JP6525142B2 - Medium conveyance device, image reading device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium transport apparatus for transporting a medium, and an image reading apparatus provided with the same.

In a scanner, which is an example of an image reading apparatus, an automatic document feeder (ADF (Auto
(Also called Document Feeder), and may be configured to perform automatic feeding and reading of a plurality of originals. As shown in Patent Document 1, as a configuration of such an automatic document feeder, a tray on which the document is placed, and an upstream roller for feeding the document from the tray ("forward feed roller" in Patent Document 1) A sheet feeding roller provided downstream of the upstream roller, and a separating roller for nipping and separating the document between the sheet feeding roller and the sheet feeding roller.

Patent No. 4869969

  The separation roller is provided in a state in which a predetermined rotational resistance is provided in order to prevent double feeding of the document. The document, which has received the feed force from the upstream roller, gets in between the feed roller and the separation roller, and while receiving resistance from the separation roller, proceeds to the downstream side by receiving the feed force from the feed roller. The document to be double-fed can not be advanced downstream while the leading end is in contact with the separation roller, since the feed force from the paper feed roller is not applied, and double-fed is prevented.

  In order to properly exhibit the separation performance by the separation roller, a front end portion serving as an entrance of the document entering the nip position may be provided so as to regulate the number of documents entering the nip position between the feed roller and the separation roller. desirable.

However, in some cases, a plurality of documents may be pressed into the above-mentioned opening in a press-fit state, and in this case, the frictional force between the documents becomes excessive. There is a risk that the second and subsequent documents will be double-fed along with the document to be processed.
In addition, there is also a tendency for the possibility of double feeding to increase due to the mixture of thick paper and thin paper, and the increase in the number of sets.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object thereof is to prevent entry of a plurality of media into the opening portion in the press-in state even in the situation where thick paper and thin paper are mixed. And to properly separate the media.

  A medium transport apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems comprises: a medium placement unit for placing a medium; a feed roller for feeding the medium downstream; and the feed roller A separation roller which nips and separates the medium, and an opening serving as an inlet of the medium entering the nip position of the feed roller and the separation roller, the opening being displaced in the thickness direction of the medium And a movable member configured to adjust the size of the opening by displacing in a thickness direction of the medium.

  According to this aspect, the front end portion serving as the inlet of the medium entering the nip position of the feed roller and the separation roller is displaced in the thickness direction of the medium with the fixing member not displaced in the thickness direction of the medium. Since the movable member for adjusting the size of the front portion is provided, it is possible to avoid the penetration of a plurality of media into the front portion in the state of press-fitting. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the frictional force between the media at the front opening, and thus to separate the media appropriately at the separation roller.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the movable member is biased toward the fixed member.
According to this aspect, since the movable member is biased toward the fixed member, easy entry of a plurality of media into the opening can be avoided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the movable member guides the medium downstream, the guide surface forming an inclination angle α with respect to the medium transport direction, and the guide surface And a stopper surface which forms an angle β larger than the inclination angle α with respect to the medium transport direction and stops the medium from entering the nip position.
According to this aspect, entry of a large number of media into the front opening can be more reliably avoided by the stopper surface.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, a first unit comprising the feed roller and constituting a medium transport path for transporting the medium, the separation roller and the first unit A second unit capable of switching between a closed state forming the medium transport path and an open state exposing the medium transport path with one unit, the first unit forming the medium transport path The second unit includes a frame that contacts the path forming member in the closed state, the fixed member is provided on the path forming member, and the movable member is provided on the frame It is characterized by being

  In the medium transport apparatus, in order to remove the jammed medium when a jam occurs, a structure for opening the medium transport path is required. In this aspect, the medium transport path can be opened by providing the second unit so as to be able to open and close the first unit. On the other hand, since the movable member is for adjusting the size of the opening, management of the installation position of the movable member in the direction of adjusting the size of the opening becomes important. However, when the movable member is provided in the second unit, the position of the movable member in the adjustment direction, more specifically, the position of the movable member with respect to the first unit fluctuates as the second unit is opened and closed. It is easy and not preferable.

  However, according to this aspect, since the movable member is provided on the frame that abuts on the path forming member provided to the first unit when the second unit is closed, the path forming member (that is, the fixed member) And the position of the movable member can be accurately determined, and the size of the opening can be appropriately adjusted regardless of the opening and closing of the second unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the frame is biased with respect to the path forming member in the closed state of the second unit.
According to this aspect, since the frame is biased with respect to the path forming member in the closed state of the second unit, the position of the frame can be determined more accurately.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the frame has a shape extending in a direction intersecting the medium transport direction, and a cross section cut along a plane along the medium transport direction is substantially It is characterized by forming a U-shape.

  According to this aspect, the frame has a shape extending in a direction intersecting the medium conveyance direction, and a cross section cut along a plane along the medium conveyance direction has a substantially U-shape, so that the frame intersects the medium conveyance direction. It is possible to suppress the deflection of the frame in the direction to properly adjust the size of the front portion.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, a plurality of sets of the feed roller and the separation roller are provided at predetermined intervals in a direction intersecting the medium conveyance direction, The units are characterized in that they are disposed at positions corresponding to the feed roller and the separation roller provided in a plurality of sets.

  According to this aspect, a plurality of sets of the feed roller and the separation roller are provided at a predetermined interval in a direction crossing the medium conveyance direction, and the plurality of sets of the front portion are the feed roller and the separation roller Since it arrange | positions in the position corresponding to these, penetration of several sheets of media to the nip position of the said feed roller and the said separation roller can be suppressed appropriately.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus comprising: reading means for reading a surface of a medium; and the medium conveyance apparatus according to any of the first to seventh aspects, for conveying the medium. It features.
According to this aspect, in the image reading apparatus, it is possible to obtain the same function and effect as any of the above-described first to seventh aspects.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a feeding state in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention in which the upper unit is open relative to the lower unit. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a feeding path in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the transport path side in the lower unit. The perspective view which shows the conveyance path side in an upper unit. The perspective view seen from the paper pressing lever side in the frame member provided with a paper pressing lever part and a movable member. The perspective view seen from the movable member side in a frame member provided with a paper pressing lever part and a movable member. The sectional side view which shows the relationship between an upper unit and a flame | frame member. The expanded sectional view which shows the attachment state of the flame | frame member with respect to an upper unit. The perspective view which shows the relationship between a flame | frame member and a lower unit. The enlarged view of the paper pressing lever part in a frame member. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the relationship between the paper pressing lever and the movable member, and the first feeding roller and the second feeding roller. The sectional side view in the state where the fixed member and the movable member were closest to each other at the frontage. The side sectional view in the state where the fixed member and the movable member were most separated in the frontage. The enlarged view of the guide surface and stopper surface in a movable member.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The same components in the respective embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the components will be omitted in the subsequent embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an image reading apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a feeding state in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a feeding path in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the conveying path in the lower unit. FIG.

  6 is a perspective view showing the transport path side in the upper unit, FIG. 7 is a perspective view seen from the paper pressing lever side in the frame member including the paper pressing lever and the movable member, and FIG. 8 is the paper pressing lever And FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing the relationship between the upper unit and the frame member in the frame member provided with the movable member, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the frame member attached to the upper unit It is an expanded sectional view shown.

  11 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the frame member and the lower unit, FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the paper pressing lever in the frame member, and FIG. 13 is a paper pressing lever, movable member and first feeding roller And FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view in the state where the fixed member and the movable member are closest to each other at the opening, and FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the fixed member and the movable member at the opening Is a side sectional view in a state of being most separated, and FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a guide surface and a stopper surface of the movable member.

  In the X-Y-Z coordinate system shown in each drawing, the X direction is the width direction of the apparatus, the sheet width direction, the Y direction indicates the depth direction and the sheet conveyance direction of the image reading apparatus, and the Z direction indicates the apparatus height direction. ing. In each of the drawings, the −Y direction is the front side of the apparatus, and the + Y direction is the rear side of the apparatus.

■ ■ ■ Example ■ ■ ■ ■
<<< Overview of image reader >>>
An image reading apparatus 10 which is an example of the “medium conveying apparatus” will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In the present embodiment, the image reading device 10 is configured as a document scanner capable of reading at least one of the front and back sides of the sheet P. The image reading apparatus 10 includes a lower unit 12 as a “first unit”, an upper unit 14 as a “second unit”, a cover 16, and a sheet discharge tray 18.

  The upper unit 14 is attached to the lower unit 12 so as to be rotatable with respect to the lower unit 12 with the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction as a pivot. The upper unit 14 is closed with respect to the lower unit 12 and forms a sheet conveyance path as the “medium conveyance path” of the sheet P together with the lower unit 12 (see FIG. 2). It is possible to take an open state (see FIG. 3) in which the sheet conveyance path of the sheet P can be exposed and the sheet jam of the sheet P can be easily processed.

  A cover 16 is provided on the upper portion on the back side of the lower unit 12. The cover portion 16 is rotatably attached to the lower unit 12 with respect to the lower unit 12. The cover portion 16 covers the upper portion of the upper unit 14 and the feeding port 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) as shown in FIG. 1, and the non-feeding state as shown in FIG. By turning to the side, the feeding port 20 can be opened and the back surface 16a of the cover 16 can be in a feeding state in which the sheet P placing portion 22 as a "medium placing portion" is configured.

  Further, a discharge port 24 for discharging the sheet P is provided on the device front side of the lower unit 12. The lower unit 12 also includes a sheet discharge tray 18 that can be pulled out of the discharge port 24 toward the front of the apparatus. The discharge tray 18 can be in a state of being stored at the bottom of the lower unit 12 (see FIG. 1) and in a state of being pulled out to the front side of the apparatus (see FIG. 2). Further, in the present embodiment, the discharge tray 18 is configured by connecting a plurality of tray members, and the draw-out length from the discharge port 24 can be adjusted according to the length of the sheet P to be discharged.

<<< About the feeding path in the image reading device >>>
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the sheet conveyance path in the image reading apparatus 10 will be described. The sheet P is placed on the placement unit 22 provided on the back surface 16 a of the cover unit 16 in a posture in which the lower unit 12 is turned to the rear side of the apparatus. The sheet P placed on the placement unit 22 is fed to the downstream side in the feeding direction by the first feeding roller 26 provided rotatably with respect to the lower unit 12. Although not shown, a sheet return lever is provided at a position where the first feed roller 26 is provided, to prevent double feeding of the sheet P.

  On the downstream side of the first feeding roller 26 in the feeding direction, a second feeding roller 28 as a “feeding roller” is rotatably provided in the lower unit 12, and a separation roller 30 is rotatably provided in the upper unit 14. It is done. In the present embodiment, the separation roller 30 is given a predetermined rotational resistance. Then, the plurality of sheets P fed by the first feeding roller 26 are separated by the separating roller 30, and only the sheet P in contact with the second feeding roller 28 is the second feeding roller 28 and the separating roller 30. And is fed downstream in the feeding direction.

  On the downstream side of the second feeding roller 28 in the feeding direction, a conveying roller pair 32, an image reading unit 34 as a "reading unit", and a discharge roller pair 36 are provided. The sheet P nipped by the second feed roller 28 and the separation roller 30 and fed to the downstream side in the feeding direction is nipped by the transport roller pair 32, and the image reading unit 34 located downstream of the transport roller pair 32. Transported to

  The conveyance roller pair 32 includes a conveyance drive roller 32a provided in the lower unit 12, and a conveyance driven roller 32b provided in the upper unit 14 and driven to rotate with respect to the conveyance drive roller 32a.

  Here, the image reading unit 34 includes an upper image reading sensor 38 provided on the upper unit 14 side and a lower image reading sensor 40 provided on the lower unit 12 side. In the present embodiment, the upper image reading sensor 38 and the lower image reading sensor 40 are configured as a contact image sensor module (CISM) as an example.

  After the sheet P is read by the image reading unit 34 on the image on at least one of the front and back sides of the sheet P, the sheet P is nipped by the discharge roller pair 36 located downstream of the image reading unit 34 in the transport direction. The sheet 24 is discharged toward the sheet discharge tray 18. The alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2 indicates the sheet P feeding path.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the discharge roller pair 36 is provided with a discharge drive roller 36a provided in the lower unit 12, and a discharge driven roller 36b provided in the upper unit 14 and driven to rotate with respect to the discharge drive roller 36a.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first feed roller 26, the second feed roller 28, the conveyance drive roller 32a and the discharge drive roller 36a are rotated by at least one drive source (not shown) provided in the lower unit 12. It is driven.

  Further, in the lower unit 12 in the present embodiment, a control unit 42 is provided. In the present embodiment, the control unit 42 is configured as an electric circuit including a plurality of electronic components. The control unit 42 controls the upper image reading sensor 38, the lower image reading sensor 40, and the driving source.

  Further, the control unit 42 is configured to control the conveyance of the sheet P in the image reading apparatus 10 and the image reading operation. Further, the control unit 42 may control an operation necessary for executing the document reading operation in the image reading apparatus 10 in accordance with an instruction from the outside (PC or the like).

<<< Configuration of upper unit and lower unit >>>
Next, the configurations of the lower unit 12 and the upper unit 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Referring to FIG. 5, the lower unit 12 is provided with a path forming member 44. The path forming member 44 constitutes a part of the medium transport path when the upper unit 14 is closed with respect to the lower unit 12.

  Further, a fixing member 45 is attached to a substantially central portion in the sheet width direction in the path forming member 44. When the upper unit 14 is closed with respect to the lower unit 12, the fixing member 45 also forms a part of the medium conveyance path.

  In the present embodiment, the first feeding roller 26 and the second feeding roller 28 are disposed on the fixing member 45. In the present embodiment, the first feeding roller 26 and the second feeding roller 28 project a part of the first feeding roller 26 and the second feeding roller 28 relative to the medium conveyance path, that is, the fixing member 45. It is arranged as.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first feed roller 26 is disposed on the upstream side of the fixing member 45 in the sheet conveyance direction. Further, in the present embodiment, two first feeding rollers 26 are provided in the fixing member 45 at predetermined intervals in the sheet width direction.

  Further, a second feed roller 28 is disposed downstream of the first feed roller 26 in the sheet conveyance direction in the fixing member 45. In the present embodiment, two second feed rollers 28 are also provided at predetermined intervals in the sheet width direction of the fixing member 45.

  Further, in the path forming member 44, the conveyance drive roller 32a is rotatably disposed on the downstream side of the second feed roller 28 in the sheet conveyance direction. In the present embodiment, two conveyance drive rollers 32 a are provided at predetermined intervals in the sheet width direction.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the lower image reading sensor 40 of the image reading unit 34 is disposed downstream of the conveyance driving roller 32 a of the path forming member 44 in the sheet conveyance direction. Further, on the downstream side of the lower image reading sensor 40 of the path forming member 44 in the sheet conveyance direction, a discharge driving roller 36 a is rotatably disposed.

  Further, in the path forming member 44, positioning portions 44a and 44a are provided at both ends in the sheet width direction between the first feeding roller 26 and the second feeding roller 28 in the sheet conveying direction. The positioning unit 44a will be described later. Further, hook retaining portions 46 are provided at both ends in the sheet width direction of the path forming member 44.

  Next, the configuration of the upper unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. A separating roller 30 is rotatably attached to the upper unit 14. In the present embodiment, the separation roller 30 is provided on the upper unit 14 so as to protrude from the upper unit 14 toward the sheet conveyance path. In the upper unit 14, a conveyance driven roller 32 b is rotatably disposed downstream of the separation roller 30 in the sheet conveyance direction.

  Further, an upper image reading sensor 38 of the image reading unit 34 is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance driven roller 32 b in the upper unit 14 in the sheet conveyance direction. Further, on the downstream side of the upper image reading sensor 38 of the upper unit 14 in the sheet conveyance direction, a discharge driven roller 36 b is rotatably disposed.

  Further, in the upper unit 14, hooks 48 are provided at both ends in the sheet width direction at the end on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. The hook 48 can rotate between the state in which it engages with the hook hooking portion 46 provided in the lower unit 12 and the state in which the hook hooking portion 46 is disengaged from the upper unit 14. Provided in That is, by engaging the hooks 48 with the hook retaining portions 46, the upper unit 14 and the lower unit 12 are in a closed state which constitutes a sheet conveyance path. Further, on the upstream side of the separation roller 30 in the upper unit 14, a frame member 50 as a “frame” capable of advancing and retreating with respect to the sheet conveyance path is provided.

<<< About the structure of the frame member >>>
The configuration of the frame member 50 and the relationship with the path forming member 44 of the lower unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. The frame member 50 extends in the sheet width direction as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The frame member 50 has a substantially U-shaped cross section cut along a plane along the sheet conveyance direction. The frame member 50 has a bottom 50a facing the sheet conveyance path, a side wall 50b extending upward from the upstream end of the bottom 50a in the sheet conveyance direction, and a top from the downstream end of the bottom 50a in the sheet conveyance direction. And an extending side wall portion 50c.

  In the present embodiment, central portions in the sheet width direction of the bottom portion 50a and the side wall portion 50c are cut away. A paper pressing lever 52 (see FIG. 7) is provided on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction at the center of the side wall 50b in the paper width direction, and a movable member 54 (see FIG. 8) on the upstream side of the paper conveyance direction. Is provided. Further, in the side wall portion 50b, at the both end portions in the sheet width direction, there are formed positioning portions 56 which project toward the sheet conveyance path side. The paper pressing lever 52 and the movable member 54 will be described later.

  Further, hooking member attachment portions 58 which project upward in the apparatus height direction are formed at both end portions in the sheet width direction in the side wall portions 50b and 50c. As shown in FIG. 8, one end of the hooking member 60 is attached to the hooking member attaching portion 58 of the side wall portion 50b, and the other end of the hooking member 60 is attached to the hooking member attaching portion 58 of the side wall portion 50c. It is attached.

  Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the hooking member attaching portions 58 of the side wall portion 50 b and the side wall portion 50 c are located above the frame 14 a of the upper unit 14. In this state, the hooking member 60 is attached to the hooking member attaching portion 58 of the side wall portion 50b and the side wall portion 50c. Here, the frame member 50 is in a state of being suspended from the frame 14 a by the two hook members 60, 60.

  Further, a biasing member 62 is provided between the bottom 50 a of the frame member 50 and the frame 14 a. In the present embodiment, the biasing member 62 is configured as a spring. The biasing force of the biasing member 62 presses the bottom portion 50 a of the frame member 50 and acts in a direction to separate the frame member 50 from the frame 14 a.

  Here, when the upper unit 14 is closed with respect to the lower unit 12 as shown in FIG. 11, the positioning portion 56 provided on the side wall 50 b of the frame member 50 is provided on the path forming member 44. It will be in the state which contacted positioning part 44a. In this state, the biasing force of the biasing member 62 presses the positioning portion 56 of the frame member 50 against the positioning portion 44 a. Thereby, the frame member 50 is positioned with respect to the path forming member 44, that is, the lower unit 12 in the device height direction.

<<< About the paper pressure lever part >>>
The paper pressing lever portion 52 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 12 to 15. A paper pressing lever portion 52 is provided on the downstream side of the side wall portion 50 b of the frame member 50 in the paper conveyance direction. The paper pressing lever portion 52 includes a holder member 64, a paper pressing lever 66 as a "regulating member", and biasing means 68. In the present embodiment, the biasing means 68 is configured as a torsion spring as an example.

  The holder member 64 is attached to the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction at the center of the side wall portion 50 b of the frame member 50 in the sheet width direction. The paper pressing lever 66 is swingably attached to the holder member 64. The biasing means 68 is attached to the swing shaft 66 a of the paper pressing lever 66 such that one end thereof engages with the holder member 64 and the other end engages with the paper pressing lever 66. In the present embodiment, the biasing force of the biasing means 68 acts to press the paper pressing lever 66 toward the fixing member 45. That is, the paper pressing lever 66 is biased by the biasing unit 68 in a direction to suppress the floating of the sheet P conveyed on the fixed member 45.

  Further, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the paper pressing lever 66 is located between the two first feeding rollers 26 and between the two second feeding rollers 28 in the paper width direction. Further, at least a part of the paper pressing lever 66 is at the same position as a part of the second feeding roller 28 in the paper conveyance direction. That is, a part of the paper pressing lever 66 and the second feeding roller 28 overlap.

  Further, referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the paper pressing lever 66 swings between an attitude (see FIG. 14) in contact with the fixing member 45 and an attitude (see FIG. 15) separated from the fixing member 45. It is configured to be possible. In the present embodiment, the position where the sheet pressing lever 66 is in contact with the sheet P in the sheet conveying direction is located downstream of the swinging shaft 66a, which is the swinging center of the sheet pressing lever 66, in the sheet conveying direction. Contact the sheet P conveyed along the sheet in an oblique posture.

  That is, when the sheet P is transported along the transport path, the end 66b (see FIGS. 14 and 15) of the sheet pressing lever 66 in contact with the sheet P contacts the fixing member 45 (see FIG. 14) Then, the sheet P comes in contact with the sheet P, separates from the fixing member 45, and is displaced to the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction (see FIG. 15). At that time, since the biasing force of the biasing means 68 acts on the end 66 b of the paper pressing lever 66, the end 66 b of the paper pressing lever 66 suppresses the sheet P from floating from the fixing member 45. Further, in accordance with this displacement, the end 66b of the paper pressing lever 66 is displaced radially inward of the separation roller 30 (see FIG. 15). That is, in a state in which the paper pressing lever 66 regulates the sheet P, at least a part of the end portion 66 b of the paper pressing lever 66 is located inside in the radial direction of the separation roller 30.

  In summary of the above description, the image reading apparatus 10 includes the placement unit 22 for placing the sheet P, the first feeding roller 26 for feeding the placed sheet P, and the downstream side of the first feeding roller 26. A second feeding roller 28 is provided, and a separation roller 30 for nipping and separating the sheet P between the second feeding roller 28 is provided. Since a paper pressing lever 66 is provided upstream of the nipping position of the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30, the paper pressing lever 66 is provided between the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 so as to regulate the floating of the sheet P. When the rushing sheet P tries to float up upstream of the separation roller 30 (when it tries to bend), the float is regulated by the paper pressing lever 66. Therefore, the sheet P can be appropriately fed downstream regardless of the size of the sheet P. In addition, it has a remarkable effect particularly when feeding thin paper of about 0.05 mm.

  Further, in order to remove the jammed sheet P in the image reading apparatus 10, a structure for opening the sheet transport path is required. In the present embodiment, by providing the lower unit 12 so as to be able to open and close the upper unit 14, it is possible to open the sheet conveyance path. On the other hand, since the paper holding lever 66 regulates the floating of the paper P, management of the installation position in the floating direction of the paper P is important, but when the paper holding lever 66 is provided on the upper unit 14, the upper part With the opening and closing of the unit 14, the position of the paper pressing lever 66 in the floating direction of the paper P, more specifically, the position of the paper pressing lever 66 with respect to the lower unit 12 tends to fluctuate, which is not preferable.

  However, in the present embodiment, since the paper pressing lever 66 is provided on the frame member 50 that contacts the path forming member 44 provided in the lower unit 12 when the upper unit 14 is closed, the path forming member 44 (i.e., the lower unit 12). Can accurately determine the position of the paper pressing lever 66 with respect to 1) and appropriately restrict the floating of the paper P regardless of whether the upper unit 14 is opened or closed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the sheet P which tends to float up upstream of the plurality of separation rollers 30 can be regulated by the paper pressing lever 66 between the plurality of separation rollers 30. That is, even though the sheets P are more reliably separated by the plurality of separation rollers 30, lifting of the sheets P can be restricted by the small number of paper pressing levers 66, and cost increase can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the paper pressing lever 66 is a member having a swingable lever shape, and the position in contact with the paper in the paper conveyance direction is located downstream of the swinging shaft 66a which is the swinging center. As described above, since the sheet P is in contact with the sheet P in an oblique posture, the sheet pressing lever 66 can be prevented from being caught by the sheet P. Further, since the paper pressing lever 66 follows the shape when the paper P is bent so as to float, it is possible to avoid the resistance of the paper pressing lever 66 when the paper P is transported.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the paper pressing lever 66 is urged by the urging means 68 in the direction to suppress the floating of the sheet P, the floating of the sheet P upstream of the separation roller 30 can be made more reliably. It can be regulated.

<<< About the frontage part >>>
Again, the frontage 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 12 to 15. The frontage portion 70 is set as an entrance of the sheet P entering the nipping position of the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30. The frontage 70 includes a fixed member 45 and a movable member 54. The movable member 54 is mounted on the side of the side wall 50b of the frame member 50 on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction so as to be movable forward and backward with respect to the fixed member 45. In this embodiment, when the movable member 54 moves back and forth with respect to the fixed member 45, the distance between the fixed member 45 and the movable member 54 of the opening 70, that is, the opening through which the sheet P enters is changed. . The sheet thickness that can be fed is supported from 0.05 mm to 1.3 mm, and the gap of the front opening 70 is set to 0.5 mm.

  Specifically, the movable member 54 is attached to the side wall 50 b of the frame member 50 via the biasing member 72. In the present embodiment, the biasing member 72 is configured as a spring member. Further, in the present embodiment, one end of the biasing member 72 is attached to the side wall 50 b, and the other end is attached to the movable member 54.

  The movable member 54 is pressed by the biasing force of the biasing member 72 toward the fixed member 45, that is, toward the sheet conveyance path (see FIG. 14). Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the movable member 54 is displaceable in a direction away from the fixing member 45, that is, the sheet conveyance path, against the urging force of the urging member 72. The biasing force of the biasing member 72 is appropriately set according to the thickness, the type of paper, the number of sheets, etc., of the sheet P passing through the front opening 70 in the sheet conveyance path.

  In the present embodiment, the movable member 54 includes a guide surface 54 a and a stopper surface 54 b. In the present embodiment, the guide surface 54 a is provided at the lower part of the movable member 54. The guide surface 54a is configured as an inclined surface that forms an inclination angle α with respect to the sheet conveyance direction (see FIG. 16). In the present embodiment, the inclination angle α of the guide surface 54a is set at 45 degrees as an example. Here, the inclination angle α of the guide surface 54a is set at an angle of up to 60 degrees in accordance with the thickness of the sheet P to be conveyed and the sheet type.

  The stopper surface 54b is configured as a surface connected to the guide surface 54a. The stopper surface 54b has an inclination angle β with respect to the sheet conveyance direction, and is configured to stop the entrance of the sheet P to the nip position of the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 (see FIG. 16). . In the present embodiment, the inclination angle β of the stopper surface 54b is set to 75 degrees as an example. The inclination angle β is set larger than the inclination angle α (see FIG. 16).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, the guide surface 54 a and the stopper surface 54 b are provided at two positions in the sheet width direction of the movable member 54. Specifically, the guide surface 54 a and the stopper surface 54 b are provided in correspondence with the position where the second feed roller 28 and the separation roller 30 are provided in the sheet width direction. That is, the guide surface 54 a and the stopper surface 54 b are located upstream of the nip position of the second feed roller 28 and the separation roller 30 in the sheet width direction.

  When the sheet P fed from the first feed roller 26 in the sheet conveyance path contacts the guide surface 54a, the movable member 54 is lifted upward against the biasing force of the biasing member 72, and is along the guide surface 54a. The sheet is fed downstream in the sheet conveyance direction. At this time, when a plurality of sheets of paper P are double-fed to the movable member 54, the displacement in the direction (Z-axis direction in FIG. 15) intersecting the sheet conveyance path of the movable member 54 is the biasing force of the biasing member 72. It controls by the inclination angle of the guide surface 54a, and suppresses the snow falling to the sheet conveyance direction downstream side of the sheet P accompanying the displacement with respect to the sheet conveyance path of the movable member 54.

  According to the present embodiment, the front end portion 70 serving as the entrance of the sheet P entering the nip position of the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 is the fixing member 45 which is not displaced in the thickness direction of the sheet, and the sheet Since the movable member 54 for adjusting the size of the front opening 70 by displacing in the thickness direction of the movable member 54 is provided, entry of the plurality of sheets of paper P into the front opening 70 can be avoided. As a result, the increase in the frictional force between the sheets of paper P at the front opening 70 can be suppressed, and as a result, the sheet P can be separated appropriately by the separation roller 30.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the movable member 54 is biased toward the fixed member 45, easy entry of the plurality of sheets P into the space 70 can be avoided.

  According to the present embodiment, the movable member 54 is a surface for guiding the sheet P to the downstream side, a guide surface 54 a forming an inclination angle α with respect to the sheet conveyance direction, and a surface connected to the guide surface 54 a The stopper surface 54b has an angle β with respect to the direction which is larger than the inclination angle α and stops the sheet P from entering the nip position between the second feed roller 28 and the separation roller 30. Thus, entry of a large number of sheets P into the opening 70 can be more reliably avoided.

  In the image reading apparatus 10, in order to remove the jammed sheet P when the jam occurs, a structure for opening the sheet conveyance path is required. In the present embodiment, by providing the lower unit 12 so as to be able to open and close the upper unit 14, it is possible to open the sheet conveyance path. On the other hand, since the movable member 54 adjusts the size of the opening 70, management of the installation position of the movable member 54 in the direction of adjusting the size of the opening 70 is important. However, when the movable member 54 is provided in the upper unit 14, the position of the movable member 54 in the adjustment direction, more specifically, the position of the movable member 54 with respect to the lower unit 12 tends to fluctuate with the opening and closing of the upper unit 14. Absent.

  However, according to the present embodiment, the movable member 54 is provided on the frame member 50 that abuts on the path forming member 44 provided in the lower unit 12 when the upper unit 14 is closed. The position of the movable member 54 relative to the member 45) can be accurately determined, and the size of the front opening 70 can be appropriately adjusted regardless of whether the upper unit 14 is opened or closed.

  In the present embodiment, since the frame member 50 is biased with respect to the path forming member 44 in the closed state of the upper unit 14, the position of the frame member 50 can be determined more accurately.

  According to the present embodiment, the frame member 50 has a shape extending in a direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction, and the cross section cut along a plane along the sheet conveyance direction has a substantially U-shape. It is possible to suppress the deflection of the frame member 50 in the direction intersecting with the size of the opening 70 appropriately.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of sets of the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30 are provided at predetermined intervals in a direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction, and a plurality of sets of the frontage 70 are provided. Since the sheet P is disposed at a position corresponding to the feed roller 28 and the separation roller 30, entry of a plurality of sheets P into the nip position of the second feed roller 28 and the separation roller 30 can be appropriately suppressed.

<<< Modification example of embodiment >>>
(1) In the present embodiment, one paper pressing lever 66 is provided between the two first feeding rollers 26 and the two second feeding rollers 28 in the paper width direction. Instead of the above, a plurality of paper pressing levers 66 may be provided in the paper width direction. According to this configuration, since the plurality of paper pressing levers 66 are provided along the paper width direction which is a direction intersecting the paper conveyance direction, the floating of the paper P can be more reliably restricted.
(2) Further, in the present embodiment, the first feeding roller 26, the second feeding roller 28, and the separation roller 30 are provided two at intervals in the sheet width direction, but instead of this configuration, One pair of the feed roller and the separation roller may be provided in the sheet width direction, or three or more pairs of the feed roller and the separation roller may be provided. Alternatively, the paper pressing lever 66 may be disposed between a pair of adjacent feeding roller and separating roller.
(3) Further, although the guide surface 54a and the stopper surface 54b are provided at two positions in the sheet width direction in the movable member 54 in the present embodiment, the structure may be provided at one position in the sheet width direction. It is good also as composition provided three or more places. Further, the guide surfaces 54a and the stopper surfaces 54b may be provided in a number corresponding to the number of the second feed roller 28 and the separation roller 30 provided in the sheet width direction.

  An image reading apparatus 10, which is an example of a medium conveyance device in the present embodiment, includes a placement unit 22 for placing a sheet P, a second feed roller 28 that feeds the sheet P downstream, and a second feed roller 28. The separation roller 30 nips and separates the sheet P, and the opening 70 serving as the entrance of the sheet P entering the nipping position of the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30. The frontage 70 includes a fixed member 45 that is not displaced in the thickness direction of the sheet P, and a movable member 54 that adjusts the size of the frontage 70 by displacing in the thickness direction of the sheet P.

  Further, in the image reading apparatus 10, the movable member 54 is biased toward the fixed member 45. Further, the movable member 54 is a surface that guides the sheet P to the downstream side, is a surface connected to the guide surface 54a forming the inclination angle α with respect to the sheet conveyance direction, and the guide surface 54a, and the angle to the sheet conveyance direction is inclined. A stopper surface 54b is provided which forms an angle β larger than the angle α and stops the sheet P from entering the nip position between the second feed roller 28 and the separation roller 30.

  The image reading apparatus 10 includes a lower unit 12 having a second feed roller 28 and configuring a sheet transport path for transporting the sheet P, and a separation roller 30 and forming a sheet transport path with the lower unit 12. The upper unit 14 is switchable between a closed state and an open state in which the sheet conveyance path is exposed. The lower unit 12 includes a path forming member 44 that forms a sheet conveyance path, and the upper unit 14 includes a frame member 50 that contacts the path forming member 44 in the closed state. The fixed member 45 is provided on the path forming member 44, and the movable member 54 is provided on the frame member 50.

  In the image reading apparatus 10, the frame member 50 is biased with respect to the path forming member 44 in the closed state of the upper unit 14. Further, the frame member 50 has a shape extending in the paper width direction which is a direction intersecting the paper conveyance direction, and a cross section cut along a plane along the paper conveyance direction is substantially U-shaped.

  In the image reading apparatus 10, a plurality of sets of the second feed roller 28 and the separation roller 30 are provided at predetermined intervals in the sheet width direction which is a direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction. The frontage 70 is disposed at a position corresponding to the plurality of sets of the second feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 30.

  The image reading apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 34 that reads the surface of the sheet P.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and they are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

10 image reader, 12 lower unit, 14 upper unit, 14a frame,
16 cover part, 16a back side, 18 paper discharge tray, 20 feeding port, 22 placing part,
24 discharge port, 26 first feed roller, 28 second feed roller, 30 separation roller,
32 transport roller pair, 32a transport drive roller, 32b transport driven roller,
34 image reading unit, 36 discharge roller pair, 36a discharge drive roller,
36b discharge driven roller, 38 upper image reading sensor, 40 lower image reading sensor,
42 control unit, 44 path forming member, 44a positioning unit, 45 fixing member,
46 hook hooks, 48 hooks, 50 frame members, 50a bottom,
50b, 50c side wall portion, 52 paper pressing lever portion, 54 movable member, 54a guiding surface,
54b stopper surface, 56 positioned portion, 58 hooking member attaching portion, 60 hooking member,
62, 72 biasing member, 64 holder member, 66 paper pressing lever, 66a rocking shaft,
68 biasing means, 70 front, P sheet, α, β inclination angle

Claims (7)

A medium placement unit on which the medium is placed;
A feed roller for feeding the media downstream,
A separation roller that nips and separates the medium with the feed roller;
And a front end portion serving as an inlet of a medium entering a nip position between the feed roller and the separation roller,
The frontage part, e Bei a fixed member not displaced with respect to the thickness direction of the medium, and a movable member for adjusting the size of the frontage part by displacement in the thickness direction of the medium, and
The movable member guides the medium downstream, and includes a guide surface that forms an inclination angle α with respect to the medium conveyance direction .
A surface connected to the guide surface, the stopper surface forming an inclination angle β which is larger than the inclination angle α and does not include the perpendicular angle with respect to the medium conveyance direction, and stops the medium from entering the nip position; Equipped with
A medium transport apparatus characterized in that. In the medium transport device according to claim 1,
The movable member is biased toward the fixed member.
A medium transport apparatus characterized in that. A medium placement unit on which the medium is placed ;
A feed roller for feeding the media downstream ,
A separation roller that nips and separates the medium with the feed roller ;
And a front end portion serving as an inlet of a medium entering a nip position between the feed roller and the separation roller ,
The front portion includes a fixed member that is not displaced with respect to the thickness direction of the medium, and a movable member that adjusts the size of the front portion by displacing in the thickness direction of the medium .
A first unit comprising the feed roller and constituting a medium conveyance path for conveying the medium;
And a second unit capable of switching between a closed state forming the medium conveyance path with the first unit and an open state exposing the medium conveyance path with the first unit,
The first unit includes a path forming member that forms the medium conveyance path.
The second unit includes a frame that contacts the path forming member in the closed state,
The fixing member is provided on the path forming member,
The movable member is provided on the frame.
A medium transport apparatus characterized in that. In the medium conveyance device according to claim 3 ,
In the closed state of the second unit, the frame is biased against the path forming member,
A medium transport apparatus characterized in that. The medium conveyance device according to claim 3 or 4 .
The frame has a shape extending in a direction intersecting the medium conveyance direction, and a cross section cut along a plane along the medium conveyance direction has a substantially U-shape.
A medium transport apparatus characterized in that. According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the medium conveyance device according to any one of the fifth aspect ,
A plurality of sets of the feed roller and the separation roller are provided at predetermined intervals in a direction intersecting the medium conveyance direction.
The front portion is disposed at a position corresponding to the plurality of sets of the feed roller and the separation roller.
A medium transport apparatus characterized in that. Reading means for reading the side of the medium;
A medium transport apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims , which transports a medium.
Image reader equipped with

Images