JP6725368B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of detecting an approaching user.

Conventionally, the image forming apparatus shifts to a sleep mode in which power supply to many on-board devices is stopped except for some control devices when a predetermined time elapses in a non-used state, and the user operates the operation unit. Some touch screens return from sleep mode to normal mode. For example, the heating of the fixing device is stopped when shifting to the sleep mode, and the heating of the fixing device is restarted when returning to the normal mode. Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus, it may take a long time before returning from the sleep mode to the normal mode and enabling normal use.

Therefore, there has been proposed a technique for automatically returning the image forming apparatus from the sleep mode to the normal mode by detecting a user approaching the image forming apparatus with a detection sensor (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In addition, the detection range of the detection sensor is displayed on the operation unit, the operation unit accepts the change setting of the direction of the detection sensor by the user, and the direction of the detection sensor is changed based on the change setting accepted by the operation unit. A technique for changing the detection range of the sensor has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-202690 JP, 2014-109723, A

However, if the image forming apparatus is simply provided with the detection sensor as in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to accurately determine whether or not the user detected by the detection sensor is a user who approaches the image forming apparatus. there were.

Further, in order to change the direction of the detection sensor as in Patent Document 2, a complicated mechanism for rotating the detection sensor is required. Further, it is difficult to control the angle of the detection sensor with high accuracy, and thus it is difficult to adjust the detection range with high accuracy so that a user approaching can be detected.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of accurately detecting an approaching user.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus main body that performs an image forming process, and a detection device provided in the apparatus main body. The detection device is a device that detects a user who approaches the device body, and the bottom end line of the detection range when viewed from the horizontal direction is inclined obliquely upward.

According to the image forming apparatus, the height from the lowermost end line increases as the distance from the image forming apparatus increases. Therefore, when the user approaches a position within a predetermined distance where it can be determined that the user is approaching the image forming apparatus, the user's head can be captured within the detection range.

As an example of the image forming apparatus, the detection device includes a detection sensor capable of being detected by a user, and the detection sensor is provided in the main body of the device with its detection surface directed obliquely upward, so that the detection range in the detection device is increased. It is preferable that the lowermost end line of is inclined obliquely upward.

As another example of the image forming apparatus, the detection device includes a detection sensor that can be detected by the user, and a shutter unit that can at least partially cover the detection range of the detection sensor from below, It is preferable that the detection range of the detection sensor is partially covered by the shutter portion so that the lowermost end line of the detection range in the detection device is inclined obliquely upward. With this configuration, the detection range of the detection device can be adjusted.

In the image forming apparatus described above, it is preferable that the detection device is provided at a position on the front surface of the apparatus main body below the document table.

Further, in the above image forming apparatus, an inclined surface facing obliquely upward may be formed on the front surface of the apparatus main body. In this case, the detection device is preferably provided on the inclined surface.

The image forming apparatus may further include an operation unit, and the operation unit may be provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body so that the operation unit can be rotated from a posture in which the front surface of the apparatus main body is partially covered. .. In this case, it is preferable that the detection device is provided at a position lower than a region that can be covered by the operation unit on the front surface of the device body.

In the above image apparatus, the apparatus main body includes an image reading unit having a document table formed on an upper surface thereof, an image forming unit that performs an image forming process, and a paper feeding unit that supplies paper to the image forming unit from top to bottom. It may be arranged in this order. In this case, the detection device is preferably provided in front of the image forming unit or the paper feeding unit.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect an approaching user.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a figure showing two examples in which the directions of the detection surfaces of the detection sensors of (A) and (B) the detection device are different. It is a figure showing two examples where an installation position differs about a detection device of (A) and (B). It is the (A) perspective view and the (B) fracture perspective view which showed the detection device in a 2nd embodiment. It is a front view showing two states of a shutter part in (A) and (B) detection device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a front cover of an image forming unit is arranged in an open position in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing an enlarged main part of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 6. It is a figure showing two examples in which the directions of the detection surfaces of the detection sensors of (A) and (B) the detection device are different.

[First Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes an apparatus main body 101 that performs print processing on paper. The apparatus main body 101 includes an image reading unit 102, an image forming unit 103, and a paper feeding unit 104. The image reading unit 102 performs an image reading process of reading an image of a document and generating image data. The image forming unit 103 performs an image forming process for forming an image on a sheet based on the image data. As an example, the image forming unit 103 performs an electrophotographic image forming process. The paper feeding unit 104 supplies the paper stored in the paper feeding unit 104 to the image forming unit 103. The paper stored in the paper feed unit 104 is not limited to plain paper, but includes various printable sheets such as thick paper and OHP film.

In the apparatus main body 101, the image reading unit 102, the image forming unit 103, and the paper feeding unit 104 are arranged in this order from top to bottom. A document table is formed on the upper surface of the image reading unit 102. In the present embodiment, the apparatus main body 101 further includes a cover portion 102A that covers the document table and an automatic transport portion 102B provided on the cover portion 102A. The cover portion 102A is supported on the upper surface of the image reading portion 102 so as to be openable and closable.

Further, between the image reading unit 102 and the image forming unit 103, a cavity portion 106 that extends in the horizontal direction is provided with the columnar portion 105 partially left. In this embodiment, the columnar portion 105 is arranged at the right end portion of the apparatus main body 101 when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front. Further, the front surface 105a of the columnar portion 105 is formed of an inclined surface that is directed obliquely upward. That is, the front surface 101a of the apparatus main body 101 is partially formed with an inclined surface facing obliquely upward. The columnar portion 105 is not limited to the right end portion of the device body 101, and may be arranged at the left end portion or the rear end portion of the device body 101.

A paper discharge tray 107 is provided in the cavity 106, and the discharged papers after printing are stacked on the paper discharge tray 107. Specifically, the paper supplied from the paper supply unit 104 undergoes an image forming process in the image forming unit 103, and is then discharged horizontally from the columnar unit 105 to the cavity unit 106. Then, the sheets discharged to the cavity 106 are stacked on the sheet discharge tray 107.

The image forming unit 103 has an openable and closable front cover 108 that constitutes a part of the front surface 101 a of the apparatus body 101. Specifically, the front cover 108 has a lower end rotatably supported by the apparatus main body 101 so that the upper end can be moved back and forth, and is in a closed position (the front surface shown in FIG. 1). It can reciprocate between a cover 108 position) and an open position (front cover 108 position shown in FIG. 6). By disposing the front cover 108 in the open position, at least a part of the internal mechanism of the image forming unit 103 is exposed to the outside. On the other hand, by arranging the front cover 108 at the closed position, the inside of the image forming unit 103 is covered with the front cover 108 and cannot be seen.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 further includes an operation unit 109 provided on the front surface 101 a of the apparatus body 101. In this embodiment, the operation unit 109 includes a liquid crystal touch panel and at least one operation key. The operation unit 109 is used for displaying information regarding image forming processing and image reading processing and for input operation by the user.

The operation unit 109 is supported by the apparatus main body 101 so that the operation unit 109 can be rotated from a posture in which the front surface 101a is partially covered. Specifically, the operation unit 109 is supported on the front surface 101a of the apparatus main body 101 (the front surface 102a of the image reading unit 102) at a position directly above the columnar portion 105, and covers the region R1 in the front surface 105a of the columnar portion 105. It is possible to rotate from a different posture.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 further includes a detection device 10. The detection apparatus 10 is provided in the apparatus main body 101 and detects a user who approaches the image forming apparatus 100. In the image forming apparatus 100, normally, the surface of the apparatus body 101 on which the operation unit 109 is arranged is the front surface 101 a of the apparatus body 101. When the user aims at the operation unit 109 for operation, the user often approaches the image forming apparatus 100 from the front surface 101a side of the apparatus main body 101. Therefore, from the viewpoint of detecting an approaching user, the detection device 10 is preferably provided on the front surface 101a of the device body 101.

In the present embodiment, the detection device 10 is provided on the front surface 101 a of the apparatus body 101, particularly on the front surface 105 a (inclined surface) of the columnar portion 105. Specifically, the detection device 10 is provided at a position below the region R1 of the inclined surface that can be covered with the operation unit 109 so as not to be covered with the operation unit 109.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the detection device 10 includes a detection sensor 30 that can be detected by a user, and the detection sensor 30 is provided on the columnar portion 105 with its detection surface 30a directed obliquely upward. ing. In the present embodiment, the detection sensor 30 is arranged inside the columnar section 105 and detects the user through the light transmission window 105b provided on the front wall of the columnar section 105. The detection sensor 30 has a detection range Rd that can be detected by the user, and is itself the detection range Rs of the detection device 10. In this embodiment, an infrared sensor is used as the detection sensor 30.

Specifically, the detection sensor 30 detects such that the lowermost end line Ld of the detection range Rd (corresponding to the lowermost end line Ls of the detection range Rs in the detection device 10) when viewed from the horizontal direction is inclined obliquely upward. The direction of the surface 30a is set. More specifically, when the detection sensor 30 is installed, the inclination angle θ of the lowermost end line Ld from the horizontal line is adjusted to a desired angle by adjusting the orientation of the detection surface 30a. In FIG. 2(A), the horizontal line is indicated by the alternate long and short dash line.

By inclining the lowermost end line Ld of the detection range Rd obliquely upward as described above, it is possible to accurately detect a user who approaches the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, it is as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 2B, consider a case where the detection surface 30a is oriented horizontally, for example, so that the lowermost end line Ld of the detection range Rd is inclined downward. In this case, when the user passes around the image forming apparatus 100, the user is caught within the detection range Rd regardless of the distance of the user. Therefore, even a user who is not trying to approach the image forming apparatus 100 is detected, and the sleep mode is returned to the normal mode each time.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2A, the bottom edge line Ld is inclined obliquely upward, so that the greater the distance from the image forming apparatus 100, the greater the height to the bottom edge line Ld. Therefore, when the user approaches the position within the predetermined distance Dt where it can be determined that the user is approaching the image forming apparatus 100, the user's head can be captured within the detection range Rd. Therefore, a user who approaches the image forming apparatus 100 can be accurately detected. The skin of the user's head (mainly the face) is often exposed, and the temperature is higher than the temperature of the feet of the user wearing shoes. Therefore, the head of the user easily emits infrared rays and is easily detected by the infrared sensor.

By accurately detecting the user who approaches the image forming apparatus 100 as described above, the image forming apparatus 100 can be efficiently returned from the sleep mode to the normal mode for the user who wants to operate the image forming apparatus 100. You can As a result, the image forming unit 103 can be driven (for example, heating of the fixing device can be started) before the user starts the operation. Therefore, the time from the start of the operation by the user until the image forming apparatus 100 can be actually used is shortened, so that the convenience of the image forming apparatus 100 is enhanced.

In addition, a user who takes in a printed sheet often approaches the image forming apparatus 100 from an oblique side, and such a user detection is prevented. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 is prevented from being unnecessarily returned to the normal mode, and thus the energy saving performance of the image forming apparatus 100 is enhanced.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the detection sensor 30 can be provided not only on the front surface 105 a of the columnar portion 105 but also at various positions on the front surface 101 a of the apparatus body 101. At any position, the lowest edge line Ld of the detection range Rd can be tilted obliquely upward by adjusting the tilt angle θ as described above when the detection sensor 30 is installed. However, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the detection device 10 is provided at a high position on the front surface 101a (for example, the front surface of the automatic transport unit 102B), a user who approaches a position within a predetermined distance Dt is detected. In order to detect it, it is necessary to reduce the inclination angle θ. In this case, if the user who is farther than the predetermined distance Dt is a tall user (the user shown by the broken line in FIG. 3A), the user may be caught within the detection range Rd.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, the detection device 10 is preferably provided at a relatively low position on the front surface 101a. As a result, the inclination angle θ for detecting a user who has approached to a position within the predetermined distance Dt becomes large, and a user who is far from the predetermined distance Dt is a tall user (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3B). Even the indicated user) is unlikely to be captured within the detection range Rd. Therefore, it is possible to detect the approaching user with higher accuracy.

From the viewpoint of enhancing the detection accuracy as described above, it is preferable that the detection device 10 is provided at a position on the front surface 101a of the device body 101 below the document table. Further, more preferably, the detection device 10 may be provided as follows. Note that, in FIGS. 1 and 6, a preferable installation region of the detection device 10 is shown by hatching.

That is, the detection device 10 may be provided on the front surface 102a of the image reading unit 102. Further, the detection device 10 may be provided at a position below the operation unit 109. Specifically, the detection device 10 may be provided on the front surface 105a (inclined surface) of the columnar portion 105 at a position lower than the region R1 that can be covered by the operation unit 109. Further, the detection device 10 may be provided on the front surface 103a of the image forming unit 103 or the front surface 104a of the paper feeding unit 104. The detection device 10 may be provided in a region (a region not covered with the paper discharge tray 107) near the front face 101a on the inner bottom surface of the cavity 106.

[Second Embodiment]
As the second embodiment, the detection device 10 may further include a shutter unit 40 as shown in FIGS. 4(A) to 5(B). In the present embodiment, the shutter section 40 can at least partially cover the detection range Rd of the detection sensor 30 from below (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). The detection device 10 according to the present embodiment includes the main body 20 and the moving mechanism 50 in addition to the detection sensor 30 and the shutter 40.

The main body 20 is attached inside the columnar portion 105 with bolts 21 and 22, and the detection sensor 30 is fixed to the main body 20.

The shutter portion 40 is provided in the main body portion 20 in a state in which the movement direction is regulated so that the shutter portion 40 can linearly reciprocate in the predetermined direction Z. Specifically, the shutter 40 is provided with an edge 40a and a slit 40b extending in the predetermined direction Z. Further, the main body portion 20 is provided with a guide portion 201 for sliding the edge 40a of the shutter portion 40 in the predetermined direction Z, and two engaging projection portions 202 and 203 slidably engaged with the slit 40b. It is formed (see FIG. 5B). In this embodiment, each of the engaging protrusions 202 and 203 has a cylindrical shape. It should be noted that when the detection device 10 is installed in the device body 101, the predetermined direction Z may be the vertical direction, or may be tilted from the vertical direction, for example, along the front surface 105a (inclined surface) of the columnar portion 105. It may be a direction.

More specifically, the shutter section 40 is formed of a material capable of hindering the detection by the detection sensor 30 (a material capable of blocking infrared rays in the present embodiment). Then, the shutter unit 40 moves in the predetermined direction Z by a desired amount and covers the detection range Rd of the detection sensor 30, thereby narrowing or widening the detection range Rs of the detection device 10 to a desired range. Here, narrowing means narrowing the width of the detection range Rs in the predetermined direction Z. Further, widening means expanding the width dimension of the detection range Rs in the predetermined direction Z.

The moving mechanism unit 50 is a mechanism that reciprocates the shutter unit 40 in the predetermined direction Z and holds the shutter unit 40 at a desired position within the movable range. Specifically, the moving mechanism unit 50 includes a rack 51, a pinion gear 52, and an operation rotary plate 53 (see FIG. 4B). The rack 51 is provided on the back surface of the shutter section 40 and extends in the predetermined direction Z. A plurality of teeth that mesh with the pinion gear 52 are formed on the side surface of the rack 51.

The pinion gear 52 is integrally formed with the operation rotary plate 53 in a state where the rotary shaft is aligned (that is, coaxial). The pinion gear 52 and the operation rotary plate 53 are axially supported by the main body 20 by a cylindrical engagement projection 203 in a state of being arranged on the back side of the shutter 40. Further, the operation rotary plate 53 has a semicircular shape having a diameter larger than that of the pinion gear 52, and is arranged in a state where the arcuate end edge 53a faces the direction opposite to the predetermined direction Z. Further, in the operation rotary plate 53, a part of the end edge 53a protrudes from the main body portion 20 to the outside, and a protruding portion 531 for rotating operation is formed on the protruded portion. Note that the edge 53a may be anti-slip processed. Examples of the non-slip process include graining and knurling. Further, it is preferable that a scale is formed on the operation rotary plate 53, so that the user can easily recognize the rotational position of the operation rotary plate 53 around the engagement protrusion 203.

In the present embodiment, most of the detection device 10 is arranged inside the columnar portion 105, and when the front cover 108 of the image forming unit 103 is opened as shown in FIGS. Immediately below the portion 105, a part of the end edge 53a of the operation rotary plate 53 and the protruding portion 531 are arranged to be exposed. Therefore, the user can rotate the operation rotary plate 53 using the protrusion 531 with the front cover 108 open. On the other hand, when the front cover 108 is closed, the protrusion 531 is covered with the front cover 108, so that the user does not touch the protrusion 531 unintentionally, and thus an erroneous operation is prevented.

When the user operates the operation rotary plate 53, the pinion gear 52 rotates in association with the rotation of the operation rotary plate 53. Along with this, the shutter section 40 whose movement direction is restricted to the predetermined direction Z moves in translation in the predetermined direction Z through the rack 51 meshing with the pinion gear 52. With this, the shutter section 40 is reciprocated between the open position where the entire detection surface 30a of the detection sensor 30 is exposed and the shielding position where the entire detection surface 30a is covered and shielded (see FIG. 5B). You can

In the present embodiment, the shutter 40 is provided with a rectangular window 40c that exposes the entire detection surface 30a when the shutter 40 is placed in the open position. Further, the window 40c has a lower end edge 40d formed by a straight line substantially perpendicular to the predetermined direction Z (see FIG. 5A). Therefore, the lower end edge 40d of the window 40c crosses the detection surface 30a in the process of the shutter portion 40 moving from the open position to the closed position, and as a result, the lowermost end of the detection range Rs of the detection device 10 becomes flat. The shutter 40 is not limited to this, and may have no window 40c. In this case, by forming the upper edge of the shutter portion 40 with a straight line substantially perpendicular to the predetermined direction Z, the lower edge 40d can be replaced with the upper edge.

According to such a detection device 10, the detection range Rs of the detection device 10 can be easily changed with the detection sensor 30 fixed to the device main body 101. Specifically, by adjusting the position of the shutter section 40, as shown in FIG. 8A, the lowermost end line Ls of the detection range Rs when viewed in the horizontal direction can be directed obliquely upward. .. That is, the inclination angle θ of the lowermost line Ls from the horizontal line can be adjusted to a desired angle. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the case where the detection sensor 30 is arranged so that the lowermost end line Ld of the detection range Rd when viewed from the horizontal direction is directed obliquely downward (or in the horizontal direction). Even if there is, the lowermost end line Ls of the detection range Rs can be directed obliquely upward by adjusting the position of the shutter section 40 and partially covering the detection range Rd from below.

Therefore, according to the detection apparatus 10 of the present exemplary embodiment, a user who approaches the image forming apparatus 100 can be accurately detected, as in the first exemplary embodiment. In addition, since the inclination angle θ of the lowermost end line Ls can be adjusted, the detection range Rs can be appropriately changed according to the place where the image forming apparatus 100 is installed, the environment, and the like. Specifically, the distance (predetermined distance Dt) from the image forming apparatus 100 at which the user can be detected can be appropriately changed.

As an example, when detecting a user in a relatively wide range, for example, a range in which the distance from the image forming apparatus 100 is 1.5 m, the shutter unit 40 covers the detection surface 30a from the bottom by about a third. Will be distributed to. On the other hand, when detecting a user within a relatively narrow range, for example, a range in which the distance from the image forming apparatus 100 is 30 cm (that is, when detecting a user who has come very close to the image forming apparatus 100), the shutter unit 40 is arranged at a position that covers the detection surface 30a from below by about 90%.

The detection device 10 according to this embodiment does not require a complicated mechanism for rotating the detection sensor 30. Further, since the detection range Rs of the detection device 10 can be changed only by linearly moving the shutter section 40, the position of the shutter section 40 can be easily and accurately finely adjusted. Therefore, the shutter section 40 can be accurately stopped at the desired position. Therefore, according to the detection device 10 of the present embodiment, the desired detection range Rs can be easily obtained despite the simple structure.

Further, since the operation rotary plate 53 has a diameter larger than that of the pinion gear 52, the rotation angle of the pinion gear 52 can be finely adjusted by the rotation operation of the operation rotary plate 53, and as a result, the movement amount of the shutter portion 40 can be reduced. Fine adjustment is possible.

In the present embodiment, the detection device 10 is configured such that the shutter section 40 continuously moves in the predetermined direction Z, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the shutter section 40 is gradually moved in the predetermined direction Z (3 to 3). It may be configured to move (in about 5 steps).

Furthermore, according to the detection device 10 of the present embodiment, the detection range Rs of the detection device 10 can be easily changed manually, so that a complicated operation of changing the detection range Rs through a plurality of operations on the operation unit 109. Is unnecessary. Further, the detection range Rs can be changed even when the image forming apparatus 100 is powered off. Therefore, high operability is realized regarding the change of the detection range Rs of the detection device 10.

The detection device 10 may be arranged so that the shutter section 40 can move in the horizontal direction (that is, the predetermined direction Z becomes the horizontal direction). In this case, the inclination of the rightmost or leftmost end line of the detection range Rs of the detection device 10 when viewed from the vertical direction can be adjusted according to the movement amount of the shutter section 40, and as a result, A narrowing or widening of the detection range Rs in the horizontal direction is realized.

[Third Embodiment]
As the third embodiment, in the detection device 10, the detection sensor 30 is arranged or the position of the shutter portion 40 is adjusted so that the uppermost end line of the detection range Rs when viewed from the horizontal direction is directed obliquely downward. May be. In the latter case, the detection device 10 is arranged so that the shutter portion 40 can partially cover the detection range Rd of the detection sensor 30 from above.

Accordingly, the higher the distance from the image forming apparatus 100, the smaller the height to the uppermost end line. Therefore, when the user approaches the position within the predetermined distance Dt where it can be determined that the user is approaching the image forming apparatus 100, the foot of the user can be captured within the detection range Rs. Therefore, a user who approaches the image forming apparatus 100 can be accurately detected.

[Fourth Embodiment]
As the fourth embodiment, the detection sensor 30 may be various light receiving sensors that are not limited to the infrared sensor. Further, the detection sensor 30 may be various light reflection type sensors such as a distance sensor and an ultrasonic sensor. In the case of the light reflection type sensor, the detection range Rs of the detection device 10 can be changed by providing the shutter unit 40 in either the transmitter or the receiver.

A new embodiment can be configured by combining all or some of the technical features described in the above-described embodiments with each other. Further, the above-described detection device 10 can be applied to various devices not limited to the image forming device.

The description of the above embodiments is to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the embodiments described above. Further, the scope of the present invention is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope.

10 Detection Device 20 Main Body 21, 22 Bolt 30 Detection Sensor 30a Detection Surface 40 Shutter 40a Edge 40b Slit 40c Window 40d Lower Edge 50 Moving Mechanism 51 Rack 52 Pinion Gear 53 Operation Rotating Plate 53a Edge 100 Image Forming Device 101 Device Main body 101a Front face 102 Image reading unit 102a Front face 102A Cover unit 102B Automatic transport unit 103 Image forming unit 103a Front face 104 Paper feed unit 104a Front face 105 Columnar unit 105a Front face 105b Light transmission window 106 Cavity unit 107 Paper ejection tray 108 Front cover 109 operation Part 201 Guide part 202, 203 Engagement protrusion 531 Protrusion Dt Predetermined distance Ld, Ls Bottom edge line R1 Region Rd, Rs Detection range Z Predetermined direction θ Inclination angle

Claims (5)

A device body that performs image forming processing,
A detection device which is provided in the device body and detects a user approaching the device body,
Equipped with
The detection device is
A detection sensor capable of detecting the user within a detection range opened at a predetermined angle up and down,
A shutter part capable of partially covering the detection range of the detection sensor from below and partially blocking light directed to the detection sensor,
Have
A range of the detection range of the detection sensor which is not covered by the shutter unit is a detection range of the detection device,
When the detection range of the detection device is viewed in the horizontal direction, the detection range of the detection sensor is partially covered by the shutter portion so that the lowermost end line of the detection range is inclined upward. Forming equipment. The apparatus main body has an image reading unit having a document table formed on the upper surface, an image forming unit for performing an image forming process, and a paper feeding unit for feeding paper to the image forming unit arranged in this order from top to bottom. It is composed of
The detection device, the device is provided on the document table from the lower position of the front surface of the main body, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detection device is provided in front of the image forming unit or the paper feeding unit. On the front surface of the main body of the apparatus, a sloped surface that is directed obliquely upward is formed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the detection device is provided on the inclined surface. Further comprising an operation unit provided on the front of the apparatus body,
The operation portion is rotatable between a posture in which the operation surface faces forward and a posture in which the operation surface faces upward,
The detection device may be covered with the operation part of the front surface of the apparatus main body so that the detection device is not covered by the operation part when the operation part is in a posture with the operation surface facing forward. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided at a position lower than the area.

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