JP2000047437A - Image processing device and optical unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device needing no consideration of contamination of a slit glass in a document reading position and free from deterioration of the quality of the read image information, and provide an optical unit free from deterioration of the quality of the read image information. SOLUTION: This image processing device is provided with a automatic document feeder for automatically feeding a document, an optical system for reading the image of the document in feeding, and a guide member 11 arranged between the document and the optical system to guide the document. The guide member 11 has an opening 12 so as to pass light between the optical system and a document S. The optical unit is formed so as to be fitted to an image forming device, a light source, a mirror member and the like are integrated thereto, and a translucent member is used also as the platen glass of the device to prevent the penetration of dust.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus for reading an image on a document and processing the image, and an optical unit suitable for the image processing apparatus. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image reading apparatus configured to read an image on a document while the document is being conveyed while an optical system is stationary, an elongated slit glass is provided at a reading position of the document, and the slit glass is attached to the slit glass. The image on the manuscript was read through the camera.

However, in such an image reading apparatus,
Since the original is conveyed while being rubbed on the same slit glass surface having a narrow reading width, pigment such as paper powder or toner or ink of the original adheres to the slit glass, and the slit glass becomes dirty. The dirt is read by the image reading device, and the quality of the read and recorded image information deteriorates. For example, in the image forming apparatus, the image of the dirt is formed on the formed image.

Conventionally, with respect to such stains on the slit glass, it is necessary to indicate in a user's manual of the apparatus that it is necessary to wipe the slit glass, and the user has to take measures such as actually wiping the surface of the slit glass with a cloth or the like. That was the current situation. Further, since it is difficult to wipe off the back surface of the slit glass, it is necessary to take measures such as providing a transparent conductive film on the back surface so that dust and the like do not adhere due to static electricity, leading to an increase in cost of the slit glass.

In addition, paper dust and dust adhere to the inner surface of a platen glass on which a light source, a mirror, a lens, a CCD and the like, and a document are placed, which are disposed inside the image reading apparatus for reading an image. As a result, similarly, there is a problem that the quality of image information is reduced.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus or the like which does not need to take into account the dirt on the slit glass at the document reading position and which does not degrade the quality of the read image information. It is to provide a processing device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical unit which is suitable for being incorporated in an image reading apparatus or the like and does not deteriorate the quality of read image information.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an automatic document feeder for automatically feeding a document;
An optical system that irradiates light to the original being conveyed by the automatic original conveyance unit to read an image of the original, and a guide member that guides the original conveyed by the automatic original conveyance unit at the reading position. An opening is provided in the guide member for transmitting light emitted from the optical system.

According to the present invention, since light travels between the original and the optical system through the opening provided in the guide member, the conventional slit glass is not required. Therefore, there is no problem such as dirt on the slit glass,
It is possible to solve the problem that the quality of the read image information is deteriorated due to dirt, and it is not necessary to wipe the slit glass every time the user gets dirty. Further, the number of parts can be reduced, which can contribute to cost reduction. In the present invention, the image processing device is a device that reads an image from a document and processes the read image information. For example, an image reading device that converts the read image information into an electric signal or the like is used as an image processing device. It includes an image forming apparatus that forms the image on a read recording sheet or the like.

[0010] Further, the opening is inclined with respect to the surface of the guide member and penetrates through the guide member, so that foreign matter enters the apparatus from outside through the opening inclined with respect to the surface of the guide member. This makes it difficult to prevent foreign matter from entering. In this case, the guide member provided with the opening is preferably configured to be relatively thick.

The optical system includes a light source for irradiating the original with light, a first mirror member for reflecting light from the original, and a second mirror for reflecting light reflected from the first mirror member.
And light from the light source is inclined with respect to the vertical direction and is incident on the original, and light reflected from the original is inclined with respect to the vertical direction and is incident on the first mirror member. It is preferable to dispose the light source and the first mirror member on the same. According to this arrangement, since the light source and the first mirror member are not located immediately below the opening, even when foreign matter, dust, or the like enters through the opening, the risk of hitting the light source and the first mirror member or accumulating is reduced. be able to. In this case, the opening may be vertical or inclined with respect to the surface of the guide member.

Further, the first mirror member is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that light from the original is reflected by the first mirror member and the reflected light is directed to the second mirror member. By arranging the first mirror member horizontally, the light is horizontally emitted from the first mirror member even when the opening is inclined or when the light from the original is inclined vertically and enters the first mirror member. The light can be emitted, and the optical system subsequent to the second mirror member does not need to have a special structure.

Further, by providing a shutter member for opening and closing the opening, the opening can be closed by the shutter member when the image reading operation is not performed, so that dust and foreign matter can enter the inside of the apparatus. It is possible to prevent the foreign matter from coming into contact with the optical system and prevent the accumulation of dust and the like.

Further, by configuring the surface of the shutter member on the side of the stationary optical system as a standard surface for shading correction, the shutter member and the shading correction member can be used together, and the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, the optical system unit of the present invention includes a light source for irradiating light to an external document and an optical element to which light reflected from the document is incident, and is integrally unitized. A surface opposing the document is closed by a translucent member so that light and light from the document are transmitted.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent foreign matter and dust from entering the unit by the light-transmitting member. Problems such as deterioration in quality can be prevented. The optical system unit preferably has a closed structure, so that entry of foreign matter, dust, and the like can be further prevented.

Further, the image processing apparatus is provided with the above-mentioned optical system unit, and the surface for reading the image of the original is constituted by the above-mentioned translucent member. Since it can also be used as glass, dimming and refraction of light due to the double platen glass can be eliminated, and high-quality image information can be obtained. Also, the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, it is preferable that the optical system unit is configured to be detachable from the image processing apparatus, because the optical system unit can be easily repaired or replaced in the image processing apparatus.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First and second embodiments of the present invention will now be described.
An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method according to an embodiment. This image forming apparatus is applicable to a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or the like that forms an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium, and includes an automatic document feeder 1 that automatically feeds a document to read the image, and a guide member 11 or An optical system 10 for reading an image from a document via a platen glass 13 and an optical scanning unit 20 for writing the read image information as scanning light on a photosensitive drum 31
And an image forming unit 30 for forming an image on a recording sheet based on the image information, and a paper feed cassette unit 40 for storing and feeding the recording sheet. Further, a printed circuit board section PC including printed circuit boards PC1 to PC3 for controlling each part is disposed between the optical system 10 and the optical scanning section 20. Each board PC1 of this printed circuit board section PC
Heat generated from PC3 is exhausted by the fan FA.

The automatic document feeder 1, the optical system 10, the printed circuit board PC, and the optical scanning unit 20 are incorporated in a housing 101.
1 and a platen glass 13 are arranged, and the automatic document feeder 1 is arranged thereon.

The automatic document feeder 1 includes a feed roller 2 for feeding a sheet-shaped document on the document feeder 9, a separation roller 3 for separating the document so that a plurality of documents are not fed, and a predetermined timing. Registration rollers 4, which rotate and feed the document
Conveying rollers 6 for conveying the document passing through the platen roller 5 along the outer peripheral surface 6a, a discharge roller 7 for discharging the document sent from the conveying roller 6 to a document discharge section 9a, and reading an image on the back surface of the document. For this purpose, there is provided a reversing roller 8 for turning the traveling direction of the document.

An optical system 10 includes a light source 11 for irradiating a document with light via a guide member 11 or a platen glass 13.
A, First mirror member 1 that reflects light reflected from a document
1B, a second mirror member 12A that reflects light from the first mirror member 11B, and a second mirror member 12A
The third mirror member 12B that reflects light from
A lens 14 on which light from the mirror member 12B is incident, and a photodetector 15 composed of a CCD or the like, on which light from the lens 14 is incident and photoelectrically converted. Also, the light source 11A
And the first mirror member 11B are integrally movable.
The second mirror member 12A and the third mirror member 12B are configured to be able to move integrally.

Light source 11A, first mirror member 11B, second mirror member 12A and third mirror member 12
B is movable in the horizontal direction in the figure, and when reading the original sent by the automatic document feeder 1 through the guide member 11, the original B is stationary to the left in the figure. When reading a document placed on a document, the image of the document is read while moving in the horizontal direction in the figure.

The light scanning section 20 deflects and scans a laser beam generated from a laser light source (not shown) based on a signal from the light detection section 15 and scans the polygon mirror 22. Light from the polygon mirror 22 enters the polygon mirror 22. The lens 23 includes a mirror 25 that reflects light from the lens 23 toward the photosensitive drum 31.

The image forming section 30 includes a photosensitive drum 31 having a photoconductive photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, a charging charger 32 for uniformly charging the photoconductive photosensitive layer as the photosensitive drum 31 rotates. The developing unit 33 for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 by the optical scanning of the optical scanning unit 20 to form a toner image, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 from the sheet cassette unit 40 at a time. It has a transfer pole 34 for transferring to the conveyed recording sheet, a conveying belt 36 for conveying the recording sheet on which the toner image has been transferred, a fixing device 37 for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording sheet, and a fixed toner image. A discharge roller 39 for discharging the recording sheet out of the apparatus is provided.

The paper cassette unit 40 includes a cassette 41 for accommodating a large number of recording sheets P such as paper, and a paper feeding roller 42 for feeding the recording sheets P from the cassette 41 toward the image forming unit 30. The recording sheet sent by the paper feed roller 42 is conveyed to the lower portion of the photosensitive drum 31 at appropriate timing through the paper feed rollers 43a and 43 and the registration roller 44.

Next, the guide member 11 of FIG. 1 and its vicinity will be described with reference to FIG. The guide member 11 is disposed below the transport roller 6 and guides a document S (shown by a broken line) transported by the transport roller 5 rotating in the rotation direction R while being guided by the guide 6b. I do. The guide member 11 is formed with a slit-like opening 12 penetrating substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 11a. The light source 11A and the first mirror member 11B are positioned below the opening 12 in a stationary state, and the light from the light source 11A irradiates the original, and the light reflected from the original enters the first mirror member 11B. It is supposed to. The guide member 11 can be made of a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel, a resin material, or the like, and need not necessarily be made of a conventional translucent material such as glass.

The operation of reading an image from a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the document on the document feeder 9 shown in FIG. 1 is fed, the transport roller 6 rotates in the rotation direction R in FIG.
The document S is conveyed on the outer peripheral surface 6a of the conveying roller 6 while being guided by the guide 6b, passing between the conveying roller 6 and the registration roller 4 and the platen roller 5, and reaches above the guide member 11. Upper surface 11 of guide member 11
a light source 11A for the original S moving while being guided by
Is irradiated through the opening 12 of the guide member 11,
Light reflected from the document S enters the first mirror member 11B through the opening 12, and subsequently enters the second mirror member 12A and the third mirror member 12B, which are integrally connected by the connecting member 12C, in order. This reflected light is the lens 1 of FIG.
The image information from the original is converted into an electric signal by being incident on the light detection unit 15 through the optical signal 4. Based on this image information, an image of a document is formed on a recording sheet by the optical scanning unit 20 and the image forming unit 30.

As described above, the document S is
The image of the document S can be read while passing between the upper surface 11a of the sheet P and the outer peripheral surface 6a of the transport roller 6. In this case, light passes between the document S, the light source 11A, and the first mirror member 11B through the opening 12 provided in the guide member 11, so that the conventional slit glass is not required, and the slit glass becomes dirty. There is no. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that the quality of the read image information is reduced due to the contamination of the slit glass. In addition, the work of wiping the slit glass every time the user becomes dirty becomes unnecessary, which is preferable from the viewpoint of maintenance of the apparatus.

Next, a first modified example in which the opening provided in the guide member 11 is inclined will be described with reference to FIG. This first
In the modification of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG.
a is formed to penetrate the guide member 11 while being inclined with respect to the upper surface 11 a of the guide member 11. Further, the light source 11A and the first mirror member 11B are arranged such that the light can travel to and from the document S through the opening 12a that is inclined in the vertical direction and advances. In addition, the first light is reflected from the document S so as to be incident on the first mirror member 11B and incident on the second mirror member 12A horizontally and horizontally in the drawing.
Of the mirror member 11B are arranged at an angle. The inclination angle of the first mirror member 11B is determined based on the inclination angle of the opening 12A. In this manner, light can be emitted horizontally from the first mirror member 11B, and it is not necessary to arrange the second mirror member 12A and the third mirror member 12B in a special arrangement or structure.

According to the first modification shown in FIG. 3, since the opening 12a provided in the guide member 11 is inclined with respect to the upper surface 11a, foreign matter such as a clip attached to a document from the outside through the opening 12a can be prevented. It becomes difficult to enter the inside of the housing 101, and entry of foreign matter can be prevented. In this case, the opening 12
When the guide member 11 provided with a is configured to be relatively thick,
The effect of preventing foreign matter from entering is increased, which is preferable.

In FIG. 3, the opening of the guide member 11 is provided vertically without tilting as shown in FIG. 2, and the light source 11A and the first mirror member 11B are tilted in the vertical direction so that the light source 11A and the first mirror member 11B can be connected to the original S. By arranging the light source 11A and the first mirror member 11B in the same manner as in FIG.
Is not located immediately below the opening, so that even when foreign matter or dust enters through the opening, the light source 11A and the first
This can reduce the risk of hitting or accumulating on the mirror member 11B.

Next, a second modification in which a shutter member 10a for opening and closing the opening 12 of the guide member 11 is described with reference to FIG. In this second modified example, as shown in FIG. 4, the shutter member 10a is moved in the horizontal directions H and H 'in the drawing by urging means (not shown) such as a spring.
The guide member 11 is disposed on the upper surface 11 a so as to slide along the line b and open and close the opening 12. The shutter member 10a moves in the direction H to close the opening 12 when reading the document is not performed, and moves in the direction H 'to open the opening 12 when reading the document. The shutter member 10a can prevent dust and foreign matter from entering the housing 101 when the apparatus is not operated, and can prevent foreign matter from coming into contact with the light source 11A, the first mirror member 11B, and the like. Accumulation can be prevented. In addition, you may comprise as an energizing means using a solenoid so that the shutter member 10a may be operated by an operation button. Also,
The shutter member 10a may be configured to be automatically closed when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off, or may be automatically closed when not used for a predetermined time even if the power is turned on. In FIG. 4, illustration of a light source, a mirror member, and the like is omitted.

In FIG. 4, the shutter member 10a
A standard white plate 10c for shading correction can be arranged on the lower surface side of. Thereby, the shutter member 10
Since a can also serve as a standard white plate, it is not necessary to provide this standard white plate in another portion, and the number of parts can be reduced, which is preferable. Further, when the image forming apparatus performs the shading correction, the shutter member 10a is automatically closed and the correction is performed. The shading correction is performed for the purpose of correcting a variation in sensitivity of each pixel in the light detection unit 15 of the optical system 10 and correcting uneven illumination.

<Second Embodiment> Next, referring to FIG.
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This image forming apparatus is shown in FIG.
The optical system unit shown in FIG. 5A is configured to be detachably incorporated in the apparatus main body shown in FIG. 5B. This image forming apparatus can be configured to include the optical scanning unit 20, the image forming unit 30, and the sheet cassette unit 40 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the optical system unit 51 includes a light source 11A, a first mirror member 11B, a second mirror member 12A, and a third mirror member 12B similar to those shown in FIG. , The lens 14 and the light detection unit 15 are incorporated in a box-shaped housing 53. The light from the light source is applied to the original via the translucent member 52, and the reflected light from the original enters the first mirror member. This housing 53
Is closed by a translucent member 52, and the housing 53 is in a sealed state as a whole. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent foreign matter, dust, and the like from entering the optical system unit 51.
It is possible to prevent the problem that the light source for reading the original, the mirror members, and the like become dirty and the quality of image information is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 5B, a concave portion 62 is provided on the upper surface 61 of the image forming apparatus main body 60, and the optical system unit 51 is fitted into the concave portion 62. When the optical system unit 51 is fitted on the upper surface 61, the translucent member 52 of the optical system unit 51 performs the same function as a platen glass for reading an original in the image forming apparatus. That is, the light from the light source passes through the translucent member 52 of the optical system unit 51 fitted in the image forming apparatus 60, irradiates the original on the translucent member 52, and the light reflected from the original transmits again, The light enters the first mirror member.
Subsequently, an image is formed on the recording sheet in exactly the same manner as in FIG.

As described above, since the translucent member 52 of the optical unit 51 functions as a translucent member for reading the original of the image forming apparatus 60, light reduction and light refraction due to the double platen glass are provided. Etc. can be eliminated, and high quality image information can be obtained. Also, the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, since the optical system unit 52 is configured to be detachable from the image processing apparatus, the optical system unit 52 can be easily repaired or replaced in the image processing apparatus 60, which is preferable.

The optical system unit 51 may have a structure in which an appropriate opening is provided on the side surface or the bottom surface of the housing 53 to release heat from the light source, so that heat can be wasted. Further, a radiation fin may be provided on the bottom surface of the housing 53 for the waste heat, and air may flow in the longitudinal direction of the radiation fin. Also,
The side surface of the housing 53 may be configured to be swingable, and when air is sent by a fan or the like, the air may swing the side surface to be guided into the housing 53.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible. One wall surface may be substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 11a, and the other wall surface may be inclined with respect to the upper surface 11a. Of course, both wall surfaces may have other shapes.

[0041]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus which does not need to consider the dirt on the slit glass at the document reading position and does not degrade the quality of the read image information.

According to the optical system unit of the present invention,
It is suitable for being incorporated in an image reading device or the like, and can prevent the optical elements of the incorporated optical system from being stained by dust or the like, and can prevent the quality of read image information from deteriorating.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing a guide member of FIG. 1 and a portion near the guide member.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a first modification in which the shape of the opening of the guide member of FIG. 2 is changed.

FIG. 4 is a second view in which a shutter member is provided on the guide member of FIG. 1;
It is a figure which shows the modification of.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an optical system unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus that can incorporate the optical system unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Document automatic conveyance apparatus (document automatic conveyance means) 10 Optical system 11 Guide member 12, 12a Opening 11A Light source 11B First mirror member 12A Second mirror member 12B Third mirror member 10a Shutter member 10c Standard white for shading correction Plate 51 Optical system unit 52 Translucent member

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H076 AA04 AA58 BA24 BA45 EA06 EA12 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB32 AD06 BA06

Claims (8)

[Claims] An automatic document feeder for automatically feeding a document; and an optical device for reading an image of the document by irradiating light on the document being fed by the automatic document feeder while the document is stationary at a reading position. And a guide member for guiding the document conveyed by the automatic document conveyer at the reading position, wherein an opening for passing light emitted from the optical system is provided in the guide member. Image processing device. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening penetrates the guide member while being inclined with respect to a surface of the guide member. 3. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the light source irradiates the original with light, a first mirror member that reflects light from the original, and a second mirror that reflects light reflected from the first mirror member. A mirror member, wherein light from the light source is inclined with respect to the vertical direction and is incident on the original, and light reflected from the original is inclined with respect to the vertical direction and is incident on the first mirror member. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the light source and the first mirror member are arranged. 4. The first mirror member is inclined with respect to a vertical direction so that light from the document is reflected by the first mirror member and the reflected light is directed to the second mirror member. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image processing apparatus is arranged in a manner to be arranged. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shutter member for opening and closing said opening. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a surface on the optical system side of the shutter member is configured as a standard surface for shading correction. 7. An integrated unit including a light source for irradiating light to an external document and an optical element to which light reflected from the document is incident, and the light from the light source and the light from the document are integrated. An optical unit configured to close a surface opposing the document so as to be transmitted by a translucent member. 8. An optical system unit according to claim 7, further comprising:
An image processing apparatus, wherein a surface on which an image of a document is read is formed of the translucent member.