JPH06235977A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the image reader of an electrophotographic copying machine improving productivity, shortening the installation time, and fixing a scanner unit in all scanning areas without requiring dedicated members such as a fixing member, a hooking member, and a restricting member. CONSTITUTION:In an image reader scanning a document face with scanner units 1a, 1b to read an image while the light from a light source is radiated to a document 9 set on a document platen 8 made of transparent glass, the vertical width of the opening section 5 of a side plate having the opening section 5 coupled with a frame 14 guided to the side from the scanner units 1a, 1b movably in the scanning direction is reduced to the necessary minimum, and the vertical movement of the scanner units 1a, 1b is restricted in the whole scanning area of the scanner units 1a, 1b.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus having a structure for restricting vertical movement of a scanner unit in the image reading apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile machine scans an image of an original set on a contact glass with a scanner unit (comprising a mirror, a lens, etc.) arranged directly under the contact glass. Then, the read image is formed as an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor, the latent image is developed with toner, and then the image is formed by transferring and fixing it on a recording paper. When the conventional electronic image forming apparatus is subjected to external vibrations or impacts during transportation, the scanner unit constituting the image reading apparatus vibrates vertically and in the scanning direction, so that the accuracy of assembling the scanner unit decreases. In addition to causing it, the mirror or the like attached to the scanner unit may be damaged. Analyzing the relationship between the vibration and the impact direction and the damage, since the holding force of the scanner unit motor acts in the scanning direction, the impact force that damages the scanner unit is not applied. However, the vibration and shock applied to the scanner unit in the vertical direction increase in proportion to the free movable range of the scanner unit in the vertical direction.

Therefore, when a conventional electrophotographic copying machine or the like is transported, the first scanner unit and the second scanner unit are moved to a predetermined position near each home position or the like, and a plurality of frames penetrating the frame or the like are penetrated. Fixing member, locking member,
By providing a regulating member and the like, the plurality of fixing members, locking members,
It was previously fixed by a restricting member or the like (Actual No. 63-137363, No. 2-24841,
(See JP-A-4-1671 and JP-A-4-136930).

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional fixing method, it is necessary to perform a troublesome screwing work at the stage of the final finishing step in the production of the electrophotographic copying machine and the like, which is a negative factor in the improvement of the productivity. Was becoming. Further, when the electrophotographic copying machine or the like is installed on the user side, it is necessary to remove the plurality of fixing members, locking members, restriction members, etc. inside the machine body, so that the exterior cover and the like are removed before installation. There was the annoyance of having to perform complicated work. Therefore, it took extra time to install the aircraft. Furthermore, the plurality of fixing members, locking members, regulating members, and the like are newly required, and the number of parts increases, resulting in high cost.

[0005]

As described above, the conventional image reading apparatus such as the electrophotographic copying machine has poor productivity,
There was a problem that the installation time of the airframe was required extra, and the cost increased due to the increase in the number of parts.

[0006]

The object of the present invention is to solve such a problem. That is, according to the present invention, productivity is improved, installation time is shortened, and further, the scanner unit can be fixed in the entire scanning region without requiring a dedicated member such as a fixing member, a locking member, and a regulating member. An object is to provide an image reading device such as an electrophotographic copying machine.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a scanner unit for irradiating a document set on a platen made of transparent glass with light from a light source while scanning the document surface. In an image reading apparatus that scans a document image by scanning with the scanner unit, the vertical width of the opening formed in the side plate in order to loosely fit the frame guided laterally from the scanner unit in the scanning direction to the minimum required width. The vertical movement of the scanner unit is regulated in the entire scanning area of the scanner unit by making the size small, and the light from the light source is applied to the original set on the original placing table made of transparent glass. And a second scanner unit that scans the document surface while scanning, and a second scanner unit that scans at a speed half that of the first scanner unit to form an image on the photoconductor. In the provided image reading apparatus, by vertically reducing the width in the vertical direction of the opening formed in the side plate in order to loosely fit the frames guided laterally from the respective scanner units so as to be movable in the scanning direction, ,
The vertical movement of each scanner unit is regulated over the entire scanning area of each scanner unit, the gap between the frame and the edge of the opening is set to 2 mm or less, the opening. It is characterized in that a shock absorbing member is provided on the frame portion located inside the portion, and a shock absorbing member is provided on an edge portion of the opening.

[0008]

In the image reading apparatus constructed as described above, a minute gap is provided in the opening of the side plate through which the engaging portion of the scanner unit is inserted so that the vertical movement of the scanner unit is largely restricted. Further, the productivity can be improved, the installation time can be shortened, and the scanner unit can be fixed in the entire scanning region without requiring a dedicated member such as a fixing member, a locking member, and a regulating member.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a main part of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A document 9 set on a document placing table 8 made of transparent glass on the upper surface of the image reading apparatus 0 such as an electrophotographic copying machine. Of the first scanner unit 1a, which scans the original 9 by irradiating it with light from a light source (not shown), and a photosensitive member (not shown) that scans in the same direction at half the speed of the first scanner unit. With the second scanner unit 1b for focusing the reflected light of the original on the body, the original 9
Image reading is performed. The second scanner unit 1b
Supports the second mirror 10 and the third mirror 11 by the mirror support portion 14a of the frame 14 and the horizontal support portion 14b.
The scanner slider 12 is supported by. This slider 1
It is possible to scan by sliding 2 on the scanner rail 13 fixed to the device side. A second scanner pulley 15 is rotatably supported by a shaft 15a projecting from a bent portion 14c at the outer end of the frame 14 of the second scanner unit 1b and wound around the second scanner pulley 15. The drive wire A16 and the drive wire B17 are connected to a scanner drive motor (not shown). By the rotation of the scanner drive motor, the second scanner unit 1b is driven in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface to perform scanning.

The engaging portion 2 of the frame 14 which is a part of the second scanner unit 1b has an opening 5 formed in the side plate 3.
It is loosely fitted through (provided in the entire scanning area), and the size of the opening 5 is the same as that of the second scanner unit 1b.
Is arranged such that the vertical gap (movable range) 4 with reference to the engaging portion 2 is within 2 mm in the scanning range or in any position. Therefore, when the image reading apparatus 0 such as an electrophotographic copying machine is transported, the second scanner unit 1b is used.
Vertical movement due to external vibration applied to the device can be restricted in the entire scanning region, so that the vertical power due to external vibration can also be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the essential portion of the second embodiment of the present invention, in which an original placed on the original placing table 8 made of transparent glass on the upper surface of the image reading apparatus 0 such as an electrophotographic copying machine. The original 9 is irradiated with light from a light source (not shown) toward the image surface of the original 9.
And a second scanner unit 1b (not shown) that scans in the same direction at a speed half that of the first scanner unit and forms an image of reflected light of an original on a photoreceptor (not shown). The image of the original 9 is read. The first scanner unit 1a has a first
Mirror 18, light source (not shown) and scanner slider 1
2 is mounted, and scanning can be performed by sliding on the scanner rail 13. The drive wire 16 is provided between the bent portion 14d at the outer end of the frame 14 of the first scanner unit 1a and the drive wire fixing plate 19.
It is connected to a scanner drive motor (not shown) by holding and holding. By the rotation of the scanner drive motor, the first scanner unit 1a is driven in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface to perform scanning.

The engaging portion 2 of the frame 14, which is a part of the first scanner unit 1a, is loosely fitted in a state of penetrating an opening 5 provided over the entire scanning region of the side plate 3, and the first scanner is provided. Vertical gap (movable range) based on the engaging portion 2 in the scanning range of the unit 1a or at an arbitrary position.
4 is arranged within 2 mm. Therefore,
Vertical movement due to external vibration applied to the first scanner unit 1a during transportation of the image reading apparatus 0 such as an electrophotographic copying machine can be restricted in the entire scanning region. Can also be smaller.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, which is a modification of the first embodiment. This embodiment is characterized in that a shock absorbing member 6 is interposed between the engaging portion 2 and the opening 5 (the shock absorbing member is fixed on the engaging portion 2). In FIG. 3, when the second scanner unit 1b vibrates vertically due to external vibration or the like, the shock absorbing member 6 made of an elastic material or the like is interposed in the engaging portion 2 of the frame 14 which is a part of the second scanner unit 1b. Because
The impact force generated by the collision between the frame 14 and the edge of the opening can be further reduced. The description of other configurations is the same as the configuration of the embodiment described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is a modification of the embodiment of FIG. In this embodiment, a shock absorbing member 6 made of an elastic material or the like is interposed between the engaging portion 2 and the opening 5 (the shock absorbing member is fixed on the engaging portion 2).
The configuration is characteristic. In FIG. 4, when the first scanner unit 1a vibrates vertically due to external vibration or the like,
Since the shock absorbing member 6 is attached to the engaging portion 2 of the frame 14 which is a part of the first scanner unit 1a, the shock force generated by the collision between the frame 14 and the edge of the opening can be further reduced. . For explanation of other configurations,
The configuration is the same as that of the embodiment described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1 or FIG. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is characterized in that the shock absorbing member 7 made of an elastic material is fixed to the upper edge of the opening 5. According to this embodiment, when the second scanner unit 1b vibrates in the vertical direction due to external vibration or the like, the shock absorbing member 7 is attached to the upper edge of the opening 5 of the side plate 3, so that the frame 14 and the opening edge. The impact force generated by the collision with can be further reduced. The description of other configurations is the same as the configuration of the embodiment described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, which is a modification of FIG. 2 or 4. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is characterized in that the shock absorbing member 7 made of an elastic material is fixed to the upper edge of the opening 5. According to this embodiment, when the first scanner unit 1a vibrates vertically due to external vibration or the like, since the shock absorbing member 7 is attached to the opening 5 of the side plate 3, the frame 14 and the edge of the opening are separated. The impact force generated by the collision can be further reduced. The description of other configurations is the same as the configuration of the embodiment described with reference to FIG.

The effects of the present invention described above are effective regardless of whether the first scanner unit 1a and the second scanner unit 1b are driven on both sides or one side. For example, in the case of one-sided driving, when the scanner guide rod is on the back side of the machine body, the opening 5 is provided in the front side plate 3a.
In the case of driving on both sides, the openings 5 may be provided in each of the front side plate 3a and the rear side plate 3b. In any case, an object of the present invention is to set the gap between the opening 5 for loosely supporting the frame 14 moving on the scanner rail 13 and the engaging portion 2 of the frame to a necessary minimum. It is possible to achieve the effect.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention, the minimum necessary gap is provided between the engaging portion of the frame of the scanner unit and the edge portion of the opening of the side plate in the entire scanning region, and the scanner unit is provided. Since the vertical movement of the scanner is restricted to a large extent, it is possible to reduce the vertical movement of the scanner unit during transportation of the equipment, resulting in improved productivity and a shorter installation time. It is possible to fix the scanner unit in the entire scanning region without requiring a dedicated member such as a stop member and a regulating member.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of an essential part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of an essential part of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of an essential part of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of an essential part of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of an essential part of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

0 ... Image reading device, 1 ... Scanner unit, 1
a ... 1st scanner unit, 1b ... 2nd scanner unit, 2 ... engagement part, 3 ... side plate, 3a ...
・ Front side plate, 3b ... Rear side plate, 4 ... Gap, 5 ...
Opening part, 6 ... Impact buffering member, 7 ... Impact buffering member, 8 ... Original placing table, 9 ... Original document, 10 ... Second mirror, 11 ... Third mirror, 12 ... Scanner slider, 13 ... Scanner rail, 14 ... Frame, 15 ... Second scanner pulley, 16 ... Drive wire A, 17 ... Drive wire B, 18 ... First mirror, 19 ... Drive wire fixing plate.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus for reading an original image by scanning a surface of the original with a scanner unit while irradiating an original set on a transparent glass original placing table with light from a light source. By making the vertical width of the opening formed in the side plate in order to loosely fit the frame guided laterally from the unit in the scanning direction, the entire width of the scanning region of the scanner unit can be obtained. An image reading apparatus characterized in that the vertical movement of the scanner unit is restricted. 2. A first scanner unit that scans the surface of the original while irradiating the original set on a transparent glass original placing table with light from a light source, and 1/2 of the first scanner unit. In the image reading apparatus including the second scanner unit that scans at a speed of 10 to form an image on the photoconductor, in order to loosely fit the frames, which are led out laterally from the respective scanner units, movably in the scanning direction. Image reading, characterized in that the vertical width of the opening formed in the side plate is made as small as possible to restrict the vertical movement of each scanner unit in the entire scanning region of each scanner unit. apparatus. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gap between the frame and the edge of the opening is set to 2 mm or less. 4. A shock absorbing member is provided on the frame portion located inside the opening.
2. The image reading device described in 2 or 3. 5. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein a shock absorbing member is provided at an edge of the opening.