MEDIUM TRANSPORT DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a medium conveying apparatus and particularly relates to a medium conveying apparatus including a roller to assist conveyance of a medium.

BACKGROUND ART

In a medium conveying apparatus, such as a scanner, to image a plurality of media while conveying the media, in order to satisfactorily guide a medium placed on a loading tray to the placement position of a roller to convey the medium, a roller to assist conveyance of a medium may be provided on the loading tray.

A paper feed tray for an image forming device being attachably and detachably mounted to the image forming device body and including a bottom provided with a rotator rotatable in forward and reverse directions of a paper feed direction is disclosed (see PTL 1).

CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
PTL 1

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. H9-86675

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is preferred that a roller to assist conveyance of a medium can be satisfactorily installed into the loading tray in the medium conveying apparatus.

An object of a medium conveying apparatus is to be able to satisfactorily install a roller to assist conveyance of a medium into a loading tray.

According to some embodiments, a medium conveying apparatus includes a loading tray including a placement surface provided with an opening, to place a medium, a roller to assist conveyance of the medium, and a holding part provided on the placement surface, to hold both ends of a rotation axis of the roller. The holding part includes a first arm and a second arm standing on a front side of the placement surface. At least one of the first arm and the second arm is provided to be bent outward in a direction perpendicular to a medium conveying direction when the roller is installed from a back side of the placement surface through the opening.

The medium conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment enables satisfactory installation of a roller to assist conveyance of a medium into a loading tray.

The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations, in particular, described in the claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a medium conveying apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram for illustrating a loading tray.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram for illustrating the loading tray.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram for illustrating an auxiliary roller, etc.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram for illustrating the auxiliary roller, etc.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for illustrating the auxiliary roller, etc.

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram for illustrating the auxiliary roller, etc.

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram for illustrating the auxiliary roller, etc.

FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram for illustrating the auxiliary roller, etc.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram for illustrating operation of the auxiliary roller, etc.

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram for illustrating the operation of the auxiliary roller, etc.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram for illustrating the operation of the auxiliary roller, etc.

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram for illustrating the operation of the auxiliary roller, etc.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a conveyance path inside the medium conveying apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the medium conveying apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a storage device and a processing circuit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of medium reading process.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for illustrating another holding unit.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for illustrating another auxiliary roller.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for illustrating another auxiliary roller.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for illustrating another auxiliary roller, etc.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for illustrating another auxiliary roller, etc.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of another processing circuit.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a medium conveying apparatus according to an embodiment, will be described with reference to the drawings. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments, and extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a medium conveying apparatus configured as an image scanner. The medium conveying apparatus 100 conveys and images a medium being a document. For example, a medium is paper, thin paper, thick paper, a card, carbon paper, or an envelope. The medium conveying apparatus 100 may be a facsimile, a copying machine, a multifunctional peripheral (MFP), etc. A conveyed medium may be an object being printed, etc., instead of a document, and the medium conveying apparatus 100 may be a printer, etc. In FIG. 1, an arrow A1 indicates a medium conveying direction, and an arrow A2 indicates a width direction perpendicular to the medium conveying direction. Hereinafter, upstream refers to upstream in the medium conveying direction A1, and downstream refers to downstream in the medium conveying direction A1.

The medium conveying apparatus 100 includes a lower housing 101, an upper housing 102, a loading tray 103, an ejection tray 104, an operation device 105, a display device 106, etc.

The upper housing 102 is located at a position covering the top surface of the medium conveying apparatus 100 and is engaged with the lower housing 101 by a hinge in such a way as to be openable and closable when, for example, a medium is jammed, or replacement or cleaning of a roller is performed.

The loading tray 103 is engaged with the lower housing 101 in such a way as to be inclined relative to a horizontal direction. The loading tray 103 may be located almost in parallel with the horizontal direction. The loading tray 103 is formed of, for example, a resin member, such as polystyrene (PS) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Since PS or ABS is inexpensive, the apparatus cost of the medium conveying apparatus 100 can be reduced by using PS or ABS as the loading tray 103. The loading tray 103 includes a placement surface 103a on which a medium to be fed and conveyed is placed. An arrow A3 in FIG. 1 indicates a height direction perpendicular to the placement surface 103a.

The ejection tray 104 is engaged with the upper housing 102 and stacks an ejected medium. The ejection tray 104 may be engaged with the lower housing 101.

The operation device 105 includes an input device such as a button, and an interface circuit acquiring a signal from the input device, accepts an input operation by a user, and outputs an operation signal based on the input operation by the user. The display device 106 includes a display including a liquid crystal, an organic electro-luminescence (EL), etc., and an interface circuit outputting image data to the display, and displays the image data on the display.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams for illustrating the loading tray. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the loading tray 103 in a state of being removed from the lower housing 101, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a region R1 in FIG. 2A.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, an auxiliary roller 107 is provided on the placement surface 103a of the loading tray 103. The auxiliary roller 107 is a roller for assisting conveyance of a medium placed on the loading tray 103 by rotating in a medium conveyance direction according to movement of the medium by conveyance or the self-weight. The auxiliary roller 107 is formed of a resin member, such as polyacetal (POM), and is particularly formed of a plastic member or a rubber member. POM has high lubricity, and use of POM enables the auxiliary roller 107 to satisfactorily assist conveyance of a medium. While POM is relatively expensive, the auxiliary roller 107 is sufficiently small; and therefore use of POM as the auxiliary roller 107 has a limited effect on the apparatus cost.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2A, two auxiliary rollers 107 are provided at the central part in the width direction A2 with spaced in the medium conveying direction A1. The number of the auxiliary rollers 107 is not limited to two and may be one or more than two. Each auxiliary roller 107 may be located at any position on the placement surface 103a.

The auxiliary roller 107 is provided to protrude from the placement surface 103a in the height direction A3. The placement surface 103a includes a rib 103b extending in the medium conveying direction A1 at the central part in the width direction A2. The rib 103b is provided to protrude from the placement surface 103a. The rib 103b enables the medium conveying apparatus 100 to perform stiffening on a medium placed on the loading tray 103 and to suppress occurrence of jamming of a soft medium, such as thin paper, due to occurrence of buckling of the medium. The auxiliary roller 107 is located at a position between the upstream edge and the downstream edge of the rib 103b and is provided to further protrude from the rib 103b. The medium conveying apparatus 100 can satisfactorily guide a medium to the conveyance path while satisfactorily performing stiffening on the medium with the rib 103b and the auxiliary roller 107.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, an opening 103c is provided on the placement surface 103a. The opening 103c is an opening for locating the auxiliary roller 107 on the placement surface 103a, and each opening 103c is provided at a position where each auxiliary roller 107 is located. Further, a holding part 103d is provided on the placement surface 103a. The holding part 103d is formed of a resin member, such as PS or ABS, and is particularly formed of a flexible member. The holding part 103d is provided at both ends of each auxiliary roller 107 in the width direction A2 to hold both ends of the rotation axis of the auxiliary roller 107, i.e., to clamp the auxiliary roller 107. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2A, two sets of the opening 103c and the holding part 103d are provided at the central part in the width direction A2 with spaced in the medium conveying direction A1 in relation to the two auxiliary rollers 107.

FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIG. 4 are schematic diagrams for illustrating the placement surface and the auxiliary roller. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of the loading tray 103 in the state of being removed from the lower housing 101 viewed from above, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a region R2 in FIG. 3A. FIG. 4 is an A-A′ line section diagram of FIG. 3B.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B and FIG. 4, the holding part 103d includes a first arm 103e and a second arm 103f. Each of the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f is provided to extend from outside to inside in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction with standing on the front side of the placement surface 103a. A first protruding part 103g and a second protruding part 103h are formed on the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f. The first protruding part 103g and the second protruding part 103h are examples of an engaging part and are formed to protrude from the center side surface of the first arm 103e and the second arm 103 in the width direction A2, respectively.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the auxiliary roller 107 includes a rotation axis 107a at the rotation center. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the rotation axis 107a is an aperture formed to penetrate in the width direction A2.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B and FIG. 4, the first protruding part 103g and the second protruding part 103h are engaged with the aperture being the rotation axis 107a of the auxiliary roller 107. The holding part 103d suitably and rotatably supports the auxiliary roller 107 by the first protruding part 103g and the second protruding part 103h formed on the holding part 103d being engaged with the rotation axis 107a of the auxiliary roller 107.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, both sides of the surface of the auxiliary roller 107 in the width direction A2 are chamfered. Both sides of the surface of the auxiliary roller 107 in the width direction A2 may be rounded. The auxiliary roller 107 is provided in such a way that the diameter H1 of the auxiliary roller 107 at an end 107b in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction is less than the diameter H2 of the auxiliary roller 107 at a central part 107c in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction. Consequently, when both sides 107d of the auxiliary roller 107 in the width direction A2 come into contact with either of the first arm 103e or the second arm 103f, the contact region decreases. Therefore, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can suppress generation of a strange sound due to friction between the side 107d of the auxiliary roller 107, and the first arm 103e or the second arm 103f, and can quietly convey a medium.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are schematic diagrams for illustrating the placement surface and the auxiliary roller. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of the loading tray 103 in a state of the auxiliary roller 107 being removed viewed from above, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a region R3 in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is a perspective view illustrating the auxiliary roller 107 in a state of being removed from the loading tray 103.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the auxiliary roller 107 is attachably and detachably provided on the placement surface 103a. Consequently, the medium conveying apparatus 100 enables replacement of the auxiliary roller 107 that tends to abrade and extension of the apparatus life.

FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams for illustrating operation of the loading tray and the auxiliary roller.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of the loading tray 103 in the state of the auxiliary roller 107 being removed viewed from the downstream side. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, when being installed into the loading tray 103, the auxiliary roller 107 is located at a position facing the opening 103c inside the loading tray 103, i.e., on the back side of the placement surface 103a.

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of the loading tray 103 immediately before installation of the auxiliary roller 107 viewed from the downstream side. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, when being installed into the loading tray 103, the auxiliary roller 107 is pushed from the inside toward the outside of the loading tray 103, i.e., from the back side to the front side of the placement surface 103a in the opening 103c by an operator who assembles the medium conveying apparatus 100. As described above, each of the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f (the holding part 103d) is formed of a flexible member and is provided to extend from outside to inside in the width direction A2 withstanding on the front side of the placement surface 103a. In other words, the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f are provided to be swingable (rotatable) around swing shafts C1 and C2 positioned at the base.

When being pressed upward by the auxiliary roller 107, the first protruding part 103g of the first arm 103e swings around the swing axis C1 toward the upper left. Similarly, when being pressed upward by the auxiliary roller 107, the second protruding part 103h of the second arm 103f swings around the swing axis C2 toward the upper right. Consequently, the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f are bent outward in the width direction A2 and the distance between the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f increases; and therefore the auxiliary roller 107 is readily installed between the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f.

The lower surface of the first protruding part 103g and/or the second protruding part 103h, i.e., a surface coming into contact with the auxiliary roller 107 when the auxiliary roller 107 is installed is provided to be inclined relative to the width direction A2 and the height direction A3. Similarly, a surface of the auxiliary roller 107 coming into contact with the first protruding part 103g and/or the second protruding part 103h when the auxiliary roller 107 is installed may also be provided to be inclined relative to the width direction A2 and the height direction A3. Consequently, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can satisfactorily bend the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f outward in the width direction A2 without damaging the auxiliary roller 107, the first protruding part 103g, or the second protruding part 103h when the auxiliary roller 107 is installed.

While both the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f are bent by the auxiliary roller 107 in the example illustrated in FIG. 6B, only one of the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f may be provided to be bent, and the other may be fixed.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of the loading tray 103 in a state of the auxiliary roller 107 being installed viewed from the downstream side. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, when the auxiliary roller 107 is further pushed from the back side to the front side of the placement surface 103a from the state illustrated in FIG. 6B, the first protruding part 103g of the first arm 103e and the second protruding part 103h of the second arm 103f are engaged with the rotation axis 107a of the auxiliary roller 107. Consequently, the auxiliary roller 107 is installed into the loading tray 103.

Thus, at least one of the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f is provided to be bent outward in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction when the auxiliary roller 107 is installed. Consequently, the medium conveying apparatus 100 enables satisfactory installation of the auxiliary roller 107 into the loading tray 103 by an operator.

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of the loading tray 103 in a state of the installed auxiliary roller 107 being pressed from the front side of the placement surface 103a to the back side viewed from the downstream side. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, when a medium M is placed on the loading tray 103, the auxiliary roller 107 is pressed from the outside toward the inside of the loading tray 103, i.e., from the front side of the placement surface 103a toward the back side by the medium M placed on the loading tray 103. The auxiliary roller 107 pressed from the front side of the placement surface 103a toward the back side presses the first protruding part 103g of the first arm 103e and the second protruding part 103h of the second arm 103f downward.

When being pressed downward by the auxiliary roller 107, the first protruding part 103g of the first arm 103e swings around the swing axis C1 toward the lower right. Similarly, when being pressed downward by the auxiliary roller 107, the second protruding part 103h of the second arm 103f swings around the swing axis C2 toward the lower left. Consequently, the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f are bent inward in the width direction A2, and the distance between the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f decreases; and therefore removal of the auxiliary roller 107 from the holding part 103d is hampered.

The upper surface of the first protruding part 103g and/or the second protruding part 103h, i.e., a surface supporting the installed auxiliary roller 107 is provided to be inclined relative to the width direction A2 and the height direction A3, similarly to the lower surface. The tilt of the upper surface of the first protruding part 103g and/or the second protruding part 103h relative to the width direction A2 is provided to be less than the tilt of the lower surface relative to the width direction A2. The upper surface of the first protruding part 103g and/or the second protruding part 103h may be provided to extend in the width direction A2.

On the other hand, a surface inside the rotation axis 107a of the auxiliary roller 107 supported by the first protruding part 103g and/or the second protruding part 103h in a state of being installed in the loading tray 103 is provided to extend in the width direction A2. The surface inside the rotation axis 107a of the auxiliary roller 107 supported by the first protruding part 103g and/or the second protruding part 103h in the state of being installed in the loading tray 103 may be provided to be inclined relative to the width direction A2 and the height direction A3. In that case, the tilt of the surface relative to the width direction A2 is provided to be less than the tilt of a surface relative to the width direction A2, the surface coming into contact with the first protruding part 103g and/or the second protruding part 103h when the auxiliary roller 107 is installed. Based on the above, an operator can remove the auxiliary roller 107 from the loading tray 103 by firmly pushing the auxiliary roller 107 from the front side of the placement surface 103a toward the back side while the loading tray 103 satisfactorily supporting the installed auxiliary roller 107.

While both the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f are bent by the auxiliary roller 107 in the example illustrated in FIG. 7B, only one of the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f may be provided to be bent, and the other may be fixed.

Thus, at least one of the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f is provided to be bent inward in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction when the auxiliary roller 107 is pressed from the front side of the placement surface 103a toward the back side.

Consequently, the loading tray 103 can satisfactorily support both ends of the auxiliary roller 107 in the width direction A2 and can suppress erroneous removal of the auxiliary roller 107 by a user even when the auxiliary roller 107 is pressed toward the back side of the placement surface 103a by the user. In particular, even when a large amount of medium M is placed, the loading tray 103 can satisfactorily support both ends of the auxiliary roller 107 in the width direction A2, and the medium conveying apparatus 100 can satisfactorily convey the medium M. Further, since a user cannot readily press the auxiliary roller 107 from the back side of the placement surface 103a, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can suppress erroneous removal of the auxiliary roller 107 by the user. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can suppress removal of the auxiliary roller 107 through an operation by the user, such as setting of a medium, cleaning of the auxiliary roller 107, or pressing of the auxiliary roller 107.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conveyance path inside a medium conveying apparatus.

The conveyance path inside the medium conveying apparatus 100 includes a medium sensor 111, a feed roller 112, a separation roller 113, a first conveyance roller 114, a second conveyance roller 115, an imaging device 116, a first ejection roller 117, a second ejection roller 118, etc.

Each of the numbers of the feed roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyance roller 114, the second conveyance roller 115, the first ejection roller 117, and/or the second ejection roller 118 is not limited to one and may be more than one. In that case, a plurality of feed rollers 112, separation rollers 113, first conveyance rollers 114, second conveyance rollers 115, first ejection rollers 117, and/or second ejection rollers 118 are respectively spaced in a width direction perpendicular to the medium conveying direction A1.

The top surface of the lower housing 101 forms a lower guide 101a of the conveyance path of a medium, and the bottom surface of the upper housing 102 forms an upper guide 102a of the conveyance path of a medium. In FIG. 8, an arrow A1 indicates a medium conveying direction.

The medium sensor 111 is located on the upstream side of the feed 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 loading tray 103. The medium sensor 111 generates and outputs a medium signal of which signal value varies between a state in which a medium is placed on the loading tray 103 and a state in which a medium is not placed. The medium sensor 111 is not limited to a contact detection sensor and any other sensor that can detect the presence of a medium, such as a light detection sensor, may be used as the medium sensor 111.

The feed roller 112 is provided in the lower housing 101, sequentially feeds media placed on the loading tray 103 from the lower side. The separation roller 113 is a so-called brake roller or retard roller, is provided in the upper housing 102, is located to face the feed roller 112, and rotates in a direction opposite to the medium feeding direction.

The first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 are located on the downstream side of the feed roller 112 to face each other, and convey a medium fed by the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 to the imaging device 116.

The imaging device 116 is located on the downstream side of the first conveyance roller 114, and images a 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 located to face each other with the medium conveyance path in between. The first imaging device 116a includes a line sensor based on a unity-magnification optical system type contact image sensor (CIS) including complementary metal oxide semiconductor- (CMOS-) based imaging elements linearly arranged in a main scanning direction. The first imaging device 116a further includes lenses each forming an image on an imaging element, and an A/D converter amplifying and analog-digital (A/D) converting an electric signal output from the imaging element. The first imaging device 116a generates an input image by imaging the front side of a conveyed medium in accordance with control from a processing circuit to be described later and outputs the generated image.

Similarly, the second imaging device 116b includes a line sensor based on a unity-magnification optical system type CIS including CMOS-based imaging elements linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. The second imaging device 116b further includes lenses each forming an image on an imaging element, and an A/D converter amplifying and analog-digital (A/D) converting an electric signal output from the imaging element. The second imaging device 116b generates an input image by imaging the back side of a conveyed medium in accordance with control from the processing circuit to be described later and outputs the generated image.

Only one of the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b may be located and only one side of a medium may be read in the medium conveying apparatus 100. Further, a line sensor based on a unity-magnification optical system type CIS including charge coupled device- (CCD-) based imaging elements may be used in place of the line sensor based on a unity-magnification optical system type CIS including CMOS-based imaging elements. Further, a reduction optical system type line sensor including CMOS-based or CCD-based imaging elements may be used.

The first ejection roller 117 and the second ejection roller 118 are located on the downstream side of the imaging device 116 to face each other. The first ejection roller 117 and the second ejection roller 118 eject a medium conveyed by the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 and imaged by the imaging device 116 onto the ejection tray 104.

A medium placed on the loading tray 103 is conveyed between the lower guide 101a and the upper guide 101b toward the medium conveying direction A1 by the feed roller 112 rotating in a direction of an arrow A4 in FIG. 8, i.e., the medium conveying direction. The separation roller 113 rotates in a direction of an arrow A5, i.e., a direction opposite to the medium feeding direction at the time of medium conveying. When a plurality of media are placed on the loading tray 103, only a medium in contact with the feed roller 112 out of the medium placed on the loading tray 103 is separated by working of the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113. Consequently, conveyance of a medium other than the separated medium is restricted (prevention of multi feed).

A medium is fed between the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 while being guided by the lower guide 101a and the upper guide 101b. The medium is fed between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b by the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 rotating in directions of an arrow A6 and an arrow A7, respectively. The medium read by the imaging device 116 is ejected onto the ejection tray 104 by the first ejection roller 117 and the second ejection roller 118 rotating in directions of an arrow A8 and an arrow A9, respectively.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example of a medium conveying apparatus.

In addition to the configuration described above, the medium conveying apparatus 100 further includes a motor 131, an interface device 132, a storage device 140, a processing circuit 150, etc.

The motor 131 includes one or a plurality of motors and conveys a medium by rotating the feed roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyance roller 114, the second conveyance roller 115, the first ejection roller 117, and the second ejection roller 118 in accordance with a control signal from the processing circuit 150. One of the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 may be a driven roller driven to rotate by the other roller. One of the first ejection roller 117 and the second ejection roller 118 may be a driven roller driven to rotate by the other roller.

For example, the interface device 132 includes an interface circuit conforming to a serial bus such as USB and transmits and receives an input image and various types of information by being electrically connected to an unillustrated information processing apparatus (such as a personal computer or a mobile information terminal). A communication device including an antenna transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless communication line in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol may be used in place of the interface device 132. For example, the predetermined communication protocol is a wireless local area network (LAN). The communication device may include a wired communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals through 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) or a read-only memory (ROM), a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, a portable storage device such as a flexible disk or an optical disk, etc. Further, a computer program, a database, a table, etc., that are used for various types of processing in the medium conveying apparatus 100 are stored in the storage device 140. The computer programs may be installed on the storage device 140 from a computer-readable, non-transitory portable storage medium by using a well-known set-up program, etc. The portable storage 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 in accordance with a program stored in advance in the storage device 140. For example, the processing circuit is a central processing unit (CPU). A digital signal processor (DSP), a large scale integration (LSI), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) may be used as the processing circuit 150.

The processing circuit 150 is connected to the operation device 105, the display device 106, the medium sensor 111, the imaging device 116, the motor 131, the interface device 132, the storage device 140, etc., and controls the components. The processing circuit 150 performs drive control of the motor 131, imaging control of the imaging device 116, etc., based on the medium signal received from the medium sensor 111, acquires an input image from the imaging device 116, and transmits the acquired image to the information processing apparatus through the interface device 132.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the storage device and the processing circuit.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, a control program 141, an image acquisition program 142, etc., are stored in the storage device 140. Each program is a functional module implemented by software operating on the processor. The processing circuit 150 reads each program stored in the storage device 140 and operates in accordance with the read program. Consequently, the processing circuit 150 functions as a control module 151, and an image acquisition module.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of medium reading process in the medium conveying apparatus.

The operation example of the medium reading process in the medium conveying apparatus 100 will be described below referring to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 11. The operation flow described below is executed mainly by the processing circuit 150 in accordance with a program previously stored in the storage device 140 in cooperation with the components in the medium conveying apparatus 100.

First, the control module 151 waits until an instruction to read a medium is input by a user by using the operation device 105 or the information processing apparatus and an operation signal providing an instruction to read a medium is received from the operation device 105 or the interface device 132 (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 loading tray 103, based on the acquired first medium signal (step S102). When a medium is not placed on the loading tray 103, the control module 151 ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, when a medium is placed on the loading tray 103, the control module 151 rotates the feed roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyance roller 114, the second conveyance roller 115, the first ejection roller 117, and/or the second ejection roller 118 (step S103). The control module 151 rotates each roller to convey a medium by driving the motor 131.

Next, the control module 151 acquires an input image from the imaging device 116 by causing the imaging device 116 to image the medium and outputs the acquired input image by transmitting the image to the information processing apparatus through the interface device 132 (step S104).

Next, the control module 151 determines whether a medium remains in the loading tray 103, based on the medium signal received from the medium sensor 113 (step S105). When a medium remains in the loading tray 103, the control module 151 returns the processing to step S104 and repeats the processing in step S104 and S105.

On the other hand, when a medium does not remain in the loading tray 103, the control module 151 stops the feed roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyance roller 114, the second conveyance roller 115, the first ejection roller 117, and/or the second ejection roller 118 (step S106). The control module 151 controls the motor 131 to stop each roller and ends the series of steps.

As described in detail above, the medium conveying apparatus 100 causes the holding part 103d clamping the auxiliary roller 107 in the loading tray 103 to protrude to the placement surface 103a side. Consequently, when the auxiliary roller 107 is pressed from the front side of the placement surface 103a, the medium conveying apparatus 100 makes the roller less likely to come off by bending the holding part 103d inward. Furthermore, when the auxiliary roller 107 is installed from the back side of the placement surface 103a, the medium conveying apparatus 100 facilitates installation of the roller by bending the holding part 103d outward. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus 100 enables satisfactory installation of the auxiliary roller 107 to assist conveyance of a medium into the loading tray 103.

The medium conveying apparatus 100 can satisfactorily guide a medium placed on the loading tray 103 to the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 by the auxiliary roller 107 and can satisfactorily convey the medium. In particular, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can reduce friction (resistance) between the medium placed on the loading tray 103 and the placement surface 103a by the auxiliary roller 107. Accordingly, even when the front edge of a medium placed on a conveyance target medium is placed at the downstream side than the front edge of the conveyance target medium on the loading tray 103, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can suppress conveyance of the medium placed on the conveyance target medium before the conveyance target medium.

The auxiliary roller 107 has a simple structure without having a special structure for making removal difficult while facilitating mounting. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus 100 enables satisfactory installation of the auxiliary roller 107 into the loading tray 103 while suppressing increase in the apparatus cost.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a holding unit in a medium conveying apparatus according to another embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the holding unit 203.

In the medium conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment, an auxiliary roller 107 is mounted on a holding unit 203 attachably and detachably provided in the loading tray 103 instead of being directly provided on the loading tray 103. The holding unit 203 is formed of a resin member, such as PS or ABS, and is particularly formed of a flexible member, similarly to the holding part 103d. The holding unit 203 may be formed of a resin member with high lubricity, such as POM. Consequently, the holding unit 203 can suppress generation of a strange sound due to friction between the auxiliary roller 107 and the holding unit 203 and can quietly convey a medium. In that case, a lubricant such as grease does not need to be applied to the holding unit 203, and the holding unit 203 can also suppress adherence of soil to a conveyed medium. While POM is relatively expensive, the holding unit 203 is sufficiently small; and therefore use of POM as the holding unit 203 has a limited effect on the apparatus cost.

The holding unit 203 includes a placement surface 203a. The placement surface 203a is provided to be flush with the placement surface 103a of the loading tray 103. An opening 203c similar to the opening 103c is provided on the placement surface 203a. Further, a holding part 203d similar to the holding part 103d is provided on the placement surface 203a. The holding part 203d is provided at both ends of the auxiliary roller 107 in a width direction A2 to hold both ends of the rotation axis of the auxiliary roller 107.

The holding part 203d includes a first arm 203e and a second arm 203f that are similar to the first arm 103e and the second arm 103f. Each of the first arm 203e and the second arm 203f is formed of a flexible member and is provided to extend from outside to inside in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction withstanding on the front side of the placement surface 103a. A first protruding part and a second protruding part, which are similar to the first protruding part 103g and the second protruding part 103h, are formed on the first arm 203e and the second arm 203f. The first protruding part and the second protruding part are engaged with the aperture, which is the rotation axis 107a of the auxiliary roller 107.

At least one of the first arm 203e and the second arm 203f is provided to be bent outward in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction when the auxiliary roller 107 is installed from the back side of the placement surface 203a through the opening 203c. Further, at least one of the first arm 203e and the second arm 203f is provided to be bent inward in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction when the auxiliary roller 107 is pressed from the front side of the placement surface 203a toward the back side.

The holding unit 203 further includes a holding unit engaging part 203i. The holding unit engaging part 203i is provided to be able to be engaged with an engaged part provided in the loading tray 103. The holding unit 203 is installed into the loading tray 103 by engaging the holding unit engaging part 203i with the engaged part provided in the loading tray 103. On the other hand, the holding unit 203 is removed from the loading tray 103 by removing the holding unit engaging part 203i from the engaged part provided in the loading tray 103. In other words, the holding part 203d is attachably and detachably provided on the placement surface 103a of the loading tray 103. The medium conveying apparatus can maintain the conveyance assistance function by the auxiliary roller 107 by replacing only the inexpensive holding unit 203 when damage to the holding part 203d occurs. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus can reduce the apparatus maintenance cost.

As described in detail above, the medium conveying apparatus enables satisfactory installation of the auxiliary roller 107 to assist conveyance of a medium into the loading tray 103 and satisfactory conveyance of a medium placed on the loading tray 103 when the holding part 203d is attachably and detachably provided in the placement surface 103a as well.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an auxiliary roller in a medium conveying apparatus according to yet another embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary roller 307.

The medium conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the auxiliary roller 307 in place of the auxiliary roller 107. The auxiliary roller 307 has a structure and a function similar to those of the auxiliary roller 107. The auxiliary roller 307 includes a rotation axis 307a similar to the rotation axis 107a. Both sides of the surface of the auxiliary roller 307 in a width direction A2 are formed in a stepwise manner and have level differences. The auxiliary roller 307 is provided in such a way that the diameter H1 of the auxiliary roller 307 at an end 307b in the width direction A2 perpendicular to a medium conveying direction is less than the diameter H2 of the surface of the auxiliary roller 307 at a central part 307c in the width direction A2 perpendicular to the medium conveying direction. Consequently, when sides 307d on both sides of the auxiliary roller 307 in the width direction A2 come into contact with either the first arm 103e or the second arm 103f, the contact region becomes smaller. Therefore, the medium conveying apparatus can suppress generation of a strange sound due to friction between the side 307d of the auxiliary roller 307, and the first arm 103e or the second arm 103f and can quietly convey a medium.

The auxiliary roller 307 may be provided on a holding unit 203 similarly to the auxiliary roller 107.

As described in detail above, the medium conveying apparatus enables satisfactory installation of the auxiliary roller 307 for assisting conveyance of a medium to a loading tray 103 and satisfactory conveyance of a medium placed on the loading tray 103 when both sides of the auxiliary roller 307 are formed in a stepwise manner as well.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an auxiliary roller in a medium conveying apparatus according to yet another embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary roller 407.

The medium conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the auxiliary roller 407 in place of the auxiliary roller 107. The auxiliary roller 407 has a structure and a function similar to those of the auxiliary roller 107. The auxiliary roller 407 includes a rotation axis 407a in place of the rotation axis 107a. The rotation axis 407a is recessed parts formed on both ends in a width direction A2 not to penetrate in the width direction A2. The first protruding part 103g of the first arm 103e and the second protruding part 103h of the second arm 103f are engaged with the recessed parts being the rotation axis 407a of the auxiliary roller 407. The holding part 103d suitably and rotatably supports the auxiliary roller 407 by the first protruding part 103g and the second protruding part 103h that are formed on the holding part 103d being engaged with the rotation axis 407a of the auxiliary roller 407.

The auxiliary roller 407 may be provided on a holding unit 203 similarly to the auxiliary roller 107. Further, both sides of the surface of the auxiliary roller 407 in the width direction A2 may be formed in a stepwise manner similarly to both sides of the surface of the auxiliary roller 307 in the width direction A2.

As described in detail above, the medium conveying apparatus enables satisfactory installation of the auxiliary roller 407 to assist conveyance of a medium into a loading tray 103 and satisfactory conveyance of a medium placed on the loading tray 103 when the rotation axis 407a of the auxiliary roller 407 is recessed parts as well.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a loading tray and an auxiliary roller in a medium conveying apparatus according to yet another embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the loading tray 503 and the auxiliary roller 507.

The medium conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the loading tray 503 in place of the loading tray 103 and includes the auxiliary roller 507 in place of the auxiliary roller 107. The loading tray 503 has a structure and a function similar to those of the loading tray 103, and the auxiliary roller 507 has a structure and a function similar to those of the auxiliary roller 107. The loading tray 503 includes a placement surface 503a on which a medium is placed and places a medium to be fed and conveyed. An opening 503c is provided on the placement surface 503a. Further, a holding part 503d is provided on the placement surface 503a. The holding part 503d includes a first arm 503e and a second arm 503f. The first arm 503e and the second arm 503f include a first aperture 503g and a second aperture 503h. The first aperture 503g and the second aperture 503h are formed to penetrate the first arm 503e and the second arm 503f in a width direction A2, respectively.

On the other hand, the auxiliary roller 507 includes a rotation axis 507a at the rotation center. The rotation axis 507a is an example of an engaging part and includes protrusions formed to protrude from both ends of the auxiliary roller 507 in the width direction A2. The rotation axis 507a is engaged with the first aperture 503g and the second aperture 503h that are provided in the holding part 503d. The holding part 503d suitably and rotatably supports the auxiliary roller 507 by the first aperture 503g and the second aperture 503h that are provided in the holding part 503d being engaged with the rotation axis 507a being protrusions formed on the auxiliary roller 507.

In general, a protrusion is more likely to be worn out by abrasion than an aperture or a recessed part when the auxiliary roller 507 rotates. By the auxiliary roller 507 including a protrusion in the medium conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment, the conveyance assistance function of the auxiliary roller 507 can be maintained by replacing the auxiliary roller 507 less expensive than the loading tray 103 when the protrusion is worn out. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus can reduce the apparatus maintenance cost.

The auxiliary roller 507 may be provided on a holding unit 203 similarly to the auxiliary roller 107. Further, both sides of the surface of the auxiliary roller 507 in the width direction A2 may be formed in a stepwise manner similarly to both sides of the surface of the auxiliary roller 507 in the width direction A2.

As described in detail above, in the medium conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment, the holding part 503d includes the first aperture 503g and the second aperture 503h, and the auxiliary roller 507 includes protrusions as the rotation axis 507a. The medium conveying apparatus enables satisfactory installation of the auxiliary roller 507 to assist conveyance of a medium into the loading tray 503 and satisfactory conveyance of a medium placed on the loading tray 503 in that case as well.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a loading tray and an auxiliary roller in a medium conveying apparatus according to yet another embodiment. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the loading tray 603 and the auxiliary roller 507.

The medium conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the loading tray 603 in place of the loading tray 503. The loading tray 603 has a structure and a function similar to those of the loading tray 503. The loading tray 603 includes a placement surface 603a on which a medium is placed and places a medium to be fed and conveyed. An opening 603c is provided on the placement surface 603a. Further, a holding part 603d is provided on the placement surface 603a. The holding part 603d includes a first arm 603e and a second arm 603f. The first arm 603e and the second arm 603f include a first recessed part 603g and a second recessed part 603h. The first recessed part 603g and the second recessed part 603h are formed inside the first arm 603e and the second arm 603f not to penetrate the first arm 603e and the second arm 603f in a width direction A2, respectively.

The rotation axis 507a of the auxiliary roller 507 is engaged with the first recessed part 603g and the second recessed part 603h that are provided on the holding part 603d. The holding part 603d suitably and rotatably supports the auxiliary roller 507 by the first recessed part 603g and the second recessed part 603h that are provided on the holding part 603d being engaged with the rotation axis 507a being protrusions formed on the auxiliary roller 507.

As described in detail above, in the medium conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment, the holding part 603d includes the first recessed part 603g and the second recessed part 603h, and the auxiliary roller 507 includes protrusions as the rotation axis 507a. The medium conveying apparatus enables satisfactory installation of the auxiliary roller 507 to assist conveyance of a medium into the loading tray 603 and satisfactory conveyance of a medium placed on the loading tray 603 in that case as well.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a processing circuit in a medium conveying apparatus according to yet another embodiment. The processing circuit 750 is used in place of the processing circuit 150 in the medium conveying apparatus 100 and executes medium reading process, etc., in place of the processing circuit 150. The processing circuit 750 includes a control circuit 751, an image acquisition circuit 752, etc. For example, the components may be independently configured with an integrated circuit, a microprocessor, or firmware.

The control circuit 751 is an example of a control module and has a function similar to that of the control module 151. The control circuit 751 receives the operation signal from the operation device 105 or the interface device 132 and the medium signal from the medium sensor 111. The control circuit 751 controls the motor 131, based on the received information.

The image acquisition circuit 752 is an example of an image acquisition module and bas a function similar to that of the image acquisition module 152. The image acquisition circuit 752 acquires the input image from the imaging device 116 and outputs the acquired image to the interface device 132.

As described in detail above, the medium conveying apparatus enables satisfactory installation of an auxiliary roller to assist conveyance of a medium into a loading tray and satisfactory conveyance of a medium placed on the loading tray when the processing circuit 750 is used as well.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

- 100 Medium conveying apparatus
- 103, 503, 603 Loading tray
- 103
  a,
  203
  a,
  503
  a,
  603
  a Placement surface
- 103
  c,
  203
  c,
  503
  c,
  603
  c Opening
- 103
  d,
  203
  d,
  503
  d,
  603
  d Holding part
- 103
  e,
  203
  e,
  503
  e,
  603
  e First arm
- 103
  f,
  203
  f,
  503
  f,
  603
  f Second arm
- 103
  g First protruding part
- 103
  h Second protruding part
- 107, 307, 407, 507 Auxiliary roller
- 107
  a,
  407
  a,
  507
  a Rotation axis
- 503
  g First aperture
- 503
  h Second aperture

MEDIUM TRANSPORT DEVICE

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CPC

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