JP2002247291A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader provided with an effective mechanism for preventing the buckling of a flat cable in a frame body of the image reader with simple constitution. SOLUTION: The image reader where the flat cable 121 is vertically erected on original stand glass (not illustrated) is provided with a twist coil spring 129 energizing the excess length of the flat cable 121 in a detached direction from a reading unit. The twist coil sprint 129 energizes the flat cable 121. Thus, the flat cable 121 prevents the movement of the reading unit 110 on a scanning path by the buckling of the excess length of the flat cable 121.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of reading an original such as a photograph or a document, converting the original into digital data, and outputting the digital data.
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for computer input such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of this type of prior art. After the reading surface of the document (not shown) is positioned and placed on the platen glass (not shown) at the lower side in the figure, the document cover 105 is closed and the document is pressed and fixed on the platen glass. The reading unit 110 is guided by the guide bar 102 by the rotational force of the motor 106 and scans in parallel under the platen glass to scan the document.

A reading unit 110 is disposed on a holder 107, and a slider 11 is provided at an end of the holder 107.
2 are provided. Further, the slider 112 is disposed on the drive wire 104.

[0004] A transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational force from the motor 106 to the holder 107, that is, the reading unit 110, is housed in the frame 100. The driving wire 104
One end thereof is rotatably fixed to the frame 100, and the other end is supported by biasing means (not shown).
The specified tension is maintained.

A motor 106 serving as a driving source is engaged with a pulley 103 by a gear, and the pulley 103 is engaged with a driving wire 104 so as to be interlocked.

[0006] The torque of the motor 106 is transmitted to the pulley 103. When the pulley rotates, the drive wire 104 also rotates. Then, the rotational force of the drive wire 104 is transmitted to the slider 112. When the slider 112 slides, the reading unit 110 slides along with the holder 107 while being guided by the guide bar 102.

In this way, the pulley 103 rotates forward and backward in response to the forward and reverse rotation of the motor 106, thereby causing the reading unit 1 to rotate.
Reference numeral 10 can reciprocate in parallel with a platen glass (not shown).

The main board 10 is provided in the frame 100.
8, a flat cable 111 which is a control signal path of the reading unit 110 and a flat cable 113 which is a control signal path of the motor are connected.

[0009]

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

In the image reading apparatus having the above configuration (shown in FIG. 7), especially when the apparatus is thin, the platen glass surface and the flat cable 121 slide, and the reading unit 110
When the flat cable 121 moves, the flat cable 121 is moved in the direction facing the frictional force with the platen glass surface, so that the flat cable 121 often buckles.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, there is an image reading apparatus in which the flat cable 121 is arranged perpendicular to the platen glass surface. When the reading unit 110 moves in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. 8, the flat cable 121 is moved in a direction facing the frictional force with the platen glass surface or the frame 100. As shown in FIG.
Was easy to buckle. For this reason, the flat cable 121 hinders the movement of the reading unit 110 on the scanning path, or the flat cable 121 may be broken due to bending, resulting in a failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to effectively reduce the buckling of a flat cable in a frame of an image reading apparatus with a simple configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus which can prevent the image reading.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises a frame serving also as an exterior cover, and a reading unit serving as a scanning body mounted with an image sensor and reading an image. A guide member for guiding the scanning of the reading unit, a driving unit having a scanning drive source for the reading unit, and a driving unit for causing the reading unit to scan on the guide member; A flexible flat cable used for transmission of a control signal, comprising an urging member for urging an extra length of the flat cable.

On the scanning path of the reading unit, the urging member urges the extra length of the flat cable in a direction away from the reading unit so as to avoid contact with the reading unit. The movement was adjusted so that the reading unit did not come into contact with itself.

In order to prevent buckling of the flat cable connected to the reading unit for the extra length, the extra length of the flat cable is urged in a direction away from the reading unit to thereby reduce the flat cable. The position of the cable is adjusted so as not to disturb the scanning of the reading unit.

According to this configuration, by providing the urging member, buckling of the flat cable on the scanning path during scanning of the reading unit can be prevented, and stable scanning of the original by the reading unit becomes possible. .

In the image reading apparatus, an elastic spring is used for the urging member.

By using the urging force of the elastic spring for the urging member, the position adjustment of the urging member itself and the flat cable can be performed with a simple configuration.

The biasing member has two arms each having a fixed end fixed in the frame space and a free end not fixed, and attaches the flat cable at a tip end of the free end. Is desirable.

The urging member is adjusted so as to avoid contact with the reading unit and is disposed in the frame space, so that the urging member scans on the scanning path of the reading unit. It does not hinder.

Further, the biasing member has two arms each having a fixed end fixed on the reading unit and a free end not fixed, and the flat cable is provided at a tip end of the free end. May be energized.

If the urging member is disposed on the reading unit, the urging member does not hinder scanning on the scanning path of the reading unit.

In the image reading apparatus, it is effective that a tip portion of the urging member is curved in an arc shape.

By bending the distal end of the urging member into an arc shape, wear of the contact portion with the flat cable can be suppressed, and the resistance at that time can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flat cable from being subjected to unnecessarily high tensile stress, and it is possible to improve the durability life of the flat cable.

It is also effective if the tip of the urging member has a roller for guiding the flat cable.

Since the resistance of the flat cable can be reduced by contacting the roller of the torsion coil spring with the flat cable, the flat cable is prevented from being subjected to unnecessarily high tension stress, and the life of the flat cable is reduced. It is more effective to improve.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, material, shape,
Unless otherwise specified, the relative arrangement etc.
It is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention only to them.

Further, in the following drawings, the same reference numerals are given to members described in the drawings used in the above description of the prior art and members similar to the members described in the drawings described above.

(First Embodiment) An image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 show examples of the configuration of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a frame that also serves as an exterior cover;
Is a bottom surface of the frame, 102 is a guide bar fixed to the frame 100, 103 is a reading unit 1 fixed to the holder 107.
A pulley for scanning 10, a motor fixed to a holder 107, a holder for holding a reading unit 110, a reading unit 110 rotatably supported by the holder 107, and a main unit 122 fixed to the holder 107 123, a connector board fixed to the frame 100; 124, an interface connector for connecting a cable from outside the apparatus; 125, a flat cable connector for transmitting a signal line of the connector to the flat cable 121; A tact switch 128 disposed on the substrate 122 and a main substrate connector 128 disposed on the main substrate 122.

First, an image sensor (not shown) is mounted as a scanning body in the frame 100, and scanning is performed while moving under a platen glass (not shown) by a motor 106 serving as a scanning drive source. Is provided.

In the reading unit 110, LEDs of three colors (R, G, B), which are light sources for irradiating a document, and a rod for forming reflected light from a document (not shown) on a light-receiving element of an image sensor A lens array (not shown) and an image sensor are incorporated. The light sources of the three colors are sequentially switched and turned on, and the image sensor reads the reflected light from the document for each color to perform color separation reading. The reading unit 110 is arranged on the holder 107.

On the other hand, the main board 1 is
22 is fixed. A main board connector 128 for connecting a flat cable 121 to supply control signals and power to the main board 122 and a tact switch 126 are provided on the main board 122.

The slider 11 is provided below the holder 107.
2 are provided, and are slidable on the guide bar 102. The guide bar 102 has the frame 100 at both ends.
Are positioned at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and are positioned and fixed to the ends by screws.

A reading unit 1 is provided at an end of the holder 107.
A motor 106 is provided as a drive source for moving 10 along the guide bar 102. The driving force of the motor 106 is transmitted to the pulley 103,
It is transmitted to 2 and linked. Then, as the slider 112 slides, the reading unit 110 slides with the holder 107 being guided by the guide bar 102.

In this way, the pulley 103 rotates forward and backward in response to the forward and reverse rotation of the motor 106, thereby causing the reading unit 1 to rotate.
Reference numeral 10 can reciprocate in parallel with a platen glass (not shown).

The connector board 123 is fixedly provided on the frame 100. An interface connector 124 for connecting a cable from outside of the apparatus is connected to the connector board 1.
Further, a flat cable connector 125 for connecting a flat cable 121 used for transmission of a control signal to the reading unit 110 and power supply from the outside of the apparatus via the interface connector 124 and the connector board 123 is provided. Flat cable 12
1 has one end inserted into the flat cable connector 125 and the other end inserted into the main board connector 128.

The flat cable 121 is arranged in a substantially U-shape so as to bypass the reading unit 110 so as not to enter the position immediately below the reading unit 110. The flat cable 121 is disposed upright on the frame 100 space.

FIGS. 3A to 3D show the reading unit 110 of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment when scanning a document.
FIG. 2 is a schematic plan sectional view showing the relationship between the flat cable 121 and the flat cable 121. 3A to 3D, the flat cable 1
21 is provided with a torsion coil spring 129 whose arm can rotate around the support 130. The torsion coil spring 129 is
One end is fixed by a support 131, and the other end is in contact with the flat cable 121.

Here, the urging member for urging the flat cable 121 includes a torsion coil spring 1 as shown in FIG.
29 is used. The torsion coil spring 129 is useful because the component cost is low and the setting of the urging force on the flat cable 121 can be easily adjusted.

The torsion coil spring 129 is connected to the frame bottom surface 10.
It is rotatable around a coil-shaped portion 129a fitted into a support column 130 arranged perpendicular to 1. The torsion coil spring 129 has two arms with the coiled portion 129a as a base point. The torsion coil spring 129 has a fixed end 129b fixed to a column 131 vertically arranged on the frame body bottom surface 101 and a free end 129c not fixed. It is composed of Free end 12
9c, the flat cable 1
21 is urged in a direction in which the flat cable 121 is separated from the reading unit 110.

Further, in the torsion coil spring 129, the tip 129d of the free end 129c is curved in an arc shape. At the time of contact with the flat cable 121, the tip 12
The friction coefficient is suppressed by making the 9d curved so as to form an arc. That is, due to this shape, the torsion coil spring 129 and the flat cable 121
When the flat cable 121 comes into contact with the flat cable 121, the contact can be made with less resistance, and the wear of the contact portion of the flat cable 121 can be suppressed.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flat cable 121 from being subjected to an unnecessary tension stress, and the durability life of the flat cable 121 can be improved.

An operation process when the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment scans a document (not shown) will be described in detail.

The process in which the reading unit 110 scans the document from the home position to the end position is as follows.

FIG. 3A shows a state in which the reading unit 110 is stationary at the home position. In the image reading apparatus, first, the reading unit 110 is stationary at the home position. At this time, the torsion coil spring 129 connects the flat cable 121 to the side surface of the frame (the direction of P in the figure).
It is urged to follow. Torsion coil spring 12
9 does not hinder the movement of the reading unit 110 on the scanning path since it is along the side surface of the frame.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a state in which the reading unit 110 is moving from the home position in FIG. 3A while scanning the document in the direction A in the figure. At this time, the free end 129c of the torsion coil spring 129 rotates around the column 130 while urging the extra length of the flat cable 121 in the direction of P in the figure, which is separated from the reading unit 110.

The flat cable 121 has a component that is urged by the torsion coil spring 129 in the direction opposite to the direction A in which the reading unit 110 moves, but the spring force of the torsion coil spring 129 is
The reading unit 110 scans smoothly because the tension is set to a value that is sufficient to separate the reading unit 110 from the reading unit 110 and does not hinder the driving of the reading unit 110.

Since the torsion coil spring 129 moves within the range where there is no reading unit in accordance with the movement of the reading unit 110, the torsion coil spring 129 does not hinder the movement of the reading unit 110 on the scanning path.

FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a state in which the reading unit 110 advances from the position of FIG. 3B in the direction of A in the figure and is stationary at the end position. At this time, the flat cable 121 is urged by the torsion coil spring 129 in the direction of P in FIG.

Next, the process of returning the reading unit 110 from the end position to the home position will be described.

FIG. 3D is a diagram showing a state in which the reading unit 110 has returned from the position of FIG. 3C in the direction of B in the figure and moved. At this time, the flat cable 121 is urged by the torsion coil spring 129 in the direction of P in FIG. Therefore, the flat cable 12
Since the extra length of 1 is separated from the reading unit 110 by the arm of the torsion coil spring, it does not buckle. The reading unit 110 returns to the home position without being hindered from moving.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 4A to 4D
2 shows an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the flat cable 1
The torsion coil spring 129 which is the urging member of
The example of the arrangement arranged on the upper side is shown.

FIGS. 4A to 4D show a configuration example in which the torsion coil spring 129 is arranged on the reading unit 110. FIG.

Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore, the same components will be denoted by the same reference characters and description thereof will be omitted.

The torsion coil spring 129 is rotatable about a coil-shaped portion 129a fitted on a column 130 vertically arranged on the reading unit 110. Then, the fixed end 129b, which is one end of the arm, is fixed to the support 131 arranged on the reading unit 110. Then, the extra length of the flat cable 121 is urged at the distal end portion 129d of the free end 129c in a direction in which the flat cable 121 is separated from the reading unit 110.

First, the process in which the reading unit 110 scans a document (not shown) from the home position to the end position will be described.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a state where the reading unit 110 is stationary at the home position. At this time, the torsion coil spring 129 is connected to the flat cable 121.
Are urged in the direction of P in the figure so as to be along the side surface of the frame.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state in which the reading unit 110 is moving from the home position in FIG. 4A while scanning the document in the direction of A in the figure. At this time, the arm of the torsion coil spring 129 rotates clockwise about the column 130 while urging in the direction of P in the figure, separating the extra length of the flat cable 121 from the reading unit 110.

The flat cable 121 has a component that is urged by the torsion coil spring 129 in the direction opposite to the direction A in which the reading unit 110 moves, but the spring force of the torsion coil spring 129 is
The reading unit 110 scans smoothly because the tension is set to a value that is sufficient to separate the reading unit 110 from the reading unit 110 and does not hinder the driving of the reading unit 110.

Since the torsion coil spring 129 is provided on the reading unit 110, the reading unit 11
Since the reading unit 110 moves without touching the reading unit in accordance with the movement of 0, the reading unit 110 does not hinder the movement on the scanning path.

FIG. 4C shows that the reading unit 110 is the same as FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the vehicle advances from a position A to a direction A in the drawing and stops at an end position. At this time, the torsion coil spring 129 urges the flat cable 121 in the clockwise direction (the direction of P in the drawing) around the support column 130 so as to follow the side surface of the frame.

Next, the process of returning the reading unit 110 from the end position to the home position will be described.

FIG. 4D shows a state in which the reading unit 110 has moved back from the position of FIG. 4C in the direction of B in the figure. At this time, the flat cable 121 is urged by the torsion coil spring 129 in the direction of P in FIG. Therefore, the flat cable 12
Since the extra length of 1 is separated from the reading unit 110 by the arm of the torsion coil spring, it does not buckle and does not hinder the movement of the reading unit 110 on the scanning path.

In the relationship between the reading unit 110 and the flat cable 121 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D and FIGS. 4A to 4D, when the reading unit 110 moves on the scanning path, the fulcrum 130 is moved. Free end 1 rotatable around center
The flat cable 121 is urged away from the reading unit 110 at the tip 129d of the base 29c, and the extra length of the flat cable 121 is extended to a space where the reading unit 110 is not provided. Flat cable 1 due to frictional force from 101
Buckling of the extra length on the scanning path 21 is prevented.

Further, the spring force of the torsion coil spring 129 is set such that the urging force is sufficient to separate the flat cable 121 from the reading unit 110 and does not hinder the driving of the reading unit 110. Therefore, the driving of the reading unit 110 on the scanning path is not prevented.

The torsion coil spring 129 adjusts itself to avoid contact with the flat cable 121 to avoid it. At the same time, the extra length of the flat cable 121 urged by the torsion coil spring 129 moves along the side surface of the frame in accordance with the movement of the reading unit 110, so that the extra length of the reading unit 110 and the flat cable 121 is Minute contact can be prevented.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the torsion coil spring 12.
9 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of FIG. Torsion coil spring 12
When the flat cable 121 contacts the flat cable 121, the torsion coil spring 129 replaces the tip end 129d of the free end 129c with an arc shape in consideration of the fact that the flat cable 121 contacts with a reduced resistance force. It is also effective to provide a roller 129e serving as a guide.

According to this configuration, the flat cable 12
Since the resistance can be reduced by contact of the roller 129e of the torsion coil spring 129 with the flat cable 121, it is possible to prevent the flat cable 121 from being subjected to an unnecessary tension stress and to improve the durability life of the flat cable 121. It is effective.

FIG. 6 shows an apparatus in which the torsion coil spring 129 using the roller 129e is used in the configuration example of the first embodiment. This is used in the configuration example of the second embodiment. No problem.

In the present embodiment, the torsion coil spring 129 is used as the biasing member. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a leaf spring formed of PET (polyethylene teratate) or the like may be used. May be used.

Further, by using another elastic member as the urging member,
The other elastic member may be directly bonded to the flat cable 121, and the flat cable 121 may be urged by the urging force in the same manner as in the present embodiment.

Further, instead of using an urging member, the flat cable 121 itself is formed by an elastic member,
A configuration in which the flat cable 121 itself is moved and adjusted in a direction away from the reading unit 110 is also possible.

[0074]

As described above, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention is provided with the torsion coil spring for urging the extra length of the flat cable in the direction away from the reading unit, and providing the extra length of the flat cable. Since it is possible to prevent the flat cable from hindering the movement of the reading unit on the scanning path due to buckling on the scanning path, stable reading of the original by the reading unit becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a torsion coil spring according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan cross-sectional view illustrating a relationship between a reading unit and a flat cable when scanning the document of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan cross-sectional view illustrating a relationship between a reading unit and a flat cable when a document is scanned by an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another configuration example of the torsion coil spring according to the embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a schematic plan sectional view showing the relationship between a reading unit and a flat cable when scanning an original in the image reading apparatus using the torsion coil spring of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an overall view showing a configuration example of a conventional image reading apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a schematic partial view showing another configuration example of a conventional image reading apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 frame 102 guide bar 121 flat cable 127 start switch 129 torsion coil spring 130 torsion coil spring support

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A frame serving also as an exterior cover, a reading unit as a scanning body mounted with an image sensor and reading an image, a guide member for guiding the scanning of the reading unit, and a scanning drive source for the reading unit An image reading device comprising: a driving unit for causing the reading unit to scan on the guide member; and a flexible flat cable used for transmitting power and control signals when the reading unit scans. An image reading apparatus comprising: an urging member for urging an extra length of the flat cable. 2. The scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the urging member urges the surplus length of the flat cable in a direction away from the reading unit to avoid contact with the reading unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is set so as to be adjusted so as not to contact the reading unit. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an elastic spring is used for said urging member. 4. The urging member has two arms each having a fixed end fixed in a frame space and a free end that is not fixed, and the flat cable is provided at a tip end of the free end. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the image reading device is urged. 5. The urging member has two arms including a fixed end fixed on the reading unit and a free end that is not fixed, and the flat cable is provided at a tip end of the free end. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the image reading device is urged. 6. An image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a tip portion of said urging member is curved in an arc shape. 7. An image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a tip portion of said urging member has a roller for guiding said flat cable.