Image reading device and image forming apparatus equipped with the same

Abstract

An image reading device that can improve the operability of a document feed tray and a discharge tray of a document transport device, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same are provided. [Solution] The image reading device includes an image reading unit having a reading module capable of reading images, and a document transport device that transports sheet-like documents to an automatic reading position of the image reading unit. The document transport device includes a document feed tray on which documents are placed, a document discharge tray that is disposed below the document feed tray at a distance and to which the documents are discharged, a support unit that supports the document feed tray and the document discharge tray so that they can move horizontally along the document transport direction, and a connecting unit that connects the document feed tray and the document discharge tray. While connected by the connecting unit, the document feed tray and the document discharge tray can move back and forth along the support unit in a first direction toward the outside of the document transport device and a second direction toward the inside of the document transport device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device equipped with a document transport device that automatically transports sheet documents, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] An image reading device mounted on an image forming apparatus such as a laser type or an inkjet type is provided with an auto document feeder that separates a number of original documents one by one and transports them to an image reading unit. The auto document feeder is provided with a document feed tray on which a stack of original documents is placed, a document transport mechanism that separates and feeds original documents one by one from the stack placed on the document feed tray, and a document discharge tray for discharging the original documents after the original images have been read.

[0003] In the document transport mechanism described above, the area of ​​the document transport device is designed to be as small as possible to save space. As a result, it is difficult to place documents only on the top of the document transport device. Therefore, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example, a configuration has been proposed in which the document feed tray and document discharge tray are slid to the outside of the device to load and discharge documents. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-167891 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the image forming apparatus is operated from the front, so the document transport direction is from the front to the rear of the apparatus. Therefore, if the document feed tray and document output tray remain slid outward from the apparatus, it is difficult to see the lower document output tray, especially when sliding the lower document output tray from an angle viewed from above. Therefore, when the scanning function is not being used, it is necessary to frequently slide the two trays back and forth to avoid interfering with user operations.

[0006] Furthermore, even before the document feed tray and document discharge tray are pulled out, if the document transport mechanism is made lower in height, the gap between the two trays becomes narrower, which creates the problem of reduced ease of sliding the trays.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading device that can improve the operability of the document feed tray and document discharge tray of a document transport device, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a first configuration of the present invention is an image reading device including an image reading unit and a document transport device. The image reading unit has a reading module capable of reading an image. The document transport device transports sheet-like documents to an automatic reading position of the image reading unit. The document transport device includes a document feed tray on which documents are placed, a document discharge tray disposed below the document feed tray at a distance and onto which the documents are discharged, a support section that supports the document feed tray and the document discharge tray so that they can move horizontally along the document transport direction, and a connecting section that connects the document feed tray and the document discharge tray. The document feed tray and the document discharge tray, while connected by the connecting section, are reciprocally movable along the support section in a first direction toward the outside of the document transport device and in a second direction toward the inside of the document transport device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the first configuration of the present invention, the document feed tray and the document discharge tray are connected by a connecting portion, so that when either the document feed tray or the document discharge tray is slid, both the document feed tray and the document discharge tray can be slid simultaneously, thereby improving the operability of the document feed tray and the document discharge tray. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus 100 equipped with an image reading device 2 of the present invention, showing a state in which a document feed tray 41 and a document discharge tray 42 of a document transport device 4 are pulled out to the outside of the apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the document transport device 4 in FIG. 1; [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing a mechanism for moving a document feed tray 41 and a document discharge tray 42 of a document transport device 4 constituting an image reading device 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a top view schematically showing a moving mechanism for a document feed tray 41 and a document discharge tray 42 of a document transport device 4 constituting an image reading device 2 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a modified example of the mechanism for moving the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 of the document transport device 4 constituting the image reading device 2 of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 have been slid to the outside of the device from the state shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a top view showing a state in which the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 have been slid to the outside of the device from the state shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is a side view showing a state in which the document feed tray 41 is swung from the state of FIG. 6 and an end portion 41a of the document feed tray 41 on the downstream side in the feeding direction is supported by the tray support portion 45. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a mechanism for moving a document feed tray 41 and a document discharge tray 42 of a document transport device 4 constituting an image reading device 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view schematically showing a mechanism for moving a document feed tray 41 and a document discharge tray 42 of a document transport device 4 constituting an image reading device 2 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 have been slid to the outside of the device from the state shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a top view showing a state in which the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid to the outside of the device from the state shown in FIG. [Figure 13] 11 is a side view showing a state in which the document feed tray 41 is swung from the state of FIG. 10 and the protruding portion 41c of the document feed tray 41 is supported by the tray support portion 45. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a modified example of the mechanism for moving the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 of the document transport device 4 constituting the image reading device 2 of the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a mechanism for moving a document feed tray 41 and a document discharge tray 42 of a document transport device 4 constituting an image reading device 2 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a top view schematically showing a mechanism for moving a document feed tray 41 and a document discharge tray 42 of a document transport device 4 constituting an image reading device 2 according to a third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 16 is a side view showing a state in which the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid to the outside of the device from the state shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a modified example of the mechanism for moving the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 of the document transport device 4 constituting the image reading device 2 of the third embodiment, and shows an example in which a plurality of angle holding portions 45e are provided on the tray support portion 45. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a mechanism for moving a document feed tray 41 and a document discharge tray 42 of a document transport device 4 constituting an image reading device 2 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a side view showing a state in which the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid to the outside of the device from the state shown in FIG. 19. [Figure 21]21 is a side view showing a state in which the movable tray portion 52 of the document feed tray 41 is rotated from the state of FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 21 is a top view showing a state in which the movable tray portion 52 of the document feed tray 41 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 20. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a mechanism for moving a document feed tray 41 and a document discharge tray 42 of a document transport device 4 constituting an image reading device 2 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a side view showing a state in which the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid to the outside of the device from the state shown in FIG. 23. [Figure 25] 25 is a side view showing a state in which the document feed tray 41 is swung from the state of FIG. 24 and an end portion 41a of the document feed tray 41 is supported by a tray support portion 45. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a side view schematically showing a mechanism for moving a document feed tray 41 and a document discharge tray 42 of a document transport device 4 constituting an image reading device 2 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a side view showing a state in which the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid to the outside of the device from the state shown in FIG. 26. [Figure 28] 28 is a side view showing a state in which the document feed tray 41 is swung from the state of FIG. 27 and an end portion 41a of the document feed tray 41 is supported by a tray support portion 45. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [1. Configuration of image forming device] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 equipped with an image reading device 2 of the present invention. Fig. 1 shows a state in which a document feed tray 41 and a document discharge tray 42 of a document transport device 4 are pulled out to the outside of the apparatus.

[0012] 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming apparatus main body 1 having an image forming unit 10 that forms an image on a sheet, and an image reading device 2 that reads an image of a document. The image reading device 2 is provided on top of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

[0013] Image forming unit 10 forms images by an electrophotographic process or an inkjet process. In the case of an electrophotographic process, image forming unit 10 includes a photosensitive drum, which is a rotatably supported image carrier, and a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, and a static elimination device (none of which are shown) arranged around the photosensitive drum, and forms a toner image on a sheet. In the case of an inkjet process, image forming unit 10 includes a recording head (not shown) that ejects ink onto a sheet.

[0014] The image reading device 2 includes an image reading unit 3 and a document transport device 4. A reading module 30 is disposed inside the image reading unit 3. The reading module 30 reads an image of a document placed on a contact glass (not shown) while moving in the sub-scanning direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 1). The reading module 30 also reads an image of a document transported by the document transport device 4 while stopped directly below the automatic reading position on the contact glass.

[0015] Image forming apparatus 100 is provided with an operation panel 5 as an operation unit that accepts operations by a user on the front side of the apparatus (on the right side in FIG. 1).

[0016] [2. Configuration of the document feeder] Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view that schematically shows the internal structure of the document transport device 4 in Fig. 1. The document transport device 4 is supported so as to be able to open and close up and down relative to the image reading unit 3, with a hinge portion (not shown) on the rear side (left side in Fig. 2) of the image reading unit 3 as a pivot point.

[0017] Within the cover member 4a of the document transport device 4, a document transport path d is formed that extends from a document feed tray 41 to a document discharge tray 42, and along the document transport path d, there are provided a paper feed unit 40 consisting of a pickup roller, a paper feed belt, a separation roller, etc., a pair of registration rollers, a pair of transport rollers, a pair of discharge rollers, etc. (none of which are shown in the figures). In addition, along the document transport path d, there are provided at appropriate positions a plurality of paper detection sensors (not shown) including a paper feed sensor and a discharge sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a document or its passage.

[0018] Next, a description will be given of the sheet-through document transport operation using the document transport device 4. In the sheet-through method, multiple documents are set with the image side facing up on the document feed tray 41. Only the topmost document of the multiple documents set on the document feed tray 41 is separated by the paper feed unit 40 and transported a predetermined distance toward the pair of registration rollers, after which the drive of the paper feed unit 40 is stopped and the primary paper feed is completed.

[0019] After a predetermined time has elapsed since the primary paper feed is completed, the pair of resist rollers is rotated by the operation of a secondary paper feed drive motor (not shown). The document is transported by the pair of resist rollers toward the contact glass. The document transported to the contact glass is read by the reading module 30, which is positioned at the automatic reading position below the contact glass. The document that has passed the automatic reading position is discharged onto the document discharge tray 42 by the pair of transport rollers and the pair of discharge rollers.

[0020] When reading images on both the front and back sides of a document, a back side reading module (not shown) provided inside document transport device 4 reads the image on the back side, and then reading module 30 reads the image on the front side.

[0021] [3. Document feed tray and document ejection tray movement mechanism] (First embodiment) Next, a detailed description will be given of the movement mechanism of document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42, which is a characteristic feature of the present invention. Figures 3 and 4 are a side view and a top view, respectively, that schematically show the movement mechanism of document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42 of document transport device 4 that constitutes image reading device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] 3, in this embodiment, document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42 are connected by connecting portion 43. Document feed tray 41 is supported so as to be swingable in the vertical direction at a rotation fulcrum portion 46 provided at the top of connecting portion 43. Document discharge tray 42 is fixed to the lower end of connecting portion 43.

[0023] A specific configuration of the rotation fulcrum 46 may be, for example, a configuration in which a hinge is provided that penetrates through the document feed tray 41 and the connecting portion 43, and the rotation fulcrum 46 is rotatable around the hinge as an axis. Alternatively, a bearing may be provided between the hinge and the document feed tray 41, or a boss may be provided on the side end of the document feed tray 41, and an engaged portion into which the boss is rotatably inserted may be provided on the connecting portion 43.

[0024] Support rails 44a and 44b are disposed below document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42, respectively. Support rails 44a and 44b support document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42 so that they can slide horizontally along the document transport direction (direction of arrow AA'). Note that the support portions of document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42 are not limited to rail shapes like support rails 44a and 44b, and may be support points 44c that support only the ends in the document transport direction, as shown in FIG. 5, for example.

[0025] Tray support portions 45 are disposed near the connecting portion 43. As shown in Fig. 4, a pair of tray support portions 45 are disposed on both sides of the document feed tray 41 in the width direction (BB' direction) perpendicular to the document transport direction. The tray support portion 45 has a U-shape in side view, with a first support protrusion 45a and a second support protrusion 45b facing each other at a predetermined interval. The tray support portion 45 is formed of an elastically deformable resin material such as rubber.

[0026] When using the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid in a direction toward the outside of the device (first direction, direction of arrow A) until the connecting portion 43 abuts against the support rail 44a. At this time, the end portion 41a of the document feed tray 41 moves to a position where it overlaps with the tray support portion 45.

[0027] Then, the document feed tray 41 is swung in a direction in which the end 41a side descends (counterclockwise in FIG. 6) with the rotation fulcrum 46 as the swing fulcrum. As a result, the document feed tray 41 is separated from the support rail 44a, and the end 41a abuts against the second support protrusion 45b of the tray support portion 45.

[0028] As the document feed tray 41 is further swung, as shown in FIG. 8 , the end 41a moves downward while elastically deforming the second support protrusion 45b. The lower surface of the document feed tray 41 abuts against the first support protrusion 45a, restricting the downward swing. When the swinging stops, the document feed tray 41 maintains its position with its upper surface abutting against the second support protrusion 45b. As a result, the document feed tray 41 fits between the first support protrusion 45a and the second support protrusion 45b. That is, the downstream end 41a of the document feed tray 41 in the document feed direction is sandwiched between the first support protrusion 45a and the second support protrusion 45b of the tray support portion 45. The end 41a also abuts against the U-shaped rear surface (regulating surface) 45c of the tray support portion 45. Note that when the document feed tray 41 is held by the tray support portion 45, the document feed tray 41 may be spaced apart from the first support protrusion 45a.

[0029] In this manner, the document feed tray 41 is changed in position from the state shown in Fig. 5 (first position) in which it is supported horizontally by the support rails 44a to the state shown in Fig. 7 (second position) in which it is supported at a downward incline in the document feed direction (direction of arrow A') by the tray support parts 45. In the state shown in Fig. 7 in which the document feed tray 41 is pulled out along the support rails 44a and supported by the tray support parts 45, the paper feed part 40 (see Fig. 2) is disposed in a position close to the end part 41a of the document feed tray 41.

[0030] When the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are not in use, the document feed tray 41 is swung from the state shown in Fig. 8 in a direction in which the end 41a side rises (clockwise in Fig. 7). As a result, the end 41a of the document feed tray 41 moves upward while elastically deforming the second support protrusion 45b, and moves away from between the first support protrusion 45a and the second support protrusion 45b.

[0031] Then, document feed tray 41 is returned to the state shown in Figure 6 in which it is supported horizontally by support rails 44a, and document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42 are further slid in the direction toward the inside of the device (second direction, direction of arrow A') to return to the state shown in Figure 3. In this way, document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42 are stored inside cover member 40 (see Figure 2) of document transport device 4.

[0032] In this embodiment, by connecting the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 via the connecting portion 43, sliding either the document feed tray 41 or the document discharge tray 42 allows both the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 to slide simultaneously. Furthermore, by providing the connecting portion 43 with a rotation support portion 46 that rotatably supports the document feed tray 41, when the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid, the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 can be moved with some rattle. This makes the sliding action easier than in a configuration in which the document feed tray 41 is fixed to the connecting portion 43.

[0033] Furthermore, when the document feed tray 41 is rotated, the end 41a is sandwiched between the first support protrusion 45a and the second support protrusion 45b, and the end 41a abuts against the regulating surface 45c of the tray support portion 45, thereby restricting the document feed tray 41 from moving toward the inside of the document transport device 4 (in the direction of arrow A'), and supporting the document feed tray 41 at a predetermined angle. Furthermore, by making the protruding length of the second support protrusion 45b of the tray support portion 45 shorter than that of the first support protrusion 45a, the end 41a of the document feed tray 41 can easily climb over the second support protrusion 45b. Furthermore, the end 41a of the document feed tray 41 can be stably supported by the first support protrusion 45a. This improves the operability of the document feed tray 41.

[0034] The configuration of tray support portion 45 is not limited to a U-shape in side view having first support protrusion 45 a and second support protrusion 45 b. For example, it may be configured such that document feed tray 41 is held at a predetermined angle by friction between document feed tray 41 and connecting portion 43 at rotation fulcrum portion 46.

[0035] (Second embodiment) 9 and 10 are side and top views, respectively, that schematically show the movement mechanism of the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 of the document transport device 4 that constitutes the image reading device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a protrusion 41c that protrudes outward in the width direction beyond the side edge 41b is formed at the end 41a of the document feed tray 41. The protrusion 41c may be formed integrally with the document feed tray 41, or may be fixed to the document feed tray 41 as a separate member. In addition, the tray support portion 45 is disposed outside the connecting portion 43 in the width direction and inside the tip of the protrusion 41c. The configuration of other parts of the document transport device 4 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0036] When using the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid toward the outside of the device (in the direction of arrow A) until the connecting portion 43 abuts against the support rail 44a. At this time, the protrusion 41c of the document feed tray 41 moves to a position where it overlaps with the tray support portion 45.

[0037] Then, the document feed tray 41 is swung in a direction in which the end 41a side descends (counterclockwise in FIG. 11) with the rotation fulcrum 46 as the swing fulcrum. As a result, the document feed tray 41 moves away from the support rail 44a, and as shown in FIG. 13, the protrusion 41c moves downward while elastically deforming the second support protrusion 45b, and fits between the first support protrusion 45a and the second support protrusion 45b. That is, the protrusion 41c of the document feed tray 41 is sandwiched between the first support protrusion 45a and the second support protrusion 45b of the tray support portion 45. In addition, the protrusion 41c comes into contact with the U-shaped inner surface (regulating surface) 45c of the tray support portion 45.

[0038] In this manner, the document feed tray 41 is changed from the state shown in FIG. 10 (first position) in which it is supported horizontally by the support rail 44a to the state shown in FIG. 13 (second position) in which it is supported by the tray support portion 45 at a downward slope in the document feed direction (direction of arrow A').

[0039] In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the protrusion 41c is supported by the tray support portion 45, so that the tray support portion 45 can be disposed outside the connecting portion 43. This makes it possible to avoid interference between the connecting portion 43 and the tray support portion 45 when the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid.

[0040] 14 is a side view showing a modified example of the movement mechanism of the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 of the document transport device 4 constituting the image reading device 2 of the second embodiment. In the modified example shown in FIG. 14, the protrusion 41c of the document feed tray 41 is formed on the outer side of the device (in the direction of the arrow A) than the connecting portion 43.

[0041] Furthermore, tray support portion 45 is positioned so as to overlap protrusion portion 41c when document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42 are slid toward the outside of the device. Tray support portion 45 is not U-shaped in side view either, but has only first support protrusion 45a that supports protrusion portion 41c from below. In this way, the positions and shapes of protrusion portion 41c and tray support portion 45 can be changed as desired.

[0042] (Third embodiment) 15 and 16 are a side view and a top view, respectively, that schematically show the movement mechanism of the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 of the document transport device 4 that constitutes the image reading device 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 17 is a side view showing the state in which the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 have been slid to the outside of the device from the state shown in Fig. 15. In this embodiment, a protrusion 41c that protrudes outward in the width direction is formed on the end 41a of the document feed tray 41.

[0043] The tray support portion 45 has a first guide portion 45d, a second guide portion 45e, and an angle holding portion 45f. The first guide portion 45d extends horizontally along the sliding direction (the direction of arrow AA') of the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42. The second guide portion 45e is connected to an end of the first guide portion 45d and slopes downward as it moves toward the pull-out direction (the direction of arrow A) of the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42. The angle holding portion 45f is formed at the lower end of the second guide portion 45e.

[0044] A guide groove 50 that engages with the protrusion 41c is formed on the inner surface of the tray support portion 45. The guide groove 50 extends from the first guide portion 45d, passing through the second guide portion 45e, to the angle maintaining portion 45f.

[0045] When using the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42, the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid toward the outside of the device (in the direction of arrow A). As the document feed tray 41 moves, the protrusion 41c moves horizontally along the guide groove 50 in the first guide portion 45d and diagonally downward in the second guide portion 45e.

[0046] 17, when document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42 are slid until connecting portion 43 abuts support rail 44a, protrusion 41c moves to the lower end of second guide portion 45e and reaches angle retaining portion 45f. By pushing document feed tray 41 toward the rear of the device (in the direction of arrow A'), protrusion 41c fits into angle retaining portion 45f. This makes it possible to support document feed tray 41 at a predetermined angle while restricting movement of document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42 toward the rear of the device.

[0047] 18 is a side view showing a modified example of the movement mechanism for the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 of the document transport device 4 constituting the image reading device 2 of the third embodiment. In the modified example shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of angle holding portions 45f (two positions in FIG. 18) are provided on the second guide portion 45e of the tray support portion 45.

[0048] After sliding the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 until the connecting portion 43 abuts against the support rail 44a, the protrusion 41c is fitted into one of the angle holding portions 45f, thereby making it possible to adjust the angle of the document feed tray 41 in the second position in multiple stages.

[0049] If the angle of document feed tray 41 is made gentle, document feed tray 41 can be used even when image forming apparatus 100 is stored on a shelf or the like. On the other hand, if the angle of document feed tray 41 is made steep, it becomes easier to remove documents from document discharge tray 42 located below document feed tray 41. By providing multiple angle holding portions 45f, it becomes possible to adjust the angle of document feed tray 41 in consideration of user operability as described above.

[0050] (Fourth embodiment) 19 is a side view schematically showing a movement mechanism for document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42 of document transport device 4 constituting image reading device 2 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, document feed tray 41 has a fixed tray section 51 and a movable tray section 52. Fixed tray section 51 is fixed to connecting section 43. Movable tray section 52 is rotatably supported by fixed tray section 51 at rotation fulcrum section 46. That is, unlike the first to third embodiments, rotation fulcrum section 46 is provided at a location other than connecting section 43.

[0051] When the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are not in use, the movable tray section 52 and the fixed tray section 51 are arranged so that they are flush with each other, as shown in Fig. 19. The movable tray section 52 has a curved section 52a that curves downward on the edge on the side closer to the rotation fulcrum section 46 (the second direction, the direction of arrow A).

[0052] When using the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42, the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid toward the outside of the device (in the direction of arrow A) as shown in Fig. 20. After sliding the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 until the connecting portion 43 abuts against the support rail 44a, the movable tray portion 52 is rotated toward the outside of the device (clockwise in Fig. 20).

[0053] 21 and 22 are a side view and a top view showing the state in which the movable tray section 52 of the document feed tray 41 has been rotated from the state in Fig. 20. As shown in Fig. 22, the curved section 52a protrudes outward from the side edge of the movable tray section 52 and overlaps the fixed tray section 51 in the vertical direction. As a result, the curved section 52a abuts against the back surface of the fixed tray section 51, supporting the movable tray section 52 at a predetermined angle. The angle of the movable tray section 52 can be adjusted by the shape of the curved section 52a.

[0054] When the movable tray unit 52 is rotated, an opening 51a is formed in the fixed tray unit 51 as shown in Fig. 22. In this embodiment, when the document feed tray 41 is pulled out, the paper feed unit 40 (see Fig. 2) is located below the fixed tray unit 51 and above the document discharge tray 42. Therefore, documents placed on the movable tray unit 52 supported at a predetermined angle as shown in Figs. 21 and 22 pass through the opening 51a of the fixed tray unit 51 and are fed to the paper feed unit 40.

[0055] (Fifth embodiment) 23 is a side view schematically showing a movement mechanism for document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42 of document transport device 4 constituting image reading device 2 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, connecting portion 43 connecting document feed tray 41 and document discharge tray 42 is disposed at the end on the outside of the device (in the direction of arrow A). The lower end of connecting portion 43 is fixed to document discharge tray 42. The upper end of connecting portion 43 is detachable from engagement portion 41d of document feed tray 41.

[0056] The tray support portion 45 has a first guide portion 45d and a second guide portion 45e. The first guide portion 45d extends horizontally in the sliding direction (the direction of arrow AA') of the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42. The second guide portion 45e is connected to an end of the first guide portion 45d and slopes downward as it approaches the insertion direction (the direction of arrow A') of the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42. A guide groove 50 that engages with the protrusion 41c is formed on the inner surface of the tray support portion 45. The guide groove 50 extends over the entire area of ​​the first guide portion 45d and the second guide portion 45e.

[0057] A protrusion 41c protruding outward in the width direction is formed on end 41a of document feed tray 41. The end of support rail 44a facing the inside of the device (in the direction of arrow A') is bent and inclined downward along second guide portion 45e.

[0058] When using the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42, the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid toward the outside of the device (in the direction of arrow A) as shown in Fig. 24. As the document feed tray 41 moves, the protrusion 41c moves horizontally along the guide groove 50 of the first guide portion 45d.

[0059] After sliding the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 until the protrusion 41c reaches the outer edge of the first guide portion 45d, the engagement between the engagement portion of the document feed tray 41 and the connecting portion 43 is released, as shown in Fig. 25. Then, with the document feed tray 41 tilted at a predetermined angle, the protrusion 41c is inserted into the guide groove 50 formed in the second guide portion 45e of the tray support portion 45. This causes the document feed tray 41 to be held in a second position in which it is supported by the tray support portion 45 at a downward slope toward the document feed direction (the direction of arrow A').

[0060] In this embodiment, connecting portion 43 is disposed at the end of document discharge tray 42 on the outer side of the device (in the direction of arrow A). Therefore, after document feed tray 41 and connecting portion 43 are disengaged and moved to the second position, connecting portion 43 functions as a stopper that prevents documents discharged onto document discharge tray 42 from falling out.

[0061] (Sixth embodiment) 26 is a side view schematically showing a movement mechanism for the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 of the document transport device 4 constituting the image reading device 2 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a connecting portion 43 that connects the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 is disposed inside the device (in the direction of arrow A'). The configuration of other parts of the document transport device 4 is the same as in the fifth embodiment.

[0062] When using the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42, the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 are slid toward the outside of the device (in the direction of arrow A) as shown in Fig. 27. As the document feed tray 41 moves, the protrusion 41c moves horizontally along the guide groove 50 of the first guide portion 45d.

[0063] After sliding the document feed tray 41 and the document discharge tray 42 until the protrusion 41c reaches the outer edge of the first guide portion 45d, the engagement between the engagement portion of the document feed tray 41 and the connecting portion 43 is released, as shown in Fig. 28. Then, with the document feed tray 41 tilted at a predetermined angle, the protrusion 41c is inserted into the guide groove 50 formed in the second guide portion 45e of the tray support portion 45. This causes the document feed tray 41 to be held in a second position in which it is supported by the tray support portion 45 at a downward slope in the document feed direction (the direction of arrow A').

[0064] In the sixth embodiment, the connecting portion 43 is fixed to the document discharge tray 42, and the document feed tray 41 is provided with an engaging portion 41d that can engage with the connecting portion 43, but the connecting portion 43 may also be fixed to the document feed tray 41, and the document discharge tray 42 may be provided with an engaging portion that can engage with the connecting portion 43.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the image reading device 2 mounted on the image forming device 100 has been described, but the present invention can be applied in exactly the same way to an image reading device such as an image scanner configured separately from the image forming device 100. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] The present invention can be applied to an image reading device equipped with a document feeder that automatically feeds sheet documents. By utilizing the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading device that can improve the operability of the document feed tray and document discharge tray of the document feeder, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 Image forming device main body 2. Image reader 3 Image reading unit 4 Document transport device 10 Image forming unit 30 Reading Module 40 Paper feed section 41 Document feed tray 41a End 41b Side edge 41c Protrusion 41d Engagement part 42 Document output tray 43 Connecting part 44a, 44b Support rail (support part) 44c Support point (support part) 45 Tray support 45a 1st support protrusion 45b 2nd support protrusion 45c Regulatory aspects 45d First guide section 45e Second guide part 45f Angle holding part 46 Rotating fulcrum 50 Guide groove 51 Fixed tray section 52 Movable tray section 52a Curved section 100 Image forming device

Claims

1. an image reading unit having a reading module capable of reading an image; a document transport device that transports a sheet-like document to an automatic reading position of the image reading unit; In an image reading device comprising: The document transport device a document feed tray on which the document is placed; a document discharge tray disposed below the document feed tray at a distance, and onto which the documents are discharged; a support portion that supports the document feed tray and the document discharge tray so as to be horizontally movable along the document transport direction; a connecting portion that connects the document feed tray and the document discharge tray; Equipped with An image reading device characterized in that the document feed tray and the document discharge tray, while connected by the connecting portion, can move back and forth along the support portion in a first direction toward the outside of the document transport device and in a second direction toward the inside of the document transport device.

2. The document transport device a pivot point portion that supports the document feed tray so that the document feed tray can be rotated in the vertical direction; a tray support portion that supports the document feed tray at a predetermined feed angle that slopes downward from the document feed tray toward a downstream side in a document feed direction; Equipped with 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the document feed tray is changeable between a first position in which the document feed tray is supported horizontally along the support rail and a second position in which the document feed tray is supported at the feed angle by the tray support portion.

3. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein the pivot point is provided on the connecting portion.

4. the tray support portion has a first support protrusion that contacts the lower surface of the document feed tray, 4. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the document feed tray is supported in the second position by contacting the first support protrusion.

5. the tray support portion has a second support protrusion that contacts an upper surface of the document feed tray, 4. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the document feed tray is supported in the second position by contacting the second support protrusion.

6. The tray support portion is a first support protrusion facing a lower surface of the document feed tray; a second support protrusion that contacts an upper surface of the document feed tray; and 4. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the document feed tray is supported in the second position by being disposed between the first support protrusion and the second support protrusion.

7. 7. The image reading device according to claim 6, wherein the second support protrusion is formed of an elastic material, and the document feed tray is sandwiched between the first support protrusion and the second support protrusion while elastically deforming the second support protrusion.

8. 8. The image reading device according to claim 7, wherein the first support protrusion has a longer protrusion length than the second support protrusion.

9. the tray support portion is disposed outside the side end portion of the document feed tray in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction, a protrusion protruding outward in the width direction is formed on the side edge of the document feed tray, 3. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein the document feed tray is supported in the second position by the projection being supported by the tray support portion.

10. The tray support portion is a first guide portion extending horizontally along the movement direction of the document feed tray and the document discharge tray; a second guide portion connected to an end portion of the first guide portion in the first direction and inclined downward toward the first direction; an angle holding portion formed on the second guide portion; a guide groove that extends from the first guide portion through the second guide portion to the angle maintaining portion and that is movably engaged with the protrusion; and The image reading device of claim 9, wherein the protrusion passes through the first guide portion and the second guide portion along the guide groove and is held by the angle holding portion, thereby changing the position of the document feed tray from the first position to the second position.

11. 11. The image reading device according to claim 10, wherein the angle maintaining portion is formed at a plurality of positions on the second guide portion.

12. The document feed tray is a fixed tray portion held horizontally along the support portion; a movable tray portion rotatably connected to an end portion of the fixed tray portion in the first direction; a curved portion formed by bending downward an end portion of the movable tray portion in the first direction when the movable tray portion is in a first position where the movable tray portion overlaps the fixed tray portion; and The image reading device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the movable tray unit is rotated from the first position in the first direction, the curved portion contacts the underside of the fixed tray unit, causing the movable tray unit to assume a second position in which it is supported at a predetermined feeding angle that slopes downward toward the downstream side in the document feeding direction.

13. the connecting portion is fixed to either the document feed tray or the document discharge tray, an engaging portion formed on the other of the document feed tray and the document discharge tray and engageable with the connecting portion; a tray support portion that supports the document feed tray at a predetermined feed angle that slopes downward from the document feed tray toward a downstream side in a document feed direction; Equipped with the document feed tray is in a first position in which it is supported horizontally along the support portion with the connecting portion and the engaging portion engaged with each other, 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the image reading device is in a second position supported at the feeding angle by the tray support portion when the coupling portion and the engaging portion are disengaged.

14. the connecting portion is fixed to the document discharge tray, and the engaging portion is formed on the document feed tray; The image reading device according to claim 13, characterized in that when the engagement between the connecting portion and the engaging portion is released and the document feed tray is in the second position, the connecting portion functions as a stopper that prevents the document being discharged into the document discharge tray from falling off.

15. An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 14; an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the image data of the document read by the image reading device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images