Reading device and image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11711474-B2
Application number	US-202217848412-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 24, 2022
Priority date	Jul 29, 2021
Publication date	Jul 25, 2023
Grant date	Jul 25, 2023

Abstract

A reading device and an image forming apparatus. The reading device includes a reader disposed at a scanning position, the reader being configured to read an image formed on a surface of a sheet, a movement mechanism to move the reader between the scanning position and a separated position away from the scanning position, and a reference plate disposed at a first position facing a reading face of the reader, the reference plate being configured to obtain a reference value to be used when the reader reads the image. In the reading device, the reference plate rotates around an axis from a second position facing a side of the reader to the first position or from the first position to the second position in conjunction with movement of the reader from the scanning position to the separated position by the movement mechanism The image forming apparatus includes the reading device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A reading device comprising:
a reader disposed at a scanning position, the reader being configured to read an image formed on a surface of a sheet; a movement mechanism configured to move the reader between the scanning position and a separated position away from the scanning position; and a reference plate disposed at a first position facing a reading face of the reader, the reference plate being configured to obtain a reference value to be used when the reader reads the image, wherein the reference plate is configured to rotate around an axis from a second position facing a side of the reader to the first position or from the first position to the second position in conjunction with movement of the reader from the scanning position to the separated position by the movement mechanism or movement of the reader from the separated position to the scanning position, and wherein the reader includes an abutment part contacting the reference plate when the reference plate rotates around the axis, and the abutment part maintains clearance between the reader and the reference plate.

2 . The reading device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the abutment part does not contact the reference plate when the reference plate is located at the first position.

3 . The reading device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the abutment part is a cam follower disposed at a corner where the reading face and the side intersect with each other in the reader.

4 . The reading device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the reference plate includes a plurality of bosses contacting the reader when the reference plate is at the first position, and wherein the plurality of bosses keep a distance between the reference plate and the reading face constant.

5 . The reading device according to claim 4 ,
wherein the plurality of bosses are three bosses, and wherein the three bosses are disposed to draw a triangle on a surface of the reference plate and are disposed on the reference plate outside a region of a to-be-scanned surface to be read by the reader.

6 . The reading device according to claim 1 ,
wherein backlash or space is formed between the axis and a hole rotatably holding the axis.

7 . The reading device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a pressurizing member to pressurize the reference plate toward the reader.

8 . The reading device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the abutment part contacts the reference plate outside a region of a to-be-scanned surface of the reference plate to be read by the reader.

9 . An image forming apparatus comprising
the reading device according to claim 1 .

10 . The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a conveyor configured to convey the sheet in a predetermined conveyance direction; and a recording head configured to discharge ink droplets onto a surface of the sheet conveyed in the predetermined conveyance direction by the conveyor, to form an image, wherein the reading device is disposed downstream from the recording head in the conveyance direction.

Assignees

• Yamamoto Taiki
• Tokunaga Yusuke
• Maeyama Yuichiro
• Hata Kiyoshi
• Ricoh Co Ltd

Inventors

• Yamamoto Taiki
• Tokunaga Yusuke
• Maeyama Yuichiro
• Hata Kiyoshi

Classifications

• H04N1/0057 Primary

  Conveying sheets before or after scanning (arrangements for conveying sheets as part of the scanning operation H04N1/04 and subgroups) · CPC title

• H04N1/0249

  Arrangements for mounting or supporting elements within a scanning head (H04N1/02481 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04N1/00814

  according to a detected condition or state of the reading apparatus, e.g. temperature · CPC title

• H04N1/00519 Primary

  Constructional details not otherwise provided for, e.g. housings, covers · CPC title

• H04N1/00538

  Modular devices, i.e. allowing combinations of separate components, removal or replacement of components · CPC title