JPH09274256A - Exposure device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To narrow an irradiation area and to increase the quantity of light received at an image forming lens by enhancing the degree of freedom for positioning at least one of an irradiation means constituted so that a photosensitive material is not irradiated with diffused light and direct light reflected from an original and the image forming lens and making an incident angle as small as possible so that a ghost image is not formed. SOLUTION: At least one of a light source and the image forming lens is arranged so that the maximum angle θx =π/2-(θi --θs )+ϕw } of the direct light reflected on a point P1 being the nearest to the virtual light emission point PE of the light source within the range to be irradiated of the original irradiated from the light source with respect to an original surface 42A becomes smaller than the angle θy of the diffused light diffused at the point P1 and made incident on a point P2 being the most distant from the virtual light emission point PE on the surface of the rod lens array on the original surface 42A side on which the light is made incident. Besides, ϕw represents the half angle of the diffused angle of the direct light reflected from the point being the nearest to the irradiation means within the area to be irradiated of the original irradiated with the diffused light.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus,
More specifically, the present invention relates to an exposure device that exposes a photosensitive material by irradiating the original with light and focusing the light reflected from the original on the photosensitive material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an exposure apparatus, light (R, G, and B color lights) is incident on a document at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, and diffused light reflected from the document is combined. An image is formed on the photosensitive material by the image lens, and the photosensitive material is exposed. As a result, it is possible to prevent a ghost image from being formed on the photosensitive material by exposing the photosensitive material by mixing the diffused light diffused by the original and the direct light reflected by the original.

However, in order to prevent the generation of the ghost image, the incident angle of the incident light on the original is not limited to 45 degrees, and even if the incident angle is 45 degrees or less, the ghost image is not formed. It may not occur. Further, in order to prevent the generation of the ghost image, the imaging lens may be moved away from the original from the position where the direct light is incident.
Therefore, in order to prevent the generation of the ghost image, the incident angle of the direct light on the original is not uniquely determined.

When the angle of incidence on the original is large, it is possible to prevent the ghost image from being generated, but since the illumination area is expanded, the amount of light imaged on the photosensitive material by the imaging lens is reduced. It is smaller than when the incident angle is small.

Therefore, in order to increase the amount of light imaged on the light-sensitive material, it is sufficient to reduce the incident angle to the original, but if the incident angle is too small, a ghost image will occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and improves the degree of freedom in the positioning of at least one of the irradiation means and the image forming lens in which the direct light reflected from the document is not irradiated to the photosensitive material, and the ghost image is improved. It is an object of the present invention to provide an exposure apparatus capable of narrowing the irradiation area and increasing the amount of light received by the imaging lens by making the incident angle as small as possible so as to prevent the occurrence of light.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an irradiation means for irradiating an original with light from an oblique direction, and an imaging for forming an image of the light reflected from the original on a photosensitive material. An exposure device including a lens, wherein a maximum angle of the direct light reflected from the first point closest to the irradiation unit in the irradiated area of the document irradiated by the irradiation unit with respect to the document surface is The angle is smaller than the angle formed by the line of the original and the straight line connecting the first point farthest from the irradiation means in the surface on the original side where the light of the imaging lens is incident, and The maximum angle of the direct light reflected from the third point farthest from the irradiation means in the irradiation area with respect to the document surface is between the straight line connecting the second point and the third point and the document surface. The irradiation means and the And placing at least one image lens.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exposure apparatus including an irradiation means for irradiating an original with divergent light from an oblique direction and an image forming lens for forming an image of light reflected from the original on a photosensitive material. The half-angle of the divergence angle of the divergent light is θ _S , the incident angle of the light on the optical axis of the divergence light to the original is θ _i , and the irradiation in the irradiation area of the original document irradiated with the divergent light is The half angle of the diffusion angle of the direct light reflected from the point closest to the means is ψ _W , and the point closest to the irradiation means in the irradiated area and the surface of the original side where the light of the imaging lens is incident. An angle formed by the straight line connecting the farthest point from the irradiation means with the optical axis of the imaging lens is φ _L, and at least one of the irradiation means and the imaging lens is arranged so as to satisfy the following equation. There is.

[0009]

[Mathematical formula-see original document] [theta] _i- [theta] _S- [phi] _W > [phi] _L The invention according to claim 3 irradiates an original with convergent light from an oblique direction and an image of the light reflected from the original on a photosensitive material. An exposure device including an imaging lens, wherein a width of a document irradiated with the convergent light, which is cut by a surface including an optical axis of the irradiation unit and the imaging lens, forms the image. The width of the lens is smaller than the width of the surface of the original on which light enters, and the half angle of the convergent angle of the convergent light is θ _S , the incident angle of the light on the optical axis of the convergent light to the original is θ _i , The half angle of the diffusion angle of each direct light reflected from the point closest to the irradiation means and the farthest point in the irradiated area is ψ _W ,
And each of the straight lines connecting the points closest to and farthest from the irradiation means in the irradiation area and the points farthest from the irradiation means in the surface of the original side where the light of the imaging lens enters. The angle formed by the optical axis of the imaging lens is φ _LR ,
φ _LL, and at least one of the irradiation means and the imaging lens is arranged so as to satisfy the following two expressions.

[0010]

[Equation 7] θ _i + θ _{S −} ψ _W > φ _LR

[0011]

[Formula 8] θ _i −θ _S −ψ _W > φ _{LL In} the invention described in claim 4, the irradiation means for irradiating the original with convergent light and the light reflected from the original are imaged on the photosensitive material. An exposure device including an imaging lens, wherein a width of a document irradiated with the convergent light, which is cut by a surface including an optical axis of the irradiation unit and the imaging lens, forms the image. in the lens of the light over the width of the surface of the original side incident, and half angle of theta _S convergence angle of the converging light, the incident angle theta _i to the original light on the optical axis of the convergent light, The half angle of the diffusion angle of each direct light reflected from the point closest to and farthest from the irradiation means in the irradiation area is ψ _W , and the point closest to and farthest from the irradiation means in the irradiation area. Each of a point and a point farthest from the irradiation means in the surface of the document side on which the light of the imaging lens is incident are connected. Each phi _LR an angle formed between the optical axis of the imaging lens of the straight line, phi _LL
Then, at least one of the irradiation unit and the imaging lens is arranged so as to satisfy the following two expressions.

[0012]

[Equation 9] θ _i + θ _{S −} ψ _W > φ _LR

[0013]

[Formula 10] θ _i −θ _S −ψ _W > −φ _{LL The} irradiation means according to the invention described in claim 1 irradiates the original with light from an oblique direction, and the imaging lens exposes the light reflected from the original. Image on material. The irradiating means may irradiate the document with divergent light from an oblique direction or may irradiate the document with convergent light from an oblique direction.

Since the original is irradiated with light in this way,
The light is directly reflected from the document and the diffused light is diffused.
The direct light is diffused at a predetermined diffusion angle around a reflection angle corresponding to the incident angle of the light emitted by the irradiation means. Also,
The diffused light is diffused with a certain spread around an axis perpendicular to the document surface.

Here, when the irradiating means irradiates the original with divergent light from an oblique direction, the direct light is diffused at a predetermined diffusion angle as described above, so that the original irradiated with the irradiating means is covered by the irradiating means. Direct light reflected from the first point closest to the irradiation means in the irradiation area and forming a maximum angle with respect to the document surface is most likely to enter the imaging lens. If this maximum angle is equal to or greater than the angle formed by the straight line connecting the first point and the second point farthest from the irradiation means in the surface of the original side where the light of the imaging lens is incident, the direct angle is directly established. Light enters the imaging lens. When the direct light enters the imaging lens in this way, the direct light is imaged on the photosensitive material by the imaging lens together with the diffused light, which causes a ghost image.

Therefore, the maximum angle described above is the first point and the second point.
If the angle between the line connecting the point
The light does not directly enter the imaging lens. That is, the direct light reflected by the illuminated area of the document does not enter the imaging lens. Since the reflection angle of the direct light reflected from the third point farthest from the irradiation means in the irradiation area is larger than the reflection angle of the direct light reflected from the first point, it is reflected from the first point. If the direct light is prevented from entering the imaging lens, the direct light reflected from the third point also does not enter the imaging lens.

On the other hand, when the irradiating means irradiates the original with convergent light from an oblique direction, the direct light reflected in the illuminated area of the original is also converged. Therefore, when the surface of the original lens side where the light of the imaging lens enters is located in the area where the direct light reflected by the illuminated area of the original travels, the direct light enters the imaging lens and causes a ghost image. .

Here, the area where the direct light reflected by the illuminated area of the original travels is determined by the respective corners of the direct light reflected by the first point and the third point with respect to the original surface, and as described above, Considering that light is diffused at a given diffusion angle,
Direct light reflected at the first and third points and traveling at the maximum angle with respect to the document surface is most likely to enter the imaging lens.

Therefore, when the maximum angle of the direct light reflected from the first point with respect to the document surface is greater than or equal to the angle formed by the above-described straight line connecting the second point and the first point and the document surface, or When the maximum angle of the direct light reflected from the point 3 with respect to the document surface is equal to or more than the angle formed by the straight line connecting the second point and the third point and the document surface, the direct light enters the imaging lens. However, this causes the generation of a ghost image.

As described above, in the present invention, the maximum angle of the direct light reflected from the first point with respect to the original surface is the second point and the first point.
Is smaller than the angle formed by the straight line connecting the point and the original surface, and the maximum angle of the direct light reflected from the third point with respect to the original surface is the straight line connecting the second point and the third point with the original. At least one of the irradiation means and the imaging lens is arranged so as to be smaller than the angle formed by the surface.

By arranging at least one of the irradiation means and the imaging lens in this way, direct light does not enter the imaging lens and it is possible to prevent the generation of a ghost image. The degree of freedom in positioning at least one of the image lenses is improved, and if the incident angle is reduced in a range where a ghost image does not occur, the illumination area can be narrowed to increase the amount of light received by the imaging lens.

Here, the principle explained above will be further described by taking an exposure apparatus which irradiates an original with divergent light from an oblique direction and forms an image of the light reflected from the original on a photosensitive material, as in the invention described in claim 2. explain.

That is, for example, as shown in FIG.
The half angle of the divergence angle of the divergent light that is obliquely applied to 2 (the document surface on the irradiation means side is marked with 42A) is θ.
_{Let S i be} the incident angle of the light C ₀ that travels along the optical axis of the divergent light on the original 42 with θ _i .

Here, at the point P ₁ (hereinafter referred to as the first point P ₁ ) on the document surface 42A which is irradiated with the divergent light and is closest to the irradiation means, the direct light is reflected and the diffused light is diffused. The light amount distributions of the direct light and the diffused light on the plane including the first point P ₁ and the optical axis of the irradiation means and perpendicular to the document surface 42A are as shown in FIG. The light quantity distribution of direct light is shown by the solid line (K ₁ ), and the light quantity distribution of diffused light is shown by the dotted line (K ₂ ). As shown in FIG. 5, the direct light is diffused at a predetermined diffusion angle (half angle is ψ _W ).

As shown in FIG. 6, the reflection angle with respect to the incident angle of the direct light at the _first point P ₁ is θ _i −θ _S ,
Since the half angle of the diffusion angle of the direct light is ψ _W , the maximum angle θ _x of the direct light with respect to the document surface 42A at the first point P ₁ is
Is obtained from equation (1).

[0026]

[Equation 11]

Direct light corresponding to this maximum angle θ _X is most likely to enter the imaging lens 54. A straight line of the imaging lens 54 connecting the first point P ₁ and a point P ₂ (hereinafter, referred to as a second point P ₂ ) farthest from the irradiation means of the document surface 42A on which the light of the imaging lens 54 is incident. Assuming that the angle formed with the optical axis C ₅₄ is φ _L , the angle θ _y of the diffused light that diffuses at the first point P ₁ and enters the second point P ₂ with respect to the document surface 42A is (π / 2).
It can be expressed as −φ _L.

Here, if the maximum angle θ _X is greater than or equal to the angle θ _y , the light directly enters the imaging lens 54. Therefore, in order that the direct light does not enter the imaging lens 54, the maximum angle θ _X
Must be smaller than the angle θ _{y, and} must satisfy the following expression (2).

[0029]

(Equation 12)

Equation (2) can be transformed into equation (3).

[0031]

[Mathematical formula-see original document] [theta] _i- [theta] _S- [phi] _W > [phi] _L (3) As described above, in the invention according to claim 2, at least the irradiation means and the imaging lens 54 satisfy the expression (3). Since one of them is arranged, the direct light forming the maximum angle θ _X with respect to the surface of the document 42 does not enter the imaging lens 54. That is, the direct light reflected by the illuminated area of the document 42 does not enter the imaging lens 54. As described above, the irradiating means irradiates the document with divergent light from an oblique direction, and the point P ₃ (hereinafter, referred to as the point farthest from the irradiating means in the irradiation area).
The third direct light reflection angle of the reflected from that P ₃₎ a point is greater than the reflection angle of the direct light reflected from P ₁ first point, direct light reflected by the first point P ₁ is the imaging lens 54 If the light is not incident on, the direct light reflected from the third point P ₃ also does not enter the imaging lens.

Now, the angle φ _L will be described. Imaging lens 5
The distance between the document 4 and the document 42 is L. Also, the first point P ₁
A and the third point P ₃ to contain and document surface 42A and a plane perpendicular and P ₄ point away distance L from the second point P _2, a second
When the distance between the point P ₂ and the point P ₂ is T, the angle φ _L is obtained from the equation (4).

[0033]

Φ _L = tan ⁻¹ (T / L) (4) Further, when the optical axis of the diverging light from the irradiation means and the optical axis of the imaging lens coincide with each other, the imaging lens 54 R is the width of the surface of the document surface 42A on the side of the original surface 42A (hereinafter referred to as the effective width), and the incident point P of the light C ₀ on the optical axis of the divergent light on the original 42.
_{When the} distance between ₀ and the first point P ₁ is W, the distance T is
It is obtained from the equation (5).

[0034]

[Equation 15] T = R / 2 + W (5) Further, the distance between the incident point P ₀ and the virtual light emitting point P _E of the irradiation means is h, and the original surface 42A corresponding to the virtual light emitting point P _E is on the original surface 42A. When the point is P ₅ , the distance W is obtained from the equation (6).

[0035]

## EQU16 ## W = (distance between points P ₀ and P ₅ )-(distance between points P ₁ and P ₅ ) = h · sin θ _i −h · cos θ _i · tan (θ _i −θ _S ) = h _{· (sinθ i -cosθ i · tan} (θ i -θ S)) ··· (6) Thus, the distance W, the distance h, the distance L, the distance T, the effective width R, the half angle of the divergence angle of divergent light If θ _S , the incident angle θ _i , the half angle ψ _W of the diffusion angle of the direct light, and the angle φ _L are used to position at least one of the irradiation means and the imaging lens so as to satisfy the formula (3), the direct light is emitted. Since it does not enter the imaging lens, the degree of freedom in positioning at least one of the irradiation unit and the imaging lens is improved, and the illumination area is narrowed by reducing the incident angle in the range where the ghost image is not generated. The amount of light received by the imaging lens can be increased.

4 to 6 show that the effective width R of the imaging lens 54 is a surface including the irradiation means and the optical axis of the imaging lens 54 in the irradiated area of the document 42 irradiated by the irradiation means. The case where the width is longer than the cut width W ₀ has been described as an example, but the same applies when the effective width R is equal to or larger than the width W _{0 as} shown in FIG. 7.

Next, an explanation will be given by taking as an example an exposure apparatus which irradiates a document with convergent light from an oblique direction and forms an image of light reflected from the document on a photosensitive material.

First, referring to FIG. 8 and FIG.
A case will be described in which the width W _{0 of the} illuminated area of the document is smaller than the effective width R of the imaging lens 54 as in the described invention.

Since the convergent light is irradiated from the irradiation means, the convergent light converges on the virtual convergence point P _E ′. The original 4 of the light C ₀ that travels along the optical axis of the converged light by θ _{S being} the half angle of the converged light.
The incident angle on 2 is θ _i .

Here, each half angle of the diffusion angle of the direct light at the first point P ₁ and the third point P ₃ is ψ _W.

Further, the reflection angle with respect to the incident angle of the direct light at the _first point P ₁ is θ _i + θ _S , and since the half angle of the diffusion angle of the direct light is ψ _W , at the first point P ₁ The maximum angle θ _xR of the direct light with respect to the document surface 42A is obtained from the equation (7).

[0042]

[Equation 17]

Further, the reflection angle with respect to the incident angle of the direct light at the _third point P ₃ is θ _i −θ _S , and since the half angle of the diffusion angle of the direct light is ψ _W , the third point P ₃ The maximum angle θ _xL of the direct light with respect to the original surface 42A in is obtained from the equation (8).

[0044]

(Equation 18)

Assuming that the angles formed by the straight lines connecting the first point P ₁ and the third point P ₃ and the second point P ₂ with the optical axis C ₅₄ of the imaging lens are φ _LR and φ _LL , respectively. The angle θ _yR of the diffused light that diffuses at the first point P ₁ and enters the second point P ₂ with respect to the original surface 42A is represented by (π / 2) −φ _LR , and at the third point P ₃ . An angle θ _yL of the diffused light that is diffused and is incident on the second point P ₂ with respect to the document surface 42A is represented by (π / 2) −φ _LL .

Therefore, when the maximum angle θ _xR is equal to or greater than the angle θ _yR or when the maximum angle θ _xL is _{equal to} or greater than the angle θ _yL , direct light is incident on the imaging lens 54. Therefore, in order that direct light does not enter the imaging lens 54, it is necessary that the maximum angle θ _xR is smaller than the angle θ _yR and the maximum angle θ _xL is smaller than the angle θ _yL, and the following equations (9) and (10) are used. ) Must be satisfied.

[0047]

[Equation 19]

[0048]

(Equation 20)

Equations (9) and (10) are (1
It can be transformed into equations (1) and (12).

[0050]

[Equation 21] θ _i + θ _S −ψ _W > φ _LR (11)

[0051]

[Equation 22] θ _i −θ _S −ψ _W > φ _LL (12) As described above, in the invention according to claim 3, the irradiation means and the irradiation means are provided so as to satisfy the expressions (11) and (12). Imaging lens 5
Since at least one of No. 4 and No. 4 is arranged, the direct light forming the maximum angles θ _XR and θ _XL with respect to the surface of the original 42 is formed by the imaging lens 54.
Does not enter. Therefore, the direct light reflected by the illuminated area of the document does not enter the imaging lens 54.

Now, the angles φ _LR and φ _LL will be described. Points in the plane including the first point P ₁ and the third point P ₃ and perpendicular to the document surface 42A and separated from the first point P ₁ and the third point P ₃ by a distance L are respectively points P _4R. , Point P _4L, and second point P
Each distance between the ₂ and the point P _4R and the point P _4L, T _R, T _L
Then, the angles φ _LR and φ _LL are obtained from the equations (13) and (14).

[0053]

(23) φ _LR = tan ⁻¹ (T _R / L) (13)

[0054]

Φ _LL = tan ⁻¹ (T _L / L) (14) Further, the incident point P of the light C ₀ on the optical axis of the divergent light on the original 42.
₀ and the distance between P ₁ first point is W, the distance between the incident point P ₀ and the third point P ₃ and W ', the distance T _R, T _L is (1
It is obtained from the equations (5) and (16).

[0055]

[Formula 25] T _R = R / 2 + W (15)

[0056]

T _L = R / 2−W ′ (16) Further, the distance between the incident point P ₀ and the virtual convergence point P _E ′ is h, and the document surface corresponding to the virtual convergence point P _E ′. If the point on 42A is P ₅ ′, the distances W and W ′ are (17)
Equation (18) is obtained.

[0057]

W = (distance between point P ₅ ′ and point P ₁ ) − (distance between point P ₅ ′ and point P ₀ ) = h · cos θ _i tan (θ _i + θ _S ) −h · sin θ _i = h · (cos θ _i · tan (θ _i + θ _S ) −sin θ _i ) ... (17)

[0058]

[Equation 28] W ′ = (distance between points P ₅ ′ and P ₀ ) − (distance between points P ₅ ′ and P ₃ ) = h · sin θ _i −h · cos θ _i · tan (θ _i −θ _S ) = H · (sin θ _i −cos θ _i · tan (θ _i −θ _S )) (18) Thus, the distances W, W ′, the distance h, the distance L, the distance T,
T ′, effective width R, half angle θ _S of convergence angle of convergent light, incident angle θ
_i , the half angle ψ _W of the diffusion angle of the direct light, and the angles φ _LR and φ _LL are used to position at least one of the irradiation means and the imaging lens so as to satisfy the equations (11) and (12), Since light does not enter the imaging lens, the degree of freedom in positioning at least one of the irradiation unit and the imaging lens is improved, and the incident angle is reduced to narrow the illumination area in the range where the ghost image does not occur. As a result, the amount of light received by the imaging lens can be increased.

Next, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, as in the invention described in claim 4, the width W _{0 of the} illuminated area of the original document irradiated with the convergent light is determined by the effective width R of the imaging lens 54. The above case will be described.

As described above, the maximum angle θ _xR of the direct light with respect to the original surface 42A at the first point P ₁ is _calculated from the expression (7), and the direct light original surface 42A at the third point P ₃ is obtained.
The maximum angle θ _xL with respect to is obtained from equation (8).

Similarly, the angles formed by the straight lines connecting the _first and third points P ₁ and P ₃ and the second point P ₂ and the optical axis C ₅₄ of the imaging lens are φ _LR and φ _LL , respectively. And the angle θ _yR is (π
/ 2) -φ _LR , but the angle θ _yL is (π / 2) + φ _LL
Can be represented by

Therefore, when the maximum angle θ _xR is equal to or greater than the angle θ _yR or when the maximum angle θ _xL is _{equal to} or greater than the angle θ _yL , direct light is incident on the imaging lens 54. Therefore, in order that the direct light does not enter the imaging lens 54, it is necessary that the maximum angle θ _xR is smaller than the angle θ _yR and the maximum angle θ _xL is smaller than the angle θ _yL. ) Must be satisfied.

[0063]

(Equation 29)

[0064]

[Equation 30]

Equations (19) and (20) can be transformed into equations (21) and (22), respectively.

[0066]

[Equation 31] θ _i + θ _S −ψ _W > φ _LR (21)

[0067]

[Mathematical formula-see original document] [theta] _i- [theta] _{S- [} phi] _W >-[phi] _LL (22) As described above, in the invention according to claim 3, the irradiation means is provided so as to satisfy the expressions (21) and (22). And the imaging lens 5
Since at least one of No. 4 and No. 4 is arranged, the direct light forming the maximum angles θ _XR and θ _XL with respect to the surface of the original 42 is formed by the imaging lens 54.
Does not enter. Therefore, the direct light reflected by the illuminated area of the document does not enter the imaging lens 54.

Here, the angles φ _LR and φ _LL are expressed by equation (23),
It is obtained from the equation (24).

[0069]

(33) φ _LR = tan ^-1 (T _R / L) (23)

[0070]

Φ _LL = tan ⁻¹ (T _L / L) (24) Further, the incident point P of the light C ₀ on the optical axis of the divergent light on the original 42.
The distance between ₀ and the first point P ₁ is W as described above,
When the distance between the incident point P ₀ and the third point P ₃ is W ′, the distances T _R and T _L can be obtained from the equations (25) and (26).

[0071]

(35) T _R = R / 2 + W (25)

[0072]

T _L = W′−R / 2 (26) The distances W and W ′ are obtained from the equations (27) and (28), respectively.

[0073]

(37) W = h · (cos θ _i · tan (θ _i + θ _S ) −sin θ _i ) ... (27)

[0074]

[Equation 38] W ′ = h · (sin θ _i −cos θ _i · tan (θ _i −θ _S )) (28) Thus, the distances W, W ′, the distance h, the distance L, the distance T,
T ′, effective width R, half angle θ _S of convergence angle of convergent light, incident angle θ
_i , the half angle ψ _W of the diffusion angle of the direct light, and the angles φ _LR and φ _LL are used, and if at least one of the irradiation means and the imaging lens is positioned so as to satisfy the equations (21) and (22), Since light does not enter the imaging lens, the degree of freedom in positioning at least one of the irradiation unit and the imaging lens is improved, and the incident angle is reduced to narrow the illumination area in the range where the ghost image does not occur. As a result, the amount of light received by the imaging lens can be increased.

[0075]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of an image recording apparatus 10 having an exposure device 38 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image recording device 10 includes an exposure device 38.
After the photothermographic material is exposed in accordance with the image recorded on the document, the image receiving material is superposed on the photothermographic material, and the image of the document is formed on the image receiving material by thermal development.

The image forming apparatus 10 has a box shape as a whole, and the inside can be exposed by opening doors (not shown) provided on the front and side surfaces of the machine base 12 forming the box shape. It is like this. Further, on the upper surface of the machine base 12 of the image recording apparatus 10, there is provided a mounting table 13 on which a document 42 on which an image is recorded is mounted. The mounting table 13 is supported by rails (not shown) on the upper surface of the machine table 12 so as to be movable in the left-right direction of the paper surface of FIG.

A rectangular hole is formed in the mounting table 13 of the image recording apparatus 10 and a transparent glass plate 45 is attached. Further, on this transparent glass plate 45, the side on the back side of the paper surface of the apparatus is an axis. Cover 1 that can be opened and closed as
5 is attached.

An exposure device 38 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a rack 28 that meshes with a gear 29 is provided below the mounting table 13. The gear 29 is connected to the motor 30 via a plurality of gears, and the gear 29 is rotated by the operation of the motor 30 so that the mounting table 13 is held together with the pressing cover 15 along a rail (not shown) in the arrow A direction and the arrow A direction. It is designed to move in the opposite direction.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the machine base 12 of the image recording apparatus 10 is loaded with a photosensitive material magazine 14 in which the photosensitive material 16 is wound into a roll and accommodated. The photosensitive material 16 is housed with the photosensitive surface (exposure surface) facing downward of the apparatus.

A nip roller 18 and a cutter 20 are arranged in the vicinity of the photosensitive material take-out port of the photosensitive material magazine 14, and the leading end portion of the photosensitive material 16 delivered from the photosensitive material magazine 14 is nipped by the nip roller 18 and pulled out. The cutter 20 cuts into a predetermined length.

On the side of the cutter 20, there are conveyance rollers 19,
21, 23, 24, 26 and a guide plate 27 are arranged so that the photosensitive material 16 cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 20 is conveyed toward the upper exposure unit 22. During this conveyance, the photosensitive material 16 is turned over so that the exposure surface faces upward.

The transport rollers 23 and 24 form a part of the exposure unit 22, and an exposure point is between the transport rollers 23 and 24. The photosensitive material 16 is exposed with an image when passing through this exposure point. In addition, the motor 30 operates in synchronization with the passage of the exposure point of the photosensitive material 16,
The mounting table 13 is adapted to move in the same direction as the photosensitive material 16 (direction of arrow A in FIGS. 2 and 1).
1 is once moved in the direction opposite to the arrow A direction from the position indicated by the imaginary line in FIG.

The exposure device 38 is provided in the space above the exposure unit 22 and below the above-mentioned transparent glass plate 45.

As shown in FIG. 1, the exposure device 38 includes a light source device 48 composed of linear light sources 50 and 52.
And a rod lens array 54. Light source 50,
52 and the rod lens array 54 are arranged such that their longitudinal directions are along the front-back direction of the paper surface of FIG.
0 and 52 indicate that the front side of the document 42 is in the front-back direction of the paper (width direction).
It is designed to irradiate the same position linearly.

As shown in FIG. 2, the exposure device 38 is adapted to perform slit exposure, and the light source device 4
The light reflected in the normal direction according to the image from the original document 42 illuminated by the eight light sources 50 and 52 in a slit shape is imaged on the photosensitive material 16 at the exposure point by the rod lens array 54. At this time, the original 42 and the photosensitive material 16 are moved in the direction of arrow A at a predetermined speed, respectively.
The photosensitive material 16 is sequentially exposed according to the image recorded on the recording medium 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light source 50 is
The point-like light emitting element 56 that develops (green)
LED (Li
ght Emitting Diode (light emitting diode) array 60 is provided. Electrodes (not shown) for applying a predetermined bias voltage to the individual light emitting elements 56 are formed on both sides of the light emitting element 56 on the substrate 58 of the LED array 60.

In the light source 52, the R (red) dot-like light emitting element 62 and the B (blue) dot-like light emitting element 64 are linearly arranged in the central portion of the substrate 58.
Is provided. In the LED array 66, the light emitting elements 62 and 64 are alternately arranged at predetermined intervals, and electrodes (not shown) are provided on both sides of the substrate 58 with the light emitting elements 62 and 64 sandwiched therebetween. In these LED arrays 60 and 66, the light emitting element 56 or the light emitting elements 62 and 64 is used.
Since the electrodes are arranged linearly, electrodes can be provided on both sides, and a large number of light emitting elements 56, 62,
64 can be arranged.

In this embodiment, as an example, when the light emitting elements 56, 62, 64 are made to emit light under the same conditions, the respective luminances of the light emitting elements 56, 62, 64 are G, R, B.
Then, R ≧ B> G, and G is about 1/2 of R, and the luminance of the light emitting element 56 is smaller than the luminance of the light emitting elements 62 and 64.

Further, from the light emitting elements 56, 62 and 64, G, which has no spectral component of ultraviolet light or infrared light,
R and B are emitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the light sources 50, 5
2 is provided with rod lenses 68 and 70, respectively, and the individual light emitting elements 56 of the LED arrays 60 and 66 are provided.
Alternatively, the light emitted by the light emitting elements 62 and 64 is condensed and irradiated in a slit shape at the same position of the original 42 on the transparent glass plate 45 along the width direction (front and back direction of the paper surface). The rod lenses 68 and 70 have a function of suppressing unevenness in illuminance on the surface of the document 42, which is caused by the pitch of the virtual light emitting points between the light emitting elements 56, 62 and 64 that emit the same color.

Here, the arrangement of the light sources 50, 52 and the rod lens array 54 with respect to the original 42 will be described. Since the arrangement of the light source 50 and the rod lens array 54 with respect to the original 42 is the same as the arrangement of the light source 52 and the rod lens array 54 with respect to the original 42, hereinafter, the arrangement of the light source 52 and the rod lens array 54 with respect to the original 42 will be described. Only the arrangement will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the light C ₀ on the optical axis is emitted from the virtual light emitting point P _{E of the} light emitting elements 62 and 64 so as to enter the document 42 at the incident angle θ _i , the light emitting elements 62 and 64 emit light. The light is focused to some extent by the rod lens 70, but in the present embodiment, it is diverged as shown in FIG. The half angle of this divergence angle is set to θ _S.

Further, the original 42 cut by a plane including the optical axis of the light emitted from the light emitting elements 62 and 64 and the optical axis of the rod lens array 54 and irradiated with the light emitted from the light emitting elements 62 and 64. Let W ₀ be the length of the irradiated region.

Further, the point of the document 42 closest to the virtual light emitting point P _E in the area irradiated with the light emitted from the light emitting elements 62 and 64 is defined as P ₁ (first point). It is assumed that the light C ₁ travels from the virtual light emitting point P _E toward the point P ₁ .

At point P1, direct light is reflected and diffused light is diffused. The light quantity distribution of the light reflected from the point P _{1 on the} plane including the point P ₁ and the optical axis of the divergent light and perpendicular to the document 42 is as shown in FIG. That is, the light quantity distribution of the direct light is shown by the line K ₁ , and the light quantity distribution of the diffused light is shown by the dotted line K ₂ . As understood from the light quantity distribution K ₁ of the direct light, the direct light also diffuses from the point P _{1 at a} predetermined diffusion angle. This half angle is ψ
_W.

Further, the first point P ₁ and the virtual light emitting point P in the plane on the side of the original 42 on which the light of the rod lens array 54 is incident.
_An angle formed by a straight line connecting the point P ₂ (second point) farthest from _{E with} the optical axis C ₅₄ of the rod lens array 54 is φ _L.

In this embodiment, the light source 52 and the rod lens array 54 are arranged so as to satisfy the expression (3).

That is, the rod lens array 54 and the original 42
Is L, and the distance from a point P ₁ in the plane including the optical axis of the light emitted from the light emitting elements 62 and 64 and the optical axis of the rod lens array 54 to a point P ₄ at a distance L is T. , Angle φ _L
Is obtained from equation (4).

Further, in this embodiment, the light emitting elements 62, 64 are
Of the light emitted from the optical axis of the rod lens array 54
And the effective width R of the rod lens array 54,
Point P ₀And the above point P₁Using the distance W, the distance T is
It becomes R / 2 + W (corresponding to the equation (5)). Virtual
Light emission point P_EAnd point P₀If the distance between and is h, the distance W is
It is obtained from the equation (6).

Then, the distance W, the distance h, the distance L, the distance T, the effective width R, the half angle θ _S of the divergence angle of the divergent light, the incident angle θ _i , the half angle ψ _W of the diffusion angle of the direct light, and the angle φ _L. Using
At least one of the light source and the rod lens array is prepositioned so as to satisfy the expression (3).

In this embodiment, the distance between the light emitting elements 62 and 64 and the rod lens 70 is 0.6 [mm], the diameter of the rod lens 70 is 5 [mm], and the distance h is 8.5.
[Mm]. The present invention is not limited to these values.

On the other hand, an exposure amount correction plate 34 in which a slit-shaped hole 32 is formed is provided between the transport rollers 23 and 24, and together with the rod lenses 68 and 70, the light source 50,
The illuminance unevenness of the image formed on the photosensitive material 16 caused by the arrangement interval of the light emitting elements 56, 62, 64 in 52 is corrected, and the photosensitive material 16 responds to the image along the opening direction of the slit-shaped holes 32. Therefore, uniform exposure is possible.

As shown in FIG. 1, a switchback section 40 is provided on the side of the exposure section 22, and
A water coating section 162 is provided below the exposure section 22. The photosensitive material 16 that has risen up the side of the photosensitive material magazine 14 and has been image-exposed in the exposure section 22 is once fed to the switchback section 40 and then provided below the exposure section 22 by the reverse rotation of the transport roller 26. It is sent to the water coating section 162 through the transport path.

The water coating section 162 is connected to a plurality of pipes to which water for coating the photosensitive material 16 is supplied. Further, a heat development transfer unit 104 including a heating drum 116 is provided on the side of the water application unit 162. Photosensitive material 1
In No. 6, the water is applied to the surface by the water application unit 162, the excess water is removed, and the water is sent to the heat development transfer unit 104.

On the other hand, in the machine base 12, the photosensitive material magazine 14
A receiving material magazine 106 is loaded on the side of the. The image receiving material magazine 106 stores the image receiving material 108 in a roll. The image forming surface of the image receiving material 108 is coated with a dye fixing material having a mordant,
The image forming surface is housed so as to face upward when pulled out from the material receiving magazine 106.

A nip roller 110 is disposed in the vicinity of the image receiving material take-out port of the image receiving material magazine 106. The nip roller 110 holds the leading edge of the image receiving material 108 sent from the material receiving magazine 106 and pulls it out, and releases the image receiving material 108 from the holding state. Is possible. Further, a cutter 112 is provided on the side of the nip roller 110, and the receiving material magazine 10
The image receiving material 108 pulled out from No. 6 is cut into a predetermined length, and the remaining image receiving material 108 is again received by the image receiving magazine 106.
It is designed to be pulled back in.

The photosensitive material magazine 1 is provided on the side of the cutter 112.
A receiving material conveying section 180 is provided adjacent to the side of No. 4. The receiving material conveying section 180 includes conveying rollers 186, 19
0 and 114 and a guide plate 182, the image receiving material 108 cut into a predetermined length is conveyed to the heat development transfer section 104.

On the other hand, the photosensitive material 16 conveyed to the heat development transfer section 104 includes the bonding roller 120 and the heating drum 1.
16, the image receiving material 108 is sent between the bonding roller 120 and the heating drum 116 when the photosensitive material 16 is advanced by a predetermined length in synchronization with the conveyance of the photosensitive material 16. It is superposed on the photosensitive material 16.

A pair of halogen lamps 132A and 132B are provided inside the heating drum 116, and the surface of the heating drum 116 is heated to a predetermined temperature by the halogen lamps 132A and 132B.

Five winding rollers 134, 135, 136, 138, and 140 are arranged around the heating drum 116, and the endless pressure contact belt 118 is wound around the winding rollers. In this endless pressure contact belt 118, the endless outer surface between the winding roller 134 and the winding roller 140 is in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the heating drum 116, and is fed between the bonding roller 120 and the heating drum 116. The photosensitive material 16 and the image-receiving material 108 thus formed are joined together by an endless pressure contact belt 118.
And is conveyed while being pressed into contact with the heating drum 116.

The bending guide roller 14 is provided below the heating drum 116 on the downstream side in the material conveying direction with the endless pressure contact belt 118.
2 is arranged, and a peeling claw 154 is axially supported on the downstream side of the bending guide roller 142 in the material conveying direction. The photosensitive material 16 wound around the heating drum 116 and conveyed.
When peeled off from the heating drum 116 by the peeling claws 154, is wound around the bending guide roller 142 and fed into the waste sensitive material storage box 178 to be accumulated.

A peeling roller 174 and a peeling claw 176 are arranged on the downstream side of the peeling claw 154 in the material conveying direction. Below the peeling roller 174 and the peeling claw 176, a material receiving guide 170, a material receiving roller 172, 173 and 175 are arranged. The image receiving material 108 conveyed in the state where the photosensitive material 16 is peeled off is peeling claw 176 and peeling roller 174.
Is peeled off from the peripheral surface of the heating drum 116, and thereafter, the receiving material guide 170 and the receiving material discharge rollers 172, 17
It is guided and conveyed by 3, 175 and discharged to the tray 177.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The original 42 is placed on the transparent glass plate 45 of the mounting table 13 of the image recording apparatus 10.
Is placed, after the pressing cover 15 is closed, the magnification of the image to be recorded, the number of processed images, etc. are specified, and the start is instructed.
The image recording apparatus 10 starts image recording processing.

That is, with the photosensitive material magazine containing the photosensitive material 16 loaded, the nip roller 18 is rotationally driven to pull out the photosensitive material 16. Sensitive Material Magazine 14
The photosensitive material 16 drawn out from the sheet is cut to a predetermined length by the cutter 20, and is conveyed toward the exposure section 22. At this time, the photosensitive material 16 is turned over so that the exposed surface, which has been directed downward, is directed upward.

When the photosensitive material 16 is conveyed to the exposure section 22, the motor 30 is activated to start the movement of the mounting table 13 and the exposure device 38 is activated.

The photosensitive material 16 which has passed through the exposure section 22 while being image-wise exposed by the exposure device 38 is once fed to the switchback section 40, and then the conveyance direction is changed by the reverse rotation of the conveyance roller 26, so that the switchback is performed. Part 4
It is sent from 0 to the water application section 162. Water application section 162
Then, after applying water as an image forming solvent to the photosensitive material 16, excess water is removed from the surface of the photosensitive material 16,
It is sent toward the heat development transfer unit 104.

On the other hand, when the image receiving material 108 is pulled out from the receiving material magazine 106 by the nip roller 110 at the start of the exposure processing of the photosensitive material 16, the cutter 112 is provided.
Is cut to a predetermined length. The cut image receiving material 108 is guided by the conveying rollers 190, 186, 114 to the position immediately before the heat development transfer section 104 while being guided by the guide plate 182, and is once in a standby state.

In the heat development transfer section 104, the water application section 162
When it is detected by a sensor (not shown) or the like that the tip of the photosensitive material 16 conveyed from the inside is sent between the bonding roller 120 and the heating drum 116, the conveyance of the image receiving material 108 is restarted and the bonding roller 120 and the heating drum 116 are restarted. At the same time as feeding into the space 116, the operation of the heating drum 116 starts. Thereby, the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 1
08 is superposed and sandwiched between the laminating roller 120 and the heating drum 116.

The light-sensitive material 16 and the image-receiving material 108, which are superposed on each other, are then heated to the heating drum 116 and the endless pressure contact belt 11.
8 and is wound around the heating drum 116 about two-thirds round (wound between the winding roller 134 and the winding roller 140 and conveyed. At this time, the photosensitive material 16 is conveyed by the heating drum 116. The image receiving material 108 is heated, the photosensitive material 16 releases a movable dye according to the exposed image, the released dye is transferred to the dye fixing layer of the image receiving material 108, and the image receiving material 108 is exposed to the exposed image. Image, that is, an image corresponding to the original 42 is formed.

When the photosensitive material 16 wound around the heating drum 116 reaches the lower portion of the heating drum 116, the peeling claw 154 is moved by a cam (not shown), and the image receiving material 1
The leading end portion of the photosensitive material 16 that precedes 08 is separated from the peripheral surface of the heating drum 116. The extremity of the peeled photosensitive material 16 is wound around the bending guide roller 142 as the peeling claw 154 returns and is conveyed downward. After that, the photosensitive material 16 is transferred to the waste sensitive material storage box 178.
Are sent to and accumulated.

On the other hand, the image receiving material 108 still in close contact with the heating drum 116 is peeled from the peripheral surface of the heating drum 116 by the peeling roller 174 and the peeling claw 176 and guided by the material receiving guide 170 while being discharged. Laura 17
The sheet is conveyed by 2, 173, and 175 and discharged to the tray 177.

As described above, in this embodiment, the distance W,
Using the distance h, the distance L, the distance T, the effective width R, the half angle θ _S of the divergence angle of the divergent light, the incident angle θ _i , the half angle ψ _W of the divergence angle of the direct light, and the angle φ _L , the equation (3) is expressed as Since at least one of the light source and the rod lens array is pre-positioned so as to satisfy the condition, direct light is prevented from entering the imaging lens.

As described above, if at least one of the light source and the rod lens array is preliminarily positioned so as to satisfy the expression (3), direct light does not enter the imaging lens, and thus at least one of the light source and the rod lens array is provided. The degree of freedom in positioning is improved, and if the incident angle is made as small as possible so that a ghost image does not occur, the irradiation area can be narrowed and the amount of light received by the imaging lens can be increased.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the exposure device 38, the two light sources 50 and 52 of the light source device 48 irradiate the surface of the original 42 with light of three colors of red, green and blue in a slit shape, and the original 4 is read.
The light reflected from the surface of No. 2 along the normal direction is condensed by the rod lens array 54 and focused on the photosensitive material 16 passing through the exposure point to expose the photosensitive material 16.

At this time, in the light source device 48, since the LED array 60 of the light source 50 is provided with the light emitting elements 56 having low luminance more than the light emitting elements 62 and 64 of the LED array 66 (about twice), the light emission of each color is performed. There is no difference in the illuminance of each color on the surface of the document 42 due to the difference in the brightness of the elements 56, 62, and 64.

Further, in the present embodiment, the exposure device 38 of the image recording device 10 includes the LED array 66 of one of the light source devices 48.
The two light sources of red and blue are emitted by the LED array 60, and the LED array 60 emitting green light is arranged in the vicinity of the rod lens array 54. The emitted light can be at the same angle with respect to the surface of the document 42. Further, by arranging the LED arrays 60 and 66 of the respective light sources 50 and 52 close to the rod lens array 54, it is possible to set a relatively large irradiation angle to the document surface, so that the surface of the document 42 can be efficiently processed. It can illuminate well.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the length W _{0 of the} illuminated area of the original 42 is smaller than the effective width R of the rod lens array 54 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Original 4 as shown in FIG.
It can also be applied to the case where the length W _{0 of the} irradiated region 2 is equal to or larger than the effective width R of the rod lens array 54. In addition,
Also in this case, the distance T is R / 2 + W (corresponding to the equation (5)).

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the original is irradiated with divergent light, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the original is irradiated with convergent light as described below. May be.

First, the case where the width W _{0 of the} illuminated area of the document is smaller than the effective width R of the imaging lens 54 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

As in the above-described embodiment, the arrangement of the light source 50 and the rod lens array 54 with respect to the original 42, and the original 42 of the light source 52 and the rod lens array 54.
The arrangements for the light source 5 and the light source 5 are the same.
2 and only the arrangement of the rod lens array 54 with respect to the original 42 will be described.

The light from the light emitting elements 62 and 64 is converged by the rod lens 70, and the converged light is applied to the original 42. Let the virtual convergence point of the convergent light be P _E ′. The half-angle of the convergent light is θ _S , and the incident angle of the light C ₀ traveling along the optical axis of the convergent light on the original 42 is θ _i .

Here, the half angle of the diffusion angle of the direct light at the point P ₁ (first point) closest to the light emitting elements 62, 64 and the farthest point P ₃ (third point) in the illuminated area of the document 42. Respectively ψ _W
And

Further, the first point P₁Direct light manuscripts in
Maximum angle θ with respect to surface 42A_xRIs obtained from equation (7),
Point P of 3_ThreeMaximum of direct light on the document surface 42A
Angle θ _xLIs obtained from equation (8).

The optical axis C ₅₄ of the rod lens array 54 which is a straight line connecting the first point P ₁ and the third point P ₃ and the second point P _2.
The angles formed by and are φ _LR and φ _LL , respectively.

Then, the direct light enters the imaging lens 54.
Maximum angle θ_xRIs the angle θ _yRSmaller and up
Large angle θ_xLIs the angle θ_yLTo be smaller, ie (1
The light source 52 and the optical source 52 and
Pre-position at least one of the lens arrays 54 in advance.
I have decided.

The angles φ _LR and φ _LL are obtained from the equations (13) and (14). The distances T _R and T _L are expressed by the equation (15), (1
It is obtained from equation (6).

Further, using the distance h between the incident point P ₀ and the virtual convergence point P _E ′, the distances W and W ′ are (17)
Equation (18) is obtained.

As described above, the distances W and W ', the distance h, the distance L, the distances T and T', the effective width R, and the half angle θ of the convergent angle of the convergent light.
_S , incident angle θ _i , half angle ψ _W of direct light diffusion angle, and angle φ
_{If LR} and φ _LL are used and at least one of the light source 52 and the rod lens array 54 is preliminarily positioned so as to satisfy the equations (11) and (12), the maximum angles θ _XR and θ _XL with respect to the original 42 are obtained. The direct light generated does not enter the imaging lens 54. Therefore, the direct light reflected by the illuminated area of the document does not enter the imaging lens 54. Therefore, the degree of freedom in positioning at least one of the light source 52 and the rod lens array 54 is improved, and the illumination area is narrowed by reducing the incident angle in a range where a ghost image does not occur, thereby reducing the amount of light received by the imaging lens. Can be increased.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a case will be described in which the width W _{0 of the} irradiated area of the document irradiated with the convergent light is equal to or larger than the effective width R of the imaging lens 54.

As described above, the maximum angle θ _xR of the direct light with respect to the original surface 42A at the first point P ₁ is _calculated from the expression (7), and the direct light original surface 42A at the third point P ₃ is obtained.
The maximum angle θ _xL with respect to is obtained from equation (8).

Similarly, the angles formed by the straight line connecting the first point P ₁ and the third point P ₃ and the second point P ₂ and the optical axis C ₅₄ of the imaging lens are φ _LR and φ _LL , respectively. And the angle θ _yR is (π
/ 2) -φ _LR , but the angle θ _yL is (π / 2) + φ _LL
Can be represented by

In order to prevent the direct light from entering the imaging lens 54, the maximum angle θ _xR is smaller than the angle θ _yR and the maximum angle θ _xL is smaller than the angle θ _yL , that is, (21) The light source 5 so that the equation (22) is satisfied.
At least one of the rod 2 and the rod lens array 54 is prepositioned in advance.

Angle φ_LR, Φ_LLIs the equation (23), the equation (24)
Obtained from Also, the distance T_R, T _LIs the expression (25),
It is obtained from the equation (26). Distances W and W'are respectively
It is obtained from the equations (27) and (28).

As described above, the distances W and W ', the distance h, the distance L, the distances T and T', the effective width R, and the half angle θ of the convergent angle of the convergent light.
_S , incident angle θ _i , half angle ψ _W of direct light diffusion angle, and angle φ
_{If LR} and φ _LL are used and at least one of the light source 52 and the rod lens array 54 is pre-positioned so as to satisfy the expressions (21) and (22), direct light does not enter the imaging lens, and thus the light source The degree of freedom in positioning at least one of 52 and the rod lens array 54 is improved, and
If the incident angle is reduced within the range where ghost images do not occur,
The amount of light received by the imaging lens can be increased by narrowing the irradiation area.

In the above-described embodiment, the light source 50 is used.
Is a point-like light emitting element 56 that emits G (green) color.
Is provided with an LED array 60 linearly arranged at a predetermined interval in the central portion of the substrate 58, and the light source 52 includes an R (red) dot-like light emitting element 62 and a B (blue) dot-like light emitting element 6.
4 is provided with the LED array 66 linearly arranged in the central portion of the substrate 58, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG.
The LED arrays 202, 204, and 206 for the three colors B are arranged in the vicinity of the rod lens array 54, and the LED array 2
Light emitted from 02, 204, and 206 and reflected in the normal direction from the original 42 on the upper surface of the transparent glass plate 45 may be condensed by the rod lens array 54 to expose the photosensitive material. At this time, the long rod lens array 54 and the LEDs 202, 204, 206 are arranged so as to be parallel to each other and also to the surface of the original.

Next, FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Since this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the above-described first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions, the description thereof will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

That is, in the above-described first embodiment, the light emitting elements 56, 62 and 64 for emitting G, R and B which do not contain the spectral components of ultraviolet light and infrared light are used for the light sources 50 and 52. I have to. That is, the sensitivity of the photosensitive material 16 to the wavelength of light has the distribution shown in FIG. 14, and when light having a spectral component of ultraviolet light or infrared light (light corresponding to the shaded area in FIG. 14) enters. This is because an image with the correct color density cannot be obtained.

By the way, in order to improve the copying speed, it is necessary to increase the scanning speed. If the scanning speed is increased, the amount of light incident on the photosensitive material decreases. Therefore, it is necessary to use a light emitting element of ultra-high brightness. become.

On the other hand, many of the super-bright light emitting elements have spectral components in the ultraviolet region and the infrared region. Therefore, when the super-bright light emitting element is simply used, as described above, the correct coloring density is obtained. Can't get etc.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to improve the copying speed, the light emitting elements 56, 62 and 64 are light emitting elements 56, 62 and 64 having a super high luminance having a spectral component in the ultraviolet region or the infrared region.
In addition to 0 and 52, a blocking means is used to block light having a spectrum component of ultraviolet light or infrared light so as not to enter the photosensitive material 16.

That is, the relative intensities of the light (G) emitted from the light emitting element 56, the light (R) emitted from the light emitting element 62, and the light (B) emitted from the light emitting element 64 according to this embodiment with respect to the wavelength. Has the distribution shown in FIG.
As can be seen from FIG. 13, the light (G) emitted from the light emitting element 56 and the light (R) emitted from the light emitting element 62 have spectral components in the infrared region and are emitted from the light emitting element 64. The emitted light (B) has a spectral component in the ultraviolet region.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, a filter 65R for blocking light having a wavelength corresponding to the spectral component of the inner infrared region of the light (R) emitted from the light emitting element 62, and the light emitting element 64. A filter 65B that blocks light having a wavelength corresponding to the spectral component in the inner ultraviolet region of the light (B) emitted from is disposed so as to correspond to each of the light emitting elements 62 and 64. The filters 65R and 65B
Are arranged on a transparent glass plate 65 (see FIG. 12).

Further, between the LED array 60 in which the light emitting element 56 is arranged and the rod lens array 68, a filter for blocking light having a wavelength corresponding to a spectral component in the infrared region is provided as a transparent glass plate 67 (see FIG. 12). It is located in.

As described above, an ultrahigh-luminance light emitting element having a spectral component in the ultraviolet region or infrared region is used, and a filter for blocking light having a wavelength corresponding to the spectral component of ultraviolet light or infrared light is used as the light emitting device. Since it is arranged between the rod lens array and the rod lens array, it is possible to obtain an image formed with a correct color density and an appropriate amount of light, and it is possible to increase the scanning speed and improve the copying speed.

In the second embodiment described above, a filter for blocking light having a wavelength corresponding to the spectral components of ultraviolet light or infrared light is arranged between the light emitting element and the rod lens array. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be as follows.

That is, the filter is inserted in any part of the optical path. In addition, the filter is about 400 [nm] to about 8
Only visible light in the band of 00 [nm] is transmitted. The light emitting element is coated with a filter that blocks light having a wavelength corresponding to a spectrum component of ultraviolet light or infrared light or transmits light in the visible range. In this case, the resin protective coating may be coated with the filter. Further, a rod lens array that images the light reflected from the original on the photosensitive material may be coated with a filter that blocks light having a wavelength corresponding to the spectral components of ultraviolet light or infrared light or transmits light in the visible range. Good.

Although the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the above-described first embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and a modification of the first embodiment. ((FIG. 7), (FIG. 8, FIG. 9), (FIG. 10, FIG. 11)) may be substantially the same configuration.

The arrangement of the point light emitting elements of the first and second elongated light sources is the same as the light emitting element 5 of the LED arrays 60 and 66.
The arrangement is not limited to the arrangement of 6, 62, 64, and various applications are possible.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the light source 5
LE as the first and second elongated light sources instead of 0 and 52
A light source 82 using the D array 80 and a light source 86 using the LED array 84 may be applied. LED array 80
Is an LED array 84 in which green light emitting elements 56 and blue light emitting elements 64 are alternately arranged linearly.
Is a device in which green light emitting elements 56 and red light emitting elements 62 are alternately arranged in a straight line. Further, between the LED arrays 80 and 84, the position of the light emitting element 56 is set to the original 42.
The zigzag shape is seen from the surface of the sheet, which can prevent uneven color distribution on the surface of the document 42.

The brightness of the light emitting elements 56, 62 and 64 has been described as R ≧ B> G, but the brightness is not limited to this. For example, in FIG. 17, a light emitting element 90 (red) having a brightness R>G> B, which is common in current LEDs, is provided.
An example of using 2 (green) and 94 (blue) is shown. In this example, the light emitting element 94 with the lowest brightness
One light source (first long light source) is configured by the LED array 96 in which the light emitting elements 90 and 92 are linearly arranged at a predetermined ratio. You may do it.

As described above, the object of the present invention can be achieved by arranging the three colors of red, green and blue so as to distribute the light emitting elements to the first and second elongated light sources. Further, by changing the arrangement according to the brightness of the point light emitting elements of each color, it is possible to obtain a uniform illuminance regardless of the brightness, and the exposure amount of the exposure amount which appears on the photosensitive material 16 as color unevenness due to the difference in illuminance. There is no shortage.

Although the LED array is used in the first and second embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and a fluorescent tube may be used. . In this case, as the blocking means according to the second embodiment, the fluorescent tube may be coated with a bandpass filter in the visible range.

In the above-described first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which the optical axes of the light sources 50, 52 and the rod lens array 54 are the same, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to these optical axes. Are not limited to the case where

Furthermore, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the rod lens is used as the imaging lens,
The present invention is not limited to this, and a gradient index lens (for example, “SELFOC lens” (trademark of Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.)) may be used.

[0166]

As described above, according to the present invention, at least one of the irradiation means and the imaging lens has a degree of freedom in positioning so that direct light does not enter the imaging lens and a ghost image is not generated. In addition to the improvement, there is an effect that the irradiation area can be narrowed and the amount of light received by the imaging lens can be increased by making the incident angle as small as possible so that a ghost image is not generated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus including an exposure device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an exposure apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic layout diagram showing an array of light emitting elements of an LED array.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a light source and a rod lens array of an exposure apparatus according to the first embodiment with respect to a document.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a light amount distribution of diffused light diffused by an original and reflected light reflected by the original.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the arrangement of the light source and the rod lens array of the exposure apparatus according to the first embodiment with respect to the original on the basis of angles.

FIG. 7 is a schematic layout diagram of a modified example of the exposure apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a light source and a rod lens array with respect to a document in a modified example of the exposure apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a light source and a rod lens array of the modified example of FIG. 8 with respect to a document based on angles.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a light source and a rod lens array of another modified example of the exposure apparatus according to the present embodiment with respect to a document.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining the arrangement of the light source and the rod lens array of the modified example of FIG. 10 with respect to a document based on angles.

FIG. 12 is a schematic layout diagram of a modified example of the exposure apparatus of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship of the relative intensity with respect to the wavelength of light emitted from the light source of the exposure apparatus of the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the sensitivity of a photosensitive material to wavelength.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a filter of the exposure apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic layout diagram showing another arrangement of the light emitting elements of the LED array.

FIG. 17 is a schematic layout view showing still another arrangement of the light emitting elements of the LED array.

FIG. 18 is a modification of the light source device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 image recording device 16 photosensitive material 38 exposure device 48 light source device 50, 52 light source 54 rod lens array 56, 62, 64 light emitting element 60 LED array 66 LED array 108 image receiving material

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An exposure apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates an original with light obliquely; and an image forming lens that forms an image of light reflected from the original on a photosensitive material. The maximum angle of the direct light reflected from the first point closest to the irradiating means in the illuminated area of the document is the maximum angle with respect to the document surface in the surface on the document side where the light of the imaging lens is incident. Second farthest from the irradiation means
Of the direct light reflected from the third point farthest from the irradiation means in the irradiation area and smaller than the angle formed by the straight line connecting the point No. 1 and the first point and the surface of the original. An exposure apparatus in which at least one of the irradiation means and the imaging lens is arranged such that the maximum angle with respect to is smaller than the angle formed by the straight line connecting the second point and the third point and the document surface. . 2. An exposure device comprising: an irradiation unit for irradiating an original with divergent light from an oblique direction; and an image forming lens for forming an image of light reflected from the original on a photosensitive material. The half angle of the divergence angle is θ _S , the incident angle of the light on the optical axis of the divergence light to the document is θ _i , from the point closest to the irradiation unit in the illuminated area of the document irradiated with the divergence light. The half angle of the diffusion angle of the reflected direct light is ψ _W , and the point closest to the irradiation means in the irradiated area and the farthest from the irradiation means in the surface of the original side where the light of the imaging lens enters. An exposure apparatus in which at least one of the irradiation unit and the imaging lens is arranged so that an angle formed by a straight line connecting a point and the optical axis of the imaging lens is φ _L and the following expression is satisfied. [Equation 1] θ _i −θ _S −ψ _W > φ _L 3. An exposure apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit for irradiating an original with convergent light obliquely; and an imaging lens for forming an image of light reflected from the original on a photosensitive material, wherein the convergent light is The width of the irradiated area of the irradiated original cut by the surface including the optical axis of the irradiation means and the imaging lens is smaller than the width of the surface of the original on which the light of the imaging lens is incident, and The half angle of the convergent angle of the convergent light is θ _S , the incident angle of the light on the optical axis of the convergent light to the original is θ _i , from the point closest to and farthest from the irradiation unit in the irradiation area. The half angle of the diffusion angle of each reflected direct light is ψ _W , and the point closest to and farthest from the irradiation means in the irradiated area and the surface of the original side where the light of the imaging lens enters. With the optical axis of each of the straight lines connecting the farthest point from the irradiation means The angles formed are φ _LR and φ _LL , respectively.
And an exposure apparatus in which at least one of the irradiation unit and the imaging lens is arranged so as to satisfy the following two expressions. [Formula 2] θ _i + θ _S −ψ _W > φ _LR [Formula 3] θ _i −θ _S −ψ _W > φ _LL 4. An exposure device comprising: an irradiation unit for irradiating an original with convergent light obliquely; and an image forming lens for forming an image of light reflected from the original on a photosensitive material, wherein the convergent light is The width of the irradiated area of the irradiated original cut by the surface including the optical axis of the irradiation means and the imaging lens is equal to or larger than the width of the surface of the original on which the light of the imaging lens is incident, and The half angle of the convergent angle of the convergent light is θ _S , the incident angle of the light on the optical axis of the convergent light to the original is θ _i , from the point closest to and farthest from the irradiation unit in the irradiation area. The half angle of the diffusion angle of each reflected direct light is ψ _W , and the point closest to and farthest from the irradiation means in the irradiated area and the surface of the original side where the light of the imaging lens enters. Consist of each straight line connecting the farthest point from the irradiation means with the optical axis of the imaging lens An exposure apparatus in which at least one of the irradiation means and the imaging lens is arranged so that the angles are φ _LR and φ _LL and the following two expressions are satisfied. [Formula 4] θ _i + θ _S −ψ _W > φ _LR [Formula 5] θ _i −θ _S −ψ _W > −φ _LL