JP2014120876A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader which can remove a document without a trouble.SOLUTION: A hollow enclosure member 3 supports a face on an opposite side of a first face of reading glass 2 having a plate shape including a document placing region where a document to be read is placed on the first face with an aperture. A region obtained by moving the document placing region in parallel in a prescribed direction on the first face is formed to be substantially flat.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus that reads a document placed on a reading glass.

  2. Description of the Related Art Image reading apparatuses that scan an original placed on a reading glass with a scanner and read an image of the original have become widespread.

  As an example of the image reading apparatus, there is a copying machine disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the copying machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a document placing glass 20 for placing a document, a document scale 21 for placing a document at a fixed position, and reading for reading an image of the document. A portion 22 is provided. The reading unit 22 includes a scanner that scans the document placed on the document placement glass 20 and an optical system that illuminates the document and reads an image of the document based on the reflected light. FIG. 8 particularly shows a portion for reading a document of a copying machine. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a document is placed on the document placement glass 20. The document scale 21 (document scale A24 and document scale B25) is used for positioning the document edge against each document scale when the document is placed on the document placement glass 20, and is placed on the glass. A step is provided. The document scale A24 is for positioning one side of the document placed on the document placement glass 20 at the reading start reference position A. The document scale B25 is for positioning the other side of the document at the reference position B in the back.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the user of the copying machine places an original on the original placement glass 20, and presses a copy start switch, for example. Then, the copying machine scans the scanner and reads an image of the document from a predetermined reading start position.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the document scale 21 is provided with a step on the document placement glass 20, and the upper end of the housing 23 is provided at the same level as the upper end of the document scale 21. A portion of the casing 23 having the same level as the upper end of the document scale 21 is usually provided so as to surround the document placement glass 20 as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image reading apparatus in which a casing 23 is provided so as to surround the document placement glass 20. Therefore, the upper end of the casing 23 surrounding the document placement glass 20 is higher than the document placement glass 20, and there is a step between the casing 23 and the document placement glass 20.

  For this reason, when the user of the copying machine reads the image of the original with the copying machine and then removes the original from the glass, the original is not caught on the step between the housing 23 and the original placing glass 20. Remove carefully.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-151882

  In the copying machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the document placement glass is surrounded by a casing having a step with the document placement glass. For this reason, according to the copying machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the user of the copying machine removes the document from the document placing glass after reading the image of the document by the copying machine, the document is placed on the document placing glass. It may get caught in the step between the housing. For this reason, there is a problem that an operation for removing the original document is hindered.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and provide an image reading apparatus capable of removing a document without causing any trouble.

  An image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading glass having a flat plate shape including a document placement area on which a reading document is placed on a first surface, and a side opposite to the first surface of the reading glass. A hollow housing member that supports the surface of the document by an opening, and a region obtained by translating the document placement region in a predetermined direction on the first surface is formed substantially flat.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus capable of removing a document without causing any trouble.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the image reading apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the exploded view of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an AA ′ cross section of the image reading apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows an example of the image reading apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the exploded view of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an AA ′ cross section of the image reading apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows an example of the copying machine in related technology. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a document is placed on a document placement glass in the related technique shown in FIG. 8. It is a figure which shows an example of the image reading apparatus in related technology in which the housing | casing is provided surrounding the document mounting glass.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a reading glass 2 and a hollow housing member 3. FIG. 1 also shows a document placed at a document placement position on the reading glass 2.

  The reading glass 2 has a flat plate shape including an original placement area on which a reading original is placed on a first surface (for example, an upper surface (front surface)). An area obtained by translating the document placement area on the first surface in a predetermined direction is formed substantially flat. The reading glass 2 is installed on the upper surface of the image reading device 1 and covers substantially the entire area of the upper surface of the image reading device 1. The hollow housing member 3 supports a surface (for example, a lower surface (back surface)) opposite to the first surface of the reading glass 2 by an opening. The hollow housing member 3 is bonded to the lower surface of the reading glass 2 with, for example, a urethane-based adhesive, and supports the reading glass 2. An image reading mechanism (not shown) of the image reading apparatus 1 is set in a space between the reading glass 2 and the hollow housing member 3 (a hollow portion of the hollow housing member 3). The image reading mechanism is an optical module that reads an image from a document, and an optical module pulling mechanism for scanning the optical module in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

  Here, when the user of the image reading apparatus 1 places a document on the reading glass 2 and presses a reading start switch (not shown), for example, the image reading apparatus 1 is predetermined by an image reading mechanism (not shown). Scan the original image from the reading start position. When the image reading is completed, the user of the image reading apparatus 1 removes the document from the reading glass 2. At this time, the reading glass 2 has a flat plate shape, and a region obtained by translating the document placement region on the first surface in a predetermined direction (for example, a direction in which the document is removed) is substantially flat. Is formed. For this reason, the user of the image reading apparatus 1 can remove the document without hooking it anywhere on the upper surface of the image reading apparatus 1.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the reading glass has a flat plate shape, and the document placement area is in a predetermined direction on the first surface (for example, a direction in which the document is removed). The region obtained by parallel translation is formed substantially flat. For this reason, when the image reading is completed and the user of the image reading apparatus removes the document from the reading glass, the document is not caught. For this reason, the original can be removed without causing any trouble.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the second embodiment, the hollow housing member 3 of the first embodiment is divided into an upper connecting member 5 and a lower housing member 4, and the first embodiment is more specific. Is. Therefore, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The image reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a reading glass 2, an upper connecting member 5, a housing lower member 4, a main scanning scale 8, a sub-scanning scale 9, and an exterior cover 6. The In FIG. 2, the exterior cover 6 is removed for convenience in order to show the internal structure. FIG. 2 also shows a document placed at a document placement position on the reading glass 2.

  The upper connecting member 5 is a plurality of members extending downward and joined to both ends of the lower surface in parallel with the sub-scanning direction of the lower surface of the reading glass 2. The upper connecting member 5 is joined to the lower surface of the reading glass 2 by, for example, a urethane-based adhesive. The housing lower member 4 supports the image reading apparatus 1 by being coupled to the upper connecting member 5 joined to the lower surface of the reading glass 2 by, for example, a screw. That is, the housing lower member 4 is a flat plate having the same shape as the reading glass 2 and has a plurality of vertical wall portions extending upward at both ends of the flat plate in parallel with the sub-scanning direction. It couple | bonds with the connection member 5 with a screw | thread, for example. An image reading mechanism (not shown) of the image reading apparatus 1 is set in a space between the reading glass 2 and the housing lower member 4.

  The main scanning scale 8 and the sub-scanning scale 9 are arranged at right angles to the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction on the reading glass 2 and the end on the back side when the document is placed (that is, the downstream side in the main scanning direction). . These scales serve both as an abutment for abutting and positioning the document edge when placing the document on the reading glass 2 and the document scale. The material of the main scanning scale 8 and the sub-scanning scale 9 is, for example, resin, and is bonded onto the reading glass 2 with, for example, a urethane-based adhesive. The main scanning scale 8 and the sub-scanning scale 9 have a slight thickness because they are used for abutting a document, and form a step on the reading glass 2.

  The exterior cover 6 covers the side surface of the image reading device 1 and is attached to each of the front, left, and right side surfaces of the image reading device 1. A cable or the like for electrically operating the image reading apparatus 1 is connected to the rear surface, so that it is not attached. A portion of the outer cover 6 that covers the front side (front surface) of the image reading apparatus 1 does not cause a step between the upper surface of the outer cover 6 and the upper surface of the reading glass 2 when set to a covering position. Is the thickness. The material of the exterior cover 6 is, for example, a resin.

  Next, an image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an exploded view of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. In this figure, a glass assembly 7 (glass assay), a housing lower member 4, and an exterior cover 6 attached to each of the front, left, and right side surfaces are shown. The glass assembly 7 is obtained by bonding the upper connecting member 5 to the lower surface of the reading glass 2 and bonding the main scanning scale 8 and the sub-scanning scale 9 to the upper surface of the reading glass 2. The housing lower member 4 has a plurality of vertical wall portions extending upward at both ends parallel to the sub-scanning direction. The upper connecting member 5 of the glass assembly 7 and the vertical wall portion of the housing lower member 4 are connected by, for example, screws. The exterior cover 6 is fixed to a combined body in which the glass assembly 7 and the housing lower member 4 are connected by, for example, screwing and fitting.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an AA ′ cross section of the image reading apparatus 1 shown in FIG. There is no step between the reading glass 2 and the front exterior cover 6. The upper connecting member 5 joined to the lower surface of the reading glass 2 is connected to the vertical wall portion of the housing lower member 4 by, for example, screws.

  Here, the user of the image reading apparatus 1 places the original on the reading glass 2 by abutting the ends of the original against the main scanning scale 8 and the sub-scanning scale 9 of the reading glass 2. For example, when a reading start switch (not shown) is pressed, the image reading apparatus 1 reads an image of a document from a predetermined reading start position by an image reading mechanism (not shown). When the image reading is completed, the user of the image reading apparatus 1 removes the document from the reading glass 2.

  At this time, the user of the image reading apparatus 1 can remove the original from the reading glass 2 without being caught on the step for the following reason. That is, the reading glass 2 covers substantially the entire area of the upper surface of the image reading apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the main scanning scale 8 and the sub-scanning scale 9 which are steps on the reading glass 2 are arranged on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction (the left side of the reading glass 2) and the depth when the document is placed. It is arranged at right angles to the end on the reading glass 2 on the side (downstream in the main scanning direction). Also, as shown in FIG. 4, there is no step between the reading glass 2 and the front exterior cover 6. As described above, there is no step in the vicinity of the reading glass 2 on the side from which the document of the image reading apparatus 1 is removed (the front side of the image reading apparatus 1). For this reason, the user of the image reading apparatus 1 can remove the document from the reading glass 2 without being caught on the step.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the reading glass covers substantially the entire upper surface of the image reading apparatus, and the side where the original is removed from the original placement position (the front side of the image reading apparatus). There is no step near the reading glass. For this reason, when the image reading is completed and the user of the image reading apparatus removes the original from the reading glass, the original does not get caught in a step. For this reason, the original can be removed without causing any trouble.

Further, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, only the exterior cover is around the reading glass, and there is no housing surrounding the reading glass. For this reason, the housing | casing of an image reading apparatus can be reduced in size. Moreover, since the material (for example, resin) for the housing | casing which surrounds the glass for reading becomes unnecessary, expense can be reduced and it can be made light weight by this material.
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image reading apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The third embodiment is a more specific form of the first embodiment. Therefore, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a reading glass 2, an upper connecting member 11, a casing lower member 12, an upper exterior member 13, a main scanning scale 8, a sub-scanning scale 9, and an exterior. And a cover 14. FIG. 5 also shows a document placed at the document placement position on the reading glass 2. In FIG. 5, the upper connecting member 11 and the housing lower member 12 are hidden by an exterior cover 14 that covers the side surface of the image reading apparatus 10 (shown in FIG. 6 described later).

  The upper connecting member 11 is a plurality of members that are joined to the peripheral edge (for example, the respective end portions of the four sides) of the lower surface of the reading glass 2 and have edges at the ends that extend downward. The reading glass 2 and the upper connecting member 11 are bonded with, for example, a urethane-based adhesive.

  The housing lower member 12 has a concave shape in which a central portion of a flat plate having the same shape as the reading glass 2 is recessed, and has an edge at the upper end of the concave shape. Join.

  The upper exterior member 13 has a hollow square shape at the center and is set around the reading glass 2 (for example, fitted), and has a thickness that does not cause a step with the reading glass 2 when set. Have The material of the upper exterior member 13 is, for example, a resin.

  The main scanning scale 8 and the sub-scanning scale 9 are arranged at right angles to the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction on the reading glass 2 and the end on the back side when the document is placed (that is, the downstream side in the main scanning direction). . These scales serve both as an abutment for abutting and positioning the document edge when placing the document on the reading glass 2 and the document scale. The material of the main scanning scale 8 and the sub-scanning scale 9 is, for example, resin, and is bonded onto the reading glass 2 with, for example, a urethane-based adhesive. The main scanning scale 8 and the sub-scanning scale 9 are joined to the reading glass 2 with a urethane-based adhesive and have a slight thickness, which forms a step on the reading glass 2.

  The exterior cover 14 covers the side surface of the image reading device 10 and has a U shape that covers the front, left, and right surfaces of the image reading device 10. There is no cover on the rear surface for connecting a cable or the like for electrically operating the image reading apparatus 10. And the part which covers the front side (front surface) among the exterior covers 14 is the thickness which does not produce a level | step difference between the upper surface of the exterior cover 14, and the reading glass 2 upper surface, when it sets to the cover position. The material of the exterior cover 14 is resin, for example.

  Next, an image reading apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

6 is a diagram showing an example of an exploded view of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.
In this figure, an upper exterior member 13, a glass ASSY 15 (glass assay), a housing lower member 12, and a U-shaped exterior cover 14 are shown.

  The glass assembly 15 is obtained by bonding the upper connecting member 11 to the lower surface of the reading glass 2 and bonding the main scanning scale 8 and the sub-scanning scale 9 to the upper surface of the reading glass 2.

  The housing lower member 12 has a concave shape in which a central portion of a flat plate having the same shape as the reading glass 2 is recessed, and has an edge at the upper end of the concave shape. The edge portion and the edge portion of the upper connecting member 11 of the glass assembly 15 are coupled with, for example, a screw, and the glass assembly 15 is coupled to the housing lower member 12. In FIG. 6, several undulations are provided along the sub-scanning direction at the bottom of the housing lower member 12. These several undulations may be provided along the main scanning direction. By these several undulations, the strength of the bottom of the casing lower member is improved, and the flatness of the bottom can be ensured.

  The upper exterior member 13 has an empty square shape at the center and is fitted around the reading glass 2, for example. The upper exterior member 13 has a thickness that does not cause a step with the reading glass 2 when fitted.

  The exterior cover 14 has a U shape, and is fitted, for example, from the front side of the image reading apparatus 10 into a combined body in which the glass assembly 15, the casing lower member 12, and the upper exterior member 13 are combined. For this reason, since the exterior cover 14 is not affected by the internal structure of the image reading apparatus 10, it is possible to make the exterior cover 14 correspond to an exterior with variations. In addition, it is possible to change the image reading apparatus 10 by changing the exterior cover 14 or the like. Furthermore, since the member of the exterior cover 14 is separated from the internal structure, an inexpensive resin material can be used for the exterior cover 14 by dropping the flame retardant grade of the resin of the exterior cover 14.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an AA ′ cross section of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. There is no step between the reading glass 2 and the upper exterior member 13. Further, there is no step between the reading glass 2 and the outer cover 14 on the front side of the image reading apparatus 10. The distance from the end portion of the reading glass 2 to the front end portion of the exterior cover 14 is at most about 1 cm, for example. The upper connecting member 11 joined to the lower surface of the reading glass 2 is connected to the edge of the housing lower member 12 by, for example, a screw. That is, by connecting the edge of the upper connecting member 11 of the glass assembly 15 and the edge of the lower housing member 12 with, for example, screws, the sealing property of the space between the glass assembly 15 and the lower housing member 12 can be obtained. . In addition, since the strength of the glass assembly 15 and the casing lower member 12 can be ensured, the combined assembly of the combined glass assembly 15 and casing lower member 12 can be transported as a core unit.

  Here, it is assumed that the user of the image reading apparatus 10 performs an operation for causing the image reading apparatus 10 to read a document. That is, the user of the image reading apparatus 10 places the document on the reading glass 2 with the end of the document abutting against the main scanning scale 8 and the sub-scanning scale 9 of the reading glass 2. Then, for example, a reading start switch (not shown) is pressed. Then, the image reading apparatus 10 reads an image of a document from a predetermined reading start position by an image reading mechanism (not shown). When the image reading is completed, the user of the image reading apparatus 10 removes the document from the reading glass 2.

  At this time, the user of the image reading apparatus 10 can remove the document from the reading glass 2 without being caught on the step for the following reason. That is, the reading glass 2 covers substantially the entire area of the upper surface of the image reading apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the main scanning scale 8 and the sub-scanning scale 9 which are steps on the reading glass 2 are arranged on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction (the left side of the reading glass 2) and the back when the document is placed. It is arranged at right angles to the end on the reading glass 2 on the side (downstream in the main scanning direction). Further, as shown in FIG. 7, there is no step between the reading glass 2 and the upper exterior member 13. Further, there is no step between the reading glass 2 and the exterior cover 14 on the front side of the image reading apparatus 10. As described above, there is no step in the vicinity of the reading glass 2 on the side from which the document of the image reading apparatus 10 is removed (the front side of the image reading apparatus 10). For this reason, the user of the image reading apparatus 10 can remove the document from the reading glass 2 without being caught on the step.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the reading glass covers substantially the entire upper surface of the image reading apparatus, and the side where the original is removed from the original placement position (the front side of the image reading apparatus). There is no step near the reading glass. For this reason, when the image reading is completed and the user of the image reading apparatus removes the original from the reading glass, the original does not get caught in a step. For this reason, the original can be removed without causing any trouble.

  Further, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, only the exterior cover and the upper exterior member are around the reading glass, and there is no casing surrounding the reading glass. As shown in FIG. 7, the distance from the end of the reading glass to the end of the outer cover is about 1 cm at most, and the amount of the upper connecting member and the outer cover material (resin) also surrounds the reading glass. Compared to the amount of casing material. For this reason, the housing | casing of an image reading apparatus can be reduced in size. Moreover, since the material (for example, resin) for the housing | casing which surrounds the glass for reading becomes unnecessary, expense can be reduced and it can be made light weight by this material.

  Furthermore, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the exterior cover has a U-shape and is fitted from the front side of the image reading apparatus, so that the exterior cover is a part of the image reading apparatus. Unaffected by internal structures. For this reason, it becomes possible to make an exterior cover correspond as an exterior with a variation. In addition, the image reading apparatus can be changed by changing the exterior cover. Furthermore, since the member of the exterior cover is separated from the internal structure, an inexpensive resin material can be used for the exterior cover by dropping the flame retardant grade of the resin of the exterior cover.

  Further, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, the edge of the upper connecting member of the glass assembly and the edge of the lower housing member are connected by screws. For this reason, the sealing property of the space between glass ASSY and a housing | casing lower member can be acquired. Moreover, the strength of the glass assembly and the casing lower member can be secured. For this reason, it becomes possible to transport the combined body of the combined glass assembly and the housing lower member as a core unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reader 2 Reading glass 3 Hollow housing member 4 Housing lower member 5 Upper connection member 6 Exterior cover 7 Glass ASSY
8 Main Scan Scale 9 Sub Scan Scale 10 Image Reading Device 11 Upper Connecting Member 12 Housing Lower Member 13 Upper Exterior Member 14 Exterior Cover 15 Glass ASSY
20 Document Placement Glass 21 Document Scale 22 Reading Unit 23 Case 24 Document Scale A
25 Original scale B

Claims (9)

A reading glass having a flat plate shape including an original placement area on which a reading original is placed on the first surface;
A hollow housing member that supports a surface opposite to the first surface of the reading glass with an opening,
An image reading apparatus, wherein an area obtained by translating the document placement area in a predetermined direction on the first surface is formed substantially flat.   Both the abutment for abutting and positioning the document edge when placing the document on the reading glass and the document scale, the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction on the reading glass and the back side when placing the document The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising two scales arranged at right angles to an end of the image reading apparatus. The hollow casing member is
An upper connecting member bonded to the lower surface of the reading glass;
A housing lower member coupled to the upper connecting member;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The upper connecting member is a plurality of members extending downwardly bonded to both ends parallel to the sub-scanning direction of the lower surface of the reading glass,
The casing lower member is a flat plate having the same shape as the reading glass, and has a plurality of vertical wall portions extending upward at both ends parallel to the sub-scanning direction, and is coupled to the upper connecting member by the vertical wall portions. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3. The upper connecting member is a plurality of members provided with edges at the tip that is bonded to the peripheral edge of the lower surface of the reading glass and extends downward,
The casing lower member has a concave shape in which a central portion of a flat plate having the same shape as the reading glass is recessed, and an edge portion is provided at an upper end of the concave shape, and the edge portion and the edge portion of the upper connecting member The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:   6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein several undulations are provided in the bottom of the casing lower member along the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction.   An upper exterior member having a thickness where the central portion has an empty square shape and is set around the reading glass and has no thickness difference between the reading glass when set. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:   An exterior cover that covers a side surface of the image reading apparatus is further provided, and a portion of the exterior cover that covers the front side of the image reading apparatus is set to a covering position, and the upper surface of the exterior cover and the The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein there is no step between the upper surface of the reading glass.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a material of the exterior cover is resin.

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