Image reading device and image forming device

Abstract

To secure alignment property of various sizes of sheets.SOLUTION: A discharge tray (303) is provided with an upstream side support part (101), a wall surface part (100), a first support part (102) having a first inclined surface, and a second support part (103) having a second inclined surface, and a swing guide (411) is arranged above the discharge tray. In a state of being viewed from a width direction, when a point where the wall surface part intersects with the upstream side support part is defined as a first intersection A, a point where the swing guide intersects with the first support part is defined as a second intersection, a distance in a horizontal direction from the first intersection to a first vertex highest in the first inclined surface is defined as L1, a distance in a gravity direction is defined as H1, a distance in the horizontal direction from the first intersection to a second vertex highest in the second inclined surface is defined as L2, a distance in the gravity direction is defined as H2, a distance in the horizontal direction from the first intersection to the second intersection is defined as L4, and a distance in the gravity direction is defined as H4, relations of L1<L2, L4<L2, H1<H2 and H4<H2 are established.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Image reading devices installed in image forming devices such as copiers and multifunction machines are equipped with an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF: Auto Document Feeder) that automatically feeds original sheets one by one. After the image information of the sheets fed by the ADF is read by an image sensor, the sheets are stacked on a discharge tray.

[0003] In recent years, there has been a demand for reading image information while automatically feeding sheets of various sizes using an ADF. Accordingly, even when a plurality of types of sheets with different lengths in the conveying direction are fed using an ADF, it is required to maintain the consistency of the sheets stacked on the discharge tray. Patent Document 1 describes a discharge tray provided with an inclined surface that extends upward toward the downstream in the sheet discharge direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-64156 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even if the inclined surface described in the above document is provided, for example when the sheet discharge speed is set to a faster speed in order to improve productivity, it may be difficult to maintain high alignment of multiple sizes of sheets.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet discharging device, an image reading device, and an image forming apparatus that are capable of ensuring the alignment of sheets of various sizes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a sheet discharging device including a sheet discharging means for discharging a sheet in a discharging direction, a stacking portion on which the sheet discharged by the sheet discharging means is stacked, and a swing guide provided swingably around a swing axis. The stacking portion includes an upstream support portion for supporting the sheet discharged from the sheet discharging means, a wall surface portion rising upward from an upstream end of the upstream support portion in the discharging direction, a first support portion provided downstream of the upstream support portion in the discharging direction and having a first inclined surface inclined upward toward the downstream in the discharging direction, a second support portion provided downstream of the upstream support portion in the discharging direction and having a second inclined surface inclined upward toward the downstream in the discharging direction, and a third support portion provided downstream of the first support portion and the second support portion in the discharging direction and having a third inclined surface inclined upward toward the downstream in the discharging direction. The swing axis is located above the first inclined surface, the swing guide is arranged such that a lower end thereof does not contact the stacking portion, and when not in contact with the sheet discharged by the sheet discharging means, the swing guide is located at a position overlapping the first support portion when viewed from the sheet width direction orthogonal to the discharging direction, and is configured to swing from this position when pressed by the sheet. In a state viewed from the sheet width direction, a point where the wall surface portion and the upstream support portion intersect is defined as a first intersection point, a point where the swing guide and the first support portion intersect is defined as a second intersection point, a horizontal distance from the first intersection point to the highest first apex of the first inclined surface in the gravitational direction is L1, a gravitational distance is H1, a horizontal distance from the first intersection point to the highest second apex of the second inclined surface in the gravitational direction is L2, a gravitational distance is H2, a horizontal distance from the first intersection point to the second intersection point is L4, a gravitational distance is H4, a horizontal distance from the first intersection point to the highest third apex of the third inclined surface in the gravitational direction is L3, and a gravitational distance is H3. The sheet discharging device is characterized in that the relationships L1 < L2, L4 < L2, L2 < L3, H1 < H2, H4 < H2, and H2 < H3 are satisfied. Another aspect of the present invention is a sheet discharge device including a sheet discharge means for discharging a sheet in a discharge direction, a stacking section on which the sheets discharged by the sheet discharge means are stacked, and a swing guide arranged to be swingable around a swing axis, wherein the stacking section includes a first support section having a first inclined surface inclined upward toward the downstream side of the discharge direction and supporting the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge means, a second support section having a second inclined surface inclined upward toward the downstream side of the discharge direction and supporting the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge means, and a third support section having a third inclined surface inclined upward toward the downstream side of the discharge direction and supporting the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge means, the third support section being arranged downstream of the first support section and the second support section in the discharge direction, and a guide supported by the first support section. and a wall portion arranged to abut against the upstream end of the sheet in the discharge direction, the oscillating guide is arranged so that its lower end does not come into contact with the stacking portion, and when not in contact with the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge means, is in a position overlapping with the first support portion when viewed from the sheet width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction, and is configured to oscillate from said position when pressed by the sheet, the highest point of the second inclined surface is located downstream in the discharge direction of the highest point of the first inclined surface, the highest point of the second inclined surface is higher than the highest point of the first inclined surface, the highest point of the third inclined surface is located downstream in the discharge direction of the highest point of the second inclined surface, and the highest point of the third inclined surface is higher than the highest point of the second inclined surface. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The present invention ensures alignment of sheets of various sizes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a discharge tray of the ADF according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a discharge tray according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a discharge tray according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a discharge tray according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ejection tray and the swing guide according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which documents of a first size are stacked on the discharge tray in the embodiment. [Figure 10] 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which documents of a second size are stacked on the discharge tray in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which documents of a third size are stacked on the discharge tray in the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an ADF 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. However, in Fig. 1, a feed tray is omitted so that a discharge tray 303 can be seen. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 200 equipped with an image reading device 201. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the ADF 300 and reader unit 301 constituting the image reading device 201. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the image reading device 201.

[0012] (Image forming device) First, a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 200 equipped with an image reading device 201 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Note that this image forming apparatus 200 is merely one example of an image forming apparatus, and a facsimile machine or a multifunction machine equipped with the image reading device 201 is also included in the image forming apparatus to which the present technology can be applied. Also, the image forming means mounted in the image forming apparatus is not limited to an electrophotographic type, and may be, for example, an image forming apparatus equipped with an inkjet type printing unit.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 200 is composed of an image forming apparatus main body 202 and an image reading device 201 attached to the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 202. The image forming apparatus main body 202 has an image forming unit 3 as an image forming means disposed in the approximate center thereof, and a feeding means for feeding a recording material S, including a feeding cassette 6, disposed below the image forming unit 3. As the recording material S, various sheets of different sizes and materials can be used, such as paper such as plain paper and thick paper, sheet materials with surface treatments such as plastic film, cloth, and coated paper, and sheet materials with special shapes such as envelopes and index paper. The image reading device 201 equipped with image sensors 409 and 410 as image reading means for reading an image of a document is disposed above the image forming apparatus main body 202.

[0014] In the image forming apparatus main body 202, the image forming unit 3 is configured as an electrophotographic print engine. The image forming unit 3 in this embodiment is configured as a tandem intermediate transfer type, and includes four image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, and an intermediate transfer belt 23 as an intermediate transfer body.

[0015] The image forming unit 10Y forms a yellow toner image by an electrophotographic process. That is, the photosensitive drum 11, which is a photosensitive member, rotates, and the charging device 12 uniformly charges the drum surface. The laser scanner 13 irradiates the photosensitive drum 11 with laser light modulated based on image information, and writes an electrostatic latent image on the drum surface. The developing device 14 supplies charged toner particles to the photosensitive drum 11, and develops the electrostatic latent image on the drum surface into a toner image. This toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 23 by the primary transfer roller 15. Adherents such as transfer residual toner that remain on the photosensitive drum 11 without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 23 are removed by the drum cleaner 16. The above process is carried out in parallel in each of the image forming units 10Y to 10K, and toner images of each color, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, are formed.

[0016] The intermediate transfer belt 23 is wound around a number of rollers including the secondary transfer inner roller 18, and is driven to rotate in a direction (clockwise direction in the figure) along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 11. The toner images of the respective colors formed in the image forming units 10Y to 10K are primarily transferred so as to be superimposed on each other, and a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 23. This toner image is transported by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 23 to a secondary transfer section formed between the secondary transfer inner roller 18 and the secondary transfer roller 19 facing it.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 200 includes a cassette feeding section 4 and a manual feeding section 5 as a sheet feeding device for feeding the recording material S. The cassette feeding section 4 has a plurality of feeding cassettes 6, and a feeding unit 7 feeds the recording material S from any one of the feeding cassettes 6 one by one toward the registration roller 17. The manual feeding section 5 provided on the side of the apparatus main body 202 feeds the recording material S one by one toward the registration roller 17 by a feeding unit 8. The feeding units 7 and 8 include a feeding member such as a feeding roller that feeds the recording material S from the feeding cassette 6 or the manual feed tray, and a separating member such as a separating roller or a separating pad that applies a frictional force to other recording materials S overlapping the recording material S conveyed by the feeding member to prevent double feeding.

[0018] The registration roller 17 feeds the recording material S to the secondary transfer section in synchronization with the formation of the toner image by the image forming section 3. The recording material S to which the toner image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 23 in the secondary transfer section is conveyed to the fixing device 21. The fixing device 21 applies heat and pressure to the toner image on the sheet while sandwiching and conveying the recording material S, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material S. In the case of double-sided printing, the recording material S that has passed through the fixing device 21 is guided to the reversal path 26, and is fed again to the image forming section 3 with the first and second sides reversed by switchback conveyance, and an image is formed on the second side. In the case of single-sided printing, or when image formation on the second side in double-sided printing is completed, the recording material S that has passed through the fixing device 21 is discharged from the apparatus main body 202 by the discharge roller 25.

[0019] 2, the recording material with an image formed thereon is discharged to a discharge tray (or a sheet processing device connected to the image forming apparatus main body 202) disposed on the side of the image forming apparatus main body 202. Alternatively, a so-called internal discharge type may be adopted in which a space is provided between the image reading device 201 and the image forming apparatus main body 202 in the gravity direction to form a main body discharge section for discharging and stacking the recording material with an image formed thereon by the image forming apparatus main body 202.

[0020] (Image reader) Next, the schematic configuration of the ADF 300 and the reader unit 301 that constitute the image reading device 201 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the image reading device 201 includes an ADF 300 that separates a plurality of originals and feeds them one by one in order to read the images on the originals by an image sensor while transporting the originals. As the originals, various sheets of different sizes and materials can be used, such as paper such as plain paper and thick paper, sheet materials with surface treatments such as plastic film, cloth, and coated paper, and sheet materials with special shapes such as envelopes and index paper. In particular, in this embodiment, it is possible to transport small-sized sheets such as business cards that could not be handled by conventional ADFs using the ADF 300.

[0022] The ADF 300 is provided with a feed tray 302 for placing an original document thereon, and a discharge tray 303 for discharging the original document after the image has been read. A reader unit 301 is provided below the ADF 300 for reading the image of an original document conveyed by the ADF 300, or for reading the image of a still original document, including a thick one such as a book.

[0023] 3, the left-right direction of the image reading device 201 as viewed from the user side (the front side of the image forming device) is defined as the X direction. The front-rear direction of the image reading device 201, which is perpendicular to the X direction, is defined as the Y direction (the main scanning direction of the document, the width direction of the document). The up-down direction of the image reading device 201, which is perpendicular to both the X direction and the Y direction, is defined as the Z direction (the direction of gravity in normal use). The ADF 300 feeds the document placed on the feed tray 302 toward one side in the X direction, and discharges the document onto the discharge tray 303 toward the other side in the X direction (the sheet discharge direction in this embodiment).

[0024] Next, the internal structure of image reading device 201 will be described with reference to Fig. 4, which is a cross-sectional view of image reading device 201 as seen from the Y direction. ADF 300 includes pickup roller 401, separation roller pair 402, and multiple conveyor roller pairs (403-406) as conveying means for conveying sheets. Pickup roller 401 comes into contact with the topmost document of documents 400 placed on feed tray 302, and delivers it toward separation roller pair 402. Separation roller pair 402 conveys documents 400 received from pickup roller 401 in a separated state, one sheet at a time.

[0025] The conveying roller pairs sequentially deliver the original 400 and convey it through the reading position (the position where the original is scanned by the image sensors 409 and 410). Among them, the pull-out roller pair 403 conveys the original by pulling it out from the separation roller pair 402. The first read roller pair 404 and the second read roller pair 405 convey the original 400 while passing it through the reading positions of the image sensors 409 and 410, and stabilize the position of the original 400 at the reading positions, thereby contributing to improving the reading accuracy. The discharge roller pair 406 receives the original 400 that has passed the reading position and discharges it to the discharge tray 303.

[0026] A swing guide 411 is swingably supported at the bottom of the feed tray 302 disposed above the discharge tray 303. The swing guide 411 has a function of applying a resistance force to the original 400 discharged by the pair of discharge rollers 406, and regulating the original 400 so as not to go too far in the discharge direction (to the right in the figure). The swing guide 411 may be configured to be biased downward by its own weight, or may be configured to be biased downward by a spring member attached to the swing shaft 801, for example.

[0027] An image sensor 409 serving as a first reading means is provided inside the reader unit 301. When reading an image from the first side of the original 400 transported by the ADF 300, the image sensor 409 stops at a position (position shown in the figure) facing the flow reading glass 407. When reading an image from a stationary original placed on the original platen glass 408, the image sensor 409 moves on rails provided inside the reader unit 301 in the X direction, which is the sub-scanning direction, to read the image.

[0028] Furthermore, inside the ADF 300, an image sensor 410 as a second reading means is provided at a position facing the image sensor 409 of the reader unit 301. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously read images from both sides of the document 400 conveyed by the ADF 300 using the two image sensors 409, 410. Note that as the image sensors 409, 410, it is possible to use either a contact image sensor (CIS) in which an imaging element such as a CMOS and a life-size optical system are modularized, or a CCD type image sensor in which a charge-coupled device (CCD) and a reduction optical system are combined.

[0029] In this manner, the ADF 300 serving as the sheet discharging device of this embodiment has a function of discharging the document after the image has been read onto the discharge tray 303 by the pair of discharge rollers 406 serving as sheet discharging means.

[0030] (Outlet tray) Next, a schematic configuration of the discharge tray 303 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 4. The discharge tray 303 includes a wall portion 100, an upstream stacking surface 101, a first convex shape 102, a second convex shape 103, 103, and a third convex shape 104, 104.

[0031] The wall surface portion 100 extends upward in the Z direction from the upstream end of the discharge tray 303 in the discharge direction. The upstream stacking surface 101, which is the upstream support portion in this embodiment, extends downstream (X direction) of the wall surface portion 100 in the discharge direction of the document by the discharge roller pair 406.

[0032] The first convex shape 102, which is the first support portion (first stacking means) in this embodiment, is provided on the downstream side of the upstream stacking surface 101 in the discharge direction, and protrudes upward in the Z direction relative to the upstream stacking surface 101. One first convex shape 102 is provided at approximately the center of the discharge tray 303 in the Y direction.

[0033] The second convex shapes 103, 103 which are the second support section (second loading means) of this embodiment are disposed so as to sandwich the first convex shape 102 in the Y direction, and have a shape which convex upward in the Z direction as viewed from the Y direction. Similarly, the third convex shapes 104, 104 which are the third support section (third loading means) of this embodiment are disposed so as to sandwich the first convex shape 102 in the Y direction, and have a shape which convex upward in the Z direction as viewed from the Y direction.

[0034] The second convex shape 103 and the third convex shape 104 on one side in the Y direction (the front side of the image reading device) form a rib-like protrusion connected in the X direction on the upper surface of the discharge tray 303. Similarly, the second convex shape 103 and the third convex shape 104 on the other side in the Y direction (the back side of the image reading device) also form a rib-like protrusion connected in the X direction on the upper surface of the discharge tray 303.

[0035] The above-mentioned first support portion, second support portion, and third support portion can be appropriately arranged in the Y direction. For example, the first convex shape 102 may be arranged at a plurality of positions in the Y direction. Also, the second convex shape 103 or the third convex shape 104 may be arranged two by two (four in total) on either side of the center position of the discharge tray 303 in the Y direction.

[0036] The swing guide 411 is disposed in a space between the feed tray 302 and the discharge tray 303 at a position corresponding to the first convex shape 102 in the X and Y directions. The swing guide 411 is supported by the feed tray 302 located above the discharge tray 303 so as to be swingable about a swing shaft 801 extending in the Y direction. The tip of the swing guide 411 on the side farther from the swing shaft 801 has a bifurcated shape in the Y direction, and is disposed so as to sandwich the first convex shape 102 inside the bifurcated shape. Therefore, when no document is discharged to the discharge tray 303 and the swing guide 411 is hanging down by its own weight, the tip of the swing guide 411 overlaps with the first convex shape 102 as viewed from the Y direction, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4.

[0037] In this embodiment, only one first convex shape 102 and one oscillating guide 411 are arranged, but one or both of the first convex shape 102 and the oscillating guide 411 may be arranged at a plurality of positions in the Y direction. In this case, the number of the first convex shapes 102 and the oscillating guides 411 does not need to be the same, and for example, the number of the oscillating guides 411 may be less than the number of the first convex shapes 102.

[0038] (Shape of discharge tray and position of swing guide) Hereinafter, the detailed shapes of the portions (102, 103, 104) corresponding to the first support portion, the second support portion, and the third support portion of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0039] First, with reference to FIG. 5, the positions of points for specifying the shape of the first convex shape 102 as viewed from the Y direction and the like are defined as follows. The point where the wall portion 100 and the upstream loading surface 101 intersect is defined as a first intersection point 500 . The surface that constitutes the upstream surface of the first convex shape 102 in the document discharge direction and that is inclined upward toward the downstream in the document discharge direction is defined as a first inclined surface 501 . The highest point of the first inclined surface 501 in the Z direction (the downstream end of the first inclined surface 501 in the discharge direction) is defined as a first vertex 502. The point where the first inclined surface 501 and the upstream loading surface 101 intersect is defined as a third intersection point 503 . The line connecting the third intersection point 503 and the first vertex 502 is defined as a first line Ln1 [mm]. The distance in the X direction from the first intersection 500 to the first vertex 502 is set to L1 [mm]. The distance in the Z direction from the first intersection 500 to the first vertex 502 is assumed to be H1 [mm]. The angle of the first straight line Ln1 with respect to the X direction is θ1 [degrees].

[0040] Here, the first intersection 500, the third intersection 503, and the first vertex 502 represent imaginary points that represent positions where straight lines extending the upstream and downstream faces intersect when the upstream and downstream faces do not intersect at an angle but are smoothly connected by a curved surface. This also applies to points for specifying the shapes of the second convex shape 103 and the third convex shape 104 described below.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first inclined surface 501 is formed of one plane, so the first inclined surface 501 and the first straight line Ln1 are the same. However, if the first inclined surface 501 is a curved surface or is formed of a combination of multiple planes, it should be noted that the first inclined surface 501 and the first straight line Ln1 do not coincide. This also applies to the second inclined surface 600 and the second straight line Ln2 of the second convex shape 103 described later.

[0042] With reference to FIG. 6, the positions of points for specifying the shape of the second convex shape 103 as viewed from the Y direction and the like are defined as follows. The surface that constitutes the upstream surface of the second convex shape 103 in the document discharge direction and that is inclined upward toward the downstream in the document discharge direction is defined as a second inclined surface 600 . The highest point of the second inclined surface 600 (the downstream end of the second inclined surface 600 in the discharge direction) is defined as a second apex 601 . The point where the second inclined surface 600 and the upstream loading surface 101 intersect is defined as a fourth intersection 602 . The line connecting the fourth intersection point 602 and the second vertex 601 is defined as a second line Ln2. The distance in the X direction from the first intersection 500 to the second vertex 601 is set to L2 [mm]. The distance in the Z direction from the first intersection 500 to the second vertex 601 is assumed to be H2 [mm]. The angle of the second straight line Ln2 with respect to the X direction is θ2 [degrees].

[0043] As described above, these intersections and vertices may be imaginary points. In this embodiment, the second inclined surface 600 is a single plane, so the second inclined surface 600 and the second straight line Ln2 coincide with each other, but the second inclined surface 600 may be a curved surface or a combination of multiple planes, in which case the second inclined surface 600 and the second straight line Ln2 do not coincide with each other.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 7, the positions of points for specifying the shape of the third convex shape 104 as viewed from the Y direction and the like are defined as follows. The surface that constitutes the upstream surface of the third convex shape 104 in the document discharge direction and that is inclined upward toward the downstream in the document discharge direction is defined as a third inclined surface 700 . The highest point of the third inclined surface 700 (the downstream end of the third inclined surface 700 in the discharge direction) is defined as a third apex 701 . The distance in the X direction from the first intersection 500 to the third vertex 701 is set to L3 [mm]. The distance in the Z direction from the first intersection 500 to the third vertex 701 is assumed to be H3 [mm].

[0045] As mentioned above, these intersections and vertices may be imaginary points.

[0046] Next, the arrangement of the swing guide 411 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 shows a state in which the swing guide 411 is not pressed by the document discharged to the discharge tray 303. In other words, the swing guide 411 is at the lower limit position of the movable range in the swing direction 802 centered on the swing shaft 801. At this time, the tip of the swing guide 411 overlaps with the first convex shape 102 when viewed from the Y direction. More specifically, the surface of the swing guide 411 on the upstream side in the discharge direction intersects with the first inclined surface 501, which is the surface of the first convex shape 102 on the upstream side in the discharge direction.

[0047] The positions of points for identifying the position of the swing guide 411 as viewed from the Y direction are defined as follows. The point where the first inclined surface 501 and the swing guide 411 intersect is defined as a second intersection point 800 . The distance in the X direction from the first intersection 500 to the second intersection 800 is L4 [mm]. The distance in the Z direction from the first intersection 500 to the second intersection 800 is H4 [mm].

[0048] The shape of the discharge tray 303 in this embodiment is configured so that the following relationships hold for the above quantities (L1 to L4, H1 to H4, θ1, θ2) related to the first convex shape 102, the second convex shape 103, the third convex shape 104, and the oscillating guide 411. L1 <L2<L3···(1) L4 <L2 ···(2) H1 <H2<H3···(3) H4 <H2 ···(4)

[0049] (1) indicates that the first vertex 502 of the first convex shape 102, the second vertex 601 of the second convex shape 103, and the third vertex 701 of the third convex shape 104 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the document discharge direction. (3) indicates that the first vertex 502 of the first convex shape 102, the second vertex 601 of the second convex shape 103, and the third vertex 701 of the third convex shape 104 are at higher positions in this order in the direction of gravity.

[0050] (2) indicates that the second intersection point 800 where the swing guide 411 and the first inclined surface 501 intersect is located upstream of the second vertex 601 of the second convex shape 103 in the discharge direction. (4) indicates that the second intersection point 800 is at a position lower than the second vertex 601 of the second convex shape 103 in the gravitational direction. Thus, since the relationship of L4 < L2 and H4 < H2 holds, in a state where the swing guide 411 is not pushed up by the document, as shown in FIG. 8, the discharge space above the discharge tray 303 is blocked by the swing guide 411. In other words, the space formed between the discharge tray 303 and the feed tray 302 in the gravitational direction as viewed from the Y direction is closed at the downstream side in the discharge direction by the first inclined surface 501 of the first convex shape 102 and the swing guide 411.

[0051] (Length in the document conveyance direction and dimensions of the discharge tray) The ADF 300 of this embodiment is configured to be able to handle at least three document sizes with different lengths in the conveyance direction. Hereinafter, among the representative document sizes that the ADF 300 can handle, the one with a short length in the conveyance direction is defined as the first size, the one with a medium length in the conveyance direction is defined as the second size, and the one with a long length in the conveyance direction is defined as the third size. An example of the first size is A6R (length in the conveyance direction 148 mm, width 105 mm). An example of the second size is A5R (length in the conveyance direction 210 mm, width 148 mm). An example of the third size is A4R (length in the conveyance direction 297 mm, width 210 mm). Note that these A6R / A5R / A4R are merely examples and can be appropriately changed according to the document sizes that are expected to be frequently used.

[0052] (A) Arrangement of the first size document and the first convex shape The first convex shape 102 of the discharge tray 303 is provided at a position corresponding to a document of a first size. That is, the first convex shape 102 is disposed so that when a document of the first size is discharged, the first inclined surface 501 comes into contact with the leading edge of the document in the discharge direction in a state where the trailing edge of the document has passed through the pair of discharge rollers 406. When A6R is assumed as the first size, it is preferable that the first apex 502 of the first convex shape 102 is disposed so that L1 [mm] and H1 [mm] satisfy 148≦L1<180 and 20≦H1<40.

[0053] Furthermore, the swing guide 411 is disposed so as to secure a space capable of stacking a first size document on the upstream side in the discharge direction when the swing guide 411 is not pushed up by the document and overlaps with the first convex shape 102 as viewed from the Y direction. For example, the swing guide 411 is preferably disposed so that L4 [mm] and H4 [mm], which define the position of the second intersection 800, satisfy L1=L4 and H1=H4. Note that, when A6R is assumed as the first size, even if L4 or H4 is not equal to L1 or H1, it is preferable to dispose the swing guide 411 so that 148≦L4<180 and 20≦H4<40.

[0054] When the first convex shape 102 and the swing guide 411 are arranged as described above, the position of the first-size document 900 discharged to the discharge tray 303 is regulated by the first inclined surface 501 of the first convex shape 102 and the swing guide 411, as shown in FIG. 9. That is, the first-size document 900 comes into contact with the first inclined surface 501 or the swing guide 411 at the leading end when the trailing end in the discharge direction has left the pair of discharge rollers 406. At this time, even if the swing guide 411 comes into contact with the document 900 not held by the pair of discharge rollers 406, it does not swing above the first convex shape 102 against the inertial force 901 of the document 900. Therefore, the first-size document 900 is prevented from passing the second intersection 800 and proceeding downstream in the discharge direction by the swing guide 411 and the first convex shape 102. As a result, the first size document 900 is loaded on the upstream loading surface 101 and the first inclined surface 501 with its position in the discharge direction restricted to a range upstream of the second intersection point 800 in the discharge direction, as shown by dashed line 902 in Figure 9, thereby ensuring good alignment.

[0055] (B) Arrangement of the second size document and the second convex shape The second convex shape 103 is provided at a position corresponding to the second size document. That is, the second convex shape 103 is disposed at a position where the leading end of the second size document in the discharge direction can be supported by the second inclined surface 600. In other words, the second convex shape 103 is disposed so that at least a part of the second inclined surface 600 faces the bottom surface of the document when viewed from the Y direction in a state where the rear end of the second size document discharged to the discharge tray 303 is abutted against the wall surface portion 100 (see FIG. 10). When A5R is assumed as the second size, it is preferable to dispose the second apex 601 of the second convex shape 103 so that L2 [mm] and H2 [mm] satisfy 180≦L2<240 and 40≦H2<60.

[0056] 10, the position of the second size original 1000 discharged to the discharge tray 303 is regulated by the cooperation of the swing guide 411, the first convex shape 102, and the second convex shape 103. That is, the second size original 1000 is discharged while pushing up the swing guide 411 in a state where it is sandwiched between the discharge roller pair 406, and moves while contacting the second inclined surface 600 of the second convex shape 103 at its leading end. Since the second apex 601 of the second convex shape 103 is located downstream in the discharge direction and above the first apex 502 of the first convex shape 102 in the gravity direction, the original 1000 forms an inclined surface shape connecting the first apex 502 and the second apex 601.

[0057] Here, before the first original 1000 is discharged, the space above the discharge tray 303 is blocked by the first convex shape 102 and the swingable guide 411. Therefore, the first original 1000 is transported while being subjected to frictional resistance from the swingable guide 411 and the first convex shape 102, while pushing up the swingable guide 411. Therefore, even if the transport speed of the original 1000 by the pair of discharge rollers 406 is higher than 340 mm per second, it is possible to prevent the original 1000 from moving to a position far away from the wall surface portion 100 due to inertia.

[0058] When the second or subsequent sheets of the original 1000 are discharged, the swing guide 411 has already swung upward above the first convex shape 102, and the influence of friction between the swing guide 411 and the first convex shape 102 becomes relatively small. On the other hand, the original 1000 being discharged is discharged while being lifted upward along the inclined surface formed by the already discharged originals 1000, and therefore does not move to a position far away from the wall surface portion 100. In this way, regardless of whether it is the first sheet or the second or subsequent sheets, the position of the second size original 1000 in the discharge direction is regulated by the swing guide 411, the first convex shape 102, and the second convex shape 103, and therefore good alignment is ensured.

[0059] It is preferable that the angle θ2 between the second straight line Ln2 and the horizontal direction is smaller than the angle θ1 between the first straight line Ln1 and the horizontal direction (θ2<θ1). This makes it possible to reduce the resistance that the original 1000 receives when the leading edge of the original 1000 comes into contact with the second inclined surface 600 that protrudes upward from the first apex 502 of the first convex shape 102, thereby preventing problems such as buckling or poor loading caused by the original 1000 getting caught.

[0060] Examples of preferable numerical ranges of the angle θ1 [degrees] between the first straight line Ln1 and the horizontal direction and the angle θ2 [degrees] between the second straight line Ln2 and the horizontal direction are 40≦θ1≦55, 25≦θ2≦40, and θ1-θ2≧5. By satisfying 25≦θ2≦40 and θ1-θ2≧5, it is possible to effectively prevent the original 1000 from getting caught on the second inclined surface 600. Furthermore, by satisfying 40≦θ1≦55, it is possible to enhance the effect of the first inclined surface 501 in regulating the position of the first size original 900, as described in (A) above.

[0061] (C) Arrangement of the third size manuscript and the third convex shape The third convex shape 104 is provided at a position corresponding to a third size document. That is, the third convex shape 104 is disposed at a position where the leading end of a third size document in the discharge direction can be supported by the third inclined surface 700. When A4R is assumed as the third size, it is preferable that the third apex 701 of the third convex shape 104 is provided such that L3 [mm] and H3 [mm] are in the ranges of 240≦L3<360 and 60≦H3<80.

[0062] 11, the position of the third size document 1100 discharged to the discharge tray 303 is regulated by the cooperation of the swing guide 411, the first convex shape 102, the second convex shape 103, and the third convex shape 104. That is, the third size document 1100 is discharged while pushing up the swing guide 411 in a state where it is sandwiched between the discharge roller pair 406, and moves while contacting the second inclined surface 600 at its leading end and further contacting the third inclined surface 700. The document 1100 is supported at its lower surface by the first vertex 502 of the first convex shape 102, the second vertex 601 of the second convex shape 103, and the third vertex 701 of the third convex shape 104. Here, since the third vertex 701 is located downstream in the discharge direction and above the second vertex 601 in the gravity direction, the document 1100 forms a slope shape that smoothly connects the first vertex 502, the second vertex 601, and the third vertex 701.

[0063] Here, before the first original 1100 is discharged, the space above the discharge tray 303 is blocked by the first convex shape 102 and the swingable guide 411. Therefore, the first original 1100 is transported while being subjected to frictional resistance from the swingable guide 411 and the first convex shape 102, while pushing up the swingable guide 411. Therefore, even if the transport speed of the original 1100 by the pair of discharge rollers 406 is higher than 340 mm per second, it is possible to prevent the original 1100 from moving to a position far away from the wall surface portion 100 due to inertia.

[0064] When discharging the original documents 1100 starting from the second one, the swing guide 411 has already swung upward beyond the first convex shape 102, and the influence of the friction between the swing guide 411 and the first convex shape 102 becomes relatively small. On the other hand, since the original document 1100 being discharged is discharged while being lifted upward along the inclined surface shape of the already discharged original document 1100, it will not move to a position far away from the wall surface portion 100. Thus, regardless of whether it is the first one or the ones starting from the second one, since the position of the original document 1100 of the third size regarding the discharge direction is regulated by the swing guide 411, the first convex shape 102, the second convex shape 103, and the third convex shape 104, good alignment is ensured.

[0065] As described above, the discharge tray 303 of this embodiment is configured such that the relationships of L1 < L2, L4 < L2, H1 < H2, and H4 < H2 are satisfied with respect to the swing guide 411, the first convex shape 102, and the second convex shape 103. Thereby, as described in (A) and (B) above, good alignment regarding the discharge direction of the original documents of the first size and the second size can be maintained. In particular, even when the conveyance speed of the original document is set to a value higher than 340 mm per second (for example, a speed of 400 mm per second or more) in order to improve productivity, the alignment of the original documents of the first size and the second size can be ensured.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third convex shape 104 is provided on the discharge tray 303 and is configured to satisfy L2 < L3 and H2 < H3. Thereby, as described in (C) above, good alignment regarding the discharge direction of the original documents of the third size in addition to the first size and the second size can be maintained.

[0067] In this embodiment, the third convex shape 104 serving as the third support portion protrudes further upward than the upper surface 107 of the rib extending from the second convex shape 103 to the downstream side in the discharge direction. Alternatively, the third convex shape 104 may be omitted, and a surface 108 may be provided that is an extension of the upper surface 107 that is inclined upward toward the downstream side in the discharge direction. This surface 108 functions as a third support portion that supports the lower surface of a third-size document downstream of the second apex 601 in the discharge direction and above in the direction of gravity.

[0068] (Other embodiments) The first convex shape 102, the second convex shape 103, and the third convex shape 104 in the above embodiment are all formed as rib-like protrusions extending in the discharge direction. However, as long as they function as the first support part, the second support part, or the third support part, each support part may be formed as a surface having an extension in the Y direction. For example, a surface having the same contour as the second convex shape 103 when viewed from the Y direction may be formed over the entire area of ​​the discharge tray 303 in the Y direction, and the first convex shape 102 may be arranged to protrude from a predetermined position in the Y direction of this surface. Also, the upstream support part may support the sheet by, for example, a rib-like protrusion instead of the planar upstream stacking surface 101.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the discharge tray 303 is described as being capable of stacking at least three documents having different lengths in the transport direction, but it is of course possible to accommodate many more sizes. For example, by pulling out the extension tray 109 stored in the discharge tray 303 in Fig. 1 downstream in the discharge direction, it is possible to stack a fourth size document that is longer in the transport direction than the third size document (for example, an LGL size whose length in the transport direction is 355.6 mm). In this case, it is preferable that the height of the downstream end in the discharge direction of the extension tray 109 in the pulled-out state is higher than the third apex of the third convex shape 104.

[0070] In addition, in the above embodiment, the application of the present technology to a sheet discharge configuration in an ADF was described, but the present technology can also be applied to sheet discharge devices other than an ADF (for example, a device that discharges recording material on which an image has been formed in an image forming device). [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 3...Image forming means (image forming section) / 100...Wall surface section / 101...Upstream support section (upstream loading surface) / 102...First support section (first convex shape) / 103...Second support section (second convex shape) / 104...Third support section (third convex shape) / 200...Image forming device / 201...Image reading device / 300...Sheet ejection device (ADF) / 406...Sheet ejection Discharge means (pair of discharge rollers) / 409, 410...Image reading means (image sensor) / 411...Oscillating guide / 500...First intersection / 501...First inclined surface / 502...First vertex / 503...Third intersection / 600...Second inclined surface / 601...Second vertex / 602...Fourth intersection / 700...Third inclined surface / 701...Third vertex / 800...Second intersection

Claims

1. a feed tray on which sheets are stacked; a feeding means for feeding the sheets supported on the feeding tray; a reading means for reading an image on the sheet fed by the feeding means; a discharge means for discharging the sheet on which the image has been read by the reading means in a discharge direction; a discharge tray on which the sheets discharged by the discharge means are stacked; a swinging member that is swingably supported on a lower portion of the sheet feeding tray and that comes into contact with the sheet discharged to the discharge means; Equipped with the discharge tray has a first rib and a second rib extending in the discharge direction and an inclined surface inclined upward toward a downstream side in the discharge direction, the first rib is parallel to the second rib when viewed from above and overlaps with the swinging member when viewed from above; the swinging member is disposed upstream in the discharge direction from a downstream end of the first rib in the discharge direction, the second rib is disposed at a position away from the swinging member in a width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction, and has a shape that protrudes from the inclined surface such that the amount of protrusion from the inclined surface increases downstream in the discharge direction, an apex of the second rib is higher than a downstream end of the inclined surface in the discharge direction and is located downstream of a downstream end of the first rib in the discharge direction; An image reading device characterized by:

2. The discharge tray has an extension tray that can be pulled out in the discharge direction and supports sheets.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The extension tray is disposed at a position overlapping the swinging member in the width direction.

3. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein:

4. When the extension tray is pulled out in the ejection direction, the downstream end of the extension tray in the ejection direction is higher than the apex of the second rib.

4. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein the image reading device is a scanning device.

5. the first rib and the swinging member are disposed at the center of the discharge tray in the width direction; 5. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the image reading device is a scanning device.

6. The apex of the second rib is higher than the apex of the first rib.

6. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the image reading device is a scanning device.

7. The width of the first rib in the width direction is smaller than the width of the oscillating member in the width direction.

7. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the image reading device is a scanning device.

8. an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; and the image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

Images