JP2007015838A - Paper discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a paper discharge device capable of reliably improving the paper discharge alignment on a paper discharge tray without imposing a heavy burden on paper sheets and without increasing the size of the device.
A discharge roller 128 for discharging a document D and a discharge tray 13 for stacking the discharged document D are provided, and the discharge tray 13 rises in the discharge direction of the document D. The inclined surface 134c and the third inclined surface 134c are connected to the upstream side in the discharge direction of the document D, and the horizontal surface, the inclined surface having a gentler slope than the first surface, or the third inclined surface 134c. And a second inclined surface 134b made of an inclined surface having a reverse gradient.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper discharge device that is mounted on, for example, an automatic document feeder of an image forming apparatus and discharges taken-in paper sheets.

  An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine may be equipped with an automatic document feeder (ADF). This automatic document feeder takes out documents (paper sheets) stacked on a paper feed tray one by one, feeds them to a reading position R of the image forming apparatus, and discharges them to a paper discharge tray after reading an image. . For this reason, the automatic document feeder is equipped with a paper discharge unit that discharges the original after image reading and a paper discharge device that includes a paper discharge tray that stores the discharged original.

  By the way, the conventional paper discharge device has a problem that the alignment of the originals on the paper discharge tray, that is, the paper discharge alignment, is deteriorated due to variations in the discharge speed and the document size. The main cause of the decline in the discharge alignment is that the leading edge of the discharged document hangs down due to gravity, and contacts the surface of the document that has already been discharged to the discharge tray, causing the document on the discharge tray to move. There is.

  In order to solve this problem, a technique has been developed in which corrugation is applied to a discharged document to improve the straightness of the document when discharged. If the straightness of the original document is improved, the position where the leading edge of the discharged document comes into contact with the document on the discharge tray is moved away, so that the time during which the discharged document is in contact with the document surface on the discharge tray, and The area is reduced, and as a result, the document discharge alignment on the discharge tray is improved.

  A technique has also been developed in which the rear end of the original is aligned with the rear end wall of the discharge tray by tilting the discharge tray and sliding the discharged original backward. However, if the paper discharge tray is tilted, the paper discharge tray becomes higher and the apparatus configuration becomes larger. In view of this, a technology has been developed that suppresses the height of the paper discharge tray by making the rear end of the paper discharge tray a gentle slope or flat.

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

Furthermore, as a combination of these technologies, the rear end of the paper discharge tray is flattened to suppress the height of the paper discharge tray, and the front end wall is provided on the paper discharge tray, so that the front end of the document to be discharged A technology for aligning the wall with the tip wall was also developed. The leading end wall is movable with respect to the paper discharge tray, and can handle documents of various sizes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-7-277579

  By the way, in order to prevent the leading edge of the document from coming into contact with the document on the sheet discharge tray until the document is completely discharged, a considerably large corrugation is required. However, if a large corrugation is applied to the document, a great stress is applied and the document may be damaged.

  According to Patent Document 1, the apparatus configuration is certainly downsized, but since the tip wall is movable, if the position does not correspond to the document size, the document discharge alignment can be improved. I can't expect it.

  For example, if the tip wall is distal to the document size, the document tip cannot be aligned, and if the tip wall is proximal to the document size, the document tip is completely ejected. There is a problem that the document collides with the leading end wall before being bent and the document is bent.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to avoid the burden on the paper sheets and to increase the size of the apparatus without increasing the size of the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a paper discharge device that can reliably improve the paper discharge alignment.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the paper discharge device of the present invention is configured as follows.

(1) A paper discharge unit that discharges paper sheets and a paper discharge tray on which the discharged paper sheets are stacked are provided, and the paper discharge tray rises in a paper sheet discharge direction. A plane, and an upstream side in the discharge direction of paper sheets with respect to the first plane, from a horizontal plane, a slope with a gentler slope than the first plane, or a slope with a slope opposite to that of the first plane And a second surface.

(2) In the paper discharge device described in (1), the first surface is configured such that approximately half of the largest paper sheets that can be discharged from the paper discharge unit are stacked on the paper discharge tray. When it is done, it is arranged over a predetermined range including a position corresponding to the tip of the paper sheet.

(3) In the paper discharge device described in (1) or (2), it is disposed upstream of the second surface in the paper discharge direction, and is directed toward the paper discharge direction. A third surface that is higher, and is connected to the upstream side in the paper discharge direction with respect to the third surface, and has a horizontal surface or a slope with a gentler slope than the third surface or the third surface. And a fourth surface composed of a slope with a reverse gradient.

(4) In the paper discharge device described in (3), the third surface is configured such that approximately half of the largest paper sheet that can be discharged from the paper discharge unit is stacked on the paper discharge tray. When it is done, it is arranged over a predetermined range including a position corresponding to the central portion of the paper sheet.

(5) In the paper discharge device described in (1), when the driving force by the discharge means is applied to the discharged paper sheet, the first surface is on the inclined surface. It has an inclination angle that can be slid.

(6) a paper discharge unit that discharges the paper sheets and a paper discharge tray on which the discharged paper sheets are stacked, the paper discharge tray being a center in the width direction substantially orthogonal to the paper sheet discharge direction; Provided on the sheet discharge tray, and has a protrusion that protrudes in the center in the width direction of the paper sheets stacked on the paper discharge tray, and the upper surface of the protrusion becomes higher in the paper discharge direction. The first surface is connected to the upstream side in the paper discharge direction with respect to the first surface, and is a horizontal surface, a slope with a gentler slope than the first surface, or a reverse slope with respect to the first surface. And a second surface made of a slanted surface.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably improve the document discharge alignment on the discharge tray without imposing a large burden on the paper sheets and without increasing the size of the apparatus.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Configuration of digital copier)
FIG. 1 is an external view showing a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital copying machine includes an automatic document feeder (ADF; auto document feeder) 10, a scanner unit 20, and a printer engine unit 30.

  In the digital copying machine, the maximum copy original size is called a full size, and half the size is called a half size. Accordingly, in this embodiment, since the maximum copy original size is A3 size, A3 size is full size, and A4 size, which is half of that size, is half size.

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

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

  The printer engine unit 30 includes a charging charger, a laser unit, a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a transfer roller, and a fixing device (all not shown). The charging charger charges the surface of the photosensitive drum to a predetermined potential. The laser unit forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum based on the image data from the scanner unit 20. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with toner. The transfer roller transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum to a sheet. The fixing device fixes the toner image transferred to the paper. With such a configuration, the document image read by the scanner unit 20 is copied onto a sheet by the printer engine unit 30.

(Configuration of automatic document feeder 10)
2 is a perspective view showing the automatic document feeder 10 according to the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the automatic document feeder 10 with the paper feed tray 11 according to the embodiment removed, and FIG. 4 is the embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the automatic document feeder 10 according to FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the automatic document feeder 10 takes out a document feed tray 11 on which a plurality of documents D are placed, a document D from the paper feed tray 11, and a conveyance path C (described later). ) And a paper discharge tray 13 in which a plurality of originals D discharged from the transport device 12 are accommodated.

  The transport device 12 includes first and second guide members 121 and 122. Each of the first and second guide members 121 and 122 has a smooth guide surface inside, and a conveyance path C for conveying the document D is formed in a gap between the guide surface and the guide surface. .

  The transport path C is substantially U-shaped so as to connect the paper feed tray 11 and the paper discharge tray 13, and the reading position where the original image is read is located at the portion closest to the scanner unit 20. R is provided.

  The first guide member 121 is disposed outside the second guide member 122, and a rectangular opening 121 a is formed at a portion corresponding to the reading position R. As a result, the document D transported on the transport path C faces the scanner unit 20 when passing the reading position R.

  In the conveyance path C, the pickup roller 123, the separation roller 124, the first conveyance roller 125a, the registration roller 126, the second roller 125b, the stabilization roller 127, and the third roller are sequentially arranged from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the document D. 125c and a paper discharge roller 128 are disposed.

  The pickup roller 123 picks up the documents D one by one from the paper feed tray 11 and takes them into the transport path C of the transport device 12. The separation roller 124 allows only the uppermost document D to pass through when the plurality of documents D are taken in by the pickup roller 123 and blocks the progress of the remaining documents D. The first to third transport rollers 125 a to 125 c transport the document D separated by the separation roller 124 along the transport path C. The registration roller 126 aligns the document D conveyed by the first to third conveyance rollers 125a to 125c. The stability roller 127 stabilizes the behavior of the document D conveyed by the first to third conveyance rollers 125a to 125c immediately before the reading position R. The paper discharge roller 128 constitutes the paper discharge device 40 of the present invention together with the paper discharge tray 13, and the document D transported by the first to third transport rollers 125 a to 125 c is transported along the transport path C of the transport device 12. To discharge from.

  Note that a plurality of these rollers 123 to 128 are provided on a horizontally supported drive shaft at a predetermined interval, and in this embodiment, four each are provided. When each drive shaft rotates, the rollers are provided on the drive shaft. All the rollers 123 to 128 rotate at the same time.

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

  By the way, the first guide member 121 is located below the second guide member 122 downstream of the reading position R. Therefore, in the following description, a portion of the first guide member 121 on the downstream side of the reading position R is referred to as a lower guide portion 121c, and a portion of the second guide member 122 on the downstream side of the reading position R is referred to as an upper guide portion 122c. To do.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the paper discharge device 40 according to the embodiment from the downstream side in the document transport direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower guide portion (guide member) 121 c is arranged such that its guide surface is lower than the lowermost portion of the paper discharge roller 128, and a plurality of lower guide portions (guide members) 121 c are provided directly below the drive shaft of the paper discharge roller 128. In the present embodiment, four protrusions 130 are provided. Note that the number of the protrusions 130 is not particularly limited.

  These projections 130 are arranged one by one so as not to face the paper discharge roller 128, in this embodiment, among the four paper discharge rollers 128 so as to sandwich the paper discharge roller 128 located on the outermost side from both sides. Each upper end protrudes upward from the lowermost part of the paper discharge roller 128.

  Each protrusion 130 has a scooping surface (not shown) that becomes higher toward the downstream side in the transport direction on the side surface portion on the upstream side in the transport direction of the document D. As a result, when the conveyed document D reaches the protrusion 130, a portion corresponding to the protrusion 130 of the document D is scooped up on the scooping surface and rides on the protrusion 130, while the document D is discharged. A portion corresponding to the roller 128 is guided as it is by the upper and lower guide portions 121 c and 122 c so as to enter between the paper discharge roller 128 and the pinch roller 129.

(Configuration of paper discharge tray 13)
Next, the paper discharge tray 13, which is an important point of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the paper discharge tray 13 according to the embodiment. In the following description, the paper discharge direction is a direction in which the document D is discharged, and the width direction is a direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the paper discharge tray 13 is provided on the stacking surface 131 on which the discharged originals D are stacked and the rear end of the stacking surface 131 in the paper discharge direction, and is placed on the stacking surface 131. The rear end surface 132 for aligning the rear ends of the originals D and the widthwise ends of the stacking surface 131 are provided to prevent the original D placed on the stacking surface 131 from dropping in the width direction. Side wall surface 133.

  The loading surface 131 includes a horizontal surface (fourth surface) 131a and a hill surface 131b (shown only in FIG. 3) in order from the side closer to the rear end surface 132. A projecting portion 134 is provided for raising the central portion in the width direction of the document D stacked on 131.

  The projecting portion 134 extends from the middle portion of the horizontal surface 131a to the rear end of the hill surface 131b, and in order from the side closer to the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13, a first inclined surface (third surface) 134a, A second inclined surface (second surface) 134b, a third inclined surface (first surface) 134c, and a fourth inclined surface 134d are provided.

  The first to fourth inclined surfaces 134 a to 134 d are all inclined so as to be higher in the paper discharge direction so that the stacked originals D can easily slide down toward the rear end surface 132.

  The first inclined surface 134a has a predetermined width with respect to the upstream and downstream in the paper discharge direction, with a position approximately half the vertical size of the A4 size document D from the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13 as a center. have. In other words, the first inclined surface 134 a is formed over a predetermined range including the A4 size document front end position placed on the stacking surface 131.

  The third inclined surface 134c has a predetermined width from the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13 to the upstream and the downstream in the paper discharge direction, with a position that is approximately the vertical size of the A4 size document D as the center. have.

  As a result, when an A4 size document D is placed on the stacking surface 131, the middle portion of the document D is positioned on the first inclined surface 134a, and the leading edge of the document D is on the third inclined surface 134c. It corresponds to the position.

  On the other hand, when an A3 size document D is placed on the stacking surface 131, two midway portions of the document D are positioned correspondingly on the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c, respectively. Yes.

  The first inclined surface 134a is steeper 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. It plays a role in preventing the loaded original D from moving in the paper discharge direction.

  The third inclined surface 134c is steeper than the second inclined surface 134b connected upstream in the paper discharge direction and the fourth inclined surface 134d connected downstream in the paper discharge direction. Using the inclination, it plays a role of preventing the stacked originals D from moving in the paper discharge direction.

  That is, the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c are applied to the document D already loaded on the sheet discharge tray 13 when a frictional force in the sheet discharge direction is applied by the document D discharged later. Accordingly, a resistance force that cancels the frictional force is applied to the document D on the paper discharge tray 13.

  In particular, when the original D loaded on the paper discharge tray 13 is A4 size, the leading edge of the original D comes into contact with the first inclined surface 134a with a large friction angle. Even if a large frictional force in the paper discharge direction is applied by the original D to be applied, a sufficient resistance force is provided to offset the frictional force.

  As a result, even if the original D loaded on the paper discharge tray 13 is given a frictional force in the paper discharge direction by the original D discharged later, Due to the resistance force from the inclined surfaces 134 a and 134 c, movement in the paper discharge direction is prevented.

  The inclination angle of the third inclined surface 134c is designed so that the progress of the original D is not hindered by the third inclined surface 134c when the A3-size original D is discharged by the paper discharge roller 128. Yes. That is, when the driving force by the paper discharge roller 128 is directly acting on the A3 size document D, the document D can slide on the third inclined surface 134c. As a result, the A3-size document D discharged to the paper discharge tray 13 can smoothly travel to the fourth inclined surface 134d without stopping at the third inclined surface 134c.

  A sub discharge tray 135 is housed in a freely projecting manner on the side surface on the front end side of the discharge tray 13. The sub paper discharge tray 135 is disposed at a position separated from the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13 by substantially the vertical size of the A3 size document D. As a result, when an A3 size document D is stacked on the paper discharge tray 13, the leading end thereof is positioned on the sub paper discharge tray 135.

  The sub discharge tray 135 is steeper than the fourth inclined surface 134d, and using the inclination, the A3 loaded on the discharge tray 13 is similar to the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c. It plays a role of preventing the size of the original D from moving in the paper discharge direction.

  That is, when a frictional force is applied to the A3 size document D already loaded on the sheet discharge tray 13 by the document D discharged later, the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c, and the sub A resistance force that cancels the frictional force is applied from the paper discharge tray 135 to the A3-size document D on the paper discharge tray 13.

  As a result, even if the A3 size document D loaded on the sheet discharge tray 13 is given a frictional force in the sheet discharge direction by the document D discharged later, the loaded A3 size document D is not The first and third inclined surfaces 134 a and 134 c and the resistance force from the sub paper discharge tray 135 are prevented from moving in the paper discharge direction.

  A plurality of ribs 136 (shown only in FIG. 3) are formed along the discharge direction on the stacking surface 131, the protrusion 134, and the sub-discharge tray 135 of the discharge tray 13. These ribs 136 reduce the contact area between the document D and the stacking surface and reduce these frictional forces. The original D first placed on the stacking surface 131 of the paper discharge tray 13 slides down to the rear of the paper discharge tray 13 due to the presence of these ribs 136.

(Configuration of the scanner unit 20)
The scanner unit 20 includes a glass plate (not shown) at a position corresponding to the reading position R. This glass plate is colorless and transparent, and a reading device (not shown) is provided on the scanner unit 20 side. This reading apparatus includes a first carriage, a second carriage, an imaging lens, and a CCD sensor (all not shown).

  The first carriage is provided with an exposure lamp (not shown) for irradiating light to the document D passing over the surface of the glass plate. The first and second carriages are attached with first to third mirrors (not shown) that reflect the reflected light on the document surface in a predetermined direction.

  The light emitted from the exposure lamp when the document D passes the reading position R reaches the document surface through the glass plate. Then, the reflected light on the document surface returns to the scanner unit 20 through the glass plate, is reflected by the first to third mirrors, and is guided to the imaging lens. The light converged by the imaging lens is detected by the CCD sensor and used for creating image data.

  Further, on the upper surface of the scanner unit 20, there is provided a document glass table (not shown) that is used when reading a document image without using the automatic document feeder 10 and on which the document D is placed manually. Yes.

(Delivery operation of document D)
The document D, for which the document image has been read, is conveyed toward the paper discharge roller 128 while being guided by the upper and lower guide portions 121c and 122c. When the conveyed document D reaches the protrusion 130 of the lower guide portion 121c, the portion corresponding to the protrusion 130 of the document D is scooped up on the scooping surface and rides on the protrusion 130. On the other hand, the portion of the document D corresponding to the paper discharge roller 128 is guided as it is by the upper and lower guide portions 121 c and 122 c and enters between the paper discharge roller 128 and the pinch roller 129.

  As a result, in the document D to be discharged onto the paper discharge tray 13, a difference occurs in the traveling direction between a portion corresponding to the protrusion 130 and a portion corresponding to the paper discharge roller 128. As a result, a so-called corrugation in which the cross-sectional shape is locally substantially S-shaped is applied to the discharged document D.

  In the discharging process, the corrugated document D gradually hangs down from the leading end, and finally comes into contact with the surface of the document D stacked on the sheet discharge tray 13. Then, the discharged document D proceeds in the discharge direction until the rear end portion is released from the nipping by the discharge roller 128 and the pinch roller 129, and during that time, the original D stacked on the discharge tray 13 is formed. On the other hand, the frictional force in the paper discharge direction is continuously applied.

  However, if the document D loaded on the paper discharge tray 13 is A4 size, the front end portion thereof corresponds to the third inclined surface 134c of the paper discharge tray 13 and the middle portion thereof corresponds to the first inclined surface 134a. Therefore, even if a frictional force is applied by the document D discharged later, it does not move in the paper discharge direction due to the resistance force from the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c.

  Further, even if the original D loaded on the paper discharge tray 13 is A3 size, the middle portion thereof is positioned corresponding to the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c, and the front end portion thereof corresponds to the sub paper discharge tray 135. Therefore, even if a frictional force is applied by the document D that is discharged later, the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c and the resistance from the sub-discharge tray 135 cause a discharge in the discharge direction. There is no movement.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position and orientation of the document D stacked on the discharge tray 13 are not disturbed by the document D that is discharged later. The paper discharge alignment is improved.

(Operation by this embodiment)
The paper discharge tray 13 in the present embodiment is inclined so as to become higher in the paper discharge direction, and becomes a resistance when the document D loaded on the paper discharge tray 13 moves in the paper discharge direction. 3 inclined surfaces 134a and 134c.

  Therefore, even if the original D loaded on the output tray 13 is given a frictional force by the original D discharged later, the output direction of the original D by the resistance force from the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c. Never move on.

  In addition, the third inclined surface 134c in the present embodiment is located upstream and downstream in the paper discharge direction centering on a position separated from the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13 by approximately the vertical size of the A4 size document D. Have a predetermined width.

  For this reason, when an A4 size document D is stacked on the discharge tray 13, the leading end of the A4 size document D contacts the third inclined surface 134c with a large friction angle. A large resistance acts. In other words, the arrangement of the third inclined surface 134c in the present embodiment is devised so that the A4-size document D on the paper discharge tray 13 is most difficult to move.

  In addition, the first inclined surface 134a in the present embodiment is located upstream and downstream in the paper discharge direction, with a position that is separated from the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13 by about half of the vertical size of the A4 size document D. On the other hand, it has a predetermined width.

  Therefore, even if a large number of A4 size originals D are stacked on the paper discharge tray 13 and the leading edge of the original D on the paper discharge tray 13 cannot contact the first inclined surface 134a due to its thickness, the paper output tray 13 Since the necessary resistance force is applied from the first inclined surface 134a to the upper A4 size document D, the document D on the sheet discharge tray 13 does not move in the sheet discharge direction.

  Further, the paper discharge tray 13 in the present embodiment includes a protrusion 134 at the center in the width direction, and the first and third inclined surfaces 134 a and 134 c are provided on the upper surface of the protrusion 134. .

  For this reason, the central portion in the width direction of the document D on the discharge tray 13 is raised, and the friction area with the document D that is discharged later is reduced. Therefore, the discharge alignment property of the document D on the discharge tray 13 is further increased. improves.

  Further, the paper discharge tray 13 according to the present embodiment is inclined so as to become higher in the paper discharge direction, and resists when the A3 size original D loaded on the paper discharge tray 13 moves in the paper discharge direction. The sub-discharge tray 135 is provided.

  Therefore, even if the A3 size document D stacked on the sheet discharge tray 13 is given a frictional force by the document D discharged later, the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c and the sub sheet discharge tray The resisting force from 135 does not move in the paper discharge direction.

  In addition, the sub paper discharge tray 135 in the present embodiment is disposed at a position separated from the rear end surface 132 of the paper discharge tray 13 by substantially the vertical size of the A3 size document D.

  For this reason, when an A3-size document D is loaded on the discharge tray 13, the leading edge of the document D contacts the sub-discharge tray 135 with a large friction angle. A large resistance acts. That is, the arrangement of the sub discharge tray 135 in the present embodiment is devised so that the A3 size document D on the discharge tray 13 is most difficult to move.

  In summary, the alignment of the paper D on the paper discharge tray 13 is improved without adding a large corrugation, so the burden on the paper D is reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to greatly incline the entire stacking surface 131 of the paper discharge tray 13, the apparatus configuration does not increase in size. Further, even when the document D of various sizes is discharged by the discharge roller 128, the discharge is not hindered, and the discharge alignment of the document D in the discharge tray can be improved reliably.

  If the width of the first inclined surface 134a with respect to the paper discharge direction is formed so as to include the B5 size document front end position stacked on the paper discharge tray 13, the width of the first inclined surface 134a is also determined for the B5 size document D. The same effects as those of the above-described A4 size document D can be obtained.

  Further, the inclination angles of the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c are stacked on the discharge tray 13 by the combined action of these inclined surfaces 134a and 134c even when the sub discharge tray 135 is not pulled out. The A3 size original D is designed so as not to move in the paper discharge direction. However, by pulling out the sub discharge tray 135, it is possible to obtain a higher discharge alignment of the original D.

  Moreover, although the protrusion part 134 in this embodiment is equipped with the 2nd inclined surface 134b between the 1st, 3rd inclined surfaces 134a and 134c, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, it is the 2nd inclined surface. Instead of 134b, a concave curved surface 134e may be provided between the first and third inclined surfaces 134a and 134c.

  Furthermore, the first to fourth inclined surfaces 134 a to 134 d in the present embodiment are formed on the protruding portion 134 of the stacking surface 131, but are not limited to this, and are formed on the entire stacking surface 131, for example. It may be. In addition, first to fourth inclined surfaces 134a to 134d may be formed on the stacking surface of the paper discharge tray not provided with the protruding portion 134.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the paper discharge device 40 is applied to a digital copying machine has been described. However, this is only an example, and any portion may be used as long as paper is discharged. Even if it is applied, a corresponding effect can be expected.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

1 is a front view showing a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the automatic document feeder according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the automatic document feeder from which the paper feed tray according to the embodiment is removed. Sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the automatic document feeder based on the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the paper discharge device according to the embodiment from the downstream side in the document conveyance direction. Sectional drawing which expands and shows the paper discharge tray which concerns on the same embodiment. Sectional drawing which expands and shows the modification of the paper discharge tray which concerns on the same embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Paper discharge tray, 40 ... Paper discharge apparatus, 128 ... Paper discharge roller, 131a ... Horizontal surface (4th surface), 134 ... Projection part, 134a ... 1st inclined surface (3rd surface), 134b ... 1st 2 inclined surfaces (second surface), 134c... Third inclined surface (first surface), D.

Claims (6)

A paper discharge means for discharging paper sheets;
A paper discharge tray for loading discharged paper sheets,
The paper discharge tray is
A first surface that rises in the paper discharge direction;
The second surface is connected to the upstream side in the paper discharge direction with respect to the first surface, and includes a horizontal surface, a slope having a gentler slope than the first surface, or a slope having a slope opposite to that of the first surface. The sheet discharge device is provided with a surface.   The first surface corresponds to the leading end portion of the paper sheet when a paper sheet of approximately half the size of the largest paper sheet that can be discharged from the paper discharge unit is stacked on the paper discharge tray. 2. The paper discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the paper discharge device is disposed over a predetermined range including the position. A third surface that is disposed upstream of the second surface in the paper discharge direction, and is higher in the paper discharge direction;
The third surface is connected to the upstream side in the paper discharge direction, and is composed of a horizontal surface or an inclined surface having a gentler slope than the third surface or an inclined surface having a slope opposite to that of the third surface. 4. The paper discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the paper discharge device is provided with four surfaces.   The third surface corresponds to a central portion of the paper sheet when a paper sheet of approximately half the size of the largest paper sheet that can be discharged from the paper discharge unit is stacked on the paper discharge tray. 4. The paper discharge device according to claim 3, wherein the paper discharge device is disposed over a predetermined range including the position.   The first surface has an inclination angle at which the paper sheet can slide on the inclined surface when a driving force by the discharging means is applied to the discharged paper sheet. The paper discharge device according to claim 1. A paper discharge means for discharging paper sheets;
A paper discharge tray for loading discharged paper sheets,
The paper discharge tray is
Provided in the center of the width direction substantially orthogonal to the discharge direction of the paper sheet, and having a protruding portion for raising the center part of the paper sheet loaded in the width direction in the width direction,
On the upper surface of the protrusion,
A first surface that rises in the paper discharge direction;
The second surface is connected to the upstream side in the paper discharge direction with respect to the first surface, and includes a horizontal surface, a slope having a gentler slope than the first surface, or a slope having a slope opposite to that of the first surface. And a surface of the paper discharge device.

Images