Conveying device

Abstract

A conveying device includes a supply tray, a housing, and a linear-path discharge tray. The supply tray is used to supply a sheet. The housing has a linear conveying path for linearly conveying the sheet, a return conveying path for branching from the linear conveying path and returning to convey the sheet, and an image reading section for reading an image of the sheet conveyed by the linear conveying path. The linear-path discharge tray has a first tray section rotatably provided with respect to the housing and a second tray section rotatably provided with respect to the first tray section, and the linear-path discharge tray is switchable between an open state in which the first tray section and the second tray section form a receiving surface of the sheet and a closed state in which the first tray section and the second tray section partially cover the housing. According to the present application, the sheet can be discharged by a linear path, and space saving can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a conveying device. Background Technology

[0002] As a conveying device, a conveying device capable of discharging sheet material using a straight path is known. In order to discharge sheet material using a straight path, this conveying device has a straight conveying path. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The aforementioned conveying device includes a straight-path discharge tray for receiving sheets discharged via a straight path. The straight-path discharge tray needs to be larger than the area of ​​the sheet to receive the discharged sheet. Therefore, even though such a conveying device can discharge sheets via a straight path, it still occupies a significant physical space.

[0004] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a conveying device that can discharge sheet material through a straight path and save space.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to a conveying device comprising: a supply tray for supplying a sheet; a housing for supplying the sheet from the supply tray; and a straight-path discharge tray for discharging the sheet from the supply tray and the housing via a straight path, the housing having: a straight conveying path for linearly conveying the sheet; a reversing conveying path for branching from the straight conveying path and reversing to convey the sheet; and an image reading unit for reading an image of the sheet conveyed via the straight conveying path, the straight-path discharge tray having: a first tray portion rotatably disposed relative to the housing; and a second tray portion rotatably disposed relative to the first tray portion, the straight-path discharge tray being switchable to an open state in which the first tray portion and the second tray portion form a receiving surface of the sheet, and a closed state in which the first tray portion and the second tray portion partially cover the housing. According to the present invention, the sheet can be discharged via a straight path, and space saving can be achieved. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the conveying device in the open state according to this embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the conveyor in its open state.

[0008] Figure 3 This is a 3D view of the conveyor device in its closed state.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the conveyor in the closed state.

[0010] Figure 5 These are top views and enlarged sectional views illustrating the structure of the tray engaging with the housing via a straight path.

[0011] Figure 6 This is a longitudinal sectional view with the straight path discharge tray set to the open state.

[0012] Figure 7 It is a longitudinal section view showing the tray exiting the straight path slightly closed from the open state.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a longitudinal sectional view with the straight path discharge tray set to the closed state.

[0014] Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing the structural part that detects the closed state of the tray discharged along a straight path.

[0015] Figure 10 This is an enlarged longitudinal section view illustrating the vicinity of the branch guide section. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Hereinafter, a conveying device according to an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same or equivalent reference numerals are used to denote the same parts, and will not be described again. Also, in the following description, even when terms indicating specific positions and directions are used, these terms are used for ease of understanding of the embodiments and are unrelated to the actual direction in which they are implemented.

[0017] <Implementation Method>

[0018] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The conveying device 100 involved in this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the conveying device 100 in the open state according to this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the conveying device 100 in its open state.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the conveyor device 100 in its closed state. Figure 4 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the conveyor 100 in its closed state. (Example) Figure 1 As shown, the conveying device 100 includes a supply tray 1, a housing 2, and a straight-path discharge tray 3. The supply tray 1 supplies sheet S. The housing 2 is supplied with sheet S from the supply tray 1. The straight-path discharge tray 3 discharges sheet S from the supply tray 1 and the housing 2 via a straight path.

[0020] like Figure 2As shown, the housing 2 has a straight transport path 11, a return transport path 21, and an image reading unit 13. The straight transport path 11 transports the sheet S in a straight line. The return transport path 21 branches off from the straight transport path 11. The return transport path 21 returns and transports the sheet S. The image reading unit 13 reads an image of the sheet S transported via the straight transport path 11.

[0021] The straight-path discharge tray 3 has a first tray section 31 and a second tray section 32. The first tray section 31 is rotatably disposed relative to the housing 2. The second tray section 32 is rotatably disposed relative to the first tray section 31.

[0022] The straight path discharge tray 3 may also have an elongated tray 34. In this embodiment, an example of the straight path discharge tray 3 having an elongated tray 34 is shown. The elongated tray 34 is disposed in the second tray portion 32 on the side opposite to the first tray portion 31. The elongated tray 34 is configured to be insertable and removable from the interior of the second tray portion 32. The elongated tray 34 is pulled out from the second tray portion 32 to the desired length.

[0023] The straight path discharge tray 3 can be switched between open and closed states. Figure 2 The state shown is the open state, which is the state in which the first tray portion 31 and the second tray portion 32 form the receiving surface of the sheet S. For example... Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the closed state is when the first tray section 31 and the second tray section 32 partially cover the housing 2.

[0024] Therefore, in the open state, sheet S can be discharged via a straight path. When sheet S is not being discharged via a straight path, by setting the straight path discharge tray 3 to the closed state, the straight path discharge tray 3 can be kept to a minimum space. Thus, the conveyor 100 can discharge sheet S via a straight path, and space can be saved when sheet S is not being discharged.

[0025] The receiving surface of the sheet S formed by the first tray portion 31 and the second tray portion 32 is preferably a flat surface. The receiving surface of the sheet S is not limited to a flat surface, but may also be a curved surface, as long as the first tray portion 31 and the second tray portion 32 can receive the sheet S.

[0026] The following is for reference Figure 2 The details of the conveying device 100 will be described below. Furthermore, in the following, the upstream side and the downstream side of the conveying of the sheet S will be referred to as the "upstream side" and the "downstream side," respectively.

[0027] like Figure 2As shown, the housing 2 also includes a separation supply section 10, a straight path conveying roller group 12, a branch guide section 14, a discharge roller 17, a return path conveying roller group 22, and a discharge section 23.

[0028] The separation supply unit 10 is located at the upstream end of the straight conveying path 11. The separation supply unit 10 separates the sheets S one by one from the stack of sheets S placed on the supply tray 1 and supplies them to the downstream side.

[0029] The linear path conveyor roller group 12 is a roller group arranged on the linear conveyor path 11. The linear path conveyor roller group 12 conveys the sheet S on the linear conveyor path 11 by rotating on its own.

[0030] A branch guide 14 is provided at the branch point from the straight conveyor path 11 to the return conveyor path 21. The branch guide 14 guides the sheet S on the upstream side of the straight conveyor path 11 directly towards the downstream side of the straight conveyor path 11, or towards the return conveyor path 21.

[0031] The discharge roller 17 is a roller located on the straight conveying path 11 further downstream than the branch guide section 14. By rotating, the discharge roller 17 conveys the sheet S to the discharge tray 3 on the straight path.

[0032] The return path conveyor roller group 22 is a roller group installed on the return conveyor path 21. The return path conveyor roller group 22 conveys the sheet S on the return conveyor path 21 by rotating individually.

[0033] The discharge section 23 is located below the supply tray 1. In the discharge section 23, the sheet S conveyed by the return conveyor path 21 is discharged.

[0034] The straight conveyor path 11 is adjacent to the upstream side of the straight path discharge tray 3. Therefore, the sheet S conveyed from the upstream side of the straight conveyor path 11 to the downstream side is discharged to the straight path discharge tray 3 via the straight path.

[0035] The lower end of the folded-back transport path 21 is partially exposed from the housing 2. The partially exposed lower end of the folded-back transport path 21 faces the contact glass of another image reading device (not shown). Therefore, the sheet S transported to the folded-back transport path 21 is read by the other image reading device as it passes the partially exposed lower end of the folded-back transport path 21.

[0036] In addition to another image reading device, the sheet S is also read by the image reading unit 13 of the housing 2. The image reading unit 13 is located on the straight transport path 11, which is upstream of the branch guide 14. Therefore, even when the sheet S is transported only via the straight transport path 11, that is, when it is not read by another image reading device, the sheet S is still read by the image reading unit 13.

[0037] The following is for reference Figure 5 The structure of the straight path discharge tray 3 engaging with the housing 2 is described in detail. Figure 5 These are top views and enlarged sectional views illustrating the structure of the tray 3 and housing 2 engaging in a straight path.

[0038] like Figure 5 As shown, the straight path discharge tray 3 also has a locking part 50. When the locking part 50 is in the closed state described above, it engages the straight path discharge tray 3 with the housing 2.

[0039] Therefore, the locking part 50 stabilizes the closed state of the straight path discharge tray 3. When the straight path discharge tray 3 is not used for sheet discharge, space saving of the conveyor device 100 can be achieved by setting the straight path discharge tray 3 to the closed state.

[0040] The housing 2 has a receiving space 24 and a locking hole 26. The receiving space 24 receives the second tray portion 32 in the closed state. The locking hole 26 is a hole formed on the side of the housing 2 facing the receiving space 24 (the inner side 25 described later).

[0041] A locking portion 50 is provided on the second tray portion 32. The locking portion 50 has a protrusion 51 and a coil spring 52. With the second tray portion 32 housed in the receiving space 24, the protrusion 51 faces the locking hole 26. The coil spring 52 presses the protrusion 51 away from the second tray portion 32. When the second tray portion 32 rotates relative to the housing 2 until it is housed from above in the receiving space 24 (closed state), the portion of the protrusion 51 of the second tray portion 32 is pressed towards the locking hole 26 located to the side by the coil spring 52 at the position of the locking hole 26. Thus, when the protrusion 51 enters the locking hole 26, the protrusion 51 is held in the state of entering the locking hole 26 by the pressing of the coil spring 52. Therefore, the locking portion 50 engages with the housing 2.

[0042] The straight path discharge tray 3 has a handle 33 on the second tray section 32. By grasping the handle 33 and rotating the straight path discharge tray 3 from the open state to the closed state, the user can smoothly switch the straight path discharge tray 3 from the open state to the closed state. Therefore, the conveying device 100 can easily save space because the straight path discharge tray 3 can smoothly switch from the open state to the closed state.

[0043] The following is for reference Figures 6 to 8 The action of tray 3, which is discharged along a straight path, from the open state to the closed state is explained. Figure 6 This is a longitudinal section view with the straight path discharge tray 3 set to the open state. Figure 7 This is a longitudinal section view showing the straight path exiting tray 3 slightly closed from the open state. Figure 8 This is a longitudinal sectional view with the straight path discharge tray 3 in the closed state.

[0044] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the straight path discharge tray 3 also has a rotation limiting part 60. The rotation limiting part 60 restricts the rotation of the second tray part 32 in the direction away from the housing 2 to the position of the open state, and in the direction approaching the housing 2 to the position of the closed state.

[0045] Therefore, by rotating the limiting part 60, the second tray part 32 will not be more open than in the open state, nor will it be more closed than in the closed state. As a result, the conveying device 100 can smoothly switch from the open state to the closed state by discharging the tray 3 through a straight path, thus achieving space saving.

[0046] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the straight path discharge tray 3, in addition to having a first tray section 31 and a second tray section 32, also has a first fulcrum section 41, a second fulcrum section 42 and a support column 70.

[0047] The first fulcrum 41 rotatably connects the housing 2 and the first tray 31. The first fulcrum 41 is configured such that the first tray 31 in the closed state is flush with the downstream side of the housing 2.

[0048] In the open state, the length of the first tray section 31 in the conveying direction is the same as the length of the upper part of the second tray section 32 flush with the upper surface of the housing 2 in the closed state. The first tray section 31 also has a closing direction limiting rib 61 and an opening direction limiting rib 62 at its downstream end as a rotation limiting part 60.

[0049] The closing direction limiting rib 61, by abutting against the second tray portion 32 in the closed state, restricts the second tray portion 32 from rotating in a direction closer to the housing 2 than in the closed state, and maintains the second tray portion 32 in the closed posture. In the closed state, for example, the angle formed between the first tray portion 31 and the second tray portion 32 is 90°. The closing direction limiting rib 61 restricts the angle formed between the first tray portion 31 and the second tray portion 32 to be less than 90°.

[0050] The opening direction limiting rib 62, by abutting against the second tray portion 32 in the open state, restricts the second tray portion 32 from rotating further away from the housing 2 than in the open state, and maintains the second tray portion 32 in the open state posture. In the open state, for example, the angle formed between the first tray portion 31 and the second tray portion 32 is 180°. The opening direction limiting rib 62 prevents the angle formed between the first tray portion 31 and the second tray portion 32 from exceeding 180°.

[0051] The second fulcrum 42 rotatably connects the first tray section 31 and the second tray section 32. The second fulcrum 42 is configured such that the second tray section 32, in the closed state, can be positioned to be accommodated in the receiving space 24.

[0052] The support column 70 has a base 71, an arm 72, and a sliding member 73. The base 71 is mounted on the first tray portion 31. The arm 72 has one end and the other end. One end of the arm 72 is rotatably mounted on the base 71. The other end of the arm 72 is provided with the sliding member 73. The sliding member 73 slides freely using a sliding groove 28 formed on the housing 2. A first fulcrum portion 41 is provided on the base 71.

[0053] The following is for reference Figure 9 The structure for detecting the closed state of the straight path discharge tray 3 is described in detail. Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing the structural part that detects the closed state of the straight path discharge tray 3.

[0054] like Figure 9 As shown, the housing 2 also has an inner side surface 25 and an inner upper surface 27. The inner side surface 25 and the inner upper surface 27 form a receiving space 24. On the inner side surface 25, a locking hole 26 and a sliding groove 28 are formed. The sliding groove 28 extends from the upstream side along the downstream side.

[0055] The sliding groove 28 has one end and another end. One end of the sliding groove 28 is the downstream end. One end of the sliding groove 28 corresponds to the position of the sliding member 73 in the open state. The sliding member 73 is slidably mounted on the sliding groove 28 within the sliding groove 28. In the open state, as... Figure 9 As shown, the end of the sliding member 73 moves to one end of the sliding groove 28 and is confined thereto. Therefore, the straight-path discharge tray 3 is held in the open state and does not rotate further away from the housing 2. The other end of the sliding groove 28 is the upstream end. The other end of the sliding groove 28 is located further upstream than the position of the sliding member 73 in the closed state.

[0056] The conveying device 100 also includes a detection unit 80 for detecting the closed state. The conveying device 100 detects the closed state of the tray 3 discharged along the straight path through the detection unit 80.

[0057] The detection unit 80 has a detection rib 83 and a detection body 82. The detection rib 83 is provided on the first tray portion 31 at a position that does not obstruct the sheet S being discharged via a straight path. The detection body 82 is located between the inner upper surface 27 and the straight transport path 11. Therefore, the detection body 82 is provided inside a hole 85 provided at this position in the housing 2. The hole 85 is provided in the housing 2 at a position where the detection rib 83 of the first tray portion 31 is inserted in the closed state. Thus, in the closed state, the detection rib 83 is inserted into the hole 85, and in other states, the insertion is released. The detection body 82 is, for example, a light sensor, and has a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part. The light-emitting part is disposed on one side wall inside the hole 85, and the light-receiving part is disposed on the other side wall located opposite to this side wall. When the detection rib 83 is not inserted into the hole 85, the light-receiving part receives light emitted from the light-emitting part. When the detection rib 83 is inserted into the hole 85 and positioned between the light-receiving part and the light-emitting part, and the detection rib 83 blocks the light emitted from the light-emitting part, the light-receiving part does not receive the light emitted from the light-emitting part. When the light-receiving part receives light emitted from the light-emitting part, the detection unit 80 outputs an open signal indicating an open state to the control unit 29 of the conveying device 100 (described later). When the light-receiving part does not receive light emitted from the light-emitting part, the detection unit 80 outputs a closed signal indicating a closed state to the control unit 29. Thus, the conveying device 100 can reliably detect the closed state of the straight-path discharge tray 3.

[0058] The following is for reference Figure 10 The control of the branch guide section 14 is described in detail. Figure 10 This is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view illustrating the vicinity of the branch guide section 14.

[0059] The housing 2 has a branch guide 14. The branch guide 14 is provided at the part where the straight conveying path 11 branches into the return conveying path 21. The branch guide 14 guides the sheet S on the upstream side of the straight conveying path 11 directly from the branching part to the downstream side of the straight conveying path 11, or to the return conveying path 21.

[0060] The housing 2 also includes a control unit 29. The control unit 29 comprises a processor, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and dedicated hardware circuitry. The processor may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 29 operates via a control program stored in the ROM or the like.

[0061] The control unit 29 controls the switching of the destination guided by the branch guide 14 to either the straight conveyor path 11 or the return conveyor path 21. If the detection unit 80 does not detect a closed state, the control unit 29 performs the switching, causing the branch guide 14 to guide the sheet S to the straight conveyor path 11.

[0062] Therefore, when the straight path discharge tray 3 is not closed, the branch guide 14 guides the sheet S to be conveyed only using the straight conveying path 11. As a result, when the straight path discharge tray 3 is in a state where the sheet S can be discharged using the straight path, the housing 2 can also be automatically set to a state where the sheet S can be discharged using the straight path.

[0063] The following is for reference Figure 10 The structure of the branch guide 14 will be described in more detail.

[0064] like Figure 10 As shown, the branch guide section 14 includes a rotary guide plate 15 and a solenoid 16. The rotary guide plate 15, by rotating, can switch between guiding the sheet S to the return conveyor path 21 and guiding the sheet S to the straight conveyor path 11. When guiding the sheet S to the return conveyor path 21, the rotary guide plate 15 blocks the straight conveyor path 11. When guiding the sheet S to the straight conveyor path 11, the rotary guide plate 15 blocks the return conveyor path 21. The solenoid 16 is driven according to a control signal from the control unit 29. The driving force supplied by the solenoid 16 is converted into rotational driving force via gears or the like and transmitted to the rotary guide plate 15, thereby causing the rotary guide plate 15 to rotate.

[0065] When the rotary guide plate 15 guides the sheet S to the return conveyor path 21, the conveyor 100 operates in a mode that conveys the sheet S from the straight conveyor path 11 to the return conveyor path 21 (hereinafter referred to as the return conveyor mode). When the rotary guide plate 15 guides the sheet S to the straight conveyor path 11, the conveyor 100 operates in a mode that conveys the sheet S using only the straight conveyor path 11 (hereinafter referred to as the straight path mode).

[0066] When the detection unit 80 detects a closed state, the control unit 29 sends a control signal to the solenoid 16 to set it to the return transport mode. Upon receiving the control signal, the solenoid 16 is driven to generate a driving force that causes the rotary guide plate 15 to rotate in a direction that guides the sheet S onto the return transport path 21. By rotating using this driving force, the rotary guide plate 15 is positioned to guide the sheet S onto the return transport path 21.

[0067] When the detection of the closed state of the detection unit 80 is released, the control unit 29 sends a control signal to the solenoid 16 to set it to the straight path mode. Upon receiving the control signal to set it to the straight path mode, the solenoid 16 is driven to generate a driving force, which causes the rotary guide plate 15 to rotate in a direction that guides the sheet S onto the straight transport path 11. By rotating using this driving force, the rotary guide plate 15 is positioned to guide the sheet S onto the straight transport path 11.

[0068] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit. For ease of understanding, the drawings are shown schematically with each constituent element as the main body. The thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each constituent element shown in the drawings differ from the actual figures for ease of drawing preparation. In addition, the speed, material, shape, size, etc. of each constituent element shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not particularly limited. Various modifications can be made without substantially departing from the structure of the present invention.

[0069] Industrial Applicability: This invention provides a conveying device that is industrially applicable.

Claims

1. A conveying device, characterized in that, have: Supply pallets are used for supplying sheets; A housing for supplying the sheet from the supply tray; and A straight-path discharge tray is used to discharge the sheet from the supply tray and the housing via a straight path. The housing has: A linear conveying path for conveying the sheet material in a straight line; A reversal conveyor path, used to branch off from the straight conveyor path and reversibly convey the sheet; and An image reading unit is used to read an image of the sheet being transported via the linear transport path. The straight path discharge tray has: A first tray portion, which is rotatably disposed relative to the housing; and The second tray portion is rotatably disposed relative to the first tray portion. The straight-path discharge tray can be switched to an open state where the first tray section and the second tray section form the receiving surface of the sheet, and a closed state where the first tray section and the second tray section partially cover the housing. The conveying device further includes: The first fulcrum portion rotatably connects the housing to the first tray portion; and The second fulcrum portion rotatably connects the first tray portion and the second tray portion. The first tray portion has: The closing direction limiting rib, by abutting against the end of the second tray portion on the second fulcrum side in the closed state, restricts the second tray portion from rotating in a direction closer to the housing than in the closed state; and An opening direction limiting rib, by abutting against the second tray portion in the open state from below, restricts the second tray portion from rotating in a direction further away from the housing than in the open state.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The straight path discharge tray also has a locking part for engaging with the housing in the closed state.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also has a detection unit for detecting the closed state.

4. The conveying device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing includes: A branch guide, disposed at the portion branching from the straight conveyor path to the return conveyor path, guides the sheet onto either the straight conveyor path or the return conveyor path; and The control unit is used to perform control to switch the destination guided by the branch guide unit to the straight conveying path or the return conveying path. The control unit is also configured to switch when the detection unit does not detect the closed state, so that the branch guide unit guides the sheet to the straight conveying path.

5. The conveying device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control unit is also configured to switch when the detection unit detects the closed state, so that the branch guide unit guides the sheet to the return conveyor path.

6. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also has: A base, which is mounted on the first tray portion and is provided with the first support point portion; An arm, one end of which is rotatably mounted to the base; and A sliding component is disposed at the other end of the arm and is capable of sliding within a sliding groove formed in the housing. In the open state, the sliding component moves to one end of the sliding groove and is restricted by that one end of the sliding groove.

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