JP2007212708A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To utilize a common scanner frame and a common reading optical system regardless of an image reading system in an image reader equipped with two mirror carriages. <P>SOLUTION: A digital composite machine 10 is equipped with: guide rails 151 and 153; a scanner unit 133 generating an image signal in accordance with received light; and a full rate carriage 131 and a half rate carriage 132 reflecting and guiding light from an original being a reading object to the scanner unit 133 and capable of traveling on the guide rails 151 and 153. The full rate carriage 131 and the half rate carriage 132 can respectively be fixed at positions PF and PH on the guide rails 151 and 153. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus including two mirror carriages.

  Image reading methods in image reading devices such as scanners, facsimiles, copiers, and multifunction devices include a flatbed method that reads an image drawn on a document placed on a platen glass and an automatic document feeder. There is an auto document feed method that reads an image drawn on a document. In the conventional image reading apparatus, different scanner frames and reading optical systems are adopted depending on the reading method employed, and the image reading device reads an image by a flat bed method (or by both a flat bed method and an auto document feed method). In the image reading apparatus, the carriage constituting the reading optical system can run on the guide rail. In an image reading apparatus that reads an image only by the auto document method, the scanner frame constituting the reading optical system can be fixed at a predetermined position. It has become.

  In Patent Document 1, the manufacturing cost of the image reading apparatus is reduced by making it possible to use a common scanner frame and reading optical system regardless of the image reading method.

JP 2005-223774 A

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 does not consider the common use of a scanner frame and a reading optical system for an image reading apparatus including two mirror carriages, and cannot reduce the manufacturing cost. there were.

  The present invention has been made to solve this problem, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to use a common scanner frame and reading optical system regardless of an image reading method in an image reading apparatus having two mirror carriages. And

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image reading apparatus, a guide rail, a scanner unit that generates an image signal corresponding to the received light, and reflects light from a document to be read and guides it to the scanner unit. A first mirror carriage and a second mirror carriage that can run on the guide rail, and the first mirror carriage and the second mirror carriage can be fixed at predetermined positions on the guide rail.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the first mirror carriage and the second mirror carriage are fixed to predetermined positions on the guide rail by screws.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the first mirror carriage reflects light from a document to be read and guides it to the second mirror carriage. The two-mirror carriage reflects light from the first mirror carriage and guides it to the scanner unit.

  According to the first to third aspects of the invention, since a common scanner frame and reading optical system can be used regardless of the image reading method, the manufacturing cost of the image reading apparatus can be reduced.

<1 First Embodiment>
In the following, a preferred embodiment of a multi-function peripheral (MFP) 1 that functions as an image reading device that reads an image drawn on a document by both a flatbed method and an auto document feed method will be described.

<1.1 External structure of digital multifunction device>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic external configuration of an upper part of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, for convenience, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is defined in which the left-right direction is the X-axis direction, the front-rear direction is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction. This also applies to FIGS. 2 to 6 described below.

  The digital multifunction device 1 has a scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, and a fax function, and functions as an image reading device that reads an image drawn on a document. An image reading unit 10 and an operation panel 20 shown in FIG. 1 are provided in the upper part of the digital multifunction device 1, and an image forming unit (not shown) is provided in the lower part of the digital multifunction device 1.

  The image reading unit 10 functions as a flatbed image reading unit that reads an image drawn on a document placed on the platen glass 12 and generates image data related to the image. In addition, the image reading unit 10 reads an image drawn on a document fed to the platen glass 19 by an automatic document feeder incorporated in a document holding cover (not shown), and generates image data related to the image. Also functions as an auto document feed type image reading unit.

  The operation panel 20 is used not only to operate the digital multi-function peripheral 1 but also to check the operation state and settings of the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  An image forming unit (not shown) provided below the image reading unit 10 forms an image related to image data on a recording medium such as a recording sheet by an electrophotographic method. More specifically, the image forming unit develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum with toner, and transfers the toner from the photosensitive drum onto a recording medium, thereby recording an image related to the image data. Form on the medium.

<1.2 Internal Configuration of Image Reading Unit>
Next, a schematic internal configuration of the image reading unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image reading unit 10 in a state where the platen glasses 12 and 19 and the resin top cover 14 fixed to the chassis 11 with screws are removed.

  The image reading unit 10 includes a chassis 11 serving as a skeleton, a sheet metal frame 15 that reinforces the chassis 11, and a reading optical system 13 that scans a document placed on the platen glass 12.

  The chassis 11 is an exterior-integrated resin chassis that also serves as an exterior of the image reading apparatus 1, and is configured by a single resin member.

  In the chassis 11, a front partition wall 111 and a rear partition wall 113 separated in the ± Y direction are formed perpendicular to a bottom surface 112 parallel to the XY plane. The rectangular platen glass 12 is supported by the upper ends of the front partition wall 111 and the rear partition wall 113 extending in the ± X direction at the two opposing edges, and is spanned between the front partition wall 111 and the rear partition wall 113.

  As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3, the bottom surface 112 of the chassis 11 is formed with insertion holes 1121 and 1122 into which the sheet metal frame 15 is incorporated, and the scanner unit mounting portion 1151 of the sheet metal frame 15 (FIG. 4). An exposure hole 1123 is formed to expose (see).

  As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4, the sheet metal frame 15 that serves as a scanner frame that holds the reading optical system 13 is formed by welding bridging members 155 and 156 to guide rails 151 and 153 that are long pairs of spaced apart members. It is framed in a ladder shape. The sheet metal frame 15 is incorporated into the chassis 11 by inserting guide rails 151 and 153 into the insertion holes 1121 and 1122 of the chassis 11, respectively.

  Screw holes H11 to H14 for fixing a full-rate carriage 131 (described later) to predetermined positions of the rail surfaces 151R and 153R, and half (described later), are provided on the upper surfaces (hereinafter referred to as “rail surfaces”) 151R and 153R of the guide rails 151 and 153. Screw holes H21 to H24 for fixing the rate carriage 132 at predetermined positions on the rail surfaces 151R and 153R are screwed. Note that in the image reading unit 10 that reads an image by both the flat bed method and the auto document feed method, the full rate carriage 131 and the half rate carriage 132 need to be conveyed along the platen glass 12, so It is in the state which is not being fixed to H11-H14 and H21-H24.

  A reading optical system 13 for reading an image drawn on a document placed on the platen glass 12 is incorporated in the space between the front partition wall 111 and the rear partition wall 113. The reading optical system 13 includes a full rate carriage 131, a half rate carriage 132, and a scanner unit 133.

  A full-rate carriage 131, which is a mirror carriage in which a rod-shaped light source 1311 extending in the ± Y direction and a mirror 1312 are integrated, is slidably supported on rail surfaces 151R and 153R, and ± X on the rail surfaces 151R and 153R. It can run in the direction. The full rate carriage 131 irradiates the original placed on the platen glass 12 with the light of the light source 1311, reflects the light from the original with a mirror 1312, and guides it to the half rate carriage 132.

  A half-rate carriage 132, which is a mirror carriage in which rod-like mirrors 1321 and 1322 extending in the ± Y direction are integrated, is slidably supported on rail surfaces 151R and 153R, and ± X on the rail surfaces 151R and 153R. It can run in the direction. The half-rate carriage 132 reflects light from the full-rate carriage 131 by mirrors 1321 and 1322 and guides it to the scanner unit 133.

  The scanner unit 133 is fixed to the scanner unit mounting portion 1151 of the sheet metal frame 15 and receives light from the half-rate carriage 132 to generate an image signal related to the image.

  The full rate carriage 131 is fixed to the annular rubber conveyor belts 161 and 163 at both ends separated in the ± Y direction, and is conveyed in the ± X direction in conjunction with the circumferential movement of the conveyor belts 161 and 163. Similarly, the half-rate carriage 132 is fixed to the annular rubber conveying belts 171 and 173 at both ends separated in the ± Y direction, and conveyed in the ± X direction in conjunction with the circumferential movement of the conveying belts 171 and 173. Is done. In the reading optical system 13, while the full rate carriage 131 is conveyed along the platen glass 12 at a predetermined speed, the half rate carriage 132 is synchronized with the full rate carriage 131 along the platen glass 12 at half the speed of the full rate carriage 131. By conveying the original, the original placed on the platen glass 12 is scanned in the ± X direction while the optical path length is kept constant, and an image drawn on the original is read.

  Here, the conveying belt 161 is wound around a driving pulley 1911 and a driven pulley 1912 that are provided apart in the ± X direction, and is provided along the guide rail 151. Similarly, the conveying belt 171 is wound around a driving pulley 1913 and a driven pulley 1914 that are spaced apart in the ± X direction, and is provided along the guide rail 151.

  The conveyor belt 163 is wound around a drive pulley 1931 and a driven pulley 1932 that are provided apart in the ± X direction, and is provided along the guide rail 153. Similarly, the conveying belt 173 is wound around a driving pulley 1933 and a driven pulley 1934 that are provided apart in the ± X direction, and is provided along the guide rail 153.

  The drive pulleys 1911, 1913, 1931 and 1933 are mounted on a shaft 17 extending in the ± Y directions, and are rotated coaxially around the shaft 17 by a motor (not shown). The shaft 17 is rotatably held in shaft receiving holes 1511 and 1531 formed on the side surfaces of the guide rails 151 and 153. Here, the pulley diameters of the drive pulleys 1913 and 1933 around which the transport belts 171 and 173 that transport the half-rate carriage 132 are wound are the drive pulleys around which the transport belts 161 and 163 that transport the full-rate carriage 131 are wound. 1911 and 1931 are half the pulley diameter. As a result, the image reading unit 10 can transport the half-rate carriage 132 at half the speed of the full-rate carriage 131.

  The driven pulleys 1912 and 1914 are rotatably supported by a support bracket (not shown) held by the sheet metal frame 15. Similarly, the driven pulleys 1932 and 1934 are rotatably supported by a support bracket (not shown) held by the sheet metal frame 15.

  In the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the first embodiment, the plain paper facsimile machine 5 according to the second embodiment, the sheet metal frame 15 and the reading optical system 13 are shared, thereby realizing a reduction in manufacturing cost.

<2 Second Embodiment>
In the following, a preferred embodiment of a plain paper facsimile (PPF) 5 that functions as an image reading device that reads an image drawn on a document only by the auto document feed method will be described.

<External configuration of plain paper facsimile>
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic external configuration of the upper part of the plain paper facsimile 5 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The plain paper facsimile 5 has a fax function and functions as an image reading device that reads an image drawn on a document. An image reading unit 50 and an operation panel 60 shown in FIG. 1 are provided in the upper part of the plain paper facsimile 5, and an image forming unit (not shown) is provided in the lower part of the plain paper facsimile 5.

  The image reading unit 50 also functions as an auto document feed type image reading unit that reads an image drawn on a document fed to the document reading unit RD by the automatic document feeder 51 and generates image data related to the image. To do.

  The operation panel 60 is used for confirming the operation state and settings of the plain paper facsimile 5 in addition to the operation of the plain paper facsimile 5.

  An image forming unit (not shown) provided below the image reading unit 50 forms an image related to image data on a recording medium such as recording paper by an electrophotographic method, as in the first embodiment.

<2.2 Internal Configuration of Image Reading Unit>
Next, a schematic internal configuration of the image reading unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the image reading unit 50 with the automatic document feeder 51 removed.

  The image reading unit 50 includes a chassis 11, a sheet metal frame 15, and a reading optical system 13 that are common to the image reading unit 10 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1.

  In the image reading unit 50, the full rate carriage 131 is fixed to the guide rails 151 and 153 at a position PF below the document reading unit RD, and the half rate carriage 132 is fixed to the guide rails 151 and 153 at a position PH. ing. In the image reading unit 50, a mechanism for conveying the full rate carriages 131 and 132, that is, conveying belts 161, 163, 171 and 173 of the digital multifunction peripheral 10, driving pulleys 1911, 1913, 1931 and 1933, driven pulley 1912. , 1914, 1932 and 1934 and the shaft 17 are not provided.

  The full-rate carriage 131 is fixed to the guide rails 151 and 153 by placing the full-rate carriage 131 on the spacers SP11 and SP31 mounted on the rail surfaces 151R and 153R and sandwiching the spacers SP11 and SP31. This is realized by fixing the screw holes H11 to H14 with the screws SC11 to SC14.

  Similarly, the half carriage 132 is fixed to the guide rails 151 and 153 by placing the half rate carriage 132 on the spacers SP12 and SP32 placed on the rail surfaces 151R and 153R and sandwiching the spacers SP12 and SP32. This is realized by fixing the half-rate carriage 132 to the screw holes H21 to H24 with screws SC21 to SC24.

  With such a configuration, the image reading unit 50 can read an image drawn on a document fed to the document reading unit RD above the full rate carriage 131.

  In the plain paper facsimile 5 of the second embodiment, the manufacturing cost can be reduced by sharing the digital multifunction peripheral 1 of the first embodiment with the sheet metal frame 15 and the reading optical system 13.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an external configuration of an upper portion of a digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of an image reading unit 10. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a chassis 11. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a sheet metal frame 15. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the upper part of the plain paper facsimile 5 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of an image reading unit 50. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital compound machine 5 Plain paper facsimile 10,50 Image reading part 11 Chassis 12, 19 Platen glass 13 Reading optical system 15 Sheet metal frame 131 Full rate carriage 132 Half rate carriage 133 Scanner unit 151,153 Guide rail 151R, 153R Rail surface H11 H14, H21 to H24 Screw holes SC11 to SC14, SC21 to SC24 Screws

Claims (3)

A guide rail,
A scanner unit that generates an image signal corresponding to the received light;
A first mirror carriage and a second mirror carriage that reflect light from a document to be read and guide it to the scanner unit, and can travel on the guide rail;
With
An image reading apparatus, wherein the first mirror carriage and the second mirror carriage can be fixed at predetermined positions on the guide rail.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first mirror carriage and the second mirror carriage are fixed to a predetermined position on the guide rail by screwing.   The first mirror carriage reflects light from a document to be read and guides it to the second mirror carriage, and the second mirror carriage reflects light from the first mirror carriage and guides it to the scanner unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is an image reading apparatus.

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