Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, in a first process, first and second motor rotate feed and conveyance rollers with circumferential speeds of first and second speeds, respectively. In the first process, the reverse roller has a first separation performance for separating a sheet from another sheet. In a second process, after a detector detects a leading edge of the sheet, the controller stops the first motor, and decelerates the second motor, and the reverse roller has a second separation performance lower than the first separation performance. In a third process, after a trailing edge of the sheet reaches a specific position, the first motor starts rotating the feed roller with the circumferential speed of the first speed. In a fourth process, after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through a reading end position, the controller accelerates the second motor.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, in a first process, first and second motor rotate feed and conveyance rollers with circumferential speeds of first and second speeds, respectively. In the first process, the reverse roller has a first separation performance for separating a sheet from another sheet. In a second process, after a detector detects a leading edge of the sheet, the controller stops the first motor, and decelerates the second motor, and the reverse roller has a second separation performance lower than the first separation performance. In a third process, after a trailing edge of the sheet reaches a specific position, the first motor starts rotating the feed roller with the circumferential speed of the first speed. In a fourth process, after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through a reading end position, the controller accelerates the second motor.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a conveyor. The conveyor is configured to convey a first medium in a first conveyance direction along a first conveyance path and a second medium in a second conveyance direction along a second conveyance path. The image reading apparatus includes a reader. The reader is configured to read image data from the first medium and the second medium. The image reading apparatus includes a movable guide. The movable guide is disposed on a housing of the image reading apparatus. The movable guide is configured to be moved to regulate a width of the second opening defined in a direction perpendicular to the second conveyance direction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a housing, a tray, a conveyer, an image reader, a position detector, and a controller. The housing has a first introduction opening, a first discharge opening, a second introduction opening, and a second discharge opening. The tray is configured to connect to the housing movably between an open position and a close position relative to the housing. The tray is configured to cover the first introduction opening and to expose the second introduction opening and the second discharge opening at the close position. The conveyer is configured to convey the second medium from the second introduction opening to the second discharge opening. The conveyer is provided in the housing. The controller is configured to drive the conveyer when the tray is located at the close position.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus may include a conveyor. The conveyor may be configured to convey a first medium in a first conveyance direction along a first conveyance path and a second medium in a second conveyance direction along a second conveyance path. The image reading apparatus may include a reader. The reader may be configured to read image data from the first medium and the second medium. The image reading apparatus may include a movable guide. The movable guide may be disposed on a housing of the image reading apparatus. The movable guide may be configured to be moved to regulate a width of the second opening defined in a direction perpendicular to the second conveyance direction.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device to convey a sheet in a sheet path is provided. The sheet conveying device includes a separator roller, which is arranged to be rotatably in contact with the sheet to apply conveying force to the sheet, a pad assembly including a separator pad, which is arranged to be in contact with the sheet stack to apply convey resistance to the sheet stack, and a holder, which is swingably attached to a base member and holds the separator pad, the base member being in a fixed position with respect to the separator roller, a spring, which urges the pad assembly toward the separator roller, and a slidable member, which is attached to the pad assembly to be integrally movable with the pad assembly and to be slidably in contact with a first slidable section in the base member.

Abstract: An image reader is provided, which includes a feed tray that has a loading surface and is swingable around a first swing axis parallel to a width direction of a document sheet placed on the feed tray between a first position where the loading surface is directed downward above a housing and a second position where the loading surface is directed upward at an upstream side relative to the housing in the feeding direction, a first opening formed between the housing and the feed tray placed in the second position, the first opening being configured such that an inside of the housing communicates with an outside of the housing therethrough, a second opening formed in a position higher than a power supply unit and lower than the first opening inside the housing, and a communication path through which the first opening communicates with the second opening.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a housing, a tray, a conveyer, an image reader, a position detector, and a controller. The housing has a first introduction opening, a first discharge opening, a second introduction opening, and a second discharge opening. The tray is configured to connect to the housing movably between an open position and a close position relative to the housing. The tray is configured to cover the first introduction opening and to expose the second introduction opening and the second discharge opening at the close position. The conveyer is configured to convey the second medium from the second introduction opening to the second discharge opening. The conveyer is provided in the housing. The controller is configured to drive the conveyer when the tray is located at the close position.

Abstract: A configuration for an image reading device, an image forming device or a multifunction apparatus may include systems and arrangements for routing electrical flexible flat cables to reduce potential damage and noise. The positioning and connection points between various other components including reading portions, hinge members, a control circuit board and the like may also be configured to reduce size, noise and potential for damage.

Abstract: An automatic sheet transporting apparatus includes a transporting unit with a discharge roller, the transporting unit discharge a sheet onto a discharge tray configured that support discharged sheets in a stack. A discharge guide, positioned on an upstream side of the discharge tray in a sheet discharging direction, guides a subsequent sheet transported by the transporting unit to a position between the discharge tray and a bottom surface of a previously discharged sheet in the stack. The discharge tray includes at least one rotating member that rotates when the discharge guide guides the subsequent sheet between the discharge tray and the bottom surface of the previously discharged sheet in the stack. The frictional resistance applied to the subsequent sheet is reduced to increase the number of sheets that can be stacked in the discharge tray.

Abstract: An image reader is provided, which includes a feed tray that has a loading surface and is swingable around a first swing axis parallel to a width direction of a document sheet placed on the feed tray between a first position where the loading surface is directed downward above a housing and a second position where the loading surface is directed upward at an upstream side relative to the housing in the feeding direction, a first opening formed between the housing and the feed tray placed in the second position, the first opening being configured such that an inside of the housing communicates with an outside of the housing therethrough, a second opening formed in a position higher than a power supply unit and lower than the first opening inside the housing, and a communication path through which the first opening communicates with the second opening.

Abstract: The invention describes an image reading device having a housing, a transparent panel, an image sensor, a carriage, and an electric cable. The housing has a first, second, and third surface. The transparent panel defines a portion of the first surface. The image sensor extends in a first direction, and is mounted to the carriage and optically reads a document through the transparent panel while the carriage reciprocates in a second direction. The electric cable is electrically connected to the image sensor, and includes a band surface portion having a band surface and extending in a third direction intersecting the first and second direction. The electric cable also has a first end portion attached to the carriage; and a second end portion attached to the second surface. At least a portion of the electric cable is twisted such that the band surface and the third surface are not parallel.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device to convey a sheet in a sheet path is provided. The sheet conveying device includes a separator roller, which is arranged to be rotatably in contact with the sheet to apply conveying force to the sheet, a pad assembly including a separator pad, which is arranged to be in contact with the sheet stack to apply convey resistance to the sheet stack, and a holder, which is swingably attached to a base member and holds the separator pad, the base member being in a fixed position with respect to the separator roller, a spring, which urges the pad assembly toward the separator roller, and a slidable member, which is attached to the pad assembly to be integrally movable with the pad assembly and to be slidably in contact with a first slidable section in the base member.

Abstract: A configuration for an image reading device, an image forming device or a multifunction apparatus may include systems and arrangements for routing electrical flexible flat cables to reduce potential damage and noise. The positioning and connection points between various other components including reading portions, hinge members, a control circuit board and the like may also be configured to reduce size, noise and potential for damage.

Abstract: An automatic sheet transporting apparatus includes a transporting unit with a discharge roller, the transporting unit discharge a sheet onto a discharge tray configured that support discharged sheets in a stack. A discharge guide, positioned on an upstream side of the discharge tray in a sheet discharging direction, guides a subsequent sheet transported by the transporting unit to a position between the discharge tray and a bottom surface of a previously discharged sheet in the stack. The discharge tray includes at least one rotating member that rotates when the discharge guide guides the subsequent sheet between the discharge tray and the bottom surface of the previously discharged sheet in the stack. The frictional resistance applied to the subsequent sheet is reduced to increase the number of sheets that can be stacked in the discharge tray.

Abstract: The invention describes an image reading device having a housing, a transparent panel, an image sensor, a carriage, and an electric cable. The housing has a first, second, and third surface. The transparent panel defines a portion of the first surface. The image sensor extends in a first direction, and is mounted to the carriage and optically reads a document through the transparent panel while the carriage reciprocates in a second direction. The electric cable is electrically connected to the image sensor, and includes a band surface portion having a band surface and extending in a third direction intersecting the first and second direction. The electric cable also has a first end portion attached to the carriage; and a second end portion attached to the second surface. At least a portion of the electric cable is twisted such that the band surface and the third surface are not parallel.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes a front member placed at a light-incident side of the module; a sealing member having an exposed section that is not covered with the front member; solar cell elements that are sealed with the sealing member and covered with the front member; and an electric device, stored in a housing, for extracting electricity generated by the solar cell elements. The housing is fixed on the exposed section and is located at a light-incident side of the module.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell module having a reinforcing member integrally stacked by means of a covering material on a rear surface of a solar cell panel having a photovoltaic element that performs photoelectric conversion, wherein a bent portion is formed in each of opposing end portions of the reinforcing member, an output wire member having conductivity is extended from an output portion of the photovoltaic element disposed on a light-receiving surface side of the solar cell panel along a surface of the bent portion so as to get over the bent portion, and a tip end of the extended portion of the output wire member is exposed out of a surface opposite to the reinforcing member of the covering material to form an output terminal portion. Thereby, there is provided a solar cell module that is improved in the area efficiency and weather resistance as well as the workability of electrical wiring and electrical connection during manufacturing and is inexpensive.

Abstract: There are provided a restricted area including an area in which solar cell modules are installed, a preventer for preventing intrusion of an intruder into the restricted area, and a detector capable of detecting the intrusion of the intruder into the restricted area, and a predetermined electric shock preventer is activated by a signal outputted from the detector upon detection of the intruder to prevent the intruder from receiving an electric shock.

Abstract: A formed product having on at least part of its surface an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) is bonded to an adherend by means of an adhesive containing at least xylene. According to the method of the present invention, the formed product having an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer with low adhesion to another substance can be easily bonded to the adherend.