JPH1021718A - Light source unit, light source device, photograph printing device, auxiliary exposure device, image scanner and electrophotography device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized light source unit wherein light quantity irregularity and bias are reduced, by having a polyhedron transparent member all surfaces of which are planar, by light coming therein from a light incidence surface of the transparent member, and by irradiating an object-to-be-irradiated with light from a light irradiation surface. SOLUTION: Light of a light source 2 comes into a light incidence surface 104. Because the incidence surface 104 is a light scattering surface, the incoming light is scattered from the light incidence surface 104 toward the interior of a transparent member 1. The scattered incoming light within the member 1 is reflected by light reflection surfaces 105, 106 (smooth surfaces), 101, 102 (light scattering surfaces fitted with mirrors). Accordingly, light emitted out of the member 1 is little. Further, the reflected light is scattered more and more by the light reflection surfaces-cum-light scattering surfaces 101, 102 and the like. Accordingly, irregularity of light quantity is reduced without losing much intensity of the incoming light. Because an irradiation surface 103 is a light scattering surface, the light is scattered still more by the irradiation surface 103, and irradiation light, which incurs little loss in intensity as compared with the incoming light and has substantially uniform intensity, is applied from the irradiation surface 103 to an object-to-be-irradiated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light source unit used in a light source unit, a light source device, an image scanner, an electrophotographic device, a photographic printing device, a sub-exposure device, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a light source for an image scanner, an electrophotographic apparatus, an exposure apparatus for a photographic printing apparatus, etc., it is necessary to use uniform linear light without unevenness of light quantity and unevenness. Conventionally, as a light source unit for a device such as a scanner having such a demand, a so-called two-port type is generally provided inside a column-shaped reflecting mirror in which the inner surface of a cross-section "" is a reflecting surface. A rod-shaped fluorescent lamp or a lamp on which a lamp is arranged is used. Although this rod-shaped fluorescent lamp or lamp is fixed at a predetermined position, it has been extremely difficult to obtain a uniform irradiation light without bias due to uneven light quantity due to the position of the rod-shaped fluorescent lamp or lamp itself.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-142465
In No. 2, fine powder with a high refractive index is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rod for optical transmission in the form of linear fine stripes in the axial direction, and a reflecting mirror is provided except for the light irradiation part, and further, on one end surface of the rod for optical transmission. A light source unit has been proposed in which a reflecting mirror is provided, a light-injecting lamp is provided on the other end surface, and light is emitted from a light irradiating unit. The light source unit can be downsized.

[0004]

However, since the rod used for transmitting light in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-142465 has a circular cross-sectional shape, the width of the light irradiation surface and the width of the light source unit are the same. No, the unit tends to be thick. Further, it is difficult to process the reflecting mirror provided on the outer periphery.
The application of the fine powder applied to the rod surface requires advanced technology. Furthermore, in this method, there is only one surface that has the function of scattering light, and thus the uniformity of the obtained light amount is limited.

Therefore, the present invention solves these problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a light source unit that can reduce the light amount loss by a simple method while suppressing the thickness, reduce unevenness in the light amount of irradiation light, have high uniformity, and can be manufactured with low cost and simple processing.

[0006]

The above object is achieved by the following means. That is, [Claim 1] "A polyhedral transparent member having all surfaces flat, and at least one surface of the transparent member is a light incident surface on which light is incident; At least one surface different from the light incident surface is a light irradiation surface that is a surface that irradiates the object with light, and at least the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface are light scattering surfaces that scatter light. At least one surface of the transparent member other than the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface is a light reflecting surface that reflects light inside the transparent member, and light is incident from the light incident surface of the transparent member. And irradiating the object with light from the light irradiation surface. With the invention according to the present claim, irradiation light with less light quantity unevenness and bias and less light quantity loss than incident light can be obtained,
Further, processing is easy, and a small light source unit can be obtained.

[Claim 2] "A transparent member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, at least one surface of the transparent member is a light incident surface on which light is incident, and the light incident surface of the transparent member is provided. At least one surface is a light irradiation surface that irradiates the object with light, and at least the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface are light scattering surfaces that scatter light, and the transparent member At least one surface other than the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface is a light reflection surface that reflects light inside the transparent member, and light is incident from the light incident surface of the transparent member; A light source unit which irradiates an object with light from a surface. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain irradiation light with less unevenness and unevenness in light amount and smaller loss in light amount as compared with incident light. Furthermore, since the processing is easy, and the width of the light irradiation surface and the thickness of the members are the same, the thickness of the unit is smaller than that of the rod, and a light source unit capable of further miniaturizing the device is obtained. Can be.

[Claim 3] "All surfaces having a plate-shaped transparent member and having sides in the thickness direction of the transparent member are light scattering surfaces for scattering light, and the thickness of the transparent member is reduced. At least one of the surfaces having sides in the thickness direction is a light incidence surface that is a surface on which light is incident, and the light incidence surface is a surface of the transparent member having sides in the thickness direction. At least one different surface is a light irradiation surface that is a surface that irradiates light to an object to be irradiated, and at least one surface other than the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface of the transparent member has an inside of the transparent member. A light source unit, which is a light reflecting surface that reflects light, receives light from the light incident surface of the transparent member, and irradiates the object to be irradiated with light from the light irradiation surface. According to the invention of the present invention, irradiation light with less unevenness and unevenness in light amount and less loss in light amount can be obtained. Furthermore, processing is easy, and since the width of the light irradiation surface and the thickness of the members are the same, the thickness of the unit is smaller than that of the rod,
A light source unit capable of further reducing the size of the device can be obtained.

[Claim 4] "A transparent member having a shape obtained by bending a transparent plate member, and all surfaces having sides in the thickness direction of the transparent member are light scattering surfaces for scattering light, At least one of the surfaces having sides in the thickness direction of the transparent member
One surface is a light incident surface that is a surface on which light is incident, and at least one surface of the transparent member having a side in the thickness direction that is different from the light incident surface emits light. It is a light irradiation surface that is a surface to irradiate, at least one surface other than the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface of the transparent member, a light reflection surface that reflects light inside the transparent member,
A light source unit, wherein light is incident from the light incident surface of the transparent member, and the object is irradiated with light from the light irradiation surface. According to the invention according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain irradiation light with less unevenness and unevenness in light amount and less loss in light amount, and further to facilitate processing and to obtain a small light source unit.

[Claim 5] "If the transparent member is in a vertical direction,
A substantially rectangular parallelepiped having a lateral direction and a side in the thickness direction, wherein the length in the thickness direction is shorter than the length in the other two directions, and the light irradiation surface is in the thickness direction. 3. The light source unit according to claim 2, wherein the light source unit is a surface having sides. With the invention according to the present claim, it is possible to obtain a light source unit with less unevenness in light quantity and less deviation.

[Claim 6] "Each surface of the transparent member other than the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface is the light reflecting surface." The light source unit according to item 1. According to the invention according to the present claim, it is possible to obtain a light source unit capable of further reducing the light amount loss.

[7] The light source unit according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the transparent member is hollow. According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the weight of the unit.

(8) At least one of the two opposing surfaces of the transparent member is the light reflecting surface. A light source unit as described. According to the invention according to the present claim, it is possible to obtain a light source unit capable of further reducing the light amount loss.

[9] The light source unit according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein at least one of the light reflecting surfaces is a smooth surface. According to the invention according to the present claim, it is possible to obtain a light source unit capable of further reducing the light amount loss.

(10) The light source unit according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein at least one of the light reflecting surfaces has a mirror. According to the invention according to the present claim, it is possible to obtain a light source unit capable of further reducing the light amount loss.

[11] The light source unit according to any one of [1] to [10], wherein at least one of the light scattering surfaces is a fine grained surface. According to the invention according to this claim, the light scattering surface of the light source unit can be more easily processed, and the light source unit can be manufactured at low cost. Further, the loss of light amount can be reduced as compared with the case where a light scattering paint or the like is applied and adhered. [12] The light source unit according to any one of [1] to [11], wherein the transparent member is made of an acrylic resin. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a light source unit that is easier to process and can be manufactured at low cost.

[13] The light source unit according to any one of [1] to [12], wherein the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface are not parallel to each other. According to the present invention, a light source unit in which light is scattered more and light amount unevenness and deviation are less can be obtained.

[14] The light source unit according to any one of [1] to [13], wherein the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface form a substantially right angle. According to the present invention, a light source unit in which light is scattered more and light amount unevenness and deviation are less can be obtained.

[Claim 15] "When an incident light direction line indicating the strongest direction of light incident on the light incident surface is extended,
The light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the extended incident light direction line does not cross the light irradiation surface. According to the present invention, a light source unit in which light is scattered more and light amount unevenness and deviation are less can be obtained.

[Claim 16] "A second transparent member is continuously provided on the light irradiation surface of the transparent member, and light is incident on the surface of the second transparent member which is in contact with the light irradiation surface of the transparent member. It is a light incident surface which is a surface, The said 2nd transparent member has a light irradiation surface which is a surface which irradiates an object to be irradiated with light, The any one of Claims 1-15 characterized by the above-mentioned. A light source unit as described. According to the present invention, a light source unit in which light is scattered more and light amount unevenness and deviation are less can be obtained.

[Claim 17] [The two light source units according to any one of claims 1 to 16 are provided,
The two light source units are arranged side by side in a direction of a line parallel to the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface so that the light irradiation surfaces are substantially in the same plane and face in substantially the same direction. A light source device, wherein incident surfaces are parallel to each other, and sides on which light is incident face each other. According to the present invention, unevenness in the amount of light generated at the ends of the light irradiation surfaces of the two light source units is canceled each other. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a light source device with less unevenness and unevenness in light quantity.

[Claim 18] [The light source device according to claim 17, wherein the two light source units are light source units having the same shape and structure. According to the invention according to the present claim, it is possible to obtain a light source device in which the effect of canceling out the unevenness in the light amount is further increased and the unevenness in the light amount and the deviation are less.

[19] A photographic printing apparatus comprising the light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the light source device according to claim 17 or 18. According to the invention according to the present invention, since the loss of the light amount of the light source is small, the irradiation light amount can be obtained efficiently and the exposure can be performed with uniform light. Further, since the processing of the light source unit is easy and the thickness of the unit can be reduced, the manufacturing becomes easier, and a more compact photographic printing apparatus can be obtained.

[Claim 20] [A sub-exposure apparatus comprising the light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the light source device according to claim 17 or 18. According to the present invention, since the loss of the light amount of the light source is small, the irradiation light amount can be obtained efficiently and the sub-exposure can be performed with uniform light. Further, since the processing of the light source unit is easy and the thickness of the unit can be reduced, the manufacturing becomes easier, and a further smaller sub-exposure device can be obtained.

[21] An image scanner comprising the light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the light source device according to claim 17 or 18. According to the present invention, since the loss of the light amount of the light source is small, the irradiation light amount can be obtained efficiently, exposure can be performed with uniform light, and good scanning can be performed. Further, since the processing of the light source unit is easy and the thickness of the unit can be reduced, the production becomes easier, and a smaller image scanner can be obtained.

[Claim 22] An electrophotographic apparatus comprising the light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the light source device according to claim 17 or 18. According to the invention according to the present claim, since the loss of the light amount of the light source is small, the irradiation light amount can be obtained efficiently and the exposure can be performed with uniform light. Further, since the processing of the light source unit is easy and the thickness of the unit can be reduced, the production becomes easier, and a more compact electrophotographic apparatus can be obtained.

[Explanation of Terms] The “polyhedral transparent member” in the present invention includes a rectangular parallelepiped, a hexagonal prism, a quadrangular pyramid and the like.

The “transparent member” in the present invention may be solid or hollow.

The "object to be irradiated" in the present invention includes, for example, a photographic photosensitive material, a photosensitive member, a photosensitive drum, a document, a second transparent member and the like.

The "light scattering surface" in the present invention means a surface that scatters light. The light scattering surface may be, for example, a fine grained surface described later or a surface formed by applying or attaching a substance having light scattering properties.

The “substantially rectangular parallelepiped” in the present invention may be a complete rectangular parallelepiped, or may have a slightly rounded corner,
It may be shaved or slightly inclined.

"Plate-shaped transparent member" in the present invention
Is not limited to a rectangular plate, and can take various shapes, and may be a semicircle, a sector, a parallelogram, a pentagon, or the like. Further, it may be manufactured by cutting out from a large plate-shaped transparent member, or may have a slanted end face.

The term "transparent member having a shape obtained by bending a transparent plate member" in the present invention means not only a transparent member formed by bending a transparent plate member but also a curved member such as a mold. It also means making a plate-shaped transparent member.

The “light reflecting surface” in the present invention means a surface which reflects light inside the transparent member. Although it is preferable to perform total reflection, there may be some loss of light amount instead of total reflection. For example, a transparent member may be simply provided with a smooth surface to reflect light inside the transparent member to serve as a light reflecting surface.However, a mirror is provided on the smooth surface of the transparent member with the mirror facing the inside of the transparent member. Preferred examples include those in which a mirror is provided on the light scattering surface of the transparent member with the mirror surface facing the inside of the transparent member.

The “fine grained surface” in the present invention means a surface having fine irregularities. For example, a fine grained surface can be created by a physical fine graining method of processing with sandpaper or the like, a chemical fine graining method of processing with a chemical, or the like. Further, as another example of the physical fine-grained surface, a cut surface formed by cutting a transparent member using a thread saw or a circular saw can also be used as the fine-grained surface. The fine grained surface may be provided by manufacturing a transparent member using a mold having a fine grained surface.

"Second transparent member" in the present invention
The transparent member of the light source unit according to claims 1 to 15 can be used. If the light incident surface is flat, a transparent member having another shape (for example, a column) can be used.

In the present invention, "the two light source units are such that the light-irradiated surfaces face substantially the same direction" means not only that they are completely in the same direction, but also that they are slightly facing each other. This means that the direction may be slightly away. However, it is preferable that they face completely in the same direction or that they face a little.

The term "sub-exposure device" as used in the present invention means a device for uniformly irradiating a small amount of light on photographic paper in order to adjust the gradation characteristics of the photographic paper.

[0039]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
17 to FIG. 17, but the present invention is not limited to these. Further, in the embodiments, there are definite expressions for terms and the like, but they show preferable examples of the present invention, and do not limit the meaning or technical scope of the terms of the present invention.

[Common Items of the Embodiments] First, the items common to the following embodiments will be described.

The material of the transparent member is preferably as transparent and light-resistant as possible. For example, silicone resin, acrylic resin, vinyl chloride resin, quartz glass, optical glass, etc. can be used. In view of the above, an acrylic resin is more preferable.

The light-scattering surface may be a fine-grained surface generated by polishing with a file or sandpaper, or cutting a transparent member, or a surface on which a light-scattering substance is applied and adhered. . However, in view of ease of processing, light scattering properties, and light intensity, it is preferable to process the light scattering surface by polishing sandpaper. It is more preferable to use sandpaper No. 100 to No. 500.

Light sources include a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, a flash lamp, and an LED.
(Light emitting diode) or the like can be used.

From the viewpoint of reducing unevenness of the irradiation light, it is preferable that the incident light incident from the light incident surface directly reaches the light irradiation surface and is hardly irradiated from the light irradiation surface. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, when the incident direction line 10 indicating the direction of the strongest light among the incident lights is extended (dotted line in the figure), the extended incident light direction line intersects the light irradiation surface 190. 15, the incident direction line 1 as shown in FIG.
When 0 is extended, the extended incident light direction line becomes the light irradiation surface 1
It is more preferable that 90 is not intersected.

Embodiment 1 This embodiment is an example of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a light source unit according to the first embodiment.
Is a side view thereof.

The light source unit of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

This light source unit has a rectangular parallelepiped transparent member 1.
And a mirror 3.

The rectangular parallelepiped transparent member 1 is made of acrylic resin, and has six surfaces 101, 102, 103, 104, 10
5 and 106. Of the six faces, 101, 1
02, 103 and 104 are light scattering surfaces. These light scattering surfaces are fine-grained surfaces created by polishing the four surfaces 101, 102, 103, and 104 with sandpaper No. 100. The remaining two surfaces 105 and 106 are smooth surfaces and function as light reflecting surfaces. Four light scattering surfaces 10
Of the surfaces 1, 102, 103, and 104, the surface 104 is a light incident surface, and the light source 2 is provided on the side of the surface 104 so that light enters. The light scattering surface 103 located at a right angle to the light incident surface 104 is a light irradiation surface that irradiates the object with light.

Mirrors 3 are provided on the remaining light scattering surfaces 101 and 102 with the mirror surfaces facing the inside of the transparent member.
Is a light reflecting surface. Therefore, the surfaces 101, 102
Has both functions of a light scattering surface and a light reflecting surface.

The light from the light source 2 enters the light incident surface 104. Since the light incident surface 104 is a light scattering surface, the light incident surface 1
At 04, the incident light is scattered toward the inside of the transparent member 1. The scattered incident light inside the transparent member 1 is reflected by the light reflecting surface 105,
The light is reflected by 106 (smooth surface), 101, and 102 (mirror provided on the light scattering surface). Therefore, light emitted outside the transparent member 1 is small. The reflected light is further scattered by the light-reflecting / light-scattering surfaces 101, 102 and the like. Therefore, the unevenness in the amount of light is reduced without significantly impairing the intensity of the incident light. Since the light irradiation surface 103 is a light scattering surface, the light is further scattered by the light irradiation surface 103, and the intensity loss is small and almost uniform over the entire surface of the light irradiation surface 103 as compared with the incident light. Irradiation light of high intensity is irradiated from the light irradiation surface 103 to an object to be irradiated (not shown).

When the mirrors are provided on the smooth surfaces 105 and 106, the reflectance of the light reflecting surfaces 105 and 106 becomes higher,
Further, loss of light intensity is reduced, which is preferable.

Further, a hollow transparent member may be used.

Embodiment 2 This embodiment is another example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a light source unit according to the second embodiment.

The light source unit of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

This light source unit comprises a rectangular plate-shaped transparent member 1 and a mirror 3.

The plate-shaped transparent member 1 is made of an acrylic resin and has six surfaces 107, 108, 109, 110, 11
1, 112. Of the six surfaces, four surfaces 107, 108, 109, and 110 having sides in the thickness direction are light scattering surfaces. This light scattering surface is also 100
It has been processed by polishing sandpaper. still,
The remaining two surfaces 111 and 112 are smooth surfaces and function as light reflecting surfaces. The light scattering surface 110 is a light incident surface, and the light scattering surface 109 at a position perpendicular to the light incident surface 110 is a light irradiation surface.

The mirrors 3 are provided on the remaining light scattering surfaces 107 and 108 with the mirror surfaces facing the inside of the transparent member.
Is a light reflecting surface. Therefore, the surfaces 107, 108
Has both functions of a light scattering surface and a light reflecting surface.

The light from the light source 2 is incident on the light incident surface 110. With the same mechanism as in the first embodiment, the incident light incident on the light incident surface 110 has less loss of intensity over the entire surface of the light irradiation surface 109 than the incident light, and is irradiated light of almost uniform intensity. The object to be irradiated (not shown) is irradiated from the light irradiation surface 109.

When the mirrors are provided on the smooth surfaces 111 and 112, the reflectance of the light reflecting surfaces 111 and 112 becomes higher, and the loss of light intensity is further reduced, which is preferable.

Embodiment 3 This embodiment is another example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a light source unit according to the third embodiment.

The light source unit of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

This embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment.
The second embodiment uses a rectangular plate-shaped transparent member, whereas the present embodiment differs only in that a fan-shaped plate-shaped transparent member is used.

The fan-shaped plate-shaped transparent member 1 is made of acrylic resin, and has surfaces 113, 114, 1 having sides in the thickness direction.
Reference numeral 15 denotes a light scattering surface. This light-scattering surface is also processed by polishing No. 100 sandpaper as in the first embodiment. Note that the remaining two surfaces 116 and 117 are smooth surfaces,
Functions as a light reflecting surface. The light scattering surface 115 is a light incident surface, and the light scattering surface 1 at a position perpendicular to the light incident surface 115.
14 is a light irradiation surface.

The mirror 3 is provided on the light-scattering surface 113 corresponding to the fan-shaped arc with the mirror surface facing the inside of the transparent member, and the surface 113 is a light reflecting surface. Therefore, the surface 113 has both functions of a light scattering surface and a light reflecting surface.

The light from the light source 2 is incident on the light incident surface 115. With the same mechanism as in the first embodiment, the incident light that has entered the light incident surface 115 has less intensity loss as compared to the incident light over the entire surface of the light irradiation surface 114, and is irradiated as light having almost uniform intensity. The object to be irradiated (not shown) is irradiated from the light irradiation surface 114.

When the mirrors are provided on the smooth surfaces 116 and 117, the reflectance of the light reflecting surfaces 111 and 112 becomes higher,
Further, loss of light intensity is reduced, which is preferable.

Embodiment 4 This embodiment is another example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a light source unit according to the fourth embodiment.

The light source unit of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

This light source unit is composed of a bent plate-shaped transparent member 1 and a mirror 3.

The bent plate-shaped transparent member 1 is made of acrylic resin and has six surfaces 118, 119, 120,
121, 122, and 123. Of the six surfaces, four surfaces 118, 119, and 12 having sides in the thickness direction
0 and 121 are light scattering surfaces. This light-scattering surface is also processed by polishing No. 100 sandpaper as in the first embodiment. Note that the remaining two surfaces 122 and 123 are smooth surfaces and function as light reflecting surfaces. The light scattering surface 121 is a light incident surface, and the light scattering surface 119 is parallel to the light incident surface 121.
Is a light irradiation surface.

The mirror 3 is provided on the remaining light scattering surfaces 118 and 120 with the mirror surface facing the inside of the transparent member.
Is a light reflecting surface. Therefore, the surfaces 118, 120
Has both functions of a light scattering surface and a light reflecting surface.

The light from the light source 2 is incident on the light incident surface 121. With the same mechanism as in the first embodiment, the incident light incident on the light incident surface 121 has less intensity loss as compared with the incident light over the entire surface of the light irradiation surface 119, and is irradiated light of almost uniform intensity. The object to be irradiated (not shown) is irradiated from the light irradiation surface 119.

It is preferable to provide the mirrors on the smooth surfaces 122 and 123 because the reflectance of the light reflecting surfaces 122 and 123 becomes higher and the loss of light intensity is further reduced.

Further, by processing the smooth surfaces 122 and 123,
After forming the light scattering surfaces, mirrors may be provided on the light scattering surfaces 122 and 123. With this configuration, loss of light intensity can be reduced, and unevenness of light intensity can be further reduced, which is preferable.

Embodiment 5 This embodiment is another example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a light source unit according to the fifth embodiment.

The light source unit of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

This embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment.
In the present embodiment, all surfaces except the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface of the plate-shaped transparent member according to the second embodiment are covered with mirrors to form a light reflecting surface.

The transparent member 1 in the form of a rectangular plate is made of acrylic resin, and has four sides having sides in the thickness direction according to the first embodiment.
Similarly to the above, it is processed with a No. 100 sandpaper to provide a light scattering surface. Of the four light scattering surfaces, the surface 125 was a light incident surface, and the light scattering surface 124 perpendicular to the light incident surface 125 was a light irradiation surface. The remaining two surfaces other than the light scattering surface are smooth surfaces. On all surfaces except the light incident surface 125 and the light irradiation surface 124, the mirror 3 is provided with the mirror surface facing the inside of the transparent member to serve as a light reflecting surface.

The light from the light source 2 is incident on the light incident surface 125. With the same mechanism as in the first embodiment, the incident light incident on the light incident surface 125 has less loss of light intensity than the incident light over the entire surface of the light irradiation surface 124, and is irradiated with almost uniform intensity. The light is irradiated from a light irradiation surface 124 onto an irradiation object (not shown) as light. Since all surfaces other than the light incident surface 125 and the light irradiation surface 124 are covered with the mirror, loss of light intensity is further reduced, and irradiation light with higher light intensity can be obtained.

As in the present embodiment, the surfaces of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped transparent member having sides in the thickness direction are all light-scattering surfaces, one of which is a light-incident surface and the other is one. Is a light irradiation surface, and a mirror is provided on all surfaces except the light incidence surface and the light irradiation surface, and even as a light reflection surface, the loss of light intensity of irradiation light is reduced, and the light intensity with less unevenness in light amount is high. Irradiation light can be obtained.

Embodiment 6 This embodiment is another example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a light source unit according to the sixth embodiment.

The light source unit of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

This light source unit comprises a transparent member 1A, which is a combination of two rectangular plate-shaped transparent members 1B and 1C, and a mirror 3
A, 3B.

The two plate-shaped transparent members 1B and 1C are both made of acrylic resin and have a surface 12 having a side in the thickness direction.
6, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132
Is polished with No. 100 sandpaper to make a light scattering surface. The remaining four surfaces 133, 134, 135, 16
0 is a smooth surface, which functions as a light reflecting surface.

The light scattering surface 131 of one transparent member 1B was used as the light incident surface, and the light scattering surface 132 at a position perpendicular to the light incident surface 131 was used as the light irradiation surface of the transparent member 1B.

Next, among the light scattering surfaces of the other transparent member 1C, the light scattering surface 132 having the same size as the light irradiation surface of 1B is used as the light incident surface of the transparent member 1C, and is located at a position facing the light incident surface. A certain light scattering surface 129 is a light irradiation surface of the transparent member 1C.

Then, the light irradiation surface 132 of the transparent member 1B
And the light incident surface 132 of the transparent member 1C so that the two transparent members 1B and 1C are overlapped with each other to form the transparent member 1C.
A. Therefore, in 1A, the surface 131 that is the light incident surface of 1B becomes the light incident surface of 1A, and the light irradiation surface 129 of 1C becomes the light irradiation surface of 1A.

Light scattering surfaces 126, 127, 128, 1 other than the light incident surface 131, the light irradiation surface 129 and the light scattering surface 132
The mirror 30 is provided with mirrors 3A and 3B with mirror surfaces facing the inside of the transparent member, and the surfaces 126, 127, 128 and 130 are light reflecting surfaces. Therefore, the surfaces 126, 127, 128, 1
Reference numeral 30 has both functions of a light scattering surface and a light reflecting surface.

The light from the light source 2 enters the light incident surface 131. Since the light incident surface 131 is a light scattering surface, the light incident surface 1
At 31, the incident light is scattered toward the inside of the transparent member 1A (the inside of 1B). The scattered incident light inside the transparent member 1A (inside 1B) is reflected by the light reflecting surfaces 133, 134 (smooth surfaces), 12
6, 127 (light scattering surface provided with a mirror). Therefore, light emitted outside the transparent member 1A is small. The reflected light is further scattered by the light reflecting surfaces and light scattering surfaces 126 and 127. Then, when the light passes through the light scattering surface 132 and moves to the portion 1C of the transparent member 1A, the light is further scattered by the light scattering surface 132, the light amount unevenness is further reduced, and the light goes from the portion 1B to the portion 1C of the transparent member 1A. The light-reflecting surface 1 is also provided in the 1C portion of the transparent member 1A.
35, 160 (smooth surface) and light-reflecting / light-scattering surface 12
The light is reflected by 8, 130 (a mirror provided on a light-scattering surface), and the light is scattered without significantly reducing the light intensity. Since the light irradiation surface 129 is a light scattering surface, the light is scattered again by the light irradiation surface 129, and over the entire surface of the light irradiation surface 129,
Irradiation light with less intensity and substantially uniform intensity is irradiated from the light irradiation surface 129 to the irradiation object (not shown) as compared with the incident light.

When a light source unit in which two transparent members are combined is used as in this embodiment, light is more scattered, and the uniformity of the light intensity of the irradiation light is further improved.

FIG. 17 is a graph showing this. The horizontal axis of the graph in FIG. 17 indicates the distance from the light incident surface on the light irradiation surface, and the vertical axis indicates the light intensity of the irradiation light. Therefore, it is shown that the more the graph is horizontal, the better the uniformity of the light intensity of the irradiation light.

Graph B is a graph showing the result of the light source unit of the present embodiment in which two transparent members are overlapped, and graph A is a graph showing the result of the light source unit using only one transparent member. The light source unit (B) of the present embodiment in which two transparent members are overlapped is inferior to the light source unit (A) using only one transparent member in light intensity of irradiation light,
The uniformity of the irradiation light is superior.

Note that the mirrors were placed on smooth surfaces 133, 134, 135,
160, the light reflecting surfaces 133, 134, 135,
This is preferable because the reflectance of the light-emitting element 160 is higher and the loss of light intensity is further reduced.

Embodiment 7 This embodiment is another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

A sub-exposure device for photographic printing using the light source device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the transparent member of the light source device in the sub-exposure apparatus of the present embodiment. 9A is a top view, FIG. 9B is a front view, and FIG. 9C is a side view.

The transparent member is composed of four rectangular plate-shaped transparent members 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H and a mirror 3C. The transparent members 1E and 1G have the same shape,
F and 1H have the same shape.

The four plate-shaped transparent members 1E, 1F, 1G,
1H is made of acrylic resin. Then, all the surfaces 137 having sides in the thickness direction of the four plate-shaped transparent members,
138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 145, 1
46, 147, 148, 149, 150, 155, 15
6 is polished with No. 100 sandpaper to form a finely grained surface, which is a light scattering surface. In addition, the remaining eight sides 1
43, 153, 144, 162, 151, 154, 15
Reference numerals 2 and 161 denote smooth surfaces, which function as light reflecting surfaces.

As in the sixth embodiment, the transparent members 1G and 1H are overlapped with the light scattering surface 155 together, the light scattering surface 142 is used as the light incident surface, and the light scattering surface 140 is located at a position perpendicular to the light incident surface 142. Is a light irradiation surface. On the side of the light incident surface 142, blue, green, and red light emitting diodes (4B, 4G, and 4R, respectively) are provided as sub-exposure light sources.

Similarly, the transparent members 1E and 1F are overlapped with the light-scattering surface 156 together, the light-scattering surface 146 is used as a light-incident surface, and the light-scattering surface 148 is located at a position perpendicular to the light-incident surface 146.
Is a light irradiation surface. Similarly, blue, green, and red light emitting diodes (4B, 4G, and 4R, respectively) are provided on the side of the light incident surface 146 as sub-exposure light sources.

Next, a member composed of the transparent members 1G and 1H and a member composed of the transparent members 1E and 1F are disposed so as to sandwich the mirror 3C whose both surfaces are mirror surfaces. Both members are arranged so that the smooth surfaces 144, 162 and 152, 161 are in contact with both mirror surfaces. At this time, the light irradiation surfaces 140 and 1
48 exist in substantially the same plane, and are arranged so as to face substantially the same direction, and furthermore, they are arranged so that the respective planes including the light incident surfaces 142 and 146 face each other. That is, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the respective light irradiation surfaces 140 and 148 of the members provided between the mirrors 3C (the members formed of 1G and 1H and the members formed of 1E and 1F) are the same. Side, and the light incident surfaces 142 and 146 of each other are arranged on opposite sides.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic views of mirrors 3D and 3E provided around the transparent member. The light incident surfaces 142 and 146 and the light irradiated surface 14 of the transparent member shown in FIGS.
Mirrors 3D, 3D
E is provided.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a sub-exposure apparatus provided with mirrors 3D and 3E. FIG. 13A is an upper sectional view of the sub-exposure apparatus provided with mirrors 3D and 3E, and FIG. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, all surfaces other than the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface are covered with mirrors. With this configuration, the light incidence surfaces 142 and 146 and the light irradiation surfaces 140 and 1
All the light scattering surfaces other than 48 have both functions of the light scattering surface and the light reflecting surface, and the smooth surface improves the performance as the light reflecting surface.

A light emitting diode 4B as a sub-exposure light source,
The light of 4G and 4R passes through the light incident surface 142 and the transparent member 1.
G is incident. Since the light incident surface 142 is a light scattering surface,
At the time of incidence, the incident light is first scattered toward the inside of the transparent member 1G on the light incident surface 142. The light inside the transparent member 1G is reflected and scattered on the light reflection surface and the light reflection surface and the light scattering surface, so that the unevenness of the light intensity is reduced without significantly reducing the light intensity. Thereafter, the light enters the transparent member 1H through the light scattering surface 155. Even when the light enters the transparent member 1H, the light is scattered, so that the unevenness of the light intensity is further reduced. Light is also reflected and scattered in the transparent member 1H, similarly to the transparent member 1G. Then, the incident light incident from the incident surface 142 is irradiated onto the photographic material from the irradiation surface 140 as substantially uniform irradiation light without significantly reducing the light intensity.

The incident light incident on the transparent member 1E from the light incident surface 146 is irradiated from the irradiation surface 148 as a substantially uniform irradiation light by a similar mechanism without substantially lowering the light intensity as compared with the incident light. Sub-exposure is performed.

When the irradiation light from the irradiation surfaces 140 and 148 is examined, as shown in the graph B of FIG. 17, a certain degree of unevenness exists at the end of the irradiation surface. Therefore, by arranging the transparent member 1G and the transparent member 1E provided with the mirror 3C in between so that the light incident surfaces 142 and 146 of the transparent member 1E are opposite to each other, the irradiation light from the irradiation surfaces 140 and 148 of each other. Is uneven, the irradiation light from the light irradiation surface 140 and the irradiation light from the light irradiation surface 148 cancel each other out, and the unevenness is further reduced. Very good properties.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a state in which sub-exposure is performed by the sub-exposure apparatus of this embodiment. While the photographic photosensitive material 6 is being conveyed, the sub-exposure device applies slit-shaped sub-exposure with uniform irradiation light in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. With the movement of the photographic material 6, the photographic material 6
Sub-exposure can be performed uniformly over the entire surface.

The light source device used for the sub-exposure device is not limited to the one in this embodiment, and any light source device can be used as long as the loss of the light amount is small and the unevenness of the irradiation light is small. For example, the light source unit and the light source device described in claims 1 to 18 can be used.

The present embodiment shows an example in which the light source device according to the present invention is used as a sub-exposure device for photographic printing. The light source unit of the present embodiment reduces loss of light amount and reduces irradiation light amount. The present invention can be applied to other devices as long as it is necessary to reduce unevenness of the image. For example, a main exposure light source of a photographic printing apparatus, a light source for illuminating a document of an image scanner, a light source for illuminating a document of an electrophotographic apparatus, a light source for exposing a photosensitive member, or a light source for erasing a latent image on a photosensitive member, etc. Can be used.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the light source device of the present embodiment.
The light source unit according to the first to sixth embodiments, that is, claims 1 to 1
6, the main exposure light source of the photographic printing apparatus,
It can be used as a sub-exposure light source, a light source for illuminating a document of an image scanner, a light source for illuminating a document of an electrophotographic apparatus, a light source for exposing a photosensitive member, or a light source for erasing a latent image on a photosensitive member.

[0112]

By using the light source unit of the present invention, it is possible to obtain irradiation light with less unevenness and unevenness in light amount and less loss in light amount. Further, the processing of the light source unit is easy, the light source unit can be manufactured at low cost, and since the width of the light irradiation surface and the thickness of the member are the same, the thickness of the unit can be suppressed and the apparatus can be further downsized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating one embodiment of a light source unit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing one embodiment of the light source unit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating one embodiment of a light source unit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating one embodiment of a light source unit of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating one embodiment of a light source unit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating one embodiment of a light source unit of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating one embodiment of a light source unit of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a transparent member of a light source unit of the sub-exposure apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view, a front view, and a side view showing a transparent member of the light source unit of the sub-exposure apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a mirror provided around a sub-exposure apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a mirror provided around a sub-exposure apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a sub-exposure apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an upper sectional view and a side view showing a sub-exposure apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a state where sub-exposure is performed by the sub-exposure apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which, when the incident direction line is extended, the extended incident light direction line does not cross the light irradiation surface of the transparent member.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which, when the incident direction line is extended, the extended incident light direction line intersects the light irradiation surface of the transparent member.

FIG. 17 is a graph showing a relationship between a distance from a light incident surface of a light source unit including two transparent members and a light source unit including only one transparent member and irradiation light intensity.

[Explanation of symbols]

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1
J, 1K Transparent member 2 Light source 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F Mirror 4B Blue light emitting diode 4G Green light emitting diode 4R Red light emitting diode 10 Incident light direction line

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A transparent member having a polyhedral shape in which all surfaces are flat, at least one surface of the transparent member is a light incident surface on which light is incident, and the light of the transparent member is At least one surface different from the incident surface is a light irradiation surface that is a surface that irradiates the object with light, and at least the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface are light scattering surfaces that scatter light. At least one surface other than the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface of the transparent member is a light reflection surface that reflects light inside the transparent member, and light is incident from the light incident surface of the transparent member, A light source unit, which irradiates an object with light from a light irradiation surface. 2. A transparent member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, wherein at least one surface of the transparent member is a light incident surface on which light is incident, and at least one surface different from the light incident surface of the transparent member. One surface is a light irradiation surface that is a surface that irradiates the object with light, at least the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface are light scattering surfaces that scatter light, and the light incident surface of the transparent member is At least one surface other than the surface and the light irradiation surface is a light reflection surface that reflects light inside the transparent member, light is incident from the light incident surface of the transparent member, and light is emitted from the light irradiation surface. A light source unit for irradiating an object to be irradiated. 3. A plate-shaped transparent member, and all surfaces having sides in the thickness direction of the transparent member are light scattering surfaces for scattering light, and the sides of the transparent member in the thickness direction. At least one of the surfaces having a light incident surface that is a surface on which light is incident, and at least one surface different from the light incident surface among the surfaces of the transparent member having sides in the thickness direction. A surface is a light irradiation surface that is a surface that irradiates the object with light, and at least one surface other than the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface of the transparent member reflects light inside the transparent member. A light source unit, which is a light reflecting surface, receives light from the light incident surface of the transparent member, and irradiates the object with light from the light irradiation surface. 4. A transparent member having a shape in which a transparent plate member is bent, and all surfaces having sides in the thickness direction of the transparent member are light scattering surfaces for scattering light, and At least one of the surfaces having sides in the thickness direction,
A light incident surface that is a surface on which light is incident, and at least one surface different from the light incident surface among surfaces having sides in the thickness direction of the transparent member is a surface that irradiates the object with light. A light reflecting surface that reflects light inside the transparent member, wherein at least one surface other than the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface of the transparent member is a light reflecting surface; A light source unit, which receives light from an incident surface and irradiates the object with light from the light irradiation surface. 5. A substantially rectangular parallelepiped, wherein the transparent member has sides in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a thickness direction, and the length in the thickness direction is shorter than the length in the other two directions. The light source unit according to claim 2, wherein the light irradiation surface is a surface having a side in the thickness direction. 6. The light source according to claim 1, wherein all surfaces of the transparent member other than the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface are the light reflecting surfaces. unit. 7. The light source unit according to claim 1, wherein the transparent member is hollow. 8. The light source unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one pair of two opposing surfaces of the transparent member is the light reflecting surface. . 9. The light source unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the light reflecting surfaces is a smooth surface. 10. The light source unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the light reflecting surfaces has a mirror. 11. The light scattering surface according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the light scattering surfaces is a fine grained surface.
0. The light source unit according to any one of 0. 12. The light source unit according to claim 1, wherein the transparent member is made of an acrylic resin. 13. The light incident surface and the light irradiation surface are not parallel to each other.
3. The light source unit according to any one of 2. 14. The light source unit according to claim 1, wherein the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface form a substantially right angle. 15. The light incident surface does not intersect with the extended incident light direction line when the incident light direction line indicating the strongest direction of light incident on the light incident surface is extended. The light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14. 16. A light in which a second transparent member is continuously provided on a light irradiation surface of the transparent member, and a surface of the second transparent member which is in contact with the light irradiation surface of the transparent member is a surface on which light is incident. The light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the light source unit is an incident surface, and the second transparent member has a light irradiation surface that is a surface that irradiates the object with light. . 17. The two light source units according to claim 1, wherein the two light source units are arranged such that the light irradiation surfaces are substantially in the same plane and are substantially in the same direction. Are arranged side by side in a direction of a line parallel to the light incident surface and the light irradiation surface, and the light incident surfaces of the two light source units are parallel to each other, and light incident sides face each other. Light source device. 18. The light source device according to claim 17, wherein the two light source units are light source units having the same shape and structure. 19. The light source unit according to claim 1, or a light source unit according to claim 17 or claim 1.
A photographic printing apparatus comprising the light source device according to claim 8. 20. The light source unit according to claim 1, or a light source unit according to claim 17 or claim 1.
A sub-exposure device comprising the light source device according to claim 8. 21. The light source unit according to claim 1, or a light source unit according to claim 17 or claim 1.
An image scanner comprising the light source device according to claim 8. 22. A light source unit according to claim 1, or a light source unit according to claim 17 or claim 1.
An electrophotographic apparatus comprising the light source device according to claim 8.