JP3534183B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure for attaching and detaching a hand scanner which is an image reading device of a communication device such as a facsimile device and an information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a communication device and an information processing device having a function of reading an image, such as a word processor and a facsimile device, a sheet feeding device mounted in the main body of the apparatus while the scanner is attached to the main body when the image is read. It is possible to read the image recorded on the original while conveying the original, or to scan the image by scanning the scanner with the operator's hand while the scanner is detached from the apparatus main body. Removable hand scanners have become popular.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a facsimile machine 1 equipped with a detachable hand scanner. The facsimile device 1 includes a facsimile device main body 2, a hand scanner 3 and a handset 4. The hand scanner 3 is electrically connected to the facsimile apparatus main body 2 by the curl code 5. The handset 4 is electrically connected to the facsimile apparatus main body 2 by the curl cord 6. The facsimile apparatus main body 2 is equipped with a dial key 7 and an operation key 8 for inputting a dial number and operation information, and a display device 9 for displaying various information. The hand scanner 3 has an image sensor that reads an image. Further, the hand scanner 3 is equipped with an input key or the like for giving an operation instruction when reading an image. The image information read by the hand scanner 3 is
It is transferred to the facsimile apparatus main body 2 through the curl code 5. The handset 4 is equipped with a handset and a transmitter for telephone calls. By the antenna 10,
Communication is performed between the facsimile device 1 and a cordless telephone handset (not shown).

In the case of the detachable hand scanner, the main method for connecting the hand scanner and the main body of the apparatus is to use a code such as a curl code, but due to the decrease in the price of semiconductors, the hand scanner has a storage device. When a hand scanner is attached to the device body without using a cord for electrical connection between the hand scanner and the device body, the memory of the image is stored in the memory. A cordless hand scanner in which an I / F connector is connected to electrically connect a hand scanner and an apparatus main body and image information stored in a memory of the hand scanner is transferred to the apparatus main body is becoming popular. The electrical connection between the hand scanner and the device body is
It is an important part for operation and reliability, and it is an important elemental technology that unnecessary force is not applied when attaching / detaching the hand scanner and that static electricity is discharged to the connection part, which does not lead to malfunction or failure of the device body. .

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-169533, when the unit attached to the main body of the apparatus is pulled out by an operator, two types of ground metal parts (the diameter of the pin are arranged around the connector pin). I-shaped grounding plate with a hole larger than each pin at the position of each pin, and U-shaped cover plate arranged so as to surround the periphery of the I-shaped grounding plate) floats up to cover the connector pins, There is disclosed a technique capable of preventing contact between a pin and an operator to prevent bending damage of the pin and electrostatic accident.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-162903, a cylindrical contact metal member which slides and moves on each pin of a connector pin is provided, and each pin is grounded before the connector is pulled out. A technique for preventing an electrostatic accident is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-228224 discloses a technique for preventing element destruction due to static electricity by shielding the front surface of the connector with a shutter that operates in conjunction with attachment / detachment of a process cartridge.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-3228 discloses an eccentric cam with a lever for sliding the entire unit in the same direction as the connector attaching / detaching direction, and an electrostatic contact which comes in contact with the eccentric cam prior to connecting the connector pins. There is disclosed a technique in which a discharge unit is provided on both of the connectors to prevent electrostatic accidents and ensure electrical and mechanical connections.

The above four prior art examples are not all inventions relating to the connection between the hand scanner and the apparatus main body, but in the case of the hand scanner as well, when the hand scanner is removed, the leaf spring is lifted upward from the connector contact, and the hand scanner is charged. Although the static electricity present does not flow to the I / F connector contact of the main body of the device, since a thin leaf spring is used, the leaf spring is easily deformed, and the hand scanner may touch the connector contact of the main body and cause a short circuit. There is.

[0010]

In such a conventional technique, malfunction and destruction of the apparatus main body caused by application of static electricity to the connector contact of the image reading apparatus main body, and excessive force of the operator when attaching / detaching the hand scanner. Mechanical damage caused by application is an important issue. There is a method of lifting the above-mentioned leaf spring against static electricity, but mechanical strength is insufficient. The plate spring is attached to the resin to make it difficult to deform, and the conductive material portion of the plate spring comes into contact before attaching the conductive material to the resin and contacting the connector contact of the device body with the hand scanner first. With such a structure, it is possible to prevent malfunction and destruction of the apparatus body due to static electricity, but the number of parts increases and the manufacturing cost increases.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of preventing damage due to static electricity and mechanical damage when the cordless hand scanner is attached and detached.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a reading device is detachably attached to a main body of an apparatus, and an image is read and stored as image information while the reading apparatus is detached from the main body of the apparatus. In the image reading device in which the connector on the reading device side and the connector on the device body side are connected when mounted on the device body and the image information stored in the reading device is transferred to the device body, a lever mechanism is provided on the device body. An operating lever having a working portion on which the reading device acts and an operating portion operated by an operator is provided, and when the reading device is mounted on the main body of the device, the reading device comes into contact with the working portion of the operating lever. In addition to discharging the static electricity charged on the device, the operation lever rotates to one side, the connector on the reading device side and the connector on the device body side are connected, and the reading is performed on the device body. When the operator is operating the operating portion of the operating lever to rotate the operating lever to the other side while the device is mounted, the action portion of the operating lever acts on the reading device, and the connector on the reading device side and the device. The image reading device is characterized in that the connector on the main body side is completely or partially detached.

According to the present invention, when the reader is attached to the main body of the apparatus, the operating lever contacts the reader before the connector of the main body contacts the reader, so that the reader is charged with static electricity. However, it is possible to prevent static electricity from flowing through the connector of the apparatus main body due to contact with the operation lever, and to prevent damage to the connector due to contact with the reading device. Further, when the reader is detached from the apparatus main body, the operator can easily detach the reader from the apparatus main body by operating the operation portion of the operation lever. It is possible to prevent the necessary force from being applied.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the operating portion of the operating lever surrounds the entire or substantially the entire circumference of the connector on the apparatus main body side.

According to the present invention, since the operating portion of the operating lever surrounds the entire or substantially the entire circumference of the device body connector, before the connector of the device body contacts the reader,
The operating lever can surely come into contact with the reading device.

Further, the invention is characterized in that the operation lever has a conductive member which is grounded.

According to the present invention, since the static electricity can be released to the outside of the apparatus by the grounded conductive member of the operation lever, it is possible to reliably prevent the static electricity from flowing to the connector of the apparatus main body.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to prevent an unnecessary signal from being input when the operating portion of the operating lever comes into contact with the connector, a portion of the operating portion of the operating lever which is close to the connector portion is electrically insulated. It is characterized by doing.

According to the present invention, since the portion of the operating lever which is close to the connector is electrically insulated, even if the connector comes into contact with the operating lever, an unnecessary electric signal is given to the connector, or the connector is removed. It is possible to prevent malfunction and destruction of the device body without causing a short circuit.

[0020]

1 is a perspective view of a facsimile apparatus 21 with a cordless type hand scanner, which is an example of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile device 21 includes a facsimile device main body 22 and a cordless hand scanner 23. A handset 24 is electrically connected to the main body 22 of the facsimile apparatus by a curl cord 25. The facsimile device main body 22 has a dial key 26 for inputting dial numbers and operation information, an operation key 27, a display device 28 for displaying various information, an antenna for communicating with a cordless telephone handset (not shown). 29 and an operating lever 51 are provided.

The cordless hand scanner 23 has an image sensor, a rolling roller, a storage device, an input key, a rechargeable battery and an I / F connector (all not shown). The image sensor is, for example, a contact-type image sensor using a light receiving element or a charge-coupled element formed of a photodiode, and has an imaging element in which a plurality of light receiving elements are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the image sensor. The rolling roller is exposed and arranged on the same surface as the reading position of the image sensor of the hand scanner 23.
This is for measuring the feed amount of the hand scanner 23 when operating, and for performing stable scanning.
The storage device stores the image information read by the image sensor. The operator presses the input key to turn on the power of the hand scanner 23 or select the reading mode. The rechargeable battery supplies current to the hand scanner 23. The I / F connector is used for the main body 22 of the facsimile machine.
The image information stored in the storage device of the hand scanner 23 is electrically connected to the I / F connector 30 of
Sending current to charge the rechargeable battery.

When the operator presses the input key for turning on the power of the hand scanner 23, a current is supplied from the rechargeable battery to the hand scanner 23. The operator places the hand scanner 23 on the recording surface of the document on which the image is recorded,
With the image sensor in close contact with the recording surface of the document, the hand scanner 23 is moved in the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hand scanner 23, and the image is recorded on the document while rotating the rolling roller. The image information is stored in the storage means. The hand scanner 23 is attached to the main body 22 of the facsimile apparatus, and the I / F of the hand scanner 23 is attached.
By connecting the connector to the I / F connector 30 of the facsimile apparatus main body 22, the image information stored in the storage device is transferred. The transferred image information is subjected to image processing according to the purpose and then transmitted through a telephone line or recorded on a recording paper by an image recording device (not shown) mounted on the facsimile apparatus main body 22.

The attachment / detachment mechanism of the hand scanner 23 will be described. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which the hand scanner 23 is attached to the facsimile apparatus main body 22. In this state, the I / F connector 30 of the facsimile apparatus main body 22 and the I / F connector of the hand scanner 23 are connected. A pair of scanner lock parts 31, which are recessed inward of the hand scanner 23, are formed in two steps in the vertical direction on one side surface (left side in FIG. 2) of one end of the hand scanner 23 in the longitudinal direction. 31a is arranged in parallel above the scanner lock portion 31b. The other side surface of one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the hand scanner 23 (right side in FIG. 2)
At the bottom, a scanner lock portion 32 is formed, which is recessed inward of the hand scanner 23. These scanner lock units 31,
The cross section of 32 is recessed into a substantially triangular shape.

The operating lever 51 includes an operating portion 52 on which the hand scanner 23 is mounted and an operating portion 53 operated by an operator.
And a fulcrum 54. The operation lever 51 is rotatable about an axis L1 of a fulcrum 54 extending in the longitudinal direction of the hand scanner 23 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2) as a rotation center, and can be rotated in the arrow A1 and A2 directions shown in FIG. It is provided in the device body 22. The operating lever 51 is biased by a spring (not shown) in the A2 direction, that is, in the direction of lifting the hand scanner 23. Operating lever 5
1 near the fulcrum 54 of the mounting surface of the hand scanner 23,
A scanner stop member 55 is provided which is fitted to the scanner lock portion 32 when the operation lever 51 is loaded with the hand scanner 23.

The facsimile main body 22 is fitted into the scanner lock portion 31 of the hand scanner 23.
A scanner stop member 33 is provided. The scanner stop members 33 and 55 are spring-biased toward the hand scanner 23 by springs (not shown) to elastically fit into the scanner lock portions 31 and 32 to sandwich the hand scanner 23 from the width direction. be able to.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the operation lever 51. The acting unit 52 has an I / O port of the facsimile main body 22.
An I / F connector opening 56 through which the F connector 30 can be inserted is formed, and an electrically insulating opening peripheral insulating portion 57 is formed around the I / F connector opening 56 of the action portion 52. It On the mounting surface of the action portion 52 excluding the I / F connector opening 56 and the opening peripheral insulating portion 57, a conductive material is applied or embedded, or a conductive portion 58 made of a conductive material is provided. It is provided. Conductive part 58
Is electrically grounded. The conductive portion 58 is installed by, for example, a method of connecting the conductive portion 58 and a ground portion with a wire, or a method of using the operating lever 51 as a ground conductive passage.

FIG. 4 shows the operation lever 51 from the state of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which the hand scanner 23 is pushed upward by rotating the shaft around the axis L1 in the A2 direction. At this time, the scanner stop member 33 is disengaged from the upper scanner lock portion 31a and the lower scanner lock portion 31b.
, And the I / F connector 30 and the I / F connector on the side of the hand scanner 23 are completely or almost separated from each other. In the state of FIG. 4, the operator can easily remove the hand scanner 23 by hand.

FIG. 5 shows the operation lever 51 when the hand scanner 23 is removed from the facsimile apparatus main body 22.
And the I / F connector 3 on the side of the facsimile apparatus main body 22
It is a side view of the part containing 0. At this time, the operating lever 5
1 is positioned at the position shown in FIG. 5 by the spring bias in the A2 direction. At this time, the I / F connector 30
Since the action portion 52 of the operation lever 51 is surrounded by the upper portion of the I / F connector 30, the I / F connector 30 is protected from static electricity,
Even if the connector 30 comes into contact with the operating lever 51, the opening peripheral insulating portion 57 prevents an unnecessary electric signal from flowing to the I / F connector 30 and a short circuit of the I / F connector 30.

The scanner stop members 33 and 55 are spring-biased toward the hand scanner 23 by a spring (not shown),
Displacement from a predetermined position to the hand scanner 23 side is regulated by a stop claw (not shown). by this,
When the hand scanner 23 is mounted on the facsimile device main body 22, the scanner stopper members 33, 55 can be easily fitted to the scanner lock portions 31, 32, and the mounting position can be accurately positioned, so that the facsimile device main body can be securely mounted. The 22 side I / F connector 30 and the hand scanner 23 side I / F connector can be connected. Further, since the operation lever 51 is spring-biased in the A2 direction, when the hand scanner 23 is attached to the facsimile apparatus main body 22,
It is possible to prevent unnecessary force from being applied by the operator.

A procedure for removing the hand scanner 23 from the facsimile apparatus main body 22 will be described. When the operator presses the operation portion 53 of the operation lever 51 in a state in which the hand scanner 23 as shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the facsimile apparatus main body 22, the operation lever 51 is centered on the axis L1 of the fulcrum 54. , The hand scanner 23 mounted on the acting portion 52 is lifted upward while rotating in the A2 direction. As a result, the scanner stop member 33 fitted to the scanner lock portion 31a is fitted to the scanner lock portion 31b with the scanner stop member 33 as shown in FIG. 4 separated from the scanner lock portion 31a. At this time, the I / F connector of the hand scanner 23 is completely or almost removed from the I / F connector 30 of the facsimile apparatus main body 22. In this state, the operator manually lifts the hand scanner 23 to fit the scanner lock part 31b and the scanner stop member 33, and the scanner lock part 32 and the scanner stop member 5.
The fitting state with 5 is easily released, and the operator can easily remove the hand scanner 23 from the facsimile apparatus main body 22. When the hand scanner 23 is removed from the facsimile apparatus main body 22, the operation lever 51 is in the state shown in FIG.

A procedure for mounting the hand scanner 23 on the facsimile apparatus main body 22 will be described. When the operator manually mounts the hand scanner 23 on the mounting surface of the operating portion 52 of the operation lever 51 in a state where the hand scanner 23 is not attached to the facsimile device main body 22 shown in FIG. The conductive portion 58 of 52 removes the static electricity charged in the hand scanner 23. At that time, the scanner lock portion 31b and the scanner stop member 3
3 is fitted, and at the same time, the scanner lock portion 32 and the scanner stop member 55 are fitted, and the state shown in FIG. 4 is obtained.
After that, when the operator presses the hand scanner 23, the scanner locking member 33 fitted in the scanner locking portion 31b is separated from the scanner locking portion 31b as shown in FIG. 31
Fit a. At this time, the I / F of the hand scanner 23
An unnecessary force is not applied to the connector and the I / F connector 30 of the main body 22 of the facsimile apparatus, and the connection is easily made.

According to the facsimile apparatus 21 of the present embodiment, when the I / F connector on the side of the hand scanner 23 is detached from the I / F connector 30 of the facsimile apparatus main body 22, it is unnecessary for the operator to handle it roughly. No power
The integrated operation lever 51 can prevent the application of a force that impairs reliability such as breakage of the I / F connector and the prevention of accidents due to static electricity. Thereby, it is not necessary to increase the number of members, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the reading device is charged with static electricity, it is possible to prevent the static electricity from flowing to the connector of the main body of the device by coming into contact with the operating lever, and at the same time, the connector can be prevented. It is possible to prevent the reader from coming into contact with the connector and damaging the connector.
Further, when the reader is detached from the apparatus main body, the operator can easily detach the reader from the apparatus main body by operating the operation portion of the operation lever. It is possible to prevent the necessary force from being applied.

Further, according to the present invention, the operating lever can surely come into contact with the reading device before the connector of the device body comes into contact with the reading device. This makes it possible to prevent electrostatic accidents as much as possible.

Further, according to the present invention, since the static electricity can be released to the outside of the apparatus by the grounded conductive member of the operation lever, it is possible to reliably prevent the static electricity from flowing to the connector of the apparatus main body. This makes it possible to prevent electrostatic accidents as much as possible.

Further, according to the present invention, since the portion of the operating lever which is close to the connector is electrically insulated, even if the connector comes into contact with the operating lever, an unnecessary electric signal is given to the connector, or Can be prevented from being short-circuited, and malfunction and destruction of the device body can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a facsimile device 21 with a cordless type hand scanner, which is an example of an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which a hand scanner 23 is attached to a facsimile apparatus main body 22.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation lever 51.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the operating lever 51 is rotated around the axis L1 in the A2 direction from the state of FIG. 1 and the hand scanner 23 is pushed upward.

5 is a side view of a portion including an operation lever 51 and an I / F connector 30 on the side of the facsimile apparatus main body 22 when the hand scanner 23 is removed from the facsimile apparatus main body 22. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a facsimile device 1 equipped with a detachable hand scanner 3.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 Facsimile machine 22 Facsimile machine body 23 Cordless hand scanner 30 I / F connector 31, 32 Scanner lock part 33,55 Scanner stop member 51 Operation lever 52 Working part 53 Operation part 56 I / F connector opening 57 Insulation around the opening 58 Conductive part

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A reading device is detachably attached to the main body of the apparatus, and when the reading device is detached from the main body of the apparatus, an image is read and stored as image information, and when the reading device is attached to the main body of the apparatus, the reading is performed. In an image reading device in which the device side connector and the device body side connector are connected and the image information stored in the reading device is transferred to the device body, a lever mechanism is used in the device body and the reading device acts. Section and an operation lever having an operation section operated by an operator are provided. When the reading apparatus is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the reading apparatus comes into contact with the operating section of the operation lever to discharge static electricity charged in the reading apparatus. , The operating lever rotates to one side,
When the reader-side connector is connected to the device body-side connector and the reader is attached to the device body, when the operator operates the operation part of the operation lever to rotate the operation lever to the other side, An image reading apparatus characterized in that an operating portion of an operation lever acts on the reading apparatus, so that a connector on the reading apparatus side and a connector on the apparatus body side are disengaged in whole or in part. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating portion of the operation lever surrounds the entire or substantially the entire circumference of the connector on the apparatus main body side. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation lever has a conductive member that is grounded. 4. A portion of the operating portion of the operating lever, which is close to the connector portion, is electrically insulated so that an unnecessary signal is not input when the operating portion of the operating lever contacts the connector. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein