JP2004010234A - Image reading device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading device and an image forming device that can convey a large volume of documents separately and that can read an image on a document efficiently even if it is a heavy paper document. <P>SOLUTION: The device includes a document placing tray 2 for placing documents P, a paper feeding roller 6 for withdrawing the placed documents P one by one, a curved conveying passage 8 for conveying the documents P withdrawn by the roller 6, a CCD reading unit 10 and a CIS reading unit 15 for reading an image on the documents P. There is an area 13 for performing a plane resist and a bias correction to correct a conveyance condition of the document P. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus that separate and convey documents placed on a document placing tray one by one and read an image on the document.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine that reads and prints image information of a document using an image reading device having a scanner function, the image information is read and printed while a sheet-shaped document is sequentially conveyed. An image reading apparatus provided with an ADF (Auto Document Feeder: automatic document feeder) for performing the reading is used.
[0003]
Here, a basic configuration of an image reading apparatus including a conventional ADF will be described below.
[0004]
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the image reading apparatus 100 includes a document placing tray 101, a paper feed roller 102, a curved transport path 103, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) reading unit 104, a CIS (contact image sensor) 105, and A discharge tray 106 is included. It also includes a plurality of roller pairs for conveying the document.
[0005]
The document placing tray 101 is for placing a document (not shown). The paper feed roller 102 is for taking out the originals placed on the original placing tray 101 one by one and supplying the originals to the curved conveyance path 103. The curved conveyance path 103 is a document conveyance path provided to make the path for conveying the document from the document tray 101 to the discharge tray 106 compact. The curved conveyance path 103 is provided with a plurality of roller pairs for conveying a document.
[0006]
The CCD reading unit 104 and the CIS 105 are for reading an image on a document.
[0007]
The CCD reading unit 104 includes an optical unit 107 and a CCD. The CCD reading unit 104 reduces the image at the reading position C1 on the conveyed document by using the optical unit 107, forms an image on the CCD 108, and reads an image on one side of the document.
[0008]
At the reading position D, the CIS 105 converts a one-sided image of the conveyed document into a different image by using a linear CCD (not shown) having a width substantially equal to the document conveyance path (a width slightly larger than the maximum document width). It is designed to read.
[0009]
Further, the CCD reading unit 104 can also read an image of a stationary document by moving the optical unit 107 to the reading positions C1 to C3.
[0010]
The discharge tray 106 is for discharging and placing the document on which the image is read after being transported.
[0011]
In the above configuration, the image reading device 100 operates as follows.
[0012]
First, originals are taken out of the original placing tray 101 one by one by a paper feed roller 102 and supplied to the curved conveyance path 103 by the paper feed roller 102. In the curved conveyance path 103, an image of the document conveyed by the roller pair is read by the CCD reading unit 104 and / or the CIS 105. The original is read by the CCD reading unit 104 and the CIS 105 in the case of a double-sided print original. The document whose image has been read is transported to the document discharge point 109 and placed on the discharge tray 106.
[0013]
A conventional image reading apparatus having a basic configuration like the image reading apparatus 100 described above and described in the official gazette will be described below.
[0014]
First, as a more specific example of a conventional image reading apparatus, there is, for example, an automatic document feeder for reading an original disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-46472 (published on Feb. 14, 1997).
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 10, the automatic document feeder 200 includes a document placing tray (placing tray) 201, a paper feed roller 202, a curved transport path (reverse transport path) 203, a first reading unit 204, and a second reading unit. A unit 205, a transparent plate 206, a discharge tray 207, a transparent document table 208, and a slide shaft 209 are provided.
[0016]
In the following, members having the same functions as those of the above-described general schematic configuration will be referred to by the same names, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0017]
The first reading unit 204 and the second reading unit 205 in the above configuration are for reading one side and the other side of one document P being conveyed, respectively. The transparent plate 206 is a table for reading the conveyed document P by the first reading unit 204.
[0018]
The transparent document table 208 is a table for reading a stationary document such as a book opened state, instead of reading while transporting the document P. Further, the slide shaft 209 is for moving the first reading unit 204 along itself when reading a stationary document placed on the transparent document table 208.
[0019]
In the above configuration, the automatic document feeder 200 supplies the originals P placed on the original placing tray 201 to the curved conveyance path 203 one by one by the paper feed roller 202. In the curved conveyance path 203, the supplied document P is conveyed along the path. Then, one surface of the document P is read by the second reading unit 205 provided in the middle of the curved conveyance path 203.
[0020]
Next, at the position of the transparent plate 206, the original P supplied from the curved conveyance path 203 is read by the first reading unit 204 on the other surface different from the read surface. In this case, the first reading unit 204 reads in a stopped state without moving itself. Then, the read document P is discharged to the discharge tray 207.
[0021]
According to the above operation, a plurality of documents P can be sequentially read while being conveyed without stopping.
[0022]
Further, in the above configuration, the first reading unit 204 is movable via the slide shaft 209. The document P placed on the transparent document table 208 can be read by moving the first reading unit 204 via the slide shaft 209. As a result, a document that cannot be processed while transporting a document such as a book document can be manually set and read.
[0023]
In the above configuration, the second reading unit 205 is provided in the middle of the curved conveyance path 203, and thereafter, the first reading unit 204 reads a different surface from the second reading unit 205. Both sides of one document can be read by conveyance.
[0024]
As another specific example of the conventional image reading apparatus, there is an image reading apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-32164 (published on Feb. 2, 1999).
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 11, the image reading apparatus 300 includes a document placing tray (document tray) 301, a sheet feeding roller (pickup roller) 302, a curved conveyance path (guide plate) 303, a first reading unit 304, and a second reading unit. A reading unit 305 and a discharge tray (discharge tray) 306 are provided.
[0026]
The first reading unit 304 and the second reading unit 305 in the above configuration are provided for reading one side and the other side of one conveyed document.
[0027]
The first reading unit 304 reads the image of the conveyed document at the reading position E by the CCD 308 via the optical unit 307.
[0028]
In the above configuration, the image reading apparatus 300 supplies the originals P placed on the original placing tray 301 one by one to the curved conveyance path 303 by the paper feed roller 302. In the curved transport path 303, the supplied document P is transported along a predetermined path.
[0029]
Next, one surface of the document P supplied from the curved conveyance path 303 by the conveyance roller 309 is read by the first reading unit 304 at the reading position E. At this time, the first reading unit 304 reads one surface of the conveyed document P with the optical unit 307 stopped at the reading position E.
[0030]
Next, the other side of the conveyed document P is read by the second reading unit 305. Then, the document P is discharged to the discharge tray 306.
[0031]
As a result, a plurality of documents P could be sequentially read while being transported without stopping. Further, both sides of one document P could be read using the first reading unit 304 and the second reading unit 305.
[0032]
In the above configuration, when reading an original on the glass platen 310, the optical unit 307 is moved with respect to an original (not shown) placed on the glass platen 310 to read an image. .
[0033]
Further, as still another specific example of the conventional image reading apparatus, there is a document reading apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-27444 (published on Jan. 29, 1999). The configuration of the copying apparatus 400 including the document reading device 410 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0034]
As shown in the figure, a document reading apparatus 410 includes a document placing tray (document placing table) 401, a separating unit 402, a book scanner unit 405, a CIS (contact image sensor) 406, and a discharge tray (discharge tray) 407. It has.
[0035]
The copying apparatus 400 also includes a recording unit 408 for printing information read by the document reading device 410.
[0036]
Here, the separation unit 402 includes a separation pad 403 and a separation roller 404. With the separation pad 403 and the separation roller 404, the documents P on the document tray 401 can be taken out one by one, similarly to the paper feed roller in the above-described conventional configuration example. The transport by the separation roller 404 in the above configuration corresponds to the transport in the curved transport path in the above-described conventional configuration example.
[0037]
The transported document P is read using the book scanner unit 405 and the CIS 406. Here, the book scanner unit 405 reads one side of the document, and the CIS 406 reads the other side of the document. Then, the read document P is discharged to the discharge tray 407.
[0038]
As a result, a plurality of documents P could be sequentially read while being transported without stopping. Further, both sides of one document could be read using the book scanner unit 405 and the CIS 406.
[0039]
Further, as still another specific example of the conventional image reading apparatus, there is a document feeder of the image reading apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-34542 (published on Feb. 6, 1996).
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 13, the document feeder 500 includes a document placing tray (document tray) 501, a paper feed roller (pickup roller) 502, a curved transport path (document transport path) 503, a registration roller device 504, a platen roller. 505, a platen 506, a scanning device 507, a CCD 508, and a discharge tray 509.
[0041]
Here, the registration roller device 504 is for aligning the position of the leading end of the conveyed document P and sending it to the reading position at a predetermined timing. Further, the platen roller 505 and the platen 506 are for transporting the document at the reading position of the document P.
[0042]
In the above-described configuration, the document transport device 500 supplies the documents P placed on the document tray 501 to the curved transport path 503 one by one by the paper feed roller 502. In the curved conveyance path 503, the supplied document P is conveyed along the path. Then, the registration roller device 504 aligns the position of the leading end of the document P, and sends the document P between the platen roller 505 and the platen 506 at a predetermined sending timing. This makes it possible to adjust the document reading timing. In addition, it is possible to correct oblique feeding of a document.
[0043]
Further, the document P being conveyed between the platen roller 505 and the platen 506 is read by the CCD 508 via a mirror or the like shown as a scanning device 507. Then, the read document P is discharged to the discharge tray 509.
[0044]
As described above, the document feeder 500 uses the registration roller device 504 to align the position of the leading edge of the document P and sends the document P to the reading position at a predetermined timing. The oblique feed of the document P can be corrected.
[0045]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described conventional image reading apparatuses and image forming apparatuses cannot handle a large number of documents, and cannot read a thick paper document properly.
[0046]
That is, in recent years, printers and the like provided with the above-described image reading apparatuses have been used for various purposes as compared with the related art. For example, it has become necessary to handle a document having a thickness that has not been conventionally handled. Further, since it is necessary to handle a larger amount of information as compared with the related art, it is necessary to read a larger amount of documents at a high speed.
[0047]
However, according to each of the above-described configurations, the following problems may occur.
[0048]
First, the automatic document feeder 200 described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-46472 shown in FIG.
[0049]
According to the above configuration, when handling a large amount of documents P, the position of the topmost document P on the document placing tray 201 gradually decreases as the document P is conveyed. There is a possibility that problems such as difficulty will occur.
[0050]
Further, since the document placing tray 201 is formed above the discharge tray 207 so as to cover substantially the entire surface thereof, when handling a large amount of documents P, the document placing tray 201 and the sheet feeding roller 202 are used. , And between the discharge tray 207 and the document discharge point 210, it is necessary to be able to place the large amount of the document P or the cardboard document P. For this reason, the height of the automatic document feeder 200 is excessively increased.
[0051]
Further, the image reading apparatus 300 described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-32164 shown in FIG. 11 can reliably supply the original P with respect to the configuration of the original placing tray 301 when handling a large number of originals P or thick originals P. There is no description of a configuration that guarantees this.
[0052]
In the document reading apparatus 400 described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-27444 shown in FIG. 12, since the document placing tray 401 is formed above the discharge tray 407 so as to cover almost the entire surface, When handling a large amount of originals P, the large amount of originals P or thick paper originals P are placed between the original placing tray 401 and the separation pad 403 and between the discharge tray 407 and the original discharge point 409, respectively. Must be removable. For this reason, the height of the document reading device 410 is excessively increased.
[0053]
Further, as shown in the figure, since the distance between the document placing tray 401 and the discharge tray 407 is substantially determined according to the diameter of the separation roller 404, the separation roller The diameter of 404 needs to be increased. For this reason, there is a possibility that the cost may be significantly increased, such as power consumption due to rotation when manufacturing, maintaining, or using the separation roller 404.
[0054]
Further, in the document feeder 500 described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-34542 shown in FIG. 13, the position of the uppermost document on the document placing tray 501 is lowered as the document P is transported. This may cause a problem such as difficulty in taking out the document P due to the problem.
[0055]
Further, as shown in the figure, an original placing tray 501 is formed above the discharge tray 509, and when handling a large amount of originals P or thick originals P, this original P can be placed. Therefore, the height of the document feeder 500 is increased.
[0056]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and has as its object to provide an image reading apparatus capable of separating and conveying a large number of originals and efficiently reading an image on the original even with a thick paper original. An apparatus and an image forming apparatus are provided.
[0057]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes: a document placement unit that places a document; a document supply unit that takes out the documents placed on the document placement unit one by one; In an image reading apparatus including a curved transport path for transporting the original document taken out by the original supply unit and an image reading unit that reads an image on the original, the image reading apparatus includes a curved transport path between the curved transport path and the image reading unit. Is characterized in that a planar correction area for correcting the original to be transported is provided.
[0058]
According to the above-described invention, the image reading apparatus sends the document conveyed along the curved conveyance path to the correction area, passes the document, and then guides the document to the image reading unit.
[0059]
Therefore, a document which is conveyed along the curved conveyance path and whose conveyance state may not be stabilized can be stabilized in the conveyance state by passing through the correction area, and thereafter, the image of the document can be read. For this reason, it is possible to stably read the document while stabilizing the conveyance state of the document when reading the image.
[0060]
As a result, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus capable of separating and conveying a large amount of originals and efficiently reading an image on the original even if the original is a thick paper.
[0061]
In the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the image reading apparatus described above further comprises a correction unit that performs registration and skew correction on a document passing through the correction area and sends the document to the image reading unit. It is characterized by:
[0062]
According to the invention, the correction unit performs registration and skew correction on the document passing through the correction area, and sends the document to the image reading unit.
[0063]
Therefore, the correcting unit corrects the registration and the skew correction in a state where the document is not curved but flat on the plane of the correction area. Therefore, for example, the document is curved and comes into contact with the curved surface of the transport path. The resist and the skew correction can be performed more stably than in the case where extra frictional resistance is received.
[0064]
Further, in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, in the image reading apparatus described above, the correction unit may include a feeding unit for sending a document from the curved conveyance path to a correction area, and a document sent from the curved conveyance path. The registration means for temporarily stopping in the correction area, and the correction means, when the document sent out to the correction area by the feeding means from the curved transport path reaches the registration means, the document The present invention is characterized in that registration and skew correction of a document are performed by temporarily stopping in a correction area.
[0065]
According to the above invention, the correction unit is configured to cause the feeding unit to send the document to the registration unit via the correction region, and to temporarily stop the document in the correction region when the leading end of the document reaches the registration unit. Then, the original is registered and the skew is corrected, and then the original is sent to the image reading unit by the register unit.
[0066]
Therefore, since the registration and the skew correction are performed while the document is temporarily stopped in the correction area, the registration and the skew correction can be performed more reliably.
[0067]
The image reading apparatus according to the present invention, in the image reading apparatus described above, further includes discharge placement means for placing a document whose image has been read by the image reading means, and The area where the area where the document is placed and the area where the document discharged by the discharge placement means is placed are projected on a horizontal plane, and the overlapping area is less than half the size of the document. It is characterized by:
[0068]
According to the invention described above, the document placing unit has a region where the document is placed and a region where the document discharged by the discharge placing unit is placed on the horizontal surface when the region overlaps each other, It is less than half the size of the original.
[0069]
Therefore, since the area of the original placed on the original placing means and the area of the original placed on the discharge placing means have an overlap of less than half the size of the original, for example, the user When viewing the original, at least half of the area of the original can be seen. As a result, each document placed on the document placing means and the discharge placing means can be easily checked.
[0070]
According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including the above-described image reading device.
[0071]
According to the present invention, since the image forming apparatus includes the above-described image reading device, it is possible to perform printing after reliably reading a large number of various originals.
[0072]
Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of separating and conveying a large number of originals and efficiently reading an image on the original even for a thick original.
[0073]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0074]
The image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided in an image forming apparatus such as a digital copier, and separates and conveys a plurality of originals placed on an original placing tray one by one, and converts an image on the original. An image reading device for reading.
[0075]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading apparatus 1 includes a document placing tray (document placing means) 2, a paper feed roller (document supplying means) 6, a document separating means 7, a curved conveyance path 8, a glass document table 9, and the like. , CCD (Charge Coupled Device) reading unit (image reading means) 10, registration / skew correction area 13 (correction area), registration roller (correction means, registration means) 14, CIS (contact image sensor) reading unit (image reading) Means) 15, a discharge roller (discharge means) 16 and a discharge tray (discharge placement means) 18.
[0076]
The document placing tray 2 is for placing a document P thereon. The above-mentioned document placing tray 2 is provided in a fixed manner so as to protrude from the image reading device 1 in a cantilever manner, and is provided on an extension of the placing tray fixing portion 2a to be vertically movable. And an electric tray 3. In the present embodiment, the electric tray 3 is particularly provided to smoothly supply the document P to the paper feed roller 6. In FIG. 1, what is seen above the electric tray 3 is a side guide wall 3a that is provided upright at the end of the electric tray 3 on the rear side of the image reading apparatus 1.
[0077]
The electric tray 3 has a hinge portion 3b at an end of the mounting tray fixing portion 2a and is rotatably attached. On the other hand, below the free end side of the electric tray 3, a lever 4 that supports the bottom surface of the electric tray 3 on the free end side is provided rotatably about a lever shaft 4a. The lever shaft 4a extends to the rear side of the image reading device 1, and is rotatably connected to a motor (not shown) provided on the rear side of the image reading device 1 via, for example, a gear. Therefore, driving the motor rotates the lever shaft 4a, whereby the lever 4 fixedly provided on the lever shaft 4a rotates around the lever shaft 4a and abuts on the tip of the lever 4. The electric tray 3 is pushed up from below. As a result, the electric tray 3 rotates around the hinge 3b and moves upward. When the lever 4 is rotated in the reverse direction, the electric tray 3 is lowered.
[0078]
In addition, the electric tray 3 is further provided with a pendulum 5 and a sensor S1, and the pendulum 5 and the sensor S1 allow the electric tray 3 to move when the original P is placed on the original placing tray 2. The document P is lifted by the lever 4 while the document P is placed thereon, so that the document P is smoothly supplied to the paper feed roller 6. Therefore, the electric tray 3 and the lever 4 have a function as a document elevating means of the present invention. A detailed description of the operation of raising and lowering the electric tray 3 including the operation of the pendulum 5 will be described later.
[0079]
Next, the paper feed roller 6 is for taking out the originals P placed on the original placing tray 2 one by one and supplying them to the curved conveyance path 8. The document separating means 7 is for surely sending out the documents P supplied from the paper feed roller 6 to the curved conveyance path 8 one by one.
[0080]
The curved conveyance path 8 is a document conveyance path provided to make the path for conveying the document P from the document tray 2 to the discharge tray 18 compact. The curved transport path 8 includes feed rollers R1 to R3 for transporting the document P.
[0081]
Further, the curved conveyance path 8 of the present embodiment is formed in a state in which the portion from the feed roller R1 to the position of the feed roller R3 as a correction unit and a feed unit is curved at a constant curvature. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the curved conveyance path 8 is provided inward within the installation width 19 of the image reading device 1. That is, in the image reading device 1 according to the present embodiment, the document placing tray 2 is provided outside the image reading device 1, and the curved portion of the curved conveyance path 8 is convex toward the inside of the image reading device 1. It is curved to become. In this respect, the conventional example is different from the image reading apparatus 100, the automatic document feeder 200, and the image reading apparatus 300 shown in FIGS.
[0082]
The feed rollers R1 and R2 are rollers for transporting the document P in the curved transport path 8. The feed roller R3 sends out the document P conveyed through the curved conveyance path 8 to the registration / skew correction area 13 and performs registration and skew correction together with the registration roller 14.
[0083]
The registration / skew correction area 13 is an area provided for performing registration and skew correction of the document P between the feed roller R3 and the registration roller 14. The registration roller 14 is for capturing and stopping the leading end of the document P sent from the feed roller R3 via the registration / skew correction area 13, and sending it to the reading positions A1 and B at a predetermined timing. .
[0084]
The glass document table 9 is a table on which, for example, a book document (not shown) is placed thereon and an image is read by the CCD reading unit 10. The CCD reading unit 10 and the CIS reading unit 15 function as an image reading unit that reads the document P.
[0085]
The CCD reading unit 10 includes an optical unit (exposure scanning device) 11 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 12. The CCD reading unit 10 reads, for example, one surface of the document P by reducing the image at the reading position A1 using the optical unit 11 and forming an image on the CCD 12. In this case, the CCD reading unit 10 reads the conveyed document P with the optical unit 11 fixed at the reading position A1.
[0086]
Further, the CCD reading unit 10 can also read the original by moving the optical unit 10 from the reading position A1 to the reading positions A2 and A3 with respect to the original (not shown) placed on the glass original table 9. However, the reading position A2 is only a reading passage point of the optical unit 10. That is, the reading position A1 is also a standby home position, and when exposing and scanning the document P set on the glass document table 9, scanning is performed within the range from the reading position A1 to the reading position A3. Also, the scan width at this time does not scan the full range between the reading position A1 and the reading position A3, but scans a range determined from the relationship between the document size, the recording size, the magnification, and the like.
[0087]
On the other hand, at the reading position B, the CIS reading unit 15 draws one side of the conveyed document P, which is different from the one described above, with a width substantially equal to the conveyance path of the document P (a width slightly larger than the maximum document width). It is designed to read using a linear CCD that does not.
[0088]
In the present embodiment, the reading position B of the CIS reading unit 15 is outside the area occupied by the reading positions A1 to A3 of the CCD reading unit 10. According to this configuration, for example, a document (not shown) placed on the glass platen 9 is compared with a case where the reading position B of the CIS reading unit 15 is inside the area occupied by the reading positions A1 to A3 of the CCD reading unit 10. When reading is performed, it is possible to save the trouble of extraly moving the optical unit 11.
[0089]
The discharge roller 16 is for discharging the document P to a discharge tray 18. The discharge tray 18 is for discharging and placing the document P on which the image is read while being conveyed.
[0090]
The operation of reading the document P in the image reading apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described below.
[0091]
First, an operation when the original P is placed on the original placing tray 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0092]
First, as shown in FIG. 2, when no original is placed on the original placing tray 2, the tip of the pendulum 5 appears on the placing surface of the electric tray 3. That is, the pendulum 5 is rotatably supported on the electric tray 3 by a rotating shaft 5a, is swingable like a seesaw, and has an arm extending from the rotating shaft 5a to each end. The distances are different from each other. Therefore, when the original P is not placed on the electric tray 3, the tip of the shorter arm of the pendulum 5 appears on the mounting surface of the electric tray 3. Then, when the document P is placed on the document placing tray 2, the tip of the pendulum 5 is pushed below the placing surface by the document P as shown in FIG. As a result, the pendulum 5 rotates about the rotation shaft 5a, and the other end of the pendulum 5 abuts on the sensor S1, so that the rotation of the pendulum 5 is detected by the sensor S1, and the pendulum 5 is placed on the document placing tray 2. It is determined that the document P has been placed.
[0093]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the lever 4 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 4 around the lever shaft 4a at a predetermined timing, and at the same time, the end of the lever 4 pushes up the bottom surface of the electric tray 3 to move the electric tray 3. The tray 3 rotates and rises. The electric tray 3 stops at a position where the uppermost surface of the bundle of originals P set on the upper surface of the original placing tray 2 comes into contact with the paper feed roller 6 and the original P can be smoothly supplied to the paper feed roller 6. It has become. That is, using the sensor S2 provided on the paper feed roller 6, the pressing of the bundle of the originals P against the paper feed roller 6 by the uppermost surface is detected, and the electric tray 3 is stopped in a predetermined pressed state. Has become. Further, since the electric tray 3 can be raised to bring the original P into contact with the paper feed roller 6, the original P is always kept parallel to the paper feed roller 6.
[0094]
Returning to FIG. 1, in this state, when a reading start signal of the document P is input by a switch (not shown), the paper feed roller 6 is driven to rotate and sequentially supplies the documents P to the curved conveyance path 8 one by one.
[0095]
After the electric tray 3 is raised and stopped at a predetermined position, if the reading start signal of the document P is not input for a certain period of time, the electric tray 3 is lowered to a predetermined level.
[0096]
The document P supplied from the paper feed roller 6 is surely separated one by one by the document separating means 7 and sent out to the curved conveyance path 8. Even if a plurality of originals are supplied by the paper feed roller 6, the original separating means 7 ensures that only one of the uppermost originals P on the original placing tray 2 is removed. Can be sent out.
[0097]
The arrival of the original P separated by the original separating unit 7 is detected by the sensor S3 of the one original P separated by the original separating unit 7. Thereafter, the document P is guided to the curved conveyance path 8 by the feed roller R1.
[0098]
The curved conveyance path 8 has a predetermined range of curvature so that the document P being conveyed can be normally set on the document placing tray 2 and can be conveyed stably by the manufacturer. It is designed to be. Therefore, for example, even when the original P of thick paper with stiffness is used, the curved conveyance path 8 can convey the original P being conveyed at a gentle curvature without any trouble.
[0099]
Further, in the curved conveyance path 8, the document P is further fed out via a feed roller R2 composed of a driven roller. In the vicinity of the exit of the curved conveyance path 8, the conveyance state of the document P via the curved conveyance path 8 is detected by the sensor S4, and it is confirmed whether the document P has been conveyed without any problem. Then, the original P is sent out to the registration / skew correction area 13 by the feed roller R3.
[0100]
When the leading end of the document P passes through the registration / skew correction area 13 and the leading end is detected by a sensor S5 disposed in front of the registration roller 14, the document P is further fed while the registration roller 14 is stopped. The document P is sent out by the roller R3. As a result, the resist and the skew are corrected in the resist / skew correction area 13 for a predetermined time.
[0101]
The registration / skew correction area 13 is designed so that the document P is substantially linear between the feed roller R3 and the registration roller 14 when the above-described registration and skew correction are performed. Specifically, guide surfaces are provided above and below the resist / skew correction region 13. The upper guide surface 13a has an inverted V-shaped cross section, so that a space is formed above the transport path.
[0102]
Therefore, for example, even when a thick original P with a stiffness is conveyed, the original P is bent using the space opened upward, and the corrected state of the original P after registration correction is maintained even during standby. Is to be maintained. Therefore, it is possible to surely correct the registration and the skew.
[0103]
Specifically, even if the leading end of the document P reaches the nip portion of the registration roller 14 that has stopped rotating, the feed roller R3 provided on the upstream side, that is, at the exit of the curved transport path 8, continues to transport the document P. I do. The feed roller R3 is a pair of rollers in which one driven roller is pressed against the other driven roller. The leading end of the feed roller R3 presses the document P, the leading end of which is regulated by the registration roller 14, to feed the document P. If the state is oblique, the original P is corrected so as to be straight. More specifically, the driven roller of the feed roller R3 comes into pressure contact with the driving roller at a pressure enough to transport the document P, while the document P is pressed at a pressure enough to slip when the document P in the obliquely fed state is corrected. Is gripping. Further, in the present embodiment, the position between the registration roller 14 and the feed roller R3, that is, the registration / skew correction region 13 , The document P is made to stand by in a state where the document P is bent. This is such that the conveyance of the document P is resumed in a state where the front end of the document P is in contact with the nip of the registration roller 14 and the original P is shifted to the document P even after the front end adjustment and the skew feed correction. Is considered so as not to occur.
[0104]
Further, the length of the registration / skew correction area 13 in the transport direction of the document P, that is, the distance between the feed roller R3 and the registration roller 14 can be used as the document P in the image reading apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The document is set in consideration of the smallest document P among the documents. As a result, the distance between the feed roller R3 and the registration roller 14 is set so as to be smaller than the length of the document P having the smallest size when the document P passes. It can be transported. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the distance between the feed roller R3 and the registration roller 14 is made as long as possible, and the area of the document P sent to the registration / skew correction area 13 at the time of registration correction is made as large as possible, The trailing edge of the document P stagnating in the curved conveyance path 8 decreases, and the trailing edge of the document P becomes less resistant to affect the correction.
[0105]
As described above, when the registration and the skew are corrected, the registration roller 14 is rotated at a predetermined timing to send the document P to the reading position A1.
[0106]
At the reading position A1, one side of the document P being conveyed is read by the CCD reading unit 10. A guide G1 is formed above the reading position A1, and the conveyed document P passes through a range guided by the guide G1.
[0107]
Here, the CCD reading unit 10 has a relatively large depth of focus compensation range, and the guide G1 is provided at a position where the conveyed document is surely within the range of the depth of focus of the CCD reading unit 10. Have been. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, even if the reading position A1 on the original P is increased due to strong stiffness of the original P conveyed from the registration roller 14, or as shown in FIG. Even if the reading position A1 on the document P is lowered due to the small thickness of the sheet, the document can be reliably read at the reading position A1.
[0108]
Next, the registration roller 14 further sends the document P, so that the document P passes through the reading position B. At the reading position B, one side opposite to the above-described one side of the document P being transported is read. Further, as shown in the figure, since a guide G2 is formed below the reading position B, the conveyed document P passes through a range guided by the guide G2. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 8, the glass platen at the guide G2 and the CCD reading point is constituted by one glass plate by extending the glass platen 9 of the CCD reading unit 10. Alternatively, although not shown, the glass plate at the CCD reading point may be extended to be formed of a single glass plate.
[0109]
Here, the CIS reading unit 15 has a relatively narrow depth of focus compensation range. However, since the reading position B in the CIS reading unit 15 is far from the registration roller 14, the original P conveyed from the registration roller 14 is less bent. Therefore, the document P can be reliably read at the reading position B.
[0110]
The guide G2 is provided substantially parallel to the document reading surface of the CIS reading unit 15, and is designed so that the conveyed document P is within the range of the depth of focus of the CIS reading unit 15. Thereby, reading of the document P can be ensured. Further, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the document P is bent during the reading.
[0111]
Here, the function of the above-described guides G1 and G2 will be supplementarily described with reference to FIGS.
[0112]
When the document P is thick, as shown in FIG. 5, the document P sent out from the registration roller 14 is stretched relatively straight due to the presence of a strain. In this state, the reading position A1 on the document P, which is close to the registration roller 14, is separated from the glass document table 9. However, in the present embodiment, since the reading position A1 of the CCD reading unit 10 having a wide depth of focus compensation range is set to a position close to the registration roller 14, such a thick document P can be read without fail. . Further, since the range in which the document P exists is limited by the guide G1 within the range of the depth of focus compensation of the CCD reading unit 10, the reading can be reliably performed.
[0113]
On the other hand, FIG. 6 shows a case where the sheet thickness of the document P is a normal thickness, and FIG. 7 shows a case where the sheet thickness of the document P is thin. Also in these cases, it is needless to say that the reading can be reliably performed by the arrangement relationship between the CCD reading unit 10 and the CIS reading unit 15 and the operation of the guides G1 and G2.
[0114]
Returning to FIG. 1, the document P that has been read as described above is discharged by a discharge roller 16 to a discharge tray 18 located at a position lower than a document discharge point 17 and formed on a side surface of the main body of the image reading apparatus 1. Is discharged. At this time, it is confirmed by the sensor S6 whether the document P has been discharged.
[0115]
The image reading apparatus 1 guides the document P from the document placing tray 2 to the reading positions A1 and B via the curved conveyance path 8 by the operation described above, and thereafter discharges the document P to the discharge tray 18.
[0116]
Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the image reading apparatus 1 sequentially reads other originals P placed on the original placing tray 2 by the same operation as described above.
[0117]
Here, in the electric tray 3, every time the document P is sequentially transported, the height of the document P on the document placing tray 2 is reduced by the transported document P according to the output signal of the sensor S2 described above. Rise by a minute. As a result, the paper feed roller 6 and the uppermost surface of the bundle of the documents P are kept in a predetermined contact state. Further, the electric tray 3 can be lowered to a predetermined position so as to cope with the case where the document P is thick paper and to process a large number of documents.
[0118]
Further, in the present embodiment, the electric tray 3 is connected to the exit of the curved conveyance path 8 by using the vertical width of the curved conveyance path 8 provided to make the path for conveying the document P compact. Can be moved up and down from the position of the registration / skew correction area 13 provided at the position of the sheet feeding roller 6 provided at the entrance of the curved conveyance path 8. In the present embodiment, the height from the entrance to the exit of the curved conveyance path 8 generated by compensating for the conveyance of the original P in a curved state increases as the conveyance of the thick original P is compensated. However, the curvature of the curved conveyance path 8 becomes gentle, and as a result, it becomes high. Therefore, by disposing the electric tray 3 which moves up and down within the range from the height of the entrance to the height of the exit of the curved conveyance path 8 which is generated by compensating the conveyance of a relatively thick document, a large number of documents P Is possible.
[0119]
The above operation is repeated until there is no document P set on the document tray 2. All the documents P that have been read are sequentially discharged onto the discharge tray 18.
[0120]
Here, the discharge tray 18 is formed on the side surface of the image reading device 1 as described above. As shown in FIG. 8, the discharge tray 18 is formed so as to protrude from the side surface of the document placing tray 2. For this reason, the document P discharged to the discharge tray 18 can be easily visually confirmed without hindering the document placing tray 2. Further, the operation of taking out the processed document P from the discharge tray 18 can be easily performed.
[0121]
As described above, since the image reading device 1 of the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, the following configuration is compared with the conventional configuration disclosed in each gazette cited in the [Prior Art] section. It has such advantages.
[0122]
The automatic document feeder 200 described in JP-A-9-46472 described above has the following problem due to the configuration shown in FIG.
[0123]
According to the above configuration, since the horizontal positions of the document placing tray 201 and the discharge tray 207 overlap, it is difficult to recognize the presence of the discharged document P, which may lead to forgetting to remove the document.
[0124]
Further, since the document placing tray 201 is formed above the discharge tray 207 so as to cover almost the entire surface, there is a problem that it may be inconvenient to take out the document P.
[0125]
It is considered that the reason for such a design is that the problem of handling a large number of documents was not considered and the number of documents P that can be set on the document tray 201 was assumed to be about 50. For this reason, as in the configuration described in the above publication, the configuration of the thin automatic document feeder 200 that prioritizes design may be used. Here, in the above configuration, if it is possible to handle a large number of documents simply by increasing the distance between the document loading tray 201 and the discharge tray 207, the thickness of the automatic document feeder 200 increases, and the design is increased. It will be weird.
[0126]
Further, according to the above configuration, the document P is immediately read by the first reading unit 204 via the curved conveyance path 34, and then the document P is conveyed to the discharge tray 207 higher than the reading position. And discharge it. For this reason, the conveyance path of the document P near the first reading unit 204 has a very large curvature. Therefore, especially in the case of an original P having a strong stiffness such as thick paper, it is impossible to convey the original P, and stable conveyance is not guaranteed. As a result, there is a possibility that an influence on the read image such as blurring and an abnormal conveyance of the original P may result. is there.
[0127]
In order to solve this problem, for example, by simply increasing the size of the automatic document feeder 200 to eliminate the portion where the curvature of the transport path is large near the reading position, the automatic document feeder 200 is used. There is a problem that the installation area of the document 200 increases or the height of the automatic document feeder 200 increases.
[0128]
Further, in the above configuration, even if the number of documents P that can be fed to the document tray 201 is simply increased, the feeding of the documents P by the sheet feeding roller 202 may not be performed stably. There is. This is because, while the position of the original P to be supplied on the original placing tray 201 is gradually lowered as the original P is conveyed, as described above, when a large number of originals can be fed, the lowering length is smaller. Because it can be very large.
[0129]
As described above, the automatic document feeder 200 has a problem that a large number of documents P cannot be processed continuously and a problem that the conveyance of the thick document P may be unstable.
[0130]
Further, the image reading apparatus 300 described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-32164 has the following problem due to the configuration shown in FIG.
[0131]
That is, according to the above configuration, the document P is sent to the reading position E by the transport roller 309 from the curved transport path 303 having a predetermined curvature. In this feeding, the original P conveyed to the reading position E is held down by a guide member or the like. In the case of a strongly stiff original P, a load (resistance) due to friction with the guide member occurs, and the reading position is reduced. There is a possibility that a problem may occur in the transport state of the document P in E.
[0132]
Further, according to the above configuration, the document P read at the reading position F is discharged from the document discharge point 311 via the transport path. Therefore, a transition region having a large curvature is formed between the plane of the reading position F and the transport path to the document discharge point 311. When the original P is strongly conveyed, a load (resistance) occurs due to friction in the transition region, which may affect the conveyance state of the original P at the reading position F. Further, when handling a large number of documents P, the height of the document discharge point 311 needs to be further increased, so that the conveyance state of the document P may cause further problems.
[0133]
Further, in the above configuration, the reading position E of the first reading unit 304 when reading the original P while transporting the original P and the reading by the first reading unit 304 when reading the original (not shown) placed on the glass platen 310. A reading position F of the second reading unit 305 is provided between the position and the position. Therefore, for example, when the reading mode is switched to read a not-shown document placed on the glass platen 310 after reading the document P while transporting the document P, only the area corresponding to the reading position F is provided. It is necessary to transport the optical unit 307 extra. Therefore, there is a problem that extra time is required for switching the reading mode.
[0134]
Further, in the copying apparatus 400 including the document reading apparatus 410 described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-27444, there is the following problem due to the configuration shown in FIG.
[0135]
That is, according to the above configuration, since the horizontal positions of the document placing tray 401 and the discharge tray 407 overlap, it is difficult to recognize the existence of the discharged document P, which may lead to forgetting to take the document P. is there.
[0136]
Further, since the document placing tray 401 is formed close to the upper discharge tray 407 so as to cover substantially the entire surface, there is a problem that it is inconvenient to take out the document P. Further, there is a problem that when a large number of documents are to be handled, the size of the apparatus main body is increased.
[0137]
Further, according to the above-described configuration, the original P is sent out to the reading position at a stretch from the curved original transport path by the separation roller 404. Therefore, when the original P such as thick paper is strongly transported, However, there is a possibility that a problem may occur in the conveyance state, or a problem such as oblique conveyance of the document and deviation of the leading edge may occur.
[0138]
Further, according to the above-described configuration, the document P is sent out to the discharge tray 407 formed not horizontally but obliquely after the document image is read by the book scanner unit 405 and the CIS 406. It may bend when passing through an area with a large curvature near a point, which may affect reading by the book scanner unit 405 and the CIS 406.
[0139]
Further, the document conveying device 500 of the image reading device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-34542 has the following problem due to the configuration shown in FIG.
[0140]
That is, according to the above configuration, since the document P is sent between the platen roller 505 and the platen 506 by the registration roller device 504, the paper thickness of the document P sent between the platen roller 505 and the platen 506 is limited. There is a problem that occurs.
[0141]
Further, since the document placing tray 501 is formed close to the discharge tray 509 so as to cover it, taking out the document P is inconvenient. When a large number of documents P are to be handled, there is a problem that the installation area of the document transport device 500 is increased or the height of the document transport device 500 is increased.
[0142]
Further, according to the above configuration, even if the number of documents P that can be fed to the document tray 501 is simply increased, the feeding of the documents P one by one by the feed roller 502 is not stable. Might not be done. This is because while the position of the original P to be supplied on the original placing tray 501 gradually decreases as the original P is conveyed, when the large amount of originals P can be fed as described above, this lowering length is obtained. Because it can be very large.
[0143]
Further, according to the above configuration, the document P is discharged from the curved conveyance path 503 via the platen roller 505 to the discharge tray 509 located at a position higher than the reading position. For this reason, a portion having a large curvature is generated in the transport area near the platen roller 505, and a load (resistance) due to friction occurs in the transport portion of the original P at the reading position. There is a possibility that the transport state may be affected.
[0144]
On the other hand, in the image reading device 1 of the present embodiment, the above-mentioned problem is solved as follows.
[0145]
That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the discharge tray 18 is formed so as to protrude from the side of the image reading apparatus 1 beyond the document placing tray 2, so that the visibility is improved and the existence of the discharged document P is improved. It can be easily confirmed, and it is possible to prevent the document P from being forgotten.
[0146]
Further, the document P can be easily taken out. Further, even when a large number of documents can be handled, the size of the image reading device 1 is not unnecessarily increased.
[0147]
Further, in the above configuration, after the registration / skew correction area 13 is provided, the document P is transported and discharged in a substantially horizontal direction, so that the transport path of the document P does not have much curvature. ing. As a result, even if the original P is heavy, such as thick paper, the original P can be reliably transported stably, and the influence of the blur on the read image and the transport abnormality of the original P can be reliably prevented.
[0148]
Further, according to the above configuration, the electric tray 3 is raised as described above as the documents P on the document placing tray 2 are conveyed one by one. Supply can be assured.
[0149]
Further, since the reading position B of the CIS reading unit 15 is outside the area occupied by the reading positions A1 to A3 of the CCD reading unit 10, the optical unit 11 is moved extra in the case of the above-described mode switching. The mode can be switched quickly without causing the switching.
[0150]
Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the document P is sent from the registration rollers 14 into the space between the reading surface of the CCD reading unit 10 and the guide G1 and into the space between the CIS reading unit 15 and the guide G2. Since this space is designed with a margin so that the document P can move freely, there is no practical limitation on the thickness of the document P sent to the reading positions A1 and B.
[0151]
As described above, according to the image reading apparatus 1 of the present invention, even a thick paper document can be reliably transported, and a large number of documents can be processed.
[0152]
Further, in the present embodiment, the image reading apparatus 1 is provided in, for example, a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus. Specifically, the digital copying machine includes the image reading device 1 at an upper portion of the digital copying machine main body and a printing unit for image formation at a lower portion. The printing unit supplies the printing sheets one by one from a paper tray provided with the printing sheets to a paper conveyance path, and prints the read image of the document P on the printing sheets by an image forming unit (not shown). The paper is discharged to a discharge tray.
[0153]
In the above description, a digital copier as an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a printer (image recording apparatus) may be used as the image forming apparatus. ) Or the image of the document P read by the image reading apparatus 1 can be transmitted to a printer (image recording apparatus) as another image forming apparatus connected to the network and printed. In the latter case, the image reading device 1 functions as a network scanner.
[0154]
As described above, in the image reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the image reading apparatus 1 sends the original P conveyed along the curved conveyance path 8 to the registration / skew correction area 13 and passes the original P. It leads to the unit 10 and the CIS reading unit 15.
[0155]
Therefore, the document P, which may be transported along the curved transport path 8 and whose transport state may not be stable, passes through the registration / skew correction area 13 to stabilize the transport state, and then performs image reading of the document P. Can be. For this reason, the conveyance state of the document P at the time of image reading can be stabilized, and reading can be reliably performed.
[0156]
As a result, it is possible to provide the image reading apparatus 1 that can separate and convey a large number of documents P and can efficiently read an image on the document P even if the document P is a thick paper.
[0157]
Further, in the image reading apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the feed roller R3 and the registration roller 14 perform registration and skew correction on the document P passing through the registration / skew correction area 13 to perform the CCD reading unit 10 and It is sent to the CIS reading unit 15.
[0158]
Therefore, the feed roller R3 and the registration roller 14 correct the registration and the skew of the document P in a state where the document P is not curved but flat on the plane of the registration / skew correction area 13. And the skew correction can be performed more stably as compared with the case where the surface is curved and comes into contact with the curved surface of the transport path and receives extra frictional resistance.
[0159]
In the image reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the feed roller R3 sends the original P to the registration roller 14 via the registration / skew correction area 13, and the leading edge of the original P reaches the registration roller 14. The document P is temporarily stopped in the registration / skew correction area 13 to perform registration and skew correction of the document P. Thereafter, the registration roller 14 transfers the document P to the CCD reading unit 10 and the CIS reading unit 15. And send it out.
[0160]
Accordingly, the registration and the skew correction are performed by temporarily stopping the document P in the registration and skew correction area 13, so that the registration and the skew correction can be performed more reliably.
[0161]
In the image reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the document placing tray 2 projects an area where the document P is placed and an area where the document P discharged on the discharge tray 18 is placed on a horizontal plane. In this case, the overlapping area is equal to or less than half the size of the document P.
[0162]
Therefore, since the area of the original P placed on the original placing tray 2 and the area of the original P placed on the discharge tray 18 are not more than half the size of the original P, for example, When the user visually recognizes the document P, the user can see at least half the area of the document P. As a result, each original P placed on the original placing tray 2 and the discharge tray 18 can be easily checked.
[0163]
In addition, since the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment includes the above-described image reading device 1, it is possible to reliably read a large amount of various documents P before printing.
[0164]
Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of separating and conveying a large amount of documents P and efficiently reading an image on the document P even if the document P is a thick paper.
[0165]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the image reading apparatus of the present invention is provided with a planar correction area between the curved conveyance path and the image reading means for correcting the original to be properly conveyed. .
[0166]
Therefore, a document which is conveyed along the curved conveyance path and whose conveyance state may not be stable can be stabilized in the conveyance state by passing through the correction area, and thereafter, the image of the document can be read. For this reason, it is possible to stably read the document while stabilizing the conveyance state of the document when reading the image.
[0167]
As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus capable of separating and conveying a large number of originals and efficiently reading an image on the original even for a thick paper original.
[0168]
In the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the image reading apparatus described above further comprises a correction unit that performs registration and skew correction on a document passing through the correction area and sends the document to the image reading unit. Things.
[0169]
Therefore, the correction unit corrects the registration and skew correction in a state where the document is not curved but flat on the plane of the correction area, so that, for example, the document is curved and comes into contact with the curved surface of the transport path. As compared with the case where extra frictional resistance is received, there is an effect that the resist and the skew correction can be performed more stably.
[0170]
Further, in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, in the image reading apparatus described above, the correction unit may include a feeding unit for sending a document from the curved conveyance path to a correction area, and a document sent from the curved conveyance path. The registration means for temporarily stopping in the correction area, and the correction means, when the document sent out to the correction area by the feeding means from the curved transport path reaches the registration means, the document The registration and the skew correction of the document are performed by temporarily stopping in the correction area.
[0171]
Therefore, the correcting means sends the document to the registration means via the correction area, and temporarily stops the document in the correction area when the leading end of the document reaches the registration means, thereby registering the document. Then, the skew correction is performed, and then the original is sent to the image reading unit by the registration unit.
[0172]
Therefore, since the registration and the skew correction are performed while the document is temporarily stopped in the correction area, the registration and the skew correction can be performed more reliably.
[0173]
The image reading apparatus according to the present invention, in the image reading apparatus described above, further includes discharge placement means for placing a document whose image has been read by the image reading means, and The area where the area where the document is placed and the area where the document discharged by the discharge placement means is placed are projected on a horizontal plane, and the overlapping area is less than half the size of the document. .
[0174]
Therefore, the area of the original placed on the original placing means and the area of the original placed on the discharge placing means are overlapped by half or less of the size of the original. When viewing the original, at least half the area of the original can be seen. As a result, there is an effect that each document placed on the document placing means and the discharge placing means can be easily confirmed.
[0175]
According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including the above-described image reading device.
[0176]
Therefore, since the image forming apparatus includes the above-described image reading device, it is possible to perform printing after reliably reading a large number of various originals.
[0177]
Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of separating and conveying a large number of originals and efficiently reading an image on the original even if the original is a thick paper.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a structural diagram showing a state in which a document is not placed on a document placing tray in the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a structural diagram showing a state in which a document is placed on a document placing tray and the electric tray is lowered by the weight of the document in the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a structural view showing a state in which a document is placed on a document placing tray and a lowered electric tray is lifted by a lever in the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main portion showing a state in which a thick paper document passes through a reading position A1 in the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a state where a plain paper document passes through a reading position A1 in the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a state where a thin document passes through a reading position A1 in the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a structural diagram showing a state where a document is discharged to a discharge tray in the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a structural diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a conventional image reading apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a structural diagram showing a configuration of another conventional image reading apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a structural diagram showing a configuration of still another conventional image reading apparatus.
FIG. 12 is a structural diagram showing a configuration of still another conventional image reading apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a structural diagram showing a configuration of still another conventional image reading apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 image reading device 2 document placing tray (document placing means)
2a mounting tray fixing part 3 electric tray 3b hinge part 4 lever 5 pendulum 6 paper feed roller (document supply means)
8 Curved transport path 10 CCD reading unit (image reading means)
13 Registration / skew correction area (correction means, registration means)
14. Registration rollers (correction means, registration means)
15 CIS reading unit (image reading means)
16. Discharge roller (discharge means)
18. Discharge tray (discharge mounting means)
P Document R3 Feed roller (correction means, feed means)

Claims (5)

A document placement unit for placing a document, a document supply unit for taking out the documents placed on the document placement unit one by one, and a curved conveyance path for carrying the document taken out by the document supply unit; And an image reading device for reading an image on the document,
An image reading apparatus, wherein a flat correction area for correcting the original to be transported is provided between the curved conveyance path and the image reading means. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction unit that performs registration and skew correction on a document passing through the correction area and sends the result to the image reading unit. The correction means,
Feeding means for feeding the document from the curved conveyance path to the correction area,
Along with the registration means for temporarily stopping the original sent out from the curved conveyance path in the correction area,
The correcting means temporarily stops the document in the correction area when the document sent from the curved conveyance path to the correction area by the feeding means reaches the registration means, thereby registering and skewing the document. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the correction is performed. Discharge placement means for placing a document whose image has been read by the image reading means is provided,
The document placement unit has an area where the area where the document is placed and the area where the document discharged by the discharge placement unit is placed are projected when projected onto a horizontal plane. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number is less than half. An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading device according to claim 1.

Images