Image reading device and image forming device

Abstract

To obtain an image reading device that, when using a detection unit that irradiates a document with light to detect the document, can detect the document even with the presence of a cover part located above the detection unit.SOLUTION: An image reading device comprises: a detection unit that emits light upward to detect a document; and a cover part that is a cover located above at least part of the detection unit. In the cover part, at least a portion irradiated with the light emitted toward the document by the detection unit is formed of transmission material through which light transmits.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device that reads an image, and an image forming apparatus that includes the image reading device. [Background technology]

[0002] The document reading device described in Patent Document 1 includes a document placing table and an automatic document feeder supported on the document placing table so as to be rotatable between a closed position that covers the top surface of the document placing table and an open position that exposes the top surface of the document placing table. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-68980 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When using a detection unit that detects an original by irradiating light, if there is a cover located above the detection unit, the cover will interfere with detection and the original cannot be detected.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an image reading device that can detect a document even if there is a cover portion located above the detection portion when using a detection portion that detects a document by irradiating light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image reading device according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a detection unit that detects an original by irradiating light, a cover unit that is a cover positioned above the detection unit, and at least the portion of the cover unit that is irradiated with light emitted by the detection unit is formed from a transparent material that allows light to pass through.

[0007] An image reading device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image reading device according to the first aspect, characterized in that the cover portion is positioned above the detection portion when the detection portion performs detection.

[0008] An image reading device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image reading device according to the first aspect, characterized in that the detection unit detects the size of a document.

[0009] An image reading device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image reading device according to the third aspect, characterized in that there are a plurality of the detection units.

[0010] An image reading device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the image reading device according to the fourth aspect, characterized in that the cover section is located above some of the plurality of detecting sections.

[0011] An image reading device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the image reading device according to the fifth aspect, characterized in that the cover unit is located above at least one of the multiple detection units that is located at the farthest end of the main body.

[0012] An image reading device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the image reading device described in the first aspect, the portion of the cover portion where the transparent material is formed is at the center in the depth direction of the cover portion.

[0013] An image reading device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the image reading device according to the first aspect, characterized in that the cover portion is entirely made of a transparent material.

[0014] An image reading device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is an image reading device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, comprising: a loading section having a loading surface on which at least the leading end portion of a document is placed; a transport section for transporting the document placed on the loading surface; a reading section for reading an image formed on the document transported by the transport section; and a cover section that is guided to a storage position where it is stored in a main body section and to a use position where it is aligned horizontally with the loading section, and that has another loading surface formed on which the trailing end portion of the document is placed when it is positioned at the use position, and is characterized in that the portion of the cover section formed by the transparent material extends from an irradiation section where light is irradiated at least in the guide direction of the cover section.

[0015] An image reading device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the image reading device according to the ninth aspect, characterized in that the cover portion is integrally formed from the transmissive material.

[0016] An image reading device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the image reading device described in the tenth aspect, it is provided with an imaging device arranged above the cover part positioned in the storage position, and a document to be imaged by the imaging device is placed on the other loading surface formed on the cover part when the cover part is positioned in the storage position.

[0017] An image reading device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the image reading device according to the eleventh aspect, characterized in that the other loading surface is black.

[0018] An image forming apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising the image reading device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, and an image forming unit that forms an image read by the image reading device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] In the image reading device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a detection unit that detects a document by irradiating it with light is used, the document can be detected even if there is a cover unit located above the detection unit.

[0020] In the image reading device according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the detection unit detects the document, the detection unit can detect the document even if there is a cover unit.

[0021] In the image reading device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the size of the document can be detected by detecting the document.

[0022] The image reading device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention can detect a larger number of sizes than when there is only one detection unit.

[0023] In the image reading device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the document can also be detected by a part of the detection unit above which the cover unit is located.

[0024] In the image reading device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the document can be detected even by the detector located on the extreme end side where the cover is located above.

[0025] In the image reading device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect a document placed at the center of the cover in the depth direction.

[0026] In the image reading device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the manufacturing process of the cover can be simplified compared to when only the portion that is irradiated with light is made of a transmissive material.

[0027] In the image reading device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, compared to a case where only the portion where light is irradiated is made of a transparent material, the document can be detected even if the use position of the cover portion varies in the guide direction.

[0028] In the image reading device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the manufacturing process of the cover can be simplified compared to when only the portion that is irradiated with light is made of a transmissive material.

[0029] In the image reading device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the document to be imaged by the imaging device can be placed on the other placement surface of the cover portion located at the storage position.

[0030] In the image reading device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the document is white, the edges of the document can be detected more easily than when the other loading surface is white.

[0031] In the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect the document that is read to form an image. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are front views showing an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1A, 1B, and 1C are enlarged front views showing an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are plan views showing an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing a guide portion provided in an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] An example of an image reading device and an image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Note that arrow H shown in each figure indicates the vertical direction, i.e., the up-down direction of the device, arrow W indicates the horizontal direction, i.e., the width direction of the device, and arrow D indicates the horizontal direction, i.e., the depth direction of the device.

[0034] (Overall configuration of image forming apparatus) 1, image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 110 that reads an image formed on a document, an image forming unit 12 that forms a toner image by electrophotography, and a conveying unit 14 that conveys recording medium P along a conveying path 16. Image forming apparatus 10 also includes a storage member 18 that stores recording medium P, and a control unit 28 that controls the entire apparatus. Image reading unit 110 is an example of an image reading device.

[0035] In the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above, an image formed on a document is read by the image reading unit 110. Furthermore, the recording medium P stored in the storage member 18 is transported by the transport unit 14 along the transport path 16. Furthermore, a toner image formed by the image forming unit 12 is formed on the transported recording medium P, and the recording medium P with the formed toner image is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 10a.

[0036] [Image forming unit 12] 1, the image forming unit 12 includes a plurality of toner image forming units 30 that form toner images of different colors, and a transfer unit 32 that transfers the toner images formed in the toner image forming units 30 onto a recording medium P. Furthermore, the image forming unit 12 includes a fixing device 34 that fixes the toner images transferred onto the recording medium P by the transfer units 32 onto the recording medium P.

[0037] -Toner image forming unit 30- A plurality of toner image forming units 30 are provided to form toner images for each color. In this embodiment, toner image forming units 30 are provided for a total of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), the Y, M, C, and K attached to the reference numerals will be omitted.

[0038] 2, each toner image forming unit 30 is equipped with a rotating cylindrical image carrier 40 and a charger 42 that charges the image carrier 40. The toner image forming unit 30 further includes an exposure device 44 that irradiates the charged image carrier 40 with exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device 46 that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image with developer Z containing toner. As a result, the toner image forming unit 30 for each color forms an image of each color using the toner of that color.

[0039] 1, the image carriers 40 of each color are in contact with a rotating transfer belt 50 (details will be described later). In the rotation direction of the transfer belt 50 (see the arrow in the figure), the toner image forming units 30 of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged in this order from the upstream side.

[0040] -Transfer section 32- As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer section 32 includes a transfer belt 50 and primary transfer rolls 52 that are arranged on opposite sides of the image carriers 40 of each color across the transfer belt 50 and transfer the toner images formed on the image carriers 40 of each color to the transfer belt 50.

[0041] The transfer unit 32 also includes a winding roll 56 around which the transfer belt 50 is wound, and a driving roll 58 around which the transfer belt 50 is wound and which transmits a rotational force to the transfer belt 50. This causes the transfer belt 50 to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

[0042] Furthermore, the transfer unit 32 includes a secondary transfer roll 54, which is disposed on the opposite side of the transfer belt 50 from the winding roll 56 and transfers the toner image transferred onto the transfer belt 50 onto the recording medium P. A transfer nip NT is formed between the secondary transfer roll 54 and the transfer belt 50 to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium P.

[0043] In this configuration, a toner image is primarily transferred onto a transfer belt 50 by a primary transfer roll 52 in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The toner image is then transferred from the transfer belt 50 by the secondary transfer roll 54 onto a recording medium P that is conveyed while being sandwiched between the transfer belt 50 and the secondary transfer roll 54. The recording medium P onto which the toner image has been transferred is then conveyed toward a fixing device 34.

[0044] -Fusing unit 34- 1, the fixing device 34 is disposed downstream of the transfer nip NT in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P. The fixing device 34 applies heat and pressure to the toner image transferred onto the recording medium P to fix it to the recording medium P.

[0045] [Transport unit 14] 1, the transport unit 14 includes a feed roll 20 that feeds the recording medium P stored in the storage member 18 to the transport path 16, and a prevention roll 22 that prevents double feeding of the recording medium P fed by the feed roll 20. The transport unit 14 also includes an adjustment roll 24 that adjusts the timing at which the recording medium P is fed to the transfer nip NT, and an ejection roll 26 that ejects the recording medium P, on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 34, to the outside of the device main body 10a.

[0046] [Image reading unit 110] As shown in Fig. 1, the image reading unit 110 is disposed in the upper portion of the image forming apparatus 10. The image reading unit 110 reads an image written on an original G (see Fig. 4(B)). Details of the image reading unit 110 will be described later.

[0047] (Main part configuration) Next, the image reading unit 110 will be described. As shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B), the image reading section 110 is disposed in an upper portion of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B), the image reading section 110 includes a loading unit 118 having a loading section 120 on which a document G is placed, and a transport section 140 that is disposed on one side of the loading section 120 in the device width direction (the left side in the figure) and transports the document G.

[0048] Furthermore, the image reading unit 110 includes a reading unit 156 that reads an image of the document G transported by the transport unit 140, and a discharge unit 158 to which the document G, the image of which has been read by the reading unit 156, is discharged. The image reading unit 110 also includes a shielding unit 160 that blocks the view of the loading surface 122 of the loading unit 120, and a guide unit 180 (see FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B)) that guides the shielding unit 160 to a shielding position (see FIGS. 3(A) and 4(A)) that blocks the view of the loading surface 122, and an exposed position (see FIGS. 3(B) and 4(B)) that exposes the loading surface 122. The shielding position is an example of a stored position, and the exposed position is an example of a usage position.

[0049] With the shielding portion 160 in the exposed position, one or more documents G can be placed on the placement surface 122 of the placement portion 120.

[0050] Furthermore, the image reading unit 110 includes an imaging device 220 that reads an image of a sheet of a still document G, as shown in FIG.

[0051] [Loading Unit 118] As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the loading unit 118 includes a loading section 120, a regulating section 126 that regulates the position of an original G (see Figure 4(B)) placed on a loading surface 122 formed on the loading section 120, and a detecting section 128 that detects the original G placed on the loading surface 122.

[0052] -Loading section 120- The loading section 120 is plate-shaped with its thickness oriented in the vertical direction of the device, and is rectangular when viewed from above. The loading section 120 has a loading surface 122 on which the document G is placed, and a concave surface 124 that is disposed on the other side of the loading surface 122 in the device width direction (the right side in the drawing) and is recessed relative to the loading surface 122. Specifically, the concave surface 124 is recessed relative to the loading surface 122 by the thickness of the top plate 162 of the shielding section 160.

[0053] Furthermore, the loading surface 122 and the concave surface 124 are formed across the depth direction of the device, and are inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that, when viewed from the depth direction of the device, the portion on one side in the width direction of the device is lower than the portion on the other side in the width direction of the device.

[0054] Furthermore, through holes 122a and 124a that penetrate in the up-down direction are formed in the loading portion 120. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7(B), the through hole 122a is formed in a portion of the loading surface 122 that is on the central side in the device depth direction and on the other side in the device width direction. Furthermore, the through hole 124a is formed in a portion of the recessed surface 124 that is on the central side in the device depth direction and on the other side in the device width direction.

[0055] -Regulation Section 126- As shown in FIG. 3B, a pair of restricting portions 126 are provided and attached to the loading surface 122.

[0056] The pair of regulating portions 126 are spaced apart in the device depth direction and are symmetrical with respect to the device depth direction. The regulating portions 126 are guided by a pair of slits 122b formed in the loading portion 120 and extending in the device depth direction, and are adapted to move only within a predetermined range in the device depth direction. The moving regulating portions 126 are stopped in place by frictional force generated between the regulating portions 126 and the loading surface 122. The pair of regulating portions 126 come into contact with the side edges of the document G placed on the exposed loading surface 122, and regulate the position of the document G in the device depth direction.

[0057] The loading unit 118 employs a center register system, and is provided with a mechanism (not shown) that, when one of the regulating parts 126 is moved toward the depth of the device, moves the other regulating part 126 by the same amount toward the depth of the device.

[0058] In this configuration, a pair of restricting portions 126 are brought into contact with the side edges of the document G, and a detection means (not shown) detects the positions of the restricting portions 126. Then, based on this detection signal, the control unit 28 derives the length of the document G in the document width direction.

[0059] -Detection unit 128- The detection unit 128 is an optical reflective sensor, and is provided as a pair side by side in the width direction of the device as shown in Figures 4(A) and (B). In this embodiment, an infrared sensor is used as the detection unit 128, which emits infrared light with a wavelength of 900 [nm] and detects the document G by the light reflected from the document G. In this way, the detection unit 128 functions as a detection means that detects the document G by light invisible to the human eye.

[0060] One of the detectors 128 (hereinafter "detector 128a") is attached to the through-hole 122a and emits light upward to detect the document G placed on the loading surface 122. The other detector 128 (hereinafter "detector 128b") is attached to the through-hole 124a and emits light upward to detect the document G placed on the upper surface 162a of the shielding portion 160 (details will be described later). In the following description, the letters "a" and "b" attached to the reference numerals may be omitted when there is no need to distinguish between the detectors 128a and 128b.

[0061] In this configuration, when a detection means (not shown) detects whether the shielding portion 160 is positioned at the exposed position, the detection portions 128a and 128b irradiate the document G placed on the placement surface 122 with light.

[0062] [Transportation section 140] As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the transport section 140 is disposed on one side of the loading section 120 in the device width direction.

[0063] The transport section 140 includes a plurality of transport rolls 144 that transport the document G along a U-shaped transport path 142 that opens on the loading section 120 side when viewed from the depth direction of the device, and a covering section 146 that covers the plurality of transport rolls 144.

[0064] The covering portion 146 is formed from a resin material colored black, and has a top plate 148 that covers the conveying roll 144 from above, a side plate 150 that covers the conveying roll 144 from one side in the width direction of the device, and a side plate 152 that covers the conveying roll 144 from the other side in the width direction of the device (the loading portion 120 side).

[0065] Openings 152a and 152b extending in the depth direction of the device are formed in the side plate 152. Openings 152a and 152b are aligned in the vertical direction, with opening 152a being located above opening 152b.

[0066] In this configuration, the transport section 140 receives the document G placed on the loading surface 122 through the opening 152 a and transports it along the transport path 142 .

[0067] [Reading unit 156, discharge unit 158]

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the reading unit 156 is disposed opposite the transport path 142 so as to read an image of the document G transported along the transport path 142 by the transport unit 140.

[0069] The discharge section 158 is plate-shaped with its thickness oriented in the vertical direction of the device, and is disposed below the loading section 120. The discharge section 158 is configured to receive the document G that has been transported by the transport section 140 and discharged from the opening 150b.

[0070] [Shielding part 160] As shown in Figures 3(A) and 4(A), the shielding portion 160 located in the shielding position is disposed so as to cover the loading surface 122 from above and block the view of the loading surface 122. The shielding portion 160 is guided by a guide portion 180 (see Figure 5) to the shielding position where it blocks the view of the loading surface 122 and the exposing position where it exposes the loading surface 122, as shown in Figures 3(B) and 4(B). The shielding portion 160 is an example of a cover portion.

[0071] The shielding portion 160 is integrally formed from a transparent material that transmits light of a specific wavelength. In this embodiment, the transparent material is a black-colored polycarbonate resin that transmits infrared light with a wavelength of 900 nm.

[0072] Here, the transmissive material is a material that transmits the light emitted from the detection unit 128. Specifically, it is a material that transmits 70% or more of the light emitted from the detection unit 128. Measurement can be performed using a transmittance measuring instrument (TLV-304-IR) manufactured by Asahi Spectroscopy Co., Ltd. Alternatively, the transmissive material is a material that does not hinder the detection of the document G by the detection unit 128.

[0073] Furthermore, black is a color whose chromaticity deviation from the achromatic point (x=0.333, y=0.333, Y=0) is within 100 in terms of color difference ΔE. Measurements are performed using a C light source on a sample obtained by forming a layer on a substrate using the material that forms the dark separation wall and then following the same process as for forming the dark separation wall, except that patterned exposure is not performed, and the x, y, and Y of this sample are calculated. When calculating the chromaticity deviation from the achromatic point, the Y of the achromatic point is assumed to be equal to the Y value of the sample.

[0074] First, the shielding unit 160 in the shielding position will be described. In the shielding unit 160, a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the depth direction of the device is L-shaped, as shown in Fig. 4(A). Specifically, the shielding unit 160 has a top panel 162 whose thickness direction is the vertical direction of the device, and a wall panel 164 which is connected to the other end of the top panel 162 in the width direction of the device and whose thickness direction is the width direction of the device. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5(A), the shielding unit 160 has a pair of side panels 166 which are connected to both ends of the top panel 162 in the depth direction of the device and both ends of the wall panel 164 in the depth direction, respectively, and whose thickness direction is the depth direction of the device.

[0075] -Tabletop 162- As shown in Fig. 3(A), the top plate 162 has a rectangular shape with the same length in the device width direction and the same length in the device depth direction when viewed from above. Furthermore, the upper surface 162a of the top plate 162 facing upward is disposed along the horizontal direction. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4(A), the top plate 162 covers the loading section 120 from above and is aligned with the top plate 148 of the covering section 146 of the conveying section 140 in the device width direction. The upper surface 162a of the top plate 162 is disposed in the same plane as the upper surface 148a of the top plate 148.

[0076] Furthermore, a crack line 170 extending in the device depth direction is formed between the top plate 148 of the covering portion 146 and the top plate 162 of the shielding portion 160. Specifically, this crack line 170 is formed on the device body 10a on a side closer to one end in the device width direction than to the other end.

[0077] -Wallboard 164- As shown in Fig. 3(A), the wall panel 164 has a rectangular shape extending in the depth direction of the device when viewed in the width direction of the device. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4(A), the wall panel 164 covers at least a portion of the loading section 120 from the other side in the width direction of the device, and is aligned in the vertical direction of the device with the side panel 11 facing the other side in the width direction of the device in the device body 10a. Furthermore, the outward-facing wall surface 164a of the wall panel 164 is disposed in the same plane as the outward-facing side surface 11a of the side panel 11. In other words, the shielding section 160 positioned at the shielding position is disposed without protruding in the width direction of the device relative to the device body 10a.

[0078] -Side Panel 166- 3(A) and 5(A), the side plates 166 are rectangular and extend in the width direction of the device when viewed from the depth direction of the device, with one side in the width direction of the device cut out and one side in the width direction of the device protruding downward. Also, as shown in FIG. 4(A), the pair of side plates 166 sandwich at least a portion of the loading section 120 from the depth direction of the device.

[0079] 5(A), a slit-shaped guide rail 168 extending in the device width direction is formed on the side plate 166. Specifically, a bent portion 168a and an inclined portion 168b extending obliquely upward from the bent portion 168a are formed on one side of the guide rail 168 in the device width direction.

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B), the image reading unit 110 is provided with an L-shaped cover 200 extending in the width direction of the device in order to block the view of the side panel 166.

[0081] In this configuration, the shielding portion 160 positioned in the shielding position blocks the view of the loading surface 122, as shown in Figures 3(A) and 4(A). In this way, the shielding portion 160 functions as a preventive measure that prevents the restricting portion 126 and the like from being seen from the outside.

[0082] Here, in this embodiment, "preventing the inside from being seen from the outside," "blocking the view," and "shielding" include not only a state in which the inside is completely invisible from the outside, but also a state in which the inside is difficult to see, at least compared to a state in which the inside is exposed.

[0083] If it is assumed that the document placed on the shielding section 160 will be imaged by the image capture device 220, it is desirable that the shielding section 160 be black.

[0084] Next, the shielding portion 160 in the exposed position will be described. 3(B) and 4(B), when the shielding section 160 is positioned at the exposed position, the shielding section 160 is aligned with the loading section 120 in the device width direction and is disposed on the opposite side of the conveying section 140 in the device width direction, with the loading section 120 sandwiched between them. The other side of the shielding section 160 in the device width direction protrudes toward the other side in the device width direction relative to the side plate 11 of the device main body 10a. In other words, the shielding section 160 positioned at the exposed position is disposed so as to protrude in the device width direction relative to the device main body 10a.

[0085] 4(B), one side portion of the top plate 162 of the shielding unit 160 in the device width direction is overlapped from above on the concave surface 124 of the loading unit 120. The top surface 162a of the top plate 162 is disposed in the same planar shape as the loading surface 122 of the loading unit 120. The top surface 162a of the top plate 162 is also inclined at the same angle as the loading surface 122 of the loading unit 120. The top surface 162a is an example of another loading surface.

[0086] In this configuration, the shielding section 160 positioned in the exposed position exposes the loading surface 122, as shown in Figures 3(B) and 4(B). Furthermore, the surface on which the document G is placed is expanded to the other side in the device width direction by the upper surface 162a of the top plate 162. Then, the rear end portion of the document G, whose front end portion is placed on the loading surface 122, is placed on the upper surface 162a of the top plate 162. Here, the front end portion of the document G is the portion on the conveying section 140 side, and the rear end portion of the document G is the portion opposite the front end portion.

[0087] In this configuration, when a detection means (not shown) detects that the shielding portion 160 is positioned at the exposed position, the detection portions 128a and 128b irradiate light onto the document G placed on the loading surface 122. The light emitted from the detection portion 128a is irradiated onto the front end portion of the document G placed on the loading surface 122. The detection portion 128a then detects the document G by the light reflected from the document G.

[0088] It should be noted that the detection units 128a and 128b may emit light not only when the shielding unit 160 is in the exposed position, but also in other situations. For example, the detection units 128a and 128b may emit light all the time, or may emit light when they detect that the image reading unit 110 is about to be used. The detection of the image reading unit 110 being used may be, for example, when an instruction to use the image reading unit 110 is received via a display (not shown), or when an instruction to take an image is received by the image capturing device 220.

[0089] Furthermore, the light emitted from the detection unit 128b passes through the portion of the top plate 162 that is placed on the concave surface 124 of the loading unit 120 and is irradiated onto the rear end portion of the document G. Then, the detection unit 128b detects the document G by the light reflected from the document G. Furthermore, based on this detection signal, the control unit 28 (see FIG. 1) derives the length of the document G in the document transport direction.

[0090] [Information Department 180] Next, a guide portion 180 that guides the shielding portion 160 between the shielding position (see FIG. 3(A)) and the exposed position (see FIG. 3(B)) and the like will be described.

[0091] A pair of guide sections 180 are provided on both sides of the shielding section 160 in the depth direction of the device, and the pair of guide sections 180 are symmetrical with respect to the depth direction of the device. One of the guide sections 180 will be described below.

[0092] 5(A), the guide unit 180 includes a guide rail 168 formed on a side plate 166 of the shielding unit 160, and two rotating members 182 inserted into the guide rail 168 from the depth direction of the device. Furthermore, the guide unit 180 includes a guide plate 188 on which a contact surface 188a that comes into contact with the lower end of the side plate 166 is formed.

[0093] -Rotating member 182- As shown in Fig. 5(A), a pair of rotating members 182 are provided side by side in the device width direction. One rotating member 182 (hereinafter referred to as "rotating member 182a") is disposed at the other end of the guide rail 168 in the device width direction when the shielding section 160 is in the shielding position. The other rotating member 182 (hereinafter referred to as "rotating member 182b") is disposed at the other side of the center of the guide rail 168 in the device width direction when the shielding section 160 is in the shielding position. In the following description, when the rotating members 182 are not to be distinguished as rotating member 182a and rotating member 182b, the suffixes "a" and "b" may be omitted.

[0094] 8(B), the rotating member 182 is attached to a frame 190 that is provided on the inside of the side plate 166 in the device depth direction. Specifically, the rotating member 182 includes a cylindrical main body 184a that is inserted into the guide rail 168, and a shaft 184b that extends from the main body 184a toward the frame 190 and is inserted into a through hole 190a formed in the frame 190. Furthermore, the rotating member 182 includes a stopper 184c that is attached to the end of the shaft 184b and prevents the shaft 184b from coming out of the through hole 190a, and a bearing (not shown) that is arranged between the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 184b and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 190a.

[0095] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the main body 184a is smaller than the rail width of the guide rail 168. This allows the rotating member 182 inserted into the guide rail 168 to rotate in the circumferential direction of the main body 184a.

[0096] -Signboard 188- As shown in Fig. 8(A), the guide plate 188 is plate-shaped with its thickness direction aligned with the vertical direction of the device, and one end of the guide plate 188 in the device depth direction is connected to the lower end of the covering unit 200, and the other end of the guide plate 188 in the device depth direction is connected to the lower end of the frame 190. As shown in Fig. 5(A), the guide plate 188 extends from the conveying unit 140 to the other side in the device width direction. Furthermore, the other end of the guide plate 188 in the device width direction is located on the one end side of the device width direction relative to the rotating member 182b.

[0097] In this configuration, the user grasps the shielding portion 160 located at the shielding position and pulls it toward the other side in the device width direction. Then, as shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the rotating member 182 inserted into the guide rail 168 and the guide plate 188 in contact with the lower end of the side plate 166 regulate the guiding direction of the shielding portion 160. Then, the shielding portion 160 is guided toward the other side in the device width direction.

[0098] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6(B), when the bent portion 168a of the guide rail 168 reaches the rotating member 182b, the inclined portion 168b of the guide rail 168 receives the rotating member 182b. As a result, the shielding portion 160 is inclined and guided to the exposed position, as shown in Fig. 6(C). The shielding portion 160, which has been guided to the exposed position, is stopped at the exposed position by the biasing force of a biasing means (not shown).

[0099] In contrast, when the user grasps the shielding portion 160 located in the exposed position and pushes it toward one side in the device width direction, the biasing force of the biasing means is released. Then, as shown in Figures 6(B) and 6(C), the bent portion 168a of the guide rail 168 reaches the rotating member 182b, and the shielding portion 160 moves horizontally.

[0100] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6(A), the shielding portion 160 is guided to one side in the device width direction, and comes into contact with a stopper (not shown) and stops at the shielding position.

[0101] [Camera 220] The imaging device 220 is a so-called document camera, and as shown in Figures 1 and 3(A), it is equipped with a support part 224 that extends upward from the center of the device width direction and the back part of the device depth direction in the device main body 10a, and an imaging part 230.

[0102] The support section 224 includes a support column 224a extending upward from the device main body 10a, and an extension section 224b bending from the upper end of the support column 224a and extending toward the front side in the device depth direction. The imaging section 230 is attached to the extension section 224b so that the imaging direction is downward.

[0103] In this configuration, the imaging device 220 captures and reads the document G placed on the upper surface 162a of the top plate 162 of the shielding section 160 positioned in the shielding position, or the document G placed so as to straddle the upper surface 162a of the top plate 162 and the upper surface 148a of the top plate 148 of the covering section 146.

[0104] (Function of main components) Next, the operation of the main components will be described. The operation of the main components will be described separately for a case where the image reading unit 110 reads the image of one or more original documents G and a case where the image reading unit 110 reads the image of one stationary original document G.

[0105] [When scanning images of one or more originals G] When the image reading unit 110 is to read images of one or more original documents G, the user positions the shielding unit 160 at the exposed position, as shown in FIG. 3(B). That is, when the shielding unit 160 is at the exposed position, the user maintains that state. On the other hand, when the shielding unit 160 is at the shielded position, the user grasps the shielding unit 160 at the shielded position and pulls it toward the other side in the device width direction. As a result, the shielding unit 160 is guided to the exposed position by the guide unit 180. In this way, the user positions the shielding unit 160 at the exposed position.

[0106] Next, the user places the document G so that it straddles the loading surface 122 of the loading section 120 and the upper surface 162a of the top plate 162. Furthermore, the user brings the pair of restricting sections 126 into contact with the side edges of the document G. Then, the user inputs an image reading instruction to the image reading section 110 through a user interface (not shown).

[0107] When an instruction to read an image is input, a detection means (not shown) detects that the shielding portion 160 is in the exposed position. When it is detected that the shielding portion 160 is in the exposed position, the control unit 28 (see FIG. 1) derives the length of the document G in the document width direction from the positions of the pair of regulating portions 126 that are in contact with the side edges of the document G. In addition, the detection units 128a and 128b shown in FIG. 4(B) emit infrared rays toward the document G and detect the document G by the light reflected from the document G. Based on this detection signal, the control unit 28 derives the length of the document G in the document transport direction (document length direction). In this way, the control unit 28 derives the size of the document G.

[0108] When the detection units 128a and 128b emit infrared rays toward the document G, at least the portion of the upper surface 162a of the top plate 162 of the shielding unit 160 that is irradiated with the light emitted from the detection unit 128b must be made of a transparent material. Specifically, when the shielding unit 160 is slid (guided) in the device width direction, with the shielding unit 160 positioned at the exposed position, at least the portion that is irradiated with the light emitted from the detection unit 128b must be made of a transparent material.

[0109] Once the size of the original G has been derived, the conveying unit 140, controlled by the control unit 28, conveys the original G one sheet at a time along the conveying path 142, and the reading unit 156 reads the image formed on the conveyed original G. Then, the conveying unit 140 discharges the original G, from which the image has been read, to the discharge unit 158.

[0110] 1 forms a toner image based on the image read by the reading unit 156, and the toner image is transferred onto the conveyed recording medium P. Furthermore, the recording medium P on which the toner image has been formed is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 10a.

[0111] [When scanning an image of a single stationary document G] When the image reading unit 110 is to read an image of one sheet of document G at rest, the user positions the shielding unit 160 in the shielding position, as shown in FIG. 3(A). That is, when the shielding unit 160 is in the shielding position, the user maintains that state. On the other hand, when the shielding unit 160 is in the exposed position, the user grasps the shielding unit 160 in the exposed position and pushes it toward one side in the device width direction. As a result, the shielding unit 160 is guided to the shielding position by the guide unit 180. In this way, the user positions the shielding unit 160 in the shielding position.

[0112] Next, the user places the document G on the upper surface 162a of the top plate 162, or on the upper surface 162a of the top plate 162 and the upper surface 148a of the top plate 148 of the covering unit 146. In this embodiment, a white document G is used. Then, the user inputs an image reading instruction to the image reading unit 110 through a user interface (not shown).

[0113] When an instruction to read an image is input, a detection means (not shown) detects that the shielding unit 160 is in the shielding position. When it is detected that the shielding unit 160 is in the shielding position, the imaging device 220, which is controlled by the control unit 28 (see FIG. 1), captures an image of the document G and reads it.

[0114] The control unit 28 detects the edges of the document G from the color difference between the white document G and the black upper surfaces 148a, 162a, and derives the size of the document G.

[0115] 1 forms a toner image based on the image read by the imaging device 220, and the toner image is transferred onto the conveyed recording medium P. Furthermore, the recording medium P on which the toner image has been formed is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 10a.

[0116] (summary) As described above, in the image reading unit 110, the shielding portion 160 onto which the light emitted by the detection unit 128b toward the document G is irradiated is made of a transparent material that transmits the emitted light. Therefore, even if the shielding portion 160 is located above the detection unit 128b, the detection unit 128b can detect the document G.

[0117] In the image reading unit 110, the shielding portion 160 is located above the detection unit 128b when the detection unit 128b detects the document G. The shielding portion 160 is formed of a transparent material that transmits the emitted light, and therefore the detection unit 128b detects the document G.

[0118] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, the size of the document G is detected based on the detection result of the detection unit 128b.

[0119] Furthermore, the image reading unit 110 is provided with a plurality of detectors 128. Therefore, a larger number of sizes can be detected compared to when there is only one detector.

[0120] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, when the shielding portion 160 is in the exposed position, the shielding portion 160 is located above the detecting portion 128b among the multiple detecting portions 128. The detecting portion 128b above which the shielding portion 160 is located detects the document G.

[0121] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, the shielding unit 160 located at the exposed position is located above the detecting unit 128b located closest to the other end in the device width direction on the device body 10a among the multiple detecting units 128. Therefore, the detecting unit 128b located closest to the other end in the device width direction detects the document G.

[0122] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, the shielding unit 160 is integrally formed from a transparent material. In other words, the entire shielding unit 160 is formed from a transparent material. This simplifies the manufacturing process of the shielding unit 160 compared to when only the portion that is irradiated with light is formed from a transparent material.

[0123] In addition, in the image reading unit 110, the shielding portion 160 is formed of a transparent material that allows the light emitted from the detection unit 128 to pass through, so the detection unit 128b detects the rear end portion of the document G placed on the upper surface 162a of the shielding portion 160.

[0124] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, the document G to be imaged by the imaging device 220 is placed on the upper surface 162a of the shielding portion 160 located at the shielding position. Therefore, there is no need to separately provide a member for placing the document G to be imaged by the imaging device 220.

[0125] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, the shielding portion 160 is colored black. In other words, the upper surface 162a of the shielding portion 160 is colored black. When the original G is white, the edge of the original G can be more easily detected based on the image read by the imaging device 220 than when the upper surface is white.

[0126] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 110, which detects an original document on which an image is to be formed.

[0127] Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the image reading unit 110 is used in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10, but the image reading unit 110 may also be used in an inkjet image forming apparatus, for example.

[0128] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the shielding portion 160 transmits infrared light of 900 [nm] emitted from the detection portion 128, but it is sufficient that it transmits light emitted from the detection portion, and light of other wavelengths may also be transmitted.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the shielding portion 160 is integrally formed from a transparent material, but it is sufficient if the portion onto which light is irradiated by the detecting portion 128b is formed from a transparent material. In this case, the effect of forming the shielding portion integrally from a transparent material is not achieved.

[0130] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the shielding portion 160 is integrally formed from a transparent material, but it is sufficient that the portion formed from the transparent material extends from the irradiation portion where the light of the detection portion 128b is irradiated in the guide direction (apparatus width direction) of the shielding portion 160. This allows the detection portion B 128b to detect the document G even if the exposed position of the shielding portion 160 varies in the guide direction, compared to when the portion formed from the transparent material is only the irradiation portion where the light is irradiated.

[0131] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the shielding section 160 is integrally formed from a transparent material, but the portion formed from the transparent material may be only the central portion in the device depth direction of the shielding section 160. This allows the detection section to detect the document G placed in the central portion in the device depth direction of the shielding section 160.

[0132] Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, the number of detectors 128 may be one or may be three or more. In the case of one detector, the effect achieved by providing a plurality of detectors 128 is not achieved.

[0133] In the above embodiment, the upper surface 162a of the shielding portion 160 is black, but it may be another color, in which case the effect achieved by the upper surface 162a being black will not be achieved.

[0134] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the shielding portion 160 moves in the horizontal direction, but it may also move in a rotational direction, etc. In this case, the effect achieved by moving it in the horizontal direction will not be achieved.

[0135] In addition, in the above embodiment, the control unit 28 is provided in the image forming apparatus 10, but a control unit dedicated to the image reading unit 110 may be provided. In this case, the image reading unit 110 can be provided separately as an image reading device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 10 Image forming device 10a Device body 12 Image forming unit 110 Image reading unit (an example of an image reading device) 120 Loading section 122 Loading surface 128a Detection unit 128b Detection unit 140 Conveyor 156 Reading unit 160 Shielding part (example of cover part) 162a Top surface (an example of another loading surface) 220 Camera G Manuscript

Claims

1. a detection unit that detects a document by irradiating light; a loading section having a loading surface on which at least the leading end portion of the document is loaded; a cover located above the detection unit, which is guided to a storage position where it is stored in the main body and to a use position where it is aligned horizontally with the loading unit, and which has another loading surface formed thereon on which the rear end portion of the document is placed when it is positioned at the use position, and at least the portion irradiated with light emitted by the detection unit is made of a light-transmitting material; An image reading device in which the portion of the cover formed by the transparent material extends from an irradiation portion where light is irradiated at least in a guiding direction of the cover.

2. The cover portion is integrally formed from the transparent material.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1.

3. an imaging device disposed above the cover portion positioned at the storage position; a document to be imaged by the imaging device is placed on the other placement surface formed on the cover portion when the cover portion is positioned at the storage position; 2. The image reading device according to claim 1.

4. The other mounting surface is black.

4. The image reading device according to claim 3.

5. An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; an image forming unit that forms an image read by the image reading device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images