JP3391920B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a reading function and a recording function. 2. Description of the Related Art Facsimile machines are broadly classified into plain paper facsimile machines and thermal facsimile machines according to the type of printer. Particularly recently, plain paper facsimile machines have begun to spread due to advantages such as storage stability, environmental problems, and common use with copiers. Above all, attention has been paid to a plain paper facsimile apparatus equipped with an ink jet recording apparatus in terms of cost and compactness. FIG. 9 shows a conventional ink jet facsimile machine. As a basic configuration,
Control board 21a, recording paper cassette 1, body frame 22
Are arranged in order from the bottom, and a reading section is provided at one end of the main body frame 22, an operation section is provided above the main body frame 22, a recording section is provided at the other end, and a power supply section is provided at the center of the main body frame. The recording unit includes a recording paper pickup roller 3, a paper edge sensor 6 for detecting the leading and trailing ends of the recording paper, and a roller system 5a, 5b, 8, 10a, and 10b for transporting the recording paper.
Each is supported by the body frame. Further, the recording unit has a bubble jet (BJ) cartridge 9, which moves in the width direction of the recording paper and performs printing while discharging ink. Further, the reading unit includes a friction piece 16b for transporting the original while cutting the original one by one, a separation roller 16a, roller systems 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b for transporting the original, a reading sensor 1
9. A CS roller 20 having a role of pressing, conveying, and white reference of the document, and most of the rollers to which the driving force is transmitted is supported by the main body frame. [0003] As described above, the facsimile mechanism system is roughly divided into a reading system and a recording system.
These operations are synchronized by the control system, but the mechanical systems are considered to be independent of each other, and the inspection of each mechanical system should be performed independently. However, when both the reading system and the recording system are supported by the main body frame as in a conventional facsimile machine, inspection must be performed after assembling them all, or serially in the order of assembly. Sexual hindrance. Further, it is necessary to give the body frame itself accuracy, and since the body frame is large in size, it becomes an expensive part, which hinders quality improvement and cost reduction. [0005] In a recording BJ printer, if the distance between the ink discharge port and the recording paper is not maintained at a predetermined amount, the print quality deteriorates. It is determined by the positional accuracy between the guide rail or guide shaft and the platen (not shown) when scanning in the width direction of the carriage. In order to ensure this positional accuracy, the above components are not directly supported by the main body frame, but a printer frame is separately provided, and components related to the printer are supported by the printer frame to ensure the accuracy. Thus, the reading system components are attached to the main body frame so that even if the main body frame is deformed, the influence does not directly affect the positional accuracy of the printer components. However, the dual structure as described above has a problem that there are many disadvantages in terms of assemblability, cost, and effective use of resources. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus in which the number of inspection steps of an assembly line is significantly reduced and mass productivity is improved. Another object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of contributing to an improvement in the development efficiency of new products and an effective use of resources by increasing the degree of diversion of parts. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of maximizing the performance of each of a reading system and a recording system without affecting each other. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an original reading unit for reading an original, an original conveying unit for conveying the original, and a recording paper printing unit for printing on recording paper. A facsimile machine having an operation unit for performing an operation, a recording paper transport unit for transporting recording paper, a device control unit for controlling the device, a telephone network control unit for controlling a telephone network, and a power supply. The document reading unit, the document conveying unit, and the operation unit are configured as a scanner unit, and the recording sheet printing unit, the recording sheet conveying unit, the device control unit, the telephone network control unit, and the power supply are connected to a printer. together constituting a unit, the scan <br/> calibration na unit is fixedly supported on the exterior member of the printer unit, the said scanner unit printer unit
After the uniting with the package, on the surface of the exterior member and the package
Opening is formed at a position accessible to position control means
And a cover for closing the opening is provided . According to the above configuration, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the functions of the scanner unit and the printer unit can be inspected on the respective assembly lines, and the inspection of the total assembly line combining them can be performed. Since the number of steps can be significantly reduced, mass productivity can be greatly improved. Further, only the scanner unit or the printer unit can be newly developed, so that the degree of reuse of parts can be increased, and the development efficiency of new products can be improved and resources can be effectively used. Further, since the scanner unit and the printer unit have a floating structure (independent and holding) via an exterior member, the respective performances can be sufficiently brought out without being influenced by each other. Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the embodiments described below, the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording facsimile apparatus. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a central portion of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a central portion of a scanner unit. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a central portion of a printer unit. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the units are combined, FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the same unit, FIG. 6 is a rear view showing a state in which a cover of the printer unit is removed in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is an electric system of the facsimile apparatus. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a printer unit, and FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional facsimile apparatus. 7, reference numeral 201 denotes a facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 202 denotes a CPU including a microprocessor or the like, and a RAM 204, a non-volatile RAM 205, and a character generator (CG) 20 according to a program stored in a ROM 203.
6, reading unit 207, recording unit 208, modem unit 209,
The network control unit (NCU) 210, the operation unit 213, and the display unit 214 are controlled. The RAM 204 stores the binarized image data read by the reading unit 207 and the binarized image data stored in the recording unit 208.
9 by means of a network control unit (NCU)
The binarized image data to be output to the telephone line 211 via 210 is stored. The RAM 204 stores binary image data of an analog waveform signal input from the telephone line 211 through the network control unit (NCU) 210 and the modem unit 209. The non-volatile RAM 205 stores data (for example, abbreviated dial numbers) to be stored even when the power of the CPU 202 is turned off.
Is securely stored. CG 206 is an RO that stores characters such as JIS code and ASCII code.
M, and 2 if necessary based on the control of the CPU 202.
Character data corresponding to a predetermined code is extracted from byte data. The reading unit 207 includes a DMA controller, an image processing IC, an image sensor, a CMOS logic IC, and the like, binarizes data read using a contact sensor (CS) under the control of the CPU 202, and binarizes the data. Are sequentially sent to the RAM 204. The setting state of the original on the reading unit 207 can be detected by a mechanical original sensor (not shown) provided in the original conveyance path. It is input to the CPU 202. The recording unit 208 includes a DMA controller, an inkjet recording device, a CMOS logic IC, and the like.
Under the control of 202, the recording data stored in the RAM 204 is extracted and recorded and output as a hard copy. The modem unit 209 includes G3 and G2 modems and a clock generation circuit connected to these modems.
The transmission data stored in the RAM 204 is modulated based on the control of the PU 202 and output to the telephone line 211 via the NCU 210. The modem unit 209 is connected to the telephone line 2
Eleven analog signals are introduced via the NCU 210, the signals are modulated, and the binarized data is stored in the RAM 204. The NCU 210 switches and connects the telephone line 211 to either the modem unit 209 or the telephone 212 under the control of the CPU 202. The NCU 210 has a means for detecting a calling signal (CI), and sends an incoming signal to the main power control unit 215 and the CPU 202 when the calling signal is detected. The telephone 212 is integrated with the facsimile apparatus 201. More specifically, the telephone 212 includes a handset and a speech network, a dialer, a numeric keypad, a one-touch key, and the like. The operation unit 213 includes a key for starting image transmission, reception, and the like, a mode selection key for designating an operation mode such as fine, standard, and automatic reception during transmission and reception, a numeric keypad for dialing, a one-touch key, and the like. . When these keys are pressed, an ON signal is sent to the main power control unit 215 and the CPU 20.
2 is input. The display unit 214 is a liquid crystal display for displaying 16 digits, and displays predetermined characters and the like under the control of the CPU 202. The main power control unit 215 controls energization (supply of power) to each unit (block) of the facsimile apparatus 201, and includes a one-chip microcomputer, a capacitor type secondary battery, and the like. Can be driven only by the power supplied from. When a document detection signal from the reading unit 207, an incoming signal from the NCU 210, or an ON signal from the operation unit 213 is input, the main power control unit 215 sends a start signal to the main power supply 216 . The main power supply 216 is an AC input switchg power supply, and switches ON and OFF externally.
F can be controlled, and a start signal from the main power control unit 215;
Power is supplied or not supplied depending on the stop signal. Among the above functions, a portion surrounded by a two- dot chain line in FIG. 7 is mounted on the device control board 120. [Structure of Mechanical System] Next, the structure of the mechanical system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG.
The left side corresponds to the front of the device, and the right side corresponds to the back of the device. The above-described scanner unit A of the reading system is located above the apparatus, and the document passes from the rear side of the apparatus to the front side. A printing unit (cartridge scanning unit) of a recording system printer unit B is provided below the reading system and on the front side of the apparatus. The recording paper holder 38 is disposed on the rear side of the apparatus, and the recording paper passes from the rear side of the apparatus to the front side. (Scanner Unit) A scanner unit A is provided at the top of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 123 denotes a document presence / absence sensor for determining presence / absence of a document, reference numeral 30 denotes a friction piece formed of, for example, rubber, reference numeral 31 denotes a separation roller, reference numeral 122a denotes an actuator of a document edge sensor for detecting the leading and trailing edges of the document. Reference numeral 32 denotes a CS roller having functions of pressing, conveying, and white reference of the original, and 33
Is a custom IC that processes LED light sources, photoelectric elements, and their outputs
A contact type image sensor for converting image data of a document into an electric output, a CS holder for holding the contact type image sensor, and a CS for biasing the contact type image sensor 33 to the CS roller 32. It is an urging spring.
Reference numeral 105 denotes a scanner base which also serves as a lower guide of the document and a frame of the scanner unit, 107 denotes an upper document guide which also serves as a guide of the upper side of the document and a frame of the operation panel, and 106 denotes various keys and a display unit. Operation panel. Next, referring to FIG. 4, a state in which the scanner unit A and the printer unit B are combined is shown.
In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a reading motor for driving the separation roller 31 and the CS roller 32;
A transmission system for transmitting a driving force of 0 to the CS roller 32, and a transmission system 52 for transmitting the driving force of the motor 50 to the separation roller 31. When the user sets the document bundle, the document presence / absence sensor 123 is turned on. When the user presses the start switch, the separation roller 31 rotates to start conveying the document.
At this time, the document is conveyed while being separated from the document bundle one by one according to the magnitude relationship of the frictional force between the friction piece 30 and the document and the separation roller 31 by a known technique. The leading edge of the separated and transported document is detected by a document edge sensor 122, and the document is further transported by a separation roller 31, then nipped by a CS roller 32 and a close contact image sensor 33, and transported at the same time as image data. Read. As shown in FIG. 4, the ink jet type recording system B is about several tens mm larger than the width of the reading system A which can read the same width as the normal recording paper. Therefore, in the present apparatus, the left end of the reading system and the left end of the recording system are almost aligned, and a space is provided above the right recording system. In this space, a read drive system (read motor 50, drive transmission system 51 to CS roller 32, drive transmission system 52 to separation roller 31, etc.)
And an operation unit are provided. With the above configuration, the following inspection can be performed at the time of assembling the scanner unit by using the inspection jig having the same function as the printer unit described later. Sand
Chi, original separation performance, original conveying of quality of the read image,
Operation of various sensors and overall performance of the scanner unit
It is. (Printer Unit) A printer unit B including a recording mechanism system of an ink jet recording system is disposed below the scanner unit. 3, reference numeral 38 denotes a recording paper holder, 40 denotes a pickup roller, 37 denotes an ink jet cartridge having an ink tank and an ink ejection head, 45 denotes a recording / conveying roller for conveying recording paper, and 44 denotes a recording paper conveying roller 45 . A pressing roller 47 for giving a conveying force, a recording paper discharge roller 47 for discharging the recording paper, a spur roller 48 for giving the recording paper discharge roller 47 a discharging force,
Reference numeral 6 denotes a waste ink tank for discharging ink or the like clogged in the head of the cartridge. With respect to the recording paper loaded on the recording paper holder 38, only the top recording paper is picked up by the pickup roller 40 and sent to the recording paper transport roller 45. At that time, the recording paper edge sensor 24
In FIG. 6, the leading edge of the recording paper is detected, and the recording paper transport roller 45 is driven by a recording motor (not shown) to hold the recording paper. The data read or transmitted from the point where the recording paper transport roller 45 rotates a predetermined amount and the recording paper is transported to a predetermined position starts to be printed on the recording paper.
The printed recording paper is discharged by a recording paper discharge roller 47 and a spur roller 48 driven by a recording motor (not shown ). The cartridge 37 is held by a carriage 60 and is scanned in the recording paper width direction by a carriage motor 49 (FIG. 6). Further, electrical components other than the printer components are also provided in the printer unit. These will be described. [Device Control Board] A device control board 120 and a net control board 110 are arranged on the back side of the cartridge scanning section, below the document passage surface, and vertically above the recording paper passage surface. Have been. By arranging the control board at the above-mentioned position, each sensor required for the facsimile apparatus is mounted on the control board, thereby making it possible to reduce the number of boards of the apparatus and the number of harnesses. More specifically, in the reading unit, the document presence / absence sensor 123 is provided on an operation panel substrate, and the actuator 122a of the document edge sensor 122 is rotatably supported by a scanner unit. Are directly mounted on the control board, and in the recording section, by mounting the recording paper edge sensor 24 on the apparatus control board 120, no harness from each sensor to the control board is required. Further, since the apparatus control board 120 is located above the recording paper passing surface, there is no problem that ink discharged from the cartridge adheres to the apparatus control board 120 and a trouble such as a short circuit occurs. The present facsimile apparatus is in Suyo also play a printer function connected to the computer. The interface 55 required for this purpose is mounted on the device control board 120 as shown in FIGS . 5 and 6 in the present facsimile machine, so that the number of harnesses and boards can be reduced. Further, in this configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, the interface 55 is mounted on the apparatus control board 120 at a position on the left side when viewed from the back of the recording paper passage surface.
Since the interface is installed above the recording paper passage surface, it is possible to avoid the influence on the transportability of the recording paper of the cable from the interface to the computer. Arise,
Interference with wiring on the primary side such as a telephone circuit can be avoided. [Network Control Board] In this embodiment, as described above, the network for controlling the facsimile apparatus is used for network control which is essential for the facsimile apparatus.
The network control board 110 is provided independently of the device control board 120. Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a modular jack 57 for connecting an external line, a sub telephone, and a handset provided to a facsimile apparatus is mounted on the network control board 110, so that a harness and a board can be provided. The number has been reduced. 5 and 6, the modular jack is disposed on the right side when viewed from the back of the main body, so that the curl code from the handset 58 which must be on the left side when viewed from the front of the main body of the machine, according to common sense in the world, is customarily used. Can be shortened, and the actual usability can be improved. From the above points, the network control board 110 is disposed on the right side when viewed from the back of the main body as shown. As described above, the mesh control board 110 is also disposed above the recording paper passage surface so that the ink discharged from the cartridge does not adhere to the board. Also, in order to reduce the harness, the device control board 120 and the net control board 110
Are connected by a connector . Therefore, the network control board 11
0 is disposed on the same cross section as the device control board 120 in FIGS. A flexible cable 56 from the carriage 60 (FIG. 3) is connected to the control board between the apparatus control board 120 and the network control board 110.
As described above, since the reading system is shifted to the right as viewed from the back of the main body, the screen control board 110 is disposed below the document passing surface. In this embodiment, the apparatus control board and the net control board are formed separately, but both may be formed by a single board. In this case, the carriage 6
The cable from 0 is made to penetrate the board by making a hole. [Main Power Supply] The main power supply 28 of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is provided as shown in FIGS . By arranging the main power supply 28 in this position, an air cooling effect which is important for the power supply can be easily obtained by providing the cover with a louver.
In addition, even when the ink ejected from the above-described cartridge wraps around, it is possible to prevent the ink from flowing out to the power supply unit by providing the base cover 59 with the ribs 59a. In the present embodiment, the above components are covered with four members as exterior members, that is, a base cover 59, a front cover 102, a rear cover 101, and a back cover 103. Hereinafter, the cover configuration will be described in detail. First, mechanical parts and driving parts of the paper feed relationships and printing relationship (including the motor), instrumentation
Location control board 120, network control board 110 is supported by the printer chassis 100. This printer chassis 10
Numeral 0 is fixed to the boss 59b of the base cover 59 by a screw. The main power supply 28 and the waste ink tank 46 are also fixed to the base cover 59. Therefore, all the main parts of the printer unit are configured to be fixed to the base cover 59. In this state, the front cover 102
And by attaching the rear cover 101, the printer chassis 100, the front cover 102, the rear cover 101, the function as enclosures over jar defined in except for the vicinity UL, CSA of device control substrate 120 as described above Is secured. In addition, with this configuration, the positional accuracy of the main parts of the printer can be controlled by the printer chassis 1.
00, the printer chassis is not affected even if the front cover and the rear cover are deformed when they are combined with a scanner unit described later. Front cover 102
The recording cover 36, which rotatably holds the spur roller 48, is also rotatably held, so that the cartridge and the printer mechanism are not visible to the user in a normal use state. Device control board 12
In the vicinity of 0, a scanner unit to be described later is united, and after connecting harnesses to the device control board 120, the back cover 1
Block by 03. With this configuration,
The following inspection can be performed by the printer unit alone. sand
That is, recording paper pickup performance, recording paper conveyance performance,
These are printing performance, recovery operation, reception operation, power supply performance, operation of various sensors, and other overall performance of the printer unit . [Combined Configuration] Next, a configuration in which the scanner unit and the printer unit are combined will be described. In the present embodiment, the scanner unit and the printer unit are combined and connected to a signal line to perform a facsimile function. The procedure of the union will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, a boss 102b for positioning the scanner unit, a rib 102a for locking , and a claw (snap fit) 1 for retaining the scanner unit are provided on the front cover 102 of the printer unit.
02c, a hole 10 through which the actuator of the document leading edge detection sensor is inserted to interlock with the photo sensor on the control board
2d is provided. On the reading base 105 (FIG. 2) of the scanner unit, the boss 102b, the rib 102a,
Holes corresponding to the claws 102c are formed, and the scanner unit and the printer unit are united by fitting or locking the holes.
In this combined state, as shown in FIG. 5, an opening 61 is formed on the rear surface so that the apparatus control board 120 can be accessed. Through this opening 61, a signal line of the scanner unit is connected to the apparatus. It can be connected to the control board 120.
Thereafter, the opening is closed with the back cover 103, and the UL, CSA
(North American safety standards) Construct a covering that satisfies the enclosure specified by the standard. Thus, simply 2
Since the configuration can be made only by combining the two units, the assembly line in the factory can be extremely simplified. In addition, since the inspection process after the combination only requires the transmission and other inspections, mass productivity is dramatically improved. According to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained by having the above-described configuration.
According to the present invention: The functions of the scanner unit and the printer unit can be inspected on the respective assembly lines, and the inspection process of the total assembly line combining them can be greatly reduced, thereby enabling a dramatic improvement in mass productivity. 2. By increasing the degree of diversion of parts, it is possible to contribute to improving the development efficiency of new products and effectively utilizing resources. In other words, the development of new technologies is constantly evolving, and each manufacturer is developing new models one after another. However, according to the present invention, the scanner unit and the printer unit can be developed by newly developing either unit. It is possible to develop products incorporating the new technologies of each of the above, and it is also possible to develop models with the number of types multiplied by combining several types of scanner units and printer units. This leads to a large increase in development efficiency. 3. By implementing the above-mentioned item 2, it is possible to develop a new product without unnecessarily generating a mold for a new part, and it is possible to effectively use resources that can improve environmental problems that are attracting attention. 4. When installing the scanner unit, it can be realized with the simplest configuration without using extra parts to eliminate the effect on the printer unit, and it is possible to effectively use resources that lead to improvement in assemblability, cost and environmental problems. Become. 5. With this configuration, it is possible to maximize the performance of each of the scanner unit and the printer unit without affecting each other .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a central portion of a facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a central portion of the scanner unit. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a central portion of the printer unit. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where a scanner unit and a printer unit are combined. FIG. 5 is a rear view showing a state where the scanner unit and the printer unit are combined. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the printer unit with a cover removed. FIG. 7 is an electric block diagram of the facsimile machine. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the printer unit. FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional facsimile machine. [Description of Signs] 24 Recording paper edge sensor 31 Separation roller 32 CS roller 33 Contact image sensor (CS) 34 CS holder 37 Inkjet cartridge 38 Recording paper holder 40 Pickup roller 45 Recording transport roller 101 Rear cover 102 Front cover 103 Back cover 105 Reading Base 106 Operation Unit 110 Network Control Board 120 Device Control Board A Scanner Unit B Printer Unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuji Nakano 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshihisa Kawashima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo (56) References JP-A-3-13165 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. Document reading means for reading a document, document feeding means for feeding a document, recording paper printing means for printing on a recording sheet, an operation unit for performing an operation, and recording In a facsimile apparatus having a recording paper conveying means for conveying paper, an apparatus control means for controlling the apparatus, a telephone network control means for controlling a telephone network, and a power supply, the original reading means and the original conveying means , And the operation unit is configured as a scanner unit, the recording paper printing means, the recording paper conveying means,
Said device control means, said telephone line network control unit, and thereby constitutes the power as a printer unit, wherein the <br/> scanner unit is fixed and supported on the exterior member of the printer unit, and the scanner unit and the printer unit Coalesce
After that, on the surface of the exterior member and the device control means
Is configured so that an opening is formed at a position where it can be accessed
And a cover for closing the opening .