JP2014120849A - Image reader device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader device which makes it possible to reduce the device size and weight.SOLUTION: An image reader device 3 comprises a first support plate 101 and a second support plate 102. The second support plate 102 is provided with a protrusion 124 provided in a deflection part 125. When a contact glass 62 is supported by the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102, the deflection part 125 is deformed so that the protrusion 124 moves backward, enabling a rear end of the contact glass 62 to get under the bottom face of the protrusion 124. Then, when the deformed deflection part 125 is restored, the protrusion 124 abuts on the top face at the rear end of the contact glass 62. As a result, a front end of the contact glass 62 is inserted into an insertion opening 108, and its movement to above the rear end is restricted by the bottom face of the protrusion 124, and, while in this state, the contact glass 62 is held in place by the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image reading apparatus that can read images on both sides of a document while the document is transported along a document transport path.

  Specifically, in the image reading apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a document holding tray and a document discharge tray are provided above and below. The document transport path is formed between the document holding tray and the document discharge tray, and the middle part is curved. The document conveyed on the document conveyance path is folded back at the curved portion in the conveyance direction. The portion extending from the curved portion of the document conveyance path toward the document discharge tray passes through the first and second document reading sections in order. The first document reading unit is disposed on the upper side of the document transport path. The second document reading unit is disposed below the document transport path. While the document is transported from the document holding tray to the document discharge tray on the document transport path, the image on one side of the document is read by the first image reading unit, and the image on the other side of the document is the second image. It is read by the reading unit.

JP 2006-333003 A

  Since the image reading apparatus having such a configuration includes two image reading units, the size tends to increase. In order to reduce the size and weight of the image reading apparatus, it is necessary to devise a configuration around the image reading unit.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that can be reduced in size and weight.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a transport unit that transports a document in a predetermined transport direction along a transport path, and an image of the document that is transported along the transport path by the transport unit. A reading section; a document facing member disposed on the transport path side with respect to the reading section and extending in a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction; and a support member supporting the document facing member; The member has a document contact surface on which a document transported in the transport direction contacts the transport path, and the support member includes a first support surface and a second support surface that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The first support surface includes an insertion portion into which the one end portion of the document facing member in the width direction is inserted, and the second support surface includes a bending portion and the bending portion from the bending portion. 1 Projecting to the support surface side, the document pair And a slit for deflecting the projection abutting from the transport path side member, said flexible portion so that the projection is displaced in the width direction.

  According to this configuration, the support member has the first support surface and the second support surface. The first support surface and the second support surface are provided at an interval in a direction orthogonal to the document transport direction. The first support surface includes an insertion portion. The second support surface includes a bent portion, a protrusion, and a slit. The protrusion protrudes from the bent portion toward the first support surface. The bending portion can be bent by the slit so that the protrusion is displaced in the width direction.

  When the document facing member is supported by the support member, first, one end portion of the document facing member in the width direction is inserted into the insertion portion. Next, the bending portion is deformed in a direction in which the protrusion is separated from the first support surface. Due to this deformation, the projection is retracted in the direction away from the first support surface, so that the other end portion of the document facing member in the width direction can be made to enter the side opposite to the conveyance path side of the projection. Thereafter, when the deformed bent portion is restored, the protrusion comes into contact with the edge of the other end portion in the width direction of the document facing member from the conveyance path side. As a result, one end portion in the width direction of the document facing member is inserted into the insertion portion, and the document facing member is supported by the support member in a state where movement of the other end portion toward the conveyance path is restricted by the protrusion.

  Thus, the document facing member can be supported by the support member without using a member other than the support member. Further, the configuration of the support member is simple. Therefore, the image reading apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.

  For example, a structure in which a fixing member that is a separate member from the support member is further used to attach the document facing member to the support member is conceivable. In this structure, a groove or an opening into which the other end portion of the document facing member in the width direction is inserted instead of the bending portion, the protrusion, and the slit is formed on the second support surface. Then, after the other end of the document facing member in the width direction is inserted into the groove or opening, the fixing member is press-fitted between the document contact surface of the document facing member and the edge of the groove or opening. Accordingly, the document facing member can be fixed to the second support surface via the fixing member.

  However, when the fixing member is press-fitted, the fixing member may rub against the document contact surface, and the document contact surface may be damaged. If the original contact surface facing the reading range by the reading unit is damaged, the quality of image reading by the reading unit is degraded.

  In the configuration in which the protrusion abuts against the edge of the other end in the width direction of the document facing member, it is possible to suppress scratches other than the abutting portion, thereby suppressing deterioration in image reading quality due to scratches on the document contact surface. it can.

  The slit preferably extends longer than the protrusion in the transport direction parallel to the document contact surface.

  Thereby, a protrusion can be displaced favorably in the width direction.

  The slit includes a first extending portion extending in the conveying direction parallel to the document contact surface, and a second extending portion extending in parallel with the first extending portion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first extending portion. May be included.

  A portion between the first extension portion and the second extension portion is used as a bending portion, and the bending portion can be easily bent.

  The slit includes a first extension that extends in a direction orthogonal to the width direction, a second extension that extends in parallel to the first extension in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first extension, and a first extension. And a third extending portion connected to each one end of the second extending portion, the bending portion is surrounded by the first extending portion, the second extending portion and the third extending portion, and the protrusion is bent It may be provided at the end portion on the free end side of the portion.

  Thereby, a bending part can be bent easily.

  The protrusion preferably has an inclined surface that is inclined so as to protrude toward the first support surface as it approaches the document facing member.

  When the document facing member is brought into contact with the inclined surface and a force is applied from the document facing member to the inclined surface toward the reading unit, the force is converted to a force in a direction away from the first support surface. With this force, the bending portion can be bent so that the protrusion moves in a direction away from the first support surface. Therefore, the document facing member can be easily assembled to the support member.

  The slit is preferably formed shorter than the document facing member in the conveyance direction parallel to the document contact surface.

  Thereby, it is possible to suppress the document facing member from falling through the slit.

  The support member has a facing surface facing the document facing member from the side opposite to the conveyance path side, and the facing surface is in contact with the document facing member and supports the document facing member from the side opposite to the conveying path side. And a separation portion that is separated from the end portion on the second support surface side of the document facing member.

  According to this configuration, since a space is generated between the end portion on the second support surface side of the document facing member and the separation portion on the facing surface, the end portion on the second support surface side of the document facing member is placed on the spacing portion side. Can be pushed down. As a result, the end portion on the second support surface side of the document facing member can be easily inserted into the side opposite to the conveyance path side of the protrusion. Further, when the deformed bent portion is restored, it is possible to suppress the projection from being caught on the end surface on the second support surface side of the document facing member.

  It is preferable that the insertion portion has a contact surface that contacts the document facing member from the conveyance path side, and the contact surface and the surface that contacts the document facing member in the protrusion are arranged on the same virtual plane. .

  As a result, one end and the other end of the document facing member in the width direction can be satisfactorily brought into contact with the contact surface and the protrusion, respectively. Therefore, the supporting state of the document facing member by the supporting member can be stabilized.

  The transport unit may include a drive transmission unit that is provided on the support member and transmits a driving force for transporting the document, or may include a cover that collectively covers the protrusions and the drive transmission unit.

  Since the projection and the drive transmission unit are covered by the cover, it is possible to prevent the user from touching the projection and the drive transmission unit. By preventing the user from touching the protrusions, it is possible to prevent the document opposing member from being detached from the support member.

  The reading unit is preferably positioned with respect to the support member.

  Since the document facing member is supported by the support member, the positional relationship between the document facing member and the reading unit can be kept constant by positioning the reading unit with respect to the supporting member. As a result, the image of the original can be read satisfactorily.

  The conveyance path is formed in a U shape having an upper path positioned relatively above and a lower path positioned relatively below, and the reading unit is disposed below one of the upper path and the lower path. A first reading unit that reads an image of a document conveyed along one of the upper path and the lower path, and is disposed below the other of the upper path and the lower path, and conveys the other of the upper path and the lower path. A second reading unit that reads an image of the original to be read may be provided.

  As a result, the image reading apparatus can read both sides of the document with one transport of the document.

  According to the present invention, the document facing member can be supported by the support member without using a member other than the support member. Further, the configuration of the support member is simple. Therefore, the image reading apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.

1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine 1 provided with an image reading device 3 according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the upper right front side. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image reading device 3. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus 3 as viewed from the upper right front side of the ADF housing 6 and shows a state where the tray 8 is located at the tray position and the maintenance cover 9 is located at the maintenance position. It is a top view of ADF case 6, and shows the state where tray 8 is located in a tray position and maintenance cover 9 is located in a maintenance position. It is sectional drawing of the ADF housing | casing 6 in cut surface line AA shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing of the ADF housing | casing 6 in the cut surface line BB shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the vicinity of the contact glass 62 of the ADF housing | casing 6 shown by FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a protrusion 124 of the ADF housing 6 shown in FIG. 5. It is the perspective view which looked at the vicinity of protrusion 124 of ADF case 6 from the upper left front. It is sectional drawing which shows the vicinity of the contact glass 62 of the ADF housing | casing 6 shown by FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the protrusion 124 of the image reading device 3, showing a state where the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 is above the protrusion 124. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the protrusion 124 of the image reading device 3 and shows a state in which the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 is in contact with the inclined surface 128 of the protrusion 124. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the protrusion 124 of the image reading device 3 and shows a state in which the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 slides on the extension portion 127. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the protrusion 124 of the image reading device 3, showing a state in which the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 is disposed below the extending portion 127. The perspective view seen from the front right upper side of the internal frame 31 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is shown. It is the perspective view seen from the front right upper side of the vicinity of the protrusion 124 of the internal frame 31 shown by FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a support portion 133 and a separation portion 134 of the ADF housing 6 shown in FIG. 10.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Appearance configuration>

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 of the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 2 and an image reading apparatus 3.

  The image forming apparatus 2 includes a supply cassette 4 that can accommodate sheets. Note that the multifunction machine 1 of this embodiment includes two upper and lower supply cassettes. The image forming apparatus 2 may employ an ink jet method in which fine droplets of ink are directly ejected onto a sheet conveyed from the supply cassette 4 to form an image on the sheet. The image forming apparatus 2 may adopt an electrophotographic system in which a toner image is transferred and fixed to a sheet conveyed from the supply cassette 4 to form an image on the sheet.

  The image reading apparatus 3 includes a scanner housing 5, an ADF housing 6 as an example of a main body side cover, an operation panel 7, a tray 8, a maintenance cover 9 as an example of an opening / closing member, and a stopper 10.

  In the following description, the ADF casing 6 side with respect to the scanner casing 5 is defined as the upper side, and the operation panel 7 side with respect to the center of the scanner casing 5 in the plan view is defined as the front side. . And in each figure after FIG. 1, a direction is displayed with an arrow.

  The scanner housing 5 is disposed on the upper side of the image forming apparatus 2.

  The ADF housing 6 includes a front side plate 11 and a rear side plate 12. The front side plate 11 and the rear side plate 12 are arranged at an interval in the front-rear direction. The left side portion 15 in the approximately left half of the front side plate 11 has a larger vertical dimension than the remaining right side portion 16. Therefore, the upper end of the left portion 15 is positioned higher than the upper end of the right portion 16. In addition, the left side portion 17 of the approximately left half of the rear side plate 12 has a larger vertical dimension than the remaining right side portion 18. Therefore, the upper end of the left portion 17 is positioned higher than the upper end of the right portion 18. Further, the front side plate 11 and the rear side plate 12 are inclined so as to be located on the inner side in the front-rear direction as the upper side thereof so that the image reading device 3 looks compact.

  The operation panel 7 is disposed on the front surface 19 of the scanner housing 5. The operation panel 7 is operated for various settings by the user, receives information input, and transmits the input information to a control unit (not shown) that controls the entire multifunction device 1. The operation panel 7 includes a display unit that displays information such as the set contents.

  The tray 8 is constructed between the left side portion 15 of the front side plate 11 and the left side portion 17 of the rear side plate 12. The tray 8 is rotatable around a rotation axis 20 extending in the front-rear direction between the upper right ends of the left portions 15 and 17 between the cover position shown in FIG. 1 and the tray position shown in FIG. Is provided. The tray 8 extends along the upper end edges of the left side portions 15 and 17 at the cover position, and covers the maintenance cover 9 from above. The tray 8 extends in a slanting manner upward from the right end portions of the left side portions 15 and 17 at the tray position.

  The maintenance cover 9 is installed between the left side portion 15 of the front side plate 11 and the left side portion 17 of the rear side plate 12. The maintenance cover 9 can be rotated around a rotation axis 21 extending in the front-rear direction between the lower left ends of the left portions 15 and 17 between the closed position shown in FIG. 3 and the open position shown in FIG. Is provided. In the closed position, the maintenance cover 9 includes a side portion 22 that extends along the left edge of the left portions 15 and 17, and an upper portion 23 that extends from the upper end of the side portion 22 along the upper edges of the left portions 15 and 17. The side portions 22 are inclined so that the upper side of each side portion 22 is located in the front-rear direction so that the image reading device 3 looks compact. With the maintenance cover 9 positioned at the open position, the upper portion 23 extends in a substantially vertical direction.

  The stopper 10 is disposed in a recess 25 formed on the upper surface 24 of the ADF housing 6. The stopper 10 is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction at the right end portion of the recess 25 between the storage position and the deployed position. The stopper 10 is accommodated in the recess 25 at the storage position. The stopper 10 extends upward from the right end of the recess 25 in the deployed position.

<Internal configuration>

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ADF housing 6 includes an internal frame 31 and a lower frame 32. The lower frame 32 is provided below the inner frame 31.

  The inner frame 31 is provided below the upper portion 23 of the maintenance cover 9 located at the closed position. The internal frame 31 has an upper internal frame 31A and a lower internal frame 31B. The upper inner frame 31 </ b> A and the lower inner frame 31 </ b> B are arranged so as to overlap vertically between the maintenance cover 9 and the lower frame 32.

  A space is provided between the inner surface of the maintenance cover 9 and the upper inner frame 31A. In addition, a space is also provided between the lower inner frame 31 </ b> B and the lower frame 32. Thus, a conveyance path 33 for conveying the sheet S is formed between the inner surface of the maintenance cover 9 and the upper inner frame 31A and between the lower frame 32 and the lower inner frame 31B. The conveyance path 33 has an upper path 34 that is positioned relatively higher, a lower path 35 that is positioned relatively lower, and a curved path 36 that connects the upper path 34 and the lower path 35. The upper path 34 is a space extending in the left-right direction between the inner surface of the maintenance cover 9 and the upper inner frame 31A. The lower path 35 is a space extending in the left-right direction between the lower inner frame 31 </ b> B and the lower frame 32. The curved path 36 is a space that is curved along the peripheral surface of the second LF roller 49 described later.

  The image reading apparatus 3 includes a supply unit 41, a pair of sheet width guides 42, a supply roller 43, a separation roller 44, a separation piece 45, a first driven roller 46, a first driven roller 46, along the conveyance direction of the sheet S in the curved path 33. 1 LF roller 47, upper reading unit 48, second LF roller 49, second driven roller 50, third driven roller 51, lower reading unit 52, a pair of discharge roller 53 and discharge unit 54.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the maintenance cover 9 is in the closed position unless otherwise specified.

  The supply unit 41 is provided below the right end portion of the maintenance cover 9 with a gap. The supply unit 41 extends upward. The sheet S that is the target of image reading is held across the supply unit 41 and the tray 8 located at the tray position.

  The pair of sheet width guides 42 is provided in the supply unit 41. The pair of sheet width guides 42 face each other in the front-rear direction. The pair of sheet width guides 42 are configured to be able to approach and separate with the same amount of movement with respect to the center between them. The distance between the pair of sheet width guides 42 is adjusted according to the width in the front-rear direction of the sheet S held on the upper surface 41 of the supply unit 41. The sheet S is inserted between the pair of sheet width guides 42 from the right side. As a result, the sheet S is held on the supply unit 41 on the basis of the center.

  The supply roller 43 is rotatably held around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction between the inner frame 31 and a drive frame 140 described later disposed on the front side of the left side portion 17 of the rear plate 12. The peripheral surface of the supply roller 43 is in contact with the left end portion of the supply unit 41 from above in the upper path 34.

  The separation roller 44 is disposed on the left side of the supply roller 43. The separation roller 44 is rotatably held around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction between the inner frame 31 and a drive frame 140 (described later) disposed on the front side of the left portion 17 of the rear plate 12.

  The separation piece 45 is disposed below the separation roller 44. The separation piece 45 is held by the inner frame 31. The separation piece 45 elastically contacts the peripheral surface of the separation roller 44 from the lower side in the upper path 34.

  The first LF roller 47 is disposed on the left side of the separation roller 44. The first LF roller 47 is held between the inner frame 31 and a drive frame 140 (described later) disposed on the front side of the left side portion 17 of the rear plate 12 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction.

  The first driven roller 46 is disposed below the first LF roller 47. The first driven roller 46 is held by the inner frame 31 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The circumferential surface of the first driven roller 46 is in contact with the circumferential surface of the first LF roller 47 in the upper path 34. The first driven roller 46 rotates following the rotation of the first LF roller 47.

  The upper reading unit 48 includes a contact image sensor module 61, a contact glass 62, and a document pressing member 63.

  The contact image sensor module 61 is disposed on the left side of the first LF roller 47. The contact image sensor module 61 is housed in a recess 55 formed in the inner frame 31 so as to be recessed downward. The contact image sensor module 61 extends in the front-rear direction within the recess 55. For example, an LED light source, a lens, and an image sensor are provided inside the contact image sensor module 61.

  The contact glass 62 is provided on the upper side of the contact image sensor module 61 so as to close the recess 55. The upper surface of the contact glass 62 faces the upper path 34.

  The document pressing member 63 is disposed on the upper side of the contact glass 62. The document pressing member 63 is elastically supported by the maintenance cover 9 via a biasing member. The document pressing member 63 is elastically in contact with the upper surface of the contact glass 62 in the upper path 34.

  The second LF roller 49 is rotatably held around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction between the inner frame 31 and a drive frame 140 (described later) disposed on the front side of the left portion 17 of the rear plate 12. The second driven roller 50 is disposed on the upper side of the second LF roller 49. The second driven roller 50 is held by the maintenance cover 9 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The circumferential surface of the second driven roller 50 is in contact with the circumferential surface of the second LF roller 49 in the curved path 36. The second driven roller 50 rotates following the rotation of the second LF roller 49.

  The third driven roller 51 is disposed on the lower left side of the second LF roller 49. The third driven roller 50 is held at the left end portion of the lower frame 32 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The circumferential surface of the third driven roller 51 is in contact with the circumferential surface of the second LF roller 49 in the curved path 36. The third driven roller 51 rotates following the rotation of the second LF roller 49.

  The lower reading unit 52 includes a contact image sensor module 64, a contact glass 65, and a document pressing member 66.

  The contact image sensor module 64 is provided in the scanner housing 5 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The contact image sensor module 64 extends in the front-rear direction. In the contact image sensor module 64, for example, an LED light source, a lens, an image sensor, and the like are provided. The contact image sensor module 64 is disposed below the left end portion of the contact glass 65 at the time of ADF reading and when the image reading apparatus 1 is not used.

  The contact glass 65 is provided so as to cover the upper surface of the scanner housing 5.

  The document pressing member 66 is disposed above the left end portion of the contact glass 65. The document pressing member 66 is elastically supported by the lower inner frame 31B via a biasing member. The document pressing member 66 is elastically in contact with the upper surface of the contact glass 65 in the lower path 35.

  The pair of discharge rollers 53 is disposed below the left end portion of the supply unit 41. The upper discharge roller 53 is rotatably held around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction between the inner frame 31 and a drive frame 140 (described later) disposed on the front side of the left side portion 17 of the rear plate 12. The lower discharge roller 53 is held by the lower frame 32 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The peripheral surface of the lower discharge roller 53 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the upper discharge roller 53 in the lower path 35. The lower discharge roller 53 rotates following the rotation of the upper discharge roller 53.

  The discharge unit 54 is provided below the supply unit 41. The right end of the discharge part 54 is located at a position lower than the outlet of the lower path 35. The discharge part 54 extends upward.

<Image reading operation>

  When the image of the sheet S is read by the image reading apparatus 1, the tray 8 is opened to the tray position and the maintenance cover 9 is closed to the closed position, as shown in FIG. As described above, the sheet S is held on the supply unit 41 and the tray 8 on the basis of the center. The upper surface of the sheet S in this state is the front surface, and the lower surface of the sheet S is the back surface.

  The leading end of the sheet S is disposed below the peripheral surface of the supply roller 43. When the supply roller 43 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the front side, the sheet S is separated from the separation roller 44 by a frictional force between the upper surface of the uppermost sheet S on the supply unit 41 and the peripheral surface of the supply roller 43. It is sent between the pieces 45.

  The separation roller 44 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the front side. When the leading end of the sheet S is sandwiched between the separation roller 44 and the separation piece 45, the sheet S is separated, for example, one by one, and one sheet S is between the separation roller 44 and the separation piece 45. Is passed through the upper path 34.

  The first LF roller 47 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the front side. As the first LF roller 47 rotates, the first driven roller 46 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the front side. When the leading edge of the sheet S conveyed through the upper path 34 reaches the contact portions of the peripheral surfaces of the first LF roller 47 and the first driven roller 46, the sheet S is conveyed from the first LF roller 47 and the first driven roller 46 to the sheet S. Power is granted.

  Then, the sheet S passes between the upper surface of the contact glass 62 and the document pressing member 63. At this time, the sheet S on the contact glass 62 is irradiated with light from the LED light source of the contact image sensor module 61. Then, when the reflected light from the sheet S is received by the image sensor of the contact image sensor module 61, an image drawn on the back surface of the sheet S is read.

  Thereafter, the leading end portion of the sheet S is fed from the upper path 34 to the curved path 36 by the conveying force applied from the first LF roller 47 and the first driven roller 46. The second LF roller 49 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the front side. The second driven roller 50 and the third driven roller 51 rotate clockwise as viewed from the front side. When the leading end of the sheet S reaches the contact portions of the peripheral surfaces of the second LF roller 49 and the second driven roller 50, a conveying force is applied to the sheet S from the second LF roller 49 and the second driven roller 50. Thereafter, when the leading edge of the sheet S reaches the contact portions of the peripheral surfaces of the second LF roller 49 and the third driven roller 51, a conveying force is applied to the sheet S from the second LF roller 49 and the third driven roller 51, The curved path 36 is sent to the lower path 35. It should be noted that between the second driven roller 50 and the third driven roller, the inner wall surface of the side portion 22 facing the second LF roller 49 and the inner wall surface of the lower frame 32 form a curved shape to form a curved path 36. As a result, the sheet S is conveyed toward the lower path 35.

  The sheet S sent to the lower path 35 passes between the upper surface of the left end portion of the contact glass 65 and the document pressing member 66. At this time, the sheet S on the left end portion of the contact glass 65 is irradiated with light from the LED light source of the contact image sensor module 64. Then, when the reflected light from the sheet S is received by the image sensor of the contact image sensor module 64, an image drawn on the surface of the sheet S is read.

  The upper discharge roller 53 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the front side. The lower discharge roller 53 rotates clockwise as viewed from the front side as the upper discharge roller 53 rotates. When the leading edge of the sheet S reaches the contact portion of each peripheral surface of the pair of discharge rollers 53, a conveying force is applied to the sheet S from the pair of discharge rollers 53 and is discharged to the discharge portion 54.

<Supporting member>

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the image reading device 3 includes a first support plate 101 and a second support plate 102 as an example of a support member that supports the contact glass 62. The first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102 are formed integrally with the inner frame 31.

  The first support plate 101 is provided on the rear side of the front side plate 11 with an interval. The first support plate 101 includes an upper part 103, a central part 104, and a lower part 105.

  The upper part 103 extends downward from a position spaced rearward from the upper end of the front plate 11.

  The central portion 104 extends rearward from the lower end of the upper portion 103.

  The lower portion 105 extends downward from the rear end of the central portion 104. In the lower portion 105, an insertion port 108 as an example of an insertion portion is formed. In other words, the first support surface 114, which is the rear surface of the lower portion 105, includes the insertion port 108. The insertion port 108 penetrates the lower part 105 in the front-rear direction and extends in the left-right direction.

  A restricting portion 111 is provided between the front plate 11 and the lower portion 105 of the first support plate 101. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the restricting portion 111 includes a main body portion 112 and a tip portion 113. The main body 112 extends downward from the lower surface of the central portion 104 of the first support plate 101. The lower end portion of the main body portion 112 is located at the center of the insertion port 108 in the vertical direction. The tip portion 113 protrudes rearward from the lower end portion of the main body portion 112.

  A front end portion of the contact glass 62 is inserted into the insertion port 108. The front end portion 113 of the restriction portion 111 is in contact with the front surface of the contact glass 62. The upper surface of the front end portion of the contact glass 62 is in contact with the contact surface 115 extending in the left-right direction above the insertion port 108 from below.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second support plate 102 is provided at a distance from the rear plate 12 on the front side. The second support surface 120, which is the front surface of the second support plate 102, includes a lower slit 123, an upper slit 122, a bending portion 125, and a protrusion 124.

  The lower slit 123 is an example of a second extending portion, and is formed through the second support plate 102 at a position on the rear side of the rear surface of the contact glass 62 as shown in FIG. The lower slit 123 extends in the left-right direction. The length of the lower slit 123 in the left-right direction is smaller than the length of the contact glass 62 in the left-right direction.

  The upper slit 122 is an example of a first extending portion, and is formed through the second support plate 102 at a position spaced above the lower slit 123. The upper slit 122 extends in the left-right direction in parallel with the lower slit 123. The length of the upper slit 122 in the left-right direction is the same as the length of the lower slit 123 in the left-right direction.

  The bent portion 125 is a portion sandwiched between the upper slit 122 and the lower slit 123 from above and below. Accordingly, the bent portion 125 is connected to the second support plate 102 at the left and right sides of the upper slit 122 and the lower slit 123 in the second support plate 102, and the upper slit 122 and the lower slit 123 in the second support plate 102 are connected. It is separated from the second support plate 102 at both upper and lower portions. Therefore, the bending part 125 can be bent and deformed so that the central part in the left-right direction moves (swings) in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the protrusion 124 protrudes forward from the central portion in the left-right direction of the flexible portion 125. The protrusion 124 has an inclined surface 126, an extended surface 127, and a lower surface 128.

  The inclined surface 126 is inclined so that the lower side is located on the front side.

  The extending surface 127 extends downward from the lower end edge of the inclined surface 126.

  The lower surface 128 extends rearward from the lower end edge of the extending surface 127. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower surface 128 is located on the same virtual plane F as the contact surface 115 on the upper side of the insertion port 108. That is, the lower surface 128 is located at the same height as the contact surface 115. The upper surface of the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 is in contact with the lower surface 128 from below.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 14, the ADF housing 6 has a facing surface 131. The facing surface 131 is formed on the left and right end portions of the contact glass 62, that is, on the lower side of each long side. Each facing surface 131 extends in the front-rear direction and has a support portion 133 and a separation portion 134.

  The support portion 133 is a portion that is more than the front half of the facing surface 131. The support part 133 is in contact with the lower surface of the contact glass 62 from below.

  The separation part 134 is a rear part of the support part 133. The separation part 134 is located below the support part 133. Therefore, the separation part 134 is separated downward from the lower surface of the contact glass 62, and a space is generated between the lower surface of the contact glass 62 and the separation part 134.

<Cover>

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the image reading device 3 includes a drive transmission unit 145. The drive transmission unit 145 includes a gear mechanism and is supported by a drive frame 140 made of sheet metal. The drive frame 140 is disposed on the front side of the left side portion 17 of the rear side plate 12. The drive transmission unit 145 transmits the driving force from a motor (not shown) to the supply roller 43, the separation roller 44, the first LF roller 46, the second LF roller 49, and the upper discharge roller 53.

  Further, the image reading apparatus 3 includes a cover 141 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. The cover 141 covers the protrusions 124 and the drive transmission unit 145 at once.

  Specifically, the cover 141 includes a first cover part 142, a second cover part 143, and a third cover part 144.

  The first cover part 142 is disposed above the drive transmission part 145 and the drive frame 140. The first cover part 142 extends in the front-rear direction.

  The second cover part 143 extends in the front-rear direction on the front side of the first cover part 142. The second cover part 143 extends upward from the front end edge of the first cover part 142, bends and extends forward, and further bends and extends downward.

  The third cover part 144 is formed on the front side of the second cover part 143. The third cover portion 144 integrally includes an upper wall portion 146, a left side wall portion 147, a right side wall portion 148, and a connecting wall portion 149.

  The upper wall portion 146 extends from the lower end edge of the front end portion of the second cover portion 143 to the front side. The left side portion 151 of the upper wall portion 146 is located above the rear end portion of the contact glass 62. The right side portion 152 of the upper wall portion 146 extends forward from the left side portion 151.

  The left side wall part 147 extends from the front end edge of the left side portion 151 of the upper wall part 146 to a position spaced apart from the upper surface of the contact glass 62. Thereby, the left side wall part 147 is opposed to the protrusion 124 with a space from the front side.

  The right wall portion 148 extends downward from the front end edge of the right portion 152 of the upper wall portion 146. The right side wall 148 has a smaller vertical dimension than the left side wall 147.

  The connecting wall part 149 is connected to the right end edge of the left side wall part 147 and the left end edge of the right side wall part 148, and extends in the front-rear direction therebetween.

<Attachment of contact glass>

  When the contact glass 62 is attached to the ADF housing 6, first, the front end portion of the contact glass 62 is inserted into the insertion port 108 of the first support surface 114. The rear end portion of the contact glass 62 is located above the protrusion 124 as shown in FIG. 11A.

  Next, the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 is moved downward. In the middle of this movement, as shown in FIG. 11B, the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 comes into contact with the inclined surface 126 of the protrusion 124.

  After the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 comes into contact with the inclined surface 126 of the protrusion 124, when the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 is pushed down, a force applied from the contact glass 62 to the inclined surface 128 causes the protrusion 124 to move. It is converted into a force to move to the rear side. 11C, the bent portion 125 bends backward, the protrusion 124 moves rearward, and the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 slides on the inclined surface 126 and below the protrusion 124. Move to the side.

  When the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 is moved below the lower end edge of the extending surface 127 and the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 moves away from the extending surface 127, the bending portion 125 that is deformed by bending is formed. Restore forward. With this restoration, as shown in FIG. 11D, the lower surface 128 of the protrusion 124 is disposed on the upper surface of the rear end portion of the contact glass 62.

  Here, the lower surface of the contact glass 62 is in contact with the support portion 133 of the facing surface 131, and the contact glass 62 is supported by the support portion 133 from below. Further, since the separation portion 134 of the facing surface 131 is located below the support portion 133, the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 that faces the separation portion 134 is pushed down, so that the rear end of the contact glass 62. The lower surface of the portion is bent so as to be located below the support portion 133 of the facing surface 131. Therefore, the upper surface of the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 is positioned below the lower surface 128 of the protrusion 124. Therefore, the protrusion 124 is restrained from being caught by the contact glass 62 when the bent portion 125 is restored.

  After that, when the pressing of the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 is released, the upper surface of the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 becomes the lower surface 128 of the protrusion 124 by the elasticity of the elastic member provided on the lower side of the contact image sensor module 61. Pressed against. Further, the upper surface of the front end portion of the contact glass 62 is pressed against the upper contact surface 115 of the insertion port 108. Thereby, the contact glass 62 is supported by the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102, and the attachment of the contact glass 62 to the ADF housing 6 is completed. Since the lower surface 128 and the contact surface 115 are positioned at the same height, the contact glass 62 can be supported horizontally.

<Effect>

  According to this configuration, the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102 have the first support surface 114 and the second support surface 120. The first support surface 114 and the second support surface 120 are provided at an interval in the front-rear direction. The first support surface 114 includes an insertion port 108. The second support surface 120 includes a bent portion 125, a protrusion 124, an upper slit 122, and a lower slit 123. The protrusion 124 protrudes forward from the bent portion 125. The bending portion 125 can be bent by the upper slit 122 and the lower slit 123 so that the protrusion 124 is displaced in the front-rear direction.

  When the contact glass 62 is supported by the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102, first, the front end portion of the contact glass 62 is inserted into the insertion port 108. Next, the bending portion 125 is deformed so that the protrusion 124 moves rearward. Due to this deformation, the protrusion 124 is retracted rearward, so that the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 can be buried under the lower surface 128 of the protrusion 124. Thereafter, when the deformed bent portion 125 is restored, the protrusion 124 comes into contact with the upper surface of the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 from above. As a result, the front end portion of the contact glass 62 is inserted into the insertion port 108, and the contact glass 62 is moved in the state where the upward movement of the rear end portion is restricted by the lower surface 128 of the protrusion 124. 2 supported by the support plate 102.

  Thus, the contact glass 62 can be supported by the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102 without using a member other than the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102. Further, the configuration of the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102 is simple. Therefore, the image reading device 3 can be reduced in size and weight.

  The upper slit 122 and the lower slit 123 extend longer than the protrusion 124 in the left-right direction.

  Thereby, the protrusion 124 can be favorably displaced in the front-rear direction.

  The slit includes an upper slit 122 extending in the left-right direction and a lower slit 123 extending in parallel with the upper slit 122 spaced in the vertical direction.

  A portion between the upper slit 122 and the lower slit 123 is used as a bending portion 125, and the bending portion 125 can be easily bent.

  The protrusion 124 has an inclined surface 126 that is inclined so as to protrude forward as it approaches the contact glass 62.

  When the contact glass 62 is brought into contact with the inclined surface 126 and a downward force is applied from the contact glass 62 to the inclined surface 126, the force is converted into a force for moving the protrusion 124 rearward. The bending portion 125 can be bent by the force so that the protrusion 124 moves backward. Therefore, the contact glass 62 can be easily assembled to the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102.

  The upper slit 122 and the lower slit 123 are formed shorter than the contact glass 62 in the left-right direction.

  Thereby, it can suppress that the contact glass 62 falls out through the upper slit 122 and the lower slit 123. FIG.

  The ADF housing 6 has a facing surface 131 that faces the contact glass 62 from below. The facing surface 131 contacts the contact glass 62, and the contact glass 62 is supported from below with the support portion 133 and the rear end of the contact glass 62. And a separation part 134 that is separated from the part.

  Thereby, the rear-end part of the contact glass 62 can be bent below. As a result, it becomes easy to sink the rear end portion of the contact glass 62 below the lower surface 128 of the protrusion 124.

  The insertion port 108 has an abutment surface 115 that abuts the contact glass 62 from above, and the abutment surface 115 and the surface of the projection 124 that abuts the contact glass 62 are arranged on the same virtual plane.

  Thereby, the front end part and the rear end part of the contact glass 62 can be brought into good contact with the contact surface 115 and the lower surface 128 of the protrusion 124, respectively. Therefore, the support state of the contact glass 62 by the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102 can be stabilized.

  The image reading apparatus 3 includes a drive transmission unit 145 that is supported by the drive frame 140 and transmits a driving force for conveying the sheet S. Further, a cover 141 that covers the protrusions 124 and the drive transmission unit 145 at once is provided.

  Since the projections 124 and the drive transmission unit 145 are covered by the cover 141, the user can be prevented from touching the projections 124 and the drive transmission unit 145. By preventing the user from touching the protrusion 124, the contact glass 62 can be prevented from coming off the second support plate 102.

  The upper reading unit 48 is positioned with respect to the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102.

  Since the contact glass 62 is supported by the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102, the reading unit is positioned with respect to the first support plate 101 and the second support plate 102. The positional relationship with the glass 62 can be kept constant. As a result, the image on the sheet S can be read satisfactorily.

  The conveyance path 33 is formed in a U shape having an upper path 34 positioned relatively on the upper side and a lower path 35 positioned relatively on the lower side, and the upper reading unit 49 is disposed on the lower side of the upper path 34. The image reading device 3 is provided below the lower path 35 so as to read the image of the sheet S conveyed on the lower path 35. A lower reading unit 52 for reading is provided.

  Thereby, the image reading apparatus 3 can read both surfaces of the sheet S by one conveyance of the sheet S.

Second Embodiment

  Instead of the above-described configuration, the configuration shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 may be employed. In FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, portions corresponding to the respective portions described above are given the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the second support surface 120, which is the front surface of the second support plate 102, includes a first slit 201, a second slit 202, a third slit 203, a bending portion 204, and a protrusion 124. .

  The first slit 201 and the second slit 202 extend in the up-down direction with an interval in the left-right direction.

  The third slit 203 is connected to the lower ends of the first slit 201 and the second slit 202.

  The bending portion 204 is a portion surrounded by the first slit 201, the second slit 202 and the third slit 203. The bending portion 204 can be bent and deformed so that the lower end portion moves in the front-rear direction.

  The protrusion 124 protrudes forward from the lower end that is the free end of the flexure 204.

  The configuration shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 can provide the same operational effects as the configuration described above.

<Modification>

  As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form.

  For example, the structure which the insertion port 108 penetrates the 1st support plate 101 in the front-back direction was taken up. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the insertion port 108 may be a recess formed on the rear surface of the first support plate 101.

  In addition, various design changes can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Image reading apparatus 33 Conveyance path 34 Upper path 35 Lower path 43 Supply roller 44 Separation roller 46 1st LF roller 47 1st driven roller 48 Upper reading part 49 2nd LF roller 50 2nd driven roller 51 3rd driven roller 52 Lower reading part 53 Pair of discharge rollers 62 Contact glass 101 First support plate 102 Second support plate 108 Insertion port 114 First support surface 115 Upper inner surface 120 Second support surface 122 Upper slit 123 Lower slit 124 Protrusion 125 Bending portion 128 Inclined Surface 131 Opposing surface 133 Supporting portion 134 Separating portion 141 Cover 145 Drive transmission portion 201 First slit 202 Second slit 203 Third slit 204 Deflection portion S sheet

Claims (11)

A transport unit that transports a document in a predetermined transport direction along the transport path;
A reading unit that reads an image of a document conveyed along the conveyance path by the conveyance unit;
A document facing member disposed on the transport path side with respect to the reading unit and extending in a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction;
A support member for supporting the document facing member,
The document facing member has a document contact surface with which a document transported in the transport direction contacts the transport path,
The support member includes a first support surface and a second support surface that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction.
The first support surface includes an insertion portion into which the one end portion in the width direction of the document facing member is inserted,
The second support surface includes a bent portion, a protrusion protruding from the bent portion toward the first support surface, and abutting the document facing member from the conveyance path side, and the protrusion being displaced in the width direction. An image reading apparatus comprising: a slit for bending the bending portion.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slit extends longer than the protrusion in the transport direction parallel to the document contact surface.   The slit extends in parallel with a first extension extending in the transport direction parallel to the document contact surface and in parallel with the first extension in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first extension. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, comprising two extending portions. The slit includes a first extension that extends in a direction orthogonal to the width direction, and a second extension that extends in parallel to the first extension in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first extension. And a third extension connected to each one end of the first extension and the second extension,
The flexure is surrounded by the first extension, the second extension, and the third extension,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided at an end portion on a free end side of the bending portion.   5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion has an inclined surface that is inclined so as to protrude toward the first support surface as it approaches the document facing member.   6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slit is formed shorter than the document facing member in the transport direction parallel to the document contact surface. The support member has a facing surface facing the document facing member from the side opposite to the conveyance path side,
The facing surface is in contact with the document facing member and is separated from a support portion that supports the document facing member from the side opposite to the transport path side and an end portion of the document facing member on the second support surface side. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a separation portion that performs the separation. The insertion portion has a contact surface that contacts the document facing member from the transport path side,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface and the surface of the protrusion that contacts the document facing member are arranged on the same virtual plane. The transport unit includes a drive transmission unit that is provided on the support member and transmits a driving force for transporting a document.
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cover that collectively covers the protrusion and the drive transmission unit.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is positioned with respect to the support member. The conveyance path is formed in a U shape having an upper path positioned relatively on the upper side and a lower path positioned relatively on the lower side,
The reading unit is a first reading unit that is arranged on one lower side of the upper path and the lower path and reads an image of a document conveyed on one of the upper path and the lower path,
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second reading unit that is disposed below the other of the upper path and the lower path and reads an image of a document that is conveyed on the other of the upper path and the lower path. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1.

Images