Image reading device and image forming system

Abstract

To improve the color measurement accuracy of the color measuring unit even when the color measuring unit is configured to be movable in the transport width direction relative to the transport path. [Solution] The image reading device comprises a transport path provided inside a box-shaped device body, a support frame provided inside the device body and positioned to overlap a part of the transport path in a plan view, extending in the transport width direction, a colorimeter provided on the support frame so as to be movable in the transport width direction, and a drive unit provided on the support frame for moving the colorimeter in the transport width direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , ,

[0005] , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] An image forming system or an image forming apparatus may include a color measurement unit that measures the color of an image formed on a sheet in order to adjust the color characteristics of the image (see Patent Document 1 etc.). In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the color measurement unit is disposed on the downstream side of the fixing unit, and the color measurement unit is configured to be changeable between a first posture parallel to a conveyance path that conveys the sheet on which the image has been formed in the conveyance direction, and a second posture that intersects the conveyance path.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus and an image forming system capable of enhancing the color measurement accuracy of a color measurement unit even when the color measurement unit is configured to be movable in the conveyance width direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the image reading device of the present invention is: A transport path is provided inside the box-shaped main body of the device to transport the image-formed paper in the transport direction, A support frame is provided within the main body of the device, positioned to overlap a portion of the transport path in a plan view, and extending in the transport width direction perpendicular to the transport direction, A colorimeter is provided on the support frame so as to be movable in the transport width direction, and measures the color of any image among a plurality of images formed on the paper along the transport width direction. The system includes a drive unit provided on the support frame for moving the colorimeter in the direction of the transport width.

[0007] One aspect of the image forming system of the present invention is An image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper, The system comprises the above-mentioned image reading device installed downstream of the image forming apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, even when the colorimetric unit is configured to be movable in the transport width direction, the colorimetric accuracy of the colorimetric unit can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the image forming system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the image reading device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic partial side view of the image reading device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram along the VV line in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram along the VI-VI line in Figure 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a state where a part of the conveyance path is opened by the support frame rotating upward about the rotation axis. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of the image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic partial side view of the image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a state where a part of the first conveyance path is opened by the support frame rotating upward about the rotation axis. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a state where a part of the second conveyance path is opened by the holding frame rotating upward integrally with the support frame about the rotation axis. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the specification and claims of the present application, the upstream side means the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction, and the downstream side means the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction. The conveyance width direction is a direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction, and in this embodiment, it is the front-rear direction. In the drawings, "front" indicates the front direction, "rear" indicates the rear direction, "left" indicates the left direction, "right" indicates the right direction, "up" indicates the upward direction, and "down" indicates the downward direction.

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the image forming system 10 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the image forming system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 10 according to the present embodiment is a system that forms an image on a sheet S and reads the image formed on the sheet S. The image forming system 10 includes a tandem type image forming apparatus 12, an image reading apparatus 14 installed downstream of the image forming apparatus 12, and a post-processing apparatus (not shown) installed downstream of the image reading apparatus 14.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 12 is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet S by an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 12 transports the sheet S on which an image has been formed to the image reading apparatus 14. The image reading apparatus 14 is an apparatus that reads the image formed on the sheet S. The image reading apparatus 14 transports the sheet S on which an image has been formed to the post-processing apparatus. The post-processing apparatus performs post-processing on the sheet S on which an image has been formed. Examples of the post-processing include decal processing, stapling processing, punching processing, folding processing, bookbinding processing, and the like.

[0014] Subsequently, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 12 includes a box-shaped apparatus main body (apparatus main body for an image forming apparatus) 16, and the apparatus main body 16 constitutes a base frame of the image forming apparatus 12. An original reading unit 18 for reading an image of an original is provided above the apparatus main body 16. The original reading unit 18 optically scans an original D placed on the contact glass or an original D conveyed onto the contact glass. The original reading unit 18 optically reads the image of the scanned original by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 20 to generate image data. Also, an image processing unit 22 that performs image processing such as shading correction and compression processing on the image data from the original reading unit 18 is provided inside the upper part of the apparatus main body 16.

[0016] Above the document reading unit 18 in the main body 16 of the device, there is a document transport unit 24 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). The document transport unit 24 transports the document D set in the document tray onto the contact glass of the document reading unit 18. Also, on the front side of the upper part of the main body 16, there is an operation display unit 26 that functions as both an operation unit and a display unit. The operation display unit 26 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touchscreen. The operation display unit 26 has various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, and as an operation unit, it accepts various input operations from the user. As a display unit, the operation display unit 26 displays various operation screens, image status, and the operating status of each function.

[0017] An image forming unit 28 is provided in the upper part of the main body 16 of the device, which forms images by electrophotography. The image forming unit 28 has four image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K for forming images using colored toners of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) components based on image data. The four image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are arranged along the vertical direction.

[0018] The image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K for the Y, M, C, and K components have similar configurations. For the sake of illustration and explanation, common components are indicated by the same reference numeral, and when distinguishing them, Y, M, C, or K is added to the reference numeral. In Figures 1 and 2, reference numerals are assigned only to the components of the image forming unit 30Y for the Y component, while reference numerals are omitted for the components of the other image forming units 30M, 30C, and 30K.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the image forming unit 30 includes a photosensitive drum 32 and surrounding it are a charging unit 34, an exposure unit 36, a developing unit 38, and a drum cleaning unit 40.

[0020] The photoreceptor drum 32 is a negatively charged organic photoreceptor, for example, made of aluminum, with an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer sequentially laminated on the circumferential surface of a conductive cylindrical body. The photoreceptor drum 32 rotates at a constant peripheral speed driven by a rotary motor (not shown).

[0021] The charging unit 34 uniformly charges the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 32 with negative polarity. The exposure unit 36 ​​emits laser light as scanning light and scans the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 32 while exposing it, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 32. The amount of laser light emitted from the exposure unit 36 ​​is modulated according to the image data of each YMCK color.

[0022] The developing unit 38 is, for example, a developing unit using a two-component developing method. The developing unit 38 forms a toner image by making an electrostatic latent image visible on the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 32 by depositing toner of each color component onto the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 32. The drum cleaning unit 40 cleans the remaining toner that remains on the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 32 after the primary transfer. The drum cleaning unit 40 has a drum cleaning blade or the like that slides against the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 32.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, a transfer unit 42 for transferring a toner image onto paper S is provided in the upper part of the main body 16 of the device. The transfer unit 42 has an endless intermediate transfer belt 44, a plurality of support rollers 46, a primary transfer roller 48, a secondary transfer roller 50, and a belt cleaning unit 52.

[0024] The intermediate transfer belt 44 extends in the vertical direction and is stretched over a plurality of support rollers 46. The intermediate transfer belt 44 circulates through the rotation of the plurality of support rollers 46. At least one of the plurality of support rollers 46 is a drive roller connected to a rotary motor (not shown), and the other support rollers 46 are driven rollers (free rollers).

[0025] The primary transfer roller 48 is positioned on the inner circumferential surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 44, facing the photoreceptor drums 32 for each color component. The primary transfer roller 48 works in cooperation with the photoreceptor drums 32 to clamp the intermediate transfer belt 44. A primary transfer nip CN is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the primary transfer roller 48 and the outer circumferential surface of the photoreceptor drums 32 for transferring the toner image from the photoreceptor drums 32 to the intermediate transfer belt 44.

[0026] The secondary transfer roller 50 is positioned on the outer circumferential side of the intermediate transfer belt 44, facing a predetermined support roller 46. The secondary transfer roller 50 works in cooperation with the predetermined support roller 46 to grip the intermediate transfer belt 44. A secondary transfer nip TN is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the secondary transfer roller 50 and the outer circumferential surface of the predetermined support roller 46 for transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 44 to the paper S.

[0027] As the intermediate transfer belt 44 passes through the primary transfer nip CN, the toner image of the photoreceptor drum 32 is sequentially superimposed onto the intermediate transfer belt 44 and primary transferred. Specifically, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 48, and a charge with the opposite polarity to the toner is applied to the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 44 (the side that contacts the primary transfer roller 48), thereby electrostatically transferring the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 44.

[0028] Subsequently, as the paper S passes through the secondary transfer nip TN, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 44 is secondary transferred to the paper S. Specifically, by applying a secondary transfer bias of the same polarity as the toner to a predetermined support roller 46 and applying a charge of the same polarity as the toner to the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 44, the toner image is electrostatically transferred to the paper S, and an image can be formed on the paper S.

[0029] The belt cleaning unit 52 removes residual transfer toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 44 after secondary transfer. The belt cleaning unit 52 has a cleaning blade that slides against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 44.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, a fixing unit 54 for fixing the toner image to the paper S is provided at the exit side of the secondary transfer nip TN inside the main body 16 of the device. The fixing unit 54 has a heating roller 56, a fixing roller 58, an endless fixing belt 60, and a pressure roller 62.

[0031] The heating roller 56 has a hollow cylindrical core made of, for example, aluminum, iron, or SUS (stainless steel), and a heating device, such as a halogen lamp, provided inside the core. The fixing roller 58 is positioned opposite the heating roller 56. The fixing roller 58 has a hollow cylindrical core made of, for example, aluminum, iron, or SUS, and a surface layer provided on the outer surface of the core, made of, for example, silicone rubber or silicone sponge. The fixing belt 60 is stretched between the heating roller 56 and the fixing roller 58 and is circumferential. The fixing belt 60 has a base material made of, for example, polyimide resin.

[0032] The pressure roller 62 is positioned on the outside of the fixing belt 60, facing the fixing roller 58, and presses toward the fixing roller 58 with a predetermined fixing load. The pressure roller 62 has a hollow cylindrical core made of, for example, aluminum, iron, or stainless steel, an elastic layer made of, for example, silicone rubber, provided on the outer surface of the core, and a surface layer made of, for example, a PFA tube, provided on the surface of the elastic layer. A fixing nip FN is also formed between the fixing roller 58 and the pressure roller 62 for transporting the paper S while heating and pressurizing it.

[0033] As the pressure roller 62 rotates due to the drive of the rotary motor, the fixing belt 60 follows and rotates. As the fixing belt 60 rotates, the heating roller 56 and the fixing roller 58 follow and rotate. This allows the paper S to be transported while being heated and pressurized at the fixing nip FN, thereby fixing any unarrived toner images to the paper S.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, a paper feeding section 64 for feeding paper S is provided at the bottom of the main body 16 of the device. The paper feeding section 64 has multiple paper trays 66 that can accommodate multiple sheets of paper S. Each paper tray 66 can accommodate a type of paper S that is pre-set according to basis weight, size, etc.

[0035] Downstream of the fixing unit 54 within the main body 16 of the device, there is a paper discharge unit 68 for discharging the image-formed paper S to the outside of the main body 16. The paper discharge unit 68 has a pair of paper discharge rollers 70. The rotation of the pair of paper discharge rollers 70 allows the image-formed paper S to be discharged to the outside of the main body 16.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, a main transport path 72 is provided between the paper feeding section 64 and the paper discharge section 68 within the main body 16 of the device. The main transport path 72 is the path for transporting the paper S when forming a toner image on the surface of the paper S. The main transport path 72 is the path for transporting the paper S via a plurality of transport roller pairs, including a registration roller pair 74, a secondary transfer nip TN, and a fixing nip FN. In addition, a reversal transport path 76 for reversing the front and back sides of the paper S is provided near the paper feeding section 64 within the main body 16 of the device. The reversal transport path 76 is the path for transporting the paper S when forming a toner image on the back side of the paper S, and is connected to the main transport path 72.

[0037] The paper sheets S placed in the paper feed tray 66 are fed out one by one from the top and transported by the main transport path 72 towards the secondary transfer nip TN. At this time, the tilt of the paper sheets S is corrected by the registration roller pair 74 and the transport timing of the paper sheets S is adjusted. Then, at the secondary transfer nip TN, the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 44 is transferred all at once to one side (front or back) of the paper sheets S, and at the fixing nip FN, the toner image is fixed to the paper sheets S. After that, the paper sheets S with the formed image are discharged from the paper discharge section 68 to the outside of the main body 16 of the device.

[0038] The specific configuration of the image reading device 14 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1, 3 to 8. Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the image reading device 14 according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a schematic partial side view of the image reading device 14 according to the first embodiment. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram along the line VV in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram along the line VI-VI in Figure 4. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram along the line VII-VII in Figure 5. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing how the support frame 94 rotates upward around the pivot axis 96 to open a part of the transport path 82.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the image reading device 14 according to the first embodiment is a device that reads an image formed on a sheet of paper S, as described above. The image reading device 14 includes a box-shaped device body (device body for the image reading device) 78, and the device body 78 constitutes the base frame of the image reading device 14. The front side of the device body 78 is open, and the image reading device 14 is equipped with a door (not shown) that opens and closes the opening of the device body 78.

[0040] A stand 80 is provided inside the main body 78 of the device so as to be retractable in the front-rear direction, and the stand 80 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction by guide rails (not shown) fixed to the main body 78 of the device. A transport path 82 is provided on the stand 80 for transporting the image-formed paper S in the transport direction. In other words, the transport path 82 is provided inside the main body 78 of the device via the stand 80. The transport path 82 extends in a straight line from its inlet end to its outlet end. The inlet end of the transport path 82 is connected to the outlet end of the main transport path 72 of the image forming apparatus 12, and the outlet end of the transport path 82 is connected to the inlet end of the transport path (not shown) of the post-processing device (not shown).

[0041] The transport path 82 has a plurality of lower guide plates 84 that support the back (bottom) surface of the image-formed paper S, and the plurality of lower guide plates 84 are arranged along the transport direction. The transport path 82 also has a plurality of upper guide plates 86 that can contact the front (top) surface of the image-formed paper S, and the plurality of upper guide plates 86 are arranged along the transport direction. Each upper guide plate 86 faces the corresponding lower guide plate 84.

[0042] The frame 80 is provided with multiple pairs of transport rollers 88 for transporting the image-formed paper S in the transport direction along the transport path 82. In other words, multiple pairs of transport rollers 88 are provided within the main body 78 of the device via the frame 80. The frame 80 is provided with a transport motor (not shown) for rotating the multiple pairs of transport rollers 88.

[0043] An image reading unit 90 for reading an image formed on paper S is provided above the frame 80 inside the main body 78 of the device. The image reading unit 90 is a line sensor in which CCDs are arranged in a line along the transport width direction (main scanning direction). In a plan view, the image reading unit 90 is positioned to traverse the transport path 82 along the transport width direction.

[0044] The image reading unit 90 generates two-dimensional image data by reading the image formed on the paper S in accordance with the timing of the paper S's transport. The image reading unit 90 outputs (transmits) the image data to the control unit (not shown) of the image forming system 10. The control unit of the image forming system 10 corrects for positional misalignment, color misalignment, etc., of the image based on the image data output from the image reading unit 90.

[0045] As shown in Figures 4 to 8, a U-shaped connecting member 92 is provided at the rear of the frame 80, and the connecting member 92 is located at the rear of the device body 78. The base end of a rectangular frame-shaped support frame 94 is connected to the connecting member 92 via a pivot shaft 96 at the rear of the device body 78 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. In other words, the support frame 94 is provided inside the device body 78 via the connecting member 92 and the frame 80, and the support frame 94 is rotatable in the vertical direction around the pivot shaft 96 at the rear of the device body 78.

[0046] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the support frame 94 extends in the transport width direction (front-to-back direction) and is positioned to overlap a portion of the transport path 82 in a plan view. The support frame 94 is configured to open a portion of the transport path 82 by rotating upward around a pivot axis 96 on the rear side of the device body 78. Opening a portion of the transport path 82 means making it possible for the user to perform jam processing or maintenance on the image reading device 14. In addition, as shown in Figure 4, a gripping portion 98 for gripping by the user may be provided at the front of the support frame 94.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, a first damper 100 may be provided between the support frame 94 and the connecting member 92 via a bracket 102 to bias the support frame 94 upward relative to the device body 78. The first damper 100 may be arranged on both the left and right sides of the support frame 94. The base of the cylinder portion 100s of the first damper 100 is rotatably connected to the connecting member 92 via the bracket 102, and the tip of the rod portion 100r of the first damper 100 is rotatably connected to the side of the support frame 94.

[0048] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the support frame 94 is provided with a pair of parallel guide bars 104 extending in the transport width direction. A colorimetric unit 106 is provided on the pair of guide bars 104 so as to be movable in the transport width direction, for measuring the color of any patch image Sg among a plurality of patch images Sg formed on the paper S along the transport width direction. In other words, the support frame 94 is provided with a colorimetric unit 106 so as to be movable in the transport width direction via the pair of guide bars 104. The colorimetric unit 106 is configured to be movable in the transport width direction relative to the transport path 82. The colorimetric unit 106 can be retracted to a retracted position (shown in Figure 8) above the area that is separated from the transport path 82 and towards the rear (rear) of the device body 78 by movement on one side (rear direction) in the transport width direction.

[0049] Multiple patch images Sg may be formed on the paper S not only along the transport width direction, but also along both the transport width direction and the transport direction. Multiple patch images Sg may include not only single-color patch images Sg of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), but also mixed-color patch images Sg of Y, M, and C.

[0050] The colorimeter 106 is a spectrophotometer that detects spectral reflectance for each wavelength from the patch image Sg of the paper S and measures the color of the patch image Sg of the paper S. However, it may also be a colorimeter that measures the density of the patch image Sg of the paper S. The colorimeter 106 generates color measurement data by measuring the color of an arbitrary patch image Sg of the paper S when the colorimeter 106 is positioned above the arbitrary patch image Sg of the paper S by moving in the transport width direction. The colorimeter 106 outputs (transmits) the color measurement data to the control unit of the image forming system 10. The control unit of the image forming system 10 performs color adjustment, gamma adjustment, toner density adjustment, etc. of the image based on the color measurement data output from the colorimeter 106.

[0051] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the support frame 94 is provided with a drive unit 108 for moving the colorimeter 106 in the transport width direction. The drive unit 108 has a pair of pulleys 110 rotatably mounted on the support frame 94, and the pair of pulleys 110 are spaced apart in the transport width direction. The drive unit 108 has a rotary motor (not shown) for rotating the pair of pulleys 110. The drive unit 108 has an endless timing belt 112 wound around the pair of pulleys 110, and a portion of the timing belt 112 is integrally connected to an appropriate position on the colorimeter 106. Note that the drive unit 108 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be modified as appropriate, for example, by changing to a mechanism using a rack and pinion or a mechanism using a linear motor.

[0052] As shown in Figures 4, 6 to 8, a calibration member 114 for color calibration of the colorimeter 106 is provided on the base end side of the support frame 94. The calibration member 114 is located in an area away from the transport path 82 and behind the main body of the device 78. In other words, the calibration member 114 is located below the retracted position of the colorimeter 106. The calibration member 114 is made of a white plate material that serves as a calibration reference. The colorimeter 106 generates colorimeter data of the calibration member 114 by measuring the calibration surface of the calibration member 114 and outputs it to the control unit of the image forming system 10. The control unit of the image forming system 10 calibrates the colorimeter characteristics (output value) of the colorimeter 106 based on the colorimeter data of the calibration member 114 output from the colorimeter 106.

[0053] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7, the base end (rear end) of the holding frame 116, which holds the support frame 94 from below, is integrally connected to the connecting member 92. In other words, the holding frame 116 is provided inside the device body 78 via the connecting member 92 and the support base 80. The tip end (front end) of the holding frame 116 may be integrally connected to the support base 80. The holding frame 116 extends in the transport width direction (front-to-back direction) and is positioned to overlap a part of the transport path 82 in a plan view. The holding frame 116 has a pair of arm portions 116a that extend parallel to each other along the transport width direction.

[0054] A background member 118 extending in the transport width direction is provided on the lower side of the holding frame 116, and the background member 118 has an opposing surface 118f that faces the colorimeter 106 vertically. The opposing surface 118f of the background member 118 is the surface that serves as the reference for color measurement of the patch image Sg of the paper S by the colorimeter 106, and the background member 118 is made of, for example, a white plate material.

[0055] As shown in Figures 4 and 8, at least one of the upper arm portions 116a may be provided with a plurality of positioning pins 120 (only one shown) to position the support frame 94 relative to the holding frame 116. Each positioning pin 120 can engage with an engagement hole 94h provided in the support frame 94. Note that the positioning portion is not limited to a plurality of positioning pins 120, and other appropriate modifications are possible.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, a magnet 122 may be embedded in at least one of the arm portions 116a as a first locking portion for fixing the support frame 94 to the holding frame 116. The magnet 122 can be magnetically attached to the lower surface of the support frame 94. Note that the first locking portion is not limited to a magnet 122, and can be modified as appropriate.

[0057] According to the configuration of the image reading device 14 of the first embodiment, as described above, the colorimeter 106 is provided on a support frame 94 that is positioned to overlap a part of the transport path 82 in a plan view, and is movable in the transport width direction. A drive unit 108 for moving the colorimeter 106 in the transport width direction is also provided on the support frame 94. Therefore, the movement of the colorimeter 106 in the transport width direction can be stabilized, and fluctuations in the height position of the colorimeter 106 relative to the transport path 82 during color measurement can be sufficiently suppressed.

[0058] Therefore, according to the image reading device 14 of the first embodiment, even when the colorimetric unit 106 is configured to be movable in the transport width direction relative to the transport path 82, the colorimetric accuracy of the colorimetric unit 106 can be improved.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the image reading device 14 according to the first embodiment, as described above, the support frame 94 is configured to open a portion of the transport path 82 by rotating upward around the pivot axis 96 on the rear side of the device body 78. Therefore, a portion of the transport path 82 can be easily opened by the user simply by rotating the support frame 94 upward.

[0060] Therefore, according to the image reading device 14 of the first embodiment, it is possible to improve work efficiency when performing jam removal around the colorimetric unit 106 or maintenance work on the image reading device 14.

[0061] In particular, the support frame 94 can be held in place by the first damper 100 with a portion of the transport path 82 open. This improves work efficiency when performing jam removal and other tasks around the color measurement unit 106.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the image reading device 14 in the first embodiment, as described above, the calibration member 114 is provided on the support frame 94. Therefore, even if the support frame 94 is rotated in the vertical direction, the relative position of the calibration member 114 with respect to the support frame 94 remains constant.

[0063] Therefore, according to the image reading device 14 of the first embodiment, the calibration accuracy of the colorimetric characteristics of the colorimetric unit 106 can be maintained before and after jamming around the colorimetric unit 106.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the image reading device 14 in the first embodiment, as described above, the support frame 94 can be positioned relative to the holding frame 116 by the positioning pin 120 which acts as a positioning part. As a result, the position of the support frame 94 relative to the holding frame 116 can be stabilized, and as a result, the position of the colorimeter 106 when measuring the color of the patch image Sg on the paper S can be stabilized.

[0065] Therefore, according to the image reading device 14 of the first embodiment, the color measurement accuracy of the colorimetric unit 106 can be further improved.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the image reading device 14 in the first embodiment, as described above, the support frame 94 can be fixed to the holding frame 116 by the magnet 122, which acts as the first locking part. As a result, the position of the support frame 94 relative to the holding frame 116 can be stabilized, and consequently, the position of the colorimeter 106 can be stabilized when measuring the color of the patch image Sg on the paper S.

[0067] Therefore, according to the image reading device 14 of the first embodiment, the color measurement accuracy of the colorimetric unit 106 can be further improved.

[0068] The specific configuration of the image reading device 124 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 9 to 14. Figure 9 is a schematic front view of the image reading device 124 according to the second embodiment. Figure 10 is a schematic partial side view of the image reading device 124 according to the second embodiment. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram along the line XI-XI in Figure 10. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram along the line XII-XII in Figure 11. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing how the support frame 94 rotates upward around the pivot axis 96 to open a part of the first transport path 82. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing how the holding frame 116 rotates upward integrally with the support frame 94 around the pivot axis 96 to open a part of the second transport path 126.

[0069] As shown in Figures 1 and 9, the image forming system 10 according to this embodiment may include an image reading device 124 according to the second embodiment instead of the image reading device 14 according to the first embodiment (see Figure 3). The image reading device 124 according to the second embodiment is a device that reads an image formed on a sheet of paper S and has the same configuration as the image reading device 14 according to the first embodiment. The differences in the configuration of the image reading device 124 according to the second embodiment compared to the configuration of the image reading device 14 according to the first embodiment will be described below. For the sake of convenience of explanation, components that have the same function as those described in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0070] As shown in Figure 9, in the image reading device 124, the transport path 82 is a first transport path 82 through which the image-formed paper S passes between the colorimeter 106 and the background member 118. The plurality of transport roller pairs 88 are a plurality of first transport roller pairs 88 for transporting the image-formed paper S in the transport direction along the first transport path 82. The plurality of first transport roller pairs 88 are rotated by the drive of a first transport motor (not shown) provided on the frame 80.

[0071] In addition to the first transport path 82, the frame 80 is provided with a second transport path 126 that passes under the background member 118 and transports the image-formed paper S in the transport direction. In other words, the second transport path 126 is provided within the main body 78 of the device via the frame 80. The second transport path 126 is located below the first transport path 82. The inlet end of the second transport path 126 is connected to the upstream side of the colorimetric unit 106 in the first transport path 82. The outlet end of the second transport path 126 is connected to the outlet end of the first transport path 82.

[0072] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the second transport path 126 has a plurality of lower guide plates 128 that support the back surface of the image-formed paper S, and the plurality of lower guide plates 128 are arranged along the transport direction. The second transport path 126 also has a plurality of upper guide plates 130 that can contact the surface of the image-formed paper S, and the plurality of upper guide plates 130 are arranged along the transport direction. Each upper guide plate 130 faces a corresponding lower guide plate 84. Any of the upper guide plates 130 is fixed to the underside of the background member 118.

[0073] The frame 80 is provided with a plurality of pairs of second transport rollers 132 for transporting the image-formed paper S in the transport direction on the second transport path 126. In other words, a plurality of pairs of second transport rollers 132 are provided within the main body 78 of the device via the frame 80. The frame 80 is provided with a second transport motor (not shown) for rotating the plurality of pairs of second transport rollers 132.

[0074] As shown in Figure 9, a switching gate 134 is provided between the upstream side of the colorimetric unit 106 in the first transport path 82 and the entrance end of the second transport path 126, serving as a switching section to switch the transport path of the image-formed paper S to either the first transport path 82 or the second transport path 126. Furthermore, a merging gate 136 is provided between the exit end of the first transport path 82 and the exit end of the second transport path 126, serving as a merging section to merge the first transport path 82 and the second transport path 126.

[0075] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, a support frame 94 is provided inside the device body 78 via a connecting member 92 and a frame 80, and the support frame 94 is rotatable vertically around a pivot axis 96 on the rear side of the device body 78. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, the support frame 94 is configured to open a portion of the first transport path 82 by rotating upward around the pivot axis 96 on the rear side of the device body 78. Here, opening a portion of the first transport path 82 means making it possible for the user to perform jam processing or maintenance processing on the image reading device 14.

[0076] As shown in Figures 10 and 12, in the image reading device 124, the base end (rear end) of the holding frame 116 is connected to the connecting member 92 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction via the pivot shaft 96 on the rear side of the device body 78. The holding frame 116 is positioned so as to overlap a part of the second transport path 126 in a plan view. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14, the holding frame 116 is configured to open a part of the second transport path 126, and to open a part of the second transport path 126 by rotating upward integrally with the support frame 94 around the pivot shaft 96 on the rear side of the device body 78. Here, opening a part of the second transport path 82 means making it possible for the user to perform jam processing or maintenance processing of the image reading device 14. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, a gripping part 138 for gripping by the user may be provided at the front of the holding frame 116.

[0077] As shown in Figure 10, a second damper 140 may be provided between the retaining frame 116 and the support base 80 via a bracket 142 to bias the retaining frame 116 upward relative to the main body 78 (support base 80). The second damper 140 may be positioned on both the left and right sides of the retaining frame 116. The base of the cylinder portion 140s of the second damper 140 is rotatably connected to an appropriate position on the support base 80 via a bracket 142, and the tip of the rod portion 140r of the second damper 140 is rotatably connected to the side of the retaining frame 116.

[0078] As shown in Figure 10, a hook member 144 may be pivotably provided on the front of the retaining frame 116 as a second locking part for fixing the retaining frame 116 to the main body 78 (frame 80). The hook member 144 can be locked to a locking part 146 provided at an appropriate position on the frame 80. Note that the second locking part is not limited to the hook member 144, and other appropriate modifications are possible.

[0079] According to the image reading device 124 of the second embodiment, even when the colorimetric unit 106 is configured to be movable in the transport width direction relative to the first transport path 82, similar to the image reading device 14 of the first embodiment (see Figure 3), the colorimetric accuracy of the colorimetric unit 106 can be improved. Furthermore, the calibration accuracy of the colorimetric characteristics of the colorimetric unit 106 can be maintained before and after jamming or other processing around the colorimetric unit 106.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the image reading device 124 according to the second embodiment, as described above, the switching gate 134, which acts as a switching unit, switches the transport path of the image-formed paper S to either the first transport path 82 or the second transport path 126. Therefore, when color measurement is not performed by the color measurement unit 106, the transport path of the image-formed paper S is switched to the second transport path 126 by the switching gate 134, thereby preventing paper dust and the like from adhering to the color measurement unit 106.

[0081] Therefore, according to the image reading device 124 of the second embodiment, the color measurement accuracy of the colorimetric unit 106 can be further improved.

[0082] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the image reading device 124 according to the second embodiment, as described above, the support frame 94 is configured to open a portion of the first transport path 82 by rotating upward around the pivot axis 96 on the rear side of the device body 78. The holding frame 116 is configured to open a portion of the second transport path 126 by rotating upward integrally with the support frame 94 around the pivot axis 96. Therefore, a portion of the first transport path 82 can be easily opened by the user simply by rotating the support frame 94 upward. Also, a portion of the second transport path 126 can be easily opened by the user simply by rotating the holding frame 116 upward integrally with the support frame 94.

[0083] Therefore, according to the image reading device 124 of the second embodiment, it is possible to improve work efficiency when performing jam removal around the colorimetric unit 106 or maintenance work on the image reading device 124.

[0084] In particular, the position of the support frame 94 can be maintained by the first damper 100 with a portion of the first transport path 82 open. The position of the holding frame 116 can be maintained by the second damper 140 with a portion of the second transport path 126 open. This improves work efficiency when performing jam removal around the colorimeter 106 or maintenance on the image reading device 124.

[0085] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the image reading device 124 according to the second embodiment, the support frame 94 can be fixed to the holding frame 116 by the magnet 122, which serves as the first locking part, similar to the image reading device 14 according to the first embodiment (see Figure 3). In addition, the holding frame 116 can be fixed to the device body 78 by the hook member 144, which serves as the second locking part. As a result, the position of the support frame 94 relative to the holding frame 116 can be stabilized, as can the position of the holding frame 116 relative to the device body 78. As a result, the position of the colorimeter 106 can be stabilized when measuring the color of the patch image Sg on the paper S.

[0086] Therefore, according to the image reading device 124 of the second embodiment, the color measurement accuracy of the colorimetric unit 106 can be further improved.

[0087] Although this embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications and changes are possible to the specific examples described above within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. [Industrial applicability]

[0088] The present invention is useful as an image reading device and image forming system that can improve the color measurement accuracy of the color measuring unit even when the color measuring unit is configured to be movable in the transport width direction relative to the transport path. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 10 Image Forming Systems 12 Image forming apparatus 14 Image reading device 16. Main unit of the apparatus (main unit of the apparatus for image forming apparatus) 18 Manuscript Reading Section 20 CCD sensors 22 Image Processing Unit 24. Manuscript transport section 26 Operation display section 28 Image forming unit 30 Image forming unit 30Y Image Forming Unit 30M Image Forming Unit 30C Image Forming Unit 30K Image Forming Unit 32 Photoconductor Drum 34 Charged parts 36 Exposure area 38. Developing Department 40 Drum Cleaning Section 42 Transfer section 44 Intermediate transfer belt 46 Support rollers 48 Primary Transfer Roller 50 Secondary transfer rollers 52 Belt Cleaning Section 54 Fixing section 56 Heating rollers 58 Fixing roller 60 Fixing belt 62 Pressure Rollers 64 Paper feed section 66 Paper feed tray 68 Paper output section 70 Paper output roller pair 72 Main transport path 74 Resist Roller vs 76 Reversal transport path 78. Main unit of the device (main unit of the image reading device) 80 mounting bases 82 Conveyor path (First conveyor path) 84 Lower guide plate 86 Upper guide plate 88 Conveyor roller pair (first conveyor roller pair) 90 Image reading unit 92 Connecting Member 94 Support Frame 94h Engagement hole 96 Rotary shafts 98 Gripping part 100 First damper 100s Cylinder section 100r rod section 102 Bracket 104 Guide Bar 106 Color measurement section 108 Drive Unit 110 Pulley 112 Timing belt 114 Calibration Member 116 Retaining Frame 116a Arm section 118 Background material 118f Opposite surface 120 Positioning pin (positioning part) 122 Magnet (First fixing part) 124 Image reading device 126 Second transport route 128 Lower guide plate 130 Upper guide plate 132 Second conveyor roller pair 134 Switching gate (switching section) 136 Merging Gate (Merging Section) 138 Gripping part 140 Second damper 140s Cylinder section 140r rod section 142 brackets 144 Hook member 146 Locked part CN primary transfer nip TN secondary transfer nip FN Fixing Nips D Manuscript S paper Sg patch image

Claims

1. A transport path is provided inside the box-shaped main body of the device to transport the image-formed paper in the transport direction, A support frame is provided within the main body of the device, positioned to overlap a portion of the transport path in a plan view, and extending in the transport width direction perpendicular to the transport direction, A colorimeter is provided on the support frame so as to be movable in the transport width direction, and measures the color of any image among a plurality of images formed on the paper along the transport width direction. The system includes a drive unit provided on the support frame for moving the colorimeter in the transport width direction, Image reading device.

2. The support frame is rotatable vertically about a pivot axis at the rear of the main body of the device, and is configured to open a portion of the transport path by rotating upward about the pivot axis. The image reading device according to claim 1.

3. The device further includes a damper that biases the support frame upward relative to the main body of the device. The image reading device according to claim 2.

4. The support frame is provided with a calibration member for performing color calibration of the colorimeter, The image reading device according to claim 2.

5. A holding frame is provided on the main body of the device, extends in the direction of the transport width, and holds the support frame from below, The holding frame is provided with a background member that extends in the transport width direction and has a facing surface opposite to the color measuring section, The image reading device according to claim 1.

6. The system further includes a positioning unit for positioning the support frame relative to the retaining frame. The image reading device according to claim 5.

7. The system further includes a locking portion for fixing the support frame to the retaining frame. The image reading device according to claim 5.

8. The transport path is a first transport path that passes between the color measurement unit and the background member. The entrance end is connected to the upstream side of the colorimetric unit in the first transport path, and the second transport path passes under the background member and transports the image-formed paper in the transport direction, The system further includes a switching unit provided between the upstream side of the colorimetric unit in the first transport path and the entrance end of the second transport path, which switches the transport path of the image-formed paper to either the first transport path or the second transport path. The image reading device according to claim 5.

9. The support frame is rotatable vertically about a pivot axis on the rear side of the main body of the device, and is configured to open a portion of the first transport path by rotating upward about the pivot axis. The holding frame is rotatable vertically about the pivot axis and is configured to rotate upward integrally with the support frame about the pivot axis to open a portion of the second transport path. The image reading device according to claim 8.

10. A first damper biases the support frame upward relative to the main body of the device, The device further comprises a second damper that biases the retaining frame upward relative to the main body of the device, The image reading device according to claim 9.

11. The system further includes a positioning unit for positioning the support frame relative to the retaining frame. The image reading device according to claim 9.

12. A first locking portion that fixes the support frame to the retaining frame, The device further comprises a second locking portion for fixing the retaining frame to the main body of the device, The image reading device according to claim 9.

13. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper, Installed downstream of the image forming apparatus, comprising an image reading device according to any one of claims 1-12, Image forming system.

Images