Media transport device and image reading device

Abstract

To prevent a possibility that removal of media from a reverse path will become difficult in a state where the media are jammed.SOLUTION: A document conveyance device 20 comprises: a body unit 22; a cover unit 34; a movable unit 78; a conveyance roller 52; a follower roller 54; and a roller support unit 102. The body unit 22 constitutes the inside of a reverse path T. The cover unit 34 opens a part of the reverse path T. The movable unit 78 is provided to be rotatable about a first rotational axis 86. The roller support unit 102 is provided to be rotatable about a second rotational axis 118, constitutes the outside of the reverse path T, and supports the follower roller 54. The roller support unit 102 receives a force from the cover unit 34 to rotate the follower roller 54 in a direction away from the conveyance roller 52. The movable unit 78 receives the force from the roller support unit 102 to rotate in the direction of retreating from the body unit 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium conveyance device and an image reading device.

Background Art

[0002] The document feeder of Patent Document 1 includes a paper feed roller and a driven roller that form a nip, a roller mounting member that has a driven roller and is swingable, a rotatable document cover, and a fixed guide that guides a document in the direction of an image reading means. When the document cover is opened, a part of the document cover abuts against the roller mounting member, and the roller mounting member is rotated. As a result, the roller mounting member moves away from the paper feed roller.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a configuration in which a fixed guide is provided around a portion where a medium is nipped in an inversion path for inverting the medium, as in the configuration of Patent Document 1, even if the nip is released in a so-called jam state where the medium is clogged in the inversion path, the size of the inversion path in the fixed guide does not change. For this reason, there is a risk that it becomes difficult to remove the medium from the inversion path when the medium is jammed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the media conveyance device according to the present invention includes a first unit that forms the inside of an inversion path for inverting a media while curving the media, and a second unit that forms the outside of the inversion path, wherein the second unit is retracted with respect to the first unit to open a part of the inversion path in the conveyance direction of the media, a third unit that forms the outside of the inversion path downstream of the second unit in the conveyance direction, wherein the third unit is rotatably provided about a first rotation axis so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the first unit, an inner roller rotatably provided in the first unit, wherein the inner roller conveys the media downstream in the conveyance direction, an outer roller located outside the inversion path, wherein at least one of the outer rollers can convey the media by being rotated together with the inner roller, and at least one support unit that rotatably supports the outer roller, wherein the support unit is rotatably provided about a second rotation axis and forms the outside of the inversion path, and the second unit can apply a pressing force to the support unit along with an opening operation, the support unit can rotate in a direction in which the outer roller moves away from the inner roller by receiving a force from the second unit, and the third unit can rotate in a direction of retreating with respect to the first unit by receiving a force from the support unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the present invention will be schematically described. The media conveyance device according to the first aspect includes a first unit that forms the inside of an inversion path for inverting the media while curving the media, and a second unit that forms the outside of the inversion path. The second unit retracts with respect to the first unit to open a part of the inversion path in the conveyance direction of the media. A third unit that forms the outside of the inversion path downstream of the second unit in the conveyance direction is rotatably provided about a first rotation axis so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the first unit. An inner roller rotatably provided on the first unit conveys the media downstream in the conveyance direction. At least one outer roller located outside the inversion path can convey the media by rotating together with the inner roller. At least one support unit rotatably supports the outer roller and is rotatably provided about a second rotation axis and forms the outside of the inversion path. The second unit can apply a pressing force to the support unit during the opening operation. The support unit can rotate the outer roller away from the inner roller by receiving a force from the second unit. The third unit can rotate in a direction of retracting from the first unit by receiving a force from the support unit.

[0008] According to this aspect, when the media deformed in the inversion path becomes jammed, i.e., in a so-called jam state, a part of the inversion path is opened by the second unit retracting with respect to the first unit. At this time, the second unit applies a pressing force to the support unit during the opening operation. The support unit is rotated about the second rotation axis by receiving a force from the second unit. As a result, the outer roller moves away from the inner roller. The third unit is rotated about the first rotation axis by receiving a force from the support unit. As a result, the third unit retracts from the first unit. As described above, as the second unit is opened, the support unit is rotated, and further, the third unit is relatively rotated with respect to the support unit. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which at least one of the support unit and the third unit is fixed, it is possible to more easily remove the jammed medium from the inversion path.

[0009] In the medium conveyance device according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the support unit includes a first extension portion that extends from the second rotation axis to one side and supports the outer roller, and a second extension portion that extends from the second rotation axis to the other side and is capable of contacting the second unit. In a state where the second extension portion receives a pressing force from the second unit, the second extension portion is moved toward the inner roller, and the first extension portion is moved away from the inner roller. According to this aspect, since the first extension portion is located on one side with respect to the second rotation axis and the second extension portion is located on the other side with respect to the second rotation axis, the direction in which the second extension portion receives a pressing force from the second unit and the direction in which the first extension portion and the outer roller move away from the inner roller can be set in opposite directions.

[0010] In the medium conveyance device according to the third aspect, in the second aspect, the support unit includes an elastic member sandwiched between the first extension portion and the third unit. The elastic member applies an elastic force to the support unit so that the outer roller approaches the inner roller in a closed state where the second unit constitutes the outside of the inversion path. According to this aspect, in the closed state, the elastic member applies an elastic force to the support unit, so that the outer roller approaches the inner roller. Thereby, nip pressure acting on the medium is ensured in the nip formed by the outer roller and the inner roller, so that conveyance failure of the medium in the nip can be suppressed.

[0011] In the fourth aspect, the media conveyance device according to any one of the first to third aspects is characterized in that a plurality of the support units are provided in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction. According to this aspect, when there is one outer roller, since the outer roller is supported at a plurality of positions in the intersecting direction, deflection of the outer roller can be suppressed. When there are a plurality of outer rollers, since the interval in the intersecting direction of the fulcrums at which the outer rollers are supported by the support unit is shorter than when there is one support unit, deflection of the outer roller can be suppressed.

[0012] In the fifth aspect, the media conveyance device according to the fourth aspect is characterized in that a sheet member is provided on a part of the path surface constituting the inversion path of the third unit, and the sheet member extends downstream from the third unit in the conveyance direction from a part located between adjacent support units. According to this aspect, when the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the conveyed media passes through the part forming the inversion path of the third unit, it is guided by the sheet member. Thereby, the posture of the media conveyed downstream from the third unit in the conveyance direction can be stabilized.

[0013] In the sixth aspect, the media conveyance device according to the fourth or fifth aspect includes a first support unit having a first contact portion and located on the center side in the intersecting direction, and a second support unit having a second contact portion and located outside the first support unit in the intersecting direction. The second unit has a first contact surface capable of contacting the first contact portion and a second contact surface capable of contacting the second contact portion. In the moving direction in which the second unit approaches the first support unit and the second support unit, the first contact surface is located downstream of the second contact surface. According to this aspect, even if the first support unit is located downstream of the second support unit in the moving direction due to deflection of a member that supports the first support unit and the second support unit, since the first contact surface is located downstream of the second contact surface, the timing when the first contact surface contacts the first contacted portion and the timing when the second contact surface contacts the second contacted portion can be made to coincide.

[0014] The medium conveyance device according to the seventh aspect is any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, and when the medium is conveyed along the inversion path, an upstream end portion of the support unit in the conveyance direction is located farther from a path surface that constitutes the inversion path of the third unit than the first unit. According to this aspect, since the upstream end portion of the support unit in the conveyance direction is located farther from the path surface than the first unit, when the medium is conveyed along the inversion path, compared to a configuration where the upstream end portion is located closer to the path surface, it is possible to suppress the downstream end of the medium in the conveyance direction from getting caught on the support unit.

[0015] The medium conveyance device according to the eighth aspect is any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, and when the medium is conveyed along the inversion path, a downstream end portion of the support unit in the conveyance direction is located closer to a path surface that constitutes the inversion path of the third unit than the first unit. According to this aspect, since the downstream end portion of the support unit in the conveyance direction is located closer to the path surface than the first unit, when the medium is conveyed along the inversion path, compared to a configuration where the downstream end portion is located farther from the path surface, the upstream end portion of the medium in the conveyance direction is more likely to be supported at a higher position. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the upstream end portion of the medium from vibrating or bouncing up when the upstream end portion of the medium in the conveyance direction moves away from the path surface.

[0016] In the medium conveyance device according to the ninth aspect, in any one of the first aspect to the eighth aspect, the second unit is provided rotatably about a third rotation axis, and includes a frame member that rotatably supports the first rotation axis and the third rotation axis respectively. According to this aspect, since the first rotation axis and the third rotation axis are supported by the common frame member, the relative positional accuracy between the first rotation axis and the third rotation axis is increased as compared with a configuration in which the first rotation axis and the third rotation axis are supported by different members. Thereby, the relative positional accuracy between the support unit supported by the third unit and the second unit is also increased, so that displacement in position at the contact between the second unit and the support unit can be suppressed.

[0017] In the medium conveyance device according to the tenth aspect, in any one of the first aspect to the ninth aspect, a limiting portion is provided that limits the amount of rotation of the support unit when the outer roller is rotated in a direction away from the inner roller. According to this aspect, by the limiting portion limiting the amount of rotation of the support unit, a part of the support unit approaching the first unit excessively is restricted. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a part of the inversion path becoming unnecessarily narrow as the support unit rotates.

[0018] The media conveyance device according to the 11th aspect is, in any one of the 1st to 10th aspects, an opening / closing unit including the 1st unit, the 2nd unit, the 3rd unit, and the support unit is openably connected to a base unit that supports the opening / closing unit. A state in which the opening / closing unit closes the base unit and the 2nd unit constitutes the reverse path is defined as the 1st setting state, a state in which the opening / closing unit closes the base unit and the 2nd unit releases the reverse path is defined as the 2nd setting state, and a state in which the opening / closing unit opens the base unit and the 2nd unit releases the reverse path is defined as the 3rd setting state. The intervals of the reverse path formed by the 1st unit and the 3rd unit are defined as the 1st interval, the 2nd interval, and the 3rd interval. The 2nd interval in the 2nd setting state is wider than the 1st interval in the 1st setting state, and the 3rd interval in the 3rd setting state is wider than the 2nd interval. According to this aspect, in the 2nd setting state, the 2nd interval being wider than the 1st interval makes it easier to remove the media from the reverse path. In the 3rd setting state, the 3rd interval being wider than the 2nd interval makes it even easier to remove the media from the reverse path.

[0019] The image reading device according to the 12th aspect includes a reading unit that reads the surface of a conveyed media, and the media conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 that conveys the media toward the reading unit. According to this aspect, when the jammed media is removed from the reverse path, it is possible to suppress a part of the media from remaining in the reverse path. Therefore, when the next reading operation is performed by the reading unit, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a reading defect.

[0020] Hereinafter, the scanner 10 and the document conveyance device 20 according to an example of the embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 1, the scanner 10 is a device that reads a document G as an example of a media. The X - Y - Z coordinate system shown in each figure is a rectangular coordinate system. The X direction is an example of the width direction of the document G and the depth direction of the apparatus, and is also an example of the intersecting direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the document G. In the present embodiment, the -X direction is the front side of the apparatus, and the +X direction is the back side of the apparatus. The Y direction is an example of the width direction of the apparatus. When viewed from the user, the +Y direction is the left side, and the -Y direction is the right side. The Z direction is an example of the height direction of the apparatus and an example of the vertical direction. The +Z direction is the upper side, and the -Z direction is the lower side. When the scanner 10 is viewed from the front side of the apparatus in the +X direction, the clockwise rotation direction is defined as the +R direction, and the counterclockwise rotation direction is defined as the -R direction.

[0021] Scanner 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Scanner 10 is an example of an image reading apparatus that reads document G. Scanner 10 includes a lower device 12 that constitutes the lower part of scanner 10 in the Z direction, and a document conveyance device 20 that constitutes the upper part of scanner 10 in the Z direction and conveys document G. Lower device 12 is an example of a base unit and supports document conveyance device 20.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, in document conveyance device 20 described later, document G is conveyed along an inversion path T. The direction in which document G is conveyed is defined as the conveyance direction of document G. Note that inversion path T includes not only a linear portion but also a semicircular portion described later. For this reason, the conveyance direction of document G is not a constant direction. Inversion path T is a path from a separation roller pair 45 to a discharge roller pair 58 described later, and is a path along which document G is conveyed. When viewed from the X direction, inversion path T is configured to include a semicircular portion that is convex in the +Y direction. Inversion path T inverts the front and back surfaces of document G while curving document G. In the following description, the semicircular portion of inversion path T is referred to as arc portion Tr.

[0023] Lower device 12 includes a frame serving as a skeleton (not shown), a main body cover 13, a document table glass 15, and a first reading unit 16. The main body cover 13 is formed in a frame shape. The end face of the main body cover 13 in the +Z direction is defined as the upper surface 14. The platen glass 15 is provided inside the main body cover 13. The first reading unit 16 is provided so as to be movable along the Y direction in the -Z direction with respect to the platen glass 15. An optical sensor such as a CIS method or a CCD method is used for the first reading unit 16. The first reading unit 16 is an example of a reading unit, and reads one surface of the document G conveyed in the inversion path T or the document G placed on the platen glass 15.

[0024] The document conveying device 20 is an example of a medium conveying device that conveys the document G toward the first reading unit 16 or a second reading unit 27 described later. The document conveying device 20 includes, as an example, a device main body unit 21, a conveying roller 52, and a driven roller 54. The device main body unit 21 includes a main body unit 22, a cover unit 34, a movable unit 78, and a roller support unit 102.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the end portion in the +X direction at the end portion in the +Z direction of the lower device 12 and the end portion in the +X direction at the end portion in the -Z direction of the device main body unit 21 are connected by a hinge portion 18. The hinge portion 18 has a shaft portion 19 extending in the Y direction. By rotating the device main body unit 21 about the shaft portion 19, the document conveying device 20 is opened and closed with respect to the lower device 12. In this way, the device main body unit 21 is connected to the lower device 12 so as to be openable and closable. In the open state of the document conveying device 20, the upper surface 14 of the lower device 12 is exposed. In the closed state of the document conveying device 20, the upper surface 14 is covered by the device main body unit 21.

[0026] Here, let the Z-direction interval Z1 between the document conveying device 20 and the lower device 12 be defined. Specifically, the interval Z1 corresponds to the interval between the upper surface 14 and the surface located most in the -Z direction on the bottom wall 79A (FIG. 12) of the movable unit 78 described later. In a state where the +Z-direction end portion of the lower unit 12 is covered by the original document conveying device 20, the interval Z1 is set relatively narrow, so that the movable unit 78 contacts the +Z-direction end portion of the lower unit 12. As a result, the opening of the movable unit 78 is restricted. On the other hand, in a state where the +Z-direction end portion of the lower unit 12 is opened by the original document conveying device 20, since the restriction state of the movable unit 78 by the lower unit 12 is released, the movable unit 78 can be opened.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the main body unit 22 is an example of the first unit. The main body unit 22 constitutes a portion inside the arc portion Tr. The main body unit 22 includes a frame member 24. Further, the main body unit 22 is provided with an original document placement portion 23, an original document discharge portion 25, and a second reading portion 27. The original document placement portion 23 is formed in a plate shape. The original document placement portion 23 is positioned in a state inclined toward the inversion path T. The original document G before conveyance is placed on the original document placement portion 23. At the +X-direction end portion of the original document placement portion 23, an edge guide 23A is provided, and at the -X-direction end portion, an edge guide 23B (FIG. 1) is provided. The edge guides 23A and 23B are slidably provided in a direction of approaching or separating from each other to align both end portions in the X direction of a plurality of original documents G.

[0028] The original document discharge portion 25 is located in the -Z direction with respect to the original document placement portion 23. The original document G whose conveyance has ended is placed on the original document discharge portion 25. An optical sensor such as a CIS method or a CCD method is used for the second reading portion 27. The second reading portion 27 is an example of a reading portion that reads the other surface of the conveyed original document G. That is, the scanner 10 can read both surfaces of the original document G by the first reading portion 16 and the second reading portion 27.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the frame member 24 includes a bottom portion 26 that extends along the X-Y plane, and plate-shaped side wall portions 28 that stand upright in the Z direction at both end portions in the X direction of the bottom portion 26. On the bottom 26, a mat 29 (FIG. 4) for pressing the document G placed on the document table glass 15 (FIG. 4) is provided. The mat 29 is not provided at the +Y direction end of the main body unit 22. The side wall portion 28 rotatably supports, as an example, a first rotation shaft 86 and a third rotation shaft 42 (FIG. 6) described later, respectively. In addition, a restricting portion 32 is provided on the frame member 24.

[0030] The restricting portion 32 is formed, as an example, by raising the side wall portion 28. In other words, the restricting portion 32 is a portion protruding from the frame member 24 toward the center in the X direction. When a roller support unit 102 (FIG. 4) described later rotates a driven roller 54 in a direction away from a conveyance roller 52, the restricting portion 32 indirectly restricts the rotation amount of the roller support unit 102 by contacting a protruding portion 93 (FIG. 6) described later. The restricting portion 32 restricts the rotation amount of the roller support unit 102, thereby restricting the size of a part of the interval of the inversion path T (FIG. 4) to be equal to or less than the size corresponding to the thickness of the document G.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, the conveyance roller 52 is an example of an inner roller provided in the main body unit 22 (FIG. 5) inside the inversion path T. The conveyance roller 52 is driven by a motor (not shown) to convey the document G downstream in the conveyance direction. The conveyance roller 52 includes, as an example, a substantially columnar rotation shaft portion 52A extending in the X direction and a cylindrical elastic portion 52B having an outer diameter larger than that of the rotation shaft portion 52A. Six elastic portions 52B are provided at intervals in the X direction on the rotation shaft portion 52A, as an example.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 10, the driven roller 54 is an example of an outer roller provided in a roller support unit 102 described later on the outer side of the inversion path T. As an example, six driven rollers 54 are arranged at intervals in the X direction. The driven roller 54 is located on the outer side in the arc portion Tr (FIG. 4). The driven roller 54 can convey the document G by being rotated as the conveying roller 52 (FIG. 4) rotates. As an example, the driven roller 54 includes a columnar rotating shaft portion 54A extending in the X direction and a cylindrical portion 54B having an outer diameter larger than that of the rotating shaft portion 54A.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the cover unit 34 is an example of the second unit and constitutes the outside of the arc portion Tr. Specifically, the cover unit 34 includes a cover 35 having an L-shaped cross section when viewed from the X direction and a cover body 36 provided inside the cover 35. The cover body 36 is formed of a member having a shape in which a part of a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the X direction is cut out in an arc shape. At both ends of the cover body 36 in the X direction, cylindrical and bottomed third rotating shafts 42 that open outward in the X direction are provided. The third rotating shaft 42 has an axis center along the X direction. The third rotating shaft 42 is rotatably supported by the main body unit 22 by inserting a pin 39 (FIG. 5) provided in the main body unit 22. In this way, the cover unit 34 is provided so as to be rotatable about the third rotating shaft 42.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover unit 34 can take a closed state forming the inversion path T (FIG. 2) and an open state opening the inversion path T. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover unit 34 is provided with a lock member 38 and a lock release lever 41. When the lock release lever 41 is triggered, the lock in the closed state of the cover unit 34 is released, and the cover unit 34 becomes the open state. The cover unit 34 is retracted with respect to the main body unit 22, thereby opening a part of the reverse path T in the conveyance direction of the document G in the +Z direction. As will be described later, the cover unit 34 can apply a pressing force to the roller support unit 102 (Fig. 4) as the cover unit 34 is opened.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, the cover unit 34 is provided with a pick-up roller 44 and a feed roller 46. The pick-up roller 44 feeds out the document G placed on the document placement unit 23 as it rotates. The feed roller 46 and the separation roller 47 provided in the main body unit together constitute a separation roller pair 45. Downstream of the separation roller pair 45 in the reverse path T, a first roller pair 48 is provided. The first roller pair 48 is composed of a lower roller 48A driven by a motor (not shown) and an upper roller 48B that can rotate passively.

[0036] Downstream of the first roller pair 48 in the reverse path T, the document G is curved downward. Downstream of the first roller pair 48, a second roller pair 51 is provided. The second roller pair 51 is composed of the aforementioned conveyance roller 52 and a driven roller 54. The second roller pair 51 nips and conveys the document G at a position where the surface of the downward-facing document G in the reverse path T changes to upward, that is, downstream of the position in the most +Y direction in the reverse path T.

[0037] The document G sent out from the document placement unit 23 is curved downward by the reverse path T and then reversed in a direction opposite to the sending direction from the document placement unit 23. The reversed document G passes through the area facing the stationary first reading unit 16 and reaches the third roller pair 56. The third roller pair 56 is composed of a driving roller 56A driven by a motor (not shown) and a roller 56B that can rotate passively. The document G conveyed by the third roller pair 56 passes through the area facing the second reading unit 27 and reaches the discharge roller pair 58. The discharge roller pair 58 is composed of a drive roller 58A driven by a motor (not shown) and a roller 58B capable of driven rotation. The original document G is discharged to the original document discharge unit 25 by the discharge roller pair 58.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, the cover body 36 has a curved surface 62 that constitutes the wall surface above and outside the center in the Z direction of the reverse path T. At the end in the -Z direction of the cover body 36, two sets of a first extension part 64 and second extension parts 68 and 74 are provided respectively. The two sets of the first extension part 64 and the second extension parts 68 and 74 are symmetrically located in the +X direction and the -X direction with respect to the center in the X direction of the cover body 36. Also, the two sets of the first extension part 64 and the second extension parts 68 and 74 extend in the -Z direction from a part located in the +Y direction and the -Z direction with respect to the curved surface 62 in the cover body 36. Note that the positions of each part in the cover body 36 will be described assuming that the cover unit 34 is in a closed state.

[0039] The first extension part 64 is a plate-like part extending in the -Z direction from the cover body 36. The first extension part 64 is located on the center side in the X direction of the cover body 36. The first extension part 64 is reinforced by, for example, three ribs 64A spaced apart in the X direction. At the end in the -Z direction of the first extension part 64, two first contact parts 66 capable of contacting a roller support unit 102 (FIG. 4) to be described later are provided.

[0040] The first contact part 66 is a protrusion protruding in the -Z direction from the end in the -Z direction of the first extension part 64. The first contact part 66 has, for example, a curved first contact surface 67. The first contact surface 67 is a surface that contacts a first contacted part 135 (FIG. 10) to be described later when the cover unit 34 is rotated to an open state.

[0041] The second extending portion 68 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the -Z direction from the cover body 36. The second extending portion 68 is located outside the first extending portion 64 in the X direction. The second extending portion 68 is reinforced, for example, by three ribs 68A spaced apart in the X direction. At the -Z direction end of the second extending portion 68, two second contact portions 72 capable of contacting a roller support unit 102 (Fig. 4) described later are provided.

[0042] The second contact portion 72 is a protrusion protruding in the -Z direction from the -Z direction end of the second extending portion 68. The second contact portion 72 has, for example, a curved second contact surface 73. The second contact surface 73 is a surface that contacts a second contacted portion 142 (Fig. 10) described later when the cover unit 34 is rotated to an open state.

[0043] The second extending portion 74 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the -Z direction from the cover body 36. The second extending portion 74 is located outside the second extending portion 68 in the X direction. The second extending portion 74 is reinforced, for example, by three ribs 74A spaced apart in the X direction. At the -Z direction end of the second extending portion 74, two second contact portions 76 capable of contacting a roller support unit 102 (Fig. 4) described later are provided.

[0044] The second contact portion 76 is a protrusion protruding in the -Z direction from the -Z direction end of the second extending portion 74. The second contact portion 76 has, for example, a curved second contact surface 77. The second contact surface 77 is a surface that contacts a second contacted portion 146 (Fig. 10) described later when the cover unit 34 is rotated to an open state.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 8, in the -Y direction, which is an example of the moving direction in which the cover unit 34 approaches the inner unit 108, the middle unit 112, and the outer unit 114 (FIG. 10) described later, a part of the first contact surface 67 is located downstream of each part of the second contact surfaces 73 and 77. Further, the second contact surface 73 is located downstream of the second contact surface 77 in the -Y direction of the cover unit 34. In other words, when the protruding amount from the first extension portion 64 of the first contact surface 67 is d1 [mm], the protruding amount from the second extension portion 68 of the second contact surface 73 is d2 [mm], and the protruding amount from the second extension portion 74 of the second contact surface 77 is d3 [mm], as an example, d1 > d2 > d3.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, the movable unit 78 is an example of the third unit and is located in the -Z direction with respect to the cover unit 34. The movable unit 78 constitutes the outside of the arc portion Tr downstream of the cover unit 34 in the conveyance direction of the document G. The movable unit 78 is rotatably provided about the first rotation axis 86 so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the main body unit 22. The movable unit 78 can rotate in a direction of retreating with respect to the main body unit 22 by receiving a force from the roller support unit 102 described later. Specifically, the movable unit 78 includes an outer cover 79 having an L-shaped cross section when viewed from the X direction, an inner cover 81 provided inside the outer cover 79, and a main body portion 82 partially covered by the inner cover 81 when viewed in the -Y direction.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 12, the outer cover 79 is made of resin, for example, and is attached to the +Y direction end of the main body portion 82 described later. The outer cover 79 has a plate-shaped bottom wall 79A having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction and a vertical wall 79B standing upright in the +Z direction at the +Y direction end of the bottom wall 79A.

[0048] The inner cover 81 is, for example, made of metal and is attached to the main body portion 82. The inner cover 81 has a bottom plate portion 81A having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction, a vertical plate portion 81B that stands upright in the +Z direction at the end portion of the bottom plate portion 81A in the +A direction, and an upper plate portion 81C that extends in the -Y direction from the end portion of the vertical plate portion 81B in the +Z direction. A window portion 81D that penetrates in the Y direction is formed in the vertical plate portion 81B. The cylindrical portion 54B of the driven roller 54 is exposed in the +Y direction from the window portion 81D.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the main body portion 82 is composed of a member having a shape in which a part of a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the X direction is cut out in an arc shape. At both ends of the main body portion 82 in the X direction, cylindrical and bottomed first rotating shafts 86 that open outward in the X direction are provided. The first rotating shaft 86 has an axis center along the X direction. The first rotating shaft 86 is rotatably supported by the main body unit 22 by inserting a pin 49 (FIG. 5) provided in the main body unit 22. In this way, the movable unit 78 is provided so as to be rotatable about the first rotating shaft 86. The first rotating shaft 86 is, for example, arranged in the Z direction parallel to the third rotating shaft 42 and is located in the -Z direction with respect to the third rotating shaft 42.

[0050] At both ends of the main body portion 82 in the X direction, vertical wall portions 91 and protruding portions 93 are provided, for example. The vertical wall portion 91 projects outward in the X direction at a position in the -Y direction and +Z direction with respect to the first rotating shaft 86 in the main body portion 82. The vertical wall portion 91 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Y direction. The protruding portion 93 is a portion that protrudes in the -Y direction from the outer end portion of the vertical wall portion 91 in the X direction. The protruding portion 93 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the X direction. The protruding portion 93 is restricted from moving by coming into contact with the restricting portion 32 (FIG. 5) when the movable unit 78 is rotated.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 9, the main body portion 82 of the movable unit 78 has a path surface 84 that constitutes a part of the inversion path T. Also, six hole portions 87 are formed in the main body portion 82 at intervals in the X direction, for example. The road surface 84 is, for example, a curved surface and forms part of the arc portion Tr. The six holes 87 each penetrate the main body 82 in a direction intersecting the road surface 84. In each of the six holes 87, a roller support unit 102 described later is accommodated one by one. When viewed in the penetrating direction, the hole 87 is composed of a wide portion 87A having a wide width in the X direction and a narrow portion 87B that is located in the +Z direction with respect to the wide portion 87A and has a width in the X direction narrower than the width in the X direction of the wide portion 87A. In the portion of the road surface 84 located between adjacent holes 87, for example, two sheet members 88 are provided.

[0052] The sheet member 88 extends downstream from the movable unit 78 in the conveyance direction from a portion located between adjacent holes 87, in other words, between adjacent roller support units 102. That is, one end of the sheet member 88 extends downstream in the conveyance direction from the main body 82. In the present embodiment, for example, two sheet members 88 are provided at intervals in the X direction. Specifically, they are provided between an inner unit 108 and a middle unit 112 described later.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 10, a regulating portion 92 is provided at the +Y direction end that is the back side portion of the main body 82. The regulating portion 92 is located in the +Y direction with respect to the narrow portion 87B. Further, the regulating portion 92 extends linearly along the X direction so as to straddle the six narrow portions 87B. The regulating portion 92 is, for example, a plate-like portion having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction. The regulating portion 92 regulates the second extension portion 134 of the roller support unit 102 described later from moving in the +Y direction more than necessary by coming into contact with the second extension portion 134.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 11, bearing portions 94 are provided at positions in the -Z direction with respect to the regulating portion 92 in the main body 82 and at the edge portions on both sides in the X direction of the wide portion 87A. The bearing portion 94 is a portion notched in a C shape that opens in the +Y direction when viewed from the X direction, and rotatably supports a second rotating shaft 118 described later.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6, two torsion springs 96 are provided, for example, at both ends in the X direction of the document conveying device 20. The torsion spring 96 has a winding portion 96A, a straight portion 96B extending from the winding portion 96A in one direction, and a straight portion 96C extending from the winding portion 96A in the other direction. The straight portion 96B is brought into contact with both ends in the X direction of the cover unit 34 in the +Y direction. The straight portion 96C is brought into contact with the side surface in the +Y direction of the vertical wall portion 91 of the movable unit 78.

[0056] The two torsion springs 96 apply a pressing force, which is an elastic force, to the movable unit 78 and the cover unit 34 regardless of whether the cover unit 34 is in an open state or a closed state. When the cover unit 34 is in the closed state, let the pressing force acting on the movable unit 78 from the two torsion springs 96 be the first pressing force F1 [N]. When the cover unit 34 is in the open state, let the pressing force acting on the movable unit 78 from the two torsion springs 96 be the second pressing force F2 [N]. Here, the first pressing force F1 > the second pressing force F2. The pressing force is realized by the pressing force of the torsion spring 96 and the elastic force of a coil spring 125 described later. Note that the illustration of the first pressing force F1 and the second pressing force F2 is omitted.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, the roller support unit 102 is an example of a support unit that rotatably supports the driven roller 54. The roller support unit 102 is composed of, for example, two inner units 108 located on the central side in the X direction, two middle units 112 located outside the inner units 108 in the X direction, and two outer units 114 located outside the middle units 112 in the X direction. That is, the inner units 108, the middle units 112, and the outer units 114 are located in order from the center in the X direction to the outside in the +X direction and the -X direction.

[0058] The inner unit 108 is an example of the first support unit. The middle unit 112 and the outer unit 114 are examples of the second support unit. Note that, regarding the middle unit 112 and the outer unit 114, the middle unit 112 may be regarded as an example of the first support unit, and the outer unit 114 may be regarded as an example of the second support unit. In this embodiment, as an example, the inner unit 108, the middle unit 112, and the outer unit 114 are configured to have the same shape and approximately the same size. Therefore, in the following description, when explaining the specific configuration of the roller support unit 102, the inner unit 108 may be cited for explanation, and the explanations of the middle unit 112 and the outer unit 114 may be omitted. Also, the inner unit 108 may sometimes be simply described as the roller support unit 102.

[0059] The inner unit 108 includes a first contact portion 135. The first contact portion 135 can be contacted by the first contact portion 66 (FIG. 7). The middle unit 112 includes a second contact portion 142 in place of the first contact portion 135 in the inner unit 108. The second contact portion 142 can be contacted by the second contact portion 72 (FIG. 7). The outer unit 114 includes a second contact portion 146 in place of the first contact portion 135 in the inner unit 108. The second contact portion 146 can be contacted by the second contact portion 76 (FIG. 7).

[0060] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the inner unit 108 as an example of the roller support unit 102. The inner unit 108 is composed of a swing member 116. The swing member 116 rotatably supports the driven roller 54. The swing member 116 is rotatably provided about the second rotation axis 118. The swing member 116 constitutes the outside of the arc portion Tr (FIG. 4) of the reverse path T. The swing member 116 can rotate about the second rotation axis 118 in a direction in which the driven roller 54 moves away from the conveying roller 52 (FIG. 4) by receiving a force from the cover unit 34 (FIG. 4).

[0061] When viewed from the X direction, the swing member 116 includes a second rotation shaft 118 supported by the base 117, a first extension portion 124 extending from the second rotation shaft 118 in the -Z direction (one direction) to support the driven roller 54, and a second extension portion 134 extending from the second rotation shaft 118 in the +Z direction (the other direction) and capable of contacting the cover unit 34 (Fig. 4).

[0062] The base 117, as an example, includes a first guide wall 119, two first side walls 121, a first bottom wall 122, and a first top wall 123. The base 117 is configured in a box shape with the first guide wall 119 as the bottom and opening in the +Y direction. The first guide wall 119 is a rectangular wall whose dimension in the X direction is longer than the dimension in the Z direction, and constitutes a part outside the inversion path T (Fig. 4). The two first side walls 121 stand upright in the +Y direction from both ends in the X direction of the first guide wall 119. The first bottom wall 122 stands upright in the +Y direction from the -Z direction end of the first guide wall 119. The first top wall 123 stands upright in the +Y direction from the +Z direction end of the first guide wall 119. The second rotation shaft 118 is a columnar part having an axis center along the X direction. The second rotation shaft 118 extends outward in the X direction from each of the two first side walls 121. As described above, the second rotation shaft 118 is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 94.

[0063] The first extension portion 124, as an example, includes two second side walls 127, a second guide wall 128, and a second bottom wall 129. The two second side walls 127 are walls extending in the -Z direction from the -Z direction ends of the two first side walls 121. The two second side walls 127 rotatably support both ends in the X direction of the driven roller 54. The second guide wall 128 is a rectangular wall whose dimension in the X direction is longer than the dimension in the Z direction, and constitutes a part outside the inversion path T (Fig. 4). The second guide wall 128 connects the -Y direction ends at the -Z direction ends of the two second side walls 127 in the X direction. The second guide wall 128 is located in the -Z direction with respect to the first guide wall 119. In other words, the second guide wall 128 is located downstream of the first guide wall 119 in the conveyance direction of the document G. The portion between the first guide wall 119 and the second guide wall 128 is defined as an opening 131 (Fig. 12). The driven roller 54 is exposed from the opening 131 to the inversion path T.

[0064] The second lower wall 129 connects the -Z direction ends of the two second side walls 127 and the -Z direction end of the second guide wall 128. A protection part 132 is provided on the second lower wall 129 and the second guide wall 128. The protection part 132 is a semi-cylindrical part that extends in the Y direction and opens in the +Y direction and the -Z direction. Inside the protection part 132, a coil spring 125 described later is located. The first extension part 124 and the first lower wall 122 constitute a housing part 126. The housing part 126 is a space part in which the driven roller 54 is housed.

[0065] The second extension part 134 has, as an example, two third side walls 136, a third guide wall 138, a second upper wall 141, and ribs 144. The length of the second extension part 134 in the Z direction is, as an example, shorter than the length of the first extension part 124 in the Z direction. The width of the second extension part 134 in the X direction is narrower than the width of the first extension part 124 in the X direction. The two third side walls 136 are walls that extend from the first upper wall 123 in the +Z direction.

[0066] The third guide wall 138 connects the two third side walls 136 in the X direction and constitutes a part outside the inversion path T (Fig. 4). The third guide wall 138 is located in the +Z direction with respect to the first guide wall 119. In other words, the third guide wall 138 is located upstream of the first guide wall 119 in the conveyance direction of the document G. The second upper wall 141 connects the +Z direction ends of the two third side walls 136 in the X direction. The rib 144 protrudes in the +Y direction from the third guide wall 138 between the two third side walls 136 and reinforces the second extension 134.

[0067] The second extension 134 can be in contact with the cover unit 34 (FIG. 4). Specifically, a first contacted portion 135 is provided at the +Z-direction end of the second extension 134. The first contacted portion 135 is constituted by a portion in the +Z direction from the Z-direction center of the two third side walls 136. In the closed state of the cover unit 34, the +Y-direction end face of the first contacted portion 135 is arranged along the X-Z plane as an example. The portion in the -Z direction of the second extension 134 from the first contacted portion 135 is at a position where it can be in contact with the restricting portion 92.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 12, when the second extension 134 receives a pressing force in the -Y direction from the first contact portion 66, the second extension 134 is moved toward the conveying roller 52. Then, the first extension 124 is moved in the direction in which the driven roller 54 moves away from the conveying roller 52. That is, the swing member 116 is rotated in the +R direction. When the first contact portion 66 is retracted in the +Y direction with respect to the second extension 134, due to the action of the torsion spring 96 (FIG. 6) and the coil spring 125 described later, the second extension 134 is moved away from the conveying roller 52. Then, the first extension 124 is moved in the direction in which the driven roller 54 approaches the conveying roller 52. That is, the swing member 116 is rotated in the -R direction.

[0069] The inner unit 108 includes a coil spring 125 as an example of an elastic member. The coil spring 125 is sandwiched in the Y direction between the second guide wall 128 of the first extension 124 and the bottom plate portion 81A of the movable unit 78. The coil spring 125 applies an elastic force to the roller support unit 102 so that the driven roller 54 approaches the conveying roller 52 in a state where the cover unit 34 constitutes the outside of the inversion path T, that is, in the closed state of the cover unit 34. When viewed from the X direction, the center of the second rotation axis 118 is set as the rotation center C2. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the X direction, the position of the rotation center C1 (FIG. 5) of the movable unit 78 and the position of the rotation center C2 of the swing member 116 are substantially the same.

[0070] When the cover unit 34 is in the closed state, in other words, when the original document G is conveyed along the inversion path T, the upstream end portion 104 in the conveyance direction of the roller support unit 102 is located at a position farther from the main body unit 22 than the path surface 84 that constitutes the inversion path T of the movable unit 78. When the original document G is conveyed along the inversion path T, the downstream end portion 106 in the conveyance direction of the roller support unit 102 is located at a position closer to the main body unit 22 than the path surface 84. In other words, the downstream end portion 106 protrudes into the inversion path T from the path surface 84.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 4, a state where the apparatus main body portion 21 closes the upper surface 14 of the lower apparatus 12 and the cover unit 34 constitutes the inversion path T is set as the first set state of the original document conveyance apparatus 20. Further, a state where the apparatus main body portion 21 closes the upper surface 14 of the lower apparatus 12 and the cover unit 34 opens the inversion path T is set as the second set state of the original document conveyance apparatus 20. Furthermore, a state where the apparatus main body portion 21 opens the upper surface 14 of the lower apparatus 12 and the cover unit 34 opens the inversion path T is set as the third set state of the original document conveyance apparatus 20.

[0072] The interval of the inversion path T formed by the main body unit 22 and the movable unit 78 is represented by S [mm]. In the present embodiment, as an example, the interval S [mm] is set at a position downstream of the nip forming position formed by the conveyance roller 52 and the driven roller 54 and corresponding to the downstream end portion of the movable unit 78. Note that the interval S in the first set state is the first interval S1 [mm], the interval S in the second set state is the second interval S2 [mm], and the interval S in the third set state is the third interval S3 [mm].

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, the document conveyance device 20 is configured such that a second interval S2 in a second setting state is wider than a first interval S1 in a first setting state. Further, the document conveyance device 20 is configured such that a third interval S3 in a third setting state is wider than the second interval S2. The difference between the third interval S3 and the second interval S2 is larger than the difference between the second interval S2 and the first interval S1.

[0074] Next, the operation of the scanner 10 will be described. For each part and each member constituting the scanner 10, reference will be made to FIGS. 1 to 14, and the description of individual figure numbers will be omitted.

[0075] When the cover unit 34 is opened from the closed state, the first contact portion 66 and the first contacted portion 135, the second contact portion 72 and the second contacted portion 142, and the second contact portion 76 and the second contacted portion 146 come into contact with each other. Then, the roller support unit 102 is rotated in the +R direction about the second rotation shaft 118. As a result, the second extension portion 134 of the roller support unit 102 moves away from the conveyance roller 52, and the driven roller 54 moves away from the conveyance roller 52. At this time, the coil spring 125 receives a pressing force including a component in the +Y direction from the second extension portion 134, and thus applies a pressing force including a component in the +Y direction to the inner cover 81 of the movable unit 78. Further, the angle formed by the straight portion 96B and the straight portion 96C of the torsion spring 96, that is, the opening angle changes.

[0076] Also, when the cover unit 34 is opened from the closed state, the change in the opening angle of the torsion spring 96 acts so that the spring force weakens compared to the spring force when the cover unit 34 is in the closed state. As a result, the pressing force including a component in the +Y direction applied from the torsion spring 96 to the +Z-direction end portion of the movable unit 78 weakens. Here, since the reaction force received from the coil spring 125 is greater than the pressing force acting from the torsion spring 96, the movable unit 78 is rotated in a direction away from the conveying roller 52. In this way, the distance between the conveying roller 52 and the driven roller 54 increases. In addition, downstream of the conveying roller 52 and the driven roller 54 in the reversing path T, the distance of the reversing path T corresponding to the distance between the main body unit 22 and the movable unit 78 increases. When the document conveying device 20 is opened with respect to the lower device 12 in the open state of the cover unit 34, the restriction on the rotation of the movable unit 78 by the lower device 12 is released, so the movable unit 78 is further rotated. As a result, the distance of the reversing path T further increases.

[0077] On the other hand, when the cover unit 34 is closed from the open state, the first contact portion 66, the second contact portion 72, and the second contact portion 76 move away from the first contacted portion 135, the second contacted portion 142, and the second contacted portion 146. As a result, the pressing force for rotating the roller support unit 102 in the +R direction weakens, and the pressing force including the +Y direction component that the coil spring 125 acts on the inner cover 81 of the movable unit 78 weakens. Also, when the cover unit 34 is closed from the open state, the change in the opening angle of the torsion spring 96 acts so that the spring force becomes stronger than the spring force in the open state of the cover unit 34. As a result, the pressing force including the +Y direction component applied from the torsion spring 96 to the +Z direction end of the movable unit 78 increases. Here, since the pressing force acting from the torsion spring 96 becomes greater than the reaction force received from the coil spring 125, the second extension portion 134 of the roller support unit 102 is rotated in a direction approaching the conveying roller 52. In this way, the conveying roller 52 and the driven roller 54 nip. In addition, downstream of the conveying roller 52 and the driven roller 54 in the reversing path T, the distance between the main body unit 22 and the movable unit 78 becomes a predetermined distance.

[0078] As described above, according to the document conveying device 20, when a so-called jam state occurs in which the document G deformed in the reverse path T is jammed, the cover unit 34 is retracted with respect to the main body unit 22, and a part of the reverse path T is opened. At this time, the cover unit 34 applies a pressing force to the roller support unit 102 along with the opening operation. The roller support unit 102 is rotated about the second rotation axis 118 by receiving a force from the cover unit 34. As a result, the driven roller 54 moves away from the conveying roller 52. The movable unit 78 is rotated about the first rotation axis 86 by receiving a force from the roller support unit 102. As a result, the movable unit 78 retracts from the main body unit 22. As described above, along with the opening operation of the cover unit 34, the roller support unit 102 and the movable unit 78 are rotated, and further, the movable unit 78 is relatively rotated with respect to the roller support unit 102. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which at least one of the roller support unit 102 and the movable unit 78 is fixed, it is possible to more easily remove the jammed document G from the reverse path T.

[0079] According to the document conveying device 20, since the first extension portion 124 is located on one side with respect to the second rotation axis 118 and the second extension portion 134 is located on the other side with respect to the second rotation axis 118, the direction in which the second extension portion 134 receives a pressing force from the cover unit 34 and the direction in which the first extension portion 124 and the driven roller 54 move away from the conveying roller 52 can be set in opposite directions. According to the document conveying device 20, in the closed state, the coil spring 125 applies an elastic force to the roller support unit 102, so that the driven roller 54 approaches the conveying roller 52. As a result, nip pressure acting on the document G is ensured in the nip formed by the driven roller 54 and the conveying roller 52, so that poor conveyance of the document G in the nip can be suppressed.

[0080] According to the document feeding device 20, when there is one driven roller 54, since the driven roller 54 is supported at a plurality of locations in the X direction, the deflection of the driven roller 54 can be suppressed. When there are a plurality of driven rollers 54, since the interval in the X direction of the fulcrums at which the driven rollers 54 are supported by the roller support unit 102 is shorter than when there is one roller support unit 102, the deflection of the driven rollers 54 can be suppressed. According to the document feeding device 20, when the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the document G being conveyed passes through the portion forming the inversion path T of the movable unit 78, it is guided by the sheet member 88. Thereby, the posture of the document G conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction from the movable unit 78 can be stabilized.

[0081] According to the document feeding device 20, even if the inner unit 108 is located downstream in the +Y direction from the middle unit 112 and the outer unit 114 due to the deflection of the members supporting the inner unit 108, the middle unit 112, and the outer unit 114, since the first contact surface 67 is located downstream from the second contact surfaces 73 and 77, the timing when the first contact surface 67 contacts the first contacted portion 135 and the timing when the second contact surfaces 73 and 77 contact the second contacted portions 142 and 146 can be made to coincide. According to the document feeding device 20, since the upstream end portion 104 in the conveyance direction of the roller support unit 102 is located at a position in the +Y direction farther from the path surface 84 than the main body unit 22, when the document G is conveyed along the inversion path T, compared to a configuration where the upstream end portion 104 is located at a position closer to the path surface 84, it is possible to suppress the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the document G from being caught by the roller support unit 102.

[0082] According to the document feeding device 20, since the downstream end portion 106 in the conveyance direction of the roller support unit 102 is closer to the path surface 84 than the main body unit 22, when the document G is conveyed along the inversion path T, the upstream end portion in the conveyance direction of the document G is more likely to be supported at a higher position than in a configuration where the downstream end portion 106 is located farther from the path surface 84. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the upstream end portion of the document G from vibrating or jumping up when the upstream end portion in the conveyance direction of the document G moves away from the path surface 84. Further, it is also possible to suppress a large posture change of the document G when the upstream end portion of the document G comes off from the nip formed by the conveyance roller 52 and the driven roller 54.

[0083] According to the document feeding device 20, since the first rotating shaft 86 and the third rotating shaft 42 are supported by the common frame member 24, the relative positional accuracy between the first rotating shaft 86 and the third rotating shaft 42 is increased as compared with a configuration in which the first rotating shaft 86 and the third rotating shaft 42 are supported by different members. Thereby, the relative positional accuracy between the roller support unit 102 supported by the movable unit 78 and the cover unit 34 is also enhanced, so that it is possible to suppress a positional deviation in the contact between the cover unit 34 and the roller support unit 102.

[0084] According to the document feeding device 20, by the restricting portion 32 restricting a part of the rotation amount of the roller support unit 102, it is restricted that a part of the roller support unit 102 approaches the main body unit 22 excessively. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a part of the inversion path T, specifically, the upstream region of the driven roller 54 and the conveyance roller 52 from becoming narrower than necessary as the roller support unit 102 rotates. According to the document feeding device 20, in the above-described second set state, since the second interval S2 is wider than the first interval S1, it becomes easier to remove the document G from the inversion path T. In the above-described third set state, since the third interval S3 is wider than the second interval S2, it becomes even easier to remove the document G from the inversion path T.

[0085] According to the scanner 10, when the document G in the jam state is removed from the reverse path T, since it is suppressed that a part of the document G remains in the reverse path T, when the next reading operation of the document G is performed in the first reading unit 16 and the second reading unit 27, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a reading failure of the document G.

[0086] The document conveying device 20 and the scanner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention are basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to make partial configuration changes, omissions, combinations, etc. within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0087] In the document conveying device 20, the roller support unit 102 may have an extension portion extending only to one side from the second rotation shaft 118. If a force acts on the roller support unit 102 so that the driven roller 54 approaches the conveying roller 52 in the closed state, the coil spring 125 may not be provided. The roller support unit 102 may be only one in the X direction. The sheet member 88 may be constituted by either one or both of resin and metal. Further, the sheet member 88 may not be provided.

[0088] In the document conveying device 20, the first contact surface 67 and the second contact surfaces 73 and 77 may be at the same position in the moving direction. The upstream end portion 104 of the roller support unit 102 may be at the same position as the path surface 84 with respect to the main body unit 22. The first rotation shaft 86 and the third rotation shaft 42 may be supported by different members. The restricting portion 32 may not be provided. Further, the restricting portion 32 may be provided on a member different from the frame member 24 of the main body unit 22. The second interval S2 and the third interval S3 may be equal.

[0089] The conveying roller 52 is not limited to having six elastic portions 52B in the X direction, and may have one elastic portion 52B or a plurality of elastic portions 52B other than six in the X direction. The driven roller 54 is not limited to having six cylindrical portions 54B in the X direction, and there may be one or a plurality of cylindrical portions 54B other than six in the X direction. When a plurality of cylindrical portions 54B are provided, it is preferable that the number thereof is the same as the number of elastic portions 52B. The first rotating shaft 86 and the second rotating shaft 118 may be configured by commonly using one shaft member.

Explanation of Signs

[0090] 10… Scanner, 12… Lower device, 13… Main body cover, 14… Upper surface, 15… Document table glass, 16… First reading unit, 18… Hinge portion, 19… Shaft portion, 20… Document conveying device, 21… Device main body portion, 22… Main body unit, 23… Document placement portion, 23A… Edge guide, 23B… Edge guide, 24… Frame member, 25… Document discharge portion, 26… Bottom portion, 27… Second reading unit, 28… Side wall portion, 29… Mat, 32… Limiting portion, 34… Cover unit, 35… Cover, 36… Cover main body, 38… Locking member, 39… Pin, 41… Lock release lever, 42… Third rotating shaft, 44… Pickup roller, 45… Separation roller pair, 46… Feeding roller, 47… Separation roller, 48… First roller pair, 48A… Lower roller, 48B… Upper roller, 49… Pin, 51… Second roller pair, 52… Conveying roller, 52A… Rotating shaft portion, 52B… Elastic portion, 54… Driven roller, 54A… Rotating shaft portion, 54B… Cylindrical portion, 56… Third roller pair, 56A… Driving roller, 56B… Roller, 58… Discharge roller pair, 58A… Driving roller, 58B… Roller, 62… Curved surface, 64… First extending portion, 64A… Rib, 66… First contact portion, 67… First contact surface, 68… Second extending portion, 68A… Rib, 72… Second contact portion, 73… Second contact surface, 74… Second extending portion, 74A… Rib, 76… Second contact portion, 77… Second contact surface, 78... movable unit, 79... outer cover, 79A... bottom wall, 79B... vertical wall, 81... inner cover, 81A... bottom plate portion, 81B... vertical plate portion, 81C... upper plate portion, 81D... window portion, 82... main body portion, 84... running surface, 86... first rotation axis, 87... hole portion, 87A... wide portion, 87B... narrow portion, 88... seat member, 91... vertical wall portion, 92... restricting portion, 93... protruding portion, 94... bearing portion, 96... torsion spring, 96A... winding portion, 96B... straight portion, 96C... straight portion, 102... roller support unit, 104... upstream end portion, 106... downstream end portion, 108... inner unit, 112... middle unit, 114... outer unit, 116... swing member, 117... base portion, 118... second rotation axis, 119... first guide wall, 121... first side wall, 122... first lower wall, 123... first upper wall, 124... first extension portion, 125... coil spring, 126... accommodating portion, 127... second side wall, 128... second guide wall, 129... second lower wall, 131... opening portion, 132... protection portion, 134... second extension portion, 135... first contact portion, 136... third side wall, 138... third guide wall, 141... second upper wall, 142... second contact portion, 144... rib, 146... second contact portion, C1... rotation center, C2... rotation center, d1... protruding amount, d2... protruding amount, d3... protruding amount, F1... first pressing force, F2... second pressing force, G... original manuscript, S1... first interval, S2... second interval, S3... third interval, T... reverse path

Claims

1. A first unit that forms the inside of an inversion path for inverting while bending a medium; A second unit that forms the outside of the inversion path, the second unit being retracted with respect to the first unit to open a part of the inversion path in the conveyance direction of the medium; A third unit that forms the outside of the inversion path downstream of the second unit in the conveyance direction, the third unit being rotatably provided about a first rotation axis so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the first unit; An inner roller rotatably provided on the first unit, the inner roller for conveying the medium downstream in the conveyance direction; An outer roller located outside the inversion path, at least one of the outer rollers capable of conveying the medium by being rotated together with the inner roller; At least one support unit that rotatably supports the outer roller, the support unit being rotatably provided about a second rotation axis and forming the outside of the inversion path; Comprising; The second unit is capable of applying a pressing force to the support unit along with an opening operation; The support unit is rotatable in a direction in which the outer roller moves away from the inner roller by receiving a force from the second unit; The third unit is rotatable in a direction of retracting with respect to the first unit by receiving a force from the support unit; The support unit, A first extension portion extending from the second rotation axis to one side and supporting the outer roller; A second extension portion extending from the second rotation axis to the other side and capable of contacting the second unit; Having; In a state where the second extension portion receives a pressing force from the second unit, the second extension portion is moved toward the inner roller, and the first extension portion is moved in a direction away from the inner roller; The support unit includes an elastic member sandwiched between the first extension portion and the third unit; The elastic member applies an elastic force to the support unit so that the outer roller approaches the inner roller in a closed state where the second unit forms the outside of the inversion path; A medium conveyance device characterized by the above.

2. A first unit that forms the inside of an inversion path for inverting while bending a medium; A second unit that constitutes the outside of the reversing path, the second unit that releases a part of the reversing path in the conveyance direction of the medium by being retracted with respect to the first unit, A third unit that constitutes the outside of the reversing path downstream of the second unit in the conveyance direction, the third unit being rotatably provided about a first rotation axis so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the first unit, An inner roller rotatably provided on the first unit, the inner roller that conveys the medium downstream in the conveyance direction, An outer roller located outside the reversing path, at least one of the outer rollers capable of conveying the medium by being rotated together with the inner roller, At least one support unit that rotatably supports the outer roller, the support unit being rotatably provided about a second rotation axis and constituting the outside of the reversing path, Comprising The second unit can apply a pressing force to the support unit along with an opening operation, The support unit can rotate in a direction in which the outer roller moves away from the inner roller by receiving a force from the second unit, The third unit can rotate in a direction of retracting with respect to the first unit by receiving a force from the support unit, A plurality of the support units are provided in a crossing direction intersecting the conveyance direction, The plurality of support units include a first support unit having a first contact portion and located on the central side in the crossing direction, and a second support unit having a second contact portion and located outside the first support unit in the crossing direction, The second unit has a first contact surface capable of contacting the first contact portion and a second contact surface capable of contacting the second contact portion, In a moving direction in which the second unit approaches the first support unit and the second support unit, the first contact surface is located downstream of the second contact surface, A medium conveyance device characterized by this.

3. In the medium conveyance device according to claim 2, A sheet member is provided on a part of the path surface constituting the reversing path of the third unit, The sheet member extends downstream of the third unit in the conveyance direction from a portion located between adjacent support units, A medium conveyance device characterized by this.

4. A first unit that constitutes the inside of an inversion path for inverting while curving a medium; A second unit that constitutes the outside of the inversion path, the second unit that opens a part of the inversion path in the conveyance direction of the medium by being retracted with respect to the first unit; A third unit that constitutes the outside of the inversion path downstream of the second unit in the conveyance direction, the third unit being rotatably provided about a first rotation axis so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the first unit; An inner roller rotatably provided on the first unit, the inner roller that conveys the medium downstream in the conveyance direction; An outer roller located outside the inversion path, at least one of the outer rollers capable of conveying the medium by being rotated together with the inner roller; At least one support unit that rotatably supports the outer roller, the support unit being rotatably provided about a second rotation axis and constituting the outside of the inversion path; Comprising; The second unit is capable of applying a pressing force to the support unit along with an opening operation; The support unit is rotatable in a direction in which the outer roller moves away from the inner roller by receiving a force from the second unit; The third unit is rotatable in a direction of retreating with respect to the first unit by receiving a force from the support unit; When the medium is conveyed along the inversion path, a downstream end portion of the support unit in the conveyance direction is closer to the first unit than a road surface portion constituting the inversion path of the third unit; A medium conveyance device characterized by this.

5. In the medium conveyance device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, When the medium is conveyed along the inversion path, an upstream end portion of the support unit in the conveyance direction is farther from the first unit than a road surface portion constituting the inversion path of the third unit; A medium conveyance device characterized by this.

6. In the medium conveyance device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, The second unit is rotatably provided about a third rotation axis; Comprising a frame member that rotatably supports the first rotation axis and the third rotation axis respectively; A medium conveyance device characterized by this.

7. In the medium conveyance device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, When the support unit rotates in a direction in which the outer roller moves away from the inner roller, a limiting portion is provided for limiting the amount of rotation of the support unit. A media conveyance device characterized by this. **Claim 8** In the media conveyance device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, an opening / closing unit including the first unit, the second unit, the third unit, and the support unit is connected to a base unit that supports the opening / closing unit in an openable manner, a state in which the opening / closing unit closes the base unit and the second unit constitutes the inversion path is defined as a first set state, a state in which the opening / closing unit closes the base unit and the second unit releases the inversion path is defined as a second set state, a state in which the opening / closing unit opens the base unit and the second unit releases the inversion path is defined as a third set state, the distance between the inversion paths formed by the first unit and the third unit is such that a second distance in the second set state is wider than a first distance in the first set state, and a third distance in the third set state is wider than the second distance. A media conveyance device characterized by this. **Claim 9** a reading unit that reads the surface of the conveyed media; the media conveyance device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 that conveys the media toward the reading unit; and an image reading device characterized by this.

Images