JP6683054B2 - Feeding device, image reading device, and recording device - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, a feeding device capable of feeding a medium has been used. In such a feeding device, an edge guide for positioning the medium in the width direction on the setting portion of the medium and a medium for supporting the medium from the side where the feeding roller for feeding the medium in the feeding path of the medium contacts the medium. And a supporting unit of 1 are often used.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a document feeder (feeding device) including a side guide as an edge guide and a lower guide as a medium supporting unit.

JP, 2014-60494, A

In the feeding device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when cleaning or replacing the feeding roller, the medium supporting unit (lower guide) is moved by removing or rotating the medium supporting unit. There is. As shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, the edge guide (side guide) and the medium support unit (lower guide) are often formed at positions where they interfere with each other. In addition, the edge guide may unexpectedly move in the width direction of the medium. Therefore, for example, when the edge guide unexpectedly moves after moving the medium support unit from the medium support position, the edge guide interferes depending on the position of the edge guide in the medium width direction. There is a case where the support unit and the edge guide interfere with each other such that the support unit cannot be returned to the support position of the medium and the operability is deteriorated.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent the operability from being deteriorated due to interference between the medium supporting unit and the edge guide.

A feeding device according to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a feeding roller that feeds a medium, and the feeding roller contacts the medium when the medium is fed by the feeding roller. A support portion that can switch between a support state in which the medium is supported from the side and a release state in which the support state is released, and a support portion that is movable in the width direction of the medium that is a direction that intersects the feed direction of the medium. Along with positioning the end portion of the medium in the width direction, an interference range that interferes with the support portion when switching the state of the support portion in a movement region in the width direction and a non-interference range that does not interfere with the support portion. An edge guide including an interference range, and the edge guide in response to the switching of the support section from the support state to the release state in a state where the edge guide is located in the non-interference range. A regulating portion for regulating the movement area of de in the non-interference range, characterized in that it comprises a.

According to this aspect, when the edge guide is positioned in the non-interference range where it does not interfere with the support portion and the support portion is moved from the support position (supported state) of the medium (released from the support state), the edge in the width direction is The guide includes a restricting unit that restricts a moving region of the guide to a range (non-interference range) where the supporting unit and the edge guide do not interfere with each other. That is, since the restricting part restricts the moving area of the edge guide as the supporting part is moved from the supporting position of the medium, when the supporting part is returned to the supporting position of the medium, the edge guide interferes to move the supporting part to the medium. It is possible to prevent the return to the supporting position.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operability from being deteriorated due to the interference between the support portion and the edge guide.
The “supported state” means a state in which the medium can be supported (supported position) even when the medium is not actually supported. Further, the “released state” means a state in which it is moved (including a posture change such as rotation) from the support position.

In the feeding device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the restricting portion is arranged to be able to move forward and backward in the moving area, and the moving area is provided when the supporting portion is in the supporting state. It is characterized in that it exits from and enters into the moving area when the supporting state is switched from the supporting state to the releasing state.

According to this aspect, the restricting portion is arranged so as to be movable back and forth in the moving area of the edge guide, and when the supporting portion is at the supporting position of the medium, the restricting portion is retracted from the moving area of the edge guide and moved from the supporting position of the medium. Due to this (switching of the support portion from the support state to the release state), the edge guide moves into the moving region. Therefore, the restricting portion can be formed with a simple structure by adopting a structure capable of advancing and retracting in the moving region of the edge guide.

A feeding device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the feeding device is provided with a biasing portion that biases the restriction portion in a direction of entering the movement region.

According to this aspect, the urging portion that urges the regulation portion in the direction of entering the movement region of the edge guide is provided. For this reason, it is possible to easily form a configuration in which the restricting portion is moved back and forth in the moving region of the edge guide. Therefore, the restriction portion can be formed with a particularly simple structure.

A feeding device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the feeding device according to the second or third aspect, which includes a detection unit capable of detecting the entry of the restriction unit into the movement area, and notifies the detection result by the detection unit. It is characterized by being possible.

According to this aspect, the regulation unit includes the detection unit that can detect that the regulation unit has entered the moving region of the edge guide, and can notify the detection result of the detection unit. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the restriction portion has entered the moving area of the edge guide.
Here, the configuration of the “detection unit” is not particularly limited, and for example, a unit utilizing light or pressure can be used. Further, although it may be configured separately from the regulation unit, it may be configured integrally with the regulation unit.
It should be noted that “notifying the detection result” means notifying by light, sound, image, and the like, and includes not only the case where the feeding device notifies but also the case where the external device notifies.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the feeding device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the regulating unit feeds the medium by the feeding roller when entering the movement area. The feature is that it also enters the transmission route.

According to this aspect, when the regulating portion enters the moving area of the edge guide, the regulating portion is arranged so as to also enter the medium feeding path of the feeding roller. For this reason, when the regulation section enters the moving area of the edge guide, the regulation section exists at the position where the user can easily see the medium feeding path, so that the user can easily confirm that the regulation section has entered the moving area of the edge guide. Can be recognized.

In the feeding device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the setting unit that sets the medium and the regulating unit enter the moving region of the edge guide. Accordingly, an inhibition portion that inhibits the setting of the medium in the setting portion is provided.

According to this aspect, the regulation unit includes the inhibition unit that inhibits the medium from being set in the setting unit as the regulation unit enters the moving region of the edge guide. Therefore, in the state where the support unit corresponding to the state in which the regulation portion enters the moving area of the edge guide is not in the support position of the medium (the state in which the medium cannot be properly fed), the setting of the medium is hindered, It is possible to prevent the medium from being fed in an inappropriate state.

In the feeding device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the edge guide corresponds to both end portions of the medium in the width direction. And a second edge guide are provided, and are configured to move symmetrically in interlock with each other in the width direction with reference to the centers of the first edge guide and the second edge guide in the width direction. To do.

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

In the feeding device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the feeding device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the feeding roller is attached / detached by switching the supporting portion from the supporting state to the releasing state. It is characterized by being possible.

According to this aspect, the feeding roller is attachable to and detachable from the feeding device by switching the supporting portion from the supporting state to the releasing state. Therefore, the support unit can be moved from the support position of the medium and the feeding roller can be removed, so that the feeding roller can be easily cleaned or replaced.

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

According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the operability from being deteriorated due to the interference between the support unit and the edge guide, and it is possible to read the image formed on the medium.

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

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

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention with the cover section open. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a medium feeding path of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention with the upper unit open. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention with the upper unit removed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention with the support unit closed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention with the support unit open. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a state in which a support unit of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention is opened. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention with the support unit closed. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention with the support unit open. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus of the reference example with the support unit closed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus of the reference example with the support unit open. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the support unit of the image reading apparatus of the reference example is opened and the distance between the edge guides is narrowed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims. However, assuming that they are also included in the scope of the present invention, one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of an image reading apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the image reading apparatus 1 with a cover 6 open, and FIG. 3 is an image reading apparatus. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a medium feeding path 22 (see FIG. 4).

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

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

The upper unit 5 is rotatably provided with a rotation shaft (not shown) provided downstream of the lower unit 4 in the medium transport direction as a rotation fulcrum. The upper unit 5 rotates to form a feed path 22 with the lower unit 4 in a closed state (FIGS. 1 to 3) and an open state in which the feed path 22 is opened (see FIG. 4). Can be taken.

A cover portion 6 is provided on the upper portion on the back side of the lower unit 4. The cover portion 6 is rotatably attached to the lower unit 4. The cover 6 rotates to rotate in a closed state that covers the upper portion of the upper unit 5 as shown in FIG. 1 and an open state that opens the upper portion of the upper unit 5 as shown in FIG. Switch. When the cover 6 is in the open state,
It constitutes a part of a medium mounting portion (a setting portion 2 for stacking and setting a plurality of single-cut mediums) on which the medium to be set is mounted.

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

Next, the feeding path 22 in the image reading apparatus 1 and the image reading apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and subsequent figures, only the main constituent elements of the image reading apparatus 1 and the medium feeding apparatus 3 are shown, and the constituent elements unnecessary for the description are omitted. Further, in FIG. 3, the lower unit 4 and the upper unit 5 show only the outer contours of their housings by imaginary lines.
The medium placed on the cover 6 in the open state is the medium (the medium placed at the bottom).
The sheet) is fed to the downstream side in the feeding direction by the feeding roller 10 that is rotationally driven by a motor that is a drive source (not shown). The outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 10 is made of a high-friction material (for example, an elastomer such as rubber). Reference numeral 10 a is a rotating shaft of the feeding roller 10.

Note that, in FIG. 3, the reference symbol G indicates a medium bundle placed (set) on the cover portion 6. Before the start of feeding, the front end of the medium bundle G is held at the feeding standby position (position in FIG. 3) by the flap 25, and entry into the space between the feeding roller 10 and the retard roller 11 is restricted.

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

When the feeding of the medium is started, the set guide 23 retracts downward, the lowest medium of the medium bundle G comes into contact with the feeding roller 10, and the flap 25 can swing (posture switching). It becomes possible). Therefore, the rotation of the feeding roller 10 causes the lowermost medium to be sent to the downstream side. The flap 25 swings to the downstream side by the medium sent to the downstream side, and takes a posture of opening the feeding path 22.

A retard roller 11 is provided at a position facing the feeding roller 10. In the present embodiment, the retard roller 11 is provided in a state in which it is biased against the feeding roller 10 by a biasing portion (not shown). The outer peripheral surface of the retard roller 11 is the feeding roller 1
Like No. 0, it is made of a high friction material (for example, an elastomer such as rubber). Reference numeral 11 a is a rotation axis of the retard roller 11.

Further, the retard roller 11 is provided with a torque limiter 9, and further, via the torque limiter 9, a rotation direction in which a medium such as a torque applying unit (not shown) or a drive source such as a motor is fed to the downstream side (clockwise in FIG. 3). Opposite direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3)
Is configured to receive the driving torque of.

In the above configuration, the retard roller 11 rotates in accordance with the feed roller 10 because the rotation torque received from the feed roller 10 exceeds the limit torque of the torque limiter 9 in the state where the retard roller 11 is in direct contact with the feed roller 10. (Clockwise direction in FIG. 3).

Then, when the feeding of the medium is started and a plurality of media enter between the feeding roller 10 and the retard roller 11, the retard roller 11 does not receive the rotational torque from the feeding roller 10 and is driven by the feeding roller 10. The rotation stops. As a result, the upper mediums (mediums for which double feeding is to be prevented) other than the lowest medium to be fed are not subjected to the conveying force for advancing to the downstream side, and their leading ends are in contact with the retard roller 11. I cannot proceed to the downstream side.
This prevents double feeding of the medium.
Since the lowest medium to be fed is in direct contact with the feeding roller 10, it advances to the downstream side by the carrying force received from the feeding roller 10.
In FIG. 3, the broken line indicated by the symbol E indicates the transportation locus of the medium to be transported.

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

Then, on the downstream side of the feeding roller 10 and the retard roller 11, the transport roller 12 is provided.
There is provided a medium transport section comprising: The lowest medium sent out by the feeding roller 10 receives the sending force from the carrying rollers 12 and 13, and is carried further downstream.

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

The medium is read by at least one of the front surface and the back surface by the reading units 16 and 17, and then by the medium discharging unit including the transport rollers 14 and 15 located on the downstream side in the transport direction of the reading units 16 and 17, respectively. , Is discharged from the medium discharge port 8.
It should be noted that the roller pair of the transport rollers 12 and 13 and the roller pair of the transport rollers 14 and 15 are also provided in a plurality of sets (more specifically, two sets) in the medium width direction (X direction) in the present embodiment. . Further, among the transport rollers 12, 13, 14 and 15, the transport rollers 12 and 14 are drive motors driven by a motor (not shown) as a drive source,
The transport rollers 13 and 15 are driven rollers that rotate as the transport rollers 12 and 14 rotate.

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

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the image reading device 1 (medium feeding device 3) of the present embodiment, the side (−Z) where the feeding roller 10 contacts the medium in the medium feeding path 22. A support unit 20 that supports the medium from the direction side) is provided. Then, as can be seen by comparing FIGS. 6 and 7 and FIGS. 9 and 10, the support unit 20 is rotated and opened from the medium support position (FIGS. 6 and 9) in the closed state. It is configured to be movable to the state (FIGS. 7 and 10).
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 10, an edge guide 19 that is movable in the width direction (X direction) of the medium and that positions the end portion of the medium in the width direction is provided. The leading end portion T1 of the edge guide 19 in the medium feeding direction is the medium relative to the trailing end portion T2 of the supporting unit 20 in the medium feeding direction (the end portion on the opposite side of the rotation axis of the supporting unit 20). When viewed in the width direction (X direction), the parts are arranged to overlap in the Y direction (positions that may cause interference) (see FIGS. 4 to 8 and 10). This is because the medium feeding accuracy is improved by making the edge guide 19 extend along the medium feeding direction as long as possible.

Note that, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the image reading device (medium feeding device) of the reference example is also the same as the image reading device 1 of the present embodiment from the side where the feeding roller 10 comes into contact with the medium. A support unit 20 for supporting the medium is provided, and the support unit 20 is configured to be movable from the support position of the medium (FIG. 11) in the closed state to the open state (FIG. 12). Further, the image reading apparatus of the reference example has the same configuration as the edge guide 19 of the image reading apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, is movable in the width direction (X direction) of the medium, and has the end portion in the width direction of the medium. An edge guide 19 for positioning the position is provided.

Here, in the image reading apparatus of the reference example, the edge guide 19 can be moved along the width direction (X direction) of the medium with the support unit 20 closed as shown in FIG. 11. Further, even when the support unit 20 is opened as shown in FIG. 12, the edge guide 19 can be moved along the width direction (X direction) of the medium as shown in FIG. However,
As shown in FIG. 13, when the edge guide 19 is located on the center side in the width direction (X direction) of the medium, the tip portion T1 of the edge guide 19 and the support unit 20 are closed when the support unit 20 is closed. The rear end portion T2 interferes. Therefore, the edge guide 19 cannot be closed unless it is moved to the outside of the support unit 20 in the width direction of the medium. If the support unit 20 is forcibly closed in such a state, the support unit 20 or the edge guide 19 may be deformed or damaged.

On the other hand, in the image reading apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment, as the support unit 20 is opened from the closed state (FIG. 6) (FIG. 7), the moving area S (of the edge guide 19 in the width direction (X direction) of the medium is generated.
A lock lever 21 is provided as a restriction portion that restricts the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19 so as not to interfere with each other (see FIG. 4).
Here, when the support unit 20 is opened from the closed state, when the edge guide 19 is located at a position where the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19 overlap with each other when viewed in the medium feeding direction (Y direction),
The front end portion T1 of the edge guide 19 and the rear end portion T2 of the support unit 20 interfere with each other. Therefore, when the support unit 20 is opened from the closed state, the position of the edge guide 19 in the width direction of the medium is moved to a position where the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19 do not overlap with each other when viewed in the medium feeding direction. Will be done. When the support unit 20 is opened at a position where it does not overlap the support unit 20 when viewed in the medium feeding direction, the state shown in FIG. 9 changes to the state shown in FIG. 10, and the support unit 20 moves in the width direction of the medium. The lock lever 21 arranged on the outer side is configured to project in the + Z direction. When the lock lever 21 projects in the + Z direction, even if an attempt is made to move the edge guide 19 to the center side (the side where the support unit 20 is formed) in the width direction of the medium, as shown in FIG. A part T1a of the tip portion T1 interferes with the lock lever 21 and cannot move.
In the state shown in FIG. 9 (the state where the lock lever 21 is pushed by the contact portion 20a with the lock lever 21 and retracted in the −Z direction), the lock lever 21 does not interfere with the part T1a. The position is set (the position where the lock lever 21 and the part T1a do not overlap each other when viewed from the X direction: see FIG. 9).

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

Further, by moving the support unit 20 from the support position of the medium by locating the edge guide 19 at a position in the width direction of the medium that does not interfere with the support unit 20 (outside the support unit 20 in the width direction of the medium), A lock lever 21 is provided to limit the moving area S of the edge guide 19 in the medium width direction to a range in which the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19 do not interfere (outside the support unit 20 in the medium width direction: non-interference range S2). ing. In other words, the lock lever 21 moves the moving area S of the edge guide 19 in accordance with the switching of the support unit 20 from the supported state to the released state in a state where the edge guide 19 is located in the non-interference range S2. Restrict to the non-interference range S2.
With such a configuration, the medium feeding device 3 of the present embodiment allows the lock lever 21 to restrict the movement area S of the edge guide 19 when the support unit 20 is moved (when it is opened). 19 interferes and the support unit 20 cannot be returned to the support position of the medium (
It is possible to suppress that the edge guide 19 cannot be closed unless the edge guide 19 is moved to the outside of the support unit 20 in the width direction of the medium, which is troublesome. Simply put, the lock lever 2
1 prevents the distance between the edge guides 19 (the distance between the first edge guide 19a and the second edge guide 19b) from being narrowed when the support unit 20 is opened, and it takes time to close the support unit 20 again. This (moving the edge guide 19) is suppressed.
Further, the support unit 20 of this embodiment is not only rotatable with respect to the lower unit 4 but also detachable from the lower unit 4. Therefore, when the support unit 20 is moved (with removal), the lock lever 21 regulates the moving area S of the edge guide 19 so that the edge guide 19 interferes and the support unit 20 can be returned to the medium support position. It is possible to suppress the loss (cannot be attached). Briefly, with the lock lever 21, the gap between the edge guides 19 (the first edge guide 1
9a and the second edge guide 19b) is prevented from being narrowed, and it is possible to suppress the labor (moving the edge guide 19) when reattaching the support unit 20.
Therefore, the medium feeding device 3 of the present embodiment is configured to prevent the operability from being deteriorated due to the interference between the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19.

In other words, the image reading device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the reading units 16 and 17 that read an image formed on a medium, and the medium feeding device as described above that feeds the medium to the reading units 16 and 17. Three
And Therefore, it is possible to prevent the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19 from interfering with each other and reduce the operability, and it is possible to read the image formed on the medium.

It should be noted that instead of the reading units 16 and 17, a recording unit that records on a medium may be provided. That is, by using the recording device that includes the recording unit that performs recording on the medium and the medium feeding device 3 that feeds the medium to the recording unit, the support unit 20 and the edge guide 19 interfere with each other. It is possible to suppress deterioration of operability, and it is possible to record on a medium.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the lock lever 21 of the present embodiment is located in the moving area S of the edge guide 19 and is located on the end side of the support unit 20 in the medium width direction (X direction). When the support unit 20 is arranged so as to be able to move forward and backward and is located at the support position of the medium (see FIGS. 6 and 9).
In order to move the support unit 20 from the support position of the medium by retracting in the −Z direction and retracting from the moving area S of the edge guide 19 (see FIG. 9) (switching from the support state of the support unit 20 to the release state). ) (See FIGS. 7 and 10), the protrusions enter the moving area S of the edge guide 19 (see FIG. 10). For this reason, the medium feeding device 3 of the present embodiment is formed in the moving region S of the edge guide 19 and has a simple configuration in which it can be moved back and forth to form the regulating portion.

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

As described above, the medium feeding device 3 according to the present embodiment includes the spring 27 that biases the lock lever 21 in the direction in which the lock lever 21 enters the moving region S of the edge guide 19. In this way, the lock lever 2
The structure for moving 1 into and out of the moving area S of the edge guide 19 is simply formed. That is,
The regulating portion is formed with a particularly simple structure.

Although the medium feeding device 3 of the present embodiment is not provided, the detection unit 28 (see FIG. 8) that can detect that the restricting unit has entered the moving area S of the edge guide 19 is provided. The detection result by the unit 28 may be configured to be notified. With such a configuration, the user can easily recognize that the restricting portion has entered the moving area S of the edge guide 19.
Here, the configuration of the “detection unit” is not particularly limited, and for example, a unit utilizing light or pressure can be used. Further, although it may be configured separately from the regulation unit, it may be configured integrally with the regulation unit.
It should be noted that “notifying the detection result” means notifying by light, sound, image, and the like, and includes not only the case where the medium feeding device 3 notifies but also the case where the external device notifies.

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

Although the medium feeding device 3 of this embodiment is not provided, it prevents the medium from being set in the setting portion 2 (setting region) as the lock lever 21 enters the moving region S of the edge guide 19. The inhibiting unit 29 (see FIG. 4) may be provided. With the configuration including the inhibition portion 29, the state in which the support unit 20 corresponding to the state in which the lock lever 21 enters the moving region S of the edge guide 19 is not in the medium support position (the medium can be properly fed). In the (unable state), it is possible to prevent the medium from being set and prevent the medium from being fed in an inappropriate state. The configuration of the inhibition portion 29 is not particularly limited, but a configuration such as a lock lever 21 in which a protruding portion that interferes with setting the medium in the setting portion 2 in association with the movement of the support unit 20 protrudes is used. be able to.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the edge guide 19 of the present embodiment has a first edge guide 19a and a second edge guide 19b corresponding to both ends in the width direction (X direction) of the medium. Is provided. Then, by an interlocking mechanism (not shown), the first edge guide 19a and the second edge guide 19b are interlocked in the medium width direction with reference to the center of the first edge guide 19a and the second edge guide 19b in the medium width direction. It is configured to move symmetrically.
With such a configuration, the medium can be positioned from both sides in the width direction of the medium, and by moving one of the first edge guide 19a and the second edge guide 19b, the other also moves in conjunction. Therefore, the operability when moving the edge guide 19 is improved.
The medium feeding device 3 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes the first edge guide 19 a and the second edge guide 19.
The lock lever 21 (restriction portion) has the first edge guide 1
It is formed only on the 9a side. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and in the case of a configuration including a plurality of edge guides 19, a plurality of regulating portions may be provided corresponding to the plurality of edge guides 19.

Further, in the medium feeding device 3 of the present embodiment, the feeding roller 10 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the medium feeding device 3 by switching the supporting unit 20 from the supporting state to the releasing state. Therefore, the support unit 20 can be moved from the support position of the medium, and the feeding roller 10 can be removed, so that the feeding roller 10 can be easily cleaned or replaced.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the medium carrying device according to the present invention is applied to the image reading device 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as described above, recording is performed on a medium (for example, printing paper). It can also be applied to a recording device having a recording unit for performing. An inkjet recording head is an example of the recording unit, and a facsimile, a printer, or the like is an example of the recording device. As an example of the configuration of the recording apparatus, an example in which an inkjet recording head is provided instead of the reading unit 17 in FIG. 3 and a platen that supports a medium is provided instead of the reading unit 16 in FIG.

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

1 ... Image reading device, 2 ... Setting unit, 3 ... Medium feeding device (feeding device), 4 ... Lower unit,
5 ... Upper unit, 6 ... Cover part, 7 ... Ejection tray, 8 ... Medium ejection port,
9 ... Torque limiter, 10 ... Feed roller, 10a ... Rotating shaft,
11 ... Retard roller, 11a ... Rotating shaft, 12-15 ... Conveying roller,
16, 17 ... Reading unit, 19 ... Edge guide, 19a ... First edge guide,
19b ... second edge guide, 20 ... support unit (support portion),
20a ... a contact portion of the support unit 20 with the lock lever 21,
21 ... Lock lever (regulator), 22 ... Feeding path, 23 ... Set guide,
25 ... Flap, 27 ... Spring (biasing part), 28 ... Detecting part, 29 ... Inhibiting part, G ... Medium bundle,
S ... moving area of edge guide 19, S1 ... interference range, S2 ... non-interference range,
T1 ... a tip portion of the edge guide 19 in the medium feeding direction,
T1a ... A part of the tip portion T1,
T2 ... Rear end portion of the support unit 20 in the medium feeding direction

Claims (10)

A feeding roller for feeding the medium,
A support portion capable of switching between a supporting state in which the feeding roller supports the medium from the side in contact with the medium when the medium is fed by the feeding roller, and a release state in which the supporting state is released. ,
It is movable in the width direction of the medium, which is a direction intersecting with the feeding direction of the medium, and positions the end portion of the medium in the width direction, and the support portion is provided in a movement region in the width direction. An edge guide including an interference range that interferes with the support part and a non-interference range that does not interfere with the support part when the state is switched,
A restriction unit that restricts the movement region of the edge guide to the non-interference range in response to the support state being switched from the support state to the release state in a state where the edge guide is located in the non-interference range. When,
A feeding device comprising: The feeding device according to claim 1,
The restriction portion is arranged to be movable back and forth in the movement area, and when the support portion is in the support state, it is retracted from the movement area to switch the support portion from the support state to the release state. A feeding device, characterized in that the feeding device enters the moving area. The feeding device according to claim 2,
A feeding device comprising: a biasing unit that biases the restriction unit in a direction of entering the movement region. In the feeding device according to claim 2 or 3,
A detection unit capable of detecting entry of the restriction unit into the movement area,
A feeding device capable of notifying a detection result of the detection unit. The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The feeding device, wherein the restriction portion also enters a feeding path of the medium by the feeding roller when the regulation portion enters the movement area. The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A setting unit for setting the medium,
With the entry of the restriction portion into the movement area, an inhibition portion that enters the medium setting area of the setting portion and inhibits the setting of the medium to the setting portion,
A feeding device comprising: The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The edge guide is provided with a first edge guide and a second edge guide corresponding to both end portions of the medium in the width direction, and a center of the first edge guide and the second edge guide in the width direction is provided. A feeding device configured to move symmetrically with reference to the width direction. The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The feeding device can be attached and detached by switching the supporting portion from the supporting state to the releasing state. A reading unit for reading an image formed on the medium,
The feeding device according to claim 1, which feeds the medium to the reading unit,
An image reading apparatus comprising: A recording unit for recording on the medium,
The feeding device according to claim 1, which feeds the medium to the recording unit,
A recording device comprising:

Images