JP6973287B2 - Image reading unit and paper transport unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a document feeder technique for sending a manuscript to a scanner.

Image forming devices with various functions such as copying, scanning, faxing, and document servers have become widespread. Such an image forming apparatus may be referred to as a "multifunction device" or an "MFP (Multi Function Peripherals)".

The image forming apparatus may be equipped with a document feeder. The document feeder may be referred to as an "ADF (Auto Document Feeder)" or a "document feeder".

As described in Patent Document 1, the document feeder is often mounted above the platen glass of the scanner of the image forming apparatus.

The back end of the document feeder and the back end of the scanner are hinged together. The user opens the document feeder by lifting the front edge of the document feeder when loading the original paper on the platen glass. The hinge is provided with an urging mechanism such as a coil spring to assist in lifting. For example, a torque hinge is used as the hinge.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-239515

By the way, the document feeder is provided with a paper feed tray, and the paper feed tray is always visible. In order to improve the appearance of the image forming apparatus, it is desirable to provide a cover that covers the upper part of the paper feed tray. The back end of the cover is hinged to the back end of the scanner.

When loading paper in the input tray, the user opens the cover by lifting the front edge of the cover.

When loading paper on the platen glass, the user opens the document feeder by lifting the document feeder with his hand on the front edge, as described above. If the cover is closed, the cover will be lifted with the document feeder when it is lifted. If the cover is open, only the document feeder can be lifted.

That is, if the document feeder is provided with a cover as described above, the weight of the cover may or may not be applied to the document feeder when the user starts to open the document feeder. Hinge to allow the user to start opening the document feeder with the same force as before, even when the weight of the cover rests on the document feeder, that is, with the same force as when the cover is not provided. It is necessary to make the torque of the above stronger than before.

However, in that case, when the document feeder is closed but the cover is open, the weight of the cover is not applied to the document feeder, and the torque of the hinge makes the document feeder lift more easily than before. Using the document feeder in a raised position can result in poor paper transfer to the scanner or poor image reading by the scanner.

In view of such a problem, the present invention can assist the force applied to the user when starting to open the document feeder while preventing the document feeder from rising even when a cover for covering the document feeder is provided. The purpose is to make it.

The image reading unit according to one embodiment of the present invention has a platen glass and a slit glass on the upper surface, and is a scanner that reads an image from a first paper set in the platen glass or a second paper passing through the slit glass. One end is joined to the first end of the upper surface of the scanner by a first hinge that generates torque in a direction away from the scanner, and the platen glass and the slit glass can be opened and closed. A document feeder for transporting the second paper to the slit glass provided and a second hinge at the first end for hiding the inside of the document feeder when the document feeder is not used. The scanner has a cover that is joined to one end and is openable and closable with respect to the document feeder, and after the document feeder and the cover both start to open from a closed state, the scanner. A space is provided between the document feeder and the cover so that only the document feeder moves with respect to the scanner until the angle between the top surface and the bottom surface of the document feeder reaches a predetermined angle. ..

According to the present invention, even when a cover for covering the document feeder is provided, it is possible to assist the force applied to the user when starting to open the document feeder while preventing the document feeder from rising.

It is a figure which shows the example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 in the state which a document feeder and a tray cover are closed. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a scanner, a document feeder, and a tray cover having a cross-sectional line taken along the line AA. It is a figure which shows the example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus in the state which a document feeder is open. It is a figure which shows the example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus with the document feeder closed and the tray cover open. It is the schematic sectional drawing which makes the AA line a sectional line for demonstrating the change of the positional relationship of a scanner, a document feeder, and a tray cover. It is a right side view of a scanner, a document feeder, and a tray cover. It is a figure which shows the modification of the appearance of the image forming apparatus in the state which the document feeder is closed and the tray cover is open. It is a schematic cross-sectional view which makes the BB line a cross-sectional line for demonstrating the change of the positional relationship of a scanner, a document feeder, and a tray cover. It is a figure which shows the modification of the appearance of the image forming apparatus in the state which a document feeder is open. It is a figure which shows the deformation example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus in the state which the document feeder is closed and the tray cover is open. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB for explaining the positional relationship between the scanner, the document feeder, and the tray cover. It is a figure which shows the example of a pin and a hole. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB to illustrate changes in the positional relationship of the scanner, document feeder, and tray cover.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the document feeder 4 and the tray cover 5 are closed. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a scanner 3, a document feeder 4, and a tray cover 5 having a cross-sectional line taken along the line AA. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the document feeder 4 is open. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the document feeder 4 is closed and the tray cover 5 is open. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA for explaining changes in the positional relationship between the scanner 3, the document feeder 4, and the tray cover 5. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the scanner 3, the document feeder 4, and the tray cover 5.

The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus generally called an "MFP (Multi Function Peripherals)" or a "multifunction device", and integrates functions such as copying, PC printing, facsimile, scanning, and a document server. It is a device.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a printer 2, a scanner 3, a document feeder 4, a tray cover 5, a touch panel display 6, and the like.

The printer 2 and the scanner 3 are integrally configured to form the main body 10 of the image forming apparatus 1. The lower part of the main body 10 is the printer 2, and the upper part is the scanner 3.

The touch panel display 6 is provided on the side surface of the main body 10 and is a device for displaying a screen and for a user to input data or a command to the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the side of the image forming apparatus 1 on which the touch panel display 6 is provided is referred to as "front", and the opposite side of the front is referred to as "rear".

The printer 2 prints the image read by the scanner 3 on paper. In addition, the image is printed on paper based on the image data transmitted from another device or the image data stored in the storage. As the printer 2, a page printer, an inkjet printer, or the like is used.

As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner 3 is composed of a platen glass 31, a slit glass 32, a document reading unit 33, and the like.

The platen glass 31 is provided on almost the entire upper surface of the main body 10, and the paper for the original is set. The slit glass 32 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 10 side by side with the platen glass 31.

The document reading unit 33 reads the image written on the paper set in the platen glass 31 and generates image data.

Further, the document reading unit 33 reads the image written on the paper and generates image data when the paper conveyed by the document feeder 4 passes through the slit glass 32.

The document feeder 4 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and is composed of a paper feed tray 41, a transport mechanism 42, a paper output tray 43, a mat 44, a feeder cover 45, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the document feeder 4 is attached to the rear end portion 37 of the upper surface of the main body 10 so as to open and close like a door with respect to the upper surface of the main body 10 by a plurality of hinges 47 or the like. There is. The user opens and closes the document feeder 4 by grasping the front end of the document feeder 4 and raising and lowering the document feeder 4.

The hinge 47 is adjusted so that the document feeder 4 opens until the angle Ra between the lower surface of the document feeder 4 and the upper surface of the scanner 3 reaches a predetermined angle R. The predetermined angle R0 is, for example, 60 degrees.

The tray cover 5 is a cover for hiding the paper feed tray 41 when the document feeder 4 is not used. The tray cover 5 is attached to the end portion 37 by a plurality of hinges 57 or the like so as to open and close the document feeder 4 like a door. The user opens and closes the tray cover 5 by grasping the front end of the tray cover 5 and raising and lowering the tray cover 5.

The hinge 57 is adjusted so that the tray cover 5 opens until the angle Rb between the upper surface of the tray cover 5 and the upper surface of the scanner 3 becomes a predetermined angle R0.

When the user sets the paper on the platen glass 31 and causes the image to be read, the user opens the document feeder 4 as shown in FIG. When the document feeder 4 is opened with the tray cover 5 closed as shown in FIG. 1, the tray cover 5 moves together with the document feeder 4. Then, after loading the paper, the document feeder 4 is closed, and a predetermined command (for example, a command to start copying) is input to the touch panel display 6. When the document feeder 4 is closed, the paper is pressed and fixed by the mat 44.

When a predetermined command is input, the document reading unit 33 reads an image from the loaded paper and generates image data. When the user completes reading the image, the user opens the document feeder 4 again, takes the paper, and closes the document feeder 4.

Alternatively, when the user sets the paper in the paper feed tray 41 and causes the image to be read, the user opens the tray cover 5 with the document feeder 4 closed as shown in FIG. Then, when the paper is set in the paper feed tray 41, a predetermined command is input to the touch panel display 6.

Then, the transport mechanism 42 transports the loaded sheets one by one to the slit glass 32, and further conveys the loaded paper to the output tray 43. The upper part of the transport mechanism 42 is covered with the feeder cover 45.

The document reading unit 33 reads an image from the paper and generates image data each time the paper passes through the slit glass 32. The user picks up the discharged paper in the output tray 43 and closes the tray cover 5.

By the way, for at least one of the plurality of hinges 47, a torque hinge having an urging mechanism such as a spring is used. The urging mechanism urges the document feeder 4 in the direction of opening the document feeder 4 with respect to the scanner 3.

Therefore, the urging mechanism reduces the force with which the user lifts the document feeder 4 when opening the document feeder 4. That is, it assists the user in opening the document feeder 4.

Similarly, at least one of the plurality of hinges 57 has an urging mechanism such as a spring. The urging mechanism urges the tray cover 5 in the direction of opening the tray cover 5 with respect to the document feeder 4.

Therefore, the urging mechanism reduces the force with which the user lifts the tray cover 5 when opening the tray cover 5. That is, it assists the user in opening the tray cover 5. It also assists the user when opening the document feeder 4 with the tray cover 5 closed.

As described above, the user can open the document feeder 4 as shown in FIG. 3 when the tray cover 5 is closed as shown in FIG. At this time, the tray cover 5 moves together with the document feeder 4.

When the document feeder 4 and the tray cover 5 are both closed as shown in FIG. 1, there is a space S1 between the document feeder 4 and the tray cover 5 as shown in FIG. 5 (A). .. Further, at this time, the tray cover 5 is in contact with only the right side surface of the feeder cover 45 of the document feeder 4. Or, there is a gap of about 1 mm.

Therefore, when the document feeder 4 starts to be opened, only the document feeder 4 moves with respect to the scanner 3 until the output tray 43 comes into contact with the tray cover 5, as shown in FIG. 5B, and the tray cover 5 is used. Does not move. During this time, the user is assisted by the urging mechanism of the hinge 47.

After the output tray 43 comes into contact with the tray cover 5, the tray cover 5 begins to move with respect to the scanner 3 together with the document feeder 4. The user is then further assisted by the urging mechanism of the hinge 57.

It is desirable that the hinge 47 is adjusted so that the torque is larger when the output tray 43 is in contact with the tray cover 5 than when it is not in contact with the tray cover 5. For example, if the angle Ra when the output tray 43 contacts the tray cover 5 is 2 degrees, the torque when the angle Ra is 2 degrees is larger than the torque when the angle Ra is less than 2 degrees. It is desirable that the hinge 47 is adjusted.

By the way, since the space S1 is filled while the document feeder 4 and the tray cover 5 are moving together, the upper surface of the document feeder 4 and the upper surface of the tray cover 5 are displaced as shown in FIG. 6A. .. After that, when the document feeder 4 and the tray cover 5 are completely moved, the upper surface of the tray cover 5 and the upper surface of the tray cover 5 are aligned as shown in FIG. 6B. That is, there is no step on these upper surfaces.

The hinge 57 may be adjusted so that the torque increases when the angle Rb approaches a predetermined angle R0 in order to more reliably eliminate the step. For example, if the predetermined angle R0 is 60 degrees, the hinge 57 may be adjusted so that the torque when the angle Rb is 50 degrees is larger than the torque when the angle Rb is less than 50. It is desirable that the torque when the angle Rb is 50 degrees or more is the strength with which the tray cover 5 opens without any force applied by the user.

According to the present embodiment, even when the tray cover 5 is provided in the image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to assist the force applied to the user when starting to open the document feeder 4 while preventing the document feeder 4 from rising. ..

[First modification]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the document feeder 4 is closed and the tray cover 5 is open. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view with the BB line as a cross-sectional line for explaining changes in the positional relationship between the scanner 3, the document feeder 4, and the tray cover 5. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modified example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the document feeder 4 is open.

In the above embodiment, when both the document feeder 4 and the tray cover 5 are lifted from the closed state as shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the document feeder 4 and the tray cover are shown as shown in FIG. 6 (A). A step is generated on the upper surface of No. 5 on the way. Then, when both have completely moved, the step disappears as shown in FIG. 6 (B). That is, since a step is created or disappears between the two, there is a possibility that the user may stuff his or her finger in the gap between the two.

Therefore, in the first modification and the second modification, a device is made to make it difficult for a step to occur.

As shown in FIG. 7 or 8, the paper ejection tray 43 of the document feeder 4 is provided with a pressing portion 4A at an end portion 48 on the front side. The pressing portion 4A is composed of a pressing member 4A1, a magnet 4A2, one or a plurality of elastic members 4A3, and the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8 or 9, a magnet 3A is provided at a position of the end 38 of the upper surface of the scanner 3 facing the magnet 4A2 when the document feeder 4 is closed.

The magnet 4A2 and the magnet 3A are attracted to each other by a magnetic force. That is, one of the opposite poles is the N pole and the other is the S pole. The magnet 4A2 and the magnet 3A may be one set or a plurality of sets. A coil spring is used as the elastic member 4A3.

When the document feeder 4 and the tray cover 5 are closed (see FIG. 1), the elastic member 4A3 contracts due to the magnetic force of the magnet 4A2 and the magnet 3A, and as shown in FIG. 8A, the pressing portion 4A Is away from the tray cover 5.

When the document feeder 4 begins to be opened, the attractive force of the magnets 4A2 and 3A gradually weakens, the elastic member 4A3 begins to stretch, and the pressing member 4A1 comes into contact with the tray cover 5. Until the pressing member 4A1 comes into contact with the tray cover 5, only the document feeder 4 moves with respect to the scanner 3, and the tray cover 5 does not move.

After the pressing member 4A1 comes into contact with the tray cover 5, the tray cover 5 begins to move with respect to the scanner 3 together with the document feeder 4 while being pushed up by the pressing member 4A1 as shown in FIG. 8 (B). Then, the movement is completed, and the state as shown in FIG. 3 is reached. The elasticity of the elastic member 4A3 is adjusted in advance so that a step does not occur between the upper surface of the document feeder 4 and the upper surface of the tray cover 5 during movement.

In this modification, when the document feeder 4 is closed, the pressing member 4A1 is separated from the tray cover 5 by the magnet 4A2. When opening the document feeder 4, the pressing member 4A1 was pressed against the tray cover 5 by the elastic member 4A3. However, a cylinder for moving the pressing member 4A1 up and down is provided in place of the magnet 4A2 and the elastic member 4A3, and the pressing member 4A1 is separated from the tray cover 5 or pressed against the tray cover 5 by electrically controlling the cylinder. You may.

[Second modification]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the document feeder 4 is closed and the tray cover 5 is open. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB for explaining the positional relationship between the scanner 3, the document feeder 4, and the tray cover 5. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the pin 5C and the hole 5D. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB for explaining changes in the positional relationship between the scanner 3, the document feeder 4, and the tray cover 5.

In the first modification, a mechanism for making it difficult for a step to occur is provided in the scanner 3 and the document feeder 4, but in the second modification, the document feeder 4 and the tray cover 5 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 10 or 11, the tray cover 5 is provided with a pressing portion 5B and a plurality of pins 5C.

The pin 5C is an L-shaped pin. As shown in FIG. 12A, holes 5D are opened in an L shape on the front wall of the tray cover 5 so as to penetrate from the inner surface to the lower surface. When there are a plurality of pins 5C, holes 5D are opened by the number of pins 5C. The pin 5C is fitted in the hole 5D as shown in FIG. 12 (B). The pin 5C can move up and down while being fitted in the hole 5D.

The pressing portion 5B is composed of a pressing member 5B1, a magnet 5B2, a rotary shaft member 5B3, and the like.

The pressing member 5B1 is a rectangular parallelepiped member that is long in the left-right direction. One or more magnets 5B2 are embedded in the lower surface of the pressing member 5B1. A magnet 5B2 long in the left-right direction may be embedded. The pressing member 5B1 is mounted on the head of the pin 5C.

Further, the pressing member 5B1 is provided with a cylindrical hole from the right side to the left side, and the rotary shaft member 5B3 is inserted into this hole. Further, a hole is provided inside the wall on the right side of the tray cover 5, and the right end of the rotary shaft member 5B3 is inserted into this hole. The rotary shaft member 5B3 is a cylindrical member whose diameter is slightly shorter than the diameter of this hole. The pressing member 5B1 can rotate around the rotary shaft member 5B3.

Further, the output tray 43 of the document feeder 4 is provided with a magnet 4B at a position facing the magnet 5B2 when the tray cover 5 is closed.

The magnet 4B and the magnet 5B2 are attracted to each other by a magnetic force. That is, one of the opposite poles is the N pole and the other is the S pole.

When the document feeder 4 and the tray cover 5 are closed (see FIG. 1), the foot of the pin 5C is in contact with the upper surface of the scanner 3 as shown in FIG. The magnet 4B and the magnet 5B2 attract each other, but a certain distance is maintained due to the weight of the output tray 43.

When the document feeder 4 begins to be opened, the magnet 4B and the magnet 5B2 gradually approach each other and come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. 13 (A). At this time, the attractive force between the magnet 4B and the magnet 5B2 gradually increases.

After the contact, the pin 5C moves downward with respect to the tray cover 5, and the pressing member 5B1 approaches the tray cover 5. Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, the pressing member 5B1 comes into contact with the tray cover 5.

Further, the document feeder 4 is pushed down by the pressing member 5B1 with respect to the tray cover 5.

The shape of the pressing member 4A1 so that a step does not occur between the upper surface of the document feeder 4 and the upper surface of the tray cover 5 when the pin 5C is located at the lowest position with respect to the tray cover 5 as shown in FIG. 13 (C). And the size is pre-adjusted.

After contacting the pressing member 5B1, the tray cover 5 moves together with the document feeder 4 via the pressing member 5B1. Then, while maintaining the positional relationship with the document feeder 4 as shown in FIG. 13C, the movement is continued until the state shown in FIG. 3 is reached.

In addition, the configuration of the whole or each part of the image forming apparatus 1, the scanner 3, the document feeder 4, and the tray cover 5 can be appropriately changed according to the gist of the present invention.

1 Image forming device 3 Scanner 31 Platen glass 32 Slit glass 37 End (first end)
38 end (second end)
3A magnet (first magnet)
4 Document feeder 47 hinge (first hinge)
4A Pushing part (pushing means)
4A1 pressing member 4A2 magnet (second magnet)
4A3 elastic member 4B magnet (first magnet)
5 Tray cover (cover)
57 Hinge (second hinge)
5B pressing part (pressing means)
5B1 pressing member 5B2 magnet (second magnet)
5B3 Rotating shaft member (mechanism)
5C pin (guide member)
S1 space

Claims (9)

A scanner having a platen glass and a slit glass on the upper surface and reading an image from the first paper set in the platen glass or the second paper passing through the slit glass.
One end is joined to the first end of the upper surface of the scanner by a first hinge that generates torque in a direction away from the scanner, and the platen glass and the slit glass are openable and closable. In addition, a document feeder that conveys the second paper to the slit glass, and
A cover that is joined to the first end by a second hinge and is openable and closable with respect to the document feeder to hide the inside of the document feeder when the document feeder is not used.
Have,
After the document feeder starts to open from the state where both the document feeder and the cover are closed, only the document feeder is used until the angle between the upper surface of the scanner and the lower surface of the document feeder becomes a predetermined angle. A space is provided between the document feeder and the cover to move with respect to the scanner.
An image reading unit characterized by that. The document feeder is provided with a push-up means that pushes up the cover to keep the distance between the cover and the document feeder constant after the document feeder has begun to open.
The image reading unit according to claim 1. The pushing means includes a pressing member that is pressed against the cover and an elastic member that pushes the pressing member onto the cover.
The image reading unit according to claim 2. A first magnet is provided at the second end of the top surface of the scanner facing the first end.
The pressing member is provided with a second magnet that is attracted to the first magnet when both the document feeder and the cover are closed.
The image reading unit according to claim 3. The cover is provided with a pressing means for pushing down the document feeder to keep the distance between the cover and the document feeder constant after the document feeder has begun to open.
The image reading unit according to claim 1. The pressing means has a pressing member pressed against the document feeder, and after the pressing member hits the document feeder, the pressing member is directed toward the document feeder until the distance reaches the length. Has a mechanism to move,
The image reading unit according to claim 5. In the mechanism, when the shaft on the cylinder passing through the pressing member in parallel with the first end portion and the lower surface of the pressing member are in contact with each other and the distance becomes the length, the pressing member becomes the shaft. With a guide member, which stops the rotation around the
The image reading unit according to claim 6. A first magnet is provided at a position of the document feeder in contact with the pressing member.
A second magnet attracted to the first magnet is provided at a position of the pressing member in contact with the document feeder.
The image reading unit according to claim 7. A paper transport unit having a platen glass and a slit glass on the upper surface and used for a scanner that reads an image from a first paper set in the platen glass or a second paper passing through the slit glass.
One end is joined to the first end of the upper surface of the scanner by a first hinge that generates torque in a direction away from the scanner, and the platen glass and the slit glass are openable and closable. A document feeder that conveys the second sheet to the slit glass, which is used by the device.
One end of the document feeder is joined to the first end by a second hinge to hide the inside of the document feeder when the document feeder is not used, and the document feeder is provided so as to be openable and closable. With the cover,
Have,
After the document feeder starts to open from the state where both the document feeder and the cover are closed, only the document feeder is used until the angle between the upper surface of the scanner and the lower surface of the document feeder becomes a predetermined angle. A space is provided between the document feeder and the cover to move with respect to the scanner.
A paper transport unit characterized by this.

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