Image reading device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image reading device that has improved the quality of a read image and operability at the occurrence of paper jam.SOLUTION: An image reading device 100 comprises a mounting table including a mounting surface, and a body part 120 openable and closable relative to the mounting table. The body part 120 has a document conveyance path 125, a pressing plate 128 pressing a document on the mounting surface toward the mounting table, a movable part 127 defining part of the conveyance path 125 and forming part of an undersurface 120a of the body part 120 in a first state where it is arranged at a first position, and moving away from the conveyance path 125 to expose the part of the conveyance path 125 in a second state where it is arranged at a second position, and a switching mechanism switching between the first state and the second state. The pressing plate 128 covers an undersurface 127a of the movable part 127 in the first state. The body part 120 is provided with an interlocking mechanism moving the pressing plate 128 in a direction to moving it away from the movable part 127 in conjunction with the switching from the first state to the second state performed by the switching mechanism.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device and an image forming apparatus including the image reading device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines are widely used that are equipped with an image reading device that includes a placement table having a placement surface on which an original is placed and an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) that is attached to the placement table so as to be able to open and close. This image reading device is configured to be switchable between a first reading mode in which the original is read as an image by moving the original relative to a stopped reading unit, and a second reading mode in which the original is read as an image by moving the reading unit relative to the stopped original.

[0003] In order to improve the quality of the scanned image in the second scanning mode, it is important to make the document tightly attached to the surface. If the document is read while floating above the surface, the density of the image will change in the floating part, which will be judged as a shadow, resulting in background fogging in the scanned image.

[0004] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-309968 (Patent Document 1) discloses an image reading device having a pressure plate that is detachably attached to the underside of the ADF using double-sided tape. In this image reading device, the document placed on the placement surface is pressed toward the placement table by the pressure plate, thereby effectively preventing the document from floating up from the placement surface.

[0005] On the other hand, the image reading device is also required to be configured so that when a jam occurs in the transport path of the document in the first reading mode, the jam can be resolved. For this reason, in some image reading devices, a movable part is attached to the ADF, the upper surface of which defines a part of the transport path and the lower surface of which constitutes a part of the lower surface of the ADF. When a jam occurs, the movable part is moved away from the part of the transport path to expose the part of the transport path to the outside. This makes it possible to resolve the jam by pulling out the document from the exposed part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-309968 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Here, if a pressure plate of the image reading device disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is further attached to the ADF to which the movable part is attached as described above, the lower surface of the movable part will be covered by the pressure plate. Therefore, when a jam occurs, it is necessary to first remove the pressure plate from the ADF, and then move the movable part, which can cause a problem of complicated operations.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide an image reading device that improves the quality of read images and improves operability when a jam occurs, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The image reading device according to the present invention is configured to be switchable between a first reading mode in which the original is read as an image by the original moving relative to a stopped reading unit, and a second reading mode in which the original is read as an image by the reading unit moving relative to the stopped original, and is equipped with a placement stand having an upper surface including an opposing surface that faces the moving original in the first reading mode and a placement surface on which the original is placed in the second reading mode, and in which the reading unit is movably arranged, and a main body portion that is attached to the placement stand so as to be able to open and close, and which opens the upper surface of the placement stand in the open state, and covers the upper surface of the placement stand with its underside in the closed state. The main body has a transport path along which the original moves when the original is transported in the first reading mode, a pressing plate located on the lower surface of the main body and pressing the original placed on the placement surface toward the placement table in the second reading mode, a movable part that defines a part of the transport path with its upper surface and constitutes a part of the lower surface of the main body with its lower surface in a first state where the main body is placed at a first position, and that exposes the part of the transport path to the outside by moving away from the transport path from the first position in a second state where the main body is placed at a second position, and a switching mechanism that switches between the first state and the second state. The movable part is placed at the first position in the first reading mode, and can be placed at the second position in the open state. The pressing plate covers the lower surface of the movable part in the first state. In the image reading device based on the present invention, a linkage mechanism is provided in the main body portion which moves the pressure plate in a direction relatively away from the movable portion in response to switching from the first state to the second state by the switching mechanism. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading device that improves the quality of read images and improves operability when a jam occurs, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus in an embodiment when an image reading device is in a closed state. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus in an open state of an image reading device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic front view of a movable portion of the image reading device shown in FIG. 1 in a first state. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic front view of the movable part of the image reading device shown in FIG. 2 in a second state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the image forming apparatus and image reading apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described by taking as an example a multi-functional peripheral (MFP) having multiple functions such as a copy function, a scan function, and a print function, and an image reading apparatus equipped therewith. In the following embodiments, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0013] (Embodiment) 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views of an image forming apparatus in an embodiment in which an image reading device is in a closed state and an image reading device is in an open state, respectively. First, a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0014] 1 and 2, image forming apparatus 1 includes control unit 10, image forming unit 20, paper feed unit 30, operation panel 40, and image reading device 100. Control unit 10, image forming unit 20, and paper feed unit 30 are disposed inside image forming apparatus 1. Operation panel 40 is attached to the outer surface of image forming apparatus 1. Image reading device 100 is located at the top of image forming apparatus 1.

[0015] The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a communication I / F unit, and an image data storage unit. The CPU, the ROM, the RAM, the communication I / F unit, and the image data storage unit are each connected to each other so as to enable data linkage with each other.

[0016] The CPU controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The ROM stores the control program executed by the CPU. The RAM is a working memory for the CPU. The communication I / F unit transmits and receives various information to and from external devices (not shown) via a network or the like. The image data storage unit stores image data and the like read by a reading unit 116 of the image reading device 100 (described later) or the like.

[0017] The control program executed by the CPU may be provided not as a standalone program, but as a part of an arbitrary program as a module. In that case, the control process in this embodiment is realized in cooperation with the arbitrary program. In addition, some or all of the functions provided by the control program may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0018] The image forming unit 20 is composed of a toner image forming unit, a fixing device, etc. The image forming unit 20 forms an image on a sheet of paper as a recording medium based on the image of the document P read by the reading unit 116, etc.

[0019] The image forming unit 20 forms an image on paper by, for example, an electrophotographic method. More specifically, the image forming unit 20 can combine four-color images by a so-called tandem method to form a color image on paper.

[0020] The toner image forming unit is composed of a photoconductor provided for each color of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), an intermediate transfer belt onto which the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor (i.e., primary transfer), and a transfer unit which transfers the image from the intermediate transfer belt onto paper (i.e., secondary transfer).

[0021] The fixing device has a heating roller and a pressure roller. The fixing device conveys a sheet of paper on which a toner image has been formed, while sandwiching the sheet between the heating roller and the pressure roller, and applies heat and pressure to the sheet. In this way, the fixing device can form an image on the sheet by melting the toner adhering to the sheet and fixing it to the sheet.

[0022] The paper feed unit 30 is composed of a paper feed roller, a transport roller, and a motor for driving these. The paper feed unit 30 feeds paper from a paper feed cassette and transports the paper inside the housing of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper feed unit 30 ejects the paper on which an image has been formed from the image forming apparatus 1 to a paper ejection unit. The operation panel 40 displays various information and accepts various operations.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the movable part of the image reading device shown in Fig. 1 in a first state. Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the movable part of the image reading device shown in Fig. 2 in a second state. Next, the configuration of image reading device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4 and the above-mentioned Figs. 1 and 2.

[0024] 3 and 4, a part of the image reading device 100 is shown in a see-through manner to facilitate understanding of the internal configuration of the image reading device 100. Fig. 3 shows the image reading device 100 in a closed state, while Fig. 4 shows the image reading device 100 in an open state.

[0025] 1 to 4, the left and right directions when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front are referred to as the X1 and X2 directions, respectively, and a direction coinciding with the X1 and X2 directions is also referred to as the X-axis direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the front and rear directions when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front are referred to as the Y1 and Y2 directions, respectively, and a direction coinciding with the Y1 and Y2 directions is also referred to as the Y-axis direction.

[0026] The image reading device 100 of this embodiment is configured to be switchable between a first reading mode in which the original P is read as an image by moving the original P relative to a stopped reading unit 116 described below, and a second reading mode in which the original P is read as an image by moving the reading unit 116 relative to the stopped original P.

[0027] 1 to 4, the image reading device 100 includes a mounting table 110 and a main body section 120 that is openably and closably attached to the mounting table 110. The main body section 120 is a so-called ADF.

[0028] The upper surface 111 of the placement table 110 includes an opposing surface 111a and a placement surface 111b. The opposing surface 111a is a surface that faces the moving original P in the first reading mode. The placement surface 111b is a surface on which the original P is placed in the second reading mode. The opposing surface 111a and the placement surface 111b are formed of, for example, platen glass or the like.

[0029] A light source unit 112, an image sensor 113, an imaging lens 114, and a group of mirrors 115 are provided inside the mounting table 110.

[0030] Light source unit 112 irradiates light onto original P. Image sensor 113 photoelectrically converts the light reflected from original P into image data. Imaging lens 114 forms an image of the reflected light on image sensor 113. Mirror group 115 sequentially reflects the light reflected from original P and makes it incident on imaging lens 114. Reading unit 116, which is constituted by light source unit 112 and a part of mirror group 115, is configured to be movable in the X-axis direction.

[0031] When light is applied to the reading position of the original P by the light source unit 112, the reflected light is imaged on the image sensor 113 via the mirror group 115 and the imaging lens 114. The image sensor 113 generates an image signal (RGB signal) corresponding to the image of the original P by performing photoelectric conversion for each pixel according to the intensity of the reflected light.

[0032] In the image reading device 100, in the second reading mode, the reading unit 116 moves relative to the document P placed on the placement surface 111b, whereby the document P is read as an image.

[0033] The main body 120 exposes the upper surface 111 of the mounting table 110 in the open state (see FIG. 2), and covers the upper surface 111 of the mounting table 110 with its lower surface 120a in the closed state (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

[0034] The main body 120 has a paper feed port 121 through which the document P is supplied, a paper discharge port 122 through which the document P is discharged, a paper feed tray 123, a paper discharge tray 124, a transport path 125, and a back-side reading unit 126.

[0035] The paper feed tray 123 is for setting the original P to be supplied to the paper feed port 121. The paper feed tray 123 is disposed adjacent to the paper feed port 121. The paper discharge tray 124 is for placing the original P discharged from the paper discharge port 122. The paper discharge tray 124 is disposed at a position lower than the paper discharge port 122.

[0036] In the first reading mode, the document P is transported along the transport path 125, whereby the document P moves. The transport path 125 connects the paper feed opening 121 and the paper discharge opening 122.

[0037] In the image reading device 100, in the first reading mode, the document P is read as an image by moving the document P on the transport path 125 relative to the reading unit 116 stopped at a position below the opposing surface 111a of the placement table 110. At this time, the back surface reading unit 126 provided inside the main body 120 so as to be aligned along a part of the transport path 125 reads as an image the main surface of the document P on the side not read by the reading unit 116, etc.

[0038] The document P is transported on a transport path 125 by a plurality of rollers provided inside the main body 120. The plurality of rollers are driven by a drive unit (not shown) such as a motor.

[0039] The main body 120 further has a movable part 127 attached to its lower part, the movable part 127 being generally wedge-shaped when viewed from the front. The dimension of the movable part 127 in the Y-axis direction is configured to be slightly smaller than the dimension of the main body 120 in the Y-axis direction. As will be described later, the movable part 127 is used to resolve a jam in the first reading mode. Note that the shape of the movable part 127 when viewed from the front is not particularly limited to a generally wedge shape, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0040] The movable part 127 includes a support shaft 127s extending along the Y-axis direction at the end on the X2 direction side. Both ends of the support shaft 127s in the axial direction (i.e., the Y-axis direction) are rotatably held by a chassis (not shown) of the main body part 120. This allows the movable part 127 to rotate around the support shaft 127s.

[0041] Movable part 127 includes hook-shaped locking part 127b1 protruding from a part of upper surface 127b. Locking part 127b1 is locked to groove-shaped locked part 120a1 provided on lower surface 120a of main body part 120 at a part located opposite locking part 127b1 in a first state described later. Locked part 120a1 is not limited to being formed of a groove-shaped part, and may be configured to be locked by locking part 120a1.

[0042] A lever (not shown) is attached to the locking portion 127b1. A user can operate this lever to lock or release the locking portion 127b1 to or from the locked portion 120a1.

[0043] The movable portion 127 thus configured is disposed at a first position in the first reading mode, and can be disposed at a second position in the open state.

[0044] More specifically, in the first reading mode, the movable part 127 is in a first state in which it is disposed at a first position because the locking part 127b1 is locked to the locked part 120a1 (see FIG. 3). In the first state, the movable part 127 defines a part of the transport path 125 with its upper surface 127b, and forms a part of the lower surface 120a of the main body part 120 with its lower surface 127a.

[0045] In addition, when the movable part 127 is in the open state, the engagement of the engaging part 127b1 with the engaged part 120a1 is released, so that the movable part 127 is in the second state in which it is disposed at the second position (see FIG. 4). In the second state, the movable part 127 is farther from the conveying path 125 than in the first position, so that the part of the conveying path 125 is exposed to the outside.

[0046] In this manner, locking portion 127b1 and locked portion 120a1 constitute a switching mechanism that switches movable portion 127 between a first state and a second state by switching between an locked state in which they are locked and a released state in which they are released from the lock.

[0047] The main body 120 further includes a thin pressing plate 128 located on the lower surface 120a side of the main body 120.

[0048] In the first state, the left end portion, which is the end portion on the X1 direction side of pressing plate 128, covers underside 127a of movable part 127. Also, in the first state, the portion of pressing plate 128 other than the left end portion covers most of underside 120a of main body part 120 other than the portion formed by underside 127a of movable part 127.

[0049] In the second reading mode, the pressing plate 128 presses the document P placed on the placement surface 111b toward the placement table 110. This prevents the document P from floating up from the placement surface 111b, thereby improving the quality of the read image in the second reading mode.

[0050] The material of the pressure plate 128 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the pressure plate 128 is made of a rigid body made of a resin material or the like. This allows the image reading device 100 to be lighter, and the pressure plate 128 can press the document P with a more uniform pressure across the entire surface compared to a case where the pressure plate 128 is made of a soft material.

[0051] A first connecting portion 128f stands upward from the left end portion of the pressing plate 128. The first connecting portion 128f is provided with a first through hole 128f1 through which a second pin 129b2 (described later) is inserted.

[0052] The vertical dimension of the first through hole 128f1 is configured to be larger than the vertical dimension of the second pin 129b2, whereby the first through hole 128f1 constitutes a floating mechanism, which will be described later.

[0053] The movable part 127 and the first connecting part 128f are connected to each other by a link mechanism 129. More specifically, the link mechanism 129 has a link part 129a including a first end and a second end, a first pin 129b1, and a second pin 129b2. The link part 129a is connected to the movable part 127 via the first pin 129b1 at the first end, and is connected to the first connecting part 128f via the second pin 129b2 at the second end.

[0054] A second connecting portion 128g is provided in an upward direction from the right end portion, which is the end portion on the X2 direction side of the pressing plate 128. A second through hole 128g1 having an elongated hole shape extending along the vertical direction is provided in the second connecting portion 128g. The pressing plate 128 is fixed to the main body portion 120 via a third pin 128b inserted into the second through hole 128g1. As a result, the fixing mechanism formed by the second connecting portion 128g and the third pin 128b fixes the pressing plate 128 to the main body portion 120 so as to be rotatable about the third pin 128b as the center of rotation.

[0055] The elongated second through hole 128g1 of the second connecting portion 128g, together with the first through hole 128f1 of the first connecting portion 128f described above, constitute a floating mechanism that enables the pressure plate 128 to move in the normal direction (i.e., the vertical direction) of the mounting surface 111b in the closed state.

[0056] As a result, even if the main body 120 as a whole is warped, the relative vertical position of the pressing plate 128 with respect to the placement surface 111b and the document P placed thereon can be kept constant. This makes it possible to improve the quality of the read image in the second reading mode.

[0057] In the image reading device 100 having the movable part 127 and the pressing plate 128 configured as described above, when a jam occurs in the first reading mode, the image reading device 100 is first set to the open state (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

[0058] Next, the switching mechanism formed by the locking portion 127b1 and the locked portion 120a1 is switched from the locked state to the released state. This switching is performed, for example, by the user operating a lever attached to the locking portion 127b1.

[0059] As a result, the movable portion 127, which is configured to be rotatable relative to the main body portion 120 around the support shaft 127s as a rotation center, moves in a direction away from the conveying path 125 (that is, downward) due to its own weight.

[0060] 4, pressing plate 128 connected to movable part 127 via link mechanism 129 moves in conjunction with the movement of movable part 127. More specifically, pressing plate 128 rotates with respect to main body part 120 around third pin 128b as the center of rotation. As a result, the left end of pressing plate 128 moves in a direction relatively away from movable part 127.

[0061] In this way, the movable part 127 and the pressing plate 128 move to the second state in which the movable part 127 is disposed at the second position, and a part of the conveying path 125 defined by the upper surface 127b of the movable part 127 in the first state is exposed to the outside. The jam can be eliminated by pulling out the document P from this exposed part of the conveying path 125.

[0062] Thus, in the image reading device 100 of this embodiment, the link mechanism 129 connecting the movable part 127 and the pressure plate 128 to each other, and the fixing mechanism composed of the second connecting part 128g and the third pin 128b and fixing the pressure plate 128 rotatably to the main body part 120 constitute a linkage mechanism that moves the pressure plate 128 in a direction away from the movable part 127 in conjunction with the switching of the movable part 127 from the first state to the second state by the switching mechanism.

[0063] Here, as described above, in order to resolve a jam in the first reading mode, it is necessary to expose a part of the conveying path 125 defined by the upper surface 127b of the movable part 127 in the first state to the outside. In this case, in this embodiment, since the main body part 120 has the above-mentioned interlocking mechanism, it is possible to move the movable part 127 in the first state and the pressing plate 128 covering the lower surface 127a of the movable part 127 in the first state in a direction away from the conveying path 125 simply by operating the switching mechanism. As a result, it is possible to significantly improve operability when a jam occurs.

[0064] In the image reading device 100 according to the present embodiment, the main body 120 has a pressing plate 128 capable of suppressing the lifting of the document P from the placement surface 111b in the second reading mode. By configuring in this manner, it is possible to improve the quality of the read image in the second reading mode.

[0065] Therefore, by using the image reading device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the quality of the read image and the operability when a jam occurs.

[0066] In the image reading device 100 according to the present embodiment described above, the movable part has the locking part and the main body part has the locked part, but the main body part may have the locking part and the movable part may have the locked part. The specific configuration of the locking part and the locked part is not particularly limited to the configuration in the image reading device 100 according to the present embodiment described above (i.e., the configuration consisting of a hook-shaped locking part and a groove-shaped locked part), and can be changed as appropriate.

[0067] In the image reading device 100 according to the present embodiment described above, the first connecting portion 128f stands upright from the pressing plate 128, and the first connecting portion 128f and the movable portion 127 are connected to each other by the link mechanism 129. However, the first connecting portion 128f does not necessarily have to be provided on the pressing plate 128. For example, the pressing plate 128 may be connected to the movable portion 127 by the link mechanism 129 by providing a groove portion capable of receiving the second pin 129b2 on the end face in the Y-axis direction at the left end portion of the pressing plate 128.

[0068] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the fixing mechanism that rotatably fixes the pressure plate 128 to the main body 120 is not particularly limited to the configuration in the image reading device 100 according to the present embodiment described above (i.e., the configuration consisting of the second connecting portion 128g and the third pin 128b), and can be modified as appropriate. For example, in a configuration in which the second connecting portion 128g is not provided on the pressure plate 128, a support shaft may be provided on the right end of the pressure plate 128, and both ends of the support shaft may be rotatably held by the chassis of the main body 120. In this case, the support shaft constitutes the fixing mechanism.

[0069] Moreover, the specific configuration of link mechanism 129 connecting movable part 127 and pressure plate 128 to each other is not particularly limited to the configuration in image reading device 100 according to the present embodiment described above (i.e., the configuration consisting of link part 129a, first pin 129b1, and second pin 129b2), and can be changed as appropriate. That is, as long as link mechanism 129 can move pressure plate 128 covering movable part 127 in a direction relatively away from movable part 127 as movable part 127 moves from the first position to the second position, the shape and material of each part constituting link mechanism 129, the position at which each part is provided, the number, etc. can be changed in various ways.

[0070] (Additional Note) The characteristic configurations of the image reading device and image forming device disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be summarized as follows.

[0071] [Appendix 1] An image reading device that is switchable between a first reading mode in which a document is read as an image by moving the document relative to a stopped reading unit, and a second reading mode in which the document is read as an image by moving the reading unit relative to a stopped document, a placement table having an upper surface including a facing surface that faces the moving document in the first reading mode and a placement surface on which the document is placed in the second reading mode, and in which the reading unit is movably provided inside; a main body portion that is attached to the placement table so as to be openable and closable, exposing the upper surface of the placement table in an open state, and covering the upper surface of the placement table with its underside in a closed state; The main body portion is a transport path through which the document moves as the document is transported in the first reading mode; a pressing plate located on the lower surface side of the main body portion and configured to press the document placed on the document placement surface toward the document placement table in the second reading mode; a movable part that, in a first state where the movable part is disposed at a first position, defines a part of the transport path with its upper surface and constitutes a part of the lower surface of the main body with its lower surface, and that, in a second state where the movable part is disposed at a second position, moves away from the transport path relative to the first position, thereby exposing the part of the transport path to the outside; a switching mechanism for switching between the first state and the second state, the movable portion is disposed at the first position in the first reading mode and is disposable at the second position in the open state; the pressing plate covers the lower surface of the movable part in the first state, An image reading device, wherein the main body portion is provided with a linkage mechanism that moves the pressure plate in a direction relatively away from the movable portion in response to switching from the first state to the second state by the switching mechanism.

[0072] [Appendix 2] The above-mentioned interlocking mechanism is a fixing mechanism that rotatably fixes one end of the pressing plate to the main body; 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a link mechanism that connects the pressing plate and the movable part to each other.

[0073] [Appendix 3] The image reading device described in Appendix 2, wherein the link mechanism includes a link portion having a first end and a second end, connected to the other end of the pressure plate at the first end and connected to the movable portion at the second end.

[0074] [Appendix 4] 4. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the main body further has a floating mechanism that enables the pressure plate to move in a normal direction to the placement surface in the closed state.

[0075] [Appendix 5] 5. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure plate is made of resin.

[0076] [Appendix 6] An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium based on the image of the original document read by the reading section;

[0077] (Other forms, etc.) The shape, configuration, size, number, material, and the like of each part shown in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0078] Furthermore, the characteristic configurations shown in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention can naturally be combined with each other without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0079] As such, the above-described embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 image forming apparatus, 10 control section, 20 image forming section, 30 paper feed section, 40 operation panel, 100 image reading device, 110 placement table, 111 upper surface, 111a opposing surface, 111b placement surface, 112 light source section, 113 image sensor, 114 imaging lens, 115 mirror group, 116 reading section, 120 main body section, 120a lower surface, 120a1 latched section, 121 paper feed port, 122 paper discharge port, 123 paper feed tray, 124 paper discharge tray, 125 transport path, 126 reverse side reading unit, 127 movable section, 127a lower surface, 127b upper surface, 127b1 latch section, 127s support shaft, 128 pressure plate, 128b third pin, 128f First connecting portion, 128f1 first through hole, 128g second connecting portion, 128g1 second through hole, 129 link mechanism, 129a link portion, 129b1 first pin, 129b2 second pin, P manuscript.

Claims

1. An image reading device that is switchable between a first reading mode in which a document is read as an image by moving the document relative to a stopped reading unit, and a second reading mode in which the document is read as an image by moving the reading unit relative to a stopped document, a placement table having an upper surface including an opposing surface that faces a moving document in the first reading mode and a placement surface on which a document is placed in the second reading mode, and in which the reading unit is movably provided inside; a main body portion that is attached to the mounting table so as to be openable and closable, the main body portion exposing the upper surface of the mounting table in an open state and covering the upper surface of the mounting table with its lower surface in a closed state; The main body portion is a transport path through which the document moves as the document is transported in the first reading mode; a pressing plate located on the lower surface side of the main body portion and configured to press the document placed on the placement surface toward the placement table in the second reading mode; a movable part that, in a first state where the movable part is disposed at a first position, defines a part of the transport path with its upper surface and constitutes a part of the lower surface of the main body with its lower surface, and that, in a second state where the movable part is disposed at a second position, moves away from the transport path relative to the first position, thereby exposing the part of the transport path to the outside; a switching mechanism that switches between the first state and the second state, the movable portion is disposed at the first position in the first reading mode and is disposed at the second position in the open state; the pressing plate covers the lower surface of the movable portion in the first state, An image reading device, wherein a linkage mechanism is provided in the main body portion, which moves the pressure plate in a direction relatively away from the movable portion in response to switching from the first state to the second state by the switching mechanism.

2. The interlocking mechanism is a fixing mechanism that rotatably fixes one end of the pressing plate to the main body; 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a link mechanism connecting said pressing plate and said movable portion to each other.

3. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein the link mechanism includes a link portion having a first end and a second end, the link portion being connected to the other end of the pressure plate at the first end and connected to the movable portion at the second end.

4. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises a floating mechanism that enables the pressing plate to move in a normal direction to the placement surface in the closed state.

5. The image reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure plate is made of resin.

6. An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium based on the image of the original document read by the reading section;

Images