CN1896880A - Paper discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a paper discharge device capable of reliably improving the regularity of document discharge on a paper discharge tray without imposing a large load on sheets and without enlarging the structure of the device. The paper discharge device includes a paper discharge roller (128) for discharging a document (D), and a paper discharge tray (13) for carrying the discharged document (D), and the paper discharge tray (13) includes a D) The third inclined surface (134c) whose ejection direction rises, and the second inclined surface (134b), which is connected to the original document (D) relative to the third inclined surface (134c). The upstream side in the discharge direction includes a horizontal plane, or an inclined surface whose slope is gentler than the third inclined surface (134c), or an inclined surface whose gradient is opposite to that of the third inclined surface (134c).

Description

Paper discharge device

technical field

The present invention relates to a paper discharge device which is mounted on, for example, an automatic document feeder of an image forming apparatus, and which discharges input paper.

Background technique

An automatic document feeder (ADF) may be attached to an image forming apparatus such as a copier. This automatic document feeder is used to take out the originals (sheets) placed on the paper feed tray one by one, feed them to the reading position R of the image forming apparatus, and discharge the originals to the ejector after the image reading is completed. on the tray. Therefore, the automatic document feeder is equipped with a paper discharge device including a paper discharge unit for discharging the document after the image scanning is completed, and a paper discharge tray for storing the discharged document.

However, in conventional paper discharge devices, there is a problem that the order of the documents on the paper discharge tray, that is, the uniformity of paper discharge, is reduced due to the discrepancy between the discharge speed and the size of the original documents. The main reason for the decline in the neatness of the paper discharge is that the front end of the discharged originals hangs down due to gravity, and contacts the surface of the originals that have been discharged on the paper discharge tray, which causes the originals on the paper discharge tray to move.

In order to solve this problem, there has been proposed a technique for improving the straightness of the document during paper discharge by corrugating the discharged document. If the straightness of the original is improved, the position where the front end of the ejected original contacts the original on the ejection tray becomes farther away, thereby reducing the contact time and area of the ejected original with the surface of the original on the ejection tray. As a result, It can improve the neatness of the output of originals on the output tray.

In addition, a technique has been proposed in which the rear end of the document is aligned with the rear end wall of the discharge tray by tilting the discharge tray and sliding the discharged document backward. However, if the paper discharge tray is tilted, the paper discharge tray will become taller, leading to an increase in the size of the device structure. Therefore, there has been proposed a technique of suppressing the height of the paper discharge tray by forming the rear end portion of the paper discharge tray into an inclined surface or a flat surface.

In addition, a technique has been proposed in which, instead of aligning the rear end of the document with the rear end wall of the discharge tray, a front wall is provided on the discharge tray, and the front end wall of the discharged document is aligned with the front end.

In addition, a technology combining these technologies has also been proposed: the rear end of the paper discharge tray is formed into a flat surface to limit the height of the paper discharge tray, and the front end wall is provided on the paper discharge tray, and the front end wall is used to make the discharge Align the leading edge of the original. Since the front end wall is movable relative to the discharge tray, documents of various sizes can be handled (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-277579

However, in order to prevent the front end of the document from coming into contact with the document on the discharge tray until the document is completely discharged, it is necessary to form a rather large corrugation. However, if the original is formed into a large wave shape, a large stress needs to be applied, and the original may be damaged.

In Patent Document 1, it is possible to reduce the size of the device structure, but since the front end wall is movable, if the position does not correspond to the size of the document, the orderly discharge of the document cannot be improved.

For example, when the front end wall is far away from the original size, the front end of the original cannot be aligned. On the other hand, if the front end wall is near the original size, the front end of the original will be aligned with the front end wall before the original is completely ejected. If they collide, there is a problem that the original document will be bent.

Contents of the invention

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper discharge device that can reliably improve the orderliness of the original document on the discharge tray without applying a large load to the paper and without enlarging the device structure. .

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object of the invention, the paper discharge device of the present invention adopts the following structure.

(1) A paper discharge device including a paper discharge mechanism for discharging sheets, and a paper discharge tray for carrying the discharged paper, the paper discharge tray including a first surface, and a second surface, the second surface is connected to the upstream side of the discharge direction of the paper relative to the first surface, and includes a horizontal plane, or a slope with a gentler slope than the first surface, or a slope with a lower slope than the first surface. opposite slope.

(2) In the paper discharge device described in (1), the first surface is disposed within a predetermined range including a position at which the largest sheet of paper can be discharged from the paper discharge mechanism. A position corresponding to the front end of a sheet of approximately half the size when the sheet is placed on the discharge tray.

(3) In the paper discharge device described in (1) or (2), including a third surface and a fourth surface, the third surface is arranged on the upstream side of the paper discharge direction with respect to the second surface, and faces The discharge direction of the papers rises, and the fourth surface is connected to the upstream side of the discharge direction of the papers relative to the third surface, and includes a horizontal plane, or a slope with a gentler slope than the third surface, or a slope with a slope similar to that of the first surface. Three surfaces with opposite slopes.

(4) In the paper discharge device described in (3), the third surface is disposed within a predetermined range including a position at which the largest sheet of paper can be discharged from the paper discharge mechanism. A position corresponding to the center of the paper sheet when the paper sheet approximately half the size is placed on the discharge tray.

(5) In the paper discharge device described in (1), the first surface has a paper that can slide on the first surface when the driving force of the paper discharge mechanism acts on the discharged paper. Tilt angle.

(6) A paper discharge device, comprising a paper discharge mechanism for discharging paper, and a paper discharge tray for carrying the discharged paper; a center portion in the width direction substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction of the paper sheets is used to bulge the center portion in the width direction of the paper sheets loaded on the paper discharge tray; There are a first surface raised toward the discharge direction of the sheets, and a second surface connected to the upstream side of the discharge direction of the sheets relative to the first surface, and includes a horizontal plane or a slope higher than that of the first surface. A gentle slope, or a slope opposite to the first surface.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably improve the regularity of document discharge on the discharge tray without imposing a large load on the sheets and without enlarging the structure of the device.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a digital copier according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the automatic document feeder in this embodiment;

3 is a perspective view showing the automatic document feeder with the paper feed tray removed in the embodiment;

4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the automatic document feeder in this embodiment;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the paper discharge device in this embodiment from the downstream side in the document conveying direction;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing the discharge tray in this embodiment; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the discharge tray in this embodiment.

Detailed ways

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

(Structure of Digital Copier)

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a digital copier according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , the digital copier includes an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) 10 , a scanning unit 20 and a printer engine unit 30 .

In addition, in digital copiers, the maximum copy original size is called the original size (FullSize), and its half size is called the Half Size (Half Size). Therefore, in this embodiment, since the maximum copy document size is A3 size, the A3 size becomes the original size, and the A4 size which is a half size thereof becomes the half size.

The automatic document feeder 10 feeds documents (sheets) D one by one and supplies them to a predetermined reading position R (described later).

The scanning unit 20 optically reads an image of a document D supplied by the automatic document feeder 10 or manually, and converts it into image data.

The printer engine unit 30 includes a charging device, a laser unit, a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a transfer roller, and a fixing device (all not shown). The charging device is used to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum to a specified potential. The laser unit is used to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum based on image data from the scanning unit 20 . The developing device is used to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with toner. The transfer roller is used to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum to paper. The fixing device is used to fix the toner image transferred onto the paper. With this configuration, the document image read by the scanner unit 20 is copied onto paper by the printer engine unit 30 .

(Structure of the automatic document feeder 10)

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the automatic document feeder 10 in this embodiment, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the automatic document feeder 10 after the paper feeding tray 11 is removed in this embodiment, Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the automatic document feeder 10 in this embodiment A cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the automatic document feeder 10.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , the automatic document feeder 10 includes: a paper feed tray 11 carrying a plurality of original documents D, and a mechanism for taking out the original documents D from the paper feed tray 11 and conveying them along a conveyance path C (described later). A conveying device 12 and a discharge tray (receiving tray) 13 for accommodating a plurality of original documents D discharged from the conveying device 12 .

The conveying device 12 has a first guide part 121 and a second guide part 122 . The first guide member 121 and the second guide member 122 have smooth guide surfaces inside, and a conveyance path C for conveying the document D is formed in a gap between the guide surfaces.

The conveyance path C is formed in a substantially U-shape connecting the paper feed tray 11 and the paper discharge tray 13 , and a reading position R for reading a document image is provided at a portion closest to the scanner unit 20 .

The first guide member 121 is disposed outside the second guide member 122 , and has a rectangular opening 121 a formed in a portion corresponding to the reading position R. As shown in FIG. As a result, the document D conveyed on the conveyance path C faces the scanner unit 20 when passing through the reading position R. As shown in FIG.

On the conveyance path C, a pickup roller 123, a separate roller (Separate Loller) 124, a first conveyance roller 125a, a registration roller 126, a second conveyance roller 125b, a stabilizer roller 127, The third transport roller 125c, and the discharge roller 128 .

The pickup roller 123 picks up the document D one by one from the paper feed tray 11 and feeds it to the transport path C of the transport device 12 . The separation roller 124 passes only the uppermost document D when the pickup roller 123 feeds a plurality of documents D, and blocks the progress of the remaining documents D. The document D separated by the separation roller 124 is conveyed along the conveyance path C by the first to third conveyance rollers 125 a to 125 c. The registration rollers 126 adjust the position of the document D conveyed by the first to third conveyance rollers 125 a to 125 c. The stabilizing roller 127 stabilizes the movement of the document D conveyed by the first to third conveying rollers 125 a to 125 c at a position in front of the reading position R. The discharge roller 128 forms the discharge device 40 of the present invention together with the discharge tray 13 , and discharges the document D conveyed by the first to third conveyance rollers 125 a to 125 c from the conveyance path C of the conveyance device 12 .

These rollers 123 to 128 are provided at predetermined intervals on the driving shaft supported in a horizontal state. In this embodiment, four are provided respectively. ~128 spin together.

A pinch roller 129 is arranged directly below the discharge roller 128 . The pinch roller 129 is rotatably disposed in a groove portion 121b (shown only in FIG. 5 ) of the first guide member 121 , and is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the discharge roller 128 by an elastic member such as a leaf spring.

Downstream of the reading position R, the first guide member 121 is located on the lower side of the second guide member 122 . Therefore, in the following description, the portion downstream of the reading position R of the first guide member 121 is referred to as the lower guide portion 121c, and the portion downstream of the reading position R of the second guide member 122 is referred to as the upper guide portion 122c.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the paper discharge device 40 in this embodiment from the downstream side in the document conveyance direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the guide surface of the lower guide portion (guide member) 121c is disposed lower than the lowermost portion of the paper discharge roller 128, and has a plurality of protrusions 130 substantially directly below the drive shaft of the paper discharge roller 128. In this embodiment, there are four. The number of protrusions 130 is not particularly limited.

These protrusions 130 are arranged at positions not facing the paper discharge rollers 128, and in this embodiment, one of the four paper discharge rollers 128 located on the outermost side is sandwiched from both sides. In addition, the upper end portions of these protrusions 130 protrude upward from the lowermost portion of the discharge roller 128 .

Each protrusion 130 has a raised surface (not shown) that rises toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction on the side surface on the upstream side of the document D in the conveyance direction. Thus, when the transported original D reaches the protrusion 130, the portion of the original D corresponding to the protrusion 130 is lifted by the lifting surface and climbs up the protrusion 130. On the other hand, the portion of the original D corresponding to the discharge roller 128 Parts are still guided by the upper and lower guides 121c, 122c, and enter between the discharge roller 128 and the pinch roller 129.

(Structure of the output tray 13)

Next, the discharge tray 13 as the gist of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6 .

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the discharge tray 13 in this embodiment. In the following description, the ejection direction refers to the direction in which the document D is ejected, and the width direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the ejection direction.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the discharge tray 13 includes: a carrying surface 131 for carrying the discharged originals D; aligned rear end surfaces 132 ; and side wall surfaces 133 provided at both ends in the width direction of the loading surface 131 for preventing the document D loaded on the loading surface 131 from falling in the width direction.

The carrying surface 131 includes a horizontal surface (fourth surface) 131a and a hilly surface 131b (only shown in FIG. 3 ) from near the rear end surface 132, and a bulging portion 134 is provided at the central part in the width direction for carrying the load. The central portion in the width direction of the document D on the loading surface 131 bulges.

The bulging portion 134 extends from the middle of the horizontal surface 131a to the rear end of the hilly surface 131b, and includes a first inclined surface (third surface) 134a and a second inclined surface in order from a position close to the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13. (second surface) 134b, third inclined surface (first surface) 134c, fourth inclined surface 134d.

The first to fourth inclined surfaces 134 a to 134 d are all inclined so as to rise toward the paper discharge direction, so that the loaded document D can easily slide down toward the rear end surface 132 .

The first inclined surface 134a has a predetermined width upstream and downstream in the paper discharge direction centered on a position separated from the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13 by approximately half of the longitudinal dimension of the A4 size document D. That is, the first inclined surface 134 a is formed within a predetermined range including the position of the front end of the A4-size document placed on the loading surface 131 .

The third inclined surface 134c has a predetermined width upstream and downstream with respect to the paper discharge direction centered on a position separated from the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13 by the approximate longitudinal dimension of the A4 size document D.

Thus, when an A4-sized document D is placed on the loading surface 131 , the middle portion of the document D is correspondingly located on the first inclined surface 134 a , and the front end of the document D is correspondingly located on the third inclined surface 134 c.

On the other hand, when the document D of A3 size is placed on the supporting surface 131 , the two midway parts of the document D are correspondingly located on the first and third inclined surfaces 134 a and 134 c respectively.

The first inclined surface 134a is an inclined surface with a greater inclination than the horizontal surface 131a connected upstream in the paper discharge direction and the second inclined surface 134b connected downstream in the paper discharge direction. Using its inclination, it can prevent the loaded original from D The function of moving along the paper discharge direction.

The third inclined surface 134c is an inclined surface with a greater inclination than the second inclined surface 134b connected upstream in the paper discharge direction and the third inclined surface 134d connected downstream in the paper discharge direction. The function of moving the loaded document D along the paper ejection direction.

That is, when the original document D discharged later exerts a frictional force toward the paper discharge direction on the original document D already loaded on the paper discharge tray 13 , the first and third inclined surfaces 134a, 134c will exert a frictional force on the original document D on the paper discharge tray 13 . A resistance is applied that counteracts the frictional force.

Especially when the document D loaded on the paper discharge tray 13 is A4 size, since the front end of the document D contacts the first inclined surface 134a at a large friction angle, even if the document D discharged later is subjected to force in the paper discharge direction, Greater friction can also exert enough resistance to counteract it.

Thus, even if the original document D discharged later exerts a frictional force toward the paper discharge direction on the original document D already loaded on the paper discharge tray 13, the loaded original document D can also utilize the force exerted by the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c. resistance to prevent movement in the ejection direction.

In addition, the inclination angle of the third inclined surface 134 c is designed such that the third inclined surface 134 c does not hinder the traveling of the original document D when the A3-size original D is discharged by the discharge roller 128 . That is, when the driving force of the discharge roller 128 acts directly on the A3-size document D, the document D can slide on the third inclined surface 134c. Accordingly, the A3-size document D discharged onto the discharge tray 13 can smoothly travel to the fourth inclined surface 134 d without stopping on the third inclined surface 134 c.

A retractable auxiliary paper discharge tray 135 is accommodated on the front end side of the paper discharge tray 13 . The auxiliary paper discharge tray 135 is arranged at a position approximately the longitudinal dimension of the A3-size document D from the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13 . Thus, when the A3-size document D is placed on the paper discharge tray 13 , the front end of the document D is correspondingly positioned on the auxiliary paper discharge tray 135 .

The auxiliary discharge tray 135 is an inclined surface with a greater inclination than the fourth inclined surface 134d, which is the same as the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c, and its inclination can prevent A3 size from being carried on the output tray 13. The effect of moving the original D along the ejection direction.

That is, when the document D discharged later exerts a frictional force on the A3-size document D already loaded on the paper discharge tray 13, the first and third inclined surfaces 134a, 134c and the auxiliary paper discharge tray 135 exert frictional force on the paper discharge tray 13. The A3 size original D applies a resistance that counteracts the frictional force.

Thus, even if the document D discharged later exerts a frictional force toward the paper discharge direction on the A3-size document D already loaded on the paper discharge tray 13, the loaded A3-size document D can utilize the first and third inclined surfaces 134a. , 134c and the resistance exerted by the auxiliary discharge tray 135 to prevent movement in the discharge direction.

A plurality of ribs 136 (only shown in FIG. 3 ) are formed on the supporting surface 131 of the paper discharge tray 13 , the bulging portion 134 and the auxiliary paper discharge tray 135 along the paper discharge direction. These ribs 136 are used to reduce the contact area between the document D and the bearing surface, and reduce the frictional force between them. The document D initially placed on the loading surface 131 of the paper discharge tray 13 slides down to the rear of the paper discharge tray 13 due to the action of these ribs 136 .

(Structure of scanning unit 20)

The scanning unit 20 has a glass plate (not shown) at a position corresponding to the reading position R. As shown in FIG. This glass plate is colorless and transparent, and a reading device (not shown) is provided on the scanning unit 20 side thereof. The reading device has a first carriage, a second carriage, an imaging lens and a CCD sensor (both not shown).

An exposure lamp (not shown) is provided on the first carriage to irradiate light on the document D passing through the surface of the glass plate. First to third mirrors (not shown) are attached to the first and second carriages for reflecting light reflected from the surface of the document in a predetermined direction.

When the document D passes the reading position R, the light emitted from the exposure lamp passes through the glass plate and reaches the surface of the document. In addition, the light reflected by the surface of the original returns to the scanning unit 20 through the glass plate, and is guided to the imaging lens after being reflected by the first to third mirrors. And, the light condensed by the imaging lens is detected by the CCD sensor and used to generate image data.

A platen glass (not shown) is provided above the scanning unit 20 for manually loading the document D when the document image is read without the automatic document feeder 10 .

(Ejecting operation of document D)

The document D whose document image has been scanned is guided by the upper and lower guides 121 c and 122 c and conveyed to the discharge roller 128 . Then, when the conveyed document D reaches the protrusion 130 of the lower guide 121 c , a portion of the document D corresponding to the protrusion 130 is lifted by the lifting surface, and climbs up the protrusion 130 . On the other hand, the portion of the document D corresponding to the discharge roller 128 is still guided by the upper and lower guides 121 c and 122 c, and enters between the discharge roller 128 and the pinch roller 129 .

As a result, the document D discharged to the discharge tray 13 differs in the traveling direction between the portion corresponding to the protrusion 130 and the portion corresponding to the discharge roller 128 . As a result, the cross-sectional shape of the discharged document D is partially formed into a substantially S-shape, that is, a so-called corrugated shape.

The corrugated document D gradually hangs down from the front end during discharge, and finally comes into contact with the surface of the document D placed on the discharge tray 13 . Also, the discharged document D travels in the discharge direction before its rear end is released from the nip between the discharge roller 128 and the pinch roller 129 , and during this period, the original document D that has been loaded on the discharge tray 13 is continuously processed. The original D exerts a frictional force in the paper ejection direction.

However, when the document D loaded on the paper discharge tray 13 is A4 size, its front end is correspondingly located on the third inclined surface 134c of the paper discharge tray 13, and the middle part is correspondingly located on the first inclined surface 134a. Therefore, even if The friction force is exerted by the document D discharged later, and the document D placed on the discharge tray 13 is also prevented from moving in the discharge direction due to the resistance exerted by the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c.

In addition, when the document D loaded on the paper discharge tray 13 is A3 size, the middle part thereof is located on the first and third inclined surfaces 134a, 134c, and the front end is correspondingly located on the auxiliary paper discharge tray 135. Therefore, even if The frictional force is exerted by the document D discharged later, and the document D carried on the discharge tray 13 will not move in the discharge direction due to the resistance exerted by the first and third inclined surfaces 134a, 134c and the auxiliary discharge tray 135. .

Therefore, in this embodiment, the position and posture of the document D loaded on the discharge tray 13 will not be disturbed by the document D discharged later, thereby improving the discharge of the document D stored in the discharge tray 13. Neatness.

(Effect of this embodiment)

The paper discharge tray 13 of this embodiment has first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c. The first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c are inclined in a form that becomes higher toward the paper discharge direction, and are configured to be carried on the discharge tray. Resistance when the document D on the tray 13 moves in the paper ejection direction.

Therefore, even if the document D loaded on the discharge tray 13 is subjected to the frictional force of the document D discharged later, it will not move in the discharge direction due to the resistance exerted by the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c.

Furthermore, the third inclined surface 134c in this embodiment has a predetermined width upstream and downstream with respect to the paper discharge direction centered on a position separated from the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13 by the approximate longitudinal dimension of the A4 size document D.

Therefore, when the A4-size document D is loaded on the paper discharge tray 13, its front end contacts the third inclined surface 134c at a large friction angle, and therefore, a large force acts on the A4-size document D on the paper discharge tray 13. resistance. That is, the third inclined surface 134c in the present embodiment is arranged so that the A4-size document D on the discharge tray 13 is most difficult to move.

In addition, the first inclined surface 134a in the present embodiment is centered at a position separated from the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13 by approximately half of the longitudinal dimension of the A4 size document D, and has predetermined angles upstream and downstream with respect to the paper discharge direction. width.

Therefore, even if a plurality of A4-size originals D are loaded on the discharge tray 13, the front end of the originals D on the discharge tray 13 cannot be in contact with the first inclined surface 134a due to its thickness. The surface 134 a provides necessary resistance to the A4-size document D on the paper discharge tray 13 , so that the document D on the paper discharge tray 13 does not move in the paper discharge direction.

In addition, the discharge tray 13 in this embodiment has a bulging portion 134 at the central portion in the width direction, and the first and third inclined surfaces 134a, 134c are provided on the bulging portion 134 .

Therefore, the central portion of the document D on the discharge tray 13 in the width direction is swollen, and the friction area with the document D discharged later is reduced, so that the discharge order of the document D on the discharge tray 13 can be further improved.

In addition, the paper discharge tray 13 in the present embodiment has an auxiliary paper discharge tray 135 which is inclined so as to rise upward toward the paper discharge direction, and which is A3 size placed on the paper discharge tray 13 . The resistance when the original D moves in the paper ejection direction.

Therefore, even if the A3-size document D loaded on the discharge tray 13 is subjected to the frictional force exerted by the document D discharged later, the resistance exerted by the first and third inclined surfaces 134 a , 134 c and the auxiliary discharge tray 135 will not cause friction. Moves in the ejection direction.

In addition, the auxiliary discharge tray 135 in this embodiment is arranged at a position separated from the rear end surface 132 of the discharge tray 13 by approximately the longitudinal dimension of the A3-size document D. As shown in FIG.

Therefore, when an A3-size document D is placed on the discharge tray 13, the front end of the document D comes into contact with the auxiliary discharge tray 135 at a large friction angle, and therefore, the A3-size document D on the discharge tray 13 is acted on. There is great resistance. That is, the auxiliary discharge tray 135 in the present embodiment is configured such that the A3-size document D on the discharge tray 13 is most difficult to move.

As described above, the regularity of paper discharge of the original document D on the paper discharge tray 13 can be improved without forming large corrugations, and thus the load on the original document D can be reduced. Furthermore, there is no need to greatly incline the entire loading surface 131 of the discharge tray 13, so that the size of the device structure is not increased. In addition, even if the originals D of various sizes are discharged by the discharge rollers 128, the discharge operation is not hindered, so the regularity of the discharge of the originals D on the discharge tray can be reliably improved.

Moreover, if the width of the first inclined surface 134a in the paper discharge direction is formed to include the front end position of the B5-size document loaded on the paper discharge tray 13, even for the B5-size document D, the same as the aforementioned A4-size document can be obtained. D has the same effect.

In addition, the inclination angles of the first and third inclined surfaces 134a, 134c are designed so that even when the auxiliary paper discharge tray 135 is not pulled out, the combined effect of these inclined surfaces 134a, 134c can be used to prevent the paper discharge tray 13 from being loaded. The A3-size original D moves in the ejection direction. However, by pulling out the auxiliary discharge tray 135 , better discharge order of the document D can be obtained.

The bulging portion 134 in this embodiment has a second inclined surface 134b between the first and third inclined surfaces 134a, 134c, but, as shown in FIG. 1. A concave curved surface 134e is provided between the third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c.

In this embodiment, the first to fourth inclined surfaces 134 a - 134 d are formed on the bulging portion 134 of the carrying surface 131 , but are not limited thereto, for example, may also be formed on the entire carrying surface 131 . In addition, the first to fourth inclined surfaces 134a to 134d may be formed on the loading surface of the discharge tray that does not have the bulging portion 134 .

In this embodiment, an example in which the paper discharge device 40 is applied to a digital copying machine is described, but this is only an example, and the corresponding effect can be obtained by applying it to any position where paper is discharged.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the constituent elements can be modified and embodied in a range that does not deviate from the gist at the stage of implementation. In addition, various inventions can also be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, some constituent elements may be omitted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments. In addition, it is also possible to appropriately combine constituent elements in different embodiments.

Symbol Description

13 row paper tray 40 paper discharge device

128 paper discharge roller 131a horizontal plane (the fourth surface)

134 Bulging part 134a first inclined surface (third surface)

134b second inclined surface (second surface)

134c third inclined surface (first surface)

D original (paper type)

Claims (6)

1. A paper discharge device, comprising: a paper discharge mechanism for discharging paper; and The discharge tray is used to carry the discharged paper, It is characterized in that the paper discharge tray includes: the first surface is raised toward the discharge direction of the sheets; and The second surface is connected to the upstream side of the sheet discharge direction relative to the first surface, and includes a horizontal plane, an inclined surface with a gentler slope than the first surface, or an inclined surface with an opposite slope to the first surface. 2. The paper discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first surface is disposed within a predetermined range including a position at which a sheet of approximately half the size of the largest sheet that can be discharged from the discharge mechanism is placed on the discharge mechanism. The position corresponding to the front end of the sheet when placed on the tray. 3. The paper discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Also includes: a third surface disposed upstream in a discharge direction of the sheets relative to the second surface, and raised toward the discharge direction of the sheets; and The fourth surface is connected to the upstream side of the sheet discharge direction with respect to the third surface, and includes a horizontal plane, or an inclined surface with a gentler slope than the third surface, or an inclined surface with an opposite slope to the third surface. 4. The paper discharge device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The third surface is disposed within a predetermined range including a position where a sheet of approximately half the size of the largest sheet that can be discharged from the discharge mechanism is placed on the discharge mechanism. When on the tray, the position corresponds to the center of the sheet. 5. The paper discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first surface has an inclination angle at which the sheets can slide on the first surface when the driving force of the sheet discharge mechanism acts on the discharged sheets. 6. A paper discharge device, comprising: a paper discharge mechanism for discharging paper; and The discharge tray is used to carry the discharged paper, It is characterized by: The discharge tray includes a bulging portion provided at a central portion in a width direction substantially perpendicular to a discharge direction of the paper sheets for making the central portion of the paper sheets loaded on the discharge tray muster; Formed on the upper surface of the bulge: the first surface is raised toward the discharge direction of the sheets; and The second surface is connected to the upstream side of the sheet discharge direction relative to the first surface, and includes a horizontal plane, an inclined surface with a gentler slope than the first surface, or an inclined surface with an opposite slope to the first surface.

Images