Reading device and image forming device

Abstract

To provide a reading device, or the like, that may prevent at least a portion of a second attachment frame to which the rear surface of an operation unit is attached from being visible from the rear surface of the device even if a first attachment frame to which a reader is attached to be disposed above a base on which a read target object is placed exists at the rear surface of the operation unit operable by a user.SOLUTION: A reading device includes a base on which a read target object is placed, a reader that reads the read target object placed on the base, a first attachment frame to which the reader is attached such that the reader is disposed above the base, an operation unit that is to be operated by a user, a second attachment frame to which a rear surface of the operation unit is attached such that the operation unit is disposed in front of the first attachment frame in a direction toward a front surface of the reading device, and a first cover that covers the second attachment frame. The first cover includes left and right rear cover components that are separately arranged at left and right sides of the first attachment frame serving as a dividing line at the rear surface of the operation unit and that cover at least a portion of the second attachment frame.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reading device and an image forming device. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 describes an imaging device having a document table unit on which a document to be imaged is placed, an imaging unit such as a document camera that images the document placed on the document table unit, a movable holding member attached to the rear end of the top surface of the document table unit so as to hold the imaging unit and position it above the document table unit, and an operation panel located at the front end of the top surface of the document table unit. The following Patent Document 2 describes an image forming device that includes an upward-facing document reading unit in which a support section and a fastening section are integrated into one unit, and a monitor (screen) provided on a part of the front surface of the support section, and the upward-facing document reading unit is detachably fixed to the top surface of the device main body by screwing an attachment plate of the fastening section to a fastening section on the device main body side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-157432 A (paragraph 0038, Figure 1) [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-175594 A (paragraph 0034, Figure 6) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This invention provides a reading device and an image forming device in which, even if a first mounting frame that mounts the reading device so as to be higher than a stand on which an object to be read is placed is located on the rear side of the operating device operated by the user, at least a portion of a second mounting frame that mounts the operating device on the rear side of the operating device can be made invisible from the rear side of the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This invention (1) is a table on which an object to be read is placed; a reading device that reads the object to be read placed on the table; a first mounting frame for mounting the reading device so as to be positioned above the base; an operation device operated by a user; a second mounting frame that mounts the operating device on the rear side of the operating device so that the operating device is positioned forward of the first mounting frame and facing the front side of the apparatus; a first cover that covers the second mounting frame; Equipped with The first cover is a reading device that is arranged on the rear side of the operating device, divided into left and right halves with the first mounting frame as a dividing line, and has left and right rear cover portions that cover at least a portion of the second mounting frame.

[0006] This invention (2) is the reading device of the invention (1) above, wherein the operating device is disposed between the base and the reading device.

[0007] The present invention (3) is a reading device according to the above invention (1) or (2), No. 2 The mounting frame is configured to support the operating device so that it is mounted at a distance above the base, and the first cover is a reading device having a front cover portion that is positioned to cover the area between the operating device and the base from the front side of the device.

[0008] This invention (4) is a reading device according to the above invention (3), wherein the first cover has an intermediate cover portion arranged to surround and cover the space between the operating device and the first mounting frame from above the back and from the left and right sides of the operating device.

[0009] This invention (5) is a reading device in which, in the reading device of the above invention (1), the second mounting frame is composed of left and right second frames arranged separately on the left and right sides with the first mounting frame as the boundary.

[0010] The present invention (6) is the reading device of the above invention (5), wherein the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame are arranged in a state where they do not contact each other.

[0011] This invention (7) is a reading device according to the above invention (6), which is provided with a second cover that covers the first mounting frame, the first cover being attached to the second mounting frame, and the second cover being attached to the first mounting frame.

[0012] This invention (8) is an image forming device comprising a reading unit that reads an object to be read placed on a table from above the table, and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium corresponding to image information that may include information read by the reading unit, wherein the reading unit is configured as a reading device according to any one of the above inventions (1) to (7). [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the above invention (1), even if the first mounting frame, which is mounted to position the reading device above the stand on which the object to be read is placed, is located on the back side of the operating device operated by the user, at least a part of the second mounting frame, which is mounted on the back side of the operating device, can be made invisible from the back side of the device.

[0014] According to the above invention (2), the operability of the operating device is improved compared to when the operating device is placed at a height position where it comes into contact with the base, at the same height position as the reading device, or at a height position higher than the reading device.

[0015] According to the above invention (3), the portions of the first and second attachment frames that are between the operating device and the base can be made invisible from the front side of the device.

[0016] According to the above invention (4), compared to when the second cover does not have an intermediate cover portion, the portion of the second mounting frame that is located between the operating device and the first mounting frame can be made invisible, resulting in an appearance that gives a sense of unity as if the operating device is attached to the first mounting frame.

[0017] According to the above invention (5), the occurrence of vibrations during operation of the operating device can be suppressed compared to when the second mounting frame is configured with only one of the left and right second frames.

[0018] According to the above invention (6), compared to when the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame are arranged in contact with each other, it is possible to suppress the transmission of vibrations generated when operating the operating device from the second mounting frame to the first mounting frame.

[0019] According to the above invention (7), compared to when the first cover is not attached to the second mounting frame and the second cover is not attached to the first mounting frame, the vibrations generated when operating the operating device can be prevented from being transmitted from the first cover to the second cover.

[0020] According to the above invention (8), even if the first mounting frame, which is mounted to position the reading device above the stand on which the object to be read is placed in the reading device, is located on the back side of the operating device operated by the user, at least a part of the second mounting frame, which mounts the operating device on its back side, can be made invisible from the back side of the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the front side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 as seen from the rear side. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reading unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front side of the reading unit with a second cover removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reading unit from the rear side with a first cover removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a framework portion of a part of a reading unit, etc., of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] 1A is a front view of a reading unit of an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a front view of the reading unit of FIG. 1A with a second cover removed. [Figure 9] 1A is a rear view of the reading unit of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the reading unit of FIG. 1A with the second cover (left and right rear cover portions) removed. [Figure 10] 1A is a right side view of the reading unit of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a right side view of the reading unit of FIG. 1A with the left and right rear cover portions of the second cover removed. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a reading device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the reading device of FIG. 11 as seen from the rear side. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front side of the reading device with the second cover removed. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear side of the reading device with the first cover removed. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the framework, mounting frame, etc. of the reading device. [Figure 16] 1A is a rear view of the reading unit of the reading device, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the reading device of FIG. 1A with the second cover (left and right rear cover portions) removed. [Figure 17] 10 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus or a reading apparatus using a first mounting frame of a modified example, as viewed from the rear side. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] First embodiment. 1 and 2 are drawings that respectively show a schematic front and rear appearance of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the image forming apparatus 1. In each drawing such as Fig. 1, the up / down, left / right, and front / rear directions indicated with arrows are expressed based on a front surface 10F of the image forming apparatus 1, which is assumed to be faced by a user standing when using the image forming apparatus 1.

[0024] <Image forming device> As shown in Figures 2, 3, etc., the image forming device 1 of the first embodiment comprises a housing 10 consisting of an internal framework and an external exterior part, an image forming unit 20 arranged so as to be present in the lower inner part of the housing 10 excluding the upper end part, and a reading unit 50 arranged so as to be present in the upper end part of the housing 10.

[0025] The housing 10 is a structure having a required structure and shape made of materials such as a plurality of frames and an exterior cover. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 in the first embodiment is formed as a structure having an appearance of a rectangular parallelepiped that is long in the vertical direction.

[0026] 6, 7, etc., the internal framework of this housing 10 is formed by frames such as a rear frame 12, a front frame 13, an upper frame 14, a left side frame 15, a right side frame 16, and a plurality of partition frames 17, 18. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2, etc., the exterior portion of this housing 10 is formed by exterior covers such as a front cover 11a, a rear cover 11b, left and right side covers 11c, 11d, and an upper end cover 11e. The exterior covers are configured as openable covers with at least a portion thereof being openable and closable.

[0027] The image forming unit 20 is a component for forming an image corresponding to image information on the recording medium 9. 3, the image forming unit 20 in the first embodiment has an image creating unit 2 that creates an image and forms it on a recording medium 9, a medium supply unit 3 that stores the recording medium 9 used in the image creating unit 2 and supplies it to the image creating unit 2, and a medium discharge unit 4 that discharges the recording medium 9 on which the image has been formed by the image creating unit 2. As the recording medium 9, sheet-shaped plain paper, coated paper, cardboard, etc. of a predetermined size is used.

[0028] The image forming section 2 in the image forming unit 20 is configured using an electrophotographic image forming device that finally forms an image made of developer on the recording medium 9. The imaging unit 2, which is an electrophotographic imaging device, includes an image carrier such as a photoconductor, devices such as a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device that are arranged around the image carrier, and a fixing device that is arranged at a position distant from the image carrier, all of which are not shown. The imaging unit 2 also includes devices such as a developer supply device, an image processing device, and a control device. Of these, the transfer device may be a direct transfer type device that directly transfers an image made of developer formed on the image carrier to the recording medium 9, or an intermediate transfer type device that transfers the image from the image carrier to the recording medium 9 via an intermediate transfer body.

[0029] In addition, this image forming unit 2 has the function of forming an image corresponding to image information input from an external device such as an information terminal connected to the image forming device 1, and the function of using the information read by the reading unit 50 as image information to form an image corresponding to that image information. For this reason, in the image forming unit 2, the above-mentioned image forming device performs a charging operation centered on the image carrier, an exposure operation corresponding to the image information, a development operation, and a transfer operation in this order. As a result, in the image forming unit 2, an image made of developer is formed on the image carrier, and then the image is transferred from the image carrier to the recording medium 9. In addition, in the image forming unit 2, a fixing operation is performed on the recording medium 9 to which the image has been transferred, thereby fixing the image to the recording medium 9.

[0030] The medium supply unit 3 in the image forming unit 20 is disposed below the imaging unit 2. The medium supply unit 3 includes a container such as a tray for storing recording media 9, and a delivery device for delivering the recording media 9 from the container, both of which are not shown. The container is attached so that it can be pulled out from inside to outside the housing 10 to accommodate the recording medium 9. The container is not limited to a single container, and may be multiple. The same number of delivery devices as the containers are provided.

[0031] In this medium supply unit 3, the required recording medium 9 is sent out toward the imaging unit 2 in accordance with the transfer operation in the imaging unit 2. Reference numeral 37 in Fig. 3 denotes a main medium transport path along which the recording medium 9 is transported from the medium supply unit 3, passing through a part of the imaging unit 2 (the part where an image is transferred onto the recording medium 9), and to an outlet 41.

[0032] The medium discharge unit 4 in the image forming unit 20 is disposed above the imaging unit 2. This medium discharge unit 4 has a storage space 40 in a portion of the upper part of the front surface 10F of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the storage space 40 is a space that opens outward with a front opening 40a that opens to the right and a side opening 40d that opens continuously from the front surface 10F on the right side surface 10M. The medium discharge unit 4 has an outlet 41 for the recording medium 9 on the inner wall surface on the left side of the storage space 40. The medium discharge unit 4 has a stacking surface 42 on the bottom surface of the storage space 40 for stacking and storing the recording media 9 discharged from the outlet 41. The stacking surface 42 is formed, for example, as a surface that slopes upward as it moves away from the outlet 41 to the right, that is, as a so-called right-shouldered slope.

[0033] In the medium discharge unit 4, the recording medium 9 on which the image has been created and fixed in the image creating unit 2 is discharged from the discharge port 41 through the medium transport path 37 and stored therein.

[0034] <Reading unit, reading device> Next, the reading unit 50 is a component that reads a reading object 90 (see FIG. 4) placed on the table 6 from above the table 6, as shown in FIGS. The reading unit 50 is composed of a reading device 5 equipped with a table 6 on which a reading object 90 is placed, a reading device 7 that reads the reading object 90 placed on the table 6, and an operation device 8 that a user touches to operate the device. Operation of the device using the operation device 8 is equivalent to operation of the image forming apparatus 1 including the reading device 5.

[0035] The platform 6 is made up of a plate-like member having a flat upper surface 61 on which the object to be read 90 can be placed in a stationary state. The platform 6 is attached so as to be disposed at the top end of the housing 10 with the upper surface 61 thereof being the uppermost surface. The object to be read 90 may be any object that can be placed on the table 6 and read from above the table 6 by the reading device 7. The object to be read 90 includes, for example, a sheet-like document on which image information is recorded, as well as three-dimensional objects such as books and magazines, and small-sized objects such as business cards, postcards, and cards.

[0036] The reading device 7 is a device capable of optically reading the reading object 90 placed on the stand 6. For example, a camera configured by combining an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and optical elements such as a lens is used as the reading device 7. The camera as the reading device 7 is sometimes called a document camera. The reading device 7 may also be equipped with an illumination device that illuminates the reading object 90 when reading.

[0037] 5 and the like, the reading device 7 is attached to a first attachment frame 75 so as to be positioned above the base 6. The first attachment frame 75 is disposed behind the operating device 8 as a frame extending in the height direction of the image forming apparatus 1. The first mounting frame 75 will be described in detail later.

[0038] Furthermore, the reading device 7 is configured so that the information it reads is sent to the image forming unit 20 and used as image information on which an image is formed, and is also used as image information to be displayed on the display unit of the operating device 8. The reading device 5 is configured to transmit the information read by the reading equipment 7 to an image processing device in the image forming unit 20 for processing. Note that the reading device 5 may also be provided with an image processing device that performs image processing on the information read by the reading equipment 7.

[0039] The operation device 8 is a plate-like structure having at least an operation unit 81 that the user touches to operate the image forming apparatus 1. In addition to the operation unit 81, the operation device 8 may have a display unit 82 that displays various information (images, videos, etc.).

[0040] When the operation unit 81 has a display unit 82, it is a part composed of non-mechanical parts such as a touch panel that can be operated by a resistive film method, a capacitive method, or the like, in which electricity is supplied, a position is detected, or the like, by touching the part displayed on the display unit 82 with a finger or a pen. This operation unit 81 is composed of mechanical parts such as physical buttons and physical switches that can be operated by a user of the image forming apparatus 1 touching and physically moving them with a finger. Furthermore, this operation unit 81 may be configured so that a part composed of the above-mentioned non-mechanical parts and a part composed of the above-mentioned mechanical parts are mixed. The display unit 82 is a part configured with a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel. When the operation unit 81 is configured with the above-mentioned non-mechanical parts, the display unit 82 is configured to also display an operation screen used by the operation unit 81.

[0041] The operation device 8 in the first embodiment is configured such that an operation unit 81, which is made up of non-mechanical components, is included in a display unit 82. For this reason, the operation device 8 is configured such that the display unit 82, which also serves as the operation unit 81, is disposed on the front portion of a plate-shaped support body 83, as shown in FIG.

[0042] 6 and other figures, the operating device 8 has a mounting shaft 83d fixed to its back surface 8R by a fixing plate 83e for rotatably mounting the support body 83. The mounting shaft 83d is a cylindrical shaft extending in the left-right direction. The operating device 8 also has left and right mounting jigs 84L, 84R that rotatably support the left and right ends of the mounting shaft 83d and finally mount the operating device 8 to a second mounting frame (85) described below. The operating device 8 is supported by the mounting jigs 84L, 84R so that it can rotate around the mounting shaft 83d to adjust the tilt angle of the operating surface. The operating device 8 may be provided on a support body 83 outside the display unit 82 so that one or both of an operating unit 81 made up of non-mechanical components and an operating unit 81 made up of mechanical components coexist.

[0043] 5, 6, etc., the operating device 8 is attached by a second attachment frame 85 so as to be positioned above the platform 6. More specifically, the operating device 8 is attached by the second attachment frame 85 at a required distance above the platform 6. The operating device 8 is mounted by a second mounting frame 85 so as to be disposed between the base 6 and the reading device 7 . 4 to 6, the operating device 8 is disposed forward, facing the front surface 10F of the device, of the first mounting frame 75 that supports the reading device 7 and that corresponds to the same height region as the operating device 8. The second mounting frame 85 supports and mounts the operating device 8 on its rear surface 8R. The second mounting frame 85 will be described in detail later.

[0044] In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 employs a support frame as the rear frame 12, which has a first surface portion 12a and a second surface portion 12b that is more easily bent than the first surface portion 12a when subjected to an external force, as shown in Figures 6, 7, etc.

[0045] Here, compared to the first surface portion 12a, when the second surface portion 12b is subjected to the same level of external force locally, it is more likely to bend so that it elastically deforms, for example, by about 1 mm to several mm locally around the part that has received the external force. In other words, the second surface portion 12b is smaller than the first surface portion 12a. Being smaller than the first surface portion 12a means, for example, that if the thickness is the same, the area is smaller (narrower), or that the rigidity is smaller (weaker) due to factors such as a reinforcing structure or material being different. The reinforcing structure includes, for example, the provision of ribs or beams.

[0046] As shown in Figures 6, 7, etc., the back frame 12 in the first embodiment is configured as a frame in which the first surface portion 12a consists of a vertical surface portion extending in the up and down direction, and the second surface portion 12b consists of a horizontal surface portion that intersects with the upper end of the vertical surface portion, which is the first surface portion 12a, and extends in the horizontal direction. The rear frame 12 is a frame having left and right side portions 12c, 12d that are bent backward at the left and right ends of a first surface portion 12a that is a vertical surface portion. This rear frame 12 is a frame that is arranged over almost the entire rear portion of the housing 10 from the reading unit 50 to the image forming unit 20. In addition to this, the rear frame 12 may be a frame that is arranged over the rear portion from the reading unit 50 to partway along the image forming unit 20 (for example, between the medium discharge unit 4 and the imaging unit 2), or a frame that is arranged over the rear portion of the reading unit 50 (excluding the rear portion of the image forming unit 20).

[0047] Furthermore, in the image forming device 1, as shown in Figures 6, 7, etc., a first mounting frame 75 for mounting the reading device 7 is fixed to the first surface portion 12a of the rear frame 12, and a second mounting frame 85 for mounting the operating device 8 is fixed to the second surface portion 12b of the rear frame 12.

[0048] In this case, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first mounting frame 75 is a frame made up of a lower portion 75a, an upper portion 75b, and a mounting portion 75d. The lower portion 75a is a plate-like portion extending linearly in the vertical direction. The upper portion 75b is a plate-like portion extending linearly in the vertical direction via a rearward bent connecting portion 75c that bends upward and connects at the upper end of the lower portion 75a. The mounting portion 75d is a plate-like portion provided at the upper end of the upper portion 75b so as to protrude diagonally forward for mounting the reading device 7.

[0049] Furthermore, a lower portion 75a of the first mounting frame 75 is fixed to the surface on the front surface 10F side of the first surface portion 12a consisting of the vertical surface portion of the back frame 12. Furthermore, the first mounting frame 75 has an upper portion 75b that rises above the second surface portion 12b consisting of the first bent surface portion via a bent connection portion 75c without coming into contact with the second surface portion 12b. Furthermore, the first mounting frame 75 is a vertically long frame in which an upper portion 75b protrudes from the upper end of the housing 10 without contacting the second surface portion 12b of the rear frame 12 and extends in the height direction of the device.

[0050] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, etc., the second mounting frame 85 is a frame composed of left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R that are arranged on both the left and right sides of the first mounting frame 75, with the first mounting frame 75 as the boundary, when viewed from the front 10F side of the device.

[0051] The left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are shaped to have mounting surfaces (upper end surfaces) for mounting the left and right mounting jigs 84L, 84R of the operating device 8. In the first embodiment, the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R have an external appearance like a rectangular parallelepiped that is long in the vertical direction, and the upper end surfaces are formed as flat mounting surfaces. Furthermore, the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are arranged in a non-contact state with the first mounting frame 75. Specifically, the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are arranged on the left and right sides of the upper portion 75b and the bent connection portion 75c of the first mounting frame 75 with a required gap between them.

[0052] <First cover and second cover> In the reading device 5 constituting the reading section 50 in the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, the first mounting frame 75 supporting the reading equipment 7 is covered by the second cover 76, and the second mounting frame 85 supporting the operating equipment 8 is covered by the first cover 86.

[0053] First, the second cover 76 is roughly divided into three parts, an upper end cover part 76a, an upper front cover part 76b, and a rear cover part 76c, which are used in combination, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like.

[0054] The upper end cover portion 76a is a portion that covers the upper portion of the mounting portion 75d of the first mounting frame 75. As shown in Fig. 5 or 6, the upper end cover portion 76a has a shape that corresponds generally to the shape of the upper portion of the mounting portion 75d as a whole, and is formed as a plate-like member with its front end and left and right side end portions bent.

[0055] The upper front cover portion 76b is a portion that covers the lower portion of the mounting portion 75d of the first mounting frame 75 and the exposed portion on the front side of the upper portion 75b of the first mounting frame 75. As shown in Figures 5, 6, etc., the upper front cover portion 76b has a shape that corresponds entirely to the shape of the lower portion of the mounting portion 75d and the shape of the front portion of the upper portion 75b of the first mounting frame 75, and is formed as a plate-like member with the front end and the left and right side end portions bent upward or backward.

[0056] Furthermore, upper front cover portion 76b has portion 76e hanging down from the rear end of its upper portion, covering the upper front surface of upper portion 75b of first mounting frame 75. Portion 76e of upper front cover portion 76b covers the upper end portion of upper portion 75b of first mounting frame 75, excluding the lower portion that is hidden by operating device 8 when viewed from the front face 10F of the device. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, upper front cover portion 76b has opening 76d at the front end of its upper portion, through which reading device 7 passes and is exposed downward.

[0057] The rear cover portion 76c is a portion that covers the exposed portion on the rear side of the upper portion 75b of the first attachment frame 75 (the portion that is exposed upward from the second surface portion 12b of the rear frame 12). As shown in Fig. 6 and other figures, the rear cover portion 76c has a shape that corresponds entirely to the shape of the rear portion of the upper portion 75b of the first attachment frame 75, and is formed as a plate-like member with the upper end and the left and right side end portions bent forward.

[0058] Next, the first cover 86 can be broadly divided into three parts, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, and is a cover that is used by combining a front cover portion 87 and left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R.

[0059] The front cover portion 87 is composed of, for example, a front portion 87a that covers the gap between the base 6 and the operating device 8 from the front surface 10F of the device, and an upper surface portion 87b and left and right side surface portions 87c, 87d that surround and cover the gap between the operating device 8 and the first mounting frame 75 from above and from the left and right sides, respectively. The front cover portion 87 may be configured so that, for example, the front portion 87a, the upper surface portion 87b, and the left and right side surface portions 87c, 87d are separate parts (separate components), and can be assembled by connecting the separate parts, but can also be disassembled by removing the separate parts.

[0060] Of these, the top surface portion 87b and the left and right side surface portions 87c, 87d of the front cover portion 87 are cover portions located between the front surface portion 87a and the left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R, and can therefore be referred to as intermediate cover portion 89 (see Figure 5). The front surface 87a has a shape that covers the gap between the base 6 and the operating device 8 from the front 10F side of the device and also wraps around to cover the left and right side surfaces. The front surface 87a also has an inclined upper surface 87e that extends upward obliquely backward when close to the lower end of the operating device 8.

[0061] The top surface portion 87b and the left and right side surface portions 87c, 87d that constitute the intermediate cover portion 89 have an inverted concave shape so as to cover the inner portion excluding the upper end and the left and right side end portions of the back surface portion 83b of the support main body 83, which forms the back surface 8R (see FIG. 6) of the operating device 8. The left and right side surface portions 87c, 87d have a shape in which the portions above the upper end of the inclined top surface 87e of the front surface portion 87a extend to the upper end and then taper to a point that is inclined rearward.

[0062] An opening 87f is provided in the front portion of the front part 87a, which is above the upper end of the inclined upper surface 87e and is surrounded by the top surface 87b and the left and right side surfaces 87c, 87d. The opening 87f is an opening that allows passage of the left and right mounting jigs 84L, 84R, the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R, and the like that are present on the rear surface 8R of the operating device 8. The opening 87f is formed as, for example, a rectangular opening. The opening 87f is a rectangular opening having a width corresponding to the inner portion of the rear surface of the support body 83 of the operating device 8 excluding the upper end and the left and right side ends.

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4, 5, etc., the upper surface 87b of the front cover portion 87 is provided with a protrusion 87g that covers the gap between the left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R and up to the upper front cover portion 76b of the second cover 76.

[0064] The left and right rear cover parts 88L, 88R are arranged on the rear surface 8R side of the operating device 8, separated left and right with the first mounting frame 75 as a dividing line, and are parts that cover at least a part of the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R.

[0065] Specifically, the left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R are formed as two separate covers that cover the portion behind the front cover portion 87 (rear portion) that is not covered by the rear cover portion 76c of the second cover 76 (see FIG. 9(B)). Incidentally, the portions of the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R that are visible from the rear surface 10R side of the device are the portions that are visible when viewed from directly behind, that is, the rear surface 10R side.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5, the left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R each have a main body portion 88a, excluding a top surface portion 88b whose upper end is bent forward and side surface portions 88c, 88d whose one side end on each side is bent forward, that is, the main body portion 88a has a shape that is close to a rectangle that is long in the vertical direction.

[0067] Furthermore, the left and right rear cover parts 88L, 88R have the same height in the vertical direction, and this height is lower than the height of the upper end of the operating device 8. Alternatively, the height may be the same as the height of the upper end of the operating device 8. 10(A), the left and right rear cover parts 88L, 88R are shaped so that their main body parts 88a are closer to the front surface 10F of the device (nearer) than the rear cover part 76c of the first mounting frame 75, or are attached so that they are positioned closer to the front surface 10F than the rear cover part 76c of the first mounting frame 75. However, the left and right rear cover parts 88L, 88R may be shaped so that their main body parts 88a are substantially flush with the rear cover part 76c of the first mounting frame 75, or may be attached so that they are flush with each other.

[0068] The left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R are shaped so as to be able to cover at least a portion of the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R when viewed from the rear surface 10R side of the device. Note that the left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R may be shaped so as to be able to cover the entire left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R.

[0069] The second cover 76 is configured to be attached to the first attachment frame 75, for example, by means of attachment / detachment means such as snap fasteners or fixing means such as screws. The second cover 76 may be attached by fitting or hooking together the divided upper end cover portion 76a, upper front cover portion 76b, and rear cover portion 76c at their joining portions.

[0070] One of the first covers 86 is adapted to be attached, for example, to the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R, and, similar to the case of the second cover 76, is configured to be attached using a detachable means such as a snap hit or a fixing means such as a screw. The first cover 86 may also be attached by fitting or hooking the divided front cover portion 87 and the left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R together at their joining portions, as in the case of the second cover 76. The front cover portion 87 of the first cover 86 may be attached to a part of the rear surface 8R side of the operating device 8.

[0071] The front cover part 87 in the first embodiment is configured with a front part 87a, a top part 87b, and left and right side parts 87c, 87d as separate parts (separate components). The front cover part 87 is assembled and attached by fitting and joining or fixing, for example, the separate part for the front part 87a from below the operating device 8, the separate part for the top part 87b from above the operating device 8, the separate part for the left side part 87c from the left of the operating device 8, and the separate part for the right side part 87d from the right of the operating device 8.

[0072] <Usage and operation of image forming devices and reading devices> The image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above is capable of forming, in its image forming unit 20, an image corresponding to image information input from a connected external device on the recording medium 9. In this case, the recording medium 9 on which the image has been formed is discharged to the medium discharge unit 4 and output.

[0073] In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 is capable of reading an object to be read 90 placed on a stand 6 using a reading device 7 in the reading unit 5 of the reading section 50, and displaying the read information as a read image on the display section 82 of the operating device 8. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1, it is also possible to input the read information of the object 90 read by the reading device 5 of the reading section 50 into the image forming section 20 as image information, and form an image corresponding to the image information on the recording medium 9. In this way, the image forming apparatus 1 can also record the image read from the object 90 on the recording medium 9 and output it.

[0074] In the image forming device 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, in the reading unit 50, the first mounting frame 75 to which the reading device 7 is attached is covered with the second cover 76 and is not visible from the outside, and the second mounting frame 85 to which the operating device 8 is attached is covered with the first cover 86 and is also not visible from the outside.

[0075] In addition, in the image forming device 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a first mounting frame 75 (including its second cover 76) for mounting the reading device 7 so that it is positioned above the base 6 is located on the back side of the operating device 8. However, in this image forming device 1, because the first cover 86 has left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R, as shown in Figures 2 and 9, one example of at least a part of the second mounting frame 85 to which the operation device 8 is attached on the rear surface 8R side, for example, the rear surface side portion, is not visible from the rear surface 10R side of the device. As a result, the quality of the appearance of the image forming device 1 is maintained at a good level even on the rear surface side of the device.

[0076] Incidentally, in the image forming apparatus 1, the first cover 86 has a front cover portion 87. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, the portions of the first mounting frame 75 and the second mounting frame 85 that are between the operation device 8 and the base 6 cannot be seen from the front side 10F of the apparatus.

[0077] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured such that the first cover 86 has a front cover portion 87 and left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 8, the portions of the first mounting frame 75 and the second mounting frame 85 that are between the operation device 8 and the base 6 cannot be seen from the front side 10F of the apparatus.

[0078] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured such that the first cover 86 has an intermediate cover portion 89. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, 9, 10, etc., the portion of the second mounting frame 85 that is located between the operating device 8 and the first mounting frame 75 becomes less visible compared to when the first cover 86 does not have the intermediate cover portion 89.

[0079] 1 and 4, the image forming apparatus 1 is arranged so that the operation device 8 is located between the base 6 and the reading device 7. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, the height of the operation device 8 is neither too low nor too high, which is appropriate compared to when the operation device 8 is arranged at a height position where it comes into contact with the base 6, at the same height as the reading device 7, or at a height position higher than the reading device 7, and the operability of the operation device 8 is improved.

[0080] 5 and 6, the second mounting frame 85 of the image forming apparatus 1 is made up of the second mounting frames 85L and 85R. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, the generation of vibrations when the user touches and operates the operation device 8 with their hands is suppressed compared to when the second mounting frame 85 is made up of only one of the left and right second mounting frames 85L and 85R.

[0081] 6 and other figures, the image forming apparatus 1 is arranged such that the first mounting frame 75 and the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are not in contact with each other. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, the propagation of vibrations generated when the operation device 8 is operated from the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R to the first mounting frame 75 is suppressed compared to when they are arranged in contact with each other.

[0082] 6 and other figures, in the image forming apparatus 1, the second cover 76 is attached to the first mounting frame 75, and the first cover 86 is attached to the second mounting frame 85. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, the propagation of vibrations generated when the operating device 8 is operated from the first cover 86 to the second cover 76 is suppressed compared to when the second cover 76 is not attached to the first mounting frame 75 and the first cover 86 is not attached to the second mounting frame 85.

[0083] In the image forming apparatus 1, for example, when the reading unit 50 performs a reading operation on the object 90 to be read, the user operates the device with the operation device 8 to start the reading operation. In this case, when the user operates the operation device 8 to start the reading operation, the reading device 7 operates to read the object 90 to be read that is placed on the table 6 .

[0084] However, when starting this reading operation, the user touches and operates the operating device 8 with his / her hand, which causes vibrations, and these vibrations are transmitted from the second mounting frame 85 on which the operating device 8 is attached to the first mounting frame 75 on which the reading device 7 is attached, which may ultimately cause the reading device 7 to shake. When such shaking of the reading device 7 occurs, the read information read by the shaking reading device 7 becomes distorted. As a result, when the read information is displayed on the display unit 82, the displayed image becomes distorted. Furthermore, when the read information is used as image information in the image forming unit 20 to form an image, the formed image becomes distorted.

[0085] In contrast to this, in this image forming device 1, the first mounting frame 75 to which the reading device 7 in the reading unit 50 and thus the reading device 5 is attached is fixed to the first surface portion 12a of the rear frame 12, and the second mounting frame 85 to which the operating device 8 is attached is fixed to the second surface portion 12b of the rear frame 12. Therefore, in the image forming device 1, compared to a configuration in which both the first mounting frame 75 and the second mounting frame 85 are fixed to the same surface portion of the back frame 12, for example, the first surface portion 12a, shaking of the reading device 7 when the user touches and operates the operating device 8 is suppressed.

[0086] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1, as described above, vibrations are suppressed when a user touches and operates the operation device 8 with their hands. Vibrations generated when the operation device 8 is operated are also suppressed from propagating from the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R to the first mounting frame 75. Furthermore, vibrations generated when the operation device 8 is operated are suppressed from propagating from the first cover 86 to the second cover 76. By suppressing the generation and propagation of such vibrations, in image forming apparatus 1, it becomes easier to suppress the shaking of reading device 7 when operating operation device 8 by touching it.

[0087] Second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a reading device 5 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The reading device 5 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the reading unit 50 or reading device 5, except for the housing 10 and the image forming unit 20 in the image forming device 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, common components will be denoted by the same reference numerals used in the first embodiment in the relevant drawings, etc., and their explanation will be omitted unless necessary.

[0088] As shown in any of Figures 11 to 15, the reading device 5 includes a base 6, a reading device 7, an operating device 8, a first mounting frame 75, a second mounting frame 85, a first cover 86, a second cover 76, etc. Of these, the base 6 is a portion on which the object to be read 90 is placed. The reading device 7 is a device that reads the object to be read 90 placed on the base 6. The operating device 8 is a device that is touched to operate the device. The first mounting frame 75 is a frame for mounting the reading device 7 so that it is positioned higher than the base 6. The second mounting frame 85 is a frame for mounting the operating device 8 so that it is positioned higher than the base 6. The first cover 86 is a cover for covering the second mounting frame 85. The second cover 76 is a cover for covering the first mounting frame 75. In FIG. 11 and other figures, reference numeral 51 denotes the housing of the reading device 5, reference numeral 51F denotes the front face of the device, and reference numeral 51R denotes the rear face of the device.

[0089] The housing 51 is a structure having a required structure and shape made of materials such as a plurality of frames, an exterior cover, etc. As shown in Fig. 13 etc., the housing 51 in the second embodiment is formed as a structure having a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a relatively short vertical dimension, that is, a relatively low height.

[0090] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the internal framework of this housing 51 is formed by frames such as a back frame 12, a front frame 13, an upper frame 14, upper and lower left side frames 15, and a right side frame 16. As in the case of the reading unit 50 or the reading device 5 in the first embodiment, a support frame having a first surface 12a and a second surface 12b that is more flexible than the first surface 12a when subjected to an external force or that is smaller than the first surface 12a is used as the rear frame 12. However, the dimension of this rear frame 12 in the vertical direction is shorter than that of the rear frame 12 of the housing 10 in the first embodiment (by the amount corresponding to the absence of the image forming unit 20).

[0091] In this reading device 5, as in the case of the reading unit 50 or the reading device 5 in the first embodiment, the first cover 86 is a cover that is used by combining a front cover portion 87 divided into three parts and left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, etc.

[0092] Of these, the left and right rear cover parts 88L, 88R are arranged on the left and right sides of the rear surface 8R of the operating device 8, with the first mounting frame 75 as a dividing line, as in the first embodiment, and are cover parts that cover parts of the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R. In the second embodiment, the left and right rear cover parts 88L, 88R are configured to cover parts of the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R that are visible from the rear surface 51R side of the device (see FIG. 16(B)), as well as parts of the left and right side parts and upper parts.

[0093] Also, in this reading device 5, as shown in Figure 15, etc., as in the case of the reading unit 50 or reading device 5 in the first embodiment, a first mounting frame 75 to which the reading equipment 7 is attached is fixed to the first surface portion 12a of the rear frame 12, and a second mounting frame 85 to which the operating equipment 8 is attached is fixed to the second surface portion 12b of the rear frame 12.

[0094] Next, the reading device 5 can read the object 90 placed on the table 6 with the reading device 7 and display the read information on the display unit 82 of the operating device 8 as a read image. Furthermore, the reading device 5 can also be used to input the read information of the read object 90 as image information into an output device such as an image forming device connected to the reading device 5 wirelessly or via a wire, and then form an image corresponding to the image information on the recording medium 9. In this way, the reading device 5 can be used as an image reading device for the image forming device.

[0095] In the reading device 5, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the first mounting frame 75 on which the reading device 7 is attached is covered with a second cover 76 and cannot be seen from the outside, and the second mounting frame 85 on which the operating device 8 is attached is covered with a first cover 86 and cannot be seen from the outside either.

[0096] In addition, in the reading device 5, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, a vertically long first mounting frame 75 (including its second cover 76) that mounts the reading equipment 7 so that it is positioned above the base 6 is located on the back side of the operating equipment 8. However, in this reading device 5, the first cover 86 has left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R, so that, as shown in Figures 12 and 16, one example of at least a part of the second mounting frame 85 to which the operating device 8 is attached on its rear side, for example, the rear side portion, cannot be seen from the rear surface 51R side of the device. As a result, the reading device 5 maintains good appearance quality even on the rear side of the device.

[0097] Furthermore, this reading device 5 also has various configurations similar to those of the reading unit 50 or reading device 5 in the first embodiment described above, and therefore similar effects can be obtained from each configuration.

[0098] Variant. The present invention is not limited to the contents exemplified in the first and second embodiments, but also includes, for example, the following modified examples.

[0099] The first cover 86 may be configured as a left and right split cover that is simply split into two. That is, the left and right split covers are split covers that are formed by splitting the front cover portion 87 in two in the left and right direction and joining the left and right split front cover portions (87L, 87R) to the left and right rear cover portions 88L, 88R, respectively.

[0100] The overall shape of the first mounting frame 75 on which the reading device 7 is mounted is not limited to the shape exemplified in the first embodiment. For example, a first mounting frame 75B as shown in Fig. 17 may be employed. The first mounting frame 75B shown in Fig. 17 has a configuration in which a lower end 75bc of an upper portion 75b thereof reaches and is fixed to the second surface 12b of the rear frame 12, and a connecting frame 75e fixed to the second surface 12b of the rear frame 12 is coupled to the front surface of the lower end side of the upper portion 75b. In this case, the connecting frame 75e may be a frame having a shape that combines, for example, the lower portion 75a and the rearward bent connecting portion 75c of the rear frame 12 in the first embodiment. This first attachment frame 75B is firmly attached to the back frame 12. When this first attachment frame 75B is used, it is also possible to attach the reading device 7 in a state where it is less likely to shake. In addition, the first mounting frame 75 may have a movable structure in which, for example, the part excluding the lower part 75a fixed to the first surface part 12a of the back frame 12 can rotate to adjust the position and posture of the reading device 7.

[0101] The second mounting frame 85 to which the operating device 8 is attached may be a single mounting frame that is arranged at a distance from the first mounting frame 75 on one of the left and right sides of the first mounting frame 75 . However, from the viewpoint of suppressing vibrations that occur when the operating device 8 is operated, it is preferable to configure the second mounting frame 85 as left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R that are arranged at a distance from the first mounting frame 75 on both the left and right sides of the first mounting frame 75, as exemplified in the first embodiment, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1...Image forming device 5...Reading device 6...units 7. Reading device 8…Operating equipment 8R…Back 9. Recording media 10F, 51F...Front of the device 20...Image forming unit 50...Reading unit 75...First mounting frame 76...Second cover 85...Second mounting frame 86...First cover 86L, 86R...left and right first covers 87...Front cover 88L, 88R...Left and right rear cover parts 89...Intermediate cover part 90...Reading object

Claims

1. a table on which an object to be read is placed; a reading device that reads the object to be read placed on the table; a first mounting frame for mounting the reading device so as to be positioned above the base; an operation device operated by a user; a second mounting frame that is attached to the rear side of the operating device so that the operating device is disposed forward of the first mounting frame and facing the front side of the apparatus; a first cover that covers the second mounting frame; Equipped with The first cover is arranged on the rear side of the operating device, divided into left and right halves with the first mounting frame as a dividing line, and has left and right rear cover portions that cover at least a portion of the second mounting frame.

2. 2. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the operating device is disposed between the base and the reading device.

3. the second mounting frame is configured to support the operating device so that the operating device is mounted at a spaced apart position above the platform; 3. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the first cover has a front cover portion disposed to cover the area between the operating device and the base from the front side of the device.

4. The reading device according to claim 3, wherein the first cover has an intermediate cover portion arranged to surround and cover the space between the operating device and the first mounting frame from above and on both left and right sides of the rear surface of the operating device.

5. 2. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the second mounting frame is made up of left and right second frames arranged on the left and right sides of the first mounting frame.

6. 6. The reading device according to claim 5, wherein the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame are arranged so as not to contact each other.

7. a second cover that covers the first mounting frame; 7. The reading device according to claim 6, wherein the first cover is attached to the second mounting frame, and the second cover is attached to the first mounting frame.

8. a reading unit that reads an object placed on a table from above the table; an image forming unit that forms an image corresponding to image information, which may include information read by the reading unit, on a recording medium; Equipped with 8. An image forming apparatus, wherein the reading section is configured by the reading device according to claim 1.

Images