JP7438728B2 - Image reading unit, image reading device, image forming device, and method for manufacturing the image reading unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image reading unit that reads image information from an object, a method for manufacturing the same, an image reading device that reads image information from a sheet, and an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium.

Image reading units used in document scanners and copying machines emit light toward a document, use a lens to form an image of the reflected light from the document on an image sensor (light receiving device), and the image sensor converts the optical image into an electrical signal. Convert and output. Patent Document 1 describes an image reading unit in which a substrate on which a light-receiving element is arranged and a lens unit are fixed by being bonded to a case.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-108297

When adhering a lens and a substrate to the casing of an image reading unit, a coating means such as a needle is brought close to the casing to apply adhesive to the adhesive surface of the casing. Here, in the configuration described in the above document, the direction in which the adhesive surface to which the lens unit is adhered is exposed is different from the direction in which the adhesive surface to which the substrate is adhered is exposed, and the application means for the case is It was necessary to change the relative orientation of the parts during the assembly process.

To cope with this, workers can work while changing the direction of the needle, rotate the case to expose each adhesive surface, or arrange multiple application means in the orientation corresponding to each adhesive surface. It is also possible to do so. However, these methods lead to an increase in the number of steps for bonding work and an increase in the burden on equipment. Furthermore, when considering automating the process of bonding lenses and substrates, the mechanical configuration of the device becomes more complicated and larger, and the control becomes more complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading unit that can simplify the bonding work, a method for manufacturing the same, and an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus that include the image reading unit.

One aspect of the present invention is a reading unit including an illumination unit that irradiates light to a target object, a lens that forms an image of reflected light from the target object, and an image sensor arranged in a main scanning direction, the reading unit including: a substrate having a reading section that photoelectrically converts reflected light from the object that is imaged by a lens and reads image information of the object; a first adhesive surface that is adhered to the lens with an adhesive; and an adhesive. a second adhesive surface bonded to the substrate by a casing, the lens is attached to the casing so as to face the reading section in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main-scanning direction. When the casing is viewed from a predetermined direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the bonded portion between the lens and the first bonding surface and the bonding portion between the substrate and the second bonding surface are bonded. The image reading unit is characterized in that the first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface are arranged so that both adhesive portions are exposed.

Another aspect of the present invention is a reading unit including an illumination unit that irradiates light to a target object, a lens that forms an image of reflected light from the target object, and an image sensor arranged in a main scanning direction. , a substrate having a reading section that photoelectrically converts reflected light from the object imaged by the lens to read image information of the object, and a casing having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface. a method for manufacturing an image reading unit , the lens being glued to the housing so as to face the reading section in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main-scanning direction, the method comprising: holding the casing so that both the first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface are exposed when viewed from the application direction perpendicular to; and bonding the lens to the first adhesive surface. , a step of applying an adhesive to the first adhesive surface by the application means from the application direction; and a step of applying an adhesive to the second adhesive surface by the application means from the application direction in order to adhere the substrate to the second adhesive surface. A method of manufacturing an image reading unit is characterized in that it includes a step of applying an adhesive.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading unit that can simplify bonding work, a method for manufacturing the same, and an image reading device and an image forming device that include the image reading unit.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a scanner body of an image reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a scanner unit. A side view (a) of the scanner unit seen from below and enlarged views (b, c) of a portion thereof. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an adhesive structure of a lens unit. A perspective view of a CCD board. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a bonding structure of a CCD substrate.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, a schematic configuration of a printer 101, which is an image forming apparatus of this embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 101 includes a printer main body 101A and an image reading device 103. As will be described in detail later, the image reading device 103 disposed above the printer main body 101A includes a main body unit 30 and an ADF 1, and optically scans the document D to read image information. “ADF” stands for automatic document feeder. The original D is a paper such as a paper or an envelope, a plastic film such as a sheet for an overhead projector, or a sheet such as cloth. Image information converted into electrical signals by the image reading device 103 is transferred to a control unit 132 provided in the printer main body 101A.

The printer main body 101A includes an image forming section 133 that forms an image on a sheet P, which is a recording medium, and a sheet feeding section 134 that feeds the sheet P to the image forming section 133. The sheet feeding section 134 includes sheet storage sections 137a, 137b, 137c, and 137d that can store sheets of different sizes. The sheets stored in each sheet storage section are fed out by a pickup roller 112, separated one by one by a feed roller 113a and a retard roller 113b, and delivered to a corresponding pair of transport rollers 131. Then, the sheet P is conveyed to the registration roller pair 136 by being sequentially delivered to a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 131 arranged along the sheet conveyance path.

Note that the sheet P placed on the manual feed tray 137e by the user is fed into the printer main body 101A by the feeding roller 138, and is conveyed to the registration roller pair 136. The registration roller pair 136 stops the leading edge of the sheet P to correct the skew, and restarts conveyance of the sheet P in accordance with the progress of the image forming operation, which is the toner image forming process by the image forming section 133.

The image forming section 133 that forms an image on the sheet P is an electrophotographic image forming unit that includes a photosensitive drum 121 that is a photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 121 is rotatable along the conveyance direction of the sheet P, and around the photosensitive drum 121 are a charger 118, an exposure device 123, a developer 124, a transfer charger 125, a separation charger 126, and a cleaner 127. is located. The charger 118 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 121, and the exposure device 123 exposes the photosensitive drum 121 to light based on image information input from the image reading device 103 or the like to form an electrostatic latent image on the drum. do.

The developing device 124 contains a developer containing toner, and supplies the charged toner to the photosensitive drum 121 to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 121 is transferred onto the sheet P conveyed from the registration roller pair 136 by a bias electric field formed by the transfer charger 125. The sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 121 by a bias electric field formed by a separation charger, and is transported toward a fixing section 129 by a pre-fixing transport section 128 . Incidentally, deposits such as untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 121 without being transferred to the sheet P are removed by the cleaner 127, and the photosensitive drum 121 is prepared for the next image forming operation.

The sheet P conveyed to the fixing unit 129 undergoes a fixing process that includes pressing and heating the toner image while being conveyed while being sandwiched between a pair of rollers. As a result, the toner is melted and then fixed, thereby fixing the image on the sheet P. When the image output has been completed, the sheet P on which the fixed image has been obtained is ejected via the ejection roller pair 116 to the ejection tray 130 that protrudes outward from the printer main body 101A. When forming an image on the back side of the sheet P in double-sided printing, the sheet P that has passed through the fixing unit 129 has its front side and back side switched by the reversing unit 139, and is conveyed to the registration roller pair 136 by the duplex conveying unit 140. Ru. Then, the sheet P on which the image has been formed again by the image forming section 133 is discharged to the discharge tray 130.

The image forming section 133 described above is an example of an image forming means, and for example, an inkjet type image forming unit or an offset printing type printing mechanism may be used as the image forming means.

(Image reading device)
Next, the configuration of the image reading device 103 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the ADF 1 transports a document D placed on a document feed tray 2 toward a document discharge tray 3. As shown in FIG. The ADF 1 can be opened and closed relative to the main unit 30, and the main unit 30 is fixed to the printer main body 101A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main unit 30 has a frame 30a that also serves as an exterior member, and a document table glass 31 and a platen glass 31a are arranged on the upper surface of the frame 30a. The document table glass 31 is a mounting table in this embodiment. A scanner unit 50, which is an image reading unit of this embodiment, is held inside the frame 30a. The scanner unit 50 is configured to be movable in parallel to the document table glass 31 by a wire or belt (not shown) driven by a motor.

As shown in FIG. 3, the scanner unit 50 is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type image reading unit. The scanner unit 50 includes a box frame 51, an illumination unit 52, a first mirror 53, a second mirror 54, a third mirror 55, a fourth mirror 56, a fifth mirror 57, a lens unit 58, and a CCD substrate 59. There is. On the CCD substrate 59, CCDs 59a, which are examples of image pickup devices, are arranged along the main scanning direction. The illumination unit 52 is the illumination section of this embodiment, and the CCD 59a is the reading section of this embodiment. Note that although the CCD 59a is illustrated here as an example of the image sensor, an image sensor using CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) may also be used.

The illumination unit 52 is attached to the top of a box frame 51 that constitutes a housing of the scanner unit 50. The lighting unit 52 includes a light emitting element (for example, a light emitting diode) (not shown) and two light guide units 60L and 60R. The lights L1 and L2 emitted by the light emitting elements are uniformly diffused in the main scanning direction by the light guide units 60L and 60R, and are irradiated onto the document D, which is the object from which image information is to be read.

The position where the light emitted from the light guide units 60L and 60R is concentrated on the reading surface is referred to as the "original irradiation position F." However, the sub-scanning direction is a direction perpendicular to the main-scanning direction, and in this embodiment is the moving direction when the scanner unit 50 moves below the document table glass 31. In addition, the reading surface is a predetermined height (in the height direction (depth of field direction) perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction) at which the scanner unit 50 can read image information with high accuracy. It is a virtual plane that extends to the object point position of the optical system. The reading surface in this embodiment corresponds to, for example, the lower surface of the document D placed on the document table glass.

The five mirrors 53 to 57 and the lens unit 58 form an optical path that guides reflected light from the original D to the CCD board 59. Each of the mirrors 53 to 57, which are examples of reflective members, has a reflective surface formed by forming an aluminum vapor-deposited film on a support such as glass, for example. The reflected light (ray L3) reflected by the original D at the original irradiation position F passes through the first mirror 53, the second mirror 54, the third mirror 55, the fourth mirror 56, the fifth mirror 57, and the lens unit 58. Then, an image is formed on the CCD 59a.

The CCD 59a receives the light beam L3 and photoelectrically converts it into an electrical signal representing the image of the document D. The image information of the document D read by the CCD 59a is transmitted to the control section 132 of the printer main body 101A, and is used for image formation by the image forming section 133.

Hereinafter, among the scattered light reflected by the original D, the light is traced from the original irradiation position F to the first mirror 53, the second mirror 54, the third mirror 55, the fourth mirror 56, the fifth mirror 57, and the lens unit 58 to the CCD 59a. The path of the light leading to is defined as the optical path of the scanner unit 50. The light ray L3 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a light ray representative of the light beam that traces the optical path of the scanner unit 50 from the document irradiation position F to the CCD 59a.

The space inside the box frame 51 has an upper part covered by a frame 52a of the lighting unit 52, and a lower part covered by a lower cover 63, which is a cover member of this embodiment. Furthermore, when viewed in the main scanning direction, the CCD 59a is disposed in a space surrounded by a CCD accommodating portion 51a provided in the box frame 51 and a substrate body 59b of the CCD substrate 59.

Further, the box frame 51 is provided with a first side wall opening 51b and a second side wall opening 51c, which are closed by a second mirror 54 and a third mirror 55, respectively. Therefore, the second mirror 54 and the third mirror 55 of this embodiment, together with the box frame 51, the frame 52a of the illumination unit 52, the lower cover 63, and the substrate body 59b, are part of the outer shell that separates the inside and outside of the scanner unit 50. constitutes a part. The inside of the scanner unit 50 is a space in which an optical path and a reading section are accommodated. However, the configuration of the illustrated casing is merely an example, and the shape and arrangement can be changed as appropriate.

The image reading device 103 configured in this manner has two modes: a continuous reading mode in which the original image is scanned while the original D is fed by the ADF 1, and a fixed reading mode in which the original D placed on the original table glass 31 is scanned. , reads image information from a sheet as a document D.

The skimming mode is selected when the apparatus detects the document D placed on the document feed tray 2, or when the user explicitly instructs it through the operation panel of the printer main body 101A. In this case, with the scanner unit 50 located below the platen glass 31a, the ADF 1, which is an example of a conveying device, feeds the documents D placed on the document feed tray 2 one by one, and the scanner unit 50 The image information is read from the original document D. That is, in the skimming mode, the document D is scanned by being conveyed in the sub-scanning direction to the scanner unit 50 whose position is fixed.

On the other hand, the fixed reading mode is selected when the apparatus detects the original D placed on the original platen glass 31 or when the user explicitly instructs it through the operation panel of the printer main body 101A. In the fixed reading mode, the user first opens the ADF 1 and places the original D on the original platen glass 31, and then positions the original D on the original platen glass 31 by closing the ADF1. Then, the scanner unit 50 reads image information from the document D placed on the document table glass 31 while moving along the document table glass 31 . That is, in the fixed reading mode, the scanner unit 50 scans the document D while moving in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the document whose position is fixed.

Note that the scanner unit 50 may be installed in an image reading device that can execute only one of the continuous reading mode and the fixed reading mode. Further, a scanner unit 50 may be additionally disposed inside the ADF 1, so that the two scanner units can read image information from both sides of the document conveyed by the ADF 1.

The direction of adhesion of the lens unit 58 and CCD substrate 59 to the box frame 51 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. In the following description, the main scanning direction of the scanner unit 50 is referred to as the Y direction, the direction in which the scanner unit 50 faces the object (height direction) is referred to as the Z direction, and the direction intersecting the Y direction and the Z direction (sub-scanning direction) is referred to as the Z direction. ) is the X direction. In this embodiment, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, "one side" in the X direction, Y direction, or Z direction represents the positive direction of each axis, and "the other side" represents the negative direction of each axis. The Y direction is the first direction of this example, the X direction is the second direction of this example, and the Z direction is the third direction of this example.

4(a) is a diagram of the scanner unit 50 viewed from the lower side of FIG. 3 in the Z direction, and FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c) are enlarged views of regions 4B and 4C in FIG. 4(a), respectively. It is an enlarged view. In addition, in each figure of FIG. 4, illustration of the lower cover 63 (FIG. 3) which covers a part of box frame 51 from one side in the Z direction is omitted. Furthermore, line 3A-3A in FIG. 4(a) represents the position of the cross-sectional view in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the bonding structure of the lens unit 58 to the box frame 51, and is a cross-sectional view of the scanner unit 50 taken along the YZ plane represented by the line 5A-5A in FIG. 4(c). FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the CCD board 59 separated from the box frame 51. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the bonding structure of the CCD substrate 59 to the box frame 51, and is a cross-sectional view of the scanner unit 50 taken along the XZ plane indicated by the line 7A-7A in FIG. 4(b).

(Adhesion of lens unit)
First, the structure of adhering the lens unit 58, which is the lens of this embodiment, to the box frame 51 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4(c) and 5, the box frame 51 includes wall portions 51d, 51d and slope portions 51e, 51f on the side surface in the Z direction (lower side surface in FIG. 3). The slope portions 51e and 51f function as contact portions that support the lens unit 58 at the mounting position relative to the box frame 51 by contacting the lens unit 58. The wall portions 51d, 51d have a function of guiding the lens unit 58 mounted from one side in the Z direction to the other side (that is, from the top to the bottom in FIG. 5) toward the mounting position.

The wall portions 51d, 51d and the slope portions 51e, 51f are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the CCD 59a in the main scanning direction (Y direction). Further, the lens unit 58 is a cylindrical unit in which a plurality of lenses are housed inside a cylindrical member, and is arranged so that the central axis 580 of the cylinder faces in a direction (X direction) perpendicular to the Y direction. Note that the CCD substrate 59 is arranged with the X direction being the normal direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the Y direction, the central axis direction of the lens unit 58 coincides with the traveling direction of the light ray L3, and the CCD board 59 extends perpendicularly to the light ray L3 passing through the lens unit 58. It has to do with placement.

As shown in FIG. 5, the slope portions 51e and 51f are inclined such that the distance in the Y direction becomes narrower toward one side in the Z direction, which is the mounting direction of the lens unit 58, and spreads in the X direction. . The distance between the slope portions 51e and 51f at one end in the Z direction (the narrowest distance) is smaller than the diameter of the lens unit 58. Therefore, the lens unit 58 comes into contact with tangent lines 51i and 51j of the slope portions 51e and 51f, which are linear contact areas extending in the X direction.

The wall portions 51d, 51d are portions extending in the X direction on both sides of the lens unit 58 in the Y direction when viewed from the Z direction (FIG. 4(c)). The wall portions 51d, 51d further protrude in the Z direction from the side surface 51z of the box frame 51 in the Z direction, as shown in FIG. Further, each wall portion 51d is provided with a concave shape with a portion in the X direction cut out and recessed on one side in the Z direction, and first adhesive surfaces 51g and 51h are provided at the bottom of the concave shape. . In this embodiment, the first adhesive surfaces 51g and 51h are on the same plane as the side surface 51z of the box frame 51 that supports the walls 51d and 51d. Note that the wall portions 51d and 51d can be integrally formed of the same material as the other portions of the box frame 51.

As shown in FIG. 4C and FIG. is exposed when viewed from one side. That is, when one side in the Z direction (the upper side in FIG. 5 and the lower side in FIG. It is arranged so that it is exposed when viewed from a predetermined direction when set to .

Then, the lens unit 58 is adhered to the box frame 51 by the adhesive 61 applied to the first adhesive surfaces 51g, 51h while being guided by the wall parts 51d, 51d and in contact with the slope parts 51e, 51f. Ru. At this time, the bonding work can be easily performed by placing the lens unit 58 on the inclined surfaces 51e and 51f with the box frame 51 fixed, for example, with the side surface 51z facing upward in the vertical direction.

Here, in order to prevent the adhesive 61 from spreading during application and weakening the adhesion of the lens unit 58, it is desirable to select an adhesive having an appropriate viscosity as the adhesive 61. Moreover, by restricting the areas of the first adhesive surfaces 51g, 51h by the walls 51d, 51d, the spread of the adhesive 61 can be suppressed.

Further, the tangents 51i, 51j of the slope portions 51e, 51f and the first bonding surfaces 51g, 51h are located on the same side with respect to the central axis 580 of the lens unit 58 in the Z direction (on the back side in the mounting direction of the lens unit 58). do. According to this configuration, even if the adhesive 61 applied to the first adhesive surfaces 51g, 51h hardens and shrinks, the force acting on the lens unit 58 due to the shrinkage acts to press the lens unit 58 against the tangents 51i, 51j. do. That is, the force exerted by the contraction of the adhesive 61 acts in a direction to prevent the adhesive from coming up from the sloped portions 51e and 51f, which are contact portions that contact the lens unit 58 and restrict the movement of the lens unit 58. Displacement of the lens unit 58 after coating can be suppressed.

In addition, the lens unit 58 placed on the slope portions 51e and 51f has a degree of freedom in movement in the X direction and movement in the rotational direction with respect to the central axis 580 extending in the X direction before being adhered to the box frame 51. have Therefore, the position and phase of the lens unit 58 relative to the box frame 51 and the CCD board 59 can be adjusted by reading an image using the CCD board 59 and using an adjustment tool while referring to the acquired image information. Then, the lens unit 58 held at the optimal position and phase can be bonded to the box frame 51.

Here, in order to continuously perform the position adjustment process and the bonding process of the lens unit 58, it is preferable to use an adjustment tool that has an adhesive coating function. In addition, the process of applying the adhesive in the above-mentioned bonding work can be automated using an automatic coating device, and in particular, productivity can be increased by using an assembly device that is equipped with a function to automatically adjust the position of the lens unit 58 and perform bonding. You can improve your performance.

(Adhesion of CCD substrate)
Next, the structure of adhering the CCD substrate 59, which is the substrate of this embodiment, to the box frame 51 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the box frame 51 includes second adhesive surfaces 51k, 51l, 51m, and 51n on the side surface in the Z direction (lower side surface in FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 6, the CCD substrate 59 includes a CCD 59a, a substrate body 59b, and a support body 59c. The substrate body 59b is fixed to a support 59c, and the CCD 59a is mounted on the substrate body 59b. Furthermore, adhesive portions 59d, 59e, 59f, and 59g are provided on the support body 59c. The adhesive portions 59d, 59e, 59f, and 59g are arm portions that extend in a direction (X direction in this embodiment) that intersects the substrate body 59b when viewed from the Z direction. Then, the CCD substrate 59 is fixed to the box frame 51 by bonding the bonding portions 59d, 59e, 59f, and 59g to the second bonding surfaces 51k, 51l, 51m, and 51n using the adhesive 61, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 4(a, b) and 7, when the lower cover 63 is removed and the CCD board 59 is set in the mounting position with respect to the box frame 51, the second adhesive surface 51k is attached in the Z direction. is exposed when viewed from one side. In other words, when one side in the Z direction (the upper side in FIG. 5, the lower side in FIG. 3) is the predetermined direction in this embodiment, the second adhesive surfaces 51k, 51l, 51m, and 51n of the box frame 51 are attached to the lens unit. 58 is exposed when viewed from a predetermined direction in a state where it is set at the mounting position.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the second adhesive surface 51k is provided in a concave portion that is depressed in the Z direction from the surrounding surface (the Z direction side surface 51z of the box frame 51). Therefore, the adhesive applied between the second adhesive surface 51k and the adhesive portion 59d of the CCD substrate 59 can be prevented from protruding in the Z direction with respect to the box frame 51 due to swelling. Thereby, interference with other parts of the scanner unit 50 can be suppressed. Similarly, the other second adhesive surfaces 51l, 51m, and 51n are also recessed compared to the surrounding surfaces.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4(b) and 7, the second adhesive surface 51k has a concave shape that receives the adhesive portion 59d of the CCD substrate 59, and has an opening toward one side in the Z direction and a concave shape that receives the adhesive portion 59d of the CCD substrate 59. A recessed groove portion 62 is provided on the side. Similar grooves 62 are also provided on the other second adhesive surfaces 51l, 51m, and 51n.

Before the CCD substrate 59 is bonded to the box frame 51, gaps 62a and 62b exist between the bonded portions 59d and 59e and the inner peripheral surface of the groove portion 62. Similarly, gaps also exist between the bonded parts 59f, 59g and the box frame 51. Therefore, the CCD substrate 59 has degrees of freedom in the three axial directions of X, Y, and Z and in the rotation direction with respect to each axis before being bonded. Therefore, if the adjustment tool described above is used, the CCD board 59 can be read at the same time, and the position and phase of the CCD board 59 can be adjusted while referring to the acquired image information. The position and phase can be confirmed. Then, the CCD substrate 59 held at the optimum position and phase can be bonded to the box frame 51. Note that although the CCD substrate 59 before bonding has been described here as having degrees of freedom in the three axes directions and in the rotation direction with respect to each axis, some of these degrees of freedom (for example, the Y direction and the rotation direction that cannot be realized by adjusting the position of the lens unit 58) It may also be possible to have a degree of freedom only in the movement in the Z direction.

Here, in order to continuously adjust and bond the CCD substrate 59, it is preferable to use an adjustment tool that has an adhesive coating function. Furthermore, an automatic coating device that can automatically perform at least part of the position adjustment process and bonding process described above can also be used.

(Manufacturing method of scanner unit)
The method for manufacturing the scanner unit 50 according to the present embodiment includes at least the following steps (a) to (e).
(a) With the side surface 51z of the box frame 51 in the Z direction facing in a coating direction (for example, vertically upward) suitable for applying adhesive with a coating means such as a needle, the box frame 51 is moved using a jig or the like. The process of holding.
(b) A step of setting the lens unit 58 on the box frame 51 and adjusting the position of the lens unit 58.
(c) In order to adhere the lens unit 58 to the box frame 51, a step of applying an adhesive to the first adhesive surfaces 51g and 51h by approaching the application means from the application direction.
(d) A step of setting the CCD board 59 on the box frame 51 and adjusting the position of the CCD board 59.
(e) A step of applying adhesive to the second adhesive surfaces 51k, 51l, 51m, and 51n by approaching the application means from the application direction in order to adhere the CCD substrate 59 to the box frame 51.

In the step (a) above, the box frame 51 is held in such a position that both the first adhesive surfaces 51g, 51h and the second adhesive surfaces 51k, 51l, 51m, 51n are exposed when viewed from the coating direction. . As a result, in the steps (c) and (e), it becomes possible to apply the adhesive by approaching the adhesive from the same application direction, thereby simplifying the adhesion work.

Note that the "application direction" does not need to match the direction (Z direction) in which the side surface 51z of the box frame 51 faces. Therefore, when the box frame 51 with the lens unit 58 and the CCD board 59 not bonded is viewed from a predetermined direction, both the first bonding surfaces 51g, 51h and the second bonding surfaces 51k, 51l, 51m, and 51n are exposed. It suffices if the arrangement is such that it does. In this case, by carrying out the steps (a) to (e) above with the predetermined direction or a direction close to it as the coating direction, the bonding work can be easily performed.

Further, the above steps (a) to (e) are performed in any order except that (a) is performed first. Further, each of the steps (a) to (e) above may be performed manually by a worker, or may be performed automatically by a device such as an automatic coating device.

(Summary of this embodiment)
In this embodiment, when the box frame 51 is viewed from a predetermined direction (one side in the Z direction), both the first adhesive surfaces 51g, 51h and the second adhesive surfaces 51k, 51l, 51m, and 51n are exposed. It is located. In addition, the first adhesive surfaces 51g, 51h and the second adhesive surfaces 51k, 51l, 51m, 51n are arranged so that both of these first adhesive surfaces and second adhesive surfaces are included in the projection view (FIG. 4(a)). It is provided at a position where the surface of the box frame 51 can be projected onto the same plane. Therefore, if a coating means such as a needle for applying adhesive is provided on one side in the Z direction, the lens unit 58 and the CCD substrate 59 can be bonded successively or simultaneously by the same coating device. I can do it. This is because the application means accesses the box frame 51 when applying adhesive to the first adhesive surfaces 51g, 51h, and the application means when applying adhesive to the second adhesive surfaces 51k, 51l, 51m, 51n. This is because the access directions are shared. Therefore, the work of adhering the lens unit 58 and the CCD board 59 can be simplified regardless of whether it is performed by an operator or automated. This also contributes to shortening manufacturing time and cost by reducing the number of assembly steps involved in adhering the lens unit 58 and CCD substrate 59.

In particular, the first adhesive surfaces 51g, 51h and the second adhesive surfaces 51k, 51l, 51m, 51n of this embodiment are parallel to each other, and their normal directions are oriented in the same direction (one side in the Z direction). Therefore, for example, a configuration is possible in which the application means approaches each adhesive surface and applies the adhesive from one side in the Z direction, which is the normal direction. Note that even if the first adhesive surfaces 51g, 51h and the second adhesive surfaces 51k, 51l, 51m, and 51n are not parallel, as long as all the adhesive surfaces are arranged so that they can be projected onto an arbitrary plane, the coating can be completed. Adhesion can be performed from a predetermined direction (for example, from the normal direction of the plane) by means of this method.

Furthermore, if the adjustment tool described above is used when adhering the lens unit 58 and the CCD board 59, the lens unit 58 and the CCD board 59 can be adhered to the box frame 51 with the respective positions and phases adjusted to the optimum positions. is possible. Further, an adjustment tool that can automatically perform the above steps is even better because the above complicated steps can be completed in a short time.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to simplify the bonding of the lens unit and the substrate to the casing of the image reading unit. Note that the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

For example, the number of the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface and the positional relationship when viewed from a predetermined direction can be changed. That is, the lens unit 58 may be bonded to the box frame 51 using an adhesive applied to the first bonding surfaces at three or more locations. Moreover, the first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface do not necessarily have to be parallel surfaces to each other.

Further, in the above embodiment, the lens unit 58 bonded to the box frame 51 is covered with a lower cover 63 (FIG. 3). This is to prevent light other than the reflected light from the target area from reaching the CCD 59a, but if it is determined that such light is sufficiently small depending on the optical path design or usage environment, the lower cover 63 may be removed. May be omitted.

Further, depending on the design of the optical path inside the scanner unit 50, the direction in which the lens unit 58 and the CCD 59a face each other may be different from the X direction. In such a case, the first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface may be provided on a side surface of the box frame 51 that is different from the side surface in the Z direction.

Further, although the above embodiment describes the image reading device 103 assembled into an image forming apparatus, the present technology is also applicable to an image reading device that can be used alone. Furthermore, the image reading unit described in the above embodiments is not limited to reading image information from a sheet as a document, but can also be applied as a device reading image information for other purposes. For example, in an image forming apparatus, it can be used as a device for reading an image formed on a recording medium in order to adjust image density, image position, and distortion. Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable to devices other than image forming devices that read and use image information, such as banknote authenticity determination devices and devices that automate sorting of goods in distribution warehouses.

1...Transport device (ADF)/31...Place table (document glass)/50...Image reading unit/51...Casing (box frame)/51d...Wall part/51e, 51f...Contact part (slope part)/51g , 51h...First adhesive surface/51k, 51l, 51m, 51n...Second adhesive surface/52...Illumination section (lighting unit)/58...Lens (lens unit)/59...Substrate (CCD substrate)/59a...Reading section (CCD)/59d, 59e, 59f, 59g...Adhesive part/61...Adhesive/101...Image forming device (printer)/103...Image reading device/133...Image forming means (image forming section)/X...Second Direction (sub-scanning direction)/Y...first direction (main scanning direction)/Z...third direction (height direction)

Claims (15)

an illumination unit that irradiates light onto an object;
a lens that forms an image of the reflected light from the object;
a substrate having a reading unit including image sensors arranged in the main scanning direction, the reading unit photoelectrically converting reflected light from the object imaged by the lens to read image information of the object;
a casing having a first adhesive surface that is bonded to the lens using an adhesive; and a second adhesive surface that is bonded to the substrate using an adhesive;
The lens is bonded to the housing so as to face the reading section in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main-scanning direction,
When the casing is viewed from a predetermined direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the adhesive portion between the lens and the first adhesive surface and the adhesive portion between the substrate and the second adhesive surface are the first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface are arranged so that both are exposed;
An image reading unit characterized by: The first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface are provided on one side surface of the casing in the predetermined direction ,
The image reading unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first bonding surface and the second bonding surface are arranged so that both the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface are visible when the casing with the lens and the substrate not bonded is viewed from the predetermined direction . 2 adhesive surfaces are arranged,
The image reading unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lens is a cylindrical member with a central axis facing the sub-scanning direction ,
The housing has a wall portion that protrudes from the side surface of the housing to one side in the predetermined direction and extends in the sub-scanning direction on both sides of the lens in the main scanning direction when viewed from the predetermined direction ,
The wall portion is provided with a concave shape recessed on the other side in the predetermined direction ,
The first adhesive surface is the bottom of the concave shape,
The image reading unit according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The lens is a cylindrical member with a central axis facing the sub-scanning direction ,
The casing has a contact portion that contacts the lens at a position different from the first adhesive surface,
The first adhesive surface and the contact portion are located on the same side with respect to the central axis of the lens with respect to the predetermined direction .
The image reading unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4. In a state where the lens is not bonded to the first adhesive surface and the lens is in contact with the contact portion, the lens is rotated in at least one of the sub-scanning direction and the rotation direction with respect to the central axis of the lens. The contact portion is configured such that the position can be adjusted with respect to the
The image reading unit according to claim 5, characterized in that: The side surface of the casing is provided with a recess that is recessed on the other side in the predetermined direction ,
the second adhesive surface is provided in the recess;
The image reading unit according to any one of claims 2 to 6. The substrate includes a substrate main body that supports the reading section, and an arm fixed to the substrate main body and extending in the sub-scanning direction , and the arm is attached to the second adhesive surface with an adhesive. is glued,
The image reading unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The second adhesive surface is provided with a concave shape that is open on one side in the predetermined direction and receives the arm when the substrate approaches the casing toward the other side in the predetermined direction ,
The arm portion is bonded to the second adhesive surface with a space provided between the arm portion and the inner peripheral surface of the concave shape in at least one of the main scanning direction , the sub-scanning direction , and the predetermined direction. ,
The image reading unit according to claim 8. the first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface are parallel to each other;
The image reading unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface are located at positions where the surface of the casing can be projected onto the same plane so that both the first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface are included in the projection view. is provided in
The image reading unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10. a cover member fixed to the housing and covering at least one of the lens and the substrate from the predetermined direction;
When the casing is viewed from the predetermined direction with the cover member not attached to the casing, the adhesive portion between the lens and the first adhesive surface and the bond between the substrate and the second adhesive surface are Both adhesive parts will be exposed.
The image reading unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11. At least one of a conveying device that conveys the sheet and a mounting table on which the sheet is placed;
An image reading unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which reads image information from a sheet.
An image reading device characterized by: An image reading device according to claim 13;
an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image information read by the image reading device;
An image forming apparatus characterized by: An illumination unit that irradiates light onto a target object, a lens that forms an image of reflected light from the target object, and a reading unit that includes an image sensor arranged in a main scanning direction, the image forming part of the image being formed by the lens. a substrate having a reading section that photoelectrically converts reflected light from an object to read image information of the object; and a casing having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface, wherein the lens is arranged in the main scanning direction. A method of manufacturing an image reading unit bonded to the casing so as to face the reading section in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to
holding the casing so that both the first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface are exposed when viewed from a coating direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction ;
applying an adhesive to the first adhesive surface by a coating means from the coating direction in order to adhere the lens to the first adhesive surface;
a step of applying an adhesive to the second adhesive surface by the application means from the application direction in order to adhere the substrate to the second adhesive surface;
A method of manufacturing an image reading unit, characterized in that:

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