WO2023021691A1

WO2023021691A1 - Media ejection device

Info

Publication number: WO2023021691A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/030582
Authority: WO
Inventors: 喜一郎下坂; 修一森川
Original assignee: 株式会社Pfu
Priority date: 2021-08-20
Filing date: 2021-08-20
Publication date: 2023-02-23
Also published as: JPWO2023021691A1

Abstract

Provided is a media ejection device capable of properly stacking ejected media on a tray. This media ejection device comprises: a housing; an ejection roller that is installed in the housing and ejects media; a counter roller that is disposed so as to face the ejection roller; and a tray that is installed in the housing and on which the media ejected by the ejection roller are stacked. The housing has a wall that is installed below the nip surfaces of the ejection roller and the counter roller so as to avoid contact with the rear edge of each medium when the medium ejected by the ejection roller falls and so as not to overlap a circle centered at the intersection of an extension of the nip surfaces of the ejection roller and the counter roller and the placement surface of the tray and passing through the point that is closest to the intersection on the outer circumference of the ejection roller and the counter roller, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the media ejection direction.

Description

Media ejection device

The present disclosure relates to a medium ejection device, and more particularly to a medium ejection device that stacks ejected media on a tray.

A medium ejection device such as a scanner captures images while sequentially conveying multiple media and ejects them to a tray. In such a medium ejection device, if the ejected media are not properly stacked on the tray, the user will have to spend a lot of time and effort arranging the media. Also, if the ejected media are not properly stacked on the tray, media jams may occur and media damage may occur.

A sheet ejection device is disclosed which includes ejection rollers for nipping and ejecting a document, projections provided on the outer peripheral surface of the ejection roller, and ejection restricting ribs on both ends in the width direction of the ejection roller. reference). In this sheet discharge device, the surface of the discharge regulation rib on the downstream side in the document transport direction is outside the orbital circle of the protrusion in the vertical region from the stacking surface on which the discharged documents are stacked to the center of the discharge roller. and positioned downstream in the sheet conveying direction.

JP 2007-197163 A

In the medium ejection device, it is required that the ejected media be well loaded on the tray.

The purpose of the medium ejecting device is to allow the ejected media to be loaded on the tray satisfactorily.

A medium ejection device according to one aspect of an embodiment includes a housing, a discharge roller provided in the housing for discharging a medium, a facing roller arranged to face the discharge roller, and a and a tray for stacking the medium ejected by the ejection roller, and the housing is below the nip surface of the ejection roller and the opposing roller and follows the medium ejected by the ejection roller when the medium falls. When viewed from the direction orthogonal to the medium ejection direction, the outer peripheral surfaces of the ejection roller and the opposing roller are centered on the intersection of the extension of the nip surface of the ejection roller and the opposing roller and the mounting surface of the tray so that the edges do not contact each other. It has a wall portion provided so as not to overlap with a circle passing through the point closest to the intersection above.

According to this embodiment, the medium ejection device can satisfactorily load the ejected medium on the tray.

The objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized and obtained by using the components and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, and are not limiting of the invention as claimed.

1 is a front perspective view of a medium ejection device 100 according to an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the medium ejection device 100 as seen from the rear side; 4 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the medium ejection device 100; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the arrangement of the first wall portion 107; 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first discharge roller 117; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first hole 108; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first hole 108; 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the medium ejection device 100; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a storage device 140 and a processing circuit 150; FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of medium reading processing; It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating other 1st holes 168 grade|etc.,. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating other 1st holes 178 grade|etc.,. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining another first hole 188 and the like; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another medium ejection device 200; 4 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the medium ejection device 200; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medium ejection device 200; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a storage device 240 and a processing circuit 250; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of another processing circuit 350; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of another processing circuit 450;

A medium ejection device according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, but extends to the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a medium ejection device 100 configured as an image scanner. The medium ejection device 100 conveys a medium, which is an original, and picks up an image. The medium may be paper, cardboard, card, booklet, passport, or the like. The medium ejection device 100 may be a facsimile machine, a copier, a multifunction printer (MFP, Multifunction Peripheral), or the like. It should be noted that the medium to be conveyed may be a print object or the like instead of the document, and the medium ejection device 100 may be a printer or the like.

The medium ejection device 100 includes a first housing 101, a second housing 102, a mounting table 103, an ejection table 104, an operation device 105, a display device 106, and the like. In FIG. 1, arrow A1 indicates the medium ejection direction, arrow A2 indicates the width direction orthogonal to the medium ejection direction A1, and arrow A3 indicates the height direction orthogonal to the medium transport surface. Hereinafter, "upstream" means upstream in the medium discharge direction A1, and "downstream" means downstream in the medium discharge direction A1.

The first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are examples of housings. The second housing 102 is positioned to cover the upper surface of the medium ejection device 100, and is engaged with the first housing 101 by a hinge so that it can be opened and closed when the medium is clogged or when cleaning the inside of the medium ejection device 100. ing. Side walls 101b are provided at both ends in the width direction A2 of the first housing 101 around the medium outlet E1.

The first housing 101 has a first wall portion 107 . The first wall portion 107 is an example of a wall portion, and is provided at the downstream end portion (on the front surface) of the first housing 101 and below the medium outlet E1. The first wall portion 107 is provided so that the trailing edge of the medium discharged to the discharge table 104 abuts against it. The medium ejection device 100 can align the trailing edges of the media stacked on the ejection table 104 by the first wall portion 107 .

A plurality of first holes 108 are formed in the first wall portion 107 . A first hole 108 is formed to penetrate through the first wall portion 107 . Air existing below the medium discharged from the medium discharge port E1 flows into the first housing 101 through the first hole 108 when the medium drops. As a result, the medium ejection device 100 can increase the drop speed of the medium to be ejected, and can smoothly drop the medium onto the ejection table 104 . In addition, since the contact load between the trailing end of the medium to be ejected and the first wall portion 107 is reduced, the media ejecting apparatus 100 can prevent the media from being wrapped or stuck due to the trailing end of the medium being caught by the first wall portion 107 . It is possible to suppress the occurrence of non-dropping of the rear end. Therefore, in the medium ejection device 100, the medium continues to be ejected in a state in which the medium is wrapped or the trailing end of the medium does not fall, and as a result, the medium ejected onto the ejection table 104 jams. Damage can be suppressed. Note that the first hole 108 may not be formed in the first wall portion 107 .

The mounting table 103 is attached to the first housing 101 so that the medium to be transported can be mounted.

The ejection table 104 is an example of a tray, and is provided in the second housing 102 so as to be able to hold the ejected medium. Note that the discharge table 104 may be provided in the first housing 101 . The mounting surface 104a on which the medium is mounted in the discharge table 104 is preferably inclined so that the upstream side in the medium discharge direction A1 is positioned downward. If the mounting surface were horizontal, the discharged medium would be pushed downstream by the air existing in the space surrounded by the medium, the mounting surface, and the side wall, and the alignment of the medium would be impaired. . In the medium ejection device 100, the loading surface 104a is inclined so that the upstream side is located downward, so that the space surrounded by the medium to be ejected, the loading surface 104a, and the side wall 101b becomes large. The trailing edge of the media pushes the air downwards and falls well. Also, the ejected medium returns to the upstream side along the mounting surface 104a after dropping onto the mounting surface 104a, and the trailing edge of the medium strikes the first wall portion 107 favorably. Therefore, the medium ejection device 100 can satisfactorily align the trailing edges of the media loaded on the ejection table 104 .

The operation device 105 has an input device such as a button and an interface circuit that acquires signals from the input device, receives an input operation by the user, and outputs an operation signal according to the user's input operation. The display device 106 has a display including liquid crystal, organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), etc. and an interface circuit for outputting image data to the display, and displays the image data on the display.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the medium ejection device 100 viewed from the rear side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first housing 101 has a second wall portion 109. As shown in FIG. The second wall portion 109 is an example of a second wall portion different from the wall portion, and is provided on the side opposite to the first wall portion 107 , that is, on the back side of the first housing 101 .

A plurality of second holes 110 are formed in the second wall portion 109 . A second hole 110 is formed to pass through the second wall portion 109 . The air that has flowed into the first housing 101 through the first holes 108 from below the discharged medium flows out of the first housing 101 through the second holes 110 . As a result, the medium ejecting device 100 smoothes the flow of air existing below the ejected medium, allowing the medium to drop satisfactorily, thereby suppressing the occurrence of medium jams and damage to the medium. can do. Note that the second hole 110 may not be formed in the second wall portion 109 .

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the transport path inside the medium ejection device 100. FIG.

The transport path inside the medium ejection device 100 includes a medium sensor 111, a feed roller 112, a separation roller 113, a first transport roller 114, a second transport roller 115, an imaging device 116, a first ejection roller 117, and a second ejection roller 118. etc. The medium ejection device 100 also has a first motor 121 , a first transmission mechanism 122 , a second motor 123 and a second transmission mechanism 124 .

The feeding roller 112, the separating roller 113, the first conveying roller 114, the second conveying roller 115, the first discharge roller 117, or the second discharge roller 118 are examples of rollers that convey the medium. The number of each of the feed roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveying roller 114, the second conveying roller 115, the first discharge roller 117 and/or the second discharge roller 118 is not limited to one, and may be plural. good. In that case, the plurality of feeding rollers 112, separation rollers 113, first conveying rollers 114, second conveying rollers 115, first discharge rollers 117 and/or second discharge rollers 118 are spaced apart in the width direction A2. placed side by side.

The upper surface of the first housing 101 forms a first guide 101a for the medium transport path, and the lower surface of the second housing 102 forms a second guide 102a for the medium transport path.

The medium sensor 111 is arranged upstream from the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 . The medium sensor 111 has a contact detection sensor and detects whether or not a medium is mounted on the mounting table 103 . The medium sensor 111 generates and outputs a medium signal whose signal value changes depending on whether or not the medium is mounted on the mounting table 103 . Note that the medium sensor 111 is not limited to a contact detection sensor, and any other sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of a medium, such as a light detection sensor, may be used as the medium sensor 111 .

The feeding roller 112 is provided in the first housing 101, and separates and feeds the medium placed on the placing table 103 in order from the bottom. The separation roller 113 is a so-called brake roller or retard roller, is provided in the second housing 102 so as to face the feeding roller 112, and rotates in the direction opposite to the medium feeding direction. A feeding roller 112 is provided in the second housing 102, and a separation roller 113 is provided in the first housing 101. The feeding roller 112 sequentially feeds the medium placed on the mounting table 103 from above. good too.

The first conveying roller 114 and the second conveying roller 115 are provided downstream of the feeding roller 112 . A first conveying roller 114 and a second conveying roller 115 are provided facing each other in the first housing 101 and the second housing 102, respectively, and pick up images of the medium fed by the feeding roller 112 and separation roller 113. Transfer to device 116 .

The imaging device 116 includes a first imaging device 116a and a second imaging device 116b arranged to face each other across the medium transport path. The first imaging device 116a has a linear optical system type CIS (Contact Image Sensor) line sensor having CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) imaging elements linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. Also, the first imaging device 116a has a lens that forms an image on an imaging device, and an A/D converter that amplifies an electrical signal output from the imaging device and performs analog/digital (A/D) conversion. The first imaging device 116a captures an image of the surface of the medium being conveyed, generates an input image, and outputs the input image, under the control of a processing circuit, which will be described later.

Similarly, the second imaging device 116b has a linear optical system type CIS line sensor having CMOS imaging elements linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. The second imaging device 116b also has a lens that forms an image on the imaging device, and an A/D converter that amplifies the electrical signal output from the imaging device and performs analog/digital (A/D) conversion. The second image capturing device 116b captures the back surface of the medium being conveyed to generate and output an input image under control from the processing circuit.

It should be noted that the medium ejection device 100 may have only one of the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b and read only one side of the medium. Also, instead of the line sensor of the same magnification optical system type CIS provided with the CMOS imaging device, a line sensor of the same magnification optical system type CIS provided with the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging device may be used. Also, a reduction optics type line sensor having a CMOS or CCD imaging device may be used.

The first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 are provided downstream of the imaging device 116 . A first discharge roller 117 and a second discharge roller 118 are provided facing each other in the first housing 101 and the second housing 102, respectively, and conveyed by a first conveying roller 114 and a second conveying roller 115 to obtain an image. The media imaged by device 116 is ejected to ejection table 104 . One of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 is an example of a discharge roller, and the other of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 is an example of a facing roller.

The first motor 121 is an example of a motor, is provided in the first housing 101 , and is connected to the feeding roller 112 via the first transmission mechanism 122 . The first motor 121 generates a first driving force for rotating the feeding roller 112 according to a control signal from the processing circuit. A rotating shaft of the first motor 121 is provided with a first blade 121a. The first blade 121a is an example of a blade, is provided in the first housing 101, and rotates as the first motor 121 rotates.

The first transmission mechanism 122 includes one or more pulleys, belts, gears, etc. provided between the first motor 121 and the shaft that is the rotation axis of the feeding roller 112 . The first transmission mechanism 122 transmits the first driving force generated by the first motor 121 to the feeding roller 112 .

The second motor 123 , which is an example of a motor, is provided in the first housing 101 and rotates the first conveying roller 114 , the second conveying roller 115 , the first discharge roller 117 , the second discharge roller 117 via the second transmission mechanism 124 . It is connected with roller 118 and separation roller 113 . The second motor 123 provides a second driving force for rotating the first conveying roller 114, the second conveying roller 115, the first discharge roller 117, the second discharge roller 118, and the separation roller 113 according to the control signal from the processing circuit. generate A rotating shaft of the second motor 123 is provided with a second blade 123a. The second blade 123a is an example of a blade, is provided in the first housing 101, and rotates as the second motor 123 rotates.

The second transmission mechanism 124 connects the second motor 123 and the shafts that are the rotation shafts of the separation roller 113, the first conveying roller 114, the second conveying roller 115, the first discharge roller 117, and the second discharge roller 118. Including one or more pulleys, belts, gears, etc. provided therebetween. In particular, one or more gears are provided between the shafts of each roller for differentiating the direction and speed of rotation of each roller. The second transmission mechanism 124 transmits the second driving force generated by the second motor 123 to the separation roller 113, the first conveying roller 114, the second conveying roller 115, the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118. .

The second conveying roller 115 may be a driven roller that rotates following the first conveying roller 114 . Also, the second discharge roller 118 may be a driven roller that rotates following the first discharge roller 117 . Further, the separation roller 113 is connected to the first motor 121 via the first transmission mechanism 122 instead of being connected to the second motor 123 via the second transmission mechanism 124, and the first motor 121 generates the It may be provided so as to rotate by the first driving force. Also, the first motor 121 and/or the second motor 123 may be arranged in the second housing 102 instead of the first housing 101 . Also, the first blade 121a and/or the second blade 123a may be omitted.

As the first motor 121 rotates in the direction of arrow A4, the feeding roller 112 rotates in the direction of arrow A6. Further, by rotating the second motor 123 in the direction of the arrow A5, the separation roller 113, the first conveying roller 114, the second conveying roller 115, the first discharge roller 117, and the second discharge roller 118 move in the direction indicated by the arrows A7 and A8, respectively. , A9, A10, A11.

The medium placed on the mounting table 103 moves in the medium ejection direction A1 between the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a by rotating the feeding roller 112 in the direction of the arrow A6, that is, in the medium feeding direction. transported by The separation roller 113 rotates in the direction of arrow A7, that is, in the opposite direction to the medium feeding direction, when the medium is conveyed. When a plurality of media are placed on the mounting table 103 due to the action of the feeding roller 112 and the separation roller 113, only the medium that is in contact with the feeding roller 112 among the media placed on the mounting table 103 are separated. This restricts the conveyance of media other than the separated media (prevention of double feeding).

The medium is fed between the first transport roller 114 and the second transport roller 115 while being guided by the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a. The medium is fed between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b by rotating the first transport roller 114 and the second transport roller 115 in the directions of arrows A8 and A9, respectively. The medium read by the imaging device 116 is ejected onto the ejection table 104 by rotating the first ejection roller 117 and the second ejection roller 118 in the directions of arrows A10 and A11, respectively. The discharge table 104 stacks media discharged by the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 .

Further, when the first motor 121 rotates in the direction of arrow A4, the first blade 121a provided on the rotating shaft of the first motor 121 rotates in the direction of arrow A4. Further, when the second motor 123 rotates in the direction of arrow A5, the second blade 123a provided on the rotating shaft of the second motor 123 rotates in the direction of arrow A5. The air that has flowed into the first housing 101 through the first hole 108 moves in the direction of arrow A12, that is, from the first hole 108 side to the second hole 110 as the first blade 121a and the second blade 123a rotate. side, and flows out of the first housing 101 through the second hole 110 . As a result, the medium ejection device 100 efficiently circulates the air in the first housing 101, smoothes the flow of the air present below the ejected medium, and allows the medium to drop favorably. Become. Therefore, the medium ejection device 100 can suppress the occurrence of medium jams and medium damage.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the arrangement of the first wall portion 107. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first wall portion 107 is provided below the nip surface N1 between the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118. As shown in FIG. The first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 are provided so that the nip surface N1 is positioned downward toward the downstream side. In particular, the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 are provided so that the extension line L1 of the nip surface N1 intersects the placement surface 104a of the discharge table 104. As shown in FIG.

Ideally, the leading edge of the medium discharged by the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 advances along the extension line L1 of the nip surface N1 of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118, It abuts on the intersection point P1 between the extension line L1 and the mounting surface 104a of the discharge table 104 . After that, the medium advances toward the downstream side so that the tip moves along the mounting surface 104a while a part of the medium is in contact with the intersection point P1. After passing through the nip surface N1 of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118, the trailing edge of the medium moves along the outer peripheral surface of the first discharge roller 117 provided on the lower side. When it passes the point P2 closest to the intersection point P1, it leaves the outer peripheral surface and falls downward. Since part of the medium is in contact with the intersection point P1, the trailing edge of the medium falls along the circle C1 centered on the intersection point P1 and passing through the point P2 closest to the intersection point P1 on the outer peripheral surface.

The first wall portion 107 is centered at the intersection point P1 and positioned at a point P2 closest to the intersection point P1 on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 when viewed from the width direction A2 orthogonal to the medium discharge direction. It is provided so as not to overlap with the passing circle C1. That is, the first wall portion 107 is positioned below the nip surface N1 between the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 when the medium discharged by the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 falls. It is provided so that the trailing ends do not touch. As a result, the trailing edge of the ejected medium drops without coming into contact with the first wall portion 107 . Therefore, the trailing edge of the medium is caught on the first wall portion 107 and does not drop, and the succeeding medium is piled up on top of the medium.

It should be noted that when a medium with low stiffness such as thin paper is ejected, the leading edge of the ejected medium may hang down due to its own weight and travel below the extension line L1 of the nip surface N1. In this case, the leading edge of the medium abuts on the placement surface 104a at a first position P3 positioned upstream in the medium ejection direction A1 from the intersection point P1. In addition, since the stiffness of the medium is weak, when the trailing edge of the medium reaches the second position P4 closest to the first position P3 on the outer peripheral surface of the first discharge roller 117 provided on the lower side, the The area between the first position P3 and the second position P4 of the medium may form a curved surface instead of forming a flat surface. In this case, the trailing edge of the medium falls along an involute curve C3 whose base circle is a circle C2 passing through the first position P3 and the second position P4 when viewed from the width direction A2. An involute curve is a plane curve whose normal is always tangent to the base circle. That is, the involute curve is a curve drawn by the tip of the thread when the thread is wound around the base circle and pulled out without slack.

The first wall portion 107 passes through a first position P3 and a second position P4 closest to the first position P3 on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 when viewed from the width direction A2. It is preferable that it is provided so as not to overlap with the involute curve C3 having the circle C2 as the base circle. As a result, even when a medium having low stiffness such as thin paper is ejected, the trailing edge of the medium falls without coming into contact with the first wall portion 107 . Therefore, the trailing edge of the medium is caught on the first wall portion 107 and does not drop, and the succeeding medium is piled up on top of the medium.

The first position P3 is set by a preliminary experiment using thin paper supported by the medium ejection device 100. For example, in the medium ejection direction A1, the first position P3 is the intersection point P1 between the extension line L1 of the nip surface N1 and the mounting surface 104a and the center position of the nip surface N1 in the medium ejection direction A1. It is set at a position downstream of the midpoint. Alternatively, the first position P3 is set within a predetermined range (for example, within 50 mm) from the intersection point P1.

Also, the height H1 of the first wall portion 107 is set to a size equal to or greater than the thickness of the media supported by the medium ejection device 100 and capable of being collectively transported. For example, when the medium ejection device 100 supports collectively conveying 100 PPC (Plain Paper Copier) sheets, the minimum size of the height H1 is 10 mm, which is the thickness of the PPC sheet of 0.1 mm multiplied by 100 sheets. becomes. Note that the medium to be transported may not be new and may have wrinkles or the like. Therefore, the height H1 of the first wall portion 107 is preferably set to a size equal to or greater than the above thickness plus a margin. For example, if the margin is 1.5 times, the minimum size of the height H1 is 15 mm, which is 10 mm multiplied by 1.5.

Also, the first wall portion 107 is preferably mirror-polished or coated with Teflon (registered trademark). This smoothes the first wall 107 and reduces the coefficient of friction between the first wall 107 and the trailing edge of the media. Therefore, even if the trailing edge of the ejected medium comes into contact with the first wall portion 107, the trailing edge of the medium falls smoothly without being caught by the first wall portion 107, so that the succeeding medium is placed on top of the medium. Jamming of media and breakage of media due to stacking are suppressed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the first discharge roller 117. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first discharge roller 117 further includes an elastic roller 117a arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the first discharge roller 117. As shown in FIG. The elastic roller 117a is formed of a rubber member, a resin member, or the like. In particular, the elastic roller 117a is made of sponge or the like so as to shrink when pressed from the outside. As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic roller 117a shrinks by being pressed by the second discharge roller 118 at the nip surface N1 between the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118, thereby improving the transportability of the medium and the quality of the input image. have no effect on On the other hand, the elastic roller 117a is not compressed in a region other than the nip surface N1, and protrudes downstream from the first wall portion 107 at its downstream end. As a result, the medium ejection device 100 can secure a sufficient space between the downstream end of the first ejection roller 117 and the first wall portion 107 , and the trailing edge of the ejected medium can be positioned between the first wall portion 107 and the first wall portion 107 . can be suppressed.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the elastic roller 117a is arranged in the center of the first discharge roller 117 in the width direction A2, but the elastic roller 117a is located at the end of the first discharge roller 117 in the width direction A2. may be placed in For example, when two first discharge rollers 117 are arranged side by side with an interval in the width direction A2, in each first discharge roller 117, each elastic roller 117a is located inside in the width direction A2 (center side of the medium conveying path). ) at the end of the In addition, in each of the first discharge rollers 117, each elastic roller 117a may be arranged at an outer end (outer side of the medium transport path) in the width direction A2. Further, in each first discharge roller 117, each elastic roller 117a may be arranged at both ends in the width direction A2.

Also, the second discharge roller 118 may further include an elastic roller. The elastic roller of the second discharge roller 118 has the same configuration as the elastic roller 117a, and the position on the outer peripheral surface of the second discharge roller 118 is the same as the position where the elastic roller 117a is arranged on the first discharge roller 117. placed in

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the first hole 108. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first hole 108 extends from the lowermost end P5 of the outer peripheral surface of the first discharge roller 117 provided on the lower side of the first wall portion 107 and the mounting surface 104a of the discharge table 104. It is formed between the line L2 and the intersection P6 of the first wall portion 107 . In particular, the first hole 108 is formed in the first wall portion 107 at least above the lowermost end P5 of the first discharge roller 117 and the center position P7 of the intersection point P6. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first hole 108 is also formed below the center position P7 in the first wall portion 107, but the first hole 108 does not need to be formed below the center position P7. good. Thus, the first hole 108 is formed in the first housing 101 at a position closer to the lowermost ends of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 than the mounting surface 104 a of the discharge table 104 . As a result, when the trailing edge of the medium starts to drop, the medium ejection device 100 can quickly cause the air present below the medium to flow into the first housing 101, thereby dropping the medium well. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of media jams and media damage.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the first hole 108. FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the first wall portion 107 viewed from the downstream side.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first holes 108 have the same size and are arranged in a zigzag pattern. For example, the first holes 108 are arranged in an orthorhombic lattice, a hexagonal lattice, or a parallel lattice. That is, the first holes 108 are arranged side by side on a plurality of lines each extending in the width direction A2 and having different positions in the height direction A3. Each hole arranged on each line is arranged, for example, in the width direction A2 at a central position between two holes adjacent in the width direction A2 on a line adjacent to the line in the height direction A3. be. In addition, each hole arranged on each line is shifted in the width direction A2 from the center position between the two holes adjacent in the width direction A2 on the line adjacent to the line in the height direction A3. may be placed in position.

The first holes 108 are arranged so that there is no gap in the width direction A2 (there are holes at all positions from the leftmost first hole 108 to the rightmost first hole 108 in the width direction A2). is more preferably arranged). As a result, the medium ejection device 100 can efficiently arrange the first holes 108 and efficiently flow the air present below the ejected medium into the first housing 101 . Therefore, the medium ejecting device 100 allows the medium to drop satisfactorily, thereby suppressing the occurrence of medium jams and medium damage.

Similarly, the second holes 110 are also preferably arranged in a zigzag pattern on the second wall portion 109 . For example, the second holes 110 are arranged in an orthorhombic lattice, a hexagonal lattice, or a parallel lattice. Further, it is more preferable that the second holes 110 are also arranged without gaps in the width direction A2. As a result, the medium ejection device 100 can efficiently dispose the second holes 110 and allow the air that has flowed into the first housing 101 to flow out of the first housing 101 efficiently. Therefore, it is possible to drop the medium satisfactorily and suppress the occurrence of media jams and damage to the media.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the medium ejection device 100. As shown in FIG.

The medium ejection device 100 further has an interface device 131, a storage device 140, a processing circuit 150, etc. in addition to the above configuration.

The interface device 131 has an interface circuit conforming to a serial bus such as USB, for example, and is electrically connected to an information processing device (not shown) (for example, a personal computer, a mobile information terminal, etc.) to receive an input image and various information. Send and receive. Also, instead of the interface device 131, a communication unit having an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless communication interface device for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless communication line according to a predetermined communication protocol may be used. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The communication unit may have a wired communication interface device for transmitting and receiving signals through a wired communication line according to a communication protocol such as a wired LAN.

The storage device 140 includes memory devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), fixed disk devices such as hard disks, or portable storage devices such as flexible disks and optical disks. The storage device 140 also stores computer programs, databases, tables, etc. used for various processes of the medium ejection device 100 . The computer program may be installed in the storage device 140 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program or the like. The portable recording medium is, for example, a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc read only memory), or the like.

The processing circuit 150 operates based on a program stored in the storage device 140 in advance. The processing circuit is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). As the processing circuit 150, a DSP (digital signal processor), LSI (large scale integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like may be used.

The processing circuit 150 is connected to the operation device 105, the display device 106, the medium sensor 111, the imaging device 116, the first motor 121, the second motor 123, the interface device 131, the storage device 140, etc., and controls these units. The processing circuit 150 performs driving control of the first motor 121 and the second motor 123, imaging control of the imaging device 116, etc., acquires an input image from the imaging device 116, and transmits it to the information processing device via the interface device 131. .

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the storage device 140 and the processing circuit 150. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the storage device 140 stores a control program 141, an image acquisition program 142, and the like. Each of these programs is a functional module implemented by software running on a processor. The processing circuit 150 reads each program stored in the storage device 140 and operates according to each read program. Thereby, the processing circuit 150 functions as a control section 151 and an image acquisition section 152 .

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the medium reading process of the medium ejection device 100. FIG.

An example of the operation of the medium reading process of the medium ejection device 100 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation flow described below is executed mainly by the processing circuit 150 in cooperation with each element of the medium ejection device 100 based on a program stored in the storage device 140 in advance.

First, the control unit 151 receives an instruction to read a medium from the operation device 105 or the interface device 131 when a user inputs an instruction to read the medium using the operation device 105 or the information processing device. (step S101).

Next, the control unit 151 acquires a medium signal from the medium sensor 111, and determines whether or not a medium is placed on the placing table 103 based on the acquired medium signal (step S102). If no medium is placed on the placing table 103, the control unit 151 terminates the series of steps.

On the other hand, when a medium is placed on the placing table 103, the control unit 151 controls the feeding roller 112, the separating roller 113, the first conveying roller 114, the second conveying roller 115, the first discharge roller 117 and/or the first 2 The discharge roller 118 is rotated (step S103). The control unit 151 drives the first motor 121 and the second motor 123 to rotate each roller and transport the medium.

Next, the control unit 151 causes the imaging device 116 to image a medium, acquires an input image from the imaging device 116, and outputs the acquired input image by transmitting it to the information processing device via the interface device 131. (Step S104).

Next, based on the medium signal received from the medium sensor 111, the control unit 151 determines whether or not the medium remains on the mounting table 103 (step S105). When the medium remains on the mounting table 103, the control unit 151 returns the process to step S104 and repeats the processes of steps S104 and S105.

On the other hand, when no medium remains on the mounting table 103, the control unit 151 controls the feed roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first transport roller 114, the second transport roller 115, the first discharge roller 117 and/or the second discharge. The roller 118 is stopped (step S106). The controller 151 controls the first motor 121 and the second motor 123 to stop the rollers, and ends the series of steps.

As described in detail above, the medium ejection device 100 arranges the first wall portion 107 of the first housing 101 on the ejection table 104 side so that the trailing edge of the medium ejected from the first ejection roller 117 does not come into contact with the first wall portion 107 . do. As a result, the medium ejection device 100 can drop the ejected medium so that the trailing edge of the medium does not come into contact with the first wall portion 107, thereby suppressing the occurrence of medium jams and damage to the medium. became possible. Therefore, the medium ejection device 100 can load the ejected medium on the ejection table 104 satisfactorily.

As a result, the user's labor for aligning the media discharged to the discharge table 104 is reduced, and the medium discharge device 100 improves the user's convenience and improves the productivity of the user's scanning work. became possible. In addition, the medium ejection device 100 satisfactorily stacks various types of media such as PPC paper, thin paper, thick paper, and media in various states such as curled media or wrinkled media on the ejection tray 104. became possible. In addition, the medium ejection device 100 can satisfactorily load the medium on the ejection table 104 without having a special mechanism, thereby suppressing an increase in the device cost and the size of the device while allowing the medium to be placed on the ejection table 104 satisfactorily. It was possible to load the .

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the first wall portion 167 and the first hole 168 in the medium ejection device according to another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the first wall portion 167 viewed from the downstream side.

The first wall portion 167 has the same configuration as the first wall portion 107 and is arranged at a position where the first wall portion 107 is arranged instead of the first wall portion 107 . A plurality of first holes 168 are formed in the first wall portion 167 . Similar to the first hole 108, the first hole 168 is positioned closer to the lowermost ends of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 than the mounting surface 104a of the discharge table 104 in the first housing 101. It is formed so as to penetrate the first wall portion 167 .

However, as shown in FIG. 11, the first holes 168 have the same size and are arranged in a rectangular lattice or square lattice. That is, the first holes 168 are arranged side by side on a plurality of lines each extending in the width direction A2 and having different positions in the height direction A3. Each hole arranged on each line is arranged at the same position as each corresponding hole arranged on another line in the width direction A2.

Similarly, the second holes may also be arranged in a rectangular grid pattern or a square grid pattern in the second wall.

As described in detail above, the medium ejection device can satisfactorily load the ejected medium on the ejection table 104 even when the plurality of first holes 168 are arranged in a rectangular lattice pattern or a square lattice pattern. became.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining the first wall portion 177 and the first hole 178 in the medium ejection device according to still another embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the first wall portion 177 viewed from the downstream side.

The first wall portion 177 has the same configuration as the first wall portion 107 and is arranged at a position where the first wall portion 177 is arranged instead of the first wall portion 107 . A plurality of first holes 178 are formed in the first wall portion 177 . Similar to the first hole 108, the first hole 178 is positioned closer to the lowermost ends of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 than the mounting surface 104a of the discharge table 104 in the first housing 101. It is formed so as to penetrate the first wall portion 177 .

However, as shown in FIG. 12, the first hole 178 is formed so that the opening area per unit area increases toward the bottom. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the first hole 178 is formed so as to become larger toward the bottom. The first holes 178 may have the same size, and may be formed such that the arrangement interval between the first holes 178 adjacent to each other in the height direction A3 decreases toward the bottom.

In general, the space between the medium to be discharged and the placement surface becomes smaller toward the lower side of the discharge table, making it difficult for the air present below the medium to escape. By increasing the opening area per unit area of the first hole 178 downward, the medium ejecting device can efficiently flow the air existing below the ejected medium into the first housing 101. It becomes possible to drop the medium satisfactorily. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the first holes 178 are arranged in a rectangular lattice pattern or a square lattice pattern, but the first holes 178 may be arranged in a zigzag pattern.

Similarly, the second hole may also be formed so that the opening area per unit area increases toward the bottom.

As described in detail above, the medium ejection device can load the ejected medium on the ejection table 104 satisfactorily even when the opening area per unit area of the plurality of first holes 178 increases toward the bottom. became possible.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the first wall portion 187 and the first hole 188 in the medium ejection device according to still another embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the first wall portion 187 viewed from the downstream side.

The first wall portion 187 has the same configuration as the first wall portion 107 and is arranged at a position where the first wall portion 187 is arranged instead of the first wall portion 107 . A plurality of first holes 188 are formed in the first wall portion 187 . Similar to the first hole 108, the first hole 188 is positioned closer to the lowermost ends of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 than the mounting surface 104a of the discharge table 104 in the first housing 101. It is formed so as to penetrate through the first wall portion 187 .

However, as shown in FIG. 13, the first hole 188 is formed so that the opening area per unit area increases toward the outside in the width direction A2 orthogonal to the medium ejection direction. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the first hole 188 is formed so as to become larger toward the outer side in the width direction A2. The first holes 188 may each have the same size, and may be formed so that the arrangement interval between the first holes 188 adjacent to each other in the width direction A2 becomes smaller toward the outer side in the width direction A2. good.

In general, when a large medium such as A3 size is discharged, the space between the end of the large medium in the width direction A2 and the side wall 101b provided outside the medium discharge port E1 becomes smaller, and the end in the width direction A2 becomes smaller. The air existing below the medium becomes difficult to escape. By increasing the opening area per unit area of the first hole 188 toward the outside of the medium ejection device, the air existing below the medium to be ejected can be efficiently flowed into the first housing 101. It becomes possible to drop the medium satisfactorily. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the first holes 188 are arranged in a rectangular lattice pattern or a square lattice pattern, but the first holes 188 may be arranged in a zigzag pattern. Further, the first hole 188 may be formed so that the opening area per unit area increases toward the bottom.

Similarly, the second hole may also be formed so that the opening area per unit area increases toward the outer side in the width direction A2.

As described in detail above, the medium ejection device is configured so that the opening area per unit area of the plurality of first holes 188 increases toward the outer side in the width direction A2, and the ejected medium is ejected from the ejection table 104. It was possible to load well in

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a medium ejection device 200 according to another embodiment.

The medium ejection device 200 has the same configuration and functions as the medium ejection device 100. The medium ejection device 200 includes a first housing 201, a second housing 202, a mounting table 203, an ejection table 204, an operation device 205, a display device 206, and the like. In FIG. 14, arrow A21 indicates the medium transport direction, arrow A22 indicates the medium ejection direction, arrow A23 indicates the width direction orthogonal to the medium transport direction A21 and medium ejection direction A22, and arrow A24 orthogonal to the medium transport surface. Indicates height direction. Hereinafter, upstream refers to upstream in the medium transport direction A21 and medium ejection direction A22, and downstream refers to downstream in the medium transport direction A21 and medium ejection direction A22.

The first housing 201 and the second housing 202 are examples of housings. The second housing 202 is arranged inside the medium ejection device 200 and is engaged with the first housing 201 by a hinge so that it can be opened and closed when the medium is clogged or when cleaning the inside of the medium ejection device 200 . Side walls 201b are provided at both ends in the width direction A23 of the first housing 201 around the medium outlet E2.

The second housing 202 has a first wall portion 207 and a second wall portion 209 . The first wall portion 207 is an example of a wall portion, and is provided at the downstream end portion of the second housing 202 and below the medium outlet E2. The first wall portion 207 is provided so that the trailing edge of the medium discharged to the discharge table 204 abuts against it.

A plurality of first holes 208 are formed in the first wall portion 207 . A first hole 208 is formed through the first wall portion 207 . Like the first holes 108, the first holes 208 have the same size and are arranged in a staggered pattern. For example, the first holes 208 are arranged in an orthorhombic lattice, a hexagonal lattice, or a parallel lattice. More preferably, the first holes 208 are arranged so that there is no gap in the width direction A23.

Note that the first holes 208 may be arranged in a rectangular grid pattern or a square grid pattern, similar to the first holes 168 . Also, the first hole 208 may be formed such that the opening area per unit area increases toward the bottom, similar to the first hole 178 . In that case, the first hole 208 is formed so as to become larger toward the bottom. In addition, the first holes 208 may have the same size, and may be formed such that the arrangement interval between the first holes 208 adjacent to each other in the height direction A24 decreases toward the bottom. Further, similarly to the first hole 188, the first hole 208 may be formed so that the opening area per unit area increases toward the outer side in the width direction A23 orthogonal to the medium ejection direction. In that case, the first hole 208 is formed so as to become larger toward the outer side in the width direction A23. The first holes 208 may each have the same size, and may be formed so that the arrangement interval between the first holes 208 adjacent to each other in the width direction A23 becomes smaller toward the outer side in the width direction A23. good. Also, the first hole 208 may not be formed in the first wall portion 207 .

The second wall portion 209 is an example of a second wall portion different from the wall portion, and is provided at the upstream end portion of the second housing 202 . A plurality of second holes 210 are formed in the second wall portion 209 . A second hole 210 is formed to pass through the second wall portion 209 . Like the second holes 110 , the second holes 210 are preferably arranged in a staggered manner in the second wall portion 209 . Further, it is more preferable that the second holes 210 are arranged without gaps in the width direction A23.

Note that the second holes 210 may be arranged in a rectangular grid pattern or a square grid pattern, similar to the first holes 168 . Also, the second hole 210 may be formed such that the opening area per unit area increases toward the bottom, similar to the first hole 178 . In that case, the second hole 210 is formed so as to become larger toward the bottom. In addition, the second holes 210 may have the same size, and may be formed such that the arrangement interval between the second holes 210 adjacent to each other in the height direction A24 decreases toward the bottom. Also, like the first hole 188, the second hole 210 may be formed so that the opening area per unit area increases toward the outer side in the width direction A23 orthogonal to the medium ejection direction. In that case, the second hole 210 is formed so as to become larger toward the outer side in the width direction A23. The second holes 210 may each have the same size, and may be formed so that the arrangement interval between the second holes 210 adjacent to each other in the width direction A23 becomes smaller toward the outer side in the width direction A23. good. Also, the second hole 210 may not be formed in the second wall portion 209 .

The mounting table 203 is attached to the first housing 201 so that the medium to be transported can be mounted. The mounting table 203 is provided on the side surface of the first housing 201 on the medium supply side so as to be movable in a substantially vertical direction (height direction A24) by a motor (not shown).

The ejection table 204 is an example of a tray, and is provided in the second housing 202 so as to be able to hold the ejected medium. The mounting surface 204a on which the medium is mounted in the discharge table 204 is preferably inclined such that the upstream side in the medium discharging direction A22 is positioned downward, similarly to the mounting surface 104a.

In addition, a first concave portion 204b is formed at the end of the mounting surface 204a of the discharge table 204 on the upstream side in the medium discharge direction A22. Since the air pushed down by the trailing edge of the medium to be discharged can escape to the first recess 204b, the trailing edge of the medium to be discharged can properly push down the air and drop well. . As a result, the medium ejection device 200 can suppress the occurrence of medium jams and damage to the medium.

A second concave portion 204c is formed at the end of the mounting surface 204a of the discharge table 204 in the width direction A23 orthogonal to the medium discharge direction. Since the air pushed down by the side edges of the ejected medium can escape to the second recess 204c, the side edges of the ejected medium can properly push down the air and drop well. . As a result, the medium ejection device 200 can suppress the occurrence of medium jams and damage to the medium.

Note that the first recess 204b and the second recess 204c may be omitted. Similarly, in the medium ejection device 100, a first concave portion is formed at the end of the mounting surface 104a of the ejection table 104 on the upstream side in the medium ejection direction A1, and/or the mounting surface of the ejection table 104 A second concave portion may be formed at the end of the width direction A2 orthogonal to the medium ejection direction of 104a.

The operation device 205 has an input device such as a button and an interface circuit that acquires signals from the input device, receives input operations by the user, and outputs operation signals according to the user's input operations. The display device 206 has a display including liquid crystal, organic EL, etc. and an interface circuit for outputting image data to the display, and displays the image data on the display.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the transport path inside the medium ejection device 200. FIG.

The transport path inside the medium ejection device 200 includes a pick roller 219, a medium sensor 211, a feed roller 212, a separation roller 213, first to seventh transport rollers 214a to g, first to seventh driven rollers 215a to g, and an image sensor. It has a device 216, a discharge roller 217, an opposing roller 218, and the like. The pick roller 219, the feed roller 212, the separation roller 213, the first to seventh transport rollers 214a to g, the first to seventh driven rollers 215a to g, the discharge roller 217, or the opposing roller 218 are rollers that transport the medium. An example.

The numbers of pick rollers 219, feed rollers 212, separation rollers 213, first to seventh conveying rollers 214a to g, first to seventh driven rollers 215a to g, discharge rollers 217 and/or opposing rollers 218 is not limited to one, and may be plural. In that case, the plurality of pick rollers 219, feed rollers 212, separation rollers 213, first to seventh transport rollers 214a to g, first to seventh driven rollers 215a to g, discharge rollers 217 and/or opposing rollers 218 are , are arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction A23.

The surface of the first housing 201 facing the second housing 202 forms a first guide 201a of the medium transport path, and the surface of the second housing 202 facing the first housing 201 forms a medium transport path. Form a second guide 202a of the path.

The pick roller 219 is provided in the second housing 202 and comes into contact with the medium mounted on the mounting table 203 raised to substantially the same height as the medium conveying path to feed the medium downstream. .

The medium sensor 211 is arranged on the mounting table 203 , that is, on the upstream side of the feed roller 212 and separation roller 213 . The medium sensor 211 has a contact detection sensor and detects whether or not a medium is mounted on the mounting table 203 . The medium sensor 211 generates and outputs a medium signal whose signal value changes depending on whether or not the medium is mounted on the mounting table 203 . Note that the medium sensor 211 is not limited to a contact detection sensor, and any other sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of a medium, such as a light detection sensor, may be used as the medium sensor 211 .

The feeding roller 212 is provided in the second housing 202, and separates and feeds the medium placed on the placing table 203 in order from the upper side. The separation roller 213 is a so-called brake roller or retard roller, is provided in the first housing 201 so as to face the feeding roller 212, and rotates in the direction opposite to the medium feeding direction. A feeding roller 212 is provided in the first housing 201, and a separation roller 213 is provided in the second housing 202. The feeding roller 212 sequentially feeds the medium placed on the mounting table 203 from below. may

The first to seventh conveying rollers 214 a to g and the first to seventh driven rollers 215 a to g are provided downstream of the feeding roller 112 . The first to seventh conveying rollers 214a-g and the first to seventh driven rollers 215a-g are provided facing each other in the second housing 202 and the first housing 201, respectively. The medium fed by the roller 213 is conveyed toward the downstream side.

The imaging device 216 includes a first imaging device 216a and a second imaging device 216b arranged facing each other across the medium transport path. The first imaging device 216a has a linear optical system type CIS line sensor having CMOS imaging elements linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. Also, the first imaging device 216a has a lens that forms an image on the imaging device, and an A/D converter that amplifies an electrical signal output from the imaging device and performs analog/digital (A/D) conversion. The first imaging device 216a captures an image of the surface of the medium being conveyed, generates an input image, and outputs the image under control from a processing circuit, which will be described later.

Similarly, the second imaging device 216b has a CIS line sensor of the same magnification optical system type having CMOS imaging elements linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. Also, the second imaging device 216b has a lens that forms an image on the imaging device, and an A/D converter that amplifies the electrical signal output from the imaging device and performs analog/digital (A/D) conversion. The second image capturing device 216b captures an image of the back surface of the medium being conveyed, generates an input image, and outputs the input image, under the control of a processing circuit, which will be described later.

It should be noted that the medium ejection device 200 may have only one of the first imaging device 216a and the second imaging device 216b and read only one side of the medium. Further, instead of the line sensor of the same-magnification optical system type CIS having the CMOS image pickup device, a line sensor of the same-magnification optical system type CIS having the CCD image pickup device may be used. Also, a reduction optics type line sensor having a CMOS or CCD imaging device may be used.

The discharge roller 217 and the opposing roller 218 are provided downstream of the first to seventh conveying rollers 214a to 214g. The discharge roller 217 and the opposing roller 218 are provided facing each other in the second housing 202 and the first housing 201, respectively, and are provided with first to seventh transport rollers 214a to g and first to seventh driven rollers 215a to 215a. The medium transported by g is ejected to the ejection table 204 . The discharge roller 217 rotates according to the driving force from the motor, and the opposing roller 218 rotates following the rotation of the discharge roller 217 . Note that the discharge roller 217 may be provided in the first housing 201 and the facing roller 218 may be provided in the second housing 202 .

The ejection roller 217 may include an elastic roller arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the ejection roller 217 . The elastic roller of the discharge roller 217 has the same configuration as the elastic roller 117a, and is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the discharge roller 217 at the same position on the first discharge roller 117 as the elastic roller 117a. . Also, the opposing roller 218 may include an elastic roller. The elastic roller of the opposing roller 218 has the same configuration as the elastic roller 117a, and is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the opposing roller 218 at the same position on the first discharge roller 117 as the elastic roller 117a. .

In addition, the medium ejection device 200 further has a first motor, a first transmission mechanism, a second motor and a second transmission mechanism (not shown). The first motor and the second motor are examples of motors, and are provided in the second housing 202 respectively. The first motor and the second motor have the same configuration as the first motor 121 and the second motor 123, and rotate rollers that convey the medium. A first blade is provided on the rotating shaft of the first motor, and a second blade is provided on the rotating shaft of the second motor. The first blade and the second blade are examples of blades, and are provided in the second housing 202 respectively. The first blade and the second blade have the same configuration as the first blade 121a and the second blade 123a, respectively, and rotate with the rotation of the first motor and the second motor. The first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism have the same configurations as the first transmission mechanism 122 and the second transmission mechanism 124, respectively.

Note that the first to seventh driven rollers 215a to g and/or the opposing roller 218 are not driven to rotate by the first to seventh transport rollers 214a to g or the discharge roller 217, but are driven by the first motor or the second motor. It may be provided so as to rotate by driving force. Also, the first motor and/or the second motor may be arranged in the first housing 201 instead of the second housing 202 . Also, the first blade and/or the second blade may be omitted.

The medium placed on the mounting table 203 is moved between the first guide 201a and the second guide 202a by the rotation of the pick roller 219 and the feed roller 212 in the directions of arrows A25 and A26, that is, in the medium feed direction. is transported in the medium transport direction A21. The separation roller 213 rotates in the direction of the arrow A27, that is, in the direction opposite to the medium feeding direction, when the medium is conveyed. When a plurality of media are placed on the mounting table 203 due to the action of the feeding roller 212 and the separation roller 213, only the medium that is in contact with the feeding roller 212 among the media placed on the mounting table 203 are separated.

While being guided by the first guide 201a and the second guide 202a, the medium is fed to the imaging position of the imaging device 216 by rotating the first and

second transport rollers

214a and 214b in the directions of arrows A28 and A29. An image is captured by the imaging device 216 . Furthermore, the medium is ejected onto the ejection table 204 by rotating the third to seventh transport rollers 214c to 214g and the ejection roller 217 in the directions of arrows A30 to A35, respectively. The discharge table 204 stacks the medium discharged by the discharge roller 217 and the opposing roller 218 .

Also, the rotation of the first and second motors causes the first and second blades provided on the rotating shafts of the first and second motors to rotate. The air that has flowed into the second housing 202 through the first hole 208 flows from the first hole 208 side to the second hole 210 side as the first blade and the second blade rotate, and passes through the second hole 210. It flows out of the second housing 202 via the

As shown in FIG. 15, the first wall portion 207 is provided below the nip surface N2 between the discharge roller 217 and the opposing roller 218. As shown in FIG. The discharge roller 217 and the opposing roller 218 are provided so that the nip surface N2 is positioned downward toward the downstream side. In particular, the discharge roller 217 and the opposing roller 218 are provided so that the extension line L11 of the nip surface N2 intersects the placement surface 204a of the discharge table 204. As shown in FIG.

Ideally, the leading edge of the medium ejected by the ejection roller 217 and the opposing roller 218 travels along the extension line L11 of the nip surface N2 of the ejection roller 217 and the opposing roller 218, and extends between the extension line L11 and the ejection table 204. It abuts on the intersection point P11 with the mounting surface 204a. After that, the medium advances toward the downstream side so that the tip moves along the mounting surface 204a while a part of the medium is in contact with the intersection point P11. After passing through the nip surface N2 of the ejection roller 217 and the opposing roller 218, the trailing edge of the medium moves along the outer peripheral surface of the lower ejection roller 217, and reaches the point closest to the intersection point P11 on the outer peripheral surface. When it passes P12, it separates from the outer peripheral surface and falls downward. Since part of the medium is in contact with the intersection point P11, the trailing edge of the medium falls along the circle C11 centered on the intersection point P11 and passing through the point P12 closest to the intersection point P11 on the outer peripheral surface.

The first wall portion 207 is formed by a circle C11 centered at the intersection point P11 and passing through a point P12 closest to the intersection point P11 on the outer peripheral surfaces of the discharge roller 217 and the opposing roller 218 when viewed from the width direction A23 orthogonal to the medium discharge direction. provided so as not to overlap with That is, the first wall portion 207 is provided below the nip surface N2 between the ejection roller 217 and the opposing roller 218 so that the trailing edge of the medium ejected by the ejection roller 217 and the opposing roller 218 does not come into contact when the medium falls. be done.

When a medium with weak stiffness such as thin paper is discharged, the leading edge of the discharged medium may hang down due to its own weight and travel below the extension line L11 of the nip surface N2. In that case, the leading edge of the medium may abut on the first position P13 located upstream in the medium ejection direction A22 from the intersection point P11 on the mounting surface 204a. In addition, since the stiffness of the medium is weak, when the trailing edge of the medium reaches the second position P14 closest to the first position P13 on the outer peripheral surface of the discharge roller 217 provided on the lower side, the medium is A region between the first position P13 and the second position P14 may form a curved surface. In this case, the trailing edge of the medium falls along an involute curve C13 whose base circle is a circle C12 passing through the first position P13 and the second position P14 when viewed from the width direction A23.

The first wall portion 207 defines a circle C12 passing through a first position P13 and a second position P14 closest to the first position P13 on the outer peripheral surfaces of the discharge roller 217 and the opposing roller 218 when viewed from the width direction A23. It is preferably provided so as not to overlap with the involute curve C13 as the base circle.

The first position P13 is set by a preliminary experiment using thin paper supported by the medium ejection device 200. The first position P13 is, for example, in the medium ejection direction A22, the intersection point P11 between the extension line L11 of the nip surface N2 and the mounting surface 204a, and the center position of the nip surface N2 in the medium ejection direction A22. It is set at a position downstream of the midpoint. Alternatively, the first position P13 is set within a predetermined range (for example, within 50 mm) from the intersection P11.

In addition, the height H2 of the first wall portion 207 is set to a size equal to or larger than the thickness of media that can be collectively transported supported by the medium ejection device 200, or equal to or larger than the thickness plus a margin. set. Also, the first wall portion 207 is preferably mirror-polished or coated with Teflon (registered trademark).

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the first hole 208 is formed in the first wall portion 207 by the lowermost end P15 of the outer peripheral surface of the discharge roller 217 provided on the lower side, the mounting surface 204a of the discharge table 204, and the first hole 208. It is formed between the intersection point P<b>16 of the first wall portion 207 . In particular, the first hole 208 is formed in the first wall portion 207 at least above the lowermost end P15 of the discharge roller 217 and the center position P17 of the intersection point P16. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the first hole 208 is also formed below the center position P17 in the first wall portion 207, but the first hole 208 does not need to be formed below the center position P17. good. Thus, the first hole 208 is formed in the second housing 202 at a position closer to the lowermost ends of the discharge roller 217 and the opposing roller 218 than the mounting surface 204 a of the discharge table 204 .

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the medium ejection device 200. As shown in FIG.

In addition to the configuration described above, the medium ejection device 200 further includes a first motor 221, a second motor 223, an interface device 231, a storage device 240, a processing circuit 250, and the like.

The first motor 221 and the second motor 223 are the above-described first motor and second motor, respectively.

The interface device 231 has an interface circuit conforming to a serial bus such as USB, for example, and is electrically connected to an information processing device (for example, personal computer, personal digital assistant, etc.) (not shown) to receive an input image and various information. Send and receive. Also, instead of the interface device 231, a communication unit having an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless communication interface device for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless communication line according to a predetermined communication protocol may be used. A predetermined communication protocol is, for example, a wireless LAN. The communication unit may have a wired communication interface device for transmitting and receiving signals through a wired communication line according to a communication protocol such as a wired LAN.

The storage device 240 includes memory devices such as RAM and ROM, fixed disk devices such as hard disks, and portable storage devices such as flexible disks and optical disks. The storage device 240 also stores computer programs, databases, tables, and the like used for various processes of the medium ejection device 200 . The computer program may be installed in the storage device 240 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program or the like. A portable recording medium is, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like.

The processing circuit 250 operates based on a program stored in the storage device 240 in advance. The processing circuit is, for example, a CPU. A DSP, LSI, ASIC, FPGA, or the like may be used as the processing circuit 250 .

The processing circuit 250 is connected to the operation device 205, the display device 206, the medium sensor 211, the imaging device 216, the first motor 221, the second motor 223, the interface device 231, the storage device 240, etc., and controls these units. The processing circuit 250 performs driving control of the first motor 221 and the second motor 223, imaging control of the imaging device 216, etc., acquires an input image from the imaging device 216, and transmits it to the information processing device via the interface device 231. .

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the storage device 240 and the processing circuit 250. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 17, the storage device 240 stores a control program 241, an image acquisition program 242, and the like. Each of these programs is a functional module implemented by software running on a processor. The processing circuit 250 reads each program stored in the storage device 240 and operates according to each read program. Thereby, the processing circuit 250 functions as a control section 251 and an image acquisition section 252 .

The medium ejection device 200 executes medium reading processing similar to the medium reading processing shown in FIG.

First, the control unit 251 receives an instruction to read a medium from the operation device 205 or the interface device 231 when a user inputs an instruction to read the medium using the operation device 205 or the information processing device. (step S101).

Next, the control unit 251 acquires a medium signal from the medium sensor 211, and determines whether or not a medium is placed on the placing table 203 based on the acquired medium signal (step S102). If no medium is placed on the placing table 203, the controller 251 terminates the series of steps.

On the other hand, when the medium is placed on the mounting table 203, the control unit 251 drives the motor for moving the mounting table 203, and moves the mounting table 203 to a position where the medium and the pick roller 219 come into contact. The control unit 251 rotates the pick roller 219, the feed roller 212, the separation roller 213, the first to seventh transport rollers 214a to 214g and/or the discharge roller 217 (step S103). The control unit 151 drives the first motor 221 and the second motor 223 to rotate each roller and transport the medium.

Next, the control unit 251 causes the imaging device 216 to image a medium, acquires an input image from the imaging device 216, and outputs the acquired input image by transmitting it to the information processing device via the interface device 231. (Step S104).

Next, based on the medium signal received from the medium sensor 211, the control unit 251 determines whether or not the medium remains on the mounting table 203 (step S105). When the medium remains on the mounting table 203, the control unit 251 returns the process to step S104 and repeats the processes of steps S104 and S105.

On the other hand, when no medium remains on the mounting table 203, the control unit 251 stops the pick roller 219, the feed roller 212, the separation roller 213, the first to seventh transport rollers 214a to 214g and/or the discharge roller 217. (Step S106). The controller 151 controls the first motor 221 and the second motor 223 to stop the rollers, and ends the series of steps.

As described in detail above, the medium ejection device 200 arranges the first wall portion 207 of the second housing 202 on the ejection table 204 side so that the trailing edge of the medium ejected from the ejection roller 217 does not come into contact with the first wall portion 207 . As a result, the medium ejecting device 200 can drop the ejected medium so that the rear end of the medium does not contact the first wall portion 207, thereby suppressing the occurrence of jams and breakage of the medium. became possible. Therefore, the medium ejection device 200 can load the ejected medium on the ejection table 204 satisfactorily.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing circuit 350 in a medium ejection device according to still another embodiment. The processing circuit 350 is used in place of the processing circuit 150 of the medium ejection device 100 and performs medium reading processing and the like instead of the processing circuit 150 . The processing circuit 350 has a control circuit 351, an image acquisition circuit 352, and the like. Each of these units may be composed of an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, firmware, or the like.

The control circuit 351 is an example of a control section and has the same function as the control section 151. The control circuit 351 receives an operation signal from the operation device 105 or the interface device 131 and a medium signal from the medium sensor 111 . The control circuit 351 controls the first motor 121 and the second motor 123 based on the received information.

The image acquisition circuit 352 is an example of an image acquisition section and has the same function as the image acquisition section 152. The image acquisition circuit 352 acquires an input image from the imaging device 116 and outputs it to the interface device 131 .

As described in detail above, the medium ejecting device can satisfactorily load the ejected medium on the ejection table 204 even when the processing circuit 350 is used.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing circuit 450 in a medium ejection device according to still another embodiment. The processing circuit 450 is used in place of the processing circuit 250 of the medium ejection device 200, and performs medium reading processing and the like instead of the processing circuit 250. FIG. The processing circuit 450 has a control circuit 451, an image acquisition circuit 452, and the like. Each of these units may be composed of an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, firmware, or the like.

The control circuit 451 is an example of a control section and has the same function as the control section 251. The control circuit 451 receives an operation signal from the operation device 205 or the interface device 231 and a medium signal from the medium sensor 211 . The control circuit 451 controls the first motor 221 and the second motor 223 based on the received information.

The image acquisition circuit 452 is an example of an image acquisition section and has the same function as the image acquisition section 252. The image acquisition circuit 452 acquires an input image from the imaging device 216 and outputs it to the interface device 231 .

As described in detail above, the medium ejecting device can satisfactorily load the ejected medium on the ejection table 204 even when the processing circuit 450 is used.

100, 200 medium discharge device, 101, 201 first housing, 102, 202 second housing, 104, 204 discharge table, 104a, 204a mounting surface, 107, 207 first wall, 108, 168, 178, 188, 208

first holes

109, 209

second walls

110, 210

second holes

112, 212

feed rollers

113, 213 separation rollers 114 first conveying rollers 115 second conveying rollers 117 first Discharge roller 117a Elastic roller 118 Second discharge roller 121 First motor 121a First blade 123 Second motor 123a Second blade 214a~g First to seventh conveying rollers 215a~g First to Seventh driven roller, 217 ejection roller, 218 opposed roller, 219 pick roller

Claims

a housing;
an ejection roller provided in the housing for ejecting the medium;
a facing roller arranged to face the discharge roller;
a tray provided in the housing for stacking the medium ejected by the ejection roller;
When viewed from a direction orthogonal to the medium ejection direction, the housing is arranged below the nip surface of the ejection roller and the opposing roller so that the trailing edge of the medium ejected by the ejection roller does not come into contact when the medium falls. centered on the intersection of the extension of the nip surfaces of the ejection roller and the opposing roller and the placement surface of the tray and passing through the point closest to the intersection on the outer peripheral surfaces of the ejection roller and the opposing roller. Having a wall provided so as not to overlap with the circle,
A medium ejection device characterized by:
The medium ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the facing roller or the ejection roller further includes an elastic roller arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the facing roller or the ejection roller.
When viewed from a direction orthogonal to the medium ejection direction, the wall portion has a first position located upstream of the intersection point in the medium ejection direction on the tray mounting surface, and outer circumferences of the ejection roller and the opposing roller. 3. The medium ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the involute curve is provided so as not to overlap with an involute curve whose base circle is a circle passing through the second position closest to the first position on the surface.
The medium ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wall is mirror-polished or coated with Teflon (registered trademark).
The medium ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wall portion is formed with a plurality of holes.
The medium ejection device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of holes are formed in the housing at positions closer to the lowermost ends of the ejection roller and the opposing roller than the tray mounting surface.
a motor that rotates a roller that conveys a medium;
7. The medium ejecting device according to claim 5, further comprising a vane provided inside said housing and rotating as said motor rotates.
The medium ejection device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the mounting surface of the tray is inclined so that the upstream side in the medium ejection direction is positioned downward.
The medium ejection device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the plurality of holes are arranged in a zigzag pattern.
The medium ejection device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the plurality of holes are formed so that the opening area per unit area increases toward the bottom.
The medium ejection device according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the plurality of holes are formed so that the opening area per unit area increases toward the outer side in the direction orthogonal to the medium ejection direction.
12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein a concave portion is formed in an upstream end portion of the mounting surface of the tray in a medium ejection direction or an end portion in a direction orthogonal to the medium ejection direction. Media ejector.
The medium ejection device according to any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein a plurality of second holes are formed in a second wall portion different from the wall portion.