JP6156753B2 - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  An image reading apparatus that irradiates light on a document surface and reads an image on the document surface based on a result of receiving reflected light from the document surface by an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). Are known. In a stationary document type image reading apparatus, light from a light source is irradiated to a document placed on a contact glass while moving a traveling body on which the light source is mounted along the placement surface of the contact glass.

  Patent Document 1 describes a light irradiation apparatus in which a light guide made of a translucent material is arranged between a light source means in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction and a document surface. Light emitted radially from the LED is totally reflected in the light guide, collected on the exit surface of the light guide and irradiated onto the document, so that even if an LED with a low light irradiation intensity is used, the irradiation intensity on the document surface is high. It is possible to irradiate light.

  For this reason, it is desired to make as much light emitted from the LED as possible incident on the light guide and to emit much of the incident light incident on the light guide toward the irradiation target. In order to meet this demand, high accuracy is required for the relative positioning of the light source means and the light guide.

  In Patent Document 1, a light guide is fixed with a double-sided tape or an adhesive to a substrate (hereinafter referred to as an LED array substrate) in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a row in the main scanning direction. However, in Patent Document 1, the LED array substrate to which the light guide is fixed does not have a function for positioning the light guide with respect to the LED array substrate, and the light guide is fixed to the LED array substrate with high accuracy. I couldn't.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the holding member 405 for holding the LED array substrate 191 and the light guide 403 is formed longer in the main scanning direction than the document region F, and the light guide is positioned at both ends outside the document region. Positioning holes 404a (see FIG. 16) are formed, and the light guide 403 is also formed longer in the main scanning direction than the document area F, and positioning bosses 404 as positioning parts are formed at both ends outside the document area. To do. With such a configuration, the light guide 403 can be positioned by engaging the positioning boss 404 of the light guide 403 with the positioning hole 404 a of the holding member 405.

  However, with such a configuration, the end portion of the light guide 403 in the main scanning direction is separated from the end portion of the document area F as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, of the irradiation light that has entered the light guide 403 from the LED 192 disposed at the end in the main scanning line direction, the irradiation light that does not go to the document area is irradiated outside the document area. (X1 of the dotted line in the figure). Therefore, only the irradiation light directed to the document area indicated by the solid line Z1 in the drawing among the irradiation light incident on the light guide 403 from the LED 192 disposed at the end portion in the main scanning line direction is irradiated to the document area. There is a problem that the amount of light in the portion is insufficient.

  In order to solve this problem, it is preferable that the length of the light guide 403 in the main scanning direction is substantially the same as that of the document area F. By making the length of the light guide 403 in the main scanning direction substantially the same as that of the document area F, it is possible to make the edge of the document area and the both ends of the light guide close. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, a part of the irradiation light that does not go to the document area out of the irradiation light incident on the light guide 403 from the LED 192 arranged at the end in the main scanning line direction is converted into the light guide. It can be totally reflected on the side surface 403C of the 403 and directed toward the document area (dotted line X2 in the figure). As a result, in addition to the irradiation light directed to the document area indicated by the solid line Z1 in the drawing, the irradiation light totally reflected on the side surface 403C of the light guide 403 indicated by the dotted line X2 in the drawing also irradiates the document area. It is possible to secure a sufficient amount of light. As described above, when both ends of the light guide 403 in the main scanning direction are substantially equal to the document area F, the positioning boss 404 is provided at a position corresponding to the document area F of the light guide 403 as shown in the figure. There is a need.

  However, the positioning boss 404 does not undergo internal reflection for the following reason. That is, the light guide 403 is made of a resin such as acrylic, and a light guide 403 having a mirror-like surface is obtained by mirror-finishing a mold for molding the light guide 403. However, the portion (concave portion) where the positioning boss portion 404 of the mold is formed cannot be mirror-finished, and the surface of the positioning boss portion 404 of the light guide 403 cannot be mirrored. Further, the incident angle of the irradiation light incident on the positioning boss portion 404 becomes smaller than the critical angle. For these reasons, the irradiation light incident on the positioning boss 404 is not internally reflected and leaks from the positioning boss 404. As a result, the unevenness of the illuminance distribution in the main scanning direction on the document surface may become remarkable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to position the light guide on the member to which the substrate is attached, and to make the length of the light guide in the main scanning direction substantially the same as that of the document area. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can reduce the illuminance distribution in the main scanning direction on the document surface.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a light irradiating means for irradiating light on a document surface, and an image reading means for receiving reflected light from the document surface and reading an image on the document surface. The light irradiating means includes a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged, and an incident surface that faces the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and receives light emitted from the light emitting element. A light guide that guides the light incident from the incident surface to an irradiation region of the irradiated object, and a holding member that has a substrate holding surface that holds the substrate. It has a positioned part that engages with the light guide positioning part of the holding member, and engages the positioned part with the light guide positioning part of the holding member that holds the substrate. When the light guide is positioned, the positioned parts are adjacent to each other. Located on a perpendicular bisector connecting lines between the elements, the light guide is arranged such that the light emitting element side of the light guide overlaps the surface of the substrate to which the plurality of light emitting elements are attached. It is characterized by being.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading unit comprising: a light irradiating unit that irradiates light on a document surface; and an image reading unit that receives reflected light from the document surface and reads an image on the document surface. In the apparatus, the light irradiation means includes a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged, and an incident surface that is opposed to the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and receives light emitted from the light emitting element. And a holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate, wherein the light guide is a light guide for the holding member. A positioning portion that engages with the body positioning portion, and positions the light guide on the holding member by engaging the positioning portion with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member that holds the substrate. when the portion to be positioned is, face each other in the light-emitting element that fits Ri next Connecting the Urn facing surface, located on the perpendicular bisector of the line segment parallel to the array direction of the light emitting element, the light guide body, the light emitting element side of the light guide is a plurality of light emission of the substrate The element is arranged so as to overlap the surface to which the element is attached.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading unit comprising: a light irradiating unit that irradiates light on the document surface; and an image reading unit that receives reflected light from the document surface and reads an image on the document surface. In the apparatus, the light irradiation means includes a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged, and an incident surface that is opposed to the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and receives light emitted from the light emitting element. And a holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate, wherein the light guide is a light guide for the holding member. A positioning portion that engages with the body positioning portion, and positions the light guide on the holding member by engaging the positioning portion with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member that holds the substrate. The positioned portion is a line segment connecting adjacent light emitting elements. Located on a straight bisector, it is characterized in that said light guide provided with a pressing member that presses the plurality of surface light emitting element is mounted in the substrate.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading unit comprising: a light irradiating unit that irradiates light on a document surface; and an image reading unit that receives reflected light from the document surface and reads an image on the document surface. In the apparatus, the light irradiation means includes a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged, and an incident surface that is opposed to the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and receives light emitted from the light emitting element. And a holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate, wherein the light guide is a light guide for the holding member. A positioning portion that engages with the body positioning portion, and positions the light guide on the holding member by engaging the positioning portion with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member that holds the substrate. when the portion to be positioned is, face each other in the light-emitting element that fits Ri next Connecting the Urn facing surface, located on the perpendicular bisector of the line segment parallel to the array direction of the light emitting element, pressing the light guide to the plurality of surface light emitting element is mounted in the substrate pressing A member is provided.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading unit comprising: a light irradiating unit that irradiates light on a document surface; and an image reading unit that receives reflected light from the document surface and reads an image on the document surface. In the apparatus, the light irradiation means includes a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged, and an incident surface that is opposed to the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and receives light emitted from the light emitting element. And a holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate, wherein the light guide is a light guide for the holding member. A positioning portion that engages with the body positioning portion, and positions the light guide on the holding member by engaging the positioning portion with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member that holds the substrate. The positioned portion is a line segment connecting adjacent light emitting elements. The center of the light emitting element at the end in the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements among the plurality of light emitting elements is located on the bisector, and the center of the light emitting element in the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements in the irradiation region of the irradiated object It arrange | positions outside the part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading unit comprising: a light irradiating unit that irradiates light on the document surface; and an image reading unit that receives reflected light from the document surface and reads an image on the document surface. In the apparatus, the light irradiation means includes a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged, and an incident surface that is opposed to the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and receives light emitted from the light emitting element. And a holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate, wherein the light guide is a light guide for the holding member. A positioning portion that engages with the body positioning portion, and positions the light guide on the holding member by engaging the positioning portion with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member that holds the substrate. when the portion to be positioned is, face each other in the light-emitting element that fits Ri next Connecting the Urn facing surface, located on the perpendicular bisector of the line segment parallel to the array direction of the light emitting element, the light emitting device at the farthest end of the array direction of the light emitting element among the plurality of light emitting elements The center is characterized in that the center is arranged outside the outermost end portion in the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements in the irradiation region of the irradiated object.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading unit comprising: a light irradiating unit that irradiates light on a document surface; and an image reading unit that receives reflected light from the document surface and reads an image on the document surface. In the apparatus, the light irradiation means includes a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged, and an incident surface that is opposed to the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and receives light emitted from the light emitting element. And a holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate, wherein the light guide is a light guide for the holding member. A positioning portion that engages with the body positioning portion, and positions the light guide on the holding member by engaging the positioning portion with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member that holds the substrate. The positioned portion is a line segment connecting adjacent light emitting elements. Located on a straight bisector, the positioning portion of the light guide body, the is characterized in that it is arranged within the arrangement direction of the light emitting element of the irradiation area of the irradiation object.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading unit comprising: a light irradiating unit that irradiates light to the document surface; and an image reading unit that receives reflected light from the document surface and reads an image on the document surface. In the apparatus, the light irradiation means includes a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged, and an incident surface that is opposed to the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and receives light emitted from the light emitting element. And a holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate, wherein the light guide is a light guide for the holding member. A positioning portion that engages with the body positioning portion, and positions the light guide on the holding member by engaging the positioning portion with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member that holds the substrate. when the portion to be positioned is, face each other in the light-emitting element that fits Ri next Connecting the Urn facing surface, located on the perpendicular bisector of the line segment parallel to the array direction of the light emitting element, the positioning portion of the light guide body, the light emitting element of the irradiation area of the irradiation object It is arrange | positioned in the range of this arrangement direction.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the light emitting element is disposed on the substrate such that a light emitting surface of the light emitting element is perpendicular to the substrate. It is characterized by being attached.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the positioned portion is engaged with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member that holds the substrate. When the light guide is positioned on the holding member, the positioned portion is positioned on the light emitting element side.
The invention according to an eleventh aspect is the image reading apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the pressing member contacts the light guide between the incident surface of the light guide and the positioned portion. It is characterized by touching.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the holding member is made of a sheet metal.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image on a document surface; and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material based on image information read by the image reading unit. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is used as the image reading unit.

As shown in a verification test to be described later conducted by the present inventors, if a positioned portion is provided on a perpendicular line (or a normal line when the light emitting surface is curved) of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element, It was found that the non-uniformity of the illuminance distribution in the main scanning direction becomes remarkable. Further, it was found that the non-uniformity of the illuminance distribution in the main scanning direction on the document surface is suppressed by providing the positioned portion between the light emission centers of the light emitting elements adjacent in the main scanning direction.
The light emitting element has emission intensity, and the irradiation light in the direction perpendicular to the emission center point of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element (the normal line when the light emitting surface is curved) has the strongest intensity, and the above normal (normal line) As the angle with respect to increases, the emission intensity decreases. When the positioned portion is provided on the normal line (normal line), the irradiated light having almost no angle with respect to the vertical line of the light emission center point of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element is totally reflected in the light guide, and the positioned portion is Incident. For this reason, since the irradiation light which injects into a to-be-positioned part is irradiation light with strong emitted light intensity, the light quantity which leaks from a to-be-positioned part increases. As a result, the amount of light emitted from the position of the light guide exit surface on the extended line of the optical path from the light entrance surface to the positioned portion is significantly reduced, and the illuminance distribution in the main scanning direction on the document surface is not improved. It is thought that uniformity became remarkable.
On the other hand, when a positioned portion is provided between the light emitting centers of adjacent light emitting elements in the main scanning direction, the irradiation light having an angle with respect to the perpendicular (normal line) is totally reflected in the light guide and positioned. Incident on the part. However, since the irradiation light with an angle is irradiation light with low emission intensity, the amount of light leaking from the positioned part can be smaller than that in the case where the positioned part is provided on the perpendicular (normal line). . As a result, the decrease in the amount of light emitted from the position of the light guide exit surface on the extension line of the optical path from the light entrance surface to the positioned portion is reduced to the perpendicular (normal) line of the light guide. This is suppressed compared to the case where a positioning portion is provided. As a result, it is considered that the non-uniformity of the illuminance distribution in the main scanning direction can be suppressed even on the document surface as compared with the case where the positioned portion of the light guide is provided on the perpendicular (normal).

  According to the present invention, since the positioned portion is provided in the document area, the length of the light guide in the main scanning direction can be made substantially the same as that of the document area. As a result, the irradiation light not directed to the document area can be totally reflected on the side surface and directed toward the document area, and a sufficient amount of light at the edge of the document area can be secured. In addition, the main scanning on the original surface of the light guide is larger than the case where the positioned portion is provided on the perpendicular line of the light emission center point of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element (or the normal line when the light emitting surface is curved). It can suppress that direction illuminance distribution becomes non-uniform | heterogenous.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view partially showing an image reading device provided in the image forming apparatus. The block diagram which shows the movement reading part of the image reading apparatus from the side. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram in the vicinity of a first carriage of the image reading apparatus. The perspective view of the light irradiation unit of the image reading apparatus. The perspective view of the receiving stand of the light irradiation unit. FIG. 3 is an overall view showing a relationship among a light guide plate, an LED, and a document area F of the light irradiation unit. The A section enlarged block diagram of FIG. The principal part expanded block diagram of the light irradiation unit which provided the positioning pin of the light-guide plate in the light emission center of LED. The graph which shows the CCD output value of the main scanning direction when using the light irradiation unit which provided the positioning pin of the light-guide plate in the light emission center of LED. The figure explaining the light emission characteristic of LED. The principal part expanded block diagram of the light irradiation unit which provided the positioning pin of the light-guide plate between the light emission centers of LED. The graph which shows the CCD output value of the main scanning direction when using a light irradiation unit between the positioning pin of a light-guide plate between the light emission centers of LED. The principal part enlarged block diagram of the light irradiation unit which provided the positioning pin of the light-guide plate in the center between the light emission centers of LED, and the position nearest to LED of a light-guide plate in a subscanning direction. Schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional light irradiation device The figure explaining the optical path of the irradiation light in the main scanning direction edge part in the conventional light irradiation apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an optical path of irradiation light at an end portion in the main scanning direction when an end portion in the main scanning direction of the light guide plate is slightly longer than an original region F.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described.
First, a basic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit 1, a paper supply device 40, and a document conveyance reading unit 50. The document conveyance reading unit 50 includes an image reading device (scanner) 150 fixed on the image forming unit 1 and an ADF 51 as a document conveyance device supported by the image reading device (scanner) 150.

  The paper supply device 40 has two paper feed cassettes 42 arranged in multiple stages in the paper bank 41, a feed roller 43 that feeds paper as a recording medium from the paper feed cassette 42, and separates and feeds the fed paper. A separation roller 45 supplied to the path 44 is provided. In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of conveyance rollers 46 that convey the sheet to the sheet feeding path 37 of the image forming apparatus. The paper in the paper feed cassette 42 is fed into a paper feed path 37 in the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus includes an optical writing device 2, four process units 3 K, 3 Y, 3 M, and 3 C that form K, Y, M, and C color toner images, a transfer unit 24 having an intermediate transfer belt 25, and paper conveyance. A unit 28, a registration roller pair 33, a fixing device 34, a paper discharge roller pair 35, a switchback device 36, a paper feed path 37, and the like are provided. Then, a light source such as a laser diode or LED (not shown) disposed in the optical writing device 2 is driven, and the laser is directed toward the photosensitive members 4K, 4Y, 4M, 4C of the process units 3K, 3Y, 3M, 3C. Irradiate light L. By this irradiation, electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the drum-shaped photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C, and the latent images are developed into toner images through a predetermined development process. Note that the subscripts K, Y, M, and C added after the reference numerals indicate specifications for black, yellow, magenta, and cyan.

  In the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the toner images formed on the surfaces of the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C are sequentially superimposed and sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 25 that moves endlessly in the clockwise direction in the drawing. The By this primary transfer, a four-color superimposed color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 25. In addition, the paper supplied from the paper supply device 40 is sent to the secondary transfer nip formed between the paper transport unit 28 and the intermediate transfer belt 25 by the registration roller pair 33 at a predetermined timing, and the intermediate transfer belt. The color toner image on 25 is secondarily transferred onto the paper at once. The sheet that has passed through the secondary transfer nip is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 25 and conveyed to the fixing device 34. The sheet conveyed to the fixing device 34 is fixed to the full color image by pressure or heating in the fixing device 34, then sent from the fixing device 34 to the paper discharge roller pair 35, and then discharged outside the apparatus. .

  The image reading device 150 disposed on the image forming unit 1 includes a first carriage 162 and a second carriage 163. The first carriage 162 and the second carriage 163 are disposed directly below a contact glass (not shown) fixed to the upper wall of the casing of the image reading apparatus 150 so as to contact the document MS. The first carriage 162 is provided with a light source, a reflection mirror, and the like, and the second carriage 163 is provided with a reflection mirror and the like. When reading the image of the document MS conveyed by the ADF 51, the first carriage 162 and the second carriage 163 move to the position A in FIG. 1, and the document MS conveyed by the ADF 51 is stationary there. While passing through the contact glass, the light emitted from the light source is sequentially reflected by the original surface, and the image of the original MS is read by the CCD as the imaging means via a plurality of reflecting mirrors.

  On the other hand, when reading the image of the document MS placed on the contact glass, the first carriage 162 and the second carriage 163 are moved from the left side to the right side in the drawing. Then, in the process of moving the first carriage 162 and the second carriage 163 from the left side to the right side in the figure, the light emitted from the light source is reflected by the document placed on the contact glass, and a plurality of reflecting mirrors and a connection are formed. The image of the document MS is read by a CCD as an imaging means via an image lens or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the image reading apparatus 150 from obliquely above. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the image reading apparatus 150 from the side. As shown in the figure, a first carriage 162 as a first traveling body and a second carriage 163 as a second traveling body are provided in the housing 160 of the image reading apparatus 150 so as to be integrally movable. . The first carriage 162 includes a light irradiation unit 190 that is a light irradiation device, and a first mirror 162a. The second carriage 163 includes a second mirror 163a and a third mirror 163b.

  In the housing 160 of the image reading device 150, two metal first rails extending in the longitudinal direction are fixed at a predetermined interval in the short direction, although not shown. A first carriage 162 is bridged between the first rails so that it can travel along the longitudinal direction on the first rail. Below the first rail, two metal second rails (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction of the casing are fixed at a predetermined interval in the lateral direction of the casing. A second carriage 163 is bridged between two second rails (not shown) so that the second carriage 163 can travel along the longitudinal direction on the second rail. Further, a metal beam plate 164 is fixed to the housing 160, and an electronic circuit including an imaging lens 200 screwed to the upper surface of the case by the metal beam plate 164 and a CCD 221 as an imaging unit. A lens unit 210 having an image reading board unit 220 as a substrate is supported.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a drive motor 170 is provided at the upper right in the drawing, and a drive timing pulley 172 is fixed to the rotation shaft of the driven gear 171 that meshes with the drive gear of the drive motor 170. In addition, a rotation shaft 173 is rotatably supported at one end portion in the longitudinal direction in the casing on the right side in the drawing. A driven timing pulley 174 is fixed to one end portion of the rotating shaft 173, and a driving timing belt 175 is stretched between the driving timing pulley 172 and the driven timing pulley 174. Further, the first pulley 180 is fixed in the vicinity of both end portions of the rotating shaft 173. In addition, two second pulleys 181 are rotatably supported at a predetermined interval in the short side direction of the other end in the longitudinal direction in the housing on the left side in the drawing, and the first pulley 180 and the second pulley 181 are supported. The first timing belt 182 is stretched between the two.

  The second carriage 163 includes a pair of mirror stay portions 163c that support both ends of the second mirror 163a and the third mirror 163b in the main scanning direction, and arm portions 163d that respectively extend from the mirror stay portion 163c toward the first carriage. doing. Further, a third pulley 183 is rotatably supported on the side surface of the housing of the mirror stay portion 163c. A bracket 163e is provided at the tip of the arm portion 163d, and a fourth pulley 184 is rotatably supported by the bracket 163e. A second timing belt 185 is stretched around the third pulley 183 and the fourth pulley 184, and a part of the second timing belt 185 is fixed to the bottom of the housing 160 by a fixing member (not shown). .

  Further, the first timing belt 182 and the second timing belt 185 are fixed to the bottom of the first carriage 162, respectively.

  When the image reading is started, the light irradiation unit 190 irradiates light to a document MS (not shown). Further, the drive motor 170 is driven, and the rotational driving force of the drive motor 170 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 173 via the drive timing belt 175, so that the rotary shaft 173 rotates. As the rotating shaft 173 rotates, the first timing belt 182 rotates clockwise in the drawing. As a result, the first carriage 162 fixed to the first timing belt 182 moves from the left side to the right side in the drawing. Further, when the first carriage 162 moves, the second timing belt 185 fixed to the first carriage 162 moves to the right side in the drawing. Since a part of the second timing belt 185 is fixed to the bottom of the housing 160, the second timing belt 185 does not rotate on the spot but moves the second carriage 163 to the right in the drawing. It rotates with it. Here, since the diameters of the third and fourth pulleys 183 and 184 are twice the diameters of the first and second pulleys, the second carriage 163 is half the speed of the first carriage 162. Move to the right in the figure. Thus, the second carriage 163 moves in the same direction as the first carriage at half the speed of the first carriage 162 so that the optical path length of the light flux from the document surface to the imaging lens 200 does not change. ing.

  A control unit that controls the drive motor 170 controls the drive motor 170 in accordance with an image reading request signal for each line sent from the host computer, and controls the moving speed between the second carriage 163 and the first carriage 162. I have control.

  In the process of moving the first and second carriages 162 and 163 from the left side to the right side in the drawing at a speed ratio of 2: 1, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 190 is placed on the contact glass 155, not shown. Reflected by the document MS as an illumination object. The optical image obtained by this reflection is guided to the imaging lens 200 via the first mirror 162a, the second mirror 163a, and the third mirror 163c, and is imaged on the CCD 221 that is an imaging means.

  The CCD 221 photoelectrically converts the formed reflected light image of the document MS and outputs an analog image signal that is a read image. When the first carriage 162 and the second carriage 163 move to the positions indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 3, the reading of the document MS is finished, and the first carriage 162 and the second carriage 163 are in the home position positions indicated by the solid lines in the drawing. Return to The analog image signal output from the CCD 221 is converted into a digital image signal by an analog / digital converter, and each image processing (binarization, multi-value conversion, gradation) is performed on a circuit board on which an image processing circuit is mounted. Processing, scaling processing, editing processing, etc.).

FIG. 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram in the vicinity of the first carriage 162, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the light irradiation unit 190.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first carriage 162 includes a base 407 formed of a sheet metal in a flat plate shape, and a pair of side plates 407 b suspended from the base 407. A first mirror 162a is attached between the pair of side plates 407b. FIG. 4 shows only one side plate 407b among a pair of side plates provided apart from each other in the paper surface direction (main scanning direction).

  A light irradiation unit 190 that is a light irradiation device is attached to the base 407. The light irradiation unit 190 includes a receiving base 405 as a holding member, an LED array substrate 191 in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in an array, a light guide plate 403 as a light guide, and a cover 406 as a pressing member. The cradle 405 is made of a sheet metal having good heat dissipation, and includes an attachment portion having an attachment surface with respect to the base 407, and a slope portion bent to form a predetermined angle with the base 407. A step in the sub-scanning direction is provided on the inclined surface of the cradle 405 so that the interval between the lower step 405d and the cover 406 is larger than the interval between the upper step 405u and the cover 406. The upper stage 405u and the lower stage 405d are substantially parallel.

  A light guide plate 403 is positioned on the upper stage 405u of the cradle 405. The light guide plate 403 is formed as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped flat in the main scanning direction by using a resin having high transmittance such as acrylic. In this case, three positioning pins 404 (convex portions) that are positioning portions integrally formed (molded) with the light guide plate 403 have three pin holes as light guide positioning portions that penetrate the front and back of the cradle 405 (see FIG. No. 6 404a and 404b). The three positioning pins 404 are formed at three locations (the center in the longitudinal direction and both ends) on the lower surface of the light guide plate 403.

  An LED array substrate 191, which is a flat circuit board, is attached to the lower stage 405 d of the cradle 405 with screws 409. The screws 409 are arranged so as to be biased toward the attachment portion side (right side in the drawing) of the cover 406 and fix both ends of the LED array substrate 191 in the main scanning direction. When the LED array substrate 191 is positioned, fixing with screws 409 is adopted from the viewpoint of assembly while taking into consideration the maintenance of an appropriate amount of light and unevenness in the amount of light in the main scanning direction. However, the method is not limited to this, and a method in which the LED 192 is abutted against the light guide plate 403 or a method using a jig such as a spacer may be employed.

  A plurality of side view type LEDs 192 as light emitting elements are attached to the LED array substrate 191 along the main scanning direction. By driving the LED array substrate 191, light is irradiated from the irradiation surface (left end surface in FIG. 4) 192a toward the incident surface (right end surface in FIG. 4) 403a of the light guide plate 403. Further, using the total reflection in the light guide plate 403, light is uniformly irradiated from the irradiation surface (left end surface in FIG. 4) 403b of the light guide plate 403 toward the reflector 301 and the contact glass 155. . In this case, the positioning pins 404 are arranged between the light emission centers of the LEDs 192 so as not to face the LEDs 192.

  A cover 406 as a pressing member is attached to the base 407 with a plurality of screws 408. This is because the heat generated by the LED array substrate 191 prevents the cover 406 from being lifted except at both ends (particularly in the center). The cover 406 includes an attachment portion in which a screw fastening hole for attachment to the base 407 is formed, a slope portion 406 s that forms a predetermined angle θ with the base 407, and a rib-like reinforcing member for increasing the rigidity of the cover 406 601 (see FIG. 5).

  The attachment portion of the cover 406 has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional shape in the sub-scanning direction. The reinforcing members 601 are formed substantially perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and a plurality of reinforcing members 601 are formed side by side in the sub-scanning direction.

  A convex portion 406 a is integrally formed on the lower surface of the slope portion 406 s of the cover 406. The convex portions 406a are provided at the center and both ends of the cover 406 in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction). The three convex portions 406a are offset from the center of the light guide plate 403 in the sub-scanning direction toward the incident surface (left end surface in FIG. 4) 403a and are in contact with the upper surface of the light guide plate 403.

  The three convex portions 406a are arranged between the LEDs 192 so as not to face the LEDs 192. This is to prevent light incident on the light guide plate 403 from being absorbed by the three convex portions 406a.

The shape of the end surface (contact surface) of the convex portion 406a is not particularly limited. For example, a square, a circle, or another shape that can be easily molded may be used. The cover 406 is made of a light shielding member that has a high light density and hardly transmits light, such as a polyester film containing black carbon or a PET material. As a result, light leaks out to the right in the sub-travel direction with respect to the irradiation region (shown by E in FIG. 4) of the contact glass 155 by the cover 406, that is, in the direction in which the first carriage 162 travels to the sub-scanning side of the document. Can be prevented.
Further, the cover 406 may be made of a member having good thermal conductivity such as metal. In this case, the heat generated by the plurality of LEDs 192 can be radiated more efficiently, and the temperature difference between the plurality of LEDs can be reduced.

  A reflector 302 is provided on the lower surface of the cover 406 so as to face the LED 192 and the light guide plate 403 over the main scanning direction. The end surface of the reflector 302 extending in the main scanning direction is close to the three convex portions 406a.

  The step of the cradle 405 is provided so that a slight gap is formed between the lower surface of the light guide plate 403 and the LED array substrate 191. The incident surface side of the light guide plate 403 faces the LED array substrate 191. The upper surface on the incident surface side of the light guide plate 403 facing the LED array substrate 191 is pressed downward (LED array substrate 191 side) in the figure by the three convex portions 406a of the cover. For this reason, the light guide plate 403 is rotated clockwise in the figure by the convex part 406a of the cover, with the end part (right side in the figure) of the upper stage 405u of the cradle 405 as a fulcrum. As a result, the LED array substrate 191 is pressed against the lower stage 405d of the cradle by the incident surface side of the light guide plate 403. At this time, the exit surface side of the light guide plate 403 maintains the state where the positioning pins 404 are engaged with the pin holes 404a and 404b at the positions shown in FIG. That is, even if the light guide plate 403 rotates, the positioning pin 404 does not come out of the pin holes 404a and 404b from the LED array substrate side end portion (right side in the drawing) of the upper 405u to the upper surface of the LED array substrate 191. The height is set. Therefore, even if the upper surface of the light guide plate 403 on the incident surface side is pressed by the convex portion 406a of the cover and the light guide plate 403 rotates, the sub-scanning direction and the main scanning direction of the light guide plate 403 are positioned.

  When both ends of the LED array substrate 191 are fixed with the screws 409, there is a possibility that the central portion of the LED array substrate 191 is deformed (returns and floats) by heat generated from the LED array substrate 191. When the deformation occurs, the light emitting surface 192a of the LED 192 deviates from the incident surface 403a of the light guide plate 403, which causes unevenness in the amount of light in the main scanning direction. However, in the present embodiment, the vicinity of the LED array of the LED array substrate 191 is pressed in the main scanning direction by the incident surface side of the light guide plate 403. Therefore, the LED array substrate 191 does not float and comes into contact with the cradle 405 over the main scanning direction. Since the cradle 405 and the base 407 are made of sheet metal, the heat generated from the LED array substrate 191 is dissipated by heat conduction. Therefore, deformation of the LED array substrate 191 can be prevented.

  The light guide plate 403 is pressed against the LED array substrate 191 side by the convex portion 406 a of the cover 406. Therefore, the positional relationship in the vertical direction with respect to the substrate surface of the LED array and the light guide plate 403 can be stabilized, and the occurrence of unevenness in the amount of light in the main scanning direction can be suppressed. Accordingly, the light emitting surface 192 a of the LED 192 of the LED array substrate 191 is opposed to the incident surface 403 a of the light guide plate 403.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, a part of the light guide plate 403 is fixed in a state of being lifted from the upper stage 405u of the cradle 405. As a result, the light guide plate 403 is not in contact with other members except for the following (1) to (3).
(1) A portion in contact with the three convex portions 406a on the upper surface of the light guide plate.
(2) A portion that is in contact with a part of the upper stage 405u (the end (right side in the drawing) of the upper stage 405u) of the cradle 405 and a part of the LED array substrate 191 on the lower surface of the light guide plate.
(3) A portion in contact with the pin holes 404a and 404b of the positioning pin 404.
As described above, since the components other than the above (1) to (3) are not in contact with other members, the irradiation light of the LED 192 is suppressed from being absorbed by the other members, and is reflected within the light guide plate 403 (totally The light is guided toward the contact glass 155 while being reflected.

  In addition, the angle θ formed by the inclined surface portion 406 s of the cover 406 and the base 407 is smaller than the angle formed by the inclined portion of the cradle 405 and the base 407. Therefore, the inclined surface portion of the cradle 405 and the inclined surface portion 406s of the cover 406 are not parallel (tapered toward the light irradiation direction), and the pressure applied by the cover 406 is concentrated on the convex portion 406a protruding from the inclined surface portion 406s. Become. Therefore, the light guide plate 403 and the LED array substrate 191 can be favorably pressed.

  Further, the light emitting surface 192a of the LED 191 has a smaller area (the vertical width in FIG. 4) than the incident surface 403a of the light guide plate 403. Furthermore, the LED 192 and the light guide plate 403 are arranged with a predetermined gap in the sub-scanning direction. However, in order to utilize total reflection by the light guide plate 403, the LED 192 is arranged in the vicinity of the side surface (other than the incident surface and the irradiation surface) 403c of the light guide plate 403.

  Since the area (upper and lower width in FIG. 4) of the incident surface 403a of the light guide plate 403 is large, the light emitted from the LED 192 at a wide angle surely enters. In addition, since the shape of the light guide plate 403 is a rectangular parallelepiped suitable for total reflection (having a sufficient length in the light guide direction), it is appropriate while the light incident on the light guide plate 403 travels while being totally reflected inside. Light with a good illuminance distribution. Further, the LED 192 and the light guide plate 403 are separated from each other. This is to prevent the light guide plate 403 and the LED 192 from coming into contact with each other due to the variation in the LEDs 192 constituting the LED array.

  Further, the first carriage 162 is provided with a reflector 301 as a reflecting member. The reflector 301 faces the irradiation surface 403 b of the light guide plate 403 sandwiched between the cradle 405 and the cover 406. A bent portion that is bent in the sub-scanning direction, that is, the traveling direction return side of the first carriage 162 is formed on the reflector 301 so that the light emitted from the light guide plate 403 can be guided to the contact glass 155. Has been.

  The reflector 301 reflects the light emitted from the light guide plate 403 at the bent portion. By this reflection, for example, when a cut and pasted document is read, a shadow caused by unevenness of the document can be eliminated.

  The light emitted from the LED 192 is incident from the incident surface 403 a of the light guide plate 403, travels through the light guide plate 403 while being reflected (totally reflected) on the upper and lower surfaces and side surfaces of the light guide plate 403, and is reflected from the irradiation surface 403 b of the light guide plate 403 to the reflector 301 and Injected toward the irradiation area E of the contact glass 155. The irradiation light irradiated toward the reflector 301 is reflected by the reflector 301 and is irradiated to the irradiation area E of the contact glass 155. The irradiation area E is an area extending in the sub-scanning direction of the document MS. On the other hand, an opening 304 is formed in the base 407, and light reflected from the document MS enters the first mirror 162a through the opening 304.

FIG. 7 is an overall view showing a relationship among the light guide plate 403, the LED 192, and the document area F, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. The document area F is an area extending in the main scanning direction of the document MS.
As shown in FIG. 7, the length of the light guide plate 403 and the LED array substrate 191 in the main scanning line direction is slightly longer than the document area F. As shown in FIG. 8, the light emission center O of the LED 192 at the end portion in the main scanning direction is 1 [mm] outside the end portion in the main scanning direction of the document region F. Further, the end portion in the main scanning direction of the light guide plate 403 is 2.5 [mm] outside the end portion in the main scanning direction of the document area F.
As shown in FIG. 7, the length of the light guide plate 403 in the main scanning direction is substantially the same as that of the document area F, so that the light enters the light guide plate 403 from the LED 192 at the end in the main scanning direction as shown in FIG. Of the irradiated light, a part of the irradiated light that goes outside the document area F is totally reflected by the side surface 403C of the light guide plate 403 and travels toward the document area F (dotted line X2 in the figure). As a result, in addition to the irradiation light directed to the document area indicated by the solid line Z1 in the figure, the irradiation light totally reflected on the side surface 403C of the light guide 403 indicated by the dotted line X2 in the figure is also applied to the document area. A sufficient amount of light at the end can be secured. Therefore, a decrease in illuminance at the edge of the document area F can be suppressed, and light with an appropriate illuminance distribution can be irradiated onto the document area F.

Next, a verification test conducted by the present inventors will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9, the positioning pin 404 (Φ2.0 [mm]) of the light guide plate 403 (refractive index: 1.49, thickness: 3 [mm]) is the light emission center line H (of the light emitting surface 192a) of the LED 192. The light irradiation unit located on the vertical line of the light emission center O (or the normal line when the light emission surface is a curved surface) was mounted on the image reading device 50, and the white reference plate was read. The distance from the positioning pin 404 to the incident surface 403a of the light guide plate 403 is 6.0 [mm], and the distance from the light emitting surface 192a of the LED 192 to the incident surface 403a of the light guide plate 403 is 0.8 [mm]. is there. The CCD output value in the main scanning direction at that time is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the positioning pin 404 of the light guide plate is at the center (near 2700 Pixel) in the main scanning direction, and it can be seen that the CCD output value of each color of that portion is partially reduced.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the light emission characteristics of the LED 192.
This graph is a graph for explaining the irradiation intensity at each point distant from the light emitting surface of the LED 192 by a straight line (irradiation direction) connecting the light emitting center O of the light emitting surface 192a and each point and the light emitting center line. The angle with H (hereinafter referred to as the directivity angle) is taken on the horizontal axis, and the irradiation intensity at each point is taken on the vertical axis. As can be seen from this graph, of the irradiation light irradiated from the LED 192, the light in the emission center line direction (light with a directivity angle of zero) has the highest irradiation intensity, and the decrease rate of the light irradiation intensity as the angle increases. Becomes larger. That is, light having a small directivity angle has an irradiation intensity close to the maximum irradiation intensity, but light having a large directivity angle has an irradiation intensity that is significantly smaller than the maximum irradiation intensity.

  Therefore, when the positioning pin 404 is provided on the light emission center line H of the LED 192, as shown in FIG. 11, the positioning pin is present on the optical path of strong light. As a result, of the light that is totally reflected in the light guide plate, the light having a high intensity enters the positioning pin 404. The positioning pin 404 is difficult to be mirror-finished, and the angle of total reflection with the light incident on the positioning pin cannot be obtained, so that the irradiation light leaks from the positioning pin 404. Further, the light incident on the positioning pin 404 is absorbed by the contact portion of the cradle 405 with the positioning pin 404. As a result, the amount of light irradiated from the irradiation surface 403b of the light guide plate on the light emission center line H of the LED 192 is significantly reduced. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the CCD output value of each color at the position (near 2700 Pixel) where the positioning pin 404 of the light guide plate is provided is considered to have decreased.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the positioning pin 404 (Φ2.0 mm) of the light guide plate 403 (refractive index: 1.49, thickness: 3 [mm]) is positioned between the light emission centers O of the adjacent LEDs 192. The light irradiation unit 190 to be mounted was mounted on the image reading apparatus 50, and the white reference plate was read. The distance between the light emission centers of the LEDs 192 is 7.0 [mm], the distance from the positioning pins 404 to the incident surface 403a of the light guide plate 403 is 6.0 [mm], and the light emission surface 192a of the LED 192 to the light guide plate 403. The distance to the incident surface 403a is 0.9 [mm]. FIG. 13 shows CCD output values in the main scanning direction at that time. The position of the positioning pin is around 3000 pixels shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, it can be seen that there is no portion where the CCD output value of each color is partially reduced.

  This shows that when the positioning pin 404 is provided between the light emission centers O of the LEDs 192, the irradiation light incident on the positioning pin 404 is irradiation light having a large directivity angle, as shown in FIG. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 11, the irradiation light having a lower irradiation intensity is incident on the positioning pin 404 than the irradiation light having a directivity angle of zero. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the ratio of the irradiation light incident on the positioning pin 404 out of the irradiation light totally reflected toward the positioning pin 404 provided on the light emission center line H, as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the amount of light that leaks or is absorbed from the positioning pin 404 when the ratio of the irradiation light incident on the positioning pin 404 is the same among the irradiation light that has been totally reflected toward the positioning pin 404 provided between the light emission centers O. The positioning pins 404 provided between the light emission centers O are overwhelmingly less. Originally, the irradiation light with low light emission intensity leaks from the positioning pin 404. Therefore, a decrease in the amount of light irradiated from the position X1 or X2 on the irradiation surface 403b of the light guide plate 403 is provided with the positioning pin 404 at the light emission center. Less than the case. Therefore, when the positioning pin 404 is provided between the light emission centers O of the LEDs 192, it is considered that there is no portion where the CCD output value of each color is partially reduced.

  Therefore, by arranging the positioning pins 404 of the light guide plate 403 between the adjacent LEDs 192, the influence of light leakage from the positioning pins 404 can be minimized, and the CCD output value in the main scanning direction can be reduced. It is thought that there is little influence on it.

  Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 11, considering that the emission intensity of the LED 192 decreases as the directivity angle increases, the positioning pins 404 of the light guide plate 403 are moved in the main scanning direction as shown in FIG. You may provide in the center between the light emission centers O of adjacent LED192, and the position nearest to LED192 of the light-guide plate 403 in a subscanning direction. With this configuration, the intensity of light incident on the positioning pin 404 is the weakest, and even if light leaks from the positioning pin 404, the amount of light becomes small, and the influence of the illuminance distribution can be minimized.

  In this embodiment, the side view type LED 192 whose light emitting surface is perpendicular to the substrate surface of the LED array substrate as the light emitting element is used, but the light emitting surface is parallel to the substrate surface of the LED array substrate. A top view type LED can also be used.

As described above, the light irradiation unit 190 that is the light irradiation device of the present embodiment is opposed to the LED array substrate 191 that is a substrate in which the LEDs 192 that are a plurality of light emitting elements are linearly arranged in the main scanning direction, and the light emitting surface 192a of the LED 192. It has a light guide plate 403 that is a light guide that guides light emitted from the LED 192 to an irradiation area E of a document that is an irradiated body. Further, a cradle 405 as a holding member for holding the LED array substrate 191 and the light guide plate 403 is also provided. The light guide plate 403 is formed with positioning pins 404 that are positioned portions that engage with the pin holes 404 a and 404 b that are light guide positioning portions of the cradle 405. Further, when the light guide plate 403 is positioned on the cradle 405 by engaging the positioning pins 404 with the pin holes 404 a and 404 b of the cradle 405 holding the LED array substrate 191, the LED array fixed to the cradle 405. Positioning pins 404 are provided so as to be positioned between the light emission centers O of the LEDs 192 adjacent in the main scanning direction of the substrate 191.
By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent the illuminance distribution in the main scanning direction on the document surface from becoming nonuniform compared to the case where the positioning pin 404 is provided on the light emission center line H of the LED 192 of the light guide plate 403. be able to. Further, since the positioning pins 404 are arranged in the document area, the length of the light guide plate 403 in the main scanning direction can be made substantially the same as the length of the document area. Thereby, the light reflected on the side surface 403C of the light guide plate can be directed to the document area, and a decrease in illuminance at the edge of the document area can be suppressed.

  Further, when the light guide plate 403 is positioned on the cradle 405 by engaging the positioning pins 404 with the pin holes 404a and 404b of the cradle 405 on which the LED array substrate 191 is held, the light emission of the LEDs 192 adjacent in the main scanning direction is performed. Positioning pins 404 are provided so as to be located at the center between the centers O and on the LED side. As a result, the intensity of light incident on the positioning pin 404 becomes the weakest, and even if light leaks from the positioning pin 404, the amount of light becomes small, and the influence of the illuminance distribution can be kept to a minimum.

The LED 192 is a so-called side view type LED 192 to which the light emitting surface 192a of the LED 192 is perpendicular to the LED array substrate 191, and the cradle 405 is a substrate holding surface on which the LED array substrate 191 is held. A lower step 405d is provided, and an upper step 405u that is a light guide-facing surface facing the light guide plate. Further, when the LED array substrate 191 is held on the lower step 405d, a step is formed between the upper step 405u and the lower step 405d so that the upper step 405u is closer to the light guide plate than the LED array substrate 191. The positioning pin 404 engages with the pin holes 404a and 404b, so that the LED side of the light guide plate 403 contacts the LED side of the positioned light guide plate 403 so as to face the LED array substrate 191. A cover 406 serving as a pressing member for fixing the light guide plate 403 was provided by applying pressure to the LED array substrate 191 and pressing the LED side of the light guide plate 403 against the LED array substrate 191.
With this configuration, when the LED side of the light guide plate 403 is pressed by the cover 406, the light guide plate 403 rotates around the LED side end of the upper stage 405u as a fulcrum, and the positioning pin 404 and the pin hole 404 In contact with the LED array substrate 191. Thereby, the light guide plate 403 is fixed in a state of being lifted from the upper stage 405u of the cradle 405. As a result, the lower surface of the light guide plate 403 (excluding the positioning pins) can be in non-contact with other members except for overlapping with a part of the upper stage 405u of the receiving base 405 and a part of the LED array substrate 191. Therefore, while reflecting (total reflection) in the light guide plate 403, it is possible to suppress the irradiation light toward the irradiation surface 403b from being absorbed by other members and to irradiate from the irradiation surface 403b. Therefore, a good light quantity can be obtained.
The light guide plate 403 is pressed against the LED array substrate 191 side by the cover 406, and the positions of the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction are determined by the positioning pins 404. Therefore, the positional relationship in the vertical direction with respect to the substrate surface of the LED array and the light guide plate 403 can be stabilized, and the positional relationship in the main scanning direction of the incident surface 403a of the light guide plate 403 with respect to the LED light emitting surface 192a can be stabilized. The occurrence of unevenness in the amount of light in the main scanning direction can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, a light irradiating unit for irradiating light on the document surface and a scanner board unit 220 as an image reading unit for receiving reflected light from the document surface and reading an image on the document surface are provided. In the scanner unit 150 which is an image reading apparatus, the above-described light irradiation unit is used as the light irradiation unit. Therefore, according to the scanner unit, it is possible to suppress the illuminance distribution in the main scanning direction from being nonuniform on the document surface, and as a result, the image reading accuracy is improved.

  In the present embodiment, an image reading unit that reads an image on a document surface and an image forming unit 1 that forms an image on a recording sheet that is a recording material based on image information read by the image reading unit are provided. In an image forming apparatus that is an image forming apparatus, the scanner unit 150 is used as an image reading unit. Thereby, a good copy image can be obtained.

1: Image forming unit 150: Scanner unit 162: First carriage 190: Light irradiation unit 191: LED array substrate 192: LED
192a: LED irradiation surface 220: scanner board unit 301, 302: reflector 403: light guide plate 404: positioning pin 404a, 404b: pin hole 405: cradle 405u: upper 405d: lower 406: cover

JP 2006-349807 A

Claims (13)

A light irradiating means for irradiating the document surface with light;
In an image reading apparatus comprising image reading means for receiving reflected light from the original surface and reading an image on the original surface,
The light irradiation means includes
A substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged;
A light guide that opposes the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and has an incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, and guides the light incident from the incident surface to an irradiation region of the irradiated object;
A holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate,
The light guide has a positioned portion that engages with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member;
When the positioned portion is engaged with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member holding the substrate and the light guide is positioned on the holding member, the positioned portion connects the adjacent light emitting elements. Located on the vertical bisector of the line,
The image reading apparatus, wherein the light guide is disposed so that a light emitting element side of the light guide overlaps a surface of the substrate to which a plurality of light emitting elements are attached. A light irradiating means for irradiating the document surface with light;
In an image reading apparatus comprising image reading means for receiving reflected light from the original surface and reading an image on the original surface,
The light irradiation means includes
A substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged;
A light guide that opposes the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and has an incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, and guides the light incident from the incident surface to an irradiation region of the irradiated object;
A holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate,
The light guide has a positioned portion that engages with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member;
When positioning the light guide body engaged with the portion to be positioned on the light guide positioning portion of the holding member on which the substrate is held on the holding member, the portion to be positioned are mutually neighboring Ri fit emitting element Located on a perpendicular bisector connecting a line segment parallel to the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements, connecting the opposing surfaces facing each other ,
The image reading apparatus, wherein the light guide is disposed so that a light emitting element side of the light guide overlaps a surface of the substrate to which a plurality of light emitting elements are attached. A light irradiating means for irradiating the document surface with light;
In an image reading apparatus comprising image reading means for receiving reflected light from the original surface and reading an image on the original surface,
The light irradiation means includes
A substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged;
A light guide that opposes the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and has an incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, and guides the light incident from the incident surface to an irradiation region of the irradiated object;
A holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate,
The light guide has a positioned portion that engages with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member;
When the positioned portion is engaged with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member holding the substrate and the light guide is positioned on the holding member, the positioned portion connects the adjacent light emitting elements. Located on the vertical bisector of the line,
An image reading apparatus comprising: a pressing member that presses the light guide onto a surface of the substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are attached. A light irradiating means for irradiating the document surface with light;
In an image reading apparatus comprising image reading means for receiving reflected light from the original surface and reading an image on the original surface,
The light irradiation means includes
A substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged;
A light guide that opposes the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and has an incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, and guides the light incident from the incident surface to an irradiation region of the irradiated object;
A holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate,
The light guide has a positioned portion that engages with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member;
When positioning the light guide body engaged with the portion to be positioned on the light guide positioning portion of the holding member on which the substrate is held on the holding member, the portion to be positioned are mutually neighboring Ri fit emitting element Located on a perpendicular bisector connecting a line segment parallel to the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements, connecting the opposing surfaces facing each other ,
An image reading apparatus comprising: a pressing member that presses the light guide onto a surface of the substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are attached. A light irradiating means for irradiating the document surface with light;
In an image reading apparatus comprising image reading means for receiving reflected light from the original surface and reading an image on the original surface,
The light irradiation means includes
A substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged;
A light guide that opposes the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and has an incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, and guides the light incident from the incident surface to an irradiation region of the irradiated object;
A holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate,
The light guide has a positioned portion that engages with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member;
When the positioned portion is engaged with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member holding the substrate and the light guide is positioned on the holding member, the positioned portion connects the adjacent light emitting elements. Located on the vertical bisector of the line,
The center of the light emitting element at the end of the plurality of light emitting elements in the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements is arranged outside the end of the irradiation region of the irradiated body in the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements. An image reading apparatus. A light irradiating means for irradiating the document surface with light;
In an image reading apparatus comprising image reading means for receiving reflected light from the original surface and reading an image on the original surface,
The light irradiation means includes
A substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged;
A light guide that opposes the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and has an incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, and guides the light incident from the incident surface to an irradiation region of the irradiated object;
A holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate,
The light guide has a positioned portion that engages with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member;
When positioning the light guide body engaged with the portion to be positioned on the light guide positioning portion of the holding member on which the substrate is held on the holding member, the portion to be positioned are mutually neighboring Ri fit emitting element Located on a perpendicular bisector connecting a line segment parallel to the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements, connecting the opposing surfaces facing each other ,
The center of the light emitting element at the end of the plurality of light emitting elements in the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements is arranged outside the end of the irradiation region of the irradiated body in the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements. An image reading apparatus. A light irradiating means for irradiating the document surface with light;
In an image reading apparatus comprising image reading means for receiving reflected light from the original surface and reading an image on the original surface,
The light irradiation means includes
A substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged;
A light guide that opposes the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and has an incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, and guides the light incident from the incident surface to an irradiation region of the irradiated object;
A holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate,
The light guide has a positioned portion that engages with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member;
When the positioned portion is engaged with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member holding the substrate and the light guide is positioned on the holding member, the positioned portion connects the adjacent light emitting elements. Located on the vertical bisector of the line,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positioning portion of the light guide is disposed within a range in an arrangement direction of the light emitting elements of an irradiation region of the irradiated body. A light irradiating means for irradiating the document surface with light;
In an image reading apparatus comprising image reading means for receiving reflected light from the original surface and reading an image on the original surface,
The light irradiation means includes
A substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged;
A light guide that opposes the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and has an incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, and guides the light incident from the incident surface to an irradiation region of the irradiated object;
A holding member having a substrate holding surface for holding the substrate,
The light guide has a positioned portion that engages with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member;
When positioning the light guide body engaged with the portion to be positioned on the light guide positioning portion of the holding member on which the substrate is held on the holding member, the portion to be positioned are mutually neighboring Ri fit emitting element Located on a perpendicular bisector connecting a line segment parallel to the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements, connecting the opposing surfaces facing each other ,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positioning portion of the light guide is disposed within a range in an arrangement direction of the light emitting elements of an irradiation region of the irradiated body. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The image reading apparatus, wherein the light emitting element is attached to the substrate such that a light emitting surface of the light emitting element is perpendicular to the substrate. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
When the positioned portion is engaged with the light guide positioning portion of the holding member that holds the substrate and the light guide is positioned on the holding member, the positioned portion is positioned on the light emitting element side. An image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
The image reading apparatus, wherein the pressing member is in contact with the light guide between the incident surface of the light guide and the positioned portion. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
An image reading apparatus, wherein the holding member is made of sheet metal.   An image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image on a document surface; and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material based on image information read by the image reading unit. Item 13. An image forming apparatus using the image reading device according to any one of Items 1 to 12.

Images