JP6142795B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ADF (Automatic Reading System) that reads an image of a document while conveying the document.
Document Feeder) type image reading apparatus is disclosed.

  The image reading apparatus includes a paper feed tray on which a sheet fed from a paper feed port is placed and a paper discharge tray on which a sheet discharged from the paper discharge port is placed. The paper feed tray is provided to be openable and closable at a position where the paper feed opening is opened and a position where the paper feed opening is covered. The paper discharge tray is provided to be openable and closable at a position where the paper discharge port is opened and a position where the paper discharge port is covered. Then, when the paper feed tray is moved from the position where the paper feed opening is opened to the position where the paper feed opening is covered, the paper discharge tray is moved from the position where the paper discharge opening is opened to the position where the paper discharge opening is covered. It is configured to be moved.

  In this image reading apparatus, in a use state where the paper feed tray moves to a position where the paper feed opening is opened and the paper discharge tray moves to a position where the paper discharge opening opens, the paper feed tray overlaps the upper side of the paper discharge tray. It becomes a state.

JP 2002-145457 A

  This type of image reading apparatus includes a configuration in which the paper feed tray is disposed above the paper discharge tray and a configuration in which the paper discharge tray is disposed above the paper feed tray. For this reason, it is difficult for the user to distinguish between the two trays of the paper feed tray and the paper discharge tray, and there is a possibility that the document to be set on the paper feed tray is erroneously set on the paper discharge tray.

  It is an object of the present invention to erroneously set a sheet before image reading on a second support portion that supports a sheet after image reading in a configuration in which a first support portion and a second support portion are provided overlapping in the vertical direction. This is to provide an image reading apparatus that can suppress this.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit that reads an image recorded on a sheet, a first support unit that supports a sheet conveyed toward the reading unit, and a reading unit. The sheet after the image reading is discharged, and includes a second support part that supports the sheet. The first support part and the second support part are provided to overlap in the vertical direction. And a restricting portion that restricts insertion of the sheet onto the second support portion from a direction opposite to the discharge direction of the sheet to the two support portions.

  According to this structure, the 2nd support part is provided with the control part. When the sheet before image reading is erroneously inserted onto the second support portion from the direction opposite to the discharge direction of the sheet to the second support portion, insertion (insertion) of the sheet is restricted by the restriction portion. As a result, it can suppress that a sheet | seat is set to a 2nd support part. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

  The second support portion protrudes toward the first support portion and extends in the discharge direction. The second support portion is provided at a distance downstream from the first protrusion in the discharge direction. And a second protrusion that extends in the discharge direction, and the restricting portion may be a surface that forms a recess formed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. .

  According to this configuration, a step is generated between the surface that forms the dent between the first ridge portion and the second ridge portion and the upper end of the first ridge portion. If the sheet is mistakenly inserted into the second support portion, the leading edge of the sheet enters the recess and comes into contact with the first protrusion. This restricts the insertion of further sheets. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being erroneously set on the second support portion, and to inform the user of the error.

  The second ridge portion may be set so that the height of the end portion on the upstream side in the discharge direction becomes lower as it approaches the first ridge portion.

  Thus, when the sheet is inserted onto the second support portion from the direction opposite to the discharge direction, the leading end of the sheet is guided to the upper end of the second protruding portion, whereby the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion. It is easy to enter the dent between the parts. Therefore, it can suppress further that a sheet | seat is set to a 2nd support part. Further, even if the leading edge of the sheet after image reading discharged onto the second support portion enters the recess between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, if the discharge of the sheet proceeds, the leading edge of the sheet It escapes from a dent by being guided by the upper end of a 2nd protrusion part. Therefore, the sheet can be discharged well on the second support portion.

  The height of the upstream end in the discharge direction of the second protrusion may be set lower than the height of the downstream end of the discharge direction in the first protrusion.

  Accordingly, when the sheet is inserted onto the second support portion from the direction opposite to the discharge direction, the leading end of the sheet is likely to come into contact with the downstream end in the discharge direction of the first protrusion. Therefore, it can suppress further that a sheet | seat is set to a 2nd support part. In addition, the sheet after image reading discharged onto the second support portion is less likely to come into contact with the upstream edge of the second protrusion. Therefore, the sheet can be discharged well on the second support portion.

  The first support unit is positioned above the second support unit, extends in the width direction perpendicular to both the transport direction and the vertical direction of the sheet transported toward the reading unit, and the center portion in the width direction is cut away. The second support portion includes a third protrusion that extends in the discharge direction, and has an exposed region that is exposed through the cut portion of the first support portion, and is upstream of the discharge direction in the exposed region. The predetermined portion on the side may be set such that the height of the third ridge is higher than the height of the other third ridge.

  When the length in the conveyance direction of the sheet discharged to the second support portion is relatively short, the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the sheet remains on the end portion of the second support portion on the upstream side in the conveyance direction. Since the first support portion is provided with a notch portion, by using the notch portion, a sheet having a short length in the conveying direction can be easily removed from the second support portion without the first support portion becoming an obstacle. It can be taken out. Further, since the sheet can be visually recognized through the notch portion, it is possible to suppress the remaining of the sheet.

  In addition, since the height of the third protrusion in the predetermined part of the exposed region is set higher than the height in the other part, the downstream end in the sheet conveying direction and the third protrusion are provided upright. The gap between the surface and the surface can be increased. Therefore, it is easy for the user to pick up the sheet with fingers through the gap, and the sheet can be easily taken out from the second support portion.

  Furthermore, when the height of the entire third ridge portion is increased, the interval between the upper end of the third ridge portion and the first support portion is narrowed, and the performance of discharging the sheet may be reduced. On the other hand, by elevating only the predetermined portion that is a part of the third ridge portion, it is possible to improve the ease of taking out the sheet without deteriorating the sheet discharge performance.

  The space between the third ridge portions in the predetermined portion may be recessed below the space between the third ridge portions other than the predetermined portion.

  Thereby, the height of the 3rd protrusion part in a predetermined part can be set higher than the height of the other part, making the position of the upper end edge of a 3rd protrusion part the same in a predetermined part and other parts. . Therefore, it is possible to improve the ease of taking out the sheet without reducing the distance between the upper end of the third protrusion and the first support part.

  The restricting portion may be provided below a portion adjacent to the notch portion in the first support portion in the width direction.

  According to this configuration, since the restricting portion is covered by the first support portion, it is possible to suppress a decrease in appearance due to the provision of the restricting portion.

  The second support part is provided on the downstream side in the discharge direction with respect to the predetermined part in the exposed region, and is provided adjacent to the second protrusion in the width direction, and includes a fourth protrusion extending in the discharge direction, The height of the fourth protrusion may be set higher than the height of the second protrusion.

  According to this configuration, since the height of the fourth ridge is set higher than the height of the second ridge, the length in the conveyance direction of the sheet discharged to the second support is relatively long. In this case, the gap between the downstream end in the sheet conveyance direction and the surface of the second support portion can be increased. Therefore, it is easy for the user to pick up the sheet with fingers through the gap, and the sheet can be easily taken out from the second support portion. Further, on the second support portion, the sheet is discharged in a state where the center in the width direction bulges toward the first support portion side than both ends in the width direction. Therefore, it is possible to hold the sheet, and stackability can be improved when a plurality of sheets are discharged to the second support portion. Moreover, it can suppress that the both ends of the width direction of a sheet | seat float from a 2nd support part, and can suppress that a sheet | seat rides on the outer periphery of a 2nd support part.

  The first support part is divided into a first fixed part and a first moving part, and the first moving part is located on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first fixed part, and the first fixed part However, it may be configured to be displaceable between the second position facing from above.

  In order to configure the first moving part of the first support part to be displaceable to an upper position with respect to the first fixed part, and to downsize the device in the vertical direction, the first support part and the second support part It is necessary to reduce the interval. Even if the distance between the first support portion and the second support portion is small, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being erroneously set on the second support portion. Moreover, even if the space | interval of a 1st support part and a 2nd support part is small, a sheet | seat can be easily taken out from a 2nd support part.

  You may provide the static elimination part which is provided in the edge part of the discharge direction upstream in a 1st moving part, and neutralizes the sheet | seat discharged | emitted by the 2nd support part.

  Since the sheet discharged to the second support part is neutralized by the static eliminating part, it is possible to suppress the sheet from sticking to the lower surface of the first moving part due to static electricity.

  The second support part is divided into a second fixed part and a second moving part, and the second moving part is located on the downstream side in the discharge direction with respect to the second fixed part and the second fixed part. The second moving part is configured to be displaceable to an unused position facing from above, and the second moving part is rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction along the downstream end of the second fixing part in the discharging direction. It is connected to the fixed part, and is displaced to the use position and the non-use position by rotation, the third protrusion is formed on the second fixed part, and the predetermined part is the second moving part at the use position. The upper surface of the end portion on the upstream side in the discharge direction of the second moving portion may come into contact with the second moving portion, and further rotation of the second moving portion may be restricted.

  The first support portion is located above the second support portion, and is provided to protrude from the first support portion to the second support portion side, and includes a charge removal portion that removes a sheet discharged to the second support portion. May be.

  Since the sheet discharged to the second support portion is neutralized by the charge removal portion, it is possible to suppress the sheet from sticking to the lower surface of the first support portion due to static electricity. Further, since the static elimination unit is provided so as to protrude from the first support unit to the second support unit side, the sheet can be guided by the static elimination unit so that the front end of the sheet is directed downward.

  According to the present invention, in the configuration in which the first support portion and the second support portion are provided so as to overlap in the vertical direction, the sheet before image reading is erroneously set on the second support portion that supports the sheet after image reading. This can be suppressed.

1 is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state where a first cover is located at a non-use position. It is a perspective view of an image reading device, and shows the state where a 1st cover is located in a use position. FIG. 3 is a central sectional view of the image reading apparatus, showing a state where the first cover is located at the use position. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the image reading apparatus, showing a state where the first cover is located at the use position and the stack tray is located at the standing position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus, showing a state where the first cover is located at the use position and the stack tray is located at the standing position. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus, showing a state in which a stack tray is located at a lying position and a feed tray is located at a standing position. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first cover, showing a paper discharge stacking surface side in a state where a paper feed support portion is removed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a first cover on a sheet discharge stacking surface side. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating a control part. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a paper feed support unit and shows a configuration on a paper discharge guide unit side. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the control part which concerns on other embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Overall configuration>

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the image reading apparatus 1 includes a housing 2, a first cover 3, and a second cover 4. The first cover 3 and the second cover 4 are supported from below by the housing 2 and are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction.

  The side where the first cover 3 and the second cover 4 are provided with respect to the housing 2 is the upper side, and the side where the second cover 4 is provided with respect to the first cover 3 is the upper side, Define the left and right and front and rear directions. And in each figure after FIG. 1, a direction is displayed with an arrow.

  The first cover 3 is disposed at a position biased to the right with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the housing 2. The first cover 3 is provided so as to be displaceable between a non-use position shown in FIG. 1 and a use position shown in FIG. 2 around a rotation axis 101 extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the first cover 3 extends along the upper end of the housing 2 in a non-use position and constitutes a part of the upper surface cover that covers the upper surface of the housing 2. In a state where the first cover 3 is located at the non-use position, the upper surface 5 of the first cover 3 is included in the same plane as the upper surface 7 of the third cover 6 disposed on the right side of the first cover 3, and the upper surface thereof 7, a part of the flat upper surface 8 of the image reading apparatus 1 is formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the first cover 3 extends from the housing 2 so as to be inclined upward from the housing 2 at the use position.

  The second cover 4 is provided so as to be displaceable between an upper position shown in FIG. 1 and a lower position shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the second cover 4 extends along the upper end of the housing 2 in the upper position and constitutes a part of the upper surface cover that covers the upper surface of the housing 2. In a state where the first cover 3 is located at the non-use position and the second cover 4 is located at the upper position, the upper surface 9 of the second cover 4 is connected to the upper surface 5 of the first cover 3 and the upper surface 7 of the third cover 6. A part of the flat device upper surface 8 is formed which is included in the same plane. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the second cover 4 is inclined downwardly from the upper part of the housing 2 at the lower position, and is substantially parallel to the lower end side of the first cover 3 located at the use position. It becomes a relationship.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a paper feed stacking unit 11 and a paper discharge stacking unit 12 are provided in the housing 2. The paper feed stacking unit 11 and the paper discharge stacking unit 12 are configured in two upper and lower stages below the first cover 3 located at the non-use position.

  The paper feed stacking unit 11 includes a stack tray 102 and a feed tray 103.

  The stack tray 102 is located on the right side of the feed tray 103. The stack tray 102 is provided so as to be displaceable between a lying position shown in FIG. 2 and a standing position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. Further, the feed tray 103 is provided so as to be displaceable between a lying position shown in FIG. 5 and a standing position shown in FIG. 6 around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the feed tray 103 extends in an inclined manner from the right side to the upper right side from the center in the left-right direction in a state where the feed tray 103 is located at the standing position. By displacing the feed tray 103 to the upright position, it is possible to perform jam processing near the discharge roller 59. Actually, the feed tray 103 cannot be moved to the standing position unless the third cover 6 is opened with its right end raised, but FIG. 6 shows the vicinity of the discharge roller 59 and the discharge tray. In order to illustrate a state in which the paper stacking surface 21 is opened, a state in which the feed tray 103 is displaced to the standing position while the third cover 6 is closed is illustrated.

  In a state where the stack tray 102 and the feed tray 103 are located at the lying down position, the first cover 3 is displaced from the non-use position to the use position by the upper surfaces of the stack tray 102 and the feed tray 103 as shown in FIG. Thus, the exposed sheet stacking surface 13 is configured. The paper feed stacking surface 13 includes a flat portion 14 and an inclined portion 15. The flat surface portion 14 is a surface that is recessed from the upper surface 8 of the apparatus, and is formed in a substantially flat surface that extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction at a position lower than the upper end of the housing 2. The inclined portion 15 extends from the flat portion 14 so as to be inclined upward to the right. A notch 16 is formed at the center of the inclined portion 15 in the front-rear direction. The inclined portion 15 is divided into a front inclined portion 17 and a rear inclined portion 18 by a notch 16. The front inclined portion 17 and the rear inclined portion 18 have the same width in the front-rear direction. The right end portions of the front inclined portion 17 and the rear inclined portion 18 are curved so that the inclination angle becomes small. In FIG. 3, only the rear inclined portion 18 is shown, but the front inclined portion 17 has the same shape.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the stack tray 102 extends in an inclined manner from the right side to the upper left side from the center in the left-right direction in a state where the stack tray 102 is located at the standing position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the feed tray 103 is provided with a pair of paper feed guides 19, 20 spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction on the paper feed stack 13. The pair of paper feed guides 19 and 20 are configured to be able to approach and separate with the same amount of movement with respect to the center between them.

  The paper discharge stacking unit 12 is positioned below the paper supply stacking unit 11 as shown in FIG. The paper discharge stacking unit 12 has a paper discharge stacking surface 21. The discharge stacking surface 21 extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction with a space below the paper feed stacking unit 11. The right end portion 22 of the paper discharge stacking surface 21 is inclined upward so as to be substantially parallel to the inclined portion 15 of the paper supply stacking surface 13.

  The first cover 3 has a paper discharge support surface 31 on the side opposite to the upper surface 5. As shown in FIG. 2, in the state where the first cover 3 is located at the use position, the paper discharge guide portions 32 and 33 are respectively located at positions corresponding to the left front end portion and the left rear end portion of the paper discharge support surface 31. Is provided. The paper discharge guide portions 32 and 33 are fixedly disposed on the paper discharge support surface 31 by being formed integrally with the paper discharge support surface 31. The paper discharge guide portions 32 and 33 stand from the paper discharge support surface 31 and extend in the left-right direction.

  The paper feed support portions 34 and 35 are supported by the paper discharge guide portions 32 and 33, respectively.

  The paper feed support portions 34 and 35 are provided to be displaceable between a first position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and a second position located above the paper feed stacking portion 11. The paper feed support portions 34 and 35 are colored in a different color from the first cover 3. The paper feed support portions 34 and 35 are formed in a plate shape having the same width as the front inclined portion 17 and the rear inclined portion 18 in the front-rear direction. The front paper feed support portion 34 is supported at the upper end of the paper discharge guide portion 32 at the first position, and extends substantially parallel to the paper discharge support surface 31 toward the rear side. The rear paper feed support portion 35 is supported by the upper end of the paper discharge guide portion 33 at the first position, and extends substantially parallel to the paper discharge support surface 31 toward the front side. The paper feed support portions 34 and 35 face the paper feed stacking portion 11 from above in the second position.

  In a state where the first cover 3 is located at the use position, the paper feed support portions 34 and 35 are located at the first position. The sheet feeding support portions 34 and 35 are located on the right side of the front inclined portion 17 and the rear inclined portion 18 in the first position, respectively. The paper feed support portions 34 and 35 are inclined in substantially the same direction as the front inclined portion 17 and the rear inclined portion 18, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the left end portion of the paper feed support portion 35 is disposed at a position higher than the right end portion of the rear inclined portion 18. Similarly, the left end portion of the paper feed support portion 34 is disposed at a position higher than the right end portion of the front inclined portion 17. Further, in a state where the first cover 3 is located at the use position, the left end portion of the paper discharge support surface 31 is disposed at a position lower than the right end portion of the paper discharge stacking surface 21.

  In the housing 2, as shown in FIG. 3, a conveyance path 41 for conveying the sheet S is provided as a space on the left side of the sheet stacking unit 11 and the sheet discharge stacking unit 12. The conveyance path 41 is provided on the left side of the upper path 42 positioned relatively above, the lower path 43 positioned relatively lower, the upper path 42 and the lower path 43, and the upper path 42 and the lower path 43. And a curved path 44 connecting the two. The conveyance path 41 is defined by various rollers, which will be described later, for conveying a document, and guide surfaces located between the rollers.

  A pair of supply rollers 51, a separation roller 52, a separation piece 53, a pair of conveyance rollers 54, an image sensor module 55, a reverse roller 56, driven rollers 57 and 58, and a pair of discharge rollers 59 along the conveyance path 41. Is provided.

  The pair of supply rollers 51 is disposed at the entrance of the upper path 42. The entrance of the upper path 42 is formed on the left side of the paper feed stacking unit 11. One supply roller 51 is positioned relatively on the upper side, and is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The other supply roller 51 is positioned relatively below and is provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The peripheral surface of the upper supply roller 51 and the peripheral surface of the lower supply roller 51 are in contact with each other, and the contact portion defines a part of the upper path 42.

  The separation roller 52 is disposed on the left side of the upper supply roller 51 and is provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction.

  The separation piece 53 is disposed below the separation roller 52. The separation piece 53 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the separation roller 52 from below, and the contacted part defines a part of the upper path 42.

  The pair of transport rollers 54 is disposed on the left side of the separation roller 52. One conveyance roller 54 is positioned relatively on the upper side, and is provided to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The other transport roller 54 is positioned relatively below and is provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The peripheral surface of the upper transport roller 54 and the peripheral surface of the lower transport roller 54 are in contact with each other, and the contact portion defines a part of the upper path 42.

  The image sensor module 55 is disposed on the left side of the lower conveyance roller 54. In the image sensor module 55, for example, a light source, a lens, an image sensor, and the like are provided. A contact glass 60 is provided on the upper surface of the image sensor module 55. An upper surface of the contact glass 60 and a guide surface facing the upper surface of the contact glass 60 define a part of the upper path 42.

  The reverse roller 56 is disposed on the left side of the image sensor module 55. The reversing roller 56 is provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. A peripheral surface on the left side of the reversing roller 56 and a curved guide surface facing the peripheral surface with a predetermined gap define a part of the curved path 44.

  The driven roller 57 is disposed above the reversing roller 56. The driven roller 57 is provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. A part of the peripheral surface of the driven roller 57 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the reversing roller 56, and the contacted part defines a part of the curved path 44.

  The driven roller 58 is disposed on the lower left side of the reverse roller 56. The driven roller 58 is provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. A part of the peripheral surface of the driven roller 58 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the reversing roller 56, and the contacted part defines a part of the curved path 44.

  The pair of discharge rollers 59 is disposed at the exit of the lower path 43. The exit of the lower path 43 is formed on the left side of the paper discharge stacking portion 12 and at a position spaced above the left end portion of the paper discharge stacking surface 21. One discharge roller 59 is positioned relatively above and is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The other discharge roller 59 is positioned relatively below and is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The peripheral surface of the upper discharge roller 59 and the peripheral surface of the lower discharge roller 59 are in contact with each other, and the contact portion defines a part of the lower path 43.

<Image reading operation>

  The positions of the pair of paper feed guides 19 and 20 are adjusted in accordance with the width in the front-rear direction of the sheet S to be read, as shown in FIG. The sheet S is inserted between the paper feed guides 19 and 20, and is stacked on the paper feed stacking surface 13 and the paper feed support portions 34 and 35 in a state of straddling them.

  When an instruction to start reading the image of the sheet S is given, a pair of supply rollers 51, a separation roller 52, a separation piece 53, a pair of conveying rollers 54, a reverse roller 56, driven rollers 57 and 58, and a pair of discharge rollers 59 starts to rotate by a driving force from a driving system (not shown). By the rotation of the supply roller 51, a conveyance force is applied from the supply roller 51 to the sheet S, and the sheet S is conveyed toward the separation roller 52 through the upper path 42. When the sheet S reaches the contact portion between the separation roller 52 and the separation piece 53, the sheet S is drawn between the separation roller 52 and the separation piece 53 and separated one by one. Accordingly, one sheet S passes between the separation roller 52 and the separation piece 53.

  Thereafter, when the sheet S reaches the contact portion of the pair of conveying rollers 54, a conveying force is applied to the sheet S from the conveying rollers 54, and the sheet S is conveyed further downstream on the upper path 42. By this conveyance, the sheet S passes over the contact glass 60 of the image sensor module 55 and reaches the contact portion between the reverse roller 56 and the driven roller 57. When the sheet S passes over the contact glass 60, the image sensor module 55 reads an image on one side of the sheet S.

  After the sheet S reaches the contact portion between the reversing roller 56 and the driven roller 57, the sheet S is conveyed along the curved path 44. Thereafter, the sheet S passes between the reversing roller 56 and the driven roller 58 and enters the lower path 43 from the curved path 44. As the sheet S is conveyed along the curved path 44, the conveyance direction of the sheet S is reversed.

  The entrance of the lower path 43 is formed by opening a part of the lower surface of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction. The housing 2 is coupled from above to a multifunction machine (not shown). The multifunction machine accommodates an image forming unit and the like, and a contact glass 301 for placing a sheet to be read is disposed on the upper surface thereof. Below the contact glass 301, an image sensor module 302 that is movable in the left-right direction in the figure is arranged. In the image sensor module 302, for example, a light source, a lens, an image sensor, and the like are provided. The image sensor module 302 moves to a predetermined stop position when reading the conveyed sheet S. The sheet S passes over the contact glass 301 when entering the lower path 43 from the curved path 44. When the sheet S passes over the contact glass 301, the image on the other side of the sheet S is read by the image sensor module 302 at the stop position.

  When the conveyance of the sheet S progresses, the sheet S is conveyed through the lower path 43 and arrives at the contact portion of the pair of discharge rollers 59, a conveyance force is applied from the discharge roller 59 to the sheet S, and the sheet S moves along the lower path. It is discharged from the outlet 43 toward the right side (discharge direction).

  The discharged sheet S travels with the discharge stacking surface 21 facing the discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3. Depending on the size of the sheet S, when the sheet S reaches the discharge support surface 31, the front and rear edges of the sheet S come into contact with the discharge guide portions 32 and 33. Thereafter, as the sheet S advances on the sheet discharge support surface 31, the edge of the sheet S in the front-rear direction slides on the sheet discharge guide portions 32 and 33, thereby correcting the direction of the sheet S. . When the sheet S is released from the discharge roller 59, the sheet S is stacked on the discharge stacking surface 21 and the discharge support surface 31 in a state of straddling them.

<Regulatory Department>

  Hereinafter, in the description of the paper discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3, the state in which the first cover 3 is located at the non-use position (see FIG. 1) in the vertical and horizontal directions and the front and rear directions is used as a reference. . FIG. 7 shows the first cover 3 removed from the housing 2 and turned upside down.

  The paper discharge guide portions 32 and 33 are erected on the right front end portion and the right rear end portion of the paper discharge stacking surface 21. Since the discharge guide sections 32 and 33 have a front-rear configuration, only the configuration of the front discharge guide section 32 will be described, and description of the configuration of the rear discharge guide section 33 will be omitted. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the paper discharge guide portion 32 includes a first wall portion 91, a second wall portion 92, a third wall portion 93, a fourth wall portion 94, a fifth wall portion 95, and a sixth wall portion 96. The seventh wall portion 97, the eighth wall portion 98 and the ninth wall portion 99 are integrally provided. Each of the walls 91 to 99 rises from the paper discharge support surface 31.

  The 1st wall part 91 and the 2nd wall part 92 are arrange | positioned at intervals in the front-back direction. The first wall portion 91 and the second wall portion 92 are parallel to each other and extend in the left-right direction. The second wall 92 extends longer to the left than the first wall 91. On the surface of the second wall portion 92 on the first wall portion 91 side, a protrusion 100 protruding toward the first wall portion 91 side is formed at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction.

  The third wall portion 93 is connected to the right end portions of the first wall portion 91 and the second wall portion 92 and extends in the front-rear direction.

  The fourth wall portion 94 is connected to the left end portion of the first wall portion 91 and the middle portion of the second wall portion 92 and extends in the front-rear direction.

  The fifth wall portion 95 is connected between the left end portions of the first wall portion 91 and the second wall portion 92 and is curved so as to bulge to the front left side.

  The sixth wall portion 96 is disposed on the left side of the third wall portion 93 with a space therebetween. The sixth wall portion 96 extends in the front-rear direction in parallel with the third wall portion 93. The rear end of the sixth wall portion 96 is connected to the second wall portion 92. A gap is provided between the front end of the sixth wall portion 96 and the first wall portion 91.

  The seventh wall portion 97 is disposed between the third wall portion 93 and the sixth wall portion 96. The seventh wall portion 97 extends in the left-right direction so as to be parallel to the second wall portion 92 and spaced apart from the second wall portion 92. The right end of the seventh wall portion 97 is connected to the third wall portion 93. A gap is provided between the left end of the seventh wall portion 97 and the sixth wall portion 96.

  The eighth wall portion 98 is disposed on the right side of the fourth wall portion 94 with a space therebetween. The eighth wall portion 98 extends in the front-rear direction in parallel with the fourth wall portion 94. A rear end of the eighth wall portion 98 is connected to the second wall portion 92. A gap is provided between the front end of the eighth wall portion 98 and the first wall portion 91.

  The ninth wall part 99 is disposed between the fourth wall part 94 and the eighth wall part 98. The ninth wall 99 extends in the left-right direction at a distance from the second wall 92 and in parallel with the second wall 92. The left end of the ninth wall 99 is connected to the fourth wall 94. A gap is provided between the left end of the ninth wall 99 and the eighth wall 98.

  As shown in FIG. 7, arms 104 and 105 are provided at the right front end portion and the right rear end portion of the first cover 3, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the front arm 104 integrally includes an upright part 111, an extension part 112, a tip part 113, and a boss 114. The standing portion 111 stands from the paper discharge support surface 31. The extending part 112 extends from the upper end of the standing part 111 to the right side. The distal end portion 113 extends upward from the right end of the extending portion 112. The boss 114 protrudes rearward from the tip portion 113.

  The rear arm 105 has a front / rear target configuration with the front arm 104. Specifically, it has the standing part 121, the extension part 122, the front-end | tip part 123, and the boss | hub 124 integrally. The standing part 121 stands from the paper discharge support surface 31. The extending part 122 extends from the upper end of the standing part 121 to the right side. The distal end portion 123 extends upward from the right end of the extending portion 122. The boss 124 protrudes forward from the distal end portion 123.

  The first cover 3 includes two shafts 131 and 132. The shafts 131 and 132 are arranged on the same straight line extending in the front-rear direction. The shaft 131 protrudes forward from the right end portion of the front surface of the first cover 3. The shaft 132 protrudes rearward from the right end portion of the back surface of the first cover 3. A rotation axis 101 of the first cover 3 is formed by a straight line passing through the centers of the shafts 131 and 132.

  The first cover 3 is rotatably supported by the housing 2 by inserting shafts 131 and 132 into elongated holes (not shown) of the housing 2.

  When the first cover 3 is located at the cover position and the second cover 4 is located at the upper position, the boss 124 of the arm 105 of the first cover 3 is in contact with the lower surface 161 of the second cover 4. . The boss 114 of the front arm 104 is also the same as the boss 124 and is in contact with the lower surface 161 of the second cover 4. The shafts 131 and 132 are located at the lower end of the long hole.

  When the first cover 3 is displaced from the non-use position (see FIG. 1) to the use position (see FIG. 2), the bosses 114 and 124 are separated from the second cover 4, The second cover 4 is displaced to a lower position where it is inclined downward to the left. On the other hand, when the first cover 3 is displaced from the use position to the non-use position, the bosses 114 and 124 abut against the lower surface 161 of the second cover 4 during the displacement, and the left end portion of the second cover 4 is the boss 114. , 124, the second cover 4 is displaced from the lower position to the upper position.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the paper discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3 integrally includes a protrusion 74 that protrudes from the paper discharge support surface 31 and extends in the left-right direction.

  A plurality of, for example, 13 protrusions 74 are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction.

  Among these ridges 74, in FIG. 4, the ridge 74 located below the sheet feed support 34 and the ridge 74 located below the sheet feed support 35, that is, the front end side. The four ridges 74 and the four ridges 74 on the rear end side are divided into a first ridge 61 and a second ridge 62. The first protrusion 61 extends from the right end portion of the paper discharge support surface 31 to a substantially central position in the left-right direction of the paper discharge guide portions 32 and 33. The second ridge 62 extends from a position spaced on the left side of the first ridge 61 to the left edge of the paper discharge support surface 31. The first protrusion 61 and the second protrusion 62 have the same height in the vertical direction, for example, 0.5 mm.

  A restriction that is a portion (surface) between the first ridge 61 and the second ridge 62 on the left end 63 of the first ridge 61, the right end 64 of the second ridge 62, and the discharge support surface 31. The portion 65 forms a dent that is recessed with respect to the respective upper ends of the first ridge portion 61 and the second ridge portion 62.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the left end 63 of the first protrusion 61 is formed perpendicular to the paper discharge support surface 31.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the right end 64 of the second ridge 62 is formed so that the height decreases as it approaches the first ridge 61. In addition, the right end wall surface 66 of the first protrusion 61 is formed so that its height decreases as it approaches the right end edge of the paper discharge support surface 31.

  In addition, the three ridges 74 (hereinafter referred to as “fourth ridge 67”) located in the center in the front-rear direction of the ridges 74 gradually increase from the right end toward the left side, It is formed to have a certain height from the middle in the left-right direction to the left end. The portion having the constant height has a height higher than the second protrusion 62 in the vertical direction, for example, 2 mm.

  The paper discharge stacking surface 21 of the paper discharge stacking unit 12 includes an exposed area 68 as shown in FIG. The exposed region 68 is exposed by the notch 16.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the discharge stacking surface 21 of the discharge stacking unit 12 protrudes from the discharge stacking surface 21, and is integrally formed with a third protrusion 69 extending in the left-right direction along the discharge stacking surface 21. In preparation.

  A plurality of, for example, 18 third protrusions 69 are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction.

  Among the third ridges 69, the predetermined portion 70 located between the four third ridges 69 located at the center in the front-rear direction and located at the right end of the exposed region 68 is compared with other regions. The paper discharge stacking surface 21 is recessed downward. Thereby, the 3rd protrusion part 69 located in the predetermined part 70 has height higher in the up-down direction, for example, 2 mm, compared with the 3rd protrusion part 69 located in another area | region.

  The predetermined portion 70 of the paper discharge stacking portion 12 has a central portion in the front-rear direction at the right end portion extending to the right side. Therefore, when the first cover 3 is located at the use position as shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface 71 at the center in the front-rear direction of the left edge of the discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3 is the discharge stacking portion 12. It contacts the lower surface of the portion 72 extending to the right side at the center of the predetermined portion 70. As a result, the rotation of the first cover 3 from the non-use position to the use position is restricted at the use position and is positioned at the use position.

<Static elimination part>

  The image reading apparatus 1 includes a first static elimination brush 81 and a second static elimination brush 82.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first static elimination brush 81 is provided on the right end edge of the first extension 83 that extends rightward from the upper part of the outlet of the lower path 43. The first static elimination brush 81 is made of a conductive fiber, for example. The first static elimination brush 81 is provided so as to protrude from the lower surface of the first extension 83 to the lower right side, and is provided in the entire range through which the sheet passes in the front-rear direction.

  Hereinafter, in the description of the paper feed support unit 34 illustrated in FIG. 10, the first cover 3 is positioned in the non-use position (see FIG. 1) in the up / down, left / right, and front / rear directions.

  Since the paper feed support portions 34 and 35 have target configurations in the front and rear, the configuration of the front paper feed support portion 34 will be described and described, and the configuration of the rear paper feed support portion 35 will be described. Omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the paper feed support portion 34 has a first insertion wall 152 and a second insertion on a surface 151 opposite to the surface on which the fed sheet S (see FIG. 2) is placed. A wall portion 153, a third insertion wall portion 154, and a locking wall portion 155 are provided.

  The first insertion wall portion 152 is erected on the front end portion of the surface 151. The first insertion wall portion 152 extends over substantially the entire width of the surface 151 in the left-right direction.

  The second insertion wall portion 153 is erected on the rear side of the left end portion of the first insertion wall portion 152. The second insertion wall portion 153 extends rearward from the first insertion wall portion 152, is bent, and extends to the left side.

  The third insertion wall portion 154 is erected on the rear side of the right end portion of the first insertion wall portion 152. The third insertion wall portion 154 extends rearward from the first insertion wall portion 152, is bent, and extends to the right side.

  The locking wall portion 155 is disposed between the second insertion wall portion 153 and the third insertion wall portion 154. The locking wall portion 155 extends in the left-right direction so as to be parallel to the first insertion wall portion 152 and spaced from the first insertion wall portion 152 in the front-rear direction. A locking hole 156 is formed in the locking wall portion 155 so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction.

  When the paper feed support portion 34 is attached to the paper discharge guide portion 32, the first insertion wall portion 152 is connected to the first wall portion 91, the sixth wall portion 96, and the eighth wall portion 98 of the paper discharge guide portion 32. Inserted between. A portion extending to the rear side of the second insertion wall portion 153 is inserted between the eighth wall portion 98 and the ninth wall portion 99 of the paper discharge guide portion 32. A portion extending to the left side of the second insertion wall portion 153 is inserted between the second wall portion 92 and the ninth wall portion 99 of the paper discharge guide portion 32. A portion extending to the rear side of the third insertion wall portion 154 is inserted between the sixth wall portion 96 and the seventh wall portion 97 of the paper discharge guide portion 32. A portion extending to the right side of the third insertion wall portion 154 is inserted between the second wall portion 92 and the seventh wall portion 97 of the paper discharge guide portion 32. When the insertion is completed, the protrusion 100 of the paper discharge guide portion 32 is fitted into the locking hole 156 of the locking wall portion 155 from the rear side, and the locking wall portion 155 and the protrusion 100 are engaged. Thereby, the attachment of the paper feed support portion 34 to the paper discharge guide portion 32 is achieved. With the paper feed support portion 34 attached to the paper discharge guide portion 32, the first wall portion 91, the second wall portion 92, and the third wall portion of the paper discharge guide portion 32 are placed on the surface 151 of the paper feed support portion 34. 93, the upper ends of the fourth wall portion 94, the fifth wall portion 95, the sixth wall portion 96, and the eighth wall portion 98 abut.

  Further, a plurality of protrusions 157 extending in the left-right direction are formed on the surface 151 of the paper feed support portion 34 so as to protrude.

  The paper feed support unit 34 includes a second extension 85 at the right end. The second extending portion 85 extends obliquely from the right edge of the paper feed support portion 34 to the upper side (the discharge support surface 31 side of the first cover 3) and the left side (downstream side in the paper discharge direction).

  The second static elimination brush 82 is provided in the second extension portion 85 of the paper feed support portion 34. The 2nd static elimination brush 82 consists of a fiber which has electroconductivity, for example. Specifically, the right end portion of the second static elimination brush 82 is attached along the surface of the second extension portion 85 that faces the paper discharge support surface 31, and the left end portion of the second static elimination brush 82 is the second extension portion. Projecting from the portion 85 toward the downstream side in the paper discharge direction. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the second static elimination brush 82 is attached to a portion on the rear side from the center in the front-rear direction of the second extension 85, but the length in the front-rear direction is not limited to this. Any position that can contact the sheet S to be discharged may be used.

  After the sheet S discharged to the sheet discharge support surface 31 is discharged from the exit of the lower path 43, the leading end on the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction comes into contact with the lower surface of the first extension portion 83, and then the first static elimination brush 81 abuts. As a result, the sheet S is neutralized, turned to the lower side, and discharged to the right side along the paper discharge stacking unit 12. When the length of the sheet S in the transport direction is relatively long, the leading end of the sheet S on the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction comes into contact with the lower surface of the front inclined portion 17 of the discharge stacking portion 12 and the right end portion of the rear inclined portion 18. The direction can be changed downward. As a result, the leading edge of the sheet S is suppressed from being caught in the gap between the paper feed stacking unit 11 and the paper feed support unit 34. Thereafter, the leading end of the sheet S on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction comes into contact with the second static elimination brush 82. Since the second static elimination brush 82 is provided so as to be inclined toward the ejection support surface 31 side of the first cover 3 and the downstream side in the ejection direction, the sheet S is further neutralized by the second neutralization brush 82. The paper is discharged along the paper discharge support surface 31. Thereby, it is suppressed that the front-end | tip of the sheet | seat S contact | abuts to the protruding part provided in the paper feed support part 34, and it is suppressed that the sheet | seat S is damaged.

<Effect>

  As described above, the discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3 includes the restricting portion 65. When the sheet S before image reading is erroneously inserted on the discharge support surface 31 from the direction opposite to the discharge direction of the sheet S onto the discharge support surface 31, the sheet S is inserted (inserted) by the restriction unit 65. Be regulated. As a result, the sheet S can be prevented from being set on the paper discharge stacking portion 12 and the paper discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

  The paper discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3 protrudes toward the paper feed support portions 34 and 35, and extends along the paper discharge support surface 31 in the left-right direction, and the first protrusion 61 On the other hand, a second protrusion 62 is provided on the left side in FIG. 7 with a space therebetween, protruding toward the paper feed support portions 34 and 35 and extending in the left-right direction along the paper discharge support surface 31. ing. The restricting portion 65 is a surface that forms a recess generated between the first protrusion 61 and the second protrusion 62.

  Thereby, since a level | step difference arises in the surface which forms a dent between the 1st protrusion part 61 and the 2nd protrusion part 62, and the upper end of the 1st protrusion part 61, the sheet | seat S is a direction opposite to a discharge direction. If the sheet S is mistakenly inserted into the sheet discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3, the leading edge of the sheet S enters the recess and abuts on the first protrusion 61. Thereby, insertion of the sheet | seat S beyond it is controlled. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet S from being erroneously set on the paper discharge stacking unit 12 and the first cover 3, and to notify the user of the error.

  The second protrusion 62 is set so that the height of the end at the upstream end in the transport direction decreases as the height of the first protrusion 61 approaches.

  As a result, when the sheet S is inserted onto the discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3 from the direction opposite to the discharge direction, the leading end of the sheet S is guided to the upper end of the second protrusion 62 to thereby It is easy to enter the recess between the first protrusion 61 and the second protrusion 62. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the sheet S from being set on the paper discharge stacking portion 12 and the paper discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3. Even if the leading end of the sheet S after image reading discharged onto the discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3 enters the recess between the first protrusion 61 and the second protrusion 62, the sheet S As the sheet discharge proceeds, the leading edge of the sheet S is guided to the upper end of the second protrusion 62 to escape from the recess. Therefore, the sheet S can be discharged well onto the discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3.

  The paper feed stacking unit 11 is located above the paper discharge stacking unit 12 and the first cover 3 and has a notch 16 that extends in the front-rear direction and is cut out in the center in the front-rear direction. The paper discharge stacking unit 12 includes a third protrusion 69 extending in the left-right direction, and an exposed region 68 exposed through the notch 16 of the paper feed stacking unit 11. In the predetermined portion 70 on the downstream side in the transport direction in the exposed region 68, the height of the third ridge 69 is set higher than the height of the other third ridge 69.

  When the length in the transport direction of the sheet S discharged to the discharge stacking unit 12 and the first cover 3 is relatively short, the downstream end of the sheet S in the transport direction remains on the right end of the discharge stacking unit 12. Since the notch 16 is provided in the sheet stacking unit 11, by using the notch 16, a sheet S having a short length in the transport direction can be discharged without disturbing the sheet stacking unit 11. 12 can be easily taken out. Moreover, since the sheet S can be visually recognized through the notch 16, the remaining of the sheet S can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the height of the third protrusion 69 in the predetermined portion 70 of the exposed region 68 is set to be higher than the height in other portions, the downstream end of the sheet S in the conveyance direction and the third protrusion 69. It is possible to increase the gap with the surface where the is erected. Therefore, the user can easily pick up the sheet S with his / her fingers through the gap, and the sheet S can be easily taken out from the paper discharge stacking unit 12.

  Further, when the entire third ridge 69 is increased, the distance between the upper end of the third ridge 69 and the sheet stacking portion 11 is narrowed, and the performance of discharging the sheet S may be reduced. There is. On the other hand, by elevating only the predetermined portion 70 that is a part of the third protrusion 69, it is possible to improve the ease of taking out the sheet S without deteriorating the discharge performance of the sheet S.

  The space between the third ridges 69 in the predetermined portion 70 is recessed below the space between the third ridges 69 other than the predetermined portion 70.

  Accordingly, the height of the third protrusion 69 in the predetermined portion 70 is set to the height of the other portion while the position of the upper edge of the third protrusion 69 is the same in the predetermined portion 70 and the other portions. Can be set higher. Therefore, it is possible to improve the ease of taking out the sheet S without reducing the distance between the upper end of the third protrusion 69 and the sheet stacking unit 11.

  The restriction portion 65 is provided below the paper feed support portions 34 and 35.

  Thereby, since the regulation part 65 is covered with the paper feed support parts 34 and 35, it is possible to suppress a decrease in appearance due to the provision of the regulation part 65.

  The paper discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3 is on the right side of the predetermined area 70 in the exposed region 68 and is provided adjacent to the second protrusion 62 in the front-rear direction and extends in the left-right direction. A strip 67 is provided. The height of the fourth protrusion 67 is set to be higher than the height of the second protrusion 62.

  As a result, the height of the fourth ridge 67 is set higher than the height of the second ridge 62, so the sheet S to be discharged onto the discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3 in the conveying direction. When the length is relatively long, the gap between the downstream end of the sheet S in the transport direction and the paper discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3 can be increased. Therefore, the user can easily pick the sheet S with fingers through the gap, and the sheet S can be easily taken out from the paper discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3. Further, on the paper discharge support surface 31 on the first cover 3, the sheet S is discharged in a state where the center in the front-rear direction bulges toward the paper feed support portions 34, 35 from both ends in the front-rear direction. For this reason, the sheet S can have a waist, and stackability can be improved when a plurality of sheets S are discharged onto the discharge support surface 31. Further, the both ends of the sheet S in the front-rear direction are suppressed from floating from the sheet discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3, and the sheet S can be suppressed from riding on the outer peripheral edge of the first cover 3.

  The paper feed support portions 34 and 35 are configured to be displaceable between a first position located on the right side with respect to the paper feed stacking portion 11 and a second position facing the paper feed stacking portion 11 from above. It is.

  In order to configure the paper feed support portions 34 and 35 to be displaceable to an upper position with respect to the paper feed stacking portion 11 and to downsize the apparatus 1 in the vertical direction, the paper feed stacking portion 11 and the paper feed support portion 34 are configured. , 35 and the discharge stacking section 12 and the first cover 3 need to be reduced. Even if the intervals between the paper feed stacking unit 11 and the paper feed support units 34 and 35 and the paper discharge stacking unit 12 and the first cover 3 are small, the sheet S is erroneously set on the paper discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3. Can be suppressed. Further, even if the distance between the paper feed stacking section 11 and the paper feed support sections 34 and 35 and the paper discharge stacking section 12 and the first cover 3 is small, the sheet S can be easily removed from the paper discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3. It can be taken out.

  Provided at the left end of the paper feed support portions 34, 35, protrudes from the paper feed support portions 34, 35 to the paper discharge support surface 31 side of the first cover 3, and is discharged to the paper discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3. A second static elimination brush 82 for neutralizing the sheet S to be discharged is provided.

  Since the sheet S discharged to the sheet discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3 is discharged by the second charge eliminating brush 82, it is possible to suppress the sheet S from sticking to the lower surfaces of the sheet feed support portions 34 and 35 due to static electricity. Further, since the second static elimination brush 82 is provided so as to protrude from the paper feed stacking unit 11 and the paper feed support units 34 and 35 to the paper discharge stacking unit 12 and the first cover 3 side, The sheet S can be guided so that the front end of the sheet S is directed downward.

  The first cover 3 is configured to be displaceable between a use position located on the right side with respect to the paper discharge stacking unit 12 and a non-use position facing the paper discharge stacking unit 12 from above. The first cover 3 is connected to the discharge stacking portion 12 so as to be rotatable around an axis 101 extending in the front-rear direction along the downstream end of the discharge stacking portion 12 in the discharge direction. Displaced to the unused position. The third protrusion 69 is formed on the paper discharge stacking portion 12, and the predetermined portion 70 is in a state where the first cover 3 is located at the use position and the upper surface of the left end portion of the first cover 3 is abutted. In contact therewith, further rotation of the first cover 3 is restricted.

  Therefore, the edge of the first cover 3 on the paper discharge stacking unit 12 side is located below the paper discharge stacking unit 12. As a result, it is possible to suppress the right edge of the sheet S discharged onto the discharge stacking surface 21 of the first cover 3 from being caught in the gap between the discharge stacking unit 12 and the first cover 3.

<Modification>

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the height of the right end 175 of the second protrusion 172 may be set lower than the height of the left end 174 of the first protrusion 171.

  Specifically, the first protrusion 171 has a certain height in the left-right direction. The left end 174 of the first protrusion 171 is formed perpendicular to the paper discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3. The second protrusion 172 has a certain height in the left-right direction. The right end 175 of the second protrusion 172 is formed perpendicular to the paper discharge support surface 31. The height of the second ridge portion 172 is set to be lower than the height of the first ridge portion 61.

  Thereby, when the sheet S is inserted onto the discharge support surface 31 of the first cover 3 from the direction opposite to the discharge direction, the leading edge of the sheet S is likely to come into contact with the left end 174 of the first protrusion 171. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the sheet S from being set on the paper discharge stacking unit 12 and the first cover 3. Further, the sheet S after image reading discharged onto the paper discharge support surface 31 is less likely to come into contact with the right end 175 of the second protrusion 172. Therefore, the sheet S can be discharged onto the discharge support surface 31 satisfactorily.

  In addition, various design changes can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reader 3 1st cover 11 Paper feed stacking part 12 Paper discharge stacking part 16 Notch 34 Paper feed support part 35 Paper feed support part 55 Image sensor module 61 1st protrusion part 62 2nd protrusion part 65 Control part 67 Fourth protrusion 68 Exposure area 69 Third protrusion 70 Predetermined part 82 Second static elimination brush S sheet

Claims (10)

A reading unit for reading an image recorded on the sheet;
A first support unit for supporting a sheet conveyed toward the reading unit;
The sheet after image reading by the reading unit is discharged, and includes a second support unit that supports the sheet,
The first support part and the second support part are provided to overlap in the vertical direction,
The second support part is
A regulating portion for regulating the sheet is posted on the second support portion from the discharging direction opposite to the direction of the sheet to the second support portion,
A first protrusion protruding toward the first support and extending in the discharge direction;
A second ridge provided on the downstream side in the discharge direction with respect to the first ridge, protruding toward the first support and extending in the discharge direction;
With
The restricting portion is a surface that forms a recess formed between the first ridge portion and the second ridge portion,
It said second protrusions is that height of the end portion of the discharge direction upstream side is set to be lower closer to the first protrusions, the image reading apparatus. A reading unit for reading an image recorded on the sheet;
A first support unit for supporting a sheet conveyed toward the reading unit;
A second support unit for discharging the sheet after image reading by the reading unit and supporting the sheet;
With
The first support part and the second support part are provided to overlap in the vertical direction,
The second support part is
A restricting portion for restricting the sheet from being inserted onto the second support portion from a direction opposite to the discharge direction of the sheet to the second support portion;
A first protrusion protruding toward the first support and extending in the discharge direction;
A second ridge that is provided at an interval downstream from the first ridge in the discharge direction, protrudes toward the first support, and extends in the discharge direction;
The regulating unit, Ri surface der forming a recess occurring between said first protrusions the second ridge,
It said second protrusions is that is set lower than the height of the discharge direction downstream end height of the discharge direction upstream end of the first ridge, the image reading apparatus. A reading unit for reading an image recorded on the sheet;
A first support unit for supporting a sheet conveyed toward the reading unit;
A second support unit for discharging the sheet after image reading by the reading unit and supporting the sheet;
With
The first support part and the second support part are provided to overlap in the vertical direction,
The first support portion is located above the second support portion, extends in a width direction perpendicular to both the transport direction and the vertical direction of the sheet transported toward the reading portion, and is a central portion in the width direction. Has a cut-out part cut out,
The second support part includes a restriction part that restricts the sheet from being inserted onto the second support part from a direction opposite to the discharge direction of the sheet to the second support part, and a third protrusion that extends in the discharge direction. And an exposed region exposed through the cutout portion of the first support portion,
The image reading apparatus in which the predetermined portion on the upstream side in the discharge direction in the exposed region has a height of the third protrusion that is set higher than the height of the other third protrusion. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3 ,
An image reading device in which the space between the third ridge portions in the predetermined portion is recessed below the space between the third ridge portions other than the predetermined portion. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
The image reading apparatus, wherein the restricting portion is provided below a portion adjacent to the cutout portion in the first support portion in the width direction. An image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5 , wherein
The second support part is provided on the downstream side in the discharge direction with respect to the predetermined part in the exposed region, and is provided adjacent to the second protrusion in the width direction and extends in the discharge direction. With four ridges,
The fourth ridge portion is an image reading device in which a height thereof is set higher than a height of the second ridge portion. An image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6 ,
The first support part is divided into a first fixed part and a first moving part,
The first moving part is displaceable between a first position located upstream in the transport direction with respect to the first fixed part and a second position facing the first fixed part from above. An image reading apparatus configured. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7 ,
An image reading apparatus, comprising: a charge eliminating unit that is provided at an end of the first moving unit on the upstream side in the discharge direction and discharges a sheet discharged to the second support unit. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8 ,
The second support part is divided into a second fixed part and a second moving part,
The second moving part is configured to be displaceable to a use position located on the downstream side in the discharge direction with respect to the second fixed part and a non-use position facing the second fixed part from above,
The second moving part is connected to the second fixing part so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction along an end portion of the second fixing part on the downstream side in the discharge direction. Displaced to the use position and the non-use position,
The third protrusion is formed on the second fixing portion,
The predetermined portion is in a state where the second moving portion is located at the use position, and the upper surface of the end portion on the upstream side in the discharge direction of the second moving portion is in contact with the second moving portion. An image reading device that restricts rotation. An image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The first support portion is located above the second support portion,
An image reading apparatus, comprising: a neutralization unit that projects from the first support unit toward the second support unit and neutralizes a sheet discharged to the second support unit.

Images