JP2007180961A - Image reading device, and image forming device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide satisfactory image reading, with a foreign body hardly attached to a contact glass, preventing the generation of crack noise caused by the foreign body. <P>SOLUTION: An image reading device 40A includes an automatic manuscript processing unit 40 for feeding a manuscript G, an image reading section 3 for reading the image of the manuscript G, and a transparent contact glass 102 being disposed between the image reading section 3 and the fed manuscript G at an image reading position, so as to flatten the portion of reading the image of the fed manuscript G, and thereby the image of the fed manuscript G is read by the image reading section 3. As the manuscript G is conveyed, the portion of the above contact glass 102 facing opposite to the manuscript G at the image reading position is shifted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus using the image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus that reads an image from a document being conveyed along a contact glass and an image forming apparatus using the image reading apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, scanner apparatuses, and facsimile apparatuses are equipped with an image reading apparatus that reads an image from a document.
In recent years, in an image reading apparatus, a plurality of originals are stacked, the originals are automatically supplied to the image reading apparatus one by one, and the originals after image reading is automatically discharged to a paper discharge tray, thereby continuously reading images. An apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder (ADF) capable of processing and corresponding to high-speed and mass processing is known.

  An image reading apparatus equipped with such an automatic document conveying device fixes an image reading unit at a predetermined position and moves a document along a transparent contact glass (platen glass) disposed at a position for reading an image. A method of reading an image is generally used.

  However, in the image reading apparatus configured as described above, an image is read while the original moves on the fixed contact glass. Therefore, if the contact glass becomes dirty, the stain becomes a streak such as a black stripe or a white stripe. There was a problem of being read as noise.

Therefore, as a countermeasure against dirt on the contact glass, the reading unit or contact glass is moved so that reading is performed while avoiding dirt on the contact glass, and the contact glass is reciprocated and vibrated to allow foreign matter to adhere to the contact glass. A method of making it difficult (see Patent Document 1), a method of cleaning foreign matter adhering to the contact glass by a cleaning means (see Patent Document 2), and the like have been proposed.
JP 2005-123704 A JP 2002-218166 A

  However, with the conventional method described above, it is possible to make it difficult for foreign matter to adhere to the contact glass or to clean the attached foreign matter. However, if foreign matter adheres to the surface of the contact glass, streak noise occurs. There was a problem of doing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and is an image reading apparatus capable of realizing good image reading in which foreign matter is hardly attached to the contact glass and no streak noise due to the foreign matter is generated. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus using the same.

The configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention and the image forming apparatus using the same for solving the above-described problems is as follows.
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 is disposed between a document conveying unit that conveys a document, an image reading unit that reads an image of the document, and the document that is conveyed at the image reading position. An image reading apparatus comprising a transparent contact member, wherein an image of a conveyed document is read by the image reading means, and the configuration of the contact member has a circular cross-sectional shape and can be rotated along the document conveying direction. The portion of the contact member facing the document at the image reading position is changed with the movement of the document.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration described in the first aspect, at least a portion of the original on which an image is read is located at a position where the contact member and the original to be conveyed face each other. A document pressing member that is pressed against the document is provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration described in the first aspect, the pressing force by the document pressing member is variable.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration described in any one of the first to third aspects, the configuration of the contact member is a columnar body having no hollow portion therein. It is characterized by.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration described in any one of the first to third aspects, the image reading device is configured such that the configuration of the contact member is a cylindrical body having a hollow portion therein. It is characterized by.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration described in the fourth or fifth aspect, the contact member is driven and rotated in a main motion to convey a document. is there.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration described in the fourth or fifth aspect, the contact member rotates in accordance with the conveyance of the document.

  In addition to the configuration described in claim 6, the image reading device described in claim 8 is configured such that the configuration of the document transporting unit is upstream and downstream of the contact member along the document transport direction on the document transport path. A transport roller on the side, and the upstream transport roller has a length of a document transport path from the upstream transport roller to the image reading position of the contact member, which is shorter than the minimum document length of the transported documents. The downstream transport roller is arranged at a position where the length is shortened, and the length of the document transport path from the image reading position of the contact member to the downstream transport roller is shorter than the minimum document length of the transported documents. It arrange | positions in a position, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration described in the eighth aspect, the document conveying speed by the contact member is made faster than the original conveying speed by the upstream conveying roller. It is.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration described in the fourth to ninth aspects, a part of an optical system member constituting the image reading unit is provided between the contact member and the image reading unit. It is characterized by arranging.

  An image reading apparatus according to an eleventh aspect is characterized in that, in addition to the structure according to the fifth to ninth aspects, the image reading means is arranged in a hollow portion of the contact member.

  In addition to the configuration described in claims 5 to 9, the image reading device described in claim 12 is arranged with a part of an optical system member constituting the image reading means in the hollow portion of the contact member, Another optical system member constituting the image reading means is arranged outside the contact member.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration described in the fourth to twelfth aspects of the present invention, a cleaning member that cleans an outer peripheral portion of the contact member is provided adjacent to the contact member. To do.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 14 is disposed between a document conveying unit that conveys a document, an image reading unit that reads an image of the document, and the document that is conveyed to the image reading unit at an image reading position, An image forming apparatus comprising an image reading device provided with a transparent contact member for flattening a portion for reading an image of a conveyed document and configured to read the image of the conveyed document by the image reading unit. As a reading device, the image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the document conveying unit that conveys the document, the image reading unit that reads the image of the document, and the image reading unit and the document that is conveyed at the image reading position are arranged. An image reading apparatus comprising a transparent contact member, wherein an image of a conveyed document is read by the image reading means, and the configuration of the contact member has a circular cross-sectional shape and can be rotated along the document conveying direction. The portion of the contact member facing the document at the image reading position is changed with the movement of the document so that the contact portion between the document and the contact member is not rubbed. Since the contact surface moves, it is difficult for foreign matter to adhere to the contact member. Even when a foreign substance adheres to the contact member, the contact member moves together with the document, so that good image reading can be realized with the minimum noise without causing noise due to the foreign substance.

  Moreover, according to the invention of Claims 2-13, in addition to the said common effect obtained by the invention of Claim 1, the following effect can be acquired.

  That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the document pressing member that presses at least a portion of the document on which the image is read to the contact member is provided at a position where the contact member and the conveyed document are opposed to each other. Since the original can be reliably brought into contact with the contact member, high-precision image reading can be realized.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the pressing force by the document pressing member is variable, the document and the contact member are brought into contact with each other with an optimal pressing force according to the thickness of the document to be conveyed. Therefore, it is possible to convey the original document without difficulty.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, the contact member has a columnar body that does not have a hollow portion inside, so that a surface in contact with the original can be continuously formed, thereby realizing a stable reading state. it can.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, the contact member is configured as a cylindrical body having a hollow portion therein, so that a surface in contact with the original can be continuously formed, thereby realizing a stable reading state. In addition, since the influence of the refractive index of the contact member itself when light for image reading passes through the contact member can be reduced, accurate image reading can be realized.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, since the contact member is rotated by the main movement to convey the document, the document can be reliably conveyed at the image reading position, so that stable image reading can be performed. realizable.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the contact member is rotated by being driven as the document is conveyed, the number of parts is reduced without providing a separate drive member for driving the contact member. A space-saving image reading apparatus can be realized.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the configuration of the document conveying means includes conveyance rollers on the upstream side and the downstream side of the contact member along the document conveyance direction on the document conveyance path. A side transport roller is disposed at a position where the length of the document transport path from the upstream transport roller to the image reading position of the contact member is shorter than the minimum document length of the transported documents, and the downstream transport The roller is disposed at a position where the length of the document transport path from the image reading position of the contact member to the downstream transport roller is shorter than the minimum document length of the documents to be transported, so that the document can be contacted Is conveyed by the upstream conveying roller until it reaches, conveyed by the contact member when reading the original image, and conveyed by the downstream conveying roller after the image reading is completed. Since bets can, it is possible to convey the document reliably.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the document conveyance speed by the contact member is made faster than the document conveyance speed by the upstream conveyance roller, so that the document is loosened between the upstream conveyance roller and the contact member. Therefore, the original can be accurately conveyed, so that the image reading on the contact member can be performed with high accuracy.
For example, a slight tension is applied to the document between the upstream conveyance roller and the contact member by increasing the document conveyance speed by the contact member by 1 to 1.5% faster than the document conveyance speed by the upstream conveyance roller. The document can be stably conveyed without being slack in the state.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, the refractive index of the contact member is corrected by disposing a part of the optical system member constituting the image reading means between the contact member and the image reading means. Highly accurate image reading.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize an image reading apparatus which is space-saving and downsized by disposing the image reading means in the hollow portion of the contact member.

  According to the invention described in claim 12, a part of the optical system member constituting the image reading means is arranged in the hollow portion of the contact member, and the image reading means is constituted outside the contact member. By arranging the other optical system members, it is possible to reduce the space and reduce the size, and to configure the image reading means corresponding to the layout of the other components, realizing a space-saving and reduced size image reading device it can.

  According to the invention described in claim 13, by providing a cleaning member for cleaning the outer peripheral portion of the contact member adjacent to the contact member, foreign matter easily attached to the surface of the contact member with a simple configuration. Therefore, it is possible to realize image reading without streak noise caused by foreign matter.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the document conveying means for conveying the original, the image reading means for reading the image of the original, and the image reading means and the original to be conveyed at the image reading position are arranged. An image forming apparatus comprising an image reading device that includes a transparent contact member that flattens a portion for reading an image of the conveyed document and that reads the image of the conveyed document by the image reading unit. Since the image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is provided as the image reading device, a contact portion between the original and the contact member is not rubbed, and the contact of the contact member is always maintained. Since the surface moves, it is difficult for foreign matter to adhere to the contact member. Even when foreign matter adheres to the contact member, the contact member is To move with, since with a minimum of noise without noise due to the foreign matter is streaked possible to achieve proper image reading can be realized an image output of a high quality.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 show an example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the inside of the image forming apparatus. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows this structure.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image reading device 40A that reads image information of a document G. The image information of the document G read by the image reading device 40A is a predetermined recording medium that becomes a recording medium by an electrophotographic method. It is output and formed as a monochrome image on a sheet-like recording paper (hereinafter referred to as paper).

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a document placing table (platen glass) 2 made of transparent glass on which the document G is placed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1a.

  An automatic document processing device (document conveying means) 40 is provided above the document placing table 2, while an image reading unit 3 that reads image information of the document G is configured below the document placing table 2. A scanner unit (image reading means) is arranged.

  The document reading table 2, the image reading unit 3, the automatic document processing device 40, and the like constitute an image reading device 40A.

  Below the image reading unit 3, an image forming unit 10, a fixing device 30, and a paper discharge unit 22 are configured. Further, below the image reading unit 3, a paper feed cassette 23 that stores recording paper as a recording medium is disposed. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading unit 3 includes a first scanner unit (image reading unit) 3a for reading the original G one by one, and a second scanner unit (image reading unit) for reading the original G continuously. Means) 3b.
In FIG. 2, the optical path of the image reading unit 3 is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

  The first scanner unit 3a is disposed below the document placing table 2 and reciprocally moves in parallel. The first scanning unit 4 and the second scanning unit 5, an optical lens body 6, and a photoelectric that constitutes an image reading unit. A conversion element (for example, CCD: charge coupled device) 7 is provided.

  The first scanning unit 4 has an exposure lamp 4A, a reflector 4B that exposes light from the exposure lamp 4A on the surface of the original image, and a reflected light image from the original that is exposed and reflected through the reflector 4B. And a first mirror 4C for guiding in the direction toward the direction, and is controlled to reciprocate in parallel at a predetermined scanning speed while maintaining a certain distance from the lower surface of the document table 2. .

  The second scanning unit 5 includes a second mirror 5A and a third mirror for guiding the reflected light image from the document guided by the first mirror 4C of the first scanning unit 4 further in a predetermined direction. The mirror 5B is provided and is controlled to reciprocate in parallel with the first scanning unit 4 while maintaining a constant speed relationship.

  The optical lens body 6 is arranged on the optical path of the reflected light of the document image guided by the third mirror 5B of the second scanning unit 5 and forms the optical image on the photoelectric conversion element 7.

  The photoelectric conversion element 7 reads the optical image of the original image formed by the optical lens body 6 and photoelectrically converts it into an electrical signal to create original image information (original image data). The original image information Are output to an image processing unit 57 (see FIG. 5) described later.

Here, the configuration of the second scanner unit 3b, which is a characteristic configuration of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an example of the configuration of the scanner unit constituting the image reading device of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the scanner unit.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second scanner unit 3 b is disposed adjacent to one side of the document table 2 (on the first scanning unit 4 side of the image reading unit 3) and facing the document G to be conveyed. Transparent contact glass (contact member) 102, an exposure lamp 104a for irradiating the conveyed document G with light, and an optical lens for collecting the reflected light from the document G exposed and reflected by the exposure lamp 104a And a photoelectric conversion element 107 that reads an optical image of the original image formed by the optical lens body 106 and photoelectrically converts it into an electrical signal.

  The contact glass 102 presents a cylindrical body having a circular cross section and a hollow portion formed therein, and flattens a portion where the image of the original G is read by coming into contact with the conveyed original G. Are provided so as to be rotatable along the moving direction of the original G.

In the hollow portion of the contact glass 102, the optical lens body 106 and the photoelectric conversion element 107 are in contact with the optical lens body 106 interposed between the inner periphery of the contact glass 102 and the photoelectric conversion element 107. The exposure lamp 104 a is disposed between the optical lens body 106 and the photoelectric conversion element 107 at a position that does not prevent the reflected light from entering the photoelectric conversion element 107. .
On the outside of the contact glass 102, a cleaning roller 108 is rotatably arranged so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface thereof.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the contact glass 102 is driven and controlled by a contact glass driving motor 109 so as to convey the original G at a predetermined speed.
A gear portion 102 a is provided at one end of the contact glass 102, and driving is transmitted via a drive gear 109 a provided in the contact glass drive motor 109.

The document conveyance speed by the contact glass 102 is set to be higher than the document conveyance speed by the registration rollers 45 constituting the automatic document processing apparatus 40 described later.
In this embodiment, the document conveyance speed by the contact glass 102 is set to be 1 to 1.5% faster than the document conveyance speed by the registration roller 45. Thus, the original can be stably conveyed without being loosened in a state where a slight tension is applied to the original G between the registration roller 45 and the contact glass 102.

  The optical lens body 106 is disposed on the optical path of the reflected light of the document image at a position facing the document G through the outer periphery of the contact glass 102 and forms the optical image on the photoelectric conversion element 107. .

  The photoelectric conversion element 107 creates an original image information (original image data) by reading an optical image of an original image formed by the optical lens body 106 and photoelectrically converting it into an electric signal. Is output to an image processing unit 57 (see FIG. 4) described later.

  The image processing unit 57 processes the document image information output from the photoelectric conversion elements 7 and 107 into printing image information (printing image data) whose resolution, density, and the like are suitable for printing. The image information for printing after image processing is transferred to an image data input unit of a laser scanning unit (LSU) 8.

  The laser scanning unit 8 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 constituting the image forming unit (image forming process) 10 with laser light corresponding to the printing image information output from the image processing unit 57. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image of image information for printing is written and formed on the photosensitive drum 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 10 mainly includes a photosensitive drum 11 that is rotationally driven in the direction of an arrow, a main charger 12 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to a predetermined potential, and a photosensitive member. A laser scanning unit 8 that irradiates the surface of the drum 11 with laser light for forming an electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image resulting from the laser light irradiation from the laser scanning unit 8 is developed with toner and visualized. Developing device 13 and a paper (corresponding to a “recording medium”) on which a toner image of a document image visualized by the developing device 13 is fed from a paper feed cassette 23 to be described later via a paper feed path 25. (Also referred to as “transfer sheet”) and a cleaning roller 15 for cleaning residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 after transfer by the transfer roller 14 and the transfer roller 14. They are arranged in order along a rotational direction of the body drum 11.

  The main charger 12 of the image forming unit 10 has a function of a static elimination device (not shown) that neutralizes charges on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after being cleaned by the cleaning device 15.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing device 30 includes a heating roller 31 and a pressure roller 32, and rotates the heating roller 31 while the paper P is sandwiched between the heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32. By passing between the heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32, the toner image transferred onto the paper P is melted and fixed on the paper P.

  The sheet P after the toner image is transferred between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roller 14 is peeled off from the photosensitive drum 11 to connect the photosensitive drum 11 and the fixing device 30 to each other. The toner enters between the heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 of the fixing device 30 via the conveyance path 16. A nip portion is formed at a contact portion between the heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 by a predetermined pressing force.

  In the fixing device 30, the sheet P sandwiched between the heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32, that is, the nip portion, is heated on the sheet P by the heating roller 31 and the pressure applied by the pressure roller 32. The unfixed toner image transferred from the drum 11 is fixed.

The sheet P after being fixed by the fixing device 30 is conveyed to the sheet discharge conveyance path 17 and is conveyed by the sheet discharge drive roller 18 toward the sheet discharge roller 19 on the sheet discharge port 20 side.
The sheet P conveyed to the paper discharge conveyance path 17 is detected by the fixing detection switch 21A in a state where the sheet P passes between the heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 30. The

  In the case of normal single-sided printing, the sheet discharge roller 18 and the sheet discharge roller 19 are rotated as they are, and the sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port 20 onto a sheet discharge tray 22 a installed in the lower space of the image reading unit 3. Therefore, the passage state of the paper P by the paper discharge roller 19 is detected by a paper discharge detection switch 21B provided on the upstream side of the paper discharge roller 19.

  The paper P is discharged to the side of the image forming unit 10, and the discharged paper P is discharged above the paper feed cassette 23 and below the image reading unit 3.

  On the inner bottom side of the apparatus main body 1a, a replaceable sheet cassette 23 in which sheets P are stacked and stored for each predetermined sheet size is disposed. A half-moon-shaped paper pick-up roller 24 is disposed on the paper discharge side upper portion of the paper feed cassette 23.

The paper pick-up roller 24 picks up the paper P stacked and accommodated in the paper feed cassette 23 one by one from the uppermost layer, and moves toward the downstream side (for convenience, the flow side (cassette side) of the paper P is upstream and discharged). The paper is conveyed to a registration roller (also referred to as an “idle roller”) 26 in the paper feed conveyance path 25 (with the paper side as the downstream side).
In the drawing, symbol Pa indicates a front end portion of the paper P, and Pb indicates a rear end portion of the paper P.

  A pre-registration detection switch 21 </ b> C is provided on the upstream side of the registration roller 26, and this pre-registration detection switch 21 </ b> C detects the paper P conveyed and fed from the paper feed cassette 23. The paper is fed to the above-described image forming unit 10 while timing the paper feeding based on the signal.

  In the case of performing double-sided printing, after the single-sided printing of the paper P by the image forming unit 10, the paper P after passing from the fixing device 30 conveyed to the paper discharge conveyance path 17 is temporarily disposed on the paper discharge roller 19 side. In this state, the sheet switching gate 27 disposed in the vicinity of the fixing device 30 is controlled to be switched, and the sheet P is switched back by the reverse rotation driving of the sheet discharge roller 19 and introduced into the sub-conveying path 28 where the sheet is reversed. Then, by rotating the sub drive roller (reversing roller) 29 provided in the sub transport path 28, the paper P is transported again to the upstream side of the registration roller 26, whereby the other side printing of the paper P is performed. ing.

  On the document table 2 of the apparatus main body 1a, an automatic document processing device 40 integrated with a document pressing portion (document pressing cover) 51a composed of a double-sided document automatic reading device (R-SPF) by a document moving method can be opened and closed. The image reading device 40 </ b> A is configured together with the image reading unit 3.

  The image reading device 40A can perform original document reading processing for each sheet by the same operation as that of the conventional machine. By installing the automatic document processing device 40, both sides of the original G can be read. Automatic continuous reading processing of a plurality of documents G is possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the automatic document processing apparatus 40 has a document tray 41 on which the document G is placed, and when reading a plurality of documents G continuously, The document G placed on the document is picked up by the document pickup roller 42, introduced into the document transport path 44 via the document drive roller 43, and guided and transported upstream of the registration roller (PS roller) 45. It has become so.

  The registration roller 45 is disposed at a position where the length L1 of the document conveyance path from the registration roller 45 to the image reading position of the contact glass 102 on the downstream side is shorter than the minimum document length of the document G to be conveyed. Yes.

  An upstream side of the registration roller 45 is provided with a document insertion sensor 46 for detecting the document size of the document G. The document insertion sensor 46 detects the leading edge and the trailing edge of the document G, and While controlling the conveyance timing based on the signal, conveyance control is performed for the document G toward the contact glass 102 disposed adjacent to one side of the document table 2.

  At a position where the contact glass 102 and the conveyed document G are opposed to each other, a document pressing member 110 that presses at least a portion of the document G where an image is read against the contact glass 102 is provided.

  The document pressing member 110 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction by being urged toward the contact glass 102 by a compression spring 111 disposed at a position facing the contact glass 102 with the document pressing member 110 interposed therebetween. A document G conveyed between the pressing member 110 and the contact glass 102 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the contact glass 102. Reference numeral 112 denotes a spring mounting portion for mounting the compression spring 111.

A conveyance roller 47 is disposed on the downstream side of the contact glass 102 so as to convey the original G read on the contact glass 102.
The conveyance roller 47 is disposed at a position where the length L2 of the document conveyance path from the image reading position of the contact glass 102 to the conveyance roller 47 is shorter than the minimum document length of the documents G to be conveyed.

  The original G conveyed to the image reading position on the contact glass 102 is conveyed with the rotation of the contact glass 102 in close contact with the contact glass 102, and the first image reading surface G1 on one side becomes the scanner unit 3b along with the movement. Is scanned. Other image forming processes such as reading by the photoelectric conversion element 107, image processing of image information, and printing are the same as described above.

Then, the original G after image reading on the contact glass 102 is conveyed to the original discharge roller 49 side of the original discharge path 48 via the conveyance roller 47.
When only single-sided reading is performed, the document is switched onto the document discharge tray 51 by switching control of the document switching gate 50.

  On the other hand, when performing double-sided image reading, the document G is once discharged onto an intermediate tray 52 disposed between the document tray 41 and the document discharge tray 51 by switching control of the document switching gate 50. Then, the document discharge roller 49 is reversely driven to be switched back so as to be introduced into the document reversing path 53, and again, the document G is transported to the document transport path 44, so that the image reading surface G 2 on the back side of the document G is The original image is read, and the original image on the back side of the original G is printed on the first print surface P1 of the paper P in the same manner as the single-side printing process described above.

  When the printing process of the paper P on the first printing surface P1 is completed, the paper P is reversed by the paper reversing mechanism described above, and is again conveyed to the image forming unit 10, and is transferred to the first printing surface P2. A document image on the front side of the document G stored in the memory in advance is printed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, on the front side of the upper part of the apparatus main body 1a in the image forming apparatus 1, the user can select the type of the paper P (paper size, paper thickness, etc.), the number of printed sheets, the magnification, and the density. Operation switches 76 for setting image forming conditions such as these are provided.

The paper discharge unit 22 mainly includes a paper discharge conveyance path 17, a paper discharge drive roller 18, a paper discharge roller 19, a paper discharge port 20, and a paper discharge tray 22a.
A paper stacking amount detection sensor 21D, also called a full detection sensor, is provided outside the paper discharge port 20 (on the paper discharge tray 22a side).

  The sheet stacking amount detection sensor 21D is mainly configured by a detection body 21D1 that operates when discharged and stacked sheets abut and a sensor body 21D2 that outputs a signal in accordance with the operation of the detection body 21D1. Yes.

  The detection body 21D1 has a rod shape, one end is engaged with the sensor body 21D2, the other end is swingably provided with the one end serving as a fulcrum, and the outer side from the apparatus side (the discharge port 20 side). It is arranged so as to be opposed and inclined obliquely downward.

  The sheet stacking amount detection sensor 21D receives a detection signal from the sensor body 21D2 by pushing up the other end of the detection body 21D1 when the discharged sheet is stacked and reaches a predetermined amount (height). It is designed to output.

Next, the configuration of the sheet conveyance path that constitutes the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet conveying path of the image forming apparatus 1 mainly includes a sheet feeding conveyance path 25 that conveys sheets upward from a sheet feeding cassette 23 provided at the lower part of the apparatus, and the image forming unit 10. A main conveyance path 16 that conveys the sheet from the image forming unit 10 through the fixing device 30 to the sheet discharge drive roller 18, and a sheet discharge conveyance path 17 that conveys the sheet from the sheet discharge drive roller 18 to the sheet discharge roller 19. The paper feed roller 19 is reversely driven, and the reverse conveyance path 28 is configured to switch back the paper P by the reverse roller 29 and reverse the paper.

  The paper feed conveyance path 25 is provided with a roller (not shown) for separating the paper one by one when the paper is double-fed in the paper conveyance direction downstream of the paper pickup roller 24 in the paper conveyance direction. The resist roller 26 provided close to the lower side (upstream side in the paper conveyance direction) of the photosensitive drum 11 is gently curved and provided substantially linearly.

  The main conveyance path 16 is formed substantially linearly from the downstream side of the registration roller 26 through the image forming unit 10 to the fixing device 30, and is discharged from the outlet side (downstream side in the paper conveyance direction) of the fixing device 30 substantially upward. A curved portion 16a curved toward the paper driving roller 18 (left direction in the figure) is provided.

  The paper discharge conveyance path 17 is provided substantially linearly between the paper discharge drive roller 18 and the paper discharge roller 19. The paper discharge driving roller 18 includes a first transport roller 18 a that transports the paper to the paper discharge transport path 17 and a second transport roller 18 b provided in the middle of the paper discharge transport path 17. The configuration of the paper discharge drive roller 18 is not limited to this.

  The sub-transport path 28 communicates with the curved portion 16a of the main transport path 16 by switching the sheet switching gate 27 so that the paper P is switched back by the reverse rotation driving of the paper discharge roller 19 and conveyed. The sheet P is configured to be conveyed below the apparatus by the reversing roller 29 and conveyed to the registration roller 26 again.

  Specifically, the sub-conveying path 28 includes a first curved portion 28a for changing the direction of the paper P conveyed in the reverse direction from the paper discharge conveying path 17 and the paper P conveyed below the apparatus. And a second curved portion 28b for changing the direction on the registration roller 26 side.

  As the reversing roller 29 provided in the sub-conveying path 28, a first reversing roller 29a and a second reversing roller 29b are provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the sheet conveying direction with the first bending portion 28a interposed therebetween, and the second bending portion 28b. A third reverse roller 29c is provided on the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction with a gap therebetween, and a fourth reverse roller 29d is provided on the downstream side.

Next, a control system of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electric control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes a program stored in advance in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 55 such as an image reading process, an image process, an image forming process, and a paper P transport process. Accordingly, the central processing unit (CPU) 54 executes processing using temporary storage means such as a RAM (Random access Memory) 56. Note that storage means such as an HDD (hard disk drive) can be used in place of the ROM 55 and the RAM 56.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, document image information (document image data) read by the scanner unit (document reading unit) 3 or document image information transmitted from each terminal device connected to a communication network (not shown) The image data is input to the image processing unit 57 via the processing unit 58.

  The image processing unit 57 processes the document image information stored in the storage unit such as the RAM 56 into a print image suitable for printing (image formation on paper) by the above program.

The image information for printing is input to the image forming unit 10.
Image forming unit 10, paper transport unit (feeding transport path 25, main transport path 16, sub transport path 28 (which are also referred to as paper guides) (various detection / control of paper P) 59, fixing device 30, a paper discharge processing unit (which performs various detections and controls of the paper P in the paper discharge conveyance path 17) 60 is linked to each drive control unit 62.

Paper is discharged through a printing process (image information printing process in the image forming unit 10) on the paper P conveyed by the paper conveyance unit 59, and then a fixing process (fixing device 30) for the printed paper P. The sheet is discharged to a sheet discharge tray 22a.
Note that detection signals from the fixing detection switch 21A, the paper discharge detection switch 21B, the pre-registration detection switch 21C, and the like are input to the paper transport unit 59.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an operating condition setting unit 77. The operation condition setting unit 77 is set by the user using the operation switches 76 and the operation conditions such as image formation or conveyance conditions of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the image formation conditions such as the image formation request or the type of the recording medium. Is set.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is a driving actuator such as the image reading unit 3), the sheet conveying unit 59, the image forming unit 10, the fixing device 30, and the paper discharge processing unit 60 according to the set operating conditions. The image reading drive unit 64, the paper conveyance drive unit 66, the print processing drive unit 68, the fixing drive unit 70, and the paper discharge drive unit 72 are driven to operate synchronously according to a command from the CPU 54 based on a program stored in the ROM 55. This is performed under the control of the control unit 62.

  The paper discharge processing unit 60 performs control for performing paper discharge processing for discharging the printed paper to the paper discharge tray, and performs paper discharge processing based on a signal output from the paper stacking amount detection sensor 21D. Is.

The image reading drive unit 64 includes the first scanning unit 4 of the image reading unit 3, the driving actuator of the second scanning unit 5, and the contact glass drive motor 109.
The paper transport drive unit 66 is a motor for driving the paper transport unit 59, specifically, the paper pick-up roller 24 and the registration roller 26 on the paper feed transport path 25 described above.
The print processing drive unit 68 is a drive motor for the photosensitive drum 11.
The fixing driving unit 70 is a driving motor for the heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 of the fixing device 30.

The paper discharge drive unit 72 is a drive motor such as the paper discharge drive roller 18 and the paper discharge roller 19.
The drive motors of these drive units can be configured through a power transmission mechanism as appropriate using the same or different motors as drive sources.

  The image forming apparatus 1 can include an automatic document processing apparatus (document conveying means) 40 as an optional configuration 74, and each of these optional configurations 74 is provided separately from the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1. While having the control part 74a in the structure 74, it is comprised so that timing adjustment with an apparatus may be synchronized via the said communication process part 58. FIG.

  The recording medium detection unit 78 detects that the leading end of the recording medium reaches the fixing device 30 or the carry-out unit. In the embodiment, the recording medium detection unit 78 detects the timing at which the paper P reaches (enters) each of the fixing device 30 and the paper discharge driving roller 18 by the conveyance timing detection unit 79b described later. Based on the detection.

  Specifically, the recording medium detecting unit 78 includes a conveyance time measuring unit 79a that measures the conveyance time of the paper P after the paper P is sent out from the registration roller 26 that introduces the paper P at the entrance of the paper feeding conveyance path 25. Based on the distance from the registration roller 26 to each of the fixing device 30 to be controlled and the discharge driving roller 18 and the conveyance speed of the paper P, the conveyance timing of the paper P in the main conveyance path 16 and the discharge conveyance path 17 is detected. Conveying timing detecting means 79b.

Next, a document image reading operation by the second scanner unit according to the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the document G automatically supplied by the automatic document processing device 40 is pressed against the contact glass 102 by a document pressing member 110 with a predetermined pressing force by a compression spring 111 at an image reading position on the contact glass 102. In this state, it is transported at a predetermined transport speed along with the rotation of the contact glass 102.

  The original G is read by the second scanner unit 36 while moving in contact with the contact glass 102. At this time, since the contact glass 102 rotates, the image reading position on the contact glass 102 always moves.

  The reading of the image of the original G by the second scanner unit 3b is performed by exposing the image reading part of the original G from the inner side of the contact glass 102 through the optical lens body 106 with the exposure lamp 104a. This is performed by forming an image on the photoelectric conversion element 107.

Since the original G moving the image reading position is always in close contact with the contact glass 102, it is possible to read the image with high accuracy without changing the image reading distance.
In this embodiment, since the document G is pressed against the contact glass 102 by the document pressing member 110, the image reading distance does not vary and the lateral displacement of the document G can be suppressed.

If foreign matter adheres to the contact glass 102 during image reading, the foreign matter moves together with the contact glass 102, so that it becomes a point-like noise instead of a streak.
The contact glass 102 is arranged so that the cleaning roller 108 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the contact glass 102, so that the adhered foreign matter can be easily removed, and the outer peripheral surface of the circulated contact glass 102 is always good. Can be kept in.

  With the configuration as described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the second scanner unit 3b can realize high-precision image reading, and noise is streaked even if foreign matter adheres to the contact glass 102. As a result, it is possible to achieve a minimum point-like noise without becoming an image. Therefore, it is possible to realize good image reading, thereby realizing high-quality image output.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the second scanner unit 3b is configured such that the exposure lamp 104a, the optical lens body 106, and the photoelectric conversion element 107 constituting the image reading unit are accommodated in the cylindrical contact glass 102. Since the second scanner unit 3b is configured in a space-saving manner and the image reading unit 3 can be made small, a compact image reading device 40A can be realized.

  Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the cleaning roller 108 of the second scanner unit 3b is provided, the contact glass 102 can always be kept clean.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the length of the original conveyance path L1 from the registration roller 45 to the image reading position of the contact glass 102 is conveyed by the upstream registration roller 45 with the contact glass 102 interposed therebetween. Among the originals G to be transported, the downstream conveying roller 47 is disposed at a position shorter than the minimum original length, and the length L2 of the original conveying path from the image reading position of the contact glass 102 to the conveying roller 47 is conveyed. Since the document G is disposed at a position shorter than the minimum document length of the document G, the document G is securely held from the leading edge of the document G until the trailing edge passes after the image reading is started at the image reading position. can do.

  Further, since the document conveyance speed by the contact glass 102 is set to be higher than the document conveyance speed by the registration roller 45, the document G is loosened with a slight tension applied to the document G between the registration roller 45 and the contact glass 102. Since the original can be stably conveyed without any problem, the image reading can be realized with high accuracy.

  In this embodiment, the document pressing member 110 is simply urged toward the contact glass 102 by the compression spring 111 to press the document G. However, the pressing pressure of the document pressing member 110 can be adjusted, It may be developed so that the amount of the gap between the pressing member 110 and the contact glass 102 can be adjusted.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the configuration of the scanner unit constituting the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the second scanner unit 203 b constituting the image reading device 240 </ b> A is positioned adjacent to one side of the document table 2 and facing the document G to be conveyed. A transparent contact glass 202 disposed on the light source, an exposure lamp 204a for irradiating the conveyed document G with light, and an optical lens body 206a for collecting the reflected light from the document G exposed and reflected by the exposure lamp 204a. And a photoelectric conversion element 207 that reads an optical image of a document image formed by the optical lens body 206a and photoelectrically converts it into an electrical signal.

  Note that the configuration of the image reading device 240A in this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the image reading device 40A constituting the image forming apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, and the same configuration is the same. The description will be omitted by attaching the reference numerals.

  The contact glass 202 is a columnar body having a circular cross section, and flattens a portion where the image of the original G is read by coming into contact with the original G to be conveyed, along the moving direction of the original G at the image reading position. It is provided so as to be rotatable.

  Outside the contact glass 202, an optical lens body 206a is disposed long along the axial direction of the contact glass 202 at a position facing the original G through the contact glass 202, and the optical axis of the optical lens body 206a. A photoelectric conversion element 207 is arranged on the upper rear side (lower side in the figure). An exposure lamp 204 a that exposes an image of the document G from the outside of the contact glass 202 is disposed obliquely below the contact glass 202.

  A cleaning roller 108 is rotatably disposed on the outside of the contact glass 202 so as to contact along the outer peripheral surface thereof.

As in the first embodiment, the contact glass 202 is driven and controlled by a contact glass drive motor (not shown) so as to convey the original G at a predetermined speed.
The document conveyance speed by the contact glass 202 is set to be higher than the document conveyance speed by the registration roller 45.

  With the configuration as described above, according to the second embodiment, the configuration of the second scanner unit 203b is close to the outside of the cylindrical (solid) contact glass 202, the optical lens body 206a, the exposure lamp 204a, and the like. Since the photoelectric conversion elements 207 are concentrated and arranged, the structure can be made compact without complicating the structure.

  In addition, what has substantially the same configuration as the characteristic configuration according to the present invention in the above-described embodiment in the present embodiment can achieve the same effect as that in the above-described embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

Next, a third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
7 is an explanatory diagram showing a third example of the configuration of the scanner unit constituting the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an exposure state of the scanner unit by the exposure lamp, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the optical path of the reflected light of the said scanner part.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the second scanner unit 303 b constituting the image reading device 340 </ b> A is positioned adjacent to one side of the document table 2 and opposed to the conveyed document G. A transparent contact glass 302 disposed on the first exposure lamp 304a and a second exposure lamp 304b for irradiating the conveyed document G with light, and from the document G exposed and reflected by the exposure lamps 304a and 304b. A first optical lens body 306a that collects the reflected light, a second optical lens body 306b that adjusts the collected reflected light, and a first for guiding the adjusted reflected light in a predetermined direction. A mirror 309a, a second mirror 309b, a third mirror 309c, a second optical lens body 306c for condensing the reflected light of the document image guided by the third mirror 309c, and a second And a photoelectric conversion element 307 photoelectrically converts the electric signal read an optical image of the imaged document image by the optical lens body 306 b.

  Note that the configuration of the image reading device 340A in the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the image reading device 40A constituting the image forming apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, and the same configuration is the same. The description will be omitted by attaching the reference numerals.

  The contact glass 302 is a columnar body having a circular cross section, and flattens a portion where the image of the original G is read by coming into contact with the conveyed original G. The contact glass 302 follows the moving direction of the original G at the image reading position. It is provided so as to be rotatable.

  Outside the contact glass 302, a first optical lens body 306a is disposed long along the axial direction of the contact glass 302 at a position facing the document G through the contact glass 302 at the image reading position. Furthermore, the second optical lens body 306b is disposed long along the axial center direction of the contact glass 202 behind (on the side of the anti-contact glass 302).

  Further, on the outside of the contact glass 302, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a first exposure lamp 304 a and a second exposure lamp 304 b for exposing the image of the original G from the outside of the contact glass 302 are the second. The second optical lens body 306b is disposed obliquely behind the second optical lens body 306b so as not to prevent the reflected light from entering the first mirror 309a disposed behind the second optical lens body 306b.

  A first mirror 309a, a second mirror 309b, a third mirror 309c, a third optical lens body 306c, and a photoelectric conversion element 307 are disposed behind the second optical lens body 306b.

  A cleaning member 308 that protrudes in the axial direction of the contact glass 302 along the outer peripheral surface thereof protrudes from the cutout portion 2 a where the contact glass 302 of the document table 2 is disposed.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the contact glass 302 is driven and controlled by a contact glass drive motor (not shown) so as to convey the original G at a predetermined speed.
The document conveyance speed by the contact glass 302 is set to be higher than the document conveyance speed by the registration roller 45.

  In the drawing, the dotted optical path is an optical path for reading an original on the document table 2, and the solid optical path is an optical path for reading an original conveyed by the contact glass 302, and reads the original conveyed by the contact glass 302. Even in this case, the optical path is corrected by the first optical lens body 306a and the second optical lens body 306b, and the photoelectric conversion element 307 is connected to the photoelectric conversion element 307 in the same manner as the optical path for reading the document on the document table 2. Configured to image.

  Since it is configured as described above, according to the third embodiment, the configuration of the second scanner unit 303b is the same as that of the optical system or exposure lamp 304a that constitutes the image reading means outside the cylindrical (solid) contact glass 302. 304b and the photoelectric conversion element 307 are arranged according to the layout of other components without complicating the structure.

  In addition, what has substantially the same configuration as the characteristic configuration according to the present invention in the above-described embodiment in the present embodiment can achieve the same effect as that in the above-described embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth example of the configuration of the scanner unit constituting the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the configuration of the second scanner unit 403b constituting the image reading device 440A is a position adjacent to one side of the document table 2 and facing the conveyed document G. A transparent contact glass 402 disposed on the first exposure lamp 404a and a second exposure lamp 404b for irradiating the conveyed document G with light, and the document G exposed and reflected by the exposure lamps 404a and 404b. A first optical lens body 406a that condenses the reflected light, a first mirror 409a, a second mirror 409b, and a third mirror 409c for guiding the condensed reflected light in a predetermined direction, A second optical lens body 406b for condensing the reflected light of the original image guided by the third mirror 409c, and an optical image of the original image formed by the second optical lens body 406b. Taken and a photoelectric conversion element 407 photoelectrically converted into electrical signals.

  Note that the configuration of the image reading device 440A in the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the image reading device 40A constituting the image forming apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, and the same configuration is the same. The description will be omitted by attaching the reference numerals.

  The contact glass 402 presents a cylindrical body having a circular cross section and a hollow portion formed therein, and flattens a portion that reads the image of the document G by contacting the document G being conveyed. Are provided so as to be rotatable along the moving direction of the original G.

  In the hollow portion of the contact glass 402, a first optical lens body 406a is disposed long along the axial direction of the contact glass 402 close to the inside of the outer peripheral portion of the contact glass 402, and an image of the original G is displayed. The first optical lens body is exposed so that the first exposure lamp 404a exposed from the inside of the contact glass 402 does not prevent the reflected light from entering the photoelectric conversion element 407 disposed behind the first optical lens body 406a. It is arranged obliquely behind 406a.

  Outside the contact glass 402, a first mirror 409a disposed at a predetermined position facing the original G with a first optical lens body 406a interposed therebetween, a second mirror 409b, a third mirror 409c, The second optical lamp body 406b and the photoelectric conversion element 407 are disposed, and a second exposure lamp 404a that exposes an image of the original G from the outside of the contact glass 402 is disposed between the contact glass 402 and the first mirror 409a. The first mirror 409a is disposed so as not to prevent the reflected light from entering the first mirror 409a.

  In addition, the cleaning roller 108 is rotatably disposed outside the contact glass 402 so as to contact along the outer peripheral surface thereof.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the contact glass 402 is driven and controlled by a contact glass driving motor (not shown) so as to convey the original G at a predetermined speed.
The document conveyance speed by the contact glass 402 is set to be higher than the document conveyance speed by the registration roller 45.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the focal point S of the first optical lens body 406a is slightly larger than the position (height) H where the original on the original table 2 is set in consideration of refraction by the contact glass 402. It is located on the upper side (the side of the document being transported).

  With the configuration as described above, according to the second embodiment, the configuration of the second scanner unit 403b is the same as a part of the optical system constituting the image reading means inside the cylindrical contact glass 402, that is, the first Since the optical lens body 406a and the first exposure lamp 404a are accommodated, the second scanner unit 403b can be configured in a space-saving manner.

  In addition, what has substantially the same configuration as the characteristic configuration according to the present invention in the above-described embodiment in the present embodiment can achieve the same effect as that in the above-described embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a fifth example of the configuration of the scanner unit constituting the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 12, the fifth embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment, in which a stray light preventing member 505 is provided in the second scanner section 503b of the image reading device 540A.
The configurations of the image reading device 540A and the second scanner unit 503b in the present embodiment are substantially the same as the configurations of the image reading device 240A and the second scanner unit 203b in the second embodiment described above. Components having the same configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the configuration of the second scanner unit 503b constituting the image reading device 540A is adjacent to one side of the document table 2 and is opposed to the conveyed document G. A transparent contact glass 502 disposed on the LED, an LED 504a as an exposure lamp for irradiating light to the conveyed document G, and an optical lens body 506a for collecting reflected light from the document G exposed and reflected by the RED 504a. And a photoelectric conversion element 507 that reads an optical image of a document image formed by the optical lens body 506a and photoelectrically converts it into an electrical signal.

  A stray light prevention member 505 is provided adjacent to the second scanner unit 503b on one end side where the second scanner unit 503b of the image reading device 540A is configured. The stray light preventing member 505 extends along the longitudinal direction of the contact glass 502 at a position facing the contact glass 502 on the side where the LED 504a is disposed.

  Specifically, the stray light preventing member 505 is formed in an inverted L shape of the upper non-reflecting surface 505a and the side non-reflecting surface 505b, and the upper non-reflecting surface 505a is a contact with the upper side surface 301 of the image reading unit. A side non-reflective surface 505 b that is formed from a portion adjacent to the glass 502 to a position that is separated from the contact glass 502 by a predetermined amount along the upper side surface 301. It extends below 505a and is formed to face the contact glass 502.

  Since it is configured as described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the stray light prevention member 505 can prevent the reflected light of the LED 504a reflected on the surface of the contact glass 502 from being irregularly reflected inside the device or leaking outside the device. Stable image reading can be performed without being affected by reflected light.

  Moreover, what has the structure substantially the same as the characteristic structure which concerns on this invention in embodiment and Example mentioned above in a present Example can have an effect similar to embodiment and Example mentioned above.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a scanner unit included in an image reading device of the image forming apparatus. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the said scanner part. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric control unit of the image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd Example of a structure of the scanner part which comprises the image reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd Example of a structure of the scanner part which comprises the image reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the exposure state by the exposure lamp of the said scanner part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the optical path of the reflected light of the said scanner part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 4th Example of a structure of the scanner part which comprises the image reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the focus position of the optical lens body inside the contact glass which comprises the said scanner part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 5th Example of a structure of the scanner part which comprises the image reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1a Apparatus main body 2 Document mounting base 2a Notch part 3 Image reading part 3a 1st scanner part 3b, 203b, 303b, 403b, 503b 2nd scanner part 7,107 Photoelectric conversion element 40 Automatic document processing apparatus 40A, 240A , 340A, 440A, 540A Image reading device 44 Document transport path 45 Registration roller 47 Transport rollers 102, 202, 302, 402, 502 Contact glass (contact member)
102a Gear portion 104a Exposure lamp 106 Optical lens body 107, 207, 307, 407, 507 Photoelectric conversion element 108 Cleaning roller (cleaning member)
109 Contact glass drive motor 109a Drive gear 110 Document pressing member 204a Exposure lamps 206a and 506a Optical lens bodies 304a and 404a First exposure lamps 304b and 404b Second exposure lamps 306a and 406a First optical lens bodies 306b and 406b Second Optical lens body 306c Third optical lens body 308 Cleaning members 309a, 409a First mirror 309b, 409b Second mirror 309c, 409c Third mirror 504a LED
505 Stray light prevention member 505a Upper non-reflective surface 505b Side non-reflective surface P Paper S Focus

Claims (14)

A document conveying unit that conveys a document, an image reading unit that reads an image of the document, and a transparent contact member disposed between the image reading unit and the document to be conveyed at an image reading position are conveyed. In an image reading apparatus in which an image of a document is read by the image reading means,
The contact member has a circular cross-sectional shape and is provided so as to be rotatable along a document conveying direction, and a portion of the contact member that faces the document changes at the image reading position as the document moves. Reader.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a document pressing member that presses at least a portion of the document on which the image is read against the contact member at a position where the contact member and the document to be conveyed are opposed to each other. .   The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the document pressing member has a variable pressing force.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact member is a columnar body having no hollow portion therein.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact member is a cylindrical body having a hollow portion therein.   6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the contact member rotates in a main motion to convey a document.   6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the contact member rotates by being driven as the document is conveyed. The document transport means includes transport rollers on the upstream side and the downstream side of the contact member along the document transport direction on the document transport path,
The upstream transport roller is disposed at a position where the length of the document transport path from the upstream transport roller to the image reading position of the contact member is shorter than the minimum document length of the document to be transported,
The downstream conveyance roller is disposed at a position where the length of the document conveyance path from the image reading position of the contact member to the downstream conveyance roller is shorter than the minimum document length of the documents to be conveyed. The image reading apparatus according to claim 6.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a document conveyance speed by the contact member is higher than a document conveyance speed by the upstream conveyance roller.   10. The image reading according to claim 4, wherein a part of an optical system member constituting the image reading unit is disposed between the contact member and the image reading unit. apparatus.   The image reading device according to claim 5, wherein the image reading unit is disposed in a hollow portion of the contact member.   A part of the optical system member constituting the image reading means is arranged in the hollow portion of the contact member, and the other optical system member constituting the image reading means is arranged outside the contact member. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image reading apparatus is an image reading apparatus.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a cleaning member that cleans an outer peripheral portion of the contact member is provided adjacent to the contact member. An image of a document that is disposed between the image reading unit and the document that is conveyed at the image reading position by the image reading unit, and a document conveying unit that conveys the document, an image reading unit that reads an image of the document In an image forming apparatus provided with an image reading device that includes a transparent contact member that flattens a portion for reading the image, and that reads an image of a document conveyed by the image reading unit,
An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading apparatus according to claim 1 as the image reading apparatus.

Images