Sheet conveying apparatus, image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A sheet conveying apparatus includes a conveying section including a conveying path provided to guide a conveyed sheet so that the sheet passes through a reading position of a reading section, and an opposing unit arranged to oppose a transparent member. The opposing unit includes a guide body made of resin and including an opposing portion, a reinforcing member made of metal, a single fastening portion provided to fasten the guide body and the reinforcing member, and a restriction portion provided to restrict separation of the guide body and the reinforcing member. The fastening portion is arranged at one position, and the restriction portion is arranged at a position different from the fastening portion in a longitudinal direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a sheet conveying device, an image reading device, and an imaging device for conveying sheet materials. Background Technology

[0002] Regarding image reading devices for imaging equipment, one known technique involves transferring an original document to an image reading section's original document feed-reading glass via an original document transfer unit to read an image from the original document (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-181771). According to the image reading device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-181771, a platform guide is provided, arranged opposite the original document feed-reading glass, so that the original document does not rise from the upper surface of the original document feed-reading glass. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Regarding the guide arranged opposite the original document feed-reading glass, as in the case of the platform guide disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-181771, if the positional accuracy of the guide relative to the original document feed-reading glass is not good, the quality of the read image may be degraded.

[0004] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a sheet conveying apparatus includes a conveying section comprising: a conveying path configured to guide a conveyed sheet such that the sheet passes a reading position of a reading section at which an image on the sheet is read via a transparent member; and a counter unit arranged opposite to the transparent member and configured to form part of the conveying path. The counter unit includes: a guide body made of resin and including a counter portion arranged opposite to a surface of the transparent member; a reinforcing member made of metal, configured to extend along the longitudinal direction of the guide body and attached to the guide body on a side opposite to the transparent member; a single fastening portion configured to fasten the guide body and the reinforcing member; and a limiting portion configured to limit separation of the guide body and the reinforcing member. The fastening portion is arranged at one location, and the limiting portion is arranged at a different location in the longitudinal direction from the fastening portion.

[0005] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a sheet conveying apparatus includes: a conveying section including a conveying path configured to guide a conveyed sheet such that the sheet passes a reading position of a reading section at which an image on the sheet is read via a transparent member; and a counter unit arranged opposite to the transparent member and configured to form part of the conveying path. The counter unit includes: a guide body made of resin and including a counter portion arranged opposite to a surface of the transparent member; a reinforcing member made of metal, arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction of the guide body and attached to the guide body on a side opposite to the transparent member; a fastening portion configured to fasten the guide body and the reinforcing member; and a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion arranged in the longitudinal direction at different positions from the fastening portion and configured to limit separation of the guide body and the reinforcing member. The reinforcing member includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, the first end portion, the second end portion, and the central portion being three equal portions in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member. A fastening portion is configured to fasten the guide body and the central portion of the reinforcing member. A first limiting portion is configured to limit the separation of the guide body and the first end portion of the reinforcing member, and a second limiting portion is configured to limit the separation of the guide body and the second end portion of the reinforcing member.

[0006] The features of this disclosure will become clear from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the embodiments is by way of example. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the imaging device according to this embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 This is an external perspective view showing the image reading device according to this embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image reading device according to this embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the image reading device according to this embodiment with the ADF (Advanced Display Function) turned on.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the manuscript feed-reading glass, the surface reading portion, and the oscillating guide unit according to this embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the lower side of the swing guide unit according to this embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the upper side of the swing guide unit according to this embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8A This is a top view showing the swing guide unit according to this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 8B Is Figure 8A The sectional view taken at point AA (arrow AA).

[0016] Figure 8C yes Figure 8B A magnified view of the dashed box B.

[0017] Figure 8D yes Figure 8B A magnified view of the dashed box C.

[0018] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing a swing guide unit according to another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0019] This embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Schematic structure of imaging device

[0021] First, refer to Figure 1 A schematic construction of the imaging device 100 according to this embodiment is described. Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the imaging device according to this embodiment.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the imaging device 100 includes: an image reading device 101 capable of reading an image on an original document; and an imaging device body 104 capable of forming the image read by the image reading device 101 on a sheet P. As described in detail below, the image reading device 101 includes: an image reading section 103 for reading an image on an original document; and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 102 capable of automatically feeding the original document to the image reading section 103. The image reading device 101 is arranged above the imaging device body 104. Figure 1 The imaging device 100 shown is a laser beam printer using an electrophotographic system, but the image reading device 101 according to this embodiment can be similarly applied to imaging devices that use inkjet systems or other imaging methods as imaging units.

[0023] The imaging device body 104 generally includes: a feeding unit 104A that feeds a sheet P; an imaging unit 104B that forms an image on the sheet P fed by the feeding unit 104A; and a sheet discharge unit 104C that discharges the sheet P on which an image has been formed by the imaging unit 104B.

[0024] Feeding unit 104A includes: cassettes 105 and 105 that support and accommodate multiple sheets P; and feed rollers 106 and 106 that pick up the sheets P from cassettes 105 and 105 and begin feeding them. The sheets P fed by feed roller 106 are fed toward the secondary transfer roller 116 of imaging unit 104B.

[0025] Imaging unit 104B includes laser scanners 107, 108, 109, and 110, imaging units 111, 112, 113, and 114, an intermediate transfer belt 115, a secondary transfer roller 116, a pre-fixing transport unit 117, and a fixing unit 118. Imaging unit 111 develops the electrostatic latent image exposed by laser scanner 107 into a yellow (Y) toner image and transfers the image onto the intermediate transfer belt 115 in one pass. Similarly, imaging unit 112 develops the electrostatic latent image exposed by laser scanner 108 into a red (M) toner image and transfers the image onto the intermediate transfer belt 115 in one pass. Similarly, imaging unit 113 develops the electrostatic latent image exposed by laser scanner 109 into a cyan (C) toner image and transfers the image onto the intermediate transfer belt 115 in one pass. Similarly, the imaging unit 114 develops the electrostatic latent image exposed by the laser scanner 110 into a black (K) toner image and transfers the image onto the intermediate transfer belt 115 in one pass. Thus, a full-color toner image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 115.

[0026] The full-color toner image transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 115 is conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 116, and then transferred a second time onto the surface of the sheet P fed from the feed unit 104A. The sheet P, which has been printed with the toner image, is conveyed via a conveyor belt (not shown) through a pre-fixing conveyor unit 117 that conveys the sheet to the fixing unit 118. The toner image is then fixed onto the sheet P by heating and pressing it in the fixing unit 118. The sheet P with the fixed toner image is then conveyed by the sheet discharge unit 104C and discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 119.

[0027] The above-described imaging device body 104 is merely an example and can have various variations. For example, the imaging device may include: a reversing section for reversing the upper and lower sides of the sheet; and a retransfer path for retransferring the sheet to the secondary transfer roller 116 to achieve double-sided printing. Furthermore, the imaging device may be configured to transfer a toner image directly from the imaging unit onto the sheet, or to form a monochrome image on it. Moreover, the imaging device may include a manual feed tray through which the sheet can be manually fed.

[0028] Construction of image reading device

[0029] The following will refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The structure of the image reading device 101 according to this embodiment is described. Figure 2 This is an external perspective view showing an image reading device according to a first embodiment. Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image reading device according to this embodiment. Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the image reading device according to this embodiment in the ADF (Advanced Display Function) open state. Figure 2 As shown, with the ADF 102 closed relative to the image reading section 103, the three-dimensional directions of the imaging device 100 and the ADF 102 are the left-right direction (X), the width direction (Y), and the up-down direction (Z). The width direction (Y) is orthogonal to the transmission direction (V) and also corresponds to the front-back direction. Furthermore, the front direction in the imaging device 100 is generally the direction in which the operation panel (not shown) faces.

[0030] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown above, the image reading device 101 includes an image reading section 103 and an ADF 102. The ADF 102 includes: an original document tray 200 on which the original document D1 is disposed and which serves as an original document support section for supporting the original document D1; and a sheet ejection tray 201, which serves as an ejection original document support section or an ejection sheet support section, supporting the ejected original document D1 by receiving the ejected original document D1 whose image has been read. The ADF 102 also includes an original document transport section 102A, which serves as a transport section for transporting the original document D1 from the original document tray 200 to the sheet ejection tray 201.

[0031] In other words, ADF 102 conveys the original document D1 toward the original document feed-reading glass 312 of the image reading section 103. Simultaneously, the image reading section 103 includes a surface reading section 306, which serves as a reading section for reading the image on the surface of the original document conveyed by ADF 102. In other words, the original document conveying section 102A of ADF 102 conveys the original document supported on the original document tray 200, such that the original document passes through the reading position of the surface reading section 306, and the original document D1 is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 201.

[0032] The sheet discharge tray 201 is arranged such that, when viewed vertically, at least a portion of it overlaps with the original document tray 200; in other words, the sheet discharge tray 201 is positioned below the original document tray 200. Therefore, the original document transport section 102A has a transport path PS that guides the original document from the original document tray 200 to the sheet discharge tray 201. This path has a curved shape when viewed along a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction and has an overall U-shaped shape. As described above, by forming the transport path PS into a U-shape, when a user places an original document comprising multiple sheets on the original document tray 200, the sheets can be discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 201 in the page order in which the original documents are placed. Furthermore, by arranging the sheet discharge tray 201 below the original document tray 200, the ADF 102 can be miniaturized.

[0033] Moreover, such as Figure 4 As shown, the ADF 102 is supported via a hinge mechanism 317 in a manner that allows it to pivot relative to the image reading section 103, so that the original feed-reading glass 312 and the table glass 316, which serve as transparent members for light transmission, can be opened.

[0034] The original document transport section 102A includes a pickup roller 300, a separation roller pair 301, a conveyor roller pair 302, 303, and 304, and a sheet discharge roller pair 305 arranged along the transport path PS. Furthermore, the original document transport section 102A includes a back-side reading section 307, which serves as a reading section for reading an image on the back side of the original document. The back-side reading section 307 includes a back-side reading sensor housing 314 and a reading glass 313. The back-side reading section 307 is configured to include, within the back-side reading sensor housing 314: an illumination device 315 that illuminates the original document via the reading glass 313; and a reading sensor 311 that reads the image based on reflected light from the original document. According to this embodiment, the reading sensor 311 is constructed of a CIS (Computer Integrated System), but the technology is not limited to this, and any sensor capable of reading images can be used.

[0035] Meanwhile, the image reading section 103 includes an original document feed-reading glass 312 and a table glass 316 (for reference). Figure 4 The original document is fed into a document feed-reading glass 312 and a surface reading section 306 for reading the surface of the original document. The surface reading section 306 includes: an illumination device 310 that illuminates the original document via the original document feed-reading glass 312; a plurality of reflectors 308 that reflect and guide reflected light from the original document; and a reading sensor 309 that reads the image based on the reflected light. In this embodiment, the reading sensor 309 is a CMOS sensor, but the technology is not limited to this; any sensor can be used as long as it can read the image.

[0036] The image reading device 101 can read images from originals via a feed-read mode and a fixed read mode. In the feed-read mode, the original D1 placed on the original tray 200 is fed via the ADF 102 while scanning the original image. In the fixed read mode, the original D2 placed on the stage glass 316 is scanned. The feed-read mode is selected when the original D1 supported on the original tray 200 is detected by an original presence / absence detection sensor (not shown), or when the user clearly indicates, for example, via the operation panel on the imaging device body 104, that the original D1 supported on the original tray 200 is present.

[0037] When the feed-read mode is executed, the uppermost original D1 placed on the original document tray 200 is fed by the pick-up roller 300 and separated one by one at the separation clamping part of the separation roller pair 301. Then, the original is conveyed by the transfer roller pair 302 and 303, conveyed through the surface of the original document feed-read glass 312, and then conveyed through the reading glass 313 of the back reading section 307.

[0038] The surface reading section 306 reads the image on the surface of the original document D1 via the original document feed-reading glass 312, and the back side reading section 307 reads the image on the back side of the original document D1. The image information, which is photoelectrically converted by the light receiving elements of the reading sensor 309 of the surface reading section 306 and the reading sensor 311 of the back side reading section 307, is transmitted to the control unit (not shown) of the imaging device body 104. Then, the original document D1, which has passed through the original document feed-reading glass 312, is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 201 via the sheet discharge roller pair 305.

[0039] Meanwhile, the equipment detects that the glass supported on the platform 316 (reference) Figure 4In the case of original document D2 on the imaging device body 104, or when the user clearly indicates, for example, via the operation panel on the imaging device body 104, that original document D2 is supported on the stage glass 316, a fixed reading mode is selected. In this case, the original document on the stage glass 316 does not move, and the surface reading section 306 moves along the stage glass 316 to scan the original document. Similarly, image information photoelectrically converted by the light receiving element of the reading sensor 309 of the surface reading section 306 is transmitted to a control unit (not shown).

[0040] This embodiment is described as having a back-side reading portion 307, but the technology is not limited to having a back-side reading portion 307. Moreover, as another embodiment, the image reading portion 103 may independently include a reading portion for performing a feed-reading mode and a reading portion for performing a fixed reading mode.

[0041] Construction of the swing guide unit

[0042] The following will refer to Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The construction of the swing guide unit 400, which serves as a relative unit according to this embodiment, is described. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the manuscript feed-reading glass, the surface reading portion, and the oscillating guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the lower side of the swing guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the upper portion of the swing guide unit according to this embodiment.

[0043] like Figure 5 As shown, according to this embodiment, the swing guide unit 400 is arranged above and opposite the original document feed-reading glass 312. The swing guide unit 400 is supported in a swingable manner relative to a frame (not shown), wherein the abutment portion 411, described in detail below, abuts against the original document feed-reading glass 312, thereby determining the position of the swing guide unit 400. At the reading position of the surface reading portion 306, the swing guide unit 400 and the original document feed-reading glass 312 form a narrow space PSa that serves as a transport space. This narrow space PSa constitutes part of the transport path PS and has a smaller height in the thickness direction than other parts of the transport path PS. This restricts the position of the original document D1 when the image on the surface of the original document D1 is read by the surface reading portion 306.

[0044] Typically, metal materials (e.g., metal sheets) or resin materials can be used as the guide body for the oscillating guide unit. If the guide body is made of metal, it is less prone to warping and has sufficient strength, but it cannot be formed into complex shapes as it can when the guide body is made of resin. Therefore, a disadvantage is that the guide body cannot be easily formed into a shape that restricts the original document D1 to be positioned at the desired location. Meanwhile, a guide body made of resin has the advantage of being able to be molded into complex shapes. Therefore, resin can be preferred, but it also has the following disadvantages: increased component tolerances due to warping during the molding process, or deformation due to the reaction force of the sheet metal or due to environmental changes (e.g., temperature changes). As mentioned above, if the component precision of the guide body of the oscillating guide unit is not good, the transport path may become narrow, potentially leading to original document skew, which could cause blockage of the transport path, resulting in sheet jamming. Furthermore, the quality of image reading may be degraded due to the erroneous detection of shadows at the leading edge of the original document.

[0045] Therefore, according to this embodiment, a resin material is used as the guide body 410 of the oscillating guide unit 400. Deformation of the guide body 410 is suppressed by attaching a metal reinforcing member 420 to the resin-made guide body 410 on the side opposite to the side having the original document feed-reading glass 312. However, since attaching the reinforcing member 420 to the guide body 410 may cause warping during the molding process or affect component tolerances, the attachment structure described below is adopted. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, using a resin material as the guide body 410 allows for the formation of complex shapes, and thus also enables the attachment of the driven roller 450, as detailed below. The oscillating guide unit 400 constructed in this manner will now be described in detail.

[0046] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the oscillating guide unit 400 typically includes a guide body 410, a reinforcing member 420, a spring 430 serving as a pressing member, a white member 440, and driven rollers 450 and 451. The guide body 410 includes an inclined portion 412 having an inclined surface shape (see reference). Figure 5The tilted portion 412, when arranged on the ADF 102, serves as a counterpart to the original document feed-reading glass 312, and a white component 440, formed of white material, is attached to the tilted portion 412. When light from the illumination device 310 of the surface reading portion 306 illuminates the leading edge of the original document D1, the shadow of the leading edge of the original document D1 is projected onto the white component 440. By detecting the image of the shadow cast by the leading edge of the original document D1 onto the white component 440 by the surface reading portion 306, the skewness of the original document D1 can be detected, and the skewness of the read image can be corrected.

[0047] Furthermore, two abutment portions 411 are formed on the guide body 410, which protrude downward from the two end portions of the inclined portion 412 (i.e., the white member 440) at their outer ends in the width direction Y (i.e., the front-to-back direction). The two abutment portions 411 are arranged at a distance wider than the width dimension of the largest readable original size that can be read by the image reading device 101, that is, arranged outside the transport area so that the largest size original can pass through.

[0048] At the same time, such as Figure 7 As shown, at the two end portions of the guide body 410 of the swing guide unit 400 in the width direction, a plurality of springs 430a, 430b, 430c, and 430d (serving as pushing portions) are arranged above the abutment portion 411. The first ends of springs 430a and 430b abut against a grounded frame (not shown) to receive a reaction force from the frame and are also conductive to the frame. The second ends of springs 430a and 430b contact and are electrically connected to a pad portion 429, which serves as a conductive portion integral with the reinforcing member 420 (described in detail below). Therefore, the reinforcing member 420 is grounded and can remove static electricity accumulated in the swing guide unit 400. If it is not necessary to distinguish between springs 430a, 430b, 430c, and 430d, they are simply referred to as spring 430.

[0049] As described above, multiple springs 430 are arranged between the frame (not shown) and the guide body 410 (i.e., the gasket portion 429 of the reinforcing member 420). Therefore, with respect to the swing guide unit 400, the guide body 410 is pushed towards the document feed-reading glass 312 by the pushing force of the springs 430, and the abutment portion 411 abuts against the document feed-reading glass 312. Therefore, as... Figure 5As shown, a gap is ensured between the swing guide unit 400 (particularly the white component 440) and the original document feed-reading glass 312. This gap is narrower in the thickness direction than other parts of the transport path PS, thus forming a narrow space PSa as described above, thereby restricting the position of the original document D1 when reading the image on the original document D1, as described above.

[0050] Moreover, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the guide body 410 includes a driven roller 450 (i.e., a first rotating member) serving as a plurality of rotating components. The driven roller 450 is arranged adjacent to the white component 440 on the upstream side of the white component 440 in the conveying direction V and aligned in the width direction Y. Furthermore, the guide body 410 includes a driven roller 451 (i.e., a second rotating member) serving as a plurality of rotating components. The driven roller 451 is arranged adjacent to the white component 440 on the downstream side of the white component 440 in the conveying direction V and aligned in two rows in the width direction Y. The guide body 410 will contact the original document D1 to correct the position of the original document D1 relative to the original document feed-reading glass 312, thereby generating conveying resistance. However, by driving the driven rollers 450 and 451 to rotate through the original document D conveyed by the conveyor rollers 303 and 304, the sliding resistance generated when the original document D slides on the guide body 410 can be reduced. As described above, by forming the guide body 410 from resin material, a complex shape can be formed, for example, having receiving holes for accommodating and supporting the driven rollers 450 and 451.

[0051] like Figure 7 As shown, a metal reinforcing member 420 is attached to the guide body 410 to suppress deformation of the guide body 410. The reinforcing member 420 is composed of a flat metal plate bent into a U-shape when viewed along the width direction Y, wherein the width direction Y extends into a longitudinal direction, which is longer than the shorter direction corresponding to the left-right direction X. The reinforcing member 420 is shaped to have higher rigidity in the deflection direction (relative to the width direction Y). In other words, the metal reinforcing member 420 reinforces the resin-made guide body 410, causing the guide body 410 to maintain a parallel shape relative to the document feed-reading glass 312. A pad portion 429, serving as a conductive portion, is integrally formed with the first end of the reinforcing member 420 in the width direction Y, and as described above, springs 430a and 430b contact the pad portion 429.

[0052] Attachment structure of the guiding body and reinforcing components

[0053] The following will refer to Figures 7 to 8D The attachment structure of the guide body 410 and the reinforcing member 420 in the swing guide unit 400 according to this embodiment is described. Figure 8A This is a top view showing the swing guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 8B Is Figure 8A The sectional view taken at point AA (arrow AA). Figure 8C yes Figure 8B A magnified view of the dashed box B. Figure 8D yes Figure 8B A magnified view of the dashed box C.

[0054] like Figure 7 , Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown, the guide body 410 includes: a fastened portion 413, which is arranged approximately at the center of the guide body 410 in the width direction Y (i.e., the longitudinal direction); and a plurality of protrusions 414 between the end portions of the fastened portion 413 in the width direction Y (as the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member 420), i.e., two protrusions 414 on each side. Moreover, as Figure 8B As shown, the guide body 410 includes a plurality of contact portions 415 that contact the reinforcing member 420. These contact portions 415 are formed to extend from the inclined portion 412 at five positions spaced apart in the width direction Y (i.e., the longitudinal direction). The contact portion 415 arranged near the center in the width direction Y is continuously and integrally formed with the fastened portion 413.

[0055] like Figure 7 , Figure 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8D As shown, a threaded hole 421 is formed through the reinforcing member, serving as a second through hole formed on the upper surface 420a of the reinforcing member 420. Furthermore, the fastened portion 413 of the guide body 410 is formed from the inclined portion 412 (see...). Figure 5 The screw 460C extends to contact the periphery of the threaded hole 421. Furthermore, a threaded hole 413a is formed in the fastened portion 413, and a screw 460C, serving as a second screw, is threadedly engaged in this threaded hole 413a. By passing the screw 460C through the threaded hole 421 and threading it in, the reinforcing member 420 is clamped between the head portion 460Ca and the fastened portion 413, and the central portion of the reinforcing member 420 in the longitudinal direction is fastened to the guide body 410. That is, according to this embodiment, only one fastening portion, i.e., a fastening structure, is provided, which is formed by the screw 460C threadedly engaged with the threaded hole 413a of the fastened portion 413 and the threaded hole 421 of the reinforcing member 420.

[0056] Meanwhile, on each of the protrusions 414 extending from the inclined portion 412, a threaded hole 414a is formed in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member 420 at a position different from that of the screw 460C, and the screw 460A or screw 460B, used as the first screw, engages with the threaded hole 414a. Furthermore, as... Figure 8C As shown, an elongated hole 422, serving as a first through hole, is formed through the upper surface 420a of the reinforcing member 420 at a position opposite to the plurality of protrusions 414. The width of the elongated hole 422 in the conveying direction V is narrower than the diameter of the head portion 460Ba of the screw 460B (or 460A), and the length of the elongated hole 422 in the width direction Y is longer than the protrusions 414. In other words, the width of the head portion 460Ba of the screw 460B (or 460A) is wider than the width of the elongated hole 422 in the conveying direction V. That is, the protrusions 414 are formed to pass through the elongated hole 422 without being fastened to the reinforcing member 420, and their leading edges are formed to protrude a distance d from the surface. Then, by threading screw 460B (or 460A) into the threaded hole 414a of the protrusion 414, screw 460B (or 460A) is arranged to have a gap of distance d between the head portion 460Ba and the reinforcing member 420. Thus, the reinforcing member 420 is held on the protrusion 414 by the head portion 460Ba of screw 460B (or 460A), and separation of the guide body 410 and the reinforcing member 420 is restricted. That is, according to this embodiment, multiple restrictive portions are formed by screws 460B (or 460A) passing through elongated holes 422 in the protrusion 414 and the reinforcing member 420, these restrictive portions being arranged in the longitudinal direction at positions different from the fastening portions, and restricting separation of the guide body 410 and the reinforcing member 420.

[0057] In this embodiment, the distance d is set to a distance corresponding to the component tolerance (the distance d is the amount by which the protrusion 414 protrudes from the surface of the reinforcing member 420), so that even when considering the component tolerance, the guide body 410 and the reinforcing member 420 are not completely fastened, for example, it can be set to about 0.2 mm.

[0058] Moreover, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8AAs shown, the main body of the reinforcing member 420, excluding the gasket portion 429, is divided into three equal parts in the width direction Y, and these parts are defined as a first end portion PA, a second end portion PB, and a center portion PC. In this case, the fastening portion (i.e., screw 460C) fastens the guide body 410 and the center portion PC of the reinforcing member 420. Moreover, the limiting portion composed of multiple protrusions 414 includes a first limiting portion, i.e., screw 460A, which limits the separation of the guide body 410 and the first end portion PA of the reinforcing member 420. Furthermore, the limiting portion composed of multiple protrusions 414 includes a second limiting portion, i.e., screw 460B, which limits the separation of the guide body 410 and the second end portion PB of the reinforcing member 420.

[0059] According to the swing guide unit 400 constructed as described above, the reinforcing member 420 is attached and assembled to the guide body 410 by threading screws 460A, 460B, and 460C thereto. In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 420 is fastened to the guide body 410 at a position in the width direction Y by screws 460C relative to the fastened portion 413. Moreover, screws 460A and 460B, which are threadedly engaged with the protrusion 414, serve as limiting portions, holding the guide body 410 and limiting separation of the guide body 410 from the reinforcing member 420. Furthermore, by contacting the reinforcing member 420 with a plurality of contact portions 415 positioned between the reinforcing member 420 and the inclined portion 412, the reinforcing member 420 limits the deformation of the guide body 410 and strengthens the guide body 410 so that warping does not exceed a distance d. In other words, the position of the inclined portion 412 relative to the reinforcing member 420 is determined by contacting the contact portions 415 with the reinforcing member 420. Therefore, the warping of the guide body 410 (especially the inclined portion 412 and the white component 440) can be corrected so that it has approximately the same flatness as the reinforcing component 420.

[0060] In other words, the warping of the guide body 410 can be corrected by the reinforcing member 420 without completely fastening the guide body 410 and the reinforcing member 420 at multiple locations. For example, if the guide body 410 and the reinforcing member 420 are completely fastened at multiple locations, the guide body 410 will expand more than the reinforcing member 420 due to the difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion of the resin and the metal, especially when the ambient temperature is high. Then, the guide body 410 may deform in such a way that it surrounds the narrow space PSa of the transport path PS at the portions corresponding to the multiple fastening locations, which could cause the original document D to skew due to increased friction or jamming of the sheet.

[0061] Therefore, by adopting the structure of the swing guide unit 400 according to the above embodiment, the deterioration of the positional accuracy of the swing guide unit 400 relative to the original document feed-reading glass 312 due to the influence of component tolerances or deformation caused by environmental changes can be suppressed. Thus, the deterioration of the read image quality of the original document D1 can be suppressed.

[0062] Other possible variations

[0063] According to the above embodiment, an example is described in which the limiting parts (i.e., screws 460A and 460B) are aligned in the width direction Y and arranged in multiple locations. However, the technology is not limited to this. As long as the limiting parts are arranged in one or more locations, the reinforcing function of the reinforcing member 420 can be achieved.

[0064] Further, according to this embodiment, a structure consisting of screws 460A and 460B for the limiting portion has been described; however, the technology is not limited to this. For example, a snap-fit ​​engagement through an elongated hole can be used. Moreover, the structure is not limited to having an elongated hole; for example, a hook-shaped member protruding above the upper surface of the reinforcing member 420 (to prevent separation from the guide body 410) can be used. That is, any structure can be used, as long as it prevents the reinforcing member 420 from separating from the guide body 410.

[0065] Further according to this embodiment, a construction is described in which the reinforcing member 420 and the guide body 410 are fastened by screws 460C used as fastening parts. However, the technology is not limited to this, and any method capable of fastening the reinforcing member 420 and the guide body 410 can be used, such as bonding, riveting, or caulking.

[0066] Further, according to this embodiment, a construction is described in which the reinforcing member 420 and the guide body 410 are fastened by a single screw 460C. However, this technology is not limited to this. Figure 9As shown, the reinforcing member 420 and the guide body 410 can be fastened by a plurality of screws 460C. The plurality of screws 460C are arranged on a central protrusion 470 of the reinforcing member 420 in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the width direction Y). The central protrusion 470 is the centrally located protrusion in the longitudinal direction among a plurality of protrusions arranged on the guide body 410. In other words, the central protrusion 470 is the protrusion arranged in the longitudinal direction between the protrusion 414 to which screws 460A and 460B are attached. A plurality of threaded holes 470a (to which the aforementioned plurality of screws 460C will thread) are formed on the central protrusion 470, which serves as the fastened portion, and the screws 460C serving as the fastening portion are fastened to the fastened portion. By arranging multiple fastening portions in these adjacent areas, the fastening force of the reinforcing member 420 and the guide body 410 can be enhanced, while suppressing the effects caused by the different coefficients of thermal expansion of the resin and metal, as described in the above embodiments. The central protrusion 470 is included. Figure 7 and Figure 8A The central portion of PC shown in the diagram.

[0067] Further according to this embodiment, a configuration is described in which the contact portion 415 contacts the reinforcing member 420 when the reinforcing member 420 is attached to the guide body 410. However, the present technology is not limited to this; the reinforcing member 420 attached to the guide body 410 does not necessarily have to contact it, and tolerances can be taken into account to space them apart. That is, the contact portion is configured such that the guide body 410 contacts the reinforcing member 420 at least when the guide body 410 deforms.

[0068] Further according to this embodiment, a structure is described in which the gasket portion 429 is integrally formed with the reinforcing member 420 and is electrically conductive with the spring 430. However, the technology is not limited to this; the reinforcing member 420 can be configured to be separate from the gasket portion 429, that is, any structure can be adopted, as long as the reinforcing member 420 is electrically connected to the gasket portion 429 and the pushing force of the spring 430 acts on the guide body 410.

[0069] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a configuration in which multiple driven rollers 450 and 451 are arranged on the guide body 410 has been described, but the technology is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration in which the guide body 410 is not equipped with driven rollers, or a configuration in which the guide body 410 includes only driven rollers 450 or driven rollers 4501, may be adopted.

[0070] Further according to this embodiment, a configuration is described in which the ADF 102, used as a sheet transport device, is equipped with a swing guide unit 400 arranged opposite to the original document feed-reading glass 312. However, the technology is not limited thereto; the sheet transport device can be an imaging device, a fixing unit, a drying device, a reversal device, or a processing device. For example, any sheet transport device configured to allow the sheet to pass between the opposing unit and a transparent member for reading the image on the sheet can be used, for example, to examine the configuration of an image on a sheet on which an image has been formed.

[0071] Although this disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be interpreted in the broadest sense to cover all such variations and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A sheet conveying device, comprising: The transmission section includes: a transmission path configured to guide a sheet being transmitted such that the sheet passes a reading position of a reading section, at which an image on the sheet is read via a transparent member; and a relative unit arranged opposite to the transparent member and configured to form part of the transmission path. The relative unit includes: A guide body, the guide body being made of resin and including opposing portions arranged opposite to the surface of the transparent member; A reinforcing member, made of metal, is configured to extend along the longitudinal direction of the guide body and is attached to the guide body on the side opposite to the transparent member; A single fastening portion, the single fastening portion being configured to fasten the guide body and the reinforcing member; and The limiting portion is configured to prevent the separation of the guide body and the reinforcing member; The fastening portion is arranged at one location, and the limiting portion is arranged at a different location in the longitudinal direction than the fastening portion.

2. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The limiting portion is one of a plurality of limiting portions, which are respectively arranged in the longitudinal direction at a plurality of different positions different from the fastening portion.

3. The sheet conveying device according to claim 2, in, The reinforcing member includes multiple first through holes. The guide body includes a plurality of protruding portions that project in a direction opposite to the reinforcing member, and The plurality of limiting portions include a plurality of first screws, each of the plurality of first screws including a head portion, the width of the head portion being wider than the width of the corresponding first through hole, and each of the plurality of first screws being arranged to pass through the first through hole in order to thread into the protrusion, such that a gap exists between the head portion and the reinforcing member.

4. The sheet conveying device according to claim 2 or 3, in, The reinforcing member includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, arranged in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member. The fastening portion is configured to fasten the central portion of the guide body and the reinforcing member, and The limiting portion includes: a first limiting portion configured to limit the separation of the guide body from the first end portion of the reinforcing member; and a second limiting portion configured to limit the separation of the guide body from the second end portion of the reinforcing member.

5. The sheet conveying device according to claim 2, wherein, The guide body includes a plurality of contact portions arranged at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction to be between the reinforcing member and the opposing portion, and the plurality of contact portions are configured to determine the position of the opposing portion relative to the reinforcing member by contacting the reinforcing member.

6. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, in, The reinforcing member includes a second through hole. The guide body includes a fastened portion, which is configured to contact the periphery of the second through hole when the reinforcing member is attached to the guide body. The fastening portion includes a second screw, which has a head portion wider than the width of the second through hole. The second screw is arranged to pass through the second through hole to thread into the fastened portion, thereby fastening the guide body and the reinforcing member when the reinforcing member is clamped between the head portion and the fastened portion.

7. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, in, The reinforcing member includes a first through hole formed through the reinforcing member and a second through hole formed through the reinforcing member. The guide body includes: a protruding portion that passes through and protrudes from the first through hole when the reinforcing member is attached to the guide body; and a fastened portion that is configured to contact the periphery of the second through hole when the reinforcing member is attached to the guide body. The limiting portion includes a first screw, which has a head portion wider than the width of the first through hole. The first screw is arranged to thread into a protruding portion that extends beyond the first through hole, such that a gap exists between the head portion of the first screw and the reinforcing member. The fastening portion includes a second screw, which has a head portion that is wider than the width of the second through hole. The second screw is arranged to pass through the second through hole to thread into the fastened portion, thereby fastening the guide body and the reinforcing member when the reinforcing member is clamped between the head portion and the fastening portion.

8. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: The guide body includes an abutting portion arranged in the longitudinal direction outside the opposite portion and abutting the transparent member to form a conveying space for the sheet to pass through.

9. The sheet conveying device according to claim 8, further comprising: The pushing portion pushes the opposing portion toward the transparent member.

10. The sheet conveying device according to claim 9, in, The pushing part is a metal spring, which is electrically connected to a component having a first end of the spring disposed thereon. The reinforcing member includes a conductive portion, which is conductive to the second end of the spring.

11. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The opposing unit includes a white, plate-shaped component arranged on the opposing portion.

12. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: The guide body includes a rotating member arranged adjacent to the opposite portion in the conveying direction of the sheet and configured to rotate through the conveyed sheet.

13. The sheet conveying device according to claim 12, wherein, The rotating component includes a first rotating component arranged upstream of the opposite portion in the conveying direction and a second rotating component arranged downstream of the opposite portion in the conveying direction.

14. An image reading device, comprising: The sheet conveying device according to claim 1; as well as The image reading section includes the transparent component and the reading portion. The sheet conveying device is a manuscript conveying device, which includes: The original manuscript support section is configured to support the original manuscript; The conveying section is configured to convey a manuscript supported on the manuscript support section; and The original manuscript support section is configured to support the original manuscript discharged from the conveying section.

15. An imaging device, comprising: The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and An imaging unit configured to form an image on a sheet.

16. A sheet conveying device, comprising: The transmission section includes: a transmission path configured to guide a sheet being transmitted such that the sheet passes a reading position of a reading section, at which an image on the sheet is read via a transparent member; and a relative unit arranged opposite to the transparent member and configured to form part of the transmission path. The relative unit includes: A guide body, the guide body being made of resin and including opposing portions arranged opposite to the surface of the transparent member; A reinforcing member, made of metal, is arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction of the guide body and is attached to the guide body on the side opposite to the transparent member; Fastening portion, the fastening portion being configured to fasten the guide body and the reinforcing member; and A first limiting portion and a second limiting portion are respectively arranged at positions different from the fastening portion in the longitudinal direction, and are configured to restrict the separation of the guide body and the reinforcing member; The reinforcing member includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion arranged in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member; The fastening portion is configured to fasten the central portion of the guide body and the reinforcing member; and The first limiting portion is configured to restrict the separation of the first end portion of the guide body and the reinforcing member, and the second limiting portion is configured to restrict the separation of the second end portion of the guide body and the reinforcing member.

17. The sheet conveying device according to claim 16, in, The reinforcing member includes a first through hole formed through the reinforcing member. The guide body includes a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction opposite to the reinforcing member, and Each of the first and second limiting portions includes a first screw, the first screw including a head portion wider than the width of the corresponding first through hole, and the first screw being arranged to pass through the first through hole to thread into the protrusion, such that a gap exists between the head portion and the reinforcing member.

18. The sheet conveying device according to claim 16 or 17, in, The reinforcing member includes a second through hole configured to pass through the reinforcing member. The guide body includes a central protrusion that protrudes in a direction opposite to the reinforcing member, and The fastening portion includes a second screw, which has a head portion that is wider than the width of the second through hole. The second screw is arranged to pass through the second through hole to thread into the central protrusion, thereby fastening the guide body and the reinforcing member when the reinforcing member is clamped between the head portion of the second screw and the central protrusion.

19. An image reading device, comprising: The sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 16 to 18; as well as The image reading section includes the transparent component and the reading portion. The sheet conveying device is a manuscript conveying device, which includes: The original manuscript support section is configured to support the original manuscript; The conveying section is configured to convey a manuscript supported on the manuscript support section; and The original manuscript support section is configured to support the original manuscript discharged from the conveying section.

20. An imaging device, comprising: The image reading device according to claim 19; as well as An imaging unit configured to form an image on a sheet.

Images