MEDIUM CONVEYING APPARATUS

Abstract

A medium conveying apparatus includes a conveyance roller to convey a medium, a facing roller facing the conveyance roller and swingable by a thickness of the medium conveyed, and a guide to guide the medium conveyed by the conveyance roller and the facing roller. The guide moves in conjunction with a swing of the facing roller.

Claims

1. A medium conveying apparatus comprising: a conveyance roller to convey a medium; a facing roller facing the conveyance roller and swingable by a thickness of the medium conveyed; and a guide to guide the medium conveyed by the conveyance roller and the facing roller, wherein the guide moves in conjunction with a swing of the facing roller.

2. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a processing device to perform predetermined processing on the medium conveyed by the conveyance roller and the facing roller, wherein the guide is located on the processing device.

3. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guide has a swing fulcrum located at the processing device.

4. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guide is movable up and down relative to the processing device.

5. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a support swingably supporting the facing roller, wherein the support includes a contact portion to contact the guide to move the guide.

6. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing part to press the guide toward a medium conveying path.

7. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the support further includes another guide, and said another guide overlaps the guide when viewed in a direction intersecting a medium conveying direction.

8. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing device includes an imaging device including an imaging sensor, and the predetermined processing includes imaging the medium conveyed by the conveyance roller and the facing roller.

9. A medium conveying apparatus comprising: a conveyance roller to convey a medium; a facing roller facing the conveyance roller, a processing device located downstream from the conveyance roller and the facing roller in a medium conveying direction; and a guide located between the processing device and the facing roller to guide the medium, wherein the facing roller and the guide move in a direction away from the conveyance roller by a thickness of the medium conveyed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] A more complete appreciation of embodiments of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medium conveying apparatus;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a medium conveying path inside the medium conveying apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the structures of a support and first to third guides according to a first embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the second guide attached to the support according to the first embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the second guide alone according to the first embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 4C is a side view of the second guide according to the first embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the support to which the second guide is attached, the third guide, and a second imaging device as viewed from upstream and below, according to the first embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the support from which the second guide is detached, the third guide, and the second imaging device as viewed from upstream and below, according to the first embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the third guide according to the first embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining illustrating the positional relationship among the support, the third guide, and the second imaging device according to the first embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the second and third guides and the second imaging device according to the first embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a torsion coil spring as viewed from above, according to the first embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 9B is a side view of the torsion coil spring as viewed from a side in the width direction of the medium conveying apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a state before a medium contacts the second guide according to the first embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating the state of the second guide according to the first embodiment in contact with a medium;

[0022] FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating a state before a medium contacts a second conveyance roller according to the first embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 10D is a diagram illustrating the second conveyance roller according to the first embodiment, swung by a medium;

[0024] FIG. 10E is a diagram illustrating the support moving the second imaging device upward, according to the first embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a medium conveying apparatus;

[0026] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating schematic configurations of a memory and a processing circuit illustrated in FIG. 11;

[0027] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a medium reading process performed by the medium conveying apparatus illustrated in FIG. 11;

[0028] FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating a state before a third guide according to a second embodiment moves;

[0029] FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating a state after the third guide according to the second embodiment moves;

[0030] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a third guide of a medium conveying apparatus according to a third embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 16A is a diagram illustrating a state before the third guide according to the third embodiment swings;

[0032] FIG. 16B is a diagram illustrating a state after the third guide according to the third embodiment swings;

[0033] FIG. 16C is a diagram illustrating the medium conveying apparatus according to the third embodiment in which a second imaging device is moved upward; and

[0034] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a circuit of a medium conveying apparatus according to a modification.

[0035] The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Also, identical or similar reference numerals designate identical or similar components throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.

[0037] Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0038] A medium conveying apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below and covers equivalents of elements described below.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medium conveying apparatus 100 that is an image scanner.

[0040] The medium conveying apparatus 100 conveys, images, and ejects media that are documents. Examples of the media include paper, thin paper, thick paper, a card, a booklet, and a passport. The medium conveying apparatus 100 may be a facsimile machine, a copier, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP).

[0041] In FIGS. 1 and 2, arrow A1 indicates the direction in which a medium is conveyed, arrow A2 indicates the width direction perpendicular to the medium conveying direction A1, and arrow A3 indicates the height direction perpendicular to the medium conveying direction A1 and the width direction A2. In the following, upstream is upstream in the medium conveying direction A1, and downstream is downstream in the medium conveying direction A1. The upper side is the upper side in the height direction A3, and the lower side is the lower side in the height direction A3. The width direction A2 is an example of a direction intersecting the medium conveying direction A1.

[0042] The medium conveying apparatus 100 includes a lower housing 101, an upper housing 102, a media tray 103, an ejection tray 104, and a display and operation device 105.

[0043] The upper housing 102 is located to cover the upper side of the medium conveying apparatus 100 and is hinged to the lower housing 101 such that the upper housing 102 is opened and closed, for example, to remove a jammed medium or clean the inside of the medium conveying apparatus 100.

[0044] The media tray 103 is hinged to the lower housing 101 and is rotatable. When the medium conveying apparatus 100 is not used, the media tray 103 is located to cover the lower housing 101 and the upper housing 102 and functions as an exterior cover. When the medium conveying apparatus 100 is used, the media tray 103 is located at such a position that media to be fed and conveyed can be placed thereon. The ejection tray 104 is engaged with the lower housing 101, and the ejected media are stacked thereon. The ejection tray 104 may be engaged with the upper housing 102 with a hinge or the like.

[0045] The display and operation device 105 includes a display and an interface circuit that outputs image data to the display, and displays the image data on the display. Examples of the display include a liquid crystal display and an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display. The display and operation device 105 further includes a touch-screen input device and an interface circuit that receives signals from the input device. The display and operation device 105 receives an input operation performed by a user and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the input operation performed by the user. The medium conveying apparatus 100 may include a display device and an operation device separately.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a medium conveying path inside the medium conveying apparatus 100.

[0047] The medium conveying apparatus 100 includes a media sensor 111, a feed roller 112, a separation roller 113, a first conveyance roller 114, a second conveyance roller 115, an imaging device 116 including an image sensor, a first ejection roller 117, and a second ejection roller 118 along the path for conveying media, which is referred to as a medium conveying path in the following description.

[0048] The number of each 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 but may be two or more. When 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 are formed of multiple rollers, the multiple rollers are located at intervals in the width direction A2. In the following description, the number of each 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 the second ejection roller 118 is two. However, these rollers may be in singular form in the following description unless the focus is on their numbers. The feed roller 112, the first conveyance roller 114, and the first ejection roller 117 are examples of conveyance rollers to convey a medium. The separation roller 113, the second conveyance roller 115, and the second ejection roller 118 are examples of facing rollers.

[0049] The upper face of the lower housing 101 forms a lower guide face 101a for the medium conveying path, and the lower face of the upper housing 102 forms an upper guide face 102a for the medium conveying path. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the medium conveying path is a so-called straight path, and the vertical relative positions of the front side and the back side of a medium do not change between when the medium is fed from the media tray 103 and when the medium is ejected onto the ejection tray 104. The medium conveying apparatus 100 may have a U-turn path.

[0050] The media sensor 111 is located upstream from the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113. The media sensor 111 includes a contact sensor and detects whether a medium is placed on the media tray 103. The media sensor 111 generates a media signal having a value that changes depending on whether a medium is placed on the media tray 103 and outputs the generated media signal. The media sensor 111 is not limited to a contact sensor but may be any sensor, such as an optical sensor, that detects the presence of a medium.

[0051] The feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 are located upstream from the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 in the medium conveying direction A1. The feed roller 112 is in the lower housing 101, separates the media on the media tray 103 one by one from the bottom, and sequentially feeds the media. The separation roller 113 is swingable upward and upstream in the medium conveying direction A1 by the thickness of the conveyed medium. The separation roller 113 is a so-called brake roller or retard roller, located in the upper housing 102, and faces the feed roller 112. The separation roller 113 separates a medium from the media on the media tray 103. The separation roller 113 is rotatable in the direction indicated by arrow A5 opposite to the rotation direction for conveying the media (may be referred to as a medium feeding direction in the following description). Alternatively, the separation roller 113 is stoppable. Instead of the separation roller 113, a separation pad may be used.

[0052] The first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 are located downstream from the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 in the medium conveying direction A1 and face each other. The first conveyance roller 114 is fixed in position. The second conveyance roller 115 is swingable upward and downstream in the medium conveying direction A1 by the thickness of the conveyed medium. The first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 convey the medium fed by the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 to the imaging device 116.

[0053] The imaging device 116 is located downstream from the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 and upstream from the first ejection roller 117 and the second ejection roller 118. The imaging device 116 images the medium conveyed by the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115. The imaging device 116 includes a first imaging device 116a and a second imaging device 116b facing each other across the medium conveying path. The second imaging device 116b is an example of a processing device that performs predetermined processing (imaging) on the medium conveyed by the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115.

[0054] The first imaging device 116a includes an imaging sensor that is a unity-magnification contact image sensor (CIS). The CIS includes complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imaging elements aligned linearly in the main scanning direction. The first imaging device 116a further includes a lens that forms an image on the imaging elements and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The A/D converter amplifies the electrical signals output from the imaging elements and performs analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. The first imaging device 116a images the front side of the medium being conveyed, generates an input image, and outputs the input image.

[0055] Similarly, the second imaging device 116b includes an imaging sensor that is a unity-magnification CIS including CMOS imaging elements aligned linearly in the main scanning direction. The second imaging device 116b further includes a lens that forms an image on the imaging elements and an A/D converter. The A/D converter amplifies the electrical signals output from the imaging elements and performs A/D conversion. The second imaging device 116b images the back side of the medium being conveyed, generates an input image, and outputs the input image.

[0056] The medium conveying apparatus 100 may include only one of the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b to read only one side of the medium. The imaging sensor may be a line sensor that employs a unity-magnification CIS including charge-coupled device (CCD) imaging elements. Alternatively, the imaging sensor may be a reduction-optical line sensor including CMOS or CCD imaging elements.

[0057] The first ejection roller 117 and the second ejection roller 118 are located downstream from the imaging device 116 in the medium conveying direction A1 and face each other. The first ejection roller 117 is fixed in position. The second ejection roller 118 is swingable upward and downstream in the medium conveying direction A1 by the thickness of the conveyed medium. The first ejection roller 117 and the second ejection roller 118 eject the medium conveyed by the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 and is processed (imaged) by the imaging device 116 to the ejection tray 104.

[0058] The media placed on the media tray 103 are conveyed between the lower guide face 101a and the upper guide face 102a in the medium conveying direction A1 as the feed roller 112 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A4 in FIG. 2, which is the medium feeding direction. The medium conveying apparatus 100 has two operation modes: a separation mode, in which one medium is separated from the rest of the media on the media tray 103 and fed, and a non-separation mode, in which media are fed without being separated. In the separation mode, the separation roller 113 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A5 opposite to the medium feeding direction, or is kept stationary when a medium is conveyed. When two or more media are placed on the media tray 103, only the medium in contact with the feed rollers 112 is separated from the rest of the media on the media tray 103 due to the action of the feed rollers 112 and the separation rollers 113. This operation prevents the feeding of a medium other than the separated medium (prevention of multi-feed). In the non-separation mode, the separation roller 113 is rotated by the feed roller 112 in the medium feeding direction opposite to the direction indicated by arrow A5 when conveying a medium.

[0059] The medium is fed between the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 while being guided by the lower guide face 101a and the upper guide face 102a. The medium is fed between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b as the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 rotate in the directions indicated by arrows A6 and A7, respectively. The medium read by the imaging device 116 is ejected onto the ejection tray 104 as the first ejection roller 117 and the second ejection roller 118 rotate in the directions indicated by arrows A8 and A9, respectively.

[0060] In this way, the medium conveying apparatus 100 conveys the medium downstream in the medium conveying direction by the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113, the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115, and/or the first ejection roller 117 and the second ejection roller 118.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a support 130, a first guide 110, a second guide 120, and a third guide 140 according to a first embodiment.

[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper housing 102 includes the first guide 110, a separation roller support 113a, the second guide 120, the support 130, the third guide 140, and the second imaging device 116b. The first guide 110 is located upstream from the second conveyance roller 115. Specifically, the upstream end of the first guide 110 is located upstream from the upstream end of the separation roller 113, and the downstream end of the first guide 110 is located downstream from the downstream end of the separation roller 113. The separation roller support 113a is located above the first guide 110 and the separation roller 113.

[0063] The second guide 120 is located downstream from the first guide 110 and upstream from the second conveyance roller 115. Specifically, the upstream end of the second guide 120 is located upstream from the downstream end of the first guide 110, and the downstream end of the second guide 120 is located downstream from the upstream end of the second conveyance roller 115. The support 130 is located downstream from the first guide 110 and upstream from the second imaging device 116b. The third guide 140 is located downstream from the second guide 120. Specifically, the upstream end of the third guide 140 is located upstream from the downstream end of the second conveyance roller 115, and the downstream end of the third guide 140 is located downstream from the upstream end of the second imaging device 116b. The third guide 140 is located between the second imaging device 116b and the second conveyance roller 115.

[0064] The first guide 110 is made of, for example, metal or resin. The first guide 110 guides the medium placed on the media tray 103 to the downstream side. The first guide 110 is supported to swing upward about a swing shaft 110g as a fulcrum. The swing shaft 110g is located at the upstream end of a frame F in the upper housing 102. The first guide 110 covers the upstream side and the downstream side of the separation roller 113 from below. The first guide 110 prevents the medium from floating upward.

[0065] The separation roller support 113a is made of, for example, metal or resin. The separation roller support 113a swingably supports the separation roller 113. The separation roller support 113a is supported by the frame F to swing upstream about a swing shaft 113ag as a fulcrum. The separation roller 113 is attached to the swing end of the separation roller support 113a. This enables the separation roller 113 to swing upward and upstream about the swing shaft 113ag of the separation roller support 113a as a fulcrum.

[0066] The second guide 120 is made of, for example, metal or resin. The second guide 120 is an example of a second guide (another guide), and guides the medium fed by the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 to the downstream side. The second guide 120 is supported to swing upward about a shaft 115a as a fulcrum. The shaft 115a is the rotation shaft of the second conveyance roller 115. The second guide 120 may be supported to swing upward about a swing shaft (fulcrum) located at the downstream end thereof. In the second guide 120, the downstream end is the swing fulcrum, and the upstream end is the swing end. The second guide 120 is indirectly attached to the support 130 via the shaft 115a of the second conveyance roller 115. The second guide 120 covers the clearance between the first guide 110 and the second conveyance roller 115 from below. The second guide 120 prevents the medium from floating upward.

[0067] The support 130 is made of, for example, metal or resin. The support 130 is an example of a support. The support 130 swingably supports the second conveyance roller 115. The support 130 is supported at a position downstream from the separation roller 113 and upstream from the second conveyance roller 115 in the frame F and is swingable upward and downstream about a swing shaft 133a, as a fulcrum, located at the upstream end of the support 130. The second conveyance roller 115 is rotatably supported by the downstream end of the support 130. Thus, the second conveyance roller 115 is allowed to swing upward and downstream about the swing shaft 133a of the support 130 as the fulcrum.

[0068] When a medium having a thickness equal to or greater than a reference thickness (also referred to as a thick medium in the following description) is conveyed and contacts the second conveyance roller 115 supported by the support 130, the second conveyance roller 115 swings about the swing shaft 133a together with the support 130. As a result, while moving downstream in the medium conveying direction A1, the second conveyance roller 115 is lifted and separated from the first conveyance roller 114. This enables the thick medium to pass between the second conveyance roller 115 and the first conveyance roller 114. Since the second conveyance roller 115 swings together with the support 130 about the swing shaft 133a, the thick medium can lift the second conveyance roller 115 with a force smaller than the force for moving up and down the second conveyance roller 115 that does not swing. Thus, the swingable second conveyance roller 115 is easily moved upward and downstream by the thick medium conveyed downstream and allows the thick medium to smoothly pass.

[0069] The third guide 140 is made of, for example, metal or resin. The third guide 140 is an example of a guide and guides the medium conveyed by the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 to the downstream side. The third guide 140 is located on the second imaging device 116b. Specifically, the third guide 140 is supported at an upstream portion of the second imaging device 116b and swingable upward about a swing shaft 140g (as a fulcrum) located at the downstream end of the third guide 140. In this way, the third guide 140 is allowed to swing, and the swing shaft 140g being the swing fulcrum of the third guide 140 is located at the second imaging device 116b. Thus, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can properly guide various media different in thickness, including a thick medium, to the imaging device 116 that executes imaging as the processing of the medium conveying apparatus 100. The third guide 140 covers the clearance between the second guide 120, the second conveyance roller 115, and the imaging device 116 from below. The third guide 140 prevents the medium from floating upward.

[0070] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the second guide 120 attached to the support 130 as viewed from upstream and below. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the second guide 120 detached from the support 130, as viewed from upstream and below. FIG. 4C is a side view of the second guide 120 detached from the support 130.

[0071] The second guide 120 includes a main body 121, leg portions 122, flap portions 123, and an engaging portion 124. The main body 121 is shaped like a substantially rectangular plate and extends in the width direction A2.

[0072] The leg portions 122 extend downstream from the ends of the main body 121 in the width direction A2, respectively, when the second guide 120 is attached to the shaft 115a of the second conveyance rollers 115. The leg portion 122 includes a fitting portion 122a protruding upward when the second guide 120 is attached to the shaft 115a of the second conveyance rollers 115. The fitting portion 122a includes an arc-shaped recess 122r having an inner diameter identical or similar to the outer diameter of the shaft 115a of the second conveyance rollers 115, and an opening 122p for fitting the shaft 115a into the recess 122r.

[0073] The flap portions 123 project downward from the surface of the main body 121 in substantially semicylindrical shapes when the second guide 120 is attached to the support 130. The flap portions 123 are located at positions facing the two second conveyance rollers 115, respectively, when viewed in the medium conveying direction A1. The flap portions 123 each close the clearance between the second conveyance rollers 115 and the separation roller 113. The flap portions 123 prevent the medium from floating upward.

[0074] The engaging portion 124 is triangular in a side view and is located on the back face of the main body 121 opposite to the front face on which the flap portions 123 are located. The engaging portion 124 includes a projection 124p. The projection 124p of the engaging portion 124 engages with a stopper of the support 130. Accordingly, when the second guide 120 is attached to the support 130, the second guide 120 is prevented from falling due to its own weight.

[0075] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the support 130 to which the second guide 120 is attached, the third guide 140, and the imaging device 116 as viewed from upstream and below. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the support 130, the third guide 140, and the imaging device 116 from which the second guide 120 is detached, as viewed from upstream and below.

[0076] As illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 5A, and 5B, the support 130 includes a support main body 131, a central support 132, arms 133, guide pressing portions 134, and push-up portions 135.

[0077] The support main body 131 is substantially prismatic and extends in the width direction A2. In the width direction A2, the support main body 131 is substantially the same in width as the second guide 120 and narrower than the third guide 140. The support main body 131 may be columnar or have another shape.

[0078] The central support 132 is integral with the central portion of the support main body 131 in the width direction A2. The central support 132 is substantially L-shaped in a side view. The central support 132 includes a recess 132r and claws 132n. The recess 132r rotatably supports the shaft 115a of the second conveyance rollers 115. The claws 132n are examples of the second guide (another guide). The claws 132n are located at the ends of the central support 132 in the width direction A2, respectively, and extend downstream in the medium conveying direction A1, that is, toward the second imaging device 116b. The claws 132n prevent the conveyed medium from floating upward.

[0079] The arms 133 are located at the ends of the support main body 131 in the width direction A2, respectively, and extend upstream and upward, that is, obliquely upward when the support 130 is attached to the frame F of the upper housing 102. The swing shaft 133a of the support 130 is located at the tip of each of the two arms 133.

[0080] The guide pressing portions 134 are examples of a contact portion. The guide pressing portions 134 are located at the ends of the support main body 131 in the width direction A2, respectively. The guide pressing portions 134 are integral with the support main body 131. The guide pressing portions 134 are each substantially L-shaped in a side view and extend downstream in the medium conveying direction A1. The guide pressing portions 134 rotatably support the shaft 115a of the second conveyance rollers 115, similarly to the support main body 131. The guide pressing portions 134 each have a tip 134a. When the support 130 swings in conjunction with the swinging second conveyance rollers 115, the tip 134a contacts the third guide 140 and causes the third guide 140 to swing (move).

[0081] The push-up portions 135 each have a substantially triangular cross section and project downstream from the upper downstream end of the support main body 131.

[0082] As described above, the support 130 rotatably supports the shaft 115a of the second conveyance rollers 115 by the central support 132 and the guide pressing portions 134, and swingably supports the second conveyance rollers 115 via the swing shafts 133a of the arms 133, respectively.

[0083] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the third guide 140 as viewed from upstream and below.

[0084] The third guide 140 is like a substantially plate-shaped flap that extends in the width direction A2. The third guide 140 includes one first blade 141, two second blades 142, two third blades 143, and one fourth blade 144. The first blade 141, the second blades 142, the third blades 143, and the fourth blade 144 are coupled to each other in the width direction A2 via a coupling portion 145. The first blade 141 is located between the two second blades 142. The first blade 141 includes a medium guide face 141a that contacts the medium positioned below. The first blade 141 includes two projections 141n. The projections 141n are located at the ends of the first blade 141 in the width direction A2 and project upstream.

[0085] The two second blades 142 are located at positions facing the two second conveyance rollers 115, respectively. The two second blades 142 have laterally symmetrical shapes. The two second blades 142 each have a medium guide face 142a that contacts the medium positioned below. The two second blades 142 each have projections 142n. The projections 142n are located at the ends of the second blade 142 in the width direction A2, respectively, and project upstream.

[0086] Each of the two third blades 143 is located opposite to the first blade 141 with respect to one of the two second blades 142. In other words, each third blade 143 is located on the outer side of (farther from the center of the apparatus than) the second blade 142 in the width direction A2. Each of the two third blades 143 is located at a position facing the tip 134a of the guide pressing portion 134 of the support 130 in the width direction A2 when viewed in the medium conveying direction A1. The two third blades 143 each include a medium guide face 143a that contacts a medium, and a contact face 143b that contacts the tip 134a of the guide pressing portion 134 of the support 130. The two third blades 143 each include a projection 143n. The projection 143n is located at the outer end of the third blade 143 in the width direction A2 and projects upstream. The fourth blade 144 is not present near one of the third blades 143 on the right in FIG. 6, and the swing shaft 140g is located at the outer end in the width direction A2 of the third blade 143 on the right in FIG. 6.

[0087] The fourth blade 144 is located on the outer side in the width direction A2 of the third blade 143 not provided with the swing shaft 140g. The fourth blade 144 includes a medium guide face 144a that contacts media positioned below. The fourth blade 144 includes a projection 144n. The projection 144n is located at the outer end of the fourth blade 144 in the width direction A2 and projects upstream. The projection 141n, the projections 142n, the projections 143n, and the projection 144n have the same or similar length.

[0088] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the positional relationship among the support 130, the third guide 140, and the imaging device 116.

[0089] The support 130 presses the second conveyance roller 115 upstream and downward by the biasing force exerted by the torsion coil spring 130b attached to the swing shaft 133a. The second conveyance roller 115 is swingable upward and downstream in the medium conveying direction A1 by the medium conveyed downstream. As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the second conveyance roller 115 is not swung, a clearance D is present in the medium conveying direction A1 between the second conveyance roller 115 and the second imaging device 116b to allow the second conveyance roller 115 to swing downstream. The third guide 140 covers the clearance D in the medium conveying direction A1 between the support 130 and the second imaging device 116b. The third guide 140 covering the clearance D prevents the medium from floating in the clearance D and being jammed.

[0090] The second imaging device 116b is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped when viewed in the width direction A2. The second imaging device 116b includes slide shafts 116bg (illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B) and a contacted part 116bt. The slide shafts 116bg are located at both ends of the second imaging device 116b in the width direction A2 and slidably engaged with slide grooves in the frame F, respectively. The slide grooves extend in the height direction A3. This enables the second imaging device 116b to slide in the height direction A3.

[0091] The contacted part 116bt projects upstream from the upstream and upper end of the second imaging device 116b to contact the push-up portions 135 of the support 130.

[0092] FIG. 8 is a schematic bottom view of the second guide 120, the third guide 140, and the second imaging device 116b.

[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the second imaging device 116b further includes multiple guide plates 116bf. Each guide plate 116bf is plate shaped and projects from the second imaging device 116b toward the support 130 and the second conveyance roller 115. Each guide plate 116bf is located between the first blade 141, the second blades 142, the third blades 143, and the fourth blade 144 of the third guide 140, or outside these blades in the width direction A2.

[0094] The guide plates 116bf are located not to physically contact the first blade 141, the second blades 142, the third blades 143, the fourth blade 144, and the coupling portion 145. In the height direction A3, the lower end faces of the guide plates 116bf are located at the same position as or similar to the medium guide faces 141a, 142a, 143a, and 144a of the first blade 141, the second blades 142, the third blades 143, and the fourth blade 144. The guide plates 116bf guide the medium downstream while preventing the medium from floating upward together with the third guide 140.

[0095] The guide plates 116bf overlap the claws 132n of the central support 132 of the support 130 when viewed in the width direction A2 intersecting the medium conveying direction A1. That is, the guide plates 116bf and the claws 132n of the central support 132 are alternately located in the width direction A2 like comb teeth.

[0096] The projections 141n, 142n, 143n, and 144n of the first blade 141, the second blades 142, the third blades 143, and the fourth blade 144 of the third guide 140 overlap the claws 132n of the central support 132 of the support 130 when viewed in the width direction A2 intersecting the medium conveying direction A1. The projections 141n, 142n, 143n, and 144n overlap the claw 132n of the central support 132, which more reliably prevents the medium from floating between the second conveyance roller 115 and the second imaging device 116b and prevents the medium from being jammed.

[0097] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a torsion coil spring 140b as viewed from above. FIG. 9B is a view of the torsion coil spring 140b as viewed from a side in the width direction A2.

[0098] The third guide 140 includes the torsion coil spring 140b. The torsion coil spring 140b is an example of a pressing part. The torsion coil spring 140b presses the third guide 140 toward the medium conveying path. Instead of the torsion coil spring 140b, an elastic body such as a flat spring or a rubber member may be used.

[0099] The torsion coil spring 140b includes a coil portion 140ba, a fixed leg 140bb, and a pressing leg 140bc. The coil portion 140ba is attached to the swing shaft 140g. The fixed leg 140bb is attached to an end face 116bs at the upstream end of the second imaging device 116b in the medium conveying direction A1. The pressing leg 140bc is accommodated in a recess 144r in the face of the fourth blade 144 opposite to the medium guide face 144a. The torsion coil spring 140b presses the third guide 140 toward the medium conveying path, that is, downward. The torsion coil springs 140b may be located at both ends of the third guide 140 in the width direction A2 such that the medium guide faces 141a, 142a, 143a, and 144a of the third guide 140 are parallel to the medium. Pressing the third guide 140 toward the medium conveying path by the torsion coil spring 140b allows the upper side of the floating medium to more reliably contact the third guide 140 even when the medium is not thick. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can more reliably prevent the medium from floating and from being jammed.

[0100] FIGS. 10A to 10E are schematic diagrams each illustrating the operations of the second guide 120 and the third guide 140 when a medium having a thickness equal to or greater than the reference thickness is conveyed.

[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 10A, before the leading end of the thick medium MD reaches the second guide 120, the second guide 120 is at the lowest position in the height direction A3 by its own weight. At this time, the medium guide faces 141a to 144a of the third guide 140 are substantially parallel to the thick medium MD.

[0102] As illustrated in FIG. 10B, when the leading end of the thick medium MD reaches and contacts the flap portions 123 of the second guide 120, the second guide 120 swings upward about the shaft 115a as the swing fulcrum to the position to contact the support 130.

[0103] As illustrated in FIG. 10C, when the thick medium MD is further conveyed downstream in the medium conveying direction A1, the leading end of the thick medium MD contacts the second conveyance roller 115. The second conveyance roller 115 is swung upward and downstream by the thick medium MD. The second conveyance roller 115 is lifted upward by the thickness of the thick medium MD.

[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 10D, when the support 130 and the second conveyance roller 115 are lifted upward and downstream, the thick medium MD can pass through. At this time, the tips 134a of the guide pressing portions 134 of the support 130 press the third blades 143 of the third guide 140. Thus, the third guide 140 swings with the swing shaft 140g as the swing fulcrum to the position to contact the end face 116bs of the second imaging device 116b. The third guide 140 is not necessarily to swing to the position to contact the end face 116bs of the second imaging device 116b but may guide the upper side of the thick medium MD. As the third guide 140 swings in this manner, a space for the second conveyance roller 115 to retract is kept between the second conveyance roller 115 and the second imaging device 116b. Accordingly, the second conveyance roller 115 is swung upward and downstream by the thick medium MD and allows the thick medium MD to smoothly pass. In addition, the medium conveying apparatus 100 allows the third guide 140 to reliably swing in conjunction with the swing of the second conveyance roller 115 by pressing the third guide 140 with the guide pressing portions 134 of the support 130 supporting the second conveyance roller 115.

[0105] As illustrated in FIG. 10E, when the support 130 swings downstream and upward, the third guide 140 is swung, after which the push-up portions 135 of the support 130 contact the contacted part 116bt of the second imaging device 116b. The push-up portions 135 of the support 130 push up the contacted part 116bt of the second imaging device 116b so that the second imaging device 116b slides upward. This enables the thick medium MD to smoothly pass between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b.

[0106] By contrast, when the thickness of the medium to be conveyed is less than the reference thickness, the support 130 slightly swings downstream and upward, or hardly swings. In this case, the third guide 140 also swings slightly or hardly swings. Thus, a medium thinner than the reference thickness is smoothly conveyed to the second imaging device 116b by the third guide 140 and prevented from being jammed.

[0107] In this way, the third guide 140 moves, that is, swings in conjunction with the second conveyance roller 115 that swings by the thickness of the conveyed medium. As the third guide 140 moves in conjunction with the second conveyance roller 115, the space for the second conveyance roller 115 to retract is kept between the second conveyance roller 115 and the second imaging device 116b. Accordingly, when a thick medium is conveyed, the second conveyance roller 115 is not interfered by the third guide 140 for smoothly guiding a thin medium. The second conveyance roller 115 is swung by the thick medium and can smoothly convey the thick medium. At this time, the third guide 140 is retracted, but the guide plates 116bf of the second imaging device 116b contact the upper side of the thick medium and guide the thick medium to smoothly pass between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b.

[0108] By contrast, when a thin medium is conveyed, the third guide 140 is hardly swung and contacts the upper side of the medium to guide the thin medium to smoothly pass between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b. Accordingly, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can smoothly convey both a thin medium and a thick medium.

[0109] The second conveyance roller 115 and the third guide 140 move in a direction away from the first conveyance roller 114 by the thickness of the conveyed medium. Thus, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can smoothly convey various media different in thickness.

[0110] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the medium conveying apparatus 100.

[0111] The medium conveying apparatus 100 further includes a driving source 150, an interface device 151, a memory 170, and a processing circuit 180 in addition to the above-described components.

[0112] The driving source 150 includes one or more motors. In response to a control signal from the processing circuit 180, the driving source 150 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 to convey a medium.

[0113] The interface device 151 includes an interface circuit compatible with a serial bus such as a universal serial bus (USB). The interface device 151 is electrically connected to an information processing apparatus (e.g., a personal computer or a mobile information processing terminal) to transmit and receive a read image and various kinds of information to and from the information processing apparatus. The interface device 151 may be substituted by a communication device that includes an antenna to transmit and receive wireless signals and a wireless communication interface device to transmit and receive signals through a wireless communication line according to a predetermined communication protocol. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, a wireless local area network (LAN) communication protocol.

[0114] The memory 170 includes memories such as a random-access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM), a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, or a portable memory such as a flexible disk or an optical disk. The memory 170 stores, for example, computer programs, databases, and tables used for various processes performed by the medium conveying apparatus 100. The computer programs may be installed in the memory 170 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using, for example, a setup program. The portable recording medium is, for example, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disc read-only memory (DVD-ROM). The computer programs may be distributed from, for example, a server and installed in the memory 170.

[0115] The processing circuit 180 operates according to a program prestored in the memory 170. The processing circuit 180 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, a digital signal processor (DSP), a large-scale integration (LSI), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., may be used as the processing circuit 180.

[0116] The processing circuit 180 is connected to the display and operation device 105, the media sensor 111, the imaging device 116, the driving source 150, the interface device 151, the memory 170, etc. and controls these devices. The processing circuit 180 controls operations such as driving the driving source 150 and imaging with the imaging device 116 based on the media signal received from the media sensor 111 to obtain an input image from the imaging device 116. Then, the processing circuit 180 transmits the input image to the information processing apparatus via the interface device 151.

[0117] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the memory 170 and the processing circuit 180.

[0118] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the memory 170 stores a control program 171 and an image obtaining program 172. These programs are functional modules implemented by software that operates on the processor. The processing circuit 180 reads the programs from the memory 170 and operates according to the read programs, thereby functioning as a control unit 181 and an image obtaining unit 182.

[0119] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a medium reading process performed by the medium conveying apparatus 100.

[0120] The medium reading process performed by the medium conveying apparatus 100 is described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 13. The process described below is executed, for example, by the processing circuit 180 in cooperation with the components of the medium conveying apparatus 100 based on the program prestored in the memory 170.

[0121] In step S101, the control unit 181 stands by until an operation signal instructing the reading of a medium is received from the display and operation device 105 or an information processing apparatus via the interface device 151. The operation signal is output when a user inputs an instruction to read the medium using the display and operation device 105 or the information processing apparatus.

[0122] In step S102, the control unit 181 obtains a media signal from the media sensor 111 and determines whether a medium is placed on the media tray 103 based on the obtained media signal. The control unit 181 ends the series of steps when no medium is placed on the media tray 103.

[0123] By contrast, when a medium is placed on the media tray 103 (Yes in step S102), the control unit 181 controls 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 to rotate in step S103. The control unit 181 drives the driving source 150 to rotate the rollers to feed and convey the medium.

[0124] In step S104, the image obtaining unit 182 controls the imaging device 116 to image the medium, obtains an input image from the imaging device 116, and transmits the obtained input image to the information processing apparatus via the interface device 151 to output the input image.

[0125] In step S105, the control unit 181 determines whether a medium remains on the media tray 103 based on the media signal received from the media sensor 111. When a medium MD remains on the media tray 103 (Yes in step S105), the control unit 181 returns the process to step S104 and repeats the operations of steps S104 and S105.

[0126] By contrast, when no medium remains on the media tray 103 (No in step S105), the control unit 181 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 in step S106. The control unit 181 controls the driving source 150 to stop 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.

[0127] As described above in detail, the medium conveying apparatus 100 includes the third guide 140 that moves in conjunction with the second conveyance roller 115 that swings by the thickness of the medium conveyed. The medium conveying apparatus 100 can smoothly convey a thick medium by retracting the third guide 140 and swinging the second conveyance roller 115 while smoothly guiding a thin medium by the third guide 140. Thus, the medium conveying apparatus 100 can smoothly convey various media different in thickness.

[0128] The medium conveying apparatus 100 images the conveyed medium by the imaging device 116. The medium conveying apparatus 100 can smoothly convey the medium between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b while reducing the distance between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b to prevent the focus shift of the imaging device 116.

[0129] The medium conveying apparatus 100 can also prevent the jamming of a medium by guiding the medium from the separation roller 113 to the second imaging device 116b using the first guide 110, the second guide 120, and the third guide 140.

[0130] In addition, swinging the second conveyance roller 115 downstream and upward via the support 130 can reduce the size of the medium conveying apparatus 100 in the height direction A3, compared with a configuration in which the second conveyance roller 115 is moved vertically upward in the height direction A3.

Second Embodiment

[0131] FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams each illustrating a third guide 240 of a medium conveying apparatus 200 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating a state before the third guide 240 moves. FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating a state after the movement of the third guide 240.

[0132] The medium conveying apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment is similar in configuration and function to the medium conveying apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. However, the medium conveying apparatus 200 includes a third guide 240 instead of the third guide 140 according to the first embodiment. The third guide 240 slides upward. The third guide 240 is an example of the guide.

[0133] As illustrated in FIG. 14A, the third guide 240 has a configuration similar to that of the third guide 140 according to the first embodiment. The third guide 240 includes a prismatic or rectangular prismatic slide shaft 240g, instead of the columnar or cylindrical swing shaft 140g of the third guide 140. The slide shaft 240g may have another shape such as a columnar or cylindrical shape. The second imaging device 116b includes a slide groove 116bm for the slide shaft 240g to move in the height direction A3. The slide shaft 240g of the third guide 240 fits in the slide groove 116bm.

[0134] In the medium conveying apparatus 200, when the support 130 swings, the third guide 240 is pushed upward by the tips 134a of the guide pressing portions 134 as illustrated in FIG. 14B. The slide shaft 240g of the third guide 240 moves along the slide groove 116bm of the second imaging device 116b. That is, the third guide 140 moves upward along the slide groove 116bm without swinging.

[0135] In this way, the third guide 240 is allowed to move up and down relative to the second imaging device 116b. With this configuration, the medium conveying apparatus 200 can smoothly guide a thin medium by the third guide 240. Further, the medium conveying apparatus 200 can smoothly convey a thick medium MD by retracting the third guide 240 upward to swing the second conveyance roller 115.

[0136] As described above in detail, the medium conveying apparatus 200 using the third guide 240 can smoothly convey various media different in thickness.

Third Embodiment

[0137] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a third guide 340 of a medium conveying apparatus 300 according to a third embodiment.

[0138] The medium conveying apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment is similar in configuration and function to the medium conveying apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. However, the medium conveying apparatus 300 includes the third guide 340 instead of the third guide 140. The third guide 340 is an example of the guide.

[0139] As illustrated in FIG. 15, the third guide 340 has a configuration and a function similar to those of the third guide 140. However, the third guide 340 is not located on the second imaging device 116b but mounted on the frames F at both ends of the upper housing 102 in the width direction A2.

[0140] FIGS. 16A to 16C are diagrams each illustrating operations of the second guide 120 and the third guide 340 when a thick medium MD having a thickness equal to or greater than the reference thickness is conveyed.

[0141] As illustrated in FIGS. 16A to 16C, the third guide 340 includes a swing shaft 340g. The swing shaft 340g is columnar and located at each end of the third guide 340 in the width direction A2. The swing shaft 340g is supported by a slide groove Fm of the frame F to swing and slide.

[0142] As illustrated in FIG. 16A, before the support 130 and the second conveyance roller 115 swing upward and downstream, the third guide 340 is in a default state to guide the thick medium MD, i.e., the third guide 340 does not swing.

[0143] As illustrated in FIG. 16B, when the support 130 is swung downstream and upward by the thick medium MD, the third guide 340 is further swung by the tips 134a of the guide pressing portions 134. After that, when the push-up portions 135 of the support 130 contact the contacted part 116bt of the second imaging device 116b, the support 130 causes the second imaging device 116b to slide upward and causes the third guide 340 to swing and slide upward along the slide groove Fm.

[0144] As illustrated in 16C, the support 130 and the second conveyance roller 115 move upward and downstream to allow the thick medium MD to pass through. As the third guide 340 swings and moves upward in this manner, a space for the second conveyance roller 115 to retract is kept between the second conveyance roller 115 and the second imaging device 116b. Accordingly, the second conveyance roller 115 is swung upward and downstream by the thick medium MD and allows the thick medium MD to smoothly pass.

[0145] As described above in detail, the medium conveying apparatus 300 using the third guide 340 can smoothly convey various media different in thickness.

[0146] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a processing circuit of a medium conveying apparatus according to a modification.

[0147] The processing circuit 480 illustrated in FIG. 17 is used in place of the processing circuit 180 of the medium conveying apparatus 100 and executes the medium reading process, etc., in place of the processing circuit 180. The processing circuit 480 includes a control circuit 481 and an image obtaining circuit 482. These circuits may be implemented by independent integrated circuits, microprocessors, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0148] The control circuit 481 is an example of control circuitry and functions like the control unit 181. The control circuit 481 receives operation signals from the display and operation device 105 or the interface device 151 and receives the media signal from the media sensor 111. The control circuit 481 controls the driving source 150 based on the received information.

[0149] The image obtaining circuit 482 is an example of the circuitry and functions similar to the image obtaining unit 182. The image obtaining circuit 482 obtains an input image from the imaging device 116 and outputs the input image to the interface device 151.

[0150] The medium conveying apparatus can smoothly convey various media different in thickness as described above in detail, also when the processing circuit 480 is used.

[0151] Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the third guide 140, 240, or 340 may be located downstream from the separation roller 113 and/or the second ejection roller 118 to swing or move up and down relative to the frames F in conjunction with the swing of the separation roller 113 and/or the second ejection roller 118.

[0152] Further, the medium conveying path may be configured such that the medium conveying apparatus feeds and conveys media placed on the media tray sequentially from the top and ejects the media to the ejection tray. In this configuration, the separation roller is located below the feed roller to face the feed roller.

[0153] The medium conveying apparatus may include an image forming device instead of or in addition to the imaging device 116. The image forming device is an example of a processing device. The image forming device employs, for example, an inkjet printing method or a laser printing method, is located at the position corresponding to the position of the imaging device 116, and forms an image (prints information) on a medium conveyed by the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115. The process of forming an image on a medium is an example of the predetermined processing.

[0154] The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present invention. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of the present invention. Any one of the above-described operations may be performed in various other ways, for example, in an order different from the one described above.