Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides an image forming apparatus, without expanding the setting area of the image forming apparatus by the amount of opening the outer cover of the original reading section, can avoid the expansion of the setting area caused by making the outer cover of the original reading section openable. The image forming apparatus (1) has an apparatus main body (100) and an original reading apparatus (200) for reading an original disposed on the apparatus main body (100). The original reading apparatus (200) includes an original placing section (210), an original reading section (220), an original discharge port (229), and a discharge original placing section (230). The original reading section (220) can open and close the outer cover (228a) for exposing the original conveying path inside, and when the outer cover (228a) is opened, the outer cover (228a) does not protrude from the side of the apparatus main body (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an image forming apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, there was a known image forming apparatus, which included an image forming unit provided with an image forming section for forming an image on a recording medium, and a document reading device for reading a document provided on the apparatus body.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a document reading device is disposed on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a document transport device is further disposed on the document reading device. This document transport device includes a document reading section, a document discharging section, and a transport means for transporting the document along a transport path between the two sections. The document transport path includes the document reading position of the document reading device. An external part of the document transport device that exposes the document transport path can be opened and closed.

[0004] However, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, the outer part in the open state is located further outward than the side of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the setting area of ​​the image forming apparatus needs to be expanded accordingly.

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-217178 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-258510 Summary of the Invention

[0006] To solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: an apparatus body having an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium, and a document reading device for reading a document disposed on the apparatus body. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the document reading device includes: a document reading placement unit for holding the document before reading; a document reading unit for reading the document; a document discharge outlet for discharging the document read by the document reading unit from the document reading unit; and a document discharge placement unit for holding the document discharged from the document discharge outlet. The document reading unit is capable of opening and closing an outer part for exposing an internal document transport path, and when the outer part is opened, the outer part does not protrude from the side of the apparatus body.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is not necessary to expand the setting area of ​​the image forming apparatus by an amount corresponding to the opening of the outer part of the original document reading unit, thus avoiding the expansion of the setting area caused by enabling the outer part of the original document reading unit to open and close. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 The image shown is a front view illustrating the general structure of a photocopier.

[0009] Figure 2 Figures (a)-(b) are explanatory diagrams of the manual paper feed tray and the opening and closing cover of the copier.

[0010] Figure 3 The image shown is a front view illustrating the general structure of the original document reading device of the copier.

[0011] Figure 4 The image shown is a summary front view illustrating the appearance of the copier.

[0012] Figure 5 The diagram shown illustrates the paper jam handling of originals in this copier.

[0013] Figure 6 Figures (a)-(b) show a front view illustrating the general structure of an example of the upper frame of the copier.

[0014] Figure 7 The diagram shown illustrates the amount of protrusion in the original document loading section of this copier.

[0015] Figure 8 The diagram shown is an explanatory illustration of other configuration examples of the original document placement section of this copier.

[0016] Figure 9 Figures (a)-(b) show top views of this configuration example.

[0017] Figure 10 Figures (a)-(b) are explanatory diagrams of this configuration example.

[0018] Figure 11 The diagram shown is an explanatory diagram of another configuration example of the original document loading section of the copier.

[0019] Figure 12 The diagram shown is an illustration of an existing example of a photocopier.

[0020] Figure 13 The image shown is another illustrative diagram of the copier.

[0021] Figure 14 The image shown is another explanatory diagram of the copier. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a copier, which is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described. Figure 1 The image shown is a front view illustrating the general configuration of copier 1. Copier 1 includes: a copier body 100, which is a device body equipped with an image forming section for forming images on a recording medium; and a document reading device 200 that reads originals disposed on the copier body 100. Figure 1In this context, the X direction is the horizontal direction (left-right or width direction) when viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus, the Y direction is the depth direction of the apparatus, and the Z direction is the vertical direction. First, an example of the internal structure configuration of the copier body 100 and the original document reading device 200 will be explained.

[0023] An image forming unit 10 is provided inside the copier body 100. In addition, a paper feeding unit 20, a scanning unit 30, and a paper flipping unit 40 are provided.

[0024] The image forming unit 10 includes four processing cartridges 11 (Y, M, C, K), an intermediate transfer belt 12, a light writing unit 13, a fixing device 14, a paper discharge roller 15, etc. A so-called internal paper discharge section 50 is formed between the image forming unit 10 and the scanning unit 30. The front and left sides of the internal paper discharge section 50 are open to the outside and are used to load the recorded paper discharged from the paper discharge roller 15.

[0025] The intermediate transfer belt 12 is tensioned and mounted by multiple tension rollers and Figure 1 The intermediate transfer body moves counterclockwise on the surface. The symbols Y, M, C, and K in the four processing cartridges 11 represent photosensitive materials for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. The four processing cartridges 11 are largely identical in structure, except for the different colors of the toners they use.

[0026] The processing cartridge 11 is a unit in which charging means, developing means, etc. are integrally supported around the photosensitive element that serves as the latent image carrier.

[0027] The light writing unit 13 forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor based on image information from the original image read by the scanning unit 30 or the original document reading device 200, or image information input from an external device such as a personal computer. This electrostatic latent image is imaged by a toner through a development process, and the toner image is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 12 to form a full-color image on the intermediate transfer belt 12.

[0028] The scanning unit 30 scans the original document placed on the contact glass disposed on the upper part of the copier body 100 in a left-right direction while reading image information. The original document reading device 200 is installed on the inside of the copier body 100 such that the contact glass can be opened and closed freely by swinging about a left-right extending rotation axis. When the copier body 100 is configured to form an image using only the image information of the original document image read by the original document reading device 200, the scanning unit 30 may be omitted.

[0029] The full-color image on the intermediate transfer belt 12 is transferred onto transfer paper, which serves as the recording medium, supplied and conveyed from the paper supply section 20. The transfer paper with the full-color image is fixed in the fixing device 14 by heating and pressurizing to fix the full-color image, and the fixed transfer paper is discharged from the paper discharge port (formed in the wall) through the paper discharge roller 15. The transfer paper discharged from the paper discharge port is loaded onto the paper discharge receiving section 51 provided in the paper discharge section 50 of the body.

[0030] exist Figure 1 In the copier body 100, above the intermediate transfer belt 12, a toner bottle 16 for holding various toners is detachably disposed relative to the copier body 100. A manual paper feed tray 60 that can be opened and closed is provided on the right side of the copier body 100, and a paper feeding means 61 for feeding transfer paper onto the manual paper feed tray 60 is also provided inside the copier body 100.

[0031] The conveyor rollers and guide plates constituting the paper turning section 40, as well as the manual paper feed tray 60 and paper feeding means 61, are held in a closable cover section 71 via a rotating shaft 70 located at the lower right of the copier body 100. By opening this cover section 71, the delivery path from the paper feed section 20 to the paper discharge roller 15 can be opened for paper jam handling, etc.

[0032] Figure 2 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the manual paper feed tray 60 in the open state. Figure 2 (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the open / closed cover 71 in the open state. The above is an example of the configuration of the copier body 100 when using electrophotography as the recording method, but other recording methods such as inkjet can also be used instead.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a front view illustrating the general configuration of the document reading device 200. The document reading device 200 includes a document reading and mounting unit 210, a document reading unit 220, and a document ejection and mounting unit 230. The document reading and mounting unit 210, the document reading unit 220, and the document ejection and mounting unit 230 are arranged sequentially in the horizontal direction when viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus, and the document transport path is a so-called straight path.

[0034] The original document loading unit 210 includes an original document table 211 and an extendable original document table 212 that can be pulled out and stored from the original document table 211. Alternatively, instead of being able to be pulled out and stored, a swing shaft or the like can be provided at the right end of the original document table 211 in the figure so that it can be folded or extended. The original document table 211 has a chute roller 214 that contacts the lower surface of the original document to apply a conveying force.

[0035] The original document reading unit 220 is equipped with a pickup roller 221, a brake roller 222, original document detection sensors 223 (223a, 223b), a conveyor roller 224 (224a, 224b), an LED lighting device 225 (back lighting device 225a, surface lighting device 225b), and an exhaust roller 226 (226a, 226b) along the conveying path (shown as dashed lines in the figure) for conveying the original document from the original document reading placement unit 210. Furthermore, a back-side reading optical device 227a and a front-side reading optical device 227b are also provided.

[0036] The original document reading unit 220 has an upper frame 228a and a lower frame 228b that supports the upper frame 228a and can be opened and closed. The lower surface of the upper frame 228a forms an upper guide for the original document transport path, and the upper surface of the lower frame 228b forms a lower guide for the original document transport path.

[0037] A manuscript discharge tray 231 is provided in the manuscript discharge placement section 230.

[0038] The original manuscripts placed on the manuscript table 211 (the bottom manuscript when two or more are placed) are conveyed between the upper and lower guide members in the manuscript conveying direction from right to left in the figure by the rotation of the chute roller 214 and the pick-up roller 221. When multiple original manuscripts are placed on the manuscript table 211, the brake roller 222 separates only the original manuscripts placed on the manuscript table 211 that are in contact with the pick-up roller 221.

[0039] The original document is guided by the upper and lower guides and fed between the drive roller 224a and the driven roller 224b of the conveyor roller 224. The original document is fed between the back illumination device 225a and the surface illumination device 225b by the rotation of the conveyor roller 224, and the back and surface are read by the back reading optics 227a and the surface reading optics 227b. By the rotation of the discharge rollers 226 (226a, 226b), the read original document is discharged through the original document discharge port 229 onto the original document discharge tray 231.

[0040] The original document reading device 200 does not have an original document flipping path or a U-shaped turning path, but only a straight reading path (straight path) from the original document table 211 to the original document output tray 231. Therefore, it is possible to save space in the original document reading section and improve the visual recognizability of the original document after reading.

[0041] Next, the opening and closing of the outer fitting, which is a feature of this embodiment and exposes the document transport path inside the document reading device 200, will be described. As described above, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, when the outer fitting for exposing the document transport path is open, the outer fitting protrudes further outward than the side of the main body of the image forming apparatus, requiring a corresponding increase in the installation area of ​​the image forming apparatus (see that publication). Figure 1 , Figure 6 ). In the communiqué Figure 1 In the example of the structure of the image forming apparatus shown, since there is a paper tray on the side of the main body of the image forming apparatus that protrudes outward from the outer part, and the protrusion of the paper tray is relatively large, it is possible to avoid increasing the installation area simply by protruding the outer part. However, this results in the constraint that the paper tray is installed in a way that protrudes from the side.

[0042] use Figures 12 to 14 Taking a conventional image forming apparatus that uses an internal paper discharge section instead of a paper discharge tray protruding from the main body of the image forming apparatus as an example, the problem caused by the external part for exposing the internal original transport path in the original document reading device 200 protruding from the side of the main body of the image forming apparatus will be explained. Figure 12 This is a front view illustrating the appearance of a conventional copier 1. Figure 13 This is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the openable and closable outer casing 400 used to expose the original document transport path when the original document reading device 200 is opened. Figure 14 This is an explanatory diagram showing that, in addition to the outer casing 400, the opening and closing cover 71 of the copier body 100 is also open.

[0043] exist Figures 12 to 14 In the middle, to and Figures 1 to 3 The components described herein are labeled with the same reference numerals. Unlike this embodiment, in the conventional document reading device 200 shown in the figure, the document transport path is not a straight path, but a so-called U-shaped turning path (flipping path).

[0044] Image forming apparatuses often have an original document reading device for reading original documents and an automatic original document feeder (ADF) for automatically feeding original documents on the upper part of the main body of the apparatus. However, in order to meet the requirements of miniaturization of the apparatus and reduction of the setting area, the size of the original document reading device and the ADF is configured to not exceed the size of the image forming apparatus itself.

[0045] Traditionally, the document transport path within the ADF (Automatic Document Controller) has mostly employed a U-shaped turning path, where the document feed section is located directly below the document reader. In this case, the document reader of the ADF is not positioned at the center of the upper part of the image forming apparatus, but rather offset to either the left or right. Therefore, when a paper jam occurs during ADF operation, opening the cover of the document reader to remove the jammed paper significantly exceeds the dimensions of the image forming apparatus body when the cover is open. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the proper placement of the image forming apparatus within the movable area of ​​the image reader and the ADF cover.

[0046] like Figure 12 As shown, the original document reader 200 with a U-shaped turning path and ADF function includes an original document placement section 210, which is housed within the width of the left side 100a and right side 100b of the copier body 100. From the user's perspective, the smaller and lighter the image forming apparatus, the greater the freedom of setting. Since most image forming apparatuses have an image reading device at the top that can read images via a pressure plate, the size of the reading section cannot be smaller than the size of the corresponding medium (A3, A4, etc.). Therefore, it is preferable to reduce the size of the machine as much as possible to the size of the corresponding medium, thereby increasing the user's freedom of setting.

[0047] Furthermore, image forming apparatuses, image reading apparatuses, and ADFs sometimes experience paper jams during image forming or original document reading due to their inherent characteristics. In such cases, it is necessary to open the opening / closing cover (outer part) provided for paper jam handling and remove the jammed paper. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure in advance at the installation location that an area is available for the opening / closing cover to move.

[0048] like Figure 13 As shown, if the outer casing 400 is not open, the size of the ADF will not exceed the size of the main body of the image forming apparatus. However, during paper jam handling, etc., when the outer casing 400 of the ADF is opened, the size of the ADF will exceed the size of the main body of the apparatus. In the figure, symbol W13 indicates the excess size.

[0049] As described above, since paper jams occur not only in the original document reader 200 but also in the copier body 100, therefore... Figure 14As shown, it is necessary to ensure, in advance, that an area is available for opening the cover 71 of the copier body 100 at the installation location. When the side that opens on the outer casing 400 of the original document reader 200 differs from the side that opens on the cover 71 of the copier body 100, a setup area much larger than the usual machine size needs to be ensured. This large setup area is indicated by reference numeral W14b in the figure. Therefore, the user's setup freedom is reduced. The symbol W14a in the figure represents the size of the usual copier 1.

[0050] Figure 4 The image shown is a front view providing a general overview of the appearance of the copier 1 according to this embodiment. Compared to existing... Figure 12 Compared to the outline diagram, the configuration of the original document reading device 200 is quite different. Figure 12 The original document reading device 200 is positioned to the left of the upper part of the image forming apparatus, but in this embodiment, the original document reading unit 220 is positioned at the center of the copier body 100 in the width direction. Moreover, in a linear configuration, the original document reading unit 210 is positioned to the right of the original document reading unit 220 in the width direction, and the original document ejection unit 230 is positioned to the left of the original document reading unit 220 in the width direction.

[0051] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the state in which the original document transport path is opened in the copier 1 of this embodiment for handling paper jams in the original document. Figure 5 (Enlarged image in the image). For example, using... Figure 3 As explained, in this embodiment, the upper frame 228a of the original document reading unit 220 of the copier 1 is supported so that it can be opened and closed relative to the lower frame 228b, and the original document transport path is exposed by opening the upper frame 228a. Therefore, the upper frame 228a itself or its outer part is equivalent to an openable and closable outer part for exposing the internal original document transport path.

[0052] Figure 5 In the diagram, auxiliary lines are used to indicate the position of the left side 100a of the copier body 100 on the side where the upper frame 228a is opened, in the width direction (X direction). For example... Figure 5 As shown, even when the upper frame 228a is opened to its maximum extent, it will not exceed the width direction of the left side 100a of the copier body 100. Therefore, even when handling paper jams of the original, the size of the device will not increase, thus... Figure 12 as well as Figure 13 Compared to the previous configuration, it is not necessary to pre-determine the setting area for paper jam handling, thus reducing the setting area.

[0053] Figure 6 This is a front view showing an example of the structure that defines the maximum opening angle of the upper frame 228a. Figure 6 (a) shows the upper frame 228a in the closed state. Figure 6 (b) shows a state where the upper frame 228a is restricted from further opening beyond its maximum opening angle. The upper frame 228a is rotatable relative to the lower frame 228b via a rotational support shaft 410. The rotational support shaft 410 is provided in a strong lower structure 411 of the lower frame 228b. The connecting rod 413 is rotatably attached to the lower structure 411 via a support shaft 412. A sliding hole 414 is formed in the connecting rod 413 for a rod-shaped pin 420 fixed to the upper frame 228a to enter. The pin 420 abuts against the front end of the sliding hole 414 furthest from the support shaft 412. Figure 6 The state of (b) is defined. The rotation of the upper frame 228a beyond the angle of this state is limited by the contact between the pin 420 and the front end.

[0054] Figure 7 This is a front view showing the relationship between the opening and closing cover 71 of the copier body 100 and the protrusion amount of the original document reading device 200 in this embodiment. Figure 7 This indicates that the opening and closing cover 71 of 100 is open. In this embodiment, the original document reading unit 220 in the original document reading device 200 is disposed in the center of the copier body 100 in the width direction. Therefore, sometimes the original document reading mounting unit 210 protrudes from the width of the copier body 100.

[0055] On the other hand, since the copier body 100 includes an opening / closing cover 71 for handling paper jams, the machine's installation area, including its movable area, needs to be secured in advance. Therefore, the protruding direction of the original document placement section 210 is aligned with the protruding direction of the opening / closing cover 71 of the copier body 100, and is less than the amount by which the opening / closing cover 71 protrudes from the side of the copier body 100. The front end of the opening / closing cover 71 protrudes beyond the front end of the original document placement section 210 by the amount indicated by symbol X7 in the figure. Thus, even if the original document placement section 210 protrudes, the installation area of ​​the device does not need to be increased.

[0056] Figure 8 Other configuration examples of the original document placement unit 210 in this embodiment are shown. For example, using... Figure 3The above describes a configuration example where the extended portion of the original document table 211 constituting the original document loading unit 210 is used instead of the pulled-out original document table 212, and a folding original document table 212a is constructed. When transporting the copier 1 to users, it is generally transported in a packaging box or similar container. However, when the machine's manufacturing location differs from the user's country, sometimes the method employed is to transport multiple machines simultaneously to a factory in the user's country, rather than directly from the manufacturing location, and then to the user via containers or similar means.

[0057] In this case, the smaller the size of the packaging box, the more machines can be placed in the container, thus reducing transportation costs. Therefore, in the example shown in the diagram, to ensure that the size of the packaging box, especially the width, is at the necessary minimum, the front end of the document tray 211 is set to not exceed the side (100b) of the copier body 100. Furthermore, if the document tray 212a is folded, it can also not exceed the aforementioned side (100b). Additionally, when using... Figure 3 In the case of the document tray 212 being pulled out, it is also preferable that the front end of the document tray 211 does not exceed the side (100b) of the copier body 100, and does not exceed the aforementioned side (100b) when the document tray 212 is pulled in or out, so as to achieve miniaturization of the packaging box size.

[0058] Figure 9 This is a top view illustrating an example of the folding structure of the folding original document holder 212a. Figure 10 This is its top-view explanatory diagram. Figure 10 (a) is Figure 9 Section X1-X1 in B, Figure 10 (b) is an explanatory diagram of the X2-X2 section. Figure 10 (a) shows the unfolded state of the folded manuscript tray 212a. Figure 10 (b) shows the state of the folded manuscript tray 212a.

[0059] like Figure 9 As shown in a partial enlargement in (a), the document stage 211, on which the folding document stage 212a is mounted, is mounted by inserting the protrusions 440 located at both ends in the width direction into the recesses formed in a pair of deformable mounting portions 431 that are part of the structure 430 of the document reading device 200. Insertion and removal are possible by deforming the pair of mounting portions 431 while inserting or removing the protrusions 440 from the recesses.

[0060] The document stage 211 consists of a lower cover 211a and a higher cover 211b. A folding document stage 212a is rotatably mounted on a central protrusion 441 extending towards the center of the front end of the higher cover 211b in the width direction (Y direction). The shaft 450 of the folding document stage 212a is rotatably inserted into bearing recesses formed on both sides of the central protrusion 441.

[0061] The shaft 450 of the folding tabletop 212a is provided on the arms 451 extending to both sides of the central protrusion 441 of the tabletop 211. The folding tabletop 212a has a foot 452 on its lower surface at a portion opposite the central protrusion 441 of the tabletop 211 in the width direction. This foot abuts against the upper surface of the under-table cover 211a, restricting the folding tabletop 212a from being opened to its maximum extent (see reference). Figure 10 (a)

[0062] The portion of the cover 211b on the original document table 211 opposite the arm 451 of the folding original document table 212a is an inclined surface 442. When the folding original document table 212a is folded, the arm 451 abuts against and folds the original document table 212a to complete the folding (limited closed position) (see reference). Figure 10 (b)

[0063] In use Figures 1 to 7 In the described embodiment, since the original document reading unit is located in the center of the device, there is a situation where the original document mounting unit protrudes from the main body of the device. If the original document mounting unit is as follows... Figures 8 to 10 By folding the device as shown and ensuring it does not protrude from the main body, it can be transported without increasing the size of the device, thus reducing transport costs.

[0064] Figure 11 This illustration shows another configuration example of the document reading placement unit 210 in this embodiment. In this configuration example, the document placement stage of the document reading placement unit 210 constituting the document reading device 200 is configured to be detachable. The components of the detachable document reading placement unit are shaped and sized to be stored within the device body without changing their shape. Specifically, the storage location is the internal paper discharge section 50, which has an opening for external operation and discharges a recording medium on which an image is formed. Reference numeral 460 indicates the detachable document placement stage.

[0065] Figures 8 to 10 In order to prevent the original document mounting section from protruding from the main body of the device, the configuration is designed to be foldable. However, to achieve a foldable configuration, the part needs to be divided into at least two parts, which can sometimes increase the cost of the parts. Therefore, by making the original document mounting section detachable and storing the original document mounting component in an area within the image forming apparatus (e.g., the internal paper ejection section) during transport, transport costs can be reduced.

[0066] The above description of the copier 1 using the accompanying drawings can be understood as follows: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section for forming an image on a recording medium; an apparatus main body with the image forming section; and an original document reading device for reading an original document from the apparatus main body. The apparatus is characterized by having: a main body opening / closing portion (opening during paper jam handling) provided on the side of the apparatus main body for removing jammed paper or residual paper; and the original document reading device includes: an original document mounting section (original document table) for mounting the original document before reading; an original document reading section for reading the original document; an original document discharge port for discharging the original document after reading by the original document reading section from the reading section; and a mounting device for holding the original document discharged from the original document discharge port. The original document loading section (original document tray) and the original document reading section can be opened and closed to remove internal jammed paper or residual paper. The original document reading section is located closer to the center than both ends of the main body of the device. When the original document reading section is opened, it does not protrude from the side opposite to the main body opening / closing section (the part that opens during paper jam handling) of the main body. The original document loading section (original document table) protrudes from the main body of the device in the same direction as the main body opening / closing section (the part that opens during paper jam handling), and the amount of protrusion of the original document loading section (original document table) is smaller than the amount of protrusion when the main body opening / closing section (the part that opens during paper jam handling) is open. This reduces the proprietary area of ​​the image forming apparatus and, during paper jam handling, creates a configuration that protrudes only to one side, thus narrowing the width of the device during paper jam handling.

[0067] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Unless otherwise specified in the above description, various modifications and alterations can be made within the scope of the concept of the present invention as described in the scope of the claims.

[0068] The effects described in the embodiments of this invention are merely examples of the best effects produced by this invention, and the effects of this invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of this invention.

[0069] The above description is merely an example, and the invention has unique effects in the various embodiments described below. In the description of the embodiments, the reference numerals in parentheses following the constituent names are examples of corresponding components, and are not limited to those component examples.

[0070] (Method 1) The image forming apparatus (1) includes: an apparatus body (100) having an image forming unit (10) for forming an image on a recording medium; and a document reading device (200) for reading a document disposed on the apparatus body (100). The document reading device (200) includes: a document reading unit (210) for holding the document before reading; a document reading unit (220) for reading the document; a document discharge port (229) for discharging the document after reading by the document reading unit (220); and a document discharge unit (230) for holding the document discharged from the document discharge port (229). The document reading unit (220) is capable of opening and closing an outer part (228a) for exposing the internal document transport path. When the outer part (228a) is opened, the outer part (228a) does not protrude from the side of the apparatus body (100).

[0071] Therefore, it is not necessary to expand the setting area of ​​the image forming apparatus by the amount corresponding to opening the outer casing of the original document reading unit, thus avoiding the expansion of the setting area caused by enabling the outer casing of the original document reading unit to open and close. Here, temporary protrusions such as manual trays that take a protruding posture and paper discharge trays that partially protrude from the side of the apparatus body are not included.

[0072] Patent Document 2 discloses a document transport device having a document reading section, a document ejection section, and a transport means for transporting the document along a transport path between the two sections. This document transport device is positioned closer to the center than both ends of the image forming apparatus body. This document transport device differs from a document reading device incorporating the reading section of this invention. Moreover, this simple automatic document transport device is configured on the copier body in a manner that satisfies the limitation that the document transport path includes the document reading position of the copier body. Since the copier body of Patent Document 2 is a device with a relatively wide width including the flipping path, the result is simply that the automatic transport device is positioned further centrally to meet the above requirements. The opening and closing of the outer casing for exposing the internal document transport path is also not mentioned.

[0073] (Method 2) In the image forming apparatus (1) described in Method 1, the apparatus body (100) has a main body opening and closing part (71) on the side of the apparatus body (100) that can be opened and closed for removing cardboard or residual paper. The side of the original document reading part (220) that does not protrude is the side of the apparatus body (100) opposite to the main body opening and closing part (71).

[0074] Therefore, it is possible to avoid unnecessarily expanding the installation area to its opposite side, except for the side of the main body opening and closing part (71) of the device body (100) where the installation area must be ensured.

[0075] (Method 3) In the image forming apparatus (1) described in mode 2, the original document loading unit (210) protrudes from the main body (100) on the side of the main body opening and closing unit (71), and the amount of protrusion of the original document loading unit (210) is smaller than the amount of protrusion when the main body opening and closing unit (71) is opened.

[0076] Therefore, on the main body opening and closing part (71) side of the device main body (100) where the setting area must be ensured, the protection area does not need to exceed the protection area used by the main body opening and closing part.

[0077] (Method 4) In the image forming apparatus (1) described in mode 3, the original document mounting section (210) can be folded, and in the folded state, the original document mounting section (200) does not protrude from the main body (100) of the apparatus.

[0078] This reduces the transportation costs of the image forming apparatus.

[0079] (Method 5) In the image forming apparatus (1) described in Method 1, when viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus (1), the original document loading unit (210), the original document reading unit (220), and the original document ejection unit are arranged in the left-right direction in this order, and the original document reading unit (220) is located at a position closer to the center of both ends of the apparatus body (100).

[0080] Therefore, it is easy to configure the outer part (228a) so that when the outer part (228a) of mode 1 is opened, the outer part (228a) does not protrude from the side of the device body (100). In addition, the original document transport path can be made into a so-called straight path, which improves the visual recognizability of the original document.

[0081] (Method 6) The image forming apparatus (1) according to method 1 is characterized in that the original document reading device (200) does not have an original document flipping transport path that overlaps in the vertical direction after flipping.

[0082] Therefore, compared with a manuscript reading device that also has a manuscript flipping transport path that overlaps in the vertical direction after flipping, space saving of the manuscript reading section can be achieved.

[0083] (Method 7) In the image forming apparatus (1) described in Method 1, the original document loading unit (210) is detachable from the original document reading device (200), and the detached original document loading unit (210) is of a shape and size that can be housed in the main body (100) of the apparatus.

[0084] This reduces the transportation costs of the image forming apparatus.

[0085] (Method 8) In the image forming apparatus (1) described in mode 7, the storage part is the internal paper discharge section (50), which has an opening that can be operated from the outside and discharges the recording medium on which the image is formed.

[0086] Therefore, it is possible to reduce transport costs without changing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: The main body of the device includes an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium, and A manuscript reading device that reads manuscripts mounted on the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the original document reading device comprises: The original manuscript is read and placed in the original manuscript before it is read. The manuscript reading department is responsible for reading the original manuscripts. The original document discharge port discharges the original document read by the original document reading unit from the original document reading unit, and The original manuscript placement section holds the original manuscripts discharged from the original manuscript discharge port. The original document reading unit is capable of opening and closing the outer casing to expose the internal original document transport path. When the outer casing is opened, the outer casing does not protrude from the side of the main body of the device.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body of the device has a main body opening and closing part on its side surface, which can be opened and closed to remove jammed paper or residual paper. The side of the original document reading section that does not protrude is the side opposite to the main body opening and closing section in the main body of the device.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The original document reading and mounting section protrudes from the main body of the device on the side portion having the main body opening and closing section. The amount of protrusion of the original document reading section is smaller than the amount of protrusion when the main body opening and closing section is open.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: The original document loading section is foldable. When the original document reading and mounting section is folded, the original document reading and mounting section does not protrude from the main body of the device.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: Viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus, the original document loading unit, the original document loading unit, and the original document ejection unit are arranged in this order in the left-right direction. The original document reading section is located closer to the center than both ends of the main body of the device.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The original document reading device does not have an original document flipping and conveying path that overlaps in the vertical direction after flipping.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The original document loading section is detachable from the original document reading device. The removed original document loading section is of a shape and size that can be housed within the main body of the device.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that: The storage section is an internal paper discharge section, which has an opening for external operation and discharges a recording medium on which an image is formed.

Images