JP3718643B2 - Automatic document feeder - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder, and more particularly, to an automatic document feeder improved to stabilize a document conveyance state at a document reading position.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional automatic document feeder in a digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a document conveying path in the automatic document feeder, FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a skeleton of the automatic document feeder, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the automatic document feeder. Each is a schematic diagram.
Referring to FIG. 1, a document placing table (not shown) is arranged on the horizontal stay 1, and the document placed on the document placing table is sent out by a forward feed roller 2 and fed by a paper feed roller 3. It is conveyed to the registration roller 4. The document once stopped by the registration roller 4 is further fed from the registration roller 4, passes through the reading unit 5, and is discharged as indicated by an arrow by the discharge roller 6.
[0003]
The forward feed roller 2, the paper feed roller 3, the registration roller 4, and the discharge roller 6 are provided in a transport unit 7 indicated by a broken line. That is, the automatic document feeder includes a transport unit 7 that is unitized for the convenience of manufacture and assembly.
2 and 3, the front plate 8 is fixed to the front side of the stay 1, and the rear plate 9 is fixed to the rear side of the stay 1, and the stay 1, the front plate 8, and the rear plate 9 are fixed. Thus, the skeleton of the automatic document feeder is formed.
[0004]
A first motor 10 for driving the forward feed roller 2 and the paper feed roller 3 and a second motor 11 for driving the registration roller 4 and the discharge roller 6 are mounted on the rear side plate 9.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
With such a configuration, in the automatic document feeder, the load is biased backward due to the two heavy motors 10 and 11 being unevenly distributed on the rear side. Therefore, the reading unit 5 causes an imbalance in the load applied to the document in the front-rear direction. The imbalance of the load applied to the original in the reading unit 5 may distort the original feed.
[0006]
On the other hand, when the document is not automatically fed and the document is manually set on the reading table for copying, the operator opens and closes the automatic document feeder. Since the entire weight of the automatic document feeder is considerable, a spring for urging the automatic document feeder in the opening direction is incorporated in the hinge 12 provided at the rear so that the operator can lightly operate the automatic document feeder. Due to the biasing force of the spring, the automatic document feeder is always subjected to a force in the opening direction. For this reason, the stay 1 may bend due to secular change. Since the transport unit 7 is fixed to the stay 1, the position of the transport unit 7 is also shifted when the stay 1 is bent. As a result, there is a problem in that a deviation occurs in the document conveyance direction by the conveyance unit 7.
[0007]
In addition, when the stay 1 is bent and the conveyance unit 7 becomes difficult to adhere to the reading table, the front side of the automatic document feeder must be pressed against the reading table so that the conveyance unit 7 comes into close contact with the reading table. I must. For this reason, a magnet for applying a force for bringing the front side of the automatic document feeder into close contact with the reading table may be attached to the front side of the conventional automatic document feeder. The magnet's attractive force contributes to the conveyance unit 7 being in close contact with the reading table. However, when the operator opens the automatic document feeder, a large force must be applied, which deteriorates operability. I was invited.
[0008]
The present invention has been made based on such a background, and a main object thereof is to provide an automatic document feeder in which a document is transported satisfactorily.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder improved so that a uniform load is applied to the conveyed document.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder having good operability, and particularly easy to open and close.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
The present invention provides a transport unit (a unit including a front feed roller, a feed roller, a registration roller, a reading unit, a discharge roller, and the like) for a skeleton forming member (stay, front plate, rear plate, etc.) in an automatic document feeder. Rather than being fixedly attached, at least the rear side of the transport unit is attached to be displaceable in the vertical direction (direction approaching or moving away from the reading table) with respect to the skeleton forming member.
[0010]
An automatic document feeder attached to a copying machine or the like is frequently opened and closed with respect to a main body housing of the copying machine or the like. That is, it does not always operate in the automatic document feed mode, and since the document is often set manually, the automatic document feeder is frequently opened and closed. For this reason, if the skeleton forming member of the automatic document feeder is bent, the position of the transport unit slightly changes on the reading table when the automatic document feeder is closed. A change in the position of the transport unit on the reading table adversely affects document feeding and document reading.
[0011]
According to the configuration of the present invention, even if the skeleton forming member is bent, the conveyance unit is detachably attached to the skeleton forming member. There is no effect. Therefore, the transport unit is always positioned at a predetermined position and transports the document satisfactorily.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transport unit is attached such that the rear side thereof is displaceable in the vertical direction with respect to the skeleton forming member, and the front side is attached so as to be displaceable in the front and rear direction with respect to the skeleton forming member. For this reason, the transport unit is always in a fixed position in the front-rear direction with respect to the skeleton-forming member, and even if the skeleton-forming member is bent in the front-back direction, the transport unit is not affected by the bending and is fixedly attached. Maintain state. Therefore, the original can be transported satisfactorily.
[0012]
A more specific configuration of the present invention is as follows. That is,
The invention described in claim 1 includes a skeleton forming member that forms a skeleton of the apparatus, and a conveyance unit that is unitized by incorporating a document conveyance roller such as a forward feed roller, a paper feed roller, a registration roller, and a discharge roller. , seen containing a connecting means displaceably connecting the transport unit within a predetermined range, the relative scaffolding member, coupling means comprises a front connecting means and rear connecting means, the front and rear ends of the transport unit Are respectively connected to the skeleton forming member by the front connecting means and the rear connecting means, the front connecting means is connected to the skeleton forming member so that the front end of the transport unit is swingable in the front-rear direction, and the rear connecting means is The automatic document feeder is characterized in that the rear end of the transport unit is connected to the skeleton forming member so as to be vertically displaceable .
[0013]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the skeleton forming member is fixed to the stay extending in the front-rear direction of the apparatus, the front plate fixed to the front end of the stay, and extending in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the stay extends, and to the rear end of the stay. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, further comprising a rear side plate extending in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the stay extends.
According to a third aspect of the invention, the axis of the rollers incorporated in the transport unit is characterized in Tei Rukoto extending in a direction (longitudinal direction) of extension of the stay, an automatic document feeder according to claim 2, wherein.
[0014]
Invention 請 Motomeko 4 wherein the rear coupling means resiliently urges the rear end of the transport unit downward, the rear end of the conveying unit against the elastic force is displaced linked upwards The automatic document feeder according to claim 3, wherein:
[0015]
Invention of claim 5, wherein, prior to connecting means, characterized in that it comprises a fine adjustment mechanism for finely adjusting the connection position of the front end of the connection unit on skeletal member on the left and right, automatic document according to claim 4, wherein It is a feeding device.
The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that a rear part of the skeleton forming member is further provided with a hinge mechanism, and the apparatus can be attached to the image forming apparatus, the scanner, or the like through the hinge mechanism so as to be opened and closed. An automatic document feeder according to claim 1.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 7 is a metal skeleton forming member that extends in the front-rear direction of the apparatus and forms a skeleton of the apparatus, a forward feed roller having a shaft extending in the front-rear direction, a paper feed roller, a registration roller, a discharge roller, etc. a transport unit roller for conveying the original is has been unitized incorporated, the front end of the conveyance unit and swingably connected in the longitudinal direction with respect to the framework forming member, the rear end of the skeleton members of the transport unit is automatic document feeder you further comprising a connecting means for resiliently coupling the vertical direction against.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view seen from the front side of the digital copying machine 21 having the automatic document feeder 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the digital copying machine 21, the upper surface 23 of the main body housing 22 is a reading table (a platen glass plate for setting a document to be copied). An automatic document feeder 20 is mounted on the reading table 23 in a state where it can be opened and closed. In the state where the automatic document feeder 20 is in contact with the reading table 23 as shown in the figure, the document is automatically conveyed by the automatic document feeder 20. On the other hand, when the automatic document feeder 20 is opened, the operator can set the document on the reading table 23.
[0018]
The automatic document feeder 20 includes a transport unit 24. The transport unit 24 includes a forward feed roller 25 for feeding documents one by one, a paper feed roller pair 26, a registration roller pair 27, a reading unit 28, a discharge roller pair 29, and the like.
An optical system 30 is disposed above the main body housing 22. When the document is sent by the transport unit 24, the document passing under the reading unit 28 is illuminated and the content is read. The optical system 30 includes an illumination lamp 31, reflecting mirrors 32, 33, and 34 for guiding light that is illuminated by the lamp 31 and reflected from the document, a lens 35 that focuses the reflected light, and a CCD 36. Yes. The read data of the CCD 36 is subjected to signal processing and then irradiated from the laser 37 to the photosensitive drum 38. A charging charger 39, a developing device 40, a transfer roller 41, and a cleaner 42 are provided around the photosensitive drum 38, and a toner image is formed by an electrophotographic method.
[0019]
Feed trays 43 and 44 are provided below the main body housing 22 so as to be drawable. The sheets in the sheet feed trays 43 and 44 are fed one by one by the feed rollers 45 and 46, and are fed to the photosensitive drum 38 through the transport roller pair 47 and the registration roller pair 48. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 38 is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 41, and the toner image transferred onto the sheet is fixed by the fixing roller pair 49 and discharged to the sheet discharge tray 50.
[0020]
The automatic document feeder 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to a scanner 51 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 52 denotes a main body housing of the scanner 51, and an optical system 53 is provided in the main body housing 52. The configuration of the optical system 53 is substantially the same as that of the optical system 30 in the digital copying machine 21 described with reference to FIG.
An upper surface 54 of the main body housing 52 is a document reading table (platen glass plate), to which the automatic document feeder 20 is attached so as to be opened and closed. The configuration of the automatic document feeder 20 is the same as that of the document feeder mounted on the digital copying machine 21 described with reference to FIG. That is, the automatic document feeder 20 includes a transport unit 24.
[0021]
As described above, the automatic document feeder according to the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine, and can also be applied to a scanner.
FIGS. 6 and 7 are external perspective views of a digital copying machine 21 having an automatic document feeder 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the automatic document feeder 20 is closed, and FIG. A state in which the automatic document feeder 20 is opened is shown.
The automatic document feeder 20 includes a transport unit 24 on the left side when viewed from the front. A right upper surface is a document discharge table 62, on which a document setting table 61 is arranged. The documents set on the document setting table 61 are taken into the transport unit 24 one by one, and after the contents are read, they are discharged to the document discharge table 62.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 7, when the automatic document feeder 20 is opened, the reading unit 28 included in the transport unit 24 can be viewed. Elastic bosses 63 and 64 protrude from the rear end and the front end of the reading unit 28, respectively. When the automatic document feeder 20 is closed, the bosses 63 and 64 abut against the reading table 23 of the main body housing 22 and stably position the reading unit 28 at a predetermined position with respect to the reading table 23. .
[0023]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the skeleton member 65 of the automatic document feeder 20. FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the automatic document feeder 20 as viewed from the rear, with the transport unit 24 removed.
The automatic document feeder 20 includes a stay 66 extending in the front-rear direction, a front side plate 67 fixed to the front end of the stay 66, and a rear side plate 68 fixed to the rear end of the stay 66. A main hinge mechanism 69 and a sub-hinge mechanism 70 are attached to the rear side plate 68, and the automatic document feeder 20 can be attached to the digital copying machine 21 and the like so as to be opened and closed by these two hinge mechanisms 69 and 70. ing.
[0024]
As described above, the transport unit 24 includes various rollers and a reading unit, and motors 71 and 72 for driving the various rollers are also incorporated on the rear side. When assembled, the transport unit 24 is connected to the skeleton member 65 so as to be elastically displaceable as will be described later.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are views showing a connection mode between the rear end side of the transport unit 24 and the skeleton member 65, FIG. 9 is a view from the left side, and FIG. 10 is a view from the front side.
[0025]
The stay 66 is a metal member that extends in the front-rear direction in the horizontal direction, and a metal rear plate 68 that projects upward in a direction orthogonal to the stay 66 is fixed to the rear end portion of the stay 66. Metal support ribs 73 and 74 are also provided. The support ribs 73 and 74 protrude rearward of the rear side plate 68. The support ribs 73 and 74 support a metal column 75 extending vertically. The lower part of the column 75 is supported by the support rib 73, and the upper part is supported by the support rib 74.
[0026]
Furthermore, a metal movable plate 76 is provided. The movable plate 76 has a main portion 77 extending in the vertical direction, a connecting piece 78 projecting forward from the upper end, a connecting piece 79 projecting forward from the central portion in the vertical direction, and a mounting portion 80 projecting forward from the lower end. ing. The connecting pieces 78 and 79 are perforated, and the struts 75 pass through the holes. That is, the movable plate 76 can be displaced in the vertical direction while being guided by the support column 75. A coil spring 81 is fitted to the support column 75 between the support rib 74 and the connecting piece 79. Therefore, the movable plate 76 is constantly biased downward by the coil spring 81, and the movable plate 76 can be displaced upward against the elasticity of the coil spring 81.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 10, two sets of the structure having the support column 75 and the coil spring 81 are provided in the left-right direction.
The conveyance unit 24 indicated by a broken line is screwed to the attachment portion 80 at the rear portion thereof. Therefore, the rear end side of the transport unit 24 is attached to the frame member 65 including the stay 66 and the rear side plate 68 via the movable plate 76 so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction.
11, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a connection structure for connecting the front side of the transport unit 24 to the frame member 65, 11 is drawing, FIG. 12 as viewed from the rear side is a view from the left side. The stay 66 extends horizontally in the front-rear direction, and a metal front plate 67 that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the stay 66 and extends in the left-right direction is fixed to the front end thereof. The front plate 67 is provided with a pair of support pieces 82 projecting forward at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction, and a shaft 84 extending horizontally in the left-right direction is formed so as to penetrate between the support pieces 82. Has been. A metal swing plate 85 is held by the shaft 84. The lower part of the swinging plate 85 can swing back and forth around the shaft 84. An attachment portion 86 is provided at the lower end of the swing plate 85, and the front end portion of the transport unit 24 is screwed to the attachment portion 86. Accordingly, the front end portion of the transport unit 24 fixed to the swing plate 85 can be displaced within a predetermined range in the front-rear direction.
[0028]
The swing plate 85 is also provided with a mounting position adjusting screw 87. The screw 87 passes through a pair of support pieces 88 projecting forward from the swing plate 85. On the other hand, a connecting L bracket 90 is fixed to the front end of the transport unit 24. The L metal piece 90 is provided with a receiving piece 91 protruding forward. In addition, a long hole 92 that is long in the left-right direction is formed in the L metal fitting 90, which is necessary when screwed to the mounting portion 86. A screw 93 is fitted from below so as to pass through the long hole 92, and the screw 93 is screwed to the attachment portion 86, whereby the L metal fitting 90, that is, the front end portion of the transport unit 24 is attached to the swing plate 85. . At this time, the tip of the screw 87 pushes the receiving piece 91 by operating the attachment position adjusting screw 87 with the screw 93 slightly loosened. Thereby, the position of the left-right direction of L metal fitting 90 and rocking board 85 can be adjusted finely.
[0029]
FIGS. 13 and 14 are illustrative views for explaining the operational effects of the attachment structure of the transport unit 24 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the rear portion of the transport unit 24 can be elastically displaced up and down with respect to the skeleton member 65. Further, the front portion of the transport unit 24 can be displaced in the front-rear direction. For this reason, even if the skeleton member 65 is bent, the positional relationship between the transport unit 24 and the upper surface 23 which is the document reading table does not shift.
[0030]
In particular, when the automatic document feeder 20 is closed on the reading table 23, the conveyance unit is positioned on the contact glass with reference to the rear end of the conveyance unit 24. The transport unit 24 can be arranged at a position in the direction.
Further, by adjusting the attachment position adjusting screw 87 (see FIGS. 11 and 12), the position of the front portion of the transport unit 24 can be adjusted in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. Therefore, since the position adjustment after the transport unit 24 is attached to the skeleton member 65 can be performed, the transport unit 24 can always be kept at an optimal position for document transport.
[0031]
FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the relationship between the skeleton member 65 and the transport unit 24. In FIG. 15, 66 is a stay, 67 is a front side plate, and 68 is a rear side plate, and these form a skeleton member 65. Reference numeral 24 shown by a broken line is a transport unit, 75 is a column, 84 is a shaft, 85 is a swing plate, and 87 is an attachment position adjusting screw. In the above embodiment, in the mounting structure of the transport unit 24 to the skeleton member, the rear part of the transport unit extending in the front-rear direction is connected to the skeleton member so as to be elastically displaceable in the vertical direction, and the front part is swung in the front-rear direction. An example of possible mounting is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, both the rear part and the front part of the transport unit may be attached to the skeleton member in a state that can be elastically displaced in the vertical direction.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a document transport path in an automatic document feeder.
FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a skeleton of the automatic document feeder in FIG. 1;
3 is a side sectional view of the automatic document feeder in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a digital copying machine having an automatic document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front side.
FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of a scanner equipped with an automatic document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front side.
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of an external appearance of a digital copying machine having an automatic document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an external appearance of a digital copying machine having an automatic document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a configuration of a skeleton member of the automatic document feeder according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a connection mode between the rear end side of the transport unit and the skeleton member.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a connection mode between the rear end side of the transport unit and the skeleton member.
FIG. 11 is a view showing a connection structure for connecting the front side of the transport unit to the skeleton member.
FIG. 12 is a view showing a connection structure for connecting the front side of the transport unit to the skeleton member.
FIG. 13 is an illustrative view for explaining the function and effect of the transport unit mounting structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an illustrative view for describing the operation and effect of the transport unit mounting structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a relationship between a skeleton member and a transport unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 Automatic document feeder 21 Digital copying machine 23, 54 Upper surface (reading table)
24 transport unit 25 forward feed roller 26 paper feed roller pair 27 registration roller pair 28 reading unit 29 discharge roller pair 51 scanner 65 frame member 66 stay 67 front side plate 68 rear side plate 69 main hinge mechanism 70 sub hinge mechanism 75 column 76 movable plate 78 Connecting piece 79 Mounting portion 81 Coil spring 84 Shaft 85 Oscillating plate 87 Mounting position adjusting screw

Claims (7)

A skeleton-forming member that forms the skeleton of the device;
A transport unit in which rollers for document transport such as a forward feed roller, a paper feed roller, a registration roller, and a discharge roller are incorporated into a unit;
Seen including a connecting means displaceably connecting the transport unit within a predetermined range, the relative scaffolding member,
The connecting means includes a front connecting means and a rear connecting means, and the front end and the rear end of the transport unit are connected to the skeleton forming member by the front connecting means and the rear connecting means, respectively.
The front connecting means connects the front end of the transport unit to the skeleton forming member so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction,
The rear connecting means connects the rear end of the transport unit to the skeleton forming member so as to be vertically displaceable .   The skeleton forming member includes a stay extending in the front-rear direction of the apparatus, a front plate fixed to the front end of the stay and extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the stay extends, and a direction fixed to the rear end of the stay in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the stay extends. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, further comprising a rear side plate projecting on the back side. Axes of the rollers incorporated in the transport unit is characterized in Tei Rukoto extending in a direction (longitudinal direction) of extension of the stay, an automatic document feeder according to claim 2, wherein. Rear coupling means resiliently urges the rear end of the transport unit downward, the rear end of the conveying unit against its elastic force, characterized in that the coupling to be displaceable upward claim 3, wherein Automatic document feeder. 5. The automatic document feeder according to claim 4 , wherein the front connection means includes a fine adjustment mechanism for finely adjusting the connection position of the front end of the connection unit to the skeleton forming member to the left and right.   2. The automatic document feed according to claim 1, wherein a hinge mechanism is further provided at a rear portion of the skeleton forming member, and the apparatus can be attached to an image forming apparatus, a scanner, or the like through the hinge mechanism so as to be opened and closed. apparatus. A metal skeleton-forming member that extends in the front-rear direction of the device and forms the skeleton of the device;
A transport unit in which a roller for transporting a document such as a forward feed roller having a shaft extending in the front-rear direction, a paper feed roller, a registration roller, and a discharge roller is incorporated and unitized;
Connecting means for connecting the front end of the transport unit to the skeleton forming member so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction, and the rear end of the transport unit being elastically connected to the skeleton forming member in the vertical direction. automatic document feeder you wherein a.

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