Method and mechanism of attaching readers, and image reading device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12059906-B2
Application number	US-202217938954-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 7, 2022
Priority date	Sep 27, 2021
Publication date	Aug 13, 2024
Grant date	Aug 13, 2024

Abstract

An image reading device includes a plurality of readers, an access opening, and a lift. The plurality of readers read an image on a recording medium. The plurality of readers are arranged around a carrier to rotate while carrying the recording medium on a peripheral surface of the carrier. The plurality of readers are arranged radially about a rotation axis of the carrier. The plurality of readers are to be introduced through the access opening. The lift includes a cable to lift one reader of the plurality of readers introduced through the access opening. The lift lifts and locates the one reader at a predetermined height position around the carrier with the cable.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An image reading device, comprising:
a plurality of readers configured to read an image on a recording medium, the plurality of readers being arranged around a carrier to rotate while carrying the recording medium on a peripheral surface of the carrier, the plurality of readers being arranged radially about a rotation axis of the carrier;
an access opening through which the plurality of readers are to be introduced; and
a lift including a cable configured to lift one reader of the plurality of readers introduced through the access opening, the lift being configured to lift and locate the one reader at a predetermined height position around the carrier with the cable.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the cable includes:
a first cable portion having a first shaft to engage with one end of the one reader; and
a second cable portion having a second shaft to engage with another end of the one reader, said another end being farther from the carrier than the one end is.

3. The image reading device according to claim 2 ,
wherein the first cable portion and the second cable portion are arranged in a pair with respect to an axial direction of the carrier.

4. The image reading device according to claim 3 , further comprising a winder configured to wind the first cable portion and the second cable portion.

5. The image reading device according to claim 4 ,
wherein the winder is configured to wind the second cable portion earlier than the first cable portion to form a slack in the first cable portion.

6. The image reading device according to claim 5 , further comprising a tensioner disposed on the first cable portion and configured to reduce an amount of the slack.

7. The image reading device according to claim 6 , further comprising a restrictor,
wherein the tensioner includes an elastic member configured to reduce the amount of the slack of the first cable portion,
wherein the elastic member is configured to expand such that the first shaft is not lifted by a winding operation of the winder, and
wherein when an amount of winding of the second cable portion by the winder reaches a predetermined amount, the restrictor is configured to restrict expansion of the elastic member to cause the first shaft to ascend.

8. The image reading device according to claim 7 , further comprising another restrictor configured to restrict contraction of the elastic member in a direction opposite to a direction of the expansion.

9. The image reading device according to claim 1 , further comprising a lock mechanism configured to lock rotation of the winder.

10. The image reading device according to claim 1 , further comprising a damper mechanism configured to reduce excessive rotation of the winder.

11. A mechanism of attaching a reader in an image reading device in which a plurality of readers to read an image on a recording medium are arranged around a carrier to convey the recording medium while holding the recording medium on a peripheral surface of the carrier, the plurality of readers being arranged radially about a rotation axis of the carrier, the mechanism comprising:
an access opening through which the plurality of readers are to be introduced to set the plurality of readers at predetermined positions around the carrier; and
a lift including:
a first cable portion having a first shaft to engage with one end of one reader of the plurality of readers introduced through the access opening; and
a second cable portion having a second shaft to engage with another end of the one reader introduced through the access opening, said another end being farther from the carrier than the one end is,

the lift configured to lift and locate the one reader at a predetermined position around the carrier, with the first cable portion and the second cable portion.

12. A method of attaching a reader in an image reading device in which a plurality of readers to read an image on a recording medium are arranged around a carrier to convey the recording medium while holding the recording medium on a peripheral surface of the carrier, the plurality of readers being arranged radially about a rotation axis of the carrier, the method comprising:
introducing the plurality of readers through an access opening, to set the plurality of readers at predetermined positions around the carrier;
engaging a first shaft of a first cable portion with one end of one reader of the plurality of readers introduced through the access opening;
engaging a second shaft of a second cable portion with another end of the one reader introduced through the access opening, said another end being farther from the carrier than the one end is; and
winding the first cable portion and the second cable portion with a winder, to lift and locate the one reader at a predetermined position around the carrier.

Assignees

• Tokunaga Yusuke
• Ricoh Co Ltd

Inventors

• Tokunaga Yusuke

Classifications

• B41J29/393

  Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine {; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns} · CPC title

• B41J2025/008

  comprising a plurality of print heads placed around a drum · CPC title

• H04N1/00557

  Connection or assembly of components or elements (H04N1/00538 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04N1/0464

  capable of performing non-simultaneous scanning at more than one scanning station · CPC title

• B41J25/00 Primary

  Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for · CPC title