Image reading device
The detachable and switchable retaining member addresses the management and damage issues of the detachable pressing member, improving user convenience and preventing media skewing and jamming in document scanners.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SEIKO EPSON CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
Smart Images
Figure 0007882388000001 
Figure 0007882388000002 
Figure 0007882388000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a medium discharge device for discharging a medium and an image reading device including the same.
Background Art
[0002] In a document scanner that reads while conveying a document, a printer that records on paper, etc., there is a device that includes a tray for receiving a discharged medium and a pressing member for pressing the medium discharged onto the tray as shown in Patent Document 1. Since the discharged medium is pressed from above by this pressing member, even a medium with a strong curling tendency is deposited on the tray in an appropriate state.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the pressing member is configured to be detachable. When the pressing member is detachable in this way, damage to the pressing member can be avoided during storage or transportation of the device. However, on the other hand, management of the removed pressing member becomes complicated in the normal use environment.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] To solve the above problems, the media transport device of the present invention comprises a device body equipped with a media discharge unit for discharging media, a media receiving tray for receiving media discharged by the media discharge unit, and a retaining member that is detachable from the device body and, when attached to the device body, presses the media discharged by the media discharge unit toward the media receiving tray, wherein the retaining member, when attached to the device body, is switchable between a first state in which it can contact the media discharged by the media discharge unit and a second state in which it is retracted upward to a position where it does not contact the media discharged by the media discharge unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0006] [Figure 1] External perspective view of the scanner. [Figure 2] A side cross-sectional view showing the document transport path in a scanner. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the document receiving tray and retaining member. [Figure 4] Perspective view of the document receiving tray and retaining member. [Figure 5] External perspective view of the scanner. [Figure 6] Side view of the scanner. [Figure 7] Plan view of the control panel. [Figure 8] External perspective view of the scanner. [Figure 9] Perspective view of the retaining member and base. [Figure 10] Perspective view of the base. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view of the retaining member, base, and fixing part. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view of the retaining member, base, and fixing part. [Figure 13] Side view of the retaining member. [Figure 14] A side view of the retaining member according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] A side view of the retaining member according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] A side view of the retaining member according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] A side view of the retaining member according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0007] The present invention will be described in general terms below. The first embodiment comprises a device body equipped with a media discharge unit for discharging a medium, a media receiving tray for receiving the medium discharged by the media discharge unit, and a retaining member that is detachable from the device body and, when attached to the device body, presses the medium discharged by the media discharge unit toward the media receiving tray, wherein the retaining member, when attached to the device body, is switchable between a first state in which it can contact the medium discharged by the media discharge unit and a second state in which it is retracted upward to a position where it does not contact the medium discharged by the media discharge unit.
[0008] According to this embodiment, the retaining member is detachable from the main body of the device, and when attached to the main body of the device, it can switch between a first state in which it can contact the medium discharged by the medium discharge section and a second state in which it is retracted upward to a position where it does not contact the medium discharged by the medium discharge section. Therefore, if the retaining member is not needed in the normal operating environment, the device can be set to the second state without removing the retaining member from the main body of the device, thereby meeting the user's requirements and improving user convenience.
[0009] The second embodiment is characterized in that, in the first embodiment, it includes load-applying means for applying a load to the switching operation of the retaining member from the second state to the first state. According to this embodiment, since the device is equipped with load-applying means for applying a load to the switching operation of the retaining member from the second state to the first state, it is possible to suppress the retaining member from switching from the second state to the first state against the user's intention, thereby further improving user convenience.
[0010] In a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the pressing member is provided to switch between the first state and the second state by rotating, and by applying an external force including a vertically upward component to the tip of the pressing member at the limit of downward rotation, the pressing member rotates toward the second state. When lifting and moving the device body, when placing the device body, there is a risk that the pressing member at the limit of downward rotation may collide with the installation surface of the device and cause damage to the pressing member. However, according to this aspect, when an external force including a vertically upward component is applied to the tip of the pressing member at the limit of downward rotation, the pressing member rotates toward the second state, so that damage to the pressing member as described above can be suppressed.
[0011] A fourth aspect is that, in the third aspect, the limit of downward rotation of the pressing member is defined by the contact between a contact portion formed on the pressing member and a restricting portion with which the contact portion contacts, and in a state where the contact portion contacts the restricting portion, the pressing member takes an inclined posture facing obliquely downward. According to this aspect, the limit of downward rotation of the pressing member is defined by the contact between a contact portion formed on the pressing member and a restricting portion with which the contact portion contacts, and in a state where the contact portion contacts the restricting portion, the pressing member takes an inclined posture facing obliquely downward. Therefore, when an external force including a vertically upward component acts on the lower end of the pressing member at the limit of downward rotation, the pressing member can surely rotate toward the second state, and damage to the pressing member as described above can be surely suppressed.
[0012] The fifth aspect is that in the first or second aspect, the pressing member is provided so as to switch between the first state and the second state by rotating, and includes a locking portion that fixes the pressing member to the apparatus main body, and an operation portion for releasing the fixing of the pressing member by the locking portion. When an external force for rotating the pressing member, which is at the limit of downward rotation, in a direction opposite to the direction toward the second state is applied, a part of the pressing member abuts on the operation portion, and the fixing of the pressing member by the locking portion is released.
[0013] When an external force for rotating the pressing member, which is at the limit of downward rotation, in a direction opposite to the direction toward the second state is applied, there is a risk of causing damage to the pressing member. However, according to this aspect, when an external force for rotating the pressing member, which is at the limit of downward rotation, in a direction opposite to the direction toward the second state is applied, a part of the pressing member abuts on the operation portion, and the fixing of the pressing member by the locking portion is released. Therefore, the pressing member can fall off, and as a result, damage to the pressing member can be suppressed.
[0014] The sixth aspect is that in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the contact position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge portion contacts the pressing member in the first state is downstream in the discharge direction from the position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge portion contacts the medium receiving tray or the medium placed on the medium receiving tray.
[0015] If the medium discharged by the medium discharge portion contacts the pressing member before contacting the medium receiving tray or the medium placed on the medium receiving tray, the medium may buckle and jam. However, according to this aspect, the contact position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge portion contacts the pressing member is downstream in the discharge direction from the position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge portion contacts the medium receiving tray or the medium placed on the medium receiving tray. Therefore, the occurrence of jams as described above can be suppressed.
[0016] The seventh aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to sixth aspects, the pressing member in the first state contacts the medium at multiple contact positions in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium discharge direction. According to this embodiment, the pressing member in the first state contacts the medium at multiple contact points in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium discharge direction, so that rotation, or oblique movement, of the discharged medium can be suppressed.
[0017] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, the pressing member contacts the medium at two contact positions in the width direction, and the center position in the width direction of the medium discharged by the medium discharge section is between the two contact positions. According to this embodiment, since the medium is held down by the pressing members on both sides in the width direction with respect to the center position in the width direction, rotation, or skew, of the discharged medium can be suppressed more effectively.
[0018] The ninth aspect is characterized in that, in the eighth aspect, the retaining member expands in the width direction toward the downstream direction of discharge of the medium, which is a direction intersecting the direction of discharge of the medium, and has a shape in which the central part in the width direction is cut out. According to this embodiment, the pressing member expands in the width direction, which is the direction intersecting the discharge direction of the medium, toward the downstream direction of medium discharge, and has a shape in which the central part in the width direction is cut out. Therefore, by pressing the medium over a wide area in the width direction, rotation, or oblique movement, of the discharged medium can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, because the pressing member has a shape in which the central part in the width direction is cut out, when the pressing member is switched to the second state, the area covered by the pressing member on the main body of the device can be reduced, thereby suppressing a decrease in the operability of the main body of the device.
[0019] The tenth embodiment is characterized in that, in any of the first to ninth embodiments, the retaining member is formed such that, when viewed from the width direction which is a direction intersecting the discharge direction of the medium, the portion that contacts the medium receiving tray is convex relative to the medium receiving tray. If the media receiving tray is configured to expand and contract, there is a risk that the media receiving tray may get caught on the retaining member, especially when it is contracting. However, in this embodiment, the retaining member is formed in such a shape that the portion in contact with the media receiving tray is convex relative to the media receiving tray when viewed from the width direction, which is the direction intersecting the media discharge direction, so that the above-mentioned catching can be suppressed.
[0020] The eleventh embodiment is characterized in that, in any of the first to tenth embodiments, the pressing member is configured to allow adjustment of the pressing load when pressing the medium. According to this embodiment, since the pressing member is configured to allow adjustment of the pressing load when pressing the medium, the pressing load can be adjusted according to the size and type of the medium, and the medium can be properly pressed.
[0021] The twelfth embodiment is characterized in that, in any of the first to eleventh embodiments, the retaining member is configured to be adjustable in length in the discharge direction of the medium. According to this embodiment, since the pressing member is configured to adjust the length in the discharge direction of the medium, the position in which the pressing member presses the medium can be adjusted according to the size of the medium, and the medium can be properly held in place.
[0022] The 13th embodiment is characterized in that, in any of the first to 12 embodiments, the pressing member is switchable between a first portion in which the friction coefficient between the medium and the pressing member is a first friction coefficient and a second portion in which the friction coefficient between the medium and the pressing member is a second friction coefficient greater than the first friction coefficient. According to this embodiment, the pressing member can be switched between a first portion in contact with the medium, where the coefficient of friction between the pressing member and the medium is a first coefficient of friction, and a second portion in which the coefficient of friction between the pressing member and the medium is a second coefficient of friction greater than the first coefficient of friction. Therefore, the coefficient of friction can be switched according to the size and type of the medium, and the medium can be properly pressed.
[0023] The 14th embodiment is characterized in that, in any of the first to 13 embodiments, the main body of the device includes a display unit for displaying various information, and the retaining member in the second state in a plan view of the display unit is positioned to cover a part of the display unit and is outside the display content of the display unit. According to this embodiment, in a plan view of the display unit, the retaining member in the second state is positioned to cover a part of the display unit and is outside the display content of the display unit. Therefore, the retaining member in the second state can suppress obstruction of the user's view of the display unit.
[0024] The 15th embodiment is characterized in that, in any of the first to 14th embodiments, the main body of the device includes an operation panel for receiving various operation settings, the operation panel includes at least one pressable push button, and the retaining member in the second state is in a position that covers a part of the push button in a plan view of the push button and exposes a part of the push button. According to this embodiment, the retaining member in the second state is positioned to cover a part of the push button in a plan view of the push button, while exposing a part of the push button. Therefore, the retaining member in the second state can avoid interfering with the user pressing the push button.
[0025] The image reading device according to the 16th embodiment is characterized by comprising a reading means for reading a conveyed medium and a medium discharge device according to any of the 1st to 15th embodiments for discharging the medium that has been read by the reading means. According to this embodiment, the image reading device can obtain any of the effects of the first to fifteen embodiments described above. The present invention will be described in detail below.
[0026] In the following, a document scanner 1 capable of reading at least one side of the front and back of a document, which is an example of a medium, will be described as an example of an image reading device. The document scanner 1 will be abbreviated as scanner 1 below. The original document will be referred to as original document P below.
[0027] In each figure, the XYZ coordinate system is such that the X-axis direction corresponds to the width of the device and the width of the document, and the Y-axis direction corresponds to the document transport direction during scanning and the ejection direction when the document is ejected. The Z-axis direction intersects with the Y-axis direction and is perpendicular to the surface of the document P being scanned. In the following, the direction in which the document P is fed (+Y-axis direction) is sometimes referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction (-Y-axis direction) is sometimes referred to as "upstream."
[0028] In Figure 1, the scanner 1 comprises a main unit 2. The main unit 2 consists of a lower unit 3 and an upper unit 4. The upper unit 4 is provided so as to be able to open and close relative to the lower unit 3, with a pivot point (not shown) downstream in the document transport direction. The upper unit 4 is configured to open towards the front of the device, exposing the document transport path and allowing for jamming of the document P.
[0029] The rear side of the main body 2 of the device is provided with a document placement section 11 for placing the document P to be fed. The document placement section 11 is detachably attached to the main body 2 of the device. Furthermore, the document placement section 11 is provided with a pair of edge guides 12A and 12B that guide the side edges of the document P in the width direction. The document placement section 11 is equipped with a paper support 8. The paper support 8 is configured to be housed inside the document placement section 11 and to be retractable from the document placement section 11, allowing the length of the document placement surface to be adjusted.
[0030] The main unit 2 of the device is equipped with an operation panel 7 on the front side of the upper unit 4 for making various operation settings. The operation panel 7 has a display unit 7a for displaying various information, as well as several operation buttons for making various operation settings, and the operation button indicated by reference numeral 7b is one of them.
[0031] The top of the main body 2 of the device is provided with a feed port 6 that connects to the inside of the main body 2, and the document P placed on the document placement section 11 is fed from the feed port 6 towards the reading section 20 (see Figure 2) located inside the main body 2 of the device.
[0032] Next, the document transport path in scanner 1 will be described, primarily with reference to Figure 2. In Figure 2, the dashed line indicated by the symbol T represents the document transport path. The document transport path T is formed by the region sandwiched between the lower unit 3 and the upper unit 4.
[0033] A document placement section 11 is provided at the very upstream end of the document transport path T. Downstream of the document placement section 11, there is a feed roller 14 that sends the document P placed on the document placement section 11 toward the reading section 20, and a separation roller 15 that nips and separates the document P between itself and the feed roller 14. The feed roller 14, driven by a motor (not shown), contacts the lowest of the documents P placed on the document placement section 11. Therefore, when multiple documents P are placed on the document placement section 11 in the scanner 1, they are fed downstream starting from the lowest document P. Rotational torque is transmitted to the separation roller 15 from a motor (not shown) via a torque limiter (not shown) that returns the documents P upstream.
[0034] Downstream of the feeding roller 14, there is a transport roller pair 16, a reading unit 20 for reading the original document P, and a discharge roller pair 17, which is an example of a media discharge unit. The transport roller pair 16 comprises a transport drive roller 16a that is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) and a transport driven roller 16b that rotates in response. The original document P, nipped by the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15 and fed downstream, is then nipped by the transport roller pair 16 and transported to the reading unit 20 located downstream of the transport roller pair 16.
[0035] The reading unit 20 comprises an upper reading sensor 20A provided on the upper unit 4 and a lower reading sensor 20B provided on the lower unit 3. In this embodiment, the upper reading sensor 20A and the lower reading sensor 20B are equipped with contact-type image sensor modules (CISM). The lower reading sensor 20B reads the bottom surface of the document P, and the upper reading sensor 20A reads the top surface of the document P.
[0036] After the original document P is read on at least one of its top and bottom surfaces by the reading unit 20, it is nipped by a pair of discharge rollers 17 located downstream of the reading unit 20 and discharged from an outlet 18 on the front of the device toward an original document tray 40, which is an example of a media receiving tray. The discharge roller pair 17 comprises a discharge drive roller 17a that is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) and a discharge driven roller 17b that rotates in a driven manner. The device body 2 equipped with the pair of discharge rollers 17, the document receiving tray 40, and the pressing member 30 (described later) constitute a document discharge device 10, which is an example of a media discharge device. Furthermore, from the perspective of discharging a document P, which is an example of a media, the entire scanner 1 can also be considered an example of a media discharge device.
[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the document receiving tray 40 comprises a base tray 41, a first unfolding tray 42, a second unfolding tray 43, and a third unfolding tray 44. The first deployment tray 42 is held in the base tray 41 and can be in a state where it is housed in the base tray 41 as shown in Figure 1, or in a state where it is pulled out from the base tray 41 as shown in Figure 3. The second deployment tray 43 is held in the first deployment tray 42 and can be in a state where it is housed in the first deployment tray 42 as shown in Figure 1, or in a state where it is pulled out from the first deployment tray 42 as shown in Figure 3. The third unfolding tray 44 is rotatably mounted relative to the second unfolding tray 43 via a pivot axis (not shown) located downstream of the second unfolding tray 43, and can assume a tilted state as shown in Figure 3 and an upright state (not shown). In other words, the third unfolding tray 44 functions as a stopper to suppress the ejection of documents P when it is in the upright position.
[0038] Next, we will describe the pressing member 30 that holds down the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 toward the document receiving tray 40. The upper unit 4, which constitutes the main body 2 of the device, is provided with a retaining member 30 that can be attached to or removed from the upper unit 4. Of Figures 1 to 8, Figures 1 to 7 show the retaining member 30 attached to the upper unit 4, and Figure 8 shows the retaining member 30 removed from the upper unit 4.
[0039] As shown in Figure 9, the retaining member 30 is rotatably mounted on the base portion 31 via a rotation axis 30d (see Figures 11 and 12). When the retaining member 30 is attached to the device body 2, the axis of this rotation axis 30d becomes parallel to the X-axis direction, thereby allowing the retaining member 30 to rotate in the YZ plane while mounted on the device body 2. The base portion 31 also has a recess 31a and a locking portion 31b. The retaining member 30 can be attached to and detached from the device body 2 via the base portion 31. The base portion 31 is preferably made of a resin material that has a certain degree of elasticity. The retaining member 30 can be made of a resin material or a metal material.
[0040] In the housing 19 that constitutes the upper surface of the upper unit 4, a fixing portion 32 is provided above the discharge port 18, as shown in Figure 11. The base portion 31 described above is attached to the fixing portion 32. When the base portion 31 is attached to the fixing portion 32, the edge portion 19a that constitutes the upper edge of the discharge port 18 in the housing 19 fits into the recess 31a of the base portion 31, and the hook-shaped lock portion 31b that constitutes the base portion 31 catches on the upper edge of the fixing portion 32, thereby fixing the base portion 31 to the fixing portion 32.
[0041] An operating part 31c is provided on the underside of the base portion 31, as shown in Figure 10. When the operating part 31c is pushed up from below, as indicated by the arrow Fa in the right-hand diagram of Figure 11, the base portion 31 rotates clockwise in Figure 11, using the contact point between the edge portion 19a and the recess 31a as a pivot point, that is, in the direction in which the locking part 31b detaches from the upper edge of the fixing part 32. As a result, as shown in the change from the left-hand diagram to the right-hand diagram of Figure 11, the locking part 31b detaches from the upper edge of the fixing part 32, and the fixed state of the base portion 31 is released. In this way, the base portion 31, or retaining member 30, can be removed from the device body 2.
[0042] Next, the pressing member 30 can switch between a first state in which it can contact the ejected document P by rotating, and a second state in which it is retracted upward to a position where it does not contact the ejected document P. Of Figures 1 to 7, Figures 1 to 4 show an example of the first state of the pressing member 30, and Figures 5 to 7 show the second state of the pressing member 30.
[0043] Here, as shown in Figure 12, a load-applying portion 31d is formed on the base portion 31 as a means for applying a load. A protrusion 30h is formed around the rotating shaft 30d of the retaining member 30, and this protrusion 30h can engage with the load-applying portion 31d. With this configuration, when the retaining member 30 takes the second state, the retaining member 30 is held in the second state as shown in the leftmost figure of Figure 12. When switching the retaining member 30 from the second state to the first state, the protrusion 30h of the retaining member 30 pushes away the load-applying portion 31d. This allows the retaining member 30 to switch to the first state as shown in the leftmost figure of Figure 12 to the center figure. In this way, the load-applying portion 31d applies a load to the switching operation of the retaining member 30 from the second state to the first state.
[0044] Next, as shown in Figures 3 and 9, the pressing member 30 expands in the X-axis direction, i.e., in the width direction, toward the downstream direction of the document P's discharge, and has a shape in which the central part 30c in the width direction is cut out. As a result, a first arm portion 30a is formed in the -X direction relative to the central part 30c, and a second arm portion 30b is formed in the +X direction relative to the central part 30c. With this configuration, the pressing member 30 contacts the original document P at multiple contact positions in the width direction, and more specifically, in this embodiment, it contacts the original document P at two contact positions. Furthermore, the center position in the width direction of the ejected document P is shown by the dashed line C in Figure 3. This center position C is located between the two contact points mentioned above, namely the first arm portion 30a and the second arm portion 30b, and more specifically, it is located at the center of the two contact points mentioned above.
[0045] Next, the rotational movement of the presser member 30 will be described. When there is no document P on the document tray 40, the presser member 30 in the first state is in contact with the upper surface of the document tray 40 due to its own weight. When a document P is ejected into the document tray 40 from this state, the presser member 30 is pushed upward by the document P. When the document P has completely fallen into the document tray 40, the presser member 30 moves downward and stops rotating while in contact with the upper surface of the document P. Thereafter, each time a document P is ejected, the presser member 30 rotates upward and downward repeatedly. Furthermore, as the amount of accumulated documents P on the document tray 40 increases, the rotational stopping position of the presser member 30 moves upward. The above rotational movement of the presser member 30 is performed in the first state of the presser member 30.
[0046] As described above, the document ejection device 10 is detachable from the device body 2 and includes a pressing member 30 that, when attached to the device body 2, presses the documents P ejected by the ejection roller pair 17 toward the document receiving tray 40. Without the pressing member 30, the documents P ejected by the ejection roller pair 17 are prone to rotation, or skew, due to the force of ejection after being ejected. However, as described above, when the pressing member 30 is provided, the pressing member 30 presses the ejected documents P toward the document receiving tray 40, thereby suppressing the skew of the documents P and improving the alignment of the documents P in the document receiving tray 40. Note that rotation, or skew, of the documents P can also be suppressed by providing a side fence that restricts the side edges of the ejected documents P, but this is effective when, for example, documents P of different sizes are mixed together, small-sized documents cannot be guided by the side fence.
[0047] Furthermore, since the retaining member 30 can be removed from the main body 2 of the device, damage to the retaining member 30 can be avoided by removing it when storing or transporting the device. Furthermore, the retaining member 30, while attached to the main body 2 of the device, can switch between a first state in which it can contact the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17, and a second state in which it is retracted upward to a position where it does not contact the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17. Therefore, if the retaining member 30 is not needed in the normal operating environment, it can be set to the second state without removing the retaining member 30 from the main body 2 of the device, thereby meeting the user's requirements and improving user convenience. For example, when performing jam processing, the retaining member 30 can be switched to the second state so that it does not get in the way. In this embodiment, when there is no document P in the document tray 40, the retaining member 30 is in contact with the upper surface of the document tray 40. However, the retaining member 30 may be configured to be a certain distance away from the document tray 40 when there is no document P in the document tray 40.
[0048] Furthermore, as explained with reference to Figure 11, the document ejection device 10 includes a load-applying unit 31d that applies a load to the switching operation of the presser member 30 from the second state to the first state. This prevents the presser member 30 from switching from the second state to the first state against the user's intention, further improving user convenience.
[0049] Furthermore, the pressing member 30 in the first state contacts the document P at multiple contact points in the width direction, which is the direction intersecting the document P's discharge direction. This suppresses rotation, or skew, of the discharged document P in the XY plane.
[0050] Furthermore, the pressing member 30 contacts the document P at two contact points in the width direction, specifically at the first arm portion 30a and the second arm portion 30b, and the center position C in the width direction of the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 is located between the two contact points, i.e., between the first arm portion 30a and the second arm portion 30b. With this configuration, rotation, or skew, of the discharged document P can be suppressed more effectively.
[0051] The features of this embodiment will be described further below. The pressing member 30 widens in the width direction toward the downstream direction of the document P discharge, and has a shape in which the central part 30c in the width direction is cut out. This shape effectively suppresses the rotation, or skew, of the discharged document P by pressing it over a wide area in the width direction. Furthermore, because the pressing member 30 has a shape in which the central part 30c in the width direction is cut out, the weight increase of the pressing member 30 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing buckling when discharging a document P with low rigidity. In addition, when the retaining member 30 is switched to the second state, the area covered by the retaining member 30 to the device body 2 can be reduced, thereby suppressing a decrease in the operability of the device body 2. This will be explained further below.
[0052] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the upper end of the retaining member 30 in the second state is at a height that overlaps with a part of the operation panel 7 in the height direction. And as shown in Figure 7, in a plan view of the display unit 7a, the retaining member 30 covers a part of the operation panel 7, in particular the lower corners of the display unit 7a and a part of the operation button 7b. In this embodiment, the operation button 7b is a "back" button that returns the operation setting to the previous state. When the retaining member 30 takes the second state as described above, the retaining member 30 covers a part of the operation panel 7. However, since the retaining member 30 has a shape in which the central part 30c in the width direction is cut out, it does not cover a wide area of the display section 7a, thereby suppressing a decrease in operability.
[0053] In this embodiment, the retaining member 30 in the second state is positioned to cover a part of the display unit 7a in a plan view of the display unit 7a, and is located away from the content displayed on the display unit 7a. The content displayed here refers to information such as characters and figures that are displayed on the display unit 7a and provided to the user. Since the retaining member 30 in the second state is located away from the information such as characters and figures displayed on the display unit 7a, it can suppress obstruction of the user's view of the display unit 7a.
[0054] Furthermore, although the retaining member 30 covers a portion of the operation button 7b, it is positioned so that a portion of the operation button 7b is exposed, and there is enough space to press the operation button 7b, so the operation button 7b can be pressed. This prevents the retaining member 30 from interfering with the user pressing the operation button 7b. Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, the pressing member 30 covers a portion of the operation button 7b, which is a "back" button that returns the operation setting to the previous state. Therefore, even if the pressing member 30 completely covers the operation button 7b and the operation button 7b cannot be pressed, the basic scanning operation of the document P can still be performed. Suitable operation buttons that should not be covered by the pressing member 30 include the power button and the scan execution button.
[0055] Furthermore, if the display unit 7a is a so-called touch panel and a user interface for performing various setting operations is implemented on the display unit 7a, it is preferable that the touch area for performing the basic scanning operation of the document P is not covered by the pressing member 30, or if it is covered, only a part of it is covered, so that touch operation is possible. Conversely, it is also preferable to implement the user interface for performing various setting operations in the area excluding the area covered by the pressing member 30.
[0056] Furthermore, if the upper end of the retaining member 30 in the second state is set to a height that does not overlap with a part of the operation panel 7 in the height direction, it is preferable that the retaining member 30 does not obstruct the visibility of the display unit 7a or the operation of the multiple operation buttons. Furthermore, even if the upper end of the retaining member 30 in the second state overlaps with a part of the operation panel 7 in the height direction, user visibility can be ensured, for example, by forming the retaining member 30 from a transparent material.
[0057] Next, in Figure 13, the straight line L1 is the common tangent between the discharge drive roller 17a and the discharge driven roller 17b, that is, it indicates the document discharge direction by the discharge roller pair 17. Reference numeral 30-1 indicates the retaining member 30 in contact with the document receiving tray 40 when there is no document P on the document receiving tray 40. Reference numeral 30-2 indicates the retaining member 30 in contact with the uppermost document Pt when the document receiving tray 40 is loaded with documents P up to the maximum stacking height. Position T1 is the position where the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 contacts the document receiving tray 40, and position T2 is the position where the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 contacts the uppermost document Pt. Position T2 changes along the common tangent L1 according to the amount of documents loaded.
[0058] As shown in Figure 13, the common tangent L1 does not intersect the presser member 30 regardless of the amount of documents P loaded. In other words, regardless of the amount of documents P loaded, the contact point where the documents P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 contact the presser member 30 is downstream in the discharge direction from the position T1 where the documents P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 contact the document receiving tray 40, or from the position T2 where it contacts the uppermost document Pt among the documents P loaded in the document receiving tray 40.
[0059] This provides the following advantages. Specifically, if the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 comes into contact with the presser member 30 before it comes into contact with the document receiving tray 40 or the uppermost document Pt among the documents P loaded in the document receiving tray 40, the document P may buckle and jam. However, according to this embodiment, the contact position where the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 comes into contact with the presser member 30 is downstream in the discharge direction from the position T1 where the document P discharged by the discharge roller pair 17 comes into contact with the document receiving tray 40 or the position T2 where it comes into contact with the uppermost document Pt among the documents P loaded in the document receiving tray 40, so the occurrence of jams like the one described above can be suppressed.
[0060] Next, as shown in Figure 13, the pressing member 30 is formed such that, when viewed from the width direction, which is the direction intersecting the discharge direction of the document P, the portion 30f that contacts the document receiving tray 40 is convex relative to the document receiving tray 40. Hereinafter, the portion 30f of the pressing member 30 that contacts the document receiving tray 40 will be referred to as the "tray contact portion 30f". In this embodiment, the tray contact portion 30f is bent into a V-shape and is convex relative to the document receiving tray 40. This provides the following advantages. Specifically, when the document receiving tray 40 is retracted from the unfolded state shown in Figures 3 and 4, there is a risk that the second unfolding tray 43 and the third unfolding tray 44 may get caught on the retaining member 30. However, since the retaining member 30 is formed with the tray contact portion 30f convex relative to the document receiving tray 40, the above-mentioned catching can be suppressed. In this embodiment, the tray contact portion 30f is bent into a V-shape, but it is not limited to this and may have other shapes, such as a U-shape.
[0061] Next, the rightmost figure in Figure 12 shows the state in which the retaining member 30 is at its downward rotation limit. The downward rotation limit of the retaining member 30 is defined by the contact portion 30g formed on the retaining member 30 contacting the operating portion 31c, which acts as a restricting portion formed on the base portion 31. This state occurs, for example, when the device body 2 is lifted and moved. In this case, when the device body 2 is placed on the installation surface, the retaining member 30 may collide with the installation surface of the device, receive an upward external force Fc, and be damaged. However, if an external force Fc including a vertically upward component is applied to the lower end of the retaining member 30, which is at its downward rotation limit, the retaining member 30 will rotate toward the second state, as is clear from Figure 12. This suppresses the damage to the retaining member 30 as described above.
[0062] Furthermore, the downward rotation limit of the retaining member 30 is defined by the contact between the contact portion 30g and the operating portion 31c, which acts as a restricting portion and contacts the contact portion 30g. When the contact portion 30g is in contact with the operating portion 31c, the retaining member 30 takes an inclined position facing diagonally downward, as shown in the rightmost diagram of Figure 12. This ensures that when an external force Fc including a vertically upward component acts on the lower end of the retaining member 30, which is at its downward rotation limit, the retaining member 30 can reliably rotate toward the second state, thereby reliably preventing damage to the retaining member 30 as described above.
[0063] Furthermore, if an external force Fd is applied to the retaining member 30, which is at its downward rotation limit, in a direction opposite to the direction toward the second state, there is a risk of damaging the retaining member 30. However, when such an external force Fd is applied, the contact portion 30g, which is part of the retaining member 30, comes into contact with the operating portion 31c, applying an external force to the operating portion 31c as shown by the arrow Fb. As a result, the locking portion 31b releases the retaining member 30 from being fixed, as explained with reference to Figure 11, allowing the retaining member 30 to fall off, and thus preventing damage to the retaining member 30.
[0064] Next, other embodiments of the retaining member will be described. Figures 14 and 15 show the retaining member 50 according to the second embodiment. In the following embodiments, components identical to those already described will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. The retaining member 50 comprises a first arm 51 and a second arm 52. The first arm 51 is rotatable about a rotation axis 30d, and the second arm 52 is rotatably connected to the first arm 51 via a rotation axis 53 having an axis parallel to the width direction. A friction member (not shown) is provided on the rotation axis 53, and is configured to generate a frictional force against the rotation of the second arm 52 relative to the first arm 51. Therefore, the second arm 52 rotates when an external force is applied by the user, but its rotation is restricted by the frictional force.
[0065] The first arm 51 has a tray contact portion 51a that is convex relative to the document receiving tray 40, and similarly, the second arm 52 also has a tray contact portion 51a that is convex relative to the document receiving tray 40. As shown in Figure 14, when the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 are in a straight line, the holding member 50 as a whole is in its longest state in the document discharge direction. In this state, the tray contact portion 52a of the second arm 52 is in contact with the document receiving tray 40 or with the document P being discharged.
[0066] Furthermore, if the second arm 52 is rotated clockwise from the state shown in Figure 14 to the state shown in Figure 15, the pressing member 50 as a whole becomes the shortest in the document ejection direction. In this state, the tray contact portion 51a of the first arm 51 contacts the document receiving tray 40, or contacts the document P being ejected.
[0067] As described above, the pressing member 50 is configured to allow adjustment of its length in the direction of the document P's ejection. This allows the pressing member 50 to adjust its position in relation to the document P according to its size, thereby ensuring proper pressure on the document P. In this embodiment, the length of the document P in the ejection direction is adjusted using two members, the first arm 51 and the second arm 52. However, it may also be configured with three or more members to further adjust the length in the ejection direction in multiple stages. Alternatively, for example, the second arm 52 may be provided so as to be slidable relative to the first arm 51 in the discharge direction, and the discharge length may be adjusted steplessly.
[0068] Next, Figure 16 shows a presser member 60 according to the third embodiment. The presser member 60 has a contact portion 61 that contacts the document P, which comprises a first portion 61a where the coefficient of friction between the contact portion 61 and the document P is a first coefficient of friction, and a second portion 61b where the coefficient of friction between the contact portion 61 and the document P is a second coefficient of friction greater than the first coefficient of friction of the first portion 61a. The contact portion 61 is rotatable relative to the presser member 60 via a rotating shaft 62, and by rotating, it can be switched between the portion that contacts the document P, the first portion 61a, and the second portion 61b. A friction member (not shown) is provided between the contact portion 61 and the rotating shaft 62, and the contact portion 61 rotates when an external force is applied by the user, but its rotation is restricted by the frictional force of the friction member.
[0069] In this way, the contact portion 61 can be switched between a first portion 61a, which has a first coefficient of friction with respect to the original document P, and a second portion 61b, which has a second coefficient of friction greater than the first coefficient of friction. Therefore, the coefficient of friction can be switched according to the size and type of the original document P, and the original document P can be held down appropriately. For example, if the original document P has low rigidity and is prone to buckling, it is preferable to hold the original document P down with the first part 61a, and if the original document P has a certain degree of rigidity and is not prone to buckling, it is preferable to hold the original document P down with the second part 61b.
[0070] Next, Figure 17 shows a pressing member 70 according to the fourth embodiment. A weight 71 is provided on the upper surface of the pressing member 70 so as to be displaceable in the direction of arrow a. The weight 71 is provided such that a frictional force is generated between it and the pressing member 70 by a friction member (not shown), and except when an external force is applied by the user, the displacement is restricted by the frictional force of the friction member. By displacing the weight 71, the pressing load when the pressing member 70 presses down on the document P can be adjusted. With this configuration, the pressing load can be adjusted according to the size and type of the document P, and the document P can be pressed down appropriately. For example, in the case of a manuscript P that has low rigidity and is prone to buckling, it is preferable to reduce the pressing load, and in the case of a manuscript P that has a certain degree of rigidity and is not prone to buckling, it is preferable to increase the pressing load relatively more than when pressing down the aforementioned manuscript P that has low rigidity and is prone to buckling.
[0071] 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. For example, it is preferable to provide a detection means for detecting a first state and a second state of the presser member 30, and to set the document ejection speed to a relatively lower speed when the presser member 30 is in the first state compared to when it is in the second state. Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, the media ejection device is configured as the document ejection device 10 in the scanner 1, but it is not limited to this and can also be applied to a recording device that records on a medium, such as a printer. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0072] 1…Document scanner, 2…Main unit, 3…Lower unit, 4…Upper unit, 6…Paper feed slot, 7…Operation panel, 7a…Display unit, 7b…Operation buttons, 8…Paper support, 10…Document ejection device, 11…Document placement unit, 12A, 12B…Edge guides, 14…Feed roller, 15…Separation roller, 16…Transport roller pair, 16a…Transport drive roller, 16b…Transport driven roller, 17…Ejection roller pair, 17a…Ejection drive roller, 17b…Ejection driven roller, 18…Ejection port, 19…Housing, 19a…Edge, 20…Reading unit, 20A… Upper reading sensor, 20B... Lower reading sensor, 30... Pressing member, 30a... First arm section, 30b... Second arm section, 30c... Center section, 30d... Rotation axis, 30e... Contact section, 30f... Tray contact section, 30g... Contact section, 30h... Protrusion, 31... Base section, 31a... Recess, 31b... Locking section, 31c... Operation section, 31d... Load application section, 32... Fixing section, 40... Document receiving tray, 41... Base tray, 42... First unfolding tray, 43... Second unfolding tray, 44... Third unfolding tray, 50... Pressing member, 51... First arm, 52... Second arm, 53... Rotation axis, 60...Pressing member, 61...Contact part, 61a...First part, 61b...Second part, 62...Rotation axis, 70...Pressing member, 71...Weight, P, Pt...Original manuscript
Claims
1. The apparatus body includes a lower unit and an upper unit that rotates relative to the lower unit, A media transport path is formed between the upper unit and the lower unit, and is inclined diagonally downward for transporting the media, A reading unit that reads the transported medium, A media discharge unit that discharges the media read by the reading unit, A media receiving tray for receiving the media discharged by the media discharge unit, A pressing member that presses the media discharged by the media discharge unit toward the media receiving tray, Equipped with, The aforementioned retaining member is A first state in which the medium discharged from the medium discharge unit can be in contact with, A second state in which the unit retracts upward to a position where it does not come into contact with the medium discharged from the medium discharge unit, It is switchable, In the operation of switching from the second state to the first state, the system includes a load-applying means that applies a load to the retaining member, The retaining member in the first state has a length that contacts the mounting surface when the main body of the device is placed on the mounting surface, When the main body of the device is placed on the mounting surface and the pressing member comes into contact with the mounting surface, the mounting surface applies an external force to the pressing member that leads to the second state. An image reading device characterized by the following:
2. In the image reading device according to claim 1, The load-applying means includes a load-applying unit, The pressing member has a protrusion that can engage with the load-applying portion. The convex portion engages with the load-applying portion, thereby holding the pressing member in the second state. The convex portion pushes away the load-applying portion, causing the pressing member to switch from the second state to the first state. An image reading device characterized by the following:
3. In the image reading device according to claim 1, The contact position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit contacts the retaining member is located downstream in the discharge direction from the position where the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit contacts the medium receiving tray. An image reading device characterized by the following:
4. In the image reading device according to claim 1, The pressing member has two contact portions that contact the medium in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium discharge direction, and the center position in the width direction of the medium discharged by the medium discharge portion is located between the two contact portions. An image reading device characterized by the following: