Image reading device and image formation device

Abstract

To prevent a document from falling from a placement surface.SOLUTION: An image reading device 100 includes: a document table 110; a cover 120; and a reading part 130. The document table 110 has a light transmitting part 112. The cover 120 includes: a paper feed part 172; a sheet discharge part 180; and a conveyance part 170 disposed between the paper feed part 172 and the paper discharge part 180. The reading part 130 images an image of the document R via the light transmitting part 112 when the document R is located on the conveyance part 170. The sheet discharge part 180 includes: a placement surface 181 on which the document R discharged from the conveyance part 170 along a conveyance direction PR is placed; a pressing member 190 that is disposed above the placement surface 181 and is movable along the conveyance direction PR; and an elastic member 182 that presses the pressing member 190 toward the opposite direction of the conveyance direction PR.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An image reading apparatus including a document conveyance unit is known. The document conveyance unit conveys a document so as to pass through a reading range of a reading unit. Such an image reading apparatus is used not only as a scanner but also as a component of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a multifunction peripheral, or a FAX apparatus (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the image reading apparatus of Patent Document 1, when the document is discharged from the document conveyance unit, the document may fall from the placement surface of the image reading apparatus.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing a document from falling from the placement surface.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a document table, a cover, and a reading unit. The document table has a light-transmitting portion. The cover has a paper feeding portion, a paper discharging portion, and a conveying portion disposed between the paper feeding portion and the paper discharging portion. The reading unit captures an image of the document through the light-transmitting portion when the document is positioned on the conveying portion. The paper discharging portion has a placement surface on which the document discharged along the conveying direction from the conveying portion is placed, a pressing member disposed above the placement surface and movable along the conveying direction, and an elastic member that presses the pressing member in a direction opposite to the conveying direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the document from falling from the placement surface.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated. Also, in this specification and the drawings, for the sake of easy understanding of the invention, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower" may be indicated, but it should be noted that these are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the invention.

[0010] First, with reference to FIG. 1, the image reading apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the image reading apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading apparatus 100 reads a document and generates image data. For example, the document is plain paper, recycled paper, thin paper, thick paper, coated paper, or an OHP (Overhead Projector) sheet.

[0011] The image reading apparatus 100 includes a document table 110 and a cover 120. The document table 110 includes a thin rectangular parallelepiped housing.

[0012] The document table 110 has a light transmitting portion 112 and a support portion 114. The light transmitting portion 112 is provided on the upper surface of the document table 110. The light transmitting portion 112 transmits light. The light transmitting portion 112 may be transparent. Alternatively, the light transmitting portion 112 may have light transmissivity.

[0013] The light transmitting portion 112 is located substantially at the center of the document table 110. For example, the light transmitting portion 112 is formed of glass. The light transmitting portion 112 is also called a contact glass.

[0014] Here, the light transmitting portion 112 is separated into two regions. The light transmitting portion 112 includes a main light transmitting portion 112a and a sub light transmitting portion 112b. The sub light transmitting portion 112b is disposed on the left side with respect to the main light transmitting portion 112a.

[0015] The length of the sub-transmissive portion 112b along the main scanning direction (front-rear direction) is substantially equal to the length of the main transmissive portion 112a along the main scanning direction. On the other hand, the length of the main transmissive portion 112a along the sub-scanning direction (left-right direction) is sufficiently longer than the length of the sub-transmissive portion 112b along the sub-scanning direction. For this reason, the area of the main transmissive portion 112a is larger than the area of the sub-transmissive portion 112b.

[0016] The support portion 114 supports the cover 120 so that the cover 120 can be opened and closed with respect to the document table 110. The support portion 114 is located at an end portion of the housing of the document table 110. Here, the support portion 114 is located at the rear end portion of the document table 110.

[0017] In other words, the cover 120 is supported by the support portion 114 and can be opened and closed with respect to the document table 110. The cover 120 rotates about a rotation axis provided on the support portion 114.

[0018] Subsequently, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reading unit 130 and the cover 120 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the image reading apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image reading apparatus 100 further includes a reading unit 130.

[0019] The reading unit 130 captures an image of a document through the transmissive portion 112 to generate image data. The reading unit 130 captures an image of a document through the transmissive portion 112 to generate image data when at least a part of the document is located between the transmissive portion 112 of the document table 110 and the cover 120.

[0020] The reading unit 130 extends in the main scanning direction (front-rear direction). At least a part of the reading unit 130 is movable along the sub-scanning direction (left-right direction). The reading unit 130 moves relative to the document to read the document.

[0021] Specifically, the reading unit 130 includes a scanning unit 132, an optical element 134, a condenser lens 136, and an imaging device 138. The scanning unit 132 includes a housing 132a, a light source 132b, and a mirror 132c. The housing 132a has a hollow shape with openings on the upper side and the left side. The light source 132b and the mirror 132c are arranged inside the housing 132a.

[0022] The light source 132b has a light-emitting element. The light-emitting element includes a light-emitting diode (LED). Typically, a plurality of light-emitting elements are attached to the housing 132a.

[0023] The mirror 132c is arranged on the left side of the light source 132b. The mirror 132c reflects the light emitted from the light source 132b and reflected by the document R toward the left side.

[0024] The optical element 134 includes a mirror 134a and a mirror 134b. The mirror 134a reflects the light reflected by the mirror 132c toward the mirror 134b. The mirror 134b reflects the light reflected by the mirror 134a toward the condenser lens 136. The condenser lens 136 condenses the light reflected by the mirror 134b toward the imaging device 138.

[0025] The imaging device 138 includes an imaging element. The imaging element is, for example, a charged coupled device (CCD). Alternatively, the imaging element may be a contact image sensor (CIS).

[0026] The cover 120 has a pressing portion 122. When the cover 120 is closed with respect to the document table 110, the cover 120 covers the upper surface (light-transmitting portion 112) of the document table 110. In this case, the pressing portion 122 faces the light-transmitting portion 112 of the document table 110. The pressing portion 122 presses the document against the document table 110 when the reading unit 130 reads the document R.

[0027] The pressing part 122 includes a first pressing part 122a and a second pressing part 122b. The first pressing part 122a is provided at a position and size corresponding to the main light-transmitting part 112a. For example, the first pressing part 122a is in a flat mat shape. The first pressing part 122a exhibits a high reflectivity. For example, the first pressing part 122a is white.

[0028] When the reading unit 130 reads the document R placed on the main light-transmitting part 112a, the light source 132b emits light to the document R on the document table 110 through the main light-transmitting part 112a. The light reflected by the document R enters the imaging device 138 through the mirror 132c, the mirrors 134a and 134b, and the condenser lens 136.

[0029] The second pressing part 122b is provided at a position and size corresponding to the sub light-transmitting part 112b. For example, the second pressing part 122b is in a semi-cylindrical shape. The second pressing part 122b exhibits a high reflectivity. For example, the second pressing part 122b is white.

[0030] The cover 120 further has a paper feed tray 172, a conveying part 170, and a paper discharge part 180. The paper feed tray 172 is an example of a "paper feeding part". The document R is placed on the paper feed tray 172. Typically, a plurality of documents R before reading can be placed on the paper feed tray 172.

[0031] The conveying part 170 conveys the document R placed on the paper feed tray 172 to the document table 110. In the conveying process by the conveying part 170, the document R comes into contact with the second pressing part 122b and passes through the area facing the sub light-transmitting part 112b.

[0032] Specifically, the conveying unit 170 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 174. In the conveying unit 170, a conveyance path for the document R is formed by the plurality of conveying rollers 174. The conveying roller 174 conveys the document R placed on the paper feed tray 172. The conveying roller 174 conveys the document R one by one to the discharge unit 180. The conveying roller 174 includes a rotating roller. The rotating roller rotates about a rotation axis. Typically, the conveying unit 170 includes a pair of rotating rollers. The pair of rotating rollers rotate about the rotation axis facing each other. In one example, one of the pair of rotating rollers rotates following the other. The document R enters between the pair of rotating rollers that are rotating, and is urged by the rotating rollers and pushed out from the rotating rollers.

[0033] When the reading unit 130 reads the document R conveyed by the conveying unit 170, the light source 132b emits light to the document R being conveyed through the sub-translucent portion 112b. The light reflected by the document R enters the imaging device 138 through the mirror 132c, the mirrors 134a and 134b, and the condenser lens 136.

[0034] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the discharge unit 180 will be described. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the pressing member 190 of the image reading apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the discharge unit 180 has a placement surface 181, a pressing member 190, and an elastic member 182.

[0035] On the placement surface 181, the document R discharged from the conveying unit 170 along the conveyance direction PR is placed. Specifically, the placement surface 181 is a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. Also, the conveyance direction PR extends along the right direction.

[0036] The pressing member 190 is disposed above the placement surface 181. The pressing member 190 includes a rotating member 191, a sliding member 195, and a shaft member 250.

[0037] The shaft member 250 extends along the conveyance direction PR. The shaft member 250 is attached below the paper feed tray 172. Specifically, the shaft member 250 is movable along the conveyance direction PR with respect to the paper feed tray 172.

[0038] The slide member 195 is fixed to the shaft member 250. As a result, the slide member 195 is movable along the conveyance direction PR with respect to the paper feed tray 172. A hole portion 196 extending in the front-rear direction is disposed at the right end portion of the slide member 195. The rotation shaft portion 193a of the rotation member 191 is inserted into the hole portion 196. A slit 197 extending in the vertical direction is disposed at the left end portion of the slide member 195. The slide portion 194a of the rotation member 191 is inserted into the slit 197.

[0039] The rotation member 191 is a Y-shaped member when viewed from the front-rear direction. Specifically, the rotation member 191 includes a first member 192, a second member 193, and a third member 194. The first member 192 extends downward. The second member 193 extends in the upper right direction. The third member 194 extends in the upper left direction.

[0040] A plate-like body 192a for contacting the document R is disposed at the tip of the first member 192. A rotation shaft portion 193a for being inserted into the hole portion 196 is disposed at the tip of the second member 193. A slide portion 194a for being inserted into the slit 197 is disposed at the tip of the third member 194.

[0041] The pressing member 190 is movable along the conveyance direction PR. Specifically, the first member 192 of the pressing member 190 is movable along the conveyance direction PR with the rotation shaft portion 193a as a rotation axis.

[0042] The elastic member 182 includes rubber or a compression spring. The elastic member 182 presses the pressing member 190 in the direction opposite to the conveying direction PR. Specifically, the elastic member 182 acts on the first member 192 so as to press the slide member 195 in the direction opposite to the conveying direction PR. As a result, the first member 192 of the pressing member 190 moves along the direction opposite to the conveying direction PR. Also, the first member 192 of the pressing member 190 is pressed toward the placement surface 181.

[0043] Here, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the movement of the pressing member 190 will be described. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the pressing member 190 of the image reading apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, on the placement surface 181, a document R discharged from the conveying unit 170 at a predetermined speed along the conveying direction PR is placed.

[0044] Specifically, while the document R contacts the plate-like body 192a of the first member 192, the document R is discharged. As a result, the document R moves the plate-like body 192a of the first member 192 along the conveying direction PR. Also, the slide portion 194a of the third member 194 moves downward within the slit 197. Further, the slide member 195 moves along the conveying direction PR with respect to the paper feed tray 172. Thus, the elastic member 182 is compressed.

[0045] As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, according to the image reading apparatus 100, since the document R moves the plate-like body 192a of the first member 192 along the conveying direction PR, the moving speed of the document R discharged from the conveying unit 170 along the conveying direction PR is decelerated. Thus, it is possible to suppress the document R from falling from above the placement surface 181.

[0046] Also, since the elastic member 182 is compressed, the first member 192 of the pressing member 190 is pressed toward the placement surface 181. As a result, it is possible to suppress the document R from falling from above the placement surface 181.

[0047] Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, the movement of the cover 120 will be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the cover 120 of the image reading apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cover 120 in the closed state. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cover 120 in the open state. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the pressing mechanism 200 of the image reading apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the image reading apparatus 100 further includes a pressing mechanism 200.

[0048] When the cover 120 is opened with respect to the document table 110, the pressing mechanism 200 further presses the pressing member 190 toward the placement surface 181. Specifically, the pressing mechanism 200 presses the end portion of the shaft member 250 in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction PR. As a result, the first member 192 of the pressing member 190 moves along the direction opposite to the conveyance direction PR. Further, the first member 192 of the pressing member 190 is pressed toward the placement surface 181.

[0049] Specifically, the pressing mechanism 200 includes a fixing member 210, a first gear 220, a second gear 230, and a rod-shaped member 240.

[0050] The fixing member 210 is fixed to the document table 110. The fixing member 210 has an arc portion 211 and a support column portion 212. The arc portion 211 is disposed above the support column portion 212. Teeth are formed on the upper surface of the arc portion 211.

[0051] The first gear 220 and the second gear 230 are rotatably disposed on the cover 120. The first gear 220 is coupled to the fixing member 210. The second gear 230 is coupled to the first gear 220.

[0052] The rod-shaped member 240 is slidably disposed with respect to the cover 120. Teeth are formed on the lower surface of the rod-shaped member 240. The rod-shaped member 240 is coupled to the second gear 230.

[0053] As a result, when the cover 120 is opened relative to the platen 110, the first gear 220 is rotated clockwise by the fixed member 210. Also, the second gear 230 is rotated counterclockwise by the first gear 220. Furthermore, the rod-shaped member 240 moves relative to the cover 120 in the opposite direction to the transport direction PR.

[0054] Here, the movement of the pressing member 190 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the pressing member 190 of the image reading device 100 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the shaft member 250 moves in the opposite direction to the transport direction PR relative to the cover 120.

[0055] Specifically, the rod-shaped member 240 presses the end of the shaft member 250 so that the slide member 195 moves in the opposite direction to the transport direction PR relative to the cover 120. More specifically, the rod-shaped member 240, which moves when the cover 120 is opened relative to the document table 110, presses the end of the shaft member 250.

[0056] As a result, the slide member 195 moves along the transport direction PR relative to the paper feed tray 172. Also, the slide portion 194a of the third member 194 moves upward within the slit 197. Furthermore, the plate-like body 192a of the first member 192 moves along the opposite direction to the transport direction PR. Therefore, the first member 192 of the pressing member 190 is pressed against the placement surface 181, so that the document R can be prevented from falling off the placement surface 181.

[0057] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof. Also, by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments, various inventions can be formed. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Further, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. The drawings schematically show each component mainly for easy understanding, and the thickness, length, number, interval, etc. of each illustrated component may be different from the actual ones for convenience in drawing preparation. Also, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without substantially departing from the effects of the present invention.

[0058] In this embodiment, it is not limited to the image reading device 100. An image reading device 100 and an image forming unit that forms an image captured by the reading unit 130 on a recording medium may be provided. Specifically, it may be a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, a scanner, or a multifunction machine or an image forming device having these functions.

Industrial Applicability

[0059] The present invention relates to an image reading device and has industrial applicability.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 100 Image reading device 110 Document table 112 Translucent part 120 Cover 130 Reading unit 170 Conveying unit 172 Paper feeding unit 180 Paper discharging unit 181 Placing surface 182 Elastic member 190 Pressing member PR Conveying direction R Document

Claims

1. A platen having a light-transmitting portion, a cover having a paper feeding portion, a paper discharging portion, and a conveying portion disposed between the paper feeding portion and the paper discharging portion, and a reading portion that captures an image of the document through the light-transmitting portion when the document is positioned on the conveying portion. The image reading apparatus is provided with: wherein the paper discharging portion has a placement surface on which the document discharged from the conveying portion along the conveying direction is placed, a pressing member disposed above the placement surface and movable along the conveying direction, and an elastic member that presses the pressing member in a direction opposite to the conveying direction. The image reading apparatus has the above components.

2. The cover is openable and closable with respect to the platen, and the elastic member presses the pressing member toward the placement surface. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a pressing mechanism that further presses the pressing member toward the placement surface when the cover is opened with respect to the platen.

4. An image forming apparatus, comprising: the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and an image forming portion that forms an image captured by the reading portion on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus has the above components.

Images