JP5688929B2 - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that illuminates and reads a document, and an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

  This type of image reading apparatus reads an original and is used alone or mounted on a copying machine or the like. When used alone, an image of the read original is output to an external printer or the like, and when used in a copying machine, the read original image is copied by the copying machine.

  As such an image reading apparatus, for example, a pair of guide plates arranged vertically opposite to each other and a reading scanner are provided, and the original is guided by one of the guides by the reading scanner while conveying the original through each guide plate. There are those that are illuminated and read through a plate. At least one of the guide plates is made of translucent glass or the like. The reading scanner includes a light source that illuminates a document, an image sensor (such as a CCD) that photoelectrically converts reflected light from the document, and the like.

  Here, the image reading apparatus is premised on reading a plain paper original having a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.2 mm. For this reason, the original conveyance path is viewed from the side of the conveyance path. Often curved. Further, the gaps between the guide plates are narrowed so that the original is not bent or wavy, thereby preventing the reading scanner from being out of focus with respect to the original.

  However, when the conveyance path is curved or the gap between the guide plates is narrowed, a card such as a business card, credit card, or IC card cannot be passed, and the card cannot be read.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a central portion of a document guide surface through which a photograph passes is defined as a smooth surface, a feed roller (drive roller) is provided in the central portion, and respective ribs are provided on both sides of the document guide surface. . When the document passes through the document guide surface, the document is guided and pressed by the ribs on both sides of the document guide surface, so that the document is prevented from being bent or wavy, and the reading scanner is prevented from being out of focus with respect to the document. Further, when the photograph passes through the document guide surface, the photograph is conveyed by the feeding roller, and the photograph passes through avoiding the rib, and the rib is prevented from being damaged.

  However, when a feeding roller instead of a rib is provided at the center portion of the document guide surface as in Patent Document 1, the gap in the center portion through which the document or photograph passes is narrow, and even if the photograph passes, Thick business cards, credit cards, IC cards and other cards are difficult to pass.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-106077

  As described above, in the conventional image reading apparatus, it is assumed that a plain paper document having a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.2 mm is read, and each guide plate through which the conveyance path is curved or the document passes is provided. Since the gap is narrowed, a card such as a credit card or an IC card cannot be passed through, and it is difficult to read the card.

Further, in Patent Document 1, even if it is assumed that a photo that is thicker than plain paper is read, a feeding roller is provided in the central portion of the document guide surface, so a gap in the central portion through which the document or photo passes is provided. Therefore, even if a photograph passes, it is difficult to pass and read a card such as a thick business card, credit card, or IC card. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus suitable for reading not only paper originals but also cards such as business cards, credit cards, and IC cards, and an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveyance path that selectively conveys a document and a card, and the document that is disposed opposite to and sandwiching a part of the conveyance path , and An image reading apparatus comprising a pair of guide members for guiding a card and a reading unit for reading the original through at least one of the guide members, wherein the transport path is a straight line when viewed from the side of the transport path. The pair of guide members comprises a pair of one guide member and the other guide member, and a gap through which the document passes is provided between the one guide member and the other guide member. a first guide path H1, the document and the card and is provided with a second guide path of the gap through H2, the first guide path is includes a second guide path, said gap H1 is narrower than the gap H2, the one guide member is a rotatable roller, characterized in that the diameter of the roller is smaller in the second guide path from the first guide path.

In such an image reading apparatus of the present invention, since the conveyance path is formed in a straight line when viewed from the side of the conveyance path, not only plain paper originals but also thicker business cards, credit cards, IC cards, etc. Cards can be passed through the transport path. Between each guide member, a first guide path having a narrow gap through which the document passes and a second guide path having a wide gap through which the document and the card pass are provided. 2 Passes through the guide path, suppresses bending and undulation of the document with the first guide path with a narrow gap, and allows the reading unit to read the document while maintaining the focus of the reading unit with respect to the document, and widens the card It can be passed through the second guide path in the gap. Further, in this way, one of the guide members is a rotatable roller, and the diameter of the roller is increased in the first guide path and decreased in the second guide path, thereby narrowing the gap of the first guide path or the second guide. The gap between the paths can be widened.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a pair of conveyance paths that selectively convey a document and a card, and a pair of guides that guide and convey the document and the card that are opposed to each other across a part of the conveyance path. An image reading apparatus including a guide member and a reading unit that reads the document through at least one of the guide members, wherein the conveyance path is formed in a straight line when viewed from the side of the conveyance path. The pair of guide members includes a pair of one guide member and the other guide member, and a first guide path of a gap H1 through which the document passes between the one guide member and the other guide member. And a second guide path of a gap H2 through which the document and the card pass, the first guide path includes the second guide path, and the gap H1 is the gap H2. Remote narrow, includes a biasing unit for biasing the one guide member on the other guide member, and a regulating member for regulating and maintaining a gap between said the one of the guide member and the other guide member, A translucent plate is provided on the one guide member, and an original is read through the translucent plate by the reading unit, and the regulating member is an attachment member for attaching the translucent plate to the one guide member Characterized by the combined use.

Thereby, the clearance gap between each guide member can be set constant. In addition, the number of parts can be reduced.

  In the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the width of the second guide path is wider than the width of the card and narrower than the width of the original of the minimum size.

  Here, since the width of the card is narrower than the width of the minimum size document and only the card passes through the second guide path, the width of the second guide path is wider than the width of the card and the width of the minimum size document. Is also narrow. As a result, even if the document is the minimum size, the document passes through the first and second guide paths, and the bending and undulation of the document are suppressed by the first guide path having a narrow gap.

  Further, in the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the one guide member has a guide plate and a rotatable roller, the guide plate is disposed in the first and second guide paths, and the roller is It arrange | positions at the 1st guide path | route and the said guide plate is spaced apart from the said other guide member rather than the said roller.

  Thus, one guide member is constituted by a guide plate and a rotatable roller, the guide plate is disposed in the first and second guide paths, the roller is disposed in the first guide path, and the guide plate is moved from the roller. In addition, by separating from the other guide member, the gap of the first guide path can be narrowed or the gap of the second guide path can be widened.

Furthermore, in the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the one guide member has a guide plate and a rib, the guide plate is disposed in the first and second guide paths, and the rib is the first guide. It arrange | positions at the path | route and the said guide plate is spaced apart from the said other guide member rather than the said rib.

  Thus, one guide member is constituted by a guide plate and a rib, the guide plate is disposed in the first and second guide paths, the rib is disposed in the first guide path, and the guide plate is disposed on the other side of the rib. By separating from the guide member, the gap of the first guide path can be narrowed or the gap of the second guide path can be widened.

  In the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the curved conveyance path provided downstream of the guide members in the document conveyance direction and branched from the linear conveyance path, and the linear conveyance path and the A switching unit that switches between the curved conveyance path, and by switching the switching unit, the document is guided from the linear conveyance path to the curved conveyance path, and the card is conveyed only by the linear conveyance path. Conveying.

  In the configuration in which the curved conveyance path and the switching unit are provided in this way, a plain paper document is guided from the linear conveyance path to the curved conveyance path, or the card is conveyed only by the linear conveyance path. be able to. Further, since the size of the plain paper document is larger than the size of the card, it is necessary to sufficiently lengthen the transport path. However, even if the curved transport path is sufficiently long, the curved transport path is appropriately set. It is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the image reading apparatus by curving it to the right. If the linear conveyance path is sufficiently long, an increase in the size of the image reading apparatus cannot be avoided.

  On the other hand, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the image reading apparatus of the present invention. Such an image forming apparatus of the present invention also has the same effects as the image reading apparatus of the present invention.

  In the present invention, since the conveyance path is formed in a straight line when viewed from the side of the conveyance path, not only plain paper originals but also cards such as thicker business cards, credit cards, and IC cards are conveyed. Can be routed. Further, between each guide member, a first guide path having a narrow gap through which the document passes and a second guide path having a wide gap through which the document and the card pass are provided in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The original is passed through the first and second guide paths, and the original is read by the reading unit while maintaining the focus of the reading unit with respect to the original while suppressing the bending and undulation of the original by the first guide path having a narrow gap. And the card can be passed through the second guide path having a wide gap.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus to which a first embodiment of an image reading apparatus of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an image reading device mounted on an upper part of a main body of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the image reading device of FIG. 2. It is a perspective view which shows the reading part of the image reading apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a document guide plate and a periphery of a read guide plate in the image reading apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a document guide plate and a reading guide plate as viewed from the front. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a reading guide plate as viewed from above. It is a top view which shows the width | variety of a card | curd. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a document guide plate and a reading guide plate in a modification of the image reading device as viewed from the front. It is sectional drawing which shows the original document guide plate and reading guide plate in 2nd Embodiment of the image reading apparatus of this invention seeing from a front. It is sectional drawing which shows the original document guide plate and reading guide plate in 3rd Embodiment of the image reading apparatus of this invention seeing from a front.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an image forming apparatus to which the first embodiment of the image reading apparatus of the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 is a so-called multi-function machine having a scanner function, a copying function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like, and transmits an image of a document read by the image reading apparatus 2 to the outside (corresponding to a scanner function). The image of the read original or the image received from the outside is recorded and formed in color or single color on a recording sheet (corresponding to a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function).

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an optical scanning device 11, a developing device 12, a photosensitive drum 13, a drum cleaning device 14, a charger 15, an intermediate transfer belt device 16, a fixing device 17, and a paper for printing an image on a recording paper. A transport path S, a paper feed tray 18, a paper discharge tray 19, and the like are provided.

  The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 1 uses data corresponding to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), or a single color (for example, black). This is in accordance with the monochrome image. For this reason, four each of the developing device 12, the photosensitive drum 13, the drum cleaning device 14, and the charger 15 are provided so as to form four types of toner images corresponding to the respective colors, and black, cyan, Four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are configured in association with magenta and yellow.

  Each photosensitive drum 13 has a photosensitive layer on the surface thereof. Each charger 15 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of each photosensitive drum 13 to a predetermined potential. In addition to a contact-type roller-type or brush-type charger, a charger-type charger. Is used.

  The optical scanning device 11 is a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser diode and a reflection mirror, and exposes the surface of each charged photosensitive drum 13 according to image data and corresponds to the image data on those surfaces. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  Each developing device 12 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 13 with toner of each color, and forms a toner image on the surface of these photosensitive drums 13. Each drum cleaning device 14 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of each photosensitive drum 13 after development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt device 16 is disposed above each photosensitive drum 13 and includes an intermediate transfer belt 21, an intermediate transfer belt driving roller 22, a driven roller 23, four intermediate transfer rollers 24, and a belt cleaning device 25. ing.

  The intermediate transfer belt 21 is formed by forming a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm into an endless belt shape. The intermediate transfer belt drive roller 22, the driven roller 23, each intermediate transfer roller 24, and the like stretch and support the intermediate transfer belt 21, and rotate the intermediate transfer belt 21 in the direction of arrow C.

  Each intermediate transfer roller 24 is rotatably supported in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 21 and is pressed against the respective photosensitive drums 13 via the intermediate transfer belt 21.

  The toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 13 are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21 so as to form color toner images (each color toner image) on the intermediate transfer belt 21. Transfer of the toner image from each photosensitive drum 13 to the intermediate transfer belt 21 is performed by each intermediate transfer roller 24 that is in pressure contact with the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21. Each intermediate transfer roller 24 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). Each intermediate transfer roller 24 is applied with a high-voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) in order to transfer the toner image. A high voltage is uniformly applied to the recording paper by the material.

  In this way, the toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 13 are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to become a color toner image indicated by the image data. This color toner image is conveyed together with the intermediate transfer belt 21 and transferred onto a recording sheet in a nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the transfer roller 26a of the secondary transfer device 26.

  The transfer roller 26a of the secondary transfer device 26 has a voltage (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (-)) for transferring the toner image of each color on the intermediate transfer belt 21 onto a recording sheet. Is applied. Further, in order to constantly obtain a nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the transfer roller 26a of the secondary transfer device 26, either the transfer roller 26a or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 22 is made of a hard material (metal or the like). The other is made of a soft material such as an elastic roller (such as an elastic rubber roller or a foaming resin roller).

  In addition, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 may not be completely transferred onto the recording paper by the secondary transfer device 26, and the toner may remain on the intermediate transfer belt 21. Causes color mixing. For this reason, the residual toner is removed and collected by the belt cleaning device 25. The belt cleaning device 25 is provided with, for example, a cleaning blade as a cleaning member that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 21 and removes residual toner. Is supported.

  The recording sheet is conveyed to the fixing device 17 after the color toner image is transferred in the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the transfer roller 26 a of the secondary transfer device 26. The fixing device 17 includes a heating roller 31, a pressure roller 32, and the like, and sandwiches and conveys a recording sheet between the heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32.

  The heating roller 31 is controlled so as to have a predetermined fixing temperature based on a detection output of a temperature detector (not shown), and the color transferred to the recording paper by thermocompression bonding the recording paper together with the pressure roller 32. The toner image is melted, mixed, and pressed, and thermally fixed to the recording paper.

  On the other hand, the paper feed tray 18 is a tray for storing recording paper, and is provided below the image forming apparatus 1 to supply the recording paper in the tray. The manual feed tray 7 is a tray on which recording paper is placed, and is provided on the side wall of the image forming apparatus 1 to supply the recording paper in the tray.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, an S-shaped sheet for feeding a recording sheet supplied from the paper feed tray 18 or the manual feed tray 7 to the sheet discharge tray 19 via the secondary transfer device 26 or the fixing device 17. A conveyance path S is provided. A sheet registration roller 34, a fixing device 17, a transport roller 35, a paper discharge roller 36, and the like are arranged along the paper transport path S.

  A paper pick-up roller 33 is provided at the end of the paper feed tray 18, and the recording paper is pulled out from the paper feed tray 18 one by one by the paper pick-up roller 33 and transported to the paper transport path S. A pickup roller 8 is provided at the end of the manual feed tray 7, and the recording paper is pulled out from the manual feed tray 7 one by one by the pickup roller 8 and sent out to the paper transport path S.

  The conveyance roller 35 is a small roller for promoting and assisting conveyance of the recording paper, and a plurality of sets are provided.

  The paper registration roller 34 temporarily stops the recording paper that has been conveyed, aligns the leading edge of the recording paper, and is placed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 in the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the transfer roller 26a of the secondary transfer device 26. In order to transfer the color toner image onto the recording sheet, the recording sheet is conveyed in a timely manner in accordance with the rotation of each photosensitive drum 13 and the intermediate transfer belt 21.

  Further, the recording paper is fixed with a color toner image by the fixing device 17, passes through the fixing device 17, and is then discharged face down on the paper discharge tray 19 by the paper discharge roller 36.

  In addition, when printing not only on the front side of the recording paper but also on the back side, the recording paper is stopped by rotating the paper discharge roller 36 while the recording paper is being conveyed by the paper discharge roller 36 in the paper conveyance path S, and recording is performed. The paper is passed through the reverse path Sr, the front and back sides of the recording paper are reversed, the recording paper is guided to the paper registration roller 34, and the image is recorded and fixed on the back surface of the recording paper in the same manner as the front surface of the recording paper. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 19.

  Next, the image reading device 2 mounted on the upper part of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. 2 and 3 are a perspective view showing the image reading device 2 and a cross-sectional view showing the image reading device 2 as seen from the side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the reading unit 41 of the image reading device 2.

  The image reading apparatus 2 includes a lower reading unit 41 and an upper document conveying unit 42. The upper document transport unit 42 is pivotally supported on the inner side of the lower reading unit 41 by a hinge (not shown) and is opened and closed by moving the front portion up and down. When the document transport unit 42 is opened, the document placement plate 43 and the document guide plate 44 of the reading unit 41 are opened as shown in FIG. Both the document placing plate 43 and the document guide plate 44 are made of a glass plate having translucency. An original is placed on the original placement plate 43, and the original is conveyed on the original guide plate 44 and passes therethrough.

  The reading unit 41 includes a document placing plate 43, a document guide plate 44, a first reading scanner 45, and the like. The first reading scanner 45 includes a light source 46, an imaging lens 47, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 48, first to fourth reflection mirrors 51 to 54, etc., and a document placement plate 43 and a document guide plate. 44, the original placed on the original placement plate 43 is read (first reading mode), and the original passing through the original guide plate 44 is read (second reading mode). ).

  In the first reading mode, the first reading scanner 45 is moved below the document placing plate 43, the document conveying unit 42 is opened, the document is placed on the document placing plate 43, and the document conveying unit 42 is closed. . Then, while moving the first reading scanner 45 in the sub-scanning direction Y by a distance corresponding to the document size at a constant speed, the document on the document placement plate 43 is illuminated by the light source 46, and the reflected light is first to first. The light is sequentially reflected by the four reflecting mirrors 51 to 54 and guided to the imaging lens 47. The imaging lens 47 condenses the reflected light from the document on the CCD 48 and forms an image on the surface of the document on the CCD 48. The CCD 48 repeatedly scans the image on the document surface in the main scanning direction X, and outputs an analog image signal of one main scanning line each time.

  In the second reading mode, the first reading scanner 45 is moved and positioned below the document guide plate 44, and the document is transported on the document guide plate 44 in the sub-scanning direction Y by the document transport unit 42. When the document passes over the document guide plate 44, the light source 46 of the first reading scanner 45 illuminates the document surface via the document guide plate 44, and the reflected light from the document surface is reflected by the first reading scanner 45. Reflected sequentially by the fourth reflecting mirrors 51 to 54 and led to the imaging lens 47, the reflected light from the document surface is condensed on the CCD 48 by the imaging lens 47, and an image of the document surface is formed on the CCD 48. The image on the document surface is repeatedly scanned in the main scanning direction X by the CCD 48 to read the image on the document surface.

  In addition, an image on the back side of the document can be read by a second reading scanner 55 built in the document conveying unit 42. The second reading scanner 55 is disposed above the document guide 44 and, like the first reading scanner 45, the light source 46, the imaging lens 47, the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 48, and the first to fourth. Reflecting mirrors 51 to 54 are provided. When the original is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Y by the original conveying section 42 and passes between the original guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 (at least a part of which is made of a translucent glass plate or the like), the second The back side of the document is illuminated by the light source 46 of the reading scanner 55 via the reading guide plate 56, and the reflected light is sequentially reflected by the first to fourth reflecting mirrors 51 to 54 and guided to the imaging lens 47. The imaging lens 47 condenses the reflected light from the back side of the document on the CCD 48, forms an image on the back side of the document on the CCD 48, and the CCD 48 repeatedly scans the image on the back side of the document in the main scanning direction X. Read the back image.

  Furthermore, it is possible to simultaneously read the front and back of the document passing over the document guide plate 44 by the first and second reading scanners 45 and 55.

  The original image read by the CCD 48 of the first and second reading scanners 45 and 55 is output from the CCD 48 as an analog image signal, and the analog image signal is A / D converted into a digital image signal. The digital image signal (image data) is subjected to various image processing and then sent to and received by the optical scanning device 11 of the image forming apparatus 1, and the image forming apparatus 1 records an image on a recording sheet. The paper is output as a copy original.

  On the other hand, the document conveying unit 42 includes a bottom plate 61 that holds down the document on the document placing plate 43 when the document conveying unit 42 is closed, a bottom plate 61, and a document tray 62 disposed above the document placing plate 43, A straight conveyance path 63 from the document tray 62 via the document guide plate 44, a curved conveyance path 64 that is branched from the middle of the straight conveyance path 63 and curved upward, and a first side provided on the end side of the curved conveyance path 64. A document discharge tray 65, a second document discharge tray 66 provided on the end side of the straight conveyance path 63, and the like are provided.

  The document tray 62 includes a fixed tray 62 a and an elevating tray 62 b, and is inclined so as to become lower as it approaches the straight conveyance path 63. The document is placed on the fixed tray 62a or the lifting tray 62b, and the leading end side is placed on the lifting tray 62b. The elevating tray 62b incorporates an elevating mechanism (not shown), and is normally lowered. When the document is placed, the elevating tray 62b is raised until the leading edge of the document comes into contact with the pickup roller 67.

  The straight conveyance path 63 extends linearly when the straight conveyance path 63 is viewed from the side. In the straight conveyance path 63, a pickup roller 67 is disposed at the start end thereof, a discharge roller 68 is disposed at the end thereof, and a plurality of conveyance rollers 69 and registration rollers 71 are disposed in the middle thereof.

  Further, the curved conveyance path 64 is curved upward from a branch point with the straight conveyance path 63 and reaches the first document discharge tray 65. In the curved conveyance path 64, a discharge roller 72 is disposed at the end thereof, and a conveyance roller 69 is disposed in the middle thereof.

  Further, a switching claw 73 is disposed at a branch point between the straight conveyance path 63 and the curved conveyance path 64.

When the second reading mode is set and a plain paper document having a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.2 mm is read, the switching claw 73 is rotated clockwise around its axis 73a as shown by the solid line for positioning. Is done. In this state, when the document is placed on the document tray 62, the elevating tray 62 b is raised until the leading edge of the document comes into contact with the pickup roller 67, the pickup roller 67 rotates, and the document is placed on the document tray 62 by the pickup roller 67. It is pulled out from and fed into the straight conveyance path 63. In the straight conveyance path 63, the document is conveyed by the conveyance roller 69, the leading edge of the document is abutted against the registration roller 71, and the document is moved between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 by the registration roller 71. The document is further transported to the curved transport path 64 by the switching claw 73, and the document is transported to the first document discharge tray 65 via the transport roller 69 and the discharge roller 72 and discharged. Then, the front side or the back side of the original is read by the first reading scanner 45 or the second reading scanner 55 during the conveyance of the original.

  When a card such as a business card, credit card, or IC card (thickness of about 1.4 to 1.5 mm) is read, the switching claw 73 is rotated counterclockwise around its axis 73a as indicated by a dotted line. Is positioned. When the card is placed on the document tray 62 in this state, the elevating tray 62b is raised until the front end of the card comes into contact with the pickup roller 67, and the card is pulled out from the document tray 62 by the pickup roller 67, and the straight conveyance path 63. It is sent to. In the straight conveyance path 63, the card is conveyed by the conveyance roller 69, the leading end of the card is abutted against the registration roller 71, and the card is moved between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 by the registration roller 71. Then, the sheet is further conveyed to the second document discharge tray 66 via the switching claw 73 and the discharge roller 68 and discharged. Then, the front side or the back side of the card is read by the first reading scanner 45 or the second reading scanner 55 during the conveyance of the card.

  Since the straight transport path 63 is substantially straight, the card can be transported promptly without causing a jam or the like.

  In such a document transport section 42, the document on the document placement plate 43 and the document guide plate 44 is read by the first reading scanner 45, so that the height on the document placement plate 43 by the first reading scanner 45 is high. The document reading position in the vertical direction is matched with the document reading position in the height direction on the document guide plate 44 so that the first reading scanner 45 is in focus at any document reading position. The document tray 62 is positioned higher than the document placement plate 43. The straight conveyance path 63 of the document conveyance unit 42 extends linearly from the document tray 62 positioned higher than the document placement plate 43 to the document guide plate 44 having the same height as the document placement plate 43. Accordingly, the straight conveyance path 63 is inclined so as to be lower on the document guide plate 44 side.

  Therefore, the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 that form a part of the straight conveyance path 63 are also inclined. Specifically, with reference to the upper surface of the document placement plate 43 that directly overlaps the surface of the document, the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 are inclined with respect to the upper surface of the document placement plate 43.

  By the way, as described above, any of plain paper originals (thickness of about 0.1 to 0.2 mm) and cards such as business cards, credit cards, IC cards (thickness of about 1.4 to 1.5 mm). Even so, the document tray 62 to the switching claw 73 pass through the straight conveyance path 63 and pass between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56.

  However, if the gap between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 is too wide, the document may be bent or wavy between the guide plates 44 and 56, and the first and second portions of the document will be described. The reading scanners 45 and 55 are out of focus. If the gap between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 is too narrow, it is difficult for the card to pass between the guide plates 44 and 56, and jamming is likely to occur.

  Therefore, in the image reading apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, a first guide path having a narrow gap through which the document passes and a second guide having a wide gap through which the document and the card pass are between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56. Route.

  Next, the first and second guide paths provided between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 will be described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 as viewed from the side. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 as viewed from the front. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the reading guide plate 56 as viewed from above.

  The document guide plate 44 is composed of, for example, a light-transmitting glass plate as a whole, and the document or card can be read by the first reading scanner 45 via the document guide plate 44. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the reading guide plate 56 includes a glass plate 81 having translucency fitted in a long opening 56 a along the main scanning direction X, and a glass plate by the second reading scanner 55. A document or a card can be read through 81.

  As shown in FIG. 6, spacers 82 are arranged between both ends of the document guide plate 44 and both ends of the reading guide plate 56, the document guide plate 44 is fixed, and both ends of the reading guide plate 56 are Each spacer 83 is biased downward by each spring 83 so that each spacer 82 is sandwiched between both ends of the document guide plate 44 and both ends of the reading guide plate 56, and each spacer 82 holds between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56. The gap H2 is set and maintained.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the reading guide plate 56 has four rectangular openings 56 b, and the four rollers 84 pass from the upper side of the reading guide plate 56 through the respective rectangular openings 56 b. Projecting downward. A common shaft 85 is passed through each roller 84, and this shaft 85 is gripped by four pairs of gripping claws 86 disposed on the upper side of the reading guide plate 56, thereby supporting each roller 84. Each of the rollers 84 is freely rotatable. In addition, a gap H1 narrower than the gap H2 is set between the document guide plate 44 and each roller 84.

  Here, in the central region sandwiched between the two inner rollers 84, none of the rollers 84 exists, and a second guide path 88 having a gap H2 between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 is set. Yes.

  Further, a first guide path 87 is set in an area sandwiched between the spacers 82. The first guide path 87 includes a second guide path 88 and has a narrow gap H1 between the document guide plate 44 and each roller 84 and a wide gap H2 between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56. Since the thickness of the document passing through the first guide path 87 is limited by the narrow gap H1, the gap H1 is regarded as an effective gap of the first guide path 87.

  The second guide path 88 is for passing a business card, a credit card, an IC card or the like, and is wider than the width of the card and smaller than the width of the minimum size document handled by the image reading device 2. Is also narrowed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the width of the card C is about 54 mm. Further, if the minimum size original is A5 of the industry standard, its width is 148 mm. Therefore, the width J2 of the second guide path 88 is set to 55 mm (54 mm + 1 mm) which is wider than the width of the card and narrower than the width of the minimum size document. Further, the gap H2 of the second guide path 88 is set wider than the thickness of the card. For example, the thickness of the card is about 1.4 to 1.5 mm at the maximum when embossing such as a credit card is taken into consideration. For this reason, the gap H2 of the second guide path 88 is set to 1.6 mm.

  When the second reading mode is set and a card such as a business card, a credit card, or an IC card is read, the switching claw 73 is rotated and positioned counterclockwise around its axis 73a as shown by a dotted line (see FIG. 3). In this state, the card is placed at the center position of the document tray 62. The card is pulled out from the document tray 62 and sent to the straight conveyance path 63, and conveyed to a second guide path 88 (central area) between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56. Since the width J2 of the second guide path 88 is wider than the width of the card and the gap H2 of the second guide path 88 is wider than the thickness of the card, the card quickly passes through the second guide path 88, and the first or second The front or back surface of the card is read by the two reading scanners 45 and 55, and the card is conveyed to the second document discharge tray 66 via the discharge roller 68 and discharged.

  On the other hand, the width J1 of the first guide path 87 corresponds to the distance between the spacers 82, and is set according to the width of the maximum size document handled by the image reading apparatus 2. For example, if the maximum size is A3 of the industry standard, the width is 297 mm. For this reason, the width J1 of the first guide path 87 is made several millimeters wider than the width of the maximum size document. Further, the gap H1 of the first guide path 87 is slightly wider than the thickness of the plain paper document. For example, the thickness of a plain paper document is about 0.1 to 0.2 mm. For this reason, the gap H1 of the first guide path 87 is set to about 0.4 mm. As a result, the plain paper document quickly passes through the first guide path 87, and the bending and undulation of the document between the document guide plate 44 and each roller 84 is effectively suppressed.

When reading a plain paper document, the switching claw 73 is rotated and positioned clockwise about its axis 73a as shown by a solid line (see FIG. 3). In this state, the document is placed at the center position of the document tray 62. The document is pulled out from the document tray 62 and sent to the straight conveyance path 63, and conveyed to the first and second guide paths 87 and 88 between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56. Since the gap H2 of the second guide path 88 is sufficiently wide, the central portion of the document easily passes through the second guide path 88. Further, since the width J2 of the second guide path 88 is narrower than the width of the minimum size document, both side portions of the document pass through the narrow gap H1 of the first guide path 87. Further, since the gap H1 of the first guide path 87 is slightly wider than the thickness of the plain paper document, both side portions of the document pass through the gap H1 of the first guide path 87, and this gap H1. The bending and the undulation are suppressed, and further, the bending and the undulation of the entire document are suppressed. As a result, the front and back surfaces of the document are read while maintaining the focus of the first and second reading scanners 45 and 55 with respect to the document, and the document is transported to the curved transport path 64 via the switching claw 73. It is conveyed to the first document discharge tray 65 via the conveyance roller 69 and the discharge roller 72 and discharged.

  As described above, in the image reading apparatus 2 of this embodiment, the card passes through the straight conveyance path 63 and passes through the second guide path 88 between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56. For this reason, a jam or the like does not occur. Further, the document passes through first and second guide paths 87 and 88 between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56, and the bending and undulation of the document are suppressed by the first guide path 87. Therefore, the front surface or the back surface of the document is read while maintaining the focus of the first and second reading scanners 45 and 55 with respect to the document.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the document guide plate and the periphery of the read guide plate in a modification of the image reading device 2. In this modification, the glass plate 81 fitted in the opening 56a of the reading guide plate 56 is fixed by the fixing claws 89 protruding from the back side of the reading guide plate 56, and the lower end of each fixing claw 89 is fixed to the document guide plate. 44 is also used as a spacer for setting and maintaining a gap H2 between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide a spacer and the number of parts can be reduced.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 in the second embodiment of the image reading apparatus of the present invention when viewed from the front.

  In the present embodiment, three rectangular openings 56b and 56c are formed in the reading guide plate 56, and the three rollers 84 and 91 are moved downward from the upper side of the reading guide plate 56 through the respective rectangular openings 56b and 56c. It protrudes to the side. A common shaft 92 is passed through each of the rollers 84, 91, and this shaft 92 is gripped by four pairs of gripping claws 86 disposed on the upper side of the reading guide plate 56, so that each of the rollers 84, 91 is It is supported. Each of the rollers 84 and 91 is freely rotatable.

  The central roller 91 is obtained by integrally fixing a large-diameter roller 91b on both sides of a small-diameter roller 91a. The small-diameter roller 91a and each large-diameter roller 91b have a common axis centered on the shaft 92 and rotate together. Each roller 84 on both sides is the same as that shown in FIGS.

  Since the central roller 91 is disposed in the rectangular opening 56c, it is longer in the main scanning direction X than the rectangular openings 56b on both sides.

  As in FIG. 7, the reading guide plate 56 is provided with a long opening 56a, and a glass plate 81 is fitted and fixed in the opening 56a. Each spacer 82 is sandwiched between both ends of the document guide plate 44 and both ends of the reading guide plate 56, and the gap between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 is kept constant by each spacer 82.

  Here, the diameter of the small-diameter roller 91a of the central roller 91 is smaller than the diameter of each large-diameter roller 91b and each roller 84, and the small-diameter roller 91a is further away from the document guide plate 44 than each large-diameter roller 91b and each roller 84. A wide gap H2 is formed between the small-diameter roller 91a and the document guide plate 44, and a second guide path 88 having this gap H2 is set.

  The width J2 of the second guide path 88 is substantially the same as the width of the small-diameter roller 91a, and is wider than the width of the card and narrower than the width of the minimum size document handled by the image reading device 2. Further, the gap H2 of the second guide path 88 is made wider than the thickness of the card.

  Each large-diameter roller 91b of the central roller 91 has the same diameter as each roller 84 on both sides, and a narrow gap H1 is set between each large-diameter roller 91b and each roller 84 and the document guide plate 44. Yes.

  The first guide path 87 is a region sandwiched between the spacers 82, has a width J1 corresponding to the separation distance between the spacers 82, and includes the second guide path 88. The first guide path 87 has a narrow gap H1 between each large diameter roller 91b and each roller 84 and the document guide plate 44 and a wide gap H2 between the small diameter roller 91a and the document guide plate 44. Since the thickness of the document passing through 87 is limited by the narrow gap H1, the gap H1 is regarded as an effective gap in the first guide path 87.

  In such a configuration, the card passes through the straight conveyance path 63 and passes through the second guide path 88 between the small diameter roller 91 a and the document guide plate 44. For this reason, a jam or the like does not occur. Further, the document passes through first and second guide paths 87 and 88 between the rollers 84, 91 a and 91 b and the document guide plate 44, and the bending and undulation of the document are suppressed in the first guide path 87. Therefore, the front surface or the back surface of the document is read while maintaining the focus of the first and second reading scanners 45 and 55 with respect to the document.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 in the third embodiment of the image reading apparatus of the present invention as viewed from the front.

  In the present embodiment, the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 are arranged to face each other, and a plurality of ribs 93 are formed on the lower surface of the reading guide plate 56.

  As in FIG. 7, the reading guide plate 56 is provided with a long opening 56a, and a glass plate 81 is fitted and fixed in the opening 56a. Each spacer 82 is sandwiched between both ends of the document guide plate 44 and both ends of the reading guide plate 56, and the gap between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56 is kept constant by each spacer 82.

  Here, the rib 93 does not exist in the central region of the lower surface of the reading guide plate 56, and a wide gap H2 is formed between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56, and the second guide path 88 having this gap H2. Is set.

  The width J2 of the second guide path 88 is wider than the width of the card and narrower than the width of the minimum size document handled by the image reading device 2. Further, the gap H2 of the second guide path 88 is made wider than the thickness of the card.

  Further, four ribs 93 are formed on both sides of the lower surface of the reading guide plate 56. Each rib 93 is closer to the document guide plate 44 than the reading guide plate 56, and each rib 93 and the document guide plate are arranged. A narrow gap H <b> 1 is set between 44.

  The first guide path 87 has a width J1 corresponding to the separation distance between the spacers 82 and includes the second guide path 88. The first guide path 87 has a narrow gap H 1 between each rib 93 and the document guide plate 44 and a wide gap H 2 between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56. Is considered as an effective gap.

  In such a configuration, the card passes through the straight conveyance path 63 and passes through the second guide path 88 between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56. For this reason, a jam or the like does not occur. Further, the document passes through the first guide path 87 between the document guide plate 44 and each rib 93 and the second guide path 88 between the document guide plate 44 and the reading guide plate 56, and the document is bent along the first guide path 87. And ripples are suppressed. Therefore, the front surface or the back surface of the document is read while maintaining the focus of the first and second reading scanners 45 and 55 with respect to the document.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment and modification of this invention were described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image reading device 11 Optical scanning device 12 Developing device 13 Photosensitive drum 14 Drum cleaning device 15 Charger 16 Intermediate transfer belt device 17 Fixing device 18 Paper feed tray 19 Paper discharge tray 41 Reading unit 42 Document conveying unit 44 Document guide plate 56 Reading guide plate 81 Glass plate 82 Spacer 83 Spring 84, 91 Roller 85, 92 Shaft 86 Holding claw 87 First guide path 88 Second guide path 93 Rib

Claims (7)

A conveying path that selectively conveys a document and a card; a pair of guide members that are opposed to each other across a portion of the conveying path and that guide the conveyed document and card; and at least each of the guide members An image reading apparatus including a reading unit for reading the original through one side,
The transport path is formed in a straight line when viewed from the side of the transport path,
The pair of guide members comprises a pair of one guide member and the other guide member,
Between the one guide member and the other guide member, a first guide path of a gap H1 through which the original passes and a second guide path of a gap H2 through which the original and the card pass are provided. ,
The first guide path includes the second guide path, and the gap H1 is narrower than the gap H2.
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one guide member is a rotatable roller, and the diameter of the roller is smaller in the second guide path than in the first guide path . A conveying path that selectively conveys a document and a card; a pair of guide members that are opposed to each other across a portion of the conveying path and that guide the conveyed document and card; and at least each of the guide members An image reading apparatus including a reading unit for reading the original through one side,
The transport path is formed in a straight line when viewed from the side of the transport path,
The pair of guide members comprises a pair of one guide member and the other guide member,
Between the one guide member and the other guide member, a first guide path of a gap H1 through which the original passes and a second guide path of a gap H2 through which the original and the card pass are provided. ,
The first guide path includes the second guide path, and the gap H1 is narrower than the gap H2.
A biasing unit for biasing the one guide member on the other guide member,
A regulating member for regulating and maintaining a gap between the one guide member and the other guide member;
A light transmitting plate is provided on the one guide member, and the original is read through the light transmitting plate by the reading unit,
2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is also used as an attachment member for attaching the translucent plate to the one guide member. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of the second guide path is wider than a width of the card and narrower than a width of the original having a minimum size. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2 ,
The one guide member has a guide plate and a rotatable roller,
The guide plate is disposed in the first and second guide paths, the roller is disposed in the first guide path, and the guide plate is further away from the other guide member than the roller. Image reading device. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2 ,
The one guide member has a guide plate and a rib,
The guide plate is disposed in the first and second guide paths, the rib is disposed in the first guide path, and the guide plate is further away from the other guide member than the rib. Image reading device. An image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A curved conveyance path provided downstream of the guide members in the conveyance direction of the document and branched from the linear conveyance path; and a switching unit that switches between the linear conveyance path and the curved conveyance path;
An image reading apparatus characterized in that, by switching of the switching unit, the document is guided and conveyed from the linear conveyance path to the curved conveyance path, and the card is conveyed only by the linear conveyance path. An image forming apparatus including an image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6.

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