JP2000038233A - Image forming and reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure a stable conveyance amount even if the number, thicknesses, and materials of image read members and image formed members to be conveyed differ so as to improve picture quality. SOLUTION: A recording component 2 and a picture image reading component 3 are arranged by opposing mutually across a platen glass 18 and a recording paper 1b and a document 1a guided by it. The recording paper 1b and the document 1a are conveyed by a line feed roller 4 and a roller 5. The line feed roller 4 is formed by a rigid member such as a metal, iron, and projections having a height of several hundred microns or less are formed on a surface thereof.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a digital image forming and reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming and reading apparatus in which an image forming section is of an ink jet recording type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The following is proposed as a conventional image forming and reading apparatus of this type. The image forming and reading apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of an image forming and reading apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1b denotes an image forming member (hereinafter, a recording sheet 1b), and 1a denotes an image reading member (hereinafter, a document 1a), which is conveyed in the direction of arrow A in the drawing.
Here, reference numeral 4 denotes a line feed roller (hereinafter referred to as an LF roller) in which a flexible material such as rubber is disposed around a metal core such as metal. It is driven by a drive source 12 such as a motor or the like by a drive transmission means 13 composed of a normal gear or a pulley, which is schematically shown in the drawing. Reference numeral 5 denotes a backup roller for the LF roller 4, and the recording paper 1b and the original 1a are conveyed by the cooperation of the roller 5 and the LF roller 4.

Here, the conveying force for the recording paper 1b is
The recording paper 1b is supplied from the original 1a by the frictional force of the recording paper 1a.

Next, reference numeral 2 denotes a recording component, which forms an image by discharging ink or the like onto the recording paper 1b. Here, a plurality of ink ejection ports are arranged in the recording component 2 in the direction of arrow A in the figure.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an image reading component, in which a light source and a photoelectric conversion element are arranged toward the original 1a.
A plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in the direction.
Here, in the present embodiment, the arrangement pitch of the plurality of ink ejection ports and the arrangement pitch of the photoelectric conversion elements are arranged at the same distance, but need not be the same. Further, the pitches may be arranged so as to have an integral multiple of each other.

Here, the recording component 2 is the shaft 1
7 is slidably supported. Further, the recording component 2 is fixed to a belt 9 and the belt 9 is a pulley 1
The pulley 9 is fixed to a shaft of a motor 8 while being stretched between a pulley 0 and a pulley (not shown).

Similarly, the reading component 3 is slidably supported on the shaft 15. Further, the reading component 3 is fixed to the belt 19 and the belt 1
9 is stretched between the pulley 14 and a pulley (not shown). Here, when the recording component 2 and the reading component 3 are fixed to the belt 9, in the present embodiment, FIG.
When the reading component 3 moves in the direction of the arrow C in the figure, the recording component 2 is fixed as if it moves in the direction of the arrow B, but if the copy image is managed with a memory so as not to have a mirror image relationship, the same direction The component may be moved to a different position. Further, in the present embodiment, the recording component 2 is fixed to the belt 9 and the reading component 3 is fixed to the belt 19, respectively, but they may be fixed to the same belt and driven by different driving sources. Alternatively, the same drive source may be branched and driven by drive transmission means. Reference numeral 11 denotes a frame which supports the components shown in FIG.

[0010] Because of the configuration described above, the recording and reading components 2 and 3 reciprocate, respectively, when the motor 8 rotates. Here, the timing of image formation and reading is synchronized with the motor 8 so that the recording and reading components 2 and 3 form and read images. When the scanning of the recording and reading components 2 and 3 is completed, the original 1a and the recording paper 1b are sequentially conveyed by the LF roller 4 to scan the entire surface of the original 1a and the recording paper 1b. The document 1a and the recording paper 1b that have been scanned are discharged outside the apparatus by the cooperation of the discharge roller 6 and the discharge roller 7. Finally, reference numeral 16 denotes a platen, which is disposed so that the distance between the recording paper 1b and the recording component 2 is a predetermined distance, and 18 is a platen glass, which similarly sets the distance between the reading component 3 and the original 1a. The component 3 reads the original 1a through the platen glass 18 while keeping the same. Reference numeral 11 denotes a chassis which supports the components of the present invention.

[0011]

However, in the above-described conventional example, the paper passes between the LF roller 4 and the backup roller 5 when the original 1a and the recording paper 1b are conveyed one by one and when the two are simultaneously fed. As a matter of course, the thickness of the sheet is different, and accordingly, the deformation amount of the flexible material portion such as rubber disposed around the metal core of the LF roller 4 is changed. The same is true even if the thickness of the original 1a and the thickness of the recording paper 1b are changed. Generally, when a sheet material is conveyed by a rubber roller or the like, it is known that the larger the deformation amount of the rubber roller, the larger the sheet feeding amount. For this reason, the conventional example has a drawback that the sheet feed amount is not stabilized and the image quality is deteriorated depending on the number and thickness of the sheets passing between the LF roller 4 and the backup roller 5.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading member and an image forming member to be conveyed. An object of the present invention is to secure a stable conveyance amount even if the thickness, material, and the like are different, and to improve the image quality.

[0013]

To achieve the above object, an image reading section for reading an image on a member to be read,
An image forming unit that forms an image read from the reading member on the image forming member, a conveying unit that conveys the image reading member and the image forming member, and an image reading member and the image forming unit. An image forming and reading apparatus that includes a guide unit that guides members to the image reading unit and the image forming unit, respectively, and simultaneously reads the image reading member and the image forming member to perform image reading and image forming; The transporting means comprises a first rotary transporting means and a second rotary transporting means which press against each other to sandwich and transport the image reading member and the image forming member, and at least one of the first rotary transporting means and the second rotary transporting means. The pressure contact portion of one of the rotary conveyance means is formed by a rigid member.

According to this structure, the pressure contact portion is formed by the rigid member, and even if the number, thickness and material of the image reading member and the image forming member to be sandwiched are different, the deformation amount of the pressure contact portion varies. Is small, a stable conveyance amount can be secured, and the image quality is improved.

It is preferable that a fine projection is provided on the pressure contact surface of the pressure contact portion made of the rigid member.

With this configuration, the coefficient of friction of the press-contact portion of the rotary conveying means with respect to the image reading member or the image forming member increases, so that the conveyance amounts of the image reading member and the image forming member can be accurately stabilized. be able to.

Preferably, the rigid member is a metal.

The press contact portion is formed of a member having rigidity. If such a member is made of metal, high rigidity can be obtained. Such members are not limited to metal,
Ceramic or hard rigid plastic can also be used.

Further, the rotary conveying means having the pressure contact portion made of the rigid member may be a roller.

Further, the rotary conveying means having the pressure contact portion made of the rigid member may be a winding means.

A winding means such as a belt may be wound around a roller made of a rigid member, but the winding means such as a belt may be formed by a rigid member.

Further, the image forming section includes a plurality of image forming sections, and the image reading section includes a plurality of image reading sections, and the plurality of image forming sections and the plurality of image reading sections are arranged in parallel. At the same time, the image forming unit and the image reading unit may be arranged to face each other with the guiding means interposed therebetween.

With this configuration, the image forming means and the image reading means can be driven by the same driving source and drive transmitting means and scanned in parallel directions to perform image formation and image reading. In addition, the number of components can be reduced and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

Further, the image forming section and the image reading section may be arranged to face each other with the guide means interposed therebetween, and the image forming section may be arranged above the image reading section.

The image forming section and the image reading section may be arranged so that an image is read from the image reading member before an image is formed on the image forming member.

With this configuration, the image forming section and the image reading section can be simultaneously driven to perform image reading and image formation.

Further, it is preferable that the image forming section forms an image by an ink jet system.

As described above, if an image is formed by the ink jet method, it is possible to provide an image forming and reading apparatus capable of forming a compact and high quality image.

[0029]

FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of an image forming and reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of FIG. Here, basically, the arrangement and configuration of each component are almost the same as in the conventional example, but will be described again here.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1b denotes an image forming member (hereinafter, a recording sheet 1b), and 1a denotes an image reading member (hereinafter, a document 1a), which is conveyed in the direction of arrow A in the drawing. Here, reference numeral 4 denotes a line feed roller (hereinafter referred to as an LF roller), which is made of a metal such as SUS or iron. Although not shown, the line feed roller may be hollow if a sufficiently rigid body can be obtained. Further, a hard rigid plastic containing ceramic or glass or fiber may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, projections having a projection height of several hundred microns or less are formed on the surface of the metal by blasting or etching. In this embodiment, the conveying means of the recording paper 1b and the original 1a is a roller, but may be a winding means such as a belt driven by the rigid roller. In the case of belt conveyance, it is desirable that the belt is also formed of a highly rigid material such as metal.

The LF roller 4 is driven by a drive source 12 such as a motor or the like by a drive transmission means 13 composed of a normal gear or a pulley, which is schematically shown in the drawing. Reference numeral 5 denotes a backup roller for the LF roller 4, and the roller 5 and the L
The recording paper 1b and the original 1a are cooperated by the F roller 4 working together.
Will be transported. In the present embodiment, the LF roller 4 and the roller 5 constitute first and second rotating conveyance means,
The F roller 4 is formed of a metal which is a rigid member including an outer peripheral surface which is a pressing portion.

Here, the conveying force for the recording paper 1b is
The recording paper 1b is supplied from the original 1a by the frictional force of the recording paper 1a.

Next, reference numeral 2 denotes a recording component (image forming unit) which forms an image by discharging ink or the like onto the recording paper 1b. Here, a plurality of ink ejection ports (image forming means) are arranged in the recording component 2 in the direction of arrow A in the figure.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an image reading component (image reading unit) in which a light source and a photoelectric conversion element (image forming means) are arranged toward the original 1a. A plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged toward. Here, in the present embodiment, the arrangement pitch of the plurality of ink ejection ports and the arrangement pitch of the photoelectric conversion elements are arranged at the same distance, but need not be the same. Further, the pitches may be arranged so as to have an integral multiple of each other. The photoelectric conversion element array is conceptually represented by 3C in FIG. 2, and the discharge port array is represented by 2C in FIG.

Here, the recording component 2 is the shaft 1
7 is slidably supported. Further, the recording component 2 is fixed to a belt 9 and the belt 9 is a pulley 1
The pulley 9 is fixed to a shaft of a motor 8 while being stretched between a pulley 0 and a pulley (not shown).

Similarly, the reading component 3 is slidably supported on the shaft 15. Further, the reading component 3 is fixed to a belt 9, and the belt 9 is stretched between a pulley 14 and a pulley (not shown).

When the recording component 2 and the reading component 3 are fixed to the belt 9 in this embodiment, when the reading component 3 moves in the direction of arrow C in FIG. Although it is fixed as if it moves, if you manage it with memory so that the copied image does not become a mirror image relationship,
The components may move in the same direction.

Further, in this embodiment, the recording component 2 and the reading component 3
Are fixed, but they may be fixed to different belts and driven by different drive sources, or the same drive source may be branched and driven by drive transmission means.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a frame which supports the components shown in FIG.

With the above-described configuration, the recording and reading components 2 and 3 reciprocate in the directions indicated by arrows C and B in the figure, respectively, when the motor 8 rotates. In the present embodiment, reading and image formation are performed when the recording and reading component 2 moves in the direction of arrow B in the figure, but reading and image formation may be performed when moving in the direction of arrow C.

The timing of image formation and reading is synchronized with the motor 8 so that the recording and reading components 2 and 3 form and read an image. When the scanning of the recording and reading components 2 and 3 in the directions of the arrows C and B is completed, the entire surface of the original 1a and the recording paper 1b is scanned by sequentially transporting the original 1a and the recording paper 1b by the LF roller 4. become. Original 1a after scanning
The recording paper 1b is discharged out of the apparatus by the cooperation of the discharge roller 6 and the discharge roller 7.

Finally, 16 is a platen glass (guide means)
The recording paper 1b and the document 1a are arranged so that the distance between the recording and reading components 2 and 3 is a predetermined distance. The reading component 3 reads the document 1a through the platen glass 16 and reads the document 1a. Will go.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a chassis which supports the components of the present invention.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A press-contact portion of at least one of the first and second rotary conveyance units that presses each other to pinch and convey the image-reading member and the image-forming member is formed by a rigid member. Even if the number, thickness, material, and the like of the image reading member and the image forming member are different, the variation in the deformation amount of the press contact portion is small, so that a stable conveyance amount can be secured and the image quality is improved.

Further, since fine projections are provided on the pressure contact surface of the pressure contact portion made of the rigid member, the coefficient of friction of the pressure contact portion of the rotary conveying means with respect to the image reading member or the image forming member increases, and the image reading speed increases. The conveyance amount of the member and the image forming member can be accurately stabilized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming and reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming and reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a Document 1b Recording paper 2 Recording component 3 Reading component 4 LF roller 5 Roller 16 Platen 18 Platen glass

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image reading unit configured to read an image on the member to be read; an image forming unit configured to form an image read from the member to be read on the image forming member; A conveying unit that conveys the member; and a guide unit that guides the image reading member and the image forming member to the image reading unit and the image forming unit, respectively. In an image forming and reading apparatus that simultaneously reads and reads an image and forms an image, the transporting means presses against each other, and the first rotating transporting means and the second rotation transporting the image reading member and the image forming member sandwiching and transporting the same. A pressure contact portion of at least one of the first and second rotary transfer means by a rigid member. An image forming and reading apparatus characterized by being formed. 2. The image forming and reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a fine projection is provided on a pressure contact surface of the pressure contact portion made of the rigid member. 3. The image forming and reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rigid member is metal. 4. The image forming and reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotary conveying means having a pressure contact portion made of a rigid member is a roller. 5. An image forming and reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotary conveying means having a pressure contact portion comprising said rigid member is a winding means. 6. The image forming unit includes a plurality of image forming units, the image reading unit includes a plurality of image reading units, and the plurality of image forming units and the plurality of image reading units are arranged in parallel. 6. The image forming and reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit and the image reading unit are arranged to face each other with the guiding unit interposed therebetween. 7. The image forming section and the image reading section are arranged to face each other with the guide means interposed therebetween, and the image forming section is arranged above the image reading section. The image forming and reading apparatus according to claim 1. 8. The image forming section and the image reading section are arranged so as to read an image from the image reading member before forming an image on the image forming member. 8. The image forming and reading apparatus according to claim 7. 9. The image forming unit according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit forms an image by an ink-jet method.
The image forming and reading apparatus according to claim 1.