IMAGE READING APPARATUS

Abstract

An image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit, a compression spring unit, a braking unit, and a switching unit. The compression spring unit serves as an opening and closing mechanism for the image reading unit. The braking unit brakes the opening and closing movement of the image reading unit. The switching unit transmits the rotation of the image reading unit to the braking unit when the image reading unit closes, but does not transmits the rotation of the image reading unit to the braking unit when the image reading unit opens.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a panel portion provided in an image reading unit of the image reading apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the image reading unit.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the recording unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the image reading apparatus with the image reading unit open.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the image reading apparatus with the image reading unit open.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an exterior of the compression spring unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the inner structure of the compression spring unit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a compression spring and a damper arm of the compression spring unit.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the image reading apparatus with the image reading unit closed.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the image reading apparatus with the image reading unit partly open.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing the image reading apparatus with the image reading unit further open.

FIG. 13 is a partial side view showing an antishock unit when the image reading unit is closed.

FIG. 14 is a partial side view showing the antishock unit when the image reading unit is in the open position.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a rack gear.

FIG. 16 is a side view of a middle frame of the apparatus body according to the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the antishock unit that reduces the speed at which the image reading unit opens and closes in the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing another example of the antishock unit of the image reading apparatus in the embodiment. In FIG. 18, the opening and closing torque of the image reading unit is not transmitted.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the antishock unit of FIG. 18. In FIG. 19, the opening and closing torque of the image reading unit is transmitted.

Claims

1. An image reading apparatus comprising: an apparatus body;an image reading unit rotatably moving in opening and closing directions relative to the apparatus body;a compression spring unit urging the image reading unit in the opening direction when an angle defined by the image reading unit and the apparatus body is larger than a predetermined angle and urging the image reading unit in the closing direction when the angle defined by the image reading unit and the apparatus body is smaller than the predetermined angle;a braking unit configured to brake the rotating movement of the image reading unit; anda switching unit transmitting the rotating movement of the image reading unit to the braking unit when the image reading unit closes but not transmitting the rotating movement of the image reading unit to the braking unit when the image reading unit opens.

2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rack gear disposed in the image reading unit and a swing arm unit disposed in the apparatus body, the rack gear engaging with the swing arms to transmit the rotating movement of the image reading unit to the braking unit.

3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism restricting the angle defined by the image reading unit and the apparatus body and holding the image reading unit in an open position.

4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a rack gear disposed in the image reading unit, wherein when the image reading unit is in the open position, the lock mechanism engages with the rack gear so as to provide a holding force holding the image reading unit in the open position.

5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when a force in the closing direction is exerted on the image reading unit in the open position, the holding force is released.

6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the image reading unit is in the open position, the image reading unit is held in the open position by the resultant of an urging force of the compression spring unit and the holding force of the lock mechanism.

7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the braking unit is a rotating gear type torque limiter.