Conveying device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To enable a movement to a closing position from an opening position of a switch part and a rotation to a second direction of an engagement part with a common operation.SOLUTION: A transport device comprises: a switch part that is attached to a device body so as to enable a switch of a closing position that covers an upper surface of the device body and an open position that exposes the upper surface, and includes a transport path where a transported material is transported in an internal part; a trans port path member that includes a transport path surface constructing the transport path, of which one end side is rotatably supported by the switch part, and that opens the transport path by moving the other side to a lower side of the switch part; and an engagement part that is rotatably attached to the other end side of the transport path member, to which a force directed to a first direction where it is engaged to the engaged part of the switch part is acted, and where the transport path member is held to a closing state of the transport path in an engagement state against the engaged part, and is rotated to a second direction that is reverse from a first direction by contacting the upper surface itself to the engaged part while the transport path member is depressed to an upper direction on the upper surface contacted when the switch part is moved from the open position and the closing position in the engaged state to the engaged part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic document feeder characterized by having a transport path surface that forms a transport path along which documents are transported within the device body, one end of which is rotatably supported by the device body and the other end of which moves in a direction away from the device body to open the transport path; a hooking member that is attached to a rotating shaft provided on the other end of the transport path member, is urged in a first rotation direction to be hooked onto a hooked portion of the device body, and holds the transport path member in a closed state of the transport path by being hooked onto the hooked portion; and an operating member that is attached to the rotating shaft with play in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft so that when the device body is moved to an exposed position where the transport path member is exposed, the operating member rotates by its own weight or a biasing force to an operating position in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and when rotated in the second rotation direction from the operating position, the hooking member rotates in the second rotation direction to release from the hooked portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-81147 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The conveying device may include a device main body, an opening / closing section attached to the device main body so as to be able to open and close between a closed position that covers the top surface of the device main body and an open position that exposes the top surface, and having a conveying path therein along which the material to be conveyed is conveyed, and a conveying path member having a conveying path surface that constitutes the conveying path, one end of which is rotatably supported by the opening / closing section, and the other end of which moves downward from the opening / closing section to open the conveying path.

[0005] The conveying device may be a conveying device that includes a hooking portion that is rotatably attached to the other end of the conveying path member, and that applies a force in a first rotation direction to the hooking portion of the opening / closing portion, and that holds the conveying path member in a blocked state of the conveying path when hooked onto the hooking portion.

[0006] In this conveying device, when the hooking portion is not hooked to the hooked portion in an unhooked state, an operator can directly push the conveying path member from below to bring the hooking portion into contact with the hooked portion, causing the hooking portion to rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. In this type of conveying device, the operator cannot rotate the hooking portion in the second rotation direction unless the operator directly pushes the conveying path member. Therefore, the operation of closing the opening / closing portion and the operation of rotating the hooking portion in the second rotation direction must be performed separately.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to enable the movement of the opening / closing part from the open position to the closed position and the rotation of the latch part in the second rotation direction to be performed by a common operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The first aspect comprises an apparatus main body; an opening / closing unit attached to the apparatus main body so as to be able to open and close between a closed position that covers the top surface of the apparatus main body and an open position that exposes the top surface, and having a conveying path therein through which the material to be conveyed is conveyed; a conveying path member having a conveying path surface that constitutes the conveying path, one end side of which is rotatably supported by the opening / closing unit and the other end side of which moves downward from the opening / closing unit to open the conveying path; and a hooking unit rotatably attached to the other end side of the conveying path member, which is engaged with a latching portion of the opening / closing unit and applies a force in a first rotation direction to hold the conveying path member in a closed state of the conveying path when engaged with the latching portion, and when the opening / closing unit is not engaged with the latching portion, when the opening / closing unit is moved from the open position to the closed position, the conveying path member is pushed upward by the top surface and comes into contact with the latching portion, causing the hooking portion to rotate in a second rotation direction that is opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0009] In the second aspect, when the opening / closing section is moved from the open position to the closed position, the transport path member is pushed upward on the upper surface and the hooking section comes into contact with the hooked section, causing the hooking section to rotate in the second rotation direction, and then its tip section becomes caught on the hooked section.

[0010] In a third aspect, when the opening / closing section is moved from the open position to the closed position, the transport path member is pushed upward by the upper surface and the hooking section comes into contact with the hooked section, causing the hooking section to rotate in the second rotation direction, and then, at the closed position of the opening / closing section, its tip section gets caught on the hooked section, and the force causes the transport path member to rise and become hooked onto the hooked section.

[0011] In a fourth aspect, the hooking portion is inclined such that a bottom surface that contacts the hooked portion when hooked to the hooked portion is inclined upward in the first rotation direction relative to the top surface.

[0012] In a fifth aspect, the hanging portion is provided at each of one end and the other end of the transport path member in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and each hanging portion is fixed to an axis portion along the intersecting direction, and the length of one hanging portion along the radially outward direction from the axis portion is longer than the corresponding length of the other hanging portion.

[0013] In a sixth aspect, the opening / closing portion has one end portion in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveying path attached to the device main body, and is capable of being opened and closed between the closed position and the open position, and one of the hooking portions is arranged at the other end portion in the intersecting direction of the conveying path member.

[0014] In a seventh aspect, the opening / closing portion has one end portion in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveying path attached to the device main body, and is capable of being opened and closed between the closed position and the open position, and an elastic member is arranged on the one end side of the conveying path member in the intersecting direction, which applies the force to the hanging portion by elastic force.

[0015] In an eighth aspect, the opening / closing section has one end in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveying path attached to the device main body, and is capable of opening and closing between the closed position and the open position, and the device main body has an edge portion protruding from the top surface at one end side in the intersecting direction relative to the top surface, and a protrusion portion is provided at one end of the intersecting direction of the conveying path member, protruding from the conveying path member in the intersecting direction and contacting the edge portion.

[0016] In a ninth aspect, the apparatus further includes a reading unit provided in the apparatus body, which reads an image of a document as the material to be conveyed conveyed through the conveyance path of the opening / closing unit when the opening / closing unit is in the closed position.

[0017] A tenth aspect includes the conveying device according to the ninth aspect, and an image forming unit that forms the image read by the reading unit on a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the configuration of the first aspect, the movement of the opening / closing part from the open position to the closed position and the rotation of the hook part in the second rotation direction can be performed by a common operation.

[0019] According to the configuration of the second aspect, the movement of the opening / closing part from the open position to the closed position and the action of hooking the tip of the hooking part onto the hooked part can be performed by a common operation.

[0020] According to the configuration of the third aspect, the movement of the opening / closing part from the open position to the closed position and the operation of latching the latching part onto the latched part can be performed by a common operation.

[0021] According to the fourth aspect, the hooking portion is more likely to be hooked onto the hooked portion after its tip portion is caught on the hooked portion, compared to a configuration in which the bottom surface of the hooking portion that contacts the hooked portion is parallel to the top surface.

[0022] According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the frictional resistance when rotating in the second rotation direction is smaller than in a configuration in which one hooking portion has the same length as the other hooking portion, as the hooking portion comes into contact with the hooked portion.

[0023] According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, when the opening / closing section is in the open position and the operator pushes the transport path member upward to rotate one of the hooking sections in the second rotation direction, it is easier to operate the operation of rotating one of the hooking sections in the second rotation direction compared to a configuration in which one of the hooking sections is positioned on one end side in the intersecting direction.

[0024] According to the configuration of the seventh aspect, compared to a configuration in which the elastic member is arranged on the other end side in the intersecting direction, the operator is prevented from coming into contact with the elastic member when the opening / closing section is in the open position.

[0025] According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, the transport path member is less likely to get caught on the edge portion than in a configuration having a transport path member without a protruding portion.

[0026] According to the configuration of the ninth aspect, when an image of a document is read by the reading unit, the latching unit can be rotated in the second rotation direction by moving the opening / closing unit from the open position to the closed position.

[0027] According to the configuration of the tenth aspect, when copying an image on a document, the latching portion can be rotated in the second rotation direction by moving the opening / closing portion from the open position to the closed position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an opening / closing body is in an open position in an image reading device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration shown in FIG. 2 in a state where the transport path is open. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of a part of an opening / closing body including a transport path member according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the transport path is open in the configuration shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a transport path member according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the transport path member according to the embodiment, as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of a transport path member according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a part of the transport path member according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the hooking member according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the upper surface of the hooking member according to the embodiment is in contact with a shaft body. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the tip of the hooking member according to the embodiment is hooked onto a shaft. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the hooking member according to the embodiment is hooked onto a shaft body. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0030] (Image forming device 10) An image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described below. FIG.

[0031] Note that the arrow UP shown in each figure, including FIG. 1, indicates the top (vertically upward) of the device. Therefore, the opposite direction of the arrow UP is the bottom (vertically downward) of the device. Also, the arrow FR shown in each figure, including FIG. 1, indicates the front of the device. Therefore, the opposite direction of the arrow FR is the rear of the device. Also, the arrow RH shown in each figure, including FIG. 1, indicates the right side of the device. Therefore, the opposite direction of the arrow RH is the left side of the device. These directions are defined for the convenience of explanation, and the device configuration is not limited to these directions.

[0032] The front-to-back and left-to-right directions can also be referred to as lateral, side, or horizontal directions. In addition, the word "device" may be omitted when referring to each direction of the device. For example, "above the device" may simply be referred to as "above." In addition, a symbol with an "x" inside a "circle" in a drawing indicates an arrow pointing from the front to the back of the page. In addition, a symbol with a "·" inside a "circle" in a drawing indicates an arrow pointing from the back to the front of the page.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1 is an apparatus for forming an image. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 11, a medium storage unit 12, a medium discharge unit 13, an image forming unit 14, a conveying mechanism 16, and an image reading device 20. Each unit of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described below.

[0034] (Image forming apparatus main body 11) 1 is a portion where each component of the image forming apparatus 10 is provided. Specifically, the image forming apparatus main body 11 is configured as a box-shaped housing (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0035] 1, for example, a medium storage unit 12, an image forming unit 14, and a transport mechanism 16 are provided inside an image forming apparatus main body 11. An image reading device 20 is provided at the upper end of the image forming apparatus main body 11. A medium discharge unit 13 is provided outside the image forming apparatus main body 11, between the image reading device 20 and the image forming unit 14.

[0036] (medium storage section 12) 1, the medium storage unit 12 is a portion of the image forming apparatus 10 that stores recording media P. The recording media P stored in the medium storage unit 12 are supplied to the image forming unit 14. As an example of the recording media P, paper P is used.

[0037] (Media discharge section 13) 1 is a portion of the image forming apparatus 10 to which the recording medium P is discharged. The recording medium P, on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 14, is discharged to the medium discharge unit 13.

[0038] (Image forming unit 14) 1 has a function of forming an image on the recording medium P sent out from the medium storage unit 12. Examples of the image forming unit 14 include an inkjet image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium P using ink, and an electrophotographic image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium P using toner.

[0039] In an inkjet image forming unit, for example, ink droplets are ejected from an ejection unit onto a recording medium P to form an image on the recording medium P. In the inkjet image forming unit, ink droplets may be ejected from the ejection unit onto a transfer body, and the ink droplets may be transferred from the transfer body to the recording medium P to form an image on the recording medium P.

[0040] In an electrophotographic image forming unit, for example, the steps of charging, exposing, developing, transferring, and fixing are performed to form an image on a recording medium P. In an electrophotographic image forming unit, the steps of charging, exposing, developing, and transferring are performed to form an image on a transfer body, and the image may be transferred from the transfer body to the recording medium P, and then the image may be fixed to the recording medium P to form an image on the recording medium P.

[0041] In the image forming device 10, when copying an image of an original G (see Figure 4), the image forming unit 14 forms an image read by the reading units 40, 54 (see Figure 4) described below of the image reading device 20 onto a recording medium P.

[0042] Note that examples of the image forming unit are not limited to the inkjet image forming unit and the electrophotographic image forming unit described above, and various other image forming units can be used.

[0043] (Transport mechanism 16) 1 is a mechanism for transporting the recording medium P. The transport mechanism 16 transports the recording medium P by a transport member 17 such as a transport roll, for example. The transport member 17 may be a transport belt or the like, and may be any member that can apply a transport force to the recording medium P and transport the recording medium P.

[0044] The transport mechanism 16 transports the recording medium P from the medium storage unit 12 to the image forming unit 14. The transport mechanism 16 also transports the recording medium P, on which an image has been formed in the image forming unit 14, from the image forming unit 14 to the medium discharge unit 13.

[0045] (Image reader 20) Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an opening / closing body 50, which will be described later, is in an open position in the image reading device 20. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the conveying path 56A is open in the configuration shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the image reading device 20.

[0046] The image reading device 20 shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4 is a device that reads an image of a document G. The image reading device 20 is an example of a "conveying device." Specifically, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the image reading device 20 includes an image reading device main body 23, a reading unit 40, an opening / closing body 50, a conveying path member 60 (see Figures 3 and 4), a shaft body 80 (see Figure 4), a hooking member 70 (see Figure 4), and an operating unit 86 (see Figure 4). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the image reading device 20 includes a tension coil spring 82 and a limiting unit 84.

[0047] (Image reader main body 23) 2 and 3 is a portion where the components of the image reading device 20 are provided. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image reading device main body 23 has a housing 34, a first platen glass 31, a second platen glass 32, and a support portion 58.

[0048] The housing 34 is formed in a box shape that is open at the top. The first platen glass 31 is disposed in the opening of the housing 34. The first platen glass 31 is a member on which a document whose image is to be read in a stationary state is placed, and transmits light that is irradiated onto the document. The second platen glass 32 is a member that transmits light that is irradiated onto the document being transported.

[0049] The support portion 58 (specifically, a hinge) has a function of supporting the opening / closing body 50 so that it can be opened and closed. The support portion 58 is provided on the rear side of the upper part of the housing 34 of the image reading device main body 23.

[0050] Furthermore, the image reading device main body 23 is formed with an edge 33 that surrounds the periphery of the first platen glass 31. The edge 33 protrudes upward at the rear end, front end, left end, and right end of the top surface 31A of the first platen glass 31. Therefore, a step is formed between the edge 33 and the top surface 31A of the first platen glass 31.

[0051] (Reading unit 40) The reading unit 40 shown in Fig. 4 has a function of reading an image of an original document G. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the reading unit 40 has a light source 42, a photoelectric conversion element 44, and an optical system 46 including a mirror 46A and a lens 46B. In the reading unit 40, the light source 42 irradiates one side of the original document G with light. The optical system 46 forms an image of the light reflected by the original document G on the photoelectric conversion element 44. The photoelectric conversion element 44 converts the formed light into an electrical signal.

[0052] As the photoelectric conversion element 44, for example, an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) is used. As described above, the reading unit 40 reads an image on one side of the document G. The electrical signal containing image information generated by the reading unit 40 is sent to the image forming unit 14, and the image forming unit 14 forms an image based on the electrical signal.

[0053] (Opening and closing body 50) 1 to 4 is a structure that is opened and closed relative to the image reading device main body 23. This opening and closing body 50 is an example of an "opening and closing section." Specifically, the opening and closing body 50 is attached to the image reading device main body 23 so as to be openable and closable between a closed position (the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4) where it covers the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23, and an open position (the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) where it exposes the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23.

[0054] 2 and 3, the opening / closing body 50 is opened and closed by its rear end being supported by a support part 58 provided on the rear side of the image reading device main body 23, and its front end moving up and down around the rear end as a fulcrum. In this way, the opening / closing body 50 is capable of being opened and closed between a closed position (the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4) and an open position (the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), with its rear end attached to the image reading device main body 23 and its front end serving as a free end.

[0055] 4, the opening / closing body 50 further includes an original storage section 52, an original discharge section 53, a reading section 54, and a transport mechanism 56. The original storage section 52 is a section in the image reading device 20 that stores the original G. The original G stored in the original storage section 52 is supplied to a reading position by the reading sections 40 and 54. The original G stored in the original storage section 52 is, for example, paper on which an image has been formed.

[0056] The document discharge section 53 is a portion to which the document G is discharged in the image reading device 20. The document G, the image of which has been read by the reading sections 40 and 54, is discharged to the document discharge section 53.

[0057] The reading unit 54 has a function of reading an image on the other side (the side opposite to the side read by the reading unit 40) of the document G. As an example of the reading unit 54, a contact-type image sensor called a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) is used.

[0058] The transport mechanism 56 is a mechanism for transporting the original G. The transport mechanism 56 has a transport path 56A provided inside the opening / closing body 50 and a transport member 56B composed of a transport roll or the like. The transport path 56A is formed in a C-shape from the original storage unit 52 to the original discharge unit 53 when viewed in the front-to-rear direction. The front-to-rear view refers to the view from one side, front or rear, to the other. The transport member 56B transports the original G stored in the original storage unit 52 to the original discharge unit 53 along the transport path 56A.

[0059] In this embodiment, when the opening / closing body 50 is in the closed position, the image on one side of the document G being transported along the transport path 56A is read by the reading unit 40, and the image on the other side of the document G is read by the reading unit 54.

[0060] The upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 is an example of the "upper surface of the apparatus main body." The front-rear direction corresponds to the intersecting direction (specifically, the perpendicular direction) with respect to the conveying direction of the conveying path 56A. Therefore, in each member including the opening / closing body 50, the rear end is an example of one end in the intersecting direction, and the front end is an example of the other end in the intersecting direction.

[0061] (Transport path member 60) Fig. 5 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the opening / closing body 50 including the transport path member 60. Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which the transport path 56A is open in the configuration shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the transport path member 60. Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the transport path member 60 as seen from the rear side. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a portion of the transport path member 60. Fig. 10 is a side view showing a portion of the transport path member 60.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the transport path member 60 is a member having a transport path surface 62 that constitutes the transport path 56A. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the transport path member 60 is formed in a substantially right-angled triangular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, having a bottom surface 61, a side surface 63 extending upward from the bottom surface 61, and an inclined transport path surface 62. In the closed state, the transport path surface 62 is an inclined surface that slopes obliquely upward toward the downstream side in the transport direction (i.e., the right side). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the transport path surface 62 has a plurality of ribs 62A formed along the transport direction and arranged along the front-rear direction.

[0063] In each drawing, the conveying direction in the conveying path member 60 is indicated by an arrow X. Also, the downstream side in the conveying direction may be simply referred to as "downstream," and the upstream side in the conveying direction may be simply referred to as "upstream." Furthermore, the upstream side corresponds to the left side, and the downstream side corresponds to the right side.

[0064] The downstream end side (i.e., the right end side) of the transport path member 60 is rotatably supported by the opening / closing body 50 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Specifically, a support shaft 64 is provided on the downstream end side of the front surface 65 (see FIGS. 5, 6, and 7) and the rear surface 66 (see FIG. 8) of the transport path member 60. The support shaft 64 is supported by the opening / closing body 50 so as to be rotatable around the support shaft 64. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the transport path member 60 opens the transport path 56A by moving the upstream end side (i.e., the left end side) downward from the opening / closing body 50.

[0065] 8 to 10, a protruding portion 68 is provided at the lower end of the rear end of the transport path member 60, protruding rearward from the transport path member 60. The protruding portion 68 is disposed at the upstream end (i.e., the left end) of the transport path member 60. The bottom surface of the protruding portion 68 is curved so as to be convex downward.

[0066] When the transport path member 60 opens the transport path 56A (i.e., the state shown in Figures 3 and 6), and the opening / closing body 50 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the protrusion 68 comes into contact with the edge 33 located on the rear end side of the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 in the image reading device main body 23, as shown in Figure 10.

[0067] As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, a part of the transport path member 56B is provided on the transport path member 60. Also, as shown in Figs. 4 to 6, a cushion material 69 is provided on the bottom surface 50B of the opening / closing body 50, including the bottom surface 61 of the transport path member 60. The cushion material 69 is compressively deformable in the vertical direction. The downstream end of the transport path member 60 is an example of the "one end." The upstream end of the transport path member 60 is an example of the "other end."

[0068] (Shaft 80) The shaft body 80 shown in Figs. 5 to 8 is a portion on which the hooking member 70 is hooked. This shaft body 80 is an example of a "hooked portion." In this embodiment, two shaft bodies 80 are provided in the image reading device 20, as indicated by reference numerals 80(A) and 80(B) in the drawings. These two shaft bodies 80 are provided in the opening / closing body 50.

[0069] Specifically, one of the shaft bodies 80(A) protrudes toward the front surface 65 (i.e., rearward) from a side wall (not shown) facing the front surface 65 of the transport path member 60. A hook member 70(A) is hooked to this shaft body 80(A).

[0070] The other shaft body 80(B) protrudes toward the rear surface 66 (i.e., the front side) from a side wall (not shown) facing the rear surface 66 of the transport path member 60. A hook member 70(B) is hooked to this shaft body 80(B).

[0071] The two shaft bodies 80 are arranged facing each other in the front-rear direction. That is, the two shaft bodies 80 are arranged overlapping each other when viewed in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the two shaft bodies 80 are arranged at the same position in the up-down and left-right directions when the opening / closing body 50 is in the closed position.

[0072] 5 and 8, the lower ends of the two shaft bodies 80 are arranged below the transport path surface 62 of the transport path member 60 when viewed in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the two shaft bodies 80 are arranged so as to overlap the transport path surface 62 of the transport path member 60 when viewed in the front-rear direction.

[0073] The two shaft bodies 80 are formed in a circular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction. The shape of the shaft body 80 may be a polygonal shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and various shapes can be used as the shape of the shaft body 80.

[0074] (Latching member 70, tension coil spring 82, limiting portion 84, and operating portion 86) Fig. 11 is a front view showing the hooking member 70. Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the upper surface 72A of the hooking member 70 is in contact with the shaft body 80. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the tip end 72 of the hooking member 70 is hooked onto the shaft body 80. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a hooked state in which the hooking member 70 is hooked onto the shaft body 80.

[0075] 11 is a member that is hooked onto the shaft body 80. This hook member 70 is an example of a "hook portion." In this embodiment, two hook members 70 are provided in the image reading device 20, as indicated by reference numerals 70(A) and 70(B) in the figure.

[0076] The two hooking members 70 are configured as hooks formed in a hook shape, as shown in Fig. 11. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the hooking members 70(A) and 70(B) are different in configuration, such as shape and length.

[0077] 5, 7, and 8, the two hooking members 70 are rotatably attached to the upstream end side (i.e., the left end side) of the transport path member 60. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the lower part of one of the hooking members 70(A) is rotatably attached to the upstream end side of the front surface 65 of the transport path member 60. In other words, the hooking member 70(A) is disposed on the front end side of the transport path member 60.

[0078] 8, the lower portion of the other hook member 70(B) is rotatably attached to the upstream end side of the rear surface 66 of the transport path member 60. In other words, the hook member 70(B) is disposed on the rear end side of the transport path member 60.

[0079] Furthermore, the two hooking members 70 are fixed to a shaft 78 extending in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the shaft 78 penetrates the transport path member 60 in the front-rear direction and is rotatably supported by the transport path member 60. Each of the two hooking members 70 is fixed to one axial end and the other axial end of the shaft 78. In this manner, the two hooking members 70 are connected by the shaft 78. As a result, the two hooking members 70 are rotatable together in a hooking direction (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 5, 8, and 11) in which they are hooked to the shaft body 80 and in a release direction (the direction of arrow B in FIGS. 5, 8, and 11), which is the opposite direction to the hooking direction. The hooking direction is an example of a "first rotation direction." The release direction is an example of a "second rotation direction."

[0080] 11, the two hook members 70 are formed in a hook shape with a tip portion 72 that protrudes downstream (i.e., to the right). Specifically, the two hook members 70 have an upper surface 72A, a bottom surface 72B, and an inclined surface 72C.

[0081] The top surface 72A is configured as a slope that slopes downward from the top end 70U (i.e., the end on the radially outer side relative to the shaft 78) toward the hooking direction (i.e., toward the right and downstream sides). The bottom surface 72B is the surface that contacts the shaft 80 when the hooking member 70 is hooked to the shaft 80 (hereinafter referred to as the "hooked state of the hooking member 70") and faces the shaft 78 side (i.e., toward the radially inner side). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the bottom surface 72B is inclined upward toward the hooking direction (i.e., toward the right and downstream sides) relative to the top surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23 when the hooking member 70 is hooked (see the dashed-dotted line NL in FIG. 5). The term "upwardly inclined" refers to a state in which the bottom surface 72 is inclined with respect to the upper surface 31A so as to gradually move away from the upper surface 31A (upward in FIG. 5 ) as it moves toward the hooking direction (i.e., rightward and downstream) when the hooking member 70 is in the hooked state. Therefore, the end of the bottom surface 72 on the hooking direction side (i.e., rightward and downstream) is located farther from the upper surface 31A (upward in FIG. 5 ) than the end of the bottom surface 72 on the release direction side (i.e., leftward and upstream). Note that the term "downwardly inclined" refers to a state in which the bottom surface 72 is inclined with respect to the upper surface 31A so as to gradually move closer to the upper surface 31A (downward in FIG. 5 ) as it moves toward the hooking direction (i.e., rightward and downstream) when the hooking member 70 is in the hooked state. In this case, the end of the bottom surface 72 on the hooking direction side (i.e., the right side and downstream side) is located closer to the upper surface 31A (lower in Figure 5) than the end of the bottom surface 72 on the release direction side (i.e., the left side and upstream side).

[0082] 11, the inclined surface 72C is a surface formed from the downstream end of the top surface 72A to the downstream end of the bottom surface 72B, and is an inclined surface having an upward slope in the hooking direction. The top surface 72A, the bottom surface 72B, and the inclined surface 72C form the tip portion 72.

[0083] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11, the length (hereinafter referred to as the radial length) of the hooking member 70(A) along the radially outward direction from the shaft portion 78 (specifically, the shaft center (i.e., the rotation center)) is longer than the radial length of the hooking member 70(B). In Fig. 11, the dashed-dotted line S is a line passing through the shaft center of the shaft portion 78. In Fig. 11, the dashed-dotted line H is a line passing through the upper end portion 70U of the hooking member 70(B).

[0084] Furthermore, the left-right length of the bottom surface 72B of the hanging member 70(A) is longer than the left-right length of the bottom surface 72B of the hanging member 70(B). The left-right length of the inclined surface 72C of the hanging member 70(A) is shorter than the left-right length of the inclined surface 72C of the hanging member 70(B). Furthermore, the slope of the upper surface 72A of the hanging member 70(A) is steeper than the slope of the upper surface 72A of the hanging member 70(B).

[0085] The hooking member 70(A) is an example of "one hooking portion." The hooking member 70(B) is an example of "the other hooking portion."

[0086] 5, when the hooking member 70 is in the hooked state, the transport path member 60 is held in a closed state where it blocks the transport path 56A. The closed state is a state where the transport path surface 62 is not exposed. The hooking state of the hooking member 70 is an example of a "hooked state relative to a hooked portion."

[0087] As shown in FIG. 8, one end of the tension coil spring 82 is attached to the hooking member 70(B), and the other end is attached to a mounting portion 76 provided on the rear surface 66 of the transport path member 60. As a result, the tension coil spring 82 pulls the two hooking members 70 in the hooking direction due to the elastic force acting on the hooking members 70(B). In other words, a force in the hooking direction is applied to the two hooking members 70. As such, in this embodiment, the tension coil spring 82 is arranged on the rear end side of the transport path member 60. On the other hand, the tension coil spring 82 is not arranged on the front end side of the transport path member 60. The tension coil spring 82 is an example of an "elastic member."

[0088] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the operating unit 86 is attached to the shaft 78 on the front side of the hooking member 70(A). The operating unit 86 has a lever 86A that extends upstream (i.e., leftward) from the shaft 78. When the operator rotates the lever 86A downward, the two hooking members 70 are rotated in the release direction, and the hooked state of the two hooking members 70 is released.

[0089] The limiting portion 84 shown in FIG. 8 has the function of limiting the movement of the two hooking members 70 in the hooking direction. Specifically, the limiting portion 84 is configured as a protrusion that protrudes rearward from the rear surface 66 of the transport path member 60. When the two hooking members 70 are not hooked to the shaft bodies 80 (hereinafter referred to as the "unhooked state of the hooking members 70"), the limiting portion 84 comes into contact with the hooking member 70(B) to limit the movement of the two hooking members 70 in the hooking direction. When the hooking member 70(B) is in contact with the limiting portion 84, the upper surfaces 72A of the two hooking members 70 are positioned on the tracks of the two shaft bodies 80 that move relative to the transport path member 60 that rotates around the support shaft 64. In other words, the limiting portion 84 functions as a positioning portion that positions the upper surfaces 72A of the two hooking members 70 on the tracks of the two shaft bodies 80.

[0090] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the transport path member 60 rotates upward around the support shaft 64 while the hooking members 70 are in the unhooked state, the upper surface 72A of each of the two hooking members 70 comes into contact with each of the two shaft bodies 80, as shown in Fig. 12. Note that in this embodiment, as will be described later, the upper surface 72A of the hooking member 70(A) first comes into contact with the shaft body 80(A).

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the hooking member 70 is in the non-hooked state, the transport path member 60 opens the transport path 56A and protrudes downward from the bottom surface 50B (i.e., the lower end) of the opening / closing body 50 due to its own weight, as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, when the opening / closing body 50 is moved from the open position to the closed position while the hooking member 70 is in the non-hooked state, the transport path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23 (see Fig. 12). The non-hooked state of the hooking member 70 is an example of a "non-hooked state with respect to a hooked portion."

[0092] In this embodiment, when the opening / closing body 50 is moved from the open position to the closed position while the hooking members 70 are in the non-hooked state, as shown in FIG. 12, the transport path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23, and the hooking members 70(A) come into contact with the shaft body 80(A), causing the two hooking members 70 to rotate in the release direction (direction of arrow B).

[0093] Here, the transport path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23 due to the weight of the opening / closing body 50 (including the weight of components provided on the opening / closing body 50). The load pushing the transport path member 60 upward causes the two hook members 70 to rotate in the release direction against the tensile load of the tension coil springs 82. In this embodiment, the tensile load of the tension coil springs 82 is set so that the upward load on the transport path member 60 causes the hook members 70 to rotate in the release direction.

[0094] In this embodiment, since the radial length of the hooking member 70(A) is longer than the radial length of the hooking member 70(B), when the transport path member 60 is pushed upward, the hooking member 70(A) first contacts the shaft body 80(A), and the two hooking members 70 connected by the shaft portion 78 rotate together in the release direction with a gap between the hooking member 70(B) and the shaft body 80(B). Thereafter, with each of the two hooking members 70 in contact with each of the two shaft bodies 80, the two hooking members 70 rotate together in the release direction. In this way, in this embodiment, the two hooking members 70 contact the two shaft bodies 80 at different times.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as the transport path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23, the hooking members 70 come into contact with the shafts 80, causing the two hooking members 70 to rotate in the release direction, and then the tip 72 of the hooking member 70(A) gets caught on the shafts 80(A) (semi-latched state), as shown in Fig. 13. Thereafter, the tip 72 of the hooking member 70(B) gets caught on the shafts 80(B).

[0096] Specifically, before the bottom surface 61 of the transport path member 60 rotating upward comes into alignment with the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23, the tip portions 72 of the two hooking members 70 get caught on the shaft body 80. In other words, the bottom surface 61 of the transport path member 60 rotating upward is inclined with respect to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23, and the tip portions 72 of the two hooking members 70 get caught on the shaft body 80.

[0097] Then, after the tip ends 72 of the two hooking members 70 are hooked onto the shaft body 80, the elastic force of the tension coil spring 82 causes the transport path member 60 to rise, as shown in Figure 14, and the two hooking members 70 rotate in the hooking direction (direction of arrow A) to enter a hooked state.

[0098] (Action according to this embodiment) In this embodiment, when the opening / closing body 50 is moved from the open position to the closed position while the hooking members 70 are in the non-hooked state, as shown in FIG. 12, the transport path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23, and the hooking members 70(A) come into contact with the shaft body 80(A), causing the two hooking members 70 to rotate in the release direction (direction of arrow B).

[0099] Therefore, it is possible to move the opening / closing body 50 from the open position to the closed position and rotate the hooking member 70 in the release direction (direction of arrow B) by a common operation. That is, according to the configuration of this embodiment, for example, when reading an image of an original G or copying an image of an original G, an operator moves the opening / closing body 50 from the open position to the closed position, which also rotates the hooking member 70 in the release direction (direction of arrow B).

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as the transport path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23, the hooking member 70 comes into contact with the shaft body 80, and after the two hooking members 70 rotate in the release direction, as shown in Figure 13, the tip end 72 of the hooking member 70 gets caught on the shaft body 80 (semi-latched state).

[0101] Therefore, it is possible to perform the movement of the opening / closing body 50 from the open position to the closed position and the action of hooking the tip 72 of the hooking member 70 onto the shaft 80 by a common operation. That is, according to the configuration of this embodiment, for example, when reading an image of an original G or copying an image of an original G, the operator performs the operation of moving the opening / closing body 50 from the open position to the closed position, which also causes the tip 72 of the hooking member 70 to hook onto the shaft 80.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after the tip ends 72 of the two hooking members 70 are hooked onto the shaft body 80, the elastic force of the tension coil spring 82 causes the transport path member 60 to rise, as shown in Figure 14, and the two hooking members 70 rotate in the hooking direction (direction of arrow A) to enter a hooked state.

[0103] Therefore, the movement of the opening / closing body 50 from the open position to the closed position and the operation of latching the hooking member 70 on the shaft 80 can be performed by a common operation. That is, according to the configuration of this embodiment, for example, when reading an image of a document G or copying an image of a document G, the operator moves the opening / closing body 50 from the open position to the closed position, and the hooking member 70 enters a latched state. Therefore, even if at least one of the two hooking members 70 is in an unlatched state or at least one of the two hooking members 70 is incompletely latched on the shaft 80, the operator moves the opening / closing body 50 from the open position to the closed position, and the hooking member 70 enters a latched state when reading an image of a document G or copying an image of a document G. As a result, blocking failure of the transport path 56A is suppressed, and clogging (so-called jam) of the document G in the transport path 56A and failure to read the image by the reading unit 54 are suppressed.

[0104] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the bottom surface 72B of the hooking member 70(A) is inclined upward in the hooking direction relative to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23 when the hooking member 70 is in the hooked state.

[0105] Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the bottom surface 72B of the hanging member 70(A) is parallel to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 when the hanging member 70 is in the hanging state, the hanging member 70 is hung on the shaft body 80 at a shallow angle of rotation in the hanging direction, so that after the tip portion 72 of the hanging member 70 is caught on the shaft body 80, the hanging member 70 is more likely to be hung on the shaft body 80.

[0106] 11, in this embodiment, the radial length of the hooking member 70(A) is longer than the radial length of the hooking member 70(B). Here, in a configuration in which the hooking member 70(A) has the same length as the hooking member 70(B) (hereinafter referred to as configuration A), when the transport path member 60 is pushed upward, each of the two hooking members 70 simultaneously contacts each of the two shaft bodies 80.

[0107] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, as described above, the radial length of hook member 70(A) is longer than the radial length of hook member 70(B), so when the transport path member 60 is pushed upward, hook member 70(A) first comes into contact with shaft body 80(A), and then hook member 70(B) rotates with a gap between them. Therefore, compared to configuration A, the frictional resistance when hook member 70 rotates in the release direction due to contact with shaft body 80 is smaller.

[0108] In this embodiment, the hook member 70(A) having a long radial length is disposed on the front end side of the transport path member 60.

[0109] Here, the opening / closing body 50 is opened and closed by moving up and down with the rear end as a fulcrum and the front end as a free end, so when the opening / closing body 50 is in the open position, it is easier to operate the front end of the transport path member 60 on the free end side than the rear end of the transport path member 60 on the fulcrum side. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the opening / closing body 50 is in the open position and the operator pushes the transport path member 60 upward to rotate the hook member 70(A) in the release direction, it is easier to operate the hook member 70(A) in the release direction than in a configuration in which the hook member 70(A) is located on the rear end side.

[0110] Moreover, in this embodiment, the tension coil spring 82 is disposed on the rear end side of the transport path member 60. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the tension coil spring 82 is disposed on the front end side of the transport path member 60, the operator is prevented from coming into contact with the tension coil spring 82 when the opening / closing body 50 is in the open position.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the transport path member 60 opens the transport path 56A (i.e., the state shown in Figures 3 and 6), and the opening / closing body 50 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the protrusion 68 comes into contact with the edge 33 located on the rear end side of the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 in the image reading device main body 23, as shown in Figure 10.

[0112] Therefore, compared to a configuration having a transport path member 60 without the protruding portion 68, the transport path member 60 is less likely to get caught on the edge portion 33.

[0113] (Variation) In this embodiment, the image reading device 20 is used as an example of a conveying device, but this is not limiting. An example of a conveying device may be a device that performs processing other than image reading on the conveyed material (for example, image forming processing that forms an image). Also, an example of a conveying device may be a device that conveys the conveyed material solely for the purpose of conveying itself.

[0114] In addition, in this embodiment, a document G is used as an example of a material to be conveyed, but this is not limiting. An example of the material to be conveyed may be, for example, a recording medium P on which an image is formed, or anything that can be conveyed.

[0115] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transport path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23, and the hooking members 70 come into contact with the shaft body 80, causing the two hooking members 70 to rotate in the release direction, and then, as shown in Figure 13, the tip portions 72 of the hooking members 70 become hooked on the shaft body 80. However, this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that at least the two hooking members 70 rotate in the release direction when the hooking members 70 come into contact with the shaft body 80.

[0116] 5, in the present embodiment, the bottom surface 72B of the hooking member 70(A) is inclined upward in the hooking direction relative to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23 when the hooking member 70 is in the hooked state, but this is not limited to this. For example, the bottom surface 72B of the hooking member 70(A) may be configured to be parallel to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 when the hooking member 70 is in the hooked state.

[0117] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11, the radial length of the hooking member 70(A) is longer than the radial length of the hooking member 70(B), but this is not limited to this. For example, the hooking member 70(A) may have the same length as the hooking member 70(B).

[0118] In addition, in the present embodiment, the hooking member 70(A) having a long radial length is arranged on the front end side of the transport path member 60, but this is not limited to this. For example, the hooking member 70(A) may be arranged on the rear end side of the transport path member 60, and the hooking member 70(B) may be arranged on the front end side of the transport path member 60.

[0119] In addition, in this embodiment, the hooking members 70(A) and 70(B) have different shapes, but this is not limited to this. For example, the hooking members 70(A) and 70(B) may have the same shape.

[0120] In addition, in the present embodiment, two hooking members 70 are provided in the image reading device 20, but this is not limited to this. For example, the image reading device 20 may be configured to have one hooking member 70, or three or more hooking members 70.

[0121] In addition, in this embodiment, the tension coil spring 82 is used as an example of the elastic member, but it is not limited to this. Examples of the elastic member include a compression spring such as a compression coil spring that pushes the two hooking members 70 in the hooking direction with its elastic force, and other springs, and various other members can be used.

[0122] In addition, in the present embodiment, the tension coil spring 82 is disposed on the rear end side of the transport path member 60, but this is not limiting. For example, the tension coil spring 82 may be disposed on the front end side of the transport path member 60. Furthermore, the tension coil spring 82 may be disposed on both the rear end side and the front end side of the transport path member 60.

[0123] 8 to 10, in the present embodiment, the protruding portion 68 protruding rearward from the transport path member 60 is provided at the lower end of the rear end of the transport path member 60, but this is not limiting. For example, the image reading device 20 may be configured to have a transport path member 60 that does not have the protruding portion 68.

[0124] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above-described modified examples may be appropriately combined to form a configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 10 Image forming device 14 Image forming unit 20 Image reading device (an example of a conveying device) 23 Image reading device body (example of device body) 31A Top 33 Edge 40, 54 Reading unit 50 Opening and closing body (an example of an opening and closing part) 56A Conveyor path 60 Conveying path member 62 Transport surface 68 Overhang 70 Hooking member (an example of a hooking portion) 72 Tip 72B Bottom 78 Shaft 80 Shaft (an example of a hooked part) 82 Tension coil spring (an example of an elastic member) G. Original (an example of a material to be transported)

Claims

1. A device body, an opening / closing unit attached to the device body so as to be openable and closable between a closed position that covers the top surface of the device body and an open position that exposes the top surface, the opening / closing unit having a conveying path therein through which the material to be conveyed is conveyed; a conveying path member having a conveying path surface that constitutes the conveying path, one end of which is rotatably supported by the opening / closing unit, and the other end of which moves downward from the opening / closing unit to open the conveying path; a latching portion rotatably attached to the other end side of the transport path member, which is applied with a force in a first rotation direction to be latched on the latched portion of the opening / closing portion, and which holds the transport path member in a closed state of the transport path when latched on the latched portion, and when in a non-latching state with respect to the latched portion, when the opening / closing portion is moved from the open position to the closed position, the transport path member is pushed upward by its upper surface while its upper surface comes into contact with the latched portion, causing the latching portion to rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; A conveying device comprising:

2. The hook portion is When the opening / closing unit is moved from the open position to the closed position, the transport path member is pushed upward by the upper surface and comes into contact with the latched portion, so that after rotating in the second rotation direction, the leading end of the transport path member is caught on the latched portion. The conveying device according to claim 1 .

3. The hook portion is When the opening / closing unit is moved from the open position to the closed position, the transport path member is pushed upward by the upper surface and comes into contact with the latched portion, so that after rotating in the second rotation direction, the leading end of the transport path member is caught on the latched portion at the closed position of the opening / closing unit, and the force causes the transport path member to rise and become latched on the latched portion. The conveying device according to claim 2 .

4. The hook portion is In a state where the hook is hooked to the hooked portion, a bottom surface that contacts the hooked portion is inclined upward in the first rotation direction with respect to the top surface.

4. The conveying device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The hook portion is provided at one end and the other end of the transport path member in a direction intersecting the transport direction, Each of the hook portions is fixed to a shaft portion along the intersecting direction, One of the hooking portions has a length extending from the shaft portion along the radially outer side that is longer than the length of the other of the hooking portions. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the opening / closing unit has one end portion in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveying path attached to the device body, and is openable and closable between the closed position and the open position; The one of the hook portions is disposed at the other end of the transport path member in the intersecting direction. The conveying device according to claim 5 .

7. the opening / closing unit has one end portion in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveying path attached to the device body, and is openable and closable between the closed position and the open position; An elastic member is disposed on one end side of the transport path member in the crossing direction, and the elastic member applies the force to the hook portion by elastic force. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the opening / closing unit has one end portion in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveying path attached to the device body, and is openable and closable between the closed position and the open position; The device body has an edge portion that protrudes from the upper surface at one end side in the intersecting direction relative to the upper surface, A protruding portion is provided at one end of the transport path member in the intersecting direction, protruding from the transport path member in the intersecting direction and coming into contact with the edge portion. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. a reading unit provided in the device body, which reads an image of a document as the transported material transported through the transport path of the opening / closing unit when the opening / closing unit is in the closed position; The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

10. A conveying device according to claim 9; an image forming unit that forms the image read by the reading unit on a recording medium; An image forming apparatus equipped with the device.

Images