Sheet feeding device, image reading device and image forming device

Abstract

To enable feeding of various size of sheets and improvement of space saving.SOLUTION: The sheet feeding device includes feeding means for feeding a sheet in a sheet feeding direction, a first support member having a first support surface that supports the sheet, and a second support member having a second support surface that supports the sheet, the second support surface having a length in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction shorter than the first support surface, in which the second support member can be moved between a first position above the first support member and a second position retracted above the first support member and above the first position, when the second support member is in the first position, the feeding means feeds the sheet supported on the second support surface, and when the second support member is in the second position, the feeding means under the second support member feeds the sheet supported on the first support surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device that feeds a sheet, an image reading device that reads image information from a sheet, and an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a demand for sheet feeding devices, such as automatic document feeders (ADFs) that feed document sheets in image reading devices, to be able to handle sheets of various sizes. Patent Document 1 describes an image reading device that has a receipt guide that is movable relative to the media tray body, and is capable of feeding A4 paper when the receipt guide is in the unfolded position, and is capable of feeding receipts when the receipt guide is in the folded position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-1037 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration described in the above document, the receipt guide is moved to the extended position when receipts are not being fed. However, when the receipt guide is in the extended position, the receipt guide protrudes upstream of the media tray body in the sheet feeding direction. This requires a large amount of space when using the image reading device.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device, an image reading device, and an image forming apparatus that are capable of feeding sheets of various sizes and that can improve space saving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a sheet feeding device comprising: a feeding means for feeding a sheet in a sheet feeding direction; a first support member having a first support surface for supporting the sheet; and a second support member having a second support surface for supporting the sheet, the second support surface having a length in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction that is shorter than that of the first support surface, wherein the second support member is movable between a first position above the first support member and a second position above the first support member and retracted above the first position, wherein when the second support member is positioned at the first position, the feeding means feeds the sheet supported on the second support surface, and when the second support member is positioned at the second position, the feeding means feeds the sheet supported on the first support surface below the second support member. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheet feeding device, an image reading device, and an image forming apparatus that are capable of feeding sheets of various sizes and that can improve space saving. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams of an image reading device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the ADF according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the ADF according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example of a second position of the second document tray according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example of a second position of the second document tray according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a supporting configuration of a second document tray according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a supporting configuration of a second document tray according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining the configuration of an ADF according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining the configuration of an ADF according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing a supporting configuration of a second original tray according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining opening and closing of a first original tray according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Example 1 A sheet feeding device, an image reading device, and an image forming device according to a first embodiment will be described. First, an outline of an image forming device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of the image forming device 100 including an image reading device 101.

[0011] 13, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as a printer main body 104) and an image reading device 101 provided above the printer main body 104. The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a recording material P based on image information read from an original by the image reading device 101 or image information received from an external device communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 100. As the recording material (recording medium) P or the original, various sheet materials of different sizes and materials can be used, including paper such as plain paper and thick paper, sheet materials with surface treatments such as coated paper, sheet materials with special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, plastic films, cloth, etc.

[0012] An electrophotographic image forming section 104A is housed inside the printer body 104 as an example of an image forming means. The image forming section 104A includes four image forming units (process units) 111, 112, 113, and 114, four laser scanners 107, 108, 109, and 110 as exposure means, and an intermediate transfer belt 115 as an intermediate transfer body. The image forming section 104A is a tandem-type, intermediate transfer-type electrophotographic unit in which the image forming units 111, 112, 113, and 114 are arranged side by side along the intermediate transfer belt 115.

[0013] Each of the image forming units 111-114 has a photosensitive drum as an image carrier, and a charger, a developing unit, and the like that act on the photosensitive drum. The photosensitive drum is a photosensitive member molded into a cylindrical (drum-like) shape. Toner is contained inside the developing unit as a developer. The image forming units 111-114 are arranged along an intermediate transfer belt 115. The intermediate transfer belt 115 is an endless (belt-like) member stretched over a plurality of rollers. A secondary transfer roller 116 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 115. A secondary transfer unit is formed as a nip portion between the intermediate transfer belt 115 and the secondary transfer roller 116.

[0014] The printer body 104 also includes at least one feed cassette 105, feed rollers 106 provided in each feed cassette 105, a pre-fixing conveying section 117, a fixing device 118, and a discharge tray 119. The feed cassette 105 is an example of a stacking section (storage section) in which the recording material P is stacked and stored. The feed rollers 106 are an example of a feeding means for feeding the recording material P. The pre-fixing conveying section 117 is a conveying unit for conveying the recording material P from the secondary transfer section to the fixing device 118. The fixing device 118 has a thermal fixing system configuration. For example, the fixing device 118 has a pair of rollers that sandwich and convey the recording material P, and a heating means (heat source) such as a halogen lamp or an induction heating mechanism for heating the image on the recording material P. The discharge tray 119 is a stacking section in which the recording material P on which the image has been formed is stacked.

[0015] When an instruction to perform an image forming operation is given to the image forming apparatus 100, the photosensitive drums and intermediate transfer belt 115 are rotated in the image forming unit 104A. The charger charges the surface of the photosensitive drum. The laser scanners 107-110 irradiate the photosensitive drums of the image forming units 111-114 with laser light based on an image signal obtained by decomposing image information into yellow, magenta, cyan, and black components, and write an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. This electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by toner supplied from a developing device. The toner images formed on each photosensitive drum are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 115. During the primary transfer, the toner images of each color, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, are transferred in a multi-layered manner so as to be superimposed on each other, thereby forming a full-color image on the intermediate transfer belt 115.

[0016] Meanwhile, in parallel with the creation of the toner image in the image forming unit 104A, a recording material P is fed toward the secondary transfer unit. A feed roller 106 comes into contact with the uppermost recording material P of the sheet stack contained in the feed cassette 105, and sends out the recording material P from the feed cassette 105. This recording material P is transported to the secondary transfer unit via a plurality of transport roller pairs at a timing synchronized with the creation of the toner image in the image forming unit 104A. Then, in the secondary transfer unit, an image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 115 to the recording material P.

[0017] The recording material P that has passed through the secondary transfer unit is transported to a fixing device 118 via a pre-fixing transport unit 117. While transporting the recording material P, the fixing device 118 applies heat and pressure to the image on the recording material P to fix it to the recording material P. The recording material P that has passed through the fixing device 118 is discharged to the outside of the printer body 104 by a pair of discharge rollers and stacked on a discharge tray 119.

[0018] In the above, the image forming section 104A, which is an intermediate transfer type electrophotographic unit, has been described as an example of the image forming means. However, the image forming means is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a direct transfer type electrophotographic unit or an inkjet type image forming unit.

[0019] (Image reader overview) Next, an overview of the image reading device 101 will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the image reading device 101. Figs. 2(a) and 2(b) are schematic diagrams showing the cross-sectional configuration of the image reading device 101.

[0020] 1, 2(a) and 2(b), the image reading device 101 has a reader unit 2 (fixed unit) and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1 supported by the reader unit 2. In this embodiment, the reader unit 2 is fixed to the upper surface of the printer body 104 (FIG. 13).

[0021] In the following description and drawings, the direction in which the ADF 1 feeds the documents M1 and M2 from the first document tray 3 or the second document tray 5 described later is referred to as the sheet feeding direction Df. The direction along the surface of the document M1 placed on the first document tray 3 and perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction Df is referred to as the sheet width direction Dw. The vertical direction (gravity direction) when the image forming apparatus 100 is installed on a horizontal surface is referred to as the up-down direction. In this embodiment, one side of the sheet width direction Dw (the lower left side in FIG. 1) is the near side (front side) of the image forming apparatus 100 and the image reading apparatus 101. The other side of the sheet width direction Dw (the upper right side in FIG. 1) is the far side (back side) of the image forming apparatus 100 and the image reading apparatus 101.

[0022] The reader section 2 includes a glass platen 34 on which an original is placed, and a reading unit 12 disposed below the glass platen 34. The reading unit 12 is movable between a position where it reads image information from originals M1 and M2 transported by the ADF 1 (a running reading position, the position shown in FIGS. 2(a) and (b)) and a position below the glass platen 34. The reading unit 12 is also movable below the glass platen 34 in the sub-scanning direction (the left-right direction in FIGS. 2(a) and (b)).

[0023] The reading unit 12 is an example of a reading section (first reading section) that reads an image on a sheet. The reading unit 12 in this embodiment is, for example, a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) type image sensor unit. The reading unit 12 includes a sensor board on which light receiving elements (CMOS sensors) are arranged along the sheet width direction Dw, a light source that irradiates light onto the document, and a lens array that directs reflected light from the document to the imaging surface of the light receiving elements. The reading unit 12 may be a CCD type image sensor unit that uses a CCD sensor as the light receiving element and directs reflected light from the document to the imaging surface of the light receiving element through a reduction optical system including multiple mirrors and lenses.

[0024] The ADF 1 has a first document tray 3, a second document tray 5, a feed roller 8, a plurality of transport roller pairs 9, and a discharge tray 11. The ADF 102 also has a transport path 16 that leads from the feed roller 8 to the discharge tray 11 via a reading position 10. The reading position 10 is a position where the reading unit 12 optically scans the document. The plurality of transport roller pairs 9 are arranged along the transport path 16. The first document tray 3 and the second document tray 5 are located above the discharge tray 11, and the transport path 16 is curved in a U-shape when viewed in the sheet width direction Dw. The portion of the ADF 1 where the transport path 16 is formed is referred to as a main body 7 of the ADF 1.

[0025] The ADF1 is an example of a sheet feeding device that feeds a sheet. The ADF 102 of this embodiment feeds documents M1 and M2 as sheets. The feed roller 8 is an example of a feeding means that feeds a sheet. The first document tray 3 is an example of a first support section that supports a sheet. The second document tray 5 is an example of a second support section that can support a sheet that has a shorter length in the sheet width direction Dw than the sheet supported by the first support section. Each conveying roller pair 9 is an example of a conveying means that conveys the sheet fed by the feeding means. The discharge tray 11 is an example of a discharge section (stacking section) to which the sheet is discharged.

[0026] The first original tray 3 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis relative to the main body 7 of the ADF 1. A user can easily remove the originals on the discharge tray 11 by rotating the first original tray 3 upward. In addition, the second original tray 5 can be attached to the first original tray 3. The first original tray 3 can be made rotatable relative to the main body 7 of the ADF 1 even in a state in which the second original tray 5 is attached.

[0027] The feed roller 8 feeds the documents M1, M2 in the sheet feeding direction Df by rotating in contact with the upper surfaces of the documents M1, M2 placed on the first document tray 3 or the second document tray 5. Note that, as the feeding means, for example, a belt member stretched between rotating rollers may be used.

[0028] The image reading device 101 is capable of reading image information from a stationary original placed on the original platen glass 34 (fixed reading) and reading image information while transporting a sheet as an original by the ADF 1 (skim reading).

[0029] In the case of fixed reading, the user opens the ADF 1 and places an original on the platen glass 34, then closes the ADF 1 and issues an instruction to start a reading operation by operating the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, the reading unit 12 moves in the sub-scanning direction below the platen glass 34, optically scanning the surface of the original through the platen glass 34 to read image information of the original.

[0030] In the case of skimming, the user places documents M1 and M2 on the first document tray 3 or the second document tray 5, and then operates the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 100 to instruct the start of a reading operation. Then, the feed roller 8 of the ADF 1 starts to rotate, and the documents M1 and M2 placed on the first document tray 3 or the second document tray 5 are sent out in the sheet feeding direction Df in order, starting from the top document.

[0031] The document that has started to be fed by the feed roller 8 is transported inside the main body 7 of the ADF 1 along the transport path 16. When the document passes through the reading position 10 in the process, the image information of the document is read by the reading unit 12. The document from which the image information has been read is discharged outside the ADF 1 by the most downstream transport roller pair 9 and stacked on the discharge tray 11.

[0032] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the reading unit 12 is disposed only in the reader section 2 of the image reading device 101, but the reading unit may be disposed in the ADF 1. A CIS or CCD image sensor unit can be used as the reading unit of the ADF 1. When a reading unit of the ADF 1 is disposed in addition to the reading unit 12 of this embodiment, the image reading device 101 can read image information from both sides of the document in a single skimming operation.

[0033] (Document tray) The first document tray 3 and second document tray 5 of the ADF 1 will now be described in further detail. As shown in Fig. 1, 2(a) and (b), the first document tray 3 (main tray) has a first placement surface 4 on which a document M1 is placed. The second document tray 5 (sub-tray, auxiliary tray) has a second placement surface 6 on which a document M2 is placed. The first placement surface 4 is an example of a first support surface, and the second document tray 5 is an example of a second support surface.

[0034] The width of the second placement surface 6 in the sheet width direction Dw is narrower than the width of the first placement surface 4 in the sheet width direction Dw. Therefore, the first document tray 3 can be used to place documents M1 having a relatively long length in the sheet width direction Dw, such as A4 size documents, and the second document tray 5 can be used to place documents M2 having a relatively short length in the sheet width direction Dw, such as business cards and receipts.

[0035] In addition to the second placement surface 6, the second document tray 5 is provided with a third placement surface 6a that supports documents above the second placement surface 6 (FIG. 6(b)). On the third placement surface 6a, a document that is shorter in length in the sheet width direction Dw than the document M2 placed on the second placement surface 6 can be placed.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, a holding member 13 (support member, mounting member that supports the second original tray 5) that holds the second original tray 5 is attached to the first original tray 3. The holding members 13 are arranged on both sides of the first loading surface 4 in the sheet width direction Dw. The holding member 13 in this embodiment is arranged outside in the sheet width direction Dw of the position of a side end guide 15 described below that corresponds to the maximum width W1 (FIG. 3(a)) of the original that can be fed by the ADF 1. The holding member 13 and the second original tray 5 can be detachable from the first original tray 3.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3A, the second document tray 5 includes arm portions 40 that extend from the second placement surface 6 to both sides in the sheet width direction Dw. Each arm portion 40 includes a wall portion 41 that rises upward from an end of the second placement surface 6 in the sheet width direction Dw, an extension portion 42 that extends from the upper end of the wall portion 41 toward the outside in the sheet width direction Dw, and a held portion 43 that is connected to the outer end of the extension portion 42 and is held by the holding member 13. The held portion 43 is a plate-like shape that extends downward from the extension portion 42 and upstream in the sheet feeding direction Df. That is, each arm portion 40 has a U-shaped shape that opens downward when viewed in the sheet feeding direction Df.

[0038] By the arm portion 40 having the above-mentioned shape, the second placement surface 6 is held in a state separated (floating) above the first placement surface 4 of the first document tray 3. This makes it possible to place a document on the first placement surface 4 even when the second document tray 5 is located at the first position P1 described below.

[0039] The second original tray 5 is held by a holding member 13 so as to be movable between a first position P1 (usage position, feeding position) shown in Fig. 2(a) and a second position P2 (non-use position, retracted position) shown in Fig. 2(b). Both the first position P1 and the second position P2 are positions above the first original tray 3. In other words, in both the first position P1 and the second position P2, the second original tray 5 and the first original tray 3 are in a positional relationship in which they at least partially overlap when viewed from above. Also, the second position P2 is a position where the second original tray 5 is retracted above the first position P1.

[0040] In a state in which the second original tray 5 is located at the first position P1 (FIG. 2(a)), the feed roller 8 can feed the original M2 supported on the second placement surface 6. In a state in which the second original tray 5 is located at the second position P2 (FIG. 2(b)), the feed roller 8 can feed the original M1 supported on the first placement surface 4. When the second original tray 5 is located at the second position P2, the original M1 is supported on the first placement surface 4 between the first original tray 3 and the second original tray 5 in a direction perpendicular to the first placement surface 4.

[0041] In this embodiment, when the second document tray 5 is located at the first position P1 (FIG. 2(a)), the feed roller 8 can continuously feed both the document M1 supported on the first placement surface 4 and the document M2 supported on the second placement surface 6. In other words, the user can simultaneously place (mix) documents M1 and M2 of different sizes on the first document tray 3 and the second document tray 5, respectively, and execute the sequential reading of the documents M1 and M2 with a single instruction to start the reading operation. Therefore, image information can be efficiently read from the documents M1 and M2 of different sizes. Note that when the second document tray 5 is located at the first position P1, the document M2 can be fed only from the second document tray 5.

[0042] Furthermore, when the user does not use the second original tray 5, the user can simply move the second original tray 5 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. This allows the user to place the original M1 on the first original tray 3 and perform skimming of the original M1 while expanding the space below the second original tray 5.

[0043] In this embodiment, the second position P2 as the position to which the second document tray 5 is retracted as described above is a position above the first document tray 3. When the second document tray 5 is located at the second position P2, the feed roller 8 can feed the document M1 supported on the first placement surface 4 of the first document tray 3 below the second document tray 5. In other words, when the second support member is located at the second position, the feed means feeds the sheet supported on the first support surface below the second support member. Therefore, for example, when the second document tray 5 is not used, the space occupied by the ADF 1 in the sheet feed direction Df can be made smaller than in a configuration in which the second document tray 5 is retracted upstream of the first document tray 3 in the sheet feed direction Df.

[0044] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a sheet feeding device, an image reading device, and an image forming apparatus that are capable of feeding sheets of various sizes and that can improve space saving.

[0045] In addition, in both cases where the second original tray 5 is located at the first position P1 and where it is located at the second position P2, it is preferable that the second original tray 5 is located downstream in the sheet feeding direction Df from the upstream end in the sheet feeding direction Df of the first original tray 3. This makes it possible to further reduce the space occupied by the ADF 1 in the sheet feeding direction Df.

[0046] (Side guide) The side end guides 15, 35 provided on the first document tray 3 and the second document tray 5 will be described with reference to Figs. 3(a, b) and 4(a, b). Figs. 3(a) and 4(a) are views of the first document tray 3 and the second document tray 5 as viewed from the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction Df. Figs. 3(b) and 4(b) are perspective views of the first document tray 3 and the second document tray 5. Figs. 3(a, b) show the state when the side end guide 15 is moved to the outermost position with the second document tray 5 located at the first position P1. Figs. 4(a, b) show the state when the side end guide 15 is moved to the innermost position with the second document tray 5 located at the first position P1.

[0047] As shown in Figs. 3(a, b) and 4(a, b), the first document tray 3 is provided with side end guides 15 that regulate the position of the document placed on the first loading surface 4 in the sheet width direction Dw. The side end guides 15 are provided on both sides in the sheet width direction Dw. The two side end guides 15 are an example of a pair of first regulating members. By regulating the side ends of the document (sheet ends in the sheet width direction Dw) with the side end guides 15, it is possible to suppress misalignment and skew of the document fed from the first document tray 3.

[0048] The two side end guides 15 are connected via an interlocking mechanism such as a rack-and-pinion mechanism, and are configured to move in conjunction with each other in the sheet width direction Dw. Each of the side end guides 15 has a regulating surface that faces a side end of the document. The two side end guides 15 move such that the regulating surfaces of each other maintain a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the center position X0 of the first placement surface 4 in the sheet width direction Dw.

[0049] The side end guide 15 can move in the sheet width direction Dw from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sheet width of the document that can be fed by the ADF 1 (for example, from A3 size to business card size). When the second document tray 5 is at the first position P1, the side end guide 15 of this embodiment can move from a restricting position of maximum width W1 shown in Figures 3(a) and (b) to a restricting position of width W2 narrower than maximum width W1 shown in Figures 4(a) and (b). However, even when the second document tray 5 is at the first position P1, by placing documents with a sheet width narrower than width W2 on the second document tray 5, skewing of the documents with narrow sheet widths can be suppressed.

[0050] Regardless of whether the second original tray 5 is located at the first position P1 or the second position P2, the side end guide 15 can move in the sheet width direction Dw. More specifically, when the second original tray 5 is located at the first position P1 as shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), the side end guide 15 can move from a position of maximum width W1 (Figures 3(a) and (b)) to a position where it abuts against a wall surface portion 41 (Figure 4(a)) of the second original tray 5. The distance between the regulating surfaces of the side end guide 15 when the side end guide 15 abuts against the wall surface portion 41 is the width W2 described above.

[0051] With the above configuration, when the second document tray 5 is located at the first position P1, documents ranging from A3 size to A5 size, for example, can be placed on the first placement surface 4 and regulated by the side end guides 15.

[0052] Meanwhile, the second document tray 5 is provided with side end guides 35 that regulate the position of the document placed on the second placement surface 6 in the sheet width direction Dw. The side end guides 35 are provided on both sides in the sheet width direction Dw. The two side end guides 35 are an example of a pair of second regulating members. By regulating the side ends of the document (sheet ends in the sheet width direction Dw) with the side end guides 35, it is possible to suppress misalignment and skew of the document fed from the second document tray 5.

[0053] The two side end guides 35 are connected via an interlocking mechanism such as a rack-and-pinion mechanism, and are configured to move in the sheet width direction Dw in an interlocking manner. Each of the side end guides 35 has a regulating surface that faces a side end of the document. The two side end guides 35 move such that their regulating surfaces are symmetrical with respect to the center position of the second loading surface 6 in the sheet width direction Dw (in this embodiment, the same as the center position X0 of the first loading surface 4).

[0054] The side end guide 35 is movable in the sheet width direction Dw from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sheet width of the document that the ADF 1 can feed from the second document tray 5. In this embodiment, the lower limit of the sheet width of the document that the ADF 1 can feed from the second document tray 5 is the same as the lower limit of the sheet width of the document that the ADF 1 can feed. When the second document tray 5 is at the first position P1, a document with a sheet width narrower than the above-mentioned width W2 can be placed on the second document tray 5 and brought into contact with the side end guide 35, thereby preventing the document with the narrow sheet width from skewing.

[0055] (Example 1 of setting the second position of the second document tray) The second position P2 to which the second original tray 5 is retracted when not in use will be described. Figures 5(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining an example of setting the second position P2. Figure 5(a) is a side view of the first original tray 3 and the second original tray 5 in the sheet width direction Dw with the second original tray 5 positioned at the second position P2. Figure 5(b) is a perspective view of the first original tray 3 and the second original tray 5 when the second original tray 5 is positioned at the second position P2.

[0056] In this embodiment, at least one of the side end guides 15 is provided with a mark 17 as an indicator showing the amount of documents that can be loaded on the first document tray 3 (the upper limit position of the stacking height; hereinafter, referred to as the upper limit stacking height h1). The mark 17 is positioned at a height such that the topmost document does not come into contact with the bottom surface of the second document tray 5 even if documents are loaded up to the mark 17.

[0057] When the second original tray 5 is located at the first position P1, a part of the second original tray 5 is located below the upper stacking limit h1 indicated by the mark 17 in the height direction H relative to the first placement surface 4. In this case, the user can load originals on the first original tray 3 up to a predetermined height lower than the upper stacking limit h1, and also place originals with a narrow sheet width on the second original tray 5.

[0058] 5(a), when the second document tray 5 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the second document tray 5 retreats in the height direction H above the upper stacking limit h1 indicated by the mark 17. Therefore, when the second document tray 5 is located at the second position P2, the user can stack documents up to the upper stacking limit h1 on the first document tray 3. However, the height direction H is a direction perpendicular to the first document placement surface 4 at a position on the first document placement surface 4 that is closest to the mark 17 when viewed in the sheet width direction Dw.

[0059] In this way, when the second position P2 of the second original tray 5 is set above the upper loading limit h1 of the first original tray 3, by retracting the second original tray 5 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, it becomes possible to load originals up to the upper loading limit h1 on the first original tray 3.

[0060] (Example 2 of setting the second position of the second document tray) As another example of setting the second position P2, as shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), the second document tray 5 may be set to a position where it does not interfere with the side end guide 15. Figure 6(a) is a side view of the first document tray 3 and the second document tray 5 in the sheet width direction Dw with the second document tray 5 positioned at the second position P2. Figure 6(b) is a perspective view of the first document tray 3 and the second document tray 5 when the second document tray 5 is positioned at the second position P2.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 6(a), when the second document tray 5 is located at the second position P2, the bottom surface 5b of the second document tray 5 opposite to the second placement surface 6 is retracted above the upper edge 15a of the side end guide 15. Therefore, when the second document tray 5 is located at the second position P2, the side end guide 15 can move from a position corresponding to the maximum width W1 (Fig. 3(a)) of the document that can be fed by the ADF 1 to a position corresponding to the minimum width W3 (Fig. 6(b)) without interfering with the second document tray 5. That is, in this embodiment, when the second support member is located at the second position, the pair of first regulating members can move to a position closer to the center position of the first support surface in the sheet width direction than when the second support member is located at the first position.

[0062] If necessary, the user may place a narrow document on the first loading surface 4 with the second document tray 5 retracted to the second position P2, or may place a narrow document on the second loading surface 6 with the second document tray 5 positioned at the first position P1.

[0063] (Support structure for second document tray) Next, the support structure of the second original tray 5 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7(a) and (b). Figure 7(a) is an exploded view showing one of the holding members 13 (the holding member 13 on the rear side of the device, the upper right side in Figure 1) and a part of the second original tray 5. Figure 7(b) is a view of the holding member 13 and a part of the second original tray 5 as viewed in the sheet width direction Dw. The following description also applies to the other holding member 13 (the holding member 13 on the front side of the device, the lower left side in Figure 1), except that the positional relationship in the sheet width direction Dw is reversed.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 7(a), the holding member 13 is provided with a hole 18 and a guide portion 19. The hole 18 is a substantially cylindrical hole shape penetrating the holding member 13 in the sheet width direction Dw. The guide portion 19 is an arc-shaped long hole (groove shape) centered on the hole 18 when viewed in the sheet width direction Dw. The second document tray 5 is provided with a first protrusion 20 and a second protrusion 21, both of which are convex shapes protruding in the sheet width direction Dw. The first protrusion 20 and the second protrusion 21 are formed on the held portion 43 of the second document tray 5. The first protrusion 20 is a first protrusion that engages (fits) with the hole 18, and the second protrusion 21 is a second protrusion that engages (fits) with the guide portion 19.

[0065] The second document tray 5 is rotatable (swingable) around an axis A1 (first axis) in the sheet width direction Dw. In this embodiment, the axis A1 is a virtual straight line passing through the approximate centers of the first protrusion 20 and the hole 18.

[0066] The axis A1 passes above the first document tray 3 and is located upstream of the upstream end of the second placement surface 6 in the sheet feeding direction Df (FIGS. 5(a) and 6(a)). Therefore, when the second document tray 5 is moved around the axis A1 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the entire second placement surface 6 can be moved upward.

[0067] The rotation range of the second original tray 5 is limited by the engagement of the second protrusion 21 with the guide portion 19. When the second protrusion 21 is located at one end (lower end 19a) of the guide portion 19, the second original tray 5 is located at a first position P1, and when the second protrusion 21 is located at the other end (upper end 19b) of the guide portion 19, the second original tray 5 is located at a second position P2.

[0068] The guide section 19 is provided with a narrowed section 22 in which the groove width is slightly narrower than the outer diameter of the second protrusion 21. When the second document tray 5 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the user can easily know that the position change of the second document tray 5 has been performed correctly by the clicking sensation when the second protrusion 21 overcomes the narrowed section 22. In addition, the second protrusion 21 is held by the narrowed section 22, so that the second document tray 5 is held at the second position P2 even after the user releases his / her hand from the second document tray 5. When the second document tray 5 is moved from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the second document tray 5 is held at the first position P1 with the second protrusion 21 abutting against the lower end 19a of the guide section 19 due to the weight of the second document tray 5.

[0069] In addition, a first protrusion 20 may be provided on the holding member 13, and a hole 18 that engages with the first protrusion 20 may be provided on the second document tray 5. A second protrusion 21 may be provided on the holding member 13, and a guide portion 19 that engages with the second protrusion 21 may be provided on the second document tray 5. In other words, it is sufficient that the first protrusion provided on one of the holding member and the second support member engages with a hole provided on the other of the holding member and the second support member, and the second protrusion provided on one of the holding member and the second support member engages with a groove-shaped guide portion provided on the other of the holding member and the second support member. The first protrusion and the second protrusion do not need to be arranged on the same member, and one may be provided on the holding member and the other on the second holding member.

[0070] (Opening and closing the first document tray) Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 12(a), the first original tray 3 is supported rotatably (openably and closably) with respect to the main body 7 of the ADF 1. The first original tray 3 rotates around an axis extending in the sheet width direction Dw, with a rotation shaft 3a (FIG. 5(b)) provided at the downstream end of the first original tray 3 in the sheet feeding direction Df as a fulcrum. A user can widen the space above the discharge tray 11 by rotating the first original tray 3 upward from the position during image reading shown in FIG. 1 etc., and easily remove the originals loaded on the discharge tray 11. Hereinafter, the position when the first original tray 3 is rotated at the largest angle from the position during image reading (third position) is referred to as the open position (fourth position) of the first original tray 3.

[0071] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 12(b), even when the second document tray 5 is located at the second position P1, the first document tray 3 can be rotated to the open position without interfering with the main body 7 of the ADF 1. In other words, regardless of whether the second document tray 5 is located at the first position P1 or the second position P2, the first document tray 3 can be moved between the position for image reading and the open position. In other words, the second support member in this embodiment is disposed at a position that does not contact the main body when the first support member is rotated from the third position to the fourth position with the second support member located at the second position.

[0072] In the comparative example, if the first original tray 3 is rotated to the open position while the second original tray 5 is located at the second position P2, the second original tray 5 interferes with the main body 7 of the ADF 1. In the comparative example, when a user wants to open the first original tray 3, the second original tray 5 is first moved to the first position P1. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the user can rotate the first original tray 3 to the open position without worrying about whether the second original tray 5 is located at the first position P1 or the second position P2, improving usability. In addition, damage to parts due to collision between the second original tray 5 and the main body 7 of the ADF 1 can be prevented.

[0073] Example 2 A configuration according to the second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the support configuration of the second document tray 5 is different from that of the first embodiment, but the basic configurations of the ADF 1, the image reading device 101, and the image forming device 100 are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the following, elements with the same reference symbols as those of the first embodiment have substantially the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment, unless otherwise specified.

[0074] FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view of the first document tray 3 and the second document tray 5 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view showing a part of the holding member 13 and the second document tray 5 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9(a) is a cross-sectional view of the first document tray 3 and the second document tray 5 cut in the sheet width direction Dw when the second document tray 5 is located at the first position P1. FIGS. 9(b) and 9(c) are enlarged views showing an end region on one side and an end region on the other side in the sheet width direction Dw in FIG. 9(a). FIG. 10(a) is a cross-sectional view of the first document tray 3 and the second document tray 5 cut in the sheet width direction Dw when the second document tray 5 is located at the second position P2. FIGS. 10(b) and 10(c) are enlarged views showing an end region on one side and an end region on the other side in the sheet width direction Dw in FIG. 10(a).

[0075] 8(a) and 8(b), one of the holding members 13 in the second embodiment has a shaft portion 23 extending along the sheet feeding direction Df. One end of the second document tray 5 in the sheet width direction Dw is provided with a hook shape 24 as a fitting portion that fits with the shaft portion 23. By engaging the hook shape 24 with the shaft portion 23, the second document tray 5 is rotatable (swingable) around an axis line A2 (second axis line) in the direction along the sheet feeding direction Df.

[0076] The axis A2 is located at an end of the second original tray 5 in the sheet width direction Dw. Therefore, when the second original tray 5 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2 around the axis A2, the entire second placement surface 6 can be moved upward.

[0077] Alternatively, a shaft portion 23 may be disposed at one end of the second document tray 5, and a hook-shaped portion 24 may be disposed on the holding member 13 as a fitting portion that engages with the shaft portion 23.

[0078] 9(a) and 10(b), a first groove 25a and a second groove 25b are formed in the holding member 13 (the holding member 13 on the left side in the figures) opposite to the holding member 13 provided with the shaft portion 23. A positioning protrusion 26 that fits into the first groove 25a or the second groove 25b is provided on the end of the second document tray 5 opposite to the hook shape 24.

[0079] 9(a)-(c), when the positioning protrusion 26 of the second original tray 5 is engaged with the first groove 25a serving as the first positioning portion, the second original tray 5 is positioned at the first position P1. As shown in FIG. 10(a)-(c), when the positioning protrusion 26 of the second original tray 5 is engaged with the second groove 25b serving as the second positioning portion, the second original tray 5 is positioned at the second position P2. The user can move the second original tray 5 between the first position P1 and the second position P2 by bending the second original tray 5 to disengage the positioning protrusion 26 from the first groove 25a or the second groove 25b.

[0080] In this embodiment, the second position P2 to which the second document tray 5 is retracted is set above the first document tray 3 as described above. When the second document tray 5 is located at the second position P2, the feed roller 8 can feed the document M1 supported on the first placement surface 4 of the first document tray 3 below the second document tray 5. In other words, when the second support member is located at the second position, the feed means feeds the sheet supported on the first support surface below the second support member. Therefore, the space occupied by the ADF 1 in the sheet feed direction Df can be made smaller than in a configuration in which the second document tray 5 is retracted upstream of the first document tray 3 in the sheet feed direction Df when the second document tray 5 is not used.

[0081] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a sheet feeding device, an image reading device, and an image forming apparatus that are capable of feeding sheets of various sizes and that can improve space saving.

[0082] Example 3 A configuration according to the third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the support configuration of the second document tray 5 is different from that of the first embodiment, but the basic configurations of the ADF 1, the image reading device 101, and the image forming device 100 are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the following, elements with the same reference symbols as those of the first embodiment have substantially the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment, unless otherwise specified.

[0083] Fig. 11(a) is a perspective view showing a part of the holding member 13 and the second original tray 5 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 11(b) is a view of the holding member 13 and a part of the second original tray 5 in the sheet width direction Dw when the second original tray 5 is located at the first position P1. Fig. 11(c) is a view of the holding member 13 and a part of the second original tray 5 in the sheet width direction Dw when the second original tray 5 is located at the second position P2.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 11(a), the holding member 13 of the third embodiment has two guide grooves 28a, 28b extending in a substantially vertical direction. The extension directions of the guide grooves 28a, 28b are in a direction intersecting both the sheet feeding direction Df and the sheet width direction Dw, and are preferably in a height direction H perpendicular to the first placement surface 4. The extension directions of the two guide grooves 28a, 28b are substantially parallel to each other. The guide grooves 28a, 28b are arranged in pairs on each of the two holding members 13. The second document tray 5 has protrusions 27a, 27b that engage with the guide grooves 28a, 28b, respectively. The protrusions 27a, 27b are arranged in pairs at each of one end and the other end of the second document tray 5 in the sheet width direction Dw.

[0085] 11(b) and (c), the second original tray 5 can slide (translate) up and down along the extension direction of the guide grooves 28a and 28b by the movement of the protrusions 27a and 27b in the guide grooves 28a and 28b. This allows the second original tray 5 to move between a first position P1 (FIG. 11(b)) and a second position P2 (FIG. 11(c)). In this embodiment, the posture (angle) of the second original tray 5 does not change between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0086] The guide grooves 28a and 28b are provided with narrowed portions 29 in which the groove width is slightly narrower than the outer diameter of the protrusions 27a and 27b. When the second document tray 5 is moved between the first position P1 and the second position P2, the user can easily know that the position of the second document tray 5 has been changed correctly by the clicking sensation when the protrusions 27a and 27b overcome the narrowed portions 29. Furthermore, the narrowed portions 29 hold the protrusions 27a and 27b, so that the second document tray 5 is held at the first position P1 or the second position P2 even after the user releases his / her hand from the second document tray 5. Note that, for the first position P1, the narrowed portions 29 may not be provided and the second document tray 5 may be held at the second position P2 by its own weight.

[0087] In this embodiment, the second position P2 to which the second document tray 5 is retracted is a position above the first document tray 3 as described above. When the second document tray 5 is located at the second position P2, the feed roller 8 can feed the document M1 supported on the first placement surface 4 of the first document tray 3 below the second document tray 5. In other words, when the second support member is located at the second position, the feed means feeds the sheet supported on the first support surface below the second support member. Therefore, the space occupied by the ADF 1 in the sheet feed direction Df can be made smaller than in a configuration in which the second document tray 5 is retracted upstream of the first document tray 3 in the sheet feed direction Df when the second document tray 5 is not used.

[0088] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a sheet feeding device, an image reading device, and an image forming apparatus that are capable of feeding sheets of various sizes and that can improve space saving.

[0089] (Other embodiments) In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration has been described in which the holding member 13 that holds the second original tray 5 is attached to the first original tray 3, and the second original tray 5 is supported by the first original tray 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the holding member 13 may be attached to the main body 7 of the ADF 1, so that the second original tray 5 is supported by the main body 7. Furthermore, the holding member 13 may be formed integrally with the first original tray 3 or the main body 7.

[0090] Further, the second document tray 5 may not have the movable side end guides 35, and may be configured to regulate the side ends of the documents by guide shapes fixed to the second placement surface 6 (and the third placement surface 6a).

[0091] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the ADF 102 of the image reading device 101 mounted on the upper part of the image forming device main body has been described as an example of a sheet feeding device. The sheet feeding device is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a sheet feeding device (manual feed unit) that feeds sheets as recording materials from a manual feed tray that is provided so as to be openable and closable on the side part of the image forming device main body. Also, the sheet feeding device may be a sheet feeding device that feeds sheets as documents in an image reading device that can be used independently of the image forming device main body. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1...sheet feeding device (ADF) / 3...first support member (first document tray) / 4...first support surface (first placement surface) / 5...second support member (second document tray) / 6...second support surface (second placement surface) / 8...feeding means (feeding roller) / P1...first position / P2...second position

Claims

1. a feeding means for feeding the sheet in a sheet feeding direction; a first support member having a first support surface that supports the first seat; a second support member having a second support surface that supports a second seat, the second support member being movable between a first position where the second seat is supported above the first support member and a second position that is retracted above the first position; Equipped with When the second support member is located at the first position, the feeding means feeds the first sheet supported on the first support surface and the second sheet supported on the second support surface; When the second support member is located at the second position, the feeding means feeds the first sheet supported on the first support surface below the second support member. A sheet feeding device characterized by:

2. a pair of first regulating members that regulate a position of the first sheet supported by the first support member in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction, At least one of the pair of first restricting members has an indicator portion that indicates an upper limit position of the height of sheets that can be loaded on the first support surface, When the second support member is positioned at the first position, a part of the second support member is positioned lower than the upper limit position in a height direction perpendicular to the first support surface, When the second support member is located at the second position, the portion of the second support member is located above the upper limit position in the height direction.

2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

3. a pair of first regulating members that regulate a position of the first sheet supported by the first support member in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction, When the second support member is positioned at the first position, a portion of the second support member overlaps with the pair of first restricting members as viewed in the seat width direction, When the second support member is positioned at the second position, the portion of the second support member is positioned above the pair of first restricting members as viewed in the seat width direction.

2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

4. When the second support member is positioned at the second position, the pair of first regulating members can move to positions closer to a center position of the first support surface in the seat width direction than when the second support member is positioned at the first position.

4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

5. the second support member is configured to rotate between the first position and the second position around a first axis in a direction along a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction; 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

6. the first axis passes above the first support member and is located upstream of an upstream end of the second support surface in the sheet feeding direction; 6. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

7. a holding member supported by the first support member and holding the second support member; The second support member is configured to rotate about the first axis by a first protrusion provided on one of the holding member and the second support member engaging with a hole provided on the other of the holding member and the second support member, and a second protrusion provided on one of the holding member and the second support member engaging with a groove-shaped guide portion provided on the other of the holding member and the second support member.

6. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

8. the guide portion has a narrowed portion in which the groove width of the groove shape is narrower than the outer diameter of the second protruding portion, When the second support member is moved from the first position to the second position, the second protrusion overcomes the narrowed portion, and the second support member is held at the second position by the narrowed portion.

8. The sheet feeding device according to claim 7, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

9. the second support member is configured to rotate between the first position and the second position about a second axis in a direction along the sheet feeding direction; 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

10. the second axis is located at an end of the second support member in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction; 10. The sheet feeding device according to claim 9, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

11. a holding member supported by the first support member and holding the second support member; The second support member is configured to rotate around the second axis by fitting a fitting portion provided on the other of the holding member and the second support member to a rotation shaft provided on either the holding member or the second support member.

10. The sheet feeding device according to claim 9, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

12. the holding members are provided on both sides of the first support member in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction, The holding member on the opposite side of the pivot shaft and the fitting portion in the seat width direction is provided with a first positioning portion that engages with the second support member to position the second support member at the first position, and a second positioning portion that engages with the second support member to position the second support member at the second position.

12. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 11.

13. the second support member is configured to move between the first position and the second position by sliding in a direction intersecting both the sheet feeding direction and a sheet width direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction.

2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

14. a holding member supported by the first support member and holding the second support member; The second support member is configured to slide in an extension direction of the guide groove by fitting a protrusion provided on the other of the holding member and the second support member into a guide groove provided on either the holding member or the second support member.

14. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 13.

15. a main body portion including a conveying path along which the sheet fed by the feeding means is conveyed; a stacking section provided below the first support member, on which sheets discharged from the conveying path are stacked; Further provided with the first support member is movable relative to the main body between a third position where the first sheet supported on the first support surface can be fed by the feeding means and a fourth position where the first support member is rotated upward from the third position; the second support member is disposed at a position where it does not come into contact with the main body when the first support member is rotated from the third position to the fourth position with the second support member positioned at the second position.

2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

16. In both a state where the second support member is located at the first position and a state where the second support member is located at the second position, the second support member is located downstream in the sheet feeding direction with respect to an upstream end of the first support member in the sheet feeding direction.

2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

17. When the second support member is located at the first position, the feeding means feeds the first sheet supported by the first support member successively to the second sheet supported by the second support member.

2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

18. a sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 17; a reading unit that reads image information from the sheet fed by the sheet feeding device; An image reading device comprising:

19. The image reading device according to claim 18; an image forming means for forming an image on a recording material based on the image information read by the image reading device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images