JPH0751324Y2 - Image reader - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial application] The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for reading an image drawn on a sheet on a sheet supporting member, and particularly, for guiding the sheet smoothly to the outside of the apparatus when the sheet is mounted. The present invention relates to an image reading device provided with a paper guide for printing.

[Prior Art] In a conventional image reading apparatus, a sheet is inserted through an insertion port, a reading operation is performed at a position facing the reading member while being supported on a sheet supporting member, and then the sheet is guided to a delivery port of the apparatus. Had been Then, the reading member is
It was located close to the paper on the paper support member during the reading operation, and separated from the paper support member when the paper was loaded.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, it is impossible to provide another member, particularly a member for guiding the paper, in the moving area of the reading member because it hinders its movement. Therefore, when the paper is mounted, the leading end of the paper is not sufficiently guided, and in some cases, the paper may not be sent out and may be caught in the apparatus. In addition, when reading an image drawn on a sheet, the distance between the sheet and the reading member must be kept constant, and a special member is necessary to prevent the sheet from floating from the sheet supporting member. This contributed to the increase in points and the increase in cost.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and guides the sheet and mounts the sheet without disturbing the movement of the reading member and within the moving region of the reading member. It is an object of the present invention to provide at low cost an image reading apparatus that can reliably send out the image and can keep the distance between the sheet and the reading member constant during the reading operation without adding a special member. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a cylindrical platen that supports a sheet, and a cover that is located above the platen and has an opening for ejecting the sheet are provided. An image reading device comprising a reading position for approaching a sheet on the platen to read an image drawn on the sheet, and a reading member capable of changing a position between two positions of a standby position separated from the platen. A paper guide is provided between the cover and the cover along the longitudinal direction of the platen, and the upstream edge and the downstream edge of the paper guide in the paper advancing direction are opposite to and away from the platen. As described above, the middle portion of the paper guide is rotatably supported about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the platen, and when the reading member is at the reading position, the reading unit A position where the sheet guide does not interfere with the material and the downstream edge of the paper guide approaches the platen to press the sheet against the platen; and the upstream edge of the paper guide when the reading member is in the standby position. Enters the moving area of the reading member, approaches the platen, and the surface of the paper guide facing the platen is inclined with respect to the paper traveling direction so that the paper faces the platen direction. The operating means for rotating the plate around the axis is provided near the end of the platen.

[Operation] In the above configuration, when the reading member is positioned at the standby position when the paper is loaded, the upstream edge of the paper guide is moved into the moving region of the reading member. As a result, the surface of the sheet guide on the platen side is inclined with respect to the sheet advancing direction so that the sheet faces the platen direction. Therefore, by rotating the platen, the leading edge of the sheet can be smoothly guided toward the discharge opening.

When reading the image drawn on the paper, the paper guide is retracted from the moving area of the reading member and the reading member is positioned at the reading position. As a result, the downstream edge of the paper guide is positioned so as to press the paper against the platen. Therefore, the paper guide does not interfere with the reading member and thus does not interfere with the reading operation. Moreover, since the paper is pressed against the platen by the paper guide without floating, the distance between the paper and the reading member is kept constant.

[Embodiment] The present invention will be described below in detail based on an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a printer with an image reading device.

In the printer of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a platen 2 as a paper support member is rotatably supported by the support shafts 2a at both ends between the left and right side plates 1a and 1b of the frame 1, and the outer periphery thereof is provided. The paper 3 is supported by the paper. Then, the platen 2 is rotated by a predetermined amount by a motor or the like (not shown) to feed the paper 3. Both side plates of the frame 1 are arranged so as to extend parallel to the front side of the platen 2 along the longitudinal direction of the platen 2.
A guide rod 4 and a guide rail 5 are erected and supported between 1a and 1b.

A carriage 6 is movably supported on the guide rod 4, a projecting piece 6a slidably coupled to the guide rail 5 is provided at a front portion thereof, and a platen 2 is provided at an end portion on the opposite side of the platen 2. A paper meter 6b that is curved while having a predetermined gap is formed along the outer periphery of the paper meter 6b.
A printing window 6c is provided at the center of the. A print head 7 is mounted on the carriage 6, and as shown in FIG. 1, the print portion 7a is arranged to face the platen 2 through the print window 6c. A ribbon cassette (not shown) is installed on the frame 1, and a part of the ink ribbon 8 accommodated in the ribbon cassette is exposed to the outside, so that the print portion of the print head 7 is exposed.
It is arranged between 7a and the platen 2. Then, the carriage 6 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the platen 2 on the guide rod 4 via the timing belt 10 supported by the timing pulley 9 by a motor or the like (not shown), and the print head 7 is also moved along with this movement. Thus, printing is performed on the paper 3 on the platen 2 via the ink ribbon 8.

A pair of supporting portions 11a are provided adjacent to the carriage 6 on the guide rod 4 with reading members 11 at a predetermined interval.
The guide rod 4 is fitted and supported by, and can be moved integrally with the carriage 6 in the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 4 and can be rotated around the guide rod 4. Reading member
A reading section 11b is provided at the upper end of one side of the plate 11 so that it can face the front surface of the platen 2 above the ink ribbon 8 as shown in FIG. The reading member 11 contains a light emitting element, a light receiving element, and a large number of optical fibers for connecting them to the reading section 11b. The detailed structure of the reading member 11 is Japanese Patent Application No. 58- Since it is described in No. 151797, it is omitted.

Below the guide rod 4, the operating member 12 is provided with the guide rod 4.
Is arranged so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 4 and is rotatably supported at both ends of the guide rod 4 by the support portions 12a at both ends thereof. A bifurcated engagement piece 13 is projectingly provided on the lower surface of one supporting portion 11a of the reading member 11, and is engaged with the operating member 12 so as to be slidable from the front and rear sides. And the operating member 12
Is rotated by the pin 2b protruding from the outer surface of the one support portion 12a, the reading member 11 is rotated through the engaging piece 13, and the reading portion 11b is rotated by the platen as shown in FIG. 2 between the reading position for reading the image drawn on the sheet 3 on the platen 2 and the standby position where the reading unit 11b is separated from the platen 2 forward as shown in FIG. It is supposed to be repositioned.

A sensitivity level check member 14 is rotatably supported on the support shaft 2a at the right end of the platen 2, and a reflection surface 14a having a predetermined light reflectance is provided on a part of the outer periphery of the sensitivity level check member 14. The gear 14b is partially formed. Further, a cam 14f having an upper step surface 14c, a lower step surface 14b, and an inclined surface 14e for smoothly connecting both step surfaces is integrally formed on the right side surface of the sensitivity level check member 14 in FIG. ing.

An upper cover 15 detachably attached above the frame 1 forms an opening 15a for covering the print head 7, the reading member 11 and the like and sending the paper 3 out of the apparatus. The end of the opening 15a is formed. Is provided with a cutter 15b, where the paper 3 is cut.

The paper guide 16 provided along the longitudinal direction of the platen 2 in the vicinity of the platen 2 has the shaft portions 16a at both ends inserted into the bearing portions 15c projectingly provided on the lower surface of the upper cover 15 so that the length of the platen 2 increases. It is rotatably supported about an axis parallel to the direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the shaft portion 16a is located substantially in the middle of the paper guide 16 in the paper advancing direction, that is, the circumferential direction of the platen 2, and the rotation of the paper guide 16 causes the upstream edge 16c in the same direction. The downstream edge 16d and the downstream edge 16d are arranged so as to approach and separate from the platen 2 oppositely to each other, as will be described later. An urging spring (not shown) is suspended around the shaft portion not shown in FIG. 1, and the paper guide 16 is urged in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Further, a lifter 16b that comes into contact with the cam 14f is integrally provided at one end of the paper guide 16.

Behind the sensitivity level check member 14, two rotating bodies 17a, 17b are supported in the frame 1 so as to be integrally rotatable via a support shaft 18, and one of the rotating bodies 17a has one end having a sensitivity level check member. Fan-shaped gear 17c meshing with 14 gear 14b
Are formed. Further, a fan-shaped gear 17d that meshes with a gear 27 of a reduction gear system to be described later is formed on the other rotating body 17b, and a pin 17e is projectingly provided on a side surface thereof. When the rotating bodies 17a and 17b are rotated based on the rotation of the motor 19 described later, the sensitivity level check member 14 is rotated via the gears 17c and 14b, and the reflecting surface 14a is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the position is changed between the inoperative position above the platen 2 and away from the reading member 11 and the operating position facing the moving region of the reading member 11 at the reading position. It has become so. At this time, since the cam 14f is also rotated integrally, the paper guide 16 in which the lifter 16b contacts the cam 14f is also rotated at the same time, and the position can be changed to two positions. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the lifter 16b comes into contact with the lower surface 14b, the upstream edge 16c of the sheet guide 16 approaches the platen side within the moving area of the reading member 11 as shown in FIG. Then, the surface of the guide on the platen side is inclined with respect to the paper advancing direction. As a result, the leading edge of the sheet that rises in the tangential direction of the platen 2 is opened while facing the platen 2 with the platen-side surface of the sheet guide 16 serving as a guide portion.
I will guide you towards 15a. As shown in FIG. 4, when the lifter 16b contacts the upper surface 14c, the upstream edge 16c of the paper guide 16 is separated to a position where it does not interfere with the reading member 11 and the downstream edge 16d is located at the platen 2. And presses the sheet 3 against the platen 2.

On the right side of the platen 2, in the vicinity of the right side plate 1b of the frame 1, one motor 19 as a drive device capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions
Is supported. Then, the motor 19 and the rotating body 17b
A reduction gear system composed of a plurality of gears 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 is provided between the rotating body 17b and the support shaft 18b via the reduction gear system when the motor 19 rotates in the normal or reverse direction. Is rotated about.

The actuating member 12 and the rotating body 17b are connected by a connecting punch 21. That is, the operating member 12 and the pin 1 of the rotating body 17b
2b and 17e are a fitting hole 21a formed at both ends of the connecting punch 21 and an elongated hole 2a.
It is rotatably inserted in each of 1b. Also, the connecting pestle
Since the coil spring 22 is hooked between the spring bearing 21c protruding from the frame 21 and the spring bearing 1c protruding from the frame 1, the connecting punch 21 is urged forward by its urging force. The reading member 11 and the rotating body 17b are biased clockwise in FIG. At this time, pin 1 of the rotating body 17b
7e is engaged with the rear end of the long hole 21b.

In this way, when the rotating body 17b is rotated through the reduction gear system in accordance with the normal rotation or reverse rotation of the motor 19, the reading member 11 is rotated through the connecting punch 21, and the rotating body 17a is also integrally rotated. Since it moves, the sensitivity level check member 14 is also rotated, and further, the paper guide 16 that contacts the cam 14f is also rotated. Therefore, the reading member 11 and the paper guide 16 are drivingly connected by the connecting means including the connecting punch 11, the rotating bodies 17a and 17b, and the sensitivity level check member 14. Further, since the sensitivity level check member 14 is provided with the reflecting surface 14a and the cam 14f, the rotation of one member 14 achieves the two position changes of the reflecting surface 14a and the paper guide 16, thereby reducing the number of parts. Play a role in.

A restricting member 30 is provided on the right side surface of the carriage 6 so as to be eccentrically rotatable and adjusted so as to correspond to the reading member 11.
When the 11 and the sensitivity level check member 14 are rotated from the retracted position and the inoperative position shown in FIG. 3 in association with the reading position and the operating position shown in FIG. 4, the regulating member 30 contacts the reading member 11. In contact with each other, the reading member 11 and the sensitivity level check member 14 are positioned and held at the reading position and the working position.

Next, the operation of the printer with the image reading device configured as described above will be described.

When the paper 3 is mounted on this printer, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the motor 19 is rotated in the reverse direction and the rotating bodies 17a and 17b are rotated counterclockwise via the reduction gear system. . Then, the connecting pestle 21 is moved rearward against the urging force of the coil spring 22, and the reading member 11 is rotated counterclockwise to the standby position. Since the sensitivity level check member 14 is rotated in the clockwise direction at the same time, the reflecting surface 14a is in the inoperative position, and the paper guide 16 is the lifter 16b and the cam 14f.
The lower contact surface 14b is in contact with the lower step surface 14b and is positioned at the guide position. In this state, the paper 3 is inserted from behind the platen 2 along the guide plate 1d of the frame 1, and the platen 2 is rotated by a predetermined amount by a motor or the like not shown. Since the sheet 3 is regulated by the guide plate 1d, stable feeding is performed on the lower side of the platen 2, but the region where the print head 7 on the front side of the platen 2 moves is limited only partially by the paper meter 6b. As shown in FIG. 5A, the leading edge of the sheet 3 temporarily floats in the air, and the traveling direction of the sheet 3 becomes unstable. At this time, the paper guide 16 in the present invention
Is located in the area where the reading member 11 moves and in the vicinity of the platen 2, the distance that the sheet 3 is released without being restricted is very short, and as shown in FIG.
Immediately, the sheet guide 16 again receives the restriction, and the sheet guide 16 is smoothly guided to the outside of the apparatus along the lower surface of the sheet guide 16, that is, the surface on the platen side. Therefore, the paper 3 is not accidentally caught in the device.

When reading an image drawn on the sheet 3 mounted on the platen 2 in this way, the reading sensitivity level of the reading member 11 is checked prior to the reading operation. That is, first, the carriage 6 and the reading member 11 are integrally moved rightward along the guide rod 4 by the motor (not shown) via the timing belt 10 and the like, and the reading member 11 is moved.
Are arranged at positions corresponding to the sensitivity level check member 14. Then, when the motor 19 is rotated in the normal direction, the rotating body 17b is rotated clockwise through the reduction gear system. Then,
The connecting pestle 21 is moved forward by the urging force of the coil spring 22, and the reading member 11 is rotated until it comes into contact with the regulating member 30 and is positioned at the reading position. At the same time, since the sensitivity level check member 14 is rotated counterclockwise, the reflection surface 14a
Is in the operating position, and the paper guide 16 is the lifter 16b with the cam 1
The inclined surfaces 14e of 4f come into contact with the upper step surface 14c and are respectively positioned at the pressure contact positions. As a result, the reading unit 11b becomes
4a, the reflected light on the reflecting surface 14a is read,
The read sensitivity level is checked. The details of this checking method are described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 58-151797, and will not be repeated here. After that, the reading member 11 and the carriage 6 are moved in the longitudinal direction of the platen 2 along the guide rod 4 by a motor (not shown), and the reading member 11 and the carriage 6 are moved.
An image drawn on the sheet 3 on the platen 2 is read by the reading unit 11b of 11. At this time, the sheet 3 is pressed against the platen 2 by the downstream side edge portion 16d which is a part of the sheet guide 16, so that the sheet 3 is prevented from floating on the front surface of the platen 2, and therefore, the sheet 3 is kept between the reading unit 11b and the sheet 3. The clearance is kept constant and reliable reading is always possible.

It should be noted that the motor 19 is prevented from rotating by a limit switch (not shown) in both the forward and reverse directions by a predetermined amount or more, but even if the rotating body 17b is excessively rotated in the clockwise direction due to excessive rotation. The pin 17e only moves in the elongated hole 21b from the rear end to the front end, and prevents the reading member 11 from being forcibly pressed against the restricting means 30 and forceful.

Next, when printing on the sheet 3, the same setting as that when the sheet 3 is mounted is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the motor 19 is rotated in the reverse direction so that the reading member 11 is in the standby position, the reflecting surface 14a is in the inoperative position, and the paper guide 16 is in the inoperative position.
Are respectively located at the guide positions. Then, the carriage 6 is moved on the guide rod 4 along the longitudinal direction of the platen 2 by a motor (not shown) or the like, and the print head 7 prints on the paper 3 on the platen 2 via the ink ribbon 8 in accordance with this movement. Done. When the paper 3 is continuous paper, it is cut by the cutter 15b of the upper cover 15 after printing is completed. The guide position of the paper guide 16 in this embodiment is within the moving area of the reading member 11 and is provided extremely close to the print head 7. Further, the opening 15a and the cutter 15b for feeding the paper 3 are also close to the print head 7. Since the sheet 3 is provided by the cutter 15, when the printing is continuously performed on the sheet 3 cut by the cutter 15b, the margin generated from the leading end of the sheet 3 to the printing portion 7a can be shortened, and the sheet 3 can be effectively used. Further, since the reading member 11 is located at the standby position and the reflecting surface 14a is located at the non-acting position and is apart from the printing unit 7a, the reading unit 11b and the reflecting surface 14a are contaminated by ribbon scraps generated during the printing operation. Is prevented.

[Effect] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, when the reading member is at the reading position, the paper guide does not interfere with the reading member, and the downstream edge of the paper guide in the paper advancing direction platen the paper. It is possible to keep the distance between the sheet and the reading member constant by press-contacting. When the reading member is in the standby position, the upstream edge of the paper guide in the paper advancing direction approaches the platen and enters the moving area of the reading member, and the paper guide moves from the platen toward the paper ejection opening. The paper can be guided smoothly and can be reliably delivered when the paper is loaded. Moreover, as described above, when the paper is loaded, the upstream edge of the paper guide enters the moving area of the reading member and approaches the platen, so that the paper can be guided near the reading member. After the paper is loaded, the upstream edge of the paper guide is separated from the platen and the downstream edge presses the paper, so that the reading operation is not hindered.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a printer with an image reading device, FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the same, FIGS. 3 and 4 are partial side sectional views, and FIG. (A)
And (b) are side cross-sectional views showing a part of them. In the figure, 2 is a platen as a sheet supporting member, 3 is a sheet,
Reference numeral 11 is a reading member, and 16 is a paper guide.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A cylindrical platen for supporting a sheet, a cover located above the platen and having an opening for ejecting the sheet, and an image drawn on the sheet close to the sheet on the platen. An image reading apparatus comprising a reading position for reading a sheet and a reading member capable of changing a position between a standby position separated from the platen, and a sheet extending along the longitudinal direction of the platen between the platen and the cover. A guide is provided, and the middle part of the paper guide is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the platen so that the upstream edge and the downstream edge of the paper guide in the paper advancing direction are opposite to each other and are separated from each other. Rotatably supported around a different axis, at a position where the reading member does not interfere with the reading member at the reading position, and the downstream side edge of the paper guide. Is near the platen and presses the paper against the platen, and when the reading member is in the standby position, the upstream edge of the paper guide enters the moving area of the reading member and approaches the platen. The operation means for rotating the paper guide around the axis is located at a position where the surface of the guide facing the platen is inclined with respect to the paper advancing direction so that the paper faces the platen direction. An image reading device characterized by being provided in the vicinity of the section.