JP3730430B2 - Scan unit mounting structure - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mounting structure for a scanning unit that scans an image while being driven by a driving mechanism.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a light source and a mirror are attached and a first scanning unit that travels in parallel with a document to be read and two mirrors are attached and are ½ of the first scanning unit. And a second scanning unit that travels at a speed of 5 mm.
[0003]
As such a mounting structure of the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit, a rod extending in the traveling direction of these scanning units is provided, and a slide provided with a bearing on the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit. A moving hole is formed, and a rod is inserted into the sliding hole.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, the work of attaching the scanning unit to the rod is complicated, and the assembling work of the image forming apparatus is troublesome.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a scanning unit mounting structure that simplifies the mounting structure of the scanning unit to the guide member and can be easily mounted to the guide member of the scanning unit without trouble. .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The mounting structure of the scanning unit according to the first aspect of the invention includes a scanning unit that travels in a predetermined direction for image reading, and both sides of the scanning unit that extend along the traveling direction of the scanning unit and are orthogonal to the traveling direction. A pair of guide members arranged in parallel, a sliding contact member attached to the scanning unit and slidably contacting the upper surface of the guide member, and slidable on the upper surface of at least one of the guide members The V-shaped slidable contact surface portion formed at the slidable contact portion of the slidable contact member and the slidable contact member formed with the V-shaped slidable contact surface slidably contact the side surface portion of the guide member. And a plane portion .
[0007]
Therefore, the scanning unit can be attached to the guide member only by placing the scanning member so that the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion of the sliding contact member is fitted to the upper surface portion of the guide member. It becomes simple and can be easily attached without taking time and effort. Moreover, the V-shaped slidable contact surface portion formed on the slidable contact member is fitted to the upper surface portion of the guide member, so that the scanning unit runs smoothly along the guide member. In addition, since the flat portion formed on the sliding contact member slidably contacts the side surface portion of the guide member, the scanning unit is prevented from falling off the guide member due to an impact during transportation. Further, the flat portion formed on the sliding contact member can be used for positioning when the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion is fitted to the guide member, so that the scanning unit can be more easily attached to the guide member.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the invention of claim 1 Symbol placement, sliding contact portions of the slidably the sliding member abutting is a planar sliding surface on the other of said guide member.
[0011]
Therefore, when the scanning unit is driven, the sliding contact member having the planar sliding contact surface portion slidably contacted with the guide member is driven by the movement of the sliding contact member that slides with the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion fitted to the guide member. Therefore, the scanning unit travels smoothly without chatter or rattling when the scanning unit travels.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a first scanning unit and a second scanning unit that travel at a speed of 2: 1 are provided as the scanning unit, and these first scanning units are provided. And a second scanning unit are stretched between a pair of pulleys attached to the second scanning unit, one part is fixed to the base member, and the first scanning unit is fixed to the other part. Connected by a belt.
[0013]
Accordingly, the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit are connected by the loop belt, and the structure for mounting the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit to the guide member is described in claims 1 to 3. Even if it is as simple as being placed in this manner, the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit are prevented from being displaced when subjected to vibration or impact, and the accuracy of image reading is stabilized.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal front view showing an outline of the overall structure of the copying machine. A photoconductor 2 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the main body case 1, and the photoconductor 2 is read around by a charger 3 that uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor 2 and an image reading mechanism described later. A developing device 4 that visualizes the electrostatic latent image written on the surface of the photoreceptor 2 as a toner image, and a transfer device that transfers the visualized toner image to the paper 6 fed from the paper feed cassette 5. 7, a separator 8 that separates the paper 6 on which the toner image has been transferred from the photoreceptor 2, a cleaner 9 that removes residual toner attached to the surface of the photoreceptor 2, and the like. The toner image transferred to the paper 6 is fixed by the fixing device 10, and the paper 6 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 11.
[0015]
An image reading case 12 is fixed to the upper portion of the main body case 1, and a contact glass 13 on which an original is placed is attached to the upper end portion of the image reading case 12. In the image reading case 12, an image reading mechanism 14 that reads an image of a document placed on the contact glass 13 is provided. The image reading mechanism 14 includes a first scanning unit 15 that is a scanning unit, a second scanning unit 16 that is a scanning unit, and a drive motor (not shown) that causes the first scanning unit 15 and the second scanning unit 16 to travel in a predetermined direction. Etc.).
[0016]
A columnar light source 17 that irradiates the original on the contact glass 13 and a mirror 18 that reflects reflected light from the original are attached to the first scanning unit 15. The second scanning unit 16 is provided with mirrors 19 and 20 that further reflect the reflected light reflected by the mirror 18. The reflected light reflected by the mirrors 18, 19, and 20 is reflected by the mirror 22 after passing through the imaging lens 21, and the surface of the photoreceptor 2 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an attachment structure between the first scanning unit 15 and the second scanning unit 16. In the image reading case 12, a pair of guide members are arranged in parallel to both sides in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction, extending along the traveling direction of the first scanning unit 15 and the second scanning unit 16. . One guide member is a linear ball rolling slide rail 23 having a substantially C-shaped cross section, and the other guide member is a slide rail 24 having a substantially U-shaped cross section. The first scanning unit 15 and the second scanning unit 16 are connected by a differential device described later, and travel in the same direction at a speed of 2: 1.
[0018]
The side facing the linear ball rolling slide rail 23 in the first scanning unit 15 is slidably attached to the linear ball rolling slide rail 23. A slidable shoe (not shown) is fixed to the side of the first scanning unit 15 facing the slide rail 24, and this shoe slidably slides on the first upper surface portion 24 a of the slide rail 24. It is touched. A power transmission belt (not shown) driven by a drive motor is connected to the first scanning unit 15, and the first scanning unit 15 moves along with the linear ball rolling slide rail 23 and the slide rail 24 as the drive motor is driven. Reciprocally slides along the extending direction.
[0019]
A pair of shoes 25 and 26 that are sliding contact members are bonded and fixed to the side of the second scanning unit 16 facing the linear ball rolling slide rail 23. A V-shaped slidable contact surface portion 27 is formed on the lower surfaces of the shoes 25 and 26, and the V-shaped slidable contact surface portion 27 is fitted to the upper surface portion 23 a of the linear ball rolling slide rail 23. Further, the shoes 25 and 26 are formed with a flat surface portion 28 slidably contacting the side surface portion 23 b of the linear ball rolling slide rail 23.
[0020]
A shoe 29 that is a sliding contact member is bonded and fixed to the side of the second scanning unit 16 that faces the slide rail 24. A planar sliding contact surface portion 30 is formed on the lower surface of the shoe 29, and the planar sliding contact surface portion 30 is slidably contacted with the second upper surface portion 24b of the slide rail 24.
[0021]
Inside the linear ball rolling slide rail 23 are arranged inside the linear ball rolling slide rail 23, and a plurality of balls 31 that are movable in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the linear ball rolling slide rail 23. An inner rail 32 that holds these balls 31 in a rotatable manner and is movable along the longitudinal direction of the linear ball rolling slide rail 23, and a linear ball rolling slide that is disposed inside the inner rail 32 and is in sliding contact with the balls 31. An inner member (not shown) that is movable along the longitudinal direction of the rail 23 is disposed. These linear ball rolling slide rail 23, ball 31, inner rail 32, inner member, and the like are used to connect the first scanning unit 15 and the first scanning unit 15. To run the 2 scanning unit 16 at a speed of 2: 1 Differential device is constructed. The first scanning unit 15 and the power transmission belt are fixed to the inner member, and the second scanning unit 16 is fixed to the inner rail 32 via a bracket 33 with screws 34.
[0022]
In such a configuration, the second scanning unit 16 is attached to the linear ball rolling slide rail 23 and the slide rail 24 by inserting the shoe 29 side of the second scanning unit 16 into the slide rail 24, and then the second scanning unit 16. This is done by lowering the shoes 25 and 26 side of the scanning unit 16 from above. Thereby, the planar sliding contact surface portion 30 of the shoe 29 is slidably contacted with the second upper surface portion 24 b of the slide rail 24, and the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion 27 of the shoes 25, 26 is contacted with the upper surface portion 23 b of the linear ball rolling slide rail 23. At the same time, the flat portions 28 of the shoes 25 and 26 come into contact with the side surface portion 23 b of the linear ball rolling slide rail 23. Finally, the second scanning unit 16 is fixed to the bracket 33 with the screw 34.
[0023]
Therefore, the mounting structure of the second scanning unit 16 to the linear ball rolling slide rail 23 and the slide rail 24 is simplified, and can be easily mounted without taking time and effort. Moreover, the flat surface portion 28 formed on the shoes 25 and 26 can be used for positioning when the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion 27 is fitted to the upper surface portion 23a of the linear ball rolling slide rail 23. Installation can be made even easier.
[0024]
After the second scanning unit 16 is attached, the first scanning unit 15 is attached to the linear ball rolling slide rail 23 and the slide rail 24, and a power transmission belt is connected to the first scanning unit 15 to connect the first scanning unit 15 to the first scanning unit 15. The document is scanned with the second scanning unit 16.
[0025]
Regarding the running of the second scanning unit 16, the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion 27 formed on the shoes 25, 26 slides while being in sliding contact with the upper surface portion 23 a of the linear ball rolling slide rail 23. The vehicle travels smoothly along the slide rail 23.
[0026]
Further, when the second scanning unit 16 is running, the flat sliding contact surface portion 30 of the shoe 29 is slid by fitting the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion 27 to the linear ball rolling slide rail 23 and sliding. The second scanning unit 16 travels smoothly without chattering or rattling.
[0027]
Since the flat portion 28 formed on the shoes 25 and 26 is in contact with the side surface portion 23b of the linear ball rolling slide rail 23, even if various impacts occur on the copying machine, for example, impact during transportation, etc. The second scanning unit 16 is prevented from falling off the linear ball rolling slide rail 23.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, the case where the shoes 25 and 26 having the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion 27 and the flat surface portion 28 are provided only in the second scanning unit 16 has been described as an example. The first scanning unit 15 may be provided. Thereby, the mounting structure of the first scanning unit 15 is simplified, and the first scanning unit 15 can be easily mounted in an effort.
[0029]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same part as the part demonstrated in FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 5 is shown with the same code | symbol, and description is also abbreviate | omitted. In the present embodiment, the details of the differential device for causing the first scanning unit 15 and the second scanning unit 16 to travel at a speed of 2: 1 and the case where vibration or impact is applied during transportation, etc. A mechanism for preventing the displacement of the first scanning unit 15 and the second scanning unit 16 will be described. In order to facilitate the mounting of the second scanning unit 16, a V-shaped sliding contact surface portion 27 and a flat surface portion 28 are described. The use of the shoes 25 and 26 formed with is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0030]
As described in the first embodiment, a plurality of balls 31, an inner rail 32, and an inner rail 32 are disposed inside the linear ball rolling slide rail 23 while being in sliding contact with the balls 31. An inner member 35 that is movable along the longitudinal direction of the linear ball rolling slide rail 23 is disposed. The linear ball rolling slide rail 23, the ball 31, the inner rail 32, the inner member 35, and the like are connected to the first scanning unit 15. A differential device is configured to cause the second scanning unit 16 to travel at a speed of 2: 1. A bracket 36 is fixed to the inner member 35, and one end of the first scanning unit 15 and a power transmission belt 37 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) connected to a drive motor are fixed to the bracket 36. A bracket 33 is fixed to the inner rail 32, and the second scanning unit 16 is fixed to the bracket 33 with a screw 34.
[0031]
A pair of pulleys 38 and 39 are attached to one side of the second scanning unit 16 where the shoes 25 and 26 are attached, and a loop belt 40 is stretched between the pulleys 38 and 39. ing. One part of the loop belt 40 is clamped and fixed to a protrusion 41 that is a base member provided upright on the image reading case 12, and the other part of the loop belt 39 is clamped and fixed to the first scanning unit 15. Has been. Here, the loop belt 40 having such a structure functions as a differential device that causes the first scanning unit 15 and the second scanning unit 16 to travel at a speed of 2: 1, and the first scanning unit 15 and the second scanning unit 16 are connected to each other. It has a function of preventing positional deviation from the two scanning units 16.
[0032]
In such a configuration, in order to run the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit at a speed of 2: 1, a loop belt 40 is used in addition to the differential device including the ball 31 and the inner rail 32. By providing the differential device, the accuracy of running the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit at a speed of 2: 1 is increased, and the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit can be operated even when subjected to vibrations or shocks when transporting the copying machine. The first scanning unit 15 and the second scanning unit 16 are not displaced and the accuracy of image reading is stabilized.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, the case where the differential device including the ball 31 and the inner rail 32 and the differential device using the loop belt 40 is used has been described. In place of the differential device, a mechanism capable of smoothly moving the first scanning unit 15 and the second scanning unit 16 in the direction of the guide members (the linear ball rolling slide rail 23 and the slide rail 24) may be provided. Good.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the V-shaped slidable contact surface portion that is fitted to the upper surface portion of the guide member is formed on the slidable contact member that is attached to the scanning unit and slidably contacts the guide member. It is only necessary to mount the unit to the guide member so that the V-shaped slidable contact surface portion of the slidable contact member is fitted to the upper surface portion of the guide member, and the structure of the guide member of the scanning unit is simplified. And can be easily mounted without taking time and effort. In addition, since the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion formed on the sliding contact member is fitted to the upper surface portion of the guide member, the scanning unit can be smoothly run along the guide member, and the image scanning performance is improved. Can do. In addition, since the sliding contact member formed with the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion is formed with a flat surface portion slidably contacting the side surface portion of the guide member, the flat surface portion is slidable on the side surface portion of the guide member. By abutting, it is possible to prevent the scanning unit from falling off the guide member due to an impact during transportation. Furthermore, the flat portion can be used for positioning when the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion is fitted to the guide member, and the scanning unit can be more easily attached to the guide member.
[0036]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first SL placement since sliding contact portion of the slidably contacting the sliding contact member to the other guide member is a planar sliding surface, scanning When the unit is driven, the sliding contact member having the planar sliding contact surface portion slidably contacted with the guide member only follows the movement of the sliding contact member that slides with the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion fitted to the guide member. Thus, the scanning unit can be smoothly run without chattering or rattling when the scanning unit is running.
[0037]
According to the invention described in claim 3, in the invention described in claim 2 or 2, the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit that travel at a speed of 2: 1 are provided as the scanning units, and these first scanning units are provided. And the second scanning unit are stretched between a pair of pulleys attached to the second scanning unit, one place is fixed to the base member, and the first scanning unit is fixed to the other place. Since they are connected by a belt, even if the mounting structure of the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit to the guide member is simple as described in the first or second aspect , Even when subjected to vibration or impact during transportation, the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit can be prevented from being displaced, and the accuracy of image reading can be stabilized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal front view showing an outline of the overall structure of a copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a mounting structure between a first scanning unit and a second scanning unit.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second scanning unit.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a mounting structure of a second scanning unit.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a shoe in which a V-shaped sliding contact surface portion is formed.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a second scanning unit mounting structure and a differential device composed of a ball, an inner rail, and the like in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a differential device including a ball and an inner rail.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a differential using a loop belt.
[Explanation of symbols]
15 Scanning unit, 1st scanning unit 16 Scanning unit, 2nd scanning unit 23 One guide member 23a Upper surface part 23b Side surface part 24 Other guide member 24b Upper surface part 25, 26 Sliding contact member 27 V-shaped sliding contact surface part 28 Flat surface part 29 Sliding contact member 30 Flat sliding contact surface portions 38, 39 Pulley 40 Loop belt 41 Base member

Claims (3)

A scanning unit that travels in a predetermined direction for image reading;
A pair of guide members extending along the traveling direction of the scanning unit and arranged in parallel on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction;
A sliding contact member attached to the scanning unit and slidably contacting the upper surface of the guide member;
A V-shaped slidable contact surface portion formed at a slidable contact portion of the slidable contact member slidably contacting the upper surface portion of at least one of the guide members;
A flat surface portion that slidably contacts the side surface portion of the guide member on the sliding contact member on which the V-shaped sliding contact surface portion is formed;
A mounting structure of a scanning unit having The other of said guide member slidably abutting to the mounting structure of the sliding member sliding portions scanning unit mounting according to claim 1 Symbol is a planar sliding surface portion of. As the scanning unit, a first scanning unit and a second scanning unit that travel at a speed of 2: 1 are provided, and the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit are attached to the second scanning unit. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first scanning unit is connected to a loop belt that is stretched between the pulleys, fixed at one position to the base member, and fixed at the other position. Mounting structure for the scanning unit.

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