Image reading device and image forming device

Abstract

To prevent skew occurring during feeding of a document in an image reading device in which a second support face of a document tray is provided movably in a width direction with respect to a first support face.SOLUTION: An image reading device 1 comprises: a document tray 4; and an ejection tray 5 that is provided below the document tray 4 and to which a sheet whose image is read is ejected. The document tray 4 has a support face 4a that supports one end of the sheet in a width direction, a withdrawal support face 4b that is provided to move in the width direction with respect to the support face 4a to be able to withdraw from a predetermined area 4d above the ejection tray 5, and a first regulation part 41 and a second regulation part 42 that are provided movably in the width direction. The second regulation part 42 is provided extending from on the withdrawal support face 4b to on a downstream-side support part 4c of the support face 4a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device that reads an image on a sheet and an image forming apparatus that includes the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as copiers, facsimile machines, and digital multifunction peripherals are known that include an image reading device that optically reads images on sheets. This type of image reading device transports documents loaded on a document tray one by one, reads the images on the transported documents using a reading unit, and discharges the documents with the scanned images to a discharge section located below the document tray. In such image reading devices, the discharge section is located below the document tray, so the documents on the discharge section are hidden by the document tray. This makes it difficult to see the documents on the discharge section, especially when small documents are discharged, reducing the ease of use when a user removes the documents from the discharge section.

[0003] Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes an image reading device that improves the visibility of documents on a discharge section. In the image reading device described in Patent Document 1, a document tray has a first support surface and a second support surface that support documents, and the second support surface is provided so as to be movable in the width direction relative to the first support surface. Then, by moving the second support surface in the width direction and retracting from a predetermined area above the discharge section, the user can view the documents on the discharge section through the predetermined area to which the second support surface has retracted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-210611 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The document stacked on the document tray is set by abutting both widthwise ends against a pair of regulating members that are movable in the width direction, thereby preventing the document from skewing during feeding. Therefore, in the document tray where the second support surface is retracted, it is required that the interlocking member that interlocks the pair of restricting portions is not visible from above.

[0006] The present invention provides an image reading device in which a second support surface is provided so as to be movable in the width direction relative to a first support surface of a document tray, The interlocking member that links the pair of restricting parts must not be visible from above. The purpose is to [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a sheet feeding device that includes a stacking section on which sheets are stacked, a feeding means that feeds the sheets stacked on the stacking section in a feeding direction, a reading means that reads an image on the sheet fed by the feeding means, and a discharge section that is provided below the stacking section and discharges the sheet whose image has been read by the reading means, wherein the stacking section includes a first support surface that supports the sheet and a second support surface that supports the sheet together with the first support surface. and a second position retracted from the first position. The support member is provided so as to be movable in a width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction relative to the first support surface. Ta a first regulating portion having a second support surface and a first regulating surface against which one end of the sheet in the width direction abuts, the first regulating portion being provided on the first support surface so as to be movable in the width direction, and regulating a position in the width direction of the sheet stacked on the stacking portion; a first rack portion fixed to the first restriction portion and having teeth arranged in a straight line; a second restricting surface against which the other end of the sheet opposite to the one end in the width direction abuts, and which is movable in the width direction together with the second supporting surface; The second support surface is provided so as to a second regulating portion that regulates the position of the sheet in the width direction; a second rack portion fixed to the second regulating portion and having teeth arranged in a straight line; and a gear portion arranged to mesh with the first rack portion and the second rack portion, which moves the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion in conjunction with each other; and the first support surface is Second support surface a downstream support portion that supports the sheet on a more downstream side; the first rack portion and the second rack portion are covered by the downstream support portion when viewed from above, regardless of the positions of the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion. The image reading device is characterized by the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, in an image reading device in which a second support surface is provided so as to be movable in the width direction relative to a first support surface of a document tray, The interlocking member that links the pair of restricting parts must not be visible from above. It is possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image reading device in a state where the document tray is rotated upward. [Figure 5] 1A is a perspective view of the image reading device when a large-sized document is set, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the image reading device when the large-sized document is ejected. [Figure 6] 1A is a perspective view of the image reading device when a small-sized document is set, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the image reading device when a small-sized document is ejected. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first side regulation guide as seen from diagonally below. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second side regulation guide as seen from diagonally below. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] (a) is a bottom view of the document tray when a large-size document is set, and (b) is a bottom view of the document tray when a small-size document is set. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus as a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is an example of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

[0011] <Schematic Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 101> First, the schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 101 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of image forming apparatus 101. Note that, hereinafter, the position where a user faces an operation unit (not shown) where various inputs / settings are made to image forming apparatus 101 is referred to as the "front side" of image forming apparatus 101, and the rear side is referred to as the "rear side." In other words, FIG. 1 shows the internal configuration of image forming apparatus 101 as seen from the front side. Here, image forming apparatus 101 is merely one example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and a facsimile machine, inkjet printer, multifunction peripheral, etc. equipped with an image reading device also fall under the image forming apparatus 101 according to the present invention.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, image forming apparatus 101 is provided with image reading device 1 above image forming apparatus main body 101A. Image reading device 1 includes an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 2 and a reader 3, and optically scans an original D to read image information. Original D may be paper such as paper or envelopes, plastic film such as sheets for overhead projectors, or sheets of cloth. The image information converted into an electrical signal by image reading device 1 is transferred to control unit 132 provided in image forming apparatus main body 101A.

[0013] The image forming apparatus main body 101A has an image forming unit 133 as an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet P, which is a recording medium, and a sheet feeding section 134 for feeding the sheet P to the image forming unit 133. The sheet feeding section 134 has sheet storage sections 137a, 137b, 137c, and 137d that can store sheets P of different sizes. The sheets P stored in each sheet storage section are fed out by a pickup roller 112, separated one by one by a feed roller 113a and a retard roller 113b, and delivered to the corresponding conveyance roller pair 131. The sheets P are then delivered in order to a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 131 arranged along the sheet conveyance path, and are conveyed to a registration roller pair 136.

[0014] The sheet P placed on the manual feed tray 137e by the user is fed into the image forming apparatus main body 101A by a feed roller 138 and conveyed to the registration roller pair 136. The registration roller pair 136 stops the leading edge of the sheet P to correct skew. Furthermore, the registration roller pair 136 resumes conveying the sheet P in accordance with the progress of the image forming operation, which is the toner image forming process by the image forming unit 133.

[0015] The image forming unit 133 that forms an image on the sheet P is an electrophotographic image forming unit equipped with a photosensitive drum 121, which is a photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 121 is rotatable along the conveyance direction of the sheet P, and a charger 118, an exposure device 123, a developing device 124, a transfer charger 125, a separation charger 126, and a cleaner 127 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 121. The charger 118 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 121. The exposure device 123 exposes the photosensitive drum 121 to light based on image information input from the image reading device 1 or the like, forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 121. The developing device 124 contains a developer containing toner and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by supplying charged toner to the photosensitive drum 121. The toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 121 is transferred to the sheet P being conveyed from a pair of registration rollers 136 by a bias electric field formed by the transfer charger 125. The sheet P onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 121 by a bias electric field formed by a separation charger 126, and is transported by a pre-fixing transport section 128 toward a fixing section 129. Note that any deposits such as residual toner that have not been transferred to the sheet P and remain on the photosensitive drum 121 are removed by a cleaner 127, and the photosensitive drum 121 is prepared for the next image forming operation.

[0016] The sheet P conveyed to the fixing unit 129 undergoes a fixing process, including applying pressure and heat to the toner image, while being conveyed while being sandwiched between a pair of rollers. This causes the toner to melt and then solidify, thereby fixing the image to the sheet P. When image output is complete, the sheet P on which the fixed image has been formed is discharged via a pair of discharge rollers 116 to a discharge tray 130 that protrudes outward from the image forming apparatus main body 101A. When an image is formed on the back side of the sheet P in double-sided printing, the sheet P that has passed through the fixing unit 129 has its front and back sides swapped by a reversing unit 139 and is conveyed to a pair of registration rollers 136 by a double-sided conveying unit 140. Then, the sheet P on which the image has been formed again by the image forming unit 133 is discharged to the discharge tray 130.

[0017] <General Configuration of Image Reading Device 1> Next, the schematic configuration of the image reading device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image reading device 1. As described above, the image reading device 1 includes the reader 3 and the ADF 2. The ADF 2 transports the document D loaded on the document tray 4, which is a loading section, and discharges the document D read by the reader 3 onto the discharge tray 5, which is a discharge section.

[0018] The reader 3 has a first reading unit 312 that reads the image on the front side of the document D. Further, a first flow reading glass 314 and a platen glass 315, which are transparent members that transmit visible light, are provided on the upper surface of the reader 3. The platen glass 315 is arranged alongside the first flow reading glass 314 in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow 316 in FIG. 3). The first reading unit 312 is driven by a driving unit such as a drive belt (not shown) to move in the sub-scanning direction. The reader 3 reads an image of the document D placed on the platen glass 315 by moving the first reading unit 312 in the sub-scanning direction. The first reading unit 312 also reads an image of the front surface of the document D transported by the ADF 2 at the first reading position F1. Here, the sub-scanning direction in this embodiment is a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, which is the direction in which multiple light receiving elements provided in the first reading unit 312 are arranged.

[0019] The ADF2 has a second reading unit 313 that reads an image of the back side of the document D. The second reading unit 313 reads an image of the back side of the document D transported by the ADF2 at a second reading position F2 that is downstream of the first reading position F1 in the transport direction of the document D. The ADF2 is rotatably supported with respect to the reader 3 by a hinge (not shown) disposed at the rear of the device in FIG. 2 so that a document platen 315 can be opened. That is, when the ADF2 is rotated upward and opened, the user can place or remove the document D on or from the document platen 315. Furthermore, when the ADF2 is closed, a resin plate (not shown) can press the document D placed on the document platen 315 to prevent it from moving.

[0020] The ADF 2 includes a document tray 4 on which documents D are stacked and a discharge tray 5 onto which the documents D are discharged. The ADF 2 also includes a feed roller 301 as a feeding unit for feeding the documents D stacked on the document tray 4, a separation roller pair 302 for separating the documents D one by one, and a first conveyance roller pair 303 for pulling out the separated documents D. The feed roller 301 feeds the documents in a feeding direction (the direction indicated by arrow 318). The documents D separated from other documents by the separation roller pair 302 are conveyed in this order by the first conveyance roller pair 303, the second conveyance roller pair 304, the third conveyance roller pair 305, the fourth conveyance roller pair 306, the fifth conveyance roller pair 308, and the sixth conveyance roller pair 310. A discharge roller pair 311 is disposed downstream of the sixth conveyance roller pair 310 in the conveyance direction, and discharges the documents D, from which the images have been read, onto the discharge tray 5.

[0021] The ADF 2 is provided with a first platen roller 307 located between the fourth conveyor roller pair 306 and the fifth conveyor roller pair 308 and facing the first flow reading glass 314. The first platen roller 307 is a roller member that rotates while coming into contact with the back surface of the document D, thereby preventing the document D from lifting up from the first flow reading glass 314. The ADF 2 is also provided with a second platen roller 309 located between the fifth conveyor roller pair 308 and the sixth conveyor roller pair 310 and facing the second flow reading glass 317. The second platen roller 309 is a roller member that rotates while coming into contact with the front surface of the document D, thereby preventing the document D from lifting up from the second flow reading glass 317.

[0022] Next, an image reading operation by the image reading device 1 will be described. The image reading device 1 can perform image reading operation in either a flow reading mode or a fixed reading mode based on an explicit operation by the user or the like. The flow reading mode is a mode in which the image of the original document D is read by transporting the original document D by the ADF 2 and passing through the reading positions F1 and F2 of the first reading unit 312 and the second reading unit 313. The fixed reading mode is a mode in which the image of the original document placed on the platen glass 315 by the user is read by moving the first reading unit 312 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0023] In the flow reading mode, the first reading unit 312 is aligned with the first reading position F1 and reads the image of the original document while fixed at position P1. The original document D placed on the original document tray 4 is fed by the feed roller 301 and separated into individual sheets at the separation nip portion of the separation roller pair 302. The separated original document D is then pulled out by the first conveyance roller pair 303, and passes through the second conveyance roller pair 304, the third conveyance roller pair 305, and the fourth conveyance roller pair 306 to reach the first reading position F1. Then, at the first reading position F1, the first reading unit 312 optically scans the surface of the original document D to read the image.

[0024] After passing through the first reading position F1, the document D passes through the fifth conveyance roller pair 308 and reaches the second reading position F2. At the second reading position F2, the second reading unit 313 optically scans the back side of the document D to read the image. After passing through the second reading position F2, the document D passes through the sixth conveyance roller pair 310 and is discharged to the discharge tray 5 by the discharge roller pair 311. This reading operation is repeated until a sensor (not shown) provided in the document tray 4 confirms that all documents have been fed. In this embodiment, the ADF 2 includes the second reading unit 313, which can read the back side of the document D. However, the ADF 2 may not include the second reading unit 313. If the ADF 2 does not include the second reading unit, the ADF 2 reads the image on the front side of the document D at the first reading position F1, flips the document D over, and transports it again to the first reading position F1 to read the image on the back side of the document D.

[0025] On the other hand, in the fixed reading mode, the first reading unit 312 moves back and forth between positions P1 and P2 in the sub-scanning direction while scanning the original placed on the platen glass 315, thereby reading the original image. The control unit 132 of the image forming apparatus main body 101A grasps the position of the first reading unit 312 from a position sensor (not shown) and the number of rotation pulses of the motor. In the fixed reading mode and the flow reading mode, the image information acquired by the first reading unit 312 and the second reading unit 313 is sequentially transferred to the control unit 132 of the image forming apparatus main body 101A.

[0026] <Document Tray 4 Configuration> Next, the configuration of the document tray 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image reading device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the document tray 4 has a support surface 4a as a first support surface that supports documents from below, and a retraction support surface 4b as a second support surface. The retraction support surface 4b is provided so as to be movable in the width direction relative to the support surface 4a and can be retracted from a predetermined region 4d (see FIG. 6(a) described later) above the discharge tray 5. FIG. 3 shows the document tray 4 in a state in which the retraction support surface 4b has not been retracted from the predetermined region 4d. In other words, in FIG. 3, the predetermined region 4d is the region where the retraction support surface 4b exists. When the retraction support surface 4b moves in the width direction relative to the support surface 4a, the retraction support surface 4b moves so as to slip under the support surface 4a. Here, the width direction is a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction (the direction indicated by the arrow 318 in FIG. 2) and along the loading surface 4a. The support surface 4a also includes a downstream support portion 4c that supports the document on the downstream side in the feeding direction of the retraction support surface 4b in FIG. The downstream support portion 4c is an area of ​​the support surface 4a surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 3, and is a portion located downstream in the feeding direction from the predetermined area 4d.

[0027] The document tray 4 has a first restricting portion 41 and a second restricting portion 42 that restrict the position of the stacked documents D in the width direction. The first restricting portion 41 and the second restricting portion 42 are provided so as to be movable in the width direction relative to the support surface 4a, and are interlocked to move in opposite directions in the width direction by an interlocking mechanism described below. In addition, the second restricting portion 42 is fixed to the retraction support surface 4b, and the second restricting guide 42 moves in the width direction together with the retraction support surface 4b.

[0028] The first restricting portion 41 has a support surface 41a as a third support surface that supports the document together with the support surface 4a and the retracting support surface 4b, and a restricting surface 41b as a first restricting surface against which the rear end of the document in the width direction abuts. The support surface 41a is a surface along the support surface 4a, and the restricting surface 41b is a surface perpendicular to the support surface 41a. The second restricting portion 42 has a support surface 42a as a fourth support surface that supports the document together with the support surface 4a and the retracting support surface 4b, and a restricting surface 42b as a second restricting surface against which the front end of the document in the width direction abuts. In other words, one end of the document in the width direction abuts against the restricting surface 41b of the first restricting portion 41, and the other end on the opposite side in the width direction of the document abuts against the restricting surface 42b of the second restricting portion 42. The support surface 42a is a surface along the support surface 4a, and the restricting surface 42b is a surface perpendicular to the support surface 42a. The support surface 41a and the support surface 42a are arranged so as to overlap the support surface 4a, and the heights of the support surfaces 41a and 42a are the same.

[0029] Furthermore, the front end of support surface 41a is inclined so that it becomes lower as it approaches the center of the transport path. Similarly, the rear end of support surface 42a is inclined so that it becomes lower as it approaches the center of the transport path. Because the ends of support surface 41a and support surface 42a are inclined, when a user places a document on document tray 4 and then moves first restricting portion 41 and second restricting portion 42 inward, support surface 41a and support surface 42a can scoop up both ends of the document. This makes it possible to prevent the document from getting caught on the ends of support surface 41a and support surface 42a and causing wrinkles in the document.

[0030] The second restricting portion 42 is provided so that the restricting surface 42b is located from the upstream end of the retraction support surface 4b to the downstream end of the downstream support portion 4c of the support surface 4a. Therefore, when the second support portion 42 moves in the width direction, a portion of the restricting surface 42b moves over the downstream support portion 4c. The restricting surface 41b of the first support portion 41 is located so as to overlap with the second support surface 42b when viewed from the front side of the device.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the image reading device 1 with the document tray 4 rotated upward. The document tray 4 is provided so as to be rotatable upward about rotation shafts 10a and 10b (see FIG. 11 described later) extending in the width direction. The rotation shafts 10a and 10b are provided on the rear and front sides of the document tray 4, respectively, and are inserted into circular holes (not shown) in the ADF 2. After the document has been read, the user can easily remove the document discharged onto the discharge tray 5 by rotating the document tray 4 upward as shown in FIG. 4.

[0032] When setting a document on the document tray 4, the user moves the first restricting portion 41 and the second restricting portion 42 according to the width of the document, and abuts both ends of the document in the width direction against the restricting surfaces 41b and 42b. This restricts the position of the document in the width direction loaded on the document tray 4, and prevents the document from skewing when being fed.

[0033] 5(a) is a perspective view of the image reading device 1 when a large-sized original D1 is set in the original tray 4, and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view of the image reading device 1 when the large-sized original D1 is discharged onto the discharge tray 5. In this embodiment, the large-sized original D1 is an A4-sized original (210 mm × 297 mm), and the small-sized original D2, which will be described later, is a business card-sized original (55 mm × 91 mm).

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5(a), when a user places a large-sized document D1 on the document tray 4, the user moves the first restricting portion 41 and the second restricting portion 42 to match the width of the document D1. At this time, the rear side of the document D1 is supported by the support surface 4a and the support surface 41a, and the front side is supported by the downstream support portion 4c of the support surface 4a, the retracted support surface 4b, and the support surface 42a. In this state, when the user instructs the image reading device 1 to start reading, the document D1 placed on the document tray 4 is fed by the feed roller 301, and after the image is read, the document D1 is discharged to the discharge tray 5. As shown in FIG. 5(b), when the large-sized document D1 is discharged to the discharge tray 5, the user can view the document D1 through a notch (a region where the support surface 4a does not exist) on the document tray 4 upstream of the retracted support surface 4b in the feeding direction.

[0035] FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of the image reading device 1 when a small-sized original D2 is set in the original tray 4, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view of the image reading device 1 when the small-sized original D2 is discharged to the discharge tray 5. As shown in FIG. 6(a), when a user sets a small-sized original D2 in the original tray 4, the user moves the first and second restricting portions 41 and 42 in the width direction to match the width of the original D2. At this time, the small-sized original D2 is supported by the support surfaces 41a and 42a. As shown in FIG. 6(a), when a small-sized original D2 is set in the original tray 4, the first and second restricting portions 41 and 42 are moved inward in the width direction compared to when a large-sized original D1 is set in the original tray 4. As the second restricting portion 42 moves, the retraction support surface 4b also moves so as to slip under the support surface 4a. As a result, the retraction support surface 4b retracts from a predetermined area 4d above the discharge tray 5. Here, the predetermined area 4d is the area surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 6(a).

[0036] When a user issues a scanning start command to the image reading device 1 with a small-sized original D2 set in the original tray 4, the original D2 set in the original tray 4 is fed by the feed roller 301, and after the image is read, the original D2 is discharged to the discharge tray 5. As shown in FIG. 6(b), when the small-sized original D2 is discharged to the discharge tray 5, the user can visually recognize the original D1 through the predetermined area 4d. This allows the user to confirm the small-sized original D2 on the discharge tray 5 even when viewed from diagonally above the image reading device 1, and makes it possible to easily remove the small-sized original D2.

[0037] <Configuration of the first restricting portion 41 and the second restricting portion 42> Next, the configurations of the first restricting portion 41 and the second restricting portion 42 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first restricting portion 41 as seen from diagonally below. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the document tray 4 as seen from the front side of the device. As shown in FIG. 7, a first interlocking member 411 is attached to the underside of the support surface 41a of the first restricting portion 41 by a fixing member 412. The first interlocking member 411 is formed with a rack portion 411a having a plurality of teeth arranged in a straight line. Note that the first restricting portion 41 and the first interlocking member 411 may be fixed to each other by providing an engaging shape without using the fixing member 412. Alternatively, the first restricting portion 41 and the first interlocking member 411 may be formed integrally.

[0038] A hook 413 is formed on the downstream end of the support surface 41a of the first restricting portion 41 in the feeding direction to prevent the first restricting portion 41 from lifting up from the support surface 4a. The hook 413 protrudes downward from the downstream end of the support surface 41a in the feeding direction and has a hook shape with its tip bent toward the upstream side. As shown in FIG. 8 , the first restricting portion 41 and the first interlocking member 411 are attached so as to sandwich the support surface 4a. The hook 413 formed on the first restricting portion 41 protrudes downstream from the downstream end of the support surface 4a (downstream support portion 4c) in the feeding direction, and the hook-shaped tip of the hook 413 is positioned so as to fit under the support surface 4a. This prevents the downstream end of the first restricting portion 41 in the feeding direction from lifting up from the support surface 4a. The underside of the document tray 4 is covered by a cover 6.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second restricting portion 42 as seen from diagonally below. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the document tray 4 as seen from the rear of the device. As shown in FIG. 9, a second interlocking member 421 having a retraction support surface 4b is attached to the underside of the support surface 42a of the second restricting portion 42 by two fixing members 422. The upper surface of the second interlocking member 421 is the retraction support surface 4b. A rack portion 421a having a plurality of teeth arranged in a straight line is formed on the back side of the retraction support surface 4b of the second interlocking member 421. The second restricting portion 42 and the second interlocking member 421 may be fixed to each other by providing an engaging shape without using the fixing member 422. Alternatively, the second restricting portion 42 and the second interlocking member 421 may be formed integrally.

[0040] A hook portion 423 is formed on the downstream end of the support surface 42a of the second restricting portion 42 in the feeding direction to prevent the second restricting portion 42 from lifting up from the support surface 4a. The hook portion 423 protrudes downward from the downstream end of the support surface 42a in the feeding direction, and its tip is bent upstream, similar to the hook portion 413. As shown in FIG. 10 , the second restricting portion 42 and the second interlocking member 421 are attached so as to sandwich the support surface 4a. The hook portion 423 formed on the second restricting portion 42 protrudes downstream from the downstream end of the support surface 4a in the feeding direction, and the hook-shaped tip of the hook portion 423 is positioned so as to bend under the support surface 4a. This prevents the second restricting portion 42 from lifting up from the support surface 4a at the downstream end in the feeding direction.

[0041] FIG. 11(a) is a bottom view of the document tray 4 when a large-sized document D1 is set in the document tray 4, and FIG. 11(b) is a bottom view of the document tray 4 when a small-sized document D2 is set in the document tray 4. Note that the cover 6 of the document tray 4 is omitted in FIG. 11. When the document tray 4 in the state shown in FIG. 11(a) is viewed from above, the retractable support surface 4b is exposed at the top, as shown in FIG. 5(b). When the document tray 4 in the state shown in FIG. 11(b) is viewed from above, the retractable support surface 4b is recessed below the support surface 4a, as shown in FIG. 6(b). In other words, in FIG. 11(b), the retractable support surface 4b is retracted from a predetermined area 4d above the discharge tray 5.

[0042] The document tray 4 is provided with a gear 7 that engages with both the rack portion 411a and the rack portion 421a. When the first restricting portion 41 moves toward the second restricting portion 42, the first interlocking member 411 attached to the first restricting portion 41 also moves in the same direction. At this time, the gear 7, which is engaged with the rack portion 411a of the first interlocking member 411, rotates. Because the rack portion 421a of the second interlocking member 421 is engaged with the gear 7, the rotation of the gear 7 causes the second interlocking member 421 and the second restricting portion 42 to move in the opposite direction to the first restricting portion 41. Furthermore, when the second restricting portion 42 moves toward the first restricting portion 41, the first restricting portion 41 also moves in the opposite direction to the second restricting portion 42. In this way, when one of the first restricting portion 41 and the second restricting portion 42 moves in the width direction, the other moves in the opposite direction in conjunction with the first restricting portion 41. This allows the user to move both the first restricting portion 41 and the second restricting portion 42 in accordance with the document width by simply grasping and moving either one of the first restricting portion 41 and the second restricting portion 42.

[0043] Moreover, the gear 7 and the first interlocking member 411 are disposed below the downstream support portion 4c. As a result, regardless of the positions of the first restricting portion 41 and the second restricting portion 42, the gear 7 and the first interlocking member 411 make the document tray 4 invisible from above.

[0044] Next, an image reading device 1B as a comparative example will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the image reading device 1B when a large-sized document D1 is discharged onto the discharge tray 5. The image reading device 1B of FIG. 12 according to the comparative example differs from the image reading device 1 described above only in the configuration of the first restricting portion 41B and the second restricting portion 42B, and the configurations other than the first restricting portion 41B and the second restricting portion 42B are the same. The second restricting portion 42B of the image reading device 1B is provided only on the retraction support surface 4b. In other words, the second restricting portion 42B of the image reading device 1B is not present on the downstream support portion 4c of the support surface 4a. With this configuration, the position of the document is not restricted on the downstream support portion 4c, which results in greater skew when the document is fed.

[0045] On the other hand, as described in the present embodiment, the second regulating portion 42 of the image reading device 1 is provided so that the regulating surface 42b is located on the downstream support portion 4c of the support surface 4a. Therefore, unlike the image reading device 1B which is the comparative example, the second regulating portion 42 of the image reading device 1 can regulate the position of the document even on the downstream side in the feeding direction of the document tray 4. This makes it possible to suppress skew that occurs when feeding the document, and reduce the occurrence of reading errors.

[0046] In this embodiment, the second restricting portion 42 is provided so that the restricting surface 42b is located from the upstream end of the retraction support surface 4b to the downstream end of the downstream support portion 4c in the feeding direction. However, it is sufficient that the second restricting portion 42 is provided so that at least a portion of the restricting surface 42b is located on the downstream support portion 4c of the support surface 4a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 101 Image forming device 1. Image reader 2 ADF 3. Leader 4 Document tray 5 Output tray 41 First Regulatory Department 42 Second Regulatory Department

Claims

1. a loading section on which sheets are loaded; a feeding means for feeding the sheets stacked in the stacking section in a feeding direction; a reading means for reading an image on the sheet fed by the feeding means; a discharge section provided below the stacking section, to which the sheet having the image read by the reading means is discharged; Equipped with The loading section is a first support surface that supports the seat; a second support surface provided to be movable in a width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction relative to the first support surface between a first position where the second support surface supports the sheet together with the first support surface and a second position retracted from the first position; a first regulating portion having a first regulating surface against which one end of the sheet in the width direction abuts, the first regulating portion being provided on the first support surface so as to be movable in the width direction, and regulating a position in the width direction of the sheet stacked on the stacking portion; a first rack portion fixed to the first restriction portion and having teeth arranged in a straight line; a second regulating portion having a second regulating surface against which an end of the sheet opposite to the one end in the width direction abuts, the second regulating portion being provided on the second support surface so as to be movable in the width direction together with the second support surface, and regulating a position of the sheet in the width direction; a second rack portion fixed to the second restriction portion and having teeth arranged in a straight line; a gear portion that is arranged to mesh with the first rack portion and the second rack portion and moves the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion in conjunction with each other; and the first support surface includes a downstream support portion that supports the sheet downstream of the second support surface in the feeding direction, the first rack portion and the second rack portion are covered by the downstream support portion when viewed from above, regardless of positions of the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion. An image reading device characterized by:

2. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the second regulating surface is provided so as to extend from an upstream end of the second support surface to a downstream end of the downstream support portion in the feeding direction.

3. 3. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second regulating surface moves in the width direction on the downstream support portion.

4. 4. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the loading section is provided so as to be rotatable upward.

5. the first restricting portion has a third support surface that is a surface along the first support surface and supports the seat together with the first support surface and the second support surface, The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second regulating portion has a fourth support surface that is a surface that conforms to the first support surface and supports the sheet together with the first support surface and the second support surface.

6. the third support surface is disposed so as to overlap the first support surface; 6. The image reading device according to claim 5, wherein the fourth support surface is disposed so as to overlap the downstream support portion.

7. 7. The image reading device according to claim 5, wherein the third support surface and the fourth support surface are at the same height.

8. An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images