Sheet support unit, image reading device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

Prevent cable breakage. [Solution] The system comprises a lighting unit attached to a support tray 210, a first cable C1 electrically connected to the lighting unit, and a cable guide 327 that holds the first cable C1 to the support tray 210. The support tray 210 is formed in a shape that is recessed upward and has a mounting section 210b on which the first cable C1 is arranged, and the support unit body 220 has a second side wall 502 that enters into the mounting section 210b when the support tray 210 is lowered. The cable guide 327 holds the first cable C1 inside the mounting section 210b and has a holding section 327a that separates the intrusion space S1 into which the second side wall 502 enters from the first cable C1, and the holding section 327a has a first inclined surface 327b on the intrusion space S1 side that is inclined so that the intrusion space S1 widens from the top to the bottom.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet support unit for supporting a sheet, an image reading apparatus to which the same is applied, and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in an image reading apparatus for reading an image of a document, a configuration using an automatic document feeder (hereinafter also referred to as ADF) has become widespread. The ADF conveys a sheet (document) supported on a sheet support unit by a feeding unit and a conveying unit, optically reads an image formed on the sheet by the image reading apparatus, and discharges the read sheet to a discharge unit disposed below the sheet support unit. The discharge unit has a discharge tray, and the sheet from which the image has been read is stacked between the discharge tray and the sheet support unit.

[0003] As the ADF, in order to improve the operability when a user takes out a document from the discharge unit, a configuration has been proposed in which illumination is disposed on the lower surface of the sheet support unit to irradiate the discharge unit and improve the visibility of the discharged sheet (see Patent Document 1). Further, a configuration has been proposed in which the sheet support unit is composed of two members, an upper part and a lower part, and the upper part having a support surface for supporting the sheet moves up and down with respect to the lower part connected to the apparatus main body, so that a large number of sheets can be supported (see Patent Document 2). Here, when these configurations are combined and illumination for irradiating the discharge unit is provided on the upper part or the lower part of the sheet support unit in a configuration in which the upper part of the sheet support unit moves up and down with respect to the lower part, it is possible to support a large number of documents and improve the operability when the user takes out the discharged sheet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0005] However, in order to place lighting above or below the seat support, it is necessary to wire cables such as bundles of wires to the LEDs that will serve as the light source inside the seat support. Here, since the upper part of the seat support moves up and down relative to the lower part, especially when the seat support is miniaturized, there is a possibility that the cables may come into contact with the moving part, and there is a risk that the cables may break due to contact.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a sheet support unit, an image reading device, and an image forming device that can prevent cable breakage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a sheet support unit comprising: a main body; a sheet support section having a sheet support surface for supporting a sheet, provided to be vertically movable relative to the main body, and raising the supported sheet to a feeding position for supplying the sheet to a sheet feeding section; a lighting section attached to the sheet support section; a first cable electrically connected to the lighting section; and a first holding member for holding the first cable to the sheet support section, wherein the sheet support section is formed in a shape that is recessed upward and has a mounting section in which the first cable is disposed; the main body has a protruding portion that enters the mounting section when the sheet support section is lowered; the first holding member holds the first cable inside the mounting section and has a holding portion that separates the entry space into which the protruding portion enters from the first cable; and the holding section has a first inclined surface on the entry space side such that the entry space widens from the top to the bottom.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is an image reading device comprising: a sheet support unit for supporting a sheet; an image reading unit for reading an image formed on a sheet fed from the sheet support unit; and a discharge and loading unit disposed below the main body for discharging and loading the sheet from which the image has been read by the image reading unit, wherein the illumination unit illuminates the discharge and loading unit.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus characterized by comprising the above-described image reading device for reading an image formed on a sheet, and an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, cable breakage can be avoided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the image reading device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing an image reading device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the seat support unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the support tray according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the support unit body according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing the lifter mechanism according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a front view showing the support tray and lifter mechanism according to this embodiment, where (a) shows the support tray in the first position and (b) shows the support tray in the second position. [Figure 9]This is a front view showing the sheet support unit and lifter mechanism according to this embodiment, where (a) shows the support tray in the first position and (b) shows the support tray in the second position. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing a cable guide attached to a support tray according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a plan view showing the sheet support unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting along line AA, where (a) is this embodiment and (b) is a comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus 10 such as a copier, facsimile, printer, or a multifunction device having multiple of these functions is exemplified, which forms an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by electrophotography or electrostatic recording, and transfers this electrostatic latent image to a sheet as a toner image with a developer. In addition, an image forming apparatus 10 which is an intermediate transfer tandem type full-color printer is used as the image forming apparatus, but is not limited to this, and other types of image forming apparatuses may be used. Furthermore, it is not limited to full color, and can also be applied to monochrome, monocolor, or inkjet printers. In addition, in this embodiment, the sheet feeding direction in the image reading device 100 is arranged to be in the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 10. In each figure, the right side is denoted as right direction R, the left side as left direction L, the upper side as up direction U, the lower side as down direction D, the front side as front direction F, and the rear side as rear direction B.

[0013] [Overall configuration of the image forming apparatus] First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus 10 including an image reading apparatus 100 and an apparatus main body 19. The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine that forms an image on a sheet used as a recording medium. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is capable of coping with printing other than general office use, and as the recording medium, various sheets such as paper including paper and envelopes, plastic films such as glossy paper and overhead projector sheets, and cloth can be used.

[0014] [Apparatus Main Body] The apparatus main body 19 of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is a tandem type intermediate transfer method copying machine that outputs a full-color image onto a recording material by an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 10 has an image forming unit 16 that forms an image on a sheet S. The image forming unit 16 includes image forming stations PY, PM, PC, and PK that create toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively, an intermediate transfer unit 70, and a fixing device 14. Since the image forming stations PY, PM, PC, and PK have the same configuration except for the toner color, the image forming station PY will be described here, and the description of the other image forming stations PM, PC, and PK will be omitted.

[0015] When the image forming apparatus 10 executes an image forming operation, each of the image forming stations PY to PK creates a monochromatic toner image by an electrophotographic process. That is, the photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier is rotationally driven in a predetermined rotation direction R1, and the charger 2 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The exposure device 3 scans the photosensitive drum 1 using laser light modulated based on data obtained by decomposing the image data for each color component, and writes an electrostatic latent image on the drum surface. This latent image is developed by a developer supplied from the developing device 4 and visualized as a toner image.

[0016] The intermediate transfer unit 70 consists of an intermediate transfer belt 7, which acts as an intermediate transfer body, wound around a drive roller 71, a secondary transfer inner roller 72, and a tension roller 73. When the image forming operation starts, the intermediate transfer belt 7 is rotated by the drive roller 71 in a rotational direction R2 that follows the photosensitive drum 1. The toner images created at each image forming station PY to PK and carried on the photosensitive drum 1 are first transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the primary transfer section N1 by the bias electric field formed by the primary transfer roller 5. At this time, the toner images of each color are transferred in multiple layers so that they overlap each other, forming a full-color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7. In addition, any adhering substances such as residual toner that remain on the photosensitive drum 1 and are not transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 are removed by the drum cleaner 6 at each station.

[0017] A secondary transfer roller 8 is positioned opposite the secondary transfer roller 72 across the intermediate transfer belt 7, and a secondary transfer section N2 is formed as a nip between the secondary transfer roller 8 and the intermediate transfer belt 7. The toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is secondarily transferred in the secondary transfer section N2 to the sheets S that are transported one by one toward the secondary transfer section N2, as will be described later. Any remaining toner residue on the intermediate transfer belt 7 that is not transferred to the sheets S is removed by the belt cleaner 75.

[0018] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred in the secondary transfer section N2 is sent to the fixing device 14 via the transport belt 13. The fixing device 14 has a pair of rotating bodies that grip and transport the sheet S, and a heat source such as a halogen lamp that heats the toner image on the recording material. The toner image is heated and pressurized while the sheet S is transported by the pair of rotating bodies. As a result, the toner melts and then solidifies, obtaining an image fixed to the sheet S.

[0019] In parallel with this process, a transport operation is performed to feed the sheet S and transport it toward the secondary transfer section N2. The image forming apparatus 10 has a plurality of feed cassettes 11 for storing the sheet S at the bottom of the apparatus body 19, and feeds one sheet S at a time from any of the feed cassettes 11. A variety of sheets of different sizes and materials can be used as the sheet S, including paper such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic film, cloth, sheet materials with surface treatments such as coated paper, and sheet materials with special shapes such as envelopes and index paper.

[0020] The sheets S loaded onto the feed cassette 11 are fed out of the cassette by the feed roller 21 and reach the separation roller pair 22. The separation roller pair 22 has a transport roller 22a that continues to transport the sheets S and a separation roller 22b that contacts the transport roller 22a. The separation roller 22b is connected to a shaft fixed to the main body 19 of the image forming apparatus 10 via a torque limiter, and applies frictional force to the sheets S as they pass through the separation nip between the transport roller 22a and the separation roller 22b. As a result, when multiple sheets S enter the separation nip, only the uppermost recording material in contact with the transport roller 22a is transported, and the other recording materials are prevented from being transported by the separation roller 22b.

[0021] The sheet S, fed out from the separation roller pair 22, is transported by the extraction roller pair 24 towards the registration roller pair 12. The registration roller pair 12 corrects the skewness of the sheet S and feeds the sheet S toward the secondary transfer section N2 at a timing synchronized with the start of toner image creation by the image forming stations PY~PK. After the image is formed by passing through the secondary transfer section N2 and the fixing device 14, the sheet S is transported through the discharge path inside the device body 19 and discharged into the discharge tray 15 located on the side of the device body 19.

[0022] [Image reading device] Next, the configuration of the image reading device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the image reading device 100 according to this embodiment, and Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing its cross-sectional configuration. Above the main body of the device 19, the image reading device 100 for reading the original image set by the user is installed. The image reading device 100 includes a reader 101 and an ADF 102 (Auto Document Feeder). The ADF 102 is mounted above the reader 103 so as to be openable and closable, and includes a sheet support unit 200, an opening / closing cover 202, an ADF device body 203 including a plurality of transport guide members, and an output tray 201.

[0023] Next, the flow of the sheet reading operation, including the transport from when the sheet S is fed, read, and discharged, will be explained using Figure 3. The ADF 102 has, from the upstream side of the transport path, a pickup roller 300, a separation roller 301 and a feed roller 302, transport roller pairs 303a to 303c, a first lead roller pair 304, a second lead roller pair 305, a transport roller pair 303d, and a discharge roller pair 306. When the opening / closing cover 202 is closed relative to the ADF device body 203, it nips the roller pairs to form a transport path, so that the sheet can be transported.

[0024] The sheet S, placed on the sheet support unit 200 by the user, is fed to a pair of separating rollers consisting of a feed roller 302 and a separating roller 301 by the rotational driving force of a pickup roller 300, which is an example of a sheet feeding unit. The fed sheet S is separated one by one by the frictional force generated by the pair of separating rollers 301. The separated sheets S are transported toward a predetermined reading position by the rotational driving force of a transport roller pair 303a to 303d, a first lead roller pair 304, and a second lead roller pair 305. This makes it possible to read the sheet image by a reading unit mounted inside.

[0025] Specifically, the first reading unit 311, mounted inside the reader 103, reads the image information of the surface of the conveyed sheet S via the first reading glass 310. The second reading unit 313, mounted inside the ADF 102, reads the image information of the back surface of the sheet S via the second reading glass 312. The read sheet S is then discharged to the discharge tray 201 by the rotational driving force of the discharge roller pair 306. That is, the discharge tray 201 is an example of a discharge and loading section, located below the support unit body 220, and discharges and loads the sheet S whose images have been read by the first reading unit 311 and the second reading unit 313. Meanwhile, the reader 103 can read the image of the sheet S placed on the sheet base glass 314 by moving and scanning the first reading unit 311 by opening and closing the ADF 102. In other words, the first reading unit 311 and the second reading unit 313 are examples of image reading units that read images formed on the sheet S supplied from the sheet support unit 200.

[0026] [Seat support unit] Next, the configuration of the sheet support unit 200 will be explained in detail using Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the sheet support unit 200, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the support tray 210 viewed from below, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the support unit body 220.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the sheet support unit 200 includes a support tray 210 and a support unit body 220, which is an example of the main body. The support tray 210 has a sheet support surface 210a for supporting (placing) the sheet and is provided so as to be able to move up and down relative to the support unit body 220. The support unit body 220 faces the discharge tray 201 and forms a discharge port 307 downstream of the discharge roller pair 306 through which the sheet S after reading is discharged (see Figure 3).

[0028] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the support tray 210 includes a tray member 320, a pair of side regulating guides 321F, 321B, a pair of racks 322F, 322B, a pinion 323, and a sheet detection sensor 324, which is an example of a detection unit. The support tray 210 also includes a lighting unit 325 having an LED that illuminates the discharge tray 201, a first cable C1 consisting of a bundle of wires or a single wire electrically connected to the lighting unit 325, and a cable guide 327 that holds the first cable C1 to the tray member 320.

[0029] The pair of racks 322F and 322B are arranged to translate in conjunction with the rotational movement of the pinion 323, and the pair of side regulating guides 321F and 321B are integrally provided with the racks 322F and 322B, respectively. For example, when one side regulating guide 321F is moved, the other side regulating guide 321B moves in the opposite direction via the rotation of the rack 322. As a result, the pair of side regulating guides 321F and 321B clamp the sheet S placed on the sheet support surface 210a from both sides in the width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction.

[0030] The sheet detection sensor 324 is electrically connected to the second cable C2 and operates using power from an external power source obtained via the second cable C2 to detect the presence or absence of a sheet S on the sheet support surface 210a of the sheet support unit 200. The second cable C2 is held in place by the support tray 210 by the second holding member 328. The illumination unit 325 emits light using power obtained from an external power source via the first cable C1.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the support unit body 220 has an illumination window 221. The illumination window 221 is an example of a transparent material and is located below the illumination unit 325 provided on the support tray 210, transmitting light from the illumination unit 325 toward the discharge tray 201. As a result, the light emitted from the illumination unit 325 illuminates the discharge tray 201, improving visibility when the user takes out the discharged sheet S. That is, the illumination unit 325 illuminates the area below the support unit body 220 through the illumination window 221.

[0032] [Lifter mechanism] Next, the lifter mechanism 230 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The lifter mechanism 230 is an example of a lifting mechanism, and is provided at the bottom of the seat support unit 200, and is a mechanism that can raise and lower the support tray 210. As shown in Figure 7, the lifter mechanism 230 has a motor 400, a drive transmission unit 401 including a plurality of gears 402, a lifter gear 403, a lifter drive shaft 404 with the front-rear direction as its longitudinal direction, and a lifter plate 405. The motor 400 acts as a drive source and generates torque, which is transmitted by the drive transmission unit 401 and the drive is transmitted to the lifter gear 403, causing the lifter plate 405 to rotate via the lifter drive shaft 404. In this embodiment, the lifter plate 405 is provided at two different positions in the front-rear direction. However, it is not limited to two positions, and may be one position or three or more positions.

[0033] The lifter plate 405 is displaced by the motor 400 to a first position where the tip of the lifter plate 405 is separated from the support tray 210, as shown in Figure 8(a), and to a second position where the tip of the lifter plate 405 is in contact with the support tray 210, as shown in Figure 8(b).

[0034] The lifting and lowering operation of the support tray 210 by the lifter mechanism 230 will be explained with reference to Figure 9. When the user has not set a sheet S, the lifter plate 405 is in the first position, and the support tray 210 is in the lowered state shown in Figure 9(a). At this time, there is sufficient space between the pickup roller 300 and the sheet support surface 210a of the support tray 210, allowing a large number of sheets to be set.

[0035] When the sheet detection sensor 324 detects that a sheet S has been placed on the sheet support surface 210a of the support tray 210, the lifter plate 405 moves to the second position and the support tray 210 is lifted. As a result, the support tray 210 is in the raised position shown in Figure 9(b). At this time, the pickup roller 300 comes into contact with the support tray 210, and the placed sheet S can be fed to the separation roller 301. Once the reading of the sheet S is complete and there are no more sheets S on the sheet support surface 210a, the support tray 210 returns to the lowered position. That is, the support tray 210 is raised to the feeding position where the supported sheet S is supplied to the pickup roller 300.

[0036] Furthermore, by illuminating the discharge tray 201 or the discharged sheet S from the lighting unit 325 provided on the support tray 210, the discharged sheet S becomes easier for the user to see. Here, the discharge tray 201 is located directly below the support unit body 220 and is hidden in the shadow of the support unit body 220. For this reason, in order to improve the effect of improving visibility, it is desirable to position the lighting unit 325 so as to illuminate the sheet support unit 200 on the front side F. Therefore, it is desirable to position the lighting unit 325 and the lighting window 221 on the outer periphery of the sheet support unit 200 on the front side F.

[0037] Here, considering the circumstances described above, it is preferable to install the lighting unit 325 on the support unit body 220. However, the support tray 210 is equipped with a sheet detection sensor 324 and its second cable C2. Therefore, if the lighting unit 325 and its first cable C1 are installed on the support unit body 220, the wiring of the entire sheet support unit 200 becomes complicated. In this embodiment, the lighting unit 325 and its first cable C1 are installed on the support tray 210, but even in this case, for example, if the device is miniaturized, there is a risk that the first cable C1 may come into contact with a movable part and break.

[0038] Specifically, when the support tray 210 is displaced from an elevated state to a lowered state, there is a risk that parts of the support unit body 220, such as the second side wall portion 502 (see Figure 12(a)), may come into contact with the first cable C1. Therefore, in this embodiment, a cable guide 327 is provided to prevent parts of the support unit body 220, such as the second side wall portion 502, from coming into contact with the first cable C1 installed on the support tray 210 when the support tray 210 is displaced from an elevated state to a lowered state.

[0039] [Cable guide] The cable guide 327, which holds and guides the first cable C1 that supplies power to the lighting unit 325 on the support tray 210, will be explained using Figures 10 to 12(a). Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the lighting unit 325 and its surroundings, Figure 11 is a plan view of the sheet support unit 200, and Figure 12(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 11. Figure 12(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 11 in a comparative example.

[0040] First, as shown in Figures 11 and 12(a), on the outer circumference of the sheet support unit 200, the first side wall portion 501 (see Figure 5) provided on the support tray 210 and the second side wall portion 502 (see Figure 6) provided on the support unit body 220 are interlocked. The second side wall portion 502 is positioned inward from the first side wall portion 501. As shown in Figure 12(a), the space between the first side wall portion 501 and the outer guide rail 503a forms a space called the arrangement portion 210b, which is formed in a shape that is recessed upward.

[0041] The lighting unit 325 is positioned on the outer periphery of the support tray 210, and a guide rail 503 (see Figure 10) that guides the side regulating guide 321 is positioned on the center side in the front-rear direction of the seat support unit 200. Therefore, the first cable C1 needs to be positioned along the outer periphery of the support tray 210, and is therefore positioned in the mounting section 210b. The second side wall portion 502 is an example of a protruding portion and enters the mounting section 210b when the support tray 210 is lowered.

[0042] Specifically, the support tray 210 has an upper surface forming portion 504 that forms the upper surface, a first side wall portion 501, and an outer guide rail 503a. The upper surface formed by the upper surface forming portion 504 is an upward-facing surface, and the sheet support surface 210a is included within this upper surface, and the upper surface also includes an area that does not support the sheet S. The first side wall portion 501 is a side wall portion that extends downward from the lower surface of the upper surface forming portion 504. The outer guide rail 503a is an example of a rib, and extends downward from the lower surface of the upper surface forming portion 504 and is positioned opposite the first side wall portion 501.

[0043] As shown in Figure 10, the first cable C1 is arranged along the outer guide rail 503a, which is the outer circumference of the operating area of ​​the side regulating guide 321, from the center side in the front-rear direction of the support tray 210 toward the front direction F. If left as is, there is a risk that the second side wall portion 502 will come into contact with the first cable C1, so in this embodiment, a cable guide 327 is placed to cover the first cable C1 together with the support tray 210, thereby preventing contact between the first cable C1 and the second side wall portion 502.

[0044] As shown in Figure 12(a), the cable guide 327 is an example of a first retaining member and has a retaining portion 327a that holds the first cable C1 to the support tray 210. The retaining portion 327a separates the intrusion space S1 into which the second side wall portion 502 enters in the arrangement portion 210b from the first cable C1. With the support tray 210 lowered, the first side wall portion 501, the second side wall portion 502, and the retaining portion 327a are arranged in order in a direction parallel to the sheet support surface 210a (in this case, the left-right direction). The first cable C1 passes behind the retaining portion 327a of the cable guide 327 and reaches the lighting portion 325. Because the retaining portion 327a is provided, the second side wall portion 502 can avoid contact with the first cable C1, thus preventing the first cable C1 from breaking.

[0045] In this embodiment, the holding portion 327a has a first inclined surface 327b on the entry space S1 side (entry space side) that is inclined so that the entry space S1 widens from the upper part downwards. As a result, even if the upper end of the second side wall portion 502 comes into direct contact with the holding portion 327a due to, for example, play when the support tray 210 is lowered, the first inclined surface 327b guides it outwards, allowing the support tray 210 to be lowered to the first position.

[0046] The holding portion 327a is flat and has a first inclined surface 327b and a second inclined surface 327c formed parallel to the first inclined surface 327b on the back side of the first inclined surface 327b. The second inclined surface 327c forms a holding space S2 for holding the first cable C1 between itself and the surface forming the installation section 210b.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the support tray 210 is lowered, the upper end of the second side wall 502 is either overlapping with the first cable C1 or positioned above the first cable C1 when viewed from the left or right direction. That is, when viewed from the second side wall 502 side (protruding part side) towards the holding part 327a side (holding part side) in a direction parallel to the sheet support surface 210a, the second side wall 502 overlaps with the first cable C1 held by the holding part 327a. As a result, the support tray 210 can be lowered to a lower position compared to the case where the upper end of the second side wall 502 does not overlap with the first cable C1, thereby enabling miniaturization of the device.

[0048] [Comparative Example] Figure 12(b) shows a comparative example. In this comparative example, the holding portion 327A of the cable guide 327 is a flat plate horizontal to the sheet support surface 210a. In this case, even when the second side wall portion 502 is closest to the support tray 210, the support tray 210 and the support unit body 220 must be spaced apart by at least the sum of the wire diameter of the cable 326 and the thickness of the holding portion 327A. In contrast, in this embodiment, the position of the cable 326 and the holding portion 327a opposite the upper end of the second side wall portion 502 can be avoided, so there is no need to space the support tray 210 and the support unit body 220. Therefore, by providing the first inclined surface 327b on the cable guide 327, the sheet support unit 200 can be made thinner by the sum of the wire diameter of the cable 326 and the thickness of the holding portion 327A compared to the comparative example.

[0049] In the comparative example, even if the holding portion 327A is shortened to the first cable C1 side, if the upper end of the second side wall portion 502 comes into contact with the holding portion 327A due to rattle or other reasons when the support tray 210 is lowered, the support tray 210 cannot be lowered if the holding portion 327A is horizontal. In contrast, in this embodiment, since the first inclined surface 327b is formed on the holding portion 327a, even if the upper end of the second side wall portion 502 comes into contact with the holding portion 327a, the upper end of the second side wall portion 502 is guided by the first inclined surface 327b.

[0050] As described above, according to this embodiment, the holding portion 327a of the cable guide 327 holds the first cable C1 inside the installation portion 210b and separates the intrusion space S1 into which the second side wall portion 502 enters from the holding space S2 that holds the first cable C1. This prevents the second side wall portion 502 from coming into contact with the first cable C1, thereby preventing cable breakage.

[0051] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the holding portion 327a of the cable guide 327 has a first inclined surface 327b on the entry space S1 side, which is inclined such that the entry space widens from the upper part downwards. Therefore, even if the upper end of the second side wall portion 502 comes into contact with the holding portion 327a due to rattle or the like when the support tray 210 is lowered, the upper end of the second side wall portion 502 is guided by the first inclined surface 327b, and can remain in the first position. In addition, because the first inclined surface 327b is provided, the first cable C1 can be moved away from the second side wall portion 502, further reducing the risk of cable breakage.

[0052] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the second side wall portion 502 overlaps the first cable C1 held by the holding portion 327a when viewed from the left and right directions with the support tray 210 in the lowered position. As a result, the support tray 210 and the support unit body 220 can be combined more deeply in the vertical direction, which makes it possible to miniaturize the sheet support unit 200.

[0053] In the embodiment described above, the cable guide 327 was described as holding the first cable C1 of the lighting unit 325, but it is not limited to this and may hold other cables. Also, the installation position of the cable guide 327 is not limited to the outer periphery of the sheet support unit 200, but may be provided at other locations.

[0054] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the arrangement portion 210b was described as the space between the upper surface forming portion 504 of the support tray 210, the first side wall portion 501, and the outer guide rail 503a, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be formed by a recess provided on the lower surface of the support tray 210. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the protruding portion of the support unit body 220 was described as the second side wall portion 502, but it is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a rib formed on the support unit body 220. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 10...Image forming apparatus, 16...Image forming unit, 100...Image reading device, 200...Sheet support unit, 210...Support tray (sheet support unit), 210a...Sheet support surface, 210b...Installation unit, 220...Support unit body (main body), 221...Illumination window (transparent component), 230...Lifter mechanism (lifting mechanism), 300...Pickup roller (sheet feeding unit), 324...Sheet detection sensor (detection) C1…First cable, C2…Second cable, S1…Intrusion space, S2…Retaining space

Claims

1. The main body and A sheet support section having a sheet support surface for supporting a sheet, and being provided to be able to move up and down relative to the main body, and raising the supported sheet to a feeding position for supplying it to the sheet feeding section, The lighting unit attached to the aforementioned seat support portion, A first cable electrically connected to the lighting unit, The first cable is held by a first holding member that holds the first cable to the sheet support portion, The sheet support portion is formed in a shape that is recessed upward and has a mounting portion on which the first cable is arranged. The main body portion has a protrusion that enters the mounting portion when the sheet support portion is lowered, The first retaining member holds the first cable inside the installation portion and has a retaining portion that separates the intrusion space into which the protruding portion enters from the first cable. The retaining portion has a first inclined surface on the side of the intrusion space, which is inclined such that the intrusion space widens from the upper part downwards. A seat support unit characterized by the following features.

2. The holding portion is flat and has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface formed parallel to the first inclined surface on the back side of the first inclined surface. The second inclined surface forms a holding space for holding the first cable between itself and the surface forming the arrangement portion. The sheet support unit according to feature 1.

3. The sheet support portion comprises an upper surface forming portion, a first side wall portion which is a side wall portion extending downward from the lower surface of the upper surface forming portion, and a rib which extends downward from the lower surface of the upper surface forming portion and is arranged opposite to the first side wall portion. The aforementioned arrangement portion is the space between the upper surface forming portion, the first side wall portion, and the rib. The sheet support unit according to feature 1.

4. With the sheet support portion lowered, the first side wall portion, the protruding portion, and the holding portion are arranged in order in a direction parallel to the sheet support surface. The sheet support unit according to claim 3, characterized in that it is a sheet support unit.

5. The aforementioned protrusion consists of a second side wall portion which is a side wall portion of the main body portion. The sheet support unit according to feature 1.

6. The protruding portion overlaps the first cable held by the holding portion when viewed from the protruding portion side toward the holding portion side in a direction parallel to the sheet support surface, with the sheet support portion lowered. The sheet support unit according to feature 1.

7. The main body has a transparent member located below the lighting section, The illumination unit illuminates the area below the main body through the transparent member. The sheet support unit according to feature 1.

8. A detection unit for detecting a sheet supported on the sheet support surface, A second cable electrically connected to the detection unit, The device comprises a second holding member that holds the second cable to the sheet support portion, The sheet support unit according to feature 1.

9. The seat support portion is equipped with a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers it relative to the main body portion. The sheet support unit according to feature 1.

10. A sheet support unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which supports a sheet, An image reading unit reads an image formed on a sheet fed from the sheet support unit, It comprises a discharge and loading section located below the main body, which discharges and loads the sheets whose images have been read by the image reading section, The illumination unit illuminates the discharge and loading unit. An image reading device characterized by the following:

11. An image reading device according to claim 10 for reading an image formed on a sheet, It comprises an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

Images