Patent Application
20240150141
The present disclosure relates to a medium conveying apparatus, and particularly relates to a medium conveying apparatus in which a side guide that restricts a medium in the width direction of the medium is disposed on a mounting table.
Generally, in a medium conveying apparatus such as a scanner that conveys a medium to capture an image of the medium, a side guide that restricts the medium in the width direction of the medium is disposed on a mounting table for preventing the occurrence of skew in which the medium is obliquely conveyed. However, even when the medium is restricted in the width direction by the side guide, the medium may be skewed due to slipping between the medium and a roller conveying the medium. If the medium is skewed, the skewed medium may rise over the side guide, causing a medium jam.
For example, a sheet feeding apparatus includes a side guide that contacts a side surface of a bundle of sheets in the width direction of the bundle of sheets to restrict the position of the bundle of sheets in the width direction. An inner wall surface of the side guide includes a restricting portion of a recessed shape and is located outside the edges of the sheet in the width direction. The restricting portion extends in parallel to a direction in which the sheet extends in a sheet feeding direction.
A medium feeding apparatus includes a pair of edge guides that are disposed on a medium mounting portion and include guide surfaces that guide side edges of a medium in a width direction intersecting with a feeding direction of the medium. The medium feeding apparatus further includes a sheet number restricting portion disposed at an interval from a mounting surface and including a restricting surface that extends from the guide surfaces of the pair of edge guides in a direction intersecting the guide surfaces and restricts the number of media placed on the medium mounting portion.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a medium conveying apparatus includes a mounting table, a side guide, and a recessed portion. The mounting table has a mounting surface on which a medium is to be placed. The side guide is disposed on the mounting surface and includes a restricting surface to restrict the medium in a width direction of the medium. The recessed portion is disposed at an upstream or downstream end portion of the side guide in a medium conveyance direction of the medium. The recessed portion has an upper surface and a side surface. The side surface includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first angle with respect to the restricting surface. The second portion has a second angle with respect to the restricting surface. The second angle is different from the first angle.
A more complete appreciation of embodiments of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Also, identical or similar reference numerals designate identical or similar components throughout the several views.
In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.
Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Below, a medium conveying apparatus, a control method, and a control program according to some aspects of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to those embodiments, but also includes the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.
The medium conveying apparatus 100 includes a lower housing 101, an upper housing 102, a mounting table 103, side guides 104, a discharge table 105, and a display operation device 106.
The upper housing 102 is disposed at a position covering an upper surface of the medium conveying apparatus 100, and is engaged with the lower housing 101 by a hinge so that the upper housing 102 can be opened and closed when a medium gets stuck or when the inside of the medium conveying apparatus 100 is cleaned.
The mounting table 103 is rotatably engaged with the lower housing 101. The mounting table 103 is arranged at a position covering the upper housing 102 and the lower housing 101 when the medium conveying apparatus 100 is not used, and functions as an exterior cover. The mounting table 103 includes a mounting surface 103a onto which a medium is placed, and when the medium conveying apparatus 100 is used, a medium to be conveyed is placed on the mounting table 103. In
The side guides 104 are disposed on the mounting surface 103a of the mounting table 103 to be movable in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction. The side guides 104 are positioned in accordance with the width of the medium placed on the mounting table 103, and restrict the width direction of the medium. In the example illustrated in
The discharge table 105 is housed inside the lower housing 101 and can be pulled out from the lower housing 101. When the discharge table 105 is pulled out, the discharge table 105 holds a discharged medium. Note that the discharge table 105 may be engaged with the upper housing 102.
The display operation device 106 includes a display and an interface circuit. The display includes, for example, a liquid crystal and an organic Electro-Luminescence (EL) display. The interface circuit outputs image data to the display, and the image data is displayed on the display. The display operation device 106 further includes an input device of a touch panel type and an interface circuit that acquires a signal from the input device. The display operation device 106 receives an operation by a user, and outputs an operation signal in accordance with the input by the user. Note that a display device and an operating device may be provided separately.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
For example, the length of the recessed portion 104d in the medium conveyance direction A1 is set to ½ or less of the entire length of the restricting surface 104c. Note that the length of the recessed portion 104d in the medium conveyance direction A1 is preferably set to ¼ or less of the entire length of the restricting surface 104c. For example, the length of the recessed portion 104d in the medium conveyance direction A1 is set to 50 mm or less. Note that the length of the recessed portion 104d in the medium conveyance direction A1 is preferably set to 20 mm or less.
The length of the recessed portion 104d in the width direction A2 is set to ¾ or less of the entire length of the restricting portion 104a, for example. Note that the length of the recessed portion 104d in the width direction A2 is preferably set to ½ or less of the entire length of the restricting portion 104a. For example, the length of the recessed portion 104d in the width direction A2 is set to 1 mm or less. Note that the length of the recessed portion 104d in the width direction A2 is preferably set to 0.5 mm or less.
The length of the recessed portion 104d in the height direction A3 is set to ¾ or less of the entire length of the restricting surface 104c, for example. Note that the length of the recessed portion 104d in the height direction A3 is preferably set to ½ or less of the entire length of the restricting surface 104c. The length of the recessed portion 104d in the height direction A3 is set to 10 mm or less, for example. Note that the length of the recessed portion 104d in the height direction A3 is preferably set to 5 mm or less.
The support portion 104b includes a contact surface 104e contacting the lower surface of the medium placed on the mounting table 103. The contact surface 104e is formed such that the height of the contact surface 104e in the vicinity of an end portion on the upstream side in the medium conveyance direction A1 decreases (the thickness of the support portion 104b decreases) toward the end portion. In particular, the contact surface 104e is formed such that a height H1 of a region 104f overlapping with the recessed portion 104d in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction is lower than a height H2 of a region 104g not overlapping with the recessed portion 104d in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction. That is, the contact surface 104e is formed such that the height H1 of the region 104f overlapping with the recessed portion 104d in the medium conveyance direction A1 is lower than the height H2 of the region 104g not overlapping with the recessed portion 104d.
As illustrated in
As described above, the upper surface 104j is formed such that, when the end portion of the conveyed medium in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction enters the recessed portion 104d, the end portion of the medium abuts against the upper surface 104j. Therefore, when the medium placed on the mounting table 103 is obliquely conveyed, the end portion of the medium in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction enters the recessed portion 104d and the recessed portion 104d prevents the medium from uplifting, and thus, the recessed portion 104d functions as a canopy. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus 100 prevents the obliquely conveyed medium M from rising over the side guides 104 and lifting up, and prevents a lifted medium from entering a medium conveyance path and causing a medium jam.
In particular, the obliquely conveyed medium rotates so that the rear end side (upstream side) is directed outward in the width direction A2. Therefore, by providing the recessed portion 104d on the upstream side, the inclined medium enters the recessed portion 104d at an early stage. Thus, the medium conveying apparatus 100 suppresses an increase in the inclination of the medium immediately after the medium starts to incline, and suppresses the occurrence of skew in the medium.
The end portion of the obliquely conveyed medium M abuts against the upper surface 104j formed in the recessed portion 104d, and thus, a further increase in the inclination of the medium M is suppressed, and the occurrence of skew in the medium is suppressed. It is desirable that the length of the recessed portion 104d is set to a sufficiently small value in the height direction A3 such that the end portion of the medium M abuts against the upper surface 104j sooner. Therefore, the medium conveying apparatus 100 causes the end portion of the obliquely conveyed medium M to abut against the upper surface 104j at an early stage, so that the inclination of the medium is suppressed to a minimum.
On the other hand, as described above, the contact surface 104e of the support portion 104b is formed such that the height of the region 104f overlapping with the recessed portion 104d is low. Therefore, even when a medium having an upwardly curled end portion is conveyed, the end portion of the medium easily enters the recessed portion 104d, and the curled portion of the medium is prevented from rising over the side guides 104. Further, when a medium having low stiffness such as thin paper is conveyed, the medium exists along the contact surface 104e, and thus, the end portion of the medium easily enters the recessed portion 104d, and the end portion of the medium is prevented from rising over the side guides 104. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can suppress the occurrence of skew and jam of the medium, particularly when, for example, a medium having an upwardly curled end portion or a medium having weak stiffness such as thin paper is conveyed. Note that the contact surface 104e may be formed such that the height of the region 104f overlapping with the recessed portion 104d is the same as the height of the region 104g not overlapping with the recessed portion 104d.
Further, the recessed portion 104d is formed at the end portion on the upstream side in the medium conveyance direction A1, and a region of the restricting surface 104c downstream of the recessed portion 104d has a flat surface. The flat surface of the restricting surface 104c is longer in the medium conveyance direction A1 than the recessed portion 104d, and when the medium is placed on the mounting table 103, the medium is set along the flat surface of the restricting surface 104c. Therefore, the medium conveying apparatus 100 prevents the medium from being obliquely placed on the mounting table 103.
If the recessed portion is formed not only in the end portion, but over the entire region of the restricting surface in the medium conveyance direction A1, the medium is set along the recessed portion when being placed on the mounting table. In this case, the user performs a burdensome operation, such as temporarily expanding a set guide outward, setting the medium, and then narrowing the set guide inward to cause the medium to enter the recessed portion. On the other hand, in the medium conveying apparatus 100, the user sets the medium along the flat surface of the restricting surface 104c, and thus, the user can easily place the medium. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can improve the convenience for the user.
As described above, the end portion 104h of the recessed portion 104d on the downstream side is formed to be inclined. Therefore, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can suppress damage to the medium caused when the medium entering the recessed portion 104d hits the end portion 104h. Note that the end portion 104h of the recessed portion 104d on the downstream side may be formed not to be inclined.
The conveyance path inside the medium conveying apparatus 100 includes a medium sensor 111, a feeding roller 112, a separation roller 113, a first conveyance roller 114, a first driven roller 115, an imaging device 116, a second conveyance roller 117, and a second driven roller 118.
Note that the number of each of the feeding roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyance roller 114, the first driven roller 115, the second conveyance roller 117, and/or the second driven roller 118 is not limited to one, and a plurality of each of these components may be provided. In this case, each of the plurality of feeding rollers 112, separation rollers 113, first conveyance rollers 114, first driven rollers 115, second conveyance rollers 117, and/or second driven rollers 118 are arranged side by side with intervals in a width direction perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction A1.
An upper surface of the lower housing 101 forms a lower guide 101a of a conveyance path of the medium, and a lower surface of the upper housing 102 forms an upper guide 102a of the conveyance path of the medium.
The medium sensor 111 is arranged on an upstream side of the feeding roller 112 and the separation roller 113. The medium sensor 111 includes a contact detection sensor and detects whether a medium is placed on the mounting table 103. The medium sensor 111 generates and outputs a medium signal whose signal value changes between a state where a medium is placed on the mounting table 103 and a state where the medium is not placed on the mounting table 103. Note that the medium sensor 111 is not limited to the contact detection sensor, and any other sensor detecting whether a medium is present, such as a photodetection sensor, may be used as the medium sensor 111.
The feeding roller 112 is disposed in the lower housing 101, and sequentially separates and feeds media placed on the mounting table 103 from the bottommost medium. The separation roller 113 is a so-called brake roller or a retard roller, is disposed in the upper housing 102, is arranged facing the feeding roller 112, and rotates in the opposite direction to a medium feeding direction. Note that the feeding roller 112 may be disposed in the upper housing 102, the separation roller 113 may be disposed in the lower housing 101, and the feeding roller 112 may sequentially feed media placed on the mounting table 103 from the uppermost medium.
The imaging device 116 is arranged on a downstream side of the first conveyance roller 114 and captures an image of the medium conveyed by the first conveyance roller 114. The imaging device 116 includes a first imaging device 116a and a second imaging device 116b that are arranged to face each other with the medium conveyance path sandwiched therebetween. The first imaging device 116a includes a line sensor using a Contact Image Sensor (CIS) of an equal-magnification optical system type and including an imaging element using a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) linearly arrayed in a main scanning direction. Further, the first imaging device 116a includes a lens that forms an image on the imaging element, and an A/D converter that amplifies an electrical signal output from the imaging element and performs analog/digital (A/D) conversion. The first imaging device 116a captures an image of a front surface of the medium being conveyed, generates an input image, and outputs the generated input image, in accordance with control from a processing circuit described later.
Similarly, the second imaging device 116b includes a line sensor using a CIS of an equal-magnification optical system type that uses imaging elements using CMOS elements linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. Further, the second imaging device 116b includes a lens that forms an image on the imaging element, and an A/D converter that amplifies an electrical signal output from the imaging element and performs analog/digital (A/D) conversion. The second imaging device 116b captures an image of a rear surface of the medium being conveyed, generates an input image, and outputs the generated input image, in accordance with control from a processing circuit described later.
Note that, in the medium conveying apparatus 100, only one of the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b may be provided to read only one side of the medium. Further, instead of the line sensor using a CIS of the equal-magnification optical system type including the imaging elements using CMOS elements, a line sensor may be utilized in which a CIS of an equal-magnification optical system type includes an imaging element using a Charge Coupled Device (CCD). Moreover, a reduction optical system type line sensor including an imaging element using a CMOS or a CCD may be utilized.
When the feeding roller 112 rotates in the direction of an arrow A4 in
The medium is fed between the first conveyance roller 114 and the first driven roller 115 while being guided by the lower guide 101a and the upper guide 102a. The first conveyance roller 114 rotates in the direction of an arrow A6 to feed the medium between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b. The second conveyance roller 117 rotates in the direction of an arrow A7 to discharge the medium read by the imaging device 116 onto the discharge table 105.
In addition to the above-described configuration, the medium conveying apparatus 100 further includes a motor 131, an interface device 132, a storage device 140, and a processing circuit 150.
The motor 131 includes one or more motors, and rotates, in accordance with a control signal from the processing circuit 150, the feeding roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyance roller 114, and the second conveyance roller 117 to convey the medium. Note that the first driven roller 115 and/or the second driven roller 118 may be driven by the motor 131. In this case, the first conveyance roller 114 and/or the second conveyance roller 117 may be provided to rotate following the first driven roller 115 or the second driven roller 118.
The interface device 132 includes an interface circuit conforming to a serial bus such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB), and is electrically connected to an information processing device (for example, a personal computer or a mobile information terminal) to transmit and receive an input image and various types of information. Further, instead of the interface device 132, a communication unit including an antenna that transmits and receives a radio signal and a radio communication interface device for transmitting and receiving signals via a radio communication line in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol may be used. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, a wireless Local Area Network (LAN). The communication unit may include a wired communication interface device for transmitting and receiving signals via a wired communication line in accordance with a communication protocol such as a wired LAN.
The storage device 140 includes a memory device such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a Read Only Memory (ROM), a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, or a portable storage device such as a flexible disk or an optical disk. The storage device 140 stores, for example, a computer program, a database, or a table used for various types of processes of the medium conveying apparatus 100. The computer program may be installed in the storage device 140 from a computer-readable portable recording medium by using, for example, a known setup program. The portable recording medium is, for example, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM).
The processing circuit 150 operates based on a program stored in the storage device 140 in advance. For example, the processing circuit is a Central Processing Unit (CPU). For example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a large scale integration (LSI), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) may be used as the processing circuit 150.
The processing circuit 150 is connected to, for example, the display operation device 106, the medium sensor 111, the imaging device 116, the motor 131, or the interface device 132, the storage device 140, and controls each of these components. The processing circuit 150 performs drive control of, for example, the motor 131, imaging control of the imaging device 116, based on the medium signal received from the medium sensor 111, acquires an input image from the imaging device 116, and transmits the input image to the information processing device via the interface device 132.
As illustrated in
Below, an example of the operation in the medium reading process by the medium conveying apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in
First, when a user uses the display operation device 106 or the information processing device to input an instruction for reading a medium, the control module 151 waits until receiving, from the display operation device 106 or the interface device 132, an operation signal instructing to read the medium (step S101).
Next, the control module 151 acquires the medium signal from the medium sensor 111, and determines whether a medium is placed on the mounting table 103, based on the acquired medium signal (step S102). If no medium is placed on the mounting table 103, the control module 151 ends the series of steps.
On the other hand, when a medium is placed on the mounting table 103, the control module 151 drives the motor 131 to rotate the feeding roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyance roller 114, and the second conveyance roller 117 and convey the medium (step S103).
Next, the control module 151 causes the imaging device 116 to capture an image of the medium, acquires an input image from the imaging device 116, and transmits the acquired input image to the information processing device via the interface device 132 to output the acquired input image (step S104).
Next, the control module 151 determines whether a medium remains on the mounting table 103, based on the medium signal received from the medium sensor 111 (step S105). If a medium remains on the mounting table 103, the control module 151 returns the processing to step S104 and repeats the processes of steps S104 and S105.
On the other hand, if no medium remains on the mounting table 103, the control module 151 controls the motor 131 to stop the feeding roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyance roller 114, and the second conveyance roller 117 (step S106), and ends the series of steps.
As described in detail above, in the medium conveying apparatus 100, the recessed portion 104d is formed at an end portion of the side guide 104 on the upstream side to prevent the medium from uplifting when skew occurs. Therefore, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can suppress the occurrence of a medium jam while facilitating the placement of the medium on the mounting table 103 by the user.
In particular, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can suppress the occurrence of a jam of various media such as thin paper, thick paper, and wrinkled or torn sheets, and can prevent damage to the media. Moreover, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can prevent skew and jam of the medium without using special components, and thus, an increase in device cost can be suppressed.
The side guide 204 has a similar structure and function as the side guide 104, and is used instead of the side guide 104. As illustrated in
The recessed portion 204d includes a side surface 204i and an upper surface 204j that are similar to the side surface 104i and the upper surface 104j. Similarly, the second recessed portion 204k includes a side surface 204n and an upper surface 204o. As described above, when the medium is obliquely conveyed, the medium rotates so that a rear end portion faces outward in the width direction A2. Therefore, in a medium that is slightly inclined and is restricted by the side guides 204, when the rear end of the medium passes through the side guides 204, the rear end portion rotates greatly so that the rear end portion faces outward in the width direction A2. The second recessed portion 204k is formed at the end portion on the downstream side of the restricting surface 204c of the side guide 204, so that, when the rear end of the slightly inclined medium is conveyed to a position facing the second recessed portion 204k, the rear end enters the second recessed portion 204k. The end of the medium that enters the second recessed portion 204k hits with the side surface 204n formed in the second recessed portion 204k, and rises along the side surface 204n. The end of the medium abuts against the upper surface 204o formed in the second recessed portion 204k, and the upper surface 204o prevents the end portion of the medium from rising further.
As described above, the upper surface 204o is formed such that, when the end portion of the conveyed medium in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction enters the second recessed portion 204k, the end portion of the medium abuts against the upper surface 204o. When the medium is obliquely conveyed, the inclination increases as the medium is conveyed. In particular, when a rear end (end portion on the upstream side) of the medium passes the end portion on the downstream side of the side guide 204, the medium is likely to rise over the side guides 204 and lift up. By providing the second recessed portion 204k at the end portion on the downstream side in the medium conveyance direction A1, the medium conveying apparatus can prevent the medium from rising over the side guides 204 and lifting up, when the rear end of the obliquely conveyed medium passes through the end portion on the downstream side of the side guides 204. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus can prevent an uplifted medium from entering the medium conveyance path and suppress the occurrence of a medium jam.
The second recessed portion 204k is formed at the end portion on the downstream side in the medium conveyance direction A1, and a central portion of the restricting surface 204c has a flat surface. The user can set the medium along the flat surface of the restricting surface 204c and can easily place the medium, so that the convenience for the user can be improved by the medium conveying apparatus.
The support portion 204b further includes a contact surface 204e that is similar to the contact surface 104e. The contact surface 204e is formed such that the height of the contact surface 204e in the vicinity of an end portion on the upstream side in the medium conveyance direction A1 decreases (the thickness of the support portion 204b decreases) toward the end portion. Similarly, the contact surface 204e is formed such that the height of the contact surface 204e in the vicinity of an end portion of the support portion 204b on the downstream side in the medium conveyance direction A1 decreases (the thickness of the support portion 204b decreases) toward the end portion. In particular, the contact surface 204e is formed such that the height of a region 204f overlapping with the recessed portion 204d in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction and the height of a region 2041 overlapping with the second recessed portion 204k in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction are lower than the height of a region 204g not overlapping with the recessed portion 204d and the second recessed portion 204k in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction.
Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus can suppress the occurrence of skew in the medium and a medium jam, particularly in a case where, for example, a medium having an upwardly curled end portion or a medium having weak stiffness such as thin paper is conveyed. Note that the contact surface 204e may be formed such that the height of the region 204f overlapping with the recessed portion 204d and/or the height of the region 2041 overlapping with the second recessed portion 204k is the same as the height of the region 204g not overlapping with the recessed portion 204d and the second recessed portion 204k.
Similarly to the end portion 104h on the downstream side of the recessed portion 104d in the medium conveyance direction A1, an end portion 204h on the downstream side of the recessed portion 204d in the medium conveyance direction A1 is formed inclined with respect to the medium conveyance direction A1 and the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction. Similarly, an end portion 204m on the downstream side of the second recessed portion 204k in the medium conveyance direction A1 is formed to be inclined with respect to the medium conveyance direction A1 and the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction.
Therefore, the medium conveying apparatus can suppress damage to the medium caused when the medium entering the second recessed portion 204k collides with the end portion 204m. Note that the end portion 204h on the downstream side of the recessed portion 204d and/or the end portion 204m on the upstream side of the second recessed portion 204k may be formed not to be inclined.
The recessed portion 204d may be omitted and only the second recessed portion 204k may be formed on the side guide 204.
As described in detail above, even when the second recessed portion 204k is formed at the end portion on the downstream side of the side guide 204, the medium conveying apparatus can suppress the occurrence of a medium jam while facilitating the placement of the medium on the mounting table 103 by the user.
The side guide 304 has a similar structure and function as the side guide 204, and is used instead of the side guide 204. As illustrated in
The recessed portion 304d and the second recessed portion 304k include an upper surface 304j and an upper surface 304o that are similar to the upper surface 204j and the upper surface 204o. The upper surface 304j and the upper surface 304o are formed so that, when the end portion of the conveyed medium in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction enters the recessed portion 304d or the second recessed portion 304k, the end portion of the medium abuts against the upper surface 304j or the upper surface 304o. When the medium is obliquely conveyed, an end portion of the medium on the side of the side guide 304 enters the recessed portion 304d or the second recessed portion 304k, and the upper surface 304j or the upper surface 304o prevent the end portion of the medium entering the recessed portion 304d or the second recessed portion 304k from uplifting. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus can prevent an uplifted medium from entering the medium conveyance path and suppress the occurrence of a medium jam.
The recessed portion 304d and the second recessed portion 304k are formed at the end portions in the medium conveyance direction A1, and a central portion of the restricting surface 304c has a flat surface. The user can set the medium along the flat surface of the restricting surface 304c and can easily place the medium, so that the convenience for the user can be improved by the medium conveying apparatus.
The support portion 304b further includes a contact surface 304e that is similar to the contact surface 204e. The contact surface 304e is formed such that the height of a region 304f overlapping with the recessed portion 304d in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction and the height of a region 3041 overlapping with the second recessed portion 304k in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction are lower than the height of a region 304g not overlapping with the recessed portion 304d and the second recessed portion 304k in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus can suppress the occurrence of skew in the medium and a medium jam, particularly in a case where, for example, a medium having an upwardly curled end portion or a medium having weak stiffness such as thin paper is conveyed. Note that the contact surface 304e may be formed such that the height of the region 304f overlapping with the recessed portion 304d and/or the height of the region 3041 overlapping with the second recessed portion 304k is the same as the height of the region 304g not overlapping with the recessed portion 304d and the second recessed portion 304k.
Similarly to the end portion 204h and the end portion 204m, an end portion 304h on a downstream side of the recessed portion 304d and an end portion 304m on an upstream side of the second recessed portion 304k are formed inclined with respect to the medium conveyance direction A1 and the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction. Therefore, the medium conveying apparatus can suppress damage to the medium caused when the medium entering the recessed portion 304d or the second recessed portion 304k collides with the end portion 304h or the end portion 304m. Note that the end portion 304h on the downstream side of the recessed portion 304d and/or the end portion 304m on the upstream side of the second recessed portion 304k may be formed not to be inclined.
Any one of the recessed portion 304d and the second recessed portion 304k may be omitted, and only the other one of the recessed portion 304d and the second recessed portion 304k may be formed on the side guide 304.
As described in detail above, even when the recessed portion 304d or the second recessed portion 304k is formed to span over both ends of the side guide 304 in the width direction A2, the medium conveying apparatus can suppress the occurrence of a medium jam while facilitating the placement of the medium on the mounting table 103 by the user.
The side guide 404 has a similar structure and function as the side guide 104, and is used instead of the side guide 104. As illustrated in
The restricting portion 404a includes a restricting surface 404c that is similar to the restricting surface 104c. A recessed portion 404d that is similar to the recessed portion 104d is formed at an end portion of the side guide 404 on an upstream side in the medium conveyance direction A1. The recessed portion 404d includes a side surface 404i and an upper surface 404j that are similar to the side surface 104i and the upper surface 104j. Similarly to the end portion 104h, an end portion 404h on a downstream side of the recessed portion 404d is formed inclined with respect to the medium conveyance direction A1 and the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction.
The support portion 404b includes a contact surface 404e that is similar to the contact surface 104e. The contact surface 404e is formed such that the height of a region 404f overlapping with the recessed portion 404d in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction is lower than the height of a region 404g not overlapping with the recessed portion 404d in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction.
As described in detail above, even when the end portion on the upstream side of the support portion 404b is arranged downstream from the end portion on the upstream side of the restricting portion 404a, the medium conveying apparatus can suppress the occurrence of a medium jam while facilitating the placement of the medium on the mounting table 103 by the user.
The side guide 504 has a similar structure and function as the side guide 204, and is used instead of the side guide 204. As illustrated in
The restricting portion 504a includes a restricting surface 504c that is similar to the restricting surface 204c. A recessed portion 504d and a second recessed portion 504k that are similar to the recessed portion 204d and the second recessed portion 204k are formed at end portions of the side guide 504 in the medium conveyance direction A1. The recessed portion 504d includes a side surface 504i and an upper surface 504j that are similar to the side surface 204i and the upper surface 204j. The second recessed portion 504k includes a side surface 504n and an upper surface 504o that are similar to the side surface 204n and the upper surface 204o. Similarly to the end portion 204h and the end portion 204m, an end portion 504h on a downstream side of the recessed portion 504d and an end portion 504m on an upstream side of the second recessed portion 504k are formed inclined with respect to the medium conveyance direction A1 and the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction.
The support portion 504b includes a contact surface 504e that is similar to the contact surface 204e. The contact surface 504e is formed such that the height of a region 504f overlapping with the recessed portion 504d in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction and the height of a region 504l overlapping with the second recessed portion 504k in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction are lower than the height of a region 504g not overlapping with the recessed portion 504d and the second recessed portion 504k in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction.
The recessed portion 504d may be omitted and only the second recessed portion 504k may be formed on the side guide 504.
As described in detail above, even when the end portion of the support portion 504b is arranged more to the center side than the end portion of the restricting portion 504a, the medium conveying apparatus can suppress the occurrence of a medium jam while facilitating the placement of the medium on the mounting table 103 by the user.
The side guide 604 has a similar structure and function as the side guide 304, and is used instead of the side guide 304. As illustrated in
The restricting portion 604a includes a restricting surface 604c that is similar to the restricting surface 304c. A recessed portion 604d and a second recessed portion 604k that are similar to the recessed portion 304d and the second recessed portion 304k are formed at end portions of the side guide 604 in the medium conveyance direction A1. The recessed portion 604d includes an upper surface 604j that is similar to the upper surface 304j. The second recessed portion 604k includes an upper surface 604o that is similar to the upper surface 304o. Similarly to the end portion 304h and the end portion 304m, an end portion 604h on a downstream side of the recessed portion 604d and an end portion 604m on an upstream side of the second recessed portion 604k are formed inclined with respect to the medium conveyance direction A1 and the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction.
The support portion 604b includes a contact surface 604e that is similar to the contact surface 304e. The contact surface 604e is formed such that the height of a region 604f overlapping with the recessed portion 604d in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction and the height of a region 6041 overlapping with the second recessed portion 604k in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction are lower than the height of a region 604g not overlapping with the recessed portion 604d and the second recessed portion 604k in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction.
Any one of the recessed portion 604d and the second recessed portion 604k may be omitted, and only the other one of the recessed portion 604d and the second recessed portion 604k may be formed on the side guide 604.
As described in detail above, even when the end portion of the support portion 604b is arranged more to the center side than the end portion of the restricting portion 604a, the medium conveying apparatus can suppress the occurrence of a medium jam while facilitating the placement of the medium on the mounting table 103 by the user.
The control circuit 751 is an example of a control module and has a function similar to the control module 151. The control circuit 751 receives an operation signal from the display operation device 106 or the interface device 132 and a medium signal from the medium sensor 111. The control circuit 751 controls the motor 131, based on the received pieces of information.
The image acquisition circuit 752 is an example of an image acquisition module and has a function similar to the image acquisition module 152. The image acquisition circuit 752 acquires an input image from the imaging device 116 and outputs the acquired input image to the interface device 132.
As described in detail above, even when the processing circuit 750 is used, the medium conveying apparatus can suppress the occurrence of a medium jam while facilitating the placement of the medium on the mounting table 103 by the user.
An object and advantages of the present embodiment are understood and obtained by using the constitution components and combinations described in the claims. Both the foregoing general description and the subsequent detailed description are intended to be exemplary and explanatory and are not intended to limit the present embodiment described in the claims.
The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present invention. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of the present invention. Any one of the above-described operations may be performed in various other ways, for example, in an order different from the one described above.
This patent application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2021/027023, having an international filing date of Jul. 19, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2021/027023 | Jul 2021 | US |
| Child | 18412213 | US |
