JP2003189060A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus enabling acquisition of a copy identical to a document whether there is any dust attached to platen glass and capable of preventing dust from being attached to the platen glass and removing dust. <P>SOLUTION: There is provided an image forming apparatus comprising an automatic document feeder 2 capable of separating each document S to convey it to a predetermined area of the image forming apparatus, and having a structure for reading image information of the document S via a transmission medium such as glass B20. The image forming apparatus further comprises a cleaning member 21 for removing attachment near the surface of the image reading area of the transmission medium such as glass B20. The cleaning member 21 resiliently comes into contact with the transmission medium such as glass B20, and the transmission medium such as glass B20 moves along the cleaning member 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image using an automatic document feeder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus for forming an image using an automatic document feeder, the original is conveyed to a predetermined position on a platen glass arranged in a reading section of the image forming apparatus. After the original is stopped, the original reading is performed by scanning the original with the image reading optical system of the image forming apparatus to form an image, and by fixing the image reading optical system of the image forming apparatus and moving the original with respect to the optical system. There is a document flow reading in which the image information of the document is read by doing so.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the image reading optical system of the fixed image forming apparatus is used to move the document and read the image information of the document. At that time, the image on the platen glass is read. When dust such as shavings of the eraser or peeling from the document adheres to the information reading area, mainly the platen glass surface, the information of the dust is taken in at any time during the reading of the image information, resulting in an image formation. It is reflected as a line on the object along the reading direction. If the color of the deposit is black, it appears as black streaks, and if it is white, it appears as white streaks.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the first object of the present invention is to obtain the same copy as an original regardless of the presence or absence of dust adhering to the platen glass. It is an object of the second invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing dust from adhering to the platen glass and removing the dust.

[0005]

Therefore, in the present invention, the above object is achieved by providing an image forming apparatus shown in any one of the following items (1) to (5). is there.

(1) It is equipped with an automatic document feeder capable of separating the originals one by one and conveying them to a predetermined area of the image forming apparatus, so that the image information of the originals being conveyed can be read. And an image forming apparatus having a configuration for reading image information of an original through a transparent medium such as glass,
The cleaning member has a cleaning member for removing adhered matter in the vicinity of the image reading area surface of the transparent medium such as glass, and the cleaning member elastically contacts the passing medium such as glass and An image forming apparatus characterized in that a transparent medium such as glass moves.

(2) An automatic document feeder capable of separating the originals one by one and conveying them to a predetermined area of the image forming apparatus can read the image information of the originals being conveyed and moved. And an image forming apparatus having a configuration for reading image information of an original through a transparent medium such as glass,
The cleaning member has a cleaning member for removing adherents in the vicinity of the image reading area surface of the transparent medium such as glass, and the cleaning member elastically contacts the passing medium such as glass, and
An image forming apparatus that moves.

(3) An automatic document feeder capable of separating the originals one by one and conveying them to a predetermined area of the image forming apparatus can read the image information of the originals being conveyed and moved. And an image forming apparatus having a configuration for reading image information of an original through a transparent medium such as glass,
An image forming apparatus having an opening / closing means capable of exposing and shielding the transparent medium such as glass to the outside.

(4) On the side of the opening / closing means facing the transparent medium such as glass, there is provided an elastic member that elastically contacts the transparent medium such as glass.
The image forming apparatus according to item 1.

(5) The surface of the opening / closing means facing the transparent medium such as glass has a portion made of a member having a high reflectance such as a mirror surface or white. The image forming apparatus according to (3).

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Flow of Document Transport) In FIG. 1, an automatic document feeder 2 of the present invention is placed on the image forming apparatus 1.

First, the flow of conveyance of the document S will be described.

In the automatic document feeder 2, the document S is placed on the document tray 4 with its leading end in the conveying direction abutting the shutter 5. Then, when the copying is started, the shutter 5 is retracted from the surface of the document S passing through, and the pickup roller 6 is moved to the document S.
The uppermost original S is fed as the roller 6 rotates. The document S is separated into one sheet by the separation roller 7 and the separation pad 8, and thereafter, the drawing roller 9 and the intermediate roller 1
It is conveyed via 0, 12, and 13. The intermediate roller 1
When the large roller 11 rotates, 0, 12, and 13 are rotated by attending. Then, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 19 through the paper discharge roller 15.

(Reading Image Information) Automatic Document Feeding Device 2
When the image information of the original document S is read by using, the image information of the original document S is read by the fixed optical system of the image forming apparatus 1 while the original document S is constantly conveyed at an arbitrary speed. . In FIG. 1, the document S being conveyed passes through the reading outlet guide 17 formed of an elastic body, and thereafter, the platen glass B20 included in the image forming apparatus 1 and the conveyance guide 16 in the automatic document feeder 2 are used. The image information of the document S is read by the reading unit 23 by being guided by the paper passing path to be formed and being irradiated by the light source 22 when passing through the path. The document S passes through the jump mylar 25 and the jump table 24, and again the automatic document feeder 2
It is transported inside (hereinafter referred to as non-stop reading).

When copying without using the automatic document feeder 2, the document S is placed directly on the platen glass A30 and the image reading section 23 is moved to move the image information of the document S. To read.

(Structure of Flowing Reading Section) The platen glass B20 used at the time of scanning the original S is configured so that it can be moved in parallel with the conveying direction of the original S by a drive system (not shown), and it can be moved at any position. It can be stopped and fixed. Further, the cleaning member 21 that comes into contact with the surface of the platen glass B20 and wipes off dust and dirt as the platen glass B20 moves is made of an elastic body so as to contact the glass B20 uniformly. It is set to be longer than the maximum width of the document S that can be printed. Therefore, the platen glass B20 is attached by the cleaning member 21 regardless of whether the document S is attached by being conveyed or is intruded from the outside or attached by dust.
It is possible to remove it from the surface.

The surface of the platen glass B20 is cleaned by the movement of the platen glass B20. Regarding the timing of the movement, there are various settings such as time, the number of sheets of the document S conveyed, and the number of jobs. You can choose.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the vicinity of the image information reading section 23. The position shown in FIG. 2A is a normal standby position, and the document S is conveyed and the image is read in this state. (B) and (c) show the moving state of the platen glass B20, and the movement of the glass B20 may not allow dust, dust, or the like to enter the image forming apparatus 1 and the reading unit 23 from the outside. Absent.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the movement of the platen glass B20.

The platen glass B20 is fastened to the holding table 33. A bearing 34 is attached to the holding table 33 for smoothly moving to the outside of the image information reading and exposure area, and moves on the reference table 31 in the image forming apparatus 1. Moreover, the platen glass B20 is pressed by the pressing plate 35.
The holding table 33 including the reference table 31 is always pressed downward, and at the image reading position, the reference table 31 is attached to the calling section 36.
The platen glass B20 is positioned by being engaged with the positioning member 32 which is projected.

A wire, a rack and pinion gear, or the like can be considered as a driving method for the movement, but the method is not limited.

As described above, the image information reading unit 2
The platen glass B20, which is the contact portion of the document S of No. 3, is provided with a cleaning member 17 that moves the platen glass B20 without hindering image formation and cleans the outer surface, and makes it possible to clean the surface. It is possible to obtain the same copy as the original S without causing problems such as self-striking.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the position of the platen glass B20 shown in FIG. 2A is used as a reference position, and after cleaning the outer surface of the platen glass B20, the position is always returned to that position. Although the image information is read by using this method, in the present invention, the image is read by searching for an appropriate position while changing the position of the platen glass B20, which will be described with reference to FIG.

First, at the initial position, the platen glass B20 in the state before the document S is conveyed in FIG. 4 (a).
Whether or not the dirt is attached is detected by using the reading system of the image forming apparatus 1. Sky exposure is performed, reflected light is picked up, and the state of the platen glass B20 (dust, dirt that affects image formation) is detected from the information. Therefore, in order to increase the reflection efficiency, the platen glass B2 of the transport guide 16
A process such as white coating 40 is applied to the 0 facing portion.
White engineering plastic or the like may be used.

When the stain is detected, the platen glass B20 is moved to the left side in the figure as shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (c), and the blank exposure and detection are performed again to the stain-free area. The feature is that the image information is read. Platen glass B2 for stable conveyance of original S
A transport jump mylar 25 is provided at the downstream end of the document S in the transport direction of the document S to enable stable transport of the document S regardless of the position of the glass B20. Also, the first
The glass B20 by the cleaning member 21 described in the embodiment of
By combining with surface cleaning and arbitrarily setting the blank exposure, cleaning, and movement, it becomes possible to perform effective reading. The flowchart of FIG. 5 shows an example thereof. Finally, it is desirable that the original S is conveyed and the image forming operation is performed after detecting a state where the surface of the glass B20 is not stained by blank exposure, but glue, adhesive, etc. cannot be easily removed. In the case where the sheet S adheres, the document S cannot be conveyed indefinitely. In the present embodiment, in order to avoid such a thing, if there is stain even after performing an arbitrary number of times of empty exposure, movement, and cleaning, the most dirty of the empty exposures performed so far is performed. It is characterized in that the initial state is stored in advance at a small number of positions or the optimum position of the position closest to the initial state for carrying the document S is set, and image formation is performed in a better state.

As a result, even when dust, dirt, or the like that affects image formation adheres to the surface of the platen glass B20, the glass B20 is moved to read the same information as that of the conveyed document S. It becomes possible, or it is possible to read and form an image without stopping the device in the state with the least influence.

(Third Embodiment) In the second embodiment, when it is impossible to wipe the original S passage surface of the platen glass B20 for reading the image of the original S by the cleaning member 21 as well, Although the image information is read by moving to the set optimum position, in the present embodiment, an image is formed for the user without generating an image as it is by generating an alarm, a warning, or the like. Or cleaning the surface of the glass B20,
By providing a plurality of options such as performing image formation without using the automatic document feeder 2, it is possible to obtain a desired image-formed product for the user and avoid unnecessary image formation. Is made possible.

(Fourth Embodiment) This embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows the vicinity of the flow reading and image information reading unit 23, and the platen glass C50 is fixed in the image forming apparatus 1 by a glass fixing base 51.

A glass shutter 53 for covering the glass C50 which is moved by a drive system (not shown) is provided near the glass C50 in the image forming apparatus 1, and covers the glass C50 at an arbitrary timing. It can be exposed.

Further, the glass shutter 53 is opposed to the glass C.
A cleaning member 52, which is elastically in contact with the platen glass C50 and is capable of cleaning the surface of the platen glass C50 as the glass shutter 53 moves, is provided on the side of 50. In the figure, the glass shutter 53 is indicated by an arrow 54 in the figure.
As shown in FIG. 5, the original S is moved in the horizontal direction and the movement allows the dust and dirt on the surface of the glass C50 to be wiped off.

FIG. 6A shows the state in which the platen glass C50 is exposed, and the document S is conveyed in this state.

FIG. 6B shows a state in which the platen glass C50 is shielded from the outside, and in this state, the document S conveyance standby state is set.

The exposure, the timing of shielding, etc. can be arbitrarily changed and are not uniquely defined. As described in the previous embodiment, it is possible to perform cleaning by moving the glass shutter 53 again when the exposure is performed by using the reading system of the image forming apparatus 1 without the document S and dirt is detected. is there. In this way, by providing the shutter member 53 capable of exposing and blocking the original S passage surface with respect to the platen glass C50 and providing the cleaning member 21 on the opposite glass C50 surface side to clean the glass C50 surface, It is now possible to obtain an image-formed product that has no defects.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus that reads image information of an original while moving the original using an automatic original feeder and forms an image, a means for cleaning a transparent medium such as glass provided in the reading unit, or constantly. By using a device configuration and sequence that can perform image reading without stains, it is possible to avoid image formation defects such as black streaks and white streaks caused by stains on the glass surface. Thus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that makes it possible to obtain the same image formed product as the conveyed original.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an automatic document feeder and an image information reading unit according to a first embodiment.

2A and 2B are state diagrams showing a moving glass of an image information reading unit, FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a state of a normal standby position, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a state of movement.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a glass moving mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a state diagram showing a glass moving system and another embodiment (a) is a partial sectional view of a state before a document is conveyed (b),
(C) Partial cross-sectional view showing a state when dirt is detected

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example up to image formation.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an image information reading portion showing a fourth embodiment (a) a cross-sectional view of the platen glass C50 exposed (b) a cross-section of the platen glass C50 shielded from the outside Figure

[Explanation of symbols]

S manuscript 1 Image forming device 2 Automatic document feeder 4 Original tray 5 shutters 6 Pickup roller 7 Separation roller 8 separation pads 9 Pull-out roller 10, 12, 13 Intermediate roller 11 large roller 14 flapper 15 Paper ejection roller 16 Transport guide 17 Transport Mylar 19 Output tray 20 Platen glass B (for non-stop reading) 21 Cleaning member 22 Light source 23 Light receiving part (reading part) 24 jump stand 25 Jump Myra 30 Platen glass A (for fixed reading) 31 reference stand 32 Positioning member 33 holding table 34 Bearing 35 Press plate 36 Call-in section 40 White part 50 Platen glass C (reading) 51 glass fixing stand 52 Cleaning member 53 glass shutter 54 arrow 55 White part

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 2H076 AA04 AA91 BA17 BA24 BA35                       BA97                 2H109 CA34                 5C062 AA05 AB02 AB30 AB31 AB32                       AD06 AF07 BA06

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An automatic document feeder capable of separating documents one by one and transporting them to a predetermined area of an image forming apparatus, and capable of reading image information of the document being transported and transported. In an image forming apparatus having a configuration for reading image information of an original through a transparent medium such as glass, a cleaning member is provided for removing adhered matter near the image reading area surface of the transparent medium such as glass. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the cleaning member elastically contacts the passing medium such as glass, and the transparent medium such as glass moves with respect to the cleaning member. 2. An automatic document feeder capable of separating documents one by one and transporting them to a predetermined area of the image forming apparatus, and capable of reading image information of the document being transported and transported. In an image forming apparatus having a configuration for reading image information of an original through a transparent medium such as glass, a cleaning member is provided for removing adhered matter near the image reading area surface of the transparent medium such as glass. An image forming apparatus is characterized in that the cleaning member elastically contacts and moves with respect to the passing medium such as the glass. 3. An automatic document feeder capable of separating documents one by one and transporting them to a predetermined area of the image forming apparatus, and capable of reading image information of the document being transported. In an image forming apparatus having a configuration for reading image information of an original through a transparent medium such as glass, the image forming apparatus has an opening / closing unit capable of exposing and shielding the transparent medium such as glass to the outside. An image forming apparatus characterized in that 4. The elastic member, which is in elastic contact with the transparent medium such as glass, is provided on the side of the opening / closing means facing the transparent medium such as glass. Image forming apparatus. 5. A surface of the opening / closing means facing a transparent medium such as glass has a portion formed of a member having a high reflectance such as a mirror surface or white. Three
The image forming apparatus according to item 1.