JP2018019201A - Feeding device, image reading device, and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a feeding device suppressing a reduction in operability due to interference between a support unit and edge guides of a medium, and an image reading device and a recording device.SOLUTION: A medium feeding device comprises: a feeding roller 10 feeding a medium; a support section 20 capable of switching a state between a support state for supporting the medium from a side where the feeding roller 10 is brought into contact with the medium and a release state for releasing the support state; edge guides 19 positioning an end portion in a width direction of the medium while being movable in the width direction of the medium being a direction intersecting with a feeding direction of the medium, the edge guides 19 including an interference range where interfering with the support section 20 and a non-interference range where not interfering with the support section 20 at the time of state switching of the support section 20 in a movement region S in the width direction; and a regulation section 21 regulating the movement region S of the edge guides to the non-interference range in response to switching of the support section 20 from the support state to the release state in a state of the edge guides 19 positioned in the non-interference range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a feeding device, an image reading device, and a recording device.

Conventionally, a feeding device capable of feeding a medium has been used. In such a feeding apparatus, an edge guide for positioning the medium in the width direction of the medium set portion, and a medium that supports the medium from the side where the feeding roller that feeds the medium in the medium feeding path contacts the medium. Many support units are used.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a document conveying device (feeding device) including a side guide as an edge guide and a lower guide as a medium support unit.

JP 2014-60494 A

In the feeding device shown in Patent Document 1, when the feeding roller is cleaned or replaced, it is moved by removing or rotating the medium support unit (lower guide). There is. As shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, the edge guide (side guide) and the medium support unit (lower guide) are often formed at positions where they interfere. Further, the edge guide may move unexpectedly in the width direction of the medium. For this reason, for example, when the edge guide moves unexpectedly after the medium support unit is moved from the medium support position, the edge guide may interfere depending on the position of the edge guide in the medium width direction. In some cases, the operability may deteriorate due to interference between the support unit and the edge guide, for example, the support unit cannot be returned to the medium support position.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to suppress a decrease in operability due to interference between a medium support unit and an edge guide.

The feeding device according to the first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem includes a feeding roller that feeds a medium, and the feeding roller contacts the medium when the medium is fed by the feeding roller. A support portion that can be switched between a support state for supporting the medium and a release state for releasing the support state from the side, and is movable in the width direction of the medium, which is a direction that intersects the feeding direction of the medium. And positioning the end of the medium in the width direction, and an interference range that interferes with the support when the state of the support is switched to a moving region in the width and a non-interference with the support. An edge guide including an interference range, and the edge guide according to switching of the support portion from the support state to the release state when the edge guide is located in the non-interference range. A regulating portion for regulating the movement area of de in the non-interference range, characterized in that it comprises a.

According to this aspect, the edge guide is positioned in a non-interference range that does not interfere with the support portion, and the support portion is moved from the support position (support state) of the medium (released from the support state), the edge in the width direction The guide is provided with a restricting portion for restricting the moving region of the guide to a range in which the support portion and the edge guide do not interfere with each other (non-interference range). That is, as the support unit is moved from the medium support position, the regulating unit regulates the movement area of the edge guide. Therefore, when the support unit is returned to the medium support position, the edge guide interferes and the support unit is It can suppress that it cannot return to a support position.
Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in operability due to interference between the support portion and the edge guide.
The “supported state” means a state where the medium can be supported (supported position) even when the medium is not actually supported. Further, the “released state” means a state in which it is moved (including posture change such as turning) from the support position.

The feeding device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the feeding device according to the first aspect, wherein the restricting portion is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat in the moving region, and the moving region when the supporting portion is in the supporting state. And moving into the moving area as the support portion switches from the support state to the release state.

According to this aspect, the restricting portion is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat in the movement region of the edge guide. When the support portion is present at the medium support position, the restriction portion moves out of the edge guide movement region and moves from the medium support position. As a result (switching from the support state to the release state of the support portion), the edge guide moves into the moving area. For this reason, it is possible to form the restricting portion with a simple configuration by adopting a configuration capable of moving forward and backward in the movement region of the edge guide.

The feeding device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the feeding device includes an urging portion that urges the restricting portion in a direction of entering the moving region.

According to this aspect, the urging portion that urges the restricting portion in the direction of entering the movement region of the edge guide is provided. For this reason, the structure which makes a control part advance and retreat to the movement area | region of an edge guide can be formed easily. Therefore, the restricting portion can be formed with a particularly simple configuration.

A feeding device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the feeding device according to the second or third aspect, further comprising a detection unit capable of detecting entry of the restriction unit into the moving region, and reporting a detection result by the detection unit. It is possible.

According to this aspect, the detection unit that can detect that the restriction unit has entered the moving region of the edge guide is provided, and the detection result by the detection unit can be notified. For this reason, the user can easily recognize that the restricting portion has entered the moving area of the edge guide.
Here, the configuration of the “detection unit” is not particularly limited, and, for example, one using light or pressure can be used. Moreover, although it may be comprised separately from the control part, you may be comprised integrally with the control part.
Note that “notifying the detection result” means notifying with light, sound, video, or the like, and includes not only when notifying from the feeding device but also when notifying from the external device.

The feeding device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the feeding device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein when the restricting unit enters the moving area, the feeding of the medium by the feeding roller is performed. It is also characterized by entering the transmission route.

According to this aspect, the restricting portion is arranged so as to enter the medium feeding path by the feeding roller when entering the moving area of the edge guide. For this reason, when the restricting portion enters the edge guide moving region, the restricting portion exists at a position that is easy for the user to see in the medium feeding path, so that the user can easily confirm that the restricting portion has entered the edge guide moving region. Can be recognized.

In the feeding device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the set unit for setting the medium and the restricting unit enter a moving region of the edge guide. In connection with this, it is provided with the inhibition part which inhibits setting the said medium to the said setting part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to this aspect, the inhibiting unit that inhibits the medium from being set in the set unit as the restricting unit enters the moving region of the edge guide is provided. For this reason, in the state where the support unit corresponding to the state in which the restricting portion enters the moving area of the edge guide is not at the support position of the medium (the state in which the medium cannot be properly fed), the medium setting is inhibited, It is possible to prevent the medium from being sent in an inappropriate state.

The feeding device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the feeding device according to any one of the first to the sixth aspects, wherein the edge guide corresponds to both end portions of the medium in the width direction. And a second edge guide, wherein the first edge guide and the second edge guide in the width direction are configured to move symmetrically in the width direction with reference to the center of the first edge guide and the second edge guide in the width direction. To do.

According to this aspect, the edge guide and the second edge guide correspond to the both ends in the width direction.
An edge guide is provided, and is configured to move symmetrically in conjunction with each other in the width direction with respect to the centers of the first edge guide and the second edge guide in the width direction. For this reason, the medium can be positioned from both sides in the width direction, and by moving one of the first edge guide and the second edge guide, the other is also interlocked, so that the operability when moving the edge guide can be improved. .

The feeding device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the feeding device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the feeding roller is attached and detached by switching the support portion from the support state to the release state. It is possible.

According to this aspect, the feeding roller can be attached to and detached from the feeding device by switching the support portion from the support state to the release state. For this reason, since the support unit can be moved from the support position of the medium and the feed roller can be removed, the feed roller can be easily cleaned and replaced.

An image reading apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the reading unit that reads an image formed on the medium, and any one of the first to eighth units that feeds the medium to the reading unit. And a feeding device.

According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress a decrease in operability due to interference between the support unit and the edge guide, and it is possible to read an image formed on the medium.

A recording apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a recording device that performs recording on the medium, and a feeding device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects that feeds the medium to the recording unit. And.

According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress the operability from being lowered due to interference between the support unit and the edge guide, and it is possible to record on the medium.

1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a state in which a cover part of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention is opened. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a medium feeding path of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention in a state where an upper unit is opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention with an upper unit removed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where a support unit of the image reading apparatus according to the invention is closed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention with the support unit opened. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a state where a support unit of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention is opened. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention with the support unit closed. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention in a state in which a support unit is opened. The perspective view of the state which closed the support unit of the image reading apparatus of a reference example. The perspective view of the state which opened the support unit of the image reading apparatus of a reference example. The perspective view of the state which opened the support unit of the image reading apparatus of a reference example, and narrowed the space | interval of an edge guide.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described below, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. Assuming that these are also included in the scope of the present invention, one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an image reading apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the image reading apparatus 1 in a state where a cover 6 is opened, and FIG. 3 is an image reading apparatus. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing one medium feeding path 22 (see FIG. 4).

In the XYZ coordinate system shown in each drawing, the X direction is the apparatus width direction, the medium width direction, the Y direction is the depth direction and the medium discharge direction of the image reading apparatus, and the Z direction is orthogonal to the medium discharge direction. Shows direction. In each figure, the + Y direction side is the front side of the apparatus, and the −Y direction side is the back side of the apparatus.

The overall configuration of the image reading apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described below.
The image reading apparatus 1 is configured as a document scanner that can read at least one of the front surface and the back surface of a medium to be read. The image reading apparatus 1 includes a medium feeding device 3 (FIG. 3) that is an embodiment of the feeding device according to the present invention. Further, the image reading apparatus 1
The main body includes a lower unit 4, an upper unit 5, a cover portion 6, and a discharge tray 7.

The upper unit 5 is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft (not shown) provided downstream of the lower unit 4 in the medium transport direction. The upper unit 5 rotates to form a feeding path 22 between itself and the lower unit 4 (FIGS. 1 to 3), and an opened state to open the feeding path 22 (see FIG. 4). Can take.

A cover portion 6 is provided on the upper portion on the back side of the lower unit 4. The cover 6 is attached to the lower unit 4 so as to be rotatable. The cover portion 6 has a closed state that covers the upper portion of the upper unit 5 as shown in FIG. 1 by rotating, and an open state that opens the upper portion of the upper unit 5 as shown in FIG. Switch. In the open state, the cover portion 6
It constitutes a part of a medium placement section (a set section 2 for stacking and setting a plurality of single-cut media) for placing a medium to be set.

Next, a medium discharge port 8 for discharging the read medium is provided on the front side of the apparatus. The lower unit 4 has a discharge tray 7 that can be pulled out from the medium discharge port 8 toward the front side of the apparatus.
It has. The discharge tray 7 can be in a state of being housed in the bottom of the lower unit 4 (see FIG. 1) and in a state of being pulled out to the front side of the apparatus (see FIG. 2). In this embodiment, the discharge tray 7 is configured by connecting a plurality of tray members.

Next, the feeding path 22 in the image reading apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3 and subsequent figures, only the main components of the image reading device 1 and the medium feeding device 3 are shown, and the components unnecessary for the description are omitted. In FIG. 3, the lower unit 4 and the upper unit 5 show only the outline of the housing by phantom lines.
The medium placed on the cover portion 6 in the opened state is a medium (the medium placed on the bottom (
Sheet) is fed downstream in the feeding direction by a feeding roller 10 that is rotationally driven by a motor that is a driving source (not shown). The outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 10 is made of a high friction material (for example, an elastomer such as rubber). Reference numeral 10 a is a rotation axis of the feeding roller 10.

In FIG. 3, a symbol G indicates a medium bundle placed (set) on the cover unit 6. The front end of the medium bundle G is held at the feed standby position (position shown in FIG. 3) by the flap 25 before the start of feeding, and the entry between the feeding roller 10 and the retard roller 11 is restricted.

A set guide 23 is provided around the feed roller 10, and the medium bundle G is supported from below by the set guide 23 before being fed and pushed up to feed the feed roller 10.
It is separated from. That is, contact with the feeding roller 10 is prevented.

When the feeding of the medium is started, the set guide 23 is retracted downward, the lowest medium in the medium bundle G comes into contact with the feeding roller 10, and the flap 25 is swingable (posture switching). Possible state). Therefore, the lowermost medium is sent downstream by the rotation of the feed roller 10. The flap 25 swings to the downstream side by the medium sent to the downstream side and takes a posture of opening the feeding path 22.

A retard roller 11 is provided at a position facing the feeding roller 10. In the present embodiment, the retard roller 11 is provided in a state of being urged with respect to the feeding roller 10 by an urging unit (not shown). The outer peripheral surface of the retard roller 11 is the feed roller 1
Like 0, it is made of a high friction material (for example, an elastomer such as rubber). Reference numeral 11 a is a rotation shaft of the retard roller 11.

Further, the retard roller 11 includes a torque limiter 9, and further, through this torque limiter 9, a rotation direction (a timepiece in FIG. 3) that sends a medium downstream from a drive source such as a torque applying unit (not shown) or a motor. Direction opposite to the rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3)
The drive torque is configured to be received.

In the above configuration, when the retard roller 11 is in direct contact with the feeding roller 10, the rotational torque received from the feeding roller 10 exceeds the limit torque of the torque limiter 9, so that the retard roller 11 rotates following the feeding roller 10. (Clockwise direction in FIG. 3).

When the feeding of the medium is started and a plurality of media enters between the feeding roller 10 and the retard roller 11, the retard roller 11 does not receive the rotational torque from the feeding roller 10 and is driven by the feeding roller 10. Rotation stops. As a result, the upper medium except the lowest medium to be fed (medium to prevent double feeding) is not subjected to the transport force for proceeding to the downstream side, and its leading end is in contact with the retard roller 11 Cannot proceed downstream.
Thereby, the double feeding of the medium is prevented.
Since the lowest medium to be fed is in direct contact with the feeding roller 10, the lowermost medium advances downstream by the conveying force received from the feeding roller 10.
In FIG. 3, the broken line indicated by the symbol E indicates the transport locus of the transported medium.

In the present embodiment, the feeding roller 10 and the retard roller 11 are provided in the central region of the medium in the width direction (X direction) of the medium (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the reference position in the width direction (X direction) of the medium is the center, and the medium fed in the above manner has a central portion in the medium width direction that is connected to the feed roller 10 regardless of the size. Roller 1
1 is contacted.
In the present embodiment, the feeding roller 10 and the retard roller 11 are arranged in the width direction of the medium (
A plurality of sets (more specifically, two sets) are provided in the X direction).

Subsequently, on the downstream side of the feed roller 10 and the retard roller 11, a transport roller 12 is provided.
And 13 is provided with a medium transport unit. The lowest medium sent out by the feeding roller 10 receives a feeding force from the carrying rollers 12 and 13 and is further carried downstream.

On the downstream side of the transport rollers 12 and 13, reading units 16 and 17 are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the reading units 16 and 17 are configured as a contact image sensor module (CISM) as an example.

The medium is read by at least one of the front surface and the back surface by the reading units 16 and 17, and then is read by a medium discharge unit including transport rollers 14 and 15 positioned downstream in the transport direction of each of the reading units 16 and 17. The medium is discharged from the medium discharge port 8.
In this embodiment, a plurality of pairs (more specifically, two pairs) of the roller pairs of the transport rollers 12 and 13 and the roller pairs of the transport rollers 14 and 15 are provided in the width direction (X direction) of the medium in this embodiment. . Of the transport rollers 12, 13, 14, and 15, the transport rollers 12 and 14 are drive motors that drive a motor (not shown) as a drive source.
The transport rollers 13 and 15 are driven rollers that rotate as the transport rollers 12 and 14 rotate.

Next, the setting unit 2 that is a main part of the image reading device 1 (medium feeding device 3) of the present embodiment will be described in detail.
Here, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the image reading apparatus 1 of the present embodiment in a state where the upper unit 5 is opened. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the image reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment with the upper unit 5 removed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a state in which the support unit 20 as a support unit of the image reading apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is closed (supported state). FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment in a state where the support unit 20 is opened (released state). FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a state where the support unit 20 of the image reading apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is opened (released state). FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view as viewed from the −X direction in a state where the support unit 20 of the image reading apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is closed (supported state). FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view seen from the −X direction in a state where the support unit 20 of the image reading apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is opened (released state). FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the support unit 20 of the image reading apparatus of the reference example is closed. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the support unit 20 of the image reading apparatus of the reference example is opened. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the support unit 20 of the image reading apparatus of the reference example is opened and the interval between the edge guides 19 is narrowed.
The support unit 20 has a rotation shaft (not shown) along the X direction on the downstream side in the + Y direction corresponding to the medium feeding direction, and can be rotated with reference to the rotation shaft. The closed state is a state in which the support unit 20 is at the medium support position, and the open state is a state in which the rear end portion T2 of the support unit 20 on the side opposite to the rotation shaft is upward from the medium support position. It is in a state of movement (rotation based on the rotation axis).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the image reading apparatus 1 (medium feeding apparatus 3) of the present embodiment is on the medium feeding path 22 on the side where the feeding roller 10 contacts the medium (−Z A support unit 20 that supports the medium from the direction side is provided. As can be seen from a comparison between FIGS. 6 and 7 and FIGS. 9 and 10, the support unit 20 is rotated and opened from the support position (FIGS. 6 and 9) of the medium in the closed state. It is configured to be movable to the state (FIGS. 7 and 10).
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 10, an edge guide 19 that can move in the width direction (X direction) of the medium and positions the end portion in the width direction of the medium is provided. Note that the front end portion T1 of the edge guide 19 in the medium feeding direction is smaller than the rear end portion T2 of the support unit 20 in the medium feeding direction (the end on the opposite side of the rotation axis of the support unit 20). (See FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 and FIG. 10) that are partially overlapped in the Y direction as viewed from the width direction (X direction). This is because the medium feeding accuracy is improved by adopting a configuration in which the edge guide 19 is attached as long as possible in the medium feeding direction.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the image reading apparatus (medium feeding apparatus) of the reference example is also the same as the image reading apparatus 1 of the present embodiment from the side where the feeding roller 10 contacts the medium. A support unit 20 that supports the medium is provided, and the support unit 20 is configured to be movable from a support position (FIG. 11) of the medium in a closed state to an open state (FIG. 12). In addition, the image reading apparatus of the reference example has the same configuration as the edge guide 19 of the image reading apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, and can move in the width direction (X direction) of the medium and at the end of the width direction of the medium. An edge guide 19 for positioning the position is provided.

Here, the image reading apparatus of the reference example can move the edge guide 19 along the width direction (X direction) of the medium in a state where the support unit 20 is closed as shown in FIG. Further, even when the support unit 20 is opened as shown in FIG. 12, the edge guide 19 can be moved along the width direction (X direction) of the medium as shown in FIG. However,
As illustrated in FIG. 13, when the edge guide 19 is positioned on the center side in the width direction (X direction) of the medium, the tip portion T1 of the edge guide 19 and the support unit 20 when the support unit 20 is to be closed. Interferes with the rear end portion T2. For this reason, the edge guide 19 cannot be closed unless it moves outside the support unit 20 in the width direction of the medium. If the support unit 20 is forcibly closed in such a state, the support unit 20 or the edge guide 19 may be deformed or damaged.

On the other hand, the image reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment moves the support unit 20 from the closed state (FIG. 6) (FIG. 7) to move the edge guide 19 in the width direction (X direction) S (
4) is provided with a lock lever 21 as a restricting portion for restricting the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19 to a range where they do not interfere with each other.
Here, when the support unit 20 is opened from the closed state, the edge guide 19 is located at a position where the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19 overlap when viewed from the medium feeding direction (Y direction).
The front end portion T1 of the edge guide 19 and the rear end portion T2 of the support unit 20 interfere with each other. Therefore, when the support unit 20 is opened from the closed state, the edge guide 19 is moved to a position where the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19 do not overlap each other when viewed from the medium feeding direction. Will be. When the support unit 20 is opened at a position that does not overlap with the support unit 20 when viewed from the medium feeding direction, the state shown in FIG. 9 is changed to the state shown in FIG. The lock lever 21 arranged outside is configured to protrude in the + Z direction. When the lock lever 21 protrudes in the + Z direction, even if the edge guide 19 is moved to the center side (side on which the support unit 20 is formed) in the medium width direction, as shown in FIG. A portion T1a of the tip portion T1 interferes with the lock lever 21 and cannot move.
In the state shown in FIG. 9 (the lock lever 21 is pushed by the contact portion 20a with the lock lever 21 and retracted in the −Z direction), the lock lever 21 does not interfere with the part T1a. (The lock lever 21 and the part T1a do not overlap each other when viewed from the X direction: see FIG. 9).

That is, the medium feeding device 3 of the present embodiment includes a set unit 2 for setting a medium and a set unit 2.
A feeding roller 10 for feeding the medium set in the medium, and when the medium is fed by the feeding roller 10, the feeding roller 10 supports the medium from the side in contact with the medium and moves from the support position (supported state) of the medium. A support unit 20 that is possible (can be switched to a release state for releasing the support state);
It has.
Further, it is possible to move in the width direction (X direction) of the medium, which is a direction intersecting with the feeding direction (Y direction) of the medium by the feeding roller 10, and to position the end of the width direction of the medium. An edge guide 19 is provided. The edge guide 19 is a position that does not interfere with the support unit 20 when the support unit 20 is at the medium support position (see FIG. 9), and when the support unit 20 is moved from the medium support position, the edge guide 19 Depending on the position in the width direction (position overlapping with the support unit 20 when viewed from the Y direction), it is provided at a position (see FIG. 10) that interferes with the support unit 20. In other words, the edge guide 19 has an interference range S1 (see FIG. 6) that interferes with the support unit 20 when the support unit 20 is switched between the support state and the release state in the movement region S in the width direction. A non-interference range S2 (see FIG. 6) that does not interfere with the support unit 20 is included. The “supported state” means a state where the medium can be supported (supported position) even when the medium is not actually supported. Further, the “released state” means a state in which it is moved (including posture change such as turning) from the support position.

Furthermore, the edge guide 19 is positioned at an existing position in the width direction of the medium that does not interfere with the support unit 20 (outside of the support unit 20 in the width direction of the medium), and the support unit 20 is moved from the support position of the medium. There is provided a lock lever 21 for restricting the movement region S of the edge guide 19 in the medium width direction to a range where the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19 do not interfere (outside of the support unit 20 in the medium width direction: non-interference range S2). ing. In other words, the lock lever 21 changes the movement region S of the edge guide 19 in accordance with the switching of the support unit 20 from the support state to the release state when the edge guide 19 is located in the non-interference range S2. Restrict to non-interference range S2.
With this configuration, the medium feeding device 3 according to the present embodiment is configured such that when the support unit 20 is moved (in association with the opening), the lock lever 21 regulates the movement region S of the edge guide 19 so that the edge guide 19 is moved. 19 interferes and the support unit 20 cannot be returned to the medium support position (
(If the edge guide 19 is not moved outside the support unit 20 in the width direction of the medium, it cannot be closed and troublesome). Simply put, lock lever 2
1 to prevent the interval between the edge guides 19 (the interval between the first edge guide 19a and the second edge guide 19b) from being narrowed with the support unit 20 open, and troublesome when closing the support unit 20 again. This (moving the edge guide 19) is suppressed.
Further, the support unit 20 of the present embodiment is not only rotatable with respect to the lower unit 4 but also removable with respect to the lower unit 4. Therefore, when the support unit 20 is moved (with removal), the lock lever 21 restricts the moving region S of the edge guide 19 so that the edge guide 19 interferes and the support unit 20 can be returned to the medium support position. It is possible to suppress the loss (cannot be attached). Briefly speaking, the distance between the edge guides 19 (the first edge guide 1) when the support unit 20 is removed by the lock lever 21.
9a and the second edge guide 19b) cannot be narrowed, and it is possible to prevent troubles (moving the edge guide 19) when attaching the support unit 20 again.
Therefore, the medium feeding device 3 according to the present embodiment is configured to prevent the operability from being deteriorated by the interference between the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19.

In other words, the image reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes reading units 16 and 17 that read an image formed on a medium, and a medium feeding device as described above that feeds the medium to the reading units 16 and 17. 3
And comprising. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in operability due to interference between the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19, and it is possible to read an image formed on the medium.

In addition, it is good also as a structure provided with the recording part which records on a medium instead of the reading parts 16 and 17. FIG. That is, the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19 interfere with each other by using a recording apparatus that includes the recording unit that performs recording on the medium and the medium feeding device 3 that feeds the medium to the recording unit. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operability from being lowered and to record on the medium.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the lock lever 21 of the present embodiment is a movement region S of the edge guide 19 and is located on the end side of the support unit 20 in the medium width direction (X direction). When the support unit 20 is disposed at the support position of the medium so as to be able to advance and retreat (see FIGS. 6 and 9)
Is retracted from the moving region S of the edge guide 19 by retracting in the −Z direction (see FIG. 9), and the support unit 20 is moved from the medium support position (the support unit 20 is switched from the support state to the release state). ) (See FIG. 7 and FIG. 10), it protrudes in the + Z direction and enters the movement region S of the edge guide 19 (see FIG. 10). For this reason, the medium feeding device 3 according to the present embodiment is formed in the moving region S of the edge guide 19 and forms a restricting portion with a simple configuration that can move forward and backward.

Here, the advance / retreat mechanism of the lock lever 21 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, on the lower side (−Z direction side) of the lock lever 21, the lock lever 21 is on the upper side (+ Z
A spring 27 is formed as a biasing portion that biases in the direction side. When the support unit 20 is in the medium support position as shown in FIG. 9 (closed state), the support unit 2
When the contact portion 20 a with the 0 lock lever 21 presses the lock lever 21 toward the −Z direction, the lock lever 21 moves out of the moving region S of the edge guide 19. On the other hand, when the support unit 20 is moved from the medium support position as shown in FIG.
The engagement with the contact portion 20 a is released, and the lock lever 21 moves to the + Z direction side by the urging force of the spring 27 and enters the movement region S of the edge guide 19.

As described above, the medium feeding device 3 according to the present embodiment includes the spring 27 that urges the lock lever 21 in the direction of entering the moving region S of the edge guide 19. Thus, the lock lever 2
A configuration in which 1 is moved back and forth in the moving region S of the edge guide 19 is simply formed. That is,
The restricting portion is formed with a particularly simple configuration.

Although the medium feeding device 3 according to the present embodiment is not provided, the detection unit 28 (see FIG. 8) capable of detecting that the restricting unit has entered the moving region S of the edge guide 19 is provided, and the detection is performed. It is good also as a structure which can alert | report the detection result by the part 28. FIG. This is because, with such a configuration, the user can easily recognize that the restricting portion has entered the moving region S of the edge guide 19.
Here, the configuration of the “detection unit” is not particularly limited, and, for example, one using light or pressure can be used. Moreover, although it may be comprised separately from the control part, you may be comprised integrally with the control part.
Note that “notifying the detection result” means notifying by light, sound, video, or the like, and includes not only the case of notifying from the medium feeding device 3 but also the case of notifying from an external device.

Further, the lock lever 21 of the present embodiment is formed at a position corresponding to the medium feeding path 22 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the feeding path 22 as shown in FIG. + Z
A part is projected in the direction. In other words, the lock lever 21 of this embodiment is arranged so as to enter the medium feeding path 22 by the feeding roller 10 when the edge lever 19 enters the moving region S. For this reason, when the lock lever 21 enters the movement region S of the edge guide 19, the lock lever 21 exists at a position in the medium feeding path 22 that is easy for the user to see. It is possible to easily recognize that the vehicle has entered the area S. Further, it is desirable that the lock lever 21 is made large (the projected area is large) or made in a conspicuous color so that the user can easily see when entering the moving area S of the edge guide 19.

Although the medium feeding device 3 according to the present embodiment is not provided, the medium is not set in the set unit 2 (set area) as the lock lever 21 enters the moving area S of the edge guide 19. The inhibition part 29 (refer FIG. 4) to perform may be provided. With the configuration including the inhibition unit 29, the support unit 20 corresponding to the state in which the lock lever 21 enters the moving region S of the edge guide 19 is not in the medium support position (the medium can be fed properly). In a state where the medium cannot be set, it is possible to inhibit the medium from being set and to prevent the medium from being sent in an inappropriate state. The configuration of the inhibition unit 29 is not particularly limited, but a configuration in which a projection unit that inhibits the medium from being set in the set unit 2 in association with the movement of the support unit 20, such as the lock lever 21, projects. be able to.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the edge guide 19 of the present embodiment includes a first edge guide 19a and a second edge guide 19b corresponding to both ends in the width direction (X direction) of the medium. Is provided. The first edge guide 19a and the second edge guide 19b are interlocked in the width direction of the medium with reference to the centers of the first edge guide 19a and the second edge guide 19b in the medium width direction by an unshown interlocking mechanism. And are configured to move symmetrically.
With this configuration, the medium can be positioned from both sides in the width direction of the medium, and one of the first edge guide 19a and the second edge guide 19b is moved to move the other in conjunction with the other. Therefore, the operability when moving the edge guide 19 is improved.
The medium feeding device 3 according to the present embodiment includes a first edge guide 19a and a second edge guide 19.
The lock lever 21 (regulator) is configured to move in conjunction with b, so that the first edge guide 1
It is formed only on the 9a side. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and when the configuration includes a plurality of edge guides 19, a plurality of restriction portions may be provided corresponding to the plurality of edge guides 19.

Further, in the medium feeding device 3 of the present embodiment, the feeding roller 10 is configured to be detachable from the medium feeding device 3 by switching the support unit 20 from the support state to the release state. For this reason, since the support unit 20 is moved from the support position of the medium and the feed roller 10 can be removed, the feed roller 10 can be easily cleaned and replaced.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the medium conveying apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the image reading apparatus 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and recording is performed on a medium (for example, printing paper) as described above. The present invention can also be applied to a recording apparatus that includes a recording unit for performing. An example of the recording unit is an ink jet recording head, and examples of the recording device include a facsimile and a printer. As an example of the configuration of the recording apparatus, for example, an ink jet recording head may be provided in place of the reading unit 17 in FIG. 3, and a platen for supporting a medium may be provided in place of the reading unit 16 in FIG.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image reading apparatus, 2 ... Set part, 3 ... Medium feeding apparatus (feeding apparatus), 4 ... Lower unit,
5 ... Upper unit, 6 ... Cover, 7 ... Discharge tray, 8 ... Medium discharge port,
9 ... torque limiter, 10 ... feeding roller, 10a ... rotating shaft,
11 ... retard roller, 11a ... rotating shaft, 12-15 ... transport roller,
16, 17 ... reading unit, 19 ... edge guide, 19a ... first edge guide,
19b ... 2nd edge guide, 20 ... support unit (support part),
20a: Contact portion of the support unit 20 with the lock lever 21;
21 ... Lock lever (regulator), 22 ... Feeding path, 23 ... Set guide,
25 ... flap, 27 ... spring (biasing part), 28 ... detection part, 29 ... inhibition part, G ... medium bundle,
S: Movement region of the edge guide 19, S1: Interference range, S2: Non-interference range,
T1... Tip portion of the edge guide 19 in the medium feeding direction,
T1a: a part of the tip portion T1,
T2: Rear end portion of the support unit 20 in the medium feeding direction

Claims (10)

A feeding roller for feeding the medium;
A support portion capable of switching between a support state in which the medium is fed from the side in contact with the medium and a release state in which the support state is released when the medium is fed by the feed roller; ,
It is movable in the width direction of the medium, which is a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the medium, and positions an end portion of the medium in the width direction. An edge guide including an interference range that interferes with the support portion during state switching and a non-interference range that does not interfere with the support portion;
A restricting portion that restricts the moving region of the edge guide to the non-interference range in accordance with the switching of the support portion from the support state to the release state when the edge guide is located in the non-interference range. When,
A feeding device comprising: The feeding device according to claim 1,
The restricting portion is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat in the moving region. When the supporting portion is in the supporting state, the restricting portion is retracted from the moving region, and the supporting portion is switched from the supporting state to the releasing state. Accordingly, the feeding device enters the moving area. The feeding device according to claim 2,
A feeding device comprising an urging portion that urges the restricting portion in a direction of entering the moving region. In the feeding device according to claim 2 or claim 3,
A detection unit capable of detecting the entry of the restriction unit into the moving region;
A feeding device characterized in that a detection result by the detection unit can be notified. In the feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The regulation device, when entering the moving area, also enters a feeding path of the medium by the feeding roller. In the feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A set unit for setting the medium;
Along with the entry of the restriction part into the movement area, an inhibition part that enters the set area of the medium in the set part and inhibits the setting of the medium to the set part,
A feeding device comprising: In the feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The edge guide is provided with a first edge guide and a second edge guide corresponding to both ends of the medium in the width direction, and the center of the first edge guide and the second edge guide in the width direction is provided. A feeding device configured to move symmetrically in conjunction with the reference in the width direction. The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The feeding device is characterized in that the feeding roller is detachable by switching the support portion from the support state to the release state. A reading unit for reading an image formed on the medium;
The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the medium is fed to the reading unit.
An image reading apparatus comprising: A recording unit for recording on the medium;
The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the medium is fed to the recording unit.
A recording apparatus comprising:

Images