JP4182634B2 - Conveying apparatus and image reading apparatus provided with the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to, for example, a technique employed in a document conveyance path of an image reading apparatus such as a facsimile, and relates to a conveyance device switching unit that reverses the conveyance direction of a sheet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional image reading apparatus, a discharge roller capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions is provided near the discharge port from the conveyance path. When reading both sides of a document, the document is first fed to a reading unit. The first surface is read, and the original is once fed to the space on the paper discharge tray by the discharge roller, and the rotation direction of the discharge roller is reversed while holding the end of the original. Thus, the original is turned upside down through the original return path, fed again to the reading unit, and then the second side is read and discharged to the discharge tray.
It should be noted that, after reading the second surface of the document, the leading edge of the preceding document has already reached the discharge roller position, while the rear end side is still at the discharge roller position, so that the discharge roller and the press roller that rotates with it are separated. I was letting. As a result, the leading end side and the trailing end side of the document whose conveying directions are opposite to each other are configured to smoothly rub against each other without being obstructed by both rollers.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the prior art, if the discharge roller is configured as a roller that can rotate forward and backward, a motor for the discharge roller is provided separately from the drive motor for the other rollers, or a single motor is used. When all the rollers are driven, a switching means for reversing the rotation direction of the discharge roller at a predetermined timing must be provided between the discharge roller and the motor. If a new motor is provided as in the former case, the cost increases accordingly, and even in the latter case, the mechanism configuration is complicated, and the switching means becomes expensive. In addition, in both cases, an actuator for separating the discharge roller and the press roller is necessary, which further increases the cost.
In the present invention, in view of the above-described points, in a transport apparatus for transporting a sheet-like material provided in an image reading apparatus or the like, the structure of a switching unit that reverses the transport direction is simplified, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Let it be an issue.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention uses the following means in order to solve the above problems.
  That is, as described in claim 1, the conveying means provided with a forward rotation roller rotating in the forward direction and a reverse rotation roller rotating in the reverse direction, and either one of the rollers of the conveying means are in pressure contact with each other, or It consists of a press roller whose position can be moved so that it does not come into contact with either roller. By pressing the press roller against the normal rotation roller or reverse rotation roller, it is possible to transport sheet-like materials in either the forward or reverse direction. And
  A swingable guide member is provided between the reverse rotation roller and the normal rotation roller, and the guide member guards the sheet-like material from contacting the roller that is not in contact with the press roller.
[0005]
  Further, as described in claim 2,The conveyance device according to claim 1 is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port of the document conveyance path in the image reading apparatus that reads both the front and back sides of the document, and the document is switched back reversed or discharged by the conveyance device.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a perspective view of a facsimile employing an image reading apparatus, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the same, FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of an ADF of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a pressure contact mechanism according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the configuration of the pressure contact mechanism, FIG. 6 is a side view showing the operation configuration of the pressure contact mechanism according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram of the rotation mechanism of the document guide member. FIG. 8 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the rotation mechanism of the document guide member, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the second stage, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the final stage. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the first stage of the control configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the invention. Here, FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 correspond to FIG. 4, (a), (b), and (c), respectively, and FIG. Fig. (B) shows the switchback mode, and Fig. (C) shows the neutral mode.
[0008]
A transport apparatus according to the present invention provided in a document transport path of an image reading apparatus such as a facsimile machine will now be described.
First, the overall configuration of the facsimile apparatus will be described.
The facsimile apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured by arranging a reading unit 1 above a recording unit 2. The recording unit 2 includes a recording device 3 and a paper feed cassette 4 which are respectively provided inside and below. The paper stored in the paper feed cassette 4 is fed to the recording device 3 and recorded, and then the recording paper is discharged. It is configured to discharge to the tray 5.
[0009]
The reading unit 1 includes a hinge 10b that extends from the bottom surface of the reading case 10 as a part of the reading unit 1 and is pivotally supported on a hinge pin 1a disposed in the recording unit 2. On the other hand, the hinge pin 1a is pivotable up and down.
[0010]
In the reading unit 1, a reading device 6 is accommodated in a reading case 10. A transparent stationary document placing bed 11 is disposed on the upper surface of the reading case 10, and when the document is placed on the stationary document placing bed 11, the reading device 6 is positioned at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. To the virtual line position to scan.
[0011]
A document presser cover 7 that can be opened and closed up and down around one side is disposed above the reading case 10, and the document placed on the stationary document placement bed 11 is pressed from above by the document presser cover 7. It is supposed to be.
[0012]
An ADF 8 is attached to one end of the document pressing cover 7. As shown in FIG. 1, the appearance of the ADF 8 is such that side frames 7a and 7b are erected in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction of the reading device 6, and the ADF 8 is interposed between the side frames 7a and 7b. An openable and closable ADF cover 14 that covers the entire document conveying section is disposed. A side plate made of sheet metal (not shown) is fixed upright on the inner opening surface along the side of the ADF cover 14 of each side frame 7a, 7b. For example, among the feed rollers described later, a driving roller The shaft ends of the roller shafts are pivotally supported. One or both of the document pressing cover 7 and the side frames 7a and 7b cover the driving source of the driving roller and its transmission system, and the inner surface is covered with the side plate.
[0013]
The document presser cover 7 and the side frames 7a and 7b form an apparatus main body of the ADF 8, and a document conveying section covered with the ADF cover 14 is disposed between the apparatus main body and left and right to constitute the entire ADF 8. is doing.
[0014]
A document supply tray 9 is disposed above the document presser cover 7 so as to be continuous with the sheet feed port 8a of the ADF 8, and on the upper surface of the document presser cover 7 below the document presser cover 7, the sheet feed port 8a of the ADF 8 is provided. A document discharge tray 7c is integrally formed so as to be continuous with the sheet discharge port 8b arranged immediately below. In the ADF 8, a document transport path is configured from the paper feed port 8a to the paper discharge port 8b.
[0015]
The sheet originals placed on the original supply tray 9 are picked up one by one and inserted into the paper supply port 8a. The document fed by the ADF 8 and passing over the platen glass 12 is read by the reading device 6 at the initial position indicated by the solid line in FIG. The document after being read is discharged from the discharge port 8b onto the document discharge tray 7c.
[0016]
As described above, the reading unit 1 is used as a flat bed type scanner that scans the reading device 6 to read a stationary document, and also performs sheet feeding while fixing the position of the reading device 6 and feeding the document to the ADF 8. It can be used as a type of scanner.
[0017]
A key panel 13 is attached to one side of the reading case 10. By pressing various operation keys on the key panel 13, the contents of the original are read, a transmission destination is set for transmitting the read contents by facsimile, and the received contents and the read contents are recorded by the recording device 3. And various operations are performed.
[0018]
Next, the internal structure of the ADF 8 of the automatic sheet conveying apparatus will be described.
In this description, in the side view shown in FIG. 3, the document transport direction is the front-rear direction (the feed port 8a / discharge port 8b side is the front and the curved portion (feed direction folding portion) side is the rear in the document transport path). And the vertical and front / rear positions of each structure will be described with the orthogonal direction in the horizontal direction as the left-right direction.
[0019]
First, as shown in FIG. 3, there is a first document transport path R1 having a shape in which a substantially “T” character is reversed from the paper feed port 8a to the paper discharge port 8b in a side view as shown in FIG. Is formed. Thus, a second document transport path R2 is formed from the paper discharge port 8b toward the curved portion of the first document transport path R1, where the latter half of both document transport paths R1 and R2 is a common path. From the branch point Q, the first document transport path R1 extends rearward and downward, and the second document transport path R2 extends rearward as it is. The paths R1 and R2 join again at the curved portion of the first document transport path R1, where P is the junction.
[0020]
A nip portion A between the separation roller 22 and the retard roller 23 is disposed in the vicinity of the sheet feeding port 8a, and the arms 20 and 20 are swingably disposed forward from both ends of the separation roller 22; A pickup roller 21 is pivotally supported on the front end of the arms 20. Then, along the first document transport path R1 from the paper supply port 8a to the paper discharge port 8b, the nip portion A between the separation roller 22 and the retard roller 23, the first registration roller 24 and the first registration follow. The nip B between the roller 25, the nip C between the first feed roller 26 and the first slave roller 27, the nip D between the second feed roller 28 and the second slave roller 29, and the nip between the discharge roller 31 and the press roller 33. The portion E and the nip portion F between the reversing roller 32 and the press roller 33 are arranged in this order.
[0021]
However, the press roller 33 is switched to contact with either the discharge roller 31 or the reversing roller 32 by the contact pressure mechanism 50 to be described later, or not in contact with both the rollers 31 and 32.
Further, a nip portion G between the second registration roller 34 and the second registration follow roller 35 is disposed near the junction P in the second document transport path R2.
[0022]
A distribution member 38 for switching between the two paths R1 and R2 is disposed between the first document conveyance path R1 and the second document conveyance path R2 immediately after the branch point Q. Normally, the first document transport path R1 is closed by its own weight, and the first document transport path R1 is opened and closed by the passage of the sheet document.
[0023]
Among the above-mentioned rollers, the first feed roller 26, the second feed roller 28, the discharge roller 31, the reverse roller 32, and the second registration roller 34 have roller shafts 26a, 28a, 31a, 32a, and 34a. The ends are pivotally supported by the respective side plates of the ADF 8 main body and fixed in position, and the rollers 22, 24, 26, 28, 31, 32, and 34 are either or both of the side frames 7a, 7b. It is driven by a drive source 41 and a transmission mechanism disposed inside. That is, the rollers 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 31, 32, and 34 are driving rollers, and the rollers 25, 27, 29, 33, and 35 that are in contact with the rollers follow the rollers. It has become.
The rotation direction of each of the drive rollers 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 31, 32, and 34 is as shown in the side view of FIG. The rollers 26, 28, 31, and 34 are rotated counterclockwise. However, while the clockwise rotation in the same direction as the rotation shaft 23a is transmitted to the retard roller 23 through the torque limiter, the retard roller 23 starts to drive when the separate roller 22 starts to be driven. The roller 22 is rotated counterclockwise.
[0024]
Next, the pressure contact mechanism 50 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The contact pressure mechanism 50 includes a discharge roller 31, a reverse roller 32, a press roller 33, a document guide member 36, a link mechanism 60, and the like, and is means for switching the sheet document conveyance direction.
[0025]
First, the outline will be described. As described above, in the present invention, the discharge roller 31 and the reverse roller 32 are rotated in opposite directions, and then the press roller 33 is switched, and either of the rollers 31 and 32 is switched. Contact one or the other. At this time, the document guide member 36 is swung via a link mechanism 60 described later, and the angle at which the sheet document does not come into contact with the rotating surface of the roller 31 (or 32) not in contact with the press roller 33. It is rotated to.
In this way, the sheet document is prevented from being damaged or entangled, and then switched to be fed out to the discharge tray 7c or reversed to switch back and fed into the second document transport path R2.
[0026]
However, at the position of the nip portion E or the nip portion F, the leading edge side and the trailing edge side of the preceding sheet document may pass at the same time, and the traveling directions are opposite to each other. Even if it switches to 31 and 32, desired conveyance cannot be performed.
Therefore, in such a case, the press roller 33 is switched to an intermediate position between the discharge roller 31 and the reverse roller 32 so as not to contact both the rollers 31 and 32, and the document guide member 36 is rotated in conjunction with this. Move it and keep its posture approximately horizontal. However, at this time, the lower end of the document guide member 36 is positioned below the rotation surfaces of the rollers 31 and 32 so that the sheet document does not come into contact with the rotation surfaces of either of the rollers 31 and 32. Yes. Thus, the leading edge side and the trailing edge side of the sheet document can pass smoothly using the conveying force of the other rollers 28, 29,... Without contacting any of the rollers 31, 32.
[0027]
As described above, switching by the contact pressure mechanism 50 has three stages: a discharge mode in which the press roller 33 is brought into contact with the discharge roller 31, a switchback mode in which the press roller 33 is brought into contact with the reverse roller 32, and a neutral mode in which neither of the rollers 31 and 32 is brought into contact. Next, the switching will be described in detail.
[0028]
Reference numerals 31a, 32a, 58, and 59 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are pivot fulcrum shafts that are pivotally supported between the side plates of the main body of the ADF 8, and the pivot fulcrum shafts 58 and 59 are vertically arranged in parallel. Rotating fulcrum shafts 31a and 32a are arranged before and after the moving fulcrum shaft 58, and the rotational fulcrum shafts 31a, 32a, 58, and 59 are located at the end position and the intersection position of the "Y" shape in a side view. Has been placed. Then, arms 37 and 37 are erected from the lowermost rotation fulcrum shaft 59, and the press roller 33 is pivotally supported at the tip thereof. Reference numeral 33 a is a rotation shaft of the press roller 33.
[0029]
The document guide member 36 is formed in a “H” shape in a side view, and is disposed on both sides of the discharge roller 31 and the reverse roller 32, and is attached to the rotation fulcrum shaft 58 at the center of gravity and fixed. Has been. Then, a link mechanism 60 described later is provided between the rotation fulcrum shafts 58 and 59, and the rotational force is transmitted from the lower rotation fulcrum shaft 59 to the upper rotation fulcrum shaft 58, so that the press roller The document guide member 36 is also rotated in conjunction with the rotation of 33.
[0030]
A reference numeral 51 shown in FIG. 5 is a solenoid fixed to the ADF 8 apparatus main body, and is configured to rotate the rotation fulcrum shaft 59 via an actuator by energizing the solenoid 51. The rotating mechanism of the rotating fulcrum shaft 59 may employ a mechanism such as a cam, and its structure is not particularly limited.
Hereinafter, a mechanism using the solenoid 51 will be described as an example.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a saddle arm 52 is attached to the rotation fulcrum shaft 59 with its longitudinal direction directed in the vertical direction. The saddle arm 52 is fixed to the rotation fulcrum shaft 59, and the rotation fulcrum shaft 59 is rotated by applying a force to the lower end or the upper end thereof.
[0032]
Reference numeral 53 denotes a spring for urging the saddle arm 52 rearward. The rear end thereof is hung on a pin 54 protruding from the ADF 8 apparatus main body side, and the front end thereof is hung on a hole 52b in the upper end portion of the saddle arm 52. . When the solenoid 51 is not energized by the spring 53, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the hook arm 52 rotates counterclockwise, and the abutment pin 56 protrudes from the ADF 8 apparatus main body side. The posture position is maintained by contact.
[0033]
The states of (a), (b), and (c) in FIG. 6 correspond to the states of (a), (b), and (c) in FIG. 4, respectively, that is, the solenoid 51 is energized. In the absence, the press roller 33 is brought into contact with the discharge roller 31 (discharge mode).
On the other hand, a hole 52c is provided at the lower end of the rod arm 52, and the front end of the movable axis 51a of the solenoid 51 is locked by the hole 52c. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the solenoid 51 is energized, the movable shaft center 51a is pulled backward, so that it moves clockwise until it comes into contact with the abutment pin 55 protruding from the main body side. Can be rotated. As a result, the pivot fulcrum shaft 59 is also rotated clockwise through the flange arm 52, and the arm 37 is also rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. 32 (switchback mode).
[0034]
By the way, the amount of sliding displacement of the movable shaft center 51a of the solenoid 51 is proportional to the value of the current supplied to the solenoid 51. Therefore, this characteristic is used to switch to the neutral mode of the contact pressure mechanism 50.
That is, in the switching to the neutral mode, the solenoid 51 is energized with a predetermined current value smaller than the current value passed when switching to the switchback mode, thereby pulling the movable axis 51a to an appropriate position and The rotation of 52 is set to the upright state.
[0035]
In order to accurately maintain this posture position, a convex portion is projected on the upper surface of the heel arm 52, and a locking member is provided on the orbit of the upper surface of the heel arm 52 at the 12 o'clock position as viewed with a watch. A detent mechanism or the like for lightly fitting the convex portion on the upper surface of the flange arm 52 may be provided in the concave portion of the locking member.
Needless to say, this detent mechanism is easily released by the restoring force of the spring 53 or the operation of the solenoid 51 when switched to the discharge mode or the switchback mode.
[0036]
In this way, the rotation fulcrum shaft 59 is also rotated through the flange arm 52, and the arm 37 is also rotated to its upright state as shown in FIG. The roller is stopped at an intermediate position with respect to the reversing roller 32, and neither of the rollers 31 and 32 is brought into contact.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 4, the document guide member 36 provided integrally with the rotation fulcrum shaft 58 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation fulcrum shaft 59. Between the fulcrum shafts 58 and 59, the following link mechanism 60, gear mechanism 65, or the like is configured.
[0038]
First, the link mechanism 60 will be described as the first embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the first link 61 is erected from the rotation fulcrum shaft 59, and the second link 62 is suspended from the rotation fulcrum shaft 58. The lower end of the second link 62 is pivotally connected. Here, the pivot point is denoted by reference numeral 63.
[0039]
While the first link 61 is fixed to the rotation fulcrum shaft 59, the upper end portion of the second link 62 is provided with a long hole 62a, and the connection portion of the rotation fulcrum shaft 58 with the second link 62 is provided. 58a has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, engages the connecting portion 58a with the elongated hole 62a, slides in the vertical direction, and the second link 62 and the rotation fulcrum shaft 58 rotate integrally. In this way, both the links 61 and 62 can be rotated within a predetermined range.
[0040]
The states of (a), (b), and (c) in FIG. 7 correspond to the states of (a), (b), and (c) in FIG. 4, respectively. In the neutral mode, the links 61 and 62 and the document guide member 36 form a “T” in a side view, that is, both the links 61 and 62 are in an upright state, and the document guide member 36 is kept horizontal. . At this time, the front end lower portion 36a and the rear end lower portion 36b of the document guide member 36 are at the same height position, the front end lower portion 36a is below the rotation surface of the reversing roller 32, and the rear end lower portion 36b is the discharge roller. It is located below the rotational surface of 31. As a result, the document guide member 36 guards the sheet document so that it does not come into contact with either of the rollers 31 and 32.
[0041]
Here, when the energization of the solenoid 51 is turned off, the discharging mode shown in FIG. 7A is entered, the movable axis 51a slides forward, and the rotation fulcrum shaft 59 and the first link 61 are The second link 62 rotates in the clockwise direction relative to the pivot point 63. As a result, the hole 62a of the second link 62 also rotates clockwise, and the rotation fulcrum shaft 58 that engages with the hole 62a also rotates clockwise. Thus, the document guide member 36 also rotates clockwise, and its posture is slightly inclined forward. The front end lower portion 36a of the document guide member 36 is further lowered below the rotation surface of the reversing roller 32. Thereafter, the lower end portion 36 b moves upward and is displaced above the rotational surface of the discharge roller 31.
[0042]
That is, in this state, the press roller 33 is in contact with the discharge roller 31, and the document guide member 36 maintains a posture position such that the sheet document does not contact the reversing roller 32.
[0043]
Next, when the solenoid 51 is energized and switched to the switchback mode shown in FIG. 7B, the movable axis 51a slides backward, and the pivot fulcrum shaft 59 and the first link 61 are The second link 62 rotates in the counterclockwise direction relative to the pivot point 63. As a result, the hole 62a of the second link 62 also rotates counterclockwise, and the rotation fulcrum shaft 58 that engages with the hole 62a also rotates counterclockwise. Thus, the document guide member 36 is also rotated counterclockwise, and its posture is inclined slightly rearward. The rear end lower portion 36 b of the document guide member 36 is further lowered below the rotation surface of the discharge roller 31. On the other hand, the front end lower portion 36 a rises and is displaced above the rotation surface of the reverse roller 32.
That is, in this state, the press roller 33 is in contact with the reversing roller 32, and the document guide member 36 is maintained in a posture position such that the sheet document does not contact the discharge roller 31.
[0044]
Next, the gear mechanism 65 formed between the rotation fulcrum shafts 58 and 59 will be described as a second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, a first gear 66 is provided around the rotation fulcrum shaft 59, and a fourth gear 69 having a larger diameter than the first gear 66 is provided around the rotation fulcrum shaft 58. . Then, a second gear 67 and a third gear 68 are disposed between the gears 66 and 69, and all the gears 66, 67, 68 and 69 are meshed.
When the rotation fulcrum shaft 59 is rotated in such a configuration, the rotation angle of the fourth gear 69 becomes smaller than the rotation angle of the first gear 66. The rotation angle of the member 36 can be reduced.
[0045]
The states of (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 8 correspond to the states of (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 4, respectively. First, (a) of FIG. ) Will be described when the discharge mode is switched to the switchback mode of FIG.
When the solenoid 51 is energized, the movable axis 51a slides backward, and the rotation fulcrum shaft 59 and the first gear 66 rotate clockwise as indicated by arrows in the figure, The second gear 67 that meshes with the first gear 66 rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the third gear 68 rotates in the clockwise direction, and the fourth gear 69 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. Thus, the document guide member 36 also rotates counterclockwise, and the sheet document does not contact the reversing roller 32 but slightly tilts forward, and the sheet document does not contact the discharge roller 31 and tilts slightly backward. Switch to the state.
[0046]
Next, the case where the switchback mode of FIG. 8B is switched to the neutral mode of FIG. 8C will be described.
By switching the current value energized to the solenoid 51 to a predetermined current value smaller than the current value, the movable axis 51a slides forward, and the rotation fulcrum shaft 59 and the first gear 66 are As shown by the arrows in the figure, the second gear 67 rotates counterclockwise and the second gear 67 rotates clockwise. Further, the third gear 68 rotates counterclockwise, the fourth gear 69 rotates clockwise, and the document guide member 36 also rotates clockwise. As a result, the document guide member 36 is switched from a state in which the sheet document does not contact the discharge roller 31 slightly tilted to a horizontal state in which the sheet document does not contact any of the rollers 31 and 32.
[0047]
Next, a control device and a control device related to the conveyance of the sheet document will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, first, a document set sensor (hereinafter referred to as “DS sensor”) 43 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper feed port 8a, and when a sheet document is set deep inside the paper feed port 8a, the DS is set. It is detected by the sensor 43. As a result, the circuit between the start button 19 and the drive source 41 is connected, and the drive source 41 can be driven. In other words, the circuit is cut off when no document is set. Even if the start button 19 is pushed down, the drive source 41 does not start, thus preventing the document from being fed forward.
A first position detection sensor 44 is disposed in front of the nip portion B in the first document transport path R1, and a second position detection sensor 45 is disposed in the vicinity of the branch point Q. A third position detection sensor 46 is disposed immediately before the nip portion G in the second document transport path R2.
These sensors 43, 44, 45, and 46 are configured by a linear scale or the like in which a light source and a condenser lens are placed on one side of the conveyance path and a light receiving element is placed on the other side, and pass through each sensor position. When the passage of the original starts or when the passage is completed, a control signal (detection signal) is output to the controller 40 shown in FIG.
[0048]
The controller 40 is further connected with the following control device and control device, and controls the conveyance pattern of the sheet original as follows.
The drive source 41 is driven by receiving a control signal (drive signal) from the controller 40, and drives each of the rollers 22, 23, 26, 28, 31, 32, and 34 via a transmission mechanism (not shown). .
The drive source 41 uses a step motor or the like in which pulses are sequentially applied to the multiphase winding of the stator and the rotor rotates by a certain angle for each pulse. The controller 40 performs step control. Thus, the number of rotation steps of the drive source 41 is counted, and the transport distance of the sheet original is calculated.
[0049]
The pickup roller 21 is configured to swing up and down using an actuator 42 such as a solenoid, receives a control signal (driving signal) from the controller 40, a pulse is applied to the solenoid, and the actuator 42 By acting, the pickup roller 21 is rotated downward, and the sheet original is pressed down.
The separate roller 22, the first registration roller 24, and the second registration roller 34 are respectively provided with clutches 47, 48, and 49 such as electromagnetic clutches between the drive source 41 and the controller 40. The control signal (connection / disconnection signal) is received, the clutch 47 (48 or 49) is connected or disconnected, and the roller 22 (24 or 34) is driven / stopped.
[0050]
The pressure contact mechanism 50 receives a control signal (switching signal) from the controller 40, rotates the arm 37 back and forth, and brings the press roller 33 into contact with either the discharge roller 31 or the reverse roller 32. Thus, the conveyance direction of the sheet document is switched.
[0051]
Further, on the key panel 13 shown in FIG. 1, a function key 18 for setting a reading mode such as single-sided / double-sided reading conversion, a start button 19 for starting a sheet document taking operation, and a plurality of sheet documents. A stop button 16 or the like for stopping the reading operation during the continuous reading is arranged. When the function key 18, the start button 19, the stop button 16 or the like is operated, the controller 40 is turned on. A control signal is output.
[0052]
Next, the flow of double-sided reading processing of a sheet document will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 10, the user first sets the sheet original on the original paper feed tray 9 with the first surface facing up, and inserts it deep into the paper feed port 8a (step S1). Is detected by the DS sensor 43 (step S2), whereby the document can be taken in.
[0053]
Next, the user operates the function key 18 on the key panel 13 to select the original reading surface in the double-sided reading mode (step S3), and presses the start button 19 (step S4), whereby each of the rollers 22, 24, 26,. A control signal is output to the drive source 41, actuator 42, and clutch 47 of 28, 31, 32, and 34, a positive pulse is applied to the solenoid of the actuator 42, and the solenoid is instantaneously excited. As a result, the pickup roller 21 is rotated downward to hold the sheet document, and the position and orientation thereof are maintained until the capturing of all the sheet documents is completed. Then, the drive source 41 is started and the clutch 47 is connected. Only the uppermost sheet document is separated by the pickup roller 21, the separation roller 22, the retard roller 23, etc., and the first document is slowly released from the sheet feed port 8a. It is taken into the transport path R1 (step S5).
[0054]
When the leading edge of the sheet document is detected by the first position detection sensor 44 (step S6), the first registration roller 24 and the first registration roller 24 whose leading edges are stopped when the drive source 41 rotates several steps. Abutting the follow roller 25, the skew of the sheet original is corrected (step S7), and the leading end is nipped between the first registration roller 24 and the first registration follow roller 25, and is controlled by the step control of the drive source 41. After a predetermined timing, the clutch 48 is engaged and the first registration roller 24 starts to rotate. As a result, the leading edge of the sheet document is brought in, and the separation roller 22 and the retard roller 23 that nip the end side of the sheet document are rotated to resume conveyance of the sheet document. Thus, step control of the drive source 41 is started, and the number of rotation steps (first rotation angle) corresponding to the distance by which the leading edge of the sheet document is conveyed from the nip portion B position to the rear end position of the platen glass 12 is set. When it reaches (step S8), a control signal is output to the reading device 6 to start reading the surface of the sheet original (step S9).
[0055]
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when the end of the conveyed sheet document passes the position of the first position detection sensor 44 (step S <b> 10), a detection signal is output to the controller 40. As a result, step control of the drive source 41 is started, and the number of rotation steps (second rotation angle) corresponding to the distance at which the end of the sheet document is conveyed from the position of the first position detection sensor 44 to the front end position of the platen glass 12. When reaching (step S11), a control signal is output to the reading device 6, and the reading of the surface of the sheet original is finished (step S12).
[0056]
Here, the clutch 48 is disengaged, and the first registration roller 24 is stopped to prepare for the skew correction of the next sheet document. Then, the sheet document pushes up the sorting member 38, passes through the branch point Q, is fed by the discharge roller 31 and the press roller 33, and the end thereof passes the position of the second position detection sensor 45 (step S13). The detection signal is output to the controller 40, and the control signal is output to the pressure contact mechanism 50. Thereby, the contact pressure mechanism 50 is switched to the switchback mode, and the press roller 33 is brought into contact with the reverse roller 32 (step S14).
[0057]
In this way, the sheet original is reversely switched back and conveyed in the reverse direction, and is guided to the second original conveyance path R2 by the sorting member 38 restored to the original position by its own weight. Then, the leading edge of the sheet document (the end before the switchback reversal) is detected by the third position detection sensor 46 (step S15), and the leading edge abuts against the second registration roller 34 and the second registration follow roller 35. Here, the skew of the sheet original is corrected (step S16), and the leading edge thereof is nipped by the second registration roller 34 and the second registration follow roller 35. After a predetermined timing by the step control of the drive source 41, the clutch 49 is connected and the second registration roller 34 starts to rotate, and the conveyance of the sheet original is resumed. As a result, step control of the drive source 41 is started, and as shown in FIG. 12, the number of rotation steps corresponding to the distance by which the leading edge of the sheet original is conveyed from the nip portion G position to the rear end position of the platen glass 12 (first step). 3 (rotation angle of 3) (step S17), a control signal is output to the reading device 6 and reading of the back side of the second surface of the sheet original is started (step S18).
[0058]
Further, when the sheet document is conveyed and the leading end thereof is detected by the second position detection sensor 45 (step S19), a control signal is output from the controller 40 to the contact pressure mechanism 50, and the contact pressure mechanism 50 is neutralized. Switch to mode. (Step S20).
At this time, while the leading edge of the sheet document reaches the nip F position, the end of the sheet document is at the nip F position. Here, the press roller 33 is switched to an intermediate position between the discharge roller 31 and the reverse roller 32. Then, the document guide member 36 blocks the sheet document so that it does not come into contact with the rotating surfaces of both rollers 31 and 32, thereby smoothly rubbing the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet document whose transport directions are opposite to each other. Yes. When the end of the sheet original passes the position of the third position detection sensor 46 (step S21), a detection signal is output to the controller 40, and a control signal is sent from the controller 40 to the pressure contact mechanism 50 and the reading device 6. Is output.
[0059]
Here, the contact pressure mechanism 50 is switched to the discharge mode, and the press roller 33 is brought into contact with the discharge roller 31 (step S22). At this time, step control of the drive source 41 is started, and the number of rotation steps (fourth step) corresponding to the distance that the end of the sheet document is conveyed from the position of the third position detection sensor 46 to the front end position of the platen glass 12. Is reached (step S23), the reading of the back side of the sheet original is terminated (step S24).
[0060]
Here, the clutch 49 is disengaged, and the second registration roller 34 is stopped to prepare for the skew correction of the next sheet document.
Then, the sheet document is pushed up by the sorting member 38, passes through the branch point Q, is fed by the discharge roller 31 and the press roller 33, and is discharged to the discharge tray 7c (step S25).
Here, the sheet original is reversed again, and is conveyed again to the reading position through the second original conveying path R2. At this time, the sheet original is passed through the platen glass 12 without being read, so that the surface of the sheet original is passed. The sheets may be discharged downward and stacked in order while being rearranged in the order of the pages stacked in the sheet feeding port 8a.
Further, the next sheet document is fed into the first document transport path R1 at a predetermined timing, and the reading process is performed in the same manner.
[0061]
As described above, the embodiment of the facsimile equipped with the contact pressure mechanism 50 according to the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the one provided with the document conveying path of the image reading apparatus such as a facsimile, and widely conveys a sheet-like material. The present invention can also be applied to a transport device that performs the above.
[0062]
Further, in the facsimile equipped with the contact pressure mechanism 50, the mechanism configuration is simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with a device that switches the conveyance direction of the sheet document by rotating the discharge roller forward and backward. .
Further, if this contact pressure mechanism 50 is adopted, the press roller 33 is switched to the neutral mode in which neither of the rollers 31 and 32 is brought into contact with the original document, even if there is no mechanism for moving the press roller up and down and away from the drive roller. By guarding the sheet document so that it does not come into contact with either of the rollers 31 and 32 by the guide member 36, the leading edge of the preceding sheet document reaches the nip portion F position, for example, after reading the second surface of the sheet document. Thus, when the rear end side is still at the position of the nip portion F, the leading end side of the sheet document whose conveying direction is opposite to each other and the end side thereof are smoothly rubbed against each other without being obstructed by both rollers 31 and 32. Can do.
As a result, the number of parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
  Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
  That is, as in claim 1, the conveying means comprising a forward rotation roller that rotates in the forward direction and a reverse rotation roller that rotates in the reverse direction, and either one of the two rollers of the conveying means is in pressure contact, or It consists of a press roller whose position can be moved so that it does not come into contact with either roller. By pressing the press roller against the normal rotation roller or reverse rotation roller, it is possible to transport sheet-like materials in either the forward or reverse direction. With this configuration, the mechanism is simpler than that of a transport device that rotates a single roller (or a discharge roller in the case of an image reading device) in the forward and reverse directions to switch the transport direction of the sheet-like material. Reduction can be achieved.
  Further, a swingable guide member is provided between the reverse rotation roller and the normal rotation roller, and a guard is provided to prevent the sheet-like material from contacting the roller that is not in contact with the press roller by the guide member. By doing so, breakage and entanglement of the sheet-like material are prevented, and the stability of conveyance is improved.
[0064]
  Further, as in claim 2,The conveyance device according to claim 1 is provided in the vicinity of a discharge port of a document conveyance path in an image reading apparatus that reads both the front and back sides of a document, and the document is switched back-reversed or discharged by the conveyance device, so that the discharge roller is forward / reverse. Compared with a transport device that rotates and switches the transport direction of the sheet-like material, the mechanism is simpler, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
  Further, in this conveying apparatus, the press roller is switched to a position where it does not come into contact with either the forward roller or the reverse roller without providing a mechanism for moving the press roller up and down and away from the drive roller. By guarding the document so that neither of the rollers comes into contact with the member, the leading end of the preceding document reaches the position of the transport device, such as after reading the second surface of the document, while the trailing end is still on the transport side. When located at the position of the apparatus, the leading end side and the trailing end side of the document whose conveying directions are opposite to each other can be smoothly rubbed against each other without being obstructed by both rollers.
  As a result, the number of parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a facsimile employing an image reading apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the same.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of an ADF of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a configuration of a contact pressure mechanism according to the present invention.
(A) Discharge mode of pressure contact mechanism
(B) Similarly switchback mode
(C) Neutral mode
FIG. 5 is a front view showing the configuration of the pressure contact mechanism.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing an operation configuration of a contact pressure mechanism according to the present invention.
(A) Discharge mode of pressure contact mechanism
(B) Similarly switchback mode
(C) Neutral mode
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a first embodiment of a rotation mechanism for a document guide member.
(A) Discharge mode of pressure contact mechanism
(B) Similarly switchback mode
(C) Neutral mode
FIG. 8 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the rotation mechanism of the document guide member.
(A) Discharge mode of pressure contact mechanism
(B) Similarly switchback mode
(C) Neutral mode
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a first stage of a control configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the second stage.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the final stage.
[Explanation of symbols]
8 ADF
8a Paper feed slot
8b Paper exit
31 Discharge roller
32 Reverse roller
33 Press roller
36 Document guide member
40 controller
50 Pressure contact mechanism
51 Solenoid
58 Rotating fulcrum shaft
59 Rotating fulcrum shaft
60 Link mechanism
65 Gear mechanism
R1 First document transport path
R2 Second document transport path

Claims (2)

The conveying means having a forward rotation roller rotating in the forward direction and a reverse rotation roller rotating in the reverse direction, and either one of the rollers of the conveying means are in pressure contact with each other, or do not contact either roller It is composed of a position-movable press roller, and the press roller is brought into pressure contact with the forward rotation roller or the reverse rotation roller so that the sheet-like material can be conveyed in either the forward or reverse direction.
A swingable guide member is provided between the reverse rotation roller and the normal rotation roller, and the guide member guards the sheet-like object from contacting the roller that is not in contact with the press roller. A conveying device characterized by the above. A conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying apparatus is provided near a discharge port of a document conveying path in an image reading apparatus that reads both front and back sides of a document, and the document is switched back reversed or discharged by the conveying device. An image reading apparatus provided.

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