JP7087865B2 - Feeding device, reading device and recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a feeding device for feeding a medium such as paper, a reading device provided with the feeding device, and a recording device.

This type of reading device or recording device includes, for example, a feeding device that feeds a medium such as paper or a manuscript (for example, Patent Document 1 and the like). Patent Document 1 discloses a medium detection device including a detection lever that tilts when a medium such as a document is pushed by the tip of the reading device, and a sensor that detects the tilted detection lever.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-101249

In the medium detection device in such a feeding device, the tip of the medium is in contact with the slope portion of the detection lever, and the detection lever receives a force to return. That is, the detection lever is trying to push back the medium with a component in the direction parallel to the medium. If the medium is large and heavy, the medium will not be pushed back, but if the medium is small and light, the medium may be pushed back. Therefore, further improvement is required in order to keep the amount of return of the medium by the detection member such as the detection lever small.

The recording device that solves the above problems is mounted in the medium feeding device that feeds the medium mounted on the mounting surface in a state of being positioned between the pair of guide surfaces along the feeding path. The feeding roller that feeds the medium, the non-detection state when the medium is not placed in the set position where feeding by the feeding roller is possible, and the medium pushed by the medium placed in the set position. The detection member includes a detection member that is displaced to a detection state that is displaced in the path direction of the feed path, and the detection member places the medium on a contact surface that comes into contact with the medium placed at the set position. It has a return force reducing unit that reduces the return force that pushes back in the direction opposite to the feeding direction.

The reading device that solves the above problems includes the feeding device and a reading unit that reads the medium fed by the feeding device.
The recording device that solves the above problems includes the feeding device and a recording unit that records on the medium fed by the feeding device.

The perspective view which shows the recording apparatus in 1st Embodiment. A forward sectional view of the recording device when the carriage is in the home position. A perspective view showing a recording device in a state where the cover of the feeding device is opened. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the feeding device in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the feeding device in FIG. Side sectional view showing a feeding device. A side sectional view showing a medium detector in a feeder. A side sectional view showing a lock lever in a feeding device. A side sectional view showing a feeding part before the start of a feeding operation. Side sectional view which shows the feeding part at the time of a feeding operation. A side sectional view showing a medium detector when a medium is set. A side sectional view showing a state in which the medium is pushed back by the lever of the medium detector. A side sectional view showing a state in which the medium in the second embodiment is pushed back to the detection lever of the medium detector. A side sectional view showing a state in which the medium in the third embodiment is pushed back to the detection lever of the medium detector. A side sectional view showing a state in which the medium in the fourth embodiment is pushed back to the detection lever of the medium detector. A side sectional view showing a state in which the medium is pushed back to a detection lever different from that in FIG. A side sectional view showing a state in which the medium is pushed back to a detection lever different from that in FIG. A side sectional view showing a state in which the medium is pushed back to the detection lever of the medium detector in the fifth embodiment. The perspective view which shows the multifunction device in 6th Embodiment. A side sectional view showing a feeding device and a reading unit.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the recording device of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The recording device is, for example, an inkjet printer that records images such as characters and photographs by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a recording medium such as paper. Assuming that the recording device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, the vertical direction is indicated by the Z axis, and the direction along the plane intersecting the Z axis is indicated by the X axis and the Y axis. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, the X-axis and the Y-axis are along the horizontal plane. In the present embodiment, since the X-axis direction corresponds to the width direction of the medium S supplied to the recording device 11, the width directions X and Y-axis directions are the directions in which the medium S is conveyed at the position facing the head 31. A certain transport direction Y and Z-axis direction is also referred to as a vertical direction Z.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 11 includes a device main body 12. The device main body 12 is provided with an operation panel 13 that is operated when a user gives an instruction to the recording device 11. The operation panel 13 includes a display unit 14 for displaying various information, an operation unit 15 such as a button operated when a user inputs an instruction, and the like.

The recording device 11 includes a feeding device 100 having a supply port 16 for supplying the medium S at the upper part of the device main body 12. The supply port 16 is located, for example, at the rear of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12. The feeding device 100 includes a mounting surface 17 on which the medium S before being supplied is mounted. The mounting surface 17 is formed on an inclined surface that gently descends toward the supply port 16. For example, a plurality of media S can be placed on the mounting surface 17 in a laminated state.

The medium S is placed on the mounting surface 17 with its tip inserted into the supply port 16. That is, when the user places the medium S on the mounting surface 17, the user lightly pushes the medium S to the supply port 16 along the inclination of the mounting surface 17, so that the tip portion of the medium S on the supply destination side becomes the supply port. The medium S is set in a state where it is inserted from 16 to a predetermined position. The position of the medium S is a position where the feeding device 100 can feed the medium S, and may be hereinafter referred to as a “set position”. Even if the setting position is not reached, the medium S can be supplied if the medium S is at a position where the feeding roller 52, which will be described later, can come into contact with the medium S. That is, the set position is a position recommended as a position where the user should set the medium S.

As shown in FIG. 1, the feeding device 100 includes a pair of edge guides 18 that guide the medium S mounted on the mounting surface 17. The edge guide 18 is configured to be movable in the width direction X. When the medium S mounted on the mounting surface 17 is sandwiched between the pair of edge guides 18, the medium S is positioned in the width direction and the inclination of the medium S is corrected. The pair of edge guides 18 have a pair of guide surfaces 18A facing each other. The medium S is positioned in the width direction by bringing the pair of edge guides 18 close to each other until the pair of guide surfaces 18A come into contact with both ends of the medium S in the width direction X. The feeding device 100 feeds the medium S mounted at the set position on the mounting surface 17 in a state of being positioned between the pair of guide surfaces 18A in the width direction X along the feeding path F1. .. The feeding device 100 includes a feeding unit 20 that feeds the set medium S one by one into the device main body 12 through the supply port 16. The feeding device 100 includes a feeding motor 21 as a drive source for the feeding unit 20. The feeding device 100 includes a first cover 19 for maintenance that covers the feeding unit 20. The first cover 19 can be opened and closed with the rear end side as a rotation axis. For example, when a jam occurs in which the medium S is clogged in the feeding unit 20 of the feeding device 100, the first cover 19 is opened for maintenance such as removing the medium S from the feeding unit 20.

A second cover 22 that can open and close the upper surface of the device main body 12 is provided on the upper side of the device main body 12. The supply port 16 and the edge guide 18 are provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12. Further, the mounting surface 17 is provided so as to straddle the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12 and the second cover 22. That is, a part of the feeding device 100 is assembled to the second cover 22. The second cover 22 is opened by the user when a jam of the medium S occurs in the transport system during printing and when a maintenance operation for removing the jam medium S is performed.

Further, the apparatus main body 12 has a discharge port 23 for discharging the medium S. The discharge port 23 opens to, for example, the front surface of the device main body 12 and is located below the operation panel 13. The medium S recorded in the device main body 12 is discharged to the outside of the device main body 12 through the discharge port 23.

The recording device 11 includes a discharge tray 24 on which the recorded medium S is placed. The discharge tray 24 extends forward from the discharge port 23. The medium S discharged from the discharge port 23 is loaded on the discharge tray 24.

Further, a medium accommodating portion 25 accommodating the medium S is attached to the apparatus main body 12 in a detachable state from the front surface side. The medium accommodating unit 25 can accommodate, for example, a plurality of media S in a laminated state. The medium accommodating portion 25 is configured as, for example, a cassette that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 12. The medium S supplied from the feeding device 100 or the medium accommodating unit 25 is sent to the back side in the device main body 12 and then inverted and conveyed in the conveying direction Y.

The container accommodating portion 26 is attached to the apparatus main body 12 in a detachable state. The container accommodating portion 26 accommodates one or more containers 27. The medium accommodating portion 25 and the container accommodating portion 26 are located below the discharge tray 24 in the vertical direction Z. The container accommodating portion 26 is located below the medium accommodating portion 25.

For example, four containers 27 are housed in the container storage unit 26. A liquid accommodating portion 28 for accommodating a liquid is attached to the container 27. The container 27 is configured so that the liquid accommodating portion 28 can be removed. The liquid contained in the liquid storage unit 28 is used by the recording device 11 for recording on the medium S.

The plurality of liquid accommodating portions 28 accommodate different types of liquids. Different types of liquids are inks of different colors, such as black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Further, a combination of two blacks, cyan, magenta, and yellow may be used. The plurality of liquid accommodating portions 28 may accommodate the same type of liquid, and may be configured only in black, for example. The liquid storage unit 28 is, for example, an ink pack. The liquid storage unit 28 may be an ink tank or an ink cartridge.

The container accommodating portion 26 is covered with a front lid 26A forming a part of the front surface of the apparatus main body 12. The front lid 26A is configured to be rotatable around its lower end as a fulcrum. When the front lid 26A is opened, the container 27 in the container accommodating portion 26 can be attached and detached.

Next, the internal configuration of the apparatus main body 12 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording device 11 includes a recording unit 30 for recording on the medium S. The recording unit 30 includes a carriage 32 on which a head 31 for discharging a liquid and recording the liquid on the medium S is mounted. The carriage 32 is housed in the apparatus main body 12. The carriage 32 is configured to be reciprocally movable in the width direction X. The carriage 32 is mounted in a state where the head 31 is exposed from the lower portion thereof. The head 31 records an image on the medium S by ejecting the liquid toward the medium S.

The recording device 11 includes a support portion 33 that supports a portion of the medium S on which the liquid discharged from the head 31 is landed. The support portion 33 is located so as to face the head 31. When the recording device 11 records on the medium S, one of the mounting surface 17 and the medium accommodating unit 25 is selected as the feeding source. The medium S set on the mounting surface 17 is fed into the apparatus main body 12 by driving the feeding unit 20. The feeding unit 20 is driven by the power of the feeding motor 21. Further, the medium S is supplied from the medium accommodating portion 25 into the apparatus main body 12. The drive source for feeding the medium S from the medium accommodating unit 25 may be a shared feeding motor 21 or a dedicated feeding motor different from the feeding motor 21.

The recording device 11 includes a transport unit 40 that receives and transports the medium S fed from the feed device 100 or the medium accommodating section 25. The transport unit 40 includes a transport roller pair 41 as one of its components. The transport roller pair 41 receives the fed medium S and transports it to the support surface 33A of the support portion 33 facing the head 31. The support unit 33 supports the medium S transported from the transport unit 40. The medium S recorded on the support portion 33 by the head 31 is transported in the transport direction Y by a pair of discharge rollers (not shown) constituting the transport unit 40, and then discharged from the discharge port 23. A transfer motor 42 for driving a transfer roller pair 41 and a discharge roller pair is provided in the apparatus main body 12 as a drive source for the transfer unit 40. Further, in the apparatus main body 12, a feeding motor 21 for outputting power for feeding the medium S from the feeding device 100 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording device 11 includes a moving mechanism 34 that reciprocates the carriage 32 in the width direction X. The moving mechanism 34 of the present embodiment has guide portions 35, 36 for guiding the moving carriage 32, a pair of pulleys 37, an endless belt 38 wound around the pair of pulleys 37, and a drive of the moving mechanism 34. It is provided with a carriage motor 39 which is a source.

The recording device 11 includes a frame 45 that supports the carriage 32. In this example, the rail-shaped guide portion 35 is formed by bending the lower end portion of the frame 45, and the rail-shaped guide portion 36 is formed by bending the upper end portion of the frame 45. The guide portion 35 may be a round bar-shaped guide portion extending in the width direction X.

The pair of pulleys 37 are provided at a portion closer to one end of the frame 45 and a portion closer to the other end of the frame 45 in the width direction X, respectively. The carriage 32 is fixed to a part of the belt 38 wound around the pair of pulleys 37. The output shaft of the carriage motor 39 is connected to one of the pair of pulleys 37. The carriage motor 39 is located closer to the home position HP, which is a standby position when the carriage 32 does not record in the width direction X.

When the carriage motor 39 is driven in the forward and reverse directions, the belt 38 orbits in the forward and reverse directions due to the rotation of the pulley 37, so that the carriage 32 reciprocates in the width direction X. In this way, the carriage 32 is moved in the width direction X via the moving mechanism 34 by the power of the carriage motor 39. The position closer to one end in the width direction X in the movement range of the carriage 32 is the home position HP in which the carriage 32 stands by when recording is not performed.

The recording device 11 includes a tube 46 for supplying the liquid of the liquid storage unit 28 to the head 31. The head 31 discharges the liquid supplied from the liquid storage unit 28 through the tube 46 and records it on the medium S. The lower portion of the tube 46, which is on the upstream side in the liquid supply direction in which the liquid flows, is supported by the support member 47, so that its sagging is suppressed.

The carriage 32 reciprocates in the width direction X with respect to the medium S supported on the support surface 33A of the support portion 33, and the liquid is discharged from the head 31 toward the medium S during the movement. Then, the transport operation in which the transport unit 40 transports the medium S to the next recording position and the recording operation in which the liquid is discharged from the head 31 while the carriage 32 is moving in the width direction X at the next recording position are alternately repeated. As a result, an image or the like is recorded on the medium S.

The recording device 11 includes a control unit 50 that controls a feed motor 21, a transfer motor 42, a carriage motor 39, a head 31, and the like. The control unit 50 comprehensively controls the recording device 11. The control unit 50 has, for example, a CPU and a memory. The recording device 11 performs various processing operations by executing a program stored in the memory by the CPU.

Next, the feeding device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 shows a recording device 11 in a state where the first cover 19 is opened. As shown in FIG. 3, when the first cover 19 is opened, the feeding unit 20 is exposed. Therefore, maintenance work for the feeding unit 20 such as removing the jam medium S becomes possible. The feeding unit 20 includes a feeding unit 51 assembled on the back surface of the first cover 19.

As shown in FIG. 4, the feeding unit 51 includes a feeding roller 52, a separation roller 53, and a support member 54 that rotatably supports these rollers 52 and 53. The support member 54 is assembled on the back surface of the first cover 19 so as to be tiltable. Further, when the user places the medium S on the mounting surface 17 and inserts the tip portion of the medium S into the supply port 16, the tip of the medium S hits the back surface of the first cover 19. A stopper 55 for restricting the above insertion is provided.

Further, on the back surface side of the first cover 19, a detection lever 57 is provided as an example of a detection member constituting the medium detector 56 that detects the medium S inserted from the supply port 16. The detection lever 57 is arranged at a position adjacent to the feeding unit 51 on one side in the width direction X. The detection lever 57 is rotatably supported on the back surface of the first cover 19. The stopper 55 is switched to each of the locked and unlocked states in conjunction with the change in the posture of the support member 54 that supports the feeding roller 52 and the separating roller 53.

The gear 58 is exposed on one end side of the back surface of the first cover 19 in the width direction X. The gear 58 meshes with a gear (not shown) that is rotated by the power of the feed motor 21 on the device main body 12 side with the first cover 19 closed. Therefore, the gear 58 rotates forward when the feed motor 21 is driven in the forward direction, and reverses when the feed motor 21 is driven in the reverse direction. The rotation of the gear 58 is transmitted to the power transmission mechanism 59 via a rotation shaft (not shown) coaxial with the rotation shaft of the separation roller 53.

As shown in FIG. 4, a driven roller 60 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12 at a position facing the feeding roller. Further, a driven roller 61 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12 at a position facing the separation roller. That is, the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12 provided with the driven rollers 60 and 61 is a guide surface 62 that supports the medium S to be fed from below. Further, on the guide surface 62, a transport path F2 for transporting the medium S into the apparatus main body 12 is opened on the downstream side of the driven roller 60 in the feed direction Y1.

On the back surface of the first cover 19, a first guide portion 64 composed of a plurality of ribs for guiding the medium S fed toward the downstream side of the feeding direction Y1 from above with the first cover 19 closed. Is provided. Further, on the back surface of the first cover 19, the fed medium S is guided from above to a position downstream of the first guide portion 64 in the feeding direction Y1 with the first cover 19 closed. A second guide portion 65 including a plurality of ribs for guiding to the transport path F2 is provided. Further, one or a plurality of transport rollers 66 for transporting the medium S along the transport path F2 are provided at a position on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12 on the downstream side of the feed direction Y1 of the driven roller 60. .. Further, the guide surface 62 is formed with a through hole 67 into which the tip of the detection lever 57 of the medium detector 56 can enter. Further, the guide surface 62 is formed with a recess 62A into which the tip end portion of the stopper 55 can enter.

As shown in FIG. 5, the power transmission mechanism 59 has a tilting mechanism 70 that tilts the feeding unit 51 according to the rotation input via the gear 58. The tilting operation of the feeding unit 51 by the tilting mechanism 70 is performed as follows. The rotation of the feed motor 21 is transmitted from the shaft portion of the gear 58 to the tilting mechanism 70. The tilting mechanism 70 tilts the support member 54 in a direction corresponding to the input direction of rotation. The tilting mechanism 70 includes a clutch mechanism that shuts off further power transmission to the support member 54 when the support member 54 tilts to an end position in the tilt range. Therefore, even if the feeding motor 21 is continuously driven, the support member 54 is held in the posture at the end of the tilting range. In this example, when the feeding motor 21 is driven in the forward direction, the feeding unit 51 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9 and tilts from the standby posture shown in FIG. 9 to the feeding posture shown in FIG. do. Further, when the feeding motor 21 is driven in the reverse direction, the feeding unit 51 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 10 and tilts from the feeding posture shown in FIG. 10 to the standby posture shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the power transmission mechanism 59 has gears 71 and 72, gear trains 73, and two one-way clutches 74 and 75 supported by the support member 54. The rotation of the feed motor 21 is transmitted to the gears 71 constituting the feed unit 51. The rotation of the gear 71 is transmitted to the rotation shaft of the separation roller 53 via the one-way clutch 74. Further, the rotation of the gear 71 is transmitted to the gear 72 via the gear train 73. The rotation of the gear 72 is transmitted to the rotation shaft of the feed roller 52 via the one-way clutch 75. Only the rotation of the feed motor 21 during normal rotation is transmitted to the rollers 52 and 53. The rotation of the feed motor 21 at the time of reversal is not transmitted to the rollers 52 and 53, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the main body portion 55A of the stopper 55 is rotatably supported on the back surface of the first cover 19. A lock lever 76 is rotatably supported by a support member 54 constituting the first cover 19 at a position near the stopper 55. The lock lever 76 rotates in conjunction with a change in the posture of the feeding unit 51, and is arranged at a lock position that locks the stopper 55 non-rotatably and an unlock position that allows the stopper 55 to rotate. ..

Further, the detection lever 57 constituting the medium detector 56 is rotatably supported on the back surface of the first cover 19 around the shaft portion 57A. The medium detector 56 determines whether or not the medium S has been set from the displacement of the detection lever 57 pushed to the tip of the medium S on the feeding direction side when the user sets the medium S on the mounting surface 17. Detect. The detection lever 57 is urged in the direction from the detection state to the non-detection state by an elastic member 77 such as a torsion coil spring. The elastic member 77 may be omitted as long as the detection lever 57 can return to the standby position, which is the position in the non-detection state due to its own weight.

As shown in FIG. 6, the feeding device 100 passes through the feeding path F1 and the feeding path F1 of the medium S set on the mounting surface 17 with the tip inserted into the supply port 16. It is provided with a transport path F2 for transporting the fed medium S to the recording unit 30. The feed path F1 is formed between the guide surface 62 and the first guide portion 64 when the cover 19 is closed.

A feeding unit 51 supported by the first cover 19 is arranged above the middle position of the feeding path F1. In the state shown in FIG. 6, the feeding unit 51 is in the standby posture when the user sets the medium S before the start of recording, and the feeding roller 52 is in the raised retracted position at this time. When the feeding unit 51 is in the standby position, the stopper 55 is locked so as not to rotate while blocking the feeding path F1.

The stopper 55 is located between the feeding roller 52 and the separating roller 53 on the feeding path F1. The user places the medium S on the mounting surface 17, inserts the tip end portion thereof from the supply port 16, and sets the medium S. At the time of setting, as shown in FIG. 8, the medium S is arranged at a set position where the tip of the medium S abuts on the stopper 55 and further insertion is restricted. In a state where the medium S is in this set position, when the feeding unit 51 tilts from the standby position (see also FIG. 9) shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 to the feeding position (see FIG. 10), the feeding roller 52 moves. It descends to the feeding position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6 and abuts on the upper surface of the set medium S. Further, the stopper 55 is unlocked by tilting the feeding unit 51 from the standby position to the feeding position. In this state, the feeding roller 52 feeds the placed medium S. At this time, as the feeding roller 52 and the separating roller 53 rotate, the medium S that receives the rotational force from the feeding roller 52 pushes up the stopper 55 and is sent downstream in the feeding direction Y1.

The medium S sent out to the downstream of the stopper 55 is sandwiched between the separation roller 53 and the driven roller 61 and sent out, so that even if it is double-fed, it is separated into one sheet. The medium S separated into one sheet is passed to the transport roller 66, passes through the transport path F2 by the rotation of the transport roller 66, and onto the support surface 33A of the support portion 33 where recording by the recording unit 30 shown in FIG. 2 is performed. Be transported.

As shown in FIG. 7, the medium detector 56 is arranged at an intermediate position of the feed path F1. The medium detector 56 is an example of a detection unit that switches between detection and non-detection according to the above-mentioned detection lever 57 that crosses the feed path F1 and the detection lever 57 as a detection target and the tilt angle of the detection lever 57. It is equipped with a sensor 78. The detection lever 57 has a shaft portion 57A at its base rotatably supported by a support portion 19A which is a component of the first cover 19, and when pushed by the medium S in the feeding direction Y1, the shaft portion 57A Rotates around. The detection lever 57 is urged by its own weight and the elastic force of the elastic member 77 (see FIG. 5) in a direction in which the angle formed with respect to the vertical direction Z becomes smaller.

As shown in FIG. 7, the sensor 78 is provided in the apparatus main body 12 at a position below the feed path F1. Here, if the sensor 78 is provided on the first cover 19, it is necessary to have a complicated wiring structure capable of opening and closing the first cover 19, but it is easy to provide the sensor 78 on the device main body 12. Wiring structure is sufficient. The detection lever 57 has a length that can be detected by the sensor 78. The detection lever 57 is in the non-detection state shown in FIG. 7 when there is no medium S, and is detected by the sensor 78 when in this non-detection state. On the other hand, when the set medium S pushes the detection lever 57 and the detection lever 57 tilts from the non-detection state and is not detected by the sensor 78, the detection lever 57 detects the medium S in the detection state (FIG. 11, FIG. 12) is taken.

In this way, the detection lever 57 is pushed by the non-detection state when the medium S is not placed in the set position where the feeding roller 52 can be fed and the medium S placed in the set position. It is displaced to the detection state where it is displaced in the path direction of the transmission path F1. Further, the sensor 78 outputs a non-detection signal when the detection lever 57 is in the non-detection state, and outputs a detection signal when the detection lever 57 is in the detection state.

The detection lever 57 is located upstream of the stopper 55 in the feeding path F1 in the feeding direction Y1. Therefore, if the medium S is set until it hits the stopper 55, the medium S pushes the detection lever 57 in the middle of the setting to rotate the detection lever 57 from the non-detection state to the detection state. As a result, the sensor 78 switches from the non-detection state in which the medium S is not detected by detecting the detection lever 57 to the detection state in which the medium S is detected by not detecting the detection lever 57. In this way, the medium detector 56 detects the presence or absence of the set medium S.

By the way, when the user sets the medium S, the detection lever 57 pushed by the medium S rotates to the detection state, and then the detection lever 57 is released from the detection state when the user releases the medium S set by the user. A phenomenon occurs in which the medium S is pushed back from the set position to the upstream side of the feeding direction Y1 by the urging force trying to return to the detection state. This phenomenon remarkably occurs when one small-sized medium S is placed on the mounting surface 17 and the weight of the medium S pushed back by the detection lever 57 is light. In particular, when one medium S having a small size is set, a kicking phenomenon occurs in which the medium S is flipped to the side opposite to the feeding direction Y1 by the urging force of the detection lever 57. The amount of return of the medium S due to this kicking phenomenon tends to increase as the size of the medium S on which one sheet is placed becomes smaller. In the present embodiment, the kicking phenomenon is suppressed and the amount of return of the medium S from the set position is reduced by devising the shape of the contact portion of the detection lever 57 that comes into contact with the medium S.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the first cover 19 is provided with a lock lever 76 for switching the stopper 55 into a locked state and an unlocked state. The lock lever 76 is supported by the first cover 19 in a rotatably and vertically displaceable state. The lever portion 76A of the lock lever 76 is in contact with the pillar portion 19B, which is a component of the first cover 19, in a state of being urged only by its own weight or by its own weight and the elastic force of the spring. The lock lever 76 moves up and down in conjunction with the tilting motion of the feeding unit 51. The lock lever 76 is arranged at the lock position shown by the solid line in FIG. 8 when the feeding unit 51 is in the retracted posture, and restricts the rotation of the stopper 55 around the shaft portion 55B. Further, the lock lever 76 is arranged at the unlocked position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8 when the feeding unit 51 is in the feeding posture, and allows rotation of the stopper 55 around the shaft portion 55B. The stopper 55 is in a state of crossing the feed path F1 when its tip portion enters the recess 62A.

Next, the tilting operation of the feeding unit 51 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In the state where the feeding unit 51 is in the retracting posture shown in FIG. 9, the feeding roller 52 is located above the separation roller 53 and is arranged at the retracting position for retracting upward with respect to the feeding path F1. On the other hand, when the feeding unit 51 is in the feeding posture shown in FIG. 10, the feeding roller 52 is located below the separation roller 53 and comes into contact with the upper surface of the medium S set at the set position. The feeding roller 52 shown in FIG. 10 is in the lowest lowered position, and when the medium S is set, it is held at a height in contact with the upper surface of the medium S.

The tilting operation of the feeding unit 51 is realized by the tilting mechanism 70 tilting the support member 54 that supports the rollers 52 and 53. When the tilting mechanism 70 inputs the rotation of the feed motor 21 during forward rotation drive, the support member 54 is tilted in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9 around the rotation axis of the separation roller 53, and the feed roller 52 is tilted. Lower from the retracted position to the feeding position. At this time, the forward rotation of the feed motor 21 during the forward rotation drive is transmitted to the rollers 52 and 53 via the one-way clutches 74 and 75 (see FIG. 5). Therefore, when the feeding roller 52 descends to the feeding position, the feeding roller 52 and the separating roller 53 rotate in the medium feeding direction. Therefore, the set medium S is fed in the feeding direction Y1 by the rotation of the feeding roller 52 and the separating roller 53.

On the other hand, when the feeding motor 21 is driven in the reverse direction, the feeding unit 51 in the feeding posture shown in FIG. 10 is tilted in the clockwise direction in the figure to be in the standby posture shown in FIG. The feed roller 52 rises from the feed position shown in FIG. 10 to the retracted position shown in FIG. At this time, the reverse rotation of the feed motor 21 during reverse rotation drive is not transmitted to the rollers 52 and 53 via the one-way clutches 74 and 75 (see FIG. 5). Therefore, when the feed motor 21 is reversely driven and the feed roller 52 rises to the retracted position, the feed roller 52 and the separation roller 53 do not rotate.

Next, the configuration of the detection lever 57 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the detection lever 57 has a contact portion 81 in a portion of a region that can be contacted with the medium S that is fed along the feed path F1. The contact portion 81 has an inclined portion 82 that is inclined with respect to the turning radius direction of the detection lever 57 located at the tip end portion of the detection lever 57, and a step portion 83 as an example of the return force reducing portion. The step portion 83 is located closer to the shaft portion 57A than the inclined portion 82 in the contact portion 81 of the detection lever 57. The inclined portion 82 is a portion where the tip of the medium S comes into contact when the medium S is arranged at a set position where the medium S abuts on the stopper 55. When the user inserts the medium S from the supply port 16 to the set position where the tip thereof abuts on the stopper 55, the medium S pushes and tilts the inclined portion 82, so that the detection lever 57 is displaced from the non-detection state to the detection state. As a result, the medium detector 56 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, and its output is switched from the non-detection signal to the detection signal. As shown in FIG. 11, the inclined portion 82 of the detection lever 57, which is pushed into the medium S at the set position and is in the detection state, is greatly inclined with respect to the feeding direction Y1 parallel to the surface of the medium S.

As shown in FIG. 11, the step portion 83 is composed of a mountain-shaped convex portion that is convex downward with respect to a direction along a constant inclination of the inclined portion 82 of the detection lever 57. In other words, the step portion 83 is provided at a position closer to the base of the detection lever 57 than the inclined portion 82 provided at the tip of the detection lever 57, and is convex in a direction facing the medium S in contact with the inclined portion 82. It is a convex part that becomes. Therefore, there is a recess 84 between the inclined portion 82 and the stepped portion 83 in the detection lever 57. Further, in the stepped portion 83, the top of the mountain-shaped convex portion is formed on a curved surface.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the medium S comes into contact with the top of the curved surface of the convex portion of the mountain shape, the stepped portion 83 is in contact with the top of the stepped portion 83 on the curved surface of the stepped portion 83. The angle formed by the tangent line at the above with the surface of the medium S is less than half the angle formed by the inclined portion 82 with the medium S. Here, the angle formed by the tangent line at the contact position of the medium S on the curved surface of the stepped portion 83 with the surface of the medium S is preferably, for example, 20 degrees or less, more preferably 10 degrees or less. In this example shown in FIG. 12, when the medium S comes into contact with the step portion 83, the angle formed by the direction of the tangent line at the contact position on the curved surface of the step portion 83 and the surface of the medium S in the side view in FIG. 12 is determined. , The optimum 0 degree is set. Note that 0 degree here includes, for example, ± 3 degree assembly variation.

Next, the operation of the recording device 11 will be described.
When the medium S is set in the feeding device 100 and recorded in the recording device 11, for example, the user places the medium S on the mounting surface 17 and inserts the tip end portion of the medium S from the supply port 16 into the feeding direction Y1. Set it in the set position by inserting it. At this time, the feeding unit 51 is in the retracted posture, the feeding roller 52 is raised to the retracted position, the lock lever 76 is in the locked position shown by the solid line in FIG. 8, and the stopper 55 is rotated by the lock lever 76. Locked immovably. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the medium S is positioned at a set position where the tip of the medium S hits the stopper 55 and further insertion is restricted.

At this time, in the process of inserting the medium S to the position where it hits the stopper 55, the detection lever 57 of the medium detector 56 is pushed to rotate the detection lever 57 from the non-detection state to the detection state. Therefore, the non-detection state of the medium S in which the sensor 78 detects the detection lever 57 is switched to the detection state of the medium S in which the detection lever 57 is no longer detected. When the user sets the medium S in the set position, the tip of the medium S in the set position is in contact with the inclined portion 82 of the detection lever 57, as shown in FIG.

When the user releases the medium S whose tip is in contact with the inclined portion 82, the detection lever 57 tries to return from the detected state to the non-detected state due to its own weight and the urging force of the elastic member 77. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the force Fa shown in FIG. 11 is applied to the tip of the medium S by the urging force of the detection lever 57. This force Fa is divided into a first force Fa1 which is a component of the vertical direction Z perpendicular to the path direction of the feeding path F1 parallel to the feeding direction Y1 and a second force Fa2 which is a component of the path direction. .. The second force Fa2 in the feeding direction Y1 is a force that pushes the medium S back in the direction opposite to the feeding direction Y1. When there is only one medium S that has received this second force Fa2 and the size is small, the medium S is pushed back. At this time, if the weight of the medium S is particularly small, a kicking phenomenon occurs in which the medium S is repelled by the force when it is pushed back to the detection lever 57. In this case, if the amount of return of the medium S from the set position is large, feeding by the feeding roller 52 cannot be performed. Further, even if the return amount is small, the user feels uncomfortable with the phenomenon that the set medium S returns.

As the tip of the medium S when one sheet is set is pushed back to the detection lever 57, the inclined portion 82 is displaced downward, so that the contact point between the tip of the medium S and the inclined portion 82 is the detection lever 57. It will gradually move toward the base, and during this time, the tip of the medium S slides on the inclined portion 82. When the medium S is returned to some extent, the surface of the medium S comes into contact with the step portion 83 as shown in FIG. Since the stepped portion 83 is a convex portion that is convex downward, the upper surface of the medium S comes into contact with the top portion of the stepped portion 83 formed of the curved surface. At this time, the direction of the tangent line with respect to the stepped portion 83 at the contact position where the surface of the medium S contacts the stepped portion 83 has an angle of ± 20 degrees or less, more preferably 10 degrees or less, which is optimal in this example. It becomes 0 degrees.

The step portion 83 is a component in the path direction with respect to a first force Fb1 which is a component in the vertical direction Z which is a vertical direction perpendicular to the path direction parallel to the feeding direction Y1 in the force received by the medium S from the detection lever 57. The ratio of the second force Fb2 is changed to be smaller than that of the inclined portion 82 which is a portion other than the step portion 83 of the detection lever 57. In this example, the force Fb received by the medium S from the stepped portion 83 is a downward first force Fb1 in the vertical direction Z orthogonal to the plane of the medium S. The second force Fb2, which is a component of the force Fb in the feeding direction Y1, becomes zero or a very small value. Therefore, the medium S is not pushed back any further. As a result, even if the medium S is pushed back to the detection lever 57 when the hand is released from the medium S set at the set position, the return amount can be kept small. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the push-back phenomenon that makes the user feel uncomfortable when the medium S returns too much from the set position and the feeding roller 52 cannot feed the medium, or when the return amount is small. Therefore, when the user sets the medium S on the mounting surface 17 and releases the medium S, the return phenomenon or the kicking phenomenon in which the medium S is pushed back in the direction opposite to the feeding direction Y1 can be suppressed.

After that, when the recording device 11 accepts the print job, the feed motor 21 is driven in the forward direction. The feeding unit 51 tilts from the standby posture shown in FIG. 9 to the feeding posture shown in FIG. As a result, the feeding roller 52 comes into contact with the upper surface of the medium S in which the feeding roller 52 is set. The rotation of the feed motor 21 is transmitted to the gear 71 constituting the feed unit 51 via the power transmission mechanism 59. The rotation of the gear 71 is transmitted to the rotation shaft of the separation roller 53 via the one-way clutch 74. Further, the rotation of the gear 71 is transmitted to the gear 72 via the gear train 73, and the rotation of the gear 72 is further transmitted to the rotation shaft of the feed roller 52 via the one-way clutch 75. Therefore, when the feeding motor 21 rotates in the normal direction, the rollers 52 and 53 rotate, and the medium S is fed in the feeding direction Y1. The fed medium S is conveyed onto the support portion 33 through the transport path F2. While the carriage 32 is reciprocating in the width direction X, the head 31 discharges the liquid toward the medium S, so that an image or the like is recorded on the medium S. For example, when a plurality of media S are set on the mounting surface 17, when the feeding of one medium is completed, the second medium S is subsequently fed and fed one by one in order. The recorded medium S is sequentially loaded on the discharge tray 24 through the discharge port 23.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The feeding device 100 feeds the medium S mounted on the mounting surface 17 in a state of being positioned between the pair of guide surfaces 18A along the feeding path F1. The feeding device 100 includes a feeding roller 52 that feeds the mounted medium S. Further, the feeding device 100 is pushed by the non-detection state when the medium S is not placed at the set position where the feeding roller 52 can be fed and the medium S placed at the set position. It includes a detection lever 57 as an example of a detection member that is displaced to a detection state that is displaced in the path direction of the transmission path F1, and a sensor 78 as an example of a detection unit that targets the detection lever 57 as a detection target. The sensor 78 outputs a non-detection signal when the detection lever 57 is in the non-detection state, and outputs a detection signal when the detection lever 57 is in the detection state. The detection lever 57 is an example of a return force reducing unit that reduces a return force that pushes the medium S back to the contact portion 81 that comes into contact with the medium S placed at the set position in the direction opposite to the feeding direction Y1 in the path direction. It has a stepped portion 83. Therefore, when the user sets the medium S on the mounting surface 17 in a state where the medium S is inserted to the set position and then releases the medium S, the detection lever 57 moves the medium S by its own weight or the urging force of the elastic member 77 such as a spring. A return force is generated that pushes S back in the direction opposite to the feeding direction Y1. At this time, the medium S is pushed back in a state of being in contact with the contact portion 81 of the detection lever 57, and the contact position of the medium S with respect to the contact portion 81 of the detection lever 57 changes in the process of being pushed back. When the position where the medium S comes into contact with the contact portion 81 reaches the step portion 83, the return force that the detection lever 57 tries to push back the medium S is reduced. That is, when the medium S reaches the step portion 83, the direction of the force that the detection lever 57 acts on the medium S at the step portion 83 has a smaller force component in the path direction than the portion other than the previous step portion. Change in direction. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of return that the medium S is pushed back from the set position when the user releases the medium S after setting the medium S in the set position.

(2) The ratio of the second force, which is a component in the path direction of the feed path F1, to the first force, which is a component in the vertical direction perpendicular to the path direction, of the force acting on the medium S from the detection lever 57 is the medium. When the medium S shifts from the state where S is in contact with the portion other than the step portion 83 to the state where the medium S is in contact with the step portion 83, the change is small. Therefore, when the position on the contact portion 81 where the medium S comes into contact with the detection lever 57 reaches the step portion 83 from a portion other than the step portion 83, the force that the medium S receives from the step portion 83 of the detection lever 57 in the path direction is applied. It changes slightly and can stop the further push-back of the medium S by the detection lever 57.

(3) The detection lever 57 is rotatably provided around a shaft portion 57A located above the feed path F1. Therefore, when the medium S is inserted to the set position, the detection lever 57 pushed by the medium S rotates about the shaft portion 57A above the feed path F1 to change from the non-detection state to the detection state. Displace. When the user releases the medium S, the detection lever 57 is returned by, for example, only its own weight or by its own weight and the urging force of the elastic member 77 such as a spring. In such a configuration in which the weight of the detection lever 57 acts as a force in the return direction, the return force from the detection lever 57 cannot be eliminated. However, when the contact position between the medium S and the detection lever 57 reaches the stepped portion 83, the return force of the detection lever 57 weakens, and further push-back of the medium S can be restricted. Further, the detection lever 57 extends across the feed path F1, and the sensor 78 whose detection target is the detection lever 57 is arranged at a position opposite to the shaft portion 57A across the feed path F1. Therefore, by providing the sensor 78 on the device main body 12, a simple wiring structure is sufficient.

(4) The return force reducing portion is a stepped portion 83 formed of a convex portion that is provided in the detection lever 57 at a position closer to the base than the inclined portion 82 and is convex in the direction facing the medium S. When the user releases the medium S set at the set position, the medium S in contact with the contact portion 81 of the detection lever 57 is pushed back. When the contact position where the medium S comes into contact with the detection lever 57 in the process of being pushed back reaches the step portion 83 from a portion other than the step portion 83, the force acting on the medium S from the detection lever 57 is in the vertical direction perpendicular to the path direction. The ratio of the second force, which is a component in the path direction of the feed path F1, to the first force, which is a component of, changes slightly. As a result, when the medium S reaches the step portion 83, the pushing back of the medium S by the detection lever 57 is stopped. As a result, the amount of return of the medium S is smaller than that in the configuration in which the detection lever 57 does not have the step portion 83.

(5) A feeding device 100 and a recording unit 30 for recording on the medium S fed by the feeding device 100 are provided. Therefore, in the feeding device 100 of the recording device 11, the same effect as that of the feeding device 100 can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the configuration of the detection lever 57 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other configurations of the recording device 11 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, the contact portion 81 of the detection lever 57 as an example of the detection member includes an inclined portion 82 formed in a portion closer to the tip and a plurality of inclined portions 82 formed in a position closer to the base than the inclined portion 82. It has a stepped portion 83 as an example of the return force reducing portion of the above. The shape of the stepped portion 83 is basically a mountain-shaped convex portion that is convex downward, similar to the stepped portion 83 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in the first embodiment, and the top thereof is seen from the side view in FIG. It is a curved surface. Since a plurality of step portions 83 are formed, the size of one of the step portions 83 is smaller than that of the first embodiment.

The contact position where the tip of the medium S contacts the detection lever 57 changes depending on which position the user inserts the medium S up to the set position. When the user releases the hand, it is pushed back by the detection lever 57, the position where the tip of the medium S comes into contact with the contact portion 81 slides upward, and when the nearest step portion 83 is reached, the push back is further increased. Stops. That is, when the medium S reaches the step portion 83, the direction of the force exerted by the detection lever 57 on the medium S at the step portion 83 is in the path direction of the feed path F1 as compared with the portions other than the step portion 83 up to that point. The force component changes in the direction of becoming smaller. Therefore, as compared with the first embodiment, the amount of return in which the medium S is pushed back from the position where the user sets the medium S can be suppressed to be smaller.

According to this second embodiment, in addition to the effects of (1) to (5) described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(6) The detection lever 57 is provided with a plurality of step portions 83. Therefore, regardless of the position where the medium S is set up to the set position, the return amount until the medium S reaches any one of the plurality of step portions 83 in the process of being pushed back by the detection lever 57. I'm done. Therefore, the return amount of the medium S can be suppressed to a small value.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the configuration of the detection lever 57 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other configurations of the recording device 11 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 14, the contact portion 81 of the detection lever 57 as an example of the detection member has a first inclined portion 85 and a second inclined portion 86 as an example of the return force reducing portion. The angle formed by the first inclined portion 85 with respect to the feeding direction Y1 of the medium S, that is, the set surface of the medium S is larger than the angle formed by the second inclined portion 86. That is, the detection lever 57 has a bent shape in which the portion closer to the tip is larger than the portion closer to the base with respect to the path direction parallel to the feeding direction Y1. The detection lever 57 has a bent shape between the first inclined portion 85 and the second inclined portion 86.

Therefore, when the set medium S is pushed back to the detection lever 57, the contact position of the tip of the medium S with respect to the detection lever 57 shifts from the first inclined portion 85 to the second inclined portion 86. When the portion where the tip of the medium S contacts the detection lever 57 is the first inclined portion 85, the angle formed by the first inclined portion 85 and the surface of the medium S is large, so that the force received by the medium S from the detection lever 57. Is large and the medium S is pushed back.

When the portion where the tip of the medium S comes into contact with the detection lever 57 slides from the first inclined portion 85 to the second inclined portion 86, the angle formed by the contact position between the detection lever 57 and the medium S becomes smaller. At this time, the force Fc received by the medium S from the detection lever 57 when the tip of the medium S is in contact with the second inclined portion 86 is a component in the vertical direction Z which is a direction perpendicular to the path direction of the feed path F1. The first force Fc1 is divided into a second force Fc2 which is a component in the path direction parallel to the feeding direction Y1. In the second force Fc2, which is a component of the feeding direction Y1 of the force Fc received from the detection lever 57 when the tip of the medium S is in contact with the second inclined portion 86, the medium S is the first inclined portion. The force received from the detection lever 57 from the detection lever 57 when in contact with the 85 is smaller than the force which is a component of the feeding direction Y1. That is, the second inclined portion 86 is a component in the path direction with respect to the first force Fc1 which is a component in the vertical direction perpendicular to the path direction parallel to the feeding direction Y1 in the force received by the medium S from the detection lever 57. The ratio of a certain second force Fc2 is changed to be smaller than that of the first inclined portion 85 which is a portion other than the second inclined portion 86 in the detection lever 57. Therefore, the amount of return of the medium S when the user releases the medium S set at the set position can be suppressed to a small value.

According to this third embodiment, in addition to the effects of (1) to (3) and (5) described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(7) The detection lever 57 has a shape in which the portion closer to the tip is bent at a larger angle with respect to the path direction of the feed path F1 than the portion closer to the base. Therefore, for example, the occupied space occupied by the rotation range when the detection lever 57 rotates can be relatively small. Therefore, by reducing the occupied space, a wide space for arranging other members or other parts can be secured, or the degree of freedom in layout of the detection lever 57 and the sensor 78 is improved.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17. In this embodiment, the configuration of the detection lever 57 is different from each of the above-described embodiments. Other configurations of the recording device 11 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, a friction applying member 87 is attached to a portion closer to the tip of the detection lever 57 as an example of the detection member than the return force reducing portion. Specifically, the detection lever 57 is subjected to friction having a friction coefficient μ larger than that of the other parts of the detection lever 57 on the portion corresponding to the inclined portion 82 or the first inclined portion 85 which is the tip portion of the contact portion 81. The member 87 is attached. That is, when the user releases the medium S set at the set position, the portion of the detection lever 57 where the medium S comes into contact and is kicked is subjected to friction having a friction coefficient μ larger than that of the base material of the detection lever 57. The member 87 is attached. In this example, for example, a rubber material is attached as the friction applying member 87. The attachment of the friction applying member 87 here includes not only the attachment with an adhesive but also the formation of a coat layer by application of a synthetic resin liquid.

In the detection lever 57 shown in FIG. 15, the friction applying member 87 is attached to the inclined portion 82 of the detection lever 57 in the first embodiment. In the detection lever 57 shown in FIG. 16, the friction applying member 87 is attached to the inclined portion 82 of the detection lever 57 in the second embodiment. In FIGS. 15 and 16, the step portion 83 in which the direction of the force received by the medium S is only the force in the vertical direction perpendicular to the path direction should have a small frictional force, so that the friction applying member avoids the step portion 83. 87 is pasted.

In the detection lever 57 shown in FIG. 17, a friction applying member 87 is attached to the first inclined portion 85 of the detection lever 57 in the third embodiment. That is, in the detection lever 57 shown in FIG. 17, the friction applying member 87 is attached to the portion of the first inclined portion 85 having a steep angle on the slope near the tip. A friction applying member 87 is not attached to the second inclined portion 86, which is a portion having a gentle angle, so as not to be caught when the medium S is fed.

In the process of rotating the detection lever 57 in the restoring direction by the urging force, the medium S is pushed back by the detection lever 57 while the contact position of the tip of the medium S slides relatively upward. At this time, since the friction applying member 87 increases the sliding friction resistance between the inclined portion 82 or the first inclined portion 85, which is a portion closer to the tip of the detection lever 57, and the tip of the medium S, the detection lever 57 The rotation speed in the restoration direction becomes slow, and the kicking phenomenon in which the detection lever 57 flips the medium S is less likely to occur.

Here, the angle formed by the portion of the friction applying member 87 with respect to the horizontal plane in the detection lever 57 and the friction coefficient μ determine whether the medium S is pushed back or not by the restoring force of the detection lever 57. The angle of the detection lever 57 is the same in the first to third embodiments, and the friction coefficient μ of the friction applying member 87 is larger than that of the other portions, so that the medium S does not slide on the detection lever 57. However, if the friction of the contact portion 81 of the detection lever 57 is too large, the medium S will be caught when the medium S is fed by the feeding roller 52 or the like, so that the friction coefficient μ will not be caught during feeding. Is set to. As described above, when two kinds of materials are used for the detection lever 57, the ease of making the detection lever 57 having different characteristics is improved.

According to the fourth embodiment, the effect of the above (1) to (5) in the first embodiment, the effect of the above (6) in the second embodiment, and the above (7) in the third embodiment. In addition to the same effects, the following effects can be obtained.

(8) A friction applying member 87 is attached to the detection lever 57 at a portion closer to the tip than the return force reducing portion. Therefore, when the medium S inserted to the set position is pushed back to the detection lever 57, it comes into contact with the friction applying member 87 in the process of reaching the return force reducing portion, so that the medium S and the friction applying member 87 come into contact with each other at the contact portion. Due to the large frictional force, the return speed of the detection lever 57 is reduced. As a result, kicking of the medium S by the detection lever 57 is suppressed. Therefore, the amount of return of the medium S can be small.

(Fifth Embodiment)
Next, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the position of the detection lever is different from that of each of the above-described embodiments. Other configurations of the recording device 11 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 18, the detection lever 91 as an example of the detection member constituting the medium detector 56 is a device main body 12 in a state of being rotatable about a shaft portion 92 located below the feed path F1. Is supported by. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the detection lever 91 is in a non-detection state in which the medium S is not detected by the sensor 78 arranged at the position above the feed path F1 at the position P1. Further, the detection lever 91 is in a detection state in which the medium S is detected without being detected by the sensor 78 at the positions P2 and P3. The detection lever 91 is urged by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown) in the direction from the detection state to the non-detection state.

The detection lever 91 has an inclined portion 93 located closer to the tip, which is a portion with which the medium S can come into contact when set, and an upwardly convex step portion 94 located closer to the base than the inclined portion 93. ing. In detail, the step portion 94 has a curved surface in which the surface on which the medium S is placed is convex upward, and the force acting on the medium S is the force of the component in the vertical direction Z orthogonal to the surface of the medium S. The force of the component in the push-back direction, which occupies most of the medium S and is in the direction opposite to the feed direction Y1, becomes zero or considerably smaller.

The position P2 corresponds to the position of the detection lever 91 when the medium S is in the set position where the user inserts the medium S to the position where the tip of the medium S hits the stopper 55 (see FIG. 8). When the user releases the medium S at the set position, the medium S is pushed back to the detection lever 91 if it is a single medium S having a small size. When the detection lever 91 returns to the position P3, the medium S rests on the step portion 94 and receives a large upward force from the step portion 94 in the vertical direction Z orthogonal to the surface of the medium S, which is opposite to the feeding direction Y1. The force of the component in the push-back direction, which is the direction of, becomes zero or considerably smaller. Further, when the step portion 94 of the detection lever 91 comes into contact with the lower surface of the medium S in contact with the lower surface of the first guide portion 64, the detection lever 91 is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Be regulated. As a result, the medium S is not pushed back by the detection lever 91 any more. Therefore, the detection lever 91 stops at the position P3, and the amount of return from the set position of the medium S is small. As in FIG. 16, a plurality of step portions 94 may be provided at a position closer to the base portion than the inclined portion 93 capable of contacting the medium S at the set position in the detection lever 91.

According to the fifth embodiment, the effects (1) to (5) in the first embodiment can be obtained in the same manner, and the following effects can be obtained.
(9) Since the detection lever 91 is provided on the main body 12, the detection lever 91 can be provided even when the space for arranging the detection lever 91 cannot be secured on the first cover 19.

(Sixth Embodiment)
Next, the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. This embodiment is an example in which the feeding device is applied to a reading device that reads the document D. In the example shown in FIG. 19, the reading device is applied to the multifunction device 110 having both a reading function and a recording function. The multifunction device 110 shown in FIG. 19 includes a reading unit 120 that reads a document D as an example of a medium, a feeding device 100 that supplies the document D to the reading unit 120, and a medium such as paper supplied from the medium accommodating unit 25. A recording unit 130 for recording in S is provided. The feeding device 100 is arranged above the reading unit 120. The multifunction device 110 is provided with a platen cover 111 on the upper side of the apparatus main body 12, and is assembled to the platen cover 111. Further, the recording unit 130 has a recording unit 30 and a transport unit 40 shown in FIG. The multifunction device 110 has a reading function in which the reading unit 120 reads the document D, a recording function in which the recording unit 130 records on a medium S such as paper, and an image based on image data acquired by the reading unit 120 by reading the document D. The recording unit 130 has a copy function for recording on the medium S.

As shown in FIG. 19, the feeding device 100 reads the supply tray 101 as an example of the mounting unit, and the feeding unit 20 that supplies the document D set in the supply tray 101 to the reading unit 120 one by one. The unit 120 includes an ejection tray 102 from which the document D after reading the image is ejected. The supply tray 101 includes a mounting surface 17 on which the document D is placed, and a pair of edge guides 18 used for positioning the document D mounted on the mounting surface 17 in the width direction X as well.

As shown in FIG. 20, the feeding device 100 feeds the document D by a transport path for discharging the document D set in the supply tray 101 to the ejection tray 102 via the reading position of the reading unit 120. .. The feeding device 100 includes a medium detector 56 having a detection lever 57 as an example of a detection member arranged in the middle of the feeding path F1 for feeding the document D set on the mounting surface 17. The feeding unit 20 was sent from the feeding roller 52 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and the feeding roller 52, which feed the uppermost one of the originals D set on the mounting surface 17. A separation roller 53 for separating the document D into one sheet is provided. Further, the feeding device 100 has a transport roller 66 that transports the document D fed along the feed path F1 along the transport path F2, and a document D that is read at a reading position in the middle of the transport path F2. Is provided with a discharge roller 103 for discharging toward the discharge tray 102 along the transport path F2.

The reading unit 120 shown in FIG. 20 includes a carriage 121 for reading the document D. The carriage 121 has a reading unit 122 including a line sensor and a light source in which a plurality of sensors are arranged in the width direction X. The carriage 121 is provided so as to be reciprocally movable in the sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction, with the width direction X, which is the line direction in which the reading unit 122 reads one line, as the main scanning direction. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the direction parallel to the transport direction Y of the medium S at the position recorded by the recording unit 30 (see FIG. 2), that is, the left-right direction in FIG. 20 is the sub-scanning direction.

The multifunction device 110 includes a document table 123 that is exposed when the document table cover 111 is opened. The document table 123 has a glass plate 124 on which the document D is placed, and a window portion 125 in which the glass plate used for reading the fed document D is incorporated. When the document D is set on the mounting surface 17 of the feeding device 100 and the control unit 50 of the multifunction device 110 receives the reading instruction while the medium detector 56 detects the document D, the control unit 50 Moves the carriage 121 to the reading position shown in FIG. The control unit 50 feeds the document D on the mounting surface 17 one by one by driving the feeding motor 21 in the forward rotation.

The detection lever 57 as an example of the detection member has the same configuration as the detection lever 57 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in the example shown in FIG. 20, and has one step portion 83 at the contact portion 81 thereof. The user sets the document D on the mounting surface 17 of the supply tray 101. The medium detector 56 detects the document D set in the supply tray 101. For example, even if the document D is pushed back by the urging force of the detection lever 57 when the user releases one small document D, the return amount of the document D at that time is suppressed to a small value. Can be done.

In the multifunction device 110, the detection lever 57 is replaced with the detection lever 57 having one step portion 83 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 in the second embodiment. The detection lever 57 having a plurality of step portions 83 may be used. Further, the detection lever 57 may be replaced with the detection lever 57 provided with the first inclined portion 85 and the second inclined portion 86 shown in FIG. 14 in the third embodiment. That is, the angle formed by the detection lever 57 with respect to the radius of gyration may be smaller in the second inclined portion 86 near the base than in the first inclined portion 85 near the tip. Further, the detection lever 57 may be replaced with the detection lever 57 attached to the inclined portion 82 or 85 near the tip of the detection lever 57 by the friction applying member 87 shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 in the fourth embodiment. good. Further, the detection lever 57 may be replaced with the detection lever 91 shown in FIG. 18 in the fifth embodiment. That is, even if the shaft portion 92 of the detection lever 91 is supported on the device main body 12 at a position below the feed path F1, and the detection lever 57 is arranged upward so that the tip portion is located above the shaft portion 92. good. In such a configuration in which the detection lever 91 is arranged upward, a plurality of step portions 94 as an example of the return force reducing portion are provided, and the angle formed by the detection lever 91 with respect to the radius of gyration is closer to the tip portion. The second inclined portion closer to the base may be made smaller than the one inclined portion, and this second inclined portion may be configured as an example of the return force reducing portion.

According to the sixth embodiment, even in the configuration in which the feeding device 100 is applied to the multifunction device 110, the effects of the above (1) to (5) in the first embodiment and the above (6) in the second embodiment. ), The effect of (7) in the third embodiment, the effect of (8) in the fourth embodiment, the effect of (9) in the fifth embodiment, and the following. The effect of is obtained.

(10) As an example of the reading device, it was applied to the multifunction device 110 having the reading unit 122. The detection lever 57 that detects the document D as an example of the medium can reduce the amount of return that pushes back the document D inserted to the set position. As an example of the reading device, the multifunction device 110 includes a feeding device 100 and a reading unit 122 that reads the medium S fed by the feeding device 100. Therefore, even in the present embodiment in which the feeding device 100 is applied to the multifunction device 110 which is an example of the reading device, for example, the detection lever 57 which detects the document D which is an example of the medium pushes back the set document D. The amount can be reduced.

The above embodiment can be changed to the following embodiment.
In the detection lever 57 shown in FIG. 14 in the third embodiment and FIG. 17 in the fourth embodiment, the second inclined portion 86 may be provided with one or more step portions 83.

In the detection lever 57 shown in FIG. 14 in the third embodiment and FIG. 17 in the fourth embodiment, the first inclined portion 85 and the second inclined portion 86 having different inclination angles with respect to the rotation radius direction of the detection lever 57. Was provided and bent at one location, but a plurality of inclined portions having different inclination angles may be provided and bent at a plurality of locations.

The detection lever 57 shown in FIGS. 11 to 17 in the first to fourth embodiments is provided with a shaft portion 57A on the main body 12 of the apparatus for detection, similarly to the detection lever 91 shown in FIG. 18 in the fifth embodiment. The lever 57 may be arranged upward so that its tip portion is located above the shaft portion 57A. In this case, the sensor 78 may be provided on the first cover 19, but it is preferably provided on the device main body 12 in order to simplify the wiring structure.

The detection lever 57 in FIGS. 11 and 12 in the first embodiment, FIG. 13 in the second embodiment, FIGS. 15 and 16 in the fourth embodiment, and the detection lever 57 in FIG. 14 or the fourth embodiment in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the portion closer to the tip may be formed in a bent shape with a larger angle with respect to the path direction than the portion closer to the base. That is, the detection lever 57 is provided with the first inclined portion 85 and the second inclined portion 86, and the angle formed with respect to the feeding direction Y1 is made larger in the first inclined portion 85 than in the second inclined portion 86 for detection. At the tip of the lever 57, the portion of the first inclined portion 85 is largely bent with respect to the portion of the second inclined portion 86.

The device is not limited to the so-called off-carriage type in which the liquid accommodating portion 28 is provided in the main body 12, but may be applied to the so-called on-carriage type in which the liquid accommodating portion 28 is mounted on the carriage 32.

The feeding device 100 is not limited to the configuration provided on the upper part of the device main body 12, and may be a feeding device 100 having a supply tray extending from the side surface of the device main body 12.
The pair of guide surfaces 18A is not limited to the movable type that can be moved in the width direction X, and may be a fixed type that is fixed at a fixed interval.

-In the sixth embodiment, in addition to the reading unit 122 provided on the carriage 121, a reading unit provided at a position along the transport path F2 may be used to read the document D being transported through the transport path F2. For example, when adding another reading unit to the reading unit 122, it is preferable to provide the other reading unit in a direction capable of double-sided reading of the document D.

The medium S is not limited to paper, and may be a synthetic resin film, sheet, cloth, non-woven fabric, laminated sheet, or the like.
The recording device 11 is not limited to a liquid ejection method such as an inkjet method, and may be a dot impact method or an electrophotographic method. Further, the recording device 11 may be a printing device.

Hereinafter, the technical idea grasped from the embodiment and the modified example will be described together with the effect.
In a feeding device that feeds a medium mounted on a mounting surface along a feeding path in a state of being positioned between a pair of guide surfaces, a feeding roller for feeding the mounted medium and a feeding roller. The non-detection state when the medium is not placed in the set position where feeding by the feeding roller is possible, and the medium pushed by the medium placed in the set position displaces in the path direction of the feeding path. The detection member includes a detection member that is displaced to the detection state, and the detection member places the medium at a contact portion that comes into contact with the medium placed at the set position in the direction opposite to the feeding direction in the path direction. It has a return force reducing unit that reduces the push-back force.

According to this configuration, when the user places the medium in a state of being inserted to the set position on the feed path, the detection member pushed by the medium is displaced from the non-detection state to the detection state. When the user releases the medium, the detection member pushes the medium back in the direction opposite to the feeding direction due to the weight of the detection member or the urging force of the elastic member such as a spring. At this time, the medium is pushed back in a state of being in contact with the contact portion of the detection member, and the contact position of the medium with respect to the detection member changes in the process of returning. When the position where the medium comes into contact with the detection member reaches the return force reducing portion, the return force that the detection member tries to push back the medium is reduced. That is, when the medium reaches the return force reducing portion, the direction of the force that the detection member acts on the medium at the return force reduction portion has a smaller force component in the path direction than the portion other than the return force reduction portion up to that point. It changes in the direction of becoming. As a result, the detection member that detects the medium can reduce the amount of return that pushes back the set medium.

In the feeding device, the return force reducing unit is a component in the path direction with respect to a first force which is a component in the direction perpendicular to the path direction in the force received by the medium from the detection member. It is preferable to change the ratio of the forces of 2 to be smaller than the portion of the detection member other than the return force reducing portion.

According to this configuration, when the contact position where the medium comes into contact with the detection member reaches the return force reduction portion from the portion other than the return force reduction portion, the contact position is relative to the first force which is a component in the vertical direction perpendicular to the path direction. , The ratio of the second force, which is a component in the path direction, changes slightly. As a result, the pushing back of the medium by the detection member is stopped. Therefore, the amount of return of the medium by the detection member can be reduced.

In the feeding device, the detection member is rotatably provided around a shaft portion located above the feeding path.
According to this configuration, when the medium is inserted to the set position, the detection member pushed by the medium rotates around the shaft portion located above the feed path and is displaced from the non-detection state to the detection state. do. When the user releases the medium set, the detection member rotates about the shaft portion and is returned in the path direction. At this time, the detection member is returned by, for example, only its own weight, or by its own weight and the urging force of an elastic member such as a spring. Even in such a configuration in which the weight of the detection member acts as a force in the return direction, when the contact position of the medium in the detection member reaches the return force reduction portion, the return force is weakened and further return can be restricted.

In the feeding device, the return force reducing portion is a stepped portion that is convex in a direction facing the medium provided at a position closer to the base of the detection lever than the inclined portion provided at the tip end portion of the detection member. May be.

According to this configuration, the medium inserted to the set position pushes the detection member to displace it, and then when the user releases the medium, the detection member pushes the medium back. When the step portion is reached in the process of being pushed back, the ratio of the force received from the contact portion of the medium to the first force, which is a component in the vertical direction perpendicular to the path direction, is the ratio of the second force, which is a component in the path direction. , Changes small. Therefore, the returning force of the medium by the detection member is reduced. As a result, the amount of return of the medium can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the detection member does not have a step portion as an example of the return force reducing portion.

In the feeding device, the detection member may be provided with a plurality of the step portions.
According to this configuration, the return amount until the medium reaches any one of the plurality of steps is sufficient regardless of the position where the medium is inserted up to the set position. Therefore, the amount of return of the medium can be suppressed to a small level.

In the feeding device, the friction applying member may be attached to the detection member at a portion closer to the tip than the return force reducing portion.
According to this configuration, when the medium inserted to the set position is pushed back to the detection member, it comes into contact with the friction applying member in the process of reaching the return force reducing portion. The frictional force reduces the return speed of the detection member. As a result, kicking of the medium by the detection member is suppressed. Therefore, the amount of return of the set medium is small.

In the feeding device, the detection member may have a shape in which the portion closer to the tip is bent at a larger angle with respect to the path direction than the portion closer to the base.
According to this configuration, the detection member has a shape in which the portion closer to the tip is bent toward the medium rather than the portion closer to the base. Therefore, for example, the occupied space occupied by the displacement locus when the detection member is displaced is relative. It can be small. Therefore, a wide space for arranging other members or other parts can be secured, or the degree of freedom in layout of the detection member is improved.

The reading device includes the feeding device and a reading unit that reads the medium fed by the feeding device. According to this configuration, in the feeding device of the reading device, the same effect as that of the feeding device can be obtained.

The recording device includes the feeding device and a recording unit for recording on a medium fed by the feeding device. According to this configuration, in the feeding device of the reading device, the same effect as that of the feeding device can be obtained.

11 ... Recording device, 12 ... Device body, 17 ... Mounting surface, 18 ... Edge guide, 18A ... Guide surface, 20 ... Feeding unit, 21 ... Feeding motor, 30 ... Recording unit, 31 ... Head, 32 ... Carriage , 33 ... support unit, 40 ... transport unit, 41 ... transport roller pair, 42 ... transport motor, 50 ... control unit, 51 ... feed unit, 52 ... feed roller, 53 ... separation roller, 54 ... support member, 55. ... Stopper, 56 ... Medium detector, 57 ... Detection lever as an example of detection member, 57A ... Shaft, 59 ... Power transmission mechanism, 60 ... Driven roller, 61 ... Driven roller, 62 ... Guide surface, 64 ... First Guide part, 65 ... 2nd guide part, 66 ... Conveying roller, 70 ... Tilt mechanism, 76 ... Lock lever, 77 ... Elastic member, 78 ... Sensor, 81 ... Contact part, 82 ... Tilt part, 83 ... Return force reduction part As an example, a step portion as an example, 85 ... a first inclined portion, 85 ... a first inclined portion, 86 ... a second inclined portion as an example of a return force reducing portion, 87 ... a friction applying member, 91 ... as an example of a detection member. Detection lever, 92 ... Shaft part, 93 ... Inclined part, 94 ... Step part as an example of return force reduction part, 100 ... Feeding device, 110 ... Composite machine as an example of reading device, 111 ... Document stand cover, 120 ... reading unit, 121 ... carriage, 122 ... reading unit, 130 ... recording unit, S ... medium, D ... document as an example of medium, F1 ... feeding path, F2 ... transport path, X ... width direction, Y1 ... feeding Feeding direction, Y ... Transporting direction, Z ... Vertical direction, Fa ... Force, Fa1 ... First force, Fa2 ... Second force, Fb ... Force, Fb1 ... First force, Fb2 ... Second force, Fc ... force, Fc1 ... first force, Fc2 ... second force.

Claims (8)

In a feeding device that feeds a medium mounted on a mounting surface while being positioned between a pair of guide surfaces along a feeding path.
A feeding roller that feeds the placed medium, and
The non-detection state when the medium is not placed in the set position where feeding by the feeding roller is possible, and the path direction of the feeding path pushed by the tip of the medium placed in the set position. A detection member that is displaced to a displacement detection state, and
Equipped with
The detection member has a return force reducing portion that reduces a return force that pushes the medium back in the direction opposite to the feeding direction in the path direction at a contact portion that comes into contact with the medium placed at the set position. ,
The return force reducing unit determines the ratio of the second force, which is a component in the path direction, to the first force, which is a component in the vertical direction perpendicular to the path direction, in the force received by the medium from the detection member. , A feeding device characterized in that the detection member is changed to be smaller than a portion other than the return force reducing portion . The feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the detection member is rotatably provided about a shaft portion located above the feeding path. The return force reducing portion is a step portion that is provided at a position closer to the base of the detection member than the inclined portion provided at the tip of the detection member and is convex in the direction facing the medium. The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 and 2 , wherein the feeding device is characterized. The feeding device according to claim 3 , wherein the detection member is provided with a plurality of the step portions. The supply according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a friction applying member is attached to the detection member at a portion closer to the tip than the return force reducing portion. Feeding device. The one according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the detection member has a bent shape in which the portion closer to the tip portion has a larger angle with respect to the path direction than the portion closer to the base portion. The described feeder. The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .
A reading device including a reading unit that reads a medium fed by the feeding device. The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .
A recording device including a recording unit for recording on a medium fed by the feeding device.

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