JP2001061037A - Image reader and device provided with the image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image reader that can position an original placing platen and an original read section with high accuracy. SOLUTION: An original placing platen 2 is turnably fitted to an original read section 1, positioning means 1d, 2d to regulate the position in an original width direction orthogonal to an original carrying direction of the original placing platen 2 are provided on a connection section of the original read section 1 while the original placing platen 2 is turned at an operating position. In the image reader where the original placing platen 2 and the original read section can be positioned with high accuracy and the original placing platen 2 has an original width regulation means to regulate the original width by using the center of the carrying direction of the original for a carrying reference especially, even when the original width regulation means of the original placing platen 2 and the original read section 1 are separated, the carrying of the original to the original read section 1 can be ensured by using the center of the carrying direction of the original for the carrying reference.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus using the same, an facsimile apparatus, and an apparatus having an image reading apparatus such as a multifunction apparatus equipped with a plurality of functions. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a document reading apparatus applied to an image reading section of a facsimile apparatus, for example, an entire document reading section including a document loading table which is disposed on an upper portion of a facsimile apparatus main body and on which a document to be read is loaded is provided. There is an apparatus which rotates with respect to an apparatus main body so that an original can be removed when the original is jammed or the like (first prior art).

Further, a document loading table for loading a document to be read is rotatable with respect to a document reading section (facsimile machine),
Some document width regulating means for regulating the maximum width of a document to be read are fixed to a document reading section, and the document width regulating means is configured to be separated from a document loading table (second prior art).

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned first prior art, the entire document reading section is configured to be rotatable with respect to an apparatus having an image reading apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus. In this case, it is necessary for each of the document reading section and the facsimile apparatus or the like to have sufficient strength to support the weight of the document reading section, thereby increasing costs.

[0005] With the rotation of the entire image reading section,
Since the image reading element for reading the original image also moves at the same time, the accuracy may be deviated, and in order to prevent them, it is necessary to increase rigidity and add a shock absorbing member, which increases cost. Become.

In the second prior art, since the document width regulating means is fixed to the document reading section, the size of the document reading section becomes larger than the size of the document width regulating means. For example, when the image reading device is laid out on the top of an opening / closing cover that is opened / closed when replacing a toner cartridge used in an electrophotographic recording unit, if the opening / closing cover is made sufficiently large, this opening / closing cover is provided. In order to allow the opening and closing of the cover, the space above the opening and closing cover must be increased accordingly, resulting in an increase in the size of the device.

On the other hand, when a device such as a facsimile machine has a configuration in which a U-turn shaped reverse transport section is provided in a document transport path of a document reading section in order to reduce the size of the original, a document which discharges the original having passed through the reverse transport section is discharged. It is obvious that it is important to reduce the thickness of the document loading table in order to secure the number of sheets loaded in the paper output section and improve paper handling, although the output section is located directly below the document loading table. Is supported at both ends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the document transport direction. Therefore, if the thickness of the document loading table is reduced, the rigidity is reduced, and the document loading table may be deformed.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the document loading table is rotatably attached to a document reading section, and the document loading table is rotated to a use position. An image reading apparatus is characterized in that positioning means for regulating a position of a document loading table in a document width direction orthogonal to a document transport direction is provided at a connection portion of the document reading section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document loading table having document width regulating means for regulating a document width with respect to the center of the document in a transport direction as a transport reference. In a state where the document loading table is rotated to the use position, positioning means for regulating a position of the document loading table in a document width direction perpendicular to the document transport direction is provided at a connection portion of the document reading unit, The positioning means is constituted by a projection protruding from the document reading section in the direction of the document loading table, and a fitting section fitted to a projection of the document reading section in a use state at a lower portion of the document loading table. An image reading apparatus according to the present invention.

A third invention according to the present application is characterized in that the positioning means is provided substantially at the center of a document width direction orthogonal to the document conveyance direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the positioning device, the fitting portion is fitted with a minute gap substantially in contact with an upper surface of the projection at a use position of the document loading table. It is characterized by the following.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the document reading section, a document loading table support extending in a plate shape in the document loading table direction is provided with a document in a document width direction orthogonal to the document transport direction. The document loading table is provided on both sides outside the transport path, the document loading table is rotatably supported by the both document loading table support sections, and a reinforcing section is provided in the document loading table support section below the document loading table. It is characterized by the following.

An apparatus provided with an image reading apparatus according to the present application is characterized in that the above image reading apparatus is provided in an image reading section.

The above-described image reading apparatus can precisely position the document loading table and the document reading section. In particular, the document width regulating means regulates the document width on the document loading table with the center of the document in the transport direction as the transport reference. Even if the document width regulating means of the document loading table and the document reading unit are divided, the conveyance to the document reading unit can be reliably performed with the center of the document in the conveyance direction as the conveyance reference.

Therefore, the document reading section can be made more compact, and the apparatus can be easily reduced in size.

Further, when the document loading table is bent due to the weight of the document, a minute gap is eliminated, and the height holding section contacts the upper surface of the projection of the document reading section to prevent bending. The conveyance path of the reading section does not have a step difference with respect to the conveyance direction. Since the connection between the components of the transport path does not become an inverse step in the transport direction, a good transport path can be provided even if the thickness of the document stacking table is reduced.

Further, the cost can be reduced by reducing the thickness of the document loading table.

Since a minute gap is provided between the height holding portion of the document loading table and the upper surface of the projection of the document reading portion,
There is no load when rotating the document loading table.

Further, the document loading table support portion of the document reading section is extended in a plate shape in the direction of the document loading table, and a reinforcing portion is provided below the document loading table. It is possible to prevent the apparatus from being enlarged due to escape from other parts for conveyance and image reading. In addition, since the document loading table support is formed in a plate shape, the space is minimized, and it is not necessary to increase the width of the apparatus. Further, by providing the reinforcing portion below the document loading table, the document loading table support section can have rigidity, and the document loading table can be sufficiently supported. By arranging the reinforcing portion below the slider as the document width regulating means disposed on the document loading table when the slider is fully opened, the reinforcing portion can be arranged without expanding the apparatus, and the document conveyance is also affected. There is no.

[0020]

1 to 7 show an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a facsimile apparatus equipped with an image reading apparatus embodying the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing a document loading table, a paper discharge tray, Upper output tray,
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the cartridge cover is rotated, FIG. 3 is a side view of a mounting portion of the document loading table of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mounting portion of the document loading table of FIG. 3, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the document loading table when the document loading table is mounted on the image reading apparatus, and FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the image reading apparatus when the document loading table is mounted.

First, an overall outline of a facsimile apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a facsimile apparatus main body, 1 denotes an image reading apparatus disposed above the facsimile apparatus main body 101 and embodying the present invention, and 131 denotes a recording apparatus comprising a laser beam printer disposed below the apparatus main body. , 161 is a cassette paper feeding unit disposed at the bottom of the apparatus main body 101, 132 is a laser scanner, 133 is an image forming unit, 143 is an upper paper discharging unit, 144 is a lower paper discharging unit,
45 is an upper discharge tray, 146 is a lower discharge tray, 14
Reference numeral 2 denotes a paper discharge flapper that switches the conveyance path between the upper paper discharge unit 143 side and the lower paper discharge unit 144 side.

An original loading table 2 for setting an original;
Reference numeral 112 denotes a document presence / absence sensor for detecting that a document has been set; 113, a pickup roller for feeding the set document into the apparatus; 114 and 115, separation rollers for cooperating and separating the fed document one by one; A reverse roller 116 is a document feed sensor for detecting the leading and trailing ends of the separated document, 117 is an A transport roller for transporting the separated document to a U-turn path 118 which is a U-turn-shaped transport path, and 119 is a U-turn. A B transport roller for transporting a subsequent document to an image reading unit 121 constituted by a contact type image sensor. Reference numeral 120 denotes a document edge sensor for detecting a leading edge and a trailing edge of the document in order to time the start and end of reading of the document. Reference numeral 122 denotes a paper discharge roller for discharging the read original to the document discharge tray 123.

A slider 2a slidable on the original loading table 2 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the original S (in the width direction of the original S).
Is provided so that both sides of the document S stacked on the document loading table 2 can be aligned by the slider 2a. When the original S is a long original, opening the extension original tray 2b can prevent the trailing end of the original S from protruding from the original loading table 2 and hanging down.

The recording device 131 is provided with a laser scanner 13 based on an image signal output from control means (not shown).
2 emits image light, and outputs the image light to the image forming unit 133.
Of the photosensitive drum 134
Forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the developing means 1
35, the image is converted into a toner image.
To transfer the toner image to the sheet material P1 fed to the image forming unit 133 from the printer.

The photosensitive drum 134 is integrated with the charging means 136, the developing means 135, and the cleaning means 137 in the process cartridge 138, and is detachable from the apparatus main body 101.

A transfer charger 139 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 134 of the image forming section 133, and a heat fixing device 140 is provided on a sheet conveying path downstream of the photosensitive drum 134.
Is arranged.

After the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 134 is transferred to the sheet material P1 by the transfer charger 139, the sheet material P1 is conveyed along the recording sheet conveying section 141, and the toner image is fixed by the heat fixing device 140. You. The sheet material P1 is sent to a paper path toward an upper paper discharge unit 143 provided on the upper left side of the apparatus main body 101 and a lower paper discharge unit 144 provided on the lower left side of the apparatus main body 101 by a paper discharge flapper 142 disposed thereafter. The recording paper transport path is switched to the heading paper path.

By switching the discharge flapper 142 on the sheet material P1, an upper discharge tray 145 disposed on the upper left side of the apparatus main body 101 and a lower discharge tray 146 disposed below the upper discharge tray 145. Is selectively discharged to any one of. The discharge flapper 142 is switched by a signal from a control unit (not shown).

Reference numeral 147 denotes a cartridge cover for detachably attaching the process cartridge 138 to and from the apparatus main body 101. The cartridge cover 147 is connected to the lower discharge tray 146 and has a tray shape.

The paper feed cassette 16 of the cassette paper feed unit 161
2 are separated and conveyed one by one by a paper feed roller 163 and a pair of separation rollers 164a and 164b.

After the skew of the sheet material P1 is corrected by the registration roller pair 165, the separated sheet material P1
The tip position is detected by the OP sensor 166, and the tip of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 134 and the sheet material P1 are detected.
The paper is fed between the transfer charger 139 and the photosensitive drum 134 after the paper is fed and the image output timing is adjusted so that the leading ends of the papers coincide.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The document discharge tray 123, the upper discharge tray 145, and the cartridge cover 147 are respectively supported by the rotation support portions 2c and 12c.
It is rotatable around 3a, 125a, and 147a, so that when the process cartridge 138 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 101, it is not necessary to attach or detach the tray.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

With the document loading table 2 raised from the use position, the rotation support section 2c of the document loading table 2 is attached to the mounting hole 1c provided in the image reading apparatus 1. The document loading table 2 is rotated by the relationship between the rotation support section 2c and the position of the center of gravity, and is placed in a position for use by hitting the abutting section 1f of the image reading apparatus 1.

At this time, both sides of the device positioning portion 1d provided substantially at the center of the image reading device 1 in the direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance (document width direction), and the direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the document loading table 2 (document width). 2), the inner side surfaces of the loading table positioning portion 2d provided substantially below the center of the image reading device 1 are fitted.
And the position of the document loading table 2 in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction can be accurately determined.

3, 4, 6, and 7, the document loading table 2 is set up from the use position, and the mounting surface of the document loading table 2 is inserted into the mounting hole 1 c provided in the image reading apparatus 1. Are mounted on both ends in the width direction and axially rotatable support portions 2c protruding outward in the width direction. Document loading table 2
Is rotatable by its own weight due to the relationship between the rotation support portion 2c and the position of the center of gravity. In FIG. 3, it is rotated clockwise in FIG.

At this time, the upper surface of the device positioning portion 1d provided substantially at the center of the image reading device 1 in the direction perpendicular to the carrying direction and the center provided at the substantially lower part of the document loading table 2 in the direction perpendicular to the carrying direction. And the height holding section 2e provided in the apparatus is arranged with a very small gap, so that even if the document loading table 2 is bent by the weight of the document, the upper surface of the apparatus positioning section 1d and the height holding section 2e abut. Thus, the height of the document loading table 2 can be reliably maintained.

Therefore, the document loading table 2 can be made thinner, and the apparatus can be made smaller, lighter, and lower in cost.

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 to 5 and 7, the shape for supporting the document loading table 2 by extending the document loading table support 1 h of the image reading apparatus 1 in the plate-like direction in the document loading table direction. An increase in the size of the device due to escape of other components can be prevented.

Further, by making the platen support portion 1h plate-shaped, the space is minimized, and it is not necessary to increase the width of the apparatus.

Further, a reinforcing portion 1k is provided below the original loading table 2.
Is provided, the rigidity of the document loading table support portion 1h can be provided, and the document loading table 2 can be sufficiently supported. This reinforcing portion 1k can be used to restrict the width of the document placed on the document loading table 2. By arranging the slider 2a as a means below the maximum open position, the original reading device can be arranged above the apparatus main body such as a facsimile apparatus without expanding the apparatus, and does not affect the original conveyance. .

[0044]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to accurately position the document loading table and the document reading unit. Even in a device having a document width regulating means for regulating the document width, even if the document width regulating means of the document loading table and the document reading section are divided, the conveyance to the document reading section is reliably performed with the center of the document in the conveying direction as a conveyance reference. can do. Therefore, the document reading section can be made more compact, and the apparatus can be easily reduced in size.

When the apparatus is to be miniaturized, especially when the original conveying path of the original reading section is U-shaped, the thickness of the original loading table is reduced because the original discharge section comes directly below the original loading table. Obviously, this is important for reducing the height of the apparatus.However, the document loading table is pivotally supported at both ends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the document transport direction, and if the thickness of the document loading table is reduced, According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the document loading table is bent due to the weight of the document, there is no minute gap, and the height holding unit is located on the upper surface of the projection of the document reading unit. The document path can be prevented from being bent, and the conveyance path between the document stacking table and the document reading unit does not have a step difference with respect to the conveyance direction. Since the connection between the components of the transport path does not become an inverse step in the transport direction, a good transport path can be provided even if the thickness of the document stacking table is reduced.

Further, the cost can be reduced by reducing the thickness of the document loading table.

Since a minute gap is provided between the height holding portion of the document loading table and the upper surface of the projection of the document reading portion,
There is no load when rotating the document loading table.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the document loading table support section of the document reading section is extended in a plate shape in the direction of the document loading table.
By providing the reinforcing portion below the document loading table, it is possible to prevent the size of the apparatus from increasing due to the shape for supporting the document loading table and other components for document transport and image reading. In addition, since the document loading table support is formed in a plate shape, the space is minimized, and it is not necessary to increase the width of the apparatus. Further, by providing the reinforcing portion below the document loading table, the document loading table support section can have rigidity, and the document loading table can be sufficiently supported. By arranging the reinforcing portion below the slider as the document width regulating means disposed on the document loading table when the slider is fully opened, the reinforcing portion can be arranged without expanding the apparatus, and the document conveyance is also affected. There is no effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a facsimile apparatus equipped with an image reading apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a process cartridge of a facsimile apparatus equipped with an image reading apparatus embodying the present invention is attached to and detached from an apparatus main body.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image reading apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus embodying the present invention when a document loading table is mounted.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the document loading table embodying the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the image reading apparatus embodying the present invention when a document loading table is mounted.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image reading apparatus 1c ... Mounting hole 1d ... Device positioning part 1f ... Butting part 1h ... Document loading table support part 1k ... Reinforcement shape 2 ... Document loading table 2a ... Slider 2b ... Extended document tray 2c ... Rotation support part 2d ... Loading table positioning unit 2e Height holding unit 101 Facsimile machine main body 112 Document presence sensor 113 Pickup roller 114 Separation roller 115 Reverse rotation roller 116 Document feed sensor 117 A transport roller 118 U-turn path 119 Transport Roller 120 Document edge sensor 121 Image reading unit 122 Discharge roller 123 Discharge tray 131 Recording device 132 Laser scanner 133 Image forming unit 134 Photoconductor drum 135 Developing unit 136 Charging unit 137 Cleaning Means 138 Process cartridge 139 Photoelectric charger 140 Thermal fixing device 141 Recording sheet transport section 142 Paper discharge flapper 143 Upper paper discharge section 144 Lower paper discharge section 145 Upper paper discharge tray 146 Lower paper discharge tray 147 Cartridge cover 161 Cassette Paper feed unit 162: paper feed cassette 163: paper feed roller 164: separation roller pair 165: registration roller pair S: original P1: sheet material

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A document width direction orthogonal to a document conveying direction of the document loading table when the document loading table is rotatably attached to a document reading unit and the document loading table is rotated to a use position. An image reading device, wherein a positioning means for regulating the position of the document is provided at a connection portion of the document reading portion. 2. A document stacking table having document width regulating means for regulating the document width with the center of the document in the conveying direction as a transport reference is rotatably attached to the document reading section, and the document loading table is rotated to a use position. In the moved state, positioning means for regulating a position in a document width direction orthogonal to the document conveying direction of the document loading table is provided at a connection portion of the document reading unit,
The positioning means includes a projection protruding from the document reading unit in the direction of the document loading table, and a fitting portion that fits under the document loading table with a projection of the document reading unit in a use state. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positioning unit is provided substantially at a center in a document width direction orthogonal to a document conveyance direction. 4. The positioning means according to claim 2, wherein said fitting portion is fitted with a small gap substantially in contact with an upper surface of said projection at a use position of said document loading table. Or the image reading device according to 3. 5. The document reading section, wherein a document loading table support extending in a plate shape in the document loading table direction is provided on both sides outside a document transport path in a document width direction orthogonal to the document transport direction. 2. The document loading table is rotatably supported by the both document loading table support portions, and a reinforcement portion is provided on the document loading table support portion below the document loading table. 5. The image reading device according to any one of claims 4 to 4. 6. An apparatus provided with an image reading device, wherein the image reading device according to claim 1 is provided in an image reading section.