JP7704253B2 - Image reader - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a media ejection device that ejects media, and an image reading device equipped with the media ejection device.

Some scanners, which are an example of image reading devices, are equipped with an automatic document feeder (also called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder)) for the document medium, and are configured to automatically feed and read multiple documents. The multiple documents that are fed are read by an image reading unit that is provided downstream in the transport direction of the automatic document feeder.

Such scanners may be equipped with a media discharge device that is provided with a pair of discharge rollers downstream of the image reading unit, and that discharges documents outside the device and stacks them in the order of discharge onto a discharge receiving tray (sometimes called a discharge stacker) that receives multiple discharged documents (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-62839 A

There are also known output receiving trays that are configured to be switchable between a stored state and an expanded state. For example, in a multi-tier output receiving tray, a tray (sub-tray) on the free end side is stored in a tray (base tray) on the base end side, and when in use, the sub-tray is pulled out from the base tray and used with the media receiving surface expanded.

However, the base tray is formed with a storage space for storing the sub-tray, and when the sub-tray is pulled out from the base tray, there is a risk that the ejected media will get stuck in the storage space or even further back than the storage space. This problem is particularly likely to occur when the ejected media is small, such as card-sized. Furthermore, the media receiving surface may be inclined upward toward the free end, and when small-sized media is ejected onto such an upwardly inclined surface, the ejected media will return to the base tray, easily causing the problem of getting stuck. Furthermore, if the tip of the ejection tray is equipped with a stopper to prevent the media from popping out, the ejected media will come into contact with the stopper and bounce back, easily causing the problem of getting stuck.

The present invention was developed in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to more reliably prevent ejected media from getting stuck inside the tray.

In order to solve the above problem, the media ejection device according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises an ejection means for ejecting media, and a media receiving tray that receives the media ejected by the ejection means and is switchable between an unfolded state and a stored state, the media receiving tray comprises a base tray, a main unfolding section that is located on the media ejection direction side of the base tray in the unfolded state and is capable of being stored and deployed, and at least one sub-unfolding section that is located on the media ejection direction side of the main unfolding section in the unfolded state and is capable of being stored and deployed, the base tray is characterized in that it has a storage space formed therein for storing at least one of the sub-unfolding sections, and is provided with a first protrusion that protrudes toward the storage space.

According to this aspect, the media receiving tray, which can be switched between an expanded state and a stored state, includes a base tray, a main expansion section, and a sub-expansion section. The base tray is formed with a storage space that stores at least one sub-expansion section. When the sub-expansion section is expanded, there is a risk that the ejected media will enter the storage space or a space deeper than the storage space. However, in this aspect, the storage space in the base tray is provided with a first protrusion that protrudes toward the storage space, and the first protrusion prevents the media from entering the storage space or a space deeper than the storage space.

The second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, a second protrusion is provided at a position of the main expansion section facing the storage space, the second protrusion protruding into the storage space and having a portion that overlaps with the first protrusion in the thickness direction of the media receiving tray, and the overlap between the first protrusion and the second protrusion is maintained regardless of the expansion position of the main expansion section.

According to this aspect, a second protrusion is provided at a position of the main expansion section facing the storage space, the second protrusion protruding into the storage space and having a portion overlapping with the first protrusion in the thickness direction of the media receiving tray, and the overlap between the first protrusion and the second protrusion is maintained regardless of the expansion position of the main expansion section. Therefore, it is possible to prevent media from entering the storage space or further beyond the storage space not only when the main expansion section is fully expanded, but also when it is half expanded. As a result, it is possible to provide a media ejection device that can more reliably prevent media from entering the storage space or further beyond the storage space.

The third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in the second aspect, one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is configured as a first rib extending in the medium ejection direction, and the other of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is configured as a second rib extending in a direction intersecting the medium ejection direction.

According to this aspect, one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is configured with a first rib extending in the media discharge direction, and the other of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is configured with a second rib extending in a direction intersecting the media discharge direction, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent the media from entering the storage space or further back than the storage space.

The fourth aspect of the present invention is the third aspect, characterized in that the first ribs are provided at appropriate intervals in a direction intersecting the media discharge direction, and the maximum spacing between the first ribs is smaller than the size of the medium that has the smallest size in the media width direction, which is the direction intersecting the media discharge direction, among the media that can be discharged by the discharge means.

According to this aspect, the first ribs are provided at appropriate intervals in a direction intersecting the media ejection direction, and the maximum spacing between the first ribs is smaller than the size of the smallest medium in the media width direction intersecting the media ejection direction among the media that can be recorded by the recording means and ejected by the ejection means, so that regardless of the size of the medium, it is possible to effectively prevent the medium from entering the storage space or further back than the storage space.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any of the first to fourth aspects, the sub-expansion section is configured with a tip expansion section that is located closest to the media discharge direction in the expanded state, and a stopper section that is slidable relative to the tip expansion section and can rotate to switch between a restricting position that forms a surface that intersects with the media receiving surface to restrict the media from popping out, and a storage position that is a position along the media receiving surface.

According to this aspect, the device is equipped with a stopper portion that can be switched between a restricting position that forms a surface that intersects with the media receiving surface to restrict the media from popping out, and a storage position that is a position that follows the media receiving surface, by rotating. Therefore, the stopper can prevent the media from popping out of the media receiving tray when the media is discharged.

The sixth aspect of the present invention is the fifth aspect, characterized in that the tip deployment portion is formed with a plurality of recesses along the sliding direction of the stopper portion, and the stopper portion is formed with protrusions that enter the recesses when the stopper portion is switched from the storage position to the restricting position.

According to this aspect, the tip deployment portion is formed with a plurality of recesses along the sliding direction of the stopper portion, and the stopper portion is formed with a protrusion that fits into the recesses when the stopper portion is switched from the storage position to the restricting position, so that the stopper portion can be reliably held in a desired position by the engagement between the recesses and the protrusions. In particular, it is possible to suppress the positional shift of the stopper portion caused by the ejected media pressing against the stopper portion.

The seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifth or sixth aspect, it includes a switching means for switching the position of the stopper portion and a control means for controlling the switching means, and the control means tilts the stopper portion from the regulating position to the upstream or downstream side in the media discharge direction when the leading edge of the media to be discharged exceeds the position of the stopper portion when discharged into the media receiving tray based on size information of the media to be discharged.

According to this aspect, the device includes a switching means for switching the position of the stopper portion, and a control means for controlling the switching means. Based on size information about the medium to be discharged, if the leading edge of the medium to be discharged exceeds the position of the stopper portion when discharged into the medium receiving tray, the control means tilts the stopper portion from the regulating position to the upstream or downstream side in the media discharge direction, thereby avoiding the problem of the stopper portion interfering with the discharge of long media when discharging long media.

The eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the base tray is capable of being stored and deployed in the housing of the medium ejection device, and is provided with a locking means for locking the base tray, the main deployment section, and the sub-deployment section in the stored state by switching the stopper section from the restrictive position to the storage position, and releasing the lock by switching the stopper section from the storage position to the restrictive position.

According to this aspect, the base tray can be stored and deployed in the housing of the medium ejection device, and a locking means is provided that locks the base tray, the main deployment section, and the sub deployment section in the stored state by switching the stopper section from the restrictive position to the storage position, and releases the lock by switching the stopper section from the storage position to the restrictive position, thereby avoiding the problem of the medium receiving tray unintentionally being deployed when carrying the device, for example. In addition, since the operation of the locking means is handled by the stopper section, there is no need to provide a dedicated operating member, and an increase in the cost of the device can be suppressed.

The image reading device of the ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a reading means for reading a surface of a medium, and a medium discharge device of any of the first to eighth aspects, which is provided downstream of the reading means in the medium transport direction.
According to this aspect, in the image reading device, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as any one of the first to eighth aspects described above.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image reading device according to the present invention in a non-feeding state of a medium. 1 is a perspective view showing an image reading device according to the present invention with a cover open and a medium receiving tray deployed; FIG. 2 is a side view showing a medium feeding path in the image reading device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the expanded state of the base tray of the medium receiving tray. 13 is a side view showing the state in which the main expansion section is expanded from the base tray in the medium receiving tray. FIG. 13 is a side view showing the state in which the first sub-expansion section is expanded from the main expansion section in the medium receiving tray. FIG. 13 is a side view showing the state in which the tip extension portion is extended from the first sub-extension portion in the medium receiving tray. FIG. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main deployment section as viewed from above. 13 is a bottom view of the base tray and the main expansion section when the main expansion section is stored in the base tray. FIG. 13 is a bottom view showing the relationship between the first rib and the second rib when the main deployment section is stored in the base tray. FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the base tray and the main deployment section in a state in which the main deployment section is in the middle of being switched from a stored state to a deployed state relative to the base tray. FIG. 13 is a bottom view showing the relationship between the first rib and the second rib in a state in which the main deployment section is in the process of being switched from a stored state to a deployed state relative to the base tray. FIG. FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 13 . 13 is a bottom view of the base tray, the main development section, and the sub-development section when the main development section and the sub-development section are deployed relative to the base tray. FIG. 13 is a bottom view showing the relationship between the first rib and the second rib when the main expansion section is expanded relative to the base tray. FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the stored position of the stopper portion in the tip deployment portion. 13 is a perspective view showing the restricting position of the stopper portion at the tip deployment portion. FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the state in which the stopper portion is slid in the tip deployment portion. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the embodiment of the tip deployment portion and the stopper portion. 13 is a side cross-sectional view showing a slider lock structure in a modified example of the stopper portion. FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a medium receiving tray according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view showing a locked state of the main expansion portion and the sub expansion portion in the medium receiving tray in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view showing an unlocked state of the main expansion section and the sub expansion section in the medium receiving tray in the third embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an image reading unit in the image reading device. FIG.

The following describes the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components in each embodiment are given the same reference numerals and are described only in the first embodiment, and descriptions of the components are omitted in the subsequent embodiments.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the image reading device of the present invention in a state where no media is being fed, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the image reading device of the present invention in a state where the cover is open and the media receiving tray is unfolded, Figure 3 is a side view of the media feeding path in the image reading device of the present invention, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the unfolded state of the base tray of the media receiving tray, Figure 5 is a side view of the media receiving tray with the main unfolded section unfolded from the base tray, and Figure 6 is a side view of the media receiving tray with the first sub-unfolded section unfolded from the main unfolded section.

Figure 7 is a side view showing the state in which the tip expansion section is expanded from the first sub-expansion section in the media receiving tray, Figure 8 is an oblique view of the base tray from below, Figure 9 is an oblique view of the main expansion section from above, Figure 10 is a bottom view of the base tray and the main expansion section when the main expansion section is stored in the base tray, Figure 11 is a bottom view showing the relationship between the first rib and the second rib when the main expansion section is stored in the base tray, and Figure 12 is a bottom view of the base tray and the main expansion section when the main expansion section is in the process of switching from a stored state to an expanded state relative to the base tray.

Figure 13 is a bottom view showing the relationship between the first rib and the second rib when the main deployment section is in the process of switching from a stored state to a deployed state relative to the base tray, Figure 14 is a side cross-sectional view along the A-A section in Figure 13, Figure 15 is a bottom view of the base tray, main deployment section, and sub-deployment section when they are deployed relative to the base tray, Figure 16 is a bottom view showing the relationship between the first rib and the second rib when the main deployment section is deployed relative to the base tray, Figure 17 is a perspective view showing the stored position of the stopper section in the tip deployment section, Figure 18 is a perspective view showing the regulated position of the stopper section in the tip deployment section, and Figure 19 is a perspective view showing the state in which the stopper section has been slid in the tip deployment section.

20 is a perspective view showing one modified embodiment of the tip deployment portion and the stopper portion, FIG. 21 is a side cross-sectional view showing the slider lock structure in the modified embodiment of the stopper portion, FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of the medium receiving tray in the second embodiment, FIG. 23 is a side cross-sectional view showing the locked state of the main deployment portion and the sub deployment portion in the medium receiving tray in the third embodiment, FIG. 24 is a side cross-sectional view showing the unlocked state of the main deployment portion and the sub deployment portion in the medium receiving tray in the third embodiment, FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the image reading portion in the image reading device, and FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the discharge drive roller.

In addition, in the X-Y-Z coordinate system shown in each figure, the X direction is the device width direction and the paper width direction, the Y direction is the medium transport direction in the image reading device, and the Z direction is a direction perpendicular to the Y direction, generally indicating a direction perpendicular to the surface of the medium being transported. In addition, in each figure, the -Y direction side is the front side of the device, and the +Y direction side is the rear side of the device.

■■■First Example■■■■
<<<About image reading devices>>>
1 and 2, the scanner 10 as an "image reading device" includes a lower unit 12, an upper unit 14, a cover portion 16, and a medium discharge device 18. The medium discharge device 18 includes a pair of discharge rollers 20 (see FIG. 3) and a medium receiving tray 22 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later. The outer shells of the lower unit 12 and the upper unit 14 form the housing of the scanner 10.

A cover section 16 is attached to the upper part of the rear side of the lower unit 12 so as to be rotatable relative to the lower unit 12. The cover section 16 can be in a non-feeding state in which it covers the upper part of the upper unit 14 and the feed port 26 (see FIG. 2) as shown in FIG. 1, and in a feedable state in which it rotates from the non-feeding state of FIG. 1 to the rear side of the device as shown in FIG. 2 and opens the feed port 26. When the cover section 16 is in the feedable state as shown in FIG. 2, the rear surface of the cover section 16 functions as a media placement surface 16a on which multiple media P are placed.

The lower unit 12 is also provided with an outlet 28 on the front side of the device for discharging the media P. The lower unit 12 is also provided with a media receiving tray 22 that can be pulled out from the outlet 28 towards the front side of the device. The media receiving tray 22 can be switched between a stored state (see FIG. 1) in which it is stored in the bottom of the lower unit 12, and an expanded state (see FIG. 2) in which it is pulled out towards the front side of the device. As will be described later, the media receiving tray 22 is made up of multiple connected tray members, and is configured so that the length of the pull-out from the outlet 28 can be adjusted depending on the length of the media P to be discharged.

<Paper feed path in scanner>
Next, the medium feed path 24 in the scanner 10 will be described with reference mainly to Fig. 3. Note that in Fig. 3, only the outer circumferential portions of the lower unit 12, upper unit 14, and medium receiving tray 22 are shown in phantom lines, and a thick solid line marked with the symbol P indicates a guide path for paper fed along the medium feed path 24 within the scanner 10.

In the medium feeding path 24, from the upstream side to the downstream side in the feeding direction, the medium placement surface 16a, the feeding roller 30, the separation roller 32, the transport roller pair 34, the image reading unit 36 as the "reading means", the discharge roller pair 20 as the "discharge means", and the medium receiving tray 22 are provided in that order. The medium P is fed along the medium feeding path 24 to the image reading unit 36, and after at least one surface is read by the image reading unit 36, it is discharged to the medium receiving tray 22.

The feed roller 30 is configured to be rotated by a driving source (not shown). The outer peripheral surface of the feed roller 30 is made of a high-friction material (e.g., an elastomer such as rubber). A separation roller 32 is provided at a position opposite the feed roller 30. The separation roller 32 is provided in a state in which it is biased against the feed roller 30 by a biasing means (not shown). The outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 32 is made of a high-friction material (e.g., an elastomer such as rubber) like the feed roller 30.

The separation roller 32 is also provided with a torque limiter 38. The separation roller 32 is configured to receive a driving torque from a torque applying means (not shown) or a driving source such as a motor via the torque limiter 38 in the opposite direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3) to the rotation direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 3) that sends the document downstream. When the separation roller 32 is in direct contact with the feed roller 30, the rotation torque received from the feed roller 30 exceeds the limit torque of the torque limiter 38, so the separation roller 32 rotates following the feed roller 30 (clockwise direction in FIG. 3).

The transport roller pair 34 includes a transport drive roller 34a and a transport driven roller 34b that rotates in response to the transport drive roller 34a. In this embodiment, the transport drive roller 34a is configured to be rotated by a drive source (not shown).

An image reading section 36 is provided downstream of the transport roller pair 34. Here, the image reading section 36 includes an upper reading unit 40 provided in the upper unit 14 so as to face the upper surface of the medium P transported along the medium feed path 24, and a lower reading unit 42 provided in the lower unit 12 so as to face the lower surface of the medium P transported along the medium feed path 24. The upper reading unit 40 and the lower reading unit 42 are configured as reading units, and as an example, are configured as contact image sensor modules (CISM).

The discharge roller pair 20 includes a discharge drive roller 44 and a discharge driven roller 46 that rotates in response to the discharge drive roller 44. The discharge drive roller 44 is driven to rotate by a drive source (not shown).

Now, referring to Figures 25 and 26, two discharge drive rollers 44 are provided at a distance from each other in the width direction of the device. The two discharge drive rollers 44 are attached to the drive shaft 48 so as to rotate together with the drive shaft 48. In addition, in the width direction of the device, on the outside of the discharge drive rollers 44, auxiliary rollers 50 are lightly pressed into the drive shaft 48. In the width direction of the device, the discharge drive roller 44 and the auxiliary roller 50 are attached to the drive shaft 48 with a gap 52 therebetween.

When the discharge roller pair 20 in the scanner 10 discharges a thin medium, the rear end of the medium P may remain on the discharge drive roller 44. When discharging a thin medium, the auxiliary roller 50 pushes the rear end of the medium P in the discharge direction, ensuring that the rear end of the medium P is separated from the discharge drive roller 44. In addition, a gap 52 is provided between the auxiliary roller 50 and the discharge drive roller 44, so that when the auxiliary roller 50 rotates freely relative to the drive shaft 48, the auxiliary roller 50 can be prevented from coming into contact with the discharge drive roller 44 and becoming worn.

In addition, a control unit 54 is provided within the lower unit 12 as an example of a "control means." The control unit 54 is configured as an electric circuit equipped with multiple electronic components. The control unit 54 controls the upper reading unit 40 and the lower reading unit 42. Furthermore, the control unit 54 controls drive sources (not shown), such as drive motors that rotate the feed roller 30, the transport drive roller 34a, and the discharge drive roller 44.

The control unit 54 is also configured to control the transport of the medium P and the image reading operation in the scanner 10. The control unit 54 may also control the operations required to execute the document reading operation in the scanner 10 in response to instructions from an external device (such as a PC).

<<<About the configuration of the media receiving tray>>>
The configuration of the medium receiving tray 22 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 20. As shown in Figures 2 and 4 to 7, the medium receiving tray 22 includes a base tray 56, a main deployment section 58, and a sub-deployment section 60. The sub-deployment section 60 includes a first sub-deployment section 61, a tip deployment section 62, and a stopper section 64. In the following description, the discharge direction of the medium P is defined as the front side in the device depth direction, the sliding direction between the members is defined as the device depth direction, and the width direction of the medium P is defined as the device width direction.

The base tray 56 is configured to be slidable relative to the lower unit 12, and can be switched between a stored state (see FIG. 1) in which it is stored within the lower unit 12, and a deployed state (see FIG. 4) in which it is deployed from within the lower unit 12 in the direction in which the medium P is discharged, i.e., toward the front side in the depth direction of the device. The main deployment section 58 is also attached to be slidable relative to the base tray 56. The main deployment section 58 is configured to be switchable between a stored state (see FIG. 4) in which it is stored within the base tray 56, and a deployed state (see FIG. 5) in which it is slid from the base tray 56 toward the front side in the depth direction of the device.

The first sub-deployment section 61 is slidably attached to the main deployment section 58. The first sub-deployment section 61 is configured to be switchable between a stored state (see FIG. 4) in which it is stored in the main deployment section 58 and a deployed state (see FIG. 6) in which it is slid from the main deployment section 58 to the front side of the medium P in the depth direction of the device. The tip deployment section 62 is slidably attached to the first sub-deployment section 61. The tip deployment section 62 is configured to be switchable between a stored state (see FIG. 4) in which it is stored in the first sub-deployment section 61 and a deployed state (see FIG. 7) in which it is slid from the first sub-deployment section 61 to the front side of the medium P in the depth direction of the device.

As a result, the media receiving tray 22 can be expanded from a state in which the base tray 56, main expansion section 58, first sub-expansion section 61 and tip expansion section 62 are stored in the lower unit 12 as shown in FIG. 1 to a state in which the base tray 56, main expansion section 58, first sub-expansion section 61 and tip expansion section 62 are successively pulled out in the direction in which the media P is discharged as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, so that the media receiving tray 22 is expanded toward the front side of the lower unit 12 in the device depth direction (see FIG. 2).

<<<<About the base tray>>>
Next, the base tray 56 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 8. The base tray 56 includes a flat body portion 56a and a pair of side walls 56b extending in the device depth direction at both ends of the body portion 56a in the device width direction. The upper surface of the body portion 56a is configured as a tray surface that receives the medium P discharged from the discharge port 28. The lower surface of the body portion 56a at the center in the device width direction is configured as a recess 56c recessed toward the upper surface side. The recess 56c is provided with a first protrusion 66 that protrudes downward in the device height direction, toward the main expansion portion 58 when the main expansion portion 58 is attached.

The first protrusion 66 includes, as an example, a plurality of first ribs 68 extending in the device depth direction. The plurality of first ribs 68 are formed in the recess 56c at appropriate intervals in the device width direction. In FIG. 8, the first rib 68 includes four ribs 68a, 68b, 68c, and 68d. In the device width direction, the first rib 68a and the first rib 68b are spaced apart by a distance L1, the first rib 68b and the first rib 68c are spaced apart by a distance L2, and the first rib 68c and the first rib 68d are spaced apart by a distance L1. Here, the distance L2 is set to be greater than the distance L1. The distance between the first rib 68a and the first rib 68d is set to be L3.

The arrangement distance L2 (see FIG. 8) between the first rib 68b and the first rib 68c provided in the recess 56c in the device width direction is set to be smaller than the size of the medium P with the smallest width size in the device width direction among the media P that can be discharged by the discharge roller pair 20. Here, examples of the medium P with the smallest width size in the device width direction include media such as business cards and cards. The arrangement distance L2 is set to be smaller than the short side of a card-shaped medium, as an example. The arrangement distance L3 (see FIG. 8) between the first rib 68a and the first rib 68d in the device width direction is set to be smaller than the long side of a card-shaped medium.

As an example, when the medium P is transported in the scanner 10 with the short side of the card-shaped medium aligned with the device width direction and discharged to the medium receiving tray 22, the arrangement interval L2 is set to be the maximum arrangement interval on the first rib 68, and when the medium P is transported in the scanner 10 with the long side of the card-shaped medium aligned with the device width direction and discharged to the medium receiving tray 22, the arrangement interval L3 is set to be the maximum arrangement interval on the first rib 68.

The side wall portion 56b has a plurality of protrusions 56d on its inner surface in the device width direction that protrude inward, and a groove portion 56e on its outer surface in the device width direction that extends along the device depth direction. The groove portion 56e engages with a guide portion (not shown) provided in the lower unit 12. This allows the base tray 56 to slide relative to the lower unit 12.

<<<<About the main development section>>>
Next, the main expansion section 58 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 9. The main expansion section 58 has a plurality of ribs 58a on the upper surface thereof, which extend along the depth direction of the device and are appropriately spaced apart in the width direction of the device. The ribs 58a are configured to support at least a portion of the medium P discharged from the discharge port 28 from the lower side in the height direction of the device. In addition, grooves 58b extending in the depth direction of the device are formed on both ends of the main expansion section 58 in the width direction of the device.

When the main expansion section 58 is attached to the base tray 56, the groove 58b receives the protrusion 56d of the base tray 56. The protrusion 56d is movable within the groove 58b in the device depth direction, allowing the main expansion section 58 to slide relative to the base tray 56. When the main expansion section 58 is attached to the base tray 56, the base tray 56 covers at least a portion of the main expansion section 58 from above.

The main deployment section 58 has a recess 58c that is recessed downward in the center in the width direction of the device. When the main deployment section 58 is attached to the base tray 56, the recess 56c of the base tray 56 and the recess 58c of the main deployment section 58 are provided at corresponding positions in the width direction of the device. The recess 56c and the recess 58c are combined to form a rectangular space. This space functions as a storage space 70 (see FIG. 14) that stores the first sub-deployment section 61 and the tip deployment section 62 attached to the main deployment section 58.

A second protrusion 72 is provided at the end of the main deployment section 58 on the rear side in the device depth direction, in the central portion in the device width direction, i.e., at a position facing the storage space 70. The second protrusion 72 has a plurality of second ribs 74 extending along the device width direction. The second ribs 74 protrude upward in the device height direction, i.e., toward the base tray 56 side. As an example, the multiple second ribs 74 are arranged in a row along the device width direction at appropriate intervals in the device width direction, in the order of ribs 74a, 74b, 74c.

A gap 76 is provided between the second ribs 74a and 74b, and between the second ribs 74b and 74c. The gap 76 in the device width direction is set to a size that allows the first ribs 68b and 68c to pass through the gap 76 when the main deployment section 58 is slid in the device depth direction relative to the base tray 56. The length of the second ribs 74a and 74c in the device width direction is set shorter than the arrangement distance L1 between the first ribs 68a and 68b and the arrangement distance L1 between the first ribs 68c and 68d. The length of the second rib 74b in the device width direction is set shorter than the arrangement distance L2 between the first ribs 68b and 68c.

Now, referring to FIG. 14, when the main expansion section 58 is attached to the base tray 56, the first rib 68 protrudes from the base tray 56 toward the main expansion section 58, and the second rib 74 protrudes from the main expansion section 58 toward the base tray 56. That is, the first rib 68 and the second rib 74 have overlapping portions in the thickness direction of the media receiving tray 22. The first rib 68 and the second rib 74 overlap within the range of area W in the device height direction. FIG. 14 is also a schematic diagram of the media receiving tray 22.

<<<<Regulations on the placement of media in storage spaces>>>
Furthermore, the relationship between the first rib 68 and the second rib 74 will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 16. Note that the sub-deployment section 60 is omitted from Figures 11, 13, and 13. With reference to Figures 10 and 11, the main deployment section 58 is stored in the base tray 56. As shown in Figure 11, the first ribs 68b, 68c fit into the gaps 76 between the second ribs 74a and 74b, and between the second ribs 74b and 74c, respectively.

The length of the second ribs 74a, 74c in the device width direction is set shorter than the arrangement interval L1 between the first ribs 68a and 68b and the arrangement interval L1 between the first ribs 68c and 68d, and the length of the second rib 74b in the device width direction is set shorter than the arrangement interval L2 between the first ribs 68b and 68c. Therefore, even if the main deployment section 58 is slid in the device depth direction relative to the base tray 56, the first rib 68 and the second rib 74 do not interfere with each other (see Figures 11, 13, and 16). Furthermore, even if the first rib 68 and the second rib 74 move relative to each other at the first rib 68 and the second rib 74, the overlapping portion in the thickness direction of the media receiving tray 22 is maintained.

As shown in Figures 4, 10 and 11, when the main deployment section 58 is stored in the base tray 56 and the first sub-deployment section 61 and the tip deployment section 62 are also stored in the main deployment section 58, when the medium P is discharged from the discharge port 28 and bounced back toward the base tray 56 by the stopper section 64, there is a risk that the medium P will enter the storage space 70 or further back than the storage space 70. However, since the storage space 70 is provided with the first rib 68 and the second rib 74, it is possible to prevent the bounced back medium P from entering the storage space 70 or further back than the storage space 70.

Next, referring to Figures 12 to 14, when the main deployment section 58 is slid toward the front in the device depth direction relative to the base tray 56 and semi-deployed, the second ribs 74a, 74b, 74c are located closer to the front in the device depth direction than the first ribs 68b, 68c in the device depth direction. In this state, the first sub-deployment section 61 and the tip deployment section 62 are in a deployed state pulled out toward the front in the device depth direction from the storage space 70.

Here, when the medium P is discharged from the discharge port 28 and bounced back toward the base tray 56 by the stopper portion 64, the medium P may become tilted toward the depth of the device. Even when the medium P bounced back toward the base tray 56 by the stopper portion 64 in the semi-deployed state of the main deployment portion 58 is tilted toward the depth of the device, at least one of the first rib 68a and the first rib 68d comes into contact with at least a portion of the tilted medium P, preventing the medium P from entering the storage space 70.

In addition, since the first rib 68 and the second rib 74 have overlapping portions in the thickness direction of the media receiving tray 22, even if the media P gets between the first rib 68a and the first rib 68d in the device width direction, the second rib 74 prevents the media P from getting into the storage space 70 or even further back than the storage space 70 in the device depth direction. As a result, even when the main deployment section 58 is in a semi-deployed state relative to the base tray 56, the first protrusion 66 (first rib 68) and the second protrusion 72 (second rib 74) can prevent the media P from getting into the storage space 70.

Next, referring to Figures 15 and 16, when the main deployment section 58 is fully deployed by sliding it further toward the front in the device depth direction relative to the base tray 56, the second ribs 74a, 74b, and 74c are positioned further toward the front in the device depth direction than in the state shown in Figure 13.

Even when the main deployment section 58 is in a fully deployed state, when the medium P is discharged from the discharge port 28 and bounced back toward the base tray 56 by the stopper section 64, at least one of the first rib 68a and the first rib 68d comes into contact with at least a portion of the medium P, preventing the medium P from entering the storage space 70.

The second ribs 74a, 74b, and 74c are located further toward the front in the device depth direction, so that even if the medium P gets between the first ribs 68a and 68d in the device width direction, the second rib 74 more reliably prevents the medium P from getting into the storage space 70 or even further back than the storage space 70 in the device depth direction.

Here, the first rib 68 and the second rib 74 have overlapping portions in the thickness direction of the media receiving tray 22, and the first rib 68 and the second rib 74 can move relative to each other in the device depth direction without interfering with each other, so that the overlap between the first rib 68 and the second rib 74 is maintained regardless of the deployment position of the main deployment section 58 relative to the base tray 56. This makes it possible to restrict the entry of media P into the storage space 70 or even further back than the storage space 70 in either the semi-deployed or fully-deployed state of the main deployment section 58.

<<<<About the stopper part>>>
17 to 19, the stopper portion 64 will be described. The stopper portion 64 includes a slider 80 and a stopper 78. The slider 80 is configured to be slidable along the device depth direction relative to the medium receiving surface 62a of the tip deployment portion 62.

The stopper portion 64 is attached to the tip deployment portion 62. Referring to Figures 17 and 18, the stopper 78 is attached to be rotatable relative to the slider 80. As an example, the stopper 78 can be switched between a storage position, which is a position along the medium receiving surface 62a as shown in Figure 17, and a restricting position, which forms a surface that intersects with the medium receiving surface 62a and restricts the medium P from popping out.

<<<<Examples of stopper part modifications>>>
20 and 21, a modified example of the stopper portion 64 will be described. A plurality of recesses 82 are formed at appropriate intervals in the medium receiving surface 62a along the device depth direction. The stopper 78 is attached to the slider 80 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 84 as a fulcrum. A protrusion 86 that can mesh with any one of the plurality of recesses 82 is formed on the opposite side of the rotation shaft 84 in the stopper 78.

As shown in FIG. 21, when the stopper 78 switches from the storage position (see FIG. 17) to the restricting position, the convex portion 86 engages with at least one of the multiple concave portions 82. This prevents the slider 80 from sliding relative to the media receiving surface 62a and locks it in place. Therefore, even if the media P discharged from the discharge port 28 hits the stopper 78 with force, the stopper portion 64 is locked relative to the tip expansion portion 62, so that the stopper portion 64 is prevented from shifting out of position and the media is received and reliably received by the media receiving surface 62a.

On the other hand, when the stopper 78 in the restricting position is rotated toward the media receiving surface 62a with the pivot 84 as the fulcrum, the convex portion 86 rotates in a direction away from the media receiving surface 62a, and the engagement with the concave portion 82 is released. As a result, the slider 80 is unlocked and can slide toward the depth of the device relative to the media receiving surface 62a.

<<<<Modification of the First Embodiment>>>>
The first protrusion 66 is configured to have a plurality of first ribs 68 extending in the depth direction of the device, and the second protrusion 72 is configured to have a plurality of second ribs 74 extending in the width direction of the device, but instead of this configuration, the first protrusion 66 may be configured to have a plurality of second ribs 74, and the second protrusion 72 may be configured to have a plurality of first ribs 68.

■■■Second Example■■■■
A second embodiment of the medium ejection device 88 will be described with reference to Fig. 22. Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram of the medium ejection device 88 of the second embodiment. The medium ejection device 88 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the stopper 90a of the stopper portion 90 is switched between a storage position and a regulating position depending on the length in the ejection direction of the ejected medium P. Although the medium receiving tray 92 is illustrated in Fig. 22 as being simplified in configuration with two tray members, it may be configured with two or more tray members, and may be configured to include a base tray 56, a main deployment portion 58, a first sub-deployment portion 61, and a tip deployment portion 62, as in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 22, the media ejection device 88 includes a media receiving tray 92 and a switching means 94 for switching the position of the stopper 90a of the stopper portion 90.

The media receiving tray 92 is, for example, composed of a tray member 92a and a tray member 92b. The tray member 92a is configured to be slidable relative to the lower unit 12, and can be switched between a stored state and an unfolded state. The tray member 92b is configured to be slidable relative to the tray member 92a, and can be switched between a stored state and an unfolded state. A stopper portion 90 is attached to the tip side of the tray member 92b in the device depth direction.

The switching means 94 includes, as an example, a drive motor 96 provided in the lower unit 12, a drive pulley 98, a transmission pulley 100, a driven pulley 102, and drive belts 104 and 106. The drive pulley 98 is attached to the drive shaft of the drive motor 96 and is driven to rotate by the drive motor 96. The drive belt 104 is wound around the drive pulley 98 and the transmission pulley 100. The driven pulley 102 is attached to the rotation shaft of the stopper 90a. The drive belt 106 is wound around the transmission pulley 100 and the driven pulley 102.

By rotating the drive motor 96 in the forward or reverse direction, the rotational drive force of the drive motor 96 can be transmitted to the driven pulley 102 via the drive pulley 98, drive belt 104, transmission pulley 100, and drive belt 106, and the stopper 90a can be switched from the restricting position to the stored position, or from the stored position to the restricting position. The two-dot chain line in FIG. 22 indicates the stored state of the stopper 90a. Note that, as an example, in FIG. 22, the stopper 90a is configured to be tilted downstream in the discharge direction of the medium P, but it may also be configured to be tilted upstream in the discharge direction.

When the medium P is discharged to the medium receiving tray 92, based on the size information of the medium P to be discharged, if the leading edge of the medium P to be discharged exceeds the position of the stopper 90a of the stopper section 90, the control section 54 drives the drive motor 96 to switch the stopper 90a from the restricting position to the storing position. This makes it possible to prevent the stopper section 90 from interfering with the discharge of the medium P when the medium P is long in the discharge direction. Note that the size information of the medium P to be discharged may be obtained not only from the driver information input to the control section 54, but also from a detection signal of the medium P by a medium detection sensor (not shown) provided in the scanner 10.

■■■Third Example■■■■
Next, a third embodiment of the medium ejection device 108 will be described with reference to Fig. 23 and Fig. 24. Fig. 23 and Fig. 24 are schematic diagrams of the medium ejection device 108 of the third embodiment. The medium ejection device 108 of the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is provided with a locking mechanism that locks the medium receiving tray 110 in a stored state relative to the scanner 10.

The stopper portion 112 includes a stopper 114, a slider 116, a lock pin 118 as a "locking means", and a biasing means 120. The stopper 114 is attached to the slider 116 so as to be rotatable about a pivot 122 as a fulcrum, and can be switched between a restricted position and a stored position. The stopper 114 is also provided with an engagement portion 124 that can engage with the lock pin 118. The biasing means 120 is configured as a tension spring, for example, with one end connected to the slider 116 and the other end connected to the lock pin 118. The biasing means 120 biases the lock pin 118 towards the slider 116.

In addition, the lower unit 12, which serves as the "housing," is provided with a hole 12a capable of receiving a lock pin 118.

Referring to FIG. 22, the base tray 56 is stored in the lower unit 12 with the main deployment section 58 and the sub deployment section 60 stored. In this state, when the stopper 114 of the stopper section 112 is placed in the stored state, the engagement section 124 presses the lock pin 118 toward the lower unit 12 against the biasing force of the biasing means 120. The lock pin 118 then enters the hole 12a of the lower unit 12 via the base tray 56, the main deployment section 58, and the sub deployment section 60. In this state, the base tray 56, the main deployment section 58, and the sub deployment section 60 are locked to the lower unit 12 via the lock pin 118. This prevents the medium receiving tray 110 from accidentally popping out of the scanner 10.

Next, referring to FIG. 23, the stopper 114 in the stored state is rotated relative to the slider 116 to switch to the restricted position. This rotation also causes the engagement portion 124 to rotate clockwise in FIG. 23 around the pivot shaft 122. The lock pin 118 is then displaced in the direction of coming out of the hole 12a by the biasing force of the biasing means 120. As a result, the base tray 56, main deployment portion 58, and sub deployment portion 60 are unlocked from the lower unit 12, making it possible to pull out the medium receiving tray 110 from the scanner 10.

To summarize the above, the media discharge device 18, 88, 108 includes a pair of discharge rollers 20 that discharges the medium P, and a media receiving tray 22, 92, 110 that can be switched between an unfolded state and a stored state and that receives the medium P discharged by the pair of discharge rollers 20. The media receiving tray 22, 92, 110 includes a base tray 56, a main unfolding section 58 that can be stored and deployed and is located on the front side of the device depth direction, which is the media discharge direction side, of the base tray 56 in the unfolded state, and at least one sub-unfolding section 60 that can be stored and deployed and is located on the front side of the device depth direction, which is the media discharge direction side, of the main unfolding section 58 in the unfolded state. The base tray 56 has a storage space 70 that stores at least one sub-unfolding section 60, and is provided with a first protrusion 66 that protrudes toward the storage space 70.

According to the above configuration, the media receiving tray 22, 92, 110, which can be switched between an expanded state and a stored state, includes a base tray 56, a main expansion section 58, and a sub-expansion section 60. The base tray 56 is formed with a storage space 70 that stores at least one sub-expansion section 60. When the sub-expansion section 60 is expanded, there is a risk that the discharged media P will enter the storage space 70 or even further back than the storage space 70. However, in this configuration, the storage space 70 in the base tray 56 is provided with a first protrusion 66 that protrudes toward the storage space 70, so the first protrusion 66 restricts the media from entering the storage space 70 or even further back than the storage space 70.

At a position of the main deployment section 58 facing the storage space 70, a second protrusion 72 is provided that protrudes into the storage space 70 and has a portion that overlaps with the first protrusion 66 in the thickness direction of the media receiving tray 22, and the overlap between the first protrusion 66 and the second protrusion 72 is maintained regardless of the deployment position of the main deployment section 58. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the medium P from entering the storage space 70 or further beyond the storage space 70, not only when the main deployment section 58 is fully deployed, but also when it is half deployed. As a result, it is possible to provide a media ejection device 18, 88, 108 that can more reliably prevent the medium P from entering the storage space 70 or further beyond the storage space 70.

Either the first protrusion 66 or the second protrusion 72 is configured with a first rib 68 extending in the device depth direction, which is the media ejection direction, and the other of the first protrusion 66 and the second protrusion 72 is configured with a second rib 74 extending in the device width direction, which is the direction intersecting the media ejection direction. With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent the medium P from entering the storage space 70 or even further back than the storage space 70.

The first ribs 68 are provided at appropriate intervals in the device width direction, which is a direction intersecting the media discharge direction, and the maximum arrangement interval L2 or L3 of the multiple first ribs 68 is smaller than the size of the smallest medium P that can be discharged by the discharge roller pair 20 in the media width direction, which is a direction intersecting the media discharge direction. With this configuration, regardless of the size of the medium P, it is possible to effectively regulate the entry of the medium P into the storage space 70 or even further back than the storage space 70.

The sub-expansion section 60 is configured with a tip expansion section 62 that is located closest to the media discharge direction, i.e., the front side in the device depth direction, in the expanded state, and stopper sections 64, 90, 112 that can slide relative to the tip expansion section 62 and rotate to switch between a restricting position that forms a surface that intersects with the media receiving surface 62a to restrict the media P from popping out, and a storage position that is a position along the media receiving surface 62a. With this configuration, the stoppers 80, 90a, 114 can prevent the media P from popping out of the media receiving trays 22, 92, 110 when the media P is discharged.

The tip deployment portion 62 has a number of recesses 82 formed along the sliding direction of the stopper portion 64, and the stopper portion 64 has protrusions 86 formed thereon that fit into the recesses 82 when the stopper portion 64 is switched from the storage position to the restricting position. With this configuration, the recesses 82 and the protrusions 86 engage with each other, allowing the stopper portion 64 to be reliably held in the desired position. In particular, it is possible to prevent the stopper portion 64 from shifting in position when the ejected medium P presses against it.

The device includes a switching means 94 that switches the position of the stopper portion 90, and a control unit 54 that controls the switching means 94. Based on size information about the medium P to be discharged, if the leading edge of the medium P to be discharged exceeds the position of the stopper portion 90 when it is discharged into the medium receiving tray 92, the control unit 54 tilts the stopper 90a of the stopper portion 90 from the regulated position to the upstream or downstream side in the medium discharge direction. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid the problem of the stopper portion 90 interfering with the discharge of a long medium P when the medium P is discharged.

The base tray 56 can be stored and deployed in the lower unit 12 that constitutes the housing of the medium ejection device 108, and is equipped with a lock pin 118 that locks the base tray 56, main deployment section 58, and sub deployment section 60 in the stored state by switching the stopper section 112 from the restrictive position to the storage position, and unlocks them by switching the stopper section 112 from the storage position to the restrictive position. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid the problem of the medium receiving tray 110 being unintentionally deployed when, for example, carrying the scanner 10. In addition, since the operation of the lock pin 118 is handled by the stopper section 112, there is no need to provide a dedicated operating member, and an increase in the cost of the device can be suppressed.

The scanner 10 includes an image reading unit 36 that reads the surface of the medium P, and a medium ejection device 18, 88, 108 that is provided downstream of the image reading unit 36 in the medium transport direction.

10...scanner, 12...lower unit, 12a...hole, 14...upper unit, 16...cover, 16a...media placement surface, 18, 88, 108...media discharge device, 20...discharge roller pair, 22, 92, 110...media receiving tray, 24...media feed path, 26...feed port, 28...discharge port, 30...feed roller, 32...separation roller, 34...transport roller pair, 34a...transport drive roller, 3 4b...conveyance driven roller, 36...image reading section, 38...torque limiter, 40...upper reading unit, 42...lower reading unit, 44...discharge drive roller, 46...discharge driven roller, 48...drive shaft, 50...auxiliary roller, 52, 76...gap, 54...control section, 56...base tray, 56a...main body section, 56b...side wall section, 56c, 82...recessed section, 56d, 86...projecting section, 56e...groove section , 58...main extension portion, 58a...rib, 58b...groove portion, 58c...recess, 60...sub-extension portion, 61, first sub-extension portion, 62...tip extension portion, 62a...medium receiving surface, 64, 90, 112...stopper portion, 66...first protrusion portion, 68, 68a, 68b, 68c, 68d...first rib, 70...storage space, 72...second protrusion portion, 74, 74a, 74b, 74c...second rib, 80, 116...slider -, 78, 90a, 114... stopper, 84, 122... rotating shaft, 92a, 92b... tray member, 94... switching means, 96... drive motor, 98... drive pulley, 100... transmission pulley, 102... driven pulley, 104, 106... drive belt, 118... lock pin, 120... biasing means, 124... engagement part, L1... placement interval, L2... maximum placement interval, P... medium, W... overlapping area

Claims (3)

A reading means for reading a surface of the medium;
an ejection means for ejecting the medium read by the reading means;
a medium receiving tray for receiving the medium discharged by the discharge means,
The medium receiving tray includes:
A base tray and
a main deployment section that is a tray that can be stored and deployed by sliding along a medium ejection direction, and that is located on the medium ejection direction side of the base tray in an deployed state;
a tray that can be stored in and deployed from the main deployment section by sliding along the medium ejection direction, the sub-deployment section being located on the medium ejection direction side of the main deployment section in the deployed state;
The base tray covers at least a portion of the main deployment section from above,
a storage recess for storing the sub-deployment section is formed on an upper surface of the main deployment section,
the base tray is provided with a first protrusion extending in the medium ejection direction and protruding toward the main deployment section;
the main extension portion is provided with a second protruding portion extending in a width direction that is a direction intersecting the medium ejection direction and protruding toward the base tray;
The sub-deployment section is a stopper section including a stopper that can be switched between a restricting position in which the medium is prevented from popping out by forming a surface that intersects with a medium receiving surface that receives the medium, and a storing position that is a position along the medium receiving surface, the stopper section being slidable relative to the medium receiving surface;
an engagement means for engaging the medium receiving surface with the stopper;
Equipped with
The meshing means is
a recess extending in a direction intersecting a sliding direction of the stopper portion on the medium receiving surface, the recess being a plurality of recesses formed along the sliding direction;
a protrusion formed on the stopper, the protrusion being capable of engaging with the recess;
1. An image reading apparatus comprising: 2. The image reading device according to claim 1 ,
The stopper is rotatable about a rotation axis, and by rotating, switches between an engaged state in which the stopper engages with the recess and a non-engaged state in which the stopper is separated from the recess.
1. An image reading apparatus comprising: 2. The image reading device according to claim 1 ,
The stopper is rotatable about a rotation shaft as a fulcrum, and switches between the restricting posture and the stored posture by rotating.
1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

Images