JP2008172389A - Image reader and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader capable of suppressing the unnecessary replacement of an available LED, and an image forming apparatus provided with the image reader. <P>SOLUTION: A light source 190 is constituted so that a plurality of LED arrays 400 each having at least one LED 401 are attachable to and detachable from an installation base 403, and thus, even in the case that there is a LED 401 which cannot be lit due to the expiration of its lifetime or a fault, only the LED array 400 arranged with the LED 401 can be replaced. When the LED 401 which cannot be lit is replaced, the unnecessary replacement of available LEDs 401 can be suppressed in comparison with the replacement of an entire LED array having all LEDs 401 as a light source mounted to one substrate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus such as a scanner for reading an optical image obtained by irradiating light on a document on which an image is recorded, and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile provided with the image reading apparatus.

  Conventionally, a xenon lamp has been used as a light source for an image reading device. However, since the xenon lamp consumes a lot of power and generates a large amount of heat, it can fully meet the recent demands for energy saving and long life of the image reading device. I can't. Therefore, there has been proposed an image reading apparatus using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that consumes less power and generates less heat than a xenon lamp as a light source.

  In the image reading apparatus described in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 20, all LEDs serving as light sources are arranged in an array on one substrate, and each LED is mounted on the substrate.

JP 2006-25303 A

  However, in the configuration in which all LEDs serving as light sources are mounted on one substrate as in the image reading device described in Patent Document 1, even one LED installed on the substrate does not light up due to a life or failure. In other words, all the LEDs including the usable LEDs are exchanged for each board. For this reason, even LEDs that can still be used are exchanged, resulting in waste.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of suppressing useless replacement of usable LEDs and an image including the image reading apparatus. A forming apparatus is provided.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to imaging the image reading object by receiving a light source unit that irradiates light to the image reading object and reflected light reflected by the image reading object. In the image reading apparatus including the imaging unit, the light source unit includes a plurality of separate light irradiation bodies each having at least one light emitting element, and a holding member that detachably holds the plurality of light irradiation bodies. It is characterized by providing.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the plurality of light irradiators can be individually attached to and detached from the holding member.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, each of the plurality of light irradiators includes a connecting portion that removably connects adjacent light irradiators. The light irradiation body is detachable from the holding member in a state where the light irradiation body is connected by the connecting portion.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, a current is supplied to each of the plurality of light irradiation bodies via the connecting portion. .
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading device according to the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, the substrate size of each of the plurality of light irradiation bodies and the light emitting element mounted on each of the plurality of light irradiation bodies. The number of the same is the same.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading device according to the fifth aspect, the light emission luminances of all the light emitting elements provided in the light source section are the same or substantially the same.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image reading device according to the first, second, third, fourth, or sixth aspect, the plurality of light irradiators are provided with a gap between adjacent light irradiators. It is configured to be held by the holding member.
The invention according to claim 8 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the light emitting elements are arranged at equal intervals on the light irradiation body, and the light It is characterized in that the arrangement interval of the light emitting elements on the irradiation body and the arrangement interval of the adjacent light emitting elements across the two adjacent light irradiation bodies are the same.
The invention according to claim 9 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the plurality of light irradiation bodies can be lit independently. It is characterized by being.
The invention according to claim 10 is the image reading device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, and a glass member for placing the image reading object in a plane, A moving body having at least the light source unit that is movable along the installation surface of the image reading object of the glass member, and the position where the traveling body is opposed to the glass member except during an image reading operation And a mode for turning on the light source unit.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the light emission output of the light emitting element in the mode is configured to be lower than the light emission output during the image reading operation. Is.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading device according to the tenth or eleventh aspect of the present invention, the image reading apparatus further comprises an input unit for inputting an instruction to execute the mode.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that reads information about an image from an image reading object; and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the information read by the image reading unit. The image reading device of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 is provided as the image reading means.

  In the present invention, the light source unit is configured such that a plurality of separate light emitters each having at least one light emitting element can be attached to and detached from the holding member. Even if there is an element, only the light irradiator on which the light emitting element is arranged can be replaced. Therefore, when replacing a light emitting element that is no longer lit, a light emitting element that can still be used is replaced in vain than when a light irradiator in which all light emitting elements that are light sources are mounted on one substrate is replaced. Can be suppressed.

  As mentioned above, according to this invention, there exists an outstanding effect that it can suppress that LED which can still be used can be exchanged wastefully.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a copying machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a copying machine) which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described.
First, a basic configuration of the copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the copying machine. The copying machine includes an image forming unit 1, a blank paper supply device 40, and a document conveyance reading unit 50. The document conveyance reading unit 50 includes a scanner 150 that is an image reading device fixed on the image forming unit 1 and an ADF 51 that is a document conveyance device supported by the scanner 150.

  The blank paper supply device 40 separates and feeds the two paper feed cassettes 42 arranged in multiple stages in the paper bank 41, the feed roller 43 for feeding the recording paper as the recording material from the paper feed cassette 42, and the fed recording paper. A separation roller 45 and the like that are supplied to the paper path 44 are provided. Further, it also has a plurality of transport rollers 46 for transporting the recording paper to the paper feed path 37 of the copying machine. Then, the recording paper in the paper feeding cassette 42 is fed into a paper feeding path 37 in the copying machine.

  The copying machine includes an optical writing device 2, four process units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C that form toner images of K, Y, M, and C, a transfer unit 24, a paper transport unit 28, and a registration roller pair 33. A fixing device 34, a switchback device 36, a paper feed path 37, and the like. Then, a light source such as a laser diode or LED (not shown) disposed in the optical writing device 2 is driven, and the laser is directed toward the photosensitive members 4K, 4Y, 4M, 4C of the process units 3K, 3Y, 3M, 3C. Irradiate light L. By this irradiation, electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the drum-shaped photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C, and the latent images are developed into toner images through a predetermined development process. Note that the subscripts K, Y, M, and C added after the reference numerals indicate specifications for black, yellow, magenta, and cyan.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial configuration diagram illustrating a part of the internal configuration of the copying machine. In the figure, process units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C each support a photosensitive member and various devices disposed around it as a unit on a common support, On the other hand, it is removable. Taking the process unit 3K for black as an example, this has a developing device 6K for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 4K into a black toner image in addition to the photoreceptor 4K. Further, it also includes a drum cleaning device 15K that cleans transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor 4K after passing through a K primary transfer nip described later. This copying machine has a so-called tandem configuration in which four process units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C are arranged so as to face an intermediate transfer belt 25, which will be described later, along the endless movement direction. .

  FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a part of a tandem part composed of four process units 3K, 3Y, 3M, 3C. Since the four process units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C have the same configuration except that the colors of the toners to be used are different, the subscripts K, Y, M, and C attached to the respective reference numerals in FIG. Omitted. As shown in the figure, the process unit 3 includes a charging device 23, a developing device 6, a drum cleaning device 15, a charge removal lamp 22, and the like around the photoreceptor 4.

  As the photoreceptor 4, a drum-shaped member is used in which a photosensitive layer is formed by applying a photosensitive organic photosensitive material to a base tube made of aluminum or the like. However, an endless belt may be used.

  The developing device 6 develops the latent image using a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier and a nonmagnetic toner (not shown). Then, the agitation unit 7 that conveys the two-component developer contained therein and supplies the developer sleeve 12 with stirring, and the toner in the two-component developer carried on the development sleeve 12 is transferred to the photoreceptor 4. And a developing unit 11 for the purpose.

  The stirring unit 7 is provided at a position lower than the developing unit 11, and is provided on the bottom surface of the developing case 9, two conveying screws 8 arranged in parallel to each other, a partition plate provided between these screws. The toner density sensor 10 is included.

  The developing unit 11 includes a developing sleeve 12 that faces the photosensitive member 4 through the opening of the developing case 9, a magnet roller 13 that is non-rotatably provided inside the developing sleeve 12, a doctor blade 14 that approaches the developing sleeve 12, and the like. ing. The developing sleeve 12 has a non-magnetic rotatable cylindrical shape. The magnet roller 13 has a plurality of magnetic poles arranged along the rotation direction of the sleeve. Each of these magnetic poles applies a magnetic force to the two-component developer on the sleeve at a predetermined position in the rotation direction. As a result, the two-component developer sent from the stirring unit 7 is attracted and carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 12 and a magnetic brush is formed along the magnetic field lines on the sleeve surface.

  This magnetic brush is regulated to an appropriate layer thickness when passing through the position facing the doctor blade 14 as the developing sleeve 12 rotates, and then conveyed to the developing area facing the photoreceptor 4. Then, the toner is transferred onto the electrostatic latent image by the potential difference between the developing bias applied to the developing sleeve 12 and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 4, thereby contributing to development. Further, as the developing sleeve 12 rotates, the developing sleeve 12 is returned to the developing portion 11 again, and after being separated from the sleeve surface by the influence of the repulsive magnetic field formed between the magnetic poles of the magnet roller 13, the developing sleeve 12 is returned to the stirring portion 7. An appropriate amount of toner is supplied to the two-component developer in the stirring unit 7 based on the detection result of the toner density sensor 10. The developing device 6 may employ a one-component developer that does not include a magnetic carrier, instead of one that uses a two-component developer.

  As the drum cleaning device 15, a system in which a polyurethane rubber cleaning blade 16 is pressed against the photosensitive member 4 is used, but another system may be used. For the purpose of enhancing the cleaning property, this example employs a system having a contact conductive fur brush 17 whose outer peripheral surface is in contact with the photoreceptor 4 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The fur brush 17 also serves to apply the lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive member 4 while scraping the lubricant from a solid lubricant (not shown) into a fine powder. A metal electric field roller 18 for applying a bias to the fur brush 17 is rotatably provided in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the tip of the scraper 19 is pressed against it. The toner attached to the fur brush 17 is transferred to the electric field roller 18 to which a bias is applied while rotating in contact with the fur brush 17 in the counter direction. Then, after being scraped from the electric field roller 18 by the scraper 19, it falls onto the recovery screw 20. The collection screw 20 conveys the collected toner toward the end of the drum cleaning device 15 in the direction perpendicular to the drawing surface, and delivers it to an external recycling conveyance device. The recycle transport device sends the delivered toner to the developing device 15 for recycling.

  The neutralization lamp 22 neutralizes the photoreceptor 4 by light irradiation. The surface of the photoreceptor 4 that has been neutralized is uniformly charged by the charging device 5 and then subjected to optical writing processing by the optical writing device 2. As the charging device 5, a charging device to which a charging roller to which a charging bias is applied is rotated while being in contact with the photosensitive member 4 is used. A scorotron charger or the like that performs a non-contact charging process on the photoreceptor 4 may be used.

  In FIG. 3 described above, 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C toner images are formed on the photoreceptors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C of the four process units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C by the processes described above. Is done.

  A transfer unit 24 is disposed below the four process units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C. The transfer unit 24 moves the intermediate transfer belt 25 stretched by a plurality of rollers endlessly in the clockwise direction in the drawing while contacting the photoreceptors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C. As a result, primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C in which the photoreceptors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C contact the intermediate transfer belt 25 are formed. In the vicinity of the primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C, the intermediate transfer belt 25 is moved by the primary transfer rollers 26K, 26Y, 26M, and 26C disposed inside the belt loop to the photoreceptors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and so on. It is pressing toward 4C. A primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer rollers 26K, 26Y, 26M, and 26C by a power source (not shown). As a result, a primary transfer electric field for electrostatically moving the toner images on the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C toward the intermediate transfer belt 25 is formed in the primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C. Has been. In the drawing, a toner image is formed on each of the primary transfer nips on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25 that sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C with endless movement in the clockwise direction. Are sequentially superimposed and primarily transferred. By this primary transfer of superposition, a four-color superposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as a four-color toner image) is formed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25.

  Below the transfer unit 24 in the figure, a paper transport unit 28 is provided between the drive roller 30 and the secondary transfer roller 31 to endlessly move the endless paper transport belt 29. The intermediate transfer belt 25 and the paper transport belt 29 are sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 31 and the lower stretching roller 27 of the transfer unit 24. As a result, a secondary transfer nip is formed in which the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25 and the front surface of the paper transport belt 29 come into contact with each other. A secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 31 by a power source (not shown). On the other hand, the lower stretching roller 27 of the transfer unit 24 is grounded. Thereby, a secondary transfer electric field is formed in the secondary transfer nip.

  A registration roller pair 33 is disposed on the right side of the secondary transfer nip in the drawing, and the secondary transfer nip 33 is arranged at a timing at which the recording paper sandwiched between the rollers can be synchronized with the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 25. Send to transfer nip. In the secondary transfer nip, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 25 are secondarily transferred onto the recording paper under the influence of the secondary transfer electric field and nip pressure, and become a full-color image combined with the white color of the recording paper. The recording paper that has passed through the secondary transfer nip is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 25 and is conveyed to the fixing device 34 along with its endless movement while being held on the front surface of the paper conveying belt 29.

  On the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25 that has passed through the secondary transfer nip, residual transfer toner that has not been transferred to the recording paper at the secondary transfer nip adheres. This transfer residual toner is scraped off and removed by a belt cleaning device in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 25.

  The recording paper conveyed to the fixing device 34 is fixed to a full color image by pressurization or heating in the fixing device 34, and then sent from the fixing device 34 to the paper discharge roller pair 35, and then to the outside of the apparatus. Discharged.

  In FIG. 2 described above, a switchback device 36 is disposed under the paper transport unit 22 and the fixing device 34. As a result, the recording paper that has undergone the image fixing process on one side is switched by the switching claw to the recording paper reversing device side, and is reversed there to enter the secondary transfer transfer nip again. Then, after the secondary transfer process and the fixing process of the image are performed on the other side, the sheet is discharged onto a discharge tray.

  The scanner 150 fixed on the copying machine has a fixed reading unit 151 and a moving reading unit 152. A fixed reading unit 151 having a light source, a reflection mirror, a CCD, and the like is disposed immediately below a first contact glass (not shown) fixed to the upper wall of the casing of the scanner 150 so as to contact the document MS. When the document MS conveyed by the ADF 51 passes over the first contact glass, the light emitted from the light source is sequentially reflected by the document surface, and is received by the CCD 221 that is an imaging unit via a plurality of reflection mirrors. . Thereby, the document MS is read without moving the optical system including the light source and the reflection mirror. Hereinafter, control for reading the image of the document MS by the fixed reading unit 151 while conveying the document by the ADF 51 is referred to as through-reading control.

  On the other hand, the moving reading unit 152 is disposed directly below the second contact glass (not shown) fixed to the upper wall of the casing of the scanner 150 so as to come into contact with the document MS, and is disposed on the right side of the fixed reading unit 151 in the drawing. The moving optical system including the light source and the reflecting mirror can be moved in the left-right direction in the figure. Then, in the process of moving the moving optical system from the left side to the right side in the figure, the light emitted from the light source is reflected by a document MS (not shown) placed on the second contact glass. The optical image obtained by this reflection passes through a plurality of reflecting mirrors and an imaging lens fixed to the scanner body, and is then read by the CCD 221 serving as an imaging unit. Thus, the moving reading unit 152 reads the image of the document MS that is stationary on the second contact glass while moving the moving optical system.

  An ADF 51 disposed on the scanner 150 includes a document placing table 53 for placing a document MS before reading on a main body cover 52, a transport unit 54 for transporting the document MS, and a document MS after reading. A document stack base 55 for stacking is held. As shown in FIG. 5, it is supported by a hinge 159 fixed to the scanner 150 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. Then, by swinging, it moves like an open / close door, and the first contact glass 154 and the second contact glass 155 on the upper surface of the scanner 150 are exposed in the opened state. In the case of a single-sided original such as a book in which one corner of the original bundle is bound, the original MS cannot be separated one by one and therefore cannot be transported by the ADF 51. Therefore, in the case of a single-sided original, the ADF 51 is opened as shown in FIG. 5, and then the single-sided original having the page to be read is opened and placed on the second contact glass 155, and then the ADF 51 is placed. close. Then, the image of the page is read by the moving reading unit 152 of the scanner 150 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the case of an original bundle in which a plurality of independent originals MS are simply stacked, the original MS can be sequentially read by the fixed reading unit 151 of the scanner 150 while being automatically conveyed one by one by the ADF 51. . In this case, after setting the original bundle on the original placing table 53, the copy start button of the operation unit 140 is pressed. Then, the ADF 51 sends the originals MS of the original bundle placed on the original placement table 53 into the conveyance unit 54 in order from the top, and conveys the original MS toward the original stack table 55 while inverting it. In the course of this conveyance, immediately after the document MS is reversed, the original MS is passed directly above the fixed reading unit 151 of the scanner 150. At this time, the image of the document MS is read by the fixed reading unit 151 of the scanner 150.

Next, the moving reading unit of the scanner unit 150 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the moving reading unit (152 in FIG. 2) of the scanner 150 obliquely from above. For convenience, the second contact glass 155 is not shown. FIG. 7 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the moving reading unit of the scanner 150 from the side. As shown in the figure, a first carriage 162 and a second carriage 163 are provided in the housing 160 of the scanner 150. The first carriage 162 includes a light source unit 190 in which light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) 401 as a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged in an array, and a first mirror 162b. Details of the first carriage 162 will be described later. The second carriage 163 includes a second mirror 163a and a third mirror 163b.

In the housing 160 of the scanner 150, although not shown, two metal first rails extending in the longitudinal direction are fixed at a predetermined interval in the short direction. A first carriage 162 is bridged between one rail and can travel along the longitudinal direction on the first rail. Below the first rail, two metal second rails (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction of the casing are fixed at a predetermined interval in the lateral direction of the casing. A second carriage 163 is bridged between two second rails (not shown) so that the second carriage 163 can travel along the longitudinal direction on the second rail.
In addition, a metal beam plate 164 is fixed to the housing 160, and the metal beam plate 164 includes a lens unit 210 including an imaging lens 200 fixed to the upper surface thereof by screws, It supports a scanner board unit 220 (hereinafter referred to as SBU 220), which is an electronic circuit board provided with a fixed CCD 221.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a drive motor 170 is provided at the upper right in the drawing, and a drive timing pulley 172 is fixed to the rotation shaft of the driven gear 171 that meshes with the drive gear of the drive motor 170. In addition, a rotation shaft 173 is rotatably supported at one end portion in the longitudinal direction in the casing on the right side in the drawing. A driven timing pulley 174 is fixed to one end portion of the rotating shaft 173, and a driving timing belt 175 is stretched between the driving timing pulley 172 and the driven timing pulley 174. Further, the first pulley 180 is fixed in the vicinity of both end portions of the rotating shaft 173. In addition, two second pulleys 181 are rotatably supported at a predetermined interval in the short side direction of the other end in the longitudinal direction in the housing on the left side in the drawing, and the first pulley 180 and the second pulley 181 are supported. The first timing belt 182 is stretched between the two.

  The second carriage 163 includes a pair of mirror stay portions 163c that support both ends of the second mirror 163a and the third mirror 163b in the main scanning direction, and arm portions 163d that respectively extend from the mirror stay portion 163c toward the first carriage. is doing. Further, a third pulley 183 is rotatably supported on the side surface of the housing of the mirror stay portion 163c. A bracket 163e is provided at the tip of the arm portion 163d, and a fourth pulley 184 is rotatably supported by the bracket 163e. A second timing belt 185 is stretched around the third pulley 183 and the fourth pulley 184, and a part of the second timing belt 185 is fixed to the bottom of the housing 160 by a fixing member (not shown). .

  Further, the first timing belt 182 and the second timing belt 185 are fixed to the bottom of the first carriage 162, respectively.

  When the image reading is started, the light source unit 190 irradiates light to a document MS (not shown). Further, the drive motor 170 is driven, and the rotational driving force of the drive motor 170 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 173 via the drive timing belt 175, so that the rotary shaft 173 rotates. As the rotating shaft 173 rotates, the first timing belt 182 rotates clockwise in the drawing. As a result, the first carriage 162 fixed to the first timing belt 182 moves from the left side to the right side in the drawing. Further, when the first carriage 162 moves, the second timing belt 185 fixed to the first carriage 162 moves to the right side in the drawing. Since a part of the second timing belt 185 is fixed to the bottom of the housing 160, the second timing belt 185 does not rotate on the spot but moves the second carriage 163 to the right in the drawing. It rotates with it. Here, since the diameters of the third and fourth pulleys 183 and 184 are twice the diameters of the first and second pulleys, the second carriage 163 is half the speed of the first carriage 162. Move to the right in the figure. Thus, the second carriage 163 moves in the same direction as the first carriage at half the speed of the first carriage 162 so that the optical path length of the light flux from the document surface to the imaging lens 200 does not change. ing.

  A control unit that controls the drive motor 170 controls the drive motor 170 in accordance with an image reading request signal for each line sent from the host computer, and controls the moving speed between the second carriage 163 and the first carriage 162. I have control.

  In the process of moving the first and second carriages 162 and 163 from the left side to the right side in the drawing at a speed ratio of 2: 1, the light emitted from the light source unit 190 is placed on the second contact glass 155. Do not reflect on the original MS. The optical image obtained by this reflection is guided to the imaging lens 200 via the first mirror 162b, the second mirror 163a, and the third mirror 163c, and is imaged on the CCD 221 that is an imaging means.

  The CCD 221 photoelectrically converts the formed reflected light image of the document MS and outputs an analog image signal that is a read image. When the first and second carriages 162 and 163 move to the positions indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 7, the reading of the document MS is finished, and the first carriage 162 and the second carriage 163 are at the home position positions indicated by the solid lines in the drawing. Go back. The analog image signal output from the CCD 221 is converted into a digital image signal by an analog / digital converter, and each image processing (binarization, multi-value conversion, gradation) is performed on a circuit board on which an image processing circuit is mounted. Processing, scaling processing, editing processing, etc.).

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged configuration diagram of the vicinity of the light source unit 190 of the first carriage 162 in the conventional image reading apparatus, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the light source unit 190. As shown in the figure, the light source unit 190 includes an LED array 100 in which a plurality of LEDs 401 that are light emitting elements are arranged in a row on an LED array substrate 102 that is a circuit board as a flat plate member. The LED array substrate 102 is disposed such that its longitudinal direction is a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the first carriage 162 and extends in a substantially horizontal direction, that is, extends in the main scanning direction of the document MS. . The plurality of LEDs 401 are arranged in a line on the LED array substrate 102 along the main scanning direction. On the LED array substrate 102, a wiring pattern (not shown) and various circuit elements for supplying power to each LED 401 are formed. The LED array substrate 102 is held and fixed on the installation table 103.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view of the document placing portion when the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is viewed from above (from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 7). This figure is a figure when the maximum document placement size is A3 size, and the hatched portion in the figure represents an A3 size document MS, which is 297 mm long and 420 mm wide. The document MS is placed on the second contact glass 155 so as to abut on the scale 112 that is the document placement reference in the main scanning direction and the scale 113 that is the document placement reference in the sub-scanning direction. In this case, the longitudinal width of the LED array substrate 102 is 297 mm + α, which is obtained by adding a margin α to the maximum mountable size in the main scanning direction of the document placement portion.

Next, the characteristic part of this embodiment is demonstrated.
When a plurality of LEDs 401 are installed on the single LED array substrate 102 in the main scanning direction to form the LED array 100 as in the conventional image reading apparatus, the LEDs 401 arranged on the LED array substrate 102 of the LED array 100 are used. When one of the LEDs breaks down, it is necessary to replace all the LEDs 401 including the LED array 100 as a whole, that is, the LED 401 that has not failed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of LED arrays 400, which are light irradiators having five LEDs 401 mounted thereon, are prepared on the LED array substrate 402 that is the mounting base of the LEDs 401 shown in FIG. Five LED arrays 400 are arranged on the installation base 403 in the main scanning direction. FIG. 11 shows the case where the size of the original that can be placed on the second contact glass 155 is A3 size. In this case, the width from the end of the LED array 400a to the end of the LED array 400e is shown. Is about 320 mm. The LED array substrate 402 has a screw hole 408, and the LED array 400 is detachably held and fixed to the installation base 403 by screws. As a result, when the LED array 400 is replaced, the LED array 400 can be easily detached from the installation base 403 simply by using a screwdriver as a tool, so that the work efficiency of the LED array 400 replacement work is improved.

  In addition, each LED array 400 can be individually supplied with a corresponding connector 404 and harness so that only the LED array 400 in which the failed LED 401 is arranged can be replaced. Although not shown on the LED array substrate 402, a wiring pattern for supplying power is drawn from the connector 404, and peripheral circuit elements such as resistors are arranged. Unless otherwise noted, the current values of the currents supplied to the LED arrays 400 are the same, but it goes without saying that the current values may be different among the LEDs 400.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that, for example, the second LED 401 from the left in the drawing of the LED array 400b surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. Also, only the LED array 400b can be replaced. Therefore, the number of LEDs 401 that are wasted at the time of replacement can be greatly reduced compared to a configuration in which all LEDs 401 are mounted on a single substrate as in a conventional image reading apparatus.

  In this embodiment, five LED arrays 400 are arranged on the installation table 403, but the number is preferably 4 to 6. When the number of LED arrays 400 on the installation base 403 is increased, the number of power supply cables for supplying current to the LED array 400 increases, which interferes with the travel of the first carriage 162, or the first carriage during travel. In addition, an excessive load is applied to the first carriage, causing an abnormal stop of the first carriage.

  On the other hand, in the case of a copier capable of placing up to A3 size on the second contact glass 155 as in the present embodiment, the number of LED arrays 400 is four or more and the LED array substrate 402 is placed on the LED array substrate 402. If the number of LEDs 401 to be installed and the size of the LED array substrate 402 are the same, first aid can be taken even if there is a sudden failure of the LED 401 or the LED array 400 or there is no stock of replacement parts. For example, when only one LED 401 installed on the LED array 400b in FIG. 5 fails and does not light up, the arrangement positions of the LED array 400b and all the LEDs 401 with respect to the installation table 403 with the normal LED array 400e are changed. As a result, all the LEDs 401 in the B4 (257 mm) width, which is slightly smaller than the A3 length (297 mm), and at least the A4 horizontal (width 210 mm) reading range are normally lit, so that normal reading can be performed.

  Further, the LED 401 generally has a variation in light emission luminance due to a variation during manufacture. This is defined by the rank classification of the emission luminance. In this embodiment, the emission ranks of the five LEDs 401 provided on the LED array substrate 402 of the LED array 400 of FIG. In addition, the light emission ranks of the LEDs 401 are the same in all the LED arrays 400 from the LED array 400a to the LED array 400e shown in FIG. Thereby, even if the first aid is performed, it is possible to always read the image with the same quality.

  Further, the power supply cables connected to the LED arrays 400 shown in FIG. 1 via the connector 404 are independently connected to the power supply on the apparatus main body side. Therefore, each LED array 400 can be lit independently. Therefore, since all the other LEDs 401 provided in the LED array 400 including the failed LED 401 during the emergency treatment as described above can be turned off, it is not necessary to turn on the LEDs 401 that do not contribute to image reading unnecessarily. Note that the lighting device and the power source (including conversion from 100 V to 24 V) are very common and are not shown.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, between LED array 400a and LED array 400b, between LED array 400b and LED array 400c, between LED array 400c and LED array 400d, and LED A gap t is provided between each of the array 400d and the LED array 400e. With recent improvements in productivity (such as the number of copies), the LED array 400 is required to have higher illuminance. In order to increase the illuminance of the LED array 400, measures such as passing a large current through the LED 401 and increasing the integration density of the LEDs 401 on the LED array 400 are taken. And the temperature of the LED 401 and the LED array substrate 402 rises. Due to the temperature rise, the LD array substrate 402 expands as a physical phenomenon. If there is no gap t between adjacent LED arrays 400, adjacent LED array substrates 402 come into contact with each other due to thermal expansion, and the LED array substrate 402 is stressed and deformed. Thus, when the LED array substrate 402 is deformed, the positional relationship between the LED arrays 400 that have been accurately positioned is broken. Therefore, deterioration due to illuminance ripple or failure due to wiring pattern fatigue cutting due to repeated temperature changes occurs.

  Therefore, by providing the gap t between the adjacent LED arrays 400 as in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the adjacent LED array substrates 402 from being contacted due to thermal expansion, so that the LED array substrate 402 may be deformed. Therefore, it is possible to secure a good illuminance ripple with little temperature fluctuation and to suppress failures due to wiring pattern fatigue cutting.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the arrangement interval of adjacent LEDs 401 on the LED array 400 is P, and the rightmost LED 401 in the LED array 400a surrounded by the dotted line in the drawing and the leftmost LED in the drawing in the LED array 400b are shown. It is preferable to configure so that P = Q, where Q is the gap with the LED 401. With such a configuration, even if a plurality of LED arrays 400 are provided on the installation base 403, the illuminance ripple is deteriorated because all the LEDs 401 are arranged at equal intervals in the light source unit 190 as a whole. There is nothing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, there is a mode in which the first carriage 162 is moved to the document placement area of the second contact glass 155 and all the LEDs 401 are turned on at times other than image reading. In this mode, the above mode can be executed only by pressing a button provided on the operation unit 140. Thus, the above-described mode can be executed with a simple operation. For example, the user moves the first carriage 162 to a document placement possible area where the LED 401 can be visually lit and turns on all the LEDs 401. , The failure part of the LED 401 can be easily found. That is, the failure location of the LED 401 can be identified without disassembling the apparatus main body until the LED array 400 can be accessed.

  Further, when the first carriage 162 is moved to the document placement possible area in the above mode, that is, when the failure of the LED 401 is visually confirmed or other than the image reading operation, the light output of the LED 401 is output. The LED 401 may be turned on by setting the LED 401 to be considerably lower than that during the normal image reading operation. For example, when a user or a service person visually confirms a failure of the LED 401, if the light emission output of the LED 401 is the same as that during normal reading, the light emission output of the LED 401 is too strong, and the user or service Man's eyes may be dizzy or hurt. The failure confirmation of the LED 401 by visual inspection is only required to confirm whether or not the LED 401 emits light, and thus it is only necessary to light the LED 401 lightly enough to confirm the light emission of the LED 401. Therefore, by making the output when the LED 401 emits light during a time other than the image reading operation smaller than that during the image reading operation, there is a risk that the user or serviceman may be blinded or hurt by checking the failure of the LED 401 or the like. Can be suppressed.

[Embodiment 2]
In the present embodiment, the basic configuration of the copying machine is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the characteristic part of this embodiment is demonstrated.
FIG. 13 shows an LED array 420 which is a light irradiator in which five LEDs 401 are mounted on an LED array substrate 422 serving as a mounting base of the LEDs 401. Further, on the LED array substrate 422, a wiring pattern such as a power supply line 500 for supplying power to the LED array 420 from the power source provided in the apparatus main body via the male connector 409 and the female connector 410 shown in FIG. Or peripheral circuit elements (not shown) such as resistors are arranged. As shown in FIG. 14, the LED array 420 is connected by fitting a male connector 409 and a female connector 410 constituting a connecting portion between adjacent LED arrays 420. Further, the male connector 409a of the LED array 420a and the female connector 410e of the LED array 420e are respectively fitted to power supply connectors 411 and 412 connected to the power source provided on the apparatus main body side, and from the power supply connectors 411 and 412, respectively. A current is supplied to each LED array 420 via the male connector 409, the female connector 410, the power supply line 500, and the like provided in each LED array 420. The LED array substrate 422 is provided with fixing screw holes 408 for detachably holding and fixing the LED array 420 to the installation base 403 by screws, but all the screw holes 408 are used. It is not necessary to fix each LED array 420 to the installation base 403, only the screw holes 408 at both ends of the LED array connected and integrated by the male connector 409 and the female connector 410, or the integration with the both ends. What is necessary is just to decide a use place timely, such as the center part of LED400 which did.

  By adopting the above-described configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, even if five LED arrays 420 are connected and the second LED 401 from the left of the LED array 420b in the figure fails, it does not light up. Therefore, it is possible to replace only the LED array 420b. Therefore, as compared with a configuration in which all necessary LEDs are mounted on one substrate as in the conventional image reading apparatus, the LED 401 that is wasted at the time of replacement is used. The number can be greatly reduced.

  FIG. 14 shows the case where the size of a document that can be placed on the second contact glass 155 is A3 size, and five LED arrays 420 shown in FIG. 13 are arranged on the installation table 403 in the main scanning direction. In this case, the width from the end of the LED array 420a to the end of the LED array 420e is about 320 mm. In the LED arrays 420a to 420e shown in FIG. 14, the number of LEDs 401 installed on the LED array substrate 422 and the size of the LED array substrate 422 are the same. In this embodiment, five LED arrays 420 are connected and arranged on the installation table 403, but the number is preferably four or more. That is, as in this embodiment, if the number of LED arrays 420 is four or more and the number of LEDs 401 installed on the LED array substrate 422 is the same as the size of the LED array substrate 422, the LEDs 401 or the LED arrays 420 are used. Even if there is a sudden failure or there is no stock of replacement parts, first aid can be taken. For example, when only one LED 401 installed on the LED array 420b in FIG. 14 fails and does not light up, the arrangement position of the LED array 420b and all the LED 401 with respect to the installation table 403 with the normal LED array 420e is changed. As a result, in the actual use, the vicinity of the edge of the image to be formed is a margin, so that the B4 (257 mm) width, which is slightly smaller than the A3 length (297 mm), or at least the A4 width (width 210 mm) reading range. Since all the LEDs 401 are normally lit, normal reading can be performed.

  Further, the LED 401 generally has a variation in light emission luminance due to a variation during manufacture. It is the rank classification of the emission luminance that defines it, but in this embodiment, the emission ranks of the five LEDs 401 provided on the LED array substrate 422 of the LED array 420 of FIG. In addition, the light emission ranks of the LEDs 401 are the same in all the LED arrays 420 from the LED array 420a to the LED array 420e shown in FIG. Thereby, even if the first aid is performed, the image can always be read with the same quality.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 13, since power is supplied to each LED 401 in parallel from the power supply line 500 on the LED array 420, each LED 401 can be lit independently. As shown in FIG. 15, a control chip 501 for controlling the supply of current to each LED array 420 and a control signal line for transmitting a control signal from the apparatus main body to the control chip 501 are provided to each LED 401. Control of power supply may be performed. In this way, by enabling each LED 401 to be turned on independently, it is possible to turn off all other LEDs 401 provided in the LED array 420 including the failed LED 401 during the emergency treatment as described above. The LED 401 that does not contribute to reading does not need to be turned on unnecessarily. Note that the lighting device and the power source (including conversion from 100 V to 24 V) are very common and are not shown.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, between the LED array 420a and the LED array 420b, between the LED array 420b and the LED array 420c, between the LED array 420c and the LED array 420d, and the LED A gap t ′ is provided between each of the array 420d and the LED array 420e. With recent improvements in productivity (such as the number of copies), the LED array 420 is required to have higher illuminance. In order to increase the illuminance of the LED array 420, measures such as passing a large current through the LED 401 and increasing the integration density of the LEDs 401 on the LED array 420 are taken. Increases, and the temperature of the LED 401 and the LED array substrate 422 (particularly the LED array substrate 422 in the vicinity of the LED 401) rises. Due to the temperature rise, the LD array substrate 402 expands as a physical phenomenon. If there is no gap t ′ between adjacent LED arrays 420, the LED array substrates 422 come into contact with each other due to thermal expansion, and the LED array substrate 422 is stressed and deformed. In this manner, the positional relationship of each LED array 420 that has been accurately positioned is broken due to the deformation of the LED array substrate 422. Therefore, deterioration due to illuminance ripple or failure due to wiring pattern fatigue cutting due to repeated temperature changes occurs.

  Therefore, by providing the gap t ′ between the adjacent LED arrays 420 as in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the adjacent LED array substrate 422 from being contacted due to thermal expansion. Can be secured, and failure due to wiring pattern fatigue cutting can be suppressed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the arrangement interval of adjacent LEDs 401 on the LED array 420 is P ′, and the rightmost LED 401 in the LED array 420a surrounded by the dotted line in the figure and the left end in the LED array 420b in the figure. It is preferable to configure so that P ′ = Q ′, where Q ′ is a gap with the LED 401. By adopting such a configuration, even if a plurality of LED arrays 420 are provided on the installation base 403, the illuminance ripple is deteriorated because all the LEDs 401 are arranged at equal intervals when viewed from the light source unit 190 as a whole. There is nothing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, there is a mode in which the first carriage 162 is moved to the document placement area of the second contact glass 155 and all the LEDs 401 are turned on at times other than image reading. In this mode, the above mode can be executed only by pressing a button provided on the operation unit 140. Thus, the above-described mode can be executed with a simple operation. For example, the user moves the first carriage 162 to a document placement possible area where the LED 401 can be visually lit and turns on all the LEDs 401. , The failure part of the LED 401 can be easily found. That is, the failure location of the LED 401 can be specified without disassembling the apparatus main body until the LED array 420 can be accessed.

  Further, when the first carriage 162 is moved to the document placement possible area in the above mode, that is, when the failure of the LED 401 is visually confirmed or other than the image reading operation, the light output of the LED 401 is output. The LED 401 may be turned on by setting the LED 401 to be considerably lower than that during the normal image reading operation. For example, when a user or a service person visually confirms a failure of the LED 401, if the light emission output of the LED 401 is the same as that during normal reading, the light emission output of the LED 401 is too strong, and the user or service Man's eyes may be dizzy or hurt. The failure confirmation of the LED 401 by visual inspection is only required to confirm whether or not the LED 401 emits light, and thus it is only necessary to light the LED 401 lightly enough to confirm the light emission of the LED 401. Therefore, by making the output when the LED 401 emits light during a time other than the image reading operation smaller than that during the image reading operation, there is a risk that the user or serviceman may be blinded or hurt by checking the failure of the LED 401 or the like. Can be suppressed.

[Modification]
Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the LED array substrate 432 is provided with a fitting portion 505 and a fitted portion 506 that are connecting / positioning portions. As shown in FIG. 5, the adjacent LED arrays 430 may be detachably fitted and connected by the fitting portion 505 and the fitted portion 506. Moreover, the fitting part 505 and the to-be-fitted part 506 are also provided with the power supply line 500, and when each LED array 430 is fitted by the fitting part 505 and the to-be-fitted part 506, respectively. The power supply line 500 provided in the fitting portion 505 and the fitted portion 506 is connected. In the case of such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide the male connector 409 and the female connector 410 on the LED array substrate, and moreover than the case where each LED array is connected using the male connector 409 and the female connector 410. Also, the LED arrays 430 can be connected with a higher degree of alignment.

  In addition, since the LED array 430 shown in FIG. 17A supplies power to each LED 401 in parallel from the power supply line 500, each LED 401 can be lit independently, but in FIG. Each LED 401 is not independent, but each LED array 430 can be lit independently. As a result, the circuit configuration is simplified and the cost can be reduced. Further, when each LED array 430 can be turned on independently, all other LEDs 401 provided in the LED array 430 including the failed LED 401 can be easily turned off during the emergency treatment as described above. It is not necessary to turn on the LED 401 in vain.

As described above, according to each embodiment, the light source unit 190 that irradiates light to the document MS that is an image reading object and the CCD 221 that is an imaging unit that receives reflected light reflected by the document MS and images the document MS. In a copying machine that is an image forming apparatus including a scanner 150 that is an image reading apparatus, the light source unit 190 is an LED array that is a plurality of separate light emitters each having an LED 401 that is at least one light emitting element. 400, LED array 420 or LED array 430, and a plurality of LED arrays 400, LED array 420 or LED array 430, and a mounting base 403 which is a holding member that detachably holds. As a result, even if there is an LED 401 that is not lit due to a lifetime or the like, only the LED array 400, the LED array 420, or the LED array 430 in which the LED 401 is disposed can be replaced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the replacement of the LED 401 that can still be used more than necessary.
Further, according to the first embodiment, the plurality of LED arrays 400 can be individually attached to and detached from the installation table 403. As a result, when the LED array 400 is replaced, only the LED array 400 to be replaced needs to be attached and detached, so that the workability of the replacement operation is improved.
In addition, according to the second embodiment, the plurality of LED arrays 420 or the LED arrays 430 respectively include the connection portions that detachably connect the adjacent LED arrays 420 or the LED arrays 430, and the plurality of LED arrays 420 or the LED array 430 can be attached to and detached from the installation base 403 in a state where the LED array 430 is connected by the connecting portion. Thereby, when each LED array 420 or LED array 430 is mounted on the installation base 403, for example, the above-described integration is performed by screws via screw holes 408 at both ends of the connected and integrated LED arrays. By simply attaching the LED array to the installation table 403, a plurality of LED arrays 420 or LED arrays 430 can be installed on the installation table 403 easily and with high positioning accuracy. The adjacent LED array 420 or LED array 430 is connected by fitting the male connector 409 and the female connector 410 as the above-mentioned connecting portion, or fitted with the fitting portion 505 provided on the LED array substrate 432. The joint portion 506 can be fitted and connected, but the connecting means of adjacent LED arrays is not limited to these.
Moreover, according to Embodiment 2, it is comprised so that an electric current may be supplied to each of the some LED array 420 or the LED array 430 via the said connection part. Thereby, since it is not necessary to attach a harness for supplying power to each LED array 420 or LED array 430, it is possible to suppress complication due to the presence of many harnesses in the apparatus main body.
Further, according to each embodiment, the size of the LED array substrate 402, the LED array substrate 422, or the LED array substrate 432 of the plurality of LED arrays 400, LED array 420, or LED array 430, and the plurality of LED arrays 400, LED array, respectively. 420 or the number of LEDs 401 mounted on the LED array 430 is the same. As a result, even when there is no sudden failure of the LED 401, the LED array 400, the LED array 420, or the LED array 430, or there is no stock of replacement parts, the reading of a size smaller than the maximum mountable size of the second contact glass 155 is provided as an emergency measure. Since the arrangement of each LED array 400, LED array 420, or LED array 430 can be changed so that the normal operation can be performed normally, the image reading operation cannot be completely performed, and the new LED array 400, LED array 420, or LED The downtime of the machine until the replacement operation to the array 430 is completed can be reduced.
Moreover, according to each embodiment, the light emission luminance of all the LEDs 401 provided in the light source unit 190 is the same or substantially the same. Thereby, even when the arrangement of each LED array 400, LED array 420 or LED array 430 is changed so that reading of a size smaller than the maximum mountable size of the second contact glass 155 can be normally performed as an emergency measure, Since the emission luminance is uniform, good reading can be performed.
In addition, according to each embodiment, a plurality of LED arrays 400, LED arrays 420, or LED arrays 430 are placed on the installation table 403 with a gap between adjacent LED arrays 400, LED arrays 420, or LED arrays 430. It is configured to be retained. As a result, contact between the LED array substrate 402, the LED array substrate 422, or the LED array substrate 432 of the adjacent LED array 400, LED array 420, or LED array 430 due to thermal expansion can be prevented, and therefore, good illuminance with little temperature fluctuation. Ripple can be secured, and fatigue cutting of the wiring pattern on the LED array substrate 402, the LED array substrate 422, or the LED array substrate 432 can be suppressed.
Further, according to each embodiment, the LEDs 401 are arranged on the LED array 400, the LED array 420, or the LED array 430 at equal intervals, and the arrangement intervals of the LEDs 401 on the LED array 400, the LED array 420, or the LED array 430 are as follows. The arrangement interval of adjacent LEDs 401 across the two adjacent LED arrays 400, LED arrays 420, or LED arrays 430 is the same. As a result, even if the light source unit 190 is configured by providing a plurality of LED arrays 400, LED arrays 420, or LED arrays 430 on the installation base 403, all the LEDs 401 are arranged at equal intervals when viewed from the light source unit 190 as a whole. Therefore, the illuminance ripple is not deteriorated.
Further, according to each embodiment, the plurality of LED arrays 400, LED arrays 420, or LED arrays 430 are configured to be able to light independently. As a result, the LED 401 including the failed LED 401, the LED array 420, or the other LEDs 401 provided on the LED array 430 can all be turned off during the emergency treatment, so that the LEDs 401 are turned on unnecessarily. Can be suppressed, and energy saving can be achieved.
Further, according to each embodiment, the second contact glass 155 that is a glass member for placing the original MS in a plane and the second contact glass 155 can be moved along a placeable area that is an installation surface of the original MS. The light source unit 190 includes at least a first carriage 162 that is a traveling body having the light source unit 190, and moves the first carriage to a position opposite to the above-described placeable region except during the image reading operation. It has a mode to light up. As a result, the first carriage 162 is moved to the above-described document placement possible region where the user can visually check the lighting of the LED 401 of the light source unit 190, and all the LEDs 401 of the light source unit 190 are turned on. Easy to find.
Further, according to each embodiment, the light emission output of the LED 401 during the mode is configured to be lower than the light emission output during the image reading operation. In this way, by making the output when the LED 401 emits light during a time other than the image reading operation smaller than that during the image reading operation, the user or serviceman may be blinded or hurt by checking the failure of the LED 401 or the like. Can be suppressed.
Moreover, according to each embodiment, the operation part 140 which is an input part which inputs the instruction | indication of execution of the said mode is provided. As a result, the mode can be easily executed by simply pressing a button provided on the operation unit 140, so that work efficiency such as confirmation of failure of the LED 401 can be improved.
Further, according to each embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit that reads information about an image from the document MS and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the information read by the image reading unit. In the copying machine, by applying the image reading device of the present invention as the image reading means, it is possible to provide a copying machine that can suppress the unnecessary replacement of the LED 401 that can still be used.

  In each embodiment, a plurality of LED arrays 400, LED arrays 420, or LED arrays 430 are directly installed on the installation table 403. Separately, a plurality of LED arrays 400, LED arrays 420, or LED arrays 430 are provided. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a base board for positioning or the like is detachably installed on the base board, and the base board board is held and fixed on the installation base 403.

The schematic block diagram of the characteristic part of this invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copier according to an embodiment. Partially enlarged configuration showing an enlarged part of the internal configuration of the copier. The elements on larger scale which show a part of tandem part of the copier. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an ADF and a scanner of the copier. The fragmentary perspective view which shows the scanner partially. The block diagram which shows the movement reading part of the scanner from the side. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional first carriage including a light source unit in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in an array in the main scanning direction. It is a schematic perspective view of the conventional 1st carriage. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a document placement portion when the image reading apparatus is viewed from above. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an LED array used in Embodiment 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing for making all LED arrange | position at equal intervals. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an LED array used in Embodiment 1. FIG. The schematic block diagram at the time of connecting five LED arrays and installing on an installation stand. The schematic block diagram at the time of providing the control chip which controls supply of an electric current in each LED array. Explanatory drawing for making all LED arrange | position at equal intervals. (A) The schematic block diagram of the LED array of a modification. (B) The side surface schematic block diagram of the LED array of a modification. The schematic block diagram at the time of connecting five LED arrays and installing on an installation stand. The schematic block diagram of the LED array at the time of connecting several LED on an LED array in series. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional light source unit in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in an array in the main scanning direction on one substrate.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 LED array 102 LED array board | substrate 103 Installation stand 140 Operation part 155 2nd contact glass 162 1st carriage 163 2nd carriage 190 Light source part 200 Imaging lens 210 Lens unit 221 CCD
400 LED array 401 LED
402 LED array substrate 403 Installation base 404 Connector 408 Screw hole 409 Male connector 410 Female connector 411 Power supply connector 412 Power supply connector 413 Power supply connector 414 Power supply connector 420 LED array 422 LED array substrate 430 LED array substrate 432 LED array substrate 500 Power supply line 501 Control Chip 505 Fitting portion 506 Fitted portion

Claims (13)

A light source unit for irradiating the image reading object with light;
In an image reading apparatus comprising imaging means for receiving reflected light reflected by the image reading object and imaging the image reading object,
The light source unit includes: a plurality of separate light irradiators each having at least one light emitting element; and a holding member that detachably holds the plurality of light irradiators. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1.
The image reading apparatus, wherein the plurality of light irradiators can be individually attached to and detached from the holding member. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1.
Each of the plurality of light irradiators has a connecting part that removably connects adjacent light irradiators, and the plurality of light irradiators are connected to the holding member in a state where the plurality of light irradiators are connected by the connecting part. An image reading apparatus that is detachable. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3.
An image reading apparatus configured to supply a current to each of the plurality of light irradiation bodies via the connecting portion. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4.
An image reading apparatus characterized in that the substrate size of each of the plurality of light irradiators is the same as the number of light emitting elements mounted on each of the plurality of light irradiators. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5.
An image reading apparatus characterized in that the light emission luminances of all the light emitting elements provided in the light source section are the same or substantially the same. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
An image reading apparatus characterized in that the plurality of light irradiation bodies are held by the holding member in a state where a gap is left between adjacent light irradiation bodies. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.
The light emitting elements are arranged at equal intervals on the light irradiator, and the arrangement interval of light emitting elements on the light irradiator and the arrangement interval of adjacent light emitting elements across two adjacent light irradiators. And an image reading apparatus configured to be the same. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8.
The image reading apparatus, wherein the plurality of light irradiators are configured to be able to light independently. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.
A glass member for planarly placing the image reading object;
A traveling body having at least the light source unit that is movable along the installation surface of the image reading object of the glass member,
An image reading apparatus comprising a mode in which the traveling body is moved to a position facing the glass member at a time other than the image reading operation to turn on the light source unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 10.
An image reading apparatus characterized in that the light emission output of the light emitting element in the mode is lower than the light emission output during the image reading operation. The image reading apparatus according to claim 10 or 11,
An image reading apparatus comprising an input unit for inputting an instruction to execute the mode. Image reading means for reading information about the image from the image reading object;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image based on the information read by the image reading unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 as the image reading means.

Images