JPH09172526A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily extract an original without giving damage thereto even when the four sides of the original placed on a read glass by a set reference member, a pressing plate or an ADF(automatic draft feeder) or the like are surrounded. SOLUTION: A pressing plate 2 is provided to the depth of a read glass 7 turnably, an ADF 1 is provided to the left of the read glass 7, and longitudinal scale 8 and a lateral scale 9 are arranged to the right of the read glass 7 this side. In this case, the longitudinal scale 8 is provided to be moved vertically with respect to the upper face of the read glass 7, when the original is set, the original is set butting to the longitudinal scale 8, and in the case of reading the original, the longitudinal scale 8 is depressed to set the tip of the longitudinal scale 8 lower than the upper side of the read glass 7 so as to allow ease of original extraction.

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 which is applied to a copying machine, a scanner and a facsimile apparatus and reads an image of a sheet or a book original on a reading glass.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of technology, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64-30544, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64-30545, and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No.
There is one described in Japanese Patent No. 58743.

In Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 64-30544, when the pressure plate is closed, a slit is formed along the scale part between the ends of the sheet and the elastic member provided on the pressure plate and the scale part. In this way, a configuration is described in which the document is pressed without being affected by the step between the document and the scale portion.

Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Sho 64-30545 discloses a sponge provided on a pressure plate and a sponge for holding a document.
As a separate member from the sponge part that holds the scale part,
There is described a configuration in which the hardness of the sponge that holds down the scale portion is lowered so that the scale is held down without being affected by the step between the original and the scale portion.

In Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-58743, the original is positioned in one direction by hitting the original with a limiting member by free fall, and the original is abutted against a reference scale along the limiting member. The configuration is described.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned prior art, the scale for indicating the position for setting the original is of a fixed type. Therefore, a scale for document positioning is installed on two of the four sides of the rectangular reading glass on which the document is placed so that the scale is higher than the upper surface of the reading glass, and the document after reading can be easily taken out. Therefore, at least one of the remaining two sides needs to be lower than the upper surface of the reading glass.

However, for example, a method of having an ADF (automatic document feeder) and feeding a sheet-type document to an optical reading means (not shown) at a fixed position to read an image, and a reading glass. And an image having a pressure plate that opens and closes the upper surface of the reading glass, and a method of reading the image of the original by placing the original on the reading glass and scanning while moving the optical reading means (not shown). In the reading device, a pressure plate is usually arranged in the inner part of the main body of the reading device so as to be openable and closable. At this time, if the ADF is placed on the left side,
In order to take out the document from the right side and the front side of the reading glass, it was necessary to provide scales on the back side and the left side.
Therefore, the document setting position at this time is based on the left front, the left back, or the right back. On the contrary, when the ADF is arranged on the right side, it is necessary to set the document setting position on the right front side, the right back side, or the left back side. If this is not done, the four sides of the set original will be surrounded by the ADF, the pressure plate, and the scale. Therefore, when taking out the original, the scale must be overcome and taken out, which may damage the original. there were.

The present invention solves such a problem, and
An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that can select a document setting position regardless of the position of the DF or the like, and has good operability for taking out a document.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention as a technical means for effectively solving the above-mentioned problems is to provide a reading glass on which an original is placed, and at least one reading glass placed close to the side of the reading glass. Set reference member provided as a reference for the position of the original to be placed, a pressure plate rotatably provided on the side of the reading glass and opening and closing the upper surface of the reading glass, and the reading glass. In an image reading apparatus including a reading unit that reads an image of a document placed on the reading glass from the lower side of the reading glass, a facing portion of the set reference member with respect to the reading glass is moved up and down with respect to an upper surface of the reading glass. And a moving means for moving the set reference member up and down.

Further, the moving means is a supporting means for rotatably supporting the set reference member, and the center of rotation of the set reference member is at the same height or above the upper surface of the reading glass. It is characterized by

A pressing member for pressing down the set reference member when the pressure plate is closed is attached to the pressure plate.

The pressing member is elastic.

Further, the timing at which the pressing member pushes down the set reference member is set immediately before or after the original on the reading glass is pressed by the pressure plate.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of an image forming apparatus equipped with a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an automatic document feeder (ADF) provided in the main body M of the image forming apparatus, and 2 is A pressure plate provided on the upper part of the main body M so as to be openable and closable is an ADF
An original table 4 on which the originals to be sent to 1 are stacked, 4 is an operation unit which is provided in the main body M, and which inputs a command relating to the operation of the image forming apparatus, and 5 is a recording paper on which the recording papers discharged to the outside after image recording are stacked. A tray 6 is a recording paper cassette for setting unrecorded recording paper.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the pressure plate in FIG. 1 in an open state. 7 is a reading glass for placing a document, and 8 is a side of the reading glass 7 on the recording paper tray 5 side. A vertical scale provided, 9 is a horizontal scale provided on the front side of the reading glass 7, that is, on the operation unit 4 side, 10 is a sponge provided on the pressure plate 2, and 11 is a reading white sheet provided on the surface of the sponge 10. Show. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the side of the reading glass 7 on which the pressure plate is installed is the back side, and the operation unit 4 is
The side will be described as the front side, the ADF 1 side as the left side, and the recording paper tray 5 side as the right side.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has an ADF1
An optical reading unit that conveys a sheet-type document through the document and stops it inside the main body M and at a position below the ADF 1.
A method of reading an image of an original by scanning (not shown) (sheet method) and a method of placing a book type original on the reading glass 7 and scanning while moving an optical reading means (not shown) 2 with the method of reading the original image (book method)
The image can be read by one of the two methods.

In the method using the ADF 1, first, an original is placed on the original table 3 with the image surface facing upward, the pressure plate 2 is closed, and then the image reading is started by operating the operation unit 4. Then, the originals are conveyed one by one by the ADF 1, and after the images are read, they are discharged onto the pressure plate 2.

In the method of placing an original on the reading glass 7, first, the original is positioned by bringing the corners of the original into contact with the corners of the vertical scale 8 and the horizontal scale 9 located on the right front side of the reading glass 7. Then, the pressure plate 2 is closed, the document is pressed by the sponge 10 to stabilize the position of the document, and the optical reading means (not shown) is driven by the operation of the operation unit 4,
An image is read by moving the lower side of the reading glass 7 and scanning the image surface of the document. Thereafter, the read image is recorded on recording paper by an image recording unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus, and the recording paper is discharged to the recording paper tray.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure of a vertical scale which is an essential part of the first embodiment of the present invention. 12 is a support member for supporting the vertical scale 8 on the back side, and 13 is the front side of the vertical scale 8. A support member that is supported on the side, 14 is a base provided below the vertical scale 8, 15 is a leaf spring, 16 is a reference scale, and 17 is a push mark marked on the upper surface of the reference scale 16.

The reference scale 16 has a P-shaped cross section, and pins 16a and 16b are erected on an arcuate projection formed on one side of the reference scale 16 in the longitudinal direction. The pins 16a and 16b are rotatably supported by the support members 12 and 13, and the reference scale 16 and the support member 1
The vertical scale 8 is composed of 2 and 13. Further, the upper surface of the free end portion of the vertical scale 8 is formed in a taper shape, and stoppers 16c and 16d are extended in a tongue shape on the free end portions of both side surfaces of the reference scale 16.

The cross-section of the support member 12 has the same shape as the cross-section of the reference scale 16, and the arcuate projection on the inner side surface has a hole 12a into which the pin 16a is fitted and a groove 12b that abuts against the stopper 16c. Further, a through hole 12c is provided at the center of the upper surface of the support member 12. Further, the support member 13 has a shape symmetrical with respect to the support member 12, and the support member 13 is provided with a hole portion 13a into which the pin 16b is fitted and a groove portion 13b that abuts on the stopper 16d. A through hole 13c is provided in the center of the upper surface of the support member 13.

The base 14 has an L-shape when viewed from the side, holes 14a and 14b are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the surface facing the vertical scale 8, and the side portions are provided at three positions. Notches 14c, 14c, 14c are provided. Further, a leaf spring 1 is provided on the lower surface of the surface of the base 14 facing the reference scale 16.
5, 15, 15 are fixed so as to partially extend from the notches 14c, 14c, 14c, and the extending portions of the leaf springs 15, 15, 15 are bent upward. ing.

Then, as described above, the reference scale 16
The supporting members 12 and 13 are attached to both sides of the vertical scale 8 to form the vertical scale 8, the base 14 is placed on the right side of the reading glass 7, and the vertical scale 8 is placed thereon. At this time, the through hole 12c and the hole 14a and the through hole 13c and the hole 14b are at the same position, and the through hole 12c and the hole 14a and the through hole are formed by screws.
The support members 12 and 13 are fixed to the main body M through 13c and the hole 14b, and at the same time, the reference scale 16 is rotatably supported by the support members 12 and 13, and the reference scale is provided on the right end portion of the reading glass 7. The 16 tips are positioned so that they face each other. The right edge of the reading glass 7 facing the tip of the vertical scale 8 is chamfered.

FIG. 4 (a) is a side view of an essential part showing the position of the reference scale when the pressure plate is opened, and FIG. 4 (b) is the minimum position of the reference scale when the reference scale is pushed.
The reference scale 16 installed in the main body M has its tip portion vertically moved about the pins 16a and 16b. When the pressure plate 2 is opened, the tip of the reference scale 16 rises due to the bias of the leaf spring 15, but the uppermost position of the tip is defined by the stoppers 16c and 16d contacting the grooves 12b and 13b. When the tip is at the uppermost position, the upper surface of the reference scale 16 is higher than the upper surface of the reading glass 7 by L ₁ in FIG. 4A. Therefore, the vertical scale 8 is on the right side of the reading glass 7.
A wall surface is formed depending on the thickness of the tip of the.

When the reference scale 16 is pushed, the tip of the lower surface of the reference scale 16 contacts the base 14. This time is the lowest position of the tip, and at this position, the tip of the upper surface of the reference scale 16 is located at L ₂ in FIG.
Only in a low position. Note that the tip of the reference scale 16 is normally at the uppermost position due to the bias of the leaf spring 15.

With this structure, when the original is set, the original is brought into contact with the vertical scale 8 and the horizontal scale 9 to facilitate the positioning of the original. Also, when removing the original once set,
By pressing the sh mark 17 portion, the tip of the upper surface of the reference scale 16 in the vertical scale 8 is located at a position lower than the upper surface of the reading glass 7, and the original can be easily taken out by sliding it to the right. At that time, since the right edge of the upper surface of the reading glass 7 is chamfered,
You can safely retrieve the original.

Although the leaf spring 15 is applied as the biasing member of the reference scale 16 in the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.
Any elastic body such as a coil spring or a sponge member may be used. In the first embodiment, the reference scale 16
Although the upper surface of the vertical scale 8 is moved up and down with respect to the upper surface of the reading glass 7, the entire vertical scale 8 may be moved up and down in parallel.

Further, in the case of performing the rotation operation, FIG.
As shown in (a), the positions of the pins 16a and 16b, which are pivotal fulcrums of the reference scale 16, are placed at the same position as the end A on the side of the reading glass 7 or above it, so that the reference scale 16 and The gap (L ₃ ) between the reading glass 7 can be reduced. Incidentally, in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 4 (a), the pin 16a, is set to the upper by a dimension L ₄ of the end portion A position reading glass 7 side 16b. With such a configuration, the reference scale 16 is prevented from coming into contact with the reading glass 7, and the gap (L ₃ ) between the reference scale 12 and the reading glass 7 can be made small, so that dust and dirt are caught between them. Invasion of dust is reduced, and problems such as falling down and adversely affecting the optical system are prevented.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 5, when there is a step between the vertical scale 8 and the reading glass 7, the original is brought into contact with the vertical scale 8 and set on the reading glass 7, and the pressure plate 2 is set. When closed, the reading white sheet 11 on the surface of the sponge 10 may not come into contact with the leading edge of the original at the stepped portion, and pressing force may not be applied to the leading edge of the original. In this case, if the leading edge of the document is curled upward, a gap 19 is created between the leading edge of the document and the reading glass 7, and as a result, the background of the image is soiled or out of focus. There is a possibility that the resolution may be degraded, or a black line may appear due to the black shadow at the edge of the document being read.
What was made in view of this problem is the second embodiment described below.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a structure of a pressure plate of a portion facing a vertical scale, which is an essential part of the second embodiment of the present invention, and 21 is a pressing member. Two pressing members 21 are provided in a portion of the pressure plate 2 that faces the reference scale 16. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of the pressing member, in which 22 is a compression spring and 23 is a boss. This boss 23 is the pressure plate 2
Is provided so as to be retractable and projectable. The compression spring 22 is loosely fitted in the boss 23,
It is urged in such a way that 23 is always projected. In addition, boss 23
The length of the reading white sheet 11 in the normal state is immediately before the reading white sheet 11 comes into contact with the original with the pressure plate 2 closed.
Immediately after touching the original, the tip of the boss 23
Is set to abut.

In the second embodiment, a pressing member 21 is provided on the pressure plate 2 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. In addition,
The same members as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

With such a structure, as shown in FIG. 8, when the pressure plate 2 is closed, the pressing members 21 and 21 press the reference scale 16 at the uppermost position, and the reference scale 16 hits the base 14. It stops at the position, from which the compression spring 22 is compressed and the boss 23 is drawn into the pressure plate 2. Therefore, when the pressure plate 2 is closed, the tip of the reference scale 16 is lowered,
Since the tip of the upper surface of 16 is located lower than the upper surface of the reading glass 7, the end of the set document can be reliably pressed against the reading glass 7 by the sponge 10 and the reading white sheet 11.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, there are problems that the background is stained on the image, the resolution becomes poor due to lack of focus, and black lines appear when the shadows at the front and rear ends are read. To be prevented. Further, if the length of the pressing member 21 is short, the reference scale 16 is insufficiently lowered, and if the length is long, the pressure plate 2 is lifted and the original cannot be reliably pressed, but in the second embodiment, the pressing member 21 is elastic. Since the reference scale 16 is in contact with the base 14, the pressure plate 2 can reliably press the document.

The pressing member 21 may be integrally formed with the pressure plate 2. By the way, according to the second embodiment, since the pressing member 21 has elasticity, the reference scale
Even if 16 contacts the base 14, the pressure plate 2 can be closed without relying on the pressing member 21. However, when the pressing member cannot be expected to have a spring property, such as when the pressing member is integrally formed with the pressure plate 2, it is necessary to determine the amount of depression so that the reference scale 16 does not hit the base 14. Further, although the number of pressing members is two in the second embodiment, it may be one or three or more. Further, the amount of pushing down the reference scale 16 may be small as long as it does not affect the image. Further, an elastic body such as sponge may be applied as the pressing member.

Furthermore, if a plurality of pressing members 21 are provided, it is advisable to set the length of each pressing member 21 so that the tip of the reference scale 16 receives the force of pushing down first.
In addition, this configuration has the vertical scale 8 described in the first embodiment.
It is also applicable to a type in which the whole is moved up and down. Furthermore, it is advisable to set the length of each pressing member so that the reference scale 16 is pressed just before the pressure plate 2 is closed as much as possible. By setting in this way, a particularly small document is set when the reference scale 16 is lowered. In this case, it is possible to reliably prevent the problem that the setting position of the original is moved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the reference scale 16 constituting the vertical scale 8 is moved up and down, but the invention is not limited to this, and the horizontal scale 9 may be moved up and down.

[0038]

According to the present invention configured as described above, by pressing the set reference member to lower the facing portion of the set reference member from the upper surface of the reading glass, the set reference member is placed above the set reference member. The original can be taken out through the. In particular, even if the set reference member, the pressure plate, the ADF, and the like surround all four sides of the document placed on the reading glass, at least one set reference member can be moved up and down, so that the document can be easily moved. And you can take it out without damaging it. Further, the document set reference position can be determined regardless of the ADF attachment position.

Further, even if the set reference member is rotated and moved, the set reference member does not come into contact with the reading glass, and the gap between the set reference member and the reading glass can be made small, so that dust, dust, etc. It is possible to reduce the invasion of the light and prevent the optical system from being adversely affected.

Further, when the pressure plate is closed, the set reference member is lowered to reduce or eliminate the step when the tip of the set reference member is higher than the reading glass. Therefore, the original having the upper curl is set. Also, the pressure plate can press the document against the reading glass reliably, and the image defect at the time of reading can be improved.

Further, since the elastic member is used as the pressing member, the length of the pressing member can be set so as to surely press the set reference member, and the elastic member absorbs the too long portion. It is prevented that the reading white sheet is too short and has a bad influence on the image, or is too long to push up the pressure plate so that the read white sheet is separated from the original and has a bad influence on the image.

Further, even when a small original is set by closing the pressure plate or immediately before the original is pressed by the pressure plate, the set reference member is lowered.
Since the set reference member is lowered after the pressure plate presses the document, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of the problem of moving the document setting position when the set reference member is lowered.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image forming apparatus including a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the pressure plate in FIG. 1 in an open state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a vertical scale that is a main part of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part showing a position of a reference scale.

FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining a gap formed between the leading edge of the original and the reading glass.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a pressure plate of a portion facing a vertical scale, which is a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a pressing member.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a state of the reference scale when the pressure plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention is closed.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic document feeder (ADF), 2 ... Pressure plate, 3 ... Document table, 4 ... Operation part, 5 ... Recording paper tray, 6
... recording paper cassette, 7 ... reading glass, 8 ... vertical scale, 9 ... horizontal scale, 10 ... sponge, 11 ... reading white sheet, 12, 13 ... support member, 12a, 13a ... hole,
12b, 13b ... groove portion, 12c, 13c ... through hole, 14 ... base,
14a, 14b ... Hole, 14c ... Notch, 15 ... Leaf spring, 16 ...
Standard scale, 16a, 16b ... Pin, 16c, 16d ... Stopper, 17 ... Push mark, 19 ... Gap, 21 ... Pressing member,
22 ... compression spring, 23 ... boss.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A reading glass on which an original is placed, a set reference member which is provided close to the side of the reading glass, and serves as a reference for the position of the original to be placed, and the reading. A pressure plate that is rotatably provided on the side of the glass and that opens and closes the upper surface of the reading glass, and a reading unit that reads an image of a document placed on the reading glass from the lower side of the reading glass are provided. In the image reading device,
An image reading apparatus comprising: a moving unit that moves the set reference member up and down so that a facing portion of the set reference member with respect to the reading glass moves up and down with respect to an upper surface of the reading glass. 2. The moving means is a supporting means for rotatably supporting the set reference member, and the rotation center of the set reference member is at the same height or above the upper surface of the reading glass. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a pressing member that presses down the set reference member when the pressure plate is closed is attached to the pressure plate. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pressing member has elasticity. 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pressing member sets the timing of pressing down the set reference member immediately before or after the pressure plate presses the document on the reading glass.