JP3473886B2 - Document reading device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document reading apparatus which is applied to a facsimile machine or the like and scans a document conveyed on a contact glass to read the image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a facsimile apparatus to which a conventional document reading apparatus is applied, and FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, 1 is a paper feed tray supported by the apparatus main body 2 and loaded with a bundle of originals for reading images, and 3 is a paper tray supported by the apparatus main body 2 so as to be openable / closable, and is a document loaded in the paper feed tray 1. An upper opening / closing unit in which a paper feed port 3a into which a tip portion is inserted is formed, 4 is an operation / display panel in which various switches, buttons, LEDs (light emitting diodes), liquid crystal panels, speakers, etc. are arranged, and 5 is a device body It is a paper ejection tray that receives the recording paper ejected from the paper ejection port 2a opened on the side surface of 2. Further, the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 is configured as a document discharge section 2b that receives a document discharged from the upper opening / closing unit 3.

In FIG. 10, 11 is a reading control section for controlling an image reading unit described later, 12 is an encoding / decoding section having a function of converting an image signal input from the reading control section 11 into a digital signal, 13 Is a system memory that stores a program for controlling the entire apparatus and data such as control conditions, and 14 generates command signals, data, etc. according to the operation on the operation / display panel 4, and also LED, liquid crystal panel and speaker. An operation / display control unit for controlling light emission / display / sound by, a recording control unit 15 for controlling a printer unit (not shown) for forming an image on a recording sheet, and 16 an operation / display control unit 14
A system control unit 17 for controlling the entire apparatus according to the command signal, data, etc. generated by the above, an image storing the image signal output from the reading control unit 11 and digitized by the encoding / decoding unit 12. An information memory, 18 is a communication control unit that receives image information and the like from an external line (not shown) via a modem 19 and outputs the image information and the like to the external line, and 20 is each member 11 to 18 constituting the control system. Is a data bus connected to.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing the structure of a conventional document reading apparatus applied to the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory view showing an open state of an upper opening / closing unit in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. is there. In FIG. 11, 21
Is a pickup roller whose outer peripheral surface is partially flat in the chord direction, 22 and 23 are feed and reverse rollers forming a roller pair, and 24 and 25 are arranged along a U-shaped document conveying path 26. A pair of conveying rollers, 27 is a pair of discharging rollers arranged near the exit of the original conveying path 26, 28 is a contact glass fitted in a part of the upper surface of the main body 2 of the original conveying path 26, and 29 is a contact glass. A slide plate that is disposed in the upper opening / closing unit 3 and is supported at a position facing the contact glass 28 when the upper opening / closing unit 3 is in the closed position, and 30 is an image reading unit arranged below the contact glass 28. . The image reading unit 30 couples a light source 31 for illuminating the document D on the contact glass 28, a line image sensor 32 including a CCD (charge coupled device), etc., and reflected light from the document D to a light receiving surface of the line image sensor 32. An equi-magnification optical system 33 for imaging is provided.

Next, the reading operation for the document D by the document reading apparatus configured as described above will be described. The pick-up roller 21 makes one rotation at the start of the reading operation to send out one or a plurality of documents D including the uppermost one from the bundle of documents D loaded in the document feeding tray 1 in the transport direction. The feed roller 22 and the reverse roller 23, when only one original document D is inserted into the nip portion, feed the original document D into the original document conveyance path 26, and a plurality of original documents D are inserted. In this case, only the uppermost original D is separated from the other originals D and fed into the original conveyance path 26, and the other originals D are fed.
Is pushed back toward the paper feed tray 1. The document D fed into the document transport path 26 is transported by the transport roller pair 24, 25 and moves on the contact glass 28 at a constant speed. At this time, the slide plate 29 forms a narrow gap with the upper surface of the contact glass 28 so that the document D comes close to the upper surface of the contact glass 28 as much as possible.

The light source 31 illuminates the image surface of the document D on the contact glass 28, and the reflected light from the document D passes through the contact glass 28 and enters the unit magnification optical system 33, and the unit magnification optical system 33.
To form an image on the light receiving surface of the line image sensor 32.
The line image sensor 32 is configured to photoelectrically convert the image on the main scanning line with one scan, scans the document D at a cycle corresponding to the pixel density of the reproduced image, and outputs a line image signal for each scan. Output to the reading control unit 11. The line image signal is converted into a digital signal by the encoding / decoding unit 12 and then stored in the image information memory 17 to form image information corresponding to the entire image surface of the document D. The document D whose image is read on the contact glass 28 is discharged onto the document discharging section 2b by the discharge roller pair 27.

The upper opening / closing unit 3 is swingably supported about a swing shaft s fixed to the apparatus main body 2, and swings from a closed position shown in FIG. 9 to an open position shown in FIG. By moving the document transport path 26 and the document transport path
The upper surface of the contact glass 28 facing inside 26 is exposed. Therefore, by setting the contact glass 28 to the open position, the user can perform maintenance such as removal of the document D jammed in the document transport path 26 and cleaning of the upper surface of the contact glass 28.

[0008]

However, in the conventional document reading apparatus as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the user swings the upper opening / closing unit 3 to the open position to clean the upper surface of the contact glass 28. In addition, cloth, tissues, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “cloth”) are often used, but
If the cloth or the like is dirty, the contact glass 28 is rather contaminated, and foreign matter such as dust or dust dropped from the cloth or the like is likely to adhere to the upper surface of the contact glass 28. Furthermore, when the maximum opening angle of the upper opening / closing unit 3 is narrow due to the layout of the device, the workability when cleaning the upper surface of the contact glass 28 with a cloth or the like is poor, and the entire contact glass 28 can be reliably secured. The problem arises that it is difficult to clean.

The dirt and cloudiness of the contact glass 28 cause deterioration of the image quality of the reproduced image. Especially, when foreign matter such as dust or dust adheres to the contact glass 28, the contact glass 28 is located at a position corresponding to the foreign matter in the reproduced image. A black line in the sub-scanning direction appears and the image quality is significantly degraded.

There is also a case where a dedicated cleaning tool for cleaning the contact glass 28 is attached to the apparatus, but even in this case, since the place for storing the dedicated cleaning tool is not fixed, it tends to be lost. There is.

In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning cartridge capable of surely cleaning the entire contact glass by a simple operation, and to prevent the cleaning cartridge from being improperly operated. An object of the present invention is to provide a document reading device that prevents problems such as breakdown and device destruction from occurring.

[0012]

In order to solve the above problems, a document reading apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a contact glass formed wider than a document of the maximum readable size, and this contact glass. In a closed position that covers the upper surface or an open position that exposes the upper surface of the contact glass to the outside,
An upper opening / closing unit supported by the main body of the apparatus so as to be openable / closable, and an image reading unit arranged below the contact glass and scanning a document conveyed in a gap between the contact glass and the upper opening / closing unit to read an image thereof. In the original reading apparatus provided with, a cleaning cartridge supported on the contact glass with a glass cleaning member in contact with the upper surface of the contact glass so as to be movable in the width direction of the contact glass, and the maximum size by the image reading unit in the width direction. A storage unit provided outside the document scanning range for the document and storing the cleaning cartridge moved from the document scanning range and holding the cleaning cartridge at a storage position outside the document scanning range. A grip for the user to hold when operating the cleaning cartridge. With the provision of a portion, a recessed shape that allows a part of the cleaning cartridge to be engaged is formed in the storage portion, and the cleaning cartridge that has moved to the storage position engages with the recessed shape and is formed in the lateral width direction. It is characterized by receiving a holding force for restricting movement.

Further, according to the document reading apparatus of the first aspect, in the state where the upper opening / closing unit is opened, the grip portion is gripped and the operating force is applied to move the cleaning cartridge on the contact glass to perform cleaning. The cleaning member of the cartridge comes into sliding contact with the upper surface of the contact glass, and the cleaning member removes foreign matter and fogging adhering to the contact glass.Furthermore, after cleaning the contact glass, move the cleaning cartridge from the contact glass to the storage part. By moving, a part of the cleaning cartridge engages with the concave shape and receives a constant holding force.

Further, in the document reading apparatus according to the present invention, a groove-shaped relief portion is formed on a surface of the upper opening / closing unit facing the contact glass along a movement locus of the cleaning cartridge moving in the lateral width direction. This escape portion prevents contact between the upper opening / closing unit in the closed position and the cleaning cartridge on the contact glass, and forms a guide groove in the main body of the apparatus along the movement track of the cleaning cartridge. At the same time, the cleaning cartridge is provided with a guide portion that hangs the guide groove to support the cleaning cartridge main body so as to be movable in the lateral width direction.

According to the document reading apparatus of the second aspect, even when the upper opening / closing unit is closed, contact between the cleaning cartridge on the contact glass and the upper opening / closing unit is prevented, and the guide protrusion and the guide groove are used. The vertical movement of the cleaning cartridge can be restricted to prevent the cleaning cartridge from easily falling off from the apparatus main body.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the document reading device, the cleaning cartridge is in the non-storing position according to a signal from the detection means for detecting the position of the cleaning cartridge and the detection means when the upper opening / closing unit is closed. and control means for determining that, if that cleaning cartridge during closing of the top unit in the non-retracted position is determined by the control means, informing the user that the cleanup cartridge is in non-retracted position And an alarm means for operating.

According to the document reading apparatus of the third aspect, the user causes the cleaning cartridge to move to the non-storing position by the alarm even when the upper opening / closing unit is closed before the start of reading the document. You can definitely recognize that there is.

Further, the document reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said detection means, the image reading unit and said the contact glass top <br/> Contact Keru while closing the upper opening and closing unit the image reading unit The upper opening so that it faces the area including the scanning range for the maximum size original.
A reference reflection member provided in the closing unit and having a reflectance different from that of the cleaning cartridge , and the control means reflects the reflection from the cleaning cartridge during a scanning signal from the image reading unit to the reference reflection member. When the output is detected, it is determined that the cleaning cartridge is in the non-storage position.

Further, according to the document reading apparatus of the fourth aspect, the scanning range of the image reading unit is cleaned by a signal from the image reading unit without extending the scanning range of the document scanning range of the maximum size or more. It becomes possible to determine the position of the cartridge.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the document reading device, the detection means is arranged in the upper opening / closing unit so as to face the mounting surface of the cleaning cartridge in the storage portion in a state where the upper opening / closing unit is closed. A reference reflecting member that is provided and has a reflectance different from that of the cleaning cartridge;
Wherein a scan range including a storage location, and a the reference reflection member scannable-configured the image reading unit, said control means, corresponding to said <br/> storage location from the image reading unit during be that run No. scanning signal, when the reflected power from the cleaning cartridge is not detected, the cleaning cartridge is characterized in that to determine that it is in the non-retracted position.

According to the document reading apparatus of the fifth aspect, the control means can judge the position of the cleaning cartridge by processing only the signal within the judgment range corresponding to the storage position in the scanning signal. become.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an example of a main part of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Members corresponding to the members described with reference to FIGS. Omit it. still,
The document reading apparatus according to the present embodiment described below can be applied to the facsimile apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 instead of the conventional document reading apparatus. Reference numeral 41 denotes an upper guide plate provided on the lower surface of the upper opening / closing unit 3, and together with the lower guide plate 6 arranged on the apparatus main body 2, a document feeding path.
Make up 26. Reference numeral 42 denotes a slide plate fixed to the upper guide plate 41 and faces the upper surface of the contact glass 28 in a state where the upper opening / closing unit 3 is in the closed position. 43 is the main body 43a
Is a cleaning cartridge formed by sheet metal processing, resin molding or the like, and supports a cleaning member 43b formed of a porous flexible material such as sponge and felt. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2, the cleaning cartridge 43 has a main body 43a that is bent in a substantially L shape, and a cleaning member 43b is fixed to the lower surface thereof. On the upper surface of the cleaning cartridge 43, a grip portion 43c for a user to grip during operation is provided.
Is projected, and a matching mark 43d for positioning at a predetermined storage position is drawn, and a locking hole 43e is formed in the rear surface thereof.

On the other hand, on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 in which the contact glass 28 is fitted, a guide groove 44 and a storage portion 45 are provided as shown in the perspective view of FIG. The guide groove 44 is
The cleaning cartridge is formed by a gap between the rear end of the contact glass 28 on the downstream side and the lower guide plate 6 arranged on the downstream side of the contact glass 28. The lower end of the main body portion 43a is fitted into the guide groove 44. 43 is contact glass 28
Is supported slidably in the lateral width direction (arrow W direction). Further, the storage section 45 includes a recess 45a formed outside one end of the contact glass 28, a holding lever 45b standing upright on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the recess 45a, and a recess 45a from the downstream side in the transport direction. Direction is formed of a locking protrusion 45c, a scanning hole 45d penetrating the inside of the apparatus main body 2 is formed on the upper surface of the recess 45a, and a matching mark 43d of the cleaning cartridge 43 is formed on the upper surface of the holding lever 45b. Pair mark 45e
Is drawn.

Here, the storage part 45 is replaced by the contact glass 28.
Although the case where it is provided on the outer side of the document is described, the position where such a storage section is provided may be outside the scanning range (hereinafter referred to as the original scanning range) of the document D having the maximum size by the image reading unit 30. For example, the contact glass 28 may be extended to the outside of the original scanning range and the storage portion 45 may be provided on the contact glass 28.
d becomes unnecessary.

The cleaning cartridge 43 is movable in the arrow W direction along the guide groove 44 at least within the original scanning range or the storage position on the contact glass 28.
When it is on the contact glass 28, the lower surface of the cleaning member 43b is brought into close contact with the upper surface of the contact glass 28. Therefore, after the user opens the upper opening / closing unit 3, the grip portion 43c is gripped, and a force in the direction of the arrow W is applied to move the cleaning cartridge 43 on the contact glass 28. The cleaning member 43b removes dust and cloudiness adhering to the contact glass 28 by sliding on the upper surface of the contact glass 28. Also, the user may attach the cleaning cartridge 43 to the contact glass 28
By applying a force (downward in the figure), the flexible cleaning member 43b is brought into pressure contact with the contact glass 28, so that the cleaning cartridge 43 can effectively clean the contact glass 28. it can.

After the cleaning of the contact glass 28 is completed, the user inserts the cleaning cartridge 43 into the contact glass 28.
By moving the cleaning cartridge 43 from above toward the storage position, the vicinity of the end of the cleaning cartridge 43 contacts the holding lever 45b to reach the storage position while bending the holding lever 45b outward. Cleaning cartridge 43 that has reached the storage position
As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4, the lower end portion of the cleaning member 43b is recessed 45a from the upper surface of the contact glass 28 by one step.
Fall into. At this time, the holding lever 45b bent outward
Is pressed against the cleaning cartridge 43 in the storage position, and the elastic force of the cleaning cartridge 43 urges the cleaning cartridge 43 to the downstream side.
The locking protrusion 43 of the storage section 45 is inserted into the locking hole 43e of the cleaning cartridge 43.
Insert 5c. As a result, the cleaning cartridge 43
The movement in the arrow W direction is restricted by the step between the recess 45a and the contact glass 28, and is held in the storage portion 45 by the elastic holding force. Due to the movement restriction by the step and the holding force of the holding lever 45b, the device main body 2
Even if vibration or impact is applied to the device main body 2 or the device body 2 is tilted, the cleaning cartridge 43 is prevented from moving from the storage position to the contact glass 28. Further, since the alignment marks 43d and 45e match at the storage position, the user can easily visually recognize that the cleaning cartridge 43 has moved to the storage position. After the cleaning cartridge 43 is moved to the storage position, the upper opening / closing unit 3 is moved to the closed position so that the document D can be read.

When the cleaning cartridge 43 is moved from the retracted position onto the contact glass 28, the user bends the holding lever 45b outward to move the cleaning cartridge 4
By releasing 3 from the elastic force, the locking hole 43e can be easily disengaged from the locking protrusion 45c.
After removing the locking projection 45c from the gripping portion 43c, the cleaning cartridge 43 is slightly lifted upward and a force in the direction of the arrow W is applied, whereby the cleaning cartridge 43 is separated from the storage portion 45 and contacts. Move to glass 28.

Here, the contact glass of the upper guide plate 41
A groove-shaped escape portion 41a is formed on the surface facing the 28 along the movement trajectory of the cleaning cartridge 43.
The cleaning cartridge on the upper opening / closing unit 3 and the contact glass 28 in the closed position, that is, in the non-storage position by
A certain gap is formed between the cleaning cartridge 43 and the upper guide plate 41 so as to prevent contact between the cleaning cartridge 43 and the upper guide plate 41. Therefore, even if the upper opening / closing unit 3 is closed without accidentally moving the cleaning cartridge 43 to the storage position, it is possible to prevent the cleaning cartridge 43 and the upper guide plate 41 from colliding with each other and destroying the device.

However, by forming the escape portion 41a in the upper guide plate 41, it is possible to prevent the device from being destroyed when the user accidentally closes the upper opening / closing unit 3 while keeping the cleaning cartridge 43 in the non-storing position. When the original D is read while the cleaning cartridge 43 is left on the contact glass 28, the original D is not detected on the contact glass 28.
Then, the cleaning cartridge 43 comes into contact with the paper and jams.

In the document reading apparatus of this embodiment, the detection for detecting the position of the cleaning cartridge 43 is performed in order to prevent the user from starting to read the document D while leaving the cleaning cartridge 43 on the contact glass 28. Means, a control means for processing the signal from the detection means to judge the position of the cleaning cartridge 43, and an alarm means for controlling the position of the cleaning cartridge 43 to notify the user of the abnormal position of the cleaning cartridge 43. There is.

Here, the detection means is the image reading unit 30.
And a slide plate 42, and the slide plate 42 configured as a reference reflection member extends to a position facing the upper surface of the recess 45a in the storage portion 45 in a state where the upper opening / closing unit 3 is closed, The cleaning member 43b of the cleaning cartridge 43 is made black to have a low reflection so that the area facing the upper surface of the recess 45a serving as the mounting surface of the cleaning cartridge 43 has at least a reflectance different from that of the cleaning cartridge 43. When the ratio is set, the area of the slide plate 42 is configured to be white and has a high reflectance. In addition, the line image sensor in the image reading unit 30
Reference numeral 32 has a scanning range including the storage position in addition to the document scanning range in the main scanning direction which is parallel to the arrow W direction, and since the scanning hole 45d penetrates the recess 45a, the storage position at the storage position is 32. Either the slide plate 42 or the lower surface of the cleaning member 43b is scanned.

Further, the control means is composed of a reading control section 11, an encoding / decoding section 12, a system control section 16 and the like in the control system shown in FIG.
When the upper open / close unit 3 is opened and then the upper open / close unit 3 is closed again by a signal from a sensor (not shown), the read control unit 11 outputs a read signal to the image reading unit 30. Drive. At this time, the scanning signal (line signal) from the line image sensor 32 is binarized into a black level and a white level by the encoding / decoding unit 12, and is input to the system control unit 16. At this time, if the cleaning cartridge 43 is in the storage position, the cleaning member 43 is output to the area corresponding to the storage position in the scanning signal.
The reflected output obtained by scanning b is included, and when the cleaning cartridge 43 is not in the storage position, the output of the area corresponding to the storage position in the scanning signal is obtained by scanning the slide plate 42. The reflected output is included. Also here
In order to simplify the processing of the scanning signal by the system control unit 16, the lower surface of the recess 45a, which is the boundary range between the contact glass 28 and the storage position, is configured to substantially match the reflectance of the slide plate 42.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing a scanning signal obtained by the line image sensor when the upper opening / closing unit is closed. As shown in FIG. 5A, the scanning signal obtained when the upper opening / closing unit 3 is closed is determined in the main scanning direction corresponding to the document scanning range L ₁ , the boundary range L ₂ and the opening width of the scanning hole 45d of the recess 45a. It consists of the range L ₃ . Here, when the cleaning cartridge 43 is in the storage position, in the original scanning range L ₁ and the boundary range L ₂ where the reflection output from the lower surface of the slide plate 42 and the recess 45a having the reference reflectance is obtained, The signal level becomes the white level R _W , and in the determination range L ₃ where the reflected output from the lower surface of the cleaning cartridge 43 is obtained, the signal level of the scanning signal becomes the black level R _B. The system control unit 16 compares the signal level in the determination range L ₃ with a preset determination level R _S, and if the signal level in the determination range L ₃ is smaller than the determination level R _S , the cleaning cartridge 43 is stored. Determined to be in position,
Further, the signal level in the judgment range L ₃ is the judgment level R _S
If it is larger, it is determined that the cleaning cartridge 43 is in the non-storage position, that is, on the contact glass 28. Further, the number of dots corresponding to the opening width of the scanning hole 45d is compared with the number of dots in which the black level R _B is continuous in the determination range L ₃ , and only when the difference between these numbers is within the error range, the cleaning cartridge By finally determining that 43 is in the storage position, the accuracy of the determination by the system control unit 16 can be improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the system control unit 16 treats only the boundary range L ₂ and the judgment range L _{3 in the} scanning signal as effective signals, and the original scanning range L ₁
5 to determine the position of the cleaning cartridge 43, or, as shown in FIG. 5C, treat only the determination range L ₃ as a valid signal in the scanning signal to detect the original scanning range L ₁ and The position of the cleaning cartridge 43 can be determined by invalidating the signal from the boundary range L ₂ .

The system control unit 16 includes the upper opening / closing unit 3
When it is determined that the cleaning cartridge 43 is in the non-storing position at the time of closing, the alarm signal is output to the operation / display control unit 14 and the alarm sound is generated by the sound generating member such as the buzzer and the speaker in the operation / display panel 4. Generate an LED
A light is emitted to display an alarm, or the liquid crystal panel displays that the cleaning cartridge 43 is in the non-storage position to notify the user that the position of the cleaning cartridge 43 is abnormal. Further, along with this alarm operation, the reading operation by the device may be interlocked until the alarm is reset by the user.

Operation / display control unit constituting alarm means
Since the position abnormality of the cleaning cartridge 43 is notified by the control panel 14 and the operation / display panel 4, the user can alarm the cleaning cartridge 43 even if the upper opening / closing unit 3 is closed before starting the reading of the document D.
Is sure to be in the non-storing position, and the cleaning cartridge 43 has to be moved to the storing position in order to release the alarm. Therefore, the reading operation for the document D with the cleaning cartridge 43 on the contact glass 28 is performed. Can be prevented from starting.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the detecting means for the cleaning cartridge in the document reading apparatus of this embodiment. 46 is the contact glass 28 that constitutes the storage position
Of the main body 43a fitted into the guide groove 44 when the cleaning cartridge 43 is in the storage position. System control unit 1
The detection signal is output to 6. When the signal from the detection sensor 46 is on when the upper opening / closing unit 3 is closed, the system control unit 16 determines that the cleaning cartridge 43 is in the storage position, and the detection sensor when the upper opening / closing unit 3 is closed. If the signal from 46 is off, it is determined that the cleaning cartridge 43 is in the non-storing position, and the alarm is generated as described above. In this case, it is necessary to newly add the detection sensor 46, but the system control unit 16 can easily perform the position determination with respect to the cleaning cartridge 43 without processing the scanning signal and reduce the load on the system control unit 16. It is possible to obtain the effect that the determination time can be reduced and the determination time can be reduced.

When the system control unit 16 determines the position of the cleaning cartridge 43 by the processing on the scanning signal as described with reference to FIG. 5, the range scannable by the line image sensor 32 is set to the original scanning range. Since it needs to be longer than L ₁ , that is, a line image sensor
Since the length of the line image sensor 32 must be constantly extended beyond the length corresponding to the unused judgment range L ₃ , the cost of the line image sensor 32 becomes high.

Next, a method for enabling the position determination of the cleaning cartridge 43 by the line image sensor 32 having a length corresponding to the original scanning range L ₁ will be described based on the characteristic diagram of the scanning signal of FIG. The scanning signal corresponding to the original scanning range L ₁ from the line image sensor 32 is the encoding / decoding unit 12
Is binarized into a black level R _B and a white level R _W ,
Input to the system control unit 16. At this time, if the cleaning cartridge 43 is at the storage position, the scanning signal obtained from the original scanning range L ₁ includes the reflection output obtained by scanning the cleaning member 43b as shown in FIG. 7A. However, only the reflected output from the slide plate 42 is included. Also, the cleaning cartridge 43
Is not in the storage position, the slide plate 42 is included in the scanning signal obtained from the original scanning range L _{1 as} shown in FIG. 7B.
Both the reflected output obtained by scanning and the reflected output from the cleaning cartridge 43 are included.

The system control unit 16 includes the upper opening / closing unit 3
When the black level R _B smaller than the determination level R _S is not detected by comparing the signal level of the entire scanning signal with the preset determination level R _S when the cleaning cartridge 43 is closed, it is determined that the cleaning cartridge 43 is in the storage position. To do. Further, when the system control unit 16 closes the upper opening / closing unit 3, it compares the signal level of the entire scanning signal with a preset determination level R _S, and detects a black level R _B smaller than the determination level R _S. Is the cleaning cartridge 43 in the non-storage position,
Alternatively, it is determined to be some other abnormality than the positional abnormality of the cleaning cartridge 43. Specifically, for example, the line image sensor 32 reads an image at a pixel density of 8 dots / mm, and the width b of the cleaning cartridge 43 in the main scanning direction is 10
mm, the detection length L _D of the black level R _B obtained when the cleaning cartridge 43 is in the non-storing position is calculated as a continuous length of 80 dots, but in reality, the dimensional accuracy of the cleaning cartridge 43 varies. Alternatively, the shadow of the cleaning cartridge 43 may be read below the determination level R _S , so that the detection length L _D varies. Considering this variation, the detection length L _D is within the range of 7 mm to 12 mm, that is, 56 dots.
If the continuous length is ~ 96 dots, the cleaning cartridge 43
Is on the contact glass 28. In the case other than the above, the system control unit 16 determines that the detection length L _D is 56d.
If the continuous length is not from ot to 96 dots, other abnormalities, for example, when it is smaller than 56 dots, it is considered that foreign matter or dirt is attached to the contact glass 28 or the line image sensor 32, and when it is larger than 96 dots. , The line image sensor 32, the unity-magnification optical system 33, and the like are abnormal, and alarms corresponding to these abnormalities are generated.

By determining the position of the cleaning cartridge 43 by the above method, the position of the cleaning cartridge 43 is determined while the length of the line image sensor 32 remains in the range corresponding to the original scanning range L _1. Therefore, it is not necessary to extend the line image sensor 32 in order to determine the position of the cleaning cartridge 43, and it is possible to prevent an increase in device cost.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing another example of the main part of the document reading apparatus according to this embodiment. The cleaning cartridge 43 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is configured to be movably supported along the guide groove 44 by inserting the lower end portion of the main body portion 43a into the guide groove 44. In the above, since the cleaning cartridge 43 is not restricted in vertical movement, the cleaning member 43b is easily pulled out from the guide groove 44 and lost, or unless the user applies downward force to the cleaning cartridge 43, the cleaning member 43b contacts the contact glass 28. There is a problem that the contact glass 28 is not pressurized and cleaning is not performed efficiently.

In order to solve the above problems, a pair of guide projections are provided on the main body portion 43a of the cleaning cartridge 43 shown in FIG.
43f, 43g are formed, and a guide groove 47 is formed along the contact glass 28 on the lower guide plate 6 arranged on the upstream side of the contact glass 28. This guide groove 47
Is formed by one groove that extends in the same range as the guide groove 44 in the direction of the arrow W and is recessed horizontally from the outer surface of the lower guide plate 6.

Cleaning cartridge loaded in the apparatus main body 2
The guide protrusion 43f is fitted into the guide groove 47, and the guide protrusion 43g hangs the back surface of the lower guide plate 6 so that the guide protrusion 43f is movably supported on the contact glass 28 and within the storage position range. , Vertical movement is restricted. At this time, if the cleaning cartridge 43 is supported at a position such that the cleaning member 43b is compressed by a certain amount, the cleaning member 43b is always kept in pressure contact with the contact glass 28. There is no need to apply downward force to the cartridge 43,
The contact glass 28 can always be efficiently cleaned by 43b.

Further, the cleaning cartridge 43 described above
Is detachably attached to the storage portion 45, and can be easily removed from the apparatus main body 2 by moving it upward or outward from the storage position, for example. Therefore, if the cleaning member 43b becomes dirty after being used for a certain period of time or a certain number of times, the cleaning member 43b can be always maintained in a good state by replacing the entire cleaning cartridge 43, and the cleaning member 43b adheres to the cleaning member 43b. It is possible to prevent dirt, foreign matter, etc. from transferring to the contact glass 28.

[0046]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
According to the document reading apparatus, the cleaning member of the cleaning cartridge is moved to the upper surface of the contact glass by gripping the grip portion and applying an operating force to move the cleaning cartridge on the contact glass with the upper opening / closing unit opened. Since the cleaning member removes foreign matter and fogging adhering to the contact glass, the upper surface of the contact glass can be reliably cleaned by a simple operation, and after the contact glass is completely cleaned. By moving the cleaning cartridge from the contact glass to the storage part, a part of the cleaning cartridge engages with the concave shape and receives a constant holding force, so that the holding force causes no vibration or shock to the apparatus main body. To act,
Even if the device body is tilted, it is possible to prevent the cleaning cartridge from moving from the storage position to the contact glass,
It is possible to reliably prevent the cleaning cartridge from moving on the contact glass and causing a document jam or a device failure due to vibration or shock after closing the upper opening / closing unit.

Further, according to the document reading apparatus of the second aspect, the upper opening / closing unit and the non-storing position in the closed position are formed by the groove-shaped escape portions formed along the moving path of the cleaning cartridge in the upper opening / closing unit. If a certain gap is created between the cleaning cartridge and the upper opening / closing unit, the contact between the cleaning cartridge and the upper opening / closing unit is prevented, so if the upper opening / closing unit is closed without accidentally moving the cleaning cartridge to the storage position. However, it is possible to prevent the cleaning cartridge from colliding with the upper guide plate and destroying the device, and the cleaning cartridge engages the guide protrusion with the guide groove to move on the contact glass and in the range of the storage position. Is supported on the cleaning cartridge, the vertical movement of the cleaning cartridge is restricted, and the cleaning cartridge is easily removed from the main unit. If the cleaning member is pressed against the contact glass, the user does not need to apply force to press the cleaning cartridge against the contact glass, and the cleaning member always cleans the contact glass efficiently. it can.

According to the document reading apparatus of the third aspect, the user is informed that the cleaning cartridge is in the non-storing position by the alarm means when the upper opening / closing unit is closed. In addition, even when the upper opening / closing unit is closed, it is possible to reliably recognize that the cleaning cartridge is in the non-storing position by the alarm, and thus the reading operation for the document starts with the cleaning cartridge on the contact glass. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a trouble of the device, the jam of the document, and the like.

According to the document reading apparatus of the fourth aspect, the image reading unit is cleaned by a signal from the image reading unit without extending the scanning range of the image reading unit beyond the range corresponding to the maximum size document scanning range. Since the position of the cartridge can be determined, it is possible to prevent the cost of the apparatus from increasing by extending the scanning range of the image reading unit in order to determine the position of the cleaning cartridge.

According to the document reading apparatus of the fifth aspect, the control means can determine the position of the cleaning cartridge by processing only the signal within the determination range corresponding to the storage position in the scanning signal. Therefore, as compared with the case of the document reading apparatus according to claim 4, it is possible to reduce the load on the control means and shorten the determination time, and prevent erroneous detection due to dirt on the contact glass or the like. Therefore, the certainty of the position determination with respect to the cleaning cartridge can be enhanced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an example of a main part of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cleaning cartridge in the document reading apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a contact glass and a storage unit in the document reading apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cleaning cartridge stored in a storage section of the document reading apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of a scanning signal obtained when the upper opening / closing unit is closed in the document reading apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the detection unit for the cleaning cartridge in the document reading apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of a scanning signal obtained when the upper opening / closing unit is closed in the document reading apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing another example of the main part of the document reading apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a facsimile device to which a conventional document reading device is applied.

10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional document reading apparatus applied to the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

12 is an operation explanatory view showing an open state of an upper opening / closing unit in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Device body, 3 ... Upper opening / closing unit, 4 ... Operation /
Display panel, 11 ... Reading control unit, 12 ... Encoding / decoding unit, 14 ... Operation / display control unit, 16 ... System control unit,
26 ... Original transport path, 28 ... Contact glass, 30 ... Image reading unit, 32 ... Line image sensor, 41 ... Upper guide plate, 41a ... Escape part, 42 ... Slide plate, 43 ...
Cleaning cartridge, 44, 47 ... Guide groove, 45 ... Storage section, 46 ... Detection sensor, D ... Original document.

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A contact glass formed to be wider than the maximum readable original size, and a support position that can be opened and closed by the apparatus body at a closed position that covers the contact glass upper surface or an open position that exposes the contact glass upper surface to the outside. In an original reading device including an opened upper opening / closing unit and an image reading unit which is arranged below the contact glass and scans an original conveyed in a gap between the contact glass and the upper opening / closing unit to read an image thereof. On the contact glass, a glass cleaning member is brought into contact with the upper surface of the contact glass, and the cleaning cartridge is supported so as to be movable in the lateral width direction of the contact glass, and the original scanning range for the document of the maximum size by the image reading unit in the lateral width direction. It is provided on the outside and moves from this document scanning range. And a storage section for storing the cleaning cartridge and holding the cleaning cartridge at a storage position outside the original scanning range, and further, the cleaning cartridge is provided with a grip section for a user to grip when operating the cleaning cartridge. A holding portion is formed in the storage portion so that a part of the cleaning cartridge can be engaged, and the cleaning cartridge that has moved to the storage position is engaged with the recessed shape and restricts movement in the lateral width direction. A document reading device that receives a force. 2. A groove-shaped escape portion is formed on a surface of the upper opening / closing unit facing the contact glass along a movement locus of the cleaning cartridge moving in the lateral width direction, and the escape portion forms the closed position. To prevent contact between the upper opening / closing unit and the cleaning cartridge on the contact glass, and to form a guide groove on the main body of the apparatus along the movement track of the cleaning cartridge, and to install the guide groove on the cleaning cartridge. 2. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a guide portion that supports the cleaning cartridge main body so as to be movable in the lateral width direction. 3. A detection means for detecting the position of the cleaning cartridge; a control means for judging that the cleaning cartridge is in the non-storage position based on a signal from the detection means when the upper opening / closing unit is closed; characterized in that a alarm means cleaning cartridge upon closure of the upper opening and closing unit by means if it is determined in a non-retracted position, cleanup cartridge notifies the user that it is in non-retracted position The document reading device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The image reading unit, wherein the detecting unit is the image reading unit.
When, facing the region including the scanning range for the maximum size of the original by our Keru the image reading unit to the contact glass top in the closed state of the upper opening and closing unit
And a reference reflecting member provided in the upper opening / closing unit and having a reflectance different from that of the cleaning cartridge, wherein the control unit performs the cleaning during the scanning signal from the image reading unit to the reference reflecting member. 4. The document reading device according to claim 3, wherein when the reflected output from the cartridge is detected, it is determined that the cleaning cartridge is in the non-storage position. 5. The upper opening / closing unit is arranged so that the detection means faces the placement surface of the cleaning cartridge in the storage section in a state where the upper opening / closing unit is closed.
A reference reflecting member provided and having a reflectance different from that of the cleaning cartridge, and a scanning range including the storage position,
And a the reference reflection member scannable-configured the image reading unit, said control means, in to that run No. scanning signal corresponding to the storage position from the image reading unit, the reflected output from said cleaning cartridge 4. The document reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the cleaning cartridge is not detected, it is determined that the cleaning cartridge is in the non-storage position.