TRANSPORTING DEVICE, IMAGE READING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
Provided is a transporting device including a first contact member having a first contact portion that contacts a medium transported, a second contact member having a second contact portion that contacts the medium transported, on the downstream side of the first contact portion in a transporting direction, the first contact portion and the second contact portion each having a tangential plane, and the tangential planes coinciding with each other, a transporting unit that transports the medium so that a first surface of the medium coincides with the tangential plane in a section of the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and a processing unit that is arranged between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and performs processing on the first surface of the medium that is passing through a processing region.
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This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-170711 filed Aug. 20, 2013.
BACKGROUND Technical FieldThe present invention relates to a transporting device, an image reading apparatus, and an image forming apparatus.
SUMMARYAccording to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a transporting device including: a first contact member having a first contact portion that contacts a medium transported; a second contact member having a second contact portion that contacts the medium transported, on the downstream side of the first contact portion in a transporting direction, the first contact portion and the second contact portion each having a tangential plane, and the tangential planes coinciding with each other; a transporting unit that transports the medium so that a first surface of the medium coincides with the tangential plane in a section of the first contact portion to the second contact portion; and a processing unit that is arranged between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and performs processing on the first surface of the medium that is passing through a processing region.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
[1-1] Hardware Configuration
The reader 3 is an example of a processing unit that performs, when a medium transported in the transporting direction A1 along the transporting path 2 passes through a certain region (hereinafter referred as a “processing region”), processing on the portion of one surface (hereinafter referred to as a “first surface”) of the medium that is passing through the processing region. In
The description refers back to
All of these contact members are formed from materials such as iron, and are members that have sufficient strength such that the contact members are not deformed even if a medium contacts with them. For this reason, the respective contact portions do not change in position even if a medium contacts with them. Additionally, all of the contact members are planar on the surfaces thereof on the upstream side in the transporting direction A1, and are formed so that angles (θ12 shown in the drawing in the case of the second contact member 12) that the surfaces form with respect to the transporting direction A1 are smaller than the predetermined angles. These surfaces are portions that guide an end portion (that is, a leading edge) on a head side of a medium transported in the transporting direction A1 during the collision with the end portion, and the leading edge of the medium is not easily bent by making the aforementioned angles (for example, θ12) smaller than the predetermined angles.
The first transporting member 30 is an example of a member that transports a medium, and is provided on the upstream side of the third contact member 21 in the transporting direction A1. The first transporting member 30 has a first rotating member 31 and a second rotating member 32 that rotate in circumferential directions A5 and A6, respectively, around respective axes (B31 and B32) along the width direction A4. The first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 form a nip region N1. The first transporting member 30 rotates the rotating members to transport a medium that contacts the surfaces of both of the rotating members in the nip region N1.
The second transporting member 40 is an example of a member that transports a medium, and is provided on the downstream side of the fourth contact member 22 in the transporting direction A1. The second transporting member 40 has a first rotating member 41 and a second rotating member that rotate in circumferential directions A7 and A8, respectively, around respective axes (B41 and B42) along the width direction A4. The first rotating member 41 and the second rotating member 42 form a nip region N2. The second transporting member 40 rotates the rotating members to transport a medium that contacts the surfaces of both of the rotating members in the nip region N2.
Additionally, the first rotating member 41 and the second rotating member 42 of the second transporting member 40 rotate so that a speed (hereinafter referred to as a “surface speed”) V2 at which the respective surfaces of the rotating members move in the circumferential directions A7 and A8, respectively, is faster than a surface speed (a speed at which the surfaces of the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member move in the circumferential directions A5 and A6, respectively) V1 in the first transporting member 30 (that is, V2>V1). As a result, forces by which the medium P1 is pulled toward the front and rear nip regions N1 and N2 (that is, in directions of arrows M1 and M2 in
The tangential plane will be described with reference to
Similarly to the first contact portion C11 and the second contact portion C12, the third contact portion C21 and the fourth contact portion C22 also have a form of extending straight along the width direction A4, and have a tangential plane (G20 shown in
In the transporting device 1, when a medium having a thickness equal to or more than the distance L2 is transported, the first surface passes through the tangential plane G10 in a section (H1 shown in
Here, the thickness of the medium P10 is L2 and falls in a gap between the tangential planes G10 and G20, and a plane containing the nip regions N1 and N2 is positioned at the middles of the tangential planes G10 and G20. Therefore, although the first surface Q11 of the medium P10 contacts the first contact portion C11 and the second contact portion C12, and the second surface Q12 contacts the third contact portion C21 and the fourth contact portion C22, the medium P10 is brought into a straight extending state. In this state, the first surface Q11 overlaps the tangential plane G10 and the second surface Q12 overlaps the tangential plane G20. That is, in a state shown in
A state where the upstream side of the medium P10 in the transporting direction A1 has moved up (the upper side in the vertical direction A3) is shown in
A state where the upstream side of the medium P10 in the transporting direction A1 has moved downward (lower side in the vertical direction A3) is shown in
For this reason, the first surface Q21 continues contacting both of the first contact portion C11 and the second contact portion C12, and a state where the first surface Q21 overlaps the tangential plane G10 is maintained in the section H1. Additionally, even when the upstream side of the medium P20 in the transporting direction A1 moves upward or downward, the upward or downward movement is suppressed by the fourth contact portion C22 or the first contact portion CU similarly to the medium P10 shown in
As described above, the transporting unit 4, that is, the third contact member 21, the fourth contact member 22, the first transporting member 30, and the second transporting member 40 transport a medium so that the first surface passes through the tangential plane G10 in the section H1 sandwiched between the respective contact portions (C11 and C12) of the first contact member 11 and the second contact member 12.
Additionally, the contacting unit 20 contacts the second surface of the medium at two positions. In the following, these two positions are referred to as a “first position” and a “second position”, respectively. In the example shown in
[1-2] Effects according to First Exemplary Embodiment
In the present exemplary embodiment, the transporting unit 4 transports a medium as described above. As a result, compared to a case that does not include a configuration in which a medium is transported so that the first surface passes through the tangential plane G10, the distance between the first surface of the medium and the reader 3, that is, the distance between the first surface and the reader 3 in the section H1, is easily maintained at L1. This is also true when the thicknesses of media are different as described in
Additionally, in the present exemplary embodiment, the first transporting member 30 and the second transporting member 40 transport a medium, respectively, so that the respective surface speeds thereof become V1<V2. As a result, the forces by which a medium is pulled toward the front and rear nip regions N1 and N2 along the transporting direction A1 is applied to the medium as described above, and the medium does not easily sag in the transporting direction compared to a case where the respective rotating members do not rotate at the speeds V1 and V2.
Additionally, in the present exemplary embodiment, the contacting unit 20 contacts the second surface of a medium at the first and second positions. As a result, compared to a case where a medium is pressed down as described in the example of
Additionally, in the present exemplary embodiment, the third contact portion C21 of the third contact member 21 contacts a medium at the first position, and the fourth contact portion C22 of the fourth contact member 22 contacts the medium at the second position. That is, a specific spot of each contact member contacts a medium. On the other hand, for example, if a contact member is deformed by a force received from a medium and the spot of the contact member that contacts the medium changes, the first and second positions will move. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first and second positions are stabilized compared to a case that does not include the configuration in which the specific spot of the contact member contacts the medium in this way.
[2] Second Exemplary EmbodimentA second exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described below, mainly regarding the differences from the first exemplary embodiment. In the second exemplary embodiment, a case where a medium is transported so that the first surface passes through the tangential plane G10, without providing the third contact member 21 and the fourth contact member 22 that are described in the first exemplary embodiment, will be described.
[2-1] Hardware Configuration
The first transporting member 30a and the second transporting member 40a include a configuration common to the first transporting member 30 and the second transporting member 40 that are shown in
Additionally, if the surface speeds of the respective rotating members of the first transporting member 30a and the second transporting member 40a are defined as V1a and V2a, similarly to the first exemplary embodiment, the rotating members rotate so as to satisfy V2a>V1a. That is, the second transporting member 40a rotates so that a speed (that is, surface speed) at which the surface of a rotating member of the second transporting member moves is faster than a surface speed in the first transporting member 30a.
[2-2] Effects According to Second Exemplary Embodiment
In the present exemplary embodiment, the medium is transported so that the first surface passes through the tangential plane G10 as the first transporting member 30a and the second transporting member 40a contact the second surface at the first and second positions, respectively. If a fixed contact member like the first contact member 11 contacts the medium, a frictional force is generated in a direction in which the motion of the medium in the transporting direction A1 is hindered. On the other hand, since the first and second transporting members contact the second surface at the first and second positions, respectively, while the respective rotating members thereof rotate and transport the medium, the frictional force generated in the direction in which the motion of the medium in the transporting direction A1 becomes small compared to the fixed contact member. Accordingly, according to the present exemplary embodiment, a driving force required for the transport of the medium becomes small compared to a case where a contact member that does not rotate contacts the second surface.
Additionally, even in the present exemplary embodiment, the first transporting member 30a and the second transporting member 40a transport a medium, respectively, so that the respective surface speeds thereof become V1a<V2a. As a result, similarly to the first exemplary embodiment, a medium does not sag easily in the transporting direction compared to a case where the respective rotating members do not rotate at the speeds V1a and V2a.
[3] Modification ExamplesThe above-described exemplary embodiments are merely examples of implementation of the invention, and may be modified as follows. Additionally, the above-described respective exemplary embodiments and the respective modification examples shown below may be combined and implemented, if necessary.
[3-1] First and Second Positions
In the first exemplary embodiment, the first position is further apart by the first length from the processing unit than the tangential plane G10, and the second position is further apart by the second length from the processing unit than the tangential plane G10 (the processing unit is the reader 3, and both of the first and second lengths are the thickness L2 of the medium P10). However, the first and second positions are not limited to this.
Additionally, in the second exemplary embodiment, the first and second positions are located further toward the processing unit side than the positions further apart by the first and second lengths (both are the thickness L2 of the medium P10) from the processing unit than the tangential plane G10. However, the first and second positions are not limited to this.
[3-2] Changing of Distance between First and Second Positions and Tangential Plane
In the above respective exemplary embodiments, the first and second positions may be moved in the vertical direction A3.
The changing unit 50 includes a controller 51 and a drive 52. The controller 51 includes Central Processing Unit (CPU), Read Only Memory (ROM) and Random Access Memory (RAM), and the CPU executes a program stored in the ROM using the RAM as a work area to thereby control the operation of the drive 52. The drive 52 moves the contacting unit 20d to a predetermined position in the vertical direction A3 as a stepping motor or the like rotates. The changing unit 50 changes the tangential plane distances as follows as the drive 52 controlled by the controller 51 is driven.
A state where the respective first and second tangential plane distances are L2 is shown in
The changing unit 50 changes the tangential plane distances according to, for example, the thickness of a medium transported. When the thickness of the medium transported is smaller than L2, the first surface does not contact the first contact portion C11 and the second contact portion C12 in a state shown in
In addition, the changing unit 50 may include, for example, a manipulating section receiving user's manipulation, to thereby change the tangential plane distances according to the user's manipulation. Additionally, the changing unit 50 may change the tangential plane distances according to the speed (transporting speed) of a medium transported along a transporting path 2d. In this case, the changing unit 50 sets the respective first and second tangential plane distances to L2 if, for example, the transporting speed is equal to or higher than a threshold and sets the respective first and second tangential plane distances to L0 if the transporting speed is lower than the threshold. When both of the first and second tangential plane distances are L2, the resistance (this is referred to as “transport resistance”) that a medium transported receives from the contact members becomes small compared to the case of L0.
On the other hand, when both of the first and second tangential plane distances are L0, the transport resistance becomes large compared to the case of L2. However, along with this, the forces of pressing the medium against the first contact portion C11 and the second contact portion C12 also become large, and consequently, the first surface more easily passes through the tangential plane G10. Thus, by changing the tangential plane distances as mentioned above, the transport resistance is made small when the transporting speed is large so that the medium is smoothly transported, and the forces of pressing a medium against the first contact portion C11 and the second contact portion C12 are strengthened when the transporting speed is small so that the first surface more easily passes through the tangential plane G10. As such, according to the present modification example, the resistance received when a medium is transported in the transporting direction is adjusted, and the smoothness of transport of the medium or the passage of the first surface through the tangential plane G10 is adjusted using the resistance.
Additionally, the changing unit 50 may change the tangential plane distances by a method different from that shown in
[3-3] Glass Cover
In the above respective exemplary embodiments, the processing unit is provided in a space that forms a string along with the transporting path. However, for example, a glass cover may be provided at a boundary between the processing unit and the transporting path. As a result, the leading edge of a medium does not collide with the processing unit. Additionally, in the transporting device, both the surfaces of the first contact member 11 and the second contact member 12 on the upstream side in the transporting direction A1 guide the leading edge of a medium downward. Therefore, compared to a case where the contact members are not provided, the medium does not easily collide with the glass cover, and also, an event in which the glass cover becomes dirty due to substance (ink, a correction fluid, or the like) adhering to the first surface of the medium does not occur easily.
[3-4] Processing Performed by Processing Unit
In the above respective exemplary embodiments, the transporting device includes the reader 3 as the processing unit. However, the processing unit is not limited to this. For example, the transporting device may function as an image forming apparatus that includes a jetting device jetting ink onto a medium as the processing unit and that forms an image by an ink jet method. In short, the processing unit has only to perform certain processing on one surface (first surface) of a medium. Particularly, it is desirable to apply the invention to a case where a change in the position of the first surface with respect to the processing unit is apt to influence the results of processing.
[3-5] Shape of Contact Portion
The respective contact portions may have a form that is more sharpened than that shown in
Additionally, although the respective contact portions have a straight extending form without being cut along the width direction A4 in
Contact regions D11h and D12h that extend without being cut along the width direction A4 and have a longer length (in this example, the length is L6) in the transporting direction A1 than the contact regions D11 and D12 shown in
A case where a processed portion F1i processed by the processing unit does not include the end portions of a medium in the width direction A4 is shown in
[3-6] Shape of Contact Member
In the above respective exemplary embodiments, the respective contact members have a common tangential plane along the transporting direction. However, the invention is not limited to this.
A state where the medium P10 having the thickness L2 is transported along the transporting path is shown in
[3-7] Orientation of Transporting Direction
In the above respective exemplary embodiments, the transporting direction runs along the horizontal direction A2. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the transporting direction may run along the vertical direction A3 or may run along a direction (inclining direction) intersecting these directions. That is, the transporting path may transport a medium in any direction. Additionally, the transporting path may have a form that draws a circular-arc (curve). Even in this case, if the first and second contact members and the transporting unit are included as shown in the above respective examples, the position of the first surface with respect to the processing unit does not easily change compared to a case where the first and second contact members and the transporting unit are not included, even if the thicknesses of media are different.
[3-8] Category of Invention
The invention is grasped as an inspection device or an image reading apparatus that outputs the results of reading by the reader 3, in addition to the above-described transporting device. Additionally, if a jetting device that jets ink jet on a medium is included as the processing unit, the invention is also grasped as an image forming apparatus that jets ink onto a medium transported and forms an image. In short, the invention performs processing on the first surface of a medium transported, and may be applied to any types of devices as long as it is desirable that the position of the first surface with respect to the processing unit be stable.
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A transporting device comprising:
- a first contact member having a first contact portion that contacts a medium transported;
- a second contact member having a second contact portion that contacts the medium transported, on the downstream side of the first contact portion in a transporting direction, the first contact portion and the second contact portion each having a tangential plane, and the tangential planes coinciding with each other;
- a transporting unit that transports the medium so that a first surface of the medium coincides with the tangential plane in a section of the first contact portion to the second contact portion; and
- a processing unit that is arranged between the first contact portion and second contact portion, and performs processing on the first surface of the medium that is passing through a processing region.
2. The transporting device according to claim 1,
- wherein the transporting device has a contacting unit that contacts a second surface of the medium opposite to the first surface, and the contacting unit contacts the second surface at a first position and a second position.
3. The transporting device according to claim 2,
- wherein the contacting unit includes a third contact member having a third contact portion that contacts the medium transported, at the first position, and a fourth contact member having a fourth contact portion that contacts the medium at the second position.
4. The transporting device according to claim 1,
- wherein the transporting unit includes:
- a first transporting member which has a first rotating member that is provided on the upstream side of the first contact member in the transporting direction and the first contact member rotates to transport the medium contacting a surface of the first rotating member; and
- a second transporting member which has a second rotating member that is provided on the downstream side of the second contact member in the transporting direction and the second contact member rotates to transport the medium contacting a surface of the second rotating member, and
- wherein a speed at which the surface of the second rotating member moves is faster than a speed at which the surface of the first rotating member moves.
5. The transporting device according to claim 2,
- wherein the transporting unit includes:
- a first transporting member which has a first rotating member that is provided on the upstream side of the first contact member in the transporting direction and the first contact member rotates to transport the medium contacting a surface of the first rotating member; and
- a second transporting member which has a second rotating member that is provided on the downstream side of the second contact member in the transporting direction and the second contact member rotates to transport the medium contacting a surface of the second rotating member, and
- wherein a speed at which the surface of the second rotating member moves is faster than a speed at which the surface of the first rotating member moves.
6. The transporting device according to claim 3,
- wherein the transporting unit includes:
- a first transporting member which has a first rotating member that is provided on the upstream side of the first contact member in the transporting direction and the first contact member rotates to transport the medium contacting a surface of the first rotating member; and
- a second transporting member which has a second rotating member that is provided on the downstream side of the second contact member in the transporting direction and the second contact member rotates to transport the medium contacting a surface of the second rotating member, and
- wherein a speed at which the surface of the second rotating member moves is faster than a speed at which the surface of the first rotating member moves.
7. The transporting device according to claim 2,
- wherein the contacting unit includes:
- a first transporting member which has a first rotating member that is provided on the upstream side of the first contact member in the transporting direction and the first contact member rotates to transport the medium contacting a surface of the first rotating member; and
- a second transporting member which has a second rotating member that is provided on the downstream side of the second contact member in the transporting direction and the second contact member rotates to transport the medium contacting a surface of the second rotating member, and
- wherein the first transporting member contacts the second surface at the first position, and the second transporting member contacts the second surface at the second position.
8. The transporting device according to claim 7,
- wherein a speed at which the surface of the second rotating member moves is faster than a speed at which the surface of the first rotating member moves.
9. The transporting device according to claim 2, further comprising:
- a changing unit that changes the distances between the first positions and the tangential plane and changes the distances between the second positions and the tangential plane.
10. The transporting device according to claim 3, further comprising:
- a changing unit that changes the distances between the first positions and the tangential plane and changes the distances between the second positions and the tangential plane.
11. The transporting device according to claim 4, further comprising:
- a changing unit that changes the distances between the first positions and the tangential plane and changes the distances between the second positions and the tangential plane.
12. The transporting device according to claim 7, further comprising:
- a changing unit that changes the distances between the first positions and the tangential plane and changes the distances between the second positions and the tangential plane.
13. The transporting device according to claim 9,
- a changing unit that changes the distances between the first positions and the tangential plane and changes the distances between the second positions and the tangential plane.
14. The transporting device according to claim 10,
- a changing unit that changes the distances between the first positions and the tangential plane and changes the distances between the second positions and the tangential plane.
15. The transporting device according to claim 11,
- a changing unit that changes the distances between the first positions and the tangential plane and changes the distances between the second positions and the tangential plane.
16. An image reading apparatus comprising:
- the transporting device according to claim 1,
- wherein the processing unit is a reading unit.
17. An image forming apparatus comprising:
- the transporting device according to claim 1,
- wherein the processing unit is an ink jet recording unit.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 25, 2014
Publication Date: Feb 26, 2015
Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD. (Tokyo)
Inventors: Seigo MAKIDA (Kanagawa), Takao FURUYA (Kanagawa), Kiyoshi HOSOI (Kanagawa), Katsumi SAKAMAKI (Kanagawa), Masaki HACHISUGA (Kanagawa)
Application Number: 14/189,332
International Classification: B65H 5/06 (20060101); B65H 7/20 (20060101);