Image reading device, image forming device

Abstract

To obtain an image reading device that can prevent a user from changing the position of an imaging unit compared with a case where a mechanism to adjust the position of an imaging unit is exposed to the outside, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image reading device comprises: a placement part that is formed with a placement surface on which a document is placed; an imaging unit that is arranged above the placement surface and picks up an image of the document; a support part that is attached to a device body at a base end and supports the imaging unit at a portion on a side of a leading end; an adjustment part for adjusting the position of the imaging unit with respect to the placement surface; and a covering part that covers the adjustment part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The picture camera described in Patent Document 1 includes a document holding means, an imaging means for photographing a document held by the document holding means, a reflecting means provided on the optical path between the document holding means and the imaging means, and a rotatable engagement with the document holding means via a rotation axis. A movable holding means for rotatably holding the imaging means and the reflecting means via different rotation axes, and electrical connections between the movable holding means and the document holding means, and between the movable holding means and the imaging means are made by electrical signal lines passing through the centers of the respective rotation axes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An image reading apparatus includes an imaging unit that images a document and a placing unit on which a placing surface for placing the document is formed. With such a configuration, it is necessary to adjust the position of the imaging unit with respect to the placing surface. And after the position adjustment of the imaging unit is completed, it is necessary to prevent the user from accidentally changing the position of the imaging unit.

[0005] However, when the mechanism for adjusting the position of the imaging unit is exposed to the outside, the user may accidentally change the position of the imaging unit.

[0006] The problem of the present disclosure is to suppress the user from accidentally changing the position of the imaging unit as compared with the case where the mechanism for adjusting the position of the imaging unit is exposed to the outside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image reading device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising: a mounting section having a mounting surface for placing a document; an imaging section positioned above the mounting surface for imaging the document; a support section whose base end is attached to the main body of the device and which supports the imaging section with its tip end; an adjustment section for adjusting the position of the imaging section relative to the mounting surface; and a cover section covering the adjustment section.

[0008] An image reading device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the image reading device described in the first aspect, the support portion supports the imaging portion via the adjustment portion, the cover portion also covers the support portion, and the support portion has an opening through which an adjustment tool passes so that the adjustment portion can be adjusted using the adjustment tool.

[0009] An image reading device according to a third aspect of this disclosure is characterized in that, in the image reading device described in the second aspect, the opening is formed on the rear side in the depth direction of the device relative to the imaging unit.

[0010] An image reading device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is an image reading device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the adjustment unit has one adjustment unit for adjusting the position of the imaging unit in the width direction of the device with respect to the mounting surface, and another adjustment unit for adjusting the position of the imaging unit in the depth direction of the device with respect to the mounting surface, and the one adjustment unit and the other adjustment unit are provided on the support unit side with respect to the imaging unit.

[0011] An image reading device according to a fifth aspect of this disclosure is an image reading device according to a fourth aspect, characterized in that one adjustment unit has a rotation axis for rotating the imaging unit relative to the support unit, and the other adjustment unit has another rotation axis for rotating the imaging unit relative to the support unit.

[0012] The image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect of this disclosure is: Any one of the 1st to 5th embodimentsThe present invention is characterized by comprising an image reading device described above, and an image forming unit that forms an image based on image information read by the image reading device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the image reading device of the first aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to suppress the user from accidentally changing the position of the imaging unit compared to a case where the mechanism for adjusting the position of the imaging unit is exposed to the outside.

[0014] According to the image reading device of a second aspect of this disclosure, the position of the imaging unit can be adjusted using an adjustment tool while the cover is removed.

[0015] According to the image reading device of the third aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to suppress the user from accidentally changing the position of the imaging unit compared to a case where the position of the imaging unit can be adjusted from the front side in the depth direction of the device.

[0016] According to the image reading device of the fourth aspect of this disclosure, the adjustment unit can be made smaller compared to the case in which one adjustment unit is located on the opposite side of the imaging unit from the other adjustment unit.

[0017] According to the image reading device of the fifth aspect of this disclosure, the adjustment unit can be made smaller compared to the case in which the position of the imaging unit is adjusted by moving the imaging unit in parallel.

[0018] The image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect of this disclosure can suppress deviations in the position where the image is formed from the correct position, compared to the case in which an image reading apparatus is provided in which a mechanism for adjusting the position of the imaging unit is exposed to the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the toner image forming section of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] The perspective view which showed the image reading device which concerns on embodiment of this indication. [Figure 4] The perspective view which mainly showed the support part of the image reading device which concerns on embodiment of this indication. [Figure 5] The side view which showed the imaging part and adjustment part etc. of the image reading device which concerns on embodiment of this indication. [Figure 6] The front view which showed the image reading device which concerns on embodiment of this indication. [Figure 7] The side view which showed the image reading device which concerns on embodiment of this indication. [Figure 8] The rear view which showed the adjustment part of the image reading device which concerns on embodiment of this indication. [Figure 9] The rear view which showed the adjustment part and support part of the image reading device which concerns on embodiment of this indication. [Figure 10] The side view which showed the imaging part, adjustment part and cover etc. of the image reading device which concerns on embodiment of this indication.

FORM FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0020] An example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this indication is demonstrated according to FIGS. 1-10. In addition, the arrow H shown in each figure is a vertical direction and shows the apparatus up-and-down direction, the arrow W is a horizontal direction and shows the apparatus width direction, and the arrow D is a horizontal direction and shows the apparatus depth direction.

[0021] (Overall configuration of image forming apparatus 10) As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 110 that reads an image formed on a document G, an image forming unit 12 that forms a toner image by an electrophotographic method, and a conveyance unit 14 that conveys a sheet member P as a recording medium along a conveyance path 16. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a storage member 18 that stores the sheet member P, and a control unit 28 that controls the entire apparatus.

[0022] In the image forming apparatus 10 with the above configuration, the image reading unit 110 reads the image formed on the original document G. The transport unit 14 transports the sheet member P housed in the storage member 18 along the transport path 16. Furthermore, the toner image formed by the image forming unit 12 is formed on the transported sheet member P, and the sheet member P with the toner image formed on it is discharged to the outside of the apparatus body 10a.

[0023] [Image forming unit 12] As shown in Figure 1, the image forming unit 12 includes a plurality of toner image forming units 30, each forming a toner image of a different color, and a transfer unit 32 that transfers the toner images formed by the toner image forming units 30 to a sheet member P. Furthermore, the image forming unit 12 includes a fixing device 34 that fixes the toner images transferred to the sheet member P by the transfer unit 32 to the sheet member P.

[0024] -Toner image forming unit 30- Multiple toner image forming units 30 are provided to form toner images for each color. In this embodiment, toner image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K for a total of four colors—yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K)—are provided. In the following description, if it is not necessary to distinguish between yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), the designations Y, M, C, and K will be omitted from the reference numerals.

[0025] Each toner image forming unit 30 is basically configured similarly, except for the toner used, and as shown in Figure 2, it includes a rotating cylindrical image holder 40 and a charger 42 for charging the image holder 40. Furthermore, the toner image forming unit 30 includes an exposure device 44 that irradiates the charged image holder 40 with exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device 46 that develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image with a developer Z containing toner. Thus, each toner image forming unit 30 forms an image of each color using the corresponding color toner.

[0026] Furthermore, each colored image holder 40 is in contact with a circulating transfer belt 50 (details will be described later), as shown in Figure 1. In the circulating direction of the transfer belt 50 (see arrows in the figure), the toner image forming units 30 for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged in this order from the upstream side.

[0027] -Transfer section 32- As shown in Figure 1, the transfer unit 32 includes a transfer belt 50 and primary transfer rolls 52, each positioned on the opposite side of the image holders 40 of each color from the transfer belt 50, which transfer the toner images formed on the image holders 40 of each color to the transfer belt 50.

[0028] Furthermore, the transfer section 32 includes a winding roll 56 around which the transfer belt 50 is wound, and a drive roll 58 around which the transfer belt 50 is wound and which transmits rotational force to the transfer belt 50. As a result, the transfer belt 50 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

[0029] Furthermore, the transfer section 32 is positioned on the opposite side of the winding roll 56, with the transfer belt 50 in between, and includes a secondary transfer roll 54 that transfers the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 50 to the sheet member P. A transfer nip NT is formed between the secondary transfer roll 54 and the transfer belt 50, which transfers the toner image to the sheet member P.

[0030] In this configuration, the toner image is first transferred to the transfer belt 50 by the primary transfer roll 52 in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The toner image is then transferred from the transfer belt 50 to the sheet member P, which is transported sandwiched between the transfer belt 50 and the secondary transfer roll 54, by the secondary transfer roll 54. The sheet member P, on which the toner image has been transferred, is then transported toward the fuser unit 34.

[0031] - Fixing device 34 - As shown in Figure 1, the fixing device 34 is positioned downstream of the transfer nip NT in the transport direction of the sheet member P. The fixing device 34 heats and pressurizes the toner image transferred to the sheet member P to fix it to the sheet member P.

[0032] [Conveying section 14] As shown in Figure 1, the transport unit 14 includes a delivery roll 20 that sends the sheet member P housed in the storage member 18 to the transport path 16, and a prevention roll 22 that prevents double feeding of the sheet member P sent out by the delivery roll 20. Furthermore, the transport unit 14 includes an adjustment roll 24 that adjusts the timing of the sheet member P being sent to the transfer nip NT, and an discharge roll 26 that discharges the sheet member P, on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 34, to the outside of the device body 10a.

[0033] [Image reading unit 110] As shown in Figure 1, the image reading unit 110 is located in the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10 and is designed to read the image formed on the original document G. The image reading unit 110 is an example of an image reading apparatus. The image reading unit 110 will be described in detail later.

[0034] (Main part configuration) Next, the image reading unit 110 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the image reading unit 110 includes a top plate 112 on which a mounting surface 112a for placing the document G is formed, and an imaging unit 120 for imaging the document G placed on the mounting surface 112a. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the image reading unit 110 includes a support unit 140 for supporting the imaging unit 120 and an adjustment unit 150 for adjusting the position of the imaging unit 120. In addition, as shown in Figure 3, the image reading unit 110 includes a cover 170 that covers the imaging unit 120 and the support unit 140, and a display unit 180 having a display screen 182 that displays information related to the reading.

[0035] [Top plate 112] As shown in Figure 3, the top plate 112 is provided on the main body 110a of the image reading unit 110, with its surface facing upward. The top plate 112 is an example of a mounting section. In this embodiment, the main body 110a is the upper end portion of the main body 10a of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0036] Furthermore, the top plate 112 has a mounting surface 112a on which a sheet-like document G can be placed (shaded area in the figure). In this embodiment, as an example, a document G up to A3 size can be placed on the mounting surface 112a.

[0037] [Support part 140] As shown in Figure 4, the support section 140 includes a pair of vertical frames 142 that rise upward from the rear portion of the device body 110a in the device depth direction and from both sides of the device body 110a in the device width direction. Furthermore, the support section 140 includes a horizontal frame 144 that spans the upper ends of the pair of vertical frames 142.

[0038] Here, the device depth direction is the direction of approach and away from a user standing in front of the image reading unit 110 to use the image reading unit 110, the front side in the device depth direction is the side closer to the user, and the back side in the device depth direction is the side further away from the user.

[0039] Furthermore, the device width direction refers to the left-right direction for a user standing in front of the image reading unit 110 to use the image reading unit 110.

[0040] -Vertical frame 142- The pair of vertical frames 142 have a similar configuration and are formed from metal material. As shown in Figure 4, the vertical frames 142 extend vertically and have a rectangular tubular cross-section. The base ends of the vertical frames 142 are attached to the main body 110a of the device.

[0041] -Horizontal frame 144- The horizontal frame 144 is formed from a metal material and extends in the width direction of the device, as shown in Figure 4. The horizontal frame 144 also includes a pair of cylindrical frames 146 and a bracket 148.

[0042] The pair of cylindrical frames 146 are symmetrical in the width direction of the device, with respect to the center of the mounting surface 112a in the width direction of the device. The base ends of the cylindrical frames 146 are connected to the ends of one of the vertical frames 142, and the end of one cylindrical frame 146 extends toward the end of the other vertical frame 142. The cylindrical frames 146 have a rectangular cross-section, and the hollow parts of the cylindrical frames 146 and the hollow parts of the vertical frames 142 are connected.

[0043] The bracket 148 is stretched between the tip of one cylindrical frame 146 and the tip of the other cylindrical frame 146. As shown in Figure 5, the bracket 148 is formed in a Z shape by bending a plate member and comprises a vertical plate 148a whose thickness direction is in the direction of the depth of the device, and an inclined plate 148b that extends inclined toward the front in the direction of the depth of the device from the tip of the vertical plate 148a. Furthermore, the bracket 148 includes a flange plate 148c that extends upward from the tip of the inclined plate 148b.

[0044] Furthermore, both ends of the vertical plate 148a in the device width direction are connected to the ends of a pair of cylindrical frames 146 (see Figure 4).

[0045] [Imaging unit 120] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the imaging unit 120 is positioned in the center of the mounting surface 112a in the width direction of the device (CL01 in Figure 6), and in the depth direction of the device, it is positioned towards the back of the center of the mounting surface 112a (CL02 in Figure 7).

[0046] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the housing 122 of the imaging unit 120 is inclined horizontally such that the front side in the depth direction of the device is positioned higher than the rear side when viewed from the width direction of the device, and the front part in the depth direction of the device is beveled, giving it the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0047] Furthermore, an imaging optical system is provided inside the housing 122, and a window 124 is formed on the front side in the depth direction of the device on the lower surface 122a of the housing 122 for taking in the captured image.

[0048] Furthermore, although not shown in the diagram, the harness connected to the imaging unit 120 extends through the inside of the cylindrical frame 146 and the vertical frame 142 to the main body of the device 110a.

[0049] [Adjustment section 150] As shown in Figure 5, the adjustment unit 150 is positioned on the bracket 148 side of the support unit 140 relative to the imaging unit 120. The adjustment unit 150 includes a bracket 152 attached to the imaging unit 120 and a bracket 162 attached to the flange plate 148c of the bracket 148.

[0050] -Bracket 152- The bracket 152 comprises a pair of side plates 152a that sandwich the rear portion of the imaging unit 120 in the depth direction of the device from the width direction of the device, and a bottom plate 152b that is positioned with a gap between it and the bottom surface 120a of the imaging unit 120 and connects the lower ends of the pair of side plates 152a. Furthermore, the bracket 152 comprises a back plate 152c that is positioned on the rear side of the imaging unit 120 in the depth direction of the device and whose thickness direction is in the depth direction of the device. This back plate 152c connects the side ends of the pair of side plates 152a.

[0051] Furthermore, each of the pair of side plates 152a has a through hole 154 into which a rod 158, which extends in the width direction of the device and constitutes the shaft, is inserted. In addition, each of the pair of side plates 152a has a through hole (not shown) into which a bolt 156, which is fastened to the imaging unit 120, is inserted. The rod 158 is an example of another rotating shaft.

[0052] In this configuration, loosening the bolt 156 and rotating the imaging unit 120 around the rod 158 causes it to rotate in the direction of arrow A, and the optical axis of the imaging optical system of the imaging unit 120 (K01 in the figure) moves in the depth direction of the device. In other words, loosening the bolt 156 and rotating the imaging unit 120 around the rod 158 adjusts the position of the imaging unit 120, including its orientation, in the depth direction of the device.

[0053] Thus, the adjustment unit 150a, which includes the side plate 152a, bolt 156, and rod 158, is configured to adjust the position of the imaging unit 120 in the depth direction of the device. The adjustment unit 150a is an example of another adjustment unit.

[0054] -Bracket 162- As shown in Figure 5, the bracket 162 includes a reference plate 162a that overlaps the back plate 152c of the bracket 152 from the rear side in the depth direction of the device, and flange portions 162b that protrude from both ends of the reference plate 162a in the width direction of the device toward the rear side in the depth direction of the device.

[0055] The reference plate 162a is inclined vertically such that, when viewed from the width direction of the device, its upper end is on the rear side in the depth direction of the device relative to its lower end. The upper end portion of the reference plate 162a does not overlap with the back plate 152c, and this upper end portion is fixed to the flange plate 148c of the bracket 148 using a fixing member (not shown). In this way, the support portion 140 supports the imaging unit 120 via the adjustment portion 150 at the tip of the support portion 140.

[0056] Furthermore, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the reference plate 162a (arrow D1 shown in Figure 5), a through hole 164 is formed in the center of the reference plate 162a in the device width direction, as shown in Figure 8, into which a rod 168 extending in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the reference plate 162a is inserted. In addition, the reference plate 162a has a through hole (not shown) into which a bolt 166 is inserted, which is fastened to a burring nut (not shown) formed in the back plate 152c (see Figure 5). The rod 168 is an example of a rotating shaft.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the reference plate 162a is covered by the vertical plate 148a of the bracket 148 from the rear side in the depth direction of the device. In order to tighten or loosen the bolt 166 using an adjustment tool (a so-called adjustment tool) when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the reference plate 162a, an opening 149 is formed in the vertical plate 148a, as shown in Figure 9, through which the adjustment tool passes. Thus, the opening 149 is formed on the rear side in the depth direction of the device relative to the imaging unit 120. In this embodiment, for example, a Phillips screwdriver is used as the adjustment tool.

[0058] Furthermore, a gap is formed between the vertical plate 148a and the reference plate 162a that is not large enough to allow an adjustment tool to fit.

[0059] In this configuration, by loosening the bolt 166 and rotating the bracket 152 and imaging unit 120 around the rod 168, the imaging unit 120 rotates in the direction of arrow B, as shown in Figure 8, and the optical axis of the imaging optical system of the imaging unit 120 (K01 in the figure) moves in the width direction of the device. In other words, by loosening the bolt 166 and rotating the imaging unit 120 around the rod 168, the position, including the orientation of the imaging unit 120 in the depth direction of the device, is adjusted.

[0060] Thus, an adjustment unit 150b is configured to adjust the position of the imaging unit 120 in the device width direction, including the reference plate 162a, bolt 166, and rod 168. The adjustment unit 150b is one example of an adjustment unit.

[0061] [Cover 170] As shown in Figure 3, the cover 170 covers the imaging unit 120, the adjustment unit 150, and the support unit 140 (see Figure 4). The cover 170 is an example of a covering unit.

[0062] The cover 170 is made of a resin material and, as shown in Figure 7, is L-shaped when viewed from the width direction of the device. Specifically, the cover 170 includes a rising portion 172 that rises upward from the rear part of the device body 110a in the depth direction of the device, and a canopy portion 176 that extends from the upper end of the rising portion 172 towards the front in the depth direction of the device.

[0063] -Startup section 172- As shown in Figure 3, the riser portion 172 covers the support portion 140 from the front and rear sides in the depth direction of the device. Also, as shown in Figure 6, an opening 172a is formed in the riser portion 172 that penetrates in the depth direction of the device when viewed from the depth direction of the device. Specifically, the opening 172a is rectangular in shape and extends in the width direction of the device when viewed from the depth direction of the device.

[0064] -Eave 176- As shown in Figure 10, the canopy portion 176 covers the imaging unit 120, the adjustment unit 150, and the support unit 140 from the upper side in the vertical direction of the device, the front side in the depth direction of the device, and the rear side in the depth direction of the device. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a pair of plate-shaped ribs 176a are formed inside the design surface of the canopy portion 176 so as to be positioned between the imaging unit 120 in the width direction of the device. Specifically, the thickness direction of the ribs 176a is in the width direction of the device, and the ribs 176a cover the adjustment unit 150 from the width direction of the device.

[0065] [Display section 180] As shown in Figure 7, the display unit 180 is positioned between the mounting surface 112a and the imaging unit 120 in the vertical direction of the device, and on the rear side relative to the mounting surface 112a in the depth direction of the device.

[0066] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the display unit 180 comprises a plate-shaped main body 180a and a support part 180b that rotatably supports the main body 180a. The main body 180a is plate-shaped, rectangular in shape extending in the width direction of the device, and is positioned so that its surface faces diagonally upward relative to the front side in the depth direction of the device. The main body 180a is provided with a display screen 182 on which reading information is displayed in liquid crystal.

[0067] In this configuration, when the user places the document G on the placement surface 112a and instructs the display screen 182 to read the document G, the imaging unit 120 captures an image of the document G. The image reading unit 110 then reads the document G.

[0068] (summary) As explained above, in the image reading unit 110, the awning portion 176 of the cover 170 covers the adjustment unit 150 from the rear side in the depth direction of the device. Furthermore, the rib 176a of the cover 170 covers the adjustment unit 150 from the width direction of the device. This suppresses the possibility of the user accidentally changing the position of the imaging unit 120 compared to a case where the mechanism for adjusting the position of the imaging unit is exposed to the outside.

[0069] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, an opening 149 is formed in the vertical plate 148a of the horizontal frame 144, through which an adjustment tool passes, allowing the bolt 166 to be tightened or loosened using the adjustment tool. This allows the position of the imaging unit 120, which is supported by the support unit 140, to be adjusted using the adjustment tool with the cover 170 removed.

[0070] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, the aperture 149 is formed on the rear side in the depth direction of the device relative to the imaging unit 120. This reduces the likelihood of the user accidentally changing the position of the imaging unit 120, compared to the case where the position of the imaging unit can be adjusted from the front side in the depth direction of the device.

[0071] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, the position of the imaging unit 120 in the device depth direction is adjusted by the adjustment unit 150a, and the position of the imaging unit 120 in the device width direction is adjusted by the adjustment unit 150b. The adjustment units 150a and 150b are located on the support unit 140 side relative to the imaging unit 120. As a result, the adjustment unit 150 is made smaller compared to the case where one adjustment unit is located on the opposite side of the imaging unit from the other adjustment unit.

[0072] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, the adjustment unit 150a has a rod 158 for rotating the imaging unit 120 relative to the support unit 140, and the adjustment unit 150b has a rod 168 for rotating the imaging unit 120 relative to the support unit 140. As a result, the adjustment unit 150 is made smaller compared to the case where the position of the imaging unit is adjusted by moving the imaging unit in parallel.

[0073] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10, the adjustment unit 150, which adjusts the position of the imaging unit 120, is covered by a cover 170. This suppresses deviations in the position where the image is formed from the correct position, compared to the case where the adjustment unit for adjusting the position of the imaging unit is exposed to the outside of the image reading unit. Here, the correct position is the position where the center of the image coincides with the center of the sheet member P.

[0074] Although this disclosure has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this disclosure is not limited to such embodiments, and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of this disclosure. For example, in the above embodiment, an opening 149 for an adjuster to pass through was formed in the vertical plate 148a of the horizontal frame 144, but the opening does not need to be formed. However, in this case, the effect achieved by forming the opening 149 will not be achieved.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the adjustment units 150a and 150b were provided on the support unit 140 side relative to the imaging unit 120. However, for example, one or both of them may be provided on the base end side of the support unit. In this case, however, the effect achieved by providing the adjustment units 150a and 150b on the support unit 140 side relative to the imaging unit 120 will not be achieved.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the adjustment unit 150a adjusted the position of the imaging unit 120 by rotating it, and the adjustment unit 150b adjusted the position of the imaging unit 120 by rotating it. However, the position of the imaging unit may also be adjusted by translating it. However, in this case, the effect achieved by adjusting the position of the imaging unit 120 by rotating it will not be achieved. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image forming unit 110 Image reading unit (an example of an image reading device) 110a Main unit of the device 112 Top plate (an example of a support section) 112a Mounting surface 120 Imaging Unit 140 Support part 149 Aperture 150 Adjustment section 150a Adjustment section (an example of another adjustment section) 150b Adjustment section (an example of one adjustment section) 158 Rod (an example of another axis of rotation) 168 Rod (an example of a rotating axis) 170 Cover (an example of a covering part)

Claims

1. A mounting section is formed on which the manuscript is placed, An imaging unit is positioned above the aforementioned mounting surface and captures the image of the original document, The base end is attached to the main body of the device, and the tip end supports the imaging unit, An adjustment unit for adjusting the position of the imaging unit relative to the mounting surface, It comprises a cover portion that covers the adjustment portion, The support portion supports the imaging portion via the adjustment portion. The covering portion also covers the half-support portion. The support portion has an opening through which an adjustment tool passes, so that it can be adjusted by the adjustment portion using the adjustment tool. Image reading device.

2. The aforementioned opening is formed on the rear side in the depth direction of the device relative to the imaging unit. The image reading device according to claim 1.

3. The adjustment unit comprises one adjustment unit for adjusting the position of the imaging unit in the width direction of the device with respect to the mounting surface, and another adjustment unit for adjusting the position of the imaging unit in the depth direction of the device with respect to the mounting surface, and both the first adjustment unit and the other adjustment unit are provided on the support unit side with respect to the imaging unit. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first adjustment unit has a rotation axis for rotating the imaging unit relative to the support unit, The other adjustment unit has another axis of rotation for rotating the imaging unit relative to the support unit. The image reading device according to claim 3.

5. An image reading device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, An image forming unit that forms an image based on the image information read by the aforementioned image reading device, An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

Images