JP4467701B2 - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads image information of a document and an image forming apparatus including such an image reading apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there is an apparatus shown in FIG. 4 as an image reading apparatus that fixes an original on a platen glass, exposes and scans the original image surface, and forms image information on a photosensitive drum or a photoelectric conversion element. . FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a conventional image reading apparatus.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 4, in the conventional image reading apparatus, the first mirror base 1 moves at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow 2, and the original on the platen 4 is exposed by the lamp 3.
[0004]
In addition, there are wire pulleys 21 at both ends of the second mirror base 5, and the second mirror base 5 is approximately half the speed of the first mirror base 1 when pulled by the wire 22 extending from the first mirror base 1. Synchronously with the first mirror base 1 at a speed of
[0005]
Both the first mirror base 1 and the second mirror base 5 are supported on an optical rail 6 via fixed sliders 7, 8, 9 and slider mounting plates 10, 11.
[0006]
Next, the second mirror stand 5 shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal side view of the second mirror table 5 shown in FIG.
[0007]
As shown in FIG. 5, the rails 6a and 6b are at the longitudinal ends of the first mirror base 1 and the second mirror base 5, and each mirror base is supported in the height direction by two slider members on each rail. Has been.
[0008]
Then, the reflected light of the document that has been exposed and scanned by the movement of the mirror stage is folded back by the first mirror 12, the second mirror 13, and the third mirror 14 of FIG. 4 and imaged on the photoelectric conversion element 16 by the lens 15. .
[0009]
In assembling such an image reading apparatus, in order to faithfully reproduce the image of the original on the platen, the positions of the mirror, lens, and photoelectric conversion element are adjusted so that the reading can be performed with high accuracy.
[0010]
The above-described position adjustment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of position adjustment in the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the magnification of the read image is adjusted by adjusting the distance from the platen 4 to the lens 15 and from the lens 15 to the photoelectric conversion element 16. ((A) in FIG. 6, broken line)
[0012]
Further, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 5A, the second mirror frame 17 ′ is perpendicular to the scanning direction of the mirror table on the document by changing the inclination of the height of the second mirror table 5 in the longitudinal direction. The slope of the straight line in the direction is adjusted. ((B) in FIG. 6, broken line)
[0013]
In order to adjust the inclination, conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the slider mounting plate 11 and the second mirror frame 17 on one side in the longitudinal direction of the second mirror base 5 are used. The coupling height of was adjusted. (Arrow 20 direction)
[0014]
According to the position adjustment described above, the conventional image reading apparatus can read an image with high accuracy.
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional techniques as described above have a problem that the image reading accuracy may not be improved.
[0016]
For example, the above-described problem will be described by taking the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. 4 as an example. In the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. 4, the slider mounting plate 11 is kept in parallel while maintaining the flatness of the four sliders. Is difficult to adjust, and the slider is lifted from the rail, and the second mirror base 5 vibrates during image scanning, causing problems such as image blurring.
[0017]
In order to solve this problem, for example, an image reading apparatus having a configuration as shown in FIG. 7 has been proposed. FIG. 7 shows a structural diagram of a second mirror base of a conventional image reading apparatus.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 7, the conventional image reading apparatus is provided with separate slider mounting plates 23 and 25 at both ends of the second mirror frame 17, respectively, and one slider mounting plate 23 for height adjustment is provided in the second mirror frame. The other slider mounting plate 25 is a mechanism that is swingably mounted with a fulcrum shaft 24 fixed to the second mirror frame 17 as a fulcrum.
[0019]
With such a configuration, height adjustment can be performed while suppressing blurring of an image or the like.
[0020]
However, even in the configuration shown in FIG. 7, when adjusting the height, it is necessary to loosen the connection between the slider mounting plate 23 for height adjustment and the second mirror frame 17. Even if they are coupled again, the coupling strength becomes insufficient, causing problems such as vibration of the mirror table.
[0021]
In addition, when the coupling portion is fixed with sufficient strength, the work of the tilt adjustment (second mirror stand height adjustment) becomes complicated, and the adjustment process during assembly takes time.
[0022]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can stabilize the movement of a scanning body with a simple configuration, prevent image blurring, and improve image reading accuracy. For the purpose.
[0023]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes:
In an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a document by scanning with a scanning body,
A rail member for supporting the movement of the scanning body;
A support member that supports the scanning body and moves on the rail member;
A first contact member provided on the support member, which is a contact point between the rail member and the support member;
A second contact member provided on the support member that is a contact point between the rail member and the support member and capable of adjusting a height between the rail member and the support member ;
The support member supports the scanning body so as to be rotatable with respect to the scanning body .
[0024]
In addition, the second contact member is
By providing a male screw portion that fits with the support member, by rotating with respect to the support member,
The height between the rail member and the support member is adjusted.
[0027]
The support member may include a pulley for moving the scanning body, and a shaft of the pulley may be substantially concentric with an axis for supporting the support member on the scanning body.
[0028]
Furthermore, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image read by the image reading device on a sheet material.
[0029]
Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, since the support member includes the contact member capable of adjusting the height, the height adjustment can be easily performed, and the contact member is a rail member. Even if the planarity of the rail member is different while the scanning body is moving, image blurring can be prevented and image reading can be performed stably without causing vibration or abnormal noise. Can do.
[0030]
Further, for example, if the second contact member is formed only at one place, the adjustment time can be shortened.
[0031]
In addition, the second contact member includes a male screw portion that fits with the support member, and the height of the rail member and the support member is adjusted by rotating with respect to the support member, so that the adjustment is easily performed. In addition, by making the screw pitch finer, more accurate adjustment can be performed.
[0033]
In addition, since the shaft of the pulley for moving the scanning body is concentric with the shaft for supporting the support member on the scanning body, it is easy to assemble each component of the apparatus, and the scanning body is moved by the pulley. However, it is performed by pulling the vicinity of the center of gravity of the scanning body, so that there is no unbalance in the pulling of the scanning body, and more stable image reading can be performed.
[0034]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. Absent.
[0035]
(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0036]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a second mirror base provided in the first embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mirror base shown in FIG. 1A is a top view of the mirror table shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2B is a front view of the mirror table shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 2C and 2D are shown in FIG. The side view of a mirror stand is shown.
[0037]
Further, in the first embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the above-described conventional technique can be applied to portions other than the second mirror stand shown in FIGS. To do. Therefore, the following description will be made as appropriate with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 used in the description of the prior art. Further, in the following drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members as those shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 used in the description of the prior art. An apparatus to which the embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention is applied may be a scanner, for example.
[0038]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second mirror base 5 included in the first embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a second mirror frame 17 as a scanning body, and a first contact member. Two fixed sliders 8 and 9 fixed to the frame, a fulcrum shaft 24 fixed to the side surface of the second mirror frame 17 as a shaft for supporting the slider mounting plate 25, and the fulcrum shaft 24, a slider mounting plate 25 as a support member rotatably mounted on the head 24, and a slider mounting plate 28 as a first support member provided integrally with the second mirror frame 17.
[0039]
Furthermore, a slider 18 as a fixed first contact member fixed to the slider mounting plate 25 , a height adjusting slider 19 as a second contact member having a male screw portion 19b, and a second mirror frame 17 includes a second mirror 13 and a third mirror 14 which are folding mirrors fixed to 17, and a wire pulley 21 as a pulley for pulling the mirror base with a wire.
[0040]
The second mirror base 5 is first assembled as a single unit as a second mirror base unit, and the height-adjustable slider 19 is adjusted to a reference height.
[0041]
The second mirror base 5 adjusted in the unit state is set on the rail 6a as the rail member of the main body and the rail 6b as the first rail member, and the lens 15, the photoelectric conversion element 16, and the first mirror. By adjusting the position of the stage 1, the magnification and scanning position are adjusted, and by moving the height-adjustable slider 19 of the second mirror stage 5 up and down, the inclination of the optical axis, that is, orthogonal to the scanning direction of the mirror stage. The tilt of the reading position in the direction to be corrected is corrected.
[0042]
That is, the reference position of the second mirror base 5 is determined by the fixed height sliders 8 and 9 on one rail 6b serving as a reference.
[0043]
On the other rail 6a side, a fixed slider 18 fixed to the slider mounting plate 25 and a male screw portion 19b are cut and rotated by a tool such as a screwdriver so that the tip 19a is located with respect to the slider mounting plate 25. A height-adjustable slider 19 that moves up and down rides.
[0044]
The slider mounting plate 25 is pivotally supported by a fulcrum shaft 24 with respect to the second mirror frame 17 and is swingable in the direction of the arrow 26.
[0045]
That is, even when the flatness and parallelism of the rail 6a surface are slightly deviated from the reference rail 6b surface, the slider mounting plate 25 oscillates so that the four sliders 8, 9, 18, 19 is securely grounded on each rail 6a, 6b.
[0046]
Furthermore, when adjusting the inclination of the optical axis, the height of the fulcrum shaft 24 is also adjusted up and down by rotating one height-adjustable slider 19, and the second mirror frame 17 is shown in FIG. , 17 'and the optical path is adjusted.
[0047]
When the adjustment of the optical position is completed, the height-adjustable slider 19 is fixed to the slider mounting plate 25 with an adhesive or a nut.
[0048]
As described above, in the first embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the slider mounting plate 25 tilts in the direction of the arrow 26 with the fulcrum shaft 24 as the fulcrum even after the height adjustment is performed. The sliders 8, 9, 18, and 19 do not float from the top surfaces of the rails 6 a and 6 b, and stable image reading can be performed without causing vibration or noise even when the flatness of the rails is slightly different during traveling. It can be performed.
[0049]
In addition, the height adjustment type slider 19 is configured to be moved up and down with a screw type, thereby facilitating the adjustment process, and by making the screw pitch finer, more accurate adjustment is possible.
[0050]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the second mirror base of the second embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
[0051]
However, in the second embodiment described below, as in the first embodiment described above, the above-described conventional technology can be applied to portions other than the second mirror base shown in FIG. The detailed explanation is omitted.
[0052]
Therefore, the following description will be made as appropriate with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 used in the description of the prior art. Moreover, in the following drawings, the same number is attached | subjected to the member similar to the member shown by FIG.1, FIG2 and FIG.4.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 3, the present embodiment is an example in which the fulcrum shaft 24 as a shaft for supporting the slider mounting plate 25 is extended and the rotation support shaft of the wire pulley 21 as a pulley is also used.
[0054]
That is, in this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained, the number of components is reduced and the assembly is facilitated, and the fulcrum shaft 24 is provided near the center of gravity of the second mirror base 5. Thus, even after optical adjustment with the height-adjustable slider 19 as the second contact member, the wire always pulls near the center of gravity of the second mirror base, and the wire pulling positions at both ends of the second mirror base 5 The unbalance is eliminated, and more stable scanning can be performed.
[0055]
(Embodiment of Image Forming Apparatus)
Next, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. An embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an embodiment including the first embodiment or the second embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
[0056]
That is, an image is provided with an image forming unit that reads an image of a document by the image reading apparatus shown as the first embodiment or the second embodiment and forms an image on a sheet material based on the read image information. Forming device. Examples of apparatuses to which the embodiments of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are applied include printers, FAX machines, and copiers.
[0057]
As the image forming means, an electrophotographic image forming means, an ink jet image forming means, a bubble jet image forming means, and the like can be applied, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and other appropriate image forming means. Can be applied.
[0058]
Therefore, in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention described above can be obtained.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the support member is pivotally supported by the scanning body and the contact member can adjust the height between the rail member and the support member. To provide an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a contact member from floating from a rail, preventing image blurring, and stably reading an image without generating vibration or abnormal noise. it can.
[0060]
Furthermore, since the first support member for supporting the movement of the scanning body relative to the first rail member is provided, and the first support member is formed integrally with the scanning body, the strength of the scanning body is sufficient. In addition, an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of performing more stable image reading can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a second mirror base provided in a first embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a plan view of the mirror table shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second mirror base of the second embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional image reading apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal side view of the second mirror table shown in FIG. 4;
6 is a schematic view of position adjustment in the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a structural diagram of a second mirror base of a conventional image reading apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st mirror stand 2 Arrow 3 Lamp 4 Platen 5 2nd mirror stand 6 Optical rail 6a, 6b Rail 7, 8, 9 Fixed slider 10, 11 Slider mounting plate 12 First mirror 13 Second mirror 14 Third mirror 15 Lens 16 Photoelectric conversion element 17, 17 ′ Second mirror frame 18 Fixed slider 19 Height-adjustable slider 19 a Tip 19 b Male thread 21 Wire pulley 22 Wire 23 Slider mounting plate 24 Support shaft 25 Slider mounting plate 26 , 27 Arrow 28 Slider mounting plate

Claims (4)

In an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a document by scanning with a scanning body,
A rail member for supporting the movement of the scanning body;
A support member that supports the scanning body and moves on the rail member;
A first contact member provided on the support member, which is a contact point between the rail member and the support member;
A second contact member provided on the support member that is a contact point between the rail member and the support member and capable of adjusting a height between the rail member and the support member ;
The image reading apparatus , wherein the support member supports the scanning body so as to be rotatable with respect to the scanning body . The second contact member is
By providing a male screw portion that fits with the support member, by rotating with respect to the support member,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the height between the rail member and the support member is adjusted. The support member includes a pulley for moving the scanning body;
Axis of the pulley, the image reading apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said support member is a shaft of the same mind for pivotally supporting the scanning body. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image read by the image reading apparatus according to claim 1 on a sheet material.

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