JPH0870368A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a composite printer which has few troubles such as the jamming of an original, etc., and saves space. CONSTITUTION: This reader is provided with a contact image sensor 3 provided so as to expose to a first carrier route 19 and a guide roller 22 energized by a spring member 23 so as to adhere an original to the location opposed to the contact type image sensor 3 of a cover 14. In a state that the cover 14 is closed, the guide roller 22 is adhered to the contact type image sensor 3, and the guide roller 22 interlocks with a paper feeding operation and rotates paper. By providing a guide member adhering the original to an image reading means on an opening and closing part and rotating the guide member by interlocking it with the carriage of the original, the feeding of the original can be smoothly performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading device having an image reading means, preferably a contact image sensor, on a vertical conveyance path, and the reading device, and has a printer function, a scanner function, a copying function, and a facsimile. The present invention relates to a composite reading device integrally provided with functions and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as offices have become OA, printers and copiers as computer terminals, and facsimiles as communication means have been routinely used. In particular, recently, a composite printer having both of these functions has appeared, and particularly in a small office or the like, it is expected that these composite printers will become popular due to problems such as the installation location of the equipment.

In many conventional devices of this type, a CCD or a contact image sensor was used as an image reading means. Especially when a contact image sensor is used, the distance between the document and the sensor (depth of focus) is 0.2 mm or less, so it is difficult to move the image sensor to the document side to secure an appropriate depth of focus. There is. In the conventional image reading apparatus, the image reading function unit has the image reading unit arranged on the horizontal conveyance path.

Therefore, due to the weight of the original sheet, the original sheet is conveyed to the image reading section while maintaining its level, and the contact type image sensor can be moved to secure an appropriate depth of focus.

However, with regard to the compound printer, the size and size of the device have been further reduced due to the problem of space in the installation place. Therefore, as the apparatus becomes vertical, the image reading unit for the facsimile function and the copy function is also arranged on the vertical document transport path of the apparatus.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, when the conveying path is horizontal, the document is biased toward the image reading means by its own weight, so that the depth of focus can be secured relatively easily. On the other hand, when the apparatus is configured vertically and the image reading unit is arranged on the vertical conveyance path, the leading edge of the original may hit the image reading unit (contact type image sensor) due to corrugation of the original and cause a jam. Was becoming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a space-saving composite reading apparatus having a built-in image reading apparatus in which image reading means is arranged in a vertical conveyance path and having less trouble such as document jamming.

[0008]

An image reading apparatus having image reading means for reading image data of an original on a vertical conveying path, wherein the original is imaged at a position facing the image reading means of the conveying path. A guide member movably held on the image reading unit side so as to be in close contact with the reading unit side, and a biasing unit for biasing the guide member toward the image reading unit side, and preferably the guide member is rotated. The roller member is rotationally driven by the driving means.

Further, the rotation drive means is provided with drive transmission means for transmitting the power of the paper feed drive means of the apparatus main body.

Further, an opening / closing portion mounted on the outer surface of the apparatus main body so as to be openable / closable, a conveying path formed between the opening / closing portion and exposed by opening the opening / closing portion, a paper feeding section, and opening / closing on the conveying path. An image reading means provided so as to be exposed when the section is opened; a guide member movably urged to bring the original into close contact with the image reading means at a position facing the image reading means of the opening / closing section; The guide member is in close contact with the image reading unit in a state where the opening / closing section is closed, and is repulsively regulated in a direction opposite to the biasing direction. The member is a roller member that is rotationally driven by the rotational driving means, and is provided with drive transmission means that transmits the power of the sheet feeding driving means of the apparatus main body to the rotational driving means. More preferably, the image reading means is a contact type sensor.

[0011]

With the above construction, even if the image reading means is arranged in the vertically formed conveyance path, the document is not jammed in the reading section and the proper depth of focus (0.2) is obtained.
(mm or less) can be secured.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a compound reading device equipped with an image reading device of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a scanner mode designation key, a copy mode designation key, a printer mode designation key,
The operation designating section 2 provided with a data transfer designating key, a facsimile mode designating key, etc., outputs a command corresponding to the selected key provided on the operation designating section 1 when one of the selection keys is selected, and the line When there is received data input via a network control device (not shown) on the side, the control unit 3 which outputs a command corresponding to the received data, and the image reading means (in this embodiment, which reads and outputs the data line by line). (A contact image sensor is used) 4 is a drive unit that drives a paper transport system, 5 is a printing unit that prints input data on paper, and 6
When the scanner mode key is selected, the data read by the image reading unit 3 is corrected by a command from the control unit 2 and output to an external device (computer, etc.). When the copy mode key is selected, the control unit The scanner / copy processing unit corrects the data read by the image reading unit 3 according to the command 2 and outputs the corrected data to the printing unit 5.

When the printer mode key 7 is selected,
A printer processing unit 9 converts data received from an external device into font data having characters or the like according to a command from the control unit 2 and outputs the font data to the printing unit 5. When a data transfer designation key is selected, the data is sent from the external device. When the facsimile mode key is selected, the data transfer means 10 for outputting the data from the line side to the external device via the modem 8 via the modem 8 receives an image in response to a command from the control unit 2. Data for each line from the reading means 3 is binarized and compressed to be transmitted and output to the line side via the modem 8, and if there is received data from the line side, the modem 8 is instructed by a command from the control unit 2. This is a facsimile processing unit that expands the data input via it and outputs the data for each line to the printing unit 5.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the composite reader according to the embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus main body 21 is configured in a vertical type, and the operation designating section 1 is arranged on the front upper part of the apparatus.
Reference numeral 11 is a paper feed tray for inserting an original such as a facsimile original or copy original for reading an image, and 12 is a paper feeding tray for inserting a paper to be printed by the printing unit 5.
Reference numerals 1 and 12 are attached to the side surface of the main body so that they can be opened and closed.
Reference numeral 13 is an interface unit for inputting / outputting data to / from an external device, and 14 is a cover provided on the side surface of the apparatus main body 21 on the non-paper feed side. The cover 14 can be opened to expose the first transport path. The sheet can be eliminated when the sheet jams in the middle of the first conveying path. 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a cover provided inside the cover 14. The cover 15 and the cover 14 can be opened to expose the second conveyance path, and when the paper is jammed in the middle of the second conveyance path, the paper is conveyed. Can be eliminated. Reference numeral 16 is a paper discharge tray for discharging the paper conveyed from the paper feed tray 11 and the paper feed tray 12. The paper discharge tray 16 is attached to the top surface of the main body so as to be openable and closable. 2A shows the case where the paper discharge tray 16 is opened, and FIG. 2B shows the case where the paper discharge tray 16 is closed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 11 is a paper feed tray into which paper for reading images such as facsimile originals and copy originals is inserted, and 11a is a paper feed port. Reference numeral 12 is a paper feed tray into which paper to be printed by the printing unit 5 is inserted, and 12a is a paper feed port. The paper feed trays 11 and 12 are attached to the main body so as to be openable and closable. Reference numeral 17 denotes a paper feed roller that takes in the papers set in the paper feed trays 11 and 12 into the machine, and feeds the papers stacked in the paper feed trays 11 and 12 one by one from above.

Reference numeral 11b is a paper guide extending gently from the paper feed port 11a of the paper feed tray to the vicinity of the pickup portion of the paper feed roller 17. As a result, the sheet inserted in the sheet feed tray 11 reaches the pickup unit along the sheet guide 11b, is positioned above the uppermost sheet of the sheets stacked in the sheet feed tray 12, and is stacked in the sheet feed tray 12. First, the paper is fed into the machine by the paper feed roller 17. Reference numeral 18 designates a paper transport path in the machine as a first transport path 19 and a second transport path 2
It is a separating means for separating into 0 and 0. The separating means 18 is a separate control means for the shaft 1 depending on whether the paper is fed from the paper feed tray.
It rotates around 8a and guides the paper to the first transport path 19 or the second transport path 20.

The printing section 5 is provided on the second transport path 20. The printing unit 5 in this embodiment employs electrophotographic printing means. Reference numeral 5a is a developing unit, and 5b is an OPC drum. Reference numeral 5c is a charging unit, and 5d is an exposing means for exposing the surface of the OPC drum 5b according to print data. 5e designates the latent image formed on the OPC drum 5b as the first transport path 1
9 is a transfer unit that transfers 9 onto the conveyed paper. The transferred paper is further conveyed, heated and fixed by the fixing unit 21, and discharged to the paper discharge tray 16.

The image reading means 3 is provided on a first conveying path 19 formed vertically inside the machine. In this embodiment, a contact type image sensor is used as the image reading means. In the contact image sensor, the distance from the document (depth of focus) needs to be 0.2 mm or less.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the gear train of the image reading means of the composite reading device in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a guide member attached to the cover of the composite reading device in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows a state. 22 is a cover 14
The guide roller is held at a position facing the image reading means 3 so as to be reciprocally movable in the direction of arrow A and rotatably retained in the direction of arrow B. 22a is a shaft, 22b is a bearing,
22c is a drive gear for driving the guide roller 22, 22d
Is an E-ring. Reference numeral 23 is a spring member that biases the guide roller 22 toward the contact image sensor 3 side, and is attached to the bearing 22b.

Reference numeral 24 is a drive force transmission mechanism for rotating the guide roller 22 in conjunction with the drive means 17a of the paper feed roller 17. 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24
e, 24f, 24g, 24h, and 24i are driven gears, respectively, and 24j is a timing belt. The driving force transmitted from the timing belt 24j is transmitted from the driven gears 24g to 24h and is transmitted to the guide roller 22 via 24i.

Here, the guide roller 22 is movably held in the slot 22e via the bearing 22b, and is biased by the spring member 23 in the direction of arrow C when the cover 14 is opened. When the cover 14 is closed, the guide roller 22 comes into contact with the contact-type image sensor 3, repels the spring member 23 in the direction of the arrow D, is reversely biased, and adheres with an appropriate contact force.

Further, in the present embodiment, the image reading means 3 is provided in the first transport path and the printing section 5 is provided in the second transport path.
It is also possible to provide them in reverse.

The image reading operation of the composite reading device thus constructed will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, when a document for reading an image is inserted into the paper feed tray 11, the front end of the document reaches the paper feed roller 17 along the paper feed guide 11b. Then, the paper is fed into the machine by the paper feed roller 17. At this time, the separating means 18 rotates upward and the original is fed to the first transport path 19.

On the other hand, the guide roller 22 is the paper feed roller 1.
It is driven by the driving force transmission mechanism 24 in conjunction with the driving of No. 7 and rotates in the direction of arrow B. The leading edge of the document reaching the contact image sensor 3 is held between the guide roller 22 and the contact image sensor 3, and is smoothly contacted with the contact image sensor 3 by the rotation of the guide roller 22.

FIG. 8 is a state view in which the outer cover of the composite reading apparatus of the present invention is opened from the main body, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the guide roller portion of the contact sensor section.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, gears 24h and 24i are attached to the outer cover 14 in a meshed state. A guide roller 22 is attached to the elongated hole 22e of the outer cover 14 via a bearing 22b, and a gear 22c is fixed to the end of the shaft 22a by an E ring 22d. The guide roller 22 is biased by a spring member 23 attached to the bearing portion 22b, and the bearing 22 extends to the right end surface of the elongated hole 22e.
It is movable with b. In the moving range of the elongated hole 22e, the gear 22c attached to the guide roller shaft 22a is always in mesh with 24i.

FIG. 6 is a main body device view of the outer cover of the composite reading device of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the guide roller part of the contact sensor part.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the outer cover 14 is mounted on the main body, the guide roller 22 is moved by the elongated hole 22e through the bearing 22b, and the contact image sensor 3 by the spring member 23. Abutting against and contacting with an appropriate adhesion force due to the reverse bias. At that time, the guide roller shaft 2
The gear 22c attached to 2a holds the state of meshing with 24i, so that the driven gear 24h is driven by the drive gear 2h.
By engaging with 4g, the rotational driving force is transmitted, and the guide roller 22 rotates in the sheet conveying direction. Therefore, in the vertical feeding and conveyance of the paper, it is possible to prevent the paper from being lifted by the contact sensor section and to prevent the paper jam (jam) due to the contact by rotating the guide roller 22b so that the reading quality,
Improves reliability.

[0030]

According to the present invention, in a composite printer having a plurality of functions (printer, facsimile, copy, scanner, etc.), a conveyance path for image reading is provided at an opening / closing portion for exposing a conveyance path for printing. By making the conveyance path and the opening / closing section common, jam processing in each conveyance path can be facilitated, and a guide member for adhering the document to the image reading means is provided in the opening / closing section, and the guide member conveys the document. By interlocking with the rotation, it was possible to smooth the bite of the original.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a composite reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a composite reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a gear train of image reading means of the composite reading device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where the guide member is attached to the cover of the composite reader according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the outer cover of the composite reader according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a guide roller section of the contact sensor section of the composite reader according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the outer cover of the compound reading device according to the embodiment of the present invention is released from the main body.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a guide roller section of the contact sensor section of the composite reader according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Paper Feed Tray 12 Paper Feed Tray 13 Interface 14 First Opening / Closing Part 15 Second Opening / Closing Part 16 Paper Ejection Tray 17 Paper Feeding Roller 18 Separation Means 22 Guide Roller 23 Spring Member 24 Driving Force Transmission Mechanism

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus comprising image reading means for reading image data of an original on a vertical conveying path, wherein the original is read at a position facing the image reading means of the conveying path. An image reading apparatus comprising: a guide member that is movably held on the image reading unit side so as to be in close contact with the image reading unit side; and a biasing unit that biases the guide member toward the image reading unit side. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is a roller member which is rotationally driven by a rotational driving means. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotation drive means is provided with drive transmission means for transmitting the power of the paper feed drive means of the apparatus main body. 4. An opening / closing section that is openably and closably mounted on an outer surface of an apparatus main body, a conveyance path formed between the opening / closing section and exposed by opening the opening / closing section, a sheet feeding section, and the conveyance. The image reading means is provided so as to be exposed when the opening / closing part is opened in the path, and the original is movably urged to a position facing the image reading means of the opening / closing part so that the document is brought into close contact with the image reading means side. A guide member and an urging unit for urging the guide member toward the image reading unit, and the guide member is in close contact with the image reading unit with the opening / closing section closed, and the urging direction is Is an image reading device characterized in that repulsion is restricted in the opposite direction. 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the guide member is a roller member which is rotationally driven by a rotational driving means. 6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the rotation driving means is provided with drive transmission means for transmitting the power of the sheet feeding drive means of the apparatus main body. 7. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the image reading means is a contact type sensor.