JP2012213104A - Image reading apparatus and image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading apparatus and an image formation apparatus capable of accurately positioning a light guide member by a simple constitution.SOLUTION: A copier comprises: an LED; a rod-like light guide member 340 disposed with one end thereof facing the LED; a holding member 420 which holds the LED and the light guide member 340 and which comprises a light reflection part, a first holding part holding the LED with an optical axis AX in a main scanning direction Y, and a second holding part positioned so as to be in a predetermined positional relation with the light reflection part and holding the light guide member 340 so that the center axis becomes nearly coaxial to the optical axis AX; and a first frame to which the holding member 420 is mounted and which comprises a third holding part 500 rotatably holding the holding member 420 such that the light guide member 340 is rotated around the optical axis AX.

Description

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

In recent years, there are image reading apparatuses in which LEDs are employed as light sources against the background of environmental problems. When an LED is used as the light source, for example, there is an image reading apparatus in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged at a predetermined interval in the main scanning direction.
However, this image reading apparatus requires a plurality of LEDs, which may be disadvantageous from the cost viewpoint.

On the other hand, there is an image reading apparatus in which an LED having high luminance is arranged on one end side in the main scanning direction and has a rod-shaped light guide member made of acrylic or polycarbonate long in the main scanning direction (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
In this case, only one LED (or a small number) is required, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

JP 2009-75184 A

  However, in the type of the image reading apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to irradiate light uniformly on a document, the bar-shaped light guide member is high including the positional relationship with a reflecting member that is a related member. It needs to be positioned with accuracy.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of positioning a light guide member with high accuracy with a simple configuration.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

  The present invention is a light emitting unit, a rod-shaped light guide member whose end is disposed to face the light emitting unit, a holding member that holds the light emitting unit and the light guide member, and a light reflecting unit, When the light emitting unit is held so that the optical axis is along the main scanning direction, the first holding unit and the light reflecting unit are positioned so as to have a predetermined positional relationship, and the central axis is substantially coaxial with the optical axis. A holding member having a second holding portion for holding the light guide member, and a case member to which the holding member is attached, wherein the holding member is rotated so that the light guide member is rotated about the optical axis. And a case member having a third holding portion that is held movably.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said holding member has a to-be-held part arrange | positioned in contact with the said 3rd holding part.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said 3rd holding | maintenance part is a recessed part which has an arcuate curved surface centering on the said optical axis.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said to-be-held part is a convex part which is contact | abutted and arrange | positioned at the said 3rd holding part, and has a circular-arc-shaped curved surface corresponding to the said 3rd holding part.

  Further, it is preferable that the third holding portion is disposed on an upper surface side of the case member, and the held portion is formed on a lower surface side of the holding member.

  Further, it is preferable to further include an adjustment mechanism that rotates and moves the holding member, and the rotation mechanism moves the holding member so that the light guide member rotates about the optical axis.

  The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus according to any one of the above.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus capable of positioning the light guide member with high accuracy with a simple configuration.
In addition, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus can be provided.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an arrangement of each component of a copier 1 as an image forming apparatus. 4 is a perspective view of a light emitting unit 400 incorporated in the image reading apparatus 300. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a light emitting unit 400 with a cover member 311b and a cover member 311c removed from the state of FIG. It is a figure explaining the light emitting unit 400 in the state in which the holding member 420 was attached to the 1st frame 311. FIG. It is a figure explaining the light emitting unit 400 in the state where the holding member 420 is not attached. It is a figure explaining the lower surface side in the holding member. It is a figure explaining the positional relationship of the light guide member 340, the holding member 420, and the 1st frame 311. FIG. It is a perspective view in the holding member 420 in the state where the light guide member 340 and the LED substrate 430 are held. FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a positioning structure between a tip side member 427 of a holding member 420 and an LED substrate 430. It is a perspective view in the light guide member 340. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a positioning structure between a base end side hole 423a formed in a base end side member 425 of a holding member 420 and a base end portion of a light guide member 340. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a positioning structure between a distal end side hole-like portion 423b formed in the distal end side member 427 of the holding member 420 and the distal end portion of the light guide member 340. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
With reference to FIG. 1, the overall structure of a copier 1 as an image forming apparatus in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of components of a copier 1 as an image forming apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, a copier 1 as an image forming apparatus is disposed on an upper side in the vertical direction Z of the copier 1 and on a lower side of the copier 1 in the vertical direction Z. An apparatus main body M that forms a toner image on a sheet T as a sheet-like transfer material based on image information read by the image reading apparatus 300.
In the description of the copying machine 1, the sub-scanning direction X is also referred to as the “left-right direction” of the copying machine 1, and the main scanning direction Y (direction passing through FIG. 1, see FIG. 2) is also referred to as the “front-rear direction” of the copying machine 1. Say. The vertical direction Z of the copier 1 is orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction X and the main scanning direction Y.

First, the image reading apparatus 300 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading apparatus 300 includes a reading unit 301 that reads an image of a document G, and a document conveying unit 70 that is arranged above the reading unit 301 and conveys the document G to the reading unit 301. .

  The reading unit 301 includes a housing 306, and a first reading surface 302 </ b> A and a second reading surface 302 </ b> B disposed on the upper side of the housing 306. In addition, the reading unit 301 includes a plurality of light guide members 340 that irradiate the original G on the first reading surface 302A or the second reading surface 302B with light received from the light emitting unit serving as a light source in the internal space 304 of the housing 306, and a plurality of light guide members 340. Read by the mirrors 321, 322, and 323, the first frame 311 and the second frame 312 that are housings that move in the sub-scanning direction X, the imaging lens 357, the CCD 358 as the reading unit, and the CCD 358. And a CCD substrate 361 for performing predetermined processing on the image information and outputting the image information to the apparatus main body M side. The light guide member 340 and the first mirror 321 are accommodated in the first frame 311. The second mirror 322 and the third mirror 323 are accommodated in the second frame 312.

The light guide member 340 and the light-emitting portion serving as the light source are attached to the housing 306 as a light-emitting unit 400 (see FIG. 2) that is assembled into the first frame 311 that is a housing and unitized.
Details of the light emitting unit 400 will be described later.

  The document conveyance unit 70 is connected to the reading unit 301 so as to be opened and closed by a connection unit (not shown). The document transport unit 70 has a document placement unit 71 on the upper side, and a feed roller (not shown) inside. The document conveying unit 70 has a function of protecting the first reading surface 302A and the second reading surface 302B of the reading unit 301.

  The first reading surface 302 </ b> A is a reading surface used when reading the document G conveyed by the document conveying unit 70. First reading surface 302A is formed along the upper surface of first contact glass 335A on which document G is conveyed. The first reading surface 302A is located near the left side surface of the housing 306. Note that this position shown in FIG. 1 is also referred to as a “first reading position”.

The second reading surface 302 </ b> B is a reading surface used when reading the document G without using the document transport unit 70. The second reading surface 302B is formed along the upper surface of the second contact glass 335B on which the document G is placed. The second reading surface 302B is on the right side of the first reading surface 302A and extends over most of the sub-scanning direction X in the reading unit 301.
The first reading surface 302A and the second reading surface 302B extend in a direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction X and the main scanning direction Y.

  When reading the document G conveyed by the document conveyance unit 70, the document G is placed on the document placement unit 71. The document G placed on the document placement unit 71 is conveyed to the first reading surface 302 </ b> A of the reading unit 301 by the feed roller provided inside the document conveying unit 70. In this case, the first frame body 311 and the second frame body 312 are arranged at the first reading position and do not move. Then, the original G is conveyed by the original conveying unit 70 so as to slide on the first reading surface 302 </ b> A, whereby the image formed on the surface of the original G is read by the CCD 358.

  Further, when the document conveying unit 70 is in an open state, the document G is placed on the second reading surface 302B. In this case, each of the first frame body 311 and the second frame body 312 moves in the sub-scanning direction X while keeping the length of an optical path H (optical path length) to be described later constant. Thereby, the image of the original G placed on the second reading surface 302B is read.

  In the internal space 304 of the housing 306, the plurality of mirrors 321, 322, and 323 form an optical path H for allowing light from the original G to enter the imaging lens 357. In addition, the first frame 311 moves at a constant speed A in the sub-scanning direction X, and the second frame 312 moves at a constant speed A / 2 in the sub-scanning direction X. The length of H is kept constant.

Next, the apparatus main body M will be described.
The main body M of the apparatus forms an image forming unit GK that forms a predetermined toner image on the paper T based on predetermined image information, and feeds the paper T to the image forming unit GK and discharges the paper T on which the toner image is formed. A paper supply / discharge unit KH for paper.
The outer shape of the apparatus main body M is configured by a case body BD as a casing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit GK includes photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d as image carriers (photosensitive members), charging units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, and a laser as an exposure unit. Scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, toner supply units 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, drum cleaning unit 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, static eliminators 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, intermediate transfer belt 7, primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d, secondary transfer roller 8, counter roller 18, fixing Part 9.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed / discharge unit KH includes a paper feed cassette 52, a manual paper feed unit 64, a conveyance path L for paper T, a registration roller pair 80, a first paper discharge unit 50a, 2 paper discharge unit 50b. As will be described later, the transport path L includes a first transport path L1, a second transport path L2, a third transport path L3, a manual transport path La, a return transport path Lb, and a post-processing transport path Lc. Is a collection of

Hereinafter, each configuration of the image forming unit GK and the paper supply / discharge unit KH will be described in detail.
First, the image forming unit GK will be described.
In the image forming unit GK, charging by the charging units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in order along the respective surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, the laser scanner unit 4a, Exposure by 4b, 4c, 4d, development by developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, primary transfer by intermediate transfer belt 7 and primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d, static eliminators 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Is eliminated, and cleaning is performed by the drum cleaning units 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d.
In the image forming unit GK, the secondary transfer by the intermediate transfer belt 7, the secondary transfer roller 8 and the opposing roller 18 and the fixing by the fixing unit 9 are performed.

  Each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d is formed of a cylindrical member and functions as a photosensitive member or an image carrier. Each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d is disposed so as to be rotatable in the direction of an arrow about a rotation axis that extends in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 7. An electrostatic latent image can be formed on the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d.

  Each of the charging units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d is disposed to face the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Each of the charging units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d uniformly charges the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d negatively (minus polarity) or positively (plus polarity).

  The laser scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d function as exposure units, and are disposed apart from the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Each of the laser scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d includes a laser light source (not shown), a polygon mirror, a polygon mirror driving motor, and the like.

  Each of the laser scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d scans and exposes the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d based on the image information regarding the image read by the reading unit 301. The scanning exposure is performed by each of the laser scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, thereby removing the charges on the exposed portions of the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Thereby, electrostatic latent images are formed on the respective surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d.

  The developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are provided corresponding to the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively, and are disposed to face the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d attaches the toner of each color to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and converts the color toner image into the photosensitive drum. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are formed on the respective surfaces. Each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d corresponds to four colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. Each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d includes a developing roller disposed opposite to the surface of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, a stirring roller for stirring the toner, and the like.

  Each of the toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d is provided corresponding to each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, and each color toner supplied to each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. To accommodate. Each of the toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d accommodates yellow toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and black toner.

  The toner supply units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d are provided corresponding to the toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d and the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, respectively. The toners of the respective colors accommodated in 5d are supplied to the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, respectively. Each of the toner supply units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d and each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are connected by a toner supply path (not shown).

  To the intermediate transfer belt 7, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are sequentially primary-transferred. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is stretched over a driven roller 35, a counter roller 18 including a driving roller, a tension roller 36, and the like. Since the tension roller 36 biases the intermediate transfer belt 7 from the inside to the outside, a predetermined tension is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  Primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d are arranged to face each other on the side opposite to the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d with the intermediate transfer belt 7 interposed therebetween.

  The predetermined portion of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is sandwiched between the primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d and the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively. The predetermined portion thus sandwiched is pressed against the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Primary transfer nips N1a, N1b, N1c, and N1d are formed between the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d and the primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d, respectively. In each of the primary transfer nips N1a, N1b, N1c, and N1d, the toner images of the respective colors developed on the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are sequentially primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 7, respectively. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  To the primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d, toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are respectively transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 by a primary transfer bias applying unit (not shown). A primary transfer bias for transferring the toner image is applied.

  The static eliminators 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are arranged to face the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively. The static eliminators 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d respectively irradiate the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to irradiate light, and the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, and 2c after primary transfer is performed. 2d, each surface is neutralized (charge is removed).

  The drum cleaning units 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are disposed to face the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively. Each of the drum cleaning units 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d removes toner and adhering matter remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and conveys the removed toner to a predetermined recovery mechanism. And collect it.

  The secondary transfer roller 8 secondarily transfers the full-color toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 onto the paper T. A secondary transfer bias for transferring a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7 to the paper T is applied to the secondary transfer roller 8 by a secondary transfer bias applying unit (not shown).

  The secondary transfer roller 8 contacts or separates from the intermediate transfer belt 7. Specifically, the secondary transfer roller 8 is configured to be movable between a contact position where the secondary transfer roller 8 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7 and a separation position where the secondary transfer roller 8 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 7. Specifically, the secondary transfer roller 8 is disposed at a contact position when the full-color toner image primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is secondarily transferred to the paper T, and in other cases. It is arranged at a separated position.

  A counter roller 18 is disposed on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 7 from the secondary transfer roller 8. A predetermined portion of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 8 and the counter roller 18. Then, the paper T is pressed against the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 (the surface on which the toner image is primarily transferred). A secondary transfer nip N <b> 2 is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer roller 8. In the secondary transfer nip N2, the full-color toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 is secondarily transferred to the paper T.

  The fixing unit 9 melts and presses the toner of each color constituting the toner image secondarily transferred onto the paper T and fixes the toner on the paper T. The fixing unit 9 includes a heating rotator 9a heated by a heater and a pressure rotator 9b pressed against the heating rotator 9a. The heating rotator 9a and the pressure rotator 9b sandwich and pressurize the paper T onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred, and convey the paper T. By transporting the paper T while being sandwiched between the heating rotator 9a and the pressure rotator 9b, the toner transferred to the paper T is fixed to the paper T by being melted and pressurized. The

Next, the paper supply / discharge unit KH will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the lower part of the apparatus main body M, two paper feed cassettes 52 that store paper T are arranged in an up-down direction. The paper feed cassette 52 is configured to be pulled out from the housing of the apparatus main body M in the horizontal direction. In the paper feed cassette 52, a placement plate 60 on which the paper T is placed is disposed. In the paper feed cassette 52, the paper T is stored in a state of being stacked on the placement plate 60. The paper T placed on the placement plate 60 is sent out to the transport path L by the cassette paper feed unit 51 arranged at the end of the paper feed cassette 52 on the paper feed side (the left end in FIG. 1). The cassette paper feed unit 51 includes a forward feed roller 61 for taking out the paper T on the placement plate 60 and a paper feed roller pair 63 for feeding the paper T one by one to the transport path L. Is provided.

  A manual paper feed unit 64 is provided on the right side surface (right side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body M. The manual paper feed unit 64 is provided mainly for supplying the apparatus main body M with a paper T of a size and type different from the paper T set in the paper feed cassette 52. The manual paper feed unit 64 includes a manual feed tray 65 that forms part of the right side surface of the apparatus main body M in the closed state, and a paper feed roller 66. The manual feed tray 65 is attached at its lower end to the apparatus body M in the vicinity of the paper feed roller 66 so as to be rotatable (openable and closable). The paper T is placed on the open manual feed tray 65. The paper feed roller 66 feeds the paper T placed on the open manual feed tray 65 to the manual feed path La.

  A first paper discharge unit 50 a and a second paper discharge unit 50 b are provided on the upper side of the apparatus main body M. The first paper discharge unit 50a and the second paper discharge unit 50b discharge the paper T to the outside of the apparatus main body M. Details of the first paper discharge unit 50a and the second paper discharge unit 50b will be described later.

  The conveyance path L for conveying the paper T includes a first conveyance path L1 from the cassette paper feeding unit 51 to the secondary transfer nip N2, a second conveyance path L2 from the secondary transfer nip N2 to the fixing unit 9, and a fixing unit. 9 to the first paper discharge section 50a, the manual conveyance path La for joining the paper supplied from the manual paper feed section 64 to the first conveyance path L1, and the third conveyance path L3 on the upstream side. The paper transported from the upstream side to the downstream side is reversed and returned to the first transport path L1, and the paper transporting the third transport path L3 from the upstream side to the downstream side is connected to the second paper discharge unit 50b. And a post-processing transport path Lc for transporting to a post-processing apparatus (not shown).

Moreover, the 1st junction part P1 and the 2nd junction part P2 are provided in the middle of the 1st conveyance path L1. A first branch portion Q1 is provided in the middle of the third transport path L3.
The first joining part P1 is a joining part where the manual feed path La joins the first transport path L1. The second junction P2 is a junction where the return conveyance path Lb merges with the first conveyance path L1.
The first branch portion Q1 is a branch portion where the post-processing transport path Lc branches from the third transport path L3. A rectifying member 58 is provided in the first branch portion Q1. The rectifying member 58 rectifies the transport direction of the paper T carried out from the fixing unit 9 to the third transport path L3 toward the first paper discharge section 50a or the post-processing transport path Lc toward the second paper discharge section 50b ( Switch).

  In the middle of the first transport path L1 (specifically, between the second joining portion P2 and the secondary transfer roller 8), a sensor for detecting the paper T and correction of skew (oblique paper feeding) of the paper T In addition, a registration roller pair 80 for aligning the timing of the toner image formation and the conveyance of the paper T in the image forming unit GK is disposed. The sensor is disposed immediately before the registration roller pair 80 in the transport direction of the paper T (upstream in the transport direction). The registration roller pair 80 is a pair of rollers that convey the paper T by performing the above-described correction and timing adjustment based on detection signal information from the sensor.

  The return conveyance path Lb is a conveyance path that is provided to make the opposite surface (unprinted surface) opposite to the already printed surface to the intermediate transfer belt 7 when performing duplex printing on the paper T. According to the return transport path Lb, the paper T transported from the first branching section Q1 to the paper discharge section 50 is turned upside down and returned to the first transport path L1, and is disposed upstream of the secondary transfer roller 8. It can be conveyed upstream of the registration roller pair 80. A predetermined toner image is transferred onto the unprinted surface in the secondary transfer nip N2 on the paper T that is reversed upside down by the return conveyance path Lb.

  A first paper discharge unit 50a is formed at the end of the third transport path L3. The first paper discharge unit 50 a is disposed on the upper side of the apparatus main body M. The first paper discharge unit 50a is open toward the right side surface of the apparatus main body M (the right side in FIG. 1, the manual paper feed unit 64 side). The first paper discharge unit 50a discharges the paper T transported through the third transport path L3 to the outside of the apparatus main body M.

  On the opening side of the first paper discharge section 50a, a paper discharge stacking section M1 is formed. The paper discharge stacking unit M1 is formed on the upper surface (outer surface) of the apparatus main body M. The paper discharge stacking unit M1 is a part formed by the upper surface of the apparatus main body M being depressed downward. The bottom surface of the paper discharge stacking unit M1 constitutes a part of the top surface of the apparatus main body M. In the paper discharge stacking unit M1, sheets T formed with a predetermined toner image and discharged from the first paper discharge unit 50a are stacked and stacked.

A second paper discharge unit 50b is formed at the end of the post-processing conveyance path Lc. The second paper discharge unit 50b is disposed on the upper side of the apparatus main body M. The second paper discharge section 50b opens toward the left side of the apparatus main body M (left side in FIG. 1, the side to which the post-processing apparatus is connected). The second paper discharge unit 50b discharges the paper T conveyed through the post-processing conveyance path Lc to the outside of the apparatus main body M.
A post-processing device (not shown) is connected to the opening side of the second paper discharge unit 50b. The post-processing device performs post-processing (stapling, punching, etc.) of paper ejected from the image forming apparatus (copy machine 1).
A sheet detection sensor is disposed at a predetermined position in each conveyance path.

Next, a paper jam (JAM) in the main transport path L1 to L3 (the first transport path L1, the second transport path L2, and the third transport path L3 are collectively referred to as “main transport path” hereinafter) and the return transport path Lb. A structure for eliminating the problem will be briefly described.
As shown in FIG. 1, on the left side surface (left side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body M, main conveyance paths L1 to L3 and a return conveyance path Lb are arranged in parallel so as to mainly extend in the vertical direction. A cover body 40 is provided on the left side of the apparatus body M (left side in FIG. 1) so as to form a part of the side surface of the apparatus body M. The cover body 40 is connected to the apparatus main body M via a fulcrum shaft 43 at the lower end thereof. The fulcrum shaft 43 is disposed along the direction in which the axial direction crosses the main transport paths L1 to L3 and the return transport path Lb. The cover body 40 is configured to be rotatable between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 1) and an open position (not shown) with the fulcrum shaft 43 as a center.

  The cover body 40 includes a first cover portion 41 that is rotatably connected to the apparatus main body M by a fulcrum shaft 43, and a second cover portion 42 that is rotatably connected to the apparatus main body M by the same fulcrum shaft 43. It consists of and. The first cover portion 41 is located on the outer side (side surface side) of the apparatus main body M than the second cover portion 42. In FIG. 1, the hatched portion with the left-down dashed line is the first cover portion 41, and the hatched portion with the right-down dashed line is the second cover portion 42.

In the state where the cover body 40 is located at the closed position, the outer surface side of the first cover portion 41 forms a part of the outer surface (side surface) of the apparatus main body M.
Further, in the state where the cover body 40 is located at the closed position, the inner surface side (the apparatus main body M side) of the second cover portion 42 forms a part of the main transport paths L1 to L3.
Further, in a state where the cover body 40 is located at the closed position, the inner surface side of the first cover portion 41 and the outer surface side of the second cover portion 42 form at least a part of the return conveyance path Lb. That is, the return conveyance path Lb is formed between the first cover part 41 and the second cover part 42.

  The copying machine 1 of the present embodiment includes the cover body 40 having such a configuration, so that when a paper jam (JAM) occurs in the main transport paths L1 to L3, the cover body 40 is closed as shown in FIG. By rotating from the position to an open position (not shown) to open the main transport paths L1 to L3, it is possible to process paper jammed in the main transport paths L1 to L3. On the other hand, when a paper jam occurs in the return conveyance path Lb, the cover body 40 is rotated to the open position, and then the second cover portion 42 is moved to the apparatus main body M side (right side in FIG. ) To open the return conveyance path Lb, the paper jammed in the return conveyance path Lb can be processed.

Next, the light emitting unit 400 and the image reading apparatus 300 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the light emitting unit 400 incorporated in the image reading apparatus 300. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the light emitting unit 400 with the cover member 311b and the cover member 311c removed from the state of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the light emitting unit 400 in a state where the holding member 420 is attached to the first frame 311. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the light emitting unit 400 in a state where the holding member 420 is not attached. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the lower surface side of the holding member 420. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship among the light guide member 340, the holding member 420, and the first frame 311. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the holding member 420 in a state where the light guide member 340 and the LED substrate 430 are held. FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a positioning structure between the front end side member 427 of the holding member 420 and the LED substrate 430. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the light guide member 340. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a positioning structure between the base end side hole 423 a formed in the base end side member 425 of the holding member 420 and the base end portion of the light guide member 340. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a positioning structure between the distal end side hole 423 b formed in the distal end side member 427 of the holding member 420 and the distal end portion of the light guide member 340.

  The light emitting unit 400 includes an LED 410 serving as a light emitting unit, a light guide member 340, a holding member 420, a first frame 311 (case member) that houses the holding member 420, and an adjustment mechanism that rotates the holding member 420. 600.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first frame body 311 includes a substantially box-shaped main body frame 311 a having an upper opening, and two cover members 311 b and 311 c that cover the upper opening of the main body frame 311 a.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 311 b and the cover member 311 c are arranged in the sub-scanning direction X so that an opening 311 d extending along the main scanning direction Y is formed on the upper surface of the first frame 311. It is spaced apart and attached to the upper part of the main body frame 311a.

  The opening 311 d is an opening that exposes the light guide member 340 assembled to the main body frame 311 a via the holding member 420. The opening 311d is an opening that does not shield the light emitted from the light guide member 340 and irradiates the first reading surface 302A or the second reading surface 302B.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body frame 311 a has outer wall portions 3111 and 3112 that are arranged opposite to each other in the main scanning direction Y.
On the upper surfaces of the outer wall portion 3111 and the outer wall portion 3112, the holding member 420 is placed and held in a positioned state.
Here, the outer wall portion 3111 is a portion corresponding to the proximal end side of the holding member 420. The outer wall portion 3112 is a portion corresponding to the distal end side of the holding member 420.

  The main body frame 311 a includes a third holding unit 500 that holds the holding member 420. The main body frame 311a includes a third holding unit 500 that holds the holding member 420 so that the light guide member 340 is rotated about the optical axis AX.

  The third holding part 500 includes a rotation holding part 500a formed on the outer wall part 3111 side and a rotation holding part 500b formed on the outer wall part 3112 side.

The rotation holding portion 500a is continuously formed on the upper side of the outer wall portion 3111.
The rotation holding portion 500a is a concave portion having an arcuate curved surface centering on an optical axis AX described later. The rotation holding portion 500a is a concave portion having a curved surface corresponding to a protruding curved surface in a rotation held portion 510a (held portion 510) described later.
The rotation holding portion 500a is placed so that a rotation held portion 510a described later is engaged therewith. The rotation holding portion 500a holds the rotation held portion 510a so as to be slidable in the outer curved surface direction (peripheral direction).

The rotation holding portion 500b is formed continuously on the upper side of the outer wall portion 3112.
The rotation holding portion 500b is a concave portion having an arcuate curved surface centering on an optical axis AX described later. The rotation holding portion 500b is a concave portion having a curved surface corresponding to a protruding curved surface in a rotation held portion 510b (held portion 510) described later.
A rotation held portion 510b, which will be described later, is placed on the rotation holding portion 500b so as to be engaged therewith. The rotation holding portion 500b holds the rotation held portion 510b so as to be slidable in the outer curved surface direction (outer circumferential direction).

As described above, when the rotation held portion 510a is placed on the rotation holding portion 500a and the rotation held portion 510b is placed on the rotation holding portion 500b, the main body frame 311a is guided around the optical axis AX. The holding member 420 is rotatably held so that the optical member 340 is rotated.
That is, the light emitting unit 400 (the image reading apparatus 300) rotates the holding member 420 in a state where the holding member 420 is attached to the main body frame 311a, so that the light irradiation angle (from the light guide member 340 to the document) ( It is configured to be able to change (adjust) an orientation of a light irradiation unit 341 described later.

  The holding member 420 is held by the third holding unit 500 so as to be rotatable about the optical axis AX on the main body frame 311a. The holding member 420 is rotatably held by the main body frame 311a so that the light guide member 340 is rotated about the optical axis AX.

As will be described later, the holding member 420 positions and holds the LED 410 via the LED substrate 430 and positions and holds the light guide member 340.
In addition, the holding member 420 has a held portion 510 formed in the lower part. The held portion 510 is a portion disposed in contact with the third holding portion 500.

The held portion 510 includes a rotation held portion 510a and a rotation held portion 510b.
The rotation held portion 510 a is formed on the lower side of the holding member 420 in the vertical direction.
The rotation held portion 510a is a convex portion having an arcuate curved surface corresponding to the rotation holding portion 500a. The curved surface in the rotation held portion 510a is an arcuate curved surface centered on the optical axis AX.
The rotation held portion 510a is disposed in contact with the rotation holding portion 500a. The rotation held portion 510a is arranged such that the outer peripheral surface is in surface contact with the concave curved surface of the rotation holding portion 500a. The rotation held portion 510a is disposed on the rotation holding portion 500a so as to be slidable in the outer curved surface direction (periphery direction).

In the present embodiment, the rotation held portion 510a includes a first rotation held portion 511a and a second rotation held portion 513a.
In the present embodiment, the curved surface in the rotation held portion 510a is not a continuous curved surface, but is constituted by a curved surface of the first rotation held portion 511a and a curved surface of the second rotation held portion 513a that are separated from each other.
Here, description of each shape etc. of the 1st rotation held part 511a and the 2nd rotation held part 513a uses the description of the rotation held part 510a.

The rotation held portion 510b is formed on the lower side of the holding member 420 in the vertical direction.
The rotation held portion 510b is a convex portion having an arcuate curved surface corresponding to the rotation holding portion 500b. The curved surface in the rotation held portion 510b is an arcuate curved surface centered on the optical axis AX.
The rotation held portion 510b is disposed in contact with the rotation holding portion 500b. The rotation held portion 510b is arranged such that the outer peripheral surface is in surface contact with the concave curved surface of the rotation holding portion 500b. The rotation held portion 510b is disposed on the rotation holding portion 500b so as to be slidable in the outer curved surface direction (outer circumferential direction).

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the rotation held portion 510b includes a first rotation held portion 511b and a second rotation held portion 513b.
In the present embodiment, the curved surface in the rotation held portion 510b is not a continuous curved surface, but is constituted by the curved surface of the first rotation held portion 511b and the curved surface of the second rotation held portion 513b that are separated from each other.
Here, description of each shape etc. of the 1st rotation held part 511b and the 2nd rotation held part 513b uses the description of the rotation held part 510b.

  Here, the distance from the optical axis AX to the curved surface (outer peripheral surface) in each of the rotation holding unit 500b and the rotation holding unit 500a is preferably equal to or greater than a predetermined distance. For example, the distance is 20 mm or more, preferably 30 mm or more. It is preferable that the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance because fine adjustment is possible when adjusting the rotation angle of the holding member 420 described later.

  In the present embodiment, the curved surfaces of the rotation held portions 510a and 510b are curved surfaces (concave) having the radius as the distance. Similarly, the curved surfaces of the third holding portions 500a and 500b are curved surfaces (convex shapes) having the distance as a radius.

Here, the holding member 420 is attached to the upper surface of the main body frame 311a. The main body frame 311a holds the holding member 420 in a predetermined positional relationship and holds the holding member 420 so as to be able to rotate (rotate) around the optical axis AX.
As shown in FIG. 8, the light guide member 340 and the LED substrate 430 (LED 410) are positioned on the holding member 420 in a predetermined positional relationship. The light guide member 340 and the LED 410 positioned on the holding member 420 are positioned at predetermined positions by the holding member 420 being positioned and held on the main body frame 311a. Thereby, when the holding member 420 is rotated, the direction of the light irradiation unit 341 described later is adjusted in a state where the positional relationship between the LED 410 and the light guide member 340 is maintained.

The holding member 420 described above includes a first holding portion 422, a second holding portion 423, a light reflecting portion 421, and rotation held portions 510a and 510b.
The holding member 420 holds the LED 410 with the first holding portion 422 so that the optical axis AX of the LED 410 is along the main scanning direction Y, and the light guide member 340 with the center of the light guide member 340 by the second holding portion 423. The axis CL is held so as to be substantially coaxial with the optical axis AX.
Hereinafter, the LED 410, the LED substrate 430, the light guide member 340, and the holding member 420 will be described in detail.

LED410 is LED (Light Emitting Diode) which functions as a light emission part. In the present embodiment, there is one LED 410.
LED410 is arrange | positioned at the front-end | tip 340b side in the light guide member 340. FIG. Specifically, the LED 410 is disposed such that the light emitting surface faces the end surface of the tip 340 b of the light guide member 340. LED410 irradiates light toward the end surface of tip 340b.

The LED 410 is mounted on the LED substrate 430 as shown in FIG.
The LED substrate 430 is positioned and held at a predetermined position (predetermined direction) in the holding member 420 by a first holding portion 422 formed on one end side of the holding member 420.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first holding part 422 has a pair of positioning protrusions 422a and 422b. The positioning protrusions 422a and 422b are projected from the outer surface of the plate-like tip side member 427.
The positioning protrusions 422a and 422b are protrusions that fit into the positioning holes 435a and 435b of the LED substrate 430. The positioning protrusions 422a and 422b are fitted into the positioning holes 435a and 435b of the LED substrate 430, so that the LED 410 mounted on the LED substrate 430 has a light emitting surface that is the end surface of the light guide member 340, which will be described later, and the main scanning surface. Position so as to face each other in the direction Y.
The positioning protrusions 422a and 422b (first holding portion 422) position and hold the LED 410 indirectly via the LED board 430.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light guide member 340 is a rod-shaped light guide member disposed along the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the light guide member 340 has a substantially polygonal cross section. The light guide member 340 is a light guide member made of acrylic resin or the like.

Both ends of the light guide member 340 are positioned and held by the holding member 420.
Specifically, in the light guide member 340, the distal end 340b is positioned and held in the second holding portion 423 (tip-side hole-like portion 423b) formed in the holding member 420, and the second holding portion 423 (base-end side). The base end 340a is positioned and held in the hole-like portion 423a), whereby the holding member 420 is positioned and held.

The light guide member 340 is disposed so that the end surface on the tip 340 b side faces the light emitting surface of the LED 410.
The light guide member 340 guides the light emitted from the LED 410 arranged on the tip 340b side in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) of the light guide member 340 and guides it to the light irradiation unit 341 described later.

The light guide member 340 includes a light irradiation unit 341 formed along the main scanning direction Y on a part of the outer peripheral surface. The light irradiation unit 341 is a portion that irradiates the light guided inside to the outside.
The light irradiation unit 341 can irradiate the first reading surface 302A or the second reading surface 302B with the light H in a state where the light guide member 340 is held by the first frame 311 via the holding member 420. Arranged in a predetermined direction.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the light guide member 340 has convex portions 342, 343, and 344 formed on the outer periphery so as to extend along the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction Y). The convex portions 342, 343, and 344 are for preventing the light guide member 340 from being attached in an incorrect orientation when the light guide member 340 is held by the holding member 420.

As shown in FIG. 11, the convex portion 342 is formed on the outer peripheral surface on the substantially opposite side (opposite position) to the light irradiation portion 341.
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the convex portion 342 is formed in the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the light guide member 340. The tip surface 342a of the convex portion 342 is a flat surface orthogonal to the protruding direction of the convex portion 342 (the direction of the arrow R1 in FIG. 11).

  The convex part 343 and the convex part 344 are formed between the light irradiation part 341 and the convex part 342 on the outer peripheral surface. The convex portion 343 and the convex portion 344 are formed at positions facing each other. As shown in FIG. 11, the protruding direction of the convex part 343 and the convex part 344 is a direction (arrow R2 direction) orthogonal to the protruding direction of the convex part 342 (arrow R1 direction).

As shown in FIG. 8, the convex portions 343 and 344 are formed on the base end 340 a side of the light guide member 340.
Specifically, the convex portions 343 and 344 are formed only within a predetermined length range starting from the base end 340a, and are not formed on the tip end 340b side.
And each convex-shaped part 343,344 has the taper-like protruding structure where the protrusion length to the radial direction outward of the light guide member 340 reduces gradually as it leaves | separates from the base end 340a, as shown in FIG. ing. Moreover, the front end surfaces 343a and 344a of the convex portions 343 and 344 are flat surfaces orthogonal to the protruding direction (arrow R2 direction) shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the holding member 420 includes a light reflecting portion 421, a first holding portion 422, a second holding portion 423, and held members 510 (rotated held portions 510a and 510b). The held member 510 (rotated held portions 510a and 510b) is as described above. The holding member 420 is a member that positions and holds the LED 410 and the light guide member 340 in a predetermined position and orientation.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the light reflecting portion 421 is a member that is disposed to face the outer peripheral surface of the light guide member 340 opposite to the light irradiation portion 341 side. The light reflecting portion 421 is disposed to face the light guide member 340 over the entire region in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction Y).

  The light reflecting portion 421 has an inner surface facing the outer periphery of the light guide member 340. The inner surface is a reflecting surface that reflects light. The inner surface reflects light emitted from the outer peripheral surface of the light guide member 340 toward the inner surface (light leaked from the light guide member 340) toward the light guide member 340. The inner surface reflects light leaking from the light guide member 340 in the same direction as the light emission direction in the light irradiation unit 341, and improves the irradiation efficiency in the light guide member 340.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first holding portion 422 includes a pair of positioning protrusions 422 a and 422 b formed on the distal end side member 427.
The positioning protrusions 422a and 422b are fitted to the positioning holes 435a and 435b of the LED board 430, thereby positioning and holding the LED board 430.
The positioning protrusions 422a and 422b (first holding portion 422) position and hold the LED 410 mounted on the LED substrate 430 through the LED substrate 430 in a state of facing the end surface of the light guide member 340 on the front end 340b side.
The positioning protrusions 422a and 422b (first holding portion 422) hold the LED 410 so that the optical axis AX is along the main scanning direction Y.

Here, in the present embodiment, the optical axis AX refers to the center line (axis) of the emitted light. The optical axis AX is formed, for example, along a direction perpendicular to the light emitting surface. The optical axis AX is, for example, a line (axis) extending along a direction perpendicular to the light emitting surface from the center of gravity in the planar shape of the light emitting surface.
The optical axis AX is, for example, a line (axis) extending in a direction perpendicular to the light emitting surface from the intersection of diagonal lines when the planar shape on the light emitting surface is square or rectangular. The optical axis AX is a line (axis) extending from the center point in a direction perpendicular to the light emitting surface when the planar shape on the light emitting surface is circular, for example.

The second holding portion 423 includes a proximal end side hole portion 423a and a distal end side hole portion 423b.
The second holding portion 432 has a base end side hole portion 423a fitted on the base end 340a side of the light guide member 340 and a front end side hole portion 423b fitted on the tip end 340b side of the light guide member 340. The light guide member 340 is positioned and held.

  The proximal hole part 423a and the distal hole part 423b (second holding part 432) are positioned so as to have a predetermined positional relationship with the light reflection part 421, and the central axis CK is substantially coaxial with the optical axis. The light guide member 340 is held.

Here, in the present embodiment, the central axis CL refers to a central line (axis) extending in the longitudinal direction of the light guide member 340. The central axis CL is, for example, a line (axis) that passes through the center of the cross section and extends in the longitudinal direction.
The central axis CL is, for example, a line (axis) that passes through the center of gravity of the cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the light guide member 340 and extends in the longitudinal direction.
For example, when the planar shape on the light emitting surface is a square or a rectangle, the central axis CL is a line (axis) extending in the longitudinal direction through the intersection of diagonal lines. The central axis CL is a line (axis) extending in the longitudinal direction through the central point when the planar shape of the light emitting surface is circular, for example.

As shown in FIG. 8, the proximal-side hole portion 423 a is a substantially hexagonal through-hole formed in the proximal-side member 425 of the holding member 420.
As shown in FIG. 11, the proximal hole portion 423 a includes a guide groove 4231 in which the convex portion 342 of the light guide member 340 is slidably fitted in the main scanning direction Y, and the distal end surface of the convex portion 343. A first flat edge 4232 in which the surface 343a slidably contacts in the main scanning direction Y, a second flat edge 4233 in which the tip surface 344a of the convex portion 344 slidably contacts in the main scanning direction Y, A non-contact edge portion 4234 which is a portion facing the guide groove 4231 at the periphery and is not in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the light guide member 340 is provided.

The proximal-side hole-like portion 423a is fitted between the guide groove 4231 and the convex portion 342, the surface contact between the first flat edge 4232 and the convex portion 342, and the second flat edge 4233 and the convex portion 344. By the surface contact, the base end 340a of the light guide member 340 is positioned in a state in which rotation and movement in the main scanning direction Y are restricted.
Here, the guide groove 4231 has a function of guiding the movement of the light guide member 340 and suppressing the light guide member 340 from being inserted in a different mode (different rotation angle).

As shown in FIG. 12, the distal end side hole portion 423 b is a substantially quadrangular through hole formed in the distal end side member 427 of the holding member 420.
As shown in FIG. 12, the distal end side hole portion 423 b forms a guide groove 4236 in which the convex portion 342 of the light guide member 340 is slidably fitted in the main scanning direction Y, and the outer periphery of the light guide member 340. The first outer peripheral plane 346 is in surface contact with the main scanning direction Y so as to be slidable, and the second outer peripheral plane 347 facing the first outer peripheral plane 346 is slidable in the main scanning direction Y. A fourth flat edge 4238 that comes into contact with the guide groove 4236 and a non-contact edge part 4239 that is in non-contact with the outer peripheral surface of the light guide member 340 are provided.

  The front end side hole portion 423b includes a fitting between the guide groove 4236 and the convex portion 342, a surface contact between the third flat edge 4237 and the first outer peripheral plane 346, and a fourth flat edge 4238 and the second outer peripheral plane 347. With the surface contact, the tip 340b of the light guide member 340 is positioned in a state where the rotation and movement in the main scanning direction Y are restricted.

  As described above, both ends of the light guide member 340 in the main scanning direction Y are held by the holding member 420 by the second holding portion 423. The light guide member 340 held by the holding member 420 is positioned and held by the holding member 420 while being separated from the light reflecting portion 421. Only the both ends of the light guide member 340 are in contact with the holding member 420, and the intermediate portion of the light guide member 340 is maintained in a state of being separated from the holding member 420. Therefore, even when the light guide member 340 is deformed due to thermal expansion or the like, the light guide member 340 is prevented from contacting the light reflecting portion 421. Thereby, the deformation | transformation of the light reflection part 421 resulting from the thermal expansion of the light guide member 340 is suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the LED 410 is positioned and held by the holding member 420 via the LED substrate 430 by the first holding unit 422. The light guide member 340 is positioned and held on the holding member 420 by the second holding portion 423.
That is, the holding member 420 positions and holds the LED 410 and the light guide member 340.
The holding member 420 is positioned and held on the main body frame 311a (first frame body 311) by the positioning pins 511 and the positioning projections 512.
Thereby, the image reading apparatus 300 (light emitting unit 400) in which the LED 410 and the light guide member 340 are positioned with high accuracy with a simple configuration is obtained.
Furthermore, the light emitting unit 400 (image reading apparatus 300) includes an adjustment mechanism 600 that can adjust the light irradiation unit 341 (direction of the light H) after being assembled.

The adjustment mechanism 600 rotates the holding member 420. The adjustment mechanism 600 rotates the holding member 420 so that the light guide member 340 rotates about the optical axis AX.
The adjustment mechanism 600 is directly or indirectly connected to the holding member 420 and rotates the holding member 420 so that the light guide member 340 rotates about the optical axis AX.

The adjustment mechanism 600 is configured to be able to apply a force to the holding member 420 in a circumferential direction centered on the optical axis AX.
In the present embodiment, the holding member 420 is placed in a state in which the held portion 510 having a convex shape and a curved end surface is placed on the third holding portion 500 having a concave shape and a curved end surface. It is attached to 311a.
Therefore, when a predetermined force is applied to the holding member 420 in the circumferential direction about the optical axis AX by the adjustment mechanism 600, the held portion 510 slides with respect to the third holding portion 500.
That is, since the holding member 420 to which a predetermined force is applied by the adjustment mechanism 600 rotates about the optical axis AX, the LED 410 and the light guide member 340 that are positioned and held by the holding member 420 have the optical axis AX (center axis). Rotate around CL).
Thereby, the LED 410 is rotated around the optical axis AX. Further, the LED 410 is rotated in a state in which the positional relationship with the light guide member 340 is maintained.
Accordingly, the light guide member 340 is rotated about the optical axis AX. The light guide member 340 is rotated so as to change the direction of the light irradiation unit 341 about the optical axis AX.

As shown in FIG. 7, the adjustment mechanism 600 includes an adjustment operation unit 610 that is exposed to the outside.
The adjustment operation unit 610 is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside from an arcuate cutout 615 formed in the main body frame 311a, and moves (guided) in an arcuate direction (arrow W direction).
The adjustment operation unit 610 is connected to the holding member 420 by a transmission mechanism (not shown). Examples of the transmission mechanism include a mechanism including a cam, a gear, and a screw. Further, the transmission mechanism may be a bar member or the like that directly connects the holding member 420 and the adjustment operation unit 610.

The movement of the adjustment operation unit 610 (operation by the user) is transmitted to the holding member 420 via the transmission mechanism.
That is, when the user moves the adjustment operation unit 610, the holding member 420 is rotated by a predetermined angle about the optical axis AX.
Thereby, the light guide member 340 positioned and held by the holding member 420 is rotated around the optical axis AX, and the direction of the light irradiation unit 341 is changed.

  Here, when the transmission mechanism is configured by a member that directly connects the holding member 420 and the adjustment operation unit 610, the adjustment operation unit 610 is configured to move in a circumferential direction around the optical axis AX. . In this case, the adjustment operation unit 610 is preferably arranged at a predetermined distance from the optical axis AX. For example, the adjustment operation unit 610 is preferably arranged at a distance of 50 mm or more, preferably 80 mm or more, more preferably 100 mm or more from the optical axis AX. It is preferable that the adjustment operation unit 610 be disposed at a predetermined distance from the optical axis AX because fine adjustment is possible when adjusting the rotation angle of the light guide member 340 (direction of the light irradiation unit 341).

Next, an assembly procedure of the light emitting unit 400 and a procedure for adjusting the direction of the light H emitted from the light guide member 340 will be described.
First, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the operator inserts the light guide member 340 into the proximal-side hole 423 a in the holding member 420 with the distal end 340 b in the front side. Specifically, the operator inserts the distal end 340b into the proximal hole portion 423a so that the convex portion 342 is fitted into the guide groove 4231.

Subsequently, the operator further inserts the light guide member 340 in the arrow f direction. Then, the worker fits the distal end 340b of the light guide member 340 into the distal end side hole 423b and fits the proximal end 340a into the proximal end hole 423a.
Thereby, the light guide member 340 is positioned and held by the holding member 420 in a state where the positional relationship with the light reflecting portion 421 and the direction of the light emitting portion 341 are adjusted.

Subsequently, the worker attaches the LED board 430 to the holding member 420. Specifically, the operator places the positioning holes 435a and 435b formed in the LED board 430 on the positioning protrusions 422a and 422b (first holding part 422) formed in the holding member 420, thereby allowing the LED board to fit. Attach 430 to the holding member 420.
Thus, the LED 410 is positioned and held with the light emitting surface facing the end surface of the light guide member 340 on the base end 340 a side via the LED substrate 430.

Subsequently, the worker attaches the holding member 420 that positions and holds the LED 410 and the light guide member 340 to the main body frame 311a (first frame body 311).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the worker places the holding member 420 on both outer side wall portions 3111 and 3112 of the main body frame 311 a in the first frame body 311.
As shown in FIG. 8, the operator fits the positioning hole 426 formed on the front end 340b side of the holding member 420 to the positioning pin 511 of the holding member 420 and also forms a notch formed on the base end 340a side. The positioning protrusion 512 is fitted over the portion 428.
Thereby, the holding member 420 is positioned and held by the main body frame 311a (first frame body 311).

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, the worker arranges the two cover members 311b and 311c so as to cover the upper opening of the main body frame 311a.
Thereby, the light emitting unit 400 in this embodiment is assembled.

Subsequently, the operator checks whether the light H emitted from the light guide member 340 is emitted at a predetermined angle.
When the light H irradiated from the light guide member 340 is not irradiated at a predetermined angle (not irradiated at a predetermined position), the operator moves the adjustment operation unit 610 in the arrow W direction as shown in FIG. The irradiation angle of the light H emitted from the light guide member 340 is adjusted.
Specifically, when the operator moves the adjustment operation unit 610 in the arrow W direction, the movement of the adjustment operation unit 610 is transmitted to the holding member 420 via a transmission mechanism (not shown). Thereby, the holding member 420 is rotated around the optical axis AX. As a result, the light guide member 340 positioned and held by the holding member 420 is rotated about the optical axis AX, so that the direction of the light irradiation unit 341 is changed (adjusted). Thereby, the irradiation angle of the light H emitted from the light guide member 340 is changed (adjusted).

According to the image reading apparatus 300 including the light emitting unit 400 in the present embodiment, for example, the following effects are exhibited.
According to the present embodiment, in the light emitting unit 400 constituting the image reading apparatus 300, the first frame 311 holds the holding member 420 so as to be rotatable about the optical axis AX. Specifically, the first frame body 311 rotatably holds the holding member 420 so that the light guide member 340 is rotated about the optical axis AX.
Thereby, the image reading apparatus 300 can change the direction of light emitted from the light guide member 340.

Further, according to the present embodiment, in the light emitting unit 400 constituting the image reading apparatus 300, the LED 410 and the light guide member 340 are positioned and held by the holding member 420. The light emitting unit 400 holds the holding member 420 so as to be rotatable about the optical axis AX while maintaining the positional relationship between the LED 410 and the light guide member 340.
Thereby, the image reading apparatus 300 can change the direction of the light irradiated from the light guide member 340 without impairing the light irradiation property.
That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus that can position the light guide member 340 with high accuracy with a simple configuration.
In addition, the image reading apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment particularly reduces the light guide member 340 even after changing (adjusting) the angle of light emitted from the light guide member 340 (the direction of the light irradiation unit 341). Positioning and holding with high accuracy.

According to this embodiment, since the contact surface (sliding surface) between the curved surface of the third holding unit 500 and the curved surface of the held portion 510 is separated from the optical axis AX by a predetermined distance, the light emitting unit 400 is guided. The angle of light emitted from the optical member 340 is configured to be finely adjustable.
As a result, the image reading apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the light guide member 340 can be positioned with high accuracy.

According to the present embodiment, in the light emitting unit 400 constituting the image reading apparatus 300, the third holding unit 500 is a concave part having an arcuate curved surface centered on the optical axis AX, and the held part 510 is convex. And has an arcuate curved surface centered on the optical axis AX. Then, the holding member 420 is held by the first frame 311 by placing the held portion 501 on the third holding portion 500.
Thereby, the image reading apparatus 300 in the present embodiment can position the light guide member 340 with high accuracy with a simple configuration.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the image reading apparatus 300 is an adjustment mechanism that rotates and moves the holding member 420, and moves the holding member 420 so that the light guide member 340 rotates about the optical axis AX. An adjustment mechanism is provided.
Thereby, the user (operator) can easily adjust the direction (angle) of light emitted from the light guide member 340.

  In addition, the image reading apparatus including the image reading apparatus 300 of the present embodiment has the same effect as the above-described effect.

As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment was described, this invention can be implemented with a various form, without being limited to embodiment mentioned above.
For example, the type of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof.
The sheet-shaped transfer material is not limited to paper, and may be a film sheet, for example.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copy machine (image forming apparatus), 300 ... Image reading apparatus, 311 ... 1st frame (case member), 340 ... Light guide member, 341 ... Light irradiation part, 400 ... Light emission unit, 410 …… LED (light emitting portion), 420 …… holding member, 421 …… light reflecting portion, 422 …… first holding portion, 423 …… second holding portion, 430 …… LED substrate, 500 …… third holding , 510... Held part, 600... Adjustment mechanism, AX... Optical axis, CL... Center axis, Y.

Claims (7)

A light emitting unit;
A rod-shaped light guide member whose end is disposed to face the light emitting unit;
A holding member for holding the light emitting unit and the light guide member,
A light reflecting portion;
Holding the light emitting unit so that the optical axis is along the main scanning direction, a first holding unit,
A holding member having a second holding portion that is positioned so as to have a predetermined positional relationship with the light reflecting portion and holds the light guide member so that a central axis is substantially coaxial with the optical axis;
A case member to which the holding member is attached, and a case member having a third holding portion that rotatably holds the holding member so that the light guide member is rotated around the optical axis. Reader. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding member includes a held portion that is disposed in contact with the third holding portion. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the third holding part is a concave part having an arcuate curved surface with the optical axis as a center. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the held portion is a convex portion that is disposed in contact with the third holding portion and has an arcuate curved surface corresponding to the third holding portion. The third holding portion is disposed on the upper surface side of the case member,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the held portion is formed on a lower surface side of the holding member. The adjustment mechanism for rotating the holding member, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for rotating the holding member so that the light guide member rotates about the optical axis. The image reading apparatus described in 1. An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading apparatus according to claim 1.

Images