JP4050177B2 - Automatic document feeder - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder provided in an image reading apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a scanner apparatus. More specifically, the first inversion for feeding a document that has passed through a reading position to the reading position again. The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder having a path and a second reversing path for reversing and discharging a document that has passed a reading position.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An automatic document feeder mounted on an image reading apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a scanner apparatus has a constant speed for an image reading means that separates documents one by one from a plurality of document bundles and stops under a slit glass. There is a so-called sheet-through type that can be read while being transported by this type, and when transporting a double-sided document with this type of automatic document transport device, the document whose surface has been read is switched by a switchback passage. After backing, it is reversed and the back side is conveyed to the slit glass.
[0003]
As an automatic document feeder mounted on this type of image reading apparatus, there is an apparatus as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-228707. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-259561 discloses a separation feeding unit that separates and feeds documents one by one from a bundle of documents placed on a document placing table, and reverses a document that is separated and fed by the separation feeding unit. A first conveyance path that leads to the slit glass, a paper discharge path that guides the document from the slit glass to the document discharge table via the document discharge port, and between the document placement table and the document discharge table. A document reversing table provided on an extension of the paper discharge path, a second transport path for guiding a document from the document reversing table to the first transport path, and provided on the document reversing table, and capable of forward and reverse rotation. A switchback member and switching means for switching a transport path of a document transported from the slit glass to either a document discharge table or a document reversing table in accordance with a duplex transport mode or a single-side transport mode of a document, Transport to the document reversing table in duplex transport mode Switching means are adapted to communicate a document reversing stand and the second conveying path the document in order to convey the second transport path.
[0004]
In the duplex conveyance mode, the switching means is switched to a position where the document reversing table and the second conveyance path communicate with each other in order to convey the document whose both sides have been read to the second conveyance path. Then, the switching means is switched to a position where the paper discharge path and the document discharge table communicate with each other, and the pages of the document are aligned and discharged to the document reversing table.
[0005]
By the way, in such an automatic document feeder, in the double-sided conveyance mode, after the document whose both sides have been read is conveyed to the second conveyance path, the document is conveyed to the slit glass in the non-reading mode. The transport path for aligning the page order becomes longer, and the paper is transported again to the slit glass even though the original is not read, so that the chance of the slit glass becoming dirty increases.
[0006]
In view of this, the present applicant, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-63228, proposed an automatic document conveying device that devised the conveyance for aligning the page order, shortened the conveyance path, and reduced the chance of the slit glass becoming dirty. did. The configuration will be described below with reference to FIG.
[0007]
In FIG. 15, in the duplex conveyance mode, the document bundle placed on the document table 100 is separated from the document located at the uppermost position by the paper feed belt 102 and the separation roller 103 by the pickup roller 101, and then the abutting roller pair 104. The sheet is reversed through the curved path 107 by the turn roller pair 105 and the reading entrance roller pair 106 and conveyed to the slit glass 108.
[0008]
Next, when the reading of the surface of the original on the slit glass 108 is completed, it is conveyed on the paper discharge path 110 by the reading exit roller pair 109. At this time, since the switching claw 111 is switched to a position where the paper discharge path 110 and the reversing table 112 communicate with each other, the document is conveyed from the reversing table 112 to the curved path 107 through the switchback path 113, and on the slit glass 108. Read the back side of.
[0009]
When the reading of the back side of the original is completed, the document is conveyed on the paper discharge path 110 by the reading exit roller pair 109. At this time, since the switching claws 114 and 115 are switched to a position where the paper discharge path 110 and the switchback path 116 communicate with each other, the document is conveyed on the switchback path 116 by the switchback roller 117. Next, the switching claws 114 and 115 are switched to a position where the switchback passage 116 and the document discharge port 110a communicate with each other, and the switchback roller 117 is driven in reverse to reverse the document from the switchback passage 116 and to stack the stack portion. The paper is discharged onto 118.
[0010]
As a result, the document whose both sides have been read can be switched back on the switchback path 116 and can be reversed and discharged without passing through the slit glass 108. Therefore, the document can be reversed and returned to the slit glass 108 again. This can be eliminated, the conveyance path can be shortened, and the chance of the slit glass 108 becoming dirty can be reduced.
[0011]
Note that the switching claws 114 and 115 described above are positions where the discharge path 110 and the document discharge port 110a communicate with each other, positions where the switchback path 116 and the document discharge port 110a communicate with each other, and the discharge path 110 and the switchback path 116. Are switched to three positions of communicating with each other, so that each of them is swung by a solenoid (not shown) or the like with a swing shaft as a fulcrum.
[0012]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-268442
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional automatic document feeder, the switching claws 114 and 115 are independently oscillated with the oscillating shaft as a fulcrum. As the switching claws 114 and 115 each have a swing shaft, the number of parts increases and the weight increases accordingly, and the space for installing the swing shaft increases. There is a problem that the automatic document feeder becomes large.
[0014]
Accordingly, the present invention can prevent the number of parts and the weight of the second switching means from increasing, simplify the configuration of the second switching means, and prevent the installation space from increasing. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder that can prevent an increase in size.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention separates documents one by one from a bundle of documents placed on a document placing table, reverses them through a first conveyance path, and feeds them to a reading position. A discharge path for guiding the document from the reading position to the document discharge table via the document discharge port; and a first discharge path provided on the extension of the discharge path between the document placement table and the document discharge table. 1 reversing path, a second transport path for guiding the document from the first reversing path to the first transport path, and a first switchback member provided on the first reversing path and capable of forward and reverse rotation. First switching means for switching a transport path of the document transported on the discharge path to either the first reversing path or the document discharge port, and the original from a predetermined position of the discharge path A second reversing path extending below the paper discharge table, and a second reversible path provided on the second reversing path and capable of rotating forward and reverse. The switchback member is provided at the predetermined position and communicates with the reading position and the document discharge port, the reading position and the second reversing path, and the second reversing path and the document discharging port, respectively. In the automatic document conveying apparatus, the first switching means and the second switching means are switched according to the double-sided conveyance mode and the single-sided conveyance mode. 2 switching means,A first branch member fixed to the swing shaft, a second branch member rotatably attached to the swing shaft, and a coupling member to which the swing shaft and the second branch member are coupled And the first branching member and the second branching member swing simultaneously through the coupling member.It is characterized by that.
[0016]
  In that case, a plurality of second switching means for switching the document conveyance path so as to communicate the reading position and the document discharge port, the reading position and the second reversing path, and the second reversing path and the document discharging port, respectively. It consists of multiple branch members and has multiple branchesElementAre supported by the same rocking shaft, so that the number of parts and weight of the second switching means can be prevented from increasing, the configuration of the second switching means can be simplified, and the installation space can be reduced. It is possible to prevent the increase. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the automatic document feeder from being enlarged.
  In addition, a plurality of branching members are connected via a coupling memberBy simultaneously oscillating, the branch member can be oscillated by a drive system having a simple configuration, and the increase in the number of parts and the weight of the second switching means can be further prevented.
[0019]
  Moreover, this invention solves the said subject,You may comprise from the thing which has a switching mechanism which rocks | fluctuates simultaneously a 1st branch member and a said 2nd branch member via the said coupling member.
[0021]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides that one branch member of the branch member includes a swing shaft, and the other branch member is formed of an elastic member, and the swing shaft extends along the extending direction thereof. And a plurality of mounting portions mounted on the swinging shaft, and a part of the mounting portions is fitted to the swing shaft.
[0022]
In that case, since a plurality of mounting portions to be mounted on the swing shaft of one branch member along the extending direction of the other branch member is provided, and a part of the mounting portion is fitted to the swing shaft, It is unnecessary to precisely manage the mounting accuracy when mounting one branch member to the other branch member. As a result, the branch member can be easily processed and the assemblability can be improved.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 14 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an automatic document feeder according to the present invention, showing an example in which the automatic document feeder of the present invention is mounted on an image reading apparatus.
[0024]
First, the configuration will be described. In FIG. 1, a contact glass 22a and a slit glass 22b having a smaller area than the contact glass 22a are provided on the upper surface of a main body 21 of an image reading apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a scanner device, or a multifunction machine.
[0025]
In addition, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter simply referred to as ADF) 23 is provided on the upper portion of the main body 21, and the ADF 23 opens and closes the contact glass 22a and the slit glass 22b via a hinge mechanism (not shown). It can be opened and closed freely.
[0026]
The ADF 23 also separates the originals one by one from the original table (original placement table) 24 on which the original bundle composed of stacked originals is placed with the original surface facing upward, and the original bundle placed on the original table 24. A separating sheet feeding unit (separating sheet feeding unit) 25 that feeds paper, a fed document to be abutted and aligned to correct skew, and a registration unit 26 that draws and conveys the aligned document is conveyed to A reading unit that inverts the original to be read and conveys the surface of the original toward the slit glass 22b, and an image reading unit (not shown) provided below the contact glass 22a. Unit 28, a paper discharge unit 29 that discharges a document that has been read out of the ADF 23, a stack unit 30 that stacks and holds the document after reading, and a reading conveyance unit 2 in the case of a double-sided document. In the case of a double-sided document, the document whose front and back have been read by the reading and conveying unit 28 is passed through the switchback passage 33. And a reversing unit 34 for transporting to the stack unit 30.
[0027]
The table surface of the document table 24 is provided with document length detection sensors 35a and 35b for detecting the length of the document. The document length detection sensors 35a and 35b may be a reflection type sensor or a single document. It comprises an actuator type sensor that can be detected, etc., and detects the length of the document in the conveyance direction and outputs a detection signal to a controller (not shown). Accordingly, the document length sensors 35a and 35b are arranged on the table surface of the document table 24 so that at least whether the document size is vertical or horizontal can be determined.
[0028]
A movable table 36 is provided at the front end of the document table 24 (downstream of the document conveyance direction). The movable table 36 is moved between a solid line position and a broken line position by a bottom plate raising motor (not shown). It has become.
[0029]
A set filler 37 and a document set sensor 38 are provided in the vicinity of the movable table 36, and the set filler 37 is moved from a position indicated by a broken line to a position indicated by a solid line when a document bundle is placed on the document table 24. When the document set sensor 38 moves and changes from the state in which the set filler 37 is detected to the undetected state, a signal is output to the controller. The controller outputs a signal to a main body controller provided in the main body 21 of the copying machine, and the main body 21 shifts to a standby state for reading a document.
[0030]
When the controller determines that the document bundle is placed on the document table 24 based on the detection signal from the document set sensor 38, the controller raises the bottom plate raising motor to bring the top surface of the document bundle into contact with the pickup roller 39. Let
[0031]
The pickup roller 39 is configured such that a driving force from a pickup motor (not shown) is transmitted via a cam mechanism (not shown). Move up and down between positions.
[0032]
Further, a table raising sensor 40 is provided above the movable table 36. The table raising sensor 40 is located at the position of the pickup roller 39 when the pickup roller 39 rises when the movable table 36 is raised to the position indicated by the solid line. By detecting this, the upper limit at which the pickup roller 39 can be raised is detected.
[0033]
Further, when a print key of a main body operation unit (not shown) provided on the main body 21 side is pressed and a document feed signal is transmitted from the main body control unit to the controller, the pickup roller 39 is rotated forward by a feed motor (not shown). Rotation driving is performed, and feeding of several (ideally, one) documents on the document table 24 is started.
[0034]
The fed document is fed to a separation sheet feeding unit 25 including a sheet feeding belt 41 and a separation roller 42 provided on the downstream side of the pickup roller 39. The paper feed belt 41 is driven to rotate in the paper feed direction (clockwise direction) when the paper feed motor is driven forward, and the separation roller 42 has a torque limiter (not shown) built therein. Is driven to rotate in the reverse direction (clockwise direction) to the paper feeding direction. For this reason, the uppermost document and the document below it are separated, and only the uppermost document is fed.
[0035]
Specifically, the separation roller 42 is in contact with the paper feed belt 41 at a predetermined pressure, and feeds paper when it is in direct contact with the paper feed belt 41 or in contact with a single original. As the belt 41 rotates, it rotates in the counterclockwise direction, so that when the original enters between the sheet feeding belt 41 and the separation roller 42, the rotation force is lower than the torque limiter torque. Is set to For this reason, the separation roller 42 rotates in the clockwise direction, which is the original drive direction, and can push back excess originals to prevent double feeding. The original separated into sheets is sent by a paper feed belt 41.
[0036]
Further, a pair of abutting rollers 43 constituting the registration unit 26 is provided on the downstream side of the sheet feeding belt 41, and the abutting roller pair 43 is rotationally driven by a sheet feeding motor. The abutting roller pair 43 has a function of correcting the skew of the original separated into one sheet by the action of the paper feeding belt 41 and the separation roller 42 and conveying the original further downstream.
[0037]
In other words, the abutting roller pair 43 is set to a stopped state by stopping the paper feeding motor when feeding the original, and the separated original is disposed on the upstream side of the abutting roller pair 43. After being detected by the contact sensor 44, the leading edge of the document is brought into contact with the contact roller pair 43. When the abutting sensor 44 detects the leading edge of the document and outputs a signal to the controller, the controller drives the paper feeding motor by a predetermined distance from the detection of the abutting sensor 44 to circulate the paper feeding belt 41. By moving, the original is pressed against the pair of abutting rollers 43 with a predetermined amount of bending.
[0038]
Further, before the paper feed motor is stopped, the pickup motor is rotated to retract the pickup roller 39 from the upper surface of the document bundle. At this time, the document is fed only by the conveying force of the paper feed belt 41, so that the leading edge of the document enters the nip of the abutting roller pair 43 and the skew of the leading edge of the document is corrected.
[0039]
Further, the paper feed motor is driven in reverse rotation after the skew is corrected. At this time, the abutting roller pair 43 is rotationally driven by the paper feed motor, and the separated original is a turn roller constituting the turn portion 27. The pair 45 and the reading entrance roller pair 46 are reversed through the curved path (first transport path) 47 and transported toward the slit glass 22b. The turn roller pair 45 and the reading entrance roller pair 46 are driven by a paper feed motor.
[0040]
When the paper feeding motor is driven in reverse, the driving force of the paper feeding motor is transmitted to the abutting roller pair 43, the turn roller pair 45, and the reading entrance roller pair 46, and the pickup roller 39 and the paper feeding belt 41 are driven. Force is not driven.
[0041]
Further, a width direction sensor 48 is provided on the downstream side of the abutting roller pair 43, and a plurality of width direction sensors 48 are provided from the front side to the back side of the drawing in FIG. It detects and outputs a signal to the controller. Based on the ON signal of the width direction sensor 48, the controller detects the size in the width direction that is orthogonal to the document transport direction.
[0042]
The length of the document in the conveyance direction is detected by the controller based on a detection signal from the abutting sensor 44, for example. Specifically, the abutting sensor 44 detects the leading edge of the document and turns on, and then counts the pulse signal of the paper feed motor when the abutting sensor 44 detects the trailing edge of the document and turns off. By doing so, the length of the document is detected.
[0043]
Above the slit glass 22b, a reading roller 49 that constitutes the reading and conveying unit 28 is provided. The reading roller 49 is driven by a reading motor (not shown), and the original is slit so as to press the original against the slit glass 22b. It conveys to the glass 22b. Further, a reflecting plate 50 that constitutes a white reference when reading the document is provided at a position facing the slit glass 22b. The document is passed between the slit glass 22b and the reflecting plate 50, and the slit glass 22b The document is read on the reading position R.
[0044]
The reading position R mentioned here is a position for reading a document through the slit glass 22b at a fixed position of the reading optical system provided below the slit glass 22b.
[0045]
An inlet sensor 51 is provided on the downstream side of the turn roller pair 45, and the inlet sensor 51 outputs a signal to the controller when it detects the leading edge of the document. When the controller receives a signal from the entrance sensor 51, the controller starts decelerating the paper feed motor so that the document conveyance speed is the same as the reading conveyance speed before the leading edge of the document enters the nip of the reading inlet roller pair 46. At the same time, the reading motor is driven to rotate forward to connect the turn roller pair 45 to the driving system on the reading motor side, and to drive the turn roller pair 45, the reading inlet roller pair 46, and the reading roller 49. Yes.
[0046]
A registration sensor 52 is provided downstream of the reading entrance roller 46, and the registration sensor 52 detects the leading edge of the document and outputs a signal to the controller.
[0047]
When a signal is input from the registration sensor 52, the controller decelerates the paper feed motor over a predetermined conveyance distance, temporarily stops the leading edge of the document in front of the slit glass 22b, and transmits a registration stop signal to the main body control unit. When the controller receives the reading start signal from the main body control unit, the speed of the reading motor is increased so that the leading edge of the document that has been resist-resisted reaches the slit glass 22b to rise to a predetermined conveyance speed, and the pair of turn rollers 45 The original is conveyed by the reading entrance roller pair 46.
[0048]
On the other hand, a document scale 53 is provided downstream of the slit glass 22b in the document transport direction. After the document transported on the slit glass 22b is scooped up by the document scale 53, the document glass 53b is moved to the right from the slit glass 22b. It is carried out to a paper discharge path 55 constituted by a lower inversion guide 54 provided obliquely above.
[0049]
The paper discharge path 55 is provided with a reading exit roller pair 56, and the reading exit roller pair 56 is driven by a reading motor. A paper discharge roller pair 57 is provided on the downstream side of the reading exit roller pair 56. The paper discharge roller pair 57 is driven by a paper discharge motor (not shown), and holds the document carried out from the slit glass 22b. Paper is discharged from a document discharge port 58 onto a stack unit (document discharge stand) 30.
[0050]
A switching claw (first switching means) 61 that constitutes a reversing path (first reversing path) 60 together with the upper guide plate 59 is provided on the extension of the paper discharge path 55 between the document table 24 and the stack unit 30. The switching claw 61 is provided at a switching position (shown by a solid line) for discharging a document conveyed on the paper discharge path 55 onto the stack unit 30 by a switching solenoid (not shown) and is conveyed on the paper discharge path 55. The document is switched to a switching position (indicated by a broken line) for returning the document to be returned to the switchback passage 32.
[0051]
Further, a switchback roller pair (first switchback member) 62 is provided in the vicinity of the switching claw 61. The switchback roller pair 62 is driven by a switchback motor (not shown). The paper is driven forward when it is sandwiched between the switchback roller pair 62 and transports the document by a predetermined amount, and then driven in reverse, so that the document is moved to the switchback path (second transport path) 31 by the switchback roller pair 62. It is designed to be transported.
[0052]
Further, the switchback path 31 is provided with a switchback roller pair 63 driven by the above-described switchback motor. The switchback roller pair 63 sandwiches a document and abutment roller pair 43 and turn roller pair 45. Further, by re-conveying to the slit glass 22b via the reading entrance roller pair 46, the original is conveyed so that the back side of the original whose surface has been read is read (that is, double-sided original is conveyed). ing.
[0053]
On the other hand, a paper discharge sensor 64 is provided on the downstream side in the document transport direction with respect to the reading exit roller pair 56. The paper discharge sensor 64 detects the front and rear ends of the document and outputs a signal to the controller. It has become. The controller controls the switching claw 61 and second switching means described later based on a signal from the paper discharge sensor 64.
[0054]
Further, a switchback path (second reversing path) 33 extends from the discharge path 55 (predetermined position) on the downstream side in the document transport direction with respect to the reading exit roller pair 56. This switchback path 33 is located below the stack part 30.
[0055]
Further, a pair of switching claws (switching members) 65 and 66 are provided on the paper discharge path 55 (the predetermined position) on the downstream side in the document conveyance direction with respect to the reading exit roller pair 56. Reference numeral 66 denotes a position where the reading position R and the document discharge port 58 communicate with each other, a position where the reading position R communicates with the switchback passage 33, and a position where the switchback passage 33 and the document discharge port 58 communicate with each other. It has become.
[0056]
Further, a switchback roller pair (second switchback member) 67 is provided on the inlet side of the switchback passage 33, and the switchback roller pair 67 is driven by a switchback motor (not shown). When the document is sandwiched between the switchback roller pair 67, the document is driven in the forward direction to transport the document by a predetermined amount, and then driven in the reverse direction so that the document is connected to the switchback passage 33 and the document discharge port 58. It is conveyed to the stack part 30 through. At this time, the switching claw 61 is switched to a position where the discharge path 55 and the document discharge port 58 are communicated, and the switching claws 65 and 66 are switched to a position where the reversing path 68 and the document discharge port 58 are communicated. It has been.
[0057]
A switchback sensor 69 is provided in the switchback passage 33. The switchback sensor 69 detects the trailing edge of the document to be switched back and outputs a signal to the controller. The controller changes the switching position of the switching claws 65 and 66 based on the signal from the switchback sensor 69.
[0058]
Next, the configuration of the switching claws 65 and 66 and the configuration of the switching mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the switching claw 66 includes a comb-shaped guide member 66 a provided on the swing shaft 70. The switching claw 66 has a position where the reading position R and the switchback path 33 communicate with each other and the switchback. The position is switched to a position where the passage 33 and the document discharge port 58 communicate with each other.
[0059]
The switching claw 65 is made of an elastic member, and is provided with a comb-shaped guide member 65a. The switching claw 65 passes through the reading position R and the document discharge port 58 and the reading position R and the switchback passage 33. It is designed to switch to a communicating position.
[0060]
  Further, a plurality of semicircular mounting portions 71 are provided in the extending direction of the switching claw 65, and the swing shaft 70 of the switching claw 66 is fitted to the mounting portion 71 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the switching claw 66 is attached to the switching claw 65, and the switching claw 65, 66 is swung by the same rocking shaft 70.In the present embodiment, the switching claw 66 constitutes a first switching member, and the switching claw 65 constitutes a second switching member.
[0061]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the inner diameter of the mounting portion 71 is formed to be, for example, about 0.01 mm larger than the diameter of the swing shaft 70, and the swing shaft 70 is fitted to the mounting portion 71. Sometimes the switching claw 66 can swing independently of the switching claw 65.
[0062]
In addition, the fitting portion 77 is formed with a slit 71a for fitting the swinging shaft 70, and the slit 71a is attached to the mounting portion 71 provided at both ends in the extending direction of the switching claw 65 and the mounting therebetween. The dimensions are different from those of the portion 71.
[0063]
Specifically, the slits 71a of the mounting portions 71 provided at both ends in the extending direction of the switching claw 65 are, for example, φ5.8 ± 0.1 mm when the diameter of the swing shaft 70 is φ6 mm. Is set. Moreover, the slit 71a of the mounting part 71 provided between the mounting parts 71 at both ends in the extending direction of the switching claw 65 is set to φ6.5 mm.
[0064]
In other words, the swing shaft 70 is firmly fitted to the mounting portions 71 provided at both ends of the switching claw 65 in the extending direction, and the mounting provided between the mounting portions 71 at both ends of the switching claw 65 in the extending direction. The portion 71 is fitted relatively loosely.
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 6, the swing shaft 70 is rotatably attached to the bracket 54 a of the lower inversion guide 54, and the switching claws 65 and 66 swing with respect to the lower inversion guide 54. Yes.
[0066]
7 and 8, an arm member 81 is provided at one end of the switching claw 65, and an arm member 82 is provided at one end of the swing shaft 70 of the switching claw 66. A coupling member 83 is provided between the arm member 81 and the arm member 82.
[0067]
The coupling member 83 is provided with a fitting portion 83a in which an end portion of the arm member 81 is fitted in one end portion, and a fitting portion 83b in which the end portion of the arm member 82 is fitted in the other end portion. A rotation shaft 83c that is rotatably supported by the lower inversion guide 54 is provided at the center thereof. Further, the swing shaft 70 is provided with a lever 84, and this lever 84 is pressed by a switching mechanism described later.
[0068]
FIG. 9 is a view showing a switching mechanism for swinging the switching claws 65 and 66. In FIG. 9, the switching mechanism includes a bracket 91 that is fixed to a frame (not shown) of the ADF 23, and the bracket 91 is provided with a solenoid 92. The plunger of the solenoid 92 is connected to a solenoid lever 94 via a spring 93. The solenoid lever 94 is swingably provided on the bracket 91 so as to press the lever 84.
[0069]
Further, a spring 95 is provided between the hook portion 82a of the arm member 82 and the lower reversing guide 54, and the spring 95 biases the switching claw 66 in the clockwise direction in FIGS. It is supposed to be. At this time, the coupling member 83 swings in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 1, 10, and 12 about the rotation shaft 83 c. Rock. Therefore, a position where the reading position R communicates with the document discharge port 58 and a position where the switchback path 33 communicates with the document discharge port 58 are secured.
[0070]
When the solenoid 92 is turned on, the plunger pulls the spring 93, so that the solenoid lever 94 swings counterclockwise in FIG. Press down against it.
[0071]
At this time, the switching claw 66 swings counterclockwise in FIGS. 1, 11 and 13, and the coupling member 83 is centered on the rotation shaft 83c in FIG. 1, FIG. 11 and FIG. The switching claw 65 swings counterclockwise with respect to the swinging shaft 70 because it swings in the clockwise direction. For this reason, the position which connects the reading position R and the switchback path 33 is ensured.
[0072]
In this embodiment, the switching claws 65 and 66, the arm member 81, the arm member 82, the coupling member 83, the lever 84, the bracket 91, the solenoid 92, the spring 93, the solenoid lever 94, and the spring 95 constitute the second switching means. ing.
[0073]
Next, a method for conveying a double-sided document will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0074]
First, the original separated by the paper feed belt 41 and the separation roller 42 is fed onto the slit glass 22b through the curved path 47 by the abutting roller pair 43, the turn roller pair 45 and the reading entrance roller pair 46 (step S1). Next, the original is read on the slit glass 22 b (step S 2), the read-completed original is scooped up by the original scale 53, and conveyed on the paper discharge path 55 by the reading exit roller pair 56. At this time, the controller determines whether or not the read original is the front side (step S3). In this case, the front side original is read, so a determination of YES is made.
[0075]
At this time, since the solenoid 92 is in an OFF state from the beginning, the switching claw 66 is biased in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 1, 10, and 12 by the spring 95.
[0076]
At this time, since the coupling member 83 swings in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 1, 10 and 12 around the rotation shaft 83c, the switching claw 65 is moved in the counterclockwise rotation direction with respect to the swing shaft 70. The switching claw 65, 66 is positioned at a position where the reading position R and the document discharge port 58 communicate with each other, and the switching claw 61 is switched to the broken line position by the switching solenoid. In the case of a single-sided document, the switching claw 61 is switched to a position indicated by a solid line, and the sheet is discharged to the stack unit 30.
[0077]
In the case of a double-sided original, the original is conveyed to the reversing path 60 and conveyed by a predetermined amount by the switchback roller pair 62, and then the switchback roller pair 62 is driven in reverse, so that the original passes through the switchback path 31 and the curved path. It is conveyed to 47 (step S4). Then, the paper is fed onto the slit glass 22b through the curved path 47 by the abutting roller pair 43, the turn roller pair 45 and the reading entrance roller pair 46 to read the document on the back side (step S2).
[0078]
At this time, the controller determines whether or not the read document is the front side (step S3), and in this case, since the back side document is read, NO is determined. Next, the controller determines whether or not the leading edge of the document is detected by the paper discharge sensor 64 (step S5). When the leading edge of the document is detected, the solenoid 92 is turned on (step S6).
[0079]
At this time, when the plunger pulls the spring 93, the solenoid lever 94 swings counterclockwise in FIG. 9 with respect to the bracket 91 and presses the lever 84 downward against the urging force of the spring 95. . At this time, the switching claw 66 swings counterclockwise in FIGS. 1, 11, and 13, and the coupling member 83 is centered on the rotation shaft 83c in FIG. 1, FIG. 11, and FIG. In order to swing in the clockwise direction, the switching claw 65 swings in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the swing shaft 70 (step S7). Therefore, a position where the reading position R and the switchback passage 33 communicate with each other is secured, and the document is conveyed to the switchback passage 33 by the switchback roller pair 67.
[0080]
Next, when the leading edge of the original is detected by the switchback sensor 69 and conveyed by a predetermined amount, that is, when the trailing edge of the original is sandwiched between the switchback roller pair 67, the switchback roller pair 67 is driven in reverse. At the same time, the solenoid 92 is turned off (step S8).
[0081]
At this time, the switching claw 66 is urged in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 1, 10 and 12 by the spring 95, so that the coupling member 83 is centered on the rotation shaft 83c in FIGS. The switch claw 65 swings counterclockwise with respect to the swing shaft 70. For this reason, the switching claws 65 and 66 are switched to a position where the switchback passage 33 and the document discharge port 58 communicate with each other (step S9).
[0082]
Further, the switching claw 61 is switched to a solid line by the switching solenoid. For this reason, the original is not conveyed through the switchback passage 31 to the slit glass 22b, but is reversed through a short path and discharged to the stack unit 30, and the page order of the original is aligned (step S10).
[0083]
Thus, in this embodiment, the position where the reading position R and the document discharge port 58 are communicated, the position where the reading position R and the switchback passage 33 are communicated, and the switchback passage 33 and the document discharge port 58 are communicated. Since switching claws 65 and 66 that can be switched to positions are provided and the switching claws 65 and 66 are supported by the same swing shaft 70, the number of parts and weight of the second switching means are prevented from increasing. Thus, the configuration of the second switching means can be simplified and an increase in installation space can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ADF 23 from becoming large.
[0084]
In the present embodiment, since the switching claws 65 and 66 can swing independently with respect to the swing shaft 70, the pair of switching claws 65 and 66 swing independently according to the document conveyance path. As a result, it is possible to perform an optimal operation according to a variety of conveyance paths.
[0085]
In the present embodiment, since the switching claws 65 and 66 can be swung simultaneously with respect to the rocking shaft 70, the switching claws 65 and 66 can be swung by a drive system having a simple configuration such as a solenoid 92. It is possible to further prevent the number of parts and the weight of the second switching means from increasing.
[0086]
In the present embodiment, the switching claw 66 is provided with the swing shaft 70, the switching claw 65 is formed of an elastic member, and a plurality of mounting portions 71 mounted on the swing shaft 70 along the extending direction thereof are provided. Since the slits 71a having different dimensions are formed between the mounting portions 71 provided at both ends in the extending direction of the switching claw 65 and the mounting portions 71 therebetween, the mounting accuracy when assembling the switching claws 65 and 66 is precisely set. Management can be made unnecessary, the switching claws 65 and 66 can be easily processed, and the assemblability can be improved.
[0087]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the number of parts and the weight of the second switching means from increasing, to simplify the configuration of the second switching means, and to prevent the installation space from increasing. Therefore, it is possible to provide an automatic document feeder that can prevent an increase in size.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic document feeder according to the present invention, and is a schematic configuration diagram of the automatic document feeder.
FIG. 2 is an external view of one switching claw of an embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an external view of the other switching claw of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which switching claws according to an embodiment are combined.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a mounting portion of the other switching claw of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an external view showing a state in which a pair of switching claws according to an embodiment is attached to a lower inversion guide.
FIG. 7 is a view showing an end portion when a pair of switching claws according to an embodiment is combined.
FIG. 8 is a view showing an end portion of the pair of switching claws according to the embodiment when the pair of switching claws are attached to the lower inversion guide.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a switching mechanism according to an embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a side view of a pair of switching claws showing a state in which the pair of switching claws according to the embodiment is swung in one direction.
FIG. 11 is a side view of a pair of switching claws showing a state in which the pair of switching claws of the embodiment is swung in the other direction.
FIG. 12 is an external view of an end portion of a switching claw showing a state in which a pair of switching claw of one embodiment is swung in one direction.
FIG. 13 is an external view of an end portion of the switching claw showing a state in which the pair of switching claw according to the embodiment is swung in the other direction.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing during conveyance of a double-sided document according to an embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a conventional automatic document feeder.
[Explanation of symbols]
23 Automatic document feeder
24 Document table (document table)
25 Separating paper feeding unit (separating paper feeding means)
30 Stack section (document output tray)
31 Switchback path (second transport path)
33 Switchback path (second reverse path)
47 Curved path (first transport path)
55 Output path
58 Document exit
60 Inversion path (first inversion path)
61 switching claw (first switching means)
62 Switchback roller pair (first switchback member)
65, 66 switching claw (switching member)
67 Switchback member (second switchback member)
70 Oscillating shaft
71 Wearing part
R Reading position

Claims (3)

Separation paper feeding means for separating the originals one by one from the original bundle placed on the original placement table, inverting the paper through the first conveyance path, and feeding it to the reading position;
A paper discharge path for guiding the document from the reading position to the document discharge table via the document discharge port;
A first reversing path provided on an extension of the paper discharge path between the document placing table and the document discharge table;
A second transport path for guiding the document from the first reverse path to the first transport path;
A first switchback member provided on the first reversing path and capable of forward and reverse rotation;
First switching means for switching a transport path of a document transported on the discharge path to either the first reversing path or the document discharge port;
A second reversing path extending from a predetermined position of the discharge path to the lower side of the document discharge table;
A second switchback member provided on the second reversing path and capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions;
Conveyance of the document provided at the predetermined position so as to communicate the reading position and the document discharge port, the reading position and the second reversing path, and the second reversing path and the document discharging port, respectively. Second switching means for switching the road,
In the automatic document feeder, wherein the first switching means and the second switching means are switched according to the duplex conveyance mode and the simplex conveyance mode.
The second switching means includes a first branch member fixed to the swing shaft, a second branch member rotatably attached to the swing shaft, the swing shaft, and the second A coupling member to which the branch member is coupled,
The automatic document feeder, wherein the first branching member and the second branching member swing simultaneously through the coupling member . 2. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, further comprising a switching mechanism for simultaneously swinging the first branch member and the second branch member via the coupling member . The second branch member is made of an elastic member, and has a plurality of mounting portions mounted on the swing shaft along the extending direction, and a part of the mounting portions is fitted on the swing shaft. 3. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the automatic document feeder is adapted to be combined .

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