US20190094677A1 - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20190094677A1 US20190094677A1 US15/712,582 US201715712582A US2019094677A1 US 20190094677 A1 US20190094677 A1 US 20190094677A1 US 201715712582 A US201715712582 A US 201715712582A US 2019094677 A1 US2019094677 A1 US 2019094677A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- adsorption
- housing
- cover
- adsorption board
- original document
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B27/00—Photographic printing apparatus
- G03B27/32—Projection printing apparatus, e.g. enlarger, copying camera
- G03B27/52—Details
- G03B27/62—Holders for the original
- G03B27/6207—Holders for the original in copying cameras
- G03B27/6221—Transparent copy platens
- G03B27/6228—Platen covers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/04—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa
- H04N1/10—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using flat picture-bearing surfaces
- H04N1/107—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using flat picture-bearing surfaces with manual scanning
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/01—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for producing multicoloured copies
- G03G15/0142—Structure of complete machines
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/60—Apparatus which relate to the handling of originals
Definitions
- Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of an image forming apparatus
- FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an upper part of the image forming apparatus
- FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the upper part of the image forming apparatus with the scanner cover open to an abutment position;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main portions of the image forming apparatus with the scanner cover open;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main portions of the image forming apparatus with the scanner cover at a closed position
- FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the upper part of the image forming apparatus with the scanner cover open in a state in which a locking by a lock mechanism is released;
- FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating an adsorption board adsorbing an original document
- FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating the adsorption board adsorbing the original document.
- FIG. 9 is a side view of a modification of the scanner cover that is partially cut out.
- an image reading apparatus comprises a housing, a scanner section, a cover member, an adsorption board, a driving section and a controller.
- the housing has a document table glass.
- the scanner section arranged in the housing reads an original document on the document table glass.
- the cover member is connected to the housing to be rotatable around a first rotation center line with respect to the housing between a closed position where the document table glass is covered and an open position.
- the adsorption board arranged in apart at a housing side at the time the cover member is positioned at the closed position, has an adsorption surface adsorbing the original document, and is connected to the cover member to be rotatable around a second rotation center line parallel to the first rotation center line between a clamping position at which the original document can be clamped between the adsorption surface and the document table glass at the time the cover member is positioned at the closed position and a movement position at which the adsorption surface moves in a direction away from the first rotation center line with respect to the clamping position.
- the driving section adsorbs the original document on the adsorption surface of the adsorption board.
- the controller controls the driving section.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of the image forming apparatus 10 .
- FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10 .
- FIG. 2 specifically shows a state in which a scanner cover 60 of the image forming apparatus 10 is open.
- FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10 with the scanner cover 60 open to an abutment position P 3 .
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main portions of the image forming apparatus 10 with the scanner cover 60 open.
- FIG. 4 specifically shows a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the vicinity of a slide rail 23 of a housing 20 of the image forming apparatus 10 with the scanner cover 60 open in a state in which a support section 63 is unlocked by a lock mechanism 65 described later along a cutting plane orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the slide rail 23 .
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main portions of the image forming apparatus 10 with the scanner cover 60 at a closed position P 1 .
- FIG. 5 specifically shows a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the vicinity of the slide rail 23 of the housing 20 of the image forming apparatus 10 in a state in which the support section 63 is locked by the lock mechanism 65 along a cutting plane along the longitudinal direction of the slide rail 23 .
- FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10 with the scanner cover 60 open in a state in which the locking by the lock mechanism 65 is released.
- FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating an adsorption board 66 adsorbing an original document 1 .
- FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating the adsorption board 66 adsorbing a plurality of original documents 1 A.
- the image forming apparatus 10 has a scanning function, a copying function, and a printing function.
- the scanning function is a function of reading images such as characters and symbols recorded on the original document 1 .
- the copying function is a function of printing an image scanned by the scanning function on a paper.
- the printing function is a function of receiving a print image to print it on the paper.
- the function of the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to the scanning function, the copying function, and the printing function. In addition to the scanning function, the image forming apparatus 10 may have at least one function. The image forming apparatus 10 may further have a facsimile function, for example.
- the image forming apparatus 10 has the housing 20 , a printing section 30 , the scanner section 40 , a first hinge 50 , the scanner cover 60 , and a controller 70 .
- the scanner section 40 and the scanner cover 60 constitute an image reading apparatus of a flat head type.
- a front-rear direction F of the image forming apparatus 10 is defined.
- the front-rear direction F is defined by setting a side at which the scanner cover 60 of the housing 20 is connected as a rear side and the opposite side as a front side.
- the housing 20 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
- An upper surface 21 of the housing 20 is a flat surface.
- An upper part 22 of the housing 20 has a document table glass 21 a.
- the surface of the document table glass 21 a constitutes a part of the upper surface 21 .
- the document table glass 21 a is transparent.
- there is the slide rail 23 on the upper part 22 of the housing 20 there is the slide rail 23 on the upper part 22 of the housing 20 .
- one slide rail 23 is arranged at each side of the document table glass 21 a.
- an upper end surface of the slide rail 23 is flush with the upper surface 21 of the housing 20 .
- the upper end surface of the slide rail 23 is below the upper surface 21 .
- the slide rail 23 houses a roller 64 described later therein.
- the slide rail 23 has a groove through which the support section 63 passes at the upper part thereof.
- the slide rail 23 has a bottom wall 23 a, two side walls 23 b, and an upper wall 23 c.
- the upper wall 23 c has a groove 23 d.
- the groove 23 d opens to the upper surface 21 .
- the slide rail 23 guides the movement of the roller 64 accompanied with opening and closing of the scanner cover 60 .
- the slide rail 23 is positioned in the housing 20 in such a posture that an extending direction of the slide rail 23 is parallel to the front-rear direction of the housing 20 .
- the extending direction of the slide rail 23 is the longitudinal direction of the slide rail 23 .
- a width of the groove 23 d has a width such that the roller 64 inside the slide rail 23 does not go to the outside through the groove 23 d. In other words, the width of the groove 23 d is smaller than that of the roller 64 .
- the width of the groove 23 d at the rear end of the slide rail 23 has a width through which the roller 64 can pass.
- the printing section 30 is arranged in the housing 20 as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the printing section 30 prints the image scanned by the scanner section 40 on the paper.
- the printing section 30 prints a print image received from a PC (Personal Computer) or the like connected to the image forming apparatus 10 on the paper.
- PC Personal Computer
- the scanner section 40 is arranged in the housing 20 .
- the scanner section 40 faces the document table glass 21 a.
- the scanner section 40 scans the image of the original document 1 on the document table glass 21 a.
- the first hinge 50 is at a rear end of the upper peripheral part of the housing 20 .
- the first hinge 50 connects the scanner cover 60 to the housing 20 .
- the scanner cover 60 is rotatable around a first rotation center line C 1 with respect to the housing 20 by the first hinge 50 .
- the first rotation center line C 1 is parallel to a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the slide rail 23 .
- the first rotation center line C 1 is parallel to a left-right direction of the housing 20 .
- the scanner cover 60 includes a cover member 61 , a second hinge 62 , the support section 63 , the roller 64 , the lock mechanism 65 , the adsorption board 66 , and an electric circuit 67 .
- the cover member 61 defines the outer shell of the scanner cover 60 .
- the cover member 61 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
- the cover member 61 is connected to the first hinge 50 .
- the scanner cover 60 is rotatable around the first rotation center line C 1 with respect to the housing 20 between the closed position P 1 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 and a maximum open position P 2 indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2 .
- the closed position P 1 is a position where an adsorption surface 66 a of the adsorption board 66 presses the original document 1 against the document table glass 21 a (a position where the original document 1 is clamped between the adsorption surface 66 a and the document table glass 21 a ).
- the adsorption surface 66 a contacts the document table glass 21 a if the original document 1 is not placed on the document table glass 21 a.
- the maximum open position P 2 is a position where the scanner cover 60 rotates to the maximum about the first rotation center line C 1 of the first hinge 50 .
- the maximum open position P 2 is preferably a position where a work of placing the original document 1 on the document table glass 21 a by a user of the image forming apparatus 10 is not hindered.
- the abutment position P 3 is a position where the roller 64 in the support section 63 abuts against a front end of the slide rail 23 .
- the abutment position P 3 has slightly smaller opening degree than that of the maximum open position P 2 .
- the abutment position P 3 is preferably a position where it is easy to place the original document 1 to the adsorption surface 66 a of the adsorption board 66 in a state in which the locking by the lock mechanism 65 is released.
- the second hinge 62 is positioned at an end opposite to the end connected to the first hinge 50 of the cover member 61 .
- the second hinge 62 is positioned at a front end part if the cover member 61 is at the closed position P 1 .
- a second rotation center line C 2 of the second hinge 62 is parallel to the first rotation center line C 1 of the first hinge 50 .
- the second hinge 62 is positioned at a position facing the slide rail 23 at the time the scanner cover 60 of the cover member 61 is positioned at the closed position P 1 .
- the support section 63 has a bar shape.
- the support section 63 at one side is connected to the second hinge 62 at one side to be rotatable about the second rotation center line C 2 .
- the other support section 63 is connected to the second hinge 62 at the other side about the second rotation center line C 2 .
- the adsorption board 66 is fixed. Specifically, one side edge of the adsorption board 66 is fixed to the support section 63 at one side. The other side edge of the adsorption board 66 is fixed to the support section 63 at the other side.
- the width of the support section 63 is smaller than that of the groove 23 d of the slide rail 23 , as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 .
- the support section 63 rotates around the second rotation centerline C 2 due to the weight of the support section 63 and the adsorption board 66 .
- the support section 63 is positioned at the center in a width direction of the groove 23 d of the slide rail 23 . For this reason, the support section 63 does not contact the edge of the groove 23 d at the time of opening or closing the scanner cover 60 .
- the roller 64 is positioned at an end opposite to the end connected to the second hinge 62 of the support section 63 as shown in FIG. 4 . There is one roller 64 at each side in the width direction of the support section 63 . A rotation center line C 3 of the roller 64 is parallel to the second rotation center line C 2 . The roller 64 is arranged in the slide rail 23 . A width from the roller 64 at one side of the support section 63 to the roller 64 at the other side of the support section 63 is greater than the width of the groove 23 d. Therefore, the two rollers 64 prevent the support section 63 from coming off from the inside of the slide rail 23 .
- the support section 63 has such a length that an opening operation of the scanner cover 60 is not hindered due to contact between the roller 64 and the upper wall 23 c of the slide rail 23 in the process of opening the scanner cover 60 from the closed position P 1 to the maximum open position P 2 .
- the lock mechanism 65 is fixed to the cover member 61 to be capable of detaching or attaching the support section 63 .
- the lock mechanism 65 detachably fixes an end opposite to the end connected to the second hinge 62 of the support section 63 to the cover member 61 as an example.
- the lock mechanism 65 is operated by the user of the image forming apparatus 10 .
- the lock mechanism 65 has, by way of example, a first engagement section 65 a in the support section 63 and a second engagement section 65 b in the cover member 61 as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the first engagement section 65 a is engaged with the second engagement section 65 b.
- the first engagement section 65 a is, for example, a nail shape.
- the second engagement section 65 b is operable by the user of the image forming apparatus 10 .
- the second engagement section 65 b moves at a position where the second engagement section 65 b is engaged with the first engagement section 65 a and a position where the engagement with the first engagement section 65 a is released.
- the movement of the second engagement section 65 b is executed by the user of the image forming apparatus 10 .
- the second engagement section 65 b also functions as an operation section operated by the user of the image forming apparatus 10 .
- the lock mechanism 65 If the first engagement section 65 a is engaged with the second engagement section 65 b, the lock mechanism 65 is in a state in which the support section 63 is fixed to the cover member 61 . In this state, the lock mechanism 65 locks the support section 63 . In a case in which the lock mechanism 65 locks the support section 63 , even if the scanner cover 60 rotates about the first hinge 50 as shown in FIG. 2 , the support section 63 is fixed to the cover member 61 without rotating about the second hinge 62 .
- the locking of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 is released. If the scanner cover 60 rotates about the first hinge 50 with the locking of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 released, the support section 63 rotates about the second hinge 62 by the weight of the support section 63 and the adsorption board 66 fixed in the support section 63 .
- the lock mechanism 65 is capable of transmitting a signal to the controller 70 in a state in which the locking of the support section 63 is released.
- the second engagement section 65 b has a function of transmitting the signal to the controller 70 if the second engagement section 65 b is positioned at a position where the second engagement section 65 b is not engaged with the first engagement section 65 a.
- the second engagement section 65 b functions as a switch for switching the locked state and release of the locked state of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 and functions as a detection section that detects the state in which the locking of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 is released and transmits a signal.
- the adsorption board 66 is an electrostatic adsorption board.
- the adsorption board 66 has the adsorption surface 66 a.
- the adsorption board 66 adsorbs the original document 1 to the adsorption surface 66 a by being electrostatically charged.
- the adsorption board 66 is connected to an electric circuit 67 .
- the adsorption board 66 is electrostatically charged by a current supplied from the electric circuit 67 .
- the adsorption board 66 is fixed to the support section 63 in such a manner that the adsorption surface 66 a can clamp the original document 1 with the document table glass 21 a if the scanner cover 60 is positioned at the closed position P 1 .
- the adsorption board 66 is connected to the cover member 61 via the support section 63 to be rotatable around the second rotation center line.
- the adsorption board 66 is selectively fixed to the cover member 61 by the lock mechanism 65 via the support section 63 .
- the adsorption board 66 In the state in which the support section 63 is locked by the lock mechanism 65 , the adsorption board 66 is fixed at a clamping position P 5 where the adsorption surface 66 a and the document table glass 21 a can clamp the original document 1 if the scanner cover 60 is positioned at the closed position P 1 .
- the adsorption board 66 is rotatable in a direction in which the adsorption surface 66 a moves away from the first rotation center line C 1 with respect to the clamping position P 5 and in the opposite direction thereof around the second rotation center line C 2 via the support section 63 .
- the adsorption board 66 is rotatable between the clamping position P 5 and a position where the adsorption surface 66 a moves in a direction away from the first rotation center line C 1 with respect to the clamping position P 5 .
- the adsorption surface 66 a has a scale 66 b.
- the scale 66 b indicates a placing position of the original document. Specifically, the scale 66 b has a mark for placing the original document of A4 size and a mark for placing the original document of A3 size.
- the adsorption board 66 opposes the document table glass 21 a if the scanner cover 60 is positioned at the closed position P 1 .
- the adsorption board 66 and the document table glass 21 a clamp the original document 1 if the scanner cover 60 is positioned at the closed position P 1 .
- the electric circuit 67 is, by way of example, arranged in the cover member 61 .
- a part of wiring 67 a connecting the electric circuit 67 to the adsorption board 66 is, for example, arranged in the second hinge 62 .
- the current supplied to the adsorption board 66 by the electric circuit 67 is set to the extent that the adsorption board 66 can adsorb the original document 1 by static electricity.
- the controller 70 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 .
- the controller 70 controls the electric circuit 67 according to the state of the lock mechanism 65 .
- the state of the lock mechanism 65 includes a state ( FIG. 2 ) in which the lock mechanism 65 locks the support section 63 and a state ( FIG. 6 ) in which the locking of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 is released.
- the second engagement section 65 b continues to send the signal to the controller 70 if the second engagement section 65 b is positioned at a position where the second engagement section 65 b is not engaged with the first engagement section 65 a.
- the controller 70 determines that a period in which the signal from the second engagement section 65 b is received is a state in which the locking of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 is released. If the controller 70 determines that the locking of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 is released by, the controller 70 controls (drives) the electric circuit 67 to conduct the current to the adsorption board 66 .
- the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 is described. If the user of the image forming apparatus 10 copies the original document 1 or reads symbols such as characters or pictures recorded in the original document 1 , the original document 1 is placed on the document table glass 21 a. There are two methods to place the original document 1 on the document table glass 21 a. The first method is that the user places the original document 1 directly on the document table glass 21 a . The second method is to use the adsorption board 66 to place the original document 1 on the document table glass 21 a.
- the support section 63 is fixed to the cover member 61 .
- the first engagement section 65 a of the support section 63 is in a state of being engaged with the second engagement section 65 b of the cover member 61 .
- the lock mechanism 65 locks the support section 63 .
- the lock mechanism 65 fixes the support section 63 to the cover member 61 . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 , the support section 63 and the adsorption board 66 do not rotate about the second hinge 62 even if the scanner cover 60 is positioned at the maximum open position P 2 . Since the controller 70 does not receive the signal from the second engagement section 65 b in a state in which the lock mechanism 65 locks the support section 63 , the controller 70 does not conduct the current from the electric circuit 67 to the adsorption board 66 .
- the user opens the scanner cover 60 to the maximum open position P 2 . If the scanner cover 60 is rotated in an opening direction from the closed position P 1 with the support section 63 locked by the lock mechanism 65 , the roller 64 passes through the groove 23 d at the rear end of the slide rail 23 .
- the groove 23 d at the rear end of the slide rail 23 has a width through which the support section 63 and the two rollers 64 can pass as described above.
- the scanner cover 60 can be rotated in the opening direction from the closed position P 1 even if the support section 63 is locked by the lock mechanism 65 . If the user opens the scanner cover 60 to the maximum open position P 2 , the user places the original document 1 on the document table glass 21 a. The user places the original document 1 on the document table glass 21 a in such a posture that a surface read by the scanner section 40 faces the document table glass 21 a.
- the locking of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 is released.
- the user operates the second engagement section 65 b to move the second engagement section 65 b to a position where the engagement with the first engagement section 65 a is released.
- the second engagement section 65 b sends the signal to the controller 70 while the second engagement section 65 b is positioned at the position where the second engagement section 65 b is not engaged with the first engagement section 65 a.
- the controller 70 determines that the locked state of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 is released, and controls the electric circuit 67 to conduct the current to the adsorption board 66 .
- the adsorption board 66 is electrostatically charged as the current flows.
- the support section 63 is freely rotatable around the second hinge 62 with respect to the cover member 61 . Therefore, if the user opens the scanner cover 60 from the closed position P 1 while the locked state of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 is released as shown in FIG. 6 , an integral constitution of the support section 63 and the adsorption board 66 rotates around the second hinge 62 by the weight of the support section 63 and the adsorption board 66 .
- the roller 64 moves in the slide rail 23 .
- the roller 64 moves toward the front end of the slide rail 23 .
- the support section 63 and the adsorption board 66 are parallel in an up-down direction.
- the slide rail 23 extends forward with respect to the roller 64 in a state in which the scanner cover 60 is opened to the maximum open position P 2 .
- the scanner cover 60 opens to the maximum open position P 2 , the user moves the support section 63 and the adsorption board 66 to the front of the housing 20 by pulling them by hand. If the user moves the adsorption board 66 and the support section 63 to the front of the housing 20 , the roller 64 moves to the front end of the slide rail 23 .
- the roller 64 abuts against the front end of the slide rail 23 , and in this way, the scanner cover 60 is closed from the maximum open position P 2 to the abutment position P 3 .
- the scanner cover 60 is fixed by abutment of the roller 64 against the front end of the slide rail 23 .
- the original document 1 is attached to the adsorption board 66 in a posture in which the surface read by the scanner section 40 faces a front surface. If the original document 1 is attached to the adsorption surface 66 a, the adsorption surface 66 a adsorbs the original document 1 . If the user places the original document 1 to the adsorption board 66 , the user closes the scanner cover 60 to the closed position P 1 . Specifically, the user opens the scanner cover 60 at the abutment position P 3 to the maximum open position P 2 . If the scanner cover 60 is opened to the maximum open position P 2 , the support section 63 and the adsorption board 66 are parallel to each other in the up-down direction. The roller 64 moves backward from the front end of the slide rail 23 .
- the user closes the scanner cover 60 to the closed position P 1 . Since the roller 64 moves backward from the front end of the slide rail 23 , the scanner cover 60 is closed at the closed position P 1 .
- the original document 1 is placed on the document table glass 21 a using the adsorption board 66 , the original document 1 is attached to the adsorption board 66 rotating around the second hinge 62 until the front of the user present in front of the housing 20 .
- the attached original document 1 is adsorbed to the adsorption surface 66 a , the deviation of the position of the original document 1 on the document table glass 21 a due to the opening and closing of the scanner cover 60 is prevented.
- the user can attach the original document 1 at the proper position according to the scale 66 b of the adsorption surface 66 a.
- an original document 1 A of a small size can be placed within a desired original size by the scale 66 b.
- FIG. 8 shows an example in which a plurality of the original documents 1 A having sizes smaller than the A4 size is arranged within the range of reading the original document of the A4 size.
- the adsorption board 66 is rotated about the second hinge 62 if the scanner cover 60 is opened in a state in which the locking of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 is released.
- the adsorption board 66 rotates about the second hinge 62 , and in this way, the adsorption surface 66 a of the adsorption board 66 faces the user, so that the user can easily attach the original document 1 to the adsorption surface 66 a.
- the controller 70 controls the electric circuit 67 to conduct the current to the adsorption board 66 if the locking of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 is released. As the current flows to the adsorption board 66 only if the user uses the adsorption board 66 , the electricity can be saved.
- the adsorption board 66 adsorbs the original document 1 by being electrostatically charged.
- a structure for adsorbing the original document 1 a structure other than a structure utilizing the static electricity may be used.
- a structure for adsorbing the original document 1 by a means other than static electricity there is a structure for adsorbing the original document 1 by using negative pressure.
- FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a scanner cover 60 A partially cut out with an adsorption board 68 which adsorbs the original document 1 using negative pressure.
- the structure of the modification other than the scanner cover 60 A is the same as that in the first embodiment.
- FIG. 9 shows a state in which the adsorption board 68 is cut along a cutting plane orthogonal to the second rotation center line C 2 of the second hinge 62 .
- the component having the same function as that in the scanner cover 60 is denoted by the same reference numeral as that of the scanner cover 60 , and a description thereof is omitted.
- the scanner cover 60 A has the cover member 61 , the second hinge 62 , the support section 63 , the lock mechanism 65 , the adsorption board 68 , and a pump 80 .
- the adsorption board 68 has a cavity 81 therein.
- An adsorption surface 66 a of the adsorption board 68 has a plurality of holes 82 communicating with the cavity 81 .
- the pump 80 is connected to a piping 83 .
- the piping 83 is connected to the adsorption board 68 .
- the piping 83 communicates with the cavity 81 .
- the piping 83 is arranged in the second hinge 62 .
- the pump 80 generates the negative pressure. If the pump 80 is driven, the negative pressure is generated in the hole 82 .
- the pump 80 is controlled by the controller 70 . In a state in which the locking of the support section 63 by the lock mechanism 65 is released, the controller 70 drives the pump 80 to generate the negative pressure in the hole 82 .
- the negative pressure acting on the hole 82 fixes the original document 1 to the adsorption surface 66 a.
- the negative pressure acting on the hole 82 may be a negative pressure capable of fixing the original document 1 to the adsorption board 68 .
- the adsorption board 66 may have both the structure that fixes the original document 1 by static electricity and the structure that fixes the original document 1 by the negative pressure.
- the adsorption board 66 may have adhesiveness to adsorb the original document 1 by an adhesive force, but not the static electricity or the negative pressure.
- the adsorption board 66 is connected to the second hinge 62 via the support section 63 .
- the adsorption board 66 is not limited to being connected to the second hinge 62 via the support section 63 .
- the adsorption board 66 may be connected directly to the second hinge 62 .
- the roller 64 is supported on the adsorption board 66 via the support section 63 .
- the roller 64 may be supported directly on the adsorption board 66 .
- the lock mechanism 65 locks the adsorption board 66 by locking the support section 63 . If the adsorption board 66 is directly connected to the second hinge 62 without using the support section 63 , the lock mechanism 65 may selectively lock the adsorption board 66 to the cover member 61 .
- the lock mechanism 65 has the first engagement section 65 a at the adsorption board 66 side and the second engagement section 65 b at the cover member 61 side.
- the second engagement section 65 b By operating the second engagement section 65 b, the engagement of the first engagement section 65 a and the second engagement section 65 b is released.
- the second engagement section 65 b fixation of the adsorption board 66 to the cover member 61 by the lock mechanism 65 is released.
- the lock mechanism 65 is not limited to a structure having the first engagement section 65 a and the second engagement section 65 b.
- the lock mechanism 65 may be any structure as long as the adsorption board 66 can be locked so that it does not rotate around the second hinge 62 and the locked state thereof can be released by an operation by the user.
- the lock mechanism 65 may be any structure as long as it is capable of transmitting the signal to the controller 70 with the locking of the adsorption board 66 released.
- the lock mechanism 65 sends the signal to the controller 70 in a state in which the locking of the adsorption board 66 to the cover member 61 is released.
- the lock mechanism 65 may send a signal to the controller 70 if the adsorption board 66 is fixed to the cover member 61 (locked state), and may not send the signal in a state in which the adsorption board 66 is not fixed to the cover member 61 (a state in which the locking is released).
- the controller 70 determines that the state in which the signal is not received is a state in which the locking state of the adsorption board 66 by the lock mechanism 65 is released, and drives the electric circuit 67 or the pump 80 .
- the lock mechanism 65 may transmit different signals depending on a state in which the adsorption board 66 is fixed to the cover member 61 and a state in which the adsorption board 66 is not fixed to the cover member 61 .
- the controller detects the fixed state and the unfixed state of the adsorption board 66 to the cover member 61 by the lock mechanism 65 .
- the controller 70 can determine that the fixing of the adsorption board 66 to the cover member 61 by the lock mechanism 65 is released.
- the second engagement section 65 b of the lock mechanism 65 functions as the switching for switching a signal transmission state and a non-transmission state.
- a sensor may be used to detect the state in which the first engagement section 65 a and the second engagement section 65 b are not engaged with each other.
- the electric circuit 67 is arranged in the cover member 61 . In another example, the electric circuit 67 may be arranged in the housing 20 .
- the pump 80 is arranged in the cover member 61 . In another example, the pump 80 may be arranged in the housing 20 .
- the slide rail 23 movably supports the roller 64 by housing the roller 64 therein.
- the slide rail 23 is not limited to the shape in which the roller 64 is housed.
- the cover member 61 of the scanner cover 60 is connected to the housing 20 by the first hinge 50 to be rotatable around the first rotation center line C 1 .
- the scanner cover 60 is not limited to being connected to the housing 20 by the first hinge 50 which is a separate member from the scanner cover 60 and the housing 20 .
- a part of the cover member 61 of the scanner cover 60 maybe connected to the housing 20 to be rotatable around the first rotation center line C 1 .
- the cover member 61 has a structure similar to a part of the first hinge 50
- the housing 20 has a structure similar to a part of the first hinge 50 , and they may be rotatably connected.
- the support section 63 is connected to the cover member 61 by the second hinge 62 to be rotatable around the second rotation center line C 2 .
- the support section 63 is not limited to being connected to the cover member 61 by the second hinge 62 which is separate from the support section 63 and the cover member 61 .
- a part of the cover member 61 may be connected to the support section 63 to be rotatable around the second rotation center line C 2 .
- the cover member 61 has a structure similar to a part of the second hinge 62
- the support section 63 has a structure similar to a part of the second hinge 62 , and they may be rotatably connected.
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Abstract
Description
- Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus.
- An image reading apparatus has a housing with a document table glass, a scanner section in the housing, and a scanner cover connected to the housing. The scanner section reads an original document on the document table glass. The scanner cover rotates between a closed position covering a surface of the document table glass and an open position exposing the surface of the document table glass. The scanner cover has a pad opposite the document table glass if at the closed position. The pad presses the original document on the document table glass to the document table glass at the time the scanner cover is at the closed position.
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FIG. 1 is a side view of an image forming apparatus; -
FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an upper part of the image forming apparatus; -
FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the upper part of the image forming apparatus with the scanner cover open to an abutment position; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main portions of the image forming apparatus with the scanner cover open; -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main portions of the image forming apparatus with the scanner cover at a closed position; -
FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the upper part of the image forming apparatus with the scanner cover open in a state in which a locking by a lock mechanism is released; -
FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating an adsorption board adsorbing an original document; -
FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating the adsorption board adsorbing the original document; and -
FIG. 9 is a side view of a modification of the scanner cover that is partially cut out. - In accordance with an embodiment, an image reading apparatus comprises a housing, a scanner section, a cover member, an adsorption board, a driving section and a controller. The housing has a document table glass. The scanner section arranged in the housing reads an original document on the document table glass. The cover member is connected to the housing to be rotatable around a first rotation center line with respect to the housing between a closed position where the document table glass is covered and an open position. The adsorption board, arranged in apart at a housing side at the time the cover member is positioned at the closed position, has an adsorption surface adsorbing the original document, and is connected to the cover member to be rotatable around a second rotation center line parallel to the first rotation center line between a clamping position at which the original document can be clamped between the adsorption surface and the document table glass at the time the cover member is positioned at the closed position and a movement position at which the adsorption surface moves in a direction away from the first rotation center line with respect to the clamping position. The driving section adsorbs the original document on the adsorption surface of the adsorption board. The controller controls the driving section.
- An
image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment is described with reference toFIG. 1 toFIG. 9 .FIG. 1 is a side view of theimage forming apparatus 10.FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the upper part of theimage forming apparatus 10.FIG. 2 specifically shows a state in which ascanner cover 60 of theimage forming apparatus 10 is open.FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the upper part of theimage forming apparatus 10 with thescanner cover 60 open to an abutment position P3. -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main portions of theimage forming apparatus 10 with thescanner cover 60 open.FIG. 4 specifically shows a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the vicinity of aslide rail 23 of ahousing 20 of theimage forming apparatus 10 with thescanner cover 60 open in a state in which asupport section 63 is unlocked by alock mechanism 65 described later along a cutting plane orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of theslide rail 23. -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main portions of theimage forming apparatus 10 with thescanner cover 60 at a closed position P1.FIG. 5 specifically shows a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the vicinity of theslide rail 23 of thehousing 20 of theimage forming apparatus 10 in a state in which thesupport section 63 is locked by thelock mechanism 65 along a cutting plane along the longitudinal direction of theslide rail 23. -
FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the upper part of theimage forming apparatus 10 with thescanner cover 60 open in a state in which the locking by thelock mechanism 65 is released.FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating anadsorption board 66 adsorbing anoriginal document 1.FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating theadsorption board 66 adsorbing a plurality oforiginal documents 1A. - The
image forming apparatus 10 has a scanning function, a copying function, and a printing function. The scanning function is a function of reading images such as characters and symbols recorded on theoriginal document 1. The copying function is a function of printing an image scanned by the scanning function on a paper. The printing function is a function of receiving a print image to print it on the paper. - The function of the
image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to the scanning function, the copying function, and the printing function. In addition to the scanning function, theimage forming apparatus 10 may have at least one function. Theimage forming apparatus 10 may further have a facsimile function, for example. - The
image forming apparatus 10 has thehousing 20, aprinting section 30, thescanner section 40, afirst hinge 50, thescanner cover 60, and acontroller 70. In the present embodiment, thescanner section 40 and thescanner cover 60 constitute an image reading apparatus of a flat head type. Herein, a front-rear direction F of theimage forming apparatus 10 is defined. As an example, the front-rear direction F is defined by setting a side at which thescanner cover 60 of thehousing 20 is connected as a rear side and the opposite side as a front side. - The
housing 20 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Anupper surface 21 of thehousing 20 is a flat surface. Anupper part 22 of thehousing 20 has adocument table glass 21 a. The surface of thedocument table glass 21 a constitutes a part of theupper surface 21. Thedocument table glass 21 a is transparent. As shown inFIG. 2 , there is theslide rail 23 on theupper part 22 of thehousing 20. As shown inFIG. 3 , oneslide rail 23 is arranged at each side of thedocument table glass 21 a. As shown inFIG. 4 , an upper end surface of theslide rail 23 is flush with theupper surface 21 of thehousing 20. Alternatively, the upper end surface of theslide rail 23 is below theupper surface 21. - The
slide rail 23 houses aroller 64 described later therein. Theslide rail 23 has a groove through which thesupport section 63 passes at the upper part thereof. Specifically, theslide rail 23 has abottom wall 23 a, twoside walls 23 b, and anupper wall 23 c. Theupper wall 23 c has agroove 23 d. Thegroove 23 d opens to theupper surface 21. Theslide rail 23 guides the movement of theroller 64 accompanied with opening and closing of thescanner cover 60. Theslide rail 23 is positioned in thehousing 20 in such a posture that an extending direction of theslide rail 23 is parallel to the front-rear direction of thehousing 20. The extending direction of theslide rail 23 is the longitudinal direction of theslide rail 23. - A width of the
groove 23 d has a width such that theroller 64 inside theslide rail 23 does not go to the outside through thegroove 23 d. In other words, the width of thegroove 23 d is smaller than that of theroller 64. The width of thegroove 23 d at the rear end of theslide rail 23 has a width through which theroller 64 can pass. - The
printing section 30 is arranged in thehousing 20 as shown inFIG. 1 . Theprinting section 30 prints the image scanned by thescanner section 40 on the paper. Theprinting section 30 prints a print image received from a PC (Personal Computer) or the like connected to theimage forming apparatus 10 on the paper. - The
scanner section 40 is arranged in thehousing 20. Thescanner section 40 faces thedocument table glass 21 a. Thescanner section 40 scans the image of theoriginal document 1 on thedocument table glass 21 a. - The
first hinge 50 is at a rear end of the upper peripheral part of thehousing 20. Thefirst hinge 50 connects thescanner cover 60 to thehousing 20. Thescanner cover 60 is rotatable around a first rotation center line C1 with respect to thehousing 20 by thefirst hinge 50. The first rotation center line C1 is parallel to a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of theslide rail 23. In the present embodiment, the first rotation center line C1 is parallel to a left-right direction of thehousing 20. - As shown in
FIG. 2 andFIG. 3 , thescanner cover 60 includes acover member 61, asecond hinge 62, thesupport section 63, theroller 64, thelock mechanism 65, theadsorption board 66, and anelectric circuit 67. - The
cover member 61 defines the outer shell of thescanner cover 60. Thecover member 61 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Thecover member 61 is connected to thefirst hinge 50. Thescanner cover 60 is rotatable around the first rotation center line C1 with respect to thehousing 20 between the closed position P1 indicated by a two-dot chain line inFIG. 2 and a maximum open position P2 indicated by a solid line inFIG. 2 . - The closed position P1 is a position where an
adsorption surface 66 a of theadsorption board 66 presses theoriginal document 1 against thedocument table glass 21 a (a position where theoriginal document 1 is clamped between theadsorption surface 66 a and thedocument table glass 21 a). At the closed position P1, theadsorption surface 66 a contacts thedocument table glass 21 a if theoriginal document 1 is not placed on thedocument table glass 21 a. - The maximum open position P2 is a position where the
scanner cover 60 rotates to the maximum about the first rotation center line C1 of thefirst hinge 50. The maximum open position P2 is preferably a position where a work of placing theoriginal document 1 on thedocument table glass 21 a by a user of theimage forming apparatus 10 is not hindered. - Between the closed position P1 and the maximum open position P2, there is the abutment position P3. The abutment position P3 is a position where the
roller 64 in thesupport section 63 abuts against a front end of theslide rail 23. The abutment position P3 has slightly smaller opening degree than that of the maximum open position P2. The abutment position P3 is preferably a position where it is easy to place theoriginal document 1 to theadsorption surface 66 a of theadsorption board 66 in a state in which the locking by thelock mechanism 65 is released. - The
second hinge 62 is positioned at an end opposite to the end connected to thefirst hinge 50 of thecover member 61. Thesecond hinge 62 is positioned at a front end part if thecover member 61 is at the closed position P1. A second rotation center line C2 of thesecond hinge 62 is parallel to the first rotation center line C1 of thefirst hinge 50. As shown inFIG. 3 , there are twosecond hinges 62 as an example. Thesecond hinge 62 is positioned at a position facing theslide rail 23 at the time thescanner cover 60 of thecover member 61 is positioned at the closed position P1. - There are two
support sections 63. Thesupport section 63 has a bar shape. Thesupport section 63 at one side is connected to thesecond hinge 62 at one side to be rotatable about the second rotation center line C2. Theother support section 63 is connected to thesecond hinge 62 at the other side about the second rotation center line C2. - In the
support section 63, theadsorption board 66 is fixed. Specifically, one side edge of theadsorption board 66 is fixed to thesupport section 63 at one side. The other side edge of theadsorption board 66 is fixed to thesupport section 63 at the other side. The width of thesupport section 63 is smaller than that of thegroove 23 d of theslide rail 23, as shown inFIG. 4 andFIG. 5 . - Accompanied with the opening and closing of the
scanner cover 60 in a state in which the locking by thelock mechanism 65 is released, thesupport section 63 rotates around the second rotation centerline C2 due to the weight of thesupport section 63 and theadsorption board 66. At this time, thesupport section 63 is positioned at the center in a width direction of thegroove 23 d of theslide rail 23. For this reason, thesupport section 63 does not contact the edge of thegroove 23 d at the time of opening or closing thescanner cover 60. - The
roller 64 is positioned at an end opposite to the end connected to thesecond hinge 62 of thesupport section 63 as shown inFIG. 4 . There is oneroller 64 at each side in the width direction of thesupport section 63. A rotation center line C3 of theroller 64 is parallel to the second rotation center line C2. Theroller 64 is arranged in theslide rail 23. A width from theroller 64 at one side of thesupport section 63 to theroller 64 at the other side of thesupport section 63 is greater than the width of thegroove 23 d. Therefore, the tworollers 64 prevent thesupport section 63 from coming off from the inside of theslide rail 23. - The
support section 63 has such a length that an opening operation of thescanner cover 60 is not hindered due to contact between theroller 64 and theupper wall 23 c of theslide rail 23 in the process of opening thescanner cover 60 from the closed position P1 to the maximum open position P2. - As shown in
FIG. 2 andFIG. 5 , thelock mechanism 65 is fixed to thecover member 61 to be capable of detaching or attaching thesupport section 63. Thelock mechanism 65 detachably fixes an end opposite to the end connected to thesecond hinge 62 of thesupport section 63 to thecover member 61 as an example. Thelock mechanism 65 is operated by the user of theimage forming apparatus 10. Thelock mechanism 65 has, by way of example, afirst engagement section 65 a in thesupport section 63 and asecond engagement section 65 b in thecover member 61 as shown inFIG. 6 . - The
first engagement section 65 a is engaged with thesecond engagement section 65 b. Thefirst engagement section 65 a is, for example, a nail shape. Thesecond engagement section 65 b is operable by the user of theimage forming apparatus 10. Thesecond engagement section 65 b moves at a position where thesecond engagement section 65 b is engaged with thefirst engagement section 65 a and a position where the engagement with thefirst engagement section 65 a is released. The movement of thesecond engagement section 65 b is executed by the user of theimage forming apparatus 10. Thesecond engagement section 65 b also functions as an operation section operated by the user of theimage forming apparatus 10. - If the
first engagement section 65 a is engaged with thesecond engagement section 65 b, thelock mechanism 65 is in a state in which thesupport section 63 is fixed to thecover member 61. In this state, thelock mechanism 65 locks thesupport section 63. In a case in which thelock mechanism 65 locks thesupport section 63, even if thescanner cover 60 rotates about thefirst hinge 50 as shown inFIG. 2 , thesupport section 63 is fixed to thecover member 61 without rotating about thesecond hinge 62. - If the
second engagement section 65 b is operated and the engagement of thefirst engagement section 65 a and thesecond engagement section 65 b is released, the locking of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released. If thescanner cover 60 rotates about thefirst hinge 50 with the locking of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 released, thesupport section 63 rotates about thesecond hinge 62 by the weight of thesupport section 63 and theadsorption board 66 fixed in thesupport section 63. - The
lock mechanism 65 is capable of transmitting a signal to thecontroller 70 in a state in which the locking of thesupport section 63 is released. In the present embodiment, thesecond engagement section 65 b has a function of transmitting the signal to thecontroller 70 if thesecond engagement section 65 b is positioned at a position where thesecond engagement section 65 b is not engaged with thefirst engagement section 65 a. In this way, thesecond engagement section 65 b functions as a switch for switching the locked state and release of the locked state of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 and functions as a detection section that detects the state in which the locking of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released and transmits a signal. - The
adsorption board 66, by way of example, is an electrostatic adsorption board. Theadsorption board 66 has theadsorption surface 66 a. Theadsorption board 66 adsorbs theoriginal document 1 to theadsorption surface 66 a by being electrostatically charged. Theadsorption board 66 is connected to anelectric circuit 67. Theadsorption board 66 is electrostatically charged by a current supplied from theelectric circuit 67. - The
adsorption board 66 is fixed to thesupport section 63 in such a manner that theadsorption surface 66 a can clamp theoriginal document 1 with thedocument table glass 21 a if thescanner cover 60 is positioned at the closed position P1. In the present embodiment, theadsorption board 66 is connected to thecover member 61 via thesupport section 63 to be rotatable around the second rotation center line. - The
adsorption board 66 is selectively fixed to thecover member 61 by thelock mechanism 65 via thesupport section 63. In the state in which thesupport section 63 is locked by thelock mechanism 65, theadsorption board 66 is fixed at a clamping position P5 where theadsorption surface 66 a and thedocument table glass 21 a can clamp theoriginal document 1 if thescanner cover 60 is positioned at the closed position P1. - The
adsorption board 66 is rotatable in a direction in which theadsorption surface 66 a moves away from the first rotation center line C1 with respect to the clamping position P5 and in the opposite direction thereof around the second rotation center line C2 via thesupport section 63. - In other words, if the locking of the
support section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released, theadsorption board 66 is rotatable between the clamping position P5 and a position where theadsorption surface 66 a moves in a direction away from the first rotation center line C1 with respect to the clamping position P5. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , theadsorption surface 66 a has ascale 66 b. Thescale 66 b indicates a placing position of the original document. Specifically, thescale 66 b has a mark for placing the original document of A4 size and a mark for placing the original document of A3 size. Theadsorption board 66 opposes thedocument table glass 21 a if thescanner cover 60 is positioned at the closed position P1. Theadsorption board 66 and thedocument table glass 21 a clamp theoriginal document 1 if thescanner cover 60 is positioned at the closed position P1. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , theelectric circuit 67 is, by way of example, arranged in thecover member 61. A part of wiring 67 a connecting theelectric circuit 67 to theadsorption board 66 is, for example, arranged in thesecond hinge 62. The current supplied to theadsorption board 66 by theelectric circuit 67 is set to the extent that theadsorption board 66 can adsorb theoriginal document 1 by static electricity. - The
controller 70 controls the operation of theimage forming apparatus 10. Thecontroller 70 controls theelectric circuit 67 according to the state of thelock mechanism 65. The state of thelock mechanism 65 includes a state (FIG. 2 ) in which thelock mechanism 65 locks thesupport section 63 and a state (FIG. 6 ) in which the locking of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released. - In the present embodiment, the
second engagement section 65 b continues to send the signal to thecontroller 70 if thesecond engagement section 65 b is positioned at a position where thesecond engagement section 65 b is not engaged with thefirst engagement section 65 a. Thecontroller 70 determines that a period in which the signal from thesecond engagement section 65 b is received is a state in which the locking of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released. If thecontroller 70 determines that the locking of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released by, thecontroller 70 controls (drives) theelectric circuit 67 to conduct the current to theadsorption board 66. - Next, the operation of the
image forming apparatus 10 is described. If the user of theimage forming apparatus 10 copies theoriginal document 1 or reads symbols such as characters or pictures recorded in theoriginal document 1, theoriginal document 1 is placed on thedocument table glass 21 a. There are two methods to place theoriginal document 1 on thedocument table glass 21 a. The first method is that the user places theoriginal document 1 directly on thedocument table glass 21 a. The second method is to use theadsorption board 66 to place theoriginal document 1 on thedocument table glass 21 a. - If the user places the
original document 1 on thedocument table glass 21 a by the first method, thesupport section 63 is fixed to thecover member 61. In other words, thefirst engagement section 65 a of thesupport section 63 is in a state of being engaged with thesecond engagement section 65 b of thecover member 61. Thelock mechanism 65 locks thesupport section 63. - In the locked state, the
lock mechanism 65 fixes thesupport section 63 to thecover member 61. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 2 , thesupport section 63 and theadsorption board 66 do not rotate about thesecond hinge 62 even if thescanner cover 60 is positioned at the maximum open position P2. Since thecontroller 70 does not receive the signal from thesecond engagement section 65 b in a state in which thelock mechanism 65 locks thesupport section 63, thecontroller 70 does not conduct the current from theelectric circuit 67 to theadsorption board 66. - The user opens the
scanner cover 60 to the maximum open position P2. If thescanner cover 60 is rotated in an opening direction from the closed position P1 with thesupport section 63 locked by thelock mechanism 65, theroller 64 passes through thegroove 23 d at the rear end of theslide rail 23. Thegroove 23 d at the rear end of theslide rail 23 has a width through which thesupport section 63 and the tworollers 64 can pass as described above. - Therefore, the
scanner cover 60 can be rotated in the opening direction from the closed position P1 even if thesupport section 63 is locked by thelock mechanism 65. If the user opens thescanner cover 60 to the maximum open position P2, the user places theoriginal document 1 on thedocument table glass 21 a. The user places theoriginal document 1 on thedocument table glass 21 a in such a posture that a surface read by thescanner section 40 faces thedocument table glass 21 a. - Alternatively, if the user places the
original document 1 on thedocument table glass 21 a via theadsorption board 66 by the second method, the locking of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released. Specifically, the user operates thesecond engagement section 65 b to move thesecond engagement section 65 b to a position where the engagement with thefirst engagement section 65 a is released. Thesecond engagement section 65 b sends the signal to thecontroller 70 while thesecond engagement section 65 b is positioned at the position where thesecond engagement section 65 b is not engaged with thefirst engagement section 65 a. - If the signal is received from the
second engagement section 65 b, thecontroller 70 determines that the locked state of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released, and controls theelectric circuit 67 to conduct the current to theadsorption board 66. Theadsorption board 66 is electrostatically charged as the current flows. - If the locked state of the
support section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released, thesupport section 63 is freely rotatable around thesecond hinge 62 with respect to thecover member 61. Therefore, if the user opens thescanner cover 60 from the closed position P1 while the locked state of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released as shown inFIG. 6 , an integral constitution of thesupport section 63 and theadsorption board 66 rotates around thesecond hinge 62 by the weight of thesupport section 63 and theadsorption board 66. - If the
support section 63 and theadsorption board 66 rotate about thesecond hinge 62, theroller 64 moves in theslide rail 23. In the process in which thescanner cover 60 rotates from the closed position P1 toward the maximum open position P2, theroller 64 moves toward the front end of theslide rail 23. - In the present embodiment, if the
scanner cover 60 is opened to the maximum open position P2, thesupport section 63 and theadsorption board 66 are parallel in an up-down direction. In the present embodiment, theslide rail 23 extends forward with respect to theroller 64 in a state in which thescanner cover 60 is opened to the maximum open position P2. - If the
scanner cover 60 opens to the maximum open position P2, the user moves thesupport section 63 and theadsorption board 66 to the front of thehousing 20 by pulling them by hand. If the user moves theadsorption board 66 and thesupport section 63 to the front of thehousing 20, theroller 64 moves to the front end of theslide rail 23. - The
roller 64 abuts against the front end of theslide rail 23, and in this way, thescanner cover 60 is closed from the maximum open position P2 to the abutment position P3. At the abutment position P3, thescanner cover 60 is fixed by abutment of theroller 64 against the front end of theslide rail 23. - If the user opens the
scanner cover 60 to the abutment position P3, theoriginal document 1 is attached to theadsorption board 66 in a posture in which the surface read by thescanner section 40 faces a front surface. If theoriginal document 1 is attached to theadsorption surface 66 a, theadsorption surface 66 a adsorbs theoriginal document 1. If the user places theoriginal document 1 to theadsorption board 66, the user closes thescanner cover 60 to the closed position P1. Specifically, the user opens thescanner cover 60 at the abutment position P3 to the maximum open position P2. If thescanner cover 60 is opened to the maximum open position P2, thesupport section 63 and theadsorption board 66 are parallel to each other in the up-down direction. Theroller 64 moves backward from the front end of theslide rail 23. - Next, the user closes the
scanner cover 60 to the closed position P1. Since theroller 64 moves backward from the front end of theslide rail 23, thescanner cover 60 is closed at the closed position P1. - In the present embodiment, if the
original document 1 is placed on thedocument table glass 21 a using theadsorption board 66, theoriginal document 1 is attached to theadsorption board 66 rotating around thesecond hinge 62 until the front of the user present in front of thehousing 20. As the attachedoriginal document 1 is adsorbed to theadsorption surface 66 a, the deviation of the position of theoriginal document 1 on thedocument table glass 21 a due to the opening and closing of thescanner cover 60 is prevented. - In addition, the user can attach the
original document 1 at the proper position according to thescale 66 b of theadsorption surface 66 a. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 8 , anoriginal document 1A of a small size can be placed within a desired original size by thescale 66 b.FIG. 8 shows an example in which a plurality of theoriginal documents 1A having sizes smaller than the A4 size is arranged within the range of reading the original document of the A4 size. - Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the
adsorption board 66 is rotated about thesecond hinge 62 if thescanner cover 60 is opened in a state in which the locking of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released. Theadsorption board 66 rotates about thesecond hinge 62, and in this way, theadsorption surface 66 a of theadsorption board 66 faces the user, so that the user can easily attach theoriginal document 1 to theadsorption surface 66 a. - Furthermore, the
controller 70 controls theelectric circuit 67 to conduct the current to theadsorption board 66 if the locking of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released. As the current flows to theadsorption board 66 only if the user uses theadsorption board 66, the electricity can be saved. - In the present embodiment, the
adsorption board 66 adsorbs theoriginal document 1 by being electrostatically charged. As a structure for adsorbing theoriginal document 1, a structure other than a structure utilizing the static electricity may be used. As a structure for adsorbing theoriginal document 1 by a means other than static electricity, there is a structure for adsorbing theoriginal document 1 by using negative pressure. -
FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating ascanner cover 60A partially cut out with anadsorption board 68 which adsorbs theoriginal document 1 using negative pressure. The structure of the modification other than thescanner cover 60A is the same as that in the first embodiment.FIG. 9 shows a state in which theadsorption board 68 is cut along a cutting plane orthogonal to the second rotation center line C2 of thesecond hinge 62. In thescanner cover 60A, the component having the same function as that in thescanner cover 60 is denoted by the same reference numeral as that of thescanner cover 60, and a description thereof is omitted. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , thescanner cover 60A has thecover member 61, thesecond hinge 62, thesupport section 63, thelock mechanism 65, theadsorption board 68, and apump 80. Theadsorption board 68 has acavity 81 therein. Anadsorption surface 66 a of theadsorption board 68 has a plurality ofholes 82 communicating with thecavity 81. - The
pump 80 is connected to apiping 83. The piping 83 is connected to theadsorption board 68. The piping 83 communicates with thecavity 81. The piping 83 is arranged in thesecond hinge 62. Thepump 80 generates the negative pressure. If thepump 80 is driven, the negative pressure is generated in thehole 82. Thepump 80 is controlled by thecontroller 70. In a state in which the locking of thesupport section 63 by thelock mechanism 65 is released, thecontroller 70 drives thepump 80 to generate the negative pressure in thehole 82. - If the
original document 1 is placed on theadsorption board 68, as theoriginal document 1 blocks thehole 82, the negative pressure acting on thehole 82 fixes theoriginal document 1 to theadsorption surface 66 a. The negative pressure acting on thehole 82 may be a negative pressure capable of fixing theoriginal document 1 to theadsorption board 68. - Alternatively, the
adsorption board 66 may have both the structure that fixes theoriginal document 1 by static electricity and the structure that fixes theoriginal document 1 by the negative pressure. Alternatively, theadsorption board 66 may have adhesiveness to adsorb theoriginal document 1 by an adhesive force, but not the static electricity or the negative pressure. - In the present embodiment, the
adsorption board 66 is connected to thesecond hinge 62 via thesupport section 63. However, theadsorption board 66 is not limited to being connected to thesecond hinge 62 via thesupport section 63. In another example, theadsorption board 66 may be connected directly to thesecond hinge 62. In the present embodiment, theroller 64 is supported on theadsorption board 66 via thesupport section 63. In another example, theroller 64 may be supported directly on theadsorption board 66. - In the present embodiment, the
lock mechanism 65 locks theadsorption board 66 by locking thesupport section 63. If theadsorption board 66 is directly connected to thesecond hinge 62 without using thesupport section 63, thelock mechanism 65 may selectively lock theadsorption board 66 to thecover member 61. - In the present embodiment, the
lock mechanism 65 has thefirst engagement section 65 a at theadsorption board 66 side and thesecond engagement section 65 b at thecover member 61 side. By operating thesecond engagement section 65 b, the engagement of thefirst engagement section 65 a and thesecond engagement section 65 b is released. By operating thesecond engagement section 65 b, fixation of theadsorption board 66 to thecover member 61 by thelock mechanism 65 is released. - However, the
lock mechanism 65 is not limited to a structure having thefirst engagement section 65 a and thesecond engagement section 65 b. Thelock mechanism 65 may be any structure as long as theadsorption board 66 can be locked so that it does not rotate around thesecond hinge 62 and the locked state thereof can be released by an operation by the user. Furthermore, thelock mechanism 65 may be any structure as long as it is capable of transmitting the signal to thecontroller 70 with the locking of theadsorption board 66 released. - In the present embodiment, the
lock mechanism 65 sends the signal to thecontroller 70 in a state in which the locking of theadsorption board 66 to thecover member 61 is released. Thelock mechanism 65 may send a signal to thecontroller 70 if theadsorption board 66 is fixed to the cover member 61 (locked state), and may not send the signal in a state in which theadsorption board 66 is not fixed to the cover member 61 (a state in which the locking is released). In this case, thecontroller 70 determines that the state in which the signal is not received is a state in which the locking state of theadsorption board 66 by thelock mechanism 65 is released, and drives theelectric circuit 67 or thepump 80. Alternatively, thelock mechanism 65 may transmit different signals depending on a state in which theadsorption board 66 is fixed to thecover member 61 and a state in which theadsorption board 66 is not fixed to thecover member 61. In response to the signal, the controller detects the fixed state and the unfixed state of theadsorption board 66 to thecover member 61 by thelock mechanism 65. - In essence, based on the signal from a signal transmission section for sending the signal depending on the fixed state of the
adsorption board 66 to thecover member 61 by thelock mechanism 65 and the unfixed state thereof, thecontroller 70 can determine that the fixing of theadsorption board 66 to thecover member 61 by thelock mechanism 65 is released. - In the present embodiment, the
second engagement section 65 b of thelock mechanism 65 functions as the switching for switching a signal transmission state and a non-transmission state. However, as the signal transmission section for transmitting the signal depending on the fixed state of theadsorption board 66 to thecover member 61 by thelock mechanism 65 and the unfixed state thereof, a sensor may be used to detect the state in which thefirst engagement section 65 a and thesecond engagement section 65 b are not engaged with each other. - In the present embodiment, the
electric circuit 67 is arranged in thecover member 61. In another example, theelectric circuit 67 may be arranged in thehousing 20. Thepump 80 is arranged in thecover member 61. In another example, thepump 80 may be arranged in thehousing 20. - In the present embodiment, the
slide rail 23 movably supports theroller 64 by housing theroller 64 therein. However, theslide rail 23 is not limited to the shape in which theroller 64 is housed. - In the present embodiment, the
cover member 61 of thescanner cover 60 is connected to thehousing 20 by thefirst hinge 50 to be rotatable around the first rotation center line C1. However, thescanner cover 60 is not limited to being connected to thehousing 20 by thefirst hinge 50 which is a separate member from thescanner cover 60 and thehousing 20. In another example, a part of thecover member 61 of thescanner cover 60 maybe connected to thehousing 20 to be rotatable around the first rotation center line C1. Thecover member 61 has a structure similar to a part of thefirst hinge 50, thehousing 20 has a structure similar to a part of thefirst hinge 50, and they may be rotatably connected. - In the present embodiment, the
support section 63 is connected to thecover member 61 by thesecond hinge 62 to be rotatable around the second rotation center line C2. However, thesupport section 63 is not limited to being connected to thecover member 61 by thesecond hinge 62 which is separate from thesupport section 63 and thecover member 61. In another example, a part of thecover member 61 may be connected to thesupport section 63 to be rotatable around the second rotation center line C2. Thecover member 61 has a structure similar to a part of thesecond hinge 62, thesupport section 63 has a structure similar to a part of thesecond hinge 62, and they may be rotatably connected. - While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims (6)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/712,582 US10241388B1 (en) | 2017-09-22 | 2017-09-22 | Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus |
CN201920228342.7U CN209627505U (en) | 2017-09-22 | 2018-08-08 | Image forming apparatus |
CN201821271597.3U CN208675336U (en) | 2017-09-22 | 2018-08-08 | Image read-out and image forming apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/712,582 US10241388B1 (en) | 2017-09-22 | 2017-09-22 | Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US10241388B1 US10241388B1 (en) | 2019-03-26 |
US20190094677A1 true US20190094677A1 (en) | 2019-03-28 |
Family
ID=65808407
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/712,582 Active 2037-10-13 US10241388B1 (en) | 2017-09-22 | 2017-09-22 | Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus |
Country Status (2)
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US (1) | US10241388B1 (en) |
CN (2) | CN209627505U (en) |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3833371A1 (en) * | 1988-09-29 | 1990-04-05 | Siemens Ag | Folding lid for pressing an original (master) against a support surface (support plane) |
JPH0981304A (en) | 1995-09-13 | 1997-03-28 | Canon Inc | Image processor |
US6640083B2 (en) * | 2002-01-15 | 2003-10-28 | Xerox Corporation | Intermediate transparent document holder cover for photocopying machine platen |
JP2005031465A (en) | 2003-07-07 | 2005-02-03 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Document holder, image reading device, and device and document pressing device |
US6965749B2 (en) * | 2004-02-02 | 2005-11-15 | Lite-On Technology Corporation | Image inputting device with electrostatic generating device |
US8195082B1 (en) * | 2005-02-15 | 2012-06-05 | Tuscarora Designs, Inc | Collator system and method for copy machines |
TWI321017B (en) * | 2006-06-15 | 2010-02-21 | Avision Inc | Cover assembly of image capturing device |
JP4378493B2 (en) * | 2007-04-27 | 2009-12-09 | シャープ株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
US8605300B2 (en) * | 2009-12-08 | 2013-12-10 | Kyocera Document Solutions, Inc. | Image forming apparatus with turnable image reading part and suspending mechanism |
-
2017
- 2017-09-22 US US15/712,582 patent/US10241388B1/en active Active
-
2018
- 2018-08-08 CN CN201920228342.7U patent/CN209627505U/en active Active
- 2018-08-08 CN CN201821271597.3U patent/CN208675336U/en active Active
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US10241388B1 (en) | 2019-03-26 |
CN208675336U (en) | 2019-03-29 |
CN209627505U (en) | 2019-11-12 |
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