JP2002029637A - Medium delivering and separating mechanism and image reader equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medium delivering and separating mechanism for preventing an obstacle to a device and an image reader equipped with this medium delivering and separating mechanism. SOLUTION: A first picker roller 104a and second picker roller 104b, main rollers 111a, 111b and 111c, and separating rollers 113a and 113b are arranged so that the central position in the direction orthogonal to the carrying direction of the first picker roller 104a and second picker roller 104b matches with that of the main rollers 111a, 111b and 111c and the separating rollers 113a and 113b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a medium feeding / separating mechanism for sequentially feeding out a medium loaded on a cassette or a stage, separating and transporting the medium, and an image reading apparatus provided with the medium feeding / separating mechanism. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image reading apparatus stacks a form, which is a medium on which an image to be read is described, on a cassette or a stage, sequentially feeds out the form, separates the fed form, and reads an image. The form is being transported to.

A structure of a form stacking unit, a feeding unit, and a separating unit, that is, a medium feeding / separating mechanism of an image reading apparatus (not shown) will be described below. FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing a conventional form feeding and separating mechanism, and FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing a conventional form feeding and separating mechanism. In FIG. 13, the tension roller 15 and the shaft 16 are omitted.

In FIG. 12, an image reading apparatus is provided with a hopper stage 2 on which a form 1 on which an image to be read is described is stacked. 12 and 13, a picker roller 4 for feeding out the form 1 is provided on an upper part of the hopper stage 2 and attached to a picker roller shaft 3, and a guide roller shaft 6 is provided on the upper part of the hopper stage 2. And a guide roller 7 that is rotatably mounted on the guide roller and suppresses skew during separation. Below the hopper stage 2, one end is attached to the hopper stage 2, and the other end is attached to an apparatus main body (not shown), and the form 1 on the hopper stage 2 is picked up by the picker roller 4 and the guide roller 7. A hopper stage lift spring 5 is provided for pressing the hopper. Also,
On the lower side of the hopper stage 2, one end is attached to a picker roller sliding arm described later, and the other end is attached to an apparatus main body (not shown), and the picker roller 4 is transferred to the form 1 on the hopper stage 2. And a hopper stage lift spring 32 is provided.

An upper transport guide 8 and a lower transport guide 9 are provided to face each other along the transport direction of the form 1 from the hopper stage 2, thereby forming a transport path 10 for the form 1. Along the transport path 10, rollers are provided on the upper transport guide side 8 and the lower transport guide 9 side, respectively. Main rollers 11 a, 11 b, and 11 c, which are separation unit form feeding rollers, are attached to the main roller shaft 12 on the side of the transport guide 8. On the lower transport guide 9 side, a separation roller 13a is provided between the main roller 11a and the main roller 11c, and a separation roller 13b is provided between the main roller 11b and the main roller 11c. Separation roller 1
The other end of a link 33 having one end attached to an apparatus main body (not shown) is attached to 3a, 13b, and the separation roller 13a, 13b is supported by this link 33. The other end of a spring 34 whose one end is attached to an apparatus main body (not shown) is attached to the link 33. The spring 34 urges the link 33 in the direction of arrow E.

The main rollers 11a, 11b, 11c
Two tension rollers 15 are attached to the shaft 16 on the upper conveyance guide 8 side downstream of the separation rollers 13a and 13b in the form conveyance direction. Opposite to the tension roller 15, two transport rollers 17 a and 17 b are attached to the transport roller shaft 18 on the lower transport guide 9 side while being pressed by the tension roller 15.

[0007] An electromagnetic clutch 19 and an electromagnetic clutch gear 20 are attached to one end of the transport roller shaft 18. An electromagnetic clutch gear 22 is attached to one end of the main roller shaft 12, and the electromagnetic clutch gear 22 meshes with the electromagnetic clutch gear 20. When an electric current is applied to the electromagnetic clutch 19, the electromagnetic clutch gear 20 rotates by receiving power from a belt 31 described later, and the electromagnetic clutch gear 22 rotates by receiving the rotation of the electromagnetic clutch gear 20, so that the main roller shaft 12 rotates, whereby the main rollers 11a, 11
b and 11c respectively rotate.

An electromagnetic clutch 21 is mounted on the main roller shaft 12, and a pulley 23 is mounted on the main roller shaft 12.
A picker pulley 24 is attached to the picker roller shaft 3, and a belt 25 is stretched between the pulley 23 and the picker pulley 24. When a current is applied to the electromagnetic clutch 21 while the main roller shaft 12 is rotating, the pulley 23 rotates and the belt 25 rotates, whereby the picker roller 4 coaxial with the picker pulley 24 rotates.

A pulley 30 is attached to the transport roller shaft 18, and a belt 31 that is attached to a pulley attached to a motor (not shown) is attached to the pulley 30. When a motor (not shown) is driven, the belt 31 rotates, the pulley 30 rotates, and the transport roller shaft 18 rotates together with the pulley 30, and the transport rollers 17a and 17b on the same axis rotate in the form suction direction. I do.

A side frame 26 is provided on the side of the image forming apparatus (not shown) to cover the side of the apparatus.
A picker roller sliding arm 28 is provided. One end of the guide roller shaft 6 is attached to the guide roller arm 27.
Is rotatably attached to the side frame 26 by a shaft 29. The picker roller sliding arm 28 has a picker roller shaft 3 and a main roller shaft 12 rotatably penetrating therethrough. The picker roller sliding arm 28 allows the picker roller shaft 3 and the main roller shaft 12 to rotate freely. I support it.

Next, a description will be given of the operation of feeding and transporting the form 1 of the image reading apparatus having the above configuration.

First, the operator places the form 1 on the hopper stage 2 and presses a switch (not shown). Then
A motor (not shown) is driven to start the rotation of the belt 31, and at the same time, a current flows through the electromagnetic clutches 19 and 21.
As a result, the picker roller 4 starts rotating in the form suction direction. Report 1 is a hopper stage lift spring 5
And the hopper stage lift spring 32 presses it against the picker roller 4, so that it is fed out by the picker roller 4 and transported (inhaled) in the direction of arrow A.

When the motor (not shown) is driven and a current flows through the electromagnetic clutch 19, the main rollers 11a, 11b and 11c rotate in the form suction direction and follow the rotation of the main rollers 11a, 11b and 11c. Then, the separation rollers 13a and 13b rotate. When the form 1 reaches the rotating main rollers 11a, 11b, 11c and the separation rollers 13a, 13b, the form 1 is rotated by a friction mechanism (for example, a torque limiter) (not shown) of the separation rollers 13a, 13b. There are two,
Main rollers 11a, 11b, 11c and separation roller 13
a, 13b, the separation roller 13
The form 1 on the side a, 13b (lower side) is stopped by this friction mechanism, and only the form 1 on the side of the main rollers 11a, 11b, 11c (upper side) is the main roller 11a, 11b,
By the rotation of 11c, the document is further transported downstream in the form transport direction. Further, when the form 1 fed out by a plurality of sheets is separated by the separation roller 13, the form 1 is formed with vertical wrinkles to improve the separation.

When the form 1 is conveyed to a predetermined position, a sensor (not shown) detects the form 1, thereby stopping the supply of current to the electromagnetic clutch 21 and stopping the rotation of the picker roller 4. This prevents the next form 1 from being fed.

On the other hand, when the form 1 is further conveyed by the conveying roller 17 and the sensor (not shown) detects that the leading end of the form 1 has passed the conveying roller 17, the supply of the current to the electromagnetic clutch 19 is stopped. Main rollers 11a, 11b,
Stop rotation of 11c. Thereby, the main roller 1
The next form 1 that may have been taken out to 1a, 11b, 11c is prevented from being conveyed.

The form 1 is further transported by the transport rollers 17a and 17b, and is transported to an optical character reading unit (not shown).
At this time, the picker roller 4 and the main rollers 11a, 1
1b and 11c are driven (idle) by the conveyance of the form 1.

Due to the above operation, the form 1 becomes the hopper stage 2
And is transported to an optical character reading unit (not shown).

In the above image reading apparatus, the main rollers 11a, 11b, 11c and the separation rollers 13a,
13b left-right direction (direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of form 1)
Does not always coincide with the center position C2 of the picker roller 4 in the left-right direction (the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the form 1). For this reason, the separation rollers 13a, 1
Due to the friction of 3b, a rotational moment is applied to the form 1, and the form 1 is skewed. In order to prevent the skew of the form 1, a guide roller mechanism (constituted by the guide roller 7, the guide roller arm 27, the shaft 29, and the guide roller shaft 6) is required.

[0019]

In the conventional medium feeding / separating mechanism, the positional relationship between the picker roller 4 and the main roller 11 in the left-right direction (the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the form 1) is poor, and the skew of the form 1 There is a problem that a failure of the apparatus such as the occurrence of a jam occurs. Therefore, in order to prevent these obstacles, the guide rollers 7
In addition, the guide roller arm 27, the shaft 29, and the guide roller shaft 6 are required, and there is a problem that the number of parts increases.

Further, when a plurality of forms 1 fed out are separated by the separation roller 13, the forms 1 are formed with vertical wrinkles to improve the separation. For example, when the image reading apparatus is small, an optical character reading unit or the like is mounted immediately below the separation roller 13. However, image distortion may occur due to the vertical wrinkles. There has been a problem that image data for the reading function causes a problem that the recognition rate decreases.

[0021]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medium feeding and separating mechanism for separating a medium by using a plurality of roller members. The roller members are arranged such that the center position in the direction orthogonal to the medium transport direction coincides.

According to the above arrangement, by appropriately arranging the roller members, the resultant force of the medium retraction force of each of the plurality of roller members is generated on the same line. As a result, no rotational moment is generated at the time of form separation, thereby preventing a failure of the apparatus such as skew of the medium or occurrence of a jam.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medium feeding / separating mechanism comprising a first roller member and a second roller member disposed downstream of the first roller member in the medium transport direction. The first roller member is provided with a mechanism for forming wrinkles on the medium, and the second roller member is provided with a mechanism for removing wrinkles formed on the medium.

According to the above configuration, after forming the wrinkles on the medium, the wrinkles formed on the medium are removed, so that the wrinkles are formed on the medium when the medium passes through the first roller. Even if the separation performance of the medium is improved, wrinkles formed on the medium by the second roller can be removed. In addition, by removing unnecessary wrinkles, it is possible to reduce device failures such as occurrence of medium conveyance jam and occurrence of skew.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Elements common to the drawings are assigned the same reference numerals.

First Embodiment The structure of a form stacking section, a feeding section, and a separating section provided in an image reading apparatus (not shown) will be described below. Figure 1 shows the first
Schematic plan view showing a form feeding and separating mechanism of the embodiment,
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the form feeding / separating mechanism according to the first embodiment. Note that, in FIG. 1, the tension roller 115 and the shaft 116 are omitted.

In FIG. 2, the image reading apparatus is provided with a hopper stage 102 on which a form 101 on which an image to be read is described is stacked. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a first picker roller 104 a and a second picker roller 104 b, which are first roller members that feed out the form 101, are attached to a picker roller shaft 103 on the upper part of the hopper stage 102. The rollers are provided at a predetermined distance from each other. Hopper stage 1
02, one end is attached to the hopper stage 102, and the other end is attached to an apparatus main body (not shown), so that the form 1 on the hopper stage 102 can be attached to the first picker roller 104a and the second picker roller 104a. Picker roller 104b
A hopper stage lift spring 105 is provided to press the hopper.

On the lower side of the hopper stage 102,
One end is attached to a picker roller sliding arm, which will be described later, and the other end is attached to an apparatus main body (not shown).
Hopper stage lift spring 1 for pressing to 01
32 are provided.

An upper conveying guide 108 and a lower conveying guide 109 are provided to face each other along the conveying direction of the form 101 from the hopper stage 102, thereby forming a conveying path 110 for the form 101. Conveyance path 110
Along the upper transport guide side 108 and the lower transport guide 1
A roller is provided on the 09 side. On the transport guide 108 side, main rollers 111a, 111b, and 111c, which are second roller members, are provided by being attached to a main roller shaft 112. On the lower conveyance guide 109 side, a separation roller 113a is provided between the main roller 111a and the main roller 111c, and a separation roller 113b is provided between the main roller 111b and the main roller 111c. The separation rollers 113a and 113b are supported by links (not shown).

The main rollers 111a, 111b, 1
Two tension rollers 115 are attached to the shaft 116 on the upper conveyance guide 108 side downstream of the sheet conveyance direction 11c and the separation rollers 113a and 113b. And this tension roller 11
5, the two transport rollers 11 are pressed toward the lower transport guide 109 by the tension roller 115.
7 (117a, 117b) is the conveying roller shaft 118
It is provided attached to.

The main rollers 111a, 111b,
Central position C1 in the left-right direction (direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the form 1) between the separation roller 111c and the separation rollers 113a and 113b.
And the center position C2 of the first picker roller 104a and the second picker roller 104b in the left-right direction (the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the form 1) is the running reference X = 0 of the form 101.
Are provided to match.

An electromagnetic clutch 119 and an electromagnetic clutch gear 120 are attached to one end of the transport roller shaft 118. An electromagnetic clutch gear 122 is attached to one end of the main roller shaft 112, and the electromagnetic clutch gear 122 meshes with the electromagnetic clutch gear 120. When a current is applied to the electromagnetic clutch 119, the electromagnetic clutch gear 120 moves to a belt 1 described later.
The electromagnetic clutch gear 120 rotates by receiving the power from the electromagnetic clutch gear 120, and the electromagnetic clutch gear 122 rotates to rotate the main roller shaft 112, thereby rotating the main rollers 111a, 111b, and 111c.

An electromagnetic clutch 121 is mounted on the main roller shaft 112, and a pulley 123 is mounted on the main roller shaft 112. A picker pulley 124 is attached to the picker roller shaft 103, and a belt 125 is stretched between the pulley 123 and the picker pulley 124.
When a current is applied to the electromagnetic clutch 121 while the main roller shaft 112 is rotating, the pulley 1
As the belt 23 rotates, the first picker roller 104 coaxial with the picker pulley 124 is rotated.
a, The second picker roller 104b rotates.

A pulley 130 is attached to the transport roller shaft 118, and a belt 131 is extended around a pulley attached to a motor (not shown). When a motor (not shown) is driven, the belt 131 rotates, the pulley 130 rotates, the transport roller shaft 118 rotates together with the pulley 130, and the transport rollers 117a and 117b coaxially rotate in the form suction direction. I do.

A side frame 126 that covers the side of the image reading apparatus (not shown) is provided on a side surface of the image reading apparatus, and a picker roller sliding arm 128 is provided adjacent to the side frame 126. Picker roller sliding arm 12
8, a picker roller shaft 103 and a main roller shaft 112 are rotatably penetrated, and a picker roller sliding arm 128 is connected to the picker roller shaft 103.
And the main roller shaft 112 is rotatably supported.

Next, a description will be given of the operation of feeding and transporting the form 101 of the image reading apparatus having the above configuration.

First, the operator places the form 101 on the hopper stage 102 and presses a switch (not shown).
Then, a motor (not shown) is driven to start the rotation of the belt 131, and at the same time, current flows to the electromagnetic clutches 119 and 121. Thus, the picker roller 104 starts rotating in the form suction direction. Since the form 101 is pressed by the picker roller 104 by the hopper stage lift spring 105 and the hopper stage lift spring 132, the form 101 is fed out by the first picker roller 104a and the second picker roller 104b and transported (inhaled) in the direction of arrow A. ) Begins to be.

The main rollers 111a, 111b, and 111c rotate in the form suction direction by driving the motor (not shown) and applying a current to the electromagnetic clutch 119, and are driven by the rotation of the main rollers 111a, 111b, and 111c. Then, the separation rollers 113a and 113b rotate. The main rollers 111a, 1
11b and 111c and the separation rollers 113a and 113b, the form 101
a, 113b, a not-shown friction mechanism (for example, a torque limiter), two sheets of the form 101, the main rollers 111a, 111b, 111c and the separation roller 113a,
113b, the separation roller 113
The form 101 on the side of a, 113b (lower side) is stopped by this friction mechanism, and the main rollers 111a, 111b are stopped.
Only the form 101 on the side b, 111c (upper side) is further transported further downstream in the form transport direction by the rotation of the main rollers 111a, 111b, 111c.

When the form 101 is conveyed to a predetermined position,
A sensor (not shown) detects the form 101, thereby stopping supply of current to the electromagnetic clutch 121 and stopping rotation of the picker roller 104. This prevents the next form 101 from being fed.

On the other hand, the form 1
When the sensor (not shown) detects that the leading end of the form 101 has passed the conveyance roller 117, the supply of the current to the electromagnetic clutch 119 is stopped, and the main roller 111 is stopped.
The rotation of a, 111b, and 111c is stopped. This prevents conveyance of the next form 101 that may have been taken out to the main rollers 111a, 111b, and 111c.

The form 101 is further transported by the transport rollers 117a and 117b, and is transported to an optical character reading unit (not shown). At this time, the first picker roller 104a and the second
Picker roller 104b and main rollers 111a,
11b and 111c are driven (idle) by the conveyance of the form 101.

By the above operation, the form 101 is fed out of the hopper stage 2 and is conveyed to an optical character reading unit (not shown).

In the first embodiment, the main rollers 111a, 111b, 111c and the separation roller 11
The center position C1 in the left-right direction of 3a, 113b and the center position C2 in the left-right direction of the first picker roller 104a and the second picker roller 104b coincide with each other.
And C2 are parallel to the position where the form 101 should travel (the position of the travel reference X = 0 shown in FIG. 1), and the distance from the travel reference X = 0 matches C1 and C2. (X1 = X2), the resultant force of the form pull-in of the picker roller 4 is generated along C2, and the resultant force of the main rollers 111a, 111b, 111c is C-type.
Occurs along 1. Separating rollers 113a, 113
The separation force (friction) b also occurs along C1.

Accordingly, the main rollers 111a, 111
The center position C1 in the left-right direction of the separation rollers 113a and 113b and the separation rollers 113a and 113b, and the center position C2 in the left-right direction of the first picker roller 104a and the second picker roller 104b are determined by the running reference X = 1 and the resultant force of pulling in the form 101 caused by being parallel to 0, and the form 1
A separation force of 01 will occur on the same line. As a result, no rotational moment is generated at the time of form separation, whereby the guide roller 7, the guide roller arm 27, the shaft 29, and the guide roller shaft 6 shown in FIG.
It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure of the apparatus such as the skew of the form 101 or the occurrence of a jam without requiring the above.
Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a form feeding / separating mechanism of the second embodiment, FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a form feeding / separating mechanism of the second embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view showing a part of the form feeding and separating mechanism, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line DD shown in FIG. Note that, in FIG. 3, the tension roller 115 and the shaft 116 are omitted.

Only the points different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the other parts similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 3, a guide roller 1 rotatably mounted on a guide roller shaft 106 for suppressing skew at the time of separation is provided above the hopper stage 102.
07 is provided. A guide roller arm 127 is provided adjacent to the side frame 126 covering the side of the apparatus. One end of the guide roller shaft 106 is attached to the guide roller arm 127, and the guide roller arm 127 is rotatably attached to the side frame 126 by the shaft 129.

In FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, a picker roller 145, which is a first roller member for feeding out the form 101, is provided above the hopper stage 102 and is attached to one end of the picker roller shaft 144. ing.
The picker roller shaft 144 penetrates the picker roller sliding arm 147, and the picker roller sliding arm 147
It is supported rotatably. The picker roller shaft 144 is provided with a screw at a position where a picker roller position adjusting knob, which will be described later, is attached.
44a are formed.

A washer 148 and a washer 149 are provided on the picker roller shaft 144 between one side surface 147 a of the picker roller sliding arm 147 and the picker roller 145.
And a spring 150, one end of which is a washer 148.
, And the other end is provided in a state of being attached to the washer 149. With this configuration, pressure is applied to the picker roller shaft 144 in the direction of arrow B.

A substantially central portion of the picker roller shaft 144 on the other side surface 147b side of the picker roller sliding arm 147 has a D shape as shown in FIG. A picker pulley 152 whose inner diameter hole shape is D-shaped according to the D-shape is slidably mounted in the thrust direction of the picker roller shaft 144 at the shape-shaped portion.

A bearing 151 is provided on the picker roller shaft 144 between the other side surface 147b of the picker roller sliding arm 147 and the picker pulley 152, and the picker roller shaft is provided via the bearing 151 and the picker pulley 152. 144 screw portion 144a
Then, the picker roller position adjusting knob 146 is fixed to the picker roller shaft 144 by biting a screw portion 146 a of the inner diameter portion of the picker roller position adjusting knob 146.

The main roller shaft 112 is rotatably passed through the picker roller sliding arm 147 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the picker roller sliding arm 147 is connected to the main roller shaft 112. Is rotatably supported.

Next, a description will be given of a feeding operation and a conveying operation of the form 101 of the image reading apparatus having the above configuration.
The description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment is omitted, and here, only the operation for feeding out the form 101 will be described.

When the operator presses the picker roller 145 and rotates the picker roller position adjusting knob 146, the screw part 146a of the inner diameter part of the picker roller position adjusting knob 146 is engaged with the screw part 144a of the picker roller shaft 144. By the screw effect of the screw,
The picker roller shaft 144 moves in the arrow B direction or the arrow C direction.

At this time, the pressure of the spring 150 causes the picker roller 145 to be pressed away from the picker roller sliding arm 147. Therefore, when the picker roller position adjusting knob 146 is rotated in the tightening direction, the picker roller shaft 144 moves in a direction to enter the picker roller position adjusting knob 146, and the picker roller 145 moves toward the picker roller sliding arm 147 side. Get closer. On the other hand, when the picker roller position adjusting knob 146 is rotated in a loosening direction, the picker roller shaft 144 moves in a direction to exit from the picker roller position adjusting knob 146, and the picker roller 145 is moved to the picker roller sliding arm 14.
Move in the direction away from 7.

Thus, the main rollers 111a, 11a
1b, 111c and the separation rollers 113a, 113b in the left-right direction (direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the form 101) center position C1 (fixed), the left-right direction of the picker roller 145 (direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the form 101). ) Can be adjusted with respect to the travel reference X = 0 of the form 101. Therefore, the main rollers 111a, 111b,
The rotation moment generated by the difference between the form conveying force V1 generated by the pick roller 111 and the form conveying force V1 generated by the separation roller 113c and the separation rollers 113a and 113b can be easily adjusted.

In the second embodiment, since the position of the picker roller 145 can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the form 1 is fed, the rotation caused by the friction load generated by the size of the form 101 and the like. By changing the position of the picker roller 145 according to the moment, the picker position can be adjusted. As a result, separation and feeding with less skew can be performed.

The guide roller 107, guide roller arm 127, shaft 129, and guide roller shaft 106 may not be provided. With such a configuration, similarly to the first embodiment, the guide roller 10
7, a guide roller arm 127, and a shaft 129.
Thus, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure of the apparatus such as the skew of the form 1 or the occurrence of a jam without the need for the guide roller shaft 106. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a form feeding / separating mechanism according to the third embodiment, FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing a form feeding / separating mechanism according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a view showing the third embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of a form feeding and separating mechanism.

Only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the other parts similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, a second roller is provided on the transport guide 108 side downstream of the main rollers 111a, 111b, 111c and the separation rollers 113a, 113b as the first roller members. Tension rollers 153a and 153b, which are members, are provided to be attached to a tension roller arm described later. Then, the tension rollers 153a, 153b
In the lower conveyance guide 109 side, two conveyance rollers 117 are attached to the conveyance roller shaft 118 while being pressed by the tension rollers 153a and 153b. Note that the transport roller 117 is provided in a state parallel to the transport direction of the form 2.

Then, the two tension roller arms 15
5, 156 are fixed to the upper conveyance guide 108 by screws 157a, 157b, 158a, 158b while being inclined with respect to the conveyance direction of the form 101. The tension roller arms 155 and 156 are formed by bending a leaf spring to have an arm shape. The tension roller arms 155 and 156 are provided with arm portions 155a and 156a and tension rollers 153a and 153, respectively.
b side is attached. Further, arm portions 155a, 155a, 153b are provided inside the tension rollers 153a, 153b.
Shafts 162a and 162b attached to 56a are inserted.

In FIG. 9, the main rollers 111a, 1
11b and 111c are attached to and provided on the main roller shaft 112. The main roller shaft 112 includes a main roller 111a and a main roller 111c.
and a guide roller 159a is mounted between the main roller 111b and the main roller 111b. Separating rollers 113a and 113b are attached to the shaft 114 so as to face the guide rollers 159a and 159b. The shaft 114 has one end attached to the side frame 126 at a right angle and the other end attached to both ends of a frame 161 rotatably attached to a fixed shaft 160 attached to a frame (not shown). The separation roller 1 is separated by a spring (not shown).
13a and 113b are pressed against guide rollers 159a and 159b. Further, a torque limiter 164 is attached to the shaft 114.

The diameter of the guide rollers 159a and 159b is
The diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the main rollers 111a, 111b, 111c. Therefore, the form 101 is composed of the main rollers 111a, 111b, 111c and the separation roller 113.
a and 113b, the main roller 11
1a, 111b, 111c and guide rollers 159a, 1
Vertical wrinkles are generated in the form 101 due to the difference in outer shape from the form 59b. Due to the occurrence of the vertical wrinkles, the form 101 generates a strong stiffness in the transport direction and a separating effect is generated, so that the separating performance is improved.

When the form 1 is transported to a scanner equipped with an optical character reader in this state, the vertical wrinkles of the form 1 cause image distortion.

Therefore, in order to prevent this image from being distorted, in the present embodiment, the tension roller 153a,
By providing the 153b at an angle of θ1 and θ2 (in an inclined state) with respect to a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the form 101, vertical wrinkles can be removed quickly. That is, a mechanism for removing vertical wrinkles is composed of the transport roller 117, the tension rollers 155a and 153b, and the tension rollers 153a and 153b.
Reference numeral 3b denotes a configuration in which the tension rollers 153a and 153b are arranged so as to be inclined away from each other from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the form 101.

In order to secure the angles θ1 and θ2, the angle at which the tension roller arm 155 and the tension roller arm 156 are attached is determined by the angle of θ1 and the angle θ2 with respect to the direction in which the tension rollers 153a and 153b are orthogonal to the conveying direction of the form 101, respectively. It is easily possible by setting the angle so that it can be provided. Also, the arm part 155
It can be easily realized by the bent shapes of a and 156a.

In the third embodiment, the first
Main rollers 111a and 11 as shown in the embodiment
1b, 111c and the center position C1 in the left-right direction of the separation rollers 113a, 113b, and the first picker roller 104a.
And the center position C2 of the second picker roller 104b in the left-right direction, and C1 and C2 are
1 is parallel to the position where the vehicle should travel (the position of the traveling reference X = 0 shown in FIG. 1).
It is not always necessary to make the distance from 0 equal (X1 = X2) between C1 and C2.

Next, the operation of transporting the form 101 of the image reading apparatus having the above configuration will be described. Here, Form 1
The description starts from the point where 01 passes between the main rollers 111a, 111b, 111c and the separation rollers 113a, 113b.

The form 101 is composed of the main rollers 111a, 11
1b, 111c and the separation rollers 113a, 113b, the main rollers 111
a, 111b, 111c and guide rollers 159a, 15
Vertical wrinkles are generated due to the difference in outer shape from that of 9b. Subsequently, the sheet 101 is conveyed and the form 101 is moved to the tension rollers 153a, 1
When the rollers 53b reach a position between the two transport rollers 117 provided opposite to the tension rollers 153a, 153b, the tension rollers 153a, 153
Due to the effects of the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the document b, 2
A conveyance force is generated in the left and right directions from the center position C3 of the conveyance rollers 117 in the left and right direction (the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the form 101). As a result, the vertical wrinkles of the form 101 are extended in the left-right direction and removed, and the form 101 returns to a flat state, and is conveyed to the scanner in this state.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the form 1
When 01 passes between the main rollers 111a, 111b, 111c and the separation rollers 113a, 113b, vertical wrinkles are generated on the form 101 due to the difference in outer shape between the main rollers 111a, 111b, 111c and the guide rollers 159a, 159b. Even if the separation performance of the form 101 is improved, it is possible to remove vertical wrinkles from the form 101 before reaching the scanner by the tension rollers 153a and 153b provided at an angle to the transport direction of the form 101. Become. Therefore, it is possible to provide an apparatus that has good separation performance of the form 101, can easily ensure the accuracy at the time of acquiring image data, and can perform high image recognition.

Further, by removing unnecessary vertical wrinkles, it is possible to reduce device failures such as the occurrence of conveyance jams and skew of the form 101.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first and third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing a form feeding / separating mechanism according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG.
It is a schematic side view which shows the form delivery separation mechanism of embodiment.

The third embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that tension rollers 163a and 163a serving as second roller members are used.
Instead of inclining the mounting angle of the shaft 3b with respect to the conveying direction of the form 101, the tension rollers 163a,
3b is a rubber roller having a tapered (triangular pyramid) shape, and the large diameter side is disposed outside the center position C3 of the transport rollers 117a and 117b in the left-right direction (the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the form 101). That is the point. That is, the mechanism for removing the vertical wrinkles of the form 101 includes the transport rollers 117a and 117b and the tension rollers 163a and 163a.
3b and the tension roller 163
a, 163b are the respective tension rollers 163a.
And the tension roller 163b is formed of a tapered roller whose diameter increases in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the form 101 from the side facing the roller.

Then, the tension roller arms 165, 1
66 is fixed to the upper conveyance guide 108 by screws 167a, 167b, 168a, and 168b in a state parallel to the conveyance direction of the form 101. The tension roller arms 165 and 166 are the same as the tension roller arms 155 and 156 shown in the third embodiment, and
6 is attached to the tension rollers 163a and 163b in the same manner as in the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

By using a rubber roller having a tapered shape as an aligning roller, vertical wrinkles generated on the form 101 at the time of separation can be removed. That is, in the present embodiment, the tension roller 163a is moved outward with respect to the position C3.
163b exerts the aligning power, and the form 101
Vertical wrinkles are extended in the left-right direction and removed, and the form 101
Returns to the flat state, and is transported to the scanner in this state. The tension rollers 163a, 163b and 2
The position C3 at the center in the left-right direction of the transport rollers 117a and 117b coincides with each other.

Other structures and operations are the same as those of the third embodiment, and the description is omitted.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the form 101 is
1a, 111b and 111c and separation rollers 113a and 11
3b, the main rollers 111a, 1b
Even if the form 101 is wrinkled due to the outer shape difference between the guide rollers 159a and 159b and the guide rollers 159a and 159b to improve the separation performance of the form 101, the tension roller 1
63a and 163b make it possible to remove vertical wrinkles from the form 101 before reaching the scanner. Therefore, it is possible to provide an apparatus that has good separation performance of the form 101, can easily ensure the accuracy at the time of acquiring image data, and can perform high image recognition.

Further, by removing unnecessary vertical wrinkles, it is possible to reduce device failures such as occurrence of a conveyance jam of the form 101 and occurrence of skew.

Further, the tension rollers 163a, 163
Since the mounting of b can have the same structure as a normal tension roller, it becomes easier in parts processing, assembling, maintenance and the like. This makes it possible to provide a device with stable quality.

[0081]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, by appropriately arranging the roller members, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of troubles of the apparatus such as skew of the medium and occurrence of jam. Further, by removing wrinkles formed on the medium after forming the wrinkles on the medium, it is possible to improve the separation performance of the medium and to prevent the occurrence of a failure of the apparatus such as skew of the medium and occurrence of jam.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a form feeding and separating mechanism according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a form feeding and separating mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating a form feeding / separating mechanism according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating a form feeding and separating mechanism according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing a part of a form feeding and separating mechanism according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line DD shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a form feeding and separating mechanism according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing a form feeding and separating mechanism according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a part of a form feeding / separating mechanism according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing a form feeding and separating mechanism according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a form feeding / separating mechanism according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing a conventional form feeding and separating mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing a conventional form feeding and separating mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Form 104 Picker Roller 111 Main Roller 113 Separation Roller 117 Transport Roller 145 Picker Roller 153 Tension Roller 163 Tension Roller

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3F343 FA02 FB01 FC13 FC14 GA01 GB01 GC01 GD01 HB01 HB03 JA15 JA18 JD09 JD33 JD39 KB04 KB05 KB17 LC02 LC04

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A medium feeding / separating mechanism for separating a medium by using a plurality of roller members, wherein the roller members are arranged such that the center positions of the roller members in a direction orthogonal to the medium transport direction coincide. And a medium feeding / separating mechanism. 2. The medium feeding / separating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each of the roller members includes a plurality of rollers, and a center position of each of the roller members in a direction orthogonal to the medium conveying direction is: A medium feeding / separating mechanism, wherein the medium feeding / separating mechanism is located at a central position in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the medium between the plurality of rollers constituting each of the roller members. 3. A medium feeding / separation mechanism comprising a first roller member and a second roller member disposed downstream of the first roller member in the medium transport direction. The first roller member and the center position of the member in the direction orthogonal to the medium conveyance direction are coincident with the center position of the second roller member in the direction orthogonal to the medium conveyance direction. A medium feeding / separation mechanism comprising a second roller member and a second roller member. 4. The medium feeding / separating mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the first roller member and the second roller member each include a plurality of rollers, and the plurality of rollers forming the first roller member. The center position in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the medium between the rollers is the same as the central position in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the medium between the plurality of rollers constituting the second roller member. Wherein the plurality of rollers constituting the first roller member and the plurality of rollers constituting the second roller member are arranged. 5. A medium feeding / separating mechanism comprising a first roller member and a second roller member disposed downstream of the first roller member in the medium conveyance direction, wherein the first roller A medium feeding / separating mechanism, wherein a position of a member is adjustable in a direction orthogonal to the medium conveying direction. 6. A medium feeding / separating mechanism comprising a first roller member and a second roller member disposed downstream of the first roller member in the medium conveyance direction, wherein the first roller A medium feeding / separating mechanism, wherein a member is provided with a mechanism for forming wrinkles on a medium, and the second roller member is provided with a mechanism for removing wrinkles formed on the medium. 7. The medium feeding / separating mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the mechanism for removing the wrinkles is composed of at least a pair of rollers arranged coaxially, and the pair of rollers are arranged in a direction in which the medium is conveyed. A medium feeding / separation mechanism, which is arranged so as to be separated from each other toward the medium. 8. The medium feeding / separating mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the mechanism for removing the wrinkles includes at least a pair of rollers arranged coaxially, and the pair of rollers are arranged outward from an opposed surface side. A medium feeding / separating mechanism having a diameter increasing toward the medium. 9. An image reading apparatus comprising the medium feeding and separating mechanism according to claim 1.