JP3233498B2 - Reader - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image information reading apparatus applied to a facsimile, a copying machine and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a reading apparatus is a CCD system which is commonly used in copiers and the like.
There is a contact sensor system found in the reader described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 170-170.

[0003]

The CCD system has the advantage that the depth of focus is deep, but due to the fluttering of the original, "distortion" and "cut" occur when reading thin lines.
There is an inherent disadvantage that it is easy to cause That is, as shown in FIG. 7, there is no member that regulates the leading end of the original 50 from the first roller pair 51 to the second roller pair 52 until the original 50 passes through the reading position. Pair 51,
There is a problem that fluttering of the original easily occurs between the 52.

On the other hand, in the case of the contact sensor system, since the focal depth of the contact sensor itself is small, many of them have a platen roller 53 for pressing the document 50 as shown in FIG. However, the platen roller is a relatively expensive member, and requires a mechanism for driving the platen roller, which increases the cost. Further, since the platen roller is always in contact with the back surface of the document, the platen roller itself is liable to be stained by paper dust of the document, and the white pressure plate for setting the white reference may be stained. Therefore, if the white pressure plate becomes dirty, the white reference is lowered, and the image information reading performance is deteriorated.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and when a document passes a reading position, the document is brought into close contact with the document as little as possible and serves as a white reference. It is an object to provide a reading device that does not stain a white sheet.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides: (1) a reading apparatus for reading an image of a document conveyed by a conveying means at a predetermined position; A vertically movable pressing member, a flexible white sheet interposed between the pressing member and the reading position, and a distance between the flexible white sheet and the reading position set to be equal to or less than a set distance. A paper path provided on the pressing member, first urging means for urging the pressing member in the direction of the reading position, and the first white urging means urges the pressing member to produce the flexible white color. Second biasing means for applying tension to the sheet and stretching the flexible white sheet on the paper path is provided.

(2) The configuration of (1) is characterized in that the pressing member is made of a substantially U-shaped sheet metal, and furthermore, a concave paper path is formed at the tip of both sides.

(3) In a reading apparatus for reading an image of a document conveyed by a conveying means at a predetermined position, a vertically movable pressing member for pressing the document to the reading position, and a pressing member between the pressing member and the reading position. A flexible white sheet interposed in the
The paper path provided on the pressing member, the paper path provided on the pressing member, and the flexible white sheet stretched over the paper path so that the distance between the flexible white sheet and the reading position is set to be equal to or less than the set distance. And a biasing means to be provided.

(4) In the configuration of (1), (2) or (3),
A rigid body is attached to the flexible white sheet, and tension is applied to the flexible white sheet via the rigid body.

(5) In a reading device for reading an image of a document conveyed by a conveying means at a predetermined position, a vertically movable pressing member for pressing the document to the reading position, and a pressing member between the pressing member and the reading position. A flexible white sheet interposed in the
A paper path provided on the pressing member so as to define the distance between the flexible white sheet and the reading position to be equal to or less than a set distance, further fixing the flexible white sheet to the pressing member, and The flexible white sheet is stretched over a paper path.

[0011]

According to the above construction, the following operation is produced.

According to the configuration of (1), since the pressing member is provided with the paper path for defining the distance between the white sheet and the reading position to be equal to or less than the set distance, the document can be read within the range not affected by the depth of focus. It can be in close contact with the position. Further, since the drag between the white sheet and the original is reduced, the frictional force between the white sheet and the original during the conveyance of the original is reduced. Further, since the pressing member can move up and down, the original can be called into the paper path regardless of whether the original is thick or thin. Further, by applying tension to the white sheet, the flatness of the white sheet in the paper path is maintained regardless of the vertical movement of the pressing member.

According to the configuration (2), since the pressing member is formed by bending the sheet metal into a U-shape, the material cost of the pressing member can be reduced. In addition, since the width of the pressing member in the document feeding direction can be easily increased, the loss of the light amount can be reduced.

According to the constitutions (3) and (5), the white sheet is attached to the pressing member itself, the white sheet is stretched over the paper path, and the original is pressed by the weight of the pressing member. The biasing means can be eliminated.

According to the configuration (4), the tension can be evenly applied to the white sheet.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a main part configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1 is a pair of carry-in rollers, 2 is a pair of carry-out rollers, 3 is a document, 4 is a glass material, 5 is a close contact sensor, and 6 is a mylar. A white sheet made of a flexible member such as 7
Is a pressing member, 8 is a first spring as a first biasing means,
Reference numeral 9 denotes a second spring as a second urging means.

A contact sensor 5 is provided between the carry-in roller pair 1 and the carry-out roller pair 2, and a glass material 4 is disposed at a reading position 5a of the image information by the contact sensor 5.

On the reading position 5a, a pressing member 7 is disposed so as to face the contact sensor 5 with the glass member 4 interposed therebetween. One end of a first spring 8 is attached to the pressing member 7, and the other end of the first spring 8 is attached to the apparatus body. The pressing member 7 is pressed toward the reading position 5a by the first spring 8, and can move up and down.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the pressing member according to the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 7a denotes a paper path, and the paper path 7a is composed of convex portions 7b, 7b on both sides and a central concave portion 7c. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing member 7 is a substantially U-shaped member. The urging of the first spring 8 causes the convex portions 7b, 7b on both sides of the pressing member 7 to be pressed against the glass material. Further, the original 3 passes through the central concave portion 7c by the carry-in roller pair 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the white sheet 6 is fixed to the apparatus main body between the carry-in roller pair 1 and the pressing member 7, and the other end is carried out via a second spring 9. It is fixed to the device body between the pair 2 and the pressing member 7. Further, the bottom of the concave portion 7c (see FIG. 2) of the pressing member 7, which is a smooth flat surface, abuts the center of the white sheet 6, and the first spring 8 presses the white sheet 6 toward the reading position 5a. . When the white sheet 6 is pressed, a pulling force is generated in the second spring 9, and the white sheet 6 is in a stretched state. The interval between the white sheet 6 and the reading position 5a (a in FIG. 2)
Forms the paper path 7a so as to be equal to or less than the set distance. In this embodiment, a = 0.5 mm.

The white sheet 6 is used for setting a white reference. That is, data obtained by reading the white color of the surface of the white sheet 6 by the contact sensor 5 becomes a reference color when reading the image information of the document 3.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a main configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention. The same members as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 10 denotes a pressing member. The pressing member 10 is formed by bending a sheet metal into a U-shape. The side surface shape of the pressing member 10 is the same as the pressing member 7 according to the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a paper path 10a including a convex portion 10b and a concave portion 10c is formed at the tip of the bending portion of the pressing member 10.

The white sheet 6 is provided in the recess of the pressing member 10.
The first spring 8 presses the first springs 8 so as to be stretched between the recesses 10c.

Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the pressing member 10 is formed so that the distance between the white sheet 6 and the reading position 5a is 0.5 mm or less.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a main configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention. The same members as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. 11 is a pressing member, 12 is a white sheet of the same member as the first and second embodiments, and 13 is a spring. Pressing member 11
Is formed by cutting both sides of the pressing member 10 (see FIG. 3) of the second embodiment in a frame shape, and bending a section 11d formed of the notch in the reverse direction to form an inverted U-shape. Yes, the overall shape is substantially H-shaped.

At the tip of each of the sections 11d, 11d, a white sheet 12
Are fixed at both ends, and a spring 13 is provided between the sections 11d. This spring 13 is the section 11
By urging d and 11d closer, the recess 11
c, 11c move in a direction to open each other, and as a result, the recess 11
A white sheet 12 is stretched between c and 11c.

FIG. 5 is a structural diagram showing a main part of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and 14 indicates a white sheet. The same members as those in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. The fourth embodiment is similar to the second embodiment.
For the pressing member 10 according to the embodiment, a white sheet 14 was stretched between the concave portions 10c, 10c, and both ends of the white sheet 14 were adhered to the side surfaces of the pressing member 10 with a double-sided tape or the like while maintaining this state. Things.

The pressing members 10 and 11 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) according to the third and fourth embodiments are supported by a supporting member (not shown) so as to be vertically movable, so that the pressing members 10 and 11 are positioned above the reading position 5a. Positioned. Further, the original 3 passing under the pressing members 10 and 11 is pressed by the weight of the pressing members 10 and 11.

Further, the ends of the white sheets 6, 12, 14;
Especially for the end biased by the spring, FIG.
By attaching the rigid body 15 as shown in (1), it becomes possible to apply even tension to the white sheets 6, 12, 14.

Next, the operation and effect of the configuration of this embodiment will be described.

According to the configuration of the first embodiment, when the original 3 conveyed by the carry-in roller pair 1 passes through the reading position 5a, the original 3 is passed through a space of 0.5 mm or less regulated by the paper path 7a. Accordingly, it is possible to bring the reading position into close contact with the reading position 5a within the range not affected by the depth of focus. Therefore, the reading accuracy of the image information is stabilized. Further, since the upper limit position of the white sheet 6 is regulated by the paper path 7a, a load such as friction applied to the document 3 is reduced,
Further, since the pressing member 7 can move up and down, stable document transportability can be maintained regardless of the thickness of the sheet. At the same time, since the load due to contact with the white sheet 6 is reduced,
It is possible to prevent the white sheet 6 from being stained by paper dust from the document 3 and to stabilize the white reference for reading. Furthermore, since the flatness of the white sheet 6 in the paper path 7a is maintained by applying tension to the white sheet 6, a stable width between the paper path 7a and the reading position 5a can be always secured.

According to the configuration of the second embodiment, the pressing member 10
However, since it is configured by bending a single sheet metal in a U-shape, the material cost can be reduced. Further, since the white sheet 6 is stretched over the paper path 10a, the flatness of the white sheet 6 is maintained, and a stable width between the paper path 10a and the reading position 5a can be always secured. Further, since the width of the paper path 10a with respect to the feeding direction of the document 3 can be easily secured, the loss of the light amount can be suppressed to a small value, and the reading speed can be improved.

According to the configuration of the third and fourth embodiments, the first,
Since the first spring 8 according to the second embodiment is not required, the cost can be reduced and the assemblability can be improved accordingly.

[0034]

According to the present invention configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the pressing member can be moved up and down, the original can be called into the reading position regardless of whether the original is thick or thin, and good original transportability can be maintained. Can be.

Further, by defining the paper path between the flexible white sheet and the reading position to be equal to or less than the set distance, the document can be brought into close contact with the reading position within a range not affected by the depth of focus. Furthermore, since the load on the original and the flexible white sheet can be reduced, the original can be transported stably, and the flexible white sheet can be prevented from being stained by paper dust and the like, and a stable white standard can be set. Can be.

Further, by applying tension to the flexible white sheet, the flatness of the flexible white sheet in the positioning member is stabilized, so that a stable distance between the flexible white sheet and the reading position is always secured. And better reading accuracy can be realized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the pressing member is formed by bending the sheet metal into a U-shape, the material cost for the positioning member can be reduced. Further, since the width of the pressing member in the document feeding direction can be easily increased, the loss of the light amount can be suppressed to be small, and the reading speed can be improved.

According to the third and fifth aspects, no urging means for urging the pressing member in the reading direction becomes unnecessary, so that the cost can be reduced accordingly.

According to the structure of the fourth aspect, it is possible to equally apply tension to the flexible white sheet.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a main part configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a configuration of a pressing member according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a main part configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a main part configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a main part configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a state where a rigid body is attached to a white sheet.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a reading device using a CCD system.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a reading device based on a contact sensor system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... intake roller pair, 2 ... outtake roller pair, 3 ... document,
4 ... Glass material, 5 ... Adhesion sensor, 5a ... Reading position, 6,12,14 ... White sheet, 7,10,11 ... Pressing member, 7b, 10b ... Protrusion, 7c, 10c, 11c ... Concave,
8: First spring, 9: Second spring, 13: Spring, 15: Rigid body.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1/04-1/207

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A reading device for reading an image of a document conveyed by a conveying means at a predetermined position, comprising: a vertically movable pressing member for pressing the document to a reading position; and a pressing member between the pressing member and the reading position. The paper path provided on the pressing member and the pressing member are moved in the direction of the reading position so that the interposed flexible white sheet and the flexible white sheet and the reading position are defined within a set distance or less. First biasing means for biasing, and a tension applied to the flexible white sheet by biasing the pressing member by the first biasing means;
A second biasing unit that stretches the flexible white sheet on the paper path. 2. The pressing member is made of a substantially U-shaped sheet metal,
2. The reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a concave paper path formed at a front end portion on both side surfaces. 3. A reading device for reading an image of a document conveyed by a conveying means at a predetermined position, comprising: a vertically movable pressing member for pressing the document to a reading position; and a pressing member between the pressing member and the reading position. A flexible white sheet interposed, a paper path provided on the pressing member so as to define a distance between the flexible white sheet and the reading position to be equal to or less than a set distance, a paper path installed on the pressing member, and the paper path And a biasing means for stretching the flexible white sheet. 4. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein a rigid body is attached to the flexible white sheet, and a tension is applied to the flexible white sheet via the rigid body. 5. A reading device for reading an image of a document conveyed by a conveying means at a predetermined position, comprising: a vertically movable pressing member for pressing the document to a reading position; and a pressing member between the pressing member and the reading position. A flexible white sheet interposed therebetween; and a paper path provided on the pressing member so as to define a distance between the flexible white sheet and the reading position to be equal to or less than a set distance. A flexible white sheet which is fixed, and the flexible white sheet is stretched over the paper path.