JP5402559B2 - Image sensor - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image sensor equipped with an illumination system such as an LED light source.

With the increase in the output of the LED light source used in the illumination system mounted on the image sensor configured with a small space, countermeasures against distortion of the illumination unit due to generation of heat generated by the light source are required.

For example, in FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-227815 (see Patent Document 1), a light guide 3 that extends in the reading width direction of a document, and both ends of the light guide 3 are provided, and a hole is formed in a flat plate. The holder 12 that holds the light guide 3 by inserting the end of the light guide into a part of one end of the hole, and the light source 10 is disposed in the space on the other end of the hole of the holder 12 The metal plate 11 installed along the wall surface of the holder 12, and extends in the conveyance direction of the document 5 along the wall surface of the metal plate 11 on the opposite side of the holder 12 via the metal plate 11 and the document 5. A heat radiating plate 13 bent in the reading width direction, a leaf spring 14 having an elastic portion 14a on a part opposite to the metal plate 11 via the heat radiating plate 13 and installed along the wall surface of the heat radiating plate 13; The elastic part 14a of the leaf spring 14 is pressed against the holder 12, the metal plate 11, the heat radiating plate 13 and Image sensor having a housing 1 to fix the integrally ends and a spring 14 is disclosed.

In FIG. 1 (see Patent Document 2), a plurality of protrusions 34 provided on the side surface 39b of the second light guide portion 32 are provided with a recess 19a provided on the partition wall 19 of the case 1. An image reading apparatus is disclosed that is fitted to the case 1 and positioned and fixed to the case 1 in the longitudinal direction intermediate region 30 c of the light guide member 3.

In FIG. 23 (see Patent Document 3) of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-190959, a recess 41A is formed on one side surface of the light guide member 1E, and a protrusion 19A that is fitted into the wall 41 of the casing 4 in the recess 41A. An image reading apparatus provided with the above is disclosed.

JP 2008-227815 A (FIGS. 1 and 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-238048 (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-190959 (FIG. 23, paragraph [0094])

However, since the LED unit assembly portion is held by an elastic member in the housing 1 in the device described in Patent Document 1, the LED unit assembly portion is mounted on the housing 1 due to variations in elastic coefficients of the elastic members provided at both ends. The scattering pattern arranged along the light guide 3 may deviate from the predetermined position, and as a result, the light quantity at the predetermined reading position becomes unstable. There is a problem of becoming.

The one described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a large number of protrusions 34 on the side surface 39b of the second light guide 32, and therefore, due to the influence of the protrusions 34 protruding in the short direction forming a part of the light guide path, There is a problem that refraction or reflection in a different direction occurs around the protrusion 34 and a uniform illumination distribution cannot be obtained in the reading width direction (longitudinal direction).

Since the thing of patent document 3 forms the recessed part 41A in one side part of the light guide member 1E, under the influence of the projection part 19A formed in the wall surface part 40 of the casing 4, it is around the wall surface part 40 of the casing 4. The problem that refraction and reflection in different directions occur, and a uniform illumination distribution cannot be obtained in the reading width direction (longitudinal direction), and the concave portion 41A and the wall surface portion 40 of the casing 4 are accurate so that there is no gap. There is also a problem that it has to be fitted in.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and even if distortion occurs due to thermal expansion / contraction of the member due to heat of the illumination system or changes in environmental temperature, the illumination distribution is uniform over the reading width direction. An object is to provide a simple image sensor.

An image sensor according to a first aspect of the present invention has a light guide that has a protrusion at the center, has light sources at both ends, and guides light from the light source in the reading width direction of the document. A light scattering layer in which a narrow pattern is provided on the surface of both ends and a wide pattern is provided on the surface of the light body, and the light scattering layer is disposed discontinuously along the light guide, and the light guide is provided at one end. A holder provided on both ends of the light guide for housing the light source in a space with the other end, and fixing the holder via an elastic member and the light guide A wide pattern of the light-scattering layer provided on the surface of the central portion of the light guide body with respect to the reading width direction of the document. An image sensor whose size is longer than its length.

The image sensor according to claim 2, wherein the light scattering layer is close to or in contact with the protrusion.

The image sensor according to claim 3 is an image sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protrusion has a slit, and the slit is fitted to the housing via a pin or a claw. .

An image sensor according to a fourth aspect of the invention has a light guide that has projections at the center and both ends, guides light from the light source in the reading width direction of the document, and both ends of the light guide. A narrow pattern is provided on the surface on the part side, a wide pattern is provided on the surface on the center part, and the light scattering layer is disposed discontinuously along the light guide, and the end of the light guide is held on one end side. And a holder provided on both ends of the light guide for housing the light source in a space with the other end, and fixing the holder via an elastic member and fitting with the protrusion of the light guide. A wide pattern of the light scattering layer provided on the surface of the central portion of the light guide is provided in the central portion of the light guide with respect to the reading width direction of the document. The length of the projected portion is longer than the length of the projected portion, and the projected portions provided on both ends of the light guide are Image sensor smaller than the length of the projection portion provided in a central portion of the light guide with respect to viewing takes width direction.

The image sensor of the invention according to claim 5 is the image sensor according to claim 4, wherein the light scattering layer is in proximity to or in contact with a protrusion provided in a central portion of the light guide.

According to the image sensor of the present invention, the light guide that is fixed to the housing via the elastic members provided on both sides in the reading width direction is provided, and the protrusion that fits the housing at the center of the light guide And a light scattering layer that reflects the light from the light source is provided around this protrusion, so that even if distortion occurs due to thermal expansion / contraction of the member due to temperature changes, the light scattering position shift is reduced, and light scattering Since the layer prevents light from reaching the protrusion and reflected from the protrusion to become stray light, there is an effect of obtaining an image sensor having a uniform illuminance distribution over the reading width direction.

It is sectional drawing of the image sensor by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side view of the AA cross section area shown in Drawing 1 of the image sensor by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the illumination unit part of the image sensor by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic diagram of the illumination unit part seen from the light reflection pattern side of the image sensor by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the light guide explaining the relationship between the light guide protrusion part of the image sensor by Embodiment 1 of this invention, and a reflective pattern. It is a figure explaining the flow of the unnecessary light (stray light) radiated | emitted from a light guide. It is a side view of the image sensor by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is an external appearance schematic diagram explaining the relationship between the projection part in the edge part of the light guide of the image sensor by Embodiment 2 of this invention, and the flow of light. It is a side view of the image sensor by Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the light guide explaining the relationship between the light guide protrusion part of the image sensor by Embodiment 3 of this invention, and a reflective pattern. It is the elements on larger scale explaining fitting of the light guide protrusion part of the image sensor by Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is the elements on larger scale explaining fitting of the light guide protrusion part of the image sensor by Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a document (irradiated body), 2 is a light guide using a transparent plastic resin, 2 a is a protrusion provided on the light guide 2, and 3 is light provided on the light guide 2. Scattering layer (reflection pattern), 4 is a transmitting body that transmits light, 5 is a lens body using a rod lens array, 6 is a light receiving unit (photoelectric conversion unit) configured by a sensor IC having a driving unit, 7 Is an electronic component such as a capacitor or a resistor, 8 is a sensor substrate on which the light receiving unit 6 or the electronic component 7 is placed, and 9 is a housing using plastic resin or the like. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the AA cross-sectional area shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, 3 a is a wide pattern of the light scattering layer 3, 3 b is a narrow pattern of the light scattering layer 3, 9 a is a notch portion of the housing 9 located in the center of the reading width direction of the housing 9, and 10 is an LED. The configured light source (LED light source), 11 is a substrate on which the LED light source 10 is placed, 12 is inserted and fixed on the end of the light guide 2 on one side, and the substrate 11 is pressed on the other side to seal the light source 10 in a sealed space. The holder 13 accommodated therein is an elastic member such as a leaf spring or a leaf rubber made of a phosphor bronze material. 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts. The light guide 2, the holder 12, the substrate 11 on which the LED light source 10 is mounted, and a part of the housing 9 that houses or holds the elastic member 13 are referred to as an illumination unit portion.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the illumination unit portion of the image sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Light emitted from the light source 10 enters from both ends of the light guide 2, propagates in the main scanning direction (reading width direction) while being totally reflected in the light guide 2, and is gradually provided in the light guide 2. The reflected pattern (light scattering layer) 3 is scattered and reflected. The light reflected by the reflection pattern 3 is applied to the document 1 from the light emitting portion on the surface of the light guide 2 facing the reflection pattern 3. The reflection pattern 3 has a wide pattern 3a on the central side of the light guide 2 and a narrow pattern 3b on the side of the light guide 2 in order to make the illuminance in the main scanning direction of the original 1 uniform. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same or corresponding parts.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light emitted from the light emitting portion on the surface of the light guide 2 passes through the transmissive body 4 and illuminates the document 1. The reflected light reflected by the document 1 is converged by the rod lens array 5 and imaged and photoelectrically converted by the light receiving unit 6 constituted by a sensor IC or the like. The housing 9 houses the light guide 2, the holder 12, the LED light source 10, and the elastic member 13. Further, a notch (hole) 9 a of the housing 9 is provided at the center of the housing 9. The lighting unit is attached to the housing 9 by fitting the protrusion 2 a of the light guide 2 into a notch 9 a provided in the center of the housing 9.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the illumination unit portion viewed from the light reflection pattern side of the image sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. On the surface of the light guide 2, a wide pattern 3 a having a size larger than the width in the main scanning direction of the protrusion 2 a is installed so as to be close to or in contact with one end side of the protrusion 2 a.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide for explaining the relationship between the projections of the light guide of the image sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and the reflection pattern. The reflection pattern 3 located at the center of the light guide 2 in the main scanning direction is a light guide that is opposed to the surface of the light guide 2 by printing a white paint or by cutting the light guide 2 to scatter or diffuse light. The document 1 is illuminated from the light emitting portion on the surface of the body 2. The center of the protrusion 2a of the light guide 2 and the center of the wide pattern 3a of the reflection pattern 3 are narrow angles of 30 to 45 degrees and are close to each other. The center of the reflection pattern 3 serves as an optical axis for irradiating light toward the document 1 over the main scanning direction. The center of the protrusion 2a of the light guide 2 is located slightly away from the light emitting part.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the flow of unnecessary light (stray light) emitted from the light guide. The case where there is no light scattering layer around the protrusion of the light guide will be described. The light from the light source that propagates by being totally reflected in the main scanning direction inside the light guide is scattered or reflected by the light scattering layer, and part of the light is totally reflected in a circle, and the leaked light is guided. Radiated outside the body. When the emitted leaked light is incident on the illumination area of the document 1, it becomes unnecessary light and causes unevenness in the illuminance distribution around the protrusion. In particular, when stray light is incident on a projection portion of a light guide that is installed close to a position facing the light emitting portion, the original 1 is illuminated as unnecessary light from an area close to the light emitting portion facing the projection portion. May end up.

When the capacity of the protrusion is relatively large due to the shape of the protrusion, or when there is a housing that is installed close to the protrusion, unnecessary light affects the deviation of the illuminance distribution.

In such a case, it is possible to reduce unnecessary light by installing the light scattering layer close to the protrusion and scattering and reflecting the light refracted and incident on the protrusion by the light scattering layer.

As described above, according to the image sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the light scattering layer prevents light from reaching the projection and reflected from the projection to become stray light. Therefore, the illuminance distribution over the reading width direction. Is effective in obtaining a uniform image sensor.

Moreover, since the light guide 2 can be attached using the notch 9a provided at the center of the housing 9 as a positioning reference, the light guide 2 can be evenly arranged at the center of the housing 9. Thereby, since the light-scattering layer 3 of the light guide 2 can be arrange | positioned without variation in a predetermined position, fixing with high precision is performed. Similarly, since the notch 9a provided at the center of the housing 9 is assembled as a positioning reference, it is possible to eliminate variations caused by the assembly.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a side view of an image sensor according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 9 b denotes a notch portion positioned on both ends of the housing 9 in the reading width direction. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same or corresponding parts.

In the first embodiment, the protrusion 2a is provided at the central portion of the light guide 2. In the second embodiment, the protrusion 2b is provided on both ends of the light guide 2 in addition to the protrusion 2a. A case in which is provided will be described. In addition, the wide pattern 3a of the light-scattering layer 3 provided in the center part of the corresponding light guide 2 and the narrow pattern 3b of the light-scattering layer 3 provided on the end part of the light guide 2 are described in the first embodiment. Be in the same position as Other operations and functions are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

In Embodiment 2, the protrusion 2a is provided at the center of the light guide 2, and the protrusions 2a provided at the center of the light guide 2 with respect to the reading width direction are provided on both ends of the light guide 2. Protrusions 2b that are shorter than the length are provided and fitted with the corresponding notches 9a and 9b.

With the configuration as described above, the light guide 2 is fixed to the housing 9 via the holder 12 and the elastic member 13, and even if the elastic forces of the elastic members 13 installed on both sides are different, the light guide 2, the protrusion 2 a installed at the center of the housing 9 is fixed as the center position of the housing 9, and even if the shaft core changes or bends due to the deflection of the light guide 2, the protrusion 2 b By supporting it, the linearity of the light guide 2 can be ensured.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the protrusions at the end portions of the light guide and the flow of light. The end portion side of the light guide 2 has a contribution of a direct radiation component (a component that is not totally reflected) of light emitted from the light source 10 placed on the substrate 11, and a part of the light is regularly reflected by the protrusion 2b. Radiated outside the illumination area.

In addition, the protrusion 2b of the light guide 2 has less total reflection component of light propagating from the opposite end, and the reading width direction size is shorter than the protrusion 2a. Since the amount of stray light that enters the illumination area of the document 1 is relatively small even if it is emitted, the light scattering layer 3b may be provided close to the protrusion 2b.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, since the protrusions of the light guide 2 are provided at the center and both ends, it is possible to suppress misalignment due to the deflection of the light guide 2. There is an effect that the amount of light at a predetermined reading position is further stabilized.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a side view of an image sensor according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 9, 20 is a light guide using a transparent plastic resin, 20a is a wedge-shaped protrusion provided at the center of the light guide 20, and 30 is a light scattering layer (reflective) provided on the light guide 20. Pattern) 30 a is a wide pattern of the light scattering layer 30, and 30 b is a narrow pattern of the light scattering layer 30. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same or corresponding parts.

In the first embodiment, the protrusion 2a is provided in the central portion of the light guide 2, whereas in the third embodiment, a wedge-shaped protrusion 20a having a wedge shape is formed in the central portion of the light guide 20. . The wide pattern 30a of the light scattering layer 30 provided in the center of the corresponding light guide 20 and the narrow pattern 30b of the light scattering layer 30 provided on the end side of the light guide 20 are respectively shown in the first embodiment. It is assumed to be in the same position as that described in. Other operations and functions are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide for explaining the relationship between the light guide protrusion and the reflection pattern of the image sensor according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The wide pattern 30a positioned at the center of the light guide 20 in the main scanning direction is printed with white paint on the surface of the light guide 20, or cut light into the light guide 20 to scatter or diffuse the light guide. The document 1 is illuminated from the light emitting portion on the surface of the body 20. The center of the wedge-shaped protrusion 20a of the light guide 20 and the center of the wide pattern 30a of the light scattering layer 30 have a narrow angle of 30 to 45 degrees and are close to each other. The center of the light scattering layer 30 becomes an optical axis for irradiating light in the main scanning direction. In the third embodiment, the edge of the wedge-shaped protrusion 20a and the edge of the wide pattern 30a are separated by a distance L.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. The light from the light source 10 that propagates by being totally reflected in the main scanning direction in the light guide 30 is scattered and reflected or diffused by the light scattering layer 30, and part of the light is totally reflected in a circle shape, and its leaked light Is emitted to the outside of the light guide, but the unnecessary light leaking from the edge of the wide pattern 30a and entering the wedge-shaped protrusion 20a has no light scattering layer 30 between the wedge-shaped protrusion 20a and the wide pattern 30a. Since the projection has a wedge shape, it becomes substantially parallel light, and the incidence of stray light on the wedge shape projection 20a is reduced.

As described above, according to the image sensor according to the third embodiment, since the protrusion of the light guide has a wedge shape, even if light reaches the protrusion, it is prevented from being refracted and incident on the protrusion to become stray light. There is an effect that the illuminance distribution at a predetermined position on the document surface corresponding to the periphery of the portion does not become uneven.

Embodiment 4 FIG.

In the first to third embodiments, the central protrusion of the light guide is directly fitted to the housing 9, but in the fourth embodiment, a case of fitting to the protrusion of the light guide via a member will be described. In addition, the wide pattern of the light-scattering layer provided in the center part of a corresponding light guide shall be in the same position as what was demonstrated in Embodiment 1. FIG. Other operations and functions are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view for explaining fitting of light guide protrusions of an image sensor according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 11, 21 is a light guide, 21 a is a protrusion of the light guide 21, 21 c is a slit provided in the protrusion 21 a of the light guide 21, 90 is a housing, and 90 a is in the center of the housing 90. The notch part 91 of the housing | casing 90 located is a nail | claw comprised with the elastic material.

  In the fourth embodiment, the protrusion 21a is provided at the center of the light guide 21, and the slit 21c is provided at a part of the protrusion 21a. Since the protrusion 21a of the light guide 21 does not fit directly into the notch 90a of the corresponding housing 90, the nail 91 made of phosphor bronze material in the gap between the protrusion 21a and the notch 90a of the housing 90. And the center portion of the housing 90 and the center portion of the light guide 21 are fitted and fixed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, a screw-structured pin 92 may be erected on the housing 90 and inserted into the slit portion 21c, and the central portion of the housing 90 and the central portion of the light guide 21 may be fitted and fixed. .

With the configuration as described above, the light guide 21 is fixed to the housing 9 via the holder 12 and the elastic member 13, and the light guide 21 even if the elastic force of the elastic members 13 installed on both sides is different. Is fixed with the protruding portion 21a installed at the center of the housing 90 as the center position of the housing 90, and is fixed with high mounting accuracy between the housing and the protruding portion as in the first embodiment.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the light scattering layers 3, 30, 31 are printed with white paint on the surfaces of the light guides 2, 20, 21, or light-scattered or diffused by cutting the light guide 2. Although the original 1 is illuminated from the light emitting portion on the surface of the light guide that faces the light guide, a transfer pattern seal may be attached as a light scattering layer to the surfaces of the light guides 2, 20, and 21. The same effect can be obtained as a reflection pattern deposited on the light guides 2, 20, and 21 instead of printing.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the casings 9 and 90 are made of plastic resin. However, the wide patterns 3a, 30a, and the projections 2a, 20a, and 21a provided on the light guides 2, 20, and 21 are close to or in contact with the projections 2a, 20a, and 21a. Since 31a is formed, there is stray light that radiates from the inside of the light guides 2, 20, and 21 to the outside, and is emitted to the protrusions 2a, 20a, and 21a, and the casings 9 and 90 regularly reflect the stray light. Even if it is a housing | casing, it has a mitigation effect with respect to an unnecessary light being radiated | emitted from the injection | emission part of a light guide.

1..Original (irradiated body) 2..Light guide 2a..Protrusion 2b..Protrusion 3..Light scattering layer (reflection pattern) 3a..Wide pattern 3b..Narrow pattern 4..Transmission Body 5. Lens body (rod lens array)
6 .. Light receiving part (photoelectric conversion part) 7 ..Electronic component 8 ..Sensor board 9 ..Case 9 a ..Cut part 9 b ..Cut part 10 ..Light source (LED light source) 11. .. Holder 13 .. Elastic member 20.. Light guide 20 a... Wedge-shaped protrusion 21.. Light guide 21 a.. Protrusion 21 c.. Slit 30 ... Light guide 30 a. Narrow pattern 31 ·· Light scattering layer 31a · · Wide pattern 90 · · Case 90a · · Notch portion 91 · · Nail 92 · · Pin

Claims (5)

A light guide that has a protrusion at the center and guides light from the light source in the reading width direction of the document, and a narrow pattern on the surface of both ends of the light guide, and a light pattern on the surface of the center A light scattering layer provided with a wide pattern and disposed discontinuously along the light guide, and holding the end of the light guide on one end side, and housing the light source in a space with the other end side A holder provided on both ends of the light guide, and a housing having a notch for fixing the holder via an elastic member and fitting with the protrusion of the light guide. The wide pattern of the light scattering layer provided on the surface of the central portion of the light body is an image sensor whose size is longer than the length of the protrusion in the reading width direction of the document. The image sensor according to claim 1, wherein the light scattering layer is close to or in contact with the protrusion. The image sensor according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a slit, and the slit is fitted to the housing via a pin or a claw. A light guide that has protrusions at the center and both ends, and guides light from the light source in the reading width direction of the document, and a narrow pattern on the surface on both ends of the light guide. A light scattering layer provided with a wide pattern on the surface of the part and arranged discontinuously along the light guide, and holding the end of the light guide on one end side, and in the space with the other end side A holder provided on both ends of the light guide for housing a light source; and a housing having a notch for fixing the holder via an elastic member and fitting with the protrusion of the light guide. Provided, the wide pattern of the light scattering layer provided on the surface of the central portion of the light guide is longer than the length of the protrusion provided in the central portion of the light guide relative to the reading width direction of the document, The protrusions provided on both end sides of the light guide are the center of the light guide with respect to the reading width direction of the document. Shortened image sensor than the length of the protrusion provided on. The image sensor according to claim 4, wherein the light scattering layer is in proximity to or in contact with a protrusion provided at a central portion of the light guide.

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