WO2019130648A1 - Sheet feeder, control method for sheet feeder, and program - Google Patents

Sheet feeder, control method for sheet feeder, and program Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019130648A1
WO2019130648A1 PCT/JP2018/030870 JP2018030870W WO2019130648A1 WO 2019130648 A1 WO2019130648 A1 WO 2019130648A1 JP 2018030870 W JP2018030870 W JP 2018030870W WO 2019130648 A1 WO2019130648 A1 WO 2019130648A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sheet
roller
feeding
document
sensor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2018/030870
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
善 中村
芳寛 谷池
繁 小須田
透 酒井
俊夫 大木
昌徳 玉井
定之 兼子
正宗 鴇澤
Original Assignee
キヤノン電子株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2017252049A external-priority patent/JP2019118054A/en
Priority claimed from JP2018074167A external-priority patent/JP7292787B2/en
Priority claimed from JP2018087469A external-priority patent/JP7242194B2/en
Priority claimed from JP2018149180A external-priority patent/JP7143143B2/en
Application filed by キヤノン電子株式会社 filed Critical キヤノン電子株式会社
Priority to EP18893908.6A priority Critical patent/EP3733574A4/en
Publication of WO2019130648A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019130648A1/en
Priority to US16/911,620 priority patent/US11591175B2/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
    • B65H1/04—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles substantially horizontally, e.g. for separation from top of pile
    • B65H1/06—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles substantially horizontally, e.g. for separation from top of pile for separation from bottom of pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
    • B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
    • B65H7/02—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors
    • B65H7/06—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to a document which is weak to a load in a sheet feeding apparatus capable of feeding a sheet, such as thin paper, slip, used paper (history book), a document which is already wrinkled, a document which is already broken, a document which is broken, etc. Relates to the feeding technology of
  • the pickup roller (for example, 4 in FIG. 1 described later) is moved to the sheet take-in position every time a sheet is fed. The operation was repeated by bringing the sheet into contact with and rotating it, and then moving it to the retracted position.
  • jamming may occur between the separation roller pair (e.g., 6 and 7 in FIG. 1) and the pickup roller.
  • Patent Document 1 is proposed as a measure against jamming of sheets such as thin paper.
  • the pre-registration sensor for example, 32 in FIG. 1 described later
  • the pre-registration sensor detects the leading end of the next sheet even if a specific time passes. If the pickup roller is not detected, the pickup roller is brought into contact with the sheet and rotated.
  • Patent Document 1 has a certain effect on jamming of a sheet whose stiffness (hereinafter referred to as "Kosi" or “waist”) is weak, such as thin paper.
  • Kosi stiffness
  • waist a sheet is caught by a feed roller constituting a separation roller pair, and a jam occurs.
  • jamming may occur in the sheet feeding roller.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of making it difficult to cause jamming at the time of sheet feeding even if the sheet to be fed is thin paper or the like with a low stiffness.
  • the present invention forms a nip between a feeding roller for feeding a sheet along a conveyance path and the feeding roller, and a sheet to be fed by the feeding roller and other sheets.
  • a first sheet detection sensor disposed downstream of the transport path with respect to the feed roller in the transport path and detecting that the sheet has arrived;
  • a control unit for controlling rotation wherein the control unit starts feeding the subsequent sheet by the feeding roller after the arrival of the trailing end of the preceding sheet is detected by the first sheet detection sensor.
  • the feeding roller If it is determined that the feeding roller is controlled to the first feeding speed and it is determined that the leading end of the subsequent sheet has exceeded the nip between the feeding roller and the separation roller, the feeding roller The first one Feeding is controlled to the second feeding speed of the high speed than the speed, it is characterized.
  • the present invention even when the sheet to be fed is thin paper or the like with a low rigidity, it is possible to make it difficult to cause jamming at the time of sheet feeding.
  • FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a sheet conveying device provided with a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the sheet conveying apparatus.
  • 6 is a flowchart illustrating control operation in thin paper mode according to the first embodiment.
  • 5 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the pre-registration sensor and the pickup roller according to the first embodiment. The graph which illustrates change of the contact pressure to the sheet after making a pickup roller contact a sheet.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of the positional relationship between the leading end of a document to be fed and a pair of feeding rollers according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the control operation of the feeding roller in the thin paper mode of the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the relationship among the sheet on the sheet stacking table of the first embodiment, the feeding roller, the position of the leading end of the document, and the feeding speed of the pickup roller.
  • FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the positional relationship between a feeding roller and an optical sensor for thin paper mode according to another aspect of the first embodiment.
  • 10 is a flowchart illustrating control operations of a feeding roller in a thin paper mode according to another aspect of the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the configuration of a sheet conveying apparatus to which a sheet feeding apparatus according to a second embodiment can be applied.
  • FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the relationship between the positions of a feeding roller, a pre-registration sensor and a registration roller, and the feeding speed of the feeding roller and the conveyance speed of the registration roller.
  • FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a document conveyance device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 22 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the document conveyance device of FIG. 21.
  • FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a document conveyance device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 27 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the document conveyance device of FIG. 26.
  • FIG. 6 is a top view showing an arrangement example of an optical sensor, a pickup roller, a separation roller, and an image reading sensor. Sectional drawing which shows the example of arrangement
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement example of an optical sensor in the middle of a sheet conveyance path.
  • FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a seventh embodiment (conveying state).
  • FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sheet feeding device according to the seventh embodiment (standby state).
  • FIG. 18 is a structural diagram of drive transmission of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.
  • FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a main part of a sheet feeding unit of a sheet feeding device according to a seventh embodiment.
  • FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a sheet feeding unit of the sheet feeding device according to a seventh embodiment.
  • FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a main part of a sheet feeding unit of a sheet feeding device according to a seventh embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of a feeding unit of the sheet feeding apparatus.
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of a feeding unit of the sheet feeding apparatus.
  • FIG. 18 is a structural diagram of drive transmission of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a ninth embodiment.
  • FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view (conveying state) of the document feeding device according to a tenth embodiment.
  • FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the document feeding device according to a tenth embodiment (standby state).
  • FIG. 53 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the document conveyance device of FIG. 52.
  • FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of another example of the document feeder according to the eleventh embodiment.
  • FIG. 56 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the document conveyance device of FIG. 54.
  • the conceptual diagram which shows the moving direction and moving speed of an opposing surface member.
  • FIG. 21 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of main parts of a document conveyance device according to a twelfth embodiment.
  • the schematic diagram which shows roughly the structural example of an optical sensor and an opposing surface member.
  • the schematic diagram which shows roughly the structural example of the optical sensor which concerns on 12th Embodiment, and an opposing surface member.
  • FIG. 21 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of a document conveyance device according to a fourteenth embodiment.
  • the schematic diagram which shows schematically the structural example of the optical sensor which concerns on 14th Embodiment, and an opposing surface member.
  • FIG. 31 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a substrate when a plurality of optical sensors in the fifteenth embodiment are mounted on the same substrate.
  • FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a module including an optical sensor and a pre-registration sensor in a fifteenth embodiment.
  • the top view and sectional drawing which show the example of arrangement
  • FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure of document detection processing including discrimination of a highly transparent document in the fifteenth embodiment.
  • FIG. 21 is a bottom view and a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement example of a substrate and a case body in a conveyance path of a document conveyance device according to a fifteenth embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a sheet conveying apparatus (image reading apparatus) provided with a sheet feeding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the sheet conveying apparatus of FIG.
  • the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention is applied to an image reading apparatus
  • a printing apparatus such as a printer
  • the present invention can be applied to various sheet conveying apparatuses such as an apparatus having an original conveying system such as H.
  • the sheet conveying apparatus 200 of the present embodiment includes a sheet take-in apparatus (sheet feeding apparatus) 101.
  • a plurality of sheets are stacked on a sheet stacking table (sheet mounting table) 1, and the sheet stacking table 1 is configured to be able to move up and down.
  • the sheet loading table driving motor 2 raises and lowers the sheet loading table 1.
  • the sheet detection sensor 3 detects that the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking table 1 is at the sheet loading position.
  • the sheet stacking detection sensor 12 detects that sheets are stacked on the sheet stacking surface 1 a of the sheet stacking table 1.
  • the document jump detection sensor 35 includes a plurality of sensors arranged in a direction orthogonal to the sheet stacking surface 1 a, and detects the jumping up of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking table 1.
  • the document jumping detection sensor 35 can detect the jumping of the document that occurs when the stapled document or the like is stacked on the sheet loading table 1 and fed. Thus, control such as stopping feeding of the stapled document can be performed.
  • a pickup roller 4 (take-in means) as an example of the sheet pickup unit feeds the sheet on the sheet stacking table 1 from the sheet stacking table 1.
  • the pick-up roller drive motor 5 rotates the pick-up roller 4 in a sheet take-in direction (take-in direction).
  • the state shown in FIG. 2 is a state in which the upper surface of the sheet is at the sheet taking-in position, and when the pickup roller 4 is rotated, sheet taking-in starts.
  • the pickup roller 4 is driven by a driving unit (not shown) and can be moved to a sheet taking-in position in FIG. 2 and a retracted position (not shown) above the sheet taking-in position.
  • the pickup roller 4 is moved to a sheet taking-in position when taking in a sheet, and is moved to a retracted position when taking-in is finished.
  • the pickup roller 4 rotates around a rotation center 64 of the pickup roller provided downstream of the pickup roller 4 in the transport direction. Therefore, when the pickup roller 4 contacts the sheet, the sheet can be easily pushed out in the transport direction.
  • the control unit 45 issues an instruction to rotate the pickup roller 4 and an instruction to move the sheet take-in position and the retraction position.
  • the control unit 45 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and implements various controls by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM.
  • the pickup roller 4 plays an auxiliary role for reliably performing separation and feeding by a separation roller pair 42 described later. When the sheet on the sheet loading table 1 is fed by the pickup roller 4 to the nip portion of the separation roller pair 42, the separation and feeding by the separation roller pair 42 can be reliably performed.
  • the feed roller 6 is driven by the feed motor 8 to rotate in a direction (feed direction) in which the sheet is fed downstream in the transport direction.
  • the separation roller 7 constantly receives rotational force for rotating the sheet in the direction to push it back to the upstream side from the separation motor 9 via a torque limiter (slip clutch) (not shown).
  • the feeding roller is selected based on the upper limit of the rotational force in the direction in which the separating roller 7 transmitted by the torque limiter described above pushes the sheet upstream.
  • the frictional force between the sheet fed downstream by 6 and the separation roller 7 increases the rotational force in the direction in which the sheet is fed downstream. For this reason, the separation roller 7 follows the feed roller 6 and rotates (corolls).
  • the separating roller 7 receives rotation from the roller shaft in a direction to push the sheet back to the upstream side. Not to be transported to
  • the sheet is overlapped by the action of the feeding roller 6 feeding the sheet to the downstream side and the action of the separation roller 7 not to feed the sheet to the downstream side, the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7 are overlapped. Even when the sheet is fed to the nip portion (the contact portion between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7) formed between them, only the uppermost sheet is fed downstream, and the other sheets are downstream. It will not be transported. Thus, the overlapped sheets are separated and fed.
  • the feed roller 6 and the separation roller 7 constitute a pair of separation rollers 42 (sheet separation portion).
  • the separation roller pair 42 is used, but instead of the separation roller pair 42, a separation belt roller pair in which one of the separation roller and the feeding roller is a belt may be used.
  • the separation roller may be replaced with a separation pad, and by contacting the sheet, the conveyance of a plurality of sheets to the downstream side may be prevented.
  • the separation roller 7 may be used to be brought into contact with the sheet like a separation pad without being rotated.
  • the sheets picked up by the pickup roller 4, the feeding roller 6, the separating roller 7 and the like configured as described above separate the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table 1 one by one, and the sheet conveying device 200 It is captured.
  • the double feed detection sensor 30 at a position where the separated sheet passes (that is, the downstream side of the pair of separation rollers 42), it is possible to detect whether the sheets can be separated one by one by the sheet separation unit. it can.
  • a detection device using an ultrasonic wave transmission / reception unit is used as the double transmission detection sensor 30, and double transmission can be detected by the attenuation amount of ultrasonic waves between the transmission / reception units across the conveyance path.
  • the double feed detection sensor 30 can also be used as a sensor that detects a sheet that has reached a predetermined position on the conveyance path (a position corresponding to the distance between the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving units).
  • the conveyance motor 10 conveys the separated sheet to an image reading position where the image reading sensor 14 or 15 reads an image of the sheet, and further conveys the sheet to the discharge position. To drive. Further, the conveyance motor 10 drives each roller so that the conveyance speed of the sheet can be changed in accordance with the setting such as the optimum speed for reading the sheet and the resolution of the sheet.
  • the nip gap adjusting motor 11 adjusts a gap between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7 or a pressing force (nip pressure) with which the feeding roller 6 is pressed against the separating roller 7 via a sheet. As a result, the gap or the pressing force adapted to the thickness of the sheet is adjusted, and the sheet can be separated.
  • the registration clutch 19 transmits the rotational driving force of the conveyance motor 10 to the registration roller 18 (sheet conveyance unit) or cuts off the transmission.
  • a second pair of registration rollers consisting of registration rollers 20 and 21, a pair of conveyance rollers consisting of conveyance rollers 22 and 23, a pair of conveyance rollers consisting of conveyance rollers 24 and 25, and paper discharge rollers 26 and 27
  • the delivery roller pair transports the sheet to the delivery stacking unit 44.
  • the discharge sensor 16 detects the passage of the conveyed sheet. After the sheet discharge sensor 16 detects the rear end of the sheet, the sheet discharge brake for reducing the rotational speed of the sheet discharge roller pair (26, 27) is applied to prevent the discharged sheet from jumping out. Alignment can be improved.
  • the two guide plates of the upper guide plate 40 and the lower guide plate 41 guide the sheet conveyed by the separation roller pair, the registration roller pair, the respective conveyance roller pairs, and the discharge roller pair.
  • a pre-registration sensor 32 (fourth sheet detection sensor) is disposed on the upstream side of the registration roller pair (17, 18) and detects a fed sheet.
  • the post-registration sensor 34 (first sheet detection sensor) is disposed downstream of the registration roller pair (20, 21) and detects a sheet to be conveyed.
  • the in-registration sensor 33 (third sheet detection sensor) is disposed downstream of the registration roller pair (17, 18) and upstream of the registration roller pair (20, 21), and detects the sheet to be conveyed.
  • the control unit 45 instructs the image reading sensors 14 and 15 to read an image, and the image of the conveyed sheet is read.
  • Reference numerals 14a and 15a denote platen rollers.
  • the image of the sheet read by the image reading sensors 14 and 15 is transmitted to an external apparatus such as an information processing apparatus via an interface unit (not shown).
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control operation in thin paper mode (also referred to as “thin paper conveyance mode”) performed by the control unit 45 according to the first embodiment. That is, the process shown in the flowchart is realized by the CPU (not shown) of the control unit 45 executing a program stored in the ROM.
  • the thin paper mode can be set from an operation unit (not shown) or an information processing apparatus (such as a personal computer) communicably connected to the sheet conveying apparatus 200.
  • TIME measurement time
  • control unit 45 checks the pre-registration sensor 32, and determines whether the pre-registration sensor 32 has detected the sheet front end.
  • control unit 45 advances the process to S103.
  • the control unit 45 determines whether the measurement time (TIME) has exceeded the specific time (TS). When it is determined that the measurement time (TIME) does not exceed the specific time (TS) (No in S103), the control unit 45 returns the process to S102.
  • control unit 45 moves the pickup roller 4 to the sheet take-in position and brings the sheet into contact with the sheet. Furthermore, in S105, the control unit 45 rotates the pickup roller 4 after a specific time (TD) described later has elapsed. As a result, the pickup roller 4 feeds the sheet to the feeding roller 6.
  • TD specific time
  • control unit 45 advances the process to S110.
  • the control unit 45 determines whether the measurement time (TIME) exceeds the error time (TOUT). When it is determined that the measurement time (TIME) does not exceed the error time (TOUT) (No in S110), the control unit 45 returns the process to S107.
  • the control unit 45 advances the process to S111. That is, although the pickup roller 4 is moved to the take-in position and rotated, the leading edge of the sheet is not detected even at the error time, that is, the sheet feeding error (for example, occurrence of jamming) is determined. doing.
  • the control unit 45 moves the pickup roller 4 to the retracted position (S111), stops the rotation of the pickup roller 4 (S112), and ends the process of this flowchart in error.
  • control unit 45 advances the process to S108.
  • the control unit 45 moves the pickup roller 4 to the retracted position (S108), stops the rotation of the pickup roller 4 (S109), and shifts to S113.
  • the control unit 45 proceeds to S113.
  • the pickup roller 4 is not moved to the contact position and remains at the retracted position. That is, the front end of the sheet has reached the pre-registration sensor 32 without driving the pickup roller 4.
  • the feeding roller is after the sheet previously fed passes the feeding roller 6. 6 and reaches at least the pre-registration sensor 32. At this time, sheet feeding by the pickup roller 4 is unnecessary, and the pickup roller 4 is kept at the retracted position in order to prevent damage caused by bringing the pickup roller 4 into contact with the sheet.
  • control unit 45 advances the process to S113.
  • the control unit 45 instructs the image reading sensors 14 and 15 to read the image at a predetermined timing after the front end of the sheet is detected by the post-registration sensor 34, and the sheet by the image reading sensors 14 and 15 To perform the read operation. Meanwhile, the control unit 45 monitors the detection of the trailing edge of the sheet by the pre-registration sensor 32 (S114). When it is determined that the pre-registration sensor 32 does not detect the sheet trailing edge (in the case of No in S114), the control unit 45 returns the process to S113.
  • control unit 45 advances the process to S115.
  • the control unit 45 ends the reading operation of S113 at a predetermined timing after the trailing edge of the sheet is detected by the post-registration sensor 34.
  • the control unit 45 checks whether or not there is a sheet on the sheet stacking table 1. If it is determined that there is a sheet on the sheet stacking table 1 (in the case of Yes in S115), that is, if there is a next sheet, the control unit 45 returns the process to S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no sheet on the sheet stacking board 1 (S115: No), that is, if there is no next sheet, the control unit 45 ends the processing of this flowchart. In addition, it is preferable to proceed to S113 when the sheet is detected by the pre-registration sensor 32 after waiting for a specific time (TS) or more before the end, and to end when the sheet is not detected. .
  • TS specific time
  • FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the pre-registration sensor 32 and the pickup roller 4 in the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 4A corresponds to an example in which the pre-registration sensor 32 does not detect the leading edge of the sheet even if the measurement time (TIME) exceeds the specific time (TS) (TIME> TS).
  • TIME measurement time
  • TS specific time
  • the pickup roller 4 moves to the contact position and rotates after a specific time (TD) to feed the sheet to the feeding roller 6. This prevents the occurrence of jamming caused by the contact pressure of the pickup roller 4.
  • FIG. 4B corresponds to an example in which the pre-resist sensor 32 detects the leading edge of the sheet when the measurement time (TIME) is within the specific time (TS) (TIME ⁇ TS).
  • TIME measurement time
  • TS specific time
  • the pickup roller 4 does not move to the contact position and remains at the retracted position. Therefore, jamming caused by the contact pressure of the pickup roller 4 does not occur.
  • the output of the pre-registration sensor 32 before the start of counting of the measurement time (TIME) is OFF. This indicates that the pre-registration sensor 32 itself is not driven before the start of counting of the measurement time (TIME), and the output is off.
  • the pre-registration sensor 32 when the pre-registration sensor 32 is constantly driven, the next sheet may reach the pre-registration sensor 32 before the measurement time (TIME) starts to be counted. It is also assumed that ON is output. In that case, it may be confirmed at the start of counting of the measurement time (TIME), and it may be determined as Yes in S102 of FIG.
  • the pre-registration sensor 32 is disposed on the other side (as an example, the upper guide plate 40) to which the irradiation light from the light source disposed on one side (as an example, the lower guide plate 41) of the transport path faces. The sheet is detected by the light receiving section receiving the light returning to the one side again by the light member.
  • the output is configured to be ON when the light reception level is L level.
  • the irradiation light is returned without being blocked, so the light reception level at the light receiving unit becomes H level.
  • the output is turned off when the light reception level is H level. The same applies to the other sensors in this embodiment.
  • the specific period (TS) is set to one second, for example, in consideration of shortening of the sheet feeding time in the case of FIG. 4A and reliability of sheet detection in the case of FIG. It is set.
  • the specific period (TS) is not limited to one second.
  • FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the change in contact pressure on the sheet after the pickup roller 4 is in contact with the sheet.
  • the contact pressure of the pickup roller 4 to the sheet changes until time TC elapses from the start of the contact of the pickup roller 4 to the sheet.
  • the contact pressure is strong, the frictional force between the sheets also becomes strong, so if the pickup roller 4 starts to rotate before the time TC elapses, the sheets easily get together, and a paper feed jam is likely to occur.
  • the specific time (TD) from the contact of the pickup roller with the sheet to the rotation is set longer than the contact pressure change time (TC) shown in FIG. It has started, and its time is set to 0.2 seconds, for example.
  • the specific time (TD) is not limited to 0.2 seconds.
  • the pickup roller 4 is controlled to stop rotation after being moved to the retracted position, but the retraction operation and rotation stop may be performed simultaneously. Alternatively, the retraction operation may be performed after the order is changed and the rotation is stopped. However, since the frictional force between the sheets is increased due to the pressing pressure of the pickup roller 4 during the period from stopping the rotation until the retraction, coping is likely to occur, so the rotation is stopped after the retraction, or The jam prevention effect is higher if you do it simultaneously.
  • the leading edge of the next sheet is not detected even after the standby time (TS).
  • the pickup roller is moved to a position where the pickup roller is brought into contact with the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking table, and after the TD elapses, the pickup roller is rotated after the preregistration sensor detects the leading edge of the sheet. And stop the rotation.
  • the timing of sheet contact and rotation start of the pickup roller is controlled as a measure against jamming of thin paper and the like, and the sheet to be fed is a thin paper with a low rigidity by further preventing jamming. Also, jamming during sheet feeding can be made less likely to occur.
  • the in-registration sensor 33 may be used instead of the pre-registration sensor 32 to control movement and rotation of the pickup roller 4. That is, after the sensor 33 during registration detects the trailing edge of the sheet separated and fed first, the pickup roller 4 is placed on the sheet when the leading edge of the next sheet is not detected even after the waiting time (TS). Move to a position to be in contact with the sheet stacked on the table, rotate the pickup roller 4 after the TD elapses, and do not let the pickup roller 4 abut on the sheet after the in-registration sensor 33 detects the leading edge of the sheet The rotation may be stopped by retracting to a position.
  • the sheet conveying apparatus 200 has a plain paper mode (also referred to as a “normal conveyance mode”) different from the thin paper mode described above, and the operation panel and the sheet conveying apparatus 200 which do not show these modes. It can be selected and set from an information processing apparatus (for example, a personal computer) to be connected. Then, in a state where the plain paper mode different from the thin paper mode is set, the control unit 45 sets the pickup roller 4 on the sheet stacking table 1 when continuously feeding a plurality of sheets. The pickup roller 4 is controlled to be continuously fed by rotating and stopping the pickup roller 4 while keeping the sheet in contact with the sheet.
  • a plain paper mode also referred to as a “normal conveyance mode”
  • the operation panel and the sheet conveying apparatus 200 which do not show these modes. It can be selected and set from an information processing apparatus (for example, a personal computer) to be connected.
  • the control unit 45 sets the pickup roller 4 on the sheet stacking table 1 when continuously feeding a plurality of sheets.
  • the pickup roller 4 is controlled to be continuously
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of the positional relationship between the leading end of the document to be fed and the pair of feeding rollers according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 6A shows a state in which the leading end of the document has reached a nip portion formed between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7.
  • FIG. 6B shows a state in which the leading end of the document has passed through a nip portion formed between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the feeding control operation in the thin paper mode which is performed by the control unit 45 of the first embodiment.
  • This control is intended to prevent the leading end of the sheet from being caught in the feeding roller 6 when the thin paper having low rigidity reaches the feeding roller 6.
  • the process shown in the flowchart is realized by the CPU (not shown) of the control unit 45 executing a program stored in the ROM.
  • the control shown in FIG. 7 and the control shown in FIG. 3 described above are performed in one feeding operation.
  • the control unit 45 waits for the elapse of a predetermined time T3 (S203).
  • the control unit 45 determines that the leading end of the sheet has passed through the nip portion formed between the feeding roller 6 and the separation roller 7.
  • the feed roller 6 is switched to the second feed speed V4 (high speed) and driven (S204).
  • the second feeding speed V4 (high speed) is higher than the first feeding speed V3 (low speed), for example, equal to or approximate to the conveyance speed for driving the registration rollers 17, 18, 20, 21. It is almost the same speed.
  • control unit 45 monitors whether or not it is detected that the sheet front end has reached the in-registration sensor 33 (S205). When it is determined that it has not detected that the sheet front end has reached the sensor 33 during registration (No in S205), the control unit 45 continues monitoring in S205. Then, when it is determined that it has been detected that the front end of the sheet has reached the sensor 33 during registration (in the case of Yes in S205), the control unit 45 advances the process to S206 and subsequent steps. The control unit 45 stops the driving of the feeding motor 8 (S206), returns the count TIME for controlling the driving of the feeding roller 6 to "0", and stops the measurement of time (S207).
  • the control unit 45 monitors whether or not it is detected that the sheet front end has reached the post-registration sensor 34 (S208). If the post-registration sensor 34 has not detected that the leading edge of the sheet has arrived (No in S208), the monitoring in S208 is continued. Then, when it is detected that the front end of the sheet has reached the post-registration sensor 34 (Yes in S208), the control unit 45 starts an image reading operation by the image reading sensors 14 and 15 at a predetermined timing (S209) .
  • control unit 45 monitors whether or not the rear end of the sheet has reached the post-registration sensor 34 (S210). When the post-registration sensor 34 does not detect the arrival of the sheet rear end (No in S210), the control unit 45 continues the image reading operation in S209.
  • the control unit 45 advances the process to S211.
  • the control unit 45 checks whether or not there is a sheet on the sheet stacking table 1. If it is determined that there is a sheet on the sheet stacking table 1 (in the case of Yes in S211), that is, if there is a next sheet, the control unit 45 returns the process to S201. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no sheet on the sheet stacking board 1 (S211: No), that is, if there is no next sheet, the control unit 45 ends the processing of this flowchart.
  • the feeding roller 6 is controlled to the first feeding speed. Furthermore, when it is determined that the leading end of the sheet following the sheet has passed the nip between the feeding roller 6 and the separation roller 7, the feeding roller 6 is set to a second feeding speed higher than the first feeding speed. Control. By such control, even if the sheet to be fed is thin paper or the like with a low rigidity, it is possible to prevent occurrence of jamming such as the sheet being caught in the feeding roller at the time of feeding.
  • FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the relationship between the sheet (original) on the sheet loading table 1, the feeding roller 6, the position of the leading end of the original, and the feeding speed of the pickup roller 4.
  • the length X of the leading end portion of the document may be, for example, about 1 ⁇ 4 of the circumferential diameter of the feeding roller 6.
  • the position of the nip portion between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7 is set as the center position of the axis of the feeding roller 6.
  • the configuration has been described in which the driving speed of the feeding roller 6 is changed from V3 to V4 at the timing when it is detected that T3 has elapsed since the trailing edge detection of the preceding sheet by the post-registration sensor 34.
  • the predetermined time T3 has elapsed.
  • the driving speed of the feeding roller 6 may be changed from V3 to V4.
  • the first feed speed V3 (low speed) is, for example, the second feed speed at which the peripheral speed of the feed roller 6 is the second feed speed even if the feed motor 8 that rotationally drives the feed roller 6 rises and overshoot occurs.
  • the set speed is approximately V4 (high speed). The set speed is obtained in advance by experiment or the like. Further, the first feeding speed V3 and the feeding speed V5 by the pickup roller 4 may be set equal.
  • the control unit 45 controls the feeding roller 6 at the second feeding speed V4 (high speed) when the feeding roller 6 starts driving.
  • a plurality of stacked originals are simultaneously fed by friction between the originals, and the original to be fed next is already nipped between the feeding roller 6 and the separation roller 7 by passing through the pickup roller 4. It may be in the so-called state of being present at a position close to the part.
  • the speed change is performed for the predetermined time T3
  • the leading end portion of the document immediately passes through the nip portion between the feeding roller 6 and the separation roller 7. That is, in this case, even if it is a timing at which the leading end of the document passes through the nip portion and can be switched to the speed V4, feeding is continued at the speed V3 until the predetermined time T3 elapses, and the throughput is lowered.
  • FIG. 9 is a view exemplifying a configuration in which a thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65 (second sheet detection sensor), which is an optical sensor for thin paper mode, is disposed at a position parallel to the feeding roller 6 in the document conveyance direction. is there.
  • FIG. 9A shows a state in which the leading end of the document has reached a nip portion formed between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7.
  • FIG. 9B shows a state in which the leading end of the document passes through the nip portion formed between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7 and reaches the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the feeding control operation in thin paper mode, which is performed by the control unit 45 in another aspect of the first embodiment.
  • the process shown in the flowchart is realized by the CPU (not shown) of the control unit 45 executing a program stored in the ROM.
  • the same steps as in FIG. 7 are assigned the same step numbers.
  • the control shown in FIG. 10 and the control shown in FIG. 3 described above are performed in one feeding operation.
  • the control unit 45 drives the feeding roller 6 at the first feeding speed V3 (low speed) (S202), and then advances the process to S212.
  • step S212 the control unit 45 monitors whether the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65 has detected the leading end of the document. When it is determined that the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65 has not yet detected the leading end of the document (No in S212), the control unit 45 continues monitoring in S212.
  • the control unit 45 advances the process to S204.
  • the processes after S204 are the same as those in FIG.
  • the control unit 45 changes the driving speed of the feeding roller 6 from the first feeding speed V3 to the second feeding speed V4 based on the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65 detecting the leading end of the document. .
  • the detection position of the optical sensor is the feed roller 6 and the separation roller so that the optical sensor detects that the leading end of the document has passed through the nip portion formed by the feed roller 6 and the separation roller 7. It is preferable that it is on the downstream side of the position of the nip portion formed by the number 7 and 7.
  • the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65 may be a detection sensor other than an optical sensor.
  • a tracking sensor movement detection sensor capable of detecting the movement amount of the document is disposed in the paper feeding unit Similar effects can be obtained by detecting.
  • the drive speed of the feeding roller 6 is changed from V3 to V4 in accordance with the detection of the leading end of the document by the pre-registration sensor 32, instead of the detection of the leading end of the document by the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65.
  • the driving speed of the feeding roller 6 may be changed from V3 to V4 according to the detection of the document by the double feed detection sensor 30.
  • the skew sensor detects the document.
  • the feed speed may be switched when it is determined. That is, when the document is detected by any of the sensors provided downstream of the separation roller pair 42, the feeding speed may be switched, and the sensor may be any type of sensor.
  • control unit 45 supplies the document at either the timing from the detection of the trailing edge of the preceding sheet by the post-registration sensor 34 to the elapse of T3 or the timing of detection of the subsequent sheet by the thin sheet conveyance registration sensor 65, whichever occurs earlier.
  • the drive speed of the feed roller 6 may be changed from V3 to V4.
  • FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the configuration of a sheet conveying apparatus (image reading apparatus) to which a sheet feeding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.
  • image reading apparatus image reading apparatus
  • FIG. 11 The same components as those in FIG. 1 and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals.
  • the registration roller pair (20, 21) is disposed downstream of the registration roller pair (17, 18).
  • the in-registration sensor 33 (third sheet detection sensor) is disposed downstream of the pair of registration rollers (17, 18) and upstream of the pair of registration rollers (20, 21), and detects the conveyed sheet.
  • the post-registration sensor 34 is disposed downstream of the registration roller pair (20, 21) and upstream of the image reading sensors 14, 15, and detects a sheet to be conveyed.
  • FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller and the feed roller (and the pair of registration rollers) and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment.
  • 13 to 16 are schematic views showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment.
  • the same reference numerals as in (0) to (11) in FIG. 12 denote the same states. The following series of flows will be described.
  • the feed roller 6 and the registration rollers (17, 18, 20, 21) are driven (FIG. 13 (0)), the pickup roller 4 is moved to the contact position (FIG. 13 (1)). After the lapse of time TD, the sheet is rotated (FIG. 13 (2)), and the sheet is fed to the feed roller 6.
  • the pickup roller 4 is moved to the retracted position (FIG. 14 (4)) to stop the rotation (FIG. 14 (4) ').
  • the feed roller 6 is stopped (FIG. 14 (6)). Then, the rear end of the sheet passes the pre-registration sensor 32 (FIG.
  • FIG. 17 to FIG. 17 to 19 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment, In this case, the front end of the next sheet is detected by the pre-registration sensor 32 during the period.
  • the feeding roller 6 and the registration rollers (17, 18, 20, 21) are driven as shown in FIGS. ), Moves the pickup roller 4 to the contact position (FIG. 17 (1)), rotates after the specific time (TD) elapses (FIG. 17 (2)), and feeds the first sheet to the feeding roller 6 .
  • the pickup roller 4 is moved to the retracted position (FIG. 18 (4)) to stop the rotation (FIG. 18 (4) ′) .
  • the second sheet is fed along with the first sheet due to friction between sheets, static electricity, or the like, and the feeding roller is fed. It corresponds to the case where the nip portion of 6 is reached. However, the first sheet and the second sheet are separated by the separating roller 7 so as not to be multi-fed. Thereafter, when the leading edge of the first sheet reaches the in-registration sensor 33 (FIG. 18 (5)), the feeding roller 6 is stopped (FIG. 18 (6)). Further, the trailing edge of the first sheet passes through the pre-registration sensor 32 (FIG. 19 (7)) (this time is referred to as “t0”), and after t1 elapses (FIG. 19 (8)) Rotate.
  • the feeding of the second sheet is started by the feeding roller 6. Thereafter, the trailing edge of the first sheet passes through the in-registration sensor 33 (FIG. 19 (8) '). Further, in the case of this example, the leading edge of the second sheet is detected by the pre-registration sensor 32 before the time t0 elapses from time t0 (FIG. 19 (8) ′ ′). In this case, as described above, without moving the pickup roller 4 to the contact position, the operation control is performed to wait for the leading edge of the second sheet to reach the sensor 33 during registration in (FIG. 18 (5)) Do.
  • a predetermined time (t1) elapses after the sheet rear end passes the pre-registration sensor 32.
  • FIG. 20 is a view for explaining the relationship between the positions of the feeding roller 6, the pre-registration sensor 32, and the registration rollers 17 and 18, the feeding speed of the feeding roller 6, and the conveyance speed of the registration roller.
  • the minimum conditions for waiting for the pickup roller 4 to drop onto the subsequent sheet are as follows. If the second sheet has reached the feeding roller 6 as the first sheet is fed, the second sheet passes when the first sheet passes the pre-registration sensor 32. Is present at a position advanced by “V1 ⁇ (L / V2)” from the position of the feeding roller 6. Therefore, if waiting for the time (L-V1 ⁇ (L / V2)) / V1 for the second sheet to be sent from the position to the position of the pre-registration sensor 32 at the feeding speed V1, the above-mentioned second sheet Sheet should reach the pre-resist sensor 32. Therefore, this time “(L ⁇ V1 ⁇ (L / V2)) / V1” can be set as the minimum condition of the waiting time until the pickup roller 4 is lowered to the subsequent sheet.
  • the structure of the various data mentioned above and its content are not limited to this, According to a use or the objective, you may be comprised by various structure or content.
  • the present invention can be embodied as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus comprising a single device. Further, all configurations obtained by combining the above-described embodiments are also included in the present invention.
  • the present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program. Can also be realized. It can also be implemented by a circuit (eg, an ASIC) that implements one or more functions. Further, the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus comprising a single device. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the respective embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, which are excluded from the scope of the present invention is not. That is, all configurations obtained by combining the above-described embodiments and their modifications are also included in the present invention.
  • the feed motor 8 is controlled to be stopped when the leading end of the sheet reaches the in-registration sensor 33, but the invention is limited thereto. Absent.
  • the feeding roller 6 can be configured to be rotated along with the document by the action of a one-way clutch or the like attached to the inside, the feeding roller 8 is rotated together with the feeding motor 8 when the long original is conveyed. The feeding roller may become a resistance and the document may be easily damaged.
  • the feeding roller 6 is controlled to a speed (higher than V4) equal to that of the registration rollers 20 and 21 to feed the long original. The load from the roller 6 can be reduced.
  • the feed motor may be stopped so as to stop the rotation of the feed roller 6 when the trailing edge of the sheet is detected by the pre-registration sensor 32 or the thin sheet conveyance registration sensor 65.
  • the pickup roller disposed above the sheet stacking table contacts the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table which can move up and down, and the sheet bundle
  • the configuration has been described in which the sheet is supplied to the feeding roller in order from the upper side of the sheet.
  • a pickup roller disposed below the sheet stacking table contacts from the lower side, and sheets are sequentially fed from the lower side of the sheet bundle.
  • the present invention is applicable even to a sheet feeding apparatus having a feeding configuration.
  • FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a document conveyance device (image reading device) according to the third embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 22 shows the configuration of main parts of the document conveyance device of FIG. It is a schematic diagram shown roughly.
  • the document conveying device 400 includes a sheet taking device 301.
  • a plurality of sheets are stacked on a sheet stacking table (original mounting table) 401, and the sheet stacking table 401 is configured to be movable up and down.
  • the sheet loading table drive motor 402 raises and lowers the sheet loading table 401.
  • the sheet detection sensor 403 detects that the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking table 401 is at the sheet loading position.
  • the sheet stacking detection sensor 412 detects that sheets are stacked on the sheet stacking surface 401 a of the sheet stacking table 401.
  • a feed roller 406 as an example of a document pickup unit is driven by the feed motor 408 to rotate in the direction of feeding the sheet downstream in the transport direction.
  • the separation roller 407 always receives rotational force that rotates in the direction of pushing back the sheet in the conveyance direction upstream from the separation motor 409 via a torque limiter (slip clutch) (not shown).
  • the feeding roller 406 is selected based on the upper limit of the rotational force in the direction in which the separating roller 407 transmitted by the torque limiter pushes the sheet back.
  • the rotational force in the direction in which the sheet is fed downstream is increased by the frictional force between the sheet fed downstream by this and the separation roller 407, and the separation roller 407 rotates following the feed roller 406 ( Bring along).
  • the separating roller 407 receives rotation from the roller shaft in the direction to push the sheet back to the upstream side. Not be transported to
  • the sheet is overlapped by the action of the feeding roller 406 feeding the sheet to the downstream side and the action of the separation roller 407 not to feed the sheet to the downstream side, and the feeding roller 406 and the separating roller 407
  • the feed roller 406 and the separation roller 407 constitute a pair of separation rollers 442 (original separation unit).
  • the separation roller pair 442 is used, but instead of the separation roller pair 442, a separation belt roller pair in which one of the separation roller and the feed roller is a belt may be used. .
  • the separation roller may be replaced with a separation pad, and by contacting the sheet, the conveyance of a plurality of sheets to the downstream side may be prevented.
  • the conveyance motor 410 conveys the sheet after document separation to the image reading position where the image reading sensor 414 or 415 reads an image of the document, and further conveys the sheet to the discharge position. Drive. Further, the conveyance motor 410 drives each roller so that the conveyance speed of the sheet can be changed in accordance with the setting of the speed suitable for reading the sheet, the resolution of the sheet, and the like.
  • the nip gap adjustment motor 411 adjusts the gap between the feed roller 406 and the separation roller 407 or the pressing force with which the feed roller 406 is in pressure contact with the separation roller 407 via a sheet. As a result, the gap or the pressing force adapted to the thickness of the sheet is adjusted, and the sheet can be separated.
  • the registration clutch 419 transmits the rotational driving force of the conveyance motor 410 to the registration roller 418 (original conveyance unit) or cuts off the transmission. By stopping the rotation of the pair of registration rollers 417 and 418, the leading end of the fed sheet is abutted against the nip portion of the pair of registration rollers 417 and 418 to correct the skew of the sheet.
  • the conveyance roller pairs 420 and 421, the conveyance roller pairs 422 and 423, and the roller pair further downstream shown in FIG. 21 convey the sheet to the discharge stacking unit 444.
  • the discharge sensor 416 detects the passage of the sheet upstream of the discharge stacking unit 444.
  • the two guide plates of the upper guide plate 440 and the lower guide plate 441 are composed of a separation roller pair 442, registration roller pairs 417 and 418, conveyance roller pairs 420 and 421, conveyance roller pairs 422 and 423, and a downstream roller pair. Guide the sheet being conveyed.
  • the pre-registration sensor 432 is disposed on the upstream side of the pair of registration rollers 417 and 418 and detects a sheet to be conveyed.
  • the post-registration sensor 433 is disposed downstream of the registration roller pair 417 and 418 to detect a sheet to be conveyed.
  • FIG. A substrate 300 on which an optical sensor 311 capable of detecting the behavior of the conveyed document is mounted is attached in parallel to the sheet loading table 401 at a position facing the sheet loading table 401. That is, the optical sensor 311 is attached so that the imaging surface of the optical sensor 311 is parallel to the surface (opposing surface) of the sheet loading table 401.
  • an area image sensor is used as the optical sensor 311.
  • the substrate 300 on which the optical sensor 311 is mounted is parallel to the surface of the sheet loading table 401. It is synonymous with becoming.
  • the behavior of the document is detected by acquiring the image of the document conveyed using the optical sensor 311 as an imaging element and detecting the movement amount based on the image information.
  • the optical sensor 311 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the imaging reference surface in the transport path in which the document is transported.
  • the imaging reference surface is a surface facing the optical sensor 311 which is an imaging element and serving as a reference for imaging by the optical sensor 311.
  • a transport path (a document (sheet) which is an imaging object is transported
  • the surface of the sheet loading table 401) is defined as an imaging reference surface.
  • a position corresponding to the front surface of the conveyed original is the imaging reference surface. That is, the surface of the sheet stacking table 401 at the uppermost position in the raising and lowering range of the sheet stacking table 401 when feeding the document substantially coincides with the imaging reference surface.
  • the optical sensor 311 By separating the optical sensor 311 from the imaging reference surface by a predetermined distance D0, it is possible to acquire an image of the original at an appropriate interval regardless of the type of the original and the position where the optical sensor 311 is disposed. Therefore, as the optical sensor 311, it is preferable to use a sensor whose imaging focus matches the document at a predetermined distance D0.
  • the optical sensor 311 is disposed apart from the imaging reference plane by approximately 20 mm to 30 mm as the predetermined distance D0.
  • an image of a document is acquired by the optical sensor 311, and an image provided at predetermined time intervals (or an image based on predetermined movement amount intervals) by the IC provided on the substrate 300 on which the optical sensor 311 is mounted.
  • the amount of movement is determined by comparing), and the IC mounted on the substrate 300 operates as a movement amount detection unit.
  • the image acquired by the optical sensor 311 may be transmitted to an external device, and the movement amount may be determined on the external device.
  • the movement amount detection unit includes the external device.
  • the document conveyance device in the present embodiment is configured including the portion in which the movement amount in the external device is determined.
  • the sheet stacking table 401 is provided with movable restriction members 451 at both ends in the width direction with respect to the transport direction, and restricts the width direction of the sheet.
  • the optical sensor 311 may be attached to the restriction member 451 or may be attached to the exterior of the main body.
  • the optical member 303 such as a prism or a lens
  • the amount of light received by the optical sensor 311 becomes maximum. Arrange in the same way. If there is no problem in operation, these optical members can be omitted in favor of miniaturization and cost.
  • the optical sensor 311 is a sensor capable of detecting the movement amount of the document.
  • the optical sensor 311 includes a movement amount detection unit (not shown) capable of detecting the movement amount or the movement direction of the object to be imaged.
  • a movement amount detection unit capable of detecting the movement amount or the movement direction of the object to be imaged.
  • An object to be imaged while sequentially comparing in the movement amount detection unit an image obtained by acquiring an area image by the optical sensor 311 and converting it into a digital signal by an A / D conversion unit (not shown). In this case, the movement amount or movement direction of the sheet is detected.
  • the optical sensor 311 in this embodiment is preferably one that acquires a surface image of a document by emitting infrared laser light with a laser or using light emitted by an LED to receive reflected light from the document or the like.
  • the distance D0 from the document conveyance surface to the optical sensor 311 is about 20 mm
  • a document conveyed in the conveyance path having a height of about 2 mm use infrared laser light having a wavelength of about 850 nm.
  • the image sensor is driven by TG (Timing Generator) inside the optical sensor 311 to acquire an image signal, and A / D conversion and the image signal are analyzed to determine the movement amount or movement direction of the imaging object. It is configured to detect.
  • the optical sensor 311 is provided with an image sensor, TG, AFE (Analog Front End), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and the TG is an image of an imaging target with the image sensor.
  • An image is acquired, A / D conversion is performed on the image signal acquired by the AFE, and the movement amount of the imaging object is detected by the DSP based on the digital image signal (so-called system on chip (SoC) )It has become).
  • SoC system on chip
  • the DSP functions as a movement amount detection unit.
  • the optical sensor 311 only acquires an image signal, and an image signal processing device (not shown) exists as a separate device, performs A / D conversion and analysis of the image signal by this image signal processing device, and captures an image.
  • the movement amount or movement direction of the object may be detected.
  • acquisition of the image signal in the optical sensor 311 is performed by irradiating the document with light, receiving the reflected light by the light receiving unit, and performing photoelectric conversion.
  • FIG. 25 shows a schematic view of an image obtained by performing signal processing on an image obtained from the optical sensor 311.
  • points extracted as feature points are represented by black squares.
  • bright or dark points are extracted as feature points as compared to other squares.
  • the optical sensor 311 acquires an image again, extracts a black square, and compares how the black square (feature point) moves, The movement amount from time 0 to t ′ is calculated. In the example of FIG. 25, it is determined that one space has moved to the right and one space has moved upward.
  • the movement amount may be calculated by the DSP in the optical sensor 311 as described above, or may be performed in an image signal processing device provided separately from the optical sensor 311.
  • the imaging surface (light receiving surface) of the optical sensor 311 and the surface of the document are arranged to be parallel to each other.
  • the characteristics of the optical sensor will be described with reference to FIG. 29.
  • the light receiving surface of the optical sensor and the document are parallel to each other Compared to when the light receiving surface and the document are inclined (right side in FIG. 29 (b)) to (left side in FIG. 29 (b)), the moving speed of the document to be imaged is faster .
  • the imaging range in the transport direction is L0
  • the image acquisition interval time of the sensor is T
  • the maximum value of the transport speed of the document transport unit The distance D0 is adjusted so that the distance L0TT ⁇ V is satisfied, where V is V.
  • L0 may be expressed as an imaging region.
  • the imaging area indicates the view angle of the optical sensor 311 in the imaging reference plane of the optical sensor 311. If there is an imaging target (original) in the imaging reference plane, an image in the imaging area is acquired. Can.
  • the conveyance direction is not the direction in which the original (sheet) is actually conveyed, but the direction in which the apparatus attempts to convey, that is, the direction along the rotation direction of the feed roller and the conveyance roller Vertical direction).
  • the image acquisition interval time of the sensor is set to T, in fact, it has a movement amount detection unit that detects the movement amount of the sheet based on the image acquired by the optical sensor 311, and the movement in the movement amount detection unit
  • the acquisition interval of the quantity should be T. That is, while acquiring the image acquisition interval time of the sensor at an interval shorter than T, detection of the movement amount in the movement amount detection unit is performed at T intervals, and other acquired data is ignored or the movement amount detection unit Alternatively, the input may not be performed.
  • the image acquisition interval time T of the sensor it is the same as the explanation here, and may be replaced with the movement amount acquisition interval time T.
  • L0 has a large value. Further, since the optical sensor 311 has a certain viewing angle, L0 can have a large value also by increasing the distance D0.
  • the image acquisition interval time T has a small value if the time required for the optical sensor 311 to acquire an image is short. Specifically, if the image reading clock of the optical sensor 311 is fast, the time for the optical sensor 311 to read the image signal becomes short. Alternatively, the smaller the number of pixels of the optical sensor 311, the shorter the time for reading out the image signal. However, when the number of pixels is small, the value of L0 described above is also affected (small).
  • L0 ⁇ T ⁇ V (or L0 ⁇ T ′ ⁇ V) is the minimum condition
  • the present invention refers to a more optimal arrangement.
  • the optical sensor captures an image once, but if the document has a displacement of 1 pixel or less, detection with extremely high accuracy is possible. It becomes possible. That is, it suffices to satisfy L0 ⁇ T ⁇ V ⁇ 5. From this relational expression, L0 / 5T is obtained as the upper limit value Vmax of the document conveyance speed for accurate detection.
  • FIG. 30 schematically shows the overlapping degree (overlap ratio) of the imaging region of the document at a certain time t1 and another time t2 (> t1).
  • the optical sensor 311 is disposed so as to satisfy ⁇ L0 ⁇ T ⁇ V by using ⁇ L0 ( ⁇ indicates an overlapping degree of imaging regions in FIG. 30 and ⁇ ⁇ 1), and the transport speed V is set. That is, ⁇ L 0 / T is obtained as the upper limit value Vmax of the document conveyance speed from this relational expression.
  • the detection accuracy of the optical sensor exhibits a characteristic of increasing as the degree of overlapping of the imaging regions is increased.
  • Vmax may be set so that the overlap degree of the imaging regions is ⁇ 1.
  • the overlapping area ⁇ L0 be N or more as an imaging pixel.
  • V ⁇ 5-4
  • the detection of the movement amount itself is performed at every image acquisition interval time. It is not always necessary to succeed in continuous detection.
  • the transport speed By setting the transport speed to such an extent that the amount of movement can be generally detected, that is, the extent to which the overlapping degree is ⁇ 1 as the first threshold value, the throughput of transport can be improved.
  • the characteristic of detection accuracy differs depending on the optical sensor used, it is preferable to set the overlapping degree ⁇ 1 of the imaging area such that the detection accuracy starts to saturate or slightly saturates.
  • ⁇ 0.6, but it does not matter.
  • the speed is the speed at which the document transport device transports the document
  • the speed increases stepwise (or steplessly depending on the type of motor) from the start of document transport until the predetermined speed is reached. It will be done.
  • the speed V1 at the time when the conveyance speed reaches a predetermined speed after the start of document conveyance satisfies the above-mentioned relational expression so that the speed at the rising or falling Is slower than V1, the detection accuracy of the optical sensor does not decrease, and the amount of movement can be suitably detected.
  • the image acquisition interval time T of the optical sensor 311 may be changed in conjunction with the change of the conveyance speed V.
  • the above-mentioned TG controls the image acquisition interval time T so that the imaging overlap area is always constant even if the conveyance speed V changes, by determining the imaging overlap area ( ⁇ L0) to be the target. By performing this control, even if the transport speed V changes, the detection accuracy of the optical sensor is always constant.
  • the image acquisition interval time T may be adjusted to adjust the overlap degree ⁇ of the imaging regions to a predetermined value. Good.
  • the detection accuracy of the optical sensor can be efficiently improved by setting the overlap degree ⁇ to ⁇ 1
  • the present invention is not limited to this, as long as the image acquisition interval time T can maintain a certain degree of overlap ⁇ . Good.
  • the output of the optical sensor may be output to an IC or the like that processes the output at a predetermined image acquisition interval time T, but another example will be shown below.
  • the transport speed V is around 1000 mm / sec.
  • the resolution of the optical sensor is set to output 1500 cpi, that is, 1500 counts per inch, movement of 1/1500 inch per count, ie, 0.017 mm is possible. If there is, it will output one count.
  • the transport speed V 1000 mm / sec, 1000 / 0.017100060000 counts per second, that is, 1 count is output at 1/60000 sec.
  • the optical sensor has a characteristic that the performance of the set resolution can not be exhibited when the transport speed is higher than a predetermined transport speed (detection accuracy is lowered).
  • the conveyance speed V 1000 mm / sec actually used by setting the resolution to about 1500 cpi so that equivalent detection accuracy can be exhibited for the conveyance speed that can be set as the document conveyance device.
  • the performance of the set resolution is exhibited by arranging so that the surface of the document and the imaging surface of the optical sensor are parallel (FIG. 29 (b) left). That is, even if the transport speed is increased, the performance of the set resolution can be maintained, and the detection accuracy of the optical sensor can be maintained.
  • optical sensors have resolution of 5000 cpi or more. If the resolution is increased, the detection accuracy of the optical sensor is improved, but it is necessary to operate the optical sensor at a high speed. Since the clock frequency is increased, the load and power consumption on an IC or the like that processes the output of the optical sensor also increase. Considering detecting the document conveyance state as shown here, by setting the resolution to about 1500 cpi, sufficient detection accuracy is required for the conveyance speed V of about 100 sheets / minute required as the conveyance speed. Therefore, the processing load can be reduced.
  • the conveyance state of the document can be detected by one optical sensor, and therefore, the apparatus can be provided without increasing the size and cost of the apparatus.
  • the optical sensor 311 is disposed on the upstream side of the conveyance path with respect to the feed roller 406 and the separation roller 407 in the apparatus main body. If arranged at this position, the occurrence of a defect can be detected early by the optical sensor 311 when a defect in conveyance occurs immediately after the conveyance of a document is started. In addition, since the position is close to the feeding roller 406, the movement of the document can be favorably detected even for a small document.
  • defective conveyance means that a document is obliquely conveyed at the time the document is conveyed by the document conveyance unit (for example, the feeding roller 406), or stapled to the separation roller 407. It refers to a situation in which the original is conveyed and the separation operation works but the original can not be separated in practice.
  • the conveyance path is longer than the feeding roller 406 and the separation roller 407.
  • the configuration according to the present embodiment it is possible to detect the transport state of the document with one optical sensor, and also to detect the transport state after the document is fed into the apparatus body and restricted in the width direction. It has become. Therefore, the processing time can not be increased because the conveyance state of the document can be detected without executing additional processing.
  • a light source unit 302 is provided in order to increase the amount of light received by the optical sensor 311 as shown in FIG.
  • the light source unit 302 is provided as a device separate from the optical sensor 311, but the optical sensor 311 and the light source unit 302 may be configured as one device.
  • the light source unit 302 arranged to be able to emit light from a direction different from the irradiation direction from the optical sensor 311
  • the emitted light is reflected on the surface of the original.
  • the optical sensor 311 the optical sensor captures an image of the surface of the document.
  • the lens 303 may be disposed in front of the optical sensor more efficiently to condense light.
  • the apparatus since the transport state of the document can be detected by one optical sensor, the apparatus can be provided without increasing the size and cost of the apparatus.
  • FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a document conveyance device according to the present embodiment
  • FIG. 27 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of main parts of the document conveyance device of FIG.
  • the basic configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment, so only the different parts will be described.
  • a pickup roller 404 (loading unit) as an example of a document pickup unit sends out the sheet of the sheet stacking table 401 from the sheet stacking table 401.
  • the pickup roller drive motor 405 rotates the pickup roller 404.
  • the upper surface of the sheet is at the sheet take-in position, and when the pickup roller 404 is rotated, sheet take-in starts.
  • the pickup roller 404 can be moved to a sheet taking-in position and a retracted position above the sheet taking-in position by a driving unit (not shown).
  • the pickup roller 404 moves to the taking-in position when taking in the sheet, and moves to the retracted position when taking in the sheet.
  • FIG. 28 shows the details of the essential parts of this embodiment.
  • the height h of the sheet feeding unit 313 composed of the pickup roller 404, the pickup roller drive motor 405, the feed roller 406, the nip clearance adjustment motor 411, and finally the separation roller 407 and the separation motor 409 from the conveyance path
  • the optical sensor 311 is disposed at the position, and the configuration of the sheet feeding unit enables the optical sensor 311 to be disposed without affecting the size in the height direction of the housing. Details of the method of arranging the optical sensor 311 will be described with reference to FIGS. 32 and 33.
  • FIG. 32 is a diagram in which the optical sensor 311, the pickup roller 404, and the separation roller 407 are extracted when the document conveyance device is viewed in a form facing the sheet feeding surface.
  • a member holding the pickup roller 404 extends and holds the optical sensor 311.
  • 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB 'of the structure of FIG. 32, and shows an example in which the optical sensor 311 is covered by the case body 312 as described later with reference to FIG.
  • the case body 312 holding the optical sensor 311 is provided so that a part thereof protrudes from the housing 490 of the image reading apparatus 400, and the optical sensor 311 is mounted inside the case body 312.
  • the optical sensor 311 is fixed further upstream from the pickup roller 404.
  • the optical sensor 311 be arranged in a direction not to pick up the pickup roller 404 so that only the document is picked up (for a part of the pickup area). However, if there is an area other than the document, the amount of information for detecting the amount of movement or the direction of movement decreases, which causes a reduction in detection accuracy).
  • the optical sensor 311 is disposed in the direction in which the wall surface having a shorter distance to the sheet feeding surface is disposed upstream
  • the optical sensor 311 is disposed in the direction in which the wall surface of the case body 312 having a shorter distance to the sheet feeding surface is disposed on the downstream side, the opposite
  • the wall surface having a shorter distance to the paper feed surface is disposed downstream in consideration of generation of paper dust in the pickup roller 404 and the separation roller 407. It is preferable to arrange the optical sensor 311 in the direction. By arranging in this manner, it is possible to reduce the adhesion of paper dust to the surface facing the optical sensor 311 (the light transmitting surface 312c in FIG. 34).
  • the original document originally at the position of the alternate long and short dash line is more than the position where it is placed by the frictional force generated between the straight original document and the surface of the next original document when the original document is conveyed. It may move to the paper feed unit 313 side (dotted line position).
  • the optical sensor 311 can detect the transport failure with respect to the original type.
  • the minimum-sized document at the position indicated by the dotted line ie, the minimum-size document at the position where the leading edge enters feed unit portion 313 due to friction with the preceding document
  • the optical sensor 311 is disposed at a position where the rear end is included in the imaging region L0 of the optical sensor 311.
  • the minimum original size varies depending on the device, but may be a business card size, etc. In that case, the optical sensor 311 is disposed at a position close to the pickup roller 404, and in some cases, provided inside the paper feed unit 313 It is also good.
  • the detection of the trailing edge of the document utilizes the fluctuation of the output when the trailing edge of the preceding document forms a shadow on the next document.
  • a specific arrangement of the optical sensor 311 is slightly upstream of the leading end of the sheet loading table 401 at which the sheets are loaded. That is, it is a position facing the sheet stacking table 401 on the leading edge side of the sheet stacking table 401. Further, by disposing the optical sensor 311 lower than the height of the sheet feeding unit 313 having the pickup roller 404 and the feeding roller 406, the enlargement of the apparatus main body can be suppressed.
  • the configuration of the present embodiment it is possible to detect the transport state of the document by one optical sensor, and to detect the transport state after the document is restricted. Therefore, the processing time can not be increased because the conveyance state of the document can be detected without executing additional processing.
  • FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the optical sensor 311 whose periphery is covered with a mold member and a light transmitting plate.
  • the optical sensor 311 is mounted on the substrate 300, and for example, a light emitting element (laser light source) that outputs infrared laser light and a light receiving element that receives reflected light of light output from the light emitting element.
  • a sensor element including The light emitting element and the light receiving element are disposed adjacent to each other on the optical sensor 311.
  • the mold members 312 a and 312 b and the light transmitting plate 312 c shown in FIG. 34 constitute a part of the case body 312 covering the periphery of the optical sensor 311.
  • the mold members 312 a and 312 b form walls perpendicular to the substrate 300.
  • the light transmitting plate 312 c is connected to an end of the mold members 312 a and 312 b opposite to the end on the substrate 300 side.
  • the wall formed by the mold member 312b is longer than the wall formed by the mold member 312a such that the light transmitting plate 312c is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate 300 or the above-described imaging reference surface. ing.
  • the light transmitting plate 312 c transmits light that is output from the light emitting element of the optical sensor 311 and travels to the document.
  • the light transmitted through the light transmitting plate 312 c and reflected by the document is transmitted through the light transmitting plate 312 c and received by the light receiving element of the optical sensor 311.
  • paper dust can be prevented from directly adhering to the optical sensor 311, and paper dust can be prevented from being erroneously extracted as a feature point.
  • the light emitted by the optical sensor 311 (light emitting element) preferably uses light in the near infrared region of about 850 nm, and a filter capable of transmitting light in that band may be used as the light transmitting plate 312 c. preferable.
  • a material having a reflectance r2 (r1> r2) lower than the reflectance r1 of the light transmitting plate 312c may be adopted for the mold members 312a and 312b in preparation for the generation of reflected light by the light transmitting plate 312c. .
  • FIG. 34A shows an arrangement example of the optical sensor 311 in the middle of the sheet conveyance path 1600, and at the position between the conveyance roller 1601 and the conveyance roller 1602 in the middle of the conveyance path 1600, the optical sensor 311 Is arranged.
  • the transport rollers 1601 and 1602 may be the feed roller 406 and the registration roller 417, respectively.
  • the long wall 312b is disposed upstream in the sheet conveyance direction, and the short wall 312a is in the sheet conveyance direction. It is located downstream.
  • This arrangement is effective to suppress the influence of external light directed from the outside to the inside of the case body 312.
  • the short wall 312a may be disposed on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and the long wall 312b may be disposed on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction.
  • This arrangement is, for example, the influence of such paper dust when paper dust tends to fly by the conveyance roller 1602 because the conveyance roller 1602 arranged downstream of the conveyance roller 1601 has a higher rotational speed than the conveyance roller 1601. Is effective to reduce
  • Embodiment 1 A document placement table on which the document is placed; An imaging element that receives light reflected by the document and performs photoelectric conversion; A movement amount detection unit that detects the movement amount of the document based on the image of the document acquired by the imaging device; A document transport unit for transporting the document along the transport path; The image sensor is A predetermined distance from the imaging reference plane by the imaging element so that the imaging area in the transport direction with respect to the original document is larger than the product of the travel distance acquisition interval time of the travel detection unit and the transport speed of the original transport unit.
  • An original conveying apparatus characterized in that it is disposed at a remote position.
  • Embodiment 2 The document according to the first embodiment, wherein the document is conveyed by the document conveyance unit such that an overlapping ratio between images captured at the movement amount acquisition interval in the image sensor is equal to or more than a first threshold.
  • Document feeder
  • Embodiment 3 The document conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first threshold is 60%.
  • Embodiment 4 The above imaging device is 4.
  • Embodiment 5 A document separation unit for conveying a plurality of conveyed documents one by one; 5.
  • the document conveying apparatus according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the image pickup device is disposed upstream of the document separating unit with respect to the conveyance direction.
  • the image pickup device includes a light source unit configured of a laser or an LED, and light emitted from the light source unit receives light reflected on the surface of the document to perform photoelectric conversion. 5.
  • the document feeder according to any one of 5.
  • the height is lower than the height of either the document pickup unit for conveying the document stacked on the document placement table toward the document feeding, or the document separation unit.
  • the image pickup device is characterized in that the image pickup device is disposed at a position where the plurality of documents can simultaneously pass through the imaging region of the image pickup device when the plurality of the documents are stacked and continuously conveyed on the document mounting table. 7.
  • the document conveying apparatus according to claim 5 or 6.
  • an encoder that detects the amount of movement of a document in the conveyance direction in order to know the conveyance direction of a document for the purpose of detecting whether the document is conveyed normally in a document conveyance device that conveys a sheet by a predetermined amount
  • the optical sensor that measures the displacement amount in a specific detection direction (first detection direction) that is not orthogonal to the transport direction
  • the displacement amount in the transport direction from the optical sensor was calculated from the amount of displacement in the direction of detection, and the amount of displacement in the transport direction was determined using this amount of skewing and the amount of displacement from the encoder (prior art 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-209196) .
  • the transport speed is calculated from the image obtained by the laser light source and the transport speed is calculated, and then a filter of a predetermined band is provided.
  • the transport speed was accurately calculated by removing components other than the transport direction by filter processing (prior art 2: JP-A-2014-119432).
  • FIG. 35 is a schematic view of a sheet feeding apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the sheet feeding apparatus A includes an image reading apparatus (scanner or the like) for reading an image of a document, a printing apparatus (printer or the like) for printing on a document, or an apparatus having a document conveyance system such as a multifunction machine combining these.
  • image reading apparatus scanner or the like
  • printing apparatus printing or the like
  • document conveyance system such as a multifunction machine combining these.
  • present embodiment will be described as an example applied to an image reading apparatus.
  • the sheet feeding apparatus A is an apparatus for one or more originals S stacked on a mounting table 501 (a part of the mounting unit) provided at the upper end portion on the back side of the apparatus main body A1.
  • a device that conveys in the path RT inclined relative to the horizontal surface (the installation surface of the device main body A1), reads the image, and discharges it to the discharge tray 502 provided at the lower end of the front surface of the device main body A is there.
  • the original S to be read is, for example, a sheet such as an OA sheet, a check, a check, a business card, a card, etc., and may be a thick sheet or a thin sheet.
  • the cards may include, for example, a health insurance card, a license, a credit card, and the like.
  • the mounting table 501 is detachably provided in the apparatus main body A1, but the mounting table 501 may be integrally provided to the apparatus main body A1. As a result, the difference in level caused by the junction between the apparatus main body A1 and the mounting table 501 is eliminated, so that the movement of the document on the mounting unit can be smoothly performed, and the feeding quality of the document can be improved.
  • a first transport unit 510 is provided as a feeding mechanism for feeding the document S along the path RT of the apparatus main body A1.
  • the first conveyance unit 510 includes a feeding roller 610 and a separation roller 512 disposed opposite to the feeding roller 610, and the document S disposed on the stacking surface side of the mounting table 501 is The sheets are sequentially conveyed one by one in the feeding direction D1.
  • FIG. 35 shows the standby state in FIG. 36 for the transport state.
  • 37 shows the drive transmission structure of the entire apparatus
  • FIG. 38 shows an enlarged view of the main part of the feeding unit
  • FIG. 39 shows an enlarged view of the main part of the feeding and conveying unit
  • FIG. It shows a perspective view.
  • the feeding direction D1 is provided to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the placement surface of the sheet feeding device A, and the weight of the document S placed on the placement table 501 is fed by its own weight.
  • a document S is supplied to the transport mechanism.
  • the upper end portion of the apparatus main body A1 is provided as a placement unit on which the leading end side of the document S or document bundle placed on the placement table 501 is placed. That is, the document S or the document bundle is placed on the placement table at the upper end portion of the apparatus main body A1 together with the placement table 501.
  • a roller mounting portion a1 which is a concave portion for mounting the feeding roller 610 so as to abut the lowermost document S on the side of the mounting portion. It is provided.
  • the cover member a3 covering the periphery of the feeding roller 610 mounted in the roller mounting portion a1 can be opened and closed at the end of the roller mounting portion a1.
  • the cover member a3 is provided with a through hole a4 individually surrounding each of the feeding roller portions 511. Then, in a state in which the cover member a3 is in the open state, the feeding roller 610 can be detachably attached to the roller mounting portion a1. That is, in the present embodiment, a portion of the cover member a3 constitutes the placement portion, that is, a portion of the upper surface of the cover member a3 that is upstream of the portion to which the separation roller 512 of the feeding roller 610 is in contact. A placement portion on which the original is placed is configured.
  • the feeding roller 610 as shown in FIGS. 38 and 40, for example, two feeding roller portions (first roller portion and second roller portion) 511 formed of a rubber material or the like are attached to the wheel portion 611.
  • the wheels 611 are individually mounted, and the wheel portions 611 are individually supported by the feed roller shaft (rotational shaft) 511 b via the one-way clutch 511 a.
  • the one-way clutch 511a of the present embodiment is an independent first one-way clutch and an independent second one-way clutch provided respectively for the plurality of feeding roller portions 511 provided separately on the left and right.
  • the movement detection sensors for detecting the movement of the document are provided at two places of the apparatus main body A1, and one of the first movement detection sensors 535 is supplied as shown in FIG.
  • the other second movement detection sensor 545 is provided on the upper end portion of the apparatus main body A1 closer to the mounting table 501 than the nip portion N between the feed roller 610 and the separation roller 512. It is provided in the conveyance path. That is, in the present embodiment, the first movement detection sensor 535 detects movement of the document before separation, and the second movement detection sensor 545 detects movement of the document immediately after separation.
  • the first movement detection sensor 535 installed on the front side (upstream side) of the separating and feeding unit is a sensor completed in one package in this embodiment, and in one detection area, the light source The light is irradiated, the reflected light from the document is received by the imaging unit, and an image (sheet image) obtained is obtained at a predetermined sampling period, and the movement of the tracking target area included in the image is tracked. It is a tracking type optical sensor (tracking sensor) which detects the movement amount or movement direction of a document based on it.
  • Such a first movement detection sensor 535 is, for example, located upstream of the document detection sensor 590 before separation, in the present embodiment, and detects the movement of the lowermost document on the document loading table 501 side.
  • a sensor that tracks changes in the original image obtained by imaging the lowermost original that moves after the start of separation and feeding, and detects changes in the original image as movement of the original during separation is there.
  • the first movement detection sensor 535 detects the movement of the document after the feeding roller 610 starts feeding. Then, when the abnormality determination unit (CPU 81 shown in FIG.
  • the drive control unit (a control unit 80 described later) that controls the drive of the feeding unit temporarily stops the driving of the feeding roller 610.
  • the first movement detection sensor 535 of this embodiment is provided in the roller mounting portion a1 of the apparatus main body A1, and is covered by the cover member a3 together with the feeding roller 610.
  • the cover member a3 is provided with a window portion a5 penetrating in the thickness direction, and the window portion a5 is a first portion when the cover member a3 is closed with respect to the roller mounting portion a1. It faces the movement detection sensor 535.
  • the first movement detection sensor 535 can detect the movement of the document on the upper surface side of the cover member a3 through the window portion a5 of the cover member a3. As described above, by disposing the first movement detection sensor 535 in the opening peripheral portion of the roller mounting portion a1, the first movement detection sensor 535 can be installed near the nip portion N for looking at the document, so the first movement detection sensor The movement of the document advancing one after another to the nip N can be detected by 535.
  • the first movement detection sensor 535 may determine whether the moving direction of a characteristic image area (hereinafter, tracking target area) extracted from the document image is different from the reference direction. If the moving direction is different from the reference direction, it can be determined that the separation abnormality pattern (oblique conveyance abnormality) occurs when the original is skewed.
  • a characteristic image area hereinafter, tracking target area
  • the “reference direction” for determining the separation abnormality here is a direction determined based on the feeding direction in the apparatus main body A1. For example, in order to make the sensor reference direction in the first movement detection sensor 535 coincide with the normal feeding direction when the document is fed straight without being skewed, The movement detection sensor 535 may be incorporated.
  • the moving direction of the tracking target area of the document is different from the reference direction, the moving speed is higher than the threshold, the rotation component is involved, or the state is neither the above-mentioned skewing abnormality nor the below-mentioned nonfeed error.
  • it can be determined or estimated to be a separation abnormality pattern (staple abnormality) when the document bound by staples or the like is separated.
  • the feed roller 610 idles without contacting the document properly, the force for feeding the document is not transmitted well, and the movement speed of the tracking target area is decelerated during movement, or the movement amount Is less than the threshold value or does not move at all, it can be judged as a separation abnormality pattern (non-feed abnormality) when the non-feed of the document occurs.
  • the abnormality patterns of oblique feeding and staple may be handled as one separation abnormality pattern. That is, if the movement direction of the tracking target area is oblique with respect to the reference direction, it is immediately judged as a separation abnormality (feed error) without discriminating whether a skew abnormality or a staple abnormality is present. It is also good. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required to distinguish the separation abnormality and to reduce the processing load, and to accelerate error processing thereafter, so that it is possible to effectively reduce the damage to the document accompanying the separation abnormality.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above-described pattern abnormality detection. For example, it is determined that the movement direction of the tracking target area of the document is not the reference direction and the movement speed (or movement amount) does not satisfy a predetermined condition. In this case, it may be handled as one abnormal pattern (feeding error) without being distinguished from the skewing abnormality, the staple abnormality, and the non-feed abnormality. In this case, the time and processing load required to detect an abnormality can be reduced, and further error processing can be further accelerated, and document damage associated with separation abnormality can be reduced more effectively.
  • FIG. 41 is a block diagram of the control unit 80 of the sheet feeding apparatus A.
  • the control unit 80 includes a CPU 81, a storage unit 82, an operation unit 83, a communication unit 84, and an interface unit 85.
  • the CPU 81 controls the entire sheet feeding apparatus A by executing a program stored in the storage unit 82.
  • the storage unit 82 includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, and the like.
  • the operation unit 83 includes, for example, a switch, a touch panel, and the like, and receives an operation from the operator.
  • the CPU 81 also functions as an abnormality determination unit that receives the detection result of the first movement detection sensor 535 and determines whether or not a feeding abnormality has occurred based on the detection result, and controls the drive of the actuator 86. It also functions as a drive control unit that stops the driving of the feed roller 610.
  • the communication unit 84 is an interface that performs information communication with an external device.
  • the communication unit 84 may include, for example, a USB interface or a SCSI interface.
  • the communication unit 84 may be a wireless communication interface, and may include both wired communication and wireless communication interfaces.
  • the interface unit 85 is an I / O interface that inputs and outputs data with the actuator 86 and the sensor 87.
  • the actuator 86 includes the motor 3, the motor 4 and the like.
  • the sensor 87 includes a first movement detection sensor 535, a double feed detection sensor 540, a second movement detection sensor 545, medium detection sensors 550 and 560, an image reading unit 570, an original detection sensor 590, and the like.
  • the basic operation of the sheet feeding device A will be described. For example, upon receiving an instruction to start reading an image from an external personal computer connected to the sheet feeding apparatus A, the control unit 80 starts driving the first to third conveyance units 510 to 530. The documents S stacked on the mounting table 501 are conveyed one by one from the document S located at the lowermost position.
  • the image reading start instruction may be executed by pressing the start button provided on the sheet feeding apparatus A.
  • the control unit 80 starts reading the image of the document S conveyed by the second conveyance unit 520 by the image reading units 570 and 70 at a timing based on the detection result of the medium detection sensor 560, and primarily reads the read image. Store and send to an external PC sequentially.
  • the document S whose image has been read is discharged onto the discharge tray 502 by the third conveyance unit 30, and the image reading process of the document S is completed.
  • the movement detection sensor 535 may be provided to the placement portion of the apparatus main body A1, and the cover member a3 may be provided to surround the installation location of the movement detection sensor 535. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a window in the cover member a3, so the structure can be simplified.
  • a retracting portion for avoiding interference with the movement of the tip of the document detection sensor 590 is omitted.
  • the feeding portion for feeding a document may be configured by a feeding roller 610 brought into contact with the separating portion and a pick roller 610A provided closer to the mounting table than the feeding roller 610. .
  • a pick roller is provided on a side closer to the mounting table 501 than the feed roller 610 with respect to the entrance of the document to the nip portion formed by the separation roller (not shown) contacting the feed roller 610. It can be assisted by 610A. Even in such a configuration, if the movement detection sensor 535 is disposed between the feeding roller 610 and the pick roller 610A, the non-feed or abnormal feeding of the document between the feeding roller 610 and the pick roller 610A can be performed. It can be detected.
  • such movement detection sensor 535 it may be provided in the central part corresponding between each roller of feeding roller 610 and pick roller 610A, or a portion 535a shown by a dotted line in FIG. It may be provided in the gap between the roller portion of the pick roller 610A and the roller portion of the feed roller 610 in the feeding direction D1. At any sensor installation location, the posture is stabilized by the roller of the document, so the movement detection sensor 535 can perform stable movement detection of the document.
  • a structure is employed in which the feed roller 610 and the pick roller 610A are covered with a cover member a3 formed of one plate-like member.
  • a window is provided in the cover member a3 so as to face the movement detection sensor 535, and even when the cover member a3 is closed, movement of the document on the cover member a3 is detected through the window. It can be detected by 535.
  • the second movement detection sensor 545 is provided upstream of the double feed detection sensor 540 in the feeding direction, and the second movement detection sensor 545 and the double feed detection sensor 540 are arranged in a line.
  • the above-described structure has been described, but in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 44A and 44B, the second movement detection sensor 545 is provided in another area.
  • a portion where the feeding roller portion 511 and the separation roller 512 are not in contact with each other, ie, a nip portion on one side of the downstream region Z 2 in the feeding direction downstream side from the portion other than the N may be provided a second movement detection sensor 545.
  • the double feed detection sensor 540 can be disposed close to the nip N side, and double feed detection can be detected early.
  • the second movement detection sensor 545 provided on both sides of the downstream region Z 1 may be tracked detect the movement of the original left and right.
  • the nip portion N between the feeding roller portion 511 of the feeding roller 610A and the separation roller 512 is disposed at the central portion of the feeding roller portion 511, and both sides thereof are feeding rollers.
  • a space for arranging the double feed detection sensor 540 can be widely provided in the gap between the respective feeding roller portions 511.
  • a second movement detection sensor 545 may be provided on one side of the feeding roller shaft 511b of the feeding roller 610A in the axial direction, as in FIG. In this case, while not only the side the other side of the downstream region Z 2, i.e., the second movement detection sensor 545 provided on both sides of the downstream region Z 1, may be tracked detect the movement of the original left and right .
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 45, when a portion not contacting the separation roller 512 is provided on the gap side of each feed roller portion 511, the gap of each feed roller 511 Can be spread out. Therefore, the downstream region Z2 on the downstream side can be formed wider from the gap between the feeding rollers 511, so that the double feed detection sensor 540 and the second movement detection sensor 545 with respect to the downstream region Z2 as shown in FIG. In the width direction orthogonal to the feeding direction.
  • the separation roller 512 may be in pressure contact with both outer roller ends.
  • the second movement detection sensor 545 may be disposed to face the inside of the gap between the feeding roller portions 511 of the feeding roller 610.
  • the separation of the bound document is performed.
  • the separation feeding operation can be temporarily stopped.
  • control may be performed to turn off the detection of the double feed detection sensor 540.
  • a cover member a3 that covers the feeding roller 610 is disposed.
  • the cover member a3 is penetrated to provide a window (not shown), and when the cover member a3 is closed, the window included in the cover member a3 is used as the second movement detection sensor 545 on the apparatus body A1 side. Let them face each other.
  • the second movement detection sensor 545 is disposed in the gap between the feeding roller portions 511, and movement of the document whose posture is relatively stable at the left and right nip portions is made through the window portion. Tracking detection can be performed.
  • the detection area of such a second movement detection sensor 545 has less influence of paper dust, enables highly accurate tracking detection, and can track the movement of the document immediately after the nip portion, so that feeding abnormality is caused. And the like can be detected immediately, so that, for example, before damage to the document occurs, it is possible to appropriately take subsequent measures such as temporary stop of the separation feeding operation and error processing.
  • the first movement detection sensor and the second movement detection sensor are arranged before and after the nip portion, movement of various originals can be detected, and abnormal movement of the originals can be detected early. it can.
  • the first movement detection sensor 535 is installed for detection of the movement of the document before separation
  • the second movement detection sensor 545 is installed for detection of the movement of the document immediately after separation.
  • the present invention is of course not limited to this, and may be configured to have only one of the first movement detection sensor 535 and the second movement detection sensor 545.
  • a sheet transport apparatus may be provided in which only the first movement detection sensor is mounted without providing the second movement detection sensor.
  • the second movement detection is performed not only immediately after the start of feeding but also continuously detecting the detection period of the first movement detection sensor until the trailing end of the document passes the first movement detection sensor. It is also possible to omit the sensor.
  • the document detection sensor 590 detects the document presence and detects another document by the control unit that controls the document conveyance device.
  • the sensor detects the absence of an original, it is the timing when the trailing edge of the original on the last sheet of the paper passes through the other original detection sensor, so the light emission of the first movement detection sensor is controlled to stop at that timing. End the movement detection of the original by.
  • the unnecessary light from the first movement detection sensor can be prevented in advance from being irradiated.
  • a sheet feeding apparatus comprising:
  • the apparatus main body having the feeding unit is provided with a drive control unit that controls driving of the feeding unit.
  • the drive control unit may stop driving of the feeding unit based on a detection result of the movement detecting unit after sheet feeding start by the feeding unit. Sheet feeding device.
  • the apparatus main body includes a roller mounting portion to which a feeding roller constituting the feeding portion is attached and detached, and the roller mounting portion can be opened and closed and covers the periphery of the feeding roller mounted to the roller mounting portion.
  • a cover member is provided, 11
  • Embodiment 12 The apparatus main body includes a roller mounting portion to which a feeding roller constituting the feeding portion is attached and detached, and the roller mounting portion can be opened and closed and covers the periphery of the feeding roller mounted to the roller mounting portion.
  • a cover member is provided, 11.
  • the apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the movement detection unit is provided at an opening peripheral portion of the roller mounting unit covered by the cover member in a portion of the apparatus main body on which a sheet is placed. Sheet feeding device.
  • the feeding unit includes a feeding roller that is in pressure contact with the separating unit, and a pick roller provided closer to the mounting table than the feeding roller. 13.
  • the sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects, wherein the movement detecting unit is provided between the feeding roller and the pick roller.
  • Embodiment 14 On the opposite side of the movement detecting unit to the feeding unit side in the placing unit, another document detection sensor is disposed which detects that the sheet on the placing unit has run out, The sheet movement detection unit according to any one of the embodiments 8 to 13, wherein the movement detection unit ends the movement detection of the sheet based on the detection result that the other document detection sensor detects that the sheet on the placement unit is lost.
  • the sheet feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims.
  • Embodiment 15 The feeding unit includes first and second roller portions brought into contact with the separating portion, a rotating shaft for rotating the first and second roller portions, and a space between the first roller portion and the rotating shaft. 15.
  • Embodiment 16 16. The sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of the eighth to fifteenth aspects, wherein the placement unit is at least partially configured by a placement table that is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.
  • a sheet conveying apparatus comprising the sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of embodiments 8 to 16, wherein The sheet conveyance device, wherein the movement detection unit is provided as a conveyance abnormality detection sensor in a conveyance path in which a sheet is conveyed.
  • the above-described configuration provides a new mechanism for detecting the sheet movement state when separating and feeding from the lowermost sheet on the sheet mounting table side. be able to. As a result, it is possible to realize a sheet feeding device, a sheet conveying device, and an image reading device capable of detecting the sheet movement state even when separately feeding from the lowermost sheet on the sheet mounting portion side.
  • FIGS. 47 to 51 are schematic views of a sheet conveying apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 47 shows the standby state in FIG. 48 while the transport state is in FIG. The same reference numerals as in FIGS. 35 and 36 denote the same parts.
  • the apparatus body A1 of the present embodiment is rotatable with a first housing (lower unit) U1 having an installation surface, and a hinge or the like with respect to the first housing. And a second housing (upper unit) U2 connected to the Then, in the present embodiment, the path RT along which the document S is transported is formed by a gap between the inclined surface on the upper side in the vertical direction of the first housing U1 and the inclined surface on the lower side in the vertical direction of the second housing U2. ing.
  • the double feed detection sensor 540 is an ultrasonic sensor, and a transmission unit 541 of ultrasonic waves disposed so as to sandwich the route RT and its reception Section 542, and the double feed is performed based on the principle that the attenuation amount of the ultrasonic wave passing through the document S is different between the case where the document S such as paper is double-fed and the case where it is conveyed one by one. It is a sensor to detect.
  • the transmitting unit 541 of the ultrasonic wave is provided on the first housing U1 side of the apparatus main body A1, and the receiving unit 542 of the ultrasonic wave is the second housing U2 so as to face the transmitting unit 541 of the ultrasonic wave. It is provided on the side.
  • the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 541 and the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 542 are mounted on separate substrates 601 and 602 respectively, the substrate 601 is incorporated in the first housing U1, and the substrate 602 is incorporated in the second housing U1.
  • the minute analog signal received by the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 542 is amplified and detection control is performed in the shortest time.
  • Such a double feed detection sensor 540 forms a double feed detection region 540 a in the route RT at a portion sandwiched between the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 541 and the receiving unit 542 (see FIG. 39).
  • this double feed detection area 540a since sonic vibration occurs, it is conceivable that even if paper dust is mixed therein, the paper dust may be scattered to other parts by sonic vibration to prevent remaining, but paper dust As a result, the amount of attenuation of ultrasonic waves may fluctuate, and the accuracy of double feed detection may deteriorate.
  • the movement detection sensor 545 is provided on the second housing U2 side. For this reason, it is a structure where paper dust hardly adheres to the movement detection sensor 545. Therefore, the movement detection sensor 545 can be disposed close to the feeding portion (nip portion) side. Since the front end of the document having passed through the nip portion has a relatively stable posture, the tracking accuracy can be enhanced by arranging the movement detection sensor 545 close to the nip portion.
  • the movement detection sensor 545 in the present embodiment is disposed on the substrate 602 on which the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 542 disposed on the second housing U2 side is mounted. Further, the main substrate B disposed on the first housing U1 side is connected to the connector provided on the substrate 602 by using the cable C to conduct electricity, so that power supply and control commands can be transmitted and received. ing.
  • power supply from the main substrate B to the movement detection sensor 545 can be performed at least through the substrate 602 of the receiving unit 542.
  • the cable arrangement for independent power supply from the main substrate B to the movement detection sensor 545 can be omitted, and the wiring structure can be simplified.
  • the cable C is routed through the hinge portion, there is also an advantage that the wiring space of the hinge portion can be reduced.
  • the control substrate for controlling the sheet detection unit is configured by the substrate 601 and the substrate 602 as described above, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the ultrasonic wave transmitter 541 disposed on the first housing U1 side It may be mounted directly on or connected to the substrate.
  • the movement detection sensor 545 when the movement detection sensor 545 is disposed on the first housing U1 side and tracking of the document moving along the route RT is performed, paper dust generated along with separation at the time of document feeding is accompanied by document conveyance. Since there is a region moving along the route RT, it is preferable to arrange such paper dust region Z 1 (see FIG. 39) as much as possible.
  • the downstream region Z extending on the downstream side of the document feeding direction with respect to the document separation and feeding portion on one wall surface of the transport path RT on the side where the feeding roller 610 is provided. it is preferably provided in correspondence with the downstream region Z 2 except out paper powder region Z 1. Accordingly, the movement detection area (detection area) is to be set at a position deviated from the paper dust region Z 1, it is possible to reduce the influence of paper dust, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the movement detection.
  • the movement detection sensor 545 is provided on the upstream side of the conveyance path RT of the double feed detection sensor 540 in relation to the double feed detection sensor 540. Furthermore, since the distance between the two sensors is large, through holes are individually provided in the transport path, and the detection targets of the respective sensors can be detected from the holes. This is because paper dust is temporarily mixed in the double feed detection area 540a of the double feed detection sensor 540, and the movement detection sensor 545 is upstream of the double feed detection sensor 540 even if the paper dust is scattered to the outside by ultrasonic vibration. By arranging on the side, the influence on the movement detection sensor 545 can be prevented in advance.
  • the seventh to ninth embodiments can be applied by combining the configuration in which the double feed detection sensor 540 and the movement detection sensor 545 as in this embodiment are disposed on the same substrate in combination with the seventh to ninth embodiments.
  • the arrangement of the movement detection sensor and the double feed detection sensor as described above can be easily realized.
  • the light source 5451 and the imaging unit 5452 of the movement detection sensor 545 are mounted on the upper surface of the substrate RT on the route RT side, and energization is performed through the cable C connected to the substrate 602. It will be.
  • a cylindrical member 5453 is disposed on the substrate 602 so as to surround the light source 5451 and the imaging unit 5452, and a light transmitting member (optical filter or glass substrate) is provided at the opening of the cylindrical member 5453.
  • 5454 is provided to be inclined with respect to the route RT.
  • the substrate 602 on which such a movement detection sensor 545 is mounted is joined to the back surface of the second housing U2 on the opposite side to the path RT side via the attachment member 602a.
  • through holes are respectively provided in the second casing U2 at portions facing the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 542 and the movement detection sensor 545.
  • substrate 601 in which the transmission part 541 of the ultrasonic wave was mounted is joined to the 1st housing
  • a pedestal 602b may be provided on the substrate 602, and the movement detection sensor 545 may be provided on the upper surface of the pedestal 602b.
  • movement detection of the document can be performed at a location close to the route RT.
  • the movement detection sensor 545 is provided on the side of the substrate 602 in the structure shown in FIG. 50, the movement detection sensor 545 may be provided for the substrate 601 on which the ultrasonic wave transmission unit 541 is mounted. Alternatively, it may be provided for the substrates 601 and 602 on both sides so as to sandwich the route RT. In the latter case, the double feed can be detected by the difference between the output values of the respective movement detection sensors 545.
  • the double feed detection sensor 540 detects double feeding, but according to the movement detection sensor 545 on both sides, the movement of the overlapped document can be separately detected. It is possible to easily detect the double feeding state.
  • the sensor substrate (third substrate) 5455 on which the light source 5451 of the movement detection sensor 545 and the imaging unit 5452 are mounted is mounted on the substrate 602 on which the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 542 is mounted.
  • they may be connected by a cable C1 such as an FFC or an FPC so as to be capable of communication and energization.
  • the sensor substrate 5455 is fixed to the peripheral edge portion of the through hole provided in the second housing U2 on the opposite side to the route RT side via the connection member 5453. This makes it easy to detect the movement of the document by the movement detection sensor 545 near the path RT.
  • the sensor substrate 5455 may be electrically connected to one surface of the substrate 602 on the path RT side via the lead wire 602b.
  • the second housing U2 and the movement detection sensor 545 are not directly joined, but are disposed with a predetermined gap. . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the vibration associated with the driving of the feeding and conveying system from being directly transmitted to the movement detection sensor 545 through the second housing U2.
  • a separate feeding unit that separates and feeds sheets one by one;
  • a conveyance unit that conveys the sheet separated by the separation feeding unit along a conveyance path;
  • a sheet detection unit disposed downstream of the separating and feeding unit in the sheet feeding direction and configured to detect a sheet.
  • the sheet detection unit includes a double feed detection sensor that detects double feeding of sheets, and a movement amount or movement direction of a feature point included in a sheet image obtained by photographing a sheet passing through the conveyance path.
  • a movement detection sensor for detecting movement The double feed detection sensor includes an ultrasonic wave transmitting unit and an ultrasonic wave receiving unit disposed to face each other so as to sandwich the conveyance path.
  • the control substrate for controlling the sheet detection unit includes a first substrate on which the ultrasonic wave transmission unit is mounted, and a second substrate on which the ultrasonic wave reception unit is mounted.
  • the transport path is formed by a gap between a first housing having a device installation surface and two housings rotatably connected to the first housing, One of the first substrate and the second substrate is housed in the first housing, and the other substrate is housed in the second housing, 20.
  • Embodiment 21 The separating and feeding unit is configured such that a feeding roller in which first and second roller portions are provided at intervals on the rotation shaft, and a portion of the feeding roller being in contact with the feeding roller And a separation part that forms a nip part between The double feed detection sensor and the movement detection sensor are regions extending from the portion other than the nip portion in the separation feeding unit to the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction and in a downstream region before reaching the conveyance unit.
  • Has a detection area of the sheet The transport path is formed by a gap between a first housing having a device installation surface and two housings rotatably connected to the first housing, One of the first substrate and the second substrate is housed in the first housing, and the other substrate is housed in the second housing, 20.
  • the sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the movement detection sensor is provided on the first housing side and is driven by energization from the one substrate.
  • Embodiment 22 It has a third substrate for controlling the movement detection sensor, 20.
  • the transport path is provided with first and second through holes penetrating in a thickness direction one wall portion having a wall surface opposed to one surface of the sheet to be transported.
  • the movement detection sensor is provided on the side of the first through hole opposite to the conveyance path side.
  • One of the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit and the ultrasonic wave receiving unit that constitute the double feed detection sensor is provided on the opposite side to the transport path side in the second through hole, according to the embodiment 19.
  • Sheet conveying device is provided.
  • Embodiment 24 The transport path is provided with one through hole penetrating in a thickness direction a wall portion having a wall surface opposed to one surface of a sheet to be transported;
  • One of the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit and the ultrasonic wave receiving unit that constitute the double feed detection sensor, and the movement detection sensor are juxtaposed on the opposite side to the transport path side in the through hole.
  • a sheet conveying apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect.
  • Embodiment 25 An image reading apparatus comprising the sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 19 to 24.
  • the sheet feeding roller and the braking means include: a feeding roller; and a brake unit for bringing a predetermined conveyance load on a medium entering between the feeding roller and the feeding roller by contacting the feeding roller.
  • a medium supply device for feeding a medium while separating the medium one by one (conventional art 4: JP-A-2014-181109).
  • the medium conveying device as in the prior art 4 the medium is repeatedly scraped by the nip portion formed between the feeding roller and the brake means, but two or more sheets of media overlap to be fed without being overlooked properly.
  • abnormal feeding such as skew feeding in which the medium is fed in an oblique direction are generated.
  • a detection sensor of abnormal feeding on the downstream side of the nip portion in the feeding direction for example, a skew feeding detection sensor configured by combining a plurality of optical sensors, a double feeding detection sensor, etc. Since it arranges separately, wiring of a sensor etc. might be complicated.
  • the movement detection sensor is attached to the double feed base on which the double feed sensor is mounted as described above, thereby simplifying the plurality of sensors for detecting abnormal feeding. It is possible to provide a sheet transport apparatus mounted with the following configuration.
  • FIG. 52 is a partial cross sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a document conveyance device (image reading device) according to an eleventh embodiment
  • FIG. 53 schematically shows a main part of the document conveyance device of FIG. It is a schematic diagram shown.
  • the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 26 and 27 denote the same parts.
  • the document conveying apparatus 400 includes an optical sensor 311 which is a sensor for detecting the behavior of the document to be conveyed, and an opposing surface member (an opposing member) 301 disposed at a position facing the optical sensor 311.
  • an optical sensor 311 which is a sensor for detecting the behavior of the document to be conveyed
  • an opposing surface member (an opposing member) 301 disposed at a position facing the optical sensor 311.
  • the optical sensor 311 is disposed at a position facing the sheet loading table 401
  • the facing surface member 701 is a sheet loading that is the facing surface of the optical sensor 311. It is arranged on a table 401.
  • the opposite surface member 701 is movable by being driven by the motor 702, and is used to detect the attachment angle (attachment state) of the optical sensor 311 in the document conveyance device 400.
  • the control unit 445 can control the movement of the facing member 701 by controlling the motor 702. As described later, while the document is not interposed between the optical sensor 311 and the opposing surface member 701, the control unit 445 moves the opposing surface member 701 relative to the optical sensor 311 to The amount of movement or movement direction of the surface of the opposite surface member 701 facing the optical sensor 311 is detected by the sensor 311. Further, the control unit 445 detects the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 with respect to the transport direction of the document on the transport path based on the detection result of the movement amount or the movement direction of the facing surface member by the optical sensor 311.
  • FIG. 54 is a partial cross sectional view schematically showing a configuration of another example of the document conveying device (image reading device) according to the eleventh embodiment
  • FIG. 55 is a structure of main parts of the document conveying device of FIG. Are schematically shown.
  • a document conveying apparatus 800 showing another example of the present embodiment is roughly divided into a sheet loading table 401, an upper unit 801, and a lower unit 802.
  • Document feeder 800 basically has the same configuration as document feeder 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) described above.
  • the document conveying apparatus 800 is different from the document conveying apparatus 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) in that the optical sensor 311 is disposed downstream of the separation roller pair 442 in the sheet (document) conveying direction, among others. There is.
  • points different from the above-described document conveyance device 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) will be mainly described.
  • the sheet stacking surface 1a of the sheet stacking table 401 and the conveyance path are provided to be inclined with respect to the installation surface of the document conveying apparatus 800.
  • the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table 401 are separated one by one by a separation roller pair 442 provided on the downstream side of the sheet stacking table 401 in the sheet conveyance direction and configured by a feeding roller 406 and a separation roller 407.
  • a separation roller pair 442 provided on the downstream side of the sheet stacking table 401 in the sheet conveyance direction and configured by a feeding roller 406 and a separation roller 407.
  • a separation roller pair 442 provided on the downstream side of the sheet stacking table 401 in the sheet conveyance direction and configured by a feeding roller 406 and a separation roller 407.
  • a separation roller pair 442 provided on the downstream side of the sheet stacking table 401 in the sheet conveyance direction and configured by a feeding roller 406 and a separation roller 407.
  • a plurality of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table 401 are sequentially
  • the substrate 300 on which the optical sensor 311 is mounted is attached in parallel to the sheet conveyance direction in the conveyance path.
  • the optical sensor 311 is disposed downstream of the separation roller pair 442 so as to detect the movement amount or movement direction of the sheet conveyed on the conveyance path.
  • the optical sensor 311 it is possible to detect the conveyance condition of the document as in the case of the document conveyance device 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) described above.
  • the document conveyance device 800 includes an opposing surface member 701 disposed in the conveyance path at a position facing the optical sensor 311. Although the optical sensor 311 and the substrate 300 are disposed in the upper unit 801, an opening is provided at a position facing the optical sensor 311 in the upper unit 801 so that the opposing surface member 701 can be seen from the optical sensor 311. There is.
  • the facing surface of the facing surface member 701 that faces the optical sensor 311 constitutes a portion of the lower unit 802 that faces the conveyance path.
  • the opposite surface member 701 is configured of a member different from the member (for example, a sheet metal) forming the conveyance path in the lower unit 802.
  • the facing surface member 701 can be driven relative to the optical sensor 311 by being driven by the motor 702 similarly to the above-described document conveying device 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53). It is used for the mounting angle correction of.
  • the document conveyance device 400 may have a dedicated calibration mode in which the mounting angle correction is performed according to a predetermined condition.
  • a calibration mode an operation unit (not shown) of the document conveyance device 400 is used while no document exists on the sheet loading table 401 (the sheet loading detection sensor 412 does not detect a sheet).
  • the mounting angle correction may be performed according to the instruction of the user who performed the process.
  • the mounting angle correction may be performed in response to the opening and closing of the case of the document conveyance device 400.
  • the document conveying apparatus 800 (FIGS. 54 and 55) showing another example, not only the timing at which the sheet (document) is not loaded on the sheet loading table 401 but also the sheets are loaded on the sheet loading table 401. Also, if the document does not exist in the imaging region of the optical sensor 311, imaging of the facing surface member 701 by the optical sensor 311 is possible. That is, in the state where the sheet is not conveyed in the area facing the optical sensor 311 on the conveyance path, the imaging of the facing surface member 701 by the optical sensor 311 is possible.
  • the control unit 445 corrects the mounting angle at a timing when reading (scanning) of the document stacked on the sheet loading table 401 is started (before the first document is taken into the conveyance path by the separation roller pair 442). It may be executed. Before the first original is taken into the conveyance path by the separation roller pair 442, the original does not exist in the area facing the optical sensor 311, and the optical sensor 311 can pick up the image of the facing surface member 301.
  • the document reading instruction is issued from an operation unit provided in the image reading apparatus or an information processing apparatus connected to the image reading apparatus, and the mounting angle correction is performed before the separation roller pair 442 is driven. Just do it.
  • control unit 445 detects that the passage of the rear end of the document conveyed from the sheet loading table 401 is detected by the pre-registration sensor 432 (that is, the rear end of the document deviates from the imaging region of the optical sensor 311). Accordingly, mounting angle correction may be performed. For example, when a plurality of originals stacked on the sheet loading table 401 are continuously conveyed, the control unit 445 causes the rear end of the original being conveyed to pass immediately after the position of the pre-registration sensor 432 ( That is, the mounting angle correction is executed).
  • the control unit 445 when performing the mounting angle correction, moves the facing surface member 701 relative to the optical sensor 311, and the facing surface member 701.
  • the optical sensor 111 detects the movement amount or movement direction of the
  • the control unit 445 detects the mounting angle of the optical sensor 111 with respect to the document conveyance direction based on the detection result of the movement amount or movement direction of the facing surface member 701 output from the optical sensor 311.
  • the document conveyance device may be the document conveyance device 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) or the document conveyance device 800 (FIGS. 54 and 55).
  • the mounting angle correction of the optical sensor 311 will be described using the document conveying device 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) as an example.
  • the facing surface member 701 moves up and down according to the movement of the sheet loading table 401.
  • the control unit 445 raises the sheet loading platform 401 so that the facing surface member 701 is positioned within the imaging area of the optical sensor 311. In this position, the facing member 701 repeats movement at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction under the control of the control unit 445.
  • FIG. 56 is a conceptual view showing the moving direction and moving speed of the facing member 701.
  • the movement direction and the movement speed of the facing surface member 701 are not limited.
  • the opposite surface member 701 may move at a moving speed V11 in the document transport direction, or as shown in FIG. 56 (b), it is orthogonal to the transport direction. It may move in the direction at the moving speed V12.
  • the facing surface member 701 may move at a moving speed V13 in the direction of an arbitrary angle ⁇ 1 with respect to the document conveyance direction.
  • the facing surface member 701 is driven by the motor 702 when the mounting angle correction of the optical sensor 311 is performed, and is defined relative to the optical sensor 311 and in a predetermined direction. Move at speed.
  • the optical sensor 311 detects the movement amount or movement direction of the imaging target (the facing surface member 701) by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) based on the image acquired by the image sensor (imaging element).
  • DSP Digital Signal Processor
  • the movement direction of the facing member 701 is predetermined in the document conveyance direction (that is, the movement direction relative to the document conveyance direction is predetermined). For this reason, it is possible to obtain the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 with respect to the document conveyance direction from the movement direction of the facing surface member 701 detected by the optical sensor 311 (movement amount detection unit).
  • the facing member 701 moves at a moving speed V13 in the direction of the angle ⁇ 1 with respect to the document conveyance direction.
  • the movement direction of the facing member 701 detected by the optical sensor 311 is an angle with respect to the axis that should coincide with the document conveyance direction when there is no deviation of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311.
  • the mounting angle deviation of the optical sensor 311 with respect to the document conveyance direction is ( ⁇ 1 ⁇ 1).
  • the control unit 445 drives the optical sensor 311 by a motor (not shown) for mounting angle correction so as to rotate the optical sensor 311 so that the mounting angle deviation ( ⁇ 1 ⁇ 1) described above is corrected.
  • the mounting angle correction of the optical sensor 311 can be realized.
  • the mounting angle correction may be performed repeatedly. That is, after completion of the execution of one mounting angle correction, the mounting angle correction may be performed again. Thereby, it is possible to enhance the correction accuracy of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311.
  • the mounting angle correction when the mounting angle correction is repeatedly performed, the moving direction and the moving speed of the facing member 701 may be different from those in the previous execution. As the moving speed of the facing member 701 is slower, the detection accuracy of the moving speed of the facing member 701 by the optical sensor 311 is higher. Therefore, for example, the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 is corrected more effectively by executing the mounting angle correction in a state in which the facing surface member 701 is moved at a moving speed slower than the moving speed at the previous execution. It will be possible.
  • the facing surface member 701 may not be in contact with the document at the time of document conveyance.
  • the opposite surface member 701 may be disposed via an optically transparent member that abuts on the document to be conveyed.
  • the moving direction of the facing member 701 may be the document transport direction as shown in FIG. 58 (a), or perpendicular to the document transport direction as shown in FIG. 58 (b). It may be orthogonal to That is, as described above, the moving direction of the facing surface member 701 is not limited as long as the detection by the optical sensor 311 is possible within the imaging region of the optical sensor 311.
  • the movement amount or movement direction of the facing member 701 is detected using the optical sensor 311 used to detect the conveyance state of the document, and the optical sensor 311 in the conveyance direction of the document is detected based on the detection result. Correct the mounting angle of. This makes it possible to increase the detection accuracy of the transport state of the document using the optical sensor 311 when transporting the document.
  • FIG. 59 is a cross sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the document conveyance device according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 60 (a) is a schematic view schematically showing the configuration around the optical sensor 311.
  • FIG. The document conveyance device 400 of the present embodiment basically has the same configuration as that of the eleventh embodiment. However, the position at which the optical sensor 311 is disposed is different. In the present embodiment, the optical sensor 311 is disposed near the feed roller 406 as shown in FIGS. 59 and 60 (a). Further, the outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 407 is used as the facing surface member 701. Since the separation roller 407 is driven by the separation motor 9, in the present embodiment, the motor 702 for driving the facing member 701 is not provided.
  • Detection of the movement amount or movement direction of the facing surface member 701 (that is, the outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 407) by the optical sensor 311 for correction of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 is performed at timing when the document does not exist in the conveyance path. .
  • the control unit 445 performs the mounting angle correction of the optical sensor 311
  • the outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 407 which is the imaging object (the facing surface member 701) is rotated by the optical sensor 311 while rotating the separation roller 407 at a predetermined speed.
  • the control unit 445 performs attachment angle correction of the optical sensor 311 (rotational movement of the optical sensor 311) based on the detection result of the optical sensor 311 as in the above-described embodiment.
  • the direction of rotation of the separation roller 407 corresponding to the facing surface member 701 when performing the mounting angle correction may be clockwise or counterclockwise in FIG. 60 (a).
  • the optical sensor 311 is disposed in the vicinity of the feeding roller 406, and the separation roller 407 is used as the facing surface member 701.
  • a configuration in which the diameter of the separation roller 407 is larger is employed.
  • a configuration in which the diameter of the feed roller 406 is larger than that of the separation roller 407 is often employed.
  • the separation roller 407 rotates at the same circumferential speed as the feed roller 406. In fact, it is assumed that almost no slippage occurs between the feed roller 406 and the separation roller 407 because they contact with the nip pressure to some extent.
  • FIG. 61A an orthogonal coordinate system defined by the x-axis and the y-axis is used, with the document transport direction as the x-axis.
  • FIG. 61B as an orthogonal coordinate system from which the output of the optical sensor 311 can be obtained, an orthogonal coordinate system defined by the x ′ axis and the y ′ axis is used.
  • the angular deviation between the x-axis and the x'-axis is ⁇ 2.
  • ⁇ 2 corresponds to the mounting angle deviation of the optical sensor 311 with respect to the document conveyance direction.
  • the attachment angle deviation ⁇ 2 is acquired (calculated) by the control unit 445 of another document conveyance device 800 based on the detection result of the movement amount of the facing surface member 701 acquired by the optical sensor 311. Be done.
  • the movement amount data acquired by the optical sensor 311 at the time of document conveyance is a coordinate system defined by the x axis and y axis corresponding to the document conveyance direction (I.e., the movement direction of the document acquired at the time of conveyance of the document is converted to the movement direction based on the conveyance direction of the document).
  • coordinate conversion of data to be compared may be performed based on the attachment angle deviation ⁇ 2.
  • thresholds of the x component and the y component to be compared with movement amount data acquired by the optical sensor 311 are specified by the x ′ axis and the y ′ axis by coordinate conversion based on the attachment angle deviation ⁇ 2. It may be converted to the threshold of the coordinate system to be As a result, when analyzing the movement amount data acquired by the optical sensor 311, it is not necessary to perform coordinate conversion of the movement amount data each time, and the amount of processing required to analyze the movement amount data can be reduced.
  • the roller in this example, the separation roller 407 contributing to the conveyance of the document as the facing surface member 701
  • detection of (attachment of) the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 and correction of the mounting angle are performed.
  • the roller in the present embodiment, the separation roller 407 contributing to the conveyance of the document and the power coupling mechanism (not shown)
  • Another roller may be used as the facing surface member 701.
  • the rotating member may be configured to contribute to the conveyance of the document on the conveyance path, and is motively coupled to a roller (in this example, the separation roller 407) contributing to the conveyance of the document only when detecting the mounting angle deviation.
  • the rotary member is disposed outside the conveyance path by interposing the transparent member 310 which forms a part of the conveyance path, and does not contribute to conveyance of the document. It is also good.
  • the facing surface member 701 may or may not contribute to the conveyance of the document at the time of document conveyance, and there is no restriction on the operation at the time of the document conveyance.
  • FIG. 63 is a schematic view looking at the separation roller 407, the feed roller 406 and the optical sensor 311 from the upstream side (front side of FIG. 6) to the downstream side (back side of FIG. 63) of the transport path.
  • the document is conveyed from the front side to the back side between the upper guide plate 40 and the lower guide plate 41.
  • FIG. 63A it is possible to use a rotating shaft that rotates in conjunction with the separation roller 407 as the facing surface member 701. The arrangement shown in FIG.
  • the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body that rotates in conjunction with the separation roller 407 may be used as the facing surface member 701.
  • the optical sensor 311 may be disposed outside both of the two separation rollers 407, and a rotating body facing each optical sensor 311 may be used as the facing surface member 701.
  • the separation roller 407 contributing to the conveyance of the document as the facing surface member 701, and repeat the detection and correction of the mounting angle deviation of the optical sensor 311. It will be easier.
  • the separation roller 407 is used as the facing surface member 701 in the embodiment described above, the outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 406 may be used as the facing surface member 701 as well. In this case, the conveyance direction of the document conveyed by the feed roller 406 can be matched with the movement direction of the facing member 701, which is preferable.
  • the facing surface member 701 facing the optical sensor 311 is moved relative to the optical sensor 311 in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed, and based on the detection result of the movement amount or movement direction Thus, the attachment angle of the optical sensor 311 is detected.
  • the optical sensor 311 itself is also moved for detection of (the deviation of) the attachment angle of the optical sensor 311 and correction thereof. The differences from the eleventh to twelfth embodiments are mainly described below.
  • FIG. 60D is a view schematically showing the configuration around the optical sensor 311.
  • the optical sensor 311 of this embodiment is driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) and is configured to be movable in a predetermined direction to a predetermined speed.
  • the control unit 445 controls to move in the predetermined direction at the velocity V21 (t) to detect the deviation of the attachment angle of the optical sensor 311.
  • the facing surface member 701 facing the optical sensor 311 is controlled by the control unit 445 so as to move in the predetermined direction at the velocity V22 (t).
  • the facing surface member 701 may be a member moving horizontally with respect to the conveyance road surface as shown in FIG. 60 (d), or may be a rotatable rotating member (for example, a rotating member as in the above embodiment). , Separation roller 407).
  • the moving speeds V21 (t) and V22 (t) described above can be set to arbitrary speeds.
  • the control unit 445 detects the deviation of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311.
  • the control unit 445 may correct the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 as in the above-described embodiment based on the detected deviation of the mounting angle.
  • the control unit 445 may perform coordinate conversion of movement amount data acquired by the optical sensor 311 at the time of document conveyance based on the detected deviation of the attachment angle.
  • the moving direction of the facing member 701 is detected using the optical sensor 311 used to detect the conveyance state of the document, and the conveyance direction of the document is detected based on the detection result.
  • the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 with respect to This makes it possible to increase the detection accuracy of the transport state of the document using the optical sensor 311 when transporting the document.
  • FIG. 64 is a cross sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the document conveyance device according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 65 (a) schematically shows a configuration and an operation example of the reference member 705 corresponding to FIG.
  • a reference member 705 serving as a reference of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 and a motor 706 for driving the reference member 705 are provided.
  • the reference member 705 is driven by a motor 706 that operates according to the instruction of the control unit 445.
  • the reference member 705 may be power coupled to another motor by a power coupling mechanism such as a power coupling clutch, instead of the motor 706.
  • the reference member 705 is directed toward the downstream side in the transport direction in the transport path via the entrance / exit provided on the upstream side of the optical sensor 311 in the transport direction of the upper guide plate 40. , And advances into the imaging region of the optical sensor 311.
  • the reference member 705 realizes the same function as the facing surface member 701 in the above-described embodiment.
  • the optical sensor 311 is controlled to detect the amount of movement or the direction of movement of the reference member 705 for detecting the displacement of the mounting angle at the timing when the reference member 705 advances into the imaging region of the optical sensor 311 in the transport path. Be done.
  • the control unit 445 detects the deviation of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 based on the detection result of the movement amount or the movement direction of the reference member 705 by the optical sensor 311 as in the above-described embodiment.
  • the control unit 445 mounts the optical sensor 311 based on the detection result of the movement amount or movement amount of the reference member 705 when the reference member 705 retracts out of the conveyance path instead of advancing into the conveyance path. An angle deviation may be detected.
  • the detection of the deviation of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 and the correction of the mounting angle may be performed both when the reference member 705 advances into the conveyance path and when retreating from the conveyance path. Thereby, it is possible to improve the correction accuracy of the mounting angle.
  • the reference member 705 may be a sheet-like member or a block-like member.
  • the material and the shape of the reference member 705 are not limited as long as the optical sensor 311 is a member capable of extracting a feature point when imaging the reference member 705.
  • the reference member 705 is configured to advance into the conveyance path from the lower guide plate 41 constituting the lower surface of the conveyance path, as shown in FIG. 65 (b) It is also good. Further, as shown in FIG. 65 (c), the reference member 705 may be configured to advance into the conveyance path from the side surface of the conveyance path. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 65A, the reference member 705 is advanced into the conveyance path from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction. However, the reference member 705 has the conveyance direction It may be configured to advance into the transport path from the downstream side to the upstream side. In this manner, the reference member 705 can advance into the conveyance path and be retracted out of the conveyance path, and can be positioned within the imaging region of the optical sensor 311 when it advances into the conveyance path. It suffices to have a possible configuration.
  • a document capable of advancing into the conveyance path and retracting out of the conveyance path may be used instead of the reference member 705 (the facing surface member 701).
  • the original may be any medium that can be conveyed by the original conveying device 400, and may not be a medium exclusively used for detection and correction of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311.
  • the document corresponding to the reference member 705 is advanced and retracted from the conveyance path by conveying the original as in normal document conveyance.
  • a configuration may be used. As long as the movement amount or movement direction can be detected by the optical sensor 311, there is no restriction on the conveyance speed and conveyance direction of the document which is the reference member 705.
  • the transport direction and transport speed of the document may be known in advance, or may be detected by the image reading sensors 414 and 415 each time.
  • the same document may be read by the image reading sensors 414 and 415 and the optical sensor 311 at the same timing.
  • the document reading speed and direction are obtained by the image reading sensors 414 and 415
  • the moving amount and moving direction of the document are obtained by the optical sensor 311, and the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 is detected. It is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the angular deviation.
  • the movement amount or movement direction of the reference member 705 corresponding to the facing surface member 701 is detected using the optical sensor 311 used to detect the conveyance state of the document, and the document is detected based on the detection result.
  • the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 with respect to the transport direction is corrected. This makes it possible to increase the detection accuracy of the transport state of the document using the optical sensor 311 when transporting the document.
  • the facing surface member 701 when using a member such as a roller that presses the sheet conveyed in the conveyance path toward the conveyance path, the movement amount of the sheet by the optical sensor 311 When detecting the sheet, it is possible to suppress the fluttering of the conveyed sheet, and to detect the movement amount of the sheet with high accuracy.
  • a transparent member or the like be provided at a position facing the facing surface member 701 so that the sheet is held therebetween, and detection by the optical sensor 311 is performed at that position.
  • the sheet may be held by the elasticity of the member itself forming the outer circumferential surface such as a roller, and the roller forming the facing surface member 701 is biased to the optical sensor 311 side. It may be movable.
  • the separation roller 407 in the fifth embodiment is float-supported with respect to the feed roller 406, and is similar to the structure described here. Actually, a nip is not formed at the position of the separation roller 407 opposed to the optical sensor 311, but a nip is formed between the feed roller 406 and the separation roller 407 in the vicinity thereof, so that the sheet is deformed. It can be suppressed to some extent.
  • Embodiment 26 A platen on which a document is placed; A transport path through which a document placed on the document table is transported; An image pickup device disposed at a position capable of picking up an image of a document conveyed from the document table, receiving light reflected by the object to be photographed, and performing photoelectric conversion; A detection unit that detects the moving direction of the imaging target based on the image acquired by the imaging element; An opposing member disposed at a position facing the imaging device and having an opposing surface that can be imaged by the imaging device, wherein the opposing surface is configured to be movable relative to the imaging device.
  • the image pickup device further includes a control unit configured to control the facing member so as to move at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction relative to the image sensor.
  • the detection unit detects a moving direction of the facing surface based on an image acquired by the imaging device capturing the facing surface being moved.
  • the document conveying apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the control unit detects the attachment angle of the image pickup element based on the movement direction of the facing surface detected by the detection unit.
  • Document feeder. [Embodiment 30]
  • the image forming apparatus further comprises a roller provided in the transport path and configured to transport the original while contacting the original. 29.
  • the image forming apparatus further comprises a roller provided in the transport path and configured to transport the original while contacting the original.
  • the facing member is a rotating shaft that rotates in conjunction with the roller, and the facing surface is an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft.
  • the image forming apparatus further comprises a roller provided in the transport path and configured to transport the original while contacting the original.
  • the facing member is a rotating body connected to the rotating shaft of the roller, which rotates in conjunction with the roller, and the facing surface is an outer circumferential surface of the rotating body.
  • Embodiment 34 34.
  • Embodiment 35 28.
  • the control unit further rotationally moves the imaging device based on a detection result of the mounting angle such that the mounting angle of the imaging device is corrected.
  • the document processing apparatus further includes a document separating unit for separating and transporting a plurality of documents to be transported one by one.
  • a document separating unit for separating and transporting a plurality of documents to be transported one by one.
  • 36 The document feeder according to the embodiment 36, wherein the image pickup element and the opposing member are disposed upstream of the document separating unit in the transport direction.
  • 38 38.
  • Embodiment 39 The control unit executes the mounting angle correction of the image pickup element when it is detected that the rear end of the last document of the plurality of documents placed on the document table has passed through the document separation unit. 40.
  • Embodiment 40 The document processing apparatus further includes a document separating unit for separating and transporting a plurality of documents to be transported one by one. 36.
  • Embodiment 42 It further comprises a sensor provided on the downstream side of the image pickup device in the conveyance path for detecting an original to be conveyed; 40.
  • Embodiment 43 The control unit further converts the movement direction detected by the detection unit for the document having the document conveyed from the document table into the movement direction based on the conveyance direction based on the detection result of the attachment angle.
  • Embodiment 44 The control unit is data of a coordinate system further defined by an axis along the transport direction and an axis along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the detection unit detects the movement direction of the document. 28.
  • Embodiment 45 The document according to any one of the embodiments 26 to 44, further comprising an image reading unit provided downstream of the imaging device in the conveyance direction on the conveyance path and reading an image of the document. Transport device.
  • the factor of the deviation of the mounting angle is the vibration applied to the device by opening / closing the unit attached with the imaging device or opening / closing another unit, expansion / contraction of material due to aging or temperature change, and the user touching the imaging device. There is a change in the mounting angle etc.
  • the deviation of the attachment angle of the imaging device used for detecting the conveyance state of the document It becomes detectable.
  • the correction of the mounting angle includes one in which the imaging element itself is driven by a motor and one in which coordinate conversion is performed based on the mounting angle of the imaging element.
  • the document conveyance device 400 of this embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 34, the periphery of the optical sensor 311 in the document conveyance device 400 according to the present embodiment is covered by a case body 312 formed of a mold member and a light transmitting plate.
  • a case body 312 formed of a mold member and a light transmitting plate.
  • optical sensor 311 not only the optical sensor 311 but also another optical sensor may be mounted (mounted) on the document conveyance device 400.
  • the sheet detection sensor 403, the pre-registration sensor 432, the in-registration sensor, and the post-registration sensor 433 described in the above embodiment are an example of an optical sensor different from the optical sensor 311.
  • These sensor groups may be mounted on the same substrate in order to miniaturize the device and reduce the cost.
  • the optical sensor 311 is mounted on the same substrate as other optical sensors will be described.
  • FIG. 66 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a substrate when a plurality of optical sensors are mounted on the same substrate.
  • the pre-registration sensor 432 and an MCU (micro controller unit) 320 for controlling the sensor group are mounted on the substrate 300.
  • the pre-registration sensor 432 includes a light emitting element 432 a and a light receiving element 432 b.
  • a sensor other than the pre-registration sensor 432 may be mounted on the substrate 300, or a plurality of optical sensors may be mounted.
  • the sensor group (the optical sensor 311 and the pre-resist sensor 432) is the same as the MCU 320 which is a control circuit (control IC) that controls the sensor group. It is mounted on a board. Specifically, MCU 320 and pre-registration sensor 432 are mounted on the same substrate in order to prevent a decrease in detection accuracy of the original when using an optical sensor having a configuration for outputting an analog signal as pre-registration sensor 432. .
  • the light output from the light emitting element of one optical sensor may be received by the light receiving element of the other optical sensor, which may cause the other optical sensor to malfunction.
  • FIG. 67 shows an example of the spectral characteristics of light of the optical sensor 311 and another optical sensor (in this example, the pre-resist sensor 432).
  • the optical sensor 311 preferably uses light in the near infrared region with a wavelength of about 850 nm.
  • the optical sensor used as the pre-registration sensor 432 may also use light in the infrared region with a wavelength of about 800 to 950 nm. In this case, even if an optical sensor of a type different from the optical sensor 311 is used as the pre-registration sensor 432, as shown in FIG. 67, the wavelengths used by both optical sensors may be close. As a result, the light output from one of the two optical sensors (in this example, the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432) is received by the other sensor (that is, interference occurs), A malfunction may occur in the other sensor.
  • the substrate 300 is used to prevent the interference as described above between the optical sensor 311 mounted on the same substrate 300 and another optical sensor (pre-resist sensor 432 in this example).
  • pre-resist sensor 432 in this example.
  • a configuration example of the covering case body (housing) will be described.
  • FIG. 68 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a module including an optical sensor 311 and another pre-resist sensor 432 which is an optical sensor.
  • the pre-registration sensor 432 includes a light emitting element 432a and a light receiving element 432b, and the reflected light of the light output from the light emitting element 432a is received by the light receiving element 432b, and a signal corresponding to the amount of received reflected light is received from the light receiving element 432b. Output.
  • a sensor having another configuration may be used as the pre-registration sensor 432.
  • the case body 130 is attached to the substrate 300.
  • the case body 130 has a configuration in which the function of the case body 312 shown in FIG. 34 and the light shielding mechanism between the optical sensors are integrated.
  • the mold member 130 a and the light transmitting plate 130 d that constitute a part of the case body 130 correspond to the case body 312 shown in FIG. 34 and cover the periphery of the optical sensor 311 mounted on the substrate 300.
  • the mold member 130 a forms a wall surrounding the optical sensor 311 on the substrate 300.
  • the light transmitting plate 130 d is provided at a position facing the optical sensor 311 so as to close the space surrounded by the mold member 130 a.
  • paper dust can be prevented from directly adhering to the optical sensor 311, and paper dust can be prevented from being erroneously extracted as a feature point.
  • the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432 can be covered.
  • the case body 130 includes a mold member 130c disposed adjacent to the mold member 130a.
  • the mold member 130c forms an arrangement surface for arranging the pre-resist sensor 432 (the light emitting element 432a and the light receiving element 432b).
  • the arrangement surface extends laterally from the mold member 130 a and has an area in which the pre-resist sensor 432 can be arranged.
  • the inside of the mold member 130c may be hollow.
  • the mold member 130c may be integrally formed with the mold member 130a, or may be formed by joining plate-like members.
  • the portion of the mold member 130a adjacent to the mold member 130c forms a partition 130e between the pre-resist sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311, as described later.
  • the light emitting element 432a and the light receiving element 432b of the pre-registration sensor 432 may be mounted on the substrate 300, and may be arranged on the arrangement surface by penetrating through holes provided in the arrangement surface of the mold member 130c. .
  • the optical sensor 311 and the pre-resist sensor 432 are configured to partition the partition 130 e (first light shielding wall) between the optical sensor 311 and the light emitting element 432 a and the light receiving element 432 b of the pre-resist sensor 432.
  • the partition wall 130e is provided as a light blocking wall for blocking the light output from the light emitting element of one of the optical sensor 311 and the pre-resist sensor 432 so as not to be incident on the other sensor.
  • the partition wall 130 a functions as a light blocking wall for preventing the light (output) from the light emitting element 432 a of the pre-resist sensor 432 from being received (through the light transmitting plate 130 d) by the optical sensor 311.
  • the height of the partition wall 130e is greater than the height at which the light transmitting plate 130d is provided so as to have a height sufficient to block the light from the light emitting element 432a as the height from the surface of the substrate 300 (ie, It is formed to have a height that exceeds the height at which the highest portion of the light transmitting plate 130d is disposed.
  • unnecessary light also enters the optical sensor 311 on the side surface (a side surface along the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light emitting element 432a and the light receiving element 432b) which is a part of the mold member 130a adjacent to the partition 130e.
  • the partition wall 130e is formed to have the same height as the partition wall 130e.
  • the pre-registration sensor 432 can be positioned while preventing light output from the light emitting element 432 a of the pre-registration sensor 432 from being incident on the optical sensor 311. In addition, it is possible to prevent part of light output from the light emitting element 432a and passing through the light guide (not shown) and entering the light receiving element 432b from entering the optical sensor 311.
  • the case body 130 includes a mold member 130 b (second light shielding wall) which protrudes laterally from the mold member 130 a and forms a partition between the light emitting element 432 a and the light receiving element 432 b on the mold member 130 a.
  • the mold member 130b is formed continuously (in contact with the partition 130e) from the partition 130e which is a part of the mold member 130a.
  • the mold member 130 b is provided as a light shielding wall for preventing light output from the light emitting element 432 a from being directly incident on the light receiving element 432 b.
  • the mold members 130a, 130b, 130c are integrally formed (that is, constituted by one mold member). This is effective to operate these sensors while preventing interference between the sensors even if the area of the substrate 300 on which the optical sensor 311 and the pre-resist sensor 432 are mounted is relatively small.
  • the case body 130 can prevent the unwanted light from entering the optical sensor 311, and the pre-resist sensor 432 disposed on the substrate 300 together with the optical sensor 311 to the optical sensor 311.
  • 69A is a plan view showing an arrangement example of the modules and the conveyance rollers 901 and 902 shown in FIG. 68 when the document conveyance device 400 is viewed from the top.
  • a member holding the conveyance roller 901 extends, and holds the substrate 300 on which the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432 are mounted, and the case body 130.
  • the conveyance roller 901 disposed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the document (sheet) is, for example, a feed roller 406 or a separation roller 407.
  • the conveyance roller 902 disposed downstream is, for example, a registration roller 417 or 418.
  • FIG. 69 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE 'in the configuration shown in FIG. 69 (a).
  • the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432 are covered by the case body 130.
  • the mold member 130a and the light transmitting plate 130d which constitute a part of the case body 130 cover the optical sensor 311 in a state where the shape of the case body 312 shown in FIG. 34 (b) is maintained.
  • the partition wall 130 e realizes blocking of light output from the pre-resist sensor 432 and traveling toward the optical sensor 311. In addition, it is possible to position the sensor while shielding the light output from the pre-resist sensor 432 and directed directly to the optical sensor 311 by the mold member 130c.
  • the other optical sensor mounted on the substrate 300 together with the optical sensor 311 may be an optical sensor other than the pre-resist sensor 432.
  • a plurality of optical sensors may be mounted on the substrate 300 together with the optical sensor 311.
  • the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 can be arranged close to each other on the conveyance path 900 in the document conveyance device 400.
  • these two optical sensors are used to determine not only the presence or absence of a document (sheet) on the conveyance path 900 but also a highly transparent document (sheet) such as an OHP sheet. Is possible.
  • image processing suitable for a highly transparent document can be performed on image data obtained by reading the document by the image reading sensors 414 and 415.
  • the conveyance roller 901 is configured by the feeding roller 406 or the separation roller 407
  • the conveyance roller 902 is configured by the registration roller 417 or 418.
  • detection of the presence or absence of the document using the pre-registration sensor 432 can be performed as follows. Specifically, the MCU 320 outputs light from the light emitting element 432a, monitors an output value corresponding to the amount of light received from the light receiving element 432b, and based on the comparison result of the output value and a predetermined threshold value, the document To detect the presence or absence of Specifically, in the present embodiment, the light emitted from the light emitting element 432a is guided by the light guide provided at the position facing across the transport path, and returns again across the transport path.
  • the light is detected by the light receiving element 432b receiving light, and when the document exists in the area where the light output from the light emitting element 432a is irradiated, the light is blocked by the document and the light receiving amount of the light receiving element 432b is small. Become. The presence or absence of the document can be detected based on the change in the amount of light received by the light receiving element 432b. For example, when the light receiving element 432b has an output characteristic in which the output value decreases as the light receiving amount increases, the MCU 320 determines that the document is present if the light receiving amount is equal to or more than the threshold, and if the light receiving amount is less than the threshold It is determined that there is no manuscript.
  • the determination result that the document is absent can be obtained from the output value of the light receiving element 432b, depending on the setting of the threshold described above.
  • the determination of a highly transparent document is performed using such characteristics of the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 disposed in close proximity.
  • the optical sensor 311 detects the movement amount of the document using the feature points extracted from the image based on the captured image acquired by the imaging device.
  • the optical sensor 311 is used, even on a highly transparent document, fine scratches on the surface of the document can be detected as feature points, and the document can be detected. Therefore, by setting the above-described threshold value so as not to be detected by the pre-registration sensor 432 for a highly transparent document, it becomes possible to discriminate the highly transparent document using the optical sensor 311.
  • FIG. 70 is a flow chart showing a procedure of document detection processing including discrimination of a document with high transparency in the document conveyance device 400 according to the present embodiment.
  • the processing of each step in FIG. 70 may be performed by, for example, the MCU 320.
  • one or more CPUs included in the control unit 445 may be implemented in the document conveyance device 400 by reading and executing a control program stored in a storage device (not shown).
  • the MCU 320 determines whether the document is a document with high transparency based on the detection result of the document by the pre-registration sensor 432 and the detection result of the movement amount of the document by the optical sensor 311. Determine
  • the MCU 320 causes the light emitting element 432a to emit light to output light, and at S1402, acquires an output value from the light receiving element 432b. Thereafter, in S1403, the MCU 320 determines whether or not the obtained output value is equal to or greater than a threshold, and advances the process to S1404 if the output value is equal to or greater than the threshold. At S1404, the MCU 320 outputs the determination result that the document is present, and ends the processing. On the other hand, when the acquired output value is less than the threshold (ie, when the determination result that the document is absent is obtained based on the output value from the pre-registration sensor 432), the MCU 320 performs the process from S1403 to S1405. Advance.
  • the MCU 320 determines whether or not the document has been detected by the optical sensor 311 (ie, whether or not movement of the document has been detected). If the document is not detected by the optical sensor 311, the MCU 320 advances the process to S1406, outputs the determination result that there is no document, and ends the process. On the other hand, when the document is detected by the optical sensor 311, the MCU 320 advances the process from S1405 to S1407, outputs a determination result indicating that the document with high transparency is detected, and ends the process.
  • the document detection processing in which the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 are combined has been described, but it is also possible to use an optical sensor other than the pre-registration sensor 432.
  • the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 are arranged adjacent to each other, no document is detected by the pre-registration sensor 432.
  • the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 be arranged side by side in the transport direction.
  • the interval during which the document is transported is calculated back from the transport speed, and detection is performed by the optical sensor 311 after that time. It is good.
  • FIG. 71A is a bottom view showing an arrangement example of the substrate 300 and the case body 130 in the conveyance path of the document conveyance device 400.
  • FIG. 71A is a bottom view showing an arrangement example of the substrate 300 and the case body 130 in the conveyance path of the document conveyance device 400.
  • FIG. 71 (a) the sheet metal 140 forming the transport path constitutes a part of the upper guide plate 440 shown in FIG. 26 and FIG.
  • the conveyance roller 902 corresponds to the registration roller 417 shown in FIG. 26 and FIG.
  • the substrate 300 and the case body 130 are disposed above the sheet metal 140.
  • FIG. 71 (b) shows an arrangement example of the substrate 300 shown in FIG. 71 (a), the case body 130, and the sensor group on the substrate 300 disposed on the top of the sheet metal 140.
  • FIG. 71C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF ′ in the configuration shown in FIG. 71A.
  • FIG. 71 In the example of FIG. 71, four pre-registration sensors 432, a double feed detection sensor 430 (transmission unit), and an optical sensor 311 are arranged on the substrate 300 along the direction orthogonal to the document conveyance direction. Has been implemented.
  • the double feed detection sensor 430 and the four pre-registration sensors 432 are respectively aligned with the openings provided in the sheet metal 140.
  • the pre-registration sensor 432 is disposed upstream of the double feed detection sensor 430 in the transport direction.
  • the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 are disposed in proximity to each other. Between these sensors, in order to prevent the light output from the light emitting element of one sensor from entering the light receiving element of the other sensor (that is, in order to prevent interference between the sensors), as shown in FIG.
  • the partition 130 e is formed in the case body 130.
  • the partition 130 e is formed between the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 so that light traveling from the light emitting element 432 a of the pre-registration sensor 432 toward the optical sensor 311 is blocked.
  • the partition wall 130 e is formed such that the end (tip) of the partition wall abuts on the sheet metal 140.
  • the gap is closed so that light does not pass through the gap between the partition 130 e and the sheet metal 140, and the light shielding effect can be enhanced. That is, the effect of preventing interference between the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 can be enhanced. Further, as shown in FIG.
  • the optical sensor 311 is adjacent to the conveyance roller 902 in the document conveyance direction, as in the example of FIG.
  • a light transmission plate 130 d (filter) is disposed at a position facing the optical sensor 311 to prevent paper dust generated by the conveyance roller 902 from directly adhering to the optical sensor 311.
  • the case body 130 has a side wall that separates the optical sensor 311 and the pre-resist sensor 432 so that the light transmitting plate 130 d is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate 300 (or the above-described imaging reference surface) in the transport direction.
  • a side wall separating the sensor 311 and the conveyance roller 902 is formed.
  • the light transmitting plate 130 d is arranged to have an inclination such that the height from the surface of the substrate 300 becomes higher toward the transport roller 902 in the transport direction of the document. That is, the light transmitting plate 130 d is inclined such that the height of the light transmitting plate 130 d from the substrate 300 is higher on the side of the conveyance roller 902 than on the side of the pre-registration sensor 432 in the conveyance direction.
  • the light transmitting plate 130 d is inclined such that the height of the light transmitting plate 130 d from the substrate 300 is higher on the side of the conveyance roller 902 than on the side of the pre-registration sensor 432 in the conveyance direction.
  • the document conveyance device 400 of the present embodiment includes the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432 mounted on the substrate 300, and the case body 130 covering the substrate 300.
  • the optical sensor 311 has a light emitting element, receives light reflected by the document conveyed on the conveyance path, and performs photoelectric conversion to acquire an image used for detection of the movement amount of the document.
  • the pre-registration sensor 432 has a light emitting element 432a, and detects the document conveyed on the conveyance path by the light output from the light emitting element 432a.
  • the case body 130 is positioned between the optical sensor 311 and the pre-resist sensor 432, and shields light emitted from the light emitting element of one of the two sensors from entering the other sensor.
  • Partition wall 130e As described above, by forming the partition wall 130e on the case body 130 covering the substrate 300 on which the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432 are mounted, the optical sensors disposed close to each other (the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432) Interference between the two) can be prevented.
  • the double feed detection is performed by arranging the double feed detection sensor 430 (or a case (not shown) surrounding the sensor) between the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432.
  • the sensor 430 may function as a light shielding wall.
  • the pre-registration sensor is located on the opposite side of the double feed detection sensor 430 (at the position overlapping the light transmission plate 130d) with the optical sensor 311. Position 432.
  • the double feed detection sensor 430 may function as a light shielding wall between the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432.
  • Embodiment 46 A platen on which a document is placed; A transport path through which a document placed on the document table is transported; A first sensor that includes a first light emitting element, receives light reflected by a document conveyed on the conveyance path, and performs photoelectric conversion to obtain an image used for detection of the movement amount of the document; A second sensor having a second light emitting element and detecting the document conveyed on the conveyance path by the light output from the second light emitting element; A substrate on which the first sensor and the second sensor are mounted; And a case body fixed to the substrate. The case body is provided between the first sensor and the second sensor, and the light output from the light emitting element of one of the first sensor and the second sensor is used as the other sensor. What is claimed is: 1.
  • a document conveying device comprising a first light shielding wall for shielding light so as not to be incident.
  • the second sensor further includes a light receiving element for receiving the reflected light of the light output from the second light emitting element, The case body is provided between the second light emitting element and the light receiving element, and shields a second light shielding wall so that light output from the second light emitting element is not directly incident on the light receiving element.
  • the document feeder according to embodiment 46 further comprising: [Embodiment 48] 46.
  • Embodiment 49 The case body is A member forming a wall surrounding the first sensor mounted on the substrate; A position facing the first sensor is provided to close a space surrounded by the member, and light from the first light emitting element toward the document is transmitted, and light reflected from the document is transmitted. And a translucent plate, 51.
  • the document feeder according to any one of the embodiments 46 to 48, wherein a part of the member forms the first light shielding wall.
  • Embodiment 50 50 50.
  • the embodiment according to embodiment 49, wherein the first light shielding wall is formed to have a height greater than the height at which the light transmitting plate is provided as a height from the surface of the substrate. Document feeder.
  • Embodiment 51 The apparatus further comprises a transport roller for transporting the document, provided on the downstream side of the case body in the transport direction of the document on the transport path.
  • the first sensor is disposed downstream of the second sensor in the transport direction
  • the light transmitting plate is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate, and to have a height that increases from the surface of the substrate toward the transport roller in the transport direction.
  • the document feeder as recited in embodiment 49 or 50, wherein: Embodiment 52 51.
  • Embodiment 53 An end of a portion of the sheet metal in contact with the first light shielding wall is bent in the direction of the substrate so as to overlap the first light shielding wall and the document in the conveyance direction of the document in the conveyance path.
  • Embodiment 54 A control circuit for controlling the first sensor and the second sensor; 54.
  • Embodiment 55 The first sensor is disposed downstream of the second sensor in the conveyance direction of the document on the conveyance path.
  • a detection unit configured to detect an amount of movement of the document in the transport direction based on the image acquired by the first sensor; And a determination unit that determines whether the document is a document with high transparency based on the detection result of the document by the second sensor and the detection result of the movement amount by the detection unit.
  • the document feeder according to any one of the embodiments 46-54.
  • Embodiment 56 The determination unit is characterized in that the document is determined to be a document having high transparency when the document is not detected by the second sensor and the movement of the document is detected by the detection unit.
  • the document conveying apparatus according to embodiment 55.
  • the configuration as described above makes it possible to prevent interference between optical sensors disposed close to each other in the document conveyance device capable of conveying a document. .
  • the document conveying apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Controlling Sheets Or Webs (AREA)

Abstract

[Problem] To make jamming during sheet feeding less likely even where a sheet to be fed is thin, low-stiffness paper or the like. [Solution] When, subsequent to a post-registration sensor 34 detecting the arrival of the trailing edge of the preceding sheet (S210), starting the feeding of the succeeding sheet by a feed roller 6, a control unit 45 for a sheet feeder 101 controls the feed roller 6 to a first feeding speed V3 (low speed) (S202). When the leading edge of the following sheet passes the nip position between the feed roller 6 and a separation roller 7 (YES in S203), the feed roller 6 is controlled to a second feeding speed V4 (high speed) (S204).

Description

シート給送装置、シート給送装置の制御方法、及びプログラムSheet feeding device, control method of sheet feeding device, and program
　本発明は、シートを給送可能なシート給送装置における負荷に弱い原稿、例えば薄紙、伝票、古紙（歴史書）、既にしわになっている原稿、既に折れている原稿、破れている原稿等の給送技術に関する。 The present invention is directed to a document which is weak to a load in a sheet feeding apparatus capable of feeding a sheet, such as thin paper, slip, used paper (history book), a document which is already wrinkled, a document which is already broken, a document which is broken, etc. Relates to the feeding technology of
　従来のシート給送装置では、複数枚のシートを連続的に給紙する場合、シートを１枚給紙する毎にピックアップローラ（例えば後述する図１における４）をシート取込位置に移動させてシートに接触させて回転させ、その後、退避位置に移動させる動作を繰り返していた。しかし、シートが腰の弱い薄紙等である場合、分離ローラ対（例えば図１における６，７）とピックアップローラとの間でジャムが発生することがあった。 In the conventional sheet feeding apparatus, when feeding a plurality of sheets continuously, the pickup roller (for example, 4 in FIG. 1 described later) is moved to the sheet take-in position every time a sheet is fed. The operation was repeated by bringing the sheet into contact with and rotating it, and then moving it to the retracted position. However, when the sheet is thin paper or the like with a low rigidity, jamming may occur between the separation roller pair (e.g., 6 and 7 in FIG. 1) and the pickup roller.
　このような薄紙等のシートのジャム対策として、特許文献１が提案されている。
　特許文献１では、先に給送されたシートの後端をレジスト前センサ（例えば後述する図１における３２）が検知した後、特定時間を経過しても、レジスト前センサが次のシートの先端を検知しない場合に、ピックアップローラをシートに接触させて回転させる。これにより、ピックアップローラの使用を最小限にしてシートを給送する技術が提案されている。 Patent Document 1 is proposed as a measure against jamming of sheets such as thin paper.
In Patent Document 1, after the pre-registration sensor (for example, 32 in FIG. 1 described later) detects the rear end of the previously fed sheet, the pre-registration sensor detects the leading end of the next sheet even if a specific time passes. If the pickup roller is not detected, the pickup roller is brought into contact with the sheet and rotated. Thus, there has been proposed a technology for feeding a sheet while minimizing the use of the pickup roller.
特開平６－９１１０号公報JP 6-9110 A
　上記特許文献１の技術は、薄紙等のように剛度（以下「コシ」又は「腰」と記す）が弱いシートのジャム対策に一定の効果があった。一方、分離ローラ対を構成する給送ローラにシートが巻き込まれてしまい、ジャムが発生してしまう場合もあった。
　このように、従来の技術では、給紙するシートが腰の弱い薄紙等の場合に給紙ローラにおけるジャムが発生することがあるという課題があった。 The technique of Patent Document 1 has a certain effect on jamming of a sheet whose stiffness (hereinafter referred to as "Kosi" or "waist") is weak, such as thin paper. On the other hand, there is also a case where a sheet is caught by a feed roller constituting a separation roller pair, and a jam occurs.
As described above, in the related art, there is a problem that when the sheet to be fed is thin paper having a low rigidity or the like, jamming may occur in the sheet feeding roller.
　本発明は、上記の課題を解決するためになされたものである。本発明は、給紙するシートが腰の弱い薄紙等であっても、給紙の際のジャムを生じ難くすることができる仕組みを提供することを目的とするものである。 The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of making it difficult to cause jamming at the time of sheet feeding even if the sheet to be fed is thin paper or the like with a low stiffness.
　本発明は上記を鑑み、シートを搬送路に沿って給送する給送ローラと、前記給送ローラとの間にニップを形成し、前記給送ローラによって給送されるシートとそれ以外のシートとを分離するための分離ローラと、前記搬送路における前記給送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側に配置され、シートが到達したことを検知する第１シート検知センサと、前記給送ローラの回転を制御する制御部と、を備え、前記制御部は、前記第１シート検知センサによって先行するシートの後端の到達が検知された後で前記給送ローラによる後続のシートの給送を開始する場合に、前記給送ローラを第１給送速度に制御し、さらに、前記後続のシートの先端が前記給送ローラと前記分離ローラとのニップを超えたと判定した場合に、前記給送ローラを前記第１給送速度よりも高速の第２給送速度に制御する、ことを特徴とする。 In view of the above, the present invention forms a nip between a feeding roller for feeding a sheet along a conveyance path and the feeding roller, and a sheet to be fed by the feeding roller and other sheets. A first sheet detection sensor disposed downstream of the transport path with respect to the feed roller in the transport path and detecting that the sheet has arrived; And a control unit for controlling rotation, wherein the control unit starts feeding the subsequent sheet by the feeding roller after the arrival of the trailing end of the preceding sheet is detected by the first sheet detection sensor. If it is determined that the feeding roller is controlled to the first feeding speed and it is determined that the leading end of the subsequent sheet has exceeded the nip between the feeding roller and the separation roller, the feeding roller The first one Feeding is controlled to the second feeding speed of the high speed than the speed, it is characterized.
　本発明によれば、給紙するシートが腰の弱い薄紙等であっても、給紙の際のジャムを生じ難くすることができる。 According to the present invention, even when the sheet to be fed is thin paper or the like with a low rigidity, it is possible to make it difficult to cause jamming at the time of sheet feeding.
第１実施形態に係るシート給送装置を備えるシート搬送装置の部分断面図。FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a sheet conveying device provided with a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment. シート搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す模式図。FIG. 2 is a schematic view schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the sheet conveying apparatus. 第１実施形態の薄紙モードにおける制御動作を説明するフローチャート。6 is a flowchart illustrating control operation in thin paper mode according to the first embodiment. 第１実施形態のレジスト前センサとピックアップローラの動作の一例を示すタイミングチャート。5 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the pre-registration sensor and the pickup roller according to the first embodiment. ピックアップローラをシートに接触させた後のシートに対する接触圧の変化を例示するグラフ。The graph which illustrates change of the contact pressure to the sheet after making a pickup roller contact a sheet. 第１実施形態に係る給送される原稿の先端並びに給送ローラ対の位置関係の一例を示す模式図。FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of the positional relationship between the leading end of a document to be fed and a pair of feeding rollers according to the first embodiment. 第１実施形態の薄紙モードにおける給送ローラの制御動作を説明するフローチャート。6 is a flowchart for explaining the control operation of the feeding roller in the thin paper mode of the first embodiment. 第１実施形態のシート積載台上のシート、給送ローラ、原稿の先端部分の位置並びにピックアップローラの給送速度の関係を説明する図。FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the relationship among the sheet on the sheet stacking table of the first embodiment, the feeding roller, the position of the leading end of the document, and the feeding speed of the pickup roller. 第１実施形態の他の態様に係る給送ローラと薄紙モード用の光学センサの位置関係を説明する図。FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the positional relationship between a feeding roller and an optical sensor for thin paper mode according to another aspect of the first embodiment. 第１実施形態の他の態様に係る薄紙モードにおける給送ローラの制御動作を説明するフローチャート。10 is a flowchart illustrating control operations of a feeding roller in a thin paper mode according to another aspect of the first embodiment. 第２実施形態に係るシート給送装置を適用可能なシート搬送装置の構成の一部を概略的に示す部分断面図。FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the configuration of a sheet conveying apparatus to which a sheet feeding apparatus according to a second embodiment can be applied. 第２実施形態におけるピックアップローラ、給送ローラ及びレジストローラ対の動作並びにレジスト前センサ及びレジスト中センサの検知状態の関係の一例を示すタイミングチャート。12 is a timing chart showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment. 第２実施形態におけるピックアップローラ、給送ローラ及びレジストローラ対の動作並びにレジスト前センサ及びレジスト中センサの検知状態の関係の一例を示す模式図。FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment. 第２実施形態におけるピックアップローラ、給送ローラ及びレジストローラ対の動作並びにレジスト前センサ及びレジスト中センサの検知状態の関係の一例を示す模式図。FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment. 第２実施形態におけるピックアップローラ、給送ローラ及びレジストローラ対の動作並びにレジスト前センサ及びレジスト中センサの検知状態の関係の一例を示す模式図。FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment. 第２実施形態におけるピックアップローラ、給送ローラ及びレジストローラ対の動作並びにレジスト前センサ及びレジスト中センサの検知状態の関係の一例を示す模式図。FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment. 第２実施形態におけるピックアップローラ、給送ローラ及びレジストローラ対の動作並びにレジスト前センサ及びレジスト中センサの検知状態の関係の一例を示す模式図。FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment. 第２実施形態におけるピックアップローラ、給送ローラ及びレジストローラ対の動作並びにレジスト前センサ及びレジスト中センサの検知状態の関係の一例を示す模式図。FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment. 第２実施形態におけるピックアップローラ、給送ローラ及びレジストローラ対の動作並びにレジスト前センサ及びレジスト中センサの検知状態の関係の一例を示す模式図。FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment. 給送ローラ、レジスト前センサ及びレジストローラの位置並びに給送ローラの給送速度及びレジストローラの搬送速度の関係を説明する図。FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the relationship between the positions of a feeding roller, a pre-registration sensor and a registration roller, and the feeding speed of the feeding roller and the conveyance speed of the registration roller. 本発明の第３実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置の構成を概略的に示す部分断面図。FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a document conveyance device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 図２１の原稿搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す模式図。FIG. 22 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the document conveyance device of FIG. 21. 本発明の第３実施形態に係る光学センサの配置を概略的に示す部分断面図。The fragmentary sectional view which shows roughly arrangement | positioning of the optical sensor which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 光学センサの構成を概略的に示す模式図。The schematic diagram which shows the structure of an optical sensor roughly. 光学センサから得た画像に信号処理を実行した画像を概略的に示す模式図。The schematic diagram which shows roughly the image which performed signal processing to the image obtained from the optical sensor. 本発明の第６実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置の構成を概略的に示す部分断面図。FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a document conveyance device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 図２６の原稿搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す模式図。FIG. 27 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the document conveyance device of FIG. 26. 本発明の第６実施形態に係る光学センサの配置を概略的に示す部分断面図。The fragmentary sectional view which shows roughly arrangement | positioning of the optical sensor which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. 撮像対象の移動速度と光学センサの検知精度の特性を示す模式図。The schematic diagram which shows the characteristic of the moving speed of imaging object, and the detection accuracy of an optical sensor. 移動した撮像対象の重なりを示す模式図。The schematic diagram which shows the overlap of the imaging object which moved. 撮像領域の重なり度合いに対する光学センサの検知精度の特性を示す模式図。The schematic diagram which shows the characteristic of the detection precision of an optical sensor with respect to the overlap degree of an imaging area. 光学センサ、ピックアップローラ、分離ローラ及び画像読取センサの配置例を示す上面図。FIG. 6 is a top view showing an arrangement example of an optical sensor, a pickup roller, a separation roller, and an image reading sensor. 光学センサ及びその周囲を覆うケース体の配置例を示す断面図。Sectional drawing which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the case body which covers an optical sensor and its periphery. シートの搬送路の途中における光学センサの配置例を示す断面図。FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement example of an optical sensor in the middle of a sheet conveyance path. 第７実施形態に係るシート給送装置の概略断面図（搬送状態）。FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a seventh embodiment (conveying state). 第７実施形態に係るシート給送装置の概略断面図（待機状態）。FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sheet feeding device according to the seventh embodiment (standby state). 第７実施形態に係るシート給送装置の駆動伝達の構造図。FIG. 18 is a structural diagram of drive transmission of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a seventh embodiment. 第７実施形態に係るシート給送装置の給送部の要部拡大図。FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a main part of a sheet feeding unit of a sheet feeding device according to a seventh embodiment. 第７実施形態に係るシート給送装置の給搬送部の概略図。FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a sheet feeding unit of the sheet feeding device according to a seventh embodiment. 第７実施形態に係るシート給送装置の給送部の要部拡大図。FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a main part of a sheet feeding unit of a sheet feeding device according to a seventh embodiment. 第７実施形態に係る制御ユニットのブロック図。The block diagram of the control unit concerning a 7th embodiment. シート給送装置の給送部の要部拡大図。FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of a feeding unit of the sheet feeding apparatus. シート給送装置の給送部の要部拡大図。FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of a feeding unit of the sheet feeding apparatus. 第８実施形態に係る給搬送部の概略図。The schematic diagram of the feed conveyance part which concerns on 8th Embodiment. 第８実施形態に係る他の給搬送部の概略図。The schematic of the other supply-conveyance part which concerns on 8th Embodiment. 第９実施形態に係るシート給送装置の駆動伝達の構造図。FIG. 18 is a structural diagram of drive transmission of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a ninth embodiment. 第１０実施形態に係る原稿給送装置の概略断面図（搬送状態）。FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view (conveying state) of the document feeding device according to a tenth embodiment. 第１０実施形態に係る原稿給送装置の概略断面図（待機状態）。FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the document feeding device according to a tenth embodiment (standby state). 第１０実施形態に係る基板配置および配線経路の概略図。The schematic of the board | substrate arrangement | positioning which concerns on 10th Embodiment, and a wiring path. 第１０実施形態に係る原稿給送装置の要部拡大断面図。The principal part expanded sectional view of the document feeding apparatus which concerns on 10th Embodiment. 第１０実施形態に係る原稿給送装置の要部拡大断面図。The principal part expanded sectional view of the document feeding apparatus which concerns on 10th Embodiment. 第１１実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置の構成を概略的に示す断面図。Sectional drawing which shows schematically the structure of the document conveying apparatus which concerns on 11th Embodiment. 図５２の原稿搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す模式図。FIG. 53 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the document conveyance device of FIG. 52. 第１１実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置の他の例の構成を概略的に示す断面図。FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of another example of the document feeder according to the eleventh embodiment. 図５４の原稿搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す模式図。FIG. 56 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the document conveyance device of FIG. 54. 対向面部材の移動方向及び移動速度を示す概念図。The conceptual diagram which shows the moving direction and moving speed of an opposing surface member. 対向面部材の移動方向及び移動速度と光学センサの取付角度ずれを示す概念図。The conceptual diagram which shows the movement direction and movement speed of an opposing surface member, and the attachment angle shift of an optical sensor. 光学センサ及び対向面部材の構成例を概略的に示す模式図。The schematic diagram which shows roughly the structural example of an optical sensor and an opposing surface member. 第１２実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す模式図。FIG. 21 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of main parts of a document conveyance device according to a twelfth embodiment. 光学センサ及び対向面部材の構成例を概略的に示す模式図。The schematic diagram which shows roughly the structural example of an optical sensor and an opposing surface member. 対向面部材の移動方向、及び光学センサの取付角度ずれの例を示す図。The figure which shows the example of the movement direction of an opposing surface member, and the attachment angle shift of an optical sensor. 光学センサの取付角度ずれの補正のための座標変換の例を示す図。The figure which shows the example of coordinate transformation for correction | amendment of the attachment angle shift of an optical sensor. 第１２実施形態に係る光学センサ及び対向面部材の構成例を概略的に示す模式図。The schematic diagram which shows roughly the structural example of the optical sensor which concerns on 12th Embodiment, and an opposing surface member. 第１４実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す模式図。FIG. 21 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of a document conveyance device according to a fourteenth embodiment. 第１４実施形態に係る光学センサ及び対向面部材の構成例を概略的に示す模式図。The schematic diagram which shows schematically the structural example of the optical sensor which concerns on 14th Embodiment, and an opposing surface member. 第１５実施形態における複数の光学センサが同じ基板に実装された場合の基板の構成例を示す平面図。FIG. 31 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a substrate when a plurality of optical sensors in the fifteenth embodiment are mounted on the same substrate. 第１５実施形態における光学センサ及びレジスト前センサの光の分光特性の例を示す図。A figure showing an example of a spectrum characteristic of light of an optical sensor in a 15th embodiment, and a sensor before registration. 第１５実施形態における光学センサ及びレジスト前センサを含むモジュールの構成例を示す斜視図。FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a module including an optical sensor and a pre-registration sensor in a fifteenth embodiment. 図６８に示すモジュール及び搬送の配置例を示す平面図及び断面図。The top view and sectional drawing which show the example of arrangement | positioning of the module shown in FIG. 68, and conveyance. 第１５実施形態における透明度の高い原稿の判別を含む原稿検出処理の手順を示すフローチャート。21 is a flowchart showing a procedure of document detection processing including discrimination of a highly transparent document in the fifteenth embodiment. 第１５実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置の搬送路における基板及びケース体の配置例を示す底面図及び断面図。FIG. 21 is a bottom view and a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement example of a substrate and a case body in a conveyance path of a document conveyance device according to a fifteenth embodiment.
　〔第１実施形態〕
　まず、本発明の第１実施形態に係るシート給送装置を含むシート搬送装置について説明する。
　図１は、本発明の第１実施形態に係るシート給送装置を備えるシート搬送装置（画像読取装置）の構成を概略的に示す部分断面図である。
　図２は、図１のシート搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す模式図である。
　ここでは、一例として本発明のシート搬送装置を画像読取装置に適用する場合について説明するが、シートに対して印刷を行う印刷装置（プリンタ等）、あるいは画像読取装置と印刷装置を組み合わせた複合機などの原稿搬送系を持つ装置など、各種のシート搬送装置に適用可能である。 First Embodiment
First, a sheet conveying apparatus including a sheet feeding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a sheet conveying apparatus (image reading apparatus) provided with a sheet feeding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the sheet conveying apparatus of FIG.
Here, although the case where the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention is applied to an image reading apparatus will be described as an example, a printing apparatus (such as a printer) for printing on a sheet, or a complex machine combining an image reading apparatus and a printing apparatus The present invention can be applied to various sheet conveying apparatuses such as an apparatus having an original conveying system such as H.
　図１及び図２に示すように、本実施形態のシート搬送装置２００は、シート取込装置（シート給送装置）１０１を備える。
　シート積載台（シート載置台）１にはシートが複数枚積載されており、シート積載台１は昇降自在に構成されている。シート積載台駆動モータ２は、シート積載台１を昇降させる。シート検知センサ３は、シート積載台１に積載されたシートがシート取込位置にあることを検知する。シート積載検知センサ１２は、シート積載台１のシート積載面１ａにシートが積載されていることを検知する。また、原稿跳ね上げ検知センサ３５は、シート積載面１ａに直交する方向に並ぶ複数のセンサを備え、シート積載台１に積載されているシートの跳ね上がりを検知する。例えば、原稿跳ね上げ検知センサ３５は、ステイプル留め等された原稿がシート積載台１に積載されて給紙された場合になどに生じる原稿の跳ね上がりを検知することができる。これにより、ステイプル留め等された原稿の給紙を中止するなどの制御が可能となる。 As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the sheet conveying apparatus 200 of the present embodiment includes a sheet take-in apparatus (sheet feeding apparatus) 101.
A plurality of sheets are stacked on a sheet stacking table (sheet mounting table) 1, and the sheet stacking table 1 is configured to be able to move up and down. The sheet loading table driving motor 2 raises and lowers the sheet loading table 1. The sheet detection sensor 3 detects that the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking table 1 is at the sheet loading position. The sheet stacking detection sensor 12 detects that sheets are stacked on the sheet stacking surface 1 a of the sheet stacking table 1. Further, the document jump detection sensor 35 includes a plurality of sensors arranged in a direction orthogonal to the sheet stacking surface 1 a, and detects the jumping up of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking table 1. For example, the document jumping detection sensor 35 can detect the jumping of the document that occurs when the stapled document or the like is stacked on the sheet loading table 1 and fed. Thus, control such as stopping feeding of the stapled document can be performed.
　シートピックアップ部の一例としてのピックアップローラ４（取込手段）は、シート積載台１上のシートをシート積載台１から送り出す。ピックアップローラ駆動モータ５は、ピックアップローラ４を、シートを取り込む方向（取込方向）に回転させる。図２に示す状態は、シート上面がシート取込位置にあり、ピックアップローラ４を回転させればシートの取り込みが始まる状態である。また、ピックアップローラ４は、図２のシート取込位置、及び、シート取込位置よりも上方の退避位置（不図示）に、不図示の駆動部によって駆動されて移動可能である。ピックアップローラ４は、シートを取り込む際にはシート取込位置に移動され、取り込みが終わったら退避位置に移動される。図１の例では、ピックアップローラ４は、ピックアップローラ４よりも搬送方向の下流側に設けられたピックアップローラの回転中心６４を中心に回動する。このため、ピックアップローラ４がシートに接触した際にシートを搬送方向に押し出し易い構成になっている。 A pickup roller 4 (take-in means) as an example of the sheet pickup unit feeds the sheet on the sheet stacking table 1 from the sheet stacking table 1. The pick-up roller drive motor 5 rotates the pick-up roller 4 in a sheet take-in direction (take-in direction). The state shown in FIG. 2 is a state in which the upper surface of the sheet is at the sheet taking-in position, and when the pickup roller 4 is rotated, sheet taking-in starts. The pickup roller 4 is driven by a driving unit (not shown) and can be moved to a sheet taking-in position in FIG. 2 and a retracted position (not shown) above the sheet taking-in position. The pickup roller 4 is moved to a sheet taking-in position when taking in a sheet, and is moved to a retracted position when taking-in is finished. In the example of FIG. 1, the pickup roller 4 rotates around a rotation center 64 of the pickup roller provided downstream of the pickup roller 4 in the transport direction. Therefore, when the pickup roller 4 contacts the sheet, the sheet can be easily pushed out in the transport direction.
　ピックアップローラ４の回転指示と、シート取込位置と退避位置の移動指示は、制御部４５により行われる。制御部４５は、図示しないＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭ等を有し、ＣＰＵがＲＯＭに格納されたプログラムを実行することにより各種制御を実現する。また、ピックアップローラ４は、後述する分離ローラ対４２による分離給送が確実に行われるための補助的な役割を担っている。シート積載台１上のシートをピックアップローラ４によって分離ローラ対４２のニップ部へ送り込めば、分離ローラ対４２による分離給送は確実に行える。 The control unit 45 issues an instruction to rotate the pickup roller 4 and an instruction to move the sheet take-in position and the retraction position. The control unit 45 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and implements various controls by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM. In addition, the pickup roller 4 plays an auxiliary role for reliably performing separation and feeding by a separation roller pair 42 described later. When the sheet on the sheet loading table 1 is fed by the pickup roller 4 to the nip portion of the separation roller pair 42, the separation and feeding by the separation roller pair 42 can be reliably performed.
　分離ローラ対４２において、給送ローラ６は、給送モータ８によってシートを搬送方向下流側に給送する方向（給送方向）に回転するよう駆動されている。分離ローラ７は、シートを搬送方向上流側に押し戻す方向に回転する回転力を、不図示のトルクリミッタ（スリップクラッチ）を介して、分離モータ９から常時受けている。 In the separation roller pair 42, the feed roller 6 is driven by the feed motor 8 to rotate in a direction (feed direction) in which the sheet is fed downstream in the transport direction. The separation roller 7 constantly receives rotational force for rotating the sheet in the direction to push it back to the upstream side from the separation motor 9 via a torque limiter (slip clutch) (not shown).
　給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７との間にシートが１枚存在するときは、上述のトルクリミッタが伝達する分離ローラ７がシートを上流側に押し戻す方向の回転力の上限値より、給送ローラ６によって下流側に送られるシートと分離ローラ７との間の摩擦力によってシートが下流側に給送される方向への回転力が上回る。このため、分離ローラ７は、給送ローラ６に追従して回転する（連れ回りする）。 When one sheet is present between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7, the feeding roller is selected based on the upper limit of the rotational force in the direction in which the separating roller 7 transmitted by the torque limiter described above pushes the sheet upstream. The frictional force between the sheet fed downstream by 6 and the separation roller 7 increases the rotational force in the direction in which the sheet is fed downstream. For this reason, the separation roller 7 follows the feed roller 6 and rotates (corolls).
　一方、給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７との間にシートが複数枚存在するときは、分離ローラ７はシートを上流側に押し戻す方向の回転をローラ軸から受け、最も上位のシート以外が下流側に搬送されないようにしている。 On the other hand, when there are a plurality of sheets between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7, the separating roller 7 receives rotation from the roller shaft in a direction to push the sheet back to the upstream side. Not to be transported to
　このように、給送ローラ６がシートを下流側に給送する作用と、分離ローラ７のシートを下流側に搬送されないようにする作用とによって、シートが重なって給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７との間に形成されるニップ部（給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７との接触部分）に送り込まれた場合でも、最も上のシートのみ下流側に給送され、それ以外のシートは下流側に搬送されないようになる。これにより、重なったシートが分離給送される。 Thus, the sheet is overlapped by the action of the feeding roller 6 feeding the sheet to the downstream side and the action of the separation roller 7 not to feed the sheet to the downstream side, the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7 are overlapped. Even when the sheet is fed to the nip portion (the contact portion between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7) formed between them, only the uppermost sheet is fed downstream, and the other sheets are downstream. It will not be transported. Thus, the overlapped sheets are separated and fed.
　給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７とは、一対の分離ローラ対４２（シート分離部）を構成する。なお、本実施形態では、分離ローラ対４２を使用しているが、分離ローラ対４２の代わりに分離ローラと給送ローラのどちらか一方をベルトにした、分離ベルトローラ対を使用してもよい。また、分離ローラを分離パッドに置き換え、シートに当接することで下流側へ複数枚のシートが搬送されることを防ぐようにしてもよい。また、分離ローラ７を回転させずに分離パッドのようにシートに当接させるように使用してもよい。 The feed roller 6 and the separation roller 7 constitute a pair of separation rollers 42 (sheet separation portion). In the present embodiment, the separation roller pair 42 is used, but instead of the separation roller pair 42, a separation belt roller pair in which one of the separation roller and the feeding roller is a belt may be used. . Further, the separation roller may be replaced with a separation pad, and by contacting the sheet, the conveyance of a plurality of sheets to the downstream side may be prevented. Alternatively, the separation roller 7 may be used to be brought into contact with the sheet like a separation pad without being rotated.
　このように構成されたピックアップローラ４、給送ローラ６、分離ローラ７などからなるシートピックアップ部によって、シート積載台１に積載されたシートが１枚ずつに分離されて、シート搬送装置２００内部に取り込まれる。 The sheets picked up by the pickup roller 4, the feeding roller 6, the separating roller 7 and the like configured as described above separate the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table 1 one by one, and the sheet conveying device 200 It is captured.
　また、分離されたシートが通過する位置（すなわち分離ローラ対４２の下流側）に重送検知センサ３０を備えることで、シート分離部によってシートが一枚ずつに分離できているかを検知することができる。本実施形態においては、重送検知センサ３０として超音波の送受信部を用いた検出装置を用いており、搬送路を跨いだ送受信部間における超音波の減衰量によって重送を検知することができる。なお、重送検知センサ３０は、搬送路の所定位置（超音波の送受信部間に対応する位置）に到達したシートを検知するセンサとしても利用可能である。 Further, by providing the double feed detection sensor 30 at a position where the separated sheet passes (that is, the downstream side of the pair of separation rollers 42), it is possible to detect whether the sheets can be separated one by one by the sheet separation unit. it can. In the present embodiment, a detection device using an ultrasonic wave transmission / reception unit is used as the double transmission detection sensor 30, and double transmission can be detected by the attenuation amount of ultrasonic waves between the transmission / reception units across the conveyance path. . Note that the double feed detection sensor 30 can also be used as a sensor that detects a sheet that has reached a predetermined position on the conveyance path (a position corresponding to the distance between the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving units).
　搬送モータ１０は、分離後のシートを、画像読取センサ１４、１５によってシートの画像の読み取りが行われる画像読取位置まで搬送し、さらに排出位置まで搬送するため、その他のローラ（シート搬送部）を駆動する。また、搬送モータ１０は、シートの読み取りに最適な速度や、シートの解像度等の設定に応じてシートの搬送速度を変更できるよう各ローラを駆動する。 The conveyance motor 10 conveys the separated sheet to an image reading position where the image reading sensor 14 or 15 reads an image of the sheet, and further conveys the sheet to the discharge position. To drive. Further, the conveyance motor 10 drives each roller so that the conveyance speed of the sheet can be changed in accordance with the setting such as the optimum speed for reading the sheet and the resolution of the sheet.
　ニップ隙間調整モータ１１は、給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７との隙間、或いは分離ローラ７に対してシートを介して給送ローラ６が圧接する圧接力（ニップ圧）を調整する。これにより、シートの厚みに適合した隙間、或いは圧接力が調整され、シートを分離することができる。 The nip gap adjusting motor 11 adjusts a gap between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7 or a pressing force (nip pressure) with which the feeding roller 6 is pressed against the separating roller 7 via a sheet. As a result, the gap or the pressing force adapted to the thickness of the sheet is adjusted, and the sheet can be separated.
　レジストクラッチ１９は、搬送モータ１０の回転駆動力をレジストローラ１８（シート搬送部）に伝達、又は当該伝達を遮断する。レジストローラ１７、１８で構成される第１レジストローラ対の回転を停止することにより、給送されるシートの先端をレジストローラ対のニップ部に突き当てて、シートの斜行を補正する。 The registration clutch 19 transmits the rotational driving force of the conveyance motor 10 to the registration roller 18 (sheet conveyance unit) or cuts off the transmission. By stopping the rotation of the first registration roller pair constituted by the registration rollers 17 and 18, the leading end of the fed sheet is abutted against the nip portion of the registration roller pair, and the skew feeding of the sheet is corrected.
　レジストローラ２０、２１で構成される第２レジストローラ対、搬送ローラ２２、２３で構成される搬送ローラ対、搬送ローラ２４、２５で構成される搬送ローラ対、排紙ローラ２６、２７で構成される排紙ローラ対は、シートを排出積載部４４に搬送する。排紙センサ１６は、搬送されたシートの通過を検知する。排紙センサ１６がシートの後端を検知した後に排紙ローラ対（２６，２７）の回転速度を遅くする排紙ブレーキをかけることで、排紙されたシートが飛び出す事を防止し、排紙整列性を向上させることができる。上ガイド板４０と下ガイド板４１との２つのガイド板は、分離ローラ対、レジストローラ対、各搬送ローラ対及び排紙ローラ対により搬送されるシートを案内する。 A second pair of registration rollers consisting of registration rollers 20 and 21, a pair of conveyance rollers consisting of conveyance rollers 22 and 23, a pair of conveyance rollers consisting of conveyance rollers 24 and 25, and paper discharge rollers 26 and 27 The delivery roller pair transports the sheet to the delivery stacking unit 44. The discharge sensor 16 detects the passage of the conveyed sheet. After the sheet discharge sensor 16 detects the rear end of the sheet, the sheet discharge brake for reducing the rotational speed of the sheet discharge roller pair (26, 27) is applied to prevent the discharged sheet from jumping out. Alignment can be improved. The two guide plates of the upper guide plate 40 and the lower guide plate 41 guide the sheet conveyed by the separation roller pair, the registration roller pair, the respective conveyance roller pairs, and the discharge roller pair.
　レジスト前センサ３２（第４シート検知センサ）は、レジストローラ対（１７、１８）の上流側に配設され、給送されるシートを検知する。レジスト後センサ３４（第１シート検知センサ）は、レジストローラ対（２０、２１）の下流側に配設され、搬送されるシートを検知する。さらに、レジスト中センサ３３（第３シート検知センサ）は、レジストローラ対（１７、１８）の下流側で且つレジストローラ対（２０、２１）の上流側に配設され、搬送されるシートを検知する。 A pre-registration sensor 32 (fourth sheet detection sensor) is disposed on the upstream side of the registration roller pair (17, 18) and detects a fed sheet. The post-registration sensor 34 (first sheet detection sensor) is disposed downstream of the registration roller pair (20, 21) and detects a sheet to be conveyed. Furthermore, the in-registration sensor 33 (third sheet detection sensor) is disposed downstream of the registration roller pair (17, 18) and upstream of the registration roller pair (20, 21), and detects the sheet to be conveyed. Do.
　レジスト後センサ３４によってシートが検知されると、制御部４５によって画像読取センサ１４、１５に対し画像の読み取り指示が出され、搬送されるシートの画像が読み取られる。なお、１４ａ、１５ａは、プラテンローラである。画像読取センサ１４、１５によって読み取られたシートの画像は、不図示のインターフェース部を介して情報処理装置などの外部装置に対して送信される。 When the sheet is detected by the post-registration sensor 34, the control unit 45 instructs the image reading sensors 14 and 15 to read an image, and the image of the conveyed sheet is read. Reference numerals 14a and 15a denote platen rollers. The image of the sheet read by the image reading sensors 14 and 15 is transmitted to an external apparatus such as an information processing apparatus via an interface unit (not shown).
　以下、図３を参照して、第１実施形態の制御部４５にて行われる、薄紙モード（予め定められた特定のモード）実行時におけるピックアップローラ４の制御動作の一例を説明する。
　図３は、第１実施形態の制御部４５にて行われる、薄紙モード（「薄紙搬送モード」ともいう）における制御動作の一例を説明するフローチャートである。すなわち、このフローチャートに示す処理は、制御部４５の図示しないＣＰＵがＲＯＭに格納されたプログラムを実行することにより実現される。なお、薄紙モードは、図示しない操作部、又は、シート搬送装置２００と通信可能に接続される情報処理装置（パーソナルコンピュータ等）から設定可能である。 Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of the control operation of the pickup roller 4 when the thin paper mode (predetermined specific mode) is performed, which is performed by the control unit 45 of the first embodiment, will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control operation in thin paper mode (also referred to as “thin paper conveyance mode”) performed by the control unit 45 according to the first embodiment. That is, the process shown in the flowchart is realized by the CPU (not shown) of the control unit 45 executing a program stored in the ROM. The thin paper mode can be set from an operation unit (not shown) or an information processing apparatus (such as a personal computer) communicably connected to the sheet conveying apparatus 200.
　制御部４５は、薄紙モードの給送動作を開始すると、給送ローラ６を駆動させ、時間の測定を開始する（測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）＝０）（Ｓ１０１）。
　次にＳ１０２において、制御部４５は、レジスト前センサ３２をチェックし、レジスト前センサ３２がシート先端を検知したか否かを判定する。 When the thin paper mode feeding operation is started, the control unit 45 drives the feeding roller 6 to start measurement of time (measurement time (TIME) = 0) (S101).
Next, in S102, the control unit 45 checks the pre-registration sensor 32, and determines whether the pre-registration sensor 32 has detected the sheet front end.
　レジスト前センサ３２がシート先端を検知していないと判定した場合（Ｓ１０２でＮｏの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ１０３に処理を進める。
　Ｓ１０３において、制御部４５は、測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）が特定時間（ＴＳ）を超えたか否かを判定する。測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）が特定時間（ＴＳ）を超えていないと判定した場合（Ｓ１０３でＮｏの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ１０２に処理を戻す。 If it is determined that the pre-registration sensor 32 has not detected the sheet front end (in the case of No in S102), the control unit 45 advances the process to S103.
In S103, the control unit 45 determines whether the measurement time (TIME) has exceeded the specific time (TS). When it is determined that the measurement time (TIME) does not exceed the specific time (TS) (No in S103), the control unit 45 returns the process to S102.
　一方、測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）が特定時間（ＴＳ）を超えたと判定した場合（Ｓ１０３でＹｅｓの場合）、すなわち測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）が特定時間（ＴＳ）になってもレジスト前センサ３２によりシート先端が検知されない場合、制御部４５は、Ｓ１０４に処理を進める On the other hand, when it is determined that the measurement time (TIME) exceeds the specific time (TS) (in the case of Yes in S103), that is, even if the measurement time (TIME) becomes the specific time (TS) If the control unit 45 does not detect any, the control unit 45 advances the process to S104.
　Ｓ１０４において、制御部４５は、ピックアップローラ４をシート取込位置に移動しシートに接触させる。
　さらにＳ１０５において、制御部４５は、後述する特定時間（ＴＤ）経過後に、ピックアップローラ４を回転させる。これによって、ピックアップローラ４がシートを給送ローラ６へ給送する。 In S104, the control unit 45 moves the pickup roller 4 to the sheet take-in position and brings the sheet into contact with the sheet.
Furthermore, in S105, the control unit 45 rotates the pickup roller 4 after a specific time (TD) described later has elapsed. As a result, the pickup roller 4 feeds the sheet to the feeding roller 6.
　次にＳ１０６において、制御部４５は、再び時間の測定を開始する（測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）＝０）。
　そしてＳ１０７において、制御部４５は、レジスト前センサ３２をチェックし、シート先端がレジスト前センサ３２により検知されたか否かを判定する。 Next, in S106, the control unit 45 starts measurement of time again (measurement time (TIME) = 0).
Then, in S107, the control unit 45 checks the pre-registration sensor 32, and determines whether the sheet front end is detected by the pre-registration sensor 32 or not.
　レジスト前センサ３２がシート先端を検知していないと判定した場合（Ｓ１０７でＮｏの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ１１０に処理を進める。
　Ｓ１１０において、制御部４５は、測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）がエラー時間（ＴＯＵＴ）を超えたか否かを判定する。測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）がエラー時間（ＴＯＵＴ）を超えていないと判定した場合（Ｓ１１０でＮｏの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ１０７に処理を戻す。 If it is determined that the pre-registration sensor 32 has not detected the sheet front end (in the case of No in S107), the control unit 45 advances the process to S110.
In S110, the control unit 45 determines whether the measurement time (TIME) exceeds the error time (TOUT). When it is determined that the measurement time (TIME) does not exceed the error time (TOUT) (No in S110), the control unit 45 returns the process to S107.
　一方、測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）がエラー時間（ＴＯＵＴ）を超えたと判定した場合（Ｓ１１０でＹｅｓの場合）、すなわち測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）がエラー時間（ＴＯＵＴ）になってもレジスト前センサ３２によりシート先端が検知されない場合、制御部４５は、Ｓ１１１に処理を進める。すなわち、ピックアップローラ４を取込位置に移動して回転させたにも拘らず、エラー時間になってもシート先端が検知されない、すなわち、シートの給送エラー（例えばジャムの発生）であると判定している。
　制御部４５は、ピックアップローラ４を退避位置に移動し（Ｓ１１１）、ピックアップローラ４の回転を停止させ（Ｓ１１２）、本フローチャートの処理をエラー終了する。 On the other hand, when it is determined that the measurement time (TIME) exceeds the error time (TOUT) (in the case of Yes in S110), that is, even if the measurement time (TIME) becomes the error time (TOUT) If is not detected, the control unit 45 advances the process to S111. That is, although the pickup roller 4 is moved to the take-in position and rotated, the leading edge of the sheet is not detected even at the error time, that is, the sheet feeding error (for example, occurrence of jamming) is determined. doing.
The control unit 45 moves the pickup roller 4 to the retracted position (S111), stops the rotation of the pickup roller 4 (S112), and ends the process of this flowchart in error.
　一方、上記Ｓ１０７において、レジスト前センサ３２がシート先端を検知したと判定した場合（Ｓ１０７でＹｅｓの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ１０８に処理を進める。
　制御部４５は、ピックアップローラ４を退避位置に移動し（Ｓ１０８）、ピックアップローラ４の回転を停止させ（Ｓ１０９）、Ｓ１１３に移行する。 On the other hand, when it is determined in S107 that the pre-registration sensor 32 has detected the front end of the sheet (Yes in S107), the control unit 45 advances the process to S108.
The control unit 45 moves the pickup roller 4 to the retracted position (S108), stops the rotation of the pickup roller 4 (S109), and shifts to S113.
　また、上記Ｓ１０２において、レジスト前センサ３２がシート先端を検知したと判定した場合（Ｓ１０２でＹｅｓの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ１１３に移行する。この場合、ピックアップローラ４は接触位置に移動せず退避位置のままとする。すなわち、ピックアップローラ４を駆動しなくても、レジスト前センサ３２にシート先端が到達している状況である。この状況は、その前に給紙したシートとの間に生じる摩擦や静電気によってシートが給送ローラ６まで到達した後にその前に給紙したシートが給送ローラ６を抜けた後で給送ローラ６によって搬送されて少なくともレジスト前センサ３２まで到達している状況である。このときにはピックアップローラ４による給紙は不要であり、シートに対してピックアップローラ４を当接させることによるダメージを防ぐために、ピックアップローラ４を退避位置のままにしている。 When it is determined in S102 that the pre-registration sensor 32 has detected the front end of the sheet (Yes in S102), the control unit 45 proceeds to S113. In this case, the pickup roller 4 is not moved to the contact position and remains at the retracted position. That is, the front end of the sheet has reached the pre-registration sensor 32 without driving the pickup roller 4. In this situation, after the sheet reaches the feeding roller 6 due to friction or static electricity generated with the sheet previously fed, the feeding roller is after the sheet previously fed passes the feeding roller 6. 6 and reaches at least the pre-registration sensor 32. At this time, sheet feeding by the pickup roller 4 is unnecessary, and the pickup roller 4 is kept at the retracted position in order to prevent damage caused by bringing the pickup roller 4 into contact with the sheet.
　Ｓ１０２又はＳ１０７においてレジスト前センサ３２によりシートの先端が検知されたと判定した場合、制御部４５は、Ｓ１１３に処理を進める。Ｓ１１３において、制御部４５は、レジスト後センサ３４によりシートの先端が検知された後の所定のタイミングで、画像読取センサ１４、１５に対し画像の読み取り指示を出し、画像読取センサ１４、１５によるシートの読取動作を行わせる。その間、制御部４５は、レジスト前センサ３２によるシートの後端検知を監視する（Ｓ１１４）。レジスト前センサ３２がシート後端を検知していないと判定した場合（Ｓ１１４でＮｏの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ１１３に処理を戻す。 If it is determined in S102 or S107 that the front end of the sheet is detected by the pre-registration sensor 32, the control unit 45 advances the process to S113. In S113, the control unit 45 instructs the image reading sensors 14 and 15 to read the image at a predetermined timing after the front end of the sheet is detected by the post-registration sensor 34, and the sheet by the image reading sensors 14 and 15 To perform the read operation. Meanwhile, the control unit 45 monitors the detection of the trailing edge of the sheet by the pre-registration sensor 32 (S114). When it is determined that the pre-registration sensor 32 does not detect the sheet trailing edge (in the case of No in S114), the control unit 45 returns the process to S113.
　一方、レジスト前センサ３２がシート後端を検知したと判定した場合（Ｓ１１４でＹｅｓの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ１１５に処理を進める。なお、制御部４５は、レジスト後センサ３４によりシートの後端が検知された後の所定のタイミングで上記Ｓ１１３の読取動作を終了させる。 On the other hand, when it is determined that the pre-registration sensor 32 has detected the sheet trailing edge (in the case of Yes in S114), the control unit 45 advances the process to S115. The control unit 45 ends the reading operation of S113 at a predetermined timing after the trailing edge of the sheet is detected by the post-registration sensor 34.
　Ｓ１１５において、制御部４５は、シート積載台１にシートがあるか否かをチェックする。シート積載台１にシートがあると判定した場合（Ｓ１１５でＹｅｓの場合）、すなわち次のシートがある場合、制御部４５は、Ｓ１０１に処理を戻す。
　一方、シート積載台１にシートがないと判定した場合（Ｓ１１５でＮｏの場合）、すなわち次のシートがない場合、制御部４５は、本フローチャートの処理を終了する。なお、終了する前に、特定時間（ＴＳ）以上の時間を待ってレジスト前センサ３２によってシートが検知された場合にＳ１１３に進み、シートが検知されなかった場合に終了するようにすることが好ましい。 In S115, the control unit 45 checks whether or not there is a sheet on the sheet stacking table 1. If it is determined that there is a sheet on the sheet stacking table 1 (in the case of Yes in S115), that is, if there is a next sheet, the control unit 45 returns the process to S101.
On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no sheet on the sheet stacking board 1 (S115: No), that is, if there is no next sheet, the control unit 45 ends the processing of this flowchart. In addition, it is preferable to proceed to S113 when the sheet is detected by the pre-registration sensor 32 after waiting for a specific time (TS) or more before the end, and to end when the sheet is not detected. .
　図４は、第１実施形態におけるレジスト前センサ３２とピックアップローラ４の動作の一例を示すタイミングチャートである。
　図４（ａ）は、測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）が特定時間（ＴＳ）を超えても（ＴＩＭＥ＞ＴＳ）レジスト前センサ３２がシートの先端を検知しない場合の例に対応する。この場合、ピックアップローラ４が接触位置に移動して特定時間（ＴＤ）後に回転し、シートを給送ローラ６へ送り込む。これにより、ピックアップローラ４の接触圧により惹起されるジャムの発生を防止する。 FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the pre-registration sensor 32 and the pickup roller 4 in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4A corresponds to an example in which the pre-registration sensor 32 does not detect the leading edge of the sheet even if the measurement time (TIME) exceeds the specific time (TS) (TIME> TS). In this case, the pickup roller 4 moves to the contact position and rotates after a specific time (TD) to feed the sheet to the feeding roller 6. This prevents the occurrence of jamming caused by the contact pressure of the pickup roller 4.
　図４（ｂ）は、測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）が特定時間（ＴＳ）内にあるとき（ＴＩＭＥ＜ＴＳ）レジスト前センサ３２がシートの先端を検知した場合の例に対応する。この場合、ピックアップローラ４は接触位置に移動せず退避位置のままとなる。このため、ピックアップローラ４の接触圧により惹起されるジャムは生じない。なお、図４（ｂ）では測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）のカウントを始める前のレジスト前センサ３２の出力はＯＦＦとしている。これは、測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）のカウントの開始前はレジスト前センサ３２自体を駆動しておらず、出力がＯＦＦになっていることを示している。一方、レジスト前センサ３２を常時駆動している場合には、測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）のカウントを始める前から次のシートがレジスト前センサ３２に到達していることがあり、レジスト前センサ３２としてはＯＮが出力されることも想定される。その場合、測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）のカウント開始時にそれを確認し、図３のＳ１０２でＹｅｓと判定しても良い。なお、レジスト前センサ３２は、搬送路の一方側（一例として、下ガイド板４１）に配置された光源からの照射光が対向する他方側（一例として、上ガイド板４０）に配置された導光部材によって再度一方側に返ってくる光を受光部によって受光することでシートを検出している。従って、センサ位置にシートがある場合には照射光が遮光されるため、受光部における受光レベルはＬレベルとなる。本実施形態においては、受光レベルがＬレベルの際に出力がＯＮとなるように構成されている。一方、センサ位置にシートがない場合には照射光が遮光されずに返ってくるため、受光部における受光レベルはＨレベルとなる。本実施形態においては、受光レベルがＨレベルの際に出力がＯＦＦとなるように構成されている。これは、本実施形態における他のセンサにおいても同様である。 FIG. 4B corresponds to an example in which the pre-resist sensor 32 detects the leading edge of the sheet when the measurement time (TIME) is within the specific time (TS) (TIME <TS). In this case, the pickup roller 4 does not move to the contact position and remains at the retracted position. Therefore, jamming caused by the contact pressure of the pickup roller 4 does not occur. In FIG. 4B, the output of the pre-registration sensor 32 before the start of counting of the measurement time (TIME) is OFF. This indicates that the pre-registration sensor 32 itself is not driven before the start of counting of the measurement time (TIME), and the output is off. On the other hand, when the pre-registration sensor 32 is constantly driven, the next sheet may reach the pre-registration sensor 32 before the measurement time (TIME) starts to be counted. It is also assumed that ON is output. In that case, it may be confirmed at the start of counting of the measurement time (TIME), and it may be determined as Yes in S102 of FIG. The pre-registration sensor 32 is disposed on the other side (as an example, the upper guide plate 40) to which the irradiation light from the light source disposed on one side (as an example, the lower guide plate 41) of the transport path faces. The sheet is detected by the light receiving section receiving the light returning to the one side again by the light member. Therefore, when the sheet is at the sensor position, the irradiation light is blocked, and the light receiving level at the light receiving unit becomes L level. In the present embodiment, the output is configured to be ON when the light reception level is L level. On the other hand, when there is no sheet at the sensor position, the irradiation light is returned without being blocked, so the light reception level at the light receiving unit becomes H level. In the present embodiment, the output is turned off when the light reception level is H level. The same applies to the other sensors in this embodiment.
　なお、本実施形態では、図４（ａ）の場合における給紙時間の短縮、図４（ｂ）の場合におけるシート検知の確実性等を考慮して、特定期間（ＴＳ）を例えば１秒に設定している。しかし、特定期間（ＴＳ）は１秒に限定されるものではない。 In the present embodiment, the specific period (TS) is set to one second, for example, in consideration of shortening of the sheet feeding time in the case of FIG. 4A and reliability of sheet detection in the case of FIG. It is set. However, the specific period (TS) is not limited to one second.
　また、図５は、ピックアップローラ４をシートに接触させた後のシートに対する接触圧の変化を例示するグラフである。
　図５に示すように、ピックアップローラ４のシートへの接触開始から時間ＴＣが経過するまでは、ピックアップローラ４のシートへの接触圧が変化している。接触圧が強い時はシート同士の摩擦力も強くなるため、時間ＴＣが経過するまでにピックアップローラ４の回転を開始してしまうとシートの連れ入りが起こりやすく、給紙ジャムが発生しやすかった。
　それに対し本実施形態においては、ピックアップローラをシートに接触させてから回転させるまでの特定時間（ＴＤ）は、図５に示した接触圧変化時間（ＴＣ）よりも長い時間を設定して回転を開始しており、その時間は例えば０．２秒に設定している。しかし、特定時間（ＴＤ）は０．２秒に限定されるものではない。 FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the change in contact pressure on the sheet after the pickup roller 4 is in contact with the sheet.
As shown in FIG. 5, the contact pressure of the pickup roller 4 to the sheet changes until time TC elapses from the start of the contact of the pickup roller 4 to the sheet. When the contact pressure is strong, the frictional force between the sheets also becomes strong, so if the pickup roller 4 starts to rotate before the time TC elapses, the sheets easily get together, and a paper feed jam is likely to occur.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the specific time (TD) from the contact of the pickup roller with the sheet to the rotation is set longer than the contact pressure change time (TC) shown in FIG. It has started, and its time is set to 0.2 seconds, for example. However, the specific time (TD) is not limited to 0.2 seconds.
　なお、図３のＳ１０８とＳ１０９、Ｓ１１１とＳ１１２や図４では、ピックアップローラ４を退避位置に移動してから回転を停止するよう制御しているが、退避動作と回転停止は同時としてもよい。また、順番を入れ替え、回転を停止してから退避動作を行ってもよい。しかし、回転を停止してから退避するまでの間はピックアップローラ４の押付圧によってシート同士の摩擦力が増しており連れ入りが起こり易くなってしまうので、退避してから回転を停止する、もしくは同時にする方がジャム防止効果は高くなる。 In S108 and S109 in FIG. 3 and S111 and S112 in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 4, the pickup roller 4 is controlled to stop rotation after being moved to the retracted position, but the retraction operation and rotation stop may be performed simultaneously. Alternatively, the retraction operation may be performed after the order is changed and the rotation is stopped. However, since the frictional force between the sheets is increased due to the pressing pressure of the pickup roller 4 during the period from stopping the rotation until the retraction, coping is likely to occur, so the rotation is stopped after the retraction, or The jam prevention effect is higher if you do it simultaneously.
　以上のように、第１実施形態は、レジスト前センサが先に分離給送されたシートの後端を検知した後、待機時間（ＴＳ）を経過しても次のシートの先端を検知しない場合に、ピックアップローラをシート積載台上に積載されたシートに当接させる位置に移動し、ＴＤ経過後にピックアップローラを回転させることと、レジスト前センサがシートの先端を検知した後に、ピックアップローラをシートに当接させない位置に退避させ、回転を停止することを特徴とする。このような構成により、薄紙等の給紙のジャム対策としてピックアップローラのシート接触と回転開始のタイミングを制御し、さらなるジャム対策を行うことにより、給紙するシートが腰の弱い薄紙等であっても、給紙の際のジャムを生じ難くすることができる。 As described above, in the first embodiment, after the pre-registration sensor detects the trailing edge of the sheet separated and fed first, the leading edge of the next sheet is not detected even after the standby time (TS). The pickup roller is moved to a position where the pickup roller is brought into contact with the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking table, and after the TD elapses, the pickup roller is rotated after the preregistration sensor detects the leading edge of the sheet. And stop the rotation. With such a configuration, the timing of sheet contact and rotation start of the pickup roller is controlled as a measure against jamming of thin paper and the like, and the sheet to be fed is a thin paper with a low rigidity by further preventing jamming. Also, jamming during sheet feeding can be made less likely to occur.
　なお、レジスト前センサ３２の代わりにレジスト中センサ３３を用いて、ピックアップローラ４の移動及び回転を制御する構成でもよい。すなわち、レジスト中センサ３３が先に分離給送されたシートの後端を検知した後、待機時間（ＴＳ）を経過しても次のシートの先端を検知しない場合に、ピックアップローラ４をシート積載台上に積載されたシートに当接させる位置に移動し、ＴＤ経過後にピックアップローラ４を回転させることと、レジスト中センサ３３がシートの先端を検知した後に、ピックアップローラ４をシートに当接させない位置に退避させ、回転を停止するようにしてもよい。 The in-registration sensor 33 may be used instead of the pre-registration sensor 32 to control movement and rotation of the pickup roller 4. That is, after the sensor 33 during registration detects the trailing edge of the sheet separated and fed first, the pickup roller 4 is placed on the sheet when the leading edge of the next sheet is not detected even after the waiting time (TS). Move to a position to be in contact with the sheet stacked on the table, rotate the pickup roller 4 after the TD elapses, and do not let the pickup roller 4 abut on the sheet after the in-registration sensor 33 detects the leading edge of the sheet The rotation may be stopped by retracting to a position.
　なお、本実施形態のシート搬送装置２００は、上述した薄紙モードとは異なる普通紙モード（「通常搬送モード」ともいう）を有し、これらのモードを図示しない操作パネルや、シート搬送装置２００と接続される情報処理装置（例えばパーソナルコンピュータ）から選択設定可能である。そして、制御部４５は、薄紙モードとは異なる普通紙モードが設定されている状態において、複数枚のシートを連続給送する場合には、ピックアップローラ４をシート積載台１上に積載されたシートに当接させたまま、ピックアップローラ４の回転と停止を行って複数枚のシートを連続給送するように制御するものとする。 The sheet conveying apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment has a plain paper mode (also referred to as a “normal conveyance mode”) different from the thin paper mode described above, and the operation panel and the sheet conveying apparatus 200 which do not show these modes. It can be selected and set from an information processing apparatus (for example, a personal computer) to be connected. Then, in a state where the plain paper mode different from the thin paper mode is set, the control unit 45 sets the pickup roller 4 on the sheet stacking table 1 when continuously feeding a plurality of sheets. The pickup roller 4 is controlled to be continuously fed by rotating and stopping the pickup roller 4 while keeping the sheet in contact with the sheet.
　＜給送ローラに対する巻き込み対策＞
　ここで、本実施形態で説明したシート給送装置１０１によって薄紙の搬送を開始した場合に、給送ローラ６に対してシートが巻き込まれてしまうことで、給送ローラ６においてシートのジャムが発生してしまうことがあった。特に薄紙モードを適用した場合などに、コシの弱い薄紙が給送ローラ６へ巻き込まれ易く、以下では、それを防ぐための効果的な制御について説明する。 <Countermeasures for catching on feed roller>
Here, when the thin sheet conveyance is started by the sheet feeding apparatus 101 described in the present embodiment, the sheet is caught in the feeding roller 6, and the sheet jam of the feeding roller 6 occurs. I had to do something. In particular, when the thin paper mode is applied, thin paper having low stiffness is easily caught in the feeding roller 6, and in the following, an effective control for preventing it will be described.
　図６は、第１実施形態に係る給送される原稿の先端並びに給送ローラ対の位置関係の一例を示す模式図である。
　図６（ａ）は、原稿先端が給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７との間に形成されるニップ部に到達した状態を示す。
　図６（ｂ）は、原稿先端が給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７との間に形成されるニップ部を通過した状態を示す。 FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of the positional relationship between the leading end of the document to be fed and the pair of feeding rollers according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6A shows a state in which the leading end of the document has reached a nip portion formed between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7.
FIG. 6B shows a state in which the leading end of the document has passed through a nip portion formed between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7.
　図７は、第１実施形態の制御部４５にて行われる、薄紙モードにおける給送制御動作の一例を説明するフローチャートである。この制御はコシの弱い薄紙が給送ローラ６に到達した際にシートの先端が給送ローラ６に巻き込まれないようにするためのものである。また、このフローチャートに示す処理は、制御部４５の図示しないＣＰＵがＲＯＭに格納されたプログラムを実行することにより実現される。なお、図７に示す制御と上述した図３に示した制御はとともに１つの給送動作の中で行われるものである。 FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the feeding control operation in the thin paper mode which is performed by the control unit 45 of the first embodiment. This control is intended to prevent the leading end of the sheet from being caught in the feeding roller 6 when the thin paper having low rigidity reaches the feeding roller 6. Further, the process shown in the flowchart is realized by the CPU (not shown) of the control unit 45 executing a program stored in the ROM. The control shown in FIG. 7 and the control shown in FIG. 3 described above are performed in one feeding operation.
　制御部４５は、薄紙モードの給送動作を開始すると搬送ローラを駆動する。以後搬送ローラは駆動し続けるように制御される。
　次に、制御部４５は、時間の測定を開始する（測定時間（ＴＩＭＥ）＝０）（Ｓ２０１）。
　さらに、制御部４５は、給送ローラ６を給送ローラ６にシートが巻き込まれない程度の第１給送速度Ｖ３（低速）で駆動する（Ｓ２０２）。制御部４５は、シートの先端がシート積載台１から給送されてから給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７との間に形成されるニップ部を通過する所定時間Ｔ３まで（ＴＩＭＥ＜Ｔ３）の間、給送ローラ６を第１給送速度Ｖ３で駆動し続ける。 The control unit 45 drives the transport roller when the thin paper mode feeding operation is started. Thereafter, the transport roller is controlled to continue driving.
Next, the control unit 45 starts measurement of time (measurement time (TIME) = 0) (S201).
Further, the control unit 45 drives the feeding roller 6 at the first feeding speed V3 (low speed) at which the sheet is not caught in the feeding roller 6 (S202). The control unit 45 takes a predetermined time T3 (TIME <T3) after the leading end of the sheet is fed from the sheet loading stand 1 and passes through the nip portion formed between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7. The feed roller 6 continues to be driven at the first feed speed V3.
　そして、制御部４５は、所定時間Ｔ３の経過を待つ（Ｓ２０３）。
　所定時間Ｔ３を経過したと判定した場合（Ｓ２０３でＹｅｓの場合）、制御部４５は、シートの先端が給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７との間に形成されるニップ部を通過したと判断し、給送ローラ６を第２給送速度Ｖ４（高速）に切り替えて駆動する（Ｓ２０４）。第２給送速度Ｖ４（高速）は、第１給送速度Ｖ３（低速）より高速であり、例えば、レジストローラ１７、１８、２０、２１を駆動する搬送速度に等しいか、搬送速度に近似した略同等の速度である。 Then, the control unit 45 waits for the elapse of a predetermined time T3 (S203).
When it is determined that the predetermined time T3 has elapsed (in the case of Yes in S203), the control unit 45 determines that the leading end of the sheet has passed through the nip portion formed between the feeding roller 6 and the separation roller 7. The feed roller 6 is switched to the second feed speed V4 (high speed) and driven (S204). The second feeding speed V4 (high speed) is higher than the first feeding speed V3 (low speed), for example, equal to or approximate to the conveyance speed for driving the registration rollers 17, 18, 20, 21. It is almost the same speed.
　その後、制御部４５は、レジスト中センサ３３にシート先端が到達したことを検知したか否かを監視する（Ｓ２０５）。レジスト中センサ３３にシート先端が到達したことを検知していないと判定した場合（Ｓ２０５でＮｏの場合）、制御部４５は、上記Ｓ２０５の監視を継続する。そして、レジスト中センサ３３にシート先端が到達したことを検出したと判定した場合（Ｓ２０５でＹｅｓの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ２０６以降に処理を進める。
　制御部４５は、給送モータ８の駆動を停止し（Ｓ２０６）、給送ローラ６の駆動制御のためのカウントＴＩＭＥを「０」に戻して、時間の測定を停止する（Ｓ２０７）。 Thereafter, the control unit 45 monitors whether or not it is detected that the sheet front end has reached the in-registration sensor 33 (S205). When it is determined that it has not detected that the sheet front end has reached the sensor 33 during registration (No in S205), the control unit 45 continues monitoring in S205. Then, when it is determined that it has been detected that the front end of the sheet has reached the sensor 33 during registration (in the case of Yes in S205), the control unit 45 advances the process to S206 and subsequent steps.
The control unit 45 stops the driving of the feeding motor 8 (S206), returns the count TIME for controlling the driving of the feeding roller 6 to "0", and stops the measurement of time (S207).
　次に、制御部４５は、レジスト後センサ３４にシート先端が到達したことを検知したか否かを監視する（Ｓ２０８）。レジスト後センサ３４がシート先端が到達したことを検知していない場合（Ｓ２０８でＮｏの場合）、上記Ｓ２０８の監視を継続する。
　そして、レジスト後センサ３４にシート先端が到達したことを検知した場合（Ｓ２０８でＹｅｓの場合）、制御部４５は、所定のタイミングで画像読取センサ１４，１５による画像読取動作を開始する（Ｓ２０９）。 Next, the control unit 45 monitors whether or not it is detected that the sheet front end has reached the post-registration sensor 34 (S208). If the post-registration sensor 34 has not detected that the leading edge of the sheet has arrived (No in S208), the monitoring in S208 is continued.
Then, when it is detected that the front end of the sheet has reached the post-registration sensor 34 (Yes in S208), the control unit 45 starts an image reading operation by the image reading sensors 14 and 15 at a predetermined timing (S209) .
　その後、制御部４５は、レジスト後センサ３４にシート後端が到達したか否かを監視する（Ｓ２１０）。レジスト後センサ３４がシート後端の到達を検知していない場合（Ｓ２１０でＮｏの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ２０９の画像読取動作を継続する。 Thereafter, the control unit 45 monitors whether or not the rear end of the sheet has reached the post-registration sensor 34 (S210). When the post-registration sensor 34 does not detect the arrival of the sheet rear end (No in S210), the control unit 45 continues the image reading operation in S209.
　そして、レジスト後センサ３４がシート後端の到達を検知した場合（Ｓ２１０でＹｅｓの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ２１１に処理を進める。
　Ｓ２１１において、制御部４５は、シート積載台１にシートがあるか否かをチェックする。シート積載台１にシートがあると判定した場合（Ｓ２１１でＹｅｓの場合）、すなわち次のシートがある場合、制御部４５は、Ｓ２０１に処理を戻す。
　一方、シート積載台１にシートがないと判定した場合（Ｓ２１１でＮｏの場合）、すなわち次のシートがない場合、制御部４５は、本フローチャートの処理を終了する。 When the post-registration sensor 34 detects the arrival of the rear end of the sheet (Yes in S210), the control unit 45 advances the process to S211.
In S211, the control unit 45 checks whether or not there is a sheet on the sheet stacking table 1. If it is determined that there is a sheet on the sheet stacking table 1 (in the case of Yes in S211), that is, if there is a next sheet, the control unit 45 returns the process to S201.
On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no sheet on the sheet stacking board 1 (S211: No), that is, if there is no next sheet, the control unit 45 ends the processing of this flowchart.
　以上のように、レジスト後センサ３４によってシートの後端の到達が検知された後で給送ローラ６の駆動を再開する場合に、給送ローラ６を第１給送速度に制御する。さらに、該シートの後続のシートの先端が給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７とのニップを超えたと判定した場合に、給送ローラ６を第１給送速度よりも高速の第２給送速度に制御する。このような制御により、給紙するシートが腰の弱い薄紙等であっても、給紙の際の給送ローラにシートが巻き込まれてしまう等のジャムを生じ難くすることができる。 As described above, when the drive of the feeding roller 6 is restarted after the arrival of the rear end of the sheet is detected by the post-registration sensor 34, the feeding roller 6 is controlled to the first feeding speed. Furthermore, when it is determined that the leading end of the sheet following the sheet has passed the nip between the feeding roller 6 and the separation roller 7, the feeding roller 6 is set to a second feeding speed higher than the first feeding speed. Control. By such control, even if the sheet to be fed is thin paper or the like with a low rigidity, it is possible to prevent occurrence of jamming such as the sheet being caught in the feeding roller at the time of feeding.
　なお、Ｓ２１０においては、レジスト後センサ３４によってシート後端の到達を検知する代わりに、レジスト中センサ３３やレジスト前センサ３２によってシート後端の到達を検知した場合に、Ｓ２１１に処理を進めるようにしても良い。これらの場合、レジスト後センサ３４によってシート後端の到達を検知する場合に比べて、シート間隔を狭くすることができる。
　また、本実施形態では、レジスト中センサ３３とレジスト後センサ３４を設け、これらを用いて上述の制御を行う構成について説明したが、上述の制御を１つのセンサで行ってもよい。例えばレジスト中センサ３３を省略する構成とし、レジスト後センサ３４を用いて上述の制御を行ってもよい。この場合、Ｓ２０５ではレジスト後センサ３４がシート先端を検知した場合にＳ２０６に処理を進めるようにし、Ｓ２０８の処理は省略するものとする。 In S210, instead of detecting the arrival of the rear end of the sheet by the post-registration sensor 34, when the arrival of the rear end of the sheet is detected by the in-registration sensor 33 or the pre-registration sensor 32, the process proceeds to S211. It is good. In these cases, the sheet interval can be narrowed as compared with the case where the arrival of the rear end of the sheet is detected by the post-registration sensor 34.
In the present embodiment, the in-registration sensor 33 and the post-registration sensor 34 are provided, and the above-described control is performed using these sensors. However, the above-described control may be performed by one sensor. For example, the in-registration sensor 33 may be omitted, and the above-described control may be performed using the post-registration sensor 34. In this case, when the post-registration sensor 34 detects the sheet front end in S205, the process proceeds to S206, and the process of S208 is omitted.
　以下に給送ローラ６が第１の給送速度Ｖ３（低速）となるように給送モータ８を駆動する時間（Ｔ３）のの決定方法について図８を参照しながら説明する。
　図８は、シート積載台１上のシート（原稿）、給送ローラ６、原稿の先端部分の位置並びにピックアップローラ４の給送速度の関係を説明する図である。 A method of determining the time (T3) for driving the feeding motor 8 so that the feeding roller 6 has the first feeding speed V3 (low speed) will be described below with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the relationship between the sheet (original) on the sheet loading table 1, the feeding roller 6, the position of the leading end of the original, and the feeding speed of the pickup roller 4.
　ピックアップローラ４によって原稿を給送速度Ｖ５で給送する場合、原稿の先端部分（原稿の先端から長さＸの部分）が、給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７との間に形成されるニップ部分を通過するために要する時間に相当する所定時間Ｔ３の最大時間は次のように算出される。図８のようにシート積載台１に積載されている原稿の先端から給送ローラ６までの距離をＤとすると、所定時間Ｔ３は「Ｔ３＝（Ｄ＋Ｘ）／Ｖ５」で算出できる。原稿の先端部分の長さＸは、例えば給送ローラ６の周径の１／４程度としてもよい。なお、ここでは、給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７とのニップ部分の位置は、給送ローラ６の軸の中心位置として設定している。 When the document is fed at the feeding speed V5 by the pickup roller 4, a nip portion where the leading end portion (a portion of length X from the leading end of the document) of the document is formed between the feeding roller 6 and the separation roller 7 The maximum time of the predetermined time T3 corresponding to the time required to pass through is calculated as follows. Assuming that the distance from the leading end of the document stacked on the sheet stacking table 1 to the feeding roller 6 is D as shown in FIG. 8, the predetermined time T3 can be calculated by “T3 = (D + X) / V5”. The length X of the leading end portion of the document may be, for example, about 1⁄4 of the circumferential diameter of the feeding roller 6. Here, the position of the nip portion between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7 is set as the center position of the axis of the feeding roller 6.
　以上の説明では、レジスト後センサ３４による先行するシートの後端検知からＴ３経過したことを検知したタイミングで、給送ローラ６の駆動速度をＶ３からＶ４に変更する構成について説明した。しかし、所定時間Ｔ３の経過の他の例として、図８に示した「Ｄ＋Ｘ」だけ給送ローラ６でシート搬送するための給送モータ８の駆動パルスをカウントした場合に、所定時間Ｔ３経過したとして給送ローラ６の駆動速度をＶ３からＶ４に変更してもよい。 In the above description, the configuration has been described in which the driving speed of the feeding roller 6 is changed from V3 to V4 at the timing when it is detected that T3 has elapsed since the trailing edge detection of the preceding sheet by the post-registration sensor 34. However, as another example of the passage of the predetermined time T3, when the drive pulse of the feeding motor 8 for conveying the sheet by the feeding roller 6 by “D + X” shown in FIG. 8 is counted, the predetermined time T3 has elapsed. The driving speed of the feeding roller 6 may be changed from V3 to V4.
　なお、第１給送速度Ｖ３（低速）は、例えば、給送ローラ６を回転駆動する給送モータ８が立ち上がりでオーバーシュートが生じても、給送ローラ６の周速が第２給送速度Ｖ４（高速）程度となる設定速度とする。なお、この設定速度は実験等により予め求められたものである。
　また、第１給送速度Ｖ３とピックアップローラ４による給送速度Ｖ５は同等に設定してもよい。
　なお、制御部４５は、普通紙モードが設定されている状態では、給送ローラ６の駆動開始時に、給送ローラ６を第２給送速度Ｖ４（高速）で制御する。 The first feed speed V3 (low speed) is, for example, the second feed speed at which the peripheral speed of the feed roller 6 is the second feed speed even if the feed motor 8 that rotationally drives the feed roller 6 rises and overshoot occurs. The set speed is approximately V4 (high speed). The set speed is obtained in advance by experiment or the like.
Further, the first feeding speed V3 and the feeding speed V5 by the pickup roller 4 may be set equal.
When the plain paper mode is set, the control unit 45 controls the feeding roller 6 at the second feeding speed V4 (high speed) when the feeding roller 6 starts driving.
　なお、積載されている原稿が原稿同士の摩擦によって複数枚同時に給紙され、ピックアップローラ４を通過することで、次に給紙する予定の原稿が既に給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７とのニップ部に近い位置に存在する、いわゆる連れ入り状態となる場合がある。この場合には、上述のように、上記の所定時間Ｔ３で速度変更を実施すると、すぐに原稿の先端部分が給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７とのニップ部を通過してしまう。すなわち、この場合には、原稿の先端部が上記ニップ部を通過して速度Ｖ４に切り替え可能なタイミングであっても、所定時間Ｔ３経過するまで速度Ｖ３で給送し続け、スループットが低下してしまう場合がある。 A plurality of stacked originals are simultaneously fed by friction between the originals, and the original to be fed next is already nipped between the feeding roller 6 and the separation roller 7 by passing through the pickup roller 4. It may be in the so-called state of being present at a position close to the part. In this case, as described above, when the speed change is performed for the predetermined time T3, the leading end portion of the document immediately passes through the nip portion between the feeding roller 6 and the separation roller 7. That is, in this case, even if it is a timing at which the leading end of the document passes through the nip portion and can be switched to the speed V4, feeding is continued at the speed V3 until the predetermined time T3 elapses, and the throughput is lowered. There are times when
　以下、この点を考慮した本実施形態の他の態様について説明する。
　図９は、原稿の搬送方向に対して給送ローラ６と並列する位置に薄紙モード用の光学センサである薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ６５（第２シート検知センサ）を配置する構成を例示する図である。
　図９（ａ）は、原稿先端が給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７との間に形成されるニップ部に到達した状態を示す。
　図９（ｂ）は、原稿先端が給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７との間に形成されるニップ部を通過し薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ６５に到達した状態を示す。 Hereinafter, another aspect of the present embodiment in consideration of this point will be described.
FIG. 9 is a view exemplifying a configuration in which a thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65 (second sheet detection sensor), which is an optical sensor for thin paper mode, is disposed at a position parallel to the feeding roller 6 in the document conveyance direction. is there.
FIG. 9A shows a state in which the leading end of the document has reached a nip portion formed between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7.
FIG. 9B shows a state in which the leading end of the document passes through the nip portion formed between the feeding roller 6 and the separating roller 7 and reaches the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65.
　また、この態様における給送制御動作を図１０に示す。
　図１０は、第１実施形態の他の態様において制御部４５にて行われる、薄紙モードにおける給送制御動作の一例を説明するフローチャートである。このフローチャートに示す処理は、制御部４５の図示しないＣＰＵがＲＯＭに格納されたプログラムを実行することにより実現される。なお、図７と同じステップについては同じステップ番号を付してある。なお、図１０に示す制御と上述した図３に示した制御はとともに１つの給送動作の中で行われるものである。 The feed control operation in this mode is shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the feeding control operation in thin paper mode, which is performed by the control unit 45 in another aspect of the first embodiment. The process shown in the flowchart is realized by the CPU (not shown) of the control unit 45 executing a program stored in the ROM. The same steps as in FIG. 7 are assigned the same step numbers. The control shown in FIG. 10 and the control shown in FIG. 3 described above are performed in one feeding operation.
　この態様では、原稿が給送ローラ６を通過するタイミングを薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ６５により正確に検知することができる。図１０では、制御部４５は、給送ローラ６を第１給送速度Ｖ３（低速）で駆動した（Ｓ２０２）後、Ｓ２１２に処理を進める。
　Ｓ２１２において、制御部４５は、薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ６５が原稿の先端を検知したか否かを監視する。そして、まだ薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ６５が原稿の先端を検知していないと判定した場合（Ｓ２１２でＮｏの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ２１２の監視を継続する。 In this aspect, the timing at which the document passes through the feed roller 6 can be accurately detected by the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65. In FIG. 10, the control unit 45 drives the feeding roller 6 at the first feeding speed V3 (low speed) (S202), and then advances the process to S212.
In step S212, the control unit 45 monitors whether the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65 has detected the leading end of the document. When it is determined that the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65 has not yet detected the leading end of the document (No in S212), the control unit 45 continues monitoring in S212.
　一方、薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ６５が原稿の先端を検知したと判定した場合（Ｓ２１２でＹｅｓの場合）、制御部４５は、Ｓ２０４に処理を進める。Ｓ２０４以降の処理については、図７と同一であるので説明を省略する。
　このように、薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ６５が原稿の先端を検知したことに基づいて、制御部４５が給送ローラ６の駆動速度を第１給送速度Ｖ３から第２給送速度Ｖ４に変更する。この構成により、より効果的に薄紙搬送用の速度制御を実施することが可能となる。なお、好ましくは、原稿の先端部が給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７とで形成されるニップ部を抜けたことを光学センサによって検知すべく、光学センサの検知位置が給送ローラ６と分離ローラ７とで形成されるニップ部の位置よりも下流側であることが好ましい。 On the other hand, when it is determined that the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65 has detected the front end of the document (in the case of Yes in S212), the control unit 45 advances the process to S204. The processes after S204 are the same as those in FIG.
As described above, the control unit 45 changes the driving speed of the feeding roller 6 from the first feeding speed V3 to the second feeding speed V4 based on the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65 detecting the leading end of the document. . This configuration makes it possible to more effectively implement speed control for thin paper conveyance. Preferably, the detection position of the optical sensor is the feed roller 6 and the separation roller so that the optical sensor detects that the leading end of the document has passed through the nip portion formed by the feed roller 6 and the separation roller 7. It is preferable that it is on the downstream side of the position of the nip portion formed by the number 7 and 7.
　また、薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ６５は、光学センサ以外の検知センサであってもよく、例えば給紙部に原稿の移動量を検出可能なトラッキングセンサ（移動検知センサ）を配置して原稿の先端を検知することでも同様の効果を得ることができる。 The thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65 may be a detection sensor other than an optical sensor. For example, a tracking sensor (movement detection sensor) capable of detecting the movement amount of the document is disposed in the paper feeding unit Similar effects can be obtained by detecting.
　なお、Ｓ２１２においては、薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ６５による原稿先端の検知の代わりに、レジスト前センサ３２による原稿先端の検知に応じて、給送ローラ６の駆動速度をＶ３からＶ４に変更するようにしてもよい。
　また、薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ６５による原稿先端の検知の代わりに、重送検知センサ３０による原稿の検知に応じて、給送ローラ６の駆動速度をＶ３からＶ４に変更するようにしてもよい。
　また、分離ローラ対４２の下流の搬送路両側等に斜行センサ（例えば原稿搬送方向に２列に並ぶ複数の光学センサから構成される）を有する装置の場合、該斜行センサで原稿が検知された場合に、給送速度を切り替えるようにしてもよい。
　すなわち、分離ローラ対４２の下流に設けられるいずれかのセンサで原稿が検知された場合に、給送速度を切り替えるようにしてもよく、センサの種類はどのような検知方式のセンサでもよい。 In S212, the drive speed of the feeding roller 6 is changed from V3 to V4 in accordance with the detection of the leading end of the document by the pre-registration sensor 32, instead of the detection of the leading end of the document by the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65. May be
Further, instead of the detection of the front end of the document by the thin paper conveyance registration sensor 65, the driving speed of the feeding roller 6 may be changed from V3 to V4 according to the detection of the document by the double feed detection sensor 30.
Further, in the case of an apparatus having a skew sensor (for example, composed of a plurality of optical sensors arranged in two lines in the document conveyance direction) on both sides of the transport path downstream of the separation roller pair 42, the skew sensor detects the document. The feed speed may be switched when it is determined.
That is, when the document is detected by any of the sensors provided downstream of the separation roller pair 42, the feeding speed may be switched, and the sensor may be any type of sensor.
　さらに、図６～図８で示した態様と、図９、図１０で示した他の態様とを組み合わせてもよい。例えば、制御部４５は、レジスト後センサ３４による先行するシートの後端検知からＴ３経過するまでのタイミングと、薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ６５による後続するシートの検知のタイミングのいずれか早いタイミングで、給送ローラ６の駆動速度をＶ３からＶ４に変更するようにしてもよい。 Furthermore, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 may be combined with the other embodiments shown in FIGS. For example, the control unit 45 supplies the document at either the timing from the detection of the trailing edge of the preceding sheet by the post-registration sensor 34 to the elapse of T3 or the timing of detection of the subsequent sheet by the thin sheet conveyance registration sensor 65, whichever occurs earlier. The drive speed of the feed roller 6 may be changed from V3 to V4.
　〔第２実施形態〕
　次に、本発明の第２実施形態について説明する。第２実施形態では、給送ローラ６（分離ローラ７）の駆動をＯＮ／ＯＦＦする実施形態について説明する。なお、給送ローラ６（分離ローラ７）の駆動をＯＮ／ＯＦＦするタイミングで、レジストローラ対（１７、１８）の駆動をＯＮ／ＯＦＦしてもよい。以下、給送ローラ６及び分離ローラ７の駆動のＯＮ／ＯＦＦする場合についても、単に給送ローラ６の駆動をＯＮ／ＯＦＦすると記載する。
　図１１は、本発明の第２実施形態に係るシート給送装置を適用可能なシート搬送装置（画像読取装置）の構成の一部を概略的に示す部分断面図である。なお、図１等と同一のものには同一の符号を付してある。 Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, an embodiment in which the drive of the feeding roller 6 (separation roller 7) is turned ON / OFF will be described. The driving of the pair of registration rollers (17, 18) may be turned on / off at the timing of turning on / off driving of the feeding roller 6 (separation roller 7). Hereinafter, when the driving of the feeding roller 6 and the separation roller 7 is turned on / off, it is described that the driving of the feeding roller 6 is simply turned on / off.
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the configuration of a sheet conveying apparatus (image reading apparatus) to which a sheet feeding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied. The same components as those in FIG. 1 and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals.
　図１１において、レジストローラ対（２０、２１）は、レジストローラ対（１７、１８）の下流側に配設されている。レジスト中センサ３３（第３シート検知センサ）は、レジストローラ対（１７、１８）の下流側で且つ、レジストローラ対（２０、２１）の上流側に配設され、搬送されるシートを検知する。レジスト後センサ３４は、レジストローラ対（２０、２１）の下流側で且つ、画像読取センサ１４、１５の上流側に配設され、搬送されるシートを検知する。 In FIG. 11, the registration roller pair (20, 21) is disposed downstream of the registration roller pair (17, 18). The in-registration sensor 33 (third sheet detection sensor) is disposed downstream of the pair of registration rollers (17, 18) and upstream of the pair of registration rollers (20, 21), and detects the conveyed sheet. . The post-registration sensor 34 is disposed downstream of the registration roller pair (20, 21) and upstream of the image reading sensors 14, 15, and detects a sheet to be conveyed.
　図１２は、第２実施形態におけるピックアップローラ、給送ローラ（及びレジストローラ対）の動作並びにレジスト前センサ及びレジスト中センサの検知状態の関係の一例を示すタイミングチャートである。
　また、図１３～図１６は、第２実施形態におけるピックアップローラ、給送ローラ及びレジストローラ対の動作並びにレジスト前センサ及びレジスト中センサの検知状態の関係の一例を示す模式図である。なお、図１２の（０）～（１１）と同一の状態には同一の符号を付してある。以下の一連の流れを説明する。 FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller and the feed roller (and the pair of registration rollers) and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment.
13 to 16 are schematic views showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment. The same reference numerals as in (0) to (11) in FIG. 12 denote the same states. The following series of flows will be described.
　まず、給送ローラ６及びレジストローラ（１７、１８、２０、２１）を駆動し（図１３（０））、ピックアップローラ４を接触位置に移動して（図１３（１））、特定時間（ＴＤ）経過後に回転し（図１３（２））、シートを給送ローラ６へ送り込む。シート先端がレジスト前センサ３２に到達すると（図１３（３））、ピックアップローラ４を退避位置に移動し（図１４（４））回転を停止する（図１４（４）’）。そして、シート先端がレジスト中センサ３３に到達すると（図１４（５））、給送ローラ６を停止する（図１４（６））。そして、シート後端がレジスト前センサ３２を通過し（図１５（７））（その時刻を「ｔ０」とする）、ｔ１経過後（図１５（８））に給送ローラ６を回転する。その後、シート後端がレジスト中センサ３３を通過する（図１５（８）’）。また、時刻ｔ０からｔ２（好ましくはｔ２＞ｔ１＋Ｌ／Ｖ１）経過後に（図１５（９））、ピックアップローラ４を接触位置に移動して（図１５（１０））、特定時間（ＴＤ）経過後に回転し（図１６（１１））、次のシートを給送ローラ６へ送り込む。なお、後述する図２０に示すように、給送ローラ６によるシートの搬送速度をＶ１、給送ローラ６からレジスト前センサ３２までの距離をＬとすると、上述したｔ２は好ましくは「ｔ２＞ｔ１＋Ｌ／Ｖ１」である。 First, the feed roller 6 and the registration rollers (17, 18, 20, 21) are driven (FIG. 13 (0)), the pickup roller 4 is moved to the contact position (FIG. 13 (1)). After the lapse of time TD, the sheet is rotated (FIG. 13 (2)), and the sheet is fed to the feed roller 6. When the front end of the sheet reaches the pre-registration sensor 32 (FIG. 13 (3)), the pickup roller 4 is moved to the retracted position (FIG. 14 (4)) to stop the rotation (FIG. 14 (4) '). When the leading edge of the sheet reaches the sensor 33 during registration (FIG. 14 (5)), the feed roller 6 is stopped (FIG. 14 (6)). Then, the rear end of the sheet passes the pre-registration sensor 32 (FIG. 15 (7)) (this time is referred to as “t0”), and the feeding roller 6 is rotated after t1 elapses (FIG. 15 (8)). Thereafter, the rear end of the sheet passes the sensor 33 during registration (FIG. 15 (8) '). Also, after time t0 to t2 (preferably t2> t1 + L / V1) elapse (FIG. 15 (9)), the pickup roller 4 is moved to the contact position (FIG. 15 (10)) and after a specific time (TD) elapses The sheet is rotated (FIG. 16 (11)), and the next sheet is fed to the feeding roller 6. Note that, as shown in FIG. 20 described later, assuming that the sheet conveyance speed by the feeding roller 6 is V1 and the distance from the feeding roller 6 to the pre-registration sensor 32 is L, the above t2 is preferably “t2> t1 + L / V1 ".
　なお、上述のｔ１経過後からｔ２経過するまでの間（（８）から（９）まで）にレジスト前センサ３２で次のシートの先端が検知された場合、ピックアップローラ４を接触位置に移動させることなく、（図１４（５））に示すようにシート先端がレジスト中センサ３３に到達するのを待機する。以下、この例について図１７～図１９を用いて詳細に説明する。
　図１７～図１９は、第２実施形態におけるピックアップローラ、給送ローラ及びレジストローラ対の動作並びにレジスト前センサ及びレジスト中センサの検知状態の関係の一例を示す模式図であり、ｔ２経過するまでの間にレジスト前センサ３２で次のシートの先端が検知される場合に対応する。 When the front end of the next sheet is detected by the pre-registration sensor 32 during the period from t1 to t2 (from (8) to (9)), the pickup roller 4 is moved to the contact position. Instead, as shown in FIG. 14 (5), the sheet front end waits for the in-resist sensor 33 to reach. Hereinafter, this example will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 17 to FIG.
17 to 19 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the relationship between the operation of the pickup roller, the feed roller and the registration roller pair, and the detection state of the pre-registration sensor and the during-registration sensor in the second embodiment, In this case, the front end of the next sheet is detected by the pre-registration sensor 32 during the period.
　上述した図１３～図１６で示した例と同様に、図１７～図１９に示すように、まず給送ローラ６及びレジストローラ（１７、１８、２０、２１）を駆動し（図１７（０））、ピックアップローラ４を接触位置に移動して（図１７（１））、特定時間（ＴＤ）経過後に回転し（図１７（２））、１枚目のシートを給送ローラ６へ送り込む。１枚目のシート先端がレジスト前センサ３２に到達すると（図１７（３））、ピックアップローラ４を退避位置に移動し（図１８（４））回転を停止する（図１８（４）’）。なお本例は、図１８に示すように、（４）の時点で、シート間の摩擦や静電気等により、１枚目のシートに連れられて２枚目のシートが給紙され、給送ローラ６のニップ部に到達している場合に対応する。ただし、分離ローラ７により１枚目のシートと２枚目のシートは分離され重送されないようになっている。その後、１枚目のシート先端がレジスト中センサ３３に到達すると（図１８（５））、給送ローラ６を停止する（図１８（６））。さらに、１枚目のシート後端がレジスト前センサ３２を通過し（図１９（７））（その時刻を「ｔ０」とする）、ｔ１経過後（図１９（８））に給送ローラ６を回転する。これにより、２枚目のシートの給送が給送ローラ６により開始される。その後、１枚目のシート後端がレジスト中センサ３３を通過する（図１９（８）’）。さらに本例の場合、時刻ｔ０からｔ２経過前に、レジスト前センサ３２で２枚目のシートの先端が検知される（図１９（８）’’）。この場合、上述したように、ピックアップローラ４を接触位置に移動させることなく、（図１８（５））において２枚目のシート先端がレジスト中センサ３３に到達するのを待機するように動作制御する。 As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, first, the feeding roller 6 and the registration rollers (17, 18, 20, 21) are driven as shown in FIGS. ), Moves the pickup roller 4 to the contact position (FIG. 17 (1)), rotates after the specific time (TD) elapses (FIG. 17 (2)), and feeds the first sheet to the feeding roller 6 . When the leading edge of the first sheet reaches the pre-registration sensor 32 (FIG. 17 (3)), the pickup roller 4 is moved to the retracted position (FIG. 18 (4)) to stop the rotation (FIG. 18 (4) ′) . In this example, as shown in FIG. 18, at the time of (4), the second sheet is fed along with the first sheet due to friction between sheets, static electricity, or the like, and the feeding roller is fed. It corresponds to the case where the nip portion of 6 is reached. However, the first sheet and the second sheet are separated by the separating roller 7 so as not to be multi-fed. Thereafter, when the leading edge of the first sheet reaches the in-registration sensor 33 (FIG. 18 (5)), the feeding roller 6 is stopped (FIG. 18 (6)). Further, the trailing edge of the first sheet passes through the pre-registration sensor 32 (FIG. 19 (7)) (this time is referred to as “t0”), and after t1 elapses (FIG. 19 (8)) Rotate. Thus, the feeding of the second sheet is started by the feeding roller 6. Thereafter, the trailing edge of the first sheet passes through the in-registration sensor 33 (FIG. 19 (8) '). Further, in the case of this example, the leading edge of the second sheet is detected by the pre-registration sensor 32 before the time t0 elapses from time t0 (FIG. 19 (8) ′ ′). In this case, as described above, without moving the pickup roller 4 to the contact position, the operation control is performed to wait for the leading edge of the second sheet to reach the sensor 33 during registration in (FIG. 18 (5)) Do.
　以上、図１２、図１３～図１６及び図１７～図１９に示したように、シートがレジスト中センサ３３を通過してからシート後端がレジスト前センサ３２を通過後に所定時間（ｔ１）経過するまでの間、給送ローラ６を停止することで、先に給送されるシートと次に給送されるシートとの搬送間隔を開けることができる。これにより、先に給送されたシートの排紙速度が遅くなった場合でも、次に給送されるシートに追突される事を防止するだけのシート間隔を開けることができる。この場合、本例は一例であり、例えば、給送ローラ６を停止するタイミングとして、レジスト中センサ３３にシート先端が到達した時刻から所定時間待ってから給送ローラ６を停止してもよく、所望のシート間隔が得られるタイミングで給送ローラ６を停止すればよい。 As described above, as shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13 to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 to FIG. 19, after the sheet passes the sensor 33 during registration, a predetermined time (t1) elapses after the sheet rear end passes the pre-registration sensor 32. By stopping the feeding roller 6 until this time, it is possible to open the conveyance interval between the sheet to be fed first and the sheet to be fed next. As a result, even when the delivery speed of the previously fed sheet is slowed, it is possible to make the sheet interval as large as possible to prevent the collision with the next fed sheet. In this case, this example is an example, and for example, as the timing to stop the feeding roller 6, the feeding roller 6 may be stopped after waiting for a predetermined time from the time when the sheet front end reaches the sensor 33 during registration. The feed roller 6 may be stopped at the timing when the desired sheet interval is obtained.
　なお、給送ローラ６を停止しない構成の場合、シート後端がレジスト前センサ３２を通過してからピックアップローラ４を接触位置に移動開始するまでの時間ｔ２をｔ２’例えば「ｔ２’＞（Ｌ－Ｖ１×（Ｌ／Ｖ２））／Ｖ１」とし、上述した給送ローラ６を停止する構成の場合の「ｔ２＞ｔ１＋Ｌ／Ｖ１」より、少し短くすることが可能である。
　図２０は、給送ローラ６、レジスト前センサ３２及びレジストローラ１７，１８の位置並びに給送ローラ６の給送速度及びレジストローラの搬送速度の関係を説明する図である。 When the feed roller 6 is not stopped, the time t2 from when the sheet rear end passes the pre-registration sensor 32 to when the pickup roller 4 starts moving to the contact position is t2 ', for example, "t2'> (L It is possible to make -V1 × (L / V2) / V1 "slightly shorter than"t2> t1 + L / V1 "in the configuration in which the feeding roller 6 described above is stopped.
FIG. 20 is a view for explaining the relationship between the positions of the feeding roller 6, the pre-registration sensor 32, and the registration rollers 17 and 18, the feeding speed of the feeding roller 6, and the conveyance speed of the registration roller.
　給送ローラ６が常時回転している場合、ピックアップローラ４を後続のシートに降下させるまでの待ち時間の最低条件は以下のようになる。
　１枚目のシートの給送に連れられて２枚目のシートが給送ローラ６まで到達している場合、１枚目のシートがレジスト前センサ３２を抜けた時点で、２枚目のシートは給送ローラ６の位置から「Ｖ１×（Ｌ／Ｖ２）」だけ進んでいる位置に存在する。よって、その位置から２枚目のシートが給送速度Ｖ１でレジスト前センサ３２の位置まで送られる時間「（Ｌ－Ｖ１×（Ｌ／Ｖ２））／Ｖ１」だけ待てば、上述の２枚目のシートは、レジスト前センサ３２に到達するはずである。よって、この時間「（Ｌ－Ｖ１×（Ｌ／Ｖ２））／Ｖ１」を、ピックアップローラ４を後続のシートに降下させるまでの待ち時間の最低条件とすることができる。 When the feed roller 6 is always rotating, the minimum conditions for waiting for the pickup roller 4 to drop onto the subsequent sheet are as follows.
If the second sheet has reached the feeding roller 6 as the first sheet is fed, the second sheet passes when the first sheet passes the pre-registration sensor 32. Is present at a position advanced by “V1 × (L / V2)” from the position of the feeding roller 6. Therefore, if waiting for the time (L-V1 × (L / V2)) / V1 for the second sheet to be sent from the position to the position of the pre-registration sensor 32 at the feeding speed V1, the above-mentioned second sheet Sheet should reach the pre-resist sensor 32. Therefore, this time “(L−V1 × (L / V2)) / V1” can be set as the minimum condition of the waiting time until the pickup roller 4 is lowered to the subsequent sheet.
　なお、上述した各種データの構成及びその内容はこれに限定されるものではなく、用途や目的に応じて、様々な構成や内容で構成されていてもよい。
　以上、一実施形態について示したが、本発明は、例えば、システム、装置、方法、プログラムもしくは記憶媒体等としての実施態様をとることが可能である。具体的には、複数の機器から構成されるシステムに適用しても良いし、また、一つの機器からなる装置に適用しても良い。
　また、上記各実施形態を組み合わせた構成も全て本発明に含まれるものである。 In addition, the structure of the various data mentioned above and its content are not limited to this, According to a use or the objective, you may be comprised by various structure or content.
Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention can be embodied as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus comprising a single device.
Further, all configurations obtained by combining the above-described embodiments are also included in the present invention.
　〔その他の実施形態〕
　本発明は、上述の実施形態の１以上の機能を実現するプログラムを、ネットワーク又は記憶媒体を介してシステム又は装置に供給し、そのシステム又は装置のコンピュータにおける１つ以上のプロセッサーがプログラムを読出し実行する処理でも実現可能である。また、１以上の機能を実現する回路（例えば、ＡＳＩＣ）によっても実現可能である。
　また、本発明は、複数の機器から構成されるシステムに適用しても、１つの機器からなる装置に適用してもよい。
　本発明は上記実施形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の趣旨に基づき種々の変形（各実施形態の有機的な組合せを含む）が可能であり、それらを本発明の範囲から除外するものではない。即ち、上述した各実施形態及びその変形例を組み合わせた構成も全て本発明に含まれるものである。 Other Embodiments
The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program. Can also be realized. It can also be implemented by a circuit (eg, an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.
Further, the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus comprising a single device.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the respective embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, which are excluded from the scope of the present invention is not. That is, all configurations obtained by combining the above-described embodiments and their modifications are also included in the present invention.
　また、本発明においては、例えば図７のＳ２０６などに示すように、シートの先端がレジスト中センサ３３に到達した時点で給送モータ８を停止するように制御しているが、これに限られない。給送ローラ６は、その内部に取り付けられたワンウェイクラッチなどの作用によって原稿に連れ回りするように構成できるが、長尺原稿を搬送する場合などには、給送モータ８を停止すると、連れ回りする給送ローラが抵抗となって原稿が傷みやすくなることがある。この場合には、レジスト中センサ３３にシートの先端が到達した場合に、給送ローラ６をレジストローラ２０、２１と同等の速度（Ｖ４よりも高速）に制御することによって長尺原稿に対する給送ローラ６からの負荷を低減できる。この場合、レジスト前センサ３２や、薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ６５によってシートの後端を検知した時点で給送ローラ６の回転を停止するように給送モータを停止してもよい。 Further, in the present invention, as shown, for example, in S206 of FIG. 7, the feed motor 8 is controlled to be stopped when the leading end of the sheet reaches the in-registration sensor 33, but the invention is limited thereto. Absent. Although the feeding roller 6 can be configured to be rotated along with the document by the action of a one-way clutch or the like attached to the inside, the feeding roller 8 is rotated together with the feeding motor 8 when the long original is conveyed. The feeding roller may become a resistance and the document may be easily damaged. In this case, when the leading edge of the sheet reaches the in-registration sensor 33, the feeding roller 6 is controlled to a speed (higher than V4) equal to that of the registration rollers 20 and 21 to feed the long original. The load from the roller 6 can be reduced. In this case, the feed motor may be stopped so as to stop the rotation of the feed roller 6 when the trailing edge of the sheet is detected by the pre-registration sensor 32 or the thin sheet conveyance registration sensor 65.
　なお、図１、図２のシート給送装置１０１では、昇降可能なシート積載台に積載されたシートに対して、シート積載台の上方に配置されたピックアップローラが上側から接触して、シート束の上側から順にシートを給送ローラに供給する構成について説明した。しかし、例えば傾斜を有するシート積載台に積載されたシートに対して、シート積載台の下方に配置されたピックアップローラが下側から接触して、シート束の下側から順にシートを給送ローラに供給する構成のシート給送装置であっても本発明を適用可能である。 In the sheet feeding apparatus 101 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pickup roller disposed above the sheet stacking table contacts the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table which can move up and down, and the sheet bundle The configuration has been described in which the sheet is supplied to the feeding roller in order from the upper side of the sheet. However, for example, with respect to sheets stacked on a sheet stacking table having a slope, a pickup roller disposed below the sheet stacking table contacts from the lower side, and sheets are sequentially fed from the lower side of the sheet bundle. The present invention is applicable even to a sheet feeding apparatus having a feeding configuration.
　以下の実施形態では、トラッキングセンサ（移動検知センサ）を用いてシートの搬送状態を検知する原稿搬送装置について詳細に説明する。
　〔第３実施形態〕
　以下、本発明の第３実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置について説明する。 In the following embodiment, a document conveyance device that detects a sheet conveyance state using a tracking sensor (movement detection sensor) will be described in detail.
Third Embodiment
Hereinafter, a document conveyance device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
　図２１は、本発明の第３実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置（画像読取装置）の構成を概略的に示す部分断面図であり、図２２は、図２１の原稿搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す模式図である。 FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a document conveyance device (image reading device) according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 shows the configuration of main parts of the document conveyance device of FIG. It is a schematic diagram shown roughly.
　図２１及び図２２において、原稿搬送装置４００は、シート取込装置３０１を備える。シート積載台（原稿載置台）４０１にはシートが複数枚積載されており、シート積載台４０１は昇降自在に構成されている。シート積載台駆動モータ４０２は、シート積載台４０１を昇降させる。シート検知センサ４０３は、シート積載台４０１に積載されたシートがシート取込位置にあることを検知する。シート積載検知センサ４１２はシート積載台４０１のシート積載面４０１ａにシートが積載されているのを検知する。 In FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, the document conveying device 400 includes a sheet taking device 301. A plurality of sheets are stacked on a sheet stacking table (original mounting table) 401, and the sheet stacking table 401 is configured to be movable up and down. The sheet loading table drive motor 402 raises and lowers the sheet loading table 401. The sheet detection sensor 403 detects that the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking table 401 is at the sheet loading position. The sheet stacking detection sensor 412 detects that sheets are stacked on the sheet stacking surface 401 a of the sheet stacking table 401.
　原稿ピックアップ部の一例としての給送ローラ４０６は、給送モータ４０８によって、シートを搬送方向下流側に給送する方向に回転するよう駆動されている。分離ローラ４０７は、シートを搬送方向上流側に押し戻す方向に回転する回転力を不図示のトルクリミッタ（スリップクラッチ）を介して分離モータ４０９から常時受けている。給送ローラ４０６と分離ローラ４０７との間にシートが１枚存在するときは、上記トルクリミッタが伝達する分離ローラ４０７がシートを上流側に押し戻す方向の回転力の上限値より、給送ローラ４０６によって下流側に送られるシートと分離ローラ４０７との間の摩擦力によってシートが下流側に給送される方向への回転力が上回り、分離ローラ４０７は給送ローラ４０６に追従して回転する（連れ回りする）。 A feed roller 406 as an example of a document pickup unit is driven by the feed motor 408 to rotate in the direction of feeding the sheet downstream in the transport direction. The separation roller 407 always receives rotational force that rotates in the direction of pushing back the sheet in the conveyance direction upstream from the separation motor 409 via a torque limiter (slip clutch) (not shown). When one sheet is present between the feeding roller 406 and the separating roller 407, the feeding roller 406 is selected based on the upper limit of the rotational force in the direction in which the separating roller 407 transmitted by the torque limiter pushes the sheet back. The rotational force in the direction in which the sheet is fed downstream is increased by the frictional force between the sheet fed downstream by this and the separation roller 407, and the separation roller 407 rotates following the feed roller 406 ( Bring along).
　一方、給送ローラ４０６と分離ローラ４０７との間にシートが複数枚存在するときは、分離ローラ４０７はシートを上流側に押し戻す方向の回転をローラ軸から受け、最も上位のシート以外が下流側に搬送されないようにする。 On the other hand, when there are a plurality of sheets between the feeding roller 406 and the separating roller 407, the separating roller 407 receives rotation from the roller shaft in the direction to push the sheet back to the upstream side. Not be transported to
　このように給送ローラ４０６がシートを下流側に給送する作用と、分離ローラ４０７のシートを下流側に搬送されないようにする作用とによって、シートが重なって給送ローラ４０６と分離ローラ４０７とのニップ部に送り込まれたとき、最も上のシートのみ下流側に給送され、それ以外のシートは下流側に搬送されないようにされることで、重なったシートが分離給送される。よって、給送ローラ４０６と分離ローラ４０７とは、一対の分離ローラ対４４２（原稿分離部）を構成する。なお、本実施形態では、分離ローラ対４４２を使用しているが、分離ローラ対４４２の代わりに分離ローラと給送ローラのどちらか一方をベルトにした、分離ベルトローラ対を使用してもよい。また、分離ローラを分離パッドに置き換え、シートに当接することで下流側へ複数枚のシートが搬送されることを防ぐようにしてもよい。 Thus, the sheet is overlapped by the action of the feeding roller 406 feeding the sheet to the downstream side and the action of the separation roller 407 not to feed the sheet to the downstream side, and the feeding roller 406 and the separating roller 407 When the sheet is sent to the nip portion, only the uppermost sheet is fed to the downstream side, and the other sheets are not conveyed to the downstream side, so that the overlapped sheets are separated and fed. Thus, the feed roller 406 and the separation roller 407 constitute a pair of separation rollers 442 (original separation unit). In the present embodiment, the separation roller pair 442 is used, but instead of the separation roller pair 442, a separation belt roller pair in which one of the separation roller and the feed roller is a belt may be used. . Further, the separation roller may be replaced with a separation pad, and by contacting the sheet, the conveyance of a plurality of sheets to the downstream side may be prevented.
　搬送モータ４１０は、原稿分離後のシートを、画像読取センサ４１４、４１５によって原稿の画像の読み取りが行われる画像読取位置まで搬送し、更に排出位置まで搬送するため、その他のローラ（原稿搬送部）を駆動する。また、搬送モータ４１０は、シートの読み取りに最適な速度や、シートの解像度等の設定に応じてシートの搬送速度を変更できるよう各ローラを駆動する。 The conveyance motor 410 conveys the sheet after document separation to the image reading position where the image reading sensor 414 or 415 reads an image of the document, and further conveys the sheet to the discharge position. Drive. Further, the conveyance motor 410 drives each roller so that the conveyance speed of the sheet can be changed in accordance with the setting of the speed suitable for reading the sheet, the resolution of the sheet, and the like.
　ニップ隙間調整モータ４１１は、給送ローラ４０６と分離ローラ４０７との隙間、或いは分離ローラ４０７に対してシートを介して給送ローラ４０６が圧接する圧接力を調整する。これにより、シートの厚みに適合した隙間、或いは圧接力が調整され、シートを分離することができる。 The nip gap adjustment motor 411 adjusts the gap between the feed roller 406 and the separation roller 407 or the pressing force with which the feed roller 406 is in pressure contact with the separation roller 407 via a sheet. As a result, the gap or the pressing force adapted to the thickness of the sheet is adjusted, and the sheet can be separated.
　レジストクラッチ４１９は、搬送モータ４１０の回転駆動力をレジストローラ４１８（原稿搬送部）に伝達、又は当該伝達を遮断する。レジストローラ対４１７、４１８の回転を停止することにより、給送されるシートの先端をレジストローラ対４１７、４１８のニップ部に突き当てて、シートの斜行を補正する。 The registration clutch 419 transmits the rotational driving force of the conveyance motor 410 to the registration roller 418 (original conveyance unit) or cuts off the transmission. By stopping the rotation of the pair of registration rollers 417 and 418, the leading end of the fed sheet is abutted against the nip portion of the pair of registration rollers 417 and 418 to correct the skew of the sheet.
　搬送ローラ対４２０、４２１、搬送ローラ対４２２、４２３、及び図２１に示すさらに下流側のローラ対は、シートを排出積載部４４４に搬送する。排紙センサ４１６は、排出積載部４４４の上流でシートの通過を検知する。上ガイド板４４０と下ガイド板４４１との２つのガイド板は、分離ローラ対４４２、レジストローラ対４１７、４１８、搬送ローラ対４２０、４２１、搬送ローラ対４２２、４２３、及び下流側のローラ対により搬送されるシートを案内する。 The conveyance roller pairs 420 and 421, the conveyance roller pairs 422 and 423, and the roller pair further downstream shown in FIG. 21 convey the sheet to the discharge stacking unit 444. The discharge sensor 416 detects the passage of the sheet upstream of the discharge stacking unit 444. The two guide plates of the upper guide plate 440 and the lower guide plate 441 are composed of a separation roller pair 442, registration roller pairs 417 and 418, conveyance roller pairs 420 and 421, conveyance roller pairs 422 and 423, and a downstream roller pair. Guide the sheet being conveyed.
　レジスト前センサ４３２は、レジストローラ対４１７、４１８の上流側に配設され、搬送されるシートを検知する。レジスト後センサ４３３は、レジストローラ対４１７、４１８の下流側に配設され、搬送されるシートを検知する。 The pre-registration sensor 432 is disposed on the upstream side of the pair of registration rollers 417 and 418 and detects a sheet to be conveyed. The post-registration sensor 433 is disposed downstream of the registration roller pair 417 and 418 to detect a sheet to be conveyed.
　ここで、図２３および図２４で本発明の実施形態の要部の詳細について述べる。シート積載台４０１と対向する位置に、搬送された原稿の挙動を検知可能な光学センサ３１１が実装されている基板３００が、シート積載台４０１と平行に取り付けられている。すなわち、光学センサ３１１の撮像面がシート積載台４０１の表面（対向面）と平行になるように取り付けられている。ここで、光学センサ３１１にはエリアイメージセンサを使用する。本実施形態の場合には、光学センサ３１１の撮像面がシート積載台４０１の表面と平行になるようにするとは、光学センサ３１１が実装されている基板３００がシート積載台４０１の表面と平行になることと同義である。 Here, details of essential parts of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24. FIG. A substrate 300 on which an optical sensor 311 capable of detecting the behavior of the conveyed document is mounted is attached in parallel to the sheet loading table 401 at a position facing the sheet loading table 401. That is, the optical sensor 311 is attached so that the imaging surface of the optical sensor 311 is parallel to the surface (opposing surface) of the sheet loading table 401. Here, an area image sensor is used as the optical sensor 311. In the case of the present embodiment, when the imaging surface of the optical sensor 311 is parallel to the surface of the sheet loading table 401, the substrate 300 on which the optical sensor 311 is mounted is parallel to the surface of the sheet loading table 401. It is synonymous with becoming.
　本実施形態においては、光学センサ３１１を撮像素子として用いて搬送される原稿の画像を取得してその画像情報に基づいて移動量を検出することで、原稿の挙動を検知する。光学センサ３１１は、原稿が搬送される搬送路内における撮像基準面から所定距離離れるように配置されている。撮像基準面は、撮像素子である光学センサ３１１と対向する、光学センサ３１１による撮像の基準となる面であり、本実施形態では、撮像対象物である原稿（シート）が搬送される搬送路（シート積載台４０１）の表面が撮像基準面として定められる。但し、原稿がシート積載台４０１に複数枚載置された状況においては、搬送される原稿の表面に相当する位置が撮像基準面となる。すなわち、原稿を給送するときのシート積載台４０１の昇降範囲における最上位の位置でのシート積載台４０１の表面が概ね撮像基準面と一致する。光学センサ３１１を撮像基準面から所定距離Ｄ０離すことによって、原稿の種類や光学センサ３１１が配置される位置に依らずに原稿の画像を適切な間隔で取得することができる。従って、光学センサ３１１としては、所定距離Ｄ０離れた原稿に対し撮像焦点の合うものを用いることが好ましい。本実施形態においては、所定距離Ｄ０として２０ｍｍから３０ｍｍ程度、撮像基準面から光学センサ３１１を離して配置している。 In the present embodiment, the behavior of the document is detected by acquiring the image of the document conveyed using the optical sensor 311 as an imaging element and detecting the movement amount based on the image information. The optical sensor 311 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the imaging reference surface in the transport path in which the document is transported. The imaging reference surface is a surface facing the optical sensor 311 which is an imaging element and serving as a reference for imaging by the optical sensor 311. In the present embodiment, a transport path (a document (sheet) which is an imaging object is transported The surface of the sheet loading table 401) is defined as an imaging reference surface. However, in a situation where a plurality of originals are placed on the sheet loading table 401, a position corresponding to the front surface of the conveyed original is the imaging reference surface. That is, the surface of the sheet stacking table 401 at the uppermost position in the raising and lowering range of the sheet stacking table 401 when feeding the document substantially coincides with the imaging reference surface. By separating the optical sensor 311 from the imaging reference surface by a predetermined distance D0, it is possible to acquire an image of the original at an appropriate interval regardless of the type of the original and the position where the optical sensor 311 is disposed. Therefore, as the optical sensor 311, it is preferable to use a sensor whose imaging focus matches the document at a predetermined distance D0. In the present embodiment, the optical sensor 311 is disposed apart from the imaging reference plane by approximately 20 mm to 30 mm as the predetermined distance D0.
　本実施形態においては、光学センサ３１１で原稿の画像を取得し、光学センサ３１１が実装される基板３００に設けられたＩＣによって所定の時間間隔ごとの画像（もしくは所定の移動量間隔に基づいた画像）を比較することによって移動量を判定しており、基板３００に実装されるＩＣが移動量検出部として動作している。但し、光学センサ３１１によって取得した画像を外部装置に送信し、外部装置上で移動量の判定を行ってもよく、その場合、外部装置を含めて移動量検出部を構成していると言える。その場合、外部装置における移動量の判定を行っている部分を含めて本実施形態における原稿搬送装置を構成していることとなる。 In the present embodiment, an image of a document is acquired by the optical sensor 311, and an image provided at predetermined time intervals (or an image based on predetermined movement amount intervals) by the IC provided on the substrate 300 on which the optical sensor 311 is mounted. The amount of movement is determined by comparing), and the IC mounted on the substrate 300 operates as a movement amount detection unit. However, the image acquired by the optical sensor 311 may be transmitted to an external device, and the movement amount may be determined on the external device. In that case, it can be said that the movement amount detection unit includes the external device. In that case, the document conveyance device in the present embodiment is configured including the portion in which the movement amount in the external device is determined.
　なお、図２３に示すように、シート積載台４０１には、搬送方向に対する幅方向の両端側にそれぞれ移動可能な規制部材４５１が設けられており、シートの幅方向を規制している。規制部材４５１を幅方向に移動して搬送する原稿の幅に合わせることによって、搬送中にシートが斜行することを防止できる。本実施形態においては、光学センサ３１１を規制部材４５１に対して取り付けてもよく、本体の外装に取り付けてもよい。 Note that, as shown in FIG. 23, the sheet stacking table 401 is provided with movable restriction members 451 at both ends in the width direction with respect to the transport direction, and restricts the width direction of the sheet. By moving the regulating member 451 in the width direction to match the width of the document to be conveyed, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being skewed during conveyance. In the present embodiment, the optical sensor 311 may be attached to the restriction member 451 or may be attached to the exterior of the main body.
　図２４（ａ）の様に光学センサ３１１の前にプリズムやレンズなどの光学部材３０３を配置し、対向する原稿に対して正対させた場合に、光学センサ３１１が受光する光量が最大となる様に配置する。動作上問題が無い場合には、小型化やコストを優先して、これらの光学部材を省略できる。 As shown in FIG. 24A, when the optical member 303 such as a prism or a lens is disposed in front of the optical sensor 311 and is made to face the opposite original, the amount of light received by the optical sensor 311 becomes maximum. Arrange in the same way. If there is no problem in operation, these optical members can be omitted in favor of miniaturization and cost.
　本発明の実施形態において、光学センサ３１１が原稿の移動量を検知可能なセンサである場合について説明をする。 In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the optical sensor 311 is a sensor capable of detecting the movement amount of the document will be described.
　この場合、光学センサ３１１が撮像対象物の移動量または移動方向を検知可能な不図示の移動量検知部を備えている。光学センサ３１１によりエリアイメージを取得して、不図示のＡ／Ｄ変換部でデジタル信号に変換して得られた画像を、移動量検知部にて順次比較しながら撮像対象物（本実施形態の場合、シート）の移動量または移動方向を検知する。 In this case, the optical sensor 311 includes a movement amount detection unit (not shown) capable of detecting the movement amount or the movement direction of the object to be imaged. An object to be imaged (this embodiment) while sequentially comparing in the movement amount detection unit an image obtained by acquiring an area image by the optical sensor 311 and converting it into a digital signal by an A / D conversion unit (not shown). In this case, the movement amount or movement direction of the sheet is detected.
　本実施形態における光学センサ３１１は、レーザで赤外線レーザ光を照射して、またはＬＥＤによる発光を用いて、原稿などによる反射光を受光することで原稿の表面画像を取得するものが好ましい。特に、レーザ方式を用いれば、より詳細に原稿の移動量を検知可能となるため、好適である。なお、レーザ方式を用いる場合、レーザ光の波長を適切に選択することによって、搬送中の原稿のばたつきに起因した、移動量の検知精度の低下を軽減することが可能である。例えば、高さ約２ｍｍ程の搬送路内を搬送される原稿に対し、原稿の搬送面から光学センサ３１１までの距離Ｄ０が２０ｍｍ程度である場合、約８５０ｎｍの波長を有する赤外線レーザ光を用いることで、搬送中の原稿にばたつきが発生しても移動量の検知精度を維持できることが実験的に明らかとなっている。 The optical sensor 311 in this embodiment is preferably one that acquires a surface image of a document by emitting infrared laser light with a laser or using light emitted by an LED to receive reflected light from the document or the like. In particular, it is preferable to use the laser method because the movement amount of the document can be detected in more detail. In the case of using the laser method, it is possible to reduce the decrease in the detection accuracy of the movement amount due to the flapping of the document being conveyed by appropriately selecting the wavelength of the laser light. For example, when the distance D0 from the document conveyance surface to the optical sensor 311 is about 20 mm, for a document conveyed in the conveyance path having a height of about 2 mm, use infrared laser light having a wavelength of about 850 nm. Thus, it has been experimentally proved that the detection accuracy of the movement amount can be maintained even if the document being conveyed is fluttered.
　本実施形態では、光学センサ３１１内部でＴＧ（Timing Generator）によりイメージセンサを駆動して画像信号を取得するとともに、Ａ／Ｄ変換ならびに画像信号を解析し、撮像対象物の移動量または移動方向を検知する構成となっている。例えば、図２４（ｂ）に示すように、光学センサ３１１内部にはイメージセンサ、ＴＧ、ＡＦＥ（Analog Front End）、ＤＳＰ（Digital Signal Processor）を備えており、ＴＧがイメージセンサで撮像対象のイメージ画像を取得し、ＡＦＥにて取得した画像信号に対してＡ／Ｄ変換を実行し、デジタル画像信号に基づいてＤＳＰにて撮像対象物の移動量を検知する（いわゆるシステム・オン・チップ（ＳｏＣ）になっている）。すなわち、ＤＳＰが移動量検出部として機能している。別のケースとしては、光学センサ３１１は画像信号の取得のみ行い、不図示の画像信号処理デバイスが別デバイスとして存在し、この画像信号処理デバイスによってＡ／Ｄ変換ならびに画像信号の解析を行い、撮像対象物の移動量または移動方向を検知する構成にしてもよい。本実施形態では光学センサ３１１における画像信号の取得は、原稿に光を照射し、反射した光を受光部によって受光して光電変換することによって行う。 In this embodiment, the image sensor is driven by TG (Timing Generator) inside the optical sensor 311 to acquire an image signal, and A / D conversion and the image signal are analyzed to determine the movement amount or movement direction of the imaging object. It is configured to detect. For example, as shown in FIG. 24B, the optical sensor 311 is provided with an image sensor, TG, AFE (Analog Front End), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and the TG is an image of an imaging target with the image sensor. An image is acquired, A / D conversion is performed on the image signal acquired by the AFE, and the movement amount of the imaging object is detected by the DSP based on the digital image signal (so-called system on chip (SoC) )It has become). That is, the DSP functions as a movement amount detection unit. In another case, the optical sensor 311 only acquires an image signal, and an image signal processing device (not shown) exists as a separate device, performs A / D conversion and analysis of the image signal by this image signal processing device, and captures an image. The movement amount or movement direction of the object may be detected. In the present embodiment, acquisition of the image signal in the optical sensor 311 is performed by irradiating the document with light, receiving the reflected light by the light receiving unit, and performing photoelectric conversion.
　図２５に光学センサ３１１から得られる画像に対して信号処理を実行した画像の概略図を示す。ある時刻（ｔ＝０とする）に撮像された画像に対して、特徴点として抽出した点を黒マスで表わす。ここでは例として１マス＝１画素（つまり、光学センサ３１１の画素数は５×５＝２５マス）としているが、複数の画素の平均値または特定の演算を行った後に代表して１マスを形成してもよい。例として、特徴点として他のマスと比較して明るい、または暗い点を抽出する。特徴点としては、原稿表面の凹凸や傷を抽出することができる。この状態から時刻がｔ'だけ経過して時点で、光学センサ３１１が再び画像を取得して、黒マスを抽出し、黒マス（特徴点）がどの様に移動しているかを比較して、時刻０からｔ'までの移動量を算出する。図２５の例では、右に１マス、上に１マス移動したと判定する。なお、移動量の算出は、上述したように、光学センサ３１１内部のＤＳＰによって行ってもよいし、光学センサ３１１とは別に設けた画像信号処理デバイス内で行ってもよい。 FIG. 25 shows a schematic view of an image obtained by performing signal processing on an image obtained from the optical sensor 311. As shown in FIG. For an image captured at a certain time (t = 0), points extracted as feature points are represented by black squares. Here, although one cell = 1 pixel (that is, the number of pixels of the optical sensor 311 is 5 × 5 = 25 cell) as an example, one cell is represented after representing an average value of a plurality of pixels or a specific calculation. You may form. As an example, bright or dark points are extracted as feature points as compared to other squares. As a feature point, it is possible to extract asperities and scratches on the surface of the document. From this state, when time t 'has elapsed, the optical sensor 311 acquires an image again, extracts a black square, and compares how the black square (feature point) moves, The movement amount from time 0 to t ′ is calculated. In the example of FIG. 25, it is determined that one space has moved to the right and one space has moved upward. The movement amount may be calculated by the DSP in the optical sensor 311 as described above, or may be performed in an image signal processing device provided separately from the optical sensor 311.
　ここで、上述したように、光学センサ３１１の撮像面（受光面）と原稿の表面は、互いに平行になる様に配置している。図２９を用いて光学センサの特性について説明すると、本実施形態で用いる光学センサは、一般的には図２９（ａ）に示す通り、光学センサの受光面と原稿が互いに平行になっているとき（図２９（ｂ）左側）に、受光面と原稿が傾いているとき（図２９（ｂ）右側）に比べて撮像対象である原稿の移動速度がより速い領域まで追従できる特性になっている。 Here, as described above, the imaging surface (light receiving surface) of the optical sensor 311 and the surface of the document are arranged to be parallel to each other. The characteristics of the optical sensor will be described with reference to FIG. 29. Generally, in the optical sensor used in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29A, the light receiving surface of the optical sensor and the document are parallel to each other Compared to when the light receiving surface and the document are inclined (right side in FIG. 29 (b)) to (left side in FIG. 29 (b)), the moving speed of the document to be imaged is faster .
　次に、再び図２３を使用して光学センサ３１１の配置の詳細について説明をする。 Next, the arrangement of the optical sensor 311 will be described in detail using FIG. 23 again.
　光学センサ３１１とシート積載台４０１間の距離Ｄ０については、光学センサ３１１の撮像領域のうち、搬送方向に対する撮像範囲をＬ０、センサの画像取得間隔時間をＴ、原稿搬送部の搬送速度の最大値をＶとしたときに、Ｌ０≧Ｔ×Ｖを満たす距離になる様に、距離Ｄ０を調整する。なお、以下の説明において、Ｌ０を撮像領域と表現することもある。なお、撮像領域とは、光学センサ３１１の撮像基準面における光学センサ３１１の視野角のことを示しており、撮像基準面に撮像対象（原稿）があれば、撮像領域内の画像を取得することができる。ここで言う搬送方向とは、実際に原稿（シート）が搬送される方向ではなく、装置によって搬送しようとする方向、すなわち、給送ローラや搬送ローラの回転方向に沿う方向（各ローラの軸と垂直な方向）である。なお、センサの画像取得間隔時間をＴとしたが、実際には、光学センサ３１１が取得した画像に基づいてシートの移動量を検出する移動量検出部を有し、その移動量検出部における移動量の取得間隔がＴとなればよい。すなわち、センサの画像取得間隔時間としてはＴよりも短い間隔で取得しつつ、移動量検出部における移動量の検出をＴ間隔で行い、それ以外の取得データは無視するか、移動量検出部に対して入力自体しないものであってもよい。以下では説明上センサの画像取得間隔時間Ｔとして説明するが、ここで説明したことと同義であり、移動量取得間隔時間Ｔと読み換えればよい。 Regarding the distance D0 between the optical sensor 311 and the sheet loading table 401, in the imaging area of the optical sensor 311, the imaging range in the transport direction is L0, the image acquisition interval time of the sensor is T, and the maximum value of the transport speed of the document transport unit The distance D0 is adjusted so that the distance L0TT × V is satisfied, where V is V. In the following description, L0 may be expressed as an imaging region. The imaging area indicates the view angle of the optical sensor 311 in the imaging reference plane of the optical sensor 311. If there is an imaging target (original) in the imaging reference plane, an image in the imaging area is acquired. Can. Here, the conveyance direction is not the direction in which the original (sheet) is actually conveyed, but the direction in which the apparatus attempts to convey, that is, the direction along the rotation direction of the feed roller and the conveyance roller Vertical direction). Although the image acquisition interval time of the sensor is set to T, in fact, it has a movement amount detection unit that detects the movement amount of the sheet based on the image acquired by the optical sensor 311, and the movement in the movement amount detection unit The acquisition interval of the quantity should be T. That is, while acquiring the image acquisition interval time of the sensor at an interval shorter than T, detection of the movement amount in the movement amount detection unit is performed at T intervals, and other acquired data is ignored or the movement amount detection unit Alternatively, the input may not be performed. In the following description, although described as the image acquisition interval time T of the sensor, it is the same as the explanation here, and may be replaced with the movement amount acquisition interval time T.
　ここで、光学センサ３１１と光学部材を合わせた画角（視野角）が大きくなると、１回で撮像できる領域が大きくなる為に、Ｌ０は大きい値を持つことになる。また、光学センサ３１１はある程度の視野角を持っているため、距離Ｄ０を大きくすることによってもＬ０は大きい値を持つことができる。 Here, when the angle of view (viewing angle) of the combination of the optical sensor 311 and the optical member becomes large, the area which can be imaged at one time becomes large, so L0 has a large value. Further, since the optical sensor 311 has a certain viewing angle, L0 can have a large value also by increasing the distance D0.
　画像取得間隔時間Ｔに関しては、光学センサ３１１が画像を取得するのに要する時間が短ければ小さい値を持つ。具体的には、光学センサ３１１の画像読出しクロックが早ければ、光学センサ３１１が画像信号を読み出す為の時間が短くなる。または光学センサ３１１の画素数が小さければそれだけ画像信号を読み出す為の時間が短くなる。ただし、画素数が小さくなる場合は、前述のＬ０の値に対しても影響を与える（小さくなる）。 The image acquisition interval time T has a small value if the time required for the optical sensor 311 to acquire an image is short. Specifically, if the image reading clock of the optical sensor 311 is fast, the time for the optical sensor 311 to read the image signal becomes short. Alternatively, the smaller the number of pixels of the optical sensor 311, the shorter the time for reading out the image signal. However, when the number of pixels is small, the value of L0 described above is also affected (small).
　前述の通り説明した原稿の移動量検知について、移動量を検知する為に光学センサ３１１から得られる画像を複数平均する必要がある場合は、検知までの時間が必要になる。この場合は、画像取得間隔時間Ｔを移動量検知間隔時間Ｔ'に置き換えてＬ０≧Ｔ'×Ｖを満たす様に光学センサ３１１とシート積載台４０１間の距離Ｄ０を調整する必要がある。 When it is necessary to average a plurality of images obtained from the optical sensor 311 in order to detect the amount of movement of the document as described above, it takes time until the detection. In this case, it is necessary to replace the image acquisition interval time T with the movement amount detection interval time T ′ and adjust the distance D0 between the optical sensor 311 and the sheet loading table 401 so as to satisfy L0 ≧ T ′ × V.
　ただし、Ｌ０≧Ｔ×Ｖ（またはＬ０≧Ｔ'×Ｖ）は最低条件である為、本発明ではより最適な配置について言及する。例えば、図２５に示した５×５画素の光学センサを用いた場合は、光学センサが１回画像を取り込むのに対して、原稿が１画素以下の変位量であれば極めて精度の良い検知が可能となる。すなわち、Ｌ０≧Ｔ×Ｖ×５を満たせばよい。この関係式から、精度良く検知するための原稿搬送速度の上限値Ｖｍａｘとして、Ｌ０／５Ｔを得る。 However, since L0 ≧ T × V (or L0 ≧ T ′ × V) is the minimum condition, the present invention refers to a more optimal arrangement. For example, in the case of using the 5 × 5 pixel optical sensor shown in FIG. 25, the optical sensor captures an image once, but if the document has a displacement of 1 pixel or less, detection with extremely high accuracy is possible. It becomes possible. That is, it suffices to satisfy L0 ≧ T × V × 5. From this relational expression, L0 / 5T is obtained as the upper limit value Vmax of the document conveyance speed for accurate detection.
　この上限値Ｖｍａｘでの運用が困難な場合を想定し、図３０と図３１を用いて別の形態について言及する。図３０には、ある時刻ｔ１と別の時刻ｔ２（＞ｔ１）における原稿の撮像領域の重なり度合い（重複率）を模式的に表したものである。時刻ｔ１と時刻ｔ２とで、光学センサ３１１が撮像した領域のうち、両画像において重複する領域が大きければ大きいほど、前述した特徴点の数をより多く検出、追跡することができる為、移動量をより正確に検知できる。この場合、図３０中のαＬ０（αは撮像領域の重なり度合いを示し、α＜１）を用いて、αＬ０≧Ｔ×Ｖを満たすように光学センサ３１１を配置し、搬送速度Ｖを設定する。すなわち、この関係式から原稿搬送速度の上限値Ｖｍａｘとして、αＬ０／Ｔを得る。 Assuming that the operation at the upper limit value Vmax is difficult, another form will be described using FIGS. 30 and 31. FIG. 30 schematically shows the overlapping degree (overlap ratio) of the imaging region of the document at a certain time t1 and another time t2 (> t1). As the overlapping area in both images in the area captured by the optical sensor 311 is larger at time t1 and time t2, the number of feature points described above can be detected and tracked more, so the movement amount Can be detected more accurately. In this case, the optical sensor 311 is disposed so as to satisfy αL0 × T × V by using αL0 (α indicates an overlapping degree of imaging regions in FIG. 30 and α <1), and the transport speed V is set. That is, αL 0 / T is obtained as the upper limit value Vmax of the document conveyance speed from this relational expression.
　図３１に示す通り、撮像領域の重なり度合いを上昇させていくと光学センサの検知精度は上昇する特性を示す。検知アルゴリズムとして所定の撮像領域の重なり度合いα１で検知精度が飽和するように構成した場合には、撮像領域の重なり度合いがα１となるようにＶｍａｘを設定すればよい。 As shown in FIG. 31, the detection accuracy of the optical sensor exhibits a characteristic of increasing as the degree of overlapping of the imaging regions is increased. When the detection accuracy is saturated at a predetermined overlap degree α1 of the imaging regions as a detection algorithm, Vmax may be set so that the overlap degree of the imaging regions is α1.
　一例として、移動量の検知精度をある程度の高さとするために、撮像画素として重複エリアαＬ０がＮ以上となることが好ましいとする。この場合、光学センサとして、搬送方向に対する画素数がＬ０とすると、搬送方向の画素としてαＬ０重複するようにすればよく、この場合、Ｌ０－Ｖ×Ｔ≧Ｎ（＝αＬ０）となる。したがって、この場合には、Ｖ≦（Ｌ０－Ｎ）／Ｔを満たすように搬送速度を設定することによって、精度良く移動量を検出することができる。具体的な例としては、図２５に示す光学センサを用いた場合、重複エリアが４画素分以上（α＝４／５＝０．８）となればよいとすると、Ｖ≦（５－４）／Ｔ＝１／Ｔとなるように搬送速度Ｖを設定すればよい。 As an example, in order to set the detection accuracy of the movement amount to a certain level, it is preferable that the overlapping area αL0 be N or more as an imaging pixel. In this case, assuming that the number of pixels in the transport direction is L0 as an optical sensor, αL0 may be overlapped as pixels in the transport direction, and in this case, L0−V × T ≧ N (= αL0). Therefore, in this case, by setting the transport speed so as to satisfy V ≦ (L0−N) / T, the movement amount can be detected with high accuracy. As a specific example, in the case of using the optical sensor shown in FIG. 25, assuming that the overlapping area is 4 pixels or more (α = 4/5 = 0.8), V ≦ (5-4) The transport speed V may be set so that / T = 1 / T.
　本実施形態においては、図３１に示すように、重なり度合いがα１＝０．８となる辺りから検知精度が飽和気味に上昇してくるが、移動量の検知自体は画像取得間隔時間ごとに行っており、必ずしも連続して検知に成功する必要はない。概ね移動量を検知できている程度すなわち重なり度合いが第１閾値としてのα１となる程度の搬送速度に設定することで、搬送のスループットを向上できる。本実施形態においては、α＝α１＝０．６（重複率６０％）に設定した場合に良好に検出が可能であるとともに処理部への負荷を抑えることができており、その場合、Ｎ＝αＬ０＝０．６×５＝３．０であるから、Ｖ≦２／Ｔとなる。 In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, although the detection accuracy rises to a point where the overlapping degree is α1 = 0.8, the detection of the movement amount itself is performed at every image acquisition interval time. It is not always necessary to succeed in continuous detection. By setting the transport speed to such an extent that the amount of movement can be generally detected, that is, the extent to which the overlapping degree is α1 as the first threshold value, the throughput of transport can be improved. In the present embodiment, when α = α1 = 0.6 (overlapping rate 60%), detection is possible well and the load on the processing unit can be suppressed, in which case N = Since αL0 = 0.6 × 5 = 3.0, V ≦ 2 / T.
　なお、上記は一例であり、使用する光学センサによって検知精度の特性は異なるが、検知精度が飽和し始める辺り、あるいは若干飽和するような撮像領域の重なり度合いα１を設定するのが好ましく、本実施形態においてはα＝０．６となっているが、前後しても構わない。 The above is an example, and although the characteristic of detection accuracy differs depending on the optical sensor used, it is preferable to set the overlapping degree α1 of the imaging area such that the detection accuracy starts to saturate or slightly saturates. In the embodiment, α = 0.6, but it does not matter.
　搬送速度Ｖに関しては、原稿搬送装置が原稿を搬送する速度であるので、原稿搬送開始から所定の速度に到達するまで、段階的に（あるいは、モータの種類によっては無段階的に）速度が上昇することになる。逆に原稿の搬送停止時には、所定の速度から停止状態（Ｖ＝０）に向けてやはり段階的に（または無段階的に）速度が低下する。 As the transport speed V is the speed at which the document transport device transports the document, the speed increases stepwise (or steplessly depending on the type of motor) from the start of document transport until the predetermined speed is reached. It will be done. Conversely, when the document conveyance is stopped, the speed also decreases stepwise (or steplessly) from the predetermined speed toward the stop state (V = 0).
　上述した搬送速度Ｖの設定値としては、原稿搬送開始後に、搬送速度が所定の速度に到達した時点での速度Ｖ１が上記の関係式を満たすようにしておくことで、立ち上がりや立下りにおいて速度がＶ１よりも遅い場合でも、光学センサの検知精度が低下することはなく、好適に移動量を検知することができる。 As the setting value of the conveyance speed V described above, the speed V1 at the time when the conveyance speed reaches a predetermined speed after the start of document conveyance satisfies the above-mentioned relational expression so that the speed at the rising or falling Is slower than V1, the detection accuracy of the optical sensor does not decrease, and the amount of movement can be suitably detected.
　ここで、例えば、装置にスペースの余裕が無ければ、画角の大きな光学部材を光学センサ３１１の前に配置し、搬送方向に対する撮像領域Ｌ０を大きくすることが考えられる。この構成によって、より大きな搬送速度Ｖに対応できることになる。 Here, for example, if there is no space in the apparatus, it is conceivable to dispose an optical member having a large angle of view in front of the optical sensor 311 to increase the imaging region L0 in the transport direction. With this configuration, it is possible to cope with a larger transport speed V.
　または、搬送速度Ｖの変化に連動して、光学センサ３１１の画像取得間隔時間Ｔを変化させてもよい。ターゲットとなる撮像重なり領域（αＬ０）を決め、搬送速度Ｖが変化しても、撮像重なり領域が常に一定となるように画像取得間隔時間Ｔを前述のＴＧが制御する。この制御を行うことで、搬送速度Ｖが変化しても、光学センサの検知精度が常に一定となる。 Alternatively, the image acquisition interval time T of the optical sensor 311 may be changed in conjunction with the change of the conveyance speed V. The above-mentioned TG controls the image acquisition interval time T so that the imaging overlap area is always constant even if the conveyance speed V changes, by determining the imaging overlap area (αL0) to be the target. By performing this control, even if the transport speed V changes, the detection accuracy of the optical sensor is always constant.
　同様に、本実施形態において、上述したように搬送速度Ｖを設定する代わりに、画像取得間隔時間Ｔを調整することで、撮像領域の重なり度合いαが所定の値となるように調整してもよい。重なり度合いαがα１となるようにすれば効率よく光学センサの検知精度を向上することができるが、これに限られず、ある程度の重なり度合いαを保てるような画像取得間隔時間Ｔとなっていればよい。 Similarly, in the present embodiment, instead of setting the transport speed V as described above, the image acquisition interval time T may be adjusted to adjust the overlap degree α of the imaging regions to a predetermined value. Good. Although the detection accuracy of the optical sensor can be efficiently improved by setting the overlap degree α to α1, the present invention is not limited to this, as long as the image acquisition interval time T can maintain a certain degree of overlap α. Good.
　光学センサの出力としては、所定の画像取得間隔時間Ｔで出力を処理するＩＣなどに対して出力してもよいが、以下には別の例を示す。 The output of the optical sensor may be output to an IC or the like that processes the output at a predetermined image acquisition interval time T, but another example will be shown below.
　例えば、光学センサにおける移動量の検知量が所定の値を上回ると移動量を出力する光学センサを使用した場合に、Ａ４原稿の搬送として、１５０枚／分の搬送を行う場合について示す。原稿間隔距離を考慮しても搬送速度Ｖは１０００ｍｍ／秒前後となる。この場合、画像取得間隔時間Ｔの一例として、光学センサの解像度が１５００ｃｐｉ、すなわち１インチ当たり１５００カウントの出力を行う設定とすれば、１カウント当たり１／１５００インチ、つまり０．０１７ｍｍ程の移動があると１カウントの出力を行うものである。搬送速度Ｖ＝１０００ｍｍ／秒に対しては、１秒当たり１０００／０．０１７≒６００００カウント、すなわち、１／６００００秒で１カウント出力される。 For example, in the case of using an optical sensor that outputs a movement amount when the detection amount of the movement amount in the optical sensor exceeds a predetermined value, a case where conveyance of 150 sheets / minute is performed as conveyance of an A4 document will be described. Even if the document interval distance is taken into consideration, the transport speed V is around 1000 mm / sec. In this case, as an example of the image acquisition interval time T, if the resolution of the optical sensor is set to output 1500 cpi, that is, 1500 counts per inch, movement of 1/1500 inch per count, ie, 0.017 mm is possible. If there is, it will output one count. For the transport speed V = 1000 mm / sec, 1000 / 0.017100060000 counts per second, that is, 1 count is output at 1/60000 sec.
　光学センサとしては、図２９（ａ）に示すように、所定の搬送速度以上になると、設定された解像度の性能を発揮できなくなる特性がある（検知精度が下がる）。これに対し、原稿搬送装置として設定可能な搬送速度に対して同等の検知精度を発揮できるように、解像度の設定値として１５００ｃｐｉ程度にすることによって、実際に使用される搬送速度Ｖ＝１０００ｍｍ／秒程の条件に対しては、解像度を下げずに、検知精度を一定に保ったまま使用することができる。特に、図２９（ｂ）で説明したように、原稿の表面と光学センサの撮像面が平行となるように配置すること（図２９（ｂ）左側）によって、設定された解像度の性能を発揮しやすくなる、すなわち、搬送速度を速くしても設定された解像度の性能を維持することができ、光学センサの検知精度を維持することができる。 As shown in FIG. 29A, the optical sensor has a characteristic that the performance of the set resolution can not be exhibited when the transport speed is higher than a predetermined transport speed (detection accuracy is lowered). On the other hand, the conveyance speed V = 1000 mm / sec actually used by setting the resolution to about 1500 cpi so that equivalent detection accuracy can be exhibited for the conveyance speed that can be set as the document conveyance device. For moderate conditions, it is possible to use with the detection accuracy kept constant without reducing the resolution. In particular, as described in FIG. 29 (b), the performance of the set resolution is exhibited by arranging so that the surface of the document and the imaging surface of the optical sensor are parallel (FIG. 29 (b) left). That is, even if the transport speed is increased, the performance of the set resolution can be maintained, and the detection accuracy of the optical sensor can be maintained.
　また、光学センサとしては解像度として５０００ｃｐｉやそれ以上となるものもあり、解像度を上げれば光学センサの検知精度は向上するが、その分光学センサを高速に動作させる必要があり、光学センサ内部の動作クロック周波数を上げることになるので、光学センサの出力を処理するＩＣ等にかかる負荷や消費電力も増えることとなる。ここで示すような原稿の搬送状態を検知することを考えると、解像度を１５００ｃｐｉ程度とすることによって、搬送速度として要求される１００枚／分程度の搬送速度Ｖに対しては十分な検知精度を確保することができ、処理にかかる負荷などを抑えることができる。 In addition, some optical sensors have resolution of 5000 cpi or more. If the resolution is increased, the detection accuracy of the optical sensor is improved, but it is necessary to operate the optical sensor at a high speed. Since the clock frequency is increased, the load and power consumption on an IC or the like that processes the output of the optical sensor also increase. Considering detecting the document conveyance state as shown here, by setting the resolution to about 1500 cpi, sufficient detection accuracy is required for the conveyance speed V of about 100 sheets / minute required as the conveyance speed. Therefore, the processing load can be reduced.
　本実施形態による構成によれば、１つの光学センサで原稿の搬送状態を検知可能である為に、装置の大型化やコストアップをすることなく装置を提供できる。 According to the configuration according to the present embodiment, the conveyance state of the document can be detected by one optical sensor, and therefore, the apparatus can be provided without increasing the size and cost of the apparatus.
　〔第４実施形態〕
　概略図は第３実施形態と同様である。従って、図２１から図２３を用いて本実施形態の詳細について第３実施形態と異なる部分についてのみ説明する。 Fourth Embodiment
The schematic view is the same as that of the third embodiment. Accordingly, details of the present embodiment will be described using FIGS. 21 to 23 only for portions different from the third embodiment.
　本実施形態においては、装置本体における給送ローラ４０６と分離ローラ４０７よりも搬送路の上流側に光学センサ３１１を配置している。この位置に配置すれば、原稿の搬送を開始してからすぐに搬送の不良が起きた場合に、光学センサ３１１にて早期に不良の発生を検知できる。また、給送ローラ４０６に近い位置であるため、小さい原稿に対しても良好に原稿の移動を検知できる。 In the present embodiment, the optical sensor 311 is disposed on the upstream side of the conveyance path with respect to the feed roller 406 and the separation roller 407 in the apparatus main body. If arranged at this position, the occurrence of a defect can be detected early by the optical sensor 311 when a defect in conveyance occurs immediately after the conveyance of a document is started. In addition, since the position is close to the feeding roller 406, the movement of the document can be favorably detected even for a small document.
　ここで言う搬送の不良とは、原稿搬送部（例えば給送ローラ４０６）にて原稿が搬送された時点で原稿が斜行して搬送されたり、分離ローラ４０７に対してステープルなどによって綴じられた原稿が搬送されて、分離する作用が働くものの実際には原稿の分離ができない状況を指す。 The term “defective conveyance” as used herein means that a document is obliquely conveyed at the time the document is conveyed by the document conveyance unit (for example, the feeding roller 406), or stapled to the separation roller 407. It refers to a situation in which the original is conveyed and the separation operation works but the original can not be separated in practice.
　いずれのケースにおいても、搬送の不良が起きた状態で原稿の搬送を続けると、原稿を損傷することになってしまうため、本実施形態のように給送ローラ４０６及び分離ローラ４０７よりも搬送路の上流側に光学センサ３１１を配置して、搬送の不良を早期に検知して搬送制御を行うことによって、原稿の損傷を防止することができる。具体的には、搬送の不良を検知した場合に、原稿搬送部による搬送を停止または減速するなどの制御を行う。加えて、搬送の不良を検知したことを報知して使用者に通知してもよい。 In any case, if the conveyance of the original is continued in a state where the conveyance failure occurs, the original will be damaged. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, the conveyance path is longer than the feeding roller 406 and the separation roller 407. By disposing the optical sensor 311 on the upstream side of the above to detect transport defects early and perform transport control, damage to the document can be prevented. Specifically, when a transport failure is detected, control such as stopping or decelerating transport by the document transport unit is performed. In addition, the user may be notified that a defect in conveyance has been detected.
　本実施形態による構成によれば、１つの光学センサで原稿の搬送状態を検知可能であり、かつ原稿が装置本体内に給送され、幅方向に規制されてからの搬送状態も検知できる構成になっている。その為、付加的な処理を実行することなく原稿の搬送状態を検知可能な為に、処理時間を増大させることがない。 According to the configuration according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the transport state of the document with one optical sensor, and also to detect the transport state after the document is fed into the apparatus body and restricted in the width direction. It has become. Therefore, the processing time can not be increased because the conveyance state of the document can be detected without executing additional processing.
　よって、装置の大型化やコストアップをすることなく、処理時間についても不要に増加しない装置を提供できる。 Accordingly, it is possible to provide a device that does not unnecessarily increase the processing time without increasing the size and cost of the device.
　〔第５実施形態〕
　概略図は第３実施形態と同様である。従って、図２１から図２３を用いて本実施形態の詳細について第３実施形態と異なる部分についてのみ説明する。 Fifth Embodiment
The schematic view is the same as that of the third embodiment. Accordingly, details of the present embodiment will be described using FIGS. 21 to 23 only for portions different from the third embodiment.
　本実施形態においては、図２４（ａ）の様に光学センサ３１１が受光する光量を増加させる目的で光源部３０２を設ける。なお、本実施形態においては、光学センサ３１１とは別のデバイスとして光源部３０２を設けたが、光学センサ３１１と光源部３０２が１つのデバイスになった構成でもよい。 In the present embodiment, a light source unit 302 is provided in order to increase the amount of light received by the optical sensor 311 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the light source unit 302 is provided as a device separate from the optical sensor 311, but the optical sensor 311 and the light source unit 302 may be configured as one device.
　ユニットとして発光部と受光部とが組み込まれた光学センサ３１１とは別に、より詳しくは、光学センサ３１１からの照射方向とは別の方向から光を照射可能なように配置された光源部３０２によって発光された光が、原稿部表面で反射する。この反射光が光学センサ３１１に入射することにより、光学センサは原稿表面部を撮像する。より効率良く光学センサの前にレンズ３０３を配置して光を集光させる構成にしてもよい。 Apart from the optical sensor 311 in which the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are incorporated as a unit, more specifically, by the light source unit 302 arranged to be able to emit light from a direction different from the irradiation direction from the optical sensor 311 The emitted light is reflected on the surface of the original. When the reflected light is incident on the optical sensor 311, the optical sensor captures an image of the surface of the document. The lens 303 may be disposed in front of the optical sensor more efficiently to condense light.
　本実施形態による構成によれば、１つの光学センサで原稿の搬送状態を検知可能である為に、装置の大型化やコストアップすることなく装置を提供できる。 According to the configuration according to the present embodiment, since the transport state of the document can be detected by one optical sensor, the apparatus can be provided without increasing the size and cost of the apparatus.
　〔第６実施形態〕
　まず、第６実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置について説明する。図２６は、本実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置の構成を概略的に示す部分断面図であり、図２７は、図２６の原稿搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す模式図である。 Sixth Embodiment
First, a document conveyance device according to the sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a document conveyance device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 27 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of main parts of the document conveyance device of FIG.
　基本的構成は第３実施形態と同様であるため、異なる部分についてのみ説明する。 The basic configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment, so only the different parts will be described.
　原稿ピックアップ部の一例としてのピックアップローラ４０４（取り込み手段）は、シート積載台４０１のシートをシート積載台４０１から送り出す。ピックアップローラ駆動モータ４０５は、ピックアップローラ４０４を回転させる。図２７ではシート上面がシート取込位置にあり、ピックアップローラ４０４を回転させればシートの取り込みが始まる状態である。また、ピックアップローラ４０４はシート取込位置とシート取込位置よりも上方の退避位置とに不図示の駆動手段によって移動できる。ピックアップローラ４０４はシートを取り込むときは取込位置に、取り込みが終わったら退避位置に移動する。 A pickup roller 404 (loading unit) as an example of a document pickup unit sends out the sheet of the sheet stacking table 401 from the sheet stacking table 401. The pickup roller drive motor 405 rotates the pickup roller 404. In FIG. 27, the upper surface of the sheet is at the sheet take-in position, and when the pickup roller 404 is rotated, sheet take-in starts. Further, the pickup roller 404 can be moved to a sheet taking-in position and a retracted position above the sheet taking-in position by a driving unit (not shown). The pickup roller 404 moves to the taking-in position when taking in the sheet, and moves to the retracted position when taking in the sheet.
　ここで、図２８にて本実施形態の要部詳細図を示す。ピックアップローラ４０４とピックアップローラ駆動モータ４０５、給送ローラ４０６とニップ隙間調整モータ４１１、最後に分離ローラ４０７と分離モータ４０９で構成される給紙ユニット部３１３の搬送路からの高さｈよりも低い位置に、光学センサ３１１を配置しており、給紙部の構成にて、筐体の高さ方向のサイズに影響を与えること無く光学センサ３１１を配置可能となる。図３２及び図３３を用いて、光学センサ３１１の配置方法の詳細について説明する。図３２は、原稿搬送装置を給紙面に正対する形で見たときに、光学センサ３１１とピックアップローラ４０４と分離ローラ４０７を抽出した図である。本実施形態においては、ピックアップローラ４０４を保持している部材が延出し、光学センサ３１１を保持する。図３３は、図３２の構成物に関するＢ－Ｂ'断面図であり、図３４を用いて後述するように、光学センサ３１１がケース体３１２によって覆われている例を示している。例えば図３３に示すように、光学センサ３１１を保持するケース体３１２を、画像読取装置４００の筐体４９０から一部が突出するように設けており、そのケース体３１２内部に光学センサ３１１が実装される光学センサ基板３００を固定することで、ピックアップローラ４０４からさらに上流側に光学センサ３１１を固定している。光学センサ３１１の検知領域を最大限に拡大することを目的として、光学センサ３１１はピックアップローラ４０４を撮像しない向きに配置して、原稿のみ撮像する構成にするのが望ましい（撮像領域の一部にでも原稿以外の領域があると、移動量または移動方向を検知する為の情報量が少なくなり、検知精度を低下させる要因になる）。 Here, FIG. 28 shows the details of the essential parts of this embodiment. The height h of the sheet feeding unit 313 composed of the pickup roller 404, the pickup roller drive motor 405, the feed roller 406, the nip clearance adjustment motor 411, and finally the separation roller 407 and the separation motor 409 from the conveyance path The optical sensor 311 is disposed at the position, and the configuration of the sheet feeding unit enables the optical sensor 311 to be disposed without affecting the size in the height direction of the housing. Details of the method of arranging the optical sensor 311 will be described with reference to FIGS. 32 and 33. FIG. 32 is a diagram in which the optical sensor 311, the pickup roller 404, and the separation roller 407 are extracted when the document conveyance device is viewed in a form facing the sheet feeding surface. In the present embodiment, a member holding the pickup roller 404 extends and holds the optical sensor 311. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB 'of the structure of FIG. 32, and shows an example in which the optical sensor 311 is covered by the case body 312 as described later with reference to FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 33, the case body 312 holding the optical sensor 311 is provided so that a part thereof protrudes from the housing 490 of the image reading apparatus 400, and the optical sensor 311 is mounted inside the case body 312. By fixing the optical sensor substrate 300, the optical sensor 311 is fixed further upstream from the pickup roller 404. In order to maximize the detection area of the optical sensor 311, it is desirable that the optical sensor 311 be arranged in a direction not to pick up the pickup roller 404 so that only the document is picked up (for a part of the pickup area). However, if there is an area other than the document, the amount of information for detecting the amount of movement or the direction of movement decreases, which causes a reduction in detection accuracy).
　但し、光学センサ３１１の周囲を覆っているケース体３１２の壁面のうち、給紙面との距離が短い方の壁面が上流側に配置される向きに光学センサ３１１を配置する図３３の向きに対し、その反対、すなわち、ケース体３１２の壁面のうち、給紙面との距離が短い方の壁面が下流側に配置される向きに光学センサ３１１を配置するようにしたときにも、光学センサ３１１の検知領域に原稿のみが含まれるように構成できる場合には、ピックアップローラ４０４や分離ローラ４０７における紙粉の発生を考慮して、給紙面との距離が短い方の壁面が下流側に配置される向きに光学センサ３１１を配置するようにするのが好ましい。このように配置すれば、光学センサ３１１に対向する面（図３４の透光面３１２ｃ）に対する紙粉の付着を低減することができる。 However, among the wall surfaces of the case body 312 covering the periphery of the optical sensor 311, the optical sensor 311 is disposed in the direction in which the wall surface having a shorter distance to the sheet feeding surface is disposed upstream When the optical sensor 311 is disposed in the direction in which the wall surface of the case body 312 having a shorter distance to the sheet feeding surface is disposed on the downstream side, the opposite When the detection area can be configured to include only the document, the wall surface having a shorter distance to the paper feed surface is disposed downstream in consideration of generation of paper dust in the pickup roller 404 and the separation roller 407. It is preferable to arrange the optical sensor 311 in the direction. By arranging in this manner, it is possible to reduce the adhesion of paper dust to the surface facing the optical sensor 311 (the light transmitting surface 312c in FIG. 34).
　ここで、シート積載台４０１に載置された原稿束を連続して１枚ずつ給紙する場合を想定し、次に給紙ユニット部３１３へと搬送される原稿の位置について説明する。図２８において、本来であれば一点鎖線の位置にある原稿が、直前の原稿が搬送されるときに、直線の原稿と次の原稿の表面間に生じる摩擦力によって、載置された位置よりも給紙ユニット部３１３側に移動することがある（点線の位置）。その場合、光学センサ３１１が撮像する領域内（第３実施形態の撮像領域Ｌ０に相当する領域内）に原稿搬送装置が搬送可能な最小サイズの原稿の少なくとも一部が撮像されていれば、全ての原稿種に対して、光学センサ３１１により搬送の不良を検知可能である。 Here, on the assumption that the document bundle placed on the sheet stacking table 401 is continuously fed one sheet at a time, the position of the document conveyed to the sheet feeding unit 313 will be described next. In FIG. 28, the original document originally at the position of the alternate long and short dash line is more than the position where it is placed by the frictional force generated between the straight original document and the surface of the next original document when the original document is conveyed. It may move to the paper feed unit 313 side (dotted line position). In that case, if at least a part of the minimum-sized document that can be conveyed by the document conveyance device is imaged in the area imaged by the optical sensor 311 (in the area corresponding to the imaging area L0 of the third embodiment), The optical sensor 311 can detect the transport failure with respect to the original type.
　図２８においては、点線で示す位置にある最小サイズの原稿、すなわち、先行する原稿との摩擦によって給紙ユニット部３１３内部へ進入して搬送路に先端が当接する位置にある最小サイズの原稿の後端が、光学センサ３１１の撮像領域Ｌ０内に含まれる位置に光学センサ３１１を配置している。最小サイズの原稿としては、装置によって異なるが、名刺サイズなどが挙げられ、その場合、光学センサ３１１はピックアップローラ４０４に近接した位置に配置され、場合によっては給紙ユニット部３１３内部に設けられてもよい。 In FIG. 28, the minimum-sized document at the position indicated by the dotted line, ie, the minimum-size document at the position where the leading edge enters feed unit portion 313 due to friction with the preceding document, The optical sensor 311 is disposed at a position where the rear end is included in the imaging region L0 of the optical sensor 311. The minimum original size varies depending on the device, but may be a business card size, etc. In that case, the optical sensor 311 is disposed at a position close to the pickup roller 404, and in some cases, provided inside the paper feed unit 313 It is also good.
　すなわち、シート積載台４０１に載置された原稿束を搬送路の上流に設けられた原稿給紙口に連続搬送するときに、複数の原稿が同時に通過可能な位置、図２８においては点線で示す用紙の後端を撮像可能な位置に設けることで、搬送する原稿の後端を撮像して後端検出が可能となる。なお、本実施形態においては、原稿の後端の検知としては、先行する原稿の後端が次の原稿に対して影を形成することによって、出力が変動することを利用している。 That is, a position at which a plurality of originals can pass simultaneously when the original bundle placed on the sheet stacking table 401 is continuously conveyed to the original document feeding port provided upstream of the conveyance path, as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. By providing the trailing end of the sheet at a position where imaging is possible, it is possible to pick up the trailing end of the document to be conveyed and detect the trailing end. In the present embodiment, the detection of the trailing edge of the document utilizes the fluctuation of the output when the trailing edge of the preceding document forms a shadow on the next document.
　具体的な光学センサ３１１の配置としては、シート積載台４０１におけるシートが積載される位置の先端よりもわずかに上流である。つまり、シート積載台４０１先端側でシート積載台４０１と対向する位置である。また、光学センサ３１１を、ピックアップローラ４０４や給送ローラ４０６を有する給紙ユニット部３１３の高さよりも低く配置することで、装置本体の大型化を抑えることができる。 A specific arrangement of the optical sensor 311 is slightly upstream of the leading end of the sheet loading table 401 at which the sheets are loaded. That is, it is a position facing the sheet stacking table 401 on the leading edge side of the sheet stacking table 401. Further, by disposing the optical sensor 311 lower than the height of the sheet feeding unit 313 having the pickup roller 404 and the feeding roller 406, the enlargement of the apparatus main body can be suppressed.
　本実施形態の構成によれば、１つの光学センサで原稿の搬送状態を検知可能であり、かつ原稿が規制されてからの搬送状態を検知する構成になっている。その為、付加的な処理を実行することなく原稿の搬送状態を検知可能な為に、処理時間を増大させることがない。 According to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the transport state of the document by one optical sensor, and to detect the transport state after the document is restricted. Therefore, the processing time can not be increased because the conveyance state of the document can be detected without executing additional processing.
　よって、装置の大型化やコストアップすることなく、処理時間についても不要に増加しない装置を提供できる。 Therefore, it is possible to provide a device that does not unnecessarily increase the processing time without increasing the size and cost of the device.
　ここで、モールド部材及び透光板で周囲が覆われた光学センサ３１１の例を示す。
　図３４は、モールド部材及び透光板で周囲が覆われた光学センサ３１１の構成例を示す断面図である。図３４の例では、光学センサ３１１は、基板３００に対して実装されており、例えば赤外線レーザ光を出力する発光素子（レーザ光源）と、発光素子が出力した光の反射光を受光する受光素子とを含むセンサ素子で構成される。発光素子及び受光素子は、光学センサ３１１上で隣接した位置に配置されている。図３４に示すモールド部材３１２ａ、３１２ｂ及び透光板３１２ｃは、光学センサ３１１の周囲を覆っているケース体３１２の一部を構成している。モールド部材３１２ａ、３１２ｂは、基板３００に対して垂直な壁を形成している。透光板３１２ｃは、モールド部材３１２ａ、３１２ｂの基板３００側の端部とは反対側の端部に接続されている。図３４の配置では、透光板３１２ｃが、基板３００の表面又は上述の撮像基準面に対して傾斜を有するように、モールド部材３１２ｂが形成する壁はモールド部材３１２ａが形成する壁よりも長くなっている。 Here, an example of the optical sensor 311 whose periphery is covered with the mold member and the light transmitting plate is shown.
FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the optical sensor 311 whose periphery is covered with a mold member and a light transmitting plate. In the example of FIG. 34, the optical sensor 311 is mounted on the substrate 300, and for example, a light emitting element (laser light source) that outputs infrared laser light and a light receiving element that receives reflected light of light output from the light emitting element. And a sensor element including The light emitting element and the light receiving element are disposed adjacent to each other on the optical sensor 311. The mold members 312 a and 312 b and the light transmitting plate 312 c shown in FIG. 34 constitute a part of the case body 312 covering the periphery of the optical sensor 311. The mold members 312 a and 312 b form walls perpendicular to the substrate 300. The light transmitting plate 312 c is connected to an end of the mold members 312 a and 312 b opposite to the end on the substrate 300 side. In the arrangement of FIG. 34, the wall formed by the mold member 312b is longer than the wall formed by the mold member 312a such that the light transmitting plate 312c is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate 300 or the above-described imaging reference surface. ing.
　透光板３１２ｃは、光学センサ３１１の発光素子から出力されて原稿へ向かう光を透過させる。透光板３１２ｃを透過して原稿で反射した光は、透光板３１２ｃを透過して、光学センサ３１１の受光素子によって受光される。このような光学センサ３１１の構成によって、紙粉が直に光学センサ３１１に付着することを防止できるとともに、紙粉が特徴点として誤って抽出されることを防止できる。なお、光学センサ３１１（発光素子）が照射する光の波長は８５０ｎｍ程の近赤外線領域の光を用いるのが好ましく、透光板３１２ｃとしては、その帯域の光を透過可能なフィルタを用いることが好ましい。また、透光板３１２ｃで反射光が生じた場合に備えて透光板３１２ｃの反射率ｒ１よりも低い反射率ｒ２（ｒ１＞ｒ２）を有する材料をモールド部材３１２ａ、３１２ｂに採用してもよい。これにより、モールド部材３１２ａ、３１２ｂの内壁で反射して光学センサ３１１へ向かう余分な反射光を効果的に低減することが可能になる。これは、上述のように、光学センサ３１１に入射する反射光に起因した、シート（原稿）の移動量の誤検知に対する対策となる。 The light transmitting plate 312 c transmits light that is output from the light emitting element of the optical sensor 311 and travels to the document. The light transmitted through the light transmitting plate 312 c and reflected by the document is transmitted through the light transmitting plate 312 c and received by the light receiving element of the optical sensor 311. With such a configuration of the optical sensor 311, paper dust can be prevented from directly adhering to the optical sensor 311, and paper dust can be prevented from being erroneously extracted as a feature point. The light emitted by the optical sensor 311 (light emitting element) preferably uses light in the near infrared region of about 850 nm, and a filter capable of transmitting light in that band may be used as the light transmitting plate 312 c. preferable. Alternatively, a material having a reflectance r2 (r1> r2) lower than the reflectance r1 of the light transmitting plate 312c may be adopted for the mold members 312a and 312b in preparation for the generation of reflected light by the light transmitting plate 312c. . This makes it possible to effectively reduce the extra reflected light that is reflected by the inner walls of the mold members 312a and 312b and directed to the optical sensor 311. This is a measure against the erroneous detection of the movement amount of the sheet (original) caused by the reflected light incident on the optical sensor 311 as described above.
　ケース体３１２に周囲が覆われた光学センサ３１１（図３４）は、図２１乃至図２３に示すようにシート積載台４０１と対向する位置に配置されるのではなく、搬送路の途中に配置されてもよい。図３４（ａ）は、シートの搬送路１６００の途中における光学センサ３１１の配置例を示しており、搬送路１６００の途中の、搬送ローラ１６０１と搬送ローラ１６０２との間の位置に、光学センサ３１１が配置されている。例えば、搬送ローラ１６０１、１６０２は、それぞれ給送ローラ４０６及びレジストローラ４１７でありうる。 The optical sensor 311 (FIG. 34) whose periphery is covered by the case body 312 is not disposed at a position facing the sheet loading stand 401 as shown in FIGS. May be FIG. 34A shows an arrangement example of the optical sensor 311 in the middle of the sheet conveyance path 1600, and at the position between the conveyance roller 1601 and the conveyance roller 1602 in the middle of the conveyance path 1600, the optical sensor 311 Is arranged. For example, the transport rollers 1601 and 1602 may be the feed roller 406 and the registration roller 417, respectively.
　図３４（ａ）では、ケース体３１２を構成する壁（モールド部材）３１２ａ、３１２ｂのうち、長い壁３１２ｂが、シートの搬送方向における上流側に配置され、短い壁３１２ａが、シートの搬送方向における下流側に配置されている。この配置は、ケース体３１２の外部から内部に向かう外光の影響を抑えるために効果がある。なお、図３４（ｂ）に示すように、短い壁３１２ａが、シートの搬送方向における上流側に配置され、長い壁３１２ｂが、シートの搬送方向における下流側に配置されてもよい。この配置は、例えば、搬送ローラ１６０１よりも、下流側に配置された搬送ローラ１６０２の方が回転数が早いために、搬送ローラ１６０２によって紙粉が飛びやすい場合に、そのような紙粉の影響を抑えるために効果がある。 In FIG. 34A, of the walls (mold members) 312a and 312b constituting the case body 312, the long wall 312b is disposed upstream in the sheet conveyance direction, and the short wall 312a is in the sheet conveyance direction. It is located downstream. This arrangement is effective to suppress the influence of external light directed from the outside to the inside of the case body 312. As shown in FIG. 34B, the short wall 312a may be disposed on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and the long wall 312b may be disposed on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. This arrangement is, for example, the influence of such paper dust when paper dust tends to fly by the conveyance roller 1602 because the conveyance roller 1602 arranged downstream of the conveyance roller 1601 has a higher rotational speed than the conveyance roller 1601. Is effective to reduce
　以上、第３～６実施形態では、様々な例を示して説明したが、本発明の趣旨と範囲は、本明細書内の特定の説明に限定されるのではなく、これらを組み合わせることも可能である。また、以下の実施態様も含まれることはいうまでもない。以下、その実施態様について説明する。 As described above, in the third to sixth embodiments, various examples have been shown and described, but the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to the specific descriptions in the present specification, and they may be combined. It is. It goes without saying that the following embodiments are also included. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.
[実施態様１]
　原稿を載置する原稿載置台と、
　上記原稿で反射した光を受光して光電変換を行う撮像素子と、
　上記撮像素子が取得した原稿の画像に基づいて、上記原稿の移動量を検出する移動量検出部と、
　上記原稿を搬送路に沿って搬送する原稿搬送部とを備え、
　上記撮像素子は、
　上記原稿に対する搬送方向の撮像領域が、上記移動量検出部の移動量取得間隔時間と上記原稿搬送部の搬送速度との積よりも大きくなるように、上記撮像素子による撮像基準面から所定の距離離れた位置に配置されることを特徴とする原稿搬送装置。 [Embodiment 1]
A document placement table on which the document is placed;
An imaging element that receives light reflected by the document and performs photoelectric conversion;
A movement amount detection unit that detects the movement amount of the document based on the image of the document acquired by the imaging device;
A document transport unit for transporting the document along the transport path;
The image sensor is
A predetermined distance from the imaging reference plane by the imaging element so that the imaging area in the transport direction with respect to the original document is larger than the product of the travel distance acquisition interval time of the travel detection unit and the transport speed of the original transport unit. An original conveying apparatus characterized in that it is disposed at a remote position.
[実施態様２]
　上記撮像素子における上記移動量取得間隔時間を空けて撮像した画像間の重複率が第１閾値以上となるように上記原稿搬送部によって上記原稿を搬送することを特徴とする実施態様１に記載の原稿搬送装置。 Embodiment 2
The document according to the first embodiment, wherein the document is conveyed by the document conveyance unit such that an overlapping ratio between images captured at the movement amount acquisition interval in the image sensor is equal to or more than a first threshold. Document feeder.
[実施態様３]
　上記第１閾値は、６０％であることを特徴とする実施態様１または２に記載の原稿搬送装置。 Embodiment 3
3. The document conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first threshold is 60%.
[実施態様４]
　上記撮像素子を、
　上記原稿載置台に載置された原稿と上記撮像素子の撮像面が平行になるように配置することを特徴とする実施態様１から３のいずれかに１つに記載の原稿搬送装置。 Embodiment 4
The above imaging device is
4. The document conveying apparatus according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the document placed on the document placement table and the image pickup surface of the image pickup device are arranged in parallel.
[実施態様５]
　搬送される複数の原稿を１枚ずつ搬送する為の原稿分離部を備え、
　上記撮像素子は上記原稿分離部よりも搬送方向に対して上流側に配置することを特徴とする実施態様１から４のいずれか１つに記載の原稿搬送装置。 Embodiment 5
A document separation unit for conveying a plurality of conveyed documents one by one;
5. The document conveying apparatus according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the image pickup device is disposed upstream of the document separating unit with respect to the conveyance direction.
[実施態様６]
　上記撮像素子は、レーザまたはＬＥＤで構成された光源部を備え、上記光源部が発光した光が原稿表面にて反射された光を受光して光電変換を行うことを特徴とする実施態様１から５のいずれか１つに記載の原稿搬送装置。 [Embodiment 6]
The image pickup device includes a light source unit configured of a laser or an LED, and light emitted from the light source unit receives light reflected on the surface of the document to perform photoelectric conversion. 5. The document feeder according to any one of 5.
[実施態様７]
　上記原稿載置台に積載された原稿を原稿給紙へと向けて搬送する原稿ピックアップ部と上記原稿分離部のいずれの高さよりも低く、
　複数の上記原稿を上記原稿載置台に積載して連続搬送しているときに、上記撮像素子の撮像領域を複数の上記原稿が同時に通過可能な位置に上記撮像素子が配置されることを特徴とする実施態様５または６に記載の原稿搬送装置。 [Embodiment 7]
The height is lower than the height of either the document pickup unit for conveying the document stacked on the document placement table toward the document feeding, or the document separation unit.
The image pickup device is characterized in that the image pickup device is disposed at a position where the plurality of documents can simultaneously pass through the imaging region of the image pickup device when the plurality of the documents are stacked and continuously conveyed on the document mounting table. 7. The document conveying apparatus according to claim 5 or 6.
　従来、用紙を所定量搬送する原稿搬送装置において原稿が正常に搬送されているかどうかを検知することを目的として、原稿の搬送方向を知る為に、原稿の搬送方向への移動量を検知するエンコーダと、搬送方向に直交しない特定の検出方向（第一の検出方向）への変位量を計測する光学センサを用いて、光学センサから搬送方向への変位量と、第一の検出方向及び第二の検出方向の変位量から斜行量を求め、この斜行量とエンコーダからの変位量を用いて、搬送方向への変位量を求めていた（従来技術１：特開２０１３－２０９１９６号公報）。
　あるいは、レーザ光源を用いて、ほぼ垂直にレーザ光源を照射する系で、レーザ光源によって得られた画像から、搬送速度を算出して、搬送速度を算出した後に、所定の帯域のフィルタを設けて、フィルタ処理によって搬送方向以外の成分を除去することで搬送速度を精度よく算出していた（従来技術２：特開２０１４－１１９４３２号公報）。 Conventionally, an encoder that detects the amount of movement of a document in the conveyance direction in order to know the conveyance direction of a document for the purpose of detecting whether the document is conveyed normally in a document conveyance device that conveys a sheet by a predetermined amount Using the optical sensor that measures the displacement amount in a specific detection direction (first detection direction) that is not orthogonal to the transport direction, the displacement amount in the transport direction from the optical sensor, the first detection direction and the second The amount of skewing was calculated from the amount of displacement in the direction of detection, and the amount of displacement in the transport direction was determined using this amount of skewing and the amount of displacement from the encoder (prior art 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-209196) .
Alternatively, in a system in which the laser light source is irradiated almost vertically using a laser light source, the transport speed is calculated from the image obtained by the laser light source and the transport speed is calculated, and then a filter of a predetermined band is provided. The transport speed was accurately calculated by removing components other than the transport direction by filter processing (prior art 2: JP-A-2014-119432).
　しかし、従来技術１については、搬送されている原稿の変位量を知る為に、光学センサの他にエンコーダを設けている為に、各デバイスを配置するスペースが必要となり、装置の大型化につながってしまう。同時に、デバイスを追加することになるので、コストアップにもつながってしまう。
　また、従来技術２については、レーザ光源により得られた画像から搬送方向の速度成分と搬送方向に垂直な成分のうち、搬送方向の速度成分のみ抽出している。速度成分を分解する為に、画像分析を行った後にフィルタを設定してから、更に画像に対してフィルタをかける為に、処理する時間の増大が懸念される等の課題があった。 However, in the prior art 1, since the encoder is provided in addition to the optical sensor in order to know the displacement amount of the document being conveyed, a space for arranging each device is required, which leads to the enlargement of the apparatus. It will At the same time, additional devices will be added, leading to increased costs.
Further, in the prior art 2, only the velocity component in the transport direction is extracted from the velocity component in the transport direction and the component perpendicular to the transport direction from the image obtained by the laser light source. There has been a problem that an increase in processing time may be feared in order to further filter the image after setting the filter after performing the image analysis in order to decompose the velocity component.
　これに対して、本発明の第３～６実施形態では、上述したような構成により、装置の大型化やコストアップや処理時間の増加を抑え高精度に原稿の搬送状態を検知することが可能となる。 On the other hand, in the third to sixth embodiments of the present invention, with the above-described configuration, it is possible to detect the document transport state with high accuracy while suppressing the increase in size and cost of the device and the increase in processing time. It becomes.
　以下、第７～９実施形態では、シートの載置台側にある最下位のシートから分離給送する際におけるシート移動状態を検知する新たな仕組みについて説明する。 Hereinafter, in the seventh to ninth embodiments, a new mechanism for detecting a sheet movement state when separating and feeding from the lowermost sheet on the sheet mounting table side will be described.
　〔第７実施形態〕
　まず第７実施形態を図３５～図４３を参照して説明する。
　図３５は本発明の一実施形態に係るシート給送装置Ａの概略図である。 Seventh Embodiment
The seventh embodiment will be described first with reference to FIGS. 35 to 43.
FIG. 35 is a schematic view of a sheet feeding apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention.
　＜装置の構成＞
　シート給送装置Ａは、原稿の画像を読み取る画像読取装置（スキャナ等）や、原稿に対して印刷を行う印刷装置（プリンター等）、あるいはこれらを組み合わせた複合機などの原稿搬送系を持つ装置に適用可能であり、本実施形態では、画像読取装置へ適用した例として説明する。 <Device configuration>
The sheet feeding apparatus A includes an image reading apparatus (scanner or the like) for reading an image of a document, a printing apparatus (printer or the like) for printing on a document, or an apparatus having a document conveyance system such as a multifunction machine combining these. The present embodiment will be described as an example applied to an image reading apparatus.
　本実施形態のシート給送装置Ａは、装置本体Ａ１の背面側上端部に設けられた載置台５０１（載置部の一部）に積載された一つ又は複数の原稿Ｓを１つずつ装置内に対し、水平面（装置本体Ａ１の設置面）に対して傾斜した経路ＲＴにて搬送してその画像を読み取り、装置本体Ａの前面側下端部に設けられた排出トレイ５０２に排出する装置である。読み取る原稿Ｓは、例えば、ＯＡ紙、チェック、小切手、名刺、カード類等のシートであり、厚手のシートであっても、薄手のシートであってもよい。カード類は、例えば、保険証、免許証、クレジットカード等を挙げることができる。ここで、本実施形態では、装置本体Ａ１には、載置台５０１が着脱自在に設けているが、装置本体Ａ１に対して載置台５０１が一体的に設けられていてもよい。これにより、装置本体Ａ１と載置台５０１との接合部に起因する段差が無くなるため、載置部上における原稿の移動がスムーズに実施でき、原稿の給送品質を向上できる。 The sheet feeding apparatus A according to the present embodiment is an apparatus for one or more originals S stacked on a mounting table 501 (a part of the mounting unit) provided at the upper end portion on the back side of the apparatus main body A1. A device that conveys in the path RT inclined relative to the horizontal surface (the installation surface of the device main body A1), reads the image, and discharges it to the discharge tray 502 provided at the lower end of the front surface of the device main body A is there. The original S to be read is, for example, a sheet such as an OA sheet, a check, a check, a business card, a card, etc., and may be a thick sheet or a thin sheet. The cards may include, for example, a health insurance card, a license, a credit card, and the like. Here, in the present embodiment, the mounting table 501 is detachably provided in the apparatus main body A1, but the mounting table 501 may be integrally provided to the apparatus main body A1. As a result, the difference in level caused by the junction between the apparatus main body A1 and the mounting table 501 is eliminated, so that the movement of the document on the mounting unit can be smoothly performed, and the feeding quality of the document can be improved.
　＜給送部＞
　図３５に示すように、装置本体Ａ１の経路ＲＴに沿って原稿Ｓを給送する給送機構としての第１搬送部５１０が設けられている。第１搬送部５１０は本実施形態の場合、給送ローラ６１０と、給送ローラ６１０に対向配置される分離ローラ５１２と、を備え、載置台５０１上の積載面側に配置された原稿Ｓを給送方向Ｄ１に一つずつ順次搬送する。 <Feeding section>
As shown in FIG. 35, a first transport unit 510 is provided as a feeding mechanism for feeding the document S along the path RT of the apparatus main body A1. In the case of the present embodiment, the first conveyance unit 510 includes a feeding roller 610 and a separation roller 512 disposed opposite to the feeding roller 610, and the document S disposed on the stacking surface side of the mounting table 501 is The sheets are sequentially conveyed one by one in the feeding direction D1.
　なお、図３５では搬送状態に対し、図３６では待機状態を示している。図３７では装置全体の駆動伝達構造を示し、図３８では給送部の要部拡大図を示し、図３９では給搬送部の要部拡大図を示し、図４０では給送部の要部拡大斜視図を示している。本実施形態においては、給送方向Ｄ１は、シート給送装置Ａの載置面に対して所定の角度で傾斜して設けられており、載置台５０１に載置された原稿Ｓの自重によって給送機構に対して原稿Ｓが供給される。 Note that FIG. 35 shows the standby state in FIG. 36 for the transport state. 37 shows the drive transmission structure of the entire apparatus, FIG. 38 shows an enlarged view of the main part of the feeding unit, FIG. 39 shows an enlarged view of the main part of the feeding and conveying unit, and FIG. It shows a perspective view. In the present embodiment, the feeding direction D1 is provided to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the placement surface of the sheet feeding device A, and the weight of the document S placed on the placement table 501 is fed by its own weight. A document S is supplied to the transport mechanism.
　本実施形態において、装置本体Ａ１の上端部は、載置台５０１に載置された原稿Ｓ又は原稿束の先端部側が載置される載置部として設けられている。すなわち、原稿Ｓ又は原稿束は、載置台５０１と共に装置本体Ａ１の上端部にある載置部にも載置される。そして、このような装置本体Ａ１の上端部には、その載置部側にある最下位の原稿Ｓに当接するように給送ローラ６１０を装着するための凹形状部であるローラ装着部ａ１が設けられている。なお、本実施形態では、図３８及び図４０に示すように、このローラ装着部ａ１内に装着された給送ローラ６１０の周囲を覆うカバー部材ａ３が、ローラ装着部ａ１の端部に開閉可能に設けられる。このカバー部材ａ３には、各給送ローラ部５１１を個別に取り囲む貫通孔ａ４が設けられている。そして、このカバー部材ａ３を開状態とした状態では、給送ローラ６１０はローラ装着部ａ１に対して着脱自在となる。つまり、本実施形態においてはカバー部材ａ３の一部が載置部を構成、すなわち、カバー部材ａ３の上面のうち給送ローラ６１０の分離ローラ５１２が接圧される部分よりも上流側の部分を含めて原稿が載置される載置部を構成する。 In the present embodiment, the upper end portion of the apparatus main body A1 is provided as a placement unit on which the leading end side of the document S or document bundle placed on the placement table 501 is placed. That is, the document S or the document bundle is placed on the placement table at the upper end portion of the apparatus main body A1 together with the placement table 501. At the upper end of such a device main body A1, there is provided a roller mounting portion a1 which is a concave portion for mounting the feeding roller 610 so as to abut the lowermost document S on the side of the mounting portion. It is provided. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 40, the cover member a3 covering the periphery of the feeding roller 610 mounted in the roller mounting portion a1 can be opened and closed at the end of the roller mounting portion a1. Provided in The cover member a3 is provided with a through hole a4 individually surrounding each of the feeding roller portions 511. Then, in a state in which the cover member a3 is in the open state, the feeding roller 610 can be detachably attached to the roller mounting portion a1. That is, in the present embodiment, a portion of the cover member a3 constitutes the placement portion, that is, a portion of the upper surface of the cover member a3 that is upstream of the portion to which the separation roller 512 of the feeding roller 610 is in contact. A placement portion on which the original is placed is configured.
　また、給送ローラ６１０は、図３８及び図４０に示すように、例えば、ゴム材料等で形成された２つの給送ローラ部（第１ローラ部及び第２ローラ部）５１１がホイール部６１１にそれぞれ個別に装着され、このホイール部６１１がワンウェイクラッチ５１１ａを介して個別に給送ローラ軸（回転軸）５１１ｂに支持されている。つまり、本実施形態のワンウェイクラッチ５１１ａは、左右に別々に設けられた複数の給送ローラ部５１１に対してそれぞれ設けられ個々独立した第１ワンウェイクラッチ部及び第２ワンウェイクラッチ部となる。 In the feeding roller 610, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 40, for example, two feeding roller portions (first roller portion and second roller portion) 511 formed of a rubber material or the like are attached to the wheel portion 611. The wheels 611 are individually mounted, and the wheel portions 611 are individually supported by the feed roller shaft (rotational shaft) 511 b via the one-way clutch 511 a. That is, the one-way clutch 511a of the present embodiment is an independent first one-way clutch and an independent second one-way clutch provided respectively for the plurality of feeding roller portions 511 provided separately on the left and right.
　＜移動検知部＞
　本実施形態において、原稿の移動を検知する移動検知センサ（移動検知部）としては、装置本体Ａ１の二箇所に設けられ、一方の第１移動検知センサ５３５は、図４０に示すように、給送ローラ６１０と分離ローラ５１２との間のニップ部Ｎよりも載置台５０１側で装置本体Ａ１の上端部に設けられ、他方の第２移動検知センサ５４５は、上述した図３９に示すように、搬送路内に設けられている。つまり、本実施形態において、第１移動検知センサ５３５は、分離前の原稿の移動を検知対象とし、第２移動検知センサ５４５は、分離直後の原稿の移動を検知対象としている。 <Movement detection unit>
In the present embodiment, the movement detection sensors (movement detection units) for detecting the movement of the document are provided at two places of the apparatus main body A1, and one of the first movement detection sensors 535 is supplied as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 39 described above, the other second movement detection sensor 545 is provided on the upper end portion of the apparatus main body A1 closer to the mounting table 501 than the nip portion N between the feed roller 610 and the separation roller 512. It is provided in the conveyance path. That is, in the present embodiment, the first movement detection sensor 535 detects movement of the document before separation, and the second movement detection sensor 545 detects movement of the document immediately after separation.
　ここで、分離給送部の手前（上流側）に設置される第１移動検知センサ５３５は、本実施形態では１パッケージで完結したセンサであり、１つの検知領域内において、光源から原稿に対して光照射し、原稿からの反射光を撮像部で受光して得られる画像（シート画像）を所定のサンプリング周期で取得し、当該画像に含まれる追跡対象域の移動を追跡し、その結果に基づいて、原稿の移動量又は移動方向を検知する追跡型の光学センサ（トラッキングセンサ）である。 Here, the first movement detection sensor 535 installed on the front side (upstream side) of the separating and feeding unit is a sensor completed in one package in this embodiment, and in one detection area, the light source The light is irradiated, the reflected light from the document is received by the imaging unit, and an image (sheet image) obtained is obtained at a predetermined sampling period, and the movement of the tracking target area included in the image is tracked. It is a tracking type optical sensor (tracking sensor) which detects the movement amount or movement direction of a document based on it.
　このような第１移動検知センサ５３５は、例えば、本実施形態では、分離前、特に原稿検知センサ５９０よりも上流側に位置し、原稿の載置台５０１側における最下位の原稿の移動を検知するために設置されており、分離給送の開始後に移動する最下位の原稿を撮像して得た原稿画像の変化を追跡し、当該原稿画像の変化を分離途中の原稿の動きとして検知するセンサである。このような第１移動検知センサ５３５は、給送ローラ６１０による給送開始後における原稿の動きを検知する。そして、第１移動検知センサ５３５の検知結果に基づいて給送異常が発生しているか否かを判定する異常判定部（後述する図４１に示すＣＰＵ８１）が給送異常と判定した場合には、給送部の駆動を制御する駆動制御部（後述する制御部８０）によって、給送ローラ６１０の駆動を一時的に停止する。これにより、給送異常を検知して給送動作を素早く停止制御することができるため、原稿ダメージを有効に低減することができる。 Such a first movement detection sensor 535 is, for example, located upstream of the document detection sensor 590 before separation, in the present embodiment, and detects the movement of the lowermost document on the document loading table 501 side. A sensor that tracks changes in the original image obtained by imaging the lowermost original that moves after the start of separation and feeding, and detects changes in the original image as movement of the original during separation is there. The first movement detection sensor 535 detects the movement of the document after the feeding roller 610 starts feeding. Then, when the abnormality determination unit (CPU 81 shown in FIG. 41 described later) that determines whether or not the feeding abnormality has occurred based on the detection result of the first movement detection sensor 535 determines that the feeding abnormality is present, The drive control unit (a control unit 80 described later) that controls the drive of the feeding unit temporarily stops the driving of the feeding roller 610. As a result, it is possible to quickly stop the feeding operation by detecting the feeding abnormality, and therefore, it is possible to effectively reduce the document damage.
　ここで、本実施形態の第１移動検知センサ５３５は、装置本体Ａ１のローラ装着部ａ１内に設けられ、給送ローラ６１０と共にカバー部材ａ３によって覆われる。カバー部材ａ３には、図４０に示すように、厚さ方向に貫通する窓部ａ５が設けられ、この窓部ａ５は、カバー部材ａ３がローラ装着部ａ１に対して閉状態のときに第１移動検知センサ５３５に対向する。 Here, the first movement detection sensor 535 of this embodiment is provided in the roller mounting portion a1 of the apparatus main body A1, and is covered by the cover member a3 together with the feeding roller 610. As shown in FIG. 40, the cover member a3 is provided with a window portion a5 penetrating in the thickness direction, and the window portion a5 is a first portion when the cover member a3 is closed with respect to the roller mounting portion a1. It faces the movement detection sensor 535.
　このため、第１移動検知センサ５３５は、カバー部材ａ３の窓部ａ５を通じて、カバー部材ａ３の上面側での原稿の移動を検知することができる。このように、ローラ装着部ａ１の開口周縁部に第１移動検知センサ５３５を配置することで、原稿を捌くニップ部Ｎの近くに第１移動検知センサ５３５を設置できるため、第１移動検知センサ５３５によってニップ部Ｎに対して次々に進出する原稿の移動を検知することができる。 Therefore, the first movement detection sensor 535 can detect the movement of the document on the upper surface side of the cover member a3 through the window portion a5 of the cover member a3. As described above, by disposing the first movement detection sensor 535 in the opening peripheral portion of the roller mounting portion a1, the first movement detection sensor 535 can be installed near the nip portion N for looking at the document, so the first movement detection sensor The movement of the document advancing one after another to the nip N can be detected by 535.
　例えば、原稿が傾いて給送される場合には、その原稿画像から抽出する特徴的な画像領域（以下、追跡対象域）の移動方向が基準方向と異なるか否かを第１移動検知センサ５３５の検知結果として識別でき、その移動方向が基準方向に対して異なる場合には原稿が斜行しているときの分離異常パターン（斜行異常）であると判断できる。 For example, when the document is fed obliquely, the first movement detection sensor 535 may determine whether the moving direction of a characteristic image area (hereinafter, tracking target area) extracted from the document image is different from the reference direction. If the moving direction is different from the reference direction, it can be determined that the separation abnormality pattern (oblique conveyance abnormality) occurs when the original is skewed.
　ここでいう分離異常を判断するための「基準方向」とは、装置本体Ａ１における給送方向を基準として定められる方向である。例えば、原稿が斜行せずに真っ直ぐに給送されるときの正常な給送方向に対して、第１移動検知センサ５３５におけるセンサ基準方向を一致させるように、装置本体Ａ１に対して第１移動検知センサ５３５を組み込むようにしてもよい。 The “reference direction” for determining the separation abnormality here is a direction determined based on the feeding direction in the apparatus main body A1. For example, in order to make the sensor reference direction in the first movement detection sensor 535 coincide with the normal feeding direction when the document is fed straight without being skewed, The movement detection sensor 535 may be incorporated.
　また、例えば、原稿の追跡対象域の移動方向が基準方向と異なりその移動速度が閾値よりも速い場合や、回転成分を伴う場合、あるいは上記斜行異常でもなく後述の不送り異常でもない状態の場合等には、ステープル等で綴じた原稿を分離しているときの分離異常パターン（ステープル異常）であると判断したり推定したりできる。 Also, for example, when the moving direction of the tracking target area of the document is different from the reference direction, the moving speed is higher than the threshold, the rotation component is involved, or the state is neither the above-mentioned skewing abnormality nor the below-mentioned nonfeed error. In cases such as this, it can be determined or estimated to be a separation abnormality pattern (staple abnormality) when the document bound by staples or the like is separated.
　さらに、給送ローラ６１０が原稿に上手く接触せずに空回りしてしまうと、原稿に対して給送する力が上手く伝達されず、追跡対象域の移動速度が移動中に減速したり、移動量が閾値よりも少なくなったり、あるいは全く移動しない等のときには、原稿の不送りが生じているときの分離異常パターン（不送り異常）と判断できる。 Furthermore, if the feed roller 610 idles without contacting the document properly, the force for feeding the document is not transmitted well, and the movement speed of the tracking target area is decelerated during movement, or the movement amount Is less than the threshold value or does not move at all, it can be judged as a separation abnormality pattern (non-feed abnormality) when the non-feed of the document occurs.
　なお、上記３つの分離異常パターンのうち、例えば、斜行とステープルの異常パターンについては、１つの分離異常パターンとして取り扱うようにしてもよい。すなわち、追跡対象域の移動方向が基準方向に対して斜め方向であれば、斜行異常なのかステープル異常なのかを区別することなく、分離異常（給送エラー）として即座に判断するようにしてもよい。これにより、分離異常の区別に要する時間の短縮や処理負荷を低減でき、またその後のエラー処理を早められるため、分離異常に伴う原稿へのダメージを効果的に低減することができる。 Note that among the three separation abnormality patterns, for example, the abnormality patterns of oblique feeding and staple may be handled as one separation abnormality pattern. That is, if the movement direction of the tracking target area is oblique with respect to the reference direction, it is immediately judged as a separation abnormality (feed error) without discriminating whether a skew abnormality or a staple abnormality is present. It is also good. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required to distinguish the separation abnormality and to reduce the processing load, and to accelerate error processing thereafter, so that it is possible to effectively reduce the damage to the document accompanying the separation abnormality.
　また、本発明は、上述したパターンの異常検知に限定されず、例えば、原稿の追跡対象域の移動方向が基準方向でなく且つその移動速度（又は移動量）が所定の条件を満たさないと判断される場合において、斜行異常やステープル異常、不送り異常と区別せず、１つの異常パターン（給送エラー）として取り扱うようにしてもよい。この場合には、異常検知に要する時間や処理負荷を低減でき、またその後のエラー処理を更に早められ、分離異常に伴う原稿ダメージをより効果的に低減することができる。 Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described pattern abnormality detection. For example, it is determined that the movement direction of the tracking target area of the document is not the reference direction and the movement speed (or movement amount) does not satisfy a predetermined condition. In this case, it may be handled as one abnormal pattern (feeding error) without being distinguished from the skewing abnormality, the staple abnormality, and the non-feed abnormality. In this case, the time and processing load required to detect an abnormality can be reduced, and further error processing can be further accelerated, and document damage associated with separation abnormality can be reduced more effectively.
　＜ブロック図の説明＞
　図４１を参照して制御部８０について説明する。図４１はシート給送装置Ａの制御部８０のブロック図である。 <Description of block diagram>
The control unit 80 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 41 is a block diagram of the control unit 80 of the sheet feeding apparatus A.
　制御部８０はＣＰＵ８１、記憶部８２、操作部８３、通信部８４及びインターフェース部８５を備える。ＣＰＵ８１は記憶部８２に記憶されたプログラムを実行することにより、シート給送装置Ａ全体の制御を行う。記憶部８２は例えばＲＡＭ、ＲＯＭ等から構成される。操作部８３は、例えば、スイッチやタッチパネル等で構成され、操作者からの操作を受け付ける。また、ＣＰＵ８１は、第１移動検知センサ５３５の検知結果を受け付け、当該検知結果に基づいて給送異常が発生しているか否かを判定する異常判定部として機能すると共に、アクチュエータ８６の駆動を制御して給送ローラ６１０の駆動を停止する駆動制御部としても機能する。 The control unit 80 includes a CPU 81, a storage unit 82, an operation unit 83, a communication unit 84, and an interface unit 85. The CPU 81 controls the entire sheet feeding apparatus A by executing a program stored in the storage unit 82. The storage unit 82 includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The operation unit 83 includes, for example, a switch, a touch panel, and the like, and receives an operation from the operator. The CPU 81 also functions as an abnormality determination unit that receives the detection result of the first movement detection sensor 535 and determines whether or not a feeding abnormality has occurred based on the detection result, and controls the drive of the actuator 86. It also functions as a drive control unit that stops the driving of the feed roller 610.
　通信部８４は、外部装置との情報通信を行うインターフェースである。外部装置としてＰＣ（パソコン）を想定した場合、通信部８４としては、例えば、ＵＳＢインターフェースやＳＣＳＩインターフェースを挙げることができる。また、このような有線通信のインターフェースの他、通信部８４は無線通信のインターフェースとしてもよく、有線通信、無線通信の双方のインターフェースを備えていてもよい。 The communication unit 84 is an interface that performs information communication with an external device. When a PC (personal computer) is assumed as the external device, the communication unit 84 may include, for example, a USB interface or a SCSI interface. In addition to the wired communication interface, the communication unit 84 may be a wireless communication interface, and may include both wired communication and wireless communication interfaces.
　インターフェース部８５はアクチュエータ８６やセンサ８７とのデータの入出力を行うＩ／Ｏインターフェースである。アクチュエータ８６には、モータ３、モータ４等が含まれる。センサ８７には、第１移動検知センサ５３５、重送検出センサ５４０、第２移動検知センサ５４５、媒体検出センサ５５０及び５６０、画像読取ユニット５７０、原稿検知センサ５９０等が含まれる。 The interface unit 85 is an I / O interface that inputs and outputs data with the actuator 86 and the sensor 87. The actuator 86 includes the motor 3, the motor 4 and the like. The sensor 87 includes a first movement detection sensor 535, a double feed detection sensor 540, a second movement detection sensor 545, medium detection sensors 550 and 560, an image reading unit 570, an original detection sensor 590, and the like.
　＜ＰＣからの開始指示受信による駆動＞
　シート給送装置Ａの基本的な動作について説明する。制御部８０は、例えばシート給送装置Ａが接続された外部パソコンから画像読み取りの開始指示を受信すると、第１搬送部５１０～第３搬送部５３０の駆動を開始する。載置台５０１に積載された原稿Ｓはその最も下に位置する原稿Ｓから１つずつ搬送される。画像読み取りの開始指示は、シート給送装置Ａに設けられたスタートボタンの押下によって実行されても良い。 <Drive by receiving start instruction from PC>
The basic operation of the sheet feeding device A will be described. For example, upon receiving an instruction to start reading an image from an external personal computer connected to the sheet feeding apparatus A, the control unit 80 starts driving the first to third conveyance units 510 to 530. The documents S stacked on the mounting table 501 are conveyed one by one from the document S located at the lowermost position. The image reading start instruction may be executed by pressing the start button provided on the sheet feeding apparatus A.
　＜レジストセンサの出力に応じた読取開始＞
　制御部８０は、媒体検出センサ５６０の検出結果に基づくタイミングで、第２搬送部５２０により搬送されてきた原稿Ｓの、画像読取ユニット５７０、７０による画像の読み取りを開始し、読み取った画像を一次記憶して順次外部パソコンへ送信する。画像が読み取られた原稿Ｓは第３搬送部３０により排出トレイ５０２に排出されてその原稿Ｓの画像読取処理が終了する。 <Reading start according to the output of registration sensor>
The control unit 80 starts reading the image of the document S conveyed by the second conveyance unit 520 by the image reading units 570 and 70 at a timing based on the detection result of the medium detection sensor 560, and primarily reads the read image. Store and send to an external PC sequentially. The document S whose image has been read is discharged onto the discharge tray 502 by the third conveyance unit 30, and the image reading process of the document S is completed.
　なお、上述した第７実施形態においては、図４０に示すように、第１移動検知センサ５３５をカバー部材ａ３内に収容した場合について説明したが、本発明は勿論これに限定されず、図４２に示すように、装置本体Ａ１の載置部に対して移動検知センサ５３５を設け、その移動検知センサ５３５の設置場所を避けて取り囲むようにカバー部材ａ３を設けるようにしてもよい。この場合には、カバー部材ａ３に窓部を設ける必要がなくなるため、構造を簡略化できる。なお、図４０と図４２においては、原稿検知センサ５９０の先端の移動との干渉を回避するための退避部は省略してある。 In the seventh embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 40, the case where the first movement detection sensor 535 is housed in the cover member a3 has been described, but the present invention is of course not limited to this. As shown in the drawing, the movement detection sensor 535 may be provided to the placement portion of the apparatus main body A1, and the cover member a3 may be provided to surround the installation location of the movement detection sensor 535. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a window in the cover member a3, so the structure can be simplified. In FIG. 40 and FIG. 42, a retracting portion for avoiding interference with the movement of the tip of the document detection sensor 590 is omitted.
　また、上述した実施形態においては、給送力の伝達を給送ローラ６１０によって行う場合について説明したが、本発明は勿論これに限定されず、例えば、図４３に示すように、載置台側で原稿の給送を行う給送部を、分離部に対して接圧される給送ローラ６１０と、この給送ローラ６１０よりも載置台側に設けられたピックローラ６１０Ａとで構成してもよい。 In the embodiment described above, transmission of the feeding force is performed by the feeding roller 610. However, the present invention is of course not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. The feeding portion for feeding a document may be configured by a feeding roller 610 brought into contact with the separating portion and a pick roller 610A provided closer to the mounting table than the feeding roller 610. .
　このような図４３の構成においては、図示しない分離ローラが給送ローラ６１０に接圧されて形成されるニップ部に対する原稿の進入を、給送ローラ６１０よりも載置台５０１側に設置したピックローラ６１０Ａによって補助することができる。このような構成においても、給送ローラ６１０とピックローラ６１０Ａとの間に移動検知センサ５３５を配置すれば、給送ローラ６１０とピックローラ６１０Ａとの間での原稿の不送りや異常給送を検知することができる。 In the configuration shown in FIG. 43, a pick roller is provided on a side closer to the mounting table 501 than the feed roller 610 with respect to the entrance of the document to the nip portion formed by the separation roller (not shown) contacting the feed roller 610. It can be assisted by 610A. Even in such a configuration, if the movement detection sensor 535 is disposed between the feeding roller 610 and the pick roller 610A, the non-feed or abnormal feeding of the document between the feeding roller 610 and the pick roller 610A can be performed. It can be detected.
　なお、このような移動検知センサ５３５のセンサ配置場所としては、給送ローラ６１０及びピックローラ６１０Ａの各ローラ間に対応する中央部に設けてもよいし、図４３において点線で示す部分５３５ａ、すなわち、給送方向Ｄ１においてピックローラ６１０Ａのローラ部と、給送ローラ６１０のローラ部の隙間に設けるようにしてもよい。いずれのセンサ設置場所においても、原稿のローラによって姿勢が安定しているので、移動検知センサ５３５によって安定した原稿の移動検知を行うことができる。 As a sensor arrangement place of such movement detection sensor 535, it may be provided in the central part corresponding between each roller of feeding roller 610 and pick roller 610A, or a portion 535a shown by a dotted line in FIG. It may be provided in the gap between the roller portion of the pick roller 610A and the roller portion of the feed roller 610 in the feeding direction D1. At any sensor installation location, the posture is stabilized by the roller of the document, so the movement detection sensor 535 can perform stable movement detection of the document.
　また、図４３の構成では、給送ローラ６１０とピックローラ６１０Ａとを一つの板状部材からなるカバー部材ａ３によって覆う構造を採用している。このとき、カバー部材ａ３には、移動検知センサ５３５に対向するように窓部が設けられ、カバー部材ａ３を閉じた状態でも、窓部を通じて、カバー部材ａ３上での原稿の移動を移動検知センサ５３５によって検知することができる。 Further, in the configuration of FIG. 43, a structure is employed in which the feed roller 610 and the pick roller 610A are covered with a cover member a3 formed of one plate-like member. At this time, a window is provided in the cover member a3 so as to face the movement detection sensor 535, and even when the cover member a3 is closed, movement of the document on the cover member a3 is detected through the window. It can be detected by 535.
　〔第８実施形態〕
　上記第１の実施形態の装置では、第２移動検知センサ５４５を重送検知センサ５４０よりも給送方向の上流側に設け、第２移動検知センサ５４５と重送検知センサ５４０とを一列に配置した構造について説明したが、本実施形態では、図４４（ａ）及び図４４（ｂ）に示すように、第２移動検知センサ５４５を別の領域に設けた例である。 Eighth Embodiment
In the apparatus of the first embodiment, the second movement detection sensor 545 is provided upstream of the double feed detection sensor 540 in the feeding direction, and the second movement detection sensor 545 and the double feed detection sensor 540 are arranged in a line. The above-described structure has been described, but in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 44A and 44B, the second movement detection sensor 545 is provided in another area.
　例えば、図４４（ａ）に示すように、給送ローラ６１０の給送ローラ軸５１１ｂの軸方向両側において、給送ローラ部５１１と分離ローラ５１２とが接圧されていない部分、すなわち、ニップ部Ｎ以外の部分から給送方向下流側の下流領域Ｚ２の一方側に第２移動検知センサ５４５を設けるようにしてもよい。これにより、重送検知センサ５４０をニップ部Ｎ側に近づけて配置することが可能となり、重送検知を早期に検知することが可能となる。この場合、上記下流領域Ｚ２の一方側だけでなく他方側、すなわち、下流領域Ｚ１の両側に第２移動検知センサ５４５を設け、原稿の移動を左右で追跡検知するようにしてもよい。 For example, as shown in FIG. 44A, on both sides in the axial direction of the feeding roller shaft 511b of the feeding roller 610, a portion where the feeding roller portion 511 and the separation roller 512 are not in contact with each other, ie, a nip portion on one side of the downstream region Z 2 in the feeding direction downstream side from the portion other than the N may be provided a second movement detection sensor 545. As a result, the double feed detection sensor 540 can be disposed close to the nip N side, and double feed detection can be detected early. In this case, while not only the side the other side of the downstream region Z 2, i.e., the second movement detection sensor 545 provided on both sides of the downstream region Z 1, may be tracked detect the movement of the original left and right.
　また、図４４（ｂ）に示すように、給送ローラ６１０Ａの給送ローラ部５１１と分離ローラ５１２とのニップ部Ｎを給送ローラ部５１１の中央部に配置し、その両側は給送ローラ５１１と分離ローラ５１２とが接圧されない部分とした分離給送部とした場合には、各給送ローラ部５１１の隙間で重送検知センサ５４０を配置するスペースを広く設けることができる。この場合、図示するように、給送ローラ６１０Ａの給送ローラ軸５１１ｂの軸方向一方側において、図４４（ａ）と同様に、第２移動検知センサ５４５を設けてもよい。この場合でも、上記下流領域Ｚ２の一方側だけでなく他方側、すなわち、下流領域Ｚ１の両側に第２移動検知センサ５４５を設け、原稿の移動を左右で追跡検知するようにしてもよい。 Further, as shown in FIG. 44 (b), the nip portion N between the feeding roller portion 511 of the feeding roller 610A and the separation roller 512 is disposed at the central portion of the feeding roller portion 511, and both sides thereof are feeding rollers. In the case of the separation and feeding portion where the portions 511 and the separation roller 512 are not in contact with pressure, a space for arranging the double feed detection sensor 540 can be widely provided in the gap between the respective feeding roller portions 511. In this case, as shown in FIG. 44, a second movement detection sensor 545 may be provided on one side of the feeding roller shaft 511b of the feeding roller 610A in the axial direction, as in FIG. In this case, while not only the side the other side of the downstream region Z 2, i.e., the second movement detection sensor 545 provided on both sides of the downstream region Z 1, may be tracked detect the movement of the original left and right .
　なお、本発明は勿論これに限定されず、図４５に示すように、各給送ローラ部５１１の隙間側に分離ローラ５１２を接圧しない部分を設ける場合には、各給送ローラ５１１の隙間を広げられる。そのため、各給送ローラ５１１の隙間から下流側の下流領域Ｚ２を幅広に形成できるため、この下流領域Ｚ２に対して、図４５に示すように、重送検知センサ５４０及び第２移動検知センサ５４５を給送方向に対して直交する幅方向に併設してもよい。 Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 45, when a portion not contacting the separation roller 512 is provided on the gap side of each feed roller portion 511, the gap of each feed roller 511 Can be spread out. Therefore, the downstream region Z2 on the downstream side can be formed wider from the gap between the feeding rollers 511, so that the double feed detection sensor 540 and the second movement detection sensor 545 with respect to the downstream region Z2 as shown in FIG. In the width direction orthogonal to the feeding direction.
　また、図４５に示すような重送検知センサ５４０及び第２移動検知センサ５４５の設置を行う場合には、給送ローラ軸５１１ｂの軸方向において、給送ローラ６１０Ａにおける各給送ローラ部５１１の両外側のローラ端部まで分離ローラ５１２を接圧するようにしてもよい。 When the double feed detection sensor 540 and the second movement detection sensor 545 as shown in FIG. 45 are installed, in the axial direction of the feed roller shaft 511b, The separation roller 512 may be in pressure contact with both outer roller ends.
　〔第９実施形態〕
　本実施形態では、図４６に示すように、給送ローラ６１０のうち各給送ローラ部５１１の隙間内に対向して、第２移動検知センサ５４５を配置してもよい。この場合には、給送ローラ部５１１と分離ローラ５１２とで形成するニップ部Ｎの直後で且つ紙粉の影響が少ない場所で、原稿の移動（斜行）を検知できるため、綴じ原稿の分離給送における斜行等の異常時には即座に分離給送動作を一時停止させることができる。また、重送検知センサ５４０に到達する前に上述した斜行検知を行うことができれば、重送検知センサ５４０の検知をＯＦＦするような制御を行ってもよい。 Ninth Embodiment
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 46, the second movement detection sensor 545 may be disposed to face the inside of the gap between the feeding roller portions 511 of the feeding roller 610. In this case, since the movement (slanting) of the document can be detected immediately after the nip N formed by the feeding roller unit 511 and the separation roller 512 and where the influence of paper dust is small, the separation of the bound document is performed. In the case of an abnormality such as skewing in feeding, the separation feeding operation can be temporarily stopped. In addition, if the above-described skew detection can be performed before reaching the double feed detection sensor 540, control may be performed to turn off the detection of the double feed detection sensor 540.
　なお、本実施形態では、給送ローラ６１０を覆うカバー部材ａ３を配置している。この場合、カバー部材ａ３を貫通して窓部（図示なし）を設けておき、カバー部材ａ３を閉じたときに、カバー部材ａ３が有する窓部を装置本体Ａ１側の第２移動検知センサ５４５に対向させる。これにより、各給送ローラ部５１１の隙間に第２移動検知センサ５４５を配置し、当該窓部を通して、左右のニップ部で姿勢が比較的安定している原稿の移動を第２移動検知センサ５４５によって追跡検知できる。 In the present embodiment, a cover member a3 that covers the feeding roller 610 is disposed. In this case, the cover member a3 is penetrated to provide a window (not shown), and when the cover member a3 is closed, the window included in the cover member a3 is used as the second movement detection sensor 545 on the apparatus body A1 side. Let them face each other. As a result, the second movement detection sensor 545 is disposed in the gap between the feeding roller portions 511, and movement of the document whose posture is relatively stable at the left and right nip portions is made through the window portion. Tracking detection can be performed.
　また、このような第２移動検知センサ５４５の検知領域は、紙粉の影響が少なく、高精度な追跡検知が可能となる他、ニップ部の直後での原稿の移動を追跡でき、給送異常等を即座に検知できるため、例えば、原稿へのダメージが発生する前に、分離給送動作の一時停止やエラー処理など、その後の対処を適切に行うことができる。なお、このような場合には、ニップ部の前後で第１移動検知センサと第２移動検知センサとを配置すれば、様々な原稿の移動を検知でき、原稿の異常移動を早期発見することができる。 In addition, the detection area of such a second movement detection sensor 545 has less influence of paper dust, enables highly accurate tracking detection, and can track the movement of the document immediately after the nip portion, so that feeding abnormality is caused. And the like can be detected immediately, so that, for example, before damage to the document occurs, it is possible to appropriately take subsequent measures such as temporary stop of the separation feeding operation and error processing. In such a case, if the first movement detection sensor and the second movement detection sensor are arranged before and after the nip portion, movement of various originals can be detected, and abnormal movement of the originals can be detected early. it can.
　なお、上述した実施形態においては、第１移動検知センサ５３５を分離前の原稿の移動を検出対象として設置し、第２移動検知センサ５４５を分離直後の原稿の移動を検出対象として設置した構造例を説明したが、本発明は勿論これに限定されず、第１移動検知センサ５３５と第２移動検知センサ５４５のいずれか１つのみを有する構成でもよい。
　例えば、第２移動検知センサを設けず、第１移動検知センサだけを搭載したシート搬送装置としてもよい。また、第１移動検知センサの検出期間を給送開始直後だけでなく、原稿の後端が第１移動検知センサを通過するまで継続的に検出していく制御を入れることで、第２移動検知センサを省略することも可能である。 In the embodiment described above, the first movement detection sensor 535 is installed for detection of the movement of the document before separation, and the second movement detection sensor 545 is installed for detection of the movement of the document immediately after separation. However, the present invention is of course not limited to this, and may be configured to have only one of the first movement detection sensor 535 and the second movement detection sensor 545.
For example, a sheet transport apparatus may be provided in which only the first movement detection sensor is mounted without providing the second movement detection sensor. Further, the second movement detection is performed not only immediately after the start of feeding but also continuously detecting the detection period of the first movement detection sensor until the trailing end of the document passes the first movement detection sensor. It is also possible to omit the sensor.
　また、上述した実施形態においては、原稿検知センサ５９０を設けた構成を例示して説明したが、原稿搬送装置を制御する制御部によって、原稿検知センサ５９０で原稿有を検知し且つ他の原稿検知センサで原稿無を検知したときは、最終紙の原稿後端が他の原稿検知センサを通過したタイミングとなるため、そのタイミングで第１移動検知センサの発光を停止制御し、第１移動検知センサによる原稿の移動検知を終了させる。これにより、第１移動検知センサの上方を最終紙の原稿が通過しても、第１移動検知センサの対向領域において原稿が通過する前に第１移動検知センサからの光照射を停止制御できるため、第１移動検知センサからの不要光が照射されることを未然に防ぐことができる。 In the embodiment described above, the configuration in which the document detection sensor 590 is provided is described as an example. However, the document detection sensor 590 detects the document presence and detects another document by the control unit that controls the document conveyance device. When the sensor detects the absence of an original, it is the timing when the trailing edge of the original on the last sheet of the paper passes through the other original detection sensor, so the light emission of the first movement detection sensor is controlled to stop at that timing. End the movement detection of the original by. Thereby, even if the document of the final sheet passes above the first movement detection sensor, it is possible to stop and control the light emission from the first movement detection sensor before the document passes in the area opposite to the first movement detection sensor. The unnecessary light from the first movement detection sensor can be prevented in advance from being irradiated.
　以上、第７～９実施形態では、様々な例を示して説明したが、本発明の趣旨と範囲は、本明細書内の特定の説明に限定されるのではなく、これらを組み合わせることも可能である。また、以下の実施態様も含まれることはいうまでもない。以下、その実施態様について説明する。 As mentioned above, although various examples were shown and demonstrated in 7th-9th embodiment, the meaning and the scope of the present invention are not limited to the specific explanation in this specification, but it is possible to combine these. It is. It goes without saying that the following embodiments are also included. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.
[実施態様８]
　シートが載置される載置部と、
　前記載置部側のシートを給送する給送部と、
　前記給送部との間でシートを１枚ずつ分離する分離部と、
　前記載置部上でのシートの移動を検知する移動検知部と、
　を備えたことを特徴とするシート給送装置。 [Embodiment 8]
A placement unit on which the sheet is placed;
A feeding unit that feeds a sheet on the side of the placement unit;
A separation unit that separates sheets one by one between the feeding unit and the sheet;
A movement detection unit that detects movement of a sheet on the placement unit;
A sheet feeding apparatus comprising:
[実施態様９]
　前記移動検知部は、前記載置部側のシートを撮像して得たシート画像の変化を追跡する移動検知センサであることを特徴とする実施態様８に記載のシート給送装置。 [Embodiment 9]
The sheet feeding device according to claim 8, wherein the movement detection unit is a movement detection sensor that tracks a change in a sheet image obtained by imaging a sheet on the placement unit side.
[実施態様１０]
　前記給送部を有する装置本体には、前記給送部の駆動を制御する駆動制御部が設けられ、
　前記駆動制御部は、前記給送部によるシート給送開始後における前記移動検知部での検知結果に基づいて、前記給送部の駆動を停止することを特徴とする実施態様８又は９に記載のシート給送装置。 [Embodiment 10]
The apparatus main body having the feeding unit is provided with a drive control unit that controls driving of the feeding unit.
The drive control unit may stop driving of the feeding unit based on a detection result of the movement detecting unit after sheet feeding start by the feeding unit. Sheet feeding device.
[実施態様１１]
　前記装置本体には、前記給送部を構成する給送ローラが着脱されるローラ装着部と、前記ローラ装着部を開閉可能とし且つ前記ローラ装着部に装着された前記給送ローラの周囲を覆うカバー部材とが設けられ、
　前記移動検知部は、前記カバー部材に設けた窓部を通じて前記給送ローラによって前記カバー部材上で給送されるシートの移動を検知することを特徴とする実施態様１０に記載のシート給送装置。 [Embodiment 11]
The apparatus main body includes a roller mounting portion to which a feeding roller constituting the feeding portion is attached and detached, and the roller mounting portion can be opened and closed and covers the periphery of the feeding roller mounted to the roller mounting portion. A cover member is provided,
11. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the movement detection unit detects movement of a sheet fed on the cover member by the feeding roller through a window portion provided in the cover member. .
[実施態様１２]
　前記装置本体には、前記給送部を構成する給送ローラが着脱されるローラ装着部と、前記ローラ装着部を開閉可能とし且つ前記ローラ装着部に装着された前記給送ローラの周囲を覆うカバー部材とが設けられ、
　前記移動検知部は、前記装置本体のうち前記カバー部材で覆われる前記ローラ装着部の開口周縁部であってシートが載置される部分に設けられたことを特徴とする実施態様１０に記載のシート給送装置。 Embodiment 12
The apparatus main body includes a roller mounting portion to which a feeding roller constituting the feeding portion is attached and detached, and the roller mounting portion can be opened and closed and covers the periphery of the feeding roller mounted to the roller mounting portion. A cover member is provided,
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the movement detection unit is provided at an opening peripheral portion of the roller mounting unit covered by the cover member in a portion of the apparatus main body on which a sheet is placed. Sheet feeding device.
[実施態様１３]
　前記給送部は、前記分離部に対して接圧される給送ローラと、前記給送ローラよりも前記載置台側に設けられたピックローラとを有し、
　前記移動検知部は、前記給送ローラ及び前記ピックローラの間に設けられたことを特徴とする実施態様８乃至１２のいずれか１つに記載のシート給送装置。 Embodiment 13
The feeding unit includes a feeding roller that is in pressure contact with the separating unit, and a pick roller provided closer to the mounting table than the feeding roller.
13. The sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects, wherein the movement detecting unit is provided between the feeding roller and the pick roller.
[実施態様１４]
　前記載置部における前記移動検知部の前記給送部側とは反対側には、前記載置部上のシートが無くなったことを検知する他の原稿検知センサが配置され、
　前記他の原稿検知センサによって前記載置部上のシートが無くなったことを検知した結果に基づいて、前記移動検知部によるシートの移動検知を終了させることを特徴とする実施態様８乃至１３のいずれか１つに記載のシート給送装置。 Embodiment 14
On the opposite side of the movement detecting unit to the feeding unit side in the placing unit, another document detection sensor is disposed which detects that the sheet on the placing unit has run out,
The sheet movement detection unit according to any one of the embodiments 8 to 13, wherein the movement detection unit ends the movement detection of the sheet based on the detection result that the other document detection sensor detects that the sheet on the placement unit is lost. The sheet feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims.
[実施態様１５]
　前記給送部は、前記分離部に接圧される第１及び第２ローラ部と、前記第１及び第２ローラ部を回転させる回転軸と、前記第１ローラ部及び前記回転軸の間に設けられた第１ワンウェイクラッチ部と、前記第２ローラ部及び前記回転軸の間に設けられた第２ワンウェイクラッチ部とを有することを特徴とする実施態様８乃至１４のいずれか１つに記載のシート給送装置。 Embodiment 15
The feeding unit includes first and second roller portions brought into contact with the separating portion, a rotating shaft for rotating the first and second roller portions, and a space between the first roller portion and the rotating shaft. 15. The apparatus according to any one of the embodiments 8 to 14, further comprising a first one-way clutch portion provided, and a second one-way clutch portion provided between the second roller portion and the rotation shaft. Sheet feeding device.
[実施態様１６]
　前記載置部は、前記装置本体に対して着脱される載置台によって少なくとも一部が構成されることを特徴とする実施態様８乃至１５のいずれか１つに記載のシート給送装置。 Embodiment 16
16. The sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of the eighth to fifteenth aspects, wherein the placement unit is at least partially configured by a placement table that is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.
[実施態様１７]
　実施態様８乃至１６のいずれか１つに記載のシート給送装置を備えたシート搬送装置であって、
　前記移動検知部は、シートが搬送される搬送路内において搬送異常検知センサとして設けられたことを特徴とするシート搬送装置。 [Embodiment 17]
A sheet conveying apparatus comprising the sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of embodiments 8 to 16, wherein
The sheet conveyance device, wherein the movement detection unit is provided as a conveyance abnormality detection sensor in a conveyance path in which a sheet is conveyed.
[実施態様１８]
　実施態様１７に記載のシート搬送装置を備えたことを特徴とする画像読取装置。 [Embodiment 18]
An image reading apparatus comprising the sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 17.
　従来のシート搬送装置として、原稿台側にある最下位の原稿から装置内の搬送路に対して次々と取り込むために、給送ローラとリタードローラとの間で１枚ずつ原稿を分離給送するものが知られている（従来技術３：特開２０１４－４５２５６号公報）。本発明の第７～９実施形態では、シートの載置台側にある最下位のシートから分離給送する際におけるシート移動状態を検知する新たな仕組みについて示した。 As a conventional sheet conveying apparatus, in order to sequentially take in the conveyance path in the apparatus from the lowermost original on the original table side, the originals are separated and fed one by one between the feeding roller and the retard roller. A thing is known (prior art 3: Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2014-45256). In the seventh to ninth embodiments of the present invention, a new mechanism for detecting the sheet movement state when separating and feeding from the lowermost sheet on the sheet mounting table side has been described.
　本発明の第７～９実施形態によれば、上述したような構成により、シートの載置台側にある最下位のシートから分離給送する際におけるシート移動状態を検知する新たな仕組みを提供することができる。これにより、シート載置部側の最下位のシートから分離給送する際でもシート移動状態を検知することができるシート給送装置、及びシート搬送装置、並びに画像読取装置を実現することができる。 According to the seventh to ninth embodiments of the present invention, the above-described configuration provides a new mechanism for detecting the sheet movement state when separating and feeding from the lowermost sheet on the sheet mounting table side. be able to. As a result, it is possible to realize a sheet feeding device, a sheet conveying device, and an image reading device capable of detecting the sheet movement state even when separately feeding from the lowermost sheet on the sheet mounting portion side.
　以下、第１０実施形態では、重送基盤にトラッキングセンサ（移動検知センサ）を取り付ける場合の構成について説明する。 Hereinafter, in the tenth embodiment, a configuration in the case where a tracking sensor (movement detection sensor) is attached to the double feed base will be described.
　〔第１０実施形態〕
　第１０実施形態を図４７～図５１を参照して説明する。
　図４７、図４８は本発明の一実施形態に係るシート搬送装置Ａの概略図である。なお、図４７では搬送状態に対し、図４８では待機状態を示している。また、図３５、図３６と同一のものには同一の符号を付してある。 Tenth Embodiment
A tenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 47 to 51.
47 and 48 are schematic views of a sheet conveying apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 47 shows the standby state in FIG. 48 while the transport state is in FIG. The same reference numerals as in FIGS. 35 and 36 denote the same parts.
　図４７、図４８に示すように、本実施形態の装置本体Ａ１は、設置面を有する第１筐体（下部ユニット）Ｕ１と、この第１筐体に対してヒンジなどを介して回動自在に連結された第２筐体（上部ユニット）Ｕ２とで構成される。そして、本実施形態において、原稿Ｓが搬送される経路ＲＴは、第１筐体Ｕ１の鉛直方向上側の傾斜面と、第２筐体Ｕ２の鉛直方向下側の傾斜面との隙間で形成されている。 As shown in FIGS. 47 and 48, the apparatus body A1 of the present embodiment is rotatable with a first housing (lower unit) U1 having an installation surface, and a hinge or the like with respect to the first housing. And a second housing (upper unit) U2 connected to the Then, in the present embodiment, the path RT along which the document S is transported is formed by a gap between the inclined surface on the upper side in the vertical direction of the first housing U1 and the inclined surface on the lower side in the vertical direction of the second housing U2. ing.
　＜重送検出＞
　図４７及び図４８に示すように、第１搬送部１０と第２搬送部２０との間に配置される重送検出センサ５４０は、静電気等により紙などの原稿Ｓ同士が密着し、第１搬送部５１０を通過してきた場合（つまり重なって搬送される重送状態の場合）に、これを検出するためのシート検出センサ（原稿Ｓの挙動や状態を検出するセンサ）の一例である。 <Multi-feed detection>
As shown in FIGS. 47 and 48, in the double feed detection sensor 540 disposed between the first conveyance unit 10 and the second conveyance unit 20, the documents S such as paper are in close contact with each other due to static electricity or the like. This is an example of a sheet detection sensor (a sensor for detecting the behavior or state of the document S) for detecting the sheet when passing through the conveyance unit 510 (that is, in the case of a double-conveyed state in which the sheet S is conveyed to overlap).
　重送検出センサ５４０は、種々のものが利用可能であるが、例えば、本実施形態の場合には超音波センサであり、経路ＲＴを挟むように配置された超音波の発信部５４１とその受信部５４２とで構成され、紙等の原稿Ｓが重送されている場合と１つずつ搬送されている場合とで、原稿Ｓを通過する超音波の減衰量が異なることを原理として重送を検出するセンサである。 Various types of double feed detection sensors 540 can be used. For example, in the case of the present embodiment, the double feed detection sensor 540 is an ultrasonic sensor, and a transmission unit 541 of ultrasonic waves disposed so as to sandwich the route RT and its reception Section 542, and the double feed is performed based on the principle that the attenuation amount of the ultrasonic wave passing through the document S is different between the case where the document S such as paper is double-fed and the case where it is conveyed one by one. It is a sensor to detect.
　ここで、超音波の発信部５４１は、装置本体Ａ１のうち第１筐体Ｕ１側に設けられ、超音波の受信部５４２は、超音波の発信部５４１と対向するように第２筐体Ｕ２側に設けられている。具体的には、超音波の発信部５４１と受信部５４２とはそれぞれ別の基板６０１、６０２に実装され、基板６０１が第１筐体Ｕ１に組み込まれ、基板６０２が第２筐体Ｕ１に組み込まれる。なお、受信部５４２を実装した基板６０２側において、超音波の駆動ならびに検知制御をする機能を持たせると、超音波の受信部５４２で受信した微小なアナログ信号を増幅して最短で検知制御をするデバイス（例えば、Ａ／Ｄを備えたマイコンなど）に入力でき、重送検知の精度向上につながる。 Here, the transmitting unit 541 of the ultrasonic wave is provided on the first housing U1 side of the apparatus main body A1, and the receiving unit 542 of the ultrasonic wave is the second housing U2 so as to face the transmitting unit 541 of the ultrasonic wave. It is provided on the side. Specifically, the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 541 and the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 542 are mounted on separate substrates 601 and 602 respectively, the substrate 601 is incorporated in the first housing U1, and the substrate 602 is incorporated in the second housing U1. Be If the substrate 602 on which the receiving unit 542 is mounted is provided with a function to drive and detect ultrasonic waves, the minute analog signal received by the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 542 is amplified and detection control is performed in the shortest time. Can be input to a device (for example, a microcomputer provided with A / D), which leads to an improvement in the accuracy of double feed detection.
　このような重送検知センサ５４０は、超音波の発信部５４１と受信部５４２との間で挟まれた部分で経路ＲＴにおいて重送検知領域５４０ａを形成している（図３９参照）。なお、この重送検知領域５４０ａでは、音波振動が生じるため、そこに紙粉が混入しても、紙粉が音波振動によって他の部分へ飛散して残留を防ぐことも考えられるが、紙粉が影響して超音波の減衰量が変動し、重送検知の精度が悪くなるおそれもある。 Such a double feed detection sensor 540 forms a double feed detection region 540 a in the route RT at a portion sandwiched between the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 541 and the receiving unit 542 (see FIG. 39). In this double feed detection area 540a, since sonic vibration occurs, it is conceivable that even if paper dust is mixed therein, the paper dust may be scattered to other parts by sonic vibration to prevent remaining, but paper dust As a result, the amount of attenuation of ultrasonic waves may fluctuate, and the accuracy of double feed detection may deteriorate.
　本実施形態では第２筐体Ｕ２側に移動検知センサ５４５を設けている。このため、移動検知センサ５４５に紙粉が付着し難い構造である。そのため、移動検知センサ５４５は給送部（ニップ部）側に近づけて配置することが可能となる。ニップ部を通過した原稿先端は、その姿勢が比較的安定しているため、移動検知センサ５４５をニップ部に近づけて配置することで、トラッキング精度を高めることができる。 In the present embodiment, the movement detection sensor 545 is provided on the second housing U2 side. For this reason, it is a structure where paper dust hardly adheres to the movement detection sensor 545. Therefore, the movement detection sensor 545 can be disposed close to the feeding portion (nip portion) side. Since the front end of the document having passed through the nip portion has a relatively stable posture, the tracking accuracy can be enhanced by arranging the movement detection sensor 545 close to the nip portion.
　また、本実施形態における移動検知センサ５４５は、図４９に示すように、第２筐体Ｕ２側に配置された超音波の受信部５４２を実装した基板６０２に配置される。また、第１筐体Ｕ１側に配置したメイン基板ＢからケーブルＣを用いて基板６０２に設けたコネクタに接続して通電が行われ、電源供給や制御命令の送受信を行うことができるようになっている。 In addition, as shown in FIG. 49, the movement detection sensor 545 in the present embodiment is disposed on the substrate 602 on which the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 542 disposed on the second housing U2 side is mounted. Further, the main substrate B disposed on the first housing U1 side is connected to the connector provided on the substrate 602 by using the cable C to conduct electricity, so that power supply and control commands can be transmitted and received. ing.
　したがって、メイン基板Ｂから移動検知センサ５４５（光源と撮像部）に対する電源供給は、少なくとも、受信部５４２の基板６０２を通じて行えるようになっている。これにより、メイン基板Ｂから移動検知センサ５４５に対する独立した電源供給のためのケーブル配策が省略でき、配線構造を簡略化できる。本実施形態においてはヒンジ部を通じてケーブルＣの配策を行うため、当該ヒンジ部の配線スペースを小さくできるメリットもある。 Therefore, power supply from the main substrate B to the movement detection sensor 545 (light source and imaging unit) can be performed at least through the substrate 602 of the receiving unit 542. As a result, the cable arrangement for independent power supply from the main substrate B to the movement detection sensor 545 can be omitted, and the wiring structure can be simplified. In this embodiment, since the cable C is routed through the hinge portion, there is also an advantage that the wiring space of the hinge portion can be reduced.
　また、本実施形態のように、移動検知センサ５４５を超音波の受信部５４２と同じ基板６０１に配置したことで、より少ない基板の枚数でセンサ実装が行えるため、装置全体の構造を簡略化でき、部品点数が減らせるため低コスト化を図ることができる。さらに、超音波センサの制御と移動検知センサの制御を同一のデバイスで実行することで、制御系も統一でき、装置のコストダウンにつながる。本実施形態においては、このように基板６０１と基板６０２とによって、シート検知部を制御する制御基板を構成しているが、必ずしもこの構成には限定されない。 Further, as in the present embodiment, by disposing the movement detection sensor 545 on the same substrate 601 as the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 542, sensor mounting can be performed with a smaller number of substrates, so the overall structure of the device can be simplified. Since the number of parts can be reduced, cost reduction can be achieved. Furthermore, by performing control of the ultrasonic sensor and control of the movement detection sensor with the same device, the control system can be unified, which leads to the cost reduction of the device. In the present embodiment, the control substrate for controlling the sheet detection unit is configured by the substrate 601 and the substrate 602 as described above, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration.
　上記では、移動検知センサ５４５を第２筐体Ｕ２側に配置する構成を説明したが、本発明はこれに限定されず、第１筐体Ｕ１側に配置している超音波の発信部５４１の基板に直接実装、又は接続して設けるようにしてもよい。このように移動検知センサ５４５を第１筐体Ｕ１側に配置して経路ＲＴを移動する原稿のトラッキングを行う場合においては、原稿給送時の分離に伴って発生した紙粉が原稿搬送に伴って経路ＲＴに沿って移動する領域があるため、そのような紙粉領域Ｚ１（図３９参照）をなるべく避けて配置することが好ましい。 Although the configuration in which the movement detection sensor 545 is disposed on the second housing U2 side has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ultrasonic wave transmitter 541 disposed on the first housing U1 side It may be mounted directly on or connected to the substrate. As described above, when the movement detection sensor 545 is disposed on the first housing U1 side and tracking of the document moving along the route RT is performed, paper dust generated along with separation at the time of document feeding is accompanied by document conveyance. Since there is a region moving along the route RT, it is preferable to arrange such paper dust region Z 1 (see FIG. 39) as much as possible.
　したがって、上述した移動検知センサ５４５を、搬送路ＲＴのうち給送ローラ６１０が設けられた側の一壁面において、原稿の分離給送部よりも原稿の給送方向下流側に延びる下流領域Ｚのうち紙粉領域Ｚ１を除く下流領域Ｚ２に対応して設けることが好ましい。これにより、移動検知領域（検出領域）は、紙粉領域Ｚ１から外れた位置に設定されるため、紙粉の影響を低減することができ、移動検知の精度を向上することができる。 Therefore, in the movement detection sensor 545 described above, the downstream region Z extending on the downstream side of the document feeding direction with respect to the document separation and feeding portion on one wall surface of the transport path RT on the side where the feeding roller 610 is provided. it is preferably provided in correspondence with the downstream region Z 2 except out paper powder region Z 1. Accordingly, the movement detection area (detection area) is to be set at a position deviated from the paper dust region Z 1, it is possible to reduce the influence of paper dust, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the movement detection.
　さらに、この場合、図３９に示したように、重送検知センサ５４０との関係において、移動検知センサ５４５を重送検知センサ５４０の搬送路ＲＴの上流側に設けている。更には、両センサ間の距離が離れている為に、搬送路内に個別に貫通穴を設け、この穴から各々のセンサの検知対象を検知可能な構成にしている。これは、重送検知センサ５４０の重送検知領域５４０ａにおいて仮に紙粉が混入し、超音波振動によって紙粉がその外側へ飛散したとしても、移動検知センサ５４５を重送検知センサ５４０よりも上流側に配置しておくことで、移動検知センサ５４５への影響を未然に防ぐことができる。 Furthermore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 39, the movement detection sensor 545 is provided on the upstream side of the conveyance path RT of the double feed detection sensor 540 in relation to the double feed detection sensor 540. Furthermore, since the distance between the two sensors is large, through holes are individually provided in the transport path, and the detection targets of the respective sensors can be detected from the holes. This is because paper dust is temporarily mixed in the double feed detection area 540a of the double feed detection sensor 540, and the movement detection sensor 545 is upstream of the double feed detection sensor 540 even if the paper dust is scattered to the outside by ultrasonic vibration. By arranging on the side, the influence on the movement detection sensor 545 can be prevented in advance.
　なお、本実施形態のような重送検知センサ５４０と移動検知センサ５４５とを同じ基板上に配置する構成を第７～第９実施形態に組み合わせて適用することによって、第７～第９実施形態で説明したような移動検知センサと重送検知センサとの配置を容易に実現することができる。 The seventh to ninth embodiments can be applied by combining the configuration in which the double feed detection sensor 540 and the movement detection sensor 545 as in this embodiment are disposed on the same substrate in combination with the seventh to ninth embodiments. The arrangement of the movement detection sensor and the double feed detection sensor as described above can be easily realized.
　図５０（ａ）に示すように、基板６０２の経路ＲＴ側の上面に対し、移動検知センサ５４５が有する光源５４５１及び撮像部５４５２をそれぞれ実装し、基板６０２に接続されたケーブルＣを通じて通電が行われる。また、移動検知センサ５４５は、基板６０２上において光源５４５１及び撮像部５４５２を取り囲むように筒状部材５４５３が配置され、更に当該筒状部材５４５３の開口には光透過部材（光学フィルタやガラス基板）５４５４が経路ＲＴに対して傾斜して設けられる。 As shown in FIG. 50A, the light source 5451 and the imaging unit 5452 of the movement detection sensor 545 are mounted on the upper surface of the substrate RT on the route RT side, and energization is performed through the cable C connected to the substrate 602. It will be. In the movement detection sensor 545, a cylindrical member 5453 is disposed on the substrate 602 so as to surround the light source 5451 and the imaging unit 5452, and a light transmitting member (optical filter or glass substrate) is provided at the opening of the cylindrical member 5453. 5454 is provided to be inclined with respect to the route RT.
　このような移動検知センサ５４５が実装された基板６０２は、第２筐体Ｕ２の経路ＲＴ側とは反対側の裏面に取付部材６０２ａを介して接合される。このとき、第２筐体Ｕ２には、超音波の受信部５４２及び移動検知センサ５４５に対向する部分に貫通孔がそれぞれ設けられている。これにより、第２筐体Ｕ２に装着された基板６０２上において、経路ＲＴから超音波の受信と原稿移動をそれぞれ検知することができる。なお、超音波の発信部５４１が実装された基板６０１は、取付部材６０１ａを介して第１筐体Ｕ１に接合される。 The substrate 602 on which such a movement detection sensor 545 is mounted is joined to the back surface of the second housing U2 on the opposite side to the path RT side via the attachment member 602a. At this time, through holes are respectively provided in the second casing U2 at portions facing the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 542 and the movement detection sensor 545. Thereby, the reception of the ultrasonic wave and the movement of the document can be detected from the path RT, respectively, on the substrate 602 mounted to the second housing U2. In addition, the board | substrate 601 in which the transmission part 541 of the ultrasonic wave was mounted is joined to the 1st housing | casing U1 via the attachment member 601a.
　他の形態としては、図５０（ｂ）に示すように、基板６０２上に台座６０２ｂを設け、その台座６０２ｂの上面に対し、移動検知センサ５４５を設けるようにしてもよい。これにより、経路ＲＴに近い場所で原稿の移動検知を行うことができる。 As another form, as shown in FIG. 50 (b), a pedestal 602b may be provided on the substrate 602, and the movement detection sensor 545 may be provided on the upper surface of the pedestal 602b. Thus, movement detection of the document can be performed at a location close to the route RT.
　なお、図５０で示す構造では、移動検知センサ５４５を基板６０２側に設けた構造で説明したが、超音波の発信部５４１が実装された基板６０１に対して移動検知センサ５４５を設けてもよいし、経路ＲＴを挟むように両側の基板６０１、６０２に対してそれぞれ設けるようにしてもよい。後者の場合には、それぞれの移動検知センサ５４５の出力値の違いによって重送を検知することが可能となる。付箋などが付与された原稿の場合、重送検知センサ５４０によって重送と検知してしまうが、両側の移動検知センサ５４５によれば、重なった原稿の移動を別々に検知することができるため、重送状態を簡易に検知することが可能となる。 Although the movement detection sensor 545 is provided on the side of the substrate 602 in the structure shown in FIG. 50, the movement detection sensor 545 may be provided for the substrate 601 on which the ultrasonic wave transmission unit 541 is mounted. Alternatively, it may be provided for the substrates 601 and 602 on both sides so as to sandwich the route RT. In the latter case, the double feed can be detected by the difference between the output values of the respective movement detection sensors 545. In the case of a document to which a tag or the like is attached, the double feed detection sensor 540 detects double feeding, but according to the movement detection sensor 545 on both sides, the movement of the overlapped document can be separately detected. It is possible to easily detect the double feeding state.
　また、図５１（ａ）に示すように、移動検知センサ５４５の光源５４５１、撮像部５４５２が実装されたセンサ基板（第３基板）５４５５を、超音波の受信部５４２が実装された基板６０２に対して例えばＦＦＣなどのケーブルＣ１やＦＰＣによって接続し、通信及び通電可能に設けてもよい。この場合には、センサ基板５４５５は、第２筐体Ｕ２に設けられた貫通孔のうち経路ＲＴ側とは反対側の周縁部に対して連結部材５４５３を介して固定される。これにより、経路ＲＴの近くで移動検知センサ５４５による原稿の移動が検知し易くなる。あるいは、図５１（ｂ）に示すように、基板６０２の経路ＲＴ側の一方面上にリード線６０２ｂを介してセンサ基板５４５５を電気的に接続されていてもよい。 Further, as shown in FIG. 51A, the sensor substrate (third substrate) 5455 on which the light source 5451 of the movement detection sensor 545 and the imaging unit 5452 are mounted is mounted on the substrate 602 on which the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 542 is mounted. On the other hand, for example, they may be connected by a cable C1 such as an FFC or an FPC so as to be capable of communication and energization. In this case, the sensor substrate 5455 is fixed to the peripheral edge portion of the through hole provided in the second housing U2 on the opposite side to the route RT side via the connection member 5453. This makes it easy to detect the movement of the document by the movement detection sensor 545 near the path RT. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 51B, the sensor substrate 5455 may be electrically connected to one surface of the substrate 602 on the path RT side via the lead wire 602b.
　なお、図５０（ａ）及び図５０（ｂ）、図５１（ｂ）に示すように、第２筐体Ｕ２と移動検知センサ５４５とは直接接合せず、所定の隙間をあけて配置される。これにより、給搬送系の駆動に伴う振動が第２筐体Ｕ２を通じて移動検知センサ５４５に直接伝達されることを防ぐことができる。 As shown in FIGS. 50 (a), 50 (b), and 51 (b), the second housing U2 and the movement detection sensor 545 are not directly joined, but are disposed with a predetermined gap. . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the vibration associated with the driving of the feeding and conveying system from being directly transmitted to the movement detection sensor 545 through the second housing U2.
　以上、第１０実施形態では、様々な例を示して説明したが、本発明の趣旨と範囲は、本明細書内の特定の説明に限定されるのではなく、これらを組み合わせることも可能である。また、以下の実施態様も含まれることはいうまでもない。以下、その実施態様について説明する。 As described above, in the tenth embodiment, various examples have been shown and described, but the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to the specific descriptions in the present specification, and it is possible to combine them. . It goes without saying that the following embodiments are also included. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.
[実施態様１９]
　シートを１枚ずつ分離して給送する分離給送部と、
　前記分離給送部で分離されるシートを搬送路に沿って搬送する搬送部と、
　前記分離給送部のシート給送方向下流側に配置され、シートを検知するシート検知部と、を備え、
　前記シート検知部は、シートの重送を検知する重送検知センサと、前記搬送路を通過するシートを撮影して得たシート画像に含まれる特徴点の移動量又は移動方向に基づいてシートの移動を検知する移動検知センサとを有し、
　前記重送検知センサは、前記搬送路を挟むように対向して配置された超音波発信部及び超音波受信部を有し、
　前記シート検知部を制御する制御基板は、前記超音波発信部が実装された第１基板と、前記超音波受信部が実装された第２基板とを有し、
　前記移動検知センサは、前記第１基板又は前記第２基板からの通電を受けて駆動することを特徴とするシート搬送装置。 [Embodiment 19]
A separate feeding unit that separates and feeds sheets one by one;
A conveyance unit that conveys the sheet separated by the separation feeding unit along a conveyance path;
And a sheet detection unit disposed downstream of the separating and feeding unit in the sheet feeding direction and configured to detect a sheet.
The sheet detection unit includes a double feed detection sensor that detects double feeding of sheets, and a movement amount or movement direction of a feature point included in a sheet image obtained by photographing a sheet passing through the conveyance path. And a movement detection sensor for detecting movement,
The double feed detection sensor includes an ultrasonic wave transmitting unit and an ultrasonic wave receiving unit disposed to face each other so as to sandwich the conveyance path.
The control substrate for controlling the sheet detection unit includes a first substrate on which the ultrasonic wave transmission unit is mounted, and a second substrate on which the ultrasonic wave reception unit is mounted.
The sheet transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement detection sensor is driven by receiving current from the first substrate or the second substrate.
[実施態様２０]
　装置設置面を有する第１筐体と前記第１筐体に対して回動自在に連結された２筐体との隙間で前記搬送路が形成され、
　前記第１基板及び前記第２基板のいずれか一方の基板が前記第１筐体に収容されると共にその他方の基板が前記第２筐体に収容され、
　前記移動検知センサは、前記第２筐体側に設けられ、前記他方の基板からの通電により駆動することを特徴とする実施態様１９に記載のシート搬送装置。 [Embodiment 20]
The transport path is formed by a gap between a first housing having a device installation surface and two housings rotatably connected to the first housing,
One of the first substrate and the second substrate is housed in the first housing, and the other substrate is housed in the second housing,
20. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the movement detection sensor is provided on the second housing side and is driven by energization from the other substrate.
[実施態様２１]
　前記分離給送部は、第１及び第２ローラ部が回転軸に間隔をあけて設けられた給送ローラと、前記給送ローラの一部に対して接圧されて前記給送ローラとの間でニップ部を形成する分離部とを有し、
　前記重送検知センサ及び前記移動検知センサは、前記分離給送部における前記ニップ部以外の部分から前記シート給送方向下流側に延びる領域であって且つ前記搬送部に達する前の下流領域において、シートの検出領域を有し、
　装置設置面を有する第１筐体と前記第１筐体に対して回動自在に連結された２筐体との隙間で前記搬送路が形成され、
　前記第１基板及び前記第２基板のいずれか一方の基板が前記第１筐体に収容されると共にその他方の基板が前記第２筐体に収容され、
　前記移動検知センサは、前記第１筐体側に設けられ、前記一方の基板からの通電により駆動することを特徴とする実施態様１９に記載のシート搬送装置。 Embodiment 21
The separating and feeding unit is configured such that a feeding roller in which first and second roller portions are provided at intervals on the rotation shaft, and a portion of the feeding roller being in contact with the feeding roller And a separation part that forms a nip part between
The double feed detection sensor and the movement detection sensor are regions extending from the portion other than the nip portion in the separation feeding unit to the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction and in a downstream region before reaching the conveyance unit. Has a detection area of the sheet,
The transport path is formed by a gap between a first housing having a device installation surface and two housings rotatably connected to the first housing,
One of the first substrate and the second substrate is housed in the first housing, and the other substrate is housed in the second housing,
20. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the movement detection sensor is provided on the first housing side and is driven by energization from the one substrate.
[実施態様２２]
　前記移動検知センサを制御する第３基板を有し、
　前記第３基板は、前記第１基板又は前記第２基板の前記搬送路側の一方面上に実装されたことを特徴とする実施態様１９に記載のシート搬送装置。 Embodiment 22
It has a third substrate for controlling the movement detection sensor,
20. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the third substrate is mounted on one surface of the first substrate or the second substrate on the conveyance path side.
[実施態様２３]
　前記搬送路には、搬送されるシートの一方面に対向する壁面を有する一壁部を厚さ方向に貫通する第１及び第２貫通孔が設けられ、
　前記移動検知センサは、前記第１貫通孔のうち前記搬送路側とは反対側に設けられ、
　前記重送検知センサを構成する超音波発信部及び超音波受信部の一方は、前記第２貫通孔のうち前記搬送路側とは反対側に設けられたことを特徴とする実施態様１９に記載のシート搬送装置。 [Embodiment 23]
The transport path is provided with first and second through holes penetrating in a thickness direction one wall portion having a wall surface opposed to one surface of the sheet to be transported.
The movement detection sensor is provided on the side of the first through hole opposite to the conveyance path side.
One of the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit and the ultrasonic wave receiving unit that constitute the double feed detection sensor is provided on the opposite side to the transport path side in the second through hole, according to the embodiment 19. Sheet conveying device.
[実施態様２４]
　前記搬送路には、搬送されるシートの一方面に対向する壁面を有する一壁部を厚さ方向に貫通する１つの貫通孔が設けられ、
　前記重送検知センサを構成する超音波発信部及び超音波受信部の一方と、前記移動検知センサとは、前記貫通孔のうち前記搬送路側とは反対側に併設されたことを特徴とする実施態様１９に記載のシート搬送装置。 Embodiment 24
The transport path is provided with one through hole penetrating in a thickness direction a wall portion having a wall surface opposed to one surface of a sheet to be transported;
One of the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit and the ultrasonic wave receiving unit that constitute the double feed detection sensor, and the movement detection sensor are juxtaposed on the opposite side to the transport path side in the through hole. A sheet conveying apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect.
[実施態様２５]
　実施態様１９乃至２４のいずれか１つに記載のシート搬送装置を備えたことを特徴とする画像読取装置。 Embodiment 25
An image reading apparatus comprising the sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 19 to 24.
　従来のシート搬送装置として、給送ローラと、この給送ローラに接圧して所定の搬送負荷を給送ローラとの間に進入した媒体に作用させるブレーキ手段とを備え、給送ローラ及びブレーキ手段の間で媒体を１枚ずつ分離しながら給送する媒体供給装置が知られている（従来技術４：特開２０１４－１８１１０９号公報）。従来技術４のような媒体搬送装置では、給送ローラとブレーキ手段との間にて形成したニップ部で媒体を繰り返し捌くことになるが、上手く捌かれずに２枚以上の媒体が重なって給送される重送や、媒体が斜め方向に傾いて給送される斜行等の異常給送が発生することがあった。そのため、従来の装置では、上記ニップ部よりも給送方向下流側において、異常給送の検知センサとして、例えば、複数の光学センサを組み合わせて構成した斜行検知センサや、重送検知センサ等を別々に配置しているため、センサの配線などが煩雑な場合があった。 As a conventional sheet conveying apparatus, the sheet feeding roller and the braking means include: a feeding roller; and a brake unit for bringing a predetermined conveyance load on a medium entering between the feeding roller and the feeding roller by contacting the feeding roller. There is known a medium supply device for feeding a medium while separating the medium one by one (conventional art 4: JP-A-2014-181109). In the medium conveying device as in the prior art 4, the medium is repeatedly scraped by the nip portion formed between the feeding roller and the brake means, but two or more sheets of media overlap to be fed without being overlooked properly. There are cases where double feeding to be fed, and abnormal feeding such as skew feeding in which the medium is fed in an oblique direction are generated. Therefore, in the conventional apparatus, as a detection sensor of abnormal feeding on the downstream side of the nip portion in the feeding direction, for example, a skew feeding detection sensor configured by combining a plurality of optical sensors, a double feeding detection sensor, etc. Since it arranges separately, wiring of a sensor etc. might be complicated.
　これに対して、本発明の第１０実施形態では、上述したような重送センサが実装される重送基盤に移動検知センサを取り付ける構成により、異常給送を検知するための複数のセンサを簡単な構成で実装したシート搬送装置を提供できる。 On the other hand, in the tenth embodiment of the present invention, the movement detection sensor is attached to the double feed base on which the double feed sensor is mounted as described above, thereby simplifying the plurality of sensors for detecting abnormal feeding. It is possible to provide a sheet transport apparatus mounted with the following configuration.
　以下、第１１～１４実施形態では、原稿の搬送状態の検出に用いられる撮像素子の取付角度のずれを検出する構成について説明する。 In the following, in the eleventh to fourteenth embodiments, a configuration for detecting the deviation of the attachment angle of the imaging device used for detecting the conveyance state of the document will be described.
　〔第１１実施形態〕
　次に、第１１実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置について説明する。第１１実施形態では、光学センサ３１１の取付角度補正の具体例について説明する。 Eleventh Embodiment
Next, a document conveyance device according to an eleventh embodiment will be described. In the eleventh embodiment, a specific example of the mounting angle correction of the optical sensor 311 will be described.
　＜原稿搬送装置４００＞
　図５２は、第１１実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置（画像読取装置）の構成を概略的に示す部分断面図であり、図５３は、図５２の原稿搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す模式図である。なお、図２６、図２７と同一のものには同一の符号を付してある。 <Document Transfer Device 400>
FIG. 52 is a partial cross sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a document conveyance device (image reading device) according to an eleventh embodiment, and FIG. 53 schematically shows a main part of the document conveyance device of FIG. It is a schematic diagram shown. The same reference numerals as in FIGS. 26 and 27 denote the same parts.
　本実施形態の原稿搬送装置４００は、搬送される原稿の挙動を検出するためのセンサである光学センサ３１１と、光学センサ３１１と対向する位置に配置された、対向面部材（対向部材）３０１を備えている。本実施形態では、図５２及び図５３に示すように、光学センサ３１１は、シート積載台４０１と対向する位置に配置されており、対向面部材７０１は、光学センサ３１１の対向面であるシート積載台４０１に配置されている。 The document conveying apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment includes an optical sensor 311 which is a sensor for detecting the behavior of the document to be conveyed, and an opposing surface member (an opposing member) 301 disposed at a position facing the optical sensor 311. Have. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 52 and 53, the optical sensor 311 is disposed at a position facing the sheet loading table 401, and the facing surface member 701 is a sheet loading that is the facing surface of the optical sensor 311. It is arranged on a table 401.
　対向面部材７０１は、モータ７０２によって駆動されることにより移動可能であり、原稿搬送装置４００における光学センサ３１１の取付角度（取付状態）を検出するために用いられる。制御部４４５は、モータ７０２を制御することにより、対向面部材７０１の移動を制御可能である。後述するように、制御部４４５は、光学センサ３１１と対向面部材７０１との間に原稿が介在していない間に、対向面部材７０１を、光学センサ３１１に対して相対的に移動させ、光学センサ３１１により対向面部材７０１における光学センサ３１１との対向面の移動量又は移動方向を検出する。更に、制御部４４５は、光学センサ３１１による対向面部材の移動量または移動方向の検出結果に基づいて、搬送路における原稿の搬送方向に対する光学センサ３１１の取付角度を検出する。 The opposite surface member 701 is movable by being driven by the motor 702, and is used to detect the attachment angle (attachment state) of the optical sensor 311 in the document conveyance device 400. The control unit 445 can control the movement of the facing member 701 by controlling the motor 702. As described later, while the document is not interposed between the optical sensor 311 and the opposing surface member 701, the control unit 445 moves the opposing surface member 701 relative to the optical sensor 311 to The amount of movement or movement direction of the surface of the opposite surface member 701 facing the optical sensor 311 is detected by the sensor 311. Further, the control unit 445 detects the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 with respect to the transport direction of the document on the transport path based on the detection result of the movement amount or the movement direction of the facing surface member by the optical sensor 311.
　次に、第１１実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置の他の例について説明する。なお、上記図５２、図５２と共通する部分については説明を省略する。 Next, another example of the document conveyance device according to the eleventh embodiment will be described. The description of the same parts as those in FIGS. 52 and 52 will be omitted.
　＜原稿搬送装置８００＞
　図５４は、第１１実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置（画像読取装置）の他の例の構成を概略的に示す部分断面図であり、図５５は、図５４の原稿搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す模式図である。 <Document feeder 800>
FIG. 54 is a partial cross sectional view schematically showing a configuration of another example of the document conveying device (image reading device) according to the eleventh embodiment, and FIG. 55 is a structure of main parts of the document conveying device of FIG. Are schematically shown.
　図５４に示すように、本実施形態の他の例を示す原稿搬送装置８００は、大きく分けて、シート積載台４０１、上部ユニット８０１及び下部ユニット８０２で構成される。原稿搬送装置８００は、基本的には、上述の原稿搬送装置４００（図５２及び図５３）と同様の構成を有する。ただし、原稿搬送装置８００は、とりわけ、シート（原稿）の搬送方向において分離ローラ対４４２の下流側に光学センサ３１１が配置される点で、原稿搬送装置４００（図５２及び図５３）と異なっている。以下では、主に上述の原稿搬送装置４００（図５２及び図５３）と異なる点について説明する。 As shown in FIG. 54, a document conveying apparatus 800 showing another example of the present embodiment is roughly divided into a sheet loading table 401, an upper unit 801, and a lower unit 802. Document feeder 800 basically has the same configuration as document feeder 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) described above. However, the document conveying apparatus 800 is different from the document conveying apparatus 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) in that the optical sensor 311 is disposed downstream of the separation roller pair 442 in the sheet (document) conveying direction, among others. There is. In the following, points different from the above-described document conveyance device 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) will be mainly described.
　原稿搬送装置８００においては、図５４に示すように、シート積載台４０１のシート積載面１ａ及び搬送路が、原稿搬送装置８００の設置面に対して傾斜するように設けられている。シート積載台４０１に積載されたシートは、シートの搬送方向においてシート積載台４０１の下流側に設けられた、給送ローラ４０６と分離ローラ４０７とで構成される分離ローラ対４４２によって、１枚ずつに分離されて搬送路へ取り込まれる。なお、上述した原稿搬送装置４００（図５２及び図５３）では、シート積載台４０１に積載される複数枚のシートは、上に置かれたシートから順に搬送路へ取り込まれる。これに対し、原稿搬送装置８００では、シート積載台４０１に積載される複数枚のシートは、下に置かれたシートから順に搬送路へ取り込まれる。 In the document conveying apparatus 800, as shown in FIG. 54, the sheet stacking surface 1a of the sheet stacking table 401 and the conveyance path are provided to be inclined with respect to the installation surface of the document conveying apparatus 800. The sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table 401 are separated one by one by a separation roller pair 442 provided on the downstream side of the sheet stacking table 401 in the sheet conveyance direction and configured by a feeding roller 406 and a separation roller 407. Into the transport path. In the above-described document conveyance device 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53), a plurality of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table 401 are sequentially taken into the conveyance path from the sheet placed thereon. On the other hand, in the document conveyance device 800, a plurality of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table 401 are sequentially taken into the conveyance path from the sheet placed below.
　図５５に示すように、光学センサ３１１が実装されている基板３００は、搬送路におけるシートの搬送方向と平行に取り付けられている。光学センサ３１１は、搬送路を搬送されるシートの移動量又は移動方向を検出できるように、分離ローラ対４４２の下流側に配置されている。原稿搬送装置８００では、光学センサ３１１を用いることで、上述した原稿搬送装置４００（図５２及び図５３）と同様、原稿の搬送状態を検出することが可能である。 As shown in FIG. 55, the substrate 300 on which the optical sensor 311 is mounted is attached in parallel to the sheet conveyance direction in the conveyance path. The optical sensor 311 is disposed downstream of the separation roller pair 442 so as to detect the movement amount or movement direction of the sheet conveyed on the conveyance path. In the document conveyance device 800, by using the optical sensor 311, it is possible to detect the conveyance condition of the document as in the case of the document conveyance device 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) described above.
　原稿搬送装置８００は、光学センサ３１１と対向する位置に、搬送路に配置された対向面部材７０１を備えている。なお、光学センサ３１１及び基板３００は、上部ユニット８０１内に配置されているが、光学センサ３１１から対向面部材７０１を見通せるよう、上部ユニット８０１における光学センサ３１１に対向する位置に開口が設けられている。 The document conveyance device 800 includes an opposing surface member 701 disposed in the conveyance path at a position facing the optical sensor 311. Although the optical sensor 311 and the substrate 300 are disposed in the upper unit 801, an opening is provided at a position facing the optical sensor 311 in the upper unit 801 so that the opposing surface member 701 can be seen from the optical sensor 311. There is.
　本実施形態では、対向面部材７０１が有する、光学センサ３１１に対向する対向面は、下部ユニット８０２において搬送路に面する部分を構成する。対向面部材７０１は、下部ユニット８０２における搬送路を形成する部材（例えば、板金）とは別の部材で構成されている。対向面部材７０１は、上述した原稿搬送装置４００（図５２及び図５３）と同様に、モータ７０２によって駆動されて、光学センサ３１１に対して相対的に移動することが可能であり、光学センサ３１１の取付角度補正に使用される。 In the present embodiment, the facing surface of the facing surface member 701 that faces the optical sensor 311 constitutes a portion of the lower unit 802 that faces the conveyance path. The opposite surface member 701 is configured of a member different from the member (for example, a sheet metal) forming the conveyance path in the lower unit 802. The facing surface member 701 can be driven relative to the optical sensor 311 by being driven by the motor 702 similarly to the above-described document conveying device 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53). It is used for the mounting angle correction of.
　＜取付角度補正の実行タイミング＞
　本実施形態のように、シート積載台４０１と対向する位置に光学センサ３１１が取り付けられている原稿搬送装置４００（図５２及び図５３）では、シート積載台４０１に原稿（シート）が存在すると、光学センサ３１１により対向面部材７０１を撮像できない。このため、制御部４４５は、シート積載台４０１に原稿が積載（載置）されていないタイミングで取付角度補正を実行する必要がある。 <Execution timing of mounting angle correction>
In the document conveying apparatus 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) in which the optical sensor 311 is attached at a position facing the sheet loading table 401 as in the present embodiment, if a document (sheet) is present on the sheet loading table 401, The optical sensor 311 can not capture an image of the facing surface member 701. For this reason, the control unit 445 needs to execute the mounting angle correction at the timing when the document is not loaded (placed) on the sheet loading table 401.
　このようなタイミングにおける取付角度補正を実行するために、原稿搬送装置４００（制御部４４５）は、所定の条件に従って取付角度補正を実行する専用のキャリブレーションモードを有していてもよい。例えば、そのようなキャリブレーションモードとして、シート積載台４０１に原稿が存在しない（シート積載検知センサ４１２がシートを検知していない）間の、原稿搬送装置４００の操作部（図示せず）を介したユーザの指示に応じて、取付角度補正が実行されてもよい。また、原稿搬送装置４００の筐体の開閉が行われたことに応じて、取付角度補正が実行されてもよい。 In order to execute the mounting angle correction at such timing, the document conveyance device 400 (the control unit 445) may have a dedicated calibration mode in which the mounting angle correction is performed according to a predetermined condition. For example, as such a calibration mode, an operation unit (not shown) of the document conveyance device 400 is used while no document exists on the sheet loading table 401 (the sheet loading detection sensor 412 does not detect a sheet). The mounting angle correction may be performed according to the instruction of the user who performed the process. In addition, the mounting angle correction may be performed in response to the opening and closing of the case of the document conveyance device 400.
　また、他の例を示す原稿搬送装置８００（図５４及び図５５）では、シート積載台４０１にシート（原稿）が積載されていないタイミングだけでなく、シート積載台４０１にシートが積載されていても、光学センサ３１１の撮像領域内に原稿が存在しなければ、光学センサ３１１による対向面部材７０１の撮像が可能である。即ち、搬送路上で光学センサ３１１と対向する領域をシートが搬送されていない状態において、光学センサ３１１による対向面部材７０１の撮像が可能である。 Further, in the document conveying apparatus 800 (FIGS. 54 and 55) showing another example, not only the timing at which the sheet (document) is not loaded on the sheet loading table 401 but also the sheets are loaded on the sheet loading table 401. Also, if the document does not exist in the imaging region of the optical sensor 311, imaging of the facing surface member 701 by the optical sensor 311 is possible. That is, in the state where the sheet is not conveyed in the area facing the optical sensor 311 on the conveyance path, the imaging of the facing surface member 701 by the optical sensor 311 is possible.
　例えば、制御部４４５は、シート積載台４０１に積載された原稿の読み取り（スキャン）が開始されるタイミングに（分離ローラ対４４２によって最初の原稿が搬送路へ取り込まれる前に）、取付角度補正を実行してもよい。分離ローラ対４４２によって最初の原稿が搬送路へ取り込まれる前であれば、光学センサ３１１と対向する領域に原稿は存在せず、光学センサ３１１による対向面部材３０１の撮像が可能である。具体的には、画像読取装置に設けられた操作部や、画像読取装置に接続される情報処理装置から原稿の読み取り指示がなされ、分離ローラ対４４２が駆動される前に取付角度補正を実行すれば良い。
　また、制御部４４５は、シート積載台４０１から搬送された原稿の後端の通過がレジスト前センサ４３２によって検知された（即ち、原稿の後端が光学センサ３１１の撮像領域から外れた）ことに応じて、取付角度補正を実行してもよい。例えば、シート積載台４０１に積載された複数枚の原稿が連続的に搬送される場合には、制御部４４５は、搬送中の原稿の後端がレジスト前センサ４３２の位置を通過した直後に（即ち、原稿と原稿との間の紙間に）、取付角度補正を実行する。 For example, the control unit 445 corrects the mounting angle at a timing when reading (scanning) of the document stacked on the sheet loading table 401 is started (before the first document is taken into the conveyance path by the separation roller pair 442). It may be executed. Before the first original is taken into the conveyance path by the separation roller pair 442, the original does not exist in the area facing the optical sensor 311, and the optical sensor 311 can pick up the image of the facing surface member 301. Specifically, the document reading instruction is issued from an operation unit provided in the image reading apparatus or an information processing apparatus connected to the image reading apparatus, and the mounting angle correction is performed before the separation roller pair 442 is driven. Just do it.
Further, the control unit 445 detects that the passage of the rear end of the document conveyed from the sheet loading table 401 is detected by the pre-registration sensor 432 (that is, the rear end of the document deviates from the imaging region of the optical sensor 311). Accordingly, mounting angle correction may be performed. For example, when a plurality of originals stacked on the sheet loading table 401 are continuously conveyed, the control unit 445 causes the rear end of the original being conveyed to pass immediately after the position of the pre-registration sensor 432 ( That is, the mounting angle correction is executed).
　なお、本実施形態の原稿搬送装置（４００又は８００）において、取付角度補正を実行する際、制御部４４５は、対向面部材７０１を光学センサ３１１に対して相対的に移動させ、対向面部材７０１の移動量又は移動方向を光学センサ１１１に検出させる。制御部４４５は、光学センサ３１１から出力される、対向面部材７０１の移動量又は移動方向の検出結果に基づいて、原稿の搬送方向に対する光学センサ１１１の取付角度を検出する。 In addition, in the document conveyance device (400 or 800) of the present embodiment, when performing the mounting angle correction, the control unit 445 moves the facing surface member 701 relative to the optical sensor 311, and the facing surface member 701. The optical sensor 111 detects the movement amount or movement direction of the The control unit 445 detects the mounting angle of the optical sensor 111 with respect to the document conveyance direction based on the detection result of the movement amount or movement direction of the facing surface member 701 output from the optical sensor 311.
　本実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置は、原稿搬送装置４００（図５２及び図５３）であってもよいし、原稿搬送装置８００（図５４及び図５５）であってもよい。以下では、一例として、原稿搬送装置４００（図５２及び図５３）を例として用いて、光学センサ３１１の取付角度補正について説明する。 The document conveyance device according to the present embodiment may be the document conveyance device 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) or the document conveyance device 800 (FIGS. 54 and 55). Hereinafter, the mounting angle correction of the optical sensor 311 will be described using the document conveying device 400 (FIGS. 52 and 53) as an example.
　原稿搬送装置４００において、対向面部材７０１は、シート積載台４０１の昇降に応じて昇降する。シート積載台４０１に原稿が積載されていない状態において、制御部４４５は、光学センサ３１１の撮像領域内に対向面部材７０１が位置するように、シート積載台４０１を上昇させる。この位置において、対向面部材７０１は、制御部４４５の制御に従って、既定の方向へ既定の速度で移動を繰り返す。 In the document conveyance device 400, the facing surface member 701 moves up and down according to the movement of the sheet loading table 401. In a state in which the document is not loaded on the sheet loading platform 401, the control unit 445 raises the sheet loading platform 401 so that the facing surface member 701 is positioned within the imaging area of the optical sensor 311. In this position, the facing member 701 repeats movement at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction under the control of the control unit 445.
　図５６は、対向面部材７０１の移動方向及び移動速度を示す概念図である。光学センサ３１１の撮像領域内で光学センサ３１１による検出が可能である限り、対向面部材７０１の移動方向及び移動速度に制限はない。例えば、対向面部材７０１は、図５６（ａ）に示すように、原稿の搬送方向に移動速度Ｖ１１で移動してもよいし、図５６（ｂ）に示すように、当該搬送方向に直交する方向に移動速度Ｖ１２で移動してもよい。また、対向面部材７０１は、図５６（ｃ）に示すように、原稿の搬送方向に対して任意の角度θ１の方向に移動速度Ｖ１３で移動してもよい。 FIG. 56 is a conceptual view showing the moving direction and moving speed of the facing member 701. As shown in FIG. As long as the detection by the optical sensor 311 is possible within the imaging region of the optical sensor 311, the movement direction and the movement speed of the facing surface member 701 are not limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 56 (a), the opposite surface member 701 may move at a moving speed V11 in the document transport direction, or as shown in FIG. 56 (b), it is orthogonal to the transport direction. It may move in the direction at the moving speed V12. Further, as shown in FIG. 56C, the facing surface member 701 may move at a moving speed V13 in the direction of an arbitrary angle θ1 with respect to the document conveyance direction.
　上述したように、対向面部材７０１は、光学センサ３１１の取付角度補正が実行される際に、モータ７０２によって駆動されて、光学センサ３１１に対して相対的に、かつ、既定の方向へ既定の速度で移動する。その間、光学センサ３１１は、イメージセンサ（撮像素子）により取得した画像に基づいて、ＤＳＰ（Digital Signal Processor）により撮像対象物（対向面部材７０１）の移動量又は移動方向を検出する。 As described above, the facing surface member 701 is driven by the motor 702 when the mounting angle correction of the optical sensor 311 is performed, and is defined relative to the optical sensor 311 and in a predetermined direction. Move at speed. In the meantime, the optical sensor 311 detects the movement amount or movement direction of the imaging target (the facing surface member 701) by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) based on the image acquired by the image sensor (imaging element).
　上述のように、対向面部材７０１の移動方向は、原稿搬送方向に対して予め既定されている（即ち、原稿搬送方向に対する相対的な移動方向が既定されている）。このため、光学センサ３１１（移動量検出部）により検出された、対向面部材７０１の移動方向から、原稿搬送方向に対する光学センサ３１１の取付角度を取得することが可能である。 As described above, the movement direction of the facing member 701 is predetermined in the document conveyance direction (that is, the movement direction relative to the document conveyance direction is predetermined). For this reason, it is possible to obtain the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 with respect to the document conveyance direction from the movement direction of the facing surface member 701 detected by the optical sensor 311 (movement amount detection unit).
　例えば、図５７（ａ）に示すように、対向面部材７０１が、移動速度Ｖ１３で、原稿搬送方向に対して角度θ１の方向へ移動するものとする。図５７（ｂ）に示すように、光学センサ３１１によって検出される対向面部材７０１の移動方向が、光学センサ３１１の取付角度のずれが全くない時に原稿搬送方向に一致すべき軸に対して角度Φ１の方向であったと仮定する。この場合、原稿搬送方向に対する光学センサ３１１の取付角度ずれは（θ１－Φ１）となる。 For example, as shown in FIG. 57A, it is assumed that the facing member 701 moves at a moving speed V13 in the direction of the angle θ1 with respect to the document conveyance direction. As shown in FIG. 57 (b), the movement direction of the facing member 701 detected by the optical sensor 311 is an angle with respect to the axis that should coincide with the document conveyance direction when there is no deviation of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311. Suppose that it is in the direction of Φ1. In this case, the mounting angle deviation of the optical sensor 311 with respect to the document conveyance direction is (θ1−φ1).
　制御部４４５は、上述の取付角度ずれ（θ１－Φ１）が補正されるように、取付角度補正用のモータ（図示せず）により光学センサ３１１を駆動して、光学センサ３１１を回転移動させる。このようにして、光学センサ３１１の取付角度補正を実現できる。 The control unit 445 drives the optical sensor 311 by a motor (not shown) for mounting angle correction so as to rotate the optical sensor 311 so that the mounting angle deviation (θ1−Φ1) described above is corrected. Thus, the mounting angle correction of the optical sensor 311 can be realized.
　取付角度補正は繰り返し実行されてもよい。即ち、１回の取付角度補正の実行完了後に、再び取付角度補正が実行されてもよい。これにより、光学センサ３１１の取付角度の補正精度を高めることが可能である。また、取付角度補正が繰り返し実行される際には、対向面部材７０１の移動方向及び移動速度を前回の実行時とは異なるものにしてもよい。対向面部材７０１の移動速度が遅いほど、光学センサ３１１による対向面部材７０１の移動速度の検出精度が高くなる。このため、例えば、前回の実行時の移動速度よりも遅い移動速度で対向面部材７０１を移動させた状態で、取付角度補正を実行することにより、より効果的に光学センサ３１１の取付角度を補正可能になる。 The mounting angle correction may be performed repeatedly. That is, after completion of the execution of one mounting angle correction, the mounting angle correction may be performed again. Thereby, it is possible to enhance the correction accuracy of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311. In addition, when the mounting angle correction is repeatedly performed, the moving direction and the moving speed of the facing member 701 may be different from those in the previous execution. As the moving speed of the facing member 701 is slower, the detection accuracy of the moving speed of the facing member 701 by the optical sensor 311 is higher. Therefore, for example, the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 is corrected more effectively by executing the mounting angle correction in a state in which the facing surface member 701 is moved at a moving speed slower than the moving speed at the previous execution. It will be possible.
　なお、対向面部材７０１は、原稿搬送時に原稿に当接していなくてもよい。例えば、図５８（ａ）に示すように、対向面部材７０１は、搬送される原稿に当接する光学的に透明な部材を介して配置されてもよい。また、対向面部材７０１の移動方向は、図５８（ａ）に示すように、原稿の搬送方向であってもよいし、図５８（ｂ）に示すように、原稿の搬送方向に対して垂直に直交する方向であってもよい。つまり、上述のように、光学センサ３１１の撮像領域内で光学センサ３１１による検出が可能である限り、対向面部材７０１の移動方向に制限はない。 Note that the facing surface member 701 may not be in contact with the document at the time of document conveyance. For example, as shown in FIG. 58A, the opposite surface member 701 may be disposed via an optically transparent member that abuts on the document to be conveyed. Also, the moving direction of the facing member 701 may be the document transport direction as shown in FIG. 58 (a), or perpendicular to the document transport direction as shown in FIG. 58 (b). It may be orthogonal to That is, as described above, the moving direction of the facing surface member 701 is not limited as long as the detection by the optical sensor 311 is possible within the imaging region of the optical sensor 311.
　本実施形態では、原稿の搬送状態の検出に用いられる光学センサ３１１を用いて、対向面部材７０１の移動量又は移動方向を検出し、その検出結果に基づいて、原稿の搬送方向に対する光学センサ３１１の取付角度を補正する。これにより、原稿搬送時における、光学センサ３１１を用いた原稿の搬送状態の検出精度を高めることが可能になる。 In this embodiment, the movement amount or movement direction of the facing member 701 is detected using the optical sensor 311 used to detect the conveyance state of the document, and the optical sensor 311 in the conveyance direction of the document is detected based on the detection result. Correct the mounting angle of. This makes it possible to increase the detection accuracy of the transport state of the document using the optical sensor 311 when transporting the document.
　〔第１２実施形態〕
　次に、第１２実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置について説明する。第１２実施形態では、光学センサ３１１の取付角度の検出に関する他の例について説明する。以下では主に第１１実施形態との相違点について説明する。 Twelfth Embodiment
Next, a document conveyance device according to a twelfth embodiment will be described. In the twelfth embodiment, another example regarding detection of the attachment angle of the optical sensor 311 will be described. The differences from the eleventh embodiment will be mainly described below.
　図５９は、本実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す断面図である。また、図６０（ａ）は、光学センサ３１１周辺の構成を概略的に示す模式図である。本実施形態の原稿搬送装置４００は、第１１実施形態と基本的には同様の構成を有する。ただし、光学センサ３１１が配置される位置が異なっている。本実施形態では、光学センサ３１１は、図５９及び図６０（ａ）に示すように、給送ローラ４０６の近くに配置される。また、分離ローラ４０７の外周面が、対向面部材７０１として使用される。分離ローラ４０７は分離モータ９によって駆動されるため、本実施形態では、対向面部材７０１の駆動用のモータ７０２は設けられていない。 FIG. 59 is a cross sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the document conveyance device according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 60 (a) is a schematic view schematically showing the configuration around the optical sensor 311. FIG. The document conveyance device 400 of the present embodiment basically has the same configuration as that of the eleventh embodiment. However, the position at which the optical sensor 311 is disposed is different. In the present embodiment, the optical sensor 311 is disposed near the feed roller 406 as shown in FIGS. 59 and 60 (a). Further, the outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 407 is used as the facing surface member 701. Since the separation roller 407 is driven by the separation motor 9, in the present embodiment, the motor 702 for driving the facing member 701 is not provided.
　光学センサ３１１の取付角度補正のための、光学センサ３１１による対向面部材７０１（即ち、分離ローラ４０７の外周面）の移動量又は移動方向の検出は、原稿が搬送路に存在しないタイミングで行われる。制御部４４５は、光学センサ３１１の取付角度補正を実行する際、分離ローラ４０７を既定の速度で回転させながら、光学センサ３１１により、撮像対象物である分離ローラ４０７の外周面（対向面部材７０１）の移動量又は移動方向を検出する。制御部４４５は、光学センサ３１１による検出結果に基づいて、上述の実施形態のように、光学センサ３１１の取付角度補正（光学センサ３１１の回転移動）を行う。なお、取付角度補正を実行する際の、対向面部材７０１に相当する分離ローラ４０７の回転方向は、図６０（ａ）において時計回りであっても反時計回りであってもよい。 Detection of the movement amount or movement direction of the facing surface member 701 (that is, the outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 407) by the optical sensor 311 for correction of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 is performed at timing when the document does not exist in the conveyance path. . When the control unit 445 performs the mounting angle correction of the optical sensor 311, the outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 407 which is the imaging object (the facing surface member 701) is rotated by the optical sensor 311 while rotating the separation roller 407 at a predetermined speed. To detect the movement amount or movement direction of The control unit 445 performs attachment angle correction of the optical sensor 311 (rotational movement of the optical sensor 311) based on the detection result of the optical sensor 311 as in the above-described embodiment. The direction of rotation of the separation roller 407 corresponding to the facing surface member 701 when performing the mounting angle correction may be clockwise or counterclockwise in FIG. 60 (a).
　本実施形態では、図６０（ａ）に示すように、給送ローラ４０６の近傍に光学センサ３１１を配置して、分離ローラ４０７を対向面部材７０１として使用するために、給送ローラ４０６よりも分離ローラ４０７の方が径が大きい構成を採用している。一般的には、給送ローラ４０６によってシート（原稿）を搬送しやすくするために、分離ローラ４０７よりも給送ローラ４０６の方が径が大きい構成が採用されることが多い。しかし、本実施形態のように、給送ローラ４０６よりも分離ローラ４０７の方が径が大きい構成を採用することも可能である。この構成では、シートが搬送路内にない場合には、分離ローラ４０７が給送ローラ４０６に連れ回ることになる。両ローラ間に滑りが生じないと仮定すると、分離ローラ４０７は、給送ローラ４０６と同じ周速度で回転することになる。実際、ある程度にニップ圧で当接しているため、給送ローラ４０６と分離ローラ４０７との間に滑りはほとんど生じないことが想定される。 In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 60A, the optical sensor 311 is disposed in the vicinity of the feeding roller 406, and the separation roller 407 is used as the facing surface member 701. A configuration in which the diameter of the separation roller 407 is larger is employed. In general, in order to facilitate conveyance of a sheet (original) by the feed roller 406, a configuration in which the diameter of the feed roller 406 is larger than that of the separation roller 407 is often employed. However, as in the present embodiment, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the diameter of the separation roller 407 is larger than that of the feed roller 406. In this configuration, when the sheet is not in the conveyance path, the separation roller 407 is brought along with the feeding roller 406. Assuming that no slippage occurs between the two rollers, the separation roller 407 rotates at the same circumferential speed as the feed roller 406. In fact, it is assumed that almost no slippage occurs between the feed roller 406 and the separation roller 407 because they contact with the nip pressure to some extent.
　次に、光学センサ３１１の取付角度補正について更に説明する。ここで、図６１（ａ）に示すように、原稿の搬送方向をｘ軸として、ｘ軸及びｙ軸によって規定される直交座標系を用いる。また、光学センサ３１１の出力が得られる直交座標系として、図６１（ｂ）に示すように、ｘ'軸及びｙ'軸によって規定される直交座標系を用いる。なお、ｘ軸とｘ'軸との角度ずれをθ２とする。θ２は、原稿の搬送方向に対する光学センサ３１１の取付角度ずれに相当する。 Next, the mounting angle correction of the optical sensor 311 will be further described. Here, as shown in FIG. 61A, an orthogonal coordinate system defined by the x-axis and the y-axis is used, with the document transport direction as the x-axis. Also, as shown in FIG. 61B, as an orthogonal coordinate system from which the output of the optical sensor 311 can be obtained, an orthogonal coordinate system defined by the x ′ axis and the y ′ axis is used. The angular deviation between the x-axis and the x'-axis is θ2. θ2 corresponds to the mounting angle deviation of the optical sensor 311 with respect to the document conveyance direction.
　対向面部材７０１（本実施形態では分離ローラ４０７）が、ｘ軸に対して既定の角度φ２の方向に移動している状態において、光学センサ３１１による移動量の検出結果として、(ｘ'，ｙ')＝(ａ，ｂ)が得られたとする。この場合に、ｘ'軸に対する分離ローラ４０７の移動方向の角度をθ３とすると、θ３は、次式により求められる。
　θ３＝ａｒｃｔａｎ(ｂ／ａ)
　更に、ｘ軸とｘ'軸との角度ずれθ２は、次式により求められる。
　θ２＝φ２－θ３ In the state where the facing member 701 (the separation roller 407 in the present embodiment) is moving in the direction of the predetermined angle φ2 with respect to the x axis, as a detection result of the movement amount by the optical sensor 311, (x ′, y Suppose that ') = (a, b) is obtained. In this case, assuming that the angle of the moving direction of the separation roller 407 with respect to the x ′ axis is θ3, θ3 can be obtained by the following equation.
θ3 = arctan (b / a)
Further, the angular deviation θ2 between the x-axis and the x'-axis can be obtained by the following equation.
θ2 = φ2-θ3
　このように、光学センサ３１１によって取得される、対向面部材７０１の移動量の検出結果(ｘ'，ｙ')＝(ａ，ｂ)に基づいて、原稿の搬送方向（基準方向）に対する光学センサ３１１の取付角度のずれθ２を取得することが可能である。なお、本実施形態では、取付角度ずれθ２は、光学センサ３１１によって取得される、対向面部材７０１の移動量の検出結果に基づいて、他の原稿搬送装置８００の制御部４４５によって取得（算出）される。 Thus, based on the detection result (x ′, y ′) = (a, b) of the movement amount of the facing member 701 acquired by the optical sensor 311, an optical sensor in the document transport direction (reference direction) It is possible to obtain the deviation θ2 of the attachment angle of the attachment 311. In the present embodiment, the attachment angle deviation θ2 is acquired (calculated) by the control unit 445 of another document conveyance device 800 based on the detection result of the movement amount of the facing surface member 701 acquired by the optical sensor 311. Be done.
　上述のようにして得られた取付角度ずれθ２を用いると、原稿搬送時に光学センサ３１１によって取得された移動量データを、原稿の搬送方向に対応する、ｘ軸及びｙ軸によって規定される座標系の移動量データに変換（即ち、原稿搬送時に取得された原稿の移動方向を、原稿の搬送方向を基準とした移動方向に変換）できる。これにより、変換後の移動量データに基づいて、原稿搬送時の原稿の挙動を検出することが可能である。具体的には、図６２に示すように、原稿搬送時に光学センサ３１１により取得された移動量データ(ｘ'，ｙ')＝(ａ１，ｂ１)を、光学センサ３１１の取付角度ずれθ２が補正された、ｘ軸及びｙ軸によって規定される座標系の移動量データに変換（補正）できる。この座標変換は、次式によって行われる。
　ｘ成分＝ａ１×ｃｏｓ(θ２)－ｂ１×ｓｉｎ(θ２)
　ｙ成分＝ａ１×ｓｉｎ(θ２)＋ｂ１×ｃｏｓ(θ２) Using the mounting angle deviation θ2 obtained as described above, the movement amount data acquired by the optical sensor 311 at the time of document conveyance is a coordinate system defined by the x axis and y axis corresponding to the document conveyance direction (I.e., the movement direction of the document acquired at the time of conveyance of the document is converted to the movement direction based on the conveyance direction of the document). Thus, it is possible to detect the behavior of the document at the time of document transport based on the converted movement amount data. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 62, the movement amount data (x ', y') = (a1, b1) acquired by the optical sensor 311 at the time of document conveyance is corrected, and the mounting angle deviation .theta. It can be converted (corrected) into movement amount data of a coordinate system defined by the x axis and the y axis. This coordinate conversion is performed by the following equation.
x component = a1 × cos (θ2) −b1 × sin (θ2)
y component = a1 × sin (θ2) + b1 × cos (θ2)
　なお、原稿搬送時に光学センサ３１１によって移動量データが取得されるごとに当該データの座標変換を行う代わりに、取付角度ずれθ２に基づいて、比較対象となるデータの座標変換を行ってもよい。具体的には、例えば、光学センサ３１１によって取得された移動量データと比較される、ｘ成分及びｙ成分の閾値を、取付角度ずれθ２に基づく座標変換により、ｘ'軸及びｙ'軸によって規定される座標系の閾値に変換してもよい。これにより、光学センサ３１１によって取得された移動量データの解析を行う際に、その都度、移動量データの座標変換を行う必要がなくなり、移動量データの解析に要する処理量を低減できる。 Note that instead of performing coordinate conversion of the data each time movement amount data is acquired by the optical sensor 311 during document conveyance, coordinate conversion of data to be compared may be performed based on the attachment angle deviation θ2. Specifically, for example, thresholds of the x component and the y component to be compared with movement amount data acquired by the optical sensor 311 are specified by the x ′ axis and the y ′ axis by coordinate conversion based on the attachment angle deviation θ2. It may be converted to the threshold of the coordinate system to be As a result, when analyzing the movement amount data acquired by the optical sensor 311, it is not necessary to perform coordinate conversion of the movement amount data each time, and the amount of processing required to analyze the movement amount data can be reduced.
　本実施形態では、原稿の搬送に寄与するローラ（本例では分離ローラ４０７）の外周面を対向面部材７０１として用いて、光学センサ３１１の取付角度（のずれ）の検出及び取付角度補正を行っている。このような実施形態の変形例として、例えば、図６０（ｂ）のように、原稿の搬送に寄与するローラ（本例では分離ローラ４０７）と動力結合機構によって（図示せず）動力結合された他のローラ（回転部材）が、対向面部材７０１として用いられてもよい。この回転部材は、搬送路上で原稿の搬送に寄与するよう構成されてもよいし、取付角度ずれを検出するときのみ、原稿の搬送に寄与するローラ（本例では分離ローラ４０７）に動力結合されてもよい。また、この回転部材は、図６０（ｃ）のように、搬送路の一部を構成する透明部材３１０を介在させて、搬送路外に配置されることで、原稿の搬送に寄与しなくてもよい。このように、対向面部材７０１は、原稿搬送時に原稿の搬送に寄与してもしなくてもよく、原稿搬送時の動作に関しては制限は無い。 In this embodiment, using the outer peripheral surface of the roller (in this example, the separation roller 407) contributing to the conveyance of the document as the facing surface member 701, detection of (attachment of) the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 and correction of the mounting angle are performed. ing. As a modification of such an embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 60 (b), the roller (in the present embodiment, the separation roller 407) contributing to the conveyance of the document and the power coupling mechanism (not shown) Another roller (rotating member) may be used as the facing surface member 701. The rotating member may be configured to contribute to the conveyance of the document on the conveyance path, and is motively coupled to a roller (in this example, the separation roller 407) contributing to the conveyance of the document only when detecting the mounting angle deviation. May be Further, as shown in FIG. 60 (c), the rotary member is disposed outside the conveyance path by interposing the transparent member 310 which forms a part of the conveyance path, and does not contribute to conveyance of the document. It is also good. As described above, the facing surface member 701 may or may not contribute to the conveyance of the document at the time of document conveyance, and there is no restriction on the operation at the time of the document conveyance.
　また、上述の実施形態の変形例として、例えば、図６３に示すように、分離ローラ４０７の回転軸、又は当該回転軸に対して連結された部材が、対向面部材７０１として用いられてもよい。図６３は、搬送路上流側（同図の手前側）から下流側（同図の奥側）に向かって分離ローラ４０７、給送ローラ４０６及び光学センサ３１１を見た概略図である。図６３において、原稿は、上ガイド板４０と下ガイド板４１との間を手前側から奥側に向かって搬送される。図６３（ａ）のように、分離ローラ４０７と連動して回転する回転軸を、対向面部材７０１として用いることが可能である。図６３（ａ）に示す配置は、搬送方向に直交する方向に沿って配置された２つの分離ローラ４０７間を原稿が必ず通過する点で、原稿の移動量を確実に検出できる観点から好適である。また、図６３（ｂ）のように、分離ローラ４０７に連動して回転する回転体の外周面が、対向面部材７０１として用いられてもよい。この場合、例えば、２つの分離ローラ４０７の両方の外側にそれぞれ光学センサ３１１が配置され、各光学センサ３１１に対向する回転体が、対向面部材７０１として用いられてもよい。 In addition, as a modification of the above-described embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 63, the rotation shaft of the separation roller 407 or a member connected to the rotation shaft may be used as the facing surface member 701. . FIG. 63 is a schematic view looking at the separation roller 407, the feed roller 406 and the optical sensor 311 from the upstream side (front side of FIG. 6) to the downstream side (back side of FIG. 63) of the transport path. In FIG. 63, the document is conveyed from the front side to the back side between the upper guide plate 40 and the lower guide plate 41. As shown in FIG. 63A, it is possible to use a rotating shaft that rotates in conjunction with the separation roller 407 as the facing surface member 701. The arrangement shown in FIG. 63A is preferable from the viewpoint of reliably detecting the amount of movement of the document, since the document always passes between the two separation rollers 407 arranged along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. is there. Also, as shown in FIG. 63 (b), the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body that rotates in conjunction with the separation roller 407 may be used as the facing surface member 701. In this case, for example, the optical sensor 311 may be disposed outside both of the two separation rollers 407, and a rotating body facing each optical sensor 311 may be used as the facing surface member 701.
　本実施形態によれば、原稿の搬送に寄与する分離ローラ４０７のような回転部材を対向面部材７０１として用いることが可能であり、光学センサ３１１の取付角度ずれの検出と補正とを繰り返すことが容易になる。なお、以上説明した本実施形態においては、対向面部材７０１として分離ローラ４０７を用いたが、同様に、給送ローラ４０６の外周面などを対向面部材７０１として用いても良い。この場合、給送ローラ４０６によって搬送される原稿の搬送方向と対向面部材７０１の移動方向とを一致させることができ、好適である。 According to the present embodiment, it is possible to use a rotating member such as the separation roller 407 contributing to the conveyance of the document as the facing surface member 701, and repeat the detection and correction of the mounting angle deviation of the optical sensor 311. It will be easier. Although the separation roller 407 is used as the facing surface member 701 in the embodiment described above, the outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 406 may be used as the facing surface member 701 as well. In this case, the conveyance direction of the document conveyed by the feed roller 406 can be matched with the movement direction of the facing member 701, which is preferable.
　〔第１３実施形態〕
　次に、第１３実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置について説明する。上述の実施形態では、光学センサ３１１に対向する対向面部材７０１を、光学センサ３１１に対して相対的に、既定の方向へ既定の速度で移動させ、その移動量又は移動方向の検出結果に基づいて、光学センサ３１１の取付角度（のずれ）を検出している。これに対し、本実施形態では、光学センサ３１１の取付角度（のずれ）の検出及びその補正のために、光学センサ３１１自体も移動させる例について説明する。以下では主に第１１乃至第１２実施形態との相違点について説明する。 Thirteenth Embodiment
Next, a document conveyance device according to a thirteenth embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the facing surface member 701 facing the optical sensor 311 is moved relative to the optical sensor 311 in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed, and based on the detection result of the movement amount or movement direction Thus, the attachment angle of the optical sensor 311 is detected. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the optical sensor 311 itself is also moved for detection of (the deviation of) the attachment angle of the optical sensor 311 and correction thereof. The differences from the eleventh to twelfth embodiments are mainly described below.
　図６０（ｄ）は、光学センサ３１１周辺の構成を概略的に示す図である。本実施形態の光学センサ３１１は、駆動機構（図示せず）によって駆動されて、既定の方向へ既定の速度へ移動可能に構成されている。例えば、図６０（ｄ）に示すように、光学センサ３１１の取付角度のずれの検出のために、速度Ｖ２１(ｔ)で既定の方向へ移動するよう、制御部４４５によって制御される。一方、光学センサ３１１に対向する対向面部材７０１は、速度Ｖ２２(ｔ)で既定の方向へ移動するよう、制御部４４５によって制御される。なお、対向面部材７０１は、図６０（ｄ）に示すように、搬送路面に対して水平に移動する部材であってもよいし、上述の実施形態のように、回転可能な回転部材（例えば、分離ローラ４０７）で構成されてもよい。 FIG. 60D is a view schematically showing the configuration around the optical sensor 311. As shown in FIG. The optical sensor 311 of this embodiment is driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) and is configured to be movable in a predetermined direction to a predetermined speed. For example, as shown in FIG. 60 (d), the control unit 445 controls to move in the predetermined direction at the velocity V21 (t) to detect the deviation of the attachment angle of the optical sensor 311. On the other hand, the facing surface member 701 facing the optical sensor 311 is controlled by the control unit 445 so as to move in the predetermined direction at the velocity V22 (t). The facing surface member 701 may be a member moving horizontally with respect to the conveyance road surface as shown in FIG. 60 (d), or may be a rotatable rotating member (for example, a rotating member as in the above embodiment). , Separation roller 407).
　上記の移動速度Ｖ２１(ｔ)及びＶ２２(ｔ)については、任意の速度に設定可能である。例えば、光学センサ３１１に対する対向面部材７０１の相対速度は、Ｖ(ｔ)＝Ｖ２２(ｔ)－Ｖ２１(ｔ)となる。これに基づいて、上述の実施形態のように、制御部４４５は光学センサ３１１の取付角度のずれを検出する。更に、制御部４４５は、検出した取付角度のずれに基づいて、上述の実施形態のように、光学センサ３１１の取付角度の補正を行ってもよい。また、制御部４４５は、検出した取付角度のずれに基づいて、原稿搬送時に光学センサ３１１によって取得された移動量データの座標変換を行ってもよい。 The moving speeds V21 (t) and V22 (t) described above can be set to arbitrary speeds. For example, the relative velocity of the facing surface member 701 to the optical sensor 311 is V (t) = V22 (t) -V21 (t). Based on this, as in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 445 detects the deviation of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311. Furthermore, the control unit 445 may correct the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 as in the above-described embodiment based on the detected deviation of the mounting angle. In addition, the control unit 445 may perform coordinate conversion of movement amount data acquired by the optical sensor 311 at the time of document conveyance based on the detected deviation of the attachment angle.
　なお、本実施形態において、対向面部材７０１の移動方向は、図６０（ｄ）に示す方向に限定されず、光学センサ３１１による対向面部材７０１の移動の検出が可能である限り、任意の方向に定めることが可能である。また、図６０（ｄ）では、対向面部材７０１が移動すること（Ｖ２２(ｔ)≠０）を想定しているが、対向面部材７０１は静止又は固定（Ｖ２２(ｔ)＝０）されていてもよい。 In the present embodiment, the moving direction of the facing member 701 is not limited to the direction shown in FIG. 60 (d), and any direction as long as the movement of the facing member 701 can be detected by the optical sensor 311. It is possible to set Further, in FIG. 60 (d), it is assumed that the facing surface member 701 moves (V22 (t) ≠ 0), but the facing surface member 701 is stationary or fixed (V22 (t) = 0). May be
　本実施形態では、上述の実施形態と同様、原稿の搬送状態の検出に用いられる光学センサ３１１を用いて、対向面部材７０１の移動方向を検出し、その検出結果に基づいて、原稿の搬送方向に対する光学センサ３１１の取付角度を補正する。これにより、原稿搬送時における、光学センサ３１１を用いた原稿の搬送状態の検出精度を高めることが可能になる。 In the present embodiment, as in the above embodiment, the moving direction of the facing member 701 is detected using the optical sensor 311 used to detect the conveyance state of the document, and the conveyance direction of the document is detected based on the detection result. The mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 with respect to This makes it possible to increase the detection accuracy of the transport state of the document using the optical sensor 311 when transporting the document.
　〔第１４実施形態〕
　次に、第１４実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置について説明する。本実施形態では、上述の実施形態の変形例として、光学センサ３１１の撮像領域内に、上述の実施形態の対向面部材７０１に相当する基準部材７０５を進出及び退避可能にする例について説明する。以下では主に第１１乃至第１３実施形態との相違点について説明する。 Fourteenth Embodiment
Next, a document conveyance device according to a fourteenth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, as a modification of the above-described embodiment, an example will be described in which the reference member 705 corresponding to the facing surface member 701 of the above-described embodiment can be advanced and retracted within the imaging region of the optical sensor 311. The differences from the eleventh to thirteenth embodiments will be mainly described below.
　図６４は、本実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置の主要部の構成を概略的に示す断面図である。また、図６５（ａ）は、図６４に対応する、基準部材７０５の構成及び動作例を概略的に示す図である。本実施形態では、光学センサ３１１の取付角度の基準となる基準部材７０５と、基準部材７０５を駆動するモータ７０６とが設けられている。基準部材７０５は、制御部４４５の指示に従って動作するモータ７０６によって駆動される。なお、基準部材７０５は、モータ７０６に代えて、他のモータに動力連結用クラッチ等の動力結合機構によって動力結合されていてもよい。 FIG. 64 is a cross sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the document conveyance device according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 65 (a) schematically shows a configuration and an operation example of the reference member 705 corresponding to FIG. In the present embodiment, a reference member 705 serving as a reference of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 and a motor 706 for driving the reference member 705 are provided. The reference member 705 is driven by a motor 706 that operates according to the instruction of the control unit 445. The reference member 705 may be power coupled to another motor by a power coupling mechanism such as a power coupling clutch, instead of the motor 706.
　基準部材７０５は、図６５（ａ）に示すように、上ガイド板４０の、光学センサ３１１より搬送方向上流側に設けられた進出口を介して、搬送路内の搬送方向下流側に向けて、光学センサ３１１の撮像領域内に進出する。これにより、基準部材７０５は、上述の実施形態における対向面部材７０１と同様の機能を実現する。 As shown in FIG. 65 (a), the reference member 705 is directed toward the downstream side in the transport direction in the transport path via the entrance / exit provided on the upstream side of the optical sensor 311 in the transport direction of the upper guide plate 40. , And advances into the imaging region of the optical sensor 311. Thus, the reference member 705 realizes the same function as the facing surface member 701 in the above-described embodiment.
　光学センサ３１１は、搬送路内の、光学センサ３１１の撮像領域に基準部材７０５が進出するタイミングで、取付角度のずれの検出のために、基準部材７０５の移動量又は移動方向を検出するよう制御される。制御部４４５は、上述の実施形態と同様、光学センサ３１１による基準部材７０５の移動量又は移動方向の検出結果に基づいて、光学センサ３１１の取付角度のずれを検出する。なお、制御部４４５は、基準部材７０５が搬送路内に進出する際ではなく搬送路外へ退避する際の、基準部材７０５の移動量又は移動量の検出結果に基づいて、光学センサ３１１の取付角度のずれを検出してもよい。また、基準部材７０５が搬送路内に進出する際と搬送路外へ退避する際の両方において、光学センサ３１１の取付角度のずれの検出、及び取付角度の補正を行ってもよい。これにより、取付角度の補正精度を高めることが可能である。 The optical sensor 311 is controlled to detect the amount of movement or the direction of movement of the reference member 705 for detecting the displacement of the mounting angle at the timing when the reference member 705 advances into the imaging region of the optical sensor 311 in the transport path. Be done. The control unit 445 detects the deviation of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 based on the detection result of the movement amount or the movement direction of the reference member 705 by the optical sensor 311 as in the above-described embodiment. The control unit 445 mounts the optical sensor 311 based on the detection result of the movement amount or movement amount of the reference member 705 when the reference member 705 retracts out of the conveyance path instead of advancing into the conveyance path. An angle deviation may be detected. Further, the detection of the deviation of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 and the correction of the mounting angle may be performed both when the reference member 705 advances into the conveyance path and when retreating from the conveyance path. Thereby, it is possible to improve the correction accuracy of the mounting angle.
　基準部材７０５は、図６５（ａ）のように、シート状の部材であってもよいし、ブロック状の部材であってもよい。光学センサ３１１が基準部材７０５を撮像した際に特徴点を抽出可能な部材で構成されている限り、基準部材７０５の材料及び形状に制限は無い。 As shown in FIG. 65 (a), the reference member 705 may be a sheet-like member or a block-like member. The material and the shape of the reference member 705 are not limited as long as the optical sensor 311 is a member capable of extracting a feature point when imaging the reference member 705.
　また、図６５（ａ）の例の変形例として、基準部材７０５は、図６５（ｂ）に示すように、搬送路下面を構成する下ガイド板４１から搬送路内に進出するよう構成されてもよい。また、基準部材７０５は、図６５（ｃ）に示すように、搬送路の側面から搬送路内に進出するよう構成されてもよい。また、本実施形態では、図６５（ａ）のように、搬送方向上流側から下流側に向けて、基準部材７０５が搬送路内に進出する例を示したが、基準部材７０５は、搬送方向下流側から上流側に向けて搬送路内に進出するよう構成されてもよい。このように、基準部材７０５は、搬送路内に進出し、搬送路外へ退避することが可能であり、かつ、搬送路内に進出した際に光学センサ３１１の撮像領域内に位置付けられることが可能な構成を有していればよい。 Further, as a modification of the example of FIG. 65 (a), the reference member 705 is configured to advance into the conveyance path from the lower guide plate 41 constituting the lower surface of the conveyance path, as shown in FIG. 65 (b) It is also good. Further, as shown in FIG. 65 (c), the reference member 705 may be configured to advance into the conveyance path from the side surface of the conveyance path. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 65A, the reference member 705 is advanced into the conveyance path from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction. However, the reference member 705 has the conveyance direction It may be configured to advance into the transport path from the downstream side to the upstream side. In this manner, the reference member 705 can advance into the conveyance path and be retracted out of the conveyance path, and can be positioned within the imaging region of the optical sensor 311 when it advances into the conveyance path. It suffices to have a possible configuration.
　なお、本実施形態の変形例として、基準部材７０５（対向面部材７０１）に代えて、搬送路内への進出及び搬送路外への退避が可能な原稿が用いられてもよい。この原稿は、原稿搬送装置４００において搬送可能な媒体であればよく、光学センサ３１１の取付角度の検出及び補正に専用に使用される媒体でなくてもよい。この場合、光学センサ３１１の取付角度補正の実行時にも、通常の原稿搬送時と同様に原稿を搬送することで、基準部材７０５に相当する原稿を、搬送路内に進出させ、搬送路から退避させる構成が用いられうる。光学センサ３１１により移動量又は移動方向を検出可能である限り、基準部材７０５である原稿の搬送速度及び搬送方向に制限は無い。この場合、原稿の搬送方向及び搬送速度は事前に既知であってもよいし、画像読取センサ４１４，４１５によりその都度検出してもよい。画像読取センサ４１４，４１５により原稿の搬送方向及び搬送速度を検出する場合、同じ原稿を画像読取センサ４１４，４１５と光学センサ３１１で同じタイミングで原稿を読み取ってもよい。更に、画像読取センサ４１４，４１５により原稿の搬送速度及び搬送方向を取得し、光学センサ３１１により原稿の移動量及び移動方向を取得し、光学センサ３１１の取付角度のずれを検出することより、取付角度ずれの検出精度を高めることが可能である。 Note that as a modification of the present embodiment, a document capable of advancing into the conveyance path and retracting out of the conveyance path may be used instead of the reference member 705 (the facing surface member 701). The original may be any medium that can be conveyed by the original conveying device 400, and may not be a medium exclusively used for detection and correction of the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311. In this case, even when the mounting angle correction of the optical sensor 311 is performed, the document corresponding to the reference member 705 is advanced and retracted from the conveyance path by conveying the original as in normal document conveyance. A configuration may be used. As long as the movement amount or movement direction can be detected by the optical sensor 311, there is no restriction on the conveyance speed and conveyance direction of the document which is the reference member 705. In this case, the transport direction and transport speed of the document may be known in advance, or may be detected by the image reading sensors 414 and 415 each time. When the document reading direction and the conveyance speed are detected by the image reading sensors 414 and 415, the same document may be read by the image reading sensors 414 and 415 and the optical sensor 311 at the same timing. Further, the document reading speed and direction are obtained by the image reading sensors 414 and 415, the moving amount and moving direction of the document are obtained by the optical sensor 311, and the mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 is detected. It is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the angular deviation.
　本実施形態では、原稿の搬送状態の検出に用いられる光学センサ３１１を用いて、対向面部材７０１に相当する基準部材７０５の移動量又は移動方向を検出し、その検出結果に基づいて、原稿の搬送方向に対する光学センサ３１１の取付角度を補正する。これにより、原稿搬送時における、光学センサ３１１を用いた原稿の搬送状態の検出精度を高めることが可能になる。 In this embodiment, the movement amount or movement direction of the reference member 705 corresponding to the facing surface member 701 is detected using the optical sensor 311 used to detect the conveyance state of the document, and the document is detected based on the detection result. The mounting angle of the optical sensor 311 with respect to the transport direction is corrected. This makes it possible to increase the detection accuracy of the transport state of the document using the optical sensor 311 when transporting the document.
　以上、本発明の原稿搬送装置について詳細に説明したが、本発明は上記実施形態に限定されず、本発明の主旨を逸脱しない範囲において、種々の改良や変更をすることができる。また、上述の第１乃至第１４実施形態の１つ以上を適宜組み合わせて実施することも可能である。 As mentioned above, although the document conveying apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, it is also possible to implement combining suitably one or more of the above-mentioned 1st thru | or 14th embodiment.
　また、例えば、対向面部材７０１として、第５実施形態等で説明したように、搬送路を搬送されるシートを搬送路側に押圧するローラなどの部材を用いると、光学センサ３１１によってシートの移動量を検知する際に、搬送されるシートのバタつきを抑えて、精度よくシートの移動量を検知することが可能となる。この場合、対向面部材７０１に対向する位置に透明部材などを設けてその間にシートが挟持されるようにし、その位置で光学センサ３１１による検知を行うようにすることが好適である。また、対向面部材７０１としては、ローラなどの外周面を形成する部材自身の弾性によってシートが挟持されるようにしても良く、対向面部材７０１を形成するローラが光学センサ３１１側に付勢されて可動できるようになっていても良い。第５実施形態における分離ローラ４０７は、給送ローラ４０６に対してフロート支持されており、ここで説明した構造に近いものとなっている。実際には光学センサ３１１と対向する分離ローラ４０７の位置ではニップが形成されていないが、その近傍において給送ローラ４０６と分離ローラ４０７との間でニップが形成されており、シートのバタつきをある程度抑えることができている。 Further, for example, as described in the fifth embodiment and the like as the facing surface member 701, when using a member such as a roller that presses the sheet conveyed in the conveyance path toward the conveyance path, the movement amount of the sheet by the optical sensor 311 When detecting the sheet, it is possible to suppress the fluttering of the conveyed sheet, and to detect the movement amount of the sheet with high accuracy. In this case, it is preferable that a transparent member or the like be provided at a position facing the facing surface member 701 so that the sheet is held therebetween, and detection by the optical sensor 311 is performed at that position. Further, as the facing surface member 701, the sheet may be held by the elasticity of the member itself forming the outer circumferential surface such as a roller, and the roller forming the facing surface member 701 is biased to the optical sensor 311 side. It may be movable. The separation roller 407 in the fifth embodiment is float-supported with respect to the feed roller 406, and is similar to the structure described here. Actually, a nip is not formed at the position of the separation roller 407 opposed to the optical sensor 311, but a nip is formed between the feed roller 406 and the separation roller 407 in the vicinity thereof, so that the sheet is deformed. It can be suppressed to some extent.
　以上、第１１～１４実施形態では、様々な例を示して説明したが、本発明の趣旨と範囲は、本明細書内の特定の説明に限定されるのではなく、これらを組み合わせることも可能である。また、以下の実施態様も含まれることはいうまでもない。以下、その実施態様について説明する。 As mentioned above, although various examples were shown and explained in 11th-14th embodiments, the meaning and the scope of the present invention are not limited to the specific explanation in this specification, but it is possible to combine these. It is. It goes without saying that the following embodiments are also included. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.
[実施態様２６]
　原稿が載置される原稿台と、
　前記原稿台に載置された原稿が搬送される搬送路と、
　前記原稿台から搬送される原稿を撮像可能な位置に配置され、撮像対象物で反射した光を受光して光電変換を行う撮像素子と、
　前記撮像素子が取得した画像に基づいて、前記撮像対象物の移動方向を検出する検出部と、
　前記撮像素子と対向する位置に配置され、前記撮像素子により撮像可能な対向面を有する対向部材であって、前記対向面が前記撮像素子に対して相対的に移動可能に構成された、前記対向部材と、を備え、
　前記検出部が検出した前記対向面の移動方向に基づいて、前記搬送路における原稿の搬送方向に対する前記撮像素子の取付角度が検出されることを特徴とする原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様２７]
　前記撮像素子に対して相対的に所定の方向へ所定の速度で移動するよう、前記対向部材を制御する制御部を更に備え、
　前記検出部は、移動中の前記対向面を前記撮像素子が撮像して取得した画像に基づいて、前記対向面の移動方向を検出し、
　前記制御部は、前記検出部が検出した前記対向面の移動方向に基づいて、前記撮像素子の前記取付角度を検出することを特徴とする実施態様２６に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様２８]
　前記対向面は、前記搬送方向に沿って移動可能に構成されていることを特徴とする実施態様２６又は２７に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様２９]
　前記対向部材は、前記搬送路に設けられ、前記原稿に当接して前記原稿を搬送するローラであり、前記対向面は、前記ローラの外周面であることを特徴とする実施態様２８に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様３０]
　前記搬送路に設けられ、前記原稿に当接して前記原稿を搬送するローラを更に備え、
　前記対向部材は、前記ローラと連動して回転可能な回転部材であり、前記対向面は、前記回転部材の外周面であることを特徴とする実施態様２８に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様３１]
　前記搬送路に設けられ、前記原稿に当接して前記原稿を搬送するローラを更に備え、
　前記対向部材は、前記ローラと連動して回転する回転軸であり、前記対向面は、前記回転軸の外周面であることを特徴とする実施態様２８に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様３２]
　前記搬送路に設けられ、前記原稿に当接して前記原稿を搬送するローラを更に備え、
　前記対向部材は、前記ローラの回転軸に対して連結された、前記ローラと連動して回転する回転体であり、前記対向面は、前記回転体の外周面であることを特徴とする実施態様２８に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様３３]
　前記撮像素子は、前記対向面を撮像する際に前記対向面に対して相対的に移動可能に構成されていることを特徴とする実施態様２６から３２のいずれか１つに記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様３４]
　前記撮像素子が前記対向面を撮像する際に前記対向面と前記撮像素子との両方が移動することを特徴とする実施態様３３に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様３５]
　前記対向部材は、前記撮像素子が撮像可能な撮像領域に進出し、かつ、前記撮像領域から退避するよう構成された部材であることを特徴とする実施態様２６又は２７に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様３６]
　前記制御部は、更に、前記撮像素子の取付角度が補正されるよう、前記取付角度の検出結果に基づいて前記撮像素子を回転移動させることを特徴とする実施態様２７に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様３７]
　搬送対象の複数の原稿を１枚ずつ分離して搬送するための原稿分離部を更に備え、
　前記撮像素子及び前記対向部材は、前記搬送方向において前記原稿分離部の上流側に配置されていることを特徴とする実施態様３６に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様３８]
　前記制御部は、前記原稿台に原稿が載置されていないタイミングに前記撮像素子の取付角度補正を実行するためのキャリブレーションモードを有することを特徴とする実施態様３７に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様３９]
　前記制御部は、前記原稿台に載置された複数の原稿のうち最後の原稿の後端が前記原稿分離部を通過したことが検知されると、前記撮像素子の取付角度補正を実行することを特徴とする実施態様３７又は３８に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様４０]
　搬送対象の複数の原稿を１枚ずつ分離して搬送するための原稿分離部を更に備え、
　前記撮像素子及び前記対向部材は、前記搬送方向において前記原稿分離部の下流側に配置されていることを特徴とする実施態様３６に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様４１]
　前記制御部は、前記原稿台に載置された原稿の搬送の開始が指示された際に、前記撮像素子の取付角度補正を実行することを特徴とする実施態様４０に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様４２]
　前記搬送路において前記撮像素子の下流側に設けられた、搬送される原稿を検知するためのセンサを更に備え、
　前記制御部は、搬送される原稿の後端が前記センサによって検知されると、前記撮像素子の取付角度補正を実行することを特徴とする実施態様４０又は４１に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様４３]
　前記制御部は、更に、前記原稿台から原稿が搬送された原稿について前記検出部によって検出された移動方向を、前記取付角度の検出結果に基づいて、前記搬送方向を基準とした移動方向に変換することを特徴とする実施態様２７に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様４４]
　前記制御部は、更に、前記搬送方向に沿った軸と前記搬送方向に直交する方向に沿った軸とで規定される座標系のデータであって、前記検出部による前記原稿の移動方向の検出結果と比較されるデータについて、前記取付角度の検出結果に対応する座標系への座標変換を行うことを特徴とする実施態様２７に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様４５]
　前記搬送路において前記撮像素子よりも前記搬送方向の下流側に設けられ、前記原稿の画像を読み取る画像読取部を更に備えることを特徴とする実施態様２６から４４のいずれか１つに記載の原稿搬送装置。 [Embodiment 26]
A platen on which a document is placed;
A transport path through which a document placed on the document table is transported;
An image pickup device disposed at a position capable of picking up an image of a document conveyed from the document table, receiving light reflected by the object to be photographed, and performing photoelectric conversion;
A detection unit that detects the moving direction of the imaging target based on the image acquired by the imaging element;
An opposing member disposed at a position facing the imaging device and having an opposing surface that can be imaged by the imaging device, wherein the opposing surface is configured to be movable relative to the imaging device. And a member,
A document conveyance device, wherein an attachment angle of the image pickup element with respect to the conveyance direction of the document in the conveyance path is detected based on the movement direction of the facing surface detected by the detection unit.
[Embodiment 27]
The image pickup device further includes a control unit configured to control the facing member so as to move at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction relative to the image sensor.
The detection unit detects a moving direction of the facing surface based on an image acquired by the imaging device capturing the facing surface being moved.
27. The document conveying apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the control unit detects the attachment angle of the image pickup element based on the movement direction of the facing surface detected by the detection unit.
[Embodiment 28]
27. The document feeder according to claim 26, wherein the opposite surface is configured to be movable along the transport direction.
Embodiment 29
29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the opposing member is a roller provided in the transport path and configured to abut the document to transport the document, and the opposing surface is an outer peripheral surface of the roller. Document feeder.
[Embodiment 30]
The image forming apparatus further comprises a roller provided in the transport path and configured to transport the original while contacting the original.
29. The document conveying apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the facing member is a rotating member rotatable in conjunction with the roller, and the facing surface is an outer peripheral surface of the rotating member.
[Embodiment 31]
The image forming apparatus further comprises a roller provided in the transport path and configured to transport the original while contacting the original.
29. The document conveying apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the facing member is a rotating shaft that rotates in conjunction with the roller, and the facing surface is an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft.
Embodiment 32
The image forming apparatus further comprises a roller provided in the transport path and configured to transport the original while contacting the original.
The facing member is a rotating body connected to the rotating shaft of the roller, which rotates in conjunction with the roller, and the facing surface is an outer circumferential surface of the rotating body. 28. The document feeder according to item 28.
Embodiment 33
33. The document feeder according to any one of the embodiments 26 to 32, wherein the imaging device is configured to be movable relative to the facing surface when imaging the facing surface. .
Embodiment 34
34. The document feeder according to the embodiment 33, wherein both of the facing surface and the imaging element move when the imaging element captures the facing surface.
Embodiment 35
28. The document conveying apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the opposing member is a member configured to advance to an imaging area where the imaging device can pick up an image and to retract from the imaging area.
[Embodiment 36]
28. The document conveyance device according to claim 27, wherein the control unit further rotationally moves the imaging device based on a detection result of the mounting angle such that the mounting angle of the imaging device is corrected.
[Embodiment 37]
The document processing apparatus further includes a document separating unit for separating and transporting a plurality of documents to be transported one by one.
36. The document feeder according to the embodiment 36, wherein the image pickup element and the opposing member are disposed upstream of the document separating unit in the transport direction.
[Embodiment 38]
38. The document conveying apparatus according to aspect 37, wherein the control unit has a calibration mode for performing the mounting angle correction of the imaging device at a timing when the document is not placed on the document table.
Embodiment 39
The control unit executes the mounting angle correction of the image pickup element when it is detected that the rear end of the last document of the plurality of documents placed on the document table has passed through the document separation unit. 40. The document feeder according to embodiment 37 or 38, characterized in that:
Embodiment 40
The document processing apparatus further includes a document separating unit for separating and transporting a plurality of documents to be transported one by one.
36. The document feeder according to the embodiment 36, wherein the image pickup element and the facing member are disposed downstream of the document separating unit in the transport direction.
Embodiment 41
40. The document conveying apparatus according to embodiment 40, wherein the control unit executes attachment angle correction of the image pickup device when instructed to start conveyance of a document placed on the document table.
Embodiment 42
It further comprises a sensor provided on the downstream side of the image pickup device in the conveyance path for detecting an original to be conveyed;
40. The document feeder according to the embodiment 40 or 41, wherein the control unit executes attachment angle correction of the image pickup element when the trailing edge of the document being fed is detected by the sensor.
Embodiment 43
The control unit further converts the movement direction detected by the detection unit for the document having the document conveyed from the document table into the movement direction based on the conveyance direction based on the detection result of the attachment angle. 27. A document feeder according to claim 27, wherein:
Embodiment 44
The control unit is data of a coordinate system further defined by an axis along the transport direction and an axis along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the detection unit detects the movement direction of the document. 28. The document feeder according to the embodiment 27, wherein coordinate conversion to a coordinate system corresponding to the detection result of the attachment angle is performed on data to be compared with the result.
Embodiment 45
45. The document according to any one of the embodiments 26 to 44, further comprising an image reading unit provided downstream of the imaging device in the conveyance direction on the conveyance path and reading an image of the document. Transport device.
　従来、原稿搬送装置において原稿が正常に搬送されているかどうかを検出することを目的として、原稿の搬送方向への移動量を検出するための技術が提案されている（上述した従来技術１）。従来技術１では、原稿の搬送方向への移動量を検出するエンコーダと、搬送方向に直交しない特定の第１の検出方向への変位量を計測する光学センサとを用いて、光学センサから搬送方向への変位量と、第１の検出方向及び第２の検出方向の変位量から斜行量とを求める。更に、この斜行量とエンコーダからの変位量を用いて、搬送方向への変位量を求める。しかし、上述のように、光学的な撮像素子（光学センサ）を用いて原稿の搬送方向を検出する技術では、原稿の搬送方向に対する撮像素子の取付角度にずれがある場合、原稿の搬送方向の検出精度が低下する。このような撮像素子の取付角度のずれは、多くの場合、撮像素子の取り付け時の取り付け誤差に起因する。また、取付角度のずれの要因には、撮像素子が取り付けられたユニットの開閉又はその他のユニットの開閉等によって装置に加えられる振動、経年変化又は温度変化による材料の伸縮、撮像素子をユーザが触ったことによる取付角度の変化等がある。 Heretofore, there has been proposed a technique for detecting the amount of movement of a document in the conveyance direction for the purpose of detecting whether or not the document is being conveyed normally in the document conveyance device (conventional technique 1 described above). In the prior art 1, the conveyance direction from the optical sensor using the encoder for detecting the movement amount of the document in the conveyance direction and the optical sensor for measuring the displacement amount in a specific first detection direction not orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The amount of skewing is determined from the amount of displacement to the first direction and the amounts of displacement in the first and second detection directions. Further, the amount of displacement in the transport direction is determined using this amount of skewing and the amount of displacement from the encoder. However, as described above, in the technique of detecting the document transport direction using an optical image sensor (optical sensor), if there is a deviation in the mounting angle of the image sensor with respect to the document transport direction, Detection accuracy is reduced. Such a shift in the mounting angle of the imaging device is often caused by a mounting error at the time of mounting the imaging device. In addition, the factor of the deviation of the mounting angle is the vibration applied to the device by opening / closing the unit attached with the imaging device or opening / closing another unit, expansion / contraction of material due to aging or temperature change, and the user touching the imaging device. There is a change in the mounting angle etc.
　これに対して、本発明の第１１～１４実施形態では、上述したような構成により、原稿を搬送可能な原稿搬送装置において、原稿の搬送状態の検出に用いられる撮像素子の取付角度のずれが検出可能になる。それにより、撮像素子の取付角度を補正して、より高精度に原稿の搬送状態を検出することが可能になる。取付角度の補正には、撮像素子自体をモータで駆動するものや撮像素子の取付角度に基づいて座標変換を行うものが含まれる。 On the other hand, in the eleventh to fourteenth embodiments of the present invention, in the document conveyance device capable of conveying the document with the above-described configuration, the deviation of the attachment angle of the imaging device used for detecting the conveyance state of the document It becomes detectable. As a result, it is possible to correct the mounting angle of the imaging element and to detect the transport state of the document with higher accuracy. The correction of the mounting angle includes one in which the imaging element itself is driven by a motor and one in which coordinate conversion is performed based on the mounting angle of the imaging element.
　以下の実施形態では、光学センサ３１１と他の光学センサとの関係について説明する。 In the following embodiment, the relationship between the optical sensor 311 and another optical sensor will be described.
　〔第１５実施形態〕
　＜光学センサ３１１と他の光学センサとの近接配置＞
　本実施形態の原稿搬送装置４００は、図２６、図２７に示した構成とする。
　また、本実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置４００における光学センサ３１１は、図３４に示したように、モールド部材及び透光板で構成されるケース体３１２によって周囲が覆われている。
　次に、図６６乃至図７０を参照して、本実施形態に係る、光学センサ３１１と他の光学センサとを近接して配置する場合の光学センサ３１１の構成例について説明する。 [Fifteenth embodiment]
<Proximity arrangement of optical sensor 311 and other optical sensors>
The document conveyance device 400 of this embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 26 and FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 34, the periphery of the optical sensor 311 in the document conveyance device 400 according to the present embodiment is covered by a case body 312 formed of a mold member and a light transmitting plate.
Next, with reference to FIG. 66 to FIG. 70, a configuration example of the optical sensor 311 in the case where the optical sensor 311 and another optical sensor are arranged close to each other according to the present embodiment will be described.
　原稿搬送装置４００には、光学センサ３１１だけでなく別の光学センサが搭載（実装）される場合がある。例えば、上記の実施形態で説明したシート検知センサ４０３、レジスト前センサ４３２、レジスト中センサ及びレジスト後センサ４３３は、光学センサ３１１とは別の光学センサの一例である。これらのセンサ群は、装置の小型化やコストの抑制のために、同じ基板に実装される場合がある。ここでは、光学センサ３１１を、他の光学センサと同じ基板に実装する例について説明する。 Not only the optical sensor 311 but also another optical sensor may be mounted (mounted) on the document conveyance device 400. For example, the sheet detection sensor 403, the pre-registration sensor 432, the in-registration sensor, and the post-registration sensor 433 described in the above embodiment are an example of an optical sensor different from the optical sensor 311. These sensor groups may be mounted on the same substrate in order to miniaturize the device and reduce the cost. Here, an example in which the optical sensor 311 is mounted on the same substrate as other optical sensors will be described.
　図６６は、複数の光学センサが同じ基板に実装された場合の基板の構成例を示す平面図である。図６６の例では、基板３００には、光学センサ３１１の他に、レジスト前センサ４３２と、センサ群の制御用のＭＣＵ（マイクロコントローラユニット）３２０とが実装されている。レジスト前センサ４３２は、発光素子４３２ａ及び受光素子４３２ｂで構成されている。なお、基板３００には、光学センサ３１１の他に、レジスト前センサ４３２以外のセンサが実装されてもよいし、複数の光学センサが実装されてもよい。 FIG. 66 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a substrate when a plurality of optical sensors are mounted on the same substrate. In the example of FIG. 66, in addition to the optical sensor 311, the pre-registration sensor 432 and an MCU (micro controller unit) 320 for controlling the sensor group are mounted on the substrate 300. The pre-registration sensor 432 includes a light emitting element 432 a and a light receiving element 432 b. In addition to the optical sensor 311, a sensor other than the pre-registration sensor 432 may be mounted on the substrate 300, or a plurality of optical sensors may be mounted.
　光学センサは、アナログ信号を扱う場合が多く、それによりノイズに弱くなる傾向がある。本実施形態では、このようなノイズの影響を最小限にするために、センサ群（光学センサ３１１及びレジスト前センサ４３２）を、当該センサ群を制御する制御回路（制御ＩＣ）であるＭＣＵ３２０と同じ基板に実装している。具体的には、アナログ信号を出力する構成を有する光学センサをレジスト前センサ４３２として用いた場合の原稿の検出精度の低下を防ぐために、ＭＣＵ３２０とレジスト前センサ４３２とを同じ基板に実装している。 Optical sensors often handle analog signals, which tend to be susceptible to noise. In the present embodiment, in order to minimize the influence of such noise, the sensor group (the optical sensor 311 and the pre-resist sensor 432) is the same as the MCU 320 which is a control circuit (control IC) that controls the sensor group. It is mounted on a board. Specifically, MCU 320 and pre-registration sensor 432 are mounted on the same substrate in order to prevent a decrease in detection accuracy of the original when using an optical sensor having a configuration for outputting an analog signal as pre-registration sensor 432. .
　１つの基板３００上にセンサ群を配置する場合、基板３００の面積を小さくするほど、光学センサ間の距離を近くせざるを得なくなる。この場合、１つの光学センサの発光素子から出力された光が他の光学センサの受光素子によって受光され、当該他の光学センサに誤動作が生じる可能性がある。 When the sensor group is disposed on one substrate 300, the smaller the area of the substrate 300, the smaller the distance between the optical sensors. In this case, the light output from the light emitting element of one optical sensor may be received by the light receiving element of the other optical sensor, which may cause the other optical sensor to malfunction.
　図６７は、光学センサ３１１及び他の光学センサ（本例ではレジスト前センサ４３２）の光の分光特性の例を示している。光学センサ３１１は、上述のように、波長が８５０ｎｍ程の近赤外線領域の光を用いるのが好ましい。一方、レジスト前センサ４３２として使用される光学センサも、波長が８００～９５０ｎｍ程の赤外線領域の光を用いる場合がある。この場合、光学センサ３１１とは異なる種類の光学センサをレジスト前センサ４３２として使用したとしても、図６７に示すように、双方の光学センサが使用する波長が近くなりうる。その結果、双方の光学センサ（本例では、光学センサ３１１とレジスト前センサ４３２）のうちの一方のセンサから出力された光が他方のセンサによって受光される（即ち、干渉が生じる）ことで、当該他方のセンサに誤動作が生じる可能性がある。 FIG. 67 shows an example of the spectral characteristics of light of the optical sensor 311 and another optical sensor (in this example, the pre-resist sensor 432). As described above, the optical sensor 311 preferably uses light in the near infrared region with a wavelength of about 850 nm. On the other hand, the optical sensor used as the pre-registration sensor 432 may also use light in the infrared region with a wavelength of about 800 to 950 nm. In this case, even if an optical sensor of a type different from the optical sensor 311 is used as the pre-registration sensor 432, as shown in FIG. 67, the wavelengths used by both optical sensors may be close. As a result, the light output from one of the two optical sensors (in this example, the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432) is received by the other sensor (that is, interference occurs), A malfunction may occur in the other sensor.
　＜光学センサ間の干渉防止構成＞
　本実施形態では、同じ基板３００に実装される光学センサ３１１と他の光学センサ（本例では、レジスト前センサ４３２）との間で上述のような干渉が生じるのを防ぐための、基板３００を覆うケース体（ハウジング）の構成例について説明する。 <Interference prevention configuration between optical sensors>
In the present embodiment, the substrate 300 is used to prevent the interference as described above between the optical sensor 311 mounted on the same substrate 300 and another optical sensor (pre-resist sensor 432 in this example). A configuration example of the covering case body (housing) will be described.
　図６８は、光学センサ３１１及び他の光学センサであるレジスト前センサ４３２を含むモジュールの構成例を示す斜視図である。レジスト前センサ４３２は、発光素子４３２ａ及び受光素子４３２ｂで構成され、発光素子４３２ａから出力した光の反射光を受光素子４３２ｂで受光し、当該反射光の受光量に対応する信号を受光素子４３２ｂから出力する。なお、レジスト前センサ４３２には他の構成を有するセンサが用いられてもよい。 FIG. 68 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a module including an optical sensor 311 and another pre-resist sensor 432 which is an optical sensor. The pre-registration sensor 432 includes a light emitting element 432a and a light receiving element 432b, and the reflected light of the light output from the light emitting element 432a is received by the light receiving element 432b, and a signal corresponding to the amount of received reflected light is received from the light receiving element 432b. Output. As the pre-registration sensor 432, a sensor having another configuration may be used.
　図６８に示すように、基板３００にケース体１３０が取り付けられている。ケース体１３０は、図３４に示すケース体３１２の機能と光学センサ間の遮光機構とが一体化した構成を有する。ケース体１３０の一部を構成するモールド部材１３０ａ及び透光板１３０ｄは、図３４に示すケース体３１２に相当する部分であり、基板３００上に実装された光学センサ３１１の周囲を覆っている。モールド部材１３０ａは、基板３００上の光学センサ３１１を囲む壁を形成している。透光板１３０ｄは、モールド部材１３０ａによって囲まれた空間を塞ぐように、光学センサ３１１と対向する位置に設けられている。この構成により、ケース体３１２と同様、紙粉が直に光学センサ３１１に付着することを防止できるとともに、紙粉が特徴点として誤って抽出されることを防止できる。このケース体３１２を基板３００に対して固定することによって、光学センサ３１１とレジスト前センサ４３２を覆うことができる。 As shown in FIG. 68, the case body 130 is attached to the substrate 300. The case body 130 has a configuration in which the function of the case body 312 shown in FIG. 34 and the light shielding mechanism between the optical sensors are integrated. The mold member 130 a and the light transmitting plate 130 d that constitute a part of the case body 130 correspond to the case body 312 shown in FIG. 34 and cover the periphery of the optical sensor 311 mounted on the substrate 300. The mold member 130 a forms a wall surrounding the optical sensor 311 on the substrate 300. The light transmitting plate 130 d is provided at a position facing the optical sensor 311 so as to close the space surrounded by the mold member 130 a. With this configuration, as in the case body 312, paper dust can be prevented from directly adhering to the optical sensor 311, and paper dust can be prevented from being erroneously extracted as a feature point. By fixing the case body 312 to the substrate 300, the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432 can be covered.
　ケース体１３０は、モールド部材１３０ａに隣接して配置されたモールド部材１３０ｃを備える。モールド部材１３０ｃは、レジスト前センサ４３２（発光素子４３２ａ及び受光素子４３２ｂ）を配置するための配置面を形成している。当該配置面は、モールド部材１３０ａから側方に伸びており、レジスト前センサ４３２を配置可能な広さを有する。なお、モールド部材１３０ｃの内部は空洞であってもよい。また、モールド部材１３０ｃは、モールド部材１３０ａと一体的に形成されてもよいし、板状の部材を結合して形成されてもよい。モールド部材１３０ａの、モールド部材１３０ｃと隣接する部分は、後述するように、レジスト前センサ４３２と光学センサ３１１との間の隔壁１３０ｅを形成している。なお、レジスト前センサ４３２の発光素子４３２ａと受光素子４３２ｂとは、基板３００に実装され、モールド部材１３０ｃの配置面に設けられた貫通穴を貫通することで当該配置面に配置されていても良い。 The case body 130 includes a mold member 130c disposed adjacent to the mold member 130a. The mold member 130c forms an arrangement surface for arranging the pre-resist sensor 432 (the light emitting element 432a and the light receiving element 432b). The arrangement surface extends laterally from the mold member 130 a and has an area in which the pre-resist sensor 432 can be arranged. The inside of the mold member 130c may be hollow. In addition, the mold member 130c may be integrally formed with the mold member 130a, or may be formed by joining plate-like members. The portion of the mold member 130a adjacent to the mold member 130c forms a partition 130e between the pre-resist sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311, as described later. The light emitting element 432a and the light receiving element 432b of the pre-registration sensor 432 may be mounted on the substrate 300, and may be arranged on the arrangement surface by penetrating through holes provided in the arrangement surface of the mold member 130c. .
　図６８に示すように、隔壁１３０ｅ（第１遮光壁）は、光学センサ３１１と、レジスト前センサ４３２の発光素子４３２ａ及び受光素子４３２ｂとの間を仕切るように、光学センサ３１１とレジスト前センサ４３２との間に位置付けられる。これにより、隔壁１３０ｅは、光学センサ３１１とレジスト前センサ４３２とのうちの一方のセンサの発光素子から出力された光が他方のセンサに入射しないように遮光するための遮光壁として設けられる。例えば、隔壁１３０ａは、レジスト前センサ４３２の発光素子４３２ａから出力（照射）された光が（透光板１３０ｄを通して）光学センサ３１１によって受光されるのを防ぐための遮光壁として機能する。 As shown in FIG. 68, the optical sensor 311 and the pre-resist sensor 432 are configured to partition the partition 130 e (first light shielding wall) between the optical sensor 311 and the light emitting element 432 a and the light receiving element 432 b of the pre-resist sensor 432. Positioned between Thus, the partition wall 130e is provided as a light blocking wall for blocking the light output from the light emitting element of one of the optical sensor 311 and the pre-resist sensor 432 so as not to be incident on the other sensor. For example, the partition wall 130 a functions as a light blocking wall for preventing the light (output) from the light emitting element 432 a of the pre-resist sensor 432 from being received (through the light transmitting plate 130 d) by the optical sensor 311.
　隔壁１３０ｅは、基板３００の表面からの高さとして、発光素子４３２ａからの光を遮光するために十分な高さを有するよう、透光板１３０ｄが設けられた高さを上回る高さ（即ち、透光板１３０ｄの最も高い部分が配置される高さを上回る高さ）を有するように形成されている。また、隔壁１３０ｅに隣接する、モールド部材１３０ａの一部である側面（発光素子４３２ａ及び受光素子４３２ｂの配列方向に直交する方向に沿った側面）も、光学センサ３１１に不要な光が入射することを防ぐために、隔壁１３０ｅと同程度の高さを有するように形成されている。 The height of the partition wall 130e is greater than the height at which the light transmitting plate 130d is provided so as to have a height sufficient to block the light from the light emitting element 432a as the height from the surface of the substrate 300 (ie, It is formed to have a height that exceeds the height at which the highest portion of the light transmitting plate 130d is disposed. In addition, unnecessary light also enters the optical sensor 311 on the side surface (a side surface along the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light emitting element 432a and the light receiving element 432b) which is a part of the mold member 130a adjacent to the partition 130e. In order to prevent this, the partition wall 130e is formed to have the same height as the partition wall 130e.
　このような構成により、レジスト前センサ４３２の発光素子４３２ａから出力された光が光学センサ３１１に入射することを防止しながら、レジスト前センサ４３２の位置決めを行うことができる。また、発光素子４３２ａから出力されて導光体（図示せず）を通り、受光素子４３２ｂへ入射する光の一部が、光学センサ３１１に入射することを防止できる。 With such a configuration, the pre-registration sensor 432 can be positioned while preventing light output from the light emitting element 432 a of the pre-registration sensor 432 from being incident on the optical sensor 311. In addition, it is possible to prevent part of light output from the light emitting element 432a and passing through the light guide (not shown) and entering the light receiving element 432b from entering the optical sensor 311.
　ケース体１３０は、モールド部材１３０ａ上に、モールド部材１３０ａから側方に突き出した、発光素子４３２ａと受光素子４３２ｂとの間の隔壁を形成するモールド部材１３０ｂ（第２遮光壁）を備える。モールド部材１３０ｂは、モールド部材１３０ａの一部である隔壁１３０ｅから連なって（隔壁１３０ｅと接するように）形成されている。このモールド部材１３０ｂは、発光素子４３２ａから出力された光が受光素子４３２ｂに直接入射することを防ぐための遮光壁として設けられている。 The case body 130 includes a mold member 130 b (second light shielding wall) which protrudes laterally from the mold member 130 a and forms a partition between the light emitting element 432 a and the light receiving element 432 b on the mold member 130 a. The mold member 130b is formed continuously (in contact with the partition 130e) from the partition 130e which is a part of the mold member 130a. The mold member 130 b is provided as a light shielding wall for preventing light output from the light emitting element 432 a from being directly incident on the light receiving element 432 b.
　モールド部材１３０ａ，１３０ｂ，１３０ｃは、一体的に形成（即ち、１つのモールド部材で構成）されている。これは、光学センサ３１１及びレジスト前センサ４３２を実装した基板３００の面積が比較的狭くてもセンサ間の干渉を防止しながらそれらのセンサを動作させるために有効である。 The mold members 130a, 130b, 130c are integrally formed (that is, constituted by one mold member). This is effective to operate these sensors while preventing interference between the sensors even if the area of the substrate 300 on which the optical sensor 311 and the pre-resist sensor 432 are mounted is relatively small.
　このように、本実施形態に係るケース体１３０は、光学センサ３１１への不要な光の入射を防ぎながら、光学センサ３１１と一緒に基板３００上に配置されるレジスト前センサ４３２から光学センサ３１１への干渉を防ぐための遮光壁を形成している。 As described above, the case body 130 according to the present embodiment can prevent the unwanted light from entering the optical sensor 311, and the pre-resist sensor 432 disposed on the substrate 300 together with the optical sensor 311 to the optical sensor 311. Form a light blocking wall to prevent the interference of
　次に、図６８に示すモジュールを、搬送ローラ９０１と搬送ローラ９０２との間に配置する例について説明する。図６９（ａ）は、原稿搬送装置４００を上部から見たときの、図６８に示すモジュール及び搬送ローラ９０１，９０２の配置例を示す平面図である。本実施形態では、搬送ローラ９０１を保持している部材が延出し、光学センサ３１１及びレジスト前センサ４３２が搭載される基板３００とケース体１３０とを保持する。原稿（シート）の搬送方向の上流側に配置された搬送ローラ９０１は、例えば、給送ローラ４０６又は分離ローラ４０７である。下流側に配置された搬送ローラ９０２は、例えば、レジストローラ４１７又は４１８である。 Next, an example in which the module shown in FIG. 68 is disposed between the conveying roller 901 and the conveying roller 902 will be described. 69A is a plan view showing an arrangement example of the modules and the conveyance rollers 901 and 902 shown in FIG. 68 when the document conveyance device 400 is viewed from the top. In the present embodiment, a member holding the conveyance roller 901 extends, and holds the substrate 300 on which the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432 are mounted, and the case body 130. The conveyance roller 901 disposed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the document (sheet) is, for example, a feed roller 406 or a separation roller 407. The conveyance roller 902 disposed downstream is, for example, a registration roller 417 or 418.
　また、図６９（ｂ）は、図６９（ａ）に示す構成におけるＥ－Ｅ'断面図である。本例では、光学センサ３１１及びレジスト前センサ４３２は、ケース体１３０によって覆われている。ケース体１３０の一部を構成するモールド部材１３０ａ及び透光板１３０ｄは、図３４（ｂ）に示しているケース体３１２の形状を保った状態で、光学センサ３１１を覆っている。隔壁１３０ｅにより、レジスト前センサ４３２から出力されて光学センサ３１１へ向かう光の遮光を実現している。また、モールド部材１３０ｃにより、レジスト前センサ４３２から出力されて光学センサ３１１へ直接向かう光を遮光しつつ、当該センサの位置決めを行うことを可能にしている。 69 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE 'in the configuration shown in FIG. 69 (a). In the present example, the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432 are covered by the case body 130. The mold member 130a and the light transmitting plate 130d which constitute a part of the case body 130 cover the optical sensor 311 in a state where the shape of the case body 312 shown in FIG. 34 (b) is maintained. The partition wall 130 e realizes blocking of light output from the pre-resist sensor 432 and traveling toward the optical sensor 311. In addition, it is possible to position the sensor while shielding the light output from the pre-resist sensor 432 and directed directly to the optical sensor 311 by the mold member 130c.
　なお、光学センサ３１１と一緒に基板３００に実装される他の光学センサは、レジスト前センサ４３２以外の光学センサであってもよい。また、基板３００には、光学センサ３１１と一緒に複数の光学センサが実装されてもよい。 The other optical sensor mounted on the substrate 300 together with the optical sensor 311 may be an optical sensor other than the pre-resist sensor 432. In addition, a plurality of optical sensors may be mounted on the substrate 300 together with the optical sensor 311.
　＜原稿検出処理＞
　上述の図６８及び図６９に示す構成例によれば、原稿搬送装置４００内の搬送路９００上で、レジスト前センサ４３２と光学センサ３１１とを近接して配置することが可能である。この場合、以下で説明するように、これら２つの光学センサを利用して、搬送路９００上の原稿（シート）の有無だけでなく、ＯＨＰシート等の透明度の高い原稿（シート）を判別することが可能である。この判別結果に基づいて、画像読み取りセンサ４１４，４１５による原稿の読み取りにより得られた画像データに対して、透明度の高い原稿に適した画像処理を行うことが可能になる。なお、以下の例では、搬送ローラ９０１を給送ローラ４０６又は分離ローラ４０７で構成し、搬送ローラ９０２をレジストローラ４１７又は４１８で構成する。 <Original detection process>
According to the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 68 and 69 described above, the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 can be arranged close to each other on the conveyance path 900 in the document conveyance device 400. In this case, as described below, these two optical sensors are used to determine not only the presence or absence of a document (sheet) on the conveyance path 900 but also a highly transparent document (sheet) such as an OHP sheet. Is possible. Based on the determination result, image processing suitable for a highly transparent document can be performed on image data obtained by reading the document by the image reading sensors 414 and 415. In the following example, the conveyance roller 901 is configured by the feeding roller 406 or the separation roller 407, and the conveyance roller 902 is configured by the registration roller 417 or 418.
　ここで、レジスト前センサ４３２を利用した原稿の有無の検出は、以下のように行うことが可能である。具体的には、ＭＣＵ３２０は、発光素子４３２ａから光を出力させ、受光素子４３２ｂからの、受光量に対応する出力値をモニタリングし、当該出力値と所定の閾値との比較結果に基づいて、原稿の有無を検出する。具体的には、本実施形態においては、発光素子４３２ａから照射された光が、搬送路を跨いで対向する位置に設けられた導光体によって導光され、再び搬送路を跨いで返ってきた光を受光素子４３２ｂが受光することによって検出しており、発光素子４３２ａから出力された光が照射される領域に原稿が存在する場合、原稿によって光が遮られるため受光素子４３２ｂの受光量が小さくなる。このような受光素子４３２ｂの受光量の変化に基づいて、原稿の有無を検出できる。例えば、受光素子４３２ｂが、受光量が大きいほど出力値が小さくなる出力特性を有する場合、ＭＣＵ３２０は、受光量が閾値以上であれば、原稿有りと判定し、受光量が閾値未満であれば、原稿無しと判定する。 Here, detection of the presence or absence of the document using the pre-registration sensor 432 can be performed as follows. Specifically, the MCU 320 outputs light from the light emitting element 432a, monitors an output value corresponding to the amount of light received from the light receiving element 432b, and based on the comparison result of the output value and a predetermined threshold value, the document To detect the presence or absence of Specifically, in the present embodiment, the light emitted from the light emitting element 432a is guided by the light guide provided at the position facing across the transport path, and returns again across the transport path. The light is detected by the light receiving element 432b receiving light, and when the document exists in the area where the light output from the light emitting element 432a is irradiated, the light is blocked by the document and the light receiving amount of the light receiving element 432b is small. Become. The presence or absence of the document can be detected based on the change in the amount of light received by the light receiving element 432b. For example, when the light receiving element 432b has an output characteristic in which the output value decreases as the light receiving amount increases, the MCU 320 determines that the document is present if the light receiving amount is equal to or more than the threshold, and if the light receiving amount is less than the threshold It is determined that there is no manuscript.
　しかし、原稿の透明度が高い（原稿が透明性を有する）場合、発光素子４３２ａから出力された光が原稿によって十分に遮られず、受光素子４３２ｂの受光量が小さくならない。このため、発光素子４３２ａから出力された光を透明度の高い原稿に照射した場合、上述の閾値の設定に依存して、受光素子４３２ｂの出力値から原稿無しという判定結果が得られる。本例では、このようなレジスト前センサ４３２の特性と、近接して配置された光学センサ３１１とを利用して、透明度の高い原稿の判別を行う。 However, when the transparency of the document is high (the document has transparency), the light output from the light emitting element 432a is not sufficiently blocked by the document, and the light receiving amount of the light receiving element 432b is not reduced. Therefore, when the light output from the light emitting element 432a is irradiated to the highly transparent document, the determination result that the document is absent can be obtained from the output value of the light receiving element 432b, depending on the setting of the threshold described above. In this example, the determination of a highly transparent document is performed using such characteristics of the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 disposed in close proximity.
　上述のように、光学センサ３１１は、撮像素子が取得した撮像画像に基づいて、当該画像から抽出した特徴点を用いて原稿の移動量を検出する。光学センサ３１１を用いると、透明度の高い原稿についても、原稿表面の細かい傷等を特徴点として検出することができ、原稿を検出可能である。このため、透明度の高い原稿について、レジスト前センサ４３２によって検出されないように上述の閾値を設定することにより、光学センサ３１１を用いた透明度の高い原稿の判別が可能になる。 As described above, the optical sensor 311 detects the movement amount of the document using the feature points extracted from the image based on the captured image acquired by the imaging device. When the optical sensor 311 is used, even on a highly transparent document, fine scratches on the surface of the document can be detected as feature points, and the document can be detected. Therefore, by setting the above-described threshold value so as not to be detected by the pre-registration sensor 432 for a highly transparent document, it becomes possible to discriminate the highly transparent document using the optical sensor 311.
　図７０は、本実施形態に係る原稿搬送装置４００における、透明度の高い原稿の判別を含む原稿検出処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。図７０の各ステップの処理は、例えば、ＭＣＵ３２０によって実行され得る。あるいは、制御部４４５に含まれる１つ以上のＣＰＵが、記憶装置（図示せず）に格納された制御プログラムを読み出して実行することによって原稿搬送装置４００において実現されてもよい。以下の原稿検出処理において、ＭＣＵ３２０は、レジスト前センサ４３２による原稿の検出結果と、光学センサ３１１による原稿の移動量の検出結果とに基づいて、当該原稿が、透明度が高い原稿であるか否かを判定する。 FIG. 70 is a flow chart showing a procedure of document detection processing including discrimination of a document with high transparency in the document conveyance device 400 according to the present embodiment. The processing of each step in FIG. 70 may be performed by, for example, the MCU 320. Alternatively, one or more CPUs included in the control unit 445 may be implemented in the document conveyance device 400 by reading and executing a control program stored in a storage device (not shown). In the following document detection process, the MCU 320 determines whether the document is a document with high transparency based on the detection result of the document by the pre-registration sensor 432 and the detection result of the movement amount of the document by the optical sensor 311. Determine
　まず、ＭＣＵ３２０は、Ｓ１４０１で、発光素子４３２ａを発光させて光を出力させ、Ｓ１４０２で、受光素子４３２ｂからの出力値を取得する。その後、Ｓ１４０３で、ＭＣＵ３２０は、取得した出力値が閾値以上であるか否かを判定し、出力値が閾値以上である場合には、Ｓ１４０４へ処理を進める。Ｓ１４０４で、ＭＣＵ３２０は、原稿有りとの判定結果を出力し、処理を終了する。一方、ＭＣＵ３２０は、取得した出力値が閾値未満である場合（即ち、レジスト前センサ４３２からの出力値に基づいて、原稿無しとの判定結果が得られた場合）には、Ｓ１４０３からＳ１４０５へ処理を進める。 First, at S1401, the MCU 320 causes the light emitting element 432a to emit light to output light, and at S1402, acquires an output value from the light receiving element 432b. Thereafter, in S1403, the MCU 320 determines whether or not the obtained output value is equal to or greater than a threshold, and advances the process to S1404 if the output value is equal to or greater than the threshold. At S1404, the MCU 320 outputs the determination result that the document is present, and ends the processing. On the other hand, when the acquired output value is less than the threshold (ie, when the determination result that the document is absent is obtained based on the output value from the pre-registration sensor 432), the MCU 320 performs the process from S1403 to S1405. Advance.
　Ｓ１４０５で、ＭＣＵ３２０は、光学センサ３１１により原稿が検出されたか否か（即ち、原稿の移動が検出されたか否か）を判定する。ＭＣＵ３２０は、光学センサ３１１により原稿が検出されていない場合には、Ｓ１４０６へ処理を進め、原稿無しとの判定結果を出力し、処理を終了する。一方、ＭＣＵ３２０は、光学センサ３１１により原稿が検出された場合には、Ｓ１４０５からＳ１４０７へ処理を進め、透明度が高い原稿を検出したことを示す判定結果を出力し、処理を終了する。このように、ＭＣＵ３２０は、レジスト前センサ４３２によって原稿が検出されず（Ｓ１４０３で「ＮＯ」）、かつ、光学センサ３１１により原稿の移動が検出された場合に（Ｓ１４０５で「ＹＥＳ」）、透明度が高い原稿であると判定する。 At S1405, the MCU 320 determines whether or not the document has been detected by the optical sensor 311 (ie, whether or not movement of the document has been detected). If the document is not detected by the optical sensor 311, the MCU 320 advances the process to S1406, outputs the determination result that there is no document, and ends the process. On the other hand, when the document is detected by the optical sensor 311, the MCU 320 advances the process from S1405 to S1407, outputs a determination result indicating that the document with high transparency is detected, and ends the process. Thus, in the MCU 320, when the document is not detected by the pre-registration sensor 432 ("NO" in S1403), and when the movement of the document is detected by the optical sensor 311 ("YES" in S1405) It is determined that the document is high.
　上述した例では、レジスト前センサ４３２と光学センサ３１１とを組み合わせた原稿検出処理について説明したが、レジスト前センサ４３２以外の光学センサを用いることも可能である。また、原稿の移動量を検出するための光学センサ３１１を、レジスト前センサ４３２の代わりに使用することが可能である。即ち、透明度の高い原稿であるか否かによらず、レジスト前センサ４３２の代わりに光学センサ３１１を用いて、検出された移動量に基づいて原稿の有無の判定することが可能である。なお、図６８、図６９に示すような配置である場合には、レジスト前センサ４３２と光学センサ３１１とが隣接して配置されているため、レジスト前センサ４３２によって原稿が検出されなかった際に即座に光学センサ３１１による原稿の検出を行うことができる。さらに、レジスト前センサ４３２と光学センサ３１１とが搬送方向において横に並んで配置されていることが好ましい。一方、レジスト前センサ４３２と光学センサ３１１とがある程度離れている場合には、その間隔を原稿が搬送される時間を搬送速度から逆算し、その時間だけ光学センサ３１１による検出を待ってから実行しても良い。 In the example described above, the document detection processing in which the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 are combined has been described, but it is also possible to use an optical sensor other than the pre-registration sensor 432. In addition, it is possible to use an optical sensor 311 for detecting the amount of movement of the document instead of the pre-registration sensor 432. That is, regardless of whether the document is highly transparent, it is possible to use the optical sensor 311 instead of the pre-registration sensor 432 to determine the presence or absence of the document based on the detected movement amount. In the case of the arrangement as shown in FIGS. 68 and 69, since the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 are arranged adjacent to each other, no document is detected by the pre-registration sensor 432. It is possible to immediately detect a document by the optical sensor 311. Furthermore, it is preferable that the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 be arranged side by side in the transport direction. On the other hand, when the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 are separated to a certain extent, the interval during which the document is transported is calculated back from the transport speed, and detection is performed by the optical sensor 311 after that time. It is good.
　＜具体的な構成例＞
　次に、図７１を参照して、基板３００に実装された光学センサ３１１及びレジスト前センサ４３２とケース体１３０の、より具体的な構成例について説明する。図７１（ａ）は、原稿搬送装置４００の搬送路における基板３００及びケース体１３０の配置例を示す底面図である。 <Specific configuration example>
Next, with reference to FIG. 71, a more specific configuration example of the optical sensor 311 mounted on the substrate 300, the pre-registration sensor 432, and the case body 130 will be described. FIG. 71A is a bottom view showing an arrangement example of the substrate 300 and the case body 130 in the conveyance path of the document conveyance device 400. FIG.
　図７１（ａ）において、搬送路を形成する板金１４０は、図２６及び図２７に示す上ガイド板４４０の一部を構成する。搬送ローラ９０２は、図２６及び図２７に示すレジストローラ４１７に対応する。板金１４０の上部に基板３００及びケース体１３０が配置されている。図７１（ｂ）は、板金１４０の上部に配置された、図７１（ａ）に示す基板３００、ケース体１３０、及び基板３００上のセンサ群の配置例を示している。図７１（ｃ）は、図７１（ａ）に示す構成におけるＦ－Ｆ'断面図である。 In FIG. 71 (a), the sheet metal 140 forming the transport path constitutes a part of the upper guide plate 440 shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. The conveyance roller 902 corresponds to the registration roller 417 shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. The substrate 300 and the case body 130 are disposed above the sheet metal 140. FIG. 71 (b) shows an arrangement example of the substrate 300 shown in FIG. 71 (a), the case body 130, and the sensor group on the substrate 300 disposed on the top of the sheet metal 140. FIG. 71C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF ′ in the configuration shown in FIG. 71A.
　図７１の例では、基板３００上には、原稿の搬送方向と直交する方向に沿って並べられた４つのレジスト前センサ４３２と、重送検知センサ４３０（送信部）と、光学センサ３１１とが実装されている。重送検知センサ４３０及び４つのレジスト前センサ４３２は、それぞれ、板金１４０に設けられた開口部に位置合わせされる。なお、図７１に示す構成では、図２６及び図２７と異なり、重送検知センサ４３０よりも搬送方向の上流側にレジスト前センサ４３２が配置されている。 In the example of FIG. 71, four pre-registration sensors 432, a double feed detection sensor 430 (transmission unit), and an optical sensor 311 are arranged on the substrate 300 along the direction orthogonal to the document conveyance direction. Has been implemented. The double feed detection sensor 430 and the four pre-registration sensors 432 are respectively aligned with the openings provided in the sheet metal 140. In the configuration shown in FIG. 71, unlike in FIGS. 26 and 27, the pre-registration sensor 432 is disposed upstream of the double feed detection sensor 430 in the transport direction.
　図７１に示す構成では、図６８及び図６９に示す構成と同様、レジスト前センサ４３２と光学センサ３１１とが近接して配置される。これらのセンサ間で、一方のセンサの発光素子から出力された光が他方のセンサの受光素子へ入射することを防ぐために（即ち、センサ間の干渉を防ぐために）、図７１（ｃ）に示すように、ケース体１３０に隔壁１３０ｅが形成されている。 In the configuration shown in FIG. 71, as in the configurations shown in FIGS. 68 and 69, the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 are disposed in proximity to each other. Between these sensors, in order to prevent the light output from the light emitting element of one sensor from entering the light receiving element of the other sensor (that is, in order to prevent interference between the sensors), as shown in FIG. Thus, the partition 130 e is formed in the case body 130.
　隔壁１３０ｅは、レジスト前センサ４３２の発光素子４３２ａから光学センサ３１１側へ向かう光が遮光されるように、レジスト前センサ４３２と光学センサ３１１との間に形成されている。とりわけ、本例では、隔壁１３０ｅは、当該隔壁の端部（先端）が板金１４０に突き当たるように形成されている。これにより、隔壁１３０ｅと板金１４０との間の隙間を光が通過しないように当該隙間が塞がれて、遮光効果を高められる。即ち、レジスト前センサ４３２と光学センサ３１１との間の干渉の防止効果を高められる。また、図７１（ｃ）に示すように、板金１４０の（隔壁１３０ｅと接する部分の）端部１４０ａが、原稿の搬送方向において、隔壁１３０ｅとオーバラップするように基板３００（光学センサ３１１）の方向へ曲げられている。これにより、レジスト前センサ４３２と光学センサ３１１との間の干渉の防止効果を更に高められる。 The partition 130 e is formed between the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 so that light traveling from the light emitting element 432 a of the pre-registration sensor 432 toward the optical sensor 311 is blocked. In particular, in the present embodiment, the partition wall 130 e is formed such that the end (tip) of the partition wall abuts on the sheet metal 140. As a result, the gap is closed so that light does not pass through the gap between the partition 130 e and the sheet metal 140, and the light shielding effect can be enhanced. That is, the effect of preventing interference between the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 can be enhanced. Further, as shown in FIG. 71C, the end 140a of the sheet metal 140 (portion in contact with the partition 130e) of the substrate 300 (optical sensor 311) overlaps the partition 130e in the document transport direction. It is bent in the direction. Thus, the effect of preventing interference between the pre-registration sensor 432 and the optical sensor 311 can be further enhanced.
　図７１の例では、光学センサ３１１は、図６９の例と同様、原稿の搬送方向において搬送ローラ９０２と隣接している。光学センサ３１１と対向する位置には、搬送ローラ９０２によって生じる紙粉が直に光学センサ３１１に付着することを防止するための透光板１３０ｄ（フィルタ）が配置されている。ケース体１３０には、透光板１３０ｄが搬送方向において基板３００の表面（又は上述の撮像基準面）に対して傾斜を有するように、光学センサ３１１とレジスト前センサ４３２とを仕切る側壁と、光学センサ３１１と搬送ローラ９０２とを仕切る側壁とが形成されている。 In the example of FIG. 71, the optical sensor 311 is adjacent to the conveyance roller 902 in the document conveyance direction, as in the example of FIG. A light transmission plate 130 d (filter) is disposed at a position facing the optical sensor 311 to prevent paper dust generated by the conveyance roller 902 from directly adhering to the optical sensor 311. The case body 130 has a side wall that separates the optical sensor 311 and the pre-resist sensor 432 so that the light transmitting plate 130 d is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate 300 (or the above-described imaging reference surface) in the transport direction. A side wall separating the sensor 311 and the conveyance roller 902 is formed.
　とりわけ、透光板１３０ｄは、基板３００の表面からの高さが、原稿の搬送方向において搬送ローラ９０２に近づくほど高くなる傾斜を有するように配置されている。即ち、基板３００からの透光板１３０ｄの高さが、搬送方向においてレジスト前センサ４３２側よりも搬送ローラ９０２側の方が高くなるように、透光板１３０ｄが傾斜している。これにより、搬送方向における下流側に配置された搬送ローラ９０２によって生じる紙粉が透光板１３０ｄに付着することを防止する効果を高めることが可能である。即ち、透光板１３０ｄに付着した紙粉が光学センサ３１１による原稿の検出精度に影響することを防止できる。 In particular, the light transmitting plate 130 d is arranged to have an inclination such that the height from the surface of the substrate 300 becomes higher toward the transport roller 902 in the transport direction of the document. That is, the light transmitting plate 130 d is inclined such that the height of the light transmitting plate 130 d from the substrate 300 is higher on the side of the conveyance roller 902 than on the side of the pre-registration sensor 432 in the conveyance direction. Thereby, it is possible to enhance the effect of preventing paper dust generated by the conveyance roller 902 disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from adhering to the light transmission plate 130 d. That is, it is possible to prevent the paper dust attached to the light transmitting plate 130d from affecting the detection accuracy of the document by the optical sensor 311.
　以上説明したように、本実施形態の原稿搬送装置４００は、基板３００に実装された光学センサ３１１及びレジスト前センサ４３２と、基板３００を覆うケース体１３０とを備える。光学センサ３１１は、発光素子を有し、搬送路を搬送される原稿で反射した光を受光して光電変換を行うことで、原稿の移動量の検出に用いられる画像を取得する。レジスト前センサ４３２は、発光素子４３２ａを有し、搬送路を搬送される原稿を、発光素子４３２ａから出力された光により検出する。ケース体１３０は、光学センサ３１１とレジスト前センサ４３２との間に位置付けられる、当該２つのセンサのうちの一方のセンサの発光素子から出力された光が他方のセンサに入射しないように遮光するための隔壁１３０ｅを有する。このように、光学センサ３１１及びレジスト前センサ４３２が実装された基板３００を覆うケース体１３０に隔壁１３０ｅを形成することで、近接して配置された光学センサ間（光学センサ３１１とレジスト前センサ４３２との間）の干渉を防止することが可能になる。 As described above, the document conveyance device 400 of the present embodiment includes the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432 mounted on the substrate 300, and the case body 130 covering the substrate 300. The optical sensor 311 has a light emitting element, receives light reflected by the document conveyed on the conveyance path, and performs photoelectric conversion to acquire an image used for detection of the movement amount of the document. The pre-registration sensor 432 has a light emitting element 432a, and detects the document conveyed on the conveyance path by the light output from the light emitting element 432a. The case body 130 is positioned between the optical sensor 311 and the pre-resist sensor 432, and shields light emitted from the light emitting element of one of the two sensors from entering the other sensor. Partition wall 130e. As described above, by forming the partition wall 130e on the case body 130 covering the substrate 300 on which the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432 are mounted, the optical sensors disposed close to each other (the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432) Interference between the two) can be prevented.
　なお、上述の実施形態の変形例として、光学センサ３１１とレジスト前センサ４３２との間に、重送検知センサ４３０（又はそれを囲むケース（図示せず））を配置することで、重送検知センサ４３０を遮光壁として機能させてもよい。具体的には、図７１（ａ）及び（ｂ）において、重送検知センサ４３０に対して（透光板１３０ｄと重なった位置にある）光学センサ３１１とは反対側の位置に、レジスト前センサ４３２を配置する。これにより、重送検知センサ４３０を、光学センサ３１１とレジスト前センサ４３２との間の遮光壁として機能させてもよい。 As a modification of the above-described embodiment, the double feed detection is performed by arranging the double feed detection sensor 430 (or a case (not shown) surrounding the sensor) between the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432. The sensor 430 may function as a light shielding wall. Specifically, in FIGS. 71 (a) and 71 (b), the pre-registration sensor is located on the opposite side of the double feed detection sensor 430 (at the position overlapping the light transmission plate 130d) with the optical sensor 311. Position 432. Thereby, the double feed detection sensor 430 may function as a light shielding wall between the optical sensor 311 and the pre-registration sensor 432.
　以上、第１５実施形態では、様々な例を示して説明したが、本発明の趣旨と範囲は、本明細書内の特定の説明に限定されるのではなく、これらを組み合わせることも可能である。また、以下の実施態様も含まれることはいうまでもない。以下、その実施態様について説明する。 As described above, in the fifteenth embodiment, various examples have been shown and described, but the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to the specific descriptions in the present specification, and it is possible to combine them. . It goes without saying that the following embodiments are also included. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.
[実施態様４６]
　原稿が載置される原稿台と、
　前記原稿台に載置された原稿が搬送される搬送路と、
　第１発光素子を有し、前記搬送路を搬送される原稿で反射した光を受光して光電変換を行うことで、前記原稿の移動量の検出に用いられる画像を取得する第１センサと、
　第２発光素子を有し、前記搬送路を搬送される原稿を、前記第２発光素子から出力された光により検出する第２センサと、
　前記第１センサと前記第２センサとが実装された基板と、
　前記基板に固定されるケース体と、を備え、
　前記ケース体は、前記第１センサと前記第２センサとの間に設けられ、前記第１センサと前記第２センサとのうちの一方のセンサの発光素子から出力された光が他方のセンサに入射しないように遮光するための第１遮光壁を有することを特徴とする原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様４７]
　前記第２センサは、前記第２発光素子から出力された光の反射光を受光する受光素子を更に有し、
　前記ケース体は、前記第２発光素子と前記受光素子との間に設けられ、前記第２発光素子から出力された光が前記受光素子に直接入射しないように遮光するための第２遮光壁を更に有することを特徴とする実施態様４６に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様４８]
　前記第２遮光壁は、前記第１遮光壁から連なって形成されていることを特徴とする実施態様４７に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様４９]
　前記ケース体は、
　　前記基板に実装された前記第１センサを囲む壁を形成する部材と、
　　前記第１センサと対向する位置に、前記部材によって囲まれた空間を塞ぐように設けられ、前記第１発光素子から前記原稿に向かう光を透過させ、かつ、前記原稿からの反射光を透過させる透光板と、を有し、
　前記部材の一部が前記第１遮光壁を形成していることを特徴とする実施態様４６から４８のいずれか１つに記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様５０]
　前記第１遮光壁は、前記基板の表面からの高さとして、前記透光板が設けられた高さを上回る高さを有するように形成されていることを特徴とする実施態様４９に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様５１]
　前記搬送路における原稿の搬送方向において前記ケース体の下流側に設けられた、前記原稿を搬送する搬送ローラを更に備え、
　前記第１センサは、前記搬送方向において前記第２センサの下流側に配置されており、
　前記透光板は、前記基板の表面に対して傾斜を有し、かつ、前記基板の表面からの高さが、前記搬送方向において前記搬送ローラに近づくほど高くなる傾斜を有するように、配置されていることを特徴とする実施態様４９又は５０に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様５２]
　前記第１遮光壁は、当該第１遮光壁の端部が、前記搬送路を形成する板金に突き当たるように形成されていることを特徴とする実施態様４６から５１のいずれか１つに記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様５３]
　前記板金の、前記第１遮光壁と接する部分の端部は、前記搬送路における原稿の搬送方向において、前記第１遮光壁と前記原稿の搬送方向でオーバラップするように前記基板の方向へ曲げられていることを特徴とする実施態様５２に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様５４]
　前記第１センサ及び前記第２センサを制御する制御回路を更に備え、
　前記制御回路は、前記第１センサ及び前記第２センサと共に前記基板に実装されていることを特徴とする実施態様４６から５３のいずれか１つに記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様５５]
　前記第１センサは、前記搬送路における原稿の搬送方向において前記第２センサの下流側に配置されており、
　前記第１センサによって取得された前記画像に基づいて、前記原稿の前記搬送方向の移動量を検出する検出手段と、
　前記第２センサによる前記原稿の検出結果と、前記検出手段による前記移動量の検出結果とに基づいて、前記原稿が透明度の高い原稿であるか否かを判定する判定手段と、を更に備えることを特徴とする実施態様４６から５４のいずれか１項に記載の原稿搬送装置。
[実施態様５６]
　前記判定手段は、前記第２センサによって前記原稿が検出されず、かつ、前記検出手段によって前記原稿の移動が検出された場合に、前記原稿が透明度の高い原稿であると判定することを特徴とする実施態様５５に記載の原稿搬送装置。 Embodiment 46
A platen on which a document is placed;
A transport path through which a document placed on the document table is transported;
A first sensor that includes a first light emitting element, receives light reflected by a document conveyed on the conveyance path, and performs photoelectric conversion to obtain an image used for detection of the movement amount of the document;
A second sensor having a second light emitting element and detecting the document conveyed on the conveyance path by the light output from the second light emitting element;
A substrate on which the first sensor and the second sensor are mounted;
And a case body fixed to the substrate.
The case body is provided between the first sensor and the second sensor, and the light output from the light emitting element of one of the first sensor and the second sensor is used as the other sensor. What is claimed is: 1. A document conveying device comprising a first light shielding wall for shielding light so as not to be incident.
[Embodiment 47]
The second sensor further includes a light receiving element for receiving the reflected light of the light output from the second light emitting element,
The case body is provided between the second light emitting element and the light receiving element, and shields a second light shielding wall so that light output from the second light emitting element is not directly incident on the light receiving element. 46. The document feeder according to embodiment 46, further comprising:
[Embodiment 48]
46. The document feeder according to the embodiment 47, wherein the second light shielding wall is formed continuously from the first light shielding wall.
Embodiment 49
The case body is
A member forming a wall surrounding the first sensor mounted on the substrate;
A position facing the first sensor is provided to close a space surrounded by the member, and light from the first light emitting element toward the document is transmitted, and light reflected from the document is transmitted. And a translucent plate,
51. The document feeder according to any one of the embodiments 46 to 48, wherein a part of the member forms the first light shielding wall.
Embodiment 50
50. The embodiment according to embodiment 49, wherein the first light shielding wall is formed to have a height greater than the height at which the light transmitting plate is provided as a height from the surface of the substrate. Document feeder.
Embodiment 51
The apparatus further comprises a transport roller for transporting the document, provided on the downstream side of the case body in the transport direction of the document on the transport path.
The first sensor is disposed downstream of the second sensor in the transport direction,
The light transmitting plate is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate, and to have a height that increases from the surface of the substrate toward the transport roller in the transport direction. 51. The document feeder as recited in embodiment 49 or 50, wherein:
Embodiment 52
51. The embodiment according to any one of the embodiments 46 to 51, wherein the first light shielding wall is formed such that an end of the first light shielding wall abuts against a sheet metal forming the transport path. Document feeder.
Embodiment 53
An end of a portion of the sheet metal in contact with the first light shielding wall is bent in the direction of the substrate so as to overlap the first light shielding wall and the document in the conveyance direction of the document in the conveyance path. 56. The document feeder according to embodiment 52, which is characterized in that:
Embodiment 54
A control circuit for controlling the first sensor and the second sensor;
54. The document feeder according to any one of the embodiments 46 to 53, wherein the control circuit is mounted on the substrate together with the first sensor and the second sensor.
Embodiment 55
The first sensor is disposed downstream of the second sensor in the conveyance direction of the document on the conveyance path.
A detection unit configured to detect an amount of movement of the document in the transport direction based on the image acquired by the first sensor;
And a determination unit that determines whether the document is a document with high transparency based on the detection result of the document by the second sensor and the detection result of the movement amount by the detection unit. 56. The document feeder according to any one of the embodiments 46-54.
Embodiment 56
The determination unit is characterized in that the document is determined to be a document having high transparency when the document is not detected by the second sensor and the movement of the document is detected by the detection unit. 56. The document conveying apparatus according to embodiment 55.
　従来、原稿搬送装置において原稿が正常に搬送されているかどうかを検出することを目的として、原稿の搬送方向への移動量を検出するための技術が提案されている（上述した従来技術１）。従来技術１では、原稿の搬送方向への移動量を検出するエンコーダと、搬送方向に直交しない特定の第１の検出方向への変位量を計測する光学センサとを用いて、光学センサから搬送方向への変位量と、第１の検出方向及び第２の検出方向の変位量から斜行量とを求める。更に、この斜行量とエンコーダからの変位量を用いて、搬送方向への変位量を求める。しかし、上述の原稿搬送装置では、原稿の搬送方向を検出するための光学的な撮像素子（光学センサ）の他にも、搬送される原稿を検出するための他の光学センサが設けられる場合がある。この場合、装置の小型化やコストの抑制のために、これらの光学センサを近接して配置すると、一方のセンサの発光素子から出力された光が他方のセンサによって受光される、光学センサ間の干渉が生じる可能性がある。その結果、他方のセンサに誤動作が生じる可能性がある。
　これに対して、本発明の第１５実施形態では、上述したような構成により、原稿を搬送可能な原稿搬送装置において、近接して配置された光学センサ間の干渉を防止することが可能になる。
　以上、本発明の原稿搬送装置について詳細に説明したが、本発明は上記実施形態に限定されず、本発明の主旨を逸脱しない範囲において、種々の改良や変更をすることができる。 Heretofore, there has been proposed a technique for detecting the amount of movement of a document in the conveyance direction for the purpose of detecting whether or not the document is being conveyed normally in the document conveyance device (conventional technique 1 described above). In the prior art 1, the conveyance direction from the optical sensor using the encoder for detecting the movement amount of the document in the conveyance direction and the optical sensor for measuring the displacement amount in a specific first detection direction not orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The amount of skewing is determined from the amount of displacement to the direction of movement and the amounts of displacement in the first detection direction and the second detection direction. Further, the amount of displacement in the transport direction is determined using this amount of skewing and the amount of displacement from the encoder. However, in the above-described document conveying apparatus, in addition to the optical image sensor (optical sensor) for detecting the document conveyance direction, there may be a case where another optical sensor for detecting the conveyed document is provided. is there. In this case, when these optical sensors are arranged close to each other to miniaturize the apparatus and reduce the cost, light output from the light emitting element of one of the sensors is received by the other sensor. Interference may occur. As a result, malfunction may occur in the other sensor.
On the other hand, in the fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, the configuration as described above makes it possible to prevent interference between optical sensors disposed close to each other in the document conveyance device capable of conveying a document. .
As mentioned above, although the document conveying apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
　１　　シート積載台
　４　　ピックアップローラ
　６　　給送ローラ
　７　　分離ローラ
　１７、１８、２０、２１　　レジストローラ（搬送ローラ）
　３２　　レジスト前センサ（第４シート検知センサ）
　３３　　レジスト中センサ（第３シート検知センサ）
　３４　　レジスト後センサ（第１シート検知センサ）
　６５　　薄紙搬送用レジストセンサ（第２シート検知センサ）
　３１１　　光学センサ 1 sheet stacking table 4 pickup roller 6 feeding roller 7 separation roller 17, 18, 20, 21 registration roller (conveyance roller)
32 Pre-registration sensor (4th sheet detection sensor)
33 In-registration sensor (third sheet detection sensor)
34 Post-registration sensor (first sheet detection sensor)
65 Thin sheet conveyance registration sensor (second sheet detection sensor)
311 Optical sensor

Claims (14)

  1. 　シートを搬送路に沿って給送する給送ローラと、
    　前記給送ローラとの間にニップを形成し、前記給送ローラによって給送されるシートとそれ以外のシートとを分離するための分離ローラと、
    　前記搬送路における前記給送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側に配置され、シートが到達したことを検知する第１シート検知センサと、
    　前記給送ローラの回転を制御する制御部と、を備え、
    　前記制御部は、前記第１シート検知センサによって先行するシートの後端の到達が検知された後で前記給送ローラによる後続のシートの給送を開始する場合に、前記給送ローラを第１給送速度に制御し、さらに、前記後続のシートの先端が前記給送ローラと前記分離ローラとのニップを超えたと判定した場合に、前記給送ローラを前記第１給送速度よりも高速の第２給送速度に制御する、ことを特徴とするシート給送装置。     A feeding roller for feeding a sheet along a conveyance path;
    A separation roller for forming a nip between the feeding roller and separating the sheet fed by the feeding roller from the other sheets;
    A first sheet detection sensor disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance path with respect to the feeding roller in the conveyance path and detecting that a sheet has arrived;
    A control unit that controls the rotation of the feeding roller;
    When the control unit causes the feeding roller to start feeding the subsequent sheet after the arrival of the trailing edge of the leading sheet is detected by the first sheet detection sensor, the control unit performs the first feeding roller. The feed roller is controlled to a feed speed, and when it is determined that the leading end of the subsequent sheet has exceeded the nip between the feed roller and the separation roller, the feed roller has a speed higher than the first feed speed. A sheet feeding apparatus characterized by controlling to a second feeding speed.
  2. 　前記制御部は、前記第１シート検知センサによって前記先行するシートの後端の到達が検知されてから所定の時間が経過した場合に、前記後続のシートの先端が前記ニップを超えたと判定することを特徴とする請求項１に記載のシート給送装置。 The control unit determines that the leading end of the subsequent sheet has exceeded the nip when a predetermined time has elapsed since the arrival of the trailing end of the preceding sheet is detected by the first sheet detection sensor. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein
  3. 　シートを搬送路に沿って給送する給送ローラと、
    　前記給送ローラとの間にニップを形成し、前記給送ローラによって給送されるシートとそれ以外のシートとを分離するための分離ローラと、
    　前記搬送路における前記給送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側に配置され、シートが到達したことを検知する第１シート検知センサと、
    　前記給送ローラの回転を制御する制御部と、を備え、
    　前記制御部は、前記第１シート検知センサによって先行するシートの後端の到達が検知された後で前記給送ローラによる後続のシートの給送を開始する場合に、前記給送ローラを第１給送速度に制御し、さらに、シート積載台に積載された後続のシートが給送されてから該シートの先端が前記ニップを超えるまでの時間に相当する時間が経過した場合に、前記給送ローラを前記第１給送速度よりも高速の第２給送速度に制御する、ことを特徴とするシート給送装置。     A feeding roller for feeding a sheet along a conveyance path;
    A separation roller for forming a nip between the feeding roller and separating the sheet fed by the feeding roller from the other sheets;
    A first sheet detection sensor disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance path with respect to the feeding roller in the conveyance path and detecting that a sheet has arrived;
    A control unit that controls the rotation of the feeding roller;
    When the control unit causes the feeding roller to start feeding the subsequent sheet after the arrival of the trailing edge of the leading sheet is detected by the first sheet detection sensor, the control unit performs the first feeding roller. The feeding speed is controlled, and the feeding is continued when a time equivalent to the time it takes for the leading edge of the sheet to pass through the nip has passed since the feeding of the subsequent sheet stacked on the sheet stacking platform. A sheet feeding apparatus, comprising: controlling a roller to a second feeding speed higher than the first feeding speed.
  4. 　前記ニップよりも前記搬送路の下流側で、且つ、前記第１シート検知センサよりも前記搬送路の上流側に位置し、前記シートが到達したことを検知する第２シート検知センサを有し、
    　前記制御部は、前記第２シート検知センサによってシート先端の到達が検知された場合に前記給送ローラを前記第２給送速度に制御することを特徴とする請求項１～３のいずれか１項に記載のシート給送装置。     It has a second sheet detection sensor that is located downstream of the conveyance path with respect to the nip and upstream of the conveyance path with respect to the first sheet detection sensor, and detects that the sheet has arrived.
    4. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the feeding roller to the second feeding speed when arrival of the leading end of the sheet is detected by the second sheet detection sensor. The sheet feeding device according to Item.
  5. 　前記給送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側で、且つ、前記第１シート検知センサよりも前記搬送路の上流側に位置し、前記シートを搬送する第１搬送ローラと、
    　前記第１搬送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側で、且つ、前記第１シート検知センサよりも前記搬送路の上流側に位置し、前記シートを搬送する第２搬送ローラと、
    　前記第１搬送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側で、且つ、前記第２搬送ローラよりも前記搬送路の上流側に位置し、前記シートが到達したことを検知する第３シート検知センサと、を有し、
    　前記制御部は、前記第３シート検知センサによってシート先端の到達が検知された場合に、前記給送ローラの回転を停止することを特徴とする請求項１～４のいずれか１項に記載のシート給送装置。     A first transport roller located downstream of the transport path with respect to the feeding roller and upstream of the transport path with respect to the first sheet detection sensor, for transporting the sheet;
    A second transport roller located downstream of the transport path with respect to the first transport roller and upstream of the transport path with respect to the first sheet detection sensor, for transporting the sheet;
    A third sheet detection sensor that is located downstream of the conveyance path with respect to the first conveyance roller and upstream of the conveyance path with respect to the second conveyance roller, and that the arrival of the sheet is detected; Have
    The said control part stops rotation of the said feeding roller, when arrival of the sheet | seat front end is detected by the said 3rd sheet | seat detection sensor, The said control part is any one of the Claims 1 to 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Sheet feeding device.
  6. 　前記給送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側で、且つ、前記第１シート検知センサよりも前記搬送路の上流側に位置し、前記シートを搬送する第１搬送ローラと、
    　前記第１搬送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側で、且つ、前記第１シート検知センサよりも前記搬送路の上流側に位置し、前記シートを搬送する第２搬送ローラと、
    　前記第１搬送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側で、且つ、前記第２搬送ローラよりも前記搬送路の上流側に位置し、前記シートが到達したことを検知する第３シート検知センサと、を有し、
    　前記制御部は、前記第３シート検知センサによってシート先端の到達が検知された場合に、前記給送ローラを前記第２搬送ローラと同等の速度に制御する、ことを特徴とする請求項１～４のいずれか１項に記載のシート給送装置。     A first transport roller located downstream of the transport path with respect to the feeding roller and upstream of the transport path with respect to the first sheet detection sensor, for transporting the sheet;
    A second transport roller located downstream of the transport path with respect to the first transport roller and upstream of the transport path with respect to the first sheet detection sensor, for transporting the sheet;
    A third sheet detection sensor that is located downstream of the conveyance path with respect to the first conveyance roller and upstream of the conveyance path with respect to the second conveyance roller, and that the arrival of the sheet is detected; Have
    The control unit controls the feeding roller to have a speed equivalent to that of the second conveyance roller when the third sheet detection sensor detects the arrival of the front end of the sheet. The sheet feeding device according to any one of 4.
  7. 　シート積載台に積載されたシートの上方に配置され、該シートを前記給送ローラに供給するピックアップローラを有することを特徴とする請求項１～６のいずれか１項に記載のシート給送装置。 The sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a pick-up roller disposed above the sheet stacked on the sheet loading table and supplying the sheet to the feeding roller. .
  8. 　前記給送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側で、且つ、前記第１シート検知センサよりも前記搬送路の上流側に位置し、前記シートを搬送する第１搬送ローラと、
    　前記給送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側で、且つ、前記第１搬送ローラよりも前記搬送路の上流側に位置し、前記シートが到達したことを検知する第４シート検知センサと、を有し、
    　前記制御部は、前記第１シート検知センサによって前記先行するシートの後端の到達を検知して前記給送ローラの駆動を再開した後、予め設定された待機時間を経過しても前記第４シート検知センサにおいて前記後続のシートの先端の到達が検知されない場合には、前記ピックアップローラによるシートの供給を行い、前記待機時間を経過する前に前記第４シート検知センサにおいて前記後続のシートの先端の到達が検知された場合には、前記ピックアップローラによるシートの供給を行わないように制御することを特徴とする請求項７に記載のシート給送装置。     A first transport roller located downstream of the transport path with respect to the feeding roller and upstream of the transport path with respect to the first sheet detection sensor, for transporting the sheet;
    A fourth sheet detection sensor located downstream of the conveyance path with respect to the feeding roller and upstream of the conveyance path with respect to the first conveyance roller, for detecting that the sheet has arrived; Have
    The control unit detects the arrival of the trailing edge of the preceding sheet by the first sheet detection sensor and resumes the driving of the feeding roller, and then the fourth standby time has elapsed. When the arrival of the leading end of the subsequent sheet is not detected by the sheet detection sensor, the sheet is supplied by the pickup roller, and the leading end of the subsequent sheet is detected by the fourth sheet detection sensor before the waiting time elapses. 8. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sheet feeding device is controlled not to feed the sheet by the pickup roller when the arrival of the sheet is detected.
  9. 　薄紙搬送モードを有し、
    　シートを搬送路に沿って給送する給送ローラと、
    　前記給送ローラとの間にニップを形成し、前記給送ローラによって給送されるシートとそれ以外のシートとを分離するための分離ローラと、
    　前記給送ローラの回転を制御する制御部と、を備え、
    　前記制御部は、前記薄紙搬送モードの実行時において、シート先端が前記給送ローラと前記分離ローラとのニップを超えるまでの間、前記給送ローラを第１給送速度に制御し、シート先端が前記ニップを超えた後、前記給送ローラを前記第１給送速度よりも高速の第２給送速度に制御することを特徴とするシート給送装置。     Has a thin paper transport mode,
    A feeding roller for feeding a sheet along a conveyance path;
    A separation roller for forming a nip between the feeding roller and separating the sheet fed by the feeding roller from the other sheets;
    A control unit that controls the rotation of the feeding roller;
    The control unit controls the feeding roller to a first feeding speed until the leading end of the sheet exceeds the nip between the feeding roller and the separation roller when the thin paper conveyance mode is executed, and the sheet leading end And controlling the feeding roller to a second feeding speed higher than the first feeding speed after the sheet passes through the nip.
  10. 　通常搬送モードを有し、
    　前記制御部は、前記通常搬送モードの実行時においては、前記給送ローラの駆動開始時に、前記第２給送速度で制御することを特徴とする請求項９に記載のシート給送装置。     Has a normal transport mode,
    10. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit performs control at the second feeding speed when driving of the feeding roller is started at the time of execution of the normal conveyance mode.
  11. 　シートを搬送路に沿って給送する給送ローラと、前記給送ローラとの間にニップを形成し、前記給送ローラによって給送されるシートとそれ以外のシートとを分離するための分離ローラと、前記搬送路における前記給送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側に配置され、シートが到達したことを検知する第１シート検知センサと、前記給送ローラの回転を制御する制御部と、を備えるシート給送装置の制御方法であって、
    　前記制御部が、前記第１シート検知センサによって先行するシートの後端の到達が検知された後で前記給送ローラによる後続のシートの給送を開始する場合に、前記給送ローラを第１給送速度に制御するステップと、
    　前記制御部が、前記後続のシートの先端が前記給送ローラと前記分離ローラとのニップを超えたと判定した場合に、前記給送ローラを前記第１給送速度よりも高速の第２給送速度に制御するステップと、を有することを特徴とするシート給送装置の制御方法。     A feed roller for feeding a sheet along a transport path, and a nip formed between the feed roller, and a separation for separating the sheet fed by the feed roller and the other sheets A roller, a first sheet detection sensor disposed on the downstream side of the transport path with respect to the feed roller in the transport path and detecting that a sheet has arrived, and a control unit that controls the rotation of the feed roller A control method of a sheet feeding apparatus comprising:
    When the control unit starts feeding the subsequent sheet by the feed roller after the arrival of the trailing edge of the preceding sheet is detected by the first sheet detection sensor, Controlling the feed rate,
    When the control unit determines that the leading end of the subsequent sheet has passed the nip between the feeding roller and the separation roller, the second feeding of the feeding roller is faster than the first feeding speed. Controlling the speed, and a control method of the sheet feeding apparatus.
  12. 　シートを搬送路に沿って給送する給送ローラと、前記給送ローラとの間にニップを形成し、前記給送ローラによって給送されるシートとそれ以外のシートとを分離するための分離ローラと、前記搬送路における前記給送ローラよりも前記搬送路の下流側に配置され、シートが到達したことを検知する第１シート検知センサと、前記給送ローラの回転を制御する制御部と、を備えるシート給送装置の制御方法であって、
    　前記制御部が、前記第１シート検知センサによって先行するシートの後端の到達が検知された後で前記給送ローラによる後続のシートの給送を開始する場合に、前記給送ローラを第１給送速度に制御するステップと、
    　前記制御部が、シート積載台に積載された後続のシートが給送されてから該シートの先端が前記ニップを超えるまでの時間に相当する時間が経過した場合に、前記給送ローラを前記第１給送速度よりも高速の第２給送速度に制御するステップと、を有することを特徴とするシート給送装置の制御方法。     A feed roller for feeding a sheet along a transport path, and a nip formed between the feed roller, and a separation for separating the sheet fed by the feed roller and the other sheets A roller, a first sheet detection sensor disposed on the downstream side of the transport path with respect to the feed roller in the transport path and detecting that a sheet has arrived, and a control unit that controls the rotation of the feed roller A control method of a sheet feeding apparatus comprising:
    When the control unit starts feeding the subsequent sheet by the feed roller after the arrival of the trailing edge of the preceding sheet is detected by the first sheet detection sensor, Controlling the feed rate,
    The control unit is configured to set the feeding roller to the feeding roller when the time corresponding to the time taken for the leading edge of the sheet to pass through the nip has passed since the subsequent sheet stacked on the sheet loading table is fed. Controlling the second feeding speed higher than the first feeding speed, and controlling the sheet feeding apparatus.
  13. 　薄紙搬送モードを有し、シートを搬送路に沿って給送する給送ローラと、前記給送ローラとの間にニップを形成し、前記給送ローラによって給送されるシートとそれ以外のシートとを分離するための分離ローラと、前記給送ローラの回転を制御する制御部と、を備えるシート給送装置の制御方法であって、
    　前記制御部が、前記薄紙搬送モードの実行時において、シート先端が前記給送ローラと前記分離ローラとのニップを超えるまでの間、前記給送ローラを第１給送速度に制御するステップと、
    　前記制御部が、前記シート先端が前記ニップを超えた後、前記給送ローラを前記第１給送速度よりも高速の第２給送速度に制御するステップと、を有することを特徴とするシート給送装置の制御方法。     A nip is formed between a feeding roller having a thin sheet feeding mode and feeding a sheet along a feeding path, and a sheet fed by the feeding roller and other sheets formed by the feeding roller. Method of controlling a sheet feeding apparatus, comprising: a separation roller for separating the sheet; and a control unit that controls the rotation of the feeding roller,
    Controlling the feeding roller to a first feeding speed until the leading end of the sheet exceeds a nip between the feeding roller and the separation roller when the thin paper conveyance mode is executed;
    The control unit controls the feeding roller to a second feeding speed higher than the first feeding speed after the leading end of the sheet passes the nip. Control method of feeding device.
  14. 　コンピュータを、請求項１～１０のいずれか１項に記載の制御部として機能させるためのプログラム。 A program for causing a computer to function as the control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
PCT/JP2018/030870 2017-12-26 2018-08-21 Sheet feeder, control method for sheet feeder, and program WO2019130648A1 (en)

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JP2018074167A JP7292787B2 (en) 2017-12-26 2018-04-06 SHEET FEEDING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD FOR SHEET FEEDING DEVICE, AND PROGRAM
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TWI718856B (en) * 2020-01-30 2021-02-11 友達光電股份有限公司 Imprinting apparatus and imprinting method

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TWI718856B (en) * 2020-01-30 2021-02-11 友達光電股份有限公司 Imprinting apparatus and imprinting method
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