Image reading device, recording device, flexible flat cable, method for manufacturing flexible flat cable, and method for manufacturing image reading device
By folding the flexible flat cable with a peak facing outward from the curved portion and avoiding electrical connection in the folding region, the cable is protected from entanglement and friction, ensuring reliable operation of the image reading device.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024068168
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-30
AI Technical Summary
The flexible flat cable (FFC) in image reading devices may become entangled or cause malfunctions due to frictional contact with the platen glass or other components during the movement of the sensor unit, affecting reading results.
The flexible flat cable is designed with a curved portion that is folded along the longitudinal direction, with the folded peak facing outward from the curved portion, and is not electrically connected in this folding region to prevent contact and friction.
This configuration reduces frictional forces, prevents tangling, and minimizes the risk of malfunctions, ensuring smooth operation and accurate reading results.
Smart Images

Figure 2025164312000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device, a recording device, a flexible flat cable, a method for manufacturing a flexible flat cable, and a method for manufacturing an image reading device. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses the configuration of an image reading device in which a sensor unit that reads a document is connected to a sensor control unit via a flexible FFC (Flexible Flat Cable). The FFC is bent in the direction in which the sensor unit moves. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-150508 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, with the method described in Patent Document 1, the FFC may come into contact with the platen glass or the like as the sensor unit moves. If the frictional force caused by the contact becomes large, the FFC may become entangled or the sensor unit may malfunction, affecting the reading results. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] The image reading device comprises an image reading unit that reads a document by moving in a scanning direction, a control unit that controls the image reading unit, and a flexible flat cable that electrically connects the image reading unit and the control unit, wherein the flexible flat cable has a curved portion and is folded in a folding region that is folded along the longitudinal direction so that the folded peak faces outward from the curved portion, and the image reading unit and the control unit are not electrically connected in the folding region.
[0006] The recording device includes the image reading device described above and a recording unit that records an image read by the image reading device on a medium.
[0007] The flexible flat cable electrically connects an image reading unit that reads a document by moving in a scanning direction and a control unit that controls the image reading unit, and has a curved portion, and in a folding region along the longitudinal direction, the folded peak is folded so that it faces outward from the curved portion, and in the folding region, the image reading unit and the control unit are not electrically connected.
[0008] A method for manufacturing a flexible flat cable electrically connects an image reading unit that reads a document by moving in a scanning direction and a control unit that controls the image reading unit, and includes folding the flexible flat cable in a folding region along the longitudinal direction so that the folded peak faces outward from the curved portion, and not electrically connecting the image reading unit and the control unit in the folding region.
[0009] A method for manufacturing an image reading device includes an image reading unit that reads a document by moving in a scanning direction, a control unit that controls the image reading unit, and a flexible flat cable that electrically connects the image reading unit and the control unit, and includes folding the flexible flat cable in a folding region along the longitudinal direction of the flexible flat cable so that the folded peak faces outward from the curved portion, not electrically connecting the image reading unit and the control unit in the folding region, and connecting the flexible flat cable to the image reading unit and the control unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a recording apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an image reading device. [Figure 3]FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the housing. [Figure 7] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the VV cross section of the housing shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the housing. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the housing shown in FIG. 8 . [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an image reading unit and a cable. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12A] 12 is an enlarged plan view of a portion D of the cable shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 12B] 12B is a cross-sectional view of the cable shown in FIG. 12A taken along line EE. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of a low-friction member attached to the document table. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The configuration of the scanner 1 as an image reading device and the recording device 100 will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, three mutually perpendicular axes will be referred to as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The direction along the X-axis is referred to as the "X-direction," the direction along the Y-axis as the "Y-direction," and the direction along the Z-axis as the "Z-direction." The direction of the arrow is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the + direction is referred to as the - direction. Note that viewing from the +Z direction or the -Z direction is also referred to as planar view or planar.
[0012] First, the configuration of the recording device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0013] The recording device 100 is, for example, an inkjet printer that ejects ink onto a medium. The recording device 100 includes a recording unit 101 as a recording section, and a scanner 1 disposed above the recording unit 101. The recording device 100 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral.
[0014] Scanner 1 has the function of an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). Scanner 1 includes document table opening / closing section 10, a document setting section 10S, a guide section 12, and a discharge tray 13. When document table opening / closing section 10 is in an open position, scanner 1 becomes accessible to the user, and a document can be placed on document table 4, which will be described later.
[0015] The guide unit 12 guides the document placed on the document setting unit 10S. The guide unit 12 includes a first edge guide 12a and a second edge guide 12b. The first edge guide 12a is supported so as to be slidable in the direction along the Y axis. The second edge guide 12b is supported so as to be slidable in the direction along the Y axis.
[0016] The discharge tray 13 is used to place, for example, a document scanned by the scanner 1. Specifically, the discharge tray 13 is used to place, for example, a document scanned by the image scanning unit 6, which will be described later.
[0017] The recording unit 101 has a recording function of recording an image on a medium, and includes a paper feed unit 102, an operation unit 104, a paper discharge unit 105, and a recording head 108.
[0018] The paper feed unit 102 stores media. In this embodiment, the paper feed unit 102 is a single paper feed cassette. The paper feed unit 102 may include multiple paper feed cassettes. When the paper feed unit 102 includes multiple paper feed cassettes, each paper feed cassette stores media of the same or different sizes. The media stored in the paper feed unit 102 are transported to a position opposite the recording head 108 by a transport unit (not shown).
[0019] The operation unit 104 is provided on the side of the recording device 100. The operation unit 104 is operated by the user. The user performs various operations using the operation unit 104. The operation unit 104 includes a display unit and multiple operation buttons. The display unit of the operation unit 104 may be configured as a display with a touch input function. In that case, the operation unit 104 does not need to include operation buttons. The operation unit 104 may be provided on the side of the recording device 100 so that it can be tilted.
[0020] The paper discharge unit 105 is provided for placing media discharged from the recording unit 101. The paper discharge unit 105 is provided between the scanner 1 and the recording unit 101.
[0021] The recording head 108 records an image on a medium. The recording head 108 records an image on a medium based on an original. The read data for recording the image on the medium includes data read by an image reading unit 6 of the scanner 1, which will be described later. The recording head 108 is a line-type inkjet head that can eject liquid over the entire Y-axis direction of the medium. The recording head 108 may be provided on a carriage and moved back and forth along the X-axis by the carriage.
[0022] Next, the configuration of the scanner 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 12B.
[0023] 2, the scanner 1 is a flatbed type scanner and includes a housing 2, a document table opening / closing section 10, and a document setting section 10S.
[0024] 3 and 4, the housing 2 is configured to include a frame 3, a document table 4, a case 20, and a flexible flat cable 40. For the sake of explanation, the control unit 15 provided inside the document table opening / closing unit 10 is shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS.
[0025] The control unit 15 controls the image reading unit 6. The control unit 15 also converts an output signal transmitted from the image reading unit 6 into read data. As described above, the control unit 15 is provided inside the document table opening / closing unit 10, which is outside the housing 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit 15 is provided with a connector 16 indicated by a two-dot chain line.
[0026] The document table 4 is a transparent glass plate. The document table 4 has a placement surface 4S on which the document S is placed, a transport surface 4T, and a reading surface 4Y. The transport surface 4T is located on the -X direction side of the placement surface 4S. The outer edges of the placement surface 4S and the transport surface 4T are formed by covering a portion of the surface of the document table 4 on the -Z direction side with the frame 3. In other words, the frame 3 defines the outer edges of the placement surface 4S and the transport surface 4T.
[0027] The reading surface 4Y is disposed on the surface on the +Z direction side of the document table 4. The document table 4 has a closed state in which it is covered by a document table opening / closing part 10 that is rotatable relative to the housing 2, and an open state in which a document S can be placed thereon.
[0028] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the case 20 is box-shaped and opens on the -Z side, and constitutes an internal bottom surface 2D and internal side surfaces 2F, 2B, 2R, and 2L of the housing 2. The internal bottom surface 2D defines the +Z side of the internal space of the housing 2. The internal side surface 2F defines the +Y side of the internal space of the housing 2. The internal side surface 2B defines the -Y side of the internal space of the housing 2. The internal side surface 2R defines the +X side of the internal space of the housing 2. The internal side surface 2L defines the -X side of the internal space of the housing 2. The document table 4 and the frame 3 are arranged to cover the opening of the case 20, thereby defining the internal space of the housing 2.
[0029] The document table opening / closing section 10 is equipped with an automatic document reading mechanism. The scanner 1 has a mode in which the document S is placed on the placement surface 4S and reads the document S, and a mode in which the document S is set in the document setting section 10S of the document table opening / closing section 10 and the automatic document reading mechanism is activated to read the document S transported to the transport surface 4T.
[0030] A support portion 21 that supports the cable 40 is provided on the inner bottom surface 2D of the case 20. The support portion 21 faces the reading surface 4Y and extends in the X-axis direction along the reading surface 4Y. The support portion 21 is provided at a position that overlaps with the frame 3 in the Y-axis direction.
[0031] The image reading unit 6 is provided inside the housing 2 so as to be able to read the original S placed on the placement surface 4S and the original S transported on the transport surface 4T. The image reading unit 6 is also provided between the reading surface 4Y and the support part 21 in the Z-axis direction.
[0032] The image reading unit 6 includes a reading unit 7 and a carriage 8. The image reading unit 6 reads an original by moving in the scanning direction, i.e., the X direction. The image reading unit 6 is provided in the internal space of the housing 2 so as to extend in the Y axis direction.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the carriage 8 moves back and forth in the X-axis direction while being guided by a guide portion 5G provided on the inner bottom surface 2D of the case 20. A conveyor belt 5B is fixed to the carriage 8. The conveyor belt 5B is wound around a pulley 5P and a belt driving portion 5M. By driving the belt driving portion 5M, the carriage 8 moves back and forth in the X-axis direction while being guided by the guide portion 5G.
[0034] 3 and 4, the cable 40 electrically connects the image reading unit 6 and the control unit 15. The cable 40 is a thin-plate wiring material having a plurality of core wires 50, and is a flexible flat cable. The core wires 50 are covered with an insulator such as resin. The core wires 50 may also be referred to as wiring.
[0035] 11, terminal portions 40a and 40b indicate one end and the other end of cable 40. One surface of core wire 50 in terminal portions 40a and 40b is covered with an insulator and the other surface is exposed. Cable 40 is provided inside housing 2 so that multiple core wires 50 are aligned in the Y-axis direction and terminal portion 40a of cable 40 extends in the X-axis direction.
[0036] The cable 40 has a first wiring portion 41, a second wiring portion 42, a third wiring portion 43, a fourth wiring portion 44, a fifth wiring portion 45, and a sixth wiring portion 46. The second wiring portion 42, the third wiring portion 43, the fourth wiring portion 44, and the fifth wiring portion 45 extend along the X-axis direction.
[0037] The first wiring portion 41 is a region that connects the terminal portion 40a to the second wiring portion 42. The first wiring portion 41 includes a wiring 41a that extends in the −X direction from the terminal portion 40a, a wiring 41b that extends in the −Z direction from the wiring 41a, a wiring 41c that is folded back from the wiring 41b, and a wiring 41d that extends in the −Y direction from the wiring 41c.
[0038] The second wiring portion 42 continues from the wiring 41d of the first wiring portion 41 and includes a wiring 42a and a wiring 42b that are folded back.
[0039] The third wiring portion 43 is a region whose length changes depending on the position of the image reading unit 6 in the X-axis direction. For example, in the X-axis direction, the length of the third wiring portion 43 when the image reading unit 6 is located on the +X-direction side of the center of the movable area is longer than the length of the third wiring portion 43 when the image reading unit 6 is located at the center of the movable area.
[0040] 10 and 11, the third wiring portion 43 of the cable 40 has a folding region C folded along the longitudinal direction. The folding region C is provided in a portion of the third wiring portion 43 that faces the platen 4 due to movement of the image reading unit 6. Here, the folding region C may include the range of the folding tolerance in addition to the actual folded region.
[0041] 11, a ridge 43C is formed on the third wiring portion 43 in the folding region C. The ridge 43C is folded so as to face outward from a curved portion 44a (described later). The ridge 43C faces the platen 4.
[0042] 12A and 12B, the peak 43C is composed of a first surface 43C1 of the third wiring portion 43, a second surface 43C2 of the third wiring portion 43, and a portion where the first surface 43C1 and the second surface 43C2 are connected, i.e., a peak 43Ca. The angle of the peak 43C, i.e., the folding angle θ between the first surface 43C1 and the second surface 43C2, is an obtuse angle. The folding angle θ is, for example, 120°.
[0043] The fourth wiring portion 44 of the cable 40 has a curved portion 44a where the direction of extension changes toward the -X direction. In other words, the curved portion 44a is curved along a plane that intersects with the platen 4. In this embodiment, the curved portion 44a is curved along the XZ plane that intersects with the platen 4.
[0044] The length of the cable 40 is a length that allows the image reading unit 6 to move from the -X direction end (see FIGS. 8 and 9) of the movable area to the +X direction end (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The length of the cable 40 is set to a length that prevents the bulge of the fourth wiring part 44 in the -X direction from contacting the inner side surface 2L when the image reading unit 6 is located at the -X direction end of the movable area.
[0045] In this way, because the folding angle θ is an obtuse angle, even when the image reading unit 6 moves back and forth in the scanning direction, the peaks 43C can repeatedly become flat at the curved portion 44a and then become peaks again in the portions other than the curved portion 44a. In other words, it is possible to suppress adverse effects on the folding area C due to the movement of the image reading unit 6 in the scanning direction.
[0046] Furthermore, cable 40 curves along the plane that intersects with platen 4, in other words, curves vertically, so that cable 40 facing platen 4 and platen 4 may rub against each other.
[0047] Furthermore, even when cable 40 comes into contact with document table 4, because cable 40 has folded region C with ridges 43C, only apexes 43Ca of ridges 43C come into contact with document table 4. This makes it possible to reduce the frictional force at the portion that comes into contact with cable 40, thereby preventing cable 40 from getting tangled or image reading failures at image reading unit 6 due to cable 40 not moving smoothly, which may occur when frictional force is large.
[0048] Furthermore, the folded region C is provided only in the portion of the cable 40 that faces the platen 4, i.e., only a portion of the region is made into the ridge 43C, thereby more efficiently reducing friction. For example, the folded region C may be provided in the region of the cable 40 that may become the second wiring portion 42 and the third wiring portion 43 as the image reading unit 6 moves, and the folded region C may not be provided in the first wiring portion 41 and the sixth wiring portion 46.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 12A, the third wiring portion 43 of the cable 40 does not have the core wires 50 in the center portion F in the width direction, i.e., the Y direction. In FIG. 12A, the core wires 50 are schematically exposed, but it is preferable that the core wires 50 are covered with an insulating film or the like. The center portion F is, for example, a region where four core wires 50 are provided. In other words, the core wires 50 are not arranged in the portion of the ridge 43C formed on the cable 40. In other words, the image reading unit 6 and the control unit 15 are not electrically connected in the folded region C of the cable 40.
[0050] In this way, since the folded area C is an area that is not used as wiring, even if it is folded at the ridge 43C, it is possible to prevent problems such as the core wire 50 breaking or the core wire 50 shorting out.
[0051] 11 , the fifth wiring portion 45 is a portion that extends in the +X direction along the support portion 21. The cable 40 is supported by the support portion 21 in the fifth wiring portion 45. The fifth wiring portion 45 is a portion whose length changes depending on the position of the image reading unit 6 in the X-axis direction. For example, the length of the fifth wiring portion 45 when the image reading unit 6 is located on the +X-direction side of the center of the movable area in the X-axis direction is shorter than the length of the fifth wiring portion 45 when the image reading unit 6 is located at the center of the movable area.
[0052] The sixth wiring section 46 is a section having the terminal section 40b as its end. The sixth wiring section 46 includes a wiring 46a folded back from the fifth wiring section 45, a wiring 46b extending in the -Y direction from the wiring 46a, and a wiring 46c extending in the -Z direction from the wiring 46b. The cable 40 extends into the document table opening / closing section 10 through the external space of the housing 2, and the terminal section 40b is connected to a connector 16 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) provided in the control section 15.
[0053] Furthermore, to reduce the friction between the cable 40 and the contact portion of the cable 40, a low-friction member 60 may be attached to the reading surface 4Y of the platen 4, as shown in FIG. 13 . However, in this embodiment, the image reading unit 6 is provided with contact portions 61a and 61b that detect the distance between the reading surface 4Y and the image reading unit 6. The contact portions 61a and 61b contact a contact portion contact area 61 of the reading surface 4Y when the image reading unit 6 moves in the X direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the contact portions 61a and 61b are arranged so that the contact area and the area facing the cable 40 overlap when viewed in the Z axis direction, thereby reducing the size of the scanner 1. For reasons that will be described later, it is not preferable to attach the low-friction member 60 to the contact portion contact area 61, and therefore the position where the low-friction member 60 can be attached is limited.
[0054] 13, the distance L1 between the low-friction member 60 and the contact area 61 is, for example, about 2 mm. If the low-friction member 60 is arranged over a wide area so as to overlap the width of the cable 40 in the Y direction in order to reduce frictional force using the low-friction member 60 without providing the folding area C in the cable 40, problems will occur due to contact between the contact areas 61a, 61b and the low-friction member 60. In other words, if the low-friction member 60 is arranged so that the entire cable 40 in the Y direction overlaps with the low-friction member 60 in order to reduce frictional force without providing the folding area C in the cable 40, the size of the scanner 1 in the Y direction may increase. Therefore, it is not preferable to reduce frictional force by attaching the low-friction member 60 to the reading surface 4Y.
[0055] However, since cable 40 of this embodiment has folding region C with ridges 43C, only tops 43Ca of ridges 43C come into contact with platen 4. This makes it possible to reduce the frictional force at the portion that comes into contact with cable 40 without attaching low-friction member 60. Note that folding region C may be positioned away from abutment contact region 61, and low-friction member 60 may be provided at the portion of platen 4 that comes into contact with tops 43Ca of ridges 43C. With this configuration, a portion of cable 40 is arranged to overlap abutment contact region 61, thereby making it possible to more effectively reduce frictional force while miniaturizing scanner 1.
[0056] As described above, the scanner 1 of this embodiment comprises an image reading unit 6 that reads a document by moving in the scanning direction, a control unit 15 that controls the image reading unit 6, and a cable 40 that electrically connects the image reading unit 6 and the control unit 15, and the cable 40 has a curved portion 44a, and in a folding region C that is folded along the longitudinal direction, the folded peak 43C is folded so that it faces outward from the curved portion 44a, and in the folding region C, the image reading unit 6 and the control unit 15 are not electrically connected.
[0057] Furthermore, the cable 40 of this embodiment is a flexible flat cable that electrically connects the image reading unit 6, which reads a document by moving in the scanning direction, and the control unit 15, which controls the image reading unit 6. The cable 40 has a curved portion 44a, and in a folding region C that is folded along the longitudinal direction, the folded peak 43C is folded so that it faces outward from the curved portion 44a, and in the folding region C, the image reading unit 6 and the control unit 15 are not electrically connected.
[0058] In addition, the manufacturing method of cable 40 in this embodiment is a manufacturing method of cable 40 that electrically connects image reading unit 6, which reads a document by moving in the scanning direction, and control unit 15, which controls image reading unit 6, and includes folding in folding region C along the longitudinal direction so that folded peak 43C faces outward from curved portion 44a, and not electrically connecting image reading unit 6 and control unit 15 in folding region C.
[0059] In addition, the manufacturing method of the scanner 1 of this embodiment is a manufacturing method of the scanner 1 which is equipped with an image reading unit 6 which reads a document by moving in the scanning direction, a control unit 15 which controls the image reading unit 6, and a cable 40 which electrically connects the image reading unit 6 and the control unit 15, and includes folding the cable 40 in a folding region C along the longitudinal direction of the cable 40 so that the folded peak faces outward from the curved portion 44a, not electrically connecting the image reading unit 6 and the control unit 15 in the folding region C, and connecting the cable 40 to the image reading unit 6 and the control unit 15.
[0060] According to these configurations, the folded region C of the cable 40 is not electrically connected to the image reading unit 6 and the control unit 15; in other words, it is not used as wiring, so even if the cable 40 is folded at the ridge 43C, it is possible to prevent problems such as breakage of the core wire 50 or a short circuit of the core wire 50. Furthermore, even if the cable 40 folded at the ridge 43C along the longitudinal direction comes into contact with the document table 4, for example, only the top 43Ca of the linear ridge 43C comes into contact, so it is possible to reduce frictional forces, and it is possible to prevent the cable 40 from getting tangled or a reading error caused by a malfunction of the image reading unit 6.
[0061] Furthermore, in the scanner 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable that no wiring electrically connecting the image reading unit 6 and the control unit 15 is provided in the folding region C of the cable 40. With this configuration, no wiring is provided, in other words, the core wire 50 that serves as the wiring is not arranged in the folding region C, so that it is possible to prevent problems such as breakage of the core wire 50 or short-circuiting of the core wire 50. In addition, since the core wire 50 is not provided, it is possible to reduce costs.
[0062] In addition, in the scanner 1 of this embodiment, the folding angle θ of the cable 40 is preferably an obtuse angle. With this configuration, the folding angle θ is an obtuse angle, so that the peaks 43C can repeatedly become flat and then return to the peaks 43C even when the image reading unit 6 moves back and forth in the scanning direction. In other words, it is possible to reduce resistance between the cable 40 and the contacting portion, and also to prevent adverse effects on the folding area C.
[0063] Furthermore, the scanner 1 of this embodiment includes a document table 4 on which a document to be read by the image reading unit 6 is placed, and the cable 40 preferably curves along a plane that intersects with the document table 4. With this configuration, the cable 40 curves along a plane that intersects with the document table 4, in other words, curves vertically, which may cause friction between the cable 40 and the document table 4. However, because the cable 40 is bent at the ridge 43C, it is possible to limit the portion that comes into contact with the document table 4 to the apex 43Ca of the ridge 43C, thereby reducing friction. This prevents the cable 40 from getting tangled or prevents reading errors due to malfunctions of the image reading unit 6.
[0064] Furthermore, in scanner 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable that folded peak 43C of cable 40 faces platen 4. With this configuration, peak 43C faces platen 4, which may cause friction between platen 4 and peak 43C of cable 40. However, because cable 40 is folded at peak 43C, it is possible for the portion that comes into contact with platen 4 to be limited to apex 43Ca of peak 43C only, thereby reducing frictional force.
[0065] Furthermore, in the scanner 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the cable 40 has a folded region C in a portion that faces the platen 4 as the image reading unit 6 moves. According to this configuration, the folded region C is provided only in the portion of the cable 40 that faces the platen 4, that is, only a portion of the region is made into a ridge 43C, so that friction can be reduced more efficiently.
[0066] Furthermore, in the scanner 1 of this embodiment, the image reading unit 6 has contact portions 61a and 61b that contact the platen 4, and it is preferable that the contact portion contact area 61 where the contact portions 61a and 61b contact overlap with the area of the platen 4 that faces the cable 40. With this configuration, the contact portions 61a and 61b contact the platen 4, and therefore, for example, the distance between the position detection unit and the platen 4 can be adjusted appropriately. Furthermore, since the contact portion contact area 61 where the contact portions 61a and 61b contact overlap with the area that faces the cable 40, the scanner 1 can be made more compact. Furthermore, if a measure such as attaching a low-friction member 60 to the area of the platen 4 that faces the cable 40 is taken to reduce friction between the cable 40 and the platen 4, the contact of the contact portions 61a and 61b may cause the distance between the position detection unit and the platen 4 to become inappropriate, or the positional relationship may become inappropriate due to repeated sliding. However, since the folding area C is provided, there is no need to attach the low-friction member 60 to the document table 4, and problems such as the cable 40 getting tangled can be prevented.
[0067] Furthermore, the recording device 100 of this embodiment includes the scanner 1 described above and a recording unit 101 that records on a medium an image read by the scanner 1. This configuration makes it possible to provide a recording device 100 such as a multifunction peripheral that can prevent problems from occurring in the cable 40.
[0068] Modifications of the above-described embodiment will now be described.
[0069] As described above, the cable 40 is not limited to having no core wires 50 arranged in the central portion F, i.e., the folded region C, and the core wires 50 may be arranged in the folded region C. In this case, for example, the four core wires 50 arranged in the folded region C are configured not to transmit control signals.
[0070] As described above, in the scanner 1 of the modified example, the cable 40 has a plurality of wires that electrically connect the image reading unit 6 and the control unit 15, and it is preferable that the wires located in the folding region C do not transmit control signals. With this configuration, by not using wires made of the core wire 50 located in the folding region C, even if the core wire 50 breaks in the folding region C, it is possible to suppress electrical influences. Furthermore, since the core wire 50 is located in all regions, the cable 40 can be used for general purposes.
[0071] Furthermore, when the core wires 50 are arranged in the folding region C as in the above-described modified example, the wiring located in the folding region C is preferably grounded. With this configuration, the core wires 50 arranged in the folding region C are grounded, so that it is possible to prevent unused core wires 50 from floating electrically, in other words, to prevent the occurrence of a potential difference. This makes it possible to suppress the effects of noise, etc. Furthermore, if there is no risk of being affected by noise, the wiring may be connected in the same way as a power line of about 3 V to 5 V.
[0072] Furthermore, the number of core wires 50 in the folded region C is not limited to 4. Furthermore, the position of the peak 43C is not limited to the center portion F of the cable 40.
[0073] As described above, the curved portion 44a of the cable 40 is curved along a plane that intersects with the platen 4, that is, not limited to being curved along the vertical direction, but may be curved along a horizontal plane. If the curved portion 44a is curved along a horizontal plane, the cable 40 will come into contact with a member on its side. Even in this case, only the peak 43C of the cable 40 comes into contact with the member on the side, thereby reducing friction between the cable 40 and the member.
[0074] As described above, the scanner 1 is not limited to having the ADF function, and may be configured so that the user places one document on the document table 4 and has the image reading unit 6 read it. [Explanation of symbols]
[0075] 1...scanner as image reading device, 2...casing, 2B...internal side surface, 2D...internal bottom surface, 2F, 2L, 2R...internal side surface, 3...frame, 4...document table, 4S...loading surface, 4T...transport surface, 4Y...reading surface, 5B...transport belt, 5G...guide section, 5M...belt drive section, 5P...pulley, 6...image reading section, 7...reading unit, 8...carriage, 10...document table opening / closing section, 10S...document setting section, 12...guide section, 12a...first edge guide, 12b...second edge guide, 13...output tray, 15...control section, 16...connector, 20...case, 21...support section, 40...flexible flat cable cable as a recording device, 40a, 40b...terminal portion, 41...first wiring portion, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d...wiring, 42...second wiring portion, 42a, 42b...wiring, 43...third wiring portion, 43C...mountain, 43C1...first surface, 43C2...second surface, 43Ca...top, 44...fourth wiring portion, 44a...curved portion, 45...fifth wiring portion, 46...sixth wiring portion, 46a...wiring, 46b...wiring, 46c...wiring, 50...core wire, 60...low-friction member, 61...contact area of abutment portion, 61a...abutment portion, 100...recording device, 101...recording unit as a recording portion, 102...paper feed portion, 104...operation portion, 105...paper discharge portion, 108...recording head.
Claims
1. an image reading unit that reads an original by moving in a scanning direction; a control unit that controls the image reading unit; a flexible flat cable that electrically connects the image reading unit and the control unit; Equipped with the flexible flat cable has a curved portion, and is folded in a folding region along the longitudinal direction so that the folded peak faces outward from the curved portion; In the image reading device, the image reading unit and the control unit are not electrically connected in the folding region.
2. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, In the image reading device, wiring electrically connecting the image reading unit and the control unit is not provided in the folded region of the flexible flat cable.
3. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, the flexible flat cable has a plurality of wires that electrically connect the image reading unit and the control unit, An image reading device, wherein the wiring located in the folding region does not transmit a control signal.
4. 4. The image reading device according to claim 3, The wiring located in the folding region is grounded.
5. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, The image reading device, wherein the bending angle of the flexible flat cable is an obtuse angle.
6. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, a document table on which the document to be read by the image reading unit is placed, the flexible flat cable is curved along a plane that intersects with the document table; Image reading device.
7. 7. The image reading device according to claim 6, The image reading device, wherein the folded peak of the flexible flat cable faces the document table.
8. 8. The image reading device according to claim 7, The image reading device, wherein the flexible flat cable has the folded region at a portion that faces the document table when the image reading unit moves.
9. 7. The image reading device according to claim 6, the image reading unit has a contact portion that contacts the document table, In the image reading device, an area of the document table where the contact portion comes into contact and an area where the flexible flat cable faces overlap.
10. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a recording unit that records the image read by the image reading device on a medium; A recording device comprising:
11. A flexible flat cable electrically connecting an image reading unit that reads a document by moving in a scanning direction and a control unit that controls the image reading unit, having a curved portion, In the folding region along the longitudinal direction, the folded peaks are folded so as to face outward from the curved portion, The image reading unit and the control unit are not electrically connected in the folded region of the flexible flat cable.
12. A method for manufacturing a flexible flat cable that electrically connects an image reading unit that reads a document by moving in a scanning direction and a control unit that controls the image reading unit, comprising: Folding the folded portion in the longitudinal folding region so that the folded peak faces outward from the curved portion; the image reading unit and the control unit are not electrically connected in the folding region; A method for manufacturing a flexible flat cable, comprising:
13. A method for manufacturing an image reading device including an image reading unit that reads a document by moving in a scanning direction, a control unit that controls the image reading unit, and a flexible flat cable that electrically connects the image reading unit and the control unit, folding the flexible flat cable in a folding region along the longitudinal direction of the flexible flat cable so that the folded peak faces outward from the curved portion; the image reading unit and the control unit are not electrically connected in the folding region; connecting the flexible flat cable to the image reading unit and the control unit; A method for manufacturing an image reading device.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus
JP2020150508A