JP3548334B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that fixes and adheres a document placed on a document table by using a pressure plate that constitutes a part of an ADF (automatic document feeder). The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus having a foolproof function capable of reading a book manuscript such as a book or a magazine so as to be movable and appropriately preventing ADF from being misused .
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional image reading apparatus for reading a thick original (book original) such as a book or a magazine, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-226138, "Copier". Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 2-226138 discloses a copier in which, when reading a thick original, the original is temporarily held down by using an original holding belt provided on a platen in advance. Thick documents can be read without shifting.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-226138, although the original is temporarily pressed to prevent the thick original from slipping, as shown in FIG. 7, when the pressure plate 701 is closed, the pressure plate shaft 702 is opened and closed. There is a problem that the pressure plate 701 hits the document 703 at a point close to the point (point D) and the pressure plate 701 becomes oblique, and the light source at the time of reading leaks. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a problem of the conventional image reading apparatus.
[0004]
Further, since the pressure plate 701 becomes oblique, a force is applied obliquely to the original 703 at the point D , and the original 703 may be shifted.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to avoid the occurrence of document misalignment due to a pressure plate when reading a thick document such as a book or a magazine.
[0006]
Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to minimize leakage of a light source when reading a thick original such as a book or a magazine.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 1 forms a part of an automatic document feeder (ADF), and has a rotation axis for fixing an original placed on an original platen. A pressure plate to be brought into close contact with the pressure plate; and a shaft changing means capable of switching between a free mode in which the rotary shaft can move up and down and a fixed mode in which the rotation shaft cannot move up and down. A pressure plate mounting mechanism movably supported and mounted to be openable and closable , wherein the rotary shaft is disposed at a lowermost position of the vertical movement in the pressure plate mounting mechanism when the pressure plate is in a closed state, and the shaft changing means is provided in the fixed mode. And operation control means for enabling the original to be conveyed by the ADF only when is selected .
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus, the pressure plate mounting mechanism supports the pressure plate so as to be vertically movable in a stepless manner or in a plurality of steps.
[0009]
Further, in the image reading apparatus according to the third aspect, the pressure plate mounting mechanism supports the pressure plate so as to be freely movable in the vertical direction, and the pressure plate mounting mechanism is configured to move the pressure plate according to a thickness of a document placed on the document table. This is to stop the pressure plate.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the pressure plate used in the image reading apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail in the order of [Embodiment 1], [Embodiment 2], [Embodiment 3], [Embodiment 4] with reference to the drawings. explain.
[0011]
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image reading device 100 according to the first embodiment. The image reading apparatus 100 includes a document table 101, a cover for covering a document 102 placed on the document table 101, a pressure plate 103 that is brought into close contact with the document table 101, a pressure plate shaft 104 for opening and closing the pressure plate 103, and an image reading device. It comprises an operation port 105 for operating the apparatus 100, a paper discharge tray 106 for discharging the copied recording paper, and a hole 107 for vertically moving the pressure plate shaft 104.
[0012]
The pressure plate shaft 104 and the hole 107 allow the pressure plate 103 to be attached to the main body of the image reading apparatus 100 so as to be openable and closable, and also function as a pressure plate mounting mechanism for supporting the pressure plate 103 to be vertically movable with respect to the image reading apparatus 100 main body. Has been realized.
[0013]
Next, the basic operation of the above configuration will be described. First, the document 102 is placed on the document table 101 and the pressure plate 103 is closed, so that the document 102 is brought into close contact with the document table 101.
[0014]
Subsequently, a copy operation is performed by operating a print key (not shown) on the operation port 105, and the copied recording sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 106.
[0015]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment in the above configuration and basic operation will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the pressure plate shaft 104 according to the first embodiment is moved in the vertical direction. When the document 102 such as the document 102a shown in FIG. 2A is thin, the pressure plate shaft 104 is lowered below the hole 107 and the pressure plate 103 is closed. When the original 102 like the original 102b shown in FIG. 2B is thick, the platen shaft 104 is raised in the upward direction of the hole 107 and the platen 103 is closed.
[0016]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the document 102 is thick (such as the document 102b shown in FIG. 2B), the platen shaft 104 is raised in the upward direction of the hole 107 and the platen 103 is closed. Therefore, since the pressure plate 103 can be closed in parallel with the document 102, the document 102 can be brought into close contact with the document table 101 in parallel and the document table 101 does not shift.
[0017]
Further, since the pressure plate 103 can be closed in parallel with the document 102, it is possible to minimize leakage of the light source when reading the document 102.
[0018]
[Embodiment 2]
In the second embodiment, a description will be given of a case where the vertical movement of the pressure plate shaft 104 is performed in a plurality of stages. Note that the second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, and therefore only different points will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the pressure plate shaft 104 according to the second embodiment is moved in the vertical direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the original 302 is slightly thicker, the platen shaft 104 moves in two stages up and down, and the platen shaft 104 is moved upward, a point close to the platen shaft 104 (shown in FIG. 3A). (Near point A), a large gap is generated.
[0020]
In the second embodiment, the vertical movement of the pressure plate shaft 104 is performed in a plurality of stages so as not to generate the above-mentioned gap. When the original 302 is slightly thick as shown in FIG. The position is adjusted in the vertical direction according to the thickness of the document 302, and the pressure plate 103 is closed.
[0021]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the original 302 is slightly thick as shown in FIG. 3, the position of the platen shaft 104 is adjusted in the upward direction of the hole 107 according to the thickness of the original 302, and the platen 103 is moved. Since the platen is closed, the pressure plate 103 can be closed in parallel with the document 302, so that the document 302 can be closely contacted with the document table 101 in parallel and no large gap is generated.
[0022]
Further, since the pressure plate 103 is closed in parallel with the document 302 and no large gap is generated, it is possible to minimize leakage of a light source when reading the document 302.
[0023]
[Embodiment 3]
In the third embodiment, a description will be given of a case in which an axial fluctuation mode 401 is provided as a pressure plate fixing means for fixing the pressure plate 103 by inhibiting the vertical movement of the pressure plate 103. Note that the third embodiment is basically the same as the second embodiment, and therefore only different points will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
In the axis fluctuation mode 401, the movable state of the pressure plate shaft 104 in the vertical direction can be fixedly or freely switched. The switching of the axis fluctuation mode 401 including the pressure plate shaft 104 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0025]
4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams showing the switching operation of the axis fluctuation mode 401. The shaft fluctuation mode 401 is a lever, and when it is tilted to the left in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shaft fixing mode in which the pressure plate shaft 104 is fixed, and when it is tilted to the right in FIGS. 4 and 5. This is an axis free mode in which the pressure plate shaft 104 is free.
[0026]
First, as shown in FIG. 4, the axis fluctuation mode 401 is tilted from the left to the right in the drawing, the mode is switched from the axis fixed mode to the axis free mode, the pressure plate 103 is opened, and the document 402 is placed on the document table 101.
[0027]
Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressure plate shaft 104 in the axis free mode is raised upward with the point B as a fulcrum and the point C as a force point, and the pressure plate 103 is closed. In this state, the axis fluctuation mode 401 is operated to switch from the axis free mode to the axis fixed mode.
[0028]
It is needless to say that the shaft fluctuation mode 401 may have any configuration as long as the pressure plate shaft 104 can be switched between fixed and free.
[0029]
As described above, according to the third embodiment, the axis variation mode 401 is operated to switch the pressure plate shaft 104 between the fixed axis mode and the free axis mode. For example, the same document 402 is copied. At this time, it is not necessary to adjust the pressure plate shaft 104 every time.
[0030]
[Embodiment 4]
The fourth embodiment will be described on the assumption that the pressure plate 103 is a part of an ADF (not shown). Since the fourth embodiment has basically the same configuration as the third embodiment, only different points will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0031]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image reading apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment. First, when a print key (not shown) of the operation port 105 is pressed (S601), it is determined whether or not the ADF is set (ADF mode) (S602). Step S605 is executed.
[0032]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation mode is the ADF mode, it is determined whether the pressure plate shaft 104 is at the lowest position and the shaft fluctuation mode 401 is the fixed shaft mode (S603). A change in the mode of the pressure plate shaft 104 is displayed on a display unit (not shown) provided at 105 (S604), and the process ends.
[0033]
If affirmative determination is made in step S603, copying is started (S605), and the process is terminated.
[0034]
As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the pressure plate 103 is a part of the ADF, and the ADF has the pressure plate 103 closed and the pressure plate shaft 104 located at the lowest position in the vertical direction, that is, It can be used only when the shaft is in the fixed position mode at the lower position.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention (claim 1), a part of an ADF (automatic document feeder), which is placed on a document table by using a pressure plate having a rotating shaft. an image reading apparatus for fixing and adhesion document was, is attached to the openable apparatus body said pressure plate comprises a plate attachment mechanism for movably supporting the vertical direction the pressure plate relative to the apparatus main body, the pressure plate mounting mechanism It has axis changing means that can switch between a free mode in which the rotation axis can be moved up and down and a fixed mode in which the rotation axis cannot be moved. The pressure plate is closed, and the rotation axis is placed at the lowest position of the up and down movement. and for axial variation means to enable the ADF only if you have selected the fixed mode, the relative platen thick document such as magazines, by fixed parallel to and close contact with it can perform image reading , A When the DF is used, the original can be conveyed by the ADF only when the pressure plate constituting a part of the ADF is closed and the pressure plate is arranged and fixed at the lowest position in the vertical direction. When the pressure plate is open or the pressure plate is not fixed at the lowermost position, the reading of the original by the ADF is stopped, so that the misuse of the ADF can be avoided. This has the effect that the proof function can be exhibited .
[0036]
According to the image reading apparatus of the present invention (claim 2), since the pressure plate mounting mechanism supports the pressure plate so as to be vertically movable in a stepless manner or in a plurality of steps, a book, a magazine, etc. Since the document can be fixed and closely attached to the platen even in the thickness, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of the document displacement caused by the pressure plate when reading a thick document such as a book or a magazine.
[0037]
Further, since the original can be fixed and closely attached to the original platen in parallel, leakage of the light source when reading a thick original such as a book or a magazine can be minimized.
[0038]
Further, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the pressure plate mounting mechanism supports the pressure plate so as to be freely movable in the vertical direction, and the thickness of the document placed on the document table is controlled. Since the press platen is stopped accordingly, the original can be fixed and adhered to the platen in parallel regardless of the thickness of the book or magazine. At this time, it is possible to prevent the document from being shifted by the pressure plate.
[0039]
Further, since the original can be fixed and closely attached to the original platen in parallel, leakage of the light source when reading a thick original such as a book or a magazine can be minimized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image reading device according to a first embodiment;
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a pressure plate shaft according to the first embodiment is moved in a vertical direction.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a pressure plate shaft according to a second embodiment is moved in a vertical direction.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a switching operation of an axis fluctuation mode.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a switching operation of an axis fluctuation mode.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image reading apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a problem of a conventional image reading apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Image reading device 101 Document table 102, 102 a, 102 b, 302, 402 Document 103 Pressure plate 104 Pressure plate shaft 105 Operation port 106 Output tray 107 Hole 401 Axis fluctuation mode

Claims (3)

A pressure plate which constitutes a part of an ADF (automatic document feeder), has a rotating shaft, and fixes and adheres a document placed on a document table;
The apparatus has axis changing means that can switch between a free mode in which the rotation axis can move up and down and a fixed mode in which the rotation axis cannot move up and down, and supports the pressure plate so as to be vertically movable with respect to the apparatus main body. Pressure plate mounting mechanism that can be opened and closed
The document can be conveyed by the ADF only when the rotary shaft is arranged at the lowest position of the vertical movement in the pressure plate mounting mechanism when the pressure plate is in the closed state, and the axis changing means selects the fixed mode. Operation control means,
An image reading apparatus comprising: The image reading device according to claim 1,
An image reading apparatus, wherein the pressure plate mounting mechanism supports the pressure plate so as to be vertically movable in a stepless manner or in a plurality of steps. The image reading device according to claim 1,
An image reading apparatus, wherein the pressure plate mounting mechanism supports the pressure plate so as to be freely movable in the vertical direction, and stops the pressure plate according to the thickness of a document placed on the document table. .

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