JP7506995B2 - Conveying roller, sheet conveying device and outer core part - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a conveying roller, a sheet conveying device, and an outer core part.

A sheet conveying device used in an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet or an image reading device that reads an image on a sheet includes a conveying roller that conveys the sheet. The conveying roller has a rubber part made of rubber that comes into contact with the sheet. When the conveying roller repeatedly conveys a sheet, the frictional force of the surface of the rubber part decreases, and the conveying performance may deteriorate. Patent Document 1 discloses a feed roller, which is an example of a conveying roller, that is configured so that the rubber part can be replaced.

JP 2014-122087 A

The feed roller disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a pair of inner core parts and a pair of outer core parts that are detachable from the inner core parts. The rubber part is provided on the outer periphery of the outer core parts. When replacing the rubber part, the outer core part is replaced as well. The pair of inner core parts described in Patent Document 1 have the same configuration, and the pair of outer core parts also have the same configuration.

However, for the purpose of ensuring friction with the sheet, the pair of rubber parts provided on the pair of outer core parts may have a directional property. For example, the surface of the rubber part may be provided with a groove shape, a textured surface, a polished surface, or the like. In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the pair of outer core parts are attached to each inner core part in opposite directions, so even if the configuration of the pair of outer core parts is the same, the configuration of the pair of rubber parts needs to be different. In that case, if each of the pair of outer core parts can be attached to either of the pair of inner core parts, there is a risk that it will be mistakenly attached to the opposite inner core part.

In view of the above, a conveying roller of the present invention is a conveying roller for conveying a sheet, comprising: a shaft; a pair of inner core parts which are aligned on the shaft in an axial direction parallel to the shaft and have the same configuration; a first outer core part which can be attached to one of the pair of inner core parts from a first direction from one end side to the other end side of the shaft ; a first rubber part provided on the outer periphery of the first outer core part; a second outer core part which can be attached to the other of the pair of inner core parts from a second direction opposite to the first direction ; and a second rubber part provided on the outer periphery of the second outer core part, wherein the first outer core part has a first regulating part which restricts the first outer core part from being attached to the inner core part of the pair of inner core parts from the second direction, and the second outer core part has a second regulating part which restricts the first outer core part from being attached to the inner core part of the pair of inner core parts from being attached to the inner core part of the pair of inner core parts from being attached to the inner core part of the pair of inner core parts.

This prevents the outer core part from being attached incorrectly.

1 is a schematic diagram of a document feeding device which is an example of a sheet transport device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram of a document feeding device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a drive transmission structure of the document feeding device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit of the document feeding device according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document feeding device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a feeding section according to the first embodiment. 1A is a perspective view of a feed roller according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the feed roller according to the first embodiment. 3A and 3B are exploded perspective views of a feed roller according to the first embodiment. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a first outer core portion and a first rubber portion according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1C and 1D are perspective views of a second outer core portion and a second rubber portion according to the first embodiment. 1A is a side view of a first outer core portion and a first rubber portion according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view of a second outer core portion and a second rubber portion according to the first embodiment. 1A is a side view of an internal core portion according to the first embodiment, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the internal core portion according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a holding structure of a positioning member according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1A is a side view of a first outer core portion according to a second embodiment, FIG. 1B is a side view of a second outer core portion according to a second embodiment, FIG. 1C is a side view of one of a pair of inner core portions according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 1D is a side view of the other of a pair of inner core portions according to a second embodiment.

The following describes in detail the embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of a document feeder which is an example of a sheet transport device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a drive transmission structure of the document feeder according to the first embodiment.

<Apparatus Configuration>
The document feeder 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is an example of a sheet transport device, and can be applied to an image reading device such as a scanner that reads an image of a document, an image forming device such as a printer that forms an image on a sheet, or an apparatus having a sheet transport system such as a multifunction machine that combines these. In this embodiment, an example in which the document feeder 100 is applied to an image reading device will be described. Figure 1 shows a transport state of a document S, and Figure 2 shows a standby state.

The document feeder 100 feeds one or more documents S loaded on a loading platform 1, which is an example of a sheet loading section provided at the upper end of the rear side of the device body 100A, into the device body 100A one by one, transports the documents S along a path RT inclined with respect to the horizontal plane on which the device body 100A is installed, reads the image of the documents S, and discharges the documents S onto a discharge tray 2 provided at the lower end of the front side of the device body 100A. The documents S are, for example, sheets such as office paper, checks, cheques, business cards, cards, etc., and may be thick or thin sheets. Examples of cards include insurance cards, driver's licenses, and credit cards.

<Feeding section>
1, the document feeding device 100 includes a first transport unit 10 as a feeding mechanism that feeds the document S along a path RT of the device main body 100A. The first transport unit 10 includes a feed roller 110, which is an example of a transport roller, and a separation roller 12 arranged opposite the feed roller 110, and transports the documents S arranged on the loading surface side of the placement table 1 one by one in a feed direction D1.

The loading platform 1 is provided so that the feeding direction D1 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the loading surface on which the document feeder 100 is placed, and the document S placed on the loading platform 1 is supplied to the first transport section 10 by its own weight.

The feed roller 110 has a feed roller shaft 11b, which is a cylindrical shaft, and a pair of feed roller parts 111 and 112 provided on the feed roller shaft 11b. The feed roller shaft 11b is a rotating shaft that can rotate with respect to a frame 105 shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later.

The feed roller shaft 11b is provided with a feed gear portion 113 as shown in FIG. 3. When the feed roller 110 as a unit including the feed gear portion 113 is mounted on the device main body 100A, the feed gear portion 113 meshes with the drive gear portion 101 that transmits the driving force of the motor 3 (drive motor) installed in the device main body 100A.

The gear diameter of the feed gear portion 113 is smaller than the diameter of each of the feed roller portions 111, 112. Therefore, the drive gear portion 101 is arranged so that it partially overlaps with each of the feed roller portions 111, 112 when viewed in the axial direction of the feed roller shaft 11b, and the gear connection portion with the feed gear portion 113 overlaps with each of the feed roller portions 111, 112 when viewed in the axial direction. This allows the outer diameter of the feed gear portion 113 to be set small, improving the storage capacity of the feed roller 110 and preventing physical interference with the cover member a3 described below.

The drive gear section 101 connected to the feed gear section 113 is provided on one end of the drive gear shaft 102 shown in FIG. 3, and a clutch section 103 consisting of an electromagnetic clutch or the like is provided on the other end of the drive gear shaft 102. This clutch section 103 is connected between the drive transmission mechanism (gear train) X, to which the driving force is transmitted from the motor 3 by a pulley, and the drive gear shaft 102. In other words, the drive gear shaft 102 and the drive transmission mechanism X are drivingly connected by the clutch section 103 possessed by the drive gear shaft 102. Furthermore, the drive transmission mechanism X to the feed roller 110 is connected to the drive transmission mechanism of the separation roller 12. In other words, the motor 3 serves as a drive source for driving the separation roller 12 and the feed roller 110.

When the clutch unit 103 provided on the drive gear shaft 102 is OFF (disconnected), the reverse drive of the motor 3 (drive to return the document to the placement table 1 side) is not transmitted to the drive gear shaft 102, and when the clutch unit 103 is ON (connected), it is a switching means for transmitting the forward drive of the motor 3 (drive in the direction to separate and feed the document) to the drive gear shaft 102.

When the clutch unit 103 is turned OFF, drive is transmitted only to the separation roller 12, and at this time the feed roller 110 rotates in response to the separation roller 12. As a result, when the multi-feed detection sensor 40 in FIG. 1 described later detects that a document has been multi-fed, the feeding operation is temporarily stopped and the motor 3 is driven to appropriately return the multi-fed document to the placement table 1 side. Note that if such a multi-feed retry function is not provided, the clutch unit 103 does not need to be provided.

In this manner, in this embodiment, when the motor 3 is driven and the driving force is transmitted from the drive gear unit 101 to the feed gear unit 113, the feed roller shaft 11b rotates in the feed direction (the direction of the solid arrow D2 in FIG. 1) together with the feed gear unit 113. One-way clutches 11a are provided between the feed roller shaft 11b and each of the pair of feed roller units 111, 112. At this time, the one-way clutch 11a meshes with the feed roller shaft 11b, causing the feed roller units 111, 112 to rotate in the feed direction together with the feed roller shaft 11b.

The transport speed of the feed roller 110 is set to be slower than the transport speed of the transport roller 21, which will be described later. Therefore, when the fed document S reaches the transport roller 21 and the transport speed of the document S increases, the meshing between the one-way clutch 11a and the feed roller shaft 11b is released, and the feed roller 110 rotates along with the document S, rotating faster than the speed at which it rotates due to the drive transmission from the motor 3.

In other words, when the document S reaches the transport roller 21, it receives a transport force from the transport roller 21, which is set to a speed difference with the feed roller 110, and is pulled out from between the feed roller 110 and the separation roller 12, which is pressed against the feed roller 110.

In this embodiment, as described above, one-way clutches 11a are provided individually for the left and right feed roller sections 111 and 112. Therefore, even if the document S that has reached the transport roller 21 is pulled out from between the feed roller 110 and the separation roller 12 in a skewed state, the operation of the independent one-way clutches 11a prevents the subsequent document S from becoming skewed.

<Separation section>
1, the separation roller 12 disposed opposite the feed roller 110 is a roller for separating the documents S one by one, and is in contact with the feed roller 110 at a constant pressure. To ensure this state of contact, the separation roller 12 is supported by a separation rocking member 121. The separation rocking member 121 is supported rotatably about a shaft portion 121a, and a biasing force is applied by a compression spring 122 so that the separation roller 12 is in contact with the feed roller 110.

The separation roller 12 receives a driving force from the motor 3 via the torque limiter 12a, and is driven to rotate in the direction of the solid arrow D3. Because the transmission of the driving force to the separation roller 12 is restricted by the torque limiter 12a, when the separation roller 12 is in contact with the feed roller 110, it rotates in a direction that rotates with the feed roller 110 (in the direction of the dashed arrow D4). As a result, when multiple documents S are transported to the pressure contact area between the feed roller 110 and the separation roller 12, two or more documents S are blocked so that all but one are not transported downstream.

In this embodiment, a structure using a separation roller 12 has been described, but it is not limited to the roller form. It is also the same when a load is applied to the document S in the opposite direction to the feeding direction, such as a separation pad, is used, and any form of separation member is acceptable.

<Document detection structure of feeding section>
1, in order to detect the presence or absence of the document S on the placement table 1, a document detection sensor 90 is provided upstream of the feed roller 110. The document detection sensor 90 is a lever-type sensor that is arranged so as to hang down vertically from above under its own weight. As another example, an optical sensor such as the medium detection sensors 50 and 60 described below may be used.

In this embodiment, the document detection sensor 90 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a document immediately before the nip portion formed by the separation roller 12 and the feed roller units 111 and 112 in the feed direction. Therefore, it is preferable to place the document detection sensor 90 between the left and right feed roller units 111 and 112, which is close to the nip portion.

In addition, by adopting a lever-type document detection sensor 90 as in this embodiment, space is secured for providing a feed gear section 113 in the feed roller 110, and in addition to high-precision document detection, good separation and feeding can be performed with equal left and right contact pressure.

<Pick arm/manuscript stopper>
1, the document feeding device 100 includes a pick roller 131 that presses the document S against the feed roller 110 on the upstream side of a nip (hereinafter, referred to as a feed nip) where the feed roller 110 and the separation roller 12 come into contact, and a pick arm 13 that axially supports the pick roller 131. The pick roller 131 presses the document S against the feed roller 110 to increase the conveying force of the document S, thereby assisting in the feeding of the document S.

The pick arm 13 has a shaft 13a rotatably supported by the device body 100A and is biased by a spring (not shown) in a direction to press the pick roller 131 against the feed roller 110. The pick arm 13 can be moved by the driving force of a motor 4 (described later) between a pressure position shown in FIG. 1 where the pick roller 131 presses the document S against the feed roller 110 and a retracted position shown in FIG. 2 where the pick roller 131 retracts from the feed roller 110.

Another configuration to assist the feeding roller 110 in feeding is to provide another feeding roller upstream of the feeding roller 110, but the configuration shown in Figure 1 above allows for a smaller device and reduced costs.

The document feeder 100 is equipped with a document stopper 14 as shown in FIG. 1. In the state shown in FIG. 2, the document stopper 14 has the role of blocking the stack of documents by projecting its tip toward the transport path.

The document stopper 14 is rotatably supported by the device main body 100A at its shaft 14a, and can be moved between an open position in which the transport path is opened so that the document S can be fed as shown in FIG. 1, and a closed position in which the transport path is closed so that the document stack does not enter the feed nip as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the document feeder 100 in a standby state, and in this state the document stack can be set on the placement table 1 by butting the leading edge of the document stack against the document stopper 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the motor 4 is connected via a pulley P and a belt 4a to one end of the conveyor roller shaft 21a that holds the conveyor roller 21 and the conveyor roller shaft 31a that holds the conveyor roller 31.

That is, motor 4 is a drive source that drives transport rollers 21 and 31, and is provided as a separate motor from motor 3 that drives the above-mentioned feed roller. In this way, by individually controlling motors 3 and 4, highly accurate feed and transport control can be achieved by separately controlling the feed drive and the transport drive.

The pick arm 13 and the document stopper 14 are driven by the motor 4, which drives the above-mentioned transport rollers 21 and 31, via the drive transmission mechanism Y (see FIG. 3). When the motor 4 drives a specified number of pulses in the forward direction, the pick arm 13 moves to the pressure contact position and the document stopper 14 moves to the open position, and when the motor 4 drives a specified number of pulses in the reverse direction, the pick arm 13 moves to the retracted position and the document stopper 14 moves to the closed position. Here, the forward direction refers to the direction in which the transport rollers 21 and 31, described below, rotate so as to transport the document S in the feed direction D1 in FIG. 1.

<Conveyor structure>
1, the second transport section 20 as a transport mechanism located downstream of the first transport section 10 in the feeding direction includes a transport roller 21 and a driven roller 22 driven by the transport roller 21, and transports the document S transported from the first transport section 10 downstream. A driving force is transmitted from the motor 4 to the transport roller 21, and the driven roller 22 is rotated in the direction of the solid arrow in the figure. The driven roller 22 is in contact with the transport roller 21 with a constant pressure, and rotates with the transport roller 21.

The third transport section 30, which is located downstream of the second transport section 20 in the feeding direction, includes a transport roller 31 and a driven roller 32 that is driven by the transport roller 31, and transports the document S transported from the second transport section 20 to the discharge tray 2. In other words, the third transport section 30 functions as a discharge mechanism. A driving force is transmitted from the motor 4 to the transport roller 31, and the transport roller 31 is driven to rotate in the direction of the solid arrow in the figure. The driven roller 32 is pressed against the transport roller 31 with a constant pressure, and rotates with the transport roller 31.

<Double feed detection>
The double-feed detection sensor 40, which is disposed between the first conveying section 10 and the second conveying section 20, is an example of a detection sensor (a sensor that detects the behavior or state of the document S) for detecting when documents S, such as paper, come into close contact with each other due to static electricity or the like and pass through the first conveying section 10 (i.e., when there is a double-feed state in which the documents S are conveyed overlapping each other).

Various types of double-feed detection sensor 40 can be used, but in this embodiment, it is an ultrasonic sensor, which has an ultrasonic transmitter 41 and a receiver 42, and detects double-feed based on the principle that the attenuation of ultrasonic waves passing through originals S, such as paper, differs between when originals S are being fed in multiples and when they are being transported one at a time.

<Registration sensor>
The media detection sensor 50, which is located downstream in the feeding direction from such a double feed detection sensor 40, is an example of an upstream detection sensor (a sensor that detects the behavior or state of the document S) located upstream of the second conveying section 20 and downstream of the first conveying section 10, and detects the position of the document S transported by the first conveying section 10, more specifically, whether or not the end of the document S has reached or passed the detection position of the media detection sensor 50.

Various types of media detection sensor 50 can be used, but in this embodiment, it is an optical sensor that has a light-emitting section 51 and a light-receiving section 52, and detects the original S based on the principle that the intensity of received light (amount of received light) changes when the original S arrives or passes by.

In this embodiment, the media detection sensor 50 is provided downstream of and near the multi-feed detection sensor 40 so that the document S has reached a position where the multi-feed detection sensor 40 can detect the multi-feed when the leading edge of the document S is detected by the media detection sensor 50. Note that the media detection sensor 50 is not limited to the optical sensor described above, and may be, for example, a sensor (such as an image sensor) that can detect the edge of the document S, or a lever-type sensor that protrudes into the path RT.

A media detection sensor 60, separate from the media detection sensor 50, is arranged upstream of the image reading unit 70. It is an example of a downstream detection sensor arranged downstream of the second transport unit 20, and detects the position of the document S transported by the second transport unit 20.

Various types of media detection sensor 60 can be used, but in this embodiment, like media detection sensor 50, it is an optical sensor that has a light-emitting section 61 and a light-receiving section 62, and detects document S based on the principle that the intensity of received light (amount of received light) changes when document S arrives or passes by.

<CIS placement>
The image reading unit 70 located downstream of the medium detection sensor 60, for example, optically scans and converts it into an electrical signal to read it as image data, and is equipped with a light source such as an LED, an image sensor, a lens array, etc. In the case of this embodiment, the image reading units 70 are arranged one on each side of the path RT, and are configured with contact image sensors (CIS) that read the front and back sides of the document S.

<Block diagram explanation>
The control unit 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the control unit 80 of the document feeder 100.

The control unit 80 includes a CPU 81, a memory unit 82, an operation unit 83, a communication unit 84, and an interface unit 85. The CPU 81 controls the entire document feeding device 100 by executing a program stored in the memory unit 82. The memory unit 82 is composed of, for example, a RAM, a ROM, etc. The operation unit 83 is composed of, for example, a switch, a touch panel, etc., and accepts operations from the operator.

The communication unit 84 is an interface that communicates information with an external device. If the external device is a PC (computer), the communication unit 84 can be, for example, a USB interface or a SCSI interface. In addition to such a wired communication interface, the communication unit 84 may be a wireless communication interface, or may have both wired and wireless communication interfaces.

The interface unit 85 is an I/O interface that inputs and outputs data to and from the actuator 86 and the sensor 87. The actuator 86 includes the motor 3, the motor 4, etc. The sensor 87 includes the double feed detection sensor 40, the media detection sensors 50 and 60, the image reading unit 70, the document detection sensor 90, etc.

<Driven by receiving a start command from a PC>
The basic operation of the document feeding device 100 will be described. When the control unit 80 receives an instruction to start image reading from, for example, an external computer to which the document feeding device 100 is connected, the control unit 80 starts driving the first to third transport units 10 to 30. The documents S loaded on the placement table 1 are transported one by one starting from the document S located at the bottom. The instruction to start image reading may be executed by pressing a start button provided on the document feeding device 100.

<Start of reading according to the output of the registration sensor>
The control unit 80 starts reading the image of the document S conveyed by the second conveying unit 20 by the image reading unit 70 at a timing based on the detection result of the medium detection sensor 60, temporarily stores the read image, and sequentially transmits it to the external computer. The document S from which the image has been read is discharged to the discharge tray 2 by the third conveying unit 30, and the image reading process of the document S is completed.

<Feeding and transport operation flow>
Next, the feeding and transporting operation will be described with reference to a flow chart of FIG 5, which shows the operation of the document feeding device 100 according to the first embodiment.

In step S1, the control unit 80 receives a feed start command to read an image, for example from an external computer connected to the document feeder 100.

In step S2, the control unit 80 uses the document detection sensor 90 to determine whether or not a document S is present on the placement table 1.

In step S3, if the control unit 80 determines through the document detection sensor 90 that the document S is not present (S2: NO), it displays a message to the effect that there is no document S on an external computer, etc., and ends the process without feeding or transporting the document.

In step S4, if the control unit 80 determines that the document S is present on the placement table 1 by the document detection sensor 90 (S2: YES), it drives the motor 4 in the forward direction. At this time, the pick arm 13 is moved to the pressure contact position and the document stopper 14 is moved to the open position.

In step S5, the control unit 80 drives the motor 3 to rotate the feed roller 110 in the direction (forward direction) for feeding the original S, thereby feeding the original S.

In step S6, it is detected that the leading edge of the document S has passed through the media detection sensor 50, and then in step S7, it is detected that the leading edge of the document S has passed through the media detection sensor 60.

At this time, the leading edge of the document S has passed the media detection sensor 60, and the document S has reached the second transport unit 20. Therefore, even if the first transport unit 10 is stopped, the document S will be transported by the second transport unit 20. Therefore, in step S8, the control unit 80 stops the motor 3.

On the other hand, image reading of the document S begins a predetermined time after the leading edge of the document S reaches the media detection sensor 60 and the image reading unit 70.

In step S9, it is detected that the rear end of the document S has passed the media detection sensor 60. After a predetermined time has elapsed from this time, image reading of the document S is terminated. This completes a series of reading operations for one sheet of the document S.

In step S10, the control unit 80 uses the document detection sensor 90 to determine whether or not the document S is present on the placement table 1. If it is determined that the document S is present (S10: YES), the process proceeds to step S5, where the document S is transported and the image is read.

If the document detection sensor 90 determines in step S10 that there is no document S on the placement table 1 (S10: NO), the control unit 80 stops the motor 4 in step S11. At this time, the motor 4 is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed so that the document that has passed the medium detection sensor 60 can be discharged by the third transport unit 30. If the motor 4 does not drive the third transport unit, the motor 4 may be stopped immediately.

Then, in step S12, the control unit 80 drives the motor 4 in the reverse direction for a predetermined number of pulses and then stops it. At this time, the pick arm 13 moves to the retracted position and the document stopper 14 moves to the closed position and stops. This completes the feeding and transporting operation.

The above operation flow triggers the media detection sensor 60 to control the transport of the next document S. This allows a predetermined distance between sheets to be provided at the reading position of the image reading unit 70, allowing the document S to be transported continuously and stably.

<Feed roller>
A specific description will now be given of the feeding roller 110. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding section according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the document feeder 100 includes a frame 105 including a concave roller mounting portion a1 for mounting the feed roller 110. The feed roller 110 is mounted in the roller mounting portion a1. The feed roller 110 mounted in the roller mounting portion a1 is covered by a cover member a3. The cover member a3 is provided so that the longitudinal ends of the roller mounting portion a1 can be opened and closed. When a user grasps the cover member a3 to open it, both ends of the feed roller 110 are exposed, and the feed roller 110 can be attached and detached to the roller mounting portion a1. When the cover member a3 is closed, both ends of the feed roller shaft 11b are held by the roller mounting portion a1 and the cover member a3. As a result, the feed roller shaft 11b is held rotatably around a virtual axis C1 passing through the center of the feed roller shaft 11b. The cover member a3 may cover the front and rear of the feed roller portions 111 and 112 of the feed roller 110 that form a nip with the separation roller 12 in the conveying direction, and is preferably positioned between the feed roller portions 111 and 112 in the axial direction of the feed roller shaft 11b so as to cover the feed roller shaft 11b.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the feed roller 110 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the feed roller 110 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the feed roller 110 has a feed roller shaft 11b, a pair of inner core parts 1103 ₁ and 1103 ₂ provided on the feed roller shaft 11b, a first outer core part 1101, and a second outer core part 1102. The pair of inner core parts 1103 ₁ and 1103 ₂ have the same configuration. The pair of inner core parts 1103 ₁ and 1103 ₂ are aligned in the same direction in the axial direction D10 in which the feed roller shaft 11b extends, and are attached to the feed roller shaft 11b at a distance in the axial direction D10 via a spacer SP made of resin. The first outer core part 1101 and the second outer core part 1102 have different configurations.

The inner core portions _1103-1 and _1103-2 are formed in a cylindrical shape and are fitted on the feed roller shaft 11b so as to be rotatable relative to the feed roller shaft 11b. A one-way clutch 11a- ₁ is interposed between the feed roller shaft 11b and the inner core portion _1103-1 , and a one-way clutch 11a _-2 is interposed between the feed roller shaft 11b and the inner core portion _1103-2 . That is, the inner core portions _1103-1 and _1103-2 are attached to the feed roller shaft 11b via the individual one-way clutches 11a _-1 and 11a- ₂ . The one-way clutches 11a _-1 and 11a- ₂ have the same configuration and are arranged in the same direction in the axial direction D10 of the feed roller shaft 11b.

The outer core portion 1101 is supported by the feed roller shaft 11b via the inner core portion _1103-1 and the one-way clutch 11a _-1 . The outer core portion 1102 is supported by the feed roller shaft 11b via the inner core portion _1103-2 and the one-way clutch 11a _-2 . That is, the one-way clutches 11a _-1 and 11a- ₂ in this embodiment are provided individually for the pair of feed roller portions 111 and 112 provided separately on the left and right. The one-way clutches 11a _-1 and 11a- ₂ are disposed at the same axial position relative to the inner core portions _1103-1 and _1103-2 .

In this embodiment, the inner core portion 1103 ₁ and the one-way clutch 11a ₁ , and the inner core portion 1103 ₂ and the one-way clutch 11a ₂ are the same common part, which makes it easy to manufacture the feed roller 110.

The first outer core portion 1101 and the second outer core portion 1102 are each formed in a cylindrical shape and configured to be detachably attached to the pair of inner core portions _1103-1 , _1103-2 . When the first outer core portion 1101 is attached to the inner core portion _1103-1 , the first outer core portion 1101 fits into the inner core portion _1103-1 and is restricted from moving relative to the inner core portion _1103-1 . When the second outer core portion 1102 is attached to the inner core portion _1103-2 , the second outer core portion 1102 fits into the inner core portion _1103-2 and is restricted from moving relative to the inner core portion _1103-2 .

8A and 8B are partially exploded perspective views of the feed roller 110 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the first outer core portion 1101 is removed from the inner core portion _1103-1 , and the second outer core portion 1102 is removed from the inner core portion _1103-2 . Here, the mounting direction of the first outer core portion 1101 relative to the inner core portion _1103-1 is defined as a first direction D11. The mounting direction of the second outer core portion 1102 relative to the inner core portion _1103-2 is defined as a second direction D12. The first direction D11 and the second direction D12 are parallel to the axial direction D10, which is the direction in which the feed roller shaft 11b extends, and are opposite to each other. Therefore, the second direction D12 is the direction in which the first outer core portion 1101 is removed from the inner core portion _1103-1 . Further, with respect to the second outer core portion 1102, the first direction D11 is the direction in which the second outer core portion 1102 is removed from the inner core portion _1103-2 .

A cylindrical first rubber portion 1105 is provided on the outer periphery of the first outer core portion 1101, and a cylindrical second rubber portion 1106 is provided on the outer periphery of the second outer core portion 1102. Each rubber portion 1105, 1106 is formed of a rubber material. The rotation direction of each rubber portion 1105, 1106 is determined by the polishing direction or surface pattern of the surface. In other words, the pair of rubber portions 1105, 1106 themselves may be the same or may have different configurations, but when attached to the outer core portions, they have different configurations.

The first outer core part 1101 and the first rubber part 1105 are fixed so that the first rubber part 1105 does not move relative to the first outer core part 1101. In other words, the first outer core part 1101 is a support member that supports the first rubber part 1105, and is made of a material that is more rigid than the first rubber part 1105, for example, a resin such as plastic. Therefore, when replacing the first rubber part 1105, the first outer core part 1101 is replaced as well.

Similarly, the second outer core portion 1102 and the second rubber portion 1106 are fixed so that the second rubber portion 1106 does not move relative to the second outer core portion 1102. In other words, the second outer core portion 1102 is a support member that supports the second rubber portion 1106, and is made of a material that is more rigid than the second rubber portion 1106, for example, a resin such as plastic. Therefore, when replacing the second rubber portion 1106, the second outer core portion 1102 is replaced as well.

The first outer core portion 1101 is mountable to one inner core portion _1103-1 of the pair of inner core portions _1103-1 , _1103-2 . The first outer core portion 1101 is configured so as not to be mountable to the other inner core portion _1103-2 of the pair of inner core portions _1103-1 , _1103-2 .

Similarly, the second outer core portion 1102 is mountable to the other inner core portion 1103-2 of the pair of inner core portions _1103-1 , _1103-2 . The second outer core portion 1102 is configured _not to be mountable to the other inner core portion _1103-1 of the pair of inner core portions _1103-1 , _1103-2 .

The above-mentioned inner core portion 1103 ₁ , first outer core portion 1101, and first rubber portion 1105 constitute the feed roller portion 111. The above-mentioned inner core portion 1103 ₂ , second outer core portion 1102, and second rubber portion 1106 constitute the feed roller portion 112.

When transporting the original S, the feed roller 110 transports the original S with each rubber portion 1105, 1106 in contact with the original S. For this reason, the frictional force between each rubber portion 1105, 1106 and the original S may decrease due to wear or dirt. When it becomes necessary to replace the rubber portions 1105, 1106, the user removes the feed roller 110 from the frame 105. In this embodiment, the user does not replace the entire feed roller 110, but only replaces the first outer core portion 1101 that is integral with the first rubber portion 1105 of the feed roller 110 and/or the second outer core portion 1102 that is integral with the second rubber portion 1106.

9(a) and 9(b) are perspective views of the first outer core portion 1101 and the first rubber portion 1105 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9(c) and FIG. 9(d) are perspective views of the second outer core portion 1102 and the second rubber portion 1106 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10(a) is a side view of the first outer core portion 1101 and the first rubber portion 1105 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10(b) is a side view of the second outer core portion 1102 and the second rubber portion 1106 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11(a) is one side view of the inner core portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner core portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11(c) is another side view of the inner core portion according to the first embodiment. Since the pair of inner core portions 1103 ₁ and 1103 ₂ have the same configuration, in Figures 11(a) to 11(c), the inner core portions 1103 ₁ and 1103 ₂ are illustrated as the inner core portion 1103. In addition, the one-way clutches 11a ₁ and 11a ₂ are also illustrated as the one-way clutch 11a.

As shown in Figures 9(a), 9(b), and 10(a), the first outer core portion 1101 has a cylindrical first core body 1101x and a first outer engagement portion 1101a that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the first core body 1101x.

As shown in Figures 9(c), 9(d), and 10(b), the second outer core portion 1102 has a cylindrical second core body 1102x and a second outer engagement portion 1102a protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the second core body 1102x.

As shown in Figures 11(a) to 11(c), the inner core portion 1103 has a cylindrical core body 1103x, a first inner engagement portion 1103a protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the core body 1103x, and a second inner engagement portion 1103b protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the core body 1103x. Note that in Figure 11(a), the structure of the core body 1103x on the one-way clutch 11a side in the axial direction D10 should be visible around the feed roller shaft 11b, but is omitted for the sake of explanation.

7B, the first inner engagement portion 1103a of the inner core portion _1103-1 is formed to be able to engage with the first outer engagement portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101 in the axial direction D10 of the feed roller shaft 11b. Also, the second inner engagement portion 1103b of the inner core portion _1103-2 is formed to be able to engage with the second outer engagement portion 1102a of the second outer core portion 1102 in the axial direction D10.

The first inner engaging portion 1103a and the second inner engaging portion 1103b of the inner core portion _1103.1 face in opposite directions in the axial direction D10. This allows the first inner engaging portion 1103a of the inner core portion _1103.1 to engage with the first outer engaging portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101 attached from the first direction D11, but the second inner engaging portion 1103b of the inner core portion _1103.1 does not contribute to engagement with the first outer engaging portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101.

Similarly, the first inner engaging portion 1103a and the second inner engaging portion 1103b of the inner core portion _1103-2 face in opposite directions to each other in the axial direction D10. This allows the second inner engaging portion 1103b of the inner core portion _1103-2 to engage with the second outer engaging portion 1102a of the second outer core portion 1102 attached from the second direction D12, but the first inner engaging portion 1103a of the inner core portion _1103-2 does not contribute to engagement with the second outer engaging portion 1102a of the second outer core portion 1102.

Each of the inner engaging portions 1103a, 1103b shown in Fig. 11(b) is provided so as to be elastically deformable in the radial direction of the core body 1103x. That is, the first inner engaging portion 1103a of the inner core portion _1103-1 shown in Fig. 7(b) is elastically deformable so as to be engageable with and disengaged from the first outer engaging portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101. Also, the second inner engaging portion 1103b of the inner core portion _1103-2 is elastically deformable so as to be engageable with and disengaged from the second outer engaging portion 1102a of the second outer core portion 1102.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the first inner engagement portion 1103a includes a first support portion 1103aa connected to the outer peripheral surface of the core body 1103x, a first arm portion 1103ab extending from the first support portion 1103aa in the second direction D12 along the outer peripheral surface of the core body 1103x, and a first engagement claw 1103ac provided on the first arm portion 1103ab. The first support portion 1103aa supports the first arm portion 1103ab in an elastically deformable manner, so that the first arm portion 1103ab is elastically deformable in the radial direction. The first engagement claw 1103ac is formed on the radially outer surface of the core body 1103x in the first arm portion 1103ab.

The second inner engagement portion 1103b includes a second support portion 1103ba connected to the outer peripheral surface of the core body 1103x, a second arm portion 1103bb extending from the second support portion 1103ba in the first direction D11 along the outer peripheral surface of the core body 1103x, and a second engagement claw 1103bc provided on the second arm portion 1103bb. The second support portion 1103ba supports the second arm portion 1103bb in an elastically deformable manner, so that the second arm portion 1103bb is elastically deformable in the radial direction. The second engagement claw 1103bc is formed on the radially outer surface of the core body 1103x in the second arm portion 1103bb.

Each of the engagement claws 1103ac, 1103bc includes an inclined surface and an abutment surface. As shown in Fig. 7B, the first outer engagement portion 1101a is an engagement claw that can engage with the first engagement claw 1103ac of the inner core portion _1103-1 . The second outer engagement portion 1102a is an engagement claw that can engage with the second engagement claw 1103bc of the inner core portion _1103-2 . Each of the outer engagement portions 1101a, 1102a includes an inclined surface and an abutment surface.

An engaged state is established by an abutment surface of the first engagement claw 1103ac of the inner core portion _1103-1 and an abutment surface of the first outer engagement portion 1101a abutting against each other. Also, an engaged state is established by an abutment surface of the second engagement claw 1103bc of the inner core portion _1103-2 and an abutment surface of the second outer engagement portion 1102a abutting against each other.

As shown in FIG. 11B, each arm portion 1103ab, 1103bb is spaced radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the core body 1103x. Each support portion 1103aa, 1103ba has elasticity and supports each arm portion 1103ab, 1103bb. Each support portion 1103aa, 1103ba supports each arm portion 1103ab, 1103bb so that each arm portion 1103ab, 1103bb can be displaced in a direction approaching and moving away from the outer circumferential surface of the core body 1103x. This allows each arm portion 1103ab, 1103bb to elastically deform in the radial direction of the core body 1103x.

As shown in Fig. 10A, the first outer core portion 1101 has a first restricting portion 1101b that interferes with the inner core portion _1103-2 to prevent the first outer core portion ₁₁₀₁ from being erroneously attached to the inner core portion _1103-2 of Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B. As shown in Fig. 9A, the first outer core portion 1101 has a first protrusion portion 1101c for restricting the attachment orientation of the first outer core portion 1101 in the axial direction D10 so that the first rubber portion 1105 is located inside the axial direction D10 of the pair of feed roller portions 111 and ₁₁₂ of Fig. 7A, and a first key portion 1101d, which is an example of a first protrusion, that determines the position in the rotational direction (circumferential direction) relative to the inner core portion 1103-1.

As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), the first restricting portion 1101b is formed to protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the first core body 1101x of the first outer core portion 1101. The first restricting portion 1101b is formed to extend along the axial direction D10.

When attaching the first outer core portion 1101 to the inner core portion _1103-1 , as shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), one end side (N-face side) of the first core body 1101x in the axial direction D10 is opposed to the side of the inner core portion _1103-1 , and the first outer core portion 1101 is moved in a first direction D11 parallel to the axial direction D10 to engage with the inner core portion _1103-1 .

9A, the first protrusion 1101c is provided on the other end side (M surface side) of the first core body 1101x in the axial direction D10, and is formed to protrude radially inward from the first core body 1101x. As a result, when the other end side (M surface side) of the first core body 1101x is moved in the first direction D11 facing the side surface of the inner core portion _1103-1 , the first protrusion 1101c interferes with the side surface of the inner core portion _1103-1 . This prevents the first outer core portion 1101 from being attached to the inner core portion _1103-1 in an incorrect orientation.

Similarly, as shown in Fig. 10(b), the second outer core portion 1102 has a second restricting portion 1102b that interferes with the inner core portion _1103-1 to prevent the second outer core portion 1102 from being erroneously attached to the inner core portion 1103-1 of Fig. ₈ (a) and Fig. 8(b) and makes it impossible to attach the second outer core portion 1102 to the inner core portion _1103-1 . As shown in Fig. 9(c), the second outer core portion 1102 has a second protrusion portion 1102c for restricting the attachment orientation of the second outer core portion 1102 in the axial direction D10 so that the second rubber portion 1106 is located inside the axial direction D10 of the pair of feed roller portions 111, 112 of Fig. 7(a), and a second key portion 1102d, which is an example of a second protrusion, that determines the position in the rotational direction (circumferential direction) relative to the inner core portion _1103-2 .

As shown in Figures 9(c) and 9(d), the second restricting portion 1102b is formed to protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the second core body 1102x of the second outer core portion 1102. The second restricting portion 1102b is formed to extend along the axial direction D10.

When attaching the second outer core portion 1102 to the inner core portion _1103-2 , as shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), one end side (N-face side) of the second core body 1102x in the axial direction D10 is opposed to the side of the inner core portion _1103-2 , and the second outer core portion 1102 is moved in a second direction D12 that is opposite to the first direction D11 and parallel to the axial direction D10, to engage with the inner core portion _1103-2 .

9C, the second protrusion 1102c is provided on the other end side (M surface side) of the second core body 1102x in the axial direction D10, and is formed to protrude radially inward from the second core body 1102x. As a result, when the other end side (M surface side) of the second core body 1102x is moved in the second direction D12 facing the side surface of the inner core portion _1103-2 , the second protrusion 1102c interferes with the side surface of the inner core portion _1103-2 . This prevents the second outer core portion 1102 from being attached to the inner core portion _1103-2 in the wrong orientation.

Each of the outer core portions 1101, 1102 has a surface (M surface) having each of the protrusions 1101c, 1102c, and an opposite surface (N surface). Each of the rubber portions 1105, 1106 is disposed close to the N surface side. Here, viewing the first outer core portion 1101 from the M surface side means viewing the first outer core portion 1101 attached to the inner core portion _1103-1 in the first direction D11. Also, viewing the second outer core portion 1102 from the M surface side means viewing the second outer core portion 1102 attached to the inner core portion _1103-2 in the second direction D12.

As shown in FIG. 10(a) and FIG. 10(b), when the first outer core portion 1101 and the second outer core portion 1102 are viewed from the M-side, the relative position of the first restricting portion 1101b in the first outer core portion 1101 with respect to the first outer engaging portion 1101a is different from the relative position of the second restricting portion 1102b in the second outer core portion 1102 with respect to the second outer engaging portion 1102a. That is, when the outer engaging portions 1101a and 1102a are used as the reference, the first restricting portion 1101b and the second restricting portion 1102b are arranged so that their phases differ in the circumferential direction. In other words, when the outer engaging portions 1101a and 1102a are used as the reference, the pair of restricting portions 1101b and 1102b are arranged in opposite rotational directions at a predetermined angle other than 180 degrees with respect to the axis C1.

In this embodiment, the first restricting portion 1101b is disposed at a position 90 degrees in the clockwise rotation direction centered on the axis C1 with respect to the first outer engagement portion 1101a when the first outer core portion 1101 is viewed in the first direction D11 as shown in FIG. 10(a). The second restricting portion 1102b is disposed at a position 90 degrees in the counterclockwise rotation direction centered on the axis C1 with respect to the second outer engagement portion 1102a when the second outer core portion 1102 is viewed in the second direction D12 as shown in FIG. 10(b). Note that the attachment angle of the first restricting portion 1101b is 90 degrees, and the angle may be slightly larger or smaller, or the first restricting portion 1101b may be provided at another angle.

As shown in FIG. 11(b), the inner engagement portions 1103a, 1103b of the inner core portion 1103 are arranged in opposite directions to each other in the axial direction D10. Specifically, the first arm portion 1103ab of the first inner engagement portion 1103a is formed extending from the first support portion 1103aa toward the second direction D12, and the second arm portion 1103bb of the second inner engagement portion 1103b is formed extending from the second support portion 1103ba toward the first direction D11.

11(a) and 11(c), the inner core portion 1103 (each of the inner core portions ₁₁₀₃₁ and ₁₁₀₃₂ ) has a first recess 1103c and a second recess 1103d extending along the feed roller shaft 11b. The first recess 1103c and the second recess 1103d are formed by being recessed in the radial direction on the outer circumferential surface of the core body 1103x.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the first escape portion 1103c is formed extending from one end side of the axial direction D10 of each of the inner core portions _1103.sub.1 and _1103.sub.2 in the first direction D11. In this embodiment, when a user performs an operation to mount the first outer core portion 1101 to the inner core portion _1103.sub.1 , the first restriction portion 1101b of the first outer core portion 1101 slides and is guided in the first escape portion 1103c of the inner core portion 1103.sub.1. When the user moves the first outer core portion 1101 to a mounting completion position relative to the inner core portion _{1103.sub.1 ,} the first escape portion 1103c is provided extending to a position that does not hinder the movement. At this time, the first escape portion 1103c may be provided from one end of the axial direction D10 of the core body 1101x to a position between one end and the other end so as to function as a stopper for the first outer core portion 1101.

As shown in Fig. 8(a) , the second escape portion 1103d is formed extending in the second direction D12 from the other end side of each of the inner core portions _1103-1 , _1103-2 in the axial direction D10. In this embodiment, when a user performs an operation to mount the second outer core portion 1102 to the inner core portion _1103-2 , the second restriction portion _1102b of the second outer core portion 1102 slides and is guided in the second escape portion 1103d of the inner core portion 1103-2. When the user moves the second outer core portion 1102 to the mounting completion position relative to the inner core portion _1103-2 , the second escape portion 1103d is provided extending to a position where it does not hinder the movement. In this case, the second escape portion 1103d may be provided from the other end of the core body 1101x in the axial direction D10 to a position between one end and the other end so as to function as a stopper for the second outer core portion 1102.

As shown in Figures 10(a) and 11(a), the relative positional relationship between the first outer engagement portion 1101a and the first restriction portion 1101b when the first outer core portion 1101 is viewed in the first direction D11 matches the relative positional relationship between the first inner engagement portion 1103a and the first escape portion 1103c when the inner core portion 1103 is viewed in the first direction D11.

Similarly, as shown in Figures 10(b) and 11(c), the relative positional relationship between the second outer engagement portion 1102a and the second regulating portion 1102b when the second outer core portion 1102 is viewed in the second direction D12 coincides with the relative positional relationship between the second inner engagement portion 1103b and the second escape portion 1103d when the inner core portion 1103 is viewed in the second direction D12.

In this embodiment, the first escape portion 1103c is disposed at a position 90 degrees in the clockwise rotational direction centered on the axis C1 with respect to the first inner engagement portion 1103a when the inner core portion 1103 is viewed in the first direction D11 as shown in FIG. 11(a). The second escape portion 1103d is disposed at a position 90 degrees in the counterclockwise rotational direction centered on the axis C1 with respect to the second inner engagement portion 1103b when the inner core portion 1103 is viewed in the second direction D12 as shown in FIG. 11(c).

As a result, the first escape portion 1103c of the inner core portion _1103-1 is formed in a position that does not interfere with the first restricting portion 1101b of the first outer core portion 1101 to be attached, and the second escape portion _1103d of the inner core portion 1103-2 is formed in a position that does not interfere with the second restricting portion 1102b of the second outer core portion 1102 to be attached.

Therefore, when the first outer core portion 1101 is attached to the inner core portion _1103-1 , the first restricting portion 1101b of the first outer core portion 1101 fits into the first recess 1103c and does not interfere with the inner core portion _1103-1 , allowing the first outer core portion 1101 to be attached. Also, when the second outer core portion 1102 is attached to the inner core portion _1103-2 , the second restricting portion 1102b of the second outer core portion 1102 fits into the second recess 1103d and does not interfere with the inner core portion _1103-2 , allowing the second outer core portion 1102 to be attached.

Furthermore, since the relative position of the first restricting portion 1101b with respect to the first outer engagement portion 1101a in the first outer core portion 1101 shown in Figure 10 (a) is different from the relative position of the second escape portion 1103d with respect to the inner engagement portion 1103b in the inner core portion 1103 shown in Figure 11 (c), erroneous attachment of the first outer core portion 1101 to the inner core portion _1103-2 is prevented.

Similarly, since the relative position of the second restricting portion 1102b with respect to the second outer engagement portion 1102a in the second outer core portion 1102 shown in Figure 10 (b) is different from the relative position of the first escape portion 1103c with respect to the inner engagement portion 1103a in the inner core portion 1103 shown in Figure 11 (a), erroneous attachment of the second outer core portion 1102 to the inner core portion _1103-1 is prevented.

11(a) to 11(c), the inner core portion 1103 (each of the inner core portions 1103 ₁ and 1103 ₂ ) has a first groove portion 1103e and a second groove portion 1103f extending along the feed roller shaft 11b. The first groove portion 1103e and the second groove portion 1103f are recessed into the outer circumferential surface of the core body 1103x. The first groove portion 1103e and the second groove portion 1103f extend from one end to the other end of the core body 1103x in the axial direction D10.

As shown in Fig. 9(a) and Fig. 9(b), the first key portion 1101d is formed to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the first core body 1101x. The first key portion 1101d extends from one end to the other end of the first core body 1101x in the axial direction D10. The first key portion 1101d is composed of a _pair of protruding ridges. When the first outer core portion 1101 is attached to the inner core portion _1103-1 , the first key portion 1101d of the first outer core portion 1101 fits into the first groove portion 1103e of the inner core portion 1103-1. This restricts the relative rotation of the first outer core portion 1101 in the circumferential direction with respect to the inner core portion _1103-1 .

As shown in Fig. 9(c) and Fig. 9(d), the second key portion 1102d is formed to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the second core body 1102x. The second key portion 1102d extends from one end to the other end of the second core body 1102x in the axial direction D10. The second key portion 1102d is composed of a _pair of protruding ridges. When the second outer core portion 1102 is attached to the inner core portion _1103-2 , the second key portion 1102d of the second outer core portion 1102 is fitted into the second groove portion 1103f of the inner core portion 1103-2. This restricts the relative rotation of the second outer core portion 1102 in the circumferential direction with respect to the inner core portion _1103-2 .

In this embodiment, when the first outer core portion 1101 is viewed in the first direction D11 shown in FIG. 10(a), the first key portion 1101d is disposed at a position of 180 degrees in the rotation direction about the axis C1 relative to the first outer engagement portion 1101a. When the second outer core portion 1102 is viewed in the second direction D12 shown in FIG. 10(b), the second key portion 1102d is disposed at a position of 180 degrees in the rotation direction about the axis C1 relative to the second outer engagement portion 1102a. When viewed in the axial direction D10, as shown in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(c), the first inner engagement portion 1103a is disposed at a position of 180 degrees in the rotation direction about the axis C1 relative to the second inner engagement portion 1103b.

When the inner core portion 1103 is viewed in the first direction D11 shown in FIG. 11(a), the first groove portion 1103e is disposed at a position 180 degrees in the rotational direction about the axis C1 relative to the first inner engagement portion 1103a. Therefore, the second inner engagement portion 1103b is disposed within the first groove portion 1103e. When the inner core portion 1103 is viewed in the second direction D12 shown in FIG. 11(c), the second groove portion 1103f is disposed at a position 180 degrees in the rotational direction about the axis C1 relative to the second inner engagement portion 1103b. Therefore, the first inner engagement portion 1103a is disposed within the second groove portion 1103f.

When engaging or disengaging the first inner engaging portion 1103a of the inner core portion _1103-1 with the first outer engaging portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101, the first inner engaging portion 1103a can be elastically deformed to engage or disengage. In particular, when removing the first outer core portion 1101 from the inner core portion _1103-1 , the user can disengage the first inner engaging portion 1103a of the inner core portion _1103-1 by elastically deforming it with his/her finger or the like so as to move it radially inward of the core body _1103x . The same applies to the second inner engaging portion 1103b of the inner core portion 1103-2 and the second outer engaging portion 1102a of the second outer core portion 1102.

The following is a specific description of the user's operation of attaching and detaching the outer core portions 1101, 1102 to and from the inner core portions _1103-1 , _1103-2 . Note that the operation of attaching and detaching the first outer core portion 1101 to and from the inner core portion _1103-1 is substantially similar to the operation of attaching and detaching the second outer core portion 1102 to and from the inner core portion _1103-2 , so only the operation of attaching and detaching the first outer core portion 1101 to and from the inner core portion _1103-1 will be described.

First, the operation of mounting the first outer core portion 1101 to the inner core portion _1103-1 will be described. As shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the N-face side of the first outer core portion 1101 is opposed to the inner core portion _1103-1 . Furthermore, the first outer core portion 1101 is positioned relative to the inner core portion _1103-1 so that the axis of the inner core portion 1103-1 and the axis of the first outer core portion ₁₁₀₁ are substantially aligned.

Furthermore, the first outer core portion ₁₁₀₁ and the inner core portion 1103-1 are aligned relative to each other in the circumferential direction so that the first relief portion 1103c of the inner core portion _1103-1 coincides with the first restricting portion 1101b of the first outer core portion 1101 when viewed in the first direction D11. In other words, the first outer core portion 1101 and the inner core portion 1103-1 are aligned relative to each other in the circumferential direction so that the first key portion 1101d of the first outer core portion ₁₁₀₁ enters the first groove portion 1103e of the inner core portion _1103-1 .

In this state, by moving the first outer core portion 1101 relatively to the inner core portion 1103 ₁ in the first direction D11, the inner core portion 1103 ₁ enters inside the first outer core portion 1101 and is covered by the first outer core portion 1101.

In this case, the first protrusion portion 1101c of the first outer core portion 1101 is located on the M-face side opposite the N-face side facing the inner core portion _1103-1 , so that the first outer core portion 1101 can cover the outer peripheral surface of the inner core portion _1103-1 without the protrusion portion 1101c interfering with the inner core portion _1103-1 and restricting its movement.

Next, the engagement between the first outer core portion 1101 and the inner core portion _1103-1 will be described. In Fig. 10(a) and Fig. 11(a), the width of the first outer engagement portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction D10 is narrower than the width of the second groove portion 1103f of the inner core portion 1103. Therefore, the first outer engagement portion 1101a easily enters the second groove portion 1103f of the inner core portion _1103-1 (Fig. 8(a)). The first inner engagement portion 1103a of _the inner core portion 1103-1 is formed at the groove bottom of the second groove portion 1103f. Therefore, the first outer engagement portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101 can be engaged with the first engagement claw 1103ac of the inner core portion _1103-1 when it enters the second groove portion 1103f.

8(a) and 8(b), by moving the first outer core portion 1101 in the first direction D11 relative to the inner core portion _1103-1 , the first outer engagement portion 1101a of the first outer core portion ₁₁₀₁ comes into contact with the first engagement claw 1103ac (FIG. 7(b)) of the inner core portion 1103-1. In this state, when the first outer core portion 1101 is further moved in the first direction D11, a force in this moving direction is input to the first arm portion 1103ab of the inner core portion _1103-1 as a radially inward force approaching the core body 1103x, i.e., the feed roller shaft 11b. The first arm portion 1103ab of the inner core portion _1103-1 to which this force is input elastically deforms in the radially inward direction (direction D21 in FIG. 7(b)).

In this state, when the first outer core portion 1101 is further moved in the first direction D11, the first outer engagement portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101 passes over the first engagement claws 1103ac of the inner core portion _1103-1 in the first direction D11. As a result, the first engagement claws 1103ac of the inner core portion _1103-1 and the first outer engagement portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101 are released from contact in the radial direction.

When the radial contact state between the first engaging claws 1103ac of the inner core portion _1103.1 and the first outer engaging portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101 is released, the first arm portion 1103ab of the inner core portion _1103.1 deforms from the elastically deformed state to the radially outward direction and returns to the original state in the opposite direction to the direction D21 in FIG. 7B. As a result, the abutment surface of the first engaging claws 1103ac of the inner core portion _1103.1 abuts against the abutment surface of the first outer engaging portion 1101a of the first outer core portion ₁₁₀₁ , and the first inner engaging portion 1103a of the inner core portion 1103.1 engages with the first outer engaging portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101. As a result, the first outer core portion 1101 is fitted into the inner core portion _1103.1 .

When the first outer engagement portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101 and the first engagement claws 1103ac of the inner core portion _1103-1 engage with each other, the relative movement of the first outer core portion 1101 with respect to the inner core portion _1103-1 in the second direction D12 is restricted.

On the other hand, when the first outer core portion 1101 is fitted into the inner core portion _1103-1 , the first protrusion portion 1101c of the first outer core portion 1101 abuts against a side surface of the inner core portion _1103-1 . This restricts the relative movement of the first outer core portion 1101 with respect to the inner core portion _1103-1 in the first direction D11.

As described above, when the first outer core portion 1101 is fitted into the inner core portion _1103-1 , the relative movement of the first outer core portion 1101 with respect to the inner core portion _1103-1 in the axial direction D10 is restricted.

In this fitted state, the first key portion 1101d of the first outer core portion 1101 fits into the first groove portion _1103e of the inner core portion 1103-1. This restricts the first outer core portion 1101 from rotating relative to the inner core portion _1103-1 in the circumferential direction (rotational direction).

Therefore, the first outer core portion 1101 is attached to the inner core portion _1103-2 in a state in which relative movement in the axial direction D10 and the circumferential direction with respect to the inner core portion _1103-1 is restricted.

It should be noted that the second inner engagement portion 1103 b of the inner core portion 1103 ₁ does not contribute to the engagement with the first outer core portion 1101 .

The mounting operation of the second outer core portion 1102 to the inner core portion _1103-2 is substantially the same as the mounting operation of the first outer core portion 1101 to the inner core portion _1103-1 described above, and detailed explanation will be omitted to avoid duplication, but the differences will be explained.

The mounting direction of the second outer core portion 1102 relative to the inner core portion _1103-2 is the second direction D12, and the removal direction is the first direction D11. When the second outer core portion 1102 is mounted to the inner core portion _1103-2 , of the two inner engaging portions 1103a, 1103b in the inner core portion _1103-2 , it is the second inner engaging portion 1103b that engages with the second outer engaging portion 1102a of the second outer core portion 1102. In other words, the second outer engaging portion 1102a of the second outer core portion 1102 is engageable with the second engaging claw 1103bc of the inner core portion _1103-2 .

Furthermore, when the second outer core portion 1102 is attached to the inner core portion _1103-2 , the second restricting portion 1102b of the second outer core portion 1102 fits into the second relief portion 1103d of the inner core portion _1103-2 . The second outer engaging portion 1102a engages with the second inner engaging portion 1103b formed at the groove bottom of the first groove portion 1103e, thereby fitting the second outer core portion 1102 into the inner core portion _1103-2 . Furthermore, when the second outer core portion 1102 is fitted into the inner core portion _1103-2 , the second key portion 1102d of the second outer core portion 1102 fits into the second groove portion 1103f of the inner core portion _1103-2 .

Therefore, the second outer core portion 1102 is attached to the inner core portion _1103-2 in a state in which relative movement in the axial direction D10 and the circumferential direction with respect to the inner core portion _1103-2 is restricted.

It should be noted that the first inner engagement portion 1103 a of the inner core portion 1103 ₂ does not contribute to the engagement with the second outer core portion 1102 .

With the above configuration, even if a user mistakenly attempts to attach the first outer core portion 1101 to the inner core portion _1103-2 , the first restricting portion 1101b of the first outer core portion 1101 interferes with the side surface of the inner core portion _1103-2 and prevents the first outer core portion 1101 from being attached to the inner core portion 1103-2. In other words, even if a user mistakenly attempts to attach the first outer core portion 1101 to the inner core portion _1103-2 , the first restricting portion 1101b of the first outer core portion 1101 abuts against the inner core portion _1103-2 and prevents the first outer core portion 1101 from being attached to the inner core portion _1103-2 . Also, even if a user mistakenly attempts to attach the second outer core portion 1102 to the inner core portion _1103-1 , the second restricting portion 1102b of the second outer core portion 1102 interferes with the side surface of the inner core portion 1103-1 and prevents the first outer core portion ₁₁₀₁ from being attached to the inner core portion 1103-2. That is, even if an attempt is made to attach the second outer core portion 1102 to the inner core portion _1103-1 , the second restricting portion 1102b of the second outer core portion 1102 abuts against the inner core portion _1103-1 , thereby restricting the second outer core portion 1102 from being attached to the inner core portion _1103-1 . This makes it possible to prevent the outer core portions 1101, 1102 from being erroneously attached.

Even if a user mistakenly reverses the orientation of the first outer core portion 1101 and attempts to attach the first outer core portion 1101 to the inner core portion _1103-1 from the M-face side, the first protrusion 1101c of the first outer core portion 1101 will interfere with the side surface of the inner core portion _1103-1 and the attachment will be impossible. Even if a user mistakenly reverses the orientation of the second outer core portion 1102 and attempts to attach the second outer core portion 1102 to the inner core portion _1103-2 from the M-face side, the second protrusion 1102c of the second outer core portion 1102 will interfere with the side surface of the inner core portion _1103-2 and the attachment will be impossible. This makes it possible to prevent the outer core portions 1101, 1102 from being attached to the inner core portions _1103-1 , _1103-2 in the wrong orientation.

Next, a case where the first outer core portion 1101 is removed from the inner core portion _1103-1 will be described. First, the user touches the tip portion 1103i of the first arm portion 1103ab of the first inner engagement portion 1103a shown in FIG. 7B from the M surface side of the first outer core portion 1101, and applies a force to the first arm portion 1103ab toward the feed roller shaft 11b, i.e., toward the radial inside (direction D21) of the inner core portion _1103-1 . As a result, the first arm portion 1103ab of the inner core portion _1103-1 is elastically deformed, and the first engagement claw 1103ac moves toward the radial inside (direction D21) and separates from the first outer engagement portion 1101a, and the engagement between the first inner engagement portion _1103a of the inner core portion 1103-1 and the first outer engagement portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101 is released.

When the engagement between the first inner engagement portion _1103a of the inner core portion 1103-1 and the first outer engagement portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101 is released, the restriction of the first outer core portion 1101 in the second direction D12 relative to the inner core portion _1103-1 is released, and the first outer core portion 1101 becomes able to move relative to the inner core portion _1103-1 in the second direction D12 (removal direction).

The process of removing the second outer core portion 1102 from the inner core portion _1103-2 is substantially the same as the process of removing the first outer core portion 1101 from the inner core portion _1103-1 . That is, the user touches the tip portion 1103j of the second arm portion 1103bb of the second inner engagement portion 1103b shown in Fig. 7B from the M surface side of the second outer core portion 1102, and applies a force to the second arm portion 1103bb toward the feed roller shaft 11b, i.e., toward the radial inside of the inner core portion _1103-2 (direction D22). As a result, the second arm portion 1103bb of the inner core portion _1103-2 elastically deforms, the second engagement claw 1103bc moves radially inward (direction D22) and away from the second outer engagement portion 1102a, and the engagement between the _second inner engagement portion 1103b of the inner core portion 1103-2 and the second outer engagement portion 1102a of the second outer core portion 1102 is released.

When the engagement between the second inner engagement portion 1103b of the inner core portion _1103-2 and the second outer engagement portion 1102a of the second outer core portion 1102 is released, the restriction of the second outer core portion 1102 in the first direction D11 relative to the inner core portion _1103-2 is released, and the second outer core portion 1102 becomes able to move relative to the inner core portion _1103-2 in the first direction D11 (removal direction).

Here, if the outer engagement part were configured so that the user could disengage by elastically deforming it, the user would have to insert their finger (including their nail) between the feed roller shaft and the outer engagement part to disengage it, and operate it radially outward. Therefore, if emphasis is placed on making the feed roller smaller, it would be difficult for the user to operate, and if emphasis is placed on user operability, the feed roller would end up being large. In particular, on the side where the feed gear part 113 is provided, the user would have to disengage it while avoiding interference of their finger with the feed gear part 113, which is likely to make it even more difficult to operate.

In contrast, according to the present embodiment, when the user releases the engagement between the first inner engaging portion 1103a of the inner core portion _1103-1 and the first outer engaging portion 1101a of the first outer core portion 1101, the user only needs to operate the first inner engaging portion 1103a in the radial direction (direction D21). Similarly, when the user releases the engagement between the second inner engaging portion 1103b of the inner core portion _1103-2 and the second outer engaging portion 1102a of the second outer core portion 1102, the user only needs to operate the second inner engaging portion 1103b in the radial direction (direction D22). This makes it possible to easily remove the outer core portions 1101 and 1102. Therefore, even if the roller diameter of the feed roller 110 is small, a space for operating the inner engaging portions 1103a and 1103b can be secured, and the outer core portions 1101 and 1102 can be easily replaced.

7(b), in a state in which the first outer core portion 1101 is attached to the inner core portion _1103-1 , the tip portion 1103i of the first arm portion 1103ab protrudes in the axial direction D10, specifically in the second direction D12, relative to the first outer core portion 1101. This allows a user to easily operate the tip portion 1103i of the first arm portion 1103ab.

Similarly, with the second outer core portion 1102 attached to the inner core portion _1103-2 , the tip portion of the second arm portion 1103bb protrudes in the axial direction D10, specifically in the first direction D11, relative to the second outer core portion 1102. This allows the user to easily operate the tip portion 1103j of the second arm portion 1103bb.

The first outer core portion 1101 has a first recess 1101e formed at a position corresponding to the tip portion 1103i of _{the first} arm portion 1103ab of the inner core portion 1103. The first recess 1101e is formed recessed radially outward. The first recess 1101e is located on the second direction D12 side with respect to the first outer engagement portion 1101a. This allows the user to easily operate the tip portion 1103i of the first arm portion 1103ab.

Similarly, the second outer core portion 1102 has a second recess 1102e formed at a position corresponding to the tip portion 1103j of _{the second} arm portion 1103bb of the inner core portion 1103-2 to be attached. The second recess 1102e is formed recessed radially outward. The second recess 1102e is located on the first direction D11 side with respect to the second outer engagement portion 1102a. This allows the user to easily operate the tip portion 1103j of the second arm portion 1103bb.

6 and 7(b), in this embodiment, a feed gear portion 113 and a positioning member 114 are disposed on the outside of the pair of inner core portions _1103-1 and _1103-2 in the axial direction D10. In this embodiment, the positioning member 114, the feed gear portion 113, the inner core portion _1103-1 , and the inner core portion _1103-2 are disposed in this order along the first direction D11. As shown in Fig. 6, the positioning member 114 is sandwiched and held between the frame 105 and the cover member a3.

Figure 12 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the holding structure of the positioning member according to the first embodiment. The positioning member 114 is a member for positioning the feed roller 110, i.e., the feed roller shaft 11b, on the frame 105. The positioning member 114 is rotatably provided on the feed roller shaft 11b. Therefore, the positioning member 114 is sandwiched between the roller mounting portion a1 and the cover member a3 of the frame 105 in Figure 6, and also functions as a bearing member for the feed roller shaft 11b.

When removing the first outer core portion 1101 from the inner core portion 1103 - ₁ or when attaching the first outer core portion 1101 to the inner core portion 1103 _{- 1} , the positioning member 114 and the feed gear portion 113 pass inside the first outer core portion 1101 .

FIG. 12B is a side view of the feed roller 110 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12B is a view of the feed roller 110 in the axial direction D10, more specifically, the feed roller 110 in the first direction D11. When the first outer core portion 1101 is attached to the inner core portion _1103-1 , the positioning member 114 is located inside the inscribed circle C11 that is in contact with the first outer core portion 1101 when viewed in the axial direction D10. The inscribed circle C11 is a virtual circle centered on the axis C1. In this embodiment, the first key portion 1101d protrudes most radially inward. Therefore, the inscribed circle C11 is a circle that is in contact with the tip of the first key portion 1101d. In other words, the inscribed circle C11 is the circle with the smallest diameter among the circles that are in contact with the first outer core portion 1101.

12B, in this embodiment, the supply gear portion 113 and the positioning member 114 are located inside the inscribed circle C11. Therefore, when the first outer core portion 1101 is attached to or detached from the inner core portion _1103-1 , it is possible to prevent the first outer core portion 1101 from interfering with the supply gear portion 113 and the positioning member 114, improving workability.

In making the outer diameters of the feeding gear portion 113 and the positioning member 114 smaller than the inner diameter of the outer core portion 1101, in this embodiment, the outer diameters of the feeding gear portion 113 and the positioning member 114 can be made larger than in the case where an elastically deforming engagement portion is provided in the outer core portion, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in design.

In this embodiment, by configuring as described above, even if the pair of inner core portions 1103 ₁ , 1103 ₂ are common parts, it is possible to prevent the first outer core portion 1101 from being erroneously assembled to the inner core portion 1103 ₂ , and it is possible to prevent the second outer core portion 1102 from being erroneously assembled to the inner core portion 1103 ₁ .

The position of the feed gear portion 113 is not limited thereto, and may be between the inner core portion _1103-1 and the inner core portion _1103-2 . In this case, the positioning member 114 can prevent interference when the first outer core portion 1101 is attached or detached.

[Second embodiment]
A feed roller, which is an example of a conveying roller according to the second embodiment, will be described. Fig. 13(a) is a side view of a first outer core part according to the second embodiment. Fig. 13(b) is a side view of a second outer core part according to the second embodiment. Fig. 13(c) is a side view of one of a pair of inner core parts according to the second embodiment. Fig. 13(d) is a side view of the other of a pair of inner core parts according to the second embodiment. Parts similar to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described.

The feed roller of the second embodiment includes a pair of one-way clutches _11a1 , _11a2 , a feed roller shaft 11b, a first rubber portion 1105, a second rubber portion 1106, a feed gear portion 113, and a positioning member 114, as described in the first embodiment, for example as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b).

The feed roller of the second embodiment includes a first outer core portion 3101 and a second outer core portion 3102 having configurations different from those of the first embodiment, and a pair of inner core portions 3103 ₁ and 3103 _2. The first outer core portion 3101 and the second outer core portion 3102 have different configurations, and the pair of inner core portions 3103 ₁ and 3103 ₂ have the same configuration.

The first outer core portion 3101 has a first core body 3101x, a first outer engagement portion 3101a, a first protrusion portion 3101c, a first key portion 3101d, and a first recess 3101e. The first core body 3101x has substantially the same configuration as the first core body 1101x described in the first embodiment. The first outer engagement portion 3101a has substantially the same configuration as the first outer engagement portion 1101a described in the first embodiment. The first protrusion portion 3101c has substantially the same configuration as the first protrusion portion 1101c described in the first embodiment. The first recess 3101e has substantially the same configuration as the first recess 1101e described in the first embodiment.

The second outer core portion 3102 has a second core body 3102x, a second outer engagement portion 3102a, a second protrusion portion 3102c, a second key portion 3102d, and a second recess 3102e. The second core body 3102x has substantially the same configuration as the second core body 1102x described in the first embodiment. The second outer engagement portion 3102a has substantially the same configuration as the second outer engagement portion 1102a described in the first embodiment. The second protrusion portion 3102c has substantially the same configuration as the second protrusion portion 1102c described in the first embodiment. The second recess 3102e has substantially the same configuration as the second recess 1102e described in the first embodiment.

Each of the pair of inner core portions 3103 ₁ , 3103 ₂ has a core body 3103x, a first inner engagement portion 3103a, a second inner engagement portion 3103b, a first groove portion 3103e, and a second groove portion 3103f. The core body 3103x has substantially the same configuration as the core body 1103x described in the first embodiment. The first inner engagement portion 3103a has substantially the same configuration as the first inner engagement portion 1103a described in the first embodiment. The second inner engagement portion 3103b has substantially the same configuration as the second inner engagement portion 1103b described in the first embodiment.

The first key portion 3101d of the first outer core portion 3101 serves both as the first key portion 1101d and the first restricting portion 1101b described in the first embodiment. The second key portion 3102d of the second outer core portion 3102 serves both as the second key portion 1102d and the second restricting portion 1102b described in the first embodiment. The first groove portion 3103e of each of the pair of inner core portions _3103.sub.1 and _3103.sub.2 serves both as the first groove portion 1103e and the first relief portion 1103c described in the first embodiment. The second groove portion 3103f of each of the pair of inner core portions _3103.sub.1 and _3103.sub.2 serves both as the second groove portion 1103f and the second relief portion 1103d described in the first embodiment.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the relative position of the first key portion 3101d with respect to the first outer engagement portion _3101a when the first outer core portion 3101 is viewed in the first direction D11 with the first outer core portion 3101 attached to the inner core portion 3103-1 is different from the relative position of the second key portion 3102d with respect to the second outer core portion ₃₁₀₂ when the second outer core portion 3102 is viewed in the second direction D12 with the second outer core portion 3102 attached to the inner core portion 3103-2.

That is, when viewed in the axial direction D10, the pair of key portions 3101d, 3102d are arranged in opposite rotational directions at a predetermined angle other than 180 degrees relative to the axis C1 when each of the outer engagement portions 3101a, 3102a is used as a reference. The pair of inner engagement portions 3103a, 3103b are arranged at a predetermined angle other than 180 degrees when viewed in the axial direction D10. In the second embodiment, the predetermined angle is 90 degrees.

With the above configuration, even if a user mistakenly attempts to attach the first outer core portion 3101 to the inner core portion _3103-2 , the first key portion 3101d of the first outer core portion 3101 interferes with the side surface of the inner core portion _3103-2 and prevents the first outer core portion 3101 from being attached to the inner core portion 3103-2. In other words, even if a user mistakenly attempts to attach the first outer core portion 3101 to the inner core portion _3103-2 , the first key portion 3101d of the first outer core portion 3101 abuts against the inner core portion _3103-2 and prevents the first outer core portion 3101 from being attached to the inner core portion _3103-2 . Also, even if a user mistakenly attempts to attach the second outer core portion 3102 to the inner core portion _3103-1 , the second key portion 3102d of the second outer core portion 3102 interferes with the side surface of the inner core portion 3103-1 and prevents the first outer core portion ₃₁₀₁ from being attached to the inner core portion 3103-2. That is, even if an attempt is made to attach the second outer core portion 3102 to the inner core portion _3103-1 , the second key portion 3102d of the second outer core portion 3102 abuts against the inner core portion _3103-1 , thereby restricting the second outer core portion 3102 from being attached to the inner core portion _3103-1 . This makes it possible to prevent the outer core portions 3101, 3102 from being erroneously attached.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and many variations are possible within the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments are merely a list of the most favorable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments.

11b...feed roller shaft (shaft), 110...feed roller (transport roller), 1101...first outer core portion, 1101a...first outer engagement portion, 1101b...first regulating portion, 1102...second outer core portion, 1102a...second outer engagement portion, 1102b...second regulating portion, 1103 ₁ , 1103 ₂ ...inner core portion, 1103a...first inner engagement portion, 1103b...second inner engagement portion, 1105...first rubber portion, 1106...second rubber portion

Claims (9)

A conveying roller for conveying a sheet,
Axle and
A pair of inner core portions having the same configuration and provided on the shaft and aligned in an axial direction parallel to the shaft ;
a first outer core portion that can be attached to one of the pair of inner core portions from a first direction from one end side to the other end side of the shaft ;
a first rubber portion provided on an outer periphery of the first outer core portion;
a second outer core portion that can be attached to the other of the pair of inner core portions from a second direction that is opposite to the first direction ;
A second rubber portion provided on an outer periphery of the second outer core portion,
the first outer core portion has a first restricting portion that restricts the first outer core portion from being attached to one of the pair of inner core portions to prevent the first outer core portion from being attached to the inner core portion in the second direction ,
the second outer core portion has a second restriction portion that restricts the second outer core portion from being attached to the inner core portion of the pair of inner core portions to prevent the second outer core portion from being attached to the inner core portion in the first direction .
A transport roller characterized by the above. Each of the pair of inner core portions has a core body and a first inner engagement portion and a second inner engagement portion provided on the core body,
the first outer core portion has a first outer engagement portion that engages with the first inner engagement portion of the one inner core portion when the first outer core portion is attached to the one inner core portion,
the second outer core portion has a second outer engagement portion that engages with the second inner engagement portion of the other inner core portion when the second outer core portion is attached to the other inner core portion,
2. The transport roller according to claim 1. a relative position of the first restricting portion with respect to the first outer engaging portion when the first outer core portion is viewed in the first direction with the first outer core portion attached to the one of the inner core portions, and a relative position of the second restricting portion with respect to the second outer engaging portion when the second outer core portion is viewed in the second direction with the second outer core portion attached to the other inner core portion are different.
3. The transport roller according to claim 2. the first inner engagement portion and the second inner engagement portion of each of the pair of inner core portions face in opposite directions to each other in an axial direction parallel to an axis along which the pair of inner core portions are provided .
4. The transport roller according to claim 2 or 3. Each of the pair of inner core portions has a first recess and a second recess extending along the axis,
the first relief portion of the one inner core portion is formed at a position not interfering with the first restriction portion of the first outer core portion to be attached,
the second relief portion of the other inner core portion is formed at a position not interfering with the second restriction portion of the second outer core portion to be attached,
5. The transport roller according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rollers are arranged in a first direction. Each of the pair of inner core portions has a first groove portion and a second groove portion extending along the axis,
the first outer core portion has a first protrusion that fits into the first groove portion of the one inner core portion,
the second outer core portion has a second protrusion that fits into the second groove portion of the other inner core portion,
6. The transport roller according to claim 1, the first relief portion is a first groove portion extending along the axis,
the second relief portion is a second groove portion extending along the axis,
the first restricting portion of the first outer core portion is a first protrusion that fits into the first groove portion of the one inner core portion,
The second restricting portion of the second outer core portion is a second protrusion that fits into the second groove portion of the other inner core portion.
6. The transport roller according to claim 5. a one-way clutch interposed between the shaft and each of the pair of inner core portions,
8. The transport roller according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rollers are arranged in a first direction. A conveying roller according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A drive source that drives the conveying roller.
A sheet conveying device comprising:

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