JP2001077957A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image processor which is made thin so as to correspond to barrier free by disposing an image reading part and an image forming part adjacently in an almost horizontal direction. SOLUTION: A multifunction printer(MFP) device 1 as an image printer houses a printer 2 as an image forming part held by a 1st housing. A flatbed- type image scanner 3 for reading an original image and the printer 2 are arranged integrally, while their respective sides or rear faces stand horizontally in line. With such a configuration, the installation height of the scanner 3 is the height of a normal image scanner simple body, and the installation height of the printer 2 is also the height of a normal printer unit body and also can be the height of a normal printer unit body. Thus, it is possible to offer the sensation of use that is not different from a conventional individual product even with respect to an operator.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus (printer) such as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an ink jet type, a thermal head type and a dot type printer, and a contact image sensor (CIS) or C as a reading means.
An image reading device (image scanner) having a reduction optical system using a CD is provided in one device, and an image forming (printer) function and an image reading (image scanner) function are provided.
Further, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of providing functions such as copying and facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a multi-function as an image processing apparatus in which a flat bed type image reading apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image scanner) is disposed above an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer) like a copying machine. Printer (hereinafter Multi Function Print)
r = MFP).

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of an MFP as an example having such a conventional image scanner and printer. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 101 denotes an MFP, 102 denotes a printer, and 103 denotes an image scanner. Here, the image scanner 103 is configured to be fixedly arranged above the printer 102.

The operation will be described below.

When an operator performs an image reading (scanning) operation, the document P1 is transferred to the printer 10 of the MFP 101.
2 When the scanner is placed on a platen of the image scanner 103 disposed above and an image reading (scanning) operation command is performed by a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC) (not shown), the image scanner 103 performs an image reading operation of the document P1. The read image is converted into an image signal and sent to a PC (not shown).

When a print signal is sent to the MFP 101 by a PC (not shown), the recording material P2 is fed into the printer by the paper feeding means of the printer 102, and the recording material P2 is fed to the image forming unit by the conveying means. Transport.

After the image is formed on the recording material P2 by the image forming means, and if necessary, the formed image is fixed on the recording material P2 by the fixing means, the recording material P2 on which the image has been formed is discharged out of the printer apparatus by the discharging means.

If the MFP 101 has a copy function, the operator sets the original P1 on the original installation portion of the image scanner 103, and sends a copy operation command to the MFP 101.
When the MFP 101 performs the operation, the MFP 101 starts an image reading operation of the document P1. While reading the image of the original P1, the image signal is converted into a print signal in the MFP 101, and the image is formed on the recording material P2 by the printer 102.

[0009]

However, in the case of the above-described prior art, the following problems have occurred.

In the conventional MFP 101, an operator must work on an image reading apparatus of a flat bed type arranged on the upper portion of the printer 102. In the case of a printer having a configuration in which options and the like are installed in the printer and the upper surface position of the printer is high, the operability is extremely poor when the height of the operator is short.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a thinned image processing apparatus compatible with barrier-free.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a document conveying means for conveying a document,
An image reading unit including reading means for reading image information of a document conveyed by the document conveying means; recording material feeding means for feeding a recording material; and recording fed by the recording material feeding means An image forming unit having an image forming unit for forming an image on a material, wherein the image reading unit and the image forming unit are disposed substantially horizontally adjacent to each other. And

An image reading section provided with a document conveying means for conveying a document, a reading means for reading image information of the document conveyed by the document conveying means, and a recording material loaded by the recording material loading means; An image forming unit comprising: a recording material feeding unit for performing printing; and an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording material fed by the recording material feeding unit. And the image forming means are disposed substantially horizontally adjacent to each other, and at least the recording material loading means of the recording material loading means and the recording material feeding means is disposed substantially below the image reading unit. It is characterized by the following.

A first housing for holding the image reading unit, and a second housing for holding the image forming unit;
It is also preferable that the first and second housings are detachable.

Also, there are provided first connection means for mechanically connecting the first and second housings, and second connection means for electrically connecting the first and second housings. It is also preferable that at least one of the first and second connection means is provided on a side surface of the first and second housings.

It is also preferable that at least one of the first and second connection means is provided near the upper surfaces of the first and second housings.

[0017] Further, there is provided holding means for holding the first and second housings, and third connection means for electrically connecting the first and second housings via the holding means. It is also suitable.

It is also preferable that at least one of the first connecting means and the holding means includes a vibration isolating means for absorbing vibration.

[0019]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions of the components described in this embodiment,
The material, the shape, and the relative arrangement thereof should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the following embodiments.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image processing apparatus containing an image scanner 3 as an image reading unit held in a first housing and a printer 2 as an image forming unit held in a second housing. MFP device. MFP 1
It is used as a composite office machine such as PRINTER, FAX, COPY, and scanner.

Next, features of MFP 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The features of the MFP 1 to which the present invention is applied include:
A flatbed type image scanner 3 for reading a document image and a printer 2 are integrally arranged side by side on the respective side surfaces or the back surface.

The operation is performed individually for each function,
The operation is similar to the operation described in the related art.

With such a configuration, the image scanner 3
The installation height of the printer 2 can be constituted by the height of a normal image scanner alone, and the installation height of the printer 2 can be constituted by the height of an ordinary printer alone. Therefore, it is possible to provide an operator with a feeling of use that is not different from that of a conventional individual product.

An electric connection means (second connection means) or a mechanical connection means (first connection means) 5 such as a connector for connecting the respective devices is provided on the side or back of the image scanner 3. On the side or the back of the printer 2 for forming an image on the recording material P2, the counterpart connecting means 4 of the connecting means 5
(FIG. 2).

As a result, it is possible to easily attach and detach each functional device of the MFP 1.

That is, the image scanner 3 and the printer 2 which are configured to be easily attached and detached are arranged side by side, and are connected by the connection means 4 and 5.

In the case of a structure in which each functional device can be easily attached and detached, not only serviceability and maintainability are further improved, but also device selection and combination thereof can be performed according to a user's request, thereby improving customer satisfaction. Become.

The same effect can be obtained even if the connection means 4 and 5 are arranged near the upper surface of each functional device.

It is also preferable that the connection means 4 and 5 make an electrical signal connection with a floating connector or a normal connector fixed to each device. Further, the same effect can be obtained by connection with a normal connector in which the connector housing is provided at the end of the signal bundle where the connector housing is not fixed to the device.

The same effect can be obtained by not only arranging the flatbed type horizontally but also arranging the image scanner 3 horizontally (vertically).

The same effect can be obtained not only with a small printer but also with a medium or large printer.

The same effect can be obtained not only in the flatbed type but also in the sheet through type of the image scanner 3. (Fig. 3)

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an MFP 11 according to a second embodiment, and the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the relay connection means (holding means, third connection means) 16 having a rack function between the direct connection means 4 and 5 in the first embodiment.
This is the configuration via.

Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of the MFP 11 according to the present embodiment will be described.

The MFP 11 has an image scanner 13, a printer 12, and a relay connection means 16 having a rack function for incorporating them.

The image scanner 1 is provided on the relay connection means 16.
3 are connected by connecting means 15 so as to be arranged, and connected by connecting means 14 so that the printers 12 are arranged on the relay connecting means 16 next to the side by side.

Since the relay connection means 16 is also provided with a rack function, a combination of separate devices is characterized by the rack function as an integrated MFP 11.

The connecting means 14 and 15 make electrical signal connection with a floating connector or a normal connector fixed to each device, and further, a signal bundle end portion whose connector housing is not fixed to the device. The same effect can be obtained by connecting with a normal connector in which a connector housing is installed.

The same effect can be obtained by not only arranging the flatbed type horizontally but also arranging the image scanner 13 horizontally (vertically).

The same effect can be obtained not only with a small printer but also with a medium or large printer.

The same effect can be obtained not only by the flatbed type but also by the sheet through type of the image scanner 13. (Fig. 5)

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an MFP 21 according to a third embodiment, and the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are the same. The reference numerals are attached and the description is omitted.

This embodiment is characterized by a configuration in which the configurations of the first and second embodiments are combined, and furthermore, an anti-vibration mechanism structure is provided at a connection portion of each functional device. In the case of the relay connection means 26 also serving as a rack,
This is a configuration in which a vibration isolation mechanism structure 27 is provided on a rack.

By using the configuration of the present embodiment, the vibration generated from each device is not transmitted to the other party, and the image reading quality and print quality of each other are not degraded.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an MFP 31 according to a fourth embodiment. The same components as those in the first to third embodiments are the same. The reference numerals are attached and the description is omitted.

In this embodiment, the configurations of the first and second embodiments are combined, and furthermore, the paper feed cassette (recording material loading means) 37 of the printer 32 or the paper feed cassette 37 and the printer A paper mechanism (recording material feeding means) 38 is arranged horizontally below or below the image scanner 33.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily realize a lower layer of the MFP 31 as a whole, and it is possible to reduce a height difference between the printer 32 and the image scanner 33.

The MFP 31 may be an integral type or a detachable type.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the image reading unit and the image forming unit are arranged adjacent to each other in a substantially horizontal direction, the height of the image processing apparatus can be suppressed to be low, the usability for the apparatus operability is improved, and barrier-free support is achieved. It became easy.

Further, by making the first and second housings detachable, it is possible to select a printer or a reading scanner according to a user's request and easily form a device suitable for a use environment. Become.

Further, the provision of the anti-vibration mechanism does not degrade the functional quality.

Further, by arranging the recording material stacking means substantially below the image reading section, the height of the image processing apparatus can be kept low and the size can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an MFP according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
It is a schematic structure sectional drawing of.

FIG. 2 is an MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a schematic structure sectional drawing of.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an MFP using a sheet-through image scanner.

FIG. 4 is an MFP according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
It is a schematic structure sectional drawing of.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of an MFP using a sheet-through image scanner.

FIG. 6 is an MFP according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
It is a schematic structure sectional drawing of.

FIG. 7 is an MFP according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a schematic structure sectional drawing of.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration of a conventional MFP.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 11, 21, 31 MFP (image processing device) 2, 12, 32 printer (second housing, image forming unit) 3, 13, 33 image scanner (first housing, image reading unit) 4, 5, 14, 15 Connecting means (first and second connecting means) 16, 26 Relay connecting means (holding means, third connecting means) 37 Paper cassette (recording material stacking means) 38 Paper feeding mechanism (recording material) Feeding means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 AQ04 AQ05 AQ06 BB10 BB35 CG01 CG12 DF01 2H071 AA22 AA23 AA59 BA20 DA01 EA04 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB17 AB22 AB29 AD05 AD06 BA00 BA01 BA08

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image reading section comprising: a document conveying means for conveying a document; reading means for reading image information of the document conveyed by the document conveying means; and a recording material feeding means for feeding a recording material And an image forming unit including: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material fed by the recording material feeding unit.In an image processing apparatus, the image reading unit and the image forming unit include: An image processing apparatus, which is disposed substantially horizontally adjacent to each other. 2. An image reading unit comprising: a document conveying means for conveying a document; a reading means for reading image information of the document conveyed by the document conveying means; and a recording material loaded by the recording material loading means. An image forming unit comprising: a recording material feeding unit for feeding; and an image forming unit for forming an image on the recording material fed by the recording material feeding unit. The reading unit and the image forming unit are disposed substantially horizontally adjacent to each other, and at least the recording material loading unit of the recording material loading unit and the recording material feeding unit is disposed substantially below the image reading unit. An image processing apparatus characterized by being performed. A first housing for holding the image reading unit; and a second housing for holding the image forming unit, wherein the first and second housings are detachable. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A semiconductor device comprising: first connecting means for mechanically connecting the first and second housings; and second connecting means for electrically connecting the first and second housings. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second connection means is provided on a side surface of the first and second housings. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said first and second connection means is provided near an upper surface of said first and second housings. apparatus. 6. A device comprising: holding means for holding the first and second housings; and third connecting means for electrically connecting the first and second housings via the holding means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein: 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first connection unit and the holding unit includes a vibration damping unit that absorbs vibration.