Abstract:
The instant application discloses an apparatus including an image forming unit and an image reading apparatus. The image forming unit may be disposed adjacent to the base wall of the image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus may include a base member including the base wall and a peripheral wall protruding orthogonally from the base wall to define an accommodation region; a movable member configured to reciprocate between one end portion of the accommodation region and another end portion of the accommodation region; a reading unit supported by the movable member; a cable having a first extending portion, a curve portion, and a second extending portion; and a contact reduction portion configured to reduce contact of the second extending portion of the cable with a side wall of the peripheral wall. Various embodiments of the contact reduction portion are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-262367 filed on Nov. 30, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure herein relates to an image reading apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A known image reading apparatus includes a base member, a platen, a movable member, a reading unit, and a wiring cable. 
     The base member is a box shape whose upper face is open. The base member includes a bottom wall surface and a peripheral wall protruding upward from the bottom wall surface to define an accommodation area thereinside. The platen is supported by an upper end of the peripheral wall. The platen faces the bottom wall surface with a distance therebetween and covers the accommodation area. The movable member reciprocates from one end of the accommodation area to its opposite end in a scanning direction. The reading unit is supported by the movable member to face the platen in the accommodation area. The wiring cable has flexibility. A portion of the wiring cable is fixed to the bottom wall surface in the accommodation area. An end of the wiring cable is connected to the reading unit. The peripheral wall includes a side wall extending in the scanning direction. 
     The wiring cable includes a first extending portion, a curve portion, and a second extending portion. The first extending portion extends along the bottom wall surface from the portion of the wiring cable fixed to the bottom wall surface toward the opposite end of the accommodation area in the scanning direction. The curve portion is continued from the first extending portion. The curve portion curves to approach the platen and turns to face the base end. The second extending portion is continued from the curve portion and extends toward the base end along the platen. 
     In the image reading apparatus, the movable member reciprocates in the scanning direction. The reading unit moves together with the movable member and reads an image on a medium placed on the platen. At this time, the curve portion of the wiring cable reciprocates in the scanning direction in association with the reciprocating movement of the movable member. In association with the movement of the curve portion, one of the first extending portion and the second extending portion becomes longer and the other one of the first extending portion and the second extending portion becomes shorter. Thus, the wiring cable follows the reciprocating movement of the movable member and does not get in the way of image reading by the reading unit in the image reading apparatus. 
     In the known image reading apparatus, if the wiring cable is away from the side wall in a width direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, the size of the image reading apparatus is increased. 
     If the position of the wiring cable is moved closer to the side wall to reduce the size of the image reading apparatus, edges of the first extending portion, the curve portion and the second extending portion in the width direction are brought closer to the side wall. Accordingly, the first extending portion, the curve portion, and the second extending portion may readily contact the side wall. Dust (or particles) may be produced as a result of the wiring cable rubbing against the side wall. For example, particles of the side wall may be generated due to wear of the side wall over time. The dust may lead to reduction in an image reading quality as the dust moves closer to the reading unit. For example, dust may accumulate on the platen glass causing a reduction in image reading quality. In addition, as the side wall contacts the wiring cable, vibrations are caused in the wiring cable and side wall. Further, the vibrations may be transmitted to the movable member and the reading unit, leading to the reduction in an image reading quality. For example, vibrations may affect the movement of the movable member along its guide member if the guide member and/or movable member are vibrating. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the disclosure relate to an image reading apparatus that may realize a reduction in size of the image reading apparatus and/or may control the reduction of an image reading quality. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, an image reading apparatus includes a base member comprising a base wall and a peripheral wall protruding orthogonally from the base wall to define an accommodation region; a movable member configured to reciprocate between one end portion of the accommodation region and another end portion of the accommodation region; a reading unit supported by the movable member, and facing a platen in the accommodation region, the reading unit configured to read an image on a medium placed on the platen while the movable member reciprocates; a cable; and a contact reduction portion configured to reduce contact of a second extending portion of the cable with a side wall of the peripheral wall. The cable may include a curve portion; a first extending portion extending along the base wall from a portion of the cable fixed to the base wall to the curve portion of the cable; and the second extending portion continuing from the curve portion and extending to an end portion of the cable connected to the movable member. 
     In some aspects of the disclosure, the image reading apparatus may be a part of a larger apparatus including an image forming unit configured to form an image on a medium. The image forming unit may be disposed adjacent to the base wall of the image reading apparatus. The first extending portion, the curve portion, and the second extending portion may be disposed in a wiring area, and the base wall may include a recess in the wiring area. 
     In some aspects of the disclosure, the contact reduction portion may extend from the side wall of the peripheral wall. For example, the contact reduction portion may include a first inclination surface that connects the base wall and the side wall, and inclines with respect to the base wall. A distance between a boundary line, where the first inclination surface meets the base wall, and the side wall in a width direction is approximately equal to a distance between an edge of the second extending portion and the side wall in the width direction. Also, the first inclination surface may include ribs disposed with a distance therebetween. 
     In some aspects of the disclosure, the contact reduction portion comprises an inclination surface that connects the base wall and the side wall and inclines with respect to the base wall, and is configured to contact a facing surface of the first extending portion that face the base wall. This inclination surface may include ribs disposed with a distance therebetween. The ribs may be separated in a scanning direction in which the movable member reciprocates, and may extend in a width direction that corresponds to a width of the cable and is approximately perpendicular to the scanning direction. Alternatively, the ribs may be separated in a width direction and extend in a scanning direction that is approximately perpendicular to the width direction, and a height of the ribs may decrease in the width direction. 
     The summary here is not an exhaustive listing of the novel features described herein, and is not limiting of the claims. Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosure and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure is illustrated, and not limited, by way of example by the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to one or more aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of an example embodiment of the image reading apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a base member, a carriage, a reading unit and a scanning mechanism of an example embodiment of the image reading apparatus with a platen glass of the image reading apparatus removed. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the base member, the carriage, the reading unit and the scanning mechanism of an example embodiment of the image reading apparatus with the platen glass removed. 
         FIG. 5  is a partially enlarged perspective view of a portion of the image reading apparatus of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view of the image reading apparatus taken along a line A-A′ of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second extending portion and a folded portion of a wiring cable of an example embodiment of the image reading apparatus. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial sectional view of an example embodiment of the image reading apparatus, similar to  FIG. 6 , depicting effects of a first inclination surface of the image reading apparatus on the wiring cable. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial sectional view of an example embodiment of the image reading apparatus, similar to  FIG. 6 , depicting an effect of the first sloping surface on the wiring cable. 
         FIG. 10  is a partially enlarged perspective view of an image reading apparatus, similar to  FIG. 5 , according to a second example embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial sectional view of an image reading apparatus, similar to  FIG. 6 , according to a third example embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a partial sectional view of the image reading apparatus, similar to  FIG. 11 , according to the third example embodiment, depicting an effect of a second inclination surface of the image reading apparatus on the wiring cable. 
         FIG. 13  is a partial sectional view of the image reading apparatus, similar to  FIG. 11 , according to the third example embodiment, depicting an effect of the second sloping surface on the wiring cable. 
         FIG. 14  is a partial sectional view of an image reading apparatus, similar to  FIG. 11 , according to a fourth example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     (First Embodiment) 
     Aspects of the disclosure may be applied to an image reading apparatus  1  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 1 , a side of the image reading apparatus  1  on which a control panel  5  is disposed may be defined as a front side. Front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom sides of the image reading apparatus  1  may be defined in conjunction with an orientation in which the image reading apparatus  1  is viewed from the front side. Labeling of the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom sides in  FIGS. 2-14  may correspond to the labeling of  FIG. 1 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the image reading apparatus  1  may comprise a main casing  8  and a cover  9 . The main casing  8  may generally have a flat box-shape. The control panel  5  may be disposed on the front side of the main casing  8 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a platen, e.g., a platen glass  19 , may be disposed on an upper surface of the main casing  8 . An upper surface of the platen glass  19  may be a mount surface  8 A configured to support a medium, e.g., a document or a sheet member such as a sheet of paper or an overhead projector (OHP) sheet, when the medium is being read. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the cover  9  may be supported by the main casing  8  so as to pivot on hinges (not depicted) disposed at an upper rear end of the main casing  8  about an axis X 9  extending along the left-right direction. The cover  9  may be configured to cover the mount surface  8 A from above when the cover  9  is closed, as depicted in solid lines in  FIG. 1 . The cover  9  may be configured to open a portion above the mount surface  8 A by pivoting about the axis X 9  such that the front side of the cover  9  moves upward and rearward, as depicted in two-dot chain line in  FIG. 1 . Thus, a user may be able to place a document to be read on the mount surface  8 A. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a document plate  9 A may be disposed at an upper side of the cover  9 . The document plate  9 A may be configured to open and close. As depicted in  FIG. 2 , an automatic document feeding mechanism  4  may be disposed in the cover  9 . The automatic document feeding mechanism  4  may be known and detailed description thereof may be omitted herein. A plurality of the documents placed on the document plate  9 A that is in an open state may be separated one by one and may be sequentially fed along a feeding path P 1 . 
     An image forming unit F may be disposed on a lower side of the main casing  8 . The image forming unit F may comprise an inkjet image forming section or a laser-beam image forming section. An image reading unit R may be disposed on an upper side of the main casing  8 . The image reading unit R may comprise a base member  10  depicted in  FIGS. 3-6 , a frame (not depicted) attached to the base member  10  from above, and the platen glass  19  depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 6 .  FIGS. 3-5  do not depict the platen glass  19 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 3-6 , the base member  10  may be formed from thermoplastic resin by injection molding. The base member  10  may comprise a base wall  11  (e.g., a bottom wall surface) and peripheral walls  12 A,  12 B,  12 L,  12 R. 
     The bottom wall surface  11  may generally be a rectangular flat surface that may extend horizontally in a left-right, front-rear plane. The peripheral walls  12 A,  12 B,  12 L,  12 R may extend upward from front, rear, left, and right edges of the bottom wall surface  11 , respectively. The rear peripheral wall  12 B may comprise a side wall  13  extending in the left-right direction and an outer wall  14  extending parallel to the side wall  13  in the left-right direction behind the side wall  13 . The hinges may be disposed between the side wall  13  and the outer wall  14  to pivotally support the cover  9 . The front peripheral wall  12 A, the side wall  13  of the rear peripheral wall  12 B, the left peripheral wall  12 L, and the right peripheral wall  12 R surrounding the bottom wall surface  11  may define an accommodation region (or accommodation area)  10 A thereinside and may prevent dust (or other particles) from entering the accommodation area. A movable member, e.g., a carriage  20 , a reading unit  3 , a wiring cable  50  and a scanning mechanism  30  may be accommodated in the accommodation area  10 A. 
     The platen glass  19  may be attached to the base member  10 , by making the frame (not depicted) contact with peripheral ends of the platen glass  19  from above while the peripheral ends of the platen glass  19  may be supported from below by the front peripheral wall  12 A, the side wall  13  of the rear peripheral wall  12 B, the left peripheral wall  12 L, and the right peripheral wall  12 R. Thus, the platen glass  19  may be fixed to the main casing  8 . As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the platen glass  19  may face the bottom wall surface  11  with a distance therebetween and may cover the accommodation area  10 A. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a guide shaft  29  comprising a metal rod may be disposed at the bottom wall surface  11 . The guide shaft  29  may be disposed generally at a central portion of the bottom wall surface  11  in the front-rear direction. The guide shaft  29  may extend in a scanning direction, e.g., in the left-right direction. One end, e.g., a right end, of the guide shaft  29  may be fixed to a lower portion of the right peripheral wall  12 R. An opposite end, e.g., a left end, of the guide shaft  29  may be fixed to a lower portion of the left peripheral wall  12 L. 
     The carriage  20  may be formed from resin and may be elongated in the front-rear direction. The carriage  20  may extend near the front peripheral wall  12 A and the side wall  13 . The carriage  20  may be configured to reciprocate in the left-right direction from a portion near the left peripheral wall  12 L to a portion near the right peripheral wall  12 R while being guided by the guide shaft  29  above the bottom wall surface  11 . 
     The reading unit  3  may be mounted on the carriage  20 . The reading unit  3  may be supported by the carriage  20  to face the platen glass  19  in the accommodation area  10 A. The reading unit  3  may comprise a known image reading sensor, e.g., a contact image sensor (CIS) or a charge coupled device (CCD). The reading unit  3  may have a length in the front-rear direction so as to exceed a width of a document (e.g., a maximum size of a document that the image reading apparatus  1  may be able to read) in the front-rear direction placed on the mount surface  8 A. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 3-5 , the wiring cable  50  may be a flexible flat cable having flexibility. The wiring cable  50  may have a plurality of cables connected in a belt shape. A fixing portion  50 A of the wiring cable  50  may be fixed to the bottom wall surface  11  in the accommodation area  10 A. The fixing portion  50 A of the wiring cable  50  may be positioned ahead of a central portion of the side wall  13  in the left-right direction. As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the wiring cable  50  may extend from the fixing portion  50 A to a portion between the side wall  13  and the outer wall  14 , such that one end of the wiring cable  50  may electrically connect to a controller (not depicted) disposed in the main casing  8 . An opposite end portion  50 B of the wiring cable  50  may be fixed to the carriage  20 . An end of the wiring cable  50  opposite to the one end may be electrically connected to the reading unit  3  via a connector (not depicted). 
     More specifically, the wiring cable  50  may comprise the fixing portion  50 A, a first extending portion  51 , a curve portion  53 , a second extending portion  52 , a folded portion  55 , and the opposite end portion  50 B, as depicted in  FIGS. 3-6 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the first extending portion  51  may extend leftward along the bottom wall surface  11  from the fixing portion  50 A of the wiring cable  50  fixed at the bottom wall surface  11 . The curve portion  53  may be continued from the first extending portion  51 . The curve portion  53  may semicircularly curve to approach the platen glass  19 . The curve portion  53  may turn to face the right side. The second extending portion  52  may be continued from the curve portion  53  and extend rightward along the platen glass  19 . 
     The wiring cable  50  may have flexibility, so that the curve portion  53  may curve while storing a restoring force. Upward movement of the wiring cable  50  may be restricted by the platen glass  19 . The first extending portion  51  may be urged toward the bottom wall surface  11  by the restoring force of the curve portion  53 . The second extending portion  52  may be urged toward the platen glass  19  by the restoring force of the curve portion  53 . 
     A width direction of the wiring cable  50  may be a front-rear direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, e.g., the scanning direction. As depicted in  FIGS. 5 ,  8  and  9 , a rear edge  51 B of the first extending portion  51 , a rear edge  53 B of the curve portion  53 , and a rear edge  52 B of the second extending portion  52  may be disposed along the side wall  13 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , a rear end portion of the carriage  20  may be provided with a cable holding portion  21  that may extend leftward. The cable holding portion  21  may be configured to support the connection of the cable to the reading unit  3  on the carriage  20 . A rear end of the cable holding portion  21  may be provided with a regulating portion  27  that may extend like a rib. The regulating portion  27  may be configured to regulate the movement of the rear edge  52 B of the second extending portion  52  in the front-rear direction toward the side wall  13 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the wiring cable  50  may be folded near the right end of the second extending portion  52  toward a side opposite to the side wall  13 , e.g., toward the front side to produce the folded portion  55 . The wiring cable  50  may be folded multiple times to produce the folded portion  55 . The folded portion  55  may comprise portions that may be disposed adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. Folded portion  55  may connect the second extending portion  52 , which is relatively close to the side wall  13 , to the reading unit  3 , which is relatively further from the side wall  13 . 
     The opposite end portion  50 B may curve so as to pass below the cable holding portion  21  and may extend to the opposite end of the wiring cable  50 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , a spacer  28  may be disposed in front of the regulating portion  27  in the cable holding portion  21 . The spacer  28  may extend upward like a rib. The spacer  28  may be positioned between the portions of the folded portion  55  disposed adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, so as to separate the portions, e.g., to maintain distance between the portions of the folded portion  55  in the front-rear direction. 
     The thus structured wiring cable  50  may electrically connect the reading unit  3  mounted on the carriage  20  and the controller (not depicted). 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the scanning mechanism  30  may comprise a drive source  30 M, a drive pulley  31 , a driven pulley  32  and a timing belt  33  disposed in the base member  10 . 
     The drive source  30 M may comprise an electric motor, and a group of gears engaged with the electric motor. The drive source  30 M may be positioned adjacent to the left peripheral wall  12 L and adjacent of a left end of the guide shaft  29 . The drive source  30 M may be configured to rotate under the control of the controller (not depicted). 
     As indicated by dashed lines in  FIG. 4 , the drive pulley  31  may be integrally formed with the gear furthest from the electric motor among a group of the gears of the drive source  30 M. The drive pulley  31  may be positioned adjacent to the left peripheral wall  12 L and behind the left end of the guide shaft  29 . The drive pulley  31  may be configured to rotate about an axis extending in the top-bottom direction. 
     As the electric motor of the drive source  30 M rotates under the control of the controller (not depicted), the drive pulley  31  may be driven and rotated. As the controller changes the rotation direction of the electric motor, the drive pulley  31  may rotate in a forward direction or in a reverse direction. The rotation of the drive pulley  31  in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 4  may be defined as the rotation in the forward direction herein. The rotation of the drive pulley  31  in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 4  may be defined as the rotation in the reverse direction herein. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the driven pulley  32  may be positioned adjacent to the right peripheral wall  12 R and behind the right end of the guide shaft  29 . The driven pulley  32  may be configured to rotate about an axis extending in the top-bottom direction. 
     The timing belt  33  may be an endless belt wound around the drive pulley  31  and the driven pulley  32 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , a portion of the timing belt  33  extending in the left-right direction along the guide shaft  29  may be connected to the carriage  20  by a connecting portion  33 A. 
     When the drive pulley  31  rotates in the forward direction, the connecting portion  33 A of the timing belt  33  may move from the left side to the right side, and the carriage  20  may also move from the left side to the right side. When the drive pulley  31  rotates in the reverse direction, the connecting portion  33 A may move from the right side to the left side, and the carriage  20  may also move from the right side to the left side. Thus, the carriage  20  and the reading unit  3  mounted on the carriage  20  may reciprocate in the left-right direction in the accommodation area  10 A in accordance with the rotation of the drive pulley  31  in the forward direction and the reverse direction.  FIG. 4  may depict a reading area R 1  in which the reading unit  3  may read an image. The reading area R 1  may be defined as the area that can be covered by reading elements (not depicted), which are arranged on the reading unit  3 , and move together with the carriage. A length LR 1  of the reading area R 1  in the left-right direction may correspond to the distance that the reading elements may cover when the carriage  20  moves in the left-right direction. A length LR 2  of the reading area R 1  in the front-rear direction may differ, according to the structure of the reading elements of the reading unit  3  and its reading method. The length LR 2  may be longer or shorter than the length LR 2  depicted in  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 4 , the length LR 2  may correspond to a length of an array of the reading elements arranged in the front-rear direction. When portions of the reading elements disposed on one end and its opposite end in the front-rear direction are not used for image reading, the reading area may be determined based on the length of the array of the reading elements excluding the portions of the reading element. An area located between the side wall  13  and the reading area R 1  may be a wiring area W 1 . As depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the bottom wall surface  11  may be shallowly recessed in a left portion of the wiring area W 1 . The shallow recess in the wiring area W 1  may provide additional space for the wiring cable  50 , while the bottom wall surface  11  may remain higher in the reading area R 1  to provide space beneath the reading area R 1  for other components (e.g., the image forming unit in  FIG. 2 ). The first extending portion  51 , the second extending portion  52  and the curve portion  53  of the wiring cable  50  may be disposed in the wiring area W 1 . 
     The reading area R 1  and the wiring area W 1  may be separated from each other. Therefore, even when a portion of the platen glass  19  in the wiring area W 1  is dirty or scratched by the second extending portion  52  of the wiring cable  50  urged toward the platen glass  19  by the restoring force of the curve portion  53 , dust or scratches on the platen glass  19  might not affect an image reading by the reading unit  3  in the reading area R 1 . 
     When the carriage  20  moves from the left side to the right side, the second extending portion  52  of the wiring cable  50  may be pulled by the carriage  20 , so that the curve portion  53  may move rightward. Accordingly, the first extending portion  51  may become shorter and the second extending portion  52  may become longer. When the carriage  20  moves from the right side to the left side, the second extending portion  52  of the wiring cable  50  may be pushed by the carriage  20 , so that the curve portion  53  may move leftward. Accordingly, the first extending portion  51  may become longer and the second extending portion  52  may become shorter.  FIG. 3  may depict a range El in which the curve portion  53  may move in the left-right direction. Thus, the wiring cable  50  may follow the reciprocating movement of the carriage  20  and might not get in the way of image reading by the reading unit  3 . 
     When the image reading apparatus  1  reads a document placed on the mount surface  8 A, the scanning mechanism  30  may be operated to move the reading unit  3  mounted on the carriage  20  to the right end from the left end in the main casing  8 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Thus, the reading unit  3  may read an image on the document placed on the mount surface  8 A. Thereafter, the scanning mechanism  30  may move the reading unit  3  that may finish image reading from the right end to the left end in the main casing  8 , to return the reading unit  3  to its original (or standby) position. 
     When the image reading apparatus  1  reads images on a plurality of the documents placed on the document plate  9 A, the scanning mechanism  30  may be operated to move the reading unit  3  mounted on the carriage  20  to a fixed position on the left end of the main casing  8 , as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . As the automatic document feeding mechanism  4  sequentially feeds the documents placed on the document plate  9 A along the feeding path P 1 , each document may pass over the reading unit  3  placed in the fixed position. While the document passes over the reading unit  3 , the reading unit  3  may read an image on the document. 
     Thus, the image reading apparatus  1  may read an image on the document placed on the mount surface  8 A or the document plate  9 A. 
     &lt;First Inclination Surface As Contact Reduction Portion&gt; 
     To realize the reduction of the size of the image reading apparatus  1 , the wiring area W 1  disposed between the side wall  13  and the reading area R 1  may be made relatively narrow in the front-rear direction. The first extending portion  51 , the second extending portion  52  and the curve portion  53  of the wiring cable  50  may be disposed in the narrow wiring area W. As depicted in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 ,  8  and  9 , the image reading apparatus  1  may comprise a contact reduction portion, e.g., a first inclination surface  100 , between the bottom wall surface  11  and the side wall  13 , to prevent or reduce the contact of the second extending portion  52  and the curve portion  53  of the wiring cable  50  to the side wall  13 . 
     The first inclination surface  100  may incline with respect to the bottom wall surface  11  that may extend in an approximately horizontal direction, and the side wall  13  that may extend in an approximately vertical direction. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , a boundary line C 1  between the first inclination surface  100  and the bottom wall surface  11  may extend in the left-right direction at a position away from the side wall  13  toward the front side. The first inclination surface  100  may slantingly extend upward toward the rear side from the boundary line C 1 , and may be connected to the side wall  13 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the first inclination surface  100  may be a flat surface extending along the entire length of the range E 1  in which the curve portion  53  may move in the left-right direction. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 9 , the distance between the boundary line C 1  and the side wall  13  in the front-rear direction may be defined as a distance L 1 . The distance between the right end of the second extending portion  52  that may be connected to the carriage  20 , and the side wall  13  in the front-rear direction, more specifically, the distance between the rear edge  52 B of the second extending portion  52  regulated by the regulating portion  27  and the side wall  13  in the front-rear direction may be defined as a distance L 2 . The distance L 1  may be approximately the same as the distance L 2 . 
       FIG. 9  may depict a state in which the first extending portion  51 , the curve portion  53  and the second extending portion  52  are not shifted in the front-rear direction. When the first extending portion  51 , the curve portion  53  and the second extending portion  52  are shifted toward the rear side so as to approach the side wall  13 , as depicted in  FIG. 8 , the rear edge  51 B of the first extending portion  51  extending along the side wall  13  may contact the first inclination surface  100 . The rear edge  51 B may approach the bottom wall surface  11  while sliding along the first sloping surface  100 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 6 , an inclination angle α 1  of the first inclination surface  100  with respect to the bottom wall surface  11  may be preferably at least 5 degrees or more, and more preferably between 45 and 90 degrees. In the example embodiment, the inclination angle al may be approximately 60 degrees. 
     The image reading apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment may comprise the contact reduction portion, e.g., the first inclination surface  100 . Therefore, the wiring cable  50  may be brought closer to the side wall  13  as depicted in  FIG. 5 . Thus, a reduction in size of the image reading apparatus  1  may be realized. In the image reading apparatus  1  having the first inclination surface  100 , the wiring area W 1  sandwiched between the side wall  13  and the reading area R 1  may be made relatively narrow in the front-rear direction. The first extending portion  51 , the second extending portion  52  and the curve portion  53  of the wiring cable  50  may be disposed in the narrow wiring area W 1 . Thus, the reduction in the size of the image reading apparatus  1  may be realized. 
     In the image reading apparatus  1 , when the first extending portion  51 , the curve portion  53  and the second extending portion  52  are shifted toward the rear side, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , while the curve portion  53  is moving in the left-right direction in association with the reciprocating movement of the carriage  20 , the rear edge  51 B of the first extending portion  51  extending along the side wall  13  may contact the contact reduction portion, e.g., the first inclination surface  100 , that may be provided between the bottom wall surface  11  and the side wall  13 . In the image reading apparatus  1 , the first extending portion  51 , the second extending portion  52  and the curve portion  53  of the wiring cable  50  may be disposed in the narrow wiring area W 1 , so that the distance between the side wall  13 , and the first extending portion  51 , the second extending portion  52  and the curve portion  53 , in the front-rear direction may be short. As the rear edge  51 B of the first extending portion contacts the first inclination surface  100 , the first extending portion  51 , the second extending portion  52  and the curve portion  53  may be inclined by a relatively small amount. Moreover, as a result of the contact, the curve portion  53  may try to move upward. However, the movement of the curve portion  53  may be regulated by the platen glass  19 . The first extending portion  51  may be urged toward the bottom wall surface  11  due to the restoring force of the curve portion  53 . Accordingly, the first extending portion  51  may slide along the first inclination surface  100  with the rear edge  51 B contacting the first inclination surface  100 . At this time, the first extending portion  51  may slide away from the side wall  13  to approach the bottom wall surface  11 , as depicted in  FIG. 9 , because the first inclination surface  100  may be inclined downward toward the bottom wall surface  11 . Therefore, the curve portion  53  and the second extending portion  52  may also move away from the side wall  13  in association with the slide of the first extending portion  51 . 
     In the image reading apparatus  1 , contact of the rear edge  53 B of the curve portion  53  and the edge  52 B of the second extending portion  52  to the side wall  13  may be reliably reduced or prevented by the first inclination surface  100 . Consequently, in the image reading apparatus  1 , amount of dust due to wear of the side wall  13  may be reduced or prevented, so that a problem with dust that may move adjacent to the reading unit  3 , might not occur or might occur less frequently. In the image reading apparatus  1 , vibrations of the second extending portion  52  may be reduced or prevented, so that a problem with vibrations that may be transmitted to the carriage  20  and the reading unit  3  might not occur or might occur less frequently. 
     Therefore, in the image reading apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment, the reduction of the size of the image reading apparatus  1  may be realized and the reduction in an image reading quality may be controlled. 
     In the image reading apparatus  1 , the distance L 1  between the side wall  13  and the boundary line C 1  between the first inclination surface  100  and the bottom wall surface  11  in the front-rear direction may be approximately the same as the distance L 2  between the right end of the second extending portion  52  that may be connected to the carriage  20  and the side wall  13  in the front-rear direction (more specifically, distance between the rear edge  52 B of the second extending portion  52  regulated by the regulating portion  27  and the side wall  13  in the front-rear direction). Thus, in the image reading apparatus  1 , after the first extending portion  51  slides so as to approach the bottom wall surface  11  along the first inclination surface  100  away from the side wall  13 , as depicted in  FIG. 9 , the first extending portion  51  and the second extending portion  52  may readily face each other in the top-bottom direction. Thus, such a force to twist the wiring cable  50  might not be applied, and the position of the wiring cable  50  may be stabilized. 
     Further, in the image reading apparatus  1 , contact between the right end of the second extending portion  52  closer to the carriage  20  and the side wall  13  may be reduced or prevented by the regulating portion  27  provided in the carriage  20 , as depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 9 . Therefore, occurrence of dust due to wear of the side wall  13  may further be reduced or prevented. Vibrations of the second extending portion  52  may further be reduced or prevented. 
     In the image reading apparatus  1 , the first inclination surface  100  may extend along the entire length of the range E 1  in which the curve portion  53  may move in the left-right direction. Thus, in the image reading apparatus  1 , the rear edge  51 B, extending along the side wall  13 , of the first extending portion  51  whose length may change in association of the movement of the curve portion  53  in the left-right direction, may reliably contact the first inclination surface  100 . Therefore, contact of the rear edge  53 B of the curve portion  53  and/or the rear edge  52 B of the second extending portion  52  to the side wall  13  may be reliably reduced or prevented. 
     Further, in the image reading apparatus  1 , the wiring cable  50  may comprise the folded portion  55 . Accordingly, a degree of flexibility in connection of the wiring cable  50  to the carriage  20  may increase. The spacer  28  provided in the carriage  20  may be positioned between portions of the folded portion  55  disposed adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, so as to maintain a distance therebetween in the front-rear direction. Thus, the contact between the portions of the folded portion  55  and contact between a portion of the folded portion  55  and the second extending portion  52  may be reduced or prevented. 
     (Second Embodiment) 
     An image reading apparatus  1  according to a second embodiment may comprise ribs  110 , as depicted in  FIG. 10 , instead of the first inclination surface  100  in the first embodiment. The ribs  110  may be disposed between the bottom wall surface  11  and the side wall  13  with a distance (e.g., 2 mm-3 mm) therebetween in the left-right direction. Each rib  110  may extend in the front-rear direction and have a triangular shape. An oblique side of each rib  110  may define the first inclination surface  100 . Other structures in the second embodiment may be similar to those of the first embodiment. Therefore, like reference numerals may be used for like corresponding parts in  FIG. 10  and a detailed description of similar parts with respect to the second embodiment might not be repeated. 
     In the image reading apparatus  1  according to the second embodiment, the reduction of the size of the image reading apparatus  1  may be realized and the reduction in an image reading quality may be controlled, similar to the image reading apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment. 
     In the image reading apparatus  1 , the first inclination surface  100  may be defined by the ribs  110 . Because there are gaps between the ribs  110 , a contact surface between the first extending portion  51  and the first inclination surface  100  may be reduced. Meanwhile, the rear edge  51 B of the first extending portion  51  may readily slide along the first inclination surface  100  toward the bottom wall surface  11  and may be placed in a more preferable position where the first extending portion  51  is further away from the side wall as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     (Third Embodiment) 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 11-13 , an image reading apparatus  1  according to a third embodiment may comprise a second inclination surface  200 , instead of the first inclination surface  100 . Other structures in the third embodiment may be similar to those of the first embodiment. Therefore, like reference numerals may be used for like corresponding parts in  FIGS. 11-13  and a detailed description of similar parts with respect to the third embodiment might not be repeated. 
     The image reading apparatus  1  according to the third embodiment may comprise a contact reduction portion, e.g., the second inclination surface  200 , disposed at the bottom wall surface  11 . The second inclination surface  200  may be configured to reduce or prevent the contact of the second extending portion  52  and the curve portion  53  of the wiring cable  50  to the side wall  13 . 
     The second inclination surface  200  may be provided at a portion of the bottom wall surface  11  where the second inclination surface  200  may be able to contact a facing surface  51 C of the first extending portion  51  that may face the bottom wall surface  11 . The second inclination surface  200  may incline upward toward the rear side and be connected to the side wall  13 . As depicted in  FIG. 11 , a perpendicular vector S 1  extending toward the platen glass  19  from the second inclination surface  200  may be inclined toward the front side away from the side wall  13 . 
     An inclination angle α 2  of the second inclination surface  200  with respect to the bottom wall surface  11  may be preferably approximately between 10 degrees and 45 degrees. In the example embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the inclination angle α 2  may be approximately 20 degrees. 
     The second inclination surface  200  may be a flat surface extending along the entire length of the range E 1  in which the curve portion  53  may move in the left-right direction. 
       FIG. 12  may depict a state in which the first extending portion  51 , the curve portion  53  and the second extending portion  52  may be shifted toward the rear side.  FIG. 13  may depict a state in which the first extending portion  51 , the curve portion  53  and the second extending portion  52  might not be shifted in the front-rear direction. 
     A stopper  220  may be disposed on the bottom wall surface  11  in front of the second inclination surface  200 . In other words, the stopper  220  may be disposed opposite to the side wall  13  in the front-rear direction with the second inclination surface  200  sandwiched therebetween. The stopper  220  may be a rib extending upward by a short length toward the platen glass  19 . The stopper  220  may extend along the second inclination surface  200  in the left-right direction. With such a structure, the stopper  220  may be configured to contact a side of the first extending portion  51  opposite to the side wall  13  in the front-rear direction, e.g., a front edge  51 A and guide (or regulate movement) of the wiring cable  50 . 
     In the image reading apparatus  1  according to the third embodiment, when the first extending portion  51 , the curve portion  53  and the second extending portion  52  are shifted toward the rear side, as depicted in  FIG. 12 , while the curve portion  53  is moving in the left-right direction in association with the reciprocating movement of the carriage  20 , the rear edge  51 B of the first extending portion  51  extending along the side wall  13  may contact the contact reduction portion, e.g., the second inclination surface  200 , provided on the bottom wall surface  11 . The curve portion  53  may try to move upward. However, the movement of the curve portion  53  may be regulated by the platen glass  19 . The first extending portion  51  may be urged toward the bottom wall surface  11  due to the restoring force of the curve portion  53 . Accordingly, as depicted in  FIG. 13 , the facing surface  51  C of the first extending portion  51  that may face the bottom wall surface  11  may contact the second inclination surface  200 . The first extending portion  51  may incline along the second inclination surface  200 . The perpendicular vector S 1  extending from the second inclination surface  200  toward the platen glass  19  may be inclined away from the side wall  13 . Therefore, in association with the inclination of the first extending portion  51  due to contact of the first extending portion  51  to the second inclination surface  200 , the rear edge  52 B of the second extending portion  52  may move away from the side wall  13 . In the image reading apparatus  1 , with the second inclination surface  200 , contact of the rear edge  53 B of the curve portion  53  and the rear edge  52 B of the second extending portion  52  to the side wall  13  may be reliably reduced or prevented. Therefore, occurrence of dust due to wear of the side wall  13  may further be reduced and vibrations of the second extending portion  52  may further be reduced. 
     Therefore, in the image reading apparatus  1  according to the third embodiment, the reduction of the size of the image reading apparatus  1  may be realized and the reduction in an image reading quality may be controlled, similar to the image reading apparatus  1  according to the first and second embodiments. 
     In the image reading apparatus  1 , the stopper  220  provided on the bottom wall surface  11  may contact the front edge  51 A of the first extending portion  51 . Therefore, excessive shift or movement of the first extending portion  51  toward the front side may be reduced or prevented. Accordingly, the curve portion  53  may smoothly move in the left-right direction. 
     (Fourth Embodiment) 
     As depicted in  FIG. 14 , an image reading apparatus  1  according to a fourth embodiment may comprise ribs  210 , instead of the second inclination surface  200  in the third embodiment. The ribs  210  may be provided at a portion of the bottom wall surface  11  where the ribs  210  may be able to contact the facing surface  51 C of the first extending portion  51  that may face the bottom wall surface  11 . The ribs  210  may extend in the left-right direction, with a distance therebetween in the front-rear direction. The height of the ribs  210  may gradually increase from the front-most rib  210  to the rear-most rib  210 . Upper edges of the ribs  210  may define the second inclination surface  200 . Other structures in the fourth embodiment may be similar to those of the first embodiment. Therefore, like reference numerals may be used for like corresponding parts in  FIG. 14  and a detailed description of similar parts with respect to the fourth embodiment might not be repeated. 
     In the image reading apparatus  1  according to the fourth embodiment, the reduction of the size of the image reading apparatus  1  may be realized and the reduction in an image reading quality may be controlled, similar to the image reading apparatus  1  according to the first to third embodiments. 
     In the image reading apparatus  1 , the second inclination surface  200  may be defined by the ribs  210 . Therefore, a contact area between the first extending portion  51  and the second inclination surface  200  may be reduced, and the curve portion  53  may smoothly move in the scanning direction. 
     While the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments, these are merely examples, and various changes, arrangements and modifications may be applied without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     For example, in the fourth embodiment, the ribs  210  may be arranged with a distance therebetween in the front-rear direction and each rib  210  may extend in the left-right direction. In another embodiment, for example, ribs may be arranged with a distance therebetween in the left-right direction and extend in the front-rear direction thereby defining the second inclination surface  200 . 
     The disclosure may be applied to a so-called multi-function device having, for example, a copying function and a facsimile transmission and reception function, in addition to the function of the image reading apparatus  1 .