JP2016179872A - Media transportation device and image reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid entry of a plurality of media to an opening portion in a press-fit state and to appropriately separate the plurality of media even in a state where thick paper and thin paper are mixed.SOLUTION: A media transportation device comprises: a media placement section placing media; a feed roller feeding the media to a downstream side; a separation roller nipping and separating the media between the feed roller and the separation roller; and an opening portion being an entrance of the media entering a nip position between the feed roller and the separation roller. The opening portion comprises: a fixed member not being displaced with respect to a thickness direction of the media; and a movable member adjusting a size of the opening portion by being displaced in the thickness direction of the media. Further, the movable member is biased toward the fixed member in the media transportation device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium conveying apparatus that conveys a medium, and an image reading apparatus including the medium conveying apparatus.

A scanner which is an example of an image reading apparatus includes an automatic document feeder (ADF (Auto
Also referred to as Document Feeder), it may be configured to automatically feed and read a plurality of documents. As shown in Patent Document 1, such an automatic document feeder includes a tray on which a document is placed, and an upstream roller ("forward feed roller" in Patent Document 1) that feeds the document from the tray. Some have a paper feed roller provided downstream of the upstream roller, and a separation roller that nips and separates the original between the paper feed roller.

Japanese Patent No. 4869969

  The separation roller is provided in a state where a predetermined rotational resistance is provided in order to prevent double feeding of documents. The document that has received the feeding force from the upstream roller enters between the sheet feeding roller and the separation roller, and proceeds downstream by receiving the feeding force from the sheet feeding roller while receiving resistance from the separation roller. Since the document to be double fed is not applied with the feeding force from the paper feed roller, the document cannot be advanced downstream with the leading end in contact with the separation roller, and double feeding is prevented.

  In order to appropriately exhibit the separation performance by the separation roller, a front opening serving as an entrance of the document entering the nip position may be provided so as to regulate the number of documents entering the nip position between the paper feed roller and the separation roller. desirable.

However, there may be a case where a plurality of documents are inserted into the front opening portion in a press-fit state. In this case, the frictional force between the documents becomes excessive. There is a risk that the next and subsequent manuscripts will be double-fed along with the manuscript to be made.
In addition, there is a tendency that the possibility of double feeding increases due to a mixture of thick paper and thin paper, an increase in the number of sets, and the like.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and the object thereof is to avoid the entry of a plurality of media in the press-fitted state into the above-mentioned opening portion even in a situation where thick paper and thin paper are mixed. And properly separating the media.

  In order to solve the above problems, a medium transporting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a medium mounting unit for mounting a medium, a feed roller for feeding the medium downstream, and the feed roller. A separation roller that nips and separates the medium; and a front opening that serves as an inlet for the medium that enters the nip position between the feed roller and the separation roller, and the front opening is displaced with respect to the thickness direction of the medium. And a movable member that adjusts the size of the frontage by displacing in the thickness direction of the medium.

  According to this aspect, the front opening serving as the inlet of the medium that enters the nip position between the feeding roller and the separation roller is displaced in the thickness direction of the medium and the fixing member that is not displaced in the thickness direction of the medium. Thus, the movable member that adjusts the size of the frontage portion is provided, so that it is possible to avoid the entry of a plurality of media into the frontage portion in the press-fitted state. Thereby, the increase in the frictional force between the media at the front end portion can be suppressed, and as a result, the media can be appropriately separated by the separation roller.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the movable member is biased toward the fixed member.
According to this aspect, since the movable member is urged toward the fixed member, it is possible to avoid easy entry of a plurality of media into the front opening.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the movable member guides the medium to the downstream side, the guide surface having an inclination angle α with respect to the medium conveyance direction, and the guide surface And a stopper surface that has an angle β larger than the inclination angle α and that stops the medium from entering the nip position.
According to this aspect, the stopper surface can more reliably avoid the entry of a large number of sheets into the frontage.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the first unit includes the feeding roller and forms a medium transport path for transporting the medium, the separation roller, and the first unit. A second unit capable of switching between a closed state in which the medium conveyance path is formed with one unit and an open state in which the medium conveyance path is exposed, wherein the first unit forms the medium conveyance path The second unit includes a frame that contacts the path forming member in the closed state, the fixed member is provided on the path forming member, and the movable member is provided on the frame. It is characterized by being able to.

  In the medium conveying apparatus, a structure for opening the medium conveying path is required to remove the jammed medium when a jam occurs. In this aspect, the medium transport path can be opened by providing the second unit so that it can be opened and closed with respect to the first unit. On the other hand, since the movable member adjusts the size of the frontage, it is important to manage the installation position of the movable member in the direction of adjusting the size of the frontage. However, when the movable member is provided in the second unit, the position of the movable member in the adjustment direction, more specifically, the position of the movable member with respect to the first unit varies with the opening and closing of the second unit. It becomes easy and is not preferable.

  However, according to this aspect, since the movable member is provided on the frame that contacts the path forming member provided in the first unit when the second unit is closed, the path forming member (that is, the fixed member) is provided. ) Can be accurately determined, and the size of the frontage can be appropriately adjusted regardless of whether the second unit is opened or closed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the frame is urged against the path forming member when the second unit is closed.
According to this aspect, since the frame is biased with respect to the path forming member in the closed state of the second unit, the position of the frame can be determined more accurately.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the frame has a shape extending in a direction intersecting the medium conveyance direction, and a cross section cut along a plane along the medium conveyance direction is substantially. It is characterized by a U-shape.

  According to this aspect, the frame has a shape extending in a direction intersecting with the medium conveyance direction, and a cross section cut along a surface along the medium conveyance direction is substantially U-shaped, so that the frame intersects with the medium conveyance direction. The bending of the frame in the direction to be performed can be suppressed, and the size of the frontage can be adjusted appropriately.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the feeding roller and the separation roller are provided in a plurality at a predetermined interval in a direction intersecting the medium conveyance direction. The portion is arranged at a position corresponding to the feeding roller and the separation roller provided in a plurality of sets.

  According to this aspect, a plurality of sets of the feed roller and the separation roller are provided at a predetermined interval in a direction intersecting the medium conveyance direction, and the front opening is provided with a plurality of sets of the feed roller and the separation roller. Therefore, the entry of a plurality of media into the nip position between the feeding roller and the separation roller can be appropriately suppressed.

An image reading apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a reading unit that reads a surface of a medium, and a medium conveying apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects that conveys the medium. Features.
According to this aspect, in the image reading apparatus, it is possible to obtain the same effects as any of the first to seventh aspects described above.

1 is an external perspective view showing an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a feeding state in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view when the upper unit is opened with respect to the lower unit in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a feeding path in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. The top view which shows the conveyance path | route side in a lower unit. The perspective view which shows the conveyance path | route side in an upper unit. The perspective view seen from the paper pressing lever side in the frame member provided with a paper pressing lever part and a movable member. The perspective view seen from the movable member side in the frame member provided with a paper holding lever part and a movable member. The sectional side view which shows the relationship between an upper unit and a frame member. The expanded sectional view which shows the attachment state of the frame member with respect to an upper unit. The perspective view which shows the relationship between a frame member and a lower unit. The enlarged view of the paper holding lever part in a frame member. The top view which shows the relationship between a paper pressing lever and a movable member, and a 1st feeding roller and a 2nd feeding roller. A sectional side view in the state where a fixed member and a movable member approached most in a frontage part. The sectional side view in the state where a fixed member and a movable member were most separated in a frontage part. The enlarged view of the guide surface and stopper surface in a movable member.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same structure in each Example, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and it demonstrates only in the first Example, The description of the structure is abbreviate | omitted in a subsequent Example.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an image reading apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a feeding state in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. 4 is a perspective view when the upper unit is opened with respect to the lower unit, FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a feeding path in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a conveying path side in the lower unit. FIG.

  6 is a perspective view showing the conveyance path side in the upper unit, FIG. 7 is a perspective view seen from the paper pressing lever side in the frame member including the paper pressing lever and the movable member, and FIG. 8 is a paper pressing lever. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the frame member provided with the movable member as viewed from the movable member side, FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing the relationship between the upper unit and the frame member, and FIG. 10 shows the attachment state of the frame member to the upper unit. It is an expanded sectional view shown.

  11 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the frame member and the lower unit, FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a paper pressing lever in the frame member, and FIG. 13 is a paper pressing lever, a movable member, and a first feeding roller. 14 is a plan view showing the relationship with the second feeding roller, FIG. 14 is a sectional side view in a state where the fixed member and the movable member are closest to each other in the frontage portion, and FIG. 15 is a fixed member and the movable member in the frontage portion. FIG. 16 is a side sectional view in a state where is most separated, and FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a guide surface and a stopper surface in the movable member.

  In the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure, the X direction is the apparatus width direction, the sheet width direction, the Y direction is the depth direction of the image reading apparatus and the sheet conveyance direction, and the Z direction is the apparatus height direction. ing. In each figure, the -Y direction is the front side of the apparatus, and the + Y direction side is the back side of the apparatus.

■■■ Example ■■■■
<<< Overview of Image Reading Apparatus >>>
An image reading apparatus 10 that is an example of a “medium conveying apparatus” will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In this embodiment, the image reading apparatus 10 is configured as a document scanner capable of reading at least one of the front and back surfaces of the paper P. The image reading apparatus 10 includes a lower unit 12 as a “first unit”, an upper unit 14 as a “second unit”, a cover portion 16, and a paper discharge tray 18.

  The upper unit 14 is attached to the lower unit 12 so as to be rotatable with respect to the lower unit 12 with the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction as a rotation fulcrum. The upper unit 14 is closed with respect to the lower unit 12 to form a paper conveyance path as a “medium conveyance path” of the paper P together with the lower unit 12 (see FIG. 2), and the front surface of the apparatus with respect to the lower unit 12. It is possible to take an open state (see FIG. 3) in which the paper P can be easily handled by rotating to the side to expose the paper transport path of the paper P.

  A cover portion 16 is provided at the upper part on the back side of the lower unit 12. The cover portion 16 is attached to the lower unit 12 so as to be rotatable with respect to the lower unit 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 16 covers the upper portion of the upper unit 14 and the feeding port 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 4), and the non-feeding state from the non-feeding state as shown in FIG. The feed port 20 is opened, and the back surface 16a of the cover portion 16 can be in a feeding state that constitutes the paper P placement portion 22 as a “medium placement portion”.

  Further, a discharge port 24 for discharging the paper P is provided on the front side of the lower unit 12. Further, the lower unit 12 includes a paper discharge tray 18 that can be pulled out from the discharge port 24 toward the front side of the apparatus. The paper discharge tray 18 can be in a state of being housed in the bottom of the lower unit 12 (see FIG. 1) and in a state of being pulled out to the front side of the apparatus (see FIG. 2). Further, in the present embodiment, the paper discharge tray 18 is configured by connecting a plurality of tray members, and the pull-out length from the discharge port 24 can be adjusted according to the length of the paper P to be discharged.

<<< Regarding Feeding Route in Image Reading Apparatus >>>
Next, the sheet conveyance path in the image reading apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The paper P is placed on the placement portion 22 provided on the back surface 16a of the cover portion 16 in a posture rotated with respect to the lower unit 12 toward the back side of the apparatus. The paper P placed on the placement unit 22 is fed downstream in the feeding direction by a first feeding roller 26 that is rotatably provided to the lower unit 12. Although not shown, a paper return lever is provided at a position where the first feeding roller 26 is provided to prevent double feeding of the paper P.

  On the downstream side of the first feeding roller 26 in the feeding direction, the lower unit 12 is rotatably provided with a second feeding roller 28 as a “feeding roller”, and the upper unit 14 is rotatably provided with a separation roller 30. It has been. In the present embodiment, the separation roller 30 is given a predetermined rotational resistance. The plurality of sheets P fed by the first feeding roller 26 are separated by the separation roller 30, and only the sheet P in contact with the second feeding roller 28 is the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30. And is fed downstream in the feeding direction.

  A transport roller pair 32, an image reading unit 34 as a “reading unit”, and a discharge roller pair 36 are provided downstream of the second feeding roller 28 in the feeding direction. The sheet P nipped by the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 and fed downstream in the feeding direction is nipped by the conveyance roller pair 32 and is located on the downstream side of the conveyance roller pair 32. It is conveyed to.

  The conveyance roller pair 32 includes a conveyance drive roller 32a provided in the lower unit 12 and a conveyance driven roller 32b provided in the upper unit 14 and driven to rotate with respect to the conveyance drive roller 32a.

  Here, the image reading unit 34 includes an upper image reading sensor 38 provided on the upper unit 14 side and a lower image reading sensor 40 provided on the lower unit 12 side. In this embodiment, the upper image reading sensor 38 and the lower image reading sensor 40 are configured as a contact image sensor module (CISM) as an example.

  After the image P is read by the image reading unit 34 at least one of the front and back surfaces of the paper P, the sheet P is nipped by a discharge roller pair 36 located downstream in the transport direction of the image reading unit 34 and discharged. The sheet is discharged from 24 toward the sheet discharge tray 18. Note that a one-dot chain line in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the discharge roller pair 36 includes a discharge drive roller 36a provided in the lower unit 12, and a discharge driven roller 36b provided in the upper unit 14 and driven to rotate relative to the discharge drive roller 36a.

  In the present embodiment, the first feeding roller 26, the second feeding roller 28, the transport driving roller 32a, and the discharge driving roller 36a are rotated by at least one driving source (not shown) provided in the lower unit 12. Driven.

  In the present embodiment, a control unit 42 is provided in the lower unit 12. In the present embodiment, the control unit 42 is configured as an electric circuit including a plurality of electronic components. The control unit 42 controls the upper image reading sensor 38, the lower image reading sensor 40, and the driving source.

  The control unit 42 is configured to control the conveyance of the paper P and the image reading operation in the image reading apparatus 10. Further, the control unit 42 may control an operation necessary for executing a document reading operation in the image reading apparatus 10 by an instruction from the outside (such as a PC).

<<< About the configuration of the upper unit and the lower unit >>>
Next, the configuration of the lower unit 12 and the upper unit 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Referring to FIG. 5, a path forming member 44 is provided in the lower unit 12. The path forming member 44 constitutes a part of the medium transport path when the upper unit 14 is closed with respect to the lower unit 12.

  Further, a fixing member 45 is attached to a substantially central portion of the path forming member 44 in the sheet width direction. The fixing member 45 also constitutes a part of the medium transport path when the upper unit 14 is closed with respect to the lower unit 12.

  In the present embodiment, the first feeding roller 26 and the second feeding roller 28 are arranged on the fixing member 45. In this embodiment, the first feeding roller 26 and the second feeding roller 28 are part of the medium conveyance path, that is, the first feeding roller 26 and the second feeding roller 28 protrude from the fixed member 45. Are arranged as follows.

  In the present embodiment, the first feeding roller 26 is disposed on the upstream side of the fixing member 45 in the sheet conveyance direction. In the present embodiment, two first feeding rollers 26 are provided in the fixing member 45 at a predetermined interval in the paper width direction.

  Further, a second feeding roller 28 is disposed on the downstream side of the first feeding roller 26 in the paper conveyance direction of the fixed member 45. In the present embodiment, two second feeding rollers 28 are also provided at a predetermined interval in the paper width direction of the fixing member 45.

  In the path forming member 44, a transport driving roller 32a is rotatably disposed on the downstream side of the second feeding roller 28 in the paper transport direction. In this embodiment, two transport driving rollers 32a are provided at a predetermined interval in the paper width direction.

  In the present embodiment, the lower image reading sensor 40 of the image reading unit 34 is disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance driving roller 32a of the path forming member 44 in the sheet conveying direction. In addition, a discharge driving roller 36 a is rotatably disposed on the downstream side of the path forming member 44 in the sheet conveyance direction of the lower image reading sensor 40.

  The path forming member 44 is provided with positioning portions 44a and 44a at both ends in the paper width direction between the first feeding roller 26 and the second feeding roller 28 in the paper transport direction. The positioning unit 44a will be described later. The path forming member 44 is provided with hook retaining portions 46 at both ends in the sheet width direction.

  Next, the configuration of the upper unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. A separation roller 30 is rotatably attached to the upper unit 14. In the present embodiment, the separation roller 30 is provided in the upper unit 14 so as to protrude from the upper unit 14 to the sheet conveyance path side. In the upper unit 14, a transport driven roller 32 b is rotatably disposed on the downstream side of the separation roller 30 in the paper transport direction.

  In the upper unit 14, an upper image reading sensor 38 of the image reading unit 34 is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance driven roller 32 b in the sheet conveyance direction. A discharge driven roller 36b is rotatably disposed on the downstream side of the upper image reading sensor 38 of the upper unit 14 in the paper conveyance direction.

  Further, the upper unit 14 is provided with hooks 48 at both ends in the paper width direction at the upstream end in the paper transport direction. The hook 48 is rotatable with respect to the upper unit 14 between a state in which it engages with a hook latching portion 46 provided in the lower unit 12 and a state in which the engagement with the hook latching portion 46 is released. Is provided. That is, by engaging the hook 48 with the hook hooking portion 46, the upper unit 14 and the lower unit 12 are in a closed state that constitutes a sheet conveyance path. In the upper unit 14, a frame member 50 as a “frame” that can advance and retreat with respect to the paper transport path is provided on the upstream side of the separation roller 30.

<<< Construction of frame member >>>
The structure of the frame member 50 and the relationship with the path forming member 44 of the lower unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. The frame member 50 extends in the paper width direction as shown in FIGS. Further, the frame member 50 has a substantially U-shaped cross section cut along a surface along the sheet conveyance direction. The frame member 50 includes a bottom portion 50a facing the paper conveyance path, a side wall portion 50b extending upward from an end portion of the bottom portion 50a on the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction, and upward from an end portion of the bottom portion 50a on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction. And a side wall portion 50c extending.

  In the present embodiment, the center part in the sheet width direction of the bottom part 50a and the side wall part 50c is cut off. Further, a paper pressing lever portion 52 (see FIG. 7) is provided on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction at the center in the paper width direction of the side wall 50b, and a movable member 54 (see FIG. 8) is provided on the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction. Is provided. In the side wall portion 50b, positioned portions 56 that protrude toward the paper conveyance path are formed at both ends in the paper width direction. The paper holding lever portion 52 and the movable member 54 will be described later.

  In addition, the side wall portions 50b and 50c are respectively formed with latching member attachment portions 58 that protrude upward in the apparatus height direction at both ends in the paper width direction. As shown in FIG. 8, one end of the latching member 60 is attached to the latching member attaching part 58 of the side wall 50b, and the other end of the latching member 60 is attached to the latching member attaching part 58 of the side wall 50c. It is attached.

  Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the side wall portion 50 b and the latch member attaching portion 58 of the side wall portion 50 c are located above the frame 14 a of the upper unit 14. In that state, the latching member 60 is attached to the latching member attaching part 58 of the side wall part 50b and the side wall part 50c. Here, the frame member 50 is in a state of being suspended from the frame 14 a by two hooking members 60, 60.

  A biasing member 62 is provided between the bottom 50a of the frame member 50 and the frame 14a. In this embodiment, the biasing member 62 is configured as a spring. The urging force of the urging member 62 presses the bottom 50a of the frame member 50 and acts in a direction to separate the frame member 50 from the frame 14a.

  Here, when the upper unit 14 is closed with respect to the lower unit 12 as shown in FIG. 11, the positioned portion 56 provided on the side wall 50 b of the frame member 50 is provided on the path forming member 44. It will be in the state which contacted the positioning part 44a. In this state, the urging force of the urging member 62 presses the positioned portion 56 of the frame member 50 against the positioning portion 44a. Thereby, the frame member 50 is positioned in the apparatus height direction with respect to the path forming member 44, that is, the lower unit 12.

<<< About the paper holding lever section >>>
The paper holding lever portion 52 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, 12 to 15. A paper pressing lever portion 52 is provided on the downstream side of the side wall portion 50b of the frame member 50 in the paper conveyance direction. The paper pressing lever portion 52 includes a holder member 64, a paper pressing lever 66 as a “regulating member”, and an urging means 68. In this embodiment, the urging means 68 is configured as a torsion spring as an example.

  The holder member 64 is attached to the downstream side in the paper transport direction at the center of the side wall portion 50b of the frame member 50 in the paper width direction. The paper pressing lever 66 is swingably attached to the holder member 64. The biasing means 68 is attached to the swing shaft 66 a of the paper pressing lever 66 so that one end thereof engages with the holder member 64 and the other end engages with the paper pressing lever 66. In this embodiment, the urging force of the urging means 68 acts so as to press the paper pressing lever 66 toward the fixing member 45. That is, the paper pressing lever 66 is urged by the urging means 68 in a direction to suppress the floating of the paper P conveyed on the fixed member 45.

  12 and 13, the paper pressing lever 66 is located between the two first feeding rollers 26 and the two second feeding rollers 28 in the paper width direction. In addition, the paper pressing lever 66 has at least a part of the paper pressing lever 66 at the same position as a part of the second feeding roller 28 in the paper transport direction. That is, a part of the paper pressing lever 66 and the second feeding roller 28 overlap each other.

  14 and 15, the paper pressing lever 66 swings between a posture (see FIG. 14) in contact with the fixing member 45 and a posture (see FIG. 15) away from the fixing member 45. It is configured to be possible. In this embodiment, the paper pressing lever 66 is located at a position in contact with the paper P in the paper transport direction on the downstream side in the paper transport direction from the swing shaft 66a that is the swing center of the paper press lever 66. In contact with the sheet P being conveyed along an oblique position.

  That is, the end 66b (see FIGS. 14 and 15) that contacts the paper P in the paper pressing lever 66 is in contact with the fixing member 45 when the paper P is transported along the transport path (see FIG. 14). Then, it contacts the paper P, moves away from the fixing member 45, and is displaced downstream in the paper transport direction (see FIG. 15). At that time, since the urging force of the urging means 68 acts on the end portion 66 b of the paper pressing lever 66, the end portion 66 b of the paper pressing lever 66 suppresses the sheet P from floating from the fixing member 45. In accordance with this displacement, the end 66b of the paper pressing lever 66 is displaced radially inward of the separation roller 30 (see FIG. 15). That is, in a state where the paper pressing lever 66 regulates the paper P, at least a part of the end portion 66 b of the paper pressing lever 66 is located on the inner side in the radial direction of the separation roller 30.

  To summarize the above description, the image reading apparatus 10 is disposed on the downstream side of the placement unit 22 on which the paper P is placed, the first feeding roller 26 that feeds the placed paper P, and the first feeding roller 26. A second feeding roller 28 provided and a separation roller 30 that nips and separates the paper P between the second feeding roller 28 are provided. Since the paper pressing lever 66 for regulating the floating of the paper P is provided upstream of the nip position between the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30, the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 are provided between the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30. When the entering paper P attempts to float upstream of the separation roller 30 (when attempting to bend), the lifting is restricted by the paper pressing lever 66. Therefore, regardless of the stiffness of the paper P, the paper P can be appropriately fed downstream. In particular, it has a remarkable effect when feeding thin paper of about 0.05 mm.

  Further, in order to remove the jammed paper P when a jam occurs in the image reading apparatus 10, a structure for opening the paper transport path is required. In this embodiment, by providing the upper unit 14 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the lower unit 12, the paper transport path can be opened. On the other hand, since the paper pressing lever 66 regulates the floating of the paper P, management of the installation position in the floating direction of the paper P is important. However, when the paper pressing lever 66 is provided in the upper unit 14, As the unit 14 is opened and closed, the position of the paper pressing lever 66 in the floating direction of the paper P, more specifically, the position of the paper pressing lever 66 with respect to the lower unit 12 tends to change, which is not preferable.

  However, in this embodiment, the paper pressing lever 66 is provided on the frame member 50 that abuts the path forming member 44 provided in the lower unit 12 when the upper unit 14 is closed, so that the path forming member 44 (that is, the lower unit 12). ) Can be accurately determined, and the floating of the paper P can be appropriately regulated regardless of whether the upper unit 14 is opened or closed.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the paper P that is about to float upstream of the plurality of separation rollers 30 can be regulated by the paper pressing lever 66 between the plurality of separation rollers 30. That is, while the paper P is more reliably separated by the plurality of separation rollers 30, the floating of the paper P can be regulated by the small number of paper pressing levers 66, and the cost increase can be suppressed.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the paper pressing lever 66 is a swingable lever-like member, and the position in contact with the paper in the paper transport direction is located downstream of the rocking shaft 66a that is the rocking center. As described above, since the sheet P contacts with the sheet P in an oblique posture, the sheet pressing lever 66 can be prevented from being caught on the sheet P. Further, since the paper pressing lever 66 follows the shape when the paper P is bent so as to float, it is possible to avoid the paper pressing lever 66 from becoming a resistance when the paper P is conveyed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the paper pressing lever 66 is urged in the direction to suppress the floating of the paper P by the urging means 68, so that the floating of the paper P upstream of the separation roller 30 is more reliably performed. Can be regulated.

<<< About frontage section >>>
Again, the frontage 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, 12 to 15. The front opening 70 is set as an entrance of the paper P that enters the nip position between the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30. The front opening 70 includes a fixed member 45 and a movable member 54. The movable member 54 is attached to the side wall portion 50b of the frame member 50 on the upstream side in the paper transport direction so as to be movable back and forth with respect to the fixed member 45. In this embodiment, the distance between the fixed member 45 and the movable member 54 of the front end portion 70, that is, the front end where the paper P enters, changes as the movable member 54 advances and retreats with respect to the fixed member 45. . The sheet thickness that can be fed is supported from 0.05 mm to 1.3 mm, and the gap of the front opening 70 is set to 0.5 mm.

  Specifically, the movable member 54 is attached to the side wall portion 50 b of the frame member 50 via the biasing member 72. In this embodiment, the biasing member 72 is configured as a spring member. In the present embodiment, one end of the urging member 72 is attached to the side wall 50 b and the other end is attached to the movable member 54.

  The movable member 54 is pressed to the fixed member 45 side, that is, the sheet conveyance path side by the urging force of the urging member 72 (see FIG. 14). Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the movable member 54 can be displaced in a direction away from the fixed member 45, that is, the sheet conveyance path, against the urging force of the urging member 72. The urging force of the urging member 72 is appropriately set according to the thickness, paper type, number of sheets, and the like of the paper P that passes through the front opening 70 in the paper conveyance path.

  In this embodiment, the movable member 54 includes a guide surface 54a and a stopper surface 54b. In the present embodiment, the guide surface 54 a is provided below the movable member 54. The guide surface 54a is configured as an inclined surface having an inclination angle α with respect to the paper transport direction (see FIG. 16). In this embodiment, the inclination angle α of the guide surface 54a is set to 45 degrees as an example. Here, the inclination angle α of the guide surface 54a is set at an angle of up to 60 degrees according to the thickness of the paper P being conveyed and the type of paper.

  The stopper surface 54b is configured as a surface connected to the guide surface 54a. The stopper surface 54b has an inclination angle β with respect to the sheet conveyance direction, and is configured to stop the sheet P from entering the nip position between the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 (see FIG. 16). . In this embodiment, the inclination angle β of the stopper surface 54b is set to 75 degrees as an example. The inclination angle β is set larger than the inclination angle α (see FIG. 16).

  As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, the guide surface 54 a and the stopper surface 54 b are provided at two locations in the sheet width direction of the movable member 54. Specifically, the guide surface 54a and the stopper surface 54b are provided corresponding to the positions where the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 are provided in the paper width direction. That is, the guide surface 54 a and the stopper surface 54 b are located upstream of the nip position of the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 in the sheet width direction.

  When the paper P sent from the first feeding roller 26 in the paper transport path contacts the guide surface 54a, the movable member 54 is lifted upward against the biasing force of the biasing member 72, and along the guide surface 54a. Is sent downstream in the paper transport direction. At this time, when a plurality of sheets P are fed to the movable member 54, the displacement of the movable member 54 in the direction intersecting the sheet conveyance path (the Z-axis direction in FIG. 15) is set as the biasing force of the biasing member 72. Controlled by the inclination angle of the guide surface 54a, the snow collapse of the paper P to the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction due to the displacement of the movable member 54 with respect to the paper conveyance path is suppressed.

  According to the present embodiment, the front opening 70 serving as the entrance of the paper P that enters the nip position between the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 includes the fixing member 45 that is not displaced in the thickness direction of the paper, and the paper And a movable member 54 that adjusts the size of the frontage 70 by displacing the frontage 70 in the thickness direction, so that entry of a plurality of sheets of paper P into the frontage 70 can be avoided. As a result, an increase in frictional force between the sheets P at the front opening 70 can be suppressed, and the sheet P can be appropriately separated by the separation roller 30.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the movable member 54 is biased toward the fixed member 45, so that it is possible to avoid easy entry into the front opening 70 of the plurality of sheets P.

  According to the present embodiment, the movable member 54 is a surface that guides the paper P to the downstream side, has a guide surface 54a that forms an inclination angle α with respect to the paper transport direction, and is connected to the guide surface 54a. The stopper surface 54b is provided with a stopper surface 54b that forms an angle β larger than the inclination angle α and that stops the sheet P from entering the nip position between the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably avoid the entry of the large number of sheets P into the opening 70.

  In the image reading apparatus 10, in order to remove the jammed paper P when a jam occurs, a structure for opening the paper conveyance path is required. In this embodiment, by providing the upper unit 14 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the lower unit 12, the paper transport path can be opened. On the other hand, since the movable member 54 adjusts the size of the frontage 70, it is important to manage the installation position of the movable member 54 in the direction in which the size of the frontage 70 is adjusted. However, when the movable member 54 is provided in the upper unit 14, the position of the movable member 54 in the adjustment direction, more specifically, the position of the movable member 54 with respect to the lower unit 12 is likely to fluctuate as the upper unit 14 is opened and closed. Absent.

  However, according to the present embodiment, the movable member 54 is provided on the frame member 50 that comes into contact with the path forming member 44 provided in the lower unit 12 when the upper unit 14 is closed. The position of the movable member 54 with respect to the member 45) can be accurately determined, and the size of the opening 70 can be adjusted appropriately regardless of whether the upper unit 14 is opened or closed.

  In the present embodiment, the frame member 50 is urged against the path forming member 44 when the upper unit 14 is closed, so that the position of the frame member 50 can be determined more accurately.

  According to the present embodiment, the frame member 50 has a shape extending in a direction intersecting with the paper conveyance direction, and a cross section cut along a surface along the paper conveyance direction has a substantially U-shape. It is possible to suppress the bending of the frame member 50 in the direction intersecting with and to adjust the size of the frontage 70 appropriately.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 are provided in a plurality of sets with a predetermined interval in the direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction, and the front opening 70 is provided in a plurality of sets. Since it is disposed at a position corresponding to the feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30, it is possible to appropriately suppress the entry of the plurality of sheets P into the nip position between the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30.

<<< Example of change of embodiment >>>
(1) In this embodiment, one paper pressing lever 66 is provided between the two first feeding rollers 26 and between the two second feeding rollers 28 in the paper width direction. Instead of this, a plurality of paper pressing levers 66 may be provided in the paper width direction. According to this configuration, a plurality of the paper pressing levers 66 are provided along the paper width direction, which is a direction intersecting the paper transport direction, so that the floating of the paper P can be more reliably regulated.
(2) Further, in this embodiment, the first feeding roller 26, the second feeding roller 28, and the separation roller 30 are provided at intervals in the paper width direction, but instead of this configuration, A configuration in which one pair of a feed roller and a separation roller is provided in the paper width direction may be provided, or a configuration in which three or more pairs of the feed roller and the separation roller are provided. Further, the paper pressing lever 66 may be disposed between a pair of adjacent feeding rollers and separation rollers.
(3) Further, in the present embodiment, the movable member 54 has the guide surface 54a and the stopper surface 54b provided at two locations in the paper width direction, but instead of this configuration, it may be provided at one location in the paper width direction. It is good also as a structure provided in three or more places. In addition, a number of guide surfaces 54a and stopper surfaces 54b corresponding to the number of second feeding rollers 28 and separation rollers 30 provided in the paper width direction may be provided.

  The image reading apparatus 10, which is an example of a medium transport apparatus in the present embodiment, includes a placement unit 22 on which the paper P is placed, a second feeding roller 28 that feeds the paper P to the downstream side, and a second feeding roller 28. A separation roller 30 that nips and separates the paper P between the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30, and a front opening 70 that serves as an entrance for the paper P that enters the nip position between the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30. The front opening 70 includes a fixed member 45 that is not displaced in the thickness direction of the paper P, and a movable member 54 that adjusts the size of the front opening 70 by being displaced in the thickness direction of the paper P.

  In the image reading apparatus 10, the movable member 54 is urged toward the fixed member 45. Further, the movable member 54 is a guide surface 54a that guides the paper P downstream, forms an inclination angle α with respect to the paper transport direction, and a surface that connects to the guide surface 54a, and the angle with respect to the paper transport direction is inclined. A stopper surface 54b that forms an angle β larger than the angle α and stops the sheet P from entering the nip position between the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 is provided.

  The image reading apparatus 10 includes the second feeding roller 28 and forms a paper transport path between the lower unit 12 constituting the paper transport path for transporting the paper P and the separation roller 30 and the lower unit 12. An upper unit 14 that can switch between a closed state and an open state that exposes the sheet conveyance path is provided. The lower unit 12 includes a path forming member 44 that forms a paper conveyance path, and the upper unit 14 includes a frame member 50 that contacts the path forming member 44 in the closed state. The fixed member 45 is provided on the path forming member 44, and the movable member 54 is provided on the frame member 50.

  In the image reading apparatus 10, the frame member 50 is biased against the path forming member 44 when the upper unit 14 is closed. The frame member 50 has a shape extending in the paper width direction, which is a direction intersecting the paper conveyance direction, and a cross section cut along a plane along the paper conveyance direction has a substantially U-shape.

  In the image reading apparatus 10, a plurality of sets of the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 are provided at a predetermined interval in the sheet width direction that is a direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction. The front opening 70 is arranged at a position corresponding to the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 provided in a plurality of sets.

  The image reading apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 34 that reads the surface of the paper P.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

10 image reader, 12 lower unit, 14 upper unit, 14a frame,
16 cover part, 16a back surface, 18 paper discharge tray, 20 feeding port, 22 mounting part,
24 discharge port, 26 first feeding roller, 28 second feeding roller, 30 separation roller,
32 transport roller pair, 32a transport drive roller, 32b transport driven roller,
34 image reading unit, 36 discharge roller pair, 36a discharge drive roller,
36b discharge driven roller, 38 upper image reading sensor, 40 lower image reading sensor,
42 control unit, 44 path forming member, 44a positioning unit, 45 fixing member,
46 hook hooking part, 48 hook, 50 frame member, 50a bottom part,
50b, 50c Side wall part, 52 Paper holding lever part, 54 Movable member, 54a Guide surface,
54b Stopper surface, 56 Positioned part, 58 Hanging member mounting part, 60 Hanging member,
62, 72 Energizing member, 64 Holder member, 66 Paper holding lever, 66a Oscillating shaft,
68 Biasing means, 70 frontage, P paper, α, β inclination angle

Claims (8)

A medium placement unit for placing a medium;
A feed roller for feeding the medium downstream;
A separation roller that nips and separates the medium from the feed roller;
A front opening serving as an inlet for a medium entering a nip position between the feed roller and the separation roller,
The front opening includes a fixed member that is not displaced with respect to the thickness direction of the medium, and a movable member that adjusts the size of the front opening by being displaced in the thickness direction of the medium.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is biased toward the fixed member.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable member guides the medium downstream, and forms a guide surface having an inclination angle α with respect to the medium conveying direction;
A stopper surface that is connected to the guide surface and has an angle β larger than the inclination angle α with respect to the medium conveyance direction and stops entry of the medium into the nip position.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. In the medium conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a first unit that includes the feeding roller and constitutes a medium conveyance path that conveys a medium;
A second unit comprising the separation roller and capable of switching between a closed state in which the medium conveyance path is formed with the first unit and an open state in which the medium conveyance path is exposed; and
The first unit includes a path forming member that forms the medium transport path,
The second unit includes a frame that contacts the path forming member in the closed state,
The fixing member is provided on the path forming member,
The movable member is provided on the frame.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. 5. The medium conveying device according to claim 4, wherein the frame is biased against the path forming member in a closed state of the second unit.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. 6. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the frame has a shape extending in a direction intersecting the medium conveying direction, and a cross section cut along a surface along the medium conveying direction is substantially U-shaped. ,
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. In the medium conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a plurality of sets of the feed roller and the separation roller are provided at predetermined intervals in a direction intersecting the medium conveyance direction,
The frontage portion is disposed at a position corresponding to the feeding roller and the separation roller provided in a plurality of sets,
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. Reading means for reading the surface of the medium;
A medium conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which conveys a medium;
An image reading apparatus comprising:

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