JP2002190909A - Image read and write integrated head, and image processor equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image read and write integrated head which can easily change its light source, according to application, etc., and also can suitably accelerate overall downsizing. SOLUTION: This is an image read and write integrated head A is equipped with a board 6 where a plurality of light receiving element 70 and a plurality of heating elements 78 are arranged severally in the form of rows extending in a certain direction into the same plane, and an illuminator for applying light to the read line L on the surface of a transparent cover 19. The illuminator possesses at least one light source 9 which is electrically connected to the terminal part of the board 6 through a wiring member and is arranged within a case 1, and a light guide member 4 which has a light incoming face for receiving light from this light source 9 and a light outgoing face 42 extending in the fixed direction and leads the light to the reading line L, by emitting the light having entered the inside through the light incoming face from each place of the light outgoing face 42 while letting it advance in the fixed direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an integrated image reading / writing head having both an image reading function and a printing function, and an image processing apparatus having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A specific example of an image processing apparatus is a facsimile machine. A facsimile apparatus needs to have both an image reading function and a printing function. In this case, if an image reading head and a print head are separately provided, the entire size of the heads is bulky. Therefore,
The applicant of the present application has previously proposed the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-32210 as an example of an integrated image reading and writing head in which an image reading function and a printing function are combined into one head.

As shown in FIG. 11 of the present application, an integrated image reading / writing head X described in the above publication is provided with a case 90 on a substrate 9.
1 has an assembled structure, and this substrate 9
A plurality of light sources 92, a plurality of light receiving elements 93,
A plurality of heating elements 94 and these plurality of heating elements 94
A plurality of drive IC chips 95 for performing the drive control are mounted in a row. The plurality of heating elements 94 are mounted on portions of the substrate 91 protruding outside the case 90, and a platen roller P <b> 2 for transporting the recording paper K is provided at a location facing the plurality of heating elements 94. It is. Original D is placed on the upper surface of case 90.
A transparent plate 96 for guiding the light is mounted. A platen roller P1 for transporting the document D is provided at a position facing the transparent plate 96. A reading line L is set on the surface of the transparent plate 96, and the reading line L can be irradiated with light from each light source 92. An imaging lens array 97 is incorporated in the case 90.

According to such a configuration, when the surface of the document D is illuminated by the light source 92 during the process of transporting the document D on the transparent plate 96 by the platen roller P1, the light reflected by the document D is , Lens array 97
And converge, and reach a plurality of light receiving elements 93. Therefore, read image signals of output levels corresponding to the amount of received light are output from the plurality of light receiving elements 93 one line at a time. On the other hand, the heat-sensitive recording paper K is conveyed by the platen roller P2 so as to be in close contact with each heating element 94. In this transport process, each heating element 94
Is selectively driven to generate heat, and a desired image is
Printed line by line.

In the image reading / writing head X described above, since the light source 92, the light receiving element 93, the heating element 94, and the driving IC chip 95 are mounted on the same surface of the substrate 91, the mounting work thereof is not performed. Easy. Further, a terminal portion for supplying power to the above components and input / output of various signals from an external device, and a wiring pattern connecting the terminal portion and the above components are also collectively formed on the surface of the substrate 91. be able to. For example, when a plurality of light receiving elements 93 and a plurality of heating elements 94 are separately mounted on the front surface and the back surface of the substrate 91 as in the image reading / writing integrated head Y shown in FIG. It is necessary to carry out those mounting work.
Furthermore, it is necessary to form wiring patterns related thereto on both the front and back surfaces of the substrate 91. Therefore, the integrated image reading / writing head X described above is easier to manufacture than the integrated image reading / writing head Y shown in FIG. In the image reading / writing integrated head X, the platen roller P <b> 2 is located on the side of the case 90. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, this integrated image reading / writing head X is an image reading / writing integrated head in which two platen rollers P1 and P2 for a document and recording paper are arranged so as to sandwich the entire case 90 in the thickness direction. Compared with Y, the entire width of the case 90 in the thickness direction can be reduced.

[0006]

However, the conventional image reading / writing integrated head X has a problem to be solved as described below.

That is, the integrated image reading / writing head X is
There are cases where it is desired to change the type of the light source 92 or the like according to the specific use. For example, the integrated image reading / writing head X may be configured for a monochrome image or may be configured for a color image. In such a case, the printing process can be dealt with by using, for example, a heat-sensitive ink ribbon and selectively using one for monochrome and one for color, and it is necessary to change the configuration of the plurality of heating elements 94. There is no. In contrast,
Regarding the image reading process, the light source 92 may emit monochromatic light for a monochrome image, but each of R, G, and B (red, blue, and green) for a color image. It must be a light source that emits light.

However, the integrated image reading / writing head X is
Since the light source 92 has a structure in which the light source 92 is directly mounted on the substrate 91, in order to manufacture two types of integrated image reading / writing heads in which the type of the light source 92 is different, two types of substrates on which a predetermined light source is mounted are manufactured. And had to prepare. These two types of substrates also have different wiring patterns formed on their surfaces. Therefore, those manufacturing operations are complicated.

Conventionally, a relatively large space for mounting a plurality of light sources 92 in a row must be provided on the substrate 91. Therefore, the width of the substrate 91 increases accordingly, and there is still room for improvement in reducing the size of the entire image reading / writing head.

In the integrated image reading / writing head Y shown in FIG. 12, a light source 92 is connected to a substrate 9 separate from the substrate 91.
8, the type of the light source 92 can be changed without changing the configuration of the substrate 91. However, in such a configuration, there is a problem in that wiring connection for supplying power from the outside must be performed to each of the two substrates 91 and 98. Further, since the light sources 92 need to be arranged in a row so as to face the reading line L, the total number thereof is inevitably increased, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost and the like.

The present invention has been conceived under such circumstances, and it is possible to easily change the light source according to the use and the like, and it is possible to suitably promote the miniaturization of the whole. It is an object of the present invention to provide an integrated image reading / writing head capable of reading and writing. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus including such an integrated image reading / writing head.

[0012]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following technical means.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an integrated image reading / writing head comprising: a substrate on which a plurality of light receiving elements and a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a row extending in a predetermined direction and mounted on the same surface; A case assembled to the substrate so as to surround the plurality of light receiving elements without covering the plurality of heating elements, and a transparent plate mounted on the case and having a reading line extending in the predetermined direction on the surface thereof. And an illuminating device that irradiates light from the inside of the case toward the reading line, and a device that is incorporated in the case and focuses reflected light from a document arranged on the reading line, thereby converging the light. A plurality of lenses for forming an image of a document on the plurality of light receiving elements; and a plurality of lenses provided on the substrate and supplied with power from an external device. And a terminal unit, wherein the illumination device is at least one light source electrically connected to the terminal unit via a wiring member and disposed in the case. And a light incident surface that receives light from the light source and a light exit surface that extends in the predetermined direction, and the light exit surface of the light exit surface while advancing light that has entered from the light incident surface to the inside in the constant direction. And a light guide member that guides the light to the reading line by emitting the light from various places.

In the present invention, the light source is red,
At least one LE configured to include a plurality of LEDs that emit green and blue light, or to emit monochromatic light
D.
The former configuration is suitable when the integrated image reading / writing head is used for color, and the latter configuration is suitable when used for monochrome.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

First, since the light source is connected to the power supply terminal of the substrate via the wiring member, the type of the light source can be changed according to, for example, monochrome or color use. When changing, the light source and the wiring member may be changed, and there is no need to change the configuration of the substrate. That is, in the present invention,
Even when the types of light sources are different, the substrates can be shared. Therefore, manufacture of the image reading / writing integrated head is facilitated.

Second, since the power supply from the external device to the light source can be performed through the terminal portion of the substrate, the power supply to the light source needs to be performed separately from the power supply to the substrate. And the structure therefor is simplified.

Third, it is not necessary to provide a space for directly mounting the light source on the substrate. Therefore, the width of the substrate can be reduced accordingly, and the size of the image reading / writing integrated head can be reduced.

Fourth, due to the function of the light guide member, it is possible to appropriately irradiate light to various portions of the reading line while reducing the total number of the light sources. Therefore, by reducing the total number of the light sources, it is possible to reduce component costs and running costs.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light guide member comprises a transparent member having a plurality of mirror-like side surfaces extending in the predetermined direction and at least one end surface in the longitudinal direction. The light incident surface is provided, and one of the plurality of side surfaces is the light emitting surface, and a portion of the plurality of side surfaces facing the light emitting surface receives the received light. A light diffuse reflection surface capable of reflecting the light in a scattered reflection manner or a shape close to the scattered reflection is provided.

According to such a configuration, when the light emitted from the light source travels from the light incident surface into the light guide member, the light repeats total reflection by the mirror-like side surface of the light guide member. While traveling in the above-mentioned fixed direction. In the course of such light, when the light reaches the light diffuse reflection surface, the light is reflected in a scattered reflection or a form close to the light, so that the light incident on the light emission surface is smaller than the total reflection critical angle. The possibility of incidence at an angle is increased.
As a result, light is efficiently emitted from the light emitting surface, and the light can be appropriately guided to the reading line.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the entire surface of the outer surface of the light guide member excluding the light incident surface and the light exit surface, which is housed in the case, or It has a reflector that covers a part.

According to such a configuration, leakage of light traveling in the light guide member is suppressed by the reflector, and the efficiency of irradiating light to the reading line is increased.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reflector has an accommodating portion for accommodating the light source so as to face the light incident surface.

According to such a configuration, the positioning and holding of the light source can be rationally performed using the reflector.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reflector is disposed on the substrate, the wiring member is a flat flexible cable on which the light source is mounted, and This flexible cable has a portion connected to the power supply terminal portion by being disposed so as to be sandwiched between the reflector and the substrate, and the other portion has a portion connected to the substrate. By being bent so as to stand up, the portion on which the light source is mounted is inserted into the housing of the reflector.

According to such a structure, the flexible cable is arranged in a space-efficient manner, which is more suitable for reducing the size of the whole image reading / writing head.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wiring member is provided with an electronic component for converting power supplied from an external device to the power supply terminal to power suitable for the light source. Has been implemented.

According to such a configuration, the function of the electronic component can protect the light source and the like. in addition,
Unlike the case where the electronic component is mounted on the substrate, it is not necessary to provide a wiring pattern for connecting the electronic component and the light source on the substrate.

[0030] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of IC chips in which the plurality of light receiving elements are built, and the plurality of IC chips include:
A circuit for controlling the driving of the plurality of heating elements is also built in.

According to such a configuration, the total number of chips is reduced as compared with the case where the IC chip for controlling the driving of the heating element and the chip of the light receiving element are separately mounted on the substrate. Mounting work is facilitated. Further, the size of the substrate can be further reduced.

The image processing apparatus provided by the second aspect of the present invention is characterized by including the integrated image reading / writing head provided by the first aspect of the present invention.

According to such a configuration, the first aspect of the present invention is
An effect similar to that obtained by the aspect can be expected.

[0034] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention.

[0035]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 8 show an embodiment of an integrated image reading / writing head according to the present invention. 2 and 3, the integrated image reading / writing head A according to the present embodiment includes a case 1, a transparent cover 19, a lens array 2, a reflector 3, a light guide member 4, a light source 9, a flexible cable 5, and the like. , A substrate 6, a plurality of IC chips 7, a plurality of heating elements 78, and a radiator plate 69.

The plurality of heating elements 78 are mounted on the first side edge 60a on the surface of the substrate 6 or in the vicinity thereof.
They are arranged in a row extending in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 6. The plurality of heating elements 78 have the same configuration as the heating elements used in the existing thermal print head. That is, the plurality of heating elements 78 are formed in a linear shape extending continuously in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 6 by printing and baking a thick film resistor paste containing, for example, ruthenium oxide as a conductor component, and forming the conductor portion in the longitudinal direction. It is manufactured by forming a wiring pattern that is electrically divided at regular intervals along the direction.

The plurality of IC chips 7 are provided on the surface 6 a of the substrate 6.
And a plurality of heating elements 7
8 are arranged in a row substantially in parallel. Each IC chip 7 has a control circuit (not shown) for driving and controlling a plurality of heating elements 78 and a plurality of light receiving elements 70 integrally formed. The plurality of light receiving elements 70 have a photoelectric conversion function, and are arranged at a constant pitch in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 6. The control circuit is electrically connected to the plurality of heating elements 78 via the wiring pattern 68 shown in FIG. 6, and is energized for selectively heating the plurality of heating elements 78 based on a signal transmitted from the outside. Execute control.

The substrate 6 is made of, for example, ceramic.
It is a long rectangular plate. 6 and 7, the second side edge 60b of the surface of the substrate 6
Are provided with a plurality of terminal portions 61, 61a at one end in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of terminals 61 are for supplying drive power to components mounted on the board 6 and inputting / outputting various data and signals. On the surface of the substrate 6, a wiring pattern (not shown) for conducting the plurality of terminal portions 61 to components mounted on the substrate 6 is formed. On the other hand, the plurality of terminal portions 61 a are for supplying driving power to the light source 9. As shown in FIG. 2, a connector 67 is mounted on the board 6, and the terminal unit 61 is connected to an external device via the connector 67. On the back surface of the substrate 6, a heat sink 69 is laminated and assembled. The heat radiating plate 69 is made of, for example, metal, and serves to prevent overheating of the heat generating elements 78 by releasing heat generated from the heat generating elements 78. In the heat sink 69 and the case 1,
A concave portion for avoiding interference with the connector 67 is appropriately provided.

The flexible cable 5 corresponds to an example of a wiring member according to the present invention. For example, a wiring pattern (not shown) made of copper foil or the like is formed on a thin film made of polyimide or other resin and having electrical insulation properties. It is formed and has flexibility. The flexible cable 5 is manufactured by bending a flat cable as shown by a solid line in FIG. 8 at portions indicated by reference numerals n1 and n2 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the flexible cable 5 has a horizontal portion 51 and an upright portion 52 connected to one side edge of the horizontal portion 51. At one end in the longitudinal direction, a bent portion 52a is provided.

The light source 9 is mounted on the bent portion 52a. The light source 9 has respective LE, green, and blue LEs.
D chip 99, these three LED chips 9
9 is mounted on an appropriate substrate, and is packaged with a transparent resin to form a surface mounting type. Of course, in the present invention, a configuration in which each of the three LED chips 99 is directly bonded to the flexible cable 5 may be adopted. An appropriate number of zener diodes 54 are mounted on the horizontal portion 51 of the flexible cable 5.
The Zener diode 54 serves to protect the light source 9 by making the voltage value of the power supplied to the light source 9 constant. For example, four terminal portions 53 are provided on the back surface of the horizontal portion 51, and the light source 9 is electrically connected to these terminal portions 53 via a zener diode 54.

The flexible cable 5 is housed in the case 1 while being mounted on the surface of the substrate 6 as shown by a virtual line in FIG. The bent portion 52a is supported by the reflector 3, as described later. Each terminal 53 is electrically connected to each terminal 61 a of the substrate 6. This connection is made by soldering or by connecting an anisotropic conductive film that conducts electricity only in the thickness direction to each of the terminal portions 53 and 61a.
It can be performed by interposing it between them. The latter means is suitable when the pitch between the plurality of terminal portions 61a and the terminal portions 53 is small.

The case 1 is made of a synthetic resin, and is mounted on the substrate 6 so as to surround a plurality of IC chips 7 as well shown in FIG. The region of the substrate 6 on which the plurality of heating elements 78 are mounted protrudes to the side of the case 1, and the plurality of heating elements 78 are not covered by the case 1. A platen roller P2 is provided at a position facing the plurality of heating elements 78. One side surface 1a of the case 1 facing the platen roller P2 is inclined with respect to the substrate 6, so that the platen roller P2 can be arranged on the side of the case 1 with good space efficiency. Further, the inclination of the one side surface 1a also helps to facilitate the operation of inserting the recording paper K between the platen roller P2 and the substrate 6.

The transparent cover 19 guides the document D, and is made of, for example, glass or synthetic resin having high transparency. The transparent cover 19 is mounted on the upper surface of the case 1 so as to face the surface of the substrate 6 with a space therebetween. In the present embodiment, the transparent cover 1
9 is inclined with respect to the substrate 6. This inclination is caused by the substrate 6
This is useful for smooth conveyance of the document D supplied perpendicularly to the document. A reading line L described later is set on the surface of the transparent cover 19. At a position facing the transparent cover 19, a platen roller P1 is provided.

The light guide member 4 constitutes the illumination device according to the present invention when combined with the light source 9, and plays a role of guiding light emitted from the light source 9 to the reading line L. The light guide member 4 is entirely or substantially entirely made of a transparent member, and is made of, for example, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate (methacrylic resin)) or PC (polycarbonate) having excellent transparency and mechanical strength. ing. The light guide member 4 is in the form of a bar extending in a certain direction, and each part of the outer surface thereof has a mirror surface. As shown in FIG. 2, the light guide member 4 has a main portion 40 extending in a certain direction, and an auxiliary portion 41 connected to one longitudinal end of the main portion 40.

The main portion 40 is a portion having a sectional shape as shown in FIG. 3, and is connected to a flat light emitting surface 42 extending in the longitudinal direction of the light guide member 4 and to the light emitting surface 42. It has a pair of curved side surfaces 45 that extend in the same direction as the lever emission surface 42 and face each other. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a plurality of concave grooves 43 having a substantially arc-shaped cross section are formed in a portion of the pair of side surfaces 45 facing the light emitting surface 42. They are provided at appropriate intervals in the direction. The curved surface that defines each concave groove 43 is a surface that can reflect received light in a form close to scattered reflection, and corresponds to an example of a light diffuse reflection surface according to the present invention. The light diffusely reflecting surface is a means for providing a convex portion having a curved outer surface on the light guide member 4 instead of the means for providing the concave groove 43 in the light guide member 4, and the surface of the light guide member 4 is provided with a fine uneven surface. The light guide member 4 may be provided by means of a surface, a means for applying a coating capable of scattering and reflecting light such as white, or a means for bonding a member capable of scattering and reflecting light to the light guide member 4. is there. The auxiliary portion 41 has a substantially columnar shape, and its end surface is a light incident surface 44 for receiving light from the light source 9.

The reflector 3 is made of a synthetic resin and housed in the case 1. More specifically, as best shown in FIG. 4, the reflector 3 is provided between the reflector 3 and the substrate 6 by a horizontal portion 5 of the flexible cable 5.
1 are arranged on the substrate 6 so as to sandwich them. The upright portion 52 of the flexible cable 5 is sandwiched between the reflector 3 and the wall 18 of the case 1 (see FIG. 5). The reflector 3 is provided with a first housing portion 31 for housing the light guide member 4, and the light guide member 4 is held by the reflector 3 so that the light incident surface 44 faces the reading line L. Thus, it is housed in the case 1.
The reflector 3 plays a role of reducing light loss by reflecting light leaked from the inside of the light guide member 4 to the outside or light to be leaked toward the inside of the light guide member 4. The outer surface of the light guide member 4 is formed so as to cover the entirety or substantially the entirety of the portion other than the light emitting surface 42 and the light emitting surface 42. The surface defining the first housing portion 31 is, for example, a white light reflecting surface having a high light reflectance.

The reflector 3 has a second portion 52 for accommodating the bent portion 52 a of the flexible cable 5 together with the light source 9.
The accommodation section 32 is provided in communication with the first accommodation section 31. The second accommodating portion 32 is open on one side surface of the reflector 3, and the bent portion 52 a is inserted into the second accommodating portion 32 from the opening. Thus, the light emitting surface of the light source 9 faces the light incident surface 44 of the light guide member 4.

As is well shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lens array 2 is formed by holding a plurality of lenses 21 arranged in a row on a lens holder 20 made of a long and thin synthetic resin. . The lens array 2 is incorporated in the case 1 below the transparent cover 19 so as to face the transparent cover 19. On the surface of the transparent cover 19, a region facing each lens 21 is a reading line L.
Becomes Each lens 21 plays a role of forming an image of the document D located on the reading line L on the plurality of light receiving elements 70 by converging light traveling from the reading line L. As each lens 21, a rod lens capable of forming an original image at the same magnification as an erect image is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other lenses can be used.

Next, the above-described integrated image reading / writing head A
The following describes an image processing apparatus provided with.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. Image processing apparatus B of the present embodiment
Is configured as a so-called wall-mounted facsimile machine, and has a synthetic resin housing 80 attached to the wall surface W. In the housing 80, an integrated image reading / writing head A, platen rollers P1 and P2, an ink ribbon 81, a take-up roll 82 of a recording sheet K, and a pair of feed rollers 83 are incorporated.

The housing 80 is provided with an insertion port 80a and a discharge port 80b for a document D, and a discharge port 80c for a recording sheet K. The document D inserted into the housing 80 from the insertion port 80a is supplied between the platen roller P1 and the transparent cover 19, and is then conveyed toward the discharge port 80b by rotation of the platen roller P1. Have been.

The ink ribbon 81 includes a first winding shaft 81a.
After passing through the platen roller P2 and the plurality of heating elements 78, the second winding shaft 81b
It is configured to be wound up. The ink ribbon 81 is configured as a color ink ribbon that can thermally transfer at least three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow to the recording paper K, and has a cyan color area, a magenta color area, and a yellow color area. The ink ribbon 81 is provided repeatedly in a certain order in the longitudinal direction. In addition to the above three color regions, a configuration in which a black color region is further added can be adopted.

After the recording paper K is fed out from the take-up roll 82, it passes between the platen roller P 2 and the plurality of heating elements 78 so as to overlap the ink ribbon 81, and then is discharged by a pair of feed rollers 83. The sheet is conveyed toward the outlet 80c. A pair of feed rollers 83
Is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions, and the recording paper K can be fed forward and backward. At the time of printing a color image, for example, the recording paper K is
The cyan paper image is transferred to the recording paper K, and then the recording paper K is reversely fed by a predetermined amount. Thereafter, the recording paper K is again fed forward together with the ink ribbon 81, so that the magenta image is transferred. Is transferred to the recording paper K. Thereafter, the reverse feed and the forward feed of the recording paper K are repeated in the same manner as described above, so that the magenta image and the yellow image are printed on the portion of the recording paper K where the cyan image is printed. The prints are sequentially superimposed. Thus, a full-color print image can be obtained.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus B will be described.

First, in the image processing apparatus B, a plurality of heating elements 78 of the integrated image reading / writing head A are selectively heated while performing the above-described operation of transporting the ink ribbon 81 and the recording paper K. Thus, a desired color image can be printed on the recording paper K. In the image processing apparatus B, as described below, the document D
The color image reading process can also be performed.

That is, in FIG. 4, when the light source 9 emits light, the light travels from the light incident surface 44 to the inside of the light guide member 4. Then, the light travels toward the longitudinal end 49 opposite to the light incident surface 44 of the light guide member 4 while being totally reflected by the pair of side surfaces 45 of the light guide member 4. In the course of the light, the light that has reached the curved surface that defines each groove 43 is reflected in a manner similar to scattered reflection, and the traveling direction is rapidly changed. Therefore, the possibility that light is incident on the light exit surface 42 at an incident angle smaller than the critical angle for total reflection specified by the material of the light guide member 4 is increased, and light is emitted from various portions of the light exit surface 42 in the longitudinal direction. It will be emitted. Therefore, light can be applied to the entire length of the read line L. Read line L
A document D is supplied on the upper side, and the light from the light guide member 4 is reflected by the document D, passes through each lens 21, and is received by a plurality of light receiving elements 70. The three types of LED chips 99 of the light source 9 are controlled so that, for example, lights of respective colors of R, G, and B are switched and emitted in a certain order. Accordingly, three types of image signals using the R, G, and B illumination light are sequentially output from the plurality of light receiving elements 70, and a color read image is obtained.

When the three types of LED chips 99 of the light source 9 emit light simultaneously, white light in which R, G, and B are mixed is obtained. Therefore, the light source 9 can also be used as a light source for reading a monochrome image. However, unlike the above-described image processing apparatus B, when an image processing apparatus dedicated to monochrome images is manufactured, instead of the light source 9, L
There is a case where it is desired to use a light source using only one ED chip. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, a flexible cable 5A on which a light source 9A including a white LED 99a is mounted is prepared, and the flexible cable 5A is connected to the flexible cable 5A.
May be used instead of. Flexible cable 5A is
The pair of terminal portions 53 may be conductively connected to the terminal portion 61a of the substrate 6, and then assembled into the case 1 in the same manner as the above-described flexible cable 5. The total number of the terminal portions 61a of the substrate 6 may be set to the number required most when changing the type of the light source. In this case, it is not necessary to additionally provide the terminal portions 61a.

When the type of the light source is changed as described above, it is not necessary to change the configuration of the various component groups mounted on the board 6 and the contents of the wiring patterns formed on the board 6. If the print processing function is to be used exclusively for monochrome images, it is sufficient to change the ink ribbon 81 from a color type to a monochrome type. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a substrate having a different configuration every time the type of the light source is changed, and the substrate 6 can be shared. Of course, there is no need to change the configuration of the light guide member 4. Thus, when a plurality of types of image reading / writing integrated heads having different light sources are manufactured, their manufacture is facilitated.

In the integrated image reading / writing head A, it is not necessary to provide a space on the substrate 6 for mounting the light source. Therefore, the width of the substrate 6 can be reduced by that much, and the overall size of the image reading / writing integrated head A can be reduced. A flat flexible cable 5 is used as a wiring member for connecting the light source 9 and the terminal portion 61a, and the flexible cable 5 is sandwiched between the reflector 3 and the substrate 6 so that the case 1 has good space efficiency. Is built in. The light source 9 is housed in the second housing part 32 of the reflector 3 so as not to be bulky in the case 1. Therefore, the size reduction of the image reading / writing integrated head A is further promoted by such a thing. Further, power supply to the light source 9 is performed through the terminal portion 61a of the substrate 6. Therefore, an external power supply system for each part of the integrated image reading / writing head A can be integrated, and the wiring connection structure with the external device can be simplified.

The integrated image reading / writing head and image processing apparatus according to the present invention are not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment, and the specific configuration of each part can be freely changed in various ways.

For example, as the wiring member, other cables or a conductive member such as a metal plate can be used instead of the flat flexible cable. The light guide member may be configured so as to have the function intended by the present invention. For example, a light incident surface is provided at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the light guide member, and light incident from the light incident surface to the inside is provided. The light guide member may be configured to emit light from various portions of a predetermined light emitting surface while traveling separately toward both ends in the longitudinal direction of the light guide member. Further, a light emitting surface may be provided at each of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the light guide member, and a light source may be provided to face each of the light emitting surfaces. A light source other than the LED light source can be used as the light source. The light receiving element does not need to be integrally formed in an IC chip in which a circuit for driving and controlling the heating element is formed, and these may be formed in separate chips.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention may be configured as a facsimile apparatus, or may be configured as an apparatus connected to a personal computer or other equipment for use. When printing an image on a recording sheet, the printing process can be performed on a heat-sensitive recording sheet without using an ink ribbon for thermal transfer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an integrated image reading / writing head according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the integrated image reading / writing head shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a main part of the substrate.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the integrated image reading / writing head shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a wiring member on which a light source is mounted.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of a wiring member on which a light source is mounted.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a conventional image reading / writing integrated head.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the conventional image reading / writing integrated head.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Integrated image reading / writing head B Image processing device D Document K Recording paper 1 Case 2 Lens array 3 Reflector 4 Light guide member 5 Flexible cable (wiring member) 6 Substrate 7 IC chip 9 Light source 19 Transparent cover 21 Lens 31 First housing 32 Second housing part 42 Light emitting surface 44 Light incident surface 54 Zener diode 61 Terminal part 70 Light receiving element 78 Heating element 99 LED chip

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on front page F term (reference) 5B047 AA01 AB04 BA01 BB02 BC05 BC12 BC14 CA19 5C051 AA03 BA04 CA01 DA03 DB01 DB02 DB04 DB06 DB08 DB22 DB29 DB31 DB35 DC01 DC07 EA01 5C072 AA05 BA01 CA05 CA07 CA12 CA18 DA03 FA21 DA25 FB27 QA11 QA14 SA01

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A substrate on which a plurality of light receiving elements and a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a row extending in a predetermined direction and mounted on the same surface, and wherein the plurality of light receiving elements are covered without covering the plurality of heating elements. A case attached to the substrate so as to surround it, a transparent plate mounted on the case and having a reading line extending in the fixed direction on the surface thereof, and light from the inside of the case toward the reading line. An illuminating device for irradiating, a plurality of light sources incorporated in the case, and forming an image of the document on the plurality of light receiving elements by converging reflected light from the document arranged on the reading line; A lens provided on the substrate, and a terminal portion to which power is supplied from an external device. The lighting device is electrically connected to the terminal portion via a wiring member, and is disposed in the case; at least one light source; a light incident surface receiving light from the light source; and light extending in the fixed direction. A light guide member having an emission surface, and guiding light to the reading line by emitting light that has entered the interior from the light incidence surface while emitting the light from various parts of the light emission surface while traveling in the fixed direction. And an integrated image reading and writing head, characterized by comprising: 2. The light guide member comprises a transparent member having a plurality of mirror-like side surfaces extending in the predetermined direction and at least an end surface at one end in a longitudinal direction, and the end surface is the light incident surface. With one of the above aspects
One of the plurality of side surfaces is provided with a light scattering surface capable of reflecting received light in a scattered reflection manner or a shape close to the light scattering surface. The integrated image reading / writing head according to claim 1. 3. A reflector which is housed in the case and covers a whole or a part of an outer surface of the light guide member excluding the light incident surface and the light output surface. The image reading / writing integrated head according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The integrated image reading / writing head according to claim 3, wherein the reflector has a housing portion for housing the light source so as to face the light incident surface. 5. The reflector is disposed on the substrate, and the wiring member is a flat flexible cable on which the light source is mounted, and a part of the flexible cable is the reflector. And the substrate, the conductive connection with the power supply terminal portion is made, and another portion is bent so as to stand on the substrate. 5. The integrated image reading / writing head according to claim 4, wherein the portion on which the light source is mounted is inserted into a housing portion of the reflector. 6. An electronic component is mounted on the wiring member for converting power supplied from an external device to the power supply terminal to power suitable for the light source. The image reading / writing integrated head according to any one of the above. 7. The light source according to claim 1, wherein the light source includes a plurality of LEDs that emit red, green, and blue light, respectively, or includes at least one LED that emits monochromatic light. 7. The integrated image reading / writing head according to any one of 1 to 6. 8. A plurality of IC chips having the plurality of light receiving elements built therein, and a circuit for controlling the driving of the plurality of heating elements is also built in the plurality of IC chips. The integrated image reading / writing head according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the head is provided. 9. An image reading / writing head according to claim 1, further comprising:
Image processing device.