JPS628374B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a reading device for a facsimile transmitter, an electronic copying machine, an input device for an electronic computer, or the like.

In the above-mentioned type of reading device, it is often necessary to re-read a document that has been read once, or to read the back side of a document that has been read once. For example, in the case of a facsimile transmitter, when transmitting the same document to a plurality of receivers, it is necessary to read the same document as many times as there are receivers to which the same document is to be transmitted. Furthermore, even in an electronic copying machine that sends a document to a document illumination unit and scans the document with illumination to read the document and obtain a copy, it is necessary to copy the same document again or to copy the back side of the same document. There are many things that happen.

When such an operation as described above is requested, in the conventional reading device, the document that has been read once is manually set again in the paper feed section, and the document is read and processed again. However, such operations
When a large number of originals are processed continuously, it not only imposes considerable complexity on the operator, but also requires the machine to be operated after the originals have been read until the set of originals is reloaded. Since it is necessary to wait or stop the operation, work efficiency is significantly reduced.

In order to solve this problem, the document after being read is reversed by the first inverter, then reversed again by the second inverter, or guided as it is, and the document is returned to the document storage device. An automatic document circulation device configured in
issue). The circulation device configured in this manner can selectively read the same side of a document that has been read once again, or read the back side thereof, improving work efficiency.

However, this circulation device requires a second inverter to achieve the above effect. Moreover, since a relatively large-diameter roller for reversing the original is used, there are problems such as an increase in the size of the apparatus.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and provides a reading device that can automatically switch between the same side and the back side of a document to be re-read by using a single reversing unit. It is an object.

To achieve this purpose, the present invention includes a paper feeding section for feeding the original toward the original reading section, a first paper ejection path for inverting the original that has passed through the original reading section and guiding it to the paper feeding section, and A second paper ejection path that guides the original that has passed through the reading section to the paper feeder without reversing it, and a switch that switches between passing the original through the first paper ejection path or the second paper ejection path. and the switching means includes at least one rotary body that is reversible and a movable guide member, and switches the direction of rotation of the rotary body to direct the document to the first paper discharge path or This was achieved by configuring the paper to pass through the second discharge path.

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a reading device in a facsimile transmitter will be described below.

The facsimile transmitter reading device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a paper feed section 1 that feeds originals, and this paper feed section is provided with an original mounting table 3 on which stacked originals 2 are placed. The mounting table 3 is tilted downward toward the document feeding direction. A document stopper 4 for holding the stacked original 2 on the table is fixedly arranged at the tip of the table 3, and a slight gap is formed between the stopper 4 and the surface of the table. Reference numeral 5 denotes a document feed roller disposed in a notch of the mounting table 3, and this feed roller 5 is supported so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow.

When a paper feed command is issued from a control device (not shown), the feed roller 5 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow for a predetermined period of time, and the lowermost original 2a of the originals stacked on the mounting table 3 is thereby placed. It is sent out from the table 3. The document 2a sent out in this way passes through the small gap between the stopper 4 and the mounting table 3, and then passes through the small gap between the stopper 4 and the mounting table 3.
The roller passes between a separation roller 6 and a brake roller 7, which are arranged in front of the roller. In this case, the separation roller 6
is rotating in the direction to feed the original, but the brake roller 7 is rotating in the opposite direction to the original feeding direction, and as a result, if two or more originals are accidentally fed at the same time. The lowermost original to be fed and the other originals are separated, and only the original to be fed can pass through the separation roller 6 and the brake roller 7 and reach the reading section 8.

The reading section 8 includes a guide glass plate 9 that guides the original 2a, and a reader 10 made of, for example, a CCD. The original 2a enters the reading section 8,
When the leading edge of the document 2a reaches the reader 10, the reader 1
0 detects this, and the rotation of the separation roller 6 and the brake roller 7, and therefore the conveyance of the original 2a, is stopped by the signal generated thereby. During this stop, other mechanisms are prepared, for example, copy paper is prepared in a receiver (not shown). When this preparation is completed, the two rollers 6 and 7 start rotating again, and the original 2a passes through the reader 10, thereby reading the original 2a. The read information is transmitted to the receiver.

Further in front of the reading unit 8, a conveyance roller 11 is supported which is driven so that the rotation direction can be switched.
2 and 13 are rolling in contact. Furthermore, the conveyance roller 11 and the guide plates 14, 14a, 14b, etc. provide two document paths, that is, a first paper discharge path A.
and a second paper discharge path B are formed, and the read original document is selectively sent to the first paper discharge path A and the second paper discharge path B. The first and second paper discharge paths A and B merge into a main paper discharge path C formed by a guide plate 14d at their terminal ends, and this main paper discharge path C communicates with the paper feed section 1. ing.
Reference numeral 15 designates a movable guide plate that defines the second paper discharge path B and also serves to switch the feeding direction of the document.
This movable guide plate 15 is rotatably supported around its pivot 16, and normally occupies a first position where its tip 15a is in contact with the guide glass plate 9 due to its own weight (see Fig. 1). condition). In this case, the tip 15a of the movable guide member 15 is located slightly below the surface of the document conveyance path, as shown by a in FIG. The movable guide member 15 is made of a lightweight material, such as plastic or aluminium, so that it can be easily pivoted about its pivot 16 with little force.

As described above, when the original 2a whose one side has been read by the reader 10 is conveyed out of the reading section 8, the leading edge of the original 2a is moved to the above-mentioned movable guide member 1.
I hit number 5. At this time, the movable guide member 15 is pushed up by the rigidity of the document, rotates slightly around the pivot 16 as shown in FIG. 2, and assumes the second position. Therefore, the original 2a passes through the movable guide member 15 without any trouble and the document 2a passes through the transport roller 11.
and the first driven roller 12. At this time, the transport roller 11 is rotating counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 2 (therefore, the first and second driven rollers 12 and 13 are rotating clockwise), and the document 2a is 11 and the first driven roller 12, the sheet is fed in the direction shown by arrow P in FIG. 2, and is carried into the first sheet discharge path A. When the trailing edge of the original 2a completely exits the reading unit 8, the trailing edge of the original 2a is detected by the detector 17.
Detected by. At this time, depending on whether the back side of this original 2a is to be read in the next reading operation, or whether the same side of this original is to be read next time, this original 2a may be sent as is to the first paper ejection path A, or It is determined whether the paper is to be transported through the second paper discharge path B.

Therefore, first, a case where the back side of the document should be read during the next reading will be explained. In this case, even if the rear end of the document 2a is detected by the detector 17, the conveyance roller 11 does not change its rotational direction.
Continue rotating counterclockwise (Figure 2).
Therefore, the document 2a is moved between the two driven rollers 12, 1.
3 and the guide plates 14, 14a, 14b while continuing to be conveyed in the direction P through the first paper discharge path A,
Next, the main paper ejection path C is moved by the paper ejection rollers 18 and 19.
is fed to the document table 3 of the paper feed section 1. The state of movement of the document 2a on the mounting table at this time is shown by broken lines in FIG. In this case, since the original 2a is turned upside down while passing through the first paper ejection path A, the original 2a that reaches the mounting table 3 is different from when it was initially placed on the mounting table 3. It is turned inside out. Therefore, when this document is sent out again from the mounting table 3 and read by the reading section 8, the side opposite to the side that was first read will be read.

When the same side of the document is to be read again during the next reading, when the rear end of the document 2a is detected by the detector 17, the direction of rotation of the conveyance roller 11 is switched and the conveyance roller 11 starts rotating clockwise. At this time, since the rear end of the document 2a has already left the tip 15a of the movable guide member 15, this guide member 15
returns to the first position shown in FIG. 1 by its own weight, and its tip 15a is located below the conveyance surface by a distance a. Therefore, the document 2a that has been fed by the conveyance roller 11 rotating clockwise is moved to the first
The paper is fed into the second paper discharge path B while being guided by the movable guide member 15 as shown by arrow Q in the figure. Next, the original 2a is conveyed through the main paper ejection path C and returned to the original document mounting table 3. However, in this case, the original 2a is not reversed in the second paper ejection path B, so it is first transported to the original paper mounting table 3. The paper is discharged onto the mounting table 3 with the same front-back relationship as when it was located at the table. Therefore, when the document 2a is read again, the same side as the first reading is read.

Note that whether to read the back side of a document that has been read once or whether to read the same side again is set in advance for each document in the control device. Depending on the signal generated when detected and a signal from a preset control device, it is determined whether the conveyance roller 11 is reversed or continues to rotate.

In the same manner as the above operation, the document assembly 2 on the mounting table 3 is read one after another, and the entire document assembly can be read as many times as desired, while freely selecting the front and back sides of the document assembly. To perform this operation, the operator does not need to re-set the original or perform any operations such as reversing the original, and moreover, the operator only has to read the entire set of originals once.
There is no need to stop or wait the machine between reading operations.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the conveyance roller 11 is connected to the first and second drive rollers 20, 2.
1 is constructed as a driven roller which is rotated entrained by the roller 1. In this case, two drive rollers 20,
21 is supported by a lever 22, and the first drive roller 2
0 is driven clockwise, and the second drive roller 21 is driven counterclockwise, and the direction of rotation remains unchanged. The lever 22 is given a counterclockwise rotational habit around a fulcrum 24 by a tension spring 23 secured to one end thereof, and a plunger of a solenoid 25 is connected to the other end of the lever 22 via a tension spring 26. are connected. When sending the document 2a to the first paper discharge path A, the solenoid 25 is deenergized, and the first drive roller 20 is brought into contact with the conveyance roller 11 by the action of the tension spring 23 as shown in FIG. come into contact with Therefore, the conveyance roller 11 is rotated counterclockwise, and the document 2a is sent to the first paper discharge path A. When a document is sent to the second paper discharge path B, the solenoid 25 is energized by a corresponding command from the control device, and the lever 22 moves around its fulcrum 24 against the action of the tension spring 23. Rotating in the clockwise direction, the second drive roller 21 comes into contact with the conveyance roller 11 as shown in FIG. 4, and the document is sent to the second paper discharge path B. This provides the same effect as the previously described embodiment.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the movable guide member 1
5 is provided below the conveyance roller 11, and this movable guide member 15 partitions a part of the first paper discharge path A. And this guide member 15 has its pivot 16
A tension spring 27 is secured to one end thereof, and a plunger of a solenoid 28 is connected to the other end via the tension spring.

When the original is sent to the first paper discharge path A, the solenoid 28 is deenergized, and therefore the movable guide plate 15 occupies the first position shown in FIG. It is possible to enter the first paper discharge path A. When the document is to be sent to the second paper discharge path B, the solenoid 28 is energized, and the movable guide plate 15 is rotated clockwise around its pivot 16 against the action of the tension spring 27. 6 occupies the second position shown in FIG. Therefore, the document is reliably guided to the second paper discharge path B. In this embodiment, since the movable guide member is forcibly rotated by the solenoid, the rotation is performed reliably even when the document is weak.

Reference numeral 29 in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a stopper for stopping the movable guide plate 15 at the first and second positions.
5 (FIG. 5) and the movable guide member 15 (FIG. 6).

Note that the other structures and functions of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 can be configured exactly the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and therefore, explanations regarding these will be omitted.

Further, in all the embodiments described above, the rotating body serving as the document conveyance direction switching means is replaced by the conveyance roller 11.
However, the rotary body is not limited to a roller, but may also be a belt, for example.

According to each of the above-mentioned embodiments, it is possible to once return the original to the paper feed unit after the reading operation and feed the original to the reading unit again. There is a possibility that the originals will not be placed on the original table in a complete state. If the originals are placed on the mounting table in an irregular state, it will be difficult to feed them correctly. FIGS. 7 and 8 show an advantageous configuration of the paper feed unit that can automatically align the originals ejected onto the document tray, and for the purpose of understanding the present invention, this configuration will be described below. explain.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the feed roller 5 disposed in the notch 3a of the original platen 3 arranged at an angle is fixed to a rotating shaft 30, and two eccentric cams are attached to the rotating shaft 30. 31, 31b are fixedly installed. These two cams 31, 31b and their related structures are located symmetrically to each other as shown in FIG. The components related to the other cam 31b will be designated by reference numeral b in FIG. 8, and their explanation will be omitted.

A cam follower 33 pivotally attached to a support shaft 32 is in contact with the circumferential surface of the eccentric cam 31, and a connecting lever 35 is pivotally attached to the other end of the cam follower 33 via a connecting pin 34. Further, a first tension spring 36' is engaged with this connecting lever 35, and the other end of this spring 36' is anchored with the mounting table 3. As a result, the cam follower 33 is pressed against the cam 31 and can move to follow the cam 31. An engagement shaft 36 is pivotally connected to the other end of the connection lever 35 .

On the other hand, a guide plate 38 having a guide hole 37 is fixed to the mounting table 3.
An engaging shaft 36 of the connecting lever 35 is fitted into the shaft 36, and the shaft 36 can be guided into a guide hole 37.

A push plate 39, which is used to push the discharged originals in order to align them, has its fulcrum shaft 40 slidably fitted into the guide hole 37. Saw teeth 41 are formed on one end of the push plate 39, and the engagement shaft 36 of the connecting lever 35 engages with the saw teeth 41. A second tension spring 42 is anchored to one end of the push plate 39, and the other end of this spring is also anchored to the mounting table 3. This spring 42 applies a tensile action to the push plate 39 in the right direction in FIG. 4, and maintains the engagement state between the saw teeth 41 and the engagement shaft 36. A push portion 44 extending upward through the rear end notch 43 of the mounting table 3 is provided on the other end side of the push plate 39 . 4 is the document stopper described in the previous embodiment, and 19 is a paper discharge roller.

As in the previously described embodiment, by rotating the feed roller 5 in the direction of the arrow, the document (not shown) stacked on the mounting table 3 is transferred to the reading section (see FIG. 1).
sent towards. Along with this rotation of the feed roller 5, the eccentric cam 31 is also rotated in the direction of the arrow, and thereby the cam follower 32 is rotated in the direction of the arrow. This movement of the cam follower is transmitted to the push plate 39 via the coupling lever 35, the engagement shaft 36 and the saw teeth 41,
9 slides in the direction of arrow D while being guided by the guide hole 37. Therefore, the push portion 44 of the push plate moves from the initial position shown by the solid line in FIG. 7 to the final position shown by the chain line. Further rotation of the cam 31 causes each component to move in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned direction, and the push portion 44 also returns from the position shown by the chain line to the initial position shown by the solid line. Thus, the rotation of the cam 31 causes the push portion 44 to reciprocate.

According to the above configuration, the ejected original is transferred to the push section 44.
They can be placed on the mounting table 3 in alignment by the pressing action of. In this case, even if the reciprocating movement of the pusher section 44 and the document ejection timing are configured to be performed out of synchronization, the ejected documents can be arranged on the placing table 3 with almost no problem; for example, if the pusher section 44 is Even if the originals are ejected while they are at the end position shown by the chain line, the originals can be arranged on the mounting table 3 without any problem. That is, in this case, when the ejected original 2a is ejected by the ejecting roller 19 as shown by the solid line in FIG. The document 2a is separated from the paper roller 19, and therefore falls onto the mounting table 3 or onto a document (not shown) stacked there. At this time, no problem will occur even if the fallen original 2a is not stretched on the placing table 3 but is bent by a length corresponding to the length L (L is the original stopper). 4 and the tip of the lower guide plate at the paper ejection section). This is because if the pusher section 44 later moves to the left, the document 2a will naturally stretch due to its own weight, and then when the pusher section 44 moves to the right, this pusher section 44
This is because the leading edge of the original 2a is pressed by the original 2a, and the other end of the original 2a is pressed against the original stopper 4 and aligned.
(shown in broken lines in Figure 7). In this case, it is advantageous to set the movement stroke of the push section 44 to be larger than the length L, since the document 2a can be reliably stretched when the push section 44 moves to the left. In addition, the upper guide plate 14d in the paper ejection section
It is convenient to make the document 2a project slightly to the left in FIG. 7 beyond the paper discharge roller 19, so that the rear end of the bent document 2a is not dragged upward by the paper discharge roller 19.

As described above, it is possible to align the documents by moving the pusher section 44 regardless of the document ejection timing, but when the pusher section 44 moves from the initial position to the final position, it is possible to finish reading. so that the discharged original 2a is placed on the placing table 3.
The activation timing of the push section 44 can also be determined in advance. In this case, the paper ejection roller 19
The operation timing is set in advance so that the pusher section 44 starts moving to the right in the figure almost at the same time when the leading edge of the document ejected by the pusher comes into contact with the pusher section 44 which is stationary at the final initial position. Then, the pusher section 44 is positioned in advance so that the trailing edge of the document leaves the paper ejection roller 19 when the pusher section 44 starts moving or a little before that (the document 2a in this state (shown by a dashed line in Fig. 7). When the push section 44 begins to move to the right, the document whose leading end is in contact with the push section 44 is pushed to the right in FIG. 7 by the push section 44. When the push section starts moving, the rear end of the document 2a is already away from the paper ejection roller 19 as described above, so when the document 2a is pushed to the right by the push section 44, it is pushed onto the placing table 3 or here. It slides over the stacked originals (not shown). When the leading edge of the pushed original 2a comes into contact with the stop part 4, the push part 44 reaches the end position shown by the chain line (the state of the original at this time is as shown by the broken line in FIG. 7). Thus, the discharged originals 2a are automatically placed on the placing table 3 in alignment by the pushing operation of the pusher 44.

If the document ejection timing and the activation timing of the pusher section 44 are determined in advance as described above,
This is advantageous because the original documents 2 can be more reliably aligned and stacked on the mounting table 3. Particularly when the length of the document transport path in the reading device is long and the document discharge speed is faster than the document feed speed, multiple documents may be discharged during one revolution of the feed roller 5. However, even in such a case, it is advantageous to predetermine the operating timing and paper ejection timing of the pusher section 44 as described above, since the documents can be aligned correctly (in this case, A plurality of protrusions of the cam 31 are provided, and the cam 31
(It is necessary to configure the pusher 44 so that it reciprocates a plurality of times in one rotation.)

Further, the configurations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are configured to be applicable to documents of various lengths. That is,
When processing originals of different lengths, the push plate 44 is slightly rotated about its fulcrum shaft 40 in the direction of arrow E to engage and disengage the sawtooth 41 and the engagement shaft 36. Next, the desired serrated portion and the engagement shaft 36 may be engaged with each other. By doing this, the initial position and the final position of the push part 44 can be
It can be changed arbitrarily depending on the length of the document (however, the movement stroke of the pusher section is always constant).

According to the above configuration, since the discharged originals are forcibly pushed in by the pusher, the originals can be reliably aligned and stacked even if the inclination of the original mounting table is small. This is useful when the mounting table cannot be placed at a steep slope in relation to other machine components.
Particularly advantageous. Further, even if the frictional force between the discharged original and the stacked original is large, the discharged original can be correctly arranged and placed. Furthermore, in the configurations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the distance L between the paper ejection roller or the lower guide plate tip and the document stopper (FIG. 7)
Since it is configured to be small, there is also an advantage that the discharged documents can be easily aligned in a predetermined position.

The embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a facsimile reading device have been described above, but the present invention can also be advantageously applied to a reading device in an input device of an electronic copying machine or an electronic computer.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the movable guide member of the reading device according to the present invention in the first position, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the movable guide member in the second position. , FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views showing the second embodiment, FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the third embodiment when the movable guide member is in the first position, and FIG. 6 is a side view showing the second embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the movable guide member of the reading device in the second position; FIG. FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Paper feeding part, 2, 2a... Original document, 8... Original reading part, 11... Rotating body, 15... Movable guide member, A... First paper discharge path, B... Second paper discharge path.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A paper feed section 1 for feeding a document 2 toward a document reading section 8, and a first paper discharge path for inverting the document that has passed through the document reading section and guiding it to the paper feed section. A, a second paper discharge path B that guides the document that has passed through the document reading section to the paper feed section without reversing it, and whether the document is to be passed through the first paper discharge path or the second paper discharge path. and a switching means for switching the original document, the switching means comprising at least one rotary body 11 which can be reversed and a movable guide member 15, and by switching the direction of rotation of the rotary body. A reading device characterized in that the reading device is configured so that the paper passes through either a first discharge path or a second discharge path.