Sheet conveying apparatus, image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The invention discloses a sheet conveying apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and an image forming apparatus. The sheet conveying device includes: a stacking tray having a sheet stacking surface; a feeding roller configured to feed the sheet in a feeding direction; and a first side regulating member provided in the stacking tray to be movable in the width direction and configured to regulate a position of one end of the sheet in the width direction, the first side regulating member having a first regulating surface in contact with the one end of the sheet and a first support surface configured to support the sheet, the first side regulating member has a first shoveling portion at a downstream side end of the first support surface in a feeding direction, the first shoveling portion being configured to shovel the sheet onto the first support surface when the first side regulating member moves, the first supporting surface is provided with a first opening and extends from the first supporting surface to the position below the sheet stacking surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet conveying device for conveying a sheet, an image reading device including the sheet conveying device, and an image forming device including the sheet conveying device. Background Art

[0002] Some commonly known image reading devices installed on image forming devices (such as copiers) include an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) that transports documents placed on a document tray one by one. In such image reading devices, after a reading unit reads an image, the document transported by the ADF is discharged to a discharge tray.

[0003] The document tray of an ADF and / or the manual feed tray of an image forming device includes a pair of side regulating members to prevent sheets from skewing during feeding. When placing sheets on the document tray or manual feed tray, the user moves the side regulating members to accommodate the width of the sheets. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0089388 discusses a side regulating member with a scooping portion to prevent sheets from entering under the side regulating member when the user moves the side regulating member.

[0004] There is a growing demand for ADFs and image forming devices to support a wide range of sheet sizes, particularly for feeding small sheets such as business cards and receipts. These small sheets are short in the feeding direction, and as a result, they may not be reached by the scooping portion of the side regulating member. In this case, the sheet may slip under the side regulating member, potentially damaging it. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to a technology that enables a side regulating member to stably scoop up small-sized sheets.

[0006] According to some embodiments, a sheet conveying device includes: a stacking tray having a sheet stacking surface for stacking sheets; a feed roller configured to feed the sheets stacked on the stacking tray along a feeding direction; and a first side regulating component, which is arranged in the stacking tray to be movable in a width direction orthogonal to the feeding direction, and is configured to regulate the position of one end in the width direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking tray, the first side regulating component having a first regulating surface in contact with the one end in the width direction of the sheets and a first supporting surface configured to support the sheets together with the sheet stacking surface, wherein the first side regulating component has a first scooping portion at the downstream side end of the first supporting surface along the feeding direction, the first scooping portion being configured to scoop the sheets onto the first supporting surface when the first side regulating component moves, and extending from the first supporting surface to below the sheet stacking surface.

[0007] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an image forming apparatus.

[0009] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an image reading device.

[0010] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the automatic document feeder (ADF).

[0011] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the ADF.

[0012] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a document tray.

[0013] Figure 6 It is a view showing the configuration of the upper cover member of the document tray.

[0014] Figure 7 It is a plan view showing the interlocking mechanism of the side adjustment portion.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a top view of the document tray.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a front view of the document tray.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a top view of the document tray.

[0018] Figure 11 It is an enlarged front view of the original tray.

[0019] Figure 12 It is an enlarged front view of the original tray.

[0020] Figure 13 It is a perspective view of the ADF.

[0021] Figure 14 It is a perspective view of the ADF.

[0022] Figure 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of a document tray.

[0023] Figure 16 This is a top view of the document tray. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Various embodiments, features, and aspects of a sheet feeding device, an image reading device, and an image forming device according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of application of the present technology.

[0025] <Image Forming Apparatus>

[0026] First, refer to Figure 1 The schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 is described. In the following description, the position where the user performs operations on the operation unit to perform various types of input / settings on the image forming apparatus 101 is referred to as the "front side" of the image forming apparatus 101, and the rear surface side of the image forming apparatus 101 is referred to as the "rear side". Specifically, Figure 1 FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 when viewed from the front. Figure 1 As shown, the image forming apparatus 101 includes a printer body 101A and an image reading device 103. The image reading device 103, which is arranged above the printer body 101A, includes a reader 30 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1, which will be described in detail below, and optically scans a document and reads image information. Examples of documents include paper (such as paper sheets or envelopes), plastic films (such as sheets for overhead projectors (OHPs)), and cloth sheets. The image information converted into an electrical signal by the image reading device 103 is transmitted to a control unit 132 included in the printer body 101A.

[0027] The printer body 101A includes an image forming unit 133 capable of forming an image on a sheet P serving as a recording medium, and a sheet feeding unit 140 that feeds the sheet P to the image forming unit 133. The sheet feeding unit 140 includes sheet storage units 137a, 137b, 137c, and 137d capable of accommodating sheets of different sizes. A sheet stored in each sheet storage unit is fed out by a pickup roller 141, separated from other sheets one by one by a feed roller 142 and a retard roller 143, and conveyed to the corresponding conveying roller pair 131. The sheet P is sequentially conveyed to a plurality of conveying roller pairs 131 arranged along the sheet conveying path, whereupon the sheet P is conveyed to a registration roller pair 136.

[0028] The sheet P placed by the user on the manual feed tray 137e is fed into the interior of the printer body 101A by the feed roller 138 and conveyed to the registration roller pair 136. The registration roller pair 136 stops the leading end of the sheet P to correct skew and also resumes conveyance of the sheet P as an image forming operation, which is a toner image forming process performed by the image forming unit 133, proceeds.

[0029] The image forming unit 133, which forms an image on a sheet P, is an electrophotographic image forming unit including a photosensitive drum 121 serving as a photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 121 is rotatable in the direction in which the sheet P is conveyed. A charger 118, an exposure device 123, a developing device 124, a transfer charger 125, a separation charger 126, and a cleaner 127 are disposed around the photosensitive drum 121. The charger 118 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 121. The exposure device 123 exposes the photosensitive drum 121 based on image information input from the image reading device 103 or the like, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 121.

[0030] The developing device 124 contains a two-component developer consisting of toner and a carrier, and supplies charged toner to the photosensitive drum 121 to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The toner image carried by the photosensitive drum 121 is transferred onto the sheet P, which has been conveyed by the registration roller pair 136, by a bias electric field formed by the transfer charger 125. The sheet P, serving as the recording medium to which the toner image has been transferred, is separated from the photosensitive drum 121 by a bias electric field formed by the separation charger 126 and conveyed toward the fixing unit 129 via the pre-fixing conveying unit 128. Adhering matter (e.g., transfer residual toner) that has not been transferred to the sheet P and remains on the photosensitive drum 121 is removed by the cleaner 127, and the photosensitive drum 121 is prepared for the subsequent image forming operation.

[0031] The sheet P conveyed to the fixing unit 129 is heated while being pinched and pressed by the roller pair, and the image is fixed by melting and solidifying the toner. When image output is complete, the sheet P, having undergone image fixation, is discharged via the discharge roller pair 40 to the discharge tray 130, which protrudes toward the exterior of the printer body 101A. To form an image on the back side of the sheet P during duplex printing, the front and back sides of the sheet P that has passed through the fixing unit 129 are reversed by the reversing unit 139, and the sheet P is conveyed to the registration roller pair 136 by the duplex conveying unit 150. The sheet P, on which an image has been formed again by the image forming unit 133, is discharged to the discharge tray 130. In this way, the image forming unit 133 can form an image on the sheet P based on the image of the document D read by the first reading unit 151 and the second reading unit 201, described below. In addition to the electrophotographic method described above, the image forming unit 133 can also employ other methods, such as inkjet, as an image forming means.

[0032] <Image Reading Device>

[0033] Then, now refer to Figure 2 The configuration of the image reading device 103 is described. Figure 2 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the image reading device 103. Figure 2As shown, the image reading device 103 includes a reader 30 as a reading unit that reads an image of an original document, and an ADF 1 as a sheet conveying device. The ADF 1 includes a base unit 13, an open / close cover 11 supported by the base unit 13 so as to be openable and closable, an original document tray 2 on which original documents D are stacked, and an ejection tray 3 arranged below the original document tray 2. The image reading device 103 includes a first reading unit 151 provided in the reader 30 and a second reading unit 201 provided in the ADF 1. The first reading unit 151 and the second reading unit 201 are examples of reading means in this exemplary embodiment.

[0034] The first reading unit 151 reads an image on the first surface of the document D. The second reading unit 201 reads an image on the second surface of the document D. The second surface is located on the opposite side of the first surface. In this exemplary embodiment, the first surface is the bottom surface of the document D in the duplex reading unit DR, and the second surface is the top surface of the document D in the duplex reading unit DR. The first reading unit 151 and the second reading unit 201 constitute the duplex reading unit DR, which is capable of simultaneously reading both surfaces of the document D conveyed by the ADF 1. However, the duplex reading unit DR does not necessarily always read both surfaces simultaneously and can read only one surface.

[0035] Both the first and second reading units 151 and 201 include a contact image sensor (CIS), a scanning device with a constant-magnification optical system. They each include a light source, including an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the direction in which the document D is conveyed, and multiple light-receiving elements. The light source comprises an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in the main scanning direction, which is perpendicular to the direction in which the document D is conveyed. The light-receiving elements are also arranged in the main scanning direction. Light emitted from the LED array and reflected by the document D forms an image on each light-receiving element via a lens, where it undergoes photoelectric conversion.

[0036] The reader 30 is fixed to the upper surface of the printer body 101A (see Figure 1 ). The transparent manuscript positioning plate 30a is provided on the upper surface of the reader 30. The first reading unit 151 is composed of Figure 2 The document positioning plate 30a is supported by a carriage (not shown) that moves in the left-right direction in the double-sided reading unit DR and is movable along the document positioning plate 30a from a predetermined position in the double-sided reading unit DR over the entire length of the document positioning plate 30a.

[0037] The ADF 1 is provided so as to be openable and closable in the vertical direction relative to the reader 30, and a hinge mechanism (not shown) is provided at the Figure 2The ADF 1 is formed on the rear side of the document tray 2. The document tray 2, which serves as a sheet stacking unit, supports documents placed by the user. A document transport path T, curved in a generally U-shape, is formed in the ADF 1. The ADF 1 transports the document D placed on the document tray 2 to the duplex reading unit DR via the document transport path T. The user opens the opening / closing cover 11 relative to the base unit 13, thereby partially exposing the document transport path T.

[0038] Subsequently, the configuration of the ADF 1 for conveying the document D will be described in detail. The ADF 1 is arranged along the document conveying direction ( Figure 2 The ADF 1 (indicated by the arrow in the figure) includes, in order, a pickup roller 4, a transport roller 5, a separator roller 6, a pair of registration rollers 7, pairs of transport rollers 8 and 9, and a pair of discharge rollers 10. The ADF 1 includes a stopper 29, and a document D is placed on the document tray 2 while abutting against the stopper 29. The stopper 29, serving as an abutment portion, is configured to restrict movement of the document D in the feed direction FD before feeding begins and to allow movement of the document D in the feed direction FD after feeding begins. The pickup roller 4, serving as a feeding mechanism, is movable in the vertical direction relative to the upper surface of the document tray 2 and contacts the document D on the document tray 2 to feed the document D in the feed direction FD. The transport roller 5 transports the document D received from the pickup roller 4 toward the downstream side of the feed direction FD. The separator roller 6 is brought into pressure contact with the transport roller 5 to form a separation nip N, serving as a separation portion, between the separator roller 6 and the transport roller 5, separating the document D transported by the transport roller 5 into individual sheets. In the present exemplary embodiment, the conveying roller 5 and the separating roller 6 form the separating nip N, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, a retard roller driven in reverse rotation via a torque limiter, a separating pad, or the like may be applied instead of the separating roller 6 .

[0039] The feed shaft as the rotation axis of the conveying roller 5 is rotatably supported by the open / close cover 11, and the pickup roller 4 is supported by the open / close cover 11 so as to be pivotable relative to the feed shaft via a pickup arm (not shown). One roller of the registration roller pair 7 is also rotatably supported by the open / close cover 11.

[0040] While stopped, the registration roller pair 7 receives the downstream end (hereinafter referred to as the leading end) of the document D conveyed by the transport roller 5 in the transport direction and bends the document D to correct the skew. The registration roller pair 7 conveys the skew-corrected document D through the curved portion of the document transport path T and delivers it to the transport roller pair 8. The transport roller pair 8 sends the document D to the duplex reading unit DR and conveys it to the downstream transport roller pair 9. At this point, the image on the document D is read by the first reading unit 151 and the second reading unit 201.

[0041] The transport roller pair 9 conveys the document D having passed through the double-sided reading unit DR to the discharge roller pair 10. The discharge roller pair 10 as discharge means discharges the document D in a discharge direction DD. The document D discharged by the discharge roller pair 10 is stacked on the discharge tray 3 as a discharge stacking unit.

[0042] The image reading device 103 with this configuration reads image information from the document D using either a streaming reading mode or a fixed reading mode. In streaming reading mode, the image reading device 103 scans the document image while feeding the document D via the ADF 1. In fixed reading mode, the image reading device 103 scans the document placed on the document positioning plate 30a. The streaming reading mode is selected when a document D placed on the document tray 2 is detected, or when the user explicitly instructs the execution of streaming reading mode via the operation panel on the printer body 101A. In this case, with the first reading unit 151 positioned at a predetermined position above the duplex reading unit DR, the ADF 1 feeds the documents D sheet by sheet toward the duplex reading unit DR. In the case of simultaneous duplex reading, both the first reading unit 151 and the second reading unit 201 illuminate the document D with a scanning beam to scan the document. In the case of single-sided reading, either the first reading unit 151 or the second reading unit 201 illuminates the document D with a scanning beam to scan the document. The image information converted into the electric signal by the light receiving element is sent to the control unit 132 in the printer body 101A.

[0043] Conversely, when the image reading device 103 detects a document D placed on the document positioning plate 30a, or when the user explicitly instructs the user to execute the fixed reading mode via the operation panel on the printer main body 101A, the fixed reading mode is selected. In this case, the first reading unit 151 irradiates the document D placed on the document positioning plate 30a with light while moving along the document positioning plate 30a to scan the document D. Image information converted into electrical signals by the light receiving elements in the first reading unit 151 is transmitted to the control unit 132 in the printer main body 101A.

[0044] <Original Tray>

[0045] Then, refer to Figures 3 to 7 The configuration of the document tray 2 will be described. Figure 3 and Figure 4: is a perspective view of the ADF 1. The document tray 2 includes a document stacking surface 211 as a sheet stacking surface for supporting documents, and a first side control member 22 and a second side control member 23 for controlling the positions of the documents in the width direction W. The first side control member 22 controls the position of the front end of the document (the position of one end). The second side control member 23 controls the position of the rear end of the document (the position of the other end). The document stacking surface 211 is formed on an upper cover member 21 serving as a main body of the document tray 2 and is used to support the documents. The upper cover member 21 will be described below. Figure 2 As shown, the document stacking surface 211 is slightly inclined so that it lowers toward the downstream side of the feed direction FD. The first side regulating member 22 and the second side regulating member 23 are arranged to be movable in a width direction W perpendicular to the feed direction FD. The first side regulating member 22 and the second side regulating member 23 are configured to be movable in opposite directions in conjunction with each other via an interlocking mechanism described below. For example, when the first side regulating member 22 moves to the rear side of the image reading device 103, the second side regulating member 23 moves to the front side of the image reading device 103 in conjunction with the movement of the first side regulating member 22.

[0046] The first side regulating member 22 includes a first supporting surface 221 formed along the document stacking surface 211 and a first regulating surface 222 formed substantially perpendicular to the document stacking surface 211 and the first supporting surface 221. The first supporting surface 221 supports the document together with the document stacking surface 211 and slides on the document stacking surface 211. The first supporting surface 221 extends in the feed direction FD and the width direction W. The first regulating surface 222 is integrally formed, rising from the outermost side of the first supporting surface 221 in the width direction W, and serves as a surface against which the leading end (edge) of the document abuts. Similarly, the second side regulating member 23 includes a second supporting surface 231 formed along the document stacking surface 211 and a second regulating surface 232 formed substantially perpendicular to the document stacking surface 211 and the second supporting surface 231. The second supporting surface 231 supports the document together with the document stacking surface 211 and slides on the document stacking surface 211. The second regulating surface 232 is integrally formed to stand from the outermost side in the width direction W of the second supporting surface 231 , and is a surface against which the rear end (edge) of the document abuts.

[0047] Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view of the document tray 2 . Figure 6 1 is a perspective view of the upper cover member 21 serving as the main body of the document tray 2 when viewed from below. Figure 72 is a plan view of the upper cover member 21 when viewed from the rear side (below), and is a view showing the interlocking mechanism. The document tray 2 includes an upper cover member 21 and a lower cover member 24. The upper cover member 21 includes the above-mentioned document stacking surface 211. The lower cover member 24 covers the upper cover member 21 from below. The lower cover member 24 is fixed to the upper cover member 21 by a plurality of screws 300. The lower cover member 24 faces the discharge tray 3 and includes a discharge guide surface 241 for guiding the document discharged by the discharge roller pair 10. A plurality of ribs extending in the discharge direction DD are formed on the discharge guide surface 241.

[0048] A first rack portion 25, a second rack portion 26, and a pinion 27 are attached to the upper cover member 21 as an interlocking mechanism for moving the first side regulating member 22 and the second side regulating member 23 in conjunction with each other. Multiple teeth are formed in a straight line on each of the first rack portion 25 and the second rack portion 26. Two slits 212 extending in the width direction W are formed in the upper cover member 21. The first rack portion 25 is fixed to the first side regulating member 22 via the slits 212 using screws 300, and the first side regulating member 22 and the first rack portion 25 are arranged to sandwich the upper cover member 21 (document stacking surface 211). Similarly, the second rack portion 26 is fixed to the second side regulating member 23 via the slits 212 using screws 300, and the second side regulating member 23 and the second rack portion 26 are arranged to sandwich the upper cover member 21 (document stacking surface 211). A pinion support portion 28 is formed in the upper cover member 21, and the pinion 27 is rotatably engaged with the pinion support portion 28. Figure 7 As shown, the pinion 27 is provided to mesh with both the first rack portion 25 and the second rack portion 26. With this configuration, when one of the first side regulating member 22 or the second side regulating member 23 moves, the rotation of the pinion 27 enables the other of the first side regulating member 22 and the second side regulating member 23 to move in the opposite direction in conjunction with the rotation.

[0049] The pivot shaft 213 is formed at the downstream side end of the upper cover member 21 in the feed direction FD so as to protrude in the width direction W. At the same time, the base unit 13 has bearings (not shown) to which the pivot shaft 213 is fitted. The pivot shaft 213 is fitted to each bearing in the base unit 13 so that the upper cover member 21 can pivot relative to the base unit 13 about the pivot shaft 213.

[0050] The document tray 2 is configured to be pivotable relative to the base unit 13. This enables a user to retrieve a document discharged to the discharge tray 3 in a state where the document tray 2 is lifted upward.

[0051] <Original scraping shape>

[0052] Figure 8It is a plan view of the document tray 2 . Figure 9 This is a front view of the document tray 2 when viewed from the downstream side in the feeding direction FD. In the following description, the "inside (or inner, inward)" in the width direction W refers to the area closer to the conveying center C (see FIG. Figure 8 ) side. The conveying center C mentioned here is the middle of the pickup roller 4 and is the middle position between the first regulating surface 222 and the second regulating surface 232. The first supporting surface 221 of the first side regulating member 22 includes a first scooping portion 223 at the downstream side end of the first supporting surface 221 in the feeding direction FD and the inner side end of the first supporting surface 221 in the width direction W. The second supporting surface 231 of the second side regulating member 23 includes a second scooping portion 233 at the downstream side end of the second supporting surface 231 in the feeding direction FD and the inner side end of the second supporting surface 231 in the width direction W. The first scooping portion 223 and the second scooping portion 233 are respectively formed at the most downstream side position (downstream side end) of the first supporting surface 221 and the most downstream side position (downstream side end) of the second supporting surface 231. The first scooping portion 223 and the second scooping portion 233 are inclined downward toward the inside in the width direction W and are formed to extend below the document stacking surface 211. The first scooping portion 223 and the second scooping portion 233 are provided so as to slide to the downstream side end of the document stacking surface 211 (upper cover member 21 ).

[0053] The first supporting surface 221 of the first side regulating member 22 includes a third scooping portion 224 located upstream of the first scooping portion 223 in the feeding direction FD. The second supporting surface 231 of the second side regulating member 23 includes a fourth scooping portion 234 located upstream of the second scooping portion 233 in the feeding direction FD. The third scooping portion 224 is formed upstream of the fourth scooping portion 234. As with the first scooping portion 223 and the second scooping portion 233, the third scooping portion 224 and the fourth scooping portion 234 are inclined downward toward the inside in the width direction W and are formed to extend below the document stacking surface 211. The third scooping portion 224 and the fourth scooping portion 234 are fitted into the respective slits 212 formed in the document stacking surface 211 so as to be slidable within the respective slits 212.

[0054] The end portion (outer edge) of the first support surface 221 of the first side regulating member 22 in the width direction W serves as a first inclined portion 225 (first inclined surface), which has a shape that approaches the first regulating surface 222 as it extends upstream from the first scooping portion 223 in the feed direction FD. The end portion (outer edge) of the second support surface 231 of the second side regulating member 23 in the width direction W serves as a second inclined portion 235 (second inclined surface), which has a shape that approaches the second regulating surface 232 as it extends upstream from the second scooping portion 233 in the feed direction FD. The first inclined portion 225 and the second inclined portion 235 are inclined downwardly toward the inside in the width direction W. Each of the first inclined portion 225 and the second inclined surface 235 has a shape that inclines outward in the width direction W and inclines downwardly toward the inside in the width direction W as it extends upstream in the feed direction FD. In other words, each of the first support surface 221 and the second support surface 231 has a shape in which the length in the width direction W becomes shorter as it extends upstream in the feed direction FD. The first scooping portion 223 is formed at the innermost position of the first support surface 221 in the width direction W. The second scooping portion 233 is formed at the innermost position of the second support surface 231 in the width direction W.

[0055] Figure 10 It is a plan view of the document tray 2 with a business card-sized document D placed thereon. Figure 10 The illustrated document D has a Japanese standard business card size (55 mm × 91 mm) and is the smallest document that can be conveyed by the ADF 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment. Here, the smallest document that can be conveyed by the ADF 1 refers to, for example, the smallest document among supported sheets described in product specifications or the like. Figure 11 1 is a front view of the document tray 2 in a state where the first and second side regulating members 22 and 23 are moved to the inner side in the width direction W and the first and second scooping portions 223 and 233 are in contact with the document D. FIG. Figure 12 1 is a front view of the document tray 2 in a state where the first regulating surface 222 and the second regulating surface 232 are in contact with both ends of the document D in the width direction W. FIG.

[0056] As described above, the document D is set in the document tray 2 in a state where the document D abuts against the stopper 29. When the user moves the first regulating surface 222 and the second regulating surface 232 inward to accommodate the width of the document D, as shown in FIG. Figure 11As shown, the first scooping portion 223 and the second scooping portion 233 first come into contact with the corresponding ends of the document D. At this time, since the first scooping portion 223 and the second scooping portion 233 extend to the lower side of the document stacking surface 211, the respective ends of the document D are scooped from below by the first scooping portion 223 and the second scooping portion 233. Therefore, the document D is guided onto the first supporting surface 221 and the second supporting surface 231 without the ends of the document D being stuck. In addition, when the first side regulating member 22 and the second side regulating member 23 approach each other, the document D is continuously shoveled onto the first supporting surface 221 and the second supporting surface 231 from the front end to the rear end of the document D by the first inclined portion 225 and the second inclined portion 235. As shown Figure 12 As shown, the first regulating surface 222 and the second regulating surface 232 abut against respective ends of the document D in the width direction W, thereby regulating the position of the document D.

[0057] The smallest document that the ADF 1 according to this exemplary embodiment can transport is the Japanese standard business card size (55 mm x 91 mm). Here, the distance L1 from the flap 29 to the rear end of the document is 91 mm (millimeter). In order for the first scooping portion 223 and the second scooping portion 233 to scoop the document, the distance L2 from the flap 29 to each of the first scooping portion 223 and the second scooping portion 233 is preferably such that L2 < L1 (91 mm in this exemplary embodiment). In other words, the distance L2 from the flap 29 to each of the first scooping portion 223 and the second scooping portion 233 is preferably shorter than the length of the smallest sheet that the image reading device 103 can transport.

[0058] As described above, the first scooping portion 223 is formed on the first supporting surface 221 of the first side regulating member 22 at the downstream end of the first supporting surface 221 in the feed direction FD. The second scooping portion 233 is formed on the second supporting surface 231 of the second side regulating member 23 at the downstream end of the second supporting surface 231 in the feed direction FD. The first and second scooping portions 223 and 233 are inclined downward inward in the width direction W and are formed to extend below the document stacking surface 211. These first and second scooping portions 223 and 233 allow even small-sized sheets, such as business cards, to be scooped onto the first and second supporting surfaces 221 and 231 without becoming stuck. This configuration prevents documents from entering below the first and second supporting surfaces 221 and 231 and being damaged.

[0059] Each of the first and second supporting surfaces 221, 231 has a shape whose length in the width direction W decreases as it extends upstream in the feed direction FD. Therefore, the document D is continuously scooped onto the first and second supporting surfaces 221, 231 from the leading end to the trailing end of the document D by the first and second inclined portions 225, 235. This configuration further prevents the document from being caught by the first and second side regulating members 22, 23.

[0060] A third scooping portion 224 is formed on the first supporting surface 221 upstream of the first scooping portion 223 in the feeding direction FD. A fourth scooping portion 234 is formed on the second supporting surface 231 upstream of the second scooping portion 233 in the feeding direction FD. This configuration enables the third and fourth scooping portions 224 and 234 to scoop documents that are long in the feeding direction onto the first and second supporting surfaces 221 and 231. This configuration further prevents documents that are long in the conveying direction from being caught by the first and second side regulating members 22 and 23.

[0061] Next, the second exemplary embodiment will be described. The second exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment only in the configuration of the first side regulating member 22 and the configuration of the document stacking surface 211. Therefore, since the configuration of the second exemplary embodiment other than the document tray 2 is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, its description will be omitted.

[0062] <Original Tray>

[0063] Figure 13 and Figure 14 is a perspective view of an ADF 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment. Figure 15 1 is a perspective view of the upper cover member 21 in the document tray 2 according to the second exemplary embodiment when viewed from below. Figure 16 2 is a top view of the document tray 2 according to the second exemplary embodiment. The document tray 2 includes a document stacking surface 211 for supporting documents, and a first side regulating member 22 and a second side regulating member 23 for regulating the positions of the documents in the width direction W. The document tray 2 includes a movable stacking surface 251. The movable stacking surface 251 is a stacking surface that can be moved in the width direction W integrally with the first side regulating member 22, and as shown in FIG. Figure 13 As shown, when the first side regulating member 22 is located outside, it supports the document together with the document stacking surface 211. Figure 16As shown, when the first side regulating member 22 moves inward, the movable stacking surface 251 retracts to enter below the document stacking surface 211. In other words, for large-sized documents, the movable stacking surface 251 is in a supporting position, where it supports the document together with the document stacking surface 211. For small-sized documents, the movable stacking surface 251 is in a retracted position, where it retracts below the document stacking surface 211. With this configuration, the movable stacking surface 251 retracts for small-sized documents, creating a space above the discharge tray 3. This makes it easier for the user to visually identify and retrieve small-sized documents discharged to the discharge tray 3.

[0064] The upper cover member 21 includes a first rack portion 25, a second rack portion 26, and a pinion 27 as an interlocking mechanism for enabling the first and second side regulating members 22, 23 to move in conjunction with each other. The upper surface of the first rack portion 25 serves as a movable stacking surface 251 and is secured to the first side regulating member 22 by screws 300. The second rack portion 26 is secured to the second side regulating member 23 via the slit 212 by screws 300, with the second side regulating member 23 and the rack portion 26 arranged to sandwich the upper cover member 21. A pinion support portion 28 is formed in the upper cover member 21, and a pinion 27 rotatably engages with the pinion support portion 28. The pinion 27 is configured to mesh with the first and second rack portions 25, 26. With this configuration, when one of the first and second side regulating members 22, 23 moves, the rotation of the pinion 27 allows the other to move in the opposite direction in conjunction with the rotation.

[0065] <Original scraping shape>

[0066] Next, the document scooping shape according to the second exemplary embodiment will be described. Since the configuration of the second supporting surface 231 is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, only the configuration of the first supporting surface 221 will be described below. Similarly, in the second exemplary embodiment, the first supporting surface 221 of the first side regulating member 22 includes a first scooping portion 223 located at the downstream end of the first supporting surface 221 in the feed direction FD and at the inner end of the first supporting surface 221 in the width direction W. The first scooping portion 223 is formed to extend below the document stacking surface 211. The inner side of the first supporting surface 221 in the width direction W serves as a first inclined portion 225, which has a shape that approaches the first regulating surface 222 from the first scooping portion 223 as it extends upstream in the feed direction FD. The first supporting surface 221 upstream of the first inclined portion 225 serves as a third inclined portion 226, which extends away from the second regulating surface 232 toward the upstream side in the feed direction FD. In other words, when viewed from above, the inner side of the first supporting surface 221 in the width direction W has a V-shape. The boundary between the first inclined portion 225 and the third inclined portion 226 is located at a position matching the boundary between the document stacking surface 211 and the movable stacking surface 251. The third scooping portion 224 is formed at a position of the downstream side end of the third inclined portion 226 relative to the movable stacking surface 251 (the boundary between the first inclined portion 225 and the third inclined portion 226).

[0067] Also in this exemplary embodiment, a first scooping portion 223 is formed on the first supporting surface 221 of the first side regulating member 22 at the downstream side end of the first supporting surface 221 in the feeding direction FD. A second scooping portion 233 is formed on the second supporting surface 231 of the second side regulating member 23 at the downstream side end of the second supporting surface 231 in the feeding direction FD. This configuration prevents documents from entering under the first supporting surface 221 and the second supporting surface 231 and being damaged.

[0068] When the document tray 2 includes a movable stacking surface 251 that is movable in the width direction W, there is a risk that the end of the document may become stuck at the boundary between the document stacking surface 211 and the movable stacking surface 251 when the user places a document. To address this issue, in the present exemplary embodiment, a third scooping portion 224 is formed at the downstream end of the third inclined portion 226. This configuration improves visibility and ease of retrieval of small-sized documents while preventing documents from becoming stuck and damaged at the boundary between the document stacking surface 211 and the movable stacking surface 251.

[0069] The above-mentioned characteristic configuration of the document tray 2 can also be applied to the manual feed tray 137e. The first scooping portion 223 and the second scooping portion 233 provided in the pair of side regulating members provided in the manual feed tray 137e can prevent the recording medium from entering under the first support surface 221 and the second support surface 231 and being damaged.

[0070] In the first and second exemplary embodiments described above, the first scooping portion 223 and the second scooping portion 233 are provided at the downstream end of the first supporting surface 221 and the downstream end of the second supporting surface 231, respectively. Alternatively, only the first scooping portion 223 may be provided at the downstream end of the first supporting surface 221, while the second scooping portion 233 may be provided upstream of the downstream end of the second supporting surface 231. Only the first side regulating member 22 may be movable in the width direction, while the second side regulating member 23 may be fixed so as to be immovable relative to the document tray 2.

[0071] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent small-sized sheets from entering under the side regulating members and being damaged when the side regulating members are moved.

[0072] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A sheet conveying device comprising: a stacking tray having a sheet stacking surface on which sheets are stacked; a feed roller configured to feed the sheets stacked on the stack tray in a feeding direction; as well as a first side regulating member provided in the stacking tray so as to be movable in a width direction orthogonal to the feeding direction and configured to regulate the position of one end in the width direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking tray, the first side regulating member having a first regulating surface in contact with the one end in the width direction of the sheets and a first supporting surface configured to support the sheets together with the sheet stacking surface, The first side regulating component has a first scooping portion at the downstream side end of the first supporting surface along the feeding direction, and the first scooping portion is configured to scoop the sheet onto the first supporting surface when the first side regulating component moves, and extend from the first supporting surface to below the sheet stacking surface.

2. The sheet material conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: An outer edge of the first supporting surface has a first inclined portion that is inclined with respect to the feeding direction so as to approach the first regulating surface as the first inclined portion extends upstream from the first scooping portion in the feeding direction.

3. The sheet material conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: The first scooping portion extends from the first support surface in the width direction and is inclined downward as the first scooping portion extends away from the first regulating surface.

4. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1 , further comprising an abutting portion configured to come into contact with leading ends of the sheets stacked on the stacking tray and regulate movement of the sheets in a feeding direction, in, A distance from the abutting portion to the first scooping portion in a feeding direction is shorter than a length of a sheet of a minimum size that can be conveyed by the sheet conveying device.

5. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1 , further comprising an abutting portion configured to come into contact with leading ends of the sheets stacked on the stacking tray and regulate movement of the sheets in a feeding direction, in, The distance from the abutting portion to the first scooping portion in the feeding direction is less than 91 mm.

6. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1 , further comprising a second side regulating member provided in the stacking tray so as to be movable in the width direction and configured to regulate the position of the other end in the width direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking tray, the second side regulating member having a second regulating surface in contact with the other end in the width direction of the sheets and a second supporting surface configured to support the sheets together with the sheet stacking surface, in, The second side regulating member has a second scooping portion at a downstream side end of the second supporting surface in the feeding direction, the second scooping portion being configured to scoop the sheet onto the second supporting surface when the second side regulating member moves, and extending from the second supporting surface to below the sheet stacking surface.

7. The sheet material conveying device according to claim 6, in, an outer edge of the first supporting surface has a first inclined portion that is inclined with respect to the feeding direction so as to approach the first regulating surface as the first inclined portion extends upstream from the first scooping portion in the feeding direction, and wherein an outer edge of the second supporting surface has a second inclined portion that is inclined relative to the feeding direction so as to approach the second regulating surface as the second inclined portion extends upstream from the second scooping portion in the feeding direction.

8. The sheet material conveying device according to claim 6, in, the first scooping portion extends from the first support surface in the width direction and slopes downward as the first support surface extends away from the first regulating surface, and The second scooping portion extends from the second support surface in the width direction and is inclined downward as the second scooping portion extends away from the second regulating surface.

9. The sheet material conveying device according to claim 6, in, the first supporting surface has a third scooping portion extending below the sheet stacking surface at a position upstream of the first scooping portion in the feeding direction, and wherein the second supporting surface has a fourth scooping portion extending below the sheet stacking surface at a position upstream of the second scooping portion in the feeding direction.

10. The sheet material conveying device according to claim 9, wherein: The sheet stacking surface has a slit into which the third scooping portion and the fourth scooping portion are fitted so that the third scooping portion and the fourth scooping portion are slidable.

11. The sheet conveying device according to claim 6 , further comprising an abutting portion configured to come into contact with leading ends of the sheets stacked on the stacking tray and regulate movement of the sheets in a feeding direction, in, A distance from the abutting portion to each of the first scooping portion and the second scooping portion in a feeding direction is shorter than a length of a sheet of a minimum size that can be conveyed by the sheet conveying device.

12. The sheet conveying device according to claim 6 , further comprising an abutting portion configured to come into contact with leading ends of the sheets stacked on the stacking tray and regulate movement of the sheets in a feeding direction, in, A distance from the abutting portion to each of the first scooping portion and the second scooping portion in the feeding direction is less than 91 mm.

13. The sheet material conveying device according to claim 6 further includes an interlocking mechanism configured to cause the first side regulating part and the second side regulating part to move in conjunction with each other, the interlocking mechanism having a first rack portion located in the first side regulating part, a second rack portion located in the second side regulating part, and a gear configured to mesh with the first rack portion and the second rack portion.

14. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1 further includes a movable stacking surface, which is configured to be movable in the width direction together with the first side regulating component, and can be moved to a supporting position and a retracted position, wherein the supporting position supports the sheet together with the sheet stacking surface, and the retracted position retracts the movable stacking surface below the lower side of the sheet stacking surface.

15. The sheet material conveying device according to claim 14, wherein: The first supporting surface has a third scooping portion extending below the sheet stacking surface at a position of a downstream side end of the movable stacking surface in the feeding direction.

16. The sheet material conveying device according to claim 1, in, The stacking tray is configured to be pivotable relative to a main body of the sheet conveying device, and The first scooping portion is configured to slide to a downstream side end of the stacking tray along the feeding direction.

17. An image reading device comprising: a stacking tray having a sheet stacking surface on which sheets are stacked; a feed roller configured to feed the sheets stacked on the stack tray in a feeding direction; as well as a first side regulating member provided in the stacking tray so as to be movable in a width direction orthogonal to the feeding direction and configured to regulate the position of one end in the width direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking tray, the first side regulating member having a first regulating surface in contact with the one end in the width direction of the sheets and a first supporting surface configured to support the sheets together with the sheet stacking surface, and an image reading unit configured to read an image of a sheet fed from the stack tray, The first side regulating component has a first scooping portion at the downstream side end of the first supporting surface along the feeding direction, and the first scooping portion is configured to scoop the sheet onto the first supporting surface when the first side regulating component moves, and extends from the first supporting surface to below the sheet stacking surface.

18. An image forming apparatus comprising: a stacking tray having a sheet stacking surface on which sheets are stacked; a feed roller configured to feed the sheets stacked on the stack tray in a feeding direction; as well as a first side regulating member provided in the stacking tray so as to be movable in a width direction orthogonal to the feeding direction and configured to regulate the position of one end in the width direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking tray, the first side regulating member having a first regulating surface in contact with the one end in the width direction of the sheets and a first supporting surface configured to support the sheets together with the sheet stacking surface, and an image reading unit configured to read an image of a sheet fed from the stack tray, and an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium based on the image of the sheet read by the image reading unit, The first side regulating component has a first scooping portion at the downstream side end of the first supporting surface along the feeding direction, and the first scooping portion is configured to scoop the sheet onto the first supporting surface when the first side regulating component moves, and extends from the first supporting surface to below the sheet stacking surface.

Images