JP6028380B2 - Reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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

In Patent Document 1, a document reading unit that allows a moving document to be viewed, a conveying unit that transports documents one by one to a reading window unit, and a document reading unit that are arranged in the vicinity of the document reading unit are arranged in the document reading unit. In a document conveying apparatus including a reading unit conveying unit that conveys along the reading unit, the reading unit conveying unit is disposed near the reading unit and is formed of an elastic member, and is guided by the pressure roller. A document conveying device including a conveying belt and driving means for driving the conveying belt is described.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-259542 discloses a supply rotator for supplying a document, a document receiving member for receiving a document supplied from the supply rotator, and an image reading for reading an image formed on the document supplied on the document receiving member. And a discharge rotator for discharging the document after the image has been read, the document is placed between the supply rotator and the discharge rotator at a predetermined interval with respect to the document receiving member. An image reading apparatus having a plurality of guiding rotating bodies for guiding is described.

JP 2006-42193 A JP 2003-189069 A

  An object of the present invention is to make it difficult to clog a medium conveyed to a position where an image is read.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reader having a contact surface with which a surface of a medium contacts, a reading unit for reading an image from the surface in contact with the contact surface, and a reading position at which the image is read by the reading unit. A transport unit configured to transport the medium; and two leg portions that are disposed upstream of the reading position in the transport direction in the transport path along which the medium is transported by the transport unit and extend toward the contact surface; A body part that is sandwiched between parts and crosses the transport path , and is shaped so as to be separated from the transport path by a distance determined from a line connecting points that are the centers of the ends of the leg parts, and A body portion that does not rotate with respect to each leg portion, and the distal end of each leg portion is in contact with the contact surface, whereby the body portion and the contact surface are maintained at the determined distance. The medium in front Characterized by comprising a guide member for guiding to the reading position.

Reading apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention, the the aspect described in claim 1, a support member for supporting the transfer means, provided between the supporting member and the guide member, by the support member characterized in that it comprises a and a deformable member to be respectively in contact with the contact surface of the deformed said two legs in response to the pressed when pressed against the contact surface force.

An image forming apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized by comprising the above-described reading device, and an image forming unit that forms a medium image read by the reading device.

According to the first and third aspects of the invention, it is possible to make the medium conveyed to the position where the image is read less likely to be clogged as compared with the case where the above-described guide member is not provided.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if the conveying means is not in a predetermined posture with respect to the contact surface, the medium conveyed by the conveying means is brought into contact as compared with the case where the above-described guide member is not provided. It can be made difficult to clog according to the surface.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the function of a 2nd guide member. It is the figure which expanded the conveyance path from a nip part to a reading point. It is a perspective view which shows the outline | summary of a 2nd guide member. It is a figure for demonstrating the attitude | position of the lower end of a 2nd guide member. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure when not providing a 2nd guide member. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure at the time of expanding a 1st guide member.

1. Embodiment 1-1. Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 9 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 9 includes a reading unit 1 and a forming unit 2. In the present specification and drawings, in order to describe the arrangement of each component of the image forming apparatus 9, a space in which each component is arranged is expressed as an xyz right-handed coordinate space. Also, among the coordinate symbols shown in the figure, a symbol in which a black circle is drawn in a circle with a white inside represents an arrow heading from the back side to the near side. A symbol depicting two line segments intersecting in a white circle on the inside represents an arrow from the front side to the back side of the page. A direction along the x-axis in space is referred to as an x-axis direction. Of the x-axis directions, the direction in which the x component increases is referred to as + x direction, and the direction in which the x component decreases is referred to as -x direction. For the y and z components, the y-axis direction, + y direction, -y direction, z-axis direction, + z direction, and -z direction are defined. The −z direction is a downward direction, that is, a direction in which gravity is applied to the object.

  The reading unit 1 and the forming unit 2 may be arranged in any manner, but in this embodiment, the reading unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged above the forming unit 2, that is, in the + z direction.

1-2. Configuration of Reading Unit The reading unit 1 includes a housing 100, a container 101, and a storage unit 140. The reading unit 1 also includes a pickup roll 110, a first delivery roll 111, a pre-registration roll 112, a registration roll 113, a discharge roll 114, and a second delivery roll as a group of rolls that convey a document that is a medium on which an image to be read is formed. 115. These rolls are in pairs, and at least one of each pair is driven.
The reading unit 1 includes a first guide member 116, a second guide member 117, a reflection guide plate 118, a document guide 119, and a switching member 141 as members that form a document transport path. The switching member 141 is a member that changes its posture by rotating around an axis along the x-axis direction shown in FIG.

  The container 101, the first guide member 116, the document guide 119, and the storage unit 140 are fixed to the housing 100. The shaft for rotating each roll for conveying the document and the shaft for the switching member 141 are fixed to the housing 100.

  In addition, the reading unit 1 serves as a reading unit 12 that is configured to read an image of a document, and includes a document table 120, a full rate carriage 121, an illumination lamp 122, a half rate carriage 123, a first mirror 124A, a second mirror 124B, and a second mirror 124. 3 mirror 124C, imaging lens 125, and CCD image sensor 126 are provided. Further, the reading unit 1 includes a control unit 130 that controls the reading unit 1 itself and the forming unit 2.

  The housing 100 opens and closes with respect to the reading unit 12. For example, the reading unit 1 is provided with an axis along the y-axis direction shown in FIG. The casing 100 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the document table 120 around this axis. For example, when the axis that supports the housing 100 is on the −x direction side, that is, the back side of the image forming apparatus 9, when the user rotates the housing 100 clockwise in the + y direction, the document table 120. The contact surface 120F, which is the surface in the + z direction, and the lower surface of the housing 100 are combined and closed. When the user rotates the housing 100 counterclockwise when viewed in the + y direction, the contact surface 120F and the lower surface of the housing 100 are separated.

  The container 101 accommodates a plurality of documents Ps. The document Ps is a medium capable of recording an image on the surface, and is, for example, a resin formed in a paper or sheet shape. The image includes a photograph, a character, a line drawing, and the like. The pickup roll 110 is lifted up during standby and is held at a retracted position (not shown), and is lowered to a nip position (original transport position) during document transport. The pickup roll 110 lowered to the nip position conveys the original Ps from the bundle of originals Ps accommodated in the container 101, that is, in the direction of arrow D10 shown in FIG. The document Ps conveyed by the pickup roll 110 reaches the first delivery roll 111. When the original Ps conveyed by the pickup roll 110 is the uppermost one of the originals Ps accommodated in the container 101, the first delivery roll 111 conveys the original Ps to the pre-registration roll 112 as it is. In addition, when the original Ps is transported as a bundle of a plurality of sheets without being picked up by the pickup roll 110, the first delivery roll 111 picks up the uppermost original Ps one by one from the bundle. It is conveyed to the pre-registration roll 112.

The document guide 119 is a wall surface formed of, for example, a resin material, and forms an annular conveyance path that connects the nip portions of the pre-registration roll 112, the registration roll 113, the discharge roll 114, and the second delivery roll 115.
The pre-registration roll 112 conveys the original Ps along the original guide 119 to a further downstream roll. For example, the lower roll of the pre-registration rolls 112 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow D11 shown in FIG. 1 so that the original Ps is guided by the original guide 119 and reaches the nip portion of the registration roll 113. Further, the pre-registration roll 112 forms a loop (deflection) of the document Ps. Specifically, the pre-registration roll 112 forms a loop on the original Ps by abutting the leading end of the original Ps against the stopped registration roll 113.

  The registration roll 113 once stops and resumes rotation at the same timing, and conveys the document Ps while performing registration adjustment on the position where the document Ps is read on the document table 120. The original Ps conveyed from the registration roll 113 is guided by the first guide member 116 and the second guide member 117, and is restricted from being conveyed inward from the ring of the conveyance path. The document Ps guided by the first guide member 116 and the second guide member 117 is conveyed to the gap between the reflection guide plate 118 and the document table 120 and pressed against the contact surface 120F (see FIG. 3) of the document table 120. . Hereinafter, of the surfaces of the original Ps conveyed through the first delivery roll 111 → the pre-registration roll 112 → the registration roll 113, the surface that first comes into contact with the contact surface 120F of the document table 120 when pressed is the first surface. That's it. Further, of the surfaces of the document Ps, the surface opposite to the first surface is referred to as a second surface.

  The document table 120 is composed of a plate-like member that transmits light such as glass. The full-rate carriage 121 is disposed on the opposite side of the original plate 120 on the side where the original Ps contacts, that is, on the lower side. The full rate carriage 121 receives the illumination lamp 122 that irradiates the original Ps pressed against the contact surface 120F of the original table 120 through the original table 120 and the reflected light obtained from the original Ps. And a first mirror 124A that deflects in the direction of the two mirrors 124B. The half-rate carriage 123 includes a second mirror 124B and a third mirror 124C that guide light reflected from the first mirror 124A to the imaging unit. The imaging lens 125 images the reflected light guided from the third mirror 124 </ b> C on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor 126. The CCD image sensor 126 photoelectrically converts the optical image formed by the imaging lens 125. Thus, the image drawn on the first surface of the document Ps is read from the lower surface direction of the document table 120, and image data corresponding to the read image is generated by the control unit 130. That is, the reading unit 12 having the CCD image sensor 126 and the like reads an image from the surface in contact with the contact surface 120F.

  The control unit 130 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM). For example, a computer program stored in the ROM is read into the RAM and executed by the CPU. Each part of the apparatus 9 is controlled. In addition, the control unit 130 generates image data corresponding to the image read from the document Ps and sends the image data to the forming unit 2, and causes the forming unit 2 to form an image based on the image data.

  The reading unit 1 may include a configuration for reading the original Ps placed directly on the original table 120 in addition to the original Ps accommodated in the container 101. When reading the document Ps placed on the document table 120, the control unit 130 of the reading unit 1 scans the full rate carriage 121 and the half rate carriage 123 at a ratio of 2: 1 (in the direction of arrow D12 shown in FIG. 1). 1 page of the original Ps is read. On the other hand, as described above, when the document Ps stored in the container 101 is transported to the document table 120, the reading unit 1 is transported without moving the full-rate carriage 121 and the half-rate carriage 123 in the direction of the arrow D12. An image drawn on the first surface of the original Ps is read.

  The accumulating unit 140 is an area for accumulating the read original Ps. When reading the image drawn on the first surface of the document Ps without moving the full rate carriage 121 and the half rate carriage 123, the document Ps after the image is read is directed toward the storage unit 140 by the discharge roll 114. Discharged.

  As described above, the reading unit 1 reads an image drawn on the first surface of the document Ps. However, the reading unit 1 may be configured to read an image drawn on the second surface of the document Ps. The reading unit 1 of the image forming apparatus 9 shown in FIG. 1 uses the switching member 141 to invert the original Ps and read an image drawn on the second surface thereof. For example, when the reading unit 1 reads only the image drawn on the first surface of the document Ps, the pair of rolls of the second delivery roll 115 are arranged at positions separated from each other, and the document Ps discharged by the discharge roll 114. Is accumulated in the accumulating unit 140 through the gap between the second delivery rolls 115. On the other hand, when the reading unit 1 reads images drawn on both the first surface and the second surface of the document Ps, the roll pair of the second delivery roll 115 sandwiches the document Ps conveyed by the discharge roll 114, The document Ps is conveyed in the + y direction until the upstream end of the document Ps exceeds the switching member 141.

  Whether or not the upstream end of the document Ps exceeds the switching member 141 is detected by a sensor or the like (not shown). When the upstream end of the document Ps exceeds the switching member 141, the control unit 130 drives the switching member 141 to block the conveyance path connecting the second delivery roll 115 and the discharge roll 114, and The posture is changed so as to open a conveyance path connecting with the pre-registration roll 112. The second delivery roll 115 changes the rotation direction after the attitude of the switching member 141 changes, and conveys the document Ps in the −y direction, that is, the direction in which the pre-registration roll 112 is disposed. As a result, the original Ps is reversed, and when it is conveyed again through the pre-registration roll 112 and the registration roll 113 to the gap between the reflection guide plate 118 and the original table 120, the image drawn on the second surface thereof is provided with the full rate carriage 121 and the like. Read by the reading means 12.

1-3. Configuration of Forming Unit The forming unit 2 includes a transport unit 22, developing units 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K, a transfer unit 24, and a heating unit 25. Note that the symbols Y, M, C, and K indicate configurations corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners, respectively. The developing units 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K differ only in the toner used, and there is no significant difference in the configuration. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to particularly distinguish each of the developing units 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K, the alphabet at the end of the code indicating the color of the toner is omitted and referred to as “developing unit 23”.

  The transport unit 22 includes a container for storing the paper P as a medium. The transport unit 22 has a plurality of transport rolls, and the paper P is taken out of the container by these transport rolls and transported to the transfer unit 24. The transport unit 22 transports the paper P that has passed through the transfer unit 24 and the heating unit 25 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 9.

  Each developing unit 23 includes a photosensitive drum 231, a charger 232, an exposure device 233, a developing device 234, a primary transfer roll 235, and a drum cleaner 236. The photosensitive drum 231 is an image carrier having a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer, and is rotated in the direction of an arrow D23 in the drawing by a driving unit (not shown). The charger 232 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 231. The exposure device 233 includes a laser emission source, a polygon mirror, and the like (none of which are shown), and under the control of the control unit 130, a laser beam corresponding to image data indicating an image read by the reading unit 1 is charged by a charger. Irradiation is performed toward the photosensitive drum 231 after being charged by the H.232. Thereby, a latent image is held on each photosensitive drum 231.

  Note that the image data may be acquired from an external device by the control unit 130 via a communication unit (not shown). The external device is, for example, a storage device that stores image data.

  The developing unit 234 contains a two-component developer containing toner of any one of Y, M, C, and K and a magnetic carrier such as ferrite powder. The tip of the magnetic brush formed on the developing unit 234 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 231, so that the toner is exposed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 231 by the exposure device 233, that is, the image line of the electrostatic latent image. An image is formed (developed) on the photosensitive drum 231.

  The primary transfer roll 235 generates a predetermined potential difference at a position where the intermediate transfer belt 241 of the transfer unit 24 faces the photosensitive drum 231, and the image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 241 by this potential difference. The drum cleaner 236 removes untransferred toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 231 after the image is transferred, and discharges the surface of the photosensitive drum 231. That is, the drum cleaner 236 removes unnecessary toner and charges from the photosensitive drum 231 in preparation for the next image formation.

  The transfer unit 24 includes an intermediate transfer belt 241, a secondary transfer roll 242, a belt conveying roll 243, and a backup roll 244, and determines an image formed by the developing unit 23 according to a user operation. This is a transfer section that transfers the paper P to the paper P. The intermediate transfer belt 241 is an endless belt member, and the belt conveyance roll 243 and the backup roll 244 bridge the intermediate transfer belt 241. At least one of the belt conveyance roll 243 and the backup roll 244 is provided with a drive unit (not shown), and moves the intermediate transfer belt 241 in the direction of arrow D24 in the drawing.

  Note that the belt conveyance roll 243 or the backup roll 244 that does not have a driving unit rotates as the intermediate transfer belt 241 moves. As the intermediate transfer belt 241 moves and rotates in the direction of arrow D24 in the drawing, the image on the intermediate transfer belt 241 is moved to a region sandwiched between the secondary transfer roll 242 and the backup roll 244.

  The secondary transfer roll 242 transfers the image on the intermediate transfer belt 241 onto the paper P conveyed from the conveyance unit 22 by a potential difference with the intermediate transfer belt 241. The belt cleaner 249 removes untransferred toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 241. Then, the transfer unit 24 or the conveyance unit 22 conveys the paper P on which the image is transferred to the heating unit 25.

  The heating unit 25 includes, for example, a magnetic field generation circuit that generates a magnetic field, a heating belt that generates heat by electromagnetic guidance generated by the action of the generated magnetic field, and a pressure roll that conveys the paper P between the heating belts. Have. The heating unit 25 heats the paper P and fixes the image transferred onto the paper P. The paper P on which the image has been fixed through the heating unit 25 is conveyed outside the image forming apparatus 9 by the conveyance unit 22.

1-4. Configuration of Second Guide Member FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the function of the second guide member 117. The document Ps shown in FIG. 1 is conveyed through the conveyance path pt shown in FIG. The conveyance path pt is a path that connects the nip portion N113 of the registration roll 113 to the nip portion N114 of the discharge roll 114, and includes each of the first guide member 116, the second guide member 117, and the reflection guide plate 118, and the document table 120. It is a route that passes through the gap. An image of the document Ps is read between the reflection guide plate 118 and the document table 120 through an optical path of the first mirror 124A → the second mirror 124B → the third mirror 124C → the imaging lens 125 → the CCD image sensor 126. There is a reading point Rp which is a position (reading position).

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the transport path pt from the nip portion N113 to the reading point Rp shown in FIG. The document Ps that exits the nip portion N113 and is conveyed toward the reading point Rp does not advance above the lower end E116 (+ z direction) by the lower end E116 that is the end of the first guide member 116 in the −z direction. Limited to The leading edge of the document Ps whose travel direction is limited is conveyed toward the second guide member 117 or the document table 120 below the second guide member 117.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an outline of the second guide member 117. The second guide member 117 is opposed to the plate-like portion 1170 which is a plate-like portion extending in the x-axis direction upstream of the reading point Rp in the direction in which the document Ps is conveyed, and both ends of the plate-like portion 1170. And a leg portion 1171 provided for the purpose. That is, the plate-like portion 1170 is an example of a body portion that is sandwiched between the two leg portions 1171 and crosses the medium conveyance path upstream of the reading point Rp in the direction in which the medium is conveyed by the registration roll 113.

  Further, each leg portion 1171 is provided with an elastic member 1174 extending from the end portion in the + z direction toward the + z direction. When a force is applied along the z-axis direction, the elastic member 1174 changes its length according to the force, and when the applied force disappears, the elastic member 1174 is restored to its original length. It is. There are two legs 1171 and two elastic members 1174, respectively. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish these, “R” is added to those arranged in the + x direction, and “L” is added to those arranged in the −x direction.

  Of the surfaces of the plate-like portion 1170, the surface in the −y direction is referred to as a guide surface 1172. The guide surface 1172 guides the original Ps to the reading point Rp when the original Ps conveyed from the nip portion N113 is abutted against it. An end in the −z direction of the plate-like portion 1170 is a lower end E117.

  The leading edge of the document Ps that has passed through the lower end E116 of the first guide member 116 abuts against the guide surface 1172 of the second guide member 117 depending on the deflection formed on the document Ps and the rigidity of the material of the document Ps. The guide surface 1172 is inclined so as to push down the abutted document Ps in the −z direction. For this reason, the leading edge of the document Ps that abuts against the guide surface 1172 moves to the lower end E117 of the second guide member 117, and passes through the lower end E117 to the gap between the reflection guide plate 118 and the contact surface 120F of the document table 120. Moving. The contact surface 120F is a surface that comes into contact with the original Ps conveyed from the registration roll 113. The contact surface 120F has a width wider than the width of the document Ps. That is, the document Ps is restricted by the lower end E117 of the second guide member 117 so that it does not advance above the lower end E117 (+ z direction) and reaches the reading point Rp. As a result, the first surface of the document Ps moves to the reading point Rp. That is, the registration roll 113 conveys the medium to the reading point Rp where the image is read by the reading unit 12.

  FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the posture of the lower end E 117 of the second guide member 117. The second guide member 117 shown in FIG. 5 is represented by a schematic diagram, and the dimension in the x-axis direction is reduced compared to the dimension in the z-axis direction to make it easier to understand the orientation of the lower end E117. ing.

  The ends (that is, the upper ends) of each elastic member 1174 in the + z direction are fixed to the casing 100 of the reading unit 1, respectively. And the end part (namely, lower end) of -z direction of each elastic member 1174 is being fixed to leg part 1171, respectively. A point where the elastic member 1174L is fixed in the housing 100 is a point SL, and a point where the elastic member 1174R is fixed in the housing 100 is a point SR.

  When the line segment 100F connecting the point SL and the point SR is not inclined with respect to the contact surface 120F, the elastic member 1174L and the elastic member 1174R have the same length in the z-axis direction, as shown in FIG. The leg portion 1171L and the leg portion 1171R are each pushed in the −z direction. Accordingly, the leg portion 1171L is in contact with the contact surface 120F at the point CL, and the leg portion 1171R is in contact with the contact surface 120F at the point CR. That is, the two leg portions 1171 are respectively raised on the contact surface 120F on both sides of the conveyance path through which the medium is conveyed by the registration roll 113. The second guide member 117 is formed such that the line connecting the point CL and the point CR and the lower end E117 of the plate-like portion 1170 are separated by a certain distance δ within a predetermined error range. Therefore, the distance between the lower end E117 and the contact surface 120F is constant (distance δ) within the above error range regardless of the position in the x-axis direction.

On the other hand, as described above, the housing 100 opens and closes with respect to the document table 120, and thus may be inclined with respect to the contact surface 120 </ b> F of the document table 120.
When the line segment 100F connecting the point SL and the point SR is inclined with respect to the contact surface 120F as shown in FIG. 5B, the elastic member 1174L is shorter in the z-axis direction than the elastic member 1174R. As a result, the leg portion 1171L contacts the contact surface 120F at the point CL, and the leg portion 1171R contacts the contact surface 120F at the point CR. Accordingly, even in this case, the distance between the lower end E117 and the contact surface 120F is constant (distance δ) within the above error range regardless of the position in the x-axis direction.

  When the line segment 100F connecting the point SL and the point SR is inclined with respect to the contact surface 120F as shown in FIG. 5C, the elastic member 1174R is shorter in the z-axis direction than the elastic member 1174L. That is, each of the elastic members 1174 described above is deformed according to the pressed force when pressed toward the contact surface 120F by the casing 100 (support member) that supports the conveying means such as the registration roll 113, and the leg portion 1171. Each of these functions as a deforming member that makes contact with the contact surface 120F.

  As a result, the leg portion 1171L contacts the contact surface 120F at the point CL, and the leg portion 1171R contacts the contact surface 120F at the point CR. Therefore, even in this case, the distance between the lower end E117 and the contact surface 120F is constant (distance δ) within the above error range regardless of the position in the x-axis direction. That is, the plate-like portion 1170 has an end portion (lower end E117) that can maintain a distance determined from the contact surface 120F at any place in the width direction by each leg portion 1171 contacting the contact surface 120F. .

1-5. Comparison with Configuration Without Second Guide Member FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a configuration when the second guide member 117 is not provided. If the second guide member 117 is not provided between the first guide member 116 and the reflection guide plate 118 without changing the position of the first guide member 116 as shown in FIG. A space that does not limit the document Ps is formed between the guide member 116 and the reflection guide plate 118. Therefore, the leading end portion of the document Ps conveyed while being sandwiched between the nip portions N113 passes through the conveyance path pt1 or the conveyance path pt2 depending on the strength of the deflection applied to itself or the rigidity of the material. Or For example, when passing through the conveyance path pt1 bent upward from the conveyance path pt2, the document Ps may hit the reflection guide plate 118 and bend or bend. As a result, the document Ps may not be conveyed first from the position where it jammed and hit, and may not reach the reading point Rp.

  Further, after passing through the nip portion N113, the document Ps is not supported by the nip portion N113, and the position of the rear end portion of the document Ps may not be determined. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the document Ps passes through the transport path pt3 or passes through the transport path pt4 according to the strength of the deflection and the rigidity of the material. When the document Ps passes through the conveyance path pt4 bent upward from the conveyance path pt3, light from the −y direction enters the document Ps between the reflection guide plate 118 and the contact surface 120F as compared with the case of passing through the conveyance path pt3. It is easy to allow. Therefore, the amount of light applied to the original Ps at the reading point Rp is not stable, and the image may be distorted.

  FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a configuration when the first guide member 116 is extended to the position of the second guide member 117 instead of not providing the second guide member 117. The first guide member 116 shown in FIG. 7B is schematically shown, and the dimension in the x-axis direction compared to the dimension in the z-axis direction is easier to understand the orientation of the lower end E116a. Has been reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the expanded first guide member 116 is located at the position where the lower end E117 of the second guide member 117 is located in the y-axis direction (see FIG. 3), and is the lower end that is the second lower end. E116a. Accordingly, the document Ps that has passed through the lower end E116 of the first guide member 116 is moved upward (+ z) by the lower end E116a that is located in the transport direction (+ y direction) and lower (−z direction) than the lower end E116. Direction) is restricted.

  However, since the lower end E116a is the lower end of the first guide member 116, the position thereof is determined by the housing 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first guide member 116 is supported by the housing 100 at two points SL and SR, and a line segment 100F connecting the point SL and the point SR is a contact surface. It is assumed that it is inclined with respect to 120F. In this case, since the lower end E116a is also inclined with respect to the contact surface 120F, the distance between the lower end E116a and the contact surface 120F varies from δL to δR. That is, the position of the lower end E116a in the z-axis direction varies in the x-axis direction and is not fixed. For this reason, when the document Ps passes through the lower end E116a, the posture of the document Ps may be inclined with respect to the transport direction, and the document Ps is easily jammed, and the read image is likely to be disturbed.

  On the other hand, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the second guide member 117 is attached to the casing 100 via two elastic members 1174. Therefore, in the configuration having the second guide member 117, no matter how the housing 100 is tilted with respect to the contact surface 120F, the distance from the lower end E117 to the contact surface 120F is constant within a predetermined error range. To be kept. As a result, when the document Ps passes through the lower end E117, the document Ps passes through a position at a substantially constant distance (a constant distance within a predetermined error range) from the contact surface 120F at any position in the x-axis direction. Compared to the case where the second guide member 117 is not provided, the second guide member 117 is easily conveyed to the gap between the reflection guide plate 118 and the contact surface 120F. That is, by providing the second guide member 117, the posture of the document Ps when it is conveyed is stable with respect to the contact surface 120F, is not easily jammed, and easily passes through the reading point Rp. Further, since the second guide member 117 is provided, the posture of the original Ps when the image is read is stabilized, so that the disturbance of the read image is suppressed.

2. Modification The above is the description of the embodiment, but the contents of this embodiment can be modified as follows. Further, the following modifications may be combined.
2-1. Modification 1
In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 9 including the reading unit 1 and the forming unit 2 has been described. However, the reading unit 1 and the forming unit 2 may be separate devices. Further, the image read by the reading unit 1 may not be formed on the medium. In this case, the forming unit 2 may not be provided.
That is, the present invention provides a contact surface that contacts a surface of a medium, a reading unit that reads an image from the surface that contacts the contact surface, and a conveyance that conveys the medium to a reading position where the image is read by the reading unit. And two leg portions that are disposed upstream of the reading position in the transport direction in the transport path in which the medium is transported by the transport device and extend toward the contact surface, and are sandwiched between the leg portions. A body that crosses the road, and the leg is in contact with the contact surface so that the body and the contact surface are maintained at a predetermined distance, and the medium is moved to the reading position. A guide member that guides to the support member, a support member that supports the transport unit, and a support member that is provided between the support member and the guide member, and that is pressed by the support member toward the contact surface. Deformation It may be ideas as a reading device comprising a deformable member contacting the two legs to each of the contact surfaces.

2-2. Modification 2
In the above-described embodiment, the reading unit 1 includes the full-rate carriage 121 and the half-rate carriage 123 that move along the x-axis direction with respect to the document table 120 as a configuration for reading an image of the document. These configurations may be fixed to the document table 120. In this case, the reading unit 1 reads an image of the document Ps conveyed through the conveyance path pt.

2-3. Modification 3
In the embodiment described above, the reading unit 1 includes the switching member 141 that inverts the document Ps in order to read the image drawn on the second surface. However, the reading unit 1 does not have to be configured to invert the document Ps. The reading unit 1 does not have to have a configuration for reading the image on the second surface. For example, the reading unit 1 has a CCD image sensor different from the CCD image sensor 126 inside the ring of the transport path pt. Thus, when the document Ps passes through the conveyance path pt once, the images on the first surface and the second surface may be read by the respective CCD image sensors. That is, the present invention provides a contact surface that contacts a surface of a medium, a reading unit that reads an image from the surface that contacts the contact surface, and a conveyance that conveys the medium to a reading position where the image is read by the reading unit. And two leg portions that are disposed upstream of the reading position and extend toward the contact surface in the transport path in which the medium is transported by the transport means, and the transport path is sandwiched between the leg portions. The medium is guided to the position in a state in which the body part and the contact surface are kept at a predetermined distance by contacting each of the leg parts with the contact surface. It may be conceived as a reading device comprising a guide member.

2-4. Modification 4
In the embodiment described above, each leg portion 1171 is provided with the elastic member 1174 extending from the end in the + z direction toward the + z direction, but the elastic member 1174 may not be provided. In this case, even if the casing 100 is inclined with respect to the contact surface 120F of the document table 120, each leg portion 1171 may be configured to contact the contact surface 120F. . For example, when the casing 100 is closed with respect to the document table 120, the hook portion provided on the leg portion 1171 of the second guide member 117 and the hook receiving portion provided on the contact surface 120 </ b> F of the document table 120 are engaged. The second guide member 117 may be configured to fit. Accordingly, the leg portion 1171 may be raised on the contact surface 120F, and the lower end E117 of the second guide member 117 may be positioned with reference to the contact surface 120F. Even in this case, the distance between the lower end E117 of the second guide member 117 and the contact surface 120F is constant within a determined range regardless of the position in the x-axis direction.

  In short, the contact between each leg portion 1171 and the contact surface 120F makes the distance between the lower end E117 of the plate-like portion 1170 and the contact surface 120F constant within a predetermined range regardless of the position in the x-axis direction. It only has to be.

2-5. Modification 5
In the embodiment described above, the second guide member 117 has the plate-like portion 1170 that is a plate-like member extending in the x-axis direction, but the body portion that guides the document Ps to the reading point Rp is plate-like. Not necessarily. In short, the second guide member 117 includes a body portion that is sandwiched between the leg portions 1171 and traverses the conveyance path and has the lower end E117 described above. The lower end E117 guides the document Ps to the reading point Rp. Good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reading part, 100 ... Housing | casing, 101 ... Container, 110 ... Pick-up roll, 111 ... 1st delivery roll, 112 ... Pre-registration roll, 113 ... Registration roll, 114 ... Discharge roll, 115 ... 2nd delivery roll, 116 ... 1st DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Guide member, 117 ... 2nd guide member, 1170 ... Plate-shaped part (torso part), 1171 ... Leg part, 1172 ... Guide surface, 1174 ... Elastic member, 118 ... Reflection guide plate, 119 ... Document guide, 12 ... Reading Means, 120 ... document table, 120F ... contact surface, 121 ... full-rate carriage, 122 ... illumination lamp, 123 ... half-rate carriage, 124A ... first mirror, 124B ... second mirror, 124C ... third mirror, 125 ... image formation Lens 126... CCD image sensor 130 130 controller 140 storage unit 141 switching member 2 forming unit 22 carrying , 23 ... developing part, 24 ... transfer part, 25 ... heating part, 9 ... image forming apparatus, E116 ... lower end, E117 ... lower end, N113 ... nip part, N114 ... nip part, P ... paper, Ps ... original, Rp ... reading point.

Claims (3)

A contact surface with which the surface of the medium contacts;
Reading means for reading an image from the surface in contact with the contact surface;
Conveying means for conveying the medium to a reading position where the image is read by the reading means;
In the transport path in which the medium is transported by the transport means, two leg portions are disposed upstream of the reading position in the transport direction and extend toward the contact surface, and the transport path is sandwiched between the leg portions. A torso that crosses and is formed so as to be separated from the transport path by a distance determined from a line connecting the centers of the tips of the legs, and does not rotate with respect to the legs. And reading the medium in a state where the body portion and the contact surface are kept at the determined distance by the tips of the leg portions contacting the contact surface, respectively. A guide member for guiding to a position;
A reading apparatus comprising: A support member for supporting the conveying means;
A deformation that is provided between the support member and the guide member and deforms according to the force that is pressed toward the contact surface by the support member and causes the two legs to contact the contact surface, respectively. Members,
The reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The reading device according to claim 1 or 2,
An image forming unit that forms an image read by the reading device on a medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images