JP2022053044A - Document feeder and image forming apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a document feeder that can improve the visibility of a document ejected under a document placement tray compared to before and can ensure the visibility even if the strength of the document placement tray is increased, and an image forming apparatus including the same.SOLUTION: A document feeder comprises a document placement tray on which a document is placed, conveys the document placed on the document placement tray in a predetermined conveyance direction, and ejects the document under the document placement tray. The document placement tray includes a first document placement tray unit, a second document placement tray unit that is adjacent to the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the first document placement tray unit, and a light source that illuminates a part under the second document placement tray unit. The second document placement tray unit has a light shielding area that blocks light directed upward from the light source, and a light transmission area that is adjacent to the light shielding area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a document feeder and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a multifunction device, a facsimile machine, etc. equipped with the original feeding device.

The document feeder generally includes a document loading tray on which documents are placed, transports the documents mounted on the document loading tray in a predetermined transport direction, and ejects the documents below the document loading tray. It is designed to do.

In such a document feeding device, it is difficult for the operator to see the document ejected below the document loading tray because the document loading tray is in the way.

In this regard, in the conventional document feeder, at least a part of the document placing tray is made transparent (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-201046

However, in such a conventional document feeder, although the operator can visually recognize the document ejected below the document loading tray to some extent, it is still possible to make at least a part of the document loading tray transparent. Visibility is not good. Further, for example, in order to improve the strength of the document placing tray, it is conceivable to provide a reinforcing portion such as a rib on the document placing tray, but in this case, the operator interferes with the reinforcing portion and the document placing tray. It is difficult to see the ejected manuscript below.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the visibility of the original document ejected below the original document placing tray as compared with the conventional case, and to ensure the visibility even if the strength of the original document placing tray is improved. It is an object of the present invention to provide a document feeding device capable of capable of performing a document feeding device and an image forming device equipped with the same.

In order to solve the above problems, the document feeder according to the present invention is provided with a document loading tray on which documents are placed, and the documents mounted on the document loading tray are conveyed in a predetermined transport direction. A document feeding device that ejects the original document below the document loading tray, wherein the document loading tray is upstream of the first document loading tray section and the first document loading tray section in the transport direction. The second document placing tray portion adjacent to the side is provided with a light source that illuminates the lower part of the second document loading tray portion, and the second document loading tray portion blocks light upward from the light source. It is characterized by having a light-shielding region and a light-transmitting region adjacent to the light-shielding region. Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by including the document feeding apparatus according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, the visibility of a document ejected below the document mounting tray can be improved as compared with the conventional case, and visibility can be ensured even if the strength of the document mounting tray is improved. It will be possible.

It is a front view which shows the schematic structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment transparently. It is a perspective view of the document feed device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the document feeder shown in FIG. 1. It is a front view of the document feed device shown in FIG. 1. It is the bottom view which shows the light source part of the document placing tray enlarged. It is a side view schematically showing the positional relationship of a light source with respect to a document ejection tray. It is a perspective view which looked at the document placing tray from the bottom. It is a perspective view which looked at the document placing tray from the top. It is an exploded perspective view of the document placing tray. It is a top view which shows the appearance that the light source is not provided in the document placing tray main body frame. It is a top view which shows the appearance that the light source is provided in the document placing tray main body frame. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment process which attaches the document placing tray to the document feeder main body frame. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment process which attaches the document placing tray to the document feeder main body frame. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment process which attaches the document placing tray to the document feeder main body frame. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment process which attaches the document placing tray to the document feeder main body frame. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment process which attaches the document placing tray to the document feeder main body frame. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment process which attaches the document placing tray to the document feeder main body frame. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment process which attaches the document placing tray to the document feeder main body frame. It is a perspective view which saw the insertion part and the upper tray side engaging part part in a light transmission upper tray diagonally from the lower side. It is a perspective view which looked at the lower tray side engaging part part in a light transmissive lower tray from diagonally below. It is a perspective view which looked at the state which the upper tray side engaging part and the lower tray side engaging part were engaged diagonally from the lower side. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the positional relationship between the recess provided in the light transmission region, and the position corresponding to the rear end of the document placed on the document placing tray.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, the detailed description of them will not be repeated.

[Image forming device]
FIG. 1 is a front view transparently showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral X is left-right direction, reference numeral Y1 is one side of front-back direction Y (operation side by the operator), and reference numeral Y1 is the other side of front-back direction Y (opposite side to the operation side). ), The reference numeral Z indicates a vertical direction.

The image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction device having a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a printer function, and transmits an image of a document G read by the image reading apparatus 102 to the outside. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image of the original G read by the image reading apparatus 102 or an image received from the outside on a paper (recording material) in color or a single color. The image forming apparatus 100 may form a monochrome image.

The image reading device 102 includes a document feeding device 200. The document feeder 200 is provided on the upper side of the image reading unit 130, and is supported by the image reading unit 130 so as to be openable and closable. The document feeder 200 conveys one or a plurality of original documents G one by one in order. The image reading device 102 reads the document G, which is conveyed one by one out of one or a plurality of documents by the document feeding device 200. The image reading device 102 includes a document mounting table 130a (manuscript table) on which the document G is placed, and a mounted document reading function for reading the document G mounted on the document mounting table 130a. In the image forming apparatus 100, when the document feeding device 200 is opened, the document placing table 130a above the image reading unit 130 is opened so that the document G can be placed by hand. Further, the document feeder 200 includes a document loading tray 300 on which the document G is placed, and a document ejection tray 250 on which the document G ejected to the outside is loaded. The image reading device 102 has a conveyed document reading function for reading the document G conveyed by the document feeder 200. The document feeder 200 conveys the document G placed on the document loading tray 300 onto the document reading unit 130b in the image reading unit 130. The image reading unit 130 scans the scanning optical system 130c to read the document placed on the document mounting table 130a, or reads the document G conveyed by the document feeder 200 to generate image data.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 110. The image forming unit 110 includes an optical scanning device 1, a developing device 2, a photoconductor drum 3, a drum cleaning device 4, a charging device 5, an intermediate transfer belt 7, a fixing device 12, a paper transport path S, a paper feed cassette 18, and a paper ejection device. It is equipped with a tray 141 (drainage tray in the body).

In the image forming unit 110, a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), or an image corresponding to a monochrome image using a single color (for example, black) is used. Data is handled. The image transfer unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with four developing apparatus 2, a photoconductor drum 3, a drum cleaning apparatus 4, and a charger 5 for forming four types of toner images, each of which is black. Corresponding to cyan, magenta and yellow, four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc and Pd are configured.

The optical scanning device 1 exposes the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 2 develops an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 to form a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 3. The drum cleaning device 4 removes and recovers residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor drum 3. The charger 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 to a predetermined potential. By the series of operations described above, toner images of each color are formed on the surface of each photoconductor drum 3.

An intermediate transfer roller 6 is arranged on the upper side of the photoconductor drum 3 via an intermediate transfer belt 7. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is stretched on the transfer drive roller 7a and the transfer driven roller 7b, and orbits in the direction of the arrow C. In the image forming apparatus 100, residual toner is removed and recovered by the belt cleaning apparatus 9, and toner images of each color formed on the surface of each photoconductor drum 3 are sequentially transferred and superposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7. Form a color toner image.

The transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer unit 11 has a nip area formed between the transfer roller 11a and the intermediate transfer belt 7, and the paper conveyed through the paper transfer path S is sandwiched between the nip areas and conveyed. When the paper passes through the nip area, the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred and transferred to the fixing device 12.

The fixing device 12 includes a fixing roller 12a and a pressure roller 12b that rotate with the paper sandwiched between them. The fixing device 12 sandwiches the paper on which the toner image is transferred between the fixing roller 12a and the pressure roller 12b, heats and pressurizes the paper, and fixes the toner image on the paper.

The paper feed cassette 18 is a cassette for storing paper used for image formation, and is provided under the optical scanning device 1. The paper is pulled out from the paper cassette 18 by the paper pickup roller 16 and conveyed to the paper transport path S. The paper conveyed to the paper transport path S is conveyed to the discharge roller 17 via the secondary transfer unit 11 and the fixing device 12, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 141. A transport roller 13, a resist roller 14, and a discharge roller 17 are arranged in the paper transport path S. The transport roller 13 encourages the transport of paper. The resist roller 14 temporarily stops the paper and aligns the tips of the paper. The resist roller 14 conveys the temporarily stopped paper in accordance with the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the timing. The color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred to the paper in the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a.

In FIG. 1, the number of paper cassettes 18 is one, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of paper cassettes 18 may be provided, and different types of paper may be loaded in each.

Further, when the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image not only on the front surface of the paper but also on the back surface, the image forming apparatus 100 conveys the paper from the ejection roller 17 to the paper reversing path Sr in the reverse direction. The image forming apparatus 100 reverses the front and back of the paper conveyed in the opposite direction and guides the paper to the resist roller 14 again. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on the back surface of the paper guided by the resist roller 14 in the same manner as on the front surface, and carries it out to the paper ejection tray 141.

The image reading unit 130 is provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 101. A document feeder 200 is mounted on the image reading unit 130.

[Original feeder]
2A, 2B, and 2C are a perspective view, a plan view, and a front view of the document feeder 200 shown in FIG. 1, respectively. FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom view showing a light source 330 portion of the document placing tray 300. FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the positional relationship of the light source 330 with respect to the document ejection tray 250. Further, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the document placing tray 300 as viewed from below.

The document feeder 200 conveys the document G placed on the document loading tray 300 in a predetermined transport direction H, and ejects the document G to the document ejection tray 250 below the document loading tray 300.

Specifically, the document feeder 200 includes a document loading tray 300, a document transport section 220, an ejection roller 230 (see FIGS. 1 and 4), and a document ejection tray 250. The document transport unit 220 transports the document G placed on the document loading tray 300 in the transport direction H. The ejection roller 230 ejects the document G conveyed by the document transfer unit 220. The document ejection tray 250 loads the document G ejected by the ejection roller 230. In the document feeder 200, the document loading tray 300 and the document ejection tray 250 are arranged so as to overlap each other in the vertical direction.

The document loading tray 300 includes a first document loading tray unit 310, a second document loading tray unit 320, and a light source 330 (light emitting diode in this example). The first document placing tray unit 310 has an elevating tray 311. The elevating tray 311 is configured such that the downstream end (tip) side in the transport direction H moves up and down with respect to the document transport section 220. The second document loading tray section 320 is adjacent to the upstream side of the first document loading tray section 310 in the transport direction H. The light source 330 illuminates the lower part of the second document placing tray portion 320. Specifically, the light source 330 illuminates the document G ejected to the document ejection tray 250 below the second document placing tray portion 320.

The second document placing tray portion has a light-shielding region α and a light transmission region β adjacent to the light-shielding region α. The light-shielding region α shields the light L upward from the light source 330. The light transmission region β transmits the reflected light from the document G discharged to the document ejection tray 250 below the second document placing tray portion 320. Here, the light transmittance of the light transmitting region β is not limited to that, but 50% or more (50% or more and 100% or less) can be exemplified. The light transmittance of the light-shielding region α is not limited to that, and examples thereof include less than 50% (0% or more and less than 50%). In this example, the shape of the light-shielding region α is a trapezoidal shape with one side inclined or a substantially trapezoidal shape.

According to the present embodiment, since the light source 330 illuminates the lower part of the second document placing tray portion 320, the document G discharged below the document placing tray 300 can be illuminated by the light source 330. Then, while the light L from the light source 330 can be shielded in the light-shielding region α provided in the second document mounting tray portion 320, the operation is performed in the light transmission region β provided in the second document-mounting tray portion 320. It is possible for a person to easily see the document G ejected below the document placing tray 300. As a result, the visibility of the document G ejected below the document placing tray 300 can be improved as compared with the conventional case. Further, for example, even if the document placing tray 300 is provided with a reinforcing portion 301a such as a rib [in this example, a rib (see FIG. 7 to be described later)] in order to improve the strength of the document placing tray, the reinforcing portion 301a is provided. It can be provided in the light-shielding region α, so that the reinforcing portion 301a does not get in the way when visually recognizing the document G discharged below the document placing tray 300. Therefore, the visibility of the document G ejected below the document mounting tray 300 can be improved as compared with the conventional case, and the visibility can be ensured even if the strength of the document mounting tray 300 is improved. can.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the document placing tray 300 as viewed from above. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the document placing tray 300. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a state in which the light source 330 is not provided on the document placing tray main body frame 301. Further, FIG. 8B is a plan view showing a state in which the light source 330 is provided on the document placing tray main body frame 301.

In the present embodiment, the second document placing tray portion 320 has a light transmissive upper tray 321 and a light transmissive lower tray 322. The light transmissive lower tray 322 is provided below the light transmissive upper tray 321. The light source 330 is provided between the light transmissive upper tray 321 and the light transmissive lower tray 322.

By doing so, by providing a light-shielding region α that shields the light L from the light source 330 in the light-transmitting upper tray 321 and the light-transmitting lower tray 322 that have light transmission as a whole, the region other than the light-shielding region α can be created. It can be a light transmission region β. As a result, the light-shielding region α and the light-transmitting region β can be easily provided even though the configuration is simple.

Specifically, the light source 330 is located in the light shielding region α. The light source 330 is mounted on a light source substrate (not shown) that drives the light source 330. The light source substrate is held by the light source substrate holding portion 340 (see FIGS. 7 and 8B).

The document placing tray 300 further includes a document placing tray main body frame 301 which is a document placing tray main body. The document placing tray main body frame 301 is provided in both the first document placing tray portion 310 and the second document placing tray portion 320. The document mounting tray main body frame 301 has a fastened portion 301b (screw hole) (see FIG. 8A) for fixing the light source substrate holding portion 340 and a through window through which the light L from the light source 330 on the light source substrate passes. A 301c (see FIGS. 8A and 8B) is provided. Since the light transmissive lower tray 322 transmits light, the light transmissive lower tray 322 provided on the lower surface of the document placing tray main body frame 301 is not provided with a through window.

The light source substrate holding portion 340 is fixed to the upper surface of the document mounting tray main body frame 301 by the fastening member SC1 (screw) so that the light source 330 faces the through window 301c. The fastening member SC1 is inserted into a through hole 340a (see FIG. 7) of the light source substrate holding portion 340 and fastened to the fastened portion 301b. Further, the document placing tray main body frame 301 is provided with a plurality of (four in this example) fastened portions 301d to 301d (screw holes) (see FIG. 7) for fixing the light transmissive lower tray 322. ing. The light transmissive lower tray 322 is fixed to the lower surface of the document placing tray main body frame 301 by a plurality of fastening members SC2 to SC2 (bis). The plurality of fastening members SC2 to SC2 are inserted into through holes 322a to 322a (see FIG. 7) of the light transmissive lower tray 322 and fastened to the fastened portions 301d to 301d. The fixing of the light-transmitting upper tray 321 to the document placing tray main body frame 301 and the light-transmitting lower tray 322 will be described later.

Further, the surface (upper surface) of the light-transmitting upper tray 321 and / or the surface (lower surface) of the light-transmitting lower tray 322 may be formed with grain (texture by grain processing), or the grain may be formed. It may not be flat and may be flat. In this example, grain is formed on at least a part of the surface of the light transmissive upper tray 321 and the light transmissive lower tray 322.

By the way, since the light-transmitting upper tray 321 is a member having light-transmitting property, the light from the light source 330 will be emitted if the light-shielding property of the light-shielding region α provided in the light-transmitting upper tray 321 is not surely secured. Due to light transmission, it may leak above the tray 321. Then, the light L from the light source 330 may enter the operator's eyes and make the operator uncomfortable.

In this respect, in the present embodiment, the document feeder 200 further includes a light-shielding member 350. The light-shielding member 350 is provided between the tray 321 and the light source 330 in terms of light transmission. The light-shielding member 350 constitutes a light-shielding region α of the second document placing tray portion 320.

By doing so, the light-shielding property of the light-shielding region α can be reliably ensured. Thereby, the light L from the light source 330 can be effectively prevented from leaking to the upper side of the tray 321 due to the light transmission due to the light blocking member 350. As a result, it is possible to prevent the light L from the light source 330 from entering the eyes of the operator, and by extension, it is possible to prevent the operator from being uncomfortable.

Specifically, the light-shielding member 350 is a resin sheet colored with a predetermined color (black in this example). The light-shielding member 350 is formed in a trapezoidal shape or a substantially trapezoidal shape in which one side of the operation side Y1 is inclined toward the side Y2 opposite to the operation side Y1 toward the upstream side in the transport direction H. Here, the "operation side" is the side on which the operation panel (not shown) is provided. That is, the light-shielding region α is formed in a trapezoidal shape in which one side of the operation side Y1 is inclined toward the side Y2 opposite to the operation side Y1 toward the upstream side in the transport direction H. The light-shielding member 350 is provided on the lower surface of the tray 321 for light transmission.

Next, an attachment step of attaching the document placing tray 300 to the document feeder main body frame 201, which is the main body of the document feeder 200, will be described.

9A to 9G are perspective views showing an attachment process of attaching the document mounting tray 300 to the document feeder main body frame 201. Note that, in FIGS. 9C to 9E, only a part of the document feeder main body frame 201 is shown.

In the mounting steps shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the document mounting tray body frame 301 to which the elevating tray 311, the light transmissive lower tray 322, and the light source substrate holding portion 340 are mounted is the document feed on the front side and the back side, respectively. It shows the state of being attached to the apparatus main body frame 201. In the attachment step shown in FIG. 9C, a state in which the cover member 360 is attached to the document feeder main body frame 201 is shown. In the mounting steps shown in FIGS. 9D and 9E, a state in which the light transmissive upper tray 321 is mounted on the document mounting tray main body frame 301 and the light transmissive lower tray 322 on the front side and the transport side, respectively, is shown. .. In the mounting steps shown in FIGS. 9F and 9G, a state in which the light transmissive upper tray 321 is mounted on the document mounting tray main body frame 301 and the light transmissive lower tray 322 on the front side and the back side, respectively, is shown. There is.

When attaching the document loading tray 300 to the document feeder body frame 201, first, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the operation side Y1 of the document feeder body frame 201 and the side Y2 opposite to the operation side Y1 (front and rear). The document mounting tray main body frame 301 to which the elevating tray 311 and the light transmissive lower tray 322 and the light source substrate holding portion 340 are attached is attached to the sheet metal frame) by fastening members SC3 and SC4 (bis). Here, the operation side Y1 is the side operated by the operator in the width direction W orthogonal to the transport direction H.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9C, the cover member 360 is fastened to the fastened portion 201a provided on the document feeder main body frame 201 on the operation side Y1 via the through hole 360a provided in the cover member 360. Attach with SC5 (screw). Here, the cover member 360 is a member that is long in the left-right direction X. The cover member 360 is a member having a light-shielding property. The cover member 360 conceals the fastened state of the fastening member SC3.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 9D and 9E, the light transmissive upper tray 321 is provided from the upstream side in the transport direction H along the upper surface of the light transmissive lower tray 322 with the light-transmitting member 350 provided on the lower surface. It is moved toward the downstream side, and the upper tray side engaging portion 3212 is engaged with the lower tray side engaging portion 3221 of the light transmitting lower tray 322. The engagement between the light transmissive upper tray 321 and the light transmissive lower tray 322 will be described in detail later.

After that, on the operation side Y1, as shown in FIG. 9F, the fastened portion 360b (screw hole) provided in the cover member 360 (see FIGS. 7 and 9C) is penetrated through the tray 321 for light transmission. Through the holes 321a (see FIGS. 7, 9D and 9E), the light transmissive upper tray 321 (in this example, the light transmissive extension portion 370) is attached by the fastening member SC6 (screw). In this example, in the fastened portion 360b, through the through hole 301e (see FIGS. 7, 9A, 9C to 9E) and the through hole 321a provided in the document placing tray main body frame 301, the light transmission is improved. The tray 321 is attached by the fastening member SC6.

Further, on the side Y2 opposite to the operation side Y1, as shown in FIG. 9G, the light transmissive upper tray 321 engaged with the light transmissive lower tray 322 is fastened to the document feeder main body frame 201 with the fastening members SC7 and SC7. Attach with (screw).

Thus, in the light transmissive tray 321, the ends 321b and 321b (see FIG. 9G) of the operation side Y1 and the side Y2 opposite to the operation side Y1 are fixed to the document feeder main body frame 201.

By doing so, the tray 321 can be reliably fixed to the document feeder main body frame 201 in terms of light transmission.

In the present embodiment, the light transmissive upper tray 321 is engaged with the light transmissive lower tray 322 by being moved above the light transmissive lower tray 322 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction H. To.

By doing so, the light transmissive upper tray 321 can be reliably fixed to the light transmissive lower tray 322 by a simple attachment work of the light transmissive upper tray 321.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the insertion portion 3211 and the upper tray side engaging portion 3212 portion of the light transmissive upper tray 321 as viewed from diagonally below. FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the lower tray side engaging portion 3221 portion of the light transmissive lower tray 322 as viewed from diagonally below. Further, FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the upper tray side engaging portion 3212 and the lower tray side engaging portion 3221 as viewed from diagonally below.

The tray 321 has one or more (three in this example) insertion portions 3211 to 3211 (see FIGS. 9D, 9E and 10A) and one or more (two in this example) in the tray 321 for light transmission. Upper tray side engaging portions 3212, 3212 (see FIGS. 9E, 10A, and 10C) are provided. The insertion portions 3211 to 3211 have an extension portion 3211a (see FIG. 10A) and a protrusion 3211b (see FIG. 10A). The extending portions 3211a to 3211a extend downward from the downstream end portion in the transport direction H of the tray 321 for light transmission. The protruding portions 3211b to 3211b project from the lower portion of the extending portions 3211a to 3211a to the downstream side in the transport direction H. Due to light transmission, the tray 321, the extending portions 3211a to 3211a, and the protruding portions 3211b to 3211a are integrally formed.

The document placing tray main body frame 301 is provided with insertion holes 301f to 301f (see FIGS. 7 and 9E) corresponding to the protrusions 3211b to 3211b of the insertion portions 3211 to 3211. The protruding portions 3211b to 3211b of the insertion portions 3211 to 3211 are inserted into the insertion holes 301f to 301f of the document mounting tray main body frame 301 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction H. Thereby, the movement of the tray 321 in the width direction W and the vertical direction Z can be restricted in terms of light transmission.

At the upstream end of the light transmissive lower tray 322 in the transport direction H, one or more (two in this example) lower tray side engaging portions 3221, 3221 (FIGS. 7, 9A to 9E and FIGS. 9E). 10B, see FIG. 10C).

The lower tray side engaging portions 3221 and 3221 have extending portions 3221a and 3221a (see FIG. 10B) and engaging claws 3221b and 3221b (see FIGS. 10B and 10C). The extending portions 3221a and 3221a project from the end portion of the light transmissive lower tray 322 on the upstream side in the transport direction H to the upstream side in the transport direction H. The engaging claws 3221b and 3221b extend downward from the upstream end of the extending portions 3221a and 3221a in the transport direction H. The light transmissive lower tray 322, the extending portions 3221a and 3221a, and the engaging claws 3221b and 3221b are integrally formed.

The side portion 321d (see FIGS. 9D, 9E, 10A) and the bottom portion 321e (see FIGS. 9D, 9E, 10A) are located at the upstream end of the tray 321 in the transport direction H for light transmission. It is provided. The side portion 321d extends downward from the upstream end portion of the document placing portion 321c in the transport direction H. The bottom portion 321e extends from the lower end of the side portion 321d to the downstream side in the transport direction H. That is, a space SP (see FIG. 10A) surrounded by a document placing portion 321c, a side portion 321d, and a bottom portion 321e is formed at an upstream end portion of the tray 321 on the upstream side in the transport direction H for light transmission. The document placing portion 321c, the side portion 321d, and the bottom portion 321e are integrally formed. Further, the upper tray side engaging portions 3212 and 3212 are through holes provided in the bottom portion 321e. In the upper tray side engaging portions 3212, 3212, the light transmissive upper tray 321 moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction H, so that the end portion of the light transmissive lower tray 322 on the upstream side in the transport direction H becomes. Due to light transmission, it is inserted into the space SP of the tray 321. In the upper tray side engaging portions 3212 and 3212, when the light transmissive upper tray 321 comes into contact with the first document loading tray portion 310, the protruding portions 3211b to 3211b of the insertion portions 3211 to 3211 are the document mounting tray main body. It is locked to the engaging claws 3221b and 3221b in the lower tray side engaging portions 3221 and 3221 in a state of being inserted into the insertion holes 301f to 301f of the frame 301. As a result, it is possible to restrict the movement of the tray 321 to the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction H in terms of light transmission.

In the document mounting tray 300 described above, when the light transmissive upper tray 321 is attached to the document mounting tray main body frame 301 and the light transmissive lower tray 322, the light transmission in a state of being attached to the document mounting tray main body frame 301. The light transmissive upper tray 321 is moved from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction H of the light transmissive lower tray 322 with respect to the lower tray 322. Then, the upstream end portion of the light transmissive lower tray 322 in the transport direction H is inserted into the space SP of the light transmissive upper tray 321. At this time, the protruding portions 3211b to 3211b of the insertion portions 3211 to 3211 in the light transmissive upper tray 321 are inserted into the insertion holes 301f to 301f in the document mounting tray main body frame 301, and the upper tray side engaging portions 3212 and 3212 are inserted. Is locked to the engaging claws 3221b and 3221b in the lower tray side engaging portions 3221 and 3221. As a result, the light-transmitting upper tray 321 can be fixed to the light-transmitting lower tray 322 in a state of being attached to the document placing tray main body frame 301 without using a fastening member such as a screw.

By doing so, it is possible to improve the workability of attaching the light transmissive upper tray 321 to the document feeder main body frame 201 and the light transmissive lower tray 322.

<Second Embodiment>
By the way, in order to secure the strength of the second document placing tray portion 320, it is preferable to provide a reinforcing portion such as a rib on the second document placing tray portion 320. On the other hand, if the reinforcing portion is provided in the light transmission region β, it is difficult for the operator to see the document G ejected below the document placing tray 300 because the reinforcing portion interferes with it.

In this respect, in the present embodiment, the light-shielding region α is provided on the downstream side of the second document placing tray portion 320 in the transport direction H and on the side Y2 opposite to the operation side Y1. The light-shielding region α is adjacent to the upstream side of the first document placing tray portion 310 in the transport direction H.

The light transmission region β includes an upstream light transmission region β1 (see FIG. 6) and an operation side light transmission region β2 (see FIG. 6). The upstream side light transmission region β1 is adjacent to the upstream side in the transport direction H of the light shielding region α. The operation-side light transmission region β2 is adjacent to the operation side of the light-shielding region α and the upstream-side light transmission region β1.

By doing so, the light-shielding region α provided on the downstream side in the transport direction H of the second document placing tray portion 320 (in this example, the document placing tray main body frame 301) and on the side Y2 opposite to the operation side Y1. A reinforcing portion 301a (in this example, grid-like ribs) (see FIGS. 7, 9A to 9E) can be provided on the surface. As a result, the strength of the second document placing tray portion 320 can be ensured. Further, by providing the reinforcing portion 301a in the light-shielding region α of the second document loading tray portion 320, the operator is ejected below the document loading tray 300 in the light transmission region β of the second document loading tray portion 320. The original document G can be easily visually recognized. In this example, the light-shielding member 350 conceals the reinforcing portion 301a.

In the present embodiment, the second document placing tray portion 320 has a light transmissive extending portion 370 (see FIGS. 6, 7, 9D to 9G). The light transmissive extending portion 370 extends from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction H on the operation side Y1. In this example, the light transmissive extension portion 370 covers the cover member 360.

By doing so, the extension region γ (see FIG. 6) of the light transmission extending portion 370 can be included in the light transmission region β. Therefore, the operator can visually recognize the light transmission region β as if it is provided in the entire left-right direction X when viewed from the front, whereby the first document mounting tray unit 310 and the second document mounting tray are provided. It is possible to have a sense of unity with the unit 320. Further, it is possible for the operator to easily see the document G ejected below the document placing tray 300 in the entire left-right direction X on the operation side.

Specifically, the extension region γ of the light transmissive extension portion 370 extends toward the downstream side adjacent to the downstream side in the transport direction H of the operation side light transmission region β2 on the operation side Y1.

In the present embodiment, in the light transmissive extension portion 370, the downstream end portion 370a (see FIGS. 6, 7, 9D to 9F) in the transport direction H is directly connected to the document feeder main frame 201 or It is indirectly (in this example, via the cover member 360 and the document placing tray main body frame 301) fixed by the fastening member SC6.

By doing so, the light transmissive extension portion 370 can be reliably fixed to the document feeder main body frame 201.

<Third Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the light transmitting region β is provided with a recess βa. The recess βa is provided at the rear end (upstream end in the transport direction H) of the document G when the document G having a predetermined size of one or more types (five types in this example) is placed on the document mounting tray 300. It is along a part of the outer shape of the light-shielding region α so as to include the corresponding position. In this example, the recess βa is formed in the tray 321 for light transmission.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the positional relationship between the recess βa provided in the light transmission region β and the positions G1 to G5 corresponding to the rear end of the document G mounted on the document mounting tray 300. Is.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the shape of the recess βa is a parallel quadrilateral shape or a substantially parallel quadrilateral shape including two sides along the inclined side of the light-shielding region α and two sides along the width direction W. No grain is formed in the recess βa.

The recess βa is located at positions G1 to correspond to the rear ends of the A4 (A4 horizontal) size, letter (LT) size, B5R (B5 vertical) size, letter half (LTh) size, and A4R (A4 vertical) size original G. Contains G5.

By doing so, the operator can put his finger in the recess βa and remove the document G placed on the document placing tray 300. This makes it easy to remove the document G placed on the document placing tray 300. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability when the operator removes the document G placed on the document placing tray 300. Further, by providing the concave portion βa in the light transmitting region β, it is possible to make the concave portion βa easier to see as compared with the case where the concave portion βa is provided in the light shielding region α.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, such embodiments are merely exemplary in all respects and should not be construed in a limited way. The scope of the present invention is set forth by the claims and is not bound by the text of the specification. Further, all modifications and modifications that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

100 Image forming device 200 Document feeding device 201 Document feeding device Main frame 250 Lower document ejection tray 250 Original ejection tray 300 Document loading tray 301 Document loading tray Main frame 301a Reinforcing part (rib)
310 1st document mounting tray 311 Elevating tray 320 2nd document loading tray 321 Light transmissive upper tray 3211 Insertion section 3212 Upper tray side engaging section 322 Light transmissive lower tray 3221 Lower tray side engaging section 330 Light source 340 Light source board holding part 350 Light-shielding member 360 Cover member 370 Light transmissive extension part 370a End part G Document G1 to G5 Position corresponding to the rear end of the document H Transport direction SP Space W Width direction X Left-right direction Y Front-back direction Y1 Operation Side Y2 Opposite side Z Vertical α Light-shielding area β Light-transmitting area β1 Upstream-side light-transmitting area β2 Operation-side light-transmitting area βa Recessed γ Extension area

Claims (10)

A document feeder equipped with a document mounting tray on which documents are placed, transports the documents placed on the document loading tray in a predetermined transport direction, and ejects the documents below the document loading tray. There,
The document loading tray includes a first document loading tray section, a second document loading tray section adjacent to the upstream side of the first document loading tray section in the transport direction, and the second document loading tray section. Equipped with a light source that illuminates the lower part of the part
The document feeding device is characterized in that the second document placing tray portion has a light-shielding region that shields light upward from the light source and a light transmission region adjacent to the light-shielding region. The document feeder according to claim 1.
The second document placing tray portion has a light transmissive upper tray and a light transmissive lower tray provided below the light transmissive upper tray.
The light source is a document feeder provided between the light transmissive upper tray and the light transmissive lower tray. The document feeder according to claim 2.
Further, a light-shielding member provided between the tray for light transmission and the light source is provided.
The light-shielding member is a document feeding device characterized in that it constitutes the light-shielding region of the second document placing tray portion. The document feeding device according to claim 2 or 3.
The light transmissive tray is a document feeding device characterized in that an end portion on the side opposite to the operating side operated by the operator in a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction is fixed to the document feeding device main body. The document feeder according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
The light transmissive upper tray is characterized in that it is engaged with the light transmissive lower tray by moving above the light transmissive lower tray from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. Document feeder. The document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The light-shielding region is provided on the downstream side of the second document placing tray portion in the transport direction and on the side opposite to the operation side operated by the operator in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction.
The light transmission region includes an upstream light transmission region adjacent to the upstream side of the light shielding region in the transport direction, and an operation side light transmission region adjacent to the operation side of the light shielding region and the upstream light transmission region. A document feeder characterized by including. The document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The second document placing tray portion has a light transmissive extending portion extending from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction on the operation side operated by the operator in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction. A document feeder characterized by being The document feeder according to claim 7.
The light transmissive extending portion is a document feeding device characterized in that a downstream end portion in the transport direction is directly or indirectly fixed to a main body frame of the document feeding device. The document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The light transmission region is provided with a recess along the light-shielding region so as to include a position corresponding to the rear end of the document when the document of a predetermined size is placed on the document mounting tray. A document feeder characterized by being present. An image forming apparatus comprising the document feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images