IMAGE READING APPARATUS

• US 20160014289A1
• Filed: 07/09/2015
• Published: 01/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: TAMAI, Kensuke
• Granted Patent: US 9,332,143 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00549 Counter-measures for mechanical vibration not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00557 Connection or assembly of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00559 Mounting or support of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence

Abstract

An image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit that is reciprocally movable in a predetermined direction; a guide member that supports the image reading unit and guides the image reading unit in the predetermined direction; a first cable that is fixed to the image reading unit at one end of the first cable and is deformable in accordance with a movement of the image reading unit; and a second cable that is fixed to the image reading unit at one end of the second cable and is deformable in accordance with the movement of the image reading unit, wherein the first cable and the second cable are provided such that a rotation moment of the image reading unit generated by a reaction force of the first cable and a rotation moment of the image reading unit generated by a reaction force of the second cable cancel each other out.

Claims

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

an image reading unit that is reciprocally movable in a predetermined direction;

a guide member that supports the image reading unit and guides the image reading unit in the predetermined direction;

a first cable that is fixed to the image reading unit at one end of the first cable and is deformable in accordance with a movement of the image reading unit; and

a second cable that is fixed to the image reading unit at one end of the second cable and is deformable in accordance with the movement of the image reading unit,

wherein the first cable and the second cable are provided such that a rotation moment of the image reading unit generated by a reaction force of the first cable and a rotation moment of the image reading unit generated by a reaction force of the second cable cancel each other out.

2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein a fixing position in the image reading unit where the first cable is fixed to the image reading unit and a fixing position in the image reading unit where the second cable is fixed to the image reading unit are opposite each other with respect to the guide member.

3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein rigidity of the first cable is different from rigidity of the second cable, and

wherein in the image reading unit, the fixing position of one of the first cable and the second cable, which has lower rigidity than another one of the first cable and the second cable, is further from the guide member than the fixing position of the other one of the first cable and the second cable which has higher rigidity than the one of the first cable and the second cable.

4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein the one of the first cable and the second cable, which has lower rigidity, supplies electric power to a driving source which drives the image reading unit, and

wherein the other one of the first cable and the second cable, which has higher rigidity, transmits image data obtained by reading performed by the image reading unit.

5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4,

wherein the fixing position of the first cable and the fixing position of the second cable in the image reading unit are set according to a position of the guide member.

6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5,

wherein the image reading unit includes a reading sensor for reading an image, and a carriage which holds the reading sensor and is guided by the guide member, and

the first cable and the second cable are fixed to the carriage.

7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

an engaging portion that engages the guide member with the carriage; and

a connecting portion that connects one end of each of the first cable and the second cable to the carriage,

wherein the connecting portion is disposed toward the fixing position of the second cable with respect to the guide member,

wherein the one end of the first cable is connected to the connecting portion via one surface of the carriage in a scanning direction of the carriage, and

wherein a width of the first cable is smaller than a width of the second cable such that the first cable does not overlap the engaging portion.