Image reading device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image reading device capable of preventing damage of a flat cable and an image reading defect by preventing interference with the flat cable when a reading section reads a document, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image reading device comprises: a housing; a reading section which moves in a predetermined direction and reads a document; a first sidewall which is provided in the housing in the same direction as the predetermined direction; and a flat cable connected with the reading section and disposed along with the first sidewall. The first sidewall includes a bent portion, which is bent so as to be recessed in an opposite direction of the reading section, in an orthogonal direction which is orthogonal to the predetermined direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Image reading devices have been disclosed in the past.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image reading device that includes a reading unit that reads an image of a document, a first cable that transmits an image signal indicating the image of the document output from the reading unit, and a second cable that transmits other signals or power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-22776 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the side of the housing of the image reading device is flat along the sub-scanning direction, and when the reading unit moves in the sub-scanning direction, the flat cable arranged along the side can bend toward the reading unit, potentially interfering with the reading unit and causing damage to the flat cable.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure aims to provide an image reading device and an image forming device that can prevent interference with a flat cable when the reading unit reads a document, and prevent damage to the flat cable and image reading errors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a device comprises a housing, a reading unit that moves in a predetermined direction to read a document, a first side wall provided on the housing in the same direction as the predetermined direction, and a flat cable connected to the reading unit and arranged along the first side wall, wherein the first side wall has a curved portion that is curved in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction so as to be concave in the opposite direction to the reading unit.

[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a reading unit is characterized by comprising a housing, a reading unit that moves in a predetermined direction to read a document, a straight first side wall provided on the housing in the same direction as the predetermined direction, a flat cable connected to the reading unit and arranged along the first side wall on the reading unit side, a second side wall provided parallel to the first side wall, downstream in the movement direction of the reading unit and on the reading unit side relative to the first side wall, and an opening formed by the first side wall and the second side wall, through which the flat cable can be inserted.

[0009] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a printing apparatus includes the image reading device described above, and an image forming section that prints an image of a document read by the image reading device on a recording sheet. Effect of the Invention

[0010] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an image reading device and an image forming apparatus that can prevent interference with the flat cable when the reading unit reads a document, and can prevent damage to the flat cable and image reading errors. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure, as viewed from the front side. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view showing the reading unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image reading device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the image reading device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the image reading device according to the first embodiment, in which the flat cable is omitted. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion VI shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion VII shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an image reading device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the image reading device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the image reading device according to the second embodiment, in which the flat cable is omitted. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion XI shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion XII shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the present disclosure described in the claims, and all of the configurations described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential as the means for solving the problems of the present disclosure.

[0013] (Image forming device) An image forming apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure as viewed from the front side. In the image forming apparatus 100, the right side of the horizontal direction as viewed from the front side is defined as +X, and the left side is defined as -X. In addition, in the depth direction as viewed from the front side, the rear side (back) of the image forming apparatus 100 is defined as the +Y direction, and the front side (front) is defined as the -Y direction. In addition, in the image forming apparatus 100, the upper side (top side) is defined as the +Z direction, and the lower side (bottom side) is defined as the -Z direction.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading device 200, an image forming apparatus main body 110, a paper discharge device 300, a paper feed device 400, and a manual feed unit 510.

[0015] An image reading device 200 is provided on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 110. The image reading device 200 is a device that reads an image of an original G. The image reading device 200 includes an original placement table 221 formed of a transparent material on which an original G is placed. An original pressing cover 223 is provided above the original placement table 221 and is attached so as to be freely opened and closed via a hinge or the like. An original supply tray 220 is provided on the upper surface of the original pressing cover 223, and an automatic feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) (not shown) is provided inside the original supply tray 220. The ADF automatically supplies the originals G placed on the original supply tray 220 to an image reading position 222 one by one.

[0016] The image reading device 200 incorporates a reading unit 210 that reads an image from an original G. As shown in Fig. 2, the reading unit 210 has a pair of light source units 21 for irradiating light onto the original G, a lens array 22 disposed between the two light source units 21, and a line sensor 23 that receives light reflected by the original G and passing through the lens array 22, and outputs an electrical signal (hereinafter referred to as an "image signal") according to the amount of received light.

[0017] The light source unit 21, the lens array 22, and the line sensor 23 each extend long in the main scanning direction (Y direction in FIG. 3) and are housed in a box-shaped housing 24 that also extends long in the main scanning direction and has a slit at the top. The reading unit 210 is attached to a base 25 that extends long in the main scanning direction. The lens array 22 is composed of a plurality of lenses arranged in a line in the main scanning direction. The line sensor 23 is composed of a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a line in the main scanning direction. The lenses of the lens array 22 and the light receiving elements of the line sensor 23 correspond one-to-one, and light that passes through the lenses is received by the light receiving elements. The reading unit 210 configured in this way scans the original in the main scanning direction.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, below the image reading device 200, a paper feed device 400 including a paper discharge device 300, a paper feed cassette 410, and a sheet supply unit 420 is provided.

[0019] The paper discharge device 300 includes the image forming apparatus main body 110, a paper discharge tray 14, a drive roller 31 and a driven roller 32 for discharging the paper.

[0020] The paper feed cassette 410 stores sheets P (paper) to be supplied to the image forming apparatus main body 110. The image forming apparatus 100 is configured so that 500 sheets P can be stored in the paper feed cassette 410. The sheets P stored in the paper feed cassette 410 are supplied to the image forming apparatus main body 110 by the sheet supply unit 420.

[0021] The sheet supply unit 420 has a pick-up roller 421, a supply roller 422, and a separation roller 423. The pick-up roller 421 is rotated to pull out the sheet P stored in the sheet feed cassette 410 from above and send it toward the supply roller 422 and the separation roller 423. The separation roller 423 is disposed at a position opposite to the supply roller 422.

[0022] For ease of explanation, FIG. 1 shows only one paper feed cassette 410 and one sheet supply section 420, but the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured with three paper feed cassettes 410 arranged in multiple tiers in the vertical direction, with each paper feed cassette 410 provided with a sheet supply section 420.

[0023] Further, on the lower right side (+XZ side) of the image forming apparatus main body 110, a manual feeding unit 510 having a sheet storage portion is provided.

[0024] The sheets P stored in the sheet feed cassette 410 of the sheet feed device 400 and the sheets P stored in the sheet storage section of the manual feed unit 510 are sent to a sheet conveying path W1 (conveying path) of the image forming apparatus main body 110 via a conveying roller 12a.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming section 102 and a sheet conveying system 103 .

[0026] The image forming unit 102 includes an exposure unit 1, a developing unit 2, a photoconductor drum 3 acting as an electrostatic latent image carrier, a cleaning unit 4, a charging device 5, a primary transfer device 6, a fixing unit 7, and a secondary transfer device 10. The image forming unit 102 records and forms an image on a sheet P conveyed from a paper feed cassette 410 or the like, and discharges the sheet to a paper discharge tray 14. The image forming unit 102 prints an image of an original document read by an image reading device onto a recording sheet.

[0027] On the other hand, the sheet transport system 103 includes a sheet transport path W1. In the sheet transport path W1, a registration roller 13, a transfer roller 10a of the secondary transfer device 10, a fixing roller 71 and a pressure roller 72 of the fixing unit 7, and a drive roller 31 are arranged from the transport roller 12a toward the paper discharge tray 14.

[0028] When an image is formed in the image forming apparatus 100, in the image forming section 102, the charging device 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 3. Furthermore, the exposure unit 1 exposes the charged surface of the photoconductor drum 3 to laser light based on image data. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum 3.

[0029] The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 3 is developed by the developing unit 2 to visualize the toner image. That is, the developing unit 2 includes a developer tank that contains toner and a developing roller that functions as a developer carrier, not shown. The developing unit 2 supplies toner to the surface of the photoconductor drum 3, and visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 with the toner.

[0030] The toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 is transferred in the primary transfer device 6 onto an intermediate transfer belt 6c that is stretched between a primary transfer device first roller 6a and a primary transfer device second roller 6b and rotates along a rotation direction E. Then, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 6c is transported to a secondary transfer device 10.

[0031] Meanwhile, the sheet P supplied from the sheet feeder 400 or the manual feed unit 510 is conveyed through the sheet conveying path W1, via conveying rollers 12a, to the registration rollers 13. Next, the sheet P is conveyed by the registration rollers 13 to the transfer rollers 10a at a timing when the sheet P and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 are aligned. Then, the toner on the photosensitive drum 3 is transferred onto the sheet P by the transfer rollers 10a. Thereafter, the sheet P passes through the fixing rollers 71 and the pressure roller 72 in the fixing unit 7, passes through the drive roller 31 and the driven roller 31, and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 14.

[0032] Furthermore, when an image is formed on the back side of the sheet P in addition to the front side, the sheet P is transported in the opposite direction from the drive roller 31 through the inverted sheet transport path W2 (transport path). This is called a switchback. In the inverted sheet transport path W2, the sheet P passes through each of the inverted transport rollers 12b provided at two locations with a predetermined interval between them, and is guided again to the registration rollers 13 in a state in which the sheet P is inverted. Then, in the same manner as on the front side of the sheet P, a toner image is formed and fixed on the back side of the sheet P. The sheet P is then discharged to the paper discharge tray 14.

[0033] After development and image transfer, toner remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a cleaning unit 4 having a cleaning blade or the like that contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 3, and is configured to remove the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 by this cleaning unit 4.

[0034] Moreover, the image forming apparatus 100 having the above-mentioned configuration includes a control unit including a CPU, a memory, etc. (not shown). The control unit is configured to transmit control signals to each part of the image forming apparatus 100 in response to input operations on an operation panel, etc., and to cause the image forming apparatus 100 to execute various operations.

[0035] Incidentally, image forming apparatus 100 is configured to include sheet feeding device 400 and manual feed unit 510. However, image forming apparatus 100 may be configured to include an external sheet feeding device, and to feed sheet P from this external sheet feeding device to sheet transport path W1.

[0036] (Image reading device according to the first embodiment) Next, the image reading device 200A according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the image reading device 200A according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the image reading device 200A according to the first embodiment. In the following drawings, X is the sub-scanning direction, Y is the main scanning direction, and Z is the height direction.

[0037] The image reading device 200A according to the first embodiment includes a housing 201, a reading unit 210, a first side wall 212, and a flat cable 214, as shown in FIGS.

[0038] The housing 201 is mainly composed of a first side surface 201a, a second side surface 201b, a third side surface 201c, a fourth side surface 201d, and a bottom surface 201e. The housing 201 has a rectangular shape.

[0039] The reading unit 210 is a member that reads an image of an original placed on a glass surface (not shown) on the upper part of the reading unit 210. The reading unit 210 is provided inside the housing 201, and moves in a predetermined direction X (sub-scanning direction) to read the original. In Figs. 3 and 4, the reading unit 210 scans on a scanning member (guide rail) 211 in a predetermined direction (X direction: sub-scanning direction) which is the moving direction. Note that the predetermined direction is the moving direction of the reading unit 210, which is the sub-scanning direction. The movement of the reading unit 210 may be performed by driving a stepping motor (not shown) or a belt connected to the reading unit 210.

[0040] The first side wall 212 is provided inside the housing 201. The first side wall 212 is a wall along which a flat cable 214 (described later) is placed.

[0041] Moreover, the first side wall 212 is provided so as to extend in the same direction as a predetermined direction in which the reading unit 210 moves. In Figures 3 and 4, since the reading unit 210 moves in the X direction (direction of the arrow), the first side wall 212 is provided so as to extend in the same X direction. The first side wall 212 is approximately parallel to the X direction in which the reading unit 210 moves, and extends in a direction along the movement direction (sub-scanning direction).

[0042] 5, the first side wall 212 has a curved portion 213 that is curved in a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the above-mentioned predetermined direction so as to be recessed in the +Y direction opposite to the reading unit 210. The curved portion 213 has a curved shape with a central portion recessed in the +Y direction in the sub-scanning direction of the first side wall 212, and is curved outside the scanning area in which the reading unit 210 moves, that is, toward the back side of the scanning area in FIG. The curved portion 213 curves and runs along the flat cable 214 described below.

[0043] The flat cable 214 is belt-shaped and has flexibility and elasticity, and one end is connected to the reading unit 210 at a connection section 215 in order to transmit an image signal of an original read by the reading unit 210. The connection section 215 is a portion where the flat cable 214 is connected to the reading unit 210, and may be a board or the like that relays the connection to a control circuit or a connector provided on the board. The flat cable 214 is disposed on the side of the reading unit 210 and along the first side wall 212. The flat cable 214 faces the side surface 210a of the reading unit 210 in the +Y direction. The other end of the flat cable 214 is connected to an A / D converter or the like (not shown).

[0044] When the reading unit 210 scans in the X direction (direction of the arrow: sub-scanning direction), because the flat cable 214 is connected to the reading unit 210 at the connection portion 215, the flat cable 214 moves in the X direction around the connection portion 215 of the flat cable 214. At this time, the flat cable 214 is arranged along the first side wall 212, but if the first side wall 212 does not have the curved portion 213 and is straight, as the reading unit 210 scans in the X direction, the flat cable 214 curves towards the reading unit 210 and moves away from the first side wall 212, and gets entangled in the reading unit 210 and interferes with it, which ultimately causes damage to the flat cable 214 and failure to read images.

[0045] Therefore, the image reading device 200A according to the first embodiment has the curved portion 213 on the first side wall 212, so that even if the reading unit 210 scans in the X direction, the stress of the flat cable 214 acts in the +Y direction, which is the opposite direction to the reading unit 210, and the flat cable 214 curves in the +Y direction along the curved portion 213 on the first side wall 212. This prevents the flat cable 214 from getting entangled with the reading unit 210 and interfering with it, and thus prevents damage to the flat cable 214 and image reading failure.

[0046] Moreover, it is preferable that the flat cable 214 is formed in an arc shape on the upstream side of the reading unit 210 with respect to the above-mentioned predetermined direction. In other words, the flat cable 214 has an arc portion 216 immediately downstream of the connection portion 215 in the sub-scanning direction. The arc portion 216 does not contact the first side wall 212. In this way, the stress of the flat cable 214 is more likely to act in the +Y direction, which is the opposite direction to the reading unit 210, and the flat cable 214 can be more effectively prevented from being entangled with the reading unit 210 and interfering with it.

[0047] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion VI shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 6, the image reading device 200A according to the first embodiment includes a second side wall 217 and an opening 218.

[0048] The second side wall 217 is provided substantially parallel to the first side wall 212 (i.e., extends in the direction along the movement direction (sub-scanning direction) like the first side wall 212), downstream of the reading unit 210 in the sub-scanning direction, and on the reading unit 210 side with respect to the first side wall 212. The second side wall 217 is provided on the -Y side (the scanning area side where the reading unit moves) of the first side wall 212 in the X direction. In FIG. 6, the second side wall 217 is provided on the reading unit 210 side of the first side wall 212 in the -Y direction. That is, it can be said that the second side wall 217 is provided between the first side wall 212 and the reading unit 210 in the main scanning direction Y.

[0049] The opening 218 is provided between the first side wall 212 and the second side wall 217, and allows the flat cable 214 to pass through. The opening 218 is defined by the tips of the first side wall 212 and the second side wall 217. Although the flat cable 214 passes through the opening 218, it is omitted in FIG. 6 for the sake of convenience.

[0050] The second side wall 217 has a guide portion 219 at a tip end of the second side wall 217, which extends toward the first side wall 212 and regulates the flat cable 214 to follow the first side wall 212. The regulating guide portion 219 extends at an incline toward the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction. In this way, the flat cable 214 is regulated to follow the first side wall 212, so that the flat cable 214 can follow the curved portion 213 of the first side wall 212 more easily, which further prevents interference with the flat cable 214 and prevents damage to the flat cable 214 and image reading errors.

[0051] Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion VII shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 shows a flat cable 214. The flat cable 214 is fixed by two ribs 230 and 231 as shown in Fig. 7.

[0052] (Image reading device according to the second embodiment) Next, an image reading device 200B according to the second embodiment will be described. In the image reading device 200B according to the second embodiment, the first side wall 212 is linear and does not have a curved portion 213. This will be described in detail below.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an image reading device 200B according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view of an image reading device 200B according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view of an image reading device according to the second embodiment, omitting the flat cable. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion XI shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, the image reading device 200B according to the second embodiment includes a housing 201, a reading unit 210, a first side wall 212, a flat cable 214, a second side wall 217, and an opening 218.

[0054] The housing 201, the reading unit 210, and the flat cable 214 are as described above in detail.

[0055] 10, the first side wall 212 is linear and does not have a curved portion 213. The first side wall 212 is provided in the same direction as the direction in which the reading unit 210 moves.

[0056] The second side wall 217 is provided parallel to the first side wall 212, downstream in the movement direction (sub-scanning direction) of the reading unit 210, and on the reading unit 210 side relative to the first side wall 212, i.e., on the scanning area side where the reading unit moves. Furthermore, it can be said that the second side wall 217 is provided between the first side wall 212 and the reading unit 210 in the main scanning direction Y.

[0057] 11, the opening 218 is defined by the first side wall 212 and the second side wall 217. The flat cable 214 is inserted through the opening 218. Although the flat cable 214 is inserted through the opening 218, the flat cable 214 is omitted from FIG. 11 for the sake of convenience.

[0058] 11, the second side wall 217 has a guide portion 219 at the tip of the second side wall 217, which extends toward the first side wall 212 and regulates the flat cable 214 along the first side wall 212. The regulating guide portion 219 extends at an angle toward the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction.

[0059] In this way, by having a straight first side wall 212 and guide portion 219, the flat cable 214 can be aligned along the first side wall 212, thereby preventing interference with the flat cable 214 when the reading portion 210 reads an original document, and preventing damage to the flat cable 214 and image reading errors.

[0060] 11, a restricting portion 212a may be provided that is approximately parallel to the guide portion 219. The restricting portion 212a is provided on the second side wall 217 side, at the tip of the first side wall 212, and extends in the -Y direction toward the second side wall 217. The restricting portion 212a restricts the flat cable 214 in the direction of the second side wall 217. In this way, interference with the flat cable 214 when the reading unit 210 reads an original can be further prevented, and damage to the flat cable 214 and image reading errors can be prevented.

[0061] It is preferable that the distance L between the tip 219a of the guide portion 219 and the surface 212b of the first side wall is greater than the thickness of the flat cable. This makes it easier to regulate the guide portion 219 so that it follows the first side wall 212 side, which further prevents interference with the flat cable 214 when the reading portion 210 reads an original, thereby preventing damage to the flat cable 214 and image reading failure. Note that the distance L of the guide portion 219 toward the first side wall 212 is the distance from the side surface of the second side wall 217 in the -Y direction to the tip of the guide portion 219. Also, the thickness of the flat cable 214 refers to the length (thickness) of the flat cable 214 in the Y direction in the plan view shown in FIG. 9 etc.

[0062] Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion XII shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 12 shows a flat cable 214. As shown in Fig. 12, the flat cable 214 is fixed by two ribs 230 and 231.

[0063] As described above, the image reading device 200 and image forming device 100 according to the present disclosure can prevent interference between the reading unit 210 and the flat cable 214 when reading an original document, thereby preventing damage to the flat cable 214 and image reading errors.

[0064] In a given direction, the first side wall 212 may be curved entirely or only a portion of the first side wall 212 (e.g., the central portion of the first side wall 212, or the region from the central portion of the first side wall 212 to the downstream end thereof, or the region where the flat cable 214 contacts the first side wall 212).

[0065] Although each embodiment and each example of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel features and effects of the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0066] For example, a term described at least once in the specification or drawings together with a different term having a broader or similar meaning may be replaced with the different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. In addition, the configurations and operations of the image reading device and the image forming device are not limited to those described in the embodiments and examples of the present disclosure, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 exposure unit, 2 development unit, 3 photoconductor drum, 4 cleaning unit, 5 charging device, 6 primary transfer device, 6a primary transfer device first roller, 6b primary transfer device second roller, 6c intermediate transfer belt, 7 fixing unit, 10 secondary transfer device, 10a transfer roller, 12a transport roller, 12b reverse transport roller, 13 registration roller, 14 paper output tray, 21 light source unit, 22 lens array, 23 line sensor, 24 housing, 25 base, 31 driving roller, 32 driven roller, 71 fixing roller, 72 pressure roller, 100 image forming apparatus, 102 image forming section, 103 sheet conveying system, 110 image forming apparatus main body section, 200, 200A, 200B: image reading device; 201: housing; 201a: first side; 201b: second side; 201c: third side; 201d: fourth side; 201e: bottom; 210 reading unit, 210a (reading unit) side, 211: scanning member; 212: first side wall; 212a: restricting portion; 212b: surface of first side wall; 213: curved portion; 214: flat cable; 215: connecting portion; 216: arc portion; 217: second side wall; 218: opening; 219: guide portion; 219a: tip of guide portion; 220 document supply tray, 221 document placement table, 222 image reading position, 223 document pressing cover, 230, 231 Libs, 300 paper ejection device, 400: paper feed device; 410: paper feed cassette; 420: sheet feed section; 421: pick-up roller; 422: feed roller; 423: separation roller; 510 Manual feed unit, G: original, L: distance between the tip of the guide and the surface of the first side wall, P: sheet, W1: sheet transport path, W2: reverse sheet transport path

Claims

1. A housing and a reading unit that moves in a predetermined direction to read a document; a first side wall provided on the housing in the same direction as the predetermined direction; a flat cable connected to the reading unit and disposed along the first side wall; Equipped with The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the first side wall has a curved portion that is curved in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction so as to be recessed in a direction opposite to the reading portion.

2. A housing and a reading unit that moves in a predetermined direction to read a document; a linear first side wall provided on the housing in the same direction as the predetermined direction; a flat cable connected to the reading unit and disposed along the first side wall; a second side wall provided in parallel with the first side wall, downstream in the moving direction of the reading unit and closer to the reading unit than the first side wall; an opening formed by the first side wall and the second side wall, through which the flat cable is inserted; An image reading device comprising:

3. a second side wall provided along the first side wall, downstream in the moving direction of the reading unit and closer to the reading unit than the first side wall; an opening provided between the first side wall and the second side wall, through which the flat cable is inserted; Further equipped with 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the second side wall has a guide portion at a tip of the second side wall extending toward the first side wall and regulating the flat cable to follow the first side wall.

4. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein the second side wall has a guide portion at a tip of the second side wall extending toward the first side wall and regulating the flat cable to follow the first side wall.

5. 5. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein a distance between the tip of the guide portion and a surface of the first side wall is greater than a thickness of the flat cable.

6. 3. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the flat cable is formed in an arc shape on an upstream side of the reading unit in the predetermined direction.

7. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2, an image forming section for printing an image of the document read by the image reading device on a recording sheet; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images