JP2002358479A - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that module projection area viewed from the front side of the recorder is large and disadvantageous in making the device small-sized. SOLUTION: This bar code reader is equipped with an optical module 1. The optical module comprises a nearly columnar base member 2 having a plurality of lead pins 3 implanted almost in parallel to the center axis, a light emitting element 5 which is mounted on the base member 2 by using a mount member and emits light for reading a bar code almost at right angles to the center axis of the base member 2, and a light receiving element 6 which is mounted on the mount member 4 together with the light emitting element 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a bar code reader for optically reading a bar code.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a system for optically reading a bar code, a system shown in FIG. 17 is known. In this reading method, light from the light emitting element 100 is
The light is reflected by the scan mirror 201 of the scan unit 200 and irradiates the bar code 300. At this time, the scan mirror 201 is swung to irradiate (scan) light over the entire area of the barcode 300.

A driving means for swinging the scan mirror 201 has a swing shaft (rotation shaft) 204 provided substantially at an intermediate portion of the scan mirror 201 in the longitudinal direction. The scan mirror 201 is swingably supported, and a permanent magnet (magnet) 202 is attached to the scan mirror 201 at a position displaced from the swing shaft 204 in the mirror longitudinal direction.
2 has one end inserted into the drive coil 203.

In this swing drive means, a magnetic field is generated in the axial direction of the drive coil 203 by energizing the drive coil 203 (for example, by passing positive and negative currents at a constant cycle), and the magnetic field polarity (magnetic field Direction) is periodically inverted depending on whether the current is positive or negative. As a result, the permanent magnet 202 repeats the magnetic attraction / repulsion action with respect to the drive coil 203, so that the scan mirror 201 swings about the swing shaft 204 in conjunction with this.

On the other hand, the light irradiated on the surface of the bar code 300 returns to the scan mirror 201 again with a light amount change due to the black and white of the bar code 300 while being irregularly reflected, and the light reflected there is condensed by the light receiving lens 401. You. The light collected by the light receiving lens 401 is the light receiving element 40
0 is received. The light receiving element 400 electrically converts a change in the amount of light received and outputs the result. In order to improve the reading accuracy, a bandpass filter (BPF) 402 is provided on the front surface of the light receiving element 400 to prevent unnecessary light (natural light or the like) other than the emission light frequency from being collected.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional bar code reader. The illustrated bar code reader includes a light emitting module 103 containing a light emitting element 100 and a light emitting lens 101 in a casing 102, and a light receiving module 404 containing a light receiving element 400, a light receiving lens 401, and a BPF 402 in a casing 403. , Are mounted on a common substrate 500. Electrical connection in each of the casings 102 and 403 is performed by wire bonding using a gold wire or the like. On the other hand, in the scan unit 200, the scan mirror 201 is arranged to be swingable about the swing shaft 204. And these,
The light emitting module 103, the scan unit 200, and the light receiving module 404 are housed in a housing (not shown) and assembled as a reading device.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned conventional bar code reader has the following problems.

(First Problem) The light emitting direction of the light emitting element 100 in the light emitting module 103 (the direction in which light for reading a bar code is emitted) is along the center axis direction of the cylindrical casing 102. This light emitting element 10
The inclination angle of the scan mirror 201 of the scan unit 200 with respect to the optical axis of the light emitted from 0 is 45 ° in a stationary state. In such a case, the direction in which light is reflected by the scan mirror 201 in the stationary state (tilt angle: 45 °) is the front side of the apparatus, and the direction (arrangement) of the light emitting module 103 when viewed from the front side of the apparatus is horizontal. . Therefore, one end side of the lead pin 104 of the light emitting module 103 extends in the width direction of the device (the left direction in FIG. 18), thereby increasing the module projection area when viewed from the front side of the device.

(Second Problem) By adding an elastic member such as a leaf spring or silicone to the swing shaft 204 of the scan mirror 201 in the scan unit 200,
The resonance frequency of a swing mechanism (including the scan mirror 201) that swings around the swing shaft 204 is determined. On the other hand, when manufacturing a barcode reading device, the size and weight of the component parts vary, which may cause the resonance frequency of the swing mechanism to vary upon completion of assembly of the device. Therefore, a desired resonance frequency may not be obtained.

(Third Problem) The light emitting module 103 is hermetically sealed (sealed) using a metal casing (cap) 102 in order to protect the light emitting element 100, and the light receiving module 404 also protects the light receiving element 400. For this purpose, the casing is sealed (sealed) using a metal casing (cap) 403. The light emitting module 103 and the light receiving module 404 are housed and fixed in a housing serving as an exterior material of the bar code reader.
Therefore, the entire apparatus has a double exterior structure, which has been an obstacle to downsizing the apparatus.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code reading apparatus comprising: a substantially cylindrical base member having a plurality of lead pins implanted substantially parallel to a central axis direction; The optical module includes a light emitting element that is mounted and emits light for reading a barcode in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis direction of the base member.

In the bar code reader according to the first aspect of the present invention, the light emitting direction (light emitting direction) of the light emitting element is substantially perpendicular to the central axis direction of the base member. The optical module can be arranged vertically with one of the central axis directions as the front side of the apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code reading apparatus which integrally holds a scan mirror, swings about a swing axis, and is mounted on the swing member. A permanent magnet that forms a magnet magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the swing axis, and a permanent magnet that is disposed with a gap between the permanent magnet and magnetically attracted to the magnet magnetic field by the permanent magnet in the gap. A scanning unit comprising: a swing drive unit having a gap adjusting unit for swinging the swing member by a repulsive action and adjusting the gap.

In the bar code reader according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the gap between the permanent magnet and the swing driving means is changed, the magnetic force (magnetic attraction and repulsion) acting on the gap is obtained. Changes, the resonance frequency of the swing mechanism including the scan mirror and the swing member can be adjusted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code reading apparatus, wherein at least one of a light emitting element and a light receiving element is mounted on a base member and an element mounting space is opened; A scanning unit having a swinging mechanism including a scan mirror for scanning the optical module, a module storage unit for storing the optical module, and a unit storage unit for storing the scan unit are integrally formed, and the element mounting is performed in the module storage unit. A housing that holds the space in a sealed state.

In the bar code reader according to the third aspect of the present invention, the optical module and the scan unit are housed in a common housing, and the element mounting space of the optical module is held in a closed state using the housing. In addition, it is possible to share the exterior material of the device components.

[0017]

(First Invention) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical module applied to a bar code reader according to the first invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof. . The illustrated optical module 1 includes a plurality of lead pins 3 which are inserted through a substantially cylindrical base member 2.
Has been planted. The base member 2 also has a function as a heat sink for heat radiation, and has an outer dimension of φ5.6 mm like a general laser diode. Each lead pin 3 is arranged substantially parallel to the direction of the central axis (indicated by a dashed line in the figure) of the base member 2. The number of lead pins 3 in the base member 2 (four in the illustrated example), planting position, diameter (thickness), etc., are maintained in order to maintain compatibility with the conventional module structure, and the light emitting module 103 (see FIG. 18). Are set in the same manner as the 4-pin type adopted in the above.

A prismatic mount member 4 is mounted on the main surface (upper surface in the figure) of the base member 2. The mount member 4 has a quadrangular cross section, and is fixed with its bottom surface in close contact with the base member 2. Mounting member 4
A square chip-shaped light emitting element 5 is mounted on one side face of the light emitting element. A square chip-shaped light receiving element 6 is mounted on the top surface of the mounting member 4 which is perpendicular to the mounting surface (one side surface) of the light emitting element 5. The light emitting element 5 and the light receiving element 6 are fixed to the mounting surface (one side surface, top surface) of the corresponding mounting member 4 using a bonding agent such as a silver paste. The light emitting element 5 and the light receiving element 6 are electrically connected to the corresponding lead pins 3 by wire bonding.

The light emitting element 5 emits light (laser light or the like) for reading a bar code. The light emitting direction (light emitting direction) is substantially perpendicular to the central axis direction of the base member 2 (see FIG. 1). In the direction of the arrow X). The light receiving element 6 receives reflected light from a bar code (not shown) obtained by the light emission of the light emitting element 5, and its light receiving surface 6 </ b> A is located in one of the central axis directions of the base member 2 (upper part in FIG. 2). ). In the light receiving element 6, when light from the light emitting element 5 is reflected by a scan mirror of a scan unit (not shown) and irradiated on a bar code, the light reflected from the bar code is received by a light receiving surface 6A. A light-receiving surface 6A of the light-receiving element 6 is provided with a band-pass filter (not shown) for cutting unnecessary light such as natural light.

In the bar code reader having the optical module 1, the light emitting element 5 mounted on the base member 2 using the mount member 4 moves the light emitting element 5 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis direction of the base member 2. It is configured to emit light for reading a code. Therefore, a direction substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction (X direction) of the light emitted from the light emitting element 5, that is, one of the central axis directions of the base member 2 (upper in FIG. 2) is defined as the front side of the apparatus. The optical module 1 can be arranged vertically. Thereby, one end side of the lead pin 3 can be pulled out to the rear side (rear side) of the apparatus. Therefore, the projected area of the module when viewed from the front side of the apparatus can be suppressed to about the plane area of the base member 2 irrespective of the length of the lead pin 3. Therefore, it is advantageous in reducing the size of the device.

Further, since a so-called composite module structure in which both the light emitting element 5 and the light receiving element 6 are mounted on the base member 2 is realized, the light emitting module 103 and the light receiving module 404 are separately provided as in the related art. The size of the entire apparatus can be reduced as compared with the case where it is configured. In addition, since the light emitting element 5 and the light receiving element 6 are mounted and integrated on the common mounting member 4, improvement in reliability, mounting position accuracy, and the like can be greatly expected. Further, in the manufacture of the optical module 1, a mount device or a wire bonding device which has been used in the manufacture of a can type laser module using a metal housing (cap) can be applied. Therefore, no new capital investment is required,
Moreover, since a module having both functions of light emission and light reception can be obtained in one line of manufacturing process, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing another embodiment of the optical module in the bar code reader according to the first invention. In the illustrated optical module 1,
In particular, the shape of the mount member 2 is different from that of the above-described embodiment. That is, the top surface of the mount member 2 is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the central axis of the base member 2 (indicated by a dashed line in the figure), and the light receiving element 6 is mounted on this inclined surface. Light receiving surface 6A of light receiving element 6
Are arranged in an inclined state following the top surface of the mount member 4. More specifically, the light receiving surface 6 of the light receiving element 6
A is a state in which the light emitting portion side (the right side in FIG. 3) of the light emitting element 5 is at a low level with respect to the upper surface of the base member 2, that is, the light receiving surface 4A is set at an angle θ (for example, θ = 10 to 30 °). The light emitting element 5 is arranged in a state inclined to the light emitting unit side.

By adopting such a configuration, when the light emitted from the light emitting element 5 is reflected by the scan mirror of the scan unit (not shown) and is irradiated on the bar code, the light irradiation range of the bar code (scan) With respect to (range), the viewing angle of the light receiving element 6 via the light receiving lens (not shown) can be evenly distributed in the barcode arrangement direction. Therefore, the bar code can be read stably.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the optical module in the bar code reader according to the first invention. FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the optical module with different viewpoint angles. In the illustrated optical module 1, in particular, the magnitude relationship between the mount member 4 and the light receiving element 6 is different from the above-described embodiment. That is, the light receiving element 6 having a larger area is mounted on the top surface of the mount member 4. The light receiving element 6 is arranged so as to fit within a circular area defined by the outer shape of the base member 2 when viewed from the center axis direction of the base member 2. A state in which a part of the light receiving element 6 protrudes toward the light emitting element 5 mounted on one side surface of the mount member 4 (eave state).
The light-emitting element 5 is shielded from above by the light-receiving element 6.

By employing such a configuration, the reflected light from the bar code can be received by the larger light receiving surface 6A, and the degree of change in the light amount of the bar code in black and white can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to improve the light receiving sensitivity of the light receiving element 6 and improve the bar code reading performance. In addition, when viewed from the light receiving surface 6A of the light receiving element 6, the light emitting portion of the light emitting element 5 is hidden by the protruding portion.
It is possible to minimize the influence of stray light during light emission, light interference, and the like.

(Second Invention) FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a scan unit applied to a bar code reader according to the second invention. 6 is a view (side view) including a partially broken section of the scan unit shown in FIG. 5 when viewed from the direction of arrow J. FIG. 7 is a view of the scan unit shown in FIG. It is the figure (front view) at the time of seeing.

The illustrated scan unit 11 is roughly composed of a swing member 12, a permanent magnet 13, and a swing drive unit 14.
It is comprised including. The swing member 12 is formed in a substantially triangular shape (a right-angled triangle) in a side view, and a flat plate-shaped scan mirror 15 is integrally held on the swing member 12. The scan mirror 15 is fixedly attached to the inclined surface 12A of the swing member 12 (see FIG. 6) using, for example, an adhesive. The scan mirror 15 has a reflecting surface 15A that reflects light (laser light or the like) emitted from a light emitting element (not shown) toward a bar code, and changes the direction (inclination angle) of the reflecting surface 15A to the swing member 12. The light reflected by the reflection surface 15A is scanned in the barcode arrangement direction by changing the swinging motion of the bar code.

On both sides of the swing member 12, swing shafts 16 are coaxially provided so as to protrude outside the swing member 12. The oscillating member 12 includes the oscillating shafts 1 on both sides thereof.
6 is supported by a bearing (not shown), so that it is swingably supported about the swing shaft 16. Swing shaft 16
For example, when the swing member 12 is integrally formed of resin, the swing member 12 may be formed integrally with the swing member 12, or may be incorporated into the swing member 12 by press fitting or the like. The former is preferable in reducing the number of parts.

Further, a bar-shaped permanent magnet 13 is mounted (fixed) on the lower surface of the rocking member 12 (a surface forming an acute angle with the inclined surface 12A) using, for example, an adhesive. The permanent magnet 13 is formed to have a rectangular cross section. Also, the permanent magnet 1
No. 3 has a magnet configuration in which an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) is a boundary of magnetization polarity, one end is an N pole, and the other end is an S pole. In mounting the permanent magnet 13 on the bottom surface of the swing member 12, the mounting direction of the permanent magnet 13 is set to a direction substantially orthogonal to the swing shaft 16, and accordingly, the direction of the magnet magnetic field formed by the permanent magnet 13 also swings. It is set in a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving shaft 16. Further, the boundary between the magnetization polarities of the permanent magnets 13 is on an imaginary line that passes through the center (axis) of the swing shaft 16 and is substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the permanent magnet 13 is mounted (from the center of the swing shaft 16). (On an imaginary line vertically lowered to the bottom surface of the swinging member 12).

On the other hand, the swing drive section 14 is arranged with a gap G between the swing drive section 14 and the permanent magnet 13. The oscillating drive unit 14 causes the oscillating member 12 to move by magnetic attraction and repulsion of the permanent magnet 13 with a magnet magnetic field in the gap G.
And is constituted by a drive coil 17, a tubular member 18 and a core member 19. Drive coil 1
7 is formed by winding a coil wire in one direction. When a positive or negative (AC) current is applied to the drive coil 17,
A driving magnetic field corresponding to the direction of the current is generated so as to pass through the center of the coil winding. The direction of this driving magnetic field is
3 in the direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6) substantially perpendicular to the direction of the magnet magnetic field (horizontal direction in FIG. 6), and in the center axis direction of the swing shaft 16 (horizontal direction in FIG. 7). Are also set in a direction substantially perpendicular to this (the vertical direction in FIG. 7).

The tubular member 18 is made of, for example, a resin or the like, and is incorporated inside the drive coil 17. A through-hole 18 </ b> A corresponding to the shape of the core member 19 is provided at the center of the tubular member 18. In this case, since the cross-sectional shape of the core member 19 is circular, the hole shape of the through-hole 18A is correspondingly circular. The tubular member 18 can also be used as a winding core (bobbin) when winding the drive coil 17.

The core member 19 is made of a known magnetic material, more preferably, for example, soft ferrite (Mn-Zn alloy), permalloy (Fe-Ni alloy), electromagnetic soft iron, sendust (Fe-Si-Al alloy), or electromagnetic stainless steel. (F
It is made of a soft magnetic material (a magnetic material having a small coercive force and a high magnetic permeability) such as an e-Cr alloy, and is formed in a pin shape having a circular cross section and a uniform diameter in the axial direction.
The core member 19 is fitted into the through-hole 18A of the tubular member 18 incorporated in the drive coil 17 as described above. The core member 19 is inserted into the cylindrical member 18 in a state in which the core member 19 can move (slide) in the axial direction of the through-hole 18A (the vertical direction in FIG. 6). Are movably fitted. The central axis direction of the core member 19 (the vertical direction in FIGS. 6 and 7) is the longitudinal direction of the permanent magnet 13 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 6) and the central axis direction of the swing shaft 16 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 7).
Are set in directions substantially orthogonal to each other. One end of the core member 19 is disposed so as to face the permanent magnet 13 (more specifically, the boundary of the magnetization polarity) via the gap G.

Here, the operation of the scan unit 11 having the above configuration will be described. First, in a state where a predetermined gap G is secured between the permanent magnet 13 and the swing drive unit 14, when positive and negative currents are passed through the drive coil 17 at a constant cycle,
A driving magnetic field corresponding to the direction of the current is generated in the center of the driving coil 17, that is, in the direction of the central axis of the core member 19. At this time, the driving magnetic field generated by the driving coil 17 is magnetized such that one end of the core member 19 close to the permanent magnet 13 has an S pole and the other end has an N pole as shown in FIG. 6, for example. The core member 19 is attached to the N pole of the permanent magnet 13.
The magnetic force that is to be attracted to the side acts, and the magnetic force that is to be repelled from the core member 19 acts on the S pole of the permanent magnet 13. Due to this magnetic attraction / repulsion action, the swing member 12
A moment Z for rotating the swing shaft 16 around the center is generated. Further, when the direction of the driving magnetic field is reversed due to the reversal of the polarity of the current, a moment is generated to rotate the swing member 12 in the opposite direction to the above. Thereby, the swing member 12 swings together with the scan mirror 15 held integrally with the swing member 12 according to the frequency of the current (AC) flowing through the drive coil 17.

Scan unit 11 operating in this manner
In the above, when the core member 19 inserted in the through hole 18A of the cylindrical member 18 is moved in the axial direction, the gap G between the permanent magnet 13 and the core member 19 changes in conjunction with the movement. That is, if the insertion length of the core member 19 with respect to the cylindrical member 18 is increased, the gap G increases accordingly, and if the insertion length is shortened, the gap G decreases accordingly. From this, the cylindrical member 1
Core member 19 movably inserted into the through hole 18A
Constitutes a gap adjusting means for adjusting the gap G between the permanent magnet 13 and the swing drive unit 14.

The movement of the core member 19 causes the gap G
Is changed, the permanent magnet 13 and the swing drive unit 1 are changed.
The magnetic force (magnetic attraction force, magnetic repulsion force) acting on the gap G portion with the gap 4 changes. Since this magnetic force acts elastically on the swing member 12 like a spring, the resonance frequency of the swing mechanism including the scan mirror 15 and the swing member 12 is changed by the change (large or small) of the magnetic force. Can be. From the above, by adjusting the gap G by the core member 19, it is possible to arbitrarily adjust the resonance frequency of the swing mechanism.

Therefore, even if a desired resonance frequency cannot be obtained due to, for example, variations in the dimensions and weights of the components, the core member 1 is not required in the final stage of the assembly process.
The desired resonance frequency can be obtained by adjusting the gap G using the gap 9. Therefore, handling becomes very easy. In particular, in order to operate the magnetic circuit efficiently, it is preferable that the resonance frequency of the oscillating member and the drive frequency are made equal to each other. Therefore, the resonance frequency of the oscillating mechanism is adjusted to meet this preferable condition. Is adjusted, the swing drive unit 14 can be operated efficiently. Thereby, the resonance frequency is optimized, so that the operation efficiency of the magnetic circuit can be increased and the power consumption can be reduced. Further, by providing the core member 19 functioning as an iron core, the drive coil 17 can be downsized and high efficiency can be realized. Further, even when the scan unit 11 is assembled using similar components, it is possible to obtain a different resonance frequency by adjusting the gap G by the core member 19.

By the way, at the stage when the adjustment of the resonance frequency is completed, the core member 19 is made of the cylindrical member 18 using an adhesive or the like.
Fixed to In order to obtain a high resonance frequency of 100 Hz or more, it is preferable to use a permalloy having a small coercive force and a high magnetic flux density among soft magnetic materials as a constituent material of the core member 19, and a resonance frequency of about several tens Hz. In order to obtain the following, soft ferrite is preferably used. Depending on the use environment and specifications of the barcode reading device, another magnetic material, for example, a ferromagnetic material (hard magnetic material) serving as a permanent magnet material may be used as a constituent material of the core member 19.
Can be used, but it is preferable to use a soft magnetic material in order to obtain a magnetically stable response.

In the above embodiment, the tubular member 18 is incorporated into the drive coil 17 and the core member 19 is inserted into the through hole 18A of the tubular member 18. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the core member 19 may be directly inserted into the drive coil 17, and the core member 19 may be moved in the axial direction to adjust the gap G in the same manner as described above. Good.

(Third Invention) Next, an embodiment of a barcode reader according to a third invention will be described.
The bar code reading device according to the third invention is configured to include the optical module 1 according to the first invention, the scan unit 11 according to the second invention, and a housing serving as an exterior material. It is. The housing is configured (integrated) by assembling the first housing member and the second housing member.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the structure of the first housing member 21, and FIG.
It is a perspective view which shows a structure of. First housing member 21
Is obtained, for example, by integral molding of a resin, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. Each corner of the first housing member 21 is formed in a chamfered shape. A module housing space 23 for housing the optical module 1 and a unit housing space 24 for housing the scan unit 11 are formed inside the first housing member 21. These two spaces 23,
A semi-circular lens support portion 25 is formed between 24 (boundary portions). The lens supporting portion 25 is for supporting a light-emitting lens described later. Since the lens shape is cylindrical, the lens supporting portion 25 is formed in a semicircular shape so as to conform to this. . Each of the two spaces 23 and 24 has a structure penetrating in the thickness direction of the first housing member 21.

The optical module 1 can be incorporated into the module storage space 23 from the lower side in FIG. An opening 26 is formed inside the module storage space 23 so as to communicate the module storage space 23 in the thickness direction of the first housing member 21.
A notch 27 is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the housing surrounding the module storage space 23. The notch 27 is for avoiding positional interference with the components of the optical module 1, particularly with the base member 2.

FIG. 9 shows the unit storage space 24.
The swing mechanism of the scan unit 11 can be incorporated from above. Square groove-shaped bearing portions 28 are formed on both side edges of the unit storage space portion 24. Bearing part 2
The groove width of 8 is set slightly larger than the diameter of the swing shaft 16 provided on the swing member 12 of the scan unit 11,
Thus, when the swing shaft 16 is fitted to the bearing portion 28, the swing member 12 is supported to be swingable about the swing shaft 16.

The second housing member 22 is obtained, for example, by integral molding of a resin, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view (the corners are chamfered), like the first housing member 21. A module housing space 29 and a unit housing space 30 are also formed inside the second housing member 22. By assembling the first housing member 21 described above with the second housing member 22, the space portions are combined to form a module storage unit and a unit storage unit. That is, the module storage space section 29 forms a module storage section in combination with the above-described module storage space section 23, and the unit storage space section 30 forms a unit storage section in combination with the above-described unit storage space section 24.

The second housing member 22 is provided with a light-transmitting light-receiving window 31. This light receiving window 31
Is formed, for example, by fitting a light receiving lens into the module storage space 29. in this case,
The light receiving window 31 is constituted by a light receiving lens. Between the module storage space 29 and the unit storage space 30 (boundary portion), a relief portion (concave portion) 32 for avoiding positional interference with the projecting portions on both sides of the lens support portion 25 is provided. Is provided. Further, a pair of protrusions 33 are formed on the unit storage space 30 side so as to face the second housing member 22 in the short direction. The pair of projections 33 are fitted to the bearing 28 at a position where the swing shaft 16 is sandwiched from both sides.

Next, the procedure for assembling the bar code reader using the housing will be described. First, FIG.
As shown in (1), the optical module 1 is assembled in the module storage space 23 of the first housing member 21. The optical module 1 has a configuration in which the element mounting space on the base member 2 is opened as shown in FIG. 1, that is, a so-called capless state in which the optical module 1 is not covered with a metal casing (cap). ing.

When the optical module 1 is assembled into the module storage space 23, the outer peripheral edge of the base member 2 of the optical module 1 is abutted from the lower side in FIG. . In addition, the mount member 4 mounted on the base member 2 and the light emitting element 5 and the light receiving element 6 mounted thereon are projected through the opening 26 in the thickness direction of the first housing member 21. The light emission direction (light emission direction) of the light emitting element 5 is directed to the lens support 25 side. After the optical module 1 is assembled in the module storage space 23 in this manner, the optical module 1 is fixed to the first housing member 21 using an adhesive or the like.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, each of the lead pins 3 implanted in the base member 2 of the optical module 1
The board 34 is attached to the first housing member 21 in a state where the board is fitted into the corresponding pin hole 35 of the board 34.
After mounting the board 34, each lead pin 3 is electrically and mechanically connected to the board 34 by soldering.
The substrate 34 has a drive coil 17 and a cylindrical member (can be used as a bobbin for winding) 18 constituting the swing drive unit 14.
Are attached in advance. However, at this time, the core member 19 is not inserted into the through hole 18A of the tubular member 18.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the swing mechanism of the scan unit 11 is assembled to the unit housing space 24 of the first housing member 21. The oscillating mechanism includes an oscillating member 12 having an oscillating shaft 16 and a scan mirror 15 integrally held by the oscillating member 21.
And the permanent magnet 13 (see FIG. 5) mounted on the bottom surface of the swinging member 21. At this time, the swing shaft 16 protruding from both sides of the swing member 21 is connected to the corresponding bearing portion 2.
8 is fitted. At this point, as shown in FIG. 13, the core member 19 is inserted into the through hole 18A of the tubular member 18.

Subsequently, the light emitting lens 35 is mounted on the lens support 25. The light-emitting lens 35 is connected to the lens support 25.
Since it is formed in a cylindrical shape opposed to the concave shape (semicircular shape), it is supported in a mounted state just fitted into the lens support portion 25. Next, after the laser light or the like is actually emitted from the light emitting element 5 by driving the optical module 1 and the focus thereof is adjusted, the light emitting lens 35 is fixed with an adhesive or the like. Next, the resonance frequency is adjusted as described above by changing the insertion length of the core member 19 fitted into the cylindrical member 18, and when the adjustment is completed, the core member 19 is fixed to the cylindrical member 18 with an adhesive or the like. . Thus, the assembly of the components to the first housing member 21 is completed.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15,
The second housing member 22 is attached to the first housing member 21.
And assemble it. At this time, the mount member 4 of the optical module 1 protruding in the thickness direction of the first housing member 21 and the light emitting element 5 and the light receiving element 6 mounted thereon are mounted.
Is housed in the module housing space 29 of the second housing member 22 and the swing member 12 of the scan unit 11
The swing mechanism including the scanning mirror 15 is housed in the unit housing space 30 of the second housing member 22.
Further, a light receiving window (light receiving lens) 31 provided in the second housing member 22 is disposed on an optical path leading to the light receiving element 6. Thus, the first and second housing members 2
By assembling the components 1 and 22, the element mounting space on the base member 2 is held in a sealed state in the module storage portion. In this state, the first and second housing members 21,
22 are integrally fixed (coupled) by fixing means such as an adhesive, a screw, and welding.

In the bar code reader thus assembled, the optical module 1 and the scan unit 11 are housed in a common housing (21, 22), and the housing is used to seal the element mounting space of the optical module 1. With this configuration, it is possible to share the exterior material of the device components. Therefore, it is possible to realize a significant size reduction as compared with the conventional double exterior structure.

Since both the light emitting element 5 and the light receiving element 6 are mounted on the base member 1 of the optical module 1, the light emitting module 103 and the light receiving module 404 are provided as in the conventional configuration (see FIG. 18). Can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where the components are separately mounted.

The optical module 1 and the scan unit 11 are compactly stored in a predetermined space in the housing (21, 22), and a lens support 25 is provided between the module storage and the unit space to emit light. Because the lens 35 is incorporated, the space in the housing can be utilized without waste and the storage efficiency can be increased.

For the module storage portion of the housing, the optical module 1 is installed in the module storage space portion 23 of the first housing member 21 and the base member 2 is mounted.
, The optical module 1 is positioned, and the swinging shaft 16 is fitted into a bearing unit 28 formed in the first housing member 21 with respect to the unit storage portion of the housing. Since the mechanical parts are positioned, the assemblability is very good, and an improvement in assembling accuracy can be expected. Further, at the time of assembling, only the adjustment of the focal point of the light emitting lens 35 and the resonance frequency (two adjustments) by the core member 19 suffices.

Further, the lead pins 3 of the optical module 1 extend to the rear side of the apparatus, and the scan unit 11
Of the optical module 1 and the scan unit 11
Electrical connection processing and electrical connection processing with the circuit board can be collectively performed on the back side of the apparatus.

In the above embodiment, the lead pins 3 of the optical module 1 are soldered to the board 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lead pins 3 may be directly connected to a circuit board for driving an element. Is also possible.
In this case, since the substrate 34 becomes unnecessary, the swing driving unit 1
For example, as shown in FIG. 16, as shown in FIG. 16, a cylindrical bobbin portion 21 </ b> A is integrally formed on a first housing member 21, a driving coil 17 is wound, and a core member 19 is inserted into a hole of the bobbin portion 21 </ b> A. May be inserted. Also,
A configuration without a bobbin may be adopted as shown in FIG.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, one housing is constituted by a two-body structure in which the first and second housing members 21 and 22 are combined, but this is constituted by an integral structure or a three-body structure. There may be. further,
The whole scan unit 11 including the swing drive unit 14 may be housed in a housing. Also, as a configuration of the optical module 1, even if one of the light emitting element 5 and the light receiving element 6 is mounted, the optical module 1 is downsized compared to a conventional one in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are housed in separate casings. Can be realized.

[0058]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the light emitting direction (light emitting direction) of the light emitting element is substantially perpendicular to the central axis direction of the base member. The optical module can be arranged vertically with one of the members in the central axis direction being the front side of the device. Accordingly, one end side of the lead pin can be pulled out to the back side of the device, so that the projected area of the module when viewed from the front side of the device can be reduced. This is advantageous in reducing the size of the device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the gap between the permanent magnet and the oscillating drive means is changed, the magnetic force (magnetic attraction and repulsion) acting on the gap changes. It is possible to adjust the resonance frequency of the swing mechanism including the mirror and the swing member. Therefore, a desired resonance frequency can be obtained by adjusting the gap at the final stage of the assembly process.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the optical module and the scan unit are housed in a common housing, and the element mounting space of the optical module is held in a closed state by using the housing, so that the exterior of the device component can be provided. Materials can be shared. Therefore, it is possible to realize a significant size reduction as compared with the conventional double exterior structure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical module applied to a barcode reader according to the first invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an embodiment of the optical module applied to the barcode reader according to the first invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing another embodiment of the optical module according to the first invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the optical module according to the first invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a scan unit applied to the barcode reader according to the second invention.

FIG. 6 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow J in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view as seen from the arrow K in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the swing drive unit according to the second invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first housing member applied to the bar code reader according to the third invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a second housing member applied to the barcode reader according to the third invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining the assembling procedure of the bar code reader according to the third invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the assembling procedure of the bar code reader according to the third invention.

FIG. 13 is a view (No. 3) for explaining the assembling procedure of the barcode reader according to the third invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram (part 4) for explaining the assembling procedure of the barcode reader according to the third invention.

FIG. 15 is a view (No. 5) for explaining the assembling procedure of the barcode reader according to the third invention.

FIG. 16 is a view showing another configuration example of the swing drive unit according to the third invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a barcode reading method.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional barcode reading device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical module, 2 ... Base member, 3 ... Lead pin, 4 ... Mounting member, 5 ... Light emitting element, 6 ... Light receiving element,
11 scan unit, 12 swing member, 13 permanent magnet, 14 swing drive unit, 15 scan mirror, 16
... Swing axis, 17 ... Drive coil, 18 ... Cylindrical member, 19 ...
Core member, 21 first housing member, 22 second housing member, 23, 29 module storage space,
24, 30 ... unit storage space part, 25 ... lens support part, 28 ... bearing part, 31 ... light receiving window (light receiving lens),
35 ... Luminescence lens

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page F term (reference) 2H045 AB03 AB62 BA18 DA02 DA31 5B072 AA03 CC24 DD02 LL01 LL11 LL18 5F073 BA09 EA29 FA02 FA04 FA15 FA16 FA30 5F088 BA15 BA16 BB10 EA09 EA11 EA20 JA03 JA12 JA03 AAC10A10 AB01 CA20

Claims (18)

[Claims] A substantially cylindrical base member on which a plurality of lead pins are implanted substantially parallel to a central axis direction; a base member mounted on the base member; A bar code reader, comprising: an optical module including a light emitting element that emits light for reading a bar code in a direction to be formed. 2. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein a light-receiving element for receiving reflected light from a bar code obtained by light emission from the light-emitting element is mounted on the base member together with the light-emitting element. Barcode reader. 3. A prism-shaped mounting member is provided on the base member, the light emitting element is mounted on one side surface of the mounting member, and the light receiving element is mounted on a top surface of the mounting member. 3. The bar code reader according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The bar code reading device according to claim 3, wherein a light receiving surface of the light receiving element is arranged to be inclined toward a light emitting portion of the light emitting element. 5. The light receiving element according to claim 3, wherein the light receiving element has an area larger than a top surface of the mount member.
The barcode reader according to the above. 6. The bar code according to claim 5, wherein the light receiving element is mounted on a top surface of the mount member in a state of protruding toward the light emitting element mounted on one side surface of the mount member. Reader. 7. A swing member that holds a scan mirror integrally and that can swing about a swing axis, and a magnet that is mounted on the swing member and that is substantially perpendicular to the swing axis. A permanent magnet that forms a magnetic field is disposed between the permanent magnet and the permanent magnet with a gap therebetween, and the swing member swings by the magnetic attraction and repulsion of the permanent magnet with the magnet magnetic field in the gap. A bar code reader comprising: a scanning unit having a swing driving unit having a gap adjusting unit for moving and adjusting the gap. 8. The bar according to claim 7, wherein said swing drive means has a drive coil for generating a drive magnetic field in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction of a magnet magnetic field generated by said permanent magnet in said gap. Code reader. 9. The boundary of the magnetization polarity is located on an imaginary line passing through the center of the swing axis of the swing member and substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the permanent magnet is mounted. The bar code reader according to claim 7, wherein the bar code reader is mounted on a bar code reader. 10. A bar according to claim 7, wherein said gap adjusting means is constituted by using a core member movably fitted inside said drive coil in a state facing said permanent magnet. Code reader. 11. The bar code reader according to claim 10, wherein the core member is made of a soft magnetic material. 12. The bar code reader according to claim 10, wherein the core member is disposed at a position facing a boundary between the magnetizing polarities of the permanent magnet. 13. A swing mechanism including an optical module having at least one of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element mounted on a base member and opening an element mounting space thereof, and a scan mirror for scanning light on a bar code. A housing that integrally includes a scan unit having a module storage unit that stores the optical module and a unit storage unit that stores the scan unit, and that holds the element mounting space in the module storage unit in a sealed state. And a bar code reading device. 14. The barcode reading device according to claim 13, wherein the housing has a lens support portion for supporting a light emitting lens between the module storage portion and the unit storage portion. 15. The scan unit includes a swing member that integrally holds the scan mirror, and the housing integrally includes a bearing that supports a swing shaft of the swing member. 14. The bar code reader according to claim 13, wherein: 16. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the first housing member and the second housing member are assembled and the module housing portion and the unit housing portion are defined and formed in the assembled state. The bar code reader according to claim 13. 17. The optical module according to claim 13, wherein the optical module has the light receiving element mounted on the base member, and the housing has a light receiving window on an optical path leading to the light receiving element. Barcode reader. 18. The bar code reader according to claim 17, wherein said light receiving window is constituted by a light receiving lens.