JP2015020870A - Sheet conveying apparatus and image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet conveyance apparatus and an image reader capable of maintaining good appearance even if a movable restriction part provided for preventing a sheet from falling is displaced.SOLUTION: An image reader comprises a discharge region 17 for discharging a sheet conveyed by a conveyance part, and a restriction part 25 provided at a conveyance direction downstream side of the sheet in the discharge region 17, which is in contact with the sheet discharged from the conveyance part and restricts the sheet to be conveyed further to the conveyance direction downstream side. The restriction part 25 has a contact region 25A with the sheet at the upper part and slides between a first position and a second position while maintaining a state in which the contact region 25A is directed upward. When the restriction part 25 is at the first position, the contact region 25A is placed at the same or lower height position as the discharge region 17. When the restriction part 25 is at the second position, the contact region 25A forms an inclined plane so as to be uphill gradient toward a downstream end from a conveyance direction upstream side of the sheet.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus and an image reading apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an automatic document feeder (hereinafter abbreviated as ADF) provided in an image reading apparatus, a document is further sent downstream in the transport direction to a discharge area where the transported document is discharged. The thing which provided the control part which controls this is known (for example, refer patent document 1).

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a document stopper body (34) is provided as a member corresponding to the above-described restricting portion. The document stopper body (34) is rotatably attached to the upper cover (12), and rotates between the first position and the second position. When the document stopper body (34) is in the first position, the document stopper body (34) is housed in the recess (35). When the document stopper body (34) is in the second position, the document stopper body (34) protrudes obliquely upward from the recess (35). By preventing the document from being conveyed excessively, dropping of the document is prevented.

JP 2008-184332 A

  By the way, when the above-described document stopper body (34) is rotated, the portion directed upward at the first position is directed obliquely downward at the second position and directed downward at the first position. The portion that has been placed is directed obliquely upward at the second position. That is, the front and back of the document stopper body (34) is reversed between the first position and the second position.

  However, when this kind of document stopper body (34) is molded from a resin material, the mechanical strength of the parts is ensured on the other side, even if one of the front and back sides can be designed with an emphasis on appearance. It may be necessary to provide a structure that does not look good due to the convenience of design and the design of the mold. Therefore, even when the document stopper body (34) has a structure that looks good at one of the first position and the second position, a structure that looks bad when rotated to the other position. There has been a problem that the external appearance of the apparatus may be impaired.

  In addition to the ADF as described above, such a problem may also occur in a recording medium transport mechanism in the image forming apparatus. That is, it is a problem common to apparatuses for conveying sheets regardless of whether they are originals or recording media.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and one of its purposes is to improve the appearance even when the movable restricting portion provided to prevent the sheet from falling off is displaced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet conveying apparatus that can easily maintain a good state and an image reading apparatus including such a sheet conveying apparatus.

Hereinafter, the configuration employed in the present invention will be described.
The sheet conveying apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys a sheet along a predetermined conveying path, a discharge area where the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit is discharged, and a sheet conveying direction downstream in the discharging area. A regulating unit that contacts the sheet discharged from the conveyance unit and regulates the sheet from being further sent to the downstream side in the conveyance direction, and the regulation unit has a contact area with the sheet on the upper side. And when the restriction portion is in the first position, the contact region is maintained in a state where the contact region is maintained in the upward direction. Is located at a height position equal to or lower than that of the discharge area, and when the restricting portion is in the second position, the contact area is an inclined surface that is inclined upward from the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction toward the downstream end. Make.

  According to the sheet conveying apparatus configured as described above, if the restricting portion is slid to the first position, the restricting portion is placed at a height position equal to or less than the discharge area. Therefore, compared with the case where the restricting portion protrudes upward from the discharge area, the restricting portion does not interfere with the discharged sheet. Further, if the restricting portion is slid to the second position, the contact area forms an inclined surface having an upward slope from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. Therefore, by contacting the sheet with such an inclined surface having an upward slope, it is possible to restrict the sheet discharged to the discharge area from being further sent downstream in the transport direction.

  In addition, the restricting portion slides between the first position and the second position while maintaining a state in which the contact area with the upper sheet is directed upward. Therefore, unlike the case where a structure in which the surface directed downward is displaced to a position directed upward, the lower surface side of the restricting portion is not directed upward. Therefore, if the contact area side is designed to look good, even if there is a somewhat unsightly part on the structure on the lower surface side of the restricting part, the part can always be hidden and the restricting part can be placed in any position. Even if it is displaced, a good-looking state can be maintained. In addition, in the case of such a restriction part, when designing the details on the lower surface side, do not excessively consider the appearance of the lower surface side, and design with emphasis on the strength of the restriction part and manufacturing convenience. Can do.

Next, a preferable configuration provided in the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention will be described.
In the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention, in the state where the restricting portion is displaced to the second position, the contact area has an end on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction located below the height position of the discharge area, It is preferable that an end portion on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet is above the height position of the discharge area.

  According to the sheet conveying apparatus configured as described above, in the state where the restricting portion is displaced to the second position, the end of the contact area on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction is below the height position of the discharge area. . Therefore, the discharged sheet is not caught by the upstream end in the conveyance direction of the restricting portion, and the sheet can be smoothly sent out above the restricting portion.

In the sheet conveying device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the discharge region is formed with a recess into which the restriction portion is fitted in the state where the restriction portion is displaced to the first position.
According to the sheet conveying apparatus configured as described above, when the restricting portion is displaced to the first position, the restricting portion is fitted into the recess, and thus, by adopting such a structure, the contact area is set to the discharge area. It can be in a state where it is within the same height position.

  In the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention, the recess has an inner wall surface extending along the sliding direction of the restricting portion, a guide groove is formed on the inner wall surface, and the restricting portion is fitted into the guide groove. When the regulating portion slides, the convex portion moves along the guide groove, and the inner bottom portion of the concave portion is in contact with the lower surface side of the regulating portion The restricting portion slides while maintaining the state where the convex portion fits into the guide groove and the lower surface side of the restricting portion is in contact with the contact portion. It is preferable to vary the inclination angle.

According to the sheet conveying apparatus configured as described above, the tilt angle of the contact area can be changed when the regulating portion is slid using the convex portion, the guide groove, and the contact portion.
In the sheet conveying device according to the aspect of the invention, the restricting portion may be configured such that a part of the restricting portion comes into contact with an inner bottom portion of the recessed portion, so that the lower surface side of the restricting portion is separated from the contact portion with the convex portion as a rotation center. It is preferable to be in a state where rotation in the direction of separation is prevented.

According to the sheet conveying apparatus configured as described above, the restricting portion can be prevented from rotating around the convex portion and being lifted.
In the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention, when the restricting portion is displaced to the first position, a gap is formed between the end surface on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the restricting portion and the inner wall surface of the recess facing the end surface. Preferably it is formed.

  According to the sheet conveying apparatus configured as described above, since the restriction portion can be slid by placing the fingertip on the gap, the restriction portion is moved from the first position to the second position as compared with the case where such a gap is not formed. It can be easily slid between the positions, and the operability of the restricting portion can be improved.

  In the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention, in the regulating portion, the sheet protruding in the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction contacts the sheet at a portion protruding from the contact area, and the sheet is sent downstream in the conveying direction. It is preferable that a restricting protrusion is provided.

  According to the sheet conveying apparatus configured as described above, since the protruding portion as described above is provided in the regulating portion, the sheet is downstream in the conveying direction as compared with the case where such a protruding portion equivalent is not provided. The effect which regulates sending to the side can be heightened.

  In the sheet conveying apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the protruding portion is displaced between a protruding position where the protruding portion protrudes from the contact area and a storage position where the protruding amount from the contact area is smaller than the protruding position. It is preferable to do.

  According to the sheet conveying apparatus configured as described above, if the protruding portion is displaced to the protruding position, it is possible to enhance the effect of restricting the discharged sheet from being sent to the downstream side in the conveying direction. If it is displaced to the storage position, it is possible to suppress the protruding portion from being caught or obstructed by something.

In the sheet conveying device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the protrusion is stored at a position that does not protrude from the contact area when the protrusion is in the storage position.
According to the sheet conveying apparatus configured as described above, if the protruding portion is displaced to the storage position, the protruding portion does not protrude from the contact area, so that the protruding portion is prevented from being caught or obstructed. Can enhance the effect.

  The image reading apparatus of the present invention discharges a sheet conveyed by the conveying unit, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet along a predetermined conveying path, a reading unit that reads an image of the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit, And a regulating unit that is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet in the ejection region, and that regulates that the sheet is further conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction by contacting the sheet discharged from the conveyance unit The regulating portion has a contact area with the sheet on the upper side, and slides between the first position and the second position while maintaining the state in which the contact area is directed upward, When the restricting portion is at the first position, the contact area is at a height position equal to or less than the discharge area, and when the restricting portion is at the second position, the contact area is the sheet. Transport method Forming an inclined surface serving as a rising gradient from the upstream side toward the downstream end.

  According to the image reading apparatus configured as described above, since the configuration equivalent to that of the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention is provided, the operations and effects as described for the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention are exhibited. Of course, the image reading apparatus of the present invention may have a preferable configuration when the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention is provided.

FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal structure of a reading unit. (A) is a perspective view which shows the control part attached on the discharge | emission area | region, (b) is a perspective view of a control part. (A) is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the restricting portion is at the first position, (b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the restricting portion is at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, and (c) is The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which has a control part in a 2nd position, and a protrusion part exists in a storage position, (d) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state in which a control part exists in a 2nd position and a protrusion part exists in a protrusion position.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with an example.
[Machine structure]
A multifunction machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration corresponding to an example of an image reading apparatus and a sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention. In the following description, each part of the multi-function peripheral will be described using the up / down / left / right and front / rear directions shown in the drawing in order to briefly explain the relative positional relationship between them.

  The multifunction device 1 includes a lower unit 2 and an upper unit 3 mounted on the upper side of the lower unit 2. The upper unit 3 is attached to the lower unit 2 so as to be openable and closable. When the upper unit 3 is closed, the opening formed on the upper surface side of the lower unit 2 is closed by the upper unit 3. .

  The upper unit 3 includes a flat bed portion (hereinafter referred to as an FB portion) 3A and a cover portion 3B that covers the upper surface side of the FB portion 3A. The cover part 3B is attached to the FB part 3A so that it can be opened and closed. In the state where the cover portion 3B is closed, the upper surface side of the FB portion 3A is covered with the cover portion 3B.

  Inside the lower unit 2, a control unit, an image forming unit, a LAN communication unit, a PSTN communication unit, and the like are provided. An operation panel 5 that is operated by a user is provided on the upper front side of the lower unit 2. Below the operation panel 5, a take-out port 6 is provided for taking out a recording medium on which an image is formed in the image forming unit. Below the take-out port 6, supply cassettes 7 </ b> A and 7 </ b> B for storing a recording medium supplied to the image forming unit are attached.

  In the upper unit 3, the cover unit 3 </ b> B is provided with a conveyance unit 10 that conveys a document along a predetermined conveyance path, as shown in FIG. 2. The transport unit 10 includes a supply roller 11, a separation roller 12, a relay roller 13, a U-turn transport roller 14, a discharge roller 15, and the like. A folding supply tray 16 is provided at the top of the cover portion 3B. A discharge tray 17 is provided at a position below the supply tray 16.

  The supply tray 16 includes a fixed portion 16A and a movable portion 16B that is rotatable with respect to the fixed portion 16A. When the movable portion 16B is rotated to the position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the movable portion 16B functions as a cover that covers the upper portion of the fixed portion 16A. When the movable portion 16B is rotated to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2, the document placed in the range from the fixed portion 16A to the movable portion 16B can be supported from below. The fixing portion 16A is provided with a side guide 16C, and the side guide 16C is brought into contact with the side edge of the document, whereby the conveyance direction of the document fed from the supply tray 16 can be restricted to a predetermined direction.

  The document placed on the supply tray 16 is transported along a transport path indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2 and discharged to the discharge tray 17. At that time, the documents fed from the supply tray 16 to the downstream side in the transport direction by the supply roller 11 are separated one by one by the separation roller 12. Then, it is further transported downstream in the transport direction by the relay roller 13 and the U-turn transport roller 14, and is discharged onto the discharge tray 17 by the discharge roller 15.

  At a position between the U-turn transport roller 14 and the discharge roller 15 at a position along the transport path, a transport document first transparent portion 18A and a transport document first document pressing portion 19A are provided. Yes. Further, at a position between the relay roller 13 and the U-turn transport roller 14 at a position along the transport path, a transport document second transparent portion 18B and a transport document second document pressing portion 19B are provided. It has been.

  Among these, the transport document first transparent section 18A is disposed on the FB section 3A side, the transport document second transparent section 18B, the transport document first document pressing section 19A, and the transport document second document pressing section. The part 19B is disposed on the cover part 3B side. In the case of the present embodiment, the first transparent portion for transported document 18A and the second transparent portion for transported document 18B are configured by a glass plate, and the width direction (the book) is orthogonal to both the transport direction and the vertical direction of the document. In the front-rear direction in the embodiment) extends over a range exceeding the width of the document.

  The transported document first document pressing portion 19A and the transported document second document pressing portion 19B are members formed of metal or a hard resin material, and the transported document first transparent portion 18A and the transported document second transparent portion. Similar to the portion 18B, it extends over a range exceeding the width of the document.

  The conveyed document first document holding portion 19A is biased toward the conveyed document first transparent portion 18A by the spring 20A, and the document that passes while contacting the upper surface of the conveyed document first transparent portion 18A is conveyed document. Suppressing from the first transparent portion 18A side for use is suppressed. The transported document second document pressing portion 19B is urged toward the transported document second transparent portion 18B by the spring 20B, and the document that passes while contacting the upper surface of the transported document second transparent portion 18B is transported document. Suppressing from the second transparent portion 18B side is suppressed.

  The FB section 3A is provided with a stationary original document transparent section 18C, and the cover section 3B is provided with a stationary original document holding section 19C. In the case of the present embodiment, the stationary document transparent portion 18C is formed of a glass plate, similarly to the transported document first transparent portion 18A and the transported document second transparent portion 18B. However, it differs from the transported document first transparent portion 18A and the transported document second transparent portion 18B in that it has a sufficiently large area to accommodate the entire document to be scanned.

  The stationary original document pressing portion 19C is formed of a laminate formed by laminating a foamed resin layer and a hard resin film layer. When the cover portion 3B is closed, the stationary document document holding portion 19C is brought into close contact with the stationary document transparent portion 18C side with some elastic deformation so that the document placed on the stationary document transparent portion 18C can be moved. Suppressing from the stationary document transparent portion 18C side is suppressed.

  In the FB portion 3A, a guide shaft 21, a carriage 22, a first image sensor 23A, and the like are disposed. A second image sensor 23B is disposed in the cover portion 3B. The guide shaft 21 is a metal round bar, and in the range from the lower side of the first transparent portion 18A for the transported document to the lower portion of the transparent portion 18C for the stationary document, the first transparent portion 18A for the transported document and the transparent portion 18C for the stationary document. It extends in the left-right direction in the figure in a state parallel to the lower surface.

  The carriage 22 is supported by the guide shaft 21 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the left-right direction along the guide shaft 21 by being attached to the guide shaft 21. The carriage 22 is connected to a timing belt (not shown), and reciprocates in the left-right direction following the circulation of the timing belt.

  In the present embodiment, the first image sensor 23A and the second image sensor 23B are contact image sensors (CIS). The first image sensor 23 </ b> A is mounted on the carriage 22 and reciprocates in the left-right direction together with the carriage 22.

  A spring (not shown) is interposed between the first image sensor 23A and the carriage 22, and the first image sensor 23A is biased upward. Also, spacers (not shown) are attached in the vicinity of both front and rear ends of the first image sensor 23A, and the spacers urged upward together with the first image sensor 23A are the stationary document transparent portion 18C or the transported document first transparent. It contacts the lower surface of the portion 18A.

  Thus, when the first image sensor 23A reciprocates together with the carriage 22, the spacer maintains a state in contact with the lower surface of the stationary document transparent portion 18C or the conveyed document first transparent portion 18A. 23A moves while maintaining a constant distance from the transparent portion 18C for the stationary document or the first transparent portion 18A for the conveyed document.

  The second image sensor 23B does not move from a predetermined position. However, the second image sensor 23B is also urged toward the conveyed document second transparent portion 18B by a spring (not shown). As a result, the distance between the second image sensor 23B and the second transparent portion 18B for the conveyed document is also kept constant.

  The plurality of reading elements included in the first image sensor 23A and the second image sensor 23B are arranged in the front-rear direction referred to in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the arrangement direction (front-rear direction) of the reading elements is also referred to as a main scanning direction.

  When reading an image of a document placed on the upper surface of the stationary document transparent portion 18 </ b> C, the first image sensor 23 </ b> A reads the image while moving together with the carriage 22. When reading an image of a document transported by the transport unit 10, the first image sensor 23 </ b> A is stationary below the transported document first document pressing unit 19 </ b> A and the transported document first transparent unit 18 </ b> A, An image of a document passing while contacting the upper surface of the first transparent portion 18A is read. The second image sensor 23B reads an image of a document passing therethrough in contact with the upper surface of the second transparent portion 18B for transported document below the second document pressing portion 19B for transported document and the second transparent portion 18B for transported document. . When reading such an image, the original and the first image sensor 23A and the original and the second image sensor 23B read the image while relatively moving in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Become. Hereinafter, the relative movement direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction is also referred to as a sub-scanning direction.

[Regulatory structure]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 (a), and 3 (b), a regulating portion 25 is provided on the downstream side of the document in the discharge tray 17 in the conveyance direction (the right side in the present embodiment). When the document is discharged onto the discharge tray 17 by the transport unit 10, the regulating unit 25 pushes the document that has been previously discharged onto the discharge tray 17 to the document that is discharged later, and further transports the document. It is a member that regulates being pushed out in the direction downstream.

  The restricting portion 25 has a contact area 25A with the document on the upper side, and the contact area 25A is directed upward (directly or diagonally upward) as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c). Is maintained between the first position (see FIG. 4A) and the second position (see FIG. 4C).

  The discharge tray 17 is formed with a recess 27 into which the restricting portion 25 is fitted when the restricting portion 25 is displaced to the first position. When the restricting portion 25 is in the first position, the contact area 25A is in a state of being at a height position equal to or lower than that of the discharge tray 17, as shown in FIG. At this time, a gap 28 is formed between the end surface 25B on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the restricting portion 25 and the inner wall surface 27A on the left side of the concave portion 27 facing the end surface 25B.

  On the other hand, when the restricting portion 25 is in the second position, the contact area 25A has an inclined surface that is inclined upward from the upstream side in the document transport direction toward the downstream end, as shown in FIG. Become. At this time, the contact region 25A has an end on the upstream side in the document transport direction (a left end portion in this embodiment) below the height position of the discharge tray 17 and an end on the downstream side in the document transport direction. (The right end portion in the case of this embodiment) is above the height position of the discharge tray 17.

  The recess 27 has an inner wall surface 27B extending along the sliding direction of the restricting portion 25, and a guide groove 29 is formed in the inner wall surface 27B. 3A and 4A to 4D, the inner wall surface 27B on the rear side of the recess 27 is shown, but the inner wall surface 27B on the front side of the recess 27 is also shown. A similar guide groove 29 is formed. These two guide grooves 29, 29 are configured such that the positions and shapes of the two guide grooves 29 exactly overlap when viewed from the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the regulating portion 25 is formed with a pair of convex portions 31, 31 that protrudes forward and the other protrudes backward. 31 is fitted in the guide grooves 29 and 29 described above. When the restricting portion 25 slides, the convex portions 31, 31 move along the guide grooves 29, 29. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the inner bottom portion 27 </ b> C of the concave portion 27 is provided with a contact portion 33 that contacts the lower surface side of the restricting portion 25. The restricting portion 25 slides while the convex portions 31 and 31 are fitted in the guide grooves 29 and 29 and the lower surface side of the restricting portion 25 is kept in contact with the contact portion 33, and thereby the contact region 25 </ b> A. The inclination angle fluctuates as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c).

  The lower surface side of the left end portion of the restricting portion 25 is in a state of sliding contact with the inner bottom portion 27 </ b> C of the recess 27. Therefore, even if the restricting portion 25 is displaced between any positions between the first position and the second position, the convex portion 31 is the center of rotation and the reaction in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c). It is in a state in which it cannot rotate in the clockwise direction. Further, the lower surface side of the restricting portion 25 is kept in contact with the contact portion 33. Therefore, even if the restricting portion 25 is displaced to any position between the first position and the second position, the timepiece in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c) with the convex portion 31 as the rotation center. It is in a state where it cannot rotate in the direction of rotation.

  As shown in the partial enlarged view in FIG. 4C, the inner bottom 27C of the recess 27 is provided with a protrusion 36. When the restricting portion 25 is displaced to the second position, the restricting portion 25 When the lower left end is caught by the protrusion 36, the restricting portion 25 is held at the second position. Since the protrusion 36 has only a small amount of protrusion, if a certain amount of external force is applied to the restricting portion 25, the restricting portion 25 is moved from the first position side to the second position side or from the second position side. When sliding in one direction, either direction, it can slide over the protrusion 36.

  In the restricting portion 25, a protruding portion 37 is provided at an end portion on the downstream side in the document transport direction. The protruding portion 37 is between a protruding position where the protruding portion 37 protrudes from the contact area 25A (see FIG. 4D) and a storage position where the protruding amount from the contacting area 25A is smaller than the protruding position. It is displaced (see FIG. 4C). In the case of this embodiment, when the protrusion 37 is in the storage position, the protrusion 37 is stored at a position that does not protrude from the contact area 25A, and the protrusion amount from the contact area 25A is zero.

  When the protruding portion 37 is in the protruding position, the portion that protrudes from the contact area 25A contacts the document and restricts the document from being sent downstream in the conveyance direction. That is, even when the original is pushed to the downstream side in the conveyance direction so that it cannot be regulated only by the contact area 25A of the restriction portion 25, the projection 37 further contacts the leading edge of the original, thereby causing the original to move downstream in the conveyance direction. It can be controlled from being sent.

[effect]
According to the multi-function device 1 configured as described above, if the restricting portion 25 is slid to the first position, the restricting portion 25 is placed at the same height or less as the discharge tray 17. Therefore, compared with the case where the restricting portion 25 protrudes upward from the discharge tray 17, the restricting portion 25 does not interfere with the discharged sheet. Further, if the restricting portion 25 is slid to the second position, the contact area 25A forms an inclined surface that rises upward from the upstream side in the document transport direction toward the downstream side. For this reason, by contacting the original with such an upwardly inclined surface, it is possible to restrict the original discharged to the discharge tray 17 from being further sent downstream in the conveyance direction.

  In addition, the restricting portion 25 slides between the first position and the second position while maintaining a state in which the contact area 25A with the upper sheet is directed upward. Therefore, unlike the case where a structure in which the surface directed downward is displaced to a position directed upward, the lower surface side of the restricting portion 25 is not directed upward. Therefore, if the contact region 25A side is designed to look good, even if there is a somewhat unsightly part in the structure on the lower surface side of the restricting part 25, the part can always be hidden, and the restricting part 25 Even if it is displaced to any position, it is possible to maintain a good-looking state.

  Further, in the case of such a restricting portion 25, when designing the details on the lower surface side, the design that emphasizes the strength and manufacturing convenience of the restricting portion 25 without excessively considering the appearance of the lower surface side. It can be carried out.

  Specifically, although it does not look good in terms of design, the presence of ribs can be made inconspicuous by providing ribs necessary for securing strength on the lower surface side of the restricting portion 25. Or when the gate trace and runner trace are made on account of a metal mold | die, they can be provided in the lower surface side of the control part 25, and it can be made not conspicuous.

  In the case of the restricting portion 25, the contact area 25 </ b> A has an upstream end portion (left end portion in the present embodiment) on the upstream side in the document transport direction from the height position of the discharge tray 17 in the state of being displaced to the second position. Since the original to be discharged is not caught by the upstream end in the conveying direction of the restricting portion 25, the original can be smoothly sent out above the restricting portion 25.

  Further, in the case of the restricting portion 25, when the restricting portion 25 is displaced to the first position, the restricting portion 25 fits into the recessed portion 27, so that the contact area 25 </ b> A is placed in a height position equal to or less than the discharge tray 17. be able to.

  In the case of the restricting portion 25, when the restricting portion 25 is slid, the inclination angle of the contact region 25A is appropriately changed using the guide groove 29, the convex portion 31, and the contact portion 33. It is also possible to prevent the restricting portion 25 from rotating around the convex portion 31 and lifting the right end side upward.

  In the case of the restricting portion 25, the restricting portion 25 can be slid by placing a fingertip on the gap 28, so that the restricting portion 25 is positioned at the first position and the second position as compared with the case where such a gap 28 is not formed. It can be easily slid between the positions, and the operability of the restricting portion 25 can be improved.

  Further, in the case of the restricting portion 25, since the protruding portion 37 as described above is provided, the original is sent to the downstream side in the transport direction as compared with the case where such a protruding portion equivalent is not provided. The effect of regulating can be enhanced.

  In particular, in the case of the protruding portion 37, if the protruding portion 37 is displaced to the protruding position, it is possible to enhance the effect of restricting the discharged document from being sent to the downstream side in the conveyance direction. Since the protrusion 37 does not protrude from the contact area 25 </ b> A by being displaced, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 37 from being caught or obstructed.

[Other Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said specific one Embodiment, In addition, it can implement with a various form.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the movable projecting portion 37 is exemplified, but whether or not the projecting portion 37 can be displaced to the storage position is arbitrary, and the projecting portion is always in contact with the restricting portion 25. The structure may protrude from the region 25A.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the regulation unit 25 is provided in the discharge tray 17 that is a document discharge area in the ADF of the image reading apparatus has been described. However, in the recording medium transport mechanism of the image forming apparatus, the recording medium A similar restricting portion may be provided in the discharge area.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP, 2 ... Lower unit, 3 ... Upper unit, 3A ... FB part, 3B ... Cover part, 5 ... Operation panel, 6 ... Extraction port, 7A ... Supply cassette, 10 ... Conveying part, 11 ... Supply roller, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Separation roller, 13 ... Relay roller, 14 ... U-turn conveyance roller, 15 ... Discharge roller, 16 ... Supply tray, 17 ... Discharge tray, 18A ... 1st transparent part for conveyance originals, 18B ... 2nd transparent for conveyance originals , 18C ... transparent part for stationary document, 19A ... first document pressing unit for transported document, 19B ... second document pressing unit for transported document, 19C ... document pressing unit for stationary document, 20A, 20B ... spring, 21 ... guide Shaft, 22 ... carriage, 23A ... first image sensor, 23B ... second image sensor, 25 ... regulator, 25A ... contact area, 27 ... concave, 28 ... gap, 29 ... guide groove, 31 ... convex, 33 It abutments 37 ... protrusion.

Claims (10)

A transport unit that transports a sheet along a predetermined transport path;
A discharge region in which the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit is discharged;
A regulation unit that is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet in the discharge region, and that regulates the sheet from being further conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction in contact with the sheet discharged from the conveyance unit;
The regulating portion has a contact area with the sheet on the upper side, and slides between the first position and the second position while maintaining the state in which the contact area is directed upward.
When the restricting portion is in the first position, the contact area is at a height position equal to or less than the discharge area,
When the restricting portion is in the second position, the contact region forms an inclined surface that is inclined upward from the upstream side toward the downstream end in the sheet conveying direction. In the state where the restricting portion is displaced to the second position, the contact area has an end on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction below the height position of the discharge area, and an end on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portion is above a height position of the discharge area. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge area includes a recess into which the restriction portion is fitted in a state where the restriction portion is displaced to the first position. The concave portion has an inner wall surface extending along the sliding direction of the restricting portion, and a guide groove is formed on the inner wall surface,
The restricting portion is formed with a convex portion that fits into the guide groove, and when the restricting portion slides, the convex portion moves along the guide groove,
An abutting portion that abuts on the lower surface side of the restricting portion is provided on the inner bottom portion of the concave portion,
The restricting portion varies the inclination angle of the contact area by sliding while maintaining the state where the convex portion is fitted in the guide groove and the lower surface side of the restricting portion is in contact with the contact portion. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 3. The restricting portion rotates in a direction in which the lower surface side of the restricting portion is separated from the abutting portion with the convex portion as a rotation center when a part of the restricting portion contacts the inner bottom portion of the recess. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sheet conveying apparatus is in a state where the sheet is blocked. The clearance gap is formed between the end surface of the conveyance direction upstream of the said control part and the inner wall surface of the said recessed part which the said end surface opposes when the said control part displaces to a 1st position. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 5. In the restricting portion, a protruding portion is provided at an end portion on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet to restrict the sheet from coming into contact with the sheet at a portion protruding from the contact area and being sent downstream in the conveyance direction. The sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The sheet according to claim 7, wherein the protrusion is displaced between a protrusion position where the protrusion protrudes from the contact area and a storage position where the protrusion amount from the contact area is smaller than the protrusion position. Conveying device. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the protruding portion is stored at a position that does not protrude from the contact area when the protruding portion is in the storage position. A transport unit that transports a sheet along a predetermined transport path;
A reading unit that reads an image of a sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit;
A discharge region in which the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit is discharged;
A regulation unit that is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet in the discharge region, and that regulates the sheet from being further conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction in contact with the sheet discharged from the conveyance unit;
The regulating portion has a contact area with the sheet on the upper side, and slides between the first position and the second position while maintaining the state in which the contact area is directed upward.
When the restricting portion is in the first position, the contact area is at a height position equal to or less than the discharge area,
An image reading apparatus in which, when the restricting portion is in the second position, the contact area has an inclined surface that is inclined upward from the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction toward the downstream end.

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