JPH0550864U - Document cassette feeding device having a sensor circuit operation check mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To detect whether or not the sensor circuit for detecting the original cassette loaded in the original cassette supply device is functioning normally. In a document cassette feeding device, sensors 64a, 64b and sensors 66a, 66b for detecting the positions of a front end portion 62a and a rear end portion 62b of a document cassette 14 loaded in the device are provided. The sensor 64
The a and 64b and the sensors 66a and 66b are composed of a pair of light emitting elements and light receiving elements. The light emitted from the light emitting elements is incident on the light shielding plate 80 fixed to the lower side of the top plate 68 by moving the cage up and down. By detecting the blocking of light from the light emitting element to the light receiving element via the sensor 64a,
It can be detected that 64b and the sensors 66a, 66b are functioning normally.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a document cassette feeding device including an operation check mechanism of a sensor circuit for selectively feeding a plurality of document cassettes holding read documents to an image reading device.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 In the fields of printing and platemaking, an image scanning read-back reproduction system is used that electrically processes the image information recorded on the original to create a film original for the purpose of streamlining the work process and improving the image quality. There is.

In this case, in the image reading apparatus that constitutes the system, the read original stored in the original cassette is positioned and accommodated in the original cassette, and main scanning is performed while the image is being read, thereby performing two-dimensional reading of image information. ..

In such an image reading apparatus, in order to handle a large number of read originals, it is desirable to connect an automatic supply apparatus capable of automatically supplying a plurality of original cassettes. In addition, the automatic feeder is generally equipped with a vertically movable cage having a plurality of steps in which the object to be supplied is loaded, and by raising and lowering the cage, a desired object to be supplied can be obtained. It is configured to move to the outlet.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 By the way, in the automatic feeder, the document cassette is not properly stored in the cage. May occur.

Therefore, such an automatic feeder is provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the document cassette. However, when the circuit including the sensor has a malfunction, the same inconvenience occurs.

The present invention has been made in order to eliminate this kind of inconvenience, and the operation of the sensor circuit capable of checking whether the sensor circuit for detecting the document cassette is functioning normally or not. An object of the present invention is to provide a document cassette feeding device having a check mechanism.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is an original cassette supply device for selectively supplying a plurality of original cassettes holding read originals to an image reading device, and a plurality of original cassettes loaded with the original cassettes. It has at least one pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, which are arranged on the side of a cage having a step portion and are movable in a predetermined direction, and are arranged to face the step portion, and are mounted on the step portion. A sensor for detecting a document cassette that is provided, and a light-shielding member that is provided in a portion other than the stepped portion of the cage and that is inserted between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element that constitute the sensor when the cage moves. It is characterized in that the operation of the sensor circuit is checked from the time of non-light-shielding and the time of light-shielding of the sensor by the light-shielding member.

[0009]

[Action]

 The document cassette feeding apparatus having the sensor circuit operation checking mechanism according to the present invention is provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the document cassette loaded in the apparatus. If the cage is moved and the light emitting element is caused to emit light with the light shielding member being inserted between the light emitting element and the light receiving element that constitute the sensor, the light does not reach the light receiving element, and the pseudo light is emitted. It is detected that there is a document cassette in. If the light emitting element is made to emit light without the light shielding member being inserted, it is detected that the original cassette is not present. With these, it is possible to check the operation of the sensor circuit.

[0010]

【Example】

 A document cassette feeder having a sensor circuit operation check mechanism according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of a document cassette feeder of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the document cassette feeder with upper and middle lid members removed.

The original cassette feeding device 10 is surrounded by a casing 12, and has a cage 16 for accommodating the original cassette 14, an elevating means 17 for elevating and lowering the cage 16, and an original cassette accommodated in the cage 16. And a cassette transport mechanism (described later) for supplying the document cassette 14 to the image reading device 20 to which the document cassette supply device 10 is connected.

Here, the document cassette 14 supplied to the document cassette supply device 10 and the image reading device 20 is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the document cassette 14 holds a transmissive read document 26 between two supporting glass plates 24 surrounded by a frame 22 having a substantially rectangular shape, and is provided on both sides in the transport direction (direction of arrow X). Defines v-shaped grooves 28a, 28b extending along the transport direction. Further, a cassette identification unit 30 for identifying the document cassette 14 and the read document 26 held in the document cassette 14 is provided on the upper surface of the frame 22 in the transport direction. The cassette identification unit 30 is configured by combining a plurality of light transmitting units 32 and light shielding units 34 according to the document cassette 14 and the read document 26 held in the document cassette 14.

In FIG. 4, the image reading apparatus 20 includes the insertion detecting means 38 such as a photo interrupter disposed near the communication port 36 formed in the casing 35, the cassette identification means 40, and the document cassette 14. The image reading device 20 is provided with a conveyance step 42 and an image reading section 44. The insertion detecting means 38 detects that the document cassette 14 has been inserted into the image reading device 20. The cassette identifying means 40 identifies the original cassette 14 and the read original 26 held in the original cassette 14, and is composed of, for example, a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements in pairs. The conveying means 42 conveys the document cassette 14 from the communication port 36 to the image reading section 44, and has a guide roller 46 that engages with the grooves 28a and 28b on the side of the document cassette 14. The image reading unit 44 includes a light source 48 and a light receiving element 50 such as a CCD, and the light receiving element 50 receives light from the light source 48 that has passed through the document cassette 14 conveyed to the image reading unit 44, thereby forming an image. Read.

Next, the configuration of the document cassette supply device 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 to 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 12 has a first lid part 52 and a second lid part 54 to which the upper and middle steps are detachable. A cassette insertion table 56 in which the cassette insertion opening 18 is defined is provided near the lower end of the first lid 52. A sensor 58 for detecting the insertion of the document cassette 14 is provided at one end of the cassette insertion table 56. Inside the first lid 52, a pair of guide rollers 59 is provided at a portion corresponding to the cassette insertion port 18 (see FIGS. 1 and 5). The guide roller 59 guides the document cassette 14 inserted from the cassette insertion port 18 and carries it into the document cassette supply device 10.

The cage 16 is composed of a top plate 68, a bottom plate 70, and six guide bars 72 that support these in the casing 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 5). A plurality of guide rollers 74, which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, are axially supported by the respective guide bars 72, and four guide bars 72 are provided on one side surface of the document cassette 14 loaded from the cassette insertion port 18. , Are arranged on the other side surface side. The guide rollers 74 pivotally supported by the guide bar 72 hold the document cassette 14 by engaging with v-shaped grooves 28a and 28b defined on both side surfaces of the document cassette 14. In this manner, the cage 16 can hold a plurality of adjacent upper and lower original cassettes 14 at a predetermined interval by the guide rollers 74.

On the upper surface of the top plate 68 of the cage 16, there is provided a guide portion 76 that holds the side surface of the document cassette 14 when the document cassette 14 is manually inserted. On the other hand, a light shielding plate 80 is fixed to the lower side portion of the top plate 68 substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the original cassette 14. A fixed gap 78 is provided between the light shield plate 80 and the uppermost guide roller 74 pivotally supported by the guide bar 72 (see FIGS. 1 and 6 (b)).

Below the bottom plate 70 of the cage 16, a ball screw 84 connected to a drive shaft of a motor 82 that constitutes the elevating means 17 is provided. The cage 16 can be moved in the vertical direction via the support member 86. The first support member 86 is guided by a holding plate 89 fixed on the second support member 88. On this holding plate 89, in order to prevent the original cassette 14 loaded in the cage 16 from coming close to the cage 16, the front and rear sides of the original cassette feeder 10 are guided respectively. A plate 90 is provided (see FIGS. 1 and 5). A portion of the guide plate 90 near the cassette insertion opening 18 and a portion near the communication opening 36 communicating with the image reading apparatus 20 are partially cut away to allow the document cassette 14 to be loaded and unloaded. Tapered portions 92 are formed on the upper and lower sides to prevent the document cassette 14 from being pinched.

A guide roller 94 and a cassette identification means 96 are provided between the guide plate 90 and the communication port 36 communicating with the image reading device 20 (see FIG. 5). The cassette identification means 96 is composed of a plurality of light emitting elements and a plurality of light receiving elements which are arranged so as to face each other with the insertion passage of the original cassette 14 interposed therebetween, and are set in the cassette identification section 30 of the original cassette 14. The read data is read.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the cassette carrying mechanism 21 has a drive plate 98 that can be displaced in the direction of arrow A or B, and a motor 100 fixed to the drive plate 98. The drive plate 98 is supported by a pin 103 that engages with an elongated hole 102 defined in the drive plate 98, and is displaced in the direction of arrow A or B under the action of an eccentric cam driven by a motor (not shown). To do. A pulley 105 that engages with the drive shaft of the motor 100 is connected to each roller 104 via a belt 106. Each roller 104 is connected via belts 107 and 109 to conveyance rollers 108a, 108b, and 108c provided on the side surface side of the drive plate 98. In this case, when the drive plate 98 is displaced in the direction of arrow B, each of the transport rollers 108a, 108b, 108c contacts the side surface of the original cassette 14 loaded in the cage 16.

Here, a sensor for detecting the document cassette will be described. Sensors 64a and 64b and sensors 66a and 66b for detecting the positions of the front end portion 62a and the rear end portion 62b with respect to the carrying-in direction (the arrow X direction) of the document cassette 14 are arranged on both sides of the cage 16. It is installed (see Figure 5). The sensors 64a and 64b and the sensors 66a and 66b are composed of a pair of light emitting elements (for example, LEDs) and light receiving elements (for example, phototransistors), face the side surface of the document cassette 14, and are in the transport direction. Two pairs are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the (arrow X direction). Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the separation distance L1 from the front end portion 62a or the rear end portion 62b of the original cassette 14 to the adjacent guide plate 90 is from the front end portion 62a or the rear end portion 62b of the original cassette 14. It is set to be larger than the distance L2 between the sensors 64a and 64b or the sensors 66a and 66b. That is, by setting the respective separation distances to L1 ≧ L2, for example, when the document cassette 14 loaded in the cage 16 is close to the guide plate 90, it is arranged at the front end portion 62a or the rear end portion 62b. One of the installed sensors 64a, 64b, 66a, 66b is in the non-detection state, and the loaded document cassette 14 protrudes close to the guide plate 90. This is because it is possible to detect in advance that the vehicle is in a state of being present.

A detection member 111 extending along the displacement direction of the cage 16 is disposed between the top plate 68 and the bottom plate 70. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the detection member 111 includes a first detection portion 112a in which concave portions and convex portions are alternately formed in the longitudinal direction, and a convex portion at the upper end portion of the first detection portion 112a. The portion provided is a convex portion, the portion arranged in parallel with the concave portion at the lower end portion of the first detecting portion 112a is a convex portion, and the second detecting portion 112b having a concave portion between these convex portions is provided. The concave and convex portions of the first detection unit 112a are detected by the photo interrupter 110a, and the concave and convex portions of the second detection unit 112b are detected by the photo interrupter 110b. In this case, it is possible to detect that the cage 16 is at the lower limit end position by detecting the convex portion of the first detection unit 112a and the convex portion of the second detection unit 112b, and the concave portion and the first concave portion of the first detection unit 112a. It is possible to detect that the cage 16 is at the upper limit end position by detecting the convex portion of the 2 detection unit 112b. Then, the position of each stage of the cage 16 can be detected between the upper limit end position and the lower limit end position.

The document cassette supply device 10 according to the present embodiment and the image reading device 20 to which the document cassette supply device 10 is connected are basically configured as described above. The operation will be described.

First, before loading the document cassette 14 into the document cassette supply device 10, the power source of the document cassette supply device 10 is turned on. At that time, the document cassette supply device 10 is initialized, and the sensors 64a and 64b and the sensors 66a and 66b for detecting the position of the document cassette 14 loaded in the cage 16 are operated in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. A check is made to see if it is functioning properly. Hereinafter, this will be described with reference to the flowchart.

First, the motor 82 is driven, and the cage 16 is lowered to the set lower limit end under the rotating action of the ball screw 84 connected to the drive shaft of the motor 82 (step S1). In this case, the light shielding plate 80 provided below the top plate 68 of the cage 16 is inserted between the sensors 64a and 64b and between the sensors 66a and 66b. When the light emitting elements of the sensors 64a and 64b and the sensors 66a and 66b are driven in this state, the light from each light emitting element is blocked by the light shielding plate 80 and does not enter the opposing light receiving element, so that the sensor circuit operates normally. If the two pairs of sensors 64a and 64b and the sensors 66a and 66b are in the light-shielded state, it is detected (step S2).

Subsequently, the cage 16 is raised by a predetermined amount (for example, 10 mm) under the driving action of the motor 82 (step S3). At that time, since the gap 78 is located between the sensors 64a and 64b and between the sensors 66a and 66b, when the sensor circuit is operating normally, the light emitted from the light emitting element is emitted by the light receiving element. The light is received, and it is detected that the light is not shielded (steps S4 and S5).

Here, a case where a failure occurs in the sensor 64a, 64b, the sensor 66a, 66b, or a part of the sensor circuit for confirming the state based on signals from these will be described.

In this case, if the non-light-shielded state is detected in the light-shielded state, it can be naturally known that an abnormality has occurred somewhere in the sensor circuit. Further, in the non-light-shielded state, when the light-shielded state is detected, it can be at least known that the light-emitting element is not emitting light or the light-receiving element is out of order. When a failure occurs in the sensor circuit including the light emitting element and the light receiving element, an abnormality is displayed on the display unit (not shown) (step S6). By using this function, it is possible to confirm whether or not the cage 16 has been correctly moved to a predetermined position (in this case, the light shielding position by the light shielding plate 80 and the non-light shielding position in the gap 78).

As described above, the sensors 64a, 64b, 66a, 66b for detecting the position of the document cassette 14 function normally by detecting the light blocking state and the non-light blocking state of the light emitted from the light emitting element. It can be confirmed in advance. As described above, it is possible to turn on the document cassette supply device 10 to initialize it, and simultaneously check the operations of the sensors 64a and 64b and the sensors 66a and 66b for position detection. The operation check of the sensors 64a and 64b and the sensors 66a and 66b is not limited to the time of the initialization, but can be performed as needed at any time.

Next, a case will be described in which the original cassette 14 holding the read original 26 as shown in FIG. 3 is inserted from the cassette insertion opening 18 of the original cassette supply device 10.

When the original cassette 14 holding the read original 26 is inserted, the original cassette feeding device 10 detects the original cassette 14 by a sensor 58 provided at one end of the cassette insertion table 56, and operates the cassette conveyance mechanism 21. Drive it. The document cassette 14 detected by the sensor 58 is guided by the guide roller 59 and loaded into the cage 16. That is, the document cassette 14 inserted from the cassette insertion port 18 is held by the outer peripheral surface of the guide roller 59 engaging with the v-shaped grooves 28a and 28b on the side surface of the document cassette 14, and the inside of the cage 16 is retained. Be transported to. It is assumed that the cage 16 has an empty portion in which the original cassette 14 can be loaded, near the guide roller 59.

When the document cassette 14 is loaded to a predetermined position in the cage 16, it is transported to the cassette transport mechanism 21 driven by being detected by the sensor 58. That is, the eccentric cam rotates under the drive action of a motor (not shown), and the drive plate 98 is displaced in the direction of arrow B by the action of the eccentric cam. At that time, the conveying rollers 108a and 108b provided on the side surface side of the drive plate 98 are engaged with the groove portions 28a and 28b of the document cassette 14. Therefore, the motor 100 fixed to the drive plate 98 is driven, the roller 104 rotates under the driving action of the motor 100, and the conveying rollers 108a and 108b connected to the roller 104 via the belts 107 and 109. , 108c rotates. With the rotation of the conveying rollers 108a, 108b, 108c, the front end portion 62a of the document cassette 14 is inserted between the light emitting element and the light receiving element which form the cassette identifying means 96.

In this case, the front end portion 62 a of the document cassette 14 is provided with a plurality of light-transmitting parts and a plurality of light-shielding parts to set the type of the document cassette 14 and the identification mark of the read document 26 held in the document cassette 14. The cassette identification unit 30 is provided. Therefore, the original cassette feeding device 10 receives the light output from the light emitting element by the light receiving element via the cassette identification section 30 to read the information of the original cassette 14 loaded in this step portion. Can be recorded.

When the information from the document cassette 14 is read, the document cassette 14 is returned to a predetermined portion of the step under the driving action of the cassette transport mechanism 21, and then the driving plate is actuated under the action of the eccentric cam. 98 is displaced in the direction of arrow A and retracts from the cage 16.

Whether or not the document cassette 14 is located at a predetermined portion of the stepped portion is determined by two pairs of sensors 64a and 64b and sensors 66a and 66b arranged on the side surface of the document cassette 14. To be detected. That is, the light emitted from the light emitting elements of the sensors 64a and 64b is blocked by the front end portion 62a of the document cassette 14, the light receiving element detects the light blocking state, and the light emitted from the light emitting elements of the sensors 66a and 66b is detected. It is possible to detect that the original cassette 14 is at a predetermined position by detecting the light-shielded state by shielding the rear end portion 62b of the original cassette 14.

After the sensors 64a and 64b and the sensors 66a and 66b detect that the document cassette 14 has been loaded in a predetermined portion of the cage 16, another document cassette 14 is attached to another vacant step. The cage 16 is moved up and down under the rotational drive of the motor 82 to load the cage. In this case, the distance L1 from the front end portion 62a or the rear end portion 62b of the original cassette 14 housed in the cage 16 to the guide plate 90 standing upright is the front end portion 62a or the rear end portion of the original cassette 14. It is larger than the separation distance L2 from 62b to the sensors 64a and 64b or the sensors 66a and 66b. As a result, the sensors 64a and 64b and the sensors 66a and 66b detect the positions of both ends of the document cassette 14, so that the document cassette 14 is lifted up and down to a predetermined position without being pinched by the guide plate 90. Can be done.

In this way, by repeating the same operation as described above, it becomes possible to load a plurality of document cassettes 14 into the cage 16. Subsequently, when the document cassette 14 loaded in the cage 16 is supplied into the image reading apparatus 20, the ball screw 84 is rotated under the driving operation of the motor 82 to move the cage 16 up and down, and the image reading apparatus 20 is driven. The stepped portion loaded with the document cassette 14 supplied therein is stopped at a position corresponding to the communication port 36. Then, by operating the cassette carrying mechanism 21, the original cassette 14 is fed into the image reading device 20 through the communication port 36 under the driving action of the cassette feeding mechanism 21.

The image reading device 20 drives the conveying means 42 by detecting the original cassette 14 by the insertion detecting means 38, and conveys the original cassette 14 to the image reading section 44. In this case, the cassette identification means 40 performs the work of reading the information of the document cassette 14. Subsequently, in the image reading unit 44, the light output from the light source 48 is received by the light receiving element via the read document 26 held in the document cassette 14, and the image is read.

Although the original cassette feeding device 10 can automatically feed the original cassette 14 to the image reading device 20, if an obstacle such as a machine down occurs, the original cassette 14 is inserted through the cassette insertion port 18. It becomes impossible to supply the original cassette 14 of. To cope with such a situation, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the first lid 52 at the top of the document cassette feeder 10 is removed, the energization of the cage lifting motor 82 is cut off. It is possible to manually push down the cage 16 to a predetermined position by releasing the manual brake, load the document cassette 14 between the guide portions 76 on the top plate 68, and manually feed the image reading device 20.

[0041]

[Effect of the device]

 According to the document cassette feeding device provided with the operation check mechanism of the sensor circuit according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, a sensor arranged at the side of the cage, which is composed of at least a pair of light-emitting element and light-receiving element, detects the light-shielded state through the light-shielding member, so that the pseudo-manuscript cassette is detected. Detect. Further, by detecting a non-light-shielding state in which a light-shielding member is not inserted between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, it is detected that the document cassette is present. As described above, by detecting the light-shielded state and the non-light-shielded state, it is possible to check whether the sensor circuit including the sensor is operating normally.

Further, according to the present invention, there is an advantage that the operation check of the sensor circuit can be easily performed by using the light shielding member and the operation check can be performed by the simple check mechanism.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of a document cassette feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an original cassette feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state in which a lid portion is opened.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a document cassette loaded in the document cassette supply device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the document cassette supply device and the image reading device connected thereto shown in FIG.

5 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the document cassette supply device shown in FIG.

6A is a plan view showing a positional relationship between a guide plate, a document cassette, and a sensor, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 6 (a).

7 is a perspective explanatory view of a detection member that detects upper and lower limit positions of a cage that houses a document cassette and moves up and down in the document cassette supply device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

8 is a side view showing a first detection portion and a second detection portion of the detection member shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for checking the operation of the sensor circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference numeral 10 ... Original cassette feeding device 14 ... Original cassette 16 ... Cage 20 ... Image reading device 21 ... Cassette transport mechanism 58, 64a, 64b, 66a, 66b ... Sensor 78 ... Gap 80 ... Light-shielding plate

Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Atsushi Shiraishi 798 Miyadai, Kaisei-cho, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A document cassette feeding device for selectively feeding a plurality of document cassettes holding a document to be read to an image reading device, the document cassette feeding device having a plurality of steps for loading the document cassettes in a predetermined direction. A sensor which is disposed on a side portion of a movable cage and which is composed of at least a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element which are arranged to face the step portion, and which detects a document cassette loaded in the step portion; A light-shielding member that is provided at a site other than the stepped portion and that is inserted between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element that configure the sensor by the movement of the cage. An original cassette feeding device having an operation check mechanism of a sensor circuit, which checks the operation of the sensor circuit when the light is shielded.