JP2009280343A - Sheet carrying device and image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry paper while suppressing the peculiarity of a recording medium without lowering operability. <P>SOLUTION: The sheet carrying device includes a regulating piece 151 regulating an insertion position of a document by contacting a front edge of the document, a circumference 152 opposing to the upper surface of the document to retain that by rotating, and a regulating member 150 making the regulating piece 151 retract from the front edge of the document by rotating. If a feeding roll 111 rotates, an arm portion 131 comes off from the regulating member 150, and the upper surface of the carried document is retained by the circumference 152, thereby correcting the peculiarity of the document. When the document is set, the circumference 152 separates from the document, so that operability is not deteriorated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus and an image processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image reading apparatus provided with a document conveying device that continuously takes a document as a type of sheet into a device. This document transport device includes a member for positioning a bundle of placed documents. This technique is described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example.

JP-A-6-263290 (abstract) JP 2004-250152 A (Abstract)

  By the way, if the sheet conveyed to the apparatus main body by the sheet conveying apparatus has a curved wrinkle, there may be a problem that the sheet is not normally conveyed into the apparatus. In order to cope with this problem, a pressing member that presses the ridges of the sheet is provided. Generally, the pressing member is devised so that the sheet is conveyed while temporarily correcting wrinkles by pressing the sheet on the surface (installation surface) on which the sheet is installed.

  However, since this pressing member is a member that applies a force to press the sheet toward the installation surface, it becomes an obstacle or resistance when the sheet is placed on the installation surface, and is a factor that impairs operability when installing the sheet. Become. As a method of alleviating this problem, a method of weakening the pressing force of the pressing member can be considered. However, when this is done, the ability to press the sheet becomes insufficient when the sheet has a force to press the heel as in the case of thick paper. This can be said not only for image reading apparatuses but also for image copying apparatuses, FAX apparatuses, and the like.

  In view of such a background, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can convey a sheet while suppressing a ridge of the sheet without deteriorating operability.

  The invention according to claim 1 has a regulation part that regulates the insertion position of the sheet and a defining part that regulates the upper surface of the conveyed sheet, and after the restriction of the insertion position by the regulation part is released, A sheet conveying apparatus characterized in that a defining portion is opposed to the sheet.

  The invention according to claim 2 has a conveyance mechanism for conveying a sheet according to the invention according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance mechanism is configured to be movable between a sheet conveyance position and a sheet installation position, and is conveyed. When the mechanism is located at the seat installation position, the restriction of the insertion position by the restriction portion is not released.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, when the conveying mechanism approaches the sheet conveying position, the restriction of the insertion position by the restricting portion is allowed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a regulating member having a regulating portion and a defining portion.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the fourth aspect, the restricting member is configured to be rotatable, and by the rotation of the restricting member, the restricting portion releases the restriction of the insertion position, and the restricting portion is moved to the seat. It is made to oppose.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the first to fifth aspects of the invention, a predetermined gap dimension is secured between the defining portion and the sheet in a state where the restricting portion restricts the insertion position of the sheet. It is characterized by.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus having the sheet conveying apparatus according to the first to sixth aspects.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the sheet is inserted, since the defining portion does not face the sheet, the installation operability of the sheet does not deteriorate. For this reason, the mechanism which can convey a sheet | seat is provided, pressing down the wrinkle of a sheet | seat, without reducing operativity.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the transport mechanism is located at the sheet installation position, the restriction of the insertion position by the restriction portion is not released, so that the regulation portion does not face the sheet, and the seat installation operability is achieved. Does not drop.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, when the conveyance mechanism approaches the sheet conveyance position, the restriction portion allows the restriction of the insertion position to be released. Will improve.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since the regulating member has the regulating portion and the defining portion, the sheet conveying apparatus can be reduced in size.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the restriction release by the restricting portion and the defining portion can be opposed to the sheet only by rotating the restricting member.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the predetermined gap dimension is ensured, the seat installation workability does not deteriorate. Moreover, a sheet | seat can be hold | suppressed from upper direction with respect to a strong sheet | seat.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus including the sheet conveying apparatus according to the first to sixth aspects is obtained.

(1) First Embodiment (Configuration of Paper Conveying Device)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a document conveying apparatus which is an example of a sheet conveying apparatus. The document conveying device shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a device that electronically reads an image drawn on paper and conveys the document into an image reading device (so-called image scanner device) that converts the image data into image data. Here, the document is an example of a sheet, and refers to paper or OHP paper on which characters and image information are printed or handwritten. The image reading device is an example of an image processing device.

  FIG. 1 shows a document conveying device 100 positioned at the upper part of the image reading apparatus main body. The document conveying device 100 is housed inside a cover member that forms an outer casing of an image reading device (not shown). In FIG. 1, the cover member is not shown in order to show details of the document conveying device 100.

  The document conveying apparatus 100 has a structure in which various members are attached to a frame 102 that is a support member. The frame 102 is attached to the inside of the above-described cover member (not shown) so as to be rotatable via a drive shaft 104. The frame 102 is attached to the drive shaft 104 via the torque limiter 103. The drive shaft 104 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown). When the drive shaft 104 rotates, a force that rotates the frame 102 about the drive shaft 104 as a rotation axis is applied via the torque limiter 103. By this force, the frame 102 performs a rotational movement indicated by an arrow 120 with the drive shaft 104 as an axis.

  The torque limiter 103 uses a coil spring. When the applied torque exceeds a predetermined value, the drive shaft 104 is idled with respect to the frame 102 while transmitting the predetermined torque from the drive shaft 104. According to this structure, when the frame 102 rotated with the rotation of the drive shaft 104 comes into contact with other members and cannot rotate any more, a predetermined rotational torque is applied to the frame 102 by the function of the torque limiter 103. However, the frame 102 does not rotate any more, and the drive shaft 104 rotates with respect to the frame 102.

  A document conveying roll 105, which is a part of the conveying mechanism, is attached to the drive shaft 104 via a one-way clutch 121. The one-way clutch 121 uses a coil spring and has a mechanism that transmits a rotational force in a certain direction but does not transmit a rotational force in the opposite direction. The document transporting roll 105 is coated with rubber and rotates while being in contact with the surface of the document, thereby transporting the document.

  A transmission gear 106 is fixed to the drive shaft 104, and a transmission gear 107 is engaged with the transmission gear 106. The transmission gear 107 meshes with a transmission gear (not shown), and the transmission gear 108 meshes with the transmission gear (not shown). The transmission gears 107 and 108 and a transmission gear (not shown) are attached to the frame 102 in a rotatable state. The transmission gear 108 meshes with a transmission gear 110 fixed to a rotary shaft 109 that is attached to the frame 102 so as to be rotatable.

  A feed roll 111 that constitutes a transport mechanism together with the document transport roll 105 is attached to the rotating shaft 109 via a one-way clutch 122. The one-way clutch 122 is the same as the one-way clutch 121.

  Anti-rotation members 130 and 140 are attached to the rotation shaft 109. The attachment portion is inserted so that a member having a C-shaped cross section made of resin rotates independently of the rotation shaft 109. With this structure, even if the rotation shaft 109 is rotated, the rotation preventing members 130 and 140 do not rotate together with the rotation shaft 109.

  The rotation preventing member 130 includes an arm portion 131 that extends in a radial direction from a rotating shaft. The front end of the arm portion 131 is brought into contact with the wall portion 153 of the regulating member 150 so as to be in contact (in the drawing, a contact state is shown).

  The regulating member 150 includes a shaft 154, and this shaft 154 is rotatably attached to the housing side of the image reading apparatus that covers the upper side of the document conveying apparatus 100 (not shown in FIG. 1). A coil spring (not shown) is attached to the shaft 154, and the restricting member 150 receives a spring repulsive force in the counterclockwise direction when viewed in the positive direction of the Y axis. According to this structure, when the regulating member 150 is rotated in the clockwise direction when viewed in the positive direction of the Y-axis, the regulating member 150 is rotated back by the repulsive force of the spring. Even without using a coil spring, the weight distribution of the regulating member 150 may be adjusted to rotate by its own weight and return to the position shown in FIG. The regulating member 150 includes a regulating piece 151 that is an example of a regulating portion and a circumference 152 that is an example of a defining portion, and a wall portion 153 that connects the flange portions that form the circumference.

  In the state shown in FIG. 1, since the tip of the arm portion 131 is in contact with the wall portion 153, the regulating member 150 can no longer rotate clockwise as viewed in the positive direction of the Y axis. At this time, since the regulating piece 151 extends downward, it serves as a document stopper. In other words, the original cannot be inserted any more from the positive X-axis direction, and the original is positioned in the X-axis direction. The above structure is the same on the opposite side. That is, the rotation preventing member 140 has the same structure as the rotation preventing member 130, and the tip of the arm portion 141 is in contact with the regulating member 160. The detailed structure and function of the restricting member 160 are the same as those of the restricting member 150.

  In the state shown in FIG. 1, the feeding roll 111 is separated from the document setting surface 101, and the feeding roll 111 and the uppermost surface of the document are not in contact with each other even if the document is set in the maximum number of sheets in the meantime. . The state shown in FIG. 1 described above is a stage before setting a document to be read.

(Outline of image reader)
FIG. 2 is an enlarged conceptual view of a portion of the image reading apparatus provided with the document conveying device, and shows an outline from a viewpoint viewed in the positive direction of the Y axis in FIG. In FIG. 2, a mechanism for optically reading an image is not shown. FIG. 2A shows a state in which a document bundle 300 in which a certain number of documents are stacked on the document setting surface 101 is being set. FIG. 2B shows a state where the original bundle 300 is further pushed into the apparatus from the state shown in FIG. 2A and the original bundle 300 cannot be pushed any further. The state shown in FIG. 2B is a state where a document is placed. The position of the transport mechanism constituted by the document transport roll 105 and the feed roll 111 in this state is an example of the sheet installation position.

  FIG. 2C shows a state in which an image reading operation is started and a document is being conveyed into the apparatus. The state shown in FIG. 2C is a state in which a document is conveyed. The position of the transport mechanism constituted by the document transport roll 105 and the feed roll 111 in this state is an example of the sheet transport position. The document bundle 300 is a bundle of a plurality of documents.

  FIG. 2 shows a housing 201 (cover member) at the top of the image reading apparatus 200. The housing 201 includes a housing-side frame 202, and the drive shaft 104 is supported on the housing-side frame 202 in a rotatable state. That is, the document conveying apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the housing side frame 202 via the drive shaft 104 in a rotatable state.

(Operation of the document feeder)
The outline of the operation of the document conveying apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below. In the following description, the relationship between the rotation preventing member 130 and the regulating member 150 will be described as an example, but the same operation is performed between the rotation preventing member 140 and the regulating member 160 shown in FIG. .

  First, in FIG. 2A, the feeding roller 111 is located at the same position as in FIG. 1, and a gap of the maximum set number of documents + α is secured between the feeding roller 111 and the document setting surface 101. Yes. In this state, the document bundle 300 is set on the document setting surface 101. FIG. 2 (A) shows this process.

  A coil spring (not shown) is mounted on the shaft 154 of the regulating member 150, and the regulating member 150 is pushed in the counterclockwise direction by the force of the coil spring. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2A, the position of the wall portion 153 of the restricting member 150 is from the position in contact with the tip of the arm 131 of the rotation preventing member 130 before the document bundle 300 is inserted to the end. The position is slightly rotated counterclockwise.

  In this state, when the document bundle 300 is set on the image reading apparatus 200, first, the front edge of the document bundle 300 contacts the regulating piece 151. This state is shown in FIG. When the original bundle 300 is further pushed in the negative direction of the X axis in the figure from this state, it is pushed by the front edge of the original bundle 300 and the regulating piece 151 moves further leftward from the position of FIG. Rotates clockwise in the figure. When this rotation has progressed to some extent, the wall portion 153 of the regulating member 150 comes into contact with the tip of the arm portion 131 from the left side of the figure, and the regulating member 150 can no longer rotate clockwise in the figure. Thus, the state shown in FIG.

  The state shown in FIG. 2B is a state where the original bundle 300 cannot be pushed into the image reading apparatus 200 any more. In this way, the leading edge of the original bundle 300 is pressed by the restriction piece 151, the original bundle 300 is positioned in the X-axis direction (that is, the position is restricted), and the original is set in the apparatus. In the state shown in FIG. 2B, if there is no deformation of the original 301 (or original bundle 300) such as warping or undulation, the upper surface of the original bundle 300 and the circumference 152 of the regulating member 150 are A gap is secured. For this reason, when the original bundle 300 is pushed in and set, the resistance received by the original bundle 300 is suppressed. Further, in this state, when the document 301 (or the document bundle 300) has a deformation wrinkle such as strong warping or undulation, the end portion of the circumference 152 comes into contact with the wrinkle portion on the upper surface of the document bundle 301, and the upper part thereof The function to hold from is obtained.

  Next, when a switch for starting an image reading operation of the image reading device 200 (not shown) is pressed by an operator, reading processing of images of the originals included in the original bundle 300 is started. When the image reading process is started, the drive shaft 104 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 2 by a drive motor (not shown).

  When the drive shaft 104 rotates in the clockwise direction, the frame 102 rotates around the drive shaft 104 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 by the action of the torque limiter 103 in FIG. When this rotation advances and the feed roller 111 comes into contact with the upper surface of the document bundle 300, the frame 102 does not rotate any more due to the action of the torque limiter 103, and the feed roller 111 (frame 102) is pressed against the document bundle 300. Thus, the drive shaft 104 is rotated. At this time, due to the function of the torque limiter 103 of FIG.

  At this time, when the frame 102 rotates clockwise in FIG. 2, the arm portion 131 is moved by the protrusion 204 provided on the upper casing 201 as shown in FIG. 2 (B) → FIG. 2 (C). It rotates in the direction of rotation and is pushed up. As a result, the arm part 131 is separated upward from the wall part 153 of the restricting member 150, and the restricting member 150 can be rotated further clockwise from the state shown in FIG.

  Simultaneously with the rotation of the arm 131 in the clockwise direction, the feed roller 111 is also rotated in the clockwise direction by the rotation of the rotation shaft 109. Then, when the feeding roller 111 comes into contact with the document bundle 300, the uppermost document in the document bundle 300 is fed by the feeding roller 111 in the negative X-axis direction of FIG. At this time, since the arm portion 131 of the rotation preventing member 130 is separated from the wall portion 153 of the regulating member 150, the regulating piece 151 is pushed leftward in the drawing by the front edge of the document 301 fed in the negative direction of the X axis. The regulating member 150 rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure. As a result, the circumference 152 of the regulating member 150 faces the top surface of the document bundle 300. This state is shown in FIG. At this time, the document 301 is conveyed in the left direction in the drawing while the upper surface position is defined by the circumference 152. For this reason, even if the original 301 (or original bundle 300) is deformed such as warping or undulation, the original 301 is conveyed while the upper surface position of the original 301 is defined. At this time, the upper surface position of the document 301 can be defined while the circumference 152 rotates over a predetermined distance, so that the above-described function of defining the upper surface position is continuously performed during the conveyance of the document 301. be able to.

  When the feeding roll 111 further rotates in the clockwise direction, the original 301 further moves from the state of FIG. 2C to the left in the drawing and reaches the portion of the original conveying roll 105. The portion of the circumference 152 close to the wall portion 153 is adjusted so that the radius is slightly smaller. Therefore, the circumference 152 can be separated from the original 301 when the original 301 reaches the portion of the original conveying roll 105.

  When the original 301 reaches the portion of the original transport roll 105, the original 301 is sandwiched between the original transport roll 105 and the pad 203. At this time, even if the original 301 overlaps the lower original due to the frictional force between the originals, the frictional force between the originals and the original conveying roll 105, and the frictional force between the pad 203 and the originals, Only the original 301 is selected and further conveyed leftward in the figure. A document 301 transported in the left direction in the figure by the document transport roll 105 is sent to an image reading unit (not shown), and an image is read by optical scanning.

  The rotation of the drive shaft 104 in the clockwise direction in the drawing is stopped at the timing when the document 301 reaches the next document transport roll (not shown) located downstream. Then, the drive shaft 104 is rotated in the reverse direction at the timing when the trailing edge of the document 301 passes through the document transport roll 150. At this time, due to the action of the torque limiter 103 in FIG. 1, the feeding roll 111 is lifted up from the state shown in FIG. 2C and returns to the state shown in FIG. Further, the regulating member 150 rotates counterclockwise by the action of a coil spring (not shown) and returns to the state shown in FIG. At this time, the engagement between the arm portion 131 and the protrusion 204 is released, and the arm portion 131 rotates counterclockwise by its own weight, and returns from the position shown in FIG. 2C to the position shown in FIG. .

  Next, when the drive shaft 104 is rotated again in the clockwise direction, the operation shown in FIGS. 2B to 2C is performed again, and the next document exposed on the uppermost surface of the document bundle 300 is conveyed into the apparatus. Is performed. By repeating the above operation, the originals included in the original bundle 300 are sent one by one into the image reading apparatus 200.

  Here, an example of the operation has been described by taking as an example a case where a document bundle 300 in which a plurality of documents are stacked is set in the image reading apparatus 200. However, even if only one document is set, Good.

(Summary)
In the configuration exemplified above, the regulating member 150 is opposed to the upper surface of the original bundle 300 by rotating the regulating piece 151 that regulates the insertion position of the original bundle 300 by contacting the front edge of the original bundle 300 and rotating. There is provided a circumference 152 for defining it, and the regulating piece 151 is retracted from the front edge of the document bundle 300 by rotation.

  Further, a frame 102 which is a support member provided with a document transport roll 105 and a feed roller 111 which constitute a transport mechanism for contacting the document stack 300 and transporting the document stack 300 is provided. Further, a drive shaft 104 that functions as a transport mechanism moving device that moves the document transport roll 105 and the feed roll 111 closer to or away from the document bundle 300 is provided. Further, it is rotatable with respect to the frame 102, and by contacting the regulating member 150, the regulating member 150 is prevented from rotating, and the document carrying roll 105 and the feeding roll 111, which are conveyance mechanisms, approach the document bundle 300. The anti-rotation member 130 that rotates in association with the protrusion 204 and moves from a state in contact with the restriction member 150 and allows the restriction member 150 to rotate is provided.

  In other words, the configuration exemplified above includes a restriction piece 151 that is a restriction portion that restricts the insertion position of the document, and a circumference 152 that is a restriction portion that defines the upper surface of the conveyed document. After the restriction on the insertion position is released, the circumference 152 is made to face the document. In addition to this, a document transporting roll 105 and a feeding roll 111 are provided as a transporting mechanism for transporting the document, and this transporting mechanism is illustrated in the document transporting position illustrated in FIG. 2C and illustrated in FIG. It is possible to move between the seat installation positions. Further, when the transport mechanism is positioned at the sheet installation position, the arm portion 131 comes into contact with the wall portion 153 of the restriction member 150, so that the restriction member 150 is not allowed to rotate, and the document is inserted by the restriction piece 151. The configuration is such that the position restriction is not released.

  Further, when the transport mechanism including the document transport roll 105 and the feed roller 111 approaches the document transport position shown in FIG. 2C, the arm unit 131 rotates and the arm unit 131 comes off the wall unit 153 upward. Thus, the restriction member 150 is allowed to rotate, and the restriction of the insertion position by the restriction piece 151 is allowed.

(2) Second embodiment (an example of an image reading apparatus)
Next, an example of an image reading apparatus (scanner apparatus) provided with a recording medium conveying apparatus using the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an image reading apparatus. FIG. 3 shows an image reading apparatus 400.

  The image reading apparatus 400 includes a document placement member 401 having a flat surface for placing (setting) a document, and a document transport device 100 for transporting the document set on the document placement member 401 into the apparatus. Yes. The configuration and operation of the document feeder 100 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

  Due to the function of the document conveying device 100, the document conveyed into the device is drawn into the conveying path 403 via the conveying roll mechanism 402 and conveyed there. A document is scanned and imaged by the CCD camera 405 through an optical system 404 for imaging a linear region in the middle of the conveyance path 403. The CCD camera 405 outputs a captured image data signal to the image data creation circuit 406. The image data creation circuit 406 creates image data in a predetermined data format based on the data signal output from the CCD camera 405 and outputs it to the interface circuit 407. The interface circuit 407 converts the input image data into an image data signal according to the standard of a line (for example, a USB standard line or a LAN line) connected to the image reading apparatus 400, and outputs it to the outside of the apparatus. To do.

(3) Third embodiment (an example of a multifunction machine)
Next, an example of an image processing apparatus that includes the recording medium conveyance device of the present invention and has a plurality of functions will be described. Here, an example of an image processing apparatus having three functions of copying (copying), FAX, and printing (printing) will be described. Such an image processing apparatus is referred to as a multifunction peripheral because it has a plurality of functions in combination. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a multifunction peripheral. FIG. 4 shows a multi-function device 500.

  The multi-function device 500 transports a document and a printing paper placement member 501 having a flat surface on which the document or printing paper is placed (set), and the document or printing paper set on the document or printing placement member 501 into the apparatus. A transport device 600 is provided. The configuration and operation of document feeder 600 are the same as those described in relation to document feeder 100 in FIG.

  Due to the function of the conveyance device 600, the document conveyed into the apparatus is conveyed through the apparatus via the conveyance roll mechanism 502, and further conveyed along the conveyance path 503 or 504. A conveyance path 503 is a conveyance path when an image on a document is read, and a conveyance path 504 is a conveyance path when an image is formed (printed) on the conveyed printing paper. In the figure, the mechanism for selectively using the two transport paths is not shown.

  In the middle of the conveyance path 503, an optical system 505 for imaging a linear region is disposed. Using this optical system 505, the CCD camera 506 captures an image while scanning the document. The CCD camera 506 outputs the data signal of the captured image to the image data creation circuit 507. The image data creation circuit 507 creates image data in a predetermined data format based on the data signal output from the CCD camera 506. This image data is sent to the image forming unit control circuit 508 or the FAX transmission / reception unit 509 via the interface circuit 520. The original from which the image has been read is discharged below the original and the printing paper arrangement member 501.

  The image forming unit control circuit 508 also has a function of taking image data sent from a terminal (for example, a personal computer) into the apparatus via a USB standard line or a LAN line. Based on the captured image data, the image forming unit control circuit 508 controls the image forming unit 510 to form an image on printing paper (that is, perform printing). A FAX transmission / reception unit 509 receives FAX image data received from a communication line and sends it to the image forming unit control circuit 508. A FAX transmission / reception unit 509 transmits image data of a document read by the CCD 506 to another FAX apparatus via a communication line.

  The image forming unit 510 is of, for example, an electrophotographic system, and includes a photosensitive drum 511, a developing device 512, an exposure scanning device 513, a transfer belt 514, and transfer rolls 515 and 516. Scanning light is applied to the photosensitive drum 511 from an exposure scanning device 513 provided with a laser irradiation device and an optical system when rotating, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface thereof. In accordance with the charge distribution state of the electrostatic latent image, toner is supplied from the developing device 512, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 511. This toner image is transferred to the transfer belt 514 and conveyed to the transfer rolls 515 and 516 by the circulation of the transfer belt 514. The transfer roll 515 has a built-in heater. When the printing paper and the transfer belt 514 are sandwiched between the transfer rolls 515 and 516, the transfer toner image on the transfer belt 514 is further transferred onto the printing paper. Transcribed. At this time, the toner image transferred onto the printing paper by heating is fixed on the printing paper. In this way, a predetermined image is printed on the printing paper (image formation). The printed paper on which printing has been performed is discharged onto the paper discharge surface 517.

  There are two printing paper supply paths. One of them is the transport path 504 described above. The conveyance path 504 is used when printing paper is set on the original and the printing paper arrangement member 501 and printing is performed on the printing paper.

  Another of the printing paper supply paths is a conveyance path 518. A conveyance path 518 is a conveyance path for sending printing paper from the paper supply device 519 containing printing paper to the image forming unit 510. Further, as a mechanism for transporting paper in the paper supply device 519, a paper transport device 602 having the same configuration as that of the document transport device 100 in FIG. Also, a printing paper arrangement member 521 and a conveyance device 602 having a structure similar to that of the document conveyance device 100 are arranged, and the printing paper placed on the printing paper arrangement member 521 is taken in by the conveyance device 602 and is transferred to the transfer roll 515. And it is good also as a structure supplied to the part of 516.

(Operation example of copying machine)
When the original to be copied is set on the original and the printing paper arrangement member 501 and the operation is started, the original is conveyed one by one by the action of the original conveying apparatus 600. The document transported into the apparatus is transported along a transport path 503, and an image on the document is read by the CCD camera 506 via the optical system 505 at that time. The image read by the CCD camera 506 is converted into image data of an appropriate standard in the image data creation circuit 507 and sent to the image forming unit control circuit 508. Upon receiving this image data, the image forming unit control circuit 508 controls the image forming unit 510 to perform an image forming operation. At this time, the image forming unit 510 forms an image on the printing paper set on the original and the printing paper arrangement member 501 or the printing paper stored in the paper supply device 519.

(Operation example of FAX machine: FAX transmission)
When an original to be faxed is set on the original and the printing paper arrangement member 501 and the operation is started, the original is conveyed one by one by the action of the original conveying apparatus 600. The document transported into the apparatus is transported along a transport path 503, and an image on the document is read by the CCD camera 506 via the optical system 505 at that time. An image read by the CCD camera 506 is converted into image data of an appropriate standard by an image data creation circuit 507 and sent to a FAX transmission / reception unit 509. This image data is converted into data of the FAX communication standard by the FAX transmission / reception unit 509 and transmitted from the FAX transmission / reception unit 509 to the counterpart FAX apparatus via the communication line.

(Operation example of FAX machine: FAX reception)
When the FAX transmission / reception unit 509 receives the FAX signal, the image data is sent to the image forming unit control circuit 508. Receiving the FAX image data, the image forming unit control circuit 508 controls the image forming unit 510 to perform an image forming operation. At this time, the image forming unit 510 forms an image on the printing paper set on the original and the printing paper arrangement member 501 or the printing paper stored in the paper supply device 519.

(Operation example of printing device)
When image data is transmitted from a terminal (not shown) to the multi-function device 500 via a line (not shown), the image data is received by the image forming unit control circuit 508. The image forming unit control circuit 508 controls the image forming unit 510 based on the received image data. In response to this control, the image forming unit 510 forms an image on the printing paper set on the original and the printing paper placement member 501 or on the printing paper stored in the paper supply device 519.

  The present invention can be used for a sheet conveying apparatus used in an image processing apparatus such as an image reading apparatus, a copying apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a FAX apparatus.

It is a perspective view which shows the outline | summary of the original conveying apparatus using invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged conceptual diagram of a portion of the image reading apparatus that includes a document conveying device. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of an image reading apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of an image processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Document conveying apparatus, 101 ... Document setting surface, 102 ... Frame, 103 ... Torque limiter, 104 ... Drive shaft, 105 ... Document conveying roll, 106 ... Transmission gear, 107 ... Transmission gear, 108 ... Transmission gear, 109 ... Rotation Shaft, 110 ... Transmission gear, 111 ... Feeding roll, 121 ... One-way clutch, 122 ... One-way clutch, 130 ... Anti-rotation member, 131 ... Arm part, 140 ... Anti-rotation member, 141 ... Arm part, 150 ... Restriction member, 151 ... Restricting piece 152. Circumference 153. Wall part 154... Shaft 160. Restricting member 200... Image reading device 201. ... the sent manuscript.

Claims (7)

A restriction section for restricting the insertion position of the sheet;
And a defining part that defines the upper surface of the conveyed sheet,
The sheet conveying apparatus, wherein after the restriction of the insertion position by the restricting part is released, the defining part is opposed to the sheet. A transport mechanism for transporting the sheet;
The transport mechanism is configured to be movable between a sheet transport position and a sheet installation position,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the conveying mechanism is located at a sheet installation position, the restriction of the insertion position by the restriction unit is not released.   The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the conveying mechanism approaches the sheet conveying position, the restriction of the insertion position by the restricting unit is allowed.   The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting member having the restricting portion and the defining portion. The restricting member is configured to be rotatable,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the restricting portion releases the restriction of the insertion position by rotation of the restricting member and causes the defining portion to face the sheet. In a state where the restriction portion restricts the insertion position of the sheet,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined gap dimension is secured between the defining portion and the sheet.   An image processing apparatus comprising the sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1.

Images