stage-side positioning portion.

[0342] In the second state, the positioning surface 170Fb is configured by the left positioning portion 172A or the right positioning portion 172B as the stage-side positioning surface. The distal edge 170Fbe in this second state is the edge located on the side farther from the support surface 164F among the left positioning portion 172A or the right positioning portion 172B as the stage-side positioning surface (see Fig. 33(c)).

[0343] Similar to the first embodiment, in the first state, the positioning operation of the edge portion of the IP10 may be performed. Also, in the second state, the radiation image may be read from the IP10 by the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94.

[0344] In this embodiment, the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B as the stage-side positioning portions move together with the stage body 161 from the set position P1 toward the reading position P2. The combined positioning portions 200 and 202 are arranged in the middle of the path along which the stage body 161 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2. Therefore, in the middle of the path along which the stage body 161 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2, the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B are combined so as to overlap the combined positioning portions 200 and 202. This state is the first state, and the IP10 is positioned in the first state.

[0345] Then, in the state where the stage body 161 is located at the reading position P2, the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B are separated from the combined positioning portions 200 and 202. This state is the second state, and the radiation image is read from the IP10 in the second state.

[0346] More specifically, an explanation is given.

[0347] The combined positioning portion 200 is the portion that combines with the left positioning portion 172A. The combined positioning portion 200 is formed in a long plate shape in the vertical clamping direction A1. Among the combined positioning portion 200 in the left-right clamping direction A2, the surface on the side of the combined positioning portion 202 is formed as the combined positioning surface 200F.

[0348] The mating positioning surface 200F is an inclined surface that inclines in a direction away from the support surface 164F as it extends toward the center of the support surface 164F. The mating positioning surface 200F inclines in the same direction as the stage-side positioning surface 172AF. That is, both the stage-side positioning surface 172AF and the mating positioning surface 200F incline toward the center of the support surface 164F as they move away from the support surface 164F. Note that the inclination angle of the mating positioning surface 200F with respect to the support surface 164F may be the same as or different from the inclination angle of the stage-side positioning surface 172AF. The mating positioning surface 200F may be a flat surface or a curved surface.

[0349] The edge portion of the mating positioning surface 200F on the support surface 164F side overlaps the edge portion of the stage-side positioning surface 172AF on the side far from the support surface 164F. In the present embodiment, in the portion of the mating positioning portion 200 on the mating positioning portion 202 side, the edge portion on the support surface 164F side protrudes toward the support surface 164F side. The edge protrudes to such an extent that it does not reach the support surface 164F. By forming the mating positioning surface 200F also on the edge portion, a part of the mating positioning surface 200F overlaps the edge portion of the stage-side positioning surface 172AF on the side far from the support surface 164F from the mating positioning surface 202F side. The portion of the stage-side positioning surface 172AF on the support surface 164F side is exposed to the right in the left and right clamping direction A2 without being covered by the mating positioning surface 200F. For this reason, when the IP10 is away from the support surface 164F, the edge portion of the IP10 may contact the mating positioning surface 200F and be guided thereby. When the IP10 is located near the support surface 164F, the edge portion of the IP10 may contact the stage-side positioning surface 172AF.

[0350] The fitting positioning portion 200 is supported so as to be movable along the left-right clamping direction A2. In the present embodiment, support pieces 148p project from the portion of the pair of support portions 148 on the frame-shaped portion 144 side. A support rod 201a is supported along the left-right clamping direction A2 by the pair of support pieces 148p. A movable support body 201b is supported on the support rod 201a so as to be movable along the left-right clamping direction A2. The fitting positioning surface 200F of the movable support body 201b is supported in a posture along the support surface 164F at a position separated from the front of the support surface 164F. The fitting positioning surface 200F can move along the left-right clamping direction A2 while being supported by the movable support body 201b. That is, the fitting positioning portion 200 is an example of a variable fitting positioning portion supported so as to be movable along the left-right clamping direction A2.

[0351] A guide receiving groove 200g is formed in the surface of the fitting positioning portion 200 on the side facing the support surface 164F. The guide receiving groove 200g has a portion extending along the up-down clamping direction A1 and a guide-shaped portion that gradually widens upward on the upper side of the up-down clamping direction A1.

[0352] When the stage 160 moves along the up-down clamping direction A1, a pair of transmission portions 172Aq of the left positioning portion 172A enter the guide receiving groove 200g. In this state, when the left positioning portion 172A moves along the left-right clamping direction A2, the transmission portion 172Aq hits the side surface of the guide receiving groove 200g and pushes the left positioning portion 172A along the left-right clamping direction A2. As a result, the fitting positioning portion 200 moves in conjunction with the movement of the left positioning portion 172A in the left-right clamping direction A2. The side surface of the guide receiving groove 200g serves as a transmission force receiving portion that receives the force of the transmission portion 172Aq as a transmission portion.

[0353] The fitting positioning portion 202 is a portion that fits with the right positioning portion 172B. The fitting positioning portion 202 is fixed at a certain position on the right side portion of the frame portion 144. For example, the fitting positioning portion 202 is fixed to the frame portion 144 by screws or the like. The fitting positioning portion 202 faces the fitting positioning portion 202 in the left-right clamping direction A2. The fitting positioning portion 200 may be provided at the same position as the fitting positioning portion 200 in the up-down clamping direction A1.

[0354] The fitting positioning portion 202 is formed in a plate shape along the up-down clamping direction A1 and the left-right clamping direction A2.

[0355] On the fitting positioning portion 202 in the left-right clamping direction A2, the surface on the fitting positioning portion 200 side is formed as a fitting positioning surface 202F.

[0356] Similar to the fitting positioning surface 200F, the fitting positioning surface 202F is an inclined surface that inclines in a direction away from the support surface 164F as it goes toward the center of the support surface 164F. Also, similar to the fitting positioning surface 200F, the fitting positioning surface 202F inclines in the same direction as the stage-side positioning surface 172BF.

[0357] Similar to the fitting positioning surface 200F, the edge portion of the fitting positioning surface 202F on the support surface 164F side covers the edge portion of the stage-side positioning surface 172BF on the side far from the support surface 164F.

[0358] This fitting positioning surface 202F is located on the fitting positioning portion 200 side and on the side away from the support surface 164F on the extension of the up-down clamping direction A1 with respect to the stage-side positioning surface 172BF. For this reason, in a state where the fitting positioning portion 202 and the right positioning portion 172B are fitted together, the fitting positioning surface 202F is arranged on the side away from the support surface 164F with respect to the stage-side positioning surface 172BF and at a position protruding on the fitting positioning portion 200 side.

[0359] The fitting positioning unit 202 is an example of a fixed-position fitting positioning unit that faces the fitting positioning unit 200 as a variable fitting positioning unit and is arranged at a fixed position in the middle of the path along which the stage body 161 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2.

[0360] <Regarding the drive mechanisms of the left positioning unit and the lower positioning unit> The driving of the left positioning unit 172A and the lower positioning unit 172C may be performed by any configuration. For example, the left positioning unit 172A and the lower positioning unit 172C may be driven by utilizing the force for driving the stage 160. The left positioning unit 172A and the lower positioning unit 172C may be driven, for example, by a driving unit (for example, a motor, a solenoid actuator) different from the driving unit (for example, a motor) for driving the stage 160 based on the control of the control unit.

[0361] In the present embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, the reading device 120 includes a positioning unit operation mechanism 180. The positioning unit operation mechanism 180 moves the left positioning unit 172A as a stage-side variable positioning unit along the left and right clamping direction A2 in accordance with the movement of the stage 160 from the set position P1 to the reading position P2 by the stage body movement mechanism 150. Further, in conjunction with the movement of the left positioning unit 172A along the left and right clamping direction A2, the fitting positioning unit 200 is moved along the left and right clamping direction A2. Furthermore, the positioning unit operation mechanism 180 moves the lower positioning unit 172C along the up and down clamping direction A1 in accordance with the movement of the stage 160 from the set position P1 to the reading position P2 by the stage body movement mechanism 150. A configuration example for that is described below.

[0362] <Regarding the configuration for operating the left positioning unit> As described above, the left positioning unit 172A is supported so as to be movable along the left and right clamping direction A2 with respect to the stage body 161. The left positioning unit 172A is biased in the approaching direction to the right positioning unit 172B by a coil spring Sp. Further, a driven part 172Ap protrudes from the left positioning unit 172A to the back surface side of the plate-like part 164.

[0363] The actuating plate 182 is supported at the lower part of the frame-shaped part 144 (see FIGS. 23 and 26). The actuating plate 182 protrudes inside and outside the frame-shaped part 144 at the middle part in the left-right direction of the frame-shaped part 144. The actuating plate 182 may be an actuating member that is not plate-shaped.

[0364] The surface of the actuating plate 182 on the side of the left positioning part 172A is an actuating surface 182f that contacts the driven part 172Ap and moves the driven part 172Ap along the left-right sandwiching direction A2.

[0365] The actuating surface 182f has a straight part 182f1 and an inclined part 182f2.

[0366] The straight part 182f1 extends along the up-down sandwiching direction A1. The position of the straight part 182f1 in the left-right sandwiching direction A2 is a position where the left positioning part 172A biased by the coil spring Sp can be restricted from the right positioning part 172B in a standby position where the driven part 172Ap is in contact with the straight part 182f1. Also, in the up-down sandwiching direction A1, the straight part 182f1 exists in a range through which the driven part 172Ap passes when the stage 160 moves from the discharge position P3 through the set position P1 to in front of the reading position P2. Therefore, the straight part 182f1 can restrict the position of the left positioning part 172A when the stage 160 moves from the discharge position P3 through the set position P1 to in front of the reading position P2.

[0367] The inclined portion 182f2 is continuously upward with respect to the straight portion 182f1. The inclined portion 182f2 is formed in a shape that faces the right positioning portion 172B as it goes upward along the vertical clamping direction A1. Also, in the vertical clamping direction A1, the inclined portion 182f2 exists within a range through which the driven portion 172Ap passes at least when the stage 160 moves from before the reading position P2 toward the reading position P2. For this reason, the inclined portion 182f2 can regulate the position of the left positioning portion 172A when the stage 160 moves from before the reading position P2 toward the reading position P2. Here, the inclined portion 182f2 regulates the position of the left positioning portion 172A so that the left positioning portion 172A gradually moves toward the right positioning portion 172B.

[0368] In this embodiment, in a state where the stage 160 has reached the reading position P2, the inclined portion 182f2 does not contact the driven portion 172Ap. That is, in the vertical clamping direction A1, the inclined portion 182f2 exists within a range through which the driven portion 172Ap passes before the stage 160 approaches the reading position P2 from before the reading position P2 and reaches the reading position P2. For this reason, in a state where the stage 160 has reached the reading position P2, the left positioning portion 172A can be in a state of being closest to the right positioning portion 172B.

[0369] <Configuration for operating the lower positioning portion> The positioning portion operating mechanism 180 includes a lower positioning portion operating mechanism 184. The lower positioning portion operating mechanism 184 is a mechanism that moves the lower positioning portion 172C along the vertical clamping direction A1 in accordance with the movement of the stage 160 from the set position P1 to the reading position P2 by the stage body moving mechanism 150.

[0370] The lower positioning portion operating mechanism 184 includes an operating surface 189f and a link mechanism 185.

[0371] The link mechanism 185 includes a first link 186 and a second link 187 as a plurality of links.

[0372] The first link 186 is an elongated member, which is an elongated plate-like member here. The first link 186 is located on the back side of the stage body 161. One end of the first link 186 is rotatably connected to the lower positioning portion 172C via a shaft portion. The other end of the first link 186 extends toward the back side position of the right positioning portion 172B.

[0373] The second link 187 is an elongated member, which has an elongated plate-like member 187a and a driven portion 187b here. One end of the second link 187 is rotatably connected to the other end of the first link 186 via a shaft portion. The middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like member 187a is rotatably supported on the back surface of the stage body 161 via a support shaft portion 187c which is a swing fulcrum. The support shaft portion 187c is, for example, on the back surface of the plate-like portion 164 and is located above the slit 165b. Also, the support shaft portion 187c is, for example, on the back surface of the plate-like portion 164 and is located closer to the left positioning portion 172A. The position of the support shaft portion 187c can be appropriately set according to the amount of movement of the lower positioning portion 172C, the position of the working surface 189f, etc. The driven portion 187b is a roller rotatably supported at the other end of the plate-like member 187a via a shaft portion.

[0374] The first link 186 extends upward while inclining with respect to the vertical clamping direction A1 from the connection portion with the lower positioning portion 172C. The second link 187 extends upward while inclining in the opposite direction to the first link 186 with respect to the vertical clamping direction A1 from the connection portion with the first link 186. The driven portion 187b at the other end of the second link 187 is located on the side edge side closer to the left positioning portion 172A of the plate-like portion 164.

[0375] A driven portion 186b is supported at the connection portion between the first link 186 and the second link 187. The driven portion 186b is, for example, a rotatably supported roller.

[0376] When the lower positioning portion 172C moves upward along the vertical clamping direction A1, the first link 186 moves upward, and one end of the second link 187 moves upward. As a result, the second link 187 rotates around the support shaft portion 187c. For example, in FIG. 26 and the like, the second link 187 rotates counterclockwise around the support shaft portion 187c. Thereby, the driven portion 187b rotates counterclockwise along the circumferential direction centered on the support shaft portion 187c.

[0377] Also, when the lower positioning portion 172C moves downward along the vertical clamping direction A1, the first link 186 moves downward, and one end of the second link 187 moves downward. As a result, the second link 187 rotates around the support shaft portion 187c. For example, in FIG. 26 and the like, the second link 187 rotates clockwise around the support shaft portion 187c. Thereby, the driven portion 187b rotates clockwise along the circumferential direction centered on the support shaft portion 187c.

[0378] The link mechanism may include a larger number of links. Also, the first link may be swingably supported via a swing fulcrum.

[0379] Since the lower positioning portion 172C is biased upward by the coil spring Sp, the driven portion 187b is biased to rotate counterclockwise around the support shaft portion 187c. By controlling the position of the driven portion 187b in the left - right clamping direction A2 by the operating surface 189f, the position of the lower positioning portion 172C in the vertical clamping direction A1 is controlled.

[0380] The operating plate 189 is supported by the frame - shaped portion 144. In the present embodiment, the operating plate 189 is supported by the inward portion of one of the longitudinal side plates 145 of the frame - shaped portion 144. The operating plate 189 is located apart from the above - mentioned operating plate 182 in the left - right clamping direction A2. The operating plate 189 may be an operating member having an operating surface 189f formed on a part of, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped, rather than a plate shape.

[0381] The actuating plate 189 protrudes from the inner part of the frame-shaped part 144.

[0382] The inner side edge part of the actuating plate 189 is the actuating surface 189f. The said driven part 187b faces the actuating surface 189f. The biasing force by the coil spring Sp acts as a force to press the driven part 187b against the actuating surface 189f. Therefore, as the stage 160 moves, the driven part 187b moves passively along with the actuating surface 189f.

[0383] As the stage 160 moves, the actuating surface 189f causes the driven part 187b to be displaced in the left-right clamping direction A2, which is a direction intersecting the moving direction of the stage 160.

[0384] In this embodiment, the actuating surface 189f has a main actuating surface 189f1. The main actuating surface 189f1 extends along the up-down clamping direction A1. When the driven part 187b is pressed against the main actuating surface 189f1, the driven part 187b is restricted from rotating clockwise around the support shaft part 187c. Therefore, the lower positioning part 172C is restricted to be positioned at a fixed position, here, the standby position away from the upper positioning part 172D.

[0385] The main actuating surface 189f1 exists within the range through which the driven part 187b passes before the stage 160 reaches a position before the reading position P2 from the set position P1. Therefore, in the state where the stage 160 is positioned at the set position P1, the driven part 187b contacts the main actuating surface 189f1. Even when the stage 160 is positioned between the set position P1 and the reading position P2, the driven part 187b contacts the main actuating surface 189f1. Thus, until the stage 160 reaches the reading position P2 from the set position P1, the lower positioning part 172C is maintained at the standby position.

[0386] Before the stage 160 reaches the reading position P2, the driven part 187b disengages from the main actuating surface 189f1. Therefore, due to the biasing force of the coil spring Sp, the second link 187 rotates counterclockwise around the support shaft part 187c, and the lower positioning part 172C moves from the standby position toward the pressing position.

[0387] Thus, the link mechanism 185 can transmit the displacement of the driven part 187b in the direction intersecting the moving direction of the stage 160 as a force for moving the lower positioning part 172C with respect to the stage main body 161.

[0388] When the stage 160 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2, the timing at which the lower positioning part 172C starts to move from the standby position toward the clamping position may be before, simultaneous with, or after the timing at which the left positioning part 172A starts to move from the separated position toward the approaching position. In the present embodiment, the timing at which the lower positioning part 172C starts to move upward is after the timing at which the left positioning part 172A starts to move rightward toward the approaching position.

[0389] In the present embodiment, the operating surface 189f has a retracting operation operating surface 189f2. The retracting operation operating surface 189f2 is continuous downward with respect to the main operating surface 189f1. The retracting operation operating surface 189f2 protrudes toward the right positioning part 172B side in the vertical clamping direction A1 more than the main operating surface 189f1. More specifically, the retracting operation operating surface 189f2 includes a surface protruding inward from the lower end of the main operating surface 189f1 and an inclined surface gradually facing outward downward from the inner end of the surface.

[0390] When the stage 160 moves from the set position P1 toward the discharge position P3 side, the driven part 187b rides on the retracting operation operating surface 189f2, and the driven part 187b is pushed inward. As a result, the second link 187 rotates clockwise around the support shaft part 187c, and the first link 186 is pushed downward. Then, the lower positioning part 172C moves from the standby position to the separated discharge position. Then, the IP10 becomes easily discharged from the stage 160 by the discharge guide surface 168g.

[0391] The additional actuating plate 188 is supported by the frame-shaped portion 144. In the present embodiment, the additional actuating plate 188 is supported by the inward-facing portion of the other longitudinal side plate 145 of the frame-shaped portion 144. The additional actuating plate 188 is located on the opposite side in the left-right clamping direction A2 with respect to the actuating plate 189.

[0392] The additional actuating plate 188 protrudes from the inward-facing portion of the frame-shaped portion 144.

[0393] The inward-facing side edge portion of the additional actuating plate 188 is the actuating surface 188f. As the stage 160 moves, the driven portion 186b can move along the actuating surface 188f in a driven manner.

[0394] In the present embodiment, the actuating surface 188f is formed at a position where it can come into contact with the driven portion 186b while the stage 160 moves from a position in front of the reading position P2 to the reading position P2 and then to the back position P4.

[0395] Before the stage 160 reaches the setting position P1 from in front of the reading position P2, the driven portion 186b comes into contact with the actuating surface 188f. As a result, the second link 187 rotates clockwise around the pivot portion 187c, the connecting portion between the second link 187 and the first link 186 moves downward with respect to the plate-shaped portion 164, and the lower positioning portion 172C moves downward with respect to the plate-shaped portion 164. That is, the lower positioning portion 172C moves from the pressing position to the retracted position.

[0396] Then, while the IP10 is clamped in the left-right direction by the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B, the upper positioning portion 172D comes into contact with the IP10, and the lower positioning portion 172C has once retracted from the IP10, the stage 160 reaches the reading position P2 and moves to the back position beyond the reading position P2. When the stage 160 passes through the reading position P2, a radiation image is read from the IP10.

[0397] After the reading, through the reverse operation of the above, the stage 160 returns from the back position P4 to the setting position P1.

[0398] <Regarding the operation of the reading device> The operation of the reading device 120 will be described.

[0399] As shown in FIG. 26, in the initial state, the stage 160 is located at the set position P1. In this state, since the driven part 172Ap is in contact with the linear part 182f1 of the operating surface 182f, the left positioning part 172A is located at the separated position. Also, since the driven part 187b is in contact with the main operating surface 189f1 of the operating surface 189f, the lower positioning part 172C is located at the standby position.

[0400] In this state, the IP10 is set through the setting guide 96. The IP10 is supported on the stage 160 in a state where the back surface 10b of the IP10 is in contact with the support surface 164F and the lower edge part of the IP10 is in contact with the positioning surface 172CF of the lower positioning part 172C.

[0401] When an instruction for reading in the reading device 120 is input, the stage 160 moves from the set position P1 toward the reading position P2 by driving the stage body moving mechanism 150. During the movement of the stage 160, the transmission part 172Aq of the left positioning part 172A enters the guide receiving groove 200g of the combined positioning part 200.

[0402] When the stage 160 approaches the reading position P2 further, the driven part 172Ap reaches from the linear part 182f1 to the inclined part 182f2 of the operating surface 182f. Since the left positioning part 172A is biased in the approaching direction by the coil spring Sp, as the stage 160 moves, the driven part 172Ap can move following along the inclined part 182f2. Thereby, the left positioning part 172A can move closer to the right positioning part 172B.

[0403] As described above, since the transmission part 172Aq of the left positioning part 172A has entered the guide receiving groove 200g of the combined positioning part 200, the combined positioning part 200 also moves in the right - hand direction together with the left positioning part 172A.

[0404] As a result, the left positioning surface 170Fa formed by the stage-side positioning surface 172AF and the mating positioning surface 200F, and the right positioning surface 170Fb formed by the stage-side positioning surface 172BF and the mating positioning surface 202F sandwich the IP10 and position it in the left-right direction (see Fig. 28).

[0405] When the stage 160 further moves to the reading position P2 side, as shown in Fig. 29, the central axis of the driven part 187b exceeds the end of the main operating surface 189f1, and the lower positioning part 172C can move upward with respect to the stage body 161 along the vertical sandwiching direction A1. Then, the IP10 is sandwiched and positioned between the lower positioning part 172C and the upper positioning part 172D.

[0406] When the stage 160 further moves to the reading position P2 side, as shown in Fig. 30, the portions of the left positioning part 172A and the right positioning part 172B in contact with the IP10 are disengaged upward from the mating positioning parts 200 and 202, and the upper part of the IP10 is in a state of being disengaged upward from the mating positioning parts 200 and 202 while being sandwiched in the left-right direction by the left positioning part 172A and the right positioning part 172B.

[0407] Also, the driven part 186b contacts the operating surface 188f of the additional operating plate 188, and the driven part 186b is pushed inward and downward in the left-right direction. As a result, the lower positioning part 172C moves downward with respect to the plate-like part 164.

[0408] When the stage 160 reaches the reading position P2, as shown in Fig. 31, the left positioning part 172A, the right positioning part 172B, and the IP10 are in a state of being further more exposed from the mating positioning parts 200 and 202. The portion of the IP10 that is sandwiched by the left positioning part 172A and the right positioning part 172B but not covered by the mating positioning parts 200 and 202 reaches the irradiation position Pr.

[0409] After the reading unit 90 finishes reading, the stage 160 returns to the set position P1. During its movement, the reverse operation to the above is performed, and the holding of the IP10 on the stage 160 is released. When a plurality of types of IP10s are prepared as IP10, the position of the combining positioning portion 200 in the left - right sandwiching direction A2 may be different according to the width of the IP10. The guide receiving groove 200g is formed as a groove that gradually widens upward. For this reason, when the stage 160 returns, the transmission portion 172Aq can easily enter the guide receiving groove 200g regardless of the position of the combining positioning portion 200.

[0410] When the stage 160 moves from the set position P1 toward the discharge position P3, as shown in FIG. 32, the driven portion 187b rides on the retraction - operation working surface 189f2 of the working surface 189f and moves inward. Then, the second link 187 rotates around the support shaft portion 187c, and the first link 186 is pushed downward. As a result, the lower positioning portion 172C moves downward. When the positioning surface 172CF moves below the discharge guide surface 168g, the lower edge portion of the IP10 supported by the positioning surface 172CF comes into contact with the discharge guide surface 168g. The IP10 moves downward along the discharge guide surface 168g due to its own weight. For this reason, the IP10 is guided by the discharge guide surface 168g to be separated from the support surface 164F by a height greater than or equal to the height difference between the support surface 164F and the positioning surface 172CF, and the IP10 falls downward from the support surface 164F of the IP. Thereby, the IP10 is discharged.

[0411] The positioning operation by the positioning surfaces 170Fa and 170Fb is described in FIG. 33.

[0412] As shown in FIG. 33(a), in the initial set state of the IP10, the stage - side positioning surface 172AF and the stage - side positioning surface 172BF are open, and the IP10 is disposed between them.

[0413] As shown in FIG. 33(b), on the way the stage 160 moves toward the reading position P2, the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B are combined with the combined positioning portions 200 and 202. In the combined state, the left positioning surface 170Fa is formed by the stage-side positioning surface 172AF and the combined positioning surface 200F, and the right positioning surface 170Fa is formed by the stage-side positioning surface 172BF and the combined positioning surface 202F. In this state, the distal edge 170Fae is separated from the support surface 164F by a distance L1. Therefore, the edge portion of the IP10 that is separated within the range of the distance L1 from the support surface 164F can be positioned so as to press against the support surface 164F. That is, the warp of the IP10 is eliminated, and the IP10 approaches a flat state along the support surface 64F. When the edge portion of the IP10 is separated from the support surface 164F, the edge portion slides sequentially from the combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F toward the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF and approaches the support surface 164F.

[0414] At this time, the combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F partially overlap the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF. Therefore, the edge portion that has slid on the combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F can smoothly move toward the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF without being caught at the boundary between the combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F and the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF.

[0415] When trying to read the radiation image of the IP10 in the state where the IP10 is positioned by the positioning surface 170Fa, as shown in FIG. 33(c), there is a possibility that the excitation light La and the emission light Lb are blocked at the location where they enter inward from the edge portion of the IP10.

[0416] Before the stage 160 reaches the reading position P2, the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B are separated from the combined positioning portions 200 and 202. As shown in FIG. 33(d), at the irradiation position Pr, the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B position the IP10 from the left and right directions, and the combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F are not overlapped.

[0417] In this state, the stage-side positioning surface 172AF becomes the left positioning surface 170Fb, and the stage-side positioning surface 172BF becomes the right positioning surface 170Fb. In this state, the distal edge 170Fae is separated from the support surface 164F by a distance L2 which is smaller than the distance L1.

[0418] In this state, when attempting to read the radiation image of the IP10, since the amount by which the positioning surface 170Fb covers the inner side from the edge portion of the IP10 is small, the excitation light La can reach near the outer edge of the IP10, and the emitted light Lb near the outer edge of the IP10 can be detected.

[0419] <Effect, etc.> According to the radiation image reading apparatus 120 configured as described above, similar to the first embodiment, the positioning mechanism 170 is configured to be able to change states between a first state in which the distal edge 170Fae is arranged to be separated from the support surface 164F by a first distance L1, and a second state in which the distal edge 170Fbe is arranged to be separated from the support surface 164F by a second distance L2 which is smaller than the first distance L1. For this reason, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to hold the IP10 in a state of being in contact with the support surface 164F while suppressing shadow interference.

[0420] In particular, according to the second embodiment, in the first state, the IP10 can be positioned while being pressed toward the support surface 164F by using both the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF and the combined positioning surfaces 200F and 202F. For this reason, even if the edge portion of the IP10 is separated from the support surface 164F, the IP10 is easily held in a state of being in contact with the support surface 164F. In the second state, since the combined positioning portions 200 and 202 are separated from the left positioning portion 172A and the right positioning portion 172B, it is easy to set the distal edge 170Fbe of the positioning surface near the support surface 164F. For this reason, the positioning surface 170Fb including the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF hardly blocks the excitation light La and the emitted light Lb, and shadow interference hardly occurs.

[0421] Further, by making the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF be inclined surfaces and making each of the mating positioning surfaces 200F and 202F be an inclined surface having the same orientation as the corresponding stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF, the edge portion of the IP10 can be sequentially guided from the mating positioning surfaces 200F and 202F by the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF and smoothly pressed against the support surface 164F.

[0422] Further, by the edge portions of the mating positioning surfaces 200F and 202F on the support surface 164F side covering the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF, the edge portion of the IP10 is less likely to be caught at the boundary between the mating positioning surfaces 200F and 202F and the stage-side positioning surfaces 172AF and 172BF, and can move smoothly.

[0423] Also, the mating positioning portions 200 and 202 are arranged between the set position P1 and the reading position P2. Then, on the way of the path where the stage 160 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2, the mating positioning portions 200 and 202 are mated with the left positioning portion 172A or the right positioning portion 172B as the stage-side positioning portion, and in the state where the stage 160 is located at the reading position P2, the mating positioning portions 200 and 202 are separated from the left positioning portion 172A or the right positioning portion 172B. Therefore, by moving the stage body 161 from the set position P1 to the reading position P2, the first state and the second state can be easily switched.

[0424] Also, the stage 160 includes the left positioning portion 172A as the stage-side variable positioning portion. As the stage body 161 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2, since the left positioning portion 172A moves along the left and right clamping direction A2, the left positioning portion 172A can be moved by the movement of the stage body 161 to clamp the IP10.

[0425] In addition, in conjunction with the movement of the left positioning portion 172A along the left and right clamping direction A2, the combined positioning portion 200 moves in the left and right clamping direction A2. The combined positioning surface 200F and the stage-side positioning surface 172AF can be interlocked to cause the IP10 to move closer, and a continuous positioning operation using the combined positioning surface 200F and the stage-side positioning surface 172AF is performed smoothly.

[0426] In addition, since the IP10 is clamped using the right positioning portion 172B and the combined positioning portion 202 that are supported at a fixed position with respect to the stage body 161, it is easy to position the IP10 at a fixed position on the support surface 164F with reference to the right positioning portion 172B and the combined positioning portion 202.

[0427] <Modification of the Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment, a configuration for positioning by a two-sheet overlapping structure of the left positioning portion 172A or the right positioning portion 172B and the combined positioning portions 200 and 202 has been described. However, the positioning portion supported by the stage may have a two-sheet or more overlapping structure. Further, the combined positioning portion may also have a two-sheet or more overlapping structure.

[0428] In the second embodiment, an example in which the left positioning portion 172A or the right positioning portion 172B is combined with or separated from the combined positioning portions 200 and 202 as the stage 160 moves has been shown. However, a configuration in which the combined positioning portion moves with respect to the stage-side positioning portion, and the stage-side positioning portion is combined with or separated from the combined positioning portion may be used. The movement of the stage-side positioning portion in this case may be performed using the driving force of the stage body movement mechanism, or may be performed by the driving force of an actuator such as a separately added motor.

[0429] In Embodiment 2, the lower positioning portion 172C was moved downward to discharge the IP10. The configuration example for discharging the IP10 is not limited to the above example. In Embodiment 2, an example in which the upper positioning portion 172D is fixed at a certain position and the lower positioning portion 172C moves with respect to the stage body 161 was described. The upper positioning portion may move with respect to the stage body, or the lower positioning portion may move.

[0430] Modification examples regarding the configuration for discharging and the sandwiching configuration in the vertical direction will be described.

[0431] FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing a stage 260 according to a modification example. FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view showing the same stage 260. FIG. 36 is a front view of the same stage 260 as viewed from the support surface 264F side. FIG. 37 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XXXVII-XXXVII of FIG. 36. The movable support is omitted in FIGS. 34 to 37. In FIGS. 34, 36, and 37, the operation plates 282, 289 for moving each part for holding or discharging the IP10 as the stage 260 moves, and the discharge operation plate 283 are shown.

[0432] The stage 260 includes a plate-like portion 264 corresponding to the plate-like portion 164 and a positioning mechanism 270 corresponding to the positioning mechanism 170.

[0433] Similar to the plate-like portion 164, the plate-like portion 264 is formed in a plate-like shape having a support surface 264F corresponding to the support surface 164F. The main difference between the plate-like portion 264 and the plate-like portion 164 is the configuration for supporting the lower positioning portion 272C and the upper positioning portion 272D.

[0434] The positioning mechanism 270 includes a left positioning portion 272A, a right positioning portion 272B, a lower positioning portion 272C, and an upper positioning portion 272D.

[0435] The configuration related to the left positioning portion 272A and the right positioning portion 272B, and the configuration in which the plate-like portion 264 supports the left positioning portion 272A and the right positioning portion 272B are the same as the configuration described in the second embodiment. Also, similar to what was described in the second embodiment, as the stage 260 moves, the driven portion 172Ap on the back side of the left positioning portion 272A comes into contact with the operating surface 182f of the operating plate 182, so that the left positioning portion 272A can move closer to and away from the right positioning portion 272B. Further, the left positioning portion 172A supports the transmission portion 172Aq, similar to what was described in the second embodiment, and the combined positioning portion 200 can be moved along with the movement of the left positioning portion 172A in the left-right clamping direction A2.

[0436] Also, the left positioning portion 272A and the right positioning portion 272B can be combined with and separated from the combined positioning portions 200 and 202 as the stage 260 moves, similar to what was described in the second embodiment.

[0437] The configuration in which the plate-like portion 264 supports the lower positioning portion 272C and the upper positioning portion 272D is different from the configuration described in the second embodiment.

[0438] An opening 264h penetrating through the front and back is formed in the lower portion of the plate-like portion 264. The lower portion of the opening 264h is a positioning opening 264h1 for arranging the lower positioning portion 272C. The upper portion of the opening 264h is a discharge opening 264h2. The internal space of the discharge opening 264h2 is continuous with the internal space of the positioning opening 264h1. The discharge opening 264h2 is narrower than the positioning opening 264h1. Note that the openings 264h1 and 264h2 may be partitioned.

[0439] The lower positioning portion 272C includes a positioning portion main body 272Ca and a transmission portion 272Cb.

[0440] The positioning part main body 272Ca is rotatably supported by a shaft 274C while being disposed within the positioning opening 264h1. The shaft 274C supports a lower portion of the positioning part main body 272Ca at a lower position within the positioning opening 264h1.

[0441] The positioning part main body 272Ca extends upward along the upper and lower clamping direction A1 from the shaft 274C. The surface of the positioning part main body 272Ca facing upward in the upper and lower clamping direction A1 is the lower positioning surface 272CF.

[0442] As the lower positioning surface 272CF rotates about the shaft 274C as a rotation axis, the lower positioning surface 272CF changes its posture between the clamping posture (see the solid line in FIG. 37) and the low-back posture (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 37). In both the clamping posture and the low-back posture, the lower positioning surface 272CF protrudes from the support surface 264F. The protruding amount of the lower positioning surface 272CF with respect to the support surface 264F is larger in the clamping posture than in the low-back posture. Note that the lower positioning surface 272CF may be inclined so as to face the center of the support surface 264F as it moves away from the support surface 264F in any posture.

[0443] The lower positioning part 272C may be biased to the low-back posture by gravity, or may be biased to the low-back posture by a biasing member such as a torsion coil spring.

[0444] An edge of the lower positioning surface 272CF that is located in front of the support surface 264F and on the side farther from the support surface 264F is defined as the distal edge 272Ce. The lower positioning part 272C is capable of changing its state between a first state (clamping posture) in which the distal edge 272Ce is disposed at a first distance L1 from the support surface 264F and a second state (low-back posture) in which the distal edge 272Ce is disposed at a second distance L2 smaller than the first distance from the support surface 264F.

[0445] Therefore, as described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, by sandwiching the IP10 using the lower positioning surface 272CF in the sandwiching posture, even if the IP10 is separated from the support surface 264F, it can be easily sandwiched so as to press the IP10 against the support surface 264F. Also, in the low-back posture, by positioning the IP10 using the lower positioning surface 272CF, the lower positioning surface 272CF is less likely to cause shadow obstruction.

[0446] That is, the lower positioning portion 272C is an example of a height-variable positioning portion with a variable height with respect to the support surface 264F, similar to the positioning portions 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D in the first embodiment. That is, the height-variable positioning portion may move in a direction perpendicular to the support surface to change the height, may rotate around a predetermined axis to change the height with respect to the support surface, or may move obliquely with respect to the support surface to change the height.

[0447] The transmission portion 272Cb is a member for transmitting a force for rotating the lower positioning surface 272CF to the lower positioning surface 272CF as the stage 260 moves.

[0448] The transmission portion 272Cb is connected to the back surface of the lower positioning surface 272CF on the back surface side of the plate-like portion 264. The transmission portion 272Cb extends from the back surface of the lower positioning surface 272CF through the back surface side of the plate-like portion 264 to one side in the left-right sandwiching direction A2. A driven portion 273C is rotatably supported at the outer end portion of the transmission portion 272Cb. The driven portion 273C is, for example, a roller rotatably supported around a rotation axis along the left-right sandwiching direction A2.

[0449] When the transmission portion 272Cb and the driven portion 273C are displaced in the thickness direction of the plate-like portion 264, the lower positioning surface 272CF can rotate between the sandwiching posture and the low-back posture.

[0450] An actuating plate 282 against which the driven part 273C can contact the frame-shaped part 144 is supported. The actuating plate 282 has a flat surface 282f1, a first inclined surface 282f2 that continues upward with respect to the flat surface 282f1, and a second inclined surface 282f3 that continues downward with respect to the flat surface 282f1.

[0451] The flat surface 282f1 is formed at a position in contact with the driven part 273C so that the lower positioning surface 272CF is kept in the sandwiched posture in the direction orthogonal to the support surface 264F. Further, the flat surface 282f1 is formed in a range where the driven part 273C can contact between the state where the stage 260 is located at the set position P1 and an intermediate position on the way from the said position toward the reading position P2. For this reason, in the state where the stage 260 is located at the set position P1, when the driven part 273C contacts the flat surface 282f1, the lower positioning part 272C is kept in the sandwiched posture. Further, until the stage 260 reaches an intermediate position on the way toward the reading position P2, the driven part 273C rolls on the flat surface 282f1, and the lower positioning part 272C is kept in the sandwiched posture. For this reason, by sandwiching the IP10 on the way from the set position P1 toward the reading position P2, the lower positioning surface 272CF can be made to protrude greatly from the support surface 264F.

[0452] The first inclined surface 282f2 inclines toward the side away from the support surface 264F as it goes upward in the vertical sandwiching direction A1. Therefore, when the stage 260 approaches the reading position P2, the driven part 273C rolls on the first inclined surface 282f2 and is displaced in the direction away from the support surface 264F. Thereby, the lower positioning surface 272CF rotates into the low-back posture. In the state where the stage 260 reaches the reading position P2, since the radiation image is read in the low-back posture, the lower positioning part 272C is less likely to interfere with the reading.

[0453] The second inclined surface 282f3 is inclined in a direction away from the support surface 264F as it faces downward in the vertical sandwiching direction A1. Therefore, when the stage 260 moves from the set position P1 toward the discharge position P3, the driven part 273C rolls on the second inclined surface 282f3 and is displaced in a direction away from the support surface 264F. As a result, the lower positioning surface 272CF rotates to a low-profile position. Since the height of the lower positioning surface 272CF with respect to the support surface 264F becomes smaller, it becomes easier for the IP10 to cross over the lower positioning surface 272CF and be discharged.

[0454] The upper positioning part 272D is supported so as to be movable along the vertical sandwiching direction A1 with respect to the plate-like part 264. More specifically, a slit 267 along the vertical sandwiching direction A1 is formed in the upper portion of the plate-like part 264.

[0455] The upper positioning part 272D is formed in a long rectangular parallelepiped shape along the extending direction of the slit 267. The upper positioning part 272D is disposed in the slit 267 and is supported so as to be movable along the vertical sandwiching direction A1. Further, the upper positioning part 272D is biased toward the lower positioning surface 272CF by a coil spring Sp.

[0456] The surface of the upper positioning part 272D facing the inner side (lower side) is formed on the lower positioning surface 272CF. The lower positioning surface 272CF sandwiches the IP10 on the support surface 264F from above.

[0457] In this modified example, unlike the second embodiment, in the vertical sandwiching direction A1, the lower positioning part 272C is located at a fixed position and the upper positioning part 272D reciprocates. The upper positioning part 272D moves in conjunction with the movement of the stage 260, for example, according to the following configuration.

[0458] That is, the upper positioning part operating mechanism 284 moves the upper positioning part 272D along the vertical sandwiching direction A1 in accordance with the movement of the stage 260 from the set position P1 to the reading position P2 by the stage body movement mechanism 150.

[0459] The upper positioning part operation mechanism 284 includes an operating surface 289f and a link mechanism 285.

[0460] The link mechanism 285 includes a first link 286 and a second link 287 as a plurality of links.

[0461] The first link 286 and the second link 287 are elongated members, and here they are elongated plate-like members. The first link 286 and the second link 287 are located on the back side of the plate-like portion 264. One end of the first link 286 is rotatably connected via a shaft portion to a portion on the back side of the plate-like portion 264 that is lower in the vertical clamping direction A1 and closer to one side (left) in the left-right clamping direction A2. The other end of the first link 286 extends toward the other side (right) and the upper side of the plate-like portion 264.

[0462] One end of the second link 287 is rotatably connected to the other end of the first link 286 via a shaft portion. The other end of the second link 287 is rotatably connected to the back surface of the upper positioning part 272D via a shaft portion.

[0463] A driven part 286b is rotatably supported at the connection location between the first link 286 and the second link 287. The driven part 286b is a rolling element such as a roller. The driven part 286b protrudes beyond the other side of the plate-like portion 264.

[0464] The upper positioning part 272D is biased downward along the vertical clamping direction A1 by a coil spring Sp. When the upper positioning part 272D moves downward, the angle of the connection portion between the first link 286 and the second link 287 becomes smaller, and the protruding amount of the driven part 286b with respect to the plate-like portion 264 becomes larger. By adjusting the protruding amount of the driven part 286b with respect to the plate-like portion 264, the position of the upper positioning part 272D can be adjusted.

[0465] The actuating plate 289 is supported by the frame-shaped portion 144. The inner side edge portion of the actuating plate 289 is the actuating surface 289f. The driven portion 286b faces the actuating surface 289f. The biasing force of the coil spring Sp acts to press the driven portion 286b against the actuating surface 289f. Therefore, as the stage 260 moves, the driven portion 286b moves passively along the actuating surface 289f.

[0466] As the stage 260 moves, the actuating surface 289f causes the driven portion 286b to be displaced in the left-right clamping direction A2, which is a direction intersecting the moving direction of the stage 260.

[0467] In the present embodiment, the actuating surface 289f extends along the up-down clamping direction A1. By pressing the driven portion 286b against the actuating surface 289f, the amount of protrusion of the driven portion 286b with respect to the plate-shaped portion 264 is kept constant. In a state where the driven portion 286b is pressed against the actuating surface 289f, the upper positioning portion 272D is regulated to be located at a fixed position, here, a standby position away from the lower positioning portion 272C.

[0468] The actuating surface 289f exists within the range through which the driven portion 286b passes until the stage 260 reaches a position before the reading position P2 from the setting position P1. Therefore, in a state where the stage 260 is located at the setting position P1, the driven portion 286b contacts the actuating surface 289f. Even when the stage 260 is located between the setting position P1 and the reading position P2, the driven portion 286b contacts the actuating surface 289f. Thus, on the way from the setting position P1 to the reading position P2 of the stage 260, the upper positioning portion 272D is maintained at the standby position.

[0469] Before the stage 260 reaches the reading position P2, the driven portion 286b disengages from the actuating surface 289f. Then, the driven portion 286b becomes movable in a direction away from the plate-shaped portion 264 toward the outside. Due to the biasing force of the coil spring Sp, the upper positioning portion 272D moves downward along the up-down clamping direction A1, and the driven portion 286b moves outward, and the angle between the first link 286 and the second link 287 decreases.

[0470] Preferably, before the driven part 273C moves from the flat surface 282f1 to the first inclined surface 282f2, the driven part 286b disengages from the operating surface 289f, and the upper positioning part 272D moves downward. As a result, with the lower positioning surface 272CF in the sandwiched posture, the IP10 is sandwiched between the upper positioning part 272D and the lower positioning part 272C.

[0471] In this way, the link mechanism 285 can transmit the displacement of the driven part 286b in the direction intersecting the moving direction of the stage 260 as a force for moving the upper positioning part 272D.

[0472] In this modification, the stage 260 includes a discharge member 290. The discharge member 290 is supported so as to be movable between a protruding position protruding from the support surface 264F (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 37) and a retracted position retracted from the support surface 264F (see the solid line in FIG. 37).

[0473] More specifically, the discharge member 290 is an elongated member formed in a plate shape. One end portion of the discharge member 290 is a portion rotatably supported. In this embodiment, it is rotatably supported by a shaft 274C. The intermediate portion of the discharge member 290 is a portion extending elongatedly. The other end portion of the discharge member 290 protrudes in both directions orthogonal to the support surface 264F with respect to the intermediate portion of the discharge member 290. The portion of the other end portion of the discharge member 290 that protrudes toward the support surface 264F is a pushing portion 290a that pushes the back surface 10b of the IP10. The portion of the other end portion of the discharge member 290 that protrudes on the side opposite to the support surface 264F rotatably supports a driven part 291. The driven part 291 is, for example, a roller rotatably supported around a rotation axis along the left-right sandwiching direction A2.

[0474] The discharge member 290 is supported by the plate-shaped part 264, for example, as follows.

[0475] That is, a slit 272CS is formed in a portion of the positioning portion main body 272Ca facing the back surface. The slit 272CS extends along the vertical clamping direction A1 and is a slit that opens to the upper side in the vertical clamping direction A1 and the back surface side of the positioning portion main body 272Ca. In the portion where the shaft 274C is formed, the slit 272CS has a depth that reaches the shaft 274C. For example, in the portion where the shaft 274C is formed, the slit 272CS may penetrate the lower positioning surface 272CF from front to back.

[0476] And in a state where the discharge member 290 is disposed in the slit 272CS, one end portion of the discharge member 290 is rotatably supported by the shaft 274C around the central axis of the shaft 274C. By rotatably supporting the discharge member 290 or the lower positioning portion 272C with respect to the shaft 274C, the discharge member 290 and the lower positioning portion 272C can rotate around the central axis of the shaft 274C without interlocking with each other. The discharge member 290 is biased to the retracted position by gravity or a spring such as a torsion coil spring.

[0477] The discharge member 290 extends upward along the vertical clamping direction A1 through the slit 272CS from the shaft 274C. The other end portion of the discharge member 290 reaches the discharge opening 264h2. In the retracted position, the pushing portion 290a is in a state of being retracted from the support surface 264F toward the discharge opening 264h2 side. For this reason, the pushing portion 290a does not contact the IP10 located on the support surface 264F. In the protruding position, the pushing portion 290a partially protrudes from the discharge opening 264h2 and protrudes from the support surface 264F. For this reason, the pushing portion 290a can push the IP10 on the support surface 264F in a direction away from the support surface 264F.

[0478] The driven portion 291 supported by the other end portion of the discharge member 290 protrudes to the back surface side of the plate-like portion 264. By displacing the driven portion 291 in a direction orthogonal to the support surface 264F, the discharge member 290 can move between the protruding position and the retracted position.

[0479] In order to move the follower 291, a discharge actuating plate 283 is supported on the back side of the stage 260. The discharge actuating plate 283 may be directly or indirectly supported by the frame-shaped portion 144.

[0480] The discharge actuating plate 283 has an inclined surface 283f2. The inclined surface 283f2 is located on the discharge position P3 side with respect to the follower 291 of the stage 260 located at the set position P1. The inclined surface 283f2 is inclined so as to approach the support surface 264F as it goes downward along the vertical sandwiching direction A1.

[0481] When the stage 260 is located at the set position P1, the follower 291 is separated from the support surface 264F to the same extent as the edge of the inclined surface 283f2 that is farthest from the support surface 264F, or is more separated from the support surface 264F. For this reason, the discharge member 290 is located at the retracted position. In this state, the IP10 can contact the support surface 264F. When the stage 260 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2, since the discharge member 290 is kept in the retracted position, the IP10 can maintain the state of contacting the support surface 264F.

[0482] When the stage 260 moves from the set position P1 toward the discharge position P3 by driving the stage body moving mechanism, the follower 291 rides on the inclined surface 283f2. As a result, the follower 291 approaches the support surface 264F, and the discharge member 290 moves to the protruding position. Then, the pushing portion 290a protrudes from the support surface 264F, and the IP10 on the support surface 264F is pushed in a direction away from the support surface 264F. Thereby, the IP10 is more likely to be discharged downward beyond the lower positioning portion 272C.

[0483] The pushing portion 290a preferably protrudes from the support surface 264F so as to exceed the protruding length of the portion of the lower positioning portion 272C that is farthest from the support surface 264F. As described above, when the stage 260 moves from the set position P1 to the discharge position P3, by reducing the height of the lower positioning portion 272C, the pushing portion 290a is likely to protrude so as to exceed the protruding length of the lower positioning portion 272C.

[0484] A flat surface 283f1 may extend above the inclined surface 283f2 in the vertical clamping direction A1. When the stage 260 is in the set position P1 and when the stage 260 moves from the set position P1 toward the reading position P2, the driven part 291 may move on the flat surface 283f1 and the discharging member 290 may be maintained at a fixed position.

[0485] The driven part 291 and the discharging operation plate 283 are an example of components of a positioning part operation mechanism that moves the discharging member 290 from the retracted position toward the protruding position in accordance with the movement of the stage body from the set position P1 to the discharging position P3 by the stage body movement mechanism.

[0486] Also with this modification, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained. The discharging member 290 described in this modification may be rotatably supported at a location different from the lower positioning surface 272CF.

[0487] Also, regarding the lower positioning part 272C, it can be understood that, as a variable height positioning part, it has a distal edge 272Ce whose distance from the support surface 264F can be changed. For this reason, regarding the lower positioning part 272C as well, even if the edge portion of IP10 floats from the support surface 264F, it is easy to press the edge portion against the support surface 264F. Also, IP10 can be held in a state of being in contact with the support surface while suppressing shadow interference.

[0488] {Modification} The biasing members described in the above embodiments do not have to be the coil spring Sp and the torsion coil spring Spt, and may be a leaf spring or rubber or the like.

[0489] The above driven parts do not have to be members that rotate like balls or rollers, and may be members that can move while rubbing and contacting the surface on the other side.

[0490] In the first embodiment, a configuration for facilitating the discharge of IP10 by rotating the lower positioning portion 72C was described. In the second embodiment, a configuration for facilitating the discharge of IP10 by placing it on the discharge guide surface 168g by moving the lower positioning portion 172C downward along the vertical sandwiching direction A1 was described. In a modification of the second embodiment, a configuration for facilitating the passage of the lower positioning portion 272C by pushing IP10 from the back side by the discharge member 290 was described. The above three types of configurations for discharge are applicable to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and its modification. For example, in the first embodiment, a configuration for facilitating the discharge of IP by placing it on the discharge guide surface by moving the lower positioning portion downward along the vertical sandwiching direction as in the second embodiment may be applied. Also, for example, in the first embodiment, a configuration for facilitating the passage of the lower positioning portion by pushing the IP from the back side by the discharge member as in the modification of the second embodiment may be applied. Further, in the second embodiment or its modification, a configuration for facilitating the discharge of IP10 by rotating the lower positioning portion 72C as in the first embodiment may be adopted.

[0491] Each configuration described in the above embodiments and each modification can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0492] The present disclosure discloses the following aspects.

[0493] A first aspect is a radiation image reading device that reads a radiation image from an imaging plate, including a stage body having a support surface that can contact the back surface of the imaging plate, and a positioning mechanism including a positioning surface that contacts an edge portion of the imaging plate positioned on the support surface and positions the edge portion from the outside in the extending direction of the support surface and presses the edge portion against the support surface, an excitation light source that irradiates the imaging plate held by the stage body with excitation light, and a photodetector that detects light emitted from the imaging plate by the excitation light. Among the positioning surfaces, an edge located in front of the support surface and on the far side with respect to the support surface is defined as a distal edge. The positioning mechanism is configured to be able to change its state between a first state in which the distal edge is arranged at a first distance from the support surface and a second state in which the distal edge is arranged at a second distance smaller than the first distance from the support surface. This is a radiation image reading device.

[0494] According to this reading device, when the positioning surface moves from the first state toward the edge portion of the imaging plate, even if the edge portion of the imaging plate floats from the support surface, it is easy to press the edge portion against the support surface. In the second state, when reading a radiation image from the imaging plate using the excitation light source and the photodetector, the positioning surface is less likely to block the excitation light and the emitted light, and shadow interference is less likely to occur. As a result, it is possible to hold the imaging plate in contact with the support surface while suppressing shadow interference.

[0495] A second aspect is a radiation image reading device according to the first aspect, wherein when a portion of the positioning surface located on the support surface or on an extension of the support surface is defined as a positioning reference portion, the distal edge is located closer to the center of the support surface than the positioning reference portion.

[0496] As a result, since the distal edge of the positioning surface is located inside the support surface with respect to the positioning reference portion, the imaging plate can be effectively pressed against the support surface.

[0497] A third aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the first or second aspect, in which, in the first state, a positioning operation of the edge portion of the imaging plate is performed using the positioning surface, and in the second state, the radiation image is read from the imaging plate by the excitation light source and the photodetector.

[0498] In this case, in the first state, the positioning surface can move toward the edge portion of the imaging plate and press the edge portion against the support surface. In the second state, the positioning surface is less likely to block the excitation light and the emitted light, and shadow interference is less likely to occur. Thereby, the imaging plate can be held in a state of being in contact with the support surface while suppressing shadow interference.

[0499] A fourth aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the positioning mechanism includes a height variable positioning portion whose height with respect to the support surface is variable, and the height variable positioning portion has the positioning surface.

[0500] Thereby, by changing the height of the height variable positioning portion, the position of the distal edge of the positioning surface can be changed.

[0501] A fifth aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the positioning surface has a main positioning surface along a direction perpendicular to the support surface and a main pressing surface that is continuous with the main positioning surface and protrudes from the main positioning surface so as to face the support surface.

[0502] In this case, in the first state, the main pressing surface is arranged to be largely separated from the support surface. Therefore, even if the protruding length of the main pressing surface with respect to the main positioning surface is small, it is easy to press the edge portion of the imaging plate against the support surface. In the second state, the main pressing surface approaches the support surface. Since the protruding length of the main pressing surface with respect to the main positioning surface can be made small, shadow interference is less likely to occur.

[0503] The sixth aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the main pressing surface is an inclined surface that faces away from the support surface in a direction away from the main positioning surface.

[0504] In this way, by making the main pressing surface an inclined surface, it is easy to position the imaging plate along the support surface while pressing it against the support surface.

[0505] The seventh aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, wherein the positioning mechanism includes a sandwiching variable base that is movably supported along a sandwiching direction along the support surface with respect to the stage body, and the height variable positioning unit includes a two-axis direction variable positioning unit that is variably supported with respect to the sandwiching variable base in a height with respect to the support surface.

[0506] In this case, the imaging plate can be positioned while being pressed against the support surface by the two-axis direction variable positioning unit.

[0507] The eighth aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein the height variable positioning unit includes a fixed position variable positioning unit that faces the two-axis direction variable positioning unit and is variably supported in height at a fixed position in a direction along the support surface.

[0508] Thereby, the imaging plate can be positioned at a fixed position on the support surface with reference to the fixed position variable positioning unit.

[0509] The ninth aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of the fourth to eighth aspects, wherein the height variable positioning unit includes a discharge variable positioning unit, and the positioning mechanism includes a discharge base that rotatably supports the discharge variable positioning unit around a rotation axis along the support surface with respect to the stage body, and the discharge variable positioning unit is variably supported in height with respect to the support surface via the discharge base.

[0510] In this case, the discharge variable positioning unit can be rotated in a direction away from the edge portion of the imaging plate. Thereby, the imaging plate can be easily discharged.

[0511] A tenth aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of the fourth to ninth aspects, further comprising: a stage body moving mechanism that moves the stage body between a set position where the imaging plate is set with respect to the stage body and a reading position where the photodetector reads the radiation image in response to excitation light from the excitation light source; and a positioning unit operation mechanism that moves the height variable positioning unit so as to decrease the height with respect to the support surface in accordance with the movement of the stage body from the set position to the reading position by the stage body moving mechanism.

[0512] In this case, after the imaging plate is set, by moving the stage body to the reading position, the imaging plate is pressed against the support surface.

[0513] An eleventh aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the tenth aspect, wherein the positioning mechanism includes a sandwiching variable base that is movably supported along a sandwiching direction along the support surface with respect to the stage body, the height variable positioning unit includes a biaxial direction variable positioning unit that is variably supported with respect to the sandwiching variable base in terms of the height with respect to the support surface, and the positioning unit operation mechanism moves the sandwiching variable base toward the edge portion of the imaging plate in accordance with the movement of the stage body from the set position to the reading position by the stage body moving mechanism.

[0514] Thereby, after the imaging plate is set, by moving the stage body to the reading position, the imaging plate can be positioned.

[0515] A twelfth aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, wherein the height variable positioning unit includes a discharge variable positioning unit, the positioning mechanism includes a discharge base that rotatably supports the discharge variable positioning unit around a rotation axis along the support surface with respect to the stage body, the discharge variable positioning unit is variably supported in height with respect to the support surface via the discharge base, the stage body moving mechanism moves the stage body from the set position to a discharge position on the side opposite to the reading position, and the positioning unit operating mechanism rotates the discharge variable positioning unit so that the discharge variable positioning unit moves away from the edge portion of the imaging plate as the stage body is moved from the set position to the discharge position by the stage body moving mechanism.

[0516] In this case, if the stage body is moved to the discharge position while being in the set position, the imaging plate can be easily discharged.

[0517] Aspect 13 is a radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the positioning mechanism includes a stage-side positioning portion protruding from the support surface and a combined positioning portion positioned away from the support surface. The stage-side positioning portion includes a stage-side positioning surface extending forward from the support surface or an extension of the support surface. The combined positioning portion includes a combined positioning surface that can be arranged to protrude with respect to the stage-side positioning surface and face the support surface. The combined positioning portion can be changed in state between a state combined with the stage-side positioning portion and a separated state. In the first state, the combined positioning portion is combined with the stage-side positioning portion, and the positioning surface in the first state includes the stage-side positioning surface and the combined positioning surface arranged to protrude with respect to the stage-side positioning surface and face the support surface. An edge of the combined positioning surface located on the side farther from the support surface becomes the distal edge. In the second state, the combined positioning portion is separated from the stage-side positioning portion, and the positioning surface in the second state includes the stage-side positioning surface, and an edge of the stage-side positioning surface located on the side farther from the support surface becomes the distal edge.

[0518] In this case, in the first state, since both the stage-side positioning surface and the combined positioning surface can be used to position the imaging plate while pressing it toward the support surface, the imaging plate can be easily held in a state of being in contact with the support surface. In the second state, since the combined positioning portion is separated from the stage-side positioning portion, it is easy to set the distal edge of the positioning surface near the support surface. Therefore, the positioning surface including the stage-side positioning surface is less likely to block the excitation light and the emission light, and shadow interference is less likely to occur. As a result, the imaging plate can be held in a state of being in contact with the support surface while suppressing shadow interference.

[0519] The 14th aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the 13th aspect, wherein the stage-side positioning surface is an inclined surface that faces away from the support surface as it approaches the center of the support surface, and the mating positioning surface may be an inclined surface that inclines in the same direction as the stage-side positioning surface.

[0520] In this case, in the first state, the edge portion of the imaging plate can be sequentially guided from the mating positioning surface, which is an inclined surface in the same direction, to the stage-side positioning surface and pressed against the support surface.

[0521] The 15th aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the 14th aspect, wherein an edge portion of the mating positioning surface on the support surface side may overlap an edge portion of the stage-side positioning surface on the side far from the support surface.

[0522] Thereby, the edge portion of the imaging plate smoothly moves from the mating positioning surface to the stage-side positioning surface.

[0523] The 16th aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of the 13th to 15th aspects, further comprising a stage body moving mechanism that moves the stage body between a set position where the imaging plate is set with respect to the stage body and a reading position where the photodetector reads the radiation image in response to excitation light from the excitation light source, the stage-side positioning portion being supported by the stage body and moving together with the stage body from the set position toward the reading position, the mating positioning portion being disposed in the middle of the path along which the stage body moves from the set position to the reading position, the mating positioning portion mating with the stage-side positioning portion in the middle of the path along which the stage body moves from the set position to the reading position, and the mating positioning portion separating from the stage-side positioning portion in a state where the stage body is located at the reading position.

[0524] Thereby, by moving the stage body from the set position to the reading position, the first state and the second state are switched.

[0525] The 17th aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the 16th aspect, wherein the stage-side positioning unit includes a stage-side variable positioning unit that is movably supported along the sandwiching direction along the support surface with respect to the stage body, and in accordance with the movement of the stage body from the set position to the reading position by the stage body movement mechanism, a positioning unit operation mechanism for moving the stage-side variable positioning unit along the sandwiching direction is further provided.

[0526] Thereby, by the movement of the stage body, the stage-side variable positioning unit can be moved to sandwich the imaging plate.

[0527] The 18th aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the 17th aspect, wherein the combined positioning unit includes a variable combined positioning unit that is movably supported along the sandwiching direction, the stage-side variable positioning unit includes a transmission unit that transmits a force along the sandwiching direction to the combined positioning unit, the combined positioning unit includes a transmission force receiving unit that receives the force of the transmission unit, and the variable combined positioning unit moves in the sandwiching direction in conjunction with the movement of the stage-side variable positioning unit along the sandwiching direction.

[0528] Thereby, by the movement of the stage body, the stage-side positioning unit and the variable combined positioning unit can be moved in conjunction with each other.

[0529] The 19th aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the 18th aspect, wherein the stage-side positioning unit includes a stage-side fixed positioning unit that faces the stage-side variable positioning unit and is supported at a fixed position with respect to the stage body, and the combined positioning unit includes a fixed-position combined positioning unit that faces the variable combined positioning unit and is disposed at a fixed position in the middle of the path where the stage body moves from the set position to the reading position.

[0530] As a result, the imaging plate can be positioned at a fixed position on the support surface with reference to the stage-side fixed positioning portion and the fixed-position mating positioning portion.

[0531] A 20th aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of the 17th to 19th aspects, further comprising a discharge member supported so as to be movable between a protruding position protruding from the support surface and a retracted position retracted therefrom, wherein the stage body moving mechanism moves the stage body from the set position to a discharge position on the side opposite to the reading position, and the positioning portion operating mechanism moves the discharge member from the retracted position toward the protruding position in accordance with the movement of the stage body from the set position to the discharge position by the stage body moving mechanism.

[0532] If the stage body is moved to the discharge position, the discharge member can push the imaging plate on the support surface from the back side, and the imaging plate can be easily discharged.

[0533] All of the above descriptions are illustrative in all aspects, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Innumerable modifications not illustrated can be assumed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0534] 10 Imaging plate 10b Back surface 11 Radiation image forming layer 20, 120 Reading apparatus 50, 150 Stage body moving mechanism 60, 160 Stage 61, 161 Stage body 64, 164 Plate-like portion 64F, 164F Support surface 70, 170 Positioning mechanism 70F, 170Fa, 170Fb Positioning surface 70Fa Main positioning surface 70Fb Main pressing surface 70Fe, 170Fae, 170Fbe distal edge 70Fs positioning reference part 72A, 172A left positioning part 72B, 172B right positioning part 72C, 172C lower positioning part 72D, 172D upper positioning part 75A, 75B height-direction follower members 75Ab, 75Bb, 75D, 76Cb, 77Bb followers 76B clamping variable base 76C discharge base 77B width-direction follower member 80 operating plate 82 first operating plate 82bf inclined surface 82f, 85f1, 87f4q contact surfaces 84f1 guide surface 84f2 guide surface 86 second operating plate 87f1 left inclined surface 87f1p, 87f2p, 87f3p, 87f4p flat surfaces 87f2 right inclined surface 87f3 lower inclined surface 87f3q opposite inclined surface 87f4 upper inclined surface 92 excitation light source 94 photodetector 172AF stage-side positioning surface 172BF stage-side positioning surface 182f1 straight part 182f2 inclined part 186 first link 186b follower 187 second link 187b follower 188f, 189f operating surfaces 189f1 main operating surface 189f2 retraction operation operating surface 200 mating positioning part 200F mating positioning surface 200g guide receiving groove 202 mating position determination part 202F mating positioning surface A1 up and down clamping direction (main scanning direction) A2 left and right clamping direction (sub-scanning direction) L1 first distance L2 second distance P1 set position P2 reading position P3 discharge position P4 back side position S fastener Sp coil spring Spt coil spring

Claims

1. A radiation image reading apparatus for reading a radiation image from an imaging plate, comprising: a stage body having a support surface that can contact the back surface of the imaging plate; a positioning mechanism including a positioning surface that contacts an edge portion of the imaging plate located on the support surface and positions the edge portion from the outside in the extending direction of the support surface and presses the edge portion against the support surface; an excitation light source that irradiates excitation light onto the imaging plate held by the stage body; a photodetector that detects light emitted from the imaging plate by the excitation light; wherein an edge located in front of the support surface and on the far side with respect to the support surface among the positioning surfaces is defined as a distal edge; the positioning mechanism is configured to be able to change its state between a first state in which the distal edge is arranged at a first distance from the support surface and a second state in which the distal edge is arranged at a second distance smaller than the first distance from the support surface, the radiation image reading apparatus.

2. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a portion of the positioning surface located on the support surface or on an extension of the support surface is defined as a positioning reference portion, the distal edge is located closer to the center side of the support surface than the positioning reference portion, the radiation image reading apparatus.

3. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in the first state, a positioning operation of the edge portion of the imaging plate is performed using the positioning surface, and in the second state, the radiation image is read from the imaging plate by the excitation light source and the photodetector, the radiation image reading apparatus.

4. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the positioning mechanism includes a height-variable positioning portion whose height with respect to the support surface is variable, and the height-variable positioning portion has the positioning surface, the radiation image reading apparatus.

5. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the positioning surface has a main positioning surface along a direction perpendicular to the support surface and a main pressing surface that is continuous with the main positioning surface and protrudes from the main positioning surface so as to face the support surface, the radiation image reading apparatus.

6. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 5, The radiation image reading apparatus, wherein the main pressing surface is an inclined surface that faces away from the support surface in a direction away from the main positioning surface.

7. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the positioning mechanism includes a variable clamping base that is movably supported along a clamping direction along the support surface with respect to the stage body, and the height variable positioning unit includes a two-axis direction variable positioning unit that is variably supported in height with respect to the variable clamping base with respect to the support surface.

8. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the height variable positioning unit includes a fixed position variable positioning unit that faces the two-axis direction variable positioning unit and is variably supported in height at a fixed position in a direction along the support surface.

9. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the height variable positioning unit includes a variable positioning unit for discharging, and the positioning mechanism includes a discharge base that rotatably supports the variable positioning unit for discharging around a rotation axis along the support surface with respect to the stage body, wherein the variable positioning unit for discharging is variably supported in height with respect to the support surface via the discharge base.

10. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a stage body moving mechanism that moves the stage body between a set position where the imaging plate is set with respect to the stage body and a reading position where the photodetector reads the radiation image in response to excitation light from the excitation light source, and a positioning unit operation mechanism that moves the height variable positioning unit so as to decrease the height with respect to the support surface in accordance with the movement of the stage body from the set position to the reading position by the stage body moving mechanism.

11. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the positioning mechanism includes a variable clamping base that is movably supported along a clamping direction along the support surface with respect to the stage body, and the height variable positioning unit includes a two-axis direction variable positioning unit that is variably supported in height with respect to the variable clamping base with respect to the support surface. The positioning unit operating mechanism is a radiation image reading device that moves the clamping variable base toward the edge portion of the imaging plate in accordance with the movement of the stage body from the set position to the reading position by the stage body moving mechanism.

12. A radiation image reading device according to claim 10, wherein the height variable positioning unit includes a discharge variable positioning unit, the positioning mechanism includes a discharge base that rotatably supports the discharge variable positioning unit around a rotation axis along the support surface with respect to the stage body, the discharge variable positioning unit is variably supported in height with respect to the support surface via the discharge base, the stage body moving mechanism moves the stage body from the set position to a discharge position on the side opposite to the reading position, the positioning unit operating mechanism is a radiation image reading device that rotates the discharge variable positioning unit so that the discharge variable positioning unit moves away from the edge portion of the imaging plate in accordance with the movement of the stage body from the set position to the discharge position by the stage body moving mechanism.

13. A radiation image reading device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the positioning mechanism includes a stage-side positioning unit protruding from the support surface and a combined positioning unit located away from the support surface, the stage-side positioning unit includes a stage-side positioning surface extending forward from the support surface or an extension of the support surface above the support surface, the combined positioning unit includes a combined positioning surface that can be arranged to protrude with respect to the stage-side positioning surface and face the support surface, the combined positioning unit can be changed in state between a state combined with the stage-side positioning unit and a state separated from the stage-side positioning unit, in the first state, the combined positioning unit is combined with the stage-side positioning unit, the positioning surface in the first state includes the stage-side positioning surface and the combined positioning surface arranged to protrude with respect to the stage-side positioning surface and face the support surface, and an edge located on the side farther from the support surface among the combined positioning surfaces becomes the distal edge, in the second state, the combined positioning unit is separated from the stage-side positioning unit, The positioning surface in the second state includes the stage-side positioning surface, and the edge of the stage-side positioning surface that is located on the side farther from the support surface becomes the distal edge, a radiation image reading device.

14. The radiation image reading device according to claim 13, wherein the stage-side positioning surface is an inclined surface that faces away from the support surface as it approaches the center of the support surface, and the mating positioning surface is an inclined surface that inclines in the same direction as the stage-side positioning surface, a radiation image reading device.

15. The radiation image reading device according to claim 14, wherein an edge portion of the mating positioning surface on the support surface side covers an edge portion of the stage-side positioning surface on the side farther from the support surface, a radiation image reading device.

16. The radiation image reading device according to claim 13, further comprising a stage body moving mechanism that moves the stage body between a set position where the imaging plate is set with respect to the stage body and a reading position where the photodetector reads the radiation image in response to excitation light from the excitation light source, wherein the stage-side positioning portion is supported by the stage body and moves together with the stage body from the set position toward the reading position, the mating positioning portion is disposed in the middle of the path along which the stage body moves from the set position to the reading position, and in the middle of the path along which the stage body moves from the set position to the reading position, the mating positioning portion mates with the stage-side positioning portion, and in a state where the stage body is located at the reading position, the mating positioning portion separates from the stage-side positioning portion, a radiation image reading device.

17. The radiation image reading device according to claim 16, wherein the stage-side positioning portion includes a stage-side variable positioning portion that is movably supported by the stage body along a clamping direction along the support surface, and further comprising a positioning portion operating mechanism that moves the stage-side variable positioning portion along the clamping direction in accordance with the movement of the stage body from the set position to the reading position by the stage body moving mechanism, a radiation image reading device.

18. The radiation image reading device according to claim 17, wherein the mating positioning portion includes a variable mating positioning portion that is movably supported along the clamping direction, The stage-side variable positioning unit includes a transmission unit that transmits a force along the clamping direction to the fitting positioning unit. The fitting positioning unit includes a transmission force receiving unit that receives the force of the transmission unit. A radiation image reading device in which the variable fitting positioning unit moves in the clamping direction in conjunction with the movement of the stage-side variable positioning unit along the clamping direction.

19. A radiation image reading device according to claim 18, The stage-side positioning unit includes a stage-side fixed positioning unit that faces the stage-side variable positioning unit and is supported at a fixed position with respect to the stage body. A radiation image reading device, wherein the fitting positioning unit includes a fixed-position fitting positioning unit that faces the variable fitting positioning unit and is disposed at a fixed position in the middle of the path along which the stage body moves from the set position to the reading position.

20. A radiation image reading device according to claim 17, further comprising a discharge member movably supported between a protruding position protruding from the support surface and a retracted position retracting therefrom, The stage body moving mechanism moves the stage body from the set position to a discharge position on the side opposite to the reading position, A radiation image reading device, wherein the positioning unit operating mechanism moves the discharge member from the retracted position toward the protruding position in accordance with the movement of the stage body from the set position to the discharge position by the stage body moving mechanism.

Images