Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve operability of movement in a width direction of a document edge guide.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 includes the image forming apparatus main body 200 and the image reading unit 100, in which the image reading unit 100 is provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 200 and includes the main body tray 111, the pulling-out tray 112 that can be pulled out from the main body tray 111 from the storage position to the pulling-out position in the first direction, and the document edge guide 121 that is movable in the width direction, and the document edge guide 121 is configured to be operable from the first direction side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Various image forming apparatuses have been used up to now. Among them, there are image forming apparatuses that have an image reading unit that reads a document that is conveyed to the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that has an image reading unit that can read a document that is conveyed to the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-167889 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In image forming apparatuses such as the one disclosed in Patent Document 1, which have an image reading unit that reads a transported document located above the main body of the image forming apparatus, a document edge guide is provided on the document loading section, and the document edge guide is moved widthwise to match the width of the document. However, in conventional image forming apparatuses in which the image reading unit that reads a transported document is located above the main body of the image forming apparatus, the operability of moving the document edge guide widthwise is poor. For example, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, documents are fed in a direction from the front side of the apparatus toward the back side of the apparatus, and the document ejection unit ejects the documents in a direction from the back side of the apparatus toward the front side of the apparatus.

[0005] With this configuration, the document edge guide can be operated from the front side of the device, allowing the image forming apparatus to be installed in a narrow space. However, with this configuration, the document edge guide is located toward the back of the device, so access to the document edge guide must be from above the device. However, if an image forming apparatus with this configuration is installed, for example, on a shelf with limited overhead space, it becomes difficult to access the document edge guide from above the device. On the other hand, with this configuration, since it is difficult to access the document edge guide from the front side of the device, operability when moving the document edge guide in the width direction is reduced, and it becomes virtually impossible to install the image forming apparatus on a shelf with limited overhead space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that can be operated from a first direction side, and is equipped with an image forming apparatus main body unit that feeds a sheet from the first direction side toward a second direction side opposite the first direction side and discharges the sheet from the second direction side toward the first direction side, and an image reading unit that feeds a document from the first direction side toward the second direction side and discharges the document from the second direction side toward the first direction side, wherein the image reading unit is provided on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body unit, and has a main body tray, a drawer tray that can be pulled out in the first direction side from a storage position to a drawer position relative to the main body tray, and a document edge guide that can move in a width direction intersecting the document feed direction, and the document edge guide is configured to be operable from the first direction side. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which a drawer tray is in a retracted position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic internal configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, showing a state in which the tray is in the pulled-out position. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image reading unit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which the drawer tray is in a retracted position. [Figure 5] 5 is a perspective view of the image reading unit of FIG. 4, showing a state in which the tray is in the pulled-out position. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a perspective view of the bottom side showing the document edge guide movement mechanism of the image reading unit in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 5 is a perspective view of the top side showing the document edge guide moving mechanism of the image reading unit in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image reading unit of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which the drawer tray is in a retracted position. [Figure 9] 9 is a perspective view of the top side showing the document edge guide moving mechanism of the image reading unit in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image reading unit of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which the drawer tray is in a retracted position. [Figure 11] 11 is a perspective view of the top surface of the image reading unit of FIG. 10 showing a document edge guide moving mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention will be briefly described below. An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that can be operated from a first direction side, and is equipped with an image forming apparatus main body unit that feeds a sheet from the first direction side toward a second direction side opposite the first direction side and discharges the sheet from the second direction side toward the first direction side, and an image reading unit that feeds a document from the first direction side toward the second direction side and discharges the document from the second direction side toward the first direction side, wherein the image reading unit is provided on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body unit, and has a main body tray, a pull-out tray that can be pulled out in the first direction side from a storage position to a pull-out position relative to the main body tray, and a document edge guide that can move in a width direction intersecting the document feed direction, and the document edge guide is configured to be operable from the first direction side.

[0009] According to this aspect, the document edge guide is configured to be operable from the first direction side, which allows access to the document edge guide from the first direction side corresponding to the front side of the device, improving operability when moving the document edge guide in the width direction.

[0010] An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, and is characterized in that the pull-out tray is positioned above the main tray when in the storage position, and the document edge guide is positioned on the pull-out tray.

[0011] According to this aspect, when the drawer tray is in the storage position, it is located above the main tray, and the document edge guide is located on the drawer tray. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the operability when moving the document edge guide in the width direction not only when the document edge guide is in the drawer position, but also when the document edge guide is in the storage position.

[0012] An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the second aspect, and is characterized in that when the image forming apparatus is viewed from above with the pull-out tray in the pull-out position, at least a portion of the document edge guide is positioned on the first direction side of the housing surface on the first direction side of the image reading unit.

[0013] According to this aspect, when the image forming apparatus is viewed from above with the drawer tray in the drawn-out position, at least a portion of the document edge guide is positioned closer to the first direction than the housing surface on the first direction side of the image reading unit. This configuration allows easy access to the document edge guide from the first direction side, which corresponds to the front side of the apparatus, and particularly improves operability when moving the document edge guide in the width direction.

[0014] An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, and is characterized in that it comprises an operating means that can be manually operated, and a moving means that connects the operating means and the document edge guide, the document edge guide being arranged on the main body tray, and the operating means being arranged on the housing surface on the first direction side of the image reading unit.

[0015] According to this aspect, the document edge guide is provided with a manually operable operating unit and a moving unit connected to the operating unit and the document edge guide. This configuration allows the document edge guide to be moved via the operating unit. The document edge guide is disposed on the main body tray, and the operating unit is disposed on the housing surface on the first direction side of the image reading unit. This configuration allows easy access to the operating unit from the first direction side, which corresponds to the front side of the device, thereby improving operability when moving the document edge guide in the width direction.

[0016] An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the fourth aspect, characterized in that the operating means is a rotary dial or a lever.

[0017] According to this aspect, the operating means is a rotary dial or a lever. With this configuration, the document edge guide can be easily moved by rotating the operating means or moving it back and forth.

[0018] An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the fifth aspect, characterized in that the operating means is the rotary dial, and the rotary dial is configured to be able to move the document edge guide in the width direction via at least one of a belt, a pulley, and a gear.

[0019] According to this aspect, the operating means is a rotary dial, and the rotary dial is configured to move the document edge guide in the width direction via at least one of a belt, a pulley, and a gear. By adopting such a configuration, the operating means can be simplified and made compact.

[0020] An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the fifth aspect, characterized in that the operating means is the lever, and the lever is configured to be able to move the document edge guide in the width direction via at least one of a belt, a pulley, and a gear.

[0021] According to this aspect, the operating means is a lever that is configured to move the document edge guide in the width direction via at least one of a belt, a pulley, and a gear. By configuring in this way, the operating means can be simplified and made compact.

[0022] An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the fourth aspect, and is characterized in that it has a plurality of document edge guides, and the operating means is integrally configured with at least one of the document edge guides.

[0023] According to this aspect, the document edge guide is provided with a plurality of document edge guides, and the operating means is configured integrally with at least one of the document edge guides. This configuration eliminates the need for a means for connecting the operating means and the document edge guides, thereby reducing the number of parts and preventing the device from becoming larger.

[0024] An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the first to eighth aspects, and is characterized in that it comprises an operation unit that accepts operation instructions, and the operation unit is arranged on the housing surface on the first direction side of the image forming apparatus main body or the housing surface on the first direction side of the image reading unit.

[0025] According to this aspect, the image forming apparatus includes an operation unit that receives operation instructions, and the operation unit is disposed on the housing surface on the first direction side of the image forming apparatus main body or the housing surface on the first direction side of the image reading unit. This configuration improves the operability of the operation unit as well as the operability when moving the document edge guide in the width direction.

[0026] An image forming apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the fourth to eighth aspects, and is characterized in that it is provided with an operation unit that accepts operation instructions, and the operation unit is arranged on the housing surface on the first direction side of the image forming apparatus main body part or the housing surface on the first direction side of the image reading part on a side different from the side on which the operation means is provided in the width direction.

[0027] According to this aspect, the image forming apparatus includes an operation unit that receives operation instructions, and the operation unit is disposed on a housing surface on the first direction side of the image forming apparatus main body or on a housing surface on the first direction side of the image reading unit, which is on a side different from the side on which the operation means is disposed in the width direction. With this configuration, the operability of the operation unit can be improved in addition to the operability when moving the document edge guide in the width direction, and the operation means can be used while looking at the operation unit without the view being obstructed by the user's hand or the like.

[0028] An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the fourth to eighth and tenth aspects, and is characterized in that it is provided with an illuminating unit on or around the operating means, and the illuminating unit lights up when the drawer tray is pulled out to the drawer position.

[0029] According to this aspect, a light-emitting element is provided on or around the operating element, and the light-emitting element lights up when the tray is pulled out to the pulled-out position. This configuration allows the user to easily recognize the position of the operating element for moving the document edge guide.

[0030] The image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the fourth to eighth, tenth and eleventh aspects, and is characterized in that a transparent or translucent area is provided around at least one of the drawer tray and the operating means.

[0031] According to this aspect, a transparent or semi-transparent area is provided around at least one of the drawer tray and the operating device, allowing the user to easily recognize at least one of the position of the document edge guide after it has been moved and the position of the operating device for moving the document edge guide.

[0032] [Example 1] The present invention will be described in detail below. First, as an example of an image forming apparatus 1 of the present invention, an image forming apparatus 1A according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure, the X axis direction is the side direction of the apparatus, i.e., the width direction, the Y axis direction is the front direction (frontward) and rear direction of the apparatus, and the Z axis direction is the height direction of the apparatus and the direction of gravity. Note that the direction in which the medium P is transported is referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction is referred to as "upstream." In addition, in each figure, some components may be omitted or simplified to make the internal configuration easier to understand.

[0033] 1 to 3, image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes image reading unit 100 that reads images such as characters and pictures drawn on a document, and image forming apparatus main body 200, which is an inkjet recording device. From another perspective, image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes image forming apparatus main body 200 that feeds sheet M2 in a feeding direction D3 from a first direction side (the +Y direction) toward a second direction side (the -Y direction) opposite the first direction side, and discharges sheet M2 in a discharge direction D4 from the second direction side toward the first direction side, as shown in FIG. In image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment, the first direction side corresponds to the front side of the apparatus, i.e., the front side where a user operates image forming apparatus 1, for example, the side having operation panel 212 that accepts operation instructions from the user.

[0034] 2, the image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment is equipped with an image reading unit 100A, which is an example of an image reading unit 100, that feeds the original M1 in a feeding direction D1 from the first direction side to the second direction side and discharges the original M1 in a discharge direction D2 from the second direction side to the first direction side. As such, the image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment is equipped with an image forming apparatus main body 200 that transports the sheet M2 toward the front and rear of the apparatus, and the image reading unit 100 that transports the original M1 toward the front and rear of the apparatus. This configuration enables the image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment to be installed in a narrow space.

[0035] 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus main body 200 of the image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes a tray 209 on which a sheet M2, which is an image formation medium on which an image is formed, is placed. As shown in Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus main body 200 includes a feed roller 201. The sheet M2 placed on the tray 209 is fed in a feed direction D3 by the feed roller 201.

[0036] 2, the image forming apparatus main body 200 is provided with a plurality of transport roller pairs, such as a transport roller pair 202, a transport roller pair 203, and a transport roller pair 204, on the transport path of the sheet M2. The sheet M2 fed in the feeding direction D3 by the feed roller 201 is transported in the transport path of the sheet M2 by the plurality of transport roller pairs, such as the transport roller pair 202, the transport roller pair 203, and the transport roller pair 204, and is discharged onto the discharge tray 210.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the transport path for sheet M2 is equipped with transport roller pair 202, transport roller pair 203, and transport roller pair 204, in that order from the upstream side in the transport direction, and a detection unit 207 is provided between transport roller pair 202 and transport roller pair 203 to detect the leading and trailing ends of sheet M2 in the transport direction.

[0038] 2, a platen 206 is provided between a pair of transport rollers 203 and a pair of transport rollers 204 on the transport path of the sheet M2, and a head 205 mounted on a carriage 211 is provided at a position facing the platen 206. The head 205 in this embodiment is an inkjet head that ejects ink while moving in a width direction (X-axis direction) that intersects with the transport direction of the sheet M2. However, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the image forming unit, and it may be a so-called line head in which nozzles that eject ink are arranged to cover the entire area in the width direction of the medium, or it may be a configuration in which an image is formed using toner rather than a configuration in which an image is formed by ejecting liquid ink.

[0039] In the image forming apparatus main body 200 of this embodiment, the sheet M2 on which an image is formed by ejecting ink from the head 205 is discharged onto a discharge tray 210 by a pair of transport rollers 204. In other words, the pair of transport rollers 204 also serves as a discharge unit. Note that the image forming apparatus main body 200 of this embodiment can record an image on the sheet M2 based on recording data transmitted from a computer or the like (not shown) via the computer or the like, and can also record an image of the document M1 read by the image reading unit 100A on the sheet M2.

[0040] 1 to 3, the image reading unit 100A of this embodiment includes a tray 110 on which a document M1 for reading an image is placed. The tray 110 is provided in the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 200. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 1 with FIGS. 2 and 3, the tray 110 includes a main body tray 111 (main body tray 111A) and a drawer tray 112 (drawer tray 112A) that can be drawn in the +Y direction, which is the first direction side, relative to the main body tray 111A from the stored position shown in FIG. 1 to the drawn position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 2, the image reading unit 100A of this embodiment is provided with a feed roller 131 having a separation roller 131A for preventing double feeding of the original document M1. The original document M1 placed on the tray 110 is fed in a feed direction D1 by the feed roller 131. As shown in Fig. 2, the image reading unit 100A is provided with a transport roller pair 132 on the transport path of the original document M1. The original document M1 fed in the feed direction D1 by the feed roller 131 is transported through the transport path of the original document M1 by the transport roller pair 132 and discharged onto the discharge tray 140.

[0042] 2, the image reading unit 100A of this embodiment includes a scanner unit 150 capable of reading an image of an original document M1. A pair of transport rollers 132 is provided in the transport path of the original document M1, and a reading position 152 is provided downstream of the pair of transport rollers 132 in the transport direction of the original document M1, where the scanner unit 150 can read an image of the original document M1.

[0043] The document M1, whose image has been read by the scanner unit 150, is transported through a transport path for the document M1 and discharged onto the discharge tray 140. Note that the image reading unit 100A of this embodiment has a flatbed type scanner unit 150, and is configured so that the document M1 can be set on the top surface of the scanner unit 150 by rotating and opening a transport path unit 151, which has a transport path for the document M1, around a rotation axis along the X-axis direction relative to the scanner unit 150. However, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the scanner unit 150, etc.

[0044] 1 and 3, the image reading unit 100A of this embodiment has an original edge guide 121. More specifically, the original edge guide 121 includes original edge guides 121A and 121B that are both movable in a width direction that intersects with the feed direction of the original M1, and both original edge guides 121A and 121B are provided on a drawer tray 112A that can be placed on the front side of the device. This leaves no obstruction on the +Y direction side (the front side of the image forming apparatus 1A), which is the first direction side that corresponds to the front side of the device, and both original edge guides 121A and 121B are configured to be operable from the first direction side.

[0045] In this way, the document edge guide 121 of this embodiment is configured to be operable from the first direction side, so the user can access the document edge guide 121 from the first direction side corresponding to the front side of the device, improving operability when moving the document edge guide 121 in the width direction. Because the image reading unit 100A of this embodiment is configured in this way, it is possible to improve operability when moving the document edge guide 121 in the width direction even when the device is installed in a space with a narrow upper area, for example.

[0046] When the drawer tray 112A in the image reading unit 100A of this embodiment is in the storage position as shown in FIG. 1, it is located above the main body tray 111A in the image reading unit 100A of this embodiment. The document edge guides 121A and 121B are both located on the drawer tray 112A. With this configuration, the image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment can improve the operability of moving the document edge guide 121 in the width direction not only when the document edge guide 121 is in the drawn-out position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but also when the document edge guide 121 is in the storage position as shown in FIG. 1. This is because there is nothing obstructing the front side of the device (+Y direction side) even when the document edge guide 121 is in the storage position.

[0047] 3, when image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment is viewed from above with drawer tray 112A in the drawn-out position, at least a portion of document edge guide 121 is located on the first direction side (+Y direction side) of housing surface 141 on the first direction side of image reading unit 100A. With this configuration, image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment can easily access document edge guide 121 from the first direction side corresponding to the front side of the device, and operability when moving document edge guide 121 in the width direction can be particularly improved.

[0048] 1 and 3, image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment is equipped with operation panel 212 as an operation unit that receives operation instructions from a user. Operation panel 212 is disposed on housing surface 241 on the first direction side of image forming apparatus main body 200 shown in FIG. 1. As in image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment, it is preferable that the operation unit that receives operation instructions from a user is disposed on housing surface 241 on the first direction side of image forming apparatus main body 200 or housing surface 141 on the first direction side of image reading unit 100. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the operability of the operation unit as well as the operability when moving document edge guide 121 in the width direction.

[0049] [Example 2] Next, an image forming apparatus 1B of a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. In FIGS. 4 to 7, components common to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The image forming apparatus 1B of this embodiment has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 1A of the first embodiment, except for the configuration of the image reading unit 100 (image reading unit 100B). Therefore, apart from the parts described below, the image forming apparatus 1B of this embodiment has the same features as the image forming apparatus 1A of the first embodiment.

[0050] 1 to 3, image forming apparatus 1A of the first embodiment is provided with document edge guide 121 in drawer tray 112 (drawer tray 112A). On the other hand, image forming apparatus 1B of the present embodiment is provided with document edge guide 121 in main tray 111 (main tray 111B) rather than in drawer tray 112 (drawer tray 112B). Image forming apparatus 1B of the present embodiment is also provided with moving means 160 for moving document edge guide 121 in the width direction.

[0051] In detail, image forming apparatus 1B of this embodiment includes rotary dial 161A as operating means 161 that can be manually operated by a user, and moving means 160 that connects operating means 161 and document edge guide 121. Note that operating means 161 can also be considered to constitute part of moving means 160. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, document edge guides 121A and 121B as document edge guide 121 are both disposed on main body tray 111, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, operating means 161 is disposed on housing surface 141 on the first direction side (+Y direction side) of image reading unit 100B of this embodiment.

[0052] Image forming apparatus 1B of this embodiment is configured as described above, and therefore, document edge guide 121 can be moved via operating means 161. Furthermore, operating means 161 can be easily accessed from the first direction side (+Y direction side) corresponding to the front side (front face) of the device, which particularly improves operability when moving document edge guide 121 in the width direction.

[0053] In other words, the operating means 161 of the document edge guide 121 is provided at a position that does not overlap with the tray 110 when viewed from the front side of the device (+Y direction side). Note that the operating means 161 being arranged on the housing surface 141 on the front side of the device means that the user can access the operating means 161 from the front side of the device (+Y direction side), and this also means that the operating means 161 is provided over a wide range, for example, covering both the housing surface 141 and the housing surface on the X-axis direction side.

[0054] As described above, the operating means 161 in this embodiment is the rotary dial 161 A. With this configuration, by rotating the operating means 161, the document edge guide 121 can be easily moved.

[0055] Here, the detailed configuration of the moving means 160 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the moving means 160 has a first pulley 162A as the pulley 162, and the first pulley 162A and the rotary dial 161A are connected by a first endless belt 164A as the endless belt 164. Also, as shown in Fig. 6, the moving means 160 has a rack 163A formed integrally with the document edge guide 121A, a rack 163B formed integrally with the document edge guide 121B, and a pinion 162B which is a gear connected to the two racks 163 (rack 163A and rack 163B). As the pinion 162B rotates, the document edge guides 121A and 121B move in the width direction via the racks 163A and 163B.

[0056] Here, pinion 162B also serves as pulley 162, and is connected to first pulley 162A by second endless belt 164B, which serves as endless belt 164. With this configuration, when a user manually rotates rotary dial 161A, first pulley 162A rotates, which rotates pinion 162B, and the rotation of pinion 162B moves original edge guide 121A and original edge guide 121B in the width direction (X-axis direction) via rack 163A and rack 163B. Note that when original edge guide 121A moves in the +X direction, original edge guide 121B moves in the -X direction, and when original edge guide 121A moves in the -X direction, original edge guide 121B moves in the +X direction.

[0057] In other words, in image forming apparatus 1B of this embodiment, operating means 161 is rotary dial 161A. Rotary dial 161A is configured to be able to move document edge guide 121 in the width direction (X-axis direction) via first endless belt 164A, first pulley 162A, second endless belt 164B, pinion 162B, rack 163A, and rack 163B. In this way, by configuring operating means 161 as rotary dial 161A and rotary dial 161A to be able to move document edge guide 121 in the width direction via at least one of a belt, a pulley, and a gear, operating means 161 can be simplified in configuration and made smaller.

[0058] Although the moving means 160 in this embodiment is configured to be able to move two document edge guides 121 (document edge guides 121A and 121B) in the width direction by operating one operating means 161 (rotary dial 161A), the configuration is not limited to this. For example, two operating means 161 may be provided, and document edge guide 121A and document edge guide 121B may be moved by operating individual operating means 161. Furthermore, document edge guides 121A and 121B can be moved not only via operating means 161 but also by direct operation.

[0059] 4 and 5, the image forming apparatus 1B of this embodiment is provided with a light-emitting unit 165 around the operating unit 161 that indicates the position of the operating unit 161. The light-emitting unit 165 of this embodiment is configured to light up when the drawer tray 112B is pulled out to the pull-out position. By providing the light-emitting unit 165 that indicates the position of the operating unit 161 around the operating unit 161 in this manner, the user can easily recognize the position of the operating unit 161 for moving the document edge guide 121. There are no particular limitations on the configuration of the light-emitting unit 165, and a light-emitting diode (LED) or the like can be preferably used.

[0060] [Example 3] Next, an image forming apparatus 1C of a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIGS. 8 and 9, components common to those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the image forming apparatus 1B of the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 showing the image forming apparatus 1B of the second embodiment. Here, the image forming apparatus 1C of this embodiment has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 1A of the first embodiment and the image forming apparatus 1B of the second embodiment, except for the configuration of the image reading unit 100 (image reading unit 100C). Therefore, except for the parts described below, the image forming apparatus 1C of this embodiment has the same features as the image forming apparatuses 1 of the first and second embodiments.

[0061] 4 to 7, in image forming apparatus 1B of Example 2, operating means 161 is a rotary dial 161A. On the other hand, in image forming apparatus 1C of this example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, operating means 161 is a lever 161B that is movable back and forth along the Y-axis direction. With this configuration, image forming apparatus 1C of this example can easily move document edge guide 121 by moving operating means 161 back and forth along the Y-axis direction.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 9 , in the image forming apparatus 1C of this embodiment, the lever 161B also functions as a rack and can be moved by the user along the Y-axis direction. The moving means 160 of the image reading unit 100C of this embodiment includes a first pulley 162A that also functions as a pinion, which is a gear connected to the lever 161B. Similarly to the moving means 160 of the image reading unit 100B of the second embodiment, the moving means 160 of the image reading unit 100C of this embodiment includes a rack 163A integrally formed with the document edge guide 121A, a rack 163B integrally formed with the document edge guide 121B, and a pinion 162B, which is a gear connected to the rack 163A and the rack 163B. Rotation of the pinion 162B moves the document edge guides 121A and 121B in the width direction via the racks 163A and 163B. In the image forming apparatus 1C of this embodiment, the document edge guides 121A and 121B can also be moved not only via the operating means 161 but also by direct operation.

[0063] In the moving means 160 of the image reading unit 100C of the present embodiment, similar to the moving means 160 of the image reading unit 100B of the second embodiment, the pinion 162B also serves as the pulley 162, and is connected to the first pulley 162A by a second endless belt 164B which serves as the endless belt 164. With this configuration, when the user manually moves the lever 161B in the front-to-rear direction, the first pulley 162A rotates, and the rotation of the first pulley 162A rotates the pinion 162B, and the rotation of the pinion 162B moves the document edge guides 121A and 121B in the width direction via the racks 163A and 163B.

[0064] In this way, the operating means 161 of the image forming apparatus 1C of this embodiment is the lever 161B, and the lever 161B is configured to be able to move the document edge guide 121 in the width direction (X-axis direction) via the first pulley 162A, the second endless belt 164B, the pinion 162B, the rack 163A, and the rack 163B. In this way, by configuring the operating means 161 as the lever 161B and the lever 161B to be able to move the document edge guide 121 in the width direction (X-axis direction) via at least one of the belt, the pulley, and the gear, the operating means 161 can be simplified in configuration and made compact.

[0065] 8, the image forming apparatus 1C of this embodiment is provided with a transparent area 166 around the operating means 161. By providing a transparent or semi-transparent area around the operating means 161 in this manner, the user can easily recognize the position of the operating means 161 for moving the document edge guide 121.

[0066] [Example 4] Next, an image forming apparatus 1D of a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In FIGS. 10 and 11, components common to those of the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 4 showing the image forming apparatus 1B of the second embodiment, and a portion of the image forming apparatus main body 200 is indicated by a dashed line. FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 7 showing the image forming apparatus 1B of the second embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1D of this embodiment has the same configuration as the image forming apparatuses 1 of the first to third embodiments, except for the configuration of the image reading unit 100 (image reading unit 100D) and the arrangement of the operation panel 212. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1D of this embodiment has the same features as the image forming apparatuses 1 of the first to third embodiments, except for the portions described below.

[0067] The image forming apparatus 1D of this embodiment, like the image forming apparatuses 1 of the first to third embodiments, has document edge guides 121A and 121B and a plurality of document edge guides 121, and also has a lever 161C as an operating unit 161. Here, as shown in FIG. 11 , the lever 161C is integrally formed with the document edge guide 121A and is configured to be movable along the width direction (X-axis direction) together with the document edge guide 121A. By having a plurality of document edge guides 121 and configuring the operating unit 161 integrally with at least one of the document edge guides 121 in this manner, it is possible to eliminate the need for a means for connecting the operating unit 161 and the document edge guide 121. This reduces the number of components and prevents the device from becoming larger. In the image forming apparatus 1D of this embodiment, the document edge guides 121A and 121B can also be moved not only via the operating unit 161 but also by direct operation.

[0068] Specifically, image forming apparatus 1D of this embodiment includes lever 161C that is integral with document edge guide 121A, and document edge guide 121A and document edge guide 121B are connected via pinion 162B, rack 163A, and rack 163B, similar to movement means 160 of image forming apparatus 1 of embodiments 1 to 3. For this reason, when document edge guide 121A is moved in the width direction (X-axis direction) by moving lever 161C, rack 163A also moves in the width direction in accordance with document edge guide 121A, and pinion 162B rotates, and as pinion 162B rotates, rack 163B moves in the width direction, and document edge guide 121B also moves in the width direction in accordance with rack 163B.

[0069] 10 , in the image forming apparatus 1D of this embodiment, the operation panel 212 serving as an operation unit that receives operation instructions from the user is disposed on the housing surface 241 on the first direction side of the image forming apparatus main body 200, on the side (−X direction side) opposite to the side (+X direction side) where the operation unit 161 is provided in the width direction (X axis direction). In this manner, it is preferable that the operation unit (operation panel 212) that receives operation instructions from the user is disposed on the housing surface 241 on the first direction side of the image forming apparatus main body 200 or the housing surface 141 on the first direction side of the image reading unit 100, on the side (+X direction side) opposite to the side where the operation unit 161 is provided in the width direction. This configuration improves the operability of the operation unit (operation panel 212) as well as the operability when moving the document edge guide 121 in the width direction. Furthermore, the operation unit 161 can be used while viewing the operation unit (operation panel 212) without being obstructed by the user's hand or the like.

[0070] In the image forming apparatus 1D of this embodiment, the entire tray 112B is made of transparent resin. By providing a transparent or semi-transparent area in the tray 112B, the user can easily see the position of the document edge guide 121 after it has been moved from the front side of the apparatus (the +Y direction side) through the tray 112.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1...image forming apparatus, 1A...image forming apparatus, 1B...image forming apparatus, 1C...image forming apparatus, 1D...image forming apparatus, 100...image reading unit, 100A...image reading unit, 100B...image reading unit, 100C...image reading unit, 100D...image reading unit, 110...tray, 111...main body tray, 111A...main body tray, 111B...main body tray, 112...drawer tray, 112A...drawer tray, 112B...drawer tray, 121...original edge guide, 121A...original edge guide, 121B...original edge guide, 131...feed roller, 131A...separation roller, 132...transport roller pair, 140...discharge tray, 141...casing surface, 150...scanner unit, 151...transport path unit, 152...reading position position, 160...moving means, 161...operating means, 161A...rotating dial, 161B...lever, 161C...lever, 162...pulley, 162A...first pulley, 162B...pinion (gear), 163...rack, 163A...rack, 163B...rack, 164...endless belt, 164A...first endless belt, 164B...second endless belt, 165...light emitting section, 166...transparent area, 200...image forming apparatus main body, 201...feed roller, 202...pair of conveying rollers, 203...pair of conveying rollers, 204...pair of conveying rollers, 205...head, 206...platen, 207...detecting section, 209...tray, 210...discharge tray, 211...carriage, 212...operation panel (operating section), 241...casing surface

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus operable from a first direction side, an image forming apparatus main body that feeds a sheet in a direction from the first direction side toward a second direction side opposite to the first direction side and discharges the sheet in a direction from the second direction side toward the first direction side; an image reading unit that feeds an original in a direction from the first direction side toward the second direction side and discharges the original in a direction from the second direction side toward the first direction side; Equipped with the image reading unit is provided on an upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body, and includes a main body tray, a drawer tray that can be drawn out in the first direction relative to the main body tray from a storage position to a drawer position, and a document edge guide that can move in a width direction intersecting a document feeding direction, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the document edge guide is configured to be operable from the first direction side.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the drawer tray is disposed above the main tray when in the storage position; The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the document edge guide is disposed on the drawer tray.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the image forming apparatus is viewed from above while the pull-out tray is in the pull-out position, at least a portion of the document edge guide is positioned on the first direction side of the housing surface on the first direction side of the image reading unit.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The document edge guide includes a manually operable operating means and a moving means connected to the operating means and the document edge guide, the document edge guide is disposed on the main body tray, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the operation means is disposed on a surface of the housing on the first direction side of the image reading unit.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the operating means is a rotary dial or a lever.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, The operating means is the rotary dial, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the rotary dial is configured to be able to move the document edge guide in the width direction via at least one of a belt, a pulley, and a gear.

7. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, The operating means is the lever, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the lever is configured to be able to move the document edge guide in the width direction via at least one of a belt, a pulley, and a gear.

8. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, The document edge guide includes a plurality of the document edge guides, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the operating means is integrally formed with at least one of the document edge guides.

9. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, An operation unit that receives operation instructions is provided, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the operation unit is disposed on a housing surface on the first direction side of the image forming apparatus main body or on a housing surface on the first direction side of the image reading unit.

10. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, An operation unit that receives operation instructions is provided, An image forming apparatus characterized in that the operation unit is arranged on a housing surface on the first direction side of the image forming apparatus main body unit or on a housing surface on the first direction side of the image reading unit on a side different from the side on which the operation means is provided in the width direction.

11. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, a light emitting unit is provided on or around the operating means, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the light emitting unit lights up when the tray is pulled out to the pulled out position.

12. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, An image forming apparatus characterized in that a transparent or semi-transparent area is provided around at least one of the drawer tray and the operating means.

Images