JP7089682B2 - Media transfer device, image reader - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a medium transporting device for transporting a medium and an image reading device including the same.

A scanner, which is an example of an image reading device, is provided with an automatic document feeder (also called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder)) as a medium transport device, and is configured to be able to automatically feed and read a plurality of documents. There is something. As a configuration of the automatic document feeder, there is a configuration in which a document is fed from a paper feed tray, inverted in a U shape, the document is read, and then ejected to a paper output tray.

The paper feed tray or paper output tray of such an automatic document feeder may be provided with a stopper to prevent the document from slipping off the tray. The document stopper body 34 included in the document transport device described in Patent Document 1 is rotatably provided in a recess 35 formed on the upper surface of the upper cover 12 (paper feed tray portion 13). When not in use, the document stopper body 34 is housed so as not to protrude to the upper surface, and when in use, the document stopper body 34 projects upward to stop the tip of the ejected document and function to prevent the document from slipping off.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-247575

By the way, in an image reading device, not only the function at the time of use but also the function at the time of non-use may be emphasized. Specifically, even if the upper surface of the image reading device, that is, the upper surface of the automatic document feeder is configured to be flat without unevenness, and the document or the like is placed on the upper surface of the automatic document feeder, the document does not easily slip off. , To enable stable placement.

The manuscript stopper body 34 described in Patent Document 1 described above does not contribute to such a request in any functional manner, and there is room for improvement.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medium transfer device and an image reading device capable of further improving the placeability of a document or the like on the upper surface of the medium transfer device. It is in.

The medium transfer device according to the first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is a base frame having an outer edge forming portion constituting an outer edge of the upper surface of the device, a tray for supporting the medium, and a horizontal posture. A medium support tray that can be switched between tilted postures and forms a part of the flat upper surface of the device together with the upper surface of the outer edge forming portion in the horizontal posture, and a storage position housed under the medium support tray. A sub-tray that can be displaced from the lower side of the medium support tray and supports the medium together with the medium support tray at the drawer position is provided, and the sub-tray is provided at the storage position. The sub tray has a convex portion that forms a part of a flat upper surface of the device together with the upper surface of the outer edge forming portion, and the sub tray slides along a direction parallel to the upper surface of the device with the medium support tray in the horizontal posture. This is characterized in that the convex portion maintains the same height level at the storage position and the withdrawal position.

According to this aspect, in the sub tray, the convex portion is the same in the storage position and the drawer position by sliding along the direction parallel to the upper surface of the device in a state where the medium support tray is in the horizontal posture. Since the height level is maintained, the flatness of the upper surface of the device is ensured regardless of whether the sub tray is in the storage position or the drawer position, and the medium or the like can be stably placed on the upper surface of the device. can.
Moreover, if the sub tray is pulled out to the drawer position, the area on which the medium or the like can be placed is expanded, and the medium or the like can be more preferably placed on the upper surface of the apparatus.
The "flat upper surface of the device" does not mean that the upper surface of the device is flat in a strict sense. It means that the flatness is secured so that it does not easily slip off even when placed.

In the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a notch is formed in the outer edge forming portion, and the convex portion of the sub tray fills the notch in the storage position to form the outer edge. It is characterized by forming a part of a flat upper surface of the device together with the upper surface of the portion.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect or the second aspect, at least the upper surface of the outer edge forming portion and the upper surface of the convex portion are embossed surfaces.
According to this aspect, since at least the upper surface of the outer edge forming portion and the upper surface of the convex portion are embossed surfaces, a slip suppressing effect can be obtained when a medium or the like is placed on the upper surface of the device, and the device is more stable. A medium or the like can be placed on the upper surface.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is, in the first to third aspects, the medium support tray switches between the inclined posture and the horizontal posture by swinging, and the sub tray is the posture of the medium support tray. It is characterized in that it can be displaced to the drawer position regardless of the above.
According to this aspect, in a configuration in which the sub tray can be displaced to the drawer position regardless of the posture of the medium support tray, the same effect as that of any of the first to third aspects described above can be obtained.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect, a link mechanism that displaces the sub tray in association with a change in the posture of the medium support tray is provided.
According to this aspect, since the link mechanism that displaces the sub tray in conjunction with the posture change of the medium support tray is provided, it is not necessary to operate the medium support tray and the sub tray separately, and the operability is improved. do.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is, in the fifth aspect, the medium support tray takes the horizontal posture, and the medium support tray switches the posture from the state where the sub tray is in the storage position toward the inclined posture. This is characterized in that the sub-tray is pulled out from the lower side of the medium support tray and displaced to the pull-out position.
According to this aspect, the sub tray can be displaced to the drawer position by switching the posture of the medium support tray toward the tilted posture.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is, in the fifth aspect, the medium support tray takes the tilted posture, and the medium support tray switches the posture from the state where the sub tray is in the drawer position toward the horizontal posture. This is characterized in that the sub tray is displaced from the drawer position to the storage position.
According to this aspect, the sub tray can be displaced to the storage position by switching the posture of the medium support tray toward the horizontal posture.

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, in any of the fifth to seventh aspects, the posture of the medium support tray is regulated by the sub tray, and the medium support tray is linked to the displacement operation of the sub tray. It is characterized by a change in posture.

According to this aspect, the posture of the medium support tray is regulated by the sub tray, and the posture of the medium support tray changes in conjunction with the displacement operation of the sub tray, that is, the posture of the medium support tray is not operated. Since the posture of the medium support tray is changed by operating the sub tray, the operability is further improved.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is, in any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, the sub-tray includes a first tray and a second tray that is slidable with respect to the first tray and has the convex portion. The second tray is provided with a second tray urging means for urging the second tray in a direction protruding from the first tray.

According to this aspect, the sub-tray is composed of a plurality of members (at least the first tray and the second tray), and the second tray is urged in a direction protruding from the first tray. Even if the sub tray comes into contact with an obstacle or the like when the sub tray is displaced to the drawer position in conjunction with the posture change of the medium support tray due to the action of the link mechanism, the posture change of the medium support tray is hindered. Can be suppressed. In addition, damage to the sub tray and the link mechanism can be suppressed.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a state in which the sub-tray urging means for urging the sub-tray toward the drawer position and the medium support tray are in the horizontal posture. The medium support tray is provided with a regulating means for restricting the displacement of the sub tray from the storage position to the drawer position, and the medium support tray is in the horizontal posture and the sub tray is in the storage position. When the posture is switched toward the inclined posture, the position restriction of the sub tray by the restricting means is released, and the sub tray is displaced from the storage position to the drawer position by the urging force of the sub tray urging means. And.

According to this aspect, when the medium support tray switches its posture toward the inclined posture, the position restriction of the sub tray by the restricting means is released, and the sub tray is stored by the urging force of the sub tray urging means. Since it is configured to be displaced from the position to the drawer position, it can be displaced to the drawer position without operating the sub tray, and operability is improved.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a pushing operation of the sub-tray in the storage position releases the holding of the sub-tray in the storage position and directs the sub-tray toward the drawer position. It is characterized by being provided with a push latch mechanism for urging.
According to this aspect, the sub tray can be easily pulled out to the drawer position.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, as an opening / closing portion in which at least a part of a side in which the notch is formed in the outer edge forming portion of the base frame can be opened / closed. It is characterized by being configured.

According to this aspect, since at least a part of the side where the notch is formed in the outer edge forming portion of the base frame is configured as an opening / closing portion, the opening / closing portion can be opened. You can use the space inside the base frame. For example, a medium transport path can be formed on the lower side of the sub tray, and the medium can be discharged via the opening / closing portion.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, a medium transport path for transporting a medium is located in a lower region of the sub tray.
According to this aspect, in the configuration in which the medium transport path for transporting the medium is located in the lower region of the sub tray, the same effect as that of any of the first to twelfth aspects described above can be obtained.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the medium support tray is a tray that supports a medium that has been read and discharged.
According to this aspect, in a configuration in which the medium support tray is a tray that supports a medium that has been read and ejected, the same effect as that of any of the first to thirteenth aspects described above can be obtained.

In a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the fourteenth aspect, the flat upper surface of the device is a medium from the medium support tray, the outer edge forming portion, the convex portion, and the medium support tray in the horizontal posture. A feed tray located on the downstream side in the feed direction and supporting the medium to be fed, and an opening / closing body located on the downstream side in the medium feed direction from the feed tray and opening and closing at least a part of the medium transport path. , At least of these.

According to this aspect, in a configuration in which the upper surface of the flat device is formed of the medium support tray, the outer edge forming portion, the convex portion, and further the feeding tray and the opening / closing body. The effects of the 14th aspect described above can be obtained.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the medium support tray is a tray that supports the medium to be fed.
According to this aspect, in a configuration in which the medium support tray is a tray that supports the medium to be fed, the same operation and effect as any of the above-mentioned first to thirteenth aspects can be obtained.

The image reading device according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a reading means for reading a medium and the medium transporting device according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects.
According to this aspect, in the image reading apparatus, the same action and effect as any one of the above-mentioned first to sixteenth aspects can be obtained.

The external perspective view which shows the non-feeding state of the image reading apparatus of the printer which concerns on this invention. The external perspective view which shows the feeding state of the image reading apparatus of the printer which concerns on this invention. The side sectional view which shows the document transport path in the non-feeding state of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this invention. The side sectional view which shows the document transport path in the feeding state of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. A side sectional view showing a document transport path in a state where the sub tray is stored in the document support tray. The perspective view of the image reading apparatus in the state which the sub tray is stored in the document support tray. The perspective view of the image reading device in the state which the sub tray is pulled out from the document support tray. Perspective view of the sub tray. The side view which shows the non-feeding state of the image reading apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The side view which shows the feeding state of the image reading apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the sub tray in the non-feeding state in the image reading apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the sub tray in the feeding state in the image reading apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the structure of the sub tray in the modification of the 2nd Embodiment. The side sectional view of the feed state of the sub tray in the modification of the 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the non-feeding state of the document support tray and the sub tray which concerns on 3rd Embodiment from the lower side in the device height direction. A side sectional view showing a non-feeding state of a document support tray and a sub tray according to a third embodiment. A side sectional view showing a feeding state of a document support tray and a sub tray according to a third embodiment. A side sectional view showing a feeding state of a document support tray and a sub tray according to a modified example of the third embodiment. The perspective view which shows the non-feeding state of the document support tray and the sub tray which concerns on 4th Embodiment from the lower side in the device height direction. A side sectional view showing a non-feeding state of a document support tray and a sub tray according to a fourth embodiment. A side sectional view showing an engaged state between the sub tray and the engaging portion on the base frame side according to the fourth embodiment. A side sectional view showing a state in which the document support tray and the sub tray according to the fourth embodiment are disengaged. The perspective view which shows the non-feeding state of the document support tray and the sub tray which concerns on 5th Embodiment from the lower side in the device height direction. The plan view which shows the non-feeding state of the document support tray and the sub tray which concerns on 5th Embodiment from the lower side in the height direction of an apparatus. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a push latch mechanism arranged between a document support tray and a sub tray according to a fifth embodiment. The plan view which shows the feeding state of the document support tray and the sub tray which concerns on 5th Embodiment from the lower side in the height direction of an apparatus. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a sub tray and an opening / closing portion of a base frame in a non-feeding state according to a sixth embodiment. The perspective view which shows the relationship between the sub tray and the opening and closing part of a base frame in the feeding state which concerns on 6th Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the relationship between the sub tray and the opening and closing part of a base frame in the feeding state which concerns on 6th Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a feeding state of an opening / closing portion of a document support tray, a sub tray, and a base frame in the sixth embodiment. The perspective view of the base frame which shows the modification of the 6th Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view when the document support tray side in the feeding state is used as the document ejection path in the modified example of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view when the transport path provided on the base frame side, which is located on the lower side of the document support tray in the non-feeding state in the modified example of the sixth embodiment, is used as the document ejection path.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same configuration in each embodiment is designated by the same reference numerals and will be described only in the first embodiment, and the description of the configuration will be omitted in the subsequent examples.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a non-feeding state of the image reading device of the printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a feeding state of the image reading device of the printer according to the present invention. 3 is a side sectional view showing a document transport path in a non-feeding state of the image reading device according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a document transport path in a feeding state of the image reading device according to the present invention. Yes, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2, FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a document transport path in a state where the sub tray is stored in the document support tray, and FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing the document transfer path in a state where the sub tray is stored in the document support tray. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the image reading device in the above-mentioned state, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the image reading device in a state where the sub tray is pulled out from the document support tray, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sub tray.

11 is a side view showing a non-feeding state of the image reading device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a side view showing a feeding state of the image reading device according to the second embodiment. 13 is a perspective view showing a sub-tray in the non-feeding state in the image reading device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the sub-tray in the feeding state in the image reading device according to the second embodiment. Yes, FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the sub-tray in the modified example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the feed state of the sub tray in the modified example of the second embodiment, and FIG. 17 shows the non-feed state of the document support tray and the sub tray according to the third embodiment downward in the device height direction. It is a perspective view which shows from the side, FIG. 18 is a side sectional view which shows the non-feeding state of the document support tray and the sub tray which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 20 is a side sectional view showing a feeding state of the sub tray, and FIG. 20 is a side sectional view showing a feeding state of the document support tray and the sub tray according to the modified example of the third embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a non-feeding state of the document support tray and the sub tray according to the fourth embodiment from the lower side in the device height direction, and FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the document support tray and the sub tray according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a side sectional view showing a non-feeding state, FIG. 23 is a side sectional view showing an engaged state between the sub tray and the engaging portion on the base frame side according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 24 is a fourth sectional view. FIG. 25 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the document support tray and the sub tray according to the embodiment are disengaged, and FIG. 25 shows a non-feeding state of the document support tray and the sub tray according to the fifth embodiment downward in the device height direction. It is a perspective view which shows from the side.

FIG. 26 is a plan view showing the non-feeding state of the document support tray and the sub tray according to the fifth embodiment from the lower side in the height direction of the apparatus, and FIG. 27 shows the document support tray and the sub tray according to the fifth embodiment. It is a plan view which shows the push latch mechanism arranged between | 29 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the sub-tray and the opening / closing portion of the base frame in the non-feeding state according to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the sub-tray and the base frame in the fed state according to the sixth embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship with an opening / closing part.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the sub tray and the opening / closing portion of the base frame in the feeding state according to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 32 is an opening / closing of the document support tray, the sub tray, and the base frame in the sixth embodiment. It is a side sectional view which shows the feeding state of a part, FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the base frame which shows the modification of 6th Embodiment, and FIG. 34 is the feeding state in the modification of 6th Embodiment. It is a side sectional view when the document support tray side is used as the document ejection path, and FIG. 35 is a side sectional view on the base frame side located on the lower side of the document support tray in the non-feeding state in the modified example of the sixth embodiment. It is a side sectional view when the provided transport path is used as the document ejection path.

Further, in the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure, the X direction indicates the width direction of the document, that is, the depth direction of the device, and the Y direction is the transport direction of the document in the transport path in the image reading device, that is, the direction toward the width of the device. The Z direction indicates the device height direction.

■■■ First Example ■■■■
<<< Printer Overview >>>
The overall configuration of the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The printer 10 is configured as an inkjet printer as an example of a recording device. The printer 10 is configured as a multifunction device including a device main body 14 and a scanner unit 16 as an image reading device.

In this embodiment, the scanner unit 16 is rotatably connected to the rear end of the device main body 14 in the depth direction of the device. It is configured to expose the upper part of 14. The scanner unit 16 includes a scanner main body 18 and an ADF (auto document feeder) unit 20 as a “medium transfer device”.

The ADF unit 20 is rotatably connected to the rear end of the scanner body 18 in the depth direction of the device, and by rotating the ADF 20 toward the back of the device, a document provided on the upper part of the scanner unit 16 is provided. The mounting surface 22 (FIGS. 3 and 4) can be exposed, and the document can be set on the document mounting surface 22. The document placing surface 22 is made of a transparent and flat glass plate as an example. As the manuscript as the "medium" in this embodiment, a manuscript such as a photograph or a document is taken as an example.

In FIG. 1, a feed tray 24, a document support tray 26 as a “medium support tray”, a base frame 28, and an ADF cover 29 as an “opening / closing body” are provided above the ADF unit 20. There is. The base frame 28 is formed in a frame shape as an example, and has an outer edge forming portion 28a constituting the outer edge of the upper surface of the ADF portion 20. A feed tray 24, a document support tray 26, and an ADF cover 29 are rotatably attached to the base frame 28.

The feed tray 24 and the document support tray 26 are configured to be switchable between the non-feed state shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and the feed state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The feeding tray 24 includes an upper surface 24a and a lower surface 24b. The document support tray 26 includes an upper surface 26a. A recess 29a is formed in the ADF cover 29. The user can lift the + Y direction side end portion 24e of the feeding tray 24 by inserting a finger into the recess 29a, and can easily switch from the non-feeding state to the feeding state in the feeding tray 24. Further, by opening the ADF cover 29, at least a part of the document transport path 32, which will be described later, can be exposed, and jam processing in the document transport path 32 can be facilitated.

In the non-feeding state shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the upper surface 24a of the feeding tray 24, the upper surface 26a of the document support tray 26, and the upper surface 28b of the outer edge forming portion of the base frame 28 form the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20. ing. The upper surface 24a of the feeding tray 24, the upper surface 26a of the document support tray 26, and the outer edge forming portion 28a of the base frame 28 take postures along the horizontal X and Y directions, so that the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20a is taken. Formes a posture along the horizontal X and Y directions, that is, a flat surface.

Therefore, since the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20 of the printer 10 is flat, not only the aesthetic appearance of the apparatus is excellent, but also even if documents and articles are temporarily placed on the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20, these can be seen from the upper surface 20a. Since it is possible to reduce or suppress the falling of documents and the like, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user.

In FIGS. 2 and 4, when the feeding tray 24 and the document supporting tray 26 are switched to the feeding state, the document support section 30 is exposed at the upper part of the ADF section 20. The document support unit 30 supports the document together with the lower surface 24b of the feed tray 24 in the feed state. The documents supported by the document support section 30 and the lower surface 24b of the feeding tray 24 are fed along the document transport path 32.

<<< About the document transport path >>>
The document transport path 32 will be described with reference to FIG. The alternate long and short dash line with the reference numeral P in FIG. 4 indicates the transport path of the document to be transported along the document transport path 32. In the document transport path 32, on the downstream side of the document support section 30 in the transport direction, a feed roller 36a, a separation roller 38, a transport roller pair 40, a reading section 42 as a "reading means", and a discharge roller pair 44 are arranged in this order. ing.

In this embodiment, the driven roller 36b is provided at a position facing the feeding roller 36a. The driven roller 36b is configured to be driven and rotatable with respect to the feeding roller 36a. The driven roller 36b is provided to reduce friction between the feeding roller 36a and the facing surface when the document fed by the feeding roller 36a disappears and the feeding roller 36a continues to rotate. As a result, the influence of the transport load on the read image can be reduced.

A separation pad 46 is provided at a position facing the separation roller 38. The separation pad 46 is in contact with the separation roller 38. The separation pad 46 is, for example, made of a high friction material. The plurality of documents fed by the feeding roller 36a are separated by the separation roller 38 and the separation pad 46, and only the documents in contact with the separation roller 38 are fed to the transport roller pair 40 arranged on the downstream side in the document transport direction. Will be. The original is curved and inverted in the process of being sent from the separation roller 38 to the transport roller pair 40.

The transport roller pair 40 includes a transport roller 40a and a driven roller 40b. The transport roller 40a is configured to be driven by receiving power from a drive source (not shown), and the driven roller 40b is configured to be driven and rotatable with respect to the transport roller 40a. A reading unit 42 is provided on the downstream side of the transport roller pair 40. The document sent to the reading unit 42 by the transport roller pair 40 is read by the image reading mechanism 48 provided at the opposite position via the document placing surface 22. The document read by the image reading mechanism 48 on the document placing surface 22 is conveyed to the ejection roller pair 44 provided on the downstream side of the reading unit 42 in the document transport path 32, and the document support tray 26 is conveyed by the ejection roller pair 44. It is discharged to the upper surface 26a.

The discharge roller pair 44 includes a discharge roller 44a and a driven roller 44b. The discharge roller 44a is configured to be driven by receiving power from a drive source (not shown), and the driven roller 44b is configured to be driven and rotatable with respect to the discharge roller 44a.

<<< Rotational operation of the cover, etc. >>>
5 and 6, the posture switching of the feed tray 24 and the document support tray 26 will be described. In FIG. 6, a rotation shaft 24c is formed on the feed tray 24, and is configured to be rotatable with the rotation shaft 24c as a rotation fulcrum. In FIG. 5, an engaging portion 24d is formed on the −Y direction side of the feed tray 24.

A rotation shaft 26b is formed on the document support tray 26, and is configured to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 26b as a rotation fulcrum. In this embodiment, the rotation shaft 26b is located at a position closer to the −Y direction side end portion 26d between the + Y direction side end portion 26c and the −Y direction side end portion 26d of the document support tray 26 in the Y axis direction. It is provided in.

When the feeding tray 24 is in the non-feeding state (FIG. 5), the engaging portion 24d engages with the + Y direction end portion 26c of the document support tray 26 to engage the document support tray 26 from the lower side of the document support tray 26. I support 26.

Next, when the feed tray 24 is rotated with the rotation shaft 24c as the rotation fulcrum in FIG. 6, the engaging portion 24d rotates along the rotation locus indicated by the alternate long and short dash line with the reference numeral 24d-1. It rotates around the moving shaft 24c. As a result, the engaging portion 24d is displaced by rotation from the position supporting the document support tray 26 below the document support tray 26 to the position on the + Y direction side with respect to the rotation shaft 24c.

As a result, the document support tray 26 is no longer supported by the engaging portion 24d, and therefore rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6 with the rotation shaft 26b as the rotation fulcrum due to its own weight. When the + Y direction end portion 26c of the document support tray 26 is displaced toward the −Z direction side, it engages with the support portion 28d of the base frame 28. The support portion 28d supports the document support tray 26 in an inclined posture (feeding state). As a result, the document support tray 26 switches from the non-feeding state (horizontal posture) to the feeding state (tilted posture). In FIG. 6, the alternate long and short dash line with the reference numeral 26c-1 indicates the rotation locus of the + Y direction side end portion 26c of the document support tray 26.

In FIG. 6, when the feed tray 24 rotates clockwise with the rotation shaft 24c as a rotation fulcrum, the upper surface 24a shifts downward with respect to the exterior surface, and the lower surface 24b shifts upward with respect to the exterior surface. However, the lower surface 24b functions as a support surface for the document.

<<< About the sub tray >>>
Next, the sub tray 50 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. In FIGS. 8 and 9, in the document support tray 26, the sub-tray 50 is housed in the document support tray 26 (FIG. 8) and pulled out from the document support tray 26 (FIG. 8) at the end portion 26d on the −Y direction side. It is configured so that it can be switched between 9) and. As shown in FIG. 10, the sub tray 50 includes a flat support portion 50a capable of supporting a document, and a convex portion 50b protruding in the + Z direction from the support portion 50a at the −Y direction side end portion of the support portion 50a. The support portion 50a is provided with urging portions 50c provided on both sides in the X direction at the + Y direction side end portion.

In this embodiment, the urging portion 50c engages with the groove portion 26e (FIG. 4) provided on the lower surface side of the document support tray 26, and is configured to be slidable with respect to the groove portion 26e. The urging portion 50c urges the groove portion 26e of the document support tray 26 in the X-axis direction. As a result, a frictional force is generated between the groove portion 26e and the sub-tray 50, and the frictional force maintains the posture of the sub-tray 50 with respect to the document support tray 26.

In FIGS. 3 and 7, when the sub tray 50 is housed in the document support tray 26, the sub tray 50 is located at a position housed under the document support tray 26. Here, in FIG. 8, a cutout portion 28c is formed in the outer edge forming portion 28a of the base frame 28 at a position corresponding to the position where the sub tray 50 of the document support tray 26 is provided. When the sub-tray 50 is located at the storage position of the document support tray 26 and the document support tray 26 is in the non-feeding state (state in FIG. 8), the convex portion 50b of the sub-tray 50 fills the notch 28c. It is a state.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, in a state where the sub tray 50 is housed in the document support tray 26, the convex portion 50b protrudes from the −Y direction side end portion 26d of the document support tray 26, and the ADF portion 20 is viewed from above. When viewed, the convex portion 50b is exposed without being hidden under the document support tray 26. In this embodiment, the convex portion 50b functions as an operation unit of the sub tray 50.

In this embodiment, when the sub tray 50 is housed in the document support tray 26 in the non-feeding state, the convex portion 50b is located at substantially the same height as the upper surface 28b of the outer edge forming portion 28a in the Z-axis direction. It is set. In that state, the convex portion 50b constitutes a part of the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20 together with the upper surface 28b of the outer edge forming portion 28a. It should be noted that substantially the same height does not mean that the heights are exactly the same in a strict sense, and even if the heights of the convex portion 50b and the upper surface 28b of the outer edge forming portion 28a are slightly different from each other, the ADF is used. It means that the upper surface 20a of the portion 20 includes a deviation within a range in which the flatness is ensured as a whole.

In FIG. 9, the sub tray 50 can be pulled out from the lower side of the document support tray 26 in the non-feeding state to the drawer position located on the −Y direction side with respect to the −Y direction side end portion 26d of the document support tray 26. .. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the sub tray 50 slides in the −Y axis direction, which is a direction parallel to the upper surface 20a of the ADF unit 20, in a state where the document support tray 26 is in a horizontal posture (non-feeding state). As a result, even if the sub tray 50 is slid between the storage position and the drawer position, the height level of the convex portion 50b in the Z-axis direction is maintained.

When the sub tray 50 is pulled out from the document support tray 26 in the non-feeding state to the drawer position, the convex portion 50b also fills the notch 28c while the height level of the convex portion 50b in the Z-axis direction is maintained. -Move in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the flatness of the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20 is ensured regardless of whether the sub tray 50 is in the storage position or the drawer position, and the document or the like can be stably placed on the upper surface 20a.

Further, since the convex portion 50b moves in the −Y axis direction while the height level of the convex portion 50b is maintained, even if the size in the Y axis direction is larger than that of the upper surface 20a, the convex portion 50b is moved from the upper surface 20a. The protruding portion can be supported by the convex portion 50b, and a document or the like larger than the upper surface 20a in the Y-axis direction can be placed on the ADF portion 20.

In FIGS. 6 to 9, in the slide movement from the storage position to the drawer position of the sub tray 50 or the slide movement from the drawer position to the storage position, the document support tray 26 is in the feeding state or in the non-feeding state. Regardless of it, it is configured as possible.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, by pulling out the sub tray 50 from the document support tray 26 in the feeding state (tilted posture), the placement length of the document can be lengthened along the document transport direction. Even long manuscripts can be placed. Further, in the sub-tray 50 in the tilted posture, the convex portion 50b functions as a stopper for damming the conveyed originals when a plurality of originals are placed on the original support tray 26 and the support portion 50a, so that the stackability is improved. Can be improved.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper surface 28b and the convex portion 50b of the outer edge forming portion 28a are configured as embossed surfaces having a plurality of protrusions. As a result, when a document or the like is placed on the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20, the embossed surface exerts a slip suppressing effect, so that the document can be stably placed on the upper surface 20a. In addition, in the drawings other than FIGS. 8 and 9, the embossing is omitted. In this embodiment, the embossed surface is composed of a plurality of protrusions, but the embossed surface may be formed of a plurality of concave shapes, or may be formed by combining a plurality of protrusions and concave shapes.

In this embodiment, when the document support tray 26 is in the non-feeding state, the sub tray 50 is stored in the storage position on the lower side of the document support tray 26 in a posture along the Y-axis direction (horizontal direction). The lower space of the document support tray 26 can be widened, and the movable area of the document support tray 26 can be widened. As a result, when the document support tray 26 is switched from the non-feeding state to the feeding state, the angle of the document support tray 26 can be easily adjusted, and the stackability of the ejected documents can be improved.

In this embodiment, the convex portion 50b of the sub tray 50 forms a part of the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20 and also serves as the operation portion of the sub tray 50. Therefore, while ensuring the flatness of the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20. , The user operability of the sub tray 50 can be improved.

■■■ Second Example ■■■■
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the link mechanism 56 is provided between the sub tray 50 and the base frame 28. Note that in FIGS. 13 and 14, the feeding tray 24 and the document support tray 26 are not shown.

In FIG. 13, a link shaft 52 extending in the X-axis direction is provided at the + Y-axis direction end of the sub-tray 50. In the base frame 28, link grooves 54 are formed on both side walls 28e in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the link groove 54 extends in the −Y axis direction and is inclined so as to form an angle θ with respect to the Y axis direction (horizontal direction) and descend in the −Z direction. ing. Each link groove 54 is engaged with the end portion 54a of the link shaft 52 in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the link shaft 52 and the link groove 54 form a link mechanism 56.

Specifically, in the state where the sub tray 50 is located at the storage position in FIG. 13, the end portion 52a of the link shaft 52 is engaged with the upper end portion 54a of the link groove 54. In FIG. 14, when the sub tray 50 slides from the storage position to the drawer position, the end portion 52a of the link shaft 52 moves along the link groove 54 from the upper end portion 54a to the lower end portion 54b of the link groove 54, and the lower end portion 54b. Engage with.

In FIG. 11, when the feed tray 24 and the document support tray 26 are in the non-feed state, the sub tray 50 is housed under the document support tray 26. Here, when the feeding tray 24 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 11 to switch from the non-feeding state to the feeding state, the engaging portion 24d rotates clockwise around the rotation shaft 24c. .. In this embodiment, the length of the rotation shaft 26b of the document support tray 26 and the + Y direction side end portion 26c is set to L1. Also in this embodiment, the rotation shaft 26b is located closer to the end portion 26d on the −Y direction side.

When the engaging portion 24d rotates clockwise around the rotation shaft 24c, as shown in FIG. 12, the self-weight F1 acts on the + Y direction side end portion 26c of the document support tray 26, so that the rotation shaft It rotates counterclockwise with 26b as a fulcrum.

Again, in FIG. 11, the link shaft 52 is provided at a position at a distance L2 from the rotation shaft 26b of the document support tray 26. When the + Y direction end portion 26c of the document support tray 26 tries to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 11 with the rotation shaft 26b as a fulcrum, the document support tray 26 presses the sub tray 50 in the −Z direction with a force F2. ..

As a result, the link shaft 52 is also pressed in the −Z direction by the force F2. As a result, since the link shaft 52 is pressed by the force Fa in the direction of the link groove 54, the link shaft 52 starts moving from the upper end portion 54a toward the lower end portion 54b along the link groove 54. The force Fa required for the link shaft 52 to start moving along the link groove 54 can be obtained from Fa = (L1 / L2) × F1 × sinθ.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the + Y direction end portion 26c of the document support tray 26 engages with and is supported by the support portion 28d of the base frame 28, the document support tray 26 changes from the non-feeding state to the feeding state. Switch. In this state, the link shaft 52 moves to the lower end portion 54b of the link groove 54 and engages with the lower end portion 54b. In this state, the distance between the rotation shaft 26b of the document support tray 26 and the link shaft 52 in the Y-axis direction is L3.

The sub tray 50 is pulled out from the document support tray 26 in the −Y direction as the link shaft 52 moves. As an example, the sub tray 50 is pulled out to a position where the distance from the −Y direction side end portion of the base frame 28 to the −Y direction side end portion of the convex portion 50b is L4. In this state, since the force Fb acts on the link shaft 52 in the direction of the link groove 54, the position of the sub tray 50 with respect to the document support tray 26 is held by the force Fb.

To summarize the above description, when the feeding tray 24 is switched from the non-feeding state to the feeding state, the document support tray 26 is also switched from the non-feeding state to the feeding state. Further, the sub tray 50 is also pulled out from the storage position to the drawer position by the link mechanism 56 in conjunction with the switching from the non-feeding state to the feeding state of the document support tray 26. In this embodiment, even if the user forgets to pull out the sub-tray 50, the sub-tray 50 is pulled out to the pull-out position in conjunction with the feeding state of the document support tray 26. It can be prevented from falling.

In FIG. 12, when the feeding tray 24 in the feeding state is rotated counterclockwise with the rotation shaft 24c as a fulcrum to switch to the non-feeding state, the feeding tray 24 is engaged with the rotation. The joint portion 24d engages with the + Y direction side end portion 26c of the document support tray 26 and lifts the + Y direction side end portion 26c from the lower side. As a result, the document support tray 26 also rotates clockwise with the rotation shaft 26b as a fulcrum.

As a result, the sub-tray 50 is moved from the drawer position to the storage position by the link mechanism 56. Therefore, the sub-tray 50 is housed in the document support tray 26 in conjunction with the switching from the feed state to the non-feed state of the document support tray 26. As a result, when the ADF unit 20 is in an unused state, it is possible to prevent the sub tray 50 from being left in the pulled out state, so that it is possible to prevent the sub tray 50 from being inadvertently damaged.

<<< Modification of the second embodiment >>>
(1) A roller or a roller may be provided at the end portion 54a of the link shaft 52 in the X-axis direction. With this configuration, the frictional force between the link shaft 52 and the link groove 54 can be reduced, and the sub tray 50 can be moved with a smaller force. The configuration in which the roller or the like is provided at the end portion 54a of the link shaft 52 is applicable not only to the second embodiment but also to the third embodiment and the sixth embodiment described later.

(2) As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the sub tray may be composed of a plurality of members. In this modification, the sub-tray 58 includes a first tray 60, a second tray 62, and a second tray urging means 64. The link shaft 52 is attached to the end of the first tray 60 on the + Y direction side. Bouncers 60a are provided on both sides of the first tray 60 in the X-axis direction. The urging portion 60a is fitted in the groove portion 26e of the document support tray 26 to urge the document support tray 26.

The second tray 62 includes a flat support portion 62a capable of supporting the original document, and a convex portion 62b provided at the end portion on the -Y direction side. The second tray 62 is configured to be slidable with respect to the first tray 60. A second tray urging means 64 is provided between the first tray 60 and the second tray 62. The second tray urging means 64 urges the second tray 62 in a direction away from the first tray 60. In this embodiment, as an example, the second tray urging means 64 is configured as a coil spring.

Here, as the document support tray 26 is switched from the non-feeding state to the feeding state, the sub tray 58 also tries to move from the storage position to the drawer position. For example, there is an obstacle in the drawer position and the sub tray 58 moves. It may not be possible to fully withdraw. In this modification, the second tray 62 is configured to be slidable with respect to the first tray 60 by a distance L5 minutes excluding the spring compression length. When there is an obstacle in the drawer position of the sub tray 58, the second tray 62 does not completely protrude from the first tray 60 and maintains a state of being in contact with the obstacle with a protrusion amount of a distance L5 or less. Damage can be suppressed.

Further, even when the second tray 62 is in contact with an obstacle, the first tray 60 is switched to a posture corresponding to the feeding state of the document support tray 26. As a result, even when the obstacle is located in the displacement region of the second tray 62, it does not hinder the switching of the document support tray 26 and the first tray 60 from the non-feeding state to the feeding state. As a result, the document support tray 26 is reliably switched from the non-feeding state to the feeding state, and the document ejection path to the document support tray 26 is reliably opened. Therefore, it is possible to suppress paper jam in the document transport path 32 due to the document ejection path not being opened to the document support tray 26.

In this modification, the urging force of the second tray urging means 64 is set to be smaller than the force Fb received by the link shaft 52 at the lower end portion 54b of the link groove 54. With this configuration, the document support tray 26 can be prevented from being lifted from the support portion 28d by the + Y direction side end portion 26c of the document support tray 26 due to the urging force of the second tray urging means 64, and the document can be suppressed. It is possible to prevent a part of the transport path 32 from being blocked by the document support tray 26.

In this modification, the second tray urging means 64 is provided between the first tray 60 and the second tray 62, but the first tray 60 is manually provided without providing the second tray urging means 64. The second tray 62 may be expanded or contracted.

■■■ Third Example ■■■■
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19. This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the link groove provided on the side wall of the base frame is provided on the document support tray.

In FIG. 17, a sub-tray 68 is attached to the lower part of the document support tray 66 so as to be slidable between the storage position and the drawer position. Specifically, a link groove 66a is formed in the lower part of the document support tray 66. As shown in FIG. 18, when the document support tray 66 is in the non-feeding state, the link groove 66a extends along the Y-axis direction and descends downward from the + Y-axis side toward the −Y-axis side. It is configured as an inclined groove. In the link groove 66a, the + Y direction side end portion is referred to as a start end portion 66b, and the −Y direction side end portion is referred to as a terminal portion 66c.

A link shaft 68a that engages with the link groove 66a is formed at the + Y direction end of the sub tray 68.

In FIG. 19, when the document support tray 66 is switched from the non-feeding state to the feeding state, the link shaft 68a starts moving from the start end portion 66b of the link groove 66a toward the end end portion 66c. In this embodiment, when the document support tray 66 is switched from the non-feeding state to the feeding state, the posture of the link groove 66a changes. Specifically, the link groove 66a takes a posture of descending downward from the + Y-axis side toward the −Y-axis side when the document support tray 66 is in the non-feeding state, but the document support tray 66 Is in the feeding state, and as it goes from the + Y-axis side to the-Y-axis side, it becomes an upward posture.

In this embodiment, by utilizing the inertial force when the link shaft 68a moves in the link groove 66a, the link shaft 68a can be moved to the terminal portion 66c even if the posture of the link groove 66a changes upward. .. The terminal portion 66c is provided with a holding portion (not shown) that engages with the link shaft 68a and holds the link shaft 68a in the terminal portion 66c. With this configuration, even if the posture of the link groove 66a changes upward, the link shaft 68a can be held at the position of the terminal portion 66c, and the posture of the sub tray 68 can be held.

In this embodiment, by providing the link groove 66a not in the base frame 28 but in the document support tray 66, the length of the link shaft 68a in the X-axis direction can be shortened, and the transmission power is impaired due to the deflection of the link shaft 68a. Can be suppressed.

<<< Modification of the third embodiment >>>
In FIG. 20, a modified example of the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the link groove 66a is configured so that the direction of the link groove 66a changes from downward to upward when the state of the document support tray 66 is switched. In this modified example, regardless of the posture of the document support tray 66, the link groove 70 is configured to maintain a downward posture as the link groove 70 moves from the + Y-axis side toward the −Y-axis side.

In this configuration, the region forming the link groove is larger in the lower part of the document support tray 66 than in the third embodiment, but the direction of the link groove 70 is downward regardless of the posture of the document support tray 66. Since it does not change as it is, the movement of the link shaft 68a can be smoothly performed, and the posture of the sub tray 68 can be maintained even if the holding portion for holding the link shaft 68a is not provided at the terminal portion.

■■■ Fourth Example ■■■■
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 24. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the sub-tray urging means 76 is provided between the document support tray 72 and the sub-tray 74.

A groove portion 72a and a biasing means mounting portion 72b are provided in the lower portion of the document support tray 72. The sub tray 74 includes a support portion 74a, a convex portion 74b, an urging portion 74c, and a regulated portion 74d. Since the configurations of the support portion 74a, the convex portion 74b, and the urging portion 74c are the same as those of the sub tray 50 in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 21, the sub tray 74 is attached to the lower part of the document support tray 72 so as to be slidable in the Y-axis direction. Also in this embodiment, the urging portion 74c is attached to the groove portion 72a.

A sub-tray urging means 76 is attached to the urging means attaching portion 72b of the document support tray 72. In this embodiment, the sub-tray urging means 76 urges the end portion 74e of the sub-tray 74 on the + Y direction side in a state where the sub-tray 74 is housed in the document support tray 72. The sub tray urging means 76 is configured as a coil spring as an example.

In FIGS. 22 and 23, the regulation portion 28f is provided at the position where the notch portion 28c is provided in the base frame 28. In the present embodiment, the regulating unit 28f is combined with the regulated unit 74d of the sub tray 74 when the sub tray 74 housed in the document support tray 72 in the non-feeding state, that is, the sub tray 74 takes a horizontal posture along the Y-axis direction. Engages and restricts the sub-tray 74 from protruding from the storage position to the drawer position under the urging force of the sub-tray urging means 76. In this embodiment, the regulated portion 28f and the regulated portion 74d constitute the regulating means 78.

In FIG. 24, when the feeding tray 24 tries to switch from the non-feeding state to the feeding state, the engaging portion 24d starts rotating in the clockwise direction. As a result, the document support tray 72 also starts to rotate counterclockwise under its own weight. Along with this operation, the sub tray 74 housed in the lower part of the document support tray 72 is displaced in the + Z direction. As a result, the regulated portion 74d is displaced upward with respect to the regulated portion 28f, and the engaged state between the regulated portion 74d and the regulated portion 28f is released. That is, the regulated state of the regulating means 78 is released.

As a result, the sub-tray 74 receives the urging force of the sub-tray urging means 76, protrudes from the storage position on the lower side of the document support tray 72 toward the drawer position, and is pulled out from the document support tray 72. According to this configuration, not only the state of the document support tray 72 is switched, but also the sub tray 74 is switched from the storage position to the drawer position as the feed tray 24 is switched from the non-feed state to the feed state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sub tray 74 from being forgotten to be taken out from the document support tray 72. Further, since the states of the document support tray 72 and the sub tray 74 can be switched only by operating the feed tray 24, the operability of the ADF unit 20 can be improved.

In this embodiment, when the document support tray 72 is switched from the feeding state to the non-feeding state, the document support must be pushed from the drawer position to the storage position against the urging force of the sub tray urging means 76. Since the state of the tray 72 cannot be switched, it is possible to prevent the sub tray 74 from being forgotten to be stored. Further, when the sub tray 74 is regulated by the regulating means 78 (the document supporting tray 72 is in the non-feeding state) and an impact is applied to the ADF unit 20, the printer 10, etc., the regulating means 78 causes the sub tray 74 to protrude. It can be prevented or suppressed.

■■■ Fifth Example ■■■■
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 28. The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the push latch mechanism 84 is provided between the document support tray 80 and the sub tray 82.

In FIG. 25, a groove portion 80a and a push latch mechanism mounting portion 80b are provided in the lower portion of the document support tray 80. The sub tray 82 is provided with a locked portion 82a at the end on the + Y direction side, and has the same configuration as the sub tray 58 in other configurations.

In FIGS. 26 and 27, the urging means 86 and the lock portion 88 are attached to the push latch mechanism attachment portion 80b of the document support tray 80. In this embodiment, the push latch mechanism 84 includes a locked portion 82a, an urging means 86, and a locking portion 88. The push latch mechanism 84 is configured as a known push latch mechanism as an example.

In FIG. 26, the sub tray 82 is attached to the lower part of the document support tray 80 so as to be slidable along the groove 80a in the Y-axis direction. In FIG. 26, the sub tray 82 is located at a storage position on the lower side of the document support tray 80, and the locked portion 82a is locked to the lock portion 88 of the push latch mechanism 84.

When the sub tray 82 is pushed in the + Y-axis direction in this state, the locked state of the lock portion 88 with respect to the locked portion 82a is released, and the urging means 86 is pushed in the + Y-axis direction. Next, as shown in FIG. 28, when the force pressed in the + Y axis direction in the sub tray 82 is released, the sub tray 82 is urged toward the −Y direction by the urging force of the urging means 86. As a result, the sub-tray 82 protrudes from the storage position on the lower side of the document support tray 80 to the drawer position on the −Y direction side of the document support tray 80. As a result, the sub tray 82 becomes usable.

To put the sub tray 82 in the retracted state, when the sub tray 82 is pushed in the + Y axis direction in FIG. 28, the locked portion 88 engages with the locked portion 82a and becomes the locked state. As a result, the sub tray 82 is stored in the storage position located on the lower side of the document support tray 80.

In this embodiment, since the user can switch between the stored state and the used state of the sub tray 82 by only one operation of pushing the sub tray 82, the operability of the sub tray 82 can be improved. By providing the push latch mechanism 84 at the bottom of the document support tray 80, at least a part of the push latch mechanism 84 and at least a part of the sub tray 82 overlap in the Z-axis direction, so that the device height of the ADF unit 20 can be increased. It can be suppressed, and eventually the increase in the size of the printer 10 can be suppressed.

■■■ Sixth Example ■■■■
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 to 32. The sixth embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the outer edge forming portion 90f of the base frame 90 is provided with an opening / closing portion 90b that can open and close a part of the side provided with the cutout portion 90a. Note that the document support tray 26 is not shown in FIGS. 29 to 31.

In FIGS. 29 and 30, a notch 90a is formed at the end portion of the base frame 90 on the −Y direction side. A part of the end portion on the −Y direction side in which the notch portion 90a is formed in the base frame 90 is configured as an opening / closing portion 90b that can be opened / closed with the rotation shaft 90c (FIG. 32) as a fulcrum. In FIG. 31, the base frame 90 has a lock portion 90d that engages with a part of the opening / closing portion 90b to lock the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing portion 90b when the opening / closing portion 90b is in a closed state with respect to the base frame 90. Is provided.

In FIGS. 29 and 30, a link shaft 52 extending in the X-axis direction is attached to the + Y-axis side end portion of the sub tray 50. In the base frame 90, link grooves 54 are provided on both side walls 90e in the X-axis direction. Also in this embodiment, the link shaft 52 and the link groove 54 constitute the link mechanism 56, and the link shaft 52 is movable between the upper end portion 54a and the lower end portion 54b of the link groove 54. Since the state change of the sub tray 50 by the link mechanism 56 is the same operation as that of the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 31, a transmission means 92 is provided at a position corresponding to the lower end portion 54b of the link groove 54. In this embodiment, when the link shaft 52 is located at the lower end portion 54b in the link groove 54, the link shaft 52 engages with one end portion 92a of the transmission means 92 and presses the transmission means 92 toward the −Y direction. As a result, the other end 92b of the transmission means 92 engages with the opening / closing portion 90b in a closed state with respect to the base frame 90, and presses the opening / closing portion 90b toward the −Y direction. As a result, the lock state of the lock portion 90d is released in the opening / closing portion 90b, and the opening / closing portion 90b rotates in the −Y direction with the rotation shaft 90c as a fulcrum and becomes an open state with respect to the base frame 90.

In this embodiment, the states of the document support tray 26 and the sub tray 50 are changed by simply switching the feeding tray 24 from the non-feeding state to the feeding state, and the opening / closing portion 90b is closed with respect to the base frame 90. Since it can be changed from to the open state, the user's operability can be improved.

Further, in FIG. 32, assuming that the opening / closing portion 90b is opened with respect to the base frame 90, the lower region 94 of the document support tray 26 and the sub tray 50 in the fed state from the −Y direction side of the base frame 90 (FIG. 32). The area surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in 32) can be accessed.

In this embodiment, the lower area 94 can be used as a storage area as an example. For example, a spare medium, an ink cartridge, a manual related to the printer 10, a wiring cord, a CDR tray, and the like may be stored in the lower area 94 as a storage area.

<<< Modification of the sixth embodiment >>>
An example of modification of the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 to 35. In FIG. 33, the path forming member 96 may be provided on the lower side of the document support tray 26 and the sub tray 50 in the base frame 90. In FIG. 33, the document support tray 26, the sub tray 50, the link shaft 52, and the transmission means 92 are not shown.

In this modification, as shown in FIG. 34, a first transport state in which the document read by the reading unit 42 is guided to the upper surface 26a of the document support tray 26 and the support portion 50a of the sub tray 50, and as shown in FIG. 35. It is possible to switch from the opening / closing portion 90b in the open state through the path forming member 96 to the second transport state in which the document read by the reading unit 42 is discharged in the −Y axis direction side of the ADF unit 20. The two-dot chain line with the reference numeral P-1 in FIG. 34 indicates the transport path of the document in the first transport state, and the two-dot chain line with the reference numeral P-2 in FIG. 35 is the second chain line. Shows the transport route of the original in the transport state.

Specifically, the first transport state is a state in which the document is transported to the document support tray 26 in the feed state. On the other hand, in the second transport state, the document support tray 26 is switched from the non-feeding state to the feed state, and the opening / closing portion 90b is rotated to open the document support tray 26, and then the document support tray 26 is displaced upward again. This is a state in which the document transport path 98 passing through the path forming member 96 is formed below the document support tray 26.

In this embodiment, as an example, when the sub tray 50 is pulled out from the document support tray 26 and is located at the drawer position, the first transport state is taken, and when the sub tray 50 is stored in the document support tray 26, the second tray 50 is stored. It is configured to take the transport state of. The pull-out operation or the storage operation of the sub tray 50 may be manual or automatic.

Here, the original document before scanning is placed on the feed tray 24, and the original document after scanning is placed on the document support tray 26. As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the feed tray 24 and the document support tray 26 in the feed state both place the document in an inclined posture. Therefore, when the user misidentifies the document before scanning and the document after scanning. There is. In this modified example, in the second transport state, the scanned document can be taken out from the side of the ADF unit 20, so that it is difficult to misidentify the document before scanning and the document after scanning, and the user can visually recognize the document. It is possible to improve the sex. Further, since the user can select the desired transport state, the convenience of the user is improved.

<<< Modification example of each embodiment >>>
(1) In the second embodiment (FIGS. 11 to 16), the third embodiment (FIGS. 17 to 20) and the sixth embodiment (FIGS. 29 to 35), the feed tray 24 is changed from the non-feed state. In conjunction with the switching to the feeding state, the document support trays 26 and 66 are switched from the non-feeding state to the feeding state, and the sub trays 50 and 68 are pulled out from the storage position to the drawer position. By operating the sub trays 50 and 68 instead, the feeding tray 24 and the document support trays 26 and 66 are switched from the non-feeding state to the feeding state or from the feeding state to the non-feeding state. It may be configured.

Specifically, when the feeding tray 24 and the document supporting trays 26 and 66 are in the non-feeding state, the sub trays 50 and 68 are pulled out from the storage position to the drawer position, and the document support tray 26 is provided by the link mechanism 56 or the like. , 66 are switched from the non-feeding state to the fed state. Further, the feed tray 24 is moved from the non-feed state (horizontal posture along the Y-axis direction) in conjunction with the state switching of the document support trays 26 and 66, and the + Y-direction side end portion 24e is from the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20. Since the posture is lifted, it is possible to easily switch the state of the feed tray 24. In this configuration, when the feeding tray 24 is switched from the non-feeding state to the feeding state, the + Y direction side end portion 24e is lifted from the upper surface 20a, so that it is not necessary to provide the recess 29a of the ADF cover 29, and the ADF portion. The unevenness on the upper surface 20a of 20 can be reduced, and the flatness can be improved.

On the other hand, when the feeding tray 24 and the document supporting trays 26 and 66 are in the feeding state, the sub trays 50 and 68 are stored in the storage position from the drawer position, so that the document support trays 26 and 66 are moved by the link mechanism 56 and the like. It is switched from the fed state to the non-fed state. Further, by providing a link mechanism (not shown) as an example between the feed tray 24 and the document support trays 26 and 66, the document support trays 26 and 66 can be switched from the feed state to the non-feed state. The feed tray 24 may also be configured to be switched from the feed state to the non-feed state in conjunction with the operation.

(2) In the sixth embodiment (FIGS. 29 to 35), when the feeding tray 24 and the document support tray 26 are in the non-feeding state, the sub-tray 50 is pulled out from the storage position to the drawer position to cause a link mechanism. The document support tray 26 may be switched to the feeding state via the 56, and the opening / closing portion 90b may be opened with respect to the base frame 90. Further, when the sub tray 50 pulled out to the drawer position is returned to the storage position, the opening / closing portion 90b in the open state with respect to the base frame 90 is linked to the operation of the sub tray 50 and is based on a link mechanism (not shown) or the like. It may be configured to be closed with respect to the frame 90.

(3) In this embodiment, the "medium support tray" is configured as a document support tray 26 (FIG. 2), 66 (FIG. 17), 72 (FIG. 21), and 80 (FIG. 25), but as a feed tray 24. It may be configured.

To summarize the above description, the ADF unit 20 is a base frame 28 having an outer edge forming portion 28a constituting the outer edge of the upper surface of the device, and a tray for supporting the document, and can switch between a horizontal posture and an inclined posture. A document support tray 26 (FIG. 2), 66 (FIG. 17), 72 (FIG. 21), 80 (FIG. 21), which forms a part of the upper surface 20a of the flat ADF portion 20 together with the upper surface 28b of the outer edge forming portion 28a in a horizontal posture. 25) and the storage position stored under the document support trays 26, 66, 72, 80 and the drawer position pulled out from the underside of the document support trays 26, 66, 72, 80 can be displaced. In addition, the sub trays 50 (FIG. 2), 58 (FIG. 15), 68 (FIG. 17), 74 (FIG. 21), 82 (FIG. 25) that support the document together with the document support trays 26, 66, 72, and 80 at the drawer position. ), And the sub trays 50, 58, 68, 74, 82 form a part of the upper surface 20a of the flat ADF portion 20 together with the upper surface 28b of the outer edge forming portion 28a at the storage position (FIG. 2). 62b (FIG. 15) and 74b (FIG. 21), the sub trays 50, 58, 68, 74 and 82 are the upper surfaces of the ADF unit 20 in a state where the document support trays 26, 66, 72 and 80 are in a horizontal posture. By sliding along the direction parallel to 20a, the protrusions 50b, 62b, 74b maintain the same height level at the storage position and the withdrawal position.

According to the above configuration, the sub trays 50, 58, 68, 74, 82 slide along the direction parallel to the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20 with the document support trays 26, 66, 72, 80 in a horizontal posture. As a result, the convex portions 50b, 62b, 74b maintain the same height level at the storage position and the drawer position, so that the sub trays 50, 58, 68, 74, 82 are located at either the storage position or the drawer position. Also, the flatness of the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20 is ensured, and the medium or the like can be stably placed on the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20.
Moreover, if the sub trays 50, 58, 68, 74, 82 are pulled out to the drawer position, the area on which the medium or the like can be placed is expanded, for example, a long medium or the like exceeding the length in the Y-axis direction of the ADF portion 20. However, it can be more preferably placed on the upper surface 20a of the ADF portion 20.
The "flat upper surface of the device" does not mean that the upper surface of the device is flat in a strict sense. It means that the flatness is secured so that it does not easily slip off even when placed.

In the ADF portion 20, a notch portion 28c is formed in the outer edge forming portion 28a, and the convex portions 50b (FIG. 2), 62b (FIG. 15) and 74b (FIG. 21) of the sub trays 50, 58, 68, 74 and 82 are formed. The notch 28c is filled in the storage position to form a part of the upper surface 20a of the flat ADF portion 20 together with the upper surface 28b of the outer edge forming portion 28a.

At least the upper surface 28b of the outer edge forming portion 28a and the upper surfaces of the convex portions 50b, 62b, 74b are embossed surfaces. According to this configuration, when a medium or the like is placed on the upper surface 20a of the ADF unit 20, a slip suppressing effect can be obtained, and the medium or the like can be placed on the upper surface 20a of the ADF unit 20 more stably.

The document support tray 26 can be switched between an inclined posture (feeding state) and a horizontal posture (non-feeding state) by swinging, and the sub tray 50 can be displaced to the drawer position regardless of the posture of the document support tray 26. be.

A link mechanism 56 that displaces the sub tray 50 in conjunction with a change in the posture of the document support tray 26 is provided. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to operate the document support tray 26 and the sub tray 50 separately and independently, and the operability is improved.

The document support trays 26 (FIG. 2) and 66 (FIG. 17) are in a horizontal posture (non-feeding state), and the sub trays 50 (FIG. 2), 58 (FIG. 15), and 68 (FIG. 17) are in the storage position. When the document support tray 26 switches its posture toward the tilted posture (feeding state), the sub trays 50, 58, 68 are pulled out from the lower side of the document support trays 26, 66 and displaced to the drawer position. According to this configuration, the sub trays 50, 58, 68 can be displaced to the drawer position.

From the state where the document support trays 26 (FIG. 2) and 66 (FIG. 17) are in an inclined posture (feeding state) and the sub trays 50 (FIG. 2), 58 (FIG. 15) and 68 (FIG. 17) are in the drawer position. When the document support trays 26 and 66 are switched to the horizontal posture (non-feeding state), the sub trays 50, 58 and 68 are displaced from the drawer position to the storage position. According to this configuration, the sub trays 50, 58, 68 can be displaced to the storage position.

The postures of the document support trays 26 (FIG. 2) and 66 (FIG. 17) are regulated by the sub trays 50 (FIG. 2), 58 (FIG. 15), and 68 (FIG. 17), and the displacement movements of the sub trays 50, 58, and 68 are regulated. The posture of the document support trays 26 and 66 changes in conjunction with this. According to this configuration, the posture of the document support trays 26 and 66 is changed by operating the sub trays 50, 58 and 68 instead of operating the document support trays 26 and 66, so that the operability is further improved.

The sub-tray 58 (FIG. 15) has a first tray 60, a second tray 62 that is slidable with respect to the first tray 60 and has a convex portion 62b, and a second tray 62 in a direction in which the second tray 62 protrudes from the first tray 60. It is provided with a second tray urging means 64 for urging.

According to the above configuration, the sub-tray 58 is composed of a plurality of members (at least the first tray 60 and the second tray 62), and the second tray 62 is urged in a direction protruding from the first tray 60. Even if the sub tray 58 comes into contact with an obstacle or the like when the sub tray 58 is displaced to the drawer position in conjunction with the posture change of the document support tray 26 due to the action of the link mechanism 56, the posture change of the document support tray 26 is hindered. It can be suppressed. In addition, damage to the sub tray 58 and the link mechanism 56 can be suppressed.

Regulations that regulate the displacement of the sub-tray 74 from the storage position to the drawer position when the sub-tray urging means 76 that urges the sub-tray 74 toward the drawer position and the document support tray 72 are in the horizontal position (non-feeding state). When the document support tray 72 takes a horizontal posture and the document support tray 72 switches from the storage position to the tilted posture (feeding state), the regulating means 78 is provided with the means 78. The position restriction of the sub tray 74 is released, and the sub tray 74 is displaced from the storage position to the drawer position by the urging force of the sub tray urging means 76.

According to the above configuration, when the document support tray 72 switches its posture toward the tilted posture (feeding state), the position restriction of the sub tray 74 by the regulating means 78 is released, and the sub tray is released by the urging force of the sub tray urging means 76. Since the 74 is displaced from the storage position to the drawer position, it can be displaced to the drawer position without operating the sub tray 74, and the operability is improved.

A push latch mechanism 84 is provided which releases the holding of the sub tray 82 at the storage position by pushing the sub tray 82 at the storage position and urges the sub tray 82 toward the drawer position. According to this configuration, the sub tray 82 can be easily pulled out to the drawer position.

At least a part of the side on which the cutout portion 90a is formed in the outer edge forming portion 90f of the base frame 90 is configured as an opening / closing portion 90b that can be opened / closed. According to this configuration, the inner space (lower region 94) of the base frame 90 can be used by opening the opening / closing portion 90b. For example, a document transport path 98 can be formed on the lower side of the sub tray 50, and documents can be ejected via the opening / closing section 90b. Further, the inner space (lower area 94) of the base frame 90 can be used as a storage area.

A document transport path 98 for transporting documents is located in the lower region 94 of the sub tray 50. Document support trays 26 (FIG. 2), 66 (FIG. 17), 72 (FIG. 21), and 80 (FIG. 25) are trays for supporting documents that have been read and ejected.

The upper surface 20a of the flat ADF portion 20 forms an outer edge with the document support trays 26 (FIG. 2), 66 (FIG. 17), 72 (FIG. 21), and 80 (FIG. 25) in a horizontal posture (non-feeding state). The portions 28a and 90f, the convex portions 50b (FIG. 2), 62b (FIG. 15) and 74b (FIG. 21) are located downstream of the document support trays 26, 66, 72 and 80 in the document feeding direction and are fed. It is formed of at least a feed tray 24 that supports the document to be fed, and an ADF cover 29 that is located downstream of the feed tray 24 in the document feed direction and opens and closes at least a part of the document transport path 32. ..

As the medium support tray, the feed tray 24 is a tray that supports the medium to be fed.

The scanner unit 16 includes a reading unit 42 for reading a document and an ADF unit 20.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, 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.

10 ... printer, 14 ... device body, 16 ... scanner unit, 18 ... scanner body,
20 ... ADF section, 20a, 24a, 26a, 28b ... top surface, 22 ... document mounting surface, 24 ... feeding tray, 24b ... bottom surface, 24c, 26b, 90c ... rotating shaft, 24d ... engaging section, 26, 66, 72, 80 ... Original support tray, 24e, 26c ... + Y direction side end, 26d ...- Y direction side end, 26e, 72a, 80a ... Groove, 28, 90 ... Base frame, 28a, 90f ... Outer edge formation Part, 28c, 90a ... Notch part, 28d, 50a, 62a, 74a ... Support part, 28e, 90e ... Both wall parts, 28f ... Restriction part, 29 ... ADF cover, 29a ... Recess, 30 ... Manuscript support part, 32 , 98 ... Document transport path, 36a ... Feed roller, 36b ... Driven roller, 38 ... Separation roller, 40 ... Transport roller pair, 40a ... Transport roller, 40b ... Driven roller, 42 ... Reader, 44 ... Discharge roller pair, 44a ... Discharge roller, 44b ... Driven roller, 46 ... Separation pad, 48 ... Image reading mechanism, 50, 58, 68, 74, 82 ... Sub tray, 50b, 62b, 74b ... Convex part, 50c, 60a ... Biasing part, 52, 68a ... Link shaft, 52a, 74e ... End, 54, 66a, 70 ... Link groove, 54a ... Upper end, 54b ... Lower end, 56 ... Link mechanism, 60 ... First tray, 62 ... Second tray, 64 ... 2nd tray urging means, 66b ... start end, 66c ... end, 72b ... urging means mounting part, 74c ... urging part, 74d ... regulated part, 76 ... sub tray urging means, 78 ... regulating means , 80b ... Push latch mechanism mounting part, 82a ... Locked part, 84 ... Push latch mechanism, 86 ... Energizing means, 88 ... Lock part, 90b ... Opening and closing part, 90d ... Lock part, 92 ... Transmission means, 92a ... One end Part, 92b ... other end, 94 ... lower region, 96 ... path forming member, F1 ... own weight, F2, Fa, Fb ... force, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 ... distance, θ ... angle

Claims (12)

A base frame having an outer edge forming portion constituting the outer edge of the upper surface of the device,
A tray that supports the medium, and is capable of switching between a horizontal posture and an inclined posture, and in the horizontal posture, a medium support tray that forms a part of a flat upper surface of the device together with the upper surface of the outer edge forming portion.
It is possible to displace between the storage position stored under the medium support tray and the drawer position pulled out from the lower side of the medium support tray, and support the medium together with the medium support tray at the drawer position. With a sub tray,
The medium support tray switches between the inclined posture and the horizontal posture by swinging.
The sub tray can be displaced to the drawer position regardless of the posture of the medium support tray.
A medium transfer device characterized by this. A base frame having an outer edge forming portion constituting the outer edge of the upper surface of the device,
A tray that supports the medium, and is capable of switching between a horizontal posture and an inclined posture, and in the horizontal posture, a medium support tray that forms a part of a flat upper surface of the device together with the upper surface of the outer edge forming portion.
It is possible to displace between the storage position stored under the medium support tray and the drawer position pulled out from the lower side of the medium support tray, and support the medium together with the medium support tray at the drawer position. With a sub tray,
The medium support tray has a sub-tray urging means that switches between the inclined posture and the horizontal posture by swinging and urges the sub-tray toward the drawer position.
A regulating means for restricting the displacement of the sub tray from the storage position to the drawer position while the medium support tray is in the horizontal posture is provided.
When the medium support tray switches its posture from the state where the medium support tray is in the horizontal posture and the sub tray is in the storage position toward the tilted posture, the position restriction of the sub tray by the restricting means is released. , The sub-tray is displaced from the storage position to the drawer position by the urging force of the sub-tray urging means.
A medium transfer device characterized by this. In the medium transporting apparatus according to claim 1 ,
A medium transporting device comprising a push latch mechanism for releasing the holding of the sub tray at the storage position by pushing the sub tray at the storage position and urging the sub tray toward the drawer position. In the medium transporting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The sub tray has a convex portion that forms a part of a flat upper surface of the device together with the upper surface of the outer edge forming portion at the storage position.
A notch is formed in the outer edge forming portion.
The convex portion of the sub tray fills the notch at the storage position and forms a part of a flat upper surface of the device together with the upper surface of the outer edge forming portion.
A medium transfer device characterized by this. In the medium transporting apparatus according to claim 4,
At least the upper surface of the outer edge forming portion and the upper surface of the convex portion are embossed surfaces.
A medium transfer device characterized by this. In the medium transporting apparatus according to claim 4 or 5.
The sub tray
The first tray and
A second tray that is slidable with respect to the first tray and has the convex portion,
A second tray urging means for urging the second tray in a direction protruding from the first tray,
A medium transfer device characterized by being provided with. In the medium transporting apparatus according to claim 4 or 5.
At least a part of the side on which the notch is formed in the outer edge forming portion of the base frame is configured as an opening / closing portion that can be opened / closed.
A medium transfer device characterized by this. In the medium transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .
A medium transport path for transporting media is located in the lower region of the sub tray.
A medium transfer device characterized by this. The medium transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .
The medium support tray is a tray that supports a medium that has been read and ejected.
A medium transfer device characterized by this. In the medium transporting apparatus according to claim 4 or 5.
The flat upper surface of the device includes the medium support tray in the horizontal position and the medium support tray.
With the outer edge forming portion
With the convex part
A feeding tray located downstream of the medium supporting tray in the medium feeding direction and supporting the medium to be fed,
An opening / closing body located downstream of the feed tray in the medium feed direction and opening and closing at least a part of the medium transport path, and formed by at least these.
A medium transfer device characterized by this. The medium transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .
The medium support tray is a tray that supports the medium to be fed.
A medium transfer device characterized by this. A reading means to read the medium and
The medium transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 .
Image reader equipped with.

Images