JP2004279663A - Optical member support device, image reader, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader which is small-sized and allows the replacement work of optical members to be easily performed. <P>SOLUTION: A mirror 5 mounted on a carriage 6A of a scanner is positioned in the lengthwise direction by stoppers 64 and 64 fitted to both end of an opening part of a carriage base 61. When stoppers 64 and 64 are inserted through the opening part, lower parts of the stoppers 64 project under the base 61 and are brought into contact with both ends of the mirror 5. Only narrow spaces corresponding to the thickness of the stoppers 64, 64 are required on the outside of both ends of the mirror as spaces for positioning the mirror 5 in the lengthwise direction, so that the width of the carriage can be narrowed to contribute to the miniaturization of the reader. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical member supporting device that supports an optical member of an image reading device, and an image reading device such as an image scanner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Patent Document 1 JP 2001-317883 A
Patent Document 2 JP-A-6-19008
In an image reading section of an image scanner, a copying machine, a facsimile, or the like, reflected light of a document illuminated by an illuminating means is guided to a reading means such as a CCD or a photosensitive member and made incident. A general image reading apparatus has an optical member such as a reflector (reflecting plate) for irradiating the light of the illuminating means to the document surface without waste, and a mirror for changing the optical path of the reflected light from the document. I have.
[0003]
For example, in the image reading apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, a condensing reflector 107, a reflector 110, and the like are mounted on a carriage 102 (Patent Literature 1, FIG. 1). Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus including a document traveling type image reading unit. The image reading unit is provided with a reflection shade 113 and a reflection member 114 (see Patent Document 2, (Fig. 1). In these optical members, a reflector 107 is screwed to the carriage 102 in Patent Document 1, and a reflecting member 114 is adhered to the main body frame 106 in Patent Document 2.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the reflector (reflection member) is fixed to the carriage, the device housing, or the like by screwing, bonding, or the like, there is a problem in that it takes time and effort to replace the reflector, resulting in poor work efficiency.
[0005]
Further, in the conventional image reading apparatus, since the positioning of the mirror in the longitudinal direction is regulated by a mirror clamp of a type inserted from both ends in the longitudinal direction, a space is required for inserting the mirror clamp outside the mirror. However, there is also a problem that the size of the apparatus is hindered.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical member supporting device, an image reading device, and an image forming device that are small in size and can easily perform an optical member replacement operation, by solving the above-described problems in a conventional image reading device. And
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, there is provided an optical member supporting apparatus for supporting at least a reflector that illuminates an original by reflecting light from a light source and an optical path changing unit that changes an optical path of reflected light from the original. A pair of reflector holding members are provided, which are mounted on a substrate of the apparatus and abut against a part of the reflector near both ends in the main scanning direction of the reflector to sandwich the reflector with the substrate. In this case, each of the pair of reflector holding members is brought into contact with both ends of the optical path changing unit in the main scanning direction to regulate the position of the optical path changing unit in the main scanning direction.
[0008]
Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the present invention, the reflector has a base portion extending in a substantially vertical direction, and the reflector holding member is in contact with the base portion to prevent the reflector from falling down. It is proposed to provide a longitudinal support surface.
[0009]
Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes that the reflector holding member is provided with a convex portion protruding toward the reflector, and the reflector is provided with a fitting hole in which the convex portion is fitted.
[0010]
Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides the above-mentioned substrate, wherein the substrate has an opening for guiding the reflected light from the document to the optical path changing means, and the reflector holding member is inserted into the opening, whereby the reflector It is proposed that a holding member is mounted on the substrate.
[0011]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes that the reflector holding member is configured to be detachable from the substrate.
According to the present invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved by an image reading apparatus including the optical member supporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
[0012]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a flatbed type (document fixed type) image scanner which is an example of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. The image scanner 1 shown in this figure has a first carriage 6 as an optical member supporting device for supporting optical members such as an exposure lamp 4, a first mirror 5, and a condensing reflector 18. The overall configuration and operation of the image scanner will be described later, and the optical member support device will be described first.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the optical member supporting device. FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof. In the first carriage 6A shown in these figures, a xenon lamp (hereinafter referred to as Xe lamp) 4 as a document illumination lamp is supported on a carriage base 61 via a bracket (not shown). It should be noted that the Xe lamp 4 is not shown in FIG. The carriage base 61 is provided with a convex portion (hereinafter, referred to as a guide portion) 62 for guiding the light-collecting reflector 18. An opening 63 (FIG. 4) for guiding reflected light L from a document (not shown) placed on the contact glass 2 to the first mirror 5 is provided in the carriage base 61. The condensing reflector 18 has a reflecting portion that reflects light from the Xe lamp 4 and, in this example, a root portion 18b that extends in a substantially vertical direction.
[0015]
The first mirror 5 is held on a carriage housing (housing) via a stay (not shown) (see FIG. 1), and is positioned in the longitudinal direction by stoppers 64, 64 fitted at both ends of the opening 63. I have. A hook 64a is formed on one side of the upper end of the stopper 64. When the hook 64a comes into contact with the upper surface of the base 61 when the stopper 64 is inserted into the opening 63 from above, the upper portion of the stopper 64 is slightly It stops while projecting from the opening 63. At this time, the lower portion of the stopper 64 projects below the base 61 and abuts on both ends of the first mirror 5 to regulate the position in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction). Thus, as a space for positioning the first mirror 5 in the longitudinal direction, a space as small as the thickness of the stoppers 64, 64 may be provided on both outer sides of the mirror. As a result, the width of the carriage can be reduced, which can contribute to downsizing of the reading device.
[0016]
The stoppers 64, 64 fitted to both ends of the opening 63 also have a function of holding the light-collecting reflector 18 by holding the light-collecting reflector 18 by pressing the base 18 b of the light-collecting reflector 18 near its lower end against the guide portion 62. Have. That is, the reflector 18 is fixed between the stoppers 64, 64 and the guide portion 62 of the carriage base. The positioning of the first mirror 5 and the support of the reflector 18 can be performed by the same member (stopper 64), so that the number of components can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.
[0017]
Next, a second embodiment of the optical member supporting device will be described with reference to FIG.
The carriage 6B of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has the same configuration of the main part as the carriage 6A of the first embodiment, and a duplicate description will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 5, the stopper 65 in the present embodiment has a side opposite to the hooking portion 65a which is extended upward to form a fall prevention portion (vertical support portion) 65b. For this reason, the upper surface of the stopper 65 is a slope connecting the hook portion 65a and the fall prevention portion 65b, and the portion above the opening 63 (FIG. 4) has a triangular wedge shape. By fitting the stopper 65 into both ends of the opening 63, the stoppers 65, 65 abut on both ends of the first mirror 5 to regulate the position in the longitudinal direction of the mirror as in the first embodiment. . Further, the reflector 18 is fixed between the stoppers 65, 65 and the guide portion 62 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
[0019]
In the second embodiment, the fall prevention portion 65b of the stopper 65 contacts and presses the base 18b of the reflector 18 for a long distance (substantially the entire base 18b), so that the reflector 18 is opened. The lamp 4 is prevented from falling down. Therefore, even when a large acceleration is applied during scanning (during the movement of the carriage 6B), or when an impact is applied during transportation of the image reading device, the reflector 18 is firmly supported without falling down, and is always stable. Illumination (the light of the Xe lamp 4 is stably reflected), and a stable image quality in the reading device can be obtained without causing density unevenness or the like due to fluctuation of the illumination light.
[0020]
It is to be noted that, by performing the positioning of the first mirror 5 and the holding of the reflector 18 by the same member, the number of components can be reduced and the cost can be reduced, as in the case of the first embodiment.
[0021]
Next, a third embodiment of the optical member supporting device will be described with reference to FIG.
The carriage 6C of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has the same configuration of the main part as the carriage 6A of the first embodiment, and duplicate description will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 6, the stopper 66 in this embodiment has a projection 66b formed on the opposite side of the hook 66a. The convex portion 66b of the stopper 66 has a function of preventing the reflector 18 from falling out by fitting into a fitting hole (not shown) formed at the base of the reflector 18. The stoppers 66 are fitted into both ends of the opening 63 so that the stoppers 66 and 66 come into contact with both ends of the first mirror 5 to regulate the position in the mirror longitudinal direction, as in the first embodiment. . Further, the reflector 18 is fixed between the stoppers 66 and 66 and the guide portion 62 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
[0023]
In the third embodiment, since the convex portion 66b of the stopper 66 fits into the fitting hole (not shown) of the reflector 18 to prevent the reflector 18 from coming off, as described above, such as during scanning or during transportation. The reflector 18 is firmly supported without falling out or shifting even when a large shock is applied or vibration is applied to the light source, and always provides stable illumination (stably reflects the light of the Xe lamp 4). As a result, it is possible to obtain stable image quality in the reading device without causing density unevenness due to fluctuation of illumination light.
[0024]
It is to be noted that, by performing the positioning of the first mirror 5 and the holding of the reflector 18 by the same member, the number of components can be reduced and the cost can be reduced, as in the case of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, if a convex portion is provided in a part of the fall prevention portion 65b and a fitting hole for fitting the convex portion is provided on the reflector side, as in the third embodiment. It is possible to prevent the reflector 18 from coming off.
[0025]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the optical member supporting device will be described with reference to FIG.
The carriage 6D of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7 has the same configuration of the main part as the carriage 6A of the first embodiment, and duplicate description will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 7, the stopper 67 in the present embodiment has a hook 67a formed on one side of the upper end. Further, a pair of hook portions 67b, 67b protruding from both side surfaces of the stopper 67 are provided. The width of the hook portion 67b of the stopper 67 is normally wider than the width of the opening 63, but the hook portions 67b, 67b have elasticity. The stoppers 67 b can be elastically deformed to be within the opening width, and the stopper 67 can be inserted into the opening 63. The distance between the upper surface of the hook portion 67b and the lower surface of the hook portion 67a is configured to be substantially the same as the height of the opening portion 63 (thickness of the base portion 61). , The hook portions 67b, 67b come out of the lower surface of the carriage base 61, return to the original shape, and open outward. In this manner, the stopper 67 is prevented from coming off by the hook portions 67b. At this time, the stopper 67 is firmly held (by the base 61) in the opening 63 by the upper hooking portion 67a and the lower hook portions 67b, 67b. Even when an impact is applied, the stopper 67 is more reliably prevented from coming off or being displaced, so that the reliability is improved and the image quality is also improved.
[0027]
Further, if the hooks 67b are pushed in from both sides and elastically deformed, the width of the member at the hook 67b becomes smaller than the width of the opening 63. 67 can be easily removed.
[0028]
The stoppers 67 are fitted into both ends of the opening 63 so that the stoppers 67 and 67 come into contact with both ends of the first mirror 5 to regulate the position in the longitudinal direction of the mirror, as in the first embodiment. Further, the reflector 18 is fixed between the stoppers 67, 67 and the guide portion 62 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
[0029]
Further, the same member as the first embodiment can perform the positioning of the first mirror 5 and the holding of the reflector 18 to reduce the number of components and reduce the cost, as in the case of the first embodiment.
[0030]
In the optical member supporting apparatus of each of the above-described embodiments, since the support of the reflector 18 and the positioning of the first mirror 5 can be performed only by inserting the stopper 64 (65, 66, 67) into the opening 63, the screw is used. Not only does not require a fastening part, but also a tool is not required, and the workability is good, so that the assembling time can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the assembly cost and contribute to the cost reduction of the image reading apparatus.
[0031]
Further, since the support of the reflector 18 is easily released by pulling out the stopper 64 (65, 66, 67) from the opening 63, the attachment and detachment of the reflector 18 is simplified, and the time for replacing parts is shortened. Service costs can be reduced.
[0032]
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the image scanner of FIG. 1 will be described. Note that the optical member supporting device of each of the above-described embodiments can be used as the first carriage of the image scanner 1. In FIG.
[0033]
The image scanner 1 has a housing-like scanner housing (scanner frame) 3 having a contact glass 2 for document placement on the upper surface. In the housing 3, a xenon lamp (Xe lamp) 4 as an exposure lamp and a first carriage 6 on which a first mirror 5 inclined at 45 ° are mounted. A second carriage 9 on which second and third mirrors 7 and 8 for reversing the optical axis by 180 ° are provided. The first and second carriages 6 and 9 are arranged with the main scanning direction (the front and back direction in FIG. 1) as a longitudinal direction, and at a speed ratio of 2: 1 along the sub-scanning direction (left and right direction in FIG. 1). It is provided to be able to reciprocate freely. The first and second carriages 6, 9 when waiting for reading of a document image are positioned at the home positions at the left end positions in FIG.
[0034]
The Xe lamp 4 is provided with a light reflecting film that covers the side away from the contact glass 2 with the light reflecting surface facing in the axial direction so that a slit (aperture) is formed at a position facing the contact glass 2. (See FIG. 4). This makes it possible to effectively use the light emitted from the Xe lamp 4 and to improve the use efficiency of the light radiated toward the contact glass 2.
[0035]
In the scanner housing 3, a drive motor 10 by a stepping motor for reciprocating the first and second carriages 6, 9 in the sub-scanning direction, and a sensor board on which a linear CCD 11 as a reading element are mounted. A unit 12, a lens block stay 14 on which a lens block 13 is mounted, and the like are provided. In addition, the scanner housing 3 is provided with a width sensor 15 and a length sensor 16 for detecting the size of a document placed on the contact glass 2.
[0036]
Next, each part of the image scanner 1 will be described. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing the internal structure of the scanner device 1, FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional side view thereof, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing each part provided in the scanner housing 3, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the direction of action of the force by the locking and fixing of the belt, and FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the principle of the moving pulley for the movement operation of the first and second carriages. .
[0037]
A U-shaped rail member 17 is attached to each of the side walls 3b of the scanner housing 3 raised in the sub-scanning direction. Thus, inside the scanner housing 3, two pairs of rails 17a and 17b extending along the sub-scanning direction are formed as a two-stage rail structure. Hereinafter, a pair of rails on the upper side is a first rail 17a for the first carriage 6, and a pair of rails on the lower side is a second rail 17b for the second carriage 9. By dividing the running sliding surfaces of the first and second carriages 6 and 9 as the rails 17a and 17b in this manner, the positions of the first and second carriages 6 and 9 (in the home position) can be approximated. This is useful for reducing the size of the entire scanner device 1 to a necessary minimum.
[0038]
A stopper 17c for regulating the vertical movement of the second carriage 9 located at the home position is provided on the wall 3c on the home position side raised in the main scanning direction of the scanner housing 3. It is integrally formed by some cut-and-raised pieces. These stoppers 17c are formed at positions corresponding to L-shaped arm portions 9c as stoppers formed on a mirror stay 9a (described later) of the second carriage 9.
[0039]
Sliders (not shown) are provided at four corners on the lower surface of the first carriage 6, and these four sliders are made to reciprocate along the sub-scanning direction by making contact with the upper surface of the first rail 17a. Have been.
[0040]
At both ends of the lower surface of the first carriage 6, endless type timing belts 21 extending along the sub-scanning direction over substantially the entire length in the scanner housing 3 are provided. A part of the timing belt 21 and a part of the flat belt 30 described later are locked to a lower surface on the end side of the first carriage 6 by a belt clamp (locking member) 42 described later. At this time, the height of the locking portion between the timing belt 21 and the flat belt 30 with respect to the first carriage 6 is set to be the same height (horizontal state) (see FIG. 5). When the timing belt 21 and the flat belt 30 are simultaneously locked in the same plane with respect to one belt clamp 42, the first carriage 6 is moved to the first timing belt 21 and the flat belt 30 so as to be pressed against the rail 17a. Is lifted slightly and fastened to the first carriage 6 (see FIG. 6 schematically shown). By doing so, the sliders attached to the lower corners of the four corners of the first carriage 6 can reliably contact and scan the rails 17a, which is effective in preventing jitter of the read image. Further, the first carriage 6 pulls the second carriage 9 in the scanning direction via the flat belt 30, but since the timing belt 21 and the flat belt 30 are fixed on the same plane, the first carriage 6 No rotational moment is generated.
[0041]
One end of each timing belt 21 is bridged over drive timing pulleys 23 fixed to both ends of a drive shaft 22 extending in the main scanning direction. The other end of each timing belt 21 is bridged over a driven timing pulley 24 attached to the scanner housing 3. The driven timing pulley 24 is urged in a direction away from the driving timing pulley 23 by a tension spring (not shown) bridged between the driven timing pulley 24 and the scanner housing 3. As a result, tension is applied to each timing belt 21 in the sub-scanning direction.
[0042]
A drive transmission timing pulley 25a is attached to one end of the drive shaft 22. The above-described drive motor 10 is disposed beside the drive transmission timing pulley 25a. A helical gear 10b is fixed on a drive shaft 10a of the drive motor 10, and meshes with a reduction gear 25b to rotate. A transmission timing pulley 25c is provided coaxially with the reduction gear 25b, and an endless type drive timing belt 26 is stretched between the transmission timing pulley 25c and the drive transmission timing pulley 25a. . As a result, the driving force of the driving motor 10 is transmitted to the driving timing pulley 23 via the driving shaft 22.
[0043]
Note that an iron disk is fixed to the drive shaft 10a behind the drive motor 10 to stabilize rotation. On the helical gear 10b side, a rubber damper for vibration isolation is arranged between the drive motor 10 and the motor bracket. The motor bracket is slidable to adjust the tension of the drive timing belt 26 described above, and is screwed after a predetermined tension is applied by a spring.
[0044]
The second carriage 9 has a pair of mirror stays 9a that support both ends of the second and third mirrors 7 and 8, and an arm 9b that extends from both outer sides of the mirror stay 9a toward the first carriage 6. are doing. The extension length of the arm 9b is a length corresponding to the amount of movement of the second carriage 9 in the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, the second carriage 9 of the present embodiment has a substantially U-shape in plan view. In such a second carriage 9, a flat pulley 27 rotatable along the surface direction of the mirror stay 9a is provided outside the mirror stay 9a, and a pair with the flat pulley 27 is provided at the tip of the arm 9b. A bracket 28 for rotatably holding the flat pulley 29 is attached, and a flat belt 30 is stretched between the flat pulleys 27 and 29. At this time, the flat pulleys 27, 29 and the like are arranged so that the flat belt 30 is slightly separated from and parallel to the timing belt 21 in plan view. The bracket 28 supporting the flat pulley 29 is slidable with respect to the arm 9b, and is attached with a predetermined tension by a spring (not shown). That is, the flat belt 30 does not need to transmit the driving force unlike the timing belt 21. Therefore, basically, no tension is required unless the flat pulleys 27 and 29 are loosened. In order to prevent the occurrence of, a weak tension of about several hundred gr is applied. Since the tension is weak as described above, the rotational load on the flat pulleys 27 and 29 and the shaft (the drive shaft 22 and the like) that rotationally supports the flat pulleys 27 and 29 is very small without using a ball bearing.
[0045]
In addition, sliders (not shown) are provided on the lower surface of the second carriage 9 at four corners that are diagonal positions of the entire second carriage 9, and these four sliders are brought into contact with the upper surface of the second rail 17 b. The contact makes it reciprocable along the sub-scanning direction.
[0046]
The second carriage 9 is disposed such that each arm 9b is located on the inner peripheral side of the timing belt 21. At this time, the pair of flat belts 30 are positioned inside the pair of timing belts 21 in the main scanning direction.
[0047]
A part of each flat belt 30 is fixed in position by engaging a fixing member 31 fixed to the bottom plate 3 a of the scanner housing 3. The fixing position of the flat belt 30 by the fixing member 31 is set so as to be a position substantially different from the locking position of the first carriage 6 to the flat belt 30 by the belt clamp 42 by a half circumference. Since a part of the flat belt 30 is fixed in position by the fixing member 31, the flat belt 30 itself rotates even if the flat belt 30 is moved by following the timing belt 21 at the locking position by the belt clamp 42. Without moving, it moves in the sub-scanning direction together with the flat pulleys 27 and 29 according to the principle of the moving pulley. Therefore, the second carriage 9 supporting the flat pulleys 27 and 29 and the flat belt 30 also moves in the sub-scanning direction.
[0048]
As described above, since the upper side of the flat belt 30 is locked to the first carriage 6 while being slightly lifted, a force is applied to the second carriage 9 so that the first carriage 6 lifts the second carriage 9. I have. However, the height at which the lower side of the flat belt 30 is fixed by the bracket 4 attached to the bottom plate 3a is fixed at a slightly lower position, and the bracket 4 exerts a force for pulling the second carriage 9 downward. (See FIG. 6 schematically shown). In the present embodiment, by making the upward and downward forces substantially equal, the second carriage 9 can scan while reliably contacting the rail 17b. As a result, a downward urging force can be applied to the second carriage 9 and, during reciprocation, the lower surface of the second carriage 9 is stably contacted without being lifted from the second rail 17b. Can be moved.
[0049]
In such a configuration, when reading a document image, the drive motor 10 is driven to reciprocate the first and second carriages 6 and 9 at a speed ratio of 2: 1 and the Xe lamp 4 is turned on to copy the document. The image is exposed and scanned. As a result, the light emitted from the Xe lamp 4 is reflected by the document surface via the contact glass 2 and reaches the first mirror 5, and then is sequentially reflected by the second and third mirrors 7 and 8, and the lens The light is condensed on the CCD 11 via the block 13 and the original image is read.
[0050]
When the first and second carriages 6 and 9 reciprocate, the timing belt 21 and the flat belt 30 are locked to the first carriage 6. Accordingly, the locking portion of the flat belt 30 is also pulled by the same amount in the same direction, but since the lower part of the flat belt 30 is fixed in position by the fixing member 31, the movement schematically shown in FIG. According to the pulley principle, the second carriage 9 theoretically moves in the same direction with respect to the first carriage 6 with a movement amount of 1/2 and a movement speed of 1/2. As described above, the second carriage 9 is not directly driven by the drive unit (the drive motor 10 or the drive shaft 22), but is pulled by the timing belt 21 for the first carriage 6 so that the second carriage 9 On the other hand, the vehicle follows the vehicle at exactly 1/2 speed. Thus, the positional relationship between the first and second carriages 6 and 9 is accurately maintained even during reciprocation, so that the occurrence of distortion in the sub-scanning direction of the read document image can be suppressed. In particular, since the timing belt 21, the flat belt 30, and the like are disposed on both sides and a so-called double-side drive system is used, the traveling of each of the traveling bodies 6, 9 can be stabilized, and the read image quality can be improved. .
[0051]
Finally, a case where the application of the present invention is extended to an image forming apparatus will be described. Here, an example of application to a copying machine as an image forming apparatus will be described.
A copying machine 50 shown in FIG. 14 includes a scanner device (image reading unit) 1 having the above-described configuration disposed at the top of the device, and a printer device 51 that forms an image of a document read by the scanner device on paper. Have.
[0052]
In the printer device 51, a sheet is conveyed from a sheet feeding tray 52 that holds and stacks sheet-shaped sheets or a manual feed tray 53 that receives sheets by hand, to a sheet output stacker section 56 via a printer engine 54 and a fixing unit 55. A passage 57 is formed.
[0053]
In this embodiment, an electrophotographic printer in which a charging device, a developing device, a transfer device (not denoted by a reference numeral), and the like are provided around a photoreceptor (for example, an organic photoreceptor) 58 and optical writing is performed by an exposure device 70. The engine 54 is used. Further, a sheet reversing mechanism 59 for reversing the sheet on which an image is formed on one side is provided in the printer device 51.
[0054]
In such a configuration, the original image read by the scanner device 1 is visualized as a toner image in the printer device 51, the toner image is transferred onto a recording sheet, and this is fixed on a sheet by a fixing unit 55 to be discharged. It is discharged to the stacker unit 56.
[0055]
Here, an example of application to a digital scanner having the CCD 11 as the scanner device 1 has been described, but, for example, the original image light reflected by the third mirror 8 is applied to the photosensitive member via an imaging lens, a reflection mirror, and the like. The present invention can also be applied to an analog copier or the like that directly exposes the image to an object.
[0056]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated examples, the present invention is not limited thereto. The optical member supporting device can be applied to a configuration that supports not only the first carriage of the fixed original scanner (image reading device) but also optical members such as a condensing reflector and a mirror in the original traveling scanner (image reading device). is there. Further, the shape of the reflector and the stopper of the optical member supporting device can be appropriately changed.
[0057]
The image reading device may be a device that inputs an image to a computer or the like as well as the image reading unit of the image forming apparatus. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a copying machine, but may be a facsimile or a multifunction machine thereof.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the optical member supporting device, the image reading device, and the image forming device of the present invention, the reflector is mounted on the substrate of the optical member supporting device, thereby forming a part of the reflector near both ends in the main scanning direction of the reflector. And a pair of reflector holding members for holding the reflector together with the substrate by contacting the reflector with the substrate. When the reflector holding members are mounted on the substrate, each of the pair of reflector holding members comes into contact with both ends of the optical path changing means in the main scanning direction. Therefore, the positioning of the optical path changing means in the main scanning direction and the support of the reflector can be performed by the same member, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. Further, unlike the related art, there is no need for a space for inserting the clamp member on both sides of the optical path changing means, and the size in the longitudinal direction can be reduced, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.
[0059]
According to the configuration of claim 2, since the reflector has a base portion extending in a substantially vertical direction, and the reflector holding member is provided with a vertical support surface that abuts on the base portion and prevents the reflector from falling down. The reflectors are firmly supported without falling down even when receiving acceleration or vibration during movement (running) of the member support device, or vibration or shock during transportation of the device, and always provide stable illumination. And reflect).
[0060]
According to the configuration of claim 3, the reflector holding member is provided with the convex portion protruding toward the reflector, and the reflector is provided with the fitting hole into which the convex portion is fitted, so that the reflector can be prevented from coming off.
[0061]
According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the substrate of the optical member supporting device has an opening for guiding the reflected light from the document to the optical path changing means, and the reflector holding member is attached to the substrate by inserting the reflector holding member into the opening. Therefore, not only fastening parts such as screws are not required, but also tools are not required, and workability is good, so that assembly cost can be reduced.
[0062]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the reflector holding member is configured to be detachable from the substrate, the reflector can be easily attached and detached, the time required for component replacement and the like can be reduced, and the service cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a flatbed type (document fixed type) image scanner which is an example of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the optical member supporting device.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an opening for guiding reflected light from a document to a first mirror.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the optical member supporting device.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the optical member supporting device.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the optical member supporting device.
FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing the internal structure of the image scanner of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional side view thereof.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing each part provided in the scanner housing.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a part thereof.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view schematically showing a direction in which a force is applied by locking and fixing the belt.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the principle of a moving pulley with respect to a movement operation of first and second carriages.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a copying machine that is an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image scanner
2 Contact glass
4 Exposure lamp
5 First mirror
18 Condensing reflector
18a Reflector
18b root
6 First carriage
50 Copier
61 Carriage base
62 Reflector guide
63 opening
64, 65, 66, 67 Stopper
64a, 65a, 66a, 67a Hook
65b Fall prevention part (vertical support surface)
66b convex part
67b Hook

Claims (7)

In an optical member support device that supports at least a reflector that reflects the light from the light source and illuminates the original and an optical path changing unit that changes the optical path of the reflected light from the original,
By providing a pair of reflector holding members that are mounted on the substrate of the optical member supporting device and that abut against a part of the reflector near both ends in the main scanning direction of the reflector and sandwich the reflector with the substrate,
When the reflector holding member is mounted on the substrate, each of the pair of reflector holding members abuts on both ends of the optical path changing unit in the main scanning direction to regulate the position of the optical path changing unit in the main scanning direction. An optical member supporting device, characterized by The reflector has a root portion extending in a substantially vertical direction,
2. The optical member supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector holding member is provided with a vertical supporting surface that abuts on the base to prevent the reflector from falling down. 3. 3. The optical member supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector holding member is provided with a protrusion projecting toward the reflector, and the reflector is provided with a fitting hole into which the protrusion fits. 4. . The substrate has an opening for guiding reflected light from a document to the optical path changing unit, and the reflector holding member is mounted on the substrate by inserting the reflector holding member into the opening. The optical member supporting device according to claim 1. The optical member supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector holding member is configured to be detachable from the substrate. An image reading apparatus comprising the optical member support device according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading device according to claim 6.

Images