Document conveying device, image reading device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a document conveying device that can reduce stress applied to a cable along with the rise and fall of a supply tray.SOLUTION: A document conveying device 16 conveys a document placed on a supply tray 34 toward an ejection tray 35. The document conveying device 16 comprises: a support frame 40 that supports the supply tray 34 so as to allow it to move up and down; a cable 47 that electrically connects document presence detection sensor and the like (first connection parts) provided on the supply tray 34 and an electric board 48 (second connection part) provided on the support frame 40 to each other; and a line processing member 61 that is provided suspended from the supply tray 34 and accommodates the intermediate part 47A of the cable 47 in a bent state. The intermediate part 47A of the cable 47 is maintained in the bent state inside the line processing member 61 that moves up and down with the supply tray 34. The line processing member 61 has a curved surface part 66 that is curved to swell downward along the bend of the cable 47.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a document conveying device, an image reading device, and an image forming device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a sheet conveying device that conveys a sheet (document) loaded on a supply tray toward a discharge tray disposed below the supply tray (Patent Document 1). The sheet conveying device rotates around a rotation fulcrum axis with respect to an optical reading unit. An electric cable connecting the sheet conveying device and the optical reading unit is supported by two fixing portions provided parallel to the rotation fulcrum axis, and the electric cable between the two fixing portions forms a curved portion. The twisting of the electric cable caused by the opening and closing of the sheet conveying device is absorbed by the curved portion and the two fixing portions, and the stress on the electric cable is reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the sheet conveying device, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence and size of a sheet may be provided on the supply tray, and an electric substrate connected to the sensor via a cable may be provided on a frame that supports the supply tray. Further, in the sheet conveying device, the supply tray may be supported by the frame so as to be movable up and down in order to increase the number of sheets that can be stacked on the supply tray and the discharge tray. In the above-described technology, it is not possible to reduce the stress acting on the cable when the supply tray moves up and down.

[0005] The present invention provides a document conveying device, an image reading device, and an image forming device that can reduce the stress on a cable as the supply tray moves up and down, taking the above circumstances into consideration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a document conveying device that conveys a document stacked on a supply tray toward a discharge tray disposed below the supply tray, comprising: a support frame that supports the supply tray so as to be movable up and down; a cable that electrically connects a first connection portion provided on the supply tray and a second connection portion provided on the support frame; and a wire processing member that is provided so as to hang down from the supply tray and houses an intermediate portion of the cable in a bent state. The intermediate portion of the cable maintains its bend inside the wire processing member that moves up and down together with the supply tray, and the wire processing member has a curved surface portion that curves so as to bulge downward along the bend of the cable.

[0007] In this case, a first opening through which the cable passes is formed in the supply tray, a second opening through which the cable passes is formed in the support frame, the wire processing member has a first wire processing opening communicating with the first opening and a second wire processing opening communicating with the second opening, the second opening is displaced in the X-axis direction along the document conveying direction with respect to the first opening and is disposed below the first opening in a state where the supply tray is raised to the highest position, and the curved surface portion is formed so as to connect the first opening and the second opening in a state where the supply tray is raised to the highest position.

[0008] In this case, the second wire processing opening may be formed to be long in the up-and-down direction of the wire processing member.

[0009] The image reading device of the present invention includes the document conveying device according to any one of the above and a reading unit that reads an image on the document conveyed by the document conveying device.

[0010] The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the above-described image reading apparatus.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the stress applied to the cable as the supply tray moves up and down.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that L, R, U, and D shown in the drawings indicate left, right, up, and down, and the front side of the drawing is regarded as the front. Although terms indicating directions and positions are used in this specification, those terms are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0014] [Image forming apparatus] Referring to FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram (front view) showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming device 1A that forms an image on a sheet of paper P by an electrophotographic method, and an image reading device 1B that optically reads the image of the document M and converts it into digital data. Further, the image forming device 1A and the image reading device 1B are appropriately controlled by a control unit 14.

[0016] [Image forming device] A paper feed cassette 3 for accommodating a stack of paper sheets P is detachably mounted below the apparatus main body 2 of the image forming device 1A. A paper discharge tray 4 for receiving the paper P on which an image is formed is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2. A conveyance path 8 for conveying the paper P from the paper feed cassette 3 to the paper discharge tray 4 is provided inside the apparatus main body 2. Further, a paper feed unit 5, an image forming unit 6, and a fixing unit 7 are provided inside the apparatus main body 2. The paper feed unit 5 is provided on the upstream side of the conveyance path 8, and the fixing unit 7 is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance path 8. The image forming unit 6 is provided between the paper feed unit 5 and the fixing unit 7. Note that the paper P is not limited to paper, and may be a resin film or the like.

[0017] The image forming unit 6 includes an intermediate transfer belt 10, four image forming units 11, four toner containers 12, and an exposure unit 13. The four image forming units 11 are arranged side by side in the left - right direction below the intermediate transfer belt 10. The four toner containers 12 are provided above the intermediate transfer belt 10 and contain toner (developer) for replenishment of four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black). The exposure unit 13 is provided below each image forming unit 11. Since the four image forming units 11 have the same configuration, one image forming unit 11 will be described below.

[0018] The image forming unit 11 includes a photosensitive drum 20, a charging device 21, a developing device 22, a primary transfer roller 23, a cleaning device 24, and a charge removing device 25. The photosensitive drum 20 is rotationally driven while contacting the intermediate transfer belt 10. The charging device 21, the developing device 22, the primary transfer roller 23, the cleaning device 24, and the charge removing device 25 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 20 in the order of the image forming process. The primary transfer roller 23 faces the photosensitive drum 20 with the intermediate transfer belt 10 interposed therebetween. On the right side of the intermediate transfer belt 10, a secondary transfer roller 26 is in contact.

[0019] [Image forming process] Here, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1A will be described. The image forming apparatus 1A forms an image on the paper P based on the image data transmitted from an external terminal (such as a personal computer). The control unit 14 controls the image forming apparatus 1A based on the input image data, and the image forming process is executed as follows.

[0020] The charging device 21 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 20. The exposure unit 13 performs exposure corresponding to the image data toward the photosensitive drum 20, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 20. The developing device 22 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20 into a toner image using the toner supplied from the toner container 12. The four-color toner images carried on the four photosensitive drums 20 are sequentially primary transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the primary transfer roller 23 to which a primary transfer bias is applied. Thereby, a full-color toner image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10.

[0021] The paper P is fed from the paper feed cassette 3 to the conveyance path 8 by the paper feed unit 5, and the toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is secondary transferred to the paper P by the secondary transfer roller 26 to which a secondary transfer bias is applied. The toner image is thermally fixed to the paper P by the fixing unit 7, and then the paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 4. The cleaning device 24 removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 20, and the charge removing device 25 removes the charge of the photosensitive drum 20.

[0022] [Image reading device] As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading device 1B includes a reading unit 15 and a document conveying device 16. The reading unit 15 reads an image on a document M conveyed by the document conveying device 16. The document conveying device 16 is disposed above the reading unit 15 and conveys the document M stacked on the supply tray 34 toward the discharge tray 35 disposed below the supply tray 34.

[0023] [Reading unit] The reading unit 15 has a contact glass 30, a platen glass 31, and an optical reading unit 32. The contact glass 30 is provided on the upper left side of the housing of the reading unit 15, and the platen glass 31 is provided on the right side of the contact glass 30. The optical reading unit 32 stops at a position facing the contact glass 30 and optically reads the document M (image) conveyed on the contact glass 30 by the document conveying device 16. The optical reading unit 32 optically reads the document M (image) on the platen glass 31 while moving rightward from the position facing the contact glass 30.

[0024] [Document conveying device] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the document conveying device 16 will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the document conveying device 16. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the supply tray 34.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the document conveying device 16 has a document pressing unit 33, a supply tray 34, a discharge tray 35, a conveying unit 36, and a lifting unit 37. The supply tray 34 and the discharge tray 35 are provided on the right side of the document pressing unit 33, and the conveying unit 36 is provided on the left side of the document pressing unit 33. In the following description, "upstream" and "downstream" refer to upstream and downstream in the conveying direction of the document M.

[0026] (Document pressing unit) As shown in FIG. 1, the document pressing part 33 is formed to cover each of the glasses 30 and 31 of the reading part 15, and is attached to the rear part of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 via a hinge (not shown) so as to be rotatable (openable and closable). When the front side of the document pressing part 33 is lifted (opened), the contact glass 30 and the platen glass 31 are exposed.

[0027] (Feeding Tray) As shown in FIG. 2, the feeding tray 34 extends obliquely upward to the right from the conveying part 36. On the feeding tray 34, documents M (bundles of documents M) are stacked. The feeding tray 34 is supported by a support frame 40 so as to be movable up and down. The support frame 40 is formed by covering a pair of sheet metals standing at both front and rear ends of the document pressing part 33 with a resin exterior. The front support frame 40 is provided on the left half of the document pressing part 33, and the rear support frame 40 is provided over the entire left - right direction of the document pressing part 33.

[0028] (Cursor) The feeding tray 34 is provided with a pair of cursors 41 for aligning both front and rear ends (width direction) of the stacked document M. As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of cursors 41 are arranged on both sides in the front - rear direction of the feeding tray 34. A pair of rack gears 42 extending toward the center in the front - rear direction are connected to the lower parts of the pair of cursors 41. The pair of rack gears 42 mesh with a cursor gear 43 rotatably supported at approximately the center in the front - rear direction of the feeding tray 34 from both left and right sides. The pair of cursors 41 approach and separate from each other while rotating the cursor gear 43 via the pair of rack gears 42. By moving the pair of cursors 41 so as to abut against both front and rear ends of the document M, the center in the front - rear direction of the document M and the feeding tray 34 substantially coincide.

[0029] (Sensor, etc.) As shown in FIG. 3, a document presence / absence detection sensor 44, a document size detection sensor 45, and a document longitudinal direction detection sensor 46 are provided on the supply tray 34. The document presence / absence detection sensor 44 is a reflection type optical sensor provided on the downstream side (left side) of the supply tray 34, and detects the document M on the supply tray 34. The document size detection sensor 45 is a volume sensor including the rotation axis of the cursor gear 43, and detects the size (width) of the document M from the electrical resistance value that changes according to the positions of the pair of cursors 41. The document longitudinal direction detection sensor 46 is a transmission type optical sensor provided on the upstream side (right side) of the supply tray 34, and detects that the document M placed on the supply tray 34 is a large size (for example, B4 size or larger). Exactly, an actuator (not shown) that is pushed down when a large-size document M is placed is provided on the right side of the supply tray 34, and the document longitudinal direction detection sensor 46 detects the pushed-down actuator.

[0030] These sensors 44 to 46 are each electrically connected to the electric substrate 48 via a cable 47. The cable 47 is a cord that coats an electric wire with an insulator and has flexibility. The three cables 47 extend from the three sensors 44 to 46 to the rear part of the supply tray 34 and are bundled together at the rear part of the supply tray 34. The electric substrate 48 is provided on the rear support frame 40 and is electrically connected to the control unit 14. The outputs (electrical signals) of the three sensors 44 to 46 are transmitted to the electric substrate 48 through the cable 47 and are transmitted from the electric substrate 48 to the control unit 14. The control unit 14 determines the presence or absence of the document M on the supply tray 34 based on the output of the document presence / absence detection sensor 44, determines the size (width) of the document M on the supply tray 34 based on the output of the document size detection sensor 45, and determines whether the document M on the supply tray 34 is a large size based on the output of the document longitudinal direction detection sensor 46.

[0031] Note that an example of the "first connection part" described in the claims is the document presence detection sensor 44, the document size detection sensor 45, and the document longitudinal direction detection sensor 46. Also, it is not necessary for an example of the "first connection part" to be the three sensors 44 to 46, and at least one of the three sensors 44 to 46 is sufficient. Further, the three sensors 44 to 46 are not limited to optical sensors or volume sensors, and may be a camera, a microswitch, or the like. Also, an example of the "second connection part" described in the claims is the electric substrate 48, but it is not limited to this, and the control unit 14 may also be used. Further, both the first connection part and the second connection part may be electric circuit boards, or the first connection part may be a power supply unit (not shown) that supplies power to the electric circuit board (second connection part). That is, the first connection part and the second connection part may be anything as long as they can be electrically connected by the cable 47. Also, in this specification, the three bundled cables 47 are treated as one and simply referred to as the cable 47.

[0032] (Output tray) As shown in FIG. 2, the output tray 35 is disposed below the supply tray 34 and above the document pressing part 33. Specifically, the upper surface of the document pressing part 33 disposed on the platen glass 31 is configured as the output tray 35 (see also FIG. 1). The output tray 35 receives the document M conveyed by the conveying unit 36 and discharged. Note that the output tray 35 is provided with an output sensor (for example, an optical sensor or the like) for detecting the document M stacked thereon (not shown). The output sensor is electrically connected to the electric substrate 48 (or the control unit 14) via another cable (not shown).

[0033] (Conveying unit) As shown in FIG. 1, the conveying unit 36 is provided on the left side of the document pressing part 33. Inside the conveying unit 36, a substantially U-shaped document conveyance path 50 is formed so as to connect the supply tray 34 to the output tray 35. The conveying unit 36 feeds the document M on the supply tray 34 one by one into the document conveyance path 50 and discharges the document M that has passed through the document conveyance path 50 to the output tray 35.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, inside the conveyance unit 36, a pickup roller 51, a separation roller 52, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 53, and a discharge roller pair 54 are provided. The pickup roller 51 is disposed above the upstream end of the document conveyance path 50, and the separation roller 52 is provided on the downstream side of the pickup roller 51. The pickup roller 51 and the separation roller 52 are rotatably supported by the support frame 40. After contacting the document M on the supply tray 34, the pickup roller 51 is rotationally driven to send out the document M to the document conveyance path 50. The separation roller 52 conveys the document M while sandwiching it between the separation plate 52A. The plurality of conveyance roller pairs 53 are provided at intervals in the range on the downstream side of the separation roller 52, and the discharge roller pair 54 is provided at the downstream end of the document conveyance path 50. The conveyance roller pairs 53 and the discharge roller pair 54 are rotatably supported by the support frame 40. In the conveyance roller pairs 53 and the discharge roller pair 54, one roller is rotationally driven and the other roller rotates passively.

[0035] (Lifting unit) The lifting unit 37 raises and lowers the supply tray 34 according to the thickness (height, number of sheets) of the bundle of documents M stacked on the supply tray 34. By lowering the supply tray 34 (see FIG. 5 described later), the lifting unit 37 enables a large number of documents M to be stacked on the supply tray 34. On the other hand, by raising the supply tray 34 (see FIG. 4 described later), the lifting unit 37 enables a large number of documents M to be discharged to the discharge tray 35 and makes it easier to take out the documents M discharged to the discharge tray 35.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the lifting unit 37 includes a pair of lifting racks 55, two pairs of lifting pinions 56, and a lifting motor 57. Since the pair of lifting racks 55 and the two pairs of lifting pinions 56 are symmetric in front and back with the supply tray 34 interposed therebetween, in this specification, description will be made by focusing on one side (for example, the front side).

[0037] The elevating rack 55 is formed in a substantially inverted U shape having internal teeth and is fixed to the support frame 40. A pair of elevating pinions 56 are arranged in the left-right direction and are rotatably supported around an axis on the supply tray 34, and mesh with the internal teeth of the elevating rack 55. Either one of the pair of elevating pinions 56 is connected to the elevating motor 57 via a power transmission mechanism such as a gear train. The elevating motor 57 is electrically connected to the control unit 14 via a drive circuit (not shown). When the elevating motor 57 rotates the elevating pinions 56 forward and backward, the pair of left and right elevating pinions 56 move in the vertical direction while meshing with the elevating rack 55. The supply tray 34 also elevates integrally with the pair of left and right elevating pinions 56. Note that an elevating restriction sensor (for example, an optical sensor) for detecting the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the supply tray 34 according to the height of the loaded document M and preventing excessive elevation and depression of the supply tray 34 is provided in the elevating unit 37 (not shown). The elevating restriction sensor is electrically connected to the electric substrate 48 (or the control unit 14) via another cable (not shown).

[0038] [Image reading process] Here, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation of the image reading apparatus 1B will be described. Note that the document M set on the supply tray 34 is formed in a single-sheet form. On the other hand, the document M placed on the platen glass 31 is not limited to a sheet form, and may be a booklet, a card, or the like.

[0039] First, when the user sets the document M on the supply tray 34 and inputs a reading instruction with the document pressing portion 33 closed, the control unit 14 controls the image reading apparatus 1B, and the image reading process is executed as follows. The pickup roller 51 feeds out the document M set on the supply tray 34 to the document conveyance path 50, and the separation roller 52 feeds out the document M one by one downstream. The document M is conveyed onto the contact glass 30 by each pair of conveyance rollers 53. The optical reading unit 32 reads an image of the document M passing over the contact glass 30. The pair of discharge rollers 54 feeds out the document M that has passed through the contact glass 30 to the discharge tray 35.

[0040] Next, when the user opens the document holder 33, sets the document M on the platen glass 31, and inputs a reading instruction, the control unit 14 controls the image reading device 1B, and the image reading process is executed as follows. The optical reading unit 32 reads the image of the document M on the platen glass 31 while moving in the right direction.

[0041] The image data of the document M read as described above is stored in the storage unit of the control unit 14, and the control unit 14 executes the image forming process described above or stores it in an external terminal.

[0042] By the way, in a form in which various sensors 44 to 46 provided on the supply tray 34 and the electric substrate 48 fixed to the support frame 40 are connected by the cable 47, when the supply tray 34 moves up and down, stress such as twisting or breaking occurs in the cable 47. Such stress on the cable 47 causes disconnection or the like. Therefore, the document conveying device 16 according to the present embodiment is provided with a wire processing member 61 in order to reduce the stress applied to the cable 47 as the supply tray 34 moves up and down.

[0043] [Wire processing member] With reference to FIGS. 2 to 8, the wire processing member 61 will be described. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing a part of the supply tray 34 arranged at the upper limit position. FIG. 5 is a rear view showing a part of the supply tray 34 arranged at the lower limit position. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the wire processing member 61 (front side). FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the wire processing member 61 (rear side). FIG. 8 is a rear view showing the wire processing member 61.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the wire processing member 61 is fixed to the lower surface of the rear part of the supply tray 34 and is provided so as to hang down from the supply tray 34. The wire processing member 61 is arranged along the rear support frame 40 and becomes a part of the exterior covering the rear support frame 40. A first opening 60A for passing the cable 47 is formed in the supply tray 34 (see FIG. 3), and a second opening 60B for passing the cable 47 is formed in the support frame 40 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, three cables 47 extending from three sensors 44 to 46 are bundled together, and the bundled cable 47 extends to an electric substrate 48 via the inside of a wire processing member 61. That is, an intermediate portion 47A (a part) of the cable 47 (in the longitudinal direction) is accommodated inside the wire processing member 61 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). As shown in FIG. 4, the second opening 60B is displaced upstream (to the right) in the conveyance direction of the document M on the supply tray 34 with respect to the first opening 60A, and is disposed above the second opening 60B in a state where the supply tray 34 is raised to the maximum.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the wire processing member 61 has a housing portion 62, a fixing portion 63, and a reinforcing portion 64, and is integrally formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material.

[0047] <Housing portion> The housing portion 62 is formed in a hollow box shape with a first wire processing opening 65A opened in the entire upper surface. Inside the housing portion 62, a housing chamber S is formed in which the cable 47 can be housed in a bent state. A plurality of irregularities are formed on the upper part of the housing portion 62 (the edge of the first wire processing opening 65A), and irregularities (not shown) are also formed on the lower surface of the supply tray 34 so as to engage with the irregularities of the housing portion 62. In a state where the irregularities of the housing portion 62 are engaged with the irregularities of the supply tray 34 (a state where the wire processing member 61 is attached to the supply tray 34), the first wire processing opening 65A of the housing portion 62 communicates (coincides) with the first opening 60A of the supply tray 34 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Specifically, the first opening 60A faces the left side (the conveyance direction side of the document M) of the first wire processing opening 65A (see FIGS. 3 to 5).

[0048] On the right side of the back surface of the housing portion 62, a second wire processing opening 65B is open. The second wire processing opening 65B is formed in a groove shape cut downward from the upper end of the back surface of the housing portion 62. The upper end of the second wire processing opening 65B is continuous with the first wire processing opening 65A. The second wire processing opening 65B is formed long in the elevating direction of the wire processing member 61 (supply tray 34). Specifically, the second wire processing opening 65B is formed in a substantially triangular shape (substantially trapezoidal shape) that gradually narrows in the left-right direction (X-axis direction along the conveyance direction of the document M) from the upper end to the lower end. With the wire processing member 61 attached to the supply tray 34, the second wire processing opening 65B of the housing portion 62 communicates (corresponds) with the second opening 60B of the support frame 40 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). When the supply tray 34 is in the upper limit position (the most elevated state) (see FIG. 4), the second opening 60B faces near the lower end of the second wire processing opening 65B, and when the supply tray 34 is in the lower limit position (the most lowered state) (see FIG. 5), the second opening 60B faces near the upper end of the second wire processing opening 65B (specifically, it is located above the second wire processing opening 65B (first wire processing opening 65A)).

[0049] Inside the housing portion 62, the middle portion 47A of the cable 47 is housed in a bent (curved) state (see FIGS. 4 and 5). In the housing portion 62, a curved surface portion 66 is formed so as to bulge downward along the bend (curve) of the middle portion 47A of the cable 47. Specifically, the curved surface portion 66 constitutes from the left side surface to the bottom surface of the housing portion 62 and is bent to the right so as to draw an arc from the upper end to the lower end. In other words, the curved surface portion 66 is formed so as to connect the first opening 60A and the second opening 60B in a state where the supply tray 34 is raised to the maximum (arranged in the upper limit position) (see FIG. 4). Since a bend is formed in the middle portion 47A of the cable 47, the length of the middle portion 47A of the cable 47 is longer than the length of the straight line connecting the first opening 60A and the second opening 60B.

[0050] <Fixing portion> The fixing part 63 extends rightward from the upper end part of the accommodating part 62. A plurality (for example, two) of through holes 63A are opened in the fixing part 63. In a state where the unevenness of the accommodating part 62 is engaged with the unevenness of the supply tray 34, the upper surface of the fixing part 63 contacts the lower surface of the supply tray 34. The wire processing member 61 is fixed to the supply tray 34, for example, by screwing a screw (not shown) through any one of the two through holes 63A into a screw hole 34A (see FIG. 3) formed in the supply tray 34.

[0051] <Reinforcing part> The reinforcing part 64 has a reinforcing plate 67 and a reinforcing rib 68 and is connected to the lower part of the accommodating part 62. The reinforcing plate 67 extends downward from the lower part of the back surface of the accommodating part 62 and forms the same plane as the back surface of the accommodating part 62. The reinforcing rib 68 is formed in a substantially U shape when viewed from the back surface and protrudes rearward from the back surface of the reinforcing plate 67. Specifically, the reinforcing rib 68 is formed from the back surface of the reinforcing plate 67 across the back surface of the accommodating part 62, and the lower part of the second wire processing opening 65B enters the inside of the U-shaped reinforcing rib 68. In a state where the wire processing member 61 is attached to the supply tray 34, the reinforcing rib 68 abuts against the rear support frame 40, forming a gap (not shown) between the back surface of the accommodating part 62 (the second wire processing opening 65B) and the front surface of the support frame 40.

[0052] [Function of wire processing member] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the function of the wire processing member 61 will be described. The state where the supply tray 34 is arranged at the upper limit position is taken as the initial state (see FIG. 4).

[0053] The three cables 47 extend toward a first opening 60A formed at the rear of the supply tray 34 from the three sensors 44 to 46, and are bundled together near the first opening 60A (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 4, the bundled cable 47 enters the storage chamber S of the storage section 62 through the first opening 60A and the first wire processing opening 65A. The middle portion 47A of the cable 47 that has entered the storage chamber S extends toward a second opening 60B (downward) while forming a bend along the curved surface portion 66 from the first opening 60A (the first wire processing opening 65A). Note that the cable 47 (the middle portion 47A) running along the curved surface portion 66 means that, as shown in FIG. 4, although the cable 47 is separated from the curved surface portion 66, it bends (flexes) in the same way as the curved surface portion 66. In addition, although not shown, it also includes the meaning that the cable 47 contacts the curved surface portion 66 and bends (flexes) with substantially the same curvature as the curved surface portion 66.

[0054] The cable 47 extending downward along the curved surface portion 66 exits the storage chamber S through the second wire processing opening 65B and the second opening 60B. The cable 47 is exposed behind the support frame 40 through the second opening 60B, and is bent, for example, into a mountain shape convex upward, and the end of the cable 47 is connected to the electric substrate 48. Note that the cable 47 exposed behind the support frame 40 is supported by the support frame 40 via a cable tie T (binding band) near the upper part of the mountain shape. The cable tie T does not tighten the cable 47, and movement of the cable 47 is permitted.

[0055] As described above, the cable 47 electrically connects each of the sensors 44 to 46 provided on the supply tray 34 and the electric substrate 48 provided on the support frame 40. The middle portion 47A of the cable 47 is curved along substantially the entire area of the curved surface portion 66 and is bent substantially in a J shape (U shape).

[0056] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the supply tray 34 descends from the upper limit position toward the lower limit position, the wire processing member 61 fixed to the supply tray 34 also descends. Then, as the wire processing member 61 descends, the cable 47 near the lower part of the curved surface portion 66 (near the second opening 60B) is relatively pulled up. On the other hand, the cable 47 at the upper part of the curved surface portion 66 (near the first opening 60A) is maintained in a state of being curved (forming a bend) along the curved surface portion 66. When the supply tray 34 at the lower limit position is raised, as the wire processing member 61 rises, the cable 47 near the second opening 60B is relatively pushed down and will bend along the curved surface portion 66. The cable 47 at the upper part of the curved surface portion 66 remains bent along the curved surface portion 66.

[0057] As described above, the intermediate portion 47A of the cable 47 maintains a bend inside the wire processing member 61 that moves up and down with the supply tray 34.

[0058] In the document conveying device 16 according to the present embodiment described above, the wire processing member 61 is suspended from the supply tray 34 that moves up and down, and the intermediate portion 47A of the cable 47 is accommodated in the wire processing member 61 with a bend. According to this configuration, the breakage and twisting of the cable 47 caused by the up and down movement of the supply tray 34 (wire processing member 61) can be absorbed by the bend of the intermediate portion 47A of the cable 47 accommodated in the wire processing member 61. Further, a curved surface portion 66 that protrudes downward is formed on the wire processing member 61. According to this configuration, even if the intermediate portion 47A of the cable 47 moves inside the wire processing member 61 as the supply tray 34 moves up and down, the cable 47 can be bent along the curved surface portion 66. As a result, the stress applied to the cable 47 as the supply tray 34 moves up and down can be reduced, and problems such as disconnection of the cable 47 can be suppressed.

[0059] Also, in the document conveyance device 16 according to the present embodiment, when the supply tray 34 is disposed at the upper limit position, the curved surface portion 66 is curved so as to connect the first opening 60A and the second opening 60B. According to this configuration, when the supply tray 34 is disposed at the upper limit position, substantially the entire cable 47 within the line processing member 61 can be disposed along the curved surface portion 66 (see FIG. 4). Further, when the supply tray 34 is lowered from the upper limit position, the cable 47 near the second opening 60B (the second line processing opening 65B) starts to separate from the curved surface portion 66, but the cable 47 near the first opening 60A (the first line processing opening 65A) continues to follow the curved surface portion 66 (see FIG. 5). Thereby, the bending (curving) of the cable 47 can be maintained inside the line processing member 61, and the stress on the cable 47 when the supply tray 34 moves up and down can be effectively reduced.

[0060] Also, in the document conveyance device 16 according to the present embodiment, the second line processing opening 65B is formed long in the elevating direction of the line processing member 61. According to this configuration, even if the line processing member 61 moves up and down together with the supply tray 34, the cable 47 can relatively move in the elevating direction within the second line processing opening 65B. Thereby, the cable 47 passing through the second line processing opening 65B is not strongly pressed against the peripheral portion of the second opening 60B, and thus disconnection of the cable 47 or the like can be prevented.

[0061] Note that, in the document conveyance device 16 according to the present embodiment, the elevating portion 37 is a mechanism including an elevating rack 55 and an elevating pinion 56, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the elevating portion 37 may be a mechanism including, for example, a pulley and a wire, or a mechanism including a piston and a cylinder (not shown).

[0062] Also, in the document conveying device 16 according to the present embodiment, the second opening 60B of the support frame 40 is displaced to the right with respect to the first opening 60A of the supply tray 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The second opening 60B may be displaced to the left with respect to the first opening 60A (not shown). In this case, the curved surface portion 66 of the wire processing member 61 forms from the right side surface to the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 62 and is bent to the left so as to draw an arc from the upper end to the lower end (not shown).

[0063] Also, in the document conveying device 16 according to the present embodiment, the second wire processing opening 65B of the wire processing member 61 is formed in a long groove shape in the elevating direction (vertical direction). However, the present invention is not limited to this. The second wire processing opening 65B may be formed so as not to interfere with the cable 47 that moves as the supply tray 34 is elevated, and its shape and size may be freely changed (not shown). Also, the upper end of the second wire processing opening 65B may not be connected to the first wire processing opening 65A (not shown).

[0064] In the description of the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 1 (multifunction peripheral) is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile machine, an image reading dedicated machine, or the like.

[0065] Note that the description of the above embodiment shows one aspect of the document conveying device, the image reading device, and the image forming device according to the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention may be variously changed, replaced, and modified without departing from the spirit of the technical idea, and the scope of the claims includes all embodiments that can be included within the scope of the technical idea.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0066] 1 Image forming apparatus 1B Image reading device 15 Reading unit 16 Document conveying device 34 Supply tray 37 Discharge tray 40 Support Frame 44 Original Document Presence Detection Sensor (First Connection Part) 45 Original Document Size Detection Sensor (First Connection Part) 46 Original Document Longitudinal Detection Sensor (First Connection Part) 47 Cable 47A Intermediate Part 48 Electric Substrate (Second Connection Part) 61 Wire Processing Member 60A First Opening 60B Second Opening 65A First Wire Processing Opening 65B Second Wire Processing Opening M Original Document

Claims

1. A document conveying device for conveying a document loaded on a supply tray toward a discharge tray disposed below the supply tray, a support frame that supports the supply tray so as to be movable up and down, a cable that electrically connects a first connection portion provided on the supply tray and a second connection portion provided on the support frame, and a wire processing member provided so as to hang down from the supply tray and accommodating an intermediate portion of the cable in a bent state. The intermediate portion of the cable maintains a bend inside the wire processing member that moves up and down together with the supply tray, The wire processing member has a curved surface portion that curves so as to bulge downward along the bend of the cable, and the document conveying device is characterized by this.

2. A first opening through which the cable passes is formed in the supply tray, A second opening through which the cable passes is formed in the support frame, The wire processing member has a first wire processing opening communicating with the first opening and a second wire processing opening communicating with the second opening, The second opening is displaced in one direction of the X-axis along the document conveying direction with respect to the first opening and is disposed below the first opening in a state where the supply tray is raised to the maximum, The curved surface portion is formed so as to connect the first opening and the second opening in a state where the supply tray is raised to the maximum, and the document conveying device according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

3. The second wire processing opening is formed long in the vertical direction of the wire processing member, and the document conveying device according to claim 2 is characterized by this.

4. A document conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a reading unit that reads an image on the document conveyed by the document conveying device, and an image reading device is characterized by this.

5. An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading device according to claim 4.

Images