JPH0713316Y2 - Image information input device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image information input device, and more particularly to an image information input device for inputting image information by manually scanning an information medium to be input.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, so-called image scanners, bar code readers and the like are known as image information input devices for inputting image information by optical means and supplying it to personal computers, word processors and the like.

However, the image information input device is a stationary type in the case of an image scanner, and because of its structure, it is necessary to represent the image information to be input on one sheet of paper and insert it into the image scanner. However, there is a problem that direct input processing cannot be performed on a thick object such as a book.

Therefore, the present applicant previously proposed Japanese Patent Application No. 61-176299 "Image Information Input Device" in order to solve the above problems.

[0005]

According to the above-mentioned "image information input device", the image information input device itself is a handy type, and the image information is sequentially input by placing the image information input device on a portion where information is to be input and moving it. can do.

Further, in the above-mentioned "image information input device", in order to perform proper image input regardless of the scanning speed of the image information input device on the information medium, the image data signal generated by the image reading means is synchronized with the scanning speed. I am letting you. In order to detect the scanning speed, a rotating member that rotates with scanning is attached to the apparatus main body, and the rotation speed of this rotating member is detected by the rotation detecting means.

However, in the past, an E-ring was used to attach this rotating member to the main body of the apparatus and to prevent it from being separated from the main body of the apparatus. As is well known, in order to mount the E-ring, a jig for mounting the E-ring has to be used, and there has been a problem that the work of mounting the rotary member on the apparatus main body becomes troublesome.

The present invention was created in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image information input device in which the mountability of the rotating member to the device body is improved.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, the image information to be input is pressed against an information medium and the relative displacement speed of the information medium is measured. Rotating member, a bearing mechanism that rotatably supports a support shaft provided on the rotating member in a case, and an image that receives reflected light including image information from the information medium and generates an image data signal. In an image information input device provided with reading means and rotation detecting means for detecting rotation of the rotating member and generating a synchronizing signal for synchronizing an image data signal with the rotating member, the bearing mechanism supports the rotating member. A bearing member integrally formed with a bearing portion through which a shaft is rotatably inserted and a flexible engaging claw portion, and the bearing member is fitted and the engaging claw portion of the bearing member is engaged. Face is formed A bearing support part integrally formed in a case with an inlet hole and a side wall part which is opposed to both ends of a support shaft of the rotary member in a state where the rotary member is mounted and restricts axial displacement of the rotary member. It is characterized by being constituted by

[0010]

By configuring the image information input device as described above, the roller is attached to the lower case by attaching bearing members to both ends of the support shaft of the roller, and the bearing member to which the roller is attached is attached from the outside of the case. This can be performed only by inserting the rotary member into the insertion hole, and the rotating member can be attached / detached without separating the case, so that the attaching / detaching work of the rotating member can be easily performed.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the image information input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an image information input device 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as an input device) according to the present invention. The input device 1 shown in the figure is generally composed of a case 2, a substrate 3, a rotation detecting means 4, a light emitting section 5, a roller 6, a lens 7, a one-dimensional image sensor 8 and the like.

The case 2 includes an upper case 2a and a lower case 2
and an opening 9 is formed at the front bottom of the lower case 2b. Bearing supporting portions 10a and 10b are integrally formed with the lower case 2b on both side edges of the opening 9 in the longitudinal direction, and the roller 6 is inserted into the fitting holes 11a and 11b formed in the bearing supporting portions 10a and 10b. Bearings 12a and 12b that support the bearing are fitted. This opening 9 is a roller 6
Is attached, and the elongated opening 9a
(Detailed in FIG. 2).

The opening 9a is where the light emitted from the light emitting section 5 and the reflected light from the information medium pass. A dust-proof cover 1 made of transparent acrylic resin is provided in the opening 9a.
3 is attached. The dust-proof cover 13 has a collar portion 13a and a mounting claw 13b, the collar portion 13a engages with the peripheral edge of the long side of the opening 13a, and the mounting claw 13b has a bearing support portion 10.
It is attached to the lower case 2b by engaging with a and 10b.

In the attached state, the dustproof cover 13 is arranged to be slightly recessed from the lower surface 2b- _{1 of the} lower case. Therefore, when the case 2 is displaced on the information medium, the dustproof cover 13 and the information medium do not engage with each other, and smooth input scanning can be performed.

By providing the dustproof cover 13,
Case 2 has a small opening to the outside,
It is possible to reliably prevent dust from entering the case 2. In particular, the opening 9a has a lower case 2a where dust easily enters.
Since it is formed on the lower surface 2b- _{1 of the above} , the effect of the dustproof cover 13 is great. As a result, dust does not adhere to the light emitting unit 5 arranged near the opening 9a and the mirror 30 described later, and good image input can be maintained forever and the durability of each component can be improved. In addition, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the electronic circuit.

The roller 6 is attached to the lower case 2b as will be described later, and it is conceivable that dust may enter the case 2 through the gap formed between the roller 6 and the opening 9. Therefore, the lower case 2b is formed with a roller accommodating recess 2b- ₃ for defining the roller 6 from the internal space of the case 2. By providing the roller storage recessed portion 2b- ₃ , it is possible to completely eliminate the portion of the case 2 that is open to the outside, and to further reliably prevent dust from entering.

In particular, since the roller 6 is made of rubber, dust is likely to adhere to it. Therefore, when the input device 1 is scanned to rotate the roller 6, the rotational force of the roller 6 causes the dust to enter the case 2. However, as described above, the roller 6
Is separated from the inner space of the case 2 by the roller accommodating recess 2b _-3, so that dust does not enter the case 2. Therefore, dust is not attached to the light emitting portion 5, the lens 7 and the mirror 30 described later even by the roller storage recess 2b- ₃ , and good image input and improved durability can be achieved.

Further, a mounting base 14 having a V-shaped groove 14a in which the lens 7 is mounted and mounted is integrally formed at a central position on the rear side of the lower case 2b.

An electronic component 15 is attached to the upper portion of the substrate 3, and a portion corresponding to the attachment position of the lens 7 is cut out to have a substantially U-shape. A rotation detecting means 4 for detecting rotation of the roller 6 is provided at a front corner of the substrate 3.

The rotation detecting means 4 includes a holder portion 16 and a gear 1
7, a rotary encoder 18 and the like. The holder part 16 is formed by integrally molding synthetic resin, and the gear 17 is supported by its supporting shaft 19, and the rotary encoder 18 is supported by its supporting shaft 20 by the bearing parts 21a and 21b. It is attached to 16. The rotary encoder 18 is provided with a gear portion 18b.

FIG. 3 shows how the rotary encoder 18 is supported by the holder portion 16. The rotary encoder 18 has a shaft support groove 1 formed in the wall of the holder 16.
6a, 16b and bearings 21a, 21b formed integrally with the holder 16 are bearings. When mounting the rotary encoder 18, the bearings 21a, 21b
The rotary encoder 1 after bending in the direction of the arrow in the figure.
The support shaft 20 of No. 8 is inserted into the shaft support grooves 16a and 16b, and then the above-mentioned flexibility is released. Claws 21a _-1 and 21b _-1 are formed on the upper portions of the bearings 21a and 21b, and the claws 21a _-1 and 21b _-1 are supported with the bearings 21a and 21b returned to their original positions. Engages with the upper surface of shaft 20. Support shaft 2
0 in the left-right direction in FIG.
It is regulated by the side surface of b. Therefore, the rotary encoder 18 is reliably supported by the holder portion 16.

With the bearing structure of the rotary encoder 18 having the above-described structure, the support shaft 20 which has been conventionally used is provided.
Structure for press-fitting into the wall 16 'of the holder (shown in FIG. 4)
Compared with, it is possible to improve the mounting workability. still,
As shown in FIG. 5, the wall portion 16a of the holder 16 may be flexible (FIG. 5 shows the wall portion 16a in the direction of the arrow). This allows the holder 1
The structure of 6 can be made simpler.

Encoder plate 1 of rotary encoder 18
A plurality of slits 18a _-1 extending in the radial direction are formed at 8a at equal angular intervals. A photo interrupter 22 is provided at a position facing the slit 18a of the mounted rotary encoder 18. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the photo interrupter 22 is attached to the board 3.
As shown in the figure, the photo interrupter 22 has a so-called vertical structure, and is provided with a detection unit 22a on the side thereof in which the encoder plate 18a is interposed.

A conventional photo interrupter is shown in FIG.
The photo interrupter 23 has the shape shown in FIGS.
8a, the encoder plate 18a of the photo interrupter 24 must be in a horizontal posture, and the position of the rotary encoder 18 is limited.
Therefore, the device 1 cannot be downsized.

However, by making the photo interrupter 22 vertical, the encoder plate 18a can be arranged in a vertical posture with respect to the substrate 3, and the light for passing through the slit 18a _-1 in the detecting portion 22a can be provided. The axis can be easily aligned. Also, by making it vertical,
Since the encoder plate 18a can be arranged regardless of the height position of the photo interrupter 22 and the terminal (not shown in the figure) is projected downward, the terminal is not connected to the substrate 3
It is possible to directly solder and attach to the lead.

Here, the assembled rotation detecting means 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of the assembled input device 1. As shown in the figure, the roller 6 is formed with a gear portion 6a, the rotary encoder 18 is rotatably supported by bearing portions 21a and 21b, and the gear 17 is a gear portion 6a of the roller 6 and a rotary encoder from above. It is configured to mesh with the gear portion 18b of the eighteen.

Therefore, the rotation of the roller 6 is surely transmitted to the rotary encoder 18 via the gear 17, and the rotation of the rotary encoder 18 corresponds to the rotation of the roller 6 with high accuracy, whereby the detection generated by the photo interrupter 22 is performed. The signal corresponds to the rotation of the roller 6 with high accuracy. In addition to this, since gear transmission is used as the rotation transmission means and a vertical photo interrupter is used, the rotation detection means 4 can be downsized.

Here, paying attention to the mounting structure of the roller 6 to the lower case 2b, which is an essential part of the present invention, FIGS.
Will be explained.

The roller 6 is the bearing member 12a, 12 described above.
bearing support part 1 formed in the lower case 2b using
It is attached to 0a and 10b. Bearing members 12a, 12b
Bearings 12a- ₁ and 12b- _{1 in} which the support shaft 25 of the roller 6 is rotatably inserted, and a bottom surface 2b- _{2 of the} lower case 2b.
Engaging claws 12a _-1 , 12b _-2 that engage with are formed. The engaging claws 12a _-2 , 12b _-2 have a flexible structure. Therefore, in order to mount the roller 6 on the lower case 2b, first, the bearing members 12a, 12a,
It can be mounted by attaching 12b and then pressing the bearings 12a _-1 , 12b _-1 in the fitting holes 11a, 11b in a positioned state.

In the mounted state, the engaging claw portions 12a _-2 ,
12b- ₂ is a lower case 2b as shown in FIG. 9 (A).
Engage the bottom surface 2b _-2 and, and both end portions of the support shaft 25 as shown in FIG. 9 (B) is regulated in the lateral direction of the displacement to the lower case 2b which is formed in the side wall portions 26a, 26b ing. Therefore, the roller 6 is surely attached to the lower case 2b, and the attaching work is extremely easy, so that the assembling workability can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 10, the bearing member 27
a and 27b have a cylindrical shape, and bearing support portions 28a,
28b may have a boss shape with a part of the upper part opened. First, each bearing member 27 is mounted in this structure.
a and 27b are inserted into the support shaft 25, and the support shaft 25 is inserted into the bearing members 27a and
7b, and then the bearing members 27a and 27b are displaced in the direction of the arrow in the drawing and press-fitted into the bearing support portions 28a and 28b. Even with the above structure, the rotor 6 can be easily attached to the lower case 2b.

Next, the optical system provided in the input device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 8 and 11. The optical system includes a light emitting unit 5, a mirror 30, a lens 7 and an image sensor 8. The information medium reflects the light emitted from the light emitting unit 5, and the reflected light forms an image on the image sensor 8. It is configured to form a predetermined optical path. FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a vertical cross section of the input device 1. The light emitting part 5 is composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a rod shape, and a holder 29 to which the light emitting diodes are attached has a mirror 3
0 is provided. This mirror 30 is the lower half 2b
Of the lower surface 2b _{-1 is} inclined by 45 °.

The holder 29 is formed by integrally molding a metal plate material by press working, and has a mounting surface portion 29a and a positioning flange portion 29.
It is a slender plate-like member formed by forming b and the fixing portions 29c _-1 , 29c _-2 (detailed in FIG. 1). The light emitting section 5 and the mirror 30 are mounted on the same surface of the mounting surface section 29a.
The rod-shaped light-emitting portion 5 and the mirror 30 are fixed to the mounting surface portion 29a by bonding or the like on the entire rear surface thereof, and therefore have a large mounting strength. In particular, the mirror 30 needs to be attached so that the optical system forms a predetermined optical path as will be described later, but since the attachment strength is large, the positional displacement does not occur due to an external impact or the like. Further, the mirror 30 is configured to be uniquely positioned by bringing the side edge into contact with the positioning flange portion 29b formed on the side edge of the mounting surface portion 29a.

The holder 29 has a fixed portion 29c _-1 ,
29c _-2 is a boss 31 formed on the lower case 2b
a and 31b (shown in FIG. 1) are screwed and fixed by screws 32a and 32b. In this fixed state, the light emitting unit 5 and the mirror 30 are positioned so as to form a predetermined optical path of the optical system. Has been done. Therefore, the positioning of the mirror 30 with respect to the holder 29 can be easily performed by the positioning flange portion 29b, and the positioning and mounting of the light emitting unit 5 and the mirror 30 with respect to the lower case 2b can be easily performed by the holder 29. As a result, the optical axes of the light emitting unit 5 and the mirror 30 can be easily aligned and the assembling workability can be improved.

The lens 7 is housed in a cylindrical lens case 33, and is fixed on the V-shaped groove 14a of the mounting base 14 by screwing a bracket 34 with screws 35a and 35b. Reference numeral 35 is a resinous sensor holder, and the image sensor 8 fixed to the sensor substrate 36 is attached to the rear portion thereof, and the front portion has a semi-cylindrical shape corresponding to the lens 7, and a part of the lens 7 is provided. Cylindrical lens case 3
3 is configured to be superposed. This sensor holder 3
5, U-shaped screw holes 36a and 36b (shown in FIG. 8) are formed. Further, the lens case 33 can be slidably displaced with respect to the image sensor 8 by slightly loosening the screws 35a and 35b, whereby the focus of the lens 7 can be adjusted with respect to the image sensor 8.

Now, the focus adjusting mechanism of the lens 7 with respect to the image sensor 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 11 to 14. The focus adjusting mechanism includes a lens case 33, a bracket 34, and a sensor holder 35, and adjusts the reflected light including image information to be imaged on the image sensor 8.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the lens case 33 is structured so as to be mounted on the V-shaped groove 14a formed in the mounting base 14. The height position of the lens case 33 is uniquely defined by the V-shaped groove 14a, and the lens case 33 is held in a state where the outer peripheral portion is in contact with the two oblique sides forming the V-shaped groove 14a. Therefore, the lens case 33 is mounted on the mounting base 14 without rattling and displaceably with respect to the optical axis direction.

An annular adjustment groove 33a is formed at a substantially central position in the longitudinal direction of the lens case 33 as shown in FIGS.
An adjusting hole 34a is formed at the top position of. As is well known, the focus adjustment of the image sensor 8 and the lens 7 can be defined to some extent at the design stage of the apparatus 1, but the final fine adjustment is performed by the operator on site. The adjustment groove 33a is configured to face the adjustment hole 34a at the in-focus position (focused position) at the time of designing. Therefore, the focus adjustment can be performed by engaging the focus adjustment jig with the adjustment groove 33a through the adjustment hole 34a and holding the lens case 33 with the focus adjustment jig.

FIG. 13 shows an eccentric rod 37 as a focus adjusting jig. The eccentric rod 37 has an outer diameter dimension that allows the eccentric rod 37 to be rotatably inserted into the adjustment hole 34a, and a protrusion 37a is provided at a position eccentric from the center position of the tip end portion thereof. At the time of focus adjustment, this eccentric rod 37 is inserted into the adjustment hole 34a formed in the bracket 34, and the projection 37a is engaged with the adjustment groove 33a. By rotating the eccentric rod 37 in this state,
Within the range corresponding to the amount of eccentricity of the protrusion 37a, the lens case 3
3 is displaced so that focus adjustment can be performed.

The above-mentioned adjustment work is performed by an operator, for example, while observing an oscilloscope connected to the image sensor 8 and tightening the screws 35a and 35b at the place where the specified output is obtained. Also, each screw 35
Since adjustment is performed with a and 35b temporarily fixed,
When the eccentric rod 37 is in focus, the screws 35a and 35b can be tightened while maintaining the focus position of the eccentric rod 37, and the adjusted focus does not deviate in screw tightening. Therefore, the focus adjustment work of the lens 7 with respect to the image sensor 8 can be performed extremely easily and with good workability.

In the above adjustment work, it is necessary to prepare the eccentric rod 37 having a special shape at the time of the adjustment work, but it is necessary to rotatably mount the adjustment member 37b as shown in FIG. 14 in the adjustment hole 34a. Therefore, the focus adjustment may be performed by a commonly used tool such as a driver.
As with the eccentric rod 37, a protrusion 37 is provided on the lower surface of the adjusting member 37b.
b _-1 is formed, and a groove 37b _-2 with which a driver is engaged is formed on the upper surface. This adjustment member 3
FIG. 14 (A) shows a state in which 7b is attached to the bracket 34.
Shown in. With the configuration shown in the figure, maintenance after product shipment can be easily performed.

On the other hand, when the sensor substrate 36 provided with the image sensor 8 is attached to the sensor holder 35, it is necessary to perform highly accurate positioning because the optical axis of the optical system coincides with the predetermined optical path.

Conventionally, a screw is used to mount the sensor substrate 36 to the sensor holder 35, and the mounting structure is simply fixed by interposing a washer between the sensor substrate 36 and the screw. For this reason, the sensor substrate 36 is displaced via the washer in accordance with the rotational tightening of the screw, which makes it impossible to perform highly accurate positioning.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the lower case 2b is placed so as to be located at the back surface of the sensor substrate 36 at the mounting position.
Ribs 38a, 38b are integrally formed upright on the V-shaped grooves 38a _-1 , 39 on which screws 39a, 39b engage.
b _-1 (see FIGS. 1 and 15, the V-shaped groove 38a _-1 is not shown in the figures) was formed.

As a result, the ribs 38a (38b) fixed between the sensor substrate 36 and the screws 39a (39b) are interposed as shown in FIGS. Sensor board 3 by tightening
6 is not displaced, and the optical axis can be easily aligned with high precision. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a leaf spring member 41 is interposed between the screw 39a (39b) and the sensor substrate 36, and the elastic force of the leaf spring member 41 presses the sensor substrate 36 to displace it. The sensor substrate 36 may be prevented from being displaced by tightening the screw 39a (39b) while regulating the above. The image sensor 8 attached at a predetermined position as described above generates an image data signal which performs photoelectric conversion in response to incoming light.

As shown in FIG. 17, the input device 1 having the above configuration is placed on an information medium 40 (for example, a book) on which image information such as characters and figures to be input is described, and is manually operated in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The image information is input by displacing with. At this time, the roller 6 is in pressure contact with the information medium 40 and is rotated corresponding to the above displacement. At the time of this image input, the light emitting diode of the light emitting unit 5 is emitting light, and the light is applied to the information medium 40 through the opening 9a. The reflected light of the illuminating light from the information medium 40 (indicated by the dashed-dotted arrow in the figure) is converted in 90 ° direction by the mirror 30, condensed by the lens 7, and incident on the image sensor 8. The image sensor 8 generates an image data signal corresponding to the incident light. At this time, since the dustproof cover 13 is provided in the opening 9a as described above, the dust does not enter the case 2 and the input process of the favorable image information can be performed.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the roller is attached to the lower case, the bearing members are attached to both ends of the support shaft of the roller, and the bearing member to which the roller is attached is fitted from the outside of the case. It can be performed only by fitting it into the hole, and since the rotating member can be attached / detached without separating the case, the rotating member can be attached / detached easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of an image information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a lower surface of the apparatus, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of essential parts for explaining a roller accommodating recess.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a mounting structure of a rotary encoder to a holder portion.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a mounting structure of a rotary encoder to a holder portion.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a mounting structure of a rotary encoder to a holder portion.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a photo interrupter.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional photo interrupter.

FIG. 8 is a partial cutaway plan view of the device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a mounting structure of a roller to a lower case.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a mounting structure of a roller to a lower case.

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a focus adjustment mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an eccentric rod.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a mode in which an adjusting member is used instead of the eccentric rod.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining ribs formed on the lower case.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a mode in which a leaf spring member is used to prevent the sensor substrate from being displaced.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a specification mode of the device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 device 2 case 2b _-3 roller accommodating concave portion 3 substrate 4 rotation detecting means 5 light emitting portion 6 roller 6a gear portion 7 lens 8 image sensor 9 openings 10a, 10b bearing support portion 12a, 12b bearing member 13 dust cover 14a V-shaped groove 16 Holder part 17 Gear 18 Rotary encoder 18a Encoder plate 18b Gear part 21a, 21b Bearing part 22 Photointerrupter 27a, 27b Bearing member 28a, 28b Bearing support part 29 Holder 29a Mounting surface part 29b Positioning flange part 29c- ₁ , 29c- ₂ Fixed part 30 mirror 33 lens case 33a adjustment groove 34 bracket 34a adjustment hole 35 sensor holder 35a, 35b, 39a, 39b screw 36 sensor substrate 37 eccentric rod 37b adjustment member 38a, 38b rib 38a _-1 , 38b _-1 V-shaped groove 40 information medium 41 leaf spring member

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A rotating member, which is pressed against an information medium on which image information to be input is described, and rotates corresponding to a relative displacement speed with respect to the information medium, and a spindle provided on the rotating member. Bearing for rotatably supporting the case, image reading means for generating reflected light containing image information from the information medium to generate an image data signal, rotation of the rotating member to detect the image data signal. In an image information input device provided with a rotation detecting means for generating a synchronization signal for synchronizing with the rotating member, the bearing mechanism includes a bearing portion through which a support shaft of the rotating member is rotatably inserted, and a flexible member. Bearing member integrally formed with the engaging claw portion, a fitting hole into which the bearing member is fitted and an engaging surface of the engaging claw portion of the bearing member is formed, and the rotating member are mounted. In the closed state, An image information input device, comprising: a bearing support part, which is integrally formed in a case, with side walls facing each other and restricting axial displacement of the rotary member.