Media transport device, media placement device, media processing device

Abstract

After attaching the conveying force-applying unit to the holding unit, it is necessary to hold both the conveying force-applying unit and the fixing member with one hand while screwing them in with the other, making it difficult to replace the conveying force-applying unit. [Solution] The media transport device comprises a rotating shaft and a paddle section detachably attached to the rotating shaft for transporting media. The paddle section has a blade section with a contact portion that contacts the media, a main body section that holds the blade section, and a lid section that can be opened and closed relative to the main body section. The case section is attached to the rotating shaft when the main body section and the lid section engage and the lid section is closed. The main body section is provided with an insertion hole through which the contact portion is inserted in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium conveying device for conveying a medium. The present invention also relates to a medium placing device for placing a medium. The present invention also relates to a medium processing device for processing a medium.

Background Art

[0002] Processing devices for performing staple processing, punching processing, etc. on a medium such as a sheet have been conventionally known, and an example thereof is shown in Patent Document 1. The processing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a processing tray on which a medium to be post-processed is loaded, an aligning unit that aligns one end of the medium loaded on the processing tray, and a rotating unit that applies a conveying force to the medium toward the aligning unit. The rotating unit includes a rotating shaft, a holding unit provided on the rotating shaft, a conveying force applying unit provided on the holding unit, and fixing means for fixing the conveying force applying unit to the rotating shaft. The conveying force applying unit integrally includes a base portion and a plurality of contact portions that project in a direction including the radial direction from the base portion. The contact portions contact the medium with elastic deformation and apply a conveying force to the medium.

[0003] An opening is formed in the base portion of the conveying force applying unit. By expanding the opening, the base portion can be attached to the holding unit in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and can also be removed. That is, when replacing the conveying force applying unit, the conveying force applying unit is attached and detached to and from the holding unit. After attaching the conveying force applying unit to the holding unit, the conveying force applying unit is fixed to the holding unit using a fixing member. The fixing member is fixed to the rotating shaft by a screw.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a media transport device comprising a rotating shaft and a paddle portion detachably attached to the rotating shaft for transporting a medium, wherein the paddle portion comprises a blade portion having a contact portion for contacting the medium, a main body portion for holding the blade portion, and a lid portion that can be opened and closed relative to the main body portion, and the case portion which is attached to the rotating shaft when the main body portion and the lid portion engage and the lid portion is closed, and the main body portion is provided with an insertion hole through which the contact portion is inserted in an intersecting direction that intersects with the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

[0007] Furthermore, the media placement device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a placement section for placing a medium; an alignment section for aligning the first edge of the medium placed on the placement section; and a media transport device for transporting the medium toward the alignment section from the placement section.

[0008] Furthermore, the media processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising the above-mentioned media placement device and a processing unit that performs processing on the media placed on the placement device described above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Front view of the recording system. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the internal configuration of a media processing device, in which the discharge driven roller is retracted from the discharge drive roller. [Figure 3]A diagram showing the internal structure of a media processing device, depicting a state where a media can be nipped between a discharge driven roller and a discharge driving roller. [Figure 4] A view of the media processing device seen from the discharge direction, showing the operational transition of a low-friction sheet material. [Figure 5] Perspective view of a side cursor. [Figure 6] Exploded perspective view of a low-friction sheet material and an attachment part. [Figure 7] Perspective view showing the attachment and detachment of a low-friction sheet material to and from a side cursor. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view of a side cursor. [Figure 9] Enlarged view of part A in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view of a side cursor. [Figure 11] Enlarged view of part B in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] Perspective view of an attachment part and a low-friction sheet material according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] Exploded perspective view of an attachment part and a low-friction sheet material according to another embodiment. [Figure 14] Cross-sectional view of an attachment part and a low-friction sheet material according to another embodiment. [Figure 15] Cross-sectional view of an attachment part and a low-friction sheet material according to another embodiment. [Figure 16] Perspective view of a rotating shaft and a second paddle part. [Figure 17] Perspective view of a rotating shaft. [Figure 18] Perspective view of a rotating shaft and a second paddle part, showing a state during the attachment of the second paddle part to the rotating shaft. [Figure 19] Perspective view of a second paddle part. [Figure 20] Perspective view of a second paddle part with the lid open. [Figure 21] Perspective view of a second paddle part with the lid open. [Figure 22] Perspective view of a case part with the lid open. [Figure 23] Perspective view of a blade part. [Figure 24]Cross-sectional view of the second paddle part and the rotating shaft cut along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. [Figure 25] Cross-sectional view of the second paddle part with the lid open, cut along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. [Figure 26] Cross-sectional view of the second paddle part and the rotating shaft cut along a plane parallel to the axial direction. [Figure 27] Cross-sectional view of the second paddle part showing another embodiment, cut along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. [Figure 28] Cross-sectional view of the second paddle part showing another embodiment, cut along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. [Figure 29] View showing the second paddle part according to another embodiment, which is a cross-sectional view of the second paddle part and the rotating shaft cut along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. [Figure 30] View showing the second paddle part according to another embodiment, which shows a state where a contact member is inserted into the case part in a wrong direction. [Figure 31] Perspective view of the contact member.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the present invention will be schematically described. The medium conveyance device according to the first aspect includes a rotating shaft that rotates, and a paddle part that is detachably attached to the rotating shaft and conveys a medium. The paddle part includes a blade part having a contact part that contacts the medium, a main body part that holds the blade part, and a lid part that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body part. The main body part and the lid part are engaged so that the lid part closes, and the case part is attached to the rotating shaft. The main body part is provided with an insertion hole through which the contact part is inserted in an intersecting direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

[0011] According to this aspect, after attaching the blade part to the case part, the case part is configured to be attached to the rotating shaft when the main body part and the lid part are engaged and the lid part closes. Therefore, tools are not required for the mounting operation of the paddle part, and the replacement operation of the paddle part becomes easy. Furthermore, since the main body is provided with an insertion hole through which the contact portion is inserted in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotation axis, it is possible to prevent the contact portion from coming out in the axial direction.

[0012] The second embodiment is an embodiment dependent on the first embodiment, characterized in that the blade portion is held between the rotating shaft and the case portion when the lid portion closes to the main body portion.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the blade portion is held in place by being sandwiched between the rotating shaft and the case portion when the lid portion is closed relative to the main body portion, thereby preventing the blade portion from falling out of the case portion.

[0014] A third embodiment is an embodiment dependent on the first embodiment, characterized in that the lid portion has an engaging portion that engages with the main body portion, and the wing portion is held between the engaging portion and the rotating shaft when the lid portion is closed relative to the main body portion.

[0015] According to this embodiment, the blade portion is held in place by being sandwiched between the engaging portion and the rotating shaft when the lid portion is closed relative to the main body portion, thereby preventing the blade portion from falling out of the case portion.

[0016] A fourth aspect is an aspect dependent on the second aspect, characterized in that the blade portion has a clamping portion that clamps the rotating shaft. According to this embodiment, since the blade portion has a clamping portion that clamps the rotating shaft, misalignment of the blade portion with respect to the rotating shaft can be suppressed. In addition, when the lid portion is temporarily fixed before closing, the paddle portion is less likely to fall off the rotating shaft, improving the ease of attachment and detachment. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the second embodiment described above, but may also be dependent on the third embodiment described above.

[0017] A fifth aspect is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, characterized in that, with the direction moving outward from the center of the rotation axis in the intersecting direction being the first direction, the main body has a restricting portion that restricts the displacement of the contact portion in the first direction.

[0018] According to this embodiment, since the main body has a restricting portion that restricts the displacement of the blade portion in the first direction, it is possible to prevent the contact portion from coming out of the main body in the first direction. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but may be dependent on any of the second to fourth embodiments described above.

[0019] A sixth embodiment is characterized in that the wing portion has a plurality of contact portions and a base end portion connecting the plurality of contact portions, a plurality of through holes are provided corresponding to the plurality of contact portions, and the base end portion is held by the main body portion.

[0020] According to this embodiment, the insertion holes are provided in multiple locations corresponding to the multiple contact portions, and the base end is held by the main body, so that the wing portion is held more securely with respect to the case portion. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but may be dependent on any of the second to fifth embodiments described above.

[0021] A seventh aspect is an aspect dependent on the sixth aspect, characterized in that if the contact portion is inserted into the through hole in the wrong orientation, the wing portion interferes with the engagement between the lid portion and the main body portion. According to this embodiment, if the contact portion is inserted into the insertion hole in the wrong orientation, the wing portion will interfere with the engagement between the lid portion and the main body portion, thus preventing the contact portion from being inserted into the insertion hole in the wrong orientation during assembly.

[0022] The eighth aspect is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, characterized in that the wing portion has a plurality of contact portions, and each of the plurality of contact portions is configured as an independent member.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the blade portion has a plurality of contact portions, and each of the plurality of contact portions is configured as an independent member, which facilitates the insertion of the contact portion into the insertion hole. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but may be dependent on any of the second to seventh embodiments described above.

[0024] The ninth aspect is an aspect dependent on the eighth aspect, characterized in that the contact portion has a base end that is held by the main body, and the base end has a protruding portion that, when held by the main body, is sandwiched between another adjacent base end and the rotation axis.

[0025] According to this embodiment, the contact portion has a base end that is held by the main body, and the base end has a protruding portion that is sandwiched between another adjacent base end and the rotation axis when held by the main body, so that the contact portion is held more securely by the main body.

[0026] The tenth aspect is an aspect dependent on the ninth aspect, characterized in that the protruding portion protrudes in such a way as to block the insertion hole into which other adjacent contact portions enter. According to this embodiment, since the protruding portion protrudes in such a way that it blocks the insertion hole into which the other adjacent contact portion enters, it is possible to prevent the incorrect insertion order of the contact portion into the insertion hole.

[0027] The eleventh aspect is an aspect dependent on the eighth aspect, characterized in that if the contact portion is inserted into the through hole in the wrong orientation, the contact portion interferes with the engagement between the lid portion and the main body portion.

[0028] According to this embodiment, if the contact portion is inserted into the insertion hole in the wrong orientation, the contact portion will interfere with the engagement between the lid portion and the main body portion, thus preventing the contact portion from being inserted into the insertion hole in the wrong orientation during assembly. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the eighth embodiment described above, but may also be dependent on the ninth or tenth embodiment described above.

[0029] A twelfth aspect is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, characterized in that the lid is in contact with the rotating shaft and receives torque from the rotating shaft, and the torque applied to the main body by the reaction force received by the contact portion from the medium and the torque received by the lid from the rotating shaft act to strengthen the engagement between the main body and the lid.

[0030] According to this embodiment, the torque applied to the main body by the reaction force received by the contact portion from the medium and the torque received by the lid portion from the rotating shaft act to strengthen the engagement between the main body portion and the lid portion, thereby preventing the case portion from falling off the rotating shaft. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but may be dependent on any of the second to eleventh embodiments described above.

[0031] A thirteenth aspect is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, characterized in that the rotating shaft has a positioning part that determines the position of the case portion in the axial direction. According to this embodiment, since the rotating shaft has a positioning part that determines the position of the case part in the axial direction, the positioning work of the case part with respect to the rotating shaft becomes unnecessary, and the assembly work becomes easier. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but may be dependent on any of the second to twelfth embodiments described above.

[0032] A media placement device according to the 14th embodiment is characterized by comprising: a placement section for placing a medium; an alignment section for aligning the first edge of the medium placed on the placement section; and a media transport device according to any of the 1st to 13th embodiments for transporting the medium from the placement section toward the alignment section. According to this embodiment, the media placement device can obtain any of the effects of the first to thirteen embodiments described above.

[0033] The 15th aspect is an aspect dependent on the 14th aspect, further comprising: a low-friction sheet material that can switch between an extended state in which it extends from outside the media mounting area of ​​the mounting portion described above into the media mounting area, and a retracted state in which it retracts outside the media mounting area after elastic deformation; and a mounting shaft that extends in a direction intersecting the first side, to which the low-friction sheet material is attached, wherein the low-friction sheet material is attached to the mounting shaft via a mounting portion, the mounting portion is elastically deformable and has an opening for fitting onto the mounting shaft, and the mounting shaft has a fitting portion into which the mounting portion is fitted.

[0034] According to this embodiment, the low-friction sheet material is attached to the mounting shaft via a mounting portion, the mounting portion is elastically deformable and has an opening for fitting onto the mounting shaft, and the mounting shaft has a fitting portion into which the mounting portion fits. As a result, no tools are required when attaching or detaching the mounting portion, and the replacement of the low-friction sheet material becomes easier.

[0035] The sixteenth aspect is an aspect dependent on the fifteenth aspect, characterized in that the mounting portion deforms in such a way that the curvature of the bending of the low-friction sheet material is reduced by the force received from the low-friction sheet material in accordance with the elastic deformation of the low-friction sheet material.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the mounting portion deforms in such a way as the low friction sheet material undergoes elastic deformation that the curvature of the low friction sheet material is reduced by the force received from the low friction sheet material. This prevents excessive force from being applied to the low friction sheet material and reduces damage to the low friction sheet material. Furthermore, it reduces the load on the motor that rotates the mounting shaft.

[0037] The media processing device according to the 17th embodiment is characterized by comprising a media placement device according to the 14th embodiment and a processing unit that performs processing on the media placed on the placement device described above. According to this embodiment, the effects and advantages of the 14th embodiment described above can be obtained in the media processing apparatus. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the 14th embodiment described above, but may also be dependent on the 15th or 16th embodiment described above.

[0038] The present invention will be described in detail below. In each figure, the X-axis direction represents the depth direction of each device constituting the recording system 1. Within the X-axis direction, the +X direction, indicated by the arrow, is from the back of the device to the front, and the -X direction is from the front of the device to the back. Furthermore, the X-axis direction is an example of the width direction of the media. The Y-axis direction is the width direction of each device that makes up the recording system 1. Of the Y-axis directions, the +Y direction, where the arrow points, is to the left when viewed from the perspective of a user facing the front of the device, and the -Y direction is to the right. The Z-axis direction is the height direction of each device constituting the recording system 1, and is vertical. The +Z direction, indicated by the arrow, is vertically upward, and the -Z direction is vertically downward. In the following explanation, the +Z direction may simply be referred to as upward, and the -Z direction as downward.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the recording system 1 comprises a recording device 10 and a media processing device 30. The recording device 10 according to this embodiment is an inkjet printer that records by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as recording paper, and is equipped with a line head 18, which is an example of a recording unit. The recording device 10 is also a so-called multifunction device equipped with a scanner unit 12 on the top of the device.

[0040] The recording device 10 comprises a main body 14, a media storage section 16 for housing media, a media transport section (not shown) for transporting media, a line head 18 for recording on media, an internal discharge section 22 for discharging media, and a relay unit 24 for transporting media to the media processing device 30. Inside the main body 14, a transport path TA is provided through which media are transported.

[0041] The line head 18 has a plurality of ink ejection nozzles (not shown) arranged to cover the entire X-axis area of ​​the medium. The line head 18 records onto the medium by ejecting ink supplied from an ink tank (not shown) from the plurality of ink ejection nozzles toward the medium.

[0042] The recording medium from the recording device 10 is sent to the media processing device 30 via the relay unit 24. The media processing device 30 comprises a device body 32, a processing tray 42 and a stapler 34 provided inside the device body 32, and a main tray 33 provided outside the device body 32. The processing tray 42 is an example of a placement section for placing media, and the stapler 34 is an example of a processing unit that processes the media placed on the processing tray 42. The medium, transferred from the relay unit 24 to the main unit 32, is transported along the transport path TB inside the main unit 32 and sent to the processing tray 42.

[0043] Furthermore, the media processing device 30 can also be referred to as a media transport device 26 from the perspective of transporting the media. The media transport device 26 is a device that includes at least the second paddle section 60, which will be described later. The media processing device 30 can also be referred to as a media placement device 28 from the perspective of placing the media on the processing tray 42. The media placement device 28 is, as an example, a device that includes at least the processing tray 42, the rear end alignment section 39, which will be described later, and the second paddle section 60.

[0044] The configuration of the media processing apparatus 30 will be further described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Hereinafter, a medium will be denoted by the symbol P and referred to as medium P. A bundle of multiple mediums P will be denoted by the symbol Pt and referred to as a medium bundle Pt. In Figures 2 and 3, the A-axis direction is along the support surface 42a of the processing tray 42, the -A direction is the direction in which the medium P on the processing tray 42 is pulled back toward the rear end alignment section 39, and the +A direction is the direction in which the medium P is discharged from the processing tray 42. In this embodiment, the A-axis direction includes the Z-axis and Y-axis components. The B-axis direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the A-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction. The B-axis direction is perpendicular to the support surface 42a of the processing tray 42.

[0045] The guide member 35 forms part of the transport path TB described above and extends toward the processing tray 42. The medium P transported along the guide member 35 in the -Y direction is fed toward the processing tray 42 by a feed roller 46 driven by a motor (not shown) and a nip roller 47 that nips the medium P between the feed roller 46 and the feed roller 46.

[0046] The medium P fed into the processing tray 42 is subjected to a transport force toward the rear end alignment section 39 by the first paddle section 48 and the second paddle section 60, and is pulled back in the -A direction. The first paddle section 48 has multiple contact portions 48a made of an elastic material such as rubber along the direction of rotation, and the contact portions 48a are rotatably mounted around a rotation axis 49 extending in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, three contact portions 48a are provided, but this is not limited to this. The first paddle section 48 is driven in the clockwise direction in Figure 2 by a motor (not shown), thereby applying a feeding force in the -A direction to the medium P fed into the processing tray 42. The second paddle section 60 will be explained in more detail later.

[0047] A rear end alignment section 39 is provided in the -A direction relative to the processing tray 42. The rear end alignment section 39 has an alignment surface 39a parallel to the B axis direction, and the rear end Pe of the medium P on the processing tray 42 is aligned when it abuts against the alignment surface 39a. The rear end Pe is an example of the first side of the medium P, and is a side that extends in the X axis direction.

[0048] A first guide 55 and a second guide 56 are provided on the upper part of the processing tray 42. The first guide 55 and the second guide 56 guide the rear end Pe of the medium P, which is pulled back in the -A direction by the second paddle portion 60, toward the rear end alignment portion 39. This allows the rear end Pe of the medium P to properly abut against the rear end alignment portion 39. The first guide 55 is formed of a metal plate material as an example, and the second guide 56 is formed of a flexible sheet material as an example.

[0049] The side cursors 52, which serve as width-direction alignment units, are provided to be movable in the X-axis direction, i.e., in the media width direction, by a drive source (not shown), and align the edges of the media P supported by the processing tray 42 by contacting them in the width direction. The side cursors 52 are spaced apart along the X-axis direction (see Figure 4), and two side cursors 52 are provided so as to be close to or far apart from each other. Figure 2 shows the side cursor 52 provided in the -X direction. Side cursor 52 will be explained in more detail later.

[0050] The flap 37 is positioned alongside the rear end alignment portion 39 along the X-axis direction and is pivotable around a shaft portion 37a extending in the X-axis direction. The flap 37 presses the media bundle Pt on the processing tray 42 downwards in the vicinity of the rear end alignment portion 39.

[0051] A pressing member 36 is provided above the processing tray 42. The pressing member 36 is pivotably mounted around a shaft portion 36a extending in the X-axis direction. The pressing member 36 is rotatably mounted by a motor (not shown), and by rotating, it knocks down the medium P being fed toward the processing tray 42 by the feed roller 46 toward the processing tray 42. This guides the -A direction end of the medium P being fed toward the processing tray 42 to the rear end alignment portion 39 appropriately.

[0052] A discharge drive roller 38, driven by a motor (not shown), is provided in the +A direction relative to the processing tray 42. A discharge driven roller 40 is also provided above the discharge drive roller 38. The media bundle Pt, which has been stapled by the stapler 34, is nipped by the discharge drive roller 38 and the discharge driven roller 40 and fed towards the lower support tray 54.

[0053] The discharge driven roller 40 can switch between a state in which it advances toward the discharge drive roller 38 and comes into contact with the medium P or medium bundle Pt, as shown in Figure 3, that is, a state in which it can nip the medium P or medium bundle Pt between itself and the discharge drive roller 38, and a state in which it moves away from the medium P or medium bundle Pt, as shown in Figure 2.

[0054] The discharge driven roller 40 is provided on the movable unit 43 together with the pressing member 36. The movable unit 43 is rotatably mounted around the rotation axis 46a of the feed roller 46. The movable unit 43 rotates under the control of a control unit (not shown) and powered by a motor (not shown). As the movable unit 43 rotates, the discharge driven roller 40 moves forward and backward relative to the discharge drive roller 38. Furthermore, the movable unit 43 can be opened wide by manual operation, as shown by the dashed line denoted by reference numeral 43-1. This allows access to the second paddle section 60, which will be described later.

[0055] Next, although not shown in the figure, two lower support trays 54 are provided spaced apart in the X-axis direction, i.e., in the media width direction, and are provided so as to be movable toward or toward each other by power from a drive source (not shown). The lower support trays 54 open when moved toward each other and close when moved toward each other. In Figure 2, the lower support tray 54 provided in the -X direction is shown among the two lower support trays 54 provided spaced apart in the media width direction.

[0056] The media bundle Pt discharged by the discharge drive roller 38 is temporarily supported by the closed lower support tray 54. When the lower support tray 54 opens, the media bundle Pt supported by the lower support tray 54 falls into the main tray 33. By providing such a lower support tray 54, the alignment of the media bundle Pt on the main tray 33 can be improved. Of course, it is also possible to discharge the media bundle Pt directly from the processing tray 42 to the main tray 33 without providing the lower support tray 54. The main tray 33 is provided so as to be displaceable in the Z-axis direction, i.e., the loading direction, by a motor (not shown).

[0057] In this embodiment, the processing performed on the media bundle Pt is stapling with a stapler 34, but the processing performed on the media bundle Pt is not limited to this, and may also be punching to create punch holes in the media bundle Pt, saddle stitching to saddle stitch the media bundle Pt, or shift discharge to discharge the media bundle Pt while alternating the discharge position in the media width direction. Alternatively, the media bundle Pt may be discharged without any post-processing and stacked in a so-called "rod" on the main tray 33.

[0058] Next, the low-friction sheet material 151 provided on the side cursor 52 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 15. First, the function of the low-friction sheet material 151 will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Note that the components shown in Figure 4 are approximate for the sake of explanation. Furthermore, the ABX coordinate system is used where appropriate from Figure 4 onward. In Figure 4, the region indicated by the symbol Ak is the media placement region, and the symbol Am is the first region in the media placement region Ak that includes the contact position where the second paddle portion 60 contacts the media P. The low-friction sheet material 151 is configured to be switchable between an advancing state (states ST2, ST3) in which it advances from outside the media placement region Ak of ​​the processing tray 42 into the first region Am, and a retracted state (state ST1) in which it moves away from the first region Am to outside the media placement region Ak.

[0059] The low-friction sheet material 151 is provided on the side cursor 52. The side cursor 52 and the low-friction sheet material 151 are provided so as to be symmetrical with respect to a straight line CL passing through the center position in the width direction of the medium. The coefficient of friction between the medium P and the low-friction sheet material 151 is lower than the coefficient of friction between the medium P itself. This is the meaning of "low friction" in the low-friction sheet material 151. In this embodiment, as an example, a bendable resin sheet such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) can be used as the low-friction sheet material 151.

[0060] The low-friction sheet material 151 is fixed to a mounting shaft 150 located outside the media placement area Ak on the side cursor 52. The mounting shaft 150 is an axis extending along the A-axis direction and is driven by a motor (not shown). Because the mounting shaft 150 is attached to the side cursor 52, the low-friction sheet material 151 is positioned at the end of the media P in the width direction, following the movement of the side cursor 52. The mounting shaft 150 is driven only in a fixed rotational direction R1. As the mounting shaft 150 rotates, the low-friction sheet material 151 switches between an extended state (states ST2, ST3) and a retracted state (state ST1).

[0061] In Figure 4, the symbol F1 represents the fixed end of the low-friction sheet material 151, and the symbol F2 represents the free end of the low-friction sheet material 151. The length from the fixed end F1 to the free end F2 is longer than the shortest distance from the mounting shaft 150 to the support surface 42a of the processing tray 42. Therefore, when the mounting shaft 150 rotates from the retracted state, the low-friction sheet material 151 presses against the support surface 42a of the processing tray 42 or the medium P supported by the processing tray 42, and deforms by bending. When the mounting shaft 150 rotates further, the free end F2 of the low-friction sheet material 151 moves outward from between the mounting shaft 150 and the processing tray 42, and the deformation is resolved. State ST3 is a state in which the rotation of the mounting shaft 150 is more advanced than in state ST2, and the curvature of the low-friction sheet material 151 is greater than in state ST2. By changing the phase of rotation of the mounting shaft 150 in this advanced state, the pressing force applied by the low-friction sheet material 151 to the first region Am can be changed.

[0062] The low-friction sheet material 151 is switched from a retracted state to an extended state after aligning its widthwise ends with the rear end Pe of the medium P on the processing tray 42. The uppermost medium P on the processing tray 42 at this time is referred to as the leading medium P. The leading medium P is pressed toward the processing tray 42 by the low-friction sheet material 151 in the extended state. When the subsequent medium P is discharged into the processing tray 42, the subsequent medium P is discharged onto the low-friction sheet material 151 which is in an advanced state on top of the preceding medium P. As a result, when the subsequent medium P is moved toward the rear end alignment section 39 by the second paddle section 60, the low-friction sheet material 151 is interposed between the preceding medium P and the subsequent medium P.

[0063] The low-friction sheet material 151 interposed between the preceding medium P and the succeeding medium P reduces the frictional resistance between the preceding medium P and the succeeding medium P when the succeeding medium P is moved toward the rear end alignment section 39 by the second paddle section 60, making it easier for the succeeding medium P to move. This makes it possible to more reliably bring the rear end Pe of the succeeding medium P into contact with the rear end alignment section 39, and to properly align the rear end Pe of the medium P.

[0064] The low-friction sheet material 151 is switched from an advanced state to a retracted state after the movement of the subsequent medium P by the second paddle section 60, and then switched back to an advanced state where it is positioned above the subsequent medium P. In this embodiment, after the movement of the subsequent medium P by the second paddle section 60 and before the alignment operation with respect to the subsequent medium P by the side cursor 52, the low-friction sheet material 151 is switched from an advanced state to a retracted state, and then switched back to an advanced state where it is positioned above the subsequent medium P.

[0065] Since the low-friction sheet material 151 is placed on the subsequent medium P after the rear end Pe of the subsequent medium P has been aligned, curling and lifting of the subsequent medium P can be suppressed. In particular, if the widthwise edge of the medium P is curled when the alignment operation by the side cursor 52 is performed, there is a risk that the alignment of the medium P in the widthwise direction will be insufficient. In this embodiment, before the alignment operation on the subsequent medium P by the side cursor 52 is performed, the low friction sheet material 151 is switched to an advanced state where it is positioned on the subsequent medium P, so that the curling of the subsequent medium P is suppressed when the alignment operation by the side cursor 52 is performed, and the alignment in the widthwise direction can be performed appropriately. Furthermore, it is preferable to adjust the rotation phase of the mounting shaft 150 when the low-friction sheet material 151 is extended, according to the number of media P sheets stacked in the processing tray 42. This prevents the curvature of the low-friction sheet material 151 from becoming larger than an appropriate range.

[0066] In Figure 2, the symbol An indicates the arrangement region of the low-friction sheet material 151 in the A-axis direction. The arrangement region An includes the position where the leading edge of the medium P fed into the processing tray 42 by the feed roller 46 first makes contact. This prevents the leading edge of the subsequent medium P from getting caught on the preceding medium P and hindering its movement in the discharge direction, ensuring that the subsequent medium P is properly placed on the processing tray 42.

[0067] Next, the mounting structure of the low-friction sheet material 151 will be described in detail. The side cursor 52 described below is the side cursor 52 provided in the -X direction, which is one of two side cursors provided in the +X direction with respect to the straight line CL (see Figure 4) in the X-axis direction, i.e., the media width direction. As the above two side cursors have a structure that is symmetrical with respect to the straight line CL (see Figure 4) as described above, the side cursor 52 provided in the -X direction with respect to the straight line CL (see Figure 4) will be described below, and the description of the side cursor 52 provided in the +X direction will be omitted.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, the side cursor 52 is equipped with a base member 53. The base member 53 has a matching surface 53a that aligns with the end of the medium P and a support surface 53b that supports the lowest medium P. The mounting shaft 150 described above is provided on the base member 53. The low-friction sheet material 151 is attached to the mounting shaft 150 via the mounting portion 153.

[0069] The mounting portion 153 according to this embodiment is composed of a single member and has a first plate portion 153a and a second plate portion 153b parallel to the first plate portion 153a, as shown in Figure 6. The first plate portion 153a and the second plate portion 153b are connected by a connecting portion 153c (see Figures 8 to 11), and an opening 153p (see Figures 8 to 11) is formed between the first plate portion 153a and the second plate portion 153b on the side opposite to the connecting portion 153c. Furthermore, the tip of the first plate portion 153a and the tip of the second plate portion 153b may extend in such a way that they are close together.

[0070] The mounting portion 153 is made of an elastically deformable material, such as a metal plate, and is formed so that the opening 153p can be expanded by elastic deformation. A finger rest portion 153j is formed at the end of the first plate portion 153a. The finger rest portion 153j is formed to be thicker than the thickness of the first plate portion 153a, thereby improving workability when enlarging the opening 153p.

[0071] As shown in Figure 6, the low-friction sheet material 151 has two holes 151a, and the second plate portion 153b has positioning protrusions 153h at positions corresponding to the holes 151a. When the positioning protrusions 153h are fitted into the holes 151a, the low-friction sheet material 151 is positioned relative to the second plate portion 153b and its orientation is maintained so that it does not tilt with respect to the axial direction of the mounting shaft 150. The low-friction sheet material 151 is fixed to the second plate portion 153b by double-sided tape 155.

[0072] The first plate portion 153a is formed such that a boss portion 153e protrudes toward the second plate portion 153b.

[0073] Next, as shown in Figure 7, a fitting portion 150a is formed on the mounting shaft 150. The fitting portion 150a comprises a first flat surface 150c, a second flat surface 150d parallel to the first flat surface 150c (see Figure 9), and a fitting hole 150b that penetrates between the first flat surface 150c and the second flat surface 150d. A mounting portion 153 with a low-friction sheet material 151 attached can be fitted into such a fitting portion 150a.

[0074] Specifically, the fitting hole 150b is a hole into which the boss portion 153e can be fitted. When an operator installs the mounting portion 153 with the low-friction sheet material 151 attached, they can widen the opening 153p of the mounting portion 153 (see Figures 8 to 11), thereby widening the gap between the first plate portion 153a and the second plate portion 153b, and inserting the fitting portion 150a between the first plate portion 153a and the second plate portion 153b. At that time, the boss portion 153e is fitted into the fitting hole 150b. Arrow J1 indicates the mounting direction of the mounting portion 153 relative to the fitting portion 150a. The mounting direction J1 is the direction that intersects with the axial direction of the mounting shaft 150. As a result, the mounting portion 153 can be attached to the fitting portion 150a. When the boss portion 153e is fitted into the fitting hole 150b, the phase difference in the rotation of the mounting portion 153, i.e., the low friction sheet material 151, with respect to the mounting shaft 150 is suppressed, and the low friction sheet material 151 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the mounting shaft 150.

[0075] When the mounting portion 153 is attached to the fitting portion 150a, the first plate portion 153a adheres tightly to the first flat surface 150c, as shown in Figure 9. The second plate portion 153b also adheres tightly to the second flat surface 150d, with the low-friction sheet material 151 in between. As shown in Figure 5, contact portions 153f are formed at both ends of the connecting portion 153c so as to protrude toward the mounting shaft 150 in the axial direction of the mounting shaft 150. When the mounting portion 153 is attached to the fitting portion 150a, the contact portions 153f come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the mounting shaft 150. As a result, the mounting portion 153, i.e., the low-friction sheet material 151, is maintained in a position so as not to tilt with respect to the axial direction of the mounting shaft 150 when attached to the mounting shaft 150.

[0076] Furthermore, when removing the mounting portion 153 from the fitting portion 150a, the worker enlarges the opening 153p of the mounting portion 153 (see Figures 8 to 11), removes the boss portion 153e from the fitting hole 150b, and then removes the mounting portion 153 from the fitting portion 150a. In Figure 7, arrow J2 indicates the direction of removal of the mounting portion 153 from the fitting portion 150a. The removal direction J2 is intersecting the axial direction of the mounting shaft 150. The removal direction J2 is opposite to the mounting direction J1.

[0077] As described above, in this embodiment, the low-friction sheet material 151 is attached to the mounting shaft 150 via a mounting portion 153. The mounting portion 153 is elastically deformable and has an opening 153p for fitting onto the mounting shaft 150. The mounting shaft 150 has a fitting portion 150a into which the mounting portion 153 fits. Therefore, no tools are required for attaching or detaching the mounting portion 153, and the replacement of the low-friction sheet material 151 becomes easier.

[0078] Here, Figures 8 and 9 show the state in which the first flat surface 150c and the second flat surface 150d of the mounting shaft 150 are aligned in the vertical direction. In this state, the low friction sheet material 151 is in an advanced state, and a curve is formed in the low friction sheet material 151. In Figure 9, arrow Fh1-1 is the restoring force due to the curvature of the low friction sheet material 151, that is, the force that tries to return it to a straight state, and the restoring force Fh1-1 acts on the mounting portion 153. However, in this state, the restoring force Fh1-1 is not large enough to enlarge the opening 153p, and the low friction sheet material 151 is sandwiched between the second flat surface 150d of the mounting shaft 150 and the second plate portion 153b of the mounting portion 153, and is in close contact with both.

[0079] When the mounting shaft 150 rotates counterclockwise from this state, the curvature of the curve formed in the low-friction sheet material 151 increases, as shown by the change from Figure 8 to Figure 10. The restoring force Fh1-2 at this time (see Figure 11) becomes greater than the restoring force Fh1-1 shown in Figure 9. As a result, the opening 153p of the mounting portion 153 is slightly enlarged, and the low-friction sheet material 151 does not adhere closely to the second flat surface 150d, but is slightly separated from the second flat surface 150d, as shown in Figure 11. This reduces the curvature of the low-friction sheet material 151 compared to when the low-friction sheet material 151 adheres closely to the second flat surface 150d.

[0080] As described above, the mounting portion 153 deforms in accordance with the elastic deformation of the low-friction sheet material 151, and the force received from the low-friction sheet material 151 reduces the curvature of the curve of the low-friction sheet material 151. Therefore, excessive force on the low-friction sheet material 151 can be suppressed, and damage to the low-friction sheet material 151 can be suppressed. In addition, the load on the motor (not shown) that rotates the mounting shaft 150 can be suppressed.

[0081] Next, other embodiments of the mounting portion will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 15. Unlike the mounting portion 153 described above, the mounting portion 153A shown in Figure 12 is composed of multiple members. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the mounting portion 153A includes a base member 157, a swinging member 158, and a shaft 159.

[0082] The base member 157 has a first plate portion 157a and a second plate portion 157b parallel to the first plate portion 157a. The first plate portion 157a and the second plate portion 157b are connected by a connecting portion 157c, and an opening 157p (see Figures 14 and 15) is formed between the first plate portion 157a and the second plate portion 157b on the opposite side of the connecting portion 157c. The base member 157 is made of an elastically deformable material, for example, a metal plate, and the opening 157p is formed to be expandable by elastic deformation. Therefore, the method of attaching and detaching the mounting portion 153A to the mounting shaft 150 is the same as that of the mounting portion 153 described above.

[0083] A finger rest portion 157j is formed at the end of the first plate portion 157a. The finger rest portion 157j corresponds to the finger rest portion 153j described above. A boss portion 157e is also formed on the first plate portion 157a. The boss portion 157e corresponds to the boss portion 153e described above. Furthermore, a contact portion 157f is formed on the connecting portion 157c. The contact portion 157f corresponds to the contact portion 153f described above.

[0084] Two bearing portions 157k are formed in the second plate portion 157b. A shaft 159 can be inserted through the bearing portions 157k. The oscillating member 158 has a shaft insertion hole 158c formed therein, through which the shaft 159 can be inserted. An E-ring 160 can be attached to the end of the shaft 159, thereby fixing the shaft 159 so that it does not move axially relative to the second plate portion 157b. With the above configuration, the swinging member 158 can be swingably attached to the second plate portion 157b via the shaft 159.

[0085] The oscillating member 158 has a positioning projection 158a formed at a position corresponding to the hole 151a of the low-friction sheet material 151. When the positioning projection 158a fits into the hole 151a, the low-friction sheet material 151 is positioned relative to the oscillating member 158 and its orientation is maintained so that it does not tilt with respect to the axial direction of the mounting shaft 150. The low-friction sheet material 151 is fixed to the oscillating member 158 by double-sided tape 155.

[0086] The oscillating member 158 has two leaf spring portions 158b formed thereon. The base member 157 has a hole portion 157n through which the leaf spring portions 158b are inserted, as shown in Figure 12. The leaf spring portions 158b enter between the first plate portion 157a and the second plate portion 157b via the hole portion 157n and can press against the connecting portion 157c from the inside, as shown in Figure 14. The force with which the leaf spring portions 158b press against the connecting portion 157c acts in a direction that causes the oscillating member 158 to come into close contact with the second plate portion 157b. Furthermore, the configuration that applies force to the oscillating member 158 in a direction that brings it into close contact with the second plate portion 157b is not limited to a leaf spring; a wire spring or a coil spring may also be used.

[0087] In the state shown in Figure 14, the restoring force Fh1-1 of the low-friction sheet material 151 is overcome by the force with which the oscillating member 158 tries to adhere to the second plate portion 157b, i.e., the spring force of the leaf spring portion 158b. Therefore, in this state, the low-friction sheet material 151 is sandwiched between the second plate portion 157b and the oscillating member 158, and is in close contact with both.

[0088] When the mounting shaft 150 rotates counterclockwise in the direction shown in Figure 14 from this state, the curvature of the curve formed in the low-friction sheet material 151 increases, and the restoring force Fh1-2 (see Figure 15) at this time becomes greater than the restoring force Fh1-1 shown in Figure 14. As a result, the oscillating member 158 oscillates against the spring force of the leaf spring portion 158b, as shown in the change from Figure 14 to Figure 15. Consequently, the low-friction sheet material 151 does not adhere closely to the second plate portion 157b but moves away from it. This reduces the curvature of the low-friction sheet material 151 compared to the case where the low-friction sheet material 151 adheres closely to the second plate portion 157b.

[0089] As described above, the mounting portion 153A in this embodiment deforms in such a way that the curvature of the low-friction sheet material 151 is reduced by the force received from the low-friction sheet material 151 as the low-friction sheet material 151 undergoes elastic deformation. This suppresses excessive force being applied to the low-friction sheet material 151 and reduces damage to the low-friction sheet material 151. Furthermore, it can suppress the load on the motor (not shown) that rotates the mounting shaft 150.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the low-friction sheet material 151 is fixed to the second plate portion 153b, but the low-friction sheet material 151 may also be fixed to the first plate portion 153a. In this case, a positioning projection 153h may be formed in the first plate portion 153a at a position corresponding to the hole portion 151a. That is, the low-friction sheet material 151 may be positioned between the mounting shaft 150 and the first plate portion 153a when attached to the mounting shaft 150. However, in the configuration described above, where the low-friction sheet material 151 is positioned between the mounting shaft 150 and the second plate portion 153b while attached to the mounting shaft 150, the curvature of the low-friction sheet material 151 can be reduced by the length of the diameter of the mounting shaft 150. Also, in the configuration described above, where the low-friction sheet material 151 is positioned between the mounting shaft 150 and the second plate portion 153b while attached to the mounting shaft 150, the reaction force of the low-friction sheet material 151 is applied in a direction that increases the distance between the first plate portion 153a and the second plate portion 153b. For this reason, the curvature of the low-friction sheet material 151 can be reduced more effectively by the elasticity of the mounting portion 153.

[0091] Next, the configuration of the second paddle section 60 will be described in detail. As shown in Figure 16, in this embodiment, two second paddle sections 60 are provided spaced apart along the media width direction with respect to the rotation axis 61, which has the X-axis direction, i.e., the media width direction, as its axial direction. Of course, the number of second paddle sections 60 is not limited to this, and there may be one or three or more. In this embodiment, the second paddle sections 60 are positioned symmetrically with respect to a straight line CL (see Figure 14) passing through the center position in the media width direction. The second paddle unit 60 has a rotating shaft 61 driven in the clockwise direction in Figure 2 by a motor (not shown), thereby applying a feeding force in the -A direction to the medium P fed into the processing tray 42.

[0092] The outer circumference of the rotating shaft 61 has a circumferential portion 61a and a flat portion 61b, forming a D-cut shape when viewed from the axial direction (see Figure 24). On the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 61, the circumferential portion 61a is formed as a smooth curved surface, and the flat portion 61b is formed as a smooth plane. Hereafter, when simply referred to as "axial direction," it means the axial direction of the rotating shaft 61, and when referred to as "radial direction," it means the radial direction of the rotating shaft 61. The axial direction is the direction along the X-axis direction. Also, hereafter, when referred to as "intersecting direction intersecting the axial direction," it means the direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotating shaft 61.

[0093] As shown in Figures 17, 18, and 26, the rotating shaft 61 has a fitting hole 61c that penetrates radially. The case portion 62 that constitutes the second paddle portion 60 has a boss portion 63a formed therein.

[0094] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the second paddle portion 60 comprises a blade portion 70 and a case portion 62. The blade portion 70 includes a contact portion 70b that contacts the medium P. The case portion 62 has a main body portion 63 that holds the blade portion 70 and a lid portion 64 that can be opened and closed relative to the main body portion 63. In this embodiment, the case portion 62 consists of a main body portion 63 and a lid portion 64 integrally formed from a resin material. As shown in Figure 22, the main body portion 63 and the lid portion 64 are connected by a connecting portion 63b. The connecting portion 63b is elastically deformable and functions as a hinge when the lid portion 64 opens and closes relative to the main body portion 63.

[0095] The main body portion 63 is provided with an insertion hole 63e through which the contact portion 70b of the blade portion 70 is inserted. The direction in which the contact portion 70b is inserted into the insertion hole 63e is a cross direction that intersects with the axial direction. The main body portion 63 has a shaft fitting portion 63d that fits with the circumferential portion 61a of the rotating shaft 61. The shaft fitting portion 63d has a boss portion 63a that fits into the fitting hole 61c of the rotating shaft 61 (see Figures 17 and 18).

[0096] The main body portion 63 has a recess 63c formed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 61. The protrusion 70c of the blade portion 70 (see Figures 20 and 23) can be fitted into the recess 63c. The fitting of this recess 63c and protrusion 70c will be explained in more detail later.

[0097] The main body portion 63 has an engaged portion 63f formed thereon, as shown in Figures 21 and 24. The lid portion 64 has a hook-shaped engaged portion 64b formed thereon. When the lid portion 64 is closed, the engaged portion 64b engages with the engaged portion 63f, thereby closing the lid portion 64 in a snap-fit ​​manner. The lid portion 64 has a release operation portion 64a formed thereon, as shown in Figures 19, 20, and 24. When the release operation portion 64a is pushed in the direction of arrow Rj1 in Figure 24, the engaged portion 64b moves in the direction of arrow Rj2, releasing the engagement between the engaged portion 64b and the engaged portion 63f, and the lid portion 64 can be opened.

[0098] The lid portion 64 is provided with two shaft holding portions 64c, as shown in Figures 20-22, 24, and 25. In this embodiment, the shaft holding portions 64c are rib-shaped and are formed to extend in the axial direction. The two shaft holding portions 64c function to hold the flat portion 61b of the rotating shaft 61 from both sides when viewed from the axial direction, as shown in Figure 24, when the lid portion 64 is closed. When the lid portion 64 is closed, the flat portion 61b of the rotating shaft 61 faces the inner surface of the lid portion 64 between the two shaft holding portions 64c, and the circumferential portion 61a of the rotating shaft 61 is in close contact with the shaft fitting portion 63d. When the lid portion 64 is closed in this way, the lid portion 64 functions as a rotation stopper for the case portion 62 relative to the rotating shaft 61. As a result, when the rotating shaft 61 rotates, the lid portion 64 receives torque from the rotating shaft 61. Furthermore, even if the case portion 62 is installed incorrectly, such as when the flat portion 61b and the shaft fitting portion 63d face each other, the lid portion 64 will not close, thus preventing such incorrect installation.

[0099] As shown in Figure 23, the blade portion 70 comprises a base end portion 70a and a contact portion 70b. The contact portion 70b extends from the base end portion 70a at an angle to the radial direction. In this embodiment, three contact portions 70b are formed at equal intervals along the direction of rotation. However, the position and number of contact portions 70b are not limited to this. The contact portions 70b make contact with the medium P with elastic deformation and impart a conveying force to the medium P.

[0100] The blade portion 70 can be formed from an elastically deformable material such as rubber or elastomer. In this embodiment, the base end portion 70a and the multiple contact portions 70b are formed integrally. However, for example, the base end portion 70a and the contact portions 70b may be composite-molded from different materials. Alternatively, the blade portion 70 and the main body portion 63 may be integrally formed by two-color molding. In this embodiment, three contact portions 70b are provided, but there may be one or two, or four or more. The base end portion 70a has a shape that clamps the circumferential portion 61a of the rotating shaft 61, as shown in Figure 24.

[0101] As a procedure for attaching the second paddle section 60 having the above configuration to the rotating shaft 61, the case section 62 with the lid section 64 open is fitted onto the rotating shaft 61. At this time, as shown in Figure 18, the boss section 63a is fitted into the fitting hole 61c. In this state, since the base end 70a of the blade section 70 is gripping the rotating shaft 61, the second paddle section 60 is unlikely to fall even if released. When the lid 64 is closed against the main body 63, the lid 64 is secured in place by a snap-fit ​​mechanism. This allows the second paddle 60 to be attached to the rotating shaft 61 without the use of tools. To remove the second paddle 60 from the rotating shaft 61, the release mechanism 64a is pressed to release the snap-fit ​​mechanism as described above, and the lid 64 is opened to remove the second paddle 60. In other words, the second paddle 60 can be removed from the rotating shaft 61 without the use of tools.

[0102] As described above, the main body 63 is provided with an insertion hole 63e through which the contact portion 70b is inserted in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The case portion 62 is then attached to the rotating shaft 61 when the main body 63 and the lid portion 64 engage and the lid portion 64 closes. This eliminates the need for tools when installing the second paddle section 60, making it easier to replace the second paddle section 60. For example, when attaching or detaching the second paddle section 60, even if the area around the second paddle section 60 is narrow, the second paddle section 60 can be easily attached or detached, and it can also be attached or detached with one hand. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 16, the connecting portion 63b, which functions as a hinge, is located on the front side from the operator's perspective when attaching or detaching the second paddle portion 60. This makes it easier to attach and detach the second paddle portion 60 compared to a configuration where the connecting portion 63b is located on the back side from the operator's perspective. Furthermore, since the main body portion 63 is provided with an insertion hole 63e through which the wing portion 70 (contact portion 70b) is inserted in a direction intersecting the axial direction, it is possible to prevent the contact portion 70b from coming out of the case portion 62 in the axial direction.

[0103] Furthermore, since the blade portion 70 (contact portion 70b) is inserted axially into the insertion hole 63e and the case portion 62 is fixed to the rotating shaft 61, even if the blade portion 70 (contact portion 70b) is not fully inserted into the insertion hole 63e, attaching the case portion 62 with the blade portion 70 attached to the rotating shaft 61 ensures that the blade portion 70 (contact portion 70b) is properly inserted into the insertion hole 63e. Furthermore, even if the rigidity of the contact portion 70b is low, the contact portion 70b can be properly inserted into the insertion hole 63e by pulling the tip of the contact portion 70b that has come out of the insertion hole 63e.

[0104] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the base end portion 70a of the blade portion 70 is held between the rotating shaft 61 and the case portion 62 when the lid closes on the main body portion 63, as shown in Figure 24. This prevents the blade portion 70 from falling out of the case portion 62.

[0105] In this embodiment, the lid portion 64 also has an engaging portion 64b that engages with the main body portion 63. As shown in Figure 24, when the lid portion 64 closes against the main body portion 63, the portion Mp which is part of the blade portion 70 is held in place by being sandwiched between the engaging portion 64b and the rotating shaft 61. This prevents the blade portion 70 from falling out of the case portion 62.

[0106] In this embodiment, the base end portion 70a of the blade portion 70 grips the rotating shaft 61, as shown in Figure 24. That is, the base end portion 70a functions as a gripping portion that grips the rotating shaft 61. This suppresses misalignment of the blade portion 70 with respect to the rotating shaft 61. Also, as shown in Figure 18, when temporarily fixing the lid portion 64 before closing it, the second paddle portion 60 is less likely to fall off the rotating shaft 61, improving the ease of attachment and detachment. Furthermore, the base end portion 70a may be formed larger than the housing area of ​​the main body portion 63, or conversely, smaller than the housing area of ​​the main body portion 63, so that it deforms when pressed by the lid portion 64 when the lid portion 64 is closed.

[0107] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 26, the first direction Q1 is defined as the direction moving outward from the center of the rotation axis 61 in the intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction, and the main body 63 has a restricting portion 63g that restricts the displacement of the contact portion 70b in the first direction Q1, as shown in Figure 26. The blade portion 70 has a recess 70e formed therein so as to narrow the width of the contact portion 70g in the axial direction (see also Figure 23), and when the restricting portion 63g fits into the recess 70e, the displacement of the contact portion 70b in the first direction Q1 is restricted. This prevents the contact portion 70b from coming out of the main body portion 63 in the first direction Q1.

[0108] In this embodiment, the blade portion 70 has a plurality of contact portions 70b and a base portion 70a connecting the plurality of contact portions 70b, and a plurality of insertion holes 63e are provided corresponding to the plurality of contact portions 70b, and the base portion 70a is held by the main body portion 63. With this structure, the blade portion 70 is held more securely by the case portion 62.

[0109] Next, we will explain how the recess 63c of the main body 63 and the protrusion 70c of the wing portion 70, as shown in Figure 20, fit together. The contact portion 70b extends at an angle to the radial direction, and if the contact portion 70b is inserted into the insertion hole 63e in the wrong orientation, that is, if the blade portion 70 is mounted to the main body portion 63 in the wrong orientation, there is a risk that the medium P may not be properly transported. When the blade portion 70 is mounted to the main body portion 63 in the correct orientation, the recess 63c of the main body portion 63 and the protrusion 70c of the blade portion 70 engage with each other, and as shown in Figure 20, the base end portion 70a is properly housed in the main body portion 63 without protruding from the main body portion 63. However, if the blade portion 70 is attached to the main body portion 63 in the wrong orientation, the base end portion 70a will not be properly accommodated in the main body portion 63, and the base end portion 70a will protrude from the main body portion 63, making it impossible to properly close the lid portion 64. In other words, if the contact portion 70b is inserted into the through hole 63e in the wrong orientation, the blade portion 70 will interfere with the engagement between the lid portion 64 and the main body portion 63. This prevents the contact portion 70b from being inserted into the through hole 63e in the wrong orientation during assembly.

[0110] When the second paddle portion 60 pulls the medium P back in the -A direction, the second paddle portion 60 rotates in the rotation direction Mr2 shown in Figure 24. When the second paddle portion 60 pulls the medium P back in the -A direction, the rotating shaft 61 rotates in the rotation direction Mr2 shown in Figure 24. As explained with reference to Figure 24, the lid portion 64 receives torque from the rotating shaft 61, and the direction of this torque is the rotation direction Mr2 shown in Figure 24. This torque is in the direction in which the lid portion 64 rotates so that the engaging portion 64b approaches the engaged portion 63f. In addition, the contact portion 70b receives a reaction force from the medium P, and a torque in the rotation direction Mr1 is applied to the main body portion 63. This torque is in the direction in which the main body portion 63 rotates so that the engaged portion 63f approaches the engaging portion 64b. In other words, the torque that the lid portion 64 receives from the rotating shaft 61 and the torque that the contact portion 70b receives from the medium P and that is applied to the main body portion 63 are in opposite directions. This acts to strengthen the engagement between the engaging portion 64b and the engaged portion 63f, thereby suppressing the detachment of the case portion 62 from the rotating shaft 61.

[0111] Furthermore, the rotating shaft 61 has a fitting hole 61c (Figure 17) that serves as a positioning part for determining the position of the case portion 62 in the axial direction. This eliminates the need for positioning work of the case portion 62 relative to the rotating shaft 61, making assembly work easier. Furthermore, the boss portion 63a that engages with the fitting hole 61c is provided in the main body portion 63 at an axially offset position as shown in Figure 20, and the fitting hole 61c is provided at a position corresponding to such a boss portion 63a. If the second paddle portion 60 in the +X direction shown in Figure 18 is installed in the reverse direction, it will interfere with the E-ring 65. Similarly, if the second paddle portion 60 in the -X direction shown in Figure 18 is installed in the reverse direction, it will interfere with the feed roller 46. In this way, the configuration prevents the second paddle portion 60 from being installed in the wrong direction by causing it to interfere with other components when installed in the reverse direction.

[0112] Next, other embodiments of the second paddle section will be described with reference to Figure 27 and subsequent figures. In these other embodiments, components identical to those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be avoided thereafter. The second paddle portion 60 described above has an engaged portion 63f formed on the main body portion 63 and an engaged portion 64b formed on the lid portion 64. The engaged portion is a part that moves relative to the engaged portion due to the operator's operation. The second paddle portion 60A shown in Figure 27 and the second paddle portion 60B shown in Figure 28 are the opposite of the second paddle portion 60 described above, with an engaged portion formed on the main body portion and an engaged portion formed on the lid portion.

[0113] The second paddle section 60A shown in Figure 27 includes a case section 62A composed of a main body section 63A and a lid section 64A. The main body section 63A has a release operation section 63m and an engagement section 63k. The lid section 64A has an engaged section 64k. When the lid 64A closes, the engaging portion 63k engages with the engaged portion 64k, thereby closing the lid 64A. When the release operation portion 63m is pushed in the direction of arrow Rj2 in Figure 27, the engaging portion 63k moves in the direction of arrow Rj2, releasing the engagement between the engaging portion 63k and the engaged portion 64k, and allowing the lid 64A to be opened.

[0114] Furthermore, the second paddle portion 60B shown in Figure 28 includes a case portion 62B composed of a main body portion 63B and a lid portion 64B. The main body portion 63B has a release operation portion 63m and an engagement portion 63k. The lid portion 64B has an engaged portion 64k. When the lid 64B closes, the engaging portion 63k engages with the engaged portion 64k, thereby closing the lid 64B. When the release operation portion 63m is pushed in the direction of arrow Rj2 in Figure 28, the engaging portion 63k moves in the direction of arrow Rj2, releasing the engagement between the engaging portion 63k and the engaged portion 64k, and allowing the lid 64B to be opened.

[0115] Next, other embodiments will be described with reference to Figures 29, 30, and 31. The blade portion 70A of the second paddle portion 60C shown in Figure 29 has a plurality of contact portions 70b1. Each of the plurality of contact portions 70b1 is configured as an independent member. Reference numeral 71 denotes an independent member which is a contact member that forms a contact portion 70b1. As shown in Figure 31, the contact member 71 has a contact portion 70b1 and a base portion 70a1. The base portion 70a1 is held by the main body portion 63 of the case portion 62. Since each of the multiple contact portions 70b1 is configured as an independent component, inserting the contact portion 70b1 into the insertion hole 63e becomes easier.

[0116] In this embodiment, the base end portion 70a1 also has a protruding portion 70d which is sandwiched between another adjacent base end portion 70a1 and the rotating shaft 61 when held by the main body portion 63. This ensures that the contact portion 70b1, i.e., the contact member 71, is more securely held by the main body portion 63.

[0117] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 30, the protruding portion 70d protrudes in such a way that it blocks the insertion hole 63e into which the other adjacent contact portion 70b1 enters. This prevents the incorrect insertion order of the contact portion 70b1 into the insertion hole 63e. In this embodiment, the correct insertion order is to first insert the rightmost contact portion 70b1 (contact member 71) of the three contact portions 70b1 shown in Figure 29, then the central contact portion 70b1 (contact member 71), and finally the leftmost contact portion 70b1 (contact member 71). In contrast, in the example shown in Figure 30, the contact portion 70b1 is first inserted into the leftmost through hole 63e. In this state, even if one tries to insert the contact portion 70b1 into the central through hole 63e, the protruding portion 70d of the first inserted contact member 71 protrudes in a way that blocks the central through hole 63e, making it impossible to insert the contact portion 70b1 into the central through hole 63e. Furthermore, the protruding portion 70d only needs to block at least a part of the insertion hole 63e, and does not necessarily need to block the entire insertion hole 63e, although it may block the entire insertion hole 63e. Also, as shown in Figure 30, the protruding portion 70d may block the insertion hole 63e while being spaced apart from it.

[0118] Furthermore, if the contact portion 70b1 is inserted into the through hole 63e in the wrong orientation, the contact portion 70b1 will interfere with the engagement between the lid portion 64 and the main body portion 63. In Figure 30, the dashed line labeled 70b1-1 represents a contact portion inserted into the through hole 63e in the wrong orientation, and the contact portion 70b1-1 interferes with the engagement between the lid portion 64 and the main body portion 63. This prevents the contact portion 70b1 from being inserted into the through hole 63e in the wrong orientation during assembly.

[0119] It goes without saying that the configuration of the second paddle section 60 described above may also be applied to the first paddle section 48. Alternatively, the blade portion 70A of the second paddle portion 60C may be combined with the case portions of the second paddle portion 60A and the second paddle portion 60B.

[0120] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as described in the claims, and these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1...Recording system, 10...Recording device, 12...Scanner unit, 14...Main body, 16...Media storage section, 18...Line head, 22...Internal discharge section, 24...Relay unit, 26...Media transport device, 28...Media placement device, 30...Media processing device, 32...Device body, 33...Main tray, 34...Stapler, 35...Guide member, 36...Pressing member, 36a...Shaft section, 37...Flap, 37a...Shaft section, 38...Discharge drive roller, 39...Rear end alignment section, 40...Discharge driven roller, 42...Processing tray, 42a...Support surface, 44...Paddle section, 46...Feed roller, 47...Nick Prowler, 48...First paddle part, 48a...Contact part, 49...Rotating shaft, 52...Side cursor, 53...Base member, 53a...Matching surface, 53b...Support surface, 54...Lower support tray, 55...First guide, 56...Second guide, 60, 60A...Second paddle part, 61...Rotating shaft, 61a...Circumferential part, 61b...Flat part, 61c...Matching hole, 62...Case part, 63...Main body part, 63a...Boss part, 63b...Connecting part, 63c...Recess, 63d...Shaft fitting part, 63e...Through hole, 63f...Engaged part, 63g...Restricting part, 63k...Engaging part, 63m...Release operation part, 64...Lid part, 64a...Release operation part, 64 b...Engaging part, 64c...Shaft holding part, 64k...Engaged part, 65...E-ring, 70, 70A...Wing part, 70a, 70a1...Base end, 70b, 70b1...Contact part, 70c...Convex part, 70d...Protruding part, 70e...Concave part, 71...Contact member, 150...Mounting shaft, 150a...Matching part, 150b...Matching hole, 150c...First flat surface, 150d...Second flat surface, 151...Low friction sheet material, 151a...Hole part, 153, 153A...Mounting part, 153a...First plate part, 153b...Second plate part, 153c...Connecting part, 153d...Sheet fitting projection, 153e...Boss part, 153f...Contact part, 1 53g...Hole, 153h...Positioning projection, 153j...Finger rest, 153p...Opening, 155...Double-sided tape, 157...Base member, 157a...First plate part, 157b...Second plate part, 157c...Connecting part, 157e...Boss part, t...Contact part, 157g...Hole, 157j...Finger rest, 157k...Bearing part, 157m...Opening, 157n...Hole, 157p...Opening, 158...Oscillating member, 158a...Positioning projection, 158b...Leaf spring part, 158c...Shaft insertion hole, 159...Shaft, 160...E-ring, F1...Fixed end, F2...Free end, P...Media, Pt...Media bundle, Pe...Rear end

Claims

1. A rotating axis and A paddle section that is detachably attached to the aforementioned rotating shaft and transports the medium, Equipped with, The aforementioned paddle section is A wing portion having a contact part that comes into contact with the medium, A case portion having a main body portion that holds the blade portion and a lid portion that can be opened and closed relative to the main body portion, the case portion being attached to the rotating shaft when the main body portion and the lid portion engage and the lid portion is closed, It has, The main body is provided with an insertion hole through which the contact portion is inserted in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotation shaft. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

2. In the media transport device according to claim 1, The blade portion is held in place by being sandwiched between the rotating shaft and the case portion when the lid portion is closed relative to the main body portion. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

3. In the media transport device according to claim 1, The lid portion has an engaging portion that engages with the main body portion, The wing portion is held in place by being sandwiched between the engaging portion and the rotating shaft when the lid portion is closed relative to the main body portion. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

4. In the medium transport device according to claim 2, The blade portion has a clamping portion that clamps the rotating shaft. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

5. In the media transport device according to claim 1, With the direction extending outward from the center of the rotation axis in the aforementioned intersection direction being defined as the first direction, the main body portion has a restricting portion that restricts the displacement of the contact portion in the first direction. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

6. In the media transport device according to claim 1, The aforementioned wing portion is, Multiple contact portions, A base end connecting the plurality of contact portions, It has, The insertion holes are provided in multiple locations corresponding to the multiple contact portions. The base end is held by the main body. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

7. In the media transport device according to claim 6, If the contact portion is inserted into the insertion hole in the wrong orientation, the wing portion will interfere with the engagement between the lid portion and the main body portion. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

8. In the media transport device according to claim 1, The aforementioned blade portion has a plurality of contact portions, Each of the multiple contact portions is configured as an independent member. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

9. In the media transport device according to claim 8, The contact portion has a base end that is held by the main body portion, The base end has a protruding portion which, when held by the main body, is sandwiched between another adjacent base end and the rotation axis. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

10. In the media transport device according to claim 9, The aforementioned protruding portion protrudes in such a way that it blocks the insertion hole into which other adjacent contact portions enter. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

11. In the media transport device according to claim 8, If the contact portion is inserted into the insertion hole in the wrong orientation, the contact portion will interfere with the engagement between the lid portion and the main body portion. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

12. In the media transport device according to claim 1, The cover portion is in contact with the rotating shaft and receives torque from the rotating shaft. The torque applied to the main body by the reaction force received by the contact portion from the medium, and the torque received by the lid portion from the rotating shaft, act to strengthen the engagement between the main body portion and the lid portion. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

13. In the media transport device according to claim 1, The rotating shaft has a positioning part that determines the position of the case portion in the axial direction. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

14. A mounting section for placing the media, A matching section that aligns the first edge of the medium placed on the mounting section, A medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which transports the medium toward the alignment section in the mounting section, Equipped with, A media mounting device characterized by the following features.

15. In the media placement device according to claim 14, A low-friction sheet material that can switch between an advanced state in which it moves from outside the media mounting area of ​​the mounting portion into the media mounting area, and a retracted state in which it retracts outside the media mounting area after elastic deformation, A shaft extending in a direction intersecting the first side, the mounting shaft to which the low-friction sheet material is attached, Furthermore, The low-friction sheet material is attached to the mounting shaft via the mounting portion. The mounting portion is elastically deformable and has an opening for fitting onto the mounting shaft. The mounting shaft has a fitting portion into which the mounting portion fits. A media mounting device characterized by the following features.

16. In the media placement device according to claim 15, The mounting portion deforms in accordance with the elastic deformation of the low-friction sheet material, and is subjected to a force from the low-friction sheet material in such a way that it reduces the curvature of the curve of the low-friction sheet material. A media mounting device characterized by the following features.

17. A media placement device according to claim 14, A processing unit that performs processing on the medium placed on the mounting unit, Equipped with, A media processing apparatus characterized by the following:

Images