Medium transport device

Abstract

To provide a medium conveying device capable of satisfactorily conveying a plurality of media having various thicknesses.SOLUTION: The medium conveying apparatus includes a conveying roller, a facing roller disposed to face the conveying roller and provided to be swingable in accordance with a thickness of a medium to be conveyed, and a guide portion configured to guide the medium conveyed by the conveying roller and the facing roller, and the guide portion moves in conjunction with swinging of the facing roller.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] Media transport devices, such as scanners and printers, that transport media are required to support multiple media of various thicknesses. Patent Document 1 discloses a paper transport device that transports paper by sandwiching it between a drive roll and a fixed driven roll as transport rolls. In this paper transport device, the drive roll is disposed on a swingable member and is configured to apply a pressing force to the driven roll. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-206581 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A media transport device is required to transport a plurality of media having various thicknesses well.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a media transport device that can effectively transport a plurality of media having various thicknesses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A media transport device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a transport roller, an opposing roller arranged opposite the transport roller and capable of swinging in accordance with the thickness of the medium being transported, and a guide section that guides the medium transported by the transport roller and opposing roller, and the guide section moves in conjunction with the swinging of the opposing roller. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the medium transport device can effectively transport a plurality of media having various thicknesses. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a medium transport device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a transport path inside the medium transport device. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a support member and first to third guides. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a second guide attached to a support member. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second guide alone; [Figure 4C] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of a second guide. [Figure 5A] 10 is a perspective view of the support member to which the second guide is attached, the third guide, and the imaging device, as viewed from the upstream side and below. FIG. [Figure 5B] 10 is a perspective view of the support member with the second guide removed, the third guide, and the imaging device, viewed from the upstream side and below. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a third guide. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a support member, a third guide, and an imaging device. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a view of the second and third guides and the second imaging device as seen from below. [Figure 9A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a torsion coil spring as viewed from above. [Figure 9B] 1 is a side view of the torsion coil spring in the width direction A2. FIG. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state before the medium comes into contact with the second guide. [Figure 10B] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state when a medium comes into contact with a second guide. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state before the medium comes into contact with the second conveyance roller. [Figure 10D] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the medium causes the second conveyance roller to oscillate. [Figure 10E] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the support member moves the second imaging device upward. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medium transport device. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a storage device and a processing circuit. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a medium reading process of the medium conveying device. [Figure 14A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state before a third guide of the second embodiment moves. [Figure 14B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state after the third guide of the second embodiment has moved. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a third guide of a medium conveyance device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state before the third guide swings. [Figure 16B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the third guide is swung. [Figure 16C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the second imaging device has moved upward. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a processing circuit of a medium conveyance device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A medium transport device according to one aspect of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described therein, but extends to the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a medium conveying device configured as an image scanner.

[0011] The medium conveying device 100 conveys, captures an image of, and discharges a medium that is an original. The medium may be paper, thin paper, thick paper, a card, a booklet, a passport, etc. The medium conveying device 100 may also be a facsimile machine, a copier, a multifunction printer (MFP), etc.

[0012] 1 and 2, arrow A1 indicates the medium transport direction, arrow A2 indicates the width direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction, and arrow A3 indicates the height direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction and the width direction. Hereinafter, "upstream" refers to the upstream side of the medium transport direction A1, and "downstream" refers to the downstream side of the medium transport direction A1. "Up" refers to the top of the height direction A3, and "down" refers to the bottom of the height direction A3. The width direction A2 is an example of a direction that intersects with the medium transport direction.

[0013] The medium transport device 100 includes a lower housing 101, an upper housing 102, a loading table 103, an ejection table 104, a display operation device 105, and the like.

[0014] The upper housing 102 is disposed in a position that covers the top surface of the medium conveying device 100, and is engaged with the lower housing 101 by a hinge so that it can be opened and closed when a medium becomes jammed or when cleaning the inside of the medium conveying device 100, for example.

[0015] The mounting table 103 engages with the lower housing 101 and is rotatably provided by a hinge. When the medium conveying device 100 is not in use, the mounting table 103 is positioned to cover the lower housing 101 and the upper housing 102, and functions as an exterior cover. On the other hand, when the medium conveying device 100 is in use, the mounting table 103 is positioned to allow media to be placed thereon, and media to be fed and conveyed are placed on the mounting table 103. The discharge table 104 engages with the lower housing 101 and places discharged media on it. The discharge table 104 may also engage with the upper housing 102 by a hinge or the like.

[0016] The display operation device 105 has a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display and an interface circuit that outputs image data to the display, and displays the image data on the display. The display operation device 105 also has a touch panel input device and an interface circuit that acquires signals from the input device, accepts operations by a user, and outputs signals according to the user's input. The display device and the operation device may be provided separately.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the medium transport device.

[0018] The transport path inside the medium transport device 100 includes a medium sensor 111, a feed roller 112, a separation roller 113, a first transport roller 114, a second transport roller 115, an imaging device 116, a first discharge roller 117, a second discharge roller 118, and the like.

[0019] The number of each of the feed roller 112, separation roller 113, first conveyance roller 114, second conveyance roller 115, first discharge roller 117, and / or second discharge roller 118 is not limited to one, and may be multiple. In this case, the multiple feed rollers 112, separation roller 113, first conveyance roller 114, second conveyance roller 115, first discharge roller 117, and / or second discharge roller 118 are arranged at intervals in the width direction A2. The following describes an example in which the number of each of the feed rollers 112, separation roller 113, first conveyance roller 114, second conveyance roller 115, first discharge roller 117, and second discharge roller 118 is two. The feed roller 112, first conveyance roller 114, and first discharge roller 117 are examples of conveyance rollers. The separation roller 113, second conveyance roller 115, and second discharge roller 118 are examples of opposing rollers.

[0020] The upper surface of the lower housing 101 forms a lower guide surface 101a of a medium transport path (hereinafter referred to as the "medium transport path"), and the lower surface of the upper housing 102 forms an upper guide surface 102a of the medium transport path. As shown in FIG. 2, the medium transport path has a so-called straight path mechanism in which the vertical positional relationship between the front and back surfaces of the medium does not change between the state before transport when the medium is placed on the loading tray 103 and the state after ejection when the medium is placed on the ejection tray 104. Note that the medium transport device 100 may also have a U-turn path mechanism.

[0021] The media sensor 111 is disposed upstream of the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113. The media sensor 111 has a contact detection sensor and detects whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103. The media sensor 111 generates and outputs a media signal whose signal value changes depending on whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103. Note that the media sensor 111 is not limited to a contact detection sensor, and any other sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of a medium, such as an optical detection sensor, may be used as the media sensor 111.

[0022] The feed roller 112 and separation roller 113 are disposed upstream of the first conveyance roller 114 and second conveyance roller 115 in the medium conveyance direction A1. The feed roller 112 is disposed in the lower housing 101, and separates and feeds the media placed on the mounting table 103, starting from the bottom. The separation roller 113 is disposed upstream in the medium conveyance direction A1 and swingable upward depending on the thickness of the media being conveyed. The separation roller 113 is a so-called brake roller or retard roller, and is disposed in the upper housing 102 opposite the feed roller 112, and separates the media placed on the mounting table 103. The separation roller 113 is disposed rotatable or stoppable in the direction A5 opposite the medium feed direction. Note that a separation pad may be used instead of the separation roller 113.

[0023] The first conveying roller 114 and the second conveying roller 115 are arranged facing each other downstream of the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 in the medium conveying direction A1. The first conveying roller 114 is provided in a fixed state. The second conveying roller 115 is provided downstream in the medium conveying direction A1 and swingable upward depending on the thickness of the medium being conveyed. The first conveying roller 114 and the second conveying roller 115 convey the medium fed by the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 to the imaging device 116.

[0024] The imaging device 116 is disposed downstream of the first conveyance rollers 114 and the second conveyance rollers 115 and upstream of the first discharge rollers 117 and the second discharge rollers 118. The imaging device 116 captures images of the medium conveyed by the first conveyance rollers 114 and the second conveyance rollers 115. The imaging device 116 includes a first imaging device 116a and a second imaging device 116b disposed opposite each other across the medium conveyance path. The second imaging device 116b is an example of a processing unit that performs a predetermined process (imaging process) on the medium conveyed by the first conveyance rollers 114 and the second conveyance rollers 115.

[0025] The first imaging device 116a has an imaging sensor based on a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) of a life-size optical system having CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) imaging elements arranged linearly in the main scanning direction. The first imaging device 116a also has a lens that forms an image on the imaging element and an A / D converter that amplifies and analog-to-digital (A / D) converts the electrical signal output from the imaging element. The first imaging device 116a captures an image of the surface of the medium being transported, generates an input image, and outputs it.

[0026] Similarly, the second imaging device 116b has an imaging sensor using a CIS of a 1:1 optical system type with CMOS imaging elements arranged linearly in the main scanning direction. The second imaging device 116b also has a lens that forms an image on the imaging element and an A / D converter that amplifies and A / D converts the electrical signal output from the imaging element. The second imaging device 116b captures the back side of the medium being conveyed, sequentially generating and outputting line images.

[0027] The medium conveying device 100 may have only one of the first and second imaging devices 116a and 116b, and may read only one side of the medium. Alternatively, a CIS line sensor with a life-size optical system equipped with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging element may be used as the imaging sensor. Alternatively, a reduction optical system line sensor with a CMOS or CCD imaging element may be used as the imaging sensor.

[0028] The first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 are disposed facing each other downstream of the imaging device 116 in the medium conveying direction A1. The first discharge roller 117 is provided in a fixed state. The second discharge roller 118 is provided downstream and upward in the medium conveying direction A1 so as to be able to swing depending on the thickness of the medium being conveyed. The first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 discharge the medium that has been conveyed by the first conveying roller 114 and the second conveying roller 115 and processed (imaged) by the imaging device 116 onto the discharge tray 104.

[0029] The media placed on the mounting table 103 are transported between the lower guide surface 101a and the upper guide surface 102a in the media transport direction A1 by the rotation of the feed roller 112 in the direction of arrow A4 in FIG. 2, i.e., the media feed direction. The medium transport device 100 has two operating modes: a separation mode in which, when multiple media are placed on the mounting table 103, the media are separated and fed, and a non-separation mode in which the media are fed without being separated. When operating in the separation mode, the separation roller 113 rotates or stops in the direction of arrow A5, i.e., the opposite direction to the media feed direction, when feeding media. When multiple media are placed on the mounting table 103, the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 function to separate only the media placed on the mounting table 103 that are in contact with the feed roller 112. This restricts the transport of media other than the separated media (preventing double feeding). On the other hand, when operating in the non-separation mode, the separation roller 113 rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow A5, that is, in the medium feeding direction, following the feed roller 112 during medium feeding.

[0030] The medium is guided by lower guide surface 101a and upper guide surface 102a and fed between first conveyor roller 114 and second conveyor roller 115. The medium is fed between first imaging device 116a and second imaging device 116b as first conveyor roller 114 and second conveyor roller 115 rotate in the directions of arrows A6 and A7, respectively. The medium read by imaging device 116 is discharged onto discharge tray 104 as first discharge roller 117 and second discharge roller 118 rotate in the directions of arrows A8 and A9, respectively.

[0031] In this way, the media conveying device 100 conveys the media downstream in the media conveying direction using the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113, the first conveying roller 114 and the second conveying roller 115, and / or the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the support member, the first guide, the second guide, and the third guide.

[0033] 3, the upper housing 102 has a first guide 110, a separation roller support part 113a, a second guide 120, a support member 130, a third guide 140, and a second imaging device 116b. The first guide 110 is provided upstream of the second conveying roller 115 so that its upstream end is located upstream of the upstream end of the separation roller 113 and its downstream end is located downstream of the downstream end of the separation roller 113. The separation roller support part 113a is provided above the first guide 110 and the separation roller 113.

[0034] The second guide 120 is provided downstream of the first guide 110 and upstream of the second conveyor rollers 115 so that its upstream end is located upstream of the downstream end of the first guide 110 and its downstream end is located downstream of the upstream end of the second conveyor rollers 115. The support member 130 is provided downstream of the first guide 110 and upstream of the second image capture device 116b. The third guide 140 is provided downstream of the second guide 120 so that its upstream end is located upstream of the downstream end of the second conveyor rollers 115 and its downstream end is located downstream of the upstream end of the second image capture device 116b. The third guide 140 is disposed between the second image capture device 116b and the second conveyor rollers 115.

[0035] The first guide 110 is made of metal, resin, or the like. The first guide 110 guides the medium placed on the placement table 103 downstream. The first guide 110 is supported so as to be able to swing upward about a swing shaft 110g provided at the upstream end of the frame F in the upper housing 102. The first guide 110 covers the upstream and downstream sides of the separation roller 113 from below. The first guide 110 prevents the medium from floating upward.

[0036] The separation roller support portion 113a is made of metal, resin, or the like. The separation roller support portion 113a supports the separation roller 113 so that it can swing. The separation roller support portion 113a is supported on the frame F so that it can swing upstream around a swing shaft 113ag as a fulcrum. The separation roller 113 is attached to the swing end of the separation roller support portion 113a. As a result, the separation roller 113 is provided so that it can swing upstream and upward around the swing shaft 113ag of the separation roller support portion 113a as a swing fulcrum.

[0037] The second guide 120 is formed of metal, resin, or the like. The second guide 120 is an example of a second guide section and guides the medium fed by the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 downstream. The second guide 120 is supported so as to be swingable upward about a shaft 115a, which is the rotation axis of the second conveyor roller 115. The second guide 120 may be supported so as to be swingable upward about a swing axis provided at the downstream end. The downstream side of the second guide 120 is the swing fulcrum, and the upstream side is the swing end. The second guide 120 is indirectly attached to the support member 130 via the shaft 115a of the second conveyor roller 115. The second guide 120 covers the gap between the first guide 110 and the second conveyor roller 115 from below. The second guide 120 prevents the medium from floating upward.

[0038] The support member 130 is made of metal, resin, or the like. The support member 130 is an example of a support portion, and supports the second conveyor roller 115 so that it can swing. The support member 130 is supported on the frame F at a position downstream of the separation roller 113 and upstream of the second conveyor roller 115 so that it can swing downstream and upward around a swing shaft 133a provided at the upstream end. The second conveyor roller 115 is rotatably supported on the downstream end of the support member 130. As a result, the second conveyor roller 115 is provided so that it can swing downstream and upward around the swing shaft 133a of the support member 130 as a swing fulcrum.

[0039] When a medium having a thickness equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness (hereinafter referred to as a "thick medium") is transported, if the transported thick medium comes into contact with the second transport roller 115, the second transport roller 115, which is supported by the support member 130, will swing together with the support member 130 around the swing shaft 133a. As a result, the second transport roller 115 will be lifted upward while moving downstream in the medium transport direction A1, and will be separated from the first transport roller 114. This allows the thick medium to pass between the second transport roller 115 and the first transport roller 114. Furthermore, because the second transport roller 115 swings together with the support member 130 around the swing shaft 133a, the transported thick medium can lift the second transport roller 115 upward with less force than when raising and lowering it. In this way, the second conveying roller 115 is provided to be swingable, so that it can easily move downstream and upward by the thick medium being conveyed downstream, allowing the medium to pass through smoothly.

[0040] The third guide 140 is made of metal, resin, or the like. The third guide 140 is an example of a guide section and guides the medium conveyed by the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 downstream. The third guide 140 is provided on the second imaging device 116b. The third guide 140 is supported upstream of the second imaging device 116b so as to be swingable upward about a swing shaft 140g provided at the downstream end. The third guide 140 is swingably provided, and the swing shaft 140g, which serves as the swing fulcrum, is provided on the second imaging device 116b. This allows the medium conveyance device 100 to properly guide media of various thicknesses, including thick media, to the imaging device 116, which executes the main processing of the medium conveyance device 100. The third guide 140 covers the gap between the second guide 120 and the second conveyance roller 115 and the imaging device 116 from below. The third guide 140 prevents the medium from floating upward.

[0041] Figure 4A is a perspective view of the second guide attached to the support member as viewed from below and upstream, Figure 4B is a perspective view of the second guide removed from the support member as viewed from below and upstream, and Figure 4C is a side view of the second guide removed from the support member.

[0042] The second guide 120 has a main body portion 121, leg portions 122, flap portions 123, and an engagement portion 124. The main body portion 121 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member that extends along the width direction A2.

[0043] The leg portions 122 extend downstream from both end portions in the width direction A2 of the main body portion 121 when the second guide 120 is attached to the shaft 115a of the second conveyor roller 115. The leg portions 122 have fitting portions 122a that protrude upward when the second guide 120 is attached to the shaft 115a of the second conveyor roller 115. The fitting portions 122a have an arc-shaped recess 122r that has an inner diameter that is the same as the outer diameter of the shaft 115a of the second conveyor roller 115, and an opening 122p for fitting the shaft 115a into the recess 122r.

[0044] When the second guide 120 is attached to the support member 130, the flap portion 123 protrudes downward from the surface of the main body portion 121 in a generally semi-cylindrical shape. When viewed from the medium conveying direction A1, the flap portion 123 is provided at a position facing each of the two second conveying rollers 115. The flap portion 123 closes the gap between the second conveying roller 115 and the separation roller 113. The flap portion 123 prevents the medium from floating upward.

[0045] The engaging portion 124 has a triangular shape in a side view, and is provided on the back surface of the main body 121 opposite to the front surface on which the flap portion 123 is provided. The engaging portion 124 has a protrusion 124p. The protrusion 124p of the engaging portion 124 engages with a stopper (not shown) of the support member 130. Therefore, when the second guide 120 is attached to the support member 130, the second guide 120 is prevented from falling due to its own weight.

[0046] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the support member with the second guide attached, the third guide, and the imaging device, as seen from the upstream side and below. Fig. 5B is a perspective view of the support member with the second guide removed, the third guide, and the imaging device, as seen from the upstream side and below.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 4A, 5A, and 5B, the support member 130 has a support body portion 131, a central support body 132, arm portions 133, a guide pressing portion 134, and a push-up portion 135.

[0048] The support body 131 is a substantially rectangular columnar member extending along the width direction A2. The width of the support body 131 in the width direction A2 is substantially the same as the width of the second guide 120 in the width direction A2, and is smaller than the width of the third guide 140 in the width direction A2. The support body 131 may be a cylindrical member or a member having another shape.

[0049] The central support body 132 is provided integrally with the support body 131 at the center in the width direction A2 of the support body 131. The central support body 132 is substantially L-shaped in side view. The central support body 132 has a recess 132r and claw portions 132n. The recess 132r rotatably supports the shaft 115a of the second conveyance roller 115. The claw portions 132n are an example of a second guide portion. The claw portions 132n are provided on both end portions of the central support body 132 in the width direction A2 so as to extend downstream in the medium conveyance direction A1, i.e., toward the second imaging device 116b. The claw portions 132n prevent the conveyed medium from floating upward.

[0050] The arms 133 are provided on both end portions of the support main body 131 in the width direction A2 so as to extend upstream and upward, i.e., diagonally upward, when the support member 130 is attached to the frame F of the upper housing 102. A swing shaft 133a of the support member 130 is provided at each tip of the two arms 133.

[0051] The guide pressing portion 134 is an example of a contact portion. The guide pressing portion 134 is provided on both side ends of the support main body portion 131 in the width direction A2. The guide pressing portion 134 is provided integrally with the support main body portion 131. The guide pressing portion 134 has a generally L-shaped shape in a side view, and extends toward the downstream side in the medium conveying direction A1. Like the support main body portion 131, the guide pressing portion 134 rotatably supports the shaft 115a of the second conveying roller 115. The guide pressing portion 134 has a tip portion 134a. When the support member 130 swings in conjunction with the swinging of the second conveying roller 115, the tip portion 134a comes into contact with the third guide 140, swinging and moving the third guide 140.

[0052] The booster portion 135 has a generally triangular cross section, and protrudes further downstream from the upper downstream end of the support body portion 131 .

[0053] In this way, the support member 130 rotatably supports the shaft 115a of the second conveyor roller 115 by the central support member 132 and the guide pressing portion 134, and also supports the second conveyor roller 115 swingably via the swing shaft 133a of the arm portion 133.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the third guide as seen from below and upstream.

[0055] The third guide 140 is a generally plate-shaped flap member extending along the width direction A2. The third guide 140 has one first blade 141, two second blades 142, two third blades 143, and one fourth blade 144. The first blade 141, the second blade 142, the third blade 143, and the fourth blade 144 are connected to one another in the width direction A2 via a connecting portion 145. The first blade 141 is provided between the two second blades 142. The first blade 141 has a medium guide surface 141a that comes into contact with the medium below. The first blade 141 has two protrusions 141n. The protrusions 141n are provided on both side ends of the first blade 141 in the width direction A2 and protrude upstream.

[0056] Each of the two second blade portions 142 is disposed at a position facing each of the two second conveyance rollers 115. The two second blade portions 142 have a symmetrical shape. Each of the two second blade portions 142 has a medium guide surface 142a that comes into contact with the medium below. Each of the two second blade portions 142 has a protrusion 142n. The protrusions 142n are provided on both side ends of the second blade portion 142 in the width direction A2, and protrude toward the upstream side.

[0057] Each of the two third blade portions 143 is provided on the opposite side of the first blade portion 141 relative to each of the two second blade portions 142, i.e., on the outside in the width direction A2. When viewed from the medium transport direction A1, each of the two third blade portions 143 is disposed in a position facing the tip portion 134a of the guide pressing portion 134 of the support member 130 in the width direction A2. The two third blade portions 143 have a medium guide surface 143a that contacts the medium and a contact surface 143b that contacts the tip portion 134a of the guide pressing portion 134 of the support member 130. Each of the two third blade portions 143 has a protrusion 143n. The protrusion 143n is provided at the outer end of the third blade portion 143 in the width direction A2 and protrudes upstream. The third blade portion 143 not adjacent to the fourth blade portion 144 has an outer end portion in the width direction A2 at which an oscillation shaft 140g is provided.

[0058] The fourth blade portion 144 is provided on the outside in the width direction A2 of the third blade portion 143 where the swing shaft 140g is not provided. The fourth blade portion 144 has a medium guide surface 144a that comes into contact with the medium below. The fourth blade portion 144 has a protrusion 144n. The protrusion 144n is provided on the outside end of the fourth blade portion 144 in the width direction A2 and protrudes toward the upstream side. The protrusions 141n, 142n, 143n, and 144n have the same length.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the support member, the third guide, and the imaging device.

[0060] The support member 130 presses the second conveyance roller 115 upstream and downward by the biasing force of a torsion coil spring 130b attached to the swing shaft 133a. The second conveyance roller 115 is provided so as to be swingable upward and downstream in the medium conveyance direction A1 by the medium being conveyed downstream. As shown in FIG. 7 , a gap D is provided in advance between the second conveyance roller 115 and the second imaging device 116b when it is not swinging, so that the second conveyance roller 115 can swing downstream. The third guide 140 is positioned to cover the gap D in the medium conveyance direction A1 that is provided between the support member 130 and the second imaging device 116b. By the third guide 140 covering the gap D, the medium is prevented from floating up in the gap D, which can cause a medium jam.

[0061] The second imaging device 116b has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape when viewed in the width direction A2. The second imaging device 116b has slide shafts 116bg (FIGS. 5A and 5B) and abutment portions 116bt. The slide shafts 116bg are provided on both side ends of the second imaging device 116b in the width direction A2 and are slidably engaged with slide grooves (not shown) formed in the frame F and extending in the height direction A3. This allows the second imaging device 116b to be slidably provided in the height direction A3.

[0062] The contact portion 116bt protrudes further upstream from the upper end on the upstream side of the second imaging device 116b so as to be able to contact the push-up portion 135 of the support member 130.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the second guide, the third guide, and the second imaging device as viewed from below.

[0064] 8, the second imaging device 116b further has a plurality of guide plates 116bf. The guide plates 116bf are plate-shaped members that protrude from the second imaging device 116b toward the support member 130 and the second conveyor roller 115. In the width direction A2, the plurality of guide plates 116bf are disposed between or outside the first blade portion 141, the second blade portion 142, the third blade portion 143, and the fourth blade portion 144 of the third guide 140, respectively.

[0065] The multiple guide plates 116bf are arranged so as not to physically contact the first blade portion 141, the second blade portion 142, the third blade portion 143, the fourth blade portion 144, and the connecting portion 145. In the height direction A3, the lower end surfaces of the multiple guide plates 116bf are arranged at the same height as the medium guide surfaces 141a, 142a, 143a, and 144a of the first blade portion 141, the second blade portion 142, the third blade portion 143, and the fourth blade portion 144. The multiple guide plates 116bf, together with the third guide 140, guide the medium downstream while preventing the medium from floating upward.

[0066] Furthermore, when viewed from the width direction A2 intersecting the medium transport direction A1, the multiple guide plates 116bf overlap with the claw portions 132n of the central support body 132 of the support member 130. That is, the multiple guide plates 116bf and the claw portions 132n of the central support body 132 are alternately arranged in a comb-like shape in the width direction A2.

[0067] When viewed from the width direction A2 intersecting the medium conveying direction A1, the protrusions 141n, 142n, 143n, and 144n of the first blade portion 141, the second blade portion 142, the third blade portion 143, and the fourth blade portion 144 of the third guide 140 overlap (overlap) with the claw portion 132n of the central support body 132 of the support member 130. By having the protrusions 141n, 142n, 143n, and 144n overlap with the claw portion 132n of the central support body 132, the medium is more reliably prevented from floating up between the second conveying roller 115 and the second imaging device 116b, and the occurrence of a medium jam is more reliably prevented.

[0068] Fig. 9A is a perspective view of the torsion coil spring as seen from above, and Fig. 9B is a view of the torsion coil spring as seen from a side in the width direction A2.

[0069] The third guide 140 has a torsion coil spring 140b. The torsion coil spring 140b is an example of a pressing portion. The torsion coil spring 140b presses the third guide 140 toward the medium transport path. Instead of the torsion coil spring 140b, an elastic body such as a leaf spring or rubber may be used.

[0070] The torsion coil spring 140b has a coil portion 140ba, a fixed leg portion 140bb, and a pressing leg portion 140bc. The coil portion 140ba is attached to the swing shaft 140g. The fixed leg portion 140bb is attached to an end face 116bs provided at the upstream end of the second imaging device 116b in the medium conveyance direction A1. The pressing leg portion 140bc is housed in a recess 144r provided on the surface of the fourth blade portion 144 opposite the medium guide surface 144a. The third guide 140 is pressed toward the medium conveyance path, i.e., downward, by the torsion coil spring 140b. The torsion coil spring 140b may be provided at both ends of the third guide 140 in the width direction A2 so that the medium guide surfaces 141a, 142a, 143a, and 144a of the third guide 140 are parallel to the medium. When a thin medium floats up, the torsion coil spring 140b presses the third guide 140 toward the medium conveyance path, so that the top surface of the medium more reliably contacts the third guide 140. Therefore, the medium conveyance device 100 can more reliably prevent the medium from floating up and more reliably prevent the medium from jamming.

[0071] 10A to 10E are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the second guide and the third guide when a thick medium having a thickness equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness is transported.

[0072] 10A, before the leading edge of the transported thick medium MD reaches the second guide 120, the second guide 120 is positioned at the lowest position in the height direction A3 due to its own weight. At this time, the medium guide surfaces 141a to 144a of the third guide 140 are positioned approximately parallel to the medium.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 10B, when the leading edge of the thick medium MD reaches and comes into contact with the flap portion 123 of the second guide 120, the second guide 120 swings upward with the shaft 115a as the swing fulcrum, and moves to a position where it comes into contact with the support member 130.

[0074] 10C, as the thick medium MD is further transported downstream in the medium transport direction A1, the leading edge of the thick medium MD comes into contact with the second transport roller 115. The second transport roller 115 is swung upward and downstream by the thick medium MD. The second transport roller 115 is lifted upward by an amount equal to the thickness of the thick medium MD.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 10D, when the support member 130 and the second conveyor roller 115 are lifted upward and downstream, the thick medium MD can pass through. At this time, the tip 134a of the guide pressing portion 134 of the support member 130 presses the third blade portion 143 of the third guide 140. As a result, the third guide 140 swings around the swing shaft 140g as a swing fulcrum and moves to a position where it contacts the end surface 116bs of the second image capture device 116b. Note that the third guide 140 may function as a guide for the upper surface of the thick medium MD without swinging to a position where it contacts the end surface 116bs of the second image capture device 116b. In this way, the swinging of the third guide 140 forms a space between the second conveyor roller 115 and the second image capture device 116b for retracting the second conveyor roller 115. Therefore, the second conveyance roller 115 is swung downstream and upward by the thick medium MD, allowing the thick medium MD to pass through appropriately. Furthermore, the medium conveyance device 100 causes the guide pressing portion 134 provided on the support member 130 that supports the second conveyance roller 115 to press the third guide 140, thereby reliably swung the third guide 140 in conjunction with the swinging of the second conveyance roller 115.

[0076] 10E, as the support member 130 swings upward downstream, it swings the third guide 140, and then the push-up portion 135 of the support member 130 comes into contact with the contact portion 116bt of the second imaging device 116b. The push-up portion 135 of the support member 130 pushes up the contact portion 116bt of the second imaging device 116b, causing the second imaging device 116b to slide upward. This allows the thick medium MD to pass properly between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b.

[0077] On the other hand, if the thickness of the medium being transported is less than the predetermined thickness, the support member 130 oscillates slightly or barely at all downstream and upward. In this case, the third guide 140 also oscillates slightly or barely at all. This allows the medium, which is less than the predetermined thickness, to be transported smoothly to the second imaging device 116b by the third guide 140, and prevents the medium from jamming.

[0078] In this way, the third guide 140 moves by swinging in conjunction with the second transport roller 115, which can swing depending on the thickness of the medium being transported. As the third guide 140 moves in conjunction with the second transport roller 115, a space is formed between the second transport roller 115 and the second imaging device 116b for retracting the second transport roller 115. Therefore, when a thick medium is transported, the second transport roller 115 swings due to the transported thick medium without being obstructed by the third guide 140, which is provided to properly guide thin media, allowing the thick medium to be properly transported. At this time, the third guide 140 retracts, but the guide plate 116bf of the second imaging device 116b abuts against the top surface of the thick medium, allowing the thick medium to be properly guided between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b.

[0079] On the other hand, when a thin medium is transported, the third guide 140 hardly swings and abuts against the top surface of the medium, allowing the thin medium to be well guided between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b. Therefore, the medium transport device 100 can well transport both thin and thick media.

[0080] Additionally, the second conveying roller 115 and the third guide 140 move in a direction away from the first conveying roller 114 depending on the thickness of the medium being conveyed, thereby enabling the medium conveying device 100 to effectively convey media of various thicknesses.

[0081] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medium conveying device according to an embodiment.

[0082] In addition to the above-described configuration, the medium conveying device 100 further includes a drive device 150, an interface device 151, a storage device 170, a processing circuit 180, and the like.

[0083] The drive device 150 includes one or more motors, and rotates the feed roller 112, separation roller 113, first conveying roller 114, second conveying roller 115, first discharge roller 117, and / or second discharge roller 118 to transport the medium in response to control signals from the processing circuit 180.

[0084] The interface device 151 has an interface circuit conforming to a serial bus such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus). The interface device 151 is electrically connected to an information processing device (for example, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, etc.) to transmit and receive scanned images and various information. Alternatively, the interface device 151 may be replaced by a communication unit having an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless communication interface device for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless communication line in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0085] The storage device 170 includes a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, or a portable storage device such as a flexible disk or optical disk. The storage device 170 also stores computer programs, databases, tables, and the like used for various processes of the medium conveying device 100. The computer programs may be installed into the storage device 170 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program or the like. The portable recording medium is, for example, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or the like. The computer programs may also be distributed from a server or the like and installed into the storage device 170.

[0086] The processing circuit 180 operates based on a program stored in advance in the storage device 170. The processing circuit 180 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing circuit 180 may be, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

[0087] The processing circuit 180 is connected to and controls the display operation device 105, the media sensor 111, the imaging device 116, the drive device 150, the interface device 151, the storage device 170, etc. Based on the media signal received from the media sensor 111, the processing circuit 180 performs drive control of the drive device 150, image capture control of the imaging device 116, etc., acquires an input image from the imaging device 116, and transmits it to the information processing device via the interface device 151.

[0088] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a storage device and a processing circuit.

[0089] 12, the storage device 170 stores a control program 171, an image acquisition program 172, and the like. Each of these programs is a functional module implemented by software running on a processor. The processing circuitry 180 reads each program stored in the storage device 170 and operates in accordance with the read programs, thereby functioning as a control unit 181 and an image acquisition unit 182.

[0090] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the medium reading process of the medium conveying device.

[0091] An example of the operation of the medium reading process of medium conveying device 100 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 13. The flow of the operation described below is executed mainly by processing circuit 180 in cooperation with elements of medium conveying device 100 based on a program stored in advance in storage device 170.

[0092] First, the control unit 181 waits until the user inputs an instruction to read a medium using the display operation device 105 or the information processing device, and an operation signal instructing the reading of the medium is received from the display operation device 105 or the interface device 151 (step S101).

[0093] Next, control unit 181 acquires a medium signal from medium sensor 111, and determines whether or not a medium is placed on mounting table 103 based on the acquired medium signal (step S102). If no medium is placed on mounting table 103, control unit 181 ends the series of steps.

[0094] On the other hand, when a medium is placed on the placement table 103, the control unit 181 rotates the feed roller 112, separation roller 113, first conveyance roller 114, second conveyance roller 115, first discharge roller 117, and / or second discharge roller 118 (step S103). The control unit 181 drives the drive device 150 to rotate each roller and convey the medium.

[0095] Next, the image acquisition unit 182 causes the imaging device 116 to capture an image of the medium, acquires an input image from the imaging device 116, and outputs the acquired input image by transmitting it to the information processing device via the interface device 151 (step S104).

[0096] Next, control unit 181 determines whether or not a medium MD remains on mounting table 103 based on the medium signal received from medium sensor 111 (step S105). If a medium MD remains on mounting table 103, control unit 181 returns the process to step S104 and repeats the processes of steps S104 and S105.

[0097] On the other hand, if there are no media remaining on the mounting table 103, the control unit 181 stops the feed roller 112, separation roller 113, first conveyance roller 114, second conveyance roller 115, first discharge roller 117, and / or second discharge roller 118 (step S106). The control unit 181 controls the drive device 150 to stop the feed roller 112, separation roller 113, first conveyance roller 114, second conveyance roller 115, first discharge roller 117, and / or second discharge roller 118, and ends the series of steps.

[0098] As described above in detail, the medium conveying device 100 is provided with the third guide 140, which moves in conjunction with the second conveying roller 115, which oscillates depending on the thickness of the medium being conveyed. The medium conveying device 100 guides thin media well using the third guide 140, and when a thick medium is conveyed, the third guide 140 is retracted and the second conveying roller 115 is oscillated, thereby enabling the thick medium to be conveyed well as well. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can convey a plurality of media of various thicknesses well.

[0099] Furthermore, the medium conveying device 100 captures an image of the conveyed medium using the imaging device 116. The medium conveying device 100 can effectively convey the medium between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b while reducing the distance between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b so that the imaging device 116 does not go out of focus.

[0100] Furthermore, the medium conveying device 100 uses the first guide 110, the second guide 120, and the third guide 140 to guide the medium from the separation roller 113 to the second imaging device 116b, thereby making it possible to prevent the medium from jamming.

[0101] In addition, by swinging the second conveying roller 115 downstream and upward via the support member 130, the medium conveying device 100 can reduce the size in the height direction A3 compared to when the second conveying roller 115 is moved vertically upward in the height direction A3.

[0102] Second Embodiment 14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating a third guide of a medium conveying device according to a second embodiment. Fig. 14A is a diagram illustrating a state before the third guide moves. Fig. 14B is a diagram illustrating a state after the third guide moves.

[0103] The medium conveying device 200 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration and functions as the medium conveying device 100 according to the first embodiment. However, the medium conveying device 200 has a third guide 240 instead of the third guide 140 according to the first embodiment. The third guide 240 has a configuration that allows it to slide upward. The third guide 240 is an example of a guide section.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 14A, the third guide 240 has a configuration similar to that of the third guide 140 of the first embodiment. Unlike the columnar or cylindrical swing shaft 140g of the third guide 140, the third guide 240 has a prismatic or rectangular cylindrical slide shaft 240g. The slide shaft 240g may have other shapes, such as a columnar or cylindrical shape. Meanwhile, the second imaging device 116b has a slide groove 116bm formed to allow the slide shaft 240g to move up and down along the height direction A3. The slide groove 116bm is fitted with the slide shaft 240g of the third guide 240.

[0105] 14B, when the support member 130 of the medium conveying device 200 swings, the tip 134a of the guide pressing portion 134 pushes the third guide 240 upward. The slide shaft 240g of the third guide 240 moves along the slide groove 116bm of the second imaging device 116b. That is, the third guide 140 moves upward along the slide groove 116bm without swinging.

[0106] In this way, the third guide 240 is provided so as to be movable up and down relative to the second imaging device 116b. As a result, the medium conveying device 200 can smoothly guide a thin medium using the third guide 240, and when a thick medium MD is conveyed, the third guide 240 is retracted upward to oscillate the second conveying roller 115, thereby smoothly conveying the thick medium MD.

[0107] As described above in detail, even when the third guide 240 is used, the medium conveying device 200 can effectively convey a plurality of media having various thicknesses.

[0108] Third Embodiment FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a third guide of the medium conveying device according to the third embodiment.

[0109] The medium conveying device 300 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration and function as the medium conveying device 100 according to the first embodiment. However, the medium conveying device 300 has a third guide 340 instead of the third guide 140. The third guide 340 is an example of a guide section.

[0110] 15, the third guide 340 has the same configuration and function as the third guide 140. However, the third guide 340 is provided not on the second imaging device 116b but on frames F provided on both side ends of the upper housing 102 in the width direction A2.

[0111] 16A to 16C are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the second guide and the third guide when a thick medium MD having a thickness equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness is transported.

[0112] 16A to 16C, the third guide 340 has a swing shaft 340g. The swing shaft 340g has a cylindrical shape and is provided on both side ends in the width direction A2 of the third guide 340. The swing shaft 340g is supported in a slide groove Fm of the frame F so as to be swingable and slidable.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 16A, before the support member 130 and the second conveying roller 115 oscillate downstream and upward, the third guide 340 is in a default state in which it does not oscillate, and is able to guide the thick medium MD being conveyed.

[0114] 16B, when the support member 130 is swung further downstream and upward by the thick medium MD, the third guide 340 is further swung by the tip 134a of the guide pressing portion 134. After that, when the push-up portion 135 of the support member 130 abuts against the abutment portion 116bt of the second imaging device 116b, the support member 130 slides the second imaging device 116b upward, and also slides the third guide 340 upward along the slide groove Fm while swinging it.

[0115] 16C, the support member 130 and the second conveyance roller 115 move downstream and upward, allowing the thick medium MD to pass through. In this way, by the third guide 340 swinging and moving upward, a space is formed between the second conveyance roller 115 and the second imaging device 116b for retracting the second conveyance roller 115. Therefore, the second conveyance roller 115 swings downstream and upward due to the thick medium MD, allowing the thick medium MD to pass through appropriately.

[0116] As described above in detail, even when the third guide 340 is used, the medium conveying device 300 can effectively convey a plurality of media having various thicknesses.

[0117] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing circuit of a medium conveyance device according to yet another embodiment.

[0118] 17, the processing circuit 480 is used in place of the processing circuit 180 of the medium conveying device 100, and executes medium reading processing and the like in place of the processing circuit 180. The processing circuit 480 has a control circuit 481, an image acquisition circuit 482, and the like. Note that each of these components may be configured as an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, firmware, and the like.

[0119] The control circuit 481 is an example of a control unit, and has the same functions as the control unit 181. The control circuit 481 receives an operation signal from the display operation device 105 or the interface device 151, and a medium signal from the medium sensor 111. The control circuit 481 controls the drive device 150 based on the received information.

[0120] The image acquisition circuit 482 is an example of an image acquisition unit, and has the same function as the image acquisition unit 182. The image acquisition circuit 482 acquires an input image from the imaging device 116 and outputs it to the interface device 151.

[0121] As detailed above, the media transport device, even with the processing circuitry 480, is able to successfully transport multiple media of various thicknesses.

[0122] <Other embodiments> Although preferred embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these. For example, the third guide 140, 240, or 340 may be provided downstream of the separation roller 113 and / or the second discharge roller 118 so as to be swingable or movable up and down relative to the frame F in conjunction with the swinging of the separation roller 113 and / or the second discharge roller 118.

[0123] The medium transport path of the medium transport device may feed and transport the media placed on the loading tray from the top to the bottom, and then discharge the media onto the discharge tray. In this case, the separation roller is disposed below the feeding roller and opposite the feeding roller.

[0124] Furthermore, the medium conveying device may have an image forming device instead of or in addition to the imaging device 116. The image forming device is an example of a processing unit. The image forming device is a printer such as an inkjet type or a laser type, and is disposed at a position corresponding to the position where the imaging device 116 is disposed, and performs a process of forming an image (printing predetermined information) on the medium conveyed by the first conveying roller 114 and the second conveying roller 115. The process of forming an image on the medium is an example of a predetermined process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 100 Media transport device 110 First Guide 112 Feeding roller 113 Separation roller 114 First conveying roller 115 Second conveying roller 116 Imaging device 120 Second Guide 130 Support member 134 Guide pressing part 140 Third Guide 140b torsion coil spring

Claims

1. A conveying roller; an opposing roller disposed opposite the conveying roller and capable of swinging in accordance with the thickness of the medium being conveyed; a guide section that guides the medium conveyed by the conveying roller and the opposing roller, The guide portion moves in conjunction with the oscillation of the opposing roller. A medium transport device characterized by:

2. a processing unit that executes a predetermined process on the medium conveyed by the conveying roller and the opposing roller; The guide unit is provided in the processing unit. The media transport device of claim 1 .

3. The guide unit is provided to be swingable, and a swing fulcrum is provided in the processing unit. The medium transport device of claim 2 .

4. The guide unit is provided so as to be able to rise and fall relative to the processing unit. The medium transport device of claim 2 .

5. a support portion that supports the opposing roller so that the opposing roller can swing; The support portion has a contact portion that comes into contact with the guide portion to move the guide portion. The medium transport device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. a pressing portion that presses the guide portion toward the medium transport path; The medium transport device according to claim 1 .

7. The support portion further includes a second guide portion, When viewed from a direction intersecting the medium transport direction, the second guide portion overlaps with the guide portion. The medium transport device of claim 5 .

8. the processing unit is an imaging unit that images the medium transported by the transport roller and the opposing roller; The medium transport device of claim 2 .

9. A medium conveying device that conveys a medium toward a processing section downstream in a conveying direction by a conveying roller and an opposing roller, the counter roller and a guide unit disposed between the processing unit and the counter roller move in a direction away from the transport roller in accordance with the thickness of the medium being transported; A medium transport device comprising:

Images