JP3991445B2 - Image input device having document feeder - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a flatbed type image input apparatus that reads and digitizes image information from original paper or the like, and more particularly, to an image input apparatus provided with an original feeding device that can automatically feed and continuously process original paper.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Flatbed scanners that can be used relatively easily are widely used as scanners that read image information from paper or other recording media. This flat bed type scanner basically includes a scanning module using an optical system inside the bed, and a document table and its cover arranged facing the scanning module. Then, instead of manually placing the sheets one by one on the document table, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as “ADF”) for automatically feeding a large number of sheets one by one is attached. Things have already been developed.
[0003]
FIG. 11 is a side view schematically showing a flatbed scanner provided with a conventional ADF.
[0004]
(A) of the figure is provided with a document table 51a on the upper surface of a bed 51 incorporating an optical scanning module, and an ADF 52 is disposed on the upper surface of one end of the bed 51. This is an example in which the covering document cover 53 is provided so that it can be opened and closed vertically. FIG. 6B shows a configuration in which a sheet feeding unit cover 55, in which an ADF 55a and a document cover 55b are integrated, is provided on a bed 54 having a document table 54a disposed on the upper surface so as to be opened and closed freely. is there.
[0005]
In such a scanner including the ADFs 52 and 55a, scanning that reads a document on the document tables 51a and 54a by a scanning module built in the beds 51 and 54, and a scanning system for the ADFs 52a and 55a are generally provided. is there. When images are read from both sides of a document automatically fed from the ADFs 52a and 55a, the scanning system and the scanning modules in the beds 51 and 54 cooperate to read the image simultaneously with the automatic feeding. .
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in FIG. 6A, the document cover 53 is free from the ADF 52 and can be opened and closed easily, while the bed 51 places the ADF 51 at a position where it does not interfere with the document table 51a on which the document is placed. This is one design constraint. That is, since the document table 51a occupies a planar area corresponding to the prescribed size of A size paper, for example, it is necessary to provide the ADF 52 at a position off the document table 51a. Therefore, the bed 51 has a size including the total plane area of the document table 51a and the ADF 52, and is poor in adaptability to the downsizing of the apparatus.
[0007]
On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 5B, if the scanning module in the bed 54 can be positioned to the lower part of the ADF 55a, not only scanning of the document on the document table 54a but also automatic feeding from the ADF 55a. You can also read the manuscripts that are printed. Even when the ADF 55a is arranged so as to overlap the end of the document table 54a, the document on the document table 54a can be scanned. Therefore, a part of the ADF 55a can be placed on the document table 54a, and the entire bed 54 can be made compact as compared with the configuration shown in FIG.
[0008]
As described above, regarding the downsizing of the bed, it is preferable to use the paper feed unit cover 55 in which the ADF 55a and the document cover 55b are integrated.
[0009]
However, in the operation of inserting / removing documents one by one on the document table 54a, the burden of opening and closing the document cover 55b increases. This is because the ADF 55a is integrated with the base end side of the document cover 55b, so that the weight of the ADF 55a is added. Since the ADF 55a includes a motor for feeding original paper and a large number of roll trains, the overall weight is large, and the paper feeding unit cover 55 is continuously opened and closed for reading a large number of originals. Entails a considerable burden.
[0010]
As described above, when the document cover 53 and the ADF 52 are separated, the opening / closing operation of the document cover 53 is easy, but it is difficult to reduce the size of the bed 51. In the case where the ADF 55a and the document cover 55b are integrated, conversely, although miniaturization is promoted, in the case of manual feeding using the document table 54a, the usability is poor.
[0011]
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image input device that allows the document cover and the ADF to have an interlocking relationship so that only the document cover can be easily opened and closed simultaneously with the downsizing of the bed.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image input apparatus comprising the document feeder of the present invention includes a bed incorporating image reading means that is movable between the entire area of the document table provided on the upper surface and an area outside the document table in the scanning direction; A document cover that is openably and closably connected to the bed with a rotation fulcrum in a region outside the document table, and that covers the entire area of the document table, is arranged on the rotation fulcrum side of the document cover, and has a sheet of paper. A document feeding device that automatically feeds as a path along the reading means, the document feeding device is connected to the bed so as to be openable and closable in the same direction as the document cover, and both between the document cover and the document feeding device. the made to have only the opening and closing operation possible relationships the document cover, leaving the position open the document processor when closing and rotates integrally when opening, said image reading means the There is movement range to the lower part of the draft feeder, and characterized by being connected freely independently rotated by the respective base end common hinge axis of the document feeder and the document cover.
[0013]
According to this configuration, since the document feeder can be arranged on the document cover in an overlapping manner, the entire apparatus can be reduced in size, and when handling paper manually, only the document cover needs to be opened and closed while the document feeder is upright. , Work load can be reduced.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bed incorporating image reading means that can move between the entire area of the document table provided on the upper surface and an area outside the document table in the scanning direction; A document cover that is openably and closably connected to the bed with a pivotal fulcrum in the area and covers the entire area of the original platen, and is superposed on the pivotal fulcrum side of the original cover, and the paper is aligned with the image reading means. A document feeding device that automatically feeds as a path, the document feeding device is connected to the bed so as to be openable and closable in the same direction as the document cover, and when both are opened between the document cover and the document feeding device when the to and closing rotates integrally to have only the opening and closing operation possible relationships the document cover, leaving the position open the document feeder, the image reading means below the original feeding apparatus There is movement range until the are those of the respective base end of the document cover and the document feeder formed by connecting freely independently rotated by a common hinge axis, miniaturization of the image input apparatus with attained In the manual feeding operation, only the document cover needs to be opened and closed.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, between the upper surface of the document cover and the lower surface of the document feeding device superimposed on the document cover, the document cover and the document feeding device are joined together by overlapping each other and the document cover is attached. 2. An image input device comprising an original feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising an attaching / detaching mechanism capable of performing a separation operation by pulling away in the closing direction, and combining and separating them using the overlapping surface of the original cover and the original feeding device. Therefore, the attachment / detachment mechanism is also accommodated in the bulk of the entire apparatus, and has an effect of contributing to downsizing of the apparatus.
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the attachment / detachment mechanism includes a stator provided on the document cover side and protruding an engagement head toward the lower surface side of the document feeder, and the document feeder provided on the document feeder side. 3. An image input device comprising a document feeding device according to claim 2, comprising a receiver having a clamper that elastically allows the engagement head to be inserted and removed, and has a structure in which, for example, the clamper is elastically opened and closed. For example, the tolerance of the positional relationship for the immersion of the engaging head can be increased.
[0017]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the document feeder and the bed are connected by a link mechanism that moves up and down in conjunction with opening and closing of the document feeder around the rotation fulcrum. 2. An operation including a top dead center for raising the document feeder to its maximum opening and a lock point for restricting the document feeder to a standing posture at an opening smaller than the top dead center. 3 is an image input device including the document feeder according to any one of the items 3 and can be unlocked and the document feeder can be closed by rotating the document feeder from the lock position where the document feeder is raised to the top dead center. It has the action.
[0019]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of an image input apparatus provided with the automatic document feeder of the present invention.
[0020]
In FIG. 1, the image input apparatus comprises a bed 1 in which a scanning module of an optical system is built so as to be movable in the scanning direction, a document cover 2 placed on the upper surface, and a document feeder 3 for supplying paper. Has been. As described in the section of the prior art, the document feeder 3 is an ADF having a function of automatically supplying sheets one by one to the image reading unit.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1B, a document table 1b is arranged on the upper surface of the bed 1 from a portion slightly overlapping the end of the document feeder 3 to the end of the front operation panel 1a. A scanning module 1c (see FIG. 2) that moves to the lower part of the document feeder 3 including the entire area of the document table 1b is incorporated. The scanning module 1c is a well-known one that is also used in a conventional image input device, and has an optical image reading function. Then, the image signal of the original read by the scanning module 1c is processed by an image processing unit or the like and stored in the memory.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1B, the document cover 2 and the document feeder 3 are connected to one end side of the bed 1 so that they can be opened and closed together, and when opened upward, Open the whole. When the document cover 2 and the document feeding device 3 are opened and set in the standing posture, the document feeding device 3 is constrained to the standing posture while the document cover 2 can be freely opened and closed. FIG. 1B shows a state where the document cover 2 and the document feeder 3 are rotated to the maximum angle.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a main part showing a paper supply system and an image reading system of the document feeder 3.
[0024]
In the state shown in the figure, the document cover 2 and the document feeder 3 are both in a closed posture. At this time, the scanning module 1c inside the bed 1 is detached from the document table 1b and moved to a portion directly below the document feeder 3. ing. The document feeder 3 is provided with a roller group 3b for projecting the tray 3a for loading paper to the front and passing the paper inside. In order to read images on both sides of the original paper at the same time, a contact sensor 3c for reading an image may be provided at a position opposite to the scanning module 1c across the paper path.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a left side view of the state shown in FIG. 1 when the document cover 2 and the document feeder 3 are both closed.
[0026]
When the document cover 2 and the document feeder 3 are closed, as shown in FIG. 2, the scanning module 1c is detached from the document table 1b and moved to a portion directly below the document feeder 3 and stopped. Then, the document feeder 3 pulls sheets one by one from the tray 3a by the roller group 3b in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the scanning module 1c reads images continuously while the pulled sheets move, The sheet is discharged onto the upper surface of the document cover 2. Further, the image on the back side of the sheet is also simultaneously read by the contact sensor 3c.
[0027]
FIG. 4 shows a state where the document feeder 3 is held in an upright position and the document cover 2 can be freely opened and closed up and down. At this time, the scanning module 1c in the bed 1 is returned to a state in which scanning can be performed while moving the document table 1a portion. Then, after opening the document cover 2 and manually setting the document on the document table 1b, the document cover 2 is closed and the switch on the operation panel 1a is operated, whereby the image of the document is read by the scanning module 1c.
[0028]
In the present invention, when reading an image by manual feed shown in FIG. 4, only the document cover 2 is opened and closed, and the document feeder 3 is kept standing to reduce the work load due to its weight. It is a thing. The principal parts of the mechanism for enabling the operation of the document cover 2 and the document feeder 3 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively.
[0029]
In FIG. 4, a hinge shaft 4 is provided at one end of the bed 1 so that the document cover 2 and the base end of the document feeder 3 are independently connected to each other. In other words, the document cover 2 is connected to the base end of the document cover 2 by extrapolating it around the hinge shaft 4. Connected as possible. An attachment / detachment mechanism is provided between the document cover 2 and the document feeding device 3 so as to be connected to rotate them together and to freely open and close only the document cover 2.
[0030]
This attachment / detachment mechanism is a combination of a stator 6 attached to the document cover 2 and a receiver 7 disposed on the frame 5 of the document feeder 3, and both left and right ends of the document cover 2 and the document feeder 3. The pair of frames 5 are connected to each other through the stator 6 and the receiver 7. The stator 6 includes an engagement head 6a having a rhombic profile toward the receiver 7, and the receiver 7 is provided with two clampers 7a that sandwich the engagement head 6a. These clampers 7a can be restrained by sandwiching the engaging head 6a by a spring (not shown) provided in the receiver 7. FIG. 10 shows details of the stator 6 and the receiving piece 7.
[0031]
Further, the document feeder 3 and the bed 1 are connected to a link rod 8 for locking only the document feeder 3 in the standing posture when the document feeder 3 is erected integrally with the document cover 2. The link rods 8 are arranged either on the left or right or a pair on the left or right when the frame 5 and the document cover 2 are viewed from the front. FIG. FIG. 6 shows details of the link rod 8 arranged on the right side.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 6, the link rod 8 has a substantially J-shaped shape with its lower end side gently bent, and a support shaft 8a is provided on the lower end side so as to be pivotably connected to the bed 1. A slit 8b is incised on the upper end side. Then, a protruding stopper 8c is provided at a portion that is on the tip side of the slit 8b and deviated to the left side, and guide ribs 8d and 8e having different lengths are raised on both sides of the portion along the slit 8b. In addition, the link rod of the left arrangement may be configured such that each of the support shaft, the stopper, and the guide rib protrudes to the opposite side with the posture shown in FIG.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 5, the link rod 8 is connected to the bed 1 via an auxiliary link 1f to a flange 1e raised from a beam 1d provided on the bed 1. That is, the base end of the auxiliary link 1f is rotatably attached to the upper end of the flange 1e, and the tip of the auxiliary link 1f is rotatably connected to the support shaft 8a. When the document feeder 3 is in a closed posture, the link rod 8 is substantially horizontal. Take a posture close to.
[0034]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6A, the link rod 8 is moved to the frame 5 side through a screw 9 that passes through the slit 8b and a locking rotor 10 that is rotatably inserted around the screw 9. Articulated. The rotor 10 is a rectangular block having a short side that can be inserted between the guide ribs 8d and 8e of the link rod 8, and has a substantially V-shaped engagement with the short side facing each other as shown in FIG. The groove 10a, 10b is formed.
[0035]
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the behavior of the rotor 10 with respect to the link rod 8 when the document feeder 3 is erected.
[0036]
When the document feeder 3 is raised, the link rod 8 changes its posture around the support shaft 8a, and at the same time, the rotor 8 comes out of the guide ribs 8d and 8d and reaches the stopper 8c (see FIG. (A), (b)). Since the stopper 8c is positioned on the left side with respect to the engaging groove 10b, when the rotor 10 hits the stopper 8c and reaches the top dead center, the engaging groove 10b follows the stopper 8c, and the same figure. Change posture as shown in (c). At this time, the frame 5 reaches the stroke end with respect to the link rod 8, and the document feeder 3 rotates to its maximum rotation angle, that is, the top dead center. When the acting force for raising the document feeder 3 is eliminated, the document feeder 3 is rotated in the closing direction by its own weight. As a result, the engagement groove 10a is hooked on the upper end of the guide rib 8d as shown in FIG. 5C, so that the frame 5 is engaged with the link rod 8 via the rotor 10 and locked. Is held in the standing position shown in FIGS.
[0037]
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the behavior of the rotor 10 with respect to the link rod 8 when the document feeder 3 is tilted from the standing posture.
[0038]
When the document feeder 3 is tilted, the document feeder 3 is opened to the top dead center side in order to unlock the state shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8A, the rotor 10 moves upward and the outer surface of the engagement groove 10b hits the stopper 8c. Therefore, when the rotor 10 changes its posture as shown in FIG. 5B and the document feeder 3 is tilted in this state, the outer surface of the engaging groove 10a is moved as shown in FIG. It strikes against the tip of the guide rib 8d. For this reason, the rotor 10 further rotates, and the engagement grooves 10a and 10b are reversed from the initial state of FIG. 7A and quickly enter the guide ribs 8d and 8e. The position of the continuous contact can be changed.
[0039]
In the above configuration, in the case of image input by automatic paper feeding by the document feeder 3, the document cover 2 and the document feeder 3 are both brought down as shown in FIGS. Thus, in FIG. 2, the sheet is drawn from the tray 3a by the roller group 3b, and in the case of the scanning module 1c and double-sided reading, the image is also read simultaneously by the contact sensor 3c.
[0040]
When manipulating the sheets one by one on the document table 1b, the document cover 2 is lifted and lifted together with the document feeder 9. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7C, the angle at which the document cover 2 can be lifted is an angle at which the engaging groove 10b of the rotor 10 does not move when it abuts against the stopper 8c. That is, since the document reading device 3 is rotated together with the document cover 2, the screw 9 fixed to the frame 5 moves in the slit 8b of the link rod 8, and the link rod 8 is moved as shown in FIG. It gradually stands up from the posture to the posture of FIG. Then, after the engaging groove 10b hits against the stopper 8c, if the force for pulling up the document cover 2 is removed, the document cover 2 and the document feeder 3 are rotated in the closing direction by their own weight, thereby FIG. It is set to the lock state shown in.
[0041]
FIG. 9 shows the posture of the document cover 2 and the document feeder 3 in this locked state. The document cover 2 is moved by the engagement of the stator 6 and the receiver 7 with respect to the locked document feeder 3. It is integrated with the document feeder 3. In this posture, when the front end side of the document cover 2 is pulled down, the engagement head 6a moves downward while opening the clamper 7a, and the engagement between the two is released. Therefore, the document cover 2 is not related to the document feeder 3, and only the document cover 2 can be opened and closed as shown in FIG.
[0042]
As described above, the operation of replacing the paper can be performed by opening and closing only the document cover 2 by simply raising the document feeder 3 to its locked position and making the document cover 2 unrelated to this. . Therefore, it is not necessary to open and close the document cover 2 including the heavy document feeder 3, and even when a large number of sheets are replaced to read an image, the burden on the operator is reduced.
[0043]
When returning to the case where the document reading device 3 is used, the document cover 2 is erected and integrated with the document feeder 3 by the stator 6 and the receiver 7 and then pulled up to the rotation angle of FIG. As a result, the rotor 10 changes its posture from the state shown in FIG. 7D to the state shown in FIG. 8A, and when the document cover 2 is pulled down, the rotor 10 enters the guide ribs 8d and 8e. 5 returns to the closed position.
[0044]
Even if the document cover 2 is not integrated with the document reading device 3, only the document reading device 3 may be raised to the angle shown in FIG. 9 to release the lock between the rotor 10 and the tip of the guide rib 8d. .
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention, since the document feeder is arranged so as to overlap one end side of the document cover, the plane volume occupied by the document cover and the document feeder can be reduced, and the entire apparatus including the bed can be downsized. Further, when handling the paper manually, if the document cover is lifted once together with the document feeding device and the document feeding device is locked in the standing posture, the work can be performed only by opening and closing the document cover, so that the work load is greatly reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an image input apparatus including an automatic document feeder according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing positions of a paper transport system and a bed scanning module of the document feeder. Cut-out left side view of image input device in document feed state [FIG. 4] Cut-out left side view of image input device showing state in which document feed device can be raised and document cover can be opened and closed [FIG. 5] Link to bed FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view and a plan view showing the details of the link rod. FIG. 7 shows the behavior of the rotor relative to the link rod until the document feeder is raised and locked. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the behavior of the rotor relative to the link rod when the document feeder is released from the locked position and tilted. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the document feeder being lifted to lock the document feeder. Schematic view of a main part detail view of the left side view and FIG. 10 the stator and the receiving element of the image input apparatus 11 conventional image input device when is erected to the state [Description of symbols]
1 bed 1a operation panel 1b document table 1c scanning module 1f auxiliary link 2 document cover 3 document feeder 3a tray 3b roller group 3c contact sensor 4 hinge shaft 5 frame 6 stator 6a engagement head 7 receptor 7a clamper 8 link rod 8a Support shaft 8b Slit 8c Stopper 8d, 8e Guide rib 9 Screw 10 Rotor 10a, 10b Engagement groove

Claims (4)

A bed incorporating image reading means that can move between the entire area of the document table provided on the upper surface and an area outside the document table in the scanning direction, and a rotation fulcrum in the area outside the document table A document cover that is connected to the bed so as to be openable and closable and covers the entire area of the document table, and a document feeding device that is arranged on the rotation fulcrum side of the document cover and automatically feeds paper as a path along the image reading means The document feeder is connected to the bed so that the document feeder can be opened and closed in the same direction as the document cover. only the document cover, leaving the position opening the document feeding device to have a closing operation possible relationships, the image reading unit has a moving range to the lower portion of the document feeder, before An image input apparatus including a document feeder formed by freely connected independently rotated by the respective base end common hinge axis of the the document cover document feeder. Between the upper surface of the document cover and the lower surface of the document feeding device superimposed on the document cover, the document cover and the document feeding device are coupled by overlapping each other and separated by separating the document cover in the closing direction. 2. An image input device comprising a document feeder according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable mechanism. The attachment / detachment mechanism includes a stator that is provided on the document cover side and protrudes an engagement head toward the lower surface side of the document feeding device, and that is provided on the document feeding device side and elastically retracts and separates the engagement head. 3. An image input device comprising a document feeder according to claim 2, further comprising a receiver having a clamper that permits it. The document feeder and the bed are connected by a link mechanism that moves up and down in conjunction with opening and closing of the document feeder around the rotation fulcrum, and the link mechanism opens the document feeder at its maximum opening. 4. The document feeding according to claim 1, wherein the document feeding has an operation including a top dead center to stand up to a degree and a lock point for restraining the document feeding device to a standing posture with an opening smaller than the top dead center. An image input device comprising the device.

Images