JP2009253974A - Method of manufacturing image reader, image reader used for the same, and lens base adjusting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform highly accurate position adjustment without causing a cost increase of a product, by providing no position adjusting mechanism of a lens base on the product side and providing it on an adjusting device side, to cope with mounting position failure of the lens base. <P>SOLUTION: A method of manufacturing an image reader is provided for mounting the lens base in which a lens and a photoelectric conversion element are installed is mounted to a casing. The method includes a step of fixing a plurality of studs each having a support step part formed in the vicinity of its tip part, a step of inserting a plurality of the studs in the casing through a through-hole formed in the bottom plate of the housing, a step of inserting the plurality of these studs in a support hole formed in the lens base and almost temporarily support the lens base by the support step part formed in the stud, a step of adjusting the inclination of the lens base if a plurality of the studs adjust the inclination of a fixed unit to which fixed studs are fixed, and a step of adjusting the height of the lens base by adjusting the height of the fixed unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an image reading device, an image reading adjustment device used therefor, and a lens base adjustment method.

  In recent years, a copier, a printer, or a color multi function peripheral (hereinafter abbreviated as “MFP”) that shares a developed image forming unit in which a fax function is further integrated into the copier and printer are frequently used. As an image reading unit used here, there is an image reading apparatus that reads a document image by irradiating light on a document on a document table and detecting optical image information reflected from the document.

  As an optical system of such an image reading apparatus that detects reflected light from a document on a document table and reads a document image, for example, a light source 11 that exposes a document P through a document glass 10 as shown in FIG. And a reflector 12 for efficiently applying light from the light source 11 to the document surface, a slit 13 for reading the document P, and a first reflection mirror 14a for reflecting the reflected light from the exposed document. C1, the second carriage C2 including the second reflecting mirror 14b and the third reflecting mirror 14c that folds the reflected light reflected by the first reflecting mirror 14a, and the reflected light reflected by the third reflecting mirror 14c are coupled to the image sensor. Some include a lens 15 to be imaged and a lens base 18 that includes a photoelectric conversion element 16 (hereinafter referred to as a CCD unit 17 together with 15 and 16) that electrically reads reflected light.

  Conventionally, such a defective mounting position of the lens base 18 of the optical system has been dealt with by adjusting the mounting angle of the third reflecting mirror 14c as shown in FIG. 2 (arrow r). However, when reading an image, as shown in FIG. 3, the carriage operates, and the light path passing through the slit of the first carriage C1 differs between the front end side and the rear end side of the image, and the irradiation condition of the lamp changes. For this reason, there is a drawback that the image acquired by the CCD unit 17 is affected.

  Therefore, as a means for improving the above-described problems, there has been proposed an image reading apparatus in which a spacer is provided between a lens base and a lens base cradle. This is to adjust the tilt of the lens base by sliding the spacer. (See Patent Document 1)

JP 10-13633 A

  However, in the above proposal, since the adjustment mechanism is provided inside the image reading apparatus, which is a product, the product cost increases by incorporating the adjustment mechanism, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of price competition.

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an image reading apparatus and an image reading adjustment apparatus used therefor, which have improved the conventional problems.

  According to the method for manufacturing an image reading apparatus of the present invention, a lens base on which a lens and a photoelectric conversion element are installed is mounted on a housing, and a plurality of studs each having a supporting step portion formed in the vicinity of a tip end portion. Fixing the plurality of studs on the fixing unit substantially vertically, inserting the plurality of studs into the casing through a passage hole formed in a bottom plate of the casing, and the plurality of studs By inserting into a support hole formed in the lens base and temporarily supporting the lens base by a support step formed on the stud; and by adjusting the inclination of the fixed unit to which the plurality of studs are fixed Adjusting the inclination of the lens base; adjusting the height of the lens base by adjusting the height of the fixed unit; and Characterized in that it comprises the steps of height to fix the lens base that is adjusted on a sidewall of the housing.

  In addition, according to the image reading adjustment device of the present invention, it is used in the above-described method for manufacturing the image reading device, and an inclination adjusting mechanism that adjusts the inclination by rotating about the optical center of the lens base. And a vertical adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the lens base, and the tilt and height of the lens base can be separated and adjusted.

  By using such an adjusting device, the lens base position adjusting mechanism is not provided on the product side but is provided on the adjusting device side, and highly accurate position adjustment can be performed without increasing the cost of the product.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view regarding an optical system of a general image reading apparatus. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view related to the image reading apparatus with a defective lens base mounting position in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the image reading apparatus at the time of image reading in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image reading adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a relationship between an image reading adjustment device and a lens base according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lens base and the image reading device (broken line portion) in FIG. 5 viewed from the direction of arrow A. The perspective view which shows the specific structure of the inclination adjustment mechanism of the Example of this invention. Sectional drawing before operation | movement of the inclination adjustment mechanism of the Example in FIG. Sectional drawing after operation | movement of the inclination adjustment mechanism of the Example in FIG. Side sectional drawing which shows the specific structure of the up-down direction adjustment mechanism of the Example of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

  The image reading apparatus manufacturing method and the image reading adjustment apparatus using the same according to this embodiment are applied to image reading apparatuses such as MFPs, copiers, and image scanners.

  First, a schematic configuration of an image reading adjustment device used for manufacturing the image reading device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the image reading adjustment apparatus of this embodiment. The image reading and adjusting apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an image reading and adjusting apparatus 41, an image reading apparatus 42 to be adjusted, an operation switch 43, and a monitor 44 that displays an adjustment result.

  In the image reading and adjusting apparatus having such a configuration, first, the image reading apparatus 42 in which the optical system is incorporated is installed in the image reading and adjusting apparatus 41, and the operation switch 43 is operated to diagnose a defective mounting of the lens base. When it is diagnosed that the attachment is defective, the image reading adjustment device 41 performs adjustment. The adjustment result is displayed on the monitor 44. After the adjustment, the image reading device 42 is removed from the image reading adjusting device 41. Note that this is merely an example of this embodiment, and the types and arrangements of the components described in this embodiment do not limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified.

  Next, the image reading adjustment device 41 in the above embodiment will be specifically described.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the image reading adjustment device 41 of the present embodiment, the lens base 181 and the image reading device housing to which the lens base 181 is fixed. In the lens base 181 of this embodiment, the lens 15 and the photoelectric conversion element 16 are placed, a support hole 55 for supporting the stud 54, and a fixing hole 56 for fixing the adjusted position on the side surface. is there. Further, the image reading adjustment device 41 of the present embodiment adjusts the position of the tilt (double arrow R) with the optical center of the lens base 181 (the center of the lens 15; the alternate long and short dash line CL) as a fulcrum and the vertical (double arrow Z). Position adjustment, that is, height adjustment is performed separately. The image reading adjustment device 41 includes a fixing unit 51 that fixes the lens base 181, a tilt adjustment mechanism 52 that performs tilt adjustment of the lens base 181, and a vertical adjustment mechanism 53 that performs height adjustment. Four (or three) studs 54 are attached to the fixed unit 51, and the lens base 181 is temporarily supported by the studs 54. Here, the diameter of the stud 54 changes stepwise from large to small upward, and the lens base 181 is temporarily supported by the stepped portion. The end portion is inserted into the support hole 55 of the lens base 181. A portion indicated by a broken line indicates the casing 57 of the image reading apparatus 42 of the present embodiment.

  When adjusting the lens base 181, the stud 54 attached to the fixing unit 51 is inserted into the support hole 55 of the lens base 181 through the hole (FIG. 6; number 62) in the bottom of the housing 57, and the lens base 181. Is temporarily supported. The end of the stud is a bolt, and the lens base 181 is gripped at four points (or three points) by the lock nut 58 so that the lens base 181 does not move from the fixed unit 51 during adjustment. Here, the bolt and the lock nut are exemplified as the support mechanism. However, it is sufficient that the lens base 181 does not move from the fixed unit 51 during the adjustment, and for example, an appropriate gripping mechanism such as a clamp may be used.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the image reading device 42 of the present embodiment indicated by a broken line in FIG. In addition to the lens base 181, the image reading device 42 of the present embodiment includes the optical system described in FIG. 1, and includes a slit 61 for fixing the lens base 181 to both side walls of the housing 57 and a stud at the bottom. A hole 62 for passing 54 is provided. The slit 61 is for fixing the position after adjusting the height and inclination of the lens base 181.

  When adjusting the position of the lens base 181, the fixing tool 63 is removed or loosened and fixed after the adjustment. As the fixture 63, for example, a screw is preferably used. The size of the slit 61 is such that when the height and inclination of the lens base 181 are adjusted, a degree of freedom that can adjust the inclination and height can be secured. Also, the size of the hole 62 through which the stud 54 is passed is such a size that a degree of freedom that does not hinder the movement of the stud 51 can be ensured during the tilt adjustment. After the adjustment, the lens base 181 is fixed to the housing 57 by the fixing tool 63. Thereafter, the adjusted image reading device 42 is removed from the image reading adjustment device.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the tilt adjustment mechanism 52 of the present embodiment. The tilt adjustment mechanism 52 adjusts the optical center of the lens base 181 held by the fixed unit 51 (the center of the lens 15; the one-dot chain line CL) as the rotation center. The configuration is such that the first handle 71 for adjustment, the speed reducer 72 for reducing the amount of rotation of the handle 71, the shaft 73 connecting the handle 71 and the speed reducer 72, and the rotational movement from the speed reducer 72 are horizontal. A link 74 that converts to a reciprocating motion in a direction, a fixed unit 51 that is reciprocated in the horizontal direction by the link 74, and arc rails 75a and 75b that rotate the fixed unit 51 around the optical center described above There are a plurality of studs 54 that temporarily support the lens base implanted in the fixed unit 51, and a counter 76 that measures the amount of rotation of the handle 71.

  An outline of the tilt adjustment operation of the tilt adjustment mechanism 52 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a diagram of the tilt adjustment mechanism 52 before tilt adjustment. For example, when the operator turns the handle 71 (arrow L), the rotation amount is transmitted to the speed reducer 72 through the shaft 73. Here, the amount of rotation of the handle 71 is reduced by the speed reducer 72 (arrow M), and the rotational motion is transmitted to the link 74 (arrow N). The link 74 is connected to a fixed unit 51 fixed to the operating portion of the arc rails 75a and 75b, and the fixed unit 51 operates according to the track of the arc rails 75a and 75b (arrow O). Thus, the optical center is rotated about the rotation center (arrow R).

  FIG. 9 shows the tilt adjustment mechanism 52 after tilt adjustment. The amount of the adjusted angle (arrow R) can be confirmed by the counter 76 installed in the vicinity of the handle 71, and it is also possible to take adjustment amount data. The arc rails 75a and 75b are components formed of a rail and a housing on an arc, and by using this, the rotation adjustment can be performed around the lens center CL where the rotation center is separated.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the vertical adjustment mechanism 53 of the present embodiment. The vertical adjustment mechanism 53 is a mechanism that converts a rotational motion into a straight motion, and adjusts the height of the lens base. A second handle 101 for adjustment, a ball screw 102 for converting the rotational movement of the handle 101 into a reciprocating movement in the horizontal direction, a first plate 103a arranged vertically to reciprocate by the ball screw 102, a first Guided by the first slide guide 104a for guiding the plate 103a in the horizontal direction, the second slide guide 104b installed in the oblique direction provided on the first plate 103a, and the second slide guide 104b The second plate 103b (broken line portion) arranged vertically so as to reciprocate in the vertical direction, the third slide guide 104c for guiding the second plate 104b in the vertical direction, and the rotation amount of the handle 101 It consists of a counter 105 that measures.

  The first plate 103a is fixed to the first slide guide 104a and has a degree of freedom in the horizontal direction (double arrow Y). The first plate 103a is connected by a ball screw 102 to which a handle 101 and a counter 105 are coupled. When the handle 101 is rotated once, the first plate 103a moves in the lateral direction by the pitch of the ball screw 102. The first plate 103a is provided with a second slide guide 104b arranged at an inclination angle θ, and the second plate 103b is attached on the second slide guide 104b. The second plate 103b is fixed by the third slide guide 104c and has a degree of freedom in the vertical direction (double arrow Z).

  Regarding the outline of the height adjustment operation, for example, when the operator turns the handle 101 (double arrow W), the first plate 103a moves in the horizontal direction (double arrow Y), and the second slide is interlocked with this. The guide 104b moves the second plate 103b in the vertical direction (double arrow Z). The second plate 103b is coupled to the fixed unit. When the second plate 103b moves up and down, the fixed unit 51 moves up and down accordingly.

  Since the slide guides 104a, 104b, 104c and the ball screw 104 are commercially available products and can be easily replaced, they can be easily eliminated even if a malfunction due to looseness occurs. Further, the rotational movement of the handle 101 is directly converted into a straight movement by the slide guides 103a, 103b, 103c and the ball screw 102. Here, if the mounting angle θ of the second slide guide 104b is reduced, the movement amount of the second plate 103b is smaller than the movement amount of the first plate 103a, and high-precision adjustment is possible. The adjusted amount in the vertical direction (double-headed arrow Z) can be confirmed with a counter 105 installed near the handle 101, and adjustment amount data can be taken.

となる。 As shown in the following formula, the vertical movement amount Z is P, the screw pitch of the ball screw, the mounting angle θ of the second slide guide 104b, and the handle rotation speed X.

It becomes.

  As described above, the image reading and adjusting apparatus of the present invention can adjust the inclination and height of the lens base separately. In the tilt adjustment mechanism, the rotation adjustment can be performed with high accuracy around the lens center placed on the lens base whose rotation center is separated by the combination of the arc rail and the link structure and the speed reduction mechanism. Further, in the vertical adjustment mechanism, the rotation of the lens base can be converted into a straight movement by combining a ball screw and a plate, and the height of the lens base can be adjusted with high accuracy by combining the slide guide with an inclination. Further, by using such an adjusting device, the lens base position adjusting mechanism is not provided on the product side but is provided on the adjusting device side, so that highly accurate position adjustment can be performed without increasing the cost of the product.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Lens 16 ... Optical conversion element 41 ... Image reading adjustment apparatus 42 ... Image reading apparatus 43 ... Operation panel 44 ... Monitor 51 ... Fixed unit 52 ... Tilt adjustment mechanism 53 ... Vertical adjustment mechanism 54 ... Stud 55 ... Support hole 56 ... Fixing hole 57 ... Case 58 ... Lock nut 61 ... Slit 62 ... Passing hole 63 ... Fixing tool 71,101 ... Handle 72 ... Speed reducer 73 ... Shaft 74 ... Link 75a, 75b ... Arc rail 76,105 ... Counter 102 ... Ball screw 103a, 103b ... Plates 104a, 104b, 104c ... Slide guide 181 ... Lens base

Claims (10)

A method of mounting a lens base on which a lens and a photoelectric conversion element are installed in a housing,
Fixing a plurality of studs, each of which has a supporting step portion formed in the vicinity of the tip portion, on the fixing unit substantially vertically;
Inserting the plurality of studs into the casing through a through hole formed in a bottom plate of the casing;
Inserting the plurality of studs into a support hole formed in the lens base, and substantially temporarily supporting the lens base with a support step formed in the stud; and
Adjusting the inclination of the lens base by adjusting the inclination of the fixed unit to which the plurality of studs are fixed; and
Adjusting the height of the lens base by adjusting the height of the fixed unit;
Fixing the lens base with the tilt and height adjusted to the side wall of the housing.   The method for manufacturing an image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the step of fixing to the side wall of the casing is fixed through a slit formed in the side wall of the casing.   The step of adjusting the tilt adjusts the tilt with an optical center of the lens base as a fulcrum by a combination of an arc rail and a link structure, and the step of adjusting the height includes a first moving in a horizontal direction by a screw mechanism. A combination of a plate, a second plate that moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the first plate, and a slide guide attached to the first plate for guiding the second plate up and down The method of manufacturing an image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a height of the lens base is adjusted. A tilt adjustment mechanism that adjusts the tilt with the optical center of the lens base as a fulcrum by combining the lens base on which the lens and the photoelectric conversion element are installed with a circular rail and a link structure;
A first plate that moves horizontally by a screw mechanism; a second plate that moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the first plate; and the second plate that guides the second plate up and down. An image reading device comprising: a vertical guide mechanism for adjusting the height of the lens base by a combination of slide guides attached to the first plate; Adjustment device. The tilt adjustment mechanism is
A first handle;
A link mechanism that converts the rotation of the handle into a horizontal reciprocating motion;
By this link mechanism, a fixed unit reciprocated in the horizontal direction,
An arc rail that guides the fixed unit to swing along an arcuate track;
It is composed of a plurality of studs that temporarily support the lens base implanted in the fixed unit,
The vertical adjustment mechanism is
A second handle,
A ball screw mechanism that converts the rotational movement of the handle into a reciprocating movement in the horizontal direction,
With this ball screw mechanism, a vertically arranged first plate that reciprocates,
A first slide guide for horizontally guiding the first plate;
A second slide guide attached obliquely to the first plate;
A second plate, which is vertically arranged to reciprocate in the vertical direction guided by the slide guide and is coupled to the fixed unit;
5. The image reading and adjusting apparatus according to claim 4, comprising a third slide guide that guides the second plate in a vertical direction.   The image reading adjustment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the height adjustment can be performed by adjusting an attachment angle θ of the second slide guide. If the mounting angle of the second slide guide is θ, the screw pitch of the ball screw is P, and the handle rotation speed is X, the movement amount Z of the second slide guide is:

The image reading adjustment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: A method of adjusting a lens base on which a lens and a photoelectric conversion element are installed,
Adjusting the inclination of the lens base with the optical center of the lens base as a fulcrum in a combination of an arc rail and a link structure;
A first plate that moves horizontally by a screw mechanism; a second plate that moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the first plate; and the second plate that guides the second plate up and down. A lens base adjustment method, comprising: a step of adjusting the height of the lens base by a combination of slide guides attached to the first plate; and a step of adjusting the inclination and height of the lens base separately. The step of adjusting the tilt includes
Converting the rotational movement of the first handle by the link mechanism into a horizontal reciprocating movement of a fixed unit in which a plurality of studs temporarily supporting the lens base are implanted;
A step of converting the reciprocating motion of the fixed unit into a swinging motion along an arc-shaped track by an arc rail;
The step of adjusting the height includes
Converting the rotational movement of the second handle into a reciprocating movement in the horizontal direction according to the guidance of the first slide guide of the first plate arranged vertically by a ball screw mechanism;
The reciprocating motion of the first plate is guided to the third slide guide of the second plate coupled to the fixed unit by a second slide guide attached obliquely to the first plate. 9. The lens base adjusting method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of converting into a vertical reciprocation according to the vertical direction. The lens base adjustment method according to claim 9, wherein the height adjustment can be performed minutely by adjusting the mounting angle θ of the second slide guide.

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