Media transport device

Abstract

To provide a medium conveyance device capable of feeding a medium well.SOLUTION: A medium conveyance device has: a placement table; a feed roller that feeds a medium placed on the placement table; a separation roller disposed above the feed roller so as to face the feed roller; a lower surface guide that is disposed at a first position to limit a contact between a lower surface of the medium placed on the placement table and the feed roller before the medium is fed, and is disposed at a second position to allow the contact between the lower surface of the medium placed on the placement table and the feed roller during the medium feeding; a first guide that engages with the lower surface guide disposed at a first position before feeding the medium, thereby limiting the contact between a tip of the medium placed on the placement table and the separation roller; and a second guide disposed between an upstream end of the separation roller in a medium conveyance direction and a center part of the separation roller, and regulates the tip of the medium at a position separated by a prescribed distance upward from a nip part between the feed roller and the separation roller when the medium is being fed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a media transport device, and more particularly to a media transport device having a feed roller and a separation roller. [Background technology]

[0002] In a media conveying device such as a scanner that uses a feed roller and a separation roller arranged opposite to each other to feed and capture a plurality of media while separating them, it is required to feed a large number of media together on a loading table in order to improve the efficiency of the user's work. However, the more media are loaded on the loading table, the greater the weight of the media as a whole increases, and the greater the friction between the media. This may result in media in contact with the medium being fed together with the medium to be fed, resulting in double feeding of media. For example, by arranging a guide in front of the nip portion so that a large number of media do not enter the nip portion of the feed roller and the separation roller, the occurrence of double feeding of media can be suppressed. However, if a guide is arranged in front of the nip portion of the feed roller and the separation roller, when a medium with a curled leading end is fed, the guide may prevent the leading end of the medium from entering the nip portion of the feed roller and the separation roller.

[0003] A medium feeding device is disclosed that includes a plurality of regulating sections that are provided at intervals in the medium width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium feeding direction, upstream of the nip position between the separation roller and the feeding roller (see Patent Document 1). These regulating sections come into contact with the leading edge of at least the top medium in the media stack, excluding the bottom medium, and regulate the leading edge from contacting the separation roller, regardless of deformation of the separation roller.

[0004] A sheet conveying and separating device has been disclosed in which a separation roller is made of an elastic body, and a conveyance regulating guide is provided in the vicinity of the separation roller so as to relatively protrude due to deformation of the elastic body (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-89628 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3711069 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In a media transport device, it is required to feed the media well.

[0007] The purpose of the media handling device is to allow good feeding of the media.

[0008] According to one aspect of the embodiment, a medium conveying device , medium A feed roller for feeding the body, and a separation roller disposed above the feed roller and facing the feed roller. , medium Before body delivery , medium A first guide that limits contact between the tip of the body and the separation roller; and a second guide provided downstream of the first guide in the medium transport direction, the second guide being generally A separation roller is provided between the upstream end of the separation roller in the media transport direction and the center of the separation roller. and the lower end is disposed above the nip portion between the feed roller and the separation roller. , when feeding media , 2 A certain distance from the top Upwards The leading edge of the media is restricted at a distance. do.

[0009] According to this embodiment, the medium transport device can feed the medium well.

[0010] The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and obtained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory but are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a medium conveying device 100 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the medium transport device 100. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a feeding mechanism 121. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a feeding mechanism 121. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first guide 125 and the like. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first guide 125 and the like. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second guide 126. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second guide 126. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the inclination of a second guide 126. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medium conveying device 100. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a storage device 140 and a processing circuit 150. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a medium reading process. [Figure 13] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining other second guides 226 and the like. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining other second guides 226 and the like. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining still another second guide 326 and the like. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining still another second guide 326 and the like. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining still another second guide 326 and the like. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining still another second guide 326 and the like. FIG. [Figure 19] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining further another second guide 426 and the like. FIG. [Figure 20] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining further another second guide 426 and the like. FIG. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of another medium reading process. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of another processing circuit 550. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, a medium conveying device, a control method, and a control program according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a medium conveying device 100 configured as an image scanner. The medium conveying device 100 conveys a medium, which is an original, and captures an image. The medium is paper, thin paper, thick paper, a card, a passport, or the like. The card includes an ID card of ID-1 defined by ISO (International Organization for Standardization) / IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 7810. The card also includes an ID card having an embossment defined by ISO / IEC 7811-1. The medium conveying device 100 may be a facsimile, a copier, a multifunction printer (MFP, Multifunction Peripheral), or the like. Note that the medium to be conveyed may not be an original but may be a print target, or the like, and the medium conveying device 100 may be a printer, or the like.

[0014] The medium conveying device 100 includes a lower housing 101, an upper housing 102, a placement table 103, a discharge table 104, an operation device 105, a display device 106, and the like.

[0015] In Fig. 1, arrow A1 indicates the medium transport direction. In the following, "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. In addition, in Fig. 1, arrow A2 indicates the width direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction.

[0016] The upper housing 102 is disposed in a position that covers the top surface of the medium conveying device 100, and engages with the lower housing 101 by a hinge so that it can be opened and closed when the medium is jammed or when the inside of the medium conveying device 100 is cleaned.

[0017] The placement table 103 engages with the lower housing 101 and places the medium to be fed and transported on it. The placement table 103 is inclined so as to face downward from the upstream side to the downstream side. This allows the medium transport device 100 to transport the medium well by utilizing the weight of the medium. The discharge table 104 engages with the upper housing 102 and places the discharged medium on it. Note that the discharge table 104 may also engage with the lower housing 101.

[0018] The operation device 105 has an input device such as a button and an interface circuit for acquiring a signal from the input device, accepts an input operation by a user, and outputs an operation signal according to the input operation by the user. The display device 106 has a display including a liquid crystal, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), or the like, and an interface circuit for outputting image data to the display, and displays the image data on the display.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the medium transport device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0020] The transport path inside the media transport device 100 includes a load sensor 111, a media size sensor 112, a media sensor 113, a feed roller 114, a separation roller 115, a first transport roller 116, a second transport roller 117, an imaging device 118, a first discharge roller 119, and a second discharge roller 120, etc.

[0021] The number of each of the feed roller 114, separation roller 115, first conveyor roller 116, second conveyor roller 117, first discharge roller 119, and / or second discharge roller 120 is not limited to one, and may be more than one. In this case, the multiple feed rollers 114, separation rollers 115, first conveyor roller 116, second conveyor roller 117, first discharge roller 119, and / or second discharge roller 120 are arranged at intervals in the width direction A2.

[0022] The top surface of the lower housing 101 forms a lower guide 101a of the medium transport path, and the bottom surface of the upper housing 102 forms an upper guide 102a of the medium transport path.

[0023] The load sensor 111 is a sensor for detecting the load of media placed on the placement table 103, and is disposed upstream of the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115. The load sensor 111 is an infrared proximity sensor that measures the distance to an object located at an opposing position from the time difference between irradiation and reflection of infrared rays, for example. The load sensor 111 has a light emitter and a light receiver provided in the upper housing 102. The light emitter is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like, and emits light (infrared rays) toward the placement table 103. On the other hand, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives light that is irradiated by the light emitter and reflected by the placement table 103 or the media placed on the placement table 103, and generates and outputs a load signal that is an electrical signal corresponding to the received light. The load signal indicates, for example, the time from when the light emitter irradiates light to when the light receiver receives the light. Based on the load amount signal, medium conveying device 100 detects the height of the media placed on placement table 103 as the amount of loaded media.

[0024] The load amount sensor 111 may be a movement amount sensor (actuator). The movement amount sensor includes a contact member that is in contact with the top surface of the uppermost medium among the media placed on the placement table 103 and is movable upward by the contacting medium, and detects the amount of movement of the contact member. The load amount sensor 111 generates and outputs a load amount signal, which is an electrical signal corresponding to the detected amount of movement. Based on the load amount signal, the medium conveying device 100 detects the height of the media placed on the placement table 103 as the amount of media loaded.

[0025] Furthermore, the load sensor 111 may be a weight sensor for detecting the weight of the media placed on the placement table 103. The weight sensor has a pressure-sensitive sheet (conductively coated sheet) disposed between the lower housing 101 and the placement table 103, and the load sensor 111 generates and outputs a load signal, which is an electrical signal corresponding to the magnitude of the pressure sensed by the pressure-sensitive sheet. The heavier the weight of the media placed on the placement table 103, the greater the force with which the placement table 103 presses the lower housing 101, and the greater the pressure sensed by the pressure-sensitive sheet. The medium conveying device 100 detects the weight of the media placed on the placement table 103 as the media load based on the load signal.

[0026] The medium size sensor 112 is a sensor for detecting the size of the medium, and is disposed upstream of the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115. The medium size sensor 112 includes a plurality of optical sensors that are arranged, for example, at intervals in the width direction A2 and detect the medium at each of the arranged positions. Each optical sensor includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided in one of the lower housing 101 or the upper housing 102, and a light guide tube provided in the other of the lower housing 101 or the upper housing 102 at a position facing the light emitter and the light receiver. The light emitter is an LED or the like, and emits light toward the light guide tube. On the other hand, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. When a medium is present at a position facing each light emitter and light receiver, the light emitted from the light emitter is blocked by the medium, and the light receiver does not detect the light emitted from the light emitter. The medium size sensor 112 generates and outputs a medium size signal indicating whether or not a medium is present in a position facing each of the light emitters and light receivers, based on the intensity of the light received by each light receiver.

[0027] It should be noted that a reflective member such as a mirror may be used instead of the light guide tube. Also, the light emitter and the light receiver may be provided facing each other with the medium transport path in between.

[0028] Alternatively, the medium size sensors 112 may be infrared proximity sensors arranged at intervals in the width direction A2 and measuring the distance to an object at the opposite position from the time difference between the irradiation and reflection of infrared light at each arranged position. In this case, the medium size sensor 112 has a light emitter and a light receiver provided in the upper housing 102. The light emitter is an LED or the like, and emits light (infrared light) toward the mounting table 103. On the other hand, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light that is irradiated by the light emitter and reflected by the mounting table 103 or the medium placed on the mounting table 103. When a medium is present at a position opposite each light emitter and light receiver, the light irradiated from the light emitter is reflected by the medium, so the time from when the light emitter irradiates light to when the light receiver receives the light is shorter than when no medium is present at a position opposite each light emitter and light receiver. The medium size sensor 112 generates and outputs a medium size signal indicating whether or not a medium is present in a position opposite each light emitter and light receiver based on the time between when each light emitter emits light and when each light receiver receives the light.

[0029] The medium size sensors 112 may also be contact detection sensors that are arranged at intervals in the width direction A2 and pass a predetermined current when the medium is in contact with each of the arranged positions or when the medium is not in contact. The medium size sensors 112 generate and output a medium size signal that indicates whether or not a medium is present at a position opposite each contact detection sensor, depending on whether or not the medium is in contact with each contact detection sensor.

[0030] Furthermore, the medium size sensor 112 may have an imaging sensor equipped with imaging elements based on complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS) or charge coupled devices (CCD) arranged two-dimensionally. The medium size sensor 112 is disposed so as to be able to image the entire medium placed on the mounting table 103. In this case, the medium size sensor 112 further 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 medium size sensor 112 images the medium placed on the mounting table 103, generates an image signal, and outputs it as a medium size signal.

[0031] The media sensor 113 is disposed upstream of the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115. The media sensor 113 has a contact detection sensor, and detects whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103. The media sensor 113 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 113 is not limited to a contact detection sensor, and any other sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of a medium, such as a light detection sensor, may be used as the media sensor 113.

[0032] The feed roller 114 is provided in the lower housing 101, and separates and feeds the media placed on the mounting table 103 from the bottom up. The separation roller 115 is a so-called brake roller or retard roller, and is disposed in the upper housing 102, i.e., above the feed roller 114, facing the feed roller 114, and rotates in the opposite direction to the medium feeding direction.

[0033] The first conveying roller 116 and the second conveying roller 117 are disposed facing each other downstream of the feed roller 114, and convey the medium fed by the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115 to the imaging device 118. The first conveying roller 116 is provided in the lower housing 101, and the second conveying roller 117 is provided in the upper housing 102, above the first conveying roller 116.

[0034] The imaging device 118 is disposed downstream of the first conveying roller 116 and the second conveying roller 117, and captures an image of the medium conveyed by the first conveying roller 116 and the second conveying roller 117. The imaging device 118 includes a first imaging device 118a and a second imaging device 118b disposed opposite each other across the medium conveying path. The first imaging device 118a has a line sensor based on a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) of a life-size optical system type having imaging elements based on CMOS linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. The first imaging device 118a 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 118a captures an image of the surface of the medium being conveyed, generates an input image, and outputs it, according to control from a processing circuit described later.

[0035] Similarly, the second imaging device 118b has a line sensor using a CIS of a life-size optical system type having CMOS imaging elements arranged in a line in the main scanning direction. The second imaging device 118b 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 second imaging device 118b captures the back side of the medium being conveyed under the control of a processing circuit described later, generates an input image, and outputs it.

[0036] The medium conveying device 100 may have only one of the first imaging device 118a and the second imaging device 118b arranged to read only one side of the medium. Also, instead of a CIS line sensor of an equal magnification optical system type having a CMOS imaging element, a CIS line sensor of an equal magnification optical system type having a CCD imaging element may be used. Also, a reduction optical system type line sensor having a CMOS or CCD imaging element may be used.

[0037] The first discharge roller 119 and the second discharge roller 120 are disposed facing each other downstream of the imaging device 118, and discharge the medium transported by the first conveying roller 116 and the second conveying roller 117 and imaged by the imaging device 118 onto the discharge tray 104. The first discharge roller 119 is provided in the lower housing 101, and the second discharge roller 120 is provided in the upper housing 102, above the first discharge roller 119.

[0038] The medium placed on the placement table 103 is conveyed between the lower guide 101a and the upper guide 102a in the medium conveying direction A1 by the rotation of the feed roller 114 in the direction of the arrow A3 in FIG. 2, i.e., in the medium feeding direction. The medium conveying device 100 has a separation mode in which the medium is separated and fed, and a non-separation mode in which the medium is fed without being separated, as a feeding mode. The feeding mode is set by the user using the operation device 105 or an information processing device that is communicatively connected to the medium conveying device 100. When the feeding mode is set to the separation mode, the separation roller 115 rotates in the direction of the arrow A4, i.e., in the opposite direction to the medium feeding direction, during medium feeding. When multiple media are placed on the placement table 103, only the media in contact with the feed roller 114 is separated from the media placed on the placement table 103 by the action of the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115. This limits the conveyance of media other than the separated media (prevention of double feeding). On the other hand, when the feeding mode is set to the non-separation mode, the separation roller 115 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow A4, that is, in the medium feeding direction.

[0039] The medium is fed between the first conveyor roller 116 and the second conveyor roller 117 while being guided by the lower guide 101a and the upper guide 102a. The medium is fed between the first imaging device 118a and the second imaging device 118b as the first conveyor roller 116 and the second conveyor roller 117 rotate in the directions of the arrows A5 and A6, respectively. The medium read by the imaging device 118 is discharged onto the discharge tray 104 as the first discharge roller 119 and the second discharge roller 120 rotate in the directions of the arrows A7 and A8, respectively.

[0040] 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams for explaining the feeding mechanism 121 of the medium conveying device 100. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism 121 as viewed from the upstream side, and Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism 121 as viewed from the side (in the width direction A2).

[0041] 3 and 4, the medium conveying device 100 has, as a feeding mechanism 121, a guide member 122, a separation roller cover 123, a lower surface guide 124, a first guide 125, and a second guide 126 in addition to the feeding roller 114 and the separation roller 115. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the medium conveying device 100 has two feeding rollers 114 and two separation rollers 115.

[0042] The guide member 122 is a plate-like member that is provided on the upper surface of the lower housing 101 so as to form a medium transport surface 122a, and forms a part of the lower guide 101a. The guide member 122 has an opening at the center in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium transport direction, and the feed roller 114 is disposed within the opening.

[0043] The separation roller cover 123 is an example of a support portion, and covers and supports the separation roller 115. The separation roller cover 123 is attached to the upper housing 102 via an elastic member (not shown) such as a spring or rubber, and is biased downward by the elastic member. As a result, the separation roller cover 123 applies a biasing force to the separation roller 115 so that the separation roller 115 presses the feed roller 114.

[0044] The lower surface guide 124 is a setting guide for setting the medium. The lower surface guide 124 is disposed at a position overlapping the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115 when viewed from the width direction A2, that is, at a position overlapping the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115 in the medium transport direction A1. The lower surface guide 124 is provided on the lower housing 101 so as to be swingable (rotatable) downward (in the direction of arrow A9 in FIG. 4) according to a driving force from a motor (not shown). Before medium feeding, the lower surface guide 124 is disposed at a first position (position shown in FIG. 4) that limits contact between the lower surface of the medium M1 placed on the placement table 103 and the feed roller 114, and supports the lower surface of the medium M1 placed on the placement table 103 on the support surface 124a.

[0045] The lower surface guide 124 is made of a material with high slidability (low frictional force against the medium), such as a plastic material. In particular, the lower surface guide 124 is made of a material whose frictional force with a PPC sheet is smaller than the frictional force between two PPC sheets.

[0046] In order for the feed roller 114 to feed the medium well, the outer circumferential surface of the feed roller 114 is formed of a rubber material or the like that has a large frictional force against the medium. Therefore, the frictional force between the feed roller 114 and the lowest medium among the media M1 placed on the placement table 103 is larger than the frictional force between the plurality of media M1. In addition, in the medium conveying device 100, the placement table 103 is inclined so that the downstream side faces downward so that the media can be easily conveyed by its own weight. Therefore, if the medium conveying device does not have a bottom guide, the leading edge of the medium placed above the lowest medium will move ahead (to the downstream side) before the medium is fed, and double feeding of the media is likely to occur when the media is fed.

[0047] On the other hand, in the medium conveying device 100, the lowest medium among the media M1 placed on the placement table 103 slides on the lower surface guide 124 before feeding the medium, and advances to a position where it hits the first guide 125. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can prevent the occurrence of double feeding of media.

[0048] The first guide 125 is a flap, and is a stopper for preventing the medium from entering the nip between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115 before the medium is fed. The first guide 125 is disposed at a position facing the lower guide 124 in the medium conveying direction A1. The first guide 125 is provided on a feed arm, which will be described later, stored in the separation roller cover 123, so as to be swingable (rotatable) toward the downstream side (the direction of the arrow A10 in FIG. 4), and is pressed toward the upstream side (the opposite direction to the arrow A10) by an elastic member (not shown), such as a torsion coil spring. Before the medium is fed, the first guide 125 engages with the lower guide 124 disposed at the first position, and limits contact between the leading end of the medium M1 placed on the placement table 103 and the separation roller 115. That is, the first guide 125 prevents the medium from entering the nip between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115 before the medium is fed. The first guide 125 is provided to cooperate with the feeding arm, and when the first guide 125 is engaged with the lower surface guide 124, the feeding arm is supported by the first guide 125 and the lower surface guide 124, and the feeding arm is prevented from moving downward. Therefore, in Figures 3 and 4, the feeding arm is stored in the separation roller cover 123.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the first guide 125 is disposed upstream of the upstream end of the separation roller 115 and in the vicinity of the separation roller 115 in the medium conveying direction A1 before the medium is fed. Therefore, the difference between the position (height) of the medium that is stopped in contact with the first guide 125 before the medium is fed and the position (height) of the medium that is stopped in contact with the separation roller 115 immediately after the medium feeding starts is small, and the magnitude of the potential energy generated by the difference in height is small. Therefore, the medium is prevented from coming into contact with the separation roller 115 with force immediately after the medium feeding starts, and the separation roller 115 is pushed up by the medium, thereby reducing the force separating the medium. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can prevent the occurrence of double feeding of the medium and separate multiple media well.

[0050] Also, the first guide 125 engages with the lower surface guide 124 arranged at the first position so as to be inclined with respect to the lower surface guide 124. That is, the angle θ1 formed by the contact surface 125a of the first guide 125 that contacts the leading edge of the medium M1 and the support surface 124a of the lower surface guide 124 is set to be greater than 0° and smaller than 90°. In particular, the angle θ1 is set to be greater than 45° and smaller than 90°. As a result, when a plurality of media are loaded on the placement table 103, the leading edge of the lower medium is positioned downstream before the medium is fed, so that the lowest medium is more likely to enter the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115 when the medium feeding starts. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can smoothly feed the medium when the medium feeding starts, and the time required for the medium feeding can be reduced.

[0051] In the example shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the sets of the first guide 125 and the lower surface guide 124 are arranged in a line with a gap in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction, and each first guide 125 is arranged at approximately the same position in the medium conveying direction A1. Also, each set of the first guide 125 and the lower surface guide 124 is arranged with a gap in the width direction A2 that is equal to or less than the minimum medium size width supported by the medium conveying device 100 (for example, the length in the short direction of the A8 size). As a result, even when a medium having the minimum medium size width supported by the medium conveying device 100 is fed, the leading edge of the medium is positioned at at least two points by each first guide 125 before the medium is fed, so that the leading edge of the medium is prevented from being positioned at an angle. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can prevent a part of the leading edge of the medium from contacting the separation roller 115 before the medium is fed, and can prevent the medium from being skewed. Each set of first guide 125 and bottom guide 124 may be disposed at an interval greater than the minimum medium size width supported by medium conveying device 100 in width direction A2.

[0052] The second guide 126 has a contact surface 126a that contacts the leading edge of the medium being fed. The second guide 126 is provided on the separation roller cover 123 so as to protrude from the separation roller cover 123 above the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115. As shown in Fig. 4, the second guide 126 is disposed between the upstream end of the separation roller 115 in the medium transport direction A1 and the center O of the separation roller 115 in the medium transport direction A1.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, the second guide 126 is disposed outside the first guide 125 and near the separation roller 115 in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction. For example, the inner end of the second guide 126 is disposed within 30 mm from the outer end of the separation roller 115 in the width direction A2. This allows the second guide 126 to regulate the center of the medium in the width direction A2, and to appropriately stop the medium. In particular, the second guide 126 can satisfactorily regulate the leading edge of the medium when a plurality of small-sized media are placed together on the placement table 103 and fed. The first guide 125 and / or the second guide 126 may be disposed between two separation rollers 115 in the width direction A2.

[0054] The second guide 126 is formed so that the coefficient of friction of the first region 126b above a predetermined position on the contact surface 126a is greater than the coefficient of friction of the second region 126c below the predetermined position. That is, the second guide 126 is formed so that the first region 126b and the second region 126c have different surface roughness or different friction resistance of the members. The predetermined position is set, for example, at a center position between the upper end position and the lower end position of the contact surface 126a. The predetermined position may be set at any position within the contact surface 126a. The coefficient of friction of the first region 126b is set, for example, to 0.5 or more. The first region 126b is formed, for example, with an uneven shape. Alternatively, a rubber member may be attached to the first region 126b. On the other hand, the coefficient of friction of the second region 126c is set, for example, to less than 0.5 (for example, about 0.3). The second region 126c is formed, for example, from a resin material. As a result, the second guide 126 makes it easier to catch the leading edge of the medium in the upper region of the contact surface 126a, appropriately preventing the medium from entering the downstream side. Meanwhile, the second guide 126 smoothly drops the leading edge of the medium in the lower region of the contact surface 126a, and the pressure roller described below smoothly guides the medium into the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115.

[0055] In the example shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the second guides 126 are arranged in a line at intervals in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction, and each second guide 126 is arranged at approximately the same position in the medium conveying direction A1. Also, each second guide 126 is arranged at an interval in the width direction A2 of less than a length that is the minimum medium size width supported by the medium conveying device 100 plus a margin (for example, 40 mm). As a result, when a medium (for example, a medium of A6 size or larger) that is mainly fed by the medium conveying device 100 is fed, the leading edge of the medium is positioned at at least two points by each second guide 126 before the medium is fed. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can prevent the leading edge of the medium from being arranged at an angle, and can prevent the medium from being skewed.

[0056] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the lower guide 124 and the first guide 125 during medium feeding. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism 121 as viewed from the side during medium feeding.

[0057] 5, the feeding mechanism 121 further includes a feeding arm 127. As described above, the feeding arm 127 is stored in the separation roller cover 123 so as to be vertically movable relative to the separation roller cover 123. The feeding arm 127 is attached to the separation roller cover 123 via an elastic member (not shown) such as a spring or rubber, and is urged downward relative to the separation roller cover 123 by the elastic member.

[0058] A pressure roller 127a is provided on the feeding arm 127. The pressure roller 127a faces the feeding roller 114 and is disposed upstream of the nip portion between the feeding roller 114 and the separation roller 115 in the medium conveying direction A1. The pressure roller 127a presses the medium fed by the feeding roller 114 toward the feeding roller 114 from above. The pressure roller 127a sandwiches the medium between itself and the feeding roller 114, and applies a conveying force to the medium fed by the feeding roller 114. This enables the medium conveying device 100 to feed the medium well.

[0059] When the medium feeding starts, the lower surface guide 124 swings downward (in the direction of arrow A9) from the transport surface 122a of the guide member 122. As a result, the lower surface guide 124 is disposed at the second position (position shown in FIG. 5) that allows contact between the lower surface of the medium M1 placed on the mounting table 103 and the feeding roller 114 during medium feeding, and is separated from the lower surface of the medium M1 placed on the mounting table 103.

[0060] By placing the lower guide 124 in the second position, the engagement between the first guide 125 and the lower guide 124 is released. As a result, the first guide 125 is pushed by the leading edge of the medium M1 placed on the placement table 103 and swings downstream (in the direction of arrow A10), allowing the medium M1 to enter the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115. In this way, when the lower guide 124 is placed in the second position, the first guide 125 allows the medium M1 to enter the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115.

[0061] As described above, since the feed arm 127 is biased downward by the elastic member, the feed arm 127 moves downward (toward the feed roller 114) by disengaging the first guide 125 from the lower surface guide 124. In the example shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the amount of the medium M1 placed on the placement table 103 is sufficiently small. In this case, the feed roller 114 first contacts the lowest medium among the media M1 placed on the placement table 103, and then the pressing roller 127a contacts the highest medium among the media M1 placed on the placement table 103. That is, the pressing roller 127a is provided so as to contact the medium placed on the placement table 103 after the feed roller 114 if the amount of the media placed on the placement table 103 is less than a predetermined amount when the lower surface guide 124 moves from the first position to the second position.

[0062] When the amount of media placed on the placement table 103 is small, if the pressure roller 127a presses the media and the feed roller 114 starts to rotate, the leading edge of the media is likely to bend upward, which can easily cause a media jam. When the amount of media is less than a predetermined amount, the medium conveying device 100 has the feed roller 114 come into contact with the media before the pressure roller 127a and starts feeding the media, thereby preventing the leading edge of the media from bending upward and causing a media jam.

[0063] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the lower guide 124 and the first guide 125 when a large amount of media M2 is placed on the placement table 103. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram viewed from the side of the feeding mechanism 121 immediately after starting medium feeding when a large amount of media M2 is placed on the placement table 103.

[0064] As described above, when the feeding of the medium starts, the lower surface guide 124 is placed at the second position, the engagement between the first guide 125 and the lower surface guide 124 is released, and the feeding arm 127 moves downward. As shown in FIG. 6, when a large amount of media M2 is placed on the placement table 103, the feeding arm 127 moves down before the lower surface guide 124 moves down completely. Therefore, before the feeding roller 114 comes into contact with the lowest medium among the media M2 placed on the placement table 103, the pressing roller 127a comes into contact with the highest medium among the media M2 placed on the placement table 103. That is, when the lower surface guide 124 moves from the first position to the second position, if the amount of media placed on the placement table 103 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the pressing roller 127a is provided so as to come into contact with the media placed on the placement table 103 before the feeding roller 114.

[0065] When a large amount of media is placed on the placement table 103, the feed roller 114 starts to rotate with the pressure roller 127a pressing the media, so that the feed roller 114 can smoothly feed out the media. In particular, when a large amount of media is placed on the placement table 103, a larger urging force is applied to the media by the elastic member compared to when the amount of media is small. For example, when the elastic member is a compression spring, the magnitude of the urging force is a multiplication value of the contraction amount of the spring multiplied by the spring constant. When a large amount of media is placed on the placement table 103, the contraction amount of the spring is large and a large urging force is applied to the media by the pressure roller 127a, so that the feed roller 114 can smoothly feed out the media.

[0066] Furthermore, when a large amount of media is placed on the placement table 103, the leading edge of the lowest medium to be fed is pressed down by the weight of the media placed above it, making it less likely that the leading edge of the medium will bend upward. Therefore, when a large amount of media is placed on the placement table 103 and the likelihood of a media jam occurring is low, the medium conveying device 100 prioritizes the ease of feeding the media, making it possible to feed the media well.

[0067] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining second guide 126 when a large amount of media M3 is placed on mounting table 103. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram viewed from the side of feeding mechanism 121 during medium feeding when a large amount of media M3 is placed on mounting table 103.

[0068] 7, when a large amount of media M3 is placed on the placement table 103 and the upstream end of the separation roller 115 is pressed downstream by the media M3 and deformed, the second guide 126 comes into contact with the leading edge of the media M3 to prevent the media M3 from entering the downstream side. This allows the second guide 126 to prevent the separation roller 115 from rising (floating) due to the media M3, thereby reducing the force separating the media.

[0069] In particular, the second guide 126 regulates the leading edge of the medium at a position that is a predetermined distance D above the nip surface N, which is an extension surface of the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115, when the medium is fed. That is, the second guide 126 is disposed so as not to overlap with the feed roller 114 when viewed from the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium transport direction. As a result, the second guide 126 contacts only the medium that is disposed on the upper side of the medium M3 placed on the placement table 103. Therefore, the second guide 126 allows the medium that is disposed on the lower side to enter the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115, while restricting the medium that is disposed on the upper side from entering the downstream side. Since only the medium that is disposed on the lower side contacts the separation roller 115, the second guide 126 can suppress the separation roller 115 from rising (floating) and reducing the force that separates the medium.

[0070] The predetermined distance D is set based on the number of ID cards that the medium conveying device 100 can convey, for example. When the number of ID cards that can be conveyed is three, the predetermined distance D is set to a length of at least three times (0.76 mm×3=2.28 mm) the thickness of an ID-1 ID card defined by ISO / IEC7810. This allows the second guide 126 to pass each ID card through and enter the nip between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115 when the number of ID cards that can be conveyed is fed. The predetermined distance D may be set to a length of at least three times ((0.76 mm+0.48 mm)×3=3.72 mm) the thickness of an ID card having an embossment defined by ISO / IEC7811-1. This allows the second guide 126 to pass each ID card through and enter the nip between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115 when the number of ID cards having an embossment that can be conveyed is fed.

[0071] Compared to paper and the like, ID cards have high rigidity and do not deform. Therefore, when the medium conveying device 100 separates multiple ID cards at the position of the second guide 126, the conveying load on the feed roller 114 becomes large. Therefore, in order to separate multiple ID cards at the position of the second guide 126, the medium conveying device 100 needs to increase the force with which the separation roller 115 presses the feed roller 114. However, if the force with which the separation roller 115 presses the feed roller 114 is made too large, it becomes difficult for the medium conveying device 100 to separate media such as paper. By providing the second guide 126 so that multiple ID cards can pass through, each ID card is appropriately separated at the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115, so that the medium conveying device 100 can feed both the ID card and the paper while separating them well.

[0072] In addition, the size of ID cards is small, and there is a high possibility that the side guide will not be set when the ID cards are fed. Furthermore, because the frictional force between ID cards is small, when multiple ID cards are separated at the position of the second guide 126, the ID cards that remain at the position of the second guide 126 will tilt, and there is a high possibility that skew of the medium will occur. By providing the second guide 126 so that multiple ID cards can pass through, each ID card is appropriately separated at the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115, and the medium conveying device 100 can suppress the occurrence of skew of the medium.

[0073] On the other hand, if the specified distance D is too large, a large amount of media comes into contact with the separation roller 115, causing the separation roller 115 to rise and reducing the force with which the media are separated. As a result of conducting an experiment in which a variety of types of media having various thicknesses, such as fine paper, coated paper, and art paper, were fed while changing the specified distance D, it was found that when the specified distance D was greater than 7 mm, the frequency with which the separation roller 115 rose up and media were fed multiple times rapidly increased. Therefore, it is preferable to set the specified distance D to a length of 7 mm or less.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 7, the separation roller cover 123 has a guide surface 123a formed upstream of the upstream end of the separation roller 115 in the medium conveying direction A1. An extension surface E of the guide surface 123a is disposed so as to pass through the center O of the separation roller 115. That is, the guide surface 123a is formed at the same position as the center O of the separation roller 115 in the height direction. When a large amount of media is placed on the placement table 103 and the media placed on the upper side contacts the upper position of the outer circumferential surface of the separation roller 115, the separation roller 115 is pressed from above by the contacting media. The higher the position on the outer circumferential surface where the media contacts, the greater the force with which the media presses the separation roller 115. The greater the force with which the media presses the separation roller 115, the greater the load required to lift the separation roller 115 when the medium to be fed enters the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115, and the greater the feeding force required to convey the medium. In particular, when the medium comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the separation roller 115 at a position higher than the center O, a feeding error may occur in which the medium is not fed properly.

[0075] Meanwhile, when a large amount of media is placed on the placement table 103, the medium conveying device 100 can use the separation roller cover 123 to limit the amount of media that advances to a position where it contacts the separation roller 115. In particular, by arranging the guide surface 123a at the same height as the center O of the separation roller 115, the medium conveying device 100 can prevent the media from contacting the outer circumferential surface of the separation roller 115 at a position higher than the center O, and suppress the occurrence of abnormal media feeding.

[0076] The extended surface E of the guide surface 123a may be disposed so as to be located below the center O of the separation roller 115. That is, the guide surface 123a may be formed below the center O of the separation roller 115 in the height direction. By disposing the guide surface 123a at a position lower than the center O of the separation roller 115, the medium conveying device 100 can feed the medium with a sufficiently small feeding force.

[0077] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the second guide 126 when medium M4 with a curled leading edge is placed on the placement table 103. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram viewed from the side of the feeding mechanism 121 during medium feeding when medium M4 with a curled leading edge is placed on the placement table 103. In Fig. 8, the first guide 125 and feeding arm 127 are omitted from illustration in order to improve visibility.

[0078] As described above, in the separation mode, when multiple media enter between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115, the separation roller 115 rotates in the direction A4 opposite to the medium feeding direction to push back media that are not in contact with the feed roller 114. On the other hand, when a single medium enters between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115, or when no medium is present between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115, the separation roller 115 rotates together with the feed roller 114 in the medium feeding direction A9.

[0079] If the second guide 126 were arranged upstream of the upstream end of the separation roller 115 in the medium conveying direction A1, the second guide 126 would prevent the leading edge of the curled medium M4 from entering the nip between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115. Therefore, the medium M4 would not enter the nip between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115, and a medium jam would occur. On the other hand, in the medium conveying device 100, the second guide 126 is arranged downstream of the upstream end of the separation roller 115 in the medium conveying direction A1. Therefore, the leading edge of the curled medium M4 comes into contact with the separation roller 115 without being blocked by the second guide 126, and is guided by the separation roller 115 rotating in the medium conveying direction A9 to enter between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can suppress the occurrence of a jam of a medium with a curled leading edge.

[0080] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the inclination of the second guide 126. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the second guide 126 as viewed from the side. In Fig. 9, the first guide 125 and the feeding arm 127 are omitted from illustration in order to improve visibility.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 9, the second guide 126 is disposed so that the contact surface 126a that contacts the leading edge of the medium is inclined with respect to the nip surface N between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115. That is, the angle θ2 between the contact surface 126a of the second guide 126 and the nip surface N is set to be greater than 0° and smaller than 90°. In particular, the angle θ2 is set to be greater than 45° and smaller than 90°. As a result, among the media that contact the contact surface 126a, the leading edge of the lower medium is disposed downstream, so that the lower medium is more likely to enter the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115 when it separates from the contact surface 126a. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can smoothly feed the medium when the medium feeding starts, and can reduce the time required for medium feeding.

[0082] In addition, when the feed roller 114 rotates in the medium feed direction A3, the separation roller 115 is pulled by the feed roller 114 at the nip portion with the feed roller 114. By being pulled by the feed roller 114, the downstream end of the nip portion of the separation roller 115 swells, and accordingly the upstream end of the nip portion of the separation roller 115 is recessed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, a recess 115a is formed in the upstream and lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 115. The contact surface 126a of the second guide 126 is inclined with respect to the nip surface N and is disposed approximately parallel to the recess 115a, so that the leading edge of each medium contacting the contact surface 126a contacts the contact surface 126a uniformly. As a result, the second guide 126 applies a load evenly to each medium contacted, and it becomes possible to properly align the leading edge of each medium. As a result, the media handling device 100 is able to better feed the media.

[0083] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the medium conveying device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0084] In addition to the components described above, the medium conveying device 100 further includes a motor 131, an interface device 132, a storage device 140, a processing circuit 150, and the like.

[0085] The motor 131 has one or more motors, and rotates the feed roller 114, separation roller 115, first conveyance roller 116, second conveyance roller 117, first discharge roller 119, and second discharge roller 120 in response to a control signal from the processing circuit 150 to convey the medium. Note that one of the first conveyance roller 116 and the second conveyance roller 117 may be a driven roller that rotates following the other roller. Also, one of the first discharge roller 119 and the second discharge roller 120 may be a driven roller that rotates following the other roller. Also, the motor 131 moves the lower surface guide 124 between the first position and the second position in response to a control signal from the processing circuit 150.

[0086] The interface device 132 has an interface circuit conforming to a serial bus such as USB, and is electrically connected to an information processing device (not shown, for example, a personal computer, a mobile information terminal, etc.) to transmit and receive input images and various information. Also, instead of the interface device 132, a communication unit having an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless communication interface device for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless communication line in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol may be used. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The communication unit may have a wired communication interface device for transmitting and receiving signals through a wired communication line in accordance with a communication protocol such as a wired LAN.

[0087] The storage device 140 includes a memory device such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, or a portable storage device such as a flexible disk or an optical disk. The storage device 140 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 in the storage device 140 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program or the like. The portable recording medium is, for example, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), or the like.

[0088] The processing circuit 150 operates based on a program previously stored in the storage device 140. The processing circuit is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing circuit 150 may be, for example, a DSP (digital signal processor), an LSI (large scale integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0089] The processing circuit 150 is connected to the operation device 105, the display device 106, the load sensor 111, the medium size sensor 112, the medium sensor 113, the imaging device 118, the motor 131, the interface device 132, the storage device 140, etc., and controls each of these components. Based on a medium signal received from the medium sensor 113, the processing circuit 150 performs drive control of the motor 131, image capture control of the imaging device 118, etc., acquires an input image from the imaging device 118, and transmits it to the information processing device via the interface device 132.

[0090] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the storage device 140 and the processing circuit 150. As shown in FIG.

[0091] 11, the storage device 140 stores a control program 141, an image acquisition program 142, a detection program 143, and the like. Each of these programs is a functional module implemented by software that runs on a processor. The processing circuitry 150 reads each program stored in the storage device 140 and operates according to the read program. In this way, the processing circuitry 150 functions as a control unit 151, an image acquisition unit 152, and a detection unit 153.

[0092] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the medium reading process of the medium conveying device 100.

[0093] An example of the operation of the medium reading process of the medium conveying device 100 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 12. The flow of the operation described below is executed mainly by the processing circuit 150 in cooperation with each element of the medium conveying device 100 based on a program previously stored in the storage device 140. Before the flowchart shown in Fig. 12 is executed, i.e., before the medium is fed, the lower surface guide 124 is placed in the first position.

[0094] First, the control unit 151 waits until a user inputs an instruction to read a medium using the operation device 105 or an information processing device, and an operation signal instructing the user to read a medium is received from the operation device 105 or the interface device 132 (step S101).

[0095] Next, control unit 151 acquires a medium signal from medium sensor 113, 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 151 ends the series of steps.

[0096] On the other hand, when a medium is placed on the placement table 103, the control unit 151 drives the motor 131 to move the lower surface guide 124 from the first position to the second position. The control unit 151 also drives the motor 131 to rotate the feed roller 114, the separation roller 115, the first conveyor roller 116, the second conveyor roller 117, the first discharge roller 119 and / or the second discharge roller 120 to convey the medium (step S103).

[0097] Next, the image acquisition unit 152 causes the imaging device 118 to capture an image of the medium, acquires an input image from the imaging device 118, and outputs the acquired input image by transmitting it to the information processing device via the interface device 132 (step S104).

[0098] Next, control unit 151 determines whether or not a medium remains on mounting table 103 based on the medium signal received from medium sensor 113 (step S105). If a medium remains on mounting table 103, control unit 151 returns the process to step S104, and repeats the processes of steps S104 to S105.

[0099] On the other hand, when no media remain on the placement table 103, the control unit 151 controls the motor 131 to stop the feed roller 114, the separation roller 115, the first conveyor roller 116, the second conveyor roller 117, the first discharge roller 119 and / or the second discharge roller 120. The control unit 151 also controls the motor 131 to move the lower surface guide 124 from the second position to the first position (step S106), thereby completing the series of steps.

[0100] As described above in detail, the medium conveying device 100 has the first guide 125 that restricts the contact between the leading edge of the medium and the separation roller 115 before feeding the medium. Furthermore, the medium conveying device 100 has the second guide 126 that is disposed downstream of the upstream end of the separation roller 115 and restricts the leading edge of the medium at a predetermined distance above the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115. As a result, the medium conveying device 100 guides only an appropriate amount of the medium from the media that has been released from the restriction by the first guide 125 to the nip portion, and suppresses the other media from pressing the separation roller 115. As a result, the medium conveying device 100 is able to suppress the separation roller 115 from rising (floating) and reducing the force that separates the media. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 is able to separate multiple media well and suppress the occurrence of double feeding of media. Furthermore, the medium conveying device 100 can prevent the medium with a curled leading end from being blocked from entering the nip between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115 by the second guide 126. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can feed the medium well.

[0101] Generally, the greater the amount of media placed on the placement table 103, the greater the force with which the media presses the separation roller 115, increasing the possibility of double feeding of media. By restricting the leading edge of the media a predetermined distance above the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115, the medium conveying device 100 is able to prevent double feeding of media regardless of the amount of media placed on the placement table 103, and to stably feed the media.

[0102] Furthermore, the medium conveying device 100 is now capable of satisfactorily feeding various types of media, such as regular paper, thin paper that tends to curl at the leading edge, cards, thick paper, and passports.

[0103] In this way, the medium conveying device 100 is able to stably feed media regardless of the number or type of media to be fed. Therefore, the user does not need to change the settings of the medium conveying device 100 depending on the number or type of media to be fed, and the medium conveying device 100 can improve the user's convenience. Accordingly, the medium conveying device 100 can suppress the occurrence of setting errors by the user and the occurrence of malfunctions due to setting errors. In addition, the medium conveying device 100 does not need to be provided with special parts to feed special types of media or to feed large amounts of media, and it is possible to suppress increases in device costs.

[0104] 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams for explaining a separation roller cover 223 and a second guide 226 in a medium conveying device according to another embodiment. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of the separation roller cover 223 as viewed from the upstream side. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of the separation roller cover 223 as viewed from the side. In Figs. 13 and 14, the guide member 122 is omitted from illustration to improve visibility.

[0105] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the medium transport device according to this embodiment has a separation roller cover 223 and a second guide 226 instead of the separation roller cover 123 and the second guide 126.

[0106] The separation roller cover 223 and the second guide 226 have the same configuration as the separation roller cover 123 and the second guide 126. However, the second guide 226 has a fixed part 226a and a moving part 226b. The fixed part 226a is provided so as to be fixed to the separation roller cover 223. The fixed part 226a is provided a predetermined distance D above the nip surface N, which is an extension surface of the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115. The moving part 226b is provided between the fixed part 226a and the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115 so as to be movable by the leading end of the medium to be fed. The moving part 226b is provided at the lower end of the fixed part 226a so as to be swingable (rotatable) downstream (in the direction of the arrow A11 in FIG. 14) and is pressed toward the upstream side (opposite direction of the arrow A11) by an elastic member (not shown) such as a torsion coil spring.

[0107] When multiple media are placed on the placement table 103, a force toward the downstream side is applied to each medium by the feed roller 114, and a force toward the upstream side is applied by the separation roller 115. The pressing force applied to the moving part 226b by the elastic member is set to be smaller than the force toward the downstream side applied to the medium in contact with the feed roller 114, and larger than the force toward the downstream side applied to the medium not in contact with the feed roller 114. As a result, when multiple media are placed on the placement table 103, the second guide 226 guides the medium to be fed to the nip part between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115, while preventing other media from entering the nip part. Therefore, the second guide 226 can suppress the occurrence of double feeding of media while favorably guiding the medium to be fed (including cards, etc.) to the nip part between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115.

[0108] As described above in detail, the medium conveying device is able to feed the medium well even when the second guide 226 has the fixed portion 226a and the movable portion 226b.

[0109] 15 and 16 are schematic diagrams for explaining a separation roller cover 323 and a second guide 326 in a medium conveying device according to yet another embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the separation roller cover 323 viewed from the upstream side. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the separation roller cover 323 viewed from the side. In FIGS. 15 and 16, the guide member 122 is omitted to improve visibility. FIGS. 15 and 16 show the second guide 326 before medium feeding (initial state).

[0110] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the medium transport device according to this embodiment has a separation roller cover 323 and a second guide 326 instead of the separation roller cover 123 and the second guide 126.

[0111] The separation roller cover 323 and the second guide 326 have the same configuration as the separation roller cover 123 and the second guide 126. However, the second guide 326 has a shaft 326a, a contact portion 326b, and an arm 326c. In the example shown in Figures 15 and 16, the second guide 326 has two each of the contact portions 326b and the arms 326c.

[0112] The shaft 326a is provided in the separation roller cover 323 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the width direction A2, and is pressed toward the upstream side (the opposite direction of the arrow A12) by an elastic member (not shown) such as a torsion coil spring.

[0113] The contact portion 326b has a first contact surface that contacts the leading edge of the medium being fed, and is provided on the shaft 326a so as to be rotatable (swingable) in accordance with the rotation of the shaft 326a. Before the medium is fed (initial state), the first contact surface is disposed in a non-contact position (position shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16) where it does not contact the leading edge of the medium. The contact portion 326b is disposed outside the first guide 125 and near the separation roller 115 in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction. Each contact portion 326b is disposed at approximately the same position in the medium conveying direction A1. In addition, each contact portion 326b is disposed at an interval in the width direction A2 that is equal to or less than the minimum medium size width supported by the medium conveying device 100 plus a margin.

[0114] The arm 326c has a second contact surface that contacts the top surface of the medium being fed, and is provided on the shaft 326a so as to rotate the shaft 326a with the movement (swing) of the arm 326c. The arm 326c is disposed outside the contact portion 326b in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium transport direction. The arms 326c are disposed at intervals greater than the longitudinal length (85.6 mm) of an ID-1 ID card or the longitudinal length (125 mm) of a folded passport as defined by ISO / IEC7810. The arms 326c are disposed at approximately the same position in the medium transport direction A1.

[0115] 17 and 18 are schematic diagrams for explaining the second guide 326 in a state in which the contact portion 326b is set. Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of the separation roller cover 323 as viewed from the upstream side. Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of the separation roller cover 323 as viewed from the side. In Figs. 17 and 18, the guide member 122 is omitted from illustration in order to improve visibility.

[0116] 17 and 18, when a stack of media having a height equal to or greater than a predetermined height is placed on the placement table 103 and the top surfaces of the stack of media come into contact with the second contact surface of the arm 326c, the arm 326c is pushed up by the stack of media and moves upward. As the arm 326c moves upward, the shaft 326a rotates in the direction of the arrow A12, and as the shaft 326a rotates, the contact portion 326b swings in the direction of the arrow A12. As a result, the contact surface of the contact portion 326b is set to a contact position (the position shown in FIGS. 17 and 18) where it comes into contact with the leading edge of the medium being fed.

[0117] The contact portion 326b set at the contact position is provided above the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115, and is disposed so as not to overlap with the feed roller 114 when viewed from the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium transport direction. In addition, the contact portion 326b set at the contact position is disposed between the upstream end of the separation roller 115 in the medium transport direction A1 and the center O of the separation roller 115 in the medium transport direction A1.

[0118] In this way, the second guide 326 is provided so as to be movable by the medium when the height of the medium that contacts the separation roller 115 is equal to or greater than a predetermined height. As a result, when a group of media having a width greater than the distance between the two arms 326c and a height that contacts the arms 326c is placed on the placement table 103, the second guide 326 contacts the leading end of the group of media to prevent the group of media from entering the downstream side. Therefore, the second guide 326 can suppress the separation roller 115 from rising (floating) due to the group of media, thereby reducing the force that separates the media. On the other hand, when a medium such as an ID card or a passport having a width shorter than the arrangement interval of the arms 326c is placed on the placement table 103, the arms 326c do not contact the medium, and the contact portion 326b is placed in a non-contact position. Therefore, the contact portion 326b allows the medium to be fed well without preventing the feeding of a medium having a thickness such as an ID card or a passport.

[0119] As described above in detail, the medium transport device is able to feed the medium well even when the second guide 326 is provided so as to be movable according to the height of the medium.

[0120] Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining a separation roller cover 423 and a second guide 426 in a medium conveying device according to yet another embodiment. Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram of the separation roller cover 423 as seen from the side. In Fig. 19, the guide member 122 is omitted from illustration to improve visibility. Fig. 19 shows the second guide 426 before medium feeding (initial state).

[0121] As shown in FIG. 19, the medium conveying device according to this embodiment has a separation roller cover 423, a second guide 426, and a cam 427 instead of the separation roller cover 123 and the second guide 126.

[0122] Separation roller cover 423 and second guide 426 have the same configuration as separation roller cover 123 and second guide 126. However, second guide 426 is provided on separation roller cover 423 so as to be swingable (rotatable) upstream (in the direction of arrow A13 in FIG. 19) and is pressed downstream (in the opposite direction to arrow A13) by an elastic member (not shown) such as a torsion coil spring. Before medium feeding (initial state), second guide 426 is disposed in a non-contact position (position shown in FIG. 19) where it does not contact the leading edge of the medium.

[0123] 19 by the driving force of the motor 131. Before the medium is fed (initial state), the cam 427 is located at a position separated from the second guide 426.

[0124] Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining the second guide 426 in the set state. Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of the separation roller cover 423 as seen from the side. In Fig. 20, the illustration of the guide member 122 is omitted in order to improve visibility.

[0125] 20, when the driving force of the motor 131 rotates the cam 427 in the direction of the arrow A14 and abuts against the second guide 426, the second guide 426 is swung upstream (in the direction of the arrow A13) by the cam 427. As a result, the second guide 426 is set to the abutment position (the position shown in FIG. 20) where it abuts against the leading edge of the medium being fed.

[0126] At the contact position, the second guide 426 is provided above the nip portion between the feed roller 114 and the separation roller 115 and is disposed so as not to overlap with the feed roller 114 when viewed from the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium transport direction. In addition, the second guide 426 set at the contact position is disposed between the upstream end of the separation roller 115 in the medium transport direction A1 and the center O of the separation roller 115 in the medium transport direction A1.

[0127] When the second guide 426 is positioned in the abutment position, it abuts against the leading edge of the medium and prevents the medium from entering the downstream side, while when positioned in the non-abutment position, it allows the medium to be fed without preventing the feeding of the medium.

[0128] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a medium reading process of a medium conveying device having a second guide 426 and a cam 427.

[0129] An example of the operation of the medium reading process of the medium conveying device will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 21. The flow of the operation described below is executed mainly by the processing circuit 150 in cooperation with each element of the medium conveying device 100 based on a program stored in advance in the storage device 140. The flowchart shown in FIG. 21 is executed instead of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12. The processing of steps S201 to S203 and S211 to S213 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 21 is similar to the processing of steps S101 to S103 and S104 to S106 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, so the description will be omitted. Only the processing of steps S204 to S210 will be described below. Note that before the flowchart shown in FIG. 21 is executed, that is, before the medium is fed, the second guide 426 is placed in the non-contact position.

[0130] In step S204, the control unit 151 determines whether the feeding mode is set to the separation mode or the non-separation mode (step S204).

[0131] When the feeding mode is set to the non-separation mode, the control unit 151 drives the motor 131 to place the second guide 426 in the non-contact position (step S205), and proceeds to step S211. In this manner, the control unit 151 retracts the second guide 426 when the medium conveying device 100 operates in the non-separation mode. This allows the control unit 151 to retract the second guide 426 and feed the booklet well when a thick booklet such as a passport is fed in the non-separation mode. Note that when the second guide 426 is already placed in the non-contact position, the control unit 151 does not execute any particular process and proceeds to step S211.

[0132] On the other hand, when the feeding mode is set to the separation mode, the detection unit 153 receives a load amount signal from the load amount sensor 111 and detects the load amount of media placed on the placement table 103 based on the received load amount signal (step S206). The medium conveying device 100 stores in advance in the storage device 140 a table indicating the relationship between the signal value of the load amount signal and the load amount (height or weight) of media. The detection unit 153 refers to the table and identifies the load amount corresponding to the signal value of the received load amount signal as the load amount of media placed on the placement table 103.

[0133] Next, the control unit 151 determines whether the detected stack amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (step S207). The predetermined amount is set in advance to a stack amount at which the second guide 426 needs to regulate the media.

[0134] If the load amount is less than the predetermined amount, the control unit 151 drives the motor 131 to place the second guide 426 in the non-contact position (step S205), and proceeds to step S211. Note that if the second guide 426 is already placed in the non-contact position, the control unit 151 does not execute any particular process and proceeds to step S211.

[0135] On the other hand, if the load amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the detection unit 153 receives a medium size signal from the medium size sensor 112 and detects the size of the medium placed on the placement table 103 based on the received medium size signal (step S208). If the medium size signal indicates whether or not a medium is present at a position opposite each light emitter and light receiver, the detection unit 153 detects the arrangement interval between the two outermost sets of light emitters and light receivers that have a medium present at their opposing positions as the size of the medium in the width direction A2. If the medium size signal indicates whether or not a medium is present at a position opposite each contact detection sensor, the detection unit 153 detects the arrangement interval between the two outermost sensors that have a medium present at their opposing positions as the size of the medium in the width direction A2. If the medium size signal is an image signal, the detection unit 153 detects the size of the medium in the medium transport direction A1 and / or the width direction A2 from the image signal using a known image processing technique.

[0136] Next, the control unit 151 judges whether the size of the detected medium is equal to or larger than a predetermined size (step S209). The predetermined size is set to, for example, the longitudinal length of an ID card of ID-1 specified in ISO / IEC7810 (85.6 mm) or the longitudinal length of a folded passport (125 mm) plus a margin. When the size of the medium in the medium conveying direction A1 and the width direction A2 is detected by the detection unit 153, the control unit 151 judges whether the longer size of the detected medium is equal to or larger than a predetermined size. In this case, the control unit 151 may also judge whether the shorter size of the detected medium is equal to or larger than a predetermined size.

[0137] If the size of the medium is less than the predetermined size, the control unit 151 drives the motor 131 to place the second guide 426 in the non-contact position (step S205), and proceeds to step S211. Note that if the second guide 426 is already in the non-contact position, the control unit 151 does not execute any particular process and proceeds to step S211.

[0138] On the other hand, if the size of the medium is equal to or larger than the predetermined size, the control unit 151 drives the motor 131 to place the second guide 426 in the contact position (step S210). Note that if the second guide 426 is already placed in the contact position, the control unit 151 does not execute any particular process and shifts the process to step S211.

[0139] In this way, the control unit 151 moves the second guide 426 in accordance with the amount of media loaded on the loading table 103. This allows the control unit 151 to set the second guide 426 when the amount of media loaded is large, while retracting the second guide 426 when the amount of media loaded is small. Therefore, the control unit 151 can satisfactorily separate the media when the amount of media loaded is large, while using the second guide 426 to prevent media with curled leading ends from jamming when the amount of media loaded is small.

[0140] Furthermore, the control unit 151 moves the second guide 426 in accordance with the size of the medium placed on the placement table 103. This allows the control unit 151 to retract the second guide 426 when a small and thick medium such as a passport or a card is being fed, while setting the second guide 426 when general paper or the like is being fed. This allows the control unit 151 to properly separate general paper or the like while properly feeding a small and thick medium such as a passport or a card.

[0141] Note that the control unit 151 may place the second guide 426 in the contact position when at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: the load amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, or the size of the medium is equal to or greater than a predetermined size. Also, the process of step S204 may be omitted. Also, the processes of steps S206 to S207 and / or steps S208 to S209 may be omitted.

[0142] As described above in detail, even when the second guide 426 is provided so as to be movable in response to control by the control unit 151, the medium conveying device is able to feed the medium satisfactorily.

[0143] 22 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing circuit 550 in a medium conveying device according to yet another embodiment. The processing circuit 550 is used in place of the processing circuit 150 of the medium conveying device 100, and executes medium reading processing and the like in place of the processing circuit 150. The processing circuit 550 has a control circuit 551, an image acquisition circuit 552, a detection circuit 553, and the like. Each of these components may be formed of an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, firmware, and the like.

[0144] The control circuit 551 is an example of a control unit, and has the same functions as the control unit 151. The control circuit 551 receives an operation signal from the operation device 105 or the interface device 132, a medium signal from the medium sensor 113, and detection results of the loaded amount and size of the media from the detection circuit 553. The control circuit 551 controls the motor 131 based on each piece of received information.

[0145] The image acquisition circuit 552 is an example of an image acquisition section, and has the same function as the image acquisition section 152. The image acquisition circuit 552 acquires an input image from the imaging device 118, and outputs it to the interface device 132.

[0146] The detection circuit 553 is an example of a detection unit, and has the same function as the detection unit 153. The detection circuit 553 receives a load amount signal from the load amount sensor 111 and a medium size signal from the medium size sensor 112. The detection circuit 553 detects the load amount and size of the media based on the received signals, and outputs the detection result to the control circuit 551.

[0147] As described above in detail, the medium conveying device is now able to feed the medium satisfactorily even when the processing circuit 550 is used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 100 medium conveying device, 103 placement table, 114 feeding roller, 115 separation roller, 123 separation roller cover, 123a guide surface, 124 lower surface guide, 125 first guide, 126, 226, 326, 426 second guide, 151 control unit, 153 detection unit, 226a fixed unit, 226b moving unit

Claims

1. A feed roller for feeding the medium; a separation roller disposed above the feed roller and facing the feed roller; a first guide that limits contact between a leading edge of the medium and the separation roller before the medium is fed; a second guide provided downstream of the first guide in a medium transport direction, the second guide is entirely disposed between the upstream end of the separation roller in the medium transport direction and the center of the separation roller, and the lower end is disposed above a nip portion between the feed roller and the separation roller, and regulates the leading edge of the medium at a position a predetermined distance above the nip portion when the medium is fed. A medium transport device comprising:

2. The medium transport device according to claim 1 , wherein the second guide is disposed so as not to overlap with the feed roller when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction.

3. Further comprising a lower surface guide for the medium; The medium transport device according to claim 1 , wherein the first guide engages with the lower guide so as to be inclined relative to the lower guide.

4. The media transport device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first guides are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the media transport direction at intervals equal to or less than the minimum media size width supported by the media transport device.

5. 5. The medium transport device according to claim 1, wherein the second guide is disposed outside the first guide in a direction perpendicular to a medium transport direction and in the vicinity of the separation roller.

6. 6. The medium transport device according to claim 1, wherein the second guide is disposed such that a contact surface that contacts the leading edge of the medium is inclined with respect to a nip surface between the feed roller and the separation roller.

7. The separating roller is supported by a support portion on which the second guide is provided. the support portion has a guide surface formed upstream of an upstream end of the separation roller in a medium transport direction, The medium transport device according to claim 1 , wherein the extension surface of the guide surface is disposed so as to pass through a center portion of the separation roller or to be located below the center portion.

8. The second guide is a fixed portion provided at a position spaced apart from the nip portion by the predetermined distance; 8. The medium transport device according to claim 1, further comprising: a moving portion disposed between the fixed portion and the nip portion and movable by a leading edge of the medium being fed.

9. 8. The medium transport device according to claim 1, wherein the second guide is provided so as to be movable by the medium when the height of the medium in contact with the separation roller is equal to or greater than a predetermined height.

10. A detection unit that detects the amount or size of the media loaded; The medium transport device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a control unit that moves the second guide in accordance with the load amount or the size.

11. the medium conveying device has a separation mode in which the medium is separated and fed, and a non-separation mode in which the medium is fed without being separated, The medium transport device according to claim 1 , further comprising a control unit that retracts the second guide when the medium transport device operates in the non-separation mode.

12. A medium transport device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the friction coefficient of an area of ​​the contact surface of the second guide that contacts the leading edge of the medium is greater than the friction coefficient of an area of ​​the contact surface that is farther from a predetermined position relative to the transport surface of the medium than the predetermined position.

13. Further comprising a separation roller unit, The medium transport device according to claim 1 , wherein the separation roller, the first guide, and the second guide are provided in the separation roller unit.

Images