JP4807390B2 - Document feeder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a document conveying apparatus that conveys a document from a supply tray to a discharge tray through a reading position.

  There are two types of document feeders such as ADF (Auto Document Feeder), which are of the stacked paper discharge type that discharges the originals that have already been discharged to the discharge tray in order to stack them in order, and those that have already been discharged to the discharge tray. There is a submerged discharge type that discharges subsequent originals under the original document in order (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2006-347684 A JP 2007-238252 A

  In recent years, document feeders that can read both sides of a document have been proposed. However, in an ordinary document transport device in which the supply tray and the discharge tray are arranged side by side, the order of the documents discharged onto the discharge tray differs between when reading one side and when reading both sides. It was. Therefore, the applicant of the present application can sequentially arrange the documents discharged onto the discharge tray regardless of whether one side or both sides are read by switching between the stacked discharge mode and the submerged discharge mode. Proposes a transport device.

  By the way, in the submerged paper discharge, the frictional resistance increases as the number of originals discharged onto the discharge tray increases, and the subsequent originals do not easily enter under the already discharged originals. Eventually, the subsequent document cannot dig into the already ejected document, resulting in wrinkles or document jams.

  Therefore, the number of documents that can be placed on the supply tray may be regulated to be less than the maximum number of documents that can be discharged (can be submerged) on the discharge tray. If you start adding documents or forgetting to remove the documents on the output tray, you may exceed the maximum number of documents that can be discharged, causing wrinkles or document jams. Was insufficient to prevent.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an original conveying apparatus that can prevent the occurrence of wrinkles and document jamming in submerged paper discharge and is easy for the user to use.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a document conveying device according to the present invention conveys a document from a supply tray on which a document is placed, a discharge tray from which the document is discharged, and a reading position to the discharge tray. A transport mechanism, a stacking mode in which the subsequent documents are stacked in order on the documents that have already been discharged to the discharge tray, and the subsequent documents are sequentially inserted under the documents that have already been discharged to the discharge tray. A discharge switching means for switching to the submerged mode for discharging, a control device for controlling the driving of the transport mechanism, and a counter for counting the number of documents transported from the supply tray to the discharge tray, When the next document is discharged in the stacking mode when the count value by the counter reaches a predetermined value set within a possible range, Drives the serial transport mechanism, when the next original is discharged by the inserting ejection mode, characterized in that it does not drive the conveying mechanism.

  According to the document conveying apparatus configured as described above, when the count value of the counter reaches a predetermined value, the conveyance mechanism is not driven when the next document is discharged in the submerged mode. Will not start. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles and document jams in submerged paper discharge in advance.

  Further, when the next document is discharged in the stacking mode when the count value by the counter reaches a predetermined value, the transport mechanism is driven, so that the document continues to be transported when operating in the stacking mode. In addition, even when the user forgets to remove the original on the discharge tray, the original can be conveyed in the stacking mode. As a result, the document feeder can be easily used by the user.

  According to the document conveying device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles and document jamming in submerged discharge in advance and to make it easy for the user to use.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a document reading apparatus provided with a document conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a configuration of a paper discharge detection sensor. FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining the operation of the paper discharge detection sensor, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the document conveying unit.

  Here, in the following description, the “conveyance direction” is a direction in which a document is conveyed from the supply tray 10 toward the discharge tray 20 (the arrow direction in FIG. 1), and the “discharge direction” is a document conveyance of the document. This is the direction in which the sheet is discharged from the section 30 to the discharge tray 20. In addition, upstream and downstream in the transport direction and unload direction are simply referred to as “upstream” and “downstream”, respectively, and directions perpendicular to the document transport direction and discharge direction (front and back sides in FIG. 1) are referred to as “width direction”. "

  As shown in FIG. 1, the document reading device 1 includes a flatbed scanner 2 having a known configuration, a document transport device 3 that transports a document to a reading position R, a control device 4 that controls a document reading operation, An operation unit 5 operated by the user and a display unit 6 for displaying a message for the user are mainly provided.

<Configuration of flatbed scanner>
The flatbed scanner 2 is mainly provided with a platen glass 2G which is disposed under the document reading device 1 and serves as a document table on which the document is placed, and an image sensor 2S (reading device). In the flatbed scanner 2, the image sensor 2S can read the document placed on the platen glass 2G while scanning, and can read the document conveyed to the reading position R.

<Configuration of document feeder>
The document conveying device 3 is a device that conveys a document to a reading position R and makes it possible to read one or both sides of the document. It has been. The document transport device 3 mainly includes a supply tray 10 on which a document is placed, a discharge tray 20 on which the document is discharged, and a document transport unit 30 that transports the document.

[Configuration of the output tray]
The discharge tray 20 is disposed above the supply tray 10, and mainly includes a fixed tray 21 and a flap 22 disposed on the upstream side of the fixed tray 21, and a discharge detection sensor 23 is provided.
The fixed tray 21 is fixed so as not to be displaced with respect to the document conveying unit 30.

  The flap 22 is supported by the main body frame 30A of the document conveying device 3 so as to be swingable up and down with respect to the fixed tray 21 around a swing shaft 22A provided on the downstream side. The flap 22 has a bent portion 22 </ b> C bent downward at the upstream end portion. A cam 24 is engaged with the upstream end of the flap 22.

  The cam 24 includes a push-up bar 24A extending below both ends in the width direction below the flap 22, shaft portions 24B provided on both sides of the flap 22, and connecting portions 24C that connect both ends of the push-up bar 24A and the shaft portions 24B. It consists of and. Each shaft portion 24B is pivotally supported by the main body frame 30A.

  Such a cam 24 is rotated in the forward / reverse direction by a driving means (not shown) controlled by the control device 4 so that the flap 22 is in the lower state shown in FIG. 1 and the upper side shown in FIG. Swing between states. As a result, the document discharge mode can be switched between a stacking mode and a dive mode, which will be described later. That is, the flap 22 and the cam 24 are an example of a discharge switching unit.

  The paper discharge detection sensor 23 is a sensor that detects a document discharged to the discharge tray 20, and is provided on the fixed tray 21 on the downstream side of the swing shaft 22 </ b> A in the discharge tray 20. As shown in FIG. 2A, the paper discharge detection sensor 23 mainly includes an optical sensor 25 as an example of a swing detection sensor and an actuator 26 configured to be swingable.

  The optical sensor 25 is a sensor that detects the swing of the actuator 26, and includes a light emitting unit 25A that emits light and a light receiving unit 25B that receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 25A. The optical sensor 25 outputs a change in the light detection state at the light receiving unit 25B to the control device 4 as a predetermined signal.

The actuator 26 includes a swing shaft 26A, a contact portion 26B, and a shielding portion 26C.
The swing shaft 26 </ b> A is disposed below the document placement surface 21 </ b> A of the discharge tray 20 (fixed tray 21) (see FIG. 1), and is attached to the fixed tray 21 so as to be rotatable.

  The abutting portion 26B is a portion that abuts on the document discharged to the discharge tray 20, and is provided at the approximate center of the swing shaft 26A. A part of the contact portion 26B protrudes from the document placement surface 21A and is exposed to the outside by the action of a spring or a weight (not shown) during normal operation (see FIGS. 1 and 2A).

  The shielding part 26C is a plate-like member provided at one end of the swing shaft 26A, and is normally located between the light emitting part 25A and the light receiving part 25B of the optical sensor 25 and emits light emitted from the light emitting part 25A. Shielded.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, in the paper discharge detection sensor 23, the original M discharged to the discharge tray 20 comes into contact with the contact portion 26B, so that the contact portion 26B is pushed down by the weight of the original and shakes. Move. In conjunction with this, since the shielding part 26C is retracted from between the light emitting part 25A and the light receiving part 25B, the detection state of light in the light receiving part 25B changes. At this time, the optical sensor 25 outputs a predetermined signal to the control device 4.

[Configuration of document feeder]
As shown in FIG. 3, the document transport unit 30 is formed with a transport path 31 for guiding the document from the supply tray 10 to the discharge tray 20 and a reverse path 32 for switching back the document. 13, a passage detection sensor 33, and a counter 34 are provided. The paper feed detection sensor 13 and the passage detection sensor 33 have the same configuration as that of the paper discharge detection sensor 23 described above, and thus detailed description of the configuration is omitted.

  The conveying path 31 includes a suction path 31A extending substantially horizontally from the supply tray 10, an inclined path 31B extending obliquely downward from the suction path 31A, a horizontal path 31C extending substantially horizontally from the inclined path 31B, and a horizontal path 31C. The curved path 31D extends in an arc shape upward, and the discharge path 31E extends obliquely upward from the curved path 31D toward the discharge tray 20 (outside). Of the conveyance path 31, the lower side of the horizontal path 31C is a reading position R facing the image sensor 2S through the platen glass 2G.

  The conveyance path 31 is provided with a conveyance mechanism that conveys the document from the supply tray 10 to the discharge tray 20 through the reading position R. The conveyance mechanism is provided on the suction roller 41, the suction nip piece 42, the separation roller 43 and the separation nip piece 44 provided on the suction path 31A, the first conveyance roller 45 provided on the inclined path 31B, and the curved path 31D. The second conveying roller 47 and a discharge roller 49 provided in the discharge path 31E are mainly configured.

  The suction roller 41 and the suction nip piece 42 are members that bring the original on the supply tray 10 to the separation roller 43, and the separation roller 43 and the separation nip piece 44 separate the original one by one and send it to the reading position R. It is. The first transport roller 45 and the second transport roller 47 are rollers for transporting the document in the transport path 31, and the paper discharge roller 49 is a roller for discharging the document that has been read to the discharge tray 20.

  The paper feed detection sensor 13 is a sensor that detects a document placed on the supply tray 10, and in the normal state shown in FIG. 3, the contact portion 16 </ b> B is located between the suction roller 41 and the separation roller 43 and the suction path. It protrudes from 31A. In this paper feed detection sensor 13, when a document is set (placed) on the supply tray 10, the contact portion 16 </ b> B is pushed down by the weight of the document and swings, so that a light receiving portion of an optical sensor (not shown) The detection state of light changes. At this time, the optical sensor outputs a predetermined signal to the control device 4.

  The passage detection sensor 33 is a sensor that detects passage of a document conveyed from the supply tray 10 to the discharge tray 20, and a swingable contact portion 36B protrudes from the inclined path 31B in a normal state shown in FIG. . Although a detailed description is omitted, the document reading apparatus 1 performs reading start control of the image sensor 2S, determination of document jam in the conveyance path 31, and the like based on detection by the passage detection sensor 33.

  The counter 34 counts the number of documents conveyed from the supply tray 10 to the discharge tray 20, and is disposed at an appropriate position in the document conveyance unit 30. The counter 34 is a known counter that counts the number of documents based on the detection of the passage detection sensor 33, and outputs the counted number of documents (count value) to the control device 4. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the counter 34 is illustrated separately from the control device 4, but the counter 34 may be a part of the configuration in the control device 4.

  The reversing path 32 branches from the curved path 31D and extends toward the outside (right side in FIG. 3), and the reversing path 32 branches from substantially the center of the first reversing path 32A and extends obliquely downward, and the sloping path 31B. And a second reversing path 32B that joins. The reversing path 32 is provided with a reversing mechanism that conveys or guides the document during switchback.

  The reversing mechanism includes a third conveying roller 51 and a switchback roller 53 provided in the first reversing path 32A, a first guide member 61 provided in a branch portion between the curved path 31D and the first reversing path 32A, It is comprised from the 2nd guide member 62 provided in the branch part of 32 A of 1 inversion paths, and the 2nd inversion path 32B.

  The third transport roller 51 is a roller for transporting the document in the first reversing path 32A, and the switchback roller 53 is a roller for discharging a part of the document to the outside. The first guide member 61 and the second guide member 62 are configured to be swingable, and are members that switch the path through which the document is conveyed.

<Configuration of control device / operation unit / display unit>
The control device 4 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an input / output circuit (not shown), and the like, and is arranged at an appropriate position in the document conveying device 3. This control device 4 is based on programs and data stored in the ROM, changes in detection states of the paper feed detection sensor 13 and paper discharge detection sensor 23, outputs from the counter 34 and the operation unit 5, and the like. The driving of the mechanism, the image sensor 2S, and the like are controlled to control the reading operation of the document, and a message for the user is displayed on the display unit 6. The control of the reading operation by the control device 4 will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 4 is configured such that the shielding part 26C of the paper discharge detection sensor 23 is between the light emitting part 25A and the light receiving part 25B and shields the light emitted from the light emitting part 25A (FIG. 2 ( In (a), it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray 20. On the other hand, when the shielding unit 26C is retracted from between the light emitting unit 25A and the light receiving unit 25B and the light receiving unit 25B receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 25A (see FIG. 2B), the document Is determined to be on the discharge tray 20. Further, the control device 4 determines whether or not a document is on the supply tray 10 based on the detection by the paper feed detection sensor 13 in the same manner as the paper discharge detection sensor 23.

  The operation unit 5 is configured to allow the user to operate the document reading apparatus 1 and is configured from a plurality of operation buttons (see FIG. 1) in the present embodiment. The user operates the operation unit 5 to input an instruction to start reading (for the document conveying device 3 an instruction to start conveyance) or the like, or to determine whether single-sided reading (striking mode) or double-sided reading (stacking mode). You can choose.

  The display unit 6 is a liquid crystal display (see FIG. 1) for displaying (notifying) a message (characters, symbols, etc.) to the user. The display unit 6 displays a message that informs the user of the current status of the apparatus, a message that informs the content of the error, a message that prompts the user to select (operate), and the like.

<Operation of Document Reading Device>
The operation of the document reading apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the operation at the time of double-sided reading, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation at the time of single-sided reading.

[Operations for duplex scanning]
As shown in FIG. 4A, at the time of double-sided reading, the document M2 is set on the supply tray 10 with the front reading surface P3 facing downward and the back reading surface P4 facing upward. When the user operates the operation unit 5 to select double-sided reading, the flap 22 swings downward, the first guide member 61 swings upward, and the second guide member 62 swings downward.

  When the user inputs an instruction to start reading, the document M2 on the supply tray 10 is conveyed to the reading position R by the separation roller 43, the first conveying roller 45, and the like, and the reading surface P3 is read. Thereafter, the curved path 31 </ b> D is transported by the second transport roller 47, enters the first reverse path 32 </ b> A along the lower surface of the first guide member 61, and the first reverse path 32 </ b> A by the third transport roller 51 and the switchback roller 53. Is transported to the outside.

  When almost the entire document M2 is discharged from the switchback roller 53, the switchback roller 53 is temporarily stopped by a known control. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the document M2 is in a state where the front reading surface P3 faces upward and the back reading surface P4 faces downward. The first guide member 61 swings downward and the second guide member 62 swings upward to switch the document path.

  When the switchback roller 53 is reversed, the document M2 is pulled back to the first reversing path 32A, enters the second reversing path 32B along the lower surface of the second guide member 62, and is conveyed again to the inclined path 31B. Then, it is conveyed to the reading position R by the first conveying roller 45 and the reading surface P4 is read. Thereafter, the curved path 31D and the discharge path 31E are conveyed by the second conveyance roller 47 and the discharge roller 49, and discharged onto the discharge tray 20 with the front reading surface P3 facing downward and the back reading surface P4 facing upward. Is done.

  Here, in a state in which the flap 22 is below, the bent portion 22C of the flap 22 is positioned below the paper discharge roller 49, and therefore the rear end of the already discharged document M1 placed on the bent portion 22C. Is positioned below the paper discharge roller 49. Thus, the document M2 discharged later is discharged so as to be stacked on the document M1 that has already been discharged to the discharge tray 20. The discharge mode at this time is called a lamination mode.

  In the stacking mode, the document is discharged so that the front reading surface faces downward and the back reading surface faces upward, and is stacked in order on the already discharged document. , P1, P2, P3, and P4 can be aligned in order from the bottom. This order is the same as the page order when the documents M1 and M2 are placed on the supply tray 10.

[Operation during single-sided scanning]
As shown in FIG. 5, at the time of single-sided reading, the document M2 is set on the supply tray 10 with the reading surface P2 facing downward. When the user operates the operation unit 5 to select single-sided reading, the flap 22 swings upward and the first guide member 61 swings downward.

  When the user inputs an instruction to start reading, the document M2 on the supply tray 10 is conveyed to the reading position R by the separation roller 43, the first conveying roller 45, and the like, and the reading surface P2 is read. Thereafter, the curved path 31D and the discharge path 31E are conveyed by the second conveyance roller 47 and the discharge roller 49, and are discharged onto the discharge tray 20 with the reading surface P2 facing upward.

  Here, in the state where the flap 22 is on the upper side, the bent portion 22C of the flap 22 is located above the position where the pair of paper discharge rollers 49 are nipped, so that it has already been discharged on the flap 22. The rear end of the document M1 is positioned above the position where the pair of paper discharge rollers 49 are nipped. As a result, the document M2 discharged later comes into contact with the rear end of the document M1 that has already been discharged to the discharge tray 20 from below, and is then discharged so as to sink under the document M1. The discharge mode at this time is called a sneak mode.

  In the sneak mode, the document is discharged so that the reading surface faces upward and sequentially sinks under the already discharged document. Therefore, the page order of the documents M1 and M2 is aligned with P1 and P2 in order from the top. be able to. This order is the same as the page order when the documents M1 and M2 are placed on the supply tray 10.

[Document reading control by control unit]
Next, document reading control (document conveyance control) by the control device 4 which is a characteristic part of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of document reading control by the control device.

  Here, in the following description, the “predetermined value” is a value that is set in a range in which the document that is discharged to the discharge tray 20 can sink under the already discharged document. This corresponds to the number of documents that can be discharged onto the discharge tray 20 in the mode. This predetermined value is set in advance and stored in the ROM of the control device 4. In the present embodiment, an example in which the number of documents that can be discharged onto the discharge tray 20 in the submersion mode is set to 35 (predetermined value is 35) will be described, but the predetermined value is not limited to 35 and is set as appropriate. be able to.

  In FIG. 6, “detection sensor ON” is a state in which the light receiving unit of the optical sensor receives light emitted from the light emitting unit. Therefore, “Detection sensor ON” is “Yes” when the document is on the tray, and “No” is when the document is not on the tray. “FB reading” refers to reading a document placed on the platen glass 2G, and “ADF reading” refers to reading a document conveyed from the supply tray 10 to the reading position R by the document conveying device 3. .

The control device 4 continuously executes the process shown in FIG.
First, when an instruction to start reading is input from the operation unit 5 operated by the user (S111, Yes), the control device 4 places a document on the supply tray 10 based on detection by the paper feed detection sensor 13 (set). (S112). When it is determined that the document is on the supply tray 10 (S112, Yes), the control device 4 determines whether or not the count value n by the counter 34 exceeds a predetermined value 35 (S113).

  When the count value n does not exceed 35 (S113, No), the control device 4 drives the conveyance mechanism to convey the document on the supply tray 10 to the reading position R and perform a document reading operation (ADF reading). Execute (S114). Then, the counter 34 counts up the number of documents (adds 1 to the count value n) (S115). Since the document that has been read is discharged onto the discharge tray 20 by the transport mechanism, when the ADF reading ends, the document is on the discharge tray 20 (discharge detection sensor ON).

  Next, the control device 4 determines again whether or not the document is on the supply tray 10 based on the detection of the paper feed detection sensor 13 (S116). If it is determined that the document is not on the supply tray 10 (S116, No), it means that there is no document to be read on the supply tray 10, so that the control device 4 controls the transport mechanism (at least the suction roller 41 and the separation roller 43). ) Is not driven (ADF reading is not started), and the process proceeds to step S101.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the document is on the supply tray 10 (S116, Yes), the next document is on the supply tray 10, so the process returns to step S113, and the control device 4 counts the count value n by the counter 34. It is determined whether or not exceeds a predetermined value of 35.

  When the count value n exceeds 35 (S113, Yes), the control device 4 drives the transport mechanism when the next original is the duplex reading in which the next original is ejected in the stacking mode (S117, No). ADF reading is executed until the sheet disappears from the supply tray 10 (that is, steps S114 to S116 are repeated). On the other hand, the control device 4 does not drive the transport mechanism (at least the suction roller 41 and the separation roller 43) (ADF reading is performed) when the next original is a single-sided reading in which it is discharged in the submerged mode (S117, Yes). The process proceeds to step S101. At this time, a message or the like indicating that the number of documents that can be discharged on the discharge tray 20 has been exceeded may be displayed on the display unit 6.

  In the control device 4, for example, the user selects the double-sided reading or single-sided reading by operating the operation unit 5 to determine whether the reading is double-sided reading (stacking mode) or single-sided reading (striking mode). May be performed based on the data stored in the RAM of the control device 4. Further, a sensor for detecting the position of the flap 22 (upward or downward) may be provided, and the detection may be performed based on the detection of this sensor.

  If it is determined in step S112 that the document is not on the supply tray 10 (No in S112), it means that the document is not set on the supply tray 10, and the control device 4 scans the image sensor 2S. Then, the reading operation (FB reading) of the document placed on the platen glass 2G is executed (S118). When the FB reading ends, the control device 4 proceeds to step S101.

  In step S <b> 101, the control device 4 confirms whether or not a document is on the discharge tray 20 based on detection by the discharge detection sensor 23. If it is determined that the document is on the discharge tray 20 (S101, Yes), the control device 4 proceeds to step S111 and periodically reads the document on the discharge tray 20 until an instruction to start reading is input. It is confirmed whether or not there is (S111, No).

  If it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray 20 (S101, No), it means that the document has been removed from the discharge tray 20, and the control device 4 resets the count value n of the counter 34 (n = (S102). Thereafter, the control device 4 proceeds to step S111 and periodically checks whether or not the document is on the discharge tray 20 until a reading start instruction is input (S111, No).

  While the control device 4 repeats the processes of steps S111, S101, and S102, the document reading device 1 is in a standby state. The process in step S101 may be executed immediately after proceeding to step S101, or may be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed after proceeding to step S101.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.
When the count value n of the counter 34 exceeds a predetermined value, the conveyance mechanism (at least the suction roller 41 and the separation roller 43) is not driven in the case of single-sided reading in which the next original is discharged in the hidden mode. This is not started. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles and document jamming in the submerged mode in advance.

  In the case of double-sided reading in which the next document is discharged in the stacking mode when the count value n of the counter 34 exceeds a predetermined value, the conveyance mechanism is driven. For example, double-sided reading has been performed from the beginning. Sometimes the document can be conveyed (read) continuously. Even if the user forgets to remove the original on the discharge tray 20 and inputs an instruction to start reading, the original can be conveyed (read) in the case of double-sided reading. This saves you the trouble of removing the original from the top. Thereby, the document reading device 1 and the document conveying device 3 can be easily used by the user.

  Further, even in the case of single-sided reading, since the document can be conveyed (ADF reading) until the count value n exceeds a predetermined value, the user cares about the number of documents on the discharge tray 20. The device can be used without Thereby, the document reading device 1 and the document conveying device 3 can be easily used by the user.

  Since the control device 4 resets the count value n of the counter 34 when it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray 20, the user can save time and effort to reset the counter 34. it can. The user can use the document without worrying about the number of documents on the discharge tray 20. As a result, the document reading device 1 and the document transport device 3 can be made easier for the user.

  Since the actuator 26 of the paper discharge detection sensor 23 is disposed so that the contact portion 26B that contacts the document is exposed to the outside, the user can easily visually recognize and recognize the position of the paper discharge detection sensor 23 from the outside. be able to. Accordingly, since the user can easily confirm whether or not the document is at the position of the paper discharge detection sensor 23, it is possible to make the document reading device 1 and the document transport device 3 easier to use for the user. it can.

  Since the discharge detection sensor 23 is provided in the fixed tray 21 that is not displaced in the discharge tray 20 on the downstream side of the swing shaft 22A of the flap 22, the discharge detection sensor 23 is provided in the flap 22 that swings up and down. In comparison, the possibility of erroneous detection and failure can be reduced. As a result, the malfunction of the document conveying device 3 (document reading device 1) can be reduced, so that the document reading device 1 and the document conveying device 3 can be made easier for the user.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment. About a concrete structure, it can change suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the flap 22 and the cam 24 are shown as an example of the discharge switching means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the driving force is transmitted to the swing shaft 22A without providing the cam 24. Thus, the flap 22 that swings up and down may be used as the discharge switching means. In addition, the discharge mode can be switched by moving the position of the upstream end of the document placement surface of the discharge tray relative to the discharge roller up and down. For example, at least one of the pair of discharge rollers can be switched. A mechanism for moving the position where the pair of paper discharge rollers nip (the position of the paper discharge roller) up and down may be used as the discharge switching means.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the document reading control by the control device 4, when the next document is discharged in the submerged mode after the count value n exceeds a predetermined value (S117, Yes), the transport mechanism is driven. Without proceeding to step S101, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the modification shown in FIG. 7, after the count value n exceeds a predetermined value (S113, Yes), when the next document is single-sided and is discharged in the submerged mode (S127, Yes) temporarily stops the conveyance mechanism and stops the document reading operation (ADF reading) (S120), and then switches the discharge mode to the stacking mode (S121) and executes the ADF reading (S114). You may control to.

  In addition, after switching discharge mode to lamination | stacking mode in step S121, when returning to step S127 through steps S114-S116, S113, since it is a single-sided reading, it is not a hidden mode (S127, No), The control device 4 proceeds to step S114 and executes ADF reading.

  Here, in step S127, whether or not single-sided scanning is performed (whether or not single-sided scanning is selected) is determined when the user operates the operation unit 5 to select double-sided scanning or single-sided scanning. This can be done based on data stored in the RAM of the device 4. Further, the determination as to whether or not the mode is the submersion mode is made based on the data stored in the RAM of the control device 4 when the flap 22 is swung, the detection of the sensor that detects the position of the flap 22, and the like. be able to.

  In the configuration of the modification shown in FIG. 7, after the discharge mode is switched to the stacking mode, the page order of the documents discharged to the discharge tray 20 cannot be aligned, but the user is away from the document reading device 1. However, the reading operation can be continued. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a document has not been read while being away from the document reading device 1, so that the document reading device 1 and the document conveying device 3 can be easily used by the user. it can.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the operation unit 5 including a plurality of operation buttons is employed as a configuration for inputting an instruction to start reading (conveyance start) is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, A touch panel may be employed. In addition, the configuration for inputting an instruction to start reading (conveyance start) is not limited to that provided in the document reading apparatus 1 itself, and may be, for example, a personal computer or a remote controller provided outside the document reading apparatus 1. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the document conveying device 3 in which the discharge tray 20 is disposed above the supply tray 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a document conveying device in which the discharge tray is disposed below the supply tray.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration is shown in which the stacking mode is set at the time of double-sided reading, and the hidden mode is set at the time of single-sided reading. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the discharge tray is arranged below the supply tray, it is desirable that the stacking mode is set for single-sided reading and the sneak mode is set for double-sided reading. That is, the combination of the reading mode and the discharge mode can be appropriately set according to the positional relationship between the supply tray and the discharge tray. In addition to the reading mode, the user may arbitrarily switch the discharge mode.

  The configuration of each detection sensor shown in the above-described embodiment is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this, and widely known detection sensors can be used. Moreover, the configuration of each detection sensor may be different.

  The configurations of the transport mechanism and the reversing mechanism shown in the above-described embodiments are examples, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number and arrangement of each roller can be changed as appropriate. Further, the configuration (cross-sectional shape) of the conveyance path 31 and the reversing path 32 shown in the above-described embodiment is an example, and is appropriately changed depending on the positional relationship between the supply tray and the discharge tray, the shape and size of the document conveyance unit, and the like. be able to.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a document reading apparatus including a document conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a perspective view showing a configuration of a paper discharge detection sensor, and (b) is a diagram for explaining an operation of the paper discharge detection sensor. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a document conveying unit. (A) And (b) is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of double-sided reading. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of single-sided reading. 6 is a flowchart of document reading control by the control device. 10 is a flowchart of document reading control by a control device according to a modified example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Document conveying apparatus 4 Control apparatus 10 Supply tray 20 Discharge tray 21 Fixed tray 21A Document placement surface 22 Flap 22A Oscillation shaft 23 Paper discharge detection sensor 24 Cam 25 Optical sensor 26 Actuator 26A Oscillation shaft 26B Contact part 34 Counter 41 Suction roller 42 Suction nip piece 43 Separation roller 44 Separation nip piece 45 First conveyance roller 47 Second conveyance roller 49 Paper discharge roller M Original M1 Original M2 Original R Reading position

Claims (4)

A supply tray for placing documents;
An output tray to eject the document,
A transport mechanism for transporting a document from the supply tray to the discharge tray through a reading position;
A stacking mode in which the subsequent documents are stacked in order on the documents that have already been discharged to the discharge tray, and a subsequent document is discharged so that the subsequent documents are sequentially inserted under the documents that have already been discharged to the discharge tray. A discharge switching means for switching to the submersion mode;
A control device for controlling driving of the transport mechanism;
A counter that counts the number of documents conveyed from the supply tray to the discharge tray;
The control device, when the count value by the counter reaches a predetermined value set in a range that can be submerged,
When the next document is discharged in the stacking mode, the transport mechanism is driven,
An original conveying apparatus, wherein the conveying mechanism is not driven when the next original is discharged in the submerged mode. A paper discharge detection sensor for detecting a document discharged to the discharge tray;
2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device resets the count value of the counter when it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray based on the detection of the discharge detection sensor. Document transport device.   The discharge switching means constitutes a part of the discharge tray on the upstream side in the document discharge direction of the discharge tray, and swings up and down about the downstream side in the document discharge direction as a swing axis, thereby stacking mode The document conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising a flap for switching between the first mode and the submerged mode. The paper discharge detection sensor includes an actuator that swings when the document discharged to the discharge tray abuts, and a swing detection sensor that detects the swing of the actuator,
3. The actuator according to claim 2, wherein the actuator is disposed such that a swing shaft is disposed below a document placement surface of the discharge tray, and a contact portion that contacts the document is exposed to the outside. Document transport device.

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