JPH073556B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder for picking up and feeding an original between an original plate and a conveying means.

<Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention> Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses such as copying machines are equipped with an automatic document feeder (ADF) for automatically feeding a document onto a document platen. .

Generally, the above-mentioned automatic document feeder is provided with an opening / closing frame which is provided so as to be rotatable between a closed position for covering the transparent document plate and an open position for exposing the document plate, and the opening / closing frame. A document sending means is provided adjacent to the body and sends the documents one by one sequentially. Further, the original sent out by the original sending means is carried into the opening / closing moving frame to a required position on the original placing plate, and after the scanning exposure of the original is completed, the original placed on the original placing plate is transferred. A document conveying means for carrying out the document is attached on the upper surface of the opening / closing frame (see, for example, JP-A-60-118551). This document conveying means is composed of an endless conveying belt attached to almost the entire lower portion of the opening / closing moving frame body. However, in order to simplify the structure, as the document conveying means, it is provided on the lower side of the opening / closing moving frame body. An original is sandwiched between the conveying roller and the original placing plate by using a conveying roller that is abutted on the upper surface of the original placing plate, and the original is carried in with the forward and reverse rotation of the conveying roller. ,
A transport roller system for carrying out is also proposed (see Japanese Patent Application No. 63-61333).

However, in copying machines of intermediate level or lower, in order to simplify the structure and reduce the cost, the opening / closing frame is constructed as a monocoque structure without using a strength frame such as steel. Warp is likely to occur in the body. Due to the influence of the warp or the like, the variation of the assembly accuracy, and the like, the pressing force of the conveying means with respect to the original changes, and there is a problem that the original cannot be reliably conveyed.

Therefore, there is also one in which the pressing force is adjusted by providing a mechanism for adjusting the height of the opening / closing frame from the document placing plate.

However, in the height adjusting mechanism, the supporting portion of the opening / closing frame is fixed to the vertical plate provided in the image forming apparatus main body with a bolt nut, and the bolt penetrating portion of the vertical plate is an elongated hole. Thus, the mounting position of the supporting portion with respect to the vertical plate is adjusted. Therefore, the above adjustment must be performed while lifting the opening / closing frame, and cannot be easily adjusted. Further, since one of the bolt and the nut is arranged inside the opening / closing frame, it is necessary to perform the adjustment with the opening / closing frame opened, which is troublesome.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately adjusting the pressing force with the opening / closing frame closed and realizing reliable document conveyance.

<Means for Solving the Problem> The invention according to claim 1 for achieving the above object is to provide a conveying means arranged on an opening / closing frame that can cover the document placing plate, and the document placing plate. An image forming apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder for sandwiching and feeding a document between
A support member, which is vertically movably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus and rotatably supports the opening / closing frame, is urged downward by urging means. A bolt member that adjusts the minimum height of the opening / closing moving frame body from the original placing plate in a state of being abutted against the main body of the forming apparatus is screwed so as to be operable from the outside with the opening / closing moving frame body closed. It is characterized by. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic document feeder that sandwiches and conveys a document between a conveying unit arranged on an opening / closing frame that can cover the document placing plate and the document placing plate. In the mounted image forming apparatus, a supporting member that is vertically movably attached to the image forming apparatus main body and rotatably supports the opening / closing frame is urged downward by urging means. The support member is provided with a shaft that is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a screw portion formed on the shaft is in contact with a predetermined portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus and is placed on the document mounting plate of the opening / closing frame. It is characterized in that a nut for adjusting the minimum height from is screwed so as to be operable from the outside with the opening / closing frame being closed.

<Operation> According to the first aspect of the invention, since the support member supporting the opening / closing frame is urged downward by the urging means, the opening / closing frame is warped or the like. In this case as well, the pressing force of the conveying means against the document is appropriately maintained by pressing the opening / closing frame downward. Moreover,
Since the end of the bolt member screwed to the support member is abutted against the main body of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to adjust the minimum height of the opening / closing moving frame from the original plate by operating the bolt member. You can This makes it possible to properly adjust the pressing force of the conveying means with respect to the document. In particular, since the bolt member can be operated from the outside with the opening / closing frame closed, the adjustment can be easily performed. Furthermore, since the adjustment amount depends on the rotation amount of the bolt member, it is possible to make fine adjustments steplessly, and as a result, it is possible to perform adjustments that individually correspond to variations among individual image forming apparatuses.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, like the invention of claim 1, even when the opening / closing frame is warped, the opening / closing frame is pressed downward by the biasing means. As a result, the pressing force of the conveying means with respect to the document is properly maintained. Moreover, since the nut is screwed onto the threaded portion of the shaft provided on the support member and abuts on the predetermined portion of the image forming apparatus main body, the shaft can be directly moved up and down by rotating the nut. The pressing force can be adjusted by moving it. Particularly, since the nut can be operated from the outside with the opening / closing frame closed, the adjustment can be easily performed. Furthermore, since the adjustment amount depends on the rotation amount of the nut, it is possible to make fine adjustments in a stepless manner, and as a result, it is possible to perform adjustments individually corresponding to variations in individual image forming apparatuses.

<Examples> Detailed description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing examples.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, in which a hinge unit as a supporting member is provided on the upper surface of a housing (10) of a copying machine main body (1) as an image forming apparatus main body. (4) is attached and the hinge unit (4) rotatably supports the open / close frame (3) of the automatic document feeder (2).

As shown in FIG. 2, a document placing plate (11) made of transparent contact glass or the like is provided on the upper surface of the housing (10), and a hinge unit (4) is provided at the rear edge of the upper surface. ) The insertion hole (12) (13) through which the shaft (44) is inserted. A metal plate (14) is attached to the front edge of the upper surface of the housing (10).

The automatic document feeder (2) includes the hinge unit (4).
By the action of the open / close moving frame body (3), which is rotatable between a closed position for covering the document placing plate (11) and a closed position for exposing the document placing plate (11), and the open / close moving frame body (3). 3), a carrying roller (21) as a carrying means for carrying in a document to a desired position on the document placing plate (11) and carrying out the document from the document placing plate (11); And a document delivery means (22) provided adjacent to the opening / closing frame (3) for sequentially delivering the documents set on the document table (23) one by one to the conveying roller (21). To be done.

The document sending means (22) is attached to the side edge of the upper surface of the housing (10), and the document is placed on the document placing plate (11) by the guide plate (25) exposed from the sending opening (24). I am trying to send it out smoothly. Further, the document sending means (22) is adjacent to the guide plate (25) to expose the drive transmission gear (26) as a drive section.

The opening / closing frame (3) is made of a frame material such as resin, has a white holding plate (31) attached to its lower surface, and has a notch (1) formed on one side of the holding plate (31). The lower ends of the three conveying rollers (21) are exposed from 32). A transmission gear (37) connected to the rotary shafts of these transport rollers (21).
Is housed in the recess (30), and the transmission gear (37)
Engages with the drive transmission gear (26) which penetrates into the recess (30) from below in the closed state of the opening / closing frame (3) (see FIG. 3). Due to the engagement of the drive transmission gear (26) and the transmission gear (37), the operation of the document sending means (22) is interlocked,
The transport roller (21) operates.

A pair of recesses (33) are provided at the rear edge of the opening / closing frame (3) so as to be separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and the hinge unit (4) is mounted in the recesses (33). There is.
On the lower surface of the front edge of the opening / closing frame (3), the magnet (3
4), a positioning member (35) and a recess (36) are provided. The magnet (34) is attracted to the metal plate (14) on the upper surface of the housing (10) with the open / close frame (3) in the closed position, and holds the closed state of the open / close frame (3) for a predetermined period. Hold by force. The positioning member (35) is an opening / closing frame (3).
Is in the closed position, abuts the upper surface of the housing (10), and receives the load of the opening / closing frame (3) while the opening / closing frame (3) is in the closed position. Frame (3)
The height of the front edge of the document from the document placing plate (11) is positioned. The recess (36) is used when a finger is inserted to lift the front edge of the opening / closing frame (3) and rotate the opening / closing frame (3) from the closed position to the open position.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hinge unit (4) includes a pin (40) and an upper member (41) and a lower member (42) rotatably connected to each other by the pin (40). The upper member (41) is made of a U-shaped cross-section member which is fixed in the recess (33) of the opening / closing frame (3) and which opens downward. Lower member (42)
On the lower surface of the U-shaped cross-section material (43) that opens upwards.
4) is erected, and this shaft (44) is attached to the housing (1
The upper insertion holes (12) and (13) of (0) are vertically slidably penetrated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the through holes (12) and (13) are each formed of a pipe material (15) fixed in the housing (10) of the copying machine body (1). Above axis (44)
A spring washer (45) is detachably fitted to the tip end of the spring washer (45) of the shaft (44) and the pipe material (15).
A compression coil spring (5) as a biasing means is loosely fitted between and. The compression coil spring (5) allows the shaft (4
The hinge unit (4) is urged downward due to the urging of (4) downward.

A bolt (6) as height adjusting means is screwed into the lower surface of the hinge unit (4) with the head portion (60) in contact with the upper surface of the housing (10). The bolt (6) restricts the downward movement of the hinge unit (4) biased downward by the compression coil spring (5), and the bolt (6) projects from the lower surface of the hinge unit (4). By adjusting the vertical position of the hinge (6) in accordance with the amount, the minimum height of the opening / closing frame (3) from the document placing plate (11) is adjusted.

The hinge unit (4) is provided with an open state holding mechanism using a link mechanism, a tension spring, etc. as a mechanism for maintaining the open / close moving frame body (3) in the open state (Fig. (Not shown).

According to this embodiment, since the hinge unit (4) rotatably supporting the opening / closing frame (3) is supported by the housing (10) of the copying machine main body (1) so as to be vertically movable, It can also handle so-called book manuscripts.

Further, since the hinge unit (4) is biased downward by the compression coil spring (5), even when the opening / closing frame (3) is warped, the opening / closing frame (3) ) Is pressed downward, the above-mentioned warp and the like are corrected, and the pressing force of the conveying roller (21) against the original can be appropriately maintained, so that the original can be reliably conveyed. Moreover, in the above embodiment, the transmission gear (37) is driven by the drive transmission gear (2) while the automatic document feeder (2) is being driven.
Upward contact force received from 6) causes a lifting force on the opening / closing frame (3), but the above pressing force can be properly maintained against this lifting force to ensure document conveyance. realizable.

Further, since the bolt (6) capable of adjusting the minimum height of the opening / closing moving frame (3) from the document placing plate (11) is provided, the opening / closing moving frame (3) at the time of feeding the document is adjusted by the above adjustment. )
By properly maintaining the height from the document placing plate (11), the document can be more reliably transported, and since the bolt (6) is provided exposed to the outside,
Easy to adjust.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing another embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The housing (10) of the copying machine main body (1).
A support plate (7) is disposed on the upper surface of the device, and the support plate (7) supports a hinge unit (4 ') as a support member. The hinge unit (4') supports the automatic document feeder. The open / close frame (3) of (2) is rotatably supported.

A pair of support bases (7) are arranged along the peripheral edge of the document placing plate (11) at a predetermined interval. This support (7)
Is composed of a pair of an upper member (71) and a lower member (72) facing each other in the vertical direction. On the upper surfaces of the upper member (71) and the lower member (72), insertion holes (73) (74) are provided at positions corresponding to each other. Further, a flange portion (71a) is extended on the front edge of the upper member (71), and a flange portion (72a) is formed on the front edge of the lower member (72).
a), the flange portion (72b) is extended at the rear edge.
In the upper member (71), the flange portion (71a) is in contact with the flange portion (72a) of the lower member (72), and the rear edge is in contact with the flange portion (72b) of the lower member (72). Material (7
2) combined with.

The pair of lower members (72) are integrally configured by the connecting portion (75), and a screw (not shown) inserted through the screw insertion hole (75a) of the connecting portion (75). Is fixed to the upper surface of the housing (10). A rubber (16) having an appropriate thickness and hardness is arranged between the lower surface of the lower member (72) and the housing (10), and shocks when the opening / closing frame (3) is opened / closed. Is able to absorb.

The hinge unit (4 ') has substantially the same structure as the hinge unit (4) of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, except that a screw portion (44a') is provided on the upper portion of the shaft (44 '). . The axis (4
4 ') is an insertion hole (73) of the upper member (71) and a lower member (7).
Inserted in the insertion holes (74) of 2), these insertion holes (73)
It is supported by (74) so that it can move up and down. Axis (44 ′)
The spring washer (4
5) (see Fig. 6) is detachably fitted,
A compression leaf spring (5 ') as a biasing means is loosely fitted between the spring washer (45) of the shaft (44') and the lower surface of the support member (71). The shaft (44 ') is urged downward by the compression leaf spring (5'), so that the hinge unit (4 ').
Is urged downward.

The spring washer (45) passes through the insertion hole (76) of the support base (7) and the insertion hole (39) of the opening / closing moving frame body (3) to connect the extension portion (45a) to the opening / closing moving frame body (3). Exposed to the outside,
By pulling the extended portion (45a), the spring washer (45) can be easily removed from the shaft (44 ') from the outside. In addition, at the lower end of the shaft (44 '), the shaft (4
A stopper (47) for restricting the upward movement of 4 ') at a predetermined height is detachably fitted. The stopper (47) has the same structure as the spring washer (45), and can be easily removed from the outside.

Also, the threaded portion (44a ') of the shaft (44') is the upper member (71).
(6 ') as height adjusting means on the upper surface of the
The shaft (44 ') is moved up and down by rotating the nut (6'), and the minimum height of the open / close moving frame (3) from the document placing plate (11). Adjust.

According to this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as the embodiment of FIG. 1, the nut (6 ') as height adjusting means is urged by the compression leaf spring (5'). Since the shaft (44 ') is provided, the shaft (44') can be directly moved up and down by rotating the nut (6 ').
The height can be adjusted by simply turning the nut (6 ') lightly. Moreover, since the above-described rotation operation can be performed from the outside with the opening / closing frame body (3) closed, adjustment can be easily performed.

Further, since the hinge unit (4 ') is supported by the support base (7) arranged on the upper surface of the housing (10),
The mounting portion of the hinge unit (4 ') can be exposed to the outside of the housing (10) of the copying machine body (1), and the mounting portion of the hinge unit (4') thus exposed to the outside can be removed. As a result, the automatic document feeder (2) can be easily removed. Furthermore, since the E-ring that is detachable from the outside of the opening / closing frame (3) is used as the spring washer (45) and the stopper (47), the automatic document feeder (2) can be removed more easily.

In each of the above embodiments, the biasing means may not be provided, and the height of the height adjusting means alone may be adjusted so that the pressing force of the conveying means against the document becomes appropriate. In the example, only the hinge unit close to the transport roller (21) can be biased downward by the biasing means. In this case, as described above, the conveying roller (21) of the open / close moving frame body (3) is urged by the upward biasing force received by the conveying roller (21) from the drive transmission gear (26).
The side is urged upward, but against this urging force,
By biasing the supporting member close to the transport roller (21) downward by the biasing means, the transport roller (21) side of the opening / closing frame (3) can be pressed downward. Therefore, the pressing force of the transport roller (21) against the document can be appropriately maintained, and the document can be reliably transported.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, only the side of the hinge unit farther from the transport roller (21) can be biased by the biasing means.

In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, only one hinge unit is provided and at least one of three or more hinge units is provided. Biasing downward by the biasing means, further using another known hinge unit structure as the structure of the hinge unit, or using a known supporting mechanism that performs the same function as the hinge unit instead of the hinge unit. In addition, various design changes can be made without changing the gist of the present invention, such as using a conveyor belt as the conveyor.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, the support member supporting the opening / closing frame is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus so as to be vertically movable, and the support member is attached. Since it is urged downward by the biasing means, the pressing force of the conveying means with respect to the document can be properly maintained, and the document can be reliably conveyed. Moreover, since the end of the bolt member screwed to the support member is abutted against the main body of the image forming apparatus, by rotating the bolt member, the height of the opening / closing moving frame from the document placing plate can be minimized. In addition, since the above-mentioned rotation operation can be performed from the outside with the opening / closing frame closed, it can be easily performed, and the pressing force can be properly adjusted by the above adjustment. As a result, it is possible to ensure the document conveyance. Furthermore, since the adjustment amount depends on the rotation amount of the bolt member, it is possible to make fine adjustments steplessly, and as a result, it is possible to perform adjustments that individually correspond to individual variations of the image forming apparatus.

Furthermore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the opening / closing frame is urged downward by the urging means, the pressing force of the conveying means with respect to the document can be maintained appropriately. Moreover, since the nut is screwed onto the threaded portion of the shaft provided on the support member and abuts on the predetermined portion of the image forming apparatus main body, the shaft can be directly moved up and down by rotating the nut. The height can be adjusted by simply turning the nut lightly, and the turning operation can be performed from the outside with the open / close frame being closed. By the adjustment, the pressing force can be appropriately maintained, and the document can be reliably transported. Furthermore, since the adjustment amount depends on the rotation amount of the nut, it is possible to make fine adjustments in a stepless manner, and as a result, it is possible to perform adjustments individually corresponding to variations in individual image forming apparatuses.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an overall exploded perspective view, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a drive transmission mechanism, and FIG. 4 is a configuration of a hinge unit. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an essential part showing another embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a plan view of a spring washer, and FIG. 7 is an overall exploded perspective view. (1) ... Copier main body as image forming apparatus main body, (2) ... Automatic document feeder, (3) ... Opening / closing moving frame body, (4) (4 ') ... Hinge unit as supporting member , (5) ... compression coil spring as biasing means, (5 ') ... compression leaf spring as biasing means, (6) ... bolt as height adjusting means, (6') ... high (11) ... original placing plate, (21) ... conveying roller as conveying means, (22) ... original feeding means, (26) ... drive transmission gear as driving section .

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder for feeding a document by sandwiching the document between the transporting means arranged on an opening / closing frame that can cover the document placing plate and the document placing plate. In the apparatus, a support member vertically movably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus and rotatably supporting the opening / closing frame is urged downward by urging means. , A bolt member that adjusts the minimum height of the opening / closing moving frame body from the document placing plate with the end abutted against the main body of the image forming apparatus is screwed so that it can be operated from the outside with the opening / closing moving frame body closed. An image forming apparatus characterized by being combined. 2. An image forming apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder for feeding a document by sandwiching the document between the conveying means arranged on an opening / closing frame that can cover the document placing plate and the document placing plate. In the apparatus, a support member vertically movably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus and rotatably supporting the opening / closing frame is urged downward by urging means. A shaft that is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus is provided, and a screw portion formed on the shaft is in contact with a predetermined portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus and has a minimum height of the opening / closing frame from the original plate. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that a nut for adjusting is screwed so as to be operable from the outside with the opening / closing frame closed.