Image reading device and imaging device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an image reading device for reading image information from a sheet, comprising: a cover unit; a sheet feeding member; a conveying guide; and a reading unit, the reading unit including a transparent member and a reading portion. The cover unit is rotatable between a closed position, in which the cover unit and the conveying guide cooperate to form a sheet conveying path, and an open position, in which the sheet conveying path is open. When the cover unit is positioned in the closed position, the transparent member is exposed to the outside of the image reading device by the rotation of the conveying guide and the reading unit. The present disclosure also relates to an imaging device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for reading image information from a sheet and an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, among image reading devices installed in copy machines and the like, there is known an image reading device in which a reading unit is provided inside an automatic document (original) feeder (ADF) for feeding originals while separating them one by one. When the reading unit is provided inside the AFD, in order to clean the glass surface facing the originals and eliminate (clear) original jams, the conveying path is configured to be openable so that, in some cases, the glass surface of the reading unit is exposed to the outside of the image reading device. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2016-220232 discloses a configuration in which a conveying guide member provided below the conveying path of the ADF is rotated in order to expose the glass surface of the reading unit to the outside of the image reading device.

[0003] However, in the configuration disclosed in JP-A 2016-220232, the user approaches the glass surface of the reading unit from below the ADF. In this case, it is necessary to clean the glass surface in such a way that the user can observe the reading unit from below the ADF, and therefore, there is a problem that the glass surface is not easy to clean. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A main object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of facilitating cleaning of a glass surface of a reading unit and to provide an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading device for reading image information from a sheet, the image reading device comprising: a cover unit rotatably provided around a first rotation axis and comprising an upper surface of the image reading device; a sheet conveying member configured to convey the sheet along a sheet conveying path; a conveying guide rotatably provided around a second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis and configured to guide the sheet fed by the sheet conveying member; and a reading unit comprising a transparent member and a reading portion, the reading portion The apparatus is configured to read an image on a sheet fed by the sheet conveying member through the transparent member, and the reading unit is rotatably arranged around a third rotation axis different from the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis, wherein the cover unit is capable of rotating between a closed position and an open position, in which the cover unit cooperates with the conveying guide to form the sheet conveying path, and in the open position, the sheet conveying path is open, and wherein when the cover unit is positioned at the open position, the transparent member is exposed to the outside of the image reading device by the rotation of the conveying guide and the reading unit.

[0006] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of an imaging device according to an embodiment, Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the document reading apparatus in this embodiment, and Figure 1C This is a schematic diagram of the document reading device with the top cover open.

[0008] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the ADF according to Embodiment 1.

[0009] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a reading unit and its periphery according to Embodiment 1.

[0010] Figure 4 is Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the reading unit and its periphery in the cut position is shown.

[0011] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Schematic diagram for illustrating the movement of the rotation guide and the reading unit in Embodiment 1.

[0012] Figure 61 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the reading unit in Embodiment 1 has moved to the maintenance position.

[0013] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram for illustrating the force acting on the reading unit from the arm.

[0014] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram for illustrating the maximum rotation angle in a case where the arm contacts only one surface of the reading unit.

[0015] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of an ADF according to a modification.

[0016] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the ADF according to Embodiment 2.

[0017] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the ADF according to Embodiment 2.

[0018] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the ADF according to Embodiment 2.

[0019] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of an ADF according to Embodiment 3.

[0020] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of an ADF according to Embodiment 3.

[0021] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ADF according to Embodiment 4.

[0022] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ADF according to Embodiment 4.

[0023] Figure 17A 、 Figure 17B and Figure 17C are schematic diagrams each showing electric wires connected to the reading unit in Embodiment 1.

[0024] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ADF according to Embodiment 5.

[0025] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ADF according to Embodiment 5.

[0026] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ADF according to Embodiment 6.

[0027] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ADF according to Embodiment 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] [Imaging equipment]

[0030] First, we will use Figure 1A Hereinafter, a schematic structure of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is a color electrophotographic apparatus, and includes an image forming mechanism 1B as an image forming device, and the image forming mechanism includes four image forming parts PY, PM, PC, and PK. The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a sheet S based on image information received from an original reading apparatus 2 provided at an upper portion of the apparatus main assembly 1A or from an external device. As for the sheet as a recording material, a variety of sheet materials of different sizes and materials can be used, including paper such as plain paper and thick paper, plastic film, cloth, surface-treated sheet materials (such as coated paper), special-shaped sheet materials (such as envelopes and index paper), and the like.

[0031] The imaging device 1 includes a main controller 12. The main controller 12 includes a CPU, which serves as an execution device for executing a control program for the imaging device 1, a ROM for storing the program, a RAM for temporarily storing data, and an input / output circuit for inputting and outputting signals between the main controller 1 and the outside. The CPU reads the program from the ROM and then executes it, and provides instructions to the corresponding parts of the imaging device 1 via the input / output circuit, so that the CPU controls the operation of the imaging device 1. For example, the main controller 12 is electrically connected to the controller 2C of the document reading device 2. The main controller 12 receives image information read from the document by the reading units 110 and 210 through the controller 2C, and can then perform an imaging operation (copying) based on the received image information to form an image on the sheet S.

[0032] The imaging parts PY, PM, PC and PK are units for forming colorant images of yellow, magenta, cyan and black, respectively. The imaging parts PY to PK are also called processing units or imaging stations. Except that the colors of the toners used to form the colorant images are different from each other, the four imaging parts PY to PK have basically the same structure. Each of the imaging parts PY to PK includes a photosensitive drum 3 as a photosensitive member formed in a drum shape and a processing device that can act on the photosensitive member and is used to perform an electronic photographic process, such as a charging device 4, a developing device 6, and a drum cleaner 8. Below each of the imaging parts PY to PK, there is provided an exposure device 5 as a processing device (exposure device) for exposing the associated photosensitive drum 3 to light. Above each of the imaging parts PY to PK, a supply container 9 for supplying developer to the associated developing device 6 is installed so as to be detachably mounted to the main component 1A of the device.

[0033] An intermediate transfer unit 19 is provided above the imaging units PY to PK. The intermediate transfer unit 19 includes an intermediate transfer belt 21, which is an intermediate transfer member formed of an endless flexible member, and a plurality of rollers for tensioning the intermediate transfer belt 21. The plurality of rollers includes an inner secondary transfer roller 22. On the outer periphery, a secondary transfer roller 23 is provided opposite the inner secondary transfer roller 22, sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 21 between the secondary transfer roller and the inner secondary transfer roller. The nip between the secondary transfer roller 23 and the inner secondary transfer roller 22 forms a transfer portion (secondary transfer portion T2) where the image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the sheet S. On the inner periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 21, a primary transfer roller 7 is provided opposite each photosensitive drum 3, sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 21 between the photosensitive drum and the primary transfer roller. Furthermore, a belt cleaner 24 is provided on the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0034] At a lower portion of the apparatus main assembly 1A, there is provided a sheet feeding portion for feeding sheets S. The sheet feeding portion includes a cassette 40 provided so as to be detachably mountable to the apparatus main assembly 1A, and a feeding unit for feeding the sheets S while separating the sheets S stacked and accommodated in the cassette 40 one by one. On a feeding path from the sheet feeding portion to the secondary transfer portion T2, a feeding roller pair 41 and a registration roller pair 42 are provided.

[0035] On the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion T2 relative to the sheet feeding direction, a fixing device 30 is provided. The fixing device 30 includes a fixing roller 31 as a heating member, a pressing roller 32 as a pressing member, and a heating device not shown for heating the fixing roller 31. As the heating device, a halogen lamp and an electromagnetic induction type heating unit can be used. On the further downstream side of the fixing device 30, a discharge roller 43 is provided as a discharge device for discharging the sheet S with an image formed thereon to the outside of the main component 1A of the device. At the upper surface portion of the main component 1A of the device, a discharge tray 11 as a stacking portion is provided, on which sheets with images formed thereon are to be stacked. This embodiment adopts a so-called in-main body discharge type structure, in which a space for the sheets S with images formed thereon to be discharged and stacked is formed between the main component 1A of the device and the document reading device 2 with respect to the up and down direction (the vertical direction when the imaging device 1 is mounted on a horizontal surface).

[0036] When the main controller 12 receives image information and an instruction to execute an imaging operation, it performs the imaging operation in the following manner. First, in each of the imaging units PY to PK, the photosensitive drum 3 begins rotating, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 is then uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and a predetermined potential by the charging device 4. The surface of the photosensitive drum 3 is irradiated (exposed) with laser light modulated according to an image signal (video signal) based on the image information, so that electrostatic latent images corresponding to the component images of the associated colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are written (formed) on the photosensitive drum 3. The resulting electrostatic latent images are developed with a developer containing toner of the corresponding colors, so that yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are prepared on the photosensitive drum 3. The toner images carried on the photosensitive drum 3 are primarily transferred from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the primary transfer roller 7. At this time, the toner images of the respective colors are superimposed on each other on the intermediate transfer belt 21, so that a full-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21. Deposits such as transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21 are removed by the drum cleaner 8. The image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion T2 by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0037] In parallel with the toner image formation process in each of the image forming sections PY to PK, a sheet S is fed from the cassette 40 and conveyed to the registration roller pair 42 by the feed roller pair 41. The registration roller pair 42 corrects any skew movement of the sheet S and then conveys the sheet S to the secondary transfer section T2, synchronizing the arrival of the image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 21 at the secondary transfer section T2 and the arrival of the sheet S at the secondary transfer section T2. In the secondary transfer section T2, the image is transferred (secondarily transferred) from the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the sheet S with a bias voltage applied to the secondary transfer roller 23. Deposits, such as toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 21 without being transferred to the sheet S, are removed by the belt cleaner 24.

[0038] The sheet S that has passed through the secondary transfer section T2 is conveyed to the fixing device 30. The fixing device 30 heats and presses the image on the sheet S while holding and feeding the sheet S in a nip (fixing nip) between the fixing roller 31 and the pressing roller 32. This causes the toner to melt and mix, and then fix, resulting in an image fixed to the sheet S. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 30 is discharged by the discharge roller 43, and the sheet S is stacked on the discharge tray 11. This completes a series of image forming operations.

[0039] Incidentally, in this embodiment, an intermediate transfer type color electrophotographic apparatus is described as an example, but the image forming apparatus 1 may include an image forming device of a direct transfer type in which a toner image formed on an image bearing member is transferred onto a sheet S without passing through an intermediate transfer member. In addition, the image forming type is not limited to the electrophotographic type, and the image forming apparatus 1 may also include an inkjet type printing unit or an offset printing mechanism as an image forming device.

[0040] [Document Reading Device]

[0041] Will use Figure 1B Hereinafter, a document reading device 2 as an example of an image reading device will be described. The document reading device 2 includes a scanner portion (main body portion, i.e., a lower portion unit) 20 and an ADF 10 provided on an upper portion of the scanner portion 20 and serving as an upper unit rotatably supported by the scanner portion 20. The document reading device 2 is capable of performing an operation of reading image information from a stationary document placed on a document support platen glass of the scanner portion 20 (a fixed reading operation) and an operation of reading image information while a sheet is fed as an original by the ADF 10 (a moving (skimming-through) reading operation).

[0042] The scanner section 20 includes a document supporting platen glass on which the document is placed and a scanner for scanning. Figure 1B The scanner section 20 includes a reading unit 210 that reads image information of a document placed on the document support platen glass while moving below the document support platen glass in the sub-scanning direction (left-right direction). Furthermore, the scanner section 20 includes a glass 201 as a transparent member. The reading unit 210 is capable of optically scanning the document fed by the ADF 10 through the glass 201 to read image information.

[0043] The reading unit 210 includes a sensor substrate 213 on which a CCD image sensor serving as a light-receiving element is mounted, an irradiation section 211 for irradiating a document with light, and a reduction optical system including multiple mirrors 212 for imaging the reflected light from the document onto the imaging surface of the light-receiving element. While this embodiment illustrates a CCD-type reading unit 210, a CIS-type reading unit 210 may also be used, in which reflected light from the document is imaged onto the imaging surface of a CMOS sensor positioned opposite the document via a 1:1 magnification optical system. Image information read by the reading unit 210 is transmitted to the controller 2C via a signal line 151.

[0044] The ADF 10 includes an original document tray 121, an ejection tray 122, an ADF main body 10A formed with an original document conveying path P1, and a reading unit 110 provided along the original document conveying path P1. In the ADF main body 10A, as a sheet feeding (conveying) member for feeding (conveying) sheets, a feed roller 101, a separation roller pair 102, a conveying roller pair 103, 104, and 105, and an ejection roller pair 106 are provided along the original document conveying path P1. The original document tray 121 is a stacking portion on which sheets are to be stacked, and the ejection tray 122 is an ejection portion from which sheets whose image information has been read are ejected. The original document tray 121 is positioned above the ejection tray 122 and is positioned between the ejection tray 122 and the sheet conveying path P1. Figure 1B When viewed from a viewing angle of φ (when viewed in the sheet width direction), the document conveying path P1 is curved into a U-shape that opens toward one side in the horizontal direction.

[0045] The reading unit 110 includes a contact image sensor (CIS) 112 as a reading portion, a reading frame 119 for holding the CIS 112, and a glass 111 (see also FIG. Figure 3 The glass 111 is a transparent member facing the document conveying path (sheet conveying path) P1 , and the CIS 112 functions as a reading portion for reading image information from a document (sheet) conveyed along the document conveying path P1 through the transparent member.

[0046] The reading frame 119 and the glass 111 form a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space for accommodating the CIS 112. The CIS 112 includes a sensor substrate 112c on which a CMOS image sensor as a light receiving element is mounted, an irradiation portion for irradiating an original with light, and a lens 112b for constituting a 1:1 optical system for imaging reflected light from the original onto an imaging surface of the light receiving element (see also FIG. Figure 3 ). In this embodiment, a CIS type reading unit 110 is shown, but a CCD type image sensor unit can also be used as the reading unit 110. Image information read by the reading unit is transmitted to the controller 2C through the wire 150. The wiring path of the wire 150 will be specifically described.

[0047] Will use Figure 1B The document feeding (conveying) operation of the ADF 10 will be described below. When the user places a stack of documents on the document tray 121 and provides a start instruction for a reading operation through an operation section (not shown), the sheets are fed sequentially from the document tray 121, starting with the top document, by the feed roller 101. The fed sheets are conveyed while being separated one by one by the separation roller pair 102, and are then conveyed along the document conveying path P1 while being delivered sequentially by the conveying roller pairs 103, 104, and 105.

[0048] Then, when the document passes through the glass 201 of the scanner section 20, the reading unit 210 reads the image information of the first side of the document. Similarly, when the document passes through the glass 111, the CIS 112 of the reading unit 110 reads the image information of the second side of the document opposite to the first side. The document from which the plurality of pieces of image information have been read is ejected to the outside of the ADF main body 10A by the ejection roller pair 106 and then stacked on the ejection tray 122.

[0049] In the following description and drawings, the vertical direction when the imaging apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface is referred to as the "Z direction." The sheet width direction perpendicular to the document feed direction of the document fed along the document conveying path P1 is referred to as the "X direction." The X direction is the main scanning direction during image reading and is preferably a direction perpendicular to the Z direction (horizontal direction). The horizontal direction when viewed from the X direction is referred to as the "Y direction." The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are directions intersecting each other and are preferably perpendicular to each other.

[0050] Incidentally, if Figure 1B As shown, the ADF 10 includes an upper portion cover 147 as a cover unit constituting an upper surface portion of the ADF main body 10A. The upper portion cover 147 is rotatably supported by the frame of the ADF main body 10A through a support portion 147a and can rotate around an axis (first rotation axis) extending in the X direction. The upper portion cover 147 is provided with a conveying guide 148 as an opposing guide (upper side guide surface) that forms an original document conveying path P1 between itself and a guide surface (lower side guide surface) of the rotating guide 141 supported by the ADF main body 10A. As shown in FIG. Figure 1B As shown, when the upper part cover 147 is closed, a portion of the rotating guide 141 is covered by the upper part cover 147. Here, when the upper part cover 147 is closed, the entire rotating guide 141 can also be covered by the upper part cover 147. In addition, the upper part cover 147 is provided with the feed roller 101, one of the separation roller pair 102 (the upper roller in the figure) and one of the conveying roller pair 103 (the upper roller in the figure). Therefore, when the upper part cover 147 is opened, Figure 1B Rotate to the closed position shown Figure 1C In the open position shown, a portion of the document conveying path P1 is opened, so that the rotary guide 141 is exposed to the outside of the ADF 10 , and thus a state is achieved in which the rotary guide 141 can rotate as described below.

[0051] [Glass cleaning]

[0052] Incidentally, during the repetition of the mobile reading operation of the manuscript reading device 2, in some cases, foreign matter including dust (e.g., paper dust) and contaminants (e.g., paste (adhesive) and ink that have been deposited on the manuscript) is deposited on the glasses 201 and 111. When the mobile reading operation is performed in a state where foreign matter is deposited on the glasses 201 and 111 within the reading range of the reading units 210 and 110, a stripe image that was not originally present on the manuscript is read at a position corresponding to the foreign matter. This phenomenon is caused by a shadow generated when the light path is blocked by foreign matter deposited on the glasses 201 and 111 during reading by the reading units 210 and 110 (hereinafter, this phenomenon is referred to as "image stripes").

[0053] In order to eliminate the occurrence of image streaks, it is effective to remove foreign matter that causes the occurrence of image streaks by properly cleaning the glasses 201 and 111. As for the reading unit 210 of the scanner portion 20, the glass 201 of the reading unit 210 is exposed by rotating the ADF 10 upward, and therefore, the glass 201 can be cleaned from above. On the other hand, the reading unit 110 of the ADF 10 is arranged inside the ADF main body 10A. Figure 1B As shown, in this embodiment, the reading unit 110 is arranged in an inner area of the document conveying path P1 formed below the rotating guide 141 and bent into a U-shape. For this reason, a structure that exposes the glass 111 to the outside (a device for enabling access to the glass 111) is required.

[0054] As a method for exposing the glass 111 of the reading unit 110 to the outside, a configuration in which the reading unit 110 is supported by a rotating guide 141 and rotates integrally with the rotating guide 141 will be considered. However, in this configuration, the reading unit 110 rotates integrally with the rotating guide 141, and therefore, when the rotating guide abuts another component, an impact is generated that depends on the overall weight of the rotatable unit including the reading unit 110 and the rotating guide 141. The reading unit 110 is a precision device that includes electronic circuits including a light-receiving element, as well as optical elements that constitute an illumination unit and a 1:1 optical system or a reduction optical system. Therefore, if a large impact is applied to the reading unit 110 while rotating the rotating guide 141 to expose the glass 111 to the outside, there is a risk that internal components may break or become displaced.

[0055] Therefore, as described below, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which not only is a rotating guide 141 provided as a rotatable conveying guide, but also the reading unit 110 is made rotatable independently of the rotating guide 141 about a rotation axis different from the rotation axis of the rotating guide 141. By rotating the rotating guide 141 and the reading unit 110, the glass 111, which is the surface of the reading unit 110 facing the sheet (the object to be read), is exposed to the outside. In this way, the impact applied to the reading unit 110 when the reading unit 110 is moved to perform cleaning of the glass 111 or clear a paper jam can be reduced. In addition, by adopting a configuration in which the reading unit 110 is rotatable independently of the rotating guide 141, the stress applied to the wires connecting the reading unit 110 and the controller 2C to each other can also be reduced.

[0056] Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the reading unit 110 and its periphery will be described while citing embodiments.

[0057] [Example 1]

[0058] First, we will use Figures 2 to 7 Example 1 will be described. Figure 2 1 is a side view showing a part of the components of the ADF 10. In this embodiment, when the ADF 10 is viewed in the X direction from the front surface side of the imaging device 1, Figure 2 Components positioned inside the document conveyance path P1 , as well as the base conveyance guide 143 and the arm 131 are shown in FIG. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the reading unit 110 cut along a plane perpendicular to the X direction.

[0059] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the glass 111 is attached to the bottom (opening of the reading frame 119 having a substantially U-shaped cross section) of the reading unit 110 incorporating the CIS 112. In addition, a gap sheet 115 is attached to each of the opposite end portions of the glass 111 with respect to the X direction (the longitudinal direction of the CIS 112, that is, the main scanning direction).

[0060] Figure 4 Shown Figure 2 Incidentally, the IV-IV cross section is a cross section obtained by cutting the reading unit 110 along a plane perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction D1 at the scanning position of the reading unit 110 (a plane extending in the X direction and the sheet thickness direction D2 at the scanning position). Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, each of the two gap sheets 115 attached to the opposite end portions of the glass 111 with respect to the X direction (mounted thereon) abuts against the shielding plate 144, which is an opposing member opposed to the glass 111. Therefore, in the area (document passing area) between the gap sheets 115 with respect to the X direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, a gap corresponding to the thickness of gap sheet 115 is ensured between glass 111 and shielding plate 144. That is, gap sheet 115 serves as a gap-forming member for forming a gap between glass 111 and the opposing member while in contact with the opposing member. When the gap-forming member ensures (defines) the width (range) of the gap, the member is not limited to gap sheet 115, and, for example, a protrusion protruding toward glass 111 may be formed integrally with reading frame 119.

[0061] Incidentally, the shielding plate 144 is mounted on the base conveying guide 143 as a conveying guide opposed to the reading unit 110, and the base conveying guide 143 is mounted on the frame of the ADF 10. That is, the shielding plate 144 and the base conveying guide 143 are members fixed to the frame of the ADF 10.

[0062] In addition, a pressing portion 114 for pressing the reading unit 110 is provided so that the reading unit 110 is stably placed on the glass sheet 115 ( Figure 4 ) at the abutment position.

[0063] The pressing portion 114 is provided at the upper portion of the reading unit 110 (on the side opposite to the glass 111). The pressing portion 114 includes a pressing surface 141a ( Figure 2 ) and a compression spring 114b as an elastic member interposed between the resin cover 114a and the reading frame 119.

[0064] The rotating guide 141 includes a shaft portion 141c that is rotatably supported by the frame of the ADF 10 and can rotate around a rotation axis A1 (a second rotation axis). In this embodiment, the rotation axis A1 is provided at an upstream end portion (an end portion on one side relative to the Y direction) of the rotating guide 141 relative to the sheet feeding direction of the sheet fed from the feed roller 101 toward the separation roller pair 102, but may be provided at another position. In addition, when the supporting portion is a supporting portion for rotatably supporting the rotating guide 141, the supporting portion is not limited to the shaft portion 141c, and the rotating guide 141 may be provided with a hole (supporting portion) in which a shaft-like portion provided on the frame of the ADF 10 can engage. The rotating guide 141 may be in a position for guiding the lower surface of the document fed along the document conveying path P1 (see Figure 2 , hereinafter referred to as the closed position) and the position moved upward from the closed position (see Figure 6 The rotary guide 141 rotates between the positions (hereinafter referred to as the open position) of the rotary guide 141. The closed position is a position where the rotary guide 141 covers the reading unit 110 when viewed from above (the third position), while the open position is a position where the rotary guide 141 exposes the reading unit 110 to the outside when viewed from above (the fourth position). The rotary guide 141 is held in the closed position by engaging a fixing portion 141d provided at the free end portion of the rotary guide with a conveying guide 142 fixed to the ADF body 10B.

[0065] In a state where the rotary guide 141 is positioned at the closed position, the pressing surface 141a of the rotary guide 141 contacts the resin cover 114a of the pressing portion 114. Then, by the elasticity of the compression spring 114b generated by pressing the resin cover 114a, the reading unit 110 is pressed toward the shielding plate 144. In this way, the position of the reading unit 110 with respect to the sheet thickness direction D2 is stabilized, making it easy to read image information with high accuracy.

[0066] The reading unit 110 includes a shaft portion 113 that is rotatably supported by the frame of the ADF 10, and can rotate around another rotation axis A2 (third rotation axis) that is different from the rotation axis A1 of the rotating guide 141. Incidentally, as long as the supporting portion can support the reading unit 110, the supporting portion is not limited to the shaft portion 113, and the reading frame 119 may be provided with a hole (supporting portion) with which a shaft-like portion provided to the frame of the ADF 10 can engage. The reading unit 110 can be positioned in a position where it can read image information from a document fed along the document conveying path P1 (see Figure 2 , hereinafter, this position is referred to as a reading position) and a position where the glass 111 is exposed to the outside (see Figure 6The reading position is a position (first position) in which the glass 111 as a transparent member of the reading unit 110 is in a state opposing the document conveying path P1, and the maintenance position is a position (second position) in which the glass 111 is in an exposed state when viewed from the outside of the ADF 10.

[0067] In a state where the reading unit 110 is positioned at the reading position, the glass 111 opposes the shielding plate 144 or the base conveyance guide 143 across the document conveyance path P1 and is hidden behind the reading frame 119 when viewed from above with respect to the vertical direction. The maintenance position is a position of the reading unit 110 in which at least a portion of the glass 111 (preferably, a range covering the reading range of the CIS 112 or the entire glass 111) is exposed to the outside when the ADF 10 is viewed from a predetermined direction (for example, from above with respect to the vertical direction).

[0068] The shaft portion 113 is arranged so as to protrude outward from opposite end portions of the reading frame 119 in the X-direction (longitudinal direction) and is held by a provided retaining portion B1. Therefore, the rotation axis A1 of the rotating guide 141 and the rotation axis of the reading unit 110 are substantially parallel to each other and extend substantially in the X-direction. The retaining portion B1 is a recessed portion (opening) that rotatably retains the shaft portion 113. In this embodiment, the retaining portion B1 is an oblong hole (groove portion) extending in the sheet thickness direction D2. The retaining portion B1, which is an oblong hole, is provided, for example, on a side plate (a plate-shaped member extending in the Y-direction and Z-direction on the side outside the document passage area with respect to the X-direction) that constitutes the frame of the ADF 10.

[0069] The rotation axis A1 of the rotation guide 141 is provided on one end side of the rotation guide 141 with respect to the Y direction ( Figure 2 On the right side of the Y direction), the shaft portion 113 is provided at the end portion on the right side of the Y direction of the reading unit 110 in this embodiment. Figure 2 For this reason, the reading unit 110 is Figure 2 The rotation guide 141 rotates counterclockwise (in the first rotation direction) from the reading position toward the maintenance position, and on the other hand, the rotation guide 141 rotates counterclockwise (in the first rotation direction) from the reading position toward the maintenance position. Figure 2The rotation guide 141 rotates clockwise from the closed position toward the open position (in the second rotation direction). Therefore, when a configuration is adopted in which the rotation direction of the rotation guide 141 and the rotation direction of the reading unit 110 are opposite to each other, there is also an advantage in that the rotation range of the reading unit 110 can be easily ensured without being affected by the rotation guide 141 in the open position. Incidentally, the rotation direction of the rotation guide 141 during its opening is opposite to the rotation direction of the upper partial cover 147.

[0070] Next, the arm 131 will be described. The arm 131 is a member that is rotatably supported by the frame of the ADF 10 and moves the reading unit 110 from the reading position to the maintenance position by rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating guide 141 from the closed position to the open position. In other words, the arm 131 is an example of a linkage mechanism for moving the reading unit 110 in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating guide 141. The arm 131 of this embodiment is a member that rotates about a common rotation axis A1 shared by the arm 131 and the rotating guide 141 and can rotate independently of the rotating guide 141.

[0071] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the rotating guide 141 is provided with an arm contact portion 141b, and the arm 131 is provided with a contacted portion 131e that the arm contact portion 141b can contact. When the rotating guide 141 is positioned in the closed position and the reading unit 110 is positioned in the reading position, the arm contact portion 141b is spaced apart from the contacted portion 131e. In addition, on the free end side of the arm 131, the arcuate profiles 131a, 131b and 131c serve as contact portions for pushing (pressing) the reading unit 110. The details of the arcuate profiles 131a, 131b and 131c will be described later.

[0072] In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the arm 131 and the rotating guide 141 are linked only within the entire range and the rotation range of the arm 131 is narrower than the rotation range of the rotating guide 141. Specifically, at the closed position of the rotating guide 141, the arm contact portion 141b of the rotating guide 141 does not contact the arm 131, and at an intermediate position during the rotation of the rotating guide 141 toward the open position, the arm contact portion 141b contacts the arm 131 ( Figure 5A 、 5B For this reason, compared with a case where the arm 131 rotates integrally with the rotation guide 141, the rotation locus of the arm 131 becomes smaller, so that the space required for arranging the arm 131 can be reduced.

[0073] The operation of moving the reading unit 110 from the reading position to the maintenance position when performing maintenance operation will be described. Figure 1BThe closed position shown is to pre-open the upper partial cover 147 by rotating the upper partial cover 147 upward.

[0074] First, in Figure 2 In the state shown, in order to ensure the rotation space of the reading unit 110, the operator holds the rotation guide 141 and then moves the rotation guide 141 along the rotation axis A1. Figure 2 Therefore, if Figure 5A As shown, not only is the rotation guide 141 spaced apart upward from the reading unit 110 , but the arm contact portion 141 b also approaches the contacted portion 131 e of the arm 131 .

[0075] When the rotation guide 141 further rotates, as shown in FIG. Figure 5B As shown, the arm contact portion 141b contacts the contacted portion 131e of the arm 131, so that the arm 131 moves along the rotation axis 1A. Figure 5B By the rotation of the arm 131, the arcuate profiles 131a and 131c provided on the free end side of the arm 131 contact and push (press) the reading unit 110, and thereby the reading unit 110 is moved along the axis portion 113. Figure 5B The counterclockwise rotation.

[0076] Thus, the reading unit 110 Figure 2 The reading position shown moves to Figure 6 Maintenance position shown.

[0077] With the reading unit 110 moved to the maintenance position, the operator can easily perform operations such as cleaning of the glass 111. The rotating guide 141 may be configured so that the reading unit 110 is held in the maintenance position via the arm 131 by being held in the open position (e.g., by its own weight). Incidentally, as will be described in detail later, when the reading unit 110 reaches the maintenance position, the pressing portion 114 of the reading unit 110 abuts against the abutting surface 142a ( Figure 6 ).

[0078] When the operation (such as cleaning of the glass 111) is completed, Figure 6 In the state, the operator rotates the guide 141 along Figure 6 Then, the arm 131 rotates along the counterclockwise direction from the open position to the closed position as the rotation guide 141 rotates. Figure 6 In addition, the reading unit 110 is supported by the arm 131 while rotating in the counterclockwise direction. Figure 6Then, when the rotation guide 141 reaches the closed position, the reading unit 110 returns to the maintenance position. Figure 2 In this embodiment, the reading unit 110 is moved from the reading position to the maintenance position in conjunction with the opening operation of the rotating guide 141, and moves from the maintenance position to the reading position in conjunction with the closing operation of the rotating guide 141.

[0079] Therefore, the reading unit 110 is configured so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis different from the rotation axis of the rotating guide 141, so that when the reading unit 110 moves to perform cleaning of the glass 111 or paper jam removal, the impact applied to the reading unit 110 can be reduced.

[0080] In addition, in this embodiment, the retaining portion B1 located on the mating side of the shaft portion 113 relative to the reading unit 110 (the frame side of the ADF 10) is configured as an oblong hole extending in the sheet thickness direction. In order to enable the reading unit 110 to rotate separately from the rotating guide 141, the retaining portion B1 can also be configured as a cylindrical hole corresponding to the shaft portion 113. However, in this embodiment, the retaining portion B1 is configured as an oblong hole so that in addition to the rotation of the reading unit 110, the reading unit 110 is also allowed to move in the sheet thickness direction D2. In this way, while controlling the positional deviation of the reading unit 110 in the sheet feeding direction D1, the positional changes of the reading unit 110 caused by the part tolerance of the ADF 10, etc. can be absorbed by the movement of the shaft portion 113. The positional changes of the reading unit 110 are absorbed, so that the glass 111 can be more stably positioned relative to the shielding plate 144 through the gap sheet 115.

[0081] In addition, if Figure 6 As indicated by the arrow in , in a state where the reading unit 110 is rotated to the maintenance position, the reading unit 110 can be raised corresponding to the length of the holding portion B1, and thus, operability (e.g., maintainability) can be improved. At this time, when the abutment surface 142a of the conveying guide 142 is configured as an inclined surface having an inclination along the holding portion B1, the abutment surface 142a also serves as a guide when the reading unit 110 is raised. Incidentally, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the longitudinal direction of the oblong hole serving as the holding portion B1 is substantially consistent with the sheet thickness direction D2 of the reading unit 110 at the reading position. The holding portion B1 is not limited to this, but may also be an oblong hole extending in a direction different from the sheet thickness direction D2 in a direction intersecting the sheet feeding direction D1 when viewed from the X direction.

[0082] [Wiring to the reading unit]

[0083] Next, the wiring path to the reading unit 110 and its advantages in this embodiment will be described.

[0084] As described above, the reading unit 110 is electrically connected to the controller 2C ( Figure 1B The electric wire 150 is not only a signal line for transmitting image information read by the reading unit 110 to the controller 2C, but also a power line for supplying power to the reading unit 110. In this embodiment, a flexible flat cable (FFC) is used as the electric wire 150.

[0085] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the electric wire 150 is connected to the sensor substrate 112c inside the reading unit 110 and is led out to the outside of the reading unit 110 through an opening (exit 146) provided in the reading frame 119. On the outside of the reading unit 110, the electric wire 150 is routed inside the ADF body 10A while being guided by a guide member mounted on the frame of the ADF 10, and is connected to the controller 2C of the scanner section 20. Therefore, the electric wire 150 includes an internal unit portion 150a held in the reading unit 110, a main body side portion 150b held by the frame of the ADF body 10A, and an intermediate portion 150c connecting the internal unit portion 150a and the main body side portion 150b. The intermediate portion 150c is the portion between the exit 146 of the reading unit 110 and the inlet 149 (the opening for receiving the electric wire 150 or the guide member for holding the electric wire 150) on the ADF body 10A. Incidentally, in order to facilitate flexure of the middle portion 150 c , the electric wires (FFC) 150 are arranged so that the width direction of the electric wires 150 in the middle portion 150 c is substantially parallel to the X direction which is the main scanning direction of the reading unit 110 .

[0086] When the reading unit 110, which is a movable member relative to the frame of the ADF main body 10A, moves, the electric wire 150 is bent so as to allow the movement of the reading unit 110. That is, when the reading unit 110 moves from Figure 17A The reading position shown is rotated to Figure 17B In the maintenance position shown, it is mainly the middle portion 150c of the wire 150 that flexes as the posture of the reading unit 110 changes, thereby allowing the reading unit 110 to rotate. Figure 17C As shown, when the reading unit 110 positioned at the maintenance position is raised along the holding portion B1 , the middle portion 150 c of the electric wire 150 extends (thereby eliminating deflection due to the excessive length), allowing upward movement of the reading unit 110 .

[0087] Here, in this embodiment, by adopting a configuration in which the reading unit 110 is rotatable separately from the rotation guide 141, stress applied to the electric wires 150 when the reading unit 110 rotates can be reduced. This will be described below.

[0088] like Figure 3 As shown, the wire 150 is led out from the interior of the reading unit 110 through the area near the rotation axis A2 of the reading unit 110. When viewed in the X direction, the distance from the reading unit 110 to the outlet 146, through which the wire 150 is led, is at least shorter than the distance from the rotation axis A1 (second rotation axis) of the rotating guide to the outlet 146. Therefore, compared to a case where the reading unit 110 is mounted on the rotating guide 141, the amount of movement of the outlet 146 during the rotation of the reading unit 110 is reduced. Furthermore, preferably, the area near the rotation axis A2 can specifically refer to the position where the wire 150 passes through the rotation axis A2 and overlaps with the shaft portion 113 when these portions are viewed in the X direction. Furthermore, an arrangement is suitable in which, of the four corner portions of the reading frame 119, which has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the X direction, the corner portion closest to the outlet 146 through which the wire 150 is led and the corner portion closest to the shaft portion 113 are identical.

[0089] Therefore, in the case where the electric wire 150 is routed through the vicinity of the rotation axis A2 of the reading unit 110, when the reading unit 110 rotates around the rotation axis A2, the electric wire 150 is mainly bent in the vicinity of the rotation axis A2 (see FIG. Figure 17B That is, the wire 150 flexes, causing the inner unit portion 150a of the wire 150 to rotate around the area near the rotation axis A2, which serves as a support point. Consequently, the distance from the outlet 146 of the wire 150 on the reading unit 110 side to the inlet 149 of the wire 150 on the ADF body 10A side fluctuates slightly. When this fluctuation is large, the wire 150 tends to break or disconnect due to tension. For this reason, considering the amount of fluctuation, increasing the excess length of the middle portion 150c is considered. However, increasing the excess length of the middle portion 150c results in increased costs and an increase in the size of the device. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the distance from the outlet of the wire 150 on the reading unit 110 side to the inlet of the wire 150 on the ADF body 10A side fluctuates slightly. Therefore, even when the excess length of the middle portion 150c is set to a small value, breakage is less likely to occur, preventing increased costs and an increase in the size of the device.

[0090] Incidentally, in the case of a configuration in which the reading unit 110 rotates integrally with the rotating guide 141, it becomes difficult to route the electric wires 150 through the vicinity of the rotation axis A2. This can be attributed to the following circumstances. First, the conveying guide (e.g., the rotating guide 141) for guiding the sheet is a relatively large component extending along the sheet conveying path. For this reason, when it is intended to rotate such a large component, the rotation axis of the conveying guide is naturally arranged in the vicinity of the upstream end or downstream end of the conveying guide relative to the feeding direction of the sheet to be guided. On the other hand, the reading unit is arranged at a position away from the guide surface of the conveying guide (below the rotating guide 141 in the case of the reading unit 110) so as not to hinder the feeding of the sheet, and therefore, the outlet of the electric wires from the reading unit becomes difficult to be arranged in the vicinity of the rotation axis of the conveying guide. Furthermore, in many cases, the feed rollers for feeding sheets are arranged near the conveyor guide. This makes it more difficult to arrange the outlet for the electric wires from the reading unit near the rotation axis of the conveyor guide when the reader unit is intended to be arranged so as to avoid interference with the feed rollers. As the distance between the outlet for the electric wires from the reading unit and the rotation axis of the conveyor guide increases, the distance from the outlet for the electric wires on the reading unit side to the inlet for the electric wires on the ADF main body side fluctuates more as the conveyor guide rotates. Consequently, there is a risk of breaking the electric wires 150.

[0091] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the reading unit 110 employs a mechanism that is rotatable separately from the rotating guide 141, and therefore, the electric wire 150 can be routed through the vicinity of the rotation axis A2 of the reading unit 110. Furthermore, the rotation axis A2 of the reading unit 110 can be arranged below the guide surface of the rotating guide 141. Therefore, as described above, the electric wire 150 can be made less likely to break.

[0092] [Arm details]

[0093] Next, we will use Figure 7 and Figure 8 A configuration in which operability can be improved when the reading unit 110 moves while being rotatable within a wide rotation range will be described.

[0094] The reading unit 110 assumes an attitude in which the glass 111 faces downward with respect to the Z direction in the reading position, and assumes an attitude in which the glass 111 is exposed to the outside when viewed from above with respect to the Z direction in the maintenance position. That is, in this embodiment, the transparent member faces downward with respect to the vertical direction in a state in which the reading unit is positioned in the first position, and faces upward with respect to the vertical direction in a state in which the reading unit is positioned in the second position.

[0095] When the degree of inclination of the glass 111 relative to the horizontal direction in the reading position is too large, the degree of deflection of the document conveying path P1 becomes large, making it difficult to feed thick paper, etc., and therefore, the inclination angle of the glass 111 is, for example, 45 degrees or less, preferably 30 degrees or less. Therefore, the reading unit 110 is configured so that it can be rotated between the reading position and the maintenance position within a rotation range of, for example, 60 degrees or more, preferably 75 degrees or more, and more preferably 90 degrees or more.

[0096] When the reading unit 110 rotates within such a rotation range, in a configuration in which the operator places his hand directly on the reading unit 110 , the hand is easily caught between the rotating reading unit 110 and another part of the ADF 10 , leaving room for improvement in operability.

[0097] As described above, in this embodiment, the free end portion of the arm 131, which is linked to the rotation of the rotation guide 141, contacts the reading unit 110 from below, so that the reading unit 110 is rotated in conjunction with the rotation guide 141 (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 ). Figure 6 At this time, the arm 131 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the reading unit 110, so that the reading unit 110 moves from the reading position to the maintenance position while changing the contact position of the arm 131 with the reading unit 110. For this reason, the operability can be improved while enabling the reading unit 110 to rotate within a wide rotation range.

[0098] In addition, the reading unit 110 can be moved from the reading position to the maintenance position with as little operating force as possible, so that the operating load can be reduced. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail.

[0099] Figure 7 1 shows the positional relationship among the reading unit 110, the rotation axis A1 of the arm 131, and the rotation axis A2 of the reading unit 110 when the arm 131 first contacts the reading unit 110. In order to rotate the reading unit 110 in the counterclockwise direction by contact of the arm 131 from below, it is efficient to bring the arm 131 into contact with the first contact surface 110a, which is the surface on the lower side of the reading unit 110 in the reading position (the surface on which the glass 111 is arranged).

[0100] Then, in order to consider where the arm 131 makes contact on the first contact surface 110a, three points a, b, and c will be considered. The two-dot chain line passing through each point is a rotation trajectory about the rotation axis A1 for the associated point, and the arrow indicates the tangent direction of the rotation trajectory (the direction of the load when the reading unit 110 is pressed at the associated point).

[0101] In the case where the arm 131 contacts the reading unit 110 at point a, the load direction extends substantially toward the rotation axis A2 of the reading unit 110, and therefore, the efficiency for rotating the reading unit 110 is poor. In the case where the arm 131 contacts the reading unit 110 at point c, on the contrary, Figure 7 A moment in the clockwise direction (which is the direction opposite to the direction in which the operator intends to rotate the reading unit 110) acts on the reading unit 110. On the other hand, in a case where the arm 131 contacts the reading unit 110 at a position on the right side in the figure away from the rotation axis A2 on the first contact surface 110a as at point b, the reading unit 110 rotates even when the load required to press the reading unit 110 by the arm 131 is relatively small.

[0102] Figure 8 The maximum angle that reading unit 110 can rotate by pressing first contact surface 110a from below is shown. If arm 131 contacts first contact surface 110a at point d, when reading unit 110 is rotated to a position where first contact surface 110a is arranged vertically, arm 131 cannot press reading unit 110 any further at point d. To further rotate reading unit 110, as shown at point e, a configuration is adopted in which arm 131 contacts and presses reading unit 110 at second contact surface 110b, which is different from first contact surface 110a.

[0103] In this embodiment, in view of the above circumstances, a configuration is adopted in which the arm 131 is provided with two contact portions ( 131 a , 131 c ) and in which the two contact portions successively contact the first contact surface 110 a and the second contact surface 110 b , respectively.

[0104] Hereinafter, this configuration will be described. Figure 5B As shown, at the free end portion of the arm 131 in this embodiment, three arcuate profiles 131a, 131b and 131c are provided.

[0105] In order from the rotation axis A1 outward with respect to the radial direction, these arcuate profiles are referred to as the first arcuate profile 131a, the second arcuate profile 131b, and the third arcuate profile 131c. The first arcuate profile 131a and the third arcuate profile 131c are arcuate curved surfaces that are each oriented in the rotation direction ( Figure 5BThe first arcuate profile 131a is a first protrusion for pressing the first contact surface 110a (first surface) of the reading unit 110. The third arcuate profile 131c is a third protrusion for pressing the second contact surface 110b (second surface) of the reading unit 110. The second arcuate profile 131b is an arcuate curved surface that is recessed between the first arcuate profile 131a and the third arcuate profile 131c and forms a space for accommodating the corner portion 110c between the first contact surface 110a and the second contact surface 110b. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the first contact surface 110a and the second contact surface 110b are two adjacent surfaces (surfaces that intersect each other perpendicularly) of the reading unit 110 having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the X direction, but surfaces extending in directions intersecting each other at angles other than right angles may also be the first surface and the second surface, respectively.

[0106] In this embodiment, the first contact surface 110a of the reading unit 110 is the surface of the glass sheet 115 (gap forming member) attached to the glass 111. The arm 131 is prevented from directly contacting the glass 111, thereby reducing the possibility of damaging the glass 111. Incidentally, as Figure 4 As shown, the contact position of the arm 131 with the gap sheet 115 deviates in the X direction from the abutment area where the shielding plate 144 abuts against the gap sheet 115. For this reason, even when the surface of the first contact surface 110a of the gap sheet 115, which repeatedly contacts the arm 131, is roughened, the accuracy of the width (range) of the gap formed between the glass 111 and the shielding plate 144 is not reduced.

[0107] like Figure 5B As shown, when the arm 131 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation guide 141, first, the first arcuate profile 131a contacts the first contact surface 110a of the reading unit 110 and causes the reading unit 110 to rotate from the reading position. At this time, the third arcuate profile 131c does not contact the second contact surface 110b of the reading unit 110.

[0108] When the arm 131 is further rotated and the angle of the reading unit 110 reaches a predetermined angle, the third arcuate profile 131c contacts the second contact surface 110b, and the first arcuate profile 131a is separated from the first contact surface 110a. Then, the third arcuate profile 131c presses the second contact surface 110b, so that Figure 6 As shown, the reading unit 110 is rotated to the maintenance position.

[0109] When the reading unit 110 reaches the maintenance position, as shown in FIG. Figure 6As shown, the pressing portion 114 of the reading unit 110 abuts against the abutting surface 142a of the conveying guide 142 fixed to the frame of the ADF body 10A. At this time, the elasticity of the elastic member (compression spring 114b) provided on the pressing portion 114 mitigates the impact of the reading unit 110 abutting against the conveying guide 142. In other words, the pressing portion 114 not only performs a positioning action for the reading unit 110 during image reading but also acts as a buffer when the reading unit 110 moves to the maintenance position.

[0110] Therefore, adopting a configuration in which the contact position between arm 131 and reading unit 110 switches depending on the rotation angle of reading unit 110 allows for the reading unit 110 to rotate over a wide rotation range while also reducing the operating load. Furthermore, a concave arcuate profile 131c is provided between the two protruding portions of arm 131 that contact the first contact surface 110a and the second contact surface 110b of reading unit 110, thereby preventing the arm 131 and reading unit 110 from being locked due to these two protruding portions. That is, the corner portion 110c between the first contact surface 110a and the second contact surface 110b is accommodated within the space within arcuate profile 131c, allowing the state between arm 131 and reading unit 110 to smoothly transition from the contact state between first arcuate profile 131a and first contact surface 110a to the contact state between third arcuate profile 131c and second contact surface 110b.

[0111] In addition, in this embodiment, the three arcuate profiles 131a, 131b and 131c are smoothly connected to each other (ie, the tangential direction does not change discontinuously), and therefore, smooth rotation can be achieved even when the contact position of the reading unit 110 switches between the corresponding profiles.

[0112] Incidentally, in this embodiment, the case where each of the two protrusions and the recessed portion between the two protrusions is constituted by an arcuate curve is described, but these portions may also be constituted by a curve other than the arcuate curve.

[0113] [Modified Example 1]

[0114] In Embodiment 1, a configuration is described in which the reading unit 110 is moved in conjunction with the opening and closing of the rotating guide 141 by the arm 131 that moves in conjunction with the opening and closing of the rotating guide 141. The present invention is not limited thereto, and other configurations may be employed. Figure 9The illustrated configuration is one in which the arm 131 is not provided and the operator directly rotates the reading unit 110 by hand. In this case, in order to move the reading unit 110 to the maintenance position, the operator first rotates the rotation guide 141 from the closed position to the open position while holding the rotation guide 141, and then rotates the reading unit 110 from the reading position to the maintenance position while holding the reading unit 110.

[0115] [Modified Example 2]

[0116] In addition, as another configuration in which the reading unit 110 rotates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the rotating guide 141, a configuration may be adopted in which a portion of the rotating guide 141 contacts the reading unit 110 in such a manner that the arm 131 is formed integrally with the rotating guide 141. Incidentally, in Embodiment 1, a configuration is adopted in which the arm 131 is rotatable relative to the rotating guide 141 and the rotation range of the arm 131 is narrower than the rotation range of the rotating guide 141, and therefore, as described above, downsizing of the apparatus can be achieved compared to this modified embodiment.

[0117] [Modified Example 3]

[0118] In Embodiment 1, the case where the arm 131 is arranged on one side of the reading unit 110 and the rotating guide 141 with respect to the X direction is described, but the arm 131 may be arranged on each of the opposite sides with respect to the X direction. In this case, a torsional load is less likely to be applied to the reading unit 110 and the rotating guide 141.

[0119] [Example 2]

[0120] Will use Figures 10 to 12 Embodiment 2 will now be described. This embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that an operator holds and operates the operating portion of the arm 131 in a state where the rotation guide 141 is previously moved to the open position, thereby rotating the reading unit 110. Hereinafter, elements denoted by reference numerals or symbols common to Embodiments 1 and 2 are regarded as elements having substantially the same configuration and function, and elements different from Embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0121] like Figure 10As shown, the arm 131 in this embodiment is provided with an arm operating portion 131d as an operating portion (lever, handle). The arm operating portion 131d is arranged, for example, so as to project upward from the guide surface of the rotation guide 141 on the front side of the imaging device 1 relative to the rotation guide 141, so as to be easily accessible to the operator when the upper part cover 147 is open. The arm operating portion 131d will be described as rotating integrally with another part of the arm 131, but it can be rotatably connected relative to the other part so as to be linked to the other part only within a predetermined rotation range.

[0122] When the reading unit 110 is moved from the reading position to the maintenance position during maintenance operation, the operator opens the upper portion cover 147 in advance and then moves the rotation guide 141 to the open position. In this state, the operator places his hand on the arm operating portion 131a and moves the arm 131 in the open position. Figure 10 Rotate in clockwise direction.

[0123] Then, if Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the arcuate profiles 131a and 131c provided on the free end portion side of the arm 131 contact and press the reading unit 110 and rotate the reading unit 110 in the counterclockwise direction in the figure around the axis 113. Figure 10 The reading position shown moves to Figure 11 Therefore, the reading unit 110 is configured to be rotatable independently of the rotation guide 141, so that the impact received by the reading unit 110 when the reading unit 110 moves can be reduced when cleaning the glass 111 or clearing a paper jam.

[0124] Furthermore, during the rotation of the arm 131, similar to Example 1, the first contact surface 110a and the second contact surface 110b successively contact the two arcuate profiles 131a and 131c provided on the arm 131. In this case, when the reading unit 110 is moved to the maintenance position, the operator can simply operate the arm operating portion 131d, making it less likely that the operator's hand will become caught between the reading unit 110 and the ADF body 10A. Therefore, operability can be improved while enabling the reading unit 110 to rotate within a wide rotation range.

[0125] Incidentally, also in this embodiment, the reading unit 110 is configured so as to be rotatable independently of the rotation guide 141 , so that the risk of the electric wire 150 being broken when the reading unit 110 is rotated can be reduced.

[0126] [Example 3]

[0127] Will use Figure 13 and Figure 14 Embodiment 3 will be described below. This embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that the position of the rotation axis of the reading unit 110 and the rotation direction of the reading unit 110 are different from those of Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, elements denoted by common reference numerals or symbols in Embodiments 1 and 3 are regarded as elements having substantially the same configuration and function, and elements different from Embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0128] like Figure 13 As shown, the reading unit 110 includes a shaft portion 113 and can rotate around a rotation axis A3 (third rotation axis) different from the rotation axis A1 of the rotating guide 141 as a conveying guide. In this embodiment, the rotation axis A3 of the reading unit 110 is provided at an end portion on one side in the Y direction (the negative side in the Y direction) and on the upper side in the Z direction of the reading unit 110. That is, in this embodiment, the second rotation axis is relative to the sheet feeding direction ( Figure 13 The third rotation axis is provided at an upstream side end portion of the conveying guide relative to the sheet feeding direction of the sheet guided by the conveying guide.

[0129] For this reason, the rotating guide 141 rotates clockwise about the rotation axis A1 from the closed position toward the open position, and the reading unit 110 rotates clockwise about the rotation axis A3 from the reading position to the maintenance position. Therefore, even in a configuration where the rotating guide 141 and the reading unit 110 rotate in the same direction when the glass 111, which is a transparent member, is exposed to the outside, effects similar to those of Examples 1 and 2 can be achieved. Whether the rotating guide 141 and the reading unit 110 rotate in the same direction or in different directions depends on the specific configuration of the ADF 10 (e.g., the positional relationship between these members and members disposed around them).

[0130] Incidentally, in this embodiment, the position of the rotation axis A3 of the reading unit 110 is different from that of the reading unit in Embodiments 1 and 2, and therefore, it is preferable that the wiring path of the electric wire 150 connected to the reading unit 110 is also changed relative to the wiring path of the electric wire in Embodiments 1 and 2. Figure 13 As shown, the electric wire 150 passes through the vicinity of the rotation axis A3 of the reading unit 110 and is led out from the inside of the reading unit 110 to the outside. At this time, the electric wire 150 is different from the electric wire 150 in Embodiment 1 and is led out to the negative side in the Y direction (downstream side in the sheet feeding direction in the reading position) and then guided and routed by a guide member 152 provided on the frame of the ADF main body 10A.

[0131] The distance from the rotation axis A3 of the reading unit 110 to the outlet (where the electric wire 150 is drawn out from the reading unit 110) is at least shorter than the distance from the rotation axis A1 of the rotating guide 141 to the outlet. Furthermore, when the electric wire 150 passes through a position where the rotation axis A3 overlaps the shaft portion 113, as viewed specifically from the X direction, the vicinity of the rotation axis A3 is suitable. Furthermore, it is suitable that, of the four corner portions of the reading frame 119, which has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the X direction, one corner portion is closest to the outlet through which the electric wire 150 is drawn and closest to the shaft portion 113.

[0132] Therefore, in the case where the electric wire 150 is routed through the vicinity of the rotation axis A3 of the reading unit 110, when the reading unit 110 rotates around the rotation axis A3, the electric wire 150 is mainly bent in the vicinity of the rotation axis A3 (see FIG. Figure 13 ). Therefore, the fluctuation of the distance from the outlet of the electric wire 150 on the reading unit 110 side to the inlet 149 of the electric wire 150 on the ADF body 10A side (the opening through which the electric wire 150 is received or the guide member for holding the electric wire 150) is small. Therefore, even in the configuration of this embodiment, the possibility of the electric wire 150 being broken can be reduced.

[0133] [Example 4]

[0134] Will use Figure 15 Embodiment 4 will now be described. This embodiment differs from Embodiment 2 in the position of the rotation axis of the rotation guide 141 and the rotation direction of the rotation guide 141. Hereinafter, elements denoted by reference numerals or symbols common to Embodiments 2 and 4 are considered to have substantially the same configuration and function, and elements different from Embodiment 2 will be primarily described.

[0135] like Figure 15 As shown, the rotary guide 141 as the conveying guide is rotatably provided around the rotation axis A4 (second rotation axis). The rotation axis A4 is provided on the downstream side ( Figure 15 The second rotation axis is located at the end portion of the conveying guide on the left side (i.e., the positive side in the Y direction). That is, in this embodiment, the second rotation axis is located at the end portion of the conveying guide on the downstream side relative to the sheet feeding direction of the sheet guided by the conveying guide. The third rotation axis is located at the end portion of the reading unit on the downstream side relative to the sheet feeding direction of the sheet guided by the rotating guide.

[0136] For this reason, the rotation guide 141 surrounds Figure 15The rotation axis A4 in the embodiment rotates counterclockwise from the closed position toward the open position, and the reading unit 110 rotates around Figure 15 The rotation axis A2 in the embodiment rotates counterclockwise from the reading position toward the maintenance position. Even in this configuration, effects similar to those of Embodiments 1 and 2 can be obtained.

[0137] [Modified Example]

[0138] Will use Figure 16 A modified embodiment will now be described. In this modified embodiment, the position of the rotation axis A4 of the rotating guide 141 and the rotation direction of the rotating guide 141 in Example 4 are combined with the position of the rotation axis A3 of the reading unit 110 and the rotation direction of the reading unit 110 in Example 3. That is, in this modified embodiment, the second rotation axis is positioned at the downstream end portion of the conveying guide relative to the sheet feeding direction of the sheet guided by the conveying guide. The third rotation axis is positioned at the upstream end portion of the reading unit relative to the sheet feeding direction of the sheet guided by the conveying guide.

[0139] For this reason, the rotation guide 141 surrounds Figure 16 The rotation axis A4 in the embodiment rotates counterclockwise from the closed position toward the open position, and the reading unit 110 rotates around Figure 16 The rotation axis A3 in the embodiment rotates clockwise from the reading position toward the maintenance position. Even in this configuration, effects similar to those of Embodiments 1 and 2 can be obtained.

[0140] [Example 5]

[0141] Will use Figure 18 and Figure 19 Embodiment 5 will be described below. This embodiment differs from Embodiment 2 in that a plurality of arm members contact the first contact surface and the second contact surface of the reading unit. Hereinafter, elements denoted by reference numerals or symbols common to Embodiments 2 and 5 are considered to have substantially the same configuration and function, and primarily the elements different from Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0142] The ADF 10 in this embodiment includes an arm 132 as a first arm member and an arm 133 as a second arm. Arms 132 and 133 are rotatably supported by the frame of the ADF body 10A and rotate about a rotation axis A1. When viewed in the X direction, arms 132 and 133 overlap. Furthermore, arms 132 and 133 can be rotated by operating an arm operating portion 131d. Even with this configuration, effects similar to those of Embodiment 1 can be achieved.

[0143] The arm operating portion 131d is Figure 18In the case of rotating in the clockwise direction, first, the arm 132 rotates and contacts the first contact surface 110a of the reading unit 110. Then, when the arm 132 rotates by a predetermined angle, the arm 133 starts to rotate and contacts the second contact surface 110b of the reading unit 110. Figure 19 As shown, the reading unit 110 is rotated to the maintenance position. Therefore, the arms 132 and 133 press against multiple surfaces of the reading unit 110, thereby enabling the reading unit 110 to rotate within a wide rotation range. Furthermore, by adopting a configuration in which the two overlapping arms 132 and 133 are associated with each other with a time difference, the space required for arranging the arms 132 and 133 can be reduced.

[0144] [Example 6]

[0145] Will use Figure 20 and Figure 21 Embodiment 6 will now be described. This embodiment differs from Embodiment 2 in that the reading unit-side contact surface with which the arm member contacts is curved, thereby ensuring a wide rotation range for the reading portion. Hereinafter, elements denoted by reference numerals or symbols common to Embodiments 2 and 6 are considered to have substantially the same configuration and function, and primarily the elements different from Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0146] like Figure 20 As shown, the reading unit 110 in this embodiment includes an arm contact surface 110d different from the surface on which the glass 111 is arranged. The arm contact surface 110d is oriented in the rotation direction ( Figure 20 On the other hand, the free end portion of the arm 131 forms a substantially linear shape along a straight line passing through the rotation axis A1. The arm contact surface 110d is at least at the first contact point d1 ( Figure 20 ) and the second contact point d2( Figure 21 ) is a substantially continuous curved surface between.

[0147] The first contact point d1 is where the reading unit 110 contacts the arm 131 when the reading unit 110 is positioned at the reading position. The second contact point d2 is where the reading unit 110 contacts the arm 131 when the reading unit 110 is positioned at the maintenance position.

[0148] When the arm 131 is Figure 20When the arm 131 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the arm 131 rotates the reading unit 110 from the reading position to the maintenance position while continuously changing the contact position with the arm contact surface 110d from the first contact point d1 to the second contact point d2. Therefore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, even if the arm 131 is formed into a simple shape, it is possible to achieve an effect similar to that of the embodiment 2, making it possible to expand the degree of freedom in design.

[0149] (Other embodiments)

[0150] In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image reading apparatus mounted on an upper portion of an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The present invention is not limited thereto and can also be applied to an image reading apparatus independent of an image forming apparatus.

[0151] According to the present invention, cleaning of the glass surface of the reading unit can be facilitated.

[0152] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An image reading device for reading image information from a sheet, the image reading device comprising: a cover unit rotatably provided around a first rotation axis and including an upper surface of the image reading device; a sheet conveying member configured to convey a sheet along a sheet conveying path; a conveying guide rotatably provided around a second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis and configured to guide the sheet fed by the sheet conveying member; a reading unit including a transparent member and a reading portion configured to read an image on a sheet fed by the sheet conveying member through the transparent member, the reading unit being rotatably provided around a third rotation axis different from the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis, and an arm member configured to move the reading unit in contact with the reading unit, wherein the cover unit is rotatable between a closed position in which the cover unit cooperates with the conveying guide to form the sheet conveying path and an open position in which the sheet conveying path is open, and In a state where the cover unit is positioned at the open position, the transparent member is exposed to the outside of the image reading apparatus by the rotation of the reading unit in conjunction with the conveying guide via a linkage mechanism.

2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm member is configured to move the reading unit from a first position in which the transparent member is opposed to the sheet conveying path to a second position in which the transparent member is exposed to the outside of the image reading apparatus.

3. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein The conveying guide is rotatable between a third position in which the conveying guide covers the reading unit and a fourth position in which the reading unit is exposed to the outside when viewed from above, and wherein the arm member is configured to move the reading unit from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the rotation of the conveying guide from the third position to the fourth position.

4. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein The conveying guide is rotatable between a third position in which the conveying guide covers the reading unit and a fourth position in which the reading unit is exposed to the outside when viewed from above, and The arm member includes an operation portion for performing an operation in which the reading unit is moved from the first position to the second position by the arm member in a state in which the conveying guide is rotated from the third position to the fourth position.

5. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein The reading unit rotates about the third rotation axis in a first rotation direction from the first position to the second position, and The arm member is rotatable about the second rotation axis in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction so as to rotate the reading unit from the first position to the second position while changing its contact position with the reading unit.

6. The image reading device according to claim 5, wherein The reading unit includes a first surface on which the transparent member is provided and a second surface extending in a direction intersecting the first surface when viewed in the sheet width direction, wherein the arm member includes a first protrusion for pushing the first surface and a second protrusion capable of contacting the second surface, Here, when the arm member rotates in the second rotation direction, the second protrusion contacts the second surface after the first protrusion contacts the first surface.

7. The image reading device according to claim 5, wherein the arm member being a first arm member, wherein the image reading device further includes a second arm member configured to move the reading unit from the first position to the second position in contact with the reading unit, wherein the reading unit includes a first surface on which the transparent member is provided and a second surface extending in a direction intersecting the first surface when viewed in the sheet width direction, and Here, when the first arm member and the second arm member rotate in the second rotation direction, the second arm member contacts the second surface after the first arm member contacts the first surface.

8. The image reading device according to claim 5, wherein The reading unit includes a curved surface that is curved when viewed in the sheet width direction, and Wherein, when the arm member rotates in the second rotation direction, a contact position between the arm member and the curved surface continuously changes.

9. The image reading device according to claim 2, further comprising: an opposing member, the opposing member being opposite to the transparent member; as well as a gap forming member mounted on the transparent member and configured to form a gap between the transparent member and the opposing member in contact with the opposing member so that the sheet passes through the gap, wherein the arm member contacts the gap forming member.

10. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein The reading unit is rotatable between a first position in which the transparent member opposes the sheet conveying path and a second position in which the transparent member is exposed to the outside of the image reading apparatus. wherein, in a state where the reading unit is positioned at the first position, the transparent member faces downward in the vertical direction, and Here, in a state where the reading unit is positioned at the second position, the transparent member faces upward in a vertical direction.

11. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein The reading unit is rotatable between a first position in which the transparent member opposes the sheet conveying path and a second position in which the transparent member is exposed to the outside of the image reading apparatus. wherein the reading unit further includes a pressing portion including an elastic member and a contacted portion that the conveying guide can contact, and the reading unit is positioned at the first position by the elasticity of the elastic member by pushing the conveying guide against the contacted portion, and When the reading unit moves from the first position to the second position, the reading unit contacts a member fixed to the frame of the image reading device via the contacted portion and is cushioned by the elasticity of the elastic member.

12. The image reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a frame, in, The reading unit includes a shaft portion, the shaft portion being arranged on the third rotation axis, wherein the frame includes a holding portion configured to rotatably hold the shaft portion and movably hold the shaft portion in a direction intersecting a sheet conveying direction at a reading position of the reading unit, and Here, in a state where the reading unit is rotated to a position where the transparent member is exposed to the outside of the image reading apparatus, the reading unit is movable in a direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction.

13. The image reading device according to claim 1 , further comprising an electric wire connected to the reading portion and configured to transmit image information read by the reading portion, in, The reading unit includes an opening through which the electric wire is led to the outside of the reading unit, and Here, when viewed in the sheet width direction, a distance from the third rotation axis to the opening is shorter than a distance from the second rotation axis to the opening.

14. The image reading device according to claim 13, further comprising a frame, in, The reading unit includes a shaft portion, the shaft portion being arranged on the third rotation axis, wherein the frame includes a holding portion configured to rotatably hold the shaft portion, and wherein the electric wires passing through the opening and the shaft portion overlap each other when viewed in the sheet width direction.

15. The image reading device according to claim 14, wherein The reading unit has a rectangular shape when viewed in the sheet width direction, and Here, when viewed in the sheet width direction, a corner portion of the reading unit closest to the shaft portion and a corner portion of the reading unit closest to the opening are the same.

16. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein The cover unit includes an upper guide surface for guiding the upper surface of the sheet, wherein the conveying guide includes a lower guide surface that cooperates with the upper guide surface to form the sheet conveying path and is used to guide the lower surface of the sheet, and Wherein, the third rotation axis is positioned below the upper guide surface and the lower guide surface.

17. The image reading device according to claim 16, further comprising: a stacking portion on which the sheets are stacked; as well as a discharge portion provided below the stacking portion and configured to discharge the sheet from which the image information is read, wherein the sheet conveying path is curved when viewed in the sheet width direction so that the sheet is fed from the stacking portion toward one side in the horizontal direction and discharged toward the other side in the horizontal direction, wherein the conveying guide guides the lower side surface of the sheet fed from the stacking portion toward the one side in the horizontal direction, and The reading unit is arranged below the conveying guide and inside the curved sheet conveying path.

18. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the second rotation axis being provided at an upstream side end portion of the conveying guide with respect to a sheet conveying direction in which the sheet is guided by the conveying guide, wherein the third rotation axis is provided at a downstream side end portion of the reading unit with respect to a sheet conveying direction along which the sheet is guided by the conveying guide, and Here, when the conveying guide and the reading unit rotate so that the transparent member is exposed to the outside of the image reading apparatus, a rotation direction of the conveying guide and a rotation direction of the reading unit are opposite to each other.

19. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the second rotation axis being provided at an upstream side end portion of the conveying guide with respect to a sheet conveying direction in which the sheet is guided by the conveying guide, wherein the third rotation axis is provided at an upstream side end portion of the reading unit with respect to a sheet conveying direction along which the sheet is guided by the conveying guide, and Here, when the conveying guide and the reading unit rotate so that the transparent member is exposed to the outside of the image reading apparatus, a rotation direction of the conveying guide and a rotation direction of the reading unit are the same direction.

20. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the second rotation axis being provided at a downstream side end portion of the conveying guide with respect to a sheet conveying direction in which the sheet is guided by the conveying guide, wherein the third rotation axis is provided at a downstream side end portion of the reading unit with respect to a sheet conveying direction along which the sheet is guided by the conveying guide, and Here, when the conveying guide and the reading unit rotate so that the transparent member is exposed to the outside of the image reading apparatus, a rotation direction of the conveying guide and a rotation direction of the reading unit are the same direction.

21. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the second rotation axis being provided at a downstream side end portion of the conveying guide with respect to a sheet conveying direction in which the sheet is guided by the conveying guide, wherein the third rotation axis is provided at an upstream side end portion of the reading unit with respect to a sheet conveying direction along which the sheet is guided by the conveying guide, and Here, when the conveying guide and the reading unit rotate so that the transparent member is exposed to the outside of the image reading apparatus, a rotation direction of the conveying guide and a rotation direction of the reading unit are the same direction.

22. An imaging device, comprising: an image reading device configured to read image information from a sheet; as well as an imaging member configured to form an image on a recording material based on the image information read by the image reading device, The image reading device comprises: a cover unit rotatably provided around a first rotation axis and including an upper surface of the image reading device; a sheet conveying member configured to convey a sheet along a sheet conveying path; a conveying guide rotatably provided around a second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis and configured to guide a sheet fed by the sheet conveying member; a reading unit including a transparent member and a reading portion configured to read an image on a sheet fed by the sheet conveying member through the transparent member, the reading unit being rotatably provided around a third rotation axis different from the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis, and an arm member configured to move the reading unit in contact with the reading unit, wherein the cover unit is rotatable between a closed position in which the cover unit cooperates with the conveying guide to form the sheet conveying path and an open position in which the sheet conveying path is open, and Here, in a state where the cover unit is positioned at the open position, the transparent member is exposed to the outside of the image reading apparatus by the rotation of the conveying guide and the reading unit.

Images