Image reading device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image reading device that improves visibility of size indices when a user measures the size of a sheet, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image reading device 101 has a document platen glass 302 on which a document is placed, a pressing plate 207, and hinges 206. The image reading device 101 has a depth abutment part 315 to which an end on a depth side of a document in a depth direction is abutted, a left abutment part 314 to which an end on the left side of the sheet in a left-and-right direction is abutted, a transverse size index 315a indicating the size in the left-and-right direction of the document, and a vertical size index 314a indicating the size in the depth direction of the document. The image reading device 101 has a scale 318 arranged on the near side of a placement surface 302a of the document platen glass 302, and indicating the size in the left-and-right direction of the sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device that reads an image on a sheet and an image forming apparatus that includes the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming devices such as copiers are equipped with an image reading device that optically reads an image on a document. Such image reading devices are configured so that an original is placed on a transparent document table made of glass or the like, and an optical member moves under the document table to read the image on the original. The document table on which the original is placed has steps at the front and rear ends and the left and right ends. When a user places an original on the document table, the user positions the original by abutting the edge of the original against these steps. For example, the document is positioned based on the left and rear end of the document table.

[0003] Furthermore, in such image reading devices, a size indicator indicating the size of the document is known to be disposed near the abutment portion against which the edge of the document abuts. In the image reading device of Patent Document 1, a scale on which marks indicating the horizontal (left-right) size of the document are printed is disposed near the rear end of the document table, and a scale on which marks indicating the vertical (depth) size of the document are printed is disposed near the left end of the document table. The presence of such size indicators allows the user to easily confirm that the document is set in the correct position and to check the document size. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-140278 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The size indicators described above may be used to measure the size of sheets such as irregularly shaped documents or recording paper on which images are formed. In conventional configurations, the size indicators indicating the left-right size of the sheet are located at the back of the document table. Therefore, when a user measures the sheet size, the size indicators are far from the user, resulting in poor visibility of the size indicators.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image reading device and an image forming device that improve the visibility of size indicators when a user measures the size of a sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a device comprising: a transparent member having a placement surface on which a sheet is placed; a pressing member that presses the sheet against the transparent member; a rotary support member that is disposed behind the placement surface in a depth direction when the device is viewed from the front and that rotatably supports the pressing member; a reading means that reads an image of a sheet placed on the transparent member; a first abutment portion against which a rear end of the sheet in the depth direction abuts when the reading means reads the image of the sheet; and a second abutment portion against which one end of the sheet in a left-right direction perpendicular to the depth direction abuts when the reading means reads the image of the sheet. a first size indicator that is disposed on the rear side of the placement surface in the depth direction and indicates the left-right size of the sheet when it is abutted against the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion; a second size indicator that is disposed on one side of the placement surface in the left-right direction and indicates the depth size of the sheet when it is abutted against the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion; and a third size indicator that is disposed on the front side of the placement surface in the depth direction and indicates the left-right size of the sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading device and an image forming device in which the visibility of the size indicator when the user measures the size of a sheet is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image reading device. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of an image reading device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image reading device with the ADF open. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] <Configuration of image forming device> First, an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 as viewed from the front. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 130 through which a user can enter various settings for the image forming apparatus 100. The operation unit 130 includes a start button for the user to issue a print start instruction or a scan start instruction, a display for displaying information to the user, and the like. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the position from which the user views the operation unit 130 will be referred to as the "front side" of the apparatus, and the rear side will be referred to as the "rear side." In other words, FIG. 1 illustrates the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 as viewed from the front side. In this embodiment, the direction from the front side to the rear side of the apparatus will be referred to as the "depth direction," and the direction from left to right when viewed from the front side will be referred to as the "left-right direction." In other words, the left-right direction is a direction perpendicular to the depth direction and is horizontal.

[0012] 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming apparatus main body 104 and an image reading device 101 provided above the image forming apparatus main body 104. The image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner image on a sheet of paper P in accordance with image data read by the image reading device 101 or an image signal from a host device such as a personal computer communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus 100. Examples of the sheet of paper P that is a recording medium include sheet materials such as plain paper, plastic film, and cloth.

[0013] Inside the image forming apparatus main body 104, there are provided laser scanners 107-110 corresponding to the respective colors of YMCK, which are image forming sections using an electrophotographic system, image forming units 111-114, and a fixing unit 118. The laser scanners 107-110 irradiate lasers onto the photosensitive members of the corresponding image forming units 111-114 in accordance with input image signals. These image forming units 111-114 are arranged along an intermediate transfer belt 115.

[0014] In image forming unit 111, a yellow toner image is formed, and the formed yellow toner image is primarily transferred to intermediate transfer belt 115. In image forming unit 112, a magenta toner image is formed, and the formed magenta toner image is primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow toner image transferred to intermediate transfer belt 115. In image forming unit 113, a cyan toner image is formed, and the formed cyan toner image is primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow and magenta toner images transferred to intermediate transfer belt 115. In image forming unit 114, a black toner image is formed, and the formed black toner image is primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images transferred to intermediate transfer belt 115.

[0015] A paper feed cassette 105 is disposed at the bottom of the image forming apparatus main body 104 so that it can be pulled out toward the front. The image forming apparatus 100 uses a pickup roller 106 to feed paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 105 toward a secondary transfer nip portion where an intermediate transfer belt 115 and a secondary transfer unit 116 come into contact. When transporting the paper P, the image forming apparatus 100 transports the paper P in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 115. Then, the multiple toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 115 is transferred onto the paper P at the secondary transfer nip portion by the action of a secondary transfer voltage applied to the secondary transfer unit 116.

[0016] The paper P onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred in the secondary transfer section 116 is transported by a transport belt 117 to a fixing unit 118. The paper P is then heated and pressurized by the fixing unit 118 to fix the toner image onto the surface thereof, and is then discharged onto a paper output tray 119.

[0017] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with an electrophotographic image forming means, but the image forming means is not limited to this and may be other image forming means such as an inkjet type. Also, the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured to include a post-processing device that performs stapling, folding, etc. on the paper P on which an image has been formed.

[0018] <Configuration of image reading device> Next, the image reading device 101 will be described. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the image reading device 101. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image reading device 101. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the image reading device 101 with the automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 102 open.

[0019] The image reading device 101 includes an image reading unit 103 (reader, image reading device main body) for reading an original image and an ADF 102 disposed above the image reading unit 103. As shown in FIG. 3, the image reading unit 103 includes a first reading unit 301 for reading image information from an original and a platen glass 302 on which the original is placed. The first reading unit 301 includes a sensor board on which a CCD image sensor serving as a light receiving element is mounted, a light source for irradiating the original with light, and multiple mirrors for directing reflected light from the original to the imaging surface of the light receiving element. The platen glass 302, which is a transparent member, has a placement surface 302a (see FIG. 8) on its upper surface where the original is placed. The first reading unit 301 can read image information from the original placed on the platen glass 302 while moving in the sub-scanning direction (left-right direction) below the platen glass 302. Reading the image of the original placed on the platen glass 302 in this manner is called fixed reading. The image reading unit 103 also has a first flow reading glass 303. The first reading unit 301, while stopped below the first flow reading glass 303, can optically scan the document conveyed by the ADF 102 via the first flow reading glass 303 to read image information. Reading the image of the document conveyed by the ADF 102 in this way is called flow reading.

[0020] Furthermore, the image reading unit 103 has a jump guide 307 as a guide member. The jump guide 307 has a guide surface that is inclined so as to rise from the left side to the right side, and the lower end of the guide surface is located below the upper surface of the first flow reading glass 303. This jump guide 307 picks up the leading edge of the document that has passed over the first flow reading glass 303 and guides it into the ADF 102.

[0021] The ADF 102 has a document tray 200, a discharge tray 201 disposed below the document tray 200, a transport section 204 for transporting documents, and a second reading unit 205 for reading images from the documents. In the transport section 204, a feed roller 202, a separation roller pair 203, transport roller pairs 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, 204e, and 204f, and a discharge roller pair 204g are disposed along a sheet transport path along which sheets are transported. A transparent second flow reading glass 308 is disposed between the transport roller pair 204e and the transport roller pair 204f on the sheet transport path. The document tray 200 is a stacking tray on which sheets as documents are stacked, and the discharge tray 201 is a discharge stacking section on which sheets from which image information has been read are discharged. The document tray 200 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis (not shown) relative to the transport section 204, and the user can easily remove the document on the discharge tray 201 by rotating the document tray 200 upward. The second reading unit 205 has the same configuration as the first reading unit 301, and reads the image of the document through a second flow reading glass 308.

[0022] When a user sets a stack of documents on document tray 200 and issues a command to start the reading operation via operation unit 130, document feed roller 202, which serves as a feeding member, feeds the documents sequentially, starting with the top document, onto a sheet conveyance path. The fed documents are separated one by one by separation roller pair 203 and conveyed along the sheet conveyance path while being passed between conveyance roller pairs 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d in order. The conveyed documents then exit ADF 102 and are guided to the top surface of first flow reading glass 303. At this time, the entire document does not exit ADF 102; only a portion of the document exits ADF 102 and is exposed on first flow reading glass 303. As the document passes under first flow reading glass 303, image information on the first side (front side) of the document is read by first reading unit 301. After passing through first flow reading glass 303, the leading edge of the document is guided back into ADF 102 by jump guide 307 provided in image reading unit 103. Thereafter, the document is transported by transport roller pair 204e, and as it passes through second flow reading glass 308, image information on the second side (rear side) of the document, opposite to the first side, is read by second reading unit 205. The document from which image information has been read is discharged by discharge roller pair 204g as a discharge member, and stacked on discharge tray 201. Note that the first side of the document refers to the upper side when the document is placed on document tray 200, and the second side of the document refers to the lower side when the document is placed on document tray 200.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 8, the ADF 102 is supported by two hinges 206 serving as rotation support members so as to be rotatable relative to the image reading unit 103 about a rotation axis 206a extending in the left-right direction. This allows the ADF 102 to be opened and closed between an open position (position shown in Fig. 8) in which it is open relative to the image reading unit 103 and a closed position (position shown in Fig. 2) in which it is closed relative to the image reading unit 103. The two hinges 206 are disposed on the rear side of the placement surface 302a of the platen glass 302 in the depth direction and are fixed to the image reading unit 103 with a gap between them in the left-right direction. In addition, a pressing plate 207 is disposed on the underside of the ADF 102. The pressing plate 207 is a pressing member that presses the document against the platen glass 302. When placing an original on the placement surface 302a of the platen glass 302, the user first rotates the ADF 102 upward to expose the placement surface 302a. After placing the original on the placement surface 302a, the user rotates the ADF 102 downward, causing the pressing plate 207 to press the original against the platen glass 302. This makes it possible to read the image of the original while it is fixed on the placement surface 302a.

[0024] <Detailed configuration of the image reading unit> Next, the detailed configuration of the image reading unit 103 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the image reading unit 103. FIG. 5 is a top view of the image reading unit 103. The image reading unit 103 has a housing 300 that houses a first reading unit 301, an exterior casing 309 that covers the housing 300, and two hinge support portions 206b to which two hinges 206 are respectively attached. The housing 300 is mainly composed of a metal plate-shaped member, and houses therein the first reading unit 301, a shaft 304, a drive belt 305, an original detection sensor 306, etc. The drive belt 305 is connected to a drive motor (not shown) and moves the first reading unit 301 in the sub-scanning direction along the shaft 304. The original detection sensor 306 is used to detect the presence or absence of an original placed on the platen glass 302 and the size of the original.

[0025] Exterior 309 as an exterior cover is composed of multiple exterior cover members: front exterior 310, left exterior 311, right exterior 312, and rear exterior 313. Front exterior 310 covers the front portion of housing 300, left exterior 311 covers the left portion of housing 300, right exterior 312 covers the right portion of housing 300, and rear exterior 313 covers the rear portion of housing 300. Front exterior 310, left exterior 311, right exterior 312, and rear exterior 313 are each made of a resin material. Two hinge support portions 206b are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction on the rear side of placement surface 302a of platen glass 302.

[0026] The platen glass 302 and the first flow reading glass 303 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the top surface of the housing 300. A left abutment portion 314 is arranged at the left end of the placement surface 302a of the platen glass 302, and a rear abutment portion 315 is arranged at the rear end of the placement surface 302a. The left abutment portion 314 and the rear abutment portion 315 form steps that protrude upward from the placement surface 302a of the platen glass 302. When a user sets a document on the platen glass 302, the left end of the document abuts against the left abutment portion 314, and the rear end of the document abuts against the rear abutment portion 315. The first reading unit 301 reads an image of the document when the document is positioned by abutting against both the left abutment portion 314 and the rear abutment portion 315 and being pressed against the platen glass 302 by the pressing plate 207. The rear abutment portion 315 is an example of a first abutment portion, and the left abutment portion 314 is an example of a second abutment portion. In this embodiment, when the first reading unit 301 reads an image of a document, the left end abuts against the left abutment portion 314, but this is not limiting, and it is sufficient that the end of one side in the left-right direction of the document abuts against the abutment portion.

[0027] <About size index> The following describes the size indicators for indicating the document size. As shown in FIG. 5, a vertical size indicator 314a is provided on the left abutment portion 314, and a horizontal size indicator 315a is provided on the rear abutment portion 315. Specifically, the vertical size indicator 314a is located to the left of the document placement surface 302a of the document table glass 302, and the horizontal size indicator 315a is located on the rear side of the document placement surface 302a of the document table glass 302. The vertical size indicator 314a and the horizontal size indicator 315a each have a mark printed thereon corresponding to a standard size of paper. Standard sizes are paper sizes determined by standards, such as A4, A3, B6, B5, and No. 4 business cards. The vertical size indicator 314a has a mark printed thereon indicating the size of the document when the rear edge of the document is abutted against the rear abutment portion 315. Similarly, horizontal size indicator 315a has marks indicating the size printed at positions corresponding to each standard size so as to indicate the size of the document when the left edge of the document is abutted against left abutment portion 314. This allows the user to check the size of the document and confirm that the document is placed in the correct position when the document is abutted against both left abutment portion 314 and rear abutment portion 315. Horizontal size indicator 315a is an example of a first size indicator, and vertical size indicator 314a is an example of a second size indicator.

[0028] A scale 318 for indicating the left-right length of the document is provided on the document table glass 302 in front of the placement surface 302a. The scale 318 includes a straight line extending in the left-right direction and is printed with two types of marks, one in mm and one in inch, indicating the left-right length. This scale 318 is used, for example, by a user to check the length of an irregular-sized document or the length of a recording medium to be used for printing. The origin (0 [mm], 0 [inch] position) of the scale 318 is located near the left abutment 314 to the right of the jump guide 307. In other words, the scale 318 is printed in an area to the right of the jump guide 307 so as not to overlap with the jump guide 307 in the left-right direction. The scale 318 is an example of a third size indicator. Note that the scale 318 may be configured to have marks in either mm or inch units.

[0029] 6 is a perspective view of the front exterior 310. The front exterior 310 is composed of an upper-front exterior 316 as a first cover member that covers the top surface of the housing 300, and a lower-front exterior 317 that covers the front surface of the housing 300. A scale 318 is laser engraved on the upper surface of the upper-front exterior 316. The upper-front exterior 316 has an outer surface that is coarser (greater) than the lower-front exterior 317, left exterior 311, right exterior 312, and rear exterior 313. In other words, the upper-front exterior 316 has a coarser surface than the other exterior cover members that cover the housing 300 behind the upper-front exterior 316. The left exterior 311, right exterior 312, and rear exterior 313 are examples of second cover members.

[0030] When a user uses scale 318 to measure the size of a sheet, it is assumed that the user places the sheet on placement surface 302a of platen glass 302 and measures it. Therefore, it is preferable that the top surface of front exterior 310 on which scale 318 is printed has an abutment portion that protrudes above placement surface 302a. This allows the user to measure the size of the sheet with the front edge of the sheet abutting against front exterior 310.

[0031] As described above, the image reading device in this embodiment is provided with scale 318 for indicating the length of the document in the left-right direction, on the near side of document placement surface 302a of document glass 302. By arranging scale 318 on the near side of document placement surface 302a of document glass 302 in this way, the visibility of scale 318 is good, making it possible for the user to easily check the size of the sheet.

[0032] Furthermore, the length indicator 314a and the width indicator 315a are printed with marks corresponding to the size of standard-sized paper. This is because the length indicator 314a and the width indicator 315a may be used to confirm that the original is placed in the correct position. In such cases, the printed standard size marks make it easier to confirm that the original is placed in the correct position. On the other hand, the scale 318 is used, for example, to allow the user to check the length of an irregular-sized original or the length of a recording medium to be used for printing. In such cases, it is preferable to print marks indicating the length in millimeters or inches rather than marks indicating the standard size. In this embodiment, when the scale 318 is printed with two marks, one in millimeters and one in inches, it can be used to measure various sheet sizes, making it easy to use. Naturally, even if the scale 318 is printed with marks indicating the standard size, the visibility of the scale 318 can be improved by positioning the scale 318 closer to the user than the placement surface 302a of the platen glass 302.

[0033] Furthermore, the front upper exterior 316 on which the scale 318 is printed has a surface roughness greater than that of the other exterior cover members that cover the housing 300 on the rear side of the front upper exterior 316. This reduces reflection of external light on the surface of the front upper exterior 316, further improving the visibility of the scale 318. Also, increasing the surface roughness of only the front upper exterior 316 on which the scale 318 is printed can reduce processing costs, rather than increasing the surface roughness of the entire exterior 309. Furthermore, because the exterior 309 is made of resin, there is a risk of deformation when the scale 318 is engraved by laser engraving. In this embodiment, the front upper exterior 316 on which the scale 318 is printed and the other exterior cover members are formed separately, which reduces the risk of deformation during laser engraving.

[0034] Furthermore, the scale 318 is arranged so as not to overlap with the jump guide 307 in the left-right direction. As described above, the jump guide 307 has an inclined guide surface in order to scoop up the leading edge of the document. Therefore, if the scale 318 is positioned so as to overlap with the jump guide 307 in the left-right direction, the sheet to be measured will overlap with the jump guide 307, making it difficult to measure the length of the sheet. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the scale 318 is arranged so as not to overlap with the jump guide 307 in the left-right direction, which makes it easy to measure the sheet.

[0035] <Modification> Fig. 7 shows another example of the image reading device 101. In the image reading device 101 shown in Fig. 7, instead of the ADF 102, a simple document pressing member 120 is provided rotatably relative to the image reading unit 103. In this way, even if the image reading device 101 does not have the ADF 102, which is a sheet conveying device, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 100 Image forming device 101 Image reading device 102 ADF 103 Image reading unit 302 Document glass 314 Left stop 314a Vertical size index 315 Back stop part 315a Horizontal size index 318 scale

Claims

1. a transparent member having a placement surface on which a sheet is placed; a pressing member that presses the sheet against the transparent member; a rotation support member that is disposed on the back side of the placement surface in a depth direction when the device is viewed from the front, and that rotatably supports the pressing member; a reading means for reading an image on a sheet placed on the transparent member; a first abutment portion against which a rear end of the sheet in the depth direction abuts when the reading unit reads an image on the sheet; a second abutment portion against which an end of one side of the sheet in a left-right direction perpendicular to the depth direction is abutted when the reading unit reads an image on the sheet; a first size indicator disposed on the back side of the placement surface in the depth direction and indicating a size in the left-right direction of the sheet in a state where the sheet is abutted against the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion; a second size indicator disposed on the one side of the placement surface in the left-right direction and indicating a size in the depth direction of the sheet in a state where the sheet is abutted against the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion; a third size indicator disposed on the front side of the placement surface in the depth direction and indicating a size of the seat in the left-right direction; Equipped with An image reading device characterized by:

2. a housing that supports the transparent member and houses the reading means; an exterior cover that covers the housing; Equipped with The third size indicator is provided on the exterior cover.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. the exterior cover includes a first cover member that covers a portion of the housing that is closer to the user than the placement surface in the depth direction, and a second cover member that covers the housing on a side deeper than the first cover member in the depth direction, the third size indicator is printed on the first cover member, The first cover member has a surface roughness greater than that of the second cover member.

3. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein:

4. The first size indicator and the second size indicator are printed with marks indicating the size of standard size sheets.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein:

5. The third size indicator is printed with a mark in mm or inch indicating the length of the sheet in the left-right direction.

5. The image reading device according to claim 4, wherein:

6. The third size indicator is printed with two types of marks, one in mm and one in inch, indicating the length of the sheet in the left-right direction.

5. The image reading device according to claim 4, wherein:

7. a sheet transport device that includes a stacking tray on which sheets are stacked, a transport unit that transports the sheets stacked on the stacking tray, a discharge tray to which the sheets transported by the transport unit are discharged, and the pressing member, and that transports the sheets toward the reading means; a guide member disposed on the one side of the placement surface in the left-right direction, the guide member guiding the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit back into the sheet conveying device after the sheet has exited the sheet conveying device and had its image read by the reading means; Equipped with The third size indicator is disposed at a position not overlapping with the guide member in the left-right direction.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein:

8. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image on the sheet read by the image reading device; Equipped with An image forming apparatus characterized by:

Images