JP6503803B2 - Image forming system and connection unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes an image forming apparatus such as an image reading apparatus that reads an original and forms image data, and an image forming system and a connecting unit configured by integrating a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a connecting unit. About.

  Conventionally, an image reading apparatus such as a scanner apparatus is known as an example of the image forming apparatus. As this type of image reading apparatus, a flatbed scanner and a sheet feed scanner are known. In the flatbed type scanner device, an image of a document is read by a reading unit such as a line sensor while the carriage moves along the glass plate below the glass plate of the document platen on which the document pressed by the document platen cover is placed. Read

  Further, the sheet-feed type scanner device sequentially conveys a plurality of originals set in an automatic document conveying device (hereinafter, also referred to as “ADF (Auto Document Feeder) device”) one by one, and The image of the document is read by a reading unit such as a line sensor disposed in the middle.

  By the way, the flatbed scanner device can read an image even from a slightly thick document such as a book or a passport. On the other hand, although a sheet-feed scanner can not read thick originals, it automatically conveys a plurality of originals to read an image even if the originals are not set one by one like flatbed type. be able to. Therefore, the flatbed type scanner device and the sheet feed type scanner device are used properly depending on the respective applications. There is also known an image reading apparatus having functions of both a flatbed scanner unit and a sheet feed scanner unit so as to be compatible with both applications (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose an image reading apparatus in which a flatbed scanner device and a sheet feed scanner device are detachably docked integrally.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a combination scanner in which a platen scan (flat bed type scan) and a sheet feeding scan (sheet feed type scan) are used in combination. In this combination scanner, the platen unit can be detachably docked to the sheet feeding scanning unit provided with the auto-feeder mechanism.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which the attachment / detachment workability of the two scanners is improved in the electronic apparatus provided with the sheet-through scanner and the flatbed scanner so as to be separably connectable. In this electronic device, the sheet through scanner is fixed to the flatbed scanner by sliding the sheet through scanner and hooking the hook in the recess at the position where the contact substrate is exposed. In conjunction with the hooking operation at the time of fixation, the lever pushes up the contact member toward the sheet through scanner to electrically connect both contact substrates.

JP 2011-120139 A JP 2003-333278 A JP, 2006-254212, A

  By the way, in the image reading apparatus described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, when the two scanner devices are docked, a docking mechanism having a relatively complicated structure including an electrical connection mechanism for electrically connecting the two scanner devices is also provided. And must be incorporated into both scanners. In addition, the manufacturer must separately manufacture a scanner device with a docking mechanism, a flatbed scanner device, and a sheet feed scanner device. Therefore, using a flatbed scanner having a single function and a sheet-feed scanner, for example, a plurality of image reading devices (scanners) are connected via a connecting unit such as a docking member of another part. It is conceivable to construct an image reading system by assembling them together. Further, depending on the application and needs, the combination is not limited to a combination of a plurality of scanner devices having different functions. For example, a plurality of flatbed scanner devices may be assembled integrally via a coupling unit, or a plurality of sheet feed scanners It is also conceivable for the device to be assembled together via the connection unit.

  For example, a personal computer (PC) is connected to the image reading system via a communication cable, and separate units between the connection unit and the first scanner device, between the connection unit and the second scanner device that constitute the image reading system A configuration is conceivable in which at least one of the communication cable and the power cable is connected. For example, when connecting a plurality of similar communication cables having a feeding function, such as a USB communication cable, between the connection unit and each image reading apparatus, if the power supply method of the connection destination connector is different, a plurality of the same type It is necessary to connect the communication cable of the connector without mistake. Also, for example, when connecting a plurality of similar power cables between the connection unit and each image reading device, if the power supplied from the connector is different, the connection destinations of the plurality of power cables are connected so as not to be mistaken There is a need. However, if there are multiple cables of the same type, there is a risk of misconnection that results in connection to the wrong connector.

  Note that the image forming apparatus is not limited to an image forming apparatus such as an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a document and forms image data, and includes at least one image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus that forms an image on a medium such as paper. When the image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are integrally assembled via the connection unit is configured, substantially the same problems occur.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to connect a wrong connector when connecting a plurality of cables of the same type between a plurality of image forming apparatuses integrally assembled via a connecting unit and the connecting unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system and connection unit which can be reduced.

Hereinafter, the means for solving the above-mentioned subject and its operation effect are described.
An image forming system for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a first image forming apparatus having a connector, a second image forming apparatus having a connector, and the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. A connection unit connected to the circuit board, the connection unit having a circuit board, and a first connector and a second connector electrically connected to the circuit board, the first connector and the One of the cable connecting the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the cable connecting the second connector and the connector of the second image forming apparatus is the first cable, and the other is the first cable. It is a cable of the same type as the cable but of a different length. The same kind of cables refers to cables which can be connected to the other connector of the other cable.

  According to this configuration, the first cable and the second cable are cables of the same type but have different lengths, so the first connector and the second connector electrically connected to the circuit board of the connection unit When connecting a cable between each connector of the first and second image forming apparatuses, it is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of misconnection in which the cable is connected to the wrong connector. Thus, the frequency with which the first and second cables can be connected to appropriate connectors is increased.

  In the image forming system, the distance between the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the first connector, and the distance between the connector of the second image forming apparatus and the second connector Preferably, one is a first distance, and the other is a second distance different in length from the first distance.

  According to this configuration, since the first distance and the second distance are different, for example, if the first cable and the second cable have different lengths according to the distance, the cable may be connected to the wrong connector by mistake. The frequency of connection occurrence can be reduced.

  In the image forming system, the first cable is shorter than the second cable, the first distance is shorter than the second distance, and the first cable is longer than the first distance. And it is preferable that it is shorter than the said 2nd distance, and the said 2nd cable is longer than the said 2nd distance.

  According to this configuration, the shorter first cable is longer than the first distance and shorter than the second distance, and the longer second cable is longer than the second distance. It reduces the frequency of misconnections that connect cables to the wrong connector.

  In the image forming system, the distance between the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the second connector, and the distance between the connector of the second image forming apparatus and the first connector Preferably, the first cable is shorter than the third distance, where the shorter of the two is the third distance.

An image forming system for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a first image forming apparatus having a connector, a second image forming apparatus having a connector, and the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. A connection unit connected to the circuit board, the connection unit having a circuit board, and a first connector and a second connector electrically connected to the circuit board, the first connector and the One of the cable connecting the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the cable connecting the second connector and the connector of the second image forming apparatus is the first cable, and the other is the first cable. A second cable of the same kind as the cable but of different lengths, the first cable being between the connector of the first image forming device and the second connector And releasing, shorter than the shortest distance of the distance between the second of said connector and said first connector of the image forming apparatus.
According to this configuration, since the shorter first cable is shorter than the third distance, the first cable may be connected between the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the second connector, or Misconnections between the connector of the second image forming apparatus and the first connector can be reduced. Thus, the frequency with which the first and second cables can be connected to appropriate connectors is increased.

  In the above-described image forming system, the circuit board is disposed between the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the first connector at a position biased to one side in the width direction with respect to the connection unit. Thus, it is preferable that a space formed on the side opposite to the biased direction of the circuit board be located.

  According to this configuration, the first cable connected between the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the first connector can be housed in the space formed on the side in the width direction of the circuit board. . Therefore, the first cable does not get in the way, and for example, in the case where the first image forming apparatus has an opening and closing member such as a cover, it is possible to avoid the problem of holding the first cable when opening and closing the opening and closing member.

  In the image forming system, the connector of the first image forming apparatus is positioned to be biased in the width direction with respect to the main body of the first image forming apparatus, and the circuit board is arranged with respect to the connection unit. The first connector is offset with respect to the circuit board in the same direction as the offset direction of the connector with respect to the main body. It is preferable to be arranged at the position.

According to this configuration, the first connector can be brought close to the connector of the first image forming apparatus, and the distance between the two connectors (first distance) can be relatively shortened.
In the image forming system, it is preferable that the first power that can be supplied to the connection destination by the first connector is different from the second power that can be supplied to the connection destination by the second connector.

  According to this configuration, even if the first power that can be supplied to the connection destination by the first connector is different from the second power that can be supplied to the connection destination by the second connector, the first cable and the second power can be supplied. Since the two cables can be connected to the connector without mistake, appropriate first power and second power can be supplied to each of the first and second image forming apparatuses. Also, even if the first cable and the second cable are incorrectly connected to the wrong connector, the operation of the power shortage due to the required power being not supplied to one of the first and second image forming apparatuses, etc. Thus, the misconnection of the first and second cables can be known relatively easily.

  In the image forming system, the connectors of the first and second image forming apparatuses are communication connectors, the first connector is a first communication connector, and the second connector is Preferably it is a second communication connector.

According to this configuration, when connecting the first cable and the second cable between the communication connectors, it is possible to reduce the erroneous connection in which the communication connectors to be connected are mistaken.
In the image forming system, the connector of the first and second image forming apparatuses is a power connector, the first connector is a first power connector, and the second connector is Preferably, it is a second power connector.

According to this configuration, when connecting the first cable and the second cable between the power connectors, it is possible to reduce the erroneous connection in which the power connectors to be connected are mistaken.
In the image forming system, a group of power connectors and a group of communication connectors are arranged in groups on a substrate constituting the circuit board, and the first connector and the second connector are The power supply connector group and the communication connector group belong to the same group, and on the substrate, each power supply line connected to the power supply connector and the communication connector, and each communication connected to the communication connector It is preferable that the wiring is performed in a path that does not intersect with the line.

  According to this configuration, since the group of power supply connectors and the group of communication connectors are separately arranged on the substrate, each power supply line connected to the power supply connector and the communication connector, and communication Wiring can be made without crossing each communication line connected to the connector. Therefore, it is difficult for noise from the power supply line to get on the signal or data transmitted to the communication line, and highly reliable communication is possible.

  In the image forming system, on the substrate constituting the circuit board, the power supply voltage input from the power supply input connector of the power supply connector is stepped down to a predetermined voltage, and the first and second communication connectors are provided. A plurality of step-down circuits for outputting a plurality including the connection destination of the image forming apparatus and a communication control circuit for performing communication via the communication connector are mounted.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to supply necessary voltages to the first and second image forming apparatuses via each communication connector, and to communicate with the first and second image forming apparatuses via each communication connector. It can be carried out.

  In the image forming system, the substrate includes two power supply lines connecting two communication connectors located at both ends of the group of the communication connectors and the output terminal of the step-down circuit, and the communication control circuit. A plurality of communication lines connecting with the group of communication connectors are wired, and the two power supply lines are wired by a route surrounding the communication control circuit and the plurality of communication lines from at least two sides. Is preferred.

  According to this configuration, the two power supply lines extending from the output terminal of the step-down circuit to the two communication connectors located at both ends of the group of communication connectors are paths that surround the communication control circuit and the communication line from at least two sides. It is wired by. Therefore, the communication line connected to the communication connector can be wired without crossing the power supply line connected to the communication connector. As a result, it becomes easy to avoid that noise from the power supply line gets on the signal and data transmitted through the communication line.

In the image forming system, it is preferable that the communication line is formed on the substrate by a wiring path surrounded by at least three sides by ground layers formed on the substrate.
According to this configuration, since the communication line is surrounded by the ground layer from at least three sides, noise is less likely to get on the signals and data transmitted to the communication line, and highly reliable communication is possible.

  In the image forming system, in the connection unit, the first image formation is performed in a direction that intersects the height direction of the first image forming apparatus assembled in the connection unit and a substrate constituting the circuit board. The mounting surface is arranged in a direction in which the mounting surface intersects the height direction, the substrate has a plate shape of a predetermined shape surrounded by a plurality of sides, and the second connector is The first connector is disposed on a first side opposite to the first image forming apparatus with respect to the substrate, and the first connector is connected to a second side intersecting the first side of the substrate. It is preferable that the direction is disposed to cross the connection direction of the second connector.

  According to this configuration, the second connector is disposed on the first side opposite to the first image forming apparatus with respect to the substrate. On the other hand, the first connector is disposed on the second side intersecting the first side in a direction in which the connection direction intersects the connection direction of the second connector. Therefore, compared with the configuration in which the first connector is disposed on the side (third side) of the substrate on the side of the first image forming apparatus, the position where the first image forming apparatus is brought closer to the circuit board with respect to the connecting unit The image forming system can be miniaturized as much as it can be approached in the approach direction.

  In the image forming system, it is preferable that the first image forming apparatus is a flatbed type image reading apparatus, and the second image forming apparatus is a sheet feed type image reading apparatus.

  According to this configuration, when the flatbed-type image reading device and the sheet-feed-type image reading device are integrally assembled through the connection unit to configure the image forming system, the connection unit and each image reading device When connecting a plurality of similar cables among them, it is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of incorrect connection connecting to the wrong connector. Further, it is possible to selectively use a plurality of image reading devices according to needs, such as reading of a thick document such as a passport, and conveying and reading a plurality of documents sequentially.

  A connecting unit to solve the above-mentioned problems is a connecting unit in the above image forming system, and a docking unit to which a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus are assembled, a circuit board, the circuit board and electricity. And a cable connecting the first connector and the connector of the first image forming apparatus, and a second connector electrically connected to the circuit board. And a cable connecting the second connector and the connector of the second image forming apparatus, wherein one is a first cable and the other is a cable similar to the first cable and having a different length And in the state where the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus are assembled via the docking unit, the connection of the first image forming apparatus is The distance between the first connector and the first connector, and the distance between the connector and the second connector of the second image forming apparatus are one of the first distance and the other is the first distance. The second distance is longer than the first distance.

A connecting unit to solve the above-mentioned problems is a connecting unit in the above image forming system, and a docking unit to which a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus are assembled, a circuit board, the circuit board and electricity. And a cable connecting the first connector and the connector of the first image forming apparatus, and a second connector electrically connected to the circuit board. And a cable connecting the second connector and the connector of the second image forming apparatus, wherein one is a first cable and the other is a cable similar to the first cable and having a different length And in the state where the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus are assembled via the docking unit, the connection of the first image forming apparatus is The distance between the first connector and the first connector, and the distance between the connector and the second connector of the second image forming apparatus are one of the first distance and the other is the first distance. A second distance longer than the first distance, and a distance between the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the second connector, and the connector of the second image forming apparatus; The shorter one of the distance to the first connector and the shorter one is longer than the first cable.
According to this configuration, the image forming system is configured by integrally assembling the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus via the connecting unit. At this time, the first cable and the second cable are connected between the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the first connector of the connecting unit, and the connector of the second image forming apparatus and the second connector of the connecting unit. Can reduce the frequency of misconnections that connect the cable to the wrong connector.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image reading system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state of use of the image reading system. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an image reading system. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an image reading system. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing an image reading system. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the image reading system in a wired state. FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing the image reading system in a wired state. Sectional drawing which shows the part to which the communication wire of the board | substrate was given. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image reading system. The schematic plan view which shows the circuit structure and connector of a circuit board. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of an image reading system according to a second embodiment. The schematic plan view which shows the circuit structure of a circuit board.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an image forming system is embodied will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading system 11 as an example of the image forming system includes a flatbed scanner (original placement type) scanner 20, a sheet feed scanner (original transport type) scanner 30, and both scanners And a connecting unit 40 (docking station) for connecting the devices 20, 30 to one unit. The image reading system 11 is configured by assembling both the scanner devices 20 and 30 integrally via the connection unit 40. In the following description, the flatbed scanner device 20 is also referred to as “first scanner device 20”, and the sheet feed scanner device 30 is also referred to as “second scanner device 30”. Further, in the present embodiment, an example of the “first image forming apparatus” and the “first image reading apparatus” is configured by the first scanner device 20, and the second scanner device 30 is the “second image forming device” An example of the “second image reading apparatus” is configured.

  The connection unit 40 has a docking portion 40A that forms a main body made of, for example, a resin. The docking unit 40A has a pair of extending portions 41 extending in parallel with each other at a distance slightly larger than the width of the first scanner device 20 in the width direction, and the base portions of the pair of extending portions 41 in the width direction. And a bottomed square cylindrical plate-like support portion 42 to be connected. The first scanner device 20 is assembled to the connection unit 40 in a state where a part (approximately half on the rear side) of the main body 21 in the longitudinal direction is inserted between the pair of extension parts 41, and the second scanner device 30 is a support The mounting unit 42 is assembled to the connecting unit 40 in a state of being mounted on the mounting unit 42. Note that the direction of the distance between the pair of extending portions 41 is "width direction W", and the longitudinal direction of the image reading system 11 corresponding to the extending direction of the pair of extending portions 41 is "X direction". The width directions W and X The direction perpendicular to both of the directions is referred to as "height direction Z". Here, in each of the scanner devices 20 and 30, the width direction W is the main scanning direction, and the X direction is the sub-scanning direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pair of extension portions 41 has a constant height substantially equal to the height (thickness) of the first scanner device 20 in a portion near the tip end portion (left end portion in FIG. 1). A pair of guide portions 43 is formed by extending in the X direction and a portion near the base portion extending to a predetermined height slightly above the tip end side. The first scanner device 20 is inserted from the rear end portion (rear surface portion) side between the pair of extension portions 41, and the rear surface portion (right end surface in FIG. 1) is a fixing tool 51 (see FIG. 4). ) And is fixed to the support portion 42, thereby being assembled to the connection unit 40. In this assembled state, the first scanner device 20 is guided by the pair of extending portions 41 with a slight gap from both sides in the width direction.

  The first scanner device 20 has a square plate-shaped main body 21 having a long and substantially constant height (thickness) in one direction (X direction), and one end (back) in the longitudinal direction with respect to the main body 21 And an original table cover 22 (hereinafter simply referred to as a "cover 22") which is provided so as to be openable and closable through a hinge mechanism (not shown). At the front end face of the main body 21 in the longitudinal direction, an operation portion 23 composed of a plurality of operation switches is provided. The user can give various instructions including an image reading instruction to the first scanner device 20 by operating the operation unit 23.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, at both ends in the longitudinal direction (width direction W) of the support portion 42, the height is lower than that of the pair of guide portions 43 at a location inside the pair of guide portions 43. A pair of mounting surfaces 44 positioned higher than portions other than the longitudinal end portions of the support portion 42 are formed. The second scanner device 30 is mounted with its bottom portion supported by the pair of mounting surfaces 44. The second scanner device 30 is fixed to the connection unit 40 via the fixing tool 53 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) fixed to the back surface of the support portion 42 in a state of being mounted on the pair of mounting surfaces 44. ing. In this assembled state, the second scanner device 30 is guided by the pair of guide portions 43 with a slight gap from both sides in the width direction.

  Under the assembled state in which the first scanner device 20 and the second scanner device 30 are assembled to the connection unit 40, the base end of the cover 22 is covered by the second scanner device 30 from the upper side. However, since a predetermined gap is secured in the height direction Z between the upper surface of the cover 22 in the closed state and the second scanner device 30, the cover 22 does not interfere with the second scanner device 30. The main body 21 can be opened and closed to the maximum opening degree.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the portion (upper surface portion) of the main body 21 of the first scanner device 20 exposed with the cover 22 open is a document table 24 on which a document can be placed. The document table 24 is provided with a document placement surface in which a transparent glass plate 24a on which a document is placed is incorporated. A document to be read (not shown) is placed on the glass plate 24 a, and is set in a state of being pressed onto the glass plate 24 a by the cover 22.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second scanner device 30 has a slope 31A that gradually decreases toward the tip end on the front surface, and the main body 31 in a closed state with the main body 31 having a substantially trapezoidal shape in side view. And a cover 32 covering the slope 31A of the lens. As shown in FIG. 1, at the front end of the main body 31, the document D (see FIG. 2) after reading is drawn forward from the discharge port 31B from which the main body 31 is discharged and the lower part of the discharge port 31B. A slide-type discharge tray 33 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 32 opens and closes between the closed state shown in FIG. 1 and the open state shown in FIG. It is possible. The cover 32 is held at an oblique posture angle in the open state shown in FIG. 2 with respect to the main body 31, and in this open state, the back surface thereof becomes the document placement portion 34 on which a plurality of documents D can be set. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the cover 32 has a base 32A and a cover main body 32B which are connected so as to be bendable inward (back side) by a predetermined angle. For this reason, the cover 32 is bent along the upper surface shape of the main body 31 and disposed in a closed state covering the upper surface. In the open state, the cover 32 is restricted at a substantially straight angle (180 °) with respect to the base 32A, whereby the document placement portion is held at a predetermined oblique angle. It becomes 34.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the document placement unit 34 is provided with a pair of guide portions 36 capable of setting a plurality of documents D in a state of being guided in the width direction. In the main body 31, a feeding port 31C into which the document D is inserted is opened at a position corresponding to the leading end of the set document D in the transport direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, on the upper slope 31A exposed when the cover 32 is in the open state in the main body 31, an operation unit 35 composed of a plurality of operation switches is provided. When the user operates the operation unit 35 to issue a document reading instruction, the plurality of documents D set in the document placement unit 34 are fed one by one into the main body 31 from the feeding port 31C. Then, an image of at least one side of both sides of the fed original D is read in the main body 31, and the read original D is discharged from the discharge port 31B of the main body 31, and the discharge tray is pulled out. It is laminated on 33.

  In the image reading system 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, the maximum reading resolution of the first scanner device 20 is higher than the maximum reading resolution of the second scanner device 30. Then, in the case of the original D which needs to read an image with a relatively high resolution or the original D which is sufficient to read only one sheet, the first scanner device 20 is used. On the other hand, when reading a plurality of originals D for which a high reading resolution is not required, the second scanner device 30 is used. In this manner, the user selectively uses the two scanner devices 20 and 30 according to the reading needs to read an image from the document D.

  Next, an assembly structure of the image reading system 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, after the first scanner device 20 is connected to the connection unit 40 via the communication cable 74 shown in FIG. 4, the back surface portion (rear end portion) is formed between the pair of extension portions 41 of the connection unit 40. It is inserted from the) side. Then, it is fixed to the connection unit 40 via the fixing tool 51 at two places in the width direction of the rear surface portion of the first scanner device 20. Specifically, the support portion 42 has a bottom plate 46 extending slightly forward than the top plate 45, and the upper surface of the bottom plate 46 is provided with a pair of cylindrical bosses 47 at positions spaced by a predetermined distance in the width direction. Protrudes upward. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the fixing device 51 fixed to the back surface of the first scanner device 20 is screwed into the boss portion 47 with the fastening member 52 such as a screw or a bolt. It is fixed to the connection unit 40.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cover 22 has a base 22A and a cover body 22B which are divided into two in the longitudinal direction, and the base 22A and the cover body 22B are connected so as to be bendable upward by a predetermined angle There is. Therefore, in the assembled state shown in FIG. 4, the cover 22 is rotated until the base 22A touches the bottom surface of the second scanner 30, and then the cover body 22B is bent upward (open side) with respect to the base 22A. It is possible to open the cover 22 to the maximum opening degree.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the second scanner device 30 is placed on the pair of placement surfaces 44. In the mounted state, as shown in FIG. 5, the main body 31 of the second scanner device 30 is guided from both sides in the width direction W by the pair of guide portions 43. The main body 31 is fixed to the back surface portion of the connection unit 40 by a fastening member 54 such as a screw or a bolt, which is fixed at a position at a predetermined distance in the width direction in the lower part of the back surface. The second scanner device 30 is fixed to the connection unit 40.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a square plate-like cover plate 48 is fixed at a position between the pair of fasteners 53 in the width direction W on the back surface portion of the connection unit 40. The cover plate 48 closes the opening on the back side of the hole penetrating in the front-rear direction (X direction) between the connection unit 40 and the second scanner device 30. Further, the cover plate 48 has its upper edge portion extending above the mounting surface 44 and also has a function of a guide member for guiding the lower portion of the back surface of the second scanner device 30. The second scanner device 30 and the connection unit 40 are connected via a power cable 72 (DC cable) and a communication cable 75 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the two cables 72 and 75 that connect the connection unit 40 and the second scanner device 30 are bundled into one along the way by a clip member 49 fixed to a predetermined position of the cover plate 48. It is supported in the closed state. The function of the guide portion of the cover plate 48 may not be present.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a circuit board 60 is provided in the support portion 42 of the connection unit 40. The circuit board 60 has a power distribution function (hub function) for distributing power input from the outside, and a personal computer 102 (hereinafter simply referred to as "PC 102") functioning as a host device (host device) (FIG. 6, FIG. 6). 7) and a communication function that controls the communication between the two scanner devices 20 and 30 that function as device devices. The circuit board 60 distributes the DC power input via the power supply adapter 101, supplies necessary power to the first scanner device 20 via the communication cable 74, and supplies the second scanner device 30 via the power cable 72. Supply the necessary power. In the present embodiment, the docking unit 40A is a portion of the connection unit 40 excluding the circuit board 60 and the connectors 55 to 59, that is, the extension 41, the support 42, the guide 43, and the mounting surface 44. , A bottom plate 46, and a boss 47 and the like.

  Next, various connectors of the power supply system and the communication system provided in the image reading system 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, a power input connector 26 and a communication connector 27 are provided on the back of the main body 21 of the first scanner device 20. The power supply input connector 26 and the communication connector 27 are disposed at a position deviated to one side in the width direction W with respect to the main body 21 (a position closer to the left end in the example of FIG. 5).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a power input connector 37 and a communication connector 38 are provided on the back of the second scanner device 30. The power input connector 37 and the communication connector 38 are disposed at a substantially central position in the width direction W of the main body 31 and slightly lower in the height direction.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the power supply input connector 55 of the power supply system, the power output connector 56, and the three communication connectors 57 to 59 of the communication system are provided on the back of the connection unit 40 (however In 5, only two are shown) and are provided. The connectors 55 to 59 are disposed on a substrate 61 constituting the circuit board 60.

Next, the wiring structure of the image reading system 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
As shown in FIG. 6, a power supply terminal 71A provided at one end of the output cable 71 of the power adapter 101 is connected to the power input connector 55. The power supply adapter 101 can convert an alternating current input from a commercial alternating current power supply 100 serving as a power supply into a direct current of a predetermined voltage ("24 V (volt)" in this example) and output it. Therefore, direct current of a predetermined voltage (24 V in this example) from the power supply adapter 101 is input to the power supply input connector 55 as a power supply.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the output terminal 72A of the power cable 72 is connected to the power output connector 56 provided on the circuit board 60, and the input terminal 72B on the other end side is the second scanner device 30. Is connected to the power input connector 37 of As a result, direct-current power of a predetermined voltage (24 V in this example) is supplied from the connection unit 40 to the second scanner device 30 via the power supply cable 72.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the communication connector 57 is connected to a terminal 73 A of a communication cable 73 whose terminal (not shown) is connected to the PC 102. This enables communication between the circuit board 60 in the connection unit 40 and the PC 102. In the present embodiment, the communication cables 73 to 75 connected to the connection unit 40 are, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication cables. The USB communication cable has a communication function based on a communication line provided inside the covering material and a power feeding function based on a power supply line. In the following description, of the two communication connectors 58 and 59 mounted on the circuit board 60, the communication connector 58 connected to the first scanner device 20 via the communication cable 74 The communication connector 59 connected with the second scanner device 30 via the communication cable 75 may be referred to as a “connector” and may be referred to as a “second communication connector”.

  The first communication connector 58 and the second communication connector 59 have the same connector shape to which the male terminal (type A) of the USB cable can be connected. Further, the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 and the communication connector 38 of the second scanner device 30 have the same connector shape to which the male terminal (type B) of the USB cable can be connected. Therefore, in the connector shape of the communication connectors 27 and 38 and the communication connectors 58 and 59, the first communication cable 74 and the second communication cable 75 have the same connector shape and the first communication connector 58 with different supplied electric power. And the second communication connector 59 may be incorrectly connected.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the terminal 74A (type A) of the communication cable 74 is connected to the first communication connector 58 provided on the circuit board 60, and the other end terminal 74B (type B) is connected to the communication connector 27 (type B) of the first scanner device 20. This enables communication between the PC 102 and the first scanner device 20. The first scanner device 20 can receive a scan instruction from the PC 102 in addition to a scan instruction based on the operation of the operation unit 23 and can execute a scan operation, and communicate image data of the document D read by the scan operation It is possible to transfer to the PC 102 via the cables 73 and 74. Further, power supply from the connection unit 40 to the first scanner device 20 is performed via a first communication cable 74 formed of a USB communication cable having a power supply line. In this example, the connection unit 40 supplies power of DC 5 V · 500 mA to the first scanner device 20 via the communication cable 74. In the present embodiment, the first communication connector 58 constitutes an example of the “first connector” and the “first communication connector”.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the terminal 75A (type A) of the communication cable 75 is connected to the second communication connector 59 provided on the circuit board 60, and the other end terminal 75B (type B) is connected to the communication connector 38 (see FIG. 6) of the second scanner device 30. This enables communication between the PC 102 and the second scanner device 30. The second scanner device 30 can receive a scan instruction from the PC 102 in addition to a scan instruction based on the operation of the operation unit 35 and can execute a scan operation, and communicate image data of the document D read by the scan operation It is possible to transfer to the PC 102 via the cables 73, 75. In the present embodiment, the second communication connector 59 constitutes an example of the “second connector” and the “second communication connector”.

  In this embodiment, since the communication cables 74 and 75 of the same type (USB communication system) are used, there is a concern of erroneous connection in which the communication cables 74 and 75 are connected to the wrong connector. Therefore, the structure for preventing the misconnection of the communication cables 74 and 75 is employ | adopted. Hereinafter, a structure for preventing erroneous connection of the communication cables 74 and 75 will be described.

  The first communication connector 58 provided on the circuit board 60 of the present embodiment can supply power of, for example, 5 VDC and 500 mA (an example of the first power), and the second communication connector 59 is, for example, DC 5 V ··. Power of 5 mA (an example of the second power) can be supplied. Therefore, if the connectors connecting the communication cables 74 and 75 are mistaken, the first scanner device 20 can not be supplied with power. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a structural device is made so as not to make a mistake in the connectors to which the communication cables 74 and 75 are connected. In the present embodiment, the first power that can be supplied by the first communication connector 58 and the second power that can be supplied by the second communication connector 59 can be set to appropriate values as long as the values are different. . Further, in the following description, the communication cable 74 connected to the first scanner device 20 is referred to as "first communication cable 74", and the communication cable 75 connected to the second scanner device 30 is referred to as "second communication cable 75". It may be called

  The first communication cable 74 as an example of the first cable and the second communication cable 75 as an example of the second cable have different lengths. Specifically, the length L1 of the first communication cable 74 is shorter than the length L2 of the second communication cable 75 (L1 <L2).

  Further, in the assembled state shown in FIG. 7, a first distance D1 which is a distance between the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 and the first communication connector 58 of the circuit board 60 is shown in FIGS. This is different from the second distance D2 which is a distance between the communication connector 38 of the second scanner device 30 and the second communication connector 59 of the circuit board 60 shown in FIG. Specifically, in the present example, the first distance D1 is shorter than the second distance D2 (D1 <D2).

  For the distance between the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 which is one of the wrong combinations and the second communication connector 59, and for the communication of the second scanner device 30 which is another one of the wrong combinations Of the distances between the connector 38 and the first communication connector 58, the shorter one is taken as a third distance D3. In this example, the distance between the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 and the second communication connector 59 is the third distance D3. That is, in this example, the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 to which the terminal 74B of the shorter first communication cable 74 is to be connected and the terminal 74A of the first communication cable 74 should not be connected. The distance between the wrong circuit board 60 and the second communication connector 59 is the third distance D3. The first distance D1 is smaller than the third distance D3 (D1 <D3).

  In the present embodiment, in the assembled state, the conditions of the distances D1, D2 and D3 are satisfied with respect to the position of the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 and the position of the communication connector 38 of the second scanner device 30. The circuit board 60 is disposed at a predetermined position in the connection unit 40.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the circuit board 60 is disposed at a position biased to one end side in the width direction W with respect to the connection unit 40. The communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 is located on one end side (left end side in FIG. 7) of the main body 21 in the width direction W. Therefore, the circuit board 60 is biased to the side (left end side) and the opposite side (right side in FIG. 7) where the communication connector 27 is biased in the width direction W with respect to the connection unit 40 in the width direction W of the main body 21. It is placed at the position you As a result, the circuit board 60 does not exist at the rear (anti-X direction) position of the communication connector 27. Between the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 and the first communication connector 58, the circuit board 60 is biased in the width direction W with respect to the connection unit 40, and the circuit board 60 is biased. A space S is located on the opposite side. Therefore, in the rear area of the communication connector 27, a space S usable for the mounting space and storage space of the first communication cable 74 connecting the connection unit 40 and the first scanner device 20 is secured.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, the length of the first communication cable 74 connected between the communication connectors 27 and 58 is shorter than the length of the second communication cable 75, and is accommodated in the space S. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, there is no excess of the length of the first communication cable 74. Therefore, when opening and closing the cover 22 of the first scanner device 20, the first communication cable 74 is in the way It does not. For example, there is no concern that the first communication cable 74 is caught in the cover 22 or the like. Further, the presence of the space S facilitates the wiring work for connecting the first communication cable 74 between the communication connectors 27 and 58.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the first communication connector 58 is an end on the opposite side of the circuit board 60 on which the circuit board 60 is biased in the width direction W with respect to the connection unit 40 (left end in FIG. 7). Side). That is, the first communication connector 58 is disposed at a position deviated from the circuit board 60 in the same direction as the direction in which the communication connector 27 with respect to the main body 21 is deviated. For this reason, the first distance D1 between the communication connectors 27 and 58 becomes relatively short. Further, the direction in which the circuit board 60 is biased is a direction in which the second communication connector 59 is moved away from the communication connector 27 in the width direction W. Therefore, the first communication connector 58 to be connected with the communication connector 27 is disposed closer to the inappropriate second communication connector 59 as the connection partner while the second communication connector 59 is disposed. Can be kept away.

  Next, setting of the lengths of the first communication cable 74 and the second communication cable 75 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7 and the like. As shown in FIG. 7, the length L1 of the first communication cable 74 can connect between the communication connectors 27 and 58 separated by the first distance D1, and the communication connector 27 is an incorrect combination, The length is set to a value short to connect the 59s. That is, the length L1 of the first communication cable 74 is longer than the first distance D1 and shorter than the second distance D2 (D1 <L1 <D2). Therefore, the first communication cable 74 is used for the connection between the communication connectors 27 and 58 which is necessarily an appropriate combination because the length is short to connect the wrong communication connectors 38 and 59. . The other second communication cable 75 is used for connection between the communication connectors 38 and 59 separated by the second distance D2.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the length L1 of the first communication cable 74 is longer than the first distance D1 and shorter than the third distance D3 (D1 <L1 <D3). Therefore, when the terminal 74A of the first communication cable 74 having the terminal 74B connected to the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 is connected to the first communication connector 58, the second communication connector 59 is erroneously connected. Misconnection to connect can not occur because the length of the first communication cable 74 is insufficient.

  Further, the length L2 of the second communication cable 75 is longer than the second distance D2 (L2> D2). When the second communication cable 75 is connected between the communication connectors 38 and 59, since the first communication cable 74 is already connected to the first communication connector 58, which is the wrong connection destination, The communication cable 75 is properly connected between the communication connectors 38 and 59 in an appropriate combination.

Next, the electrical configuration of the image reading system 11 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, an output cable 71 of the power supply adapter 101 connected to the commercial AC power supply 100 is connected to the connection unit 40. Therefore, an alternating current of a predetermined voltage (for example, 100 V or 200 V) supplied from the power supply adapter 101 from the commercial AC power supply 100 to the circuit board 60 of the connection unit 40 is, for example, a predetermined voltage (in this example) The power converted (step-down) to a direct current of 24 V) is input. Then, the input power is distributed by the circuit board 60, and 5 V · 500 mA DC power is supplied to the first scanner device 20 via the first communication cable 74, and 24 V DC via the power cable 72. Power is supplied to the second scanner device 30.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the first scanner device 20 is provided with a controller 80 responsible for scan control. In addition, the second scanner device 30 includes a controller 90 responsible for scan control. The circuit board 60 connected to the PC 102 via the communication cable 73 is connected to the controller 80 of the first scanner device 20 via the first communication cable 74, and the second scanner device via the second communication cable 75. It is connected to 30 controllers 90. Although the controller 80 is schematically depicted on the outside of the first scanner device 20 in FIG. 9, the controller 80 is disposed in the main body 21. Further, although the controller 90 is schematically depicted on the outside of the second scanner device 30 in FIG. 9, the controller 90 is disposed in the main body 31.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the first scanner device 20 includes a carriage 25 movable along the sub scanning direction (X direction) by a power transmission mechanism 81 provided in the main body 21. The carriage 25 incorporates a scanning motor 82 which is an example of a power source. The power transmission mechanism 81 is, for example, a rack and pinion mechanism. When the pinion 81B is rotated by the power of the scanning motor 82 in the carriage 25, the pinion 81B is rotated along the longitudinal direction of the rack 81A meshed with the pinion 81B. By moving in the direction according to the direction, the carriage 25 can move in the sub-scanning direction. The carriage 25 also has a light source 83 and a reading unit 84. The reading unit 84 includes an image sensor extending in the scanning direction (width direction W). The scanning motor 82, the light source 83 and the reading unit 84 are controlled by the controller 80. The power transmission mechanism 81 of the carriage 25 is not limited to the gear mechanism, and may be a belt mechanism, and the scanning motor 82 may be disposed on the main body 21 side instead of the carriage 25.

  The controller 80 includes a drive control unit 86, a reading control unit 87, a light source drive unit 88, and an A / D conversion unit 89. When the controller 80 receives a scan instruction by the operation of the operation unit 23 (see FIG. 1) or the communication from the PC 102, the controller 80 instructs the drive control unit 86 and the read control unit 87 to perform a scan operation.

  When receiving the instruction, the drive control unit 86 drives the scanning motor 82 to move the carriage 25 in the sub-scanning direction at a constant speed. When receiving the instruction, the reading control unit 87 controls the light emission of the light source 83 via the light source driving unit 88, and irradiates the reading area of the document D with light. Then, the reading control unit 87 controls a reading unit 84, which is, for example, a line sensor, to read an image of the document D. The analog image signal read by the reading unit 84 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D conversion unit 89 configured by, for example, an analog front end IC (Integrated Circuit), and is input to the reading control unit 87. The reading control unit 87 performs known correction processing such as shading correction and gamma correction on the input digital image signal to generate image data of the document D. The image data is transmitted from the controller 80 to the circuit board 60 through the communication cable 74, and further transferred from the circuit board 60 to the PC 102 through the communication cable 73.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the second scanner device 30 includes a transport mechanism 91 for transporting the document D in the main body 31. The transport mechanism 91 feeds a plurality of originals D set in the original placement unit 34 one by one into the main body 31, and transports the fed original D at a constant transport speed along the transport path. Furthermore, a transport operation is performed to discharge the document D whose image has been read during transport from the discharge port 31B. The transport mechanism 91 includes a plurality of roller pairs 92 disposed in the main body 31 along the transport path. The plurality of roller pairs 92 are rotated by the power of the conveyance motor 93 which is a power source. The feed roller pair 92 disposed at the most upstream position in the transport direction among the plurality of roller pairs 92 includes a retard roller, and a plurality of documents set on the document placement unit 34 by the rotation of the roller pair 92 Of the D, for example, the lowermost original D is fed one by one in order.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the middle of the conveyance path in the main body 31, the reading unit 95 provided with a pair of light sources 94 and a pair of reading parts 95 arranged on both sides sandwiching the conveyance path is in the scanning direction It is comprised by the image sensor extended in (width direction W). When "one side" is designated as the reading side of the document D, one reading unit 95 corresponding to the single sided reading side performs a reading operation, while when "both sides" is specified, the pair of reading units 95 Both perform the reading operation. The transport motor 93, the light source 94, and the reading unit 95 are controlled by the controller 90.

  The controller 90 includes a drive control unit 96, a reading control unit 97, a light source drive unit 98, and an A / D conversion unit 99. When the controller 90 receives a scan instruction by the operation of the operation unit 35 (see FIG. 2) or the communication from the PC 102, the controller 90 instructs the drive control unit 96 and the read control unit 97 to perform a scan operation.

  When the drive control unit 96 receives the instruction, the drive control unit 96 drives the conveyance motor 93 to rotate the plurality of roller pairs 92 to set the plurality of originals D set in the original placement unit 34 one by one in the main body 31. And transport at a constant transport speed along the transport path. The reading control unit 97 controls the light emission of the light source 94 via the light source driving unit 98, and emits light to the reading region of the document D. During this conveyance, the reading control unit 97 controls, for example, the reading unit 95 including an image sensor to read the image of the document D. An analog image signal read by the reading unit 95 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D conversion unit 99 configured by, for example, an analog front end IC, and is input to the reading control unit 97. The reading control unit 97 performs known correction processing such as shading correction and gamma correction on the input digital image signal to generate image data of the document D. Image data is transmitted from the controller 90 to the circuit board 60 through the communication cable 75, and is further transferred from the circuit board 60 to the PC 102 through the communication cable 73. As described above, the circuit board 60 distributes the input power to each of the scanner devices 20 and 30, and selects a communication partner between the PC 102 and each of the scanner devices 20 and 30, and communicates with the selected communication partner. And a communication function to select a communication path so that

  Next, the detailed configuration of the circuit board 60 will be described with reference to FIG. The circuit board 60 is a circuit board that controls the power supply system and the communication system. The circuit board 60 is disposed in a direction in which the mounting surface is parallel to the direction intersecting the height direction Z of the first scanner device 20 assembled to the connection unit 40. The circuit board 60 includes a board 61, parts of the power supply system mounted on the board 61, and parts of the communication system. On the periphery of the substrate 61, connectors 55 and 56 of the power supply system and communication connectors 57 to 59 of the communication system are mounted. A communication control IC (Integrated Circuit) 63 (Hub IC) as an example of a communication control circuit, a first step-down circuit 64, a second step-down circuit 65, an overcurrent protection circuit 66, and a resistor 67 are provided on the substrate 61. And have been implemented.

  A power supply terminal 71A of an output cable 71 of the power supply adapter 101 is connected to the power supply input connector 55, and a DC power of, for example, 24 V is supplied. The output terminal of the power supply input connector 55 is connected to the input terminal of the power supply output connector 56 via the power supply line 111. Therefore, the power output connector 56 can supply 24 V DC power to the connection destination. Therefore, the circuit board 60 can supply 24 V power to the second scanner device 30 via the power cable 72 connected to the power output connector 56. Here, since the power input connector 55 is relatively frequently inserted and removed by the user of the power supply terminal 71A of the power adapter 101, relatively large and strong parts are used. On the other hand, the power supply output connector 56 is smaller than the power supply input connector 55 because the power supply cable 72 is not easily removed or inserted after the power supply cable 72 is once connected to the power supply connector 37 of the second scanner device 30. Parts are used.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the power supply line 112 branched off in the middle of the power supply line 111 connected to the output terminal of the power supply input connector 55 is connected to the communication control IC 63. Along the power supply line 112, a first step-down circuit 64 and a second step-down circuit 65 are provided in series in this order. The first step-down circuit 64 steps down the input power supply voltage (for example, 24 V) to a predetermined voltage (for example, 5 V) and outputs it. The second step-down circuit 65 steps down the input voltage (for example, 5 V) from the first step-down circuit 64 to a predetermined voltage (for example, 3.3 V) and outputs it. The power of the predetermined voltage (3.3 V) output from the second step-down circuit 65 is input to the communication control IC 63.

  Further, the power supply line 113 connected to the other output terminal of the first step-down circuit 64 is connected to the first communication connector 58, and an overcurrent protection circuit 66 is provided in the middle of the power supply line 113. . The communication connector 58 can supply 5 V · 500 mA power supply power. The circuit board 60 supplies 5 V · 500 mA power to the first scanner device 20 via the first communication cable 74 whose terminal 74 A is connected to the communication connector 58. For example, even if a short circuit occurs due to any cause in the first scanner device 20 to which power is supplied, the overcurrent protection circuit 66 limits the output of the overcurrent to the connection destination of the communication connector 58. Further, the controller 80 of the first scanner device 20 detects that the first communication cable 74 is connected between the communication connectors 27 and 58 with a voltage (for example, 5 V).

  Furthermore, the power supply line 114 connected to the other output terminal of the first step-down circuit 64 is connected to the second communication connector 59, and a resistance element 67 is provided in the middle of the power supply line 114. The current output from the communication connector 59 is suppressed to a small predetermined value (for example, a predetermined value within the range of 1 to 50 mA) through the resistance element 67. This is because the power supply output connector 56 is used for power supply to supply power to the second scanner device 30, and the second communication connector 59 is not used for power supply but only for communication. The controller 90 of the second scanner device 30 detects that the communication cable 75 is connected between the communication connectors 38 and 59 with a voltage (for example, 5 V). Further, the current value that can be output by the second communication connector 59 can be suppressed by the resistance element 67 to a voltage (for example, 5 V) for detecting the connection and to a small value at which the overcurrent protection can be performed. ing. Thus, the first communication connector 58 can supply power (e.g., 0.5 W) greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 5 V. 100 mA) to the connection destination, and the second communication connector 59 can supply the predetermined value (e.g., 5 V.. Can not supply more than 100mA). That is, the power (for example, 0.5 W) that the first communication connector 58 can supply to the other party differs from the power (for example, a value of 0.25 W or less) that the second communication connector 59 can supply to the other party ing.

  In the present embodiment, the power distribution unit 68 is configured by the power supply lines 111 to 113, the first step-down circuit 64, and the overcurrent protection circuit 66. The power distribution unit 68 distributes the 24 V power input from the power adapter 101 to the 24 V power and the 5 V 500 mA power from the power input connector 55, and outputs the distributed 24 V power from the power output connector 56. , And 5 V · 500 mA of power are output from the first communication connector 58.

  Also, the communication connector 57 is connected to the communication control IC 63 via the power supply line 115. The power supplied from the PC 102 to the communication connector 57 via the communication cable 73 can be supplied to the communication control IC 63 through the power supply line 115.

  The communication control IC 63 is connected to the communication connectors 57 to 59 via a pair of communication lines 116. The communication control IC 63 can communicate with the PC 102 via the communication cable 73 connected to the communication connector 57. The communication control IC 63 sends an instruction from the PC 102 to the designated first scanner device 20 via the communication cable 74 connected to the first communication connector 58, or the communication cable connected to the second communication connector 59. It is possible to send to the designated second scanner device 30 via 75. The communication control IC 63 also has a function of transferring image data received from the first scanner device 20 or the second scanner device 30 to the PC 102.

  As shown in FIG. 10, on the substrate 61, a group of power supply system connectors 55 and 56 and a group of communication system communication connectors 57 to 59 are arranged separately for each group. The substrate 61 constituting the circuit substrate 60 has a plate shape having a predetermined shape surrounded by a plurality of sides in a plan view as viewed from the thickness direction. The substrate 61 in the present example has a rectangular shape having four sides S1 to S4 as a predetermined shape. The circuit board 60 is attached to the connection unit 40 such that the longitudinal direction of the substrate 61 is parallel to the width direction W and the thickness direction is parallel to the height direction Z. A first side S1 of the substrate 61 located on the back side (the lower side in FIG. 10) opposite to the first scanner device 20 in the front-rear direction (X direction) in the connecting unit 40 and extending parallel to the width direction W Is a long side, and a second side S2 intersecting (in the present example, particularly orthogonal) with the first side S1 is a short side. Then, on the substrate 61, four connectors 55 to 57, 59 are arranged along the first side S1, which is the long side, in a direction in which the connection direction is the X direction. In addition, of the two sides S2 and S4 (short sides) intersecting the first side S1 in the substrate 61, the direction (first direction) in which the circuit board 60 is biased with respect to the connection unit 40 (right in FIG. 10) The first communication connector 58 intersects the connection direction with the connection direction of the second communication connector 59 on the second side S2 located in the direction (second direction) opposite to the direction It is arranged in the direction that is orthogonal.

  In particular, in the circuit board 60 of the present embodiment, the direction (second direction) opposite to the bias direction (first direction) of the circuit board 60 with respect to the connection unit 40 with respect to the connector 55 of the power system in the width direction W The first step-down circuit 64 and the second step-down circuit 65 are located, and the communication control IC 63 is disposed on the second direction side of both the step-down circuits 64 and 65. The second communication connector 59 is opposite to the arrangement position of the first scanner device 20 in the X direction (that is, in the sub-scanning direction of the first scanner device 20) with respect to the substrate 61 with respect to both step-down circuits 64 and 65. It is arranged at the position of (the first side S1 side). In addition, the first communication connector 58 is located on the second direction side with respect to the communication control IC 63, and is disposed particularly on the second side S2 in this example. Thus, the number of connectors (four in this example) arranged on the first side S1 which is the long side of the substrate 61 is the number of connectors arranged on the second side S2 which is the short side (this example But it is more than one).

  Thus, the second communication connector 59 is disposed on the first side S1 opposite to the first scanner device 20 in the front-rear direction (X direction) with respect to the substrate 61 in a direction in which the connection direction is the X direction. ing. The first communication connector 58 crosses the connection direction with the connection direction of the second communication connector 59 at the second side S2 intersecting (particularly in this example) with the first side S1 on the substrate 61 ( In particular, they are arranged in an orthogonal orientation.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the power supply input connector 55 and the power output connector 56 of the power supply system are disposed adjacent to the end of the first side S1 of the substrate 61 near the fourth side S4. The power input connector 55 is in the longitudinal direction (width direction) of the substrate 61 on the side (the fourth side S4 side) opposite to the arrangement area of the group of the communication connectors 57 to 59 in the width direction W with respect to the power output connector 56 W) is located at the end. This is because when the relatively large power input connector 55 is disposed at a position other than the end of the substrate 61, the group of communication connectors 57 to 59 with respect to the power input connector 55 and the width direction W (substrate length This is because the area opposite to the direction is likely to be an empty space that is difficult to use for mounting of components and formation of wiring, and the area efficiency available for mounting of components of the substrate 61 and formation of wiring is reduced.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the communication connectors 57 and 59 are disposed adjacent to the first side S1 of the substrate 61 at a position closer to the second side S2 than the group of the power supply system connectors 55 and 56. Further, the communication connector 58 is disposed on the second side S2. Thus, the three communication connectors 57 to 59 are arranged adjacent to each other along the periphery of the substrate 61 to form a group. Also, the two communication connectors 58 and 59 connected to the first step-down circuit 64 through the power supply lines 113 and 114 are between the communication connector 57 connected to the communication control IC 63 through the power supply line 115 and the communication connector 57. It is arranged on both sides of the sandwich.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of pairs (three pairs in the example of FIG. 10) of communication lines 116 connecting between the three communication connectors 57 to 59 and the communication control IC 63 are wired in parallel. Two pairs of communication lines 116 connected to two communication connectors 58 and 59 located at both ends of the group of communication connectors are wired by a path close to the communication line 116 connected to the communication connector 57 located at the center There is. The two power supply lines 113 and 114 connecting between the two communication connectors 58 and 59 and the output terminal of the first step-down circuit 64 are a communication control IC 63 and a plurality of (three pairs) of communication lines 116, Except for the peripheral portion of the substrate 61, it is wired in a path surrounding substantially three sides.

  The power supply line 113 connected to the first communication connector 58 is connected to the output terminal of the first step-down circuit 64 via the side (front side) opposite to the area where the communication line 116 is formed with respect to the communication control IC 63. Further, the power supply line 114 connected to the communication connector 59 is wired in a path passing through the power supply system connectors 55 and 56 with respect to the three pairs of communication lines 116 and is connected to the output terminal of the first step-down circuit 64. There is. As described above, the three communication lines 116 extend from the communication control IC 63 disposed inside the wiring path of the power supply lines 113 and 114 by the wiring path sandwiched between the power supply lines 113 and 114, and each communication connector 57 Connected to ~ 59. Therefore, on the substrate 61, the three pairs of communication lines 116 are wired without crossing the power supply lines 113 to 115.

  Further, since the first communication connector 58 is provided on the second side S2 intersecting the first side S1, the third side S3 opposite to the first side S1 of the substrate 61 in the X direction is provided. , Connector is not placed. Therefore, the first scanner device 20 can be disposed at a position deeply inserted backward (in the direction opposite to the X direction) with respect to the connection unit 40, that is, at a position closer to the circuit board 60. As a result, as described above, the overall length in the X direction of the image reading system 11 is shortened, and compactness is realized.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the structure of the substrate 61 on which the communication line 116 is wired will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the substrate 61 is a multilayer substrate, and includes a plurality of (three in the example of FIG. 8) substrate layers 61A to 61C. Communication lines 116 of a plurality of pairs (only one pair is shown in FIG. 8) are the ground layer 120 formed on the same substrate layer 61C on which the communication lines 116 are formed and the ground layers 120 formed on the other substrate layers 61A and 61B. Is surrounded by Specifically, the pair of communication lines 116 is sandwiched from both sides by the ground layer 120 formed on the surface of the same substrate layer 61C, and the pair of communication lines 116 is formed on the surface or the back of the lower substrate layers 61A and 61B. It is surrounded from the lower side by a plurality of ground layers 120 disposed so as to overlap with the formation region in the stacking direction. Thus, in the present example, as shown in FIG. 8, the plurality of pairs of communication lines 116 are surrounded by the plurality of ground layers 120 from three sides. For this reason, the plurality of communication lines 116 do not cross the power supply lines 111 to 115. Therefore, it is difficult for noise from the power supply lines 111 to 115 to get on signals and data transmitted through the communication line 116.

  Next, the operation of the image reading system 11 will be described. The image reading system 11 is assembled using the first scanner device 20, the second scanner device 30, and the connection unit 40. First, the first scanner device 20 and the connection unit 40 are wired. A communication cable is used to wire the first scanner device 20. There are two communication cables, a first communication cable 74 and a second communication cable 75, which are formed of the same kind of communication cables of different lengths (in this example, USB communication cables). At this time, using the shorter first communication cable 74, the first communication cable 74 is connected between the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 and the first communication connector 58 provided on the circuit board 60. Do. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, since there is a space S in the side of the circuit board 60 in the width direction W of the connection unit 40, wiring work for connecting the first communication cable 74 between the connectors 27, 58 is performed. easy.

  After that, the first scanner device 20 is inserted to the specified position in the back direction (anti-X direction) between the pair of extension portions 41 of the connection unit 40. Then, by fastening each fastening member 52 inserted into the pair of fixing tools 51 fixed to the back surface portion of the main body 21 to the boss portion 47, the first scanner device 20 is extended on both sides in the width direction W by the pair of extension portions 41. Fixed to the connecting unit 40 in a guided state. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the first communication cable 74 connected between the connectors 27 and 58 is accommodated in the space S formed on the side of the circuit board 60 in the width direction W of the connection unit 40. .

  Next, the main body 31 of the second scanner device 30 is mounted on the pair of mounting surfaces 44 of the connection unit 40. Then, the second scanner device 30 is inserted into the connecting unit 40 by screwing the fastening members 54 inserted into the pair of fixing tools 53 fixed to the back of the main body 31 into screw holes provided on the back of the connecting unit 40. Fix it. Thereafter, the cover plate 48 is attached to the back surface of the connection unit 40 to cover the opening on the back surface. Further, the power cable 72 connects between the power output connector 56 of the connection unit 40 and the power input connector 37 of the second scanner device 30. Further, the second communication cable 75 is connected between the second communication connector 59 of the connection unit 40 and the communication connector 38 of the second scanner device 30. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the power supply cable 72 and the communication cable 75 are bundled into one and fastened to the clip member 49 fixed at a predetermined position of the cover plate 48. At this time, since the two connectors 55 and 56 which are the connection destinations on the connection unit 40 side of the respective cables 72 and 75 are arranged next to each other, it is easy to bundle the two cables 72 and 75 into one. Two clips can be held together by the clip member 49. Thus, the image reading system 11 is assembled.

  For example, the case where the communication cables 74 and 75 are used incorrectly will be described. When the second communication cable 75 is used for the connection between the first scanner device 20 and the connection unit 40, the first communication cable 74 is used for the connection between the second scanner device 30 and the connection unit 40. At this time, since the length L1 of the first communication cable 74 is shorter than the distance D2 between the connectors 38 and 59 shown in FIG. 5 (L1 <D2), the first communication cable 74 is connected between the connectors 38 and 59. Are short in length. As a result, it can be seen that the use of the second communication cable 75 previously connected between the connectors 27 and 58 was incorrect. Therefore, instead of the second communication cable 75, the first communication cable 74 is used to connect the connectors 27, 58. Here, the length L1 of the first communication cable 74 is longer than the first distance D1 and shorter than the third distance D3 which is the distance between the connectors 27 and 59 of the wrong combination. For this reason, the first communication cable 74 is not connected between the connectors 27 and 59 of the wrong combination. As a result, the first communication cable 74 can be connected between the appropriate connectors 27, 58. In this way, even if two communication cables 74 and 75 are used incorrectly, even if one can be connected, the other can not be connected due to the lack of length, so it is possible to notice a mistake in using the communication cables 74 and 75. .

  Next, when the second communication cable 75 is connected between the connectors 38 and 59 next, the cover plate 48 is attached later, or the terminal 75A of the second communication cable 75 is used without attaching the cover plate 48. May be connected to the first communication connector 58. In this case, since the second communication cable 75 has such a length that the other terminal 75A reaches the communication connector 58 when the one terminal 75B is connected to the communication connector 38 of the second scanner 30, there is no concern about misconnection. There is. However, since the first communication cable 74 is already connected to the first communication connector 58, there is no fear of erroneous connection for connecting the terminal 75A of the second communication cable 75 to the incorrect first communication connector 58. Thus, the second communication cable 75 is connected between the appropriate connectors 38, 59.

  When the assembly of the image reading system 11 is completed in this way, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the power supply input connector 55 of the connection unit 40 is connected to the power supply terminal 71A of the power supply adapter 101. Then, the communication cable 73 from the PC 102 is connected to the communication connector 57. The 24 V DC power input from the power supply input connector 55 is distributed by the circuit board 60. When the power of the first scanner device 20 is turned on by operating the power switch, 24 V DC power is supplied from the circuit board 60 to the first scanner device 20 via the power cable 72. Further, when the power of the second scanner device 30 is turned on by operating the power switch, the power of 5 V · 500 mA is supplied to the second scanner device 30 via the first communication cable 74.

  After the power is turned on, when the controller 80 in the first scanner device 20 inputs a voltage of 5 V from the communication connector 38, the communication connector 38 passes the first communication cable 74 and the first communication connector 58 on the coupling unit 40 side. Recognize the connection. Similarly, after the power is turned on, the controller 90 in the second scanner device 30 is connected to the second communication connector 59 on the connection unit 40 side through the second communication cable 75 when a voltage of 5 V is input from the communication connector 38. Recognize The scanner devices 20 and 30 can communicate with the PC 102 on the condition of this connection.

  For example, even if a short circuit occurs in the first scanner device 20, the overcurrent protection circuit 66 in the circuit board 60 causes an overcurrent to flow in the first scanner device 20 via the first communication cable 74. It is avoided. Also, for example, even if a short circuit occurs in the second scanner device 30, the current output from the second communication connector 59 by the resistance element 67 in the circuit board 60 has a predetermined value (for example, in the range of 1 to 50 mA) Since the second communication cable 75 is limited to the above value, it is possible to prevent an overcurrent from flowing to the second scanner device 30. Therefore, even if the first scanner device 20 is supplied with the power of 5 V. 500 mA by the communication cable 75 connected between the communication connectors 38 and 59, the excess current protection circuit 66 causes the first scanner device 20 to be overpowered. Current flow is avoided. Further, since the power supply line 114 is connected via the resistance element 67 in the circuit board 60 to the second communication connector 59 to which the second communication cable 75 not used for power supply is connected, the overcurrent protection circuit 66 is used. The use of a simple resistive element 67 even when not in use can prevent an overcurrent from flowing in the second scanner device 30 at the time of a short circuit.

  For example, when the first communication connector 58 and the second communication connector 59 are configured to be able to supply the same power, even if the communication cables 74 and 75 are incorrectly connected to the first and second communication connectors 58 and 59, Power can be supplied to the first scanner device 20. However, in this case, it is necessary to provide the overcurrent protection circuit 66 on the power supply lines 113 and 114 connected to the communication connectors 58 and 59, respectively. On the other hand, if only one communication connector 58 can supply power, there is no need to provide an overcurrent protection circuit 66 on one power supply line 114 which does not require power supply, and the resistance element 67 shown in FIG. be able to. And since the mechanism of the communication connectors 58 and 59 is different as described above, even if it becomes necessary to connect the communication cables 74 and 75 to the appropriate communication connectors 58 and 59, if the configuration of the present embodiment, the communication It is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of incorrect connection in which the cables 74 and 75 are connected to the wrong communication connectors 58 and 59. As a result, it is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of a situation in which power supply to the first scanner device 20 can not be performed.

According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The image reading system 11 is configured by integrally assembling the flatbed-type first scanner device 20 and the sheet-feed-type second scanner device 30 via the connection unit 40. The first communication cable 74 connecting the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 to the first communication connector 58, and the second communication connecting the communication connector 38 of the second scanner device 30 to the second communication connector 59 The cable 75 is a cable of the same type but different in length. Therefore, when connecting the communication cables 74 and 75 to the communication connectors 27, 58, 38 and 59, it is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of erroneous connection for connecting to the wrong connector.

  (2) In the assembled state, a first distance D1 between the communication connector 27 and the first communication connector 58, and a second distance D2 between the communication connector 38 and the second communication connector 59 Are different. Therefore, for example, if the first communication cable 74 and the second communication cable 75 are set to different lengths according to the distance between the communication connectors, the frequency of occurrence of erroneous connection for connecting the communication cables 74 and 75 to the wrong connector Can be reduced.

  (3) The first communication cable 74 is shorter than the second communication cable 75, and the first distance D1 is shorter than the second distance D2. The length L1 of the first communication cable 74 is longer than the first distance D1 and shorter than the second distance D2. Further, the length L2 of the second communication cable 75 is longer than the second distance D2. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of erroneous connection in which the first and second communication cables 74 and 75 are connected to the wrong connector.

  (4) The distance between the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 and the second communication connector 59, and the distance between the communication connector 38 of the second scanner device 30 and the first communication connector 58 If the shorter one of them is the third distance D3, the length L1 of the first communication cable 74 is shorter than the third distance D3 (L1 <D3). Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous connection in which the first communication cable 74 is connected between the wrong communication connectors 27 and 59.

  (5) The circuit board 60 is biased in the width direction W with respect to the connection unit 40 between the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 and the first communication connector 58 in the assembled state. A space S is located on the opposite side of the 60 biased side. Therefore, the first communication cable 74 connected between the communication connectors 27 and 58 can be accommodated in the space S. For this reason, the first communication cable 74 does not get in the way, and it is possible to avoid, for example, a problem that the first communication cable 74 is pinched when the cover 22 of the first scanner device 20 is opened and closed.

  (6) The circuit board 60 is disposed at a position deviated from the connecting unit 40 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the communication connector 27 is biased with respect to the main body 21. The first communication connector 58 is disposed at a position where the communication connector 27 is biased with respect to the main body 21 with respect to the circuit board 60 in the same direction. Therefore, the first communication connector 58 can be brought close to the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20, and the first distance D1 between the two connectors 27 and 58 can be relatively shortened.

  (7) When the communication cables 74 and 75 are connected to the connector provided in the connection unit 40, the first communication connector 58 capable of supplying the first power to the connection destination, and the first power to the connection destination It is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of erroneous connection in which the second communication connector 59 capable of supplying different second powers is erroneously connected. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of a situation where the power supply to the first scanner device 20 can not be performed due to the incorrect connection for connecting the communication cables 74 and 75 to the wrong communication connectors 58 and 59.

  (8) The first communication connector 58 supplies power (e.g. 5 V, 500 mA) or more to a predetermined value (e.g. 5 V. 100 mA) to the connection destination, and the second communication connector 59 supplies electric power equal to or more than the predetermined value to the connection. Do not supply As described above, even if the supplied power is different between the communication connectors 58 and 59, the frequency of occurrence of erroneous connection for connecting the communication cables 74 and 75 to the wrong communication connectors 58 and 59 can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of a situation in which power supply to the power supply becomes impossible. In addition, if the communication cables 74 and 75 are incorrectly connected, the power supplied to the first scanner device 20 is insufficient, so it is possible to relatively easily know that the connection is incorrect due to an operation such as an insufficient power. .

  (9) On the substrate 61, the group of the power input connector 55 and the power output connector 56 of the power system and the group of the communication connectors 57 to 59 of the communication system are arranged at positions divided into groups. Then, on the substrate 61, the power supply lines 111 and 113 to 115 and the plurality of pairs of communication lines 116 connected to the communication connectors 57 to 59 are wired in a route that does not intersect. Therefore, it is difficult for noise from the power supply lines 113 to 115 to get on signals and data transmitted through the communication line 116, and highly reliable communication is possible.

  (10) The substrate 61 includes a first step-down circuit 64 that steps down the power supply voltage input from the power supply input connector 55 to a predetermined voltage and outputs it to the communication connectors 58 and 59, and the communication connectors 57 to 59. A communication control IC 63 that controls communication is mounted. Therefore, the required voltage (for example, 5 V) can be supplied to the first and second scanner devices 20 and 30 via the respective communication connectors 58 and 59, and can be used to detect the connection of the communication cables 74 and 75. Communication can be performed between the first and second scanner devices 20 and 30 via the communication connectors 57-59.

  (11) Two power supply lines 113 connecting the two communication connectors 58 and 59 located at both ends of the group of communication connectors 57 to 59 and the output terminal of the first step-down circuit 64 on the substrate 61 , 114 are wired in a route surrounding the three pairs of communication lines 116 and the communication control IC 63 connecting the communication control IC 63 and the communication connectors 57 to 59. Therefore, three pairs of communication lines 116 can be wired on the substrate 61 without crossing the power supply lines 113 and 114. As a result, it is easy to prevent noise from the power supply lines 113 and 114 and the like from being included in the signal and data transmitted through the communication line 116.

  (12) The communication line 116 is wired to the substrate 61 in a path surrounded by the ground layer 120 formed on the substrate 61. Therefore, noise is less likely to get on the signal transmitted through the communication line 116, and highly reliable communication is possible.

  (13) The substrate 61 has a predetermined shape (a rectangular shape in this example) surrounded by the plurality of sides S1 to S4 in a plan view as viewed from the thickness direction. The second communication connector 59 is disposed on a first side S <b> 1 located opposite to the first scanner device 20 in the front-rear direction (X direction) of the substrate 61. The first communication connector 58 crosses the connection direction with the connection direction of the second communication connector 59 (especially orthogonal to the second side S2 intersecting (particularly orthogonal in this example) with the first side S1 of the substrate 61 ) Is oriented. Therefore, the communication connectors 27 and 58 can be brought close to make the first distance D 1 relatively short, and the first scanner device 20 can be deeply moved to the specified position closer to the connection unit 40 in the X direction by the substrate 61. It can be arranged in the inserted state, and the image reading system 11 can be miniaturized in the X direction by the amount of the approach.

  (14) The number of connectors arranged on the first side S1 which is the long side of the substrate 61 is larger than the number of connectors arranged on the second side S2 which is the short side. Therefore, the entire length in the short side direction (X direction) of the substrate 61 of the image reading system 11 can be shortened, and the image reading system 11 can be miniaturized in the X direction.

  (15) The circuit board 60 is configured to distribute the power input from the power supply adapter 101 by the power supply input connector 55 and supply it to the first scanner device 20 and the second scanner device 30. There is no need to connect 101. Therefore, the number of power adapters 101 required for the image reading system 11 can be reduced.

  (16) The connecting unit 40 is configured such that the first distance D1 between the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 and the first communication connector 58 is second when the scanner devices 20 and 30 are assembled. The second distance D2 between the communication connector 38 of the scanner device 30 and the second communication connector 59 is shorter. In addition, the first distance D1 is shorter than the length L1 of the shorter first communication cable 74. Furthermore, the distance between the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 and the second communication connector 59 and the distance between the communication connector 38 of the second scanner device 30 and the first communication connector 58 When the shorter one is the third distance D3, the second distance D2 and the third distance D3 are longer than the first communication cable 74. Therefore, when the first scanner device 20 and the second scanner device 30 are docked via the connection unit 40 and the image reading system 11 is assembled, the communication cables 74 and 75 can be used as the communication connector 27 and the first communication connector 58. And between the communication connector 38 and the second communication connector 59.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. In the first embodiment, one example of the first cable and the second cable is the two communication cables 74 and 75. However, in the second embodiment, one example of the first cable and the second cable is the power cable. Connect the two power cables to the wrong connector to prevent incorrect connection. The same reference numerals as in the first embodiment denote the same parts as in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Only differences will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 11, each power distributed by the circuit board 60 of the connection unit 40 is supplied to the two scanner devices 20 and 30 via the power cables 72 and 76. The connection unit 40 has a power output connector 131 and a power output connector 56 on the circuit board 60. The power output connector 131 provided in the connection unit 40 and the power input connector 26 of the first scanner device 20 are connected by a power cable 76 as an example of a first cable. Further, a power output connector 56 provided in the connection unit 40 and a power input connector 37 of the second scanner device 30 are connected by a power cable 72 as an example of a second cable. In the following description, the power output connector 131 which is an example of the “first connector” and the “first power connector” is called the “first power output connector 131”, and the “second connector” and The power supply output connector 56 which is an example of the second power supply connector is referred to as a "second power supply output connector 56". Further, the power cable 76, which is an example of the first cable, may be referred to as a "first power cable 76", and the power cable 72, which is an example of a second cable, may be referred to as a "second power cable 72".

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the first communication connector 58 of the connection unit 40 and the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 are connected by a first communication cable 74. Furthermore, the second communication connector 59 of the connection unit 40 and the communication connector 38 of the second scanner device 30 are connected by the second communication cable 75.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12, in the circuit board 60 of the connection unit 40, the power supply line 111 connected to the output terminal of the power supply input connector 55 is connected to the input terminal of the power supply output connector 56. A step-down circuit 69 is provided in the middle of the power supply line 117 branched and connected to the first power supply output connector 131. The step-down circuit 69 steps down the input voltage (for example, 24 V) from the power supply input connector 55 to a predetermined voltage (for example, 12 V) and outputs it. In the circuit board 60, the power distribution unit 68 is configured by power supply lines 111 and 117 and a step-down circuit 69. For this reason, the output voltage (for example, 24 V) of the power supply output connector 56 and the output voltage (for example, 12 V) of the first power supply output connector 131 are different. Therefore, the first power supplied to the connection destination by the first power output connector 131 is different from the second power supplied to the connection destination by the second power output connector 56 which is an example of the second connector. That is, the second power supply output connector 56 can supply the second power of a predetermined value or more, and the first power supply output connector 131 can supply the first power which can be supplied to the connection destination smaller than the second power. Power can not be supplied more than a specified value.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the two output terminals of the first step-down circuit 64 are connected to the communication connectors 58 and 59 through the power supply lines 113 and 114, respectively. A resistive element 67 is provided in the middle of the power supply lines 113 and 114, respectively. For this reason, the communication connectors 58 and 59 can supply only a small predetermined current (for example, a value within the range of 1 to 50 mA), and are used only for communication.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the first distance D1 between the power input connector 26 of the first scanner device 20 and the first power output connector 131 is the power input connector 37 of the second scanner device 30 and the second distance D1. The second distance D2 to the power supply output connector 56 is shorter than the second distance D2. Further, the length L1 of the power supply cable 76 is shorter than the length L2 of the power supply cable 72 (L1 <L2). The length L1 of the power supply cable 76 is longer than the first distance D1 and shorter than the second distance D2 (D1 <L1 <D2). Furthermore, the length L1 of the power cable 76 is shorter than the third distance D3 between the power input connector 26 of the first scanner device 20 and the second power output connector 56 (second connector) (see FIG. D1 <L1 <D3). The length L2 of the power supply cable 72 is longer than the second distance D2 (L2> D2). The lengths L1 and L2 and the distances D1 and D2 in the present embodiment are basically different from the values of L1, L2, D1 and D2 in the first embodiment because the positions of the target connectors are different. .

  Therefore, even if the supply power (supply voltage) of the first scanner device 20 and the second scanner device 30 is different, the first power cable 76 can be connected between the connectors 26 and 131, and the second power cable 72 can be connected to the connector 37. , 56 can be connected. Thus, it is possible to prevent an incorrect connection in which the power cables 72 and 76 are connected to the wrong connector.

  According to the second embodiment described above, when the power cables 72 and 76 are connected to the connector of the power system only by replacing the communication cables 74 and 75 in the first embodiment with the power cables 72 and 76, The same effect as obtained when connecting the communication cables 74 and 75 in one embodiment to the connector of the communication system can be obtained. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, for example, the following effects can be obtained.

(17) Since the power cables 72 and 76 have different lengths, it is possible to prevent a misconnection that connects the power cables 72 and 76 to the wrong connector.
(18) Since the first distance D1 is shorter than the second distance D2, it is possible to prevent a misconnection that connects the power cables 72, 76 to the wrong connector.

  (19) Since the length L1 of the power cable 76 is longer than the first distance D1 and shorter than the second distance D2 (D1 <L1 <D2), the power cables 72 and 76 are incorrectly connected to the wrong connector Connection can be prevented.

  (20) Since the length L1 of the power cable 76 is longer than the first distance D1 and shorter than the third distance D3 (D1 <L1 <D3), the power cables 72, 76 are incorrectly connected to the wrong connector Connection can be further prevented.

In addition, the said embodiment can also be changed into the following forms.
In the first embodiment, the lengths of the communication cables 74 and 75 may be reversed. That is, the length L2 of the second communication cable 75 is made shorter than the length L1 of the first communication cable 74 (L1> L2). In this case, the shorter second communication cable 75 is an example of the first cable, and the longer first communication cable 74 is an example of the second cable. Further, in this case, the distance D2 (an example of a first distance) between the communication connector 38 of the second scanner device 30 and the second communication connector 59 is communicated with the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20. (D1> D2) than the distance D1 (an example of the second distance) between the connector 58 and the connector 58. Furthermore, the length L2 of the shorter second communication cable 75 is made longer than the distance D2 and shorter than the third distance D3 (D2 <L2 <D3). According to this configuration, in the configuration in which the length L2 of the second communication cable 75 is shorter than the length L1 of the first communication cable 74 with D1> D2, the wrong connector for the second communication cable 75 is used. 27 and 58 and connectors 38 and 58 are too short to connect. Therefore, the second communication cable 75 can be connected between the appropriate connectors 38 and 59. Thus, both communication cables 74 and 75 can be connected between appropriate connectors. The length L2 of the shorter second communication cable 75 may be longer than the third distance D3 (L2> D3). Also according to this configuration, since the lengths of the first and second communication cables 74 and 75 are different, it is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of erroneous connection for connecting the respective communication cables 74 and 75 to the wrong connector.

  In the first embodiment, power may be supplied from the connection unit 40 to the first scanner device 20 via the power cable, and power may be supplied to the second scanner device 30 via the communication cable. In this case, in the circuit board 60 shown in FIG. 12, the circuit board has a circuit configuration in which the power supply output connector 56 is eliminated and the resistive element 67 connected to the second communication connector 59 is replaced with the overcurrent protection circuit 66. Good.

  The first communication connector 58, which is an example of the first connector in the first embodiment, and the first power output connector 131, which is an example of the first connector in the second embodiment, And may be disposed on the third side S3 closer to the first scanner device 20. Also according to this configuration, the first distance D1 between the connector of the first scanner device 20 and the first connector of the circuit board 60 is set to the distance between the connector of the second scanner device 30 and the second connector of the circuit board 60. Can be shorter than the second distance D2 between them.

  The direction in which the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 is biased in the width direction W with respect to the main body 21 may be the opposite side (right side in FIG. 7) to each of the embodiments. In this case, the circuit board 60 may be disposed at a position deviated to the left in FIG. 7 with respect to the connection unit 40. Then, the first communication connector 58 may be disposed on the fourth side S4 (an example of the second side) on the right side of the circuit board 60 in FIG.

In each embodiment, the circuit board 60 may not be biased in the width direction W with respect to the connection unit 40.
In each embodiment, the communication control IC 63 and communication of plural pairs (three pairs) of two power supply lines 113 and 114 connecting the output terminal of the first step-down circuit 64 and the two communication connectors 58 and 59 The line 116 may be wired in a route surrounding substantially two sides instead of the configuration in which the route is wired in a route surrounding substantially three sides. As described above, the power supply lines 113 and 114 may be paths that surround the communication control IC 63 and the communication line 116 from at least two sides.

In each embodiment, the communication connector 27 of the first scanner device 20 may not be biased in the width direction W with respect to the main body 21.
In each embodiment, power supply power may be supplied from the circuit board 60 to each of the scanner devices 20 and 30 through a communication cable. In this case, the power supply output connector may be omitted from the connection unit 40. Further, power supplied to the first communication connector 58 and the second communication connector 59 may be different.

  In each embodiment, the supplied power of the first connector to which the first cable is connected and the second connector to which the second cable is connected may be the same. For example, it may be necessary to prevent a misconnection in which the first and second cables are connected to the wrong connector for other reasons than power supply. Other reasons include, for example, the difference in the method of communication performed using the same type of cable (for example, the difference in transfer method), and the difference in the content of communication processing.

In each embodiment, the arrangement positions of the power input connector 55 and the power output connector 56 on the circuit board 60 may be reversed.
In each embodiment, the connectors 55 and 56 of the power supply system and the communication connectors 57 to 59 are disposed on the substrate, but at least one connector is electrically connected to the substrate 61 via the wiring such as a cable. You may attach to the connection unit 40 in the position away from the board | substrate 61 in the state. For example, three connectors 55 to 57 exposed on the back surface of the connection unit 40 may be attached to the connection unit 40 in a state of being separated from the substrate 61. Further, for example, all the connectors 55 to 59 of the connection unit 40 may be attached to the connection unit 40 in a state of being separated from the substrate 61.

  -In each embodiment, you may change the direction which arrange | positions the circuit board 60 in the connection unit 40 suitably. For example, the circuit board 60 may be disposed in a direction (vertically) in which the mounting surface (surface) is parallel to the height direction Z.

  In the first embodiment, the first communication connector 58 may be disposed on the first side S1 of the substrate 61. In this case, it is preferable that the first communication connector 58 be offset with respect to the substrate 61 in the same direction as the communication connector 27 is offset with respect to the main body 21.

  In the second embodiment, the first power output connector 131 may be disposed on the first side S1 of the substrate 61. In this case, the first communication connector 58 may be disposed on the first side S1 of the substrate 61 or may be disposed on the second side S2. Preferably, the first power supply output connector 131 is biased to the same side as the communication connector 27 is biased to the main body 21 with respect to the substrate 61.

  The substrate 61 constituting the circuit substrate 60 may be a single layer substrate instead of a multilayer substrate. In this case, the ground layer 120 is formed on both sides sandwiching the pair of communication lines 116 and the area on the other side of the substrate 61 overlapping the formation region of the pair of communication lines 116 formed on one surface of the substrate 61 in the thickness direction of the substrate 61 And a pair of communication lines 116 may be surrounded by the ground layer 120 from three sides. Further, a pair of communication lines 116 are formed between the layers of the substrate 61 formed of a multilayer substrate, and the pair of communication lines 116 formed between the layers are provided on both sides parallel to the surface of the substrate 61 sandwiching the pair. It may be surrounded by the ground layer 120 from four sides on both sides sandwiching in the stacking direction.

  In each embodiment, the communication cable is not limited to the USB communication cable, and may be a communication cable of another communication method. For example, an IEEE 1394 cable may be used. In this case, an IEEE 1394 connector is used as the communication connectors 27, 38, 57-59.

  The shape of the connection unit 40 may be any shape that allows a plurality of image reading devices to be assembled together. For example, the first scanner device 20 may be mounted on the bottom plate 46 by extending the bottom plate 46 forward. In each of the above embodiments, the first scanner device 20 is disposed at the lower stage, and the second scanner device 30 is disposed at the upper stage. However, the upper and lower stages may be reversed. Furthermore, a plurality of scanner devices 20 and 30 may be arranged side by side in the width direction. In addition, the first image reading device and the second image reading device may be arranged in a direction in which the respective sub-scanning directions intersect (for example, at right angles) via the connection unit. In short, it is sufficient if the plurality of image reading apparatuses are integrally connected in a state where they are respectively positioned at predetermined positions via the connection unit. The same applies to the case where at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses constituting the image forming system includes a printing apparatus that forms an image by printing on a medium such as a sheet.

  The method of fixing the plurality of image reading devices to the connection unit is not limited to the fastening using the fixing tool and the fastening member, and the locking may be performed using a locking portion such as a snap fit. Further, as long as the image reading apparatus can be positioned in the connecting unit, the image reading apparatus need not necessarily be fixed, and a connection may be made only by placing the image reading apparatus in the positioning position in the mounting position by a guide portion provided in the connecting unit. For example, in the image reading system 11 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the fixing tool 53 and the fastening member 54 (see FIG. 6) are eliminated, and a guide portion for restricting the forward movement of the first scanner device 20 (X direction) is added. The configuration may be different. The same applies to the case where at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses constituting the image forming system includes a printing apparatus that forms an image by printing on a medium such as a sheet.

  The image reading system may be configured by docking a plurality of flatbed-type first image reading devices via the connection unit. Further, the image reading system may be configured by docking a plurality of sheet feed type second image reading devices via the connection unit. Furthermore, the image reading system may have a configuration in which a plurality of flatbed-type first image reading devices and one sheet-feed-type second image reading device are docked through a connecting unit, or one flatbed-type first image reading device. The image reading apparatus and the plurality of sheet feed type second image reading apparatuses may be docked via the connecting unit. Further, the image reading system may have a configuration in which a plurality of flat bed type first image reading devices and a plurality of sheet feed type second image reading devices are docked via a connecting unit.

  The image reading system includes N (where N is a natural number of 3 or more) image forming apparatuses including a flatbed type first image reading apparatus and a sheet feed type second image reading apparatus, and a connecting unit. The configuration may be docked via the connection. In this case, the remainder of the N image forming apparatuses excluding the first image reading apparatus and the second image reading apparatus may be an image forming apparatus other than the image reading apparatus. As an example of an image forming apparatus other than the image reading apparatus, a printing apparatus (printer or multifunction peripheral) that forms an image by printing on a medium such as paper can be mentioned. A plurality of printing apparatuses can be connected via a connecting unit to constitute an image forming system.

  11: Image reading system as an example of an image forming system, 20: first scanner as an example of a first image forming apparatus and first image reading apparatus, 21: main body, 22: document table as an example of a cover Cover, power supply connector as an example of a connector of a first image forming apparatus (second embodiment), communication connector as an example of a connector of a first image forming apparatus (first embodiment), 30: a second scanner device which is an example of a second image forming apparatus and a second image reading apparatus, 31: a main body, 37: a power connector as an example of a connector of a second image forming apparatus (second embodiment 38, a communication connector (first embodiment) as an example of a connector of the second image forming apparatus 40, a coupling unit 40A, a docking unit 55, a power supply connector Power supply input connector as an example of a power supply, 56... An example of a second connector (second embodiment) and a power supply output connector as an example of a power supply connector, 57... A communication connector, 58. First communication connector (first embodiment), 59 second communication connector as an example of second connector (first embodiment), 60 circuit board, 61 substrate, 63 communication control circuit Communication control IC as an example, 64: first step-down circuit, 68: power distribution unit, 69: step-down circuit, 72: power cable as an example of second cable (second embodiment), 74: first cable First communication cable as an example (first embodiment) 75: second communication cable as an example of second cable (first embodiment), 76 as an example of a first cable Power supply cable (second embodiment) 111, 113 to 115, 117 power supply line 116 communication line 120 ground layer 131 power output connector as an example of the first connector (second embodiment) D: Document, L1: Length of first communication cable as an example of first cable (first embodiment) or length of first power cable as an example of first cable (second embodiment), L2: Length of second communication cable as an example of second cable (first embodiment) or length of second power cable as an example of second cable (second embodiment), D1 ... first distance, D2 ... second distance, D3 ... third distance, S ... space, S1 ... first side, S2 ... second side.

Claims (15)

A first image forming apparatus having a connector;
A second image forming apparatus having a connector;
A connecting unit that integrally connects the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus;
The connection unit includes a circuit board, and a first connector and a second connector electrically connected to the circuit board.
One of a cable connecting the first connector and the connector of the first image forming apparatus, and a cable connecting the second connector and the connector of the second image forming apparatus are first cables , and the Ri second cable der with different other cables in and the length of the first cable and the same type,
The first cable is a distance between the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the second connector, and a distance between the connector of the second image forming apparatus and the first connector. image forming system comprising the shorter this than the shorter distance of the.   One of the distance between the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the first connector and the distance between the connector of the second image forming apparatus and the second connector are: The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the distance is 1 and the other is a second distance different from the first distance and the length. The first cable is shorter than the second cable,
The first distance is shorter than the second distance,
3. The image formation according to claim 2, wherein the first cable is longer than the first distance and shorter than the second distance, and the second cable is longer than the second distance. system. The circuit is disposed between the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the first connector at a position biased to one side in the width direction with respect to the connection unit. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a space formed on the side opposite to the biased direction of the substrate is located. The connector of the first image forming apparatus is biased in the width direction with respect to the main body of the first image forming apparatus;
The circuit board is disposed at a position offset to the connection unit in a direction opposite to the offset direction of the connector with respect to the body.
The first connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first connector is disposed at a position offset to the circuit board in the same direction as the offset direction of the connector with respect to the main body. The image forming system described in. First and power the first connector can be supplied to the destination, any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the second connector and wherein the second power that can be supplied differ in the destination An image forming system according to one aspect. The connector of the first and second image forming apparatuses is a communication connector,
The first connector is a first communication connector,
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second connector is a second communication connector. The connector of the first and second image forming apparatuses is a power supply connector,
The first connector is a first power connector,
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second connector is a second power connector. A group of power connectors and a group of communication connectors are separately arranged in groups on a substrate constituting the circuit board,
The first connector and the second connector belong to the same group among the group of the power connector and the group of the communication connector,
On the substrate, according to claim 1 to 8, characterized in that each power supply line connected to the connector and the communication connector for the power supply, and the communication line connected to the communication connector is wired in the path that does not intersect An image forming system according to any one of the preceding claims. In the circuit board, the power supply voltage input from the power supply input connector of the power supply connector is stepped down to a predetermined voltage to connect the first and second image forming apparatuses of the communication connector. 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of step-down circuits for outputting the plurality including the first two, and a communication control circuit for performing communication via the communication connector. The substrate includes two power supply lines connecting two communication connectors located at both ends of the group of communication connectors and the output terminal of the step-down circuit, and a group of the communication control circuit and the communication connector And multiple communication lines to connect
The two power supply lines extending from the step-down circuit, an image forming system according to claim 1 0 of the communication control circuit and said plurality of communication lines, characterized in that it is wired in a path that surrounds at least two-way . On the substrate, the communication line is, in any one of claims 9乃 optimum 1 1, characterized in that it is formed in the wiring path surrounded by at least three sides by the ground layer formed on the substrate Image formation system as described. In the connection unit, a substrate constituting the circuit board is aligned with the first image forming apparatus in a direction intersecting the height direction of the first image forming apparatus assembled in the connection unit. The mounting surface is disposed in a direction intersecting the height direction,
The substrate has a plate shape having a predetermined shape surrounded by a plurality of sides,
The second connector is disposed on a first side opposite to the first image forming apparatus with respect to the substrate.
The first connector is disposed on a second side of the substrate crossing the first side in a direction in which the connection direction crosses the connection direction of the second connector. the image forming system as claimed in any one of Items 1 to 1 2. The first image forming apparatus is a flatbed type image reader.
The second image forming apparatus, an image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 1 3, characterized in that a sheet feed type image reading apparatus. A coupling unit in the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 1 4,
A docking unit to which the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus are assembled;
Circuit board,
A first connector electrically connected to the circuit board;
A second connector electrically connected to the circuit board;
Equipped with
One of a cable connecting the first connector and the connector of the first image forming apparatus and a cable connecting the second connector and the connector of the second image forming apparatus are the first cable. And the other is a cable of the same type as the first cable but of a different length,
In a state in which the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus are assembled via the docking unit, a distance between the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the first connector and The distance between the connector of the second image forming apparatus and the second connector is such that one is a first distance and the other is a second distance longer than the first distance. Yes,
The smaller of the distance between the connector of the first image forming apparatus and the second connector and the distance between the connector of the second image forming apparatus and the first connector distance is characterized by a long this than the first cable connecting unit.