JP2002071835A - Medium detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an operation of the whole of a device from stopping even when either one of a light receiving element or a light-emitting device cannot normally operate by reason of fouling or the like. SOLUTION: In this medium detecting device 1, two light-emitting devices 2 and 3 and one light receiving element 4 are provided, and an optical passage body 5 is provided between the light-emitting devices 2 and 3 and the light receiving element 4. The optical passage body 5 is composed of a member transmitting light and it has light incoming end parts 6 and 7 respectively facing the light-emitting devices 2 and 3, a light outgoing end part 8 facing the light receiving element 4, and optical passages 9, 10, 11, and 12 connecting respective end parts. A reflecting part 15 at 45 deg. to an advancing direction of light is formed in a midpoint between the optical passage 9 and the optical passage 10, and a reflecting part 16 perpendicularly reflecting light is formed between the optical passage 11 and the optical passage 12. A conveyance passage 14 for a medium 13 is provided between the optical passage body 5 and the light receiving element 4. Normally the light-emitting device 2 emits light to detect the medium 13 but when the light-emitting device 2 cannot be used due to fouling or the like, it is switched to the light emitting device 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medium detecting device for detecting a medium using light, and more particularly to a medium detecting device having improved reliability as a device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a medium detecting device using light, a light emitting element and a light receiving element are disposed opposite to each other with a medium transport path interposed therebetween. The light emitted from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element unless it is blocked by the medium. If the light from the light emitting element is blocked by the medium being transported on the transport path, the light is not received by the light receiving element. Therefore, when light is not received by the light receiving element, it is determined that the medium is detected.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional medium detecting device, if either the light receiving element or the light emitting element cannot operate normally for some reason, for example, failure, dirt, life, or the like. However, there has been a problem that the entire apparatus cannot operate.

Further, in the conventional medium detecting apparatus, only the presence or absence of a medium is detected, and the conveying speed and the conveying direction of the medium are not detected at the same time, so that the apparatus cannot be used for various purposes. There was a problem.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is arranged so that light emitted from a light-emitting element is received by a light-receiving element, and that the medium blocks light emitted from the light-emitting element. In a medium detection device that detects a medium by detecting, a light path body having a light input end for receiving light from a light emitting element and a light output end for outputting the received light to a light receiving element is provided. With a plurality of light-emitting elements provided, or a plurality of the light incident end is provided to face each of the light-emitting elements, or a plurality of light-receiving elements are provided, and A plurality of light emitting ends are provided so as to face the light receiving elements. Further, the medium may be transported between the light path and the light receiving element, or may be transported between the light path and the light emitting element.

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, when a light emitting element or a light receiving element cannot obtain an output necessary for detecting a medium due to a failure or contamination, an element which has not been used is used. By doing so, it is possible to obtain an output required for medium detection, and it is not necessary to stop the device, and the reliability of the device can be improved.

In addition, a plurality of light emitting elements are provided,
A plurality of light-entering ends of the light path body are provided opposite to the plurality of light emitting elements, respectively, and the medium is transported between the light path and the light emitting elements, so that the light emitting amounts of the plurality of light emitting elements are different from each other. To do. With this configuration, it is possible to detect the transport speed and the transport direction of the medium.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a route of light in an optical path in the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a circuit block of the first embodiment. FIG.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the medium detecting device 1 according to the first embodiment is provided with two light emitting elements 2, 3 and one light receiving element 4, and the light emitting elements 2, 3 An optical path body 5 is provided between the element 4. The light emitting elements 2 and 3 are configured by, for example, a light emitting diode or a laser diode, and the light receiving element 4 is configured by, for example, a phototransistor or a photodiode. The light path member 5 is made of a member through which light is transmitted, for example, a transparent plastic resin, and includes light incident ends 6 and 7 facing the light emitting elements 2 and 3 and a light emitting end 8 facing the light receiving element 4. And light paths 9, 10, 11, 12 connecting the respective ends.
Having.

Between the light path 9 and the light path 10, there is formed a reflecting portion 15 which forms an angle of 45 ° with respect to the traveling direction of the light, and between the light path 11 and the light path 12, the light forms a right angle. A reflecting portion 16 that reflects light is formed. A transport path 14 for the medium 13 is provided between the light path 5 and the light receiving element 4. The light path 10 is a common path through which both light from the light emitting element 2 and light from the light emitting element 3 pass.

In FIG. 3, a central processing unit (CPU) 2
The light emitting circuit 22 is connected to 1, and the light emitting elements 2 and 3 are connected to the light emitting circuit 22. The CPU 21 is a light emitting circuit 2
The light emitting elements 2 and 3 emit light through the light emitting element 2. CPU2
1 is connected to an analog / digital (A / D) converter 24, and the light receiving element 4 is connected to the A / D converter 24 via a light receiving circuit 25.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
First, the CPU 21 causes the light emitting element 2 to emit light via the light emitting circuit 22. Normally, the medium 13 is detected by causing the light emitting element 2 to emit light. The light emitted from the light emitting element 2 is incident on the light incident end 6.
The light enters the light path body 5 through the light path 9 and the light path 10, exits from the light exit end 8, crosses the transport path 14, and is received by the light receiving element 4.

At this time, when the medium 13 is transported through the transport path 14 and the medium 13 reaches between the light emitting end 8 and the light receiving element 4, the light receiving element 4 can receive the light from the light emitting end 8. Can not. When this is detected by the CPU 21, it is determined that the medium 13 has been transported between the light emitting end 8 and the light receiving element 4.

When the light emitting element 2 cannot provide an output necessary for medium detection due to failure, dirt or life, the CPU 21 switches the light emitting element and causes the light emitting element 3 to emit light. Thus, the detection of the medium 13 can be continuously performed.

Light emitted from the light emitting element 3 enters the light path body 5 from the light incident end 7, passes through the light path 11, and is reflected by the reflection section 1.
The light is reflected at 6 and enters the light path 12. The light that has entered the light path 12 is further reflected by the reflection unit 15, enters the light path 10, exits the light exit end 8, crosses the transport path 14, and is received by the light receiving element 4. Thus, the medium 1 transported in the transport path 14
3 is detected.

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
If the light emitting element 2 cannot provide an output necessary for medium detection due to a failure, dirt, or life, the CPU
Reference numeral 21 switches the light emitting element and causes the light emitting element 3 to emit light.
This allows the medium 13 to be switched without switching the light receiving element 4.
Can be continuously performed, and the reliability as a medium detection device can be improved. It goes without saying that any one of the light emitting elements 2 and 3 may be used at normal time.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a light path in an optical path according to the second embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a second embodiment.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the medium detecting device 31 of the second embodiment is provided with one light emitting element 32 and two light receiving elements 33 and 34, and the light emitting element 32 and the light receiving element 33 are provided. , 34, an optical path body 35 is provided.
The light emitting element 32 is constituted by, for example, a light emitting diode or a laser diode, and the light receiving elements 33, 34 are constituted by, for example, a phototransistor or a photodiode. The light path body 35 is formed of a member through which light is transmitted, for example, a transparent plastic resin, and includes a light incident end 36 facing the light emitting element 32 and light emitting ends 37 and 38 facing the light receiving elements 33 and 34, respectively. And light paths 39, 40, 41, 42 connecting the respective ends.

In the middle of the light path 39 and the light path 40, there is formed a reflecting portion 45 which forms an angle of 45 degrees with the traveling direction of light.
Further, between the light path 41 and the light path 42, there is formed a reflecting portion 46 for reflecting light at right angles. A transport path 14 for the medium 13 is provided between the light path body 35 and the light emitting element 32. The light path 39 is a common path through which both the light received by the light receiving element 33 and the light received by the light receiving element 34 pass.

In FIG. 6, a central processing unit (CPU) 5
A light emitting circuit 52 is connected to 1, and the light emitting element 32 is connected to the light emitting circuit 52. The CPU 51 includes a light emitting circuit 52
The light emitting element 32 emits light through the. An analog / digital (A / D) converter 54 is connected to the CPU 51, and light receiving elements 33 and 34 are connected to the A / D converter 54 via a light receiving circuit 55.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
First, the CPU 51 causes the light emitting element 32 to emit light via the light emitting circuit 52. The light emitted from the light emitting element 32 first traverses the transport path 14 and enters the light path body 35 from the light incident end 36, goes straight through the light path 39 and the light path 40, and exits from the light exit end 37. The light is received by the light receiving element 4. Normally, the medium 13 is detected by receiving light with the light receiving element 33.

When the medium 13 is transported in the transport path 14 and reaches between the light incident end 36 and the light emitting element 32,
The light emitted from the light emitting element 32 does not enter the light path 35, and the light receiving element 33 cannot receive the light. When the CPU 51 detects this, it is determined that the medium 13 has been transported between the light incident end 36 and the light emitting element 32.

When the light receiving element 33 cannot provide an output necessary for medium detection due to a failure, dirt, or life, etc., the CPU 51 switches the light receiving element, and
4 to receive light. Thus, the detection of the medium 13 can be continuously performed.

When the light receiving element is switched, the light emitted from the light emitting element 32 first crosses the transport path 14, enters the light path body 35 from the light incident end 36, passes through the light path 39, and enters the reflection section 45. The light is reflected and enters the light path 41. The light that has entered the light path 41 is further reflected by the reflector 46 and enters the light path 42,
The light exits from the light emitting end 38 and is received by the light receiving element 4. Thereby, the medium 13 conveyed in the conveyance path 14 is detected.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
If the light receiving element 33 cannot provide an output necessary for medium detection due to failure, dirt, or life, CP
U51 switches the light receiving element so that the light receiving element 34 receives light. Accordingly, the detection of the medium 13 can be continuously performed without switching the light emitting element 32, and the reliability of the medium detection device can be improved. It goes without saying that either of the light receiving elements 33 and 34 may be used in normal times.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a circuit block diagram of the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an optical path body of the third embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, two light emitting elements 62, 63 and 2 are provided in a medium detecting device 61 according to the third embodiment.
Light receiving elements 64, 65 are provided, and the light emitting elements 62, 6
An optical path body 66 is provided between 3 and the light receiving elements 64 and 65. Each of the light emitting elements 62 and 63 is constituted by, for example, a light emitting diode or a laser diode.
Reference numerals 4 and 65 include, for example, a phototransistor or a photodiode. The light path body 66 is made of a member through which light passes, for example, a transparent plastic resin. A transport path 14 for the medium 13 is provided between the light path 66 and the light receiving elements 64 and 65.

The light path body 66 includes light-entering ends 67 and 68 facing the light-emitting elements 62 and 63, respectively,
65 has light exit ends 69 and 70 respectively, and optical paths 71, 72, 73 and 7 connecting the respective ends.
4 and an intermediate light path 75. Light path 7
Reflecting portions 76 and 77 are formed between the light path 1 and the light path 72 at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the traveling direction of the light, and between the light path 73 and the light path 74, the light is reflected at a right angle. Part 78,
79 are formed.

In FIG. 8, a central processing unit (CPU) 8
The light emitting circuit 82 is connected to the light emitting circuit 1, and the light emitting elements 62 and 63 are connected to the light emitting circuit 82. The CPU 81 causes the light emitting elements 62 and 63 to emit light via the light emitting circuit 82. An analog / digital (A / D) converter 84 is connected to the CPU 81, and light receiving elements 64 and 65 are connected to the A / D converter 84 via a light receiving circuit 85.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.
First, the CPU 81 causes the light emitting element 62 to emit light via the light emitting circuit 82. The light emitted from the light emitting element 62 enters the light path body 66 from the light incident end 67, goes straight through the light path 71 and the light path 72, exits the light exit end 69, crosses the transport path 14, and receives light. The light is received by the element 64. Normally, the light emitted from the light emitting element 62 is received by the light receiving element 64 to detect the medium 13.

When the medium 13 is transported in the transport path 14 and reaches the space between the light exit end 69 and the light receiving element 64,
Light from the light path body 66 is not received by the light receiving element 64. When the CPU 81 detects this, the medium 13
Is determined to have been conveyed between the light emitting end 69 and the light receiving element 64.

When the light emitting element 62 cannot provide an output necessary for medium detection due to a failure, dirt, or life, the CPU 81 switches the light emitting element and the light emitting element 6
3 is caused to emit light. Thus, the detection of the medium 13 can be continuously performed.

The light emitted from the light emitting element 63 enters the light path body 66 from the light incident end 68, passes through the light path 73, is reflected by the reflector 78, and enters the light path 75. The light that has entered the light path 75 is further reflected by the reflection unit 77, enters the light path 72, exits the light exit end 69, crosses the transport path 14, and is received by the light receiving element 64. Thereby, the medium 13 conveyed in the conveyance path 14 is detected.

Further, when the light receiving element 64 cannot provide an output necessary for medium detection due to failure, dirt, or life, the CPU 81 switches the light receiving element and causes the light receiving element 65 to receive light. Thereby, the medium 13
Can be detected continuously.

When the light receiving element is switched, the light emitted from the light emitting element 62 enters the light path body 66 from the light input end 67, passes through the light path 71, is reflected by the reflection section 76, and is
Enter 5. The light that has entered the light path 75 is further reflected by the reflection section 79, enters the light path 74, exits the light exit end 70, crosses the transport path 14, and is received by the light receiving element 65. Thereby, the medium 13 conveyed in the conveyance path 14 is detected.

When switching between both the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the CPU 81 outputs light from the light emitting element 63 and causes the light receiving element 65 to receive the light. in this case,
The light emitted from the light emitting element 63 enters the light path body 66 from the light input end 68, goes straight through the light paths 73 and 74, exits the light output end 70, crosses the transport path 14, and receives light. The light is received by the element 64.

As described above, according to the third embodiment,
When the light emitting element 62 or the light receiving element 64 cannot obtain an output required for medium detection due to failure, dirt, or life, the CPU 81 switches the light emitting element or the light receiving element, and switches to another light emitting element or the light receiving element. Make it receive light. As a result, the detection of the medium 13 can be performed continuously, and the reliability of the medium detection device can be improved.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a time chart showing a change in output of the light receiving element in the fourth embodiment.

In FIG. 10, the medium detecting device 91 of the fourth embodiment is provided with two light emitting elements 2, 3 and one light receiving element 4, as in the first embodiment. An optical path member 5 is provided between the light emitting elements 2 and 3 and the light receiving element 4. The light path body 5 has light incident ends 6 and 7 facing the light emitting elements 2 and 3, respectively, and a light emitting end 8 facing the light receiving element 4, and optical paths 9 and 10 connecting the respective ends. 1
1 and 12. A reflection portion 15 is formed between the light path 9 and the light path 10.
The reflector 16 is formed between the two. However, a transport path 14 for the medium 13 is provided between the light path member 5 and the light emitting elements 2 and 3.

The control system of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11 and 3. First, the CPU 21 causes both light emitting elements 2 and 3 to emit light via the light emitting circuit 22. The light emitted from the light emitting element 2 enters the light path body 5 from the light input end 6, goes straight through the light paths 9 and 10, exits the light output end 8, crosses the transport path 14, and receives the light receiving element. 4
Is received at. Light emitted from the light emitting element 3 enters the light path body 5 from the light incident end 7, passes through the light path 11, is reflected by the reflector 16, and enters the light path 12. The light that has entered the light path 12 is further reflected by the reflecting portion 15, enters the light path 11, exits the light exit end 8, crosses the transport path 14, and is received by the light receiving element 4.

When the medium 13 is not located at a position facing the light emitting element 2 or the light emitting element 3, the output of the light receiving element 4 is the highest as shown by a in FIG. In this case, light emitted from both the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting element 3 is
Is received at. As shown in FIG. 10, when the medium 13 is conveyed from the left side and reaches between the light incident end 6 and the light emitting element 2, the light emitted from the light emitting element 2 is blocked, and the light receiving element 4
Only light from the light emitting element 3 enters. Therefore, FIG.
1, the output of the light receiving element 4 decreases.

When the medium 13 is further conveyed and reaches between the light incident end 7 and the light emitting element 3, the light from the light emitting element 3 is blocked, and the light from the light emitting elements 2 and 3 is transmitted to the light receiving element 4. As shown by c in FIG. 11, the output of the light receiving element 4 further decreases. When the medium 13 is further conveyed and passes between the light incident end 6 and the light emitting element 2, light from the light emitting element 2 enters the light receiving element 4, and as shown by d in FIG. The output of 4 goes up. When the medium 13 is further conveyed and passes between the light incident end 7 and the light emitting element 3, the light emitting element 3
Light from the light-receiving element 4 also enters the light-receiving element 4, and the output of the light-receiving element 4 further increases as shown by a in FIG.

As described above, the position of the medium 13 can be detected from the output change of the light receiving element 4. Therefore, the conveyance speed of the medium 13 can be calculated by setting the interval between the detection points to a predetermined value. The length of the medium 13 can be calculated.

That is, in FIG. 11, the distance between the light-emitting element 2 and the light-emitting element 3 is set to a predetermined value, and the time from the point of change from a to b to the point of change from b to c is measured. Thus, the transport speed of the medium 13 can be calculated. Also, for example, by measuring the time from the time when the value changes from a to b to the time when the value changes from c to d, the time that the medium 13 has passed through the light emitting element 2 can be calculated,
The length of the medium 13 can be calculated from the time and the transport speed.

In the apparatus 91 shown in FIG. 10, the transport direction of the medium 13 is set to be a direction orthogonal to a straight line connecting the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting element 3, so that the medium 1
3 can detect the degree (angle) of inclination with respect to the transport direction. The inclination angle of the medium 13 can be calculated by measuring the time from when one of the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting element 3 first detects the medium 13 to when the other detects it.

Next, an example in which the medium is detected by changing the output (light emission amount) of the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting element 3 in the device 91 shown in FIG. 10 will be described. The transport direction of the medium 13 is as shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a time chart showing the output change of the light receiving element in this case. In the example shown in FIG.
The light emitting element 2 emits more light than the light emitting element 3.

In FIG. 12, a shows the case where the medium 13 does not exist at a position facing the light emitting element 2 or the light emitting element 3. e shows the case where the medium 13 exists between the light incident end 6 and the light emitting element 2. c indicates that the medium 13 has the light incident end 6.
And the light-emitting element 3 and the light-emitting end 3. F indicates a case where the medium 13 does not exist between the light incident end 6 and the light emitting element 2 but exists only between the light incident end 7 and the light emitting element 3. As shown in the figure, the output level in the case of e and the output level in the case of f are different.

As described above, the medium 13 is used as the light emitting element 2
When the medium 13 is transported in a linear direction connecting the light emitting element 3 and the light emitting element 3, the transport direction of the medium 13, that is, as shown in FIG. 10, depends on whether the level of e comes first, and then f comes later, or vice versa. It is possible to know whether the sheet is conveyed in the direction of arrow A or in the opposite direction.

FIG. 13 is a time chart showing a change in output of the light receiving element when the medium 13 is transported in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, f is the medium 1
3 shows a case where the medium 3 exists only between the light incident end 6 and the light emitting element 2, and e shows a case where the medium 13 exists only between the light incident end 6 and the light emitting element 2. It can be seen that the medium 13 is being conveyed in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.

When the output of the light emitting element 2 is different from that of the light emitting element 3, the medium 13 is transported by setting the transport direction of the medium 13 to be a direction orthogonal to a straight line connecting the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting element 3. In addition to detecting the degree (angle) of inclination of the medium 13 with respect to the transport direction, it is possible to detect which side the medium 13 is inclined. This corresponds to the output levels e and f shown in FIG. 12 or FIG.
It is possible to detect which is output first.

Next, an example in which the medium is detected by making the wavelengths of the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting element 3 different in the device 91 shown in FIG. 10 will be described. By making the wavelengths of the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting element 3 different, the transmittance of the medium is different, and the difference in the output (the amount of light transmitted when passing through the medium) between the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting element 3 is increased.

Therefore, by making the wavelengths of the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting element 3 different from each other, FIG. 12 and FIG.
And the output levels as indicated by f and f
3 can be detected. Further, by making the light emission amount of the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting element 3 different, and further making the wavelength different, the output of the light receiving element 4 when passing only at the position of the light emitting element 2 and the position of the light emitting element 3 It is possible to further increase the output difference from the output of the light receiving element 4 in the case where the light passes through only one of them, and the detection accuracy is improved.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment,
Both the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting element 3 emit light, and based on the output difference of the light receiving element 4 at that time, the transport speed of the medium 13 and the medium 13
Of the medium 13, the degree and direction of the inclination of the medium 13, and the transport direction of the medium 13 can be detected.
It can be used not only for detecting the presence / absence of but also for various uses. When only one of the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting element 3 emits light, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment are obtained.

[0055]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when a light emitting element or a light receiving element cannot obtain an output necessary for detecting a medium due to a failure or dirt, the light emitting element or the light receiving element is used until that time. By using the element that was not
The output required for media detection can be obtained,
There is no need to stop the device, and the reliability of the device can be improved.

Further, by utilizing the output difference of the light receiving element when detecting the medium by causing the plurality of light emitting elements to emit light,
It can be used not only for detecting the presence or absence of a medium but also for various uses.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a light path in an optical path according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a light path in an optical path according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a circuit block diagram of a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an optical path body according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a time chart showing a change in output of a light receiving element in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a time chart showing a change in output of the light receiving element when the output of the light emitting element is changed.

FIG. 13 is a time chart illustrating a change in output of a light receiving element when a medium is transported in a reverse direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 31, 61, 91 Medium detection device 2, 3, 32, 62, 63 Light emitting element 4, 33, 34, 64, 65 Light receiving element 5, 35, 66 Optical path body 13 Medium 14 Transport path

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Iwao Okita 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2F065 AA01 AA22 AA31 AA67 BB15 DD13 FF02 GG06 GG07 GG13 HH13 HH15 JJ01 JJ09 JJ18 LL01 LL11 NN01 QQ03 5G055 AA01 AA15 AD10 AD25 AE27 AG17

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A medium detecting device arranged to receive light emitted by a light emitting element by a light receiving element and detecting the medium by detecting that the light emitted by the light emitting element is blocked by the medium. And a light exit end that emits light to the light receiving element, and at least one of the light passage element and the light receiving element has a plurality of light exit ends. The medium detection device is provided, wherein the light path body is provided with a plurality of light entrance ends or light exit ends so as to face each of the light emitting element and the light receiving element. 2. The light-emitting element is provided more than the light-receiving element, and the light-passing body has a light-entering end and a light-emitting end so as to face the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, respectively. The medium detection device according to claim 1, wherein the optical path body has an optical path through which light incident from a plurality of light incident ends commonly passes. 3. The light receiving element is provided in a larger number than the light emitting element, and the light path body has a light incident end and a light exit end so as to face the light emitting element and the light receiving element, respectively. The medium detection device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light exit ends are provided to emit light that has commonly entered the optical path from the light entrance end. 4. The light receiving element and the light emitting element are provided in plurality, and the light path body has a light incident end and a light exit end so as to face the light emitting element and the light receiving element, respectively. The medium detection device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of light incident on the light path body from a plurality of light entrance ends pass through the light path body and exit from the plurality of light exit ends. 5. Light that has entered the optical path from a plurality of light-entering ends passes through the optical path and exits from a plurality of light-emitting ends, and the light enters from the plurality of light-entering ends. 5. The medium detecting device according to claim 4, wherein the light entering the passage body exits from a common light exit end. 6. The medium detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the medium is conveyed between the optical path member and the light receiving element. 7. The medium detection device according to claim 2, wherein the medium is transported between the light path and the light emitting element. 8. The medium detection device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements have different light emission amounts. 9. The medium detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements have different wavelengths from each other. 10. The medium detecting device according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are arranged at a predetermined interval along a medium conveying direction. 11. The medium detection device according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are arranged along a direction orthogonal to a medium conveyance direction.