JP5093038B2 - Image reader - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to a sheet-through type image reading apparatus used as an image input apparatus in a copying machine, a scanner, or the like.

  Conventionally, as an image reading apparatus for optically reading an image of a document, a platen set method for reading an image of a document placed on a platen glass, and a document are conveyed one by one, and an image of the document is read during conveyance. The sheet-through method was used alone or in combination. The sheet-through method has advantages in downsizing, low cost, low noise, high-speed image reading, and high print productivity, and has become the mainstream of image reading devices in monochrome copiers and color copiers. .

  In the case of the sheet-through method, the image reading position is fixed, that is, fixed on a transparent member (long reading glass), and the reading optical system is focused on the image surface of the document conveyed through the reading glass. Due to the configuration, it is easily affected by foreign matter such as dust attached to the reading glass and residual dust, and a portion shielded by the foreign matter becomes streak-like image noise in the read image. If the manuscript is paper, it is inevitable that fine foreign substances such as fillers and fibers contained in the paper such as calcium carbonate adhere to the reading glass.

  In order to solve such problems, conventionally, in the process of processing a read image, dust on the image is detected and a warning is given to the user, streak noise is eliminated as image processing, or the reading glass is moved. Measures were taken to prevent them from reading garbage continuously. However, these measures cannot eliminate the accumulation of dust on the reading glass, and eventually a service person needs to clean the reading glass surface.

  Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an image reading apparatus has been proposed in which an elastic member is rotated to clean the reading glass. As described above, the method of rotating the elastic member requires a short cleaning time, and is advantageous in image reading productivity. However, in this method, since the elastic member is rotationally driven only in one direction, there is a problem that the tip of the elastic member is deformed in the rotational direction due to long-term use and the cleaning function is deteriorated.

It is possible to correct the deformation by appropriately reversing the elastic member. If the number of forward rotations and the number of reverse rotations are the same, deformation can be minimized. However, an increase in the number of rotations decreases the reading productivity and causes deterioration of the coating material of the reading glass. In addition, since the frequency of use of the image reading mode (color mode, monochrome mode, etc.) by the user is different, it is impractical to set the lifetime of the elastic member and the reading glass uniformly.
JP 2000-270152 A

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of effectively identifying the degree of wear of the cleaning member and the reading glass as well as preventing the deterioration of the cleaning function due to the deformation of the cleaning member.

In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises:
A document conveying means for sending out the documents one by one and passing the reading position;
Reading means for reading an image of the document conveyed to the reading position optically,
And arranged transparent member between said document and said reading means is conveying the reading position,
A cleaning member having elasticity for cleaning by rubbing the surface on which the original of the transparent member passes,
Drive means for reversing to the upstream side from the downstream side of and the transport direction to be forward to the downstream side from the upstream side in the transport direction of the cleaning member the original is conveyed by the document conveying means,
And control means for identifying a consumable degree of the cleaning member on the basis of the numerical values obtained by subtracting the number of times of the reverse rotation from the number of times of the forward rotation of the cleaning member,
It is provided with.

The image reading apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is:
A document conveying means for sending out the documents one by one and passing the reading position;
Reading means for reading an image of the document conveyed to the reading position optically,
And arranged transparent member between said document and said reading means is conveying the reading position,
A cleaning member having elasticity for cleaning by rubbing the surface on which the original of the transparent member passes,
Drive means for reversing to the upstream side from the downstream side of and the transport direction to be forward to the downstream side from the upstream side in the transport direction of the cleaning member the original is conveyed by the document conveying means,
And control means for identifying a consumable degree of the transparent member on the basis of the number of times of the reverse and the number of times of the normal rotation of the cleaning member,
It is provided with.

An image reading apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is:
A document conveying means for sending out the documents one by one and passing the reading position;
Reading means for reading an image of the document conveyed to the reading position optically,
And arranged transparent member between said document and said reading means is conveying the reading position,
A cleaning member having elasticity for cleaning by rubbing the surface on which the original of the transparent member passes,
Drive means for reversing to the upstream side from the downstream side of and the transport direction to be forward to the downstream side from the upstream side in the transport direction of the cleaning member the original is conveyed by the document conveying means,
Control means for identifying the degree of wear of the cleaning member or the transparent member based on the number of reading jobs for each default image reading mode;
It is provided with.

  In the image reading apparatus, foreign matters can be removed from the reading position of the transparent member (reading glass) by rotating the cleaning member forward. The cleaning member is always rotationally driven in one direction and causes a deformation that is curved in the rotation direction due to long-term use. However, the deformation is corrected by appropriately reversing the cleaning member. The cleaning member is reversed once every predetermined number of readings (for example, three or five).

  The degree of wear of the cleaning member, that is, the degree of deformation, can be identified based on the difference between the number of forward rotations and the number of reverse rotations of the cleaning member, and when the degree of wear thus identified reaches a predetermined value Judged as the life of the cleaning member.

  In addition, the degree of wear of the transparent member can be identified based on the sum of the number of forward rotations and the number of reverse rotations of the cleaning member. When the identified degree of wear reaches a predetermined value, it is determined that the lifetime of the transparent member.

  Further, the degree of wear of the cleaning member or transparent member can be identified based on the number of reading jobs for each image reading mode, and when the degree of wear thus identified reaches a predetermined value, the cleaning member or transparent member Judged as the lifetime.

  Embodiments of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and the same part, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Image reader, see FIGS. 1 and 2)
As shown in FIG. 1, an image reading apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is conveyed by a platen set method for reading an image of a document placed on a platen glass (not shown) and an automatic document conveying device 20. A reading optical system (scanner) 50 is installed.

  The reading optical system 50 is known per se and includes a lamp 53, mirrors 54, 55, and 56, an imaging lens (not shown), and an imaging unit (CCD color line sensor) 58. In order to read a document image by the platen set method, the lamp 53 and the mirror 54 are mounted on the first slider 51, and the mirrors 55 and 56 are mounted on the second slider 52, and each can move in the sub-scanning direction Y. . Reading of a document image by the sheet-through method is performed in a state where the optical system 50 is stationary at a reading position A shown in FIG.

  The automatic document feeder 20 includes a document placing tray 21, a pickup roller 22, a paper feed roller 23a and a separating roller 23b, a registration roller 24, reading unit rollers 25 and 26, discharge unit rollers 27 and 28, A document discharge tray 29 is included. A transparent member (hereinafter referred to as a reading glass 40) is installed at the reading position A.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the guide sheet 41 that guides the document so that the image surface does not contact the reading glass 40 directly above the reading glass 40 is upstream of the reading glass 40 in the conveyance direction B. It is installed on the side. The original conveyed on the reading glass 40 is guided by sliding on the guide sheet 41, so that the original is conveyed in a state where the image surface is not in contact with the surface of the reading glass 40.

  When the original is brought into contact with the reading glass 40, adhesive foreign matters (adhesives such as adhesive tape and glue, correction liquid lump, ink ball of a ballpoint pen, eraser powder, etc.) adhering to the original are read glass. 40 is transferred and adhered onto the substrate 40. By conveying the document to the reading glass 40 in a non-contact manner, such transfer and adhesion of foreign matter can be prevented in advance. Of course, in this embodiment, even if an adhesive foreign material adheres to the reading glass 40, it can be eliminated by the cleaning member 45 described below.

  In addition to providing the guide sheet 41, such non-contact conveyance is achieved by conveying the document while curving the document with a certain curvature by the reading unit rollers 25 and 26.

  Further, in this embodiment, it is also possible to invert the front and back of a document on which images are formed on both sides and pass the reading position A again to continuously read the front and back images. Such a double-sided reading mechanism for a document is well known and will not be described.

(See cleaning member, FIGS. 2-5)
As shown in FIG. 2, a brush-like cleaning member 45 is rotatably disposed facing the reading position A of the reading glass 40. Further, a striking member 46 is disposed downstream of the cleaning member 45 in the document conveyance direction B. The cleaning member 45 is a member in which a cleaning brush 45b that is elastically deformable on a flat surface of the shaft member 45a is fixed in a line shape in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction B. The motor M1 (refer to FIG. Driven forward or reverse at speed. A white reference discriminating member (white film) 45c may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 45a facing the cleaning brush 45b for shading correction.

  The cleaning brush 45b is, for example, a 6 mm long, 2D (denier) conductive (11.5 LogΩ) polyimide resin implanted in a width of 5 mm and a length of 309 mm, and is used when the reading glass 40 is rubbed. The amount of biting is set to 1.5 mm, and the pressure is set to 6N.

  The striking member 46 is fixed in position, and scrapes off foreign matter captured by the cleaning brush 45b after the cleaning brush 45b rubs on the reading glass 40.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the cleaning member 45 stands by as a home position when the cleaning brush 45b faces upward, and an arrow c from the home position to the downstream side in the document transport direction. Start normal rotation in the direction. Thereafter, the tip of the brush 45b rubs the surface of the reading glass 40 (see FIGS. 3B and 3C), captures foreign matter on the reading glass 40, and removes the foreign matter from the reading position A. Thereafter, the brush 45b contacts the hammering member 46 and returns to the home position.

  The captured foreign matter is knocked out of the brush 45 b by the hitting member 46, is caught in a document conveyed on the reading glass 40, and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus 10. As a result, the surface of the reading glass 40 (in particular, the reading position A) and the brush 45b are always kept clean, and foreign matter collected from the reading glass 40 by the brush 45b does not adhere to the reading glass 40 again. Therefore, it is possible to prevent streak noise from occurring in the read image. It should be noted that the foreign matter knocked out from the brush 45b may be removed by suction by a suction means (not shown).

  The brush 45b has conductivity and is connected to the ground. Therefore, the foreign matter on the reading glass 40 can be electrostatically attracted and recovered efficiently.

  Here, the shape of the tip portion of the cleaning brush 45b will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A shows a first example, in which the tip portions of the brush bristles are aligned to the same length up to the tangent line C of the rotation locus F. FIG. FIG. 4B shows a second example, in which the tip of each bristle is aligned with the rotation locus F. FIG. 4C shows a third example, in which the tip of each bristle has a length up to a straight line that forms an angle θ with the tangent C. FIG. 4 (D) shows a fourth example. The brush bristles consist of two bundles 45d and 45e, the brush bundle 45d has a length up to the tangent C, and the tip of the brush bundle 45e is along the rotation locus F. It is cut diagonally in a line.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 4B, 4 </ b> C, and 4 </ b> D, when the brush 45 b rotates and rubs on the reading glass 40, the tip of each bristle pops out from the rotation locus F. In other words, it is possible to keep the contact amount and contact pressure of the brush 45b to the reading glass 40 constant.

  By the way, the cleaning of the reading glass 40 by the cleaning member 45, that is, the normal rotation of the cleaning member 45 at the reading position A is performed at an arbitrary timing at which the brush 45b does not interfere with the original conveyed at the reading position A. If the cleaning member 45 is always driven to rotate normally in one direction to clean the reading glass 40, the tip of the brush 45b is deformed to be curved in the rotational direction due to long-term use, and the cleaning function is deteriorated. In order to correct this deformation, in this embodiment, the cleaning member 45 is reversed at an arbitrary timing. As a result of this reverse rotation, the cleaning brush 45b rubs against the hammering member 46 and the reading glass 40 in the reverse direction to receive the deformation force in the reverse direction, the deformation is corrected, and a good cleaning function is maintained for a long time.

  Next, the drive means of the cleaning member 45 will be described with reference to FIG. The sprocket 31 fixed to one end of the shaft member 45a is connected to the output sprocket 32 of the cleaning motor M1 via the timing belt 33. The cleaning motor M1 is a stepping motor that can be driven forward and reverse.

  Further, an arc-shaped protruding piece 35 is attached to the sprocket 31, and a home position sensor SE2 for detecting the protruding piece 35 is disposed. When the sensor SE2 detects the end 35a of the protruding piece 35, it is detected that the cleaning brush 45b is located at the home position.

(Control unit, see FIG. 6)
The control unit of the image reading apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit is configured with the CPU 60 as the center, and the CPU 60 includes a ROM 61, a RAM 62, and a memory 63 that store programs and the like. Information input to the CPU 60 includes a default reading mode (color mode, various compression setting modes), the number of sheets read from the sheet counter 64, the number of normal rotations of the cleaning member 45 from the normal rotation counter 65, and a reverse counter. 66, the number of reverse rotations of the cleaning member 45, the detection signal of the leading and trailing edges of the document from the document sensor SE1 (see FIG. 2) arranged upstream of the reading position A, and the detection signal from the home position sensor SE2 of the cleaning member 45. Etc. The CPU 60 also controls a document conveying system such as various rollers, a cleaning motor M1, and the like, and issues a warning command to a copier panel (not shown). This warning command is a command to replace the cleaning member 45 and the reading glass 40 because they have reached the end of their life, as will be described below.

  Further, the CPU 60 receives the number of reading jobs corresponding to the image reading mode from the job counters 67 and 68 in order to process the control example 2 described below.

(Forward / reverse rotation control of cleaning member, see FIGS. 7 and 8)
Next, forward / reverse rotation control of the cleaning member 45 will be described with reference to FIGS. The control here and the life identification control described below will be described in relation to the operation of a copying machine (not shown). “Job” means a copy operation or an image reading operation on an arbitrary number of documents placed on the tray 21.

  Basically, the cleaning member 45 is rotated forward once at the start of the reading job to clean the reading glass 40, and is rotated once at the end to correct the deformation of the brush 45b. In addition, the cleaning member 45 is reversed once every three image readings to correct the deformation of the brush 45b. Note that the number of readings for intermittently reversing the cleaning member 45 may be other than 3, and is arbitrary.

  Specifically, when copying with the copying machine is started, a copy job sequence is started (step S1), and the cleaning motor M1 is rotated forward once (step S2). Next, reading of the first document is started (step S3). When reading of the first sheet is completed (YES in step S4), 1 is added to the count value N of the number counter 64 (step S5). . Next, if there is no next original to be read (NO in step S6), the cleaning motor M1 is reversed once (step S7), the read job end sequence is executed (step S8), and the copy job end sequence is executed. (Step S9).

  On the other hand, if there is a next original (YES in step S6), reading of the next original is started (step S11). When the reading is completed (YES in step S12), 1 is added to the count value N of the number counter 64. (Step S13). Next, if there is no next document to be read (NO in step S14), the cleaning motor M1 is reversed once (step S15), the reading job end sequence is executed (step S16), and the copy job end sequence is executed. (Step S17).

  If there is a next original (YES in step S14), it is determined whether or not the count value N of the number counter 64 is 3. If not counted up to 3 (NO in step S18), the process returns to step S11. If the count value N is 3 (YES in step S18), the cleaning motor M1 is rotated forward once (step S19), and the process returns to step S11.

(See life identification control example 1, FIGS. 9 to 12)
Here, the control example 1 for identifying the lifetime of the cleaning member 45 and the reading glass 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the life of the cleaning member 45 is estimated based on the wear degree assumption line X1 and is identified as the life when the deformation M reaches a predetermined value. Specifically, for a user who defaults to a high-resolution color reading mode with a 600 dpi color CCD based on the difference (N1-N2) between the number of forward rotations N1 and the number of reverse rotations N2 of the cleaning member 45. When the degree of wear (value of N1-N2) reaches 250,000, the deformation amount M is estimated to be about 2.2 mm, and the cleaning member 45 is identified as having reached the end of its life. For a user whose reading mode such as monochrome binarized image processing is set as default, when the degree of wear (value of N1-N2) reaches 350,000, the deformation amount M is about 3.6 mm. It is estimated that the cleaning member 45 has reached the end of its life.

  9 is stored as data in the memory 63 and is referred to by the control shown in FIG. The reading mode is roughly divided into a color reading mode at 600 dpi and a compression setting mode. As the compression setting mode, a monochrome binary image processing mode, a low resolution reading mode such as 300 dpi or 200 dpi, and a reduced reading mode can be set. Any of the compression setting modes is effective for reducing the weight of data such as high-speed reading and pdf.

  By the way, in the color mode, even if a minute foreign matter remains on the reading glass 40, noise is generated in the read image. Therefore, the deformation amount M of the brush 45b having a relatively high cleaning ability is small (about 2.2 mm). Identify with life. Further, in the compression setting mode described below, since noise hardly occurs in the image, it is identified that the life has been reached when the deformation amount M of the brush 45b where the cleaning ability is slightly reduced (approximately 3.6 mm). To do.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when copying is started on the copying machine, the copy job sequence is started (step S21), the copy job end sequence (step S22) is executed, and then the image reading is performed. The default setting of the mode is determined (steps S23 and S24). If the default setting is the color mode (YES in step S23), when the degree of wear of the cleaning member 45 (value of N1-N2) reaches 250,000 (YES in step S25), the cleaning member 45 is at the end of its life. A command to display on the panel that it is time for replacement is issued (step S27).

  On the other hand, if the default setting of the image reading mode is the compression setting (YES in step S24), cleaning is performed when the degree of wear of the cleaning member 45 (value of N1-N2) reaches 350,000 (YES in step S26). A command to display on the panel that the member 45 is at the end of its life and is a replacement time is issued (step S27).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the life of the reading glass 40 (deterioration of the coating material) is estimated when the glass surface friction coefficient μ is estimated on the basis of the wear degree assumption line X2, and the friction coefficient μ reaches a predetermined value. Identify it as a lifetime. Specifically, for a user who defaults a color reading mode with a 600 dpi color CCD based on the sum (N1 + N2) of the number of forward rotations N1 and the number of reverse rotations N2 of the cleaning member 45, the degree of wear ( When the value of N1 + N2) reaches 700,000, the friction coefficient μ is estimated to be about 0.24, and it is identified that the reading glass 40 has reached the end of its life. Also, for a user whose reading mode such as monochrome binarized image processing is set by default, the friction coefficient μ is about 0.35 when the degree of wear (value of N1 + N2) reaches 1,100,000. It is estimated that the reading glass 40 has reached the end of its life.

  11 is stored in the memory 63 as data, and is referred to by the control shown in FIG. The types of reading modes are as described above. Further, in the color mode, even if a minute foreign matter remains on the reading glass 40, noise is generated in the read image. Therefore, the life is identified at a stage where the friction coefficient μ having a slightly deteriorated coating is small (about 0.24). . In the compression setting mode, since it is difficult for noise to occur in the image, it is identified that the life has reached when the coating is relatively deteriorated and the friction coefficient μ is increased (about 0.35).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the control procedure is as follows. When copying is started on the copying machine, the copy job sequence is started (step S31), the copy job end sequence (step S32) is executed, and then image reading is performed. The mode default setting is determined (steps S33 and S34). If the default setting is the color mode (YES in step S33), when the degree of wear of the reading glass 40 (value of N1 + N2) reaches 700,000 (YES in step S35), the reading glass 40 is at the end of its life and the replacement time A command to be displayed on the panel is issued (step S37).

  On the other hand, if the default setting of the image reading mode is the compression setting (YES in step S34), when the degree of wear of the reading glass 40 (value of N1 + N2) reaches 1,100,000 (YES in step S36), reading is performed. A command to display on the panel that the glass 40 is at the end of its life and is time for replacement is issued (step S37).

(See life identification control example 2, FIGS. 13 and 14)
Next, a control example 2 for identifying the lifetimes of the cleaning member 45 and the reading glass 40 will be described. This control example 2 is based on performing control in which the number of operations for rotating the cleaning member 45 forward and backward is different according to the image reading mode. That is, in the high resolution color mode at 600 dpi, image noise due to foreign matter is easily noticeable. Therefore, immediately before reading one original image, the cleaning member 45 is rotated forward once to clean the reading glass 40. In the compression setting mode, image noise due to foreign matter is not so noticeable, and thus the reading glass 40 is cleaned by rotating the cleaning member 45 once every time five original images are read. Whenever one reading job is completed, the cleaning member 45 is reversed once to correct the deformation of the brush 45b. That is, the rotation number ratio of the cleaning member 45 in the color mode and the compression setting mode is five times.

  On the other hand, assuming an average user, it is statistically known that about 10 originals are used in one image reading job. Therefore, in one reading job in the compression setting mode, on average, the cleaning member 45 performs two normal rotations and one reverse rotation. Further, in one reading job in the color mode, the cleaning member 45 performs, on average, 10 forward rotations and 1 reverse rotation. Therefore, the reading job in the compression setting mode has a rotation speed ratio of 1/5 that of the reading job in the color mode.

  When the above-described cleaning mode is executed, the lifetime of the cleaning member 45 is estimated as shown in FIG. 13 based on the wear degree assumption line X3, and the deformation amount M is set to a predetermined value. When it reaches the end of its life, it is identified. Specifically, based on the sum (N3 + (N4 / 5)) of the number of reading jobs N3 in the color mode and the number of reading jobs N4 (1/5) in the compression setting mode, the color with a 600 dpi color CCD is used. For a user whose reading mode is set as a default, when the degree of wear (the value of N3 + (N4 / 5)) reaches 25,000, it is estimated that the deformation amount M is about 2.2 mm, and the cleaning member 45 is identified as reaching the end of its life. Also, for a user whose reading mode such as monochrome binarized image processing is set by default, when the degree of wear (the value of N3 + (N4 / 5)) reaches 35,000, the deformation amount M is about 3 It is estimated that the cleaning member 45 has reached the end of its life.

  13 is stored as data in the memory 63 and is referred to by the control shown in FIG. The types of reading modes are as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the control procedure is as follows. When copying is started on the copying machine, the copy job sequence is started (step S41), the copy job end sequence (step S42) is executed, and then image reading is performed. The default setting of the mode is determined (steps S43 and S44). If the default setting is the color mode (YES in step S43), the cleaning member 45 is at the end of its life when the consumption level (N3 + N4 / 5) of the cleaning member 45 reaches 25,000 (YES in step S45). Then, a command to display on the panel that it is time to replace is issued (step S47).

  On the other hand, if the default setting of the image reading mode is the compression setting (YES in step S44), the consumption degree of the cleaning member 45 (value of N3 + (N4 / 5)) reaches 35,000 (YES in step S46). ) A command to display on the panel that the cleaning member 45 is at the end of its life and is a replacement time is issued (step S47).

  Further, the degree of wear (life) of the reading glass 40 can be identified using the control example 2. Although not specifically shown, when the color mode is set as the default, the degree of wear of the reading glass 40 is identified as the end of life when the value of (N3 + (N4 / 5)) reaches 70,000. When the compression setting mode is set as a default, when the value of (N3 + (N4 / 5) reaches 110,000, it is identified as a lifetime.

(Other examples)
The image reading apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist thereof.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the document is conveyed in a non-contact manner with respect to the reading glass, but it is not always necessary to convey the document in a non-contact manner. Further, the striking member for the cleaning member is optional in its configuration and operation, and may be omitted.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows one Example of the image reader which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the vicinity of an image reading position. It is explanatory drawing which shows the cleaning operation | movement of the reading glass by a cleaning member. It is explanatory drawing which shows the various brush shape of a cleaning member. It is a perspective view which shows the drive means of the cleaning member. It is a block diagram which shows the control part of an image reading apparatus. It is a flowchart figure which shows the normal / reverse rotation control procedure of the cleaning member. It is a flowchart figure which shows the normal / reverse rotation control procedure of the cleaning member. It is a graph which shows the consumption degree assumption characteristic of a cleaning member. It is a flowchart figure which shows the procedure which identifies the lifetime of the cleaning member in the lifetime identification control example 1. FIG. It is a graph which shows the consumption degree assumption characteristic of reading glass. It is a flowchart figure which shows the procedure which identifies the lifetime of a reading glass in the lifetime identification control example 1. FIG. It is a graph which shows another consumption degree assumption characteristic of a cleaning member. It is a flowchart figure which shows the procedure which identifies the lifetime of the cleaning member in the lifetime identification control example 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image reading device 20 ... Automatic document feeder 40 ... Reading glass 45 ... Cleaning member 45b ... Cleaning brush 50 ... Reading optical system 60 ... CPU
63 ... Memory M1 ... Cleaning motor A ... Reading position B ... Original transport direction

Claims (7)

A document conveying means for sending out the documents one by one and passing the reading position;
Reading means for optically reading an image of the document conveyed at the reading position;
A transparent member disposed between the document conveyed at the reading position and the reading unit;
A cleaning member having elasticity for cleaning by rubbing the surface of the transparent member through which the document passes;
Drive means for causing the cleaning member to normally rotate from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction in which the document is transported by the document transport means, and to reverse from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction;
Control means for identifying the degree of wear of the cleaning member based on a numerical value obtained by subtracting the number of reverse rotations from the number of forward rotations of the cleaning member;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The control means has consumable degree assumption data indicating the amount of deformation of the cleaning member corresponding to the number of forward rotations and the number of reverse rotations , and the deformation amount of the cleaning member is estimated based on the consumable degree assumption data. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the amount of deformation reaches a predetermined value, the lifetime is identified . A document conveying means for sending out the documents one by one and passing the reading position;
Reading means for optically reading an image of the document conveyed at the reading position;
A transparent member disposed between the document conveyed at the reading position and the reading unit;
A cleaning member having elasticity for cleaning by rubbing the surface of the transparent member through which the document passes;
Drive means for causing the cleaning member to normally rotate from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction in which the document is transported by the document transport means, and to reverse from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction;
Control means for identifying the degree of wear of the transparent member based on the number of forward rotations and the number of reverse rotations of the cleaning member;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The control means has consumable degree assumption data indicating a surface friction coefficient of the transparent member corresponding to the values of the number of forward rotations and the number of reverse rotations , and the friction coefficient of the transparent member is determined by the consumable degree assumption data. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image reading apparatus estimates and identifies the end of life when the friction coefficient reaches a predetermined value . A document conveying means for sending out the documents one by one and passing the reading position;
Reading means for optically reading an image of the document conveyed at the reading position;
A transparent member disposed between the document conveyed at the reading position and the reading unit;
A cleaning member having elasticity for cleaning by rubbing the surface of the transparent member through which the document passes;
Drive means for causing the cleaning member to normally rotate from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction in which the document is transported by the document transport means, and to reverse from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction;
Control means for identifying the degree of wear of the cleaning member or the transparent member based on the number of reading jobs for each default image reading mode;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The cleaning member is a brush, at least in part in contact with the transparent member of the brush according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, elastically deformed by the transparent member contact stiffness is weaker than Image reader. It said control means, the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 exhaustion degree of the cleaning member or the transparent member may issue a warning command upon reaching a predetermined value, characterized by .

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