Media feeding device, image reading device

Abstract

To prevent a phenomenon in which a document is returned to the upstream due to reverse rotation of a feeding roller, in a configuration to feed laminated documents from one located at the top.SOLUTION: A medium feeding device comprises: a medium support unit that supports a medium; a feeding roller that is in contact with a top face of the medium supported by the medium support unit; a separation roller that is arranged opposite to the feeding roller, and nips the medium with the feeding roller to separate the medium; a pushing unit that is a member that can advance and retreat with respect to the feeding roller on the upstream in a medium feeding direction of a contact position of the feeding roller and the separation roller, and after a rear end of the medium to be fed passes through the contact position, can push the medium supported by the medium support unit toward the feeding roller; and a first pressing unit that presses the pushing unit toward the feeding roller.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 33

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium feeding device that feeds a medium, and an image reading device that includes the medium feeding device. [Background technology]

[0002] One example of an image reading device is a sheet-fed scanner, which may employ a configuration in which a separation roller and a feed roller nip and separate the medium. The scanner described in Patent Document 1 has a separation roller that is movable toward and away from the feed roller. A member known as a limiting member is provided upstream of the contact position between the separation roller and the feed roller. This limiting member limits the number of documents that enter the contact position, preventing thin documents from bending and ultimately preventing the leading edge from curling or jamming.

[0003] When the trailing edge of the document leaves the contact position, the force charged to the torque limiter inside the separation roller causes the separation roller to rotate in reverse, which in turn causes the paper feed roller to rotate in reverse, returning the document upstream and potentially causing paper feeding problems such as skew or non-feed.In response to this, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 applies a regulating torque to the paper feed roller shaft using a friction disk, which prevents the paper feed roller from rotating in the reverse direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 209174 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The phenomenon of documents being returned upstream due to the reverse rotation of the feed roller is unlikely to occur in a configuration in which documents are fed from the bottom, as in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, but is likely to occur in a configuration in which documents are fed from the top, as opposed to the configuration described in Patent Document 1. This is because in a configuration in which documents are fed from the top, the top document is the most likely to be returned upstream due to the reverse rotation of the feed roller, and there are no documents stacked above this document. Therefore, in a configuration in which documents are fed from the top, it is desirable to prevent documents from being returned upstream due to the reverse rotation of the feed roller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the medium feeding device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a medium support section that supports a medium, a feed roller that contacts the upper surface of the medium supported by the medium support section, a separation roller that is a roller arranged opposite the feed roller and nips and separates the medium between the feed roller and the separation roller, a pressing section that is a member that can move forward and backward relative to the feed roller upstream of the contact position between the feed roller and the separation roller in the medium feeding direction, and that can press the medium supported by the medium support section toward the feed roller after the rear end of the medium being fed passes the contact position, and a first pressing section that presses the pressing section toward the feed roller.

[0007] An image reading device according to the present invention includes the medium feeding device described above and a reading section that reads the medium fed by the medium feeding device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scanner when viewed from the front, with the device body in a normal reading position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scanner when viewed from the rear, with the device main body in the normal reading position. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the scanner seen from the front with the device main body in the normal reading position and the third unit open. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the scanner viewed from above with the main body in the normal reading position and the second unit open. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the document transport path of the scanner when the device body is in the normal reading position, viewed from the width direction. [Figure 6] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the document transport path of the scanner when the device main body is in a booklet reading position, viewed from the width direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the scanner from the rear with the rear cover of the first unit removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a position-switching motor and a rotation conversion unit. [Figure 9] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of the position switching motor and the rotation conversion unit when the device main body is in the normal reading position, as viewed from the width direction. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of the position switching motor and the rotation conversion unit when the device main body is in the booklet reading position, as viewed from the width direction. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second attitude detection sensor. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control system of the scanner. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a posture maintaining unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first frame and the separation switching means (first embodiment) as viewed from the rear. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a separation roller, a roller holder, and a torque limiter. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the separation switching means (first embodiment) in a separated state. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a side view of the separation switching means (first embodiment) in a separated state. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the separation switching means (first embodiment) in a non-separated state. [Figure 20]FIG. 2 is a side view of the separation switching means (first embodiment) in a non-separated state. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a separation switching means (second embodiment) in a separated state. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a side view of the main part of the separation switching means (second embodiment) in a separated state. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a separation switching means (second embodiment) in a non-separated state. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a side view of the main part of the separation switching means (second embodiment) in a non-separated state. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart showing control when switching the attitude of the device main body. [Figure 26] 4A and 4B are perspective views of the edge guide, showing a state in which the drawer section is retracted and a state in which the drawer section is pulled out. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the peripheral configuration of a separation roller. [Figure 28] 28 is a diagram showing a state in which the guide member is removed from the state shown in FIG. 27. [Figure 29] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the guide member, the set guide, and the pressing lever as viewed from below. [Figure 30] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the peripheral configuration of the separation roller. [Figure 31] FIG. [Figure 32] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a set flap and a part of a mechanism for driving the set flap. [Figure 33] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the peripheral configuration of the separation roller. [Figure 34] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the set guide, in which FIG. 10A shows a feeding standby state, and FIG. 10B shows a state in which the separation roller is displaced. [Figure 35] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the set guide, in which FIG. 10A shows the state when feeding multiple sheet-like documents, and FIG. 10B shows the state when feeding a booklet-like document. [Figure 36] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of a configuration in which a set guide presses down a separation roller. [Figure 37]10A and 10B are diagrams explaining the operation of the pressing lever, in which (A) shows the state in which the document is being fed, and (B) shows the state in which the rear end of the document being fed has left the contact position between the feed roller and the separation roller. [Figure 38] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of arrangement of pressing levers when a plurality of feeding rollers are provided. [Figure 39] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing another embodiment of the pressing portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be briefly described below. The medium feeding device according to the first aspect is characterized by comprising a medium support section that supports a medium, a feed roller that contacts the top surface of the medium supported by the medium support section, a separation roller that is a roller arranged opposite the feed roller and that nips and separates the medium between the feed roller and the separation roller, a pressing section that is a member that can move forward and backward relative to the feed roller upstream of the contact position between the feed roller and the separation roller in the medium feeding direction and that can press the medium supported by the medium support section toward the feed roller after the rear end of the medium being fed passes the contact position, and a first pressing section that presses the pressing section toward the feed roller.

[0010] According to this aspect, after the rear end of the medium being fed passes the contact position, a pressing section is provided that can press the medium supported by the medium support section toward the feed roller.Therefore, in a configuration in which the topmost medium among the stacked media is fed, the phenomenon in which the medium is returned upstream due to the reversal of the feed roller can be suppressed.

[0011] The second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the pressing portion rotates around a rotation axis, causing the tip portion to move forward and backward relative to the feed roller, and the rotation axis is located upstream of the tip portion in the medium feed direction. According to this aspect, the pressing portion rotates around a rotation axis, causing the tip portion to move forward and backward relative to the feed roller, and the rotation axis is located upstream of the tip portion in the medium feed direction.Therefore, when the feed roller reverses to return the medium upstream, the pressing portion that comes into contact with the medium is unlikely to rotate, and the phenomenon of the medium being returned upstream due to the feed roller reversing can be effectively suppressed.

[0012] A third aspect is characterized in that, in the second aspect, a regulating portion is provided that regulates a rotation limit of the pressing portion in a direction in which the tip portion advances toward the feeding roller. According to this aspect, the tip portion is provided with a regulating portion that regulates the rotation limit of the pressing portion in the direction in which it advances toward the feed roller, so that when the feed roller reverses and the medium is returned upstream, the pressing portion that comes into contact with the medium is more reliably prevented from rotating.

[0013] A fourth aspect is characterized in that in any of the first to third aspects, the pressing portion is provided within the area of ​​the feeding roller in a width direction that is a direction intersecting the medium feeding direction. According to this aspect, the pressing portion is provided within the area of ​​the feed roller in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium feed direction, so that the pressing portion can reliably press the medium against the feed roller, and more reliably suppress the phenomenon in which the medium is returned upstream due to the reversal of the feed roller.

[0014] A fifth aspect is the fourth aspect, characterized in that the pressing portions are provided at both ends of the feeding roller in the width direction. According to this aspect, the pressing portions are provided at both ends of the feed roller in the width direction, so that skew of the medium can be suppressed when the medium is returned upstream by the reverse rotation of the feed roller.

[0015] A sixth aspect is the fifth aspect, characterized in that the plurality of pressing portions can independently advance and retreat with respect to the feeding roller. If the multiple pressing portions were configured to move forward and backward together, there would be differences in the way the multiple pressing portions press the medium, which could result in the medium skewing. For example, if one pressing portion contacts the medium and the other pressing portion does not, the medium would skew. However, according to this aspect, the multiple pressing portions can move forward and backward independently of the feed roller, so each of the multiple pressing portions can press the medium appropriately, thereby preventing the above-mentioned skew.

[0016] A seventh aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to sixth aspects, the seventh aspect comprises a path forming member that is a member located upstream of the contact position in the medium feeding direction, that can move forward and backward relative to the feed roller depending on the thickness of the medium, and that narrows the medium feeding path toward the contact position by advancing relative to the feed roller, and in a feeding standby state, the path forming member and the pressing portion abut against the feed roller, and the position where the pressing portion abuts against the feed roller is upstream of the position where the path forming member abuts against the feed roller in the medium feeding direction.

[0017] According to this aspect, the number of media heading toward the contact position can be restricted by the path forming member, so that the separation effect achieved by the feed roller and the separation roller can be improved. Furthermore, since the position where the pressing portion contacts the feed roller is upstream of the position where the path forming member contacts the feed roller in the medium feeding direction, when the medium is returned upstream due to the reversal of the feed roller, the medium can be pressed for a longer period of time, and the phenomenon of the medium being returned upstream due to the reversal of the feed roller can be more reliably suppressed.

[0018] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, a second pressing portion is provided that presses the path forming member toward the feed roller, and the pressing force with which the first pressing portion presses the pressing portion is smaller than the pressing force with which the second pressing portion presses the path forming member. According to this aspect, the pressing force with which the first pressing portion presses the pressing portion is smaller than the pressing force with which the second pressing portion presses the path forming member, so that the pressing portion can more easily retreat from the medium feeding path when feeding the medium, thereby preventing the pressing portion from obstructing the feeding of the medium.

[0019] A ninth aspect is characterized in that, in the eighth aspect, the path forming member is capable of engaging with the separation roller, and when pressed down in a direction retracting from the feed roller by a medium whose thickness exceeds a predetermined thickness, the path forming member displaces the separation roller in a direction away from the feed roller, and the pressing portion does not press down the separation roller in a direction away from the feed roller when pressed down from the path forming member until it does not protrude into the medium feed path.

[0020] According to this aspect, the path forming member is capable of engaging with the separation unit, and when pressed down in a direction retracting from the feed roller by a medium whose thickness exceeds a predetermined thickness, the path forming member displaces the separation roller in a direction away from the feed roller, so that when a medium whose thickness exceeds a predetermined thickness is being fed, the separation roller is moved away from the feed roller in advance before the medium gets between the separation roller and the feed roller, thereby preventing the medium whose thickness exceeds the predetermined thickness from hitting the separation roller and becoming unable to be fed. Furthermore, the engagement between the path forming member and the separation roller is not limited to cases where the path forming member and the separation roller are directly engaged with each other, but also includes cases where the path forming member and the separation roller are indirectly engaged with each other via other members. Furthermore, when the pressing portion is pressed down from the path forming member until it does not protrude into the media feed path, it does not press down the separation roller in a direction away from the feed roller, thereby preventing the separation roller from separating from the feed roller at an inappropriate time.

[0021] The image reading device of the tenth aspect is characterized by comprising the medium feeding device of any one of the first to ninth aspects and a reading unit that reads the medium fed by the medium feeding device. According to this aspect, the image reading device can achieve the effects of any one of the first to ninth aspects described above.

[0022] The present invention will be specifically described below. In the following, as an example of an image reading device, a scanner 1 capable of reading at least one of the first side and the opposite second side of a document will be taken as an example. The scanner 1 is a so-called sheet-fed type scanner that reads a document while moving it relative to a reading unit described below. In this specification, the document includes not only a sheet-shaped document but also a card-shaped document and a booklet-shaped document. A document is an example of a medium.

[0023] In the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure, the X axis direction is the width direction of the device and also the width direction of the original, the Y axis direction is the depth direction of the device, and the Z axis direction is the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the +Y direction is the direction from the rear to the front of the device, and the -Y direction is the direction from the front to the rear of the device. Also, the left direction as viewed from the front of the device is the +X direction, and the right direction is the -X direction. In the following description, the direction in which the document is transported may be referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction may be referred to as "upstream."

[0024] 1 and 2, the scanner 1 is equipped with a document feeder 150, which is an example of a medium feeder. In this embodiment, the document feeder 150 is configured by removing the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33, which will be described later, from the scanner 1. However, from the perspective of feeding documents, the entire scanner 1, including the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33, may be the document feeder 150. The scanner 1 according to this embodiment includes a device main body 2 and a main body support part 6 that supports the device main body 2 rotatably. The device main body 2 is configured to include a first unit 3, a second unit 4, and a third unit 5.

[0025] The second unit 4 and the third unit 5 are provided so as to be rotatable about a frame rotation axis 64a (see FIG. 3). The frame rotation axis 64a is a rotation axis that forms the rotation axis center parallel to the X-axis direction. The second unit 4 and the third unit 5 can rotate integrally around the frame rotation axis 64a relative to the first unit 3 (see FIG. 4). By rotating the second unit 4 and the third unit 5 relative to the first unit 3, it is possible to expose part of the document transport path as shown in FIG. 4. In particular, it is possible to expose the document feed path R1 and the reading transport path R2, which will be described later. The user can unlock the second unit 4 relative to the first unit 3 by sliding the lock release portion 8a in the -X direction, and open the second unit 4.

[0026] The third unit 5 can rotate about a frame rotation axis 64a relative to the first unit 3 and the second unit 4 (see FIG. 3). By rotating the third unit 5 relative to the first unit 3 and the second unit 4, a part of the document transport path can be exposed as shown in FIG. 3. In particular, the reverse transport path R3, which will be described later, can be exposed.

[0027] The device main body 2 is rotatable around a main body rotation axis 6c (see FIGS. 7 and 8) relative to the main body support part 6, and in this embodiment, the device main body 2 can hold two postures by rotating. The two postures of the device main body 2 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and hereinafter the posture in FIG. 5 will be referred to as the normal reading posture, and the posture in FIG. 6 will be referred to as the booklet reading posture. The normal reading posture is an example of the first posture of the device main body 2, and the booklet reading posture is an example of the second posture of the device main body 2.

[0028] 5 and 6 are angles formed between a reading conveyance path R2 (described later) and the device's placement surface G. The angle α2 in the booklet reading position is smaller than the angle α1 in the normal reading position. In the normal reading position, the projection area of ​​the device body 2 onto the placement surface G on which the scanner 1 is placed is the smallest, that is, the footprint of the device body 2 is the smallest. In this specification, the footprint refers to the area occupied by the device body 2 in the XY plane when the device body 2 is viewed from above. The normal reading position is suitable for reading sheet-like documents, i.e., documents that have low rigidity and are easily bent, while the booklet reading position is suitable for reading documents that have high rigidity and are not easily bent, such as plastic cards or booklets.

[0029] An operation unit 7 consisting of a number of operation buttons including a power button is provided on the front of the device. 2, a first connection portion 71, a second connection portion 72, and a third connection portion 73 are provided on the side surface in the +X direction among the side surfaces that form the periphery of the device. The first connection portion 71 is a connection portion to which a USB Type-A plug (not shown), which is an example of a connection object, is connected. The second connection portion 72 is a connection portion to which a USB Type-C plug (not shown), which is an example of a connection object, is connected. The third connection portion 73 is a connection portion to which a power plug (not shown) for supplying power to the device main body 2 is connected. Note that USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus, and Type-A and Type-C are each one of several types defined in the USB standard.

[0030] An external device can be connected via a USB cable (not shown), and a storage medium, such as a USB memory (not shown), can also be connected to the first connection unit 71. The control unit 80 (see FIG. 12) can then save the read data in the storage medium connected to the first connection unit 71. Furthermore, an external device can be connected to the second connection section 72 via a USB cable (not shown). The first connection portion 71, the second connection portion 72, and the third connection portion 73 are provided on a circuit board 79 (see FIG. 7) located on the rear side of the device. In this embodiment, the device main body 2 is configured so that it can also receive power from an external device connected to the second connection portion 72.

[0031] Next, the configuration of the document transport path in scanner 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The document to be fed is supported in an inclined position by document support section 11. The symbol P indicates the supported document. When multiple documents are supported on document support section 11, the top document is sent downstream by feed roller 14. Feed roller 14 comes into contact with the top surface of the document supported on document support section 11. The document support section 11 is formed in the upper opening / closing section 10. The upper opening / closing section 10 is rotatable around a rotation axis (not shown), and opens and closes the feed port 13 by rotating. FIG. 1 shows the upper opening / closing section 10 in a closed state, and FIG. 2 shows the upper opening / closing section 10 in an open state. The upper opening / closing section 10 constitutes the first unit 3.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 3, the document support section 11 is provided with a pair of edge guides 12A, 12B that guide the side edges of the document. The pair of edge guides 12A, 12B are provided so as to be slidable in the document width direction (X-axis direction). The pair of edge guides 12A, 12B are provided so as to be interlocked by a rack and pinion mechanism (not shown) so as to move away from or towards each other across the center position in the document width direction. In other words, the scanner 1 employs a so-called center feeding system.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 26, edge guides 12A and 12B are provided with pull-out portions 12c and 12d, respectively. Pull-out portion 12c has protrusion 12e that protrudes outward (in the +X direction) when housed in edge guide 12A. By hooking a finger on protrusion 12e, pull-out portion 12c can be pulled out downstream in the feeding direction, as shown by the change from Fig. 26(A) to Fig. 26(B). Similarly, pull-out portion 12d has protrusion 12f that protrudes outward (in the -X direction) when housed in edge guide 12B. By hooking a finger on protrusion 12f, pull-out portion 12d can be pulled out downstream in the feeding direction, as shown by the change from Fig. 26(A) to Fig. 26(B).

[0034] In this way, edge guides 12A and 12B are provided with pull-out portions 12c and 12d that can be pulled out downstream in the feeding direction, respectively, so that the area for guiding the side edges of the document can be extended downstream in the feeding direction. As a result, the side edges of the document can be guided over a wider area in the feeding direction, and even small documents in the feeding direction can be properly guided, effectively preventing skew during feeding. 1 with drawers 12c and 12d pulled out from edge guides 12A and 12B, respectively, drawers 12c and 12d come into contact with first frame 63 (see FIG. 4) that constitutes the base of first unit 3, and are thereby stored. In other words, a special operation for storing drawers 12c and 12d is no longer necessary, improving usability.

[0035] The feed roller 14 is provided in the second unit 4. When the second unit 4 is closed relative to the first unit 3, the feed roller 14 comes into contact with a separation roller 15, which will be described later. When the second unit 4 is opened relative to the first unit 3, the feed roller 14 moves away from the separation roller 15. The feed roller 14 rotates with power received from a transport motor 50, which will be described later. A separation roller 15 is provided in the first unit 3 at a position facing the feed roller 14. A torque limiter (not shown) applies rotational torque to the separation roller 15, preventing double feeding of documents. Note that a separation pad may be used instead of the separation roller 15. The feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15 are provided at the center position in the document width direction (see FIG. 4).

[0036] Separation roller 15, an example of a separation section disposed opposite feed roller 14, is movable toward and away from feed roller 14, and can be in a separation state in which rotational torque is generated by the action of torque limiter 98 (see FIG. 16), and a non-separation state in which torque limiter 98 is not in operation. Separation switching means 100 (see FIGS. 14 and 17), which will be described later, switches between a separation state in which separation roller 15 separates documents and a non-separation state in which separation roller 15 does not separate documents. Separation switching means 100 also sets separation roller 15 to the separation state when device main body 2 is in the normal reading position, and sets separation roller 15 to the non-separation state when device main body 2 is in the booklet reading position. The separation switching means 100 will be described in detail later.

[0037] A first pair of conveying rollers 16 is provided downstream of the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15. The first pair of conveying rollers 16 is composed of a first lower roller 17 provided in the first unit 3 and a first upper roller 18 provided in the second unit 4. The first upper roller 18 is provided so as to be able to move toward and away from the first lower roller 17, and is pressed against the first lower roller 17 by a pressing member (not shown), for example, a coil spring. Both the first lower roller 17 and the first upper roller 18 rotate by receiving power from a transport motor 50, which will be described later. Two first lower rollers 17 and two first upper rollers 18 are provided, one on each side of the center position in the document width direction (see FIG. 4). When the second unit 4 is closed relative to the first unit 3, the first lower roller 17 and the first upper roller 18 come into contact with each other. When the second unit 4 is opened relative to the first unit 3, the first upper roller 18 moves away from the first lower roller 17.

[0038] A first reading unit 32 and a second reading unit 33 are disposed facing each other downstream of the first transport roller pair 16. The first reading unit 32 is provided in the first unit 3, and the second reading unit 33 is provided in the second unit 4. The first reading unit 32 reads the bottom surface (first side) of the document supported by the document support unit 11, and the second reading unit 33 reads the top surface (second side) of the document supported by the document support unit 11. The second reading unit 33 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat relative to the first reading unit 32, and is pressed toward the first reading unit 32 by a pressing member (not shown), for example, a coil spring. In this embodiment, the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33 are configured by a contact image sensor module (CISM). Reference numeral 32a denotes a contact glass that configures the first reading unit 32, and reference numeral 33a denotes a contact glass that configures the second reading unit 33.

[0039] A second pair of transport rollers 20 is provided downstream of the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33. The second pair of transport rollers 20 is composed of a second lower roller 21 provided in the first unit 3 and a second upper roller 22 provided in the second unit 4. The second upper roller 22 is provided so as to be able to move toward and away from the second lower roller 21, and is pressed against the second lower roller 21 by a pressing member (not shown), for example a coil spring. Both the second lower roller 21 and the second upper roller 22 rotate by receiving power from a transport motor 50, which will be described later. Two second lower rollers 21 and two second upper rollers 22 are provided, one on each side of the center position in the document width direction (see FIG. 4). When the second unit 4 is closed relative to the first unit 3, the second lower roller 21 and the second upper roller 22 come into contact with each other. When the second unit 4 is opened relative to the first unit 3, the second upper roller 22 moves away from the second lower roller 21.

[0040] 5 and 6, the dashed line indicated by the symbol R1 is the document feed path, and the document feed path R1 is from the nip position between the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15 to the nip position of the first transport roller pair 16. Also, the dashed line indicated by the symbol R2 in Figures 5 and 6 is the reading transport path, and the reading transport path R2 is from the nip position of the first transport roller pair 16 to the nip position of the second transport roller pair 20. The reading transport path R2 is a document transport path that faces the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33.

[0041] When the device main body 2 is in the normal reading position shown in Fig. 5, a reverse conveyance path R3 is formed downstream of the reading conveyance path R2, along which the scanned document is reversed upward and discharged. The reverse conveyance path R3 is a document conveyance path downstream of the nip position of the second conveyance roller pair 20, and is a document conveyance path that curves and reverses a document conveyed diagonally downward as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 5, and discharges the document diagonally upward from the first discharge opening 37. When the device main body 2 is in the booklet reading position shown in Fig. 6, a non-reversing conveyance path R4 is formed downstream of the reading conveyance path R2, along which the read document is discharged without being reversed. The non-reversing conveyance path R4 is a document conveyance path downstream of the nip position of the second conveyance roller pair 20, and is a document conveyance path for discharging the document, which is conveyed diagonally downward on the reading conveyance path R2 as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 6, diagonally downward from the second discharge opening 38 without being curved or reversed. The second transport roller pair 20 functions as a discharge roller pair that discharges the document from the non-reverse transport path R4.

[0042] Switching between the reversing conveyance path R3 and the non-reversing conveyance path R4 is performed by a flap 35, which serves as a flap member constituting conveyance path switching means. The flap 35 is rotatable around a flap rotation axis 35a, and by rotating, connects the reversing conveyance path R3 to the reading conveyance path R2, or connects the non-reversing conveyance path R4 to the reading conveyance path R2. Connecting the reversing conveyance path R3 to the reading conveyance path R2 means making the reversing conveyance path R3 available, and making the non-reversing conveyance path R4 unavailable. Similarly, connecting the non-reversing conveyance path R4 to the reading conveyance path R2 means making the non-reversing conveyance path R4 available, and making the reversing conveyance path R3 unavailable.

[0043] In this embodiment, the flap 35 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the change in position of the device body 2. In this embodiment, a first solenoid 86 (see FIG. 12) is used as a configuration for rotating the flap 35 in conjunction with the change in position of the device body 2. A control unit 80 (see FIG. 12), which performs various controls, detects the position of the device body 2 based on a detection signal from a first position detection sensor 87 or a second position detection sensor 88 (described later), and drives the first solenoid 86 based on the detection signal to rotate the flap 35. Note that the means for rotating the flap 35 is not limited to the first solenoid 86, and may be another actuator such as a motor. Alternatively, the flap 35 may be configured to rotate mechanically in conjunction with the position of the device body 2.

[0044] A third conveying roller pair 24 and a fourth conveying roller pair 28 are provided on the reverse conveying path R3. The third transport roller pair 24 is composed of a third drive roller 25 provided in the third unit 5 and a third driven roller 26 provided in the second unit 4. The third driven roller 26 is provided so as to be able to move toward and away from the third drive roller 25, and is pressed toward the third drive roller 25 by a pressing member (not shown), such as a coil spring. The third drive roller 25 is driven by the transport motor 50. The third driven roller 26 is a roller that is rotated by the conveyance motor 50.

[0045] The fourth transport roller pair 28 is composed of a fourth drive roller 29 provided in the third unit 5 and a fourth driven roller 30 provided in the second unit 4. The fourth driven roller 30 is provided so as to be able to move toward and away from the fourth drive roller 29, and is pressed toward the fourth drive roller 29 by a pressing member (not shown), such as a coil spring. The fourth drive roller 29 is driven by the transport motor 50. The fourth driven roller 30 is a roller that is rotated by the conveyor motor 50.

[0046] The third drive roller 25, the third driven roller 26, the fourth drive roller 29, and the fourth driven roller 30 are each provided in pairs so as to sandwich the center position in the document width direction (see FIG. 3). When the third unit 5 is closed relative to the second unit 4, the third drive roller 25 and the third driven roller 26 come into contact, and the fourth drive roller 29 and the fourth driven roller 30 also come into contact. When the third unit 5 is opened relative to the second unit 4, the third drive roller 25 and the third driven roller 26 move apart, and the fourth drive roller 29 and the fourth driven roller 30 also move apart.

[0047] The document conveyed on the reverse conveying path R3 is discharged obliquely upward including a −Y direction component by the fourth conveying roller pair 28, and is supported in an inclined posture by the upper surface 4a of the second unit 4.

[0048] Next, a description will be given of the configuration for rotating the device main body 2. In this embodiment, the device main body 2 rotates and switches its posture using the power of a posture switching motor 40 (see FIGS. 7 to 10) under the control of the control unit 80. The control unit 80 controls the posture switching motor 40 based on input information from an external device 500 connected to the scanner 1.

[0049] Figure 7 shows the device with the rear cover 66 (see Figure 2) removed, which forms the exterior of the rear side. Reference numeral 41 denotes a rotation conversion means that converts the rotation of the attitude-changing motor 40 into the rotation of the device main body 2. The attitude-changing motor 40 and the rotation conversion means 41 are provided closer to the side in the -X direction in the device width direction. "More towards the side in the -X direction in the device width direction" means being located in the -X direction relative to the center position of the device in the X-axis direction.

[0050] The first frame 63 constituting the base of the first unit 3 is provided with two supported portions 63b spaced apart in the X-axis direction. The main body support portion 6 is provided with two main body rotation shafts 6c spaced apart in the X-axis direction. The first frame 63, i.e., the device main body 2, is rotatable about the main body rotation shaft 6c, as the main body rotation shaft 6c passes through the supported portions 63b. The main body rotation shaft 6c is a rotation shaft whose center is parallel to the X-axis direction.

[0051] The position switching motor 40 is provided on the first frame 63. The first frame 63 is shaped to follow the reading transport path R2. The position switching motor 40 is provided on the rear side of the first frame 63, which is provided in an inclined position. In Figure 8, the rotation conversion means 41 is a gear rotatably arranged in the first unit 3, and has a gear 47b that rotates by the power of the posture switching motor 40, and a toothed portion 6b that is fixed to the main body support portion 6 and meshes with the gear 47b. The toothed portion 6b is a toothed portion formed around the main body rotation axis 6c on the standing wall portion 6a. The standing wall portion 6a is a member that constitutes the main body support portion 6.

[0052] More specifically, a worm gear 42 is provided on the rotation shaft of the attitude-switching motor 40, and power is transmitted from the worm gear 42 to a gear 43. The gear 43 is configured integrally with a gear 45 via a shaft 44. The gear 45 transmits power to a first compound gear 46, and the first compound gear 46 transmits power to a second compound gear 47. The gear 47b forms a part of the second compound gear 47.

[0053] The posture-changing motor 40 and the components of the rotation conversion means 41 described above, excluding the tooth portion 6b, are provided in the first unit 3, i.e., the device main body 2. Therefore, when the gear 47b is rotated by the power of the posture-changing motor 40, the device main body 2 rotates and the posture is switched as shown by the change from Figure 9 to Figure 10 or the change from Figure 10 to Figure 9. In this embodiment, the posture switching motor 40 and the components of the rotation conversion means 41 described above, excluding the tooth portion 6b, are provided in the first unit 3, i.e., the device main body 2, and the tooth portion 6b is provided in the device main body support portion 6. However, instead of this, the posture switching motor 40 and the components of the rotation conversion means 41 described above, excluding the tooth portion 6b, may be provided in the device main body support portion 6, and the tooth portion 6b may be provided in the device main body 2.

[0054] The upright wall portion 6a is formed with a first contact portion 6e serving as a first rotation restricting means and a second contact portion 6f serving as a second rotation restricting means. A boss 63a provided on the first frame 63 fits between the first contact portion 6e and the second contact portion 6f. When the device body 2 rotates from the booklet reading position shown in FIG. 10 to the normal reading position shown in FIG. 9, the boss 63a comes into contact with the first contact portion 6e, thereby defining the normal reading position of the device body 2. When the device body 2 rotates from the normal reading position shown in FIG. 9 to the booklet reading position shown in FIG. 10, the boss 63a comes into contact with the second contact portion 6f, thereby defining the booklet reading position of the device body 2.

[0055] When the boss 63a abuts against the first abutment portion 6e, or when the boss 63a abuts against the second abutment portion 6f, the drive current value of the position-switching motor 40 increases. Therefore, the control unit 80 (see FIG. 12) can detect the position of the device body 2 based on the rotation direction of the position-switching motor 40 and the increase in the drive current value. However, in this embodiment, a first position detection sensor 87 and a second position detection sensor 88, which will be described later, are provided, and the control unit 80 can also detect the position of the device body 2 based on the detection signals of these sensors. The normal reading position and the booklet reading position of the device main body 2 are maintained by supplying power to the stopped position switching motor 40 and putting it into a hold state.

[0056] The first position detection sensor 87 is an optical sensor and is provided on the first frame 63, i.e., the device main body 2. When the device main body 2 is in the normal reading position, as shown in Fig. 8, a protrusion 6d provided on the main body support part 6 blocks the optical axis of the first position detection sensor 87. When the device main body 2 rotates from this state toward the booklet reading position, the protrusion 6d moves out of the optical axis of the first position detection sensor 87.

[0057] 11, the second position detection sensor 88 is provided in the second unit 4. A detection target portion 35b is formed on the flap 35, and when the device main body 2 is in the normal reading position, the detection target portion 35b is out of the optical axis of the second position detection sensor 88, as shown in Fig. 11(a). When the device main body 2 rotates from this state toward the booklet reading position, the detection target portion 35b blocks the optical axis of the second position detection sensor 88, as shown in Fig. 11(b). As described above, the control unit 80 can detect the attitude of the device main body 2 based on the detection signal of the first attitude detection sensor 87 and the detection signal of the second attitude detection sensor 88.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the posture of the device main body 2 is switched by the power of the posture switching motor 40, but instead of this, or in addition to this, the posture of the device main body 2 may be switched by the user applying force to the device main body 2. 13 shows a configuration for switching the posture of the device main body 2 by user operation, and reference numeral 6a-1 indicates a standing wall portion provided on the main body support portion 6. A first contact portion 6e and a second contact portion 6f are formed on the standing wall portion 6a-1, and the normal reading posture of the device main body 2 is determined by the boss 63a contacting the first contact portion 6e, and the booklet reading posture of the device main body 2 is determined by the boss 63a contacting the second contact portion 6f.

[0059] A protrusion 61 is provided on the standing wall portion 6a-1. A recess 62 is formed in the first frame 63, and the protrusion 61 fits into the recess 62 to maintain the posture of the device body 2. Note that FIG. 13 shows the normal reading posture, in which the protrusion 61 fits into the hidden recess, maintaining the normal reading posture. The recess (not shown), the recess 62, and the protrusion 61 constitute posture maintaining means 60 that maintains the posture of the device body 2. In a configuration in which the posture of the device body 2 is switched by a user's operation, it is also preferable to provide the device body 2 with a handle portion on which the user can place their hand.

[0060] Next, the control system of the scanner 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 80 controls the feeding, transporting, and discharging of the document, as well as the reading of the document, and performs various other controls of the scanner 1. A signal from the operation unit 7 is input to the control unit 80.

[0061] The control unit 80 controls the transport motor 50 and the attitude switching motor 40. In this embodiment, each motor is a DC motor. The control unit 80 receives the read data from the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33, and also transmits signals for controlling each reading unit from the control unit 80 to each reading unit. The control unit 80 also receives signals from the detection means, namely, the placement detection unit 92, the double feed detection unit 91, the first document detection unit 93, the second document detection unit 94, the first posture detection sensor 87, the second posture detection sensor 88, the first rotation detection unit 89, and the second rotation detection unit 90.

[0062] The first rotation detection unit 89 is a detection unit provided at the end of the device main body 2 in the -X direction as shown in Figure 7, and the control unit 80 can grasp the amount of rotation of each roller provided in the document transport path by detecting the amount of rotation of the transport motor 50 using the first rotation detection unit 89. The first rotation detection unit 89 is a rotary encoder that includes a rotary disk 89a and a detection unit 89b.

[0063] 8, the second rotation detection unit 90 is a rotary encoder equipped with a detection unit 89b and a rotating disk 90a provided on the rotation shaft 40a of the attitude-changing motor 40. The control unit 80 can grasp the rotation direction and amount of the attitude-changing motor 40 by detecting the rotation amount of the attitude-changing motor 40 using the second rotation detection unit 90.

[0064] Returning to Fig. 12, the control unit 80 includes a CPU 81, a flash ROM 82, and a RAM 83. The CPU 81 performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with programs stored in the flash ROM 82, and controls the overall operation of the scanner 1. The flash ROM 82, which is an example of a storage means, is a non-volatile memory that can be read and written. Various pieces of information are temporarily stored in the RAM 83, which is also an example of a storage means. The interface 84 included in the control unit 80 is made up of the first connection unit 71 and the second connection unit 72 described with reference to Fig. 2. The control unit 80 transmits and receives data to and from the external device 500 via this interface 84.

[0065] Next, the other detection units will be described. The placement detector 92 is a detector provided upstream of the feed roller 14. The control unit 80 can detect the presence or absence of a document on the document support unit 11 based on a signal transmitted from the placement detector 92. The first document detection unit 93 is a detection unit provided between the feed roller 14 and the first transport roller pair 16. The control unit 80 can detect the passage of the leading or trailing end of the document at the detection position based on a signal transmitted from the first document detection unit 93.

[0066] The multi-feed detection unit 91 is a detection unit provided between the feed roller 14 and the first transport roller pair 16, and is composed of an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver arranged opposite each other across the document feed path R1. The control unit 80 can detect a multi-feed of documents based on a signal transmitted from the multi-feed detection unit 91. The second document detection unit 94 is a detection unit provided between the first conveying roller pair 16 and the first and second reading units 32 and 33, and the control unit 80 can detect the passage of the leading or trailing end of the document at the detection position based on the signal transmitted from the second document detection unit 94.

[0067] Next, an example of processing performed by the control unit 80 will be described with reference to FIG. 25. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing processing by the control unit 80 when switching the attitude of the device body 2. In FIG. 25, when the control unit 80 receives an instruction to read an original (Yes in step S101), it determines whether or not it is necessary to switch the attitude of the device body 2 (step S102). Here, it is assumed that the instruction to read an original is received from the external device 500 (see FIG. 12), for example. The type of original to be read can be set in the external device 500, and the control unit 80 sets the attitude of the device body 2 to the booklet reading attitude when the type of original to be read is a card-shaped original or a booklet-shaped original, and sets the attitude of the device body 2 to the normal reading attitude when the type of original to be read is a sheet-shaped original.

[0068] In step S102, the acquired document type is compared with the current posture of the device body 2 to determine whether or not to switch the posture of the device body 2. As a result, if posture switching is not required (No in step S102), the document is read without posture switching control (step S106). If posture switching is required (Yes in step S102), the control unit 80 switches the posture of the device body 2 to the booklet reading posture based on the target posture (step S103) if the target posture is the booklet reading posture (step S104), and also switches the document transport path to the non-reverse transport path R4 (step S105). Note that steps S104 and S105 may be executed simultaneously. Then, the document is read (step S106).

[0069] Based on the target posture (step S103), if the target posture is the normal reading posture, the control unit 80 switches the posture of the device main body 2 to the normal reading posture (step S107), and also switches the document transport path to the reverse transport path R3 (step S108). Note that steps S107 and S108 may be executed simultaneously. Then, the document is read (step S106). Furthermore, it is also preferable to enable the detection information of the multi-feed detection unit 91 when the device main body 2 is in the normal reading position, and to disable the detection information of the multi-feed detection unit 91 when the device main body 2 is in the booklet reading position.

[0070] As described above, the scanner 1 comprises a main body support part 6 that is placed on the device's placement surface G, and a device main body 2 that is supported by the main body support part 6. The device main body 2 comprises a document transport path for transporting documents, which is a reading transport path R2 that faces the first reading unit 32 and second reading unit 33 that read the documents, a reversing transport path R3 that is a document transport path downstream of the reading transport path R2 and through which the scanned document is turned upside down and discharged, and a non-reversing transport path R4 that is a document transport path downstream of the reading transport path R2 and through which the scanned document is discharged without being reversed. The device main body 2 also comprises a flap 35 that switches the document transport path connected to the reading transport path R2 between the reversing transport path R3 and the non-reversing transport path R4. The device main body 2 is rotatably attached to the main body support part 6, and by rotating it can be switched between a normal reading position (Fig. 5) and a booklet reading position (Fig. 6) in which the angle that the reading conveying path R2 forms with the placement surface G is smaller than that in the normal reading position. The flap 35 connects the reading conveying path R2 to the reversing conveying path R3 when the device main body 2 is in the normal reading position, and connects the reading conveying path R2 to the non-reversing conveying path R4 when the device main body 2 is in the booklet reading position.

[0071] By using the non-reversing conveying path R4, the scanner 1 can effectively convey documents that are difficult to bend. Examples of documents that are difficult to bend include booklets and cards. The flap 35 connects the reading conveying path R2 to the reversing conveying path R3 when the device body 2 is in the normal reading position, and connects the reading conveying path R2 to the non-reversing conveying path R4 when the device body 2 is in the booklet reading position. This allows the document to be discharged in a direction along the loading surface G, compared to when the document is discharged using the non-reversing conveying path R4 in the normal reading position. As a result, larger documents can be discharged compared to when the document is discharged using the non-reversing conveying path R4 in the normal reading position. Furthermore, by placing the device main body 2 in the normal reading position, the angle formed between the reading transport path R2 and the placement surface G can be made larger than in the booklet reading position, and the footprint of the device main body 2 can be reduced.

[0072] The posture of the device main body 2 may also be switched using a button constituting the operation unit 7. For example, if one of the buttons constituting the operation unit 7 is assigned as a posture switching button, and if the user presses the posture switching button when the current posture is the normal reading posture, the control unit 80 executes steps S104 and S105. Also, if the user presses the posture switching button when the current posture is the booklet reading posture, the control unit 80 controls the posture switching motor 40 to execute steps S107 and S108.

[0073] Of course, as described above, the position of the device main body 2 may be changed by the user applying force to the device main body 2. In this case, when the control unit 80 detects that the position of the device main body 2 has been changed from the normal reading position to the booklet reading position, it executes steps S104 and S105. Alternatively, when the control unit 80 detects that the position of the device main body 2 has been changed from the booklet reading position to the normal reading position, it executes steps S107 and S108.

[0074] Next, the separation switching means 100 for switching the separation roller 15 between the separation state and the non-separation state will be described. 7 and 14, the separation switching means 100 is provided in the -Y direction with respect to the first frame 63, i.e., on the back surface of the first frame 63. Regardless of the attitude of the device main body 2, the separation switching means 100 does not protrude in the -Y direction from the top of the first frame 63 in the +Z direction, and is contained within an area formed on the back surface of the first frame 63. The separation switching means 100 is located between the separation roller 15 and the rotation conversion means 41 in the X-axis direction. A part of the separation switching means 100 and a part of the rotation conversion means 41 are at the same position in the Y-axis direction.

[0075] The separation roller 15 is rotatably mounted on a roller holder 97 as shown in FIG. 16. A shaft 97a is integrally formed with the roller holder 97 as shown in FIG. 15. The shaft 97a has an axial centerline parallel to the X-axis direction. The shaft 97a is journaled to a bearing 63g formed on the first frame 63. This allows the roller holder 97 to swing around the shaft 97a, i.e., the separation roller 15 can advance and retreat relative to the feed roller 14. The roller holder 97 is pressed in the direction in which the separation roller 15 advances toward the feed roller 14 by a pressing means (not shown), such as a torsion spring.

[0076] As shown in Figure 16, a torque limiter 98, which is an example of a resistance applying unit that applies rotational resistance to the separation roller 15, is rotatably provided on the roller holder 97. The center line of the rotation axis of the torque limiter 98 is parallel to the X-axis direction. The separation roller 15 is provided relative to the torque limiter 98, and when the rotation of the torque limiter 98 is restricted, the separation roller 15 receives rotational torque from the torque limiter 98. In other words, the separation roller 15 enters a separation state in which it separates documents. When the rotation of the torque limiter 98 is not restricted, the separation roller 15 rotates together with the torque limiter 98 and does not receive rotational torque from the torque limiter 98. In other words, a non-separation state is entered in which no document separation is performed. The separation switching means 100 according to this embodiment switches between a separation state and a non-separation state of the separation roller 15 by switching between a state in which the rotation of the torque limiter 98 in the roller holder 97 is restricted and a state in which the rotation is not restricted.

[0077] A shaft portion 98a is formed on the torque limiter 98, and a first gear 99 is fixedly provided on this shaft portion 98a. In other words, the first gear 99 and the torque limiter 98 do not rotate relative to each other. A shaft portion 97b is formed on the roller holder 97, and a second gear 107 is provided on this shaft portion 97b. The second gear 107 is rotatable with respect to the shaft portion 97b. The second gear 107 is in mesh with the first gear 99.

[0078] 17, the separation switching means 100 includes a connecting shaft 106. The connecting shaft 106 has an axial centerline parallel to the X-axis direction, and is rotatably provided with respect to a bearing portion (not shown) formed on the first frame 63. A third gear 108 is fixedly provided to the end of the connecting shaft 106 in the X direction. In other words, the third gear 108 and the connecting shaft 106 do not rotate relative to each other. The second gear 107 and the third gear 108 constitute the second mechanism section 102 .

[0079] A fourth gear 109 is fixedly provided at the end of the connecting shaft 106 in the −X direction. That is, the fourth gear 109 and the connecting shaft 106 do not rotate relative to each other. A rotation restricting member 110 is provided below the fourth gear 109. The rotation restricting member 110 is provided rotatably with respect to a shaft portion 105b formed on the guide member 105. The guide member 105 is a member fixed to the first frame 63 by a fixing means (not shown).

[0080] A toothed portion 110a is formed on the rotation restricting member 110. The toothed portion 110a switches between a state in which it meshes with the fourth gear 109 (FIGS. 17 and 18) and a state in which it is separated from the fourth gear 109 (FIGS. 19 and 20) as the rotation restricting member 110 rotates. A boss 110b that protrudes in the −X direction is formed on the rotation restricting member 110. The boss 110b is loosely inserted into a hole 103a formed in the link member 103.

[0081] The link member 103 is a rod-shaped member that is slidably provided relative to the guide member 105, and its lower end is in contact with a cam portion 6h formed on the main body support portion 6. The link member 103 is pressed toward the cam portion 6h by a compression coil spring 104, which is an example of a pressing member. Reference numeral 105a denotes a spring holding portion formed on the guide member 105. Since the link member 103 slides relative to the guide member 105, the rotation restricting member 110 rotates due to the sliding movement of the link member 103. In other words, the linear movement of the link member 103 is converted into the rotational movement of the rotation restricting member 110. The fourth gear 109, the rotation restricting member 110, the guide member 105, the link member 103, the compression coil spring 104, and the cam portion 6h constitute a first mechanism portion 101.

[0082] When the device main body 2 is in the normal reading position, the teeth 110a of the rotation restricting member 110 mesh with the fourth gear 109, as shown in Figures 17 and 18. This restricts the rotation of the fourth gear 109, which in turn restricts the rotation of the connecting shaft 106, the third gear 108, the second gear 107, and the first gear 99, and restricts the rotation of the torque limiter 98. In other words, the separation roller 15 is in a separation state.

[0083] When the device body 2 changes its position from this state to the booklet reading position, the lower end of the link member 103 changes its position where it contacts the cam portion 6h. The cam portion 6h is formed so that it is higher in the +Y direction than in the -Y direction, and when the device body 2 changes its position to the booklet reading position, the lower end of the link member 103 moves in the +Y direction relative to the cam portion 6h (see FIG. 20). This causes the link member 103 to slide upward, causing the rotation restriction member 110 to rotate and separating the tooth portion 110a from the fourth gear 109. This allows the fourth gear 109 to rotate, which in turn allows the connecting shaft 106, the third gear 108, the second gear 107, and the first gear 99 to rotate, and therefore allows the torque limiter 98 to rotate. In other words, the separation roller 15 enters a non-separation state.

[0084] When the device main body 2 is switched from a state in which the device main body 2 is in the booklet reading position and the separation roller 15 is in the non-separating state (FIGS. 19 and 20) to the normal reading position, the lower end of the link member 103 moves in the -Y direction relative to the cam portion 6h. This causes the link member 103 to slide downward, causing the rotation restriction member 110 to rotate and the tooth portion 110a to mesh with the fourth gear 109. This restricts the rotation of the fourth gear 109, which in turn restricts the rotation of the connecting shaft 106, the third gear 108, the second gear 107, and the first gear 99, and therefore restricts the rotation of the torque limiter 98. In other words, the separation roller 15 enters the separation state.

[0085] As described above, the device body 2 of the scanner 1 is rotatably attached to the body support part 6, and by rotating it can be switched between a normal reading position and a booklet reading position in which the angle that the reading transport path R2 forms with the loading surface G is smaller than that in the normal reading position. The device body 2 is provided with separation switching means 100 that can switch between a separation state in which the separation roller 15 separates the document and a non-separation state in which the separation roller 15 does not separate the document. The separation switching means 100 sets the separation roller 15 to the separation state when the device body 2 is in the normal reading position, and sets the separation roller 15 to the non-separation state when the device body 2 is in the booklet reading position. This eliminates the need for the user to perform a dedicated operation to switch the separation roller 15 between the separating state and the non-separating state, improving the ease of use of the device.

[0086] The scanner 1 also includes a torque limiter 98 that applies rotational resistance to the separation roller 15, and the separation switching means 100 establishes a separated state by restricting the rotation of the torque limiter 98 and restricting the co-rotation of the separation roller 15 and the torque limiter 98. The separation switching means 100 also establishes a non-separated state by allowing the torque limiter 98 to rotate and allowing the co-rotation of the separation roller 15 and the torque limiter 98. This allows the separation roller 15 to easily switch between the separated state and the non-separated state.

[0087] The separation switching means 100 is a member that engages with a cam portion 6h formed on the main body support portion 6, and includes a link member 103 that is slidable in the device main body 2, and a compression coil spring 104 that presses the link member 103 toward the cam portion 6h. The cam portion 6h has a shape that allows the link member 103 to slide as the device main body 2 rotates. The link member 103 slides as the device main body 2 rotates, thereby switching between a separated state in which rotation of the torque limiter 98 is restricted, and a non-separated state in which rotation of the torque limiter 98 is permitted. This allows the separation switching means 100 to be realized with a simple configuration.

[0088] Furthermore, the torque limiter 98 is provided with a first gear 99, and the separation switching means 100 includes a first mechanism unit 101 including a link member 103, a second mechanism unit 102 that engages with the first gear 99, and a connecting shaft 106 that is a rotatable shaft that extends along the rotational axis direction of the torque limiter 98 and connects the first mechanism unit 101 and the second mechanism unit 102. Because the first mechanism unit 101 and the second mechanism unit 102 are configured to be connected by the connecting shaft 106 in this way, the first mechanism unit 101 and the second mechanism unit 102 can be disposed apart from each other, improving the degree of freedom in designing the device.

[0089] The second mechanism 102 also includes a second gear 107 that meshes with the first gear 99, and a third gear 108 that meshes with the second gear 107 and is provided at one end of the connecting shaft 106. The first mechanism 101 also includes a fourth gear 109 that is provided at the other end of the connecting shaft 106, and a rotation restriction member 110 that is a member having a toothed portion 110a that can mesh with the fourth gear 109, and that engages with the link member 103 and rotates as the link member 103 slides, causing the toothed portion 110a to advance and retreat relative to the fourth gear 109. When the tooth portion 110a meshes with the fourth gear 109, the rotation of the torque limiter 98 is restricted, resulting in a separated state, and when the tooth portion 110a separates from the fourth gear 109, the rotation of the torque limiter 98 is permitted, resulting in a non-separated state.

[0090] Furthermore, the first frame 63 that constitutes the base of the device main body 2 has a shape that follows the direction in which the reading transport path R2 extends, and the separation switching means 100 is disposed in an area formed below the first frame 63. In this way, by utilizing the area formed below the first frame 63 to dispose the separation switching means 100, it is possible to prevent the device from becoming too large.

[0091] The separation switching means 100 described above can also be modified as follows. A separation switching means 100A according to a second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 21 to 24. Note that in Figures 21 to 24, the same components as those already described are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be avoided below. The separation switching means 100A has a first mechanism section 101A and a second mechanism section 102A, and the first mechanism section 101A and the second mechanism section 102A are connected by a connecting shaft 106. The second mechanism unit 102A includes a rotation restriction member 113 and a rotating cam 112. The first mechanism unit 101A includes a first rotating member 115, a second rotating member 116, a guide member 105, a link member 103, a compression coil spring 104, and a cam unit 6h.

[0092] 21 and 22, a rotation restricting member 113 is provided below the first gear 99. The rotation restricting member 113 is provided displaceable along a guide groove 63h formed in the first frame 63, and moves forward and backward relative to the first gear 99 by being displaced along the guide groove 63h. The rotation restricting member 113 is formed with teeth 113a, and by displacing the rotation restricting member 113, the teeth 113a can be switched between a state in which they mesh with the first gear 99 and a state in which they are separated from the first gear 99. When the toothed portion 113a meshes with the first gear 99, the rotation of the first gear 99 is restricted, and the separation roller 15 is in a separated state. When the toothed portion 113a separates from the first gear 99, the rotation of the first gear 99 is permitted, and the separation roller 15 is in a non-separated state.

[0093] An elongated hole 113b is formed in the rotation restricting member 113 along the displacement direction of the rotation restricting member 113, and the connecting shaft 106 is passed through this elongated hole 113b. As shown in Figure 22, a first cam follower 113c and a second cam follower 113d are formed on the +X direction surface of the rotation restricting member 113, and the rotating cam 112 faces these cam followers.

[0094] The rotating cam 112 is fixed to one end of the connecting shaft 106. That is, the rotating cam 112 and the connecting shaft 106 do not rotate relative to each other. The rotating cam 112 has a first cam portion 112a and a second cam portion 112b that protrude in the radial direction.

[0095] A first rotating member 115 is fixedly provided at the end of the connecting shaft 106 in the -X direction. That is, the first rotating member 115 and the connecting shaft 106 do not rotate relative to each other. A second rotating member 116 is rotatably provided on the shaft portion 105b of the guide member 105. A boss 116b is formed on the second rotating member 116, and the boss 116b is loosely inserted into a hole 103a formed in the link member 103. Therefore, the sliding movement of the link member 103 rotates the second rotating member 116.

[0096] The second rotating member 116 is formed with teeth 116 a , which mesh with teeth 115 a formed on the first rotating member 115 . With this configuration, when the second rotating member 116 rotates due to the sliding of the link member 103, the first rotating member 115, the connecting shaft 106, and the rotating cam 112 rotate.

[0097] When the device main body 2 is in the normal reading position, the teeth 113a of the rotation restriction member 113 mesh with the first gear 99, as shown in Figures 21 and 22. This state is maintained by the first cam portion 112a of the rotating cam 112 pushing up the first cam follower 113c of the rotation restriction member 113. As a result, the rotation of the torque limiter 98 is restricted, and the separation roller 15 is in the separation state.

[0098] When the device main body 2 changes its position from this state to the booklet reading position, the link member 103 is pushed up by the cam portion 6h, as in the first embodiment described above. This causes the second rotating member 116, the first rotating member 115, the connecting shaft 106, and the rotating cam 112 to rotate from the states shown in Figures 21 and 22 to the states shown in Figures 23 and 24. The rotation direction of the rotating cam 112 at this time is counterclockwise in Figure 22. When the rotating cam 112 rotates counterclockwise from the state in Fig. 22, the second cam portion 112b presses down the second cam follower 113d, as shown by the change from Fig. 22 to Fig. 24. This causes the rotation restricting member 113 to move away from the first gear 99, i.e., the engagement between the tooth portion 113a and the first gear 99 is released, allowing the torque limiter 98 to rotate. In other words, the separation roller 15 enters a non-separating state.

[0099] When the device main body 2 is switched from a state in which the device main body 2 is in the booklet reading position and the separation roller 15 is in the non-separating state to a normal reading position, the link member 103 slides downward, the rotating cam 112 rotates clockwise from the state in Figure 24, the first cam portion 112a pushes up the rotation restriction member 113, and the tooth portion 113a meshes with the first gear 99. This restricts the rotation of the torque limiter 98, and the separation roller 15 enters the separating state.

[0100] As described above, in the second embodiment, the second mechanism unit 102A includes the rotation restricting member 113, which is a member having teeth 113a that mesh with the first gear 99 and is movable forward and backward relative to the first gear 99, and the rotation cam 112, which is a rotating cam provided on one end of the connecting shaft 106 and which switches between a state in which the rotation restricting member 113 advances toward the first gear 99 and a state in which the rotation restricting member 113 retreats from the first gear 99 by rotating. The first mechanism unit 101A is configured to rotate the connecting shaft 106 by rotating in accordance with the sliding of the link member 103. In the first embodiment, the rotation restricting member 113 directly restricts the rotation of the first gear 99, so that backlash in the meshing of the gears can be suppressed, and since there is no torsion of the connecting shaft 106, the separation state of the separation roller 15 can be appropriately formed.

[0101] In each of the above embodiments, the display means of the external device 500 (see FIG. 12) or, if the scanner 1 is equipped with a display means, the display means may be used to display whether the separation roller 15 is in the separation state or the non-separation state. At that time, the display means may also be used to display whether the device main body 2 is in the normal reading position or the booklet reading position.

[0102] Next, the peripheral configuration of the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 27 onwards and other figures as necessary. 27, a guide member 151, a set guide 153, a set flap 155, and a pressing lever 157 are provided around the separation roller 15. The set guide 153 is an example of a path forming member, and the pressing lever 157 is an example of a pressing member.

[0103] A recess 63m (see Figure 28) is formed in the first frame 63 upstream in the feeding direction and at the center in the X-axis direction, and a separation roller 15, a guide member 151, a set guide 153, a set flap 155, and a pressing lever 157 are provided in this recess 63m. The guide member 151 is a frame-shaped member, and inside thereof, the separation roller 15, the set guide 153, the set flap 155, and the pressing lever 157 are arranged. The guide member 151 is detachably attached to the first frame 63 by a snap-fit ​​structure (not shown), and when attached, forms part of the document feed path.

[0104] As shown in Fig. 31, the set guide 153 has a rotation shaft 153a on both sides in the X-axis direction. As shown in Fig. 29, bearing portions 151a are formed in the guide member 151 on both sides in the X-axis direction, and the rotation shaft 153a of the set guide 153 is rotatably supported by the bearing portions 151a. Note that, as shown in Fig. 28, the recess 63m of the first frame 63 is formed with restriction portions 63j on both sides in the X-axis direction, and when the guide member 151 is attached to the first frame 63, movement of the rotation shaft 153a of the set guide 153 in the feed direction is restricted by the restriction portions 63j.

[0105] Second springs 161, which are an example of second pressing portions, are provided on both sides of the set guide 153 in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the second springs 161 are torsion coil springs, and generate a pressing force between the guide member 151 and the set guide 153. The set guide 153 is pressed by the second springs 161 in a rotation direction (clockwise in FIG. 33 ) around the rotation shaft 153a such that the downstream side in the feeding direction faces the feed roller 14.

[0106] As shown in Figures 29 and 31, abutment portions 153j are formed on both sides of the set guide 153 in the X-axis direction, and when these abutment portions 153j abut on the underside of the guide member 151, rotation of the set guide 153 (clockwise rotation in Figure 33) is restricted. 4, when the second unit 4 is open relative to the first unit 3, the contact portion 153j contacts the underside of the guide member 151. When the second unit 4 is closed relative to the first unit 3 from this state, the feed roller 14 contacts the long ribs 153c and 153d of the set guide 153, causing the set guide 153 to rotate a predetermined amount counterclockwise in FIG. 33. In this state, the contact portion 153j is separated from the underside of the guide member 151.

[0107] A plurality of ribs extending in the document feed direction are formed at predetermined intervals in the X-axis direction on the set guide 153. These ribs are made up of long ribs 153b, 153c, 153d, and 153e, and four short ribs 153f that are shorter in length in the document feed direction than the long ribs. Two short ribs 153f are formed between the long ribs 153b and 153c, and between the long ribs 153d and 153e.

[0108] 30, a line CL passes through the center of the document in the X-axis direction and is parallel to the document feed direction, and multiple ribs are arranged symmetrically with respect to the line CL. Specifically, long ribs 153b and 153e are arranged symmetrically with respect to the line CL, and long ribs 153c and 153d are arranged symmetrically with respect to the line CL. Furthermore, two short ribs 153f located in the +X direction and two short ribs 153f located in the -X direction with respect to the line CL are arranged symmetrically with respect to the line CL. The ribs do not necessarily have to be arranged symmetrically with respect to the line CL.

[0109] The long ribs 153c and 153d are formed in positions where they can come into contact with the cylindrical portion 98b that forms the outer periphery of the torque limiter 98 (see Figure 16), and are configured so that the long ribs 153c and 153d can come into contact with the cylindrical portion 98b when the set guide 153 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 33.

[0110] As shown in Fig. 31, two shafts 153h are formed on the set guide 153, and a pressing lever 157 is journaled on the shafts 153h as shown in Fig. 29. Reference numeral 157a denotes a shaft fitting portion that fits with the shafts 153h of the pressing lever 157. In this embodiment, the rotation center position of the pressing lever 157 and the rotation center position of the set guide 153 coincide with each other. The rotation center position of the pressing lever 157 and the rotation center position of the set guide 153 may be configured to be different from each other. A first spring 162, which is an example of a first pressing portion, is provided adjacent to the pressing lever 157. In this embodiment, the first spring 162 is a torsion coil spring, and generates a pressing force between the pressing lever 157 and the set guide 153. The pressing lever 157 is pressed by the first spring 162 in a rotation direction (clockwise in FIG. 33 ) around the shaft portion 153h such that the downstream side in the feeding direction faces the feed roller 14. That is, the tip portion 157b of the pressing lever 157 is pressed by the first spring 162 in a direction facing the feed roller 14.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 33, a restricting portion 153k is formed on the set guide 153, and when the pressing lever 157 abuts against the restricting portion 153k, the rotation of the pressing lever 157 (clockwise rotation in FIG. 33) is restricted. 4, when the second unit 4 is open relative to the first unit 3, the pressing lever 157 abuts against the regulating portion 153k. When the second unit 4 is closed relative to the first unit 3 from this state, the feed roller 14 abuts against the pressing lever 157, causing the pressing lever 157 to rotate a predetermined amount counterclockwise in FIG. 33. The regulating portion 153k regulates the rotation limit of the pressing lever 157 when the second unit 4 is open, allowing the pressing lever 157 to rotate appropriately when the second unit 4 is closed. In this state, the pressing lever 157 is slightly separated from the regulating portion 153k as shown in FIG. 33.

[0112] 28, 29, and 30, one of the two pressing levers 157 protrudes toward the document feed path from between the long rib 153c in the set guide 153 and the short rib 153f located in the +X direction relative to the long rib 153c. The other of the two pressing levers 157 protrudes toward the document feed path from between the long rib 153d in the set guide 153 and the short rib 153f located in the -X direction relative to the long rib 153d. 30, the two pressing levers 157 are arranged at positions that are symmetrical with respect to the line CL. The two pressing levers 157 can rotate independently. The two pressing levers 157 are located within the area of ​​the feed roller 14 in the X-axis direction and at both ends of the feed roller 14.

[0113] Next, set flaps 155 are arranged between the long rib 153b of the set guide 153 and the short rib 153f adjacent to the long rib 153b, and between the long rib 153e and the short rib 153f adjacent to the long rib 153e. As shown in FIG. 32, the two set flaps 155 are provided on a substantially shaft-shaped base 155a extending in the X-axis direction, and rotate together. Shafts 155b are formed on both sides of the base 155a in the X-axis direction, and the shafts 155b serve as the rotation axes of the set flap 155. The shafts 155b are rotatably supported by bearings 63k formed in the recesses 63m of the first frame 63, as shown in FIG.

[0114] In Figure 32, a cam follower portion 155c is formed in the +X direction relative to a shaft portion 155b in the +X direction. A set flap cam 163 is provided so as to be able to abut against the cam follower portion 155c. The set flap cam 163 is fixed to the -X direction end of a shaft 165, and a gear 166 is provided at the +X direction end of the shaft 165 via a one-way clutch 167. The driving force of the conveyance motor 50 (see Figure 12) is transmitted to the gear 166, and the gear 166 rotates as the conveyance motor 50 rotates. The power of the conveyance motor 50 is transmitted to the shaft 165 via the gear 166 and the one-way clutch 167.

[0115] The set flap cam 163 is provided with a spring 164. The spring 164 applies a pressing force to a spring hook (not shown) and the set flap cam 163, so that a pressing force acts on the set flap cam 163, that is, the shaft 165, in the direction of arrow Rc. Figure 32 shows the state of Figure 33, i.e., the feeding standby state, in which the cam follower portion 155c abuts against the set flap cam 163, and the set flap 155 blocks the document feeding path as shown in Figure 33. In this state, the leading edge of the document to be set abuts against the set flap 155, and the document is prevented from entering between the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15. In this state, the rotation of the set flap cam 163, i.e., the shaft 165, in the direction of the arrow Rc is restricted by the action of the one-way clutch 167. The gear 166 is stopped by the load on the power transmission path between the gear 166 and the conveyance motor 50.

[0116] From this state, when the transport motor 50 rotates forward and the gear 166 rotates in the direction of the arrow Ra, the shaft 165 rotates in the direction of the arrow Rc due to the pressing force of the spring 164, that is, the set flap cam 163 rotates in the direction of the arrow Rc. As a result, the set flap cam 163 disengages from the cam follower portion 155c, and the set flap 155 rotates in the direction of the arrow Rf, and the set flap 155 retracts from the document feed path as shown by reference numeral 155-1 in Figure 33. When the set flap 155 retracts from the document feed path, the set document can move toward between the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15. When the transport motor 50 rotates forward, the rollers provided in the document transport path rotate in a direction that transports the document downstream. At this time, the gear 166 in Figure 32 continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow Ra, but the torque of the transport motor 50 is not transmitted to the shaft 165 due to the action of the one-way clutch 167.

[0117] When the transport motor 50 rotates in the reverse direction while the set flap 155 is retracted from the document feed path, the gear 166 rotates in the direction of the arrow Rb in Fig. 32. When the gear 166 rotates in the direction of the arrow Rb, the torque in the direction of the arrow Rd is transmitted to the shaft 165 by the action of the one-way clutch 167. As a result, the shaft 165, i.e., the set flap cam 163, rotates in the direction of the arrow Rd against the pressing force of the spring 164, pushing up the cam follower portion 155c, and the set flap 155 rotates in the direction of the arrow Re, returning to the state shown in Fig. 32.

[0118] The above is the configuration around the separation roller 15, and the set guide 153 will be further described below. As mentioned above, Figure 33 shows the feeding standby state, and also shows a state in which no original document is set. Reference symbol T1 is the contact position between the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15, and is the contact position when it is assumed that neither roller is elastically deformed. Reference symbol T2 is the contact position between the set guide 153 and the feed roller 14, and reference symbol T3 is the contact position between the tip 157b of the pressing lever 157 and the feed roller 14. As shown in the figure, contact position T2 is located upstream of contact position T1 in the feeding direction, and contact position T3 is located upstream of contact position T2 in the feeding direction. The symbol Sa denotes a path forming surface formed by the upper surface of the first frame 63.

[0119] 34 and 35, the set flap 155 and the pressing lever 157 are omitted to avoid complication. Figure 34(A) is a view corresponding to Figure 33, and in this feeding standby state, a gap d is formed between the long ribs 153c, 153d of the set guide 153 and the cylindrical portion 98b. In addition, because the set guide 153 advances relative to the feed roller 14, it narrows the document feeding path R1 toward the contact position T1. When the thickness of the document to be set exceeds a predetermined thickness, the gap d disappears in the set guide 153, and the cylindrical portion 98b, i.e., the separation roller 15, is pushed down by the long rib 153d as shown in Figure 34(B). This separates the separation roller 15 from the feed roller 14. This is the relationship between the set guide 153 and the separation roller 15.

[0120] 35(A) shows a state in which a plurality of sheet-like documents Pt are placed. In this state, the long ribs 153c and 153d are spaced apart from the cylindrical portion 98b and do not press down on the separation roller 15. For example, if the thickness of the stack of sheet-like documents Pt is less than 2 mm, the long ribs 153c and 153d do not come into contact with the cylindrical portion 98b. In this state, the upper surface 153p of the set guide 153 applies a preliminary separation action to the leading edge of the documents Pt. The upper surface 153p of the set guide 153 is formed by the upper surface of the entire set guide 153, including the long ribs 153b, 153c, 153d, and 153e and the short rib 153f described above.

[0121] 35(B) shows the state in which a booklet-shaped document Pb has been placed and then fed. In the process of reaching this state, the booklet-shaped document Pb pushes down the set guide 153, causing the long ribs 153c and 153d to come into contact with the cylindrical portion 98b and push down the separation roller 15, forming a gap between the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15. For example, if the thickness of the booklet-shaped document Pb is 2 mm or more, the long ribs 153c and 153d will come into contact with the cylindrical portion 98b. When the booklet-shaped document Pb is transported by the feed roller 14, the booklet-shaped document Pb presses down on the separation roller 15. When the booklet-shaped document Pb is nipped between the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15 and transported, it is preferable that the long ribs 153c and 153d are spaced apart from the cylindrical portion 98b as shown in Figure 35(B). Because the separation roller 15 is not pressed down by the set guide 153, the separation roller 15 can stably nip the booklet-shaped document Pb between itself and the feed roller 14.

[0122] As described above, the scanner 1 or document feeder 150 is provided with a set guide 153 upstream in the document feed direction from contact position T1 between the feed roller 14 and separation roller 15. The set guide 153 can move forward and backward relative to the feed roller 14 depending on the thickness of the document, and by advancing relative to the feed roller 14, it narrows the document feed path R1 leading to contact position T1. The set guide 153 can engage with the separation roller 15, and displaces the separation roller 15 in a direction away from the feed roller 14 when the set guide 153 is pressed down in a direction retracting from the feed roller 14 by a document that exceeds a predetermined thickness. In this way, when feeding a document whose thickness exceeds a predetermined thickness, the separation roller 15 is separated from the feed roller 14 in advance before the document enters between the separation roller 15 and the feed roller 14, so that the document whose thickness exceeds the predetermined thickness can be prevented from hitting the separation roller 15 and becoming unable to be fed.

[0123] 35(A), when a plurality of sheet-like documents Pt are supported on the document support section 11, the upper surface of the set guide 153 applies a separating action to the leading edge of the documents Pt. As a result, separation by the set guide 153 is performed before separation of the documents Pt by the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15, so that the documents Pt can be separated more reliably.

[0124] 28 to 30, the set guide 153 is provided with a plurality of ribs (153b, 153c, 153d, 153e, 153f) extending in the document feed direction, and the plurality of ribs are arranged in the width direction (X-axis direction), which is a direction intersecting the document feed direction, so as to be symmetrical with respect to a line CL that passes through the center of the document and is parallel to the document feed direction. As a result, the friction force that the set guide 153 applies to the document is equal on both sides of the line CL in the width direction, thereby preventing the document from skewing.

[0125] Furthermore, in the width direction, straight line CL passes through the center position of feed roller 14 and the center position of separation roller 15, and long ribs 153c and 153d, which are the two ribs closest to a straight line among the multiple ribs, are positioned on either side of separation roller 15 in the width direction and are also positioned within the area of ​​feed roller 14. This makes it possible to appropriately narrow the document feed path toward contact position T1 and appropriately restrict the number of documents heading toward contact position T1. As a result, the separation action of separation roller 15 can be appropriately obtained.

[0126] In this embodiment, the separation section disposed opposite the feed roller 14 is constituted by a rotatable separation roller 15, and the set guide 153 is configured to engage with the separation roller 15 by abutting against a cylindrical portion 98b centered on the center of rotation of the separation roller 15. As described with reference to FIG. 34 , when the thickness of the document is equal to or less than a predetermined thickness, there is a gap d between the set guide 153 and the cylindrical portion 98b, and when the thickness of the document exceeds the predetermined thickness, the set guide 153 abuts against the cylindrical portion 98b, displacing the separation roller 15 in a direction away from the feed roller 14. This allows the separation roller 15 to be reliably separated from the feed roller 14. In this embodiment, the set guide 153 is configured to press down the cylindrical portion 98b that forms the outer periphery of the torque limiter 98, but the set guide 153 may also be configured to press down the rotation shaft of the separation roller 15. In either case, the set guide 153 is configured to indirectly press down the separation roller 15 via another member, but the set guide 153 may also be configured to directly press down the separation roller 15.

[0127] 36, a configuration may be adopted in which the set guide engages with the separation roller 15 by abutting against an abutment portion 97c formed on a roller holder 97 that holds the separation roller 15. In FIG. 36, reference numeral 153A denotes a set guide according to another embodiment, and the set guide 153A includes an abutment portion 153n in addition to a guide portion 153m that guides the document. 36(A) shows the feeding standby state with no original document set, in which a gap d is formed between the contact portion 153n and the contact portion 97c, and the guide portion 153m narrows the original document feeding path R1 toward the contact position T1. Since the set guide 153A is pressed down by the document to be set, when the thickness of the document exceeds a predetermined thickness, the gap d disappears, and the contact portion 97c is pressed down by the contact portion 153n, as shown in Figure 36 (B), causing the roller holder 97 to swing and press down the separation roller 15. As a result, the separation roller 15 moves away from the feed roller 14. Since the contact portion 97c is formed on the roller holder 97 in this way, the position of the contact portion 97c has a high degree of freedom in arrangement, and the degree of freedom in design can be improved.

[0128] Next, the movement of the pressing lever 157 will be described with reference to Figure 37. Note that the set flap 155 is not shown in Figure 37. In FIG. 37, reference symbol P1 denotes the document to be fed, reference symbol Pd denotes the document stack below document P1, and reference symbol P2 denotes the uppermost medium in document stack Pd, which is the document to be fed following document P1. 37(A) shows a state in which document P1 is being fed, and in this state, feed roller 14 applies a feeding force to document P1 downstream in the document feeding direction due to forward rotation (direction of arrow Rg) of feed roller 14, and document stack Pd also tries to move downstream in the document feeding direction. As a result, document stack Pd presses down pressing lever 157 against the spring force of first spring 162 (see FIG. 29), and pressing lever 157 does not protrude upward from set guide 153.

[0129] In this state, the pressing lever 157 does not come into contact with the cylindrical portion 98b, and the pressing lever 157 does not press down the separation roller 15. This prevents the separation roller 15 from separating from the feed roller 14 at an inappropriate timing.

[0130] Next, when the rear end of the document P1 passes through the contact position T1 between the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15 from the state shown in Figure 37(A), the torque limiter 98, which was applying a rotational load to the separation roller 15, springs back, causing the separation roller 15 to rotate in the reverse direction (in the direction of arrow Rj). In this embodiment, the feed roller 14 is not provided with a one-way clutch, so that the feed roller 14 also rotates in the reverse direction (in the direction of arrow Rh) as the separation roller 15 rotates in the reverse direction.

[0131] If the feed roller 14 were freely reversible, the reverse rotation of the feed roller 14 would forcefully return the document stack Pd including the document P2 upstream in the document feeding direction, which could result in significant skew or non-feeding. However, a pressing lever 157 is provided, and after the rear end of the fed document P1 passes through the contact position T1, the tip 157b of the pressing lever 157 presses the document stack Pd toward the feed roller 14. This prevents the document stack Pd from being forcefully returned upstream in the document feed direction, thereby preventing paper feeding problems such as skew and non-feeding. In particular, in this embodiment, the documents supported on the document support section 11 are fed starting from the top document, so the topmost document P2 that is returned upstream in the document feed direction due to the reverse rotation of the feed roller 14 is likely to skew and is also likely to be returned upstream in the document feed direction. However, the action of the above-mentioned pressing lever 157 prevents document P2 from being forcefully returned upstream in the document feed direction, thereby preventing document feed problems such as skew and non-feed.

[0132] In this embodiment, pressing lever 157 rotates around shaft 153h, which serves as the rotation shaft, so that tip 157b moves forward and backward relative to feed roller 14, and shaft 153h is located upstream of tip 157b in the document feed direction. Here, when the document is returned upstream in the document feed direction due to the reverse rotation of feed roller 14, if pressing lever 157, which comes into contact with the document, tends to rotate clockwise in FIG. 37, the document will be more likely to be returned upstream in the document feed direction. However, because shaft 153h is located upstream in the document feed direction relative to tip 157b, pressing lever 157, which comes into contact with the document, is less likely to rotate, and this configuration effectively prevents the document from being returned upstream due to the reverse rotation of feed roller 14.

[0133] The set guide 153 is also provided with a restricting portion 153k that restricts the rotation limit of the pressing lever 157 in the direction in which the tip 157b of the pressing lever 157 advances toward the feed roller 14. This more reliably restricts the clockwise rotation of the pressing lever 157 in FIG. 37, effectively preventing the document from being returned upstream due to the reverse rotation of the feed roller 14.

[0134] 30, in this embodiment, the pressing lever 157 is provided within the area of ​​the feed roller 14 in the X-axis direction, i.e., in the width direction that intersects with the document feed direction. This allows the pressing lever 157 to reliably press the document against the feed roller 14, and more reliably prevents the medium from being returned upstream due to the reverse rotation of the feed roller 14.

[0135] In this embodiment, the pressing levers 157 are provided at both ends in the width direction of one feed roller 14. This makes it possible to suppress skew when the document is returned upstream due to the reverse rotation of the feed roller 14. 38, when multiple feed rollers 14 are provided in the X-axis direction, it is preferable to provide the pressing levers 157 at both ends of all of the multiple feed rollers 14. This makes it possible to suppress skew when the document is returned upstream. Also, instead of providing a plurality of pressing levers 157, one may be provided at the center in the X-axis direction, for example.

[0136] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the multiple pressing levers 157 can independently advance and retreat relative to the feed roller 14. If the multiple pressing levers 157 were configured to advance and retreat as a unit, there would be differences in the way the multiple pressing levers 157 press the document, which could result in the document being skewed. For example, if one pressing lever 157 contacts the document and the other pressing lever 157 does not contact the document, the document would be skewed. However, in this embodiment, the multiple pressing levers 157 can independently advance and retreat relative to the feed roller 14, so each of the multiple pressing levers 157 appropriately presses the document, preventing the document from being skewed.

[0137] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as explained with reference to Figure 33, contact position T3 where pressing lever 157 abuts against feed roller 14 is located upstream of contact position T2 where set guide 153 abuts against feed roller 14, so when the document tries to be returned upstream due to the reverse rotation of feed roller 14, the document can be pressed down for a longer period of time, and the phenomenon of the document being returned upstream due to the reverse rotation of feed roller 14 can be more reliably prevented.

[0138] Furthermore, since the pressure with which the first spring 162 presses the pressing lever 157 is smaller than the pressure with which the second spring 161 presses the set guide 153, the pressing lever 157 can be easily retracted from the document feeding path when feeding the document, and the pressing lever 157 can be prevented from interfering with the feeding of the document.

[0139] The pressing unit capable of pressing the document toward the feed roller 14 can also be configured as shown in FIG. 39. In FIG. 39, an arm 171 is provided on a support 170 so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow Sd, and a driven roller 172 is provided at the tip of the arm 171. The arm 171 is pressed by a spring (not shown) in the direction that advances toward the document, and this pressure causes the driven roller 172 to press against the document. This prevents the document stack Pd from being forcefully returned upstream in the document feeding direction when the feed roller 14 rotates in the reverse direction (in the direction of arrow Rh), thereby preventing feeding problems such as skew and non-feeding. The driven roller 172 also reduces the feeding load applied to the document being fed.

[0140] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0141] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment has been described as an example in which the present invention is applied to an image reading device, such as a scanner, it can also be applied to a recording device, such as a printer. That is, by using the original in the above-described embodiment as a recording medium and using the reading unit as a recording unit that records on the recording medium, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained in the recording device. An example of a recording device is an inkjet printer, and an example of a recording unit is an inkjet recording head. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 1...scanner, 2...device main body, 3...first unit, 4...second unit, 4a...top surface, 5...third unit, 6...main body support section, 6a, 6a-1...standing wall section, 6b...tooth section, 6c...main body rotation axis, 6d...projection, 6e...first contact section, 6f...second contact section, 6h...cam section, 7...operation section, 8a...lock release section, 10...upper opening / closing section, 11...document support section, 12A, 12B...edge guide, 12c, 12d...pull Discharge section, 13...feed port, 14...feed roller, 15...separation roller, 16...first conveying roller pair, 17...first lower roller, 18...first upper roller, 20...second conveying roller pair, 21...second lower roller, 22...second upper roller, 24...third conveying roller pair, 25...third driving roller, 26...third driven roller, 28...fourth conveying roller pair, 29...fourth driving roller, 30...fourth driven roller roller, 32...first reading unit, 32a...contact glass, 33...second reading unit, 33a...contact glass, 35...flap, 35a...flap rotation axis, 35b...detected unit, 37...first discharge outlet, 38...second discharge outlet, 40...position switching motor, 41...rotation conversion means, 42...worm gear, 43...gear, 44...shaft, 45...gear, 46...first compound gear, 47...second compound gear, 50...transport motor motor, 51... driving pulley, 52... belt, 53... driven pulley, 60... position maintaining means, 61... protrusion, 62... recess, 63... first frame, 63a... boss, 63b... supported portion, 63g... bearing portion, 63h... guide groove, 63j... restricting portion, 63k... bearing portion, 63m... recess, 64... second frame, 64a... frame rotation axis, 65... third frame, 66... ​​rear cover, 71... first connection portion (USB Type-A), 72... second connection portion (USBType-C), 73...Third connection part (DC jack), 79...Circuit board, 80...Control part, 81...CPU, 82...Flash ROM, 83...RAM, 84...Interface, 86...First solenoid, 87...First attitude detection sensor, 88...Second attitude detection sensor, 89...First rotation detection part, 89a...Rotating disc, 89b...Detection part, 90...Second rotation detection part, 90a...Rotating disc, 90b...Detection part, 91...Double feed detection part, 92...Placement detection part, 93...First document detection part, 94...Second document detection part, 97...Roller holder, 97a...Shaft part, 97b...Shaft part, 97c...Abutment part, 98...Torque limiter, 98a...Shaft part, 98b...Cylindrical part, 99...First gear, 10 0...separation switching means, 101...first mechanism portion, 102...second mechanism portion, 103...link member, 103a...hole, 104...compression coil spring, 105...guide member, 105a...spring holding portion, 105b...shaft portion, 106...connecting shaft, 107...second gear, 108...third gear, 109...fourth gear, 110...rotation restricting member, 110a...tooth portion, 110b...boss, 112...rotating cam, 112a...first cam portion, 112b...second cam portion, 113...rotation restricting member, 113a...tooth portion, 113b...long hole, 113c...first cam follower, 113d...second cam follower, 115...first rotating member, 115a...tooth portion, 116...second rotating member, 116a...tooth portion, 116b...boss, 150... document feeder, 151... guide member, 151a... bearing portion, 153, 153A... set guide, 153a... rotating shaft, 153b, 153c, 153d, 153e... long rib, 153f... short rib, 153h... shaft portion, 153j... abutment portion, 153k... restricting portion, 153m... guide portion, 153n... abutment portion, 153p... upper surface, 155... set flap, 155a... Base portion, 155b...shaft portion, 155c...cam follower portion, 157...pressing lever, 157a...shaft fitting portion, 157b...tip portion, 161...second spring, 162...first spring, 163...set flap cam, 164...spring, 165...shaft, 166...gear, 167...one-way clutch, 170...support portion, 171...arm portion, 172...driven roller, 500...external device, R1: Document feeding path, R2: Reading transport path, R3: Reversing transport path, R4: Non-reversing transport path

Claims

1. a medium support section that supports the medium; a feed roller that contacts an upper surface of the medium supported by the medium support unit; a separation roller that is disposed opposite the feed roller and that nips and separates the medium between the feed roller and the separation roller; a pressing section that is a member that can advance and retreat with respect to the feed roller upstream of a contact position between the feed roller and the separation roller in a medium feeding direction, and that can press the medium supported by the medium support section toward the feed roller after a rear end of the medium being fed has passed the contact position; a first pressing portion that presses the pressing portion toward the feed roller, the pressing portion rotates around a rotation shaft, so that a tip portion thereof advances and retreats relative to the feed roller, and the rotation shaft is located upstream of the tip portion in the medium feeding direction; a regulating portion that regulates a rotation limit of the pressing portion in a direction in which the tip portion advances toward the feeding roller; A medium feeding device characterized by:

2. In the medium feeding device according to claim 1, the pressing portion is provided within the area of ​​the feeding roller in a width direction that is a direction intersecting the medium feeding direction, A medium feeding device characterized by:

3. 3. The medium feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the pressing portions are provided at both ends of the feeding roller in the width direction. A medium feeding device characterized by:

4. 4. The medium feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of pressing portions are independently movable toward and away from the feeding roller. A medium feeding device characterized by:

5. In the medium feeding device described in claim 1, a path forming member is provided which is located upstream of the contact position in the medium feeding direction, and which can move forward and backward relative to the feed roller depending on the thickness of the medium, and which narrows the medium feeding path toward the contact position by advancing relative to the feed roller; In a feeding standby state, the path forming member and the pressing portion are in contact with the feeding roller, a position where the pressing portion contacts the feed roller is located upstream of a position where the path forming member contacts the feed roller in the medium feeding direction; A medium feeding device characterized by:

6. The medium feeding device according to claim 5 , further comprising a second pressing portion that presses the path forming member toward the feeding roller, a pressing force with which the first pressing portion presses the pressing portion is smaller than a pressing force with which the second pressing portion presses the path forming member; A medium feeding device characterized by:

7. 7. The medium feeding device according to claim 6, wherein the path forming member is capable of engaging with the separation roller, and displaces the separation roller in a direction away from the feed roller when the path forming member is pressed down in a direction away from the feed roller by a medium having a thickness exceeding a predetermined thickness, A medium feeding device characterized in that, when the pressing portion is pressed down from the path forming member until it does not protrude into the medium feeding path, the pressing portion does not press down the separation roller in a direction away from the feeding roller.

8. The medium feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a reading unit that reads the medium fed by the medium feeding device; An image reading device comprising:

Images