Facsimile device

Abstract: A facsimile device has optical reader unit (1), an original transport unit (6), a printing unit (9), and a base unit (16). The optical reader unit (1) comprises a light source (2) for illuminating an original document, and an image reading element (5) for receiving and reading the light reflected from the original document. The original transport unit (6) comprises a feed roller (8) and original guides (7) for transporting the original document to an original reading position of the optical reader unit (1). The printing unit (9) comprises a printer head (10) and a flexible member (10a) which presses the printer head (10) on a recording paper to be copied. The base unit (16) comprises a recording paper holder (18) and a platen (17). The base unit is provided for supporting each of the optical reader unit (1), the original transport unit (6) and the printing unit (9).

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile device having an image reading mechanism and a printing mechanism. 2. Description of the Prior Art As shown in Fig. 5, a prior art facsimile device has the multiple components, such as the original document reading mechanism for reading the image of the original document and the printing mechanism, are each independently mounted to the cabinet of the facsimile, and the original document reading assembly is located in a position above that of the printing assembly. In the prior art facsimile device as thus described, because the various components are mounted directly to the main cabinet, mounting and adjusting the various components on the cabinet must be carried out on the assembly line, inviting increase of the manufacturing cost due to long assembly line with long time consuming word. Furthermore, it took long time for the service engineer to repair the facsimile device because the parts to be replaced must be disconnected from the cabinet. Moreover, because the original document reading assembly is positioned to the top with the printing assembly to the bottom, the size, particularly the height, of the facsimile becomes bulky. Besides that, it took time for the user to replace the paper because the reading assembly must be lifted up in order to have an access to the paper installing area. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been developed with a view to substantially solving the above-described problem and has for its essential object to provide an improved facsimile device which can be readily assembled and is compact in size. The facsimile device of the present invention is defined by the features of claim 1. This facsimile device is thin and has good productivity in the assembly process and good servicability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and features of the present invention will become clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings throughout which like parts are designated by like reference numerals, and in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a facsimile device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of each unit; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled facsimile device; Figs. 4a and 4b are perspective views of the facsimile device; and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the prior art facsimile device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Fig. 1, an exploded view of the assembly of a facsimile device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. In Fig. 1, reference number 1 is the optical reading unit used for reading the original document (not shown) and includes an LED lamp 2, mirror 3, lens 4, and CCD circuit board 5; 6 is the original transport unit used for transporting the original document and includes original guide member 7 and original transport rollers 8; and 9 is a printing unit including a printing head 10 and a flexible member 10a which presses said printer head 10 on a recording paper to be copied. Printer unit 9 is mounted below printer paper cover 11. An original width adjustment guide 24 is provided on top of printer paper cover 11. Reference number 12 is a keyboard unit used for operating the facsimile and including keypad 13 and display panel 14; 15 is an electrical circuit board; 16 is the base unit to which are mounted units 1, 6, 9, 11, 12, and 15. The base unit 16 includes a platen roller 17, oppositely located printing unit 9, and paper install chamber 18. Furthermore, drive motor 19 for driving original transport rollers 8 mounted in original transport unit 6, and drive motor 20 for driving platen roller 17 are provided in base unit 16. Reference numbers 21 and 22 are the side cabinets. Referring to Fig. 2, a cross section of the assembled facsimile device of Fig. 1 is shown. Base unit 16 is constructed so that paper holder 18 and platen roller 17 are positioned at the front of base unit 16 (in the left of Fig. 2), and optical reading unit 1 and electrical circuit board 15 are positioned at the back of base unit 16 (in the right of Fig. 2). The original transport unit 6 is positioned above optical reading unit 1 at such a position that the original document can be transported to a predetermined reading position at optical reading unit 1. The keyboard unit 12, the bottom of which forms the original guide surface, is positioned above original transport unit 6. The printing unit 9, installed below printer paper cover 11, is located above and in contact with platen roller 17 of base unit 16. Referring to Fig. 3, a cross section of the assembled facsimile device is shown. As can be understood from this figure, by assembling the facsimile device from functionally discrete units, the assembly process is simplified and the height of the assembled product is lower because the printing unit is located to the front and the original reading unit is located to the back of the device. Referring to Figs. 4a and 4b, the perspective views of the assembled facsimile device are shown, particularly, Fig. 4(a) shows the device when the printer paper cover 11 on hopper 23 is closed, and Fig. 4(b) shows the device when hopper 23 is opened in the direction of the arrow. When hopper 23 is positioned as shown in Fig. 4(b), hopper 23 serves as the original feed table. By constructing a facsimile device from discrete functional units as described above, the assembly process is simplified. Thus, serviceability is improved by simplifying parts replacement, and it is easier to develop new models of the device. In addition, by positioning the reading assembly and the printing assembly side by side, the finished product has a lower profile and it is easier to replace the printer paper. Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as defined by the appended claims.

Claims: A facsimile device assembled from a plurality of functionally discrete units including: a base unit (16) constructed so that a paper holder (18) and a platen roller (17) are positioned at the front of said base unit (16); an optical reading unit (1) positioned at the back of said base unit (16); an original transport unit (6) positioned above said optical reading unit (1) at such a position that the original document can be transported to a predetermined reading position at said optical reading unit (1); a keyboard unit (12), the bottom of which forms an original guide surface, positioned above said original transport unit (6); and a printing unit (9) located above and in contact with said platen roller (17) such that said reading unit and said printing unit are located side by side. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base unit (16) comprises a first drive motor (19) for driving a feed roller (8), and a second drive motor (20) for driving said platen roller (17).

Inventors: SHIRAKOSHI HIROSHI, TANAKA HIRONORI, SHIRAKOSHI, HIROSHI, TANAKA, HIRONORI
Applicants: SHARP KK, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1989
Main classification: H04N1
IPC codes: H04N1