JP5545535B2 - Automatic document feeder and document reader having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder and a document reading device that reads image information while conveying a document by the automatic feeding and conveying device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a document reading device that reads image information of a document is known to include an automatic document feeder. The automatic document feeder is a device that separates and conveys a plurality of stacked documents one by one, and guides the document to pass through a reading position for reading image information.

  Various configurations for automatically reading both sides (first side and second side) of a document are known in a document reading apparatus provided with this automatic document feeder. For example, a configuration in which a reading unit is provided for each of the first side and the second side to perform double-sided reading in one pass, and a configuration having a so-called switchback function that reverses the document conveyance direction are known. . In addition to the above, a configuration is known in which both sides of a document are read by one reading unit by providing a path for inverting the front and back of the document. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of automatic document feeder.

  The automatic document feeder disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an introduction path, a reverse path, and a discharge path. The introduction path is an inverted U-shaped path that swells to one side, and guides the document set on the document placement table (paper feed tray) to a reading position located below the document placement table. . The document whose first surface is read by being guided to the reading position by the introduction path is then conveyed along the reverse path. The reverse path has an inverted U-shaped path that swells to the other side, and is a path that reverses the front and back of the document and guides it to the reading position again. The document whose second surface is read by being guided to the reading position by the reversing path is then conveyed along the discharge path. The discharge path has a path that swells in the same direction (one side) as the introduction path, guides the document so that it passes above the reading position while drawing a smaller curve than the introduction path, and further, This is a route for guiding the document to the discharge tray through the upper part.

  With this configuration, both sides of the document can be read with one reading unit and no switchback function.

Japanese Patent No. 2828866

  However, in general, the configuration in which both sides of a document can be read by providing a path for reversing the front and back sides of the document is generally compared to other configurations (a configuration including two reading units and a configuration including a switchback function). The route becomes longer.

  Therefore, it is necessary to provide a large number of conveyance rollers and drive transmission members, which increases the manufacturing cost. In addition, in this configuration, the route is often complicated, and the route may be arranged in an overlapping manner.

  For example, in the automatic document feeder shown in Patent Document 1, three or four paths are arranged in parallel (in parallel) in the height direction at a place where the reverse path is arranged. Therefore, the automatic document feeder has a large size in the height direction of the apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its main purpose is to provide a path for inverting the front and back of a document so that both sides can be read, is compact, and reduces manufacturing costs. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder having a configuration.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, means for solving the problems and the effects thereof will be described.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an automatic document feeder having the following configuration is provided. That is, the automatic document feeder includes an introduction path, a reversing path, and a discharge path. The introduction path is a path for guiding the supplied document , and passes the reading position from one side to the other side when the document passes through the reading position and the first surface of the document is read. Guide the manuscript. The reversing path is connected to the introduction path, and the document is reversed so that the second surface of the document on which the image information on the first surface has been read is read from the other side of the reading position to the one side. Guide the manuscript. The discharge path is connected to the reversing path, and guides the original so that the original on which the image information on the second surface is read is discharged on the other side of the reading position. The reversing path has a pre-reversing path through which the document before reversal is conveyed and a post-reversing path through which the document after reversal is conveyed. The discharge path includes a first common path that is a part common to the pre-inversion path, a second common path that is a part common to the post-inversion path, the first common path, and the second common path. A connection path to be connected. The document on which the image information on the second side is read passes through the first common path, the connection path, and the second common path in this order and is discharged.

This makes it possible to share part of the structural members used for the reversing path and the discharge path, thereby reducing the cost of the automatic document feeder. Further, the size of the automatic document feeder can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the reverse path and the discharge path are arranged to overlap each other. In addition, since the position at which the document is discharged can be positioned closer to the reading unit than the other end of the reverse path, the size of the automatic document feeder in the direction along the pre-reverse path and the post-reverse path or It is possible to reduce the protruding amount of the original from the apparatus main body.

  The automatic document feeder preferably has the following configuration. In other words, the automatic document feeder includes a common roller disposed on the second common path. The common roller can discharge the document conveyed on the second common path to the outside, and can convey the document conveyed on the second common path along the reverse path.

  Thereby, since the common roller has a function as a discharge roller and a function as a conveyance roller, the number of rollers and transmission members provided in the automatic document feeder can be reduced. Therefore, cost reduction can be realized.

  In the automatic document feeder, it is preferable that the rotation direction of the common roller is different between when the document is discharged to the outside and when the document is conveyed along the reverse path.

  As a result, it is possible to cope with the document transport path in which the document transport direction differs depending on whether the document is discharged to the outside or the document is transported to the inside, thereby improving the flexibility of the layout of the document transport path. Can be made.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document reading apparatus having a configuration including the automatic document feeder and a reading unit that reads image information of a document passing through the reading position.

  As a result, it is possible to realize a document reading apparatus that is compact and has a reduced manufacturing cost.

1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image scanner device. The schematic diagram explaining the introduction path | route and the discharge path for single sides | surfaces. The schematic diagram explaining a 1st inversion path | route. The schematic diagram explaining a 2nd inversion path | route. The schematic diagram explaining the discharge path for both surfaces. The schematic diagram explaining the path | route which is common by the 1st inversion path | route and the discharge path for both surfaces. The schematic diagram explaining the path | route which is common by the 2nd inversion path | route and the discharge path for both surfaces. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a document conveyance path according to a modification.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The multifunction device 1 has a copy function and a facsimile function, and an image scanner device (document reading device) 11 that functions as a book scanner and an auto document feed scanner is provided on the upper portion of the multifunction device 1. The multifunction machine 1 also includes an operation panel 12 for instructing the number of copies, a facsimile transmission destination, a document reading, and the like.

  The multifunction device 1 further includes a multifunction device main body 13 including an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet as a recording medium, and a sheet feeding cassette 14 that sequentially supplies the sheet. The multifunction machine main body 13 includes a transmission / reception unit (not shown) for transmitting image information via a communication line.

  Next, the image scanner device 11 provided in the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing the configuration of the image scanner device 11. The front view in the present embodiment can also be expressed as a view seen in the width direction of the conveyed document.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image scanner device 11 includes a document table cover 21, a platen glass 22, and a contact glass 23. The document table cover 21 is provided with an automatic document feeder (auto document feeder, ADF) 24. Further, the image scanner device 11 includes a scanner unit 25 for reading image information of the original 100 below the platen glass 22 and the contact glass 23.

  The scanner unit 25 includes a carriage 110 that can move in the left-right direction inside the document table. In the carriage 110, a light source 111, a plurality of reflecting mirrors 112, a condenser lens 113, and a charge coupled device (CCD) 114 are arranged. The light source 111 irradiates the read original with light, and the reflected light from the read original is reflected by a plurality of reflecting mirrors 112 and then converges through the condenser lens 113 to form an image on the surface of the CCD 114. Then, the CCD 114 converts the incident convergent light into an electrical signal and outputs it.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the ADF 24 provided in the document table cover 21 includes a paper feed tray 52 provided above the document table cover 21 and a paper discharge tray provided below the paper feed tray 52. 53. A document transport path 40 that connects the paper feed tray 52 and the paper discharge tray 53 is formed inside the ADF 24.

  When the user operates the operation panel 12 shown in FIG. 1 to instruct to use the image scanner device 11 as an auto document feed scanner, the original 100 set on the paper feed tray 52 is placed on the original conveyance path 40. It is conveyed one by one along. Then, when the document 100 transported along the document transport path 40 passes through the glass surface (reading position) of the contact glass 23, the image information of the document 100 is read by the scanner unit 25. Thereafter, the document 100 is transported along the document transport path 40 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 53.

  On the other hand, when the image scanner device 11 is used as a book scanner, the user places a book document to be read on the platen glass 22. Then, the book document is pressed from above by the platen sheet 51 arranged at the lower part of the ADF 24 and fixed so as not to move. In this state, the scanner unit 25 performs reading while moving in the left-right direction, whereby the image information of the book document is read.

  Next, the internal configuration of the ADF 24 will be described in detail. In the following description, when viewed from the front, the side with the paper feed tray 52 may be simply referred to as “right side”, and the opposite side in front view may be simply referred to as “left side”.

  In the ADF 24 according to the present embodiment, the path through which the document 100 is conveyed differs when reading only one side (first surface) of the document 100 and when reading both surfaces (first surface and second surface) of the document 100. It is configured as follows. First, a path for reading only one side of the document 100 and members arranged in the path will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the introduction path 41 and the single-side discharge path 43.

  When only one side of the original 100 is read, as shown in FIG. 3, an introduction path 41 for guiding the original 100 to the reading position and a single-sided discharge for guiding the original 100 from the reading position to the paper discharge tray 53. The document 100 is conveyed along the path 43.

  In the introduction path 41, a pickup roller 30, a separation roller 31, a registration roller 32, a triple roller 33, and a conveyance roller 34 are arranged in order from the upstream side. Below, the structure of each part arrange | positioned on the path | route of the introductory path | route 41 is demonstrated from the upstream to the downstream order.

  A pickup roller 30 and a separation roller 31 are disposed in the vicinity of the upstream end of the introduction path 41. The pickup roller 30 is configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis of the separation roller 31. When the ADF 24 is not operating, the pickup roller 30 is held on the upper side in FIG. On the other hand, when the original 100 is fed, the pickup roller 30 rotates downward and comes into contact with the end of the original 100 on the uppermost layer of the originals 100 set on the paper feed tray 52. When the pickup roller 30 rotates in this state, the uppermost document 100 on the paper feed tray 52 is conveyed to the separation roller 31.

  The document 100 sent to the separation roller 31 by the drive of the pickup roller 30 is separated one by one by the rotationally driven separation roller 31 and then conveyed to a registration roller 32 disposed on the downstream side.

  The registration roller 32, together with the opposing roller, temporarily stops and loosens the leading edge of the document 100 being conveyed, and conveys it downstream while removing the slackness after a predetermined time. Thereby, the skew of the document 100 is corrected. The document 100 that has passed the registration roller 32 is conveyed to a triple roller 33 disposed on the downstream side.

  The introduction path 41 from the separation roller 31 to the slightly upstream side of the triple roller 33 is a linear path.

  The triple roller 33 includes a driving roller 331 disposed at the center and driven rollers 332 and 333 disposed vertically so as to sandwich the driving roller 331 therebetween. The document 100 conveyed along the introduction path 41 passes between the driving roller 331 and the driven roller 332 disposed above the driving roller 331 and is conveyed obliquely to the lower left. The document 100 that has passed through the triple roller 33 is conveyed to a conveyance roller 34 disposed on the downstream side. The driven roller 333 disposed below the driving roller 331 has a rotation direction opposite to that of the driven roller 332, and conveys the document 100 passing between the driving roller 331 and the driven roller 333 to the right side. Can do.

  The conveyance roller 34 nips and rotates the original 100 together with the opposite roller, thereby conveying the original 100 to the lower right side (reading position side). Then, when the document 100 passes through the reading position, the image information on the first surface is read by the scanner unit 25. The conveyance roller 34 is configured to be able to switch the rotation direction. By rotating in the reverse direction, the document 100 can be conveyed to the upper left side (the triple roller 33 side).

  The introduction path 41 from the slightly upstream side of the triple roller 33 to the reading position is a path (introduction curve path 411 shown in FIG. 3) that swells to the left side (curves so as to be convex on the left side). .

  Next, the single-sided discharge path 43 will be described. A triple roller 35, a transport roller 36, a common roller 38, and a counter roller 39 are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the single-side discharge path 43. Below, the structure of each part arrange | positioned on the path | route of the single-sided discharge path | route 43 is demonstrated in order of the downstream from an upstream.

  There is a portion that branches vertically on the slightly downstream side of the reading position, and a triple roller 35 is disposed in the vicinity of the branched portion. The triple roller 35 includes a registration roller 351 disposed at the center, and driven rollers 352 and 353 disposed above and below so as to sandwich the registration roller 351 therebetween. The document 100 whose image information has been read by the scanner unit 25 passes between the registration roller 351 and the driven roller 352 disposed above the registration roller 351 and is conveyed obliquely to the upper right. The document 100 that has passed through the triple roller 35 is conveyed to a common roller 38 that is positioned diagonally to the lower right of the conveyance roller 36 by a conveyance roller 36 disposed on the downstream side. The registration roller 351 has the same configuration as that of the registration roller 32. The registration roller 351 is inclined obliquely to the lower left side between the registration roller 351 and the driven roller 353 disposed below the registration roller 351. The line can be corrected.

  The common roller 38 nips and rotates the original 100 together with the opposing roller 39 disposed so as to face the original roller 100, thereby conveying the original 100 to the right side and discharging it to the paper discharge tray 53. As described above, image information on only one side of the original 100 set on the paper feed tray 52 is read. The common roller 38 is configured to be able to switch the rotation direction, and can rotate the document 100 to the left side (reading position side) by rotating in the opposite direction to when the document 100 is discharged.

  Next, a path for reading both sides of the document 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the first inversion path 45. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the second inversion path 46. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the discharge path 47 for both sides.

  When reading both sides of the original 100, the original set on the paper feed tray 52 is conveyed to the reading position along the introduction path 41, as in the case of reading only one side of the original 100. Then, the image information on the first surface of the document 100 is read by the scanner unit 25. Further, the ADF 24 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to detect the length of the document 100 in the conveyance direction (document length), and operates a route guide or the like (not shown) based on the detected document length. Thus, the path through which the document 100 is conveyed next to the introduction path 41 can be switched.

  First, a path along which the document 100 is conveyed when the document length is short will be described. In this case, the document 100 is configured to be transported along the first reversing path (reversing path) 45 shown in FIG. 4 after being transported to the reading position along the introduction path 41. The first inversion path 45 includes, in order from the upstream side, a first pre-inversion path 451, a first inversion middle path 452, and a first post-inversion path 453.

  In the first pre-reversal path 451, a triple roller 35 and a transport roller 36 are arranged in order from the upstream side. Similar to the single-side discharge path 43, the document 100 conveyed along the first pre-reversal path 451 passes between the registration roller 351 and the driven roller 352 disposed thereabove and is conveyed diagonally to the upper right. Is done. Then, the document 100 is conveyed rightward by the conveyance roller 36 and conveyed to the first reverse path 452.

  The first inversion middle path 452 guides the document 100 obliquely downward to the right as in the case of the single-side discharge path 43 until halfway. However, after the branch point in the middle, the document 100 is guided so as to be conveyed obliquely downward to the left. This first inversion middle path 452 is a path that swells to the right (curves so as to be convex to the right). By being conveyed along this first reversing path 452, the front and back sides of the document 100 are reversed. That is, after the first surface facing the lower side (scanner unit 25 side) before being transported along the first reversing path 452 is transported along the first reversing path 452, Turn to face. Then, the document 100 conveyed along the first reversing path 452 is conveyed to the first reversing path 453.

  A conveyance roller 37 and a triple roller 35 are arranged in order from the upstream side in the first reverse path 453. The document 100 transported along the first reverse path 453 is transported to the left by the transport roller 37, and after the skew is corrected by the registration roller 351 of the triple roller 35, the document 100 passes through the reading position. In this way, the original 100 when the original length is short is reversed.

  Next, a path for reversing the document 100 when the document length is long will be described. Here, the case where the document length is long means that the document length is equal to the length of the first inversion path 45 or the document length is longer. If the document 100 having a long document length is conveyed along the first reversing path 45, the leading end of the document 100 after reversing the reading position with the trailing edge of the document 100 still remaining at the reading position. Since they are going to pass, the originals 100 overlap and cause a paper jam. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the second inversion path (inversion path) 46 through which the document 100 passes when the document length is long is configured to be longer than the first inversion path 45.

  The second inversion path 46 includes a second pre-inversion path (pre-inversion path) 461, a second inversion middle path 462, and a second post-inversion path (post-inversion path) 463. The second pre-inversion path 461 extends further to the right than the first pre-inversion path 451. Similar to the first inversion middle path 452, the second inversion middle path 462 has a path swelled to the right side (curved so as to be convex on the right side). The second post-inversion path 463 extends further to the right than the first post-inversion path 453.

The second reverse path 463 passes through the common roller 38 when the document 100 is transported to the left side. However, as described above, the common roller 38 can switch the rotation direction, so that the document 100 is transported to the left side. be able to. Thus, the common roller 38 has a function as a discharge roller and a function as a transport roller. In this way, the document 100 when the document length is long is reversed.

  Then, the original 100 that has been reversed by the first reversing path 45 or the second reversing path 46 and whose image information on the second surface has been read is conveyed to a duplex discharge path (discharge path) 47 shown in FIG.

  The document 100 conveyed along the duplex discharge path 47 passes through the reading position to the left side, and is then conveyed to the upper left side by the conveyance roller 34. Then, the document 100 passes between the driving roller 331 and the driven roller 333 disposed below the driving roller 331 and is conveyed rightward.

  Note that the duplex discharge path 47 from the reading position to the triple roller 33 is a path (a curved discharge path 471 shown in FIG. 6) that bulges to the left (curves so as to be convex on the left). Note that, in the original 100 conveyed along the introduction curved path 411 and the original 100 conveyed along the discharge curved path 471, the conveyance directions of the original 100 are opposite to each other. In this respect, the conveyance roller 34 of the present embodiment can switch the rotation direction, and further, the rotation directions of the driven roller 332 and the driven roller 333 are opposite to each other.

  Then, the document 100 conveyed along the duplex discharge path 47 and passed through the triple roller 33 is conveyed in the right direction, and after passing through the conveyance roller 36, is conveyed obliquely downward to the right. Then, similarly to the original 100 conveyed along the single-sided discharge path 43, it is discharged to the discharge tray 53 by the common roller 38 and the counter roller 39. Note that the double-side discharge path 47 from the branch point slightly downstream of the transport roller 36 to the branch point slightly upstream of the common roller 38 connects the second pre-reverse path 461 and the second post-reverse path 463 ( Connection path 472 shown in FIG. As described above, the image information on both sides of the original 100 set on the paper feed tray 52 is read.

  Next, a common path between the first inversion path 45 and the second inversion path 46 and the duplex discharge path 47 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a common path between the first inversion path 45 and the double-sided discharge path 47. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a path common to the second reversing path 46 and the duplex discharge path 47.

  As is apparent from FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the first reversing path 45 and the duplex discharge path 47, or the second reversing path 46 and the duplex discharge path 47 have a common path. .

  The first reverse path 45 and the double-sided discharge path 47 have a common path 441 shown in FIG. 7 as a common path. The common path 441 is a path having a curved portion, and is a path from a branch position slightly on the left side (upstream) of the transport roller 36 to a branch position near the center of the first inversion middle path 452. The double-sided discharge path 47 includes a first discharge path 481 and a second discharge path 482 on the downstream side (on the common roller 38 side) from the first discharge path 481 as parts other than the common path 441. ing. The document 100 conveyed along the duplex discharge path 47 is discharged via the first discharge path 481, the common path 441, and the second discharge path 482 in this order.

  On the other hand, the second reversing path 46 and the duplex discharge path 47 have a common path 442 and a common path (second common path) 443 shown in FIG. 8 as common paths. The common path 442 is a straight path, and is a path from a slightly left (upstream) branch point of the transport roller 36 to a slightly right (downstream) branch point of the transport roller 36. The common path 443 is a straight path, and is formed between the common roller 38 and the opposing roller 39 from a branch point slightly on the left side of the common roller 38 (downstream in the second reversing path 46 and upstream in the double-side discharge path 47). This is the route to the contact point. Further, the double-side discharge path 47 is a portion other than the common paths 442 and 443, and the first discharge path 481 described above and a second discharge path downstream from the first discharge path 481 (on the common roller 38 side). 483. The document 100 conveyed along the duplex discharge path 47 is discharged via the first discharge path 481, the common path 442, the second discharge path 483, and the common path 443 in this order.

  Note that the original 100 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 53 immediately after passing through the common path 443, but the original 100 need not be directly discharged from the common path 443. Specifically, it may be configured as follows. That is, a path is further arranged downstream of the common path 443, and a roller for discharging the original is installed on this path. That is, the original 100 passes through the common path 443 and then passes through the discharge path, and then is discharged to the paper discharge tray 53.

  As described above, the ADF 24 of this embodiment includes the introduction path 41, the first inversion path 45 and the second inversion path 46, and the double-sided discharge path 47. The introduction path 41 guides the document 100 from the left side to the right side of the reading position so that the first surface of the supplied document 100 is read. The first reversing path 45 and the second reversing path 46 are connected to the introduction path 41, and are read by reversing the document 100 so that the second surface of the document 100 from which the image information on the first surface has been read is read. The document 100 is guided from the right side to the left side of the position. The duplex discharge path 47 is connected to the first inversion path 45 and the second inversion path 46 so that the document 100 on which the image information on the second surface is read is discharged on the right side of the reading position. Guide 100. The first inversion path 45 and the double-sided discharge path 47 or the second reverse path 46 and the double-sided discharge path 47 have a common path.

  Accordingly, the member that guides the document 100 conveyed along the common paths 441 and 442, the conveying roller 36, and the transmission member thereof are connected to the first reversing path 45 and the second reversing path 46, the duplex discharge path 47, Therefore, the ADF 24 can be reduced in cost. In addition, the size of the ADF 24 in the height direction can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which the reversing path and the discharge path are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval (configuration shown in Patent Document 1).

  In the ADF 24 of the present embodiment, the double-sided discharge path 47 includes a common path 441 (or common paths 442 and 443) that is a part common to the first inversion path 45 (or the second inversion path 46), and the first The document 100 having the discharge path 481 and the second discharge path 482 (or the second discharge path 483) downstream of the first discharge path 481 is conveyed along the double-side discharge path 47. After passing through the first discharge path 481, the common path 441 (or common path 442), and the second discharge path 482 (or second discharge path 483) in this order, the discharge is performed.

  Thus, by configuring the double-sided discharge path 47 to have the first discharge path 481 and the second discharge path 482 (or the second discharge path 483), the degree of freedom of layout of the double-sided discharge path 47 is improved. Can be made.

  In the ADF 24 of the present embodiment, the second reversing path 46 includes a second pre-reversing path 461 through which the document 100 before reversing is conveyed and a second after-reversing path 463 through which the document after reversing is conveyed. Have. The double-sided discharge path 47 includes a common path 441 (or common paths 442 and 443) and a connection path 472 that connects the second pre-inversion path 461 and the second post-inversion path 463. The original 100 from which the image information of the second side has been read passes through the common path 442 and the connection path 472 in order, and then passes through the common path 443 that is a common path between the second reverse path 463 and the duplex discharge path 47. It passes through and is discharged.

  As a result, the position at which the document 100 is discharged can be located inside the apparatus from the right end of the second reversing path 46, so the size of the automatic document feeder 24 in the left-right direction (width direction) or the discharge The amount of jumping out of the original 100 from the ADF 24 can be reduced.

  In addition, the ADF 24 of this embodiment includes a common roller 38 disposed on the common path 443. The common roller 38 can discharge the document 100 conveyed along the common path 443 to the sheet discharge tray 53 and can convey the document 100 conveyed along the common path 443 along the first reverse path 45.

  Thereby, since the common roller 38 has a function as a discharge roller and a function as a conveyance roller, the number of rollers and transmission members provided in the ADF 24 can be reduced. Therefore, cost reduction can be realized.

  In the ADF 24 according to the present embodiment, the rotation direction of the common roller 38 is different between when the document 100 is discharged to the discharge tray 53 and when the document 100 is transported along the second reverse path 46.

  Accordingly, it is possible to cope with a path in which the document 100 is conveyed in one direction and the document 100 is discharged in the other direction.

  Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a document conveyance path 40 according to a modification. In the description of this modification, the same or similar members as those in the above-described embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and description thereof may be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the common roller 38 has a function of discharging the original 100 to the paper discharge tray 53 and a function of conveying the original 100 along the original conveyance path 40. On the other hand, the automatic document feeder 24 of the present modification includes a discharge roller 391 having only the discharge function and a transport roller 392 having only the transport function.

  The discharge roller 391 is disposed on the right side of the conveyance roller 36 and on the right side of the most swollen portion of the second reversing middle path 462. On the other hand, the conveyance roller 392 is disposed at the same location as the common roller 38 in the above-described embodiment, and has a function of conveying the document 100 conveyed on the second reversing path 46 to the left side. For this reason, the common path 444 of this modification has a longer common portion length than the common path 442 of the above embodiment. In the present modification, the double-side discharge path 47 is a portion other than the common path 444, and the first discharge path 481 shown above and the downstream side in the transport direction from the first discharge path 481 (discharge roller 391 side). The second discharge path 484. Then, the document 100 conveyed along the duplex discharge path 47 is discharged through the first discharge path 481, the common path 444, and the second discharge path 484 in this order.

  In the configuration of this modified example, the discharge location of the document 100 is on the right side of the configuration of the above embodiment, so that the size in the left-right direction is slightly larger than that of the above embodiment (or the ADF 24 of the document 100 to be discharged). However, since the configuration (electromagnetic clutch or the like) for switching the rotation direction of the common roller 38 can be eliminated, the ADF 24 can be reduced in cost.

  The preferred embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, but the above configuration can be modified as follows, for example.

  Note that the first inversion middle path 452 shown in the above embodiment and the modification may be eliminated, and the document 100 may always be reversed by the second inversion path 46 regardless of the document length.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, bi-directional conveyance is realized by enabling the rotation direction of the conveyance roller 34 to be switched. Instead, however, a branch point is provided on the path from the reading position to the conveyance roller 34. And a triple roller may be installed at this branch point. Thereby, the structure for switching the rotation direction of the conveyance roller 34 can be omitted.

  Instead of the reduction optical system scanner unit 25 used in the above-described embodiments and modifications, a configuration using a contact image sensor or the like can be used.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, the image scanner device 11 is provided as a part of the multifunction device 1. However, instead of this configuration, the image scanner device 11 can be configured as a single image scanner device.

1 MFP 11 Image Scanner Device (Document Reading Device)
24 ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)
41 introduction path 45 first reverse route 46 second reverse path (reverse path)
47 Double-sided discharge route (discharge route )
442 common route (first common route)
443 common route (second common route )

Claims (4)

An introduction path for guiding the supplied original and guiding the original so that the original passes through the reading position from one side to the other when the first surface of the original is read;
The original is reversed and guided from the other side of the reading position to the one side so that the second side of the original which is connected to the introduction path and the image information on the first side is read is read. An inversion path,
A discharge path connected to the reversing path and guiding the original so that the original on which the image information on the second surface is read is discharged on the other side of the reading position;
With
The reversing path has a pre-reversing path through which a document before reversing is conveyed and a reversing path through which a document after reversing is conveyed,
The discharge path includes a first common path that is a part common to the pre-inversion path, a second common path that is a part common to the post-inversion path, the first common path, and the second common path. A connection path to be connected,
An automatic document feeder, wherein the document on which the image information on the second surface is read passes through the first common path, the connection path, and the second common path in this order. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1 ,
A common roller disposed on the second common path;
The common roller is capable of discharging a document transported along the second common path to the outside and transporting a document transported along the second common path along the reverse path. Automatic document feeder. The automatic document feeder according to claim 2 ,
An automatic document feeder, wherein the rotation direction of the common roller is different between when the document is discharged to the outside and when the document is conveyed along the reverse path. An automatic document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A reading unit for reading image information of a document passing through the reading position;
An original reading apparatus comprising:

Images