Image reading device and image forming apparatus having the same

Abstract

An image reading device and an image forming apparatus having the same, that can prevent unnecessary wear of components or damage of a document when a simplex scanning operation is carried out. The image reading device includes a first reading unit and a second reading unit. The first reading unit includes a first scan unit to scan a first surface of a document, a first press member mounted while opposing the first scan unit, and a first elastic member to bias the first scan unit or the first press member to closely contact the document with the first scan unit. The second reading unit includes a second scan unit to scan a second surface of the document, a second press member mounted while opposing the second scan unit, and a second elastic member to bias the second scan unit or the second press member to closely contact the document with the second scan unit. The second scan unit and the second press member are separated from each other by a lifting device. The first elastic member to bias the first scan unit or the first press member has an elastic force different from an elastic force of the second elastic member to bias the second scan unit or the second press member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 a frame; and   an image reading device mounted in the frame, and comprising:   a first reading unit including a first scan unit to scan a first surface of a document, a first press member mounted while opposing the first scan unit, and a first elastic member to bias the first scan unit or the first press member to closely contact the document with the first scan unit; and   a second reading unit including a second scan unit to scan a second surface of the document, a second press member mounted while opposing the second scan unit, and a second elastic member to bias the second scan unit or the second press member to closely contact the document with the second scan unit,   wherein the first elastic member to bias the first scan unit or the first press member has an elastic force different from an elastic force of the second elastic member to bias the second scan unit or the second press member.   
     
     
         2 . An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 a frame; and   an image reading device mounted in the frame, and comprising:   at least one scanning units to scan a respective surface of a document;   a press member mounted opposite the at least one scanning units; and   an elastic member to press the at least one scanning units toward the press member,   wherein the at least one scanning units move away from the press member to a separation position corresponding to an image reading mode.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the image reading mode comprises:
 a duplex scanning mode.   
     
     
         4 . An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 an image reading device having a first reading unit to be stationary with respect to a feeding path of a document to read a first surface of the printing medium, and a second reading unit to be movable with respect to the feeding path of the document to read a second surface of the document.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first reading unit and the second reading unit are spaced apart from each other along the feeding path. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first reading unit and the second reading unit are disposed opposite to each other with respect to the feeding path. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first reading unit has a first friction with the document; and   the second reading unit has a second friction with the document.