JP2020190703A - Image reading device and image forming apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to provide an image reading device that includes an electrical connection structure of the image reading device that can be less likely to be adversely affected by the components of an image forming unit.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 comprises an image reading device 10, an ADF 14, and a cable 94. The image reading device 10 includes a housing 24 that is provided on its top face with a document placement table 26. The ADF 14 is provided above the housing 24. The cable 94 electrically connects the ADF 14 with a control board for image reading provided below the housing 24. The cable 94 is inserted into a guide path 80 that penetrates the housing 24 of the image reading device 10, and is disposed in accordance with the guide path 80. An inlet 82 and an outlet 84 of the guide path 80 are provided at positions different from each other in the horizontal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to an image reading device and an image forming device including the image reading device, and more particularly, for example, an image reading device including an automatic document feeding device for transporting a document placed on a document placing tray to an image reading position. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

An example of an image reader of the background technique is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The image reading device of the background technology is provided with an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) with respect to the upper surface of the image reading unit via a hinge member, and the image reading unit and the ADF are electrically connected by a cable. Be connected. Inside the image reading unit and the ADF, a path extending straight upward from the control board of the image reading unit is formed by a cable guide portion protruding upward and a recess having a shape corresponding to the cable guide portion. The cable is inserted.

JP-A-2015-064412

However, in the image reader of the background technology, the path through which the cable is inserted extends straight in the vertical direction. Therefore, if the path is arranged near the drive unit of the ADF, the control board of the image reader becomes the fixing unit and the paper transport unit. In addition, there is a problem that the components of the image forming unit such as the control board of the image forming unit may be approached and adversely affected by the components of the image forming unit. Further, in the path extending straight in the vertical direction, there is a limit in arranging the path so as to be as far as possible from the components of the image forming portion in relation to the hinge member and the like.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a novel image reader and an image forming apparatus including the same.

Another object of the present invention is that the main object of the present invention is an image reader and an image forming device comprising the electrical connection structure of the image reader, which can be less susceptible to adverse effects by the components of the image forming unit. To provide the device.

The first invention is an image reading device including a housing, a reading unit, and a guide path. A document mounting table is provided on the upper surface of the housing. The reading unit reads the document placed on the document mounting table. The guide path penetrates the housing through a cable provided below the housing and electrically connecting a control board for controlling the document feeding device and a document feeding device provided above the housing. Insert it so that it does. Further, one open end of the guide path and the other open end of the guide path are provided at different positions in the horizontal direction.

The second invention is an image reading device dependent on the first invention, in which one open end is provided on the upper surface of the housing and the other open end is provided on the back surface of the housing.

A third invention is an image reading device dependent on the second invention, in which a guide path has a first portion extending downward from one open end and one end at the lower end of the first portion. Includes a second portion that is connected to and extends horizontally and a third portion that extends forward from the other open end and is connected to the other end of the second portion.

A fourth invention is an image reading device subordinate to the third invention, in which a first inclined surface is provided on an inner wall outside the connecting portion where the first portion and the second portion intersect.

A fifth invention is an image reading device subordinate to the fourth invention, in which the first inclined surface is provided in a range larger than one open end in the horizontal direction.

The sixth invention is an image reading device subordinate to any one of the third to fifth inventions, and a second inclination is provided on the outer inner wall of the connecting portion where the second portion and the third portion intersect. A surface is provided.

The seventh invention is an image reading device subordinate to the sixth invention, in which the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are inclined in different directions from each other.

The eighth invention is an image reading device dependent on any one of the third to seventh inventions, and the lower surface of the third portion has a third inclined surface that inclines downward toward the other opening end. Is provided.

The ninth invention is an image reading device dependent on any one of the first to eighth inventions, in which the opening area of the other opening end is larger than the opening area of one opening end.

A tenth invention is an image reading device dependent on any one of the first to ninth inventions, in which the lower surface of the guide path is inclined downward from one open end toward the other open end. To do.

The eleventh invention is an image reading device subordinate to any one of the first to tenth inventions, wherein a first connector connected to a connector of a document feeder is provided at one end of a cable. A second connector is provided at the other end of the cable to be connected to the connector on the control board, and the connector of the document feeder and the connector of the control board are arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction. One open end is provided in the horizontal direction at a position corresponding to the connector of the document feeder, and the other open end is provided at a position corresponding to the connector of the control board in the horizontal direction.

A twelfth invention is an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh inventions.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading device and an image forming device including the image reading device, which is provided with an electrical connection structure of the image reading device that can be less susceptible to adverse effects by the components of the image forming unit.

The above-mentioned object, other object, feature and advantage of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the following examples made with reference to the drawings.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the appearance of the image forming apparatus provided with the image reading apparatus which is 1st Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the appearance of the main body part of an image reader. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of an image reader by omitting the upper surface part. It is the schematic sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of ADF. It is a rear view which shows the appearance when the control part of an image reader is seen from the rear side. It is a top view which shows the internal structure of an image reader by omitting the upper surface part. It is the schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of a cable guide. It is the schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of a cable guide. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a cable guide. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a cable guide.

[First Example]
With reference to FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an image reading apparatus 10 and an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) 14. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction device (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral) having a copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and the like. However, the image forming apparatus 100 may be provided with at least an image reading apparatus 10 (scanner function), and the above other functions can be arbitrarily adopted.

First, the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be schematically described. In the present invention, the front-rear direction (depth direction) of the image forming apparatus 100 and its constituent members is defined with the surface facing the user's standing position, that is, the surface on the side where the operation unit 16 is provided as the front surface (front surface). The left-right direction (lateral direction) of the image forming apparatus 100 and its constituent members is defined with reference to a state in which the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed by the user. Further, the longitudinal direction of the CIS scanning body 34, which will be described later, is referred to as a main scanning direction, and a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, in which the CIS scanning body 34 reciprocates, is referred to as a sub-scanning direction. In this first embodiment, the front-rear direction is the main scanning direction, and the left-right direction is the sub-scanning direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming apparatus main body 12, an image reading apparatus 10 arranged above the image forming apparatus main body 12, and an ADF 14 arranged above the image reading apparatus 10. Based on the image data read by the reading device 10 or the image data transmitted from an external computer, a multicolored or monochromatic image is formed on a predetermined paper (recording paper).

A control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus main body 12. The control unit includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and transmits a control signal to each part of the image forming apparatus 100 including the image reading apparatus 10 in response to an input operation to the operation unit 16 by the user, and sends the control signal to the image forming apparatus 100. Perform various operations. Further, although details will be described later, the control unit includes a control board 96 for image formation and a control board 98 for image reading (see FIG. 5).

Further, the image forming apparatus main body 12 includes an image forming unit 18 including an exposure unit, a photoconductor drum, a charger, a developing apparatus, a fixing roller and the like. The image forming unit 18 is a general-purpose laser printer, forms an image on the recording paper conveyed from the paper feed cassette 20 or the like, and discharges the image-formed recording paper to the discharge tray 22.

Although detailed description is omitted, the image forming unit 18 has a color printing function, and is a photoconductor for each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). An image forming station including a drum, a charger, a developing device, and the like is configured. Further, the image forming unit 18 may be configured by an inkjet printer instead of the laser printer.

The image reading device 10 includes a housing 24. Further, on the front side of the housing 24, an operation unit 16 including a touch panel display and operation buttons for receiving input operations by the user is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 24 includes a lower housing portion 240 and an upper housing portion 242, and is made of a synthetic resin or the like. The lower housing portion 240 has a rectangular flat plate-shaped bottom plate 24a and four side walls 24b on the left, right, front, and rear that rise from the peripheral portion thereof. The upper housing portion 242 is formed in a frame shape so as to cover the upper surface of the peripheral portion of the document mounting table (also referred to as platen glass) 26 and the SPF glass 28 formed of the transparent material, with respect to the lower housing portion 240. , Screws and other fixtures (not shown).

The document mounting table 26 and the SPF glass 28 may be formed of one plate (single glass) or separate pieces (separate glass). Further, the upper housing portion 242 may also be composed of one member or a combination of a plurality of members.

Further, in the housing 24, a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) scanning body 34 for reading an image on a document placed on a document mounting table 26, a moving mechanism 36 for reciprocating the CIS scanning body 34, A flat cable 38 or the like for transmitting the image data acquired by the CIS scanning body 34 to the control unit is provided.

The CIS scanning body 34 is a so-called close contact type image sensor, and has a base (carriage) 40 provided so as to be reciprocally movable in the sub-scanning direction (left-right direction) and an image reading unit 42 held by the base 40. Including.

The base 40 is formed in a rectangular box shape with an open upper side, and is arranged in the housing 24 so that the longitudinal direction extends in the main scanning direction (front-back direction). The image reading unit 42 includes a light source, a rod lens array, a plurality of image pickup elements (photoelectric conversion elements), and the like, which are arranged so as to extend long in the main scanning direction. The light source is, for example, an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged, and illuminates the surface of the document. The rod lens array collects the reflected light from the document on a plurality of image pickup elements. The plurality of image pickup devices read the pixel information imaged by the rod lens array. Further, at the rear end of the image reading unit 42, a connector mounted on a circuit board connected to each component of the image reading unit 42 is provided. Although not shown, the connector of the image reading unit 42 is provided so as to be exposed on the side surface of the base 40, and one end of the flat cable 38 is connected to this connector.

The moving mechanism 36 includes a guide shaft 46 and a driving mechanism such as a driving pulley, a driven pulley, and a traction member 48. The guide shaft 46 guides the reciprocating movement of the CIS scanning body 34, and extends on the bottom plate 24a of the housing 24 in the sub-scanning direction. The base 40 of the CIS scanning body 34 is movably supported by the guide shaft 46 at the center of the lower surface in the main scanning direction.

The drive pulley is provided near one end of the guide shaft 46, and the driven pulley is provided near the other end of the guide shaft 46. An endless band-shaped traction member 48 is wound (hanged) around the drive pulley and the driven pulley, and the base 40 of the CIS scanning body 34 is connected to the traction member 48. The drive pulley is rotated by a motor (not shown) which is a drive source, and the driving force is transmitted to the traction member 48. The towing member 48 is composed of a timing belt, a wire, a chain, or the like, and pulls the CIS scanning body 34 by rotating around with the rotation of the drive pulley. As a result, the CIS scanning body 34 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction along the guide shaft 46. Further, the driven pulley applies a predetermined tension to the towing member 48, and rotates with the circumferential movement of the towing member 48.

The flat cable 38 is a strip-shaped wiring member (flexible flat cable) having flexibility, and is formed by covering a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel with an insulator. The flat cable 38 is for a flat cable of a control board 98 for image reading, one end of which is connected to the connector of the image reading unit 42 and the other end of which is arranged outside the housing 24 (inside the image forming apparatus main body 12). It is connected to the connector 98b of. Therefore, the image reading unit 42 and the control unit are electrically connected. Further, the flat cable 38 can be deformed by following the movement of the CIS scanning body 34.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the ADF 14 is openably and closably mounted on the housing 24 via a hinge or the like. On the back surface of the housing 24 (lower housing portion 240), a housing extending portion 24d is provided behind the side wall 24b on the rear side, and a mounting portion is provided on the housing extending portion 24d. The ADF 14 can be opened and closed so that the front side moves up and down with the mounting portion on the back side as an opening / closing fulcrum.

The mounting portion includes, for example, a hinge. The hinge includes an upper hinge piece and a lower hinge piece that are rotatably provided with each other. The upper hinge piece is attached to the ADF14. The lower hinge piece is formed in a prismatic shape. The lower hinge piece has a through hole 246 formed by a rectangular opening end 244 formed in the upper housing portion 242 shown in FIG. 2 and a lower housing portion 240 (housing extending portion 24d) shown in FIG. ) Is inserted into the engaging hole 250 formed by the square cylinder shape 248. As a result, the ADF 14 can be opened and closed on the upper part of the image reading device 10 (housing 24) via a hinge.

The ADF 14 includes a main body case 50 made of a synthetic resin forming its outer shell. A paper feed port 52 is formed in the upper part of the main body case 50, and a document loading tray 54 for ADF is provided so as to extend obliquely upward from the paper feed port 52. The ADF 14 has a function of pressing a document placed on a document placing table 26 of an image reading device 10 (a document holding function) and a document placed on a document placing tray 54 for ADF via an image reading position 44. It has a function of continuously transporting (feeding) to the output tray 56.
Further, a pair of side guides 58 movable in the width direction are provided on the upper surface of the document placing tray 54. The side guide 58 has a function of restricting and aligning the documents placed on the document placing tray 54 from both sides.

In the main body case 50, a pickup roller 60 for taking out the document placed on the document placing tray 54 is provided so as to be vertically movable. Further, on the downstream side of the pickup roller 60, a paper feed roller 62 for feeding the paper taken out from the document loading tray 54 by the pickup roller 60 to the document transport path L1 is provided. A pickup holder 64 is provided so as to cover above and around the pickup roller 60 and the paper feed roller 62. The pickup roller 60 is supported by the pickup holder 64 so as to be vertically movable around the rotation axis of the paper feed roller 62.

Further, a separation unit 66 for preventing double feeding of documents is provided at a position facing the paper feed roller 62. The separation unit 66 includes a separation pad that is a separation member that separates the originals sent out by the paper feed roller 62 into one sheet, a separation pad holder that is a support member that supports the separation pad, and the like.

Further, a plurality of transport rollers 68 and a paper ejection roller 70 are provided on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 62, and the paper eject port 72 is provided in the main body case 50 from the paper feed port 52 via the image reading position 44. A document transport path L1 extending to is formed. The documents sent to the document transfer path L1 by the paper feed rollers 62 are conveyed to the image reading position 44 by the plurality of transfer rollers 68. Then, while the document is being conveyed (passing) on the image reading position 44, the image on the surface of the document is read by the CIS scanning body 34 (image reading unit 42) of the image reading device 10. The document that has passed through the image reading position 44 is guided to the paper ejection port 72 by the transport roller 68 and the paper ejection roller 70, and is ejected onto the paper ejection tray 56.

In such an image reading device 10, when the image on the document placed on the document mounting table 26 is read (in the case of fixed reading), the CIS scanning body 34 is placed below the document mounting table 26 in the sub-scanning direction. By moving back and forth, the image on the document is read and the image data is acquired. On the other hand, when reading an image on a document placed on a document placing tray 54 (in the case of scanning), the CIS scanning body 34 stands by below a predetermined image reading position and is conveyed by the ADF 14. When the document passes the image scanning position, the image on the document is scanned and the image data is acquired.

Although not shown, a drive unit for the ADF 14 is provided in the main body case 50. The drive unit of the ADF 14 includes a paper feed motor and a transport motor. The paper feed motor and the transport motor are general-purpose rotary motors. The paper feed motor applies a rotational driving force to the pickup roller 60 and the paper feed roller 62. The transfer motor applies a rotational driving force to the transfer roller 68 and the paper discharge roller 70. In this embodiment, the drive unit (paper feed motor and transport motor) of the ADF 14 is provided at the center of the ADF 14 in the left-right direction (width direction of the image forming apparatus 100).

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, at the rear end of the drive unit of the ADF 14, the ADF 14 is mounted on a circuit board connected to each component (paper feed motor and transport motor) of the drive unit of the ADF 14. The connector 14a of the drive unit of the above is provided.

The connector 14a of the ADF 14 and the connector 98a of the control board 98 for image reading are connected by a cable 94. The cable 94 is a flexible wiring member, and is formed by covering a conducting wire with an insulator.

One end of the cable 94 is provided with a first connector connected to the connector 14a of the ADF 14, and the other end of the cable 94 is connected to the connector 98a of the control board 98 for image reading. Two connectors are provided. Then, one end (upper end) of the cable 94 is connected to the connector 14a of the ADF 14, and the other end (lower end) is connected to the connector 98a of the control board 98 for image reading.

Therefore, the ADF 14 and the control unit are electrically connected, and the paper feed motor and the transport motor are controlled by the control unit of the image forming apparatus 100, and are operated and stopped according to the instructions of the control unit.

Further, the cable 94 is inserted into a guide path 80 formed by a through hole penetrating the housing 24 of the image reading device 10, and is arranged (wired) according to the guide path 80.

However, it is desirable that the connector of the ADF 14 is provided in the vicinity of the drive unit (paper feeding motor, transport motor, etc.) of the ADF 14 so that the cable length (cable length) does not become longer than necessary. As described above, since the drive unit of the ADF 14 is provided substantially in the center of the ADF 14 in the left-right direction, it is desirable that the connector of the ADF 14 is provided near the center of the ADF 14 in the left-right direction.

On the other hand, the connector 98a of the control board 98 for image reading is an image forming unit so as not to be adversely affected by the components of the image forming part such as the fixing part, the paper conveying part for image forming, and the control board of the image forming part. It is desirable to be located away from the components of. For example, since the component of the image forming unit is arranged on one side (for example, the right side) in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100, the connector 98a of the control board 98 for image reading is in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100. It is desirable to place it at the other end (for example, the left end).

As described above, when the connector of the ADF 14 and the connector 98a of the control board for image reading are arranged at the optimum positions, the connector of the ADF 14 and the connector 98a of the control board 98 for image reading are respectively arranged in the left-right direction (horizontal direction). ) Will be placed at different positions.

In the conventional image forming apparatus, the guide path through which the cable connecting the connector of the ADF and the connector of the control board for image reading is inserted is formed in a straight line so as to extend straight in the vertical direction.

However, in a configuration such as a conventional image forming apparatus, when the guide path is arranged near the connector of the ADF, that is, substantially in the center in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100, the lower end portion of the guide path (image reading). The end on the control board side) will be located near the components of the image forming unit. In this case, heat and humidity generated from the components of the image forming portion enter the inside of the main body case of the ADF through the guide path, and the inside of the ADF becomes hot and humid, which may cause a malfunction. .. Further, since the dust that has entered from the upper end portion (the end portion on the ADF side) of the guide path easily passes through the guide path, the dust easily adheres to the component parts of the image forming portion, which may cause a malfunction. Further, when a foreign substance such as a clip enters from the upper end of the guide path, there is a problem that the foreign matter falls into the image forming apparatus as it is. Furthermore, if the connector of the control board for image reading is provided near the lower end of the guide path in order to prevent the cable length from becoming long, there is a risk of being adversely affected by the components of the image forming portion.

On the other hand, there is a problem that it is difficult to arrange the guide path directly above the connector of the control board for image reading, that is, at the end of the image forming apparatus 100 in the width direction in relation to the hinge member and the like. Further, since the connector of the ADF 14 and the upper end portion of the guide path are separated from each other, there is a problem that the cable length becomes longer than necessary. Further, it is conceivable to set the cable insertion path outside the housing of the image reading unit, but the cable length becomes long and the aesthetic appearance is spoiled.

Hereinafter, the guide path 80 and the peripheral structure of the guide path 80 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. First, the arrangement mode of each control board of this embodiment will be described.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, each of the image forming control board 96, the image reading control board 98, and some of the components (fixing part, image forming paper transporting part) of the image forming part 18 is an image. It is arranged in the upper part on the back side of the forming device 100. Specifically, the image forming control board 96 is arranged on the back side of the image reading device 10 and attached to the back side of the housing 24. Further, the control board 96 for image formation is arranged at the center of the housing 24 (image reading device 10) in the left-right direction.

The control board 98 for image reading is located below the housing 24 and is arranged on the upper left side of the back surface side in the image forming apparatus main body 12. The fixing unit and the paper transport unit for image formation are arranged on the upper right side of the back side in the image forming apparatus main body 12. That is, the control board 98 for image reading is arranged on the opposite side of the component parts of the image forming portion 18 such as the fixing portion and the paper conveying portion for forming an image in the left-right direction. Further, the connector 98a of the control board 98 for image reading is provided at the center of the control board 98 for image reading in the left-right direction.

The control board 98 for image reading, the fixing unit, and the paper transport unit for image formation are attached to a frame of an image forming apparatus main body 12 (not shown). Further, on the back side of the control board 96 for image formation, the control board 98 for image reading, and the image forming unit 18, a back plate that can be attached to and detached from (opens and closes) the image forming apparatus main body 12 and the housing 24 is provided. It is provided. However, in FIG. 5, the illustration of the back plate is omitted.

Next, the structure of the guide path 80 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide path 80 is provided behind the document mounting table 26, that is, at the end on the back side of the housing 24, and is roughly formed by a through hole penetrating the housing 24 of the image reading device 10. It is formed in a shape. Specifically, the side wall 24b on the back side and the upper housing portion 242 are integrated to form the guide path 80. However, the guide path 80 is separated from the space where the CIS scanning body 34, the moving mechanism 36, and the like are provided.

The opening end (entrance) 82 on one side (upper side) of the guide path 80 is provided on the upper surface (upper housing portion 242) of the housing 24 of the image reading device 10. Further, the entrance 82 is provided in the internal space of the main body case 50.

The other (lower) opening end (exit) 84 of the guide path 80 is provided on the back surface of the housing 24 of the image reading device 10. Further, the outlet 84 is provided in the internal space of the image forming apparatus main body 12.
Specifically, it is provided on the front side of the back plate that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12 and the housing 24. That is, the guide path 80 is formed so as to pass from the inlet 82 provided on the upper surface of the housing 24 to the outlet 84 provided on the back surface of the housing 24 through the inside of the housing 24.

The inlet 82 is provided near directly below the drive unit of the ADF 14. That is, the inlet 82 is provided at a position corresponding to the drive unit of the ADF 14 in the horizontal direction (left-right direction). In this embodiment, the inlet 82 is provided near the center of the ADF 14 and the housing 24 in the left-right direction.

The outlet 84 is provided above (substantially directly above) the connector 98a of the control board 98 for reading an image. That is, the outlet 84 is provided at a position corresponding to the connector 98a of the control board 98 for image reading in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction). In this embodiment, the outlet 84 is provided on the left side of the center of the housing 24 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the outlet 84 is provided on the left side of the inlet 82. In this way, the inlet 82 and the outlet 84 are provided at different positions in the horizontal direction.

Further, the guide path 80 includes a plurality of spaces (parts). In this embodiment, the guide path 80 includes the first portion 802, the second portion 804, and the third portion 806 in order from the inlet 82 side.

The first portion 802 is a portion extending in the vertical direction, and one end portion (end end or upper end portion on the inlet 82 side) communicates with the inlet 82 and extends downward from the inlet 82 (one end portion). Is formed as follows. That is, the first portion 802 extends from the inlet 82 toward the exit 84 in the vertical direction.

The second portion 804 is a portion extending in the left-right direction (horizontal direction), and one end (the end on the inlet 82 side or the right end) is the other end (the end on the exit 84 side) of the first portion 802. Or it is connected (connected) to the lower end). In this embodiment, the second portion 804 is formed so as to extend to the left from the connection portion (one end portion) with the first portion 802. That is, the second portion 804 extends from the connection portion with the first portion 802 toward the exit 84 in the horizontal direction (left-right direction).

The third portion 806 is a portion extending in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction), and one end (end on the inlet 82 side or front end) is the other end of the second portion 804 (end on the exit 84 side). Or it is connected to the left end). In this embodiment, the third portion 806 is formed so as to extend rearward from one end (connecting portion with the second portion 804). Further, the other end (rear end) of the third portion 806 is communicated with the outlet 84. That is, the third portion 806 extends from the connection portion with the second portion 804 toward the exit 84.

Further, the guide path 80 includes a plurality of guide surfaces (inclined surfaces). In this embodiment, the guide path 80 includes the first inclined surface 88, the second inclined surface 90, and the third inclined surface 92 in this order from the inlet 82 side. Each of the first inclined surface 88 and the second inclined surface 90 is provided at a portion (bent portion) where the guide path 80 is bent, and the third inclined surface 92 is provided near the outlet 84.

The first inclined surface 88 is provided at a connecting portion (first bent portion) between the first portion 802 and the second portion 804. Specifically, the first inclined surface 88 is provided on the outer inner wall of the first bent portion, and inclines downward from right to left (from the entrance 82 to the exit 84) (becomes a downward slope). ) It is an inclined surface. That is, the first inclined surface 88 guides the cable 94 inserted into the guide path 80 from the first portion 802 to the second portion 804 (from the inlet 82 toward the exit 84) at the first bent portion. It is provided to (guide). As an example, the first inclined surface 88 is inclined by approximately 45 ° with respect to the pipe shaft of the first portion 802 (the direction in which the cable 94 is inserted) and the pipe shaft of the second portion 804.

Further, the first inclined surface 88 is provided so as to form a lower surface of a part of the lower surface (a part on one end side) of the second portion 804.

Further, the first inclined surface 88 is provided so as to form at least the entire lower surface of the first portion 802. That is, the first inclined surface 88 is provided in a size larger than the contour of the inner peripheral surface of the first portion 802 when viewed from above. That is, the first inclined surface 88 is provided in a range larger than the contour of the inner peripheral surface of the first portion 802 when viewed from above. Further, in the present embodiment, the inner circumference of the opening of the inlet 82 has the same size as the inner circumference of the first portion 802. Therefore, the first inclined surface 88 is provided so as to include all the contours of the inner peripheral surface of the inlet 82 (in a range larger than the contour of the inner peripheral surface of the inlet 82) when viewed from above. I can say.

Specifically, the first inclined surface 88 is provided in a range larger than the contour of the inner peripheral surface of the inlet 82 by a predetermined dimension (dimension a shown in FIG. 7) in the direction in which the cable 94 moves (leftward). For example, the dimension a is about 5 to 10 mm, and the first inclined surface 88 is provided so as to extend about 5 to 10 mm to the left from the contour of the inner peripheral surface of the inlet 82. However, the first inclined surface 88 may be provided so as to extend by a predetermined dimension with respect to the contour of the inner peripheral surface of the inlet 82 in the front-rear direction, or only a part (for example, the central portion) in the front-rear direction is provided. It may be provided so as to extend by a predetermined dimension with respect to the contour of the inner peripheral surface of the inlet 82.

That is, the end portion (left end portion) of the first inclined surface 88 on the outlet 84 side is located on the outlet 84 side (left side) of the inlet 82. That is, the first inclined surface 88 is provided so as to extend from the inlet 82 to the outlet 84 side (second portion 804 side) in the horizontal direction.

The second inclined surface 90 is provided at a connecting portion (second bent portion) between the second portion 804 and the third portion 806. Specifically, the second inclined surface 90 is provided on the outer inner wall of the second bent portion, and is an inclined surface that inclines forward from right to left (from the entrance 82 to the exit 84). That is, the second inclined surface 90 guides the cable 94 inserted into the guide path 80 from the second portion 804 to the third portion 806 (from the inlet 82 toward the exit 84) at the second bent portion. It is provided to do so. As an example, the second inclined surface 90 is inclined by approximately 45 ° with respect to each of the pipe shaft of the second portion 804 and the pipe shaft of the third portion 806. Further, the first inclined surface 88 and the second inclined surface 90 are inclined in different directions so as to intersect with each other.

The third inclined surface 92 is provided on the lower surface of the third portion 806. Specifically, the third inclined surface 92 is provided from the middle of the lower surface of the third portion 806 in the front-rear direction to the exit 84, and is downward from the front to the rear (from the entrance 82 to the exit 84). It is an inclined surface that inclines (becomes a downward slope). Further, the left and right side surfaces of the third portion 806 are substantially parallel surfaces, and the dimensions of the third portion 806 in the left-right direction are substantially constant in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, since the top surface of the third portion 806 is a substantially horizontal plane, the dimension of the third portion 806 gradually increases in the vertical direction toward the rear. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the third portion 806 gradually increases toward the rear (exit 84). As an example, the third inclined surface 92 is inclined at about 30 ° with respect to the pipe axis (horizontal) of the third portion 806. Therefore, the operator can easily take out the cable 94 inserted into the guide path 80.

Each of the first inclined surface 88, the second inclined surface 90, and the third inclined surface 92 may be a flat surface or a curved surface.

Further, the lower surface of the guide path 80 is formed with a downward slope that inclines downward from the inlet 82 toward the exit 84, including parts other than the first inclined surface 88, the second inclined surface 90, and the third inclined surface 92. .. That is, the lower surface of the second portion 804 excluding the first inclined surface 88 and the lower surface of the third portion 806 excluding the third inclined surface 92 also have a downward slope from the inlet 82 toward the exit 84.

Further, the cross-sectional area (opening area) of the outlet 84 is larger than the cross-sectional area (opening area) of the inlet 82. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of the second portion 804 gradually increases toward the outlet 84.

In this first embodiment, the inlet 82 and the outlet 84 of the guide path 80 are provided at different positions in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the inlet 82 can be arranged near the connector of the ADF 14, and the outlet 84 can be arranged away from the components of the image forming unit 18. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heat and humidity generated from the components of the image forming portion from flowing into the inside of the main body case 50 of the ADF 14 through the guide path 80 and causing the inside of the ADF 14 to become hot and humid.

Further, according to the first embodiment, foreign matter and dust such as clips are dammed up by the bent portion of the guide path 80, so that foreign matter and dust such as clips are less likely to enter the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 12.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the connector 14a of the ADF 14 and the connector 98a of the control board 98 for image reading are arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction, and the inlet 82 of the guide path 80 is located in the horizontal direction. The outlet 84 of the guide path 80 is provided at a position corresponding to the connector 14a of the ADF 14, and is provided at a position corresponding to the connector 98a of the control board 98 for image reading in the horizontal direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the adverse effects of the components of the image forming unit 18 from reaching the connector 98a of the control board 98 for image reading.

Further, in the first embodiment, the inlet 82 of the guide path 80 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 24, and the outlet 84 of the guide path 80 is provided on the back surface of the housing 24. When inserting the cable 94, the operator usually stands on the back side, so that the visibility of the outlet 84 can be ensured.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the guide path 80 extends horizontally with a first portion 802 extending downward from the inlet 82 and one end connected to the lower end of the first portion 802. A second portion 804 and a third portion 806 extending upward from the outlet 84 and connected to the other end of the second portion 804, of the connection between the first portion 802 and the second portion 804. A first inclined surface 88 is provided on the outer inner wall. Therefore, at the connection portion between the first portion 802 and the second portion 804 where the guide path 80 is bent, the cable 94 inserted into the guide path 80 is guided toward the outlet 84 by the first inclined surface 88, so that the guide is guided. Even if the inside of the path 80 cannot be ignored, workability can be improved when wiring the cable 94.

Further, according to the first embodiment, since the first inclined surface 88 is provided so as to extend toward the outlet 84 side from the inlet 82 in the horizontal direction, the cable 94 has a shape that is easily guided toward the outlet 84. Therefore, workability can be improved when wiring the cable 94.

Further, according to the first embodiment, since the second inclined surface 90 is provided on the outer inner wall of the connecting portion between the second portion 804 and the third portion 806, the workability when wiring the cable 94 is improved. It can be improved.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the cross-sectional area of the outlet 84 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the inlet 82, the workability of wiring the cable 94, particularly the work of pulling out the cable 94 from the outlet 84, is improved. It can be improved.

Further, according to the first embodiment, since the lower surface of the guide path 80 inclines downward from the inlet 82 toward the outlet 84, it is possible to improve workability when wiring the cable 94.
[Second Example]
Since the image reading device 10 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the configuration of the guide path 80 is partially changed, duplicate description will be omitted.

Next, the image reading device 10 which is the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the inlet 82 and the outlet 84 are provided at different positions in the left-right direction, but in the second embodiment, the inlet 82 and the exit 84 are at least in the left-right direction. It is provided at substantially the same position. However, as in the first embodiment, the outlet 84 is provided on the back surface of the housing 24. Further, the outlet 84 may be provided on the back side of the inlet 82, or may be provided substantially directly below the inlet 82. For example, when the outlet 84 is provided on the back side of the inlet 82, the guide path 80 has at least a portion extending downward from the inlet 82 (fourth portion) and a portion extending forward from the outlet 84. (Fifth part) is included, and it bends at the connection part between the fourth part and the fifth part. In this case, the outer inner wall of the connecting portion between the fourth portion and the fifth portion may be provided with an inclined surface that inclines downward from the front to the rear (from the entrance 82 to the exit 84).

According to this second embodiment, since the outlet 84 of the guide path 80 is provided on the back surface of the housing 24, the operator usually stands on the back side when inserting the cable 94, so that the outlet 84 Visibility can be ensured.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the CIS scanning body 34 is used as the scanning body, but instead of the CIS scanning body 34, a scanning body using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor can also be used.

Further, the specific shape and the like mentioned in the above-described embodiment are examples, and can be appropriately changed according to the actual product.

100 ... Image forming device 10 ... Image reading device 14 ... ADF
24 ... Housing 42 ... Image reading unit 80 ... Guide path 94 ... Cable 98 ... Control board for image reading

Claims (12)

A housing with a document mounting table on the top
A reading unit for reading a document placed on the document mounting table, a document feeding device provided above the housing, and a control board provided below the housing for controlling the document feeding device. A guide path for inserting a cable for electrically connecting the cables so as to penetrate the housing is provided.
An image reading device in which one open end of the guide path and the other open end of the guide path are provided at different positions in the horizontal direction. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the one opening end is arranged on the upper surface of the housing, and the other opening end is arranged on the back surface of the housing. The guide path includes a first portion extending downward from the one opening end, a second portion having one end connected to the lower end portion of the first portion and extending horizontally, and the other opening. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a third portion extending forward from one end and connected to the other end of the second portion. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein a first inclined surface is provided on the outer inner wall of the connecting portion where the first portion and the second portion intersect. The image reading device according to claim 4, wherein the first inclined surface is provided in a range larger than one of the open ends in the horizontal direction. The image reading device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein a second inclined surface is provided on the outer inner wall of the connecting portion where the second portion and the third portion intersect. The image reading device according to claim 6, wherein the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are inclined in different directions from each other. The image reading device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein a third inclined surface that inclines downward toward the other opening end is provided on the lower surface of the third portion. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the opening area of the other opening end is larger than the opening area of the one opening end. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lower surface of the guide path is inclined downward from the one opening end toward the other opening end. One end of the cable is provided with a first connector connected to the connector of the document feeder, and the other end of the cable is provided with a second connector connected to the connector of the control board. Provided,
The connector of the document feeder and the connector of the control board are arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction.
The one open end is provided at a position corresponding to the connector of the document feeder in the horizontal direction, and the other open end is provided at a position corresponding to the connector of the control board in the horizontal direction. Item 4. The image reading device according to any one of Items 1 to 10. An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images