JP2006345161A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader that prevents external light from being incident while securely preventing a document from shifting in position. <P>SOLUTION: A document presser plate 4 pivoted on a scanner main body comprises a first presser plate 5, a second presser plate 6, a third presser plate 7, and a foamed member 8. A first opening portion 5a and a second opening portion 6a which communicate with each other are bored in the first presser plate 5 and second presser plate 6. The third presser plate 7 is arranged in the gap between the first presser plate 5 and second presser plate 6 slidably with the energizing force of a spring 10. While the third presser plate 7 is slid against the energizing force of the spring 10, the first opening portion 5a to third opening portion 7a communicate with one another to form an opening portion penetrating the original presser plate 4. While the third presser plate 7 is released from the energizing force of the spring 10, the first opening portion 5a and second opening portion 6a are closed by the third presser plate 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus provided with a document pressing plate that presses a sheet.

  An image reading apparatus is used to convert a document on which characters, figures, etc. are drawn into electronic data or to copy it. Such an image reading apparatus includes a reading apparatus main body for reading an original, and an original pressing plate for pressing the original placed on the original table of the reading apparatus main body from above.

  The document pressing plate is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the reading apparatus main body. When reading the document, the document pressing plate is closed so that the document placed on the document table is pressed from above, and the reading operation is performed in this state. When the reading operation is completed, the document pressing plate is opened, the document is removed from the document table, and a new document is placed. Thereafter, the document is read by repeating the same operation.

  However, when the document pressing plate is closed, the document placed at a predetermined position on the document table may be displaced from the position due to the wind pressure, or the document may fly off. Further, when the document pressing plate is opened, the document may fly due to the wind pressure or may be opened with the document attached to the document pressing plate.

For example, there are Patent Documents 1 to 3 as methods for solving such a problem. Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose a method in which an opening is provided in the document pressing plate and the wind pressure associated with the opening and closing operation of the document pressing plate is adjusted. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 proposes a method in which an air pressure control unit that blows air from the document pressing plate is provided on the document pressing plate, and the amount of air blown is controlled in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the document pressing plate.
JP-A-5-53214 JP-A-5-66496 JP-A-9-68761

  However, the conventional image reading apparatus has the following problems. In the image reading apparatuses proposed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when reading a document with the document pressing plate closed, external light may enter from an opening provided in the document pressing plate. In addition, external light may enter from the side of the document pressing plate. For this reason, the reading of the document may be hindered by the incident light.

  In Patent Document 3, there is a problem that the structure of the document pressing plate is complicated due to the provision of the air pressure control unit, and the production cost is increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that prevents external light from entering while reliably preventing positional deviation of a document.

  The image reading apparatus according to the present invention has a reading main body and a document pressing plate. The reading main body reads the document as electronic data. The document pressing plate is pivotally supported by the reading main body so as to be opened and closed, and presses the document placed on the reading main body from above. The document pressing plate includes a first member, a second member, a third member, an urging member, and a foam member. The first member and the second member are disposed so as to face each other, and predetermined first openings and second openings are formed to communicate with each other. The third member is slidably disposed between the first member and the second member, and a predetermined third opening is formed. The biasing member is disposed between the first member and the second member, and applies a biasing force to the third member. The foam member is attached to the second member and presses the document in the closed state. When opening and closing the document pressing plate, the first opening to the third opening communicate with each other so as to penetrate the document pressing plate by sliding the third member against the biasing force of the biasing member. When the document pressing plate is closed and the document is read, the third member is slid to release the urging force of the urging member, thereby shifting the position of the third opening and the first opening and the second opening. The space between the two openings is closed by the third member.

  According to this configuration, when the document pressing plate is opened and closed, the first opening to the third opening communicate with each other so as to penetrate the document pressing plate. A part of the air existing between the first and third openings is released to the upper side of the document pressing plate through the first to third openings penetrating the document pressing plate. As a result, the wind pressure accompanying the operation of closing the document pressing plate is alleviated, and the document placed on the reading main body is prevented from being displaced from a predetermined position, so that highly accurate printing can be performed. On the other hand, when opening the document pressing plate, a part of the air existing above the document pressing plate flows between the document pressing plate and the reading main body through the first to third openings. become. As a result, the wind pressure associated with the operation of opening the document pressing plate is relaxed, and it is possible to prevent the document from dropping from the reading main body portion or adhering to the document pressing plate. Further, when reading the document with the document pressing plate closed, the space between the first opening and the second opening is closed by the third member, so that the first opening Incident external light is blocked by the third member. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the external light from entering the position where the original is placed, and reliably prevent the external light from affecting the reading of the original.

  Another image reading apparatus according to the present invention is an image reading apparatus having a document pressing plate that presses a placed document from above, and the document pressing plate includes a first member, a second member, and a third member. ing. The first member and the second member are disposed so as to face each other. The third member is disposed between the first member and the second member, and can slide between a first state in which the document pressing plate is opened and closed and a second state in which the document pressing plate is closed and the document is read. It is said. The predetermined positions of the first member, the second member, and the third member are communication holes that penetrate the first member, the second member, and the third member in the first state, and the third position in the second state. A predetermined opening is formed so that the communication hole is closed by the member.

  According to this configuration, when opening and closing the document pressing plate, a communication hole penetrating the document pressing plate is formed, so that a part of the air existing between the document pressing plate and the reading main body part is It will escape to the upper part of the document pressing plate through the communication hole. As a result, the wind pressure accompanying the operation of closing the document pressing plate is alleviated, and the document placed on the reading main body is prevented from being displaced from a predetermined position, so that highly accurate printing can be performed. On the other hand, when opening the document pressing plate, a part of the air existing above the document pressing plate flows between the document pressing plate and the reading main body through the communication hole. As a result, the wind pressure associated with the operation of opening the document pressing plate is relaxed, and it is possible to prevent the document from dropping from the reading main body portion or adhering to the document pressing plate. Further, when reading the document while closing the document pressing plate, the communication hole is blocked by the third member, so that the external light is blocked by the third member. Thereby, it is possible to prevent external light from entering the position where the original is placed, and reliably prevent the external light from affecting the reading of the original.

  In order to easily slide the third member, it is preferable to include an urging member disposed between the first member and the second member. In the first state, the urging force of the urging member is resisted. Then, the third member may be slid, and in the second state, the urging force of the urging member may be released by sliding the third member.

  The document pressing plate is pivotally supported by a reading main body disposed below the document pressing plate so as to be openable and closable, and the predetermined opening is moved away from the side where the document pressing plate is pivotally supported by the reading main body. Accordingly, the opening area per unit area is preferably larger.

  As a result, air can efficiently flow through the communication hole in the portion where the tangential speed of the document pressing plate is higher, and the wind pressure associated with opening and closing the document pressing plate can be effectively reduced.

  More specifically, the predetermined opening may be formed so that the area per opening increases as the document pressing plate moves away from the side pivotally supported by the reading main body. Good. Alternatively, the predetermined opening may be formed so that the number of openings per unit area increases as the document pressing plate moves away from the side pivotally supported by the reading main body.

  A printer apparatus with a scanner will be described as an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a printer device 1 with a scanner has a scanner body 3 for reading a document as electronic data, and prints on a predetermined sheet based on the electronic data of the document read by the scanner body 3. And a printer main body 2. The scanner body 3 is provided with a document table 3a on which a document is placed. A document pressing plate 4 for pressing a document placed at a predetermined position on the document table 3a from above is pivotally supported by a shaft support portion 12 on the scanner body 3 so as to be opened and closed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the document pressing plate 4 includes a first pressing plate 5, a second pressing plate 6, a third pressing plate 7 and a foaming member 8. The first presser plate 5 and the second presser plate 6 are disposed so as to face each other with a predetermined interval. The first presser plate 5 is provided with a plurality of first openings 5a. Also, a plurality of second openings 6a are provided. The first opening 5a and the second opening 6a are provided at the same position so as to communicate with each other.

  In the gap between the first presser plate 5 and the second presser plate 6, the third presser plate 7 is slidably disposed by the urging force of the spring 10. The third presser plate 7 is formed with a predetermined third opening 7a corresponding to the positions of the first opening 5a and the second opening 6a. A lever 11 for sliding the third presser plate 7 against the biasing force (arrow 31) of the spring 10 is provided at the end of the third presser plate 7. The foam member 8 is disposed on the surface of the second pressing plate 6 on the side facing the document table, and a sponge that allows easy air flow is employed.

  In the document pressing plate 4, when the third pressing plate 7 is released from the urging force of the spring 10, the third opening 7 a is disposed so that the positions of the third openings 7 a communicate with each other, as shown in FIG. 2. Deviating from the first opening 5a and the second opening 6a, the third presser plate 7 closes between the first opening 5a and the second opening 6a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the third presser plate 7 is slid against the urging force of the spring 10 (arrow 32), the first opening is arranged to communicate with each other. The third opening 7a is located at the same position as 5a and the second opening 6a, and the first opening 5a, the third opening 7a and the second opening 6a communicate with each other and pass through the document pressing plate 4. The opening 9 is formed. The printer device 1 with a scanner is configured as described above.

  Next, the operation of the above-described printer device 1 with a scanner will be described. First, when reading a document, as shown in FIG. 5, the document 20 is placed at a predetermined position corresponding to the size of the document on the document table 3a. Next, against the urging force of the spring 10, the lever 11 is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow 32 with a finger (not shown) to slide the third presser plate 7. By doing so, the first opening 5a, the third opening 7a and the second opening 6a communicate with each other, and the opening 9 penetrating the document pressing plate 4 is formed.

  Next, the document pressing plate 4 is closed as indicated by an arrow 33 while maintaining this state. At this time, a part of the air existing between the document pressing plate 4 and the document table 3 a escapes above the document pressing plate 4 through the opening 9 penetrating the document pressing plate 4 as indicated by an arrow 41. It is. Thereby, the wind pressure accompanying the operation of closing the document pressing plate 4 is relieved.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when the document pressing plate 4 is closed, the finger (not shown) is released from the lever 11, and the third pressing plate 7 is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow 31 by the urging force of the spring 10. The third presser plate 7 is released from the urging force. By doing so, the position of the third opening 7a out of the positions of the first opening 5a and the third opening 7a out of the first opening 5a to the third opening 7a communicated with each other is shifted from the position of the first opening 5a and the second opening 6a. The three presser plates 7 are in a state of closing the space between the first opening 5a and the second opening 6a.

  Next, the original 20 is read by the scanner body 3 in this state. At this time, since the space between the first opening 5a and the second opening 6a is blocked by the third pressing plate 7, external light incident from the opening 5a is blocked by the third pressing plate 7. Therefore, it is prevented that the light enters the position where the document 20 is placed.

  Next, when the document reading operation is completed, as shown in FIG. 7, the lever 11 is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow 32 to slide the third presser plate 7 in the same manner as when the original presser plate 4 is closed. The first opening 5a, the third opening 7a, and the second opening 6a are in communication with each other, and the opening 9 that penetrates the document pressing plate 4 is formed.

  Next, the document pressing plate 4 is opened as indicated by the arrow 34 while maintaining this state. At this time, a part of the air existing above the document pressing plate 4 flows between the document pressing plate 4 and the document table 3a through the opening 9 penetrating the document pressing plate 4 as indicated by an arrow 42. . Thereby, the wind pressure accompanying the operation of opening the document pressing plate 4 is relieved.

  When the document pressing plate 4 is opened, the read document is removed from the document table 3a, the next new document is placed on the document table 3a, and the above-described reading operation is performed. Thereafter, the document reading operation is sequentially performed by repeating the same operation.

  According to the above-described printer device 1 with a scanner, in the state where the third presser plate 7 of the document presser plate 4 is slid against the urging force of the spring 10 (arrow 32), the first opening 5a, the third opening The portion 7a and the second opening 6a communicate with each other, and the opening 9 penetrating the document pressing plate 4 is formed.

  As a result, when closing the document pressing plate 4, a part of the air existing between the document pressing plate 4 and the document table 3 a passes through the opening 9 penetrating the document pressing plate 4. Will be escaped above. As a result, the wind pressure accompanying the operation of closing the document pressing plate 4 is relaxed, and the document 20 placed on the document table 3a is prevented from being displaced from a predetermined position or falling from the document table 3a. Printing with high accuracy.

  On the other hand, when the document pressing plate 4 is opened, a part of the air existing above the document pressing plate 4 passes between the document pressing plate 4 and the document table 3 a through the opening 9 penetrating the document pressing plate 4. It will flow in between. As a result, the wind pressure associated with the operation of opening the document pressing plate 4 is relaxed, and the document 20 can be prevented from dropping or adhering to the document pressing plate 4 from the document table 3a.

  When the original pressing plate 4 is closed and the biasing force of the spring is released to read the original 20, the space between the first opening 5a and the second opening 6a is blocked by the third pressing plate 7. External light entering from the opening 5 a is blocked by the third pressing plate 7. Thereby, it is possible to prevent external light from entering the position where the original 20 is placed, and reliably prevent external light from affecting the reading of the original 20.

  In the above-described printer device with a scanner, openings having the same opening area are arranged at regular intervals as openings (first opening to third opening) formed in the document pressing plate 4. However, the shape of the opening and the arrangement of the opening are not limited to this. In the document pressing plate 4, the tangential speed of each part when the document pressing plate 4 is opened and closed increases as the distance from the shaft support portion 12 increases. Therefore, in the opening / closing operation of the document pressing plate 4, the surrounding air is more likely to be disturbed as the part is farther from the shaft support part 12.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, in the document pressing plate 4 of the scanner-equipped printer apparatus 1 according to one modified example, the openings 5a to 7a have a constant area per opening and the shaft support 12 has a constant area. As the distance from the side increases, the number of openings per unit area increases. By doing so, air can efficiently flow through the openings 5a to 7a in the portion where the tangential speed of the document pressing plate 4 is higher, and the wind pressure associated with opening and closing the document pressing plate 4 is effectively relieved. be able to.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the document pressing plate 4 of the scanner-equipped printer apparatus 1 according to another modification, the openings 5 a to 7 a are opened per opening as the distance from the shaft support 12 increases. It is formed so as to increase the area. This also allows air to efficiently flow through the openings 5a to 7a in the portion where the tangential velocity of the document pressing plate 4 is higher, and effectively reduces the wind pressure associated with opening and closing the document pressing plate 4. can do.

  In the above embodiment, the printer apparatus with a scanner has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to a printer apparatus with a scanner, and can be applied to an image reading apparatus such as a copying machine.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the scope described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a perspective view of a printer device with a scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the document pressing plate disposed in the printer device with a scanner in a first state in the embodiment. 6 is a perspective view of the printer device with a scanner in a second state of the document pressing plate in the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the document pressing plate in a second state in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when closing a document pressing plate for explaining an operation of the printer device with a scanner in the same embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a document pressing plate is closed for explaining the operation of the printer device with a scanner in the same embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when opening a document pressing plate for explaining the operation of the printer device with a scanner in the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a printer device with a scanner according to a modification in the embodiment. In the same embodiment, it is a perspective view of the printer apparatus with a scanner which concerns on another modification.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer apparatus with a scanner, 2 Printer main body, 3 Scanner main body, 3a Original platen, 4 Original press plate, 5 1st press plate, 5a 1st opening part, 6 2nd presser plate, 6a 2nd opening part, 7 3rd Presser plate, 7a Third opening, 8 Foam member, 9 Opening, 10 Spring, 11 Lever, 12 Shaft support, 20 Original.

Claims (6)

A reading main body for reading a document as electronic data;
A document holding plate that is pivotally supported by the reading body unit so as to be openable and closable and presses a document placed on the reading body unit from above;
The document pressing plate is
A first member and a second member, which are arranged so as to face each other and in which predetermined first openings and second openings communicating with each other are respectively formed;
A third member that is slidably disposed between the first member and the second member and has a predetermined third opening;
An urging member that is disposed between the first member and the second member and applies an urging force to the third member;
A foaming member mounted on the second member for holding the document in a closed state;
When opening and closing the document pressing plate, the first member to the third hole are formed so as to penetrate the document pressing plate by sliding the third member against the biasing force of the biasing member. When the opening is in communication and the original pressing plate is closed and the original is read, the third member is slid to release the urging force of the urging member. An image reading apparatus in which the position is shifted and the space between the first opening and the second opening is closed by the third member. An image reading apparatus having a document pressing plate for pressing a placed document from above,
The document pressing plate is
A first member and a second member arranged to face each other;
It is disposed between the first member and the second member, and is slidable between a first state in which the document pressing plate is opened and closed and a second state in which the document pressing plate is closed and the document is read. A third member formed,
The predetermined positions of the first member, the second member, and the third member are communication holes that penetrate the first member, the second member, and the third member in the first state, An image reading apparatus in which a predetermined opening is formed so that the communication hole is closed by the third member in the second state. A biasing member disposed between the first member and the second member;
In the first state, the third member is slid against the urging force of the urging member, and in the second state, the third member is slid to release the urging force of the urging member. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image reading apparatus is configured as described above. The document pressing plate is pivotally supported to be openable and closable by a reading main body disposed below the document pressing plate.
The predetermined opening is formed such that an opening area per unit area becomes larger as the original pressing plate is moved away from a side pivotally supported by the reading main body. The image reading apparatus described.   The predetermined opening is formed so that an area per opening becomes larger as the document pressing plate is moved away from a side pivotally supported by the reading main body. Image reading device.   5. The predetermined opening is formed such that the number of openings per unit area increases as the document pressing plate moves away from the side pivotally supported by the reading main body. Image reading apparatus.

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