Image reading device

Abstract

To solve the following problem: footprint of an image reading apparatus including an apparatus body which is capable of switching the posture may become large.SOLUTION: A scanner 1 includes an apparatus body 2, a stand 6, and a switching mechanism 50. The apparatus body 2 includes a conveyance unit 20 that conveys a document G along a conveyance path R, and a reading unit 40 that reads an image of the document G. The stand 6 supports the apparatus body 2. The switching mechanism 50 switches the posture of the apparatus body 2 with respect to the stand 6 so that the conveyance path R extends along an intersecting direction intersecting an installation surface D. The switching mechanism 50 includes a switching motor 52 that applies a driving force to the apparatus body 2 when switching the posture. The switching motor 52 is located inside the apparatus body 2 on the lower side of the conveyance path R in the vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The document imaging apparatus of Patent Document 1 has an imaging apparatus main body having an image data conversion apparatus and a paper feeding apparatus. The imaging apparatus main body is pivotally coupled to a support base to adjust the tilt angle of the imaging apparatus main body to one of a plurality of tilt angle positions. Further, the imaging apparatus main body is locked in the tilted position by a latch mechanism.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the image reading apparatus of Patent Document 1, the latch mechanism for locking the apparatus main body is located outside in the width direction with respect to the apparatus main body, and the apparatus has become large-sized. Thus, there is a risk that the footprint of the image reading apparatus including the apparatus main body whose posture can be switched becomes large.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a document along a conveyance path, a reading unit configured to face the conveyance path and read an image of the document, a device main body including the conveyance unit and the reading unit, a support unit configured to support the device main body, and a switching mechanism unit configured to switch a posture of the device main body with respect to the support unit along an intersection direction in which the conveyance path intersects a horizontal plane. The switching mechanism unit includes a switching drive source configured to apply a driving force to the device main body when switching the posture, and the switching drive source is located below the conveyance path in a vertical direction inside the device main body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the present invention will be schematically described. An image reading apparatus according to a first aspect includes a device body including a transport unit configured to transport a document along a transport path, and a reading unit configured to face the transport path and read an image of the document, a support unit configured to support the device body, and a switching mechanism unit configured to switch a posture of the device body with respect to the support unit along an intersection direction in which the transport path intersects a horizontal plane. The switching mechanism unit includes a switching drive source configured to apply a driving force to the device body when switching the posture, and the switching drive source is located below the vertical direction with respect to the transport path inside the device body.

[0008] According to this aspect, when the conveyance path is along the intersecting direction, the horizontal width of the occupied space of the image reading device can be narrower than when the conveyance path is along the horizontal plane. And when the conveyance path is along the intersecting direction, the switching drive source is located below the conveyance path in the vertical direction inside the apparatus main body. That is, in a state where the horizontal width of the occupied space of the image reading device is narrow, the switching drive source is arranged to be housed in the empty area below the conveyance path in the vertical direction inside the apparatus main body, so that an increase in the footprint of the image reading device can be suppressed.

[0009] The image reading device according to the second aspect is, in the first aspect, characterized in that the switching drive source includes a rotation axis, and a virtual line obtained by extending the center line of the rotation axis intersects the installation surface on which the support portion is installed. According to this aspect, since the rotation axis is arranged to include a component in the vertical direction and the switching drive source is in a state of standing upright with respect to the installation surface, the footprint of the image reading device can be reduced.

[0010] The image reading device according to the third aspect is, in the first aspect or the second aspect, characterized in that the conveyance path has a reading path facing the reading unit, and the switching mechanism unit overlaps a part of the reading path when viewed from the facing direction in which the reading unit and the reading path face each other. According to this aspect, since the switching mechanism unit overlaps a part of the reading path, the footprint of the image reading device can be reduced compared to a configuration where there is no overlap.

[0011] The image reading apparatus according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the conveyance unit includes a conveyance member that conveys the document, a guide member that guides the document, and a conveyance drive source that rotationally drives the conveyance member, and at least a part of the conveyance drive source overlaps at least a part of the guide member in the apparatus height direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the document. According to this aspect, since it is not necessary to displace and arrange the guide member that guides the document and the conveyance drive source in the apparatus height direction, the apparatus height of the image reading apparatus can be suppressed to be low.

[0012] The image reading apparatus according to the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, at least a part of the conveyance drive source overlaps a part of the guide member in the apparatus width direction that intersects the conveyance direction. According to this aspect, since it is not necessary to displace and arrange the guide member that guides the document and the conveyance drive source in the apparatus width direction, the footprint of the image reading apparatus can be reduced.

[0013] The image reading apparatus according to the sixth aspect, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the conveyance drive source overlaps a part of the reading unit in both the apparatus height direction and the apparatus width direction that intersects the conveyance direction. According to this aspect, since the conveyance drive source and a part of the reading unit overlap in two directions, the footprint of the image reading apparatus can be reduced.

[0014] The image reading apparatus according to the seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, at least a part of the conveyance drive source is located above the reading unit in the vertical direction in at least one of the postures. According to this aspect, the heat generated during the operation of the conveyance power source moves upward in the vertical direction. As a result, the heat of the conveyance drive source is less likely to be transmitted to the reading unit, and distortion is less likely to occur in the reading unit, so that it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reading accuracy of the document.

[0015] The image reading apparatus according to the eighth aspect is the image reading apparatus according to the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect, wherein the reading unit includes a light source unit that irradiates light onto the document, and at least a part of the conveyance drive source overlaps with the light source unit in the apparatus width direction. According to this aspect, since at least a part of the conveyance drive source overlaps with the light source unit, the footprint of the image reading apparatus can be reduced.

[0016] The image reading apparatus according to the ninth aspect is the image reading apparatus according to any one of the fourth aspect to the eighth aspect, wherein the apparatus main body includes a placement unit on which the document before conveyance is placed, and an edge guide that is provided movably in the apparatus width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the document in the placement unit to align the edges of the document in the apparatus width direction, and a part of the conveyance drive source overlaps with a part of the movable region of the edge guide in the apparatus width direction. According to this aspect, since a part of the conveyance drive source overlaps with a part of the movable region of the edge guide in the apparatus width direction, the footprint of the image reading apparatus can be reduced.

[0017] The image reading apparatus according to the tenth aspect is the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the ninth aspect, wherein the apparatus main body has a first cover member that constitutes a side portion of the apparatus main body in the apparatus width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the document, and a second cover member that constitutes a side portion of the apparatus main body on the back side farther from the first cover member with respect to the placement unit on which the document is placed, and a second length of the second cover member in the apparatus width direction is shorter than a first length of the first cover member in the apparatus width direction. According to this aspect, in the device width direction, the width of the second cover member on the back side is narrower than the width of the first cover member located on the front side of the second cover member. Therefore, the second cover member on the back side is hidden when viewed from the front side. As a result, the design property when the image reading device is viewed from the front side is improved.

[0018] The image reading device according to the eleventh aspect is characterized in that, in the tenth aspect, in the device width direction, the second cover member and the switching drive source overlap. According to this aspect, since the portion of the device main body that houses the switching drive source is in a position where it cannot be seen from the front side, a decrease in the design property when the image reading device is viewed from the front side can be suppressed.

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 1, a scanner 1, which is an example of an image reading device, will be described. In FIG. 1, the scanner 1 is in a normal reading posture, which will be described later. The scanner 1 is a so-called sheet feed type scanner that reads while moving a document G (FIG. 3) with respect to a reading unit 40 (FIG. 3) described later. In this specification, the document G includes not only sheets but also card-shaped and booklet-shaped documents G. The scanner 1 has a device main body 2 and a stand 6. The device main body 2 has a first unit 3, a second unit 4, and a third unit 5.

[0020] In addition, in the X - Y - Z coordinate system shown in each figure, the X - axis direction is an example of the device width direction, the width direction of the document G, and the horizontal direction. The Y - axis direction is the device depth direction. The Z - axis direction is an example of the vertical direction and the device height direction. The Z - axis direction intersects the A - axis direction described later. In this embodiment, the +Y direction is the direction from the back surface to the front surface of the apparatus, and the -Y direction is the direction from the front surface to the back surface of the apparatus. That is, with respect to the center of the scanner 1, the +Y direction is the front side, and the -Y direction is the back side. Also, the left direction as viewed from the front surface of the apparatus is the +X direction, and the right direction is the -X direction. Further, the upper side in the Z-axis direction is the +Z direction, and the lower side is the -Z direction.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner 1 can switch its posture to a booklet reading posture that is tilted with respect to the normal reading posture (FIG. 1). Specifically, the apparatus main body 2 is tilted with respect to the stand 6 by the operation of a switching mechanism unit 50 (FIG. 8) described later. Let the surface on which the stand 6 is placed be the installation surface D. The installation surface D is an example of a horizontal plane along the X-Y plane.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the scanner 1 can read at least one of the front surface GA and the back surface GB opposite thereto of the document G. Hereinafter, the direction in which the conveyance path R of the document G extends at a position facing a reading unit 40 described later is defined as the A-axis direction. Of the A-axis direction, the direction in which the document G is conveyed is the +A direction. That is, the +A direction is an example of the conveyance direction. Also, of the A-axis direction, in the normal reading posture described later, the direction in which the document G is discharged is the -A direction. That is, the -A direction is an example of the discharge direction.

[0023] The A-axis direction is orthogonal to the X-axis direction. The +A direction is a direction toward a position in the +Y direction and the -Z direction. A direction orthogonal to both the A-axis direction and the X-axis direction is defined as the B-axis direction. The B-axis direction is an example of the stacking direction of the document G in a document support unit 49 described later. Also, the B-axis direction is an example of the facing direction in which the reading unit 40 and the reading path R2 face each other. Of the B-axis direction, the direction having a +Z direction component is the +B direction, and the direction having a -Z direction component is the -B direction.

[0024] Specifically, the scanner 1 includes an apparatus main body 2, a stand 6, and a switching mechanism unit 50 (FIG. 8). The apparatus main body 2 includes a conveyance unit 20 through which an original document G is conveyed along a conveyance path R described later, and a reading unit 40 that faces the conveyance path R and reads an image of the original document G. The stand 6 rotatably supports the apparatus main body 2 as an example of a support unit that supports the apparatus main body 2. Details of the stand 6 and the switching mechanism unit 50 will be described later.

[0025] A conveyance path R through which the original document G is conveyed is formed in the apparatus main body 2. Specifically, the apparatus main body 2 includes, in addition to the conveyance unit 20 and the reading unit 40, a reversing unit 28, a discharge unit 46, an original document support unit 49, a pressing member 66, and an auxiliary member 68. The first unit 3 includes an upper opening / closing unit 10, a separation roller 15, a second roller 24, a fourth roller 27, a control unit 18, a switching mechanism unit 50, a conveyance motor 36 (FIG. 6), a first cover member 62, and a second cover member 64 (FIG. 2).

[0026] The second unit 4 is located in the +Y direction with respect to the first unit 3. The second unit 4 supports a first discharge roller 47 described later. The second unit 4 includes a main body frame 4A and an original document support unit 49. The original document support unit 49 constitutes a side portion in the +Y direction of the second unit 4 in the normal reading posture. The original document support unit 49 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the B-axis direction. The original document support unit 49 is a portion where the original document G discharged by a discharge unit 46 described later is supported. A support surface 49A that is a part of the original document support unit 49 and on which the original document G is supported is, for example, a plane along the X-A plane.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the third unit 5 is located in the +Y direction with respect to the second unit 4. The third unit 5 supports a second discharge roller 48 described later. The second unit 4 and the third unit 5 are rotatably provided about a frame rotation axis (not shown). The frame rotation axis forms a rotation axis center parallel to the X-axis direction. The second unit 4 and the third unit 5 can rotate integrally about the frame rotation axis with respect to the first unit 3. By rotating the second unit 4 and the third unit 5 with respect to the first unit 3, a manuscript feeding path R1 and a reading path R2, which will be described later, are exposed.

[0028] The third unit 5 can be rotated about the frame rotation axis with respect to the first unit 3 and the second unit 4. In other words, the third unit 5 is provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the second unit 4 such that the contact and separation of the second discharge roller 48 with respect to the first discharge roller 47 are possible. By rotating the third unit 5 with respect to the first unit 3 and the second unit 4, it is possible to expose an inversion path R3, which will be described later. The third unit 5 is configured to include, as an example, a front cover 7, a main body frame 8, a frame 30, a lower roller 32, a second discharge roller 48, an operation unit 16 (FIG. 1), and a pressing member 66. The main body frame 8 is a frame forming the base of the third unit 5 and supports each member constituting the third unit.

[0029] The apparatus main body 2 is rotatable about a main body rotation axis 6C with respect to the stand 6. In the present embodiment, the apparatus main body 2 can be held in two postures by being rotated. The posture of the apparatus main body 2 shown in FIG. 3 is referred to as a normal reading posture. The posture of the apparatus main body 2 shown in FIG. 4 is referred to as a booklet reading posture. The switching of the posture of the apparatus main body 2 is performed by a switching mechanism unit 50 (FIG. 8), which will be described later. In addition, in this specification, when simply referring to the normal reading posture or the booklet reading posture, it means the posture of the apparatus main body 2. Also, in some cases, the normal reading posture or the booklet reading posture may be referred to as the posture of the scanner 1.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the angle formed by the line extending the reading path R2 and the installation surface D is defined as the posture angle θ [°]. The posture angle θ in the case of the booklet reading posture is smaller than the posture angle θ in the case of the normal reading posture. In the normal reading posture, the projection area of the apparatus main body 2 on the installation surface D is minimized for the scanner 1. That is, in the normal reading posture, the footprint of the apparatus main body 2 is minimized. The footprint of the scanner 1 in this specification corresponds to the occupied area in the X-Y plane of the scanner 1 when viewed from above in the +Z direction in the Z-axis direction.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 16 includes, as an example, operation buttons 16A, 16B, and 16C. The operation unit 16 can transmit and receive signals to and from the control unit 18 (FIG. 6). The operation buttons 16A, 16B, and 16C are provided on the front cover 7. The operation buttons 16A, 16B, and 16C are assigned functions such as the ON and OFF switches of the power supply of the scanner 1.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the first unit 3 has an upper opening / closing unit 10 that functions as a lid for the conveyance path R. The upper opening / closing unit 10 opens and closes the feeding port 19 by rotating about an axis (not shown). In the present embodiment, "feeding" means the initial stage of conveyance and is included in "conveyance". A placement unit 11 described later is formed in the upper opening / closing unit 10. The document G to be fed is supported in an inclined posture by the placement unit 11. When a plurality of documents G are placed on the placement unit 11, the uppermost document G is sent downstream in the +A direction by the feed roller 14.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 11, the apparatus main body 2 includes a placement unit 11 and edge guides 12 and 13. The placement unit 11 is a part of the apparatus main body 2 in the first unit 3 where a part of the document G before conveyance is placed. The edge guides 12 and 13 are provided so as to be movable in the X-axis direction on the placement unit 11. Specifically, the edge guides 12 and 13 are arranged at intervals in the X-axis direction. The edge guides 12 and 13 are configured to be movable closer to each other or away from each other along the X-axis direction by a mechanism including a rack and a pinion (not shown). The edge guides 12 and 13 align the both end portions in the X-axis direction of a plurality of original documents G stacked on the placement unit 11. Note that, among the regions in the X-axis direction in which the edge guide 12 and the edge guide 13 can move, the largest one is defined as the movable region S3. In the scanner 1, as an example, the original document G is fed in a center feed method.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, a feed roller 14 is provided in the second unit 4. The feed roller 14 rotates by obtaining power from a conveyance motor 36 (FIG. 6) described later. Then, the feed roller 14 feeds the original document G to the first conveyance roller pair 22. A separation roller 15 is provided at a position facing the feed roller 14 in the first unit 3. The separation roller 15 is given rotational torque by a torque limiter (not shown) to suppress double feeding of the original document G. The feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15 are provided, as an example, at the central position in the X-axis direction. Note that a separation pad may be provided instead of the separation roller 15. Also, in the present embodiment, the feed roller 14 is provided above the original document placed on the placement unit 11 and is configured to feed from the topmost original document. However, the feed roller 14 may be provided below the original document placed on the placement unit 11 and may be configured to feed from the lowermost original document. A conveyance unit 20 is provided downstream of the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15.

[0035] The conveyance unit 20 is configured to include, as an example, a first conveyance roller pair 22, a second conveyance roller pair 25, an upper roller 31, a lower roller 32, a guide member 33, and a conveyance motor 36. The first conveyance roller pair 22, the second conveyance roller pair 25, the upper roller 31, and the lower roller 32 are an example of a conveyance member that conveys the document G.

[0036] The first conveyance roller pair 22 includes a first roller 23 provided in the second unit 4 and a second roller 24 provided in the first unit 3. The first conveyance roller pair 22 conveys the document G while rotating while pressing it. The first roller 23 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in the B-axis direction with respect to the second roller 24. Both the first roller 23 and the second roller 24 rotate by obtaining power from the conveyance motor 36. When the second unit 4 is closed with respect to the first unit 3, the first roller 23 and the second roller 24 come into contact with each other to form a nip. When the second unit 4 is opened with respect to the first unit 3, the first roller 23 separates from the second roller 24.

[0037] Downstream of the first conveyance roller pair 22 in the +A direction, a reading unit 40 for reading an image of the document G is provided. The reading unit 40 includes a first reading unit 42 and a second reading unit 43 facing each other in the B-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the first reading unit 42 and the second reading unit 43 are configured by a close contact type image sensor module (CISM) as an example. The reading unit 40 reads the document G conveyed by the first conveyance roller pair 22.

[0038] The first reading unit 42 is provided in the first unit 3. The first reading unit 42 reads the back surface GB of the document G. The second reading unit 43 is provided in the second unit 4. The second reading unit 43 reads the front surface GA of the document G. Note that the second reading unit 43 is provided so as to be movable in the B-axis direction. The first reading unit 42 and the second reading unit 43 have the same structure except for the arrangement as an example. Therefore, in the following description, the first reading unit 42 will be described as the reading unit 40, and the description of the second reading unit 43 will be omitted. Downstream of the reading unit 40 in the +A direction, a second conveyance roller pair 25 is provided.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 13, the first reading unit 42 includes, as an example, a main body portion 42A, a light source portion 42B, a light guide portion 42C, and a transmission portion 42D. The main body portion 42A is formed of a holder extending in the X-axis direction, and supports the light source portion 42B, the light guide portion 42C, and the transmission portion 42D. The light source portion 42B is located at the -X direction end portion in the main body portion 42A. The light source portion 42B irradiates light on the document G through the light guide portion 42C. The light guide portion 42C extends in the X-axis direction in accordance with a reading area (not shown) of the document G. The light guide portion 42C guides the light incident from the light source portion 42B in the X-axis direction and emits it toward the document G. The transmission portion 42D protects the light source portion 42B and the light guide portion 42C, and transmits the light from the light guide portion 42C toward the document G.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the second conveyance roller pair 25 includes a third roller 26 provided in the second unit 4 and a fourth roller 27 provided in the first unit 3. The second conveyance roller pair 25 conveys the document G while rotating while pressing it. The third roller 26 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in the B-axis direction with respect to the fourth roller 27. Both the third roller 26 and the fourth roller 27 are rotated by obtaining power from a conveyance motor 36 (FIG. 6). When the second unit 4 is closed with respect to the first unit 3, the third roller 26 and the fourth roller 27 come into contact with each other to form a nip. When the second unit 4 is opened with respect to the first unit 3, the third roller 26 separates from the fourth roller 27.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the guide member 33 constitutes a part of the conveyance path R and is a member that guides the document G. The length of the guide member 33 in the X-axis direction is longer than the length of the document G in the X-axis direction. The guide member 33 includes a first guide member 34 and a second guide member 35. The first guide member 34 is provided in the first unit 3. The first guide member 34 constitutes the -Z direction wall portion of the conveyance path R. The second guide member 35 is provided in the second unit 4. The second guide member 35 constitutes the wall portion in the +Z direction of the conveyance path R. As the posture of the apparatus main body 2 changes, the angle formed by the guide member 33 with respect to the installation surface D (FIG. 3) changes.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, the conveyance motor 36 is an example of a conveyance drive source that rotationally drives the first conveyance roller pair 22, the second conveyance roller pair 25, and the lower roller 32 (FIG. 3). The conveyance motor 36 also rotationally drives other rollers of the scanner 1. For example, the second discharge roller 48 (FIG. 3) is rotationally driven. The conveyance motor 36 is provided at the -X direction end portion of the apparatus main body 2. The conveyance motor 36 has a columnar motor main body 36A and a rotation shaft 36B extending in the -X direction from the motor main body 36A. A drive pulley 37 is provided on the rotation shaft 36B. The driving force is transmitted from the drive pulley 37 to the driven pulley 39 via a belt 38. The driving force transmitted to the driven pulley 39 is transmitted to each roller via a gear group (not shown).

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the apparatus main body 2, as an example, the conveyance path R has a document feeding path R1, a reading path R2, and a non-inverting conveyance path R4 (FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the conveyance path R is a substantially linear path. In other words, the inverting path R3 (FIG. 3), which is a curved path along which the document G is inverted, is not included in the conveyance path R. Note that since the inverting path R3 and the non-inverting conveyance path R4 are switched, the inverting path R3 and the non-inverting conveyance path R4 do not form a path at the same time.

[0044] The document feeding path R1 is a path from the placement unit 11, passing through the nip position between the feeding roller 14 and the separation roller 15, to the nip of the first conveyance roller pair 22. The reading path R2 is a path facing the reading unit 40. The reading path R2 is a linear path extending from the nip of the first conveyance roller pair 22 to the nip of the second conveyance roller pair 25 via the position facing the reading unit 40. The reverse path R3 is a path located downstream of the reading path R2 when the apparatus main body 2 is in the normal reading posture. The read original G is reversed upward in the reverse path R3 and discharged obliquely upward from the first discharge port 44. In the reverse path R3, an upper roller 31, a lower roller 32, and a discharge unit 46 are located.

[0045] The non-reverse conveyance path R4 is a path located downstream of the reading path R2 when the apparatus main body 2 is in the booklet reading posture. The read original G is discharged obliquely downward from the second discharge port 45 without being reversed in the non-reverse conveyance path R4. Note that the second conveyance roller pair 25 functions as a discharge roller pair that discharges the original from the non-reverse conveyance path R4. The non-reverse conveyance path R4 is a path from the second conveyance roller pair 25 to the second discharge port 45, that is, a path until it exits the apparatus main body 2 (see FIG. 4). However, the non-reverse conveyance path R4 may be a path from the second conveyance roller pair 25 to the installation surface D.

[0046] The reversing unit 28 is a part that constitutes the reverse path R3. That is, the reversing unit 28 is a part where one of the front surface GA and the back surface GB, which are the front and back of the original G read by the reading unit 40, is reversed to the other. The reversing unit 28 has, as an example, a switching flap 29, a frame 30, an upper roller 31, and a lower roller 32.

[0047] The switching flap 29 is located downstream in the +A direction with respect to the second conveyance roller pair 25. The switching flap 29 is rotated by a solenoid (not shown) to enable conveyance of the original G in one of the reverse path R3 and the non-reverse conveyance path R4 and to restrict conveyance of the original G to the other. That is, the switching flap 29 switches between the reverse path R3 and the non-reverse conveyance path R4. In the present embodiment, the switching flap 29 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the posture switching of the apparatus main body 2. The frame 30 guides the original G toward the first discharge port 44.

[0048] The upper roller 31 is located in the +Z direction with respect to the reverse path R3 in the normal reading posture and is rotated about an axis along the X-axis direction. The lower roller 32 is positioned in the -Z direction with respect to the reversing path R3 in the normal reading posture and is rotated about an axis along the X-axis direction. The upper roller 31 and the lower roller 32 are driven by a conveyance motor 36 (Fig. 6) to convey the document G.

[0049] The discharging unit 46 is positioned downstream of the upper roller 31 and the lower roller 32. The discharging unit 46 discharges the document G reversed in the reversing unit 28 from the first discharge port 44 in the -A direction. The discharging unit 46 includes a first discharging roller 47 provided in the second unit 4 and a second discharging roller 48 provided in the third unit 5. The first discharging roller 47 is positioned in the -Y direction with respect to the reversing path R3 in the normal reading posture. The second discharging roller 48 is positioned in the +Y direction with respect to the reversing path R3 in the normal reading posture. The first discharging roller 47 and the second discharging roller 48 are driven by the conveyance motor 36 to discharge the document G from the first discharge port 44.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 18 is provided in the first unit 3 as an example. The control unit 18 performs various controls of the scanner 1 including feeding, conveyance, discharge control, and reading control of the document G. Signals from an operation unit (not shown) are input to the control unit 18. The control unit 18 controls the operations of the conveyance motor 36 and the switching motor 52. In this embodiment, each motor is a DC motor. Signals from a placement detection unit, a double-feed detection unit, a document detection unit, a posture detection sensor, etc. (not shown) are also input to the control unit 18.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 3, the pressing member 66 is provided at the edge of the first discharge port 44 in the third unit 5. The pressing member 66 presses the document G toward the document support portion 49. The auxiliary member 68 is provided at a portion in the -Y direction with respect to the +Z direction end of the document support portion 49 in the second unit 4. The auxiliary member 68 supports a part of the document G placed on the document support portion 49. The pressing member 66 and the auxiliary member 68 can both be stored in the apparatus main body 2.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus main body 2 has a first cover member 62 and a second cover member 64. The first cover member 62 is provided on the first unit 3. The first cover member 62 constitutes the side portion of the apparatus main body 2 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The first cover member 62 has a rear wall 62A that stands upright at the +Z-direction end of the first unit 3, a movable wall 62B that rotates as the upper opening / closing unit 10 operates, and side walls 62C that stand upright at both ends of the first unit 3 in the X-axis direction. Let the length of the first cover member 62 in the X-axis direction be the first length L1 [mm].

[0053] The second cover member 64 is provided on the first unit 3. The second cover member 64 constitutes the side portion of the apparatus main body 2 on the back side that is farther in the -Y direction than the first cover member 62 with respect to the placement portion 11 (FIG. 5) on which the document G is placed when viewed from the X-axis direction. The second cover member 64 has a rear wall 64A that stands upright at the -Y-direction end of the first unit 3 and side walls 64B that stand upright at both ends of the first unit 3 in the X-axis direction. The rear wall 64A is located in the -Z direction with respect to the rear wall 62A and the movable wall 62B. The side wall 64B is located in the -Z direction with respect to the side wall 62C.

[0054] The rear wall 64A is formed in a rectangular shape whose dimension in the X-axis direction is longer than the dimension in the Z-axis direction. The side wall 64B has an outer shape in which the right-angled portion of a right triangle is in an R shape when viewed from the X-axis direction. Thus, the second cover member 64 constitutes the side portion of the apparatus main body 2 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Let the length of the second cover member 64 in the X-axis direction be the second length L2 [mm]. The second length L2 is shorter than the first length L1. Thereby, a stepped portion is formed between the first cover member 62 and the second cover member 64. The color of the second cover member 64 is, for example, darker than the color of the first cover member 62. Therefore, compared with the configuration in which both the color of the first cover member 62 and the color of the second cover member 64 are light colors, the scanner 1 appears to be smaller. For example, the color of the second cover member 64 may be formed such that the lightness in the Munsell value differs by 3 or more from the color of the first cover member 62. In addition, the second length L2 of the second cover member 64 may be equal to or greater than the first length L1 of the first cover member 62.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, the stand 6 includes, for example, a bottom plate portion 6A, two vertical wall portions 6B, a main body rotation shaft 6C, and a tooth portion 6D. The bottom plate portion 6A is placed on the installation surface D. The bottom plate portion 6A is a rectangular plate-shaped member whose dimension in the X-axis direction is longer than the dimension in the Y-axis direction. The two vertical wall portions 6B stand upright from the bottom plate portion 6A in the +Z direction. The two vertical wall portions 6B are arranged at intervals in the X-axis direction and support both ends of the apparatus main body 2 (FIG. 3) in the X-axis direction.

[0056] The main body rotation shaft 6C is provided on the vertical wall portion 6B and extends in the X-axis direction. The main body rotation shaft 6C passes through a supported portion (not shown) provided on the first unit 3 (FIG. 3). Thereby, the apparatus main body 2 can rotate about the main body rotation shaft 6C and can switch its posture. The tooth portion 6D is formed at the +Z direction end of the vertical wall portion 6B. The tooth portion 6D is formed along a virtual circle (not shown) centered on the main body rotation shaft 6C. The tooth portion 6D meshes with a gear portion 59A of a switching mechanism portion 50 described later.

[0057] The switching mechanism portion 50 switches the posture of the apparatus main body 2 (FIG. 3) with respect to the stand 6 so that the transport path R (FIG. 3) is along the intersection direction in which the transport path R intersects the installation surface D. The switching mechanism portion 50 includes, for example, a switching motor 52, a gear 55, a shaft 56, a gear 57, a first compound gear 58, and a second compound gear 59. A rotation detection portion 65 is provided in the switching mechanism portion 50.

[0058] The switching motor 52 is an example of a switching drive source that applies a driving force to the apparatus main body 2 when the apparatus main body 2 switches its posture. The switching motor 52 is located inside the apparatus main body 2 and below the apparatus main body 2 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the conveyance path R. In addition, in the present embodiment, a part of the switching motor 52 is located below the apparatus main body 2 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the conveyance path R in the normal reading posture of the apparatus main body 2, and a part is outside the lower side of the apparatus main body 2 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the conveyance path R (see FIG. 9). Thus, it is sufficient that at least a part of the switching motor 52 is located below the apparatus main body 2 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the conveyance path R. However, all of the switching motor 52 may be located below the apparatus main body 2 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the conveyance path R. Also, in the present embodiment, all of the switching motor 52 is located below the apparatus main body 2 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the conveyance path R in the booklet reading posture of the apparatus main body 2 (see FIG. 10). However, in the booklet reading posture of the apparatus main body 2, not all but a part of the switching motor 52 may be located below the apparatus main body 2 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the conveyance path R.

[0059] The switching motor 52 includes a rotating shaft 53. The rotating shaft 53 extends in the +Z direction and the -Z direction along the Z-axis direction from the switching motor 52. In other words, a virtual line C obtained by extending the center line of the rotating shaft 53 extends in the Z-axis direction as an example. The virtual line C intersects the installation surface D on which the stand 6 is installed. In the present embodiment, the virtual line C intersects the installation surface D in both the normal reading posture and the booklet reading posture. Note that the virtual line C may be parallel to the installation surface D in one of a plurality of postures of the apparatus main body 2.

[0060] The worm gear 54 is provided at the -Z direction end of the rotating shaft 53. The driving force of the switching motor 52 is transmitted from the worm gear 54 to the first compound gear 58 via the gear 55, the shaft 56, and the gear 57. Further, the driving force is transmitted from the first compound gear 58 to the second compound gear 59. The second compound gear 59 has a gear portion 59A. The gear portion 59A meshes with the tooth portion 6D.

[0061] The rotation detection unit 65 is, as an example, a rotary encoder including a rotary disk 65A provided at the +Z-direction end of the rotation shaft 53 and a detection unit 65B. The control unit 18 (Fig. 6) grasps the rotation direction and rotation amount of the switching motor 52 by detecting the rotation amount of the switching motor 52 with the rotation detection unit 65. That is, the control unit 18 grasps whether the posture of the apparatus main body 2 is in the normal reading posture or the booklet reading posture.

[0062] Next, the arrangement relationship of each member will be described. Note that the arrangement relationship of each member described below is the arrangement relationship in the posture in which there is a specific mention among the normal reading posture and the booklet reading posture of the apparatus main body 2. However, it goes without saying that the arrangement relationship of each member is not limited thereto, that is, it may be the arrangement relationship in either one of the postures, or it may be the arrangement relationship in the other posture, and furthermore, it may be the arrangement relationship in both postures.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 7, the switching motor 52 overlaps with the second cover member 64 in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the switching motor 52 overlaps with the second cover member 64 in a range of length X1 [mm] in the X-axis direction. Note that the overlapping state of the switching motor 52 and the second cover member 64 in the X-axis direction is constant regardless of the posture of the scanner 1. Note that in the present embodiment, the entire switching mechanism unit 50 overlaps with the second cover member 64 in the X-axis direction. However, a part of the switching mechanism unit 50 may be provided outside the second cover member 64, and in that case, a part of the switching mechanism unit 50 does not have to overlap with the second cover member 64.

[0064] Figs. 9 and 10 show the switching mechanism unit 50 by making the second cover member 64 in a transmissive state in the scanner 1. When the apparatus main body 2 is in the normal reading posture, as shown in FIG. 9, the conveyance motor 36 overlaps a part of the reading unit 40 in both the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the conveyance motor 36 overlaps the second reading unit 43 within a range of a length Z1 [mm] in the Z-axis direction. Further, the conveyance motor 36 overlaps the first reading unit 42 within a range of a length Y1 [mm] in the Y-axis direction. In addition, when the apparatus main body 2 is in the booklet reading posture, as shown in FIG. 10, the conveyance motor 36 overlaps the second reading unit 43 within a range of a length Z2 [mm] in the Z-axis direction and does not overlap in the Y-axis direction. In addition, the conveyance motor 36 may overlap a part of the reading unit 40 in only one of the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction.

[0065] The central portion in the Z direction and the upper portion from the central portion corresponding to a part of the conveyance motor 36 are located above the reading unit 40 in the Z-axis direction in the normal reading posture. In addition, a part or the whole of the conveyance motor 36 may be located above the reading unit 40 regardless of the posture of the apparatus main body 2. Also, in the present embodiment, the whole of the conveyance motor 36 overlaps a part of the guide member 33 in all of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. However, the whole of the conveyance motor 36 may overlap a part of the guide member 33 in any one or two of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. Further, the overlapping state between the conveyance motor 36 and the guide member 33 may be a relationship between a part of the conveyance motor 36 and a part of the guide member 33 instead of a relationship between the whole of the conveyance motor 36 and a part of the guide member 33.

[0066] The region S1 where the switching mechanism unit 50 is provided is indicated by the outer contour line of the storage unit having the smallest size among the virtual rectangular parallelepiped-shaped storage units capable of storing the switching mechanism unit 50 inside. The switching mechanism unit 50 overlaps a part of the reading path R2, which is a part of the conveyance path R, within a range of a length A1 [mm] when viewed from the +B direction position to the -B direction along the B-axis direction. Furthermore, when viewed from the B-axis direction, the switching mechanism unit 50 may overlap with a portion of the conveyance path R other than the reading path R2.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 11, the conveyance motor 36 overlaps with the first reading unit 42 within a range of length X2 [mm] in the X-axis direction. Also, as an example, the conveyance motor 36 overlaps with a part of the reading unit 40 in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. The +X direction end of the conveyance motor 36 overlaps with the -X direction end of the first guide member 34 within a range of length X2 in the X-axis direction.

[0068] Let the reading area in the X-axis direction read from the document G be the reading area S2. The reading area S2 is smaller than the aforementioned movable area S3. The +X direction end of the conveyance motor 36 overlaps with a part of the movable area S3 in the X-axis direction. As an example, the overlapping amount between the conveyance motor 36 and the movable area S3 is the length X2. Furthermore, a part of the conveyance motor 36 does not necessarily overlap with a part of the movable area S3 in the X-axis direction.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 11, a part of the conveyance motor 36 overlaps with a part of the first guide member 34 in the Z-axis direction. As an example, the overlapping amount between the conveyance motor 36 and a part of the first guide member 34 is the length Z2 [mm].

[0070] As shown in FIG. 13, a part of the motor body 36A of the conveyance motor 36 overlaps with the light source unit 42B in the X-axis direction. As an example, the overlapping amount between a part of the motor body 36A and the light source unit 42B is the length X3 [mm]. The light source unit 42B is located outside the reading area S2 (FIG. 11) of the document G in the X-axis direction. That is, by overlapping a part outside the reading area S2 with a part of the motor body 36A, the reading area S2 can be secured and the footprint of the scanner 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, the entire conveyance motor 36 may overlap with the light source unit 42B in the X-axis direction.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 14, when viewed from the +Z direction position with respect to the bottom plate portion 6A in the -Z direction, the region S1 of the switching mechanism portion 50 is, as an example, located inside the region S4 corresponding to the outer contour line of the bottom plate portion 6A. In other words, the switching mechanism portion 50 is located within the region S4 of the stand 6. Also, in the X-axis direction, a part of the region S1 is located inside the reading region S2. Furthermore, in FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, the illustration of the apparatus main body 2 (FIG. 3) excluding the switching mechanism portion 50 and the first reading portion 42 or the conveyance portion 20 is omitted.

[0072] FIG. 15 shows the region S5 corresponding to the outer contour line of the apparatus main body 2 (FIG. 3) in the booklet reading posture, and the aforementioned regions S1 and S4. Here, the combined region of the region S4 and the region S5 is defined as the region S6. When viewed from the +Z direction position with respect to the bottom plate portion 6A in the -Z direction, the region S1 is located inside the region S6.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 16, when viewed from the +Y direction position with respect to the first reading portion 42 in the -Y direction, a part of the switching mechanism portion 50 overlaps with a part of the first reading portion 42 in the X-axis direction within a range of length X4 [mm].

[0074] As shown in FIG. 17, a part of the switching mechanism portion 50 overlaps with the first reading portion 42 within a range of length Y2 [mm] in the Y-axis direction. Another part of the switching mechanism portion 50 overlaps with the first reading portion 42 within a range of length Z3 [mm] in the Z-axis direction. Since the reading path R2 (FIG. 3) extends along the A-axis direction which is an oblique direction intersecting the Z-axis direction, the first reading unit 42 is inclined. Therefore, a triangular space exists on the back side of the first reading unit 42 in the apparatus main body 2 (FIG. 3) when viewed from the X-axis direction. However, since another part of the switching mechanism unit 50 is located in this space, the space is filled. As a result, the footprint of the scanner 1 can be reduced.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 18, the fourth roller 27 has a shaft portion 27A extending in the X-axis direction and a roller main body portion 27B. A part of the switching mechanism unit 50 overlaps with a part of the shaft portion 27A within a range of a length X5 [mm] in the X-axis direction. In other words, a part of the switching mechanism unit 50 overlaps with a part of the conveying unit 20 in the X-axis direction.

[0076] Next, the operation of the scanner 1 of the embodiment will be described. For each configuration of the scanner 1, the description of individual figure numbers is omitted with reference to the respective configurations and reference numerals shown in FIGS. 1 to 18.

[0077] According to the scanner 1, when the conveying path R extends along the intersecting direction in which the conveying path R intersects the installation surface D, the width of the scanner 1 in the X-axis direction of the occupied space can be made narrower than when the conveying path R is along the installation surface D. And when the conveying path R is along the intersecting direction, the switching motor 52 is located below the conveying path R in the Z-axis direction inside the apparatus main body 2. That is, in a state where the width of the scanner 1 in the X-axis direction of the occupied space is narrow, the switching motor 52 is arranged to be housed in the empty area below the conveying path R in the Z-axis direction inside the apparatus main body 2, so that the footprint of the scanner 1 can be reduced.

[0078] According to the scanner 1, the rotation axis 53 is arranged to include a component in the Z-axis direction, and the switching motor 52 is in a state of standing upright with respect to the installation surface D, so that the footprint of the scanner 1 can be reduced. According to scanner 1, since the switching mechanism unit 50 overlaps with a part of the reading path R2, the footprint of scanner 1 can be made smaller than that of a configuration without overlap.

[0079] According to scanner 1, since it is not necessary to displace the guide member 33 for guiding the document G and the conveyance motor 36 in the Z-axis direction, the device height of scanner 1 can be kept low. According to scanner 1, since it is not necessary to displace the guide member 33 for guiding the document G and the conveyance motor 36 in the X-axis direction, the footprint of scanner 1 can be made smaller.

[0080] According to scanner 1, since the conveyance motor 36 and a part of the reading unit 40 overlap in two directions, the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction, the footprint of scanner 1 can be made smaller. According to scanner 1, the heat generated during the operation of the conveyance motor 36 moves upward in the Z-axis direction. As a result, the heat of the conveyance motor 36 is less likely to be transmitted to the reading unit 40, and it is less likely for the reading unit 40 to be distorted, so that it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reading accuracy of the document G.

[0081] According to scanner 1, since a part of the conveyance motor 36 and the light source unit 42B overlap, the footprint of scanner 1 can be made smaller. According to scanner 1, since a part of the conveyance motor 36 overlaps with a part of the movable region S3 of the edge guides 12 and 13 in the X-axis direction, the footprint of scanner 1 can be made smaller.

[0082] According to scanner 1, in the X-axis direction, the width of the second cover member 64 on the back side is narrower than the width of the first cover member 62 located on the front side of the second cover member 64. Therefore, the second cover member 64 on the back side is hidden when viewed from the front side. As a result, the design property when scanner 1 is viewed from the front side is improved. According to the scanner 1, since the portion that houses the switching motor 52 in the apparatus main body 2 is in a position where it cannot be seen from the front side, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the design quality when the scanner 1 is viewed from the front side.

[0083] The scanner 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to make partial configuration changes, omissions, combinations, etc. within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0084] For example, the scanner 1 may not have the reversing section 28 in the conveyance path R. Also, the conveyance motor 36 and the switching motor 52 may be configured by a single motor. In this case, the transmission path of the driving force may be switched by switching a plurality of gear trains. The conveyance motor 36 and the switching motor 52 may be provided in the +X direction with respect to the center in the X-axis direction in the apparatus main body 2. The switching mechanism section 50 is not limited to rotating the apparatus main body 2 using a motor, and for example, it may switch the posture of the apparatus main body 2 using a solenoid and a spring.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0085] 1... Scanner, 2... Apparatus main body, 3... First unit, 4... Second unit, 4A... Body frame, 5... Third unit, 6... Stand, 6A... Bottom plate portion, 6B... Standing wall portion, 6C... Body rotation axis, 6D... Tooth portion, 7... Front cover, 8... Body frame, 10... Upper opening / closing portion, 11... Mounting portion, 12... Edge guide, 13... Edge guide, 14... Feeding roller, 15... Separation roller, 16... Operation section, 16A... Operation button, 16B... Operation button, 16C... Operation button, 18... Control section, 19... Feeding port, 20... Conveyance section, 22... First conveyance roller pair, 23... First roller, 24... Second roller, 25... Second conveyance roller pair, 26... Third roller, 27... Fourth roller, 27A... Shaft portion, 27B…roller body part, 28…reversing part, 29…switching flap, 30…frame, 31…upper roller, 32…lower roller, 33…guide member, 34…first guide member, 35…second guide member, 36…conveyor motor, 36A…motor body, 36B…rotating shaft, 37…drive pulley, 38…belt, 39…driven pulley, 40…reading part, 42…first reading part, 42A…main body part, 42B…light source part, 42C…light guide part, 42D…transmission part, 43…second reading part, 44…first discharge port, 45…second discharge port, 46…discharge part, 47…first discharge roller, 48…second discharge roller, 49…original document support part, 49A…support surface, 50…switching mechanism part, 52…switching motor, 53…rotating shaft, 54…worm gear, 55…gear, 56…shaft, 57…gear, 58…first compound gear, 59…second compound gear, 59A…gear part, 62…first cover member, 62A…rear wall, 62B…movable wall, 62C…side wall, 64…second cover member, 64A…rear wall, 64B…side wall, 65…rotation detection part, 65A…rotating disk, 65B…detection part, 66…pressing member, 68…auxiliary member, C…imaginary line, D…installation surface, G…original document, GA…front surface, GB…back surface, L1…first length, L2…second length, R…conveyor path, R1…original document feeding path, R2…reading path, R3…reversing path, R4…non-reversing conveyor path, S1…area, S2…reading area, S3…movable area, S4…area, S5…area, S6…area, X1…length, X2…length, X3…length, X4…length, Y1…length, Y2…length, Z1…length, Z2…length, Z3…length

Claims

1. An apparatus main body including a conveyance unit configured to convey a document along a conveyance path, and a reading unit configured to face the conveyance path and read an image of the document; A support unit configured to support the apparatus main body; A switching mechanism unit configured to switch a posture of the apparatus main body with respect to the support unit along an intersection direction in which the conveyance path intersects a horizontal plane; and The switching mechanism unit includes a switching drive source configured to apply a driving force to the apparatus main body when switching the posture; The switching drive source is located below the conveyance path in a vertical direction inside the apparatus main body; The switching drive source includes a rotation shaft; A virtual line obtained by extending a center line of the rotation shaft intersects an installation surface on which the support unit is installed; An image reading apparatus, characterized in that.

2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The conveyance path has a reading path facing the reading unit; When viewed from an opposing direction in which the reading unit and the reading path face each other, the switching mechanism unit overlaps a part of the reading path; An image reading apparatus, characterized in that.

3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein The conveyance unit includes a conveyance member configured to convey the document, a guide member configured to guide the document, and a conveyance drive source configured to rotationally drive the conveyance member; At least a part of the conveyance drive source overlaps at least a part of the guide member in a device height direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the document; An image reading apparatus, characterized in that.

4. An apparatus main body including a conveyance unit configured to convey a document along a conveyance path, and a reading unit configured to face the conveyance path and read an image of the document; A support unit configured to support the apparatus main body; A switching mechanism unit configured to switch a posture of the apparatus main body with respect to the support unit along an intersection direction in which the conveyance path intersects a horizontal plane; and The switching mechanism unit includes a switching drive source configured to apply a driving force to the apparatus main body when switching the posture; The switching drive source is located below the conveyance path in a vertical direction inside the apparatus main body; The conveyance unit includes a conveyance member configured to convey the document, a guide member configured to guide the document, and a conveyance drive source configured to rotationally drive the conveyance member; At least a part of the conveyance drive source overlaps at least a part of the guide member in a device height direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the document; An image reading apparatus, characterized in that.

5. In the image reading apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, at least a part of the conveyance drive source overlaps with a part of the guide member in the apparatus width direction intersecting the conveyance direction. An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

6. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, the conveyance drive source overlaps with a part of the reading unit in both the apparatus height direction and the apparatus width direction intersecting the conveyance direction. An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

7. In the image reading apparatus according to claim 6, at least a part of the conveyance drive source is located above the reading unit in the vertical direction in at least one of the postures. An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

8. In the image reading apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, the reading unit includes a light source unit that irradiates light on the document, at least a part of the conveyance drive source overlaps with the light source unit in the apparatus width direction. An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

9. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8, the apparatus main body has a placement unit on which the document before conveyance is placed, and an edge guide that is provided movably in the apparatus width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the document in the placement unit and aligns the edges of the document in the apparatus width direction. A part of the conveyance drive source overlaps with a part of the movable region of the edge guide in the apparatus width direction. An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

10. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the apparatus main body has a first cover member that constitutes a side portion of the apparatus main body in the apparatus width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the document, and a second cover member that constitutes a side portion of the apparatus main body on the back side farther from the placement unit on which the document is placed than the first cover member. and has the second length of the second cover member in the apparatus width direction is shorter than the first length of the first cover member in the apparatus width direction. An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

11. In the image reading apparatus according to claim 10, in the apparatus width direction, the second cover member and the switching drive source overlap. An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

Images