JP2619342B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine which can also function as a printing machine or a copying machine or a printing machine. The present invention relates to a sheet-shaped document conveying means for conveying a sheet-shaped document through a conveying path, and an image processing apparatus including an image receiving means and an optical means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an original scanning means for optically scanning an original in an image processing apparatus, a stationary original placing table type, a movable original placing table type and a sheet-type original conveying type have been proposed and put into practical use. Have been. In the stationary original mounting table type original scanning means, an original is placed on a transparent plate of the stationary original mounting table, and the original is scanned by moving a movable optical unit along the transparent plate. In the original scanning means of the movable original stage type, the original is placed on the transparent plate of the movable original stage, and the original is scanned by moving the movable original stage across the scanning area where the stationary optical means operates. Is performed. In the sheet-type document conveying type document scanning means, a sheet-shaped document conveying path extending across a scanning area where the stationary optical means operates is provided, and scanning of the document is performed by conveying the sheet-shaped document. You.

[0003] The above-mentioned sheet-type original conveying type original scanning means automatically and quickly scans a large number of sheet-like originals easily and quickly as compared with a static original placing table type or a movable original placing table type original scanning means. can do. An image processing apparatus provided with such a sheet-type document conveying type document scanning means is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-209776.

[0004]

An image processing apparatus provided with a sheet-type document conveying type document scanning means includes a sheet-shaped document conveying path, and a sheet-like document for conveying the sheet-shaped document through the sheet-shaped document conveying path. Since the document conveying means is provided in the housing of the image processing apparatus, it is easy to remove the document when the document is jammed in the sheet-shaped document conveying path, to clean the sheet-shaped document conveying means, or to check for repair. For this reason, it is desirable that the sheet-shaped document conveying path be configured to be openable. However, in this type of conventional image processing apparatus, the sheet-shaped original transport path is opened in a single mode, and the sheet-shaped original transport path is opened in response to a document jam, cleaning of a specific portion, or repair and inspection. The style cannot be changed, and so-called ease of use is not good.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its main technical problem is to open a sheet-shaped original conveyance path in response to processing of jamming of an original, cleaning of a specific portion, or repair and inspection. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus provided with a document scanning means which can be used and which is easy to use.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising a housing and document scanning means provided in the housing. A frame, a movable frame rotatably mounted on the main frame between a closed position and an open position, and locking means for releasably locking the movable frame to the closed position. The document scanning means is defined between the main frame and the movable frame when the movable frame is positioned at the closed position, and extends from the document insertion port to the document discharge port across the scanning area. A sheet-shaped document conveying path extending, and a main frame-side roller mounted on the main frame and the main frame-side roller mounted on the movable frame for conveying a sheet-shaped document through the sheet-shaped document conveying path; A transport roller pair consisting of cooperating movable frame side rollers A sheet-shaped original conveying means, an image receiving means mounted on the main frame, and an optical means mounted on the main frame for optically connecting the scanning area to the image receiving means, The housing further resiliently prevents further pivoting and opening movement of the movable frame when the movable frame is pivotally opened from the closed position to a half-open position between the closed position and the open position. An image processing apparatus is provided, comprising:

According to the present invention, the spring means comprises a leaf spring fixed to one of the main frame and the movable frame, and the movable frame is pivotally opened to the half-open position. An image processing device is provided, wherein the other of the main frame and the movable frame abuts on the leaf spring.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus in which a colored region for shading is provided in a portion of the movable frame corresponding to the scanning area.

According to the invention, the document insertion port of the sheet-shaped document conveyance path is disposed on one side of the upper surface of the housing, and the document discharge port is disposed on one side of the housing. An image processing apparatus is provided, wherein a body is rotatably mounted on the main frame body around a rotation axis positioned near the document discharge port, and defines an upper portion on one side of the housing in the closed position.

According to the present invention, when the movable frame is pivoted and opened by 20 to 40 degrees from the closed position, the movable frame body becomes the half-open position, and when the movable frame is pivoted and opened by 50 to 100 degrees from the closed position, the movable frame is opened. An image processing device is provided.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an image processing apparatus constructed according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an image processing apparatus configured in accordance with the present invention, embodied as a facsimile that can also function as a copier. The illustrated image processing apparatus includes a housing 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 2 is equipped with a document scanning means generally designated by reference numeral 4 and an image generating means generally designated by reference numeral 6. Further, a control unit 8 for controlling the operation of various units of the image processing apparatus and for controlling the transmission and reception of image signals when functioning as a facsimile is provided in the lower left portion of the housing 2. (This control means 8
Since the image processing device itself does not directly relate to a novel feature in the image processing apparatus configured according to the present invention, a detailed description of the control means 8 itself is omitted in this specification.

[0013] With reference to the document scanning means 4 with reference to the overall block diagram 1 of a document scanning means, an opening extending in the width direction of the predetermined portion of the upper surface of the housing 2 (i.e. the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1) The first scanning area 10 is defined by the opening. A second scanning area 12 defined by a transparent plate (or a slit) extending in the width direction is provided on the left side in the housing 2. In the housing 2, a first document irradiating means 14 is provided in relation to the first scanning area 10, and a second document irradiating means 16 is provided in relation to the second scanning area 12. Have been. First
The second document irradiation means 14 and 16 include an appropriate lamp such as a halogen lamp extending in the width direction.

An image receiving means 18 is provided substantially at the center of the housing 2.
Are arranged. The image receiving means 18 can be constituted by a well-known optical reading device in which a number of appropriate solid-state image elements such as CCDs are arranged in the width direction (the image processing apparatus functions as a facsimile). If not necessary, the image receiving means 18 can be composed of an electrophotographic photosensitive member used in a normal copying machine). In the housing 2 there are also arranged optical means, generally designated by the reference numeral 20. The optical means 20 includes an optical path changing reflection mirror 22, a first stationary reflection mirror 24, a second stationary reflection mirror 26, and a lens assembly 28. Optical path conversion reflection mirror 22
Are selectively positioned at a first position indicated by a solid line and a second position indicated by a two-dot chain line. Optical path conversion reflection mirror 22
Is positioned at the first position, the first scanning area 10 receives the image through the optical path changing reflection mirror 22, the first stationary reflection mirror 24, the second reflection mirror 26, and the lens assembly 28. Optically connected to the means 18. On the other hand, the second scanning area 12 and the first stationary reflection mirror 24
Is blocked by the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22, so that the second scanning area 12 and the image receiving means 18 are not optically connected. When the optical path changing reflecting mirror 22 is positioned at the second position, the first scanning area 10 is not optically connected to the first stationary reflecting mirror 24 by the optical path changing reflecting mirror 22, and thus the first scanning area 10 is not moved. The scanning area 10 and the image receiving means 18 are not optically connected. On the other hand, the optical path conversion reflection mirror 22 is retracted from the optical path between the second scanning area 12 and the first stationary reflection mirror 24, and therefore, the second scanning area 12 is divided into the first stationary reflection mirror 24 and the second stationary reflection mirror 24. It is optically connected to the image receiving means 18 via two stationary reflection mirrors 26 and a lens assembly 28. The configuration of the optical unit 20, particularly the configuration related to the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22, will be described later in detail.

In connection with the first scanning area 10, there is provided a first document scanning moving means 29 including a movable document table 30 disposed on the upper surface of the housing 2. FIG.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the movable document table 30 includes a frame 32, a transparent plate 34, and a document cover 36. As clearly shown in FIG.
2 is a longitudinal direction along the rear part of the upper surface of the housing 2 (the left-right direction in FIG. 1 and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3)
And a plate-like member extending in The transparent plate 34
Has a rectangular shape, and its rear edge is fixed to the frame 32. The document cover 36 is provided with an appropriate mounting means so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending along the rear edge thereof between a closed position shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 and an open position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is attached to the frame body 32 through. A rectangular elastic member 40 is fixed to the lower surface of the main part of the document cover 36. The entire movable document table 30 is reciprocally movable across the first scanning area 10, that is, in the longitudinal direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. 1 and the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3).
It is mounted on the upper surface of the housing 2 so as to freely reciprocate. More specifically, as clearly shown in FIG. 3, the frame 32 is longitudinally mounted on the top wall of the housing 2 through sliding means 42, which may be a sliding mechanism commercially available under the trade name "Accuride". It is mounted movably in the direction. On the other hand, a guide projection 44 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed integrally with the front edge of the upper wall of the housing 2.
The front edge of the transparent plate 34 is slidably supported on the guide projection 44. Further, the front end of the protrusion 44 (FIG. 3)
(A left end portion), a restraining member 46 protruding forward is fixed. The restraining member 46 does not need to extend over the entire length in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3), but only needs to be present in a part thereof. On the other hand, a restrained member 48 extending in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the front edge of the transparent plate 34. The restrained member 4 which can be formed from an iron plate aluminum plate or a synthetic resin plate
Reference numeral 8 protrudes forward from the transparent plate 34, and a substantially L-shaped hanging portion is integrally formed at the front end. Restrained member 4
8 has a horizontal free end in a hanging part thereof.
Is positioned below and below the lower surface of the free end. The restricting member 46 and the restricted member 48 cooperate with each other to prevent the front edge of the transparent plate 34 from being displaced upward when the movable document table 30 moves in the longitudinal direction. It is preferable that a low friction member such as a resin tape having a low friction coefficient is adhered to the upper surface of the guide protrusion 44 and the lower surface of the free end of the restraining member 46. As an example of the resin tape, a resin tape commercially available from Toyo Bearing Co., Ltd. under the trade name "Lulon" can be mentioned.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the original cover 36 of the movable original placing table 30 has a box-like projection integrally formed on its left end and front edge and on its left end and rear end. Parts 52 and 54 are provided. The left side surface 56 of the document cover 36 is provided between the protrusions 52 and 54.
Is inclined rightward upward from the lower end thereof. The inclination angle of the left side surface 56 may be about 25 to 35 degrees. A pair of width regulating members 58 and 60 are mounted on the left side surface 56 so as to be movable in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1). Such width regulating member 58
And 60 have regulating wall portions 62 and 64 that stand upright from the left side surface 56. The width regulating members 58 and 60
A well-known interlocking mechanism which can be constituted by racks attached to each of them and a pinion gear interposed between these racks (the interlocking mechanism is arranged below the document cover 36 and is not shown). And are advantageously moved simultaneously in a direction approaching each other and in a direction away from each other. The left side surface 56 and a pair of width direction regulating members 58 and 60
Functions as a document insertion guide path for a sheet-shaped document conveyed through the second scanning area 12, as will be apparent from the following description. The document cover 36 is further fixed with a sheet-shaped document support plate 66 having an upper surface that extends upward to the right following the left side surface 56. The movable document table 30 as described above is connected to a document table reciprocating means 68 (FIG. 1), which may be an electric motor, via an appropriate transmission mechanism (not shown). It is moved as required by the reciprocating means 68.

On the other hand, in association with the second scanning area 12, the housing 2 is provided with a second document scanning moving means 70. The second document scanning moving means 70
An original formed on the left side wall of the housing 2 across the second scanning area 12 from an original insertion opening 72 formed on the left side of the upper surface wall of the housing 2 adjacent to the first scanning area 10. It includes a sheet-shaped original conveying path 76 extending to the discharge port 74 and sheet-shaped original conveying means for conveying the sheet-shaped original through the sheet-shaped original conveying path 76. As clearly shown in FIG.
2 and the document discharge port 74 have an elongated shape extending in the width direction. The sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76 from the document insertion port 72 to the document discharge port 74 is defined by inner guide plates 78 and 80 and outer guide plates 84, 86 and 88.
The transparent plate defining the second scanning area 12 is the inner guide plate 7.
8 is fixed to an opening formed therein. The sheet-shaped original conveying means includes driven rollers 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98, and driven rollers 100, 102 and 104 which cooperate with the driven rollers 94, 96 and 98. Further, an introduction member 106 cooperating with the driven roller 90 and a separating member 108 cooperating with the driven roller 92 are provided. An introduction member 106 made of a flexible material such as a resin film commercially available under the trade name “Lumirror” has its free end pressed against the driven roller 90. The separation member 108 made of synthetic rubber or the like having a high coefficient of friction has its working surface in contact with the driven roller 92. On the left side wall of the housing 2, from below the document discharge port 74,
Sheet-shaped document tray 1 that is inclined slightly upward and extends to the left
10 is detachably mounted. Further, a detector 112 for detecting the insertion of the sheet-shaped document into the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76, and a detector 112 for relating to the upstream end and the downstream end of the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76, respectively. Detector 1 for detecting discharge of sheet-like document from document conveying path 76
13 or so. Such detectors 112 and 11
Reference numeral 3 may be, for example, a microswitch having a detection arm protruding into the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76.

The operation and effect of the document scanning means 4 as described above will be briefly described as follows. When the original to be scanned is one or many sheet-like originals, the second original scanning moving means 70 can be used. In this case, the selection switch S provided on the operation panel 114 (FIG. 2) disposed at the front of the upper surface of the housing 2
Operate S1. As a result, the movable document table 30 becomes
It is located in the rest position shown in FIGS. When the movable document table 30 is positioned at the rest position, the document insertion port 72 of the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76 is exposed without being covered by the movable document table 30 as clearly shown in FIG. Can be In addition, the left side 56 (document insertion guide path) of the document cover 36 of the movable document table 30 is aligned with the document insertion slot 72 as required. Match or close to the edge. Further, when the selection switch SS1 is operated, the optical path changing reflection mirror 22 of the optical unit 20 is operated.
Is located at a second position shown by a solid line in FIG. 4 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1).

Next, the widthwise interval between the pair of width regulating members 58 and 60 provided on the left side surface 56 is set to correspond to the width of the document to be scanned. Then, the document to be scanned is placed on the left side surface 56 and the sheet-like document support plate 66 between the pair of width regulating members 58 and 60 with the front side thereof facing downward, as shown in FIG. The leading end of the document is inserted into the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76 to a required position (upstream position between the driven roller 92 and the separating member 108) through the document insertion port 72. Thereafter, the scanning movement start switch MS provided on the operation panel 114 (FIG. 2) is operated. Thus, the driven rollers 90, 9
Documents 2, 94, 96, and 98 are driven as required, and originals are sequentially conveyed from the lower one one by one through the sheet-shaped original conveyance path 76, and are discharged from the document discharge port 74 onto the tray 110. The separating member 108 prevents two or more originals from being conveyed at a time, as is well known to those skilled in the art.
While the original is transported through the sheet-shaped original transport path 76,
In the second scanning area 12, the second document irradiation means 16
Irradiates the surface of the document, and the light reflected from the surface of the document is projected to the image receiving means 18 via the first stationary reflection mirror 24, the second stationary mirror 26, and the lens assembly 28. The image receiving means 18 generates an electric signal according to the projected light. The electric signal is transmitted to a destination when the image processing apparatus is used as a facsimile, and is transmitted to a destination when the image processing apparatus is used as a copying machine. Print head).

If the original to be scanned is a book other than a sheet, the second original scanning and moving means 70 cannot be used, but the first original scanning and moving means 29 It can be used not only in the case of a sheet but also in the case of a book or the like. When using the first document scanning moving means 29, the selection switch SS2 provided on the operation panel 114 (FIG. 2) is operated.
Thus, the movable document table 30 is positioned at the scanning movement start position shown in FIG. Further, the optical path changing reflection mirror 22 of the optical means 20 is the first path shown by the solid line in FIG.
It is positioned at the position of. When the movable document table 30 is positioned at the scanning movement start position, the document insertion port 72 formed in the upper wall of the housing 2 is covered with the movable document table 30. Next, the original cover 36 is turned to the open position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, the original is placed at a predetermined position on the transparent plate 34 with its surface facing down, and the original cover 36 is returned to the closed position again. Then, the transparent plate 34 and the original placed thereon are covered with the original cover 36. Thereafter, the scanning movement start switch MS is operated. Thus, the movable document table 30 is moved leftward in FIG. 1 to a required position, and then moved rightward in FIG. 1 to the scanning movement start position. While the movable document table 30 is moved forward, in the first scanning area 10, the first document irradiating means 14 irradiates the surface of the document on the transparent plate 34, and the reflected light from the surface of the document is The light is projected onto the image receiving means 18 via the optical path changing reflection mirror 22, the first stationary reflection mirror 24, the second stationary reflection mirror 26, and the lens assembly 28. Then, the image receiving unit 18 generates an electric signal according to the projected light.

Opening mechanism of sheet-shaped original conveying path The sheet-shaped original conveying path 76 in the original scanning means 4 described with reference to FIG. 1 is configured to be freely opened as required. Explaining with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the housing 2 includes a movable frame 502. As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 2 has a front upright substrate 504 and a rear upright substrate 506 arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction. The upper half of the left edge of each of the substrates 504 and 506 has a shape substantially corresponding to the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76.
A support protrusion 508 is formed on the left edge of the substrates 504 and 506 (only the support protrusion 508 formed on the substrate 504 is shown in FIGS. 5 to 7). The movable frame 502 is pivotally mounted between the support protrusions 508 by a support shaft 510. As will be described in more detail later, the movable frame 502 is pivoted from the closed position shown in FIG. 6 to the open position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 5 and 7 through the half-open position actually shown in FIGS. obtain. FIG.
As can be understood from FIG.
It has a left side wall 514, a front wall 516 and a rear wall 518. When the movable frame 502 is moved to the closed position shown in FIG. 6, the upper wall 512 of the movable frame 502 defines the left side of the upper surface of the housing 2 and the free edge (right edge) of the upper wall 512.
Defines the left edge of the document insertion slot 72. The left edge 514 of the movable frame 502 defines the upper half of the left side surface of the housing 2, and the free edge (lower edge) of the left wall 514 defines the upper edge of the document discharge port 74. Front wall 5 of movable frame 502
16 and the free edge of the rear wall 518 correspond to the sheet-shaped original conveying path 7.
6 is a shape substantially corresponding to FIG.

Locking means 520 for releasably locking the movable frame 502 at the closed position is provided. The locking means 520 includes a locking pin 522 fixed to the front upright substrate 504 and the front wall 5 of the movable frame 502.
Hook member 524 and manual operation member 5 attached to
26. As clearly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the hook member 524 is secured to the front wall 516 by a pin 528.
It is mounted to be able to turn freely. The operating member 526 is a pin 5
30 is attached to the front wall 516 so as to be pivotable.
As can be understood by referring to FIG. 5, a protrusion 529 is formed at an upper portion of the operation member 526, while a protrusion 527 is formed at a front end of the left side wall 514 of the movable frame 502. The turning movement of the operation member 526 is limited to a range between a first position shown by a solid line in FIG. 6 and a second position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In the first position, the lower surface of the protrusion 529 of the operation member 526 is
7, and thus the operation member 526 is prevented from turning counterclockwise. In the second position, the rear lower end of the operating member 526 abuts against the inner surface of the protruding piece 527, and thus the turning of the operating member 526 clockwise is prevented. Spring means 531 is stretched between the front wall 516 and the hook member 524 by a tension coil spring. The spring means 531 resiliently biases the hook member 524 clockwise. The lower end of the hook member 524 is in contact with the upper end of the operating member 526, and thus the elastic biasing action of the spring means 531 causes the hook member 524 to act.
To the operating member 526 to elastically bias the operating member 526 counterclockwise. Thus, the operating member 5
26 is elastically held in the first position shown in FIG. 6 and shown in FIG. 6 and the hook member 524 is elastically held in the position shown in FIG. 6 and shown in solid line in FIG. Is done. The operation of the locking means 520 will be described as follows. For example, when the movable frame 502 is rotated clockwise from the half-open position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 7 toward the closed position, as understood by referring to FIG. 6, when the movable frame 502 approaches the closed position, When the inclined edge 533 formed at the tip of the hook member 524 comes into contact with the locking pin 522 and the movable frame 502 is further rotated clockwise, the hook member 524 is opposed to the elastic biasing action of the spring means 531. The operation member 526 is turned clockwise in the counterclockwise direction. When the movable frame 502 is pivoted to the closed position shown in FIG. 6, the inclined edge 533 of the hook member 524 gets over the locking pin 522, and thus, the hook member 524 is turned against the elastic biasing action of the spring means 531. In this direction, the operating member 526 is turned counterclockwise to the position shown by the solid line. Thus, the hook member 524 is locked to the locking pin 522, and the movable frame 502 is locked at the closed position shown in FIG. In order to rotate the movable frame 502 from the closed position in the counterclockwise direction, the protrusion 532 of the operating member 526 is pressed, and the operating member 526 is moved clockwise and the hook member 524 is moved counterclockwise in FIG. Turn to the position shown by the dashed line. Thus, the hook member 524 is disengaged from the locking pin 522 and unlocked, so that the movable frame 502 can be turned counterclockwise.

On the inner surface of the front upright substrate 504, when the movable frame 502 is turned counterclockwise to a half-open position indicated by a solid line in FIGS. 5 and 7, the movable frame 502 is further moved counterclockwise. Spring means 5 for elastically preventing turning
One end of 34 is fixed. The spring means 534 can be comprised of a leaf spring having an inverted U-shaped free end. When the movable frame 502 is turned counterclockwise to the half-open position, the inclined portion 535 of the lower end edge of the front wall 516 of the movable frame 502 comes into contact with the inverted U-shaped free end of the spring means 534, and Thereby, the movable frame 502 is elastically held at the half-open position. Movable frame 5 with required force
02 further counterclockwise, the inclined portion 535 at the lower edge of the front wall 516 elastically deforms the inverted U-shaped free end of the spring means 534 to get over it, and thus the movable frame 502 is It is turned to the open position. Thus, the horizontal portion 53 at the lower edge of the front wall 516 of the movable frame 502
7 abuts against the inverted U-shaped free end of the spring means 534, thereby holding the movable frame 502 in the open position. When the movable frame 502 is pivoted from the above open position to the closed position shown in FIG. 6, the inclined portion 535 of the lower end edge of the front wall 516 elastically makes the inverted U-shaped free end of the spring means 534 elastic. Overcome this by transforming into. If desired, instead of fixing the spring means 534 to the front upright substrate 504, the spring means is fixed at an appropriate position on the movable frame 502,
When the movable frame 502 is pivoted to the half-open position, an appropriate member provided on the front upright substrate 504 may act on the spring means.

As can be understood by referring to FIG. 1 together with FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner guide plates 78 and 80 located on one side (inside) of the sheet-shaped original conveying path 76 and the driven rollers 90, 92 and 94. , 96 and 98 are mounted between the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506. On the other hand, the outer guide plates 84, 86 and 88, the separating member 108, and the driven rollers 100, 102 and 104 located on the other side (outside) of the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76 are formed by the front wall 516 and the rear wall It is mounted between 518. Accordingly, when the movable frame 502 is moved from the closed position to the half-open position or the open position, the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76 is opened.

In the document scanning means 4 as described above, when a document jam occurs in the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76, the movable frame 502 is moved to the half-open position shown by a solid line in FIGS. Thus, the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76 is opened, so that the jammed document can be taken out sufficiently easily. Conveniently, the half-open position of the movable frame 502 is a position rotated by 20 to 40 degrees from the closed position.

On the other hand, at the time of cleaning or repair inspection of the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76, the movable frame body 502 is pivoted to the open position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. As a result, the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76 is opened sufficiently large, so that cleaning or repair inspection can be performed sufficiently easily. Advantageously, the open position of the movable frame 502 is a position that is turned 50 to 100 degrees from the closed position. Sheet-shaped original conveyance path 76
The following facts should be kept in mind regarding the cleaning of.
That is, as described with reference to FIG. 1, when the image receiving means 18 is composed of a plurality of solid-state image elements, as is well known to those skilled in the art, a predetermined portion of the outer guide plate 88 (the second scanning area 12). For example, there is a shading colored region colored white. Prior to the scanning of the original, a shading operation is performed in which the sensitivities of each of the plurality of solid-state image elements are electrically adjusted in accordance with the intensity of the reflected light from the shading coloring area.
In such a case, if the colored area for shading becomes dirty, the shading action is not properly performed, and therefore, the colored area for shading needs to be periodically cleaned. In such a case, the movable frame 502 may be set to the open position.

As described above, in the illustrated document scanning means 4, the movable frame 502 can be selectively positioned between the half-open position and the fully-open position as necessary, so that the so-called usability is extremely good. In addition, the movable frame 502 is not suddenly turned from the closed position directly to the open position, and the movable frame 502 is always temporarily stopped at the half-open position. Therefore, the user is not surprised or a finger or the like is not damaged by the movable frame 502 due to unexpected sudden turning of the movable frame 502.

Optical Means Next, the optical means 20 in the document scanning means 4 described with reference to FIG. 1, particularly the structure relating to the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22, will be described in detail. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the illustrated optical means 20 includes a support frame 550 molded into a required shape from a synthetic resin.
The first stationary reflection mirror 24, the second stationary reflection mirror 26, and the lens assembly 28 are fixed to the support frame 550, and the image receiving means 18 is also fixed. Further, as clearly shown in FIG. 8, a pair of support walls 552 and 554 are fixed to the support frame 550 at predetermined intervals in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 9). The pair of support walls 5
The optical path conversion reflection mirror 22 is mounted between 52 and 554. Thus, in the illustrated example, the image receiving means 18 together with the optical means 20 are formed as one unit having the support frame 550, and such a unit is detachably mounted at a predetermined position in the housing 2. The structure of the support frame 550 and the first stationary reflection mirror 24, the second stationary reflection mirror 26, the lens assembly 28, and the image receiving means 18 fixed to the support frame 550 are novel features improved according to the present invention. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in this specification.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 12, particularly FIGS. 8 and 12, a rotation shaft 556 is rotatably mounted between the support walls 552 and 554. A support plate 558 extending in the width direction is fixed to the rotation shaft 556, and the optical path conversion reflection mirror 22 is fixed on the support plate 558. Rotary axis 5
The support plate 558 and the optical path changing reflection mirror 22 fixed thereto are provided between the first position shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 12 and the second position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. It is freely rotatable. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the support frame 550 is substantially L-shaped at a predetermined interval in the width direction.
A pair of first positioning stop pieces 560 having a U-shape are integrally formed. When the optical path changing reflecting mirror 22 is moved to the first position, the non-use both sides of the reflecting mirror surface of the optical path changing reflecting mirror 22 come into contact with the free ends of the pair of positioning stop pieces 560. 9 is prevented from rotating further counterclockwise in FIG. When the optical path changing reflecting mirror 22 is positioned at the first position, the first scanning area 10 is moved to the optical path changing reflecting mirror 22 as described above with reference to FIG.
Is optically connected to the image receiving means 18 via a stationary reflection mirror 24, a second stationary reflection mirror 26, and a lens assembly 28. On the other hand, the optical path between the second scanning area 12 and the first stationary reflection mirror 24 is interrupted by the optical path changing reflection mirror 22, so that the second scanning area 12 is optically connected to the image receiving means 18. There is no. Since the optical path-changing reflecting mirror 22 positioned at the first position optically connects the first scanning area 10 to the first stationary reflecting mirror 24, the reflecting mirror surface is sufficiently precise. It is important to be positioned. In the illustrated embodiment, since the reflection mirror surface itself directly contacts the pair of first positioning stop pieces 560, if the pair of positioning stop pieces 560 are formed with sufficient precision, the reflection mirror surface will have sufficient precision. It can be positioned at the required position. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, both ends of the rotation shaft 556 are projected outward through the support walls 552 and 554, and a lever member 562 is fixed to the projected end. ing. The support walls 552 and 554 are formed with a second positioning stop piece 564 that protrudes outward. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, when the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is moved to the second position, the lever member 56 is moved to the second position.
2 comes into contact with the second positioning stop piece 564, and thus the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is prevented from further rotating clockwise in FIG. When the optical path changing reflecting mirror 22 is positioned at the second position, the first scanning area 10 is optically converted to the first stationary reflecting mirror 24 by the optical path changing reflecting mirror 22 as already mentioned with reference to FIG. Therefore, the first scanning area 10 and the image receiving means 18 are not optically connected. on the other hand,
The optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is connected to the second scanning area 12 and the first scanning area 12.
The second scanning area 12 is retracted from the optical path between the second stationary scanning mirror 24 and the second stationary reflecting mirror 24, the second stationary reflecting mirror 26, and the lens assembly 28. Optically connected to the Since the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 positioned at the second position does not function as an optical element, the second position does not need to be precise.

A pin 566 is implanted at the free end of the lever member 562, and the support walls 552 and 5
A pin 568 is also implanted on the outer surface of the pin 54, and a spring means 57, which may be a tension coil spring, is provided between the pin 566 and the pin 568.
0 is stretched. When the pin 566 implanted in the lever member 562 comes to the neutral angle position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 9 and 11, the spring means 570 becomes the most extended so-called hole point state. As shown in Fig. 9,
When the lever member 562 is moved in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9 from the neutral angle position, the lever member 562 is elastically biased in the counterclockwise direction, and thus the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is elastically moved to the first position. Hold. Also,
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the lever member 562 is closer to the clockwise direction in FIG. 11 than the neutral angle position, the lever member 562 is elastically biased in the clockwise direction, and thus the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is moved to the first position. 2 elastically.

The optical means 20 further includes an optical path changing means generally designated by reference numeral 572 for selectively positioning the optical path changing reflecting mirror 22 at the first position and the second position. Referring to FIG. 12 together with FIG. 8, the output shaft 5 may be a disk.
74 is fixed, and an input rotating member 576 which may be a gear is rotatably mounted. The output rotation member 574 and the input rotation member 576 are relatively rotatably connected over an angle range of about 40 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the output rotary member 574 has an arcuate slot 578.
The input rotary member 576 has the slot 57
8, a projection 580 is formed to protrude. Protrusion 58
0 can move freely from one end 578a to the other end 578b of the slot 578, thereby allowing the output rotation member 574 and the input rotation member 576 to rotate relatively over a predetermined angle range. As shown most clearly in FIG. 10, a support bracket 582 is fixed to the outer surface of the support wall 552. An electric motor 584 is mounted below the support bracket 582. The output shaft 586 of the electric motor 584 extends upward through the bottom wall of the support bracket 582, and a worm is formed on the output shaft 586. On the side wall of the support bracket 582, a rotation shaft 588 having one end penetrating the support wall 552 and protruding inward is rotatably mounted. A gear 590 engaged with the output shaft and a gear 592 engaged with the input rotating member 576 are fixed to the rotating shaft 588. Thus, the input rotating member 576 is drivingly connected to the output shaft 586 of the electric motor 584 via the gear 592, the rotating shaft 588, and the gear 590. As clearly shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the output rotating member 574 has one operating projection 59.
4 are formed. On the inner surface of the support wall 552, two detectors 596 and 598, which may be microswitches closed by the operation protrusion 594, are mounted at predetermined angular intervals.

The operation and effect of the optical path conversion means 572 as described above will be described as follows. When the optical path conversion mirror 22 is rotated from the first position shown in FIG. 8 to the second position shown in FIG. 11, the electric motor 584 is biased to rotate in a predetermined direction, and the input rotating member 576 is rotated. In FIG. 8, it is rotated clockwise. When the input rotary member 576 rotates somewhat clockwise, a protrusion 580 formed on it rotates the output rotary member 574.
Abuts on one end 578b of the slot 578 formed in the second groove 578. Thereafter, the output rotary member 574 is also rotated clockwise against the elastic biasing action of the spring means 570 accompanying the rotation of the input rotary member 576. When the output rotation member 574 is rotated clockwise to a position exceeding the neutral angle position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8, the elastic biasing action of the spring means 570 becomes a direction for biasing the output rotation member 574 clockwise. This causes the output rotation member 574 to rotate clockwise relative to the input rotation member 576,
Thus, the output rotation member 574, and thus the optical path changing reflection mirror 22, is resiliently biased by the spring means 570 in FIG.
1 is located at a second position. At the same time or slightly earlier, the operating protrusion 594 formed on the output rotating member 574 closes the detector 598 and deenergizes the electric motor 584. Thus, the input rotating member 576 is stopped after having eclipsed clockwise by a certain angle smaller than the predetermined angle range defined by the slot 578 and the protrusion 580. Thus, the input rotation member 576 due to the deenergization of the electric motor 584
Even if the stop angle position is not sufficiently precise (input rotary member 5
It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to control the stop angle position of 76 sufficiently precisely), but the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is sufficiently reliably and precisely positioned at the second position.

When rotating the optical path conversion mirror 22 from the second position shown in FIG. 11 to the first position shown in FIG. 9, the electric motor 584 is energized to rotate in the opposite direction, and the input rotation is performed. The member 576 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. When the input rotation member 576 rotates counterclockwise to some extent, the protrusion 5
80 is a slot 5 formed in the output rotating member 574.
Abuts on the other end 578 a of the second member 78. After a while
The output rotation member 57 accompanying the rotation of the input rotation member 576
4 is also rotated counterclockwise against the elastic biasing action of the spring means 570. When the output rotation member 574 is rotated counterclockwise to a position beyond the neutral angle position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 11, the elastic biasing action of the spring means 570 causes the output rotation member 574 to bias in the counterclockwise direction. This causes the output rotary member 574 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction relative to the input rotary member 576, thus causing the output rotary member 574, and thus the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22, to be resiliently biased by the spring means 570. It is located at the first position shown in FIG. At the same time or slightly earlier, the operating projection 594 formed on the output rotating member 574 closes the detector 596 and deactivates the electric motor 584. Thus, the input rotary member 576 is stopped after having eclipsed counterclockwise by a certain angle smaller than the predetermined angle range defined by the slot 578 and the protrusion 580. Thus, the electric motor 5
Even if the stop angle position of the input rotation member 576 due to the deenergization of 84 is not sufficiently precise, the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 can be reliably and precisely positioned at the first position.

[0034] With reference again to FIG. 1 the overall configuration of the image generating means, image generating means 6 in the image processing apparatus illustrated comprises a printing means 602 disposed on the right upper portion in the housing 2 I have. The printing unit 602 includes a print head 604 and an ink ribbon cartridge 606. The print head 604 may be a known heating head (thermal head), and a print output area 608 is formed on the lower right side of the print head 604. The ink ribbon cartridge 606 is attached to the cartridge case 6.
10, a ribbon unwinding shaft 612 and a ribbon winding shaft 614 rotatably mounted in the cartridge case 610;
And a thermal ink ribbon 616. The ribbon unwinding shaft 612 and the ribbon winding shaft 614 extend substantially in parallel at a predetermined distance from each other. The above ink ribbon 6
16 is unwound from the ribbon unwinding shaft 612, passes through the print output area 608, and is wound on the ribbon winding shaft 614.

The image generating means 6 further comprises printing material supply means 618 disposed at the lower right side of the housing 2. The printing material supply unit 618 shown includes a lower cassette type supply unit 620 and an upper cassette type supply unit 622. The lower cassette type supply means 620 has a cassette 624 and a supply roller 626. Cassette 6
Reference numeral 24 denotes a container detachably mounted on the housing 2 by inserting the front half into the housing 2 through an opening formed in the right side wall of the housing 2. In the cassette 624, for example, A
Sheet-shaped materials to be printed, which may have four dimensions, are stored in a stacked state. The printing material may be plain paper. The supply roller 626 is selectively rotated clockwise, and sends out the printing material one by one from the inside of the cassette 624 to the front, that is, to the left. The upper cassette type supply unit 622 also has a cassette 628 and a supply roller 630. In a cassette 628 which is constituted by a container which is detachably mounted on the housing 2 in the same manner as the cassette 624, for example, a sheet-shaped printing material which may be plain paper of B5 size in JIS standard is accommodated in a stacked state. ing. The supply roller 630 is selectively rotated clockwise, and sends out the printing material one by one from the cassette 628 to the front, that is, to the left. Such printing material supply means 61
Reference numeral 8 may be substantially the same as a known cassette type sheet material supply means used in an electrostatic copying machine or the like. Therefore, a detailed description of the printing material supply means 618 will be described in this specification. Is omitted.

The image generating means 6 further receives the print output area 60 from the sending end (left end) of the printing material supply means 618.
And a print material carry-out path 636 extending from the print output area 608 to a print material discharge port 634 formed on the right side wall of the housing 2. In. The above-mentioned printing material carrying path 6
32 is a main printing material carrying path 6 extending from the sending end of the lower cassette type feeding means 620 to the printing output area 608.
And a sub-printing material carrying path 6 which extends from the delivery end of the upper cassette type supply means 622 to an intermediate point of the main printing material carrying path 638 and joins the main printing material carrying path 638.
40. One side of the main printing material carrying path 638 extending in a substantially semicircular shape is defined by guide plates 642, 644 and 646, and the other side is a left half of the guide plate 648, a guide plate 650, an upper end of the guide plate 652, and It is defined by the guide plate 654. One side of the sub-printing material carrying path 640 is defined by the right half of the guide plate 648 and the guide plate 656, and the other side is defined by the guide plate 658 and the main portion of the guide plate 652. The above-mentioned printing material carry-out path 63
One side (the lower side) of 6 is the other side (the upper side) by the guide plate 660.
Is defined by the lower right side of the cartridge case 610 of the ink ribbon cartridge 606. On the right side wall of the housing 2, a printing material receiving tray 662 extending to the right from below the printing material discharge port 634 is detachably mounted. Transporting the print material through the print material carry-in path 632 and traversing the print output area 608;
Next, the printing medium conveying means for conveying the printing medium through the printing medium unloading path 636 includes main conveying rollers 662, 664, and 666 provided in the main printing medium conveying path 638.
And 668; a pair of sub-conveying rollers 670 and 672 disposed in the sub-printed material conveying path 640;
8 and a pair of discharge rollers 676 and 678 disposed at the downstream end of the printing material discharge path 636.

The operation and effect of the image generating means 6 as described above will be briefly described as follows. When printing is performed, the printing medium is sent out from one of the lower cassette type supply unit 620 and the upper cassette type supply unit 622. The printing material sent from the lower cassette type feeding means 620 passes through the main printing material carrying path 638, and the printing material sent from the upper cassette type feeding means 622 passes through the sub printing material carrying path 640 and the main printing material loading way. The sheet is carried into the print output area 608 through the downstream portion of the path 638. In the print output area 608, the printing medium is pressed against the ink ribbon 616 moved in synchronization with the printing medium by the action of the platen roller 674, and the print head 604 is pressed.
The ink ribbon 616 is selectively heated by the selective heating operation, and the printing is performed as required on the printing material. When the image processing apparatus is used as a facsimile, the selective heating operation of the print head 604 is performed according to a reception signal from a transmission source. When the image processing apparatus is used as a copier, the original scanning means 4 is used. Is electronically controlled in accordance with the signal generated by the image receiving means 18 in the step (c).
The printed printing material is conveyed through the printing material discharge path 636 and discharged to the printing material receiving tray 662 through the printing material discharge port 634.

[0038]

Since the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is constructed as described above, the sheet-form original conveying path is opened by positioning the movable frame constituting the housing at a half-open position with respect to the main frame. be able to. Therefore, the original jammed in the sheet-shaped original conveyance path can be easily taken out. When cleaning or repairing the sheet-shaped document conveyance path, if the movable frame is swiveled from the half-open position to the open position, the sheet-shaped document conveyance path is sufficiently opened to facilitate cleaning or repair and inspection. Can be carried out. As described above, since the opening mode of the sheet-shaped document conveyance path can be selected according to the operation, it is possible to obtain an image processing apparatus including a document scanning unit that is easy to use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of an image processing apparatus configured according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a method of mounting a movable document table of a document scanning unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a simplified partial cross-sectional view for explaining one mode of use of a document scanning unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an opening mode of a sheet-shaped document conveying path of a document scanning unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical path changing reflection mirror of an optical unit constituting the document scanning unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is located at a first position;

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which an optical path changing reflection mirror of an optical unit constituting the document scanning unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is located at a first position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical path changing reflection mirror of an optical unit constituting the document scanning unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is located at a second position;

11 is a side view showing a state in which the optical path changing reflection mirror of the optical unit constituting the document scanning unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is located at a second position.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state where an optical path changing reflection mirror of an optical unit constituting the document scanning unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is located at a first position;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2: Housing 4: Document scanning means 6: Image generating means 10: First scanning area 12: Second scanning area 18: Image receiving means 20: Optical means 29: First document scanning moving means 30: Movable document table 70: second document scanning and moving means 76: sheet-shaped document conveyance path 502: movable frame 520: locking means 524: hook member 526: operating member 531: spring means 534: spring means 602: printing means 604: print head 606 : Ink ribbon cartridge 608: Print output area 618: Print material supply means 632: Print material transport path

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Taiichi Kamino 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka Inside Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Kazuo Nakamura 1-2-2 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka No. 28 Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Katsumi Nagata 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-54-106400 (JP, A) Kaisho 61-151460 (JP, U)

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a housing; and a document scanning means mounted on the housing, wherein the housing is pivotally movable between a main frame and a closed position and an open position. A movable frame mounted on the body, and a lock unit for releasably locking the movable frame at the closed position, wherein the document scanning unit includes the movable frame positioned at the closed position. A sheet-shaped document conveying path defined between the main frame and the movable frame and extending from the document insertion port to the document discharge port across the scanning area; and a sheet-shaped document passing through the sheet-shaped document conveying path. A sheet-shaped original conveying means having a main frame side roller mounted on the main frame and a conveying roller pair including a movable frame side roller mounted on the movable frame and cooperating with the main frame side roller for conveying. And image receiving means mounted on the main frame Optical means mounted on the main frame for optically connecting the scanning area to the image receiving means, the housing further comprising: a movable frame body from the closed position to the closed position; An image processing apparatus, comprising: a spring means for elastically preventing further pivoting and opening movement of the movable frame when the pivoting and opening movement is made to a half-opening position between the opening positions. 2. The spring means comprises a leaf spring fixed to one of the main frame and the movable frame. When the movable frame is pivotally opened to the half-open position, the main frame and the movable frame are rotated. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other of the movable frame and the leaf spring abuts on the leaf spring. 3. The image receiving means comprises an image pickup means having a number of image pickup devices arranged in a direction transverse to the sheet-like document conveying direction, and a portion corresponding to the scanning area of the movable frame is provided with a shading. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a coloring region for aging is provided. 4. The original document insertion path of the sheet-shaped original conveyance path is disposed on one side of an upper surface of the housing, the original discharge port is disposed on one side of the housing, and the movable frame is disposed on the original discharge port. The main frame is mounted on the main frame so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis located in the vicinity of the housing, and defines an upper portion on one side of the housing in the closed position.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. The movable frame is moved 20 to 40 from the closed position.
Is turned to the half-open position, and 5 degrees from the closed position.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is set to the open position when it is swung open from 0 to 100 degrees.