Image reading device, image forming device, and paper feed tray

Abstract

To provide an image reading device that does not include a document conveying function and can perform sterilization of a document, and an image reading device that has the document conveying function and can perform sterilization of the document when reading the document without using the function.SOLUTION: In an image reading device including a document irradiation light source 333, a sterilization effect light irradiation light source is used as the document irradiation light source. The sterilization effect light irradiation light source includes a UV-C lamp with a wavelength of less than 280 nm. Preferably, a UV-C lamp with a wavelength of 254 nm is used. A UV-C lamp with a wavelength of 222 nm may also be used. The sterilization effect light irradiation light source may be provided on a conveyance path of a sheet in an image forming apparatus body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device, an image forming device, and a paper feed tray. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image reading devices equipped with a document irradiation light source are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes such an image reading device in which a sterilizing light source lamp is disposed midway along the ADF transport path of the reading device in order to provide a reading device capable of sterilizing a document while transporting the document. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, there is room for improvement in disinfection of documents in image reading devices that do not have a document transport function, and in disinfection of documents when an image reading device that has a document transport function reads a document without using this function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an image reading device equipped with a document irradiating light source, the document irradiating light source being a sterilizing light irradiating light source. The sterilization light source is a UV-C lamp with a wavelength of 222 nm. It is characterized by the above. Effect of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, it is possible to disinfect an original in an image reading device that does not have an original transport function, and to disinfect an original when reading an original in an image reading device that has an original transport function but does not use this function. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] [Image formation process of image forming device] The image forming apparatus equipped with the document reading device to which the present invention can be applied includes the following: An image forming apparatus having at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image, a transfer means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and a fixing means for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium, and further having other means appropriately selected as necessary, such as a charge removing means, a cleaning means, a recycling means, a control means, etc. Such a recording method can be applied to an image forming apparatus of another type, such as an inkjet recording method, instead of an electrophotographic type. It can also be applied to an image reading device alone. An electrophotographic type image forming apparatus will be described below.

[0008] The electrostatic latent image carrier (sometimes referred to as an "electrophotographic photoreceptor" or "photoreceptor") is not particularly limited in terms of its material, shape, structure, size, etc., and can be appropriately selected from known ones. A preferred shape is a drum shape, and examples of its material include inorganic photoreceptors such as amorphous silicon and selenium, and organic photoreceptors (OPC) such as polysilane and phthalopolymethine.

[0009] The electrostatic latent image can be formed, for example, by uniformly charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and then exposing it to light in an imagewise manner, by an electrostatic latent image forming unit. The electrostatic latent image forming unit includes, for example, at least a charger that uniformly charges the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and an exposure unit that imagewise exposes the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier.

[0010] Charging can be performed, for example, by applying a voltage to the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing member using a charger. The charger is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but examples thereof include a contact charger known per se equipped with a conductive or semiconductive roll, brush, film, rubber blade, etc., and a non-contact charger utilizing corona discharge such as a corotron or scorotron.

[0011] The charger is preferably one that is arranged in contact or non-contact with the electrostatic latent image carrier and charges the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier by applying superimposed DC and AC voltages to the electrostatic latent image carrier. Also, the charger is preferably a charging roller that is arranged in close proximity to the electrostatic latent image carrier in a non-contact manner via a gap tape and charges the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier by applying superimposed DC and AC voltages to the charging roller.

[0012] The exposure can be carried out, for example, by exposing the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier to light in an imagewise manner using an exposure device. The exposure device is not particularly limited as long as it can expose the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier charged by a charger to light in an imagewise manner to be formed, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples of the exposure device include various exposure devices such as a copying optical system, a rod lens array system, a laser optical system, and a liquid crystal shutter optical system. In the present invention, a backlight system in which exposure is performed imagewise from the back side of the electrostatic latent image bearing member may be adopted.

[0013] The formation of a visible image can be carried out, for example, by developing an electrostatic latent image with the toner of the present invention, and can be carried out by a developing means. The developing means is not particularly limited as long as it can develop an image with a toner, and can be appropriately selected from known means. For example, a developing means that contains a toner and has at least a developing unit that can apply the developer to the electrostatic latent image in a contact or non-contact manner is preferable, and a developing unit equipped with a toner container is more preferable.

[0014] The transfer can be performed, for example, by charging a latent electrostatic image carrier (photoconductor) with a transfer charger, and can be performed by a transfer means. The transfer means preferably has a primary transfer means for transferring the visible image onto an intermediate transfer body to form a composite transfer image, and a secondary transfer means for transferring the composite transfer image onto a recording medium. The intermediate transfer body is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known transfer bodies depending on the purpose, and a transfer belt or the like is preferably used.

[0015] The transfer means (primary transfer means, secondary transfer means) preferably has at least a transfer device that peels and charges a visible image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor) onto a recording medium. The number of transfer means may be one or more. Examples of the transfer device include a corona transfer device using corona discharge, a transfer belt, a transfer roller, a pressure transfer roller, an adhesive transfer device, etc. The recording medium is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known recording media (recording paper).

[0016] The fixing device is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but a known heating and pressurizing means is suitable. Examples of the heating and pressurizing means include a combination of a heating roller and a pressure roller, a combination of a heating roller, a pressure roller and an endless belt, etc.

[0017] The discharging means is not particularly limited as long as it can apply a discharging bias to the electrostatic latent image bearing member, and can be appropriately selected from known discharging devices. For example, a discharging lamp is preferably used.

[0018] The cleaning means is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be appropriately selected from among known cleaners. Suitable examples of the cleaning means include magnetic brush cleaners, electrostatic brush cleaners, magnetic roller cleaners, blade cleaners, brush cleaners, and web cleaners.

[0019] The control means is a means for controlling each of the means. The control means is not particularly limited as long as it can control the movement of each of the means, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the control means includes devices such as a sequencer and a computer.

[0020] [Configuration of image forming device] 1 shows an example of the internal configuration of a color image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This specific example is a tandem-type indirect transfer type electrophotographic copying apparatus, but the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this specific example. In the figure, reference numeral 150 denotes a copying apparatus main body, 200 denotes a paper feed table on which the copying apparatus main body 150 is placed, 300 denotes an image reading apparatus attached to the copying apparatus main body 150, and 400 denotes an automatic document feeder (ADF) attached further above that.

[0021] An endless belt-like intermediate transfer body 50 extending laterally is provided at the center of the copying machine main body 150. In the illustrated example, the intermediate transfer body is looped around three support rollers 14, 15, and 16 so that it can be rotated clockwise in the drawing. Of the three support rollers, an intermediate transfer body cleaning device 17 is provided to the left of the second support roller 15 to remove residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer body 50 after image transfer.

[0022] Furthermore, on the intermediate transfer body 50 stretched between the first support roller 14 and the second support roller 15 among the three support rollers, four image forming means 18 of yellow, cyan, magenta and black are arranged side by side along the transport direction to form a tandem image forming section 20. In the tandem image forming section 20, each image forming means 18 is provided with a charging device, a developing device, a primary transfer device 62, a static eliminator, etc., around the drum-shaped photoconductor 10.

[0023] An exposure device 21 is provided directly above the tandem image forming section 20. On the other hand, a secondary transfer device 22 is provided on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer body 50 from the tandem image forming section 20.

[0024] In the illustrated example, the secondary transfer device 22 is configured by stretching an endless secondary transfer belt 24 between two rollers 23, and is arranged by pressing it against a third support roller 16 via an intermediate transfer body 50, and transfers the image on the intermediate transfer body 50 onto a sheet. A fixing device 25 is provided next to the secondary transfer device 22 to fix the transferred image on the sheet.

[0025] The fixing device 25 is configured by pressing a pressure roller 27 against a fixing belt 26, which is an endless belt. The above-mentioned secondary transfer device 22 also has a sheet transport function for transporting the sheet after image transfer to this fixing device 25. In the illustrated example, below the secondary transfer device 22 and the fixing device 25, a sheet inverting device 28 that inverts the sheet to record images on both sides of the sheet is provided in parallel with the above-mentioned tandem image forming section 20. In the illustrated example, a manual feed tray 54, and transport rollers 52 and a transport path 53 for sheets from the manual feed tray 54 are also provided.

[0026] The paper feed table 200 is a paper feed table on which the copying machine main body 150 is placed. Paper feed trays 44 are provided in multiple stages in the paper bank 43. In the figure, three stages of paper feed trays are stored in the paper bank 43. Each paper feed tray 44 is provided with a paper feed roller 42 and a separation roller 45. A plurality of transport rollers 47 are provided in a paper feed path 46 in the paper feed table 200.

[0027] The image reading device 300 includes a contact glass 32, a first moving body 33, a second moving body 34, an imaging lens 35, a reading sensor 36, and the like.

[0028] The automatic document feeder 400 includes the document No. 30 and a document feed mechanism. Fig. 2(a) is an enlarged view of the image reading device 300 and the automatic document feeder 400. The document feed mechanism in the illustrated example includes a document detection sensor 70, a feed belt 71, a conveyor belt 72, a paper discharge drive roller 73, a paper discharge roller pair 74, a switchback path 75, and the like.

[0029] The conveyor belt 72 stops the document on the contact glass 32, reads the surface facing the contact glass, then turns the document over and places the other surface facing the contact glass to read the back surface, thereby enabling double-sided reading. For this purpose, a conveyor path switching claw is arranged around the discharge drive roller 73, and a forward / reverse rotating conveyor roller that switches between entering and leaving the switchback path 75 is also arranged. The conveyor belt 72 is moved in the reverse feed direction as necessary. A structure other than that shown in the figure can also be used as a structure capable of double-sided reading.

[0030] 2(b) is a perspective view showing the operation unit 500. The operation unit 500 is provided with an operation panel 80, a start button 81, and the like.

[0031] [Image formation operation] Next, the image forming operation will be described. First, when making a copy using this color electrophotographic device, when an original is set on the original tray 30, the original is detected by the original detection sensor 70. When the original on the original tray 30 is detected, the image reading device 300 is in a state in which it can start operating (standby state). In this standby state, pressing the start button 81 starts the original transport operation.

[0032] Alternatively, the automatic document feeder 400 is opened, a document is set on the contact glass 32 of the image reading device 300, and the automatic document feeder 400 is closed to hold the document down. The automatic document feeder 400 functions as a cover member that can be opened and closed over the contact glass 32 as a document placement section. When the start button 81 is pressed, if a document is set on the automatic document feeder 400, the document is transported and moved onto the contact glass 32, and if a document is set on the contact glass 32, the image reading device 300 is immediately driven to travel on the first traveling body 33 and the second traveling body 34.

[0033] Light is emitted from a light source lamp 333 arranged on the first traveling body 33, and the light reflected from the document surface is further reflected toward the second traveling body 34, reflected by a mirror of the second traveling body 34, passes through an imaging lens 35, and enters a reading sensor 36, where the contents of the document are read.

[0034] Furthermore, when the start button 81 is pressed, the drive motor drives and rotates one of the support rollers 14, 15, 16, which in turn rotates the other two support rollers, thereby rotating and transporting the intermediate transfer body 50. At the same time, each image forming means 18 rotates its photoconductor 10 to form monochrome images of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black on each photoconductor 10. Then, as the intermediate transfer body 50 is transported, these monochrome images are transferred in sequence to form a composite color image on the intermediate transfer body 50.

[0035] On the other hand, when start button 81 is pressed, one of paper feed rollers 42 of paper feed table 200 is selectively rotated, a sheet is fed from one of paper feed trays 44 provided in multiple stages in paper bank 43, separated one by one by separation roller 45, and placed in paper feed path 46. In paper feed path 46, the sheet is transported by transport roller 47 and guided to paper feed path 48 inside copying machine main body 150, where it is stopped by hitting registration roller 49. Then, registration roller 49 is rotated in time with the composite color image on intermediate transfer body 50, and the sheet is fed between intermediate transfer body 50 and secondary transfer device 22, and the sheet is transferred by secondary transfer device 22 to record a color image on the sheet.

[0036] After the image has been transferred, the sheet is transported by the secondary transfer device 22 and sent to the fixing device 25, where the transferred image is fixed by applying heat and pressure, and then the sheet is switched by the switching claw 55 and discharged by the discharge rollers 56 and stacked on the paper output tray 57. Alternatively, the sheet is switched by the switching claw 55 and put into the sheet inverting device 28, where it is inverted and guided to the transfer position again, an image is also recorded on the back side, and then the sheet is discharged by the discharge rollers 56 onto the paper output tray 57.

[0037] Meanwhile, after the image transfer, the intermediate transfer body 50 is cleaned by the intermediate transfer body cleaning device 17 to remove any residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer body 50 after the image transfer, in preparation for next image formation by the tandem image forming unit 20.

[0038] [Explanation of the light source lamp and sterilization operation] In this embodiment, a sterilization means for sterilizing a document is described. In order to enable sterilization of a document when the document is read by an image reading device having a document conveying function without using this function, a sterilization light source is used as the light source lamp 333, which is a document irradiation light source. A UV-C lamp (light source lamp) with a wavelength of less than 280 nm can be used as the sterilization light source. It has a high ultraviolet sterilization effect. Preferably, it is a UV-C lamp with a wavelength of 254 nm. It has the highest ultraviolet sterilization effect. A UV-C lamp with a wavelength of 222 nm can also be used. It has an ultraviolet sterilization effect and is safe without affecting the human body.

[0039] Specifically, it is preferable to select, for example, a mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, or other fluorescent lamp as a light source lamp that irradiates light with a wavelength in the ultraviolet region. Among them, a mercury lamp that can secure a sufficient amount of light in the ultraviolet region is suitable. UV-LEDs and excimer lamps can also be used.

[0040] 2(a), such a light source lamp 333 is disposed on the first moving body 33. The intensity of ultraviolet light decreases as the distance from the light source lamp 333 increases. Therefore, it is preferable to place the light source lamp 333 as close to the contact glass 32 as possible.

[0041] When reading an image of an original or the like that can be transported by the automatic original transport device 400, the image reading device 300 is stopped at a reading position for flow reading (the position shown in FIG. 2(a)) facing the contact glass 32, and an image of the original transported on the contact glass 32 is read. The original is irradiated with ultraviolet light at least until the rear end of the original passes the irradiation position where the light source lamp 333 irradiates ultraviolet light.

[0042] When reading an image of a document that cannot be transported by the automatic document feeder 400, the light source lamp 333 disposed on the first traveling body 33 irradiates ultraviolet light while moving from the left end to the right end of the document table along the contact glass 32 by the movement of the first traveling body 33. The ultraviolet light emitted from the light source lamp 333 passes through the contact glass 32 and is irradiated from the left end to the right end of the document.

[0043] In the case where there is a risk that ultraviolet light may leak outside the apparatus and affect the human body, it is preferable to use a light source lamp with a wavelength of 222 nm, which does not affect the human body, as the light source lamp 333. For example, when a thick document such as a book is set on the contact glass 32 and the automatic document feeder 400 is closed and held down, a gap is created, and there is a risk that ultraviolet light may leak outside the apparatus. In contrast, when the automatic document feeder 400 is opened and a document is set on the contact glass 32 of the image reading device 300, and the automatic document feeder 400 is closed and held down properly, the ultraviolet light irradiated from the light source lamp 333 will not leak outside the apparatus through the gap or the like.

[0044] When ultraviolet sterilization is performed on the back side, which is not the document surface side, a sterilization mode is prepared in addition to the single-sided reading operation mode and the double-sided reading operation mode, in which an image is read on one side and the other side is irradiated with the sterilization light emitting light source but image reading is not performed. By setting the document in the automatic document feeder 400 and performing the same operation as the double-sided reading operation in the automatic document feeder, which is provided with a reader for only one side, it is possible to sterilize the image side and the back side simultaneously in one operation.

[0045] During the document sterilization operation, the light source lamp 333 emits light. However, since ultraviolet light is invisible to the naked eye, it is preferable to alert the user by displaying a message such as "Document sterilization in progress" on the operation panel 80 or by turning the operation panel red to alert the user.

[0046] [Sterilization of sheets] In addition to or instead of sterilizing the document, a sterilization light emitting light source can be provided on the sheet transport path of the image forming apparatus body. It is preferable to provide the light source at a position where the light is irradiated onto the sheet fed from the sheet feed tray 44 as the sheet placement unit. The sterilization light emitting light source may be provided on the sheet feed tray itself that is detachable from the image forming apparatus body.

[0047] 2(c) shows a paper feed device in which a light source lamp 334 is provided for the lower paper feed tray 44, forming a sterilization tray 440 for sterilizing sheet-like printing paper. The sterilization tray 440 is replaceable with the standard paper feed tray 44 (the same tray as the paper feed tray located in the middle tier), and when a user wants to use sterilized paper, it can be easily replaced with the sterilization tray 440 as shown in the figure.

[0048] The tray with sterilization function 440 is provided with a light source lamp 334 for sterilizing the print paper. The light source lamp 334 supported by the tray with sterilization function 440 is disposed near the paper feed roller 42, and is the lower of a pair of lamps arranged to sandwich the paper. The upper light source lamp 334 is supported by the paper feed device main body. It irradiates light in conjunction with the paper feed and transport operation of the print paper. For this reason, the tray with sterilization function 440 is provided with a connector that receives power from the paper feed device main body and also receives an ON / OFF control signal as necessary.

[0049] As soon as paper feeding begins, the light source lamp 334 turns on and illuminates the leading edge of the print paper, and as the paper is transported upward, the light is evenly illuminated over the entire paper, right up to the trailing edge. When the trailing edge of the paper has passed, the light source lamp 334 is turned off.

[0050] The light source lamp 334 uses a UV-C lamp (wavelength less than 280 nm) that is effective for ultraviolet sterilization. In particular, using a wavelength of 254 nm is most effective for ultraviolet sterilization. Since the light source lamp 334 is arranged inside the paper feed table 200, there is little risk of ultraviolet light leaking outside the machine, but if there is a risk of it affecting the human body, it is preferable to use a light source lamp with a wavelength of 222 nm that does not affect the human body. In the case of an image forming apparatus having both a document sterilization function and a sheet sterilization function, the following combination is optimal. This is a combination of a UV-C lamp with a wavelength longer than 222 nm for sheet sterilization, particularly a UV-C lamp with a wavelength of 254 nm that has the highest sterilization effect, and a UV-C lamp with a wavelength of 222 nm is used in an image reading apparatus that has a document placement section and a cover member that can be opened and closed over the placement section.

[0051] As described above, in this embodiment, when a document is read by a reading device, the light source that irradiates the document is a light source lamp, so that the document can be sterilized without fail during the document reading operation, whether copying is performed using an ADF or a document table. Books, magazines, and other materials other than printed paper can also be sterilized. In addition, since printed paper is stored in a tray (feed tray) with a sterilization function, it is possible to prevent bacteria and viruses from adhering to the printed paper. Instead of or in addition to a tray for sterilizing sheets, a light source for irradiating sterilizing light may be provided on the sheet transport path downstream of the feed tray. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10: Photoreceptor 14: First support roller 15: Second support roller 16: Third support roller 17: Intermediate transfer body cleaning device 18: Image forming means 20: Tandem image forming unit 21: Exposure equipment 22: Secondary transfer device 23: Laura 24: Secondary transfer belt 25: Fixing device 26: Fixing belt 27: Pressure roller 28: Sheet inversion device 30: Manuscript stand 32: Contact glass 33: First running body 34: Second running body 35: Imaging lens 36: Reading sensor 42: Paper feed roller 43: Paper Bank 44: Paper feed tray 45: Separation roller 46:Paper feed path 47: Transport roller 48:Paper feed path 49: Registration roller 50: Intermediate transfer body 52: Transport roller 53: Transport path 54: Manual feed tray 55: Switching claw 56: Discharge roller 57: Paper output tray 62: Primary transfer device 70: Document detection sensor 71: Feeding belt 72: Conveyor belt 73: Discharge drive roller 74: Paper discharge roller pair 75: Switchback route 80: Operation panel 81: Start button 100: Color image forming apparatus 150: Copying device body 200: Paper feed table 300: Image reader 333: Light source lamp 334: Light source lamp 400: Automatic document feeder 440: Sterilization tray 500: Operation unit [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0053] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-109645 A

Claims

1. In an image reading device equipped with a document illumination light source, A sterilizing light irradiating light source is used as the document irradiating light source, The image reading device is characterized in that the sterilization light irradiation light source is a UV-C lamp having a wavelength of 222 nm.

2. In the image reading device according to claim 1, A document feeder that enables double-sided reading is provided, The image reading device is characterized in that, in addition to the single-sided reading operation mode and the double-sided reading operation mode, an operation mode is provided in which image reading is performed on one side and image reading is not performed on the other side while irradiation with the sterilization light emitting light source is performed.

3. An image forming apparatus including an image reading device and an image forming apparatus main body for forming an image on a sheet, The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2 is used as the image reading device, An image forming apparatus, comprising: a light source for irradiating sterilizing light, the light source being provided on a sheet transport path of the image forming apparatus main body.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, The image reading device according to claim 1, further comprising: a document placement section; and a cover member that is capable of opening and closing the document placement section; The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the sterilization light irradiation light source provided on the transport path is a UV-C lamp having a wavelength longer than 222 nm.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the sterilization light irradiating light source is provided at a position where the light is irradiated onto the sheet being fed from the sheet placement section.

6. A sheet feed tray for storing sheets, comprising: A paper feed tray characterized by being provided with a light source for irradiating sterilizing light.

7. In the paper feed tray according to claim 6, The light source for irradiating the sterilizing light is a UV-C lamp having a wavelength of less than 280 nm.

8. In the paper feed tray according to claim 7, The light source for irradiating the sterilizing light is a UV-C lamp having a wavelength of 254 nm.

9. In the paper feed tray according to claim 7, The light source for irradiating the sterilizing light is a UV-C lamp having a wavelength of 222 nm.

Images