JPS6359687A - Image input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To contrive the improvement of reading accuracy by precisely correcting a mirror angle by the operation of an elastic material disposed on the end edge part of the mirror when the mirror appears at a prescribed position from a reserving position at the time of switching a reading direction. CONSTITUTION:At the time of reading from a flat bed reading unit 20, a mobile plate 40 is moved from the left end position right-ward, the engagement of the lower end part 42a of a mirror retaining plate 42 and an engaging protrusion which is not shown of the main body of the device is released and restored to a position shown by a full line by the operation of a coil spring 45. In such a case, the engagement relation of the mirror retaining plate 42 and a pin 44 is comparatively loose, so that the mirror 33 is evenly and correctly pushed to a butting part 46 by the coil spring 46 disposed on the end edge part. Accordingly, the position of the mirror 33 causes light beam from the lamp 38 of an upper part to guide to a reading part 24 correctly.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a nine-image input device.

In particular, the present invention relates to an image input device improved so as to guarantee the position of a mirror for switching the reading direction that constitutes a photoelectric conversion means.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, nine image input devices have been used to read and recognize items written on manuscripts, forms, etc. (hereinafter referred to collectively as manuscripts for simplicity), and input them into data processing devices. It is being

Such image input devices generally do not have the above-mentioned recognition function, and are designed to extract image information by reading characters and the like on a document. Such an image input device is equipped with an automatic reading unit that automatically feeds and reads a large number of originals, and also has an automatic reading unit that automatically feeds and reads a large number of originals. Some have a flatbed reading unit for reading.

The above automatic reading unit generally includes (i) a hopper mechanism that moves documents placed on a hopper to a predetermined preparation position, and (ii) a pick mechanism that takes in documents placed in the preparation position one by one. (iii) a feed mechanism that feeds the original; (iv) a reading unit that reads the fed original; and (■) a stacker ejection mechanism that ejects the scanned original into a stacker. In the present invention, the above mechanisms (i), (ii), (■) are collectively referred to as the paper transport mechanism.

The above hopper mechanism, pick mechanism, and feed mechanism.

Stacker ejection mechanisms are now commonly controlled by microprocessors.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the above-mentioned conventional image input device, the first reading section and the second reading section are usually configured separately, and therefore the photoelectric conversion means in each reading section are also formed separately. has been done.

However, in order to meet the demands for more compactness and a reduction in the number of component parts required for office automation equipment in recent years, the photoelectric conversion means is also becoming more common. In this case, an effective means is to install a mirror for switching the reading direction in a position where the light beams from each of the reading sections intersect so that it can be retracted, retracted, and tilted. In order to improve reading accuracy, it is necessary to reliably guarantee the mirror position during reading. This type of conventional movable mirror structure has the problem that the mirror position during reading tends to be inaccurate, and no improvement in reading accuracy can be expected. Furthermore, if an attempt is made to ensure the mirror position with high accuracy, there are problems in that not only the constituent members become complicated, but also the entire device cannot be made compact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art and to provide an image input device that has a simple structure but has an extremely accurate mirror position.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, the invention of the present application adopts the following technical means. First, in the first invention, the top surface There is a flat bed (23) for placing manuscripts in the section.

a flat bed reading unit (20) having at least a first reading unit that reads the original placed on the flat bed (23) via photoelectric conversion means; and a flat bed reading unit (20) loaded on the hopper (28). It is equipped with a paper transport mechanism that automatically feeds a plurality of originals, and a second reading unit that reads the originals fed by the paper transport mechanism via a photoelectric conversion means, and reads a given original into the above-mentioned first reading unit. In the image input device configured to be read by either one of the first reading section or the second reading section, the photoelectric conversion means in the first reading section and the photoelectric conversion means in the second reading section are common. It is configured so that it can be used by switching the reading direction between the two.

At a position where the light beams from the first reading section and the second reading section intersect, a mirror (33) for switching the reading direction is retractable and tiltable via a mirror holding plate (42), and the flat mirror (33) is movable and tiltable. The mirror (33) is provided so as to be movable in parallel with the head (23), and an elastic body is disposed at the edge of the mirror (33), and the mirror holding plate (42) is loosely fitted to the tilting fulcrum, so that the light beam is When the mirror (33) comes into contact with the positioning abutment at the intersecting position, the mirror (33)
3) is configured so that the angle can be corrected. This technical method was adopted.

Next, in the second invention, “
Instead of the technical means in which the mirror holding plate (42) is loosely fitted to the tilting fulcrum, a technical measure in which the mirror (33) is movably housed within the mirror holding plate (42) is adopted. That's what I did.

[Effect]

With the above configuration, the mirror 33 for switching the reading direction
When the mirror is tilted to a predetermined position and appears in the path of the light beam, it comes into contact with the second positioning abutment member, and the angle of the mirror is accurately adjusted by the action of the elastic body disposed on one edge of the mirror. It will be corrected.

〔Example〕

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of an apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 20 is a flat bed reading unit;
21 is an automatic reading unit, 22 is a document holder, 23 is a flat bed, 24 is a reading unit, 25 is a light beam, 26 is a reading light beam from the flat head reading unit 20 side, 27 is from the automatic reading unit 21 side 28 is a hopper, 29 is a stacker, 30 is a print head, 31 is a platen, 32 is a manual insertion slot, 33, 34.3
5 represents a mirror, 37 a drive roller, and 38.39 a lamp.

The flat/bend reading unit 20 accepts single-page originals!
! 2 flat beds 23, a document holder 22, a manual insertion slot 32 into which a single sheet document is manually inserted, and a mirror 3.
3, 34, 35, and a reading section 24.

Further, the automatic reading unit 21 is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with and detach from the flat head reading unit 20, and the hopper 28. Stacker 29. Print head 30, drive roller 37
It is equipped with such things as

When reading a single document, or for a document that you want to avoid curving as much as possible, open the document holder 22, place the document on the flat bed 23, close the document holder 22, and then press the copy machine just as it should. Reading is performed by issuing a start instruction in the same manner as when copying.

That is, the lamp 38 and mirror 33 shown in FIG. 6 move together in the horizontal direction shown in the drawing, and during this time the light beam reflected from the document passes through the glass on the flat bed 23 and the light beam 26 ( The position of the light beam 26 also moves horizontally).

It is guided by the light beam 25 and read by the reading section 24 as image information.

When reading a large number of documents, the documents are stacked on the hopper 28. The hopper 28 is then raised to a predetermined ready position by the hopper mechanism.

Next, the pick mechanism picks up the originals placed in the preparation position one by one, starting from the topmost one, and corrects any undesired tilt of the originals using the leading edge of the original as a reference. .

The document whose tilt has been corrected is fed by the feed mechanism.
It is fed across the position where the illustrated lamp 39 is present. As a result, the light from the lamp 39 is reflected from the original, and the light beam 27 becomes a light beam 25, and the reading unit 2
4.

The document traverses the position of the print head 30 and is numbered, for example by 9, by a printing mechanism as required.

Then, it is discharged to the stacker 29 by the stacker discharge mechanism. During this time, the hyperactive drive roller 37 is rotated,
Feed the original.

If it is necessary to perform numbering, for example, on the original read by the flatbed reading unit 20, the original is inserted through the manual insertion slot 32 shown in FIG. In this case, the inserted original is fed vertically by a drive roller 37 and numbered by a print head 30, as shown in FIG.

Note that during automatic reading by the automatic reading unit 21, the mirror 33 is rotated and retracted as shown at 33' in FIG.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the main parts of a mirror in an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 40 denotes a movable plate, which is provided below the flat bed 23 in FIG. has been done. Next, reference numeral 42 denotes a mirror holding plate, which is rotatably provided to the mirror mounting member 41 via a pin 44, and a mirror 33 whose length is perpendicular to the plane of the paper is fixed to its free end. A coil spring 45 is attached to each end of the mirror 33.
is provided, and the other end of the coil spring 45 is connected to the mirror mounting member 4.
Fixed to 1. Next, 46 is an abutment part, and the lower end part of the mirror mounting member 41 is removed at 45 degrees with respect to the vertical plane.
The mirror 33 is formed so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from it.

With the above configuration, in the case of automatic reading, the movable plate 40
the lower end 42a of the mirror holding plate 42.
When it comes into contact with the locking protrusion (not shown) on the main body of the device,
The mirror holding plate 42 rotates counterclockwise and retreats to the position shown by the chain line. Therefore, there is no problem in passing the light beam (light beam 27 in FIG. 6) during automatic reading. In the case of reading from the flat bed reading unit 20 in FIG. 6, the movable plate 40 is moved from the left end position to the right in FIG. and a locking protrusion (not shown) on the main body of the device, and the coil spring 45 restores the position shown in solid line in FIG. In this case, since the engagement relationship between the mirror holding plate 42 and the pin 44 is relatively loose, the mirror 33 is evenly and accurately pressed against the abutting portion 46 by the coil spring 45 provided at the end edge. be. Therefore, the position of the mirror 33 is
The light beam from the upper lamp 38 (light beam 26 in FIG. 6) can be accurately guided to the reading section 24 shown in FIG.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are side views showing essential parts of mirrors in other embodiments of the present invention, and the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1.

First, in FIG. 2, 47 is a mirror holder.

The cross section is half-moon-shaped or semi-cylindrical.

In cooperation with the endlessly wound coil spring 50, the mirror 3
3 is fixed to the mirror retainer temporary 42. 5
A pin 1 is provided on the mirror holding plate 42 and around which the coil spring 50 is wound.

A coil spring 52 is provided on the mirror holding plate 42, and is formed to be rotatable around a pin 44.

In the mirror mounting member 41 shown in FIG. 3, a rotatable roller 53 is provided, and a coil spring 54 is wound between the roller 53 and the mirror holding plate 42 near the edge of the mirror 33.

Next, in the one shown in FIG. 4, a leaf spring 55 having an arcuate cross section is disposed on the back surface of the mirror 33.

A single coil spring 45 is provided on the mirror holding plate 42. Note that FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the leaf spring 55 is attached. The leaf spring 55 may be arranged upside down from that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In each case, the mirror holding plate 42 is shown in FIGS. 2 to 5.
When the mirror 33 is brought into contact with the abutting portion 46 by rotating the mirror 33, the angle of the mirror 33 is corrected, and the effect is similar to that shown in FIG. 1. [Effects of the Invention] Since the image input device has the configuration and operation described above, when the mirror appears at a predetermined position from the retracted position when switching the reading direction, the mirror is moved by the action of the elastic body disposed at the edge of the mirror. This has the effect that the angle can be corrected accurately and reading accuracy can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 are side views showing the main parts of the mirror in the embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the main parts of FIG. 4,
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of an apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. 20: flat bed reading unit, 21: automatic reading unit, 28: hopper, 29 stacker, 32: hand insertion slot, 33: mirror, 42: ten mirror pressers.

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) Flat bed (23) for placing documents on the top surface
and a first reading unit that reads the original placed on the flat bed (23) via photoelectric conversion means, and a hopper (28). It is equipped with a paper transport mechanism that automatically feeds a plurality of originals, and a second reading unit that reads the originals fed by the paper transport mechanism via a photoelectric conversion means, and reads a given original. the first reading section or the second reading section;
In the image input device configured to be read by either one of the reading sections, the photoelectric conversion means in the first reading section and the photoelectric conversion means in the second reading section commonly switch reading directions with each other. A mirror (33) for switching the reading direction appears and retracts through a mirror holding plate (42) at a position where the light beams from the first reading unit and the second reading unit intersect. The mirror (33) is provided with an elastic body at the edge thereof, and the mirror holding plate (42) serves as a tilting fulcrum. When the mirror (33) is loosely fitted and comes into contact with the positioning abutment at the position where the light beam intersects, the mirror (33)
An image input device characterized in that the image input device is configured such that the angle in 3) can be corrected. (2) The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body disposed at the edge portion is an independent coil spring. (3) The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body disposed at the edge portion is a coil spring wound around a rotatable roller. (4) Flat bed (23) for placing documents on the top surface
and a first reading unit that reads the original placed on the flat bed (23) via photoelectric conversion means, and a hopper (28). It is equipped with a paper transport mechanism that automatically feeds a plurality of originals, and a second reading unit that reads the originals fed by the paper transport mechanism via a photoelectric conversion means, and reads a given original. the first reading section or the second reading section;
In the image input device configured to be read by either one of the reading sections, the photoelectric conversion means in the first reading section and the photoelectric conversion means in the second reading section commonly switch reading directions with each other. A mirror (33) for switching the reading direction appears and retracts through a mirror holding plate (42) at a position where the light beams from the first reading unit and the second reading unit intersect. The mirror (33) is provided so as to be tiltable and movable in parallel with the flat bed (23), and an elastic body is provided at the edge of the mirror (33), and the mirror (33) is mounted on the mirror holding plate (33). 42), and is configured so that the angle of the mirror (33) can be corrected when the mirror (33) comes into contact with a positioning abutment at a position where the light beam intersects. An image input device characterized by: (5) Claim 4, characterized in that the elastic body disposed at the edge of the mirror (33) is a coil spring wound over the front and back surfaces of the mirror (33). The image input device described. (6) The image input device according to claim 4, wherein the elastic body disposed at the edge of the mirror (33) is a leaf spring having an arcuate cross section.