Radiation image reading device

Abstract

To hold an imaging plate in a regular posture.SOLUTION: A radiological image reader reads a radiological image from an imaging plate, and the radiological image reader comprises a stage 60 that holds the imaging plate 10, an excitation light source, and a photo detector. The stage has a stage body 61 that has a support surface 64F, and a positioning mechanism 70 that includes a pair of opening and closing positioning parts 72A, 72B arranged side by side at an interval along a first direction F1, the pair of opening and closing positioning parts in contact with an edge portion of the imaging plate so as to sandwich the imaging plate supported on the support surface along the first direction. At least one of the pair of opening and closing positioning parts has inclination correction surfaces 72AF1, 72BF1 directed in a second direction F2 orthogonal to an opening and closing direction of the pair of opening and closing positioning parts along the support surface as approaching outward in the opening and closing direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0005] , ,

[0001] This disclosure relates to a radiation image reading device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a radiation image reading device including a transport mechanism for transporting an imaging plate. As an example of the transport mechanism, an example including a belt for holding the imaging plate and a belt drive mechanism for circulating the belt is disclosed. The imaging plate is transported while being placed on a holding surface that is a part of the belt.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a configuration where the imaging plate is placed on the holding surface of the belt as in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the imaging plate is held in a tilted posture from the normal posture suitable for reading a radiation image.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to be able to hold the imaging plate in a normal posture.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the radiation image reading device is a radiation image reading device that reads a radiation image from an imaging plate, comprising: a stage for holding the imaging plate; an excitation light source for irradiating the imaging plate held on the stage with excitation light; and a photodetector for detecting light emitted from the imaging plate due to the excitation light, wherein the stage comprises: a stage body having a support surface that can make surface contact with the back surface of the imaging plate; and a pair of opening and closing positioning parts spaced apart along a first direction, wherein at least one of the pair of opening and closing positioning parts moves along the first direction, causing the pair of opening and closing positioning parts to contact the edge portion of the imaging plate so as to sandwich the imaging plate supported on the support surface along the first direction, and at least one of the pair of opening and closing positioning parts has a tilt correction surface that extends outward in the opening and closing direction of the pair of opening and closing positioning parts in a second direction perpendicular to the opening and closing direction along the support surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the imaging plate can be held in a normal position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a reading device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the reading device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the reading device. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view of the internal structure of the reading device, seen from the outside perpendicular to the support surface of the stage. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the VV line in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the stage. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a front view showing the stage at the set position. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a rear view showing the stage. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship of the inclination correction plane with respect to the imaging plate. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the stage at the reading position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 7. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view of the stage as viewed from the positioning portion side. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the guiding operation of the imaging plate. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the positioning operation by the positioning mechanism. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation when the inclination correction plane is omitted. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the inclination correction operation by the inclination correction plane. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the inclination correction operation by the inclination correction plane. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the positioning operation by the positioning mechanism.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] {Embodiment} <Overall Configuration> Hereinafter, a radiation image reading device according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the reading device 20. In FIG. 1, the housing 30 is shown by a two-dot chain line. FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial exploded perspective views showing the reading device 20. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the stage 60 is located at the set position P1. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the setting guide 200 and the reading unit 90 are disassembled. In FIG. 2, the reading position P2 and the back position P4 of the stage 60 inside the set position P1 are shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0010] The radiation image reading device 20 is a device that reads a radiation image from the surface 10a of the imaging plate 10.

[0011] The imaging plate 10 has a flat shape having a radiation image forming layer 11 and is a storage medium that stores a radiation image. The radiation image forming layer 11 is exposed on the surface 10a side of the imaging plate 10. The radiation image forming layer 11 is a layer that accumulates the energy of the irradiated radiation and emits light emission light corresponding to the accumulated energy. For example, the radiation image forming layer 11 is formed by applying a stimulable phosphor to one main surface of a film formed of resin. When X-rays from an X-ray generator pass through the imaging object and irradiate the imaging plate 10, energy corresponding to the intensity of the X-rays is accumulated in the radiation image forming layer 11. Since the intensity of the X-rays is based on the distribution of the X-ray absorption regions in the imaging object, the distribution of the energy accumulated in the radiation image forming layer 11 is a radiation image of the imaging object by the X-rays. Thus, the imaging plate 10 stores the radiation image by X-rays as a latent image.

[0012] The reading device 20 is a device that reads a radiation image from the radiation image forming layer 11 and generates image data of the radiation image. The reading device 20 comprises a stage 60, an excitation light source 92, a photodetector 94, and a setting guide 200. The stage 60 supports the imaging plate 10 from the back surface 10b side. The imaging plate 10 supported by the stage 60 is irradiated with excitation light from the excitation light source 92. When the imaging plate 10 is irradiated with excitation light, the radiation image forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10 emits light. This emitted light is detected by the photodetector 94. Image data of the radiation image is generated based on the detection signal from the photodetector 94.

[0013] The setting guide 200 is a guide that directs the imaging plate 10, supplied from outside the reading device 20, toward the stage 60. Users of the reading device 20 can set the imaging plate 10 on the stage 60 in a position suitable for reading by supplying the imaging plate 10 to the setting guide 200.

[0014] The surface 10a of the imaging plate 10 on which the radiation image-forming layer 11 is formed may be understood as the radiation image-forming surface or as the excitation light irradiation surface. The back surface 10b opposite to this surface may be understood as the contact surface that faces and contacts the support surface 64F of the stage 60. The back surface 10b is the surface opposite to the surface irradiated with excitation light and is the surface opposite to the radiation image-forming layer 11. When the imaging plate 10 is correctly set on the stage 60 in terms of its front and back sides, the surface of the imaging plate 10 that faces the same direction as the support surface 64F is the memory surface capable of storing latent images and the reading surface from which the stored latent images are read.

[0015] The components of the reading device 20 will now be described.

[0016] <About the enclosure> The reading device 20 includes a housing 30 (see Figure 1), which houses a stage 60, an excitation light source 92, a photodetector 94, and a setting guide 200.

[0017] The housing 30 has an opening 31. The opening 31 is formed, for example, on one of the sides surrounding the housing 30. The opening 31 is shaped to allow the portion of the setting guide 200 on which the input port 230 is formed to be exposed to the outside. In this embodiment, the opening 31 is shaped like a rectangle that exposes the entire outward-facing surface of the setting guide 200 on which the input port 230 is formed to the outside. The opening may also be shaped to expose only the input port 230 to the outside, for example, a slit shape. Note that the entire housing 30 does not need to be formed as a single part. For example, as will be described in the later modifications, the portion of the housing on which the opening is formed may be removable from the other parts, or a part of the housing may be molded integrally with the base plate 41 described later.

[0018] Users of the reading device 20 can insert the imaging plate 10 into the input slot 230 of the setting guide 200 through the opening 31. The imaging plate 10, once placed inside the reading device 20, is then set on the stage 60.

[0019] An outlet 32 ​​is provided in the lower part of the housing 30, for example, in the lower part of one side of the housing 30. The outlet 32 ​​opens outward. A collection tray 49 is placed inside the outlet 32. The collection tray 49 is formed, for example, in the shape of a box with an opening at the top. The imaging plates 10 discharged from the stage 60 are discharged into the collection tray 49. A user of the reading device 20 can pull out the collection tray 49 inside the outlet 32 ​​to collect the read imaging plates 10. The collection tray 49 may be removable from the housing 30. If the collection tray 49 is removable, it is preferable because it is easier to clean the collection tray 49.

[0020] The housing 30 is provided with switches 33 for receiving various instructions. The switches 33 are, for example, a power switch, a start switch for instructing the start of reading, and so on.

[0021] A display device 34 may be provided in the housing 30. The display device 34 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (electro-luminescence) display panel. The read radiation image may be displayed on this display device 34. Various information for operation may be displayed on the display device 34. The display device 34 may display information regarding the reading progress, such as the remaining time from the start of reading until the end of reading. The display device 34 may display warnings, cautions, or error information regarding incorrect operation of the reading device 20. The display device 34 may be a touch panel equipped with a display function and a touch detection function. In this case, at least some of the functions of the above-mentioned switches may be incorporated into the touch panel. The display device 34 may be omitted.

[0022] It is not essential that the image data of the radiation image generated by reading the imaging plate 10 be displayed on the display device 34. The image data of the radiation image may be transmitted wirelessly or via wired communication to another computer (not shown) that can communicate with the reader 20. The image data of the radiation image may be recorded on a data recording medium (e.g., flash memory) that can be attached to the reader 20.

[0023] <About the internal configuration of the enclosure> The various components located inside the enclosure 30 will now be described.

[0024] A support member 40 is provided inside the housing 30. This support member 40 supports the stage 60, the excitation light source 92, the photodetector 94, and the set guide 200. Note that the following example is just one example, and the configuration for supporting the stage and the set guide is not limited to the configuration shown below. The configuration related to the support member is not limited to this disclosure, and this disclosure is applicable to various configurations that use gravity to guide the imaging plate 10 to the stage.

[0025] <Regarding support members> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the support member 40 comprises a base plate 41, an intermediate support plate 42, and a box-shaped portion 44.

[0026] The base plate 41 is a plate-shaped member positioned horizontally (perpendicular to the direction of gravity) at the bottom of the internal space of the housing 30. Here, the base plate 41 is formed in the shape of an elongated rectangular plate. The base plate 41 can close the downward opening of the housing 30.

[0027] An intermediate support plate 42 is supported in an upright position on the base plate 41. The intermediate support plate 42 is a plate having an inclined surface 42a that is tilted with respect to the direction of gravity (see Figure 3). The inclined surface 42a is a surface that faces diagonally upward. In this embodiment, the intermediate support plate 42 is formed in a shape in which one of the upper corners of a rectangle is diagonally cut off. The box-shaped part 44 is supported on the inclined surface 42a, so that the box-shaped part 44 is supported in an oblique position.

[0028] In this embodiment, the circuit unit 43 is supported by the intermediate support plate 42. The circuit unit 43 is, for example, a unit on which various electrical components are mounted on a circuit board. Such a circuit unit may be, for example, a control unit that performs various controls on the reading device 20, or a power supply circuit that supplies power to various parts of the reading device 20. The circuit unit 43 may also be supported by other parts other than the intermediate support plate 42, such as the base plate 41, the housing 30, or the box-shaped part 44.

[0029] The box-shaped section 44 comprises a pair of longitudinal side plates 45, a pair of transverse side plates 46, and a back plate 47. The back plate 47 is a rectangular plate that is long in one direction. Each of the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 is formed in a rectangular plate shape corresponding to the length of the long side of the back plate 47. The pair of longitudinal side plates 45 are supported in an upright position on the pair of long sides of the back plate 47. Each of the transverse side plates 46 is formed in a rectangular plate shape corresponding to the length of the short side of the back plate 47. The pair of transverse side plates 46 are supported in an upright position on the pair of short sides of the back plate 47. Thus, the box-shaped section 44 is formed in a box shape with the back plate 47 as the bottom, and one main surface of the bottom surrounded by the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 and the pair of transverse side plates 46. Hereinafter, the upper of the pair of transverse side plates 46 may be distinguished as transverse side plate 46U, and the lower of the pair of transverse side plates 46 as transverse side plate 46L. The box-shaped section 44 is open on the opposite side of the back plate 47. The pair of longitudinal side plates 45 and the pair of transverse side plates 46 are fixed to the back plate 47, for example, by screws or welding.

[0030] The back plate 47 is supported on the inclined surface 42a of the intermediate support plate 42 in a manner aligned with the inclined surface. The back plate 47 is supported in an oblique position along the inclination of the inclined surface 42a. The back plate 47 is fixed to the intermediate support plate 42 by, for example, screws or welding.

[0031] A pair of longitudinal side plates 45 and a pair of transverse side plates 46 are erected on the back plate 47 on the side opposite to the intermediate support plate 42. The box-shaped section 44 opens diagonally upward on the side opposite to the intermediate support plate 42.

[0032] The pair of longitudinal side plates 45 extend along the direction of the inclined surface 42a. Therefore, the edge of the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 opposite to the back plate 47 is also inclined with respect to gravity along the direction of the inclined surface 42a. A pair of support rods 48 are supported on each of the edges of the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 opposite to the back plate 47 in an inclined position with respect to gravity. The support rods 48 are supported, for example, by being screwed or welded to at least one of the longitudinal side plates 45 and the transverse side plates 46.

[0033] In this embodiment, the support rod 48 is formed in the shape of a rectangular bar. The support rod 48 is longer than the length of the longitudinal side plate 45. One end of the support rod 48 reaches the upper short-side plate 46U along the edge of the longitudinal side plate 45. The other end of the support rod 48 extends diagonally downward along the edge of the longitudinal side plate 45, beyond the lower short-side plate 46L. The other end of the support rod 48 is the lower end and is located above the base plate 41.

[0034] An excitation light source 92 and a photodetector 94 are attached to the outward-facing surface of the pair of support rods 48 opposite to the back plate 47. The excitation light source 92 and photodetector 94 are located between the pair of short-side plates 46, closer to the lower short-side plate 46L. The excitation light source 92 irradiates excitation light toward the box-shaped section 44, and the photodetector 94 detects light from the box-shaped section 44. The excitation light source 92 and photodetector 94 are attached to the support rods 48, for example, by screw fastening.

[0035] The stage 60 is supported between a pair of longitudinal side plates 45 so as to be movable inside the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94. For convenience, in the following description, the side of the stage 60 on which the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 are located may be referred to as the front, and the opposite side as the rear. Also, in the following description, the relative direction of movement of the stage 60 with respect to the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 may be referred to as the main scanning direction A1. As the imaging plate 10 held by the stage 60 passes inside the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94, excitation light from the excitation light source 92 irradiates the imaging plate 10, and the light emitted from the imaging plate 10 due to the excitation light is detected by the photodetector 94.

[0036] A setting guide 200 is attached to the portion of the pair of support rods 48 that extends below the lower, shorter side plate 46L. The setting guide 200 is attached to the support rods 48, for example, by screw fastening.

[0037] The stage 60 can be moved to a position where it extends below the lower short-side plate 46L in the direction of extension of the support rod 48. With the stage 60 moved to a position where it extends below the short-side plate 46L, the user can set the imaging plate 10 on the stage 60 through the setting guide 200.

[0038] Furthermore, the recovery tray 49 is located on the diagonally downward extension of the pair of support rods 48. When the stage 60 is moved to a position where it extends below the short-side plate 46L, the imaging plate 10 discharged from the stage 60 falls into the recovery tray 49 and is recovered. The recovery tray 49 does not need to be movably positioned relative to the housing 30. For example, the recovery tray located on the extension of the support rods may open to the outside of the housing from the opposite side of the intermediate support plate, and the imaging plate in the recovery tray may be removed to the outside of the housing through this opening.

[0039] In this embodiment, the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 are supported at a fixed position within the housing 30 in the form of a box-shaped portion 44. The configuration in which the longitudinal side plates 45 are supported at a fixed position within the box-shaped portion 44 is not limited to this example. For example, the longitudinal side plates 45 may be fixed to a side surface or the like, which is part of the housing 30.

[0040] Furthermore, the box-shaped portion 44 is not limited to a configuration in which multiple plate-shaped members are fixed together by screws or welding. The entire box-shaped portion may be a single piece formed by press working or die molding. In this case, screws and welding can be eliminated in order to manufacture the box-shaped portion.

[0041] <About the excitation light source and photodetector> The excitation light source 92 irradiates the imaging plate 10, which is held by the stage 60, with excitation light. The excitation light is light used to excite the radiation imaging layer 11, and is, for example, laser light of a specific wavelength that excites the radiation imaging layer 11. When the radiation imaging layer 11 is irradiated with excitation light, the radiation imaging layer 11 emits light according to the distribution of energy accumulated in the radiation imaging layer 11.

[0042] The excitation light source 92 may include a laser light source that emits laser light as excitation light and a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirror. For example, the laser light source may be reflected by the MEMS mirror so that the target of the laser light emitted from the laser light source moves along a sub-scanning direction A2 that intersects (is perpendicular to) the main scanning direction A1 with respect to the surface 10a of the radiation image forming layer 11. Note that the mirror configuration can also use a galvanometer mirror or a polygon mirror instead of a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirror. Depending on the mirror configuration, a separate lens system configuration may be required, but this can be used in the reading device with an appropriate combination.

[0043] The photodetector 94 is a sensor that detects light emitted from the imaging plate 10 due to excitation light and outputs a signal corresponding to its intensity. Based on the signal from this photodetector 94, image data of the radiation image is generated.

[0044] The photodetector 94 may have a configuration in which the light-detecting elements are arranged in a single row. For example, the photodetector 94 may be arranged in a orientation in which the arrangement direction of the elements is parallel to the sub-scanning direction A2. The light-detecting elements may be silicon photomultiplier tubes, photomultiplier tubes, photodiodes, etc.

[0045] In this embodiment, the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 are integrated as a reading unit 90. For example, the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 are integrated while housed within a module case 91. An elongated reading slit 90S is formed in the portion of the module case 91 facing the support member 40, along the sub-scanning direction A2 (see Figure 3). The excitation light is irradiated towards the imaging plate 10 through the reading slit 90S. The light emitted from the imaging plate 10 is detected by the photodetector 94 through the reading slit 90S.

[0046] As the stage 60 moves along the main scanning direction A1, laser light from the excitation light source 92 is incident on the surface of the radiation image-forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10 held on the stage 60 (surface 10a of the imaging plate 10), and the irradiation point moves along the sub-scanning direction A2. As a result, the surface of the radiation image-forming layer 11 (surface 10a) sequentially emits light along the line along the sub-scanning direction A2.

[0047] The photodetector 94 is positioned to detect the light emitted from the radiation image-forming layer 11, which is generated by the laser light from the excitation light source 92. For example, the excitation light source 92 is positioned to irradiate the imaging plate 10 with laser light from an oblique direction, and the photodetector 94 is positioned directly in front of the position where the laser light irradiates the imaging plate 10. Then, when the surface of the radiation image-forming layer 11 sequentially emits light along a line aligned with the sub-scanning direction A2, the emitted light is detected by the photodetector 94.

[0048] As the stage 60 moves, the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 repeatedly scan in the sub-scanning direction A2, so that a wide surface of the imaging plate 10, for example, the entire surface of the imaging plate 10, is read by the photodetector 94.

[0049] It is not mandatory to perform readings while the stage 60 is moving. For example, the excitation light source 92 and photodetector 94 may move while the stage 60 is stopped. Alternatively, both the stage 60 and the excitation light source 92 and photodetector 94 may move.

[0050] <Regarding the stage and its movement configuration> Figure 4 is a front view of the internal structure of the reading device 20, seen from the outside perpendicular to the support surface 64F of the stage 60. In Figure 4, the reading unit 90 and the setting guide 200 are omitted. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4 along the VV line. In Figure 5, the setting guide 200 is not omitted, and the reading unit 90 is indicated by a double dashed line.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the stage 60 is configured to hold the imaging plate 10. For example, the stage 60 includes a plate-like portion that extends larger than the imaging plate 10. The imaging plate 10 is held in a fixed position and orientation relative to the stage 60, in contact with the support surface 64F on one main surface side of the stage 60. The configuration of the stage 60 in which it holds the imaging plate 10 will be described in more detail later.

[0052] The stage 60 moves along the main scanning direction A1 while holding the imaging plate 10. A configuration for supporting the stage 60 so that it can move will be described.

[0053] The stage 60 can move along the main scanning direction A1 between the edges of the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 that are opposite to the back plate 47. The projection dimension of the lower short side plate 46L relative to the back plate 47 is smaller than the projection dimension of the longitudinal side plate 45 relative to the back plate 47. Therefore, the stage 60 can move downward along the main scanning direction A1, from between the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 and over the lower short side plate 46L. In other words, it can move back and forth along the main scanning direction A1 between the position between the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 (positions P2 and P4 shown by the dashed lines in Figure 2) and the downward projection position P1 between the pair of longitudinal side plates 45 (see Figure 2).

[0054] The stage 60 is configured to be movable by a stage movement mechanism 50. The stage movement mechanism 50 includes a movement drive unit 52 and a pair of guide rods 56.

[0055] The moving drive unit 52 is the part that applies driving force to the stage 60 along the main scanning direction A1. In this embodiment, the moving drive unit 52 includes a motor 53 and a screw shaft portion 54. The screw shaft portion 54 is a rod-shaped member with screw grooves formed around its circumference. The screw shaft portion 54 is rotatably supported on a pair of short-side plates 46 so as to span between them. The motor 53 is fixed to the box-shaped portion 44 in a non-rotatable manner. For example, the motor 53 is fixed to the outside of the lower short-side plate 46L in a non-rotatable manner via a bracket 53B or the like. The shaft 53a of the motor 53 is fixed to the screw shaft portion 54 in a non-rotatable manner relative to it, and the screw shaft portion 54 is rotationally driven in the forward or reverse direction in accordance with the forward or reverse rotation of the motor 53. The rotational motion of the shaft 53a of the motor 53 may be transmitted to the screw shaft portion 54 via a transmission device such as a gear or pulley.

[0056] The stage 60 has a through hole 62h1 with a screw groove (see Figure 2). The screw shaft portion 54 is screwed into the through hole 62h1. The rotation of the screw shaft portion 54 drives the stage 60 into which the screw shaft portion 54 is screwed to move along the main scanning direction A1.

[0057] The guide rod 56 is an elongated rod-shaped member and is fixed to a pair of short-sided side plates 46 so as to span between them. The guide rod 56 is inserted through a guide hole 62h2 formed in the stage 60 (see Figure 2). In this way, the guide rod 56 can suppress the rotation of the stage 60 around the screw shaft portion 54. In this embodiment, multiple guide rods 56 are provided (two in this embodiment), but one may be used.

[0058] The direction of movement by the moving drive unit 52 is not limited to the above example, and may be horizontal or in the direction of gravity. The moving drive unit 52 may be any actuator that moves the stage 60, and may be a linear motor or a mechanism that moves by a belt, in addition to the above configuration. Instead of moving the stage, the reading unit 90 may be moved to read the imaging plate on the stage. If the reading unit is a sensor that can read the planar information of the imaging plate, it is also conceivable that neither the stage nor the reading unit moves.

[0059] The stage 60 is moved back and forth between the set position P1 and the reading position P2 by the stage movement mechanism 50.

[0060] The set position P1 is a position on the stage 60 where the imaging plate 10 can be set. In this embodiment, the set position P1 is set to a position that protrudes outward (downward) from the lower short-side plate 46L. At the set position P1, the portion of the stage 60 near the upper end is positioned on the short-side plate 46L, and the longitudinal middle portion and lower end of the stage 60 extend downward from the lower short-side plate 46L. At the set position P1, the area for arranging the imaging plate 10 to be set on the stage 60 (the maximum arrangement area if multiple sizes of imaging plates 10 are assumed; see the area in Figures 7 and 9 where both the longest and widest imaging plate 10 can be arranged) is positioned outside the lower short-side plate 46L.

[0061] In this state, the support surface 64F of the stage 60 is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity. Here, the support surface 64F is inclined along the same inclination direction as the extension direction of the longitudinal side plate 45. In other words, the support surface 64F is inclined to face diagonally upward.

[0062] The stage 60, located at the set position P1, can receive the imaging plate 10 guided by the set guide 200. More specifically, the set position P1 is located below the set guide 200 (see Figure 5). When the imaging plate 10 is inserted into the input port 230 of the set guide 200 from outside the device 20, the imaging plate 10 moves downward in the direction of gravity due to its own weight while being guided by the set guide 200. When the lower edge of the imaging plate 10 reaches the support surface 64F, the lower edge of the imaging plate 10 slides diagonally downward according to the inclination of the support surface 64F, and the imaging plate 10 tilts toward the support surface 64F, so that the back surface 10b of the imaging plate 10 can make surface contact with the support surface 64F. In this state, the imaging plate 10 is positioned and held by a positioning mechanism (described later) provided on the stage 60. In this embodiment, gravity is used to guide the imaging plate 10 to the stage 60.

[0063] The configuration of the setup guide 200 for guiding the imaging plate 10 will be described in more detail later.

[0064] It is not mandatory for the set position P1 to be set to the above position; for example, it may be set between a pair of longitudinal side plates 45 depending on its positional relationship with the set guide 200.

[0065] The reading position P2 is the position where the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 read the radiation image, that is, the position where the photodetector 94 reads the radiation image of the imaging plate 10 in response to the excitation light from the excitation light source 92. In this embodiment, the reading position P2 is set between a pair of longitudinal side plates 45. More specifically, the reading position P2 is set between a pair of longitudinal side plates 45 and is located towards the lower end.

[0066] Specifically, the reading unit 90, which includes an excitation light source 92 and a photodetector 94, is fixed to a pair of support rods 48 by screws or the like between the outward-facing edges of a pair of longitudinal side plates 45. The reading unit 90 is located between the pair of longitudinal side plates 45, closer to the set position P1. A reading slit 90S is formed on the inward-facing surface of the box-shaped portion 44 of the reading unit 90. Excitation light from the excitation light source 92 inside the reading unit 90 is irradiated onto the imaging plate 10 on the stage 60 through the reading slit 90S. In addition, the light emitted from the imaging plate 10, which is excited by this excitation light, is incident on the photodetector 94 through the reading slit 90S.

[0067] When the imaging plate 10 is set on the stage 60 at the set position P1, the imaging plate 10 moves toward the box-shaped section 44 along the main scanning direction A1. When the imaging plate 10 set on the stage 60 reaches a position facing the reading slit 90S, the reading unit 90 starts reading the radiographic image of the imaging plate 10. As the stage 60 moves, the reading unit 90 sequentially reads the radiographic image of the imaging plate 10. When the imaging plate 10 passes through the reading slit 90S, the reading by the reading unit 90 ends. In this embodiment, when the radiographic image is read by the movement of the stage 60, the reading position P2 may be understood as the position where the imaging plate 10 on the stage 60 (if multiple sizes of imaging plates 10 are assumed, the widest imaging plate 10) reaches the reading slit 90S and reading begins.

[0068] Unlike the above example, it is also conceivable that the reading unit 90 moves along the main scanning direction A1 to read the radiation image from the imaging plate 10 which is stationary in a fixed position, or that the radiation image is read from the imaging plate 10 which is stationary in a fixed position using a 3D sensor. In this case, the position that holds the imaging plate 10 which is stationary in a fixed position is the reading position P2.

[0069] In this embodiment, the stage 60 is also moved to the discharge position P3 by the stage moving mechanism 50 (see Figure 5). The discharge position P3 is the position for discharging the imaging plate 10 set on the stage 60. The discharge position P3 is set to be further away from the reading position P2 than from the setting position P1 (see the stage 60 shown by the dashed line in Figure 5). This is not limited to this embodiment, and the imaging plate 10 on the stage 60 may be discharged by a separate mechanism at a position different from the discharge position P3, for example, at the setting position P1.

[0070] As already mentioned, the recovery tray 49 is located below the discharge position P3. The upper opening of the recovery tray 49 opens on the lower extension of the stage 60. The imaging plate 10 slides down the stage 60 at the discharge position P3 and is discharged into the recovery tray 49 through the upper opening of the recovery tray 49.

[0071] In this embodiment, the stage 60 is also moved to the rear position P4 by the stage moving mechanism 50 (see Figure 2). The rear position P4 is located on the opposite side of the set position P1 from the reading position P2. That is, the stage 60 can move from the set position P1, through the reading position P2, to the rear position P4. At the rear position P4, the imaging plate 10 on the stage 60 may be exposed without being covered by the reading unit 90, or it may be covered by other components.

[0072] The operation of the stage movement mechanism 50 is controlled by a control unit 100 (see Figure 3). The control unit 100 is composed of, for example, a computer comprising at least one processor and a memory unit. The processor is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and is composed of electrical circuits. Various functions for reading are realized when the processor executes a reading program. The movement of the stage 60 along the main scanning direction A1 is controlled by this control unit 100 by controlling the rotation direction and amount of the motor 53. It is assumed that this control unit 100 is a circuit realized by the circuit unit 43 (see Figure 3).

[0073] The control unit 100 may control the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94 by the reading unit 90. The control unit 100 may also perform various signal processing, image processing, display processing by the display device 34, etc., to generate a radiation image based on the signal detected by the photodetector 94.

[0074] <Regarding the overall stage structure> The overall configuration of stage 60 will now be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, stage 60 comprises a stage body 61 and a positioning mechanism 70.

[0075] The stage body 61 has a support surface 64F that can make surface contact with the back surface 10b of the imaging plate 10. In this embodiment, the stage body 61 includes a movable support 62 and a plate-shaped portion 64.

[0076] The movable support 62 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. A through hole 62h1 is formed in the movable support 62 (see Figure 2). As already mentioned, a screw shaft 54 ​​that can be rotated in both forward and reverse directions by a motor 53 is screwed into the through hole 62h1. When the screw shaft 54 ​​rotates in the forward direction, the stage 60 moves to one side along the screw shaft 54, and when the screw shaft 54 ​​rotates in the reverse direction, the stage 60 moves to the other side along the screw shaft 54. Such a structure is called a ball screw, for example.

[0077] The movable support 62 has a guide hole 62h2 that is parallel to the through hole 62h1 (see Figure 2). Therefore, the movable support 62 is driven to move in both directions along the main scanning direction A1 in accordance with the forward or reverse rotation of the screw shaft portion 54 that is screwed into the through hole 62h1, guided by the guide rod 56 inserted through the guide hole 62h2.

[0078] The plate-like portion 64 is larger than the imaging plate 10 and extends outwards in a plate-like shape; in this case, it is formed in a rectangular plate shape. It is not essential that the plate-like portion 64 is formed in a rectangular plate shape; it may be formed in other shapes such as an elliptical shape.

[0079] A support surface 64F is provided on one side of the plate-shaped portion 64. The support surface 64F may extend larger than the imaging plate 10. If multiple sizes of imaging plates 10 are considered, the support surface 64F may extend larger than the largest imaging plate 10.

[0080] More specifically, the plate-like portion 64 is formed in a long rectangular shape along one direction (in this case, the main scanning direction A1). Of the other side of the plate-like portion 64 (the side opposite to the support surface 64F), one portion of the plate-like portion 64 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the movable support 62. Fixation is done, for example, by screwing. The plate-like portion 64 is cantilevered by the movable support 62 so as to extend from the movable support 62 toward the set position P1 along the main scanning direction A1. Of the one side of the plate-like portion 64, a portion of the part that extends downward from the movable support 62 along the main scanning direction A1 is recessed compared to the other part. The bottom surface of this recessed portion is the support surface 64F that can make surface contact with the back surface of the imaging plate 10.

[0081] With the stage 60 supported by the support member 40, the plate-shaped portion 64 and the support surface 64F are inclined with respect to the direction of gravity (downward), and the support surface 64F is oriented diagonally upward. In this embodiment, the inclination angles of the plate-shaped portion 64 and the support surface 64F coincide with the inclination angle of the longitudinal side plate 45 in the extending direction and the inclination angles of the pair of support rods 48. The plate-shaped portion 64 and the support surface 64F move along the main scanning direction A1 under the guidance of the guide rod 56 while maintaining a constant inclination angle. When the movable support 62 moves towards the lower short-side plate 46L, the portion of the plate-shaped portion 64 extending from the movable support 62 passes over the lower short-side plate 46L and extends diagonally downward. In this state, because the support surface 64F is inclined diagonally upward, the imaging plate 10 supplied onto the imaging plate 10 through the setting guide 200 can be received on the support surface 64F.

[0082] The support surface 64F does not have to be inclined with respect to the direction of gravity. For example, the support surface 64F may be aligned horizontally perpendicular to the direction of gravity, or it may be aligned with the direction of gravity.

[0083] In this embodiment, a partial protruding region 64P is formed in the area of ​​the plate-like portion 64 closer to the movable support 62. The protruding region 64P is formed in the area surrounding the upper and both sides of the support surface 64F. A step exists between the protruding region 64P and the support surface 64F. The presence of the protruding region 64P ensures that the imaging plate 10 is more reliably supported on the support surface 64F. The presence of the above-mentioned protruding region 64P is not essential.

[0084] The positioning mechanism 70 is a mechanism for positioning the imaging plate 10 in the normal orientation on the support surface 64F. The normal orientation is the position and inclination of the imaging plate 10 that has been set in advance with respect to the stage 60, and is a predetermined position and inclination suitable for reading by the reading unit 90.

[0085] For the sake of explanation, let's describe the first direction F1 and the second direction F2. The first direction F1 is the direction along the support surface 64F. The second direction F2 is the direction along the support surface 64F and is perpendicular to the first direction F1. In other words, the first direction F1 and the second direction F2 are perpendicular to each other on a plane horizontal to the support surface 64F. In this embodiment, the first direction F1 is the direction along the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity. Therefore, the first direction F1 coincides with the sub-scanning direction A2. Note that the first direction F1 may be a direction intersecting the horizontal direction. Also in this embodiment, the second direction F2 is the direction along the support surface 64F and perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction A2. Therefore, the second direction F2 coincides with the main scanning direction A1. Note that the first direction F1 may be a different direction from the sub-scanning direction A2. The second direction F2 may be a different direction from the main scanning direction A1.

[0086] The positioning mechanism 70 contacts the edge portion of the imaging plate 10 supported on the support surface 64F and positions the edge portion from the outside in the extending direction of the support surface 64F. In this embodiment, the positioning mechanism 70 comprises a pair of first opening / closing positioning parts 72A, 72B (sometimes referred to as opening / closing positioning parts or positioning parts) and a pair of second opening / closing positioning parts 72C, 72D (sometimes referred to as opening / closing positioning parts or positioning parts). The pair of first opening / closing positioning parts 72A, 72B position the imaging plate 10 in a first direction F1. The pair of second opening / closing positioning parts 72C, 72D position the imaging plate 10 in a second direction F2.

[0087] In this embodiment, it can be understood that the positioning units 72A and 72B are configured for horizontal positioning, and the positioning units 72C and 72D are configured for vertical positioning.

[0088] The imaging plate 10 is moved to the reading position P2 while being held in the correct orientation by the positioning mechanism 70. At the reading position P2, the radiographic image of the imaging plate 10, which is held in the correct orientation by the stage 60, is read by the reading unit 90.

[0089] In this embodiment, the stage 60 supports the imaging plate 10 in a position where its longitudinal direction is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. Specifically, the longitudinal direction of the plate-like portion 64 and the support surface 64F on one side of the plate-like portion 64 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, while its short direction is aligned with the horizontal direction. Therefore, when the imaging plate 10 is supported on the stage 60 in a position where its longitudinal direction is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the plate-like portion 64 and the support surface 64F, the longitudinal direction of the imaging plate 10 becomes inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0090] In this embodiment, the minimum distance between the positioning parts 72A and 72B in the first direction F1 (horizontal direction) is smaller than the minimum distance between the positioning parts 72C and 72D in the second direction F2. Also, the maximum distance between the positioning parts 72A and 72B in the first direction F1 (horizontal direction) is smaller than the maximum distance between the positioning parts 72C and 72D in the second direction F2. For this reason, the stage 60 has a configuration suitable for supporting the imaging plate 10 in a position where its longitudinal direction is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the plate-like part 64 and the support surface 64F.

[0091] Notwithstanding this embodiment, the stage may support the imaging plate in a position where the shorter side of the imaging plate is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. For example, the longitudinal direction of the plate-like portion and support surface of the stage may be aligned with the horizontal direction, and the shorter side may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0092] <About the positioning mechanism> The positioning mechanism 70 will be described in more detail. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the stage 60. Figure 7 is a front view showing the stage 60 at the set position P1. Figure 8 is a rear view showing the stage 60. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship of the tilt correction surface 72BF1 with respect to the imaging plate 10. Figure 10 is a front view showing the stage 60 at the reading position P2. Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in Figure 7. Figure 12 is a side view of the stage 60 as seen from the positioning section 72B side.

[0093] As described above, the positioning mechanism 70 includes a pair of positioning parts 72A and 72B. The pair of positioning parts 72A and 72B are spaced apart along the first direction F1. At least one of the pair of positioning parts 72A and 72B moves along the first direction F1. As a result, the pair of positioning parts 72A and 72B contact the edge portion of the imaging plate 10, which is supported on the support surface 64F and sandwiches the imaging plate 10 along the first direction F1. This positions the imaging plate 10 at a fixed position along the first direction F1.

[0094] In this embodiment, the positioning unit 72A is fixed in a fixed position on the stage body 61. The positioning unit 72B moves toward and away from the positioning unit 72A along the first direction F1 on the stage body 61.

[0095] Furthermore, as described above, the positioning mechanism 70 includes a pair of positioning parts 72C and 72D. The pair of positioning parts 72C and 72D are spaced apart along the second direction F2. At least one of the pair of positioning parts 72C and 72D moves along the second direction F2. As a result, the pair of positioning parts 72C and 72D contact the edge portion of the imaging plate 10, which is supported on the support surface 64F and sandwiches the imaging plate 10 along the second direction F2. This positions the imaging plate 10 at a fixed position along the second direction F2.

[0096] In this embodiment, the positioning unit 72C is fixed in a fixed position on the stage body 61 at least at the set position P1 and the reading position P2. The positioning unit 72D moves toward and away from the positioning unit 72C along the second direction F2 on the stage body 61.

[0097] When the imaging plate 10 is in the set position P1, the pair of positioning parts 72A and 72B are open. The pair of positioning parts 72C and 72D are also open (see Figures 6 and 7). In this state, the imaging plate 10 can be set on the support surface 64F of the stage 60.

[0098] When the imaging plate 10 is positioned at the reading position P2, the pair of positioning parts 72A and 72B are in close proximity. In this state, the movable positioning part 72B is in close proximity to the fixed positioning part 72A. The edge of the imaging plate 10 on the positioning part 72B side comes into contact with the movable positioning part 72B, and the imaging plate 10 is pushed towards the positioning part 72A side. As a result, the edge of the imaging plate 10 on the positioning part 72A side comes into contact with the fixed positioning part 72A. This positions the imaging plate 10 in the first direction F1.

[0099] Furthermore, when the imaging plate 10 is positioned at the reading position P2, the pair of positioning parts 72C and 72D are in close proximity. In this case, the movable positioning part 72D is in close proximity to the fixed positioning part 72C. The upper edge of the imaging plate 10 comes into contact with the movable positioning part 72D, and the imaging plate 10 is pushed towards the positioning part 72C. As a result, the lower edge of the imaging plate 10 comes into contact with the fixed positioning part 72C. This positions the imaging plate 10 in the second direction F2.

[0100] In this embodiment, during setting and reading, the positioning portions 72A and 72C are positioned at fixed locations on the support surface 64F of the stage 60. The normal position is when one edge portion of the imaging plate 10 is in contact with the positioning portion 72A, and the lower edge portion of the imaging plate 10 is in contact with the positioning portion 72C.

[0101] In addition, in the pair of positioning parts 72A and 72B, either one may be the movable side or the fixed side. Both of the pair of positioning parts 72A and 72B may move in the opening and closing positions. Furthermore, in the pair of positioning parts 72C and 72D, either one may be the movable side or the fixed side. Both of the pair of positioning parts 72C and 72D may move in the opening and closing positions.

[0102] Furthermore, it is not essential that the positioning mechanism 70 includes a pair of positioning sections 72C and 72D. For example, in this embodiment, the upper positioning section 72D of the pair of positioning sections 72C and 72D may be omitted. Both of the pair of positioning sections 72C and 72D may also be omitted. For example, in a configuration in which the reading unit 90 performs reading in response to the position detection of the imaging plate 10 moving along the main scanning direction A1, the imaging plate 10 does not need to be precisely positioned relative to the stage 60, so both of the pair of positioning sections 72C and 72D may be omitted.

[0103] However, in order for the positioning mechanism 70 to position the imaging plate 10 at a predetermined position on the support surface 64F, it is preferable that the positioning mechanism 70 includes a combination of positioning sections 72A and 72B and positioning sections 72C and 72D.

[0104] <Regarding the positioning mechanism in the first direction> The positioning portion 72A is an elongated portion of the plate-shaped portion 64 that extends along one of its horizontal sides. In this embodiment, a separate, elongated positioning portion 72A is fixed to one side of the plate-shaped portion 64 by screws or the like. The positioning portion 72A protrudes beyond the support surface 64F. The length of the positioning portion 72A may be longer or shorter than the vertical dimension (the maximum vertical dimension if multiple sizes are assumed) of the imaging plate 10 supported on the support surface 64F.

[0105] The positioning section 72A has a tilt correction surface 72AF1. The tilt correction surface 72AF1 is directed toward a second direction F2 as it moves outward in the opening and closing direction along a first direction F1. The second direction F2 includes both an upward and a downward direction along the second direction F2. In this embodiment, the tilt correction surface 72AF1 is directed upward as it moves outward in the opening and closing direction along the first direction F1. That is, the tilt correction surface 72AF1 is inclined diagonally upward toward the outward direction in the opening and closing direction. Therefore, when a corner of the imaging plate 10, which is supported at an angle on the support surface 64F, is pressed against the tilt correction surface 72AF1, the corner moves diagonally upward along the tilt correction surface 72AF1. The tilt correction surface 72AF1 may also be inclined diagonally downward toward the outward direction in the opening and closing direction. In this case, when a corner of the imaging plate, which is supported at an angle on the support surface, is pressed against the tilt correction surface, the corner moves diagonally downward along the tilt correction surface. For example, when the imaging plate 10 is tilted, the lower corner between the uppermost and lowermost corners of the imaging plate 10 is pressed against the tilt correction surface, causing it to move diagonally downward and thus correcting the tilt of the imaging plate 10.

[0106] The corners of the imaging plate 10 are the points where the four straight edges around the imaging plate 10 intersect, and in this embodiment, these are the rounded corners.

[0107] The positioning portion 72A has at least two (in this case, two) contact edges 72AF2 located on both sides of the inclination correction surface 72AF1 in the second direction F2. At least two of the contact edges 72AF2 extend along the same straight line along the second direction F2. Here, each of the two contact edges 72AF2 extends along the second direction F2. One contact edge 72AF2 extends on the straight extension of the other contact edge 72AF2. The two contact edges 72AF2 are located vertically separated, and the inclination correction surface 72AF1 is located between the two contact edges 72AF2.

[0108] It is not essential that the contact edges 72AF2 be located on both the upper and lower sides of the tilt correction surface 72AF1. For example, the contact edges may be located only on the upper or lower side of the tilt correction surface. It is not essential that the contact edges 72AF2 extend along the second direction F2. For example, the contact edges may be in a shape that makes point contact with the edge of the imaging plate.

[0109] The lower end of the tilt correction surface 72AF1 is continuous with the upper end of the lower contact edge 72AF2. Therefore, the tilt correction surface 72AF1 extends diagonally upward outward in the opening and closing direction from the upper end of the lower contact edge 72AF2, which is at least one of the two contact edges 72AF2.

[0110] A contact avoidance surface 72AF3 extends outward in the opening and closing direction from the lower end of the upper contact edge 72AF2, which is one of at least two contact edges 72AF2. Here, the contact avoidance surface 72AF3 extends along the first direction F1. The upper contact edge 72AF2 and the contact avoidance surface 72AF3 are connected via a curved surface 72AFc. The curved surface 72AFc is the part that is observed to be curved outward when viewed from the front of the imaging plate 10. This makes it less likely for the corners of the imaging plate 10 to interfere with the part where the upper contact edge 72AF2 and the contact avoidance surface 72AF3 connect when the imaging plate 10 changes its orientation from a tilted state to a normal position.

[0111] In this embodiment, a rear portion 72AF4 extending along the second direction F2 exists between the tilt correction surface 72AF1 and the contact avoidance surface 72AF3. The rear portion 72AF4 may be omitted. The tilt correction surface 72AF1 may also be extended into the region where the rear portion exists in this embodiment.

[0112] In this embodiment, the positioning portion 72A is made of a separate component from the plate-shaped portion 64, but the positioning portion may be a part that is integrally formed with the plate-shaped portion 64 by cutting or other processes.

[0113] The positioning section 72B is provided opposite the positioning section 72A with a gap between them. Here, the positioning section 72B is provided with a gap between it and the positioning section 72A along the first direction F1.

[0114] More specifically, slits 65a and 65b are formed in the plate-shaped portion 64 on the side opposite to the positioning portion 72A, along the first direction F1. In this embodiment, two slits 65a and 65b are formed in parallel at different positions in the second direction F2. The two slits 65a and 65b open outward along the first direction F1. A recess 65g is formed on the outer edge of the two slits 65a and 65b in the second direction F2, recessed below the support surface 64F. A long guide portion 65c protrudes from the middle of one of the slits 65a in the second direction F2, extending along the first direction F1. The guide portion 65c is recessed below the support surface 64F.

[0115] The positioning portion 72B is separate from the plate-shaped portion 64 and is supported so as to be movable along the first direction F1 by slits 65a and 65b. In Figure 6, the positioning portion 72B removed from the plate-shaped portion 64 is shown by a dashed line. More specifically, a part of the positioning portion 72B is formed in a shape that can be placed within the slits 65a and 65b, and another part of the positioning portion 72B is positioned to protrude beyond the support surface 64F. Even more specifically, the positioning portion 72B includes positioning bodies 72Ba and 72Bb and a movable support 72Bc. The positioning body 72Ba is a plate-shaped portion that is positioned on the support surface 64F side of the recess 65g and guide portion 65c relative to the slit 65a. A part of the positioning body 72Ba in the thickness direction is positioned so as to be movable within the slit 65a and along the slit 65a. The remaining part of the positioning body 72Ba in the thickness direction exits the slit 65a and protrudes beyond the support surface 64F. The positioning body 72Bb is a plate-shaped portion positioned on the support surface 64F side of the recess 65g relative to the slit 65b. A portion of the positioning body 72Bb in the thickness direction is positioned to move within the slit 65b along the slit 65b. The remaining portion of the positioning body 72Bb in the thickness direction exits the slit 65b and protrudes beyond the support surface 64F.

[0116] The movable support 72Bc is the portion that is connected to the positioning bodies 72Ba and 72Bb on the side opposite to the support surface 64F. The movable support 72Bc contacts the portion of the plate-shaped part 64 between the slits 65a and 65b from the side opposite to the support surface 64F. Because the positioning bodies 72Ba and 72Bb contact the bottom surface of the recess 65g and the guide portion 65c, and the movable support 72Bc contacts the plate-shaped part 64 from the side opposite to the support surface 64F, the positioning portion 72B can move along the slits 65a and 65b while being positioned in the thickness direction of the plate-shaped part 64 (see Figures 6 and 12). In the longitudinal middle portion of the positioning section 72B, the portion of the plate-shaped section 64 between the slits 65a and 65b contacts the positioning section 72B from the support surface 64F side. As a result, when the guide positioning surface 72BF2f is in contact with the edge of the imaging plate 10, it is difficult for the guide positioning surface 72BF2f to move away from the support surface 64F. This allows the guide positioning surface 72BF2f to effectively press the imaging plate 10 towards the support surface 64F.

[0117] In this embodiment, the movable support 72Bc has a guide groove 72Bg into which the guide portion 65c is slidably inserted (see Figure 6).

[0118] The positioning portion 72B has a tilt correction surface 72BF1. The tilt correction surface 72BF1 moves outward in the opening and closing direction along the first direction F1 and then toward the second direction F2. In other words, the tilt correction surface 72BF1 is inclined in the opposite direction to the tilt correction surface 72AF1. In this embodiment, in the second direction F2, the positioning body 72Ba is longer than the positioning body 72Bb. The tilt correction surface 72BF1 is formed on the upper side of the portion of the positioning body 72Ba that faces the positioning portion 72A side.

[0119] When the stage 60 is observed from the front, the tilt correction surface 72BF1 and the tilt correction surface 72AF1 are symmetrical. Therefore, when a corner of the imaging plate 10, which is tilted and supported on the support surface 64F, is pressed against the tilt correction surface 72BF1, the corner moves diagonally upward along the tilt correction surface 72BF1. The tilt correction surface 72BF1 may also be tilted diagonally downward toward the outside in the opening and closing direction (similar to the design of the tilt correction surface 72AF1 described above).

[0120] The positioning portion 72B has at least two (in this case, two) contact edges 72BF2 located on both sides of the inclination correction surface 72BF1 in the second direction F2. The at least two contact edges 72BF2 extend along the same straight line along the second direction F2. In the first direction F1, the at least two contact edges 72BF2 are spaced apart from the at least two contact edges 72AF2. When the stage 60 is observed from the front, the at least two contact edges 72AF2 and the at least two contact edges 72BF2 are symmetrical.

[0121] Here, one contact edge 72BF2 is formed on the lower side of the lower positioning body 72Ba, on the side facing the positioning portion 72A. A tilt correction surface 72BF1 is continuously connected to the upper end of this one contact edge 72BF2. Therefore, the tilt correction surface 72BF1 extends diagonally upward from the upper end of the lower contact edge 72BF2 toward the outside in the opening and closing direction.

[0122] Another contact edge 72BF2 is formed on the portion of the upper positioning body 72Bb that faces the positioning portion 72A side. The two contact edges 72BF2 are positioned vertically apart from the inclination correction surface 72BF1 by the distance between the positioning bodies 72Ba and 72Bb, with the inclination correction surface 72BF1 located between the two contact edges 72BF2.

[0123] It is not essential that the contact edges 72BF2 be located on both the upper and lower sides of the tilt correction surface 72BF1. For example, the contact edges may be located only on the upper or lower side of the tilt correction surface. It is not essential that the contact edges 72BF2 extend along the second direction F2. For example, the contact edges may be in a shape that makes point contact with the edge of the imaging plate.

[0124] A contact avoidance surface 72BF3 extends outward in the opening and closing direction from the lower end of the upper contact edge 72BF2, which is one of at least two contact edges 72BF2. Here, the contact avoidance surface 72BF3 extends along the first direction F1. The upper contact edge 72BF2 and the contact avoidance surface 72BF3 are connected via a curved surface 72BFc. The curved surface 72BFc is observed as a curved portion that is outwardly convex when viewed from the front of the imaging plate 10. This makes it less likely for the corners of the imaging plate 10 to interfere with the portion where the upper contact edge 72BF2 and the contact avoidance surface 72BF3 connect when the imaging plate 10 changes its orientation from a tilted state to a normal position.

[0125] In this embodiment, the positioning body 72Ba and the positioning body 72Bb are separated in the second direction F2 at a position on the front side of the support surface 64F. Therefore, the tilt correction surface 72BF1 and the contact avoidance surface 72BF3 are not connected, and a gap is provided between them. Similar to the positioning part 72A, the tilt correction surface 72BF1 and the contact avoidance surface 72BF3 may be connected or in contact with each other on the front side of the support surface 64F.

[0126] In this embodiment, each of the positioning sections 72A and 72B has a tilt correction surface 72AF1 and 72BF1. It is not essential that each of the positioning sections 72A and 72B has a tilt correction surface 72AF1 and 72BF1. If at least one of the positioning sections 72A and 72B has a tilt correction surface, tilt correction will be performed by that tilt correction surface.

[0127] Similarly, it is not essential that each of the positioning portions 72A and 72B has tilt correction surfaces 72AF1, 72BF1, at least two contact edges 72AF2, 72BF2, contact avoidance surfaces 72AF3, 72BF3, and curved surfaces 72AFc, 72BFc.

[0128] The portion of the contact edges 72AF2 and 72BF2 that contacts the imaging plate 10 only needs to have a shape that can contact the edge of the imaging plate 10 and regulate the position of that edge. Therefore, the contact edges may be surfaces perpendicular to the support surface. The tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 only need to have a shape that can guide the portion that contacts the edge (side or corner) of the imaging plate 10 and correct the orientation of the imaging plate 10. Therefore, the tilt correction surfaces may be surfaces that are inclined with respect to the support surface.

[0129] The positioning mechanism 70 has guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f. The guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f are examples of positioning surfaces that contact the edge portion of the imaging plate 10 supported on the support surface 64F, position the edge portion from the outside in the extending direction of the support surface 64F, and press the edge portion against the support surface 64F.

[0130] Specifically, each of at least two contact edges 72AF2 has a guide positioning surface 72AF2f, and each of at least two contact edges 72BF2 has a guide positioning surface 72BF2f. The guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f protrude from the support surface 64F by at least the thickness dimension of the imaging plate 10, and are shaped to overlap the support surface 64F as they move away from it (see Figure 15, and also Figure 6 for the guide positioning surface 72BF2f).

[0131] The guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f are, for example, inclined surfaces that tilt toward the center of the support surface 64F as they move away from the front of the support surface 64F. The guide positioning surfaces may be flat, curved, or a combination of a flat and a curved surface.

[0132] When the guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f come into contact with the edge of the imaging plate 10, the edge is pressed towards the support surface 64F. This makes it easier to keep the imaging plate 10 in contact with the support surface 64F, and makes it easier to maintain a constant distance between the reading unit 90 and the surface 10a of the imaging plate 10 when the reading unit 90 reads the imaging plate 10. As a result, the reading unit 90 can read the imaging plate 10 well.

[0133] The inclination correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 may be at an angle closer to a right angle with respect to the support surface 64F than the guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f. Here, an angle closer to a right angle includes the case where it is a right angle. In other words, if the angle θ1 is the angle made between the guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f and the support surface 64F (see Figure 15), and the angle θ2 is the angle made between the inclination correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 and the support surface 64F (see Figure 18), then the difference between 90 degrees and θ1 is greater than the difference between 90 degrees and θ2.

[0134] Although θ1 is arbitrary, theoretically, it is preferable that 0 degrees < θ1 < 90 degrees in order for the guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f to have the function of guiding the edge of the imaging plate 10 to press against the support surface 64F.

[0135] While θ2 is arbitrary, if θ2 is small, the edge of the imaging plate 10 is more likely to get caught between the support surface 64F and the inclination correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1, making it difficult for the edge of the imaging plate 10 to move smoothly along the inclination correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1. Therefore, by setting θ2 > θ1, the edge of the imaging plate 10 is less likely to get caught on the inclination correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1. Also, if θ2 exceeds 90 degrees, when the edge of the imaging plate 10 is pressed against the inclination correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1, it is thought that it will be guided in a direction away from the support surface 64F. Therefore, it is preferable that θ2 ≤ 90 degrees, and more preferably that θ2 = 90 degrees. For example, it may be 45 degrees ≤ θ1 < 90 degrees and θ2 = 90 degrees.

[0136] The positioning unit 72B is movable between a spaced position (see Figure 7) relative to the positioning unit 72A and a close position (see Figure 10) that is closer to the positioning unit 72A than the spaced position. When the stage 60 is in the set position P1, the positioning unit 72B is in the spaced position. When the stage 60 is in the reading position P2, the positioning unit 72B can move to the close position.

[0137] In this embodiment, the imaging plate 10 is set on the stage 60 with its longitudinal direction aligned with the main scanning direction A1. Therefore, the width of the imaging plate 10 is the width in the short direction of the imaging plate 10.

[0138] When the positioning unit 72B is positioned at a distanced position, the distance between the positioning unit 72A and the positioning unit 72B is set to be greater than the width of the imaging plate 10. When multiple sizes of imaging plates 10 are selectively set on the stage 60, the distance is set to be greater than the largest width among the multiple sizes of imaging plates 10.

[0139] When the positioning unit 72B is in the proximity position, the distance between the positioning unit 72A and the positioning unit 72B is set to be smaller than the width of the imaging plate 10. When multiple sizes of imaging plates 10 are selectively set on the stage 60, the distance is set to be smaller than the smallest width among the multiple sizes of imaging plates 10.

[0140] Therefore, the imaging plate 10 can be placed between the positioning units 72A and 72B while the positioning unit 72B is in a separated position. Furthermore, the imaging plate 10 can be sandwiched between the positioning units 72A and 72B by moving the positioning unit 72B from a separated position to a closer position.

[0141] More specifically, the imaging plate 10 is placed on the support surface 64F with the positioning unit 72B positioned at a distance from the other positioning unit 72A and the positioning unit 72B separated (see Figure 4). In this state, the positioning unit 72B moves toward the approaching position (positioning unit 72A). As a result, one edge of the imaging plate 10 is pushed inward by the positioning unit 72B (in the direction along the first direction F1), and slides along the support surface 64F toward the positioning unit 72A. Then, the edge of the imaging plate 10 on the positioning unit 72A side is pressed against the positioning unit 72A, and its movement toward the positioning unit 72A is restricted.

[0142] If the imaging plate 10 is tilted, the tilt is corrected when the edge of the imaging plate 10 comes into contact with the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1. The tilt correction operation will be explained later.

[0143] The stage 60 has springs 72Bs as biasing members that bias the positioning portion 72B toward the positioning portion 72A. For example, on the back side of the plate-shaped portion 64, one end of the springs 72Bs is fixed to the inner part of the slit 65a, and the other end is fixed to the movable support 72Bc. Between the inner part of the slit 65a and the movable support 72Bc, the springs 72Bs are always in an extended state, and the compressive force of the springs 72Bs biases the positioning portion 72B toward the positioning portion 72A.

[0144] A roller 72Bq is integrally attached to the positioning section 72B as a receiving part that receives the force that moves the positioning section 72B. When the stage 60 moves, the roller 72Bq comes into contact with the cam plate 80 fixed to the support member 40, causing the positioning section 72B to move.

[0145] The movement of the positioning unit 72B in conjunction with the movement of the stage 60 will be explained further later.

[0146] <Regarding the positioning mechanism in the second direction> The positioning portion 72C is an elongated portion of the plate-shaped portion 64 that protrudes along one side in the second direction F2, in this case, the lower side. The positioning portion 72C extends along the first direction F1 along the lower boundary of the boundary surrounding the support surface 64F. The positioning portion 72C protrudes further from the support surface 64F than the support surface 64F. The length of the positioning portion 72C may be shorter or longer than the width dimension (the maximum width dimension if multiple sizes are assumed) of the imaging plate 10 supported on the support surface 64F.

[0147] The inward-facing (upward-facing) surface of the positioning portion 72C is formed as the positioning surface 72CF. The positioning surface 72CF may be formed as a guide surface (in this case, a flat surface) with an angle of less than 90 degrees to the support surface 64F, or as a flat surface perpendicular to the support surface 64F. Since the positioning surface 72CF is located below the support surface 64F which is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity, it is an example of a surface that receives the lower edge portion of the imaging plate 10 as it moves downward along the support surface 64F.

[0148] The positioning unit 72C is an example of a reference positioning unit that is positioned at a fixed position on the support surface 64F and contacts the edge portion of the imaging plate 10 from one side in the second direction F2. This positioning unit 72C is positioned to support the imaging plate from below. The reference positioning unit only needs to be positioned at a fixed position relative to the support surface 64F at the set position P1 and the reading position P2.

[0149] In this embodiment, the positioning portion 72C is formed separately from the plate-shaped portion 64. The positioning portion 72C is configured to be able to change its orientation between a contact position and a retracted position (see Figure 11). The contact position is the position in which the positioning surface 72CF faces the edge portion of the imaging plate 10 on the support surface 64F, and the retracted position is the position in which the positioning surface 72CF is retracted from the edge portion of the imaging plate 10 on the support surface 64F.

[0150] The operation of the positioning section 72C will now be explained. The lower end portion of the plate-shaped section 64 is formed to be narrower than the other portions. The positioning section 72C includes an elongated positioning body portion 73Ca and a pair of rotational support portions 73Cb. The positioning body portion 73Ca is set to a length that can extend over the entire lower end portion of the plate-shaped section 64. One of the surfaces surrounding the positioning body portion 73Ca is formed on the positioning surface 72CF. A pair of rotational support portions 73Cb extend from both ends of the positioning body portion 73Ca. The pair of rotational support portions 73Cb are arranged on both sides of the lower end portion of the plate-shaped section 64. The pair of rotational support portions 73Cb are rotatably supported on both sides of the lower end portion of the plate-shaped section 64 by a support shaft portion formed by screws or pins.

[0151] When the positioning portion 72C is in the contact position, as described above, the positioning surface 72CF is positioned to intersect the downward extension of the support surface 64F. Therefore, the lower edge portion of the imaging plate 10 that slides down the support surface 64F can come into contact with the positioning surface 72CF (see the positioning portion 72C shown by the solid line in Figure 11).

[0152] When the positioning surface 72CF is relocated to the retracted position, the positioning surface 72CF retracts from the support surface 64F (see the positioning part 72C shown by the dashed line in Figure 11). That is, when the positioning surface 72CF is in the retracted position, it is no longer positioned to receive the lower edge portion of the imaging plate 10 that has moved downward along the support surface 64F. In this embodiment, the positioning surface 72CF retracts to the back side of the support surface 64F. The positioning surface 72CF may also retract to the front side of the support surface 64F. When the positioning surface 72CF moves to the retracted position, the imaging plate 10 can slide down on the support surface 64F.

[0153] In this embodiment, one of the pair of rotating support parts 73Cb is provided with a protruding piece 73Cbp that projects toward the side opposite to the support surface 64F. By pushing the protruding piece 73Cbp as the stage 60 moves, the positioning surface 72CF is repositioned from the contact position to the retracted position. The biasing force of the positioning part 72C from the retracted position to the retracted position may be provided by the weight of the positioning part 72C itself, or by a spring such as a torsion coil spring.

[0154] Using the positioning section 72C, which is the reference positioning section, as described above, preferred positioning examples for the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 will be explained. When the imaging plate 10 is placed on the support surface 64F, it is assumed that gravity will cause it to come into contact with the positioning surface 72CF on the positioning section 72C. When the imaging plate 10 is significantly tilted, it is preferable that the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 come into contact with the corners of the imaging plate 10, guide those corners, and correct the tilt of the imaging plate 10. For this reason, it is preferable that in many states in which the imaging plate 10 is tilted while positioned between the positioning sections 72A and 72B on the positioning section 72C, the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 are in a position where they can come into contact with the corners of the imaging plate 10. For example, it is preferable that the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 are provided in the second direction F2, with reference to the positioning portion 72C, in a region that extends from a position less than half the dimensions of the imaging plate 10 to be corrected (here, the longitudinal dimension) to a region less than the dimensions of the imaging plate 10. Also, for example, in the second direction F2, it is preferable that at least a portion of the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 are located above the center of gravity of the imaging plate 10 to be corrected, and that the corners of the tilted imaging plate 10 are above the center of gravity and in contact with the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1. Furthermore, after tilt correction, at least a portion of the contact edges 72AF2 and 72BF2 may be located below the center of gravity of the imaging plate 10 so that the imaging plate 10 can be clamped in a predetermined position, and the corrected imaging plate 10 may be positioned by clamping it at a position lower than the center of gravity.

[0155] As already mentioned, unlike the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1, it is also conceivable that the tilt correction surface corrects the tilt of the imaging plate 10 by moving the corners of the imaging plate 10 diagonally downward. In this case, it is preferable that at least a portion of the tilt correction surface is located below the center of gravity of the imaging plate 10 to be corrected. Furthermore, with respect to the contact edge along the second direction F2, similarly to the above, it is preferable that at least a portion of the contact edge is located below the center of gravity of the imaging plate.

[0156] In this embodiment, multiple sizes of imaging plates 10 are assumed to be the objects of correction. For example, in Figure 9, in the second direction F2, the central region of the multiple sizes of imaging plates 10 is indicated by E1. In the second direction F2, the lower end position G1 of the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 is located below the region E1. Also, in the second direction F2, the upper end region of the multiple sizes of imaging plates 10 is indicated by E2. In the second direction F2, the upper end position G2 of the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 is located below the region E2.

[0157] The tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 extend upward in the second direction F2 from a position less than half the length of the imaging plate 10 to be corrected (in this case, the longitudinal dimension) relative to the positioning portion 72C. This makes it easier to bring the corners of the imaging plate 10 into contact with the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 when the imaging plate 10 is significantly tilted. In other words, when the tilt of the imaging plate 10 is small, it is thought that the tilt can be corrected by bringing the edges of the imaging plate 10 into contact with the guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f, even without bringing the corners of the imaging plate 10 into contact with the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1. If the tilt of the imaging plate 10 becomes large, the frictional force between the corners of the imaging plate 10 and the positioning portion 72A (or 72B) increases, which may prevent the imaging plate 10 from rotating to its normal position. Therefore, the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 extend upward in the second direction F2 from a position less than half the length of the imaging plate 10 to be corrected (in this case, the longitudinal dimension), relative to the positioning portion 72C. This makes it easier to bring the corners of the imaging plate 10 into contact with the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 when the imaging plate 10 is significantly tilted. This makes it easier to correct the imaging plate 10.

[0158] Furthermore, since the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 are provided in a region that is less than the dimensions of the imaging plate 10 to be corrected, with respect to the positioning portion 72C in the second direction F2, it is easier to realize a configuration in which the contact edges 72AF2 and 72BF2 are positioned above the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 for long imaging plates 10. As a result, for long imaging plates 10, the contact edges 72AF2 and 72BF2 are brought into contact with the upper and lower outer surfaces of the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1, thereby making it easier to position the imaging plate 10 (see Figure 20).

[0159] The positioning section 72D is provided opposite to the positioning section 72C with a gap between them. Here, the positioning section 72D is provided with a gap between it and the positioning section 72C along the second direction F2.

[0160] More specifically, a slit 67 is formed in the plate-shaped portion 64 on the side opposite to the positioning portion 72C, along the second direction F2. Recesses 67g are formed on both side edges of the slit 67, recessed below the support surface 64F.

[0161] The positioning portion 72D is formed in a long, plate-like shape along the extending direction of the slit 67. In Figure 6, the positioning portion 72D removed from the plate-like portion 64 is shown by a dashed line. The thickness of the positioning portion 72D is greater than the thickness of the plate-like portion 64. The middle portion of the positioning portion 72D in the thickness direction is positioned inside the slit 67. The positioning portion 72D has protrusions 72Dp that can contact both side edges of the slit 67 from both sides of the plate-like portion 64. With the protrusions 72Dp in contact with both side edges of the slit 67 from both sides of the plate-like portion 64, the positioning portion 72D is supported so as to be able to reciprocate along the direction along the slit 67 (second direction F2).

[0162] The inward-facing (downward-facing) surface of the positioning portion 72D is formed as the positioning surface 72DF. The positioning surface 72DF may be formed as a guide surface (in this case, a flat surface) with an angle of less than 90 degrees to the support surface 64F, or as a flat surface perpendicular to the support surface 64F. The positioning surface 72DF is separated from the positioning surface 72CF in the second direction F2. The positioning surface 72DF is an example of a surface that pushes the upper edge portion of the imaging plate 10 downward.

[0163] The stage 60 has springs 72Ds as biasing members that bias the positioning portion 72D toward the positioning portion 72C. For example, on the back side of the plate-shaped portion 64, one end of the springs 72Ds is fixed to the inner portion of the slit 67, and the other end is fixed to the positioning portion 72D. Between the inner portion of the slit 67 and the positioning portion 72D, the springs 72Ds are always in an extended state, and the compressive force of the springs 72Ds biases the positioning portion 72D toward the positioning portion 72C.

[0164] A receiving portion 72Dq is integrally formed with the positioning portion 72D. The receiving portion 72Dq is provided on the part of the positioning portion 72D that faces away from the support surface 64F. Here, the receiving portion 72Dq is provided in the longitudinal middle part of the positioning portion 72D. The receiving portion 72Dq protrudes beyond the back surface of the plate-shaped portion 64. Regardless of the position of the stage 60, the receiving portion 72Dq can be positioned between a pair of longitudinal side plates 45. This receiving portion 72Dq can receive the force that moves the positioning portion 72D by contacting the lower short-side plate 46L, which is an example of a fixed positioning portion, in at least a portion of the movement path of the stage 60.

[0165] In this embodiment, the pair of first opening / closing positioning sections 72A and 72B open smaller than the pair of second opening / closing positioning sections 72C and 72D. That is, the maximum distance between the pair of first opening / closing positioning sections 72A and 72B is smaller than the maximum distance between the pair of second opening / closing positioning sections 72C and 72D. This makes it easier to position the imaging plate 10 between the pair of first opening / closing positioning sections 72A and 72B and between the pair of second opening / closing positioning sections 72C and 72D, with the imaging plate 10 aligned with the second direction F2. In particular, if the maximum distance between the pair of second opening / closing positioning sections 72C and 72D is smaller than the smallest of the longitudinal dimensions of multiple sizes of imaging plate 10, it becomes difficult to position the imaging plate 10 with its longitudinal direction aligned with the first direction F1. This makes it less likely that the imaging plate 10 will be set on the stage 60 in the wrong orientation.

[0166] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f, 72BF2f, and positioning surfaces 72CF, 72DF are surfaces that are inclined at an acute angle with respect to the support surface 64F. It is not essential that in some or all of the positioning sections 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D, the surface that positions the imaging plate 10 has a configuration that presses the edge portion of the imaging plate 10 against the support surface 64F.

[0167] <Regarding the drive mechanism of the positioning unit> The positioning units 72B, 72C, and 72D may be driven by any configuration. For example, the positioning units 72B, 72C, and 72D may be driven using the force that drives the stage 60. The positioning units 72B, 72C, and 72D may be driven by a drive unit (e.g., a motor, a solenoid actuator) separate from the drive unit that drives the stage 60, based on the control of the control unit 100 (see Figure 3).

[0168] In this embodiment, the positioning units 72B, 72C, and 72D are driven using the force that drives the stage 60, and the configuration for this is described below.

[0169] <Configuration for moving the positioning unit 72B> As described above, the positioning unit 72B is supported so as to be movable between a spaced-out position and an approaching position relative to the stage body 61. The direction of movement of the positioning unit 72B on the stage body 61 is along the sub-scanning direction A2 (first direction F1), which intersects with the direction of movement of the stage body 61 along the main scanning direction A1 (second direction F2).

[0170] The positioning section 72B is biased in the approaching direction by springs 72Bs. The positioning section 72B also has a rotatably supported roller 72Bq. The axis of rotation of the roller 72Bq is along a direction perpendicular to the first direction F1 and the second direction F2. The roller 72Bq protrudes from the plate-like section 64 on the side opposite to the support surface 64F. Regardless of the position of the stage 60, the roller 72Bq can be positioned between a pair of support rods 48.

[0171] The cam plate 80 is supported by the portion of the pair of support rods 48 that protrudes from the box-shaped portion 44. The cam plate 80 is a plate-shaped member located between the pair of support rods 48 on the outside of the lower, shorter side plate 46L. The cam plate 80 is located on the opposite side of the support surface 64F from the stage body 61.

[0172] A cam groove 82 is formed in the cam plate 80 (see Figures 8 and 10). The cam groove 82 is formed to extend along the second direction F2 at a position where the roller 72Bq can be positioned. The cam groove 82 penetrates both sides of the cam plate 80, but it may also be a closed groove that opens on the stage 60 side.

[0173] The side of the cam groove 82 closest to the positioning portion 72A (approaching position side) is formed as an operating surface 82f that contacts the roller 72Bq and moves the roller 72Bq along the first direction F1.

[0174] The operating surface 82f has an inclined surface 82fm that moves toward the positioning unit 72A side (approaching position) as it moves from the set position P1 toward the reading position P2 along the second direction F2. The inclined surface 82fm is located in the middle of the operating surface 82f in the second direction F2. In the second direction F2, the portions on both sides of the inclined surface 82fm of the operating surface 82f are formed as surfaces 82f1 and 82f2 that are aligned with the second direction F2.

[0175] The side of the cam groove 82 that is farther from the positioning portion 72A (the separated position side) is formed in a shape that avoids contact with the roller 72Bq. In this embodiment, this side is formed as a plane that extends along the second direction F2 at a distance greater than the distance of the roller 72Bq from the operating surface 82f.

[0176] When the stage 60 is in the set position P1, the roller 72Bq is located behind the inclined surface 82fm in the cam groove 82 (see Figure 8). In this state, the roller 72Bq is in contact with the surface 82f1 located behind the inclined surface 82fm. Surface 82f1 pushes the roller 72Bq away from the positioning part 72A (towards the separated position) against the biasing force of the spring 72Bs. Therefore, when the stage 60 is in the set position P1, the positioning part 72B is in the separated position.

[0177] As the stage 60 moves from the set position P1 towards the reading position P2, the roller 72Bq moves within the cam groove 82 toward the set position P1. The positioning unit 72B and the roller 72Bq are biased toward the approaching position by the spring 72Bs. As a result, the roller 72Bq is pressed against the operating surface 82f. The roller 72Bq moves driven from surface 82f1, through the inclined surface 82fm, and then onto surface 82f2 (see Figure 10).

[0178] As the roller 72Bq moves along the inclined surface 82fm, the positioning unit 72B gradually moves from a separated position to a closer position. If the imaging plate 10 is not placed on the support surface 64F, the roller 72Bq reaches the surface 82f2 on the side of the set position P1 from the inclined surface 82fm. When the roller 72Bq moves along the surface 82f2 on the side of the set position P1 from the inclined surface 82fm, the positioning unit 72B is kept in the closer position.

[0179] When the positioning unit 72B moves from a separated position to an approaching position, if the imaging plate 10 is placed on the support surface 64F, the portion of the positioning unit 72B on the positioning unit 72A side contacts one edge of the imaging plate 10. When the positioning unit 72B pushes the imaging plate 10 toward the positioning unit 72A side, the distance between the positioning unit 72A and the positioning unit 72B becomes approximately the same as the width of the imaging plate 10. As a result, the positioning unit 72B can no longer move toward the positioning unit 72A side. Therefore, regardless of whether the roller 72Bq is in contact with the operating surface 82f or not, the movement of the positioning unit 72B toward the approaching position is restricted. As a result, in the first direction F1, the biasing force of the springs 72Bs holds the imaging plate 10 in a positioned position between the positioning unit 72A and the positioning unit 72B.

[0180] When the stage 60 moves from the reading position P2 to the setting position P1, the reverse operation described above occurs. That is, as the stage 60 moves, the roller 72Bq comes into contact with the inclined surface 82fm, pushing the roller 72Bq from the approaching position to the separating position against the biasing force of the spring 72Bs. As a result, the positioning part 72B gradually moves towards the approaching position, and the positioning parts 72A and 72B open up. This releases the clamping of the imaging plate 10 by the positioning parts 72A and 72B in the first direction F1.

[0181] As described above, the spring 72Bs as a biasing member that biases the positioning section 72B, the roller 72Bq as a receiving part that receives the force to move the positioning section 72B, and the operating surface 82f that acts on the roller 72Bq are an example of a positioning section operating mechanism that closes a pair of opening and closing positioning sections 72A and 72B in accordance with the stage 60 moving from the set position P1 to the reading position P2 by the stage moving mechanism 50. As described above, the positioning section operating mechanism may operate the positioning section 72B with a drive unit (for example, a motor, a solenoid actuator) separate from the drive unit that drives the stage 60. On the other hand, in a configuration like this embodiment, where the opening and closing operations of the pair of opening and closing positioning sections can be performed by the force with which the stage moving mechanism moves the stage, the number of drive units such as motors can be reduced.

[0182] <Configuration for moving the positioning unit 72D> The configuration for moving the positioning unit 72D will now be described. As described above, the positioning unit 72D is supported so as to be movable between a spaced-out position and a close-to-the-stage position relative to the stage body 61. The direction of movement of the positioning unit 72D on the stage body 61 is the same as the direction of movement of the stage body 61 along the main scanning direction A1 (second direction F2).

[0183] The positioning portion 72D is constantly biased in the closing direction, i.e., from the separated position to the approached position, by springs 72Ds. A receiving portion 72Dq is integrally formed with the positioning portion 72D.

[0184] When the stage 60 is in the set position P1, the receiving portion 72Dq contacts the edge of the lower, shorter side plate 46L from the reading position P2 side. As a result, the receiving portion 72Dq is pushed toward the opening side of the slit 67 (reading position P2 side) against the tensile force of the spring 72Ds, and the positioning portion 72D is kept in a separated position (see Figure 8). In other words, the pair of positioning portions 72C and 72D are kept in the open state.

[0185] When the stage 60 is in the reading position P2, the contact between the receiving portion 72Dq and the short-side plate 46L is released. As a result, the tensile force from the spring 72Ds biases the positioning portion 72D toward the back of the slit 67, i.e., toward the approach position (see Figure 10). This keeps the pair of positioning portions 72C and 72D sandwiching the opposing upper and lower side edges of the imaging plate 10.

[0186] During at least a portion of the initial section (the initial section) in which the stage 60 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2, the receiving portion 72Dq remains pushed toward the short-side plate 46L by the tensile force of the spring 72Bs as the stage 60 moves toward the reading position P2. With respect to the stage body 61, the positioning portion 72D gradually moves toward the approaching position in accordance with the movement of the stage body 61. As a result, the pair of positioning portions 72C and 72D are closed.

[0187] In this case, if the imaging plate 10 is not present between the pair of positioning parts 72C and 72D, the positioning part 72D moves to the approach position. If the imaging plate 10 is present between the pair of positioning parts 72C and 72D, the imaging plate 10 is sandwiched between the pair of positioning surfaces 72CF and 72DF, causing the positioning part 72D to move toward the approach position until its movement is restricted. In this state, the biasing force of the springs 72Ds keeps the imaging plate 10 sandwiched between the pair of positioning surfaces 72CF and 72DF. In this way, the force that moves the stage 60 causes the receiving part 72Dq to move relative to the stage body, thereby allowing the receiving part 72Dq to move the positioning part 72D toward the approach position, and thus causing the positioning part 72D to perform an opening operation.

[0188] Conversely, in at least a portion of the section (later section) in which the stage 60 moves from the reading position P2 towards the set position P1, the receiving portion 72Dq and the short-side plate 46L come into contact, so that the positioning portion 72D is kept in a constant position relative to the short-side plate 46L while the stage body 61 moves towards the set position P1. With respect to the stage body 61, the positioning portion 72D is gradually moved toward a separated position in accordance with the movement of the stage body 61 due to the biasing force of the springs 72Ds. This releases the holding of the imaging plate 10 between the pair of positioning portions 72C and 72D. In other words, it opens the pair of positioning portions 72C and 72D. In this way, the receiving portion 72Dq moves the positioning portion 72D toward a separated position by the force that moves the stage 60, thereby causing the positioning portion 72D to open.

[0189] <Configuration for moving the positioning unit 72C> In this embodiment, the stage 60 is movable to an ejection position P3, which is further away from the set position P1 (on the opposite side from the reading position P2) (see Figure 11).

[0190] A groove 84 is formed in the cam plate 80 (see Figures 8, 10, and 11). The groove 84 is formed to extend along the second direction F2 at a position where the protruding piece 73Cbp provided at one end of the positioning portion 72B can be positioned. The groove 84 penetrates both sides of the cam plate 80, but it may also be a closed-end groove that opens on the stage 60 side.

[0191] An operating roller 85 is located at the back of the groove 84. The operating roller 85 is a roller that is rotatably supported around an axis along the first direction F1. The operating roller 85 does not contact the protruding piece 73Cbp when the stage 60 is in the set position P1, but is positioned to contact the protruding piece 73Cbp when the stage 60 is in the discharge position P3. Alternatively, the operating roller 85 may not be provided at the back of the groove 84, and the position at the back of the second cam groove itself may be set to be able to contact the protruding piece 73Cbp when the stage 60 is in the discharge position P3.

[0192] When the stage 60 is in the set position P1 and reading position P2, the protruding piece 73Cbp does not contact the operating roller 85. In this state, the positioning surface 72CF of the positioning unit 72B is in a contact position that supports the imaging plate 10 from below, either by the weight of the positioning unit 72B or by the biasing member.

[0193] As the stage 60 moves from the set position P1 to the discharge position P3, the protruding piece 73Cbp contacts the operating roller 85, and the positioning surface 72CF moves from the contact position to the retracted position. This allows the imaging plate 10 to slide down from the support surface 64F of the stage 60.

[0194] <About the set guide> Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the guiding operation of the imaging plate 10 by the setup guide 200.

[0195] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 5, and 13, the setting guide 200 includes a plate guide surface 216 that guides the imaging plate 10 toward the stage 60. The plate guide surface 216 is a downward-sloping surface that guides the imaging plate 10 diagonally downward. The setting guide 200 is positioned opposite the stage 60, which is located at the setting position P1, from the support surface 64F side.

[0196] More specifically, the set guide 200 comprises a guide base plate 201 and a guide body 212.

[0197] The guide base plate 201 is sized to match the width of the pair of support rods 48 and is fixed so as to span across the pair of support rods 48. The guide base plate 201 can cover the portion of the stage 60 that protrudes from the lower short-side plate 46L.

[0198] A plate passage opening 202 is formed in the guide base plate 201. The plate passage opening 202 is a rectangular opening through which the imaging plate 10 can pass. For example, the plate passage opening 202 is formed in a rectangular shape that is larger than the size of the imaging plate 10 (or the largest size if multiple sizes of imaging plates 10 are assumed). The plate passage opening 202 is formed in the stage 60 located at the set position P1, at a position facing the support surface 64F.

[0199] The guide body 212 is formed of, for example, resin. The guide body 212 has a plate guide surface 216 and guides the imaging plate 10 from the opening 31 of the housing 30 toward the stage 60.

[0200] The guide body 212 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0201] An input port 230 is formed on the outward-facing surface of the guide body 212. On the inward-facing surface of the guide body 212, opposite to the outward-facing surface, an opening 232 is formed. The guide body 212 is attached to the guide base plate 201 with the opening 232 positioned to correspond to the plate passage opening 202. With the guide body 212 attached to a pair of support rods 48 via the guide base plate 201, the opening 232 faces the support surface 64F of the stage 60 located at the set position P1, via the plate passage opening 202, between the pair of support rods 48.

[0202] Furthermore, with the guide body 212 attached to the pair of support rods 48 as described above, the outward-facing surface on which the input port 230 is formed is positioned along the surface of the housing 30 on which the opening 31 is formed. This outward-facing surface is exposed to the outside of the housing 30 through the opening 31.

[0203] A plate guide surface 216 is formed within the guide body 212, extending from the lower edge of the input port 230 toward the lower edge of the opening 232.

[0204] The plate guide surface 216 is formed to gradually curve downward toward the support surface 64F. In this embodiment, the plate guide surface 216 includes a portion that is a curved surface 216a that is convex outward. In this embodiment, the entire plate guide surface 216 is a curved surface 216a. When viewed along the sub-scanning direction A2, the curved surface 216a has a curve that is convex upward and toward the stage 60. On the curved surface 216a, it is difficult for the flat imaging plate 10 to make surface contact, and therefore it is difficult for the imaging plate 10 to stick to the curved surface 216a. For this reason, the imaging plate 10 can slide smoothly down on the curved surface 216a.

[0205] The upper end of the plate guide surface 216 is located above the lower end of the support surface 64F on the stage 60 (for example, the position of the positioning surface 72CF), and preferably above the upper end of the support surface 64F (for example, the position of the positioning surface 72DF located at a spaced position).

[0206] The lower end of the plate guide surface 216 is located below the upper end of the plate guide surface 216, preferably below the upper end of the support surface 64F (for example, the position of the positioning surface 72DF located at a spaced position), and more preferably at a height closer to the lower end of the support surface 64F (for example, the position of the positioning surface 72CF) than to the upper end.

[0207] The stage may support the imaging plate in a position where its short side is tilted relative to the horizontal. In this case, the setup guide should guide the imaging plate toward the stage with its short side aligned with the horizontal.

[0208] The setting guide 200 may include a shutter 244 that can open and close the input slot 230. The shutter 244 may open and close the input slot 230 in conjunction with the movement of the stage 60. For example, the shutter 244 may open the input slot 230 when the stage 60 is in the setting position P1, and close the input slot 230 when the stage 60 is in the reading position P2, and when it is in a position between the setting position P1 and the reading position P2.

[0209] The shutter 244 may be opened and closed using the movement of the stage 60, or it may be driven by a drive unit (e.g., a motor, a solenoid actuator) separate from the motor 53 that moves the stage 60.

[0210] The housing 30 covers the setting guide 200, the support member 40, the stage 60, the reading unit 90, etc., with the outward-facing surface of the setting guide 200, on which the input opening 230 is formed, exposed through the opening 31 (see Figure 1). Therefore, the housing 30 covers the stage 60, the reading unit 90 including the excitation light source 92 and the photodetector 94, and at least the plate guide surface 216 and the support surface 64F of the setting guide 200.

[0211] An example of the guiding operation of the imaging plate 10 by the setting guide 200 will be explained, mainly with reference to Figure 13. In this embodiment, the setting guide 200 guides the imaging plate 10 toward the stage 60 while inverting it.

[0212] The imaging plate 10 is inserted into the input port 230 with its longitudinal direction intersecting (preferably perpendicular to) the extending direction of the input port 230 (see Q1). At this time, the back surface 10b of the imaging plate 10 is facing upwards, and the front surface 10a is facing downwards.

[0213] The imaging plate 10 is inserted beyond the input opening 230 and further inside (see Q2). Once the majority of the imaging plate 10 is positioned on the plate guide surface 216 beyond the input opening 230, gravity causes the imaging plate 10 to slide down along the slope of the plate guide surface 216 without manual pushing. Eventually, the lower end of the imaging plate 10 reaches the support surface 64F (see Q3). The lower end of the imaging plate 10 moves further downward, sliding down along the slope of the support surface 64F.

[0214] As the lower end of the imaging plate 10 moves downward in accordance with the inclination of the support surface 64F, the inclination position becomes the opposite of the previous state (see Q4). This causes the imaging plate 10 to tilt further so that the back surface 10b of the imaging plate 10 moves closer to the support surface 64F. As a result, the support surface 64F of the stage 60 can contact the back surface 10b of the imaging plate 10 and hold the imaging plate 10 in the same inclination position as the support surface 64F (see Q5). In this state, the front surface 10a of the imaging plate 10 faces the same side as the support surface 64F.

[0215] According to this setup guide 200, the imaging plate 10 can be placed with its surface 10a facing downwards. This makes it less likely for the radiation image-forming surface of the imaging plate 10 to be exposed to ambient light when the imaging plate 10 is set in the reader 20.

[0216] It is not mandatory for the setting guide 200 to invert the imaging plate 10 and guide it toward the stage 60. The setting guide may guide the imaging plate toward the stage without reversing its front and back positions. In this case, the user should place the imaging plate into the setting guide with the front surface 10a facing upwards.

[0217] The presence of the setup guide 200 is not mandatory. The imaging plate inserted through the input port may be supplied directly onto the stage. Alternatively, at the setup position, the support surface of the stage may be exposed to external access, allowing the user to place the imaging plate directly onto the support surface.

[0218] <Regarding the operation of the reader> The operation of the reading device 20 will be explained.

[0219] In the initial state, the stage 60 is located at the set position P1 (see Figures 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8). In this state, the roller 72Bq is in contact with the surface 82f1 of the cam groove 82 that is further back than the inclined surface 82fm, so the positioning part 72B is located in a separated position. Therefore, in the first direction F1 (horizontal direction), there is an open space between the positioning parts 72A and 72B. Also, the receiving part 72Dq is in contact with the short-side plate 46L, so the positioning part 72D is located in a separated position. Therefore, in the second direction F2, the positioning parts 72C and 72D are open. Furthermore, since the protruding piece 73Cbp does not contact the operating roller 85, the positioning surface 72CF of the positioning part 72C is located in a contact position that supports the imaging plate 10 from below.

[0220] Furthermore, the shutter 244 is in a position that opens the input slot 230.

[0221] In this state, the imaging plate 10 is inserted into the input port 230 of the setup guide 200. The imaging plate 10 is inserted into the input port 230 with the radiation-forming layer 11 facing downwards. Generally, sunlight is emitted from the sky. Also, indoor lighting fixtures emit light from above, such as from the ceiling. This reading device 20 is expected to be installed on a table or the like. Therefore, it is expected that most of the sunlight and lighting in the environment in which this reading device is installed will irradiate the reading device 20 from above. By orienting the radiation-forming layer 11 of the imaging plate 10 downwards, the radiation-forming layer 11 is less likely to be exposed to sunlight and other external light such as lighting.

[0222] The imaging plate 10, placed in the setting guide 200, is supported on the stage 60 in an inverted state due to the combined action of the plate guide surface 216 and the support surface 64F within the setting guide 200. On the support surface 64F, the back surface of the imaging plate 10 faces downward in the direction of gravity, and the radiation image forming layer 11 faces upward in the direction of gravity. The imaging plate 10 is also positioned between the positioning parts 72A and 72B on the support surface 64F and is supported from below by the positioning surface 72CF.

[0223] When a reading instruction is input to the reading device 20, the stage 60 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2 by the drive of the stage moving mechanism 50.

[0224] During movement, the roller 72Bq moves to the front side of the cam groove 82 via the inclined surface 82fm. As a result, the biasing force of the spring 72Bs causes the positioning part 72B to approach the positioning part 72A. When the guide positioning surface 72BF2f contacts one side edge of the imaging plate 10 while the positioning part 72B is moving, the imaging plate 10 is pushed toward the opposite guide positioning surface 72AF2f. As the imaging plate 10 slides along the lower positioning surface 72CF and the opposite side edge of the imaging plate 10 contacts the guide positioning surface 72AF2f, the left and right guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f clamp both side edges of the imaging plate 10 from both sides (see Figure 14).

[0225] Furthermore, when the stage 60 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2, the stage 60 moves relative to the lower short-side plate 46L. As a result, the lower short-side plate 46L, which was in contact with the receiving portion 72Dq, moves relative to the positioning portion 72C, allowing the positioning portion 72D to move toward the positioning portion 72C. Then, due to the biasing force of the springs 72Ds, the positioning portion 72D approaches the positioning portion 72C. When the positioning surface 72DF comes into contact with the upper side edge of the imaging plate 10 during the movement of the positioning portion 72D, the imaging plate 10 is pushed toward the lower positioning surface 72CF. As a result, the pair of positioning surfaces 72CF and 72DF sandwich the upper and lower edges of the imaging plate 10 from above and below (see Figure 14).

[0226] As a result, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the imaging plate 10 is positioned and held on the support surface 64F of the stage 60 in both the first direction F1 and the second direction. The guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f, 72BF2f and positioning parts 72C, 72D are inclined to overlap the edges of the imaging plate 10, so that the four edges around the imaging plate 10 are supported by being pressed against the support surface 64F.

[0227] If the imaging plate 10, supported by the stage 60 located at set position P1, is not tilted relative to the normal position, the positioning parts 72A, 72B and 72C, 72D close, adjusting the position of the imaging plate 10 in the first direction F1 and the second direction F2, and positioning and supporting it in the normal position. For example, if the imaging plate 10 is supported by the support surface 64F in a position where the entire lower short edge of the imaging plate 10 is in contact with the positioning surface 72CF, the positioning parts 72A, 72B and 72C, 72D close, positioning the imaging plate 10 in the normal position with respect to the positioning parts 72A, 72C.

[0228] It is assumed that the imaging plate 10 is supported at an angle with respect to the stage 60 located at the set position P1. The angle can be understood, for example, as the longitudinal angle of the imaging plate 10 with respect to the second direction F2. If the angle of the imaging plate 10 is small, it is conceivable that the positioning parts 72A and 72B will close, allowing the guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f extending along the second direction F2 to correct the angle of the imaging plate 10.

[0229] If the tilt of the imaging plate 10 becomes large, the guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f extending along the second direction F2 may not be able to correct the tilt of the imaging plate 10.

[0230] For example, as shown in Figure 16, consider a configuration in which the tilt correction surface 72BF1 of the positioning section 72B is omitted as the positioning section 572B. In this case, a positioning surface 572BF extending along the second direction F2 is formed on the positioning section 72A side of the positioning section 572B. Assume that the imaging plate 10 is tilted significantly in the direction of clockwise rotation when viewed from the front. In this case, it is conceivable that the upper right corner of the imaging plate 10 is in contact with the middle portion of the positioning surface 572BF in the direction of extension.

[0231] If the tilt of the imaging plate 10 is large, the force acting between the upper right corner of the imaging plate 10 and the positioning surface 572BF in the first direction F1 may increase as the positioning part 572B approaches the positioning part 72A. As a result, the frictional force between the corner of the imaging plate 10 and the positioning surface 572BF increases, and the upper right corner of the imaging plate 10 may not be able to move smoothly along the positioning surface 572BF, making it impossible to correct the tilt of the imaging plate 10.

[0232] In particular, if the positioning surface 572BF is tilted so as to overlap the edge of the imaging plate 10, the corners of the imaging plate 10 may become embedded in the space between the support surface 64F and the positioning surface 572BF, which could further hinder the movement of the corners.

[0233] As in this embodiment, when the positioning portion 72B has a tilt correction surface 72BF1, the upper right corner of the greatly tilted imaging plate 10 comes into contact with the tilt correction surface 72BF1, as shown in Figures 17 and 18. In this state, when the positioning portion 72B moves toward the positioning portion 72A, the tilt correction surface 72BF1 can easily exert a force that moves the corner of the imaging plate 10 upward. As a result, the imaging plate 10 is rotated on the support surface 64F to approach the normal position.

[0234] The tilt correction surface 72BF1 is closer to a perpendicular position with respect to the support surface 64F compared to the guide positioning surface 72BF2f, and in this case, it is in a perpendicular position (see Figure 18). Therefore, it is less likely that the corners of the imaging plate 10 will be pinched between the support surface 64F and the tilt correction surface 72BF1. From this point of view as well, the imaging plate 10 is easily corrected to the normal position. Note that the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 are not the parts that position the imaging plate 10 in the normal position (see Figure 14). Therefore, it is not necessary to tilt the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 so as to overlap the edges of the imaging plate 10.

[0235] As the positioning portion 72B moves further toward the positioning portion 72A, the imaging plate 10 is positioned in the correct orientation, sandwiched between the contact edges 72AF2 and 72BF2 (see Figure 14).

[0236] If the tilt of the imaging plate 10 is reversed, as shown in Figure 19, the upper left corner of the tilted imaging plate 10 will be in contact with the tilt correction surface 72AF1. In this state, when the positioning unit 72B moves toward the positioning unit 72A, the upper left corner of the imaging plate 10 is pushed toward the tilt correction surface 72AF1, so that the tilt correction surface 72AF1 can exert a force that moves the corner of the imaging plate 10 upward. As a result, the imaging plate 10 is rotated on the support surface 64F to approach the normal position.

[0237] Therefore, even if the imaging plate 10 is tilted significantly to the left or right, the upper corner will contact the tilt correction surface 72AF1 or the tilt correction surface 72BF1. This corrects the tilt of the imaging plate 10.

[0238] Furthermore, the distance between the left and right positioning sections 72A and 72B is set to be as small as possible within the range in which the imaging plate 10 to be set can be placed. For example, the distance between the left and right positioning sections 72A and 72B is set to such a size that even if the imaging plate 10 to be set is placed at an angle, the corner that is located on the upper side in the normal orientation cannot be positioned lower than the corner that is located on the lower side in the normal orientation.

[0239] Figure 20 shows the imaging plate 10 with the largest longitudinal dimension among several sizes of imaging plates 10 in a positioned and held state. The imaging plate 10 with the largest longitudinal dimension is less likely to tilt significantly between the positioning parts 72A and 72B. However, simply positioning and holding a portion of the long edge of the imaging plate 10 may not result in good positioning. Furthermore, if the positioning parts 72A and 72B are given a pressing function against the support surface 64F, simply positioning and holding a portion of the long edge of the imaging plate 10 may cause other parts of the imaging plate 10 to lift away from the support surface 64F.

[0240] According to this embodiment, guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1. Therefore, the long edge of the imaging plate 10 can be positioned on both the upper and lower sides of the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1. This allows for accurate positioning even of imaging plates 10 with large longitudinal dimensions. Furthermore, the imaging plate 10 can be supported so that it does not lift off the support surface 64F throughout its entirety.

[0241] As described above, while the stage 60 is moving from the set position P1 to the reading position P2, the imaging plate 10 is positioned and held on the stage 60 in the correct orientation.

[0242] Furthermore, as the stage 60 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2, the shutter 244 moves to a position that closes the input slot 230, and the input slot 230 remains closed. Since the input slot 230 closes when the stage 60 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2, the accidental insertion of multiple imaging plates 10 into the input slot 230 is prevented.

[0243] As stage 60 moves to reading position P2, the reading unit 90 reads the latent image on imaging plate 10.

[0244] After the reading unit 90 finishes reading, the stage 60 returns to the set position P1. During this movement, the reverse operation described above occurs, and the imaging plate 10 is released from the stage 60. At the same time, the shutter 244 moves to a position that opens the input slot 230, and the input slot 230 is opened.

[0245] As the stage 60 moves from the set position P1 towards the discharge position P3, the protruding piece 73Cbp contacts the operating roller 85, and the positioning surface 72CF of the positioning section 72C moves from the contact position to the retracted position (see Figure 11). The imaging plate 10, which was supported on the positioning surface 72CF, slides off from the support surface 64F across the positioning surface 72CF and is collected in the recovery tray 49.

[0246] After this, the stage 60 returns from the discharge position P3 to the set position P1. Then, the positioning unit 72C rotates so that the positioning surface 72CF returns to the contact position. In this state, as described above, the imaging plate 10 can be set on the stage 60 at the set position P1.

[0247] <Effects, etc.> As described above, the radiographic image reading device 20 has a tilt correction surface 72AF1, 72BF1 on at least one of the pair of positioning parts 72A, 72B that moves outward in their opening and closing directions toward a second direction F2. Therefore, when the imaging plate 10 is tilted on the support surface 64F, if at least one of the pair of positioning parts 72A, 72B moves in the closing direction while the edge of the imaging plate 10 is in contact with the tilt correction surface 72AF1, 72BF1, the edge of the imaging plate 10 that is in contact with the tilt correction surface 72AF1, 72BF1 moves toward the second direction F2. This corrects the imaging plate 10 so that it is in the correct position on the support surface 64F.

[0248] Furthermore, the pair of positioning portions 72A and 72B have at least two contact edges 72AF2 and 72BF2 located on both sides of the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 in the second direction F2. Therefore, in the second direction F2, the imaging plate 10 can be positioned by the contact edges 72AF2 and 72BF2 on both sides of the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1. This is particularly suitable for accurately positioning large imaging plates 10.

[0249] Furthermore, in a front view, a recess corresponding to the tilt correction surface 72AF1, 72BF1 is formed between the upper contact edges 72AF2, 72BF2 and the lower contact edges 72AF2, 72BF2. In order to position the imaging plate 10 as reliably as possible, it is preferable to bring the upper contact edges 72AF2, 72BF2 closer to the lower contact edges 72AF2, 72BF2. However, if the upper contact edges 72AF2, 72BF2 are brought too close to the lower contact edges 72AF2, 72BF2, the corners of the tilted imaging plate 10 may interfere with the vicinity of the lower ends of the upper contact edges 72AF2, 72BF2 when the tilted imaging plate 10 rotates. Therefore, the upper contact edges 72AF2, 72BF2 and the contact avoidance surfaces 72AF3, 72BF3 are connected via curved surfaces 72AFc, 72BFc. This allows the upper contact edges 72AF2 and 72BF2 to be brought as close as possible to the lower contact edges 72AF2 and 72BF2, while the tilted imaging plate 10 rotates guided by the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1, making it less likely for the corners of the imaging plate 10 to interfere with the positioning parts 72A and 72B.

[0250] Furthermore, each of the pair of opening and closing positioning parts 72A and 72B has a tilt correction surface 72AF1 and 72BF1. Therefore, no matter which direction the imaging plate 10 is tilted, the edge portion of the imaging plate 10 can be brought into contact with either of the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 or 72BF1 to correct the tilt.

[0251] Furthermore, the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 are correction surfaces that are angled upward as they move outward in the opening and closing direction of the pair of positioning parts 72A and 72B. Therefore, when at least one of the positioning parts 72A and 72B moves closer to each other, the edges of the imaging plate 10 that are in contact with the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 are lifted upward against gravity. As a result, the imaging plate 10 is corrected to a normal position on the support surface 64F.

[0252] Furthermore, the tilt correction surface may be a correction surface that slopes downward as it moves outward in the opening and closing direction of the pair of positioning parts. In this case, when at least one of the pair of positioning parts moves closer to each other, the edge portion of the imaging plate that is in contact with the tilt correction surface is pushed downward, correcting the imaging plate to its normal position.

[0253] In this embodiment, when there is a positioning surface 72CF below the imaging plate 10, it is preferable that the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 are correction surfaces that are directed upward as they move outward in the opening and closing direction of the pair of positioning parts 72A and 72B. This is because when the edge portion of the imaging plate 10 that is in contact with the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 is lifted upward against gravity, upward movement is less likely to be hindered.

[0254] Furthermore, if the positioning mechanism 70 has a positioning portion 72C as a reference positioning portion that contacts the edge portion of the imaging plate 10 from one side in the second direction F2, it is easier to position the imaging plate 10 at a fixed position in the second direction F2.

[0255] Furthermore, if the positioning unit 72C, which serves as the reference positioning unit, is positioned to support the imaging plate 10 from below, the imaging plate 10 is positioned by the weight of the imaging plate 10 being supported by the positioning unit 72C.

[0256] Furthermore, the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 are provided in the second direction F2, in a region that extends from a position less than half the dimension of the imaging plate 10 to a region less than the dimension of the imaging plate 10, with reference to the positioning portion 72C. Therefore, it is possible to correct most tilts that are expected to occur when the imaging plate is tilted and supported on the positioning portion 72C.

[0257] Furthermore, the positioning unit 72C can be repositioned between a contact position and a retracted position. Therefore, the imaging plate 10 can be positioned by the positioning unit 72C when it is in the contact position. Also, by moving the positioning unit 72C to the retracted position, the imaging plate 10 can be easily removed from the stage 60.

[0258] Furthermore, the positioning mechanism 70 includes a pair of first opening / closing positioning sections 72A and a pair of second opening / closing positioning sections 72C and 72D. Therefore, the imaging plate 10 can be positioned in the first direction F1 and the second direction F2.

[0259] Furthermore, the pair of first opening / closing positioning sections 72A and 72B open smaller than the pair of second opening / closing positioning sections 72C and 72D. Therefore, the rectangular imaging plate 10 can be set on the stage with its short side aligned with the first direction F1 and its long side aligned with the second direction F2. The tilt of the imaging plate 10 in the long side direction relative to the second direction F2 can be corrected so that the long side edge of the imaging plate 10 is positioned by the pair of first opening / closing positioning sections 72A and 72B.

[0260] More specifically, considering gravity, the imaging plate 10 tends to settle into a fixed position in the second direction F2 where gravity acts on the support surface 64F, whereas in the first direction along the horizontal, the imaging plate 10 has a high degree of freedom in its position. Therefore, by making the horizontally opening and closing part of the pair of first opening and closing positioning parts 72A, 72B and the pair of second opening and closing positioning parts 72C, 72D open less than the vertically opening and closing part of the other, the degree of freedom in the horizontal position of the imaging plate 10 can be reduced. This makes it easier for the imaging plate 10 to be held in a normal position on the stage 60.

[0261] Furthermore, considering multiple sizes of imaging plates 10, the variation range in the short-side direction is usually smaller than the variation range in the long-side direction. Therefore, by reducing the maximum distance between the pair of second opening / closing positioning parts 72C and 72D that position the imaging plate 10 in the short-side direction, it becomes easier to support the imaging plate 10 in a fixed position on the stage 60 during the initial insertion of the imaging plate 10.

[0262] Furthermore, if the pair of first opening / closing positioning parts 72A and 72B are wide open, the amount of movement required for opening and closing the pair of first opening / closing positioning parts 72A and 72B to position the imaging plate 10 will be large. In this case, there is a possibility that the pair of second opening / closing positioning parts 72C and 72D will position the imaging plate 10 in the second direction F2 before the pair of first opening / closing positioning parts 72A and 72B have moved and positioned the imaging plate 10 in the first direction F1. In that case, the position of the imaging plate 10 in the second direction F2 may deviate from its normal orientation.

[0263] As in this embodiment, if the opening of the pair of first opening / closing positioning parts 72A and 72B is small, the imaging plate 10 can be positioned early with a small amount of movement by the pair of first opening / closing positioning parts 72A and 72B. Since the imaging plate 10 is supported on the positioning part 72C, even if the pair of second opening / closing positioning parts 72C and 72D perform positioning after the pair of first opening / closing positioning parts 72A and 72B have positioned the imaging plate 10, large movement along the second direction F2 is suppressed. For this reason, it is easy to position the imaging plate 10 in the correct orientation by positioning it in the first direction F1 along the horizontal direction by the pair of first opening / closing positioning parts 72A and 72B, and then positioning it in the second direction F2 by the pair of second opening / closing positioning parts 72C and 72D.

[0264] It is not mandatory to orient the longitudinal direction of the imaging plate 10 along the second direction F2 and the short direction along the first direction F1 in stage 60. The orientation can be reversed, and in stage 60, the longitudinal direction of the imaging plate 10 may be aligned with the first direction F1 and the short direction along the second direction F2. In this case, it is preferable that the pair of first opening / closing positioning parts 72A, 72B and the pair of second opening / closing positioning parts 72C, 72D that open and close horizontally open wider than the other that opens and closes vertically.

[0265] Furthermore, the positioning mechanism 70 has guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f that contact the edge portion of the imaging plate 10, position the edge portion from the outside in the extending direction of the support surface 64F, and press the edge portion against the support surface 64F. As a result, the imaging plate 10 can be held in the correct position and in contact with the support surface 64F by the guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f.

[0266] Furthermore, the guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f protrude from the support surface 64F by at least the thickness of the imaging plate 10, and are formed in a shape that overlaps the support surface 64F as they move away from it. As a result, the edges of the imaging plate 10 are pressed against the guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f, thereby pressing the edges of the imaging plate 10 against the support surface 64F.

[0267] Furthermore, if the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1 are at an angle closer to a right angle with respect to the support surface 64F than the guide positioning surfaces 72AF2f and 72BF2f, the edge portion of the imaging plate 10 moves smoothly along the tilt correction surfaces 72AF1 and 72BF1, thereby correcting the tilt.

[0268] Furthermore, the stage movement mechanism 50 closes the pair of first opening / closing positioning sections 72A and 72B as the stage 60 moves from the set position P1 to the reading position P2. This allows the imaging plate 10 to be easily set between the open pair of opening / closing positioning sections 72A and 72B at the set position P1. After setting the imaging plate 10, the stage is moved to the reading position P2, which positions and holds the imaging plate 10 in the correct orientation. As a result, the imaging plate 10 is stably held in a fixed position on the stage 60 even while the stage 60 is moving.

[0269] {Note} Furthermore, the configurations described in the above embodiments and each of the modified examples can be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0270] This disclosure discloses the following aspects:

[0271] The first embodiment is a radiation image reading device for reading a radiation image from an imaging plate, comprising: a stage for holding the imaging plate; an excitation light source for irradiating the imaging plate held on the stage with excitation light; and a photodetector for detecting light emitted from the imaging plate due to the excitation light, wherein the stage comprises: a stage body having a support surface that can surface contact the back surface of the imaging plate; and a pair of opening and closing positioning parts spaced apart along a first direction, wherein at least one of the pair of opening and closing positioning parts moves along the first direction, causing the pair of opening and closing positioning parts to contact the edge portion of the imaging plate so as to sandwich the imaging plate supported on the support surface along the first direction, and at least one of the pair of opening and closing positioning parts has a tilt correction surface that extends outward in the opening and closing direction of the pair of opening and closing positioning parts in a second direction perpendicular to the opening and closing direction along the support surface.

[0272] According to this reading device, when the imaging plate is tilted on the support surface, when at least one of the pair of opening / closing positioning parts moves in the closing direction in a state where the edge of the imaging plate contacts the tilt correction surface, the edge of the imaging plate that contacts the tilt correction surface moves in the second direction. Thereby, the imaging plate is corrected so as to be in a normal posture on the support surface.

[0273] The second aspect is a radiation image reading device according to the first aspect, wherein the pair of opening / closing positioning parts has at least two contact edges located on both sides of the tilt correction surface in the second direction, and the at least two contact edges extend along a straight line along the second direction.

[0274] In this case, at least two contact edges on both sides of the tilt correction surface in the second direction can position the edge portion of the imaging plate along a straight line along the second direction.

[0275] The third aspect is a radiation image reading device according to the second aspect, wherein the tilt correction surface faces the second direction as it goes outward in the opening / closing direction of the pair of opening / closing positioning parts from one of the at least two contact edges, and the pair of opening / closing positioning parts has a contact avoidance surface that goes outward in the opening / closing direction of the pair of opening / closing positioning parts from the other of the at least two contact edges, and the other of the at least two contact edges and the contact avoidance surface are connected via a curved surface.

[0276] Thereby, it becomes difficult for the corner portion of the imaging plate guided by the tilt correction surface to interfere with the positioning part.

[0277] The fourth aspect is a radiation image reading device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein each of the pair of opening / closing positioning parts may have the tilt correction surface.

[0278] In this case, regardless of the direction in which the imaging plate is tilted, the edge portion of the imaging plate can be brought into contact with one of the tilt-correcting surfaces formed on each of the pair of opening and closing positioning sections to correct the tilt.

[0279] The fifth embodiment is a radiation image reading device according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the first direction is horizontal, and the tilt correction surface may be a correction surface that is directed upward as it moves outward in the opening and closing direction of the pair of opening and closing positioning parts.

[0280] According to the fifth embodiment, if the imaging plate is tilted on the support surface, when at least one of the pair of opening / closing positioning parts moves in the approaching direction while one edge of the imaging plate is in contact with the tilt correction surface, the edge of the imaging plate that is in contact with the tilt correction surface is lifted upward against gravity. This corrects the imaging plate to a normal position on the support surface.

[0281] The sixth embodiment is a radiographic image reading device according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the positioning mechanism further includes a reference positioning portion that is located at a fixed position on the support surface and contacts the edge portion of the imaging plate from one side in the second direction.

[0282] This makes it easier to position the imaging plate in a fixed position in the second direction by bringing the edge of the imaging plate into contact with the reference positioning unit.

[0283] The seventh embodiment is a radiographic image reading device according to the sixth embodiment, wherein the reference positioning unit may be positioned to support the imaging plate from below.

[0284] In this way, the imaging plate is positioned by the reference positioning section because its own weight is supported by the reference positioning section.

[0285] The eighth embodiment is a radiographic image reading device according to the sixth or seventh embodiment, wherein the tilt correction surface may be provided in the second direction, with reference to the reference positioning unit, in a region that extends from a position less than half the dimension of the imaging plate to be corrected to a region less than the dimension of the imaging plate.

[0286] This makes it possible to correct most tilts that would otherwise be expected to occur when the object is tilted and supported on the reference positioning section.

[0287] The ninth embodiment is a radiation image reading device according to any one of the sixth to eighth embodiments, wherein the reference positioning unit may be repositionable between a contact position facing the edge portion of the imaging plate on the support surface and a retracted position retracted from the edge portion of the imaging plate on the support surface.

[0288] This allows the reference positioning unit to be moved to a retracted position, making it easy to remove the imaging plate from the stage.

[0289] The tenth embodiment is a radiographic image reading device according to any one of the first to ninth embodiments, wherein the pair of opening / closing positioning units is a pair of first opening / closing positioning units, and the positioning mechanism includes a pair of second opening / closing positioning units, wherein at least one of the pair of second opening / closing positioning units moves along the second direction so that the pair of second opening / closing positioning units contact the edge portion of the imaging plate supported on the support surface so as to sandwich the imaging plate along the second direction.

[0290] This allows the imaging plate to be positioned in a second direction.

[0291] An eleventh embodiment is a radiation image reading device according to the tenth embodiment, wherein the pair of first opening / closing positioning units may open to a smaller extent than the pair of second opening / closing positioning units.

[0292] As a result, a rectangular imaging plate can be set on the stage such that the short side direction thereof is along the first direction and the long side direction thereof is along the second direction. It is possible to correct the inclination of the long side direction of the imaging plate with respect to the second direction so that the edge portion on the long side of the imaging plate is positioned by the pair of first opening and closing positioning portions.

[0293] A twelfth aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the positioning mechanism has a positioning surface that contacts an edge portion of the imaging plate supported on the support surface and positions the edge portion from the outside in the extending direction of the support surface and presses the edge portion against the support surface.

[0294] According to the twelfth aspect, when the edge portion of the imaging plate contacts the positioning surface, the imaging plate is kept in a normal posture. Further, the edge portion of the imaging plate is pressed against the support surface by the positioning surface. As a result, the imaging plate can be held in a state where it is in a normal posture and in contact with the support surface.

[0295] A thirteenth aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the positioning surface includes a guide positioning surface provided so as to project at least by the thickness dimension of the imaging plate from the support surface and formed in a shape that faces in a direction covering the support surface as it moves away from the support surface.

[0296] As a result, when the edge portion of the imaging plate is pressed against the guide positioning surface, the edge portion of the imaging plate is pressed against the support surface.

[0297] A fourteenth aspect is a radiation image reading apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the inclination correction surface may be at an angle closer to a right angle with respect to the support surface than the guide positioning surface.

[0298] This allows the edges of the imaging plate to move smoothly along the tilt correction surface, thereby correcting the tilt.

[0299] The 15th embodiment is a radiation image reading device according to any one of the first to 14 embodiments, further comprising: a stage moving mechanism that moves the stage between a set position on which the imaging plate is set and a reading position on which the photodetector reads the radiation image in response to excitation light from the excitation light source; and a positioning unit operating mechanism that closes the pair of opening and closing positioning units in conjunction with the stage moving from the set position to the reading position by the stage moving mechanism.

[0300] This allows the imaging plate to be easily set by opening a pair of opening and closing positioning sections at the set position. After setting the imaging plate, moving the stage to the reading position positions and holds the imaging plate in the correct orientation, so the imaging plate can be held stably even while the stage is moving.

[0301] The above description is illustrative in all respects, and the invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be conceivable without falling outside the scope of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0302] 10 Imaging plates 10b back side 20 Reader 50 Stage Movement Mechanism 60 stages 61 Stage Main Unit 64F Support surface 70 Positioning mechanism 72A, 72B First opening / closing positioning section 72AF1, 72BF2 tilt correction surface 72AF2, 72BF2 contact edge 72AF2f, 72BF2f Guide positioning surface (positioning surface) 72AF3, 72BF3 Contact avoidance surface 72AFc, 72BFc curved surface 72C, 72D Second opening / closing positioning section 72CF, 72DF positioning surface 92 Excitation light source 94 Photodetector F1 1st direction F2 2nd direction P1 Set position P2 reading position P3 discharge position

Claims

1. A radiographic image reading device that reads radiographic images from an imaging plate, A stage for holding the imaging plate, An excitation light source that irradiates the imaging plate held on the stage with excitation light, A photodetector for detecting light emitted from the imaging plate due to the excitation light, Equipped with, The aforementioned stage, A stage body having a support surface that can make surface contact with the back surface of the imaging plate and is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, A positioning mechanism including a pair of opening / closing positioning parts spaced apart along a first direction, wherein at least one of the pair of opening / closing positioning parts moves along the first direction, causing the pair of opening / closing positioning parts to contact the edge portion of the imaging plate so as to sandwich the imaging plate supported on the support surface along the first direction, It has, A radiographic image reading device wherein at least one of the pair of opening / closing positioning sections has a tilt correction surface that extends outward in the opening / closing direction of the pair of opening / closing positioning sections in a second direction perpendicular to the opening / closing direction along the support surface.

2. A radiation image reading device according to claim 1, A radiographic image reading device wherein the pair of opening and closing positioning parts have at least two contact edges located on both sides of the tilt correction surface in the second direction, and the at least two contact edges extend along a straight line along the second direction.

3. A radiation image reading device according to claim 2, The tilt correction surface is directed in the second direction as it moves outward from one of the at least two contact edges in the opening and closing direction of the pair of opening and closing positioning portions, The pair of opening and closing positioning portions have a contact avoidance surface that extends outward in the opening and closing direction of the pair of opening and closing positioning portions from one of the other two contact edges. A radiation image reading device wherein one of the at least two contact edges and the contact avoidance surface are connected via a curved surface.

4. A radiographic image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A radiographic image reading device wherein each of the pair of opening and closing positioning sections has the tilt correction surface.

5. A radiographic image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The first direction is the horizontal direction, A radiographic image reading device, wherein the tilt correction surface is a correction surface that is directed upward as it moves outward in the opening and closing direction of the pair of opening and closing positioning parts.

6. A radiographic image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The positioning mechanism is, A radiographic image reading device further comprising a reference positioning portion that is positioned at a fixed position on the support surface and contacts the edge portion of the imaging plate from one side in the second direction.

7. A radiation image reading device according to claim 6, The reference positioning unit is located in a position that supports the imaging plate from below, and is a reading device for radiographic images.

8. A radiation image reading device according to claim 6, A radiographic image reading device wherein the tilt correction surface is provided in the second direction, with reference to the reference positioning portion, in a region from a position less than half the dimension of the imaging plate to be corrected to a region less than the dimension of the imaging plate.

9. A radiation image reading device according to claim 6, A radiographic image reading device wherein the reference positioning unit is repositionable between a contact position facing the edge portion of the imaging plate on the support surface and a retracted position retracted from the edge portion of the imaging plate on the support surface.

10. A radiographic image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The pair of opening / closing positioning parts are a pair of first opening / closing positioning parts, The positioning mechanism includes a pair of second opening / closing positioning parts, A radiographic image reading device wherein at least one of the pair of second opening / closing positioning parts moves along the second direction, causing the pair of second opening / closing positioning parts to contact the edge portion of the imaging plate so as to sandwich the imaging plate supported on the support surface along the second direction.

11. A radiation image reading device according to claim 10, A radiation image reading device wherein the pair of first opening / closing positioning units opens smaller than the pair of second opening / closing positioning units.

12. A radiographic image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A radiographic image reading device, wherein the positioning mechanism has a positioning surface that contacts the edge portion of the imaging plate supported on the support surface, positions the edge portion from the outside in the extending direction of the support surface, and presses the edge portion against the support surface.

13. A radiation image reading device according to claim 12, A radiographic image reading device, wherein the positioning surface is provided so as to protrude from the support surface by at least the thickness dimension of the imaging plate, and includes a guide positioning surface formed in a shape that extends in a direction that overlaps the support surface as it moves away from the support surface.

14. A radiation image reading device according to claim 13, A radiographic image reading device wherein the tilt correction surface is at an angle closer to a right angle with respect to the support surface than the guide positioning surface.

15. A radiographic image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A stage movement mechanism moves the stage between a set position where the imaging plate is set relative to the stage and a reading position where the photodetector reads the radiation image in response to excitation light from the excitation light source. A positioning unit operating mechanism that closes the pair of opening / closing positioning units in conjunction with the stage moving from the set position to the reading position by the stage moving mechanism, A radiographic image reading device further equipped with the following features.

Images