JP2016123057A - Image sensor unit, image reading device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability in replacing a distance adjustment member, and reduce the space of an area to which the distance adjustment member is attached.SOLUTION: An image sensor unit 1 comprises: a frame 10 that can read a document P placed on a placing member 72 from a side of the placing member 72, and stores a light condenser condensing light from the document P and an image sensor detecting the light condensed by the light condenser; a distance holding member 2 that is attached to the frame 10 and holds a predetermined distance between the frame 10 and the document P; and a distance adjustment member 3 that is interposed between the frame 10 and the distance holding member 2 and adjusts a distance between the frame 10 and the document P. The distance holding member 2 is provided with a first holding part 24 that holds the distance adjustment member 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an image sensor unit, an image reading apparatus, and an image forming apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an image sensor unit having a distance adjusting member that adjusts a distance to a reading target, and an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus to which the image sensor unit is applied.

  Some image reading apparatuses such as scanners and image forming apparatuses such as copiers and MFPs (multifunction printers) employ contact image sensors. In such an image reading apparatus or image forming apparatus, the reading object is read by the contact image sensor while relatively moving the contact image sensor and the reading object. At this time, the distance between the contact image sensor and the object to be read is held at a distance suitable for reading by a distance adjusting member provided in the contact image sensor. Incidentally, a contact image sensor generally has a shallow depth of focus. For this reason, the image reading state (for example, reading resolution) by the contact image sensor is also affected by the dimensional tolerance of each component constituting the contact image sensor. Therefore, the resolution of reading varies (individual difference) due to the dimensional tolerance of each part of the contact image sensor.

  As a configuration for adjusting the distance to the reading object for each contact image sensor, a sheet-like member (distance adjustment member) having a predetermined thickness between the contact image sensor housing and the spacer (distance holding member). The structure which interposes is used. In this case, a sheet-like member is attached to the housing or spacer of the contact image sensor with a double-sided adhesive tape. However, since it is difficult to manage the thickness of the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, it is necessary to prevent the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape from intervening in the part actually used for adjusting the distance. For this reason, a space for affixing the double-sided adhesive tape is required in the case of the spacer or the contact image sensor, in addition to the part actually used for adjusting the distance. Therefore, the contact image sensor is increased in size. Moreover, when exchanging a sheet-like member, the operation | work of peeling and sticking of a double-sided adhesive tape is required. For this reason, work is troublesome. On the other hand, when the double-sided adhesive tape is not used, the sheet-like member is easily dropped from the distance holding member or the case of the contact image sensor when the sheet-like member is replaced. For this reason, even if it is a structure which does not use a double-sided adhesive tape, workability | operativity falls.

  In addition, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration using a cam mechanism as a configuration for adjusting the distance from the reading target. According to such a configuration, the distance from the reading target can be adjusted for each individual by rotating the cam. However, such a configuration requires a space for providing a cam mechanism in the contact image sensor, which leads to an increase in the size of the housing. Further, the number of parts increases and the structure becomes complicated, leading to an increase in manufacturing cost.

JP 2009-164743 A

  In view of the above circumstances, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the workability of exchanging the distance adjusting member and to save the space for attaching the distance adjusting member.

  The present invention is an image sensor unit that reads a reading target placed on a mounting member from the side of the mounting member, and a light collecting body that collects light from the reading target, and the light collecting body. A frame containing an image sensor for detecting the condensed light, a distance holding member attached to the frame and holding the frame and the reading object at a predetermined distance, and the frame and the distance holding And a sheet-like distance adjusting member that adjusts a distance between the frame and the reading object, and the distance holding member holds a first holding member that holds the distance adjusting member. A portion is provided.

  According to the present invention, the distance adjusting member can be prevented from falling off the distance holding member by holding the distance adjusting member in the holding portion provided in the distance holding member. Therefore, the workability of exchanging the distance adjusting member can be improved. Moreover, in order to hold | maintain a distance adjustment member in a distance holding member, it is not necessary to use a double-sided adhesive tape. Therefore, since a space for attaching the double-sided adhesive tape is not necessary, the space for attaching the distance adjusting member can be saved.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of an image sensor unit. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of the image sensor unit. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration example of the image sensor unit. FIG. 4A is an external perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of the distance holding member. FIG. 4B is an external perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of the distance holding member. FIG. 4C is a side view schematically illustrating a configuration example of the distance holding member. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of the distance adjusting member. FIG. 6A is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration example of a distance holding member mounting portion. FIG. 6B is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration example of the distance holding member mounting portion. FIG. 7A is a diagram schematically illustrating a dimensional relationship between the distance holding member and the distance adjusting member. FIG. 7B is a diagram schematically illustrating a dimensional relationship between the distance holding member and the distance adjusting member. FIG. 8A is a side view schematically showing a step of attaching the distance adjusting member to the distance holding member. FIG. 8B is a side view schematically showing a state in which the distance adjusting member is attached to the distance holding member. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the distance holding member and the distance adjusting member are attached to the frame. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of the image reading apparatus. FIG. 11 is an external perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration example of an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present invention can be applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In an embodiment of the present invention, an image sensor unit, and an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus to which the image sensor unit is applied are shown. In the embodiment of the present invention, a contact image sensor (CIS) is shown as the image sensor unit. The image sensor unit (contact image sensor) is held in a state in which the image sensor unit (contact image sensor) is in contact with a placement member such as a platen glass on which the document P is placed while being incorporated in the image reading apparatus or the image forming apparatus. By being held in this state, the distance between the image sensor unit (contact image sensor) and the original P is held at a distance suitable for reading. The image sensor unit (contact image sensor) irradiates the reading target such as the document P with light while moving in the sub-scanning direction, and reads the document P by the reflected light. In the present invention, “light” includes not only visible light but also electromagnetic waves in a wavelength band other than visible light such as ultraviolet rays and infrared rays.

  In each figure, the three-dimensional directions of the image sensor unit are indicated by X, Y, and Z arrows. In the present embodiment, the main scanning direction of the image sensor unit is the X direction, the sub scanning direction is the Y direction, and the vertical direction is the Z direction. Note that in the vertical direction, the side of the document P is the upper side.

(Image sensor unit configuration)
First, the overall configuration of the image sensor unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams schematically illustrating a configuration example of the image sensor unit 1. 1 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an assembled state, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2 (a section cut along a plane perpendicular to the main scanning direction). Figure). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the image sensor unit 1 includes a frame 10 that is a casing, a light source 11, a light guide 12, a light guide cover 13, a light collector 14, and an image sensor substrate. 15, an image sensor 16, and a sub circuit board 17. The image sensor unit 1 further includes a distance holding member 2 and a distance adjusting member 3 that hold the distance from the document P at a distance suitable for reading. The image sensor unit 1 as a whole has a rod-like shape that is long in the main scanning direction.

  Various light sources such as an LED package having LED elements of a predetermined emission color are applied to the light source 11. For example, an LED package having LED elements for colored light (wavelength regions) of red (R), green (G), blue (B), and infrared (Ir) is applied to the light source 11. However, the configuration and emission color of the light source 11 are not particularly limited. The light source 11 may have a configuration in which an LED package having LED elements of one kind of emission color (wavelength region) is applied.

  The light guide 12 is an optical member that linearizes the light emitted from the light source 11 (converts into a linear light source) and emits the light toward the document P. The light guide 12 as a whole has a rod-like configuration elongated in the main scanning direction. The light guide 12 is made of a transparent resin material such as acrylic resin, and is integrally formed by injection molding or the like. Light incident surfaces 121 on which light emitted from the light source 11 is incident are provided on both end surfaces of the light guide 12 in the main scanning direction. A light diffusing surface 122 (see FIG. 3) and a light emitting surface 123 are provided on the side surface of the light guide 12.

  The light diffusion surface 122 is a surface for diffusing the light incident from the light incident surface 121, and has a strip shape elongated in the main scanning direction. For example, a prism pattern (not shown) that emits light toward the outside is formed on the light diffusion surface 122. The prism pattern is a convex structure having a substantially triangular cross section and extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction). In addition, the light diffusion surface 122 may be configured to print a dot pattern or the like for diffusing light. The light emitting surface 123 is a surface that emits the light incident from the light incident surface 121 toward the document P. The light emission surface 123 has a strip shape elongated in the main scanning direction so that the light emitted from the light source 11 can be linearized (linear light source). In addition, an engaging portion 124 for positioning with the light guide cover 13 is provided at the end of the light guide 12 in the main scanning direction. As the engaging portion 124, for example, a protrusion protruding in the sub-scanning direction can be applied.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the light incident surfaces 121 are provided on both end surfaces in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) of the light guide 12 is shown. However, the light incident surface 121 is provided only on one end surface. There may be. Moreover, in each figure, although the image sensor unit 1 shows the structure which has the two light guides 12, the number of the light guides 12 is not limited. For example, the image sensor unit 1 may have a configuration having one light guide 12 or a configuration having three or more light guides 12.

  The light guide cover 13 has a function of diffusing light and a function of improving light utilization efficiency. The light guide cover 13 has a rod-like configuration elongated in the main scanning direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional shape cut by a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) is a substantially “U” shape, and the light guide 12 can be accommodated inside thereof. A light reflecting surface 131 is provided inside the light guide cover 13. The light reflecting surface 131 is a surface that reflects the light emitted to the outside from the light diffusion surface 122 of the light guide 12 and makes it enter the light guide 12 again. In order to realize such a function, the light guide cover 13 is formed of a material having a high light reflectivity, such as polycarbonate mixed with titanium oxide powder. The light reflecting surface 131 is formed in an elongated strip shape extending in the main scanning direction, like the light diffusing surface 122 of the light guide 12. A part of the inner surface of the “U” character of the light guide cover 13 may be the light reflecting surface 131, or all may be the light reflecting surface 131. The light reflecting surface 131 covers the light diffusing surface 122 of the light guide 12 in a state where the light guide cover 13 is attached to the light guide 12 (facing the light diffusing surface 122 of the light guide 12). .

  In addition, the light guide cover 13 is provided with an engaged portion 132 that engages with the engaging portion 124 of the light guide 12 near the end in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction). If the projection is applied as the engaging portion 124 of the light guide 12, the engaging portion 124 of the light guide 12 can be fitted into the engaged portion 132 of the light guide cover 13. An opening or recess can be applied. When the engaging portion 124 of the light guide 12 is engaged with the engaged portion 132 of the light guide cover 13, the light guide 12 and the light guide cover 13 are held in a relatively positioned state. The

  The condenser 14 is an optical member that forms an image of the reflected light from the document P on the surface of the image sensor 16. A general rod lens array (microlens array) can be applied to the light collector 14. A general rod lens array has a configuration in which a plurality of erecting equal-magnification imaging type imaging elements (rod lenses) are linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. Note that the light collector 14 may have any configuration as long as the imaging elements are linearly arranged, and the specific configuration is not limited. For example, the light collector 14 may have a configuration in which a plurality of rows of imaging elements are arranged.

  The image sensor substrate 15 is a substantially rectangular circuit board in plan view that is long in the main scanning direction. An image sensor 16 and a light source 11 are mounted on the upper surface of the image sensor substrate 15. A connector 151 for connecting to the outside (sub circuit board 17 in this embodiment) is mounted on the lower surface.

  The image sensor 16 detects the light imaged by the light collector 14 (reflected light from the original P) and converts it into an electrical signal. The image sensor 16 is mounted with the light receiving surface facing upward so that the light from the light collector 14 can be detected. For example, an image sensor IC array is applied to the image sensor 16. The image sensor IC array is configured by mounting a plurality of image sensor ICs arranged in a straight line in the main scanning direction on the upper surface of the image sensor substrate 15. The image sensor IC is composed of a plurality of light receiving elements (sometimes referred to as photoelectric conversion elements) corresponding to the reading resolution of the image sensor unit 1. The image sensor 16 only needs to have a configuration in which a plurality of image sensor ICs are arranged in a straight line, and other configurations are not particularly limited. For example, the image sensor ICs may be arranged in a plurality of rows like a staggered arrangement. Note that various well-known image sensor ICs can be applied to the image sensor IC constituting the image sensor IC array as the image sensor 16.

  The sub circuit board 17 is a circuit board on which predetermined electronic components other than the image sensor 16 and the light source 11 are mounted. For example, electronic components that drive the light source 11 and the image sensor 16 are mounted on the sub circuit board 17. Further, a connector 171 for connecting to the image sensor substrate 15 and a connector 172 for connecting to an external device (for example, a control circuit of the image reading device 7 or the image forming device 9) are mounted on the sub circuit board 17. Is done. Note that the image sensor unit 1 may not have the sub circuit board 17. In this case, electronic components other than the image sensor 16 and the light source 11 are mounted on the image sensor substrate 15 and connected to an external device via the connector 151.

  The frame 10 is a housing of the image sensor unit 1. The frame 10 is formed of, for example, a resin material that is colored black and has a light shielding property. As such a resin material, for example, polycarbonate can be applied. The frame 10 has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the main scanning direction when viewed from above. In the frame 10, a light guide housing chamber 101, a light collector housing chamber 102, a circuit board housing chamber 103, and a light source housing chamber 104 are formed. The light guide housing chamber 101 is an area for housing the light guide 12 to which the light guide cover 13 is attached. The light collector housing chamber 102 is a region for housing the light collector 14. The circuit board housing chamber 103 is an area for housing the image sensor board 15 and the sub circuit board 17. Further, distance holding member mounting portions 4 to which the distance holding member 2 and the distance adjusting member 3 are mounted are provided at both ends of the frame 10 in the main scanning direction.

  The light guide housing chamber 101 is a region that is elongated in the main scanning direction and opens on the upper side. As shown in FIG. 3, when the light guide 12 to which the light guide cover 13 is attached is accommodated in the light guide accommodation chamber 101, the light emission surface 123 of the light guide 12 becomes the upper surface of the mounting member 72. It faces the reading line O of the document P placed thereon. A pressing piece 105 is provided on one side of the light guide housing chamber 101 in the sub-scanning direction. The holding piece 105 has an elastically deformable tongue-like configuration, and the light guide 12 accommodated in the light guide accommodation chamber 101 is placed on one side opposite to the sub-scanning direction and on the lower side in the vertical direction. Energize towards. For this reason, when the light guide 12 is housed in the light guide housing chamber 101, the inner wall surface (wall surface parallel to the main scanning direction) and the bottom surface (surface facing the upper side) of the light guide housing chamber 101 are Abuts in a biased state. Therefore, the light guide 12 is held in a state of being positioned on the frame 10 in the sub-scanning direction and the vertical direction.

  The light collector housing chamber 102 can house the light collector 14 in a posture in which the optical axis is parallel to the vertical direction. The light collector 14 accommodated in the light collector housing chamber 102 is bonded and fixed to the frame 10 with an ultraviolet curable adhesive or the like. Similar to the light guide housing chamber 101, the light collector housing chamber 102 is also a region that is elongated in the main scanning direction and has an upper opening. At the bottom of the light collector housing chamber 102, an opening for communicating the light collector housing chamber 102 and the circuit board housing chamber 103 is formed. This opening is a through-hole penetrating in the vertical direction and serves as an optical path from the light collector 14 to the image sensor 16.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, if the image sensor unit 1 is configured to include one light collector 14 and two light guides 12, the frame 10 includes one light collector housing chamber 102. And two light guide housing chambers 101 are formed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the light collector housing chamber 102 is formed between two light guide housing chambers 101 that are parallel to each other.

  The circuit board housing chamber 103 is an area for housing the image sensor board 15 and the sub circuit board 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit board housing chamber 103 is provided below the frame 10 (below the light guide housing chamber 101, the light collector housing chamber 102, and the light source housing chamber 104), and the lower side opens. The image sensor board 15 and the sub circuit board 17 are fixed to the frame 10 by caulking a boss or the like provided on the frame 10.

  The light source storage chambers 104 are provided in the vicinity of both ends of the frame 10 in the main scanning direction and on both outer sides of the light guide storage chamber 101 in the main scanning direction. The light source accommodation chamber 104 communicates with the light guide accommodation chamber 101 so that the light emitted from the light source 11 can be applied to the light incident surface 121 of the light guide 12. Further, the light source accommodation chamber 104 is configured so that the terminal (lead frame) of the light source 11 accommodated in the light source accommodation chamber 104 can be connected to the image sensor substrate 15 accommodated in the circuit board accommodation chamber 103. It communicates with. Each light source 11 is accommodated in the light source accommodation chamber 104 in a direction in which light can be emitted toward the light incident surface 121 of the light guide 12 accommodated in the light guide accommodation chamber 101. The terminals (lead frames) of the respective light sources 11 are connected (for example, soldered) to the image sensor substrate 15 accommodated in the circuit board accommodating chamber 103.

  The distance holding member 2 and the distance adjusting member 3 are detachably attached to both ends of the frame 10 in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) and outside the light source storage chamber 104 in the main scanning direction (near the end). A distance holding member mounting portion 4 is provided. The configuration of the distance holding member 2, the distance adjusting member 3, and the distance holding member mounting portion 4 will be described later.

(Basic operation of image sensor unit)
Here, the basic operation of the image sensor unit 1 will be described. When irradiating the document P with light, the light source 11 sequentially turns on the light emitting elements of the respective colors. Light emitted from the light source 11 enters the light guide 12 from the light incident surfaces 121 formed on both end faces of the light guide 12. The light that enters the light guide 12 and reaches the light diffusion surface 122 is emitted from the prism pattern provided on the light diffusion surface 122 to the outside. Since the light diffusing surface 122 of the light guide 12 is covered (opposed) by the light reflecting surface 131 of the light guide cover 13, the light emitted to the outside from the prism pattern is reflected by the light guide cover 13. The light is diffusely reflected by the surface 131 and reenters the light diffusion surface 122 of the light guide 12 again. The re-incident light exits from the light exit surface 123 toward the reading line O of the document P.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in a state where the image sensor unit 1 is incorporated in the image reading device 7 or the image forming device 9, a mounting member 72 such as a platen glass is provided on the upper side of the image sensor unit 1. The document P is placed on the upper surface of the placement member 72. The reflected light from the original P enters the light collector 14 accommodated in the light collector housing chamber 102, and forms an image on the image sensor 16 provided on the upper surface of the image sensor substrate 15 by the light collector 14. The image sensor 16 converts incident light into an electrical signal and outputs it.

  As described above, the image sensor unit 1 reads the document P from the placement member 72 side. The image sensor unit 1 performs the above-described operation while moving relative to the document P in the sub-scanning direction. Thereby, the image sensor unit 1 can read the document P.

(Distance holding member and distance adjusting member)
Next, configuration examples of the distance holding member 2 and the distance adjusting member 3 will be described. The distance holding member 2 and the distance adjusting member 3 place the distance between the light collector 14 of the image sensor unit 1 and the upper surface of the placement member 72 (the surface on which the document P is placed) on the upper surface of the placement member 72. It is held at a distance suitable for reading the placed document P. Here, the “distance suitable for reading the document P” refers to the distance at which the resolution of reading is the highest, and specifically, the imaging position on the upper side of the condenser 14 (the side of the document P) and the placement. This is the distance at which the position of the upper surface of the mounting member 72 coincides. However, it does not have to be exactly the same, and may be within a range having a certain width. If the imaging position of the condenser 14 and the position of the surface of the document P are shifted in the optical axis direction (vertical direction in this embodiment), the image read by the image sensor 16 becomes a blurred image with low resolution. Become. Therefore, the distance holding member 2 is mounted on the frame 10 of the image sensor unit 1, and the frame 10 is urged toward the mounting member 72 by the urging member 18 (see FIG. 9). Thereby, the protrusion 23 of the distance holding member 2 described later is maintained in a state in contact with the lower surface of the mounting member 72. With such a configuration, the distance between the light collector 14 and the upper surface of the placement member 72 is maintained at a distance suitable for reading the document P, and an image with high resolution can be obtained.

  By the way, the imaging position of the light collector 14 may deviate from the upper surface of the mounting member 72 due to the dimensional tolerance or assembly tolerance of each member of the image sensor unit 1. In general, the rod lens array used for the condenser 14 has a shallow depth of focus. For this reason, the resolution of reading is affected by the deviation due to the dimensional tolerance or assembly tolerance of each member. And since the above-mentioned tolerance has individual differences, the amount of deviation also differs for each individual image sensor unit 1. Therefore, a sheet-like distance adjusting member 3 having a thickness corresponding to the above-described deviation amount is interposed between the frame 10 of the image sensor unit 1 and the distance holding member 2. Thus, the distance between the light collector 14 and the upper surface of the placement member 72 is adjusted for each individual image sensor unit 1 so as to be a distance suitable for reading the document P. This adjustment is performed for each individual image sensor unit 1 after completion of assembly.

  4A to 4C are diagrams schematically illustrating a configuration example of the distance holding member 2. 4A is a perspective view seen from the upper side, FIG. 4B is a perspective view seen from the lower side, and FIG. 4C is a side view seen from the main scanning direction.

  The distance holding member 2 is integrally formed of a resin material having excellent wear resistance and slidability. As such a resin material, for example, polyacetal (POM) can be applied. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the distance holding member 2 includes a main body portion 21 and two engagement arm portions 22. The main body 21 has a strip-like configuration that is long in the sub-scanning direction. The upper surface and the lower surface of the main body 21 are planes parallel to the XY direction. Each of the two engaging arm portions 22 has a strip-like or rod-like configuration extending downward from an end portion in the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction) of the main body portion 21. Therefore, the distance holding member 2 as a whole has a substantially “U” shape that is upside down when viewed in the main scanning direction, and has a symmetrical structure in each of the main scanning direction view and the plan view.

  A protrusion 23 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 21 (the surface facing the mounting member 72). The protruding portion 23 is a portion that slides in contact with the lower surface of the mounting member 72. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C, the two protrusions 23 are provided at positions separated in the sub-scanning direction. More specifically, the two protrusions 23 are provided in the vicinity of both ends of the main body 21 in the sub-scanning direction and at positions symmetrical with respect to the main scanning direction. For example, a spherical shape or a dome shape that protrudes upward is applied to the protrusion 23. However, the protrusion 23 is not limited to such a shape. The protrusion 23 may have any shape that can slide smoothly in the sub-scanning direction in contact with the mounting member 72.

  Two first holding parts 24 and two second holding parts 25 are provided on the lower surface of the main body part 21.

  The two first holding parts 24 are provided side by side in the sub-scanning direction at the approximate center of the main body part 21 in the sub-scanning direction. Further, the two first holding portions 24 are provided between two second holding portions 25 described later. Each of the two first holding portions 24 has a substantially “L” -shaped key-like configuration in which the distal end portion 242 protrudes in the sub-scanning direction (lateral direction) when viewed in the main scanning direction (side view). That is, the respective leading end portions 242 of the two first holding portions 24 protrude on the opposite sides in the sub scanning direction. For this reason, the dimension in the sub-scanning direction (the dimension in the left-right direction in FIG. 4C) of each base portion 241 of the two first holding parts 24 is smaller than the dimension in the sub-scanning direction of the distal end portion 242. The two first holding portions 24 are provided close to each other in the back-to-back direction so that the respective front end portions 242 protrude toward opposite sides. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which two first holding portions 24 formed in a substantially “L” shape are provided is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration may be provided in which one first holding portion 24 having a substantially “T” shape that is upside down when viewed in the main scanning direction is provided. In short, the first holding portion 24 as a whole has the front end portion 242 protruding outward in the sub scanning direction from the base portion 241, and the sub scanning direction dimension of the front end portion 242 is the sub scanning direction of the base portion 241. Any shape larger than the size may be used.

  The two second holding portions 25 have a boss-like (columnar) configuration that protrudes downward. The two second holding portions 25 are provided on the outer sides of the two first holding portions 24 in the sub-scanning direction at positions separated from each other. As shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, each of the two second holding portions 25 is on the back side of each of the two protruding portions 23 described above (a position overlapping each of the two protruding portions 23 in plan view). Provided. In addition, in this embodiment, although the structure where the two 2nd holding | maintenance parts 25 are formed in a column shape is shown, the cross-sectional shape of the 2nd holding | maintenance part 25 is not specifically limited.

  A frame engagement portion 221 is provided at the tip end portion (lower end portion) of each of the two engagement arm portions 22. The frame engaging portion 221 is a portion that engages with a distance holding member engaging portion 43 (described later) provided on the frame 10. When the frame engaging portion 221 of the distance holding member 2 is engaged with the distance holding member engaging portion 43 of the frame 10, the distance holding member 2 is mounted while being positioned on the frame 10. However, in a state where the frame engaging portion 221 is engaged with the distance holding member engaging portion 43, the distance holding member 2 is allowed to move to some extent in the vertical direction with respect to the frame 10. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which a protrusion protruding in the sub-scanning direction is applied as the frame engaging portion 221 is shown. However, the specific configuration of the frame engaging portion 221 is not particularly limited. The frame engaging portion 221 can be engaged with a distance holding member engaging portion 43 provided on the frame 10, and when the frame engaging portion 221 is engaged with the distance holding member engaging portion 43, the distance holding member 2 is moved to the frame 10. Any configuration can be used as long as it does not fall off.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the distance adjusting member 3 is a sheet-like member having a predetermined thickness. The distance adjusting member 3 is formed from a sheet of resin material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), and the like. The sheet-like distance adjusting member 3 can be elastically deformed by a force applied by a finger of a human hand, but has a rigidity enough to maintain a substantially flat plate shape when no external force is applied.

  The distance adjusting member 3 is disposed so as to be interposed between the frame 10 and the distance holding member 2. Thereby, the distance between the frame 10 of the image sensor unit 1 and the upper surface of the mounting member 72 is adjusted for each individual image sensor unit 1. In other words, the vertical distance from the light collector 14 accommodated in the light collector housing chamber 102 of the frame 10 to the apex of the projection 23 of the distance holding member 2 (the portion in contact with the mounting member 72) is adjusted. As described above, the sheet-like distance adjusting member 3 is interposed between the frame 10 and the distance holding member 2, so that the projection 23 of the distance holding member 2 is in contact with the lower surface of the mounting member 72. The distance between the light body 14 and the upper surface of the mounting member 72 can be set to a distance suitable for reading.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of types of sheet-like distance adjusting members 3 having different thicknesses are prepared in advance, and are appropriately selected and used for each individual image sensor unit 1. As the thickness of the distance adjusting member 3 prepared in advance, for example, various thicknesses of 50 μm, 100 μm, 150 μm, and 200 μm can be applied. In addition, the distance adjusting member 3 may have a configuration in which a color is changed for each thickness. For example, white can be applied when the thickness is 50 μm, beige when the thickness is 100 μm, black when the thickness is 150 μm, and orange when the thickness is 200 μm. When the color is varied according to the thickness as described above, the distance adjusting member 3 having a desired thickness can be easily identified in the operation of attaching or replacing the distance adjusting member 3. Therefore, workability can be improved. The above-described thickness and color types are exemplary, and the distance adjusting member 3 is not limited to these thicknesses and colors.

  The distance adjustment member 3 is formed in, for example, a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the sub-scanning direction in plan view. The distance adjusting member 3 can be inserted through each of the first holding hole 31 through which the two first holding portions 24 of the distance holding member 2 can be inserted and the two second holding portions 25. Two second holding holes 32a and 32b are formed.

  One first holding hole 31 is substantially in the center in the sub-scanning direction and is formed between the two second holding holes 32a and 32b. The first holding hole 31 is a through-hole penetrating in the thickness direction, and is formed in a size and shape that allows the two first holding portions 24 to be inserted. That is, the main scanning direction dimension of the first holding hole 31 is set to be larger than the main scanning direction dimension of the first holding unit 24. The dimension of the first holding hole 31 in the sub-scanning direction is set to a dimension larger than the dimension between the tip parts 242 of the two first holding parts 24. Moreover, in this embodiment, the structure in which the 1st holding hole 31 is formed in a rectangle by planar view is shown. Note that specific dimensions of the first holding hole 31 will be described later.

  Two slits 33 are formed from the inner peripheral edge of the first holding hole 31 toward the second holding hole 32a which is a long hole. The two slits 33 are parallel to the sub-scanning direction. Further, the interval between them is set to a dimension larger than the dimension of the first holding unit 24 in the main scanning direction. For example, if the first holding hole 31 is rectangular (quadrangular), the two slits 33 extend two sides parallel to the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction) of the four sides of the first holding hole 31. It is formed so as to extend on the line toward the one second holding hole 32a which is a long hole. A portion between the two slits 33 can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, a portion between the two slits 33 is referred to as a “tongue piece portion 34”. As described above, a portion of the peripheral portion of the first holding hole 31 that is closer to the second holding hole 32a, which is a long hole, becomes a tongue piece 34 that can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction. If the first holding hole 31 is rectangular (quadrangular), it is in the vicinity of one side located on the side of the second holding hole 32a, which is a long hole among the four sides, and the second holding of one side. The region on the side of the hole 32 a becomes the tongue piece 34. In a state where no external force is applied, the tongue piece portion 34 maintains a series of planar shapes with other portions by the rigidity of the material of the distance adjusting member 3.

  The second holding holes 32 a and 32 b are through holes penetrating in the thickness direction, and are formed in a size and a shape that allow the two second holding portions 25 to be inserted therethrough. The two second holding holes 32a and 32b are formed on both outer sides of the first holding hole 31 in the sub-scanning direction at positions separated from each other in the sub-scanning direction. Of the two second holding holes 32a and 32b, one second holding hole 32a is a long hole that is long in the sub-scanning direction. For this reason, the distance adjusting member 3 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the one second holding hole 32a in a state where the one second holding portion 25 provided in the distance holding member 2 is inserted into the one second holding hole 32a. It is possible to move in the direction (sub-scanning direction). The other second holding hole 32b is not a long hole but is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the second holding portion 25 of the distance holding member 2. For example, if the second holding part 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the other second holding hole 32b is a circular through hole having a diameter obtained by adding a margin to the diameter of the second holding part 25. Applied. For this reason, when each of the two second holding portions 25 is inserted into each of the two second holding holes 32 a and 32 b, the distance adjusting member 3 can move relative to the distance holding member 2. Disappear.

(Distance holding member mounting part)
Next, a configuration example of the distance holding member mounting portion 4 provided in the frame 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. 6A and 6B are perspective views schematically showing a configuration example of the distance holding member mounting portion 4. Note that FIG. 6A is a diagram viewed from an oblique upper side, and FIG. 6B is a diagram viewed from an oblique lower side. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the distance holding member mounting portion 4 is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) of the frame 10 and at a portion closer to the end than the light source accommodation chamber 104. . The distance holding member mounting portion 4 has a lower upper surface in the vertical direction than other portions (portions where the light guide housing chamber 101, the circuit board housing chamber 103, etc. are formed). The distance holding member mounting portion 4 is provided with a superimposing portion 41, a distance holding member engaging portion 43, and an urging member engaging portion 44.

  The superimposing portion 41 is a portion where the main body portion 21 of the distance holding member 2 is superimposed via the distance adjusting member 3. The superimposing portion 41 is a plane parallel to the XY direction and is a plane facing upward. And two superposition parts 41 are provided apart in the sub-scanning direction. Note that the vertical position of the two overlapping portions 41 is the same. Each of the two overlapping portions 41 is formed with an engagement hole 42 into which each of the two second holding portions 25 of the distance holding member 2 can be inserted. Further, a concave portion 45 that is recessed downward is formed between the two overlapping portions 41.

  The distance holding member engaging portion 43 is a portion with which the frame engaging portion 221 of the distance holding member 2 is engaged. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, a concave notch formed on the lower side of the frame 10 can be applied as the distance holding member engaging portion 43. However, the configuration of the distance holding member engaging portion 43 is not particularly limited. In short, any configuration is acceptable as long as the frame engaging portion 221 of the distance holding member 2 can be engaged.

  The urging member engaging portion 44 is a portion with which the urging member 18 is engaged, and is provided on the lower surface of the distance holding member mounting portion 4. If the compression coil spring is applied as the urging member 18, for example, a recess into which one end of the compression coil spring can be inserted is applied to the urging member engaging portion 44.

(Dimensions of distance holding member and distance adjusting member)
Next, the relationship between the dimension of each part of the distance holding member 2 and the dimension of each part of the distance adjusting member 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are plan views schematically showing a state in which the distance adjusting member 3 is superimposed on the main body portion 21 of the distance holding member 2, as viewed from below. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, one second holding hole 32a of the distance adjusting member 3 is a long hole that is long in the sub-scanning direction. For this reason, the distance adjusting member 3 is sub-scanned with respect to the distance holding member 2 in a state where the one second holding portion 25 of the distance holding member 2 is inserted into the one second holding hole 32a of the distance adjusting member 3. It can be moved relative to the direction.

In FIG. 7A, the dimension L ₁ is the dimension in the sub-scanning direction of the first holding hole 31 of the distance adjusting member 3. The dimension M ₁ is the maximum distance between the tip portions 242 of the two first holding portions 24 of the distance holding member 2. In the present embodiment, the sub-scanning direction dimension L ₁ is set to a dimension larger than the maximum distance M ₁ .

7A, the dimension L ₂ from one of the second holding hole 32a is a long hole, out of four sides of the first holding hole 31, to the side of the side closer to the second holding hole 32a of the one Dimensions. The dimension M ₂ is a dimension (minimum dimension) from one second holding part 25 to the tip part 242 of the first holding part 24 on the side close to the one second holding part 25. In the present embodiment, the dimension L ₂ is set smaller than the dimension M ₂ .

7A, the dimension L ₃ is from one of the second holding hole 32a is a long hole, out of four sides of the first holding hole 31, the from one of the second holding hole 32a to the far side of edges Dimensions. The dimension M ₃ is a dimension (maximum dimension) from one second holding part 25 to the distal end part 242 of the first holding part 24 far from the one second holding part 25. In the present embodiment, the dimension L ₃ is set larger than the dimension M ₃ .

  With such a configuration, when the distance adjusting member 3 is overlaid on the lower surface of the main body portion 21 of the distance holding member 2, the two first holding portions 24 are located inside the first holding holes 31 in the bottom view. It will fit. Therefore, the two first holding portions 24 can be inserted into the first holding hole 31. Therefore, when the distance adjustment member 3 is moved to the arrow A side in a state where the one second holding portion 25 is inserted into the one second holding hole 32a (long hole), the two distance holding members 2 The first holding part 24 can be inserted into the first holding hole 31 of the distance adjusting member 3.

7B, the dimension L ₄ represents a length from the second holding hole 32b of the other is not a long hole, to the side of the side where the slit 33 of the first holding hole 31 is provided. The dimension M ₄ is a dimension (maximum dimension) from the other second holding part 25 to the tip part 242 of the first holding part 24 far from the other second holding part 25. This dimension M ₄ is set to be smaller than the dimension L ₄ .

  With such a configuration, when the distance adjusting member 3 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 7A in the direction of arrow B, the state shown in FIG. 7B is obtained. Specifically, in the bottom view, when the other second holding hole 32b and the other second holding portion 25 overlap, a part of the tongue piece portion 34 of the distance adjusting member 3 becomes the first holding portion. It overlaps with the tip part 242 of 24. For this reason, when the other second holding portion 25 is inserted into the other second holding hole 32b, the tongue piece portion 34 of the distance adjusting member 3 is constricted at the base portion 241 of the first holding portion 24. Get into the part. In this state, when the side on which the distance adjustment member 3 is attached is directed downward, the tongue piece 34 (the peripheral edge of the first holding hole 31) of the distance adjustment member 3 is the tip of the first holding portion 24. Lock to 242. For this reason, the distance adjusting member 3 does not come off the distance holding member 2.

The dimension L ₅ is the dimension of the slit 33. The dimension L ₆ is a dimension from the other second holding hole 32 b that is not a long hole to the tip of the slit 33 of the first holding hole 31. This dimension L ₆ is set to a dimension larger than the dimension M ₄ . With such a configuration, the distance adjusting member 3 can be detached from the distance holding member 2 by elastically deforming the tongue piece 34 in the vertical direction.

(Assembly structure of distance holding member and distance adjusting member)
Next, the assembly structure of the distance holding member 2 and the distance adjusting member 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 9. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are side views in the main scanning direction schematically showing a procedure for assembling the distance adjusting member 3 to the distance holding member 2. As shown in FIG. 8A, in the state where the distance adjusting member 3 is inclined with respect to the lower surface of the main body portion 21 of the distance holding member 2, one second holding hole 32a which is a long hole of the distance adjusting member 3 One of the second holding portions 25 of the distance holding member 2 is inserted. Then, the two first holding portions 24 of the distance holding member 2 are inserted into the first holding holes 31 of the distance adjusting member 3. Then, with the first holding portion 24 inserted through the first holding hole 31, the other second holding portion 25 is inserted through the other second holding hole 32b. As described above, by moving the distance adjusting member 3 in the sub-scanning direction, the other second holding hole 32b and the other second holding portion 25 can be overlapped in plan view. For this reason, the other second holding portion 25 can be inserted into the other second holding hole 32b.

  Since the other second holding hole 32b is not a long hole, the distance adjusting member 3 is positioned relative to the distance holding member 2 when the other second holding portion 25 is inserted into the other second holding hole 32b. Is done. That is, the distance adjusting member 3 is in a state where it cannot move with respect to the distance holding member 2 except for the margin. If it will be in this state, it will be in the state which the tongue piece part 34 (periphery part of the 1st holding hole 31) latched to the front-end | tip part 242 of the 1st holding part 24 (it was hooked). Therefore, even if the side on which the distance adjustment member 3 is mounted is directed downward, the distance adjustment member 3 is maintained in the state held by the distance holding member 2.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the distance holding member 2 to which the distance adjusting member 3 is attached is mounted on the distance holding member mounting portion 4 of the frame 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, each of the two first holding portions 24 of the distance holding member 2 is fitted into an engagement hole 42 provided in the overlapping portion 41 of the distance holding member mounting portion 4. Further, the frame engaging portion 221 provided at the distal end portion of the engaging arm portion 22 is fitted into the distance holding member engaging portion 43 (see FIG. 6B) provided in the frame 10. At this time, as described above, the tongue piece portion 34 (the peripheral edge portion of the first holding hole 31) is engaged (hooked) with the tip portion 242 of the first holding portion 24. The distance adjustment member 3 does not come off the distance holding member 2 even if it is attached from above. When the distance holding member 2 is attached to the frame 10, the distance adjusting member 3 is interposed between the overlapping portion 41 of the frame 10 and the main body portion 21 of the distance holding member 2. Since the first holding part 24 of the distance holding member 2 enters the recess 45 provided between the two overlapping parts 41, the first holding part 24 and the frame 10 do not physically interfere with each other.

  The image sensor unit 1 to which the distance holding member 2 is attached is incorporated into the image reading device 7 or the image forming device 9, and the frame 10 is urged toward the mounting member 72 by the urging member 18. In this state, the second holding hole 25a, 32b of the distance adjusting member 3 is maintained in a state where the second holding portion 25 of the distance holding member 2 is inserted. For this reason, the distance adjusting member 3 does not come off between the overlapping portion 41 and the main body portion 21 of the distance holding member 2. With such a configuration, the distance from the light collector 14 to the top surface of the mounting member 72 (from the light collector 14 to the top of the protrusion 23 of the distance holding member 2 (the portion in contact with the mounting member 72). The distance) is determined according to the thickness of the distance adjusting member 3. Therefore, the distance can be adjusted for each individual image sensor unit 1 by exchanging the distance adjusting member 3.

  In order to remove the distance adjustment member 3 from the distance holding member 2, it is only necessary to lift one end of the distance adjustment member 3 in the sub-scanning direction so as to be peeled off from the main body 21 of the distance holding member 2. Then, the tongue piece 34 of the distance adjusting member 3 is elastically deformed in the vertical direction, and apparently the dimension of the first holding hole 31 in the sub-scanning direction is increased. For this reason, the first holding portion 24 can be removed from the first holding hole 31, and the distance adjusting member 3 can be detached from the distance holding member 2.

  According to such a configuration, the distance holding member mounting portion 4, the distance holding member 2, and the distance adjusting member 3 of the frame 10 can be reduced in size. For example, in the configuration in which the distance adjusting member 3 is attached to the distance holding member 2 or the frame 10 using a double-sided adhesive tape, it is difficult to manage the thickness of the double-sided adhesive tape. There must be no tape intervening. For this reason, the distance holding member 2 and the frame 10 need a space for affixing the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape in addition to the part actually used for adjusting the distance. Therefore, the space required for the arrangement of the distance adjusting member 3 is increased, and the distance holding member 2 and the frame 10 are increased in size. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, since the adhesive tape is not used, a space for attaching the adhesive tape is unnecessary. Therefore, the space required for the arrangement of the distance adjusting member 3 can be reduced, and the distance holding member 2 and the frame 10 can be reduced in size.

  Moreover, in the structure using a double-sided adhesive tape, when exchanging the distance adjustment member 3, the operation | work of peeling and sticking of a double-sided adhesive tape is needed. For this reason, work is troublesome. On the other hand, in the configuration in which the distance adjusting member 3 is simply interposed between the frame 10 and the distance holding member 2 without using the double-sided adhesive tape, the distance adjusting member 3 is not held by the distance holding member 2. When mounting 2, the distance adjusting member 3 is easily detached from the distance holding member 2. Therefore, workability is reduced even if the double-sided adhesive tape is simply not used. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, since the distance adjusting member 3 is held by the distance holding member 2, the distance adjusting member 3 does not fall off when the distance holding member 2 is mounted. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability of the mounting work of the distance holding member 2.

(Image reading device)
FIG. 10 is an external perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of the image reading apparatus 7 to which the image sensor unit 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied. In the present embodiment, a flatbed scanner is shown as the image reading device 7. The image reading device 7 includes a housing 71, a platen glass that is an example of the mounting member 72, the image sensor unit 1, a drive mechanism that drives the image sensor unit 1, a circuit board 73, and a platen cover 74. . The platen glass as an example of the mounting member 72 is made of a transparent plate such as glass and is attached to the upper surface of the housing 71. The platen cover 74 is attached to the housing 71 so as to be openable and closable via a hinge mechanism or the like so as to cover the document P placed on the placement member 72. The image sensor unit 1, a drive mechanism for driving the image sensor unit 1, and the circuit board 73 are accommodated in the housing 71.

  The drive mechanism includes a holding member 750, a guide shaft 751, a drive motor 752, and a wire 754. The holding member 750 holds the image sensor unit 1 so as to surround it. Further, an urging member 18 (see FIG. 9) is provided between the holding member 750 and the image sensor unit 1, and the urging member 18 urges the image sensor unit 1 toward the placement member 72. Then, the protrusion 23 of the distance holding member 2 is held in contact with the lower surface of the mounting member 72. The guide shaft 751 guides the holding member 750 so as to be movable in the reading direction (sub-scanning direction) along the mounting member 72. The drive motor 752 and the holding member 750 are connected via a wire 754, and the holding member 750 that holds the image sensor unit 1 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the driving force of the drive motor 752. The image sensor unit 1 reads the document P placed on the placement member 72 while moving in the sub scanning direction by the driving force of the drive motor 752. As described above, the image reading apparatus 7 reads the document P while relatively moving the image sensor unit 1 and the document P in the sub-scanning direction.

  On the circuit board 73, an image processing circuit that performs predetermined image processing on an image read by the image sensor unit 1, a control circuit that controls each part of the image reading device 7 including the image sensor unit 1, A power supply circuit for supplying power to each unit is constructed.

  As described above, the flat bed type scanner is shown as an example of the image reading apparatus 7 using the image sensor unit 1 to which the present invention can be applied. However, the image reading apparatus 7 is not limited to the flat bed type scanner. In short, any image reading apparatus may be used as long as it has a placement member 72 such as a platen glass on which the document P is placed, and reads the document P while sliding the image sensor unit 1 on the placement member 72.

(Image forming device)
Next, an image forming apparatus 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The image sensor unit 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus 9. FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the image forming unit 92 provided inside the housing 91 of the image forming apparatus 9. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the image forming apparatus 9 is a multi-function printer (MFP) including a flatbed scanner and an inkjet printer. The image forming apparatus 9 includes an image reading unit 93 as an image reading unit that reads an image, and an image forming unit 92 as an image forming unit that forms an image. The image sensor unit 1 is incorporated in the image reading unit 93 of the image forming apparatus 9. Note that the image reading unit 93 of the image forming apparatus 9 can be configured in common with the image reading apparatus 7 described above. Therefore, the description of the configuration common to the image reading device 7 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the image forming apparatus 9 is provided with an operation unit 94. The operation unit 94 includes a display unit 941 that displays an operation menu and various messages, and various operation buttons 942 for operating the image forming apparatus 9. As shown in FIG. 12, an image forming unit 92 is provided inside the housing 91 of the image forming apparatus 9. The image forming unit 92 includes a conveyance roller 921, a guide shaft 922, an ink jet cartridge 923, a motor 926, and a pair of timing pulleys 927. The conveyance roller 921 is rotated by the driving force of the driving source, and conveys the printing paper R as a recording medium in the sub scanning direction. The guide shaft 922 is a rod-shaped member, and is fixed to the housing 91 of the image forming apparatus 9 so that the axis thereof is parallel to the main scanning direction of the printing paper R.

  The ink jet cartridge 923 can reciprocate in the main scanning direction of the printing paper R by sliding on the guide shaft 922. The ink jet cartridge 923 includes, for example, ink tanks 924 (924C, 924M, 924Y, 924K) having inks of cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, and black K, and ejection heads 925 provided in these ink tanks 924, respectively. (925C, 925M, 925Y, 925K). One of the pair of timing pulleys 927 is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 926. The pair of timing pulleys 927 are provided at positions separated from each other in the main scanning direction of the printing paper R. The timing belt 928 is wound around the pair of timing pulleys 927 in parallel, and a predetermined portion is connected to the ink jet cartridge 923.

  The image reading unit 93 of the image forming apparatus 9 converts the image read by the image sensor unit 1 into an electrical signal in a format suitable for printing. Then, the image forming unit 92 of the image forming apparatus 9 drives the transport roller 921, the motor 926, and the ink jet cartridge 923 based on the electrical signal converted by the image sensor unit 1 of the image reading unit 93, and the image is printed on the printing paper R. Form. In addition, the image forming unit 92 of the image forming apparatus 9 can form an image based on an electrical signal input from the outside. In the image forming apparatus 9, the configuration and operation of the image forming unit 92 can be the same as those of various conventionally known printers. Therefore, detailed description is omitted. Although an image forming apparatus using an ink jet method has been described as the image forming unit 92, any method such as an electrophotographic method, a thermal transfer method, or a dot impact method may be used.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment and the Example of this invention were described in detail, the above-mentioned embodiment and Example only showed the specific example in implementing this invention. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples. The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, the image reading apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the image scanner having the configuration described in the above embodiment. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the ink jet system, and may be any system such as an electrophotographic system, a thermal transfer system, and a dot impact system, and is not limited to the multifunction machine described in the above embodiment. A copying machine or a facsimile to which the image sensor unit according to the present invention is applied is also included in the image reading apparatus of the present invention.

  The present invention can be effectively used for an image sensor unit and an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus (for example, an image scanner, a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a multifunction machine, etc.) to which the image sensor unit is applied.

1: Image sensor unit 10: Frame 101: Light guide housing chamber 102: Light collector housing chamber 103: Circuit board housing chamber 104: Light source housing chamber 105: Presser piece 11: Light source 12: Light guide body 121: Light incident surface 122: Light diffusing surface 123: Light emitting surface 124: Engaging portion 13: Light guide cover 131: Light reflecting surface 132: Engaged portion 14: Light collector 15: Image sensor substrate 151: Connector 16: Image sensor 17 : Sub circuit board 171: Connector 18: Biasing member 2: Distance holding member 21: Main body part 22: Engaging arm part 221: Frame engaging part 23: Projection part 24: First holding part 25: Second holding Part 3: Distance adjusting member 31a, 31b: First holding hole 32: Second holding hole 33: Slit 34: Tongue piece part 4: Sliding member mounting part 41: Superposition part 42: Engagement hole 43: Distance Support member engagement portion 44: urging member engaging portion 45: concave portion P: document O: reading line

Claims (7)

An image sensor unit for reading a reading object placed on a placement member from the placement member side,
A frame containing a light collecting body that collects light from the reading object, and an image sensor that detects light collected by the light collecting body;
A distance holding member that is attached to the frame and holds the frame and the reading object at a predetermined distance;
A sheet-like distance adjusting member that is interposed between the frame and the distance holding member and adjusts the distance between the frame and the reading object;
Have
The image sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the distance holding member is provided with a first holding portion that holds the distance adjusting member. The first holding part has a key-like configuration in which a tip part projects laterally in a side view,
A first holding hole penetrating in the thickness direction is formed in the distance adjusting member,
The first holding portion is inserted into the first holding hole, and the distal end portion of the first holding portion is locked to the peripheral portion of the first holding hole, whereby the distance adjusting member is moved to the distance. The image sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor unit is held. The distance holding member is provided with a plurality of second holding portions protruding toward the frame side,
The distance adjusting member is provided with a plurality of second holding holes through which each of the plurality of second holding portions can be inserted.
When each of the plurality of second holding portions is inserted into each of the plurality of second holding holes, the distance adjustment member is arranged such that the tip of the first holding portion is located with respect to the distance holding member. The image sensor unit according to claim 2, wherein the image sensor unit is positioned at a position to be engaged with a peripheral edge of the first holding hole. At least one of the plurality of second holding holes is an elongated hole;
In a state where at least one of the plurality of second holding portions is inserted into a second holding hole which is a long hole, and the first holding portion is inserted into the first holding hole, The distance adjusting member and the distance holding member can be relatively moved in the longitudinal direction of the second holding hole, which is the elongated hole,
When the distance holding member and the distance adjusting member are relatively moved in the longitudinal direction of the second holding hole, which is the elongated hole, the distal end portion of the first holding portion is a peripheral portion of the first holding hole. The image sensor unit according to claim 3, wherein the image sensor unit moves to a position where it is locked and a position where it is not locked. In the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the first holding hole, a tongue piece that is elastically deformable in the thickness direction is provided,
When each of the plurality of second holding portions is inserted into each of the plurality of second holding holes, the distance adjustment member is arranged such that the tip of the first holding portion is located with respect to the distance holding member. 5. The image sensor unit according to claim 3, wherein the image sensor unit is positioned at a position to be locked to the tongue piece portion. An image reading apparatus that reads reflected light from the reading object while relatively moving the image sensor unit and the reading object,
The image reading unit according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor unit is the image sensor unit according to claim 1. Image reading means for reading reflected light from the reading object while relatively moving the image sensor unit and the reading object;
Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor unit is the image sensor unit according to claim 1.

Images