JP6038599B2 - Sheet conveying apparatus and sheet information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus and a sheet information processing apparatus including the sheet conveying apparatus.

  An image reading apparatus such as an image forming apparatus or a scanner represented by a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine having these functions generally has one sheet from a sheet bundle formed by stacking a plurality of sheets. It includes a paper feed mechanism that picks up and conveys them to the image forming unit.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a paper feeding device provided with a pick pad that presses a sheet bundle against a pick roller in order to provide a separation pad for preventing double feeding and improve sheet feeding reliability. .

JP 2000-143001 A

  Separation parts such as separation pads are consumables that wear in proportion to the transport quantity, and need to be replaced according to the frequency of use. However, since the pick arm is positioned in front of the separation unit, it may interfere with the replacement operation of the separation unit. If it is necessary to disassemble the entire configuration around the separation unit and replace the separation unit, time and labor associated with the replacement operation of the separation unit will be greatly increased.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the easiness of replacement of the separation unit.

According to the present invention, for example, a pick roller that sequentially takes in sheets on one side of a sheet bundle on a feeding tray, and a pick that presses the sheet bundle against the pick roller from the other side of the sheet bundle. An arm, and a separating unit that is disposed downstream of the pressing portion of the pick arm in the sheet take-in direction and includes a separating unit that separates the sheet bundle into one sheet, and the separating unit includes the separating unit The pick arm is provided so as to be detachable from the position, and the pick arm presses the sheet bundle and covers the separation portion, a retreat position that retreats from the position and allows insertion of the sheet bundle, and the retreat a position in a state of opening the separation unit further retracted from the position, Ri movable der between, the separation unit in a state where the pick arm is opened the separation unit, before Provided from the separation means removably sheet transport apparatus is provided, characterized in that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the ease of replacement of the separation unit.

1 is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of the image reading apparatus in FIG. 1, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing another example. The bottom view of an upper unit. The perspective view of the mechanism around a pick arm and a separation unit. FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a mechanism around a pick arm and a separation unit. (A) is a perspective view of the assembly | attachment state of a holding | maintenance part and a isolation | separation part, (B) is a perspective view of the isolation | separation state of a retention | holding part and a isolation | separation part. The perspective view of the mechanism around a pick arm. The disassembled perspective view of the mechanism around a pick arm. (A) And (B) is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a pick arm. (A) And (B) is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a separation unit and a pick arm. Explanatory drawing of the other operation | movement aspect of a separation unit and a pick arm. Explanatory drawing of the other operation | movement aspect of a separation unit and a pick arm. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit of the image reading apparatus in FIG. 1. 14 is a flowchart of processing executed by the control unit of FIG. 13 and the operation of the corresponding mechanism. The perspective view of the mechanism of another example around a pick arm.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus A to which a sheet conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, the image reading apparatus A is exemplified, but the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention is a sheet information processing apparatus that includes an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer, the above-described image reading apparatus, etc. alone or in combination. It is also applicable to.

  The image reading apparatus A includes end units 3 and 4 in addition to a lower unit 1 serving as a first unit and an upper unit 2 serving as a second unit. The lower unit 1 is connected to a feeding tray 5 on which a bundle of sheets S such as paper that is a read document is placed or stacked. The sheets S are sequentially taken one by one in the direction of the arrow d1 and read by the image reading apparatus A, and the read sheet A is discharged from the back of the image reading apparatus A in the direction of the arrow d2.

  The end units 3 and 4 are fixed to the lower unit 1, and the upper unit 2 is supported by the end units 3 and 4 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow d3. By rotating in the direction of arrow d3, the upper unit 2 can be opened and closed with respect to the lower unit 1, and FIG. 1 shows a closed state. By opening the upper unit 2, paper jams can be eliminated and maintenance of the configuration on the upper surface side of the lower unit 1 and the configuration on the lower surface side of the upper unit 2 can be facilitated. The end unit 3 includes a drive unit 10 for driving a pair of conveyance rollers 6 and 7 and a pick roller 8 described later. The drive unit 10 includes, for example, a drive source (here, a motor) and a transmission mechanism such as a gear mechanism that transmits a driving force from the drive source to the roller.

  FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image reading apparatus A. In the case of the present embodiment, the placement surface (upper surface) of the feeding tray 5 on which the sheet S is placed has a horizontal surface, and the conveyance path RT extending in the horizontal direction from the feeding tray 5 has the lower unit 1 and the upper portion. It is formed between the unit 2. In the following description, the upstream side and the downstream side are based on the conveying direction or the taking-in direction of the sheet S.

  In the present embodiment, the placement surface of the feeding tray 5 and the conveyance path RT are set in the horizontal direction, but as shown in the image reading apparatus A ′ in FIG. . In FIG. 2B, among the components of the image reading device A ′, the components corresponding to the image reading device A are denoted by the same reference numerals. That is, a conveyance path extending in the horizontal direction from the feeding tray may be provided, or the feeding tray may be provided with an inclined conveyance path that is inclined and extends from the feeding tray.

  Returning to FIG. 2A, a sheet detection sensor 11 is provided at the entrance of the conveyance path RT to detect the presence or absence of the sheet S. The sheet detection sensor 11 is, for example, an optical sensor or a mechanical switch. A pick roller 8 is provided in the lower unit 1 on the downstream side of the sheet detection sensor 11. The pick roller 8 is a roller for sequentially taking the sheet S on one side (the lower side in the present embodiment) of the bundle of sheets S on the feeding tray 5 into the apparatus, and is driven to rotate by the driving force of the driving unit 10. Is done.

  A pick arm 13 is provided in the upper unit 2 so as to face the pick roller 8. The pick arm 13 presses the bundle of sheets S against the pick roller 8 from the other surface side (the upper side in the present embodiment) of the bundle of sheets S. As in the present embodiment, in the configuration in which the placement surface of the feeding tray 5 and the conveyance path RT are in the horizontal direction, more reliable feeding is possible by pressing the bundle of sheets S with the pick arm 13. Become.

  The separation unit 151 is disposed in the upper unit 2 at a position facing the pick roller 8 on the downstream side of the pressing position of the pick arm 13. The separation unit 151 is a part that separates a bundle of sheets S into one sheet S, and prevents the sheets S from being double-fed.

  The conveyance roller pair 6 conveys the sheet S conveyed from the pick roller 8 to the downstream side. The conveyance roller pair 6 includes a driving roller 62 and a driven roller 61. The driving roller 62 is rotationally driven by the driving force of the driving unit 10. The driven roller 61 is brought into pressure contact with the driving roller 62 and is rotated around the driving roller 62. The sheet S is conveyed while being sandwiched between the driving roller 62 and the driven roller 61. In the present embodiment, the driving roller 62 is provided in the lower unit 1 and the driven roller 61 is provided in the upper unit 2. Note that the relationship between driving and following may be reversed.

  A registration sensor 12 is provided in the lower unit 1 on the downstream side of the conveying roller pair 6. The registration sensor 12 detects the arrival of the leading edge of the sheet S and the passage of the trailing edge. The resist sensor 12 is, for example, an optical sensor or a mechanical switch.

  Image reading units 9 a and 9 b are disposed on the downstream side of the registration sensor 12. The image reading units 9a and 9b include, for example, contact image sensors. The image reading unit 9 a is disposed in the upper unit 2 and reads the upper surface of the sheet S. The image reading unit 9b is disposed in the lower unit 1 and reads the lower surface of the sheet S. For example, when the registration sensor 12 detects the leading edge of the sheet S, the image reading units 9a and 9b start reading an image after a predetermined time. When the registration sensor 12 detects the trailing edge of the sheet S, the image reading units 9a and 9b start the predetermined time. The image reading is finished later.

  The discharge roller pair 7 discharges the sheet S conveyed from the conveyance roller pair 6 to the outside of the apparatus. The discharge roller pair 7 includes a driving roller 72 and a driven roller 71. The driving roller 72 is rotationally driven by the driving force of the driving unit 10. The driven roller 71 is brought into pressure contact with the driving roller 72 and is rotated around the driving roller 72. The sheet S is conveyed while being sandwiched between the driving roller 72 and the driven roller 71. In the present embodiment, the driving roller 72 is provided in the lower unit 1 and the driven roller 71 is provided in the upper unit 2. Note that the relationship between driving and following may be reversed.

  Next, the configuration around the pick arm 13 and the separation unit 151 will be described. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the upper unit 2. The separation unit 15 including the pick arm 13, its moving mechanism 14, and the separation unit 151 is disposed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the upper unit 2. In addition, the end part of the upper unit 2 is provided with a locking part 2a and a locking part 2b that are locked to the end unit 3 and 4, and the upper unit is rotated by using these as a rotation shaft. 2 opens and closes with respect to the lower unit 1.

  4 is a perspective view of a mechanism around the pick arm 13 and the separation unit 15, and FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the mechanism around the pick arm 13 and the separation unit 15. 6A is a perspective view of the assembled state of the holding unit 152 and the separating unit 151 constituting the separation unit 15, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the separated state of the holding unit 152 and the separating unit 151. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mechanism around the pick arm 13, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the mechanism around the pick arm 13.

  In the case of this embodiment, two driven rollers 61 are provided, both of which are rotatably supported by the shaft portion 61a. In the case of this embodiment, the shaft portion 61a is provided with a non-rotating stopper (not shown) so as not to rotate. However, the driven roller 61 and the shaft portion 61a may be fixed to rotate as a whole.

  The shaft portion 61a is supported by the main body portion of the upper unit 2 through a support member 2c and the like so as to be displaceable in a direction approaching / separating from the drive roller 62 (a direction in FIG. 7). An elastic member 63 such as a coil spring is mounted between the central portion of the shaft portion 61 a and the main body portion of the upper unit 2, and urges the shaft portion 61 a in a direction close to the drive roller 62 at all times. As a result, the driven roller 61 is brought into pressure contact with the driving roller 62, and the thickness of the sheet S to be conveyed can be accommodated.

  The pick arm 13 is supported by the shaft portion 61a so as to be movable around the shaft portion 61a. By using the shaft portion 61 a not only as a constituent part of the driven roller 61 but also as a support portion of the pick arm 13, a support member unique to the pick arm 13 can be reduced. Thereby, size reduction of an apparatus can be achieved.

  The pick arm 13 includes a sheet pressing portion 131 that is a pressing portion of the sheet S, a pair of arm portions 132, a connecting portion 133, an extending portion 135, and an end portion 136. The sheet pressing portion 131 extends in parallel with the shaft portion 61a, constitutes a portion that presses the bundle of sheets S, and connects opposite ends of the pair of arms b132. An engagement portion 134 that engages with the separation unit 15 is formed in a convex shape on the back surface of the sheet pressing portion 131.

  The width of the pick arm 13 (the length in the direction parallel to the shaft portion 61a) perpendicular to the d1 direction, which is the direction in which the sheet S is taken in, is wider than the width in the axial direction of the pick roller 8 (see FIG. 4). ). Thereby, the sheet S on the pick roller 8 can be more reliably pressed against the pick roller 8.

  The pair of arm portions 132 extend parallel to each other in a direction orthogonal to the shaft portion 61a, and an opening portion 132a through which the shaft portion 61a is inserted is formed at a base end portion thereof and is rotatably supported by the shaft portion 61a. The free end side opposite to the base end where the opening 132 a is formed is connected by a sheet pressing portion 131.

  When the sheet S is taken in, the lower surface of the arm portion 132 defines the position of the upper surface of the sheet S. That is, the pair of arm portions 132 also serve as a conveyance guide for the sheet S. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced.

  The connecting portion 133 extends in parallel with the shaft portion 61a and connects the base end portions of the pair of arms b132 facing each other. The sheet pressing part 131, the pair of arm parts 132, and the connecting part 133 form a rectangular frame shape, and the rigidity thereof is made more reliable.

  The extending portion 135 extends from the one arm portion 132 in parallel with the shaft portion 61a. An end portion 136 formed at one end of the extending portion 135 is formed with an opening portion 132a through which the shaft portion 61a is inserted, and constitutes a base end portion of the pick arm 13 together with an end portion of the arm portion 132. An engagement hole 136 b is formed in the end portion 136.

  Next, the moving mechanism 14 that moves the pick arm 13 will be described. The pick arm 13 is supported by the shaft portion 61a so as to be rotatable, so that the pick arm 13 presses the bundle of sheets S against the pick roller 8 from the other surface side (upper surface side in the present embodiment) of the bundle of sheets S. It is possible to move between the position and the retracted position where the sheet bundle is retracted and the insertion of the bundle of sheets S is allowed. The moving mechanism 14 urges the movement of the pick arm 13.

  The moving mechanism 14 includes an intermittent portion 141 and an urging member 142. In the case of this embodiment, the urging member 142 is a torsion spring, and is attached to the shaft portion 61 a at a portion between the driven rollers 61. The end 142 b of the biasing member 142 is locked to the pick arm 13, and the center 142 a abuts against the main body of the upper unit 2. The urging member 142 exerts an elastic force in the direction in which the end 142b and the center 142a open, and urges the pick arm 13 toward the pressing position by taking a reaction force from the main body of the upper unit 2 at the center 142a. To do. The urging member 142 can urge the pick arm 13 to the pressing position when the pick roller 8 takes in the sheet S.

  The intermittent portion 141 is connected to the driven roller 61 and the pick arm 13, and intermittently transmits the rotational force of the driven roller 61 to the pick arm 13. In the present embodiment, the intermittent portion 141 is a one-way clutch. In FIG. 7, an arrow b direction is a rotation direction in which the driven roller 61 conveys the sheet S. Thus, the rotation direction of each roller in the direction in which the sheet S is conveyed is referred to as normal rotation, and the reverse rotation is referred to as reverse rotation. The intermittent portion 141 transmits the rotational force of the driven roller 61 to the pick arm 13 during reverse rotation.

  The intermittent portion 141 includes connecting portions 141 a and 141 b and a spring portion 14 c, and is provided on the shaft portion 61 a with its rotation center concentric with the rotation center of the driven roller 61. By providing the intermittent portion 141 and the urging member 142 on the shaft portion 61a, the device can be further reduced in size.

  The connecting portion 141a is connected to the driven roller 61 and rotates integrally with each other. It is also possible to mold the connecting portion 141a integrally with the driven roller 61. The connecting portion 141b includes a protruding portion 141d and a stopper 141e. The protrusion 141 d is inserted into an engagement hole 136 b formed in the end 136 of the pick arm 13, and connects the connecting portion 141 b and the pick arm 13.

  The spring part 14c is an elastic member wound around the connecting part 141a and the connecting part 141b, and is, for example, a resin spring or a metal spring. During the forward rotation of the driven roller 61, the spring portion 14c is loosened, so that the rotational force is not transmitted between the connecting portion 141a and the connecting portion 141b. However, the rotational force for the idling load is transmitted. During the reverse rotation of the driven roller 61, the spring portion 14c is tightened, and the rotational force is transmitted between the connecting portion 141a and the connecting portion 141b.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory views of the operation of the pick arm 13. FIG. 9A shows a case where the driven roller 61 rotates in the reverse direction, and FIG. 9B shows a case where the driven roller 61 rotates in the forward direction.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, when the driven roller 61 rotates forward, the intermittent portion 141 does not transmit the rotational force, and the connecting portion 141b rotates due to the idling load, but the stopper 141e is the main body portion of the upper unit 2. The rotation is stopped by coming into contact with the wall 2d provided on the wall. The pick arm 13 is biased toward the pick roller 8 by the biasing member 142 and is located at the pressing position. Although not shown in FIG. 9B, the sheet S is interposed between the pick roller 8 and the sheet pressing portion 131 of the pick arm 13.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, when the driven roller 61 rotates in the reverse direction, the intermittent portion 141 rotates in the power transmission direction, so that the rotational force is transmitted and the connecting portion 141b rotates. By the rotation of the connecting portion 141b, the projecting portion 141d comes into contact with one end of the engaging hole 136b to be engaged, and the pick arm 13 is rotated to the retracted position shown in FIG. The gap between the pick roller 8 and the sheet pressing portion 131 of the pick arm 13 is increased, and the sheets S can be easily set in a bundle.

  Thus, during the reading operation in which the upper unit 2 is closed with respect to the lower unit 1, the pick arm 13 is moved to the pressing position when the sheet S is taken in by the pick roller 8 depending on the rotation direction of the driven roller 61. After the pick-up of the sheet S by the pick roller 8, the pick arm 13 can be moved to the retracted position.

  The driving and rotating directions of the driven roller 61 are controlled by the driving unit 10 via the driving roller 62. Therefore, the drive unit 10 can be used both for driving the rollers such as the conveyance roller pair 6 and for driving the pick arm 13. The movement of the pick arm 13 by the drive unit 10 may be performed only when the upper unit 2 is in a closed state with respect to the lower unit 1, and control may be performed to prohibit the movement in the open state.

  In the present embodiment, the intermittent portion 141 has been described as a one-way clutch, but may be a torque limiter. FIG. 15 shows an example. The intermittent portion 141 ′, which is a torque limiter, includes connecting portions 141 a ′ and 141 b ′, and is provided on the shaft portion 61 a with the rotation center concentric with the rotation center of the driven roller 61.

  The connecting portion 141a 'is connected to the driven roller 61 and rotates integrally with each other. It is also possible to mold the connecting portion 141 a ′ integrally with the driven roller 61. The connecting portion 141b 'includes a protruding portion 141d and a stopper 141e as in the case of the one-way clutch.

  The connecting portion 141a 'and the connecting portion 141b' can be rotated together, and can be rotated separately when a rotational load of a certain level or more is applied. Therefore, by restricting the rotation range of the pick arm 13 by the position of the wall portion 2d and the like with respect to the stopper 141e, the same function as in the case of the one-way clutch can be obtained. The limit torque is set larger than the torque generated by the urging force of the urging member 142.

  Next, returning to FIGS. 4 to 6, the separation unit 15 will be described. The separation unit 15 includes a separation unit 151, a holding unit 152, and a biasing member 153.

  The separation unit 151 includes a separation pad 1511 and a support body 1512 to which the separation pad 1511 is fixed. The separation pad 1511 is urged by the urging member 153 so as to be in contact with the pick roller 8, is in contact with the upper surface of the sheet S, and resists its conveyance with a lower frictional force than the pick roller 8. Thereby, when the sheet S is double-fed, the upper sheet S can be prevented from being taken in, and the sheet S can be separated into a single sheet S. It is also possible to configure the separation unit 151 only from the separation pad 1511.

  Since the separation pad 1511 is worn, it may be necessary to replace it. In the case of the present embodiment, the separation unit 151 is detachable from the holding unit 152, and when the separation pad 1511 is replaced, the separation unit 151 can be replaced. For this reason, the support body 1512 includes a pair of claw portions 1512a. The pair of claw portions 1512 a are extended on the back side of the support 1512.

  The holding part 152 includes a front wall part 1521 and a pair of side wall parts 1522 formed on both sides of the front wall part 1521. The pair of side wall portions 1522 are spaced apart in parallel with the axial direction of the shaft portion 61a, and include projecting portions 1522a projecting laterally. The holding portion 152 is supported by the main body portion of the upper unit 2 via the protruding portion 1522a, and is rotatably supported around a line L1 (FIG. 6) that is the axial direction of the protruding portion 1522a. The line L1 is parallel to the axial direction of the shaft portion 61a. The holding part 152 is displaced in the direction approaching / separating from the pick roller 8 by rotating around the line L1.

  The side wall portion 1522 is also formed with an engagement hole 1522b. The claw portion 1512a of the support 1512 engages with the engagement hole 1522b through the opening 1522c formed in the front wall portion 1521. As a result, the separation unit 151 is held by the holding unit 152. Thus, when attaching the separation part 151 to the holding part 152, the separation part 151 may be pushed into the front wall part 1521. When removing the separation part 151, the separation part 151 may be pulled in the opposite direction. .

  The front surface of the front wall portion 1521 constitutes a mounting surface on which the separating portion 151 is mounted, and a convex portion 1522b that abuts on the back surface of the separating portion 151 is provided in the vertical direction at the center portion. The back surface of the separation portion 151 is in line contact with the convex portion 1522b with respect to the front surface of the front wall portion 1521. In the arrow d4 direction (left-right direction) in FIG. Can be swung. This improves the contact of the separation pad 1511 with the sheet S.

  An engaging portion 1521 a is formed on the upper portion of the front wall portion 1521. The engaging portion 1521 a can be engaged with the engaging portion 134 of the pick arm 13.

  The urging member 153 is, for example, a coil spring, and is interposed between the back surface of the holding unit 152 and the main body of the upper unit 2 to constantly urge the holding unit 152 toward the pick roller 8 side. As a result, the separation unit 151 held by the holding unit 152 is constantly urged toward the pick roller 8 and the separation pad 1511 is pressed toward the pick roller 8. This improves the contact between the separation pad 1511 and the sheet S.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the separation unit 151 and the holding unit 152 are disposed at a position surrounded by the back surface of the sheet pressing unit 131 of the pick arm 13, the pair of arm units 132, and the coupling unit 133, so as to effectively use the empty space. I am trying.

  A sheet pressing portion 131 of the pick arm 13 is present on the front side of the separation portion 151. Therefore, when the separation unit 151 is replaced, the sheet pressing unit 131 may get in the way. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pick arm 13 can be moved to an exchange position that is further retracted than the retracted position.

  FIGS. 10A and 10B show the relative positional relationship between the pick arm 13, the separating portion 151, and the holding portion 152. FIG. 10A shows the case where the pick arm 13 is in the replacement position. B) shows a case where the pick arm 13 is in the pressing position. Although not shown, the retraction position of the pick arm 13 is a position between the pressing position and the replacement position.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, when the pick arm 13 is in the pressing position, the sheet pressing portion 131 of the pick arm 13 is in a state of covering the separating portion 151, and the separating portion 151 is surrounded by the arm portion 132. ing. Therefore, it is difficult to replace the separation unit 151.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the pick arm 13 is in the replacement position, the separating portion 151 is opened, and the replacement is easy. In other words, when the pick arm 13 is in the pressing position, the separating portion 151 is substantially non-detachable, and when the pick arm 13 is in the replacement position, it is detachable from the holding portion 152. Thus, in this embodiment, the ease of replacement of the separation unit 151 can be improved.

  In the case of this embodiment, it is assumed that the entrance of the transport path RT is so narrow that the fingertip cannot enter. Further, it is assumed that the pick arm 13 is moved to the replacement position by manual operation. Therefore, when the user moves the pick arm 13 to the replacement position, first, the upper unit 2 is opened with respect to the lower unit 1, and then the user moves the pick arm 13 to the replacement position. When the upper unit 2 is in the open state, the replacement work of the separation unit 151 is further facilitated.

  In particular, in this embodiment, the pick arm 13 can be maintained in the exchange position by engaging the engaging portion 134 of the pick arm 13 and the engaging portion 1521a of the holding portion 152. FIG. 10A shows the engaged state of both. As described above, since the pick arm 13 can be maintained at the replacement position even in manual operation, the replacement workability can be improved. In this embodiment, in this engaged state, the front end surface of the sheet pressing portion 131 and the surface of the separation portion 151 are flush with each other on the surface S as shown in FIG. . Therefore, the separation part 151 is completely exposed and the replacement workability can be improved.

  If the entrance of the transport path RT is wide and the fingertip can be inserted, the pick arm 13 may be moved to the replacement position without requiring the upper unit 2 to be opened. In the case of this configuration, the upper unit 2 does not need to be openable and closable with respect to the lower unit 1, and a structure in which both are fixed may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the pick arm 13 is moved to the replacement position manually. However, the pick arm 13 may be moved to the replacement position by the driving force of the drive unit 10. In this case, the retracted position and the replacement position may be the same position. However, since the retracted position is mainly a position corresponding to the setting of the sheet S and the replacement position is for the purpose of replacing the separation unit 151, if both are set to the same position, the pick arm is set when the sheet S is set. 13 and the pick roller 8 may be too wide. Therefore, it is preferable that the retracted position and the replacement position are different from each other as in the present embodiment, and the replacement position is further retracted from the pick roller 8 than the retracted position.

  Next, when the upper unit 2 is opened and the separation unit 151 is replaced, and then the upper unit 2 is closed, the user engages the engaging portion 134 of the pick arm 13 and the engaging portion of the holding portion 152. The user may forget to release the engagement with 1521a. If they remain in the engaged state, resistance may occur when the pick arm 13 is moved to the pressing position, and there is a case where the pick arm 13 cannot be reliably moved to the pressing position. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the upper unit 2 is closed, the engagement is automatically released.

  FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are explanatory diagrams thereof. When the holding unit 152 and the pick arm 13 are engaged with each other while the upper unit 2 is changed from the open state to the closed state, they move together around the rotation axis (2a, 2b) of the upper unit 2. Will do. However, in the present embodiment, the separation portion 151 (particularly the separation pad 1511) is in contact with the pick roller 8 before the closing of the upper unit 2 is completed. FIG. 11A shows this state.

  While the separation unit 151 contacts the pick roller 8, the upper unit 2 is further rotated in the closing direction (one direction of the d3 direction), so that the holding unit 152 and the separation unit 151 are slightly clockwise around the protrusion 1522a. And is displaced relative to the main body of the upper unit 2. On the other hand, the pick arm 13 rotates around the rotation axis of the upper unit 2 as it is. Therefore, the rotation trajectories of the pick roller 8 and the holding portion 152 are different from each other, and the engagement between the engaging portion 134 of the pick arm 13 and the engaging portion 1521a of the holding portion 152 is automatically performed by relative displacement. Is released. Therefore, the pick arm 13 is located at the retracted position or the pressed position. FIG. 11B illustrates a state where the pick arm 13 is located at the pressing position.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the engagement between the holding portion 152 and the pick arm 13 is automatically released by closing the upper unit 2, the pick arm 13 can be moved to the pressing position even if the release is forgotten. It can be.

  In other words, in a state where the separation unit 151 is removed, even if the upper unit 2 is closed, the engagement state of the engagement portion 134 of the pick arm 13 and the engagement portion 1521a of the holding portion 152 is engaged. Is maintained. FIG. 12 shows a state in which the upper unit 2 is closed while the engaging portion 134 of the pick arm 13 and the engaging portion 1521 a of the holding portion 152 are engaged with each other without the separation portion 151.

  Since the separation portion 151 does not exist, a gap W larger than usual is formed between the holding portion 152 and the pick roller 8. Therefore, it is possible to pass a thick sheet S or a half-folded sheet S. As a result, these image readings can be performed. The image reading of the half-folded sheet S makes it possible to read a large-sized sheet S outside the specified size. For example, when the image reading apparatus A is capable of supporting up to A4 size, the A3 sheet is folded halfway to perform double-sided reading, and the read image is combined to read the entire image on one side of the A3 sheet. Is possible.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit of the image reading apparatus A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the control unit 100 of the image reading apparatus A.

  The control unit 100 includes a processing unit 101 such as a CPU, a storage unit 102 such as a RAM or a ROM, and an interface unit 103. The processing unit 101 executes a control program stored in the storage unit 102 and controls the motor 104 based on a command from the host computer 200 and a detection result of the sensor group 105. The motor 104 is a drive source of the drive unit 10. The sensor group 105 includes a sheet detection sensor 11, a registration sensor 12, image reading units 9a and 9b, and the like. The interface unit 103 includes an input / output interface, a communication interface with the host computer 200, and the like.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the motor 104 executed by the processing unit 101 and an operation example of the pick arm 13 at that time.

  In S1, when the user stacks the sheets S on the paper feed tray 5 and instructs the host computer 200 to read an image, the processing unit 101 accepts this, and in S2, the motor 104 rotates forward (in a direction in which each roller rotates in the forward direction). Rotate).

  Thereby, in S11, the conveyance roller pair 6, the paper discharge roller pair 7, and the pick roller 8 rotate in the forward direction. At approximately the same time, in S12, the intermittent portion 141 is rotated by the idling load, but the rotation is stopped by the stopper 141e coming into contact with the wall portion 2d. At substantially the same time, the pick arm 13 is lowered to the pressing position by the urging force of the urging member 142 in S13. Thereafter, the sheets S are sequentially taken and the images are read by the image reading units 9a and 9b.

  When the user instructs the end of image reading from the host computer 200 in S3, the processing unit 101 accepts this, and reverses the motor 104 by a predetermined amount in S4.

  Thereby, in S14, the conveyance roller pair 6, the paper discharge roller pair 7, and the pick roller 8 are rotated in reverse. At substantially the same time, in S15, the intermittence portion 141 rotates in the reverse direction so that the protrusion 141d comes into contact with one end of the engagement hole 136b to be engaged, and the pick arm 13 is lifted and moved to the retracted position. This makes it easier to set a new sheet S.

  In S5, the motor 104 is stopped and one unit of processing is completed. When the upper unit 2 is closed or when the image reading apparatus A is turned on, the motor 104 is rotated forward by a predetermined amount and then reversely rotated by a predetermined amount to move the pick arm 13 away from the pick roller 8. This makes it easy to set the sheet S.

Claims (10)

A pick roller for sequentially taking in sheets on one side of the sheet bundle on the feeding tray;
A pick arm that presses the sheet bundle against the pick roller from the other side of the sheet bundle;
A separating unit including a separating unit that is arranged on the downstream side in the sheet take-in direction from the pressing portion of the pick arm and separates the sheet bundle into one sheet;
The separation portion is provided detachably from the separation means,
The pick arm is
A position that presses the sheet bundle and covers the separation portion;
A retreat position that retreats from the position and allows insertion of the sheet bundle;
A position in a state of opening the separation unit further retreated from the retreat position, Ri movable der between,
The separation part is detachably provided from the separation means in a state where the pick arm opens the separation part.
A sheet conveying apparatus. A pick roller for sequentially taking in sheets on one side of the sheet bundle on the feeding tray;
A pick arm that presses the sheet bundle against the pick roller from the other side of the sheet bundle;
A separating unit including a separating unit that is arranged on the downstream side in the sheet take-in direction from the pressing portion of the pick arm and separates the sheet bundle into one sheet;
The separation portion is provided detachably from the separation means,
The pick arm is
A position that presses the sheet bundle and covers the separation portion;
It is movable between the position where the separation part is opened,
A first unit to which the feeding tray is connected;
A second unit that can be opened and closed with respect to the first unit;
A drive unit for moving the pick arm;
The drive unit moves the pick arm to a position for pressing the sheet bundle when the sheet is taken in by the pick roller, and retracts from the position after the pick-up of the sheet by the pick roller,
The pick roller is provided in the first unit, and the pick arm is provided in the second unit so as to face the pick roller.
The drive unit moves the pick arm when the second unit is closed with respect to the first unit.
Features and to Resid over preparative conveying device that. A pick roller for sequentially taking in sheets on one side of the sheet bundle on the feeding tray;
A pick arm that presses the sheet bundle against the pick roller from the other side of the sheet bundle;
A separating unit including a separating unit that is arranged on the downstream side in the sheet take-in direction from the pressing portion of the pick arm and separates the sheet bundle into one sheet;
The separation portion is provided detachably from the separation means,
The pick arm is
A position that presses the sheet bundle and covers the separation portion;
It is movable between the position where the separation part is opened,
The separating means includes
The separation portion pressed against the pick roller;
A holding part that detachably holds the separation part,
The separation part is detachable from the holding part in a state where the pick arm is in a state where the separation part is opened.
The holding part includes an engaging part that engages with the pick arm and maintains the state in which the pick arm releases the separating part.
Features and to Resid over preparative conveying device that. A pick roller for sequentially taking in sheets on one side of the sheet bundle on the feeding tray;
A pick arm that presses the sheet bundle against the pick roller from the other side of the sheet bundle;
A separating unit including a separating unit that is arranged on the downstream side in the sheet take-in direction from the pressing portion of the pick arm and separates the sheet bundle into one sheet;
The separation portion is provided detachably from the separation means,
The pick arm is
A position that presses the sheet bundle and covers the separation portion;
It is movable between the position where the separation part is opened,
A first unit to which the feeding tray is connected;
A second unit that can be opened and closed with respect to the first unit;
The pick roller is provided in the first unit;
The pick arm is provided on the second unit so as to face the pick roller,
The separating means includes
The separation portion pressed against the pick roller;
A holding part that detachably holds the separation part,
The holding portion includes an engaging portion that engages with the pick arm and maintains the state where the pick arm opens the separating portion;
The holding portion is supported by the second unit so as to be freely displaceable in a direction approaching / separating from the pick roller,
When the second unit moves from the open state to the closed state with respect to the first unit in a state where the engagement portion is engaged with the pick arm, the contact between the separation portion and the pick roller causes the Due to the relative displacement of the holding portion with respect to the second unit, the engagement between the engagement portion and the pick arm is released.
Features and to Resid over preparative conveying device that. A first unit to which the feeding tray is connected;
A second unit that can be opened and closed with respect to the first unit;
The separating means includes
The separation portion pressed against the pick roller;
A holding part that detachably holds the separation part,
The holding portion includes an engaging portion that engages with the pick arm and maintains the state where the pick arm opens the separating portion;
In a state where the engaging portion is engaged with the pick arm and the separating portion is detached from the holding portion, the second unit is closed from the open state with respect to the first unit. In this case, the engaged state between the engaging portion and the pick arm is maintained.
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1 . The separating means includes
The separation portion pressed against the pick roller;
A holding part that detachably holds the separation part,
In the central part of the mounting surface to which the separation part of the holding part is attached, a convex part that contacts the back surface of the separation part is provided,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the separation unit includes a separation pad and is swingable with the convex portion as a base point while being held by the holding unit. A drive unit for moving the pick arm;
Further comprising a conveying roller pair which is arranged in the sheet intake direction downstream side of the pick roller,
The drive unit rotates the transport roller pair,
It is disposed coaxially with one of the transport rollers of the transport roller pair, is connected to the one transport roller and the pick arm, and can intermittently transmit the rotational force of the one transport roller to the pick arm. An intermittent portion, and
The pick arm moves when the rotational force of the one transport roller is transmitted through the intermittent portion,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1 . A pick roller for sequentially taking in sheets on one side of the sheet bundle on the feeding tray;
A pick arm that presses the sheet bundle against the pick roller from the other side of the sheet bundle;
A separating unit including a separating unit that is arranged on the downstream side in the sheet take-in direction from the pressing portion of the pick arm and separates the sheet bundle into one sheet;
The separation portion is provided detachably from the separation means,
The pick arm is
A position that presses the sheet bundle and covers the separation portion;
It is movable between the position where the separation part is opened,
The pick arm is
A pair of arm portions;
A sheet pressing part that connects opposite ends of the pair of arm parts,
In the state where the pick arm has moved to a position to press the sheet bundle, the separation part is surrounded by the back surface of the sheet pressing part and the pair of arm parts,
The pair of arm portions also serves as a sheet conveyance guide,
Features and to Resid over preparative conveying device that. The width of the pick arm perpendicular to the sheet taking-in direction is wider than the width in the axial direction of the pick roller.
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1 . The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
A sheet information processing apparatus.

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