JP2008076599A - Lighting device, reading apparatus, and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting device that can illuminate an object at high illuminance over a large area without complicating. <P>SOLUTION: The lighting device includes a pipe with its inside reflecting light, a light source disposed at the end of the pipe to radiate light toward inside the pipe, a transparent section disposed on the side of the pipe to pass the light from the inside to the outside and vice versa, and a corrector to correct the direction of the light from the light source inside the pipe. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination device, a reading device, and an image processing device.

In an image processing apparatus such as a facsimile, a copying machine, and a scanner apparatus, an original is illuminated in an elongated illumination area using an illuminating device provided with a rod-shaped light guide. The following patent document discloses an example of a technique related to a rod-shaped light guide.
Japanese Patent No. 2693098 Japanese Patent No. 3176346

  In the light guide, it is desired that light incident from the incident surface can be emitted from the emission surface with high illuminance. Light that has entered the light guide from the incident surface propagates while being repeatedly reflected inside the light guide, but as the light propagates, the illuminance of the light decreases or leaks from parts other than the exit surface. There is a possibility to put out. In that case, there is a possibility that high intensity light cannot be emitted from the emission surface. In addition, the structure of the light guide is complicated, and the design and manufacture of the light guide are also complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an illuminating device that can illuminate an object in an illumination area with high illuminance while suppressing complication. It is another object of the present invention to provide a reading apparatus and an image processing apparatus having the illumination device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following configuration.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a pipe member having an inner surface that reflects light, a light source device that is disposed at an end of the pipe member and irradiates light inside the pipe member, and is disposed on a side surface of the pipe member. And a illuminating device provided with a transmission part capable of transmitting light between the inside and outside of the pipe member, and a correction member that corrects the direction of light from the light source device inside the pipe member. Is done.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the light source device is corrected in its traveling direction by the correction member, and is favorably incident on the inside of the pipe member. The light incident on the inside of the pipe member propagates in the axial direction of the pipe member while being repeatedly reflected inside the pipe member, and is emitted to the outside through the transmission part. As described above, the light from the light source device can be emitted from the transmission unit with high illuminance with a simple configuration without greatly attenuating the light, and the light from the light source device can be efficiently emitted from the transmission unit.

  In the illumination device of the above aspect, the correction member may include a reflector member having a curved reflecting surface.

  According to this, the light inject | emitted from the light source device can be favorably guide | induced to the inside of a pipe member, and the utilization efficiency of the light of an illuminating device can be improved.

  In the illumination device of the above aspect, the correction member may include a configuration including an optical element having refractive power.

  According to this, the light inject | emitted from the light source device can be favorably guide | induced to the inside of a pipe member, and the utilization efficiency of the light of an illuminating device can be improved.

  In the illumination device according to the above aspect, the transmission portion may include an opening that communicates the inside and the outside of the pipe member.

  According to this, light can be smoothly led out from the inside of the pipe member to the outside.

  In the illumination device according to the aspect described above, a configuration may be adopted in which the transmission portion includes an optical member having transparency disposed on a part of a side surface of the pipe member.

  According to this, light can be smoothly led out from the inside of the pipe member to the outside.

  The illuminating device of the said aspect WHEREIN: The said permeation | transmission part can employ | adopt the structure currently formed in multiple numbers on the side surface of the said pipe member.

  According to this, at least one of the position, size, and illuminance distribution of the illumination area on the object can be adjusted. Moreover, facilitation of manufacture of the pipe member which has a permeation | transmission part is realizable.

  The illuminating device of the said aspect WHEREIN: The said transmission part can employ | adopt the structure currently formed in multiple numbers by the circumferential direction of the side surface of the said pipe member.

  According to this, light can be emitted in a plurality of circumferential directions.

  The illuminating device of the said aspect WHEREIN: The said transmission part can employ | adopt the structure currently formed in multiple numbers by the axial direction of the said pipe member.

  According to this, the illuminance distribution in the axial direction of the illumination area can be adjusted.

  In the illumination device of the above aspect, a configuration in which the sizes of the plurality of transmission parts are different from each other can be adopted.

  According to this, the illuminance distribution in the illumination area can be adjusted.

  In the illumination device according to the aspect described above, a configuration in which the number of the transmissive portions per unit area of the side surface of the pipe member is different from each other in each of the plurality of regions on the side surface of the pipe member can be adopted.

  According to this, the illuminance distribution in the illumination area can be adjusted.

  In the illumination device according to the aspect described above, a configuration in which the transmission portion is formed in a slit shape extending in the axial direction of the pipe member can be employed.

  According to this, an object can be illuminated with an illumination area that is elongated in the axial direction.

  In the illumination device according to the aspect described above, a configuration may be employed in which the transmission portion is formed in a slit shape that extends in the axial direction while being displaced in the circumferential direction of the pipe member.

  According to this, the position and size of the illumination area on the object can be adjusted, and a wide area on the object can be illuminated.

  In the illumination device of the above aspect, a configuration in which the width of the slit-shaped transmission part is different depending on the position of the pipe member in the axial direction can be adopted.

  According to this, it is possible to adjust the illuminance distribution of the illumination area elongated in the axial direction.

  In the illumination device according to the aspect described above, a configuration in which the transmission portion has a substantially circular shape can be employed.

  According to this, an object can be irradiated with light emitted from the circular transmission part.

  In the illumination device of the above aspect, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which at least one of the shape and size of the inner surface of the pipe member in a plane intersecting with the axis of the pipe member is different depending on the axial position of the pipe member. .

  According to this, the illuminance distribution of the illumination area in the axial direction can be adjusted.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading device including the illumination device according to the above aspect and an optical device that reads an image of an object illuminated with light from the illumination device.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, an object can be well illuminated with high illuminance, and an image of the illuminated object can be favorably read.

  In the reading device of the above aspect, the optical device may include a configuration including an optical system that collects light from the object, and a photoelectric conversion element that receives light via the optical system.

  According to this, the light from an object can be favorably guided to the photoelectric conversion element via the optical system.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: the reading device according to the above aspect; and a processing device that processes image information of the object read by the reading device.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to smoothly process an image of an object that is satisfactorily read by the reading device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is set, and the positional relationship of each member will be described with reference to this XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. The predetermined direction in the horizontal plane is the X-axis direction, the direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction in the horizontal plane is the Y-axis direction, and the direction orthogonal to each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction (that is, the vertical direction) is the Z-axis direction. To do. Furthermore, the rotation directions around the X, Y, and Z axes are the θX, θY, and θZ directions, respectively.

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which a part of the lighting device 1 is enlarged, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a part of the lighting device 1. is there. 1, 2, and 3, an illuminating device 1 includes a pipe member 3 having an inner surface 2 that reflects light, and a light source device that is disposed at an end of the pipe member 3 and irradiates light inside the pipe member 3. 4 and the side surface of the pipe member 3, and the transmission part 5 that can transmit light between the inside and the outside of the pipe member 3, and the direction of light from the light source device 4 inside the pipe member 3 are corrected. And a correction member 6.

  In the present embodiment, the pipe member 3 is a cylindrical member, and the X-axis direction is the longitudinal direction in the drawing. That is, in this embodiment, the axis of the pipe member 3 is parallel to the X axis in the drawing. The pipe member 3 can be formed of any material such as metal, glass, and synthetic resin. The pipe member 3 can be manufactured by an arbitrary processing method such as drawing, pressing, and extrusion. In this embodiment, the pipe member 3 is formed of a glass material, and a metal film is formed on the side surface thereof by a vapor deposition method. Thereby, the function of reflecting light with high reflectivity is given to the inner surface 2 of the pipe member 3. The pipe member 3 is formed of metal, synthetic resin or the like, and a metal film such as aluminum or silver is formed on the inner surface 2 by vapor deposition, plating, or the like. A function of reflecting light may be given. Alternatively, the inner surface 2 can be mirror-processed, a method of attaching an optical film having a function of reflecting light to the inner surface 2, a method of coating the inner surface 2 with a material having a function of reflecting light, and the like. 2 can have a function of reflecting light with a high reflectance.

  The light source device 4 includes LED light sources of three primary colors (red, green, and blue). In the present embodiment, the light source device 4 lights the LED light sources of the three primary colors in a time-sharing manner, but the light source device also includes any single color light source (red, green, blue, white, yellow). The light source device 4 can irradiate light inside the pipe member 3. In the present embodiment, the light source device 4 is disposed at each of one end and the other end of the pipe member 3, and the interior of the pipe member 3 from each of the light source devices 4 disposed at each of the one end and the other end. Is irradiated with light.

  The correction member 6 includes a reflector member having a curved reflecting surface 7 disposed so as to face the inside of the pipe member 3. The reflector member (correction member) 6 is disposed at each of one end and the other end of the pipe member 3 so as to correspond to the light source device 4. The reflector member 6 is disposed so as to cover the opening at the end of the pipe member 3. In the present embodiment, the reflector member 6 is fixed so as to fit the end of the pipe member 3 so as to cover the opening of the end of the pipe member 3. Thereby, it is suppressed that light leaks from the end of the pipe member 3.

  In the present embodiment, the light source device 4 is held by the reflector member 6. The reflector member 6 has an opening 6K that is larger than the light emission region 4A of the light source device 4, and the light emitted from the light emission region 4A of the light source device 4 passes through the opening 6K and the reflection surface 7. It is supplied to the inside of the pipe member 3. Thus, in the present embodiment, the reflector member 6 has a function of reflecting light, a function of suppressing light leakage, and a function of holding the light source device 4.

  The reflecting surface 7 of the reflector member 6 has a curved surface shape, and adjusts the direction of light emitted from the light source device 4 and guides it into the pipe member 3. In the present embodiment, the reflecting surface 7 is a parabolic curved surface, and is optimized so that the light emitted from the light source device 4 can be guided well into the pipe member 3.

  The reflector member 6 including the reflective surface 7 can be formed of any material such as metal, glass, synthetic resin, and the like. In the present embodiment, the reflector member 6 is made of metal, and a metal film such as aluminum or silver is formed on the reflecting surface 7 by vapor deposition or plating. Thereby, the reflection surface 7 of the reflector member 6 has a function of reflecting light with a high reflectance. The reflector member 6 is formed of a synthetic resin or the like, and a metal film such as aluminum or silver is formed on the reflection surface 7 by vapor deposition or plating, so that light is reflected on the reflection surface 7 with high reflectance. A function of reflecting light may be given. Alternatively, by various methods such as a method of mirroring the reflecting surface 7, a method of attaching an optical film having a function of reflecting light on the reflecting surface 7, and a method of coating a material having a function of reflecting light on the reflecting surface 7. In addition, a function of reflecting light with high reflectivity can be imparted to the reflecting surface 7.

  In this embodiment, the transmission part 5 is formed by an opening 5K that communicates the inside and the outside of the pipe member 3. In the present embodiment, the opening 5K is formed in a slit shape extending in the axial direction (X-axis direction) of the pipe member 3.

  Next, operation | movement of the illuminating device 1 is demonstrated. At least a part of the light emitted from the light source device 4 is reflected by the reflecting surface 7 of the reflector member 6 and the direction of the traveling direction thereof is adjusted. In the present embodiment, the reflecting surface 7 is optimized so that the light emitted from the light source device 4 can be well guided to the inside of the pipe member 3, and the light emitted from the light source device 4 is optimized. Most can be led into the pipe member 3. Further, the reflecting surface 7 has a high reflectance, and can efficiently guide the light into the pipe member 3 without greatly reducing the illuminance of the light emitted from the light source device 4.

  In the present embodiment, the reflecting surface 7 is arranged so that the incident light is uniformly guided to each position in the axial direction (X-axis direction) of the pipe member 3, in other words, in the axial direction of the pipe member 3. The shape is optimized so that the illuminance distribution is uniform.

  The light incident on the inside of the pipe member 3 propagates in the axial direction of the pipe member 3 while being repeatedly reflected inside the pipe member 3 (inner surface 2). Since the inner surface 2 of the pipe member 3 has a high reflectance, the light can be propagated in the axial direction without greatly reducing the illuminance of the light guided into the pipe member 3.

  And the light inside the pipe member 3 is inject | emitted outside through the slit-shaped opening 5K. The light emitted to the outside through the opening 5K is irradiated on the irradiated surface of the object. The illuminating device 1 illuminates the irradiated surface of the object with a linear (slit-shaped) illumination region that is elongated in the X-axis direction based on the light emitted from the slit-shaped opening 5K.

  In the present embodiment, since the reflector member 6 having the reflecting surface 7 is provided, the illuminance in the X-axis direction of the illumination region that is long in the X-axis direction can be made uniform.

  Next, the result of the simulation experiment performed in order to confirm the effect of the reflector member (correction member) 6 of the illumination device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the illuminance distribution of light in the X-axis direction (axial direction of the pipe member 3) emitted from the slit-like opening 5 when the reflector member 6 is not provided, FIG. These are the figures which show the illumination intensity distribution of the light of the X-axis direction (axial direction of the pipe member 3) inject | emitted from the slit-shaped opening 5K when the reflector member 6 is provided. In FIG. 4, the illuminance value obtained by the simulation experiment is normalized with the maximum illuminance value. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the reflector member 6 is not provided, the minimum value of illuminance is about 0.4 with respect to the maximum value of illuminance (relative intensity = 1), and the illuminance uniformity. I understand that is bad. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the reflector member 6 is provided, the minimum value of illuminance is about 0.8 with respect to the maximum value of illuminance (relative intensity = 1). It can be seen that the uniformity is better than when the reflector member 6 is not provided.

  Next, the result of the simulation experiment performed in order to confirm the light use efficiency of the illuminating device 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. In this experiment, as a comparative example, the light use efficiency of the illumination device R having the light guide R1 as shown in FIG. 5 was also obtained. A lighting device R as a comparative example shown in FIG. 5 includes a 2 × 1.5 mm prismatic polycarbonate light guide R1 and a case R2 having a reflectance of 92% arranged so as to cover the outer surface of the light guide R1. And have. A fine prism pattern is formed on the light guide R1.

  As simulation parameters for determining the light utilization efficiency of the illumination device 1 according to the present embodiment by simulation, the inner diameter of the pipe member 3 is 5 mm, the reflectance of the inner surface 2 of the pipe member 3 is 97%, and the reflecting surface of the reflector member 6 The reflectance of 7 was 92%. Moreover, the conditions (input energy) of the light source device when the light use efficiency of the lighting device 1 according to the present embodiment and the light use efficiency of the lighting device R according to the comparative example are obtained by simulation are the same conditions. It is.

  FIG. 6 shows the simulation results. As shown in FIG. 6, it can be seen that the illumination device 1 according to the present embodiment has higher light (energy) utilization efficiency than the illumination device R including the light guide R1 of the comparative example.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the light can be emitted from the opening 5K with high illuminance without greatly reducing the illuminance of light from the light source device 4 with a simple configuration. In the present embodiment, since each of the reflection surface 7 and the inner surface 2 has a high reflectance, the light from the light source device 4 can be propagated without being attenuated, and the light utilization efficiency is increased. Can do. Further, by providing the reflector member 6, the illumination intensity elongated in the X-axis direction can be made uniform, and the object can be illuminated with light in a desired state.

  In the present embodiment, light from the light source device 4 that is a point light source is converted into a linear light source having a uniform illuminance distribution with a simple configuration by the reflector member 6 and the pipe member 3 having the slit-shaped opening 5K. Can do. In the present embodiment, a transparent member such as a light guide is not used, and the inner surface 2 of the pipe member 3 has a high reflectance, so that light attenuation hardly occurs. In the case of the light guide, depending on the material, there is a possibility that a component of light having a predetermined wavelength among light passing therethrough may be absorbed. However, in the present embodiment, such a problem does not occur.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the both ends of the pipe member 3 are covered with the reflector member 6, the loss by light leakage is also very small. Therefore, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light source device 4 can be increased. In the present embodiment, the number of light source devices 4 to be used may be small. Thereby, the illuminating device 1 which can inject | emit desired light with a simple structure and low cost can be formed.

  In the present embodiment, the illuminance in the X-axis direction of the illumination area can be made uniform by using the reflecting surface 7 of the reflector member 6 having an optimized shape. For example, when the type (characteristic) of the light source device 4 is changed, the light in the desired state (only by optimizing or changing the reflecting surface 7 of the reflector member 6 according to the light source device 4). An object can be illuminated with a linear light source.

  Moreover, the structure of the illumination device 1 of the present embodiment is greatly simplified. Thereby, design, manufacture, etc. can be performed easily and smoothly. Moreover, since the structure is simple, there are few fluctuation elements with respect to the emitted light, and stable quality can be ensured. The main design parameters for making the illuminance in the illumination area uniform are the shape of the pipe member 3, the shape and size of the transmission part 5, the structure of the correction member 6, and the like. Do not need. Also, no complicated design method is required.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent components as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the lighting device 1 according to the second embodiment. The illumination device 1 according to the second embodiment uses an optical element (lens) 9 having refractive power as a correction member that corrects the direction of light from the light source device 4 inside the pipe member 3. In the present embodiment, the optical element 9 is held by a holding member 8 having an opening 8K. The holding member 8 is disposed so as to cover the opening at the end of the pipe member 3. The holding member 8 prevents light from leaking from the end of the pipe member 3. Further, the opening 8K of the holding member 8 is larger than the light emission region 4A of the light source device 4, and the light emitted from the light emission region 4A of the light source device 4 passes through the opening 8K and the optical element 9 to be a pipe member. 3 is supplied.

  Also in this embodiment, the light from the light source device 4 can be favorably guided to the inside of the pipe member 3 using the optical element 9, and the illumination device 1 can illuminate an object in an illumination area with uniform illuminance.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the lighting device 1 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 8, the lighting device 1 has a slit-shaped opening 5 </ b> K that extends in the axial direction (X-axis direction) of the pipe member 3. In the present embodiment, the width of the slit-shaped opening 5K differs according to the axial position of the pipe member 3 (distance from the light source device 4). Specifically, in the opening 5K, the width D1 of the region close to the light source device 4 is small, and gradually increases with the widths D2 and D3 as the distance from the light source device 4 increases. In other words, the width D4 of the area away from the light source device 4 is the largest.

  The light emitted from the light source device 4 and incident on the pipe member 3 propagates while being repeatedly reflected inside the pipe member 3, but the illuminance of the light decreases as it propagates. Therefore, in the opening 5K, the illuminance of light emitted from a region away from the light source device 4 may be reduced, and the illuminance of light emitted from the opening 5K may be distributed. That is, the illuminance in the X-axis direction of the light emitted from the opening 5K may be nonuniform.

  In the present embodiment, the width of the opening 5K is increased as the distance from the light source device 4 increases. Thereby, among the light propagating through the inside of the pipe member 3, the amount of light emitted from the opening 5 </ b> K in the region away from the light source device 4 can be increased. Thereby, the illumination intensity of the light regarding the X-axis direction inject | emitted from the opening 5K can be made uniform. Therefore, the illuminance of the illumination area based on the light emitted from the opening 5K can be made uniform.

  In FIG. 8, the width of the opening 5K changes discontinuously, but may be changed continuously as shown in FIG. By doing so, the illuminance distribution of the illumination area based on the light emitted from the opening 5K can be smoothed.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the lighting device 1 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, a plurality of slit-like openings 5 </ b> K extending in the axial direction (X-axis direction) of the pipe member 3 are formed in the axial direction of the pipe member 3.

  In the present embodiment, the sizes of the plurality of openings 5K are different. In the present embodiment, the length in the X-axis direction of the opening 5K increases as the distance from the light source device 4 increases. Specifically, among the plurality of openings 5K, the length of the opening 5K in the region close to the light source device 4 is short in the X-axis direction, and gradually increases as the distance from the light source device 4 increases. The length in the X-axis direction of the opening 5K in the central region, in other words, the region away from the light source device 4 is the largest.

  Also in the present embodiment, the illuminance of the illumination area based on the light emitted from the opening 5K can be made uniform as in the third embodiment.

  In addition, the pipe member 3 can be formed smoothly and easily by dividing the opening 5K into a plurality. That is, it may be difficult to form one long slit-shaped opening 5K in the pipe member 3 as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, etc. from the viewpoint of the strength of the pipe member 3, for example. is there. On the other hand, it is often relatively easy to form a plurality of openings 5K. Therefore, the manufacture of the pipe member 3 having the plurality of openings 5K can be facilitated.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the lighting apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, a circular opening 5 </ b> K is formed on the side surface of the pipe member 3. A plurality of circular openings 5 </ b> K are formed on the side surface of the pipe member 3. In the present embodiment, a plurality of circular openings 5K are formed in the axial direction (X-axis direction) of the pipe member 3.

  In the present embodiment, the number of openings 5K per unit area on the side surface of the pipe member 3 is different from each other in each of the plurality of regions on the side surface of the pipe member 3. That is, the density of the circular openings 5 </ b> K is different from each other in each of the plurality of regions on the side surface of the pipe member 3. In the present embodiment, the density of the circular openings 5K increases as the distance from the light source device 4 increases. Specifically, among the side surfaces of the pipe member 3, the density of the openings 5K in the region close to the light source device 4 is low, and gradually increases as the distance from the light source device 4 increases, so that the center of the side surface of the pipe member 13 in the X-axis direction is increased. In the area AR, in other words, the density of the openings 5K in the area AR far from the light source device 4 is the highest. That is, the interval between the openings 5K in the area AR is shorter than the interval between the openings 5K in other areas close to the light source device 4.

  Also in the present embodiment, the illuminance of the illumination area based on the light emitted from the opening 5K can be made uniform as in the third and fourth embodiments described above. In addition, the pipe member 3 can be formed smoothly and easily by dividing the opening 5K into a plurality.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the opening 5K is circular has been described as an example. However, for example, an arbitrary shape such as a rectangular shape, an elliptical shape, or a polygonal shape can be adopted.

  Even when a plurality of slit-shaped openings 5K are provided on the side surface of the pipe member 3, the slit-shaped openings 5K are made according to the distance from the light source device 4 in order to make the illuminance in the illumination area uniform. The density (interval) may be adjusted.

  Even in the case where a plurality of circular openings 5K are provided on the side surface of the pipe member 3, the circular openings 5K are made according to the distance from the light source device 4 in order to make the illuminance in the illumination area uniform. The size of may be different.

<Sixth Embodiment>
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the lighting device 1 according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the size (inner diameter) of the inner surface 2 of the pipe member 3 in the YZ plane intersecting the axis (X axis) of the pipe member 3 is the axial position of the pipe member 3. Depending on the distance from the light source device 4. Specifically, in the pipe member 3, the inner diameter of the region 3A close to the light source device 4 is large, and the inner diameter gradually decreases as the distance from the light source device 4 increases, that is, the regions 3B and 3C. In the center region 3D of the pipe member 13, in other words, the inner diameter of the region 3D far from the light source device 4 is the smallest.

  The light emitted from the light source device 4 and incident on the pipe member 3 propagates while being repeatedly reflected inside the pipe member 3, but the illuminance of the light decreases as it propagates. Therefore, the illuminance of light emitted from the area of the opening 5K away from the light source device 4 is reduced, and there is a possibility that the illuminance of light emitted from the opening 5K is distributed. That is, the illuminance in the X-axis direction of the light emitted from the opening 5K may be nonuniform.

  In the present embodiment, the inner diameter of the pipe member 3 is reduced as the distance from the light source device 4 increases. Thereby, the light propagating through the inside of the pipe member 3 can be collected (condensed) in a region (for example, the region 3D) away from the light source device 4, and the intensity of the light emitted from the opening 5K in the region 3D. Can be increased. Thereby, the illumination intensity of the light regarding the X-axis direction inject | emitted from the opening 5K can be made uniform. Therefore, the illuminance of the illumination area based on the light emitted from the opening 5K can be made uniform.

  In FIG. 12, the inner diameter of the pipe member 3 changes discontinuously, but may be changed continuously as shown in FIG. By doing so, the illuminance distribution of the illumination area based on the light emitted from the opening 5K can be smoothed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the shape of the YZ plane of the inner surface 2 of the pipe member 3 is a circular shape has been described as an example, but an arbitrary shape such as a rectangular shape, an elliptical shape, or a polygonal shape may be used. Also in that case, the illuminance of the illumination area can be made uniform by making the size of the inner surface 2 in the YZ plane different according to the distance from the light source device 4.

  In this embodiment, the case where the shape of the YZ plane of the inner surface 2 of the pipe member 3 is the same in the X-axis direction has been described as an example. However, depending on the position of the pipe member 3 in the axial direction, the pipe The shape of the YZ plane of the inner surface 2 of the member 3 may be varied. For example, the shape of the YZ plane of the inner surface 2 of the pipe member 3 in a region close to the light source device 4 (for example, the region 3A) is rectangular, and YZ of the inner surface 2 of the pipe member 3 in a region farther from the light source device 4 (for example, the region 3D). The planar shape may be circular. Since the light propagation state in the axial direction of the pipe member 3 also changes according to the shape of the YZ plane of the inner surface 2, the shape of the YZ plane of the inner surface 2 of the pipe member 3 depends on the position of the pipe member 3 in the axial direction. By making different, the illuminance of the illumination area can be made uniform.

<Seventh embodiment>
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the lighting device 1 according to the seventh embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, in the present embodiment, a plurality of openings 5 </ b> K are formed in the circumferential direction of the side surface of the pipe member 3. In the example shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of slit-like openings 5K (opening groups) formed in the axial direction of the pipe member 3 as shown in FIG. Yes. That is, in the present embodiment, a plurality of slit-shaped openings 5K (opening group) are formed so as to be arranged in two rows in the circumferential direction of the pipe member 3.

  According to this embodiment, light can be emitted in a plurality of circumferential directions on the side surface of the pipe member 3. Then, by adjusting the circumferential position of the opening 5K, it is possible to adjust at least one of the position, size, and illuminance distribution of the illumination area based on the light emitted from the opening 5K.

  In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which a plurality of slit-like openings 5K (opening groups) formed in the axial direction of the pipe member 3 are formed in two rows in the circumferential direction of the pipe member 3. However, of course, a circular opening 5K is also possible. Further, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, one slit-like opening 5 </ b> K extending in the axial direction of the pipe member 3 may be formed in two rows in the circumferential direction of the pipe member 3. In the present embodiment, the case where the openings 5K are formed so as to be arranged in two rows in the circumferential direction of the pipe member 3 has been described. Also good.

<Eighth Embodiment>
Next, an eighth embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the lighting apparatus 1 according to the eighth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, in this embodiment, the opening 5 </ b> K is formed in a slit shape that extends in the axial direction of the pipe member 3 while being displaced in the circumferential direction of the pipe member 3. According to this, a wide area on the object can be illuminated. In addition, the position and size of the illumination area can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of displacement in the circumferential direction.

<Ninth Embodiment>
Next, a ninth embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the lighting device 1 according to the ninth embodiment. In the first to eighth embodiments described above, the transmission part 5 that can transmit light between the inside and the outside of the pipe member 3 is the opening 5K that communicates the inside and the outside of the pipe member 3. As described above, the transmissive part 5 may be an optical member 5 </ b> L having transparency disposed on a part of the side surface of the pipe member 3. As the optical member, for example, a transparent glass plate (parallel plate) or an optical element (lens) having refractive power can be used. Also by this, light can be smoothly led out from the inside of the pipe member 3 to the outside.

  In addition, in FIG. 16, although the permeation | transmission part 5 (5L) is slit shape, circular shape may be sufficient. A plurality of transmission parts 5 (5L) may be arranged on the side surface of the pipe member 3.

  By disposing the optical member 5L, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the pipe member 3, for example. Further, by using a condensing optical element (lens) as the optical member 5L, it is possible to irradiate the object after condensing the light inside the pipe member 3, and to reduce the illuminance of the illumination area on the object. Can be increased. In addition, you may irradiate an object, after diffusing the light inside the pipe member 3 using an optical element.

  In the first to ninth embodiments described above, the case where the pipe member 3 is a cylindrical member has been described as an example. However, the cross-sectional shape is, for example, rectangular, elliptical, polygonal, and the like. A cylindrical member having a combined shape may be used. The pipe member 3 may be a combination of a plurality of members. Similarly, the reflector member 6 may be a combination of a plurality of members. Further, the pipe member 3 and the reflector member 6 may be integrated.

  In the first to ninth embodiments described above, the case where the light source device 4 is disposed on both sides of one end and the other end of the pipe member 3 has been described. You may make it arrange | position only in either. In this case, the number of optical devices 4 to be used can be further reduced, and the device cost can be reduced. Moreover, an object can be illuminated with high illuminance by providing two or more light source devices 4.

<Tenth Embodiment>
Next, a tenth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the illumination device 1 described in the first to ninth embodiments is mounted on an image processing apparatus 20 such as a facsimile, a copying machine, or a scanner device.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image processing device 20 according to the tenth embodiment. In FIG. 17, an image processing device 20 includes an image reading device 30 that reads an image on a document surface 19 of a document, a signal processing device 40 that processes image information on the document surface 19 read by the image reading device 30, and image processing. And a control device 50 that controls the operation of the entire device 20. The image processing device 20 includes a housing 21 that houses at least the image reading device 30, the signal processing device 40, and the control device 50, and a document table 22 on which a document can be placed. The document table 22 is a plate-like member made of, for example, a transparent glass material. In the present embodiment, the upper surface (mounting surface) of the document table 22 facing the document surface 19 of the document that is the irradiated surface is substantially parallel to the XY plane. The image reading device 30 acquires image information on the document surface 19 of the document placed on the document table 22 via the document table 22.

  Further, an output device 60 that outputs image information read by the image reading device 30 is connected to the control device 50. The output device 60 includes, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display and a printer device. Image information read by the image reading device 30 is processed by the signal processing device 40 and then output to the control device 50. The control device 50 outputs the image information of the document processed by the signal processing device 40 using the output device 60.

  FIG. 18 is a perspective view schematically showing the image reading device 30. 17 and 18, the image reading device 30 includes an illumination device 1 that illuminates a document with illumination light, and an optical device 31 that reads an image of the document illuminated with illumination light from the illumination device 1. The image reading apparatus 30 of the present embodiment includes a contact image sensor (CIS: Contact Image Sensor).

  The illumination device 1 illuminates the document surface 19 of the document with light emitted from the transmission part 5 of the pipe member 3. The illumination device 1 illuminates a document surface 19 of a document placed on the document table 22 via the document table 22.

  The optical device 31 is a photoelectric system such as an optical system 32 that condenses light from the document surface 19 illuminated by the illumination light of the illumination device 1 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) or the like on which light is incident through the optical system 32. A sensor unit 35 including a conversion element 33. The sensor unit 35 has a substrate 34 that supports the photoelectric conversion element 33. In the present embodiment, a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 33 are arranged in the X-axis direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the sensor unit 35 includes a line image sensor in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 33 are arranged in a one-dimensional direction.

  Illumination light from the illumination device 1 is applied to the document surface 19 via the document table 22, and reflected light of the illumination light irradiated to the document surface 19 enters the optical system 32 via the document table 22. The optical system 32 has a plurality of optical elements 32 </ b> L, and these optical elements 32 </ b> L are arranged in the XY directions substantially parallel to the document surface 19. That is, the optical system 32 of the present embodiment includes a lens array in which a plurality of optical elements (lenses) 32L are arranged in a two-dimensional direction. In the present embodiment, the optical system 32 includes a plurality of erecting equal-magnification radial direction gradient index lenses, and the lenses 32L are arranged between two FRP plates 32B. . Further, the gap between the lenses 32L is filled with black resin. The optical system 32 of this embodiment includes an SLA (Selfoc Lens Array: registered trademark).

  In the above-described tenth embodiment, the image reading device 30 and the optical system 32 have been described using the contact image sensor as an example, but an image reading device having a reduction optical system in the optical system may be used.

  The reflected light that is illuminated by the illumination device 1 and reflected by the document surface 19 of the document is condensed on the photoelectric conversion element 33 of the sensor unit 35 via the document table 22 and the optical system 32. The light from the document surface 19 through the optical system 32 enters the photoelectric conversion element 33 of the sensor unit 35, and the photoelectric change element 33 receives the light from the document surface 19 through the optical system 32. The optical system 32 forms an image of the document surface 19 on the photoelectric conversion element 33, and the photoelectric conversion element 33 acquires an optical image (image) of the document surface 19. As described above, in the present embodiment, the image reading device 30 acquires the image information of the document surface 19 placed on the document table 22 via the document table 22.

  According to the present embodiment, the document surface 19 can be favorably illuminated with high illuminance by the illumination device 1, and the image of the illuminated document surface 19 can be favorably read by the image reading device 30. Further, according to the present embodiment, the image on the document surface 19 can be read in a short reading time.

  In the tenth embodiment, the case where the illumination device 1 is mounted on the image processing device 20 such as a facsimile, a copying machine, and a scanner device has been described as an example. For example, a backlight of a liquid crystal display, a front light, etc. It can also be mounted on a light source for display and other light sources for display devices. Moreover, it is also possible to use the illuminating device 1 as general illuminating devices, such as indoor lighting and a signboard. Moreover, a large illumination area (surface light source) can be formed by arranging a plurality of illumination devices 1 so that the transmission parts 5 are arranged in a two-dimensional direction.

It is a perspective view which shows the outline of the illuminating device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the perspective view which expanded a part of illuminating device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is partial sectional drawing of the illuminating device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the result of the simulation experiment performed in order to confirm the effect of the reflector member of the illuminating device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the illuminating device which has the light guide used as a comparative example in the simulation experiment performed in order to confirm the utilization efficiency of the light of the illuminating device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the result of the simulation experiment performed in order to confirm the utilization efficiency of the light of the illuminating device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing to which some illuminating devices which concern on 2nd Embodiment were expanded. It is a perspective view which shows the outline of the illuminating device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the outline of the illuminating device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the outline of the illuminating device which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the outline of the illuminating device which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the outline of the illuminating device which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the outline of the illuminating device which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the outline of the illuminating device which concerns on 7th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the outline of the illuminating device which concerns on 8th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the outline of the illuminating device which concerns on 9th Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the image processing apparatus provided with the reader which concerns on 10th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the illuminating device and reader which concern on 10th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Illuminating device, 2 ... Inner surface, 3 ... Pipe member, 4 ... Light source device, 5 ... Transmission part, 6 ... Reflector member, 7 ... Reflecting surface, 9 ... Optical element, 20 ... Image processing device, 30 ... Reading device, 40 ... Signal processing device, 50 ... Control device

Claims (18)

A pipe member having an inner surface for reflecting light;
A light source device disposed at an end of the pipe member and irradiating light inside the pipe member;
A transmissive portion disposed on a side surface of the pipe member and capable of transmitting light between the inside and the outside of the pipe member;
And a correction member that corrects the direction of light from the light source device inside the pipe member.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the correction member includes a reflector member having a curved reflecting surface.   The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the correction member includes an optical element having refractive power.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission part includes an opening that communicates the inside and the outside of the pipe member.   The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the transmissive portion includes a transmissive optical member disposed on a part of a side surface of the pipe member.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the transmission parts are formed on a side surface of the pipe member.   The lighting device according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the transmissive portions are formed in a circumferential direction of a side surface of the pipe member.   The lighting device according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the transmission parts are formed in an axial direction of the pipe member.   The lighting device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the sizes of the plurality of transmission parts are different from each other.   The lighting device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the number of the transmissive portions per unit area of the side surface of the pipe member is different from each other in each of the plurality of regions on the side surface of the pipe member.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission part is formed in a slit shape extending in an axial direction of the pipe member.   The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the transmission portion is formed in a slit shape extending in an axial direction while being displaced in a circumferential direction of the pipe member.   The lighting device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a width of the slit-shaped transmission portion differs depending on an axial position of the pipe member.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission portion has a substantially circular shape.   15. At least one of the shape and size of the inner surface of the pipe member in a plane intersecting with the axis of the pipe member differs according to the axial position of the pipe member. Lighting equipment. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
An optical device that reads an image of an object illuminated with light from the illumination device.   The reading device according to claim 16, wherein the optical device includes an optical system that condenses light from the object, and a photoelectric conversion element on which light is incident through the optical system. A reading device according to claim 16 or 17,
An image processing apparatus comprising: a processing device that processes image information of the object read by the reading device.

Images