Storage device and image forming device

Abstract

To provide a storage device capable of making a range in which a storage unit is arranged smaller in a width direction of the device when supplying a recording medium, compared to a case where the storage unit is horizontally arranged when supplying the storage unit with the recording medium.SOLUTION: In a state where a storage unit is located in a second position where the storage unit can supply a recording medium, the storage unit is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction so that a vertical position of one end is different from that of the other end in a width direction of the device viewed from a first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4-4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage device for storing recording media, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which the cassette units of a paper feeder are arranged diagonally, with a maximum size cassette (for example, A3) placed diagonally and smaller cassettes placed above and below it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-312870 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a storage device equipped with a storage unit that stores recording media. Conventionally, when a user supplies a recording medium to the storage unit, the storage unit is positioned horizontally. Therefore, when a recording medium is supplied to the storage unit, the range in which the storage unit is positioned in the width direction of the device becomes large.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to reduce the range in which the storage section is positioned in the width direction of the device when supplying a recording medium in a storage device in which a user can supply a recording medium to the storage section, compared to when the storage section is positioned horizontally. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The storage device according to a first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it is movable from a first position where a recording medium of a first size can be supplied to the device main body to a second position where a user can supply the recording medium, and is equipped with a first storage section having an upstream end and a downstream end in the direction in which the recording medium is supplied to the device main body when the first storage section is in the first position, and that when the first storage section is in the second position, the upstream end and the downstream end of the first storage section are in different vertical positions.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the storage device described in the first aspect, it is provided with a second storage section that stores a recording medium of a second size and, when positioned at a second transport position, is capable of transporting the stored recording medium of the second size, and when the first storage section is positioned at the first transport position where the recording medium of the first size can be transported, the first storage section is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that, when viewed from a first direction, one end and the other end in the device width direction are in different up-down positions, and when viewed from the first direction, the entire recording medium of the second size stored in the second storage section at the second transport position is positioned within the range in which the recording medium of the first size stored in the first storage section at the first transport position is positioned in the device width direction.

[0008] A storage device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the storage device described in the second aspect, further comprising a transport section that transports the recording media stored in the first storage section and the recording media stored in the second storage section, and a cover that can be opened and closed from the side of one side or the other side of the device main body and that, when positioned in the open position, opens at least a portion of the transport path of the recording media transported by the transport section, wherein the first storage section, when positioned in the first transport position, is capable of transporting the stored recording media of the first size, and when the first storage section is positioned in the first transport position, the recording media of the first size stored in the first storage section is located at the top among the multiple types of recording media stored in the device main body.

[0009] A storage device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the storage device described in the second or third aspect, the second size recording medium stored in the second storage section is arranged within the range in which the first size recording medium stored in the first storage section is arranged, both in the vertical direction of the device and the width direction of the device.

[0010] A storage device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the storage device described in the fourth aspect, it comprises a third storage section arranged below the second storage section and storing recording media of a third size, and the recording media of the third size stored in the third storage section are arranged within the range in the width direction of the device in which the recording media of the first size stored in the first storage section are arranged.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a storage device according to the fourth aspect, characterized in that it comprises a third storage section arranged below the second storage section, the second storage section being arranged below the first storage section, the maximum size of recording media that can be stored in the second storage section being smaller than the maximum size of recording media that can be stored in the first storage section, the maximum size of recording media that can be stored in the third storage section being smaller than the maximum size of recording media that can be stored in the first storage section and larger than the maximum size of recording media that can be stored in the second storage section, and the degree of inclination of the second storage section and the third storage section being smaller than the degree of inclination of the first storage section.

[0012] A storage device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the storage device according to the sixth aspect, characterized in that the second storage section and the third storage section are arranged horizontally.

[0013] An eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the storage device described in the seventh aspect, the number of recording media that can be stored in the third storage section is greater than the number of recording media that can be stored in the first storage section and the number of recording media that can be stored in the second storage section.

[0014] A ninth aspect of the present invention is a storage device according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, characterized in that, when the first storage section is positioned in the second position, at least one of the second storage section and the third storage section can be pulled out from the device main body in the first direction.

[0015] A tenth aspect of the present invention is a storage device according to any one of the fifth to ninth aspects, characterized in that the first storage section is movable to the second position regardless of the positions of the second storage section and the third storage section.

[0016] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a storage device according to any one of the second to tenth aspects, characterized in that a guide section is formed at the upper end portion of the first storage section to guide the recording medium transported from the second storage section, and a transport path from the second storage section to the guide section is arranged within the range in which the first storage section is arranged in the width direction of the device.

[0017] An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising the storage device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium that is stored in the storage device and transported.

[0018] An image forming apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the storage device according to the twelfth aspect, the image forming unit is arranged within a range in which the first storage unit is arranged in the width direction of the apparatus.

[0019] An image forming apparatus according to a 14th aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the storage device described in the 13th aspect, an inversion path for inverting the front and back of the recording medium is formed, and the inversion path is arranged within the range in which the first storage section is arranged in the width direction of the device.

[0020] An image forming apparatus according to a 15th aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the storage device described in the 13th aspect, a recording medium is fed out from the upper end side of the first storage section, and in the width direction of the device, a transfer section where an image is transferred onto the recording medium by the image forming section is located on the opposite side of the section where the recording medium is fed out of the first storage section, and an inversion path is formed to invert the recording medium, and the inversion path is located within the range in the width direction of the device where the first storage section is located.

[0021] The storage device according to the first supplementary aspect of the present invention comprises a first storage section that can be moved to a supply position where a user can supply a recording medium of a first size by pulling it out from the device main body in a first direction, and when the first storage section is positioned at the supply position, when viewed from the first direction, the first storage section is inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that one end and the other end are at different vertical positions in the device width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The storage device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a storage device in which a user can supply a recording medium to a storage section, and when supplying a recording medium to the storage section, the area in which the storage section is arranged can be made smaller in the width direction of the device when supplying the recording medium, compared to when the storage section is arranged horizontally.

[0023] The storage device according to the second aspect of the present invention can reduce the range in the device width direction in which recording media are arranged, compared to a case in which a recording medium of a second size accommodated in a second storage section at a second transport position protrudes outside the range in which a recording medium of a first size accommodated in a first storage section at a first transport position is arranged.

[0024] The storage device according to the third aspect of the present invention makes it easier to remove a jammed recording medium when the transported recording medium becomes jammed along the transport path, compared to when the first storage section is positioned at the lowest.

[0025] The storage device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention can reduce the range in which recording media are arranged in the vertical or horizontal directions of the device, compared to when a recording medium of a second size accommodated in the second storage section protrudes outside the range in which recording media of a first size are arranged in the vertical or horizontal directions of the device.

[0026] The storage device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention can reduce the range in the device width direction in which recording media are arranged, compared to a case in which a third size recording medium stored in a third storage section protrudes outside the range in the device width direction in which a first size recording medium stored in a first storage section is arranged.

[0027] The storage device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention can prevent the recording media stored in the second and third storage sections from moving in the inclined direction, compared to when the inclination degrees of the second and third storage sections are the same as the inclination degree of the first storage section.

[0028] The storage device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention can prevent the recording media stored in the second and third storage sections from moving in the inclined direction, compared to when the second and third storage sections are inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

[0029] The storage device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention can position the center of gravity of the device body lower when recording media are stored in it, compared to when the number of recording media that can be stored in the third storage section is smaller than the number of recording media that can be stored in the first storage section and the number of recording media that can be stored in the second storage section.

[0030] The storage device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention makes it easier to supply recording media to the second storage section or the third storage section, compared to a configuration in which both the second storage section and the third storage section cannot be pulled out when the first storage section is located in the second position.

[0031] The storage device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention makes it easier to supply recording media to the first storage unit compared to a case where the movement of the first storage unit is restricted by the positions of the second storage unit and the third storage unit.

[0032] The storage device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention can prevent the width of the device body from increasing due to the conveying path from the second storage section to the guide section, compared to when the conveying path from the second storage section to the guide section is located outside the range in the device width direction where the first storage section is located.

[0033] An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention comprises: Any one of the first to eleventh aspects In comparison with a case where the storage device described in item 1 is not provided, the area required for supplying recording media to the image forming apparatus can be made smaller.

[0034] The image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention can prevent the width of the apparatus body from increasing in the width direction of the apparatus compared to when the image forming unit is arranged outside the range in which the first storage unit is arranged.

[0035] The image forming apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention can prevent the width of the apparatus body from increasing in the width direction of the apparatus compared to when the inversion path is located outside the range in which the first storage section is located.

[0036] The image forming apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention can prevent the width of the apparatus body from increasing in the width direction of the apparatus compared to when the inversion path is located outside the range in which the first storage section is located.

[0037] The storage device according to the first supplementary aspect of the present invention is a storage device in which a user can supply a recording medium to a storage section, and when supplying a recording medium to the storage section, the area in which the storage section is arranged can be made smaller in the width direction of the device when supplying the recording medium, compared to when the storage section is arranged horizontally. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1-1] 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1-2] 1 is a schematic front view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1-3] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of a document reading unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-4] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a state in which a loading portion of the document reading unit according to the first embodiment is open. [Figure 1-5] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing a placement portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-6] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the placement portion according to the first embodiment, as viewed from above. [Figure 1-7] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a document reading device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 1-8] FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view showing a placement portion according to a first comparative embodiment in comparison with the first embodiment. [Figure 1-9] FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view showing a placement portion according to a second comparative embodiment in comparison with the first embodiment. [Figure 1-10] FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view showing a placement portion according to a third comparative embodiment compared to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-11] FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the placement portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-12] FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the placement portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2-1] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 2-2] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 2-3] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of a document reading device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 2-4] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view showing a state in which a loading section of a document reading device according to a second embodiment is open. [Figure 2-5] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the mounting portion according to the second embodiment, as viewed from above. [Figure 2-6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a document reading device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 3-1] It is a schematic diagram showing an image reading device according to the third form. [Figure 3-2] It is a perspective view showing an image reading device according to the third form. [Figure 3-3] It is a perspective view showing the state where the document table is moved to the open position in the configuration shown in Fig. 3-2. [Figure 3-4] It is a cross-sectional view showing the upper part of an image reading device according to the third form. [Figure 3-5] It is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the document table is moved to the open position in the configuration shown in Fig. 3-4. [Figure 3-6] It is a plan view showing an image reading device according to the third form. [Figure 3-7] It is a plan view showing the state where the document table is moved to the open position in the configuration shown in Fig. 3-6. [Figure 3-8] It is a cross-sectional view showing a moving mechanism in an image reading device according to the third form. [Figure 3-9] It is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the document table is moved to the open position in the configuration shown in Fig. 3-8. [Figure 4-1] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming device according to the fourth form. [Figure 4-2] It is a configuration diagram showing an image forming section of an image forming device according to the fourth form. [[ID=3 (32]] [Figure 4-3] It is a configuration diagram showing a storage device according to the fourth form. [Figure 4-4] (A)(B) It is a perspective view showing a storage device according to the fourth form, showing the state where the storage section is attached to the device main body and the state where it is detached. [Figure 4-5] (A)(B) It is a perspective view showing an image forming device according to the fourth form, showing the state where the cover is closed and the state where it is open. [Figure 4-6] (A)(B) It is a perspective view showing a storage device according to the first comparative form with respect to the fourth form, showing the state where the storage section is attached to the device main body and the state where it is detached. [Figure 4-7] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming device according to the second comparative form with respect to the fourth form. [Figure 4-8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a modified embodiment of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 5-1] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 5-2] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 5-3] 10A and 10B are perspective views showing opening and closing of a cover portion of a sheet storage device and an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 5-4] 10A and 10B are front views of a sheet storage device and an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment, showing opening and closing of a cover portion. [Figure 5-5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a storage portion of a sheet storage device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 5-6] 10A and 10B are perspective views showing attachment and detachment of a sheet storage unit in a sheet storage device and an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 5-7] 10A and 10B are front views of a sheet storage device according to a fifth embodiment, illustrating attachment and detachment of the storage unit. [Figure 5-8] 10A and 10B are perspective views showing opening and closing of another cover portion of a sheet storage device and an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 5-9] 10 is a plan view showing a sheet storage device according to a fifth embodiment and a movement trajectory of a cover portion and another cover portion in an image forming apparatus. FIG. [Figure 6-1] FIG. 10(A) is a side view showing an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment, and FIG. 10(B) is a front view showing the image forming apparatus of FIG. [Figure 6-2] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control device used in an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 6-3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 6-4] FIG. 10 is a top view of a loading section in an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 6-5]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how a user performs operations using an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 6-6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the distribution of reflected light by an irradiation device in an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 6-7] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the amount of light entering the image capturing device in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 6-8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a movable region of a light source in an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 6-9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a loading section of an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment from above. [Figure 6-10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to another sixth embodiment. [Figure 7-1] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 7-2] 7A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 7-1 with the front opening cover opened. [Figure 7-3] FIG. 7-3 is a schematic front view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. [Figure 7-4] 7A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 7-1 as seen from another direction. [Figure 7-5] FIG. 7-5 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 7-4 when the side opening / closing cover is opened. [Figure 7-6] FIG. 7-2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of FIG. 7-1. [Figure 7-7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the seventh embodiment. [Figure 7-8] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 7-7 with the front opening cover open. [Figure 7-9] FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. [Figure 7-10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a reference example. [Figure 7-11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first comparative example. [Figure 7-12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a second comparative example. [Figure 8-1]FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus to which a driving device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 8-2] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming device of an image forming apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8-3] FIG. 13 is a structural diagram showing an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8-4] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming device of an image forming apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8-5] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming device of an image forming apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8-6] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the internal frame of an image forming apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8-7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drive device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8-8] FIG. 13 is a rear view of a drive device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8-9] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which an outer cover and a driving device are removed from an image forming apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8-10] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a drive device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8-11] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a drive motor. [Figure 8-12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a drive device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8-13] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the coupling. [Figure 8-14] FIG. [Figure 8-15] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drive device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8-16] FIG. [Figure 8-17] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional driving device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] <First form> An image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0040] In the following description, when viewing image forming apparatus 100 from the front on the side where a user (not shown) stands, the device up-down direction (vertical direction), device width direction (horizontal direction), and device depth direction (horizontal direction) are referred to as the H direction, W direction, and D direction, respectively. Furthermore, when it is necessary to distinguish one side from the other in the device up-down direction, device width direction, and device depth direction, when viewing image forming apparatus 100 from the front, the upper side will be referred to as the +H side, the lower side as the -H side, the right side as the +W side, the left side as the -W side, the back side as the -D side, and the front side as the +D side.

[0041] <Image forming device> As shown in FIG. 1-1 , the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a document reading device 10, a forming device 110, a panel unit 102, and a control unit (not shown). The document reading device 10 reads images formed on the front and back sides of a document G (not shown) and converts the read images into electronic data. The forming device 110 is disposed below the document reading device 10 and forms a copy image of the document G based on the electronic data of the image converted by the document reading device 10, and records the copy image on a sheet member P as a medium. The panel unit 102 is disposed between a camera unit 20 (described later) and a document table 30. The panel unit 102 is a touch panel display that enables operation by a user through touch input and displays information about the image forming apparatus 100 on the +D side. The panel unit 102 is an example of a display unit. The control unit (not shown) controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100. Details of the document reading device 10 will be described later.

[0042] <Forming device> As shown in FIG. 1-2, the forming apparatus 110 includes a storage section 120, a conveying section 160, a forming section 130, and a discharging section 170.

[0043] The storage section 120 stores sheet materials P of multiple sizes and supplies the sheet materials P to the forming section 130. The storage section 120 of this embodiment has a first storage section 122 and a second storage section 124. The first storage section 122 can store a maximum of 500 sheet materials P of up to A3 size. The second storage section 124 can store a maximum of 1,500 sheet materials P of up to A4 size. In other words, the largest size of sheet material P that can be stored in the storage section 120 is A4 size sheet material P. The sheet materials P are selectively sent out from the storage section 120 by a control section (not shown).

[0044] The conveying section 160 is configured to include a plurality of roll members 162, and conveys the sheet member P selectively sent out by a control section (not shown) toward the forming section .

[0045] The forming unit 130 has a function of forming an image on the sheet member P by an electrophotographic method. The forming unit 130 includes a photosensitive unit 132 that forms a toner image of multiple colors, a transfer unit 140 that transfers the toner image formed by the photosensitive unit 132 onto the sheet member P, and a fixing unit 150 that fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet member P onto the sheet member P.

[0046] A plurality of photosensitive units 132 are provided to form toner images for each color. In this embodiment, photosensitive units 132 for a total of four colors are provided: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Y, M, C, and K shown in FIG. 1-2 indicate components corresponding to the above colors. When there is no particular need to distinguish between the colors (Y, M, C, and K), the last letters are omitted.

[0047] The photosensitive units 132Y to 132K (132Y, 132M, 132C, 132K) are basically configured in the same way except for the toner they use.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1-2, the photosensitive units 132Y to 132K are arranged along the outer periphery of a transfer belt 141 (details of which will be described later) of a transfer section 140.

[0049] 1-2, the photosensitive unit 132 includes a photosensitive drum 133 that rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, and a charger 134 that charges the photosensitive drum 133. The photosensitive unit 132 further includes an exposure device 135 that exposes the photosensitive drum 133 charged by the charger 134 to light to form an electrostatic latent image, and a development device 136 that develops the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image.

[0050] The transfer unit 140 has a function of primarily transferring the toner images of the photosensitive drums 133 of each color onto an intermediate transfer body in a superimposed manner, and then secondarily transferring the superimposed toner images onto a sheet member P. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1-2 , the transfer unit 140 includes a transfer belt 141 as an intermediate transfer body, a drive roll 142, a primary transfer roll 143, a secondary transfer roll 144, and a backup roll 145.

[0051] The transfer belt 141 is an endless belt extending in the width direction of the device, and is wound around a drive roll 142 arranged at the turning portion on the +W side and a secondary transfer roll 144 arranged on the -W side. The drive roll 142 is connected to a drive means such as a motor (not shown), and has the function of rotating the transfer belt 141 by being driven to rotate by the drive means.

[0052] The primary transfer roll 143 is a roll-shaped member that is disposed on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 133 for each color across the transfer belt 141. The primary transfer roll 143 has a function of transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 133 to the transfer belt 141 at a primary transfer position T between the photosensitive drum 133 and the primary transfer roll 143.

[0053] The secondary transfer roll 144 is a roll-shaped member that is arranged inside the folded portion of the transfer belt 141 on the opposite side from the drive roll 142. The backup roll 145 is a roll-shaped member that is arranged on the opposite side of the transfer belt 141 from the secondary transfer roll 144. The secondary transfer roll 144 and the backup roll 145 have the function of transferring the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 141 onto the sheet member P at a secondary transfer position NT between the transfer belt 141 and the backup roll 145.

[0054] The fixing section 150 applies heat and pressure to the sheet material P conveyed from the forming section 130, thereby fixing the image transferred to the sheet material P by the forming section 130 to the sheet material P. The fixing section 150 also conveys the sheet material P with the fixed image to the discharge section 170.

[0055] The discharge section 170 is configured to include a discharge table 172 located below the discharge section 18 (details of which will be described later) of the document reading device 10, and a pair of discharge rolls 174 arranged between the discharge table 172 and the fixing section 150. The discharge section 170 discharges the sheet member P transported from the fixing section 150 onto the discharge table 172 by the pair of discharge rolls 174.

[0056] <Document reader> Next, the configuration of the document reading device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. The document reading device 10 is disposed above the forming device 110. The document reading device 10 includes a camera unit 20 and a document table 30 disposed below the camera unit 20. The document reading device 10 further includes a stacking unit 40, a reading unit 50, and a discharge unit 18, all of which are disposed below the document table 30.

[0057] The document reading device 10 has a function of capturing an image of the document G placed on the document table 30 with a camera unit 20 and reading the image formed on the top surface (front surface) of the document G. The document reading device 10 also has a function of reading the document G placed on the stacking unit 40 while transporting it with a reading unit 50 and discharging it to a discharge unit 18. The document G has a background color that is a bright color. In this embodiment, the background color of the document G is white.

[0058] Fig. 1-7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the document reading device 10. As shown in Fig. 1-6, the document reading device 10 further includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, and a storage 14.

[0059] (Camera section) The camera unit 20 is a so-called document camera, and has a function of capturing an image of an original G placed on an original table 30 (to be described later). The camera unit 20 is an example of an imaging means.

[0060] 1-6, the imaging range (angle of view) AC of camera unit 20 overlaps with four marks M (details will be described later) formed on platen 30 corresponding to an A3-sized document G whose longitudinal direction is the width direction of the device. In this embodiment, A3-sized document G is the largest size document that can be imaged by camera unit 20.

[0061] (Manuscript stand) As shown in FIG. 1-2, the document table 30 is disposed below the camera unit 20 and is an example of a placement portion on which a document G to be imaged by the camera unit 20 is placed. The document table 30 is composed of a cover 52 of the reading unit 50 (described later) disposed on the -W side and a flat plate 32 disposed next to the +W side of the cover 52 and extending along the DW plane. The cover 52 is an example of a first placement portion. The flat plate 32 is an example of a second placement portion. As shown in FIG. 1-6, both the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 are rectangular when viewed from the top-to-bottom direction of the device. The document table 30 extends along the DW plane and has a placement surface 30a on which a document G is placed. The placement surface 30a is formed when the -W side edge of the flat plate 32 is aligned with the +W side edge of the cover 52 with a gap S (described in detail below) between them, and is surrounded by four marks M. That is, the placement surface 30a is the portion surrounded by four marks M on the top surface 52a of the cover 52 and the top surface 32a of the flat plate 32 that is aligned with the cover 52 across a gap S. The placement surface 30a also coincides with the imaging range (angle of view) AC of the camera unit 20.

[0062] It is preferable that the document G be placed on the document table 30 so that the center position of the document G overlaps with the center of the imaging range (angle of view) AC of the camera unit 20. In particular, it is preferable that the A4 size document G be placed on the document table 30 so that the center position of the document G overlaps with the center of the imaging range (angle of view) AC of the camera unit 20.

[0063] The document table 30 has four marks M for aligning the document G placed on the placement surface 30a. The four marks M correspond to an A3-sized document G whose longitudinal direction is the width direction of the device. The marks M are formed by painting on the upper surface 52a of the cover 52 and the upper surface 32a of the flat plate 32.

[0064] The marks M are L-shaped when viewed from the top and bottom of the device, and four are formed corresponding to the four corners of an A3-sized document G whose longitudinal direction is the width direction of the device. Of the four marks M, the mark M on the -W side is formed on the upper surface 52a of the cover 52 of the reading unit 50, and the mark M on the +W side is formed on the upper surface 32a of the flat plate 32. The four marks M define the placement surface 30a when the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 are lined up with a gap S between them. The centers of the A3-sized document G corresponding to the four marks M in the width direction of the device overlap with the center of the shooting range (angle of view) AC of the camera unit 20.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 1-4, the flat plate 32 is a plate-like member that is slidably mounted in the device width direction relative to the cover 52 of the reading unit 50 by a guide mechanism (not shown). The flat plate 32 forms the placement surface 30a and has an upper surface 32a facing upward. The upper surface 32a of the flat plate 32 is an example of a second surface. The flat plate 32 has the function of opening the upper side of the loading unit 40 (described later) (see FIG. 1-4) by sliding from a state in which the flat plate 32 is aligned with the cover 52 to form the placement surface 30a (see FIG. 1-3) to the +W side. Note that when the flat plate 32 is aligned with the cover 52 to form the placement surface 30a, it closes the upper side of the loading unit 40. The length of the flat plate 32 in the device width direction is longer than half the length of the placement surface 30a in the device width direction.

[0066] (Detection means) As shown in FIG. 1-7, the CPU 11 is a central processing unit (CPU) that executes various programs and controls various components. Specifically, the CPU 11 reads programs from the ROM 12 or storage 14 and executes them using the RAM 13 as a work area. The CPU 11 controls the above-described components and performs various arithmetic operations according to the programs stored in the ROM 12 or storage 14. In this embodiment, the ROM 12 or storage 14 stores a document detection program that detects the edges of the document G by detecting color or luminance differences in an image captured by the camera unit 20. The ROM 12 or storage 14 also stores a recognition and reading program that recognizes the document G based on the edges of the document G detected by the document detection program and reads an image formed on the top surface (front surface) of the document G. The CPU 11 functions as a detection unit 11a that, using the document detection program, detects the edges of the document G placed on the document table 30 from the color or luminance difference between the document placement surface 30a and the document G in the image captured by the camera unit 20. Furthermore, the CPU 11 functions as a recognition and reading unit 11b that recognizes the document G based on the edges of the document G detected by the document detection program and reads the image formed on the document G by the recognition and reading program.

[0067] In order to detect the edges of the document G placed on the document table 30 from the image captured by the camera unit 20, the color of the document receiving surface 30a is configured to have a predetermined luminance difference or more and a predetermined color difference or more between it and the color of the document G. However, this is not limited to this configuration as long as the edges of the document G can be detected. For example, even if the color difference between the color of the document receiving surface 30a and the color of the document G is less than the predetermined color difference, it is sufficient that the luminance difference is greater than or equal to the edge of the document G that makes it possible to detect the edges of the document G. Specifically, in an 8-bit environment, for example, a luminance difference of 50 LSB or more is preferable, but a luminance difference of at least 20 LSB or more is sufficient. Conversely, even if the color difference between the color of the document receiving surface 30a and the color of the document G is less than the predetermined luminance difference, it is sufficient that the color difference is greater than or equal to the edge of the document G that makes it possible to detect the edges of the document G.

[0068] The ROM 12 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 13 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 14 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs including the operating system and various data.

[0069] (Loading part) 1-3, the stacking unit 40 is disposed below the document table 30 and is part of the housing of the document reading device 10, having a rectangular bottom surface 42 that is recessed relative to the placement surface 30a. The -W side end of the bottom surface 42 is positioned in the device width direction so as to overlap with a leading end surface 52e of a cover 52 (described later). The bottom surface 42 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that the -W side end is lower than the +W side end.

[0070] 1-4, when the end of the -W side of the flat plate 32 slides to move toward the +W side of the stacking section 40 and opens up the top of the stacking section 40, the stacking section 40 has the function of being able to stack multiple documents G on the bottom surface 42. In this state, the stacking section 40 also has the function of being able to arrange documents G whose length in the device width direction is longer than A4 (short side) across the top surface 32a and bottom surface 42 of the slid flat plate 32.

[0071] (Reading unit) The reading unit 50 is a so-called ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and has the function of reading the document G placed on the stacking unit 40 while transporting it. The reading unit 50 has a cover 52, an intake port 54, a transport unit 56, a reading means 60, and an outlet 58.

[0072] The inlet 54 is disposed adjacent to the stacking unit 40 on the -W side. The inlet 54 is an example of an opening. The outlet 58 is positioned lower than the inlet 54 in the vertical direction of the device, and is disposed above the discharge unit 170 of the forming device 110. The outlet 58 is also disposed adjacent to the discharge unit 18 on the -W side.

[0073] The transport unit 56 has a generally U-shaped transport path 56a extending from the intake port 54 to the discharge port 58, and a plurality of roll members 56b arranged along the transport path 56a. The transport unit 56 uses the roll members 56b to take in the document G placed on the stacking unit 40 from the intake port 54 and transport it along the transport path 56a toward the discharge port 58.

[0074] The reading means 60 is a fixed contact type image sensor arranged along the transport path 56a, and has the function of reading images formed on the front and back sides of the document G being transported by the transport unit 56. The reading means 60 has a front side reading unit 60a that reads the image formed on the front side of the document G, and a back side reading unit 60b that reads the image formed on the back side of the document G.

[0075] The cover 52 has an L-shaped cross section when viewed from the depth direction of the device, and is a panel-like member that covers the top of the reading unit 50. The cover 52 constitutes the placement surface 30a and has an upper surface 52a facing upward. The upper surface 52a of the cover 52 is an example of a first surface. The cover 52 also has an end surface 52b facing the end surface on the -W side of the flat plate 32, and a protruding portion 52c that protrudes in a rectangular shape from the end surface 52b at a position below the flat plate 32. In other words, the protruding portion 52c is formed integrally with the cover 52. The protruding portion 52c also has an upward surface 52d facing upward and a tip surface 52e facing the +W side.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 1-3 , when the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 form the mounting surface 30a, the protruding portion 52c is disposed below the -W-side end of the flat plate 32. That is, when the mounting surface 30a is formed, the protruding portion 52c of the cover 52 and the -W-side end of the flat plate 32 overlap in the vertical direction of the device. In other words, when the mounting surface 30a is formed, the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 form an overlapping portion 70 by the protruding portion 52c of the cover and a part of the -W-side end of the flat plate 32. At this time, the upward surface 52d of the protruding portion 52c faces the lower surface of the flat plate 32. At this time, the protruding portion 52c supports the flat plate 32 from below by a support means (not shown), such as a rib, provided on the upward surface 52d. That is, the protruding portion 52c can support the flat plate 32 from below.

[0077] In this embodiment, the tip surface 52e of the cover 52 is closer to the flat plate 32 (i.e., on the +W side) than the end surface 32e on the -W side of the flat plate 32. The tip surface 52e of the cover 52 is an example of an "end portion on the second-placed portion side of the end of the first-placed portion," and the end surface 32e on the -W side of the flat plate 32 is an example of an "end portion on the first-placed portion side of the end of the second-placed portion."

[0078] When the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 form the placement surface 30a, as shown in FIG. 1-5 , the flat plate 32 is placed on an imaginary line KC connecting the lower edge 52f of the tip surface 52e of the cover 52 and the camera unit 20. At this time, the flat plate 32 is placed on an imaginary line connecting the camera unit 20 and an upper edge 52g located above the upper edge 52g of the tip surface 52e of the cover 52. In other words, when the overlapping portion 70 is formed, the tip surface 52e of the cover 52 is shielded from the camera unit 20 by the flat plate 32. Furthermore, when the overlapping portion 70 is formed, the lower edge 52f of the tip surface 52e of the cover 52 is shielded from the camera unit 20 by the flat plate 32. The lower edge 52f of the tip surface 52e of the cover 52 is an example of the lower end of the overlapping portion 70.

[0079] (gap) When the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 form the mounting surface 30a, a gap S is formed between the cover 52 and the flat plate 32. The gap S is formed in an L-shape as viewed from the depth direction of the device by the end surface 52b and the upward surface 52d of the cover 52 and the end surface facing the -W side and the lower surface of the flat plate 32. In other words, when the overlapping portion 70 is formed, the overlapping portion 70 has a gap S that extends non-linearly as viewed from the depth direction of the device from the mounting surface 30a to the upper edge 52g of the cover 52 disposed below the flat plate 32. When viewed from the depth direction of the device, the gap S has a vertical gap TS extending in the device up-down direction from the mounting surface 30a to the lower edge of the -W side end surface of the flat plate 32, and a horizontal gap YS extending in the device width direction below the lower edge of the -W side end surface of the flat plate 32. The lower edge of the -W side end surface of the flat plate 32 is the lower end of the vertical gap TS. The vertical gap S is covered from below by the protruding portion 52c. In other words, the lower edge of the end surface on the -W side of the flat plate 32 is covered from below by the protruding portion 52c. Note that the gap S is emphasized and illustrated as being formed between the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 in FIGS. 1-2, 1-3, 1-5, and 1-6. Furthermore, when the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 form the placement surface 30a, the flat plate 32 is placed on an imaginary line connecting the lower edge of the end face on the -W side of the flat plate 32 and the camera unit 20. In other words, when the overlapping portion 70 is formed, the lower edge of the end face on the -W side of the flat plate 32 is shielded from the camera unit 20 by the flat plate 32.

[0080] The gap S forms a boundary line K on the placement surface 30a. In other words, as shown in FIG. 1-5, the gap S forms a boundary line K between the upper surface 52a of the cover 52 and the upper surface 32a of the flat plate 32. As shown in FIG. 1-6, the boundary line K forms a single straight line extending in the depth direction of the device when viewed from the top-bottom direction of the device.

[0081] The surfaces of the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 are colored in a low-brightness color. In this embodiment, the surface color of the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 is black. That is, the surface color of the protruding portion 52c is black. Therefore, in this embodiment, the color difference between the overlapping portion 70, which both has a black surface, and the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 is smaller than the color difference between the cover 52 and the flat plate 32, which have a black surface, and the document G, which has a white background color.

[0082] The surfaces of the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 may be colored with a bright color (specifically, white, for example). In this case, the document G may have a background color with a low brightness (specifically, black, for example). As long as there is a color difference between the placement surface 30a and the document G, various colors can be used for the document G, the cover 52, and the flat plate 32.

[0083] The color of the placement surface 30a is the color detected as the color of the placement surface 30a by the camera unit 20 (an example of an imaging means), and does not necessarily have to be the color of the placement surface 30a itself. Also, the color of the document G is the color detected as the color of the document G by the camera unit 20, and does not necessarily have to be the color of the document G itself.

[0084] The cover 52 has a configuration in which an opening / closing mechanism (not shown) can open the top of the reading unit 50 to expose the transport path 56a. When a document G becomes stuck in the transport path 56a due to a transport failure of the transport unit 56, the reading unit 50 has a function in which the opening / closing mechanism of the cover 52 can open the top of the reading unit 50, allowing the document G stuck in the transport path 56a to be manually removed.

[0085] 1-2, the discharge unit 18 is a tray-shaped member that is disposed below the discharge port 58 and above the discharge unit 170 of the forming device 110. The discharge unit 18 has a function of receiving the document G that has been transported by the transport unit 56 and discharged from the discharge port 58.

[0086] <Action and effect> Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described. In this description, when describing a comparative embodiment to the present embodiment, if the same parts as those in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment are used, the reference numerals and names of those parts will be used as they are.

[0087] The document table 30 of the document reading device 10 of this embodiment has an overlapping portion 70 below the placement surface 30a where the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 overlap in the vertical direction of the device. The document reading device 10 of this embodiment will be compared with a document reading device 210 as a first comparative embodiment shown below.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 1-8 , the document reading device 210 of the first comparative embodiment includes a cover 252 instead of the cover 52 of the present embodiment. The cover 252 does not have a configuration corresponding to the protruding portion 52c of the cover 52 of the present embodiment. Specifically, the +W-side end face of the cover 252 of the first comparative embodiment and the -W-side end face of the flat plate 32 face each other in the device width direction and do not overlap in the device up-down direction. That is, the document reading device 210 of the first comparative embodiment does not have a configuration corresponding to the overlapping portion 70 of the present embodiment. When the placement surface 30a is formed, a gap S2 is formed between the +W-side end face of the cover 252 and the -W-side end face of the flat plate 32 instead of the gap S of the present embodiment. When viewed from the device depth direction, the gap S2 extends linearly along the device up-down direction from the placement surface 30a to the back surface of the cover 252 and the flat plate 32 (the surface facing opposite to the placement surface 30a). Except for the above points, the document reading device 210 of the first comparative embodiment has the same configuration as the document reading device 10 of this embodiment.

[0089] The document reading device 210 of the first comparative embodiment does not have a configuration equivalent to the overlapping portion 70 of the present embodiment. Therefore, in the document reading device 210 of the first comparative embodiment, light that passes through the gap S2 and is reflected by a component disposed below the flat plate 32 reaches the camera unit 20. In this case, depending on the color of the component disposed below the flat plate 32, the gap S2 may be imaged by the camera unit 20 as having a large difference in luminance or color from the document table 30. Therefore, in a configuration in which the edge of the document G is detected from the difference in luminance or color between the document G and the document table 30 in an image of the document G placed on the document table 30, which is imaged by the camera unit 20, the detection unit 11a may erroneously detect the gap S2 as the edge of the document G.

[0090] On the other hand, because the document table 30 of the document reading device 10 of this embodiment has the overlapping portion 70, even if visible light L enters the gap S from the placement surface 30a side, it reaches the upward surface 52d of the protruding portion 52c that is positioned above the lower edge 52f of the cover 52. Therefore, in the document reading device 10 of this embodiment, the gap S is imaged by the camera unit 20 as having a small color difference with respect to the document table 30, and the detection unit 11a is less likely to erroneously detect the gap S2 as the edge of the document G than in the document reading device 210 of the comparative embodiment. Therefore, in the configuration in which the edge of the document G placed on the document table 30 is detected from the color difference between the placement surface 30a and the document G, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment can reduce the detection failure of the edge of the document G by the detection unit 11a compared to the document reading device 210 of the first comparative embodiment.

[0091] Furthermore, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the flat plate 32 is disposed on an imaginary straight line KC connecting the lower edge 52f of the protruding portion 52c of the cover 52 and the camera unit 20. The document reading device 10 of this embodiment will be compared with a document reading device 310 as a second comparative embodiment described below.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 1-9 , the document reading device 310 of the second comparative embodiment includes a cover 352 and a flat plate 332 instead of the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 of the present embodiment. The +W-side end face 352b of the cover 352 and the -W-side end face 332b of the flat plate 332 face the -W side of the camera unit 20. Furthermore, the +W-side end face 352b of the cover 352 and the -W-side end face 332b of the flat plate 332 are inclined downward toward the -W side when viewed from the depth direction of the device. When the cover 352 and the flat plate 332 form the placement surface 30a, the +W-side end face of the cover 352 is positioned above the -W-side end face of the flat plate 332, overlapping each other in the vertical direction of the device. That is, the document reading device 310 of the second comparative embodiment has an overlapping portion. A gap S3 formed between a +W-side end face 352b of the cover 352 and a -W-side end face 332b of the flat plate 332 extends linearly from top to bottom, sloping toward the -W side, when viewed from the device depth direction. In the document reading device 310 of the second comparative embodiment, when visible light L is incident from the camera unit 20 toward the gap S3, the visible light L reaches the lower edge of the end face 352b of the cover 352 and the lower edge of the end face 332b of the flat plate 332 in a linear manner. In other words, the document reading device 310 of the second comparative embodiment has a configuration that allows visible light L to reach the lower end of the overlapping portion in a linear manner from the camera unit 20. Except for the above points, the document reading device 310 of the second comparative embodiment has the same configuration as the document reading device 10 of the present embodiment.

[0093] The document reading device 310 of the second comparative embodiment has a configuration in which visible light L can reach the lower end of the overlapping portion in a straight line from the camera unit 20, and therefore visible light L incident on the gap S3 from the camera unit 20 reaches the lower part of the cover 352 and the flat plate 332 without being blocked. In this case, there is a risk that the gap S3 will be imaged by the camera unit 20 as having a large color difference from the document table 30. Therefore, in a configuration in which only the edge of the document G is detected from the color difference between the document G and the document table 30 in an image of the document G placed on the document table 30, which is imaged by the camera unit 20, there is a risk that the detection unit 11a will erroneously detect the gap S3 as the edge of the document G.

[0094] On the other hand, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the flat plate 32 is disposed on an imaginary straight line KC connecting the lower edge 52f of the protruding portion 52c of the cover 52 and the camera unit 20. Therefore, visible light L traveling from the camera unit 20 toward the lower edge 52f of the protruding portion 52c of the cover 52 along the imaginary straight line KC connecting the lower edge 52f is blocked by the flat plate 32. Also, as described above, visible light L entering the gap S from the camera unit 20 reaches the upward surface 52d of the protruding portion 52c. Therefore, in a configuration in which the edge of the document G placed on the document table 30 is detected from the color difference between the placement surface 30a and the document G, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment can suppress failure to detect the edge of the document G by the detection unit 11a compared to the document reading device 310 of the second comparative embodiment.

[0095] Furthermore, the overlapping portion 70 of the document reading device 10 of this embodiment has a gap S that extends non-linearly from the placement surface 30a to below the document table 30 when viewed from the depth direction of the device. The document reading device 10 of this embodiment will be compared with a document reading device 410 of a third comparative embodiment described below.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 1-10, the document reading device 410 of the third comparative embodiment includes a cover 452 and a flat plate 432 instead of the cover 52 and the flat plate 32 of the present embodiment. The +W-side end face 452b of the cover 452 and the -W-side end face 432b of the flat plate 432 face the camera unit 20 on the -W side. Furthermore, the +W-side end face 452b of the cover 452 and the -W-side end face 432b of the flat plate 432 are inclined toward the +W side from top to bottom when viewed from the depth direction of the device. When the cover 452 and the flat plate 432 form the placement surface 30a, the +W-side end face of the cover 452 is positioned below the -W-side end face of the flat plate 432, overlapping each other in the vertical direction of the device. That is, the document reading device 410 of the third comparative embodiment has an overlapping portion. A gap S4 formed between an end surface 452b on the +W side of the cover 452 and an end surface 432b on the -W side of the flat plate 432 extends linearly from the top to the bottom inclined toward the +W side when viewed from the depth direction of the device. Except for the above points, the document reading device 310 of the second comparative embodiment has the same configuration as the document reading device 10 of the present embodiment.

[0097] In the document reading device 410 of the third comparative embodiment, visible light L traveling from the camera unit 20 toward the lower edge of the gap S4 along an imaginary straight line KC4 connecting the lower end of the gap S4 is blocked by the flat plate 432. However, the light incident on the gap S4 from the camera unit 20 is diffracted along the linear gap S4 and reaches below the cover 452 and the flat plate 432, which may cause the detection unit 11a to erroneously detect the gap S4 as the edge of the document G.

[0098] On the other hand, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment has a gap S that extends non-linearly from the placement surface 30a to below the document table 30 when viewed from the device depth direction. Therefore, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment, in a configuration in which the edge of the document G placed on the document table 30 is detected from the color difference between the placement surface 30a and the document G, can suppress detection failure of the edge of the document G by the detection means 11a compared to the document reading device 410 of the third comparative embodiment. Note that the above-mentioned third comparative embodiment is included in the technical idea of ​​the present invention as a modified example of this embodiment.

[0099] Furthermore, in the document reading device 10 of this embodiment, the protruding portion 52c is formed integrally with the cover 52 of the document table 30. Therefore, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment has fewer parts than a configuration in which the protruding portion 52c is separate from the cover 52. Furthermore, the protrusion 52c of this embodiment is formed integrally with the cover 52 and is therefore made of the same material as the cover 52. That is, the protrusion 52c of this embodiment has the same surface roughness and surface color as the cover 52. Therefore, the color difference of the surface of the protrusion 52c relative to the upper surface 52a of the cover 52 is smaller than the color difference of a protrusion provided separately from the cover 52 relative to the cover 52. Therefore, the color difference of the surface of the protrusion 52c relative to the document G is equivalent to the color difference of the upper surface 52a of the cover 52 relative to the document G. Therefore, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment can reduce detection failure of the edge of the document G by the detection unit 11a compared to a configuration in which the material of the protrusion 52c is different from that of the cover 52.

[0100] Furthermore, in the document reading device 10 of this embodiment, the color difference between the overlapping portion 70 and the cover 52 and the flat plate 32, both of which have black surfaces, is smaller than the color difference between the cover 52 and the flat plate 32, both of which have black surfaces, and the document G, which has a white background color. Therefore, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment can suppress failure to detect the edge of the document G by the detection unit 11a, compared to a configuration in which the color difference between the overlapping portion 70 and the document table 30 is larger than the color difference between the document table 30 and the document G.

[0101] Moreover, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment further includes a reading unit 50. Therefore, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment can use the reading unit 50 in addition to the camera unit 20 when reading the document G.

[0102] Furthermore, in the document reading device 10 of this embodiment, the cover 52 of the reading unit 50 constitutes the document table 30. Therefore, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment can be made more compact in size than when one of the two members constituting the document table 30 is disposed between the flat plate 32 and the cover 52 of the reading unit 50.

[0103] Furthermore, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment includes a reading unit 50 that transports the document G from an intake port 54 adjacent to the stacking unit 40 on the -W side, and a flat plate 32 that can move to the +W side of the reading unit 50 to open the top of the stacking unit 40. Therefore, in the configuration of the document reading device 10 of this embodiment that includes the reading unit 50, a larger-sized document G can be loaded across the stacking unit 40 and the flat plate 32 that has moved to the +W side, compared to when the flat plate 32 moves in the device depth direction.

[0104] Furthermore, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the flat plate 32 moves by sliding in the device width direction. Therefore, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment can easily move the flat plate 32 to open the top of the stacking section 40 compared to when the flat plate 32 is moved by rotating it.

[0105] Furthermore, in the document reading device 10 of this embodiment, the cover 52 of the reading unit 50 has a protruding portion 52c that can support the flat plate 32 from below. Therefore, the document reading device 10 of this embodiment can improve the load-bearing capacity of the flat plate 32 when the top of the stacking unit 40 is closed, compared to a configuration in which the flat plate 32 supports the cover 52 of the reading unit 50 from below at the overlapping portion.

[0106] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment can suppress defective copying of the document G using the camera unit 20, compared to the configuration including the document reading device 210 of the first comparative embodiment.

[0107] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes a panel unit 102 that displays information about the image forming apparatus 100 on the +D side. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, in a configuration that includes the panel unit 102 that displays information on the +D side, it is easier to move the flat plate 32 having the upper surface 32a while checking the display content of the panel unit 102, compared to a configuration in which the flat plate 32 moves to the +D side.

[0108] As described above, the first embodiment has been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0109] For example, the forming apparatus 110 in this embodiment is an electrophotographic forming apparatus, but the forming apparatus 110 may be, for example, an inkjet type or an offset printing type.

[0110] Furthermore, the gap S in this embodiment is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the depth direction of the device. However, in the present invention, the shape of the gap formed so that the first disposed portion or the second disposed portion is disposed on an imaginary line connecting the lower end of the overlapping portion and the imaging means when viewed from the depth direction of the device is not limited to an L-shape. For example, the shape of the gap when viewed from the depth direction of the device may be linear, as long as the first or second placement portion is positioned on a virtual straight line connecting the lower end of the overlapping portion and the imaging means, as in the document reading device 410 of the third comparative embodiment described above (see Figure 1-10). 1-11, the shape of the gap when viewed from the device depth direction may be a reclined hat shape. Specifically, the gap may be formed between cover 552, the +W side end of which is formed in a convex shape toward the +W side, and flat plate 532, the -W side end of which is formed in a concave shape corresponding to the +W side end of cover 552, when viewed from the device depth direction. 1-12, the shape of the gap when viewed from the device depth direction may be a reclined V-shape. Specifically, the gap may be formed between cover 652, the +W side end of which is formed as a V-shaped convex toward the +W side, and flat plate 632, the -W side end of which is formed as a V-shaped concave corresponding to the +W side end of cover 652, when viewed from the device depth direction. The shape of the gap when viewed from the device depth direction may be a U-shape instead of this V-shape.

[0111] Furthermore, the protrusion 52c forming the overlapping portion 70 in this embodiment is formed integrally with the cover 52. However, the overlapping portion according to the present invention may be formed separately from the first disposed portion or the second disposed portion. It is preferable that the first disposed portion, the second disposed portion, and at least the portion exposed through the gap in the overlapping portion according to the present invention have the same surface roughness and surface color.

[0112] Furthermore, the placement surface 30a in this embodiment is the portion surrounded by four marks M among the upper surface 52a of the cover 52 and the upper surface 32a of the flat plate 32 that is arranged to meet the cover 52 with a gap S therebetween. However, the placement surface 30a is not particularly limited, and may be formed by the entire upper surface 52a of the cover 52 and the entire upper surface 32a of the flat plate 32.

[0113] In addition, the document table 30 in this embodiment is configured from the cover 52 of the reading unit 50 and the flat plate 32. However, the document table 30 may be configured from three or more members including the first surface of the first placement portion and the second surface of the second placement portion. Also, two or more gaps S and boundary lines K may be formed.

[0114] Furthermore, the boundary line K in this embodiment is a single straight line when viewed from the top and bottom of the device. However, the boundary line K may be curved or bent when viewed from the top and bottom of the device.

[0115] In addition, the flat plate 32 in this embodiment moves by sliding in the width direction of the device. However, the flat plate 32 may have a configuration that slides in the depth direction of the device. Furthermore, the flat plate 32 may have a configuration that moves by rotating to open the top of the stacking section 40, or may have a configuration that is detachable from the document table 30.

[0116] Furthermore, the length of the flat plate 32 in the device width direction in this embodiment is longer than half the length of the mounting surface 30a in the device width direction. However, the length of the flat plate 32 in the device width direction is not limited to being longer than half the length of the mounting surface 30a in the device width direction, and may be equal to half the length of the mounting surface 30a in the device width direction, or may be shorter than half the length of the mounting surface 30a in the device width direction.

[0117] The document reading device 10 may also be configured without the reading unit 50. In the document reading device 10 with this configuration, for example, image reading of the document G is performed only by the camera unit 20. Furthermore, in the document reading device 10 with this configuration, the flat plate 32 may be configured to slide from the position shown in FIG. 1-3 to the +W side, thereby opening up the top of the discharge unit 170. The document reading device 10 with this configuration also achieves the same effects as the document reading device 10 with the reading unit 50 described above.

[0118] In addition, in the document reading device 10 of this embodiment, the maximum size of the document G that can be photographed by the camera unit 20 is A3 size. However, the maximum size of the document that can be photographed by the camera unit 20 is not limited to A3 size, and may be a size larger than A3 size, such as A2 or B3, or a size smaller than A3 size, such as A4 or B4.

[0119] In the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the size of the sheet material P that can be stored in the storage unit 120 at most is A4. However, the size of the sheet material P that can be stored in the storage unit 120 at most is not limited to A4, and may be A3 or B5.

[0120] <Second form> An image forming apparatus 2100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0121] In the following description, the device up-down direction (vertical direction), device width direction (horizontal direction), and device depth direction (horizontal direction) are respectively referred to as the H direction, W direction, and D direction when viewing the image forming device 2100 from the front from the side where a user (not shown) stands. Furthermore, when it is necessary to distinguish one side from the other in the device up-down direction, device width direction, and device depth direction, when viewing the image forming device 2100 from the front, the upper side is referred to as the +H side, the lower side as the -H side, the right side as the +W side, the left side as the -W side, the back side as the -D side, and the front side as the +D side.

[0122] <Image forming device> As shown in FIG. 2-1 , the image forming apparatus 2100 according to this embodiment includes a document reading device 2010, a forming device 2110, a panel unit 2102, and a control unit (not shown). The document reading device 2010 reads images formed on the front and back surfaces of a document 2000G (not shown) and converts the read images into electronic data. The forming device 2110 is disposed below the document reading device 2010 and forms a copy image of the document 2000G based on the electronic data of the image converted by the document reading device 2010, and records the copy image on a sheet member 2000P as a medium. The panel unit 2102 is disposed between the photographing unit 2020 and the document table 2030 (described later). The panel unit 2102 is a touch panel display that enables operation by a user via touch input and displays information about the image forming apparatus 2100 on the +D side. The panel unit 2102 is an example of a display unit. The control unit (not shown) controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 2100. The document reader 2010 will be described in detail later.

[0123] <Forming device> As shown in FIG. 2-2, the forming device 2110 includes a storage section 2120, a conveying section 2160, a forming section 2130, and a discharging section 2170.

[0124] The storage unit 2120 stores sheet materials 2000P of a plurality of sizes and supplies the sheet materials 2000P to the forming unit 2130. The storage unit 2120 of this embodiment has a first storage unit 2122 and a second storage unit 2124. The first storage unit 2122 can store a maximum of 500 sheet materials 2000P of up to A3 size. The second storage unit 2124 can store a maximum of 1500 sheet materials 2000P of up to A4 size. In other words, the sheet material 2000P of the size that can be stored most frequently in the storage unit 2120 is the A4 size sheet material 2000P. The sheet material 2000P is one type of sheet material 2000P. The sheet material 2000P is selectively sent out from the storage unit 2120 by a control unit (not shown).

[0125] The conveying section 2160 is configured to include a plurality of roll members 2162, and conveys the sheet member 2000P selectively sent out by a control section (not shown) toward the forming section 2130.

[0126] The forming section 2130 has a function of forming an image on the sheet member 2000P by electrophotography. The forming section 2130 includes a photosensitive unit 2132 that forms a toner image of multiple colors, a transfer section 2140 that transfers the toner image formed by the photosensitive unit 2132 onto the sheet member 2000P, and a fixing section 2150 that fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet member 2000P onto the sheet member 2000P.

[0127] A plurality of photoconductor units 2132 are provided to form toner images for each color. In this embodiment, photoconductor units 2132 for a total of four colors are provided: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Y, M, C, and K shown in FIG. 2-2 indicate components corresponding to the above colors. When there is no particular distinction between the colors (Y, M, C, and K), the letters at the end of the names are omitted.

[0128] The photosensitive units 2132Y, 2132M, 2132C, and 2132K are basically configured in the same way except for the toner they use.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 2-2, the photosensitive units 2132Y, 2132M, 2132C, and 2132K are arranged along the outer periphery of a transfer belt 2141 (details of which will be described later) of a transfer section 2140.

[0130] 2-2, the photosensitive unit 2132 includes a photosensitive drum 2133 that rotates in the direction of arrow 2000A in the figure, and a charger 2134 that charges the photosensitive drum 2133. The photosensitive unit 2132 further includes an exposure device 2135 that exposes the photosensitive drum 2133 charged by the charger 2134 to light to form an electrostatic latent image, and a development device 2136 that develops the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image.

[0131] The transfer unit 2140 has a function of primarily transferring the toner images of the photosensitive drums 2133 of each color onto an intermediate transfer body in a superimposed manner, and then secondarily transferring the superimposed toner images onto the sheet member 2000P. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2-2 , the transfer unit 2140 includes a transfer belt 2141 as an intermediate transfer body, a drive roll 2142, a primary transfer roll 2143, a secondary transfer roll 2144, and a backup roll 2145.

[0132] The transfer belt 2141 is an endless belt extending in the width direction of the device, and is wound around a drive roll 2142 arranged at the turning portion on the +W side and a secondary transfer roll 2144 arranged on the -W side. The drive roll 2142 is connected to a drive means such as a motor (not shown), and has the function of rotating the transfer belt 2141 by being driven to rotate by the drive means.

[0133] The primary transfer roll 2143 is a roll-shaped member that is disposed on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 2133 for each color across the transfer belt 2141. The primary transfer roll 2143 has a function of transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2133 to the transfer belt 2141 at a primary transfer position 2000T between the photosensitive drum 2133 and the primary transfer roll 2143.

[0134] The secondary transfer roll 2144 is a roll-shaped member that is arranged inside the folded portion of the transfer belt 2141 on the opposite side from the drive roll 2142. The backup roll 2145 is a roll-shaped member that is arranged on the opposite side of the transfer belt 2141 from the secondary transfer roll 2144. The secondary transfer roll 2144 and the backup roll 2145 have the function of transferring the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 2141 onto the sheet member 2000P at the secondary transfer position between the transfer belt 2141 and the backup roll 2145.

[0135] The fixing unit 2150 applies heat and pressure to the sheet member 2000P conveyed from the forming unit 2130, thereby fixing the image transferred to the sheet member 2000P by the forming unit 2130. The fixing unit 2150 also conveys the sheet member 2000P on which the image has been fixed to the discharge unit 2170.

[0136] The discharge section 2170 is configured to include a discharge table 2172 located below the discharge section 2018 (details of which will be described later) of the document reading device 2010, and a pair of discharge rolls 2174 arranged between the discharge table 2172 and the fixing section 2150. The discharge section 2170 discharges the sheet member 2000P conveyed from the fixing section 2150 onto the discharge table 2172 by the pair of discharge rolls 2174.

[0137] <Document reader> Next, the configuration of the document reading device 2010 according to this embodiment will be described. The document reading device 2010 is disposed above the forming device 2110. The document reading device 2010 includes an imaging unit 2020, a document table 2030 disposed below the imaging unit 2020, and a detection / reading unit 2011a. The document reading device 2010 further includes a stacking unit 2040 disposed below the document table 2030, a reading unit 2050, and a discharge unit 2018.

[0138] The document reading device 2010 has a function of photographing the document 2000G placed on the document table 2030 with the photographing unit 2020 and reading the image formed on the upper surface (front surface) of the document 2000G. The document reading device 2010 also has a function of reading the document 2000G placed on the stacking unit 2040 while transporting it with the reading unit 2050 and discharging it to the discharging unit 2018.

[0139] 2-6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the document reading device 2010. As shown in FIG. 2-6, the document reading device 2010 further includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit: Processor) 2011, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2012, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 2013, and a storage 2014.

[0140] (Photography Department) The photographing unit 2020 is a so-called document camera, and has a function of photographing the document 2000G placed on the document table 2030, which will be described later. The document 2000G placed on the document table 2030 may be of any size, but a standard size (e.g., A3 or A4 size document) that is commercially available or a document of a size that can be accommodated in the accommodation unit 2120 is preferable.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 2-5, the imaging range 2000AC of the imaging unit 2020 overlaps with a mark 2000M (details will be described later) formed on the platen 2030 in correspondence with an A3-sized document 2000G whose longitudinal direction is the width direction of the device. In this embodiment, the A3-sized document 2000G is the largest size document that can be imaged by the imaging unit 2020. The A3-sized document 2000G is an example of the largest size document that can be imaged by the imaging unit 2020.

[0142] (Manuscript stand) As shown in FIG. 2-2 , the document table 2030 is disposed below the imaging unit 2020 and is an example of a mounting unit on which a document 2000G to be imaged by the imaging unit 2020 is placed. The document table 2030 is composed of a cover 2052 of the reading unit 2050 (described later) disposed on the -W side, and a flat plate 2032 disposed next to the +W side of the cover 2052 and extending along the DW plane. The cover 2052 and the flat plate 2032 are examples of components constituting the document table 2030. That is, the document table 2030 is composed of two members, the cover 2052 and the flat plate 2032. Both the cover 2052 and the flat plate 2032 are rectangular when viewed from the top-bottom direction of the device. The document table 2030 extends along the DW plane and has a mounting surface 2030a on which the document 2000G is placed. The mounting surface 2030a is composed of an upper surface 2052a of a cover 2052 and an upper surface 2032a of a flat plate 2032 arranged such that the edge on the -W side is aligned with the edge on the +W side of the cover 2052 with a gap 2000S therebetween.

[0143] As shown in FIGS. 2-2, 2-3, and 2-5, the gap 2000S extends along the H direction from the mounting surface 2030a to the rear surfaces of the cover 2052 and the flat plate 2032 (surfaces facing opposite to the mounting surface 2030a) when viewed from the depth direction of the device. The gap 2000S forms a boundary line 2000K on the mounting surface 2030a. In other words, as shown in FIG. 2-5, the gap 2000S forms a boundary line 2000K between the upper surface 2052a of the cover 2052 and the upper surface 2032a of the flat plate 2032. The boundary line 2000K forms a single straight line extending in the depth direction of the device. Note that in FIGS. 2-2, 2-3, and 2-5, the gap 2000S is emphasized and illustrated as being formed between the cover 2052 and the flat plate 2032.

[0144] Gap 2000S may be a gap formed by a part of cover 2052 and a part of flat plate 2032 overlapping in a plan view. In this case, a part of cover 2052 may be disposed above a part of flat plate 2032, or a part of flat plate 2032 may be disposed above a part of cover 2052.

[0145] The original 2000G is preferably placed on the platen 2030 so that the position of the center of the original 2000G in the device width direction overlaps with the center of the imaging range (angle of view) of the imaging unit 2020. In particular, the A4-sized original 2000G is preferably placed on the platen 2030 so that the position of the center of the original 2000G in the device width direction overlaps with the center of the imaging range (angle of view) of the imaging unit 2020. Furthermore, the A4-sized original 2000G is preferably placed on the platen 2030 so that the center of the original 2000G overlaps with the center of the A3-sized original 2000G that corresponds to the mark 2000M formed on the platen 2030. When the A4-sized original 2000G is placed on the platen 2030 in this way, whether the original 2000G is arranged vertically or horizontally, the boundary line 2000K is formed in a position that is partially covered by the A4-sized original 2000G.

[0146] Therefore, the position of the boundary line 2000K is formed between the "center of the imaging range (or the center of the position where the document 2000G is placed)" and the "edge in the device width direction of the A3-sized document 2000G placed at the center of the imaging range (or the center of the position where the document 2000G is placed)." Furthermore, in this embodiment, the boundary line 2000K is formed between the center of the imaging range and the mark 2000M.

[0147] The document table 2030 has a mark 2000M for aligning the document 2000G placed on the loading surface 2030a. The mark 2000M corresponds to an A3-sized document 2000G whose longitudinal direction is the width direction of the device. The mark 2000M is formed by painting on the loading surface 2030a.

[0148] The marks 2000M are L-shaped when viewed from the top and bottom of the device, and four are formed on the loading surface 2030a to correspond to the four corners of an A3-sized document 2000G whose longitudinal direction is the width direction of the device. Of the four marks 2000M, the mark 2000M on the -W side is formed on the upper surface 2052a of the cover 2052 of the reading unit 2050, and the mark 2000M on the +W side is formed on the upper surface 2032a of the flat plate 2032. The centers of the A3-sized document 2000G corresponding to the four marks 2000M in the width direction of the device overlap with the center of the imaging range (angle of view) of the imaging unit 2020.

[0149] The mark 2000M is formed on the upper surface 2052a of the cover 2052 or the upper surface 2032a of the flat plate 2032 at a position spaced apart from the boundary line 2000K. In other words, the boundary line 2000K is formed at a position offset from the mark 2000M along the loading surface 2030a. In this embodiment, the boundary line 2000K is formed at a position covered by the A3-sized document 2000G when the document 2000G is placed on the document table 2030. Within the imaging range of the imaging unit 2020, the boundary line 2000K does not exist at a position not covered by the A3-sized document 2000G. In other words, when the A3-sized document 2000G is placed on the loading surface 2030a, the boundary line 2000K is formed only within the area covered by the A3-sized document 2000G within the imaging range of the imaging unit 2020. Outside the photographing range, the boundary line 2000K may exist outside the range covered by the A3-sized document 2000G.

[0150] As shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 2-4, the flat plate 2032 is a plate-like member that is slidably mounted in the device width direction relative to the cover 2052 of the reading unit 2050 by a guide mechanism (not shown). The flat plate 2032 has an upper surface 2032a facing upward. The upper surface 2032a of the flat plate 2032 is an example of a surface that constitutes the loading surface 2030a. The flat plate 2032 has the function of opening up the upper side of the stacking unit 2040 (described later) (see FIG. 2-4) by sliding from a state adjacent to the cover 2052 (see FIG. 2-3) to the +W side. The length of the flat plate 2032 in the device width direction is longer than half the length of the loading surface 2030a in the device width direction. In other words, the boundary line 2000K between the cover 2052 and the flat plate 2032 is located on the -W side of the bisector that bisects the loading surface 2030a in the device width direction.

[0151] It can be said that the document table 2030 has a boundary line 2000K formed by the cover 2052 and the flat plate 2032 (an example of a plurality of components) on the loading surface 2030a (an example of a surface). The boundary line 2000K exists in the center when the loading surface 2030a is divided into thirds. Specifically, the boundary line 2000K exists in the center when the loading surface 2030a is divided into thirds in the device width direction.

[0152] (Detection reading unit) As shown in FIG. 2-6, the CPU 2011 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each component. That is, the CPU 2011 reads programs from the ROM 2012 or the storage 2014 and executes the programs using the RAM 2013 as a work area. The CPU 2011 controls the above components and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs recorded in the ROM 2012 or the storage 2014. In this embodiment, the ROM 2012 or the storage 2014 stores a document detection program that detects the edges of the document 2000G by performing a color difference detection process on an image captured by the image capturing unit 2020. The ROM 2012 or the storage 2014 also stores a captured image reading program that reads an image formed on the top surface (front surface) of the document 2000G that has been captured and detected. These programs cause the CPU 2011 to function as a detection and reading unit 2011a that measures the color difference between the original 2000G and the loading surface 2030a of the platen 2030 from the image captured by the imaging unit 2020, detects the edges of the original 2000G, and reads the image formed on the original 2000G. In other words, the detection and reading unit 2011a has a function of detecting and reading only the original 2000G from the image of the original 2000G placed on the loading surface 2030a captured by the imaging unit 2020.

[0153] The ROM 2012 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 2013 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 2014 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs including the operating system and various data.

[0154] (Loading part) As shown in FIG. 2-2, the stacking portion 2040 is disposed below the platen 2030, and is part of the housing of the document reading device 2010, having a rectangular bottom surface 2042 that is recessed relative to the loading surface 2030a. The -W side end of the bottom surface 2042 is positioned in the device width direction so as to overlap the boundary line 2000K of the platen 2030. The bottom surface 2042 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that the -W side end is lower than the +W side end.

[0155] 2-4, when the end of the -W side of the flat plate 2032 slides to move toward the +W side of the stacking portion 2040 and opens up the top of the stacking portion 2040, the stacking portion 2040 has a function of being able to stack a plurality of documents 2000G on the bottom surface 2042. In this state, the stacking portion 2040 has a function of being able to arrange documents 2000G whose length in the device width direction is longer than A4 (short side) across the top surface 2032a and bottom surface 2042 of the slid flat plate 2032.

[0156] (Reading unit) The reading unit 2050 is a so-called ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and has a function of reading the document 2000G placed on the stacking unit 2040 while transporting it. The reading unit 2050 has a cover 2052, an intake port 2054, a transport unit 2056, a reading means 2060, and an outlet 2058.

[0157] The inlet 2054 is disposed adjacent to the stacking unit 2040 on the -W side. The inlet 2054 is an example of an opening. The outlet 2058 is positioned lower than the inlet 2054 in the device up-down direction, and is disposed above the discharge unit 2170 of the forming device 2110. The outlet 2058 is also disposed adjacent to the discharge unit 2018 on the -W side.

[0158] The transport unit 2056 has a generally U-shaped transport path 2056a extending from the intake port 2054 to the discharge port 2058, and a plurality of roll members 2056b arranged along the transport path 2056a. The transport unit 2056 uses the roll members 2056b to take in the document 2000G placed on the stacking unit 2040 from the intake port 2054 and transport it along the transport path 2056a toward the discharge port 2058.

[0159] The reading means 2060 is a fixed contact type image sensor arranged along the transport path 2056a, and has the function of reading images formed on the front and back sides of the original 2000G being transported by the transport unit 2056. The reading means 2060 has a front side reading unit 2060a that reads the image formed on the front side of the original 2000G, and a back side reading unit 2060b that reads the image formed on the back side of the original 2000G.

[0160] The cover 2052 has an L-shaped cross section when viewed from the depth direction of the device, and is a panel-like member that covers the upper part of the reading unit 2050. The cover 2052 has an upper surface 2052a facing upward. As described above, the upper surface 2052a of the cover 2052 is an example of a surface that constitutes the mounting surface 2030a. When the flat plate 2032 is aligned with the cover 2052 so that the edge on the -W side of the flat plate 2032 meets the edge on the +W side of the cover 2052 with a gap 2000S therebetween (see FIGS. 2-2 and 2-3), the upper surface 2052a of the cover 2052 is approximately flush with the upper surface 2052a of the flat plate 2032.

[0161] The cover 2052 has a configuration in which an opening / closing mechanism (not shown) can open the top of the reading unit 2050 to expose the transport path 2056a. When the transport path 2056a is clogged with the original 2000G due to a transport failure of the transport unit 2056, the reading unit 2050 has a function in which the opening / closing mechanism of the cover 2052 can open the top of the reading unit 2050, allowing the original 2000G clogged in the transport path 2056a to be manually removed.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 2-2 , the discharge unit 2018 is a tray-like member that is disposed below the discharge port 2058 and above the discharge unit 2170 of the forming device 2110. The discharge unit 2018 has a function of receiving the document 2000G that has been transported by the transport unit 2056 and discharged from the discharge port 2058.

[0163] <Action and effect> Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. In this description, when describing a comparative embodiment to this embodiment, if the same parts as those in the image forming apparatus 2100 of this embodiment are used, the reference numerals and names of those parts will be used as they are.

[0164] In the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment, a boundary line 2000K is formed in a position that is covered by the document 2000G when the A3-sized document 2000G is placed on the document table 2030. Therefore, in the document reading device 2010 that reads the document 2000G that has been photographed by the photographing unit 2020 that photographs the document 2000G from above the document table 2030 on which the document 2000G is placed, the reading accuracy of the document 2000G can be improved compared to when a gap line, which is a line formed at a gap between components, is present in a portion that is within the photographing range of the photographing unit 2020 but outside the placed document 2000G.

[0165] Furthermore, in the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment, the boundary line 2000K does not exist in a position that is not covered by the A3-sized document 2000G within the imaging range of the imaging unit 2020. Therefore, the reading accuracy of the A3-sized document 2000G can be improved compared to when the boundary line 2000K exists in a position that is not covered by the A3-sized document 2000G within the imaging range of the imaging unit 2020.

[0166] Furthermore, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the boundary line 2000K is formed by a gap 2000S on the loading surface 2030a between the cover 2052 and the flat plate 2032. Therefore, when the document table 2030 is made up of multiple members, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment can improve the reading accuracy of the document 2000G compared to when the boundary line 2000K is formed within the imaging range of the imaging unit 2020 and outside the document 2000G placed on the document table 2030.

[0167] Furthermore, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the boundary line 2000K is formed at a position along the loading surface 2030a that is offset from the mark 2000M that aligns the document 2000G. Therefore, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment can improve the reading accuracy of the document 2000G compared to when the boundary line 2000K overlaps with the mark 2000M.

[0168] Furthermore, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment has a configuration in which there is a single boundary line 2000K, which makes the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment look better than a document reading device with a plurality of boundary lines 2000K.

[0169] Moreover, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment further includes a reading unit 2050. Therefore, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment can select either the imaging unit 2020 or the reading unit 2050 when reading the document 2000G.

[0170] Furthermore, in the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment, one of the two members constituting the document table 2030 is the cover 2052 that covers the top of the reading unit 2050. Therefore, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment can be made more compact in size than when one of the two members constituting the document table 2030 is disposed between the flat plate 2032 and the cover 2052 of the reading unit 2050.

[0171] Furthermore, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment includes a reading unit 2050 that transports the document 2000G from an inlet 2054 adjacent to the stacking unit 2040 on the -W side, and a flat plate 2032 that can move to the +W side of the reading unit 2050 to open the top of the stacking unit 2040. Therefore, in the configuration of the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment that includes the reading unit 2050, a larger-sized document 2000G can be loaded across the stacking unit 2040 and the flat plate 2032 that has moved to the +W side, compared to when the flat plate 2032 moves in the device depth direction.

[0172] Furthermore, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the flat plate 2032 moves by sliding in the device width direction. Therefore, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment can easily move the flat plate 2032 to open the top of the stacking section 2040, compared to when the document reading device 2010 moves by rotating the flat plate 2032.

[0173] Furthermore, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the length of the cover 2052 in the device width direction is shorter than half the length of the loading surface 2030a in the device width direction. That is, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the length of the flat plate 2032 in the device width direction is longer than half the length of the loading surface 2030a in the device width direction. Therefore, the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment can load a larger size document 2000G across the loading section 2040 and the flat plate 2032 compared to a case in which the length of the cover 2052 in the device width direction is longer than half the length of the loading surface 2030a in the device width direction.

[0174] Furthermore, in the image forming device 2100 of this embodiment, in a configuration in which the original 2000G is photographed and read by the photographing unit 2020, poor copying of the original 2000G using the photographing unit 2020 can be suppressed compared to a case in which the boundary line 2000K is formed within the photographing range of the photographing unit 2020 but outside the original 2000G. In particular, the image forming apparatus 2100 of this embodiment has a configuration in which, when an A4-sized document 2000G, which is the same size as the A4-sized sheet member 2000P that can be accommodated in the largest number in the accommodation unit 2120, is placed on the loading surface 2030a, part of the boundary line 2000K is covered by the document 2000G. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 2100 of this embodiment can suppress poor copying of the document 2000G using the photographing unit 2020, compared to a case in which the boundary line 2000K is formed outside the A4-sized document 2000G within the photographing range of the photographing unit 2020.

[0175] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 2100 of this embodiment includes a panel unit 2102 that displays information about the image forming apparatus 2100 on the +D side. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 2100 of this embodiment, in a configuration that includes the panel unit 2102 that displays information on the +D side, it is easier to move the flat plate 2032 having the upper surface 2032a while checking the display content of the panel unit 2102, compared to a configuration in which the flat plate 2032 moves to the +D side.

[0176] Although the second embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0177] The loading surface 2030a in this embodiment does not need to be a completely flat surface. That is, the loading surface 2030a may have a shape that allows the document 2000G to be placed on the loading surface 2030a and photographed by the photographing unit 2020. Therefore, for example, the loading surface 2030a may have irregularities as long as the document 2000G can be placed on the loading surface 2030a and photographed by the photographing unit 2020.

[0178] For example, the forming apparatus 2110 in this embodiment is an electrophotographic forming apparatus, but the forming apparatus 2110 may be, for example, an inkjet type or an offset printing type.

[0179] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the platen 2030 is configured from two members: the cover 2052 of the reading unit 2050 and the flat plate 2032. However, the platen 2030 may be configured from a single member whose top surface is divided into multiple faces by a single or multiple grooves. The single or multiple grooves are an example of a boundary line. The platen 2030 may also be configured from three or more members. In other words, there may be two or more gaps 2000S between members according to the present invention and two or more boundary lines 2000K formed by the gaps 2000S.

[0180] Furthermore, although the boundary line 2000K in this embodiment is a single straight line, the boundary line 2000K may be curved or bent on the mounting surface 2030a.

[0181] Furthermore, the flat plate 2032 in this embodiment is configured to move by sliding in the width direction of the device. However, the flat plate 2032 in this embodiment may be configured to slide in the depth direction of the device. Furthermore, the flat plate 2032 in this embodiment may be configured to move by rotating to open the top of the stacking section 2040, or may be configured to be detachable from the document table 2030.

[0182] Furthermore, the length of the flat plate 2032 in the present embodiment in the device width direction is longer than half the length of the loading surface 2030a in the device width direction. However, the length of the flat plate 2032 in the present embodiment in the device width direction is not limited to being longer than half the length of the loading surface 2030a in the device width direction, and may be equal to half the length of the loading surface 2030a in the device width direction, or may be shorter than half the length of the loading surface 2030a in the device width direction.

[0183] In addition, in the document reading device 2010 of this embodiment, the maximum size of the document 2000G that can be photographed by the photographing unit 2020 is A3 size. However, the maximum size of the document that can be photographed by the photographing unit 2020 of this embodiment is not limited to A3 size, and may be a size larger than A3 size, such as A2 or B3, or a size smaller than A3 size, such as A4 or B4.

[0184] In the image forming apparatus 2100 of this embodiment, the size of the sheet material 2000P that can be most often stored in the storage unit 2120 is A4. However, the size of the sheet material 2000P that can be most often stored in the storage unit 2120 of this embodiment is not limited to A4, and may be A3 or B5.

[0185] <Third form> An example of the third embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0186] (Image reader 3010) An image reading device 3010 according to the third embodiment will be described. Fig. 3-1 is a schematic diagram showing an image reading device 3010 according to this embodiment. Note that arrow H shown in each drawing indicates the vertical direction of the device, arrow W indicates the width direction of the device (specifically, the horizontal direction), and arrow D indicates the depth direction of the device (specifically, the horizontal direction). The vertical direction, width direction, and depth direction of the device intersect with each other (specifically, are perpendicular to each other).

[0187] 3-1 is a device for reading an image. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3-1, the image reading device 3010 includes a conveying unit 3014, an image forming unit 3012, a reading unit 3030, a conveying mechanism 3040, a document table 3050, a discharge unit 3060, a document table 3070, and a camera 3080.

[0188] In this embodiment, the image reading device 3010 has a function of forming an image, as will be described later, and therefore may be understood as an image forming device.

[0189] (Transport unit 3014 and image forming unit 3012) The transport unit 3014 (see FIG. 3-1) transports recording media 3000P such as paper stored in the storage unit 3016. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3-1, the transport unit 3014 has transport members 3014A such as a plurality of transport rolls, and transports the recording media 3000P by the transport members 3014A.

[0190] The image forming unit 3012 (see FIG. 3A) forms an image on a recording medium 3000P conveyed by a conveying unit 3014. The image forming unit 3012 is capable of forming an image read by a reading unit 3030 and a camera 3080 on the recording medium 3000P.

[0191] Specifically, the image forming unit 3012 forms a toner image (an example of an image) on a recording medium 3000P by electrophotography. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3-1, the image forming unit 3012 includes toner image forming units 3020Y, 3020M, 3020C, and 3020K (hereinafter referred to as 3020Y to 3020K), a transfer body 3024, and a fixing unit 3026.

[0192] In image forming unit 3012, toner image forming units 3020Y to 3020K perform the processes of charging, exposing, developing, and transferring to form toner images of each color, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), on transfer body 3024. Furthermore, image forming unit 3012 transfers the toner images of each color formed on transfer body 3024 to recording medium 3000P, and the toner images are fixed to recording medium 3000P by fixing unit 3026. In this way, image forming unit 3012 uses an intermediate transfer method in which the image is transferred to recording medium 3000P via transfer body 3024.

[0193] (Reading unit 3030 and transport mechanism 3040) The reading unit 3030 shown in FIG. 3-1 etc. is a component that reads an image of the transported document 3000G (see FIGS. 3-3 and 3-5). As shown in FIG. 3-1, the reading unit 3030 is installed above the image forming unit 3012. Specifically, the reading unit 3030 has reading sensors 3032 and 3034 and a cover 3033.

[0194] The reading sensor 3032 is a functional unit having a reading function of reading an image on one side of the conveyed original 3000G. The reading sensor 3034 is a functional unit having a reading function of reading an image on the other side of the conveyed original 3000G. As an example, a contact-type image sensor called a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) is used as the reading sensors 3032 and 3034.

[0195] The cover 3033 is a component that covers the reading sensor 3032. Specifically, the cover 3033 has a top plate 3035 and side plates 3037 and 3039, as shown in FIG.

[0196] The top plate 3035 is installed above the reading sensor 3032 and covers the reading sensor 3032 from above. As shown in FIGS. 3-2 and 3-4, a portion of the original 3000G, whose image is to be read by the camera 3080, is placed on the top plate 3035.

[0197] The side plate 3037 is installed on one side in the device width direction (the left side in FIG. 3-1) of the reading sensor 3032, and covers one side in the device width direction of the reading sensor 3032. The side plate 3039 is installed on the other side in the device width direction of the reading sensor 3032 (the right side in FIG. 3-1), and covers the other side in the device width direction of the reading sensor 3032.

[0198] Note that one side of the device width direction corresponds to the left side of the image reading device 3010, and therefore, hereinafter, one side of the device width direction will be referred to as the left side. The other side of the device width direction corresponds to the right side of the image reading device 3010, and therefore, hereinafter, the other side of the device width direction will be referred to as the right side. These directions are determined for the sake of convenience of explanation, and the device configuration is not limited to these directions.

[0199] The side plate 3039 is formed with a receiving opening 3039A for receiving the document 3000G placed on the document table 3050 into the inside of the cover 3033. The receiving opening 3039A is configured as an opening extending in the depth direction of the device.

[0200] Below the receiving opening 3039A in the side plate 3039, a discharge opening 3039B is formed, through which the document 3000G is discharged from inside the cover 3033 to the discharge section 3060. The discharge opening 3039B is configured as an opening that extends in the depth direction of the device.

[0201] The transport mechanism 3040 is a mechanism that transports the original 3000G whose image is to be read by the reading unit 3030. The transport mechanism 3040 is disposed inside the cover 3033. In other words, the transport mechanism 3040 is covered by the cover 3033.

[0202] Specifically, the transport mechanism 3040 has a plurality of transport members 3040A such as transport rolls. In the transport mechanism 3040, the transport members 3040A transport the document 3000G placed on the document table 3050 from the receiving port 3039A to the discharge port 3039B (i.e., the discharge section 3060) along a C-shaped transport path.

[0203] In this manner, in the image reading device 3010, the transport mechanism 3040 transports the original 3000G from the platen 3050 to the discharge section 3060, and the reading section 3030 reads the image of the original 3000G transported by the transport mechanism 3040.

[0204] (Manuscript stand 3050) As shown in FIGS. 3-3, 3-5, and 3-7, the platen 3050 is a platen on which the original 3000G, the image of which is to be read by the reading unit 3030 (see FIG. 3-1), is placed. In other words, the platen 3050 can also be said to be a component on which the original 3000G, which is to be transported by the transport mechanism 3040 (see FIG. 3-1), is placed. The platen 3050 is an example of a second loading unit.

[0205] Original 3000G is placed on upper surface 3050A of platen 3050. Therefore, upper surface 3050A of platen 3050 is the surface on which original 3000G is placed. In this embodiment, as will be described later, original 3000G is placed on platen 3050 from above when platen 3070 is in the open position.

[0206] In this embodiment, the term "document table" is used to mean a place on which the document 3000G can be placed. Therefore, the term "table" does not include the meaning of specifying the shape.

[0207] As shown in FIG. 3A, platen 3050 is installed on the right side of reading unit 3030. Platen 3050 is installed below platen 3070 and below top surface 3035A of top board 3035. Therefore, top surface 3050A of platen 3050 has a step with respect to top surface 3035A of top board 3035.

[0208] Platen 3050 is formed in the shape of a plate extending to the right from side plate 3039 of cover 3033. Top surface 3050A of platen 3050 extends to the right from receiving opening 3039A. Top surface 3050A is an inclined surface that slopes upward from receiving opening 3039A to the right.

[0209] 3-3 and 3-7, the platen 3050 is provided with limiting portions 3058 (so-called side guides). The limiting portions 3058 come into contact with the side edges of the original 3000G placed on the platen 3050, and limit the movement of the original 3000G to one side and the other in the device depth direction.

[0210] Note that one side of the device depth direction corresponds to the front of the image reading device 3010, and therefore, hereinafter, this side of the device depth direction will be referred to as the front. The other side of the device depth direction corresponds to the rear of the image reading device 3010, and therefore, hereinafter, this side of the device depth direction will be referred to as the rear. These directions are defined for the sake of convenience in explanation, and the device configuration is not limited to these directions.

[0211] (Discharge section 3060) Discharge section 3060 shown in FIG. 3-5 etc. is a component where document 3000G, the image of which has been read by reading section 3030, is discharged. In other words, discharge section 3060 can also be said to be a component where document 3000G transported by transport mechanism 3040 is placed. In discharge section 3060, document 3000G is placed on upper surface 3060A. Therefore, upper surface 3060A of discharge section 3060 is the surface where document 3000G is placed.

[0212] Discharge section 3060 is disposed below top surface 3035A of top plate 3035, below document table 3050. Discharge section 3060 is formed in the shape of a plate extending from side plate 3039 of cover 3033 to the right.

[0213] Upper surface 3060A of discharge portion 3060 extends to the right from discharge opening 3039B. Upper surface 3060A is configured as an inclined surface that slopes upward from discharge opening 3039B to the right.

[0214] (Manuscript stand 3070) 3-2 and 3-4, the platen 3070 is a platen on which the original 3000G is placed, the image of which is read by the camera 3080. The platen 3070 is an example of a loading section, and an example of a first loading section.

[0215] On platen 3070, original 3000G is placed on top surface 3070A. Therefore, top surface 3070A of platen 3070 is the surface on which original 3000G is placed. As shown in FIG. 3-4 , top surface 3070A of platen 3070 is set at the same height as top surface 3035A of top board 3035. In other words, top surface 3070A of platen 3070 is set on the same plane as top surface 3035A of top board 3035.

[0216] Platen 3070 is installed above discharge section 3060 and above platen 3050. Therefore, platen 3070 covers upper surface 3050A of platen 3050 from above. Platen 3070 is installed at a height that allows a user operating image reading device 3010 to place document 3000G on it while standing. Specifically, platen 3070 is installed at a height of, for example, about 1000 mm from the floor on which image reading device 3010 is installed.

[0217] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3-3, the document table 3070 has a top panel 3071 and side panels 3072, 3074, and 3075. As shown in FIG. 3-4, the top panel 3071 is plate-shaped with its thickness extending vertically, and as shown in FIG. 3-6, it is formed into a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. In the document table 3070, the document 3000G is placed on the top panel 3071, as shown in FIGS. 3-2, 3-4, and 3-6. Therefore, the upper surface 3070A of the document table 3070 is formed by the upper surface of the top panel 3071.

[0218] As shown in Fig. 3-4, the top panel 3071 is installed above the document table 3050. The dimensions of the top panel 3071 in the device width direction and the device depth direction are larger than the dimensions of the document table 3050 in the device width direction and the device depth direction.

[0219] The side plate 3075 protrudes downward from the right end of the top plate 3071. The side plate 3075 is formed in a plate shape with its thickness direction aligned with the width direction of the device. The side plate 3075 is installed on the right side of the document table 3050, and covers the document table 3050 from the right side.

[0220] Each of the side plates 3072, 3074 protrudes downward from the front and rear ends of the top plate 3071 (see FIG. 3-3). The side plates 3072, 3074 are formed in a plate shape with their thickness direction aligned with the depth direction of the device. Each of the side plates 3072, 3074 is installed on the front and rear sides of the document table 3050, and covers the document table 3050 from both the front and rear sides.

[0221] Furthermore, platen 3070 is movable between a covering position (position shown in FIGS. 3-1, 3-2, 3-4, and 3-6) where it covers platen 3050 from above, and an open position (position shown in FIGS. 3-3, 3-5, and 3-7) where it opens the upper side of platen 3050. In this embodiment, platen 3070 is supported by device body 3011 as a support body so that it can move between the covering position and the open position.

[0222] As shown in FIGS. 3-8 and 3-9, rails 3076 are formed in each of the side plates 3072 and 3074 by long holes extending in the left-right direction. A pair of shafts 3057, each provided on the front and rear surfaces of the platen 3050, are inserted into the rails 3076. The pair of shafts 3057 guide the platen 3070 to the covered position (the position shown in FIG. 3-8) and the open position (the position shown in FIG. 3-9) via the rails 3076, whereby the platen 3070 moves between the covered position (the position shown in FIG. 3-8) and the open position (the position shown in FIG. 3-9) along the width direction of the device.

[0223] As shown in FIGS. 3-3, 3-5, and 3-7, platen 3070 is disposed on the opposite side (i.e., right side) of platen 3050 from reading unit 3030 when in the open position. A portion of document 3000G placed on platen 3050 is placed on platen 3070 when in the open position.

[0224] In this way, in the image reading device 3010, a moving mechanism for moving the document table 3070 is configured by the pair of shafts 3057 and rails 3076. Note that the moving mechanism is not limited to the above-described configuration, and can be configured using various mechanical elements.

[0225] Furthermore, as described above, platen 3070 functions as a cover that covers platen 3050. That is, platen 3070 also serves as a cover that covers platen 3050. Because platen 3070 functions as a cover, it may be understood as a cover (covering member) for platen 3050.

[0226] (Camera 3080) Camera 3080 is a camera (a so-called document camera) capable of reading an image of document 3000G (an example of a subject) placed on document table 3070. Camera 3080 is installed above document table 3070. Camera 3080 is also directed downward, and is capable of reading an image of document 3000G placed on top surface 3070A of document table 3070. Camera 3080 is an example of an imaging unit that images a subject.

[0227] For example, a digital camera having an optical system such as a lens and an imaging element that converts photosensitive images into electrical signals is used as the camera 3080. Examples of imaging elements include a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The optical axis of the camera 3080 is aligned, for example, vertically when viewed from the front.

[0228] Camera 3080 is supported by a support section 3085 provided on device body 3011. Support section 3085 has a support column 3087 extending upward from device body 3011 on the rear side of document table 3070, and an attachment section 3089 extending forward from the upper end of support column 3087. Camera 3080 is attached to attachment section 3089.

[0229] As shown in FIG. 3-6, camera 3080 has a reading range 3000MH that spans reading unit 3030 and platen 3070. Top surface 3035A of top board 3035 in reading unit 3030 and upper surface 3070A of platen 3070 are formed flat at least in reading range 3000MH of camera 3080. In this embodiment, the entire top surface 3035A of top board 3035 and the entire upper surface 3070A of platen 3070 are formed flat. Note that reading range 3000MH is an example of a shooting range.

[0230] Note that the term "flat" here means that the surface is flat enough to support the document 3000G in a position suitable for reading by the camera 3080, and unevenness is permitted within the range that allows the document to be supported in a position suitable for reading by the camera 3080.

[0231] The posture of the original 3000G suitable for reading is a smooth posture, and at least a posture with less deflection than when the original 3000G (specifically, ordinary paper) is placed across the top surface 3035A of the top plate 3035 and the upper surface 3050A of the document table 3050.

[0232] It is desirable that top surface 3035A of top board 3035 in reading unit 3030 and top surface 3070A of document table 3070 are perpendicular to the optical axis of camera 3080. At least in image reading device 3010, when viewed from the front side, the angle of top surface 3035A and top surface 3070A with respect to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of camera 3080 is smaller than the angle of top surface 3050A of document table 3050 with respect to the perpendicular direction.

[0233] In image reading device 3010, original 3000G is placed on document table 3070 located in the covering position and top surface 3035A of top board 3035 in reading unit 3030, and camera 3080 captures an image of original 3000G, thereby reading the image. The image is an image formed on original 3000G, and includes characters, pictures, photographs, and the like.

[0234] Furthermore, top surface 3035A and top surface 3070A, which function as a surface on which original 3000G is placed, do not need to be flat. That is, top surface 3035A and top surface 3070A may have any shape that allows original 3000G to be placed on top surface 3035A and top surface 3070A and photographed by camera 3080. Therefore, for example, top surface 3035A and top surface 3070A may have irregularities as long as original 3000G can be placed on top surface 3035A and top surface 3070A and photographed by camera 3080.

[0235] (Actions related to this embodiment) Image reading device 3010 includes reading unit 3030 that reads an image of transported original 3000G, discharge unit 3060 to which original 3000G, the image of which has been read by reading unit 3030, is discharged, document table 3070 that is installed above document table 3070, and camera 3080 that is installed above document table 3070 and is capable of reading an image of original 3000G (an example of a subject) placed on document table 3070. Therefore, in image reading device 3010 that includes reading unit 3030 that reads an image of transported original 3000G, it is possible to install both reading unit 3030 and camera 3080 that is installed above document table 3070 that is installed above discharge unit 3060 to which original 3000G is discharged and that reads an image of original 3000G.

[0236] Furthermore, in image reading device 3010, upper surface 3070A of platen 3070 is formed flat at least in reading range 3000MH of camera 3080. Therefore, it is possible to create a posture of original 3000G suitable for reading by camera 3080, compared to when upper surface 3070A of platen 3070 is formed unevenly in a range within reading range 3000MH of camera 3080, where it is difficult to support the original in a posture suitable for reading.

[0237] Furthermore, in image reading device 3010, top surface 3035A of top board 3035 in reading unit 3030 and top surface 3070A of document table 3070 are formed flat at least in reading range 3000MH of camera 3080. Therefore, it is possible to create a document 3000G in a position suitable for reading by camera 3080, compared to when top surface 3070A of document table 3070 and top surface 3035A of top board 3035 are formed unevenly in a range that makes it difficult to support the document in a position suitable for reading in reading range 3000MH of camera 3080.

[0238] Furthermore, in image reading device 3010, original 3000G is placed on upper surface 3070A of original table 3070 and top surface 3035A of top board 3035. Therefore, the range in which original 3000G can be placed is expanded compared to when original 3000G is placed only on upper surface 3070A of original table 3070.

[0239] Furthermore, in image reading device 3010, platen 3070 can be moved to an open position that opens the upper side of platen 3050. Therefore, original 3000G can be placed on platen 3050 from the upper side of platen 3050.

[0240] Furthermore, in image reading device 3010, a portion of original 3000G placed on original table 3050 is placed on original table 3070 located in the open position. Therefore, the area in which original 3000G can be placed is expanded compared to when original 3000G is placed only on original table 3050.

[0241] Furthermore, in image reading device 3010, document table 3070 is provided at a height that allows the user operating image reading device 3010 to place document 3000G on it while standing. This allows the user to place document 3000G on document table 3070 without sitting down.

[0242] The image reading device 3010 also includes an image forming unit 3012 that can form on a recording medium 3000P an image read by the reading unit 3030 and the camera 3080. Therefore, an image of the conveyed original 3000G and an image of the original 3000G placed on the platen 3070 can be formed on the recording medium 3000P.

[0243] (Modification of the image forming unit 3012) An example of the image forming unit is not limited to the above-mentioned image forming unit 3012. For example, the image forming unit may be a direct transfer unit in which each of the toner image forming units 3020Y to 3020K forms a toner image directly on the recording medium 3000P without using the transfer body 3024. Another example of the image forming unit may be an image forming unit that ejects ink onto the recording medium 3000P to form an image, and may be any unit that has the function of forming an image on the recording medium 3000P.

[0244] (Modification of the reading unit 3030) In the reading unit 3030, a contact-type image sensor is used as a functional unit having an image reading function, but this is not limited to this. The functional unit may be, for example, an image sensor such as a CCD, or any other type that can read images.

[0245] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reading unit 3030 has the reading sensors 3032 and 3034 as functional units having an image reading function, but this is not limiting. The reading unit 3030 may have a configuration including only one of the reading sensors 3032 and 3034. In other words, it is sufficient for the reading unit 3030 to be able to read an image on at least one side of the document 3000G.

[0246] In addition, in this embodiment, the cover 3033 is understood as a component that constitutes part of the reading unit 3030 having the reading sensors 3032 and 3034, but this is not limiting. For example, the cover 3033 may be understood as a component that constitutes part of the conveying unit having the conveying mechanism 3040.

[0247] (Modification of camera 3080) Examples of images read by camera 3080 are not limited to images including text, pictures, photographs, etc. Examples of images read by camera 3080 may include, for example, still images or video images, and may be any images that can be read by camera 3080.

[0248] An example of the subject is not limited to the original document 3000G. Examples of the subject may include a video device that displays an image (for example, a smartphone or a mobile terminal), a book, a business card, or anything that can be captured by the camera 3080.

[0249] Anything that can be placed on platen 3070 and cover 3033 can be used as the subject. Therefore, camera 3080 may be configured to be able to capture not only an image but also the subject itself as a still image or a moving image.

[0250] (Modification of the manuscript table 3070) As shown in FIG. 3-4 , upper surface 3070A of document table 3070 is set at the same height as top surface 3035A of top board 3035, but this is not limited to this. There may be a step between upper surface 3070A of document table 3070 and top surface 3035A of top board 3035. The step is formed within a range that allows the document to be supported in a position suitable for reading by camera 3080, for example.

[0251] (Other variations) In the image reading device 3010, the top surface 3035A of the top plate 3035 of the reading unit 3030 and the upper surface 3070A of the document table 3070 are required to be flat at least within the reading range of the camera 3080, and may have irregularities formed in an area outside the reading range of the camera 3080 that makes it difficult to support the document in a position suitable for reading.

[0252] In image reading device 3010, document 3000G, the image of which is read by camera 3080, is configured to be placed on document table 3070 positioned in the cover position and on top surface 3035A of top board 3035 in reading unit 3030, but it may also be configured so that document 3000G is placed only on document table 3070. In this case, reading range 3000MH of camera 3080 may be a range that includes only document table 3070.

[0253] In image reading device 3010, platen 3070 is used as an example of a loading section, but this is not limiting. In image reading device 3010, platen 3050, for example, may be used as an example of a loading section. That is, a subject such as document 3000G, whose image is to be read by camera 3080, may be placed on platen 3050. In this case, for example, platen 3070 may be fixed in an open position, or platen 3070 may not be provided.

[0254] The image reading device 3010 includes the image forming unit 3012, but may not include the image forming unit 3012.

[0255] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the above-described modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0256] <Fourth form> An example of a storage device and an image forming device according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 4-1 to 4-7. Note that arrow H shown in each figure indicates the vertical direction, i.e., the up-down direction of the device, arrow W indicates the horizontal direction, i.e., the width direction of the device, and arrow D indicates the horizontal direction, i.e., the depth direction of the device.

[0257] (Overall configuration of image forming apparatus) 4-1, the image forming apparatus 4010 includes an image forming unit 4012 that forms a toner image by electrophotography, a transport unit 4014 that transports a recording medium P along a transport path 4016, and a storage device 4110 that has storage units 4060, 4070, and 4080 that store the recording medium P. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 4010 includes a control unit 4028 that controls each unit, and a main power supply 4036 that supplies power from a commercial mains power source to each unit.

[0258] In the image forming apparatus 4010 having the above configuration, recording media P are stored in the storage units 4060, 4070, and 4080, and the recording media P stored in any of the storage units 4060, 4070, and 4080 are transported by the transport unit 4014 along the transport path 4016. Furthermore, a toner image formed by the image forming unit 4012 is formed on the transported recording medium P, and the recording medium P with the toner image formed is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 4010a.

[0259] [Image forming unit 4012] 4-1, the image forming unit 4012 includes a plurality of toner image forming units 4030 that form toner images of each color, and a transfer unit 4032 that transfers the toner images formed in the toner image forming units 4030 onto a recording medium P. Furthermore, the image forming unit 4012 includes a fixing device 4034 that fixes the toner images transferred onto the recording medium P by the transfer units 4032 onto the recording medium P.

[0260] -Toner image forming unit 4030- A plurality of toner image forming units 4030 are provided so as to form toner images for each color. In the fourth embodiment, toner image forming units 4030 are provided for a total of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), the Y, M, C, and K attached to the reference numerals will be omitted.

[0261] The toner image forming units 4030 for each color are basically configured the same except for the toner used, and as shown in FIG. 4-2, each unit includes a rotating cylindrical image carrier 4040 and a charger 4042 that charges the image carrier 4040. The toner image forming units 4030 further include an exposure device 4044 that irradiates the charged image carrier 4040 with exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image, and a development device 4046 that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image with developer G containing toner. As a result, the toner image forming units 4030 for each color form images of each color using toner of each color.

[0262] 4-1, the image carriers 4040 of each color are in contact with a rotating transfer belt 4050 (details will be described later). In the rotation direction of the transfer belt 4050 (see the arrow in the figure), toner image forming units 4030 of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged in this order from the upstream side.

[0263] -Transfer Unit 4032- As shown in Figure 4-1, the transfer section 4032 includes a transfer belt 4050 and primary transfer rolls 4052 that are arranged on opposite sides of the image carriers 4040 of each color across the transfer belt 4050 and transfer the toner images formed on the image carriers 4040 of each color to the transfer belt 4050.

[0264] The transfer unit 4032 also includes a winding roll 4056 around which the transfer belt 4050 is wound, and a driving roll 4058 around which the transfer belt 4050 is wound and which transmits a rotational force to the transfer belt 4050. This causes the transfer belt 4050 to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

[0265] Furthermore, the transfer unit 4032 is provided with a secondary transfer roll 4054, which is disposed on the opposite side of the transfer belt 4050 from the winding roll 4056 and transfers the toner image transferred onto the transfer belt 4050 to the recording medium P. A transfer nip NT, which transfers the toner image onto the recording medium P, is formed between the secondary transfer roll 4054 and the transfer belt 4050.

[0266] In this configuration, a toner image is primarily transferred onto a transfer belt 4050 by a primary transfer roll 4052 in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Meanwhile, the toner image is transferred from the transfer belt 4050 by the secondary transfer roll 4054 to a recording medium P that is conveyed while being sandwiched between the transfer belt 4050 and the secondary transfer roll 4054. Furthermore, the recording medium P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed toward a fixing device 4034.

[0267] -Fusing unit 4034- As shown in FIG. 4-1, the fixing device 4034 is disposed downstream of the transfer nip NT in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P. The fixing device 4034 applies heat and pressure to the toner image transferred onto the recording medium P to fix it to the recording medium P.

[0268] [Containment Device 4110] As shown in FIG. 4-1, the storage device 4110 is disposed below the image forming apparatus 4010, and includes three storage sections 4060, 4070, and 4080 for storing recording media P, and a transport section 4014 for transporting the recording media P. The uppermost storage section 4060 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction. Details of the storage device 4110 will be described later.

[0269] [Control unit 4028, main power supply 4036] The control unit 4028 and the main power supply 4036 are located in the triangular area formed between the inclined housing unit 4060 and the image forming unit 4012 .

[0270] (Main part configuration) Next, the storage device 4110 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4-1, the storage device 4110 is disposed in a lower portion of the image forming apparatus 4010. As shown in FIG. 4-3, the storage device 4110 includes an apparatus main body 4110a, a storage section 4060 that stores recording media P, a storage section 4070 that stores recording media P, and a storage section 4080 that stores recording media P. The storage device 4110 also includes a slide rail 4064 that allows the storage section 4060 to move in the apparatus depth direction, a slide rail 4074 that allows the storage section 4070 to move in the apparatus depth direction, and a slide rail 4084 that allows the storage section 4080 to move in the apparatus depth direction. The storage device 4110 also includes a transport section 4014 that transports the recording media P, and a cover 4130 (see FIG. 4-5) that covers the apparatus main body 4110a in the apparatus width direction.

[0271] The storage section 4060 is an example of a first storage section, the storage section 4070 is an example of a second storage section, and the storage section 4080 is an example of a third storage section. The depth direction of the apparatus is an example of a first direction. The width direction of the apparatus is an example of a lateral direction. The apparatus main body 4110a of the storage apparatus 4110 is a lower portion of the apparatus main body 4010a of the image forming apparatus 4010.

[0272] The storage sections 4060, 4070, and 4080 are arranged in this order from top to bottom. Furthermore, the maximum size of the recording medium P that can be stored in the storage section 4070 is smaller than the maximum size of the recording medium P that can be stored in the storage section 4060. Furthermore, the maximum size of the recording medium P that can be stored in the storage section 4080 is smaller than the maximum size of the recording medium P that can be stored in the storage section 4060, and is larger than the maximum size of the recording medium P that can be stored in the storage section 4070.

[0273] The maximum size of recording medium P that can be accommodated in storage section 4060 is an example of a first size, the maximum size of recording medium P that can be accommodated in storage section 4070 is an example of a second size, and the maximum size of recording medium P that can be accommodated in storage section 4080 is an example of a third size.

[0274] In the fourth embodiment, the storage unit 4060 mainly stores A3-sized recording media P, and the A3-sized recording media P is the maximum size of recording media P that can be stored in the storage unit 4060. The storage unit 4070 mainly stores postcard-sized recording media P, and the postcard-sized recording media P is the maximum size of recording media P that can be stored in the storage unit 4070. The storage unit 4080 mainly stores A4-sized recording media P, and the A4-sized recording media P is the maximum size of recording media P that can be stored in the storage unit 4080.

[0275] As a result, in terms of the length in the front-to-rear direction of the recording media P stored, the recording media P stored in storage section 4060 is the longest, followed by the recording media P stored in storage section 4080, and then the recording media P stored in storage section 4070. Here, the length in the front-to-rear direction of the recording media P refers to the length of the recording media P in the direction in which the recording media P is sent out to the transport path 4016.

[0276] In addition, the number of recording media P that can be stored in storage section 4080 is greater than the number of recording media P that can be stored in storage section 4060 and the number of recording media that can be stored in storage section 4070.

[0277] In this fourth embodiment, the storage section 4060 can store 200 recording media P, the storage section 4070 can store 100 recording media P, and the storage section 4080 can store 1000 recording media P.

[0278] As a result, in terms of the total thickness in the thickness direction of the stored recording media P, the total thickness of the recording media P stored in storage section 4080 is the thickest, followed by the total thickness of the recording media P stored in storage section 4060, and then the total thickness of the recording media P stored in storage section 4070. In other words, the total thickness of the recording media P stored in storage section 4070 is the thinnest.

[0279] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 4010, the consumption of A4 size recording media P is the greatest. In other words, the number of sheets that can be stored in storage unit 4080, which stores the recording media P that are consumed the most, is greater than the number of sheets that can be stored in storage unit 4060 and storage unit 4070.

[0280] [Transportation unit 4014] As shown in Figure 4-1, the conveying section 4014 is equipped with a feed roll 4020a that sends the recording medium P stored in the storage section 4060 to the conveying path 4016, and a prevention roll 4022a that prevents double feeding of the recording medium P sent out by the feed roll 4020a.

[0281] The conveying section 4014 also includes a feed roll 4020b that sends out the recording medium P stored in the storage section 4070 to the conveying path 4016, and a prevention roll 4022b that prevents double feeding of the recording medium P sent out by the feed roll 4020b.

[0282] Furthermore, the conveying section 4014 is equipped with a feed roll 4020c that sends out the recording medium P stored in the storage section 4080 to the conveying path 4016, and a prevention roll 4022c that prevents double feeding of the recording medium P sent out by the feed roll 4020c.

[0283] The conveying section 4014 is also provided with an adjustment roll 4024, which is disposed downstream of the prevention rolls 4022a, 4022b, and 4022c in the conveying direction of the recording medium P and adjusts the timing of sending the recording medium P to the transfer nip NT. The conveying section 4014 is also provided with an ejection roll 4026, which ejects the recording medium P, on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 4034, to the outside of the apparatus main body 4010a.

[0284] [Storage section 4060, slide rail 4064] As shown in FIG. 4-3, the storage section 4060 is box-shaped with an open top, and a pair of slide rails 4064 are attached to both ends of the storage section 4060 in the device width direction.

[0285] The slide rail 4064 includes an outer member, an intermediate member, and an inner member, and the outer member is attached to the device main body 4110a, and the inner member is attached to the storage section 4060. This allows the storage section 4060 to move in the device depth direction relative to the device main body 4110a.

[0286] 4-3 and 4-4(A), when the storage section 4060 is attached to the device main body 4110a, it is inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that one end (the end on the left in the figure) and the other end in the device width direction are positioned at different heights when viewed from the device depth direction. Specifically, when viewed from the device depth direction, the storage section 4060 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that one end in the device width direction is higher than the other end. Here, the one end and the other end are parts of the storage section 4060 and refer to one or the other of two points that are furthest apart in the device width direction. In other words, one end of the storage section 4060 is the downstream end of the storage section 4060, and the other end of the storage section 4060 is the upstream end of the storage section 4060. Furthermore, the upstream end or downstream end of the storage section 4060 refers to the point where the storage section 4060 intersects with a plane on which the recording media P stored in the storage section 4060 is arranged. The recording medium P accommodated in the accommodation portion 4060 is oriented such that the surface of the recording medium P is aligned with the bottom plate of the accommodation portion 4060 .

[0287] In the fourth embodiment, the storage unit 4060 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that the leading edge Pf of the recording medium P stored in the storage unit 4060 is above the trailing edge Pr. Here, the leading edge Pf of the recording medium P is the edge on the side where the recording medium P is sent out to the conveyance path 4016 (see FIG. 4-1), and the trailing edge Pr of the recording medium P is the edge opposite to the leading edge Pf.

[0288] Then, with the storage unit 4060 attached to the device main body 4110a, the recording medium P stored in the storage unit 4060 can be transported by the transport unit 4014. In other words, the storage unit 4060 attached to the device main body 4110a is located at a first transport position where the stored recording medium P can be transported.

[0289] On the other hand, when the user pulls out the storage unit 4060 attached to the device main body 4110a toward the front in the device depth direction, the storage unit 4060 is guided by the slide rails 4064, hits a stopper (not shown), and stops, as shown in FIG. 4-4(B), and is detached from the device main body 4110a. Also, when the user pushes the detached storage unit 4060 toward the back in the device depth direction, the storage unit 4060 is guided by the slide rails 4064 and attached to the device main body 4110a. "detached" means that a recording medium P can be stored in the storage unit 4060. In the fourth embodiment, the state in which the storage unit 4060 is detached from the device main body 4110a means that the storage unit 4060 is not removed from the device main body 4110a, is supported by the device main body 4110a, and is able to store a recording medium P in the storage unit 4060.

[0290] When detached from the device main body 4110a, the storage section 4060 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that one end and the other end in the device width direction are positioned differently in the vertical direction when viewed from the device depth direction. Specifically, when viewed from the device depth direction, the storage section 4060 detached from the device main body 4110a overlaps with the storage section 4060 when attached to the device main body 4110a. In other words, when viewed from the device depth direction, the storage section 4060 detached from the device main body is arranged within the device width of the device main body 4110a.

[0291] Then, with the storage unit 4060 detached from the device main body 4110a, the upper side of the storage unit 4060 is open, making it possible to supply the recording medium P to the storage unit 4060. In other words, the storage unit 4060 detached from the device main body 4110a is located at a first supply position where the recording medium P can be supplied to the storage unit 4060. The first supply position is an example of the second position.

[0292] [Storage section 4070, slide rail 4074] As shown in FIG. 4-3, the storage section 4070 is box-shaped with an open top, and a pair of slide rails 4074 are attached to both ends of the storage section 4070 in the device width direction.

[0293] The slide rail 4074 includes an outer member, an intermediate member, and an inner member, the outer member being attached to the device main body 4110a, and the inner member being attached to the receiving portion 4070.

[0294] As a result, when the user pulls out the storage unit 4070 attached to the device main body 4110a toward the front side in the device depth direction, the storage unit 4070 is guided by the slide rails 4074 and detached from the device main body 4110a. Also, when the user pushes the storage unit 4070 detached from the device main body 4110a toward the back side in the device depth direction, the storage unit 4070 is guided by the slide rails 4074 and attached to the device main body 4110a.

[0295] 4-3, the storage unit 4070 is arranged horizontally when viewed from the depth direction of the device in a state where it is attached to the device main body 4110a and in a state where it is detached from the device main body 4110a. In the fourth embodiment, the storage unit 4070 being arranged horizontally means that it is arranged along the horizontal direction, and for example, it means a state where some tilt is allowed so that the recording media P stored in the storage unit 4070 do not move due to tilt.

[0296] The storage section 4070 attached to the device main body 4110a is located at a second transport position where the stored recording medium P can be transported, and the storage section 4070 detached from the device main body 4110a is located at a second supply position where the recording medium P can be supplied to the storage section 4070.

[0297] Furthermore, regardless of the position of the accommodation section 4060, the accommodation section 4070 attached to the device main body 4110a is pulled out from the device main body 4110a to the front side in the device depth direction.

[0298] Furthermore, the recording medium P of the largest size accommodated in the storage unit 4070 is arranged within the range (R1 in the drawing) in the device width direction as viewed from the device depth direction, in which the recording medium P of the largest size accommodated in the storage unit 4060 is arranged. Furthermore, the recording medium P of the largest size accommodated in the storage unit 4070 is arranged within the range (R2 in the drawing) in the device up-down direction as viewed from the device depth direction, in which the recording medium P of the largest size accommodated in the storage unit 4060 is arranged.

[0299] [Storage section 4080, slide rail 4084] As shown in FIG. 4-3, the storage section 4080 is box-shaped with an open top, and a pair of slide rails 4084 are attached to both ends of the storage section 4080 in the device width direction.

[0300] The slide rail 4084 includes an outer member, an intermediate member, and an inner member, the outer member being attached to the device main body 4110a, and the inner member being attached to the receiving portion 4080.

[0301] As a result, when the user pulls out the storage unit 4080 attached to the device main body 4110a toward the front side in the device depth direction, the storage unit 4080 is guided by the slide rails 4084 and detached from the device main body 4110a. Also, when the user pushes the storage unit 4080 detached from the device main body 4110a toward the back side in the device depth direction, the storage unit 4080 is guided by the slide rails 4084 and attached to the device main body 4110a.

[0302] 4-3, the storage unit 4080 is arranged horizontally when viewed from the depth direction of the device in a state where it is attached to the device main body 4110a and in a state where it is detached from the device main body 4110a. In the fourth embodiment, the storage unit 4080 being arranged horizontally means that it is arranged along the horizontal direction, and for example, it means a state where some tilt is allowed so that the recording media P stored in the storage unit 4080 do not move due to tilt.

[0303] The storage section 4080 attached to the device main body 4110a is located at a third transport position where the stored recording medium P can be transported, and the storage section 4080 detached from the device main body 4110a is located at a third supply position where the recording medium P can be supplied to the storage section 4080.

[0304] Furthermore, regardless of the position of the accommodation section 4060, the accommodation section 4080 attached to the device main body 4110a is pulled out from the device main body 4110a to the front side in the device depth direction.

[0305] Furthermore, the largest size recording medium P accommodated in the storage section 4080 is arranged within the range R1 in the width direction of the device, in which the largest size recording medium P accommodated in the storage section 4060 is arranged, when viewed from the depth direction of the device.

[0306] [Cover 4130] As shown in Figures 4-5(A) and (B), the cover 4130 is attached to the device main body 4110a and moves between a covering position in which it covers one side of the device main body 4110a from the device width direction, and an opening position in which it opens one side of the device main body 4110a in the device width direction.

[0307] The cover 4130 positioned at the covering position covers, in the width direction of the device, at least a portion of the transport path 4016 along which the recording medium P is transported by the transport unit 4014. Therefore, the cover 4130 positioned at the open position opens, in the width direction of the device, at least a portion of the transport path 4016 (see FIG. 4-1) along which the recording medium P is transported by the transport unit 4014.

[0308] In the fourth embodiment, the cover 4130 also has the function of covering one side of the apparatus body 4010a of the image forming apparatus 4010. In other words, the cover 4130 moves between a covering position where it covers the fixing device 4034 attached to the apparatus body 4010a from the apparatus width direction, and an opening position where it opens to the fixing device 4034 in the apparatus width direction.

[0309] As shown in Figure 4-5(A), the cover 4130 positioned in the covering position comprises a rectangular main body portion 4132 extending in the vertical direction of the device when viewed from the width direction of the device, and a support portion 4134 that rotatably supports the main body portion 4132.

[0310] As shown in FIGS. 4-5(A) and 4-5(B), the support parts 4134 are attached to the innermost part of the device body 4110a in the device depth direction, and are provided as a pair spaced apart in the device up-down direction.

[0311] In this configuration, the cover 4130 moves between a covering position (see FIG. 4-5(A)) where it covers the device body 4110a of the storage device 4110 in the device width direction, and an opening position (see FIG. 4-5(B)) where it opens the device body 4110a in the device width direction. Specifically, the cover 4130 hits a stopper (not shown) and stops at the covering position. Furthermore, when the cover 4130 stopped at the covering position is rotated, the cover 4130 hits a stopper (not shown) and stops at the opening position.

[0312] (summary) Next, the operation of storage device 4110 will be described while comparing it with storage device 4310 of image forming apparatus 4210 according to the first comparative embodiment and storage device 4510 of image forming apparatus 4410 according to the second comparative embodiment. First, the configurations of storage device 4310 and storage device 4510 that differ from the configuration of storage device 4110 will be mainly described.

[0313] [Configuration of storage device 4310] The storage device 4310 includes three storage sections 4260, 4070, and 4080 for storing recording media P, as shown in FIGS.

[0314] As shown in FIG. 4-6(A), the accommodation section 4260 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, similar to the accommodation section 4060, when attached to the device main body 4310a.

[0315] 4-6(B), the storage section 4260 is guided by a slide and link mechanism (not shown) and arranged horizontally while being detached from the device main body 4310a. When viewed from the device depth direction, the storage section 4260 protrudes from the device main body 4310a in the device width direction.

[0316] [Configuration of storage device 4510] As shown in Figure 4-7, the storage device 4510 has a storage section 4560, a storage section 4570, and a storage section 4580, and the storage section 4560, the storage section 4570, and the storage section 4580 are arranged in this order from top to bottom in the vertical direction of the device.

[0317] The maximum size of recording medium P that can be accommodated in storage section 4570 is smaller than the maximum size of recording medium P that can be accommodated in storage section 4560. Also, the maximum size of recording medium P that can be accommodated in storage section 4580 is smaller than the maximum size of recording medium that can be accommodated in storage section 4570.

[0318] Furthermore, the number of recording media P that can be stored in storage section 4560, the number of recording media P that can be stored in storage section 4570, and the number of recording media P that can be stored in storage section 4580 are the same. As a result, the total thickness in the thickness direction of the stored recording media P is the same for storage section 4560, storage section 4570, and storage section 4580.

[0319] Furthermore, when viewed from the depth direction of the device, storage section 4560 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that one end in the device width direction is higher than the other end. Furthermore, storage section 4570 is inclined at the same angle as storage section 4560. Furthermore, storage section 4580 is inclined at the same angle as storage section 4560.

[0320] The maximum size recording medium P accommodated in storage section 4570 and the maximum size recording medium P accommodated in storage section 4580 protrude in the device width direction beyond the range (R4 in the figure) in which the maximum size recording medium P accommodated in storage section 4560 is arranged. In other words, they protrude beyond range R4. Note that in storage device 4510 according to the second comparative embodiment, the maximum size recording medium P accommodated in storage section 4570 and a portion of the maximum size recording medium P accommodated in storage section 4580 protrude beyond range R4 in the device width direction, but the entire recording medium P may protrude beyond range R4.

[0321] Furthermore, the recording medium P of the largest size accommodated in the storage unit 4570 protrudes from the range (R5 in the figure) in which the recording medium P of the largest size accommodated in the storage unit 4560 is arranged in the vertical direction of the device. In other words, it protrudes from the range R5. Note that in the storage device 4510 according to the second comparative embodiment, a portion of the recording medium P of the largest size accommodated in the storage unit 4570 protrudes from the range R5 in the vertical direction of the device, but the entire recording medium P may protrude from the range R5.

[0322] [Function of Storage Device 4110] As described above, in the storage device 4110, when viewed from the depth direction of the device, the storage section 4060 detached from the device main body 4110a is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that one end and the other end are at different up-down positions in the device width direction. As a result, when supplying recording media P, the range in which the storage section 4060 is arranged in the device width direction is smaller than in the storage device 4310 of the first comparative embodiment.

[0323] In addition, in the storage device 4110, when viewed from the depth direction of the device, the storage section 4060 detached from the device main body 4110a is arranged within the range of the device main body 4110a in the device width direction. As a result, compared to the storage device 4310 of the first comparative embodiment, the range in which the storage section 4060 is arranged in the device width direction when feeding the recording medium P is smaller.

[0324] Furthermore, in storage device 4110, when viewed from the device depth direction, the largest size recording medium P that can be stored in storage unit 4070 attached to device main body 4110a is arranged within range R1 in the device width direction where the largest size recording medium P that can be stored in storage unit 4060 attached to device main body 4110a is arranged. As a result, assuming that storage unit 4060 and storage unit 4560, which are arranged at an angle, have the same shape, the range in the device width direction where recording media P can be arranged is smaller than in storage device 4510 of the second comparative embodiment.

[0325] Furthermore, in the storage device 4110, the cover 4130 positioned in the open position opens at least a portion of the transport path 4016 for the recording medium P. As a result, when the recording medium P transported from the storage unit 4060, the storage unit 4070, and the storage unit 4080 becomes clogged in the transport path 4016, the clogged recording medium P can be easily removed, compared to when the cover 4130 is not provided.

[0326] Furthermore, in storage device 4110, the recording medium P of the largest size stored in storage section 4070 is arranged within the range in both the vertical and width directions of the device where the recording medium P of the largest size stored in storage section 4060 is arranged. As a result, assuming that storage section 4060 and storage section 4560, which are arranged at an angle, have the same shape, the range in which recording media P are arranged in the width direction and vertical direction of the device is smaller than in storage device 4510 of the second comparative embodiment.

[0327] Furthermore, in storage device 4110, the recording medium P of the largest size stored in storage section 4080 is arranged within the range in the device width direction of the recording medium P of the largest size stored in storage section 4060. As a result, assuming that storage section 4060 and storage section 4560, which are arranged at an angle, have the same shape, the range in the device width direction in which recording media P are arranged is smaller than in storage device 4510 of the second comparative embodiment.

[0328] Furthermore, in the storage device 4110, the inclination of the storage units 4070 and 4080 is smaller than the inclination of the storage unit 4060. This reduces the tendency of the recording media P stored in the storage units 4070 and 4080 to move in the inclined direction, compared to when the inclination of the storage units 4070 and 4080 is the same as the inclination of the storage unit 4060.

[0329] Furthermore, in the storage device 4110, the storage units 4070 and 4080 are arranged horizontally. This prevents the recording media P stored in the storage units 4070 and 4080 from moving in the inclined direction, compared to when the storage units 4070 and 4080 are inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

[0330] Furthermore, in the storage device 4110, the number of recording media P that can be stored in the storage section 4080 is greater than the number of recording media P that can be stored in the storage section 4060 and the number of recording media P that can be stored in the storage section 4070. As a result, the center of gravity of the storage device 4110 in a state in which the recording media P are stored is located lower than when the number of recording media P that can be stored in the storage section 4080 is less than the number of recording media P that can be stored in the storage section 4060 and the number of recording media P that can be stored in the storage section 4070.

[0331] Furthermore, in the storage device 4110, the storage units 4070 and 4080 attached to the device main body 4110a can be pulled out from the device main body 4110a in the device depth direction regardless of the position of the storage unit 4060. This makes it easier to supply recording media P to the storage unit 4070 or the storage unit 4080 compared to a configuration in which both the storage units 4070 and 4080 cannot be pulled out when the storage unit 4060 is detached from the device main body 4110a.

[0332] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 4010, the area required for supplying the recording medium P to the image forming apparatus 4010 is smaller than when the storage device 4110 is not provided.

[0333] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with respect to a specific fourth embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the fourth embodiment, and that the present disclosure can take on various other fourth embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the fourth embodiment, the storage device 4110 is used in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 4010, but the storage device 4110 may also be used in an inkjet image forming apparatus, for example.

[0334] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the storage device 4110 includes the storage section 4060, the storage section 4070, and the storage section 4080, but it may not include the storage section 4070 and the storage section 4080. In this case, the effect achieved by including the storage section 4070 and the storage section 4080 is not achieved.

[0335] In the fourth embodiment, the recording medium P of the maximum size that can be accommodated in the accommodating section 4070 is arranged within the range R1 in the device width direction when viewed from the device depth direction, but it may protrude outside the range R1. However, the effect that would be obtained by arranging it within the range R1 will not be obtained.

[0336] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the storage units 4070 and 4080 are arranged horizontally, but they do not have to be arranged horizontally as long as the inclination angles of the storage units 4070 and 4080 are smaller than the inclination angle of the storage unit 4060. This reduces the tendency of the recording media P stored in the storage units 4070 and 4080 to move in the inclined direction, compared to when the inclination angles of the storage units 4070 and 4080 are the same as the inclination angle of the storage unit 4060 and when the inclination angles of the storage units 4070 and 4080 are larger than the inclination angle of the storage unit 4060.

[0337] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the storage units 4070 and 4080 attached to the device main body 4110a can be pulled out from the device main body 4110a in the device depth direction regardless of the position of the storage unit 4060, but it is sufficient if at least one of the storage units 4070 and 4080 can be pulled out. This makes it easier to supply the recording media P compared to when both the storage units 4070 and 4080 cannot be pulled out.

[0338] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the number of recording media P that can be stored in the storage section 4080 is greater than the number of recording media P that can be stored in the storage section 4060 and the number of recording media P that can be stored in the storage section 4070. However, the number of recording media P stored in each storage section may have a different relationship. In this case, the effect of having the largest number of recording media P that can be stored in the storage section 4080 will not be achieved.

[0339] Furthermore, although not specifically explained in the fourth embodiment, the storage unit 4060 attached to the device main body 4110a can be moved to the supply position regardless of the positions of the storage units 4070 and 4080. This makes it easier to supply the recording medium P to the storage unit 4060 compared to a case where the movement of the storage unit 4060 is restricted by the positions of the storage units 4070 and 4080.

[0340] 4-8, a guide portion 4200 such as a rib that guides the recording medium P transported from the storage portion 4070 may be formed at the upper end portion of the storage portion 4060, and the transport path 4016 from the storage portion 4070 to the guide portion 4200 may be disposed within the range in the device width direction where the storage portion 4060 is disposed. In this case, the width of the device main body 4110a is prevented from increasing due to the transport path 4016 from the storage portion 4070 to the guide portion 4200, compared to when the transport path 4016 from the storage portion 4070 to the guide portion 4200 is disposed outside the range in the device width direction where the storage portion 4060 is disposed.

[0341] Although not specifically described in the fourth embodiment, the image forming unit 4012 may be arranged in the device width direction within the range in which the storage unit 4060 is arranged. This prevents the width of the device main body 4010a including at least the image forming unit 4012 from increasing, compared to when the image forming unit 4012 is arranged outside the range in which the storage unit 4060 is arranged.

[0342] Although not specifically described in the fourth embodiment, the reversing path for reversing the recording medium P may be arranged in the device width direction within the range in which the storage unit 4060 is arranged. This prevents the width of the device main body 4010a from increasing, compared to when the reversing path is arranged outside the range in which the storage unit 4060 is arranged in the device width direction.

[0343] Although not specifically described in the fourth embodiment, the transfer nip NT, where the image is transferred to the recording medium P by the image forming unit 4012, may be located on the opposite side of the device width direction from the portion where the recording medium P is sent out from the storage unit 4060. Furthermore, a reversing path that reverses the recording medium P may be located within the range where the storage unit 4060 is located in the device width direction. This prevents the width of the device main body 4010a from increasing in size compared to when the reversing path is located outside the range where the storage unit 4060 is located in the device width direction.

[0344] Although not specifically explained in the fourth embodiment, the storage device 4110 may not include the transport unit 4014.

[0345] Although not specifically described in the fourth embodiment, the storage section 4070 may be inclined relative to the horizontal direction. It is sufficient that the recording medium P of the largest size stored in the storage section 4070 is positioned within the range R1 when viewed from the depth direction of the device.

[0346] Although not specifically described in the fourth embodiment, the storage unit 4080 may be inclined relative to the horizontal direction. It is sufficient that the recording medium P of the largest size stored in the storage unit 4080 is positioned within the range R1 when viewed from the depth direction of the device.

[0347] In addition, although the fourth embodiment has been described as an embodiment in which the storage section is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, it is sufficient that the positions of one end and the other end of the storage section are different. For example, even if the storage section is provided parallel to the vertical direction, the range in which the storage section is arranged in the width direction can be made smaller than when the storage section is horizontal.

[0348] <Fifth form> An example of a sheet storage device and an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 5-1 to 5-9. Note that arrow H shown in each figure indicates the vertical direction, i.e., the height direction of the device, arrow W indicates the horizontal direction, i.e., the width direction of the device, and arrow D indicates the horizontal direction, i.e., the depth direction of the device.

[0349] (Overall configuration of image forming apparatus) As shown in FIG. 5-1, the image forming apparatus 5010 includes an image forming unit 5012 that forms a toner image by electrophotography, a sheet storage device 5110 having storage units 5018 and 5060 that store sheets P and a conveying unit 5014 that conveys sheets P along a conveying path 5016, and a control unit 5028 that controls each unit.

[0350] In the image forming apparatus 5010 having the above configuration, the sheet P stored in the storage units 5018 and 5020 is transported by the transport unit 5014 along the transport path 5016. Furthermore, a toner image formed by the image forming unit 5012 is formed on the sheet P being transported, and the sheet P with the formed toner image is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 5010a.

[0351] [Image forming unit 5012] As shown in FIG. 5-1 , the image forming section 5012 includes a plurality of toner image forming sections 5030 that respectively form toner images of each color, and a transfer section 5032 that transfers the toner images formed in the toner image forming sections 5030 onto a sheet P. Furthermore, the image forming section 5012 includes a fixing device 5034 that fixes the toner images transferred onto the sheet P by the transfer sections 5032 onto the sheet P. The toner image forming sections are an example of an image forming unit, and the fixing device 5034 is an example of a fixing section.

[0352] -Toner image forming unit 5030- A plurality of toner image forming units 5030 are provided so as to form toner images for each color. In the fifth embodiment, toner image forming units 5030 are provided for a total of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), the Y, M, C, and K attached to the reference numerals will be omitted.

[0353] The toner image forming units 5030 for each color are basically configured the same except for the toner used, and as shown in FIG. 5-2, each unit includes a rotating cylindrical image carrier 5040 and a charger 5042 that charges the image carrier 5040. The toner image forming units 5030 further include an exposure device 5044 that irradiates the charged image carrier 5040 with exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image, and a development device 5046 that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image with developer G containing toner. As a result, the toner image forming units 5030 for each color form images of each color using toner of each color.

[0354] 5-1, the image carriers 5040 of each color are in contact with a rotating transfer belt 5050 (details will be described later). In the rotation direction of the transfer belt 5050 (see the arrow in the figure), toner image forming units 5030 of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged in this order from the upstream side.

[0355] -Transfer Unit 5032- As shown in Figure 5-1, the transfer unit 5032 includes a transfer belt 5050 and primary transfer rolls 5052 that are arranged on opposite sides of the image carriers 5040 of each color across the transfer belt 5050 and transfer the toner images formed on the image carriers 5040 of each color to the transfer belt 5050.

[0356] The transfer unit 5032 also includes a winding roll 5056 around which the transfer belt 5050 is wound, and a driving roll 5058 around which the transfer belt 5050 is wound and which transmits a rotational force to the transfer belt 5050. As a result, the transfer belt 5050 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

[0357] Furthermore, the transfer unit 5032 includes a secondary transfer roll 5054, which is disposed on the opposite side of the transfer belt 5050 from the winding roll 5056 and transfers the toner image transferred onto the transfer belt 5050 onto the sheet P. A transfer nip NT, which transfers the toner image onto the sheet P, is formed between the secondary transfer roll 5054 and the transfer belt 5050.

[0358] In this configuration, a toner image is primarily transferred onto a transfer belt 5050 by a primary transfer roll 5052 in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Meanwhile, the toner image is transferred from the transfer belt 5050 by the secondary transfer roll 5054 onto a sheet P that is conveyed while being sandwiched between the transfer belt 5050 and the secondary transfer roll 5054. Furthermore, the sheet P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed toward a fixing device 5034.

[0359] -Fixing unit 5034- 5-1, the fixing device 5034 is disposed downstream of the transfer nip NT in the conveyance direction of the sheet P. The fixing device 5034 fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet P to the sheet P by applying heat and pressure.

[0360] [Sheet storage device 5110] The sheet storage device 5110 is disposed below the image forming apparatus 5010. Details of the sheet storage device 5110 will be described later.

[0361] (Main part configuration) Next, the sheet storage device 5110 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5-1, the sheet storage device 5110 is disposed below the image forming device 5010. The sheet storage device 5110 includes a device main body 5110a, a storage section 5018 that stores sheets P, and a storage section 5060 that stores sheets P. The sheet storage device 5110 also includes a transport section 5014 that transports the sheets stored in the storage section 5018 and the storage section 5060. As shown in FIGS. 5-8(A) and 5-8(B), the sheet storage device 5110 also includes a cover section 5120 that covers the device main body 5110a from the device depth direction, and a cover section 5130 that covers the device main body 5110a from the device width direction. As shown in FIG. 5-5, the sheet storage device 5110 also includes a rail member 5084 that allows the storage section 5018 to move in the device depth direction.

[0362] The storage section 5018 is an example of a first storage section, and the storage section 5060 is an example of a second storage section. The depth direction of the device is an example of a first direction, and the width direction of the device is an example of a lateral direction.

[0363] The apparatus main body 5110a of the sheet storage apparatus 5110 is the lower part of the apparatus main body 5010a of the image forming apparatus 5010.

[0364] [Storage section 5018] The storage unit 5018 stores A3 size sheets P, and as shown in Fig. 5-1, is disposed below the toner image forming unit 5030. The A3 size is an example of the first size.

[0365] Furthermore, the storage section 5018 is disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal direction so that one end and the other end in the device width direction are positioned at different vertical positions when viewed from the device depth direction. Specifically, the storage section 5018 is inclined so that the end on one side (the left side in the drawing) of the storage section 5018 is positioned higher in the device width direction than the end on the other side of the storage section 5018. Here, the one end and the other end are parts of the storage section 5018 and refer to one or the other of two points that are furthest apart in the device width direction.

[0366] On the other hand, the device main body 5110a is provided with a side wall 5112a facing one side in the device width direction and on the upper end side of the storage section 5018, and a side wall 5112b facing the other side in the device width direction and on the lower end side of the storage section 5018. The lower end of the storage section 5018 is closer to the side wall 5112b on the lower end side of the storage section 5018 than to the side wall 5112a on the upper end side of the storage section 5018.

[0367] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5-6(A) and 5-6(B), the storage section 5018 is detachable from the device main body 5110a from the depth direction of the device when a cover section 5120, which will be described later, is in the open position.

[0368] 5-5, the storage unit 5018 includes a storage main body 5070 and a trailing edge restriction portion 5074 that contacts the trailing edge Pr of the stored sheet P to restrict the position of the trailing edge Pr of the sheet P. The storage unit 5018 also includes a pair of side edge restriction portions 5082 that contact both side edges Ps of the sheet P to restrict the position of the side edges Ps of the sheet P, and a support portion 5094 that supports the stored sheet P from below.

[0369] The storage unit 5018 is inclined, so that the leading edge Pf of the sheet P stored in the storage unit 5018 is positioned higher than the trailing edge Pr. The sheet P is also sent out to the conveying path 5016 from the leading edge Pf of the sheet P.

[0370] -Main unit 5070- As shown in FIG. 5-5, the storage body 5070 is box-shaped and open at the top. The storage body 5070 has a bottom plate 5070a that faces the back surface of the stored sheet P in the thickness direction of the sheet P (hereinafter referred to as the "medium thickness direction"), and a rear wall 5070b that faces the trailing edge Pr of the sheet P in the front-rear direction of the sheet P (hereinafter referred to as the "medium front-rear direction"). Furthermore, the storage section 5018 has a front wall 5070c that faces the leading edge Pf of the stored sheet P in the medium front-rear direction, and a pair of side walls 5072 that face the side edge Ps of the sheet P in the width direction of the sheet P (hereinafter referred to as the "medium width direction").

[0371] The pair of side walls 5072 are a side wall 5072a on the far side in the depth direction of the device and a side wall 5072b on the near side in the depth direction of the device. The side wall 5072a has a rectangular shape extending from the rear wall 5070b to the front wall 5070c when viewed from the depth direction of the device. On the other hand, the side wall 5072b has a rectangular base portion 5073a extending from the rear wall 5070b to the front wall 5070c when viewed from the depth direction of the device, and an extending portion 5073b extending from the base portion 5073a to one side in the width direction of the device.

[0372] 5-3(B) and 5-4(B), an inclined dividing line 5076 is formed between the side wall 5072b and the device body 5110a when the storage unit 5018 is attached to the device body 5110a, dividing the storage unit 5018 and the device body 5110a. Here, the storage unit 5018 being attached to the device body 5110a means that the storage unit 5018 is disposed closer to the device body 5110a than the cover unit 5120 that covers the device body 5110a from the front side in the device depth direction.

[0373] - Trailing edge restriction part 5074 - As shown in FIG. 5-5, the trailing edge restriction portion 5074 is disposed inside the storage main body 5070 and attached to the bottom plate 5070a of the storage main body 5070. The trailing edge restriction portion 5074 is guided by a pair of slits (not shown) formed in the bottom plate 5070a and extending in the media front-rear direction, and is adapted to move only within a predetermined range in the media front-rear direction. The movement of the moving trailing edge restriction portion 5074 is restricted by a locking mechanism (not shown).

[0374] In this configuration, the trailing edge regulating portion 5074 regulates the position of the trailing edge Pr of the sheet P by coming into contact with the trailing edge Pr of the sheet P stored in the storage portion 5018 in the front-rear direction of the medium.

[0375] -Side edge regulation part 5082- As shown in FIG. 5-5, the side edge regulating portions 5082 are disposed inside the storage main body 5070 and attached to the bottom plate 5070a of the storage main body 5070. Furthermore, the side edge regulating portions 5082 are disposed on both sides of the sheet P in the medium width direction. Furthermore, the pair of side edge regulating portions 5082 are symmetrical in the medium width direction.

[0376] The side edge regulating portion 5082 is guided by a pair of slits (not shown) formed in the bottom plate 5070a and extending in the medium width direction, and moves within a predetermined range in the medium width direction. The moving side edge regulating portion 5082 is stopped in place by the frictional force generated between the side edge regulating portion 5082 and the bottom plate 5070a.

[0377] The storage section 5018 uses a center registration system, and is equipped with a mechanism (not shown) that, when one side edge regulating section 5082 is moved in the media width direction, the other side edge regulating section 5082 is also moved in the media width direction by the same amount.

[0378] In this configuration, the pair of side edge regulating portions 5082 regulates the position of the side edges Ps of the sheets P by coming into contact with the side edges Ps of the sheets P stored in the storage portion 5018 in the medium width direction.

[0379] -Support part 5094- The support portion 5094 is disposed inside the housing main body portion 5070 as shown in FIG. 5-5. The support portion 5094 is formed using sheet metal, is symmetrical in the medium width direction when viewed in the medium thickness direction, and has a rectangular shape with two notches cut out.

[0380] Specifically, a U-shaped notch 5094a is formed in the support portion 5094 to avoid interference with the moving side edge restriction portion 5082. In addition, the position of the rear edge 5094b of the support portion 5094 is determined so as to avoid interference with the moving rear edge restriction portion 5074.

[0381] Furthermore, shafts 5096 that protrude in the medium width direction are formed on both end portions of the rear edge 5094b of the support portion 5094. The shafts 5096 are inserted into through-holes 5078 that are formed in the side walls 5072 of the storage portion 5018. This allows the support portion 5094 to rotate around the shafts 5096 as the center of rotation, with the front end portion of the support portion 5094 moving up and down.

[0382] In this configuration, with the storage unit 5018 attached to the device main body 5110a (see FIG. 5-1), as shown in FIG. 5-7(A), a biasing member (not shown) provided in the device main body 5110a biases the front end portion of the support unit 5094 upward, causing the support unit 5094 to rotate around the shaft unit 5096. Then, the front end portion of the sheet P supported by the support unit 5094 comes into contact with the delivery roll 5020.

[0383] On the other hand, when the storage unit 5018 is detached from the device main body 5110a (see FIG. 5-1), as shown in FIG. 5-7(B), the biasing force of the biasing member is released and the front end portion of the support portion 5094 comes into contact with the bottom plate 5070a of the storage main body 5070. Note that even when the storage unit 5018 is detached from the device main body 5110a, the storage unit 5018 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, just as when it was attached to the device main body 5110a. Here, detachment refers to a state in which the storage unit can be pulled out from the device main body and sheets P can be supplied to the storage unit. Specifically, the state in which the storage unit 5018 is detached from the device main body 5110a refers to a state in which the storage unit 5018 is not removed from the device main body 5110a, is supported by the device main body 5110a, and is capable of storing sheets P in the storage unit 5018.

[0384] [Storage section 5060] The storage section 5060 stores A4-sized sheets P, and as shown in FIG. 5-1, is disposed below the upper portion of the storage section 5018. Although details are omitted, this storage section 5060, like the storage section 5018, includes a storage main body section, a trailing edge restricting section, a pair of side edge restricting sections, and a support section that supports the sheets P from below. The A4 size is an example of the second size. Note that, although the first size and the second size are different in the fifth embodiment, they may also be the same size.

[0385] The storage section 5060 is arranged horizontally when viewed from the depth direction of the device. In other words, the storage section 5060 is arranged so that no moving force acts on the sheets P stored in the storage section 5060.

[0386] 5-3(B) and 5-4(B), a dividing line 5062 is formed between the storage unit 5060 and the device main body 5110a, dividing the device main body 5110a and the storage unit 5060. Note that in this fifth embodiment, the dividing line is not limited to the dividing line between the storage unit and the device main body 5110a, but also includes, for example, a dividing line between the storage unit and another member such as another storage unit.

[0387] The storage section 5060 is detachable from the device main body 5110a from the depth direction of the device when a cover section 5120, which will be described later, is in the open position.

[0388] [Rail member 5084] A pair of rail members 5084 are provided, and as shown in FIG. 5-5, are attached to the lower end of the rear wall 5070b of the main storage body portion 5070 and the lower end of the front wall 5070c of the main storage body portion 5070.

[0389] The rail member 5084 is a so-called slide rail, and includes an outer member, an intermediate member, and an inner member. The outer member is attached to the device main body 5110a, and the inner member is attached to the accommodation main body portion 5070.

[0390] In this configuration, the rail member 5084 guides the storage unit 5018 in the depth direction of the device. Specifically, the rail member 5084 guides the storage unit 5018 to an attachment position (see FIG. 5-6(A)) where the storage unit 5018 is attached to the device main body 5110a, and to a removal position (see FIG. 5-6(B)) where the storage unit 5018 is removed from the device main body 5110a.

[0391] Although details are omitted, the storage section 5060 is also provided with a rail member for attaching and detaching the storage section 5060 to the apparatus main body 5110a.

[0392] [Transportation unit 5014] 5-1, the conveying unit 5014 includes a feed roll 5020a that feeds the sheet P stored in the storage unit 5018 to the conveying path 5016, and a prevention roll 5022a that prevents double feeding of the sheets P sent out by the feed roll 5020a. The conveying unit 5014 also includes a feed roll 5020b that feeds the sheet P stored in the storage unit 5060 to the conveying path 5016, and a prevention roll 5022b that prevents double feeding of the sheets P sent out by the feed roll 5020b.

[0393] Furthermore, the conveying section 5014 is equipped with an adjustment roll 5024 that adjusts the timing of sending the sheet P to the transfer nip NT, and an ejection roll 5026 that ejects the sheet P, on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 5034, outside the device main body 5010a.

[0394] [Covering part 5120] The covering portion 5120 is a so-called front cover, and as shown in Figures 5-3(A) and (B), is attached to the device main body 5110a and moves between a covering position where it covers the storage portion 5018 attached to the device main body 5110a from the depth direction of the device, and an open position where it opens the storage portion 5018 in the depth direction of the device.

[0395] In the fifth embodiment, the covering unit 5120 also has the function of covering the device body 5010a of the image forming device 5010 from the device depth direction. As a result, the covering unit 5120 moves between a covering position where it covers the toner image forming units 5030 of each color attached to the device body 5010a from the device depth direction, and an opening position where it opens the toner image forming units 5030 in the device depth direction.

[0396] As shown in Figure 5-3(A), the covering portion 5120 located in the covering position comprises a main body portion 5122 that is rectangular and extends in the height direction of the device when viewed from the depth direction of the device, and has a flange formed on its outer peripheral edge, and a support portion 5124 that rotatably supports the main body portion 5122.

[0397] As shown in FIGS. 5-3(A) and 5-3(B), the support portions 5124 are attached to one side of the device width direction in the device main body 5110a, and are provided as a pair spaced apart in the device height direction.

[0398] In this configuration, the covering portion 5120 moves between a covering position (see FIGS. 5-3(A) and 5-4(A)) where it covers the storage portion 5018 from the depth direction of the device, and an opening position (see FIGS. 5-3(B) and 5-4(B)) where it opens the storage portion 5018 in the depth direction of the device. Specifically, the covering portion 5120 hits a stopper (not shown) and stops at the covering position. Furthermore, when the covering portion 5120 that is stopped at the covering position is rotated, the covering portion 5120 hits a stopper (not shown) and stops at the opening position.

[0399] 5-4(A), when the covering portion 5120 is located at the covering position, the covering portion 5120 covers the entirety of the storage portion 5018 attached to the device main body 5110a and the entirety of the storage portion 5060. In other words, when viewed from the device depth direction, the covering portion 5120 covers the entirety of the division line 5076 of the storage portion 5018 and the entirety of the division line 5062 of the storage portion 5060.

[0400] On the other hand, when the cover portion 5120 is in the open position, the cover portion 5120 is disposed at a position closer to the upper end than to the lower end of the storage portion 5018 when viewed from the depth direction of the device, as shown in FIG. 5-4(B). Furthermore, when the cover portion 5120 is in the open position, the entire storage portion 5018 and the entire storage portion 5060 are open in the depth direction of the device when viewed from the depth direction of the device. In other words, when the cover portion 5120 is in the open position, the entire division line 5076 of the storage portion 5018 and the entire division line 5062 of the storage portion 5060 can be directly seen when viewed from the depth direction of the device.

[0401] As described above, the covering part 5120 positioned at the covering position restricts the operation of removing the accommodation part 5018 and the accommodation part 5060 attached to the device main body 5110a, and the covering part 5120 positioned at the open position does not restrict the operation of removing the accommodation part 5018 and the accommodation part 5060 attached to the device main body 5110a. In other words, the operation of removing the accommodation part 5018 attached to the device main body 5110a is permitted.

[0402] Furthermore, when the storage unit 5018 attached to the device main body 5110a is pulled out in the device depth direction and detached from the device main body 5110a with the cover part 5120 in the open position, the bottom plate 5070a of the detached storage unit 5018 is opened in the thickness direction of the bottom plate 5070a. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5-6(B), the cover part 5120 is not present in the thickness direction of the bottom plate 5070a of the detached storage unit 5018 (arrow B shown in FIG. 5-6(B)), and the bottom plate 5070a is opened.

[0403] [Covering part 5130] The covering portion 5130 is a so-called side cover, and as shown in FIGS. 5-8(A) and (B), is attached to the device main body 5110a and moves between a covering position where it covers the device main body 5110a from the device width direction and an opening position where it opens the device main body 5110a in the device width direction. The covering portion 5130 is an example of another covering portion. In the fifth embodiment, the covering portion 5130 is formed by a single covering portion.

[0404] The covering section 5130 positioned at the covering position covers the device main body 5110a from the side where the sheet P is conveyed by the conveying section 5014. Therefore, the covering section 5130 positioned at the open position opens at least a part of the conveying path 5016 (see FIG. 5-1) where the sheet P is conveyed by the conveying section 5014 in the device width direction.

[0405] In the fifth embodiment, the covering unit 5130 also has a function of covering the device body 5010a of the image forming device 5010 in the device width direction. As a result, the covering unit 5130 moves between a covering position where it covers the fixing device 5034 attached to the device body 5010a in the device width direction, and an opening position where it opens the fixing device 5034 in the device width direction.

[0406] In addition, the covering portion 5130 located in the covering position includes a rectangular main body portion 5132 extending in the height direction of the device when viewed from the width direction of the device, as shown in Figure 5-8(A), and a support portion 5134 that rotatably supports the main body portion 5132.

[0407] As shown in FIGS. 5-8(A) and 5-8(B), the support parts 5134 are attached to the innermost part of the device body 5110a in the device depth direction, and are provided as a pair spaced apart in the device height direction.

[0408] In this configuration, the covering unit 5130 moves between a covering position (see FIG. 5-8(A)) where it covers at least a portion of the conveying path 5016 in the width direction of the device, and an opening position (see FIG. 5-8(B)) where it opens at least a portion of the conveying path 5016 in the width direction of the device. Specifically, the covering unit 5130 hits a stopper (not shown) and stops at the covering position. Furthermore, when the covering unit 5130 that is stopped at the covering position is rotated, the covering unit 5130 hits a stopper (not shown) and stops at the opening position.

[0409] (summary) As described above, in the sheet storage device 5110, when the cover part 5120 is in the covering position, the cover part 5120 covers the entire storage part 5018 attached to the device main body 5110a as seen from the device depth direction, as shown in Fig. 5-4(A). This reduces the loss of aesthetic appeal due to the inclined parting line 5076 compared to a configuration without the cover part 5120 covering the storage part 5018.

[0410] Furthermore, in the sheet storage device 5110, when the cover part 5120 is in the covering position, the cover part 5120 covers the entire storage part 5060 attached to the device main body 5110a when viewed from the device depth direction, as shown in Fig. 5-4(A). This reduces the loss of aesthetic appeal due to the dividing line 5062 compared to a configuration without the cover part 5120 covering the storage part 5060.

[0411] Furthermore, in the sheet storage device 5110, when the cover part 5120 is in the open position, the cover part 5120 is disposed at a position closer to the upper end than the lower end of the storage part 5018 when viewed from the depth direction of the device, as shown in Fig. 5-4(B). This improves the workability of storing the sheets P in the storage part 5018 compared to when the cover part 5120 in the open position is disposed at a position closer to the lower end than the upper end of the storage part 5018 when viewed from the depth direction of the device.

[0412] Furthermore, in the sheet storage device 5110, when the storage unit 5018 is detached from the device main body 5110a with the cover unit 5120 in the open position, the bottom plate 5070a of the detached storage unit 5018 is opened in the thickness direction of the bottom plate 5070a. This improves the workability of storing sheets P in the storage unit 5018 compared to when the bottom plate 5070a of the storage unit 5018 detached from the device main body 5110a is not opened in the thickness direction of the bottom plate 5070a.

[0413] Furthermore, in the sheet storage device 5110, the covering part 5120 positioned at the covering position restricts the removal of the storage unit 5018 attached to the device main body 5110a, while the covering part 5120 positioned at the open position does not restrict the removal of the storage unit 5018 attached to the device main body 5110a. In other words, the removal of the storage unit 5018 attached to the device main body 5110a is permitted. This restricts the removal of the storage unit 5018 from the device main body 5110a when the covering part 5120 is positioned at the covering position.

[0414] Furthermore, in the sheet storage device 5110, when viewed from the depth direction of the device, the lower end of the storage section 5018 is closer to the lower side wall 5112b than to the upper side wall 5112a of the storage section 5018. This improves the workability of storing sheets P in the storage section 5018 compared to when the lower end of the storage section is closer to the upper side wall than to the lower side wall of the storage section.

[0415] Furthermore, in the sheet storage device 5110, the movement trajectory of the covering portion 5120 and the movement trajectory of the covering portion 5130 are separated from each other. As a result, the covering portion 5130 moves regardless of the movement position of the covering portion 5120. Here, the movement trajectory of the covering portion 5120 and the movement trajectory of the covering portion 5130 being separated from each other means that the two movement trajectories do not overlap three-dimensionally.

[0416] In addition, in the sheet storage device 5110, when the cover portion 5130 is in the open position, a part of the conveying path 5016 for the sheet P is opened, so that the sheet P that is stuck in the conveying path 5016 can be removed.

[0417] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 5010, the loss of aesthetic appeal due to the inclined parting line 5076 is suppressed compared to a configuration in which the cover portion 5120 that covers the storage portion 5018 is not provided.

[0418] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 5010, maintenance of the toner image forming unit 5030 is possible with the cover unit 5120 in the open position.

[0419] In the image forming apparatus 5010, the fixing device 5034 is operable when the cover 5130 is in the open position.

[0420] Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to a specific fifth embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to this fifth embodiment, and that the present invention can take on various other fifth embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the fifth embodiment, the sheet storage device 5110 is used in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 5010, but the sheet storage device 5110 may also be used in an inkjet image forming apparatus, for example.

[0421] Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the device main body 5110a is opened and closed by rotating the cover portion 5120 and the cover portion 5130, but the device main body 5110a may be opened and closed by sliding movement.

[0422] Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the covering portion 5120 in the covering position covers the entire accommodating portion 5018 attached to the device main body 5110a when viewed from the device depth direction, but it may cover only a portion of the accommodating portion 5018. This reduces the number of inclined parting lines 5076 exposed in the device depth direction. Here, "exposed" means that the parting lines are not covered by other members and are on the surface. "Reducing the number" means that the exposed length of the straight part of the parting line is shortened.

[0423] Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the covering portion 5120 in the covering position covers the entire accommodating portion 5060 attached to the device main body 5110a when viewed from the device depth direction, but it may cover only a part of the accommodating portion 5060. This reduces the number of parting lines 5062 exposed in the device depth direction.

[0424] Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the cover portion 5120 positioned in the open position is located closer to the upper end than the lower end of the storage portion 5018 when viewed from the depth direction of the device, but the cover portion may be located closer to the lower end than the upper end of the storage portion 5018. In this case, maintenance of the paper feed portion such as the delivery roll in the storage portion 5018 can be easily performed compared to when the cover portion 5120 positioned in the open position is located closer to the upper end than the lower end of the storage portion 5018.

[0425] In addition, in the fifth embodiment, the lower end of the storage section 5018 is closer to the lower side wall 5112a than to the upper side wall 5112a of the storage section 5018 when viewed from the depth direction of the device, but the lower end of the storage section 5018 may be closer to the upper side wall 5112a than to the lower side wall 5112a of the storage section 5018. In this case, the effect achieved by having the lower end of the storage section 5018 closer to the lower side wall 5112a than to the upper side wall 5112a of the storage section 5018 will not be achieved.

[0426] Furthermore, although not specifically described in the fifth embodiment, the mass of the covering portion 5120 may be smaller than the mass of the accommodating portion 5018, so that the covering portion 5120 located in the open position cannot be moved to the covering position when the accommodating portion 5018 is detached from the device main body 5110a. As a result, when the covering portion 5120 in the open position is moved to the covering position when the accommodating portion 5018 is detached from the device main body 5110a, the covering portion 5120 comes into contact with the accommodating portion 5018 and stops moving. Therefore, damage to the covering portion 5120 is suppressed compared to a configuration in which the covering portion 5120 in the open position can be forcibly moved to the covering position when the accommodating portion 5018 is detached from the device main body 5110a.

[0427] Furthermore, although not specifically explained in the fifth embodiment, the main body 5122 of the cover 5120 opens and closes around the support 5124 arranged on the -W side of the storage unit 5018, and when moved to the open position, opens the storage unit 5018 towards the front in the device depth direction. As a result, when the main body 5122 of the cover 5120 moves to the open position, the main body 5122 is not arranged on the +W side of the storage unit 5018, making it easier for the user to store sheets P in the storage unit 5018. Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the support portion 5124 is disposed on the -W side of the storage portion 5018, but the support portion 5124 may be disposed on the +W side of the storage portion 5018, and the main body portion 5122 may open and close around this support portion. In this case, when the main body portion 5122 is moved to the open position, the main body portion 5122 is not disposed on the -W side of the storage portion 5018, which makes it easier to deal with a jam that occurs, for example, in the pickup portion near the delivery roll 5020a.

[0428] Although not specifically explained in the fifth embodiment, when the covering portion 5120, which is made up of a single covering portion, moves to the covering position, the storing portion 5018 and the storing portion 5060 are covered in the depth direction of the device. This reduces the number of dividing lines caused by the covering portion compared to when there are two covering portions.

[0429] <Sixth form> 6-1 shows an image forming apparatus 6010 as an example of an image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. The image forming apparatus 6010 is an apparatus installed in an office, such as a multifunction peripheral.

[0430] In FIG. 6-1, an image forming apparatus 6010 includes an apparatus main body 6012, a discharge tray 6014 as a medium discharge section, a loading section 6016, an image capturing device 6018 as an image capturing section, an irradiation device 6020, an operation panel 6022, and the like.

[0431] The discharge tray 6014 is where paper, which is an example of a medium, is discharged, and is provided at a position where a user in a standing position can remove the medium.

[0432] The loading section 6016, which will be described in detail later, is the top surface of the device main body 6012 and is arranged at the top of the device main body 6012. The loading section 6016 is also installed higher than the discharge tray 6014 in the vertical direction.

[0433] The loading section 6016 is configured to allow an object to be placed on it. In the sixth embodiment, the object may be a flat object such as a document such as paper, a business card, or a receipt, or a three-dimensional object such as a book.

[0434] The imaging device 6018 is installed above the mounting portion 6016 and is configured to capture an image of a subject placed on the mounting portion 6016 from above. The imaging device 6018 is installed facing downward so as to face the mounting portion 6016. Here, "above the mounting portion 6016" does not necessarily mean vertically above the reference plane when the upper surface of the mounting portion 6016 is taken as the reference plane, but means above in the vertical direction and at a higher position than the reference plane. The imaging device 6018 is configured to capture an image of a subject set on the mounting portion 6016 with the surface to be captured facing upward.

[0435] A support pillar 6024 is provided on the top surface of the device main body 6012, at the rear of the upper surface of the mounting portion 6016. The support pillar 6024 extends upward substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the mounting portion 6016, with its end bent above the mounting portion 6016. An imaging device 6018 is attached to the end of the support pillar 6024.

[0436] Between the discharge tray 6014 and the loading section 6016, an image forming section is provided that forms an image of the subject placed on the loading section 6016. In other words, above the discharge tray 6014, an image forming section that forms an image on the paper that is discharged onto this discharge tray 6014 is provided.

[0437] The irradiation device 6020 is composed of one or more light sources, for example, light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d. The light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d are provided on a support 6024. In other words, the light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d are provided above the mounting portion 6016.

[0438] Specifically, light sources 6020a and 6020b are provided near image capturing device 6018 and on support 6024 on both sides of image capturing device 6018, facing downward. Light sources 6020c and 6020d are provided near operation panel 6022 and on both sides of support 6024 at the lower end of operation panel 6022, facing diagonally downward.

[0439] That is, light sources 6020a, 6020b and light sources 6020c, 6020d are arranged at different heights from the mounting portion 6016. That is, light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d are arranged at different angles at which light strikes the subject, and are configured to irradiate light from different directions toward the subject. This improves the ability to distinguish between the subject and the mounting portion 6016.

[0440] The operation panel 6022 has a display screen and is configured to allow settings of the image forming apparatus 6010. The operation panel 6022 is disposed above the mounting portion 6016. The operation panel 6022 is disposed on the rear side of the apparatus main body 6012. The operation panel 6022 is installed on a support 6024 between the mounting portion 6016 and the imaging device 6018.

[0441] Furthermore, a document feeder with a double-sided simultaneous reading function is provided inside the device body 6012 below the top plate of the loading section 6016. In other words, the document feeder can be used by sliding the top plate of the loading section 6016 in a horizontal direction.

[0442] Next, the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 6010 according to a sixth embodiment is shown in FIG. 6-2.

[0443] 6-2, the image forming apparatus 6010 includes a CPU 6031, a memory 6032, a storage device 6033 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 6034 that transmits and receives data to and from external devices via a network, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 6035 that includes a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a scanner 6036, a print engine 6037, an imaging device 6018, and an irradiation device 6020. These components are connected to one another via a control bus 6040.

[0444] The print engine 6037 prints an image on paper through processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing.

[0445] The CPU 6031 is a processor that executes predetermined processing based on a control program stored in the memory 6032 or the storage device 6033, and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 6010. Note that, in the sixth embodiment, the CPU 6031 is described as reading and executing the control program stored in the memory 6032 or the storage device 6033, but it is also possible to provide the program to the CPU 6031 by storing it on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0446] FIG. 6C is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 6010 realized by executing the above control program.

[0447] As shown in Figure 6-3, the sixth embodiment of the image forming device 6010 includes a control unit 6041, a communication unit 6042, an operation display unit 6043, a memory unit 6044, an image reading unit 6045, an image forming unit 6046, an image output unit 6047, an imaging unit 6048, and an irradiation unit 6049.

[0448] The communication unit 6042 receives a print job (an example of a print instruction) sent from a terminal device.

[0449] The control unit 6041 generates image data to be printed based on a print job received by the communication unit 6042, and controls the image output unit 6047 to output the generated image data.

[0450] The storage unit 6044 stores various data such as image data generated by the control unit 6041.

[0451] The image output unit 6047 outputs an image onto a sheet based on the control of the control unit 6041 .

[0452] The operation display unit 6043 is controlled by the control unit 6041, and displays various information on the display screen of the operation panel 6022, a terminal device, etc. The operation display unit 6043 inputs various pieces of operation information performed by the user.

[0453] The image reading unit 6045 performs a scanning operation to read an image of a subject such as various documents under the control of the control unit 6041.

[0454] The image forming unit 6046 forms an image of the subject placed on the placing unit 6016 under the control of the control unit 6041 .

[0455] The photographing unit 6048 photographs the subject under the control of the control unit 6041. The control unit 6041 functions as an image acquisition unit that acquires image data of the subject photographed by the photographing unit 6048.

[0456] The irradiation unit 6049 is controlled by the control unit 6041 and irradiates the subject placed on the placement unit 6016 with light.

[0457] The control unit 6041 controls the irradiation unit 6049 to turn on / off each of the plurality of light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d and adjust the brightness or optical axis of the emitted light.

[0458] When the photographing unit 6048 photographs a subject, the control unit 6041 controls the operation panel 6022 to be turned off.

[0459] FIG. 6-4 is a diagram showing the placing section 6016 from above, illustrating the state in which the subject S is placed on the placing section 6016.

[0460] The sixth embodiment of the mounting portion 6016 is configured so that the difference in luminance between the entire or part of the upper painted or material portion of the mounting portion 6016 and the object S to be mounted thereon is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and the difference in color between the entire or part of the upper painted or material portion of the mounting portion 6016 and the color of the object S to be mounted thereon is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, so that the object S can be distinguished from the mounting portion 6016. However, this embodiment is not limited to this, as long as the object S can be distinguished from the mounting portion 6016. For example, even if the difference in color between the entire or part of the upper painted or material portion of the mounting portion 6016 and the color of the object S to be mounted thereon is less than or equal to the predetermined value, it is sufficient that the difference in luminance between the object S and the mounting portion 6016 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. Specifically, in an 8-bit environment, for example, a difference in luminance of 50 LSB or greater is preferable, but a difference in luminance of at least 20 LSB or greater is sufficient. Conversely, even if the difference in brightness between the painted or material portion of all or part of the upper part of the mounting portion 6016 and the subject S to be placed thereon is less than a predetermined value, it is sufficient that the color difference is sufficient to distinguish between the subject S and the mounting portion 6016.

[0461] The subject S is placed on the mounting section 6016, and the color of the subject S is expressed by a Y value that is closer to the value that represents white than the value that represents black, when expressed using Y values ​​that represent luminance in the YCbCr system. For example, in an 8-bit environment, the subject S is placed on the mounting section 6016, and the Y value is expressed by a value closer to 255 than 0. The color of the upper part of the mounting section 6016 is expressed by a Y value that is closer to the value that represents black than the value that represents white, when expressed using Y values ​​that represent luminance in the YCbCr system, so that the subject S and the mounting section 6016 can be distinguished in the image captured by the capturing section 6048. For example, in an 8-bit environment, the Y value is expressed by a Y value that is closer to 0 than 255. Note that it is sufficient that the color of all or a part of the upper part of the mounting section 6016 is expressed by a Y value that is closer to the value that represents black than the value that represents white, when expressed using Y values ​​that represent luminance in the YCbCr system.

[0462] In addition, the coating color or material color of the entire or part of the upper surface of the mounting portion 6016 in the sixth embodiment is black or a color with a preset optical density or higher. The coating color or material color of the entire or part of the upper surface of the mounting portion 6016 is configured to have a light reflectance of 10% or less. Here, in the sixth embodiment, black refers to a color whose chromaticity deviation from the achromatic point (x=0.333, y=0.333, Y=0) is within 3 in terms of color difference ΔE, a color whose optical density OD value is 1.0 or higher, or a color whose Y value representing luminance in the YCbCr format is 50 or less. However, the above definition of black applies to the mounting portion 6016 in the sixth embodiment and may be changed depending on the actual environment around the device and the performance of the imaging unit.

[0463] In addition, the color of the upper part of the mounting portion 6016 is not limited to the paint color or material color of the mounting portion 6016 itself, but may be the color projected onto the mounting portion 6016 by the illumination unit 6049, or a color created by overlapping the color projected onto the mounting portion 6016 with a shadow.

[0464] In this way, by clarifying the color difference or brightness difference between the color of the mounting portion 6016 and the color of the subject S to be mounted, it is possible to easily distinguish the subject S. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of cropping and rotation correction of the image data of the subject.

[0465] Furthermore, marks 6051 are provided at the four corners of the top surface of the loading section 6016.

[0466] The mark 6051 indicates the position where the subject S on the mount 6016 can be placed, which is the range where the image of the subject S on the mount 6016 can be captured by the imaging device 6018 and where the control unit 6041 can acquire image data. The mark 6051 is, for example, in the shape of a bracket, as shown in FIG. 6-4 . The color of the mark 6051 is expressed by a Y value representing brightness in the YCbCr format, which is closer to a Y value representing white than a value representing black, such as white. In other words, the light reflectance of the color of the mark 6051 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, for example, 80% or greater. By clearly indicating the difference in brightness between the mark 6051 and the mount 6016, the subject placed on the mount 6016 can be easily identified. This can improve the accuracy of cropping and rotation correction of the image data of the subject.

[0467] The mark 6051 is not limited to a bracket-like shape, and may be a guideline or the like. Here, in the sixth form, the mark 6051 distinguishes between an area where the subject S can be placed and an area where the subject cannot be placed. Specifically, as the mark 6051, as described above, a mark indicating the area where the subject can be placed using brackets or the like, a mark in which the color of the placing portion 6016 in the area where the subject can be placed is different from the color of the area outside the placing area, a mark in which the material of the placing portion 6016 in the area where the subject can be placed is different from the material of the area outside the placing area, a mark in which the position where the subject should be placed is illuminated by the illumination device 6020 to indicate the position, or the like can be used.

[0468] FIG. 6-5 is a diagram showing how a user operates the image forming apparatus 6010. As shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 6010 is configured so that a user can easily operate it while standing, with the loading section 6016, operation panel 6022, discharge tray 6014, etc. arranged in positions that allow operation while standing.

[0469] As shown in Figures 6-1 and 6-5, the paint color or material color of the loading section 6016 is also configured on a portion of the surface that the user accesses, and is configured on the surface that the user accesses between the top surface of the device main body 6012 and the discharge tray 6014.

[0470] Furthermore, the paint color or material color of the loading section 6016 and other colors are configured between the top surface of the device body 6012 and the discharge tray 6014. Specifically, between the top surface of the device body 6012 and the discharge tray 6014, the paint color or material color of the loading section 6016 is configured on the upper side, and other colors are configured on the lower side.

[0471] This makes it easier for the user to recognize the position of the placement portion 6016 than if the surface that the user accesses was white.

[0472] Next, the relationship between the distribution of reflected light from the light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d and the amount of light incident on the image capturing device 6018 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6-6 and 6-7.

[0473] Fig. 6-6(A) is a diagram showing the reflected light distribution when the light source directionality is high and low when an image is taken by illuminating the subject from above downward using light sources 6020a and 6020b near the image capture device 6018. Fig. 6-6(B) is a diagram showing the reflected light distribution when the light source directionality is high and low when an image is taken by illuminating the subject from above diagonally downward using light sources 6020c and 6020d near the operation panel 6022.

[0474] When the directivity of a light source is high, the light incident on the subject is reflected in a directional manner, so the light does not diffuse and the distribution of reflected light does not spread. In other words, when the directivity of a light source is high, the amount of light incident on the imaging device 6018 is reduced, resulting in darkness. On the other hand, when the directivity of a light source is low, the light incident on the subject is reflected in a non-directional manner compared to when the directivity is high, so the light diffuses and the distribution of reflected light spreads.

[0475] In other words, by setting the directivity of the light source to a preset value or less, it is possible to increase the amount of light incident on the image capturing device 6018. For example, when the light source irradiates the subject with light from a 45-degree angle, it is preferable that the directivity be such that the ratio of reflected light to the amount of irradiated light is 50% or less.

[0476] In other words, it is preferable that the light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d emit light with a directionality wider than a preset range.

[0477] Furthermore, the light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d each emit light with a color temperature equal to or higher than a preset value, for example, 5000 K (Kelvin) or higher. The light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d can be, for example, LEDs, which are white light sources.

[0478] Furthermore, the light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d each include a light control means for adjusting the brightness of the light emitted, and are configured to be able to control the light taking into consideration the subject and external light.

[0479] Furthermore, each of the light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d includes a motor, which is an example of a variable means for varying the optical axis of the light to be emitted.

[0480] Next, the variable operation of the light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d will be described with reference to FIGS. 6-8(A) and 6-8(B).

[0481] The control unit 6041 changes the optical axes of the light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d using motors to change the irradiation angles of the light sources relative to the subject.

[0482] Furthermore, the control unit 6041 controls the turning on and off of each of the light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d.

[0483] Furthermore, the control unit 6041 adjusts the light intensity (i.e., brightness) of each of the light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d. That is, the light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d each have a dimming function, and can adjust the brightness of the light irradiated onto the subject under the control of the control unit 6041.

[0484] Therefore, it is possible to adjust the reflected light from the subject so that it remains constant, regardless of the influence of the subject or external light.

[0485] Furthermore, the lighting ratio of each of the light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d can be changed, which improves discrimination and makes it possible to obtain more optimal image data of the subject.

[0486] Specifically, for example, the brightness of the light irradiated onto the subject can be adjusted by turning on light sources 6020a and 6020b at 100% as strong and turning on light sources 6020c and 6020d at off, or turning on light sources 6020a, 6020b, 6020c, and 6020d at 60% as medium, or turning on light sources 6020a and 6020b at 100% as strong and turning on light sources 6020c and 6020d at 30% as weak.

[0487] Next, a description will be given of a modified example of the loading section 6016. Fig. 6-9 is a diagram showing a loading section 6060 in an image forming apparatus according to another sixth embodiment, viewed from above.

[0488] In the mounting section 6060 according to this modification, an area 6056 for mounting an object is black or a color having a predetermined optical density or higher, and guidelines 6058 are indicated around the periphery of the mounting area 6056 .

[0489] The center of the imaging range of the imaging device 6018 is located on the side accessed by the user from the center of the top surface of the device body 6012. In other words, the center of the imaging range of the imaging device 6018 is located on the front side of the device body 6012 from the center of the top surface of the device body 6012.

[0490] The center of the placement range 6056 , which is the center of the guideline 6058 , is located on the side accessed by the user from the center of the top surface of the device body 6012 , on the front side of the device body 6012 .

[0491] Next, an image forming apparatus 6100 according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0492] 6-10, the image forming apparatus 6100 has a loading section 6016 and a photographing device 6018 arranged in the middle of the image forming apparatus 6100, rather than in the upper part of the image forming apparatus 6100. The image forming apparatus 6100 is composed of an apparatus main body 6102 including an image forming section and the like, and an image processing section 6104 including the loading section 6016, the discharge tray 6014, and the like.

[0493] The loading section 6016 and the discharge tray 6014 are provided at a height that allows the user to operate and remove the items while standing. The loading section 6016 is configured to be placed on the user's side.

[0494] The photographing device 6018 is installed above the mounting portion 6016 and configured to photograph from above the subject placed on the mounting portion 6016. The photographing device 6018 is installed facing downward so as to face the mounting portion 6016.

[0495] The center of the loading section 6016 is located on the side accessed by the user from the center of the top surface of the device body 6102. In other words, the center of the loading section 6016 is located on the front side of the device body 6102 from the center of the top surface of the device body.

[0496] The center of the imaging range of the imaging device 6018 is located on the side accessed by the user from the center of the top surface of the device body 6102. In other words, the center of the imaging range of the imaging device 6018 is located on the front side of the device body 6102 from the center of the top surface of the device body 6102.

[0497] In the sixth embodiment, the present invention is described as being applied to the photographing device 6018 and the loading section 6016 provided in the image forming device 6010, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to an image processing device equipped with the photographing device 6018 and the loading section 6016, which is used in connection with an image forming device equipped with an image forming section 6046 and an image output section 6047, and further, the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus equipped with a post-processing device.

[0498] Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, the present invention is described as being applied to the photographing device 6018 and the loading section 6016 provided in the image forming device 6010, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to various image processing devices, such as devices in which the photographing device 6018 and the loading section 6016 are each standalone devices.

[0499] Furthermore, in the above sixth embodiment, the case where the paint color or material color of all or part of the upper part of the mounting portion 6016 is black or a color with a preset optical density or higher has been described; however, this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the paint color or material color of the part of the upper part of the mounting portion 6016 on which the subject cannot be placed, at least near the part that contacts the edge of the subject, is black or a color with a preset optical density or higher.

[0500] In the sixth embodiment, the color of the mark 6051 is white, but the color is not limited to white and may be other colors, or may be black. In other words, any color may be used as long as it can be distinguished from the color of the mounting portion 6016.

[0501] <Seventh Form 1> The seventh embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0502] Fig. 7-1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 7001A according to a seventh embodiment of this disclosure, viewed obliquely from the front. Fig. 7-2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 7001A when the front opening cover is open. Fig. 7-3 is a front schematic view of the image forming apparatus 7001A when the front opening cover is open. In each drawing such as Fig. 7-1, the up / down, left / right, and front / rear directions indicated by arrows are expressed based on the front Ft of the image forming apparatus 7001A, which is assumed to be faced by a user standing when using the image forming apparatus 7001A.

[0503] As shown in any one of Figures 7-1 to 7-3, an image forming apparatus 7001A according to the seventh embodiment includes a housing 7010A having an image forming unit 7020, a medium storage unit 7030A, a medium discharge unit 7040, and an external reading unit 7060, and a front opening / closing cover 7011A that opens and closes to cover the front of the housing 7010A.

[0504] The housing 7010A is an example of the device body of the image forming device 7001A. The housing 7010A has an internal framework and an external exterior (exterior part), and is a structure having a required structure and shape made of materials such as a plurality of frames and exterior covers. As shown in FIG. 7-1, the housing 7010A in the seventh embodiment is formed as a structure having an appearance of a rectangular parallelepiped that is long in the vertical direction.

[0505] The exterior of the housing 7010A is formed by exterior covers such as a front opening cover 7011A, a rear cover, a left side opening cover 7013, and a right side cover 7014. The rear cover, right side cover 7014, and other exterior covers are non-opening covers that are fixed and cannot be opened or closed. Except where otherwise specified, the exterior covers are configured as opaque covers (covers that cannot be seen through from the outside). Details of the front opening cover 7011A and the left side opening cover 7013 will be described later.

[0506] The image forming unit 7020 is a part having equipment for forming an image on a recording medium 7009. The image forming unit 7020 in the seventh embodiment 1 is configured using an electrophotographic imaging device that finally forms an image made of a developer on the recording medium 7009.

[0507] The image forming unit 7020, 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 arranged around the image carrier, and a fixing device arranged at a position distant from the image carrier, all of which are not shown. The image forming unit 7020 also includes devices such as a developer supply device, an image processing device, and a control device, all of which are not shown. The transfer device may be a direct transfer device that directly transfers an image formed by developer on the image carrier to the recording medium 7009, or an intermediate transfer device that transfers the image from the image carrier to the recording medium 7009 via an intermediate transfer body. Reference numeral 7026, indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 7-3, denotes a fixing unit in which a fixing device is arranged, which constitutes part of the image forming unit 7020.

[0508] This image forming unit 7020 is installed so that when the front opening cover 7011A is opened (see Figures 7-2 and 7-3), it can be pulled out from the inside of the housing 7010A to the outside (toward the front of the housing 7010A) as shown by arrow P in Figure 7-2, allowing for inspection, repair, and other work to be performed.

[0509] In addition, this image forming unit 7020 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 7001A, and the function of using the read information of the reading target area read by the external reading unit 7060 as image information to form an image corresponding to that image information.

[0510] For this reason, in the image forming unit 7020, the above-mentioned imaging 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 7020, 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 7009. In addition, in the image forming unit 7020, a fixing operation is performed on the recording medium 7009 onto which the image has been transferred, thereby fixing the image to the recording medium 7009. The recording medium 7009 on which the image has been formed by this fixing is finally discharged to the medium discharge unit 7040.

[0511] The medium storage unit 7030A is a section that has equipment for storing recording media 7009 to be supplied to the image forming unit 7020. This medium storage unit 7030A is arranged below the image forming unit 7020. This medium storage unit 7030A also has three storage units 7031A, 7031B, and 7031C. As the recording media 7009 (7009A, 7009B, 7009C), for example, a medium such as sheet-shaped plain paper, coated paper, or cardboard of a predetermined size is used.

[0512] Of these, storage section 7031A is configured as an oblique storage section arranged diagonally downward from the upper left to the lower right when viewed from the front of housing 7010A, and is the uppermost storage section. This uppermost oblique storage section 7031A is a storage section that can store and supply recording media 7009A whose length in the transport direction is longer than the width of housing 7010A. This uppermost oblique storage section 7031A is also the storage section located closest to image forming section 7020.

[0513] Storage unit 7031C is configured as a general storage unit arranged in a substantially horizontal state along the left-right direction when viewed from the front of housing 7010A, and is the lowest storage unit. The lowest storage unit 7031C is a storage unit that can store and supply recording medium 7009C whose length in the transport direction is slightly shorter than the width of housing 7010A. Storage unit 7031B is configured as a small storage unit arranged in the gap between the topmost diagonal storage unit 7031A and the bottommost storage unit 7031C, and is the middle storage unit.

[0514] Each of the storage sections 7031A, 7031B, and 7031C is comprised of a storage body, such as a tray, for storing recording media 7009, and a feed device, not shown, for feeding recording media 7009 from the storage body. Each of the storage bodies in storage sections 7031A, 7031B, and 7031C has an internal cover on the front side that is contoured to match the shape of the front side of each storage section 7031A, 7031B, and 7031C. Incidentally, the storage bodies in the diagonal storage section 7031A are arranged diagonally downward from the upper left to the lower right. The storage bodies in the other storage sections 7031B and 7031C are all arranged in a nearly horizontal position.

[0515] Furthermore, all of the containers in storage sections 7031A, 7031B, and 7031C are installed so that when the front opening cover 7011A is opened (see Figures 7-2 and 7-3), they can be pulled out from the inside of the housing 7010A to the outside (outside the front side of the housing 7010A) as shown by arrow P in Figure 7-2, allowing operations such as storing the recording medium 7009 to be performed.

[0516] In this medium storage unit 7030A, the required recording medium 7009 is sent from one of the storage units 7031A, 7031B, and 7031C to the image forming unit 7020 in accordance with the transfer operation in the image forming unit 7020. Reference numeral 7037 indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 7-3 denotes a main medium transport path along which the recording medium 7009 is transported from the medium storage unit 7030A (each of the storage units 7031A, 7031B, and 7031C) through part of the image forming unit 7020 to an outlet 7041 in the medium discharge unit 7040. This part of the image forming unit 7020 is a portion where an image is transferred to the recording medium 7009. This medium transport path 7037 is composed of a plurality of transport drive roll pairs, transport guide members, and the like, not shown.

[0517] The external reading unit 7060 is a reading unit that reads an object to be read outside (above) the housing 7010A. As shown in FIG. 7-1 etc., the external reading unit 7060 is composed of a base 7061 on which the object to be read is placed, a reading device unit 7065 that reads the object to be read placed on the base 7061, etc.

[0518] The base 7061 is configured as a plate-like member having a flat upper surface 7061a on which the object to be read can be placed in a stationary state. The base 7061 is attached to the upper end of the housing 7010A so that the upper surface 7061a is the uppermost surface of the housing 7010A. The object to be read may be anything that can be placed on the base 7061 and read from above the base 7061 by the reading device unit 7065, and includes, for example, sheet-like documents on which image information is recorded, as well as three-dimensional objects such as books, magazines, food, and plants.

[0519] The reading device unit 7065 is composed of a reading device 7065a (see FIG. 7-3) capable of optically reading an object placed on the base 7061, and a member 7065b supporting and attaching the reading device 7065a. In the reading device unit 7065 according to the seventh embodiment, the reading device 7065a is supported by a support member 7065b while standing a required length upward from the rear end of the base 7061, and is attached in a position capable of reading the base 7061. The reading device 7065a may be, for example, a camera configured by combining an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and optical elements such as lenses. This camera as the reading device 7065a is sometimes called a document camera. The reading device unit 7065 may also be equipped with an illumination device that illuminates the object placed on the base 7061 during reading.

[0520] 7-1 and the like, the reading device unit 7065 is provided with an operation panel 7091 for operating the image forming apparatus 7001A, at a position on the base side and near the front side of a member supporting the reading device 7065a. From the viewpoint of improving operability, the operation panel 7091 is arranged at a position above and away from the base unit 7061. This operation panel 7091 mainly has a display unit such as a touch-type LCD panel that can display and operate an operation screen, but may also have a mechanical operation unit such as buttons.

[0521] The medium discharge unit 7040 is a portion where the recording medium 7009 on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 7020 is discharged. The medium discharge unit 7040 is provided above the image forming unit 7020. The medium discharge unit 7040 is formed as a storage space 7043 located on the upper right side of the front face Ft of the housing 7010A. The storage space 7043 is a space that is open to the outside through a front opening and a right side opening connected to the front opening of the housing 7010A. The medium discharge unit 7040 has an outlet 7041 for the recording medium 7009 on the inner wall surface on the left side of the storage space 7043, and a stacking surface 7042 on the bottom surface of the storage space 7043 for stacking and storing the recording media 7009 discharged from the outlet 7041. The stacking surface 7042 is formed, for example, as a surface that slopes upward as it moves away from the outlet 7041 to the right.

[0522] As shown in FIGS. 7-1 to 7-3, the front opening / closing cover 7011A of the image forming apparatus 7001A is configured as an opening / closing cover that can cover the entire front of the housing 7010A, excluding the medium discharge unit 7040 and the base 7061 of the external reading unit 7060, and that can cover both the image forming unit 7020 and the medium storage unit 7030A. This front opening / closing cover 7011A is also an opening / closing cover that can cover the front of the housing 7010A from one end (left end 7010h) to the other end (right end 10m) in the left-right direction. Note that "covering from end to end" does not only mean completely covering the entire front of the device body from the boundary between the front and left side of the device body to the boundary between the front and right side of the device body, but also means covering the medium storage unit at least in the left-right direction.

[0523] In addition, the overall shape of the front opening / closing cover 7011A is a vertically long rectangle, which is the lower part of the housing 7010A excluding the front base 7061, and has a notch 7011d cut out in a shape corresponding to the shape of the front opening of the media ejection section 7040, approximately half of the upper right corner of the rectangle, as shown in Figure 7-2, etc.

[0524] 7-2 and other figures, this opening-closing front cover 7011A is attached to the left end 7010h on the front of the housing 7010A via multiple (three in this example) opening-closing support members 7016 such as hinges so as to open and close in the directions indicated by arrows Do and Dc. This allows the entire opening-closing front cover 7011A to open laterally to the left (in the direction indicated by arrow Do).

[0525] 7-1 and 7-2, this image forming apparatus 7001A has a handle guide recess 7014c provided at the front end of the right side cover 7014. The handle guide recess 7014c is a recessed portion that guides the user's fingers so that they can easily hook onto the handle of the front opening cover 7011A when opening the front opening cover 7011A.

[0526] 7-4 and 7-5, the left side opening / closing cover 7013 of the image forming apparatus 7001A is configured as an opening / closing cover that is capable of covering the entire left side of the housing 7010A, excluding the base 7061 of the external reading unit 7060 and part of the upper end (upper cover 7015), and both the image forming unit 7020 and the medium storage unit 7030A. This left side opening / closing cover 7013 is heavier than the front opening / closing cover 7011A, for reasons such as the fact that part of the medium transport path 7037 and heat insulating members are provided on its inner side.

[0527] As shown in FIG. 7-5 and other figures, the left opening / closing side cover 7013 has an overall shape with a cutout 7013d formed by cutting out a portion of a vertically long rectangle that is the lower portion of the right side of the housing 7010A excluding the base 7061 and the upper cover 7015. The cutout 7013d has a shape that corresponds to the rectangular shape that is vertically long of the upper cover 7015, and is provided in the upper front portion of the rectangle. As shown in FIG. 7-5, the left opening / closing side cover 7013 also serves as an opening / closing cover that opens and closes to cover a fixing unit 7026 and a portion of the medium transport path 7037, which are part of the image forming unit 7020.

[0528] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7-2 and other figures, the left opening / closing side cover 7013 is attached to the rear end of the left side of the housing 7010A via multiple (three in this example) opening / closing support members 7016 such as hinges so as to be able to open and close in the directions indicated by arrows Do and Dc. The opening / closing support members 7016 are disposed at the rear end of both ends of the left opening / closing side cover 7013 in the left-right direction (the front-rear direction when viewed from the housing 7010A). This allows the entire left opening / closing side cover 7013 to open rearward (in the direction indicated by arrow Do).

[0529] As shown in Fig. 7-6, the image forming apparatus 7001A is also provided with a control device 7008 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, including the image forming unit 7020, the external reading unit 7060, and the medium transport path 7037. In Fig. 7-6, the control device 7008 is shown as a control unit.

[0530] The control device 7008 is composed of an arithmetic processing unit, a memory element, an input / output unit, a storage device, a control device, etc. The control device 7008 is also configured to transmit control commands required for the controlled objects in accordance with the control programs, reference data, detection data, etc. stored in the recording element and storage device. For this reason, the control device 7008 is connected to an image formation control unit 7028 that exclusively controls the operation of the image forming unit 7020, an external reading control unit 7068 that exclusively controls the operation of the external reading unit 7060, a medium conveyance control unit 7038 that exclusively controls the operation of the medium conveyance path 7037, etc. The control device 7008 is also connected to a detection unit 7081 that is composed of various sensors, etc. that detect information required for control.

[0531] In image forming apparatus 7001A, an interlock switch 7082, which is also one of the safety mechanisms related to the operation of image forming apparatus 7001A, is applied as an example of detection unit 7081. Interlock switch 7082 is composed of, for example, a movable connection unit 7082a of interlock switch 7082 provided on front opening cover 7011A and a switch unit 7082b of interlock switch 7082 provided on housing 7010A.

[0532] The control device 7008 controls the image forming unit 7020, external reading unit 7060, medium conveying path 7037, etc. so that they can be operated when the interlock switch 7082 is in the connected state. The connected state is a state in which the movable connecting part 7082a is connected to the switch part 7082b. Conversely, the control device 7008 controls the image forming unit 7020, external reading unit 7060, medium conveying path 7037, etc. so that they cannot be operated when the interlock switch 7082 is in the disconnected state. The disconnected state is a state in which the movable connecting part 7082a is disconnected from the switch part 7082b and is not connected. In this disconnected state, the control is such that the operation will not be started (an execution instruction will not be accepted) if the operation is stopped, and that the operation will be forcibly stopped if it is in operation.

[0533] As shown in Figure 7-1, when the front opening / closing cover 7011A of the image forming apparatus 7001A having the above configuration is closed, the entire image forming unit 7020 (including the fixing unit 7026) and the entire media storage unit 7030A on the front exterior of the housing 7010A are covered by a single front opening / closing cover 7011A.

[0534] Therefore, in this image forming device 7001A, compared to when the left and right ends of the housing 7010A are covered with multiple opening / closing covers, the quality of the appearance is improved because there is no vertical dividing line Lv extending vertically between the image forming unit 7020 and the media storage unit 7030A in the front exterior of the housing 7010A (front opening / closing cover 7011A) as illustrated in Figure 7-11.

[0535] In this regard, image forming apparatus 7100A of Comparative Example 1 shown in FIG. 7-11 is configured to open and close by covering the entire image forming unit 7020 and the entire medium storage unit 7030A with two opening / closing covers 7111 and 7112, respectively. In image forming apparatus 7100A of Comparative Example 1, a vertical dividing line Lv exists on the exterior front surface of housing 7010A, which also serves as the boundary between opening / closing covers 7111 and 7112. For this reason, in the case of image forming apparatus 7100A of Comparative Example 1, the presence of vertical dividing line Lv on the exterior front surface of housing 7010A impairs the quality of the appearance of the front surface of housing 7010A.

[0536] Furthermore, image forming apparatus 7001A is configured such that front opening cover 7011A covers all (in its entirety) of three storage sections 7031A, 7031B, and 7031C in medium storage section 7030A.

[0537] Therefore, in this image forming apparatus 7001A, the front exterior (opening front cover 7011A) of the housing 7010A does not have any dividing lines between the multiple storage compartments 7031A, 7031B, and 7031C of the medium storage compartment 7030A, improving the quality of the appearance. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 7001A, the opening front cover 7011A can cover and conceal the entire medium storage compartment 7030A at once. Therefore, even a storage compartment with a unique shape, such as the oblique storage compartment 7031A, can be adopted as the medium storage compartment 7030A. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 7001A, even if the medium storage compartment 7030A includes the oblique storage compartment 7031A, the oblique storage compartment 7031A can be hidden to maintain the quality of the appearance.

[0538] Incidentally, the image forming apparatus 7001A can also be made into an image forming apparatus 7001C in which a front opening cover 7011D as shown in FIG. 7-10 is used instead of the front opening cover 7011A. The front opening cover 7011D is an opening cover that opens and closes to cover the entire image forming unit 7020 and the oblique storage section 7031A, which is part of the medium storage section 7030A, on the front of the housing 7010A, and its bottom edge 7011v is shaped to roughly follow the oblique outline Ji of the lower edge of the oblique storage section 7031A. This front opening cover 7011D also covers the entire housing 7010A from end to end in the left-right direction.

[0539] However, in image forming apparatus 7001C as a reference example that employs this front opening cover 7011D, it is necessary to also install a second front opening cover 7011E that covers the remaining storage sections 7031B and 7031C of medium storage section 7030A, as shown in Figure 7-10. Furthermore, in the case of image forming apparatus 7001C, there is a dividing line Ld that extends diagonally between front opening cover 7011D and second front opening cover 7011E, and the presence of this dividing line Ld makes it more difficult to improve the quality of the appearance.

[0540] However, even the image forming apparatus 7001C employing this front opening cover 7011D is superior to the image forming apparatus 7100A of Comparative Example 2 shown in FIG. 7-12 in the following respects.

[0541] First, image forming apparatus 7100A of Comparative Example 2 employs a front opening / closing cover 7115 that covers the entire image forming unit 7020 but does not cover medium storage unit 7030A at all. Image forming apparatus 7100A of Comparative Example 2 also has an exterior cover 7331 that covers oblique storage unit 7031A in medium storage unit 7030A, and a second front opening / closing cover 7117 that covers two storage units 7031B and 7031C in medium storage unit 7030A.

[0542] That is, when comparing image forming apparatus 7001C with image forming apparatus 7100A of Comparative Example 2, image forming apparatus 7100A of Comparative Example 2 has two diagonal dividing lines Ld1 and Ld2 because the diagonal storage section 7031A is not covered by front opening cover 7115. In contrast, image forming apparatus 7001C, which employs front opening cover 7011D, has only one diagonal dividing line Ld, which reduces the number of dividing lines Ld and improves the quality of the exterior appearance of the front of housing 7010A.

[0543] In contrast, the image forming apparatus 7001A according to the seventh embodiment employs a front opening / closing cover 7011A whose bottom end 7011v extends horizontally in the left-right direction without following the diagonal contour line Ji of the diagonal storage portion 7031A. This allows the image forming apparatus 7001A to conceal the diagonal storage portion 7031A, thereby maintaining the quality of its appearance. Furthermore, even if the image forming apparatus 7001A includes storage portions 7031B and 7031C other than the diagonal storage portion 7031A, as in the medium storage portion 7030A, it does not need to separately provide a second front opening / closing cover 7117 for covering the storage portions 7031B and 7031C as in the image forming apparatus 7100A of Comparative Example 2.

[0544] Furthermore, in image forming apparatus 7001A, left side opening cover 7013, which is heavier than front opening cover 7011A, is configured to open and close at its rear end in the left-right direction using opening and closing support member 7016. Therefore, in image forming apparatus 7001A, vibrations are less likely to occur when side opening cover 7013 is opened and closed compared to when left side opening cover 7013 is configured to open and close using opening and closing support member 7016 provided at either end in the up-down direction, and vibrations are less likely to be transmitted to reader 7065a in external reader 7060 when side opening and closing cover 7013, causing reader 7065a to vibrate. This is particularly effective when side opening cover 7013 needs to be opened and closed during a reading operation by external reader 7060.

[0545] Additionally, image forming apparatus 7001A is provided with a left side opening / closing cover 7013 that opens and closes a portion of the right side of housing 7010A that straddles image forming unit 7020 and medium storage unit 7030A. As a result, in this image forming apparatus 7001A, there is no vertical dividing line that runs vertically between image forming unit 7020 and medium storage unit 7030A on the exterior of the left side of housing 7010A, improving the quality of the appearance of the exterior of the left side.

[0546] Furthermore, when the opening-front cover 7011A of the image forming apparatus 7001A is opened, the movable connecting portion 7082a of the interlock switch 7082 on the opening-front cover 7011A side is separated from the switch portion 7082b of the interlock switch 7082 on the housing 7010A side, resulting in a disconnected state. If the opening-front cover 7011A is opened while the image forming apparatus 7001A is performing an image formation operation, the control device 7008 detects that the interlock switch 7082 has become disconnected and controls the image formation control unit 7028, external reading control unit 7068, and medium conveyance control unit 7038 to forcibly stop their operations.

[0547] For this reason, in image forming apparatus 7001A, when opening front cover 7011A, the operations (image forming operations) of image forming unit 7020 exposed on the front side of housing 7010A and medium conveying path 7037 are stopped, thereby ensuring safety. Incidentally, if there is a recording medium 7009 present in the middle of medium conveying path 7037 for the image forming operation, when opening front cover 7011A, control device 7008 may be configured to perform control so that the recording medium 7009 in the middle of conveying is conveyed to medium discharge unit 7040 and discharged, and then the operation of medium conveying path 7037 is stopped.

[0548] <Seventh Form 2> Fig. 7-7 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 7001B according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed obliquely from the front. Fig. 7-8 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 7001B when the front opening cover is open. Fig. 7-9 is a front schematic view of the image forming apparatus 7001B when the front opening cover is open.

[0549] An image forming apparatus 7001B according to a second embodiment of the seventh aspect has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 7001A according to the first embodiment of the seventh aspect, except for the following changes. As shown in any of FIGS. 7-7 to 7-9, the changes are that an original reading unit 7050 is used instead of the external reading unit 7060, a medium storage unit 7030B is used instead of the medium storage unit 7030A, and a front opening cover 7011B is used instead of the front opening cover 7011A. A housing 7010B, which is an example of an apparatus main body, differs from the housing 7010A according to the first embodiment of the seventh aspect in that it employs the medium storage unit 7030B. Therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment of the seventh aspect will be used for the common components, and their description will be omitted unless necessary.

[0550] First, the document reading unit 7050 is a part having a device for reading a sheet-like document. As shown in Figs. 7-7 to 7-9, the document reading unit 7050 is composed of devices and members such as an image reading unit 7051, a platen cover unit 7053, and an automatic document feeder 7055.

[0551] The image reading unit 7051 is a portion that includes a platen glass 7052, which is an example of a platen on which an original is placed, and a reading device that reads the original placed on the platen glass 7052. The platen cover unit 7053 is a portion that opens and closes to cover the platen glass 7052. The automatic document feeder 7055 is a device that is placed on the platen cover unit 7053 and automatically transports multiple originals to enable continuous reading.

[0552] The automatic document feeder 7055 employs a method of reading documents using a reading device such as an image sensor placed on the document transport path, and a method of reading a document placed on the platen glass 7052 using a reading device in the image reading unit 7051. Reference numeral 7057 indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 7-9 is the main document transport path along which documents are transported in the automatic document feeder 7055. The platen cover unit 7053 is connected to the image reading unit 7051 behind the platen glass 7052 by an opening / closing support member such as a hinge (not shown). As a result, the platen cover unit 7053 is attached so as to be rotatable in the opening / closing directions indicated by arrows E1 and E2, with a hinge (not shown) located at its rear end as a fulcrum.

[0553] This document reading unit 7050 reads the document on a platen glass 7052 or continuously reads it while it is being transported by automatic document feeder 7055, and transmits the information of the read document as image information from image reading unit 7051 to image forming unit 7020, etc. This enables image forming apparatus 7001B to have image forming unit 7020 form and output the image of the document read by document reading unit 7050 on recording medium 7009. Furthermore, document reading unit 7050 has an operation panel 7092 for operating image forming apparatus 7001B disposed at the front end of image reading unit 7051. This operation panel 7092 includes mechanical operation units such as buttons and switches, as well as a screen display unit and a display unit such as a touch-type LCD panel that can display and operate an operation screen.

[0554] Next, as shown in FIGS. 7-8 and 7-9, the medium container 7030B has three containers 7031D, 7031E, and 7031F arranged side by side in the vertical direction.

[0555] Each of the three storage sections 7031D, 7031E, and 7031F includes a storage body, such as a tray, for storing recording media 7009, and a feed device for feeding the recording media 7009 from the storage body (not shown). Each of the three storage sections 7031D, 7031E, and 7031F is configured as a typical storage section in which each storage body is arranged substantially horizontally along the left-right direction. The recording media 7009D, 7009E, and 7009F stored in the storage sections 7031D, 7031E, and 7031F, respectively, may be the same size, different sizes, or at least one of the sizes may be different. The top storage section 7031D is also the storage section located closest to the image forming section 7020.

[0556] Next, as shown in Figures 7-7 to 7-9, the front opening / closing cover 7011B is configured as an opening / closing cover that can cover the entire image forming unit 7020 in the housing 7010B and part of the medium storage unit 7030B (storage units 7031D and 7031E). This front opening / closing cover 7011B is also an opening / closing cover that can be opened and closed to cover the front of the housing 7010B from one end (left end 7010h) to the other end (right end 10m) in the left-right direction.

[0557] The hinged front cover 7011B has a vertically long rectangular overall shape, which is the lower portion of the front of the housing 7010B excluding the image reading unit 7051. The rectangular shape has a notch 7011e in the upper right half, while the cover is shaped to cover the entire front of the medium storage unit 7030B excluding the lower storage unit 7031F and the area below it. The notch 7011e corresponds to the shape of the front opening of the medium discharge unit 7040. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7-8 and other figures, the hinged front cover 7011B is attached to the left end of the front of the housing 7010B via multiple (two in this example) hinges or other opening / closing support members 7016 so as to open and close in the directions indicated by arrows Do and Dc. This allows the hinged front cover 7011B to open laterally to the left (in the direction indicated by arrow Do).

[0558] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 7001B, front opening cover 7011B is an opening cover that does not cover the lowest storage compartment 7031F of medium storage compartment 7030B. Therefore, the lowest storage compartment 7031F has a front outer cover 7033 fixedly attached to the front side of its storage body instead of front opening cover 7011B. Meanwhile, the storage bodies of storage compartments 7031D and 7031E covered by front opening cover 7011B both have internal covers on the front side whose outline corresponds to the shape (horizontally elongated rectangle) of the front side of each storage compartment 7031D, 7031E.

[0559] Both of the containers in the container units 7031D and 7031E are attached so that when the front opening cover 7011B is opened (see FIGS. 7-8 and 7-9), they can be pulled out from inside to outside the housing 7010B (toward the front of the housing 7010B) as shown by arrow P in FIG. 7-8 to perform operations such as storing the recording medium 7009. In contrast, the bottommost container unit 7031F is attached so that it can be pulled out from inside to outside the housing 7010B at any time to perform operations such as storing the recording medium 7009, regardless of whether the front opening cover 7011B is open or closed.

[0560] As shown in Fig. 7-7, when the opening-front cover 7011B of the image forming apparatus 7001B having the above configuration is closed, the entire image forming unit 7020 (including the fixing unit 7026) and the storage units 7031D and 7031E, which are parts of the medium storage unit 7030B, are covered by the single opening-front cover 7011B on the front exterior of the housing 7010B. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus 7001B, compared to when the image forming unit 7020 and the medium storage unit 7030B are each covered by a separate opening-front cover, there is no dividing line Ld (see Fig. 7-10) between the image forming unit 7020 and the medium storage unit 7030B on the front exterior (opening-front cover 7011B) of the housing 7010B, improving the appearance quality.

[0561] Furthermore, image forming apparatus 7001B is configured so that opening-front cover 7011B covers two storage sections 7031D, 7031E in medium storage section 7030B. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus 7001B, there is no dividing line (Ld) between storage sections 7031D, 7031E of medium storage section 7030B on the front exterior (opening-front cover 7011B) of housing 7010B, thereby improving the quality of the external appearance.

[0562] On the other hand, in image forming apparatus 7001B, one storage section 7031F in medium storage section 7030B that is not covered by front opening cover 7011B can be pulled out from inside to outside of housing 7010B at any time, regardless of whether front opening cover 7011B is open or closed, to store recording media 7009. For this reason, it is preferable to select, as the storage section 7031F that is not covered by front opening cover 7011B, a storage section that consumes a lot of recording media 7009 and requires frequent replenishment of recording media 7009. If such storage section 7031F is configured not to be covered by front opening cover 7011B, there is no need to open and close front opening cover 7011B when replenishment of recording media 7009 in frequently used storage section 7031F, thereby improving operability.

[0563] Furthermore, when the opening-front cover 7011B of the image forming apparatus 7001B is opened, the interlock switch 7082 is put into a disconnected state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7-8 etc., the movable connecting portion 7082a of the interlock switch 7082 on the opening-front cover 7011B side is separated from the switch portion 7082b of the interlock switch 7082 on the housing 7010B side. Furthermore, if the opening-front cover 7011B is opened while the image forming apparatus 7001B is performing an image formation operation, it is detected that the interlock switch 7082 has been put into a disconnected state, and in response to this detection information, the control device (see FIG. 7-6) controls the image formation control unit 7028 and the medium conveyance control unit 7038 to forcibly stop their operations.

[0564] Therefore, in image forming apparatus 7001B, when opening front cover 7011B, the operations (image forming operations) of image forming unit 7020 exposed on the front side of housing 7010B and medium conveying path 7037 are stopped, thereby ensuring safety. On the other hand, in image forming apparatus 7001B, even when opening front cover 7011B during image forming operations, the conveying operation of medium conveying path 7037 for the lowest storage unit 7031F is not stopped.

[0565] (Variation) This disclosure is not limited to the contents exemplified in the seventh embodiment 1 and the seventh embodiment 2, and also includes, for example, the following modified examples.

[0566] In the image forming apparatus 7001A according to the seventh embodiment, the left side cover 7013 may be configured to be opened and closed using an open / close support member 7016 located at its right end in the left-right direction (the front end in the front-to-rear direction from the housing 7010A). Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 7001A, instead of or in addition to the left side cover 7013, the right side cover 7014 may be configured as an open / close cover that covers the image forming unit 7020 and the medium storage unit 7030A on the right side of the housing 7010A and opens and closes. In this case, if the right side cover 7014 is heavier than the front cover 7011A, it is preferable to use an open / close support member 7016 located at one of the ends of the side cover 7014 in the left-to-right direction (the front-to-rear direction of the housing 7010A). Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 7001A, both the left and right side covers may be exterior covers that do not open or close.

[0567] In an image forming apparatus 7001B according to seventh embodiment 2, the front opening / closing cover 7011B may be configured as an opening / closing cover that covers all three storage compartments 7031D, 7031E, and 7031F of the medium storage unit 7030B, like the front opening / closing cover 7011A in seventh embodiment 1. Conversely, the front opening / closing cover 7011B may be configured as an opening / closing cover that covers the image forming unit 7020 as well as the uppermost storage compartment 7031D of the medium storage unit 7030B.

[0568] The housing 7010 is not limited to a structure having a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the vertical direction, such as housings 7010A and 7010B exemplified in seventh form 1 and seventh form 2, but may also be, for example, housing 7010 having a shape with curved side portions.

[0569] The image forming apparatus may be an image forming apparatus configured such that the external reading unit 7060 is omitted from the image forming apparatus 7001A (including the image forming apparatus 7001C) according to the seventh embodiment 1. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus may be an image forming apparatus configured such that the document reading unit 7050 is omitted from the image forming apparatus 7001B according to the seventh embodiment 2. In these cases, an upper end cover may be provided as an exterior cover at the upper end of the housing 7010A, 10B where the external reading unit 7060 or the document reading unit 7050 was disposed. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus is not limited to an image forming unit in which the image forming unit 7020 is an electrophotographic image forming unit using a developer, and may also have an image forming unit 7020 based on another image forming method (for example, an ink ejection method, etc.).

[0570] <Eighth form> Fig. 8-1 shows an image forming apparatus to which a drive device according to the eighth embodiment is applied. In Fig. 8-1, arrow X indicates the horizontal direction (width direction) of image forming apparatus 8001, arrow Y indicates the depth direction of image forming apparatus 8001, and arrow Z indicates the vertical direction (up-down direction) of image forming apparatus 8001.

[0571] <Overall configuration of image forming apparatus> An image forming apparatus 8001 according to the eighth embodiment is configured as, for example, a color printer. The image forming apparatus 8001 is an example of a storage device. As shown in FIG. 8-1 , the image forming apparatus 8001 includes a plurality of image forming devices 8010 that form toner images developed with toner constituting a developer; an intermediate transfer device 8020 that holds the toner images formed by each image forming device 8010 and transports them to a secondary transfer position where they are finally secondarily transferred onto recording paper 8005, an example of a recording medium; a paper feeder 8050 that stores and transports the required recording paper 8005 to be supplied to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer device 8020; and a fixing device 8040 that fixes the toner image on the recording paper 8005 secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer device 8020. Note that 8001a in the figure indicates the device body of the image forming apparatus 8001. The device body 8001a is configured with supporting structural members, an exterior cover, and the like. The two-dot chain line in the drawing indicates the main transport path along which recording paper 8005 is transported within apparatus main body 8001a.

[0572] The imaging device 8010 is composed of four imaging devices 8010Y, 8010M, 8010C, and 8010K that are dedicated to forming toner images of four colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. These four imaging devices 8010 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged in a row in the internal space of the device main body 8001a, at an angle such that the yellow (Y) imaging device 8010Y is located above in the Z direction and the black (K) imaging device 8010K is located below in the Z direction.

[0573] The four image forming devices 8010 are composed of image forming devices 8010(Y,M,C) for yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), and a black (K) image forming device 8010K. The black image forming device 8010K is disposed on the most downstream side along the movement direction B of the intermediate transfer belt 8021 of the intermediate transfer device 8020. The image forming device 8001 has two image forming modes: a full-color mode in which the color image forming devices 8010(Y,M,C) and the black (K) image forming device 8010K are operated to form a full-color image, and a black-and-white mode in which only the black (K) image forming device 8010K is operated to form a black-and-white (monochrome) image.

[0574] As shown in FIG. 8-2, each of the image forming devices 8010 (Y, M, C, K) includes a rotating photosensitive drum 8011 as an example of an image forming means (image carrier). Around this photosensitive drum 8011 are a charging device 8012 that charges the peripheral surface (image bearing surface) of the photosensitive drum 8011, which is capable of forming an image, to a required potential; an exposure device 8013 that irradiates the charged peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 8011 with light based on image information (signal) to form an electrostatic latent image (for each color) with a potential difference; developing devices 8014 (Y, M, C, K) as an example of an image forming means (developing means) that develops the electrostatic latent image with developer toner of the corresponding color (Y, M, C, K) to form a toner image; primary transfer devices 8015 (Y, M, C, K) that transfer each toner image to an intermediate transfer device 8020; and drum cleaning devices 8016 (Y, M, C, K) that remove and clean any toner and other deposits that remain on and adhere to the image bearing surface of the photosensitive drum 8011 after the primary transfer.

[0575] The photosensitive drum 8011 has an image bearing surface formed on the circumferential surface of a grounded cylindrical or columnar substrate, the image bearing surface having a photoconductive layer (photosensitive layer) made of a photosensitive material. As will be described later, the photosensitive drum 8011 is supported so as to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow A by a driving force transmitted from a driving means according to the eighth embodiment.

[0576] The charging device 8012 is composed of a contact-type charging roll 8121 that is arranged in contact with the photosensitive drum 8011. A cleaning roll 8122 that cleans the surface of the charging roll 8121 is arranged to be in contact with the back surface of the charging roll 8121. A charging voltage is supplied to the charging device 8012. If the developing device 8014 performs reversal development, the charging voltage supplied is a voltage or current of the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner supplied from the developing device 8014. The charging roll 8121 and cleaning roll 8122 are rotated by a driving force transmitted from the photosensitive drum 8011.

[0577] The exposure device 8013 is an LED print head that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the photosensitive drum 8011 with light corresponding to image information using LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) as a plurality of light emitting elements arranged along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 8011. Note that the exposure device 8013 may be one that deflects and scans laser light configured according to the image information along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 8011.

[0578] Each of the developing devices 8014 (Y, M, C, K) is configured by arranging, inside a housing 8140 formed with an opening and a developer storage chamber, a developing roll 8141 that holds the developer and transports it to a development area facing the photosensitive drum 8011, an agitation supply member 8142 such as a screw auger that agitates the developer while supplying it to pass through the developing roll 8141, an agitation transport member 8143 such as a screw auger that agitates the developer while transporting it to the agitation supply member 8142, and a layer thickness regulating member 8144 that regulates the amount (layer thickness) of the developer held on the developing roll 8141. In this developing device 8014, a development voltage is supplied between the developing roll 8141 and the photosensitive drum 8011 from a power supply device (not shown). Furthermore, the developing roll 8141 rotates in a required direction by a driving force transmitted from a driving means according to an eighth embodiment, as will be described later. The agitation supply member 8142 and the agitation transport member 8143 are rotated by the driving force transmitted from the developing roll 8141. Furthermore, as the four color developers, a two-component developer containing non-magnetic toner and magnetic carrier is used.

[0579] The primary transfer device 8015 (Y, M, C, K) is a contact type transfer device that includes a primary transfer roll that rotates in contact with the periphery of the photosensitive drum 8011 via an intermediate transfer belt 8021 and is supplied with a primary transfer voltage. As the primary transfer voltage, a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to the charge polarity of the toner is supplied from a power supply device (not shown).

[0580] The drum cleaning device 8016 is composed of a container-shaped main body 8160 with a portion open, a cleaning plate 8161 that is arranged so as to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 8011 after primary transfer with a required pressure and removes and cleans any adhering matter such as residual toner, and a delivery member 8162 such as a screw auger that collects the adhering matter such as toner removed by the cleaning plate 8161 and transports it to a collection system (not shown). A plate-shaped member (for example, a blade) made of a material such as rubber is used as the cleaning plate 8161. The delivery member 8162 of the drum cleaning device 8016 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from the photosensitive drum 8011.

[0581] As shown in FIG. 8-1, the intermediate transfer device 8020 is disposed above each of the image forming devices 8010 (Y, M, C, K) in the Z direction. As shown in Figure 8-2, this intermediate transfer device 8020 is mainly composed of an intermediate transfer belt 8021 that rotates in the direction indicated by arrow B while passing through a primary transfer position between the photosensitive drum 8011 and the primary transfer device 8015 (primary transfer roll), a plurality of belt support rolls 8022 to 8026 that support the intermediate transfer belt 8021 in a desired state from its inner surface and rotatably support it, a secondary transfer device 8030 as an example of a secondary transfer means that is arranged on the outer surface (image bearing surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 8021 supported by the belt support roll 8026 and performs a secondary transfer of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8021 to the recording paper 8005, and a belt cleaning device 8027 that removes and cleans toner, paper dust, and other deposits that remain and adhere to the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8021 after passing through the secondary transfer device 8030.

[0582] An endless belt made of a material in which a resistance adjuster such as carbon black is dispersed in a synthetic resin such as polyimide resin or polyamide resin is used as the intermediate transfer belt 8021. The belt support roll 8022 also serves as an opposing roll for a belt cleaning device 8027 and is configured as a drive roll that is rotationally driven by a drive device 8070 according to an eighth embodiment described below. The belt support rolls 8023 and 8024 are configured as surface finishing rolls that form the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8021. The belt support roll 8025 is configured as a tension applying roll that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 8021. The belt support roll 8026 is configured as an opposing roll that faces the secondary transfer device 8030.

[0583] The intermediate transfer device 8020 is configured so that belt support rolls 8023 and 8024 can move inward and outward of the intermediate transfer belt 8021 together with the primary transfer devices 8015 (Y, M, C, K). In the full-color mode, as shown in FIG. 8-2, the belt support rolls 8023 and 8024 are disposed at positions where the primary transfer devices 8015 (Y, M, C, K) contact the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 8011 (Y, M, C, K) via the intermediate transfer belt 8021. On the other hand, in the monochrome mode, as shown in FIG. 8-4, only the black (K) primary transfer device 8015K contacts the surface of the black (K) photosensitive drum 8011K via the intermediate transfer belt 8021, and the belt support roll 8023 moves to a position where the color primary transfer devices 8015 (Y, M, C) together with the intermediate transfer belt 8021 are spaced apart from the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 8011 (Y, M, C).

[0584] Furthermore, during maintenance, as shown in Fig. 8-5, the belt support rolls 8023 and 8024 move to positions where the color primary transfer devices 8015 (Y, M, C) and the black (K) primary transfer device 8015K are spaced apart from the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 8011 (Y, M, C, K) together with the intermediate transfer belt 8021. For convenience, Fig. 8-5 shows a state in which the yellow (Y) photosensitive drum unit 8200Y is removed.

[0585] 8-1, the secondary transfer device 8030 is a contact-type transfer device including a secondary transfer roll 8031 ​​that rotates in contact with the circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8021 and is supplied with a secondary transfer voltage at a secondary transfer position, which is the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8021 supported by a belt support roll 8026 in the intermediate transfer device 8020. A DC voltage having the same polarity as or opposite to the charge polarity of the toner is supplied as a secondary transfer voltage from a power supply device (not shown) to the secondary transfer roll 8031 ​​or the belt support roll 8026 of the intermediate transfer device 8020.

[0586] The fixing device 8040 is configured by arranging, inside a housing (not shown) in which an inlet and an outlet for the recording paper 8005 are formed, a heating rotator 8041 in the form of a roll or belt that rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow and is heated by a heating means so that the surface temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature, and a pressure rotator 8042 in the form of a belt or roll that rotates in contact with the heating rotator 8041 at a predetermined pressure and rotates in a state substantially along the axial direction of the heating rotator 8041. In this fixing device 8040, the contact area where the heating rotator 8041 and the pressure rotator 8042 come into contact is a fixing processing section that performs the required fixing process (heating and pressurizing).

[0587] The paper feeder 8050 is disposed so as to be located below the imaging devices 8010 (Y, M, C, K). This paper feeder 8050 is mainly composed of one (or more) paper containers 8051 that store stacks of recording paper 8005 of desired sizes and types, and feeders 8052, 8053 that feed the recording paper 8005 one sheet at a time from the paper container 8051. The paper container 8051 is attached so that it can be pulled out, for example, from the front side of the device main body 8001a (the side that the user faces during operation).

[0588] Examples of the recording paper 8005 include thin paper such as plain paper or tracing paper used in electrophotographic copiers and printers, or OHP sheets, etc. In order to further improve the smoothness of the image surface after fixing, it is preferable that the surface of the recording paper 8005 is as smooth as possible, and for example, coated paper in which the surface of plain paper is coated with a resin...

Claims

1. a first storage section that is movable from a first position where a recording medium of a first size can be supplied to the device body to a second position where a user can supply the recording medium, and that has an upstream end and a downstream end in the direction in which the recording medium is supplied to the device body when the first storage section is in the first position; a second storage section that stores a recording medium of a second size and that is capable of transporting the stored recording medium of the second size when positioned at a second transport position; When the first storage portion is located at the second position, the upstream end and the downstream end of the first storage portion are located at different vertical positions, When the first storage unit is positioned at a first transport position where the recording medium of the first size can be transported, the first storage unit is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that one end and the other end in the device width direction are positioned at different up-down positions when viewed from a first direction, when viewed from the first direction, in the device width direction, the recording media of the second size accommodated in the second accommodation section at the second transport position are entirely arranged within a range in which the recording media of the first size accommodated in the first accommodation section at the first transport position are arranged, the recording medium of the second size accommodated in the second accommodation section is arranged within a range in both the vertical direction of the device and the width direction of the device, in which the recording medium of the first size accommodated in the first accommodation section is arranged; Containment device.

2. a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium accommodated in the first accommodation unit and the recording medium accommodated in the second accommodation unit; a cover that can be opened and closed laterally on one side or the other side of the device body, and that, when positioned in an open position, opens at least a part of a transport path for the recording medium transported by the transport unit; the first storage unit is capable of transporting the stored recording medium of the first size when positioned at a first transport position, When the first storage unit is located at a first transport position, the recording medium of the first size stored in the first storage unit is located at the top among a plurality of types of recording media stored in the device body. The storage device of claim 1 .

3. a third storage section disposed below the second storage section and configured to store recording media of a third size; the recording medium of the third size accommodated in the third accommodation section is arranged within a range in the width direction of the device where the recording medium of the first size accommodated in the first accommodation section is arranged; The storage device of claim 1 .

4. a third storage section disposed below the second storage section, The second storage section is disposed below the first storage section, the maximum size of the recording medium that can be accommodated in the second storage section is smaller than the maximum size of the recording medium that can be accommodated in the first storage section; the maximum size of the recording medium that can be accommodated in the third storage section is smaller than the maximum size of the recording medium that can be accommodated in the first storage section, and is larger than the maximum size of the recording medium that can be accommodated in the second storage section; The inclination degrees of the second and third storage sections are smaller than the inclination degree of the first storage section. The storage device of claim 1 .

5. The second storage section and the third storage section are arranged horizontally.

5. The storage device of claim 4.

6. the number of recording media that can be accommodated in the third storage section is greater than the number of recording media that can be accommodated in the first storage section and the number of recording media that can be accommodated in the second storage section; 6. The storage device of claim 5.

7. With the first storage section positioned at the second position, at least one of the second storage section and the third storage section can be pulled out from the device main body in the first direction. The storage device according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

8. The first storage section is movable to the second position regardless of the positions of the second storage section and the third storage section. A storage device according to any one of claims 3 to 7.

9. a guide portion for guiding the recording medium transported from the second storage portion is formed at an upper end portion of the first storage portion; a conveying path extending from the second storage section to the guide section is disposed within a range in which the first storage section is disposed in the device width direction; A storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium that is accommodated in the accommodation device and transported; An image forming apparatus comprising:

11. the image forming unit is disposed within a range in which the first storage unit is disposed in the apparatus width direction, The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

12. A reversal path is formed to turn the recording medium over, The reversing path is disposed within a range in which the first storage section is disposed in the device width direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.

Images