Medium discharge device and electronic apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a medium discharging device and an electronic apparatus capable of suppressing scattering of a medium on a paper discharging portion. The medium discharge section includes: a discharge roller pair that nips the medium between a first roller and a second roller and discharges the medium to the paper discharge section; a first pressing member that has a medium pressing portion that is movable below a nip position where the discharge roller pair nips the medium, and that presses the medium by means of the medium pressing portion; and a raising member that raises the medium pressing portion from a first position below the nip position to a second position above the first position, the medium pressing portion being moved from the first position to the second position by being raised by the raising member when a tip portion on a downstream side in a discharge direction of the medium passes through the nip position, and the medium pressing portion being moved from the first position to the second position by being raised by the raising member. The medium pressing portion moves from the second position to the first position when a rear end portion of an upstream side in a discharge direction of the medium passes through the nip position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a medium discharging device and electronic equipment. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a paper discharge device that discharges paper from a pair of discharge rollers toward a paper stack. The paper discharge device includes first and second paper pressing members that can swing in conjunction with each other, located downstream of the discharge roller pair in the discharge direction. The first paper pressing member suppresses the rear end of the discharged paper from remaining on the discharge roller pair by pressing the paper with its swinging end. The second paper pressing member has a shorter swing radius than the first paper pressing member, and its swinging end is located further upstream than the swinging end of the first paper pressing member. Paper discharged from the discharge roller pair contacts the swinging end of the second paper pressing member and is guided to the paper stack below. Furthermore, as the rear end of the paper passes through the discharge roller pair, it is pressed toward the paper stack by the first paper pressing member. This configuration prevents the front end of the paper from contacting the first paper pressing member, thereby preventing the front end of the paper from being excessively pressed against the paper stack by the first paper pressing member. Consequently, frictional resistance prevents the movement of the paper from being hindered.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-60241

[0004] However, in a configuration where the leading end of the paper is held down by the second paper holding member, if the paper has low rigidity, the second paper holding member may significantly press down the end of the paper in the width direction intersecting the discharge direction. In this case, the paper may become scattered in the stack. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The medium discharge device is a medium discharge device that discharges the medium toward a loading portion on which the medium is loaded, and comprises: a roller pair, comprising a first roller and a second roller located above the first roller, and clamping the medium by the first roller and the second roller to discharge the medium to the loading portion; a first pressing component, comprising a first component that can be moved to a position lower than a clamping position of the roller pair clamping the medium, and pressing the medium by the first component; and a lifting component that lifts the first component from a first position lower than the clamping position to a second position higher than the first position, when the front end portion on the downstream side of the medium in the discharge direction passes through the clamping position, the first component is lifted by the lifting component and moves from the first position to the second position, and when the rear end portion on the upstream side of the medium in the discharge direction passes through the clamping position, the first component moves from the second position to the first position.

[0006] The medium discharging device is a medium discharging device for discharging the medium toward a loading portion on which the medium is loaded, comprising: a roller pair including a first roller and a second roller located above the first roller, wherein the first roller and the second roller clamp the medium to discharge the medium to the loading portion; and a discharging auxiliary component for assisting the discharging action of the medium discharged from the roller pair, wherein the discharging auxiliary component comprises: a medium pressing portion capable of moving to a first position lower than a clamping position of the roller pair clamping the medium and a second position above the first position, and moving from the second position to the first position The medium is pressed downward during the movement of the position; and a medium abutting portion, the medium abuts against the medium abutting portion at an upstream side of the medium pressing portion in the discharge direction of the medium, and when the front end portion of the medium on the downstream side of the discharge direction passes through the clamping position, the medium abuts against the medium abutting portion, and the medium pressing portion moves from the first position to the second position, and when the rear end portion of the medium on the upstream side of the discharge direction passes through the clamping position, the medium separates from the medium abutting portion, and the medium pressing portion moves from the second position to the first position.

[0007] The electronic device includes the above-mentioned medium discharge device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an image reading device.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the image reading device.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a side view showing the structure of the medium discharge portion according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a plan view showing the structure of the medium discharge unit according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a side view showing the medium discharge portion of the first embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a side view showing the medium discharge portion of the first embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a side view showing the medium discharge portion of the first embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0015] Figure 8 It is a side view showing the medium discharge portion according to the second embodiment.

[0016] Figure 9 It is a plan view showing a medium discharge portion according to a second embodiment.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a side view showing the medium discharge portion of the second embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0018] Figure 11 This is a side view showing the medium discharge portion of the second embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0019] Figure 12 This is a side view showing the medium discharge portion of the second embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0020] Figure 13 It is a side view showing a medium discharge portion according to a third embodiment.

[0021] Figure 14 This is a side view showing the medium discharge portion according to the third embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0022] Figure 15 This is a side view showing the medium discharge portion according to the third embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0023] Figure 16 This is a side view showing the medium discharge portion according to the third embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0024] Figure 17 This is a side view showing the medium discharge portion according to the third embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0025] Figure 18 It is a side view schematically showing the structure of the medium discharge portion according to the fourth embodiment.

[0026] Figure 19 It is a plan view showing the structure of a medium discharge unit according to a fourth embodiment.

[0027] Figure 20 This is a side view schematically showing the medium discharge portion according to the fourth embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0028] Figure 21 This is a side view schematically showing the medium discharge portion according to the fourth embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0029] Figure 22 This is a side view schematically showing the medium discharge portion according to the fourth embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0030] Figure 23 It is a side view schematically showing a medium discharge portion according to a fifth embodiment.

[0031] Figure 24 It is a plan view showing a medium discharge portion according to a fifth embodiment.

[0032] Figure 25 This is a side view schematically showing the medium discharge portion according to the fifth embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0033] Figure 26 This is a side view schematically showing the medium discharge portion according to the fifth embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0034] Figure 27 This is a side view schematically showing the medium discharge portion according to the fifth embodiment when discharging a medium.

[0035] Description of Reference Numerals

[0036] 1: Image reader; 11: Lower unit; 12: Upper unit; 13: Paper feed unit; 14: Paper discharge unit; 15: Conveyor path; 21: Media conveyor; 22: Feed unit; 23: Conveyor roller pair; 23a: Drive roller; 23b: Driven roller; 24: First sensor unit; 25: Second sensor unit; 26: Document table; 30, 30A, 30B, 60, 60A: Media discharge unit; 31, 311, 312, 313, 314: Discharge roller pair; 31a: First roller; 31b: Second roller; 32: Scraper; 33, 41: First pressing member; 33a, 41a, 6 1a: medium pressing portion; 33b: rod portion; 33c, 41c: abutment surface; 34: lifting component; 34a: medium contact portion; 34b: rod pressing portion; 35, 36, 37, 38, 42, 62, 72: rotating shaft; 40: second pressing component; 40a: pressing end portion; 50: control portion; 61: discharge auxiliary component; 61b: medium abutment portion; 61c: abutment surface; 71, 711, 712, 713: third pressing component; 71a: medium pressing portion; 71c: abutment surface; 73: connecting component; M: medium; Pn: clamping position; R1: first direction; R2: second direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] 1. First Implementation

[0038] Next, the configuration of the image reading device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0039] The image reading device 1 is an electronic device that reads an image formed on a medium M such as a conveyed paper and generates image data.

[0040] Each figure shows the intersecting X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. In this embodiment, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. The X-axis is parallel to the installation surface of the image reading device 1 and corresponds to the width direction of the image reading device 1. The Y-axis is parallel to the installation surface of the image reading device 1 and corresponds to the depth direction of the image reading device 1. The Z-axis is perpendicular to the installation surface of the image reading device 1 and corresponds to the height direction of the image reading device 1.

[0041] From the rear, the +X direction, which is parallel to the X axis, is the left direction when facing the front of the image reading device 1. The -X direction, which is parallel to the X axis, is the opposite direction to the +X direction. The +Y direction, which is parallel to the Y axis, is the direction from the back toward the front of the image reading device 1. The -Y direction, which is parallel to the Y axis, is the opposite direction to the +Y direction. The +Z direction, which is parallel to the Z axis, is the direction from the installation surface of the image reading device 1 toward the top. The -Z direction, which is parallel to the Z axis, is the opposite direction to the +Z direction. In this embodiment, the ±Z directions are parallel to the vertical direction.

[0042] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the image reading device 1. Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the image reading device 1 .

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the image reading device 1 includes a lower unit 11 and an upper unit 12. The upper unit 12 is arranged on the upper side of the lower unit 11. The upper unit 12 includes a paper feed unit 13 for placing the medium M before reading and a paper discharge unit 14 for placing the medium M after reading. Figure 2 ) can be placed in a stacked manner on the paper feed unit 13 and the paper discharge unit 14. The upper unit 12 can be opened and closed relative to the lower unit 11. The paper discharge unit 14 is an example of a placing unit.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, a conveyance path 15 for the medium M, indicated by a dotted line, is formed in the upper unit 12 of the image reading apparatus 1. The conveyance path 15 is a path that runs from the paper feed unit 13 through the interior of the upper unit 12, between the lower unit 11 and the upper unit 12, and to the paper discharge unit 14. The conveyance path 15 curves within the upper unit 12.

[0045] The image reading device 1 includes a medium conveying unit 21 within the upper unit 12. The medium conveying unit 21 includes a feed unit 22 and a plurality of conveying roller pairs 23. The feed unit 22 separates the topmost medium M from the plurality of media M stacked on the paper feed unit 13 and stores the media M one by one into the conveying path 15. The conveying roller pair 23 includes a drive roller 23a that is rotated by a drive device (e.g., a motor) (not shown) and a driven roller 23b that rotates following the rotation of the drive roller 23a. The conveying roller pair 23 conveys the medium M by sandwiching the medium M between the drive roller 23a and the driven roller 23b. The medium conveying unit 21 conveys the medium M along the conveying path 15 toward the discharge roller pair 31 described later. The medium conveying unit 21 is an example of a conveying unit.

[0046] The image reading device 1 includes a first sensor unit 24 and a second sensor unit 25 located adjacent to the conveyance path 15. For example, the first and second sensor units 24 and 25 include CIS (Contact Image Sensor) sensors extending along the Y-axis. However, the sensors included in the first and second sensor units 24 and 25 may also be other types of sensors, such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensors.

[0047] The first sensor unit 24 is housed in the lower unit 11. A light-transmissive document table 26 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower unit 11. The first sensor unit 24 faces the first surface of the conveyed medium M across the document table 26. The first sensor unit 24 reads the image formed on the first surface of the conveyed medium M. It should be noted that the first sensor unit 24 is movable in the ±X directions and can read images of the medium M placed on the document table 26, in addition to the medium M being conveyed on the conveyance path 15, when the upper unit 12 is open.

[0048] The second sensor unit 25 is housed inside the upper unit 12 and is disposed downstream of the first sensor unit 24 in the conveyance path 15. The second sensor unit 25 faces the second surface of the conveyed medium M opposite to the first surface and reads an image formed on the second surface.

[0049] The image reading device 1 includes a medium discharge unit 30 located downstream of the medium conveying unit 21, the first sensor unit 24, and the second sensor unit 25 in the conveying path 15. The medium discharge unit 30 discharges the medium M, after the image of which has been read by the first sensor unit 24 and the second sensor unit 25, toward the paper discharge unit 14. The medium discharge unit 30 is an example of a medium discharge device.

[0050] The medium discharge unit 30 includes a discharge roller pair 31 consisting of a first roller 31a and a second roller 31b. The first roller 31a is rotated by a drive device (e.g., a motor) (not shown). The second roller 31b is located above the first roller 31a, i.e., on the +Z side, and rotates in a manner driven by the rotation of the first roller 31a. The discharge roller pair 31 sandwiches the medium M between the first roller 31a and the second roller 31b to discharge the medium M to the paper discharge unit 14. The discharge roller pair 31 is an example of a roller pair.

[0051] The image reading device 1 includes a control unit 50 within the lower unit 11. The control unit 50 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the operation of the image reading device 1. Specifically, the control unit 50 controls the operation of the medium conveying unit 21, the first sensor unit 24, the second sensor unit 25, and the medium discharge unit 30.

[0052] Figure 3 is a side view showing the structure of the medium discharge unit 30, Figure 4 This is a top view illustrating the structure of the medium discharge unit 30. From now on, the direction in which the medium M is discharged from the medium discharge unit 30 is also referred to as the discharge direction. In this embodiment, the discharge direction is generally the -X direction. Furthermore, the ±Y directions intersecting the discharge direction are also referred to as the width directions of the medium M.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the medium discharge unit 30 includes, in addition to the discharge roller pair 31 described above, a scraper member 32, a first pressing member 33, and a lifting member 34. The scraper member 32 scrapes the medium M from the discharge roller pair 31. The first pressing member 33 presses the discharged medium M against the first roller 31a. The lifting member 34 changes the posture of the first pressing member 33 as the medium M moves. These components will be described in detail later.

[0054] like Figure 4 As shown, the medium discharge unit 30 includes a plurality of discharge roller pairs 31 along the ±Y directions. In this embodiment, the medium discharge unit 30 includes four discharge roller pairs 31 along the ±Y directions. That is, the medium discharge unit 30 includes four first rollers 31a and four second rollers 31b along the ±Y directions.

[0055] The four first rollers 31a are fixed to a rotational shaft 35 extending in the ±Y direction. The four first rollers 31a are driven by a drive device (not shown) to rotate about the rotational shaft 35. The four second rollers 31b are fixed to a rotational shaft 36 extending in the ±Y direction. The four second rollers 31b rotate about the rotational shaft 36, driven by the rotation of the first rollers 31a. The rotational shafts 35 and 36 are rotatably supported by, for example, the housing of the upper unit 12.

[0056] The medium discharge unit 30 includes multiple scraping members 32. In this embodiment, the medium discharge unit 30 includes two scraping members 32. The two scraping members 32 are respectively arranged adjacent to the inner surfaces of the two inner first rollers 31a among the four first rollers 31a. Specifically, one scraping member 32 is arranged adjacent to the -Y side of the second first roller 31a from the +Y side. The other scraping member 32 is arranged adjacent to the +Y side of the third first roller 31a from the +Y side.

[0057] The scraping member 32 is a disc-shaped member formed, for example, from a sponge. Specifically, the scraping member 32 has fine irregularities formed on its surface and is elastically deformable. Driven by a drive device (not shown), the scraping member 32 rotates along with the first roller 31a about the rotation axis 35. Specifically, the scraping member 32 rotates coaxially with the first roller 31a, sandwiching the medium M between itself and the second roller 31b. The scraping member 32 utilizes the irregularities on its surface to scrape the medium M toward the discharge direction.

[0058] The scraper member 32 has a larger diameter than the first roller 31a. However, since the scraper member 32 is made of sponge or other materials, it deforms and flattens when it comes into contact with the second roller 31b and the medium M. It should be noted that the scraper member 32 can be made of any elastic material with fine irregularities on its surface and is not limited to sponge. Furthermore, the medium discharge portion 30 may also be constructed without the scraper member 32.

[0059] The medium discharge unit 30 includes a plurality of first pressing members 33 arranged along the axial direction of the first roller 31a, i.e., in the ±Y direction. In this embodiment, the medium discharge unit 30 includes three first pressing members 33 arranged along the ±Y direction. One first pressing member 33 is disposed between each of the four discharge roller pairs 31. Each first pressing member 33 includes a common rotation axis 37 located on a virtual straight line and is rotatable about the rotation axis 37. The rotation axis 37 of the first pressing member 33 is disposed on the +X side, i.e., upstream in the discharge direction, relative to the rotation axis 35 of the first roller 31a and the rotation axis 36 of the second roller 31b. The rotation axis 37 is rotatably supported by, for example, the housing of the upper unit 12 or another structure. The rotation axis 37 is an example of a first rotation axis.

[0060] The first pressing member 33 includes a medium pressing portion 33a extending from the rotation shaft 37 toward the -X side, and a lever portion 33b extending from the rotation shaft 37 toward the +X side. Rotation of the first pressing member 33 allows the medium pressing portion 33a to move below the clamping position Pn where the discharge roller pair 31 clamps the medium M. Furthermore, the first pressing member 33 presses the discharged medium M downward with the downwardly moving medium pressing portion 33a. Rotation of the first pressing member 33 causes the lever portion 33b to contact the lifting member 34. The medium pressing portion 33a is an example of a first member, and the lever portion 33b is an example of a second member.

[0061] The weight of the medium pressing portion 33a is greater than the weight of the rod portion 33b. Therefore, when the discharge roller pair 31 does not clamp the medium M, the medium pressing portion 33a is displaced downward due to its own weight. Figure 3 As shown, the medium pressing portion 33a is located below the nip position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31. The position of the medium pressing portion 33a when the discharge roller pair 31 is not holding the medium M corresponds to the first position. It should be noted that in this specification, the position of the medium pressing portion 33a refers to the portion of the medium pressing portion 33a that actually contacts the medium M.

[0062] The lifting member 34 changes the posture of the first pressing member 33 by pressing the rod portion 33b of the first pressing member 33 downward. The lifting member 34 has a rotation axis 38 extending in the ±Y direction and is rotatable about the rotation axis 38. The rotation axis 38 is positioned closer to the +X side than the rotation axis 37 of the first pressing member 33, i.e., upstream in the discharge direction. The rotation axis 38 is rotatably supported by, for example, the housing of the upper unit 12 or another structure. The rotation axis 38 is an example of a second rotation axis.

[0063] The lifting member 34 includes a medium contact portion 34a extending from the rotation axis 38 toward the -X side and three lever pressing portions 34b extending from the rotation axis 38 toward the +X side. Specifically, the medium contact portion 34a extends in a direction having a -X component and a -Z component, intersecting the conveying path 15, and contacts the conveyed medium M. In addition, the three lever pressing portions 34b are respectively opposite to the lever portions 33b of the first pressing member 33. Therefore, in Figure 3 In the embodiment, when the lifting member 34 rotates counterclockwise, the lever pressing portion 34b contacts the lever portion 33b, thereby pressing the lever portion 33b downward. The medium contact portion 34a is an example of a third member, and the lever pressing portion 34b is an example of a fourth member.

[0064] When the rod portion 33b of the first pressing member 33 is pressed downward, the medium pressing portion 33a rises. The raised position of the medium pressing portion 33a corresponds to the second position. The second position is higher than the first position. In this way, the lifting member 34 lifts the medium pressing portion 33a of the first pressing member 33 from the first position, which is below the clamping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31, to the second position, which is higher than the first position. In this embodiment, the second position is at a height approximately the same as the clamping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31.

[0065] Next, the operation of the medium discharge unit 30 will be described.

[0066] To read an image formed on the medium M, the medium conveying unit 21 receives a sheet of medium M from the paper feed unit 13 into the conveyance path 15 under the control of the control unit 50. The medium conveying unit 21 then conveys the received medium M along the conveyance path 15 toward the medium discharge unit 30. Furthermore, the first sensor unit 24 and the second sensor unit 25 read the image formed on the conveyed medium M under the control of the control unit 50. Furthermore, the medium discharge unit 30 rotates the first roller 31 a under the control of the control unit 50, thereby discharging the medium M, after the image has been read, to the paper discharge unit 14.

[0067] Figures 5 to 7 This is a side view showing the medium discharge unit 30 of the present embodiment when discharging the medium M.

[0068] like Figure 5 As shown, the medium M conveyed by the medium conveying unit 21 contacts the medium contact portion 34a of the lifting member 34 at a position upstream of the clamping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31 in the conveying direction, thereby causing the medium contact portion 34a to move downstream. Figure 5 As a result, the lever pressing portion 34 b of the lifting member 34 comes into contact with the lever portion 33 b of the first pressing member 33 .

[0069] As the medium M moves downstream, the lifting member 34 further rotates in the first direction R1, causing the lever pressing portion 34b to press the lever portion 33b downward. Consequently, the first pressing member 33 also rotates in the first direction R1 about the rotation axis 37. As the first pressing member 33 rotates in the first direction R1, the medium pressing portion 33a is lifted upward.

[0070] The medium pressing portion 33a continues to rise as the first pressing member 33 rotates until the front end of the medium contact portion 34a contacts the upper surface of the medium M. Figure 6As shown, when the leading end of the medium M, i.e., the downstream end in the discharge direction, passes through the clamping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31, the leading end of the medium contact portion 34a contacts the upper surface of the medium M. Thereafter, the postures of the lifting member 34 and the first pressing member 33 remain substantially unchanged. At this time, the medium pressing portion 33a extends along the discharge direction and contacts the upper surface of the medium M via the contact surface 33c facing the medium M. As described above, the position of the medium pressing portion 33a after being lifted by the lifting member 34 corresponds to the second position. That is, when the downstream leading end of the medium M in the discharge direction passes through the clamping position Pn, the first pressing member 33 rotates in the first direction R1, causing the medium pressing portion 33a to move from the first position to the second position. In other words, the medium pressing portion 33a moves from the first position to the second position by being lifted by the lifting member 34.

[0071] Assuming the medium pressing portion 33a does not rise, if the widthwise end of the medium M, that is, the ends of the medium M in the ±Y directions, are near the position of the medium pressing portion 33a, the medium pressing portion 33a may significantly press down on the widthwise end of the medium M. In particular, if the rigidity of the medium M is low, the medium M is likely to sag downward. In this case, the widthwise end of the leading end of the discharged medium M collides with the trailing end of the medium M on the paper discharge section 14, potentially causing the medium M to scatter on the paper discharge section 14. In contrast, in this embodiment, the medium pressing portion 33a rises when the leading end of the medium M passes the nip position Pn, thereby suppressing the pressing of the widthwise end of the medium M.

[0072] Thereafter, the discharge of the medium M is further advanced, and when the rear end portion of the medium M, that is, the end portion on the upstream side in the discharge direction, separates from the medium contact portion 34a, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, the medium contact portion 34a descends due to its own weight. That is, the lifting member 34 rotates in the second direction R2 opposite to the first direction R1 around the rotation axis 38. As a result, the rod pressing portion 34b of the lifting member 34 separates from the rod portion 33b of the first pressing member 33. Then, when the rod pressing portion 34b separates from the rod portion 33b, the medium pressing portion 33a descends due to its own weight, so that the first pressing member 33 rotates in the second direction R2 around the rotation axis 37. As a result, the first pressing member 33 presses the medium M downward by the own weight of the medium pressing portion 33a, thereby pressing the medium M against the first roller 31a. At this time, since the medium M is bent downward between the first rollers 31a, the position of the medium pressing portion 33a is lower than the clamping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31. Then, the medium pressing portion 33a continues to press the medium M until the medium M is separated. It should be noted that, in Figure 7Illustration of the clamped portion of the medium M and the portion in contact with the circumferential surface of the first roller 31a are omitted. Subsequently, when the medium M separates from the medium pressing portion 33a, the position of the medium pressing portion 33a returns to the first position before the medium M is discharged. Thus, when the upstream rear end of the medium M in the discharge direction passes through the clamping position Pn, the first pressing member 33 rotates in the second direction R2 about the rotation axis 37, causing the medium pressing portion 33a to move from the second position to the first position.

[0073] It should be noted that if Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, when the medium pressing portion 33a is located at the first position (refer to Figure 3 ), and when the medium pressing portion 33a is located at the second position (refer to Figure 6 ), the area where the medium pressing portion 33a overlaps with the first roller 31a is larger when viewed from the axial direction of the first roller 31a, that is, the ±Y direction. In addition, when the medium pressing portion 33a is in the first position (refer to Figure 3 ), and when the medium pressing portion 33a is located at the second position (refer to Figure 6 ), the medium pressing portion 33a has a larger angle θ relative to the horizontal plane. Here, the angle θ of the medium pressing portion 33a relative to the horizontal plane refers to the angle formed by the contact surface 33c of the medium pressing portion 33a that contacts the medium M and the horizontal plane.

[0074] As described above, according to the medium discharge unit 30 and the image reading device 1 of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0075] According to this embodiment, when the leading end of the medium M passes through the nip position Pn, the medium pressing portion 33a of the first pressing member 33 is lifted upward by the lifting member 34, thereby suppressing the widthwise end of the medium M from being pressed down. In other words, the angle at which the end of the medium M enters the downstream side, that is, the angle of the medium M relative to the horizontal plane, is reduced. As a result, collision between the leading end of the discharged medium M and the trailing end of the medium M on the paper discharge section 14 is avoided, thereby suppressing the media M from being scattered on the paper discharge section 14. On the other hand, when the trailing end of the medium M passes through the nip position Pn, the medium pressing portion 33a moves downward, pressing the medium M against the first roller 31a by the first pressing member 33. This increases the force conveying the medium M downstream. As a result, the medium M moves with the rotation of the first roller 31a, thereby suppressing the trailing end of the medium M from being retained on the discharge roller pair 31.

[0076] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the medium M conveyed by the medium conveying unit 21 contacts the medium contact portion 34a, causing the lifting member 34 to rotate in the first direction R1, thereby raising the medium pressing portion 33a from the first position to the second position. In other words, the raising of the medium pressing portion 33a can be achieved with a simple configuration.

[0077] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the medium pressing portion 33a is lowered from the second position to the first position due to the separation of the discharged medium M from the lifting member 34. In other words, the lowering of the medium pressing portion 33a can be achieved with a simple configuration.

[0078] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the medium pressing portion 33a is in the first position, the area of overlap between the medium pressing portion 33a and the first roller 31a is larger than when it is in the second position. Specifically, when the medium pressing portion 33a is in the first position, the medium M is pressed against the first roller 31a, thereby preventing the trailing end of the medium M from remaining on the discharge roller pair 31. On the other hand, when the medium pressing portion 33a is in the second position, the area of overlap between the medium pressing portion 33a and the first roller 31a is smaller than when it is in the first position, thereby preventing the leading end of the medium M from pressing down on the widthwise end.

[0079] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the medium pressing portion 33a is in the first position, the angle of the medium pressing portion 33a relative to the horizontal plane is larger than when it is in the second position. Specifically, when the medium pressing portion 33a is in the first position, the medium M is pressed against the first roller 31a, thereby preventing the trailing end of the medium M from remaining on the discharge roller pair 31. On the other hand, when the medium pressing portion 33a is in the second position, the angle of the medium pressing portion 33a relative to the horizontal plane is smaller than when it is in the first position, thereby preventing the leading end of the medium M from pressing down the widthwise end.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the plurality of first pressing members 33 are arranged along the axial direction of the first roller 31 a , the first pressing members 33 can effectively press the media M of various sizes.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the medium M is scraped off by the scraping member 32 in the discharge roller pair 31 , the trailing end of the medium M is further suppressed from remaining on the discharge roller pair 31 .

[0082] 2. Second Implementation

[0083] Next, an image reading device 1 according to a second embodiment will be described.

[0084] The image reading device 1 of this embodiment includes a medium discharge unit 30A that is different from the medium discharge unit 30 of the first embodiment. Since the configuration other than the medium discharge unit 30A is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

[0085] Figure 8 30A is a side view showing the medium discharge portion of this embodiment. Figure 9 It is a plan view showing the medium discharge portion 30A.

[0086] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the medium discharge section 30A of this embodiment, in addition to having the configuration of the medium discharge section 30 of the first embodiment, further includes two second pressing members 40. The second pressing members 40 are generally rectangular plate-shaped members in a plan view and have a wavy shape in a side view. The +X-side end of the second pressing member 40 is mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the rotation axis 36 of the second roller 31b. Furthermore, the -X-side end of the second pressing member 40, i.e., the pressing end 40a, is a free end and is located on the paper discharge section 14. When the medium M is placed on the paper discharge section 14, the second pressing members 40 press the medium M toward the paper discharge section 14 by their own weight. Thus, the second pressing members 40, located on the paper discharge section 14 further in the discharge direction than the medium pressing portion 33a of the first pressing member 33, press the medium M discharged from the discharge roller pair 31 toward the paper discharge section 14.

[0087] Figures 10 to 12 This is a side view showing the medium discharge portion 30A of the present embodiment when discharging the medium M.

[0088] like Figure 10 As shown, when the medium M conveyed by the medium conveying unit 21 reaches the medium discharge unit 30A, the medium pressing portion 33a of the first pressing member 33 is lifted upward by the lifting member 34, similar to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the leading end of the medium M, having passed the nip position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31, abuts the second pressing member 40, causing the second pressing member 40 to rotate, raising the pressing end 40a. Meanwhile, the medium M, while being pressed downward by the weight of the second pressing member 40, moves toward the paper discharge unit 14.

[0089] like Figure 11 As shown, when the medium M is ejected, the medium M, having passed the nip position Pn of the ejection roller pair 31, deflects downward, causing the pressing end 40 a of the second pressing member 40 to descend. The medium M, having passed the pressing end 40 a of the second pressing member 40, then moves along the upper surface of the paper ejection unit 14 or the upper surface of the medium M placed on the paper ejection unit 14.

[0090] like Figure 12As shown, when the discharge of the medium M is further promoted, when the rear end of the medium M separates from the medium contact portion 34a, the medium contact portion 34a drops due to its own weight, similar to the first embodiment. Along with this, the medium pressing portion 33a also moves downward. As a result, the first pressing member 33 presses the medium M downward by the own weight of the medium pressing portion 33a to press the medium M against the first roller 31a. Thereafter, the rear end of the medium M reaches the paper discharge portion 14 while being pressed by the second pressing member 40. It should be noted that in Figure 12 In FIG, the sandwiched portion of the medium M and the portion in contact with the peripheral surface of the first roller 31 a are also omitted from illustration.

[0091] As described above, according to the medium discharge portion 30A and the image reading device 1 of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0092] According to this embodiment, the medium M discharged from the discharge roller pair 31 is pressed toward the paper discharge unit 14 by the second pressing member 40. Therefore, the medium M is prevented from excessively flowing downstream in the paper discharge unit 14, and the alignment of the medium M can be improved.

[0093] 3. Third Implementation

[0094] Next, an image reading device 1 according to a third embodiment will be described.

[0095] The image reading device 1 of this embodiment includes a medium discharge unit 30B that is different from the medium discharge units 30 and 30A of the first and second embodiments. Components other than the medium discharge unit 30B are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, and thus description thereof is omitted.

[0096] Figure 13 It is a side view showing the medium discharge portion 30B of this embodiment.

[0097] like Figure 13 As shown, the medium discharge unit 30B of this embodiment differs from the medium discharge units 30 and 30A of the first and second embodiments in that it does not include a lifting member 34. Furthermore, the medium discharge unit 30B includes a first pressing member 41 having a shape different from the first pressing member 33 of the first and second embodiments.

[0098] Specifically, the first pressing member 41, like the first pressing member 33, includes a medium pressing portion 41a extending from the rotational axis 42 toward the -X side. Unlike the first pressing member 33, the first pressing member 41 does not include a rod portion 33b extending toward the +X side. The medium pressing portion 41a can be moved below the clamping position Pn where the discharge roller pair 31 clamps the medium M as the first pressing member 41 rotates. Furthermore, the downward movement of the medium pressing portion 41a allows the first pressing member 41 to press the discharged medium M downward. The medium pressing portion 41a is an example of a first member.

[0099] When the discharge roller pair 31 does not clamp the medium M, the medium pressing portion 41a of the first pressing member 41 is displaced downward due to its own weight. Figure 13 As shown, the medium pressing portion 41a is located below the nip position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31. In this state, the medium pressing portion 41a extends in a direction having a -X component and a -Z component and intersects the conveyance path 15.

[0100] The medium discharge unit 30B also includes a second pressing member 40 , similar to the second embodiment. The second pressing member 40 presses the medium M discharged from the discharge roller pair 31 toward the discharge unit 14 , located on the discharge unit 14 closer to the discharge direction than the medium pressing portion 41 a of the first pressing member 41 .

[0101] Figures 14 to 17 This is a side view showing the medium discharge portion 30B of the present embodiment when discharging the medium M.

[0102] like Figure 14 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the medium M conveyed by the medium conveying unit 21 reaches the medium discharging unit 30B, the leading end of the medium M contacts the medium pressing unit 41 a. Figure 15 As shown, as the medium M moves further downstream and is nipped by the discharge roller pair 31 , the medium pressing portion 41 a is raised and the first pressing member 41 is rotated in the first direction R1 .

[0103] While the medium M is held between the discharge roller pair 31, the first pressing member 41 maintains a substantially unchanged posture. The medium pressing portion 41a extends in the discharge direction and contacts the upper surface of the medium M via the contact surface 41c facing the medium M. The first pressing member 41, under its own weight, presses the medium M downward, thereby pressing the medium M against the first roller 31a.

[0104] like Figure 16As shown, the leading end of the medium M, having passed the nip position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31, abuts the second pressing member 40, causing the second pressing member 40 to rotate, raising the pressing end 40a. Meanwhile, the medium M, while being pressed downward by the weight of the second pressing member 40, moves toward the paper discharge unit 14.

[0105] Then, if Figure 17 As shown, when the discharge of the medium M is further promoted and the rear end of the medium M reaches near the clamping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31, the medium M will bend downward due to the weight of the medium pressing portion 41a, so the medium pressing portion 41a moves downward. That is, the first pressing component 41 rotates in the second direction R2. As a result, the first pressing component 41 presses the medium M downward by the own weight of the medium pressing portion 41a to press the medium M against the first roller 31a. Then, the medium pressing portion 41a continues to press the medium M until the medium M is separated. Thereafter, when the medium M is separated from the medium pressing portion 41a, the position of the medium pressing portion 41a returns to the position before the medium M is discharged. Then, the rear end of the medium M reaches the paper discharge portion 14 while being pressed by the second pressing component 40. It should be noted that in Figure 17 In FIG, the sandwiched portion of the medium M and the portion in contact with the peripheral surface of the first roller 31 a are also omitted from illustration.

[0106] As described above, according to the medium discharge unit 30B and the image reading device 1 of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0107] According to this embodiment, when the discharge roller pair 31 clamps the medium M, the medium pressing portion 41a extends in the discharge direction, allowing the first pressing member 41 to press a wide area of the medium M. Consequently, the trailing edge of the medium M is prevented from remaining on the discharge roller pair 31. Furthermore, since the discharged medium M is pressed toward the paper discharge section 14 by the second pressing member 40, the medium M is prevented from excessively flowing downstream at the paper discharge section 14. This improves the orderliness of the medium M.

[0108] 4. Fourth embodiment

[0109] Next, an image reading device 1 according to a fourth embodiment will be described.

[0110] The image reading device 1 of this embodiment includes a medium discharge unit 60 that is different from the medium discharge units 30, 30A, and 30B of the first to third embodiments. Components other than the medium discharge unit 60 are the same as those of the first to third embodiments, and thus description thereof is omitted.

[0111] Figure 18 is a side view schematically showing the structure of the medium discharge unit 60, Figure 19 It is a plan view showing the structure of the medium discharge unit 60 .

[0112] like Figure 18 As shown, the medium discharge unit 60 pinches the medium M conveyed along the conveying path 15 in an oblique direction having a −X component and a +Z component by the discharge roller pair 31 , and discharges the medium M to the paper discharge unit 14 .

[0113] The medium discharge unit 60 includes a scraper member 32 and a discharge assisting member 61 in addition to the discharge roller pair 31. The scraper member 32 scrapes the medium M from the discharge roller pair 31. The discharge assisting member 61 assists in the discharge of the medium M from the discharge roller pair 31. Specifically, the discharge assisting member 61 presses the discharged medium M against the first roller 31a. The structures of the scraper member 32 and the discharge assisting member 61 will be described in detail later.

[0114] like Figure 19 As shown, the media discharge unit 60 includes multiple discharge roller pairs 31, each of which includes a first roller 31a and a second roller 31b. The multiple discharge roller pairs 31 are arranged along the ±Y direction, which is the axial direction of the first roller 31a. In this embodiment, the media discharge unit 60 includes four discharge roller pairs 31. In other words, the media discharge unit 60 includes four first rollers 31a and four second rollers 31b along the ±Y direction.

[0115] The four first rollers 31a are fixed to a rotational axis 35 extending in the ±Y direction. The four first rollers 31a are driven by a drive device (not shown) to rotate about the rotational axis 35. The four second rollers 31b are fixed to a rotational axis 36 extending in the ±Y direction. The four second rollers 31b rotate about the rotational axis 36, driven by the rotation of the first rollers 31a. The rotational axis 36 of the second rollers 31b is positioned closer to the +X side than the rotational axis 35 of the first rollers 31a, i.e., upstream in the discharge direction. The rotational axes 35 and 36 are rotatably supported by, for example, the housing of the upper unit 12.

[0116] The medium discharge unit 60 includes a plurality of scraping members 32. The plurality of scraping members 32 are arranged along the ±Y direction. In this embodiment, the medium discharge unit 60 includes four scraping members 32 corresponding to the discharge roller pair 31. The scraping members 32 are arranged adjacent to the first roller 31a of the corresponding discharge roller pair 31. Specifically, the two scraping members 32 located closer to the -Y side than the center of the four scraping members 32 are arranged adjacent to the -Y side of the first roller 31a. Furthermore, the two scraping members 32 located closer to the +Y side than the center of the four scraping members 32 are arranged adjacent to the +Y side of the first roller 31a.

[0117] The medium discharge section 60 includes a plurality of discharge auxiliary components 61. The plurality of discharge auxiliary components 61 are arranged along the ±Y direction, which is the axial direction of the first roller 31a. In the present embodiment, the medium discharge section 60 includes three discharge auxiliary components 61. One discharge auxiliary component 61 is arranged between each of the four discharge roller pairs 31. Each discharge auxiliary component 61 includes a common rotation axis 62 located on a virtual straight line and can rotate around the rotation axis 62. The rotation axis 62 of the discharge auxiliary component 61 is arranged on the +X side, that is, the upstream side in the discharge direction, of the rotation axis 35 of the first roller 31a and the rotation axis 36 of the second roller 31b. The rotation axis 62 is supported by the housing of the upper unit 12 or other structures so as to be rotatable. The rotation axis 62 is an example of a third rotation axis.

[0118] like Figure 18 As shown, the discharge assisting member 61 includes a medium pressing portion 61a extending from the rotation shaft 62 toward the -X side. Rotation of the discharge assisting member 61 allows the medium pressing portion 61a to move below the nip position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31. The discharge assisting member 61 then presses the discharged medium M downward with the downwardly moving medium pressing portion 61a.

[0119] When the discharge roller pair 31 does not hold the medium M, the medium pressing portion 61a is displaced downward by its own weight. Figure 18 As shown, the medium pressing portion 61a is located below the nip position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31. The position of the medium pressing portion 61a when the discharge roller pair 31 is not holding the medium M corresponds to the first position. It should be noted that in this specification, the position of the medium pressing portion 61a refers to the portion of the medium pressing portion 61a that actually contacts the medium M.

[0120] The discharge assist component 61 includes a medium contact portion 61b at the base end of the medium pressing portion 61a, that is, at a position on the rotation shaft 62 side. Specifically, the medium contact portion 61b is located further upstream than the medium pressing portion 61a in the conveying direction. The medium contact portion 61b protrudes further in the direction having a +X component and a -Z component than the medium pressing portion 61a. In other words, the medium contact portion 61b protrudes further upstream in the conveying direction than the medium pressing portion 61a. In this embodiment, the medium pressing portion 61a and the medium contact portion 61b are integrally formed.

[0121] The downstream leading end portion of the medium M conveyed by the medium conveying portion 21 abuts against the medium abutting portion 61 b (see FIG. 1 ) in the medium discharging portion 60 . Figure 20That is, the medium M contacts the medium contact portion 61b at a position upstream of the medium pressing portion 61a in the conveying direction. Then, when the medium M is further conveyed, the discharge auxiliary component 61 is pushed by the medium M and rotates, so that the medium pressing portion 61a rises (see Figure 21 The raised position of the medium pressing portion 61a corresponds to the second position. The second position is above the first position. In other words, the rotation of the discharge assisting member 61 allows the medium pressing portion 61a to move to the second position above the first position. In this embodiment, the second position is above the clamping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31.

[0122] Next, the operation of the medium discharge unit 60 will be described.

[0123] Figure 20 to Figure 22 This is a side view schematically showing the medium discharge portion 60 of the present embodiment when discharging the medium M.

[0124] like Figure 20 As shown, the medium M conveyed by the medium conveying unit 21 abuts against the medium abutting portion 61b of the discharge auxiliary member 61 at a position upstream of the clamping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31 in the conveying direction, causing the medium abutting portion 61b to move downstream. As a result, the discharge auxiliary member 61 is rotated about the rotation axis 62. Figure 20 The first direction R1 rotates counterclockwise.

[0125] like Figure 21 As shown, as the discharge assisting member 61 rotates in the first direction R1, the medium pressing portion 61a moves upward. Furthermore, the medium contact portion 61b contacts the upper surface of the medium M upstream of the nipping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31 in the discharge direction. The discharge assisting member 61 then remains substantially unchanged while the medium pressing portion 61a is moving upward. As described above, the position of the medium pressing portion 61a, lifted by the conveyed medium M, corresponds to the second position. Specifically, when the downstream leading end of the medium M in the discharge direction passes the nipping position Pn, the medium M abuts the medium contact portion 61b, causing the medium pressing portion 61a to move from the first position to the second position. Thus, when the medium M conveyed by the medium conveying unit 21 abuts the medium contact portion 61b, the discharge assisting member 61 rotates in the first direction R1 about the rotation axis 62. As the discharge assisting member 61 rotates in the first direction R1, the medium pressing portion 61a moves from the first position to the second position. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the medium pressing portion 61 a does not contact the medium M at the second position.

[0126] Afterwards, when the medium M passes through the clamping position Pn, the rear end of the medium M, that is, the end on the upstream side in the discharge direction, separates from the medium contact portion 61b. Figure 22 As shown, the medium pressing portion 61a descends due to its own weight, whereby the discharge auxiliary component 61 rotates in the second direction R2 opposite to the first direction R1 with the rotation axis 62 as the center. As a result, the medium pressing portion 61a presses the medium M at a position further downstream than the clamping position Pn in the discharge direction. Specifically, the medium pressing portion 61a presses the medium M downward by its own weight to press the medium M against the first roller 31a. At this time, since the medium M bends downward between the two first rollers 31a, the position of the medium pressing portion 61a is further below the clamping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31. Then, the medium pressing portion 61a continues to press the medium M until the medium M is separated. It should be noted that, in Figure 22 In FIG, the portion where the medium M contacts the peripheral surface of the first roller 31 a is omitted from illustration.

[0127] Afterward, when the medium M separates from the medium pressing portion 61a, the position of the medium pressing portion 61a returns to the first position before the medium M was discharged. Thus, when the rear end of the medium M on the upstream side in the discharge direction passes through the clamping position Pn, the medium M separates from the medium contact portion 61b, and the medium pressing portion 61a moves from the second position to the first position. In other words, when the rear end of the medium M separates from the medium contact portion 61b, the discharge assisting member 61 rotates in the second direction R2 about the rotation axis 62. Furthermore, as the discharge assisting member 61 rotates in the second direction R2, the medium pressing portion 61a moves from the second position to the first position. The medium pressing portion 61a then presses the medium M downward during the process of moving from the second position to the first position.

[0128] It should be noted that if Figure 18 and Figure 21 As shown, when the medium pressing portion 61a is located at the first position (refer to Figure 18 ), and when the medium pressing portion 61a is located at the second position (refer to Figure 21 ), the area where the medium pressing portion 61a overlaps with the first roller 31a is larger when viewed from the ±Y direction, which is the axial direction of the first roller 31a. In addition, when the medium pressing portion 61a is in the first position (refer to Figure 18 ), compared with the case where the medium pressing portion 61a is located at the second position (refer to Figure 21 ), the medium pressing portion 61a has a smaller angle φ with respect to the vertical direction. Here, the angle φ of the medium pressing portion 61a with respect to the vertical direction refers to the angle formed between the contact surface 61c of the medium pressing portion 61a that contacts the medium M and the vertical direction, specifically the angle formed between the straight line extending vertically downward from the rotation shaft 62 and the contact surface 61c.

[0129] As described above, according to the medium discharge unit 60 and the image reading device 1 of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0130] According to this embodiment, when the leading end of the medium M passes through the nip position Pn, the medium M abuts the medium abutment portion 61b, causing the medium pressing portion 61a to move upward. This prevents the widthwise end of the medium M from being pressed down. In other words, the angle at which the end of the medium M enters the downstream side, that is, the angle of the medium M relative to the horizontal plane, is reduced. As a result, the leading end of the discharged medium M is prevented from colliding with the trailing end of the medium M on the paper discharge section 14, thereby preventing the medium M from being scattered on the paper discharge section 14. On the other hand, when the trailing end of the medium M passes through the nip position Pn, the medium pressing portion 61a moves downward, pressing the medium M against the first roller 31a. This increases the force conveying the medium M downstream. As a result, the medium M moves as the first roller 31a rotates, preventing the trailing end of the medium M from remaining on the discharge roller pair 31.

[0131] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the medium pressing portion 61a is raised from the first position to the second position by the medium M conveyed by the medium conveying portion 21 abutting against the medium abutting portion 61b.

[0132] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the medium pressing portion 61a is lowered from the second position to the first position by separating from the medium contact portion 61b by the discharged medium M. In other words, according to this embodiment, the medium pressing portion 61a can be lowered with a simple configuration.

[0133] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the medium pressing portion 61a is in the first position, the area of overlap between the medium pressing portion 61a and the first roller 31a is larger than when it is in the second position. Specifically, when the medium pressing portion 61a is in the first position, the medium M is pressed against the first roller 31a, thereby preventing the trailing end of the medium M from remaining on the discharge roller pair 31. On the other hand, when the medium pressing portion 61a is in the second position, the area of overlap between the medium pressing portion 61a and the first roller 31a is smaller than when it is in the first position, thereby preventing the leading end of the medium M from being pressed against the widthwise end.

[0134] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the medium pressing portion 61a is in the first position, the angle of the medium pressing portion 61a relative to the vertical direction is smaller than when it is in the second position. Specifically, when the medium pressing portion 61a is in the first position, the medium M is pressed against the first roller 31a, thereby preventing the trailing end of the medium M from remaining on the discharge roller pair 31. On the other hand, when the medium pressing portion 61a is in the second position, the angle of the medium pressing portion 61a relative to the vertical direction is larger than when it is in the first position, thereby preventing the leading end of the medium M from being pressed against the widthwise end.

[0135] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the medium pressing portion 61 a presses the medium M downstream of the nip position Pn in the discharge direction, it is possible to effectively prevent the trailing end of the medium M from remaining on the discharge roller pair 31 .

[0136] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the medium pressing portion 61 a does not come into contact with the medium M at the second position, the pressing of the medium M can be further suppressed.

[0137] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the plurality of discharge assisting members 61 are arranged along the axial direction of the first roller 31 a , the discharge assisting members 61 can effectively press the media M of various sizes.

[0138] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the medium M is scraped off from the discharge roller pair 31 by the scraping member 32 , the trailing end of the medium M is further suppressed from remaining on the discharge roller pair 31 .

[0139] 5. Fifth Implementation

[0140] Next, an image reading device 1 according to a fifth embodiment will be described.

[0141] The image reading device 1 of this embodiment includes a medium discharge unit 60A that is different from the medium discharge unit 60 of the fourth embodiment. Since the configuration other than the medium discharge unit 60A is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0142] Figure 23 : is a side view schematically showing the medium discharge portion 60A of this embodiment, Figure 24 It is a plan view showing the medium discharge portion 60A.

[0143] like Figure 23 As shown, the medium discharge portion 60A of the present embodiment includes a third pressing member 71 instead of the discharge assisting member 61 of the fourth embodiment.

[0144] The third pressing member 71 includes a medium pressing portion 71a extending toward the -X side from the rotation shaft 72. Rotation of the third pressing member 71 allows the medium pressing portion 71a to move below the nip position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31. The downwardly moving medium pressing portion 71a of the third pressing member 71 presses the medium M discharged from the discharge roller pair 31 downward.

[0145] When the discharge roller pair 31 does not hold the medium M, the medium pressing portion 71a is displaced downward by its own weight. Figure 23 As shown, the medium pressing portion 71a is located below the nipping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31. In this position, the medium pressing portion 71a extends in a direction having a -X component and a -Z component, intersecting the conveyance path 15. The position of the medium pressing portion 71a when the discharge roller pair 31 is not nipping the medium M corresponds to the first position. It should be noted that in this specification, the position of the medium pressing portion 71a refers to the portion of the medium pressing portion 71a that actually contacts the medium M.

[0146] like Figure 24 As shown, the medium discharge section 60A includes multiple third pressing members 71. These multiple third pressing members 71 are arranged along the ±Y directions, which are the axial directions of the first roller 31a. In this embodiment, the medium discharge section 60A includes three third pressing members 71. One third pressing member 71 is positioned between each of the four discharge roller pairs 31. Each third pressing member 71 is rotatable about a common rotation axis 72 located on a virtual straight line. The rotation axis 72 of the third pressing member 71 is positioned further to the +X side than the rotation axis 35 of the first roller 31a and the rotation axis 36 of the second roller 31b, i.e., upstream in the discharge direction. The rotation axis 72 is rotatably supported by, for example, the housing of the upper unit 12 or another structure. The rotation axis 72 is an example of a fourth rotation axis. In this embodiment, the three third pressing members 71 are interconnected by two connecting members 73 extending in the ±Y directions. Specifically, the three third pressing members 71 are integrally formed with the two connecting members 73. Therefore, the three third pressing members 71 rotate in conjunction with one another.

[0147] In this embodiment, the four discharge roller pairs 31 are designated as discharge roller pairs 311, 312, 313, and 314, in order from the -Y side, and the three third pressing members 71 are designated as third pressing members 711, 712, and 713, in order from the -Y side. In this case, the central third pressing member 712 is positioned between the two adjacent discharge roller pairs 312 and 313. Furthermore, the -Y-side third pressing member 711 and the +Y-side third pressing member 713 are positioned outside the two adjacent discharge roller pairs 312 and 313. The central third pressing member 712 serves as the inner pressing member, while the -Y-side third pressing member 711 and the +Y-side third pressing member 713 serve as the outer pressing members.

[0148] Figures 25-27 This is a side view schematically showing the medium discharge portion 60A of the present embodiment when discharging the medium M.

[0149] like Figure 25 As shown, the medium M conveyed by the medium conveying unit 21 abuts against the medium pressing portion 71a of the third pressing member 71 near the clamping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31, causing the medium pressing portion 71a to move downstream. As a result, the third pressing member 71 moves toward the downstream side with the rotation axis 72 as the center. Figure 25 The first direction R1 rotates counterclockwise.

[0150] like Figure 26 As shown, as the third pressing member 71 rotates in the first direction R1, the medium pressing portion 71a moves upward. At this point, the medium pressing portion 71a extends in the discharge direction and contacts the upper surface of the medium M via the contact surface 71c facing the medium M. Furthermore, while the medium M is being conveyed, the third pressing member 71 remains substantially unchanged as the medium pressing portion 71a moves upward. The position of the medium pressing portion 71a, raised by the conveyed medium M, corresponds to the second position.

[0151] Then, if Figure 27 As shown, when the discharge of the medium M is further promoted and the rear end of the medium M passes the clamping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31, the medium pressing portion 71a drops due to its own weight, whereby the third pressing component 71 rotates in the second direction R2 opposite to the first direction R1 with the rotating shaft 72 as the center. As a result, the medium pressing portion 71a presses the medium M on the downstream side of the clamping position Pn in the discharge direction. Specifically, the medium pressing portion 71a presses the medium M downward by its own weight to press the medium M against the first roller 31a. At this time, since the medium M bends downward between the two first rollers 31a, the position of the medium pressing portion 71a will be lower than the clamping position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31. Then, the medium pressing portion 71a continues to press the medium M until the medium M is separated. It should be noted that, in Figure 27In FIG, the portion where the medium M contacts the peripheral surface of the first roller 31 a is also omitted from illustration.

[0152] Afterward, when the medium M separates from the medium pressing portion 71a, the position of the medium pressing portion 71a returns to the first position before the medium M was discharged. Thus, when the rear end of the medium M, upstream in the discharge direction, passes through the clamping position Pn, the medium pressing portion 71a moves from the second position to the first position. Specifically, when the rear end of the medium M separates from the clamping position Pn, the third pressing member 71 rotates in the second direction R2 about the rotation axis 72. Furthermore, as the third pressing member 71 rotates in the second direction R2, the medium pressing portion 71a moves from the second position to the first position. As the medium pressing portion 71 moves from the second position to the first position, the medium pressing portion 71a presses the medium M downward.

[0153] Here, as Figure 24 As shown, assume that one end of the medium M in the width direction, or ±Y direction, is located between the discharge roller pair 311 and the discharge roller pair 312, while the other end of the medium M in the width direction is located between the discharge roller pair 313 and the discharge roller pair 314. In this case, while the medium M is held between the discharge roller pair 31, the center portion of the medium M in the width direction is supported on both sides by the two adjacent discharge roller pairs 312 and 313. Therefore, even when pressed by the central third pressing member 712, it does not significantly deflect. In other words, the central third pressing member 712 is restrained from rotating. On the other hand, since the end portions of the medium M in the width direction are not supported on one side by the discharge roller pair 31, they can bend significantly downward due to the third pressing member 71.

[0154] However, in this embodiment, the three third pressing members 71 are interconnected and rotate in conjunction with one another. In other words, the rotation angles of the three third pressing members 71 are always approximately equal. Therefore, by suppressing the rotation of the central third pressing member 712, the rotation of the two outer third pressing members 711 and 713 is also suppressed. In other words, the widthwise ends of the medium M are not excessively pressed by the outer third pressing members 711 and 713. Thus, in this embodiment, the multiple third pressing members 71 rotate in conjunction with one another, thereby suppressing the widthwise ends of the medium M.

[0155] As described above, according to the medium discharge portion 60A and the image reading device 1 of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0156] According to this embodiment, the discharged medium M is pressed against the first roller 31a by the third pressing member 71, thereby increasing the force that conveys the medium M downstream. As a result, the medium M moves as the first roller 31a rotates, preventing the trailing edge of the medium M from remaining on the discharge roller pair 31. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the third pressing member 712 positioned between two adjacent discharge roller pairs 312 and 313 and the two third pressing members 711 and 713 positioned outside the two discharge roller pairs 312 and 313 rotate in conjunction. Therefore, even when the outer third pressing members 711 and 713 face the widthwise ends of the medium M, the pressure on the ends of the medium M can be suppressed for the reasons described above. In other words, the angle at which the ends of the medium M enter the downstream side, that is, the angle of the medium M relative to the horizontal plane, is reduced. As a result, the leading edge of the discharged medium M is prevented from colliding with the trailing edge of the medium M on the paper discharge section 14, thereby preventing the medium M from scattering on the paper discharge section 14.

[0157] 6. Modifications

[0158] This embodiment is based on the above-described structure, but some changes or omissions of the structure can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, this embodiment and the modified examples described below can be combined with each other within the scope of technical non-contradiction. The modified examples are described below.

[0159] In the above embodiments, the first pressing members 33 and 41, the second pressing member 40, the third pressing member 71, and the discharge assisting member 61 are shown as pressing the medium M by their own weight. However, this is not limiting. For example, these members may be configured to press the medium M by being biased by a biasing device such as a spring. Alternatively, these members may be configured as elastic members such as leaf springs, and may press the medium M by their own elastic force.

[0160] In the first and second embodiments described above, the medium pressing portion 33a is shown as being in contact with the medium M when lifted by the lifting member 34. However, the medium pressing portion 33a in the lifted state does not necessarily have to be in contact with the medium M. In other words, the second position of the medium pressing portion 33a may be above the nip position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31. Alternatively, the second position of the medium pressing portion 33a may be below the nip position Pn of the discharge roller pair 31.

[0161] In the fourth embodiment described above, the medium pressing portion 61 a is configured not to contact the medium M at the second position. However, the medium pressing portion 61 a may contact the medium M at the second position as long as the medium M is not pressed excessively.

[0162] While all discharge assisting components 61 are shown as having a medium contact portion 61b in the fourth embodiment, this is not limiting. For example, it is also possible to provide medium contact portions 61b only on the two outer discharge assisting components 61, which are more likely to come into contact with the widthwise end of the medium M, while the central discharge assisting component 61 is not provided with a medium contact portion 61b. In this case, the central discharge assisting component 61 can also have the same configuration as the third pressing component 71 in the fifth embodiment.

[0163] In the above-described embodiments, the number of discharge roller pairs 31, scraper members 32, first pressing members 33, second pressing members 40, third pressing members 71, and discharge assisting members 61 is not limited to the numbers described above. These numbers may be smaller or larger than the numbers described above. Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the number of medium contact portions 34a of the lifting member 34 is not limited to one; multiple numbers may be provided.

[0164] In the first and second embodiments described above, the lifting member 34 is shown as lifting all three medium pressing portions 33a. However, this is not limiting. For example, only the outer two medium pressing portions 33a, which are more likely to come into contact with the widthwise ends of the medium M, may be lifted, while the center medium pressing portion 33a is not lifted.

[0165] While the first to third embodiments above illustrate a configuration in which multiple, mutually separated first pressing members 33 and 41 are disposed between the discharge roller pair 31, this configuration is not limiting. For example, the first pressing members 33 and 41 may alternatively be configured such that three media pressing portions 33a are connected to a single rotation axis extending in the ±Y directions. In this case, in the first and second embodiments above, the number of rod portions 33b extending toward the +X direction may be one.

[0166] Furthermore, while the fourth embodiment shows a configuration in which a plurality of mutually separated discharge assisting members 61 are disposed between the discharge roller pair 31, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, similar to the fifth embodiment, a configuration in which a plurality of discharge assisting members 61 are connected so as to rotate in conjunction with one another may be employed.

[0167] In the second and third embodiments, the second pressing member 40 is configured to rotate about the rotation axis 36 of the second roller 31 b . However, the second pressing member 40 may be configured to rotate about a rotation axis different from the rotation axis 36 .

[0168] In the above embodiments, the image reading device 1 is shown to include two sensor units, namely the first sensor unit 24 and the second sensor unit 25 . However, the number of sensor units is not limited to two and may be one or three or more.

[0169] The medium discharge units 30, 30A, 30B, 60, and 60A in the above-described embodiments are not limited to being included in the image reading device 1 and may be included in other electronic devices. For example, the medium discharge units 30, 30A, 30B, 60, and 60A may be included in an image recording device that records an image on the medium M being conveyed.

Claims

1. A medium discharge device, characterized in that: A medium discharge device for discharging a medium toward a placement portion on which the medium is placed, comprising: a roller pair including a first roller and a second roller located above the first roller, and sandwiching the medium between the first roller and the second roller to discharge the medium onto the loading portion; a first pressing member having a first member movable below a clamping position where the roller pair clamps the medium, and pressing the medium with the first member; as well as lifting the component, lifting the first component from a first position lower than the clamping position to a second position higher than the first position, When the leading end portion on the downstream side in the discharge direction of the medium passes through the clamping position, the first member is lifted by the lifting member to move from the first position to the second position. When the rear end portion of the medium on the upstream side in the discharge direction passes through the clamping position, the first member moves from the second position to the first position.

2. The medium discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The medium discharge device includes a conveying unit that conveys the medium toward the roller pair. The first pressing member is a member rotatable about a first rotation axis and includes the first member and a second member in contact with the lifting member. The lifting member is rotatable about a second rotation axis and includes a third member in contact with the medium and a fourth member in contact with the second member, wherein the second rotation axis is arranged upstream of the first rotation axis in the discharge direction. When the medium conveyed by the conveying unit contacts the third member at a position upstream of the clamping position in the discharge direction, the lifting member rotates in the first direction around the second rotation axis. When the lifting member rotates in the first direction and the fourth member presses the second member, the first pressing member rotates in the first direction around the first rotation axis. The first member is moved from the first position to the second position by the first pressing member rotating in the first direction.

3. The medium discharge device according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the rear end of the medium is separated from the lifting member, the lifting member rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction around the second rotation axis, so that the fourth member is separated from the second member. When the fourth member is separated from the second member, the first pressing member rotates in the second direction about the first rotation axis, so that the first member moves from the second position to the first position.

4. The medium discharge device according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the first member is located at the first position, the area where the first member overlaps with the first roller is larger when viewed in the axial direction of the first roller than when the first member is located at the second position.

5. The medium discharge device according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the first component is in the first position, the first component is at a greater angle relative to a horizontal plane than when the first component is in the second position.

6. The medium discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The medium discharge device includes a plurality of first pressing members arranged along the axial direction of the first roller.

7. The medium discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The medium discharge device includes a scraping member formed of an elastic member that rotates coaxially with the first roller and sandwiches the medium between the scraping member and the second roller.

8. The medium discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The medium discharge device includes a second pressing member that presses the medium discharged from the roller pair toward the placement portion on the placement portion located closer to the discharge direction side than the first member of the first pressing member.

9. A medium discharge device, characterized in that: A medium discharge device for discharging a medium toward a placement portion on which the medium is placed, comprising: a roller pair including a first roller and a second roller located above the first roller, and sandwiching the medium between the first roller and the second roller to discharge the medium onto the loading portion; as well as a discharge assisting member for assisting the discharge action of the medium discharged from the roller pair; The discharge assisting component comprises: a medium pressing portion capable of moving to a first position below a clamping position where the roller pair clamps the medium and a second position above the first position, and pressing the medium downward during movement from the second position to the first position; as well as a medium contact portion against which the medium contacts at an upstream side of the medium pressing portion in a discharge direction of the medium; When the leading end portion of the medium on the downstream side in the discharge direction passes through the clamping position, the medium abuts against the medium abutment portion, and the medium pressing portion moves from the first position to the second position. When the rear end portion of the medium on the upstream side in the discharge direction passes through the nip position, the medium is separated from the medium contact portion, and the medium pressing portion moves from the second position to the first position.

10. The medium discharge device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The medium discharge device includes a conveying unit that conveys the medium toward the roller pair. The discharge assisting member is a member that can rotate around a third rotation axis. When the medium transported by the transport unit abuts against the medium abutment portion, the discharge assisting member rotates in the first direction about the third rotation axis. As the discharge assisting member rotates in the first direction, the medium pressing portion moves from the first position to the second position.

11. The medium discharge device according to claim 10, characterized in that: When the rear end portion of the medium is separated from the medium contact portion, the discharge assisting member rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction about the third rotation axis. As the discharge assisting member rotates in the second direction, the medium pressing portion moves from the second position to the first position.

12. The medium discharge device according to claim 10, characterized in that: When the medium pressing portion is located at the first position, the overlapping area between the medium pressing portion and the first roller is larger when viewed in the axial direction of the first roller than when the medium pressing portion is located at the second position.

13. The medium discharge device according to claim 10, characterized in that: When the medium pressing portion is located at the first position, the angle of the medium pressing portion with respect to the vertical direction is smaller than when the medium pressing portion is located at the second position.

14. The medium discharge device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The medium pressing portion presses the medium at a position downstream of the nip position in the discharge direction.

15. The medium discharge device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The medium pressing portion does not contact the medium at the second position.

16. The medium discharge device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The medium discharge device includes a plurality of the discharge assisting members arranged along the axial direction of the first roller.

17. The medium discharge device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The medium discharge device includes a scraping member formed of an elastic member that rotates coaxially with the first roller and sandwiches the medium between the scraping member and the second roller.

18. An electronic device comprising: The medium discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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