JP2007043684A - Image sensor, contact image sensor and image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading apparatus which uses small number of components, has a simplified structure and is low cost, and to provide the contact image sensor applied to this. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus comprises a body frame 34 and a CIS unit 50 incorporated in the body frame 34. The CIS unit 50 moves in the body frame 34 by a belt drive mechanism 53. The CIS unit 50 slides along a guide shaft 52. The CIS unit 50 has a cabinet and a bearing is integrally formed in the cabinet. The bearing comprises a pair of bosses 118 and 119. The bosses 118 and 119 have a through hole and the above guide shaft 52 is inserted into the through hole. The guide shaft 52 is biased upward by a coil spring 63. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus employed in an MFD (Multi Function Device) or the like, and more particularly to a structure of an image sensor represented by a contact image sensor incorporated in the image reading apparatus.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional general image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus 1 includes a casing 2 and a contact image sensor 3 disposed in the casing 2. A contact glass plate 4 on which a document is placed is provided on the upper surface of the casing 2. The contact image sensor 3 is held by the carriage 5. The carriage 5 is provided with a spring 6, which presses the contact image sensor 3 against the back surface of the contact glass plate 4. The carriage 5 is connected to a slide mechanism (not shown). The slide mechanism includes a guide shaft 8, and the carriage 5 is slid along the guide shaft 8 in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. As a result, the contact image sensor 3 reads an image from the original placed on the contact glass plate 4 while moving in the direction. The contact image sensor 3 includes a roller unit 7. The roller unit 7 is in contact with the back surface of the contact glass plate 4 and supports smooth movement of the contact image sensor 3 (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP-A-9-261424 Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-3778 JP 2002-229133 A

  By the way, in order to accurately read an image from a document, when the contact image sensor 3 is sliding, the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor 3 (main scanning direction) and the axial direction of the guide shaft 8 (sub-scanning direction). Must be orthogonal to each other. However, in the conventional image reading apparatus 1, the contact image sensor 3 is held by the carriage 5, and the carriage 5 is connected to the guide shaft 8. Therefore, the orthogonal accuracy between the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is This is determined due to both the mounting accuracy between the guide shaft 8 and the carriage 5 and the mounting accuracy between the carriage 5 and the contact image sensor 3. Therefore, in order for the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction to be accurately orthogonal, high mounting accuracy between the guide shaft 8 and the carriage 5 and high mounting accuracy between the carriage 5 and the contact image sensor 3 are required. The

  However, the carriage 5 is attached to the guide shaft 8 with high accuracy, and the contact image sensor 3 is attached to the carriage 5 with high accuracy. As a result, the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are accurately orthogonalized. The operation is generally not easy because the errors of the two attachment operations are accumulated. Further, since the conventional image reading apparatus 1 has a structure in which the contact image sensor 3 held by the carriage 5 is slid by the slide mechanism, the mechanism for moving the contact image sensor 3 is complicated and is a component. The score was also high. As a result, there has been a problem in that the parts cost and assembly cost of the image reading apparatus 1 are increased, and as a result, the manufacturing cost of the image reading apparatus 1 increases.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive image reading apparatus that can easily realize the accurate orthogonality between the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor and the axial direction of the guide shaft, and a contact image sensor applied thereto. It is.

  (1) In order to achieve the above object, a contact image sensor according to the present invention includes a casing that has an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape and can be slid in a short direction along a predetermined guide shaft. A light source is attached to the housing. A plurality of light receiving elements are attached to the housing. The plurality of light receiving elements are juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction of the casing. Further, a bearing portion through which the guide shaft can be inserted is provided integrally with the housing at a position below the lower surface of the housing.

  This contact image sensor scans a document. Specifically, the light source provided in the casing irradiates the document with light while the casing is slid along the guide shaft, and the light receiving element provided in the casing receives the reflected light. The light receiving element outputs a predetermined signal (image signal) based on the received light. The housing includes a bearing portion, and the guide shaft is inserted through the bearing portion. That is, the guide shaft is directly attached to the housing of the contact image sensor. In other words, the conventional contact image sensor includes a holder that holds the housing, and this holder is connected to the guide shaft, whereas the contact image sensor according to the present invention omits the holder. The casing and the guide shaft are directly connected.

  Therefore, the number of parts constituting the contact image sensor is reduced, and the contact image sensor can be accurately positioned with respect to the guide shaft. More specifically, when the contact image sensor is connected to the guide shaft via the casing and the holder as in the conventional case, the positioning accuracy of the contact image sensor with respect to the guide shaft is between the casing and the holder. The mounting accuracy and the mounting accuracy between the cage and the guide shaft are determined as factors. Therefore, as described above, it is generally not easy to realize an accurate orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor. However, in the present invention, since the guide shaft is directly coupled to the housing, the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor can be simply attached to the guide shaft. An accurate orthogonal relationship with the direction is easily realized.

  (2) The bearing portion supports the guide shaft so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction, and the housing is supported in the longitudinal direction and the short direction. There may be further provided a slide member that elastically biases in a direction orthogonal to both and supports smooth sliding in the short direction. Even in this case, since the guide shaft is directly attached to the housing of the contact image sensor, the number of parts constituting the contact image sensor is reduced, and the contact image sensor includes the guide image sensor. It can be accurately positioned with respect to the shaft. Further, the casing can be smoothly slid by the slide member. Therefore, an accurate orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor is maintained even during sliding of the housing.

  (3) It is preferable that the slide member is provided at both ends of the casing in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the casing can slide more smoothly.

  (4) The slide member preferably includes an elastic body for biasing the housing. As a result, the means for urging the housing has a very simple structure, and the housing can be reliably urged.

  (5) The bearing portion may include a pair of bosses formed integrally with the casing on a pair of lateral sides of the casing. Each boss is provided with a guide shaft insertion hole through which the guide shaft passes. In this configuration, the structure of the bearing portion is very simple. Therefore, the said bearing part is comprised cheaply and the manufacturing cost of a housing | casing is also reduced by extension.

  (6) It is preferable that the housing includes a connecting portion for transmitting a driving force from a slide mechanism that slides the housing. In this case, the connecting portion constitutes an action point at which the driving force (external force for sliding the casing along the guide shaft) acts. Therefore, the housing can directly slide upon receiving the driving force.

  (7) It is preferable that the connecting portion is provided in the bearing portion. In this case, the bearing portion receives the driving force. Since this bearing is in a state of being supported by the guide shaft, the operating point of the driving force is located in the vicinity of the guide shaft. Therefore, even when the driving force acts on the bearing portion, the rotational moment applied to the casing (the moment for rotating the casing with respect to the axial direction of the guide shaft) is small. Therefore, when the housing slides with respect to the guide shaft, the orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor is maintained.

  (8) It is preferable that the bearing portion is provided at the center of the casing. In this case, the center of the housing is supported by the guide shaft. Therefore, when the housing slides with respect to the guide shaft, the orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor is reliably maintained.

  (9) A connector as an output terminal of a signal output from the light receiving element is provided in the housing, and a cable holding portion for holding an electric cable connected to the connector is integrally provided in the housing. It is preferable. In this configuration, the electrical cable can be compactly wired. Moreover, even if tension | tensile_strength generate | occur | produces in an electric cable because an electric cable is hold | maintained at a cable holding part, an excessive mechanical load is not applied to a connector. Furthermore, since the cable holding portion is provided integrally with the housing, the cable holding portion can be manufactured together with the housing at a low cost.

  (10) It is preferable that the cable holding part is composed of a plate-like member arranged in parallel and close to the lateral side surface of the casing. In this case, the structure of the cable holding part becomes very simple, and the cable holding part can be manufactured at a lower cost together with the housing.

  (11) Further, since the above-described object is achieved, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention is attached to the casing having an opening on the upper surface and the casing so as to be exposed to the opening. A contact glass plate in which the placement surface is partitioned, a contact image sensor that is arranged in the casing and is slid to scan the document placed on the document placement surface, and the contact image sensor is slid And a slide mechanism. The contact image sensor is attached to the case so as to face the contact glass plate, a light source attached to the case so as to face the contact glass plate, a case having an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape, A plurality of light receiving elements arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the casing, and a bearing portion provided integrally with the casing at a position below the lower surface of the casing. The slide mechanism is provided on the casing, extends in a short direction of the housing and is inserted into the bearing portion, and the guide shaft so that the housing is pressed against the contact glass plate. And a biasing member that biases elastically toward the contact glass plate.

  In this image reading apparatus, in a state where the original is placed on the original placement surface, the contact image sensor scans the original while being slid by the slide mechanism. Specifically, while the contact image sensor is slid along the guide shaft, a light source provided in a housing of the contact image sensor irradiates the document with light, and the light receiving element receives the reflected light. At this time, since the urging member elastically presses the housing of the contact image sensor toward the contact glass plate, even if there is distortion in the casing or the like, the contact image sensor and the contact glass plate are always Close to each other, the distance between them is kept constant. Thereby, the contact image sensor can exhibit an image reading function. The light receiving element outputs a predetermined signal (image signal) based on the received light. The guide shaft is inserted through the bearing portion. That is, the guide shaft is directly attached to the housing of the contact image sensor.

  By the way, the conventional contact image sensor has a holder for holding the casing, and the holder is connected to the guide shaft. Therefore, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention has the above contact image. A cage as a sensor component is omitted, and the housing and the guide shaft are directly connected. Therefore, the number of parts constituting the image reading apparatus is reduced, and the contact image sensor is accurately positioned with respect to the guide shaft. More specifically, when the contact image sensor is connected to the guide shaft via the casing and the holder as in the conventional case, the positioning accuracy of the contact image sensor with respect to the guide shaft is between the casing and the holder. The mounting accuracy and the mounting accuracy between the cage and the guide shaft are determined as factors. Therefore, as described above, it is generally not easy to realize an accurate orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor. However, in the present invention, since the guide shaft is directly coupled to the housing, the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor can be simply attached to the guide shaft. An accurate orthogonal relationship with the direction is easily realized.

  (12) In particular, the bearing portion may include a pair of bosses formed integrally with the casing on a pair of side surfaces in the lateral direction of the casing. Each boss is provided with a guide shaft insertion hole through which the guide shaft passes. In this configuration, the structure of the bearing portion is very simple. Therefore, reduction of the manufacturing cost of the image reading apparatus is promoted.

  (13) It is preferable that the housing includes a connecting portion for transmitting a driving force from the slide mechanism. In this case, the connecting portion constitutes an action point at which the driving force (external force for sliding the casing along the guide shaft) acts. Therefore, the housing can directly slide upon receiving the driving force.

  (14) It is preferable that the connecting portion is provided in the bearing portion. In this case, the bearing portion receives the driving force. Since this bearing is in a state of being supported by the guide shaft, the operating point of the driving force is located in the vicinity of the guide shaft. Therefore, even when the driving force acts on the bearing portion, the rotational moment applied to the casing (the moment for rotating the casing with respect to the axial direction of the guide shaft) is small. Therefore, when the housing slides with respect to the guide shaft, the orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor is maintained.

  (15) It is preferable that the bearing portion is provided at the center of the casing. In this case, the center of the housing is supported by the guide shaft. Therefore, when the housing slides with respect to the guide shaft, the orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor is maintained.

  (16) The biasing member is preferably a coil spring. Thereby, the biasing force loaded on the guide shaft can be easily set. Further, the structure for biasing the guide shaft is very simple.

  (17) A connector as an output terminal of a signal output from the light receiving element is provided in the housing, and a cable holding portion for holding an electric cable connected to the connector is integrally provided in the housing. It is preferable. In this configuration, the electrical cable can be compactly wired. Moreover, even if tension | tensile_strength generate | occur | produces in an electric cable because an electric cable is hold | maintained at a cable holding part, an excessive mechanical load is not applied to a connector. Furthermore, since the cable holding portion is provided integrally with the housing, the cable holding portion can be manufactured together with the housing at a low cost.

  (18) In particular, it is preferable that the cable holding portion is composed of a plate-like member arranged in parallel and close to the lateral side surface of the casing. In this case, the structure of the cable holding part is very simple. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the image reading apparatus can be further reduced.

  (19) The biasing member may be provided between the guide shaft and the inner bottom portion of the casing. With such a configuration, it is possible to realize a structure for urging the guide shaft toward the contact glass plate with a very simple mechanism in which a biasing member such as a coil spring is disposed in a compressed state below the guide shaft. Can do. In this configuration, the urging force of the urging member directly acts on the guide shaft, and the urging force indirectly acts on the housing by the guide shaft, whereby the housing is Indirectly supported by Therefore, even if the housing vibrates as the contact image sensor slides, the vibration is buffered by the guide shaft, and thus is not easily transmitted to the urging member. Therefore, the distance between the contact image sensor and the contact glass plate is kept constant without being affected by the vibration.

  (20) Further, since the above-described object is achieved, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention is attached to the casing having an opening on the upper surface and the casing so as to be exposed to the opening. A contact glass plate in which the placement surface is partitioned, a contact image sensor that is arranged in the casing and is slid to scan the document placed on the document placement surface, and the contact image sensor is slid And a slide mechanism. The contact image sensor is attached to the case so as to face the contact glass plate, a light source attached to the case so as to face the contact glass plate, a case having an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape, A plurality of light receiving elements arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the casing, and a bearing portion provided integrally with the casing at a position below the lower surface of the casing. The slide mechanism includes a guide shaft that is provided in the casing and extends in a short direction of the housing and is inserted through the bearing portion. The bearing portion supports the guide shaft in a movable state in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction, and the housing is orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction. There is provided a slide member that elastically urges in the direction of movement and supports smooth sliding in the short direction.

  In this image reading apparatus, in a state where the original is placed on the original placement surface, the contact image sensor scans the original while being slid by the slide mechanism. Specifically, while the contact image sensor is slid along the guide shaft, a light source provided in a housing of the contact image sensor irradiates the document with light, and the light receiving element receives the reflected light. At this time, the slide member elastically presses the casing in the direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction, that is, the direction toward the contact glass plate, and supports smooth sliding of the contact image sensor. To do. For this reason, even if there is distortion in the casing or the like, the contact image sensor and the contact glass plate are always close to each other, and the distance between the two is kept constant. Thereby, the contact image sensor can exhibit an image reading function. The light receiving element outputs a predetermined signal (image signal) based on the received light. The guide shaft is inserted through the bearing portion. That is, the guide shaft is directly attached to the housing of the contact image sensor.

  By the way, the conventional contact image sensor has a holder for holding the casing, and the holder is connected to the guide shaft. Therefore, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention has the above contact image. A cage as a sensor component is omitted, and the housing and the guide shaft are directly connected. Therefore, the number of parts constituting the image reading apparatus is reduced, and the contact image sensor is accurately positioned with respect to the guide shaft. More specifically, when the contact image sensor is connected to the guide shaft via the casing and the holder as in the conventional case, the positioning accuracy of the contact image sensor with respect to the guide shaft is between the casing and the holder. The mounting accuracy and the mounting accuracy between the cage and the guide shaft are determined as factors. Therefore, as described above, it is generally not easy to realize an accurate orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor. However, in the present invention, since the guide shaft is directly coupled to the housing, the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor can be simply attached to the guide shaft. An accurate orthogonal relationship with the direction is easily realized. In particular, since the casing can be smoothly slid by the sliding member, an accurate orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor is maintained even during the sliding of the casing. obtain.

  (21) It is preferable that the slide member is provided at both ends of the casing in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the casing can slide more smoothly.

  (22) The slide member preferably includes an elastic body for biasing the housing. As a result, the means for urging the housing has a very simple structure, and the housing can be reliably urged.

  (23) The bearing portion may include a pair of bosses formed integrally with the casing on a pair of lateral sides of the casing. Each boss is provided with a guide shaft insertion hole through which the guide shaft passes and extends in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction. In this configuration, the structure of the bearing portion is very simple. Therefore, reduction of the manufacturing cost of the image reading apparatus is promoted.

  (24) It is preferable that the housing includes a connecting portion for transmitting a driving force from the slide mechanism. In this case, the connecting portion constitutes an action point at which the driving force (external force for sliding the casing along the guide shaft) acts. Therefore, the housing can directly slide upon receiving the driving force.

  (25) It is preferable that the connecting portion is provided in the bearing portion. In this case, the bearing portion receives the driving force. Since this bearing portion is in a state of being fitted to the guide shaft, the operating point of the driving force is located in the vicinity of the guide shaft. Therefore, even when the driving force acts on the bearing portion, the rotational moment applied to the casing (the moment for rotating the casing with respect to the axial direction of the guide shaft) is small. Therefore, when the housing slides with respect to the guide shaft, the orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor is maintained.

  (26) Preferably, the bearing portion is provided in the center of the casing. In this case, the center of the housing is supported by the guide shaft. Therefore, when the housing slides with respect to the guide shaft, the orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor is maintained.

  (27) A connector as an output terminal of a signal output from the light receiving element is provided in the housing, and a cable holding portion for holding an electric cable connected to the connector is integrally provided in the housing. It is preferable. In this configuration, the electrical cable can be compactly wired. Moreover, even if tension | tensile_strength generate | occur | produces in an electric cable because an electric cable is hold | maintained at a cable holding part, an excessive mechanical load is not applied to a connector. Furthermore, since the cable holding portion is provided integrally with the housing, the cable holding portion can be manufactured together with the housing at a low cost.

  (28) It is preferable that the cable holding portion is composed of a plate-like member arranged in parallel and close to a lateral surface of the casing. In this case, the structure of the cable holding part is very simple. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the image reading apparatus can be further reduced.

  (29) The slide member includes a leaf spring that is in contact with the lower surface of the housing and biases the housing, and a roller that is attached to the leaf spring and that can roll while contacting the inner bottom portion of the casing. It is preferable to provide. In this case, since the urging force acts directly on the housing, the urging force can be reliably applied to the housing. Thereby, a housing | casing can be stably pressed with respect to a contact glass plate.

  (30) In order to achieve the above object, an image sensor according to the present invention has an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape and a housing that can be moved in a short direction along a guide member that extends in a predetermined direction. A light source attached to the body, a light guide attached to the housing so as to be exposed on the surface of the housing and extending in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of light guides attached to the housing and arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction The light receiving element includes a light receiving element and a guide receiving portion that is provided in the housing and can be engaged with the guide member.

  This image sensor scans a document. Specifically, a light source provided in the casing irradiates the document with light while the casing is slid along a guide member extending in a predetermined direction, and reflected light from the document is applied to the casing. The light receiving element provided in the housing receives light through the provided light guide. The light receiving element outputs a predetermined signal (image signal) based on the received light amount. The housing includes a guide receiving portion, and the guide member is engaged with the guide receiving portion. That is, the guide member is directly engaged with and attached to the housing of the image sensor. In other words, the conventional image sensor includes a holder that holds the housing, and the holder is connected to the guide member, whereas the image sensor according to the present invention omits the holder. The casing and the guide member are directly connected.

  Therefore, the number of parts constituting the image sensor is reduced, and the image sensor can be accurately positioned with respect to the guide member. More specifically, when the image sensor is connected to the guide member via the housing and the holder as in the prior art, the positioning accuracy of the image sensor relative to the guide member is determined by the mounting between the housing and the holder. The accuracy and the mounting accuracy between the cage and the guide member are determined as factors. Therefore, as described above, it is generally not easy to realize an accurate orthogonal relationship between the extending direction of the guide member and the longitudinal direction of the image sensor. However, in the present invention, since the guide member is directly connected to the casing, the extension direction of the guide member and the longitudinal direction of the image sensor can be determined only by accurately attaching the casing to the guide member. An accurate orthogonal relationship with the direction is easily realized.

  (31) The guide receiving portion supports the guide member so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction, and the case is supported in both the longitudinal direction and the short direction. There may be further provided a slide member that is elastically urged in a direction orthogonal to the direction and is capable of sliding on a predetermined support surface in the short direction. Even in this case, since the guide member is directly attached to the casing of the image sensor, the number of parts constituting the image sensor is reduced, and the image sensor is less than the guide member. Can be positioned accurately. Further, the casing can be slid in the short direction by the slide member. Therefore, even during the sliding of the housing, an accurate orthogonal relationship between the extending direction of the guide and the longitudinal direction of the image sensor is maintained.

  (32) It is preferable that the slide member is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the casing. As a result, the casing can slide more smoothly.

  (33) The slide member preferably includes an elastic body for biasing the housing. As a result, the means for urging the housing has a very simple structure, and the housing can be reliably urged.

  (34) The guide receiving portion includes a pair of bosses integrally formed with the housing on a pair of side surfaces in the short direction of the housing, and each of the bosses includes the guide member. It is preferable to have an engaged portion to be engaged. In this configuration, the structure of the guide receiving portion is very simple. Therefore, the guide receiving portion is configured at low cost, and the manufacturing cost of the housing is also reduced.

  (35) It is preferable that the housing includes a connecting portion for transmitting a driving force from a slide mechanism that slides the housing. In this case, the connecting portion constitutes an action point at which the driving force (external force for sliding the casing along the guide member) acts. Therefore, the housing can be slid quickly by receiving the driving force directly.

  (36) It is preferable that the connecting portion is provided in the guide receiving portion. In this case, the guide receiving portion receives the driving force. Since this guide receiving portion is in a state of being supported by the guide member, the operating point of the driving force is located in the vicinity of the guide member. Therefore, even when the driving force acts on the guide receiving portion, the rotational moment applied to the housing (the moment for rotating the housing with respect to the extending direction of the guide member) is small. Therefore, when the housing slides with respect to the guide member, the orthogonal relationship between the extending direction of the guide member and the longitudinal direction of the image sensor is maintained.

  (37) It is preferable that the guide receiving portion is provided at the center of the casing. In this case, the center of the housing is supported by the guide member. Therefore, when the housing slides with respect to the guide member, the orthogonal relationship between the extending direction of the guide member and the longitudinal direction of the image sensor is reliably maintained.

  (38) A connector as an output terminal of a signal output from the light receiving element is provided in the housing, and a cable holding portion for holding an electric cable connected to the connector is integrally provided in the housing. It is preferable. In this configuration, the electrical cable can be compactly wired. Moreover, even if tension | tensile_strength generate | occur | produces in an electric cable because an electric cable is hold | maintained at a cable holding part, an excessive mechanical load is not applied to a connector. Furthermore, since the cable holding portion is provided integrally with the housing, the cable holding portion can be manufactured together with the housing at a low cost.

  (39) It is preferable that the cable holding portion is composed of a plate-like member arranged in parallel and close to a lateral surface of the casing. In this case, the structure of the cable holding part becomes very simple, and the cable holding part can be manufactured at a lower cost together with the housing.

  (40) It is preferable that the casing is slid while maintaining a state in which the mounting surface of the light receiving element is brought close to the back surface of the light-transmitting plate for document placement provided in the image reading apparatus. . The present invention is suitable for an image sensor that slides in this way.

  (41) The guide member is formed in a shaft shape, and the guide receiving portion is provided integrally with the housing at a position below the lower surface of the housing, and the guide member is inserted therethrough. It may be obtained. In this case, a shaft-like member is used as the guide member, and the guide receiving portion inserted so as to receive the guide member is used, whereby the play of the guide receiving portion with respect to the guide member is minimized. Thereby, the orthogonal relationship between the extending direction of the guide member and the longitudinal direction of the image sensor is more reliably maintained. Further, by employing the guide member, the engagement structure between the guide member and the guide receiving portion can be configured very simply. Furthermore, since the guide receiving portion is integrally formed with the housing at a position below the lower surface of the housing, the upper surface of the housing is brought close to the back surface of a light transmissive plate such as a contact glass plate. The housing can be slid in a state.

  (42) Further, since the above-described object is achieved, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention is attached to the casing so as to be exposed to the opening and a casing having an opening on an upper surface, and a document is formed by a peripheral edge of the opening. A light transmissive plate having a placement surface defined therein, a contact image sensor disposed in the casing and slid to scan a document placed on the document placement surface; and the contact image sensor is slid And a slide mechanism. The contact image sensor includes a housing having an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape, a light source attached to the housing so as to face the light transmissive plate, and a surface of the housing so as to face the light transmissive plate. A light guide that is exposed to the longitudinal direction of the casing and a plurality of light guides that are attached to the casing so as to face the light-transmitting plate and that are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the casing. A light receiving element; and a guide receiving portion that is provided in the housing and to which a guide member included in the slide mechanism can be engaged. The slide mechanism is provided in the casing, extends in a short direction of the casing and can be engaged with the guide receiving portion, and the casing is pressed against the light transmissive plate. A biasing member that elastically biases the guide member toward the light transmissive plate.

  In this image reading apparatus, in a state where the original is placed on the original placement surface, the contact image sensor scans the original while being slid by the slide mechanism. Specifically, while the contact image sensor is slid along the guide member, the light source provided in the contact image sensor casing irradiates the document with light, and the light receiving element receives the reflected light through the light guide. To do. At this time, the urging member elastically presses the contact image sensor housing against the light transmissive plate such as the contact glass plate, so that even if there is distortion in the casing or the like, The light transmitting plate is always close to each other, and the distance between the two is kept constant. Thereby, the contact image sensor can exhibit an image reading function. The light receiving element outputs a predetermined signal (image signal) based on the received light quantity. The guide member is engaged with the guide receiving portion. In other words, the guide member is directly attached to the housing of the contact image sensor.

  By the way, the conventional contact image sensor has a holder for holding the housing, and the holder is connected to the guide member. Therefore, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention has the above contact image. A cage as a sensor component is omitted, and the casing and the guide member are directly connected. Accordingly, the number of parts constituting the image reading apparatus is reduced, and the contact image sensor is accurately positioned with respect to the guide member. More specifically, when the contact image sensor is connected to the guide member via the casing and the holder as in the conventional case, the positioning accuracy of the contact image sensor with respect to the guide member is between the casing and the holder. The mounting accuracy and the mounting accuracy between the cage and the guide member are determined as factors. Therefore, as described above, it is generally not easy to realize an accurate orthogonal relationship between the extending direction of the guide member and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor. However, in the present invention, since the guide member is directly connected to the casing, the extension direction of the guide member and the contact image sensor can be connected to the guide member only by accurately attaching the casing. An exact orthogonal relationship with the longitudinal direction is easily realized.

  (43) The guide member is formed in a shaft shape, and the guide receiving portion is provided integrally with the housing at a position below the lower surface of the housing, and the guide member is inserted therethrough. It may be obtained. In this case, a shaft-like member is used as the guide member, and the guide receiving portion inserted so as to receive the guide member is used, whereby the play of the guide receiving portion with respect to the guide member is minimized. Thereby, the orthogonal relationship between the extending direction of the guide member and the longitudinal direction of the image sensor is more reliably maintained. Further, by employing the guide member, the engagement structure between the guide member and the guide receiving portion can be configured very simply. Furthermore, since the guide receiving portion is integrally formed with the housing at a position below the lower surface of the housing, the upper surface of the housing is brought close to the back surface of a light transmissive plate such as a contact glass plate. The housing can be slid in a state.

  (44) Further, since the above-described object is achieved, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention is attached to the casing so as to be exposed to the opening having an opening on the upper surface, and the document is formed by the periphery of the opening. A light transmissive plate having a placement surface defined therein, a contact image sensor disposed in the casing and slid to scan a document placed on the document placement surface; and the contact image sensor is slid And a slide mechanism. The contact image sensor includes a housing having an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape, a light source attached to the housing so as to face the light transmissive plate, and a surface of the housing so as to face the light transmissive plate. A light guide that is exposed to the longitudinal direction of the casing and a plurality of light guides that are attached to the casing so as to face the light-transmitting plate and that are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the casing. A light receiving element; and a guide receiving portion that is provided in the housing and can be engaged with a guide member included in the slide mechanism. The slide mechanism includes a guide member that is provided in the casing, extends in a short direction of the housing, and can be engaged with the guide receiving portion. The guide receiving portion supports the guide member so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction, and the case is orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction. There is provided a slide member that is elastically biased in the direction and is capable of sliding the inner bottom of the casing in the lateral direction.

  In this image reading apparatus, in a state where the original is placed on the original placement surface, the contact image sensor scans the original while being slid by the slide mechanism. Specifically, while the contact image sensor is slid along the guide member, the light source provided in the contact image sensor casing irradiates the document with light, and the light receiving element receives the reflected light through the light guide. . At this time, the slide member elastically presses the housing in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the housing, that is, toward the light transmissive plate side such as a contact glass plate, Supports smooth sliding of the contact image sensor. For this reason, even if there is distortion in the casing or the like, the contact image sensor and the light transmissive plate are always close to each other, and the distance between the two is kept constant. Thereby, the contact image sensor can exhibit an image reading function. The light receiving element outputs a predetermined signal (image signal) based on the received light quantity. The guide member is engaged with the guide receiving portion. In other words, the guide member is directly attached to the housing of the contact image sensor.

  By the way, the conventional contact image sensor has a holder for holding the housing, and the holder is connected to the guide member. Therefore, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention has the above contact image. A cage as a sensor component is omitted, and the casing and the guide member are directly connected. Accordingly, the number of parts constituting the image reading apparatus is reduced, and the contact image sensor is accurately positioned with respect to the guide member. More specifically, when the contact image sensor is connected to the guide member via the casing and the holder as in the conventional case, the positioning accuracy of the contact image sensor with respect to the guide member is between the casing and the holder. The mounting accuracy and the mounting accuracy between the cage and the guide member are determined as factors. Therefore, as described above, it is generally not easy to realize an accurate orthogonal relationship between the extending direction of the guide member and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor. However, in the present invention, since the guide member is directly connected to the casing, the extension direction of the guide member and the contact image sensor can be connected to the guide member only by accurately attaching the casing. An exact orthogonal relationship with the longitudinal direction is easily realized. In particular, since the slide member realizes smooth sliding of the housing, an accurate orthogonal relationship between the extending direction of the guide member and the longitudinal direction of the contact image sensor is maintained even during the sliding of the housing. Can be done.

  (45) The guide member is formed in a shaft shape, and the guide receiving portion is provided integrally with the housing at a position below the lower surface of the housing, and the guide member is inserted therethrough. It may be obtained. In this case, a shaft-shaped member is used as the guide member, and the guide receiving portion inserted so as to receive the guide member is used, whereby the play of the guide receiving portion with respect to the guide member is minimized. Thereby, the orthogonal relationship between the extending direction of the guide member and the longitudinal direction of the image sensor is more reliably maintained. Further, by employing the guide member, the engagement structure between the guide member and the guide receiving portion can be configured very simply. Furthermore, since the guide receiving portion is integrally formed with the housing at a position below the lower surface of the housing, the upper surface of the housing is brought close to the back surface of a light transmissive plate such as a contact glass plate. The housing can be slid in a state.

  According to the present invention, by reducing the number of parts, an inexpensive image sensor such as a contact image sensor and an image reading apparatus incorporating the image sensor are realized. Further, by reducing the number of parts, an image sensor such as a contact image sensor is assembled so that its longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) is accurately orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. In addition, it is possible to realize precise document reading.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with appropriate reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image reading apparatus 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image reading device 30 can be used, for example, as a scanner unit of a multi-function device (MFD) having a printer function and a scanner function integrally, and as an image reading unit of a copying machine. However, in the present invention, the printer function is an arbitrary mechanism. For example, the image reading device 30 may be configured as a flatbed scanner (FBS) having only a scanner function.

  As shown in the figure, the image reading apparatus 30 includes a reading table 31 that functions as an FBS, and a document pressing cover 33 is attached to the reading table 31 so as to be freely opened and closed. The document pressing cover 33 includes an auto document feeder (ADF) 32. The reading table 31 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body frame 34 (casing), a contact glass plate 35 (light transmissive plate) provided on the top surface (upper surface) of the main body frame 34, and an image built in the main body frame 34. And a reading unit 36. The document is placed on the contact glass plate 35. When the document pressing cover 33 is closed, the document is fixed by the document pressing cover 33. The image reading unit 36 moves below the contact glass plate 35 along the contact glass plate 35, thereby reading an image from the original.

  An operation panel 37 is provided on the front side of the reading table 31. The operation panel 37 includes various operation buttons and a liquid crystal display unit. The image reading device 30 operates according to an instruction from the operation panel 37. When the image reading device 30 is configured as an MFD, a computer can be connected to the image reading device 30. In that case, the image reading apparatus 30 can operate not only by an instruction from the operation panel 37 but also by an instruction transmitted from the computer via a scanner driver or the like.

  As described above, the document pressing cover 33 includes the ADF 32 that continuously conveys documents from the document tray to the discharge tray. In the conveyance process by the ADF 32, the document passes through the platen 38, and the image reading unit 36 reads an image from the document below the platen 38. However, in the present embodiment, this ADF 32 may be omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the reading table 31 and shows the internal structure of the reading table 31. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the reading mounting table 31.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the main body frame 34 of the reading table 31 includes a container-like lower frame 39 whose upper surface is open, and an upper cover 42 having an opening 41 on the upper surface 40. The main body frame 34 is configured by fitting the upper cover 42 onto the frame 39. The contact glass plate 35 is attached to the upper cover 42 so as to be exposed to the opening 41. The surface 95 of the contact glass plate 35 constitutes a document placement surface, and the opening 41 defines the document placement surface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading unit 36 is disposed in the lower frame 39. Both the lower frame 39 and the upper cover 42 are made of synthetic resin. The lower frame 42 includes a base portion 43 constituting a bottom plate, a side wall 44 rising from the periphery of the base portion 43, and a partition plate 45, which are integrally formed. The partition plate 45 partitions a portion where the image reading unit 36 is disposed and a portion where the substrate of the operation panel 37 is disposed. The lower frame 39 includes support ribs for supporting the contact glass plate 35, bosses for screwing various members, through holes for electrical wiring, and the like. However, since these are appropriately designed according to the embodiment of the reading table 31, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading unit 36 includes a CIS unit 50 (contact image sensor) and a belt drive mechanism 53 (slide mechanism) having a guide shaft 52 (guide member). The image reading unit 36 includes a roller unit 58 (see FIG. 3) not shown in the figure. As shown in FIG. 3, the roller unit 58 abuts on the back surface 75 of the contact glass plate 35 and supports smooth movement of the CIS unit 50. The CIS unit 50 is a so-called contact type image sensor. The CIS unit 50 irradiates the original with light and receives reflected light from the original, and converts the received light into an electrical signal. As will be described in detail later, the CIS unit 50 includes an elongated rectangular parallelepiped casing 70, and the casing 70 is engaged with the guide shaft 52. And this housing | casing 70 moves below the contact glass plate 35 (refer FIG.1 and FIG.3).

  Specifically, the guide shaft 52 is constructed over the width direction of the lower frame 39. Here, the “width direction of the lower frame 39” means a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the casing 70 of the CIS unit 50 and along the lower surface 75 of the contact glass plate 35 (that is, a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3). ). Hereinafter, the direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3) is referred to as a “short direction”. The housing 70 is driven by the belt drive mechanism 53 and slides on the guide shaft 52 to move. As will be described in detail later, the guide shaft 52 includes a coil spring 63 (see FIG. 5), and is elastically biased upward by this. Therefore, the casing 70 is urged so as to be in close contact with the back surface 75 of the contact glass plate 35, and is moved in the short direction along the contact glass plate 35 while being pressed against the contact glass plate 35. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the roller unit 58 is provided at both ends of the CIS unit 50. The roller unit 58 includes a roller that rolls in the short direction, and this roller is in contact with the back surface 75 of the contact glass plate 35. Therefore, when the CIS unit 50 moves in the short direction, the roller rolls along the contact glass plate 35 accordingly. Since the roller unit 58 is provided, the CIS unit 50 moves smoothly along the contact glass plate 35 even when the CIS unit 50 is pressed against the lower surface of the contact glass plate 35.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the reading mounting table 31 and shows a schematic configuration of the belt driving mechanism 53.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the belt drive mechanism 53 includes the guide shaft 52, the drive pulley 59, the driven pulley 60, a timing belt 61 wound between them, and a motor (not shown). ing. The timing belt 61 is an endless belt having teeth formed inside. The timing belt 61 is configured to make a circumferential motion when the motor rotates the driving pulley 59.

  As shown in the figure, the drive pulley 59 is disposed at the left rear of the lower frame 39. The timing belt 61 wound around the drive pulley 59 extends to the front side of the lower frame 39 and is wound around an intermediate pulley 62 disposed in front of the guide shaft 52. Further, the timing belt 61 is bent at a substantially right angle, extends along the guide shaft 52 to the right end of the lower frame 39, and is wound around a driven pulley 60 disposed near the right end of the lower frame 39. That is, the timing belt 61 is constructed in a substantially L shape as shown in FIG. A portion between the driven pulley 60 and the intermediate pulley 62 of the timing belt 61 wound in this way, that is, a portion along the guide shaft 52 is formed by the connecting portion 125 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) of the casing 70. As a result, the timing belt 61 and the housing 70 are connected to each other. Of course, as the timing belt 61, in addition to the endless belt, an endless belt in which both ends of the belt are fixed to the housing 70 may be employed.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the image reading unit 36, and a support structure of the CIS unit 50 is illustrated. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the CIS unit 50 as viewed from obliquely above, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the CIS unit 50 as viewed from obliquely below. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line XII-XII in FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of the belt drive mechanism 53 and the like in a simplified manner in order to illustrate the support structure of the CIS unit 50 in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 12, the CIS unit 50 includes the casing 70, a condensing lens 72 (light guide) provided in the casing 70, a light source 160 and a light receiving element 190, and a bearing. Part 65 (guide receiving part).

  The housing 70 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and is formed in an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The housing 70 incorporates the condenser lens 72 (light guide), the light source 160 and the light receiving element 190. The upper surface 74 of the housing 70 faces the back surface 75 of the contact glass plate 35 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the condenser lens 72 (light guide), the light source 160 and the light receiving element 190 are also in close proximity to the back surface 75 of the contact glass plate 35.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the light sources 160 are provided at both ends of the housing 70. As this light source 160, LED (Light Emitting Diode) is typically employ | adopted. A light guide 73 is provided so as to be sandwiched between light sources 160 provided at both ends. The light guide 73 extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing 70 as shown in FIG. The upper portion of the light guide 73 is exposed on the upper surface 74 of the housing 70, and the lower portion thereof is embedded in the inner back portion of the housing 70. The light guide 73 is typically made of a transparent synthetic resin or glass.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the housing 70 is provided with a plurality of light receiving elements 190. Each light receiving element 190 is provided on the inner bottom of the housing 70, and is arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the housing 70. The light receiving element 190 is a photoelectric conversion element, and outputs an electrical signal based on the received light quantity. This electric signal is an image signal of the image shown on the document. A plurality of condensing lenses 72 are provided at locations from the light receiving surface of each light receiving element 190 to the upper surface 74 of the housing 70. The condensing lens 72 guides the reflected light applied to the upper surface 74 of the housing 70 to the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 190, and typically employs an optical fiber. The condensing lens 72 is provided corresponding to the light receiving element 190, and is arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 70 in the same manner as the light receiving element 190. Further, the condensing lens 72 is exposed on the upper surface 74 so that the reflected light irradiated on the upper surface 74 of the housing 70 can be easily captured.

  In the CIS unit 50 configured as described above, when light is emitted from the light source 160, the light passes through the light guide 73 and is diffused substantially evenly in the entire longitudinal direction of the housing 70, so that the light guide Irradiation is performed toward the contact glass plate 35 from an upper portion 73 (a portion exposed from the upper surface 74 of the housing 70). The irradiated light passes through the contact glass plate 35 and is irradiated on the document and reflected by the document. Then, the light passes again through the contact glass plate 35 and is irradiated as reflected light onto the upper surface 74 of the housing 70. The reflected light applied to the upper surface 74 is captured by each condenser lens 72 and enters the condenser lens 72. Then, the reflected light incident on the condenser lens 72 is guided to the corresponding light receiving elements 190, and an electric signal corresponding to the amount of the reflected light is output as an image signal.

  In the present embodiment, the CIS unit 50 is illustrated as an example of an image sensor. For example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), or the like is used. The image sensor can also be applied to the image reading unit 36.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a pair of bosses 118 and 119 are provided in the center of the housing 70. In the present embodiment, the bosses 118 and 119 are formed integrally with the housing 70. The boss 118 is provided on one side surface 120 in the short side direction of the housing 70, and the boss 119 is provided on the other side surface in the short side direction of the housing 70. Each of the bosses 118 and 119 has an elongated flat plate shape as shown in the figure, and protrudes below the lower surface 122 of the housing 70. A through hole 121 (guide shaft insertion hole, engaged portion) that penetrates in the lateral direction is provided at the lower end of the boss 118. Further, a through hole 123 (guide shaft insertion hole, engaged portion) penetrating in the lateral direction is also provided at the lower end portion of the boss 119.

  The center lines of the through holes 121 and 123 coincide with the imaginary straight line 124 extending in the short direction, and the through holes 121 and 123 are coaxially arranged at a position below the lower surface 122 of the housing 70. ing. As shown in FIG. 5, the guide shaft 52 is inserted into the through holes 121 and 123. Therefore, the portion where the through hole 121 of the boss 118 is provided and the through hole 123 of the boss 119 are formed. The provided portion constitutes a bearing portion 65 that can insert and support the guide shaft 52 and can be engaged with the guide shaft 52.

  The housing 70 includes a connecting portion 125. The connecting portion 125 holds the timing belt 61 (see FIG. 4) of the belt driving mechanism 53, and a driving force for sliding the housing 70 is transmitted from the belt driving mechanism 53. In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 125 is provided on the bearing portion 65. Specifically, the connecting portion 125 includes a pair of flat plates 126 and 127, which are disposed so as to face the longitudinal direction of the housing 70. The timing belt 61 is sandwiched and fixed by the flat plates 126 and 127. Therefore, when the driving force is transmitted from the belt driving mechanism 53 to the connecting portion 125, the CIS unit 50 slides in the short direction of the housing 70 (the direction of the arrow 64 in FIG. 5).

  The housing 70 includes a connector 128 and a cable holding unit 130. The connector 128 functions as an output terminal for an image signal output from the light receiving element 190. However, the connector 128 is an existing general-purpose product that conforms to a predetermined standard, and is fixed to a predetermined position on the lower surface 122 of the housing 70 (in this embodiment, both left and right ends in FIGS. 5 to 7). Yes. The connector 128 is electrically connected to the light source 160 and the light receiving element 190 of the CIS unit 50, and inputs / outputs electric signals to / from the operation panel 37 and the computer. An electrical cable 134 is connected to the connector 128.

  The electric cable 134 includes a conductor for supplying power to the light source of the CIS unit 50 and a conductor for transmitting an image signal output from the light receiving element 190, and is configured as a so-called flat cable. The electric cable 134 forms an electric signal path between the operation panel 37 and the computer and the connector 128. As described above, since the CIS unit 50 is slid in the short direction (see FIG. 5), the electric cable 134 can follow the slide of the CIS unit 50 while changing its posture. It has sufficient flexibility. The electric cable 134 is inserted along a cable guide groove 129 provided on the bottom surface of the lower frame 39. The cable guide groove 129 extends in the direction of the arrow 64, allows free insertion / removal of the electric cable 134, and holds the electric cable 134 in a fitted state. Accordingly, the electric cable 134 is guided in the direction of the arrow 64 as the CIS unit 50 slides in the direction of the arrow 64.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in this embodiment, since the connectors 128 are arranged at the left and right ends of the housing 70, the position of the end of the electric cable 134 connected to the connector 128, It is different from the position of the cable guide groove 129 in which the electric cable 134 is accommodated. In the present embodiment, an electric cable 134 is connected to a connector 128 provided at the right end of the housing 70. However, the electrical cable 134 may be connected to the connector 128 provided at the left end of the housing 70. In order for the electric cable 134 to smoothly move following the slide of the CIS unit 50, the electric cable 134 connected to the connector 128 needs to be laid so as to be guided to the cable guide groove 129. In the present embodiment, the housing 70 includes a cable holding unit 130. The cable holding unit 130 holds the electric cable 134 connected to the connector 128 along the housing 70 and guides the electric cable 134 to the cable guide groove 129. In this state, the electric cable 134 is restricted from moving in the length direction. However, since the electric cable 134 has flexibility as described above, it follows the movement of the CIS unit 50 by changing its posture. Further, when the cable holding unit 130 holds the electric cable 134 and the CIS unit 50 is moving, even if the electric cable 134 is pulled and tension is generated, the connector 128 is excessively large. The mechanical load is not applied.

  The cable holding part 130 is formed integrally with the housing 70. Specifically, the cable holding unit 130 includes flat plates 131 and 132 (plate members). The flat plates 131 and 132 are arranged in parallel to the side surface 120 (side surface in the short direction) of the housing 70. The flat plates 131 and 132 are close to the side surface 120 so that the electric cable 134 can be sandwiched between the side surfaces 120. In this embodiment, the cable holding portion 130 includes the flat plates 131 and 132 due to the positional relationship between the connector 128 and the cable guide groove 129, but the positional relationship between the connector 128 and the cable guide groove 129 is the same. When changed, the design of the cable guide groove 129 can be changed as appropriate. In short, the cable holding unit 130 only needs to have a structure that can hold the electric cable 134 so that the electric cable 134 connected to the connector 128 is guided to the cable guide groove 129. In particular, in this embodiment, since the cable holding part 130 consists of the said flat plates 131 and 132, there exists an advantage that the structure of the cable holding part 130 is very simple.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the guide shaft 52 supports the bearing portion 65 of the housing 70. Specifically, the guide shaft 52 penetrates through the through holes 121 and 122 provided in the bosses 118 and 119 and supports the CIS unit 50. The housing 70 is slidable in the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 (the short direction) while being supported by the guide shaft 52.

  The guide shaft 52 is supported by a pair of support plates 133. The support plates 133 are provided at both ends of the lower frame 39 in the short direction, but only one of them is shown in the figure. The support plate 133 may be formed integrally with the lower frame 39. As shown in FIG. 5, the support plate 133 is a plate-like member, and is erected on the bottom of the lower frame 39 in the present embodiment. The support plate 133 includes a support groove 135 extending in the vertical direction. As shown in the figure, the upper end of the support groove 135 is open, and the guide shaft 52 is fitted into the support groove 135 from above. The width dimension of the support groove 135 corresponds to the outer diameter dimension of the guide shaft 52. As a result, the support groove 135 restricts the movement in the longitudinal direction while allowing the guide shaft 52 to move in the vertical direction.

  Further, the lower frame 39 includes the coil spring 63 (biasing member). The coil spring 63 is interposed between the inner bottom surface 66 (inner bottom portion, predetermined support surface) of the lower frame 39 and the guide shaft 52. The coil spring 63 elastically biases the guide shaft 52 constantly upward. In the present embodiment, two coil springs 63 are provided, and each coil spring 63 is disposed in the vicinity of the support plate 133. Accordingly, the coil spring 63 biases both ends of the guide shaft 52 upward, and elastically presses the housing 70 against the contact glass plate 35. For this reason, even if distortion exists in the lower frame 39, the CIS unit 50 and the contact glass plate 35 are always close to each other, and the distance between the two is kept constant. As a result, the CIS unit 50 is stable. An image reading function can be exhibited.

  Further, the guide shaft 52 is biased toward the contact glass plate 35 by a simple mechanism in which the coil spring 63 is interposed between the inner bottom surface 66 (inner bottom portion, predetermined support surface) of the lower frame 39 and the guide shaft 52. A structure can be realized. Thereby, the internal structure of the image reading apparatus 30 can be simplified. Furthermore, the urging force of the coil spring 63 acts directly on the guide shaft 52, and the urging force acts on the housing 70 indirectly by the guide shaft 52, whereby the housing 70 is indirectly supported. Therefore, even if the housing 70 vibrates with the slide of the CIS unit 50, the vibration is buffered by the guide shaft 52. Therefore, it becomes difficult for vibration to be transmitted to the coil spring 63, and even when the vibration occurs, the distance between the CIS unit 50 and the contact glass plate 35 is not affected by the vibration.

  Of course, only one coil spring 63 may be provided at the center of the guide shaft 52. In short, the coil spring 63 only needs to be able to urge the guide shaft 52 upward with a certain elastic force, and can urge the guide shaft 52 upward with a certain elastic force. For example, a member other than the coil spring may be employed as the biasing member. In this embodiment, since the coil spring 63 is employed as the biasing member, the biasing force applied to the guide shaft 52 can be easily and freely designed, and a structure for biasing the guide shaft 52 is provided. There is an advantage that it becomes very simple.

  The image reading apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment reads an image from a document in the following manner. First, a document is placed on the surface 95 of the contact glass plate 35 which is a document placement surface (see FIGS. 1 and 3). In this state, the CIS unit 50 scans the document while being slid by the belt driving mechanism 53. Specifically, while the CIS unit 50 is slid along the guide shaft 52, the light source 160 provided in the casing 70 of the CIS unit 50 irradiates the document with light, and the light receiving element 190 receives the reflected light. . The light receiving element outputs a predetermined signal (image signal) based on the received light.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, since the guide shaft 52 is inserted through the bearing portion 65, the guide shaft 52 is directly attached to the housing 70 of the CIS unit 50. That is, the image reading apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment does not include a holder that holds the casing 70 of the CIS unit 50, and therefore, the number of components that constitute the image reading apparatus 30 is reduced. Further, by reducing the number of parts in this way, the CIS unit 50 is positioned with respect to the guide shaft 52 with high accuracy.

  More specifically, in order to accurately read an image from an original, when the CIS unit 50 is sliding, the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 50 (usually referred to as “main scanning direction”) and a guide are used. Where the axial direction of the shaft 52 (usually referred to as “sub-scanning direction”) needs to be orthogonal, the CIS unit 50 temporarily holds the casing 70 and the holder for holding the casing 70 as in the conventional case. If the CIS unit 50 is connected to the guide shaft 52 via the guide shaft 52, the positioning accuracy of the CIS unit 50 with respect to the guide shaft 52 (the orthogonal accuracy between the two) is the mounting accuracy between the housing 70 and the cage and the cage. The accuracy of mounting between the guide shaft 52 and the guide shaft 52 is a factor, so that it is generally easy to realize an accurate orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 and the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 50. Not. However, in the present embodiment, since the guide shaft 52 is directly connected to the housing 70, the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 and the CIS unit can be determined only by accurately attaching the housing 70 to the guide shaft 52. An accurate orthogonal relationship with 50 longitudinal directions is easily realized.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the housing 70 of the CIS unit 50 includes the bearing portion 65, the number of parts of the image reading device 30 is reduced. Therefore, the CIS unit 50 and an image in which the CIS unit 50 is incorporated are reduced. The reading device 30 is configured at a low cost. In addition, since the housing 70 of the CIS unit 50 is directly attached to the guide shaft 52 by reducing the number of parts, the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 and the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 50 are accurately orthogonal, As a result, highly accurate image reading is realized.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, since the bearing portion 65 is configured by providing the pair of bosses 118 and 119 with the through holes 121 and 123, the structure of the bearing portion 65 is very simple. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the image reading device 30 is further reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the driving force for sliding the CIS unit 50 is transmitted to the connecting portion 125 provided in the housing 70. The connecting portion 125 constitutes an action point at which the driving force acts. Therefore, since the housing 70 directly receives the driving force, the CIS unit 50 can be quickly and smoothly slid. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the connecting portion 125 is provided in the bearing portion 65, the bearing portion 65 receives the driving force. In addition, since the bearing portion 65 is supported by the guide shaft 52, the operating point of the driving force is located in the vicinity of the guide shaft 52. Therefore, even when the driving force acts on the bearing portion 65, the rotational moment applied to the housing 70 (the moment that rotates the housing 70 with respect to the axial direction of the guide shaft 52) is small. Therefore, when the casing 70 slides with respect to the guide shaft 52, the CIS unit 50 is reliably prevented from being tilted, and the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 and the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 50 are reliably ensured. There is an advantage that it is maintained.

  In the present embodiment, since the bosses 118 and 119 are provided in the center of the casing 70, the bearing portion 65 is also provided in the center of the casing 70. The center is supported by the guide shaft 52. Therefore, when the housing 70 slides with respect to the guide shaft 52, the rotational moment becomes smaller. As a result, the orthogonal state between the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 and the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 50 is more reliably maintained. There is an advantage of being.

  In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, since the cable holding portion 130 that holds the electric cable 134 is provided in the casing 70, the electric cable 134 is processed in a compact manner. The Further, as described above, since the electric cable 134 is held by the cable holding portion 130, an excessive mechanical load is not applied to the connector even when tension is generated in the electric cable 134.

  Furthermore, since the cable holding unit 130 is provided integrally with the housing 70, the cable holding unit 130 can be manufactured together with the housing 70 at a low cost. That is, conventionally, since the member for wiring the electric cable 134 has been manufactured as a separate part from the housing 70, the manufacturing cost of the image reading apparatus has increased. Since the number of parts of the device 30 is further reduced, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connecting portion 125 is provided directly below the boss 119 constituting the bearing portion 65. It may be provided at a position. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the connecting portion 125 may be configured by providing a pair of flat plates 126 and 127 on the side of the boss 119.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a pair of support plates provided at both ends of the lower frame 39 in the short direction (the short direction of the housing 70, the direction of the arrow 64 in FIG. 5). A structure in which the guide shaft 52 is supported at 133 and the CIS unit 50 slides along the guide shaft 52 is employed, but the present invention is not limited to such a support structure. In short, in the structure for sliding the CIS unit 50, the guide member extended in the short direction is provided in the lower frame 39, and the guide receiving portion that is slidably engaged with the guide member is provided in the housing 70. It is enough if it is realized.

<Second Embodiment>

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the image reading unit of the image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The difference between the image reading unit according to the present embodiment and the image reading unit according to the first embodiment is that, in the first embodiment, the guide shaft 52 moves the CIS unit 50 in the short direction (of the casing 70). In the present embodiment, the guide shaft 52 is elastically biased upward by the coil spring 63 and is supported in a slidable state in the short direction (in the direction of the arrow 64 in FIG. 9). The guide shaft 52 passes through the CIS unit 140 in a state where the CIS unit 140 is movable in the vertical direction (a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction), and the CIS unit 140. The slide rollers 141 and 142, which are slide members provided on the CIS unit 140, elastically urge the CIS unit 140 upward, Is that is supporting a smooth slide. The other configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the image reading apparatus 30 according to the first embodiment. However, in the figure, illustration of the connector 128, the cable guide groove 129, and the cable holding part 130 is omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the CIS unit 140 according to the present embodiment.

  The CIS unit 140 includes a housing 70 similar to the CIS unit 50 according to the first embodiment, and the light source and the light receiving element are built in the housing 70. Although not shown, the ride guide and the condenser lens are exposed on the upper surface of the housing 70. A connector 128 is provided on the lower surface of the housing 70.

  The slide rollers 141 and 142 are attached to the lower surface of the housing 70. In the present embodiment, a pair of slide rollers 141 and 142 are provided at both ends of the casing 70 in the longitudinal direction. The slide roller 141 includes a roller frame 143 and a roller 144 supported by the roller frame 143. The roller frame 143 is in contact with and fixed to the lower surface of the housing 70, an extension portion 146 that extends downward continuously from the fixing portion 145, and further continues to the extension portion 146. And leg portions 147 extending obliquely downward. The fixing portion 145, the extending portion 147, and the leg portion 147 are integrally formed of so-called spring steel (plate spring). The leg 147 has a pair of roller support pieces 148, and the roller 144 is rotatably supported by the roller support pieces 148. As shown in the figure, since the extending portion 147 and the leg portion 148 are formed in an approximately L shape, the roller 144 is moved up and down by elastically deforming the extending portion 147 and the leg portion 148. Can be displaced in the direction. In addition, the fixing portion 145 of the roller frame 143 is fastened to the housing 70 by screws in this embodiment. But the means to fix this fixing | fixed part 145 is not limited to a screw | thread, Other known means can also be employ | adopted. The slide roller 142 has the same configuration as the slide roller 141. Therefore, the description about the slide roller 142 is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the slide member is composed of a roller frame 143 formed of an elastic body and a roller 144 supported by the roller frame 143, but is not limited thereto. That is, as long as the CIS unit 50 is an elastic body that is urged toward the contact glass plate 35, in addition to a resin such as polyoxymethylene (POM), a plate spring, a coil spring, a spring spring and other springs, and any other spring It is obvious that an elastic body can also be used, and instead of the roller 144, a slide leg having a downwardly convex curved surface, a spherical surface, or the like may be used. In this case, it is more effective if the slide leg is composed of a member having a low coefficient of friction. Further, the number of slide members is not limited to two, and a single slide member may be provided at a substantially central portion of the CIS unit 50, or three or more slides may be provided depending on the length of the CIS unit 50. A member may be provided.

  Bosses 118 and 119 are formed on the housing 70 as in the first embodiment. The bosses 118 and 119 constitute the bearing portion 65, and the connecting portion 125 is formed on the boss 118. A through hole 149 (a guide shaft insertion hole, an engaged portion) penetrating in the short direction is provided at the lower end of the boss 118. Further, a through hole 150 (a guide shaft insertion hole, an engaged portion) penetrating in the short direction is also provided at the lower end portion of the boss 119. The center lines of the through holes 149 and 150 coincide with each other, and the through holes 149 and 150 are coaxially arranged at a position below the lower surface of the housing 70.

  As shown in the figure, these through holes 149 and 150 are configured as long holes extending in the vertical direction. The guide shaft 52 is inserted into the through holes 149 and 150. Therefore, the CIS unit 140 can move relative to the guide shaft 52 in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, since the pair of slide rollers 141 and 142 are provided in the housing 70 as described above, the roller frame is inserted with the guide shaft 52 inserted into the housing 70 as shown in FIG. The CIS unit 140 is elastically biased upward by the elastic force of 143. That is, the CIS unit 140 moves relatively upward with respect to the guide shaft 52, and the upper surface of the CIS unit 140 is pressed against the back surface 75 of the contact glass plate 35.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, a rail portion 151 is formed on the inner bottom surface 66 of the lower frame 39. The rail portion 151 is formed in a flat plate shape, and is formed integrally with the lower frame 39 at both ends of the lower frame 39. The rail portion 151 is provided corresponding to the position of the slide rollers 141 and 142, and supports the slide rollers 141 and 142 on the upper surface 152 of the rail portion 151 when the CIS unit 140 slides. The rail portion 151 may be omitted, and the slide rollers 141 and 142 may be in direct contact with the inner bottom surface 66 of the lower frame 39. However, by providing the rail portion 151, the slide portion 151 is provided. There is an advantage that extremely smooth rolling of the rollers 141 and 142 is realized.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the guide shaft 52 is inserted through the bearing portion 65, so the guide shaft 52 is directly connected to the housing 70 of the CIS unit 140. It is attached. That is, the image reading apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment does not include a holder that holds the casing 70 of the CIS unit 140, and therefore, the number of components constituting the image reading apparatus 30 is reduced. In addition, by reducing the number of parts in this way, the CIS unit 140 is accurately positioned with respect to the guide shaft 52.

  More specifically, in order to accurately read an image from a document, when the CIS unit 140 is sliding, the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 140 (main scanning direction) and the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 (sub-scanning). If the CIS unit 140 is connected to the guide shaft 52 via the casing 70 and a holder for holding the same, as in the conventional case, the guide shaft 52 is required to be orthogonal to the direction. The positioning accuracy of the CIS unit 140 with respect to 52 (orthogonal accuracy between the two) is caused by the mounting accuracy between the housing 70 and the cage and the mounting accuracy between the cage and the guide shaft 52. In general, it is not easy to realize an accurate orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 and the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 140. However, in the present embodiment, the guide shaft 52 is directly connected to the housing 70 as in the first embodiment, so that the housing 70 is simply attached to the guide shaft 52. An accurate orthogonal relationship between the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 and the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 140 is easily realized. In addition, in the present embodiment, since the CIS unit 140 can be smoothly slid by the slide rollers 141 and 142, the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 and the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 140 can be obtained even during the sliding of the CIS unit 140. The correct orthogonal relationship is maintained.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the housing 70 of the CIS unit 140 includes the bearing portion 65, the number of parts of the image reading device 30 is reduced, and therefore, the CIS unit 140 and an image in which the CIS unit 140 is incorporated. The reading device 30 is configured at a low cost. In addition, since the casing 70 of the CIS unit 140 is directly attached to the guide shaft 52 by reducing the number of parts, the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 and the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 140 are accurately orthogonal, As a result, highly accurate image reading is realized.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the bearing portion 65 is configured by providing the pair of bosses 118 and 119 with the through holes 149 and 150, the structure of the bearing portion 65 is very simple. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the image reading device 30 is further reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the driving force for sliding the CIS unit 140 is transmitted to the connecting portion 125 provided in the housing 70. The connecting portion 125 constitutes an action point at which the driving force acts. Therefore, since the housing 70 receives the driving force directly, a quick and smooth slide of the CIS unit 140 is realized. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the connecting portion 125 is provided in the bearing portion 65, the bearing portion 65 receives the driving force. In addition, since the bearing portion 65 is supported by the guide shaft 52, the operating point of the driving force is located in the vicinity of the guide shaft 52. Therefore, even when the driving force acts on the bearing portion 65, the rotational moment applied to the housing 70 (the moment that rotates the housing 70 with respect to the axial direction of the guide shaft 52) is small. Therefore, when the casing 70 slides with respect to the guide shaft 52, the CIS unit 140 is reliably prevented from being tilted, and the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 and the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 140 are reliably ensured. There is an advantage that it is maintained.

  In the present embodiment, since the bosses 118 and 119 are provided in the center of the casing 70, the bearing portion 65 is also provided in the center of the casing 70. The center is supported by the guide shaft 52. Therefore, when the housing 70 slides with respect to the guide shaft 52, the rotational moment becomes smaller. As a result, the orthogonal state between the axial direction of the guide shaft 52 and the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 140 is more reliably maintained. There is an advantage of being.

  In addition, in this embodiment, although not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a cable holding portion 130 that holds the electric cable 134 is provided in the casing 70 as in the first embodiment. (See FIGS. 6 and 7). Therefore, there is an advantage that the electric cable 134 is compactly wired. Further, as described above, since the electric cable 134 is held by the cable holding portion 130, an excessive mechanical load is not applied to the connector even when tension is generated in the electric cable 134. Furthermore, since the cable holding unit 130 is provided integrally with the housing 70, the cable holding unit 130 can be manufactured together with the housing 70 at a low cost. That is, conventionally, since the member for wiring the electric cable 134 has been manufactured as a separate part from the housing 70, the manufacturing cost of the image reading apparatus has increased. Since the number of parts of the device 30 is further reduced, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 125 is provided directly below the boss 118 that constitutes the bearing portion 65 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). However, as in the first embodiment, Of course, the position of the connecting portion 125 may be provided at another position, for example, on the side of the boss 118.

  The present invention can be applied to an image reading apparatus employed in a copying machine or a multifunction machine.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the reading stage of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the reading stage of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the reading stage of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows the structure of the belt driving mechanism. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the image reading unit of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the CIS unit of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the CIS unit of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a CIS unit according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the image reading unit of the image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the CIS unit of the image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional general image reading apparatus. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line XII-XII in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Image reading device 31 ... Reading mounting stand 34 ... Main body frame 35 ... Contact glass plate 36 ... Image reading unit 39 ... Lower frame 40 ... Upper surface 41 ... Opening DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... CIS unit 52 ... Guide shaft 53 ... Belt drive mechanism 63 ... Coil spring 65 ... Bearing part 66 ... Inner bottom surface 70 ... Housing 72 ... Light receiving element 73- ..Light guide 74 ... Upper surface of housing 75 ... Back surface of contact glass plate 95 ... Front surface of contact glass plate 118 ... Boss 119 ... Boss 121 ... Through hole 125 ... Connecting part 126 ... Flat plate 127 ... Flat plate 128 ... Connector 130 ... Cable holding part 131 ... Flat plate 132 ... Flat plate 134 ... Electric cable 140 ... CIS unit 141 ... slide roller 142 ... slide roller 143 ... roller frame 149 ... through hole 150 ... through hole

Claims (45)

A casing that has an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape and can be slid in a short direction along a predetermined guide shaft;
A light source attached to the housing;
A plurality of light receiving elements attached to the housing and arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction;
A contact image sensor provided with a bearing portion that is provided integrally with the casing at a position below the lower surface of the casing and through which the guide shaft can be inserted. The bearing portion supports the guide shaft in a state of being movable in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction,
2. The slide member according to claim 1, further comprising a slide member that elastically biases the casing in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction and supports smooth sliding in the short direction. The contact image sensor described.   The contact image sensor according to claim 2, wherein the slide member is provided at both ends of the casing in the longitudinal direction.   The contact image sensor according to claim 2, wherein the slide member includes an elastic body for biasing the housing. The bearing portion has a pair of bosses formed integrally with the casing on a pair of side surfaces in the lateral direction of the casing,
5. The contact image sensor according to claim 1, wherein each boss has a guide shaft insertion hole through which the guide shaft passes.   The contact image sensor according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a connecting portion for transmitting a driving force from a slide mechanism that slides the housing.   The contact image sensor according to claim 6, wherein the connecting portion is provided in the bearing portion.   The contact image sensor according to claim 1, wherein the bearing portion is provided at a center of the housing. A connector as an output terminal of a signal output from the light receiving element is provided in the housing.
The contact image sensor according to claim 1, wherein a cable holding portion for holding an electric cable connected to the connector is provided integrally with the housing.   The contact image sensor according to claim 9, wherein the cable holding portion is formed of a plate-like member that is disposed in parallel and close to a lateral side surface of the casing. A casing having an opening on the top surface;
A contact glass plate that is attached to the casing so as to be exposed at the opening, and a document placement surface is defined by a peripheral edge of the opening;
A contact image sensor arranged in the casing and slid to scan a document placed on the document placement surface;
A slide mechanism for sliding the contact image sensor,
The contact image sensor
A case having an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape;
A light source attached to the housing to face the contact glass plate;
A plurality of light receiving elements attached to the casing so as to face the contact glass plate and arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the casing;
A bearing portion provided integrally with the housing at a position below the lower surface of the housing,
The slide mechanism is
A guide shaft provided in the casing, extending in a short direction of the housing and inserted through the bearing;
An image reading apparatus comprising: an urging member that elastically urges the guide shaft toward the contact glass plate so that the housing is pressed against the contact glass plate. The bearing portion has a pair of bosses formed integrally with the casing on a pair of side surfaces in the lateral direction of the casing,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, wherein each boss has a guide shaft insertion hole through which the guide shaft passes.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the housing includes a connecting portion for transmitting a driving force from the slide mechanism.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the connecting portion is provided in the bearing portion.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the bearing portion is provided at a center of the housing.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the biasing member is a coil spring. A connector as an output terminal of a signal output from the light receiving element is provided in the housing.
The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a cable holding unit that holds an electric cable connected to the connector is provided integrally with the housing.   The image reading device according to claim 17, wherein the cable holding portion is formed of a plate-like member that is disposed in parallel and close to a lateral side surface of the casing.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the urging member is provided between the guide shaft and an inner bottom portion of the casing. A casing having an opening on the top surface;
A contact glass plate that is attached to the casing so as to be exposed at the opening, and a document placement surface is defined by a peripheral edge of the opening;
A contact image sensor arranged in the casing and slid to scan a document placed on the document placement surface;
A slide mechanism for sliding the contact image sensor,
The contact image sensor
A case having an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape;
A light source attached to the housing to face the contact glass plate;
A plurality of light receiving elements attached to the casing so as to face the contact glass plate and arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the casing;
A bearing portion provided integrally with the housing at a position below the lower surface of the housing,
The slide mechanism is
A guide shaft provided in the casing, extending in the short direction of the housing and inserted through the bearing;
The bearing portion supports the guide shaft in a state of being movable in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction,
An image reading apparatus provided with a slide member that elastically biases the casing in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short-side direction and supports smooth sliding in the short-side direction.   21. The image reading apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the slide member is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the casing.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the slide member includes an elastic body for biasing the housing. The bearing portion has a pair of bosses formed integrally with the casing on a pair of side surfaces in the lateral direction of the casing,
The image reading according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein each boss has a guide shaft insertion hole through which the guide shaft passes and extends in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction. apparatus.   24. The image reading apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the housing includes a connecting portion for transmitting a driving force from the slide mechanism.   25. The image reading apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the connecting portion is provided in the bearing portion.   26. The image reading apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the bearing portion is provided at a center of the housing. A connector as an output terminal of a signal output from the light receiving element is provided in the housing.
27. The image reading apparatus according to claim 20, wherein a cable holding portion that holds an electric cable connected to the connector is provided integrally with the housing.   28. The image reading apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the cable holding portion is formed of a plate-like member that is arranged in parallel and close to a lateral surface of the casing.   The slide member includes a leaf spring that is brought into contact with the lower surface of the housing and biases the housing, and a roller that is attached to the leaf spring and that can roll while being in contact with the inner bottom portion of the casing. 30. The image reading device according to any one of 20 to 28. A casing that has an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape and can be moved in a short direction along a guide member extending in a predetermined direction;
A light source attached to the housing;
A light guide attached to the casing and extending in the longitudinal direction so as to be exposed on the surface of the casing;
A plurality of light receiving elements attached to the housing and arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction;
An image sensor comprising: a guide receiving portion provided in a housing to which the guide member can be engaged. The guide receiving portion supports the guide member movably in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction,
A sliding member that further elastically biases the casing in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short side direction and is slidable on a predetermined support surface in the short side direction is further provided. 30. The image sensor according to 30.   32. The image sensor according to claim 31, wherein the slide member is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the casing.   The image sensor according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the slide member includes an elastic body for biasing the housing. The guide receiving portion has a pair of bosses formed integrally with the housing on a pair of side surfaces in the short direction of the housing,
The image sensor according to claim 30, wherein each boss has an engaged portion that engages with the guide member.   The image sensor according to any one of claims 30 to 34, wherein the housing includes a connecting portion for transmitting a driving force from a slide mechanism that slides the housing.   The image sensor according to claim 34, wherein the connecting portion is provided in the guide receiving portion.   37. The image sensor according to claim 30, wherein the guide receiving portion is provided at the center of the housing. A connector as an output terminal of a signal output from the light receiving element is provided in the housing.
The image sensor according to any one of claims 30 to 37, wherein a cable holding portion that holds an electric cable connected to the connector is provided integrally with the housing.   39. The image sensor according to claim 38, wherein the cable holding portion is composed of a plate-like member disposed in parallel and close to a lateral side surface of the casing.   40. The housing according to claim 30, wherein the housing is slid while maintaining a state in which a mounting surface of the light receiving element is brought close to a back surface of a light-transmitting plate for placing a document included in the image reading apparatus. The image sensor according to any one of the above. The guide member is formed in a shaft shape,
41. The image sensor according to claim 30, wherein the guide receiving portion is provided integrally with the casing at a position below the lower surface of the casing, and the guide member can be inserted therethrough. A casing having an opening on the top surface;
A light transmissive plate that is attached to the casing so as to be exposed at the opening, and in which a document placement surface is partitioned by a peripheral edge of the opening;
A contact image sensor arranged in the casing and slid to scan a document placed on the document placement surface;
A slide mechanism for sliding the contact image sensor,
The contact image sensor
A case having an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape;
A light source attached to the housing to face the light transmissive plate;
A light guide that is exposed on the surface of the housing and extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing so as to face the light transmissive plate;
A plurality of light receiving elements attached to the casing so as to face the light transmissive plate and arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the casing;
A guide receiving portion provided in the housing and capable of being engaged with a guide member included in the slide mechanism;
The slide mechanism is
A guide member provided on the casing, extending in a short direction of the housing and capable of being engaged with the guide receiving portion;
An image reading apparatus comprising: an urging member that elastically urges the guide member toward the light transmissive plate so that the housing is pressed against the light transmissive plate. The guide member is formed in a shaft shape,
43. The image reading apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the guide receiving portion is provided integrally with the housing at a position below the lower surface of the housing, and the guide member can be inserted therethrough. A casing having an opening on the top surface;
A light transmissive plate that is attached to the casing so as to be exposed at the opening, and in which a document placement surface is partitioned by a peripheral edge of the opening;
A contact image sensor arranged in the casing and slid to scan a document placed on the document placement surface;
A slide mechanism for sliding the contact image sensor,
The contact image sensor
A case having an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape;
A light source attached to the housing to face the light transmissive plate;
A light guide that is exposed on the surface of the housing and extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing so as to face the light transmissive plate;
A plurality of light receiving elements attached to the casing so as to face the light transmissive plate and arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the casing;
A guide receiving portion provided in the housing and capable of being engaged with a guide member included in the slide mechanism;
The slide mechanism is
A guide member provided on the casing, extending in a short direction of the housing and capable of being engaged with the guide receiving portion;
The guide receiver is
The guide member is movably supported in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short direction,
Image reading provided with a slide member that elastically biases the casing in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the short side direction, and is capable of sliding the inner bottom portion of the casing in the short side direction. apparatus. The guide member is formed in a shaft shape,
45. The image reading apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the guide receiving portion is provided integrally with the housing at a position below the lower surface of the housing, and the guide member can be inserted therethrough.

Images