Image reading device

Abstract

To solve the problem in which, if a holding member holding an ejected medium to improve alignment is detachable, damage to the holding member can be avoided during storage and transportation of a device; meanwhile, management of the removed holding member is complicated in a normal usage environment.SOLUTION: A medium transfer device comprises: a device body including a medium ejection section for ejecting a medium; a medium receiving tray for receiving a medium ejected by the medium ejection section; and a holding member that can be attached to and detached from the device body and that holds the medium ejected by the medium ejection section toward the medium receiving tray when the holding member is attached to the device body. The holding member is switchable between a first state in which the holding member is in contact with the medium receiving tray and a second state in which the holding member is separated from the medium receiving tray and retracted upward when the holding member is attached to the device body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium discharging device for discharging a medium, and an image reading device including the same.

Background Art

[0002] In a document scanner that reads while conveying a document, a printer that records on paper, etc., there is a device including a tray for receiving a discharged medium and a pressing member for pressing the medium discharged onto the tray as shown in Patent Document 1. Since the discharged medium is pressed from above by this pressing member, even a medium with a strong curling tendency is deposited on the tray in an appropriate state.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the pressing member is configured to be detachable. When the pressing member is detachable in this way, damage to the pressing member can be avoided during storage or transportation of the device. However, on the other hand, management of the removed pressing member becomes complicated in the normal use environment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the media transport device of the present invention includes a device body having a media discharge unit for discharging media, a media receiving tray for receiving the media discharged by the media discharge unit, and a member detachable from the device body. The member is a pressing member that presses the media discharged by the media discharge unit toward the media receiving tray when mounted on the device body. The pressing member is switchable between a first state in which it can contact the media discharged by the media discharge unit and a second state in which it retracts upward to a position where it does not contact the media discharged by the media discharge unit when mounted on the device body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] The present invention will be outlined below. A first aspect includes an apparatus main body having a medium discharge unit that discharges a medium, a medium receiving tray that receives the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit, and a member that is detachable from the apparatus main body. The member is a pressing member that presses the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit toward the medium receiving tray when mounted on the apparatus main body. The pressing member is switchable between a first state in which it can contact the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit when mounted on the apparatus main body and a second state in which it retracts upward to a position where it does not contact the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit.

[0008] According to this aspect, the pressing member is detachable from the apparatus main body and, when mounted on the apparatus main body, is switchable between a first state in which it can contact the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit and a second state in which it retracts upward to a position where it does not contact the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit. Therefore, when the pressing member is not required in the normal use environment, the user's requirements can be met by setting the pressing member to the second state without removing it from the apparatus main body, thereby improving the user's convenience.

[0009] A second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, it includes load applying means for applying a load to the switching operation of the pressing member from the second state to the first state. According to this aspect, since it includes load applying means for applying a load to the switching operation of the pressing member from the second state to the first state, it is possible to suppress the pressing member from switching from the second state to the first state against the user's intention, further improving the user's convenience.

[0010] In a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the pressing member is provided so as to switch between the first state and the second state by rotating, and an external force including a vertically upward component is applied to the tip of the pressing member at the downward rotation limit, whereby the pressing member rotates toward the second state. When lifting and moving the apparatus main body, when placing the apparatus main body, the pressing member at the downward rotation limit may collide with the installation surface of the apparatus, leading to damage to the pressing member. However, according to this aspect, when an external force including a vertically upward component is applied to the tip of the pressing member at the downward rotation limit, the pressing member rotates toward the second state, so that damage to the pressing member as described above can be suppressed.

[0011] A fourth aspect is that, in the third aspect, the downward rotation limit of the pressing member is defined by the contact between a contact portion formed on the pressing member and a restricting portion with which the contact portion comes into contact, and in a state where the contact portion is in contact with the restricting portion, the pressing member takes an inclined posture facing obliquely downward. According to this aspect, the downward rotation limit of the pressing member is defined by the contact between a contact portion formed on the pressing member and a restricting portion with which the contact portion comes into contact, and in a state where the contact portion is in contact with the restricting portion, the pressing member takes an inclined posture facing obliquely downward. Therefore, when an external force including a vertically upward component acts on the lower end of the pressing member at the downward rotation limit, the pressing member can surely rotate toward the second state, and damage to the pressing member as described above can be surely suppressed.

[0012] The fifth aspect is that in the first or second aspect, the pressing member is provided so as to switch between the first state and the second state by rotating, and includes a locking portion that fixes the pressing member to the apparatus main body, and an operation portion for releasing the fixing of the pressing member by the locking portion. When an external force for rotating the pressing member, which is at the limit of downward rotation, in a direction opposite to the direction toward the second state is applied, a part of the pressing member comes into contact with the operation portion, and the fixing of the pressing member by the locking portion is released.

[0013] When an external force for rotating the pressing member, which is at the limit of downward rotation, in a direction opposite to the direction toward the second state is applied, there is a risk of causing damage to the pressing member. However, according to this aspect, when an external force for rotating the pressing member, which is at the limit of downward rotation, in a direction opposite to the direction toward the second state is applied, a part of the pressing member comes into contact with the operation portion, and the fixing of the pressing member by the locking portion is released. Therefore, the pressing member can fall off, and as a result, damage to the pressing member can be suppressed.

[0014] The sixth aspect is that in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the contact position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge portion contacts the pressing member in the first state is downstream in the discharge direction from the position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge portion contacts the medium receiving tray or the medium placed on the medium receiving tray.

[0015] If the medium discharged by the medium discharge portion contacts the pressing member before contacting the medium receiving tray or the medium placed on the medium receiving tray, the medium may buckle and jam. However, according to this aspect, since the contact position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge portion contacts the pressing member is downstream in the discharge direction from the position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge portion contacts the medium receiving tray or the medium placed on the medium receiving tray, the occurrence of jams as described above can be suppressed.

[0016] The seventh aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the pressing member in the first state is in contact with the medium at a plurality of contact positions in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium discharge direction. According to this aspect, since the pressing member in the first state is in contact with the medium at a plurality of contact positions in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium discharge direction, rotation, i.e., skew, of the discharged medium can be suppressed.

[0017] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, the pressing member is in contact with the medium at two contact positions in the width direction, and the center position of the medium in the width direction discharged by the medium discharge portion is between the two contact positions. According to this aspect, since the medium is pressed by the pressing member on both sides in the width direction with respect to the center position in the width direction, rotation, i.e., skew, of the discharged medium can be more effectively suppressed.

[0018] The ninth aspect is characterized in that, in the eighth aspect, the pressing member has a shape that expands in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium discharge direction, toward the downstream in the medium discharge direction, and the central portion in the width direction is cut out. According to this aspect, since the pressing member expands in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium discharge direction, toward the downstream in the medium discharge direction and has a shape in which the central portion in the width direction is cut out, rotation, i.e., skew, of the discharged medium can be effectively suppressed by pressing the medium in a wide area in the width direction. And since the pressing member has a shape in which the central portion in the width direction is cut out, when the pressing member is switched to the second state, the area of the pressing member covering the apparatus main body can be reduced, and a decrease in the operability of the apparatus main body can be suppressed.

[0019] The tenth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the portion of the pressing member in contact with the medium receiving tray is formed in a shape that is convex with respect to the medium receiving tray when viewed from the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium discharge direction. When the media receiving tray is configured to be expandable and contractible, there is a risk that the media receiving tray may get caught on the pressing member, especially when it contracts. However, according to this aspect, the pressing member is formed in a shape such that the portion in contact with the media receiving tray is convex with respect to the media receiving tray when viewed from the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the media discharge direction. Therefore, the above-mentioned catching can be suppressed.

[0020] An eleventh aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the pressing member is configured to be able to adjust the pressing load when pressing the media. According to this aspect, since the pressing member is configured to be able to adjust the pressing load when pressing the media, the pressing load can be adjusted according to the size and type of the media, etc., and the media can be properly pressed.

[0021] A twelfth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the pressing member is configured to be able to adjust the length in the media discharge direction. According to this aspect, since the pressing member is configured to be able to adjust the length in the media discharge direction, the position where the pressing member presses the media can be adjusted according to the size of the media, and the media can be properly pressed.

[0022] A thirteenth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the portion of the pressing member in contact with the media can be switched between a first portion having a first friction coefficient with the media and a second portion having a second friction coefficient larger than the first friction coefficient with the media. According to this aspect, since the portion of the pressing member in contact with the media can be switched between a first portion having a first friction coefficient with the media and a second portion having a second friction coefficient larger than the first friction coefficient with the media, the friction coefficient can be switched according to the size and type of the media, etc., and the media can be properly pressed.

[0023] In a 14th aspect, in any of the 1st to 13th aspects, the apparatus main body includes a display unit that displays various information, and in a plan view of the display unit, the pressing member in the second state is located at a position covering a part of the display unit and at a position deviated from the display content on the display unit. According to this aspect, in a plan view of the display unit, the pressing member in the second state is located at a position covering a part of the display unit and at a position deviated from the display content on the display unit. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the pressing member in the second state from obstructing the user's visual recognition of the display unit.

[0024] In a 15th aspect, in any of the 1st to 14th aspects, the apparatus main body includes an operation panel that accepts various operation settings, the operation panel includes at least one push button that can be pressed, and in a plan view of the push button, the pressing member in the second state is located at a position covering a part of the push button and at a position exposing a part of the push button. According to this aspect, in a plan view of the push button, the pressing member in the second state is located at a position covering a part of the push button and at a position exposing a part of the push button. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the pressing member in the second state from preventing the user from pressing the push button.

[0025] An image reading apparatus according to a 16th aspect includes a reading unit that reads a medium to be conveyed, and the medium discharging apparatus according to any of the 1st to 15th aspects that discharges the medium read by the reading unit. According to this aspect, in the image reading apparatus, any of the operational effects of the 1st to 15th aspects described above can be obtained. Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described.

[0026] Hereinafter, a document scanner 1 that can read at least one of the front and back surfaces of a document, which is an example of a medium, will be described as an example of an image reading device. The document scanner 1 will be abbreviated as scanner 1 hereinafter. Also hereinafter, the document will be referred to as document P.

[0027] In addition, in each figure, the X - Y - Z coordinate system shown has the X - axis direction as the device width direction, which is the width direction of the document, the Y - axis direction as the document conveyance direction when reading the document and the discharge direction when discharging the document. The Z - axis direction is a direction intersecting the Y - axis direction and indicates a direction orthogonal to the surface of the document P on which reading is performed. Hereinafter, the direction in which the document P is sent (+Y - axis direction) may be referred to as "downstream", and the opposite direction (-Y - axis direction) may be referred to as "upstream".

[0028] In FIG. 1, the scanner 1 includes a device main body 2. The device main body 2 is configured to include a lower unit 3 and an upper unit 4. The upper unit 4 is provided so as to be openable and closable with a rotation axis (not shown) downstream in the document conveyance direction with respect to the lower unit 3 as a rotation fulcrum. The upper unit 4 can be opened in the device front direction to expose the document conveyance path so that jam processing of the document P can be performed.

[0029] On the back side of the device main body 2, a document placement unit 11 for placing the fed document P is provided. The document placement unit 11 is detachably provided with respect to the device main body 2. In addition, the document placement unit 11 is provided with a pair of edge guides 12A and 12B for guiding the side edges in the width direction of the document P. The document placement unit 11 includes a paper support 8. The paper support 8 can be stored inside the document placement unit 11 and is configured to be pull - outable from the document placement unit 11, and the length of the document placement surface can be adjusted.

[0030] The apparatus main body 2 is provided with an operation panel 7 for performing various operation settings on the front side of the apparatus of the upper unit 4. The operation panel 7 is provided with a display unit 7a for displaying various information, as well as a plurality of operation buttons for performing various operation settings. The operation button indicated by reference numeral 7b is one of them.

[0031] A feeding port 6 connected to the inside of the apparatus main body 2 is provided at the upper part of the apparatus main body 2. The document P placed on the document placement unit 11 is sent from the feeding port 6 toward a reading unit 20 (see FIG. 2) provided inside the apparatus main body 2.

[0032] Next, mainly with reference to FIG. 2, the document conveyance path in the scanner 1 will be described. In FIG. 2, the two-dot chain line indicated by reference numeral T indicates the document conveyance path. The document conveyance path T is formed by a region sandwiched between the lower unit 3 and the upper unit 4.

[0033] A document placement unit 11 is provided at the most upstream of the document conveyance path T. Downstream of the document placement unit 11, a feeding roller 14 for sending the document P placed on the document placement unit 11 toward the reading unit 20, and a separation roller 15 for nipping and separating the document P between the feeding roller 14 are provided. The feeding roller 14 driven by a motor (not shown) contacts the lowermost one of the documents P placed on the document placement unit 11. Therefore, when a plurality of documents P are set on the document placement unit 11 in the scanner 1, they are fed downstream in order from the lowermost document P. A rotational torque in the direction of returning the document P upstream is transmitted from a motor (not shown) to the separation roller 15 via a torque limiter (not shown).

[0034] Downstream of the feeding roller 14, a pair of conveyance rollers 16, a reading unit 20 for reading the document P, and a pair of discharge rollers 17 which is an example of a medium discharge unit are provided. The pair of conveyance rollers 16 includes a conveyance drive roller 16a rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) and a conveyance driven roller 16b that rotates passively. The document P nipped by the feeding roller 14 and the separating roller 15 and fed downstream is nipped by the pair of conveying rollers 16 and conveyed to the reading unit 20 located downstream of the pair of conveying rollers 16.

[0035] The reading unit 20 includes an upper reading sensor 20A provided in the upper unit 4 and a lower reading sensor 20B provided in the lower unit 3. In the present embodiment, the upper reading sensor 20A and the lower reading sensor 20B include a contact image sensor module (CISM). The lower surface of the document P is read by the lower reading sensor 20B, and the upper surface of the document P is read by the upper reading sensor 20A.

[0036] After at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the document P is read by the reading unit 20, the document P is nipped by the pair of discharging rollers 17 located downstream of the reading unit 20 and discharged from the discharge port 18 provided on the front surface of the apparatus toward the document receiving tray 40 which is an example of a media receiving tray. The pair of discharging rollers 17 includes a discharge driving roller 17a rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) and a discharge driven roller 17b that rotates passively. The apparatus main body 2 including the pair of discharging rollers 17, the document receiving tray 40, and a pressing member 30 described later constitute a document discharging apparatus 10 which is an example of a media discharging apparatus. Note that, from the viewpoint of discharging a document P which is an example of a media, the entire scanner 1 can also be regarded as an example of a media discharging apparatus.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the document receiving tray 40 includes a base tray 41, a first unfolding tray 42, a second unfolding tray 43, and a third unfolding tray 44. The first unfolding tray 42 is held by the base tray 41 and can be in a state of being housed in the base tray 41 as shown in FIG. 1 and a state of being pulled out from the base tray 41 as shown in FIG. 3. The second unfolding tray 43 is held by the first unfolding tray 42 and can be in a state of being housed in the first unfolding tray 42 as shown in FIG. 1 and a state of being pulled out from the first unfolding tray 42 as shown in FIG. 3. The third unfolding tray 44 is rotatably provided with respect to the second unfolding tray 43 via a rotation axis (not shown) located downstream of the second unfolding tray 43, and can take a fallen state as shown in FIG. 3 and a raised state (not shown). That is, the third unfolding tray 44 functions as a stopper that suppresses the protrusion of the document P discharged in the raised state.

[0038] Next, the pressing member 30 that presses the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 toward the document receiving tray 40 will be described. The pressing member 30 is detachably provided on the upper unit 4 that constitutes the apparatus main body 2 with respect to the upper unit 4. Among FIGS. 1 to 8, FIGS. 1 to 7 show a state where the pressing member 30 is attached to the upper unit 4, and FIG. 8 shows a state where the pressing member 30 is removed from the upper unit 4.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 9, the pressing member 30 is rotatably provided with respect to the pedestal portion 31 via a rotation axis 30d (see FIGS. 11 and 12). When the pressing member 30 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, the axis of this rotation axis 30d is parallel to the X-axis direction, whereby the pressing member 30 can rotate in the Y-Z plane in a state of being attached to the apparatus main body 2. The pedestal portion 31 has a concave portion 31a and a locking portion 31b. The pressing member 30 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2 via the pedestal portion 31. The pedestal portion 31 is preferably formed of a resin material so as to have a certain degree of elasticity, for example. The pressing member 30 can be formed of a resin material or a metal material.

[0040] In the housing 19 that constitutes the upper surface of the upper unit 4, a fixing portion 32 is provided above the discharge port 18 as shown in FIG. 11. The above-described pedestal portion 31 is attached to the fixing portion 32. When the pedestal portion 31 is attached to the fixing portion 32, the edge portion 19a that constitutes the upper edge of the discharge port 18 in the housing 19 enters the concave portion 31a of the pedestal portion 31, and the hook-shaped locking portion 31b that constitutes the pedestal portion 31 is caught by the upper edge of the fixing portion 32, whereby the pedestal portion 31 is fixed to the fixing portion 32.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 10, an operation portion 31c is provided below the pedestal portion 31. Then, as indicated by an arrow Fa in the right diagram of FIG. 11, when the operation portion 31c is pushed up from below, the pedestal portion 31 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 11, that is, in the direction in which the locking portion 31b comes off the upper edge of the fixing portion 32, with the contact portion between the edge portion 19a and the concave portion 31a as a fulcrum. As a result, as shown by the change from the left diagram to the right diagram in FIG. 11, the locking portion 31b comes off the upper edge of the fixing portion 32, and the fixed state of the pedestal portion 31 is released. In this way, the pedestal portion 31, that is, the pressing member 30, can be removed from the apparatus main body 2.

[0042] Next, the pressing member 30 can be switched between a first state in which it can contact the document P discharged by rotation and a second state in which it retracts upward to a position where it does not contact the document P discharged. Among FIGS. 1 to 7, FIGS. 1 to 4 show an example of the first state of the pressing member 30, and FIGS. 5 to 7 show the second state of the pressing member 30.

[0043] Here, as shown in FIG. 12, a load applying portion 31d as a load applying means is formed on the pedestal portion 31. A convex portion 30h is formed around the rotation shaft 30d in the pressing member 30, and this convex portion 30h can be engaged with the load applying portion 31d. With such a configuration, when the pressing member 30 takes the second state, the pressing member 30 is held in the second state as shown in the leftmost diagram of FIG. 12. When the pressing member 30 is switched from the second state to the first state, the convex portion 30h of the pressing member 30 pushes back the load applying portion 31d. As a result, the pressing member 30 can be switched to the first state as shown by the change from the leftmost diagram to the central diagram in FIG. 12. As described above, the load applying portion 31d applies a load to the switching operation of the pressing member 30 from the second state to the first state.

[0044] 3 and 9, the pressing member 30 expands in the X-axis direction, i.e., in the width direction, toward the downstream of the discharge direction of the document P, and has a shape in which the central portion 30c in the width direction is cut out. As a result, a first arm portion 30a is formed in the -X direction with respect to the central portion 30c, and a second arm portion 30b is formed in the +X direction with respect to the central portion 30c. With this configuration, the pressing member 30 comes into contact with the document P at a plurality of contact positions in the width direction, and more specifically, in this embodiment, the pressing member 30 comes into contact with the document P at two contact positions. In addition, the widthwise center position of the discharged document P is indicated by a dotted line C in FIG. 3, and this center position C is located between the two contact positions, i.e., the first arm portion 30a and the second arm portion 30b, and more specifically, is located at the center of the two contact positions.

[0045] Next, the rotational operation of the pressing member 30 will be described. When there is no document P on the document receiving tray 40, the pressing member 30 in the first state is in contact with the upper surface of the document receiving tray 40 due to its own weight. When the document P is discharged from this state to the document receiving tray 40, the pressing member 30 is pushed upward by the document P. When the document P completely falls onto the document receiving tray 40, the pressing member 30 moves downward accordingly, and stops rotating in a state where it is in contact with the upper surface of the document P. After that, every time a document P is discharged, the pressing member 30 repeats rotating upward and downward. As the amount of the document P piled up on the document receiving tray 40 increases, the rotation stop position of the pressing member 30 moves upward. The above-mentioned rotational operation of the pressing member 30 is performed in the first state of the pressing member 30.

[0046] As described above, the document discharging device 10 is detachable from the device main body 2, and includes a pressing member 30 that presses the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 toward the document receiving tray 40 in a state of being mounted on the device main body 2. When there is no pressing member 30, the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 is likely to rotate, that is, skew, due to the momentum of being discharged after being discharged. However, when the pressing member 30 is provided as described above, the pressing member 30 presses the discharged document P toward the document receiving tray 40, so that the skew of the document P can be suppressed, and the alignment of the document P on the document receiving tray 40 can be improved. Note that the rotation, that is, the skew, of the document P can also be suppressed by providing a side fence that regulates the side edge of the discharged document P. However, for example, when documents P of different sizes are mixed, the small-sized documents cannot be guided by the side fence, so it is effective.

[0047] And since this pressing member 30 can be removed from the device main body 2, damage to the pressing member 30 can be avoided by removing the pressing member 30 during storage or transportation of the device. Furthermore, this pressing member 30 can be switched between a first state in which it can contact the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 and a second state in which it retracts upward to a position where it does not contact the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 in a state of being mounted on the device main body 2. Therefore, when the pressing member 30 is not required in the normal use environment, the user's requirements can be met by setting the pressing member 30 to the second state without removing it from the device main body 2, and thus the convenience for the user can be improved. For example, when performing jam processing, by switching the pressing member 30 to the second state, the pressing member 30 can be prevented from getting in the way. Note that in the present embodiment, when there is no document P on the document receiving tray 40, the pressing member 30 contacts the upper surface of the document receiving tray 40, but when there is no document P on the document receiving tray 40, the pressing member 30 may be configured to be separated from the document receiving tray 40 to some extent.

[0048] In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 11, the document discharging device 10 includes a load applying unit 31d that applies a load to the switching operation of the pressing member 30 from the second state to the first state. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the pressing member 30 from switching from the second state to the first state against the user's intention, and the convenience for the user is further improved.

[0049] In addition, the pressing member 30 in the first state is in contact with the document P at a plurality of contact positions in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the discharging direction of the document P. Thereby, rotation, that is, skew of the discharged document P in the X - Y plane can be suppressed.

[0050] In addition, the pressing member 30 is in contact with the document P at two contact positions in the width direction, specifically, at the first arm portion 30a and the second arm portion 30b, and the center position C in the width direction of the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 is between the two contact positions, that is, between the first arm portion 30a and the second arm portion 30b. With such a configuration, rotation, that is, skew of the discharged document P can be more effectively suppressed.

[0051] Hereinafter, the features of the present embodiment will be further described. The pressing member 30 has a shape that expands in the width direction toward the downstream in the discharging direction of the document P and has a notch at the central portion 30c in the width direction. With such a shape, by pressing the document P in a wide area in the width direction, rotation, that is, skew of the discharged document P can be effectively suppressed. And since the pressing member 30 has a shape with a notch at the central portion 30c in the width direction, an increase in the weight of the pressing member 30 can be suppressed, and buckling when discharging a document P with low rigidity can be suppressed. In addition, when the pressing member 30 is switched to the second state, the area of the device main body 2 covered by the pressing member 30 can be reduced, and a decrease in the operability of the device main body 2 can be suppressed. Hereinafter, this will be further described.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the upper end of the pressing member 30 in the second state is at a height that overlaps a part of the operation panel 7 in the height direction. And as shown in FIG. 7, in a plan view of the display unit 7a, the pressing member 30 covers a part of the operation panel 7, particularly both lower corner portions of the display unit 7a and a part of the operation button 7b. The operation button 7b is a "return" button for returning the operation setting state to the previous one in this embodiment. When the pressing member 30 is in the second state in this way, the pressing member 30 covers a part of the operation panel 7. However, since the pressing member 30 has a shape in which the central portion 30c in the width direction is cut out, it does not cover the display unit 7a in a wide area, and a decrease in operability can be suppressed.

[0053] And in this embodiment, the pressing member 30 in the second state is located at a position that covers a part of the display unit 7a in a plan view of the display unit 7a and is at a position deviated from the display content on the display unit 7a. The display content here refers to information such as characters and graphics provided to the user and displayed on the display unit 7a. Since the pressing member 30 in the second state is at a position deviated from the information such as characters and graphics displayed on the display unit 7a, it is possible to suppress hindering the user's visual recognition of the display unit 7a.

[0054] Also, although the pressing member 30 covers a part of the operation button 7b, it is located at a position where a part of the operation button 7b is exposed, and a sufficient area for pressing the operation button 7b is ensured, and the operation button 7b can be pressed. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the pressing member 30 from preventing the user from pressing the operation button 7b. Moreover, particularly in this embodiment, since the pressing member 30 covers a part of the operation button 7b which is a "return" button for returning the operation setting state to the previous one, even if the pressing member 30 covers the entire operation button 7b and the operation button 7b cannot be pressed, the basic reading operation of the document P can be performed. As operation buttons that are not covered by the pressing member 30, a power button, a scan execution button, etc. are suitable.

[0055] Also, when the display unit 7a is a so-called touch panel and a user interface for performing various setting operations is realized on the display unit 7a, similarly, the touch area for performing the basic reading operation of the document P is not covered by the pressing member 30, or even if it is covered, only a part is covered so that touch operations are possible. Conversely, it is also preferable to realize a user interface for performing various setting operations in an area other than the area covered by the pressing member 30.

[0056] In addition, if the upper end portion of the pressing member 30 in the second state does not overlap with a part of the operation panel 7 in the height direction, it is preferable because the pressing member 30 does not obstruct the visual recognition of the display unit 7a or the operation of a plurality of operation buttons. Also, even if the upper end portion of the pressing member 30 in the second state is in a position that overlaps with a part of the operation panel 7 in the height direction, for example, by forming the pressing member 30 with a transparent material, the visibility of the user can be ensured.

[0057] Next, in FIG. 13, the straight line L1 is a common tangent line of the discharge driving roller 17a and the discharge driven roller 17b, that is, it indicates the document discharge direction by the discharge roller pair 17. Also, the reference numeral 30-1 indicates the pressing member 30 that is in contact with the document receiving tray 40 with no document P on the document receiving tray 40. The reference numeral 30-2 indicates the pressing member 30 that is in contact with the uppermost document Pt in a state where the document P at the maximum stacking height is stacked on the document receiving tray 40. The position T1 is the position where the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 contacts the document receiving tray 40, and the position T2 is the position where the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 contacts the uppermost document Pt. Note that the position T2 changes on the common tangent line L1 according to the document stacking amount.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 13, the common tangent line L1 does not intersect the pressing member 30 regardless of the loading amount of the document P. That is, regardless of the loading amount of the document P, the contact position where the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 contacts the pressing member 30 is downstream in the discharge direction from the position T1 where the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 contacts the document receiving tray 40 or the position T2 where it contacts the topmost document Pt among the documents P stacked on the document receiving tray 40.

[0059] Thus, the following operational effects can be obtained. That is, if the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 contacts the pressing member 30 before contacting the document receiving tray 40 or the topmost document Pt among the documents P stacked on the document receiving tray 40, the document P may buckle and jam. However, according to this aspect, the contact position where the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 contacts the pressing member 30 is downstream in the discharge direction from the position T1 where the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 contacts the document receiving tray 40 or the position T2 where it contacts the topmost document Pt among the documents P stacked on the document receiving tray 40. Therefore, the occurrence of jams as described above can be suppressed.

[0060] Next, as shown in FIG. 13, when viewed from the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the discharge direction of the document P, the portion 30f of the pressing member 30 that contacts the document receiving tray 40 is formed in a shape that is convex with respect to the document receiving tray 40. Hereinafter, the portion 30f of the pressing member 30 that contacts the document receiving tray 40 will be referred to as the "tray contact portion 30f". The tray contact portion 30f has a shape that is bent in a V shape in the present embodiment and is convex with respect to the document receiving tray 40. Thus, the following operational effects can be obtained. That is, when the document receiving tray 40 is changed from the unfolded state as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to the reduced state, there is a risk that the second unfolded tray 43 and the third unfolded tray 44 may be caught by the pressing member 30. However, since the pressing member 30 is formed such that the tray contact portion 30f is convex with respect to the document receiving tray 40, the above-mentioned catching can be suppressed. In the present embodiment, the tray contact portion 30f has a V-shaped bent shape, but it is not limited to this, and it may have other shapes, for example, a U-shaped bent shape.

[0061] Next, the rightmost figure in FIG. 12 shows a state where the pressing member 30 is at the downward rotation limit. The downward rotation limit of the pressing member 30 is defined by the contact portion 30g formed on the pressing member 30 coming into contact with the operation portion 31c as a restricting portion formed on the pedestal portion 31. This state occurs, for example, when the apparatus main body 2 is lifted and moved. In this case, when the apparatus main body 2 is placed on the installation surface, the pressing member 30 may collide with the installation surface of the apparatus, receive an upward external force Fc, and be damaged. However, when an external force Fc including a vertically upward component is applied to the lower end portion of the pressing member 30 at the downward rotation limit, as is clear from FIG. 12, the pressing member 30 rotates toward the second state. Thereby, damage to the pressing member 30 as described above can be suppressed.

[0062] Also, the downward rotation limit of the pressing member 30 is defined by the contact between the contact portion 30g and the operation portion 31c as the restricting portion with which the contact portion 30g comes into contact. In the state where the contact portion 30g is in contact with the operation portion 31c, the pressing member 30 takes an inclined posture facing obliquely downward as shown in the rightmost figure of FIG. 12. Thereby, when an external force Fc including a vertically upward component acts on the lower end portion of the pressing member 30 at the downward rotation limit, the pressing member 30 can surely rotate toward the second state, and damage to the pressing member 30 as described above can be surely suppressed.

[0063] Also, even when an external force Fd is applied to the pressing member 30 that is at the downward rotation limit and rotated in a direction opposite to the direction toward the second state, there is a risk of causing damage to the pressing member 30. However, when such an external force Fd is applied, the contact portion 30g, which is a part of the pressing member 30, comes into contact with the operation portion 31c, and an external force as shown by the arrow Fb is applied to the operation portion 31c. Then, as a result, as described with reference to FIG. 11, the fixing of the pressing member 30 by the locking portion 31b is released, so that the pressing member 30 can fall off, and as a result, damage to the pressing member 30 can be suppressed.

[0064] Subsequently, another embodiment of the pressing member will be described. FIGS. 14 and 15 show a pressing member 50 according to the second embodiment. In the following embodiments, the same components as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The pressing member 50 includes a first arm 51 and a second arm 52. The first arm 51 is rotatable about the rotation axis 30d, and the second arm 52 is rotatably connected to the first arm 51 via a rotation axis 53 having an axis parallel to the width direction. Further, a friction member (not shown) is provided on the rotation axis 53 so that a frictional force is generated with respect to the rotation of the second arm 52 relative to the first arm 51. Therefore, the second arm 52 is in a state where its rotation is restricted by the frictional force except when an external force is applied from the user.

[0065] A tray contact portion 51a that protrudes with respect to the document receiving tray 40 is formed on the first arm 51, and similarly, a tray contact portion 51a that protrudes with respect to the document receiving tray 40 is also formed on the second arm 52. As shown in FIG. 14, when the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 are in a straight line, the pressing member 50 is in a state where it is the longest in the document discharge direction as a whole. In this state, the tray contact portion 52a of the second arm 52 contacts the document receiving tray 40 or the document P to be discharged.

[0066] Also, when the second arm 52 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 14 from the state shown in FIG. 14 to the state shown in FIG. 15, the pressing member 50 becomes the shortest as a whole in the document discharge direction. In this state, the tray contact portion 51a of the first arm 51 contacts the document receiving tray 40 or contacts the document P to be discharged.

[0067] In this way, since the pressing member 50 is configured to be able to adjust the length in the discharge direction of the document P, the position where the pressing member 50 presses the document P can be adjusted according to the size of the document P, and the document P can be appropriately pressed. In addition, in the present embodiment, the length in the discharge direction of the document P is adjusted by two members, the first arm 51 and the second arm 52, but it may be configured with three or more members, and the length in the discharge direction may be adjusted in more stages. Alternatively, for example, the second arm 52 may be provided slidable in the discharge direction with respect to the first arm 51, and configured to be able to adjust the length in the discharge direction steplessly.

[0068] Next, FIG. 16 shows a pressing member 60 according to the third embodiment. The pressing member 60 includes a contact portion 61 that contacts the document P, a first portion 61a having a first friction coefficient between the document P, and a second portion 61b having a second friction coefficient greater than the first friction coefficient of the first portion 61a between the document P. The contact portion 61 is rotatable with respect to the pressing member 60 via a rotation shaft 62, and by rotating, it can be switched to a portion that contacts the document P, the first portion 61a, and the second portion 61b. A friction member (not shown) is provided between the contact portion 61 and the rotation shaft 62, and the contact portion 61 is in a state where rotation is restricted by the frictional force of the friction member except when an external force is applied by the user and it rotates.

[0069] In this way, since the contact portion 61 can be switched between the first portion 61a having a first friction coefficient between the document P and the second portion 61b having a second friction coefficient greater than the first friction coefficient, the friction coefficient can be switched according to the size and type of the document P, etc., and the document P can be appropriately pressed. For example, in the case of the original document P with low rigidity and easy to buckle, it is preferable to hold the original document P by the first part 61a, and in the case of the original document P with a certain degree of rigidity and difficult to buckle, it is preferable to hold the original document P by the second part 61b.

[0070] Next, FIG. 17 shows the pressing member 70 according to the fourth embodiment. On the upper surface of the pressing member 70, a weight 71 is provided so as to be displaceable in the direction of arrow a. The weight 71 is provided so that a frictional force is generated between the weight 71 and the pressing member 70 by a friction member (not shown). Except when an external force is applied by the user and it is displaced, the displacement is restricted by the frictional force of the friction member. By displacing the weight 71, the pressing load when the pressing member 70 presses the original document P can be adjusted. With such a configuration, the pressing load can be adjusted according to the size and type of the original document P, etc., and the original document P can be appropriately held. For example, in the case of the original document P with low rigidity and easy to buckle, the pressing load is reduced, and in the case of the original document P with a certain degree of rigidity and difficult to buckle, it is preferable to relatively increase the pressing load compared to the case of holding the original document P with low rigidity and easy to buckle.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that those are also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, it is also preferable to provide a detection means for detecting the first state and the second state of the pressing member 30, and when the pressing member 30 is in the first state, to make the original document discharge speed relatively lower than when it is in the second state. Also, for example, in the present embodiment, the medium discharge device is configured as the original document discharge device 10 in the scanner 1, but it is not limited to this, and it can also be applied to a recording device that performs recording on a medium, for example, a printer.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] 1... Document scanner, 2... Apparatus main body, 3... Lower unit, 4... Upper unit, 6... Feeding port, 7... Operation panel, 7a... Display section, 7b... Operation buttons, 8... Paper support, 10... Original document discharging device, 11... Original document placing section, 12A, 12B... Edge guides, 14... Feeding rollers, 15... Separating rollers, 16... Pair of conveying rollers, 16a... Conveying drive roller, 16b... Conveying driven roller, 17... Pair of discharging rollers, 17a... Discharging drive roller, 17b... Discharging driven roller, 18... Discharge port, 19... Housing, 19a... Edge, 20... Reading section, 20A... Upper reading sensor, 20B... Lower reading sensor, 30... Pressing member, 30a... First arm section, 30b... Second arm section, 30c... Central section, 30d... Rotation axis, 30e... Contact section, 30f... Tray contact site, 30g... Contact section, 30h... Protrusion, 31... Base section, 31a... Recess, 31b... Lock section, 31c... Operation section, 31d... Load applying section, 32... Fixing section, 40... Original document receiving tray, 41... Base tray, 42... First unfolding tray, 43... Second unfolding tray, 44... Third unfolding tray, 50... Pressing member, 51... First arm, 52... Second arm, 53... Rotation axis, 60... Pressing member, 61... Contact site, 61a... First site, 61b... Second site, 62... Rotation axis, 70... Pressing member, 71... Hammer, P, Pt... Original document

Claims

1. An apparatus main body including a lower unit and an upper unit that rotates with respect to the lower unit, An obliquely downwardly inclined medium conveyance path formed between the upper unit and the lower unit for conveying a medium, A reading unit for reading the conveyed medium, A medium discharge unit for discharging the medium read by the reading unit, A medium receiving tray for receiving the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit, A pressing member for pressing the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit toward the medium receiving tray, Comprising, By rotating, the pressing member A first state in which it can contact the medium discharged from the medium discharge unit, A second state in which it retracts upward to a position where it does not contact the medium discharged from the medium discharge unit, Can be switched, The pressing member has a length that contacts the installation surface when the apparatus main body is placed on the installation surface, When an external force including a vertically upward component is applied in a state where the tip of the pressing member is located at the lower rotation limit, the pressing member rotates toward the second state, An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

2. In the image reading apparatus according to Claim 1, A restricting unit for restricting the rotation of the pressing member is provided, The pressing member is attached to the apparatus main body and attached to a pedestal unit including the restricting unit, The pressing member is configured to rotate with respect to the pedestal unit and includes a contact portion that contacts the restricting unit. When the contact portion contacts the restricting unit, the pressing member is restricted to incline obliquely downward at the lower rotation limit, An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

3. In the image reading apparatus according to Claim 1, The contact position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit contacts the pressing member is downstream in the discharge direction from the position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit contacts the medium receiving tray, An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

4. In the image reading apparatus according to Claim 1, The pressing member has two contact portions that contact the medium in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium discharge direction. The center position in the width direction of the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit is between the two contact portions, An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

5. An apparatus main body including a lower unit and an upper unit that rotates with respect to the lower unit, An obliquely downwardly inclined media conveyance path formed between the upper unit and the lower unit for conveying a media; A reading unit for reading the conveyed media; A media discharge unit for discharging the media read by the reading unit; A media receiving tray for receiving the media discharged by the media discharge unit; A pressing member for pressing the media discharged by the media discharge unit toward the media receiving tray; Comprising; By rotating, the pressing member A first state in which it can contact the media discharged from the media discharge unit; A second state in which it retracts upward to a position where it does not contact the media discharged from the media discharge unit; Can be switched; Comprising a restricting unit for restricting the rotation of the pressing member; The pressing member is attached to the apparatus main body and is attached to a pedestal portion including the restricting unit; The pressing member is configured to rotate with respect to the pedestal portion and includes a contact portion that contacts the restricting unit. When the contact portion contacts the restricting unit, the pressing member is restricted to incline obliquely downward at the lower limit of rotation. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

6. In the image reading apparatus according to claim 5, The contact position where the media discharged by the media discharge unit contacts the pressing member is downstream in the discharge direction from the position where the media discharged by the media discharge unit contacts the media receiving tray. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

7. In the image reading apparatus according to claim 5, The pressing member has two contact portions that contact the media in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the media discharge direction. The center position in the width direction of the media discharged by the media discharge unit is between the two contact portions. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

8. An apparatus main body including a lower unit and an upper unit that rotates with respect to the lower unit; An obliquely downwardly inclined media conveyance path formed between the upper unit and the lower unit for conveying a media; A reading unit for reading the conveyed media; A media discharge unit for discharging the media read by the reading unit; A media receiving tray for receiving the media discharged by the media discharge unit; A pressing member for pressing the media discharged by the media discharge unit toward the media receiving tray; Comprising; By rotating, the pressing member A first state in which it can contact the media discharged from the media discharge unit; a second state in which it retracts upward to a position where it does not contact the medium discharged from the medium discharge unit; is switchable; the pressing member has two contact portions that contact the medium in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium discharge direction, and the center position in the width direction of the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit is between the two contact portions; An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

9. In the image reading apparatus according to claim 8, the contact position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit contacts the pressing member is downstream in the discharge direction from the position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit contacts the medium receiving tray; An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

10. an apparatus main body including a lower unit and an upper unit that rotates with respect to the lower unit; a medium conveyance path formed between the upper unit and the lower unit and inclined obliquely downward for conveying a medium; a reading unit that reads the conveyed medium; a medium discharge unit that discharges the medium read by the reading unit; a medium receiving tray that receives the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit; a pressing member that presses the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit toward the medium receiving tray; is provided with; by rotating, the pressing member a first state in which it can contact the medium discharged from the medium discharge unit; a second state in which it retracts upward to a position where it does not contact the medium discharged from the medium discharge unit; is switchable; the pressing member is formed in a shape in which a portion in contact with the medium receiving tray is convex with respect to the medium receiving tray when viewed from the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium discharge direction; An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

Images