JP2003270744A - Cassette conveyance mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the malfunction in opening and closing of a lid disposed in a cassette delivery port. <P>SOLUTION: The cassette conveyance mechanism 2b having the cassette delivery port 4 for deliverying a cassette 1 housing a sheet for recording images toward approximately upward employs the construction comprising providing the port 4 with the rotationally moving lid 99 to be opened and closed by rotationally movement and providing the lid 99 with an inclined part 101 risen at the lid from its peripheral edge. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cassette carrying mechanism, and more particularly to a cassette carrying mechanism for storing a sheet on which an image is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, X has been used for the purpose of disease diagnosis.
A radiation image represented by a line image is used. As a method for obtaining such a radiographic image, so-called radiography, in which the phosphor layer is irradiated with the radiation that has passed through the subject to generate visible light and the silver salt film is irradiated with this visible light for development. There is a method.

In recent years, instead of this radiographic method, a radiographic image reading method using a stimulable luminescent material has been proposed and put into practical use. In this method, the stimulable phosphor is irradiated with the radiation that has passed through the subject to accumulate radiation energy corresponding to the radiation transmittance of each part of the subject. Then, the radiation energy accumulated by scanning the stimulable phosphor with stimulable excitation light is emitted as stimulable luminescent light, and the stimulable luminescent light is converted into an image signal by using a photoelectric conversion means. , A radiation image is obtained as digital image data.

The cassette is generally in the form of a flat casing having a storage area for the sheet therein, and one of its uses is the sheet-like photostimulation used in such a radiation image reading system. A fluorescent phosphor (hereinafter referred to as "stimulable phosphor sheet") is housed therein to protect the sheet from the outside and facilitate the carrying.

Then, the cassette used for such a purpose is conveyed to the inside of a predetermined radiation image reading apparatus while the sheet is stored, and is opened there. Then, the stimulable phosphor sheet inside is irradiated with stimulable excitation light, the stimulable luminescent light is converted into an image signal by photoelectric conversion means, and further recorded in a recording medium by being digitalized,
Data management is performed via an external network.

The cassette carrying mechanism is provided as a part of the above-mentioned radiation image reading apparatus, and inserts and ejects the cassette. The conventional cassette transport mechanism detects the insertion of the cassette at the cassette insertion port and inserts the cassette into the inside of the radiographic image reading device, and the cassette for reading out the cassette to the outside of the device to eject the cassette. A roller and a stacker capable of holding a plurality of cassettes discharged from the cassette discharge port are provided, and the above function is executed by such a configuration.

[0007]

In the cassette carrying mechanism described above, the cassette insertion port and the cassette ejection port are provided so as to face substantially upward in view of workability such as handling of the cassette. Therefore, when inserting the cassette, the cassette is inserted into the cassette insertion opening from above. However, if the user of the radiation image reading device mistakenly inserts the cassette into the cassette ejection port side, the cassette ejection port will be blocked, and at that time, the cassette that has already been read from the radiation image reading device will be removed. If it is attempted to be ejected, there is a risk that damage may occur inside the device or the cassette itself may be destroyed.

In order to prevent this, it is conceivable to provide a lid that can be opened from only one direction so that the cassette cannot be inserted from the cassette outlet, but even in such a case, the lid is erroneously inserted onto the lid. If the cassette to be tried is placed, the lid will not be opened, and there is still a possibility that the read cassette to be ejected or the ejection mechanism may be damaged, and a sufficient solution cannot be achieved. The present invention is
It is an object of the present invention to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional example and to provide a cassette transport mechanism that can smoothly discharge a cassette.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a cassette transport having a cassette discharge port for discharging a cassette accommodating a sheet for recording an image substantially upward. A mechanism is provided with a rotary lid that rotates and opens and closes at the cassette discharge port, and the rotary lid is raised from an end portion thereof and has an inclined inner angle with the bottom surface of the rotary lid. Is provided.

In the above structure, the cassette discharge port is provided with a rotary-type rotary lid, which is normally in a closed state. Then, when the cassette is discharged from the cassette discharge port, the front end portion of the cassette in the discharge direction pushes the rotating lid to pass. The rotary lid is not limited to being pushed open to the cassette, and a drive source for rotating the rotary lid in order to detect the discharge of the cassette and open the cassette discharge port may be additionally provided.

On the other hand, if the cassette is mistakenly inserted from above into the cassette discharge port, the tip end portion in the insertion direction of the cassette comes into contact with the inclined portion raised from the end portion provided on the rotary lid. When the cassette comes into contact with the cassette, the inclined part prompts it to slide down, and the cassette cannot be maintained on the upper part of the rotary lid. Therefore, the rotating lid can be opened and closed without disturbing the cassette that was accidentally inserted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a cassette stacker is provided adjacent to the cassette discharge port with the same structure as that of the first aspect of the present invention, and the inclined portion is oriented so as to send the cassette to the stacker side. The structure is inclined.

With the above construction, the same operation as in the first aspect of the present invention is performed, and normally the cassette is discharged from the cassette discharge port to the adjacent stacker. Then, the cassette is temporarily stored in the stacker.
On the other hand, when the cassette is mistakenly inserted into the cassette discharge port, the cassette is urged by the inclined portion and slides down to the stacker side, the cassette is removed from the rotating lid and the cassette is placed on the stacker.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the stacker has the same structure as the second aspect of the present invention, and the stacker includes a stand portion on which the cassette discharged from the cassette discharge port is leaned, and the upper end portion of the stand portion. The length of the line segment connecting the upper end of the inclined portion to the center of gravity is longer than the distance from the lower end of the cassette to the center of gravity, and the intersection of the above-mentioned line segment and the inclined surface of the inclined portion on the side of the stand portion The configuration is such that the stand portion is provided so that the angle becomes an obtuse angle.

In the above structure, a stand portion is provided on which the discharged cassette can stand, and the cassette is stocked while standing on the stand section. In this case, the stand part may be a structure which is located in the vicinity of the cassette discharge port and can lean the cassette, but the upper end of the stand part must be at least higher than the center of gravity of the cassette to be discharged. If the stand is lower than that, the cassette will get over the stand and fall.

Further, even if the cassette which is erroneously attempted to be inserted comes into contact with the upper end portion of the inclined portion, in order to smoothly slide on the inclined portion and be guided by the stacker, the cassette is first placed on the stand. It is necessary that the center of gravity of the cassette be located on the inclined portion side of the stand portion with the upper end portion of the portion as a fulcrum and the tip end portion in the insertion direction of the cassette abutting on the upper end portion of the inclined portion. That is, the stand portion is provided so that the cassette can sufficiently receive gravity in the direction in which the cassette slides down the inclined portion. Further, of the intersecting angles of the inclined portion of the inclined portion and the cassette, the angle on the stand portion side (lower side) is required to be an obtuse angle. If this intersecting angle is less than a right angle, the frictional force generated between the cassette and the inclined portion increases, and the cassette does not slip.

Therefore, in the above structure, by providing the stand portion so as to satisfy these conditions, the cassette that was mistakenly inserted can be smoothly guided to the stacker.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention of claims 1, 2, and 3.
The tilting member is provided with a configuration similar to that of the invention described above, the tilting member is rotatably connected to the turning lid, and the tilting member and the turning lid are formed in a substantially plate shape. The inclined member is provided, and the inclined member is
The flat plate surface is supported in an inclined state so as to form an inclined portion, and the tilting member is rotated in a direction in which the interior angle between the tilting member and the turning lid is opened more greatly as the turning lid opens the cassette outlet. The configuration is such that a guide mechanism that guides the movable lid to rotate is provided.

According to the above-mentioned structure, the present invention is defined in claim 1, 2 or 3.
When the operation similar to that of the described invention is performed and the turning lid is closed, the inclined surface of the tilting member is tilted with respect to the turning lid. Therefore, the cassette which is erroneously attempted to be inserted in this state is slipped off the rotary lid and removed.

When the cassette is ejected and the pivot lid is pivoted in the direction to open the cassette ejection port, the tilting member is pivoted by the guide mechanism in the direction in which the inner angle with the pivot lid is opened.
In this way, by opening the inner angle, both the rotary lid and the inclined member are in a state closer to a straight line than in the original state. Therefore, these can be accommodated in a narrower space, and it is not necessary to secure a peripheral space other than the direction in which they extend.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
It will be described based on. The present embodiment shows a radiation image reading device 2 for reading a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet 23 stored in a cassette 1, as shown in FIG.
2 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of the radiation image reading device 2, FIG.
Is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the cassette used in the radiographic image reading apparatus, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the cassette, FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a partially cutaway view showing the cassette transport mechanism, and FIG. 5 is IV of FIG. The enlarged view of a part is shown.

(Structure of Cassette) First, the structure of the cassette 1 used in the radiation image reading apparatus will be described. The cassette 1 includes a front plate 10 and a back plate 20 that can be separated.
It is composed of FIG. 2 shows the front plate 10 of the cassette 1.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view when the back plate 20 and the back plate 20 are separated, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view when the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 of the cassette 1 are combined. The cassette 1 protects the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 during photographing and during transportation, and also prevents the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 from being irradiated with light after photographing and erasing the accumulated image information. Works like.

The front plate 10 comprises a frame 11 and a front plate 12. The frame 11 is preferably made of a material such as aluminum or a hard resin that can withstand a large load applied during recumbent imaging or full-load imaging. The front plate 12 is preferably made of a material having a high radiation transmittance and rigidity such as aluminum or carbon fiber reinforced resin.

The back plate 20 has a back plate body 21, a support plate 22 provided with lead foil on the back surface, and a stimulable phosphor sheet 23. The stimulable phosphor sheet 23 is supported by the back plate 20. It is fixed to the plate 22. In the present embodiment, the back surface of the back plate body 21 (hereinafter referred to as "back plate back surface").
A thin plate 24 made of ferritic stainless steel (SUS430) having a thickness of 80 μm is adhered to the magnet 21a so as to be attracted to the magnet 54 of the sub-scanning means 50 described later by magnetic force.

The front plate 10 and the back plate 20 include:
Insertion holes 13 and 25 used at a lock ON / OFF operation described later are provided. When the front plate 10 is covered with the back plate 20, the insertion hole 13 of the front plate 10 and the insertion hole 25 of the back plate 20 are arranged at corresponding positions.

The cassette 1 is provided with a lock mechanism for maintaining the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 in a combined state. Lock mechanism is lock ON / OFF
Openings (31a, 31b, 31c) provided on the side surface of the back plate body 21 in accordance with the operation, and lock claws (30a, 30) that can be projected or pulled in from the openings.
b, 30c). Although not shown in FIG. 1, an opening is also provided on the other side surface of the back body 21, and a lock claw is provided so as to project and retract.

Here, the lock ON operation means that the tip of the lock claw (30a, 30b, 30c, etc.) is the opening (31).
(a, 31b, 31c, etc.), and is locked in the frame 11 of the front plate 10. Further, the lock OFF operation means the lock claws (30a, 30
b, 30c, etc.) to the openings (31a, 31b, 31)
c)) to the inside of the frame 1 of the front plate 10
It means to release the locked state with 1.

The back plate 20 in a state where the tips of the lock claws (30a, 30b, 30c, etc.) are pulled inside the openings (31a, 31b, 31c, etc.) (lock OFF state).
When the front plate 10 is covered with the above, and a predetermined rod-shaped member is inserted into the insertion holes 13 and 25 and pushed only once, the push / latch mechanism causes the locking claws (30a, 30b, 30).
The front end of the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 cannot be separated from each other, and the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 cannot be separated from each other.

On the other hand, when the lock is in the ON state, when a predetermined rod-shaped member is inserted into the insertion holes 13 and 25 and pushed only once, the tips of the lock claws (30a, 30b, 30c, etc.) are pushed by the push / latch mechanism. Is the opening (31
a, 31b, 31c, etc.), the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are separable.

Although not shown, the back plate back surface 2
A bar code label read by a code reading unit 3a described later is attached to 1a. The barcode label has an identification number (ID
Number), date of manufacture, version number of stimulable phosphor,
A number indicating the size of the cassette 1 or the like is recorded as a code. As the cassette 1, there are a plurality of types in which the respective dimension values of length, width and thickness are individually determined by the JIS standard.

(Overall Structure of Radiation Image Reading Apparatus) Next,
The configuration of the radiation image reading device 2 used in the radiation image reading system according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation image reading apparatus 2 includes a cassette transport mechanism 2b which is provided with a cassette insertion port 3 and a cassette discharge port 4 in a separable manner.

The radiation image reading device 2 delivers the cassette 1 inserted from the cassette insertion port 3 to the rotary transport unit 40, receives the read cassette 1 from the rotary transport unit 40, and discharges it from the cassette discharge port. Cassette transport mechanism 2
b, the cassette transport mechanism 2b, and a sub-scanning unit 50 described later, the rotary transport unit 40 that rotates and transports the cassette 1 while holding the cassette 1, and the cassette 1 transported by the rotary transport unit 40. A sub-scanning unit 50 for moving up and down,
A reading unit 60 that reads the image information accumulated on the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 in the cassette 1 and an erasing unit 70 that erases the image information that has been read are provided.
The rotary transport unit 40 and the sub-scanning unit 50 are provided on the same substrate 80.

(Structure on the insertion side of the cassette transport mechanism 2b)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the cassette transport mechanism 2b is
On the cassette insertion side, a cassette insertion opening 3 formed substantially upward, and a code reading unit 3a for reading a code recorded on a bar code label on the back surface 21a of the back plate 21a of the cassette 1 in the middle of the insertion path are shown. The cassette 1 is provided with a width adjusting means 93 for recognizing the presence of the cassette 1 by the cassette detecting sensor and for moving the cassette 1 to the center of the insertion opening 3, and an insertion roller 3b for sending the cassette 1 to the rotary conveyance section 40.

(Rotating and Conveying Section 40) As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating and conveying section 40 receives and holds the cassette 1 inserted from the cassette insertion port 3, and transfers it to the sub-scanning section 50 which will be described later. To function as a carrier. The rotary conveyance unit 40 has a rotary shaft 41, and can freely rotate about the rotary shaft 41 at least within a range from the dotted line a to the dotted line c (range of angle θ).

Further, the rotary conveyance section 40 includes the insertion roller 3b.
The apparatus is provided with a receiving table 42 for receiving the cassette 1 conveyed inside the apparatus main body 2 by a guide section 43 for supporting the downward surface of the cassette 1 received by the receiving table 42. The pedestal 42 is provided so as to be vertically movable along the guide portion 43.

(Sub-scanning section 50) As shown in FIG. 1, the sub-scanning section 50 includes a sub-scanning rail 51, a sub-scanning movable section 52a, and a sub-scanning movable section 52a.
52b, a sub-scanning moving plate 53, and a magnet 54, and reciprocates the cassette 1 transported by the rotary transport unit 40 in the vertical direction (sub-scanning direction). The sub-scanning movable portions 52a and 52b can be moved up and down on the sub-scanning rail 51 by a driving unit (not shown). Further, the sub-scanning moving plate 53 includes the sub-scanning movable parts 52a, 5
Since it is fixed to 2b, as a result, the sub-scanning moving plate 5
3 can be moved up and down on the sub-scanning rail 51 by the driving means.

The magnet 54 of the sub-scanning section 50 is an attraction holding means for attracting and holding the cassette 1. The magnet 54 is
Since it is provided integrally with the sub-scanning moving plate 53, it can be moved in the vertical direction (sub-scanning direction) by a driving unit (not shown). The cassette 1 is conveyed so as to reciprocate in the vertical direction by the drive means while being held by the magnet 54.

(Reading Means 60) As shown in FIG. 1, the reading means 60 includes a laser scanning unit 61, a light guide 62,
It is composed of a condenser tube 63, photoelectric conversion means, and the like. The laser scanning unit 61 irradiates the photostimulable phosphor sheet 23 with laser light (excitation light), and is proportional to the radiation energy accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet 23 by the action of this laser light. The stimulated emission light (image information) is emitted. The light guide 62 guides the emitted stimulated emission light to the condenser tube 63. The condenser tube 63 includes a photoelectric conversion unit such as a photomultiplier (not shown), and functions to convert the collected stimulated emission light into an electric signal.

(Erasing Means 70) As shown in FIG. 1, the erasing means 70 emits erasing light to emit the stimulable phosphor sheet 2.
3 functions to erase the remaining image information. Examples of the erasing lamp used in the erasing means 70 include a halogen lamp, a high-intensity fluorescent lamp, and an LED array.

(Structure on the discharge side of the cassette transport mechanism 2b)
As shown in FIG. 4, on the ejection side of the cassette conveyance mechanism 2b, there is a cassette ejection port 4 for ejecting the photostimulable phosphor sheet 23, which has been read and erased of image information, to the outside of the apparatus, and a rotational conveyance. The discharge roller 4a that sends the cassette 1 received from the section 40 to the cassette discharge port 4 and discharges it, the rotation lid 99 that is provided in the cassette discharge port 4 and that rotates and opens and closes by itself, and the rotation lid 99 It is provided with a cassette avoiding means 100 for preventing the cassette 1 from being erroneously placed and obstructing the opening and closing, and a stacker 104 for stocking 2 to 5 cassettes 1 that have been discharged.

The cassette discharge port 4 is provided on a plane of the casing which is slightly inclined in a state where the cassette transport mechanism 2b is installed in the radiation image reading apparatus 2, and is a pair of rotary drives in the discharge direction. The cassette 1 sent to the discharge roller 4a is discharged in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the cassette discharge port 4 is provided, that is, substantially upward.

(Regarding Rotating Lid) The rotating lid 99 has a flat plate shape, and its overall shape is a rectangular shape capable of closing the cassette discharge port 4 (the sectional shape is shown in FIG. Is not displayed) is set. That is, the cassette discharge port 4 is set to be slightly longer than the lateral width of the cassette 1 having the maximum depth in FIG. 4 according to the JIS standard, and the rotation lid 99 also has a long side length of the cassette discharge port 4. It is set in a rectangular shape having a length substantially similar to the length in the depth direction.

Further, both ends of the rotary lid 99 in the longitudinal direction (the depth direction in FIG. 4) are vertically raised, and these rising portions (one of which is not shown) 97 are rotated by a rotary shaft. It is supported. This rotation axis is set parallel to the long side direction of the rectangle described above, and supports the rotation lid 99 on one end side in the short side direction of the rectangle. Further, in the state where the rotary lid 99 closes the cassette outlet 4, the rotary shaft is located at the end of the rotary lid 99 opposite to the stacker 104, so that the rotary lid 99 is The stacker 104 will open toward the side.

Further, the rotating lid 99 is constantly subjected to the elastic force in the direction of closing the cassette discharge port 4 by the torsion coil spring 98 mounted on the rotating shaft, and the cassette 1 which has been read is discharged by the discharge roller 4a. When discharged, it is pushed open by the tip of the cassette 1.

(Cassette Avoidance Means) The cassette avoidance means 100 is provided with a tilting member 101 rotatably connected to the rotary lid 99 at the rotary end portion of the rotary lid 99.
A guide mechanism for restricting the rotating operation of the tilt member 101 according to a predetermined condition is provided.

The tilting member 101, like the turning lid 99,
The rectangular shape whose long side is the rotation axis direction is formed into a plate shape, and the long side of the inclined member 101 and the long side of the rotation lid 99 are set to be substantially equal in length. Then, due to the portions vertically raised from both ends in the longitudinal direction (one is not shown), the end of the rotating lid 99 on the stacker 104 side is rotated in parallel with the rotating shaft of the rotating lid 99. It is connected by a shaft.

Further, the tilting member 101 is tilted with respect to the plate surface of the turning lid 99 as shown in FIG. 4 when the turning lid 99 is in the state in which the cassette discharge port 4 is closed by the guide mechanism described later. The plate surface of 101 is erected and is supported so as to be inclined in the direction of descending toward the stacker 104 side. Therefore, the plate surface of the inclined member 101 functions as an inclined portion. That is, when the cassette 1 is mistaken for the cassette insertion port 3 from the upper side and is inserted into the cassette discharge port 4 side, the leading end of the cassette 1 in the insertion direction abuts the plate surface of the inclined member 101 and slides according to the inclination. It is sent to the stacker 104 side. Therefore, it is possible to effectively avoid the fact that the opening / closing operation is hindered while the stacker 1 remains on the rotating lid 99.

Since the inclined member 101 fulfills its function if the cassette 1 can be slid down to the stacker 104 side, its shape is not limited to the flat plate shape. For example, comb shape along the direction in which the cassette 1 is about to slide,
A ladder shape, a rib shape, or another shape that does not increase friction may be used.

The guide mechanism includes a guide shaft 102 provided near the rotating end of the tilting member 101 and the guide shaft 10.
2 and engages with the tilting member 10 via the guide shaft 102.
1 has a guide hole 103 for restricting the rotating operation of the unit 1 to a constant state. The guide shaft 102 is parallel to the rotation axis of the tilt member 101 and protrudes from both ends of the tilt member 101 in the longitudinal direction (direction along the rotation axis).

The guide hole 103 is an elongated hole (one is not shown) provided on the wall surface of the casing that approaches the rising portions at both ends of the inclined member 101, and the projecting portion of the guide shaft 102 is inserted therein. The guide hole 103 is formed such that its longitudinal direction is substantially perpendicular to the plate surface of the rotary lid 99.

That is, in the guide hole 103, the tilting member 101 is arranged in the stacker 1 as described above when the rotating lid 99 is closed.
When the position of the guide shaft 102 that maintains the state of being inclined in the direction of descending to the 04 side and the turning lid 99 is erected and turned to approximately 90 degrees (hereinafter, this is referred to as an open state), In the direction connecting the two points of the position of the guide 102 that maintains the tilting member 101 in a state where the direction of the plate surface of the lid 99 and the direction of the plate surface of the tilting member 101 are aligned as much as possible (state of the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 4). It is formed along. In addition, when the rotary lid 99 is opened, the internal angle between the plate surfaces of both the rotary lid 99 and the inclined member 101 is preferably at least 90 degrees or more, ideally around 180 degrees. .

Therefore, when the rotary lid 99 is closed, the cassette avoiding means 100 slides the cassette 1 which was mistakenly inserted from the top of the rotary lid 99 toward the stacker 104 by the tilting member 101 and rotates. Obstacles in the opening / closing operation of the lid 99 are eliminated. Also, when the rotating lid 99 is closed,
Since the rotary lid 99 and the tilting member 101 are undulated in substantially the same direction, it is sufficient to secure a space only within a certain narrow width range, which contributes to space saving around the rotary lid 99.

(About Stacker) The stacker 104 is
A stand portion 105 is provided upright from the same plane as the cassette discharge port 4. As described above, the plane on which the cassette outlet 4 is formed is slightly inclined, and the stand portion 1
Reference numeral 05 is a position lower than the cassette discharge port 4, and is arranged at a distance from the cassette discharge port 4 for a plurality of cassettes 1. Therefore, the cassette 1 discharged from the cassette discharge port 4 perpendicularly to the plane of the cassette 1 is
Since it is inclined to the 5 side from the beginning, the cassette 1 will be stocked while leaning against the stand portion 105 when the discharge is completed.

Further, the stand portion 105 is set so that its height and arrangement satisfy the following conditions. That is, the length of the line segment connecting the upper end of the stand portion 105 and the upper end of the tilting member portion 101 when the rotating lid 99 is in the closed state is the center of gravity from the leading end of the cassette 1 in the insertion direction of the maximum standard. Both the first condition that the distance is longer than the distance to and the second condition that the intersecting angle on the stand portion 105 side is an obtuse angle among the intersecting angles of the above-described line segment and the plate surface of the inclined member. Meet at the same time.

That is, by satisfying the first condition, regardless of the size of the cassette 1 to be inserted into the cassette discharge port 4 side by mistake,
When contacting any position on the plate surface of the inclined member 101, it is possible to receive the gravity for sliding down to the stacker 104 side. If the above-mentioned line segment becomes shorter than the first condition, the upper end portion of the cassette 1 in FIG.
There is a possibility of being caught in the middle of the plate surface.

The second condition is that when the intersecting angle between the cassette 1 and the plate surface of the tilting member 101 which is erroneously inserted is 90 degrees or less, the frictional force against the sliding of the cassette 1 toward the stacker 104 is generated. In consideration of the situation of increasing the size, by satisfying such a condition, the inclined member 101 can be smoothly guided to the stacker 104 side regardless of the size of the cassette 1.

The above conditions are satisfied in the relative relationship between the height and arrangement of the stand portion 105, the arrangement of the inclined member 101, the inclination angle, and the height of the plate surface as the inclined portion. With reference to 105, the tilting member 101 satisfies the above-mentioned conditions.
It goes without saying that you can design

(Description of Operation of Radiation Image Reading Device 2) Next, an image reading operation of the radiation image reading device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the cassette 1 on which the radiation image has been taken is inserted into the insertion opening 3 in the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. At this time, the insertion hole 13 (25) of the cassette 1 is on the lower side,
In addition, the front plate 13 of the front plate 10 is inserted so as to face obliquely downward. That is, the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 is inserted so that the reading surface faces diagonally downward. When the cassette 1 is inserted into the insertion slot 3, the code provided on the back plate back surface 21a is read by the code reading means 3a.

The cassette 1 taken into the inside of the apparatus main body 2 from the cassette insertion opening 3 is inserted through the insertion roller 3b.
It is transported to the rotary transport unit 40. When the rotary transport unit 40 rotates about the rotary shaft 41 in the direction A3 from the position indicated by the dotted line a to the position indicated by the dotted line c, the ferritic stainless steel (S
The back plate back surface 21a of the cassette 1 to which the thin plate 24 made of (US430) is adhered is magnetically attracted to the magnet 54 of the sub scanning unit 50.

The back plate 20 of the cassette 1 is attached to the sub operation unit 5
When attracted to the magnet 54 of 0, the lock pin housed in the pedestal 42 of the rotary conveyance unit 40 rises, and the lock pin is inserted into the insertion hole 13 and the back plate 20 of the front plate 10 of the cassette 1. Is inserted into the insertion hole 25 of. By this operation, the lock ON state of the cassette 1 shifts to the lock OFF state, and the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 can be separated. When the cassette 1 shifts to the lock-off state, the lock pin descends and is stored in the pedestal 42.

When the lock-on state of the cassette 1 is released and the cassette 1 shifts to the lock-off state, the rotary conveyance unit 40 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
In the direction of the arrow A6 of FIG.
Stop). By this operation, the front plate 10
And the back plate 20 can be completely separated.

When the back plate 20 is completely separated from the front plate 10 as shown in FIG. 4, the sub-scanning moving plate 53 and the back plate 20 are separated by the driving means (not shown).
The sheet is conveyed (sub-scanned) in the direction of arrow A4 (upward) in FIG. During this sub-scanning operation, the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 is main-scanned by the laser light B emitted from the laser scanning unit 61.

When laser light acts on the stimulable phosphor sheet 23, stimulated emission light (image information) proportional to the radiation energy accumulated in the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 is emitted,
The stimulated emission light passes through the light guide 62, is collected in the condenser tube 63, and is converted into an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion means.
The stimulated emission light converted into an electric signal is subjected to predetermined signal processing as image data, and then is transmitted from the device body 2 via a communication cable (not shown) to an operation terminal, an image storage device, and an image display. The image is output to an image output device (not shown) such as a device or a dry imager.

When the reading of the image information from the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 is completed, the sub-scanning moving plate 53 and the back plate 20 are moved in the direction of arrow A5 (downward) in FIG. Be transported. While the back plate 20 is being conveyed in the direction of arrow A5, the erasing light C is emitted from the erasing means 70, and the image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 is erased.

When the back plate 20 is lowered to the position shown in FIG. 4, the carrying operation of the back plate 20 is stopped. When the back plate 20 stops at the position shown in FIG. 4, the rotary transport unit 40, which has been retracted to the retracted position, rotates again to the position indicated by the dotted line c in FIG. 3, and the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are united. Let When the front board 10 and the back board 20 are united,
The lock pin housed in the pedestal 42 of the rotary transport unit 40 rises, and the tip of the lock pin is inserted into the insertion hole 13 of the front plate 10 and the insertion hole 25 of the back plate 20. By this operation, the cassette 1 which has been in the lock-off state shifts to the lock-on state and becomes inseparable. When the cassette 1 shifts to the lock ON state, the lock pin descends and is stored again in the pedestal 42.

When the work of combining the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 is completed, the rotary conveyance unit 40 again moves to the arrow A in FIG.
It rotates in the direction of 6 to the position of the dotted line b and stops. After that, the receiving table 42 conveys the cassette 1 toward the cassette discharge port 4 along the guide portion 43, and transfers the cassette 1 to the discharge roller 4a. When the cassette 1 receives the cassette 1, the discharge roller 4a performs a discharging operation until the cassette 1 is completely discharged from the cassette discharge port 4.

The rotating lid 9 which has been closed due to such discharge
9 is pushed by the upper end of the cassette 1 to perform up and down rotation. Then, along with this, the tilting member 101 is pushed upward, and the guide shaft 102 moves along the guide hole 103, whereby the tilting member 101 is further raised and lowered. Further, when the turning lid 99 is turned up and down until the cassette 1 can pass, the tilting member 101 is also turned up and down until it is aligned in the same direction as the turning lid 99. As a result, the rotary lid 99 and the inclined member 101 are lined up in substantially the same direction as the cassette 1 to be ejected, and therefore, only by renting a part of the space secured for passage of the cassette 1,
It is possible to secure a space for these opening and closing operations, and it is not necessary to secure an extra space for these pivoting operations, and it is possible to effectively save space.

After that, the cassette 1 which has passed through the discharge roller 4a has its upper end portion tilted toward the stand portion 105 side,
The lower end portion slides on an inclined surface provided with the cassette discharge port 4, and is stored in the stacker 104. Also,
On the other hand, since the rotating lid 99 receives the elastic force in the closing direction by the torsion coil spring 98, when the cassette 1 passes, the rotating lid 99 is rotated clockwise and the cassette outlet 4 is opened.
Closes. Further, the tilting member 101 is provided with a rotation lid 99.
With the transition to the closed state, the guide mechanism prompts some rotation in the counterclockwise direction. As a result, the rotary lid 99 in the closed state is undulated and returned to the inclined state.

If the cassette 1 is mistakenly inserted into the cassette discharge port 4 side, the insertion direction tip of the cassette 1 slides on the stacker 104 side on the plate surface of the inclined member 101, so that the cassette 1 is inserted into the stacker 104. Will be guided to. Therefore, by effectively avoiding the state in which the cassette 1 accidentally inserted into the cassette discharge port 4 side remains on the rotating lid 99, the obstacle of the opening / closing operation of the rotating lid 99 is eliminated. However, it is possible to prevent the cassette transport mechanism 2b and the cassette from being damaged and improve the maintainability and the reliability.

In the above embodiment, the radiation image reading device 2 has been described as an example, but it may be used in another device to which the cassette carrying mechanism can be applied. In general, the cassette transport mechanism can be applied to all devices that insert and discharge a cassette that accommodates a sheet-shaped object.

[0072]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the tilting portion which is raised from the end portion is provided on the rotary lid, the tip end portion in the insertion direction of the cassette which is intended to be inserted by mistake is the tilting portion. It abuts, is pushed down by the inclined part, slides down, and is removed from the upper part of the rotating lid. Therefore, the rotary lid can be smoothly opened and closed without obstructing the cassette that was mistakenly inserted, thereby effectively avoiding damage to each part of the mechanism and the cassette and improving maintainability. It is also possible to plan.

In addition to the above effects, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the inclined portion guides the cassette which is erroneously attempted to be inserted into the stacker side from above the rotary lid, and the cassette is placed in the stacker to rotate the cassette. It is possible to obtain higher reliability in the opening / closing operation of the moving lid and further improve maintainability.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the distance between the upper ends of both the stand and the inclined portion is set longer than the distance from the lower end of the cassette to the center of gravity, and the cassette is inclined with the upper end of the stand as a fulcrum. By providing the stand so that the lower intersecting angle between the cassette and the inclined portion becomes obtuse when the cassette is abutted, the cassette is effectively pulled toward the stacker by gravity and the inclined portion Since the frictional force between the cassettes can be reduced, the cassette can be effectively guided to the stacker side. As a result, it is possible to further improve the reliability of the opening / closing operation of the rotating lid and further improve the maintainability.

According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to each of the above effects, when the rotating lid is opened, the guide member causes the rotating lid and the inclined member to approach the state of being aligned on the same plane. Since the rotation is guided, it is not necessary to secure a space for opening and closing the rotation lid around the cassette discharge port, and it is possible to reduce the size of the mechanism by saving space.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a radiation image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A and 2B show a configuration of a cassette used in a radiation image reading apparatus, FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a front plate that constitutes the cassette, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a back plate that constitutes the cassette. It is a figure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cassette with a front plate and a back plate combined together.

FIG. 4 is a partially cut-out enlarged front view showing the cassette transport mechanism disclosed in FIG. 1;

5 is an enlarged view of a portion IV in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 cassette 2 Radiation image reader 2b Cassette transport mechanism 4 cassette outlet 99 rotating lid 101 Inclined member 102 guide shaft 103 guide hole 104 Stacker 105 Stand

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cassette carrying mechanism having a cassette discharge port for discharging a cassette containing an image recording sheet substantially upward, wherein a rotary lid that rotates and opens and closes is provided at the cassette discharge port. A cassette transfer mechanism, wherein the rotating lid is provided with an inclined portion that is raised from an end portion of the rotating lid and forms an acute angle with a bottom surface of the rotating lid. 2. The cassette transporter according to claim 1, wherein a cassette stacker is provided adjacent to the cassette discharge port, and the inclined portion is inclined in a direction to send the cassette to the stacker side. mechanism. 3. The stacker includes a stand portion on which the cassette discharged from the cassette discharge port stands, and a length of a line segment connecting an upper end portion of the stand portion and an upper end portion of the inclined portion is the cassette. Is longer than the distance from the lower end to the center of gravity, and the stand portion is provided so that the intersection angle of the stand portion side due to the intersection of the line segment and the inclined surface of the inclined portion is an obtuse angle. The cassette transport mechanism according to claim 2, which is characterized in that. 4. An inclined member rotatably connected to the rotating lid is provided, and the inclined member and the rotating lid are formed in a substantially plate shape, and the inclined portion is provided with the inclined portion. Provided, the tilting member is supported in a tilted state such that the flat plate surface thereof is the tilted portion in a state where the turning lid is closed, and the turning lid opens the cassette discharge port, 3. A guide mechanism for guiding the tilting member so as to rotate with respect to the turning lid in a direction in which an inner angle between the tilting member and the turning lid is widened. Alternatively, the cassette transport mechanism described in 3.