Sheet transport device

Abstract

To provide a sheet transport device that can be made thinner in the vertical direction and improve the loading ability of sheets ejected into an ejection tray with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: In a sheet transport device 1, downward-facing sides of a first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120 are contact faces 110T, 120T contactable with a sheet SH1 guided by a first guide surface 31G of a lower sheet guide 31. A part directly above a shaft 49 in each contact face 110T, 120T is located below an upper end 48A1 of an outer peripheral surface 48A of each roller 48, when not in contact with the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G. A downstream end 130F in a second direction DE2 in each third elastic piece 130 is located below a downstream end 110F in a first direction DE1 in the first elastic piece 110 and a downstream end 120F in the first direction DE1 in each second elastic piece 120, and at a downstream in a discharge direction D1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2 and 3 of Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet discharge device, which is an example of a conventional sheet conveying device. This sheet discharge device includes a sheet stacking section, a first discharge roller body, a second discharge roller body, a first rotation shaft, and a second rotation shaft.

[0003] The sheet stacking section supports the sheets to be discharged. The first discharge roller body and the second discharge roller body transport the sheets in the discharge direction. The first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft each extend in a width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction. The first rotation shaft is located higher than the second rotation shaft. The first discharge roller body rotates integrally with the first rotation shaft. The second discharge roller body rotates integrally with the second rotation shaft. The first discharge roller body is shifted in the width direction relative to the second discharge roller body. The lower end of the outer circumferential surface of the first discharge roller body is located lower than the upper end of the outer circumferential surface of the second discharge roller body.

[0004] The first discharge roller body and the second discharge roller body deform the sheet into a corrugated shape when viewed along the discharge direction when the sheet is conveyed, thereby increasing the rigidity of the sheet and stabilizing the posture of the sheet when discharged. In this way, the sheet discharge device improves the stackability of sheets discharged onto the sheet stacking section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-77941 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the conventional sheet discharge device described above, the first rotary shaft and the first discharge roller main body are positioned above the second rotary shaft, making it difficult to achieve a slim vertical size.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to provide a sheet conveying device that can be made thinner in the vertical direction and can improve the stacking capacity of sheets discharged onto the discharge tray with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The sheet conveying device of the present invention includes a lower sheet guide having a first guide surface that guides a downward surface of a sheet; a discharge tray that supports sheets that are guided by the first guide surface and discharged; discharge rollers each having two rollers that convey a sheet guided by the first guide surface in a discharge direction and a shaft that extends in a width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction, the rollers being spaced apart from each other in the width direction and rotating integrally with the shaft, and a portion of each roller protruding above the first guide surface; a first elastic piece located between the rollers in the width direction and located above the shaft at the position of the shaft, the first elastic piece protruding in a first direction perpendicular to the width direction and along the discharge direction; a plurality of second elastic pieces positioned so as to sandwich each of the rollers in the width direction and positioned above the shaft at a position of the shaft, each of the second elastic pieces protruding in the first direction; a plurality of third elastic pieces positioned so as to sandwich the rollers in the width direction, positioned downstream of the second elastic pieces in the discharge direction, and protruding from positions above the first elastic pieces and the second elastic pieces in a second direction that is perpendicular to the width direction and inclined downward while proceeding in the discharge direction; Equipped with downward surfaces of the first elastic piece and each of the second elastic pieces are contact surfaces that can come into contact with a sheet guided by the first guide surface, a portion of each of the contact surfaces located directly above the shaft is located below an upper end of an outer circumferential surface of each of the rollers when not in contact with the sheet guided by the first guide surface; The downstream end of each of the third elastic pieces in the second direction is located below the downstream end of the first elastic piece in the first direction and the downstream end of each of the second elastic pieces in the first direction, and downstream in the discharge direction.

[0009] In the sheet conveying device of the present invention, the first elastic piece and each second elastic piece configured as described above deform the sheet discharged by the discharge roller into a wave shape when viewed along the discharge direction, increasing the rigidity of the sheet, while pressing the sheet against the outer circumferential surface of each roller, thereby enabling the discharge roller, the first elastic piece, and each second elastic piece to discharge the sheet with high reliability and stabilize the posture of the sheet when discharged.

[0010] Each third elastic piece presses the discharged sheet toward the discharge tray, suppressing curling of the sheet and allowing the sheet to fall onto the discharge tray. Specifically, the curl of the sheet is a cylindrical curl in which the widthwise edge of the sheet is positioned above the center and convex downward.

[0011] Furthermore, as the number of sheets supported on the discharge tray increases, the downstream end of the third elastic piece comes into contact with the topmost sheet supported on the discharge tray, causing the third elastic piece to rise, but the first elastic piece and each second elastic piece press the sheet against the outer surface of the roller without coming into contact with the topmost sheet supported on the discharge tray.

[0012] As a result, this sheet conveying device can prevent the stacking order of sheets discharged onto the discharge tray from being changed and prevent sheets from jamming.

[0013] Furthermore, in this sheet conveying device, there is nothing above the roller that corresponds to the first discharge roller body and the first rotary shaft in the conventional sheet discharge device.

[0014] Therefore, the sheet transport device of the present invention can achieve a slim vertical size and improved stacking of sheets discharged onto the discharge tray with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the line AA in FIGS. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial top view showing the discharge roller, the first to third elastic pieces, the discharge tray, and the like. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a first tray member that constitutes a part of the supply tray and two side guides. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the first tray member, the interlocking mechanism, the third elastic piece, and the like. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing the discharge roller, the first and second elastic pieces, the first and second charge eliminating members, the discharge tray, and the like. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the main part of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the cross section BB of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the discharge roller and the first to third elastic pieces as viewed from downstream in the discharge direction. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a top view showing the discharge roller and the first to third elastic pieces as viewed in the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] Example 1 As shown in FIG. 1, an image reading device 1 according to the first embodiment is an example of a specific aspect of the sheet conveying device of the present invention.

[0018] In Fig. 1, the operation panel 8P side of the image reading device 1 is the front. The side to the left when facing the operation panel 8P is the left side. The front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions shown in Figs. 2 to 11 are all displayed in correspondence with the directions shown in Fig. 1.

[0019] <Overall structure> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image reading device 1 includes a main body 8 and a cover 9. The main body 8 is a flat, roughly box-shaped body. An operation panel 8P, such as a touch panel, is located on the front of the main body 8. The main body 8 houses an image forming unit 5 in its lower portion. The image forming unit 5 forms an image on a sheet by an inkjet method, a laser method, or the like.

[0020] 3, the main body 8 houses in its upper portion the image reading unit 3. The image reading unit 3 has a document support surface 3A, a reading surface 3B, a reading sensor 3S, and a scanning mechanism (not shown).

[0021] The document support surface 3A is the upper surface of a large-area platen glass located on the upper surface of the main body 8. The reading surface 3B is the upper surface of a platen glass that is located to the left of the document support surface 3A on the upper surface of the main body 8 and extends in an elongated shape in the front-to-rear direction.

[0022] The document support surface 3A supports a document to be read. The document to be read may be paper, a sheet such as an OHP sheet, a book, etc. The reading surface 3B is used when the transport unit 4, which will be described later, is in operation.

[0023] The reading sensor 3S is a well-known image reading sensor such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and is elongated in the front-to-rear direction. The reading sensor 3S is located below the document support surface 3A and the reading surface 3B.

[0024] When the image reading unit 3 reads an image of a document supported on the document support surface 3A, the reading sensor 3S moves from below the left edge of the document support surface 3A to the right, i.e., in the sub-scanning direction, by operation of a scanning mechanism (not shown), and reads the image of the document in a line in the front-to-back direction, i.e., in the main scanning direction. When the reading sensor 3S moves to below the right edge of the document support surface 3A, it finishes reading the image and returns to its standby position by operation of a scanning mechanism (not shown).

[0025] When the transport unit 4, which will be described later, is operated, the reading sensor 3S moves to a stationary reading position below the reading surface 3B and remains stationary by the operation of a scanning mechanism (not shown).

[0026] 1, the cover 9 is located above the main body 8. The rear end of the cover 9 is connected to the rear end of the main body 8 via a hinge (not shown). The cover 9 is swingable around a swing axis X9 extending in the left-right direction.

[0027] 3, the cover 9 has a resin base member 39. The lower surface of the base member 39 forms the bottom surface of the cover 9. The bottom surface of the cover 9 has a size that allows it to cover the document support surface 3A and the reading surface 3B, and is capable of covering the document placed on the document support surface 3A.

[0028] Although not shown in the drawings, when the user swings the cover 9 upward and backward around the swing axis X9, the cover 9 opens the document support surface 3A. In this state, the user can place a document on the document support surface 3A and remove the document.

[0029] 1 to 3, the cover 9 has a supply tray 91 and a discharge tray 96. The supply tray 91 and the discharge tray 96 are located on the right side of the cover 9.

[0030] 3 and 4, the upper surface of the right portion of the base member 39 forms a discharge tray 96. The discharge tray 96 supports the sheet SH1 that is conveyed and discharged by the conveying section 4, which will be described later.

[0031] 3, the supply tray 91 is located above the discharge tray 96. The supply tray 91 is made up of a first tray member 91A and a second tray member 91B.

[0032] 5 and 6, the first tray member 91A has a flat plate shape that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions, and has a pair of fastening portions formed at its front and rear ends. Although not shown, the first tray member 91A is assembled to the base member 39 by fastening the pair of fastening portions to the base member 39.

[0033] 3, the second tray member 91B is located to the right of the first tray member 91A. The top surfaces of the first tray member 91A and the second tray member 91B form the sheet placement surface of the supply tray 91.

[0034] The sheet placement surface of the supply tray 91 extends so as to slope downward to the left and also extends in the front-to-rear direction. Sheets SH1 to be scanned are placed in a stack on the supply tray 91. The width direction of the sheets SH1 placed on the supply tray 91 is the same as the width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction D1 (described later), i.e., the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, one side of the width direction is the front, and the other side of the width direction is the rear.

[0035] In this embodiment, an object whose image is read using the document support surface 3A is referred to as a document, and an object whose image is read while being placed on the supply tray 91 and transported by the transport unit 4 is referred to as a sheet SH1. The document and the sheet SH1 may be substantially the same thing.

[0036] 2 and 5, the supply tray 91 has two side guides 92A and 92B. Each of the side guides 92A and 92B is located on the sheet placement surface of the supply tray 91. The side guides 92A and 92B have substantially the same configuration but on opposite sides, and each have a guide wall 92W and a sheet edge support portion 92C.

[0037] The sheet edge support portions 92C of each side guide 92A, 92B are supported by the first tray member 91A so as to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction (width direction). The guide wall 92W of the side guide 92A is connected to the front edge of the sheet edge support portion 92C of the side guide 92A, protrudes upward, and extends in the left-to-right direction. The guide wall 92W of the side guide 92B is connected to the rear edge of the sheet edge support portion 92C of the side guide 92B, protrudes upward, and extends in the left-to-right direction.

[0038] 3 and 6, the supply tray 91 has an interlocking mechanism 93. The interlocking mechanism 93 has a first rack that slides integrally with the side guide 92A, a second rack that slides integrally with the side guide 92B, and a pinion gear that meshes with the first rack and the second rack. The portions of the first rack, the second rack, and the pinion gear that are exposed on the back surface side of the supply tray 91 are exposed portions 93E of the interlocking mechanism 93.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5, the interlocking mechanism 93 moves the side guides 92A, 92B closer to and farther apart in the front-rear direction.

[0040] Each of the side guides 92A and 92B positions sheets SH1 of various sizes placed on the supply tray 91 by sandwiching them in the front-rear direction (width direction) with its respective guide wall 92W.

[0041] At this time, the sheet edge support portion 92C of the side guide 92A supports one widthwise edge of the sheet SH1 from below, and the sheet edge support portion 92C of the side guide 92B supports the other widthwise edge of the sheet SH1 from below.

[0042] In this embodiment, the sheets SH1 to be scanned include A6 to A4 sizes, legal size paper, and the like.

[0043] The positions of the side guides 92A, 92B shown in Fig. 1 and the positions of the side guides 92A, 92B shown by solid lines in Fig. 2 are positions where the side guides 92A, 92B are furthest apart in the front-to-rear direction. When the side guides 92A, 92B are at the positions shown by solid lines in Fig. 2, they sandwich and position the largest sheet SH1L, which has the greatest widthwise length, in the front-to-rear direction (width direction).

[0044] The positions of the side guides 92A, 92B shown by the two-dot chain lines in Fig. 2 and the positions of the side guides 92A, 92B shown in Fig. 5 are positions where the side guides 92A, 92B are closest to each other in the front-to-rear direction. When the side guides 92A, 92B are in the positions shown by the two-dot chain lines in Fig. 2, they sandwich and position the smallest sheet SH1S, which has the smallest widthwise length, in the front-to-rear direction (width direction).

[0045] As shown in Figure 2, the image reading device 1 is capable of placing sheets SH1 of multiple sizes, including the largest sheet SH1L, a specific sheet SH1A whose widthwise length is a predetermined length WL1, and the smallest sheet SH1S, on the supply tray 91 and discharging them toward the discharge tray 96.

[0046] In this embodiment, the largest sheet SH1L is a legal size sheet, the specific sheet SH1A is a frequently used A4 size sheet, and the smallest sheet SH1S is an A6 size sheet.

[0047] 3, the cover 9 has a conveying section 4, a first conveying guide 35, a second conveying guide 36, a lower sheet guide 31, and an upper sheet guide 32. The conveying section 4, the first conveying guide 35, the second conveying guide 36, the lower sheet guide 31, and the upper sheet guide 32 are located inside the left portion of the cover 9.

[0048] The conveying unit 4 includes a feed roller 41, a separation roller 42, a separation pad 42A, a first conveying roller pair 43, a pressing member 44, and a second conveying roller pair 45. The conveying unit 4 also includes a discharge roller 47 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8.

[0049] 3, the feed roller 41 is positioned so as to be able to contact from above the sheet SH1 placed on the sheet placement surface of the supply tray 91. The separation roller 42 and separation pad 42A are positioned to the left of the feed roller 41. The first conveying roller pair 43 is positioned on the left side wall side of the cover 9, close to the top surface of the main body 8. The pressing member 44 is positioned directly above the reading surface 3B.

[0050] The first conveying guide 35 and the second conveying guide 36 are made up of parts of a plurality of chute members located inside the cover 9, ribs protruding downward from the rear surface of the upper wall member of the cover 9, or the like.

[0051] The first conveying guide 35 guides the sheet SH1 from the left end of the supply tray 91 to the first conveying roller pair 43.

[0052] The second conveying guide 36 guides the sheet SH1 from the first conveying roller pair 43 downwardly inclined to the reading surface 3B, and then guides it to pass between the pressing member 44 and the reading surface 3B, i.e., above the reading sensor 3S in the stationary reading position.

[0053] <Lower sheet guide and upper sheet guide> The lower sheet guide 31 is formed on the left portion of the base member 39. The lower sheet guide 31 has a first guide surface 31G. The first guide surface 31G is an upwardly inclined surface that extends from a position to the right of the reading surface 3B, sloping upward to the right, and also extending in the front-to-rear direction. The first guide surface 31G guides the downward surface of the sheet SH1 that has passed above the reading sensor 3S.

[0054] The upper sheet guide 32 is positioned higher than the lower sheet guide 31. The upper sheet guide 32 has a second guide surface 32G. The second guide surface 32G faces the first guide surface 31G of the lower sheet guide 31 from above. The second guide surface 32G is a downward-facing inclined surface that extends from a position to the right of the reading surface 3B, sloping upward to the right, and also extending in the front-to-rear direction. The second guide surface 32G guides the upward-facing surface of the sheet SH1 that has passed above the reading sensor 3S.

[0055] A discharge path P1 for discharging the sheet SH1 toward the discharge tray 96 is provided between the first guide surface 31G of the lower sheet guide 31 and the second guide surface 32G of the upper sheet guide 32. The first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G guide the sheet SH1 that has passed above the reading sensor 3S along the discharge path P1.

[0056] 3 and 8, the lower sheet guide 31 has a shaft accommodating portion 31D. The shaft accommodating portion 31D is a groove that is recessed downward near the rear end of the first guide surface 31G and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The first guide surface 31G extends a short distance in a substantially horizontal and rightward direction to the right of the shaft accommodating portion 31D, then curves downward to reach the rear end.

[0057] The sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G is guided in a discharge direction D1 at the rear end portion of the first guide surface 31G. The discharge direction D1 is a direction in which the sheet advances substantially horizontally to the right and is perpendicular to the width direction.

[0058] <Drive motor and drive frame> 7, the conveying unit 4 has a drive motor M1 and a drive frame 99. The drive motor M1 and the drive frame 99 are housed in the left portion of the rear end of the cover 9. The drive motor M1 and the drive frame 99 are located on the other side in the width direction of the first guide surface 31G of the lower sheet guide 31 and the second guide surface 32G of the upper sheet guide 32, i.e., on the other side in the width direction of the discharge path P1.

[0059] The drive motor M1 generates a drive force that is transmitted to the feed roller 41, the separation roller 42, the first conveying roller pair 43, the second conveying roller pair 45, and the discharge roller 47.

[0060] The drive frame 99 is made of a conductive material and is connected to earth. Specifically, the drive frame 99 is made by punching and bending a steel plate. The drive frame 99 supports the drive motor M1 and a transmission mechanism made up of multiple gears, etc.

[0061] <Second conveying roller pair> 3, the second conveying roller pair 45 is located along the discharge path P1 and upstream in the discharge direction D1 from the discharge roller 47. The second conveying roller pair 45 includes a drive shaft 45S, two drive rollers 45A, and a driven roller 45B.

[0062] The drive shaft 45S extends in the width direction and is located above the second guide surface 32G of the upper sheet guide 32. As shown in Fig. 7, the drive rollers 45A are fixed to the drive shaft 45S at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction.

[0063] A first gear 21 is fixed to one end of the drive shaft 45S in the width direction. The first gear 21 is located on one side of the width direction from the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G, i.e., on one side of the width direction from the discharge path P1.

[0064] The drive frame 99 rotatably supports the other widthwise end of the drive shaft 45S. The drive force transmitted from the drive motor M1 to the second conveying roller pair 45 and the discharge roller 47 is first transmitted to the drive shaft 45S. The drive rollers 45A and the first gear 21 rotate integrally with the drive shaft 45S.

[0065] 3, the driven roller 45B faces the drive roller 45A and is located on the first guide surface 31G side of the lower sheet guide 31. The biasing spring 45C presses the driven roller 45B toward the drive roller 45A.

[0066] The second conveying roller pair 45 conveys the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G toward the discharge rollers 47.

[0067] <Discharge roller> 3, the discharge roller 47 has a shaft 49 and two rollers 48. The shaft 49 is housed in the shaft housing portion 31D of the lower sheet guide 31, and is positioned below the first guide surface 31G and extends in the width direction.

[0068] 4 and 8, the rollers 48 are fixed to a shaft 49 at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction. Each roller 48 is made of rubber, and in this embodiment, is made of ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). An outer peripheral surface 48A of each roller 48 is a cylindrical surface that extends without steps or irregularities in the width direction.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a portion of each roller 48 protrudes upward from the first guide surface 31G on the side of the upper end 48A1 of the outer circumferential surface 48A.

[0070] 8, the discharge rollers 47 have paddles 48P. The paddles 48P are made up of a plurality of protrusions that protrude radially outward from one and the other peripheral edges in the width direction of the outer circumferential surface 48A of each roller 48 and are arranged at intervals around the shaft 49.

[0071] When each roller 48 finishes conveying the sheet SH1, the paddle 48P abuts the rear end of the sheet SH1 with a protrusion, and kicks the sheet SH1 out toward the discharge tray 96.

[0072] A second gear 22 is fixed to one end in the width direction of the shaft 49. The second gear 22 is located on one side in the width direction from the discharge path P1, and is in mesh with the first gear .

[0073] The driving force of the drive motor M1 is transmitted to the shaft 49 via the drive shaft 45S, the first gear 21, and the second gear 22. Each roller 48 rotates integrally with the second gear 22 and the shaft 49.

[0074] Each roller 48 conveys the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G in the discharge direction D1 and discharges the sheet SH1 onto the discharge tray 96. The vertical position of each roller 48 is higher than the position of the driven roller 45B, and therefore the amount of sheets SH1 that can be loaded onto the discharge tray 96 increases accordingly.

[0075] <First elastic piece holding portion and first static elimination member holding portion> As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper sheet guide 32 has a first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 and a first charge eliminating member holding portion 32S1.

[0076] As shown in Figure 8, the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 and the first de-ionization member holding portion 32S1 are located between the drive roller 45A and roller 48 located on one side in the width direction and the drive roller 45A and roller 48 located on the other side in the width direction.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 9, the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 is located downstream and above the drive shaft 45S in the discharge direction D1. The first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 is an upwardly facing flat surface extending in the width direction and the first direction DE1. The first direction DE1 is perpendicular to the width direction, parallel to the discharge direction D1, and gently slopes downward to the right. When viewed along the width direction, the first direction DE1 intersects with the discharge direction D1 at a small angle. An abutment portion 32RE1 extending in the width direction is provided at the upstream end of the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 in the discharge direction D1.

[0078] The first static elimination member holding portion 32S1 is located downstream of the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 in the first direction DE1 and one step lower than the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1. The first static elimination member holding portion 32S1 is an upwardly facing flat surface that extends in the width direction and the first direction DE1.

[0079] <Second Elastic Piece Holding Portion and Second Anti-Static Member Holding Portion> As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the upper sheet guide 32 has two second elastic piece holding portions 32R2 and two second charge eliminating member holding portions 32S2.

[0080] 8, the second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 and the second static eliminator holding portion 32S2 located on one side in the width direction are located on one side in the width direction of the drive roller 45A and the roller 48 located on one side in the width direction. The second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 and the second static eliminator holding portion 32S2 located on the other side in the width direction are located on the other side in the width direction of the drive roller 45A and the roller 48 located on the other side in the width direction.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 10, each second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 is located downstream and above the drive shaft 45S in the discharge direction D1. Each second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 has an upwardly facing flat surface extending in the width direction and the first direction DE1. An abutment portion 32RE2 extending in the width direction is provided at the upstream end of each second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 in the discharge direction D1. When viewed along the width direction, each second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 overlaps with the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1.

[0082] Each second static eliminator holding portion 32S2 is located downstream of each second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 in the first direction DE1 and one step lower than each second elastic piece holding portion 32R2. Each second static eliminator holding portion 32S2 has an upwardly facing flat surface that extends in the width direction and the first direction DE1. When viewed along the width direction, each second static eliminator holding portion 32S2 overlaps with the first static eliminator holding portion 32S1.

[0083] <Third elastic piece holding portion and guide rib> 6 and 10, the supply tray 91 has two third elastic piece holding portions 91R3 and six guide ribs 94. Each of the third elastic piece holding portions 91R3 and each of the guide ribs 94 is integrally formed on the rear surface side of the first tray member 91A.

[0084] 6, the third elastic piece holding portion 91R3 located on one side in the width direction is one surface of a convex portion located near one end in the width direction on the back surface of the first tray member 91A and protruding downward. The third elastic piece holding portion 91R3 located on the other side in the width direction is one surface of a convex portion located near the other end in the width direction on the back surface of the first tray member 91A and protruding downward.

[0085] As shown in Figure 10, each third elastic piece holding portion 91R3 is a downward-facing flat surface extending in the width direction and the second direction DE2 at a position spaced upward from the shaft 49. The second direction DE2 is perpendicular to the width direction and slopes downward toward the right while proceeding in the discharge direction D1. When viewed along the width direction, the first direction DE1 intersects with the discharge direction D1 at a large angle. An abutment portion 91RE3 extending in the width direction is provided at the upstream end of each third elastic piece holding portion 91R3 in the second direction DE2.

[0086] 5 and 10, by providing each third elastic piece holding portion 91R3 on the back surface side of the first tray member 91A, a recess 91D is formed on the sheet placement surface side of the supply tray 91. In addition, molding shrinkage is likely to occur around the recess 91D on the sheet placement surface of the supply tray 91.

[0087] As shown in Figure 5, when each side guide 92A, 92B clamps and positions a sheet SH1 (for example, the smallest sheet SH1S) smaller than the largest sheet SH1L in the width direction, the sheet edge support portion 92C of each side guide 92A, 92B is positioned widthwise inward of the portion on the sheet loading surface of the supply tray 91 where each third elastic piece holding portion 91R3 is located, i.e., the recess 91D and the surrounding recess, exposing the recess 91D, etc.

[0088] As shown in Figure 2, when the side guides 92A and 92B clamp and position the largest sheet SH1L in the width direction, the sheet edge support portions 92C of each side guide 92A and 92B cover from above the portions on the sheet loading surface of the supply tray 91 where the third elastic piece holding portions 91R3 are located, i.e., the recesses 91D, etc.

[0089] 6, the three guide ribs 94 located on one side in the width direction are located between the center in the width direction on the back surface of the first tray member 91A and one end in the width direction, and the three guide ribs 94 located on the other side in the width direction are located between the center in the width direction on the back surface of the first tray member 91A and the other end in the width direction.

[0090] 10, each guide rib 94 protrudes downward from the rear surface of the first tray member 91A and extends in the discharging direction D1.

[0091] A lower end edge 94E of each guide rib 94 extends in a downward inclined manner while advancing in the discharge direction D1. The lower end edge 94E of each guide rib 94 guides the sheet SH1 being discharged toward the discharge tray 96 from above.

[0092] <First elastic piece, second elastic piece, and third elastic piece> 4, 9, and 10, the conveying section 4 has one first elastic piece 110, two second elastic pieces 120, and two third elastic pieces 130. The first elastic piece 110, each of the second elastic pieces 120, and each of the third elastic pieces 130 are each a plate-like piece made of a resin film.

[0093] The first elastic piece 110, each of the second elastic pieces 120, and each of the third elastic pieces 130 are manufactured by cutting them into a substantially rectangular shape from, for example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film, etc. The first elastic piece 110, each of the second elastic pieces 120, and each of the third elastic pieces 130 have a thickness that allows them to exhibit a degree of rigidity that prevents them from bending when they come into contact with the sheet SH1, and in this embodiment, they are made of a PET film having a thickness of approximately 25 μm.

[0094] <Details of the first elastic piece> 8 and 9, the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 holds the upstream end 110E of the first elastic piece 110 in the first direction DE1. Specifically, the upstream end 110E of the first elastic piece 110 is attached to the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 with double-sided tape in a state in which the upstream end 110E abuts against the abutment portion 32RE1. By abutting the upstream end 110E of the first elastic piece 110 against the abutment portion 32RE1, it is possible to prevent the first elastic piece 110 from being attached at an angle with respect to the discharge direction D1.

[0095] The first elastic piece 110 is located between the rollers 48 in the width direction, and is located above the shaft 49. The first elastic piece 110 protrudes in the first direction DE1. The first elastic piece 110 protrudes linearly when viewed along the width direction.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 9, the downward surface of the first elastic piece 110 is a contact surface 110T that can come into contact with the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G.

[0097] The portion of the contact surface 110T located directly above the shaft 49 is located below the upper end 48A1 of the outer peripheral surface 48A of each roller 48 without contacting the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G.

[0098] The downstream end 110F of the first elastic piece 110 in the first direction DE1 is located downstream in the discharge direction D1 of the downstream end 48A2 in the discharge direction D1 of the outer circumferential surface 48A of each roller 48. The downstream end 110F of the first elastic piece 110 is also located downstream in the discharge direction D1 of the upstream end of the discharge tray 96 in the discharge direction D1. Furthermore, the downstream end 110F of the first elastic piece 110 is located below the exposed portion 93E of the interlocking mechanism 93 and overlaps with the exposed portion 93E in the discharge direction D1.

[0099] The first elastic piece 110 intersects with the discharge path P1 without contacting the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G. Also, the first elastic piece 110 intersects with the paddle 48P and each roller 48 when viewed along the width direction without contacting the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G.

[0100] <Details of the second elastic piece> 8 and 10, each second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 holds the upstream end 120E of each second elastic piece 120 in the first direction DE1. Specifically, the upstream end 120E of each second elastic piece 120 is attached to the corresponding second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 with double-sided tape while being abutted against the abutment portion 32RE2. By abutting the upstream end 120E of each second elastic piece 120 against the abutment portion 32RE2, it is possible to prevent each second elastic piece 120 from being attached at an angle with respect to the discharge direction D1.

[0101] Each second elastic piece 120 is positioned so as to sandwich each roller 48 in the width direction, and is positioned above the shaft 49. Like the first elastic pieces 110, each second elastic piece 120 protrudes in the first direction DE1. When viewed along the width direction, each second elastic piece 120 protrudes linearly.

[0102] 10, for ease of viewing, the first elastic pieces 110 are shown by two-dot chain lines. When viewed along the width direction, each second elastic piece 120 overlaps with the first elastic piece 110.

[0103] The downward surface of each second elastic piece 120 is a contact surface 120T that can come into contact with the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G.

[0104] The portion of each contact surface 120T located directly above the shaft 49 is located below the upper end 48A1 of the outer peripheral surface 48A of each roller 48, without contacting the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G.

[0105] The downstream end 120F of each second elastic piece 120 in the first direction DE1 is located downstream in the discharge direction D1 of the upper end 48A1 of the outer circumferential surface 48A of each roller 48, and is located upstream in the discharge direction D1 of the downstream end 110F of the first elastic piece 110. In addition, the downstream end 120F of each second elastic piece 120 is located upstream in the discharge direction D1 of the upstream end of the discharge tray 96 in the discharge direction D1.

[0106] Each second elastic piece 120 intersects with the discharge path P1 without contacting the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G. Also, each second elastic piece 120 intersects with the paddle 48P and each roller 48 when viewed in the width direction without contacting the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G.

[0107] 4, the outer edge of the second elastic piece 120 located on one side in the width direction is located more inward in the width direction than the edge of the specific sheet SH1A located on one side in the width direction. The outer edge of the second elastic piece 120 located on the other side in the width direction is located more inward in the width direction than the edge of the specific sheet SH1A located on the other side in the width direction.

[0108] <Details of the third elastic piece> 6 and 10, each third elastic piece holding portion 91R3 holds the upstream end 130E of each third elastic piece 130 in the second direction DE2. Specifically, the upstream end 130E of each third elastic piece 130 is attached to the corresponding third elastic piece holding portion 91R3 with double-sided tape while abutting against the abutment portion 91RE3. By abutting the upstream end 130E of each third elastic piece 130 against the abutment portion 91RE3, it is possible to prevent each third elastic piece 130 from being attached at an angle with respect to the discharge direction D1.

[0109] Each third elastic piece 130 is positioned so as to sandwich each roller 48 in the width direction, and is positioned downstream in the discharge direction D1 from each second elastic piece 120. Each third elastic piece 130 protrudes in the second direction DE2 from a position higher than the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120. Each third elastic piece 130 protrudes linearly when viewed along the width direction.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 10, the downstream end 130F of each third elastic piece 130 in the second direction DE2 is located below the downstream end 110F of the first elastic piece 110 and the downstream end 120F of each second elastic piece 120, and downstream in the discharge direction D1.

[0111] When viewed along the width direction, the angle α1 at which each third elastic piece 130 intersects with the horizontal direction is larger than the angle α2 at which the lower end edge 94E of each guide rib 94 intersects with the horizontal direction.

[0112] 4, the outer edge of the third elastic piece 130 located on one side in the width direction is located more outward in the width direction than the edge of the specific sheet SH1A located on one side in the width direction. The outer edge of the third elastic piece 130 located on the other side in the width direction is located more outward in the width direction than the edge of the specific sheet SH1A located on the other side in the width direction.

[0113] <First static elimination member, second static elimination member, earth connection member, and conductive fiber for confirming conductivity> As shown in FIG. 8, the transport section 4 includes a first charge eliminating member 141, two second charge eliminating members 142, a conductive fiber 143 for checking conductivity, and an earth connection member 145.

[0114] The first static eliminating member 141 is a static eliminating brush in which conductive fibers 141A extending in the first direction DE1 are arranged discretely in the width direction. Each second static eliminating member 142 is a static eliminating brush in which conductive fibers 142A extending in the first direction DE1 are arranged discretely in the width direction. The conductive fibers 141A, 142A are made of very thin stainless steel wires.

[0115] The conduction checking conductive fiber 143 is made of a very thin stainless steel wire, similar to the conductive fibers 141A and 142A, and extends in the first direction DE1.

[0116] The ground connection member 145 is a conductive aluminum tape that extends in the width direction and is connected to an upstream end 141E of the first static eliminator 141 in the first direction DE1 and an upstream end 142E of each second static eliminator 142 in the first direction DE1.

[0117] One widthwise end 145A of the earth connection member 145 is connected to the upstream end of the conductivity confirmation conductive fiber 143 in the first direction DE1 at a position spaced apart in one widthwise direction from the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120.

[0118] The ground connection member 145 is attached to the first static eliminator holding portion 32S1 and the second static eliminator holding portions 32S2 along the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 and the second elastic piece holding portions 32R2 with double-sided tape, and is also attached to a portion of the upper sheet guide 32 aligned in the width direction with the first static eliminator holding portion 32S1 and the second static eliminator holding portions 32S2. At this time, the ground connection member 145 is attached in a state where it abuts against an end face of the step between the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 and the first static eliminator holding portion 32S1 and an end face of the step between the second elastic piece holding portions 32R2 and the second static eliminator holding portions 32S2. As shown in FIG. 7 , the drive frame 99 is connected to the other widthwise end 145B of the ground connection member 145. It should be noted that the attachment of the first elastic piece 110 to the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 and the attachment of each second elastic piece 120 to each second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 are carried out after this.

[0119] As a result, an upstream end 141E of the first charge eliminating member 141 is attached to the first charge eliminating member holding portion 32S1, and an upstream end 142E of each second charge eliminating member 142 is attached to each second charge eliminating member holding portion 32S2.

[0120] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first charge eliminating member 141 is disposed on the contact surface 110T side of the first elastic piece 110. As shown in FIG.

[0121] The downstream end 141F of the first de-ionization member 141 in the first direction DE1 is within a first range A1 in the discharge direction D1, from a position that coincides with the downstream end 48A2 of the outer surface 48A of each roller 48 to a position that coincides with the downstream end 110F of the first elastic piece 110.

[0122] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, each second charge eliminating member 142 is disposed on the contact surface 120T side of each second elastic piece 120. As shown in FIG.

[0123] The downstream end 142F of each second static eliminator 142 in the first direction DE1 is within a second range A2 that extends in the discharge direction D1 from a position coinciding with the upper end 48A1 of the outer circumferential surface 48A of each roller 48 to a position coinciding with the downstream end 120F of each second elastic piece 120. In this embodiment, the downstream end 142F of each second static eliminator 142 is located in a position that is substantially coincident with the upper end 48A1 of the outer circumferential surface 48A of each roller 48 in the discharge direction D1 and does not protrude beyond it.

[0124] <Action and effect> In the image reading device 1 of Example 1, when the image reading unit 3 reads an image of the sheet SH1 supported on the supply tray 91, the feed roller 41, separation roller 42 and separation pad 42A of the conveying unit 4 convey the sheets SH1 supported on the supply tray 91 one by one.

[0125] Next, the first conveying roller pair 43 conveys the sheet SH1 guided by the first conveying guide 35 and the second conveying guide 36, and passes it over the reading sensor 3S located at the stationary reading position. As a result, the reading sensor 3S reads the image on the sheet SH1.

[0126] Thereafter, the second conveying roller pair 45 conveys the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G toward the discharge roller 47. The roller 48, the first elastic piece 110, and each second elastic piece 120 of the discharge roller 47 convey the sheet SH1 in the discharge direction D1 and discharge it onto the discharge tray 96.

[0127] Here, as shown in Figure 11, the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120 deform the sheet SH1 discharged by the discharge roller 47 into a wavy shape when viewed along the discharge direction D1, thereby increasing the rigidity of the sheet SH1, and press the sheet SH1 against the outer peripheral surface 48A of the roller 48.

[0128] As a result, the discharge roller 47, the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120 can increase the load capacity of the sheet SH1 compared to if only the second conveying roller pair 45 were provided, and the sheet SH1 can be discharged with high reliability, while the posture of the sheet SH1 when discharged can be stabilized.

[0129] Then, each third elastic piece 130 presses the discharged sheet SH1 toward the discharge tray 96, and drops the sheet SH1 onto the discharge tray 96 while suppressing the sheet SH1 from curling into a cylindrical shape that is convex downward.

[0130] Furthermore, as the number of sheets SH1 supported on the discharge tray 96 increases, the downstream end 130F of the third elastic piece 130 comes into contact with the topmost sheet SH1 supported on the discharge tray 96, causing the third elastic piece 130 to rise, but the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120 press the sheet SH1 against the outer peripheral surface 48A of the roller 48 without coming into contact with the topmost sheet SH1 supported on the discharge tray 96.

[0131] As a result, the image reading device 1 can prevent the stacking order of the sheets SH1 discharged onto the discharge tray 96 from being changed and the sheets SH1 from being jammed.

[0132] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, there is nothing above the roller 48 that corresponds to the first discharge roller body and the first rotary shaft of the conventional sheet discharge device.

[0133] Therefore, the image reading device 1 of the first embodiment can be made thinner in the vertical direction and can improve the stacking ability of the sheets SH1 discharged onto the discharge tray 96 with a simple configuration.

[0134] 6 and 10, in this image reading device 1, each third elastic piece holding portion 91R3 is integrally formed on the rear surface side of the first tray member 91A of the supply tray 91. With this configuration, the upstream ends 130E of each third elastic piece 130 can be held by each third elastic piece holding portion 91R3 arranged by utilizing the empty space originally present on the rear surface side of the supply tray 91, thereby making it possible to reliably achieve a slimmer image reading device in the vertical direction.

[0135] 10, in this image reading device 1, the downstream end 110F of the first elastic piece 110 is located below the exposed portion 93E of the interlocking mechanism 93 and overlaps with the exposed portion 93E in the discharge direction D1. With this configuration, the first elastic piece 110 has a length that allows the downstream end 110F of the first elastic piece 110 to abut from below against the exposed portion 93E of the interlocking mechanism 93 when the first elastic piece 110 is pushed upward by the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G and bends upward. As a result, this image reading device 1 can prevent the sheet SH1, which is guided by the first guide surface 31G and discharged, from getting caught on the exposed portion 93E of the interlocking mechanism 93.

[0136] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, when viewed along the width direction, the angle α1 at which each third elastic piece 130 intersects with the horizontal direction is larger than the angle α2 at which the lower end edge 94E of each guide rib 94 intersects with the horizontal direction. With this configuration, the third elastic pieces 130, which are inclined downward at an angle larger than the lower end edge 94E of each guide rib 94, can reliably press the discharged sheet SH1 toward the discharge tray 96, thereby reliably preventing the sheet SH1 from curling into a downwardly convex cylindrical shape.

[0137] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, as shown in FIG. 2, when the side guides 92A and 92B sandwich and position the largest sheet SH1L in the width direction, the sheet edge support portions 92C of each side guide 92A and 92B cover from above the portion of the sheet placement surface of the supply tray 91 where each third elastic piece holding portion 91R3 is located. Because each third elastic piece holding portion 91R3 is provided on the rear surface of the first tray member 91A, as shown in FIG. 6, a depression 91D or a shrinkage due to molding is likely to occur on the sheet placement surface of the supply tray 91, and the leading edge of the sheet SH1 may become caught in the depression 91D or the like. In this regard, when the side guides 92A and 92B position the largest sheet SH1L, the above configuration prevents the leading edge of the sheet SH1 from becoming caught in the depression 91D or the like. As shown in FIG. 5, when each side guide 92A, 92B positions a sheet SH1 narrower than the largest sheet SH1L, the recesses 91D, etc. are positioned widthwise outward of each side guide 92A, 92B, so that the leading edge of the sheet SH1 does not get caught in the recesses 91D, etc.

[0138] 4, the image reading device 1 can discharge sheets SH1 of a variety of sizes, including a specific sheet SH1A whose widthwise length is a predetermined length WL1, onto the discharge tray 96. The outer widthwise edge of each second elastic piece 120 is located more inward in the widthwise direction than the widthwise edge of the specific sheet SH1A. The outer widthwise edge of each third elastic piece 130 is located more outward in the widthwise direction than the edge of the specific sheet SH1A. With this configuration, when the specific sheet SH1A curls into a downwardly convex cylindrical shape, the second elastic pieces 120 and the third elastic pieces 130 can reliably hold down the widthwise edge of the specific sheet SH1A.

[0139] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120 are each made of a resin film. The first static eliminator 141 is disposed on the contact surface 110T side of the first elastic piece 110, and each second static eliminator 142 is disposed on the contact surface 120T side of the second elastic piece 120. With this configuration, static electricity accumulated in the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120 due to contact with the sheet SH1 can be eliminated by the first static eliminator 141 and each second static eliminator 142. As a result, it is possible to prevent the discharged sheet SH1 from sticking to the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120.

[0140] 8, in the image reading device 1, the first charge eliminating member 141 and each second charge eliminating member 142 are charge eliminating brushes in which conductive fibers 141A, 142A extending in the first direction DE1 are arranged discretely in the width direction. With this configuration, friction with the sheet SH1 is less likely to concentrate on the discretely arranged conductive fibers 141A, 142A, and therefore excessive wear of the conductive fibers 141A, 142A can be suppressed.

[0141] 9, in the image reading device 1, the downstream end 110F of the first elastic piece 110 is located downstream of the downstream end 48A2 of the outer circumferential surface 48A of each roller 48 in the discharge direction D1. The downstream end 141F of the first static eliminator 141 is located within a first range A1 extending from a position coinciding with the downstream end 48A2 of the outer circumferential surface 48A of each roller 48 to a position coinciding with the downstream end 110F of the first elastic piece 110 in the discharge direction D1. When removing a jammed sheet SH1 around the discharge roller 47, the user is likely to touch the first elastic piece 110. If the downstream end 141F of the first static eliminator 141 protrudes downstream from the downstream end 110F of the first elastic piece 110 in the discharge direction D1, the user may pull the jammed sheet SH1 and the downstream end 141F of the first static eliminator 141. In this regard, the above configuration can prevent pulling of the downstream end 141F of the first static elimination member 141. Furthermore, since the downstream end 141F of the first static elimination member 141 is located downstream of the range in which the first static elimination member 141 is likely to come into contact with the sheet SH1, static electricity accumulated in the first elastic piece 110 can be eliminated by the first static elimination member 141 with high reliability.

[0142] 10, in the image reading device 1, the downstream end 120F of each second elastic piece 120 is located downstream of the upper end 48A1 of the outer circumferential surface 48A of each roller 48 in the discharge direction D1, and is located upstream of the downstream end 110F of the first elastic piece 110 in the discharge direction D1. The downstream end 142F of each second static eliminator 142 is located within a second range A2 extending from a position coinciding with the upper end 48A1 of the outer circumferential surface 48A of each roller 48 to a position coinciding with the downstream end 120F of each second elastic piece 120 in the discharge direction D1. When removing a sheet SH1 jammed around the discharge roller 47, the user can easily touch each second elastic piece 120. If the downstream end 142F of each second static elimination member 142 protrudes downstream in the discharge direction D1 from the downstream end 120F of each second elastic piece 120, there is a risk that a user will pull the downstream end 142F of each second static elimination member 142 together with the jammed sheet SH1. In this regard, the above configuration makes it possible to prevent the downstream end 142F of each second static elimination member 142 from being pulled. Furthermore, because the downstream end 142F of each second static elimination member 142 is located downstream of the range in which each second static elimination member 142 is likely to come into contact with the sheet SH1, static electricity accumulated in each second elastic piece 120 can be removed with high reliability by each second static elimination member 142.

[0143] 9 and 10, in this image reading device 1, the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120 cross the discharge path P1 without contacting the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G. With this configuration, the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120 deform the sheet SH1 discharged by the discharge roller 47 into a corrugated shape when viewed along the discharge direction D1, thereby increasing the rigidity of the sheet SH1, and can reliably press the sheet SH1 against the outer circumferential surface 48A of each roller 48. As a result, the conveying force of each roller 48 can be transmitted to the sheet SH1 with high reliability.

[0144] 9 and 10, in the image reading device 1, an upstream end 110E of the first elastic piece 110 is attached to the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1. An upstream end 120E of each second elastic piece 120 is attached to each second elastic piece holding portion 32R2. The first static eliminator holding portion 32S1 is located downstream of the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 in the first direction DE1 and one step lower than the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1. An upstream end 141E of the first static eliminator 141 is attached to the first static eliminator holding portion 32S1. Each second static eliminator holding portion 32S2 is located downstream of the corresponding second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 in the first direction DE1 and one step lower than the corresponding second elastic piece holding portion 32R2. The upstream end 142E of each second static elimination member 142 is attached to each second static elimination member holding portion 32S2. If the upstream end 141E of the first static elimination member 141 is attached to the upper sheet guide 32 and then the upstream end 110E of the first elastic piece 110 is attached thereon, the upstream end 110E of the first elastic piece 110 is likely to peel off due to the unevenness of the conductive fibers 141A of the first static elimination member 141. Also, if the upstream end 142E of each second static elimination member 142 is attached to the upper sheet guide 32 and then the upstream end 120E of each second elastic piece 120 is attached thereon, the upstream end 120E of each second elastic piece 120 is likely to peel off due to the unevenness of the conductive fibers 142A of the second static elimination member 142. In this regard, the above-described configuration can prevent the upstream ends 110E, 120E of the first elastic piece 110 and the second elastic pieces 120 from peeling off.

[0145] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, as shown in Fig. 8, the earth connection member 145 is connected to the upstream end 141E of the first static elimination member 141 and the upstream end 142E of each second static elimination member 142. One widthwise end 145A of the earth connection member 145 is connected to the conductivity confirmation conductive fiber 143. As shown in Fig. 7, the conductive drive frame 99 is connected to the other widthwise end 145B of the earth connection member 145. With this configuration, the grounding state of the first static elimination member 141 and each second static elimination member 142 can be confirmed by measuring the potential of the conductivity confirmation conductive fiber 143.

[0146] 9 and 10, in this image reading device 1, the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120 intersect with the paddle 48P and each roller 48 when viewed along the width direction without contacting the sheet SH1 guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G. With this configuration, the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120 deform the sheet SH1 discharged by the discharge roller 47 into a wave shape when viewed along the discharge direction D1, thereby increasing the rigidity of the sheet SH1, and can reliably press the sheet SH1 against the outer circumferential surfaces 48A of the rollers 48 and the paddle 48P. As a result, the conveying force of each roller 48 can be transmitted to the sheet SH1 with high reliability.

[0147] Example 2 As shown in FIG. 12, an image forming apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment is an example of a specific aspect of the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention.

[0148] In the image forming apparatus 2, the image forming unit 5 is located in the center of the housing 208. Sheets SH1 are stored in a stacked state at the bottom of the housing 208. A discharge tray 296 is formed on the top surface of the housing 208.

[0149] A feed roller 241, a separation roller 242, a separation pad 242A, and a pair of conveying rollers 243 are located on the lower side of a side wall 209W inside the housing 208. A fixing unit 207 and a discharge guide 207G are located on the upper side of the side wall 209W inside the housing 208.

[0150] The feed roller 241, separation roller 242, and separation pad 242A feed the sheets SH1 one by one. The conveying roller pair 243 conveys the sheets SH1 upward. The image forming unit 5 transfers a toner image onto the sheets SH1 by a laser method.

[0151] The fixing device 207 applies heat and pressure to the sheet SH1 onto which the toner image has been transferred, thereby fixing the toner image to the sheet SH1. The discharge guide 207G guides the sheet SH1 that has passed through the fixing device 207 in the discharge direction D1.

[0152] In this embodiment, the discharge direction D1 is a direction proceeding approximately horizontally toward the discharge tray 296. The discharge tray 296 is located lower than the fixing unit 207 and the discharge guide 207G. In Figure 12, the width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction D1 is a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

[0153] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the discharge roller 47, the first elastic piece 100, two second elastic pieces 120, and two third elastic pieces 130 are located downstream of the discharge guide 207G in the discharge direction D1 within the housing 208.

[0154] The configurations of the discharge roller 47, the first elastic piece 100, the two second elastic pieces 120, and the two third elastic pieces 130 are the same as those in the first embodiment, except for the installed device and the holding configuration. For example, the first elastic piece 100 and each second elastic piece 120 are held by a discharge guide 207G. Each third elastic piece 130 is held on the back side of the upper wall of the housing 208. Therefore, a description of the specific configurations of the discharge roller 47, the first elastic piece 100, each second elastic piece 120, and each third elastic piece 130 will be omitted.

[0155] In the image forming device 2 of Example 2 having such a configuration, the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120 deform the sheet SH1 discharged by the discharge roller 47 into a wavy shape when viewed along the discharge direction D1, thereby increasing the rigidity of the sheet SH1, and press the sheet SH1 against the outer surface 48A of the roller 48.

[0156] As a result, the discharge roller 47, the first elastic pieces 110, and the second elastic pieces 120 can discharge the sheet SH1 with high reliability, and can stabilize the posture of the sheet SH1 when it is discharged.

[0157] Then, each third elastic piece 130 presses the discharged sheet SH1 toward the discharge tray 296, and drops the sheet SH1 onto the discharge tray 296 while preventing the sheet SH1 from curling into a downwardly convex cylindrical shape.

[0158] Furthermore, as the number of sheets SH1 supported on the discharge tray 296 increases, the downstream end 130F of the third elastic piece 130 comes into contact with the topmost sheet SH1 supported on the discharge tray 296, causing the third elastic piece 130 to rise, but the first elastic piece 110 and each second elastic piece 120 press the sheet SH1 against the outer peripheral surface 48A of the roller 48 without coming into contact with the topmost sheet SH1 supported on the discharge tray 296.

[0159] As a result, the image forming apparatus 2 can prevent the stacking order of the sheets SH1 discharged onto the discharge tray 296 from being changed and the sheets SH1 from being jammed.

[0160] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 2, there is nothing above the roller 48 that corresponds to the first discharge roller body and the first rotary shaft of the conventional sheet discharge device.

[0161] Therefore, like the image reading device 1 of the first embodiment, the image forming device 2 of the second embodiment can achieve a slimmer vertical size and improved stacking capacity for the sheet SH1 discharged onto the discharge tray 296 with a simple configuration.

[0162] The present invention has been described above in accordance with Examples 1 and 2, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above Examples 1 and 2, and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0163] In the first embodiment, the first direction DE1 intersects the discharge direction D1 at a small angle when viewed along the width direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the first direction is parallel to the discharge direction when viewed along the width direction.

[0164] In the first embodiment, the first elastic piece 110 is attached to the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1, and each second elastic piece 120 is attached to each second elastic piece holding portion 32R2, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the first elastic piece holding portion sandwiches the first elastic piece, and a configuration in which each second elastic piece holding portion sandwiches each second elastic piece.

[0165] In the first embodiment, the first static elimination member 141 is attached to the first static elimination member holding portion 32S1, and each second static elimination member 142 is attached to each second static elimination member holding portion 32S2, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the configuration in which the first static elimination member is attached to the first elastic piece and each second static elimination member is attached to each second elastic piece are also included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0166] 1...sheet conveying device (1...image reading device, 2...image forming device) SH1...Sheet, 31G...First guide surface, 31...Lower sheet guide 96, 296...Discharge tray, D1...Discharge direction 48...roller, 49...shaft, 47...discharge roller 110...first elastic piece, DE1...first direction 120...second elastic piece, DE2...second direction 130...Third elastic piece, 110T, 120T...Contact surface 48A... outer peripheral surface of the roller, 48A1... upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the roller 110F...downstream end of the first elastic piece in the first direction 120F...downstream end of the second elastic piece in the first direction 130F...downstream end of the third elastic piece in the second direction 130E...Upstream end of the third elastic piece in the second direction 91...supply tray, 91R3...third elastic piece holding portion 92A, 92B...Side guide, 93...Interlocking mechanism 93E... exposed portion, 94... guide rib, 94E... lower edge of guide rib α1...the angle at which each third elastic piece intersects with the horizontal direction α2: The angle at which the lower edge of the guide rib intersects with the horizontal SH1L: Maximum sheet, 92C: Sheet edge support WL1...predetermined length, SH1A...specific sheet 141...first charge eliminating member, 142...second charge eliminating member 141A, 142A...Conductive fiber 48A2...downstream end of the outer circumferential surface of the roller in the discharge direction 141F...downstream end of the first charge eliminating member in the first direction 142F...downstream end of the second static eliminator in the first direction A1...first range, A2...second range 32G...Second guide surface, 32...Upper sheet guide, P1...Discharge path 110E...Upstream end of the first elastic piece in the first direction 120E...Upstream end of the second elastic piece in the first direction 32R1...first elastic piece holding portion, 32R2...second elastic piece holding portion 141E...Upstream end of the first charge eliminating member in the first direction 142E...Upstream end of second static eliminating member in the first direction 32S1...first static elimination member holding portion, 32S2...second static elimination member holding portion M1: Drive motor; 99: Drive frame; 145: Ground connection member 145A...One end in the width direction of the earth connection member 145B...The other end in the width direction of the earth connection member 143...Conductive fiber for checking continuity, 48P...Paddle

Claims

1. a lower sheet guide having a first guide surface that guides a downward facing surface of the sheet; a discharge tray that supports the sheet that is guided by the first guide surface and discharged; a discharge roller including two rollers that convey a sheet guided by the first guide surface in a discharge direction and a shaft that extends in a width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction, the rollers being spaced apart from each other in the width direction and rotating integrally with the shaft, and a portion of each roller protruding above the first guide surface; a first elastic piece located between the rollers in the width direction and located above the shaft at the position of the shaft, the first elastic piece protruding in a first direction perpendicular to the width direction and along the discharge direction; a plurality of second elastic pieces positioned so as to sandwich each of the rollers in the width direction and positioned above the shaft at a position of the shaft, each of the second elastic pieces protruding in the first direction; a plurality of third elastic pieces positioned so as to sandwich the rollers in the width direction, positioned downstream of the second elastic pieces in the discharge direction, and protruding from positions above the first elastic pieces and the second elastic pieces in a second direction perpendicular to the width direction and inclined downward while proceeding in the discharge direction; Equipped with downward surfaces of the first elastic piece and the second elastic pieces are contact surfaces that can come into contact with a sheet guided by the first guide surface, a portion of each of the contact surfaces located directly above the shaft is located below an upper end of an outer circumferential surface of each of the rollers when not in contact with the sheet guided by the first guide surface; A sheet conveying device characterized in that the downstream end of each of the third elastic pieces in the second direction is located below the downstream end of the first elastic piece in the first direction and the downstream end of each of the second elastic pieces in the first direction, and downstream in the discharge direction.

2. a supply tray located above the discharge tray and on which sheets are placed, 2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1, wherein the supply tray has a plurality of third elastic piece holding portions provided on the rear side of the supply tray and holding upstream ends of the third elastic pieces in the second direction.

3. the supply tray includes two side guides that sandwich and position sheets placed on the supply tray in the width direction, and an interlocking mechanism that moves the side guides closer to and apart from each other in the width direction, the interlocking mechanism having an exposed portion that is exposed on the back surface side; 3. The sheet transport device according to claim 2, wherein the downstream end of the first elastic piece is located below the exposed portion of the interlocking mechanism and overlaps with the exposed portion in the discharge direction.

4. the supply tray has a guide rib provided on the rear surface side, protruding downward, and extending in the discharge direction, the guide rib guiding the discharged sheet from above with a lower edge that slopes downward while the discharged sheet advances in the discharge direction, 3. The sheet transport device according to claim 2, wherein an angle at which each of the third elastic pieces intersects with the horizontal direction when viewed along the width direction is larger than an angle at which the lower end edge of each of the guide ribs intersects with the horizontal direction.

5. Sheets of a plurality of sizes including a maximum sheet having a maximum length in the width direction can be placed on the supply tray, the supply tray has two side guides that sandwich and position the sheets placed on the supply tray in the width direction, and an interlocking mechanism that moves the side guides closer to and apart from each other in the width direction, Each of the side guides has a sheet edge support portion that supports, from below, an edge in the width direction of a sheet placed on the supply tray, A sheet conveying device as described in claim 2, wherein when each side guide clamps and positions the largest sheet in the width direction, the sheet edge support portion of each side guide covers from above the portion where each third elastic piece holding portion is located on the sheet loading surface of the supply tray.

6. sheets of a plurality of sizes including a specific sheet having a predetermined length in the width direction can be discharged onto the discharge tray, an outer edge of each of the second elastic pieces in the width direction is located inside in the width direction of an edge of the specific sheet in the width direction; 6. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge in the width direction of each of the third elastic pieces is positioned outward in the width direction from the edge of the specific sheet.

7. the first elastic piece and each of the second elastic pieces are made of a resin film, a first static elimination member disposed on the contact surface side of the first elastic piece; a plurality of second static eliminating members arranged on the contact surface side of each of the second elastic pieces; 6. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. 8. The sheet conveying device according to claim 7, wherein the first charge-removing member and each of the second charge-removing members are charge-removing brushes in which conductive fibers extending in the first direction are discretely arranged in the width direction.

9. the downstream end of the first elastic piece is located downstream in the discharge direction of the downstream end of the outer circumferential surface of each of the rollers in the discharge direction, A sheet conveying device as described in claim 8, wherein the downstream end of the first de-ionization member in the first direction is within a first range in the discharge direction from a position that coincides with the downstream end of the outer peripheral surface of each of the rollers to a position that coincides with the downstream end of the first elastic piece.

10. the downstream end of each of the second elastic pieces is located downstream of the upper end of the outer circumferential surface of each of the rollers in the discharge direction, and is located upstream of the downstream end of the first elastic piece in the discharge direction, A sheet conveying device as described in claim 9, wherein the downstream end of each of the second de-ionizing members in the first direction is within a second range in the discharge direction from a position that coincides with the upper end of the outer circumferential surface of each of the rollers to a position that coincides with the downstream end of each of the second elastic pieces.

11. an upper sheet guide having a second guide surface that faces the first guide surface from above and guides an upwardly facing surface of the sheet; a discharge path is provided between the first guide surface and the second guide surface; the upper sheet guide has a first elastic piece holding portion that extends in the width direction and the first direction and holds an upstream end of the first elastic piece in the first direction, and a plurality of second elastic piece holding portions that extend in the width direction and the first direction and hold an upstream end of each of the second elastic pieces in the first direction, 9. The sheet transport device according to claim 8, wherein the first elastic piece and each of the second elastic pieces intersect with the discharge path without contacting the sheet guided by the first guide surface.

12. the upstream end of the first elastic piece is attached to the first elastic piece holding portion, The upstream ends of the second elastic pieces are attached to the second elastic piece holding portions, The upper sheet guide has a first de-ionization member holding portion located downstream of the first elastic piece holding portion in the first direction and one step lower than the first elastic piece holding portion, extending in the width direction and the first direction and to which the upstream end of the first de-ionization member in the first direction is attached, and a plurality of second de-ionization member holding portions located downstream of each of the second elastic piece holding portions in the first direction and one step lower than each of the second elastic piece holding portions, extending in the width direction and the first direction and to which the upstream end of each of the second de-ionization members in the first direction is attached.

13. an earth connection member extending in the width direction and connected to an upstream end of the first static eliminating member in the first direction and to an upstream end of each of the second static eliminating members in the first direction; a drive motor that generates a drive force that is transmitted to the shaft; a conductive drive frame supporting the drive motor; Equipped with one end of the earth connection member in the width direction is connected to a conductive fiber for checking conductivity that extends in the first direction at a position spaced apart from the first elastic piece and each of the second elastic pieces in the width direction, 9. The sheet transport device according to claim 8, wherein the drive frame is located on the other side of the first guide surface in the width direction and is connected to the other end of the ground connection member in the width direction.

14. The discharge rollers each have a paddle made up of a plurality of protrusions that protrude radially outward from a peripheral edge in the width direction of the outer circumferential surface of the roller and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the shaft, A sheet conveying device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first elastic piece and each of the second elastic pieces intersect with the paddle and each of the rollers when viewed along the width direction while not in contact with the sheet guided by the first guide surface.

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