JPH04245764A - Contact image sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To miniaturize a facsimile(FAX) equipment or the like and to reduce cost by position and fixing a photoelectric conversion part, an LED array and an rod lense array on a part of a lower cabinet. CONSTITUTION:This contact image sensor is a completely contact type including the photoelectric conversion part 1 and the LED array 2 and assembles as an image sensor by positioning and fixing respective constitutional parts on the lower cabinet to be a part of the body structure of the FAX equipment. Namely the conversion part 1 is engaged with an upward step part 10b an the upper end of a projected part 10a of the lower cabinet 10 and fixed by an adhesive or an adhesive tape and the LED array 2 is engaged with an inner groove part 10c of the projected part 10a and fixed by the same.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a contact image sensor used in a document reading section of a facsimile machine.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of contact image sensor has been unitized, and a typical example thereof is shown in FIG. The example shown here is a so-called complete contact image sensor, in which a photoelectric conversion element and a conductive pattern for connection are formed on the surface of a glass substrate, and the surface is coated with a wear-resistant layer. 1. An LED array 2 as a light source for document illumination, a printed circuit board 3 on which the LED array 2 and a circuit for driving the photoelectric conversion element and amplifying the image information signal from the photoelectric conversion element are mounted, It has a structure in which it is positioned and fixed to a base 4 and assembled into a unit.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic structure of a document reading portion of a facsimile machine equipped with such a conventional unitized contact image sensor. In Figure 5, 5 is Figure 4
The contact image sensor unit shown in FIG. 6 is a platen roller for bringing the document into close contact with the photoelectric conversion unit 1 of the contact image sensor; 7 is a front drive roller that sends the document toward the platen roller 4; 8
is a rear drive roller that feeds out the original that has passed through the platen roller 6. 9 is the cover of the facsimile machine body, 10
is the lower cabinet of the facsimile machine.

[0004] When the document sent by the front drive roller 7 and the rear drive roller 8 passes between the platen roller 6 and the photoelectric conversion unit 1, it is illuminated by the LED array 2 via the photoelectric conversion unit 1, and the original is illuminated by the LED array 2. The reflected light enters the photoelectric conversion element of the photoelectric conversion unit 1, and image information of the original is read.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] According to the configuration of the conventional contact image sensor as illustrated in FIG. The problem is that contact image sensors tend to be expensive, and there are various restrictions on being able to attach them as a unit to facsimile machines, etc., leading to the complexity of the structures of contact image sensors and facsimile machines, etc. Otherwise, there was a problem in that it made miniaturization difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a close-contact image sensor that can be easily miniaturized and cost-reduced not only for itself but also for the main body of a device such as a facsimile machine on which it is mounted. The purpose is to

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes a light source unit for illuminating a document to be read, and a light source unit that receives reflected light from the document and generates electricity independent of the light source unit. It has a photoelectric conversion unit for converting into a signal,
Alternatively, in addition to the original document section and the photoelectric conversion section, there is provided an optical section independent from them for forming an image of reflected light from the document on the photoelectric conversion section, and each of the above components is connected to a main body structure of a facsimile machine or the like. It has a structure in which it is assembled by positioning and fixing a part of it.

[0008]

[Operation] As described above, the present invention has a structure in which the contact image sensor is not constructed as a unit structure, but each of its separate components is assembled using a part of the main body structure of the facsimile machine or the like in which it is mounted. Therefore, there is no need for a dedicated base or the like that was required in a unit structure, and there is no complication in the structure due to restrictions on mounting as a unit, making it easy to miniaturize the contact image sensor and reduce costs. Furthermore, as a result, it is easy to downsize and reduce the cost of a facsimile machine in which the contact image sensor is mounted.

[0009] The advantage of ease of replacement due to unitization of the contact image sensor is lost according to the present invention. However, in reality, it is extremely rare that a contact image sensor mounted in a facsimile machine or the like is replaced, so there is no particular problem even if the replacement becomes a little troublesome.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a contact image sensor and mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. This contact image sensor is mounted in a document reading section of a facsimile machine, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4 or 5 indicate equivalent parts.

The present contact image sensor is a completely contact type including a photoelectric conversion unit 1 and an LED array 2 similar to the one shown in FIG. 4), and is assembled as an image sensor by positioning and fixing using the lower cabinet 10, which is a part of the main body structure of the facsimile machine. That is, the photoelectric conversion unit 1 is fitted into the upward step 10b at the upper end of the protrusion 10a of the lower cabinet 10 and fixed using adhesive or adhesive tape, and the LED array 2 is fitted into the groove 10c inside the protrusion 10a. It has a simple structure assembled as an image sensor by being fixed in the same manner as fitting, and can be made smaller and cheaper as a whole compared to a unit structure. The image reading operation is as described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing a contact image sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 indicate equivalent parts. In addition to the photoelectric conversion unit 1 and the LED array 2, this contact image sensor includes a rod lens array 12 and a reading glass 13 as shown in the figure. , 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h
It has a structure that is assembled as a contact image sensor by fitting or adhering it to the image sensor. The document travels while being pressed against the reading glass 13 by the platen roller 6, and its reflected light is imaged on the photoelectric conversion unit 1 by the rod lens array 12.

[0013] In the present close-contact image sensor, it may be necessary to align the rod lens array 12 and the photoelectric converter 1 and to adjust the focus, but such work is not possible with the close-contact image shown in FIG. Not necessary for sensors.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modification of the contact image sensor shown in FIG. In order to make the glass substrate of the photoelectric conversion unit 1, which is relatively easily damaged, less likely to be damaged during assembly work, the present contact image sensor first attaches the photoelectric conversion unit 1 to the auxiliary fitting 15, and then attaches it to the convex part of the lower cabinet 10. I am trying to attach it to 10a. Further, this auxiliary metal fitting 15 has a U-shaped cut-and-raised portion 15a.
By engaging the bearing of the platen roller 6 with this, positioning in the main scanning direction (the axial direction of the platen roller 6) is performed.

Note that 16 is a printed circuit board mounted with a circuit for driving the photoelectric conversion element on the photoelectric conversion section 1 and amplifying the output image information signal, and 17 is a signal connection between the printed circuit board 16 and the photoelectric conversion section 1. Flexible cable for, 18
is a member for holding down the flexible cable 17 and guiding the document.

[0016]

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, the present invention has a light source section, a photoelectric conversion section, and an optical section as independent and separate components, and each of these is a part of the main body structure of a facsimile machine or the like. Because the structure is assembled by positioning and fixing using the unit structure, there is no need for a dedicated base, etc. that was required in the case of a unit structure, and there are no restrictions on mounting as a unit, making the contact image sensor more compact. This has the effect of making it easier to reduce costs, and as a result, making it easier to downsize and reduce costs of facsimile machines and the like in which the contact image sensor is mounted.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a contact image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention and its mounting structure in a facsimile machine.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a contact image sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention and its mounting structure in a facsimile machine.

[Fig. 3] A schematic cross-sectional view showing a modification of the contact image sensor shown in Fig. 1.

[Figure 4] Schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional unitized contact image sensor

[Fig. 5] A schematic cross-sectional view showing the mounting structure of a conventional unitized contact image sensor in a facsimile machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Photoelectric conversion section 1a Photoelectric conversion section 2 LED array (optical section) 4 Base 6 Platen roller 7 Front drive roller 8 Rear drive roller 9 Top cover 10 Lower cabinet 12 Rod lens array 13 Reading glass

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A light source section for illuminating a document to be read, and a photoelectric conversion section independent from the light source section for receiving reflected light from the document and converting it into an electrical signal, each of which is connected to a facsimile machine or the like. A contact image sensor that is assembled by positioning and fixing using a part of the main body structure. 2. An optical device for forming an image of reflected light from a document on the photoelectric conversion portion, which is independent from the light source portion and the photoelectric conversion portion, wherein the light source portion, the photoelectric conversion portion, and the optical portion are 2. The contact image sensor according to claim 1, wherein the contact image sensor is assembled by positioning and fixing each using a part of a main body structure of a facsimile machine or the like.