Image reading device

Abstract

To provide an image reading device with which it is possible to prevent trouble due to dropping of a scanner unit to the device body.SOLUTION: An image reading device 100 comprises a body 1, a scanner unit 2, and a braking mechanism 3. The scanner unit 2 is openable and closable with respect to the body 1 by tilting motion. The braking mechanism 3 brakes the scanner unit 2 as it is closed. The braking mechanism 3 includes a revolving shaft 30, a rotating torque adding unit 33, and a connecting unit 40. The revolving shaft 30 revolves in a forward direction by closing motion of the scanner unit 2. The forward direction is either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction. The connecting unit 40 connects the revolving shaft 30 and the rotation torque adding unit 33 together. The rotation torque adding unit 33 adds rotation torque for resisting the forward rotation of the revolving shaft 30 to the revolving shaft 30 via the connecting unit 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device. [Background technology]

[0002] The image reading device described in Patent Document 1 includes a scanner unit that can be opened and closed by tilting relative to the main body. As described in paragraph

[0038] of Patent Document 1, the image reading device described in Patent Document 1 has a damper function. The damper function reduces the speed at which the scanner unit is closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-253038 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the damper function of Patent Document 1 is ensured by using a tension spring to resist the linear movement of the scanner unit when it is closed.

[0005] Therefore, in the image reading device described in Patent Document 1, the scanner unit is not properly braked just before it is completely closed, and falls into the main body. Therefore, in the image reading device described in Patent Document 1, malfunctions occur due to the scanner unit falling into the main body. Specific examples of malfunctions include the user's fingers being pinched tightly by the falling scanner unit, or noise being generated due to the collision between the fallen scanner unit and the main body.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide an image reading device that can prevent malfunctions caused by the scanner unit dropping onto the main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image reading device includes a main body, a scanner unit, and a braking mechanism. The scanner unit can be opened and closed by tilting relative to the main body. The braking mechanism brakes the scanner unit when it is closed. The braking mechanism has a rotating shaft, a rotational torque application portion, and a connecting portion. The rotating shaft rotates forward due to the closing movement of the scanner unit. The forward rotation is either a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. The connecting portion connects the rotating shaft and the rotational torque application portion. The rotational torque application portion applies a rotational torque that resists the forward rotation of the rotating shaft to the rotating shaft via the connecting portion. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the image reading device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent malfunctions caused by the scanner unit dropping onto the main body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a partial cross section of a brake mechanism of the image reading device; FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the spiral spring and the connection portion from below. [Figure 4] 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the angle between the main body and the scanner unit and the torque of the rotation shaft. [Diagram 5] 4 is a further enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of a torque transmission portion in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the braking mechanism. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the braking mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will not be repeated. In addition, even if the terms "upper" or "lower" meaning a specific position and direction are used in the following description, these terms are used for convenience to facilitate understanding of the contents of the embodiment, and are not related to the directions in which the embodiment is actually implemented. <Embodiment>

[0011] The image reading device 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the image reading device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0012] The image reading device 100 is, for example, a multifunction device having a scanner function. In addition to the scanner function, the multifunction device has a copy function, a printer function, a fax receiving function, a fax sending function, a finisher function, and an optional paper feeding function. The image reading device 100 only needs to have the scanner function, and does not need to have other functions.

[0013] 1, the image reading device 100 includes a main body 1, a scanner unit 2, and a braking mechanism 3. The scanner unit 2 can be opened and closed by tilting relative to the main body 1. The braking mechanism 3 brakes the scanner unit 2 when it is closed.

[0014] The brake mechanism 3 has a rotating shaft 30, a rotational torque applying unit 33, and a connection unit 40. The rotating shaft 30 rotates forward as the scanner unit 2 closes. The forward rotation is either a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. The connection unit 40 connects the rotating shaft 30 and the rotational torque applying unit 33.

[0015] The rotational torque application portion 33 applies a rotational torque resisting the forward rotation of the rotating shaft 30 to the rotating shaft 30 via the connection portion 40 .

[0016] Therefore, the scanner unit 2 being closed is appropriately braked by applying a rotational torque to the rotating shaft 30. Therefore, the image reading device 100 can prevent malfunctions caused by the scanner unit 2 dropping onto the main body 1.

[0017] One end side 21 of the scanner unit 2 is supported rotatably relative to the main body 1. Therefore, the other end side 22 of the scanner unit 2 moves up and down when the scanner unit 2 is opened or closed. The angle θ between the scanner unit 2 and the main body 1 becomes a predetermined angle when the scanner unit 2 is completely open (fully open state). The predetermined angle is, for example, any angle between 30° and 45°. When the scanner unit 2 is fully open, a force acts on it to maintain the fully open state.

[0018] The angle θ between the scanner unit 2 and the main body 1 is 0° when the scanner unit 2 is completely closed (fully closed state). The scanner unit 2 is horizontal in the fully closed state. In other words, the closer the scanner unit 2 is to the fully closed state, the greater the weight of the scanner unit 2 that can be received by the braking mechanism 3. Note that the torque generated on the rotating shaft 30 due to the weight received from the scanner unit 2 is hereinafter referred to as weight torque. Therefore, the smaller the angle θ between the scanner unit 2 and the main body 1, the greater the weight torque on the rotating shaft 30.

[0019] Although not shown, the scanner unit 2 has an automatic document feeder called an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder). The scanner unit 2 optically reads the document while transporting the document with the ADF. The image reading device 100 optically reads the document with the scanner unit 2 to form image data of the document.

[0020] The braking mechanism 3 will be described in further detail below with reference to Figs. 2 to 7. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the braking mechanism 3 of the image reading device 100. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the spiral spring 34 and the connection part 40 from below. Fig. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the angle θ between the scanner unit 2 and the main body 1 and the torque of the rotation shaft 30. Fig. 5 is a further enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the torque transmission part 41 in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an enlarged side view of the braking mechanism 3. Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the braking mechanism 3.

[0021] 2, the rotational torque application portion 33 is a spiral spring 34. The spiral spring 34 is wound by the connection portion 40 when the rotating shaft 30 rotates in the forward direction.

[0022] Since the rotational torque application portion 33 is the spiral spring 34, the closing movement of the scanner unit 2 is more appropriately braked. Therefore, the image reading device 100 can further prevent problems caused by the scanner unit 2 dropping onto the housing.

[0023] Brake mechanism 3 has bolt 51 that screws into main body 1, and washer 52. Bolt 51 screws into main body 1 via washer 52, thereby fixing outer end 35 of spiral spring 34 to main body 1. Therefore, image reading device 100 can be designed easily because the configuration for fixing spiral spring 34 to main body 1 is simplified.

[0024] The spiral spring 34 is a spring formed from a strip-shaped metal plate into a spiral shape. The spiral spring 34 resists rotation in the direction in which it is wound up (i.e., forward rotation). The greater the resistance from the spiral spring 34, the more preferable it is, but the resistance is set to a level at which the scanner unit 2 reaches a fully closed state under its own weight.

[0025] 3, the spiral spring 34 is of a non-contact type, that is, the spiral spring 34 has band-shaped metal plates that are spirally formed and do not come into contact with each other.

[0026] Since the spiral spring 34 is of a non-contact type, the more it is wound up, the greater the rotational torque it applies to the rotating shaft 30 as resistance. That is, as shown in the graph of FIG. 4, the smaller the angle θ between the scanner unit 2 and the main body 1, the greater the rotational torque applied to the rotating shaft 30. Also, as is clear from the graph, the smaller the angle θ between the scanner unit 2 and the main body 1, the greater the weight torque on the rotating shaft 30. Therefore, the greater the weight torque, the greater the rotational torque applied to the rotating shaft 30 as resistance (braking). As a result, the closing movement of the scanner unit 2 is more appropriately braked. Therefore, the image reading device 100 can further prevent malfunctions caused by the scanner unit 2 dropping into the housing.

[0027] 5, the spiral spring 34 has a hook-shaped portion 38 at an inner end 37. The hook-shaped portion 38 is a portion in which a band-shaped metal plate is bent so as to be engageable with each other.

[0028] The connection portion 40 has a torque transmission portion 41. The torque transmission portion 41 engages with the hook portion 38 of the spiral spring 34. The torque transmission portion 41 transmits rotational torque from the spiral spring 34.

[0029] Therefore, the image reading device 100 has a simple configuration for transmitting rotational torque, and therefore can be easily designed.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 6, the rotating shaft 30 rotates in the reverse direction due to the opening movement of the scanner unit 2. The reverse rotation is the other of the clockwise and counterclockwise rotations. That is, the direction of the reverse rotation is the opposite of the direction of the forward rotation. When the rotating shaft 30 rotates in the reverse direction, the spiral spring 34 is released from the winding by the connection portion 40.

[0031] By releasing the winding of the spiral spring 34, a rotational torque is applied to the rotating shaft 30 so as to assist the reverse rotation of the rotating shaft 30. Therefore, the image reading device 100 allows the scanner unit 2 to be easily opened.

[0032] Furthermore, since the spiral spring 34 is of a non-contact type, the greater the weight torque, the greater the rotational torque that is applied as assistance to the rotating shaft 30. Therefore, the image reading device 100 allows the scanner unit 2 to be opened more easily.

[0033] 7, the rotating shaft 30 has a helical plate 31. The helical plate 31 is formed in a helical shape. The brake mechanism 3 further has a guide member 60. The guide member 60 guides the helical plate 31. The guide member 60 rotates the rotating shaft 30, which receives a closing force from the scanner unit 2, in the forward direction by the guidance of the helical plate 31. The guide member 60 rotates the rotating shaft 30, which receives an opening force from the scanner unit 2, in the reverse direction by the guidance of the helical plate 31.

[0034] When the rotating shaft 30 receives a force from the scanner unit 2, it rotates forward or backward due to the spiral plate 31 and the guide member 60. Therefore, the image reading device 100 can be designed easily because the configuration for rotating the rotating shaft 30 is simplified.

[0035] The spiral spring 34 preferably has 8 to 10 turns. With 8 to 10 turns, the closing movement of the scanner unit 2 is appropriately damped and the spiral spring 34 can take up less space.

[0036] The connecting portion 40 has a large-diameter short cylinder 42, a small-diameter long cylinder 43, and a disk 44. The large-diameter short cylinder 42 surrounds the guide member 60 from the side. The small-diameter long cylinder 43 is connected to the underside of the large-diameter short cylinder 42. The torque transmission portion 41 is attached to the lower end of the small-diameter long cylinder 43. The small-diameter long cylinder 43 can penetrate the inside of the spiral spring 34. The disk 44 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the small-diameter long cylinder 43 above the spiral spring 34.

[0037] The main body 1 further has a mounting plate 10. The spiral spring 34 is mounted on the mounting plate 10. The mounting plate 10 has a through hole 11. The through hole 11 receives the lower end of a small-diameter long cylinder 43 that passes through the inside of the spiral spring 34.

[0038] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The drawings are mainly schematic illustrations of each component for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings are different from the actual ones due to the convenience of drawing. In addition, the speed, material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present invention.

[0039] Incidentally, in the embodiment, the rotational torque application unit 33 has been described as the spiral spring 34, but it may be anything that applies rotational torque to the rotating shaft 30. The rotational torque application unit 33 applies rotational torque to the rotating shaft 30 by, for example, a spring, a damper, frictional resistance, magnetic force, or the like. [Industrial Applicability]

[0040] The present invention provides an image reading device and has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 Main unit 2 Scanner unit 3 Braking mechanism 10. Placement plate 11 Through hole 21 One end side 22 Other end side 30 Rotational Axis 31 Spiral plate 33 Rotational torque applying section 34 Spiral Spring 35 Outer end 37 Inner end 38 Unicum 40 Connection 41 Torque transmission section 42 Large diameter short cylinder 43 Small diameter long tube 44 Disc 51 Volts 52 Washer 60 Guide member 100 Image reader

Claims

1. The main body, a scanner unit that can be opened and closed by tilting relative to the main body; a braking mechanism for braking the scanner unit when it is closed; Equipped with The braking mechanism includes: a rotation shaft that rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction by the closing movement of the scanner unit; A rotational torque applying unit; a connection portion that connects the rotating shaft and the rotational torque applying portion; having The rotational torque application unit applies a rotational torque resisting the forward rotation of the rotational shaft to the rotational shaft via the connection unit.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotational torque applying portion is a spiral spring that is wound around the connecting portion when the rotating shaft rotates in the forward direction.

3. The image reading device according to claim 2 , wherein the spiral spring is of a non-contact type.

4. The rotation shaft rotates in the opposite direction, that is, either clockwise or counterclockwise, by the opening movement of the scanner unit, The image reading device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the spiral spring is released from the winding by the connection portion when the rotating shaft rotates in the reverse direction.

5. The rotating shaft has a helical plate formed in a helical shape, The brake mechanism further includes a guide member that guides the spiral plate, The image reading device according to claim 4 , wherein the guide member rotates the rotation shaft in the forward direction when the rotation shaft receives a closing force from the scanner unit, and rotates the rotation shaft in the reverse direction when the rotation shaft receives an opening force from the scanner unit, by guiding the spiral plate.

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