Medium conveying device and image reading device

Abstract

To provide a medium carrier device capable of improving FCOT, and an image reading device.SOLUTION: A medium carrier device comprises: a medium placement part 31 on which the medium P is placed; a feeding unit 40 having a feeding roller 43 feeding the medium P placed on the medium placement part 31 in a transportation direction and displaceable between a contact posture in which the feeding roller 43 is in contact with the medium P and a separated posture separated away from the medium P; a first restriction member 61 provided downstream of the feeding roller 43 in a transportation direction and switchable between a restriction posture restricting the medium P from moving in the transportation direction and a retracted posture allowing the medium P to move in the transportation direction; a first motor capable of generating power to rotate the feeding roller 43; and a second motor capable of generating power to switch the posture of the first restriction member 61. The medium carrier device causes an operation to rotate the feeding roller 43 and an operation to switch from the restriction posture to the retracted posture of the first restriction member 61 to be performed in parallel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium transport device that transports a medium, and an image reading device that reads an image on the medium transported by the medium transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image reading device that includes an abutment member against which a sheet is abutted to position the sheet placed on a sheet placement section, and a feed-out member that feeds out the sheet. The abutment member is driven by a drive source that rotates the feed-out member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-70367 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the media transport configuration of Patent Document 1, the drive source rotates forward to retract the abutment member from the transport path, and then the drive source rotates reverse to cause the feed member to feed the medium, or sheet. Therefore, when feeding a sheet, time is required for the drive source to switch between forward and reverse rotation to retract the abutment member and rotate the feed member, which can result in a long First Copy Output Time (FCOT). Note that FCOT is the time from when a transport job is input to the device to when the first medium is ejected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The medium transport device has a medium loading section on which the medium is loaded, and a feed roller that feeds the medium loaded on the medium loading section in a transport direction, and is equipped with a feed unit that is displaceable between a contact position in which the feed roller is in contact with the medium loaded on the medium loading section and a separated position in which the feed roller is separated from the medium, a regulating member that is a member provided downstream of the feed roller in the transport direction and is switchable between a regulating position that regulates the medium from moving in the transport direction and a retracted position that allows the medium to move in the transport direction, a first motor that is capable of generating power to rotate the feed roller, and a second motor that is capable of generating power to switch the position of the regulating member, and operates in parallel with the operation of rotating the feed roller and the operation of switching the regulating member from the regulating position to the retracted position.

[0006] The image reading device includes the medium conveying device and a reading unit capable of reading an image on the conveyed medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a multifunction peripheral including an image reading device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the image reading device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the image reading device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a regulation unit of the image reading apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the regulation unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the image reading device. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the image reading apparatus. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of a drive system of the image reading apparatus. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a drive system of the image reading apparatus. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a second power transmission means of the image reading device. [Figure 14] 4 is a timing chart showing operation timing in feeding control. [Figure 15] 5 is a timing chart showing operation timing in paper discharge control. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of an image reading apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a restriction unit according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a restriction unit according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a restriction unit according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the restricting position of the first restricting member. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the restricting position of the second restricting member. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the retracted position of the first restricting member. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the second restricting member is shifted to the retracted position. [Figure 25] 4 is a timing chart showing operation timing in feeding control. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart showing a feeding control. [Figure 27] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view showing a state in which a medium is placed at an angle on the medium placement portion. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view showing a state in which the skew of the medium on the medium placement portion has been corrected. [Figure 29] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view showing a state in which a medium is transported from the medium loading section. [Figure 30] FIG. 13 is a schematic top view showing the arrangement of a restricting member according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] 1. First embodiment The configurations of the medium conveying device 30 and the image reading device 20 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0009] 1 shows a multifunction peripheral 1 equipped with an image reading device 20 according to this embodiment. The multifunction peripheral 1 includes an image forming device 10 that forms an image on a medium, the image reading device 20, and an operation unit 15 that operates the image forming device 10. The X, Y, and Z coordinate systems shown in the drawings and described in the embodiments are as follows: The X direction is the depth direction of the multifunction device 1. The +X direction is the direction from the front to the rear of the multifunction device 1, and the -X direction is the direction from the rear to the front of the multifunction device 1. In the image reading device 20, the X direction is a direction that intersects with the Y direction, which will be described later, and is a direction that intersects with the transport direction of the transported medium. The Y direction is the width direction of the multifunction device 1. The +Y direction is the direction from right to left when facing the front of the multifunction device 1, and the -Y direction is the direction from left to right when facing the front of the multifunction device 1. The Y direction is the direction along the transport direction in which a medium is transported in the image reading device 20. The Z direction is the height direction and vertical direction of the multifunction device 1. The +Z direction is the vertically upward direction, and the -Z direction is the vertically downward direction.

[0010] The operation unit 15 displays a setting screen related to the image reading operation and the image forming operation, and includes a touch panel 16 that receives input from the user, and a plurality of buttons 17. The multifunction device 1 receives input from the operation unit 15 and executes the image reading operation in the image reading device 20 and the image forming operation in the image forming device 10.

[0011] The image forming device 10 comprises a medium storage section 13 in which a medium for image formation is stored, a main body section 11 having an image forming section (not shown) that forms an image on the medium, and a medium discharge section 14 on which the medium on which the image has been formed is placed. A plurality of medium storage units 13 are provided at the bottom of the image forming device 10. The main body unit 11 is provided above the medium storage units 13. An image forming unit (not shown) forms an image on the medium transported from the medium storage units 13. The medium on which the image has been formed is discharged to a medium discharge unit 14 provided on the side of the main body unit 11.

[0012] Next, the image reading device 20 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the image reading device 20 is provided above the image forming device 10. The image reading device 20 includes a medium conveying device 30 that conveys a medium P for image reading along a conveying path 300, a portion of which is shown by a dashed line in Fig. 2, and a reading device 21 that reads an image on the conveyed medium P and generates image data. The conveying path 300 is a path from a medium loading section 31 to a discharge section 36, which will be described later. In the following description, in the conveying direction of the medium P, the position on the medium loading section 31 side as viewed from one component will be referred to as the upstream side, and the position on the discharge section 36 side will be referred to as the downstream side.

[0013] The reading device 21 includes a first reading unit 22 that reads a first side of the medium P transported along the transport path 300, and a second reading unit 23 that reads a second side of the medium P. The first reading unit 22 and the second reading unit 23 of this embodiment are optical reading units such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) type or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type. 2, the first reading unit 22 is provided below a document table 24 on which a medium P is placed and which reads the first side of the medium P, and is configured to be movable in the Y direction. The document table 24 is formed of, for example, colorless and transparent glass. The second reading unit 23 is provided downstream of the first reading unit 22 on the transport path 300, and reads the second side of the medium P.

[0014] The medium transport device 30 can be opened and closed relative to the document table 24, and when the medium transport device 30 is opened, the document table 24 is exposed. A pressure plate 25 that presses down from above the medium P placed on the document table 24 is provided on the underside of the medium transport device 30. The image on the medium P can be read by placing the medium P on the document table 24, closing the medium transport device 30, and moving the first reading unit 22 in the Y direction while the medium P is being pressed down by the pressure plate 25.

[0015] The medium transport device 30 includes a medium loading section 31 on which the medium P is placed before transport. The loading surface 31a of the medium loading section 31 is inclined downward in the +Y direction. Note that multiple media P can be placed in a stacked state on the loading surface 31a.

[0016] The medium conveying device 30 includes a feeding unit 40 that sends the uppermost medium P among the plurality of media P placed on the placement surface 31a to the conveying path 300, and a conveying guide 32 that is located on the opposite side of the conveying path 300 from the feeding unit 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the transport guide 32 has an inclined surface that slopes upward in the +Y direction, and guides the medium P being fed in the transport direction. The medium transport device 30 includes multiple transport roller pairs 81, 82, 83, and 84 that are arranged downstream in the transport direction from the feeding unit 40. The transport roller pairs 81, 82, 83, and 84 correspond to transport rollers and include drive rollers 81a, 82a, 83a, and 84a and driven rollers 81b, 82b, 83b, and 84b, respectively. The multiple transport roller pairs 81, 82, 83, and 84 transport the medium P downstream in the transport direction along the transport path 300.

[0017] The medium conveying device 30 includes a discharge section 36 below the medium placing section 31, to which the medium P is discharged after the image has been read by the reading device 21. That is, the medium P being conveyed is conveyed in the +Y direction from the placing surface 31a, passes through the curved path 320, and is discharged in the -Y direction.

[0018] The medium transport device 30 includes an upper unit 26. The upper unit 26 can be opened and closed relative to the main body of the medium transport device 30, and by opening the upper unit 26, a part of the transport path 300 can be exposed.

[0019] The feeding unit 40 is attached to the upper unit 26. The feeding unit 40 includes a feeding unit main body 41 that is located at the center of the transport path 300 in the X direction, which is the medium width direction. The feeding unit main body 41 is attached to the upper unit 26 in a rotatable state via a unit rotation shaft 42 that extends in the X direction. The unit rotation shaft 42 is located downstream of the medium loading section 31 in the transport direction. The feeding unit main body 41 extends in the -Y direction from the unit rotation shaft 42. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the feeding unit main body 41 is displaceable between a contact position in which a feeding roller 43 (described later) can contact the medium P placed on the loading surface 31a, and a separation position in which the feeding roller 43 retracts in the +Z direction from the contact position and is separated from the medium P.

[0020] The feeding unit 40 includes a feeding roller 43 that is supported in a state where it can rotate around a rotation shaft 43a that extends in the X direction. The feeding roller 43 is disposed in the -Y direction relative to the unit rotation shaft 42. When the feeding unit main body 41 is in the contact posture, the feeding roller 43 comes into contact with the medium P placed on the placement surface 31a and rotates to feed the medium P in the transport direction.

[0021] The feeding unit 40 preferably includes a separation roller 44 disposed downstream of the feeding roller 43 in the conveying direction. In this case, the separation roller 44 rotates about a rotation axis extending in the X direction and is capable of contacting the medium P conveyed along the conveying path 300. In other words, the separation roller 44 is capable of sandwiching the medium P together with the retard roller 37 supported by the image reading device 20.

[0022] The retard roller 37 rotates when a torque equal to or greater than a predetermined value is input, but does not rotate when the input torque is less than the predetermined value. Therefore, when multiple media P are fed at the same time, the separation roller 44 and the retard roller 37 can eliminate the double feeding.

[0023] In this embodiment, the separation roller 44 is rotatably supported on the unit rotation shaft 42. However, the separation roller 44 only needs to be located downstream of the feed roller 43 in the conveying direction, and does not necessarily have to be supported on the unit rotation shaft 42.

[0024] A unit partition surface 41a, which corresponds to a contact portion, is provided on the lower surface of the feeding unit body 41 so as to face the conveying path 300. When the feeding unit 40 is provided with a separation roller 44, the unit partition surface 41a is disposed between the feeding roller 43 and the separation roller 44 in the conveying direction.

[0025] The portion of the conveying path 300 that faces the feeding unit 40 is referred to as the upstream conveying path 310. In other words, the upstream conveying path 310 is the portion of the conveying path 300 between the downstream end of the feeding unit 40 in the conveying direction and the downstream end of the medium loading section 31 in the conveying direction.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the medium conveying device 30 includes a regulating unit 50 that regulates the feeding of the medium P placed on the medium loading section 31 in the conveying direction. The regulating unit 50 has a regulating unit main body 51, a regulating rotation shaft 52, and a rotation spring 53. The regulating unit main body 51 is disposed on the opposite side of the upstream conveying path 310 with the conveying guide 32 in between. The regulating rotation shaft 52 is a rotation shaft that extends in the X direction, and is rotatably supported by the regulating unit main body 51. The rotation spring 53 has its ends attached to the regulating unit main body 51 and the regulating rotation shaft 52, respectively.

[0027] 5, the regulating unit body 51 is fixed to the image reading device 20 in a manner that it extends in the same X direction as the regulating rotation shaft 52. The extension direction of the regulating unit body 51 may be slightly deviated from the extension direction of the regulating rotation shaft 52. The regulating unit body 51 rotatably supports a regulating drive shaft that extends in the same X direction as the extension direction of the regulating rotation shaft 52.

[0028] 5 to 7, the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​extends in the X direction and rotates in a predetermined rotation direction R1. A first end of the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​in the +X direction is located outside the regulating unit main body 51. On the other hand, a second end of the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​in the -X direction is located inside the regulating unit main body 51. A drive gear 54a is attached to the first end of the regulating drive shaft 54. On the other hand, a rotation regulating part 55 is attached to the end of the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​on the second end side.

[0029] The rotation restricting portion 55 is connected to the restricting drive shaft 54 ​​in a state in which it can rotate integrally with the restricting drive shaft 54. The rotation restricting portion 55 includes a cylindrical inserted portion 56 through which the restricting drive shaft 54 ​​is inserted, and a protruding portion 57 attached to the radially outer surface of the inserted portion 56.

[0030] The rotation spring 53 biases the regulating rotation shaft 52 in a direction that rotates it in the rotation direction R2 shown in Fig. 6. However, when the protruding portion 57 of the rotation restriction portion 55 is located at the position shown in Fig. 6, the protruding portion 57 comes into contact with a pressed portion 60 provided on the regulating rotation shaft 52, which will be described later, thereby restricting the rotation of the regulating rotation shaft 52. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 7, when the protruding portion 57 is not in contact with the pressed portion 60, the rotation of the regulating rotation shaft 52 in the rotation direction R2 due to the force from the rotation spring 53 is permitted.

[0031] The pressed portion 60 is a plate-like member connected to the restricting rotation shaft 52 in a state where it can rotate integrally with the restricting rotation shaft 52. As shown in Fig. 5, the pressed portion 60 is provided with a support portion 60a that supports the rotation spring 53. Therefore, the force from the rotation spring 53 is input to the pressed portion 60 via the support portion 60a. As shown in Fig. 6, when the protruding portion 57 is in contact with the pressed portion 60, rotation of the pressed portion 60 and the regulating rotation shaft 52 in the rotation direction R2 is restricted. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 7, when the protruding portion 57 is not in contact with the pressed portion 60, the rotation spring 53 biases the pressed portion 60, causing the pressed portion 60 and the regulating rotation shaft 52 to rotate in the rotation direction R2.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 5, a first regulating member 61, which corresponds to a regulating member, is connected to the regulating rotation shaft 52 in a state in which the first regulating member 61 can rotate integrally with the regulating rotation shaft 52. As shown in Fig. 5, the first regulating member 61 is a plate-shaped member extending in one direction from the regulating rotation shaft 52. In the longitudinal direction of the first regulating member 61, the end connected to the regulating rotation shaft 52 is the base end 61a, and the end on the opposite side is the tip end 61b. In this embodiment, two first regulating members 61 are provided in the X direction symmetrically about the center of the medium P in the width direction, but there may be more than two.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first regulating member 61 is disposed downstream of the feed roller 43 in the transport direction of the medium P. As shown in FIG. 9 , the first regulating member 61 is disposed in a position in the X direction where it can abut against the unit partition surface 41a of the feed unit main body 41. As shown in FIG. 6 , the first regulating member 61 rotates between a regulating position that regulates movement of the medium P in the transport direction and a retracted position that allows movement of the medium P in the transport direction, as shown in FIG. 7 . When the first regulating member 61 is in the regulating position, the pressed portion 60 is in contact with the protruding portion 57, as shown in FIG. 6 . When the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​rotates in a rotation direction R1 and the contact between the pressed portion 60 and the protruding portion 57 is released, the regulating rotation shaft 52 rotates in a rotation direction R2. As a result, the first regulating member 61 rotates from the regulating position toward the retracted position.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 8 , the regulating unit 50 includes a rotation detection means 70 that detects the rotation of the regulating drive shaft 54. The rotation detection means 70 includes a detection section 72 attached to the regulating unit main body 51 and a light-blocking member 71 attached so as to be integrally rotatable with the regulating drive shaft 54. The detection section 72 includes a light-emitting section 72a and a light-receiving section 72b that receives light emitted from the light-emitting section 72a. The light-blocking member 71 rotates integrally with the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​and moves back and forth between the light-emitting section 72a and the light-receiving section 72b. When the light-blocking member 71 is positioned between the light-emitting section 72a and the light-receiving section 72b, the light-blocking member 71 blocks light directed from the light-emitting section 72a to the light-receiving section 72b. The rotation detection means 70 detects the light-receiving state of the detection section 72, thereby detecting the position of the light-blocking member 71 and the rotation of the regulating drive shaft 54.

[0035] The rotation detection means 70 can determine the posture of the first restricting member 61. As shown in FIG. 6, when the protruding portion 57 is in contact with the pressed portion 60 and the first restricting member 61 is in the restricting posture, the light-blocking member 71 is located between the light-emitting portion 72a and the light-receiving portion 72b. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the protruding portion 57 is not in contact with the pressed portion 60 and the first restricting member 61 is in the retracted posture, the light-blocking member 71 is located at a position other than between the light-emitting portion 72a and the light-receiving portion 72b. In other words, the rotation detection means 70 can determine the posture of the first restricting member 61 by detecting the position of the light-blocking member 71.

[0036] 4, when the first regulating member 61 is in the regulating position, the leading edge of the medium P placed on the medium placing section 31 comes into contact with the first regulating member 61. Therefore, movement of the medium P placed on the placing surface 31a in the transport direction is restricted.

[0037] 3, when the first regulating member 61 is in the retracted position, the first regulating member 61 is tilted along the conveying guide 32. In this case, the medium P placed on the placement surface 31a is allowed to move in the conveying direction.

[0038] Next, the posture of the first restricting member 61 and the posture of the feeding unit 40 will be described. 4, when the first restricting member 61 is in the restricting position, the feeding unit 40 is held in a position that corresponds to the separated position. When the first restricting member 61 is in the restricting position, the tip 61b of the first restricting member 61 abuts against the unit partition surface 41a. Therefore, the feeding unit 40 is held in a position that corresponds to the separated position.

[0039] 3, when the first restricting member 61 is in the retracted position, the feeding unit 40 is in the contact position. When the first restricting member 61 is in the retracted position, the tip 61b of the first restricting member 61 is not in contact with the unit partition surface 41a. Therefore, the feeding unit 40 moves to a position where it is in the contact position due to its own weight. That is, when the first regulating member 61 switches from the regulating posture to the retracted posture, the feeding unit 40 changes from the separated posture to the contact posture. Also, when the first regulating member 61 switches from the retracted posture to the regulating posture, the first regulating member 61 comes into contact with the unit partition surface 41a and lifts the feeding unit 40 from the contact posture to the separated posture. That is, when the posture of the first regulating member 61 switches, the posture of the feeding unit 40 changes.

[0040] 3, even when the first regulating member 61 is in the retracted position, the tip 61b of the first regulating member 61 is located within the upstream transport path 310. In this case, it is preferable that the tip 61b of the first regulating member 61 is located closer to the transport guide 32 than the unit partition surface 41a of the feeding unit 40 in the Z direction. This ensures a space for the medium P to pass between the tip 61b of the first regulating member 61 and the unit partition surface 41a. When the first regulating member 61 is in the retracted position, the tip 61b of the first regulating member 61 does not have to be located within the upstream transport path 310. In other words, the tip 61b of the first regulating member 61 may be located below the transport guide 32.

[0041] As described above, although the regulating rotation shaft 52 is located below the conveying guide 32, the tip 61b of the first regulating member 61 is located within the upstream conveying path 310. Therefore, the conveying guide 32 is provided with a first insertion hole (not shown) through which the first regulating member 61 is inserted.

[0042] 5 and 9, the regulating unit 50 preferably has second regulating members 62 as regulating members. In this embodiment, the second regulating members 62 are arranged on both sides of the first regulating member 61 in the X direction. Like the first regulating member 61, the second regulating members 62 are supported on the regulating rotation shaft 52 in a state in which they can rotate integrally. When the first regulating member 61 is in the regulating position, the second regulating member 62 is also in the regulating position, and when the first regulating member 61 is in the retracted position, the second regulating member 62 is also in the retracted position. The conveying guide 32 is provided with a second insertion hole (not shown) through which the second restricting member 62 is inserted.

[0043] Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 provided in the image reading device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a flash ROM 102, and a RAM 103. The CPU 101 performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with programs stored in the flash ROM 102, and controls the operation of the image reading device 20. The flash ROM 102, which is an example of a storage means, is a non-volatile memory that can be read and written. Various setting information input by the user via the operation unit 15 is stored in the flash ROM 102. Various information is temporarily stored in the RAM 103, which is an example of a storage means. The control unit 100 is also capable of wired or wireless communication with external devices via an external interface 104.

[0044] The control unit 100 controls the first reading unit 22 and the second reading unit 23 included in the reading device 21. The control unit 100 generates image data based on the images read by the first reading unit 22 and the second reading unit 23.

[0045] In addition to the rotation detection means 70 described above, the control unit 100 is connected to a placement detection unit 110, a size detection unit 111, a double feed detection unit 112, a first medium detection unit 113, a second medium detection unit 114, a first encoder 115, and a second encoder 116, and receives signals from these detection means. The control unit 100 performs the necessary control based on the signals.

[0046] 2, the placement detection unit 110 is provided in the medium placement unit 31 and detects the presence or absence of a medium P on the medium placement unit 31. The placement detection unit 110 is, for example, a contact sensor, and detects the medium P by coming into contact with the medium P placed on the medium placement unit 31. The size detection unit 111 is provided in the medium loading unit 31 and detects the size of the medium P loaded on the medium loading unit 31. The size detection unit 111 is composed of multiple sensors, specifically multiple optical sensors arranged at intervals along the transport direction and multiple optical sensors arranged at intervals along the width direction of the medium P. The control unit 100 determines the size of the medium P loaded on the medium loading unit 31 based on a combination of signals from the multiple optical sensors of the size detection unit 111.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the double feed detector 112, the first medium detector 113, and the second medium detector 114 are provided on the transport path 300. The first medium detection unit 113 is provided downstream of the feeding unit 40 on the transport path 300. The second medium detection unit 114 is provided upstream of the transport roller pair 84 on the transport path 300. The first medium detection unit 113 and the second medium detection unit 114 are configured with, for example, contact sensors. The control unit 100 detects the passage of the leading and trailing ends of the medium P by the first medium detection unit 113 and the second medium detection unit 114. The double feed detection unit 112 is provided downstream of the first medium detection unit 113. The double feed detection unit 112 is, for example, an ultrasonic sensor. The control unit 100 can use the double feed detection unit 112 to detect whether or not the media P are being fed in multiples.

[0048] The first encoder 115 is a sensor that detects the rotation of the first motor 120, which will be described later, and is directly connected to the first motor 120 as shown in Fig. 11. The control unit 100 can detect the amount and direction of rotation of the first motor 120 based on the pulse signal received from the first encoder 115.

[0049] The second encoder 116 is a sensor that detects the rotation of the second motor 130, which will be described later, and is directly connected to the second motor 130 as shown in Fig. 11. The control unit 100 can detect the amount and direction of rotation of the second motor 130 based on the pulse signal received from the second encoder 116.

[0050] Next, the power transmission system of the medium conveying device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. The medium conveying device 30 includes a first motor 120 and a second motor 130. The amount and direction of rotation of the first motor 120 and the second motor 130 are controlled by the control unit 100. The output shaft 120a of the first motor 120 and the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 are configured to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions. The first motor 120 generates power to rotate the feed roller 43. The second motor 130 also generates power to rotate the regulating rotation shaft 52 to switch the position of each regulating member 61, 62. As shown in FIG. 11, the first motor 120 and the second motor 130 are provided on the side of the medium conveying device 30 in the +X direction.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the medium conveying device 30 includes a first power transmission unit 131 that transmits the power of the first motor 120 to the unit rotation shaft 42. The first power transmission unit 131 includes multiple gears 134, a power transmission shaft 133, and a belt 132 that transmits the power. The power transmission shaft 133 is a rotation shaft that is provided downstream of the feeding unit 40 in the conveyance direction and extends in the X direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 13 , a second power transmission unit 140 is provided on the side of the feeding unit main body 41 that transmits the rotation of the unit rotation shaft 42 to the feeding roller 43. The second power transmission unit 140 includes multiple gears 141. With this configuration, the forward and reverse rotation of the output shaft 120a of the first motor 120 is transmitted to the feeding roller 43 via the first power transmission unit 131 and the second power transmission unit 140. In this embodiment, the separation roller 44 provided on the unit rotation shaft 42 is also rotated by the power of the first motor 120.

[0052] The second motor 130 generates power to switch the position of each of the regulating members 61 and 62, as well as power to drive the drive rollers 81a, 82a, 83a, and 84a of the transport roller pairs 81, 82, 83, and 84 arranged downstream of the separation roller 44 on the transport path 300. Specifically, the drive roller 81a near the curved path 320, the drive roller 82a upstream of the first reading unit 22 in the transport direction, the drive roller 83a between the first reading unit 22 and the second reading unit 23 in the transport direction, and the drive roller 84a near the discharge unit 36 ​​are driven by the second motor 130. 12, the medium conveying device 30 includes the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​and a third power transmission unit 150 that transmits the power of the second motor 130 to each of the drive rollers 81a, 82a, 83a, and 84a. The third power transmission unit 150 includes multiple gears 151 that connect to the rotation shafts 82c, 83c, and 84c of the drive rollers 82a, 83a, and 84a, respectively, and multiple belts 152 that abut against the gears 151. The rotation shaft 81c of the drive roller 81a (not shown) is connected to the rotation shaft 82c of the drive roller 82a by a gear and belt (not shown) at the end of the medium conveying device 30 in the +X direction. Furthermore, the power transmission means in this embodiment are merely examples, and power may be transmitted only by a gear train.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the third power transmission means 150 includes a one-way clutch 153 in a transmission path connecting the third power transmission means 150 to the drive gear 54a of the regulating drive shaft 54. The one-way clutch 153 transmits the power of the second motor 130 to the drive gear 54a when the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 rotates in the reverse direction, but does not transmit the power of the second motor 130 to the drive gear 54a when the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 rotates in the forward direction. In other words, when the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 rotates in the reverse direction, the rotation of the second motor 130 is transmitted to the regulating drive shaft 54, and the positions of the first regulating member 61 and the second regulating member 62 change. On the other hand, when the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 rotates in the forward direction, the one-way clutch 153 blocks the transmission of power, so the positions of the first regulating member 61 and the second regulating member 62 do not change. When the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 rotates forward, the driving rollers 81a, 82a, 83a, and 84a, to which power is transmitted via the rotating shafts 81c, 82c, 83c, and 84c, rotate so as to feed the medium P in the transport direction. At this time, the one-way clutch 153 prevents the driving power of the second motor 130 from being transmitted to the driving gear 54a, thereby reducing the load on the second motor 130.

[0054] Next, the feeding control of the medium P will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 14 in addition to the above-mentioned figures. The control unit 100 starts the transport and reading operation of the medium P in response to an input from the operation unit 15 or the external interface 104 . First, the control unit 100 detects the presence or absence of medium P placed on the medium placement unit 31 using the placement detection unit 110. When the control unit 100 detects that medium P has been placed on the medium placement unit 31, it starts the feeding operation. That is, in order to switch each of the regulating members 61, 62 from the regulating position to the retracted position, the control unit 100 reverses (reverses) the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 (timing T1). As a result, the power of the second motor 130 is transmitted to the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​via the third power transmission means 150. As a result, the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​rotates, and the protruding portion 57 and the light-blocking member 71 rotate accordingly. The protruding portion 57 then moves away from the pressed portion 60. The urging force of the rotation spring 53 then rotates the regulating rotation shaft 52. As a result, the regulating members 61 and 62 rotate from the regulating posture position toward the retracted posture position. That is, the regulating members 61 and 62 tilt toward the conveyance direction and assume a posture that aligns with the conveyance guide 32. When the regulating members 61 and 62 move to the retracted posture position, the light-blocking member 71 moves to a position different from between the light-emitting portion 72a and the light-receiving portion 72b, and the signal from the rotation detection means 70 is turned OFF (timing T2). As a result, the control unit 100 determines, based on the detection result of the rotation detection means 70, that the regulating members 61 and 62 have assumed the retracted posture.

[0055] When the control unit 100 determines that the regulating members 61 and 62 have assumed the retracted positions, it decelerates the second motor 130. At this time, the control unit 100 simultaneously performs an operation to rotate the feed roller 43 and an operation to switch the regulating members 61 and 62 from the regulating positions to the retracted positions. That is, while the control unit 100 is decelerating the second motor 130, the control unit 100 rotates the output shaft 120a of the first motor 120 forward (normal rotation) to start rotating the feed roller 43 (timing T3). That is, the feed roller 43 starts rotating before the regulating members 61 and 62 assume the retracted positions. Note that "before the regulating members 61 and 62 assume the retracted positions" refers to the time until the reverse rotation of the second motor 130 stops (timing T4). The timing at which the feed roller 43 starts to rotate may be any timing between after the medium P placed on the medium placement unit 31 is detected and before the reverse rotation of the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 stops. For example, the control unit 100 may control the feed roller 43 to start rotating before the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 is rotated in the reverse direction and before the regulating members 61, 62 move from the regulating positions to the retracted positions.

[0056] When each of the regulating members 61, 62 moves from the regulating position to the retracted position, the tip 61b of the first regulating member 61 moves away from the feeding unit 40. That is, the feeding unit 40 is released from contact with the first regulating member 61 and moves from the separated position toward the contact position. When the feeding unit 40 reaches the contact position, the feeding roller 43 comes into contact with the medium P. As a result, the medium P is fed in the transport direction by the feeding roller 43.

[0057] When the reverse rotation of the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 stops, the control unit 100 rotates the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 in the forward direction (timing T5). As a result, the fed medium P is transported in the transport direction by the transport roller pair 81. The image on the transported medium P is read by the reading device 21. The medium P from which the image has been read is discharged to the discharge unit 36. When the placement detector 110 and the first medium detector 113 determine that there is no medium P on the medium placement unit 31, the controller 100 stops the forward rotation of the output shaft 120a of the first motor 120.

[0058] Next, the operation after the medium is ejected will be described with reference to the above-mentioned figures and the timing chart of FIG. The control unit 100 determines whether the medium P on the transport path 300 has been ejected using the second medium detection unit 114. When the control unit 100 determines that the medium P has been ejected, it stops the second motor 130, which had been rotating forward (timing T6). After the second motor 130 stops, the control unit 100 rotates the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 in the reverse direction (timing T7). This transmits the power of the second motor 130 to the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​via the third power transmission means 150. As a result, the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​rotates, and the protruding portion 57 and the light-blocking member 71 rotate accordingly. Then, the protruding portion 57 comes into contact with the pressed portion 60, and the regulating rotation shaft 52 rotates against the force of the rotation spring 53. As a result, the regulating members 61 and 62 move from the retracted position to the regulating position. When each of the regulating members 61, 62 moves to a position where it assumes the regulating posture, the light-blocking member 71 moves between the light-emitting unit 72a and the light-receiving unit 72b, and the signal of the rotation detection means 70 turns ON (timing T8). As a result, the control unit 100 determines that each of the regulating members 61, 62 has assumed the regulating posture based on the detection result of the rotation detection means 70. Then, the control unit 100 decelerates and stops the reverse rotation of the output shaft 130a of the second motor 130 (timing T9).

[0059] 2. Second embodiment A second embodiment will be described below. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 changes the timing at which the feed roller 43 rotates depending on the thickness of the medium P.

[0060] When the placement detection unit 110 detects that a medium P has been placed on the medium placement unit 31, the control unit 100 causes the touch panel 16 to display a setting screen that allows the user to select the thickness of the medium P to be placed. The setting screen displays three setting buttons indicating the thickness of the medium P: "thick paper," "plain paper," and "thin paper," prompting the user to select the thickness of the medium P. The control unit 100 then determines the thickness of the medium P to be placed based on the information of the selected setting button. Note that the number of selectable thicknesses of the medium P is not limited to three, and may be two, four, or more.

[0061] The control unit 100 changes the timing at which the feed roller 43 starts to rotate, which corresponds to timing T3 in the first embodiment, depending on the determined thickness of the medium P. If the medium P being fed is thin paper, the rigidity of thin paper means that there is a risk that the leading edge of the thin paper will bend due to excessive contact between the leading edge of the thin paper being fed and the regulating members 61, 62. Therefore, in the case of thin paper, it is preferable to feed the medium P after the regulating members 61, 62 have moved to positions where they do not come into contact with the leading edge of the thin paper.

[0062] On the other hand, if the medium P being fed is cardboard, because cardboard has high rigidity, there is no risk of the cardboard being bent even if it comes into contact with the regulating members 61, 62. Furthermore, in the case of cardboard, the skew of the cardboard can be corrected by bringing the leading edge of the cardboard into contact with the regulating members 61, 62 during feeding. In other words, in the case of cardboard, it does not matter if the leading edge of the cardboard comes into contact with the regulating members 61, 62 before the regulating members 61, 62 have completely moved to the retracted position during feeding. Therefore, in the case of cardboard, it is preferable to start rotating the feed roller 43 earlier than in the case of thin paper.

[0063] Furthermore, in the case of thick paper, the timing at which the feed roller 43 starts to rotate may be earlier than in the case of plain paper. Furthermore, in the case of thin paper, the timing at which the feed roller 43 starts to rotate may be later than in the case of plain paper. This allows the medium P to be fed appropriately. Furthermore, in the case of thin paper, the risk of the leading edge of the paper being folded can be further reduced compared to the case of plain paper.

[0064] It is also possible to select the paper type on the setting screen for setting the thickness of the medium P, and set the thickness of the medium P based on the selected paper type. For example, the paper types can be set to "postcard," "glossy paper," or "form," and when "postcard" or "glossy paper" is selected, the paper type is set to thick paper, and when "form" is selected, the paper type is set to thin paper. By allowing the user to select the paper type in this way, the thickness of the medium P can be set appropriately even if the user does not know the thickness of the medium P.

[0065] It is also possible to set the basis weight as a method for setting the thickness of the medium P. In this case, the basis weight of the medium P that is set in advance can be selected from the setting screen, or the basis weight of the medium P can be input. By processing in this way, the thickness of the medium P can be determined from the basis weight.

[0066] The medium P may also be identified by combining the thickness, paper type, and weight of the medium P. This allows the medium P to be identified in more detail, allowing it to be fed appropriately. Note that, only in the case of thick paper, the control unit 100 may simultaneously perform the operation of rotating the feed roller 43 and the operation of switching each of the regulating members 61, 62 from the regulating position to the retracted position. Also, only in the case of thin paper, the control unit 100 may perform the operation of rotating the feed roller 43 after switching each of the regulating members 61, 62 from the regulating position to the retracted position. In these cases, the medium P can be fed appropriately depending on the thickness of the medium P.

[0067] 3. Third embodiment The third embodiment will be described below. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 changes the timing at which the feed roller 43 rotates, which corresponds to timing T3 in the first embodiment, depending on the total thickness of the medium P placed on the medium placement unit 31. Note that the total thickness of the medium P means the thickness of the medium P itself if one sheet of medium P is placed on the medium placement unit 31, and means the total thickness of the multiple media P, that is, the thickness of the document stack, if multiple sheets of medium P are placed on the medium placement unit 31.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 16, the medium conveying device 30 of this embodiment includes a distance measuring sensor 200 as a total thickness detector for detecting the total thickness. The distance measuring sensor 200 is an ultrasonic sensor provided in the upper unit 26 at a position facing the medium P placed on the medium placement unit 31. The distance measuring sensor 200 includes a transmitter and receiver (not shown), and detects the distance between the distance measuring sensor 200 and the topmost medium P by emitting ultrasonic waves toward the topmost medium P and receiving the reflected waves from the topmost medium P with the receiver. Note that the distance measuring sensor 200 may be of another type, or may be an optical sensor. The control unit 100 determines the total thickness of the media P placed on the medium placement unit 31 based on the detection results of the distance measurement sensor 200. Then, the control unit 100 adjusts the timing at which the feed roller 43 starts to rotate based on the total thickness of the media P. That is, when the total thickness of the media P is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the control unit 100 advances the timing at which the feed roller 43 starts to rotate compared to when the total thickness is less than the first threshold. Furthermore, when the total thickness of the media P is less than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold, the control unit 100 delays the timing at which the feed roller 43 starts to rotate compared to when the total thickness is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

[0069] The first threshold value is, for example, a length equivalent to three-quarters of the length of the first regulating member 61 protruding from the conveyance guide 32 in the +Z direction in the regulating position. When the total thickness of the media P is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the leading edge of the uppermost medium P placed on the medium loading section 31 is positioned closer to the leading edge 61b of the first regulating member 61. In this case, the regulating members 61, 62 release the leading edge of the uppermost medium P from their restriction earlier than when the total thickness is less than the first threshold value. Therefore, there is no risk of the leading edge of the uppermost medium P coming into excessive contact with the regulating members 61, 62 and breaking the leading edge of the medium P. Therefore, when the total thickness of the media P is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, it is preferable to start rotating the feed roller 43 earlier than when the total thickness is less than the first threshold value. This reduces the time required for feeding when the total thickness of the media P is equal to or greater than the first threshold value compared to when the total thickness is less than the first threshold value.

[0070] The second threshold is a value smaller than the first threshold, and is, for example, a length equivalent to one-fourth of the length of the first regulating member 61 protruding from the conveyance guide 32 in the +Z direction when in the regulating position. When the total thickness of the medium P is less than the second threshold, the leading edge of the uppermost medium P placed on the medium loading unit 31 is positioned close to the base end 61a of the first regulating member 61. In this case, if the timing at which the feed roller 43 feeds the medium P is too early, the leading edge of the fed medium P may excessively contact the regulating members 61, 62 before it has finished moving to the retracted position, potentially causing the leading edge of the medium P to break. Therefore, when the total thickness of the medium P is less than the second threshold, it is preferable to delay the timing at which the feed roller 43 starts rotating compared to when the total thickness is equal to or greater than the second threshold. This allows the medium P to be fed appropriately. The first threshold value and the second threshold value may be used alone or in combination. Furthermore, the first threshold and the second threshold described above are merely examples, and may be set to any value. Note that only when the first threshold value is set, the control unit 100 may simultaneously perform the operation of rotating the feed roller 43 and the operation of switching each of the regulating members 61, 62 from the regulating position to the retracted position. Furthermore, when the second threshold value is set, the control unit 100 may perform the operation of rotating the feed roller 43 after switching each of the regulating members 61, 62 from the regulating position to the retracted position. In these cases, the medium P can be appropriately fed depending on the thickness of the medium P.

[0071] Next, the operation and effects of the above-described embodiment will be described. (1) The medium transport device 30 includes a first motor 120 capable of generating power to rotate the feed roller 43, and a second motor 130 capable of generating power to switch the position of each of the regulating members 61, 62 of the regulating unit 50. When feeding the medium P placed on the medium loading section 31, the operation of rotating the feed roller 43 and the operation of switching each of the regulating members 61, 62 from the regulating position to the retracted position are performed in parallel.

[0072] In this way, the feed roller 43 and the regulating members 61, 62 are driven by separate motors, and the operation of rotating the feed roller 43 and the operation of switching the regulating members 61, 62 from the regulating position to the retracted position are performed in parallel, so the operation of feeding the medium P can be performed quickly. In other words, FCOT can be improved.

[0073] (2) The second motor 130 is capable of generating power for rotating each of the drive rollers 81a, 82a, 83a, and 84a. As a result, there is no need to provide an additional motor because the drive rollers 81a, 82a, 83a, and 84a are driven by the second motor 130, which generates the power source that drives the regulating members 61 and 62. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which an additional motor is provided, no space is required to install the motor, and the device can be made smaller.

[0074] (3) When each regulating member 61, 62 moves from the retracted position to the regulating position, the unit partition surface 41a and the tip 61b of the first regulating member 61 come into contact with each other, and the feeding unit 40 moves from a contact position in which it is in contact with the medium P placed on the medium loading section 31 to a separated position in which it is separated from the medium P. As a result, the feeding unit 40 can be switched between the contact posture and the separated posture by the operation of the first restricting member 61, so that a dedicated power source for switching the posture of the feeding unit 40 is not required.

[0075] (4) The feed roller 43 starts to rotate before the regulating members 61 and 62 switch from the regulating position to the retracted position. The feed roller 43 starts rotating before the regulating members 61 and 62 switch from the regulating position to the retracted position, thereby enabling the medium P to be fed more quickly. Furthermore, when the feeding unit 40 is in the separated position, the feeding roller 43 is positioned so as not to come into contact with the medium P. Therefore, even if the feeding roller 43 starts to rotate when the feeding roller 43 is in the separated position, there is no risk of a jam occurring. In other words, there is no risk of a jam occurring, and feeding can be performed more quickly.

[0076] (5) The medium conveying device 30 includes a one-way clutch 153 in the third power transmission means 150 that transmits the power of the second motor 130 to the regulating drive shaft 54. When the second motor 130 rotates forward, the drive rollers 81a, 82a, 83a, and 84a rotate in a direction that transports the medium P downstream. On the other hand, the one-way clutch 153 prevents the power of the second motor 130 from being transmitted to the regulating drive shaft 54. Therefore, when the second motor 130 rotates forward, the position of each regulating member 61, 62 does not change. Therefore, while the transport roller pairs 81, 82, 83, and 84 are transporting the medium P, power is not transmitted to the regulating drive shaft 54, and the load on the second motor 130 can be reduced.

[0077] (6) The medium conveying device 30 includes an operation unit 15 that can display a setting screen for setting the thickness of the medium P to be placed on the medium. The user inputs information about the thickness of the medium P into the setting screen. The control unit 100 then determines the thickness of the medium P based on the input information and adjusts the timing at which the feed roller 43 starts to rotate depending on the thickness of the medium P. This allows for proper feeding of thin paper that is prone to folding when it comes into contact with the regulating members 61, 62. Also, in the case of thick paper with high rigidity, there is no risk of folding when the leading edge of the thick paper comes into contact with the regulating members 61, 62 during feeding. Furthermore, when the leading edge of the thick paper comes into contact with the regulating members 61, 62, the skew can be corrected.

[0078] (7) The medium transport device 30 is provided with a distance measuring sensor 200 that is provided in the medium loading unit 31 and detects the total thickness of the loaded medium P. The control unit 100 then determines the total thickness of the medium P based on the detection result of the distance measuring sensor 200. Furthermore, the control unit 100 adjusts the timing at which the feed roller 43 starts to rotate based on the total thickness of the medium P. When the total thickness of the medium P is thick, the restriction of the leading edge of the uppermost medium P by the restricting members 61, 62 is released more quickly during feeding. Therefore, when the total thickness of the medium P is thick, even if the feed roller 43 is moved quickly to feed the medium, there is no risk of the leading edge of the medium P coming into excessive contact with the restricting members 61, 62 and causing the medium to bend, and the medium can be fed appropriately. If the total thickness of the medium P is thin, the leading edge of the medium P being fed may come into excessive contact with the regulating members 61, 62 before the medium P has finished moving to the retracted position, which may cause a crease in the leading edge of the medium P. Therefore, if the total thickness of the medium P is thin, delaying the timing at which the feed roller 43 starts to rotate allows the medium P to be fed without causing a crease in the leading edge.

[0079] 4. Fourth embodiment A medium conveying device according to a fourth embodiment will be described. The medium conveying device of this embodiment is provided with a regulating unit 50A instead of the above-mentioned regulating unit 50. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0080] The regulating unit 50A of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the regulating unit 50A with the first regulating member 61 and the second regulating member 62 in the regulating position, Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the regulating unit 50A with the first regulating member 61 in the retracted position and the second regulating member 62 in the regulating position, and Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing the regulating unit 50A with the first regulating member 61 and the second regulating member 62 in the retracted position. The first regulating member 61 and the second regulating member 62 of the regulating unit 50A change from the regulating position to the retracted position at different times.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the regulation unit 50A has a regulation unit main body 51A, a regulation rotation shaft 52A, and three rotation springs 53.

[0082] The regulating unit main body 51A rotatably supports the regulating rotation shaft 52A and the regulating drive shaft 54, and is fixed to the media conveying device so as to extend along the X direction on the opposite side of the upstream conveying path 310 across the conveying guide 32, similar to the regulating unit main body 51 in Figure 4.

[0083] The regulating drive shaft 54 ​​rotates in a predetermined rotation direction R1 by transmitting power from a second motor 130 (not shown) via a third power transmission means 150. One end of the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​in the +X direction is located outside the regulating unit main body 51A, and the other end of the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​in the -X direction is located inside the regulating unit main body 51A. Between one end and the other end of the regulating drive shaft 54, there are provided a rotation detection means 70 for detecting the rotation of the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​and three rotation transmission parts 58 for transmitting the rotation of the regulating drive shaft 54.

[0084] The rotation detection means 70 detects the rotation state of the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​by detecting whether the light from the detection section 72 is blocked by the light-blocking member 71 and cannot be received, or whether the light from the detection section 72 is received.

[0085] The rotation transmission unit 58 is made up of multiple interlocking rotating bodies. In this embodiment, the rotating bodies are, for example, a pair of gears. One of the gears has the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​inserted into its disk-shaped central shaft portion and connected to it so as to rotate together. The other gear, which interlocks with the first gear, has the cam shaft 59 inserted into its disk-shaped central shaft portion and connected to it so as to rotate together. The three rotation transmission units 58 are arranged at arbitrary intervals along the X direction. The rotation of the regulating drive shaft 54 ​​in the rotation direction R1 is transmitted by the three rotation transmission units 58, causing the three cam shafts 59 to rotate in the rotation direction R2.

[0086] The three cam shafts 59 are inserted into one rotation restriction portion 55a and two rotation restriction portions 55b, respectively, and connected so as to be able to rotate integrally. The cam shafts 59 are supported by the restriction unit main body 51A, and when they rotate in the rotation direction R2, they can rotate the rotation restriction portions 55a and 55b in the rotation direction R2.

[0087] The configuration of the rotation restricting portions 55a and 55b will be described using the rotation restricting portion 55a as an example. As shown in FIG. 20 , the rotation restricting portion 55a includes a cam 56a and a protrusion 57a. The cam 56a is cylindrical, and a cam shaft 59 is inserted into a hole provided in the center of the circular portion to connect the cam 56a to the cam shaft 59. A portion of the cylindrical side surface extends in the extension direction, and a flange-shaped protrusion 57a ​​is formed at the tip of the cam shaft 59. The rotation restricting portion 55b includes a cylindrical cam 56b and a flange-shaped protrusion 57b, similar to the rotation restricting portion 55a.

[0088] The rotation restricting portion 55a and the rotation restricting portion 55b have different arc lengths for the protrusions 57a and 57b. The leading end of the protrusion 57a ​​and the leading end of the protrusion 57b in the rotation direction R2 are arranged to be at the same position when viewed from the X direction along the axial direction of the first restricting rotation shaft 521 and the second restricting rotation shaft 522. On the other hand, the rear end of the protrusion 57a ​​and the rear end of the protrusion 57b in the rotation direction R2 are arranged to be at different positions when viewed from the X direction. In other words, the rear end of the protrusion 57b is arranged at a position further forward in the opposite direction of the rotation direction R2 than the rear end of the protrusion 57a ​​when viewed from the X direction.

[0089] In this embodiment, for example, protrusion 57a ​​is formed in a range where the central angle α is 90°, and protrusion 57b is formed in a range where the central angle α is 120°. That is, in this embodiment, the rear end of protrusion 57b is located at a position that is 30° ahead of the rear end of protrusion 57a ​​in the direction opposite to rotation direction R2, as viewed from the X direction.

[0090] In this embodiment, the rotation of the rotation restriction portions 55a and 55b is synchronized, so the positional relationship between the protrusions 57a and 57b does not change. The length and position of the arcs of the protrusions 57a and 57b can be changed as needed, which allows adjustment of the time for which the first and second restricting members 61 and 62 maintain their restricting and retracted positions and the timing of their transition.

[0091] 17 to 19, the regulating rotation shaft 52A has one first regulating rotation shaft 521 and two second regulating rotation shafts 522. The regulating rotation shaft 52A is provided along the X direction, with one first regulating rotation shaft 521 positioned between two second regulating rotation shafts 522. The first regulating rotation shaft 521 and the second regulating rotation shaft 522 are coaxial rotation shafts extending in the X direction and can rotate independently around the X axis.

[0092] Furthermore, the regulating rotation shaft 52A is provided with a first regulating member 61 and a second regulating member 62, which correspond to regulating members. The first regulating member 61 is connected to both ends of the first regulating rotation shaft 521 in the extension direction in a state where they can rotate together. Furthermore, the second regulating member 62 is connected to the second regulating rotation shaft 522 in a state where they can rotate together. The first regulating member 61 and the second regulating member 62 are plate-shaped members that extend in one direction from the regulating rotation shaft 52A.

[0093] The two first regulating members 61 are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to a center line in the width direction that intersects with the conveyance direction along the Y direction. Furthermore, the second regulating member 62 is provided on the outer side of the two first regulating members 61 with respect to the center line. In other words, the second regulating member 62 is provided so that the distance between the center line in the width direction and the second regulating member 62 is longer than the distance between the center line in the width direction and the first regulating member 61.

[0094] In addition, the two first regulating members 61 can abut against the unit partition surface 41a, which is the abutment portion of the feeding unit 40 (not shown), and when the two first regulating members 61 move from the retracted position to the regulating position, the feeding unit 40 assumes a separated position due to the unit partition surface 41a abutting against the two first regulating members 61.

[0095] A support portion 160 is provided on each of the one first restricting rotation shaft 521 and the two second restricting rotation shafts 522. The support portion 160 is a substantially triangular plate-like member, and its vertex in the +Z direction is connected to the restricting rotation shaft 52A in a state where it can rotate integrally with the shaft. In addition, a wall-shaped pressed portion 161 is provided on the support portion 160 along one side of the surface facing the rotation restricting portions 55a and 55b. Pressed portion 161 faces protrusion 57a ​​or protrusion 57b, and comes into contact with or separates from protrusion 57a ​​or protrusion 57b as rotation restricting portions 55a, 55b rotate. Also, support portion 160 is provided with a support portion that supports one end of rotation spring 53, and the restoring force from rotation spring 53 acts on support portion 160 via the support portion.

[0096] One end of each of the three rotation springs 53 is attached to the regulation unit main body 51A, and the other end is attached to the support portion 160 of the first regulation rotation shaft 521 or the second regulation rotation shaft 522. As a result, the rotation springs 53 bias the regulation rotation shaft 52A in a direction that rotates the regulation rotation shaft 52A. This rotation of the regulation rotation shaft 52A causes the first regulation member 61 and the second regulation member 62 to change position.

[0097] The restricting positions of the first restricting member 61 and the second restricting member 62 of the restricting unit 50A will now be described. As shown in Fig. 21, the protruding portion 57a ​​of the rotation restricting portion 55a comes into contact with and presses the pressed portion 161, thereby restricting the rotation of the first restricting rotating shaft 521 and placing the first restricting member 61 in the restricting position. Also, as shown in Fig. 22, the protruding portion 57b of the rotation restricting portion 55b comes into contact with and presses the pressed portion 161, thereby restricting the rotation of the second restricting rotating shaft 522 and placing the first restricting member 61 in the restricting position.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 23 , when the camshaft 59 rotates in the rotation direction R2, the protrusion 57a ​​of the rotation restricting portion 55a of the first restricting member 61 rotates in the rotation direction R2, and the protrusion 57a ​​moves away from the pressed portion 161. Then, the biasing force of the rotation spring 53 rotates the first restricting rotation shaft 521 in the rotation direction R3, and the first restricting member 61 transitions from the restricting position to the retracted position. Because the protrusion 57b of the second restricting member 62 has a longer circumferential arc length than the protrusion 57a, further rotation of the camshaft 59 in the rotation direction R2 causes the protrusion 57b to move away from the pressed portion 161, and the second restricting member 62 transitions from the restricting position to the retracted position. In this embodiment, when the protrusion 57a ​​is rotated by another 30° after it has moved away from the pressed portion 161, the protrusion 57b moves away from the pressed portion 161. The first restricting member 61 and the second restricting member 62 are displaced at different phases. Therefore, when the second restricting member 62 transitions from the restricting position to the retracted position, the first restricting member 61 has already transitioned to the retracted position. Therefore, in the side view of the rotation restricting part 55a as viewed from the +X direction shown in FIG. 24, the contact surface of the first restricting member 61 with the medium P does not overlap with the contact surface of the second restricting member 62 with the medium P.

[0099] The regulating unit 50A of this embodiment is equipped with independent first regulating rotation shaft 521, second regulating rotation shaft 522, and rotation regulating parts 55a, 55b, so that the timing at which the first regulating member 61 and the second regulating member 62 move to the retracted position can be made different.

[0100] Next, the feeding control of medium P in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 25 to 29 in addition to the above-mentioned figures. Figure 25 is a timing chart showing the operation timing in the feeding control of the medium transport device, and Figure 26 is a flowchart showing the power control when medium P is fed. Also, Figures 27 to 29 are schematic top views showing the state in which medium P placed on the medium loading section is transported with skew corrected. First, in the feeding control of this embodiment, when it is detected that the medium P has been placed on the medium placement unit 31, the feeding operation starts from a standby state. In step S1, the first motor 120 starts to rotate in the forward direction, thereby starting to drive the feed roller 43. In parallel, in step S2, the second motor 130 starts to rotate in the reverse direction.

[0101] Next, in step S4, it is determined whether the rotation detection means 70 has detected light blocking. If the rotation detection means 70 has detected light reception (YES), the driving of the second motor 130 is stopped as shown in step S6. At the same time, the protruding portion 57a ​​of the rotation regulation portion 55a, which rotates synchronously with the regulation drive shaft 54, moves away from the pressed portion 161, so that the first regulation member 61 moves to the retracted position and the feeding unit 40 descends. This starts driving the transport of the medium P (timing T11 in FIG. 25). In step S6, even if medium P is placed tilted on medium loading section 31 as shown in Fig. 27, medium P is advanced in the direction of the white arrow by the drive of feed roller 43 provided in lowered feed unit 40 as shown in Fig. 28. At this time, the edge of skewed medium P that is leading the transport hits second regulating member 62. Meanwhile, the edge of medium P that is lagging behind the transport is transported while rotating toward second regulating member 62. This corrects the skew of medium P, and the tilt is corrected like medium P1.

[0102] If the rotation detection means 70 does not detect light reception in step S4 (NO), then in step S22 it is determined whether the drive amount of the second motor 130 has reached Xstep. Xstep is the drive amount of the second motor 130, and corresponds to the drive amount obtained by adding a drive amount that takes into account component tolerances and assembly variations to the drive amount required to switch the first restricting member 61 from the restricting posture to the retracted posture. If the drive amount of the second motor 130 has not reached X step (NO), the process returns to step S2, and if the drive amount of the second motor 130 has reached X step (YES), a predetermined error is reported as a fatal error in step S24.

[0103] After stopping the driving of the second motor 130 in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7 to determine whether a predetermined wait time has elapsed. If the predetermined wait time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S8. If the predetermined wait time has not elapsed, step S6 is repeated to keep the driving of the second motor 130 stopped.

[0104] In step S8, reverse driving of the second motor 130 is started (timing T12 in FIG. 25). By providing a predetermined wait time after driving is stopped in step S6 and before driving again in step S8, the abutment amount of the medium P can be adjusted. For example, by lengthening the wait time in step S6, the abutment amount caused by driving the feed roller 43 can be increased, and the skew correction effect of the medium P can be enhanced. Conversely, by shortening the wait time in step S6, the abutment amount caused by driving the feed roller 43 can be reduced. It should be noted that the abutment amount can also be reduced by skipping steps S6 to S8 and proceeding directly from step S4 to step S10.

[0105] Next, in step S10, it is determined whether the drive amount of the second motor 130 has reached Ystep. Ystep corresponds to the drive amount of the second motor 130 required to switch the second restricting member 62 to the retracted position after step S4. In other words, Ystep is the drive amount obtained by adding a drive amount that takes into account component tolerances and assembly variations to the drive amount of the second motor 130 that corresponds to the rotation amount for the phase shift of the rotation restricting portions 55a and 55b.

[0106] In step S10, if the drive amount of the second motor 130 has not reached Ystep (NO), step S10 is repeated, and if the drive amount of the second motor 130 has reached Ystep (YES), the drive of the second motor 130 is stopped in step S12.

[0107] In step S12, the driving of the second motor 130 is stopped. At the same time, the second restricting member 62 is shifted to the retracted position (timing T13 in FIG. 25). The first regulating member 61 and the second regulating member 62 are in the retracted position, and the medium P1 is transported in the +Y direction, which is the transport direction.

[0108] Next, in step S14, the second motor 130 starts to rotate in the forward direction. The forward rotation of the second motor 130 drives the transport roller pair 81, and the transported medium P1 is transported downstream in the transport direction along the transport path 300.

[0109] Next, the operation after the medium is ejected will be described. The control unit 100 determines whether the medium P on the transport path 300 has been discharged using the second medium detection unit 114. When the control unit 100 determines that the medium P has been discharged, it stops the second motor 130, which had been rotating in the forward direction. After the second motor 130 has stopped, the control unit 100 rotates the second motor 130 in the reverse direction. This causes each of the regulating members 61, 62 to move from the retracted position to the regulating position. In this embodiment, the tip of the protrusion 57a ​​and the tip of the protrusion 57b in the rotation direction R2 are provided so as to be in the same position when viewed from the X direction. Therefore, the restricting members 61 and 62 simultaneously move from the retracted position to the restricting position.

[0110] The timing for rotating the first motor 120 forward to drive the feed roller 43 can be changed as appropriate, as long as it is between the time when the medium P placed on the medium loading section 31 is detected and the time when the second regulating member 62 switches from the regulating position to the retracted position. For example, the first motor 120 may be rotated forward when the second motor 130 starts to be driven in the reverse direction in step 8. The amount by which the medium P is pressed against the second restricting member 62 may be changed depending on the paper type and thickness of the medium. The paper type and thickness of the medium may be determined using the setting methods described in the second and third embodiments.

[0111] 5. Fifth embodiment A medium transport device according to the fifth embodiment will be described. The medium transport device of this embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in the arrangement of the first regulating member 61. FIG. 30 shows a state in which a medium P is placed at an angle on the medium placement section, and is a schematic top view showing the arrangement of first regulating member 61 and second regulating member 62 in the regulating position. In the fourth embodiment, the first regulating member 61 and the second regulating member 62 were arranged along the X direction, but in this embodiment, the first regulating member 61 is located downstream of the second regulating member 62 in the conveying direction. In the fourth embodiment, the rotation transmission unit 58 is composed of a pair of gears, but in this embodiment, the rotation transmission unit is composed of a plurality of rotating bodies (not shown) so that the rotations of the first regulating rotation shaft 521 and the second regulating rotation shaft 522 are linked. By providing a plurality of rotating bodies in the rotation transmission unit, the first regulating unit 61 can be located downstream of the second regulating unit 62. The rotation transmission unit may be another power transmission member or may be a belt.

[0112] Next, the functions and effects of the fourth and fifth embodiments will be described. (8) In the configuration of the medium conveying device of the fourth embodiment, the second regulating member 62 switches from the regulating position to the retracted position at a later timing than the first regulating member 61, so that the leading edge of the fed medium P can be corrected for skew by abutting against the second regulating member 62. Therefore, even if the medium P is fed in an inclined state, jams are less likely to occur in the conveying path. In particular, by correcting skew, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of conveying problems even with A4- or Letter-sized media P, which have a large width.

[0113] (9) In the configuration of the media conveying device of the fifth embodiment, the first regulating member 61, which is close to the center line in the width direction that intersects the conveying direction, is located downstream in the media conveying direction from the second regulating member 62, which is located on the outside. This prevents the leading edge of the media P from coming into contact with the first regulating member 61 and causing the media P to skew.

[0114] (10) In the configurations of the media conveying device of the fourth and fifth embodiments described above, the posture of the feeding unit 40 is switched by a change in posture of the first regulating member 61. Therefore, even if the timing of the posture changes of the first regulating member 61 and the second regulating member 62 is different, the posture of the feeding unit 40 can be appropriately switched.

[0115] (11) An image reading device equipped with the medium conveying device of the above-described embodiment has the same functions and effects as the above-described medium conveying device.

[0116] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can also be used in appropriate combinations. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image reading device 20 is configured to be provided in the multifunction peripheral 1, but the present invention can also be applied to other scanners.

[0117] In the above embodiment, the first restricting member 61 and the second restricting member 62 are plate-shaped, but are not limited to this. Any shape is possible as long as they have a surface against which the medium P abuts. In the above embodiment, the posture of the feeding unit 40 is switched by changing the posture of the first restricting member 61, but this is not limiting. The feeding unit 40 may also be provided with a power source for switching the posture. In the above embodiment, the first restricting member 61 and the second restricting member 62 are displaced in different phases by making the arc lengths of the protrusions 57a and 57b different, but this is not limiting. By making the diameters of the cams 56a and 56b different, the first restricting member 61 and the second restricting member 62 can be displaced in different phases, and the time for maintaining the restricting posture and the retracted posture, the time for transition, and the timing can be adjusted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1...multifunction device, 10...image forming apparatus, 11...main body, 13...media storage section, 14...media discharge section, 15...operation section, 16...touch panel, 17...button, 20...image reading device, 21...reading device, 22...first reading section, 23...second reading section, 24...original table, 25...pressure plate, 26...upper unit, 30...media transport device, 31...media placement section, 31a...placement surface, 32...transport guide, 36...discharge section, 37...retard roller, 40...feed unit, 41...feed unit main body, 41a...unit partition surface, 42...unit rotation shaft, 43...feed roller, 43a...rotation shaft, 44...separation Roller, 50...regulating unit, 50A...regulating unit, 51...regulating unit main body, 51A...regulating unit main body, 52...regulating rotation shaft, 52A...regulating rotation shaft, 53...rotation spring, 54...regulating drive shaft, 54a...drive gear, 55...rotation regulating portion, 55a...rotation regulating portion, 55b...rotation regulating portion, 56...receiving portion, 56a...cam, 56b...cam, 57...protruding portion, 57a...protruding portion, 57b...protruding portion, 58...rotation transmitting portion, 59...camshaft, 60...pressed portion, 60a...supporting portion, 61...first regulating member, 61a...base end, 61b...tip end, 62...second regulating member, 70...rotation Detection means, 71...light blocking member, 72...detection unit, 72a...light emitting unit, 72b...a and light receiving unit, 81...pair of transport rollers, 81a...drive roller, 81b...followed roller, 81c...rotation shaft, 82a...drive roller, 82c...rotation shaft, 83a...drive roller, 84...pair of transport rollers, 84a...drive roller, 100...control unit, 101...CPU, 103...RAM, 104...external interface, 110...placement detection unit, 111...size detection unit, 112...double feed detection unit, 113...first medium detection unit, 114...second medium detection unit, 115...first encoder, 116...second encoder , 120...first motor, 120a...output shaft, 130...second motor, 130a...output shaft, 131...first power transmission means, 132...transmitting belt, 133...power transmission shaft, 134...gear, 140...second power transmission means, 141...gear, 150...third power transmission means, 151...gear, 152...belt, 153...one-way clutch, 160...support portion, 161...pressed portion, 200...distance measuring sensor, 300...conveying path, 310...upstream conveying path, 320...curved path, 521...first regulating rotating shaft, 522...second regulating rotating shaft, P...medium, R1...rotation direction, R2...rotation direction.

Claims

1. a medium placement section on which a medium is placed; a feeding roller for feeding the medium placed on the medium placement section in a transport direction, a contact posture in which the roller contacts the medium placed on the medium placement section, and a feeding unit that can be displaced to a position away from the medium; a member provided downstream of the feed roller in the transport direction, A restricting position that restricts movement of the medium in the transport direction and a restricting position that allows movement of the medium in the transport direction a regulating member that can be switched to a retracted position that allows the movement of the object; a first motor capable of generating power for rotating the feed roller; a second motor capable of generating power for switching the position of the regulating member, The operation of the first motor for rotating the feeding roller and the operation of the regulating member for rotating the feeding roller are performed. Operates in parallel with the operation of the second motor for switching from the restricted position to the retracted position. Let, an operation unit capable of displaying a setting screen for setting the thickness of the medium to be placed; determining the thickness of the medium according to the information input from the setting screen; The timing at which the feed roller starts to rotate is adjusted according to the thickness of the medium. A medium transport device characterized by:

2. 2. The medium transport device according to claim 1, a conveying roller that is provided downstream of the feeding unit in the conveying direction and that conveys the medium; Equipped with The second motor is capable of generating power for rotating the transport roller. A medium transport device characterized by:

3. 3. The medium transport device according to claim 1, The feeding unit includes a contact portion that can contact the regulating member, and the regulating member is configured to When the device moves from the avoidance position to the restricting position, the contact portion and the restricting member come into contact with each other. This results in the above-mentioned separated position. A medium transport device characterized by:

4. 4. The medium transport device according to claim 1, The feeding roller is Starts rotating A medium transport device characterized by:

5. The medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a conveying roller that is provided downstream of the feeding unit in the conveying direction and that conveys the medium; Equipped with A one-way clutch is provided in a transmission path that transmits the power of the second motor to the regulating member. equipped with When the second motor rotates forward, the transport roller rotates in the direction in which the medium is transported. On the other hand, the power of the second motor is transmitted to the regulating member by the one-way clutch. Not achieved A medium transport device characterized by:

6. The medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The regulating member is A first restricting member; The distance between the center line in the width direction intersecting the conveying direction and the first regulating member is a second restricting member provided at a position where the distance between the first restricting member and the second restricting member is long, The second restricting member is configured to restrict the movement of the first restricting member when the first restricting member is switched from the restricting position to the retracted position. The position is switched from the restricted position to the retracted position later than the timing. A medium transport device characterized by:

7. a medium placement section on which a medium is placed; a feeding roller for feeding the medium placed on the medium placement section in a transport direction, a contact posture in which the roller contacts the medium placed on the medium placement section, and a feeding unit that can be displaced to a position away from the medium; a member provided downstream of the feed roller in the transport direction, A restricting position that restricts movement of the medium in the transport direction and a restricting position that allows movement of the medium in the transport direction a regulating member that can be switched to a retracted position that allows the movement of the object; a first motor capable of generating power for rotating the feed roller; a second motor capable of generating power for switching the position of the regulating member, An operation of rotating the feeding roller and moving the regulating member from the regulating position to the retracted position and the operation of switching to The regulating member is A first restricting member; The distance between the center line in the width direction intersecting the conveying direction and the first regulating member is a second restricting member provided at a position where the distance between the first restricting member and the second restricting member is long, The second restricting member is configured to restrict the movement of the first restricting member when the first restricting member is switched from the restricting position to the retracted position. The position is switched from the restricted position to the retracted position later than the timing. A medium transport device characterized by:

8. 7. The medium transport device according to claim 6, When the regulating member is in the regulating position, the first regulating member is Located downstream of the second restricting member A medium transport device characterized by:

9. A medium transport device according to claim 6 which relies on claim 3 or claim 8 which relies on claim 3. In the location, the first restricting member is capable of contacting the contact portion of the feeding unit, When the first regulating member moves from the retracted position to the regulating position, the feeding unit When the contact portion and the first restricting member come into contact with each other, the movable member is brought into the separated position. A medium transport device characterized by:

10. The medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; a reading unit capable of reading an image on a medium being conveyed, Device.

11. A medium placement section on which a medium is placed; a feeding roller for feeding the medium placed on the medium placement section in a transport direction, a contact posture in which the roller contacts the medium placed on the medium placement section, and a feeding unit that can be displaced to a position away from the medium; a member provided downstream of the feed roller in the transport direction, A restricting position that restricts movement of the medium in the transport direction and a restricting position that allows movement of the medium in the transport direction a regulating member that can be switched to a retracted position that allows the movement of the object; a first motor capable of generating power for rotating the feed roller; a second motor capable of generating power for switching the position of the regulating member, The operation of the first motor for rotating the feeding roller and the operation of the regulating member for rotating the feeding roller are performed. Operates in parallel with the operation of the second motor for switching from the restricted position to the retracted position. Let, a total thickness detection unit provided in the medium loading unit for detecting the total thickness of the loaded media; 、 determining a total thickness of the medium according to a detection result of the total thickness detection unit; The timing at which the feed roller starts to rotate is adjusted according to the total thickness of the medium. A medium transport device characterized by:

Images