Sheet transport device and image processing device

Abstract

To make it easier to move each cursor when operating a pair of cursors in a direction that narrows the distance between them. [Solution] The sheet conveying device 2 comprises a conveying mechanism, a pair of cursors, a cursor movement mechanism 4, and a biasing member 6. The conveying mechanism conveys the sheets placed on the sheet stacking platform 21 to the sheet discharge platform. The pair of cursors are positioned on both sides of the sheet placed on the sheet stacking platform 21 in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction by the conveying mechanism. The cursor movement mechanism 4 supports at least one of the pair of cursors so as to be movable in the width direction. The biasing member 6 restricts the movement of the cursor movement mechanism 4 in the direction of widening the distance between the pair of cursors, and weakens the force restricting the movement of the cursor movement mechanism 4 while the pair of cursors are moving in the direction of narrowing the distance between them.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet conveying device and an image processing device.

Background Art

[0002] As a related technique, a sheet feeding device including a side regulating member and a holding mechanism is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The side regulating member moves to a position corresponding to the size of the sheet on the sheet stacking portion to regulate the side end position of the sheet. The holding mechanism has a worm gear that is rotatably supported in a state of being engaged with a worm wheel. And, the holding mechanism is configured to be able to regulate the rotation of the worm wheel by the worm gear when the rotational load applied to the worm gear is less than a predetermined value. Further, the holding mechanism is configured such that the worm gear can rotate reversibly by the worm wheel when the rotational load applied to the worm gear exceeds a predetermined value. Thereby, the side regulating member can be moved by the operation of the user, and the movement of the side regulating member is regulated by the force applied by the skew of the fed sheet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned related technology, each of the pair of side restricting members (cursors) can only be moved by the rotation of the worm wheel (pinion gear) caused by the rotation of the worm gear. Therefore, when a user operates each side restricting member in a direction that narrows the distance between them, the side restricting member cannot be moved unless a force is applied to each side restricting member that rotates both the worm gear and the worm wheel. For this reason, the above-mentioned related technology has the problem that it is difficult to move each side restricting member when operating them in a direction that narrows the distance between them.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a sheet transport device and an image processing device that make it easier to move each cursor when operating a pair of cursors in a direction that narrows the distance between them. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A sheet conveying device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a conveying mechanism, a pair of cursors, a cursor movement mechanism, and a biasing member. The conveying mechanism conveys a sheet placed on the sheet stacking platform to the sheet discharge platform. The pair of cursors are positioned on both sides in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction by the conveying mechanism with respect to the sheet placed on the sheet stacking platform. The cursor movement mechanism supports at least one of the pair of cursors so as to be movable in the width direction. The biasing member restricts the movement of the cursor movement mechanism in the direction of widening the distance between the pair of cursors, and weakens the force restricting the movement of the cursor movement mechanism while the pair of cursors are moving in the direction of narrowing the distance between them.

[0007] An image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention comprises the sheet transport apparatus described above, and the image processing unit which performs at least one of reading an image and forming an image on the sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheet transport device and an image processing device that make it easier to move each cursor when operating in a direction that narrows the distance between a pair of cursors. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a sheet conveying device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the external appearance of the sheet conveying device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the cursor movement mechanism according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the main parts of the cursor movement mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the biasing member according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a case in the sheet transport device according to the embodiment where a force is applied to a pair of cursors in a direction that narrows the distance between them. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a case in the cursor movement mechanism according to the embodiment where a force is applied to a pair of cursors in a direction that narrows the distance between them. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the biasing member according to the embodiment when a force is applied to a pair of cursors in a direction that narrows the distance between them. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a case in the sheet transport device according to the embodiment where a force is applied to a pair of cursors in a direction that widens the distance between them. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a case in the cursor movement mechanism according to the embodiment in which a force is applied to a pair of cursors in a direction that widens the distance between them. [Figure 12]Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the biasing member according to the embodiment when a force is applied to a pair of cursors in a direction that widens the distance between them. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [1] Overall configuration of the image processing device First, the overall configuration of the image processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. For the sake of explanation, the vertical direction will be defined as the up-down direction D1 when the image processing device 10 is in a usable installation state (as shown in Figure 1). The direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper of the image processing device 10 shown in Figure 1 will be defined as the front-back direction D2, and the front side of Figure 1 will be defined as the front. Furthermore, the left side of the plane of Figure 1 will be defined as the left side, and the left-right direction D3 will be defined. Note that the above definitions of directions are not intended to limit the way the image processing device 10 is used.

[0012] The image processing device 10 according to this embodiment is, for example, a multifunction device having multiple functions such as a scanning function to acquire an image (image data) from a document, a printing function to form an image based on the image data, a facsimile function, and a copy function. The image processing device 10 only needs to have an image processing function that includes at least one of the functions of forming an image and the function of reading an image, and may be a printer, scanner, facsimile device, copier, etc.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the image processing device 10 comprises a sheet transport device 2, an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a paper feeding unit 13, an operation display unit 14, and a control unit 15. In this embodiment, the image processing device 10 includes a housing 100. The image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, the paper feeding unit 13, the operation display unit 14, and the control unit 15 are provided in the housing 100.

[0014] The sheet conveying device 2 is, for example, an automatic document feeder (ADF). The sheet conveying device 2 conveys a sheet Sh1 (document) as an object to be read (object to be image - processed) whose image is read by the image reading unit 11. The sheet conveying device 2 includes a sheet stacking table 21, a sheet discharging table 22, a conveying mechanism 3, a pair of cursors 5 (see FIG. 3), a cursor moving mechanism 4, and the like. The sheet conveying device 2 drives the conveying mechanism 3 to convey the sheet Sh1 set on the sheet stacking table 21 through the image reading position by the image reading unit 11 to the sheet discharging table 22.

[0015] The image reading unit 11 reads an image from the sheet Sh1 (document) and outputs image data corresponding to the read image. The image reading unit 11 includes a document table, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the like.

[0016] The image forming unit 12 forms an image on the sheet Sh2 based on the image data output from the image reading unit 11. Further, the image forming unit 12 forms an image on the sheet Sh2 based on image data input from an information processing device outside the image processing device 10, such as a personal computer. In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 12 includes a transfer device 121, a fixing device 122, a paper discharge tray 123, and the like, and forms an image on the sheet Sh2 by an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 12 is not limited to a configuration for forming monochrome images, and may be a configuration for forming full - color images using four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). Also, the image forming unit 12 may be a configuration for forming an image on the sheet by an image forming method other than the electrophotographic method, such as an ink - jet method.

[0017] The image forming unit 12 forms an image on the sheet Sh2 using toner as a developer. Specifically, the image forming unit 12 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a charged photoreceptor drum by irradiating it with laser light, and then forms a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum by developing the electrostatic latent image with toner. The transfer device 121 transfers the toner image to the sheet Sh2 being transported along the transport path. The fixing device 122 melts and fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet Sh2 to the sheet Sh2. For example, the fixing device 122 includes a fixing roller and a pressure roller, and heats the toner image transferred to the sheet Sh2 and applies pressure to the sheet Sh2 to fix the toner image to the sheet Sh2. The sheet Sh2 after image formation is discharged into the output tray 123. When the image forming unit 12 forms an image using an inkjet method, ink (another example of a developer) is supplied instead of toner.

[0018] The paper feeding unit 13 supplies sheets Sh2 to the image forming unit 12. The paper feeding unit 13 has multiple paper feed cassettes 131, a manual feed tray, and multiple transport rollers, etc. The paper feeding unit 13 transports sheets Sh2 from the multiple paper feed cassettes 131 or the manual feed tray, etc., through a transport path using multiple transport rollers, etc., and supplies them to the image forming unit 12. The image forming unit 12 forms an image on the sheets Sh2 supplied from the paper feeding unit 13 through the transport path.

[0019] The operation display unit 14 is the user interface of the image processing device 10. The operation display unit 14 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 15, and an operation unit such as a switch or touch panel that inputs various information to the control unit 15 in response to user operations. In addition to or instead of the operation display unit 14, the image processing device 10 may also be equipped with, for example, an audio output unit and an audio input unit as a user interface. Furthermore, the operation display unit 14 may be an external device provided separately from the housing 100, in which case the image processing device 10 can use the operation display unit 14 as a user interface by performing data communication with the external device.

[0020] The control unit 15 comprehensively controls the image processing device 10. The control unit 15 primarily consists of a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. In the image processing device 10, the functions of the control unit 15 are realized by one or more processors executing a program. The program may be pre-recorded in one or more memories, provided via a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or provided on a non-temporary recording medium readable by a computer system, such as a memory card or optical disc. One or more processors consist of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit. Furthermore, the computer system referred to in this disclosure includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. The control unit 15 may be a control unit provided separately from the main control unit that comprehensively controls the image processing device 10.

[0021] The image processing device 10 also comprises a storage unit, a communication unit, and a power supply unit. The storage unit includes one or more non-volatile memories and pre-stores information such as control programs for causing the control unit 15 to perform various processes. The communication unit is an interface for performing data communication between the image processing device 10 and external devices connected via a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The power supply unit is a power supply circuit that generates (outputs) power for the operation of the image processing device 10.

[0022] Here, the sheet transport device 2 according to this embodiment, together with the image processing unit (image reading unit 11 and image forming unit 12), constitutes the image processing device 10. In other words, the image processing device 10 according to this embodiment comprises the sheet transport device 2 and an image processing unit that performs at least one of image reading and image formation on the sheet Sh1.

[0023] [2] Sheet transport device Next, the configuration of the sheet transport device 2 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0024] The sheet transport device 2 is a device that transports the sheet Sh1 from the sheet loading platform 21 to the sheet discharge platform 22. Here, "sheet" as used in this disclosure refers to a sheet that is the object of image reading or the object of image formation. In this embodiment, as an example, the sheet Sh1 that is transported by the sheet transport device 2 is the sheet Sh1 (original) that is the object of image reading by the image reading unit 11. In other words, in this embodiment, the sheet transport device 2 transports the sheet Sh1 placed on the sheet loading platform 21 to the sheet discharge platform 22 through the execution position P1 (see Figure 2) where image processing (image reading) is performed by the image reading unit 11, which is the image processing unit. Therefore, the image reading position by the image reading unit 11 corresponds to the execution position P1. Also, in this embodiment, the sheet Sh1 is paper as an example, but it is not limited to paper and may be, for example, a resin film or the like.

[0025] In this embodiment, the sheet conveying device 2 comprises a sheet loading platform 21, a sheet discharge platform 22, a conveying mechanism 3, a pair of cursors 5, a cursor movement mechanism 4, and a biasing member 6. Note that the sheet loading platform 21 and the sheet discharge platform 22 are not necessarily included in the components of the sheet conveying device 2.

[0026] The sheet stacking platform 21 is a component on which the sheets Sh1 to be transported by the sheet transporting device 2 are placed. In this embodiment, the sheets Sh1 transported by the sheet transporting device 2 are sheets Sh1 (originals) to be read by the image reading unit 11, so the sheets Sh1 before image reading by the image reading unit 11 are set on the upper surface of the sheet stacking platform 21.

[0027] Here, the sheet loading platform 21 can accommodate sheets Sh1 of various sizes (paper sizes), such as A3E (A3 landscape), B4E (A4 landscape), 2L size, L size, postcards, or business cards. The sheet loading platform 21 is provided with a pair of cursors 5 facing each other in the front-to-back direction D2. On the sheet loading platform 21, the distance between the pair of cursors 5 (i.e., the spacing between the pair of cursors 5) is adjusted to match the dimensions of the sheet Sh1 that are set, in the horizontal direction (in this case, the front-to-back direction D2) which is perpendicular to the vertical direction (conveying direction).

[0028] One or more sheets Sh1, which are to be transported by the sheet transport device 2, are placed on the sheet loading platform 21. When multiple sheets Sh1 are placed on the sheet loading platform 21, these multiple sheets Sh1 are stacked in the vertical direction D1, that is, they are placed on the sheet loading platform 21 in a stacked state.

[0029] The sheet discharge platform 22 is a component on which the sheets Sh1 transported by the sheet conveying device 2 are placed. The sheet discharge platform 22 is located below the sheet stacking platform 21. The sheet conveying device 2 transports the sheets Sh1 placed on the sheet stacking platform 21 through the execution position P1 where image processing by the image processing unit is performed, and discharges them onto the sheet discharge platform 22. In this embodiment, the sheets Sh1 transported by the sheet conveying device 2 are sheets Sh1 (originals) that are the target of image reading by the image reading unit 11, so the sheets Sh1 that have been read by the image reading unit 11 are discharged onto the upper surface of the sheet discharge platform 22.

[0030] Here, similar to the sheet stacking platform 21, sheets Sh1 of various sizes (paper sizes) can be placed on the sheet discharge platform 22. Furthermore, when multiple sheets Sh1 are discharged onto the sheet discharge platform 22, similar to the sheet stacking platform 21, these multiple sheets Sh1 are stacked in the vertical direction D1, that is, they are placed on the sheet discharge platform 22 in a stacked state.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the transport mechanism 3 transports the sheet Sh1, which is placed on the sheet loading platform 21, onto the sheet discharge platform 22. In other words, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 2, the transport mechanism 3 transports the sheet Sh1 downwards while transporting it to the left from the sheet loading platform 21, then turns back to the right and discharges it onto the sheet discharge platform 22 through the execution position P1 where image processing is performed. To put it another way, the transport path of the sheet Sh1 by the transport mechanism 3 includes the execution position P1 where image processing by the image processing unit (in this embodiment, image reading by the image reading unit 11) is performed.

[0032] The conveying mechanism 3 includes, for example, a plurality of conveying rollers 31 and a power source. The conveying mechanism 3 uses the power of a power source, including a motor, to drive each of the plurality of conveying rollers 31, thereby conveying the sheets Sh1 set on the sheet loading platform 21 one by one, passing through the execution position P1 to the sheet discharge platform 22. For example, when a predetermined number of sheets Sh1 to be processed are set on the sheet loading platform 21, the conveying mechanism 3 conveys these predetermined number of sheets Sh1 one by one until all of them are discharged onto the sheet discharge platform 22. As a result, the predetermined number of sheets Sh1 to be processed are moved from the sheet loading platform 21 to the sheet discharge platform 22 located below it.

[0033] The pair of cursors 5 are provided on the sheet loading platform 21 as described above. The pair of cursors 5 are positioned on both sides of the sheet Sh1 placed on the sheet loading platform 21 in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction by the transport mechanism 3. In this embodiment, the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction by the transport mechanism 3 is the front-rear direction D2. In other words, the pair of cursors 5 are positioned on the sheet loading platform 21 so as to face each other in the front-rear direction D2. The sheet Sh1 set on the sheet loading platform 21 is positioned between the pair of cursors 5. Hereafter, when distinguishing between the pair of cursors 5, as shown in Figure 3, the cursor 5 located in front (towards the front) will be called "cursor 51", and the cursor 5 located behind (towards the rear) will be called "cursor 52".

[0034] The cursor movement mechanism 4 supports at least one of the pair of cursors 5 so that it can move in the width direction (front-to-back direction D2). In this way, because at least one of the pair of cursors 5 is movable in the width direction, the distance W1 (see Figure 3) between the pair of cursors 5 in the width direction (front-to-back direction D2) becomes variable. In this embodiment, the cursor movement mechanism 4 makes both of the pair of cursors 51 and 52 movable in the width direction (front-to-back direction D2). That is, each of the pair of cursors 5 is configured to be able to move in the front-to-back direction D2 within at least a predetermined range of motion. Specifically, the cursor movement mechanism 4 is configured to enable movement in the direction that widens the distance W1 between the pair of cursors 5 and movement in the direction that narrows the distance W1 between the pair of cursors 5 in response to manual operation by the user. Furthermore, when the pair of cursors 5 are not moving, the cursor movement mechanism 4 supports the pair of cursors 5 at any position within the range of motion.

[0035] In this embodiment, the cursor movement mechanism 4 moves the pair of cursors 5 in conjunction with each other so that, in a plan view from above, the pair of cursors 5 operate symmetrically with respect to a line of symmetry passing through approximately the center of the width direction (front-to-back direction D2) of the sheet loading platform 21. That is, when the user operates one cursor 51 toward the opposite side (forward) from the other cursor 52, the other cursor 52 also moves in conjunction with it toward the opposite side (rear). At this time, the pair of cursors 51 and 52 move away from each other, so the distance W1 between the pair of cursors 5 widens. Similarly, when the user operates one cursor 51 toward the other cursor 52 (rear), the other cursor 52 also moves in conjunction with it toward the cursor 51 (forward). At this time, the pair of cursors 51 and 52 move towards each other, so the distance W1 between the pair of cursors 5 narrows.

[0036] Furthermore, the cursor movement mechanism 4 is capable of moving each cursor 5 in the front-rear direction D2 in a substantially stepless manner, and each cursor 5 can be moved to any position within the range of motion. Therefore, the distance W1 between a pair of cursors 5 can be changed continuously in a substantially stepless manner. The distance W1 between a pair of cursors 5 here is defined as the distance between the opposing surfaces of a pair of cursors 51 and 52 facing each other in the front-rear direction D2, that is, the distance between the surface of cursor 51 on the cursor 52 side (rear surface) and the surface of cursor 52 on the cursor 51 side (front surface).

[0037] In this embodiment, as an example, the cursor movement mechanism 4 employs a rack and pinion mechanism. That is, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cursor movement mechanism 4 has a pinion gear 40 and a pair of rack bars (racks) 41 and 42. Note that in Figure 4, the biasing member 6 (torsion coil spring 61), which will be described later, is not shown. The pinion gear 40 and the pair of rack bars 41 and 42 are arranged, for example, on the sheet loading platform 21. The pinion gear 40 is arranged on the sheet loading platform 21 and is configured to be rotatable about a boss 211 that extends from the sheet loading platform 21 toward the sheet discharge platform 22 (downward in this case). The pair of rack bars 41 and 42 are each directly or indirectly connected to a pair of cursors 51 and 52. The pair of rack bars 41 and 42 are arranged in the left-right direction D3 to sandwich one pinion gear 40 and mesh with the one pinion gear 40. As a result, for example, when one cursor 51 is operated backward, the rack bar 41 connected to the cursor 51 moves backward, causing the pinion gear 40 to rotate counterclockwise in a plan view. This rotation of the pinion gear 40 causes the rack bar 42 connected to the cursor 52 to move forward, and the cursor 52 moves forward. Consequently, as described above, the pair of cursors 5 operate in a symmetrical manner.

[0038] Incidentally, as a related technology to this type of sheet conveying device 2, a sheet feeding device equipped with a side restricting member (cursor) and a holding mechanism (cursor movable mechanism) is known. The side restricting member moves to a position on the sheet loading section (sheet loading platform) according to the size of the sheet to restrict the position of the side edge of the sheet. The holding mechanism has a worm wheel (pinion gear) and a worm gear that is rotatably supported while meshed with the worm wheel. The holding mechanism is configured so that the rotation of the worm wheel can be restricted by the worm gear when the rotational load applied to the worm gear is less than a predetermined value. Furthermore, the holding mechanism is configured so that the worm gear can be reversed by the worm wheel when the rotational load applied to the worm gear exceeds a predetermined value. As a result, the side restricting member can be moved by user operation, and the sheet can be fixed by the side restricting member by restricting the movement of the side restricting member with the force applied due to the diagonal movement of the fed sheet.

[0039] However, in the above-mentioned related technology, each of the pair of side restricting members (cursors) can only be moved by the rotation of the worm wheel (pinion gear) caused by the rotation of the worm gear. Therefore, when a user operates each side restricting member in a direction that narrows the distance between them, the side restricting member cannot be moved unless a force is applied to each side restricting member that rotates both the worm gear and the worm wheel. For this reason, the above-mentioned related technology has the problem that it is difficult to move each side restricting member when operating them in a direction that narrows the distance between them.

[0040] In contrast, in this embodiment, the configuration described below makes it possible to realize a sheet transport device 2 that makes it easy to move each cursor 5 when operating a pair of cursors 5 in a direction that narrows the distance between them.

[0041] Specifically, the sheet transport device 2 is equipped with a biasing member 6 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The biasing member 6 is positioned in the cursor movable mechanism 4 and restricts the movement of the cursor movable mechanism 4 in the direction that widens the distance W1 between the pair of cursors 5. On the other hand, the biasing member 6 weakens the force that restricts the movement of the cursor movable mechanism 4 while the pair of cursors 5 are moving in the direction that narrows the distance W1. Therefore, if a user operates at least one of the pair of cursors 5 and applies a force to each cursor 5 in the direction that narrows the distance W1, the force that restricts the movement of the cursor movable mechanism 4 by the biasing member 6 is weakened. Thus, there is an advantage in that it is easier to move each cursor 5 when operating the pair of cursors 5 in the direction that narrows the distance W1. On the other hand, the biasing member 6 does not weaken the force that restricts the movement of the cursor movable mechanism 4 when, for example, vibration is applied to the sheet loading platform 21, or when the sheet Sh1 is transported and the sheet Sh1 pushes the pair of cursors 5, applying a force to the pair of cursors 5 in the direction that widens the distance W1. Therefore, since the movement of the cursor movable mechanism 4 is restricted by the biasing member 6, there is an advantage in that the sheet Sh1 can be easily fixed in place by the pair of cursors 5.

[0042] To realize the biasing member 6 as described above, in this embodiment, the biasing member 6 is composed of a torsion coil spring 61 arranged on the pinion gear 40, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Specifically, the pinion gear 40 has a cylindrical portion 401 in plan view integrally formed in the center, which protrudes toward the sheet loading platform 21 (in this case, upward). The coil portion 613 of the torsion coil spring 61 is arranged between the cylindrical portion 401 of the pinion gear 40 and the boss 211 of the sheet loading platform 21. In other words, the torsion coil spring 61 is arranged on the pinion gear 40 such that the hollow portion of the coil portion 613 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 401 of the pinion gear 40.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, an annular rib 213 is formed around the boss 211 of the sheet loading platform 21, extending in the same direction as the boss 211 (downward in this case) in a plan view. The pinion gear 40 has its cylindrical portion 401 positioned between the boss 211 and the rib 213, thereby restricting the radial movement of the cylindrical portion 401. This positions the pinion gear 40 relative to the boss 211.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the boss 211 has a restricting portion 212 that protrudes radially outward at the end on the seat discharge platform 22 side (in this case, the lower end) in the vertical direction D1. The restricting portion 212 is formed with a diameter larger than the outer shape of the torsion coil spring 61, and restricts the movement of the torsion coil spring 61 in the vertical direction D1 (i.e., in the axial direction of the boss 211). This has the advantage of preventing the coil portion 613 of the torsion coil spring 61 from falling off the boss 211 and making it easier to position the torsion coil spring 61 relative to the boss 211.

[0045] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the torsion coil spring 61 is in contact with the boss 211, with its first end 611 fixed to the pinion gear 40 and its second end 612 positioned opposite the boss 211 without being fixed. Specifically, the lower surface of the pinion gear 40 is provided with a linear groove 402 extending radially from the pinion gear 40 and communicating with the hollow portion of the cylindrical portion 401. The first end 611 of the torsion coil spring 61 is fixed to the pinion gear 40 by being fitted into the groove 402. The second end 612 of the torsion coil spring 61 is open and not fixed to any member. The coil portion 613 of the second end 612 of the torsion coil spring 61 is positioned opposite the boss 211, with the coil portion 613 positioned between the cylindrical portion 401 of the pinion gear 40 and the boss 211 of the seat loading platform 21.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6, in its initial state where no external force is applied, the torsion coil spring 61 is positioned so that the coil portion 613 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the boss 211 of the sheet loading platform 21. When the pinion gear 40 rotates clockwise in a plan view from below (see Figure 8) while the torsion coil spring 61 is in its initial state, a force is applied to the first end 611 of the torsion coil spring 61 in a clockwise direction in a plan view from below. At this time, the second end 612 of the torsion coil spring 61 is not fixed to any member, but is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the boss 211, and is therefore partially fixed due to friction with the boss 211. As a result, when a bending stress in the above direction is applied to the coil portion 613 with the first end 611 and the second end 612 of the torsion coil spring 61 substantially fixed, the coil portion 613 deforms so as to widen its outer diameter (see the lower part of Figure 9). Subsequently, when the rotation of the pinion gear 40 stops, the force applied to the first end 611 of the torsion coil spring 61 in the above direction is lost, and the torsion coil spring 61 returns to its initial state.

[0047] Furthermore, when the torsion coil spring 61 is in its initial state, if the pinion gear 40 rotates counterclockwise in a plan view from below (see Figure 11), a force in a counterclockwise direction is applied to the first end 611 of the torsion coil spring 61 in a plan view from below. At this time, the second end 612 of the torsion coil spring 61 is not fixed to any member, but is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the boss 211, and is therefore partially fixed due to friction with the boss 211. As a result, with the first end 611 and the second end 612 of the torsion coil spring 61 substantially fixed, a bending stress in the above direction is applied to the coil portion 613, causing the coil portion 613 to deform in such a way that its outer diameter narrows (see the lower part of Figure 12). Subsequently, when the rotation of the pinion gear 40 stops, the force applied to the first end 611 of the torsion coil spring 61 in the above direction is lost, and the torsion coil spring 61 returns to its initial state.

[0048] The function of the biasing member 6 (in this case, the torsion coil spring 61) in the sheet conveying device 2 will be explained below with reference to Figures 7 to 12.

[0049] First, as shown in Figure 7, the function of the biasing member 6 when a force is applied to a pair of cursors 5 in a direction that narrows the distance W1 between them will be explained. Here, the user applies a force to a pair of cursors 5 in a direction that narrows the distance W1 between them by operating at least one of the cursors 5 (see the arrow in Figure 8). In the example shown in Figure 7, the user applies a backward force to one of the cursors 51. As a result, as shown in Figure 8, the rack bar 41 connected to the cursor 51 moves backward, and the pinion gear 40 that meshes with the rack bar 41 rotates clockwise in a plan view from below. In addition, as the pinion gear 40 rotates, the rack bar 42 that meshes with the pinion gear 40 moves forward, and the other cursor 52 connected to the rack bar 42 moves forward. Therefore, the pair of cursors 5 move in a direction that narrows the distance W1 between them.

[0050] Here, as described above, when the pinion gear 40 rotates clockwise in a plan view from below, the torsion coil spring 61, which is the biasing member 6, deforms from its initial state to a state in which a portion of the coil portion 613, including the first end 611, expands in outer diameter, as shown in Figure 9. In other words, while the pair of cursors 5 are moving in a direction that narrows the gap W1, the outer diameter of a portion of the torsion coil spring 61, including the first end 611, becomes larger than the outer diameter of the boss 211. As a result, most of the coil portion 613 (in Figure 9, a portion of the coil portion 613 including the first end 611) becomes non-contact with the outer surface of the boss 211 of the sheet loading platform 21. Therefore, during the rotational operation of the pinion gear 40, the frictional resistance due to contact between the coil portion 613 of the torsion coil spring 61 and the boss 211 is lost, thus weakening the force that restricts the movement of the cursor movable mechanism 4. Therefore, it becomes easier to move the pair of cursors 5 without generating a reaction force to the user's operation, and it is easier to move each cursor 5 when operating the pair of cursors 5 in a direction that narrows the distance W1 between them. Subsequently, when the user stops operating and the force on the pair of cursors 5 in the direction that narrows the distance W1 is lost, the torsion coil spring 61 returns to its initial state.

[0051] Next, as shown in Figure 10, the function of the biasing member 6 when a force is applied to a pair of cursors 5 in a direction that widens the gap W1 between them will be explained. Here, when vibration is applied to the sheet loading platform 21, or when the sheet Sh1 placed on the sheet loading platform 21 is transported, the sheet Sh1 pushes the pair of cursors 5, thereby applying a force to the pair of cursors 5 in a direction that widens the gap W1 between them (see arrows in Figure 10). Here, the front end of the sheet Sh1 pushes one cursor 51 forward, and the rear end pushes the other cursor 52 backward. As a result, as shown in Figure 11, the rack bar 41 connected to one cursor 51 moves forward, and the rack bar 42 connected to the other cursor 52 moves backward. Then, the pinion gear 40 that meshes with each rack bar 41, 42 attempts to rotate counterclockwise in a plan view from below.

[0052] Here, as described above, when the pinion gear 40 rotates counterclockwise in a plan view from below, the biasing member 6, the torsion coil spring 61, transitions from its initial state to a state in which the coil portion 613 narrows its inner diameter, as shown in Figure 12. As a result, most of the coil portion 613 (the entire coil portion 613 in Figure 12) is pressed against the outer surface of the boss 211 of the sheet loading platform 21. Therefore, even if the pinion gear 40 tries to rotate, the frictional resistance due to the contact between the coil portion 613 of the torsion coil spring 61 and the boss 211 increases, restricting the movement of the cursor movable mechanism 4. Furthermore, since this force is greater than the force with which the sheet Sh1 pushes the pair of cursors 5, the movement of the pair of cursors 5 is hindered by the torsion coil spring 61. In this way, the movement of the cursor movable mechanism 4 is restricted by the biasing member 6, which has the advantage of making it easier to fix the sheet Sh1 with the pair of cursors 5. Therefore, since the sheet Sh1 can be transported while restricting its movement in the width direction by the pair of cursors 5, it is easier to prevent the sheet Sh1 from tilting during transport. After the transport of the sheet Sh1 is completed and the force that widens the distance W1 between the pair of cursors 5 is lost, the torsion coil spring 61 returns to its initial state.

[0053] Furthermore, if a user attempts to widen the distance W1 between a pair of cursors 5 by manipulating at least one of the cursors 5, it is possible to widen the distance W1 by applying a force greater than the frictional resistance mentioned above.

[0054] [3] Variant In the above embodiment, the torsion coil spring 61 is positioned so that the coil portion 613 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the boss 211 in its initial state, but it is not limited to this. For example, the torsion coil spring 61 may be positioned so that the coil portion 613 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 401 of the pinion gear 40 in its initial state. In this case, the torsion coil spring 61 should be positioned so that when a force is applied to the pair of cursors 5 in a direction that narrows the distance W1 between them, its outer diameter narrows, so that at least a part of it is not in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 401. Also, the torsion coil spring 61 should be positioned so that when a force is applied to the pair of cursors 5 in a direction that widens the distance W1 between them, its outer diameter widens, so that it is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 401.

[0055] The biasing member 6 is not limited to a torsion coil spring 61. That is, the biasing member 6 can be any member that restricts the movement of the cursor movable mechanism 4 in the direction of widening the distance W1 between the pair of cursors 5, and weakens the force that restricts the movement of the cursor movable mechanism 4 while the pair of cursors 5 are moving in the direction of narrowing the distance W1. For example, the biasing member 6 may be a compression spring that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 401 of the pinion gear 40 in its initial state. In this case, the compression spring should have a reduced outer diameter when a force is applied to the pair of cursors 5 in the direction of narrowing the distance W1, so that at least a part of it is not in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 401. Also, the compression spring should have a reduced outer diameter when a force is applied to the pair of cursors 5 in the direction of widening the distance W1, so that it is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 401.

[0056] Multiple components included in the image processing device 10 may be distributed and provided in multiple housings. For example, the sheet transport device 2 does not have to be integrated with the image processing device 10, and at least a part of the sheet transport device 2 may be provided in a housing separate from the image processing device 10.

[0057] Furthermore, the sheets transported by the sheet transport device 2 may be sheets Sh2, which are the objects of image formation by the image forming unit 12, that is, sheets supplied by the paper feeding unit 13. In this case, for example, the manual feed tray of the paper feeding unit 13 corresponds to the sheet stacking platform of the sheet transport device 2, and the output tray 123 of the image forming unit 12 corresponds to the sheet discharge platform of the sheet transport device 2.

[0058] Furthermore, the size of sheet Sh1 is not limited to standard sizes such as "A3E" or "B4E," but may be a non-standard size.

[0059] Furthermore, the cursor movement mechanism 4 only needs to have the function of supporting at least one of the pair of cursors 5 so that it can move in the width direction (front-to-back direction D2), and the detailed configuration of the cursor movement mechanism 4 described above is not essential to the sheet conveying device 2. For example, it is not essential to move the pair of cursors 5 steplessly; they may be moved in steps. Also, the cursor movement mechanism 4 is not limited to a rack and pinion mechanism (pinion gear 40 and a pair of rack bars 41, 42), but may employ any other appropriate mechanism. In addition, it is sufficient that at least one of the pair of cursors 5 moves, and the other may be fixed. Furthermore, even when both of the pair of cursors 5 move, it is not essential that the pair of cursors 5 move in conjunction with each other; each cursor 5 may move individually.

[0060] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0061] <Note 1> A conveying mechanism for transporting sheets placed on the sheet loading platform to the sheet discharge platform, A pair of cursors are positioned on both sides of the sheet placed on the sheet loading platform, in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction by the transport mechanism, A cursor movement mechanism that supports at least one of the pair of cursors so as to be movable in the width direction, The system includes a biasing member that restricts the movement of the cursor movable mechanism in a direction that widens the distance between the pair of cursors, and weakens the force that restricts the movement of the cursor movable mechanism while the pair of cursors are moving in a direction that narrows the distance between them. Sheet conveying device.

[0062] <Note 2> The cursor movement mechanism comprises a pair of racks connected to each of the pair of cursors, and a pinion gear that meshes with the pair of racks. The biasing member is a torsion coil spring positioned on the pinion gear. The sheet transport device described in Appendix 1.

[0063] <Note 3> The pinion gear is configured to be rotatable around a boss located on the sheet loading platform, The torsion coil spring is in contact with the boss, with its first end fixed to the pinion gear and its second end facing the boss without being fixed. The torsion coil spring, while the pair of cursors are moving in a direction that narrows the distance between them, has a portion of its outer diameter, including the first end, that is larger than the outer diameter of the boss. The sheet transport device described in Appendix 2.

[0064] <Note 4> The boss has a restricting portion that restricts the axial movement of the torsion coil spring of the boss. The sheet transport device described in Appendix 3.

[0065] <Note 5> A sheet transport device described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4, The aforementioned sheet is provided with an image processing unit that performs at least one of image reading and image formation, Image processing device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 10 Image Processing Device 2 Sheet conveying device 21-seat loading platform 211 Boss 212 Regulatory Department 22-seat discharge platform 3. Conveying mechanism 4. Cursor movement mechanism 40 Pinion Gear 41, 42 Rack bar (rack) 5 Cursors 6. Biasing member 61 Torsion coil spring 611 1st end 612 2nd end Sh1 Seat W1 Interval

Claims

1. A conveying mechanism that transports sheets placed on a sheet loading platform to a sheet discharge platform, A pair of cursors are positioned on both sides of the sheet placed on the sheet loading platform, in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction by the transport mechanism, A cursor movement mechanism that supports at least one of the pair of cursors so as to be movable in the width direction, The system includes a biasing member that restricts the movement of the cursor movable mechanism in a direction that widens the distance between the pair of cursors, and weakens the force that restricts the movement of the cursor movable mechanism while the pair of cursors are moving in a direction that narrows the distance between them. Sheet conveying device.

2. The cursor movement mechanism comprises a pair of racks connected to each of the pair of cursors, and a pinion gear that meshes with the pair of racks. The biasing member is a torsion coil spring positioned on the pinion gear. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1.

3. The pinion gear is configured to be rotatable around a boss located on the sheet loading platform, The torsion coil spring is in contact with the boss, with its first end fixed to the pinion gear and its second end positioned opposite the boss without being fixed. The torsion coil spring, while the pair of cursors are moving in a direction that narrows the distance between them, has a portion of its outer diameter, including the first end, that is larger than the outer diameter of the boss. The sheet conveying device according to claim 2.

4. The boss has a restricting portion that restricts the axial movement of the torsion coil spring of the boss. The sheet conveying device according to claim 3.

5. A sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The aforementioned sheet is provided with an image processing unit that performs at least one of image reading and image formation, Image processing device.

Images