JP2006025309A - Image reading apparatus, image forming apparatus, and contact linear image sensor module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can be downsized and sharply read originals placed at different positions and a contact linear image sensor module for downsizing the image reading apparatus or the image forming apparatus capable of sharply reading originals placed at different positions. <P>SOLUTION: The image reading apparatus is provided with: a first contact linear image sensor; a second contact linear image sensor; and a carrier for moving both the first and second contact linear image sensors in an attitude of a light receiving face of the first contact linear image sensor directed in a direction different from a light receiving face of the second contact linear image sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a contact linear image sensor module.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image reading apparatus equipped with a contact type linear image sensor module is known. In the contact type linear image sensor module, since the optical path of the optical system is short, the image reading apparatus can be easily downsized. However, in an image reading apparatus that reads and places a reflective document and a transparent document on the same document table, an illuminating unit (for example, a document cover) that illuminates the transparent document on the side opposite to the contact-type linear image sensor module that sandwiches the document table ( It is necessary to arrange a transparent original illumination unit). For this reason, even if there is a gap that can accommodate the transmissive document illuminating unit in the close-contact linear image sensor module side of the document table, for example, in the housing in which the close-contact linear image sensor module is accommodated, I can't. That is, the arrangement of structures such as a transparent original illumination unit is restricted.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses an image reading apparatus that includes a reflective original table, a transparent original table, and a plurality of optical systems, and changes the optical path between reading a reflective original and reading a transparent original. In the image reading apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the reflective original table and the transparent original table can be arranged at different positions. However, the image reading apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a complicated optical system configuration and a long optical path, so that the manufacturing cost is high and it is not suitable for downsizing.
JP-A-8-249458

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is capable of clearly reading a document positioned at a different position and reducing the size of the image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a position positioned at a different position. Another object of the present invention is to provide a contact type linear image sensor module for downsizing an image reading apparatus or an image forming apparatus capable of clearly reading an original.

  An image viewing apparatus for achieving the above object includes a first contact linear image sensor, a second contact linear image sensor, a light receiving surface of the first contact linear image sensor, and the second contact linear image. A carrier that moves the first contact linear image sensor and the second contact linear image sensor together in a posture in which the light receiving surface of the sensor is directed in a different direction. Since the light receiving surface of the first contact type linear image sensor and the light receiving surface of the second contact type linear image sensor are directed in different directions, it is possible to read documents positioned at different positions. For example, it is possible to clearly read a reflective original placed on a reflective original table and a transparent original placed on a transparent original table placed at a position different from the reflective original table. In addition, the illumination unit that illuminates the document read by the first contact type linear image sensor and the illumination unit that illuminates the document read by the second contact type linear image sensor can be freely arranged. Therefore, the image reading apparatus can be reduced in size.

The first contact type linear image sensor may be for a transparent original, and the second contact type linear image sensor may be for a reflective original.
The carrier includes a carriage on which the first contact linear image sensor and the second contact linear image sensor are mounted, and an actuator that moves the carriage, and a light receiving surface of the first contact linear image sensor. Is mounted on the carriage in a posture facing one of the vertical directions, and the light receiving surface of the second contact type linear image sensor is mounted on the carriage in a posture facing the other in the vertical direction. Also good. Since the light receiving surface of the first contact type linear image sensor and the light receiving surface of the second contact type image sensor are vertically oriented, the first contact type linear image sensor and the second contact type linear image sensor are horizontally arranged. The positioned original can be read clearly. Therefore, for example, if a horizontal document table is provided, the document can be positioned by its own weight on the surface of the document table. Therefore, the operability of the image reading apparatus can be improved.

  An illumination unit that illuminates a transparent original read by the first contact linear image sensor; and the carrier includes a carriage on which the first contact linear image sensor and the second contact linear image sensor are mounted. An actuator for moving the carriage, and at least a part of the illumination unit may be arranged in parallel with the actuator. Since at least a part of the illumination unit is arranged side by side with the actuator in the horizontal direction, the overall height of the image reading apparatus can be suppressed.

  An illumination unit that illuminates a transparent original read by the first contact-type linear image sensor, and at least one substrate on which an electronic circuit is formed, and at least part of the illumination unit is a maximum of the substrate. The main substrate may be arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. Since at least a part of the illuminating unit is arranged side by side with the largest main substrate among the substrates in the horizontal direction, the overall height of the image reading apparatus can be suppressed.

  An image forming apparatus for achieving the above object includes a first contact type linear image sensor, a second contact type linear image sensor, a light receiving surface of the first contact type linear image sensor, and the second contact type linear image sensor. A carrier that moves the first contact linear image sensor and the second contact linear image sensor together in a posture in which the light receiving surface is directed in a different direction, and the first contact linear image sensor or the second contact A printing unit that forms an image representing an optical image read by the contact linear image sensor on a print medium. Since the light receiving surface of the first contact type linear image sensor and the light receiving surface of the second contact type linear image sensor face different directions, it is possible to clearly read the document positioned at different positions. In addition, the direction of the light receiving surface of the first contact type linear image sensor and the direction of the light receiving surface of the second contact type linear image sensor can be freely designed. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can be downsized.

The first contact type linear image sensor may be for a transparent original, and the second contact type linear image sensor may be for a reflective original.
The carrier includes a carriage on which the first contact linear image sensor and the second contact linear image sensor are mounted, and an actuator that moves the carriage, and a light receiving surface of the first contact linear image sensor. Is mounted on the carriage in a posture facing one of the vertical directions, and the light receiving surface of the second contact linear image sensor is mounted on the carriage in a posture facing the other in the vertical direction. Good. Since the light receiving surface of the first contact type linear image sensor and the light receiving surface of the second contact type image sensor are vertically oriented, the first contact type linear image sensor and the second contact type linear image sensor are horizontally arranged. The positioned original can be read clearly.

  The illumination unit further illuminates a transparent original read by the first contact type linear image sensor, and the illumination unit is disposed closer to the printing unit than a virtual plane including a light receiving surface of the first contact type linear image sensor. May be. In general, an image forming apparatus including a reading unit and a printing unit often has a gap on the printing unit side. According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the illuminating unit is disposed on the printing unit side with respect to the virtual plane including the light receiving surface of the first contact linear image sensor, there is a gap in which the illuminating unit can be disposed on the printing unit side. The image forming apparatus can be downsized.

  The printing unit includes a print head that ejects ink toward a print medium, and a print carriage that is mounted with the print head and is movable, and at least a part of the illumination unit is horizontal with a movable region of the print carriage. They may be arranged side by side in the direction. Generally, the horizontal movable region of the print carriage on which the print head is mounted is narrower than the horizontal movable region of the first contact type linear image sensor and the second contact type linear image sensor. According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since at least a part of the illumination unit is arranged in parallel with the movable area of the print carriage, the overall height of the image forming apparatus can be suppressed.

  A substrate on which an electronic circuit is formed; a reading housing that houses the carrier; and a printing housing that houses the printing unit, the illumination unit, and the substrate, the printing unit facing a printing medium A print head that ejects ink and a print carriage that is mounted with the print head and is movable, and the illumination unit and the largest main board among the boards are aligned horizontally with the movable area of the print carriage. May be arranged. In general, in an image forming apparatus including a reading unit and a printing unit, there is often a gap that is larger than the reading housing in a print housing that houses the printing unit. According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the illuminating unit and the largest main substrate among the substrates are arranged side by side with the movable region of the print carriage in the horizontal direction, there is a gap in the print housing that can accommodate the main substrate. The image forming apparatus can be downsized.

  A reading housing that houses the carrier; a printing housing that houses the printing unit and supports the reading housing at an upper portion; and a positioning unit that is provided on the printing housing and on which a document is placed. The carrier may include a reading carriage on which the second contact linear image sensor is mounted in a posture capable of reading a document placed on the positioning unit. A document placed on a positioning portion provided at the top of the print housing can be read from above the document by a second contact linear image sensor housed in a reading housing supported on the top of the print housing. it can. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to place the document on the positioning portion while viewing the reading surface of the document.

  To achieve the above object, a contact-type linear image sensor module includes a first image sensor having a first light receiving element group arranged linearly and a light receiving surface of the second light receiving element group arranged linearly. A second image sensor arranged in a direction different from the light receiving surface of the first light receiving element group, a first lens unit that forms an image of the first object on the light receiving surface of the first light receiving element group, and the first A second lens unit that forms an optical image of a second object at a position different from the one object on a light receiving surface of the second light receiving element group. Since the light-receiving surface of the first light-receiving element group and the light-receiving surface of the second light-receiving element group face different directions, it is possible to clearly read the document positioned at different positions.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on a plurality of examples.
(First Example)
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the image scanner 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image scanner 1 as an image reading apparatus is a so-called flat bed type image scanner. The image scanner 1 can read the reflective original 4 and the transparent original up to A4 size and A4 letter size. The reflective original 4 is a printed document, a photograph, or the like. The transparent original is a 35 mm film (negative / positive film) 6 or the like. Hereinafter, the transparent original is described as the 35 mm film 6, but the transparent original is not limited to the 35 mm film 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 8 is formed in a box shape having an upper opening, and supports the reflective document table 10 on the opening side. The reflective document table 10 is formed of a transparent plate such as a generally rectangular glass plate. The reflective original 4 is placed on the surface 10 a of the reflective original table 10. The housing 8 accommodates a scanner carriage 22, a motor 17, a main board 19, a transmission original illumination unit 18, and the like. The document cover 13 is swingably connected to the housing 8 by a hinge (not shown).
The scanner carriage 22 is slidably held by the guide rod 20. The scanner carriage 22 is reciprocated in the central axis direction of the guide rod 20 by being pulled by a driving belt driven by a motor 17 as an actuator. The scanner carriage 22, the guide rod 20, the motor 17, and the driving belt correspond to the components of the carrier described in the claims. Here, the mounting area of the motor 17 is larger than that of other components. Therefore, a large gap is likely to be formed in a region aligned with the mounting region of the motor 17 in the housing 8 in the horizontal direction as compared with other regions in the housing 8. A close contact type linear image sensor module 2 is mounted on the scanner carriage 22.

1 and 3 are schematic diagrams for explaining the contact-type linear image sensor module 2. FIG. FIG. 3A is a plan view of the contact-type linear image sensor module 2. In FIG. 3A, the case 3, the first rod lens array 26, and the second rod lens array 28 are not shown. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the contact-type linear image sensor module 2. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the contact linear image sensor module 2 with a part of the case 3 cut away.
The close contact type linear image sensor module 2 includes a first image sensor 30, a second image sensor 32, a first rod lens array 26, a second rod lens array 28, and a light source 24 for a reflective document. The first image sensor 30 and the first rod lens array 26 correspond to components of the first contact linear image sensor described in the claims. The second image sensor 32 and the second rod lens array 28 correspond to components of the second contact type linear image sensor described in the claims.

  The first image sensor 30 is mounted on the substrate 40. The first image sensor 30 includes a plurality of first light receiving elements 31, MOS transistor switches, and the like arranged in a line in a straight line. The first image sensor 30 scans the optical image of the reflective original 4 formed by the first rod lens array 26 and outputs an electrical signal correlated with the density of the optical image. As a result, the optical image of the reflective original 4 is converted into an image signal.

  The second image sensor 32 is mounted on the substrate 40 in a posture in which a light receiving surface of a second light receiving element 33 described later faces in a direction different from the light receiving surface of the first light receiving element 31 of the first image sensor 30. Details will be described later. The second image sensor 32 includes a plurality of second light receiving elements 33, MOS transistor switches, and the like arranged in three rows in parallel with the first light receiving elements 31 of the first image sensor 30, and each of the columns has a different color. A color filter 34 is provided. Specifically, for example, the color filter 34 is a filter (red filter) 34r that transmits red light, a filter (green filter) 34g that transmits green light, and a filter (blue filter) 34b that transmits blue light. As a result, the white light emitted from the transmissive original illumination unit 18 can be separated into red light, green light, and blue light. The second image sensor 32 scans the optical image of the 35 mm film 6 formed by the second rod lens array 28, and outputs an electrical signal correlated with the density of the optical image. Thereby, the optical image of the 35 mm film 6 is converted into an image signal. The color filter 34 has been described as being provided on the second image sensor 32 (on-chip color filter), but may be a separate component from the second image sensor 32.

  The light receiving surface of the first light receiving element 31 and the light receiving surface of the second light receiving element 33 are upward in the vertical direction and downward in the vertical direction, respectively, in a state where the scanner carriage 22 is accommodated in the housing 8. Therefore, the first image sensor 30 can clearly read the optical image of the reflective original 4 placed on the reflective original table 10 provided above the scanner carriage 22 (see FIG. 1A). The second image sensor 32 can clearly read the optical image of the 35 mm film 6 placed on the transmissive original table 11 provided below the scanner carriage 22 (see FIG. 1B). The direction of the light receiving surface of the first light receiving element 31 is not limited to the vertically upward direction, and the direction of the light receiving surface of the second light receiving element 33 is not limited to the vertically downward direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first image sensor 30, the first rod lens array 26, and the reflection original light source 24 are arranged in alignment with respect to the center in the longitudinal direction. The second image sensor 32 and the first image sensor 30 are arranged in alignment with one end in the longitudinal direction as a reference. The second rod lens array 28 and the second image sensor 32 are arranged in alignment with respect to the center in the longitudinal direction. The arrangement of the components of the contact type linear image sensor module 2 is not limited to the above arrangement. For example, the second image sensor 32 and the second rod lens array 28 may be arranged in alignment with the center in the longitudinal direction of the first image sensor 30 as a reference.

  The longitudinal width of the first image sensor 30 is different from the longitudinal width of the second image sensor 32. Specifically, for example, the width in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement range of the first light receiving elements 31 arranged in the first image sensor 30 is 218 mm so that an A4 size document can be read. The width in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement range of the second light receiving elements 33 arranged in the second image sensor 32 is 27 mm that allows reading of a 35 mm film. The widths in the longitudinal direction of the first image sensor 30 and the second image sensor 32 may be designed according to the document width, and are not limited to 218 mm and 27 mm, respectively. For example, the first image sensor 30 and the second image sensor 32 may have the same width in the longitudinal direction.

The width in the longitudinal direction of the light source 24 for the reflection document and the first rod lens array 26 is designed based on the width in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement range of the first light receiving elements 31. The width in the longitudinal direction of the second rod lens array 28 is designed based on the width in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement range of the second light receiving elements 33.
The resolutions of the first image sensor 30 and the second image sensor 32 are designed according to the specifications of the image scanner 1. For example, the resolution of the first image sensor 30 is 1200 dpi that can sufficiently reproduce the image information recorded on the reflective original 4. For example, the resolution of the second image sensor 32 is 2400 dpi that can sufficiently reproduce the image information recorded on the 35 mm film 6. The resolution of the first image sensor 30 and the resolution of the second image sensor 32 are not limited to 1200 dpi and 2400 dpi, respectively. For example, the resolution of the first image sensor 30 and the second image sensor 32 may be the same resolution of 2400 dpi.

  The reflection original light source 24 includes an LED that emits light of a specific color and a light guide. Specifically, for example, the reflection original light source 24 emits red light for reading a color image (red LED), green light emitting LED (green LED), and blue light. LED (blue LED) is provided. The light emitted from the LED is guided to the reflective original table 10 side by the light guide to illuminate the reflective original 4. A light guide (not shown) is formed of a light transmissive member such as glass. The reflection original light source 24 may be constituted by a fluorescent lamp or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first rod lens array 26 as the first lens portion has a plurality of cylindrical lenses (rod lenses) 36 arranged in a straight line. The first rod lens array 26 is an optical image of the reflection original 4 on the scanning line illuminated by the reflection original light source 24, of the first light receiving elements 31 arranged in the first image sensor 30 by the first rod lens 36. The image is formed at the same magnification on the light receiving surface. The focal length of the first rod lens array 26 and the distance between the first rod lens array 26 and the first image sensor 30 are such that an optical image is clearly formed on the light receiving surface of the first image sensor 30 by the first rod lens array 26. The position of the original (focal position) is designed to be the surface 10 a of the reflective original table 10, that is, the reading surface of the reflective original 4. Therefore, the image scanner 1 can clearly read the reflection original 4 placed on the board surface 11 a on the reflection original table 10.

  The second rod lens array 28 as the second lens unit has the same configuration as the first rod lens array 26 and includes a second rod lens 38. The second rod lens array 28, on the light receiving surface of the second light receiving element 33 arranged in the second image sensor 32, transmits an optical image on the scanning line by the light irradiated from the transmission original illumination unit 18 and transmitted through the 35 mm film 6. The image is formed at the same magnification. The focal length of the second rod lens array 28 and the distance between the second rod lens array 28 and the second image sensor 32 are such that the focal position of the first rod lens array 26 is placed on the transmissive original table 11. Designed to be the reading surface. Therefore, the image scanner 1 can clearly read the 35 mm film 6 placed on the transparent original table 11.

  Below the second image sensor 32, a transparent document table 11 for positioning the 35 mm film 6 is provided. A 35 mm film 6 held by a holder 14 is placed on the surface 11 a of the transparent original table 11. A transmissive plate 12 is provided above the transmissive original table 11. The transmissive original table 11 and the transmissive plate 12 are formed of a transparent plate such as a glass plate. As a result, the second image sensor 32 can read an optical image of the 35 mm film 6 that is emitted from a transmissive document illumination unit 18 described later and transmitted through the transmissive document table 11, the 35 mm film 6, and the transmissive plate 12. Further, the transmissive original table 11 and the transmissive plate 12 prevent dust from entering the housing 8.

  The main board 19, which is the largest board among the boards on which the electronic components included in the image scanner 1 are mounted, is arranged side by side with the motor 17 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the overall height of the image scanner 1 can be suppressed. The main board 19 is preferably arranged in parallel with the motor 17, but the arrangement of the main board 19 is not limited to this.

  The transparent document illumination unit 18 as an illumination unit is arranged side by side with the motor 17 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the overall height of the image scanner 1 can be suppressed. The transparent document illumination unit 18 is located below the transparent document table 11 and illuminates the 35 mm film 6 from below. The transmissive original illumination unit 18 is a so-called white light source, and includes a fluorescent tube lamp, a reflector, a diffusion plate, an inverter circuit, and the like (not shown). The light emitted from the fluorescent lamp is reflected by the reflector, diffused by the diffusion plate, and illuminates the reading area of the 35 mm film 6 with uniform illuminance. The fluorescent lamp may be an LED (light emitting diode). Further, it is desirable that the transparent original illuminating unit 18 be arranged in parallel with the motor 17, but the arrangement of the transparent original illuminating unit 18 is not limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the reflective original light source 24, the first rod lens array 26, and the first image sensor 30 are used for the process of reading the reflective original 4. The first image sensor 30 reads an optical image of light emitted from the light source 24 for the reflective original and reflected by the reflective original 4.
As shown in FIG. 1B, the transparent original illumination unit 18, the second rod lens array 28, and the second image sensor 32 are used for the process of reading the 35 mm film 6. The second image sensor 32 reads an optical image by light emitted from the transmissive original illumination unit 18 and transmitted through the 35 mm film 6.

  According to the image scanner 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, with the scanner carriage 22 housed in the housing 8, the light receiving surface of the first light receiving element 31 is directed upward in the vertical direction so that the scanner carriage 22 The first image sensor 30 is mounted. Therefore, the optical image of the reflective original 4 placed on the surface 10a of the reflective original table 10 provided above the scanner carriage 22 can be read clearly. The second image sensor 32 is mounted on the scanner carriage 22 with the light receiving surface of the second light receiving element 33 facing downward in the vertical direction. Therefore, the optical image of the 35 mm film 6 placed on the surface 11a of the transparent original table 11 provided below the scanner carriage 22 can be read clearly. That is, the reflection original 4 and the 35 mm film 6 positioned at different positions can be read clearly. Therefore, when reading one of the reflective original 4 and the 35 mm film 6, it is not necessary to remove the other original.

  In general, the reading surface of a transparent original such as a 35 mm film held by a holder is positioned at a position away from the board surface of the original table. Therefore, an image scanner that places a reflective original and a transparent original on the same original table cannot clearly read an optical image such as a 35 mm film held on the holder. However, according to the image scanner 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the focal position by the first rod lens array 26 is held on the reading surface of the reflection original 4, and the focal position by the second rod lens array 28 is held by the holder 14. Since the reading surface of the 35 mm film 6 is designed, the optical image of the reflective original 4 and the optical image of the 35 mm film 6 held by the holder 14 can be read clearly.

In general, in an image scanner that reads a reflective original and a transparent original on the same original platen, it is necessary to dispose a transparent original illumination unit on the opposite side of the contact type linear image sensor module with the original platen interposed therebetween. Therefore, for example, in an image scanner in which a transparent document illumination unit is mounted on a document cover, the document cover cannot be reduced in size. In addition, in an image scanner that replaces the original cover for reflective originals and the original cover for transparent originals equipped with a transparent original illumination unit according to the type of original, the transparent original illumination unit and the main body of the image scanner are electrically connected. It is necessary to remove the cable. On the other hand, in an image scanner that uses a document cover equipped with a transparent document illumination unit for reading a reflective document and a transparent document, a detachable document mat is attached to the document cover when reading a reflected document, and the transparent document is read. Sometimes it is necessary to remove.
However, according to the image scanner 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the second image sensor 32 is mounted on the scanner carriage 22 with the light receiving surface of the second light receiving element 33 facing downward in the vertical direction. The portion 18 can be disposed below the scanner carriage 22. That is, the transmissive original illumination unit 18 can be accommodated in the housing 8.
Further, the transparent document illumination unit 18 is arranged in parallel with the motor 17 having a large mounting area. Therefore, the overall height of the image scanner 1 can be suppressed.

Although the flat bed type image sensor as the image reading device has been described, the image reading device is not limited to this.
Further, although the example in which the mounting area of the main board 19 and the entire mounting area of the transparent original illumination unit 18 are arranged in the horizontal direction with the mounting area of the motor 17 has been illustrated and described, the mounting area of the main board 19 or A partial area of the mounting area of the transparent original illumination unit 18 may be arranged side by side with the mounting area of the motor 17 in the horizontal direction.
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the second embodiment. The multi-function device 100 according to the second embodiment includes a reading unit 101 and a printing unit 102. The reading unit 101 includes the contact linear image sensor module 2 according to the first embodiment, and can read the reflective original 4 and the 35 mm film 6. The printing unit 102 can print the image read by the reading unit 101 on a printing medium 103 such as a printing paper. In the second embodiment, parts that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The reading unit 101 includes a scanner carriage 22, a contact type linear image sensor module 2, a transparent document illumination unit 18, and the like. The printing unit 102 includes a printer carriage 124, a print head 125, a paper feed roller 126, a paper discharge roller 127, a platen 128, and the like.

  A scanner housing 110 as a reading housing is swingably connected to the printer housing 120 by a hinge (not shown). The scanner housing 110 is formed in a box shape with an upper opening, and supports the reflective document table 10 on the opening side. On the scanner carriage 22, the close contact type linear image sensor module 2 is mounted in the same posture as in the first embodiment. A transmission plate 12 is provided below the second image sensor 32. The transmission plate 12 prevents dust from entering the scanner housing 110.

  A printer housing 120 as a printing housing is formed in a box shape with a part opened upward. A paper feed port 122 is provided on the side wall of the printer housing 120. A print medium 103 on which an image is printed by the printing unit 102 is supplied from a paper feed port 122. The print medium 103 supplied from the paper feed port 122 is conveyed between the print head 125 and the platen 128 by the paper feed roller 126. A paper discharge port 123 is provided on the side wall opposite to the side wall on which the paper supply port 122 is provided. The print medium 103 on which an image has been printed by the printing unit 102 is conveyed by the paper discharge roller 127 and discharged from the paper discharge port 123 to the outside of the printer housing 120.

As shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the scanner housing 110 covers the upper portion of the printer housing 120 (fully closed state), a transparent original platen 11 is provided at a portion immediately below the transmission plate 12 of the printer housing 120. A 35 mm film 6 is placed on the surface 11 a of the transparent original table 11.
The printer housing 120 accommodates a printer carriage 124, a print head 125, a paper feed roller 126, a paper discharge roller 127, a platen 128, a transmission original illumination unit 18, a main board 19, and the like. Here, the main board 19 is the largest board among the boards on which the electronic components included in the multifunction machine 100 are mounted.
The printer carriage 124 is slidably supported by a rod-shaped guide rod 129. The printer carriage 124 is pulled by a drive belt driven by a motor (not shown) and reciprocates in the central axis direction of the guide rod 129.
A print head 125 is provided at the lower end of the printer carriage 124. The print head 125 ejects ink stored in an ink cartridge (not shown) from the nozzle hole. Note that the printing method of the printing unit 102 is not limited to the method of ejecting ink from the print head 125. For example, the printing method of the printing unit 102 may be a laser method.

  When ink droplets are ejected from the print head 125 while moving the printer carriage 124 while the print medium 103 is stationary on the platen 128, the ink droplets are fixed on the print medium 103 in a straight line. By alternately repeating the operation of moving the print medium 103 by a predetermined distance by the paper feed roller 126 and the paper discharge roller 127 and the operation of fixing ink droplets linearly on the print medium 103, a two-dimensional image is printed on the print medium 103. Can be formed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the horizontal movable area SA2 of the scanner carriage 22 and the horizontal movable area PA2 of the printer carriage 124. FIG. The width in the main scanning direction of the print head 125 that forms an image by the operation of moving the print medium 103 by a predetermined distance and the operation of fixing ink droplets linearly on the print medium 103 is the width in the longitudinal direction of the first image sensor 30. Shorter than (218 mm). Therefore, the horizontal movable area PA2 of the printer carriage 124 is narrower than the horizontal movable area SA2 of the scanner carriage 22. That is, a large gap is likely to be formed in a region aligned in the horizontal direction with the movable region PA1 of the printer carriage 124 inside the printer housing 120, as compared with other regions inside the printer housing 120. Therefore, it is desirable that the transmissive original illumination unit 18 and the main substrate 19 are arranged side by side with the movable area PA1 of the printer carriage 124 in the horizontal direction.
The transparent original illumination unit 18 is arranged below the transparent original table 11 in a horizontal direction with the movable area PA1 of the printer carriage 124. The main board 19 is arranged side by side with the movable area PA1 of the printer carriage 124 in the horizontal direction. Thereby, the overall height of the multifunction peripheral 100 can be suppressed.

According to the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, since the contact type linear image sensor module 2 is mounted on the scanner carriage 22 in the same posture as the first embodiment, the reading unit 101 is the first one. The same effect as the image scanner 1 according to the embodiment is obtained.
Further, since the transparent original illumination unit 18 and the main board 19 are arranged in the printer housing 120 so as to be aligned with the movable area PA1 of the printer carriage 124 in the horizontal direction, the overall height of the multifunction peripheral 100 can be suppressed.

(Third embodiment)
In the multi-function device 200 according to the third embodiment, the transparent original illumination unit 18 is accommodated in the scanner housing 210 side by side with the movable area PA1 of the printer carriage 124 in the horizontal direction. In the third embodiment, parts substantially the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the multifunction device 200.
The scanner housing 210 accommodates the scanner carriage 22, the transparent document illumination unit 18, and the like. On the scanner carriage 22, the close contact type linear image sensor module 2 is mounted in the same posture as in the first embodiment. A part of the bottom of the scanner housing 210 protrudes toward the printer housing 220 so as to be aligned with the movable area PA1 of the printer carriage 124 in the horizontal direction. The second image sensor 32 is located above the portion where the bottom in the scanner housing 210 protrudes toward the printer housing 220.

At the portion where the bottom of the scanner housing 210 protrudes toward the printer housing 220, the transmissive original table 11 and the transmissive plate 12 are provided in the same positional relationship as in the first embodiment.
The transmissive original illumination unit 18 is accommodated in a portion where the bottom of the scanner housing 210 protrudes toward the printer housing 220. The transmissive document illumination unit 18 is arranged below the transmissive document table 11 in parallel with the movable area PA1 of the printer carriage 124 in the horizontal direction.

  According to the MFP 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, a part of the bottom of the scanner housing 210 protrudes toward the printer housing 220, and the bottom of the scanner housing 210 protrudes toward the printer housing 220. In addition, the transparent document illumination unit 18 is arranged in parallel with the movable area PA1 of the printer carriage 124 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the overall height of the multifunction device 200 can be suppressed.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the multifunction machine 300 according to the fourth embodiment, the close contact type linear image sensor module 2 is accommodated in the scanner housing 310 in an upside down posture with respect to the first embodiment. In the multifunction machine 300, a reflective document table 321 is provided on the upper part of the printer housing 320, and the optical image of the reflected document 4 placed on the reflective document table 321 is reflected by the first image sensor 30 of the contact linear image sensor module 2. Read from above the document 4. In the fourth embodiment, parts substantially the same as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the multifunction machine 300.
The scanner housing 310 is swingably connected to the printer housing 320 by a hinge (not shown). A scanner carriage 22 is accommodated in the scanner housing 310. The contact type linear image sensor module 2 is mounted on the scanner carriage 22 in an upside down posture with respect to the first embodiment. Specifically, the light receiving surface of the first light receiving element 31 and the light receiving surface of the second light receiving element 33 are vertically downward and vertically upward, respectively, in a state where the scanner carriage 22 is accommodated in the housing 8.
A transparent document table 11 is provided above the second image sensor 32 of the scanner housing 310. Thus, the second image sensor 32 can read an optical image by light transmitted through the 35 mm film 6 placed on the surface 11 a of the transmission original table 11. A transmission plate 311 is provided below the first image sensor 30 of the scanner housing 310. The transmissive original table 11 and the transmissive plate 311 prevent dust from entering the scanner housing 310.

The transparent document unit housing 330 is swingably connected to the scanner housing 310 by a hinge (not shown). In the fully closed state where the transparent original unit housing 330 covers the transparent original table 11, the transparent plate 12 is provided at a position immediately above the transparent original table 11 of the transparent original unit housing 330. The transparent original illumination unit 18 is accommodated above the transparent plate 12 in the transparent original unit housing 330. As a result, the 35 mm film 6 placed on the board surface 11 a of the transparent original table 11 can be illuminated by the transparent original illumination unit 18.
The printer housing 320 supports the reflective document table 321. The reflective document table 321 is composed of an elastic member such as sponge and a white plate member made of resin such as plastic. The reflective original 4 is placed on the surface 321 a of the reflective original table 321.

  When reading the reflective original 4, the scanner housing 310 is fully closed, and the first image sensor 30 of the contact-type linear image sensor module 2 mounted on the scanner housing 310 reflects the reflective original placed on the reflective original table 321. The optical image of the document 4 is read. In order to read the reflective original 4 from above, the reading surface of the reflective original 4 faces upward.

According to the multifunction machine 300 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention described above, since the reflection original 4 can be placed on the reflection original table 321 with the reading surface facing upward, the reading surface of the reflection original 4 is visually observed. The reflective original 4 can be positioned on the reflective original table 321.
In the second to fourth embodiments, the MFPs 100, 200, and 300 as image forming apparatuses have been described as examples. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the MFPs. For example, the image forming apparatus may be a copying machine, a FAX with a copying function, or the like.
Further, the example in which the mounting area of the main substrate 19 and the entire mounting area of the transparent original illumination unit 18 are arranged in the horizontal direction with the movable area PA1 of the printer carriage 124 has been illustrated and described. The partial area of the area or the mounting area of the transparent original illumination unit 18 may be arranged side by side with the mounting area of the motor 17 in the horizontal direction.

In the above embodiments, the first image sensor 30 has been described as having a plurality of first light receiving elements 31 arranged in a line in a straight line. However, like the second image sensor 32, the first image sensor 30 has three lines in a straight line. A plurality of first light receiving elements 31 arranged in a row may be provided, and different color filters may be provided for each column. In this case, the reflective original light source 24 may be a white light source like the transparent original illumination unit 18.
The second image sensor 32 has been described as having a plurality of second light receiving elements 33 arranged in three lines in a straight line, but a plurality of second light sensors arranged in a line in a straight line like the first image sensor 30. The light receiving element 33 may be included. At that time, the transmissive original illumination unit 18 may include a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED as in the case of the reflective original light source 24.
In the above embodiments, the image scanner 1, the multifunction peripheral 100, the multifunction peripheral 200, and the multifunction peripheral 300 that can read the reflective original 4 and the 35 mm film 6 as the transparent original have been described. The multifunction device 100, the multifunction device 200, and the multifunction device 300 may read two different types of reflective originals or may read two different types of transparent originals.

It is a schematic diagram around a contact type linear image sensor module. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image scanner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating a contact | adherence type linear image sensor module. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the movable area | region of a scanner carriage and a printer carriage. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a multifunction machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a multifunction machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image scanner (image reading apparatus), 2 Contact | adherence linear image sensor module, 4 Reflected original, 635mm film (transparent original), 17 Motor (actuator), 18 Transparent original illumination part (illumination part), 19 Main board, 22 Scanner carriage (reading carriage), 24 light source for reflection original, 26 first rod lens array (first lens part, first contact type linear image sensor), 28 second rod lens array (second lens part, second contact type) Linear image sensor), 30 first image sensor (first contact linear image sensor), 31 first light receiving element, 32 second image sensor (second contact linear image sensor), 33 second light receiving element, 100, 200 , 300 MFP (image forming apparatus), 102 printing unit, 103 printing medium, 110, 21 , 310 Scanner housing (reading housing), 120, 220, 320 Printer housing (printing housing), 124 Printer carriage (printing carriage), 125 Print head, 321 Reflective document table (positioning unit), PA1 Movable area (moving of print carriage) region)

Claims (13)

A first contact linear image sensor;
A second contact type linear image sensor;
The first contact type linear image sensor and the second contact type linear image sensor are arranged such that the light receiving surface of the first contact type linear image sensor and the light receiving surface of the second contact type linear image sensor are directed in different directions. A carrier that moves the two together,
An image reading apparatus comprising: The first contact type linear image sensor is for a transparent document,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second contact type linear image sensor is for a reflective original. The carrier includes a carriage on which the first contact linear image sensor and the second contact linear image sensor are mounted, and an actuator that moves the carriage.
The light receiving surface of the first contact type linear image sensor is mounted on the carriage in a posture facing one of the vertical directions,
3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a light receiving surface of the second contact type linear image sensor is mounted on the carriage in a posture facing one of the other in the vertical direction. An illumination unit that illuminates a transparent original read by the first contact linear image sensor;
The carrier includes a carriage on which the first contact linear image sensor and the second contact linear image sensor are mounted, and an actuator that moves the carriage.
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the illumination unit is arranged in parallel with the actuator. An illumination unit that illuminates a transparent original read by the first contact-type linear image sensor;
And at least one substrate on which an electronic circuit is formed,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the illumination unit is arranged in a horizontal direction with the largest main substrate among the substrates. A first contact linear image sensor;
A second contact type linear image sensor;
The first contact type linear image sensor and the second contact type linear image sensor are arranged such that the light receiving surface of the first contact type linear image sensor and the light receiving surface of the second contact type linear image sensor are directed in different directions. A carrier that moves the two together,
A printing unit that forms an image representing an optical image read by the first contact type linear image sensor or the second contact type linear image sensor on a print medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The first contact type linear image sensor is for a transparent document,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second contact-type linear image sensor is for a reflective original. The carrier includes a carriage on which the first contact linear image sensor and the second contact linear image sensor are mounted, and an actuator that moves the carriage.
The light receiving surface of the first contact type linear image sensor is mounted on the carriage in a posture facing one of the vertical directions,
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the light receiving surface of the second contact type linear image sensor is mounted on the carriage in a posture facing one of the vertical directions. An illumination unit that illuminates a transparent original read by the first contact linear image sensor;
9. The image according to claim 6, wherein the illuminating unit is arranged closer to the printing unit than a virtual plane including a light receiving surface of the first contact linear image sensor. Forming equipment. The printing unit includes a print head that ejects ink toward a print medium, and a print carriage that is mounted with the print head and is movable.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least a part of the illumination unit is arranged in a horizontal direction with a movable region of the print carriage. A substrate on which an electronic circuit is formed;
A reading housing that houses the carrier;
A printing housing that houses the printing unit, the illumination unit, and the substrate;
The printing unit includes a print head that ejects ink toward a print medium, and a print carriage that is mounted with the print head and is movable.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the illumination unit and the largest main substrate among the substrates are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction with a movable region of the print carriage. A reading housing that houses the carrier;
A print housing that houses the printing section and supports the reading housing at the top;
A positioning portion provided on the upper portion of the print housing and on which a document is placed;
The said carrier has a reading carriage which mounts said 2nd contact | adherence type | mold linear image sensor with the attitude | position which can read the document mounted in the said positioning part, It is any one of Claim 6 to 8 characterized by the above-mentioned. The image input / output device described. A first image sensor having a first light receiving element group arranged linearly;
A second image sensor in which the light receiving surface of the second light receiving element group arranged in a straight line is arranged in a different direction from the light receiving surface of the first light receiving element group;
A first lens unit that forms an image of the first object on the light receiving surface of the first light receiving element group;
A second lens unit that forms an optical image of a second object at a position different from the first object on a light receiving surface of the second light receiving element group;
A contact type linear image sensor module comprising:

Images