JPH1065870A - Image reader and image forming device provided with the image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader in which the parallelism of a CCD is easily adjusted with high accuracy and a simple configuration and to provide the image forming device provided with the image reader. SOLUTION: A scanner section of a copying machine is provided with a CCD 28 on which a plurality of CCD sensor chips are arranged. An image forming lens 26 to converge a reflected light from an original to the CCD 28 is arranged on an optical path toward the CCD 28. Furthermore, a marking 131 used to adjust the parallelism of the CCD 28 is formed on an original platen on which the original is set and at a region at the outside from a read enable region by the CCD 28. In the case of adjusting the parallelism of the CCD 28, a light from an LED 29 provided to the CCD 28 is projected onto the marking 131 on the original platen via the image forming lens 26 and the CCD 28 is moved so that an image by the LED 29 matches within the marking 131.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for outputting an image read from a document onto a recording medium, and more particularly, to an image reading apparatus for reading image data from a document using a CCD image sensor, and this image reading apparatus. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with:

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, reflected light from a document is incident on a CCD image sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as CCD) via an optical system including a plurality of mirrors and an imaging lens, and the reflected light is 2. Description of the Related Art A digital copying apparatus including an image reading apparatus that obtains image data by photoelectrically converting image data by a CCD is known.

In an image reading apparatus using a CCD, reflected light from a document is incident on a CCD having a pixel row of a micron unit through an optical system composed of a plurality of members. Must be positioned and arranged at However, since it is difficult to position each member with high accuracy in units of microns, the parallelism of the CCD with respect to the original is adjusted after all the members are assembled.

When adjusting the parallelism of the CCD, first, for example, a white thread is stretched as a straight object to be read at a predetermined position on the document side, and the white thread is illuminated and its reflected light is transmitted through an optical system. The light enters the CCD and the waveform of the output signal from the CCD is observed with an oscilloscope. Then, while observing a waveform representing the parallelism of the CCD in a pseudo manner, the holding member holding the CCD is finely adjusted to adjust the parallelism of the CCD.

[0005]

However, in the conventional reading apparatus, when adjusting the parallelism of the CCD, it takes time and effort to stretch a white thread as an object to be read on the original side.
There is a problem that much time is required for adjusting the parallelism, which leads to an increase in cost. Further, there is a problem that expensive equipment such as an oscilloscope is separately required for checking the parallelism, and connection of the oscilloscope is troublesome. Furthermore, since a pseudo waveform by an oscilloscope is used as a reference for adjusting the parallelism, there is a problem that the parallelism cannot be adjusted with high accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide an image reading apparatus capable of easily and precisely adjusting the parallelism of a CCD with a simple configuration, and an image reading apparatus provided with the image reading apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a forming apparatus.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus comprising: an illuminating means for illuminating a document; and a light receiving unit for receiving light reflected from the document. Image reading means for reading an image of the document based on the reflected light received by the light receiving portion; optical means for guiding the reflected light from the document to the light receiving portion; and provided integrally with the light receiving portion. A display unit, a projection unit for projecting an image of the display unit guided in reverse by the optical unit from the light receiving unit, and the light receiving unit such that the image of the display unit in the projection unit is projected to a predetermined position. Adjusting means for adjusting the arrangement position of the light receiving unit with respect to the document to an appropriate position by moving the unit.

According to the image reading apparatus of the first aspect, the image on the display unit provided integrally with the light receiving unit is projected on the projection unit by guiding it through the optical means. Therefore, the position of the light receiving unit can be adjusted by viewing the image on the display unit on the document side, and the parallelism of the light receiving unit can be easily adjusted with high accuracy.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus for illuminating a document, a plurality of optical members transmitting reflected light from the document, and a plurality of optical members transmitting light reflected from the document. Having a light receiving section for receiving reflected light,
Image reading means for reading the image of the document based on the reflected light received by the light receiving section; light collecting means for collecting the reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members to the light receiving section; A display unit provided adjacently and integrally with the light receiving unit, and disposed opposite to the display unit via the light condensing means, and the light receiving unit is disposed at an appropriate position with respect to the document. In a state where the image of the display unit enlarged through the light condensing unit is aligned with the projection unit, and the image of the display unit enlarged through the light condensing unit is projected on the projection unit. Adjusting means for moving the light receiving unit so as to be projected into the area, and adjusting the parallelism of the light receiving unit to the document.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus, comprising: a document table on which a document is placed; illumination means for illuminating the document placed on the document table; A plurality of optical members for transmitting light, and a light receiving unit in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members, and light is received by the light receiving unit Image reading means for reading the image of the document based on the reflected light; an imaging lens for forming the reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members on the light receiving portion; and an image forming lens adjacent to the plurality of light receiving elements. A display unit provided in a plane, and arranged on the platen, with the light receiving unit arranged at an appropriate position with respect to the document, enlarged through the imaging lens, and The image of the display unit transmitted by the optical member is A marking to be put Align, the image of the display unit moves the light receiving portion so as to be projected into the marking, and a, and adjusting means for adjusting the parallelism of the light receiving portion to the document.

According to the image reading apparatus of the third aspect, the display unit includes a pair of light emitting units arranged adjacent to both sides of the plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a line, and the marking is formed on the original. The light-emitting portions are formed on frosted glass provided outside the readable area of the table so as to correspond to the pair of light-emitting portions.

Further, according to the image reading apparatus of the third aspect, the display unit includes a pair of paint units arranged adjacent to both sides of the plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a line, and the marking is formed on the original. The pair of paint portions are formed outside the readable area of the table, respectively.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus, comprising: a document table on which a document is placed; illumination means for illuminating the document placed on the document table; A plurality of optical members for transmitting light, and a light receiving unit in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members, and light is received by the light receiving unit Image reading means for reading the image of the document based on the reflected light, an imaging lens for forming an image of the reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members on the light receiving section, and a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a line. A pair of light-emitting portions provided in the plane adjacent to both sides, a display portion having a cover formed with a hole having a predetermined diameter that defines a light-emitting region of each light-emitting portion, and a display portion disposed on the document table. And the light receiving section is In a state in which the image of the display unit is enlarged through the imaging lens and transmitted by the plurality of optical members, and is arranged in an appropriate position, the image of the display unit is aligned with the marking. Adjusting means for moving the light receiving section so as to be projected onto the original, and adjusting the parallelism of the light receiving section with respect to the document.

According to the image reading apparatus of the sixth aspect, the display unit includes the cover having a hole that defines a light emitting area of the light emitting unit. Therefore, by adjusting the hole diameter of the cover, the light-emitting area of the light-emitting unit can be adjusted to a desired value, and the image of the light-emitting unit projected on the marking can have an appropriate diameter.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus comprising: a document table on which a document is placed; illumination means for illuminating the document placed on the document table; and reflection from the document. A plurality of optical members for transmitting light, and a light receiving unit in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members, and light is received by the light receiving unit Image reading means for reading the image of the document based on the reflected light, an imaging lens for forming an image of the reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members on the light receiving section, and a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a line. Provided in the plane adjacent to both sides, a pair of light-emitting regions each having a predetermined diameter, a light-emitting unit, and a display unit having an optical fiber that guides light from the light-emitting unit to the pair of light-emitting regions, Placed on the platen In a state in which the light receiving unit is arranged at an appropriate position with respect to the document, a marking is provided on which the image of the display unit transmitted through the plurality of optical members and enlarged by the imaging lens can be aligned. Adjusting means for moving the light receiving unit so that the image on the display unit is projected into the marking, and adjusting the parallelism of the light receiving unit with respect to the document.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image reading apparatus includes: a document table on which a document is placed; and illuminating means for illuminating the document placed on the document table along the document table. A carriage movably mounted, a plurality of optical members for transmitting reflected light from the original, and a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members. Image reading means for reading an image of the document based on the reflected light received by the light receiving section, and an image forming apparatus for forming reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members on the light receiving section. A lens, a display unit provided in the plane adjacent to the plurality of light receiving elements,
The image of the display unit, which is provided on the carriage and is enlarged through the imaging lens and transmitted by the plurality of optical members, in a state where the light receiving unit is disposed at an appropriate position with respect to the document, Marking that can be matched and adjustment means for moving the light receiving unit so that the image of the display unit is projected into the marking and adjusting the parallelism of the light receiving unit to the document.

According to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a marking for projecting an image of the display section on a carriage on which the illuminating means is mounted. Therefore, the image on the display unit can be confirmed regardless of the position of the carriage.

The image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention further comprises an illuminating means for illuminating the original, and a light receiving section for receiving the reflected light from the original, and the reflected light received by the light receiving section. Converting the image data into image data, condensing means for condensing the reflected light from the original on the light receiving unit, a display unit provided integrally with the light receiving unit, and enlarging the image via the light condensing unit. A projection unit for projecting the image of the display unit, and moving the light receiving unit so that the image of the display unit in the projection unit is projected to a predetermined position, and appropriately setting an arrangement position of the light receiving unit with respect to the document. Adjusting means for adjusting to an appropriate position, image forming means for forming an image on an image forming medium based on the image data converted by the converting means,
It has.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, an electrophotographic digital copying apparatus 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a copying apparatus 1) as an image forming apparatus of the present invention is
The image forming apparatus includes a scanner unit 2 as an image reading device, a printer unit 4 as an image forming unit, and a housing 3 as a housing housing the scanner unit 2 and the printer unit 4. An upper portion of the scanner unit 2 is attached to the scanner unit 2 so as to be openable and closable with respect to a platen, which will be described later. Automatic document feeder 10 functioning as a document press for placing placed document D on a document table
0 (hereinafter referred to as ADF 100) is set.

The scanner unit 2 has a document table 11 made of a transparent glass on which the document D is set, which is opposed to the ADF 100 in a closed state. At one end of the platen 11, there is provided a document indicating plate (described later) for abutting one end of the document placed on the platen 11 to position the document at a predetermined position. An exposure lamp 12 for illuminating the document D placed on the document table 11, a reflector 14 for condensing light from the exposure lamp 12 on the document D, and a reflected light from the document D are provided below the document table 11. A first mirror 16 and the like are provided to bend leftward in the figure. These exposure lamp 12 and reflector 1
The first mirror 16 and the first mirror 16 are fixed to the first carriage 18, and the driving force of a pulse motor (not shown) is transmitted through a toothed belt or the like (not shown) so as to be moved in parallel along the document table 11. It has become.

In the left side of the drawing with respect to the first carriage 18, that is, in the direction in which the reflected light reflected by the first mirror 16 is guided, a document table is driven via a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a toothed belt and a DC motor. A second carriage 20 movably provided in parallel with 11 is provided. The second carriage 20 has a second mirror 22 that bends reflected light from the document D guided by the first mirror 16 downward, and a third mirror that bends reflected light from the second mirror 22 rightward in the drawing. 24 are arranged at right angles to each other. The second carriage 20 is driven by the first carriage 18 and moves 1 /
The document is moved in parallel along the document table 11 at a speed of 2. The first and second carriages 18, 20
Are arranged at the leftmost home position (shown in the upper left part of FIG. 1) of each movement route in the initial state.

An image forming lens 26 for forming an image of the reflected light from the second carriage 20 at a predetermined magnification in a plane including the optical axis of the light turned back through the second carriage 20, and an image forming lens A CCD image sensor 28 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a CCD 28) as a conversion unit for receiving the reflected light given the converging property by 26 and converting it into an electric signal, that is, image data, and an image reading unit is arranged.

When the light from the exposure lamp 12 is condensed on the original D on the original plate 11 by the reflector 14, the reflected light from the original D is reflected by the first mirror 16, the second mirror 22, and the third mirror. The light enters the CCD 28 via the imaging lens 24 and the imaging lens 26, and is converted into an electric signal here.

On the other hand, the printer unit 4 has a photosensitive drum 30 as an image carrier rotatably disposed substantially at the center of the copying apparatus 1. A laser beam corresponding to the image data converted by the CCD 28 is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 30 at a predetermined position above the photosensitive drum 30 as image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 30 mat. Are provided.

The laser optical system unit 32 includes a semiconductor laser (not shown). On the optical path of the laser beam from the semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror 34 for reflecting the laser beam, and a laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror 34, Fθ lens 36 leading to the drum 30,
37 and an exposure mirror 38 are provided.

When the laser beam is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 by the laser optical system unit 32, an electrostatic latent image based on the image data read from the document D is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30. It is supposed to be.

Around the photosensitive drum 30, a charging charger 42 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 to a predetermined potential, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 by the laser optical system unit 32 Developing device 4 which supplies toner as a developer to the developing device and develops it at a desired image density
4. An image forming medium, that is, a recording sheet P fed from a sheet feeding cassette, which will be described later, is nipped and conveyed between the photosensitive drum 30 and a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 is transferred onto the recording sheet P. The transfer roller 46 for performing the cleaning, the cleaning device 48 for cleaning the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 without being transferred, and the charge removing device 49 for removing the charge remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 include: They are arranged sequentially along the direction of rotation.

At the bottom of the copying apparatus 1 located below the photosensitive drum 30, a paper feed cassette 50 is provided as a supply means formed so as to be able to store about 500 recording sheets P. At a predetermined position of the paper feed cassette 50, a pickup roller 52 that takes out the recording paper P one by one is arranged.

On the outer wall of the copying machine 1 on the right side of the photosensitive drum 30, a manual feeder 54 capable of feeding recording paper P independently of the paper feed cassette 50 is provided in a protruding manner. Between the manual feeder 54 and the photosensitive drum 30, a manual pick-up roller 56 for picking up the recording paper P inserted in the manual feeder 54, and a pick-up roller 56
A transport roller 58 for transporting the recording paper P taken in by the printer toward the photosensitive drum 30 is provided.

The paper feed cassette 50 and the paper feed cassette 5 between the manual feeder 54 and the photosensitive drum 30 are provided.
0, and a conveyance path 60 for guiding the recording sheet P from the manual feeder 54 toward the photosensitive drum 30 is formed. The transport path 60 further extends to the outside of the copying apparatus 1 via a transfer area defined between the photosensitive drum 30 and the transfer roller 46. Also, the transport path 60
Are provided with a plurality of transport rollers and transport guides (not shown) for transporting the recording paper P toward the photosensitive drum 30.

In the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 30 in the transport path 60 and upstream of the photosensitive drum 30, the inclination of the recording sheet P guided along the transport path 60 is corrected, and the toner on the photosensitive drum 30 is adjusted. An aligning roller 62 for aligning the leading edge of the image with the leading edge of the recording sheet P and feeding the recording sheet P to the transfer area at the same speed as the moving speed of the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is provided. The aligning roller 62a on the lower surface side of the transport path 60 is connected to the transfer roller 46 described above.
Together with the transport unit 61.

In the direction in which the recording paper that has passed through the transfer area travels, the recording paper on which the toner image has been transferred is heated to melt the toner image while pressing the toner image and the recording paper to form the recording paper P. A fixing device 70 is provided as fixing means for fixing the toner image to the toner image. Fixing device 70
Has a heating roller 72 and a pressure roller 74 whose roller surfaces are pressed against each other.

The photosensitive drum 30 and the transfer roller 46
The transfer path 60 passing through the transfer area between the recording paper P and the fixing area between the heating roller 72 and the pressure roller 74
Is inclined upward in the carrying direction of the image forming apparatus, so that an area of a paper discharge unit described later can be secured in a limited space, and the size of the copying apparatus 1 can be reduced.

In the direction in which the recording paper P conveyed via the fixing device 70 advances, a discharge unit 80 for discharging the recording paper P on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 70 is provided. The discharge section 80 is provided in a recess 80a formed by the outer wall of the copying apparatus 1 recessed in the copying apparatus 1, and includes a discharge tray 82 for stacking the recording paper P at a predetermined position in the recess 80a. .

Between the fixing device 70 and the discharge portion 80, the recording paper P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 70 is
A flapper 75 is provided for selectively guiding the sheet to a sheet reversing section 90 or a discharging section 80 described later. The flapper 75 is disposed between the first and second discharge rollers 81 and 83 that propel the recording paper P that has passed through the fixing device 70 toward the discharge unit 80.

The paper reversing unit 90 temporarily accumulates the recording paper P that has already passed through the transfer area and the fixing device 70, and directs the recording paper P that has passed through the fixing device 70 to the temporary accumulating unit 92. Path 91 that reverses the front and back of the recording sheet P that has passed through the fixing device 70 and guides the recording paper P to the temporary accumulation section 92, and the recording paper P that is transported via the inversion path 94 to the temporary accumulation section 92. A reversing roller 95 that feeds and feeds the recording paper P accumulated in the temporary accumulating unit 92, a reversing conveyance path 96 that guides the recording paper P sent out via the reversing roller 95 again to the aligning roller 62, and And a paper feed roller 98 for feeding the recording paper P guided by the reverse conveyance path 96 toward the aligning roller 62.

The recording paper P taken out from the paper feed cassette 50 or the manual feeder 54 is transferred to the transport path 60.
Is transferred to the transfer area through the photosensitive drum 30
Is transferred to the recording paper P. The recording paper P to which the toner image has been transferred passes through the fixing device 70, where the toner image is fixed, and the traveling direction of the toner image is
And selectively guided to the discharge unit 80 or the sheet reversing unit 90. The recording sheet P guided to the sheet reversing unit 90 is reversed through a reversing path 94, a temporary stacking unit 92, and a reversing conveyance path 96, and again the aligning roller 62.
And is conveyed toward the transfer area via.

The ADF 100 has a cover 101, and the rear edge of the cover 101 is attached to the rear edge of the upper surface of the copying apparatus 1 via a hinge device (not shown). As described above, the scanner unit 2 can be opened and closed with respect to the document table 11 by the dynamic displacement.

On the upper left surface of the cover 101,
An original feeding table 102 for holding a plurality of originals D is provided. The left side of the document feeder table 102 in the drawing, that is, ADF1
00, a pickup roller 103 for sequentially taking out the originals D set on the original feeder 102 one by one and supplying the originals D to one end of the original base 11 of the scanner unit 2 from the left end in the figure. Are located. Document feeder 1
An empty sensor serving as a document detection sensor for detecting whether or not the document D is set on the document feed table 102 is provided at a predetermined position 02. Note that a document width detection sensor for detecting the position where the document D is set on the document table 11 may be arranged on the document feeder 102.

In the direction in which the pickup roller 103 takes out the document, the sheet feeding roller 10 for sending out the document D taken out by the pickup roller 103 toward the document table 11.
4. An aligning roller 105 for aligning the leading end of the document D fed by the paper feed roller 104 is provided.
Note that an aligning sensor that detects the arrival of the document D at the aligning roller 105 is arranged between the aligning roller 105 and the paper feed roller 104.

Inside the cover 101, the ADF 10
In a state where the scanner unit 2 is closed and the document table 11 is opposed to the document table 11, a size that covers almost the entire document table 11 is given.
A transport belt 106 that transports the document D transported from the document feed table 102 via the aligning roller 105 and the aligning roller 105 to a predetermined position on the document table 11 is provided. The transport belt 106 is wound around belt rollers 107 arranged in a pair on the left and right sides in the figure, and travels in both directions on the right side in the figure and on the left side in the figure by a belt driving mechanism (not shown).

On the right side of the ADF 100, a document D moved from the left side in the figure to the right side in the figure by the transport belt 106
Roller 10 that feeds the paper toward the outside of the cover 101
8. A pinch roller 109 for pressing the document D against the reversing roller 108, and switching between returning the document D transported by the reversing roller 108 and the pinch roller 109 to the transport belt 106 or discharging the document D to a predetermined discharge position, that is, the cover 101 The flapper 110, a paper discharge roller 111 for discharging the document D conveyed by the reversing roller 108 when the flapper 110 is switched to the discharging side, and a jam sensor for detecting a jam of the document near the reversing roller 108 112 and the like are arranged.

When an image of a document is read by the scanner unit 2 of the copying apparatus 1 configured as described above, one end of the document is brought into contact with a document indicating plate, the document is positioned, and placed on the document table 11. You. Then, the light from the exposure lamp 12 is reflected by the reflector 14 to illuminate the original,
The reflected light from the original is transmitted to the first mirror 16 and the second mirror 2.
The light is incident on the CCD 28 via an optical system such as the second and third mirrors 24 and the imaging lens 26.

However, if the document indicating plate, the first to third mirrors 16, 22, 24, and / or the CCD 28 are arranged at an angle from a normal arrangement angle, the reflected light from the document is inclined with respect to the CCD 28. And the original image is not faithfully reproduced on the CCD 28. As described above, when the document image is not faithfully reproduced on the CCD 28, there is a problem that the image formed on the recording medium is inclined or distorted.

It is difficult to avoid such a problem only by increasing the component accuracy of each optical member disposed on the optical path from the document to the CCD 28.
That is, the document indicating plate, the first to third mirrors 16, 22, 2,
4, and after attaching the CCD 28 to the predetermined position,
It is necessary to finely adjust the mounting angle of the CCD 28 and adjust the parallelism of the CCD 28 to the document, that is, the arrangement angle of the CCD 28 in advance.

In order to read an image of a document at a high resolution, it is necessary to divide the image of the document into as many parts as possible, and read the CCD 28 with as many pixels as possible. Further, from the viewpoint of miniaturization of the device, it is desirable that each pixel be as small as possible. To meet such demands, a CCD 28 having a large number of micron-sized pixels arranged on one line is used. Here, a CCD 28 having a pixel size of 7 μm × 7 μm was used.

Using the CCD 28, for example, A
400d 3 size (297mm × 420mm) original
In order to read at a resolution of pi, the magnification of the imaging lens 26 needs to be set to about 1/9. That is, 400d
In order to achieve a resolution of pi, the original image must be 25.4.
mm / 400 = 0.0635 mm (63.5 μm), and each pixel is divided into each pixel (7 μm) of the CCD.
It is necessary to form an image corresponding to m). Therefore, the magnification of the imaging lens 26 must be 7 μm / 63.5 μm, and is set to about 1/9.

When adjusting the parallelism of the CCD 28 having a pixel size on the order of microns to the original as described above, the parallelism between the original and the CCD 28 is completely matched in consideration of the component accuracy and positioning accuracy of each member. It is extremely difficult to do so. Therefore, in an actual device,
An allowable amount corresponding to the deviation of the parallelism is set, and the parallelism of the CCD 28 is adjusted within a range not exceeding the allowable amount. FIG. 2 is a model diagram showing the relationship between the deviation of the parallelism of the CCD 28 and the amount of inclination of the document.

For example, if the tolerance for the deviation of the parallelism of the CCD 28 is set to 0.25%, a deviation of 297 mm × 0.25% = 0.7425 mm (approximately 0.74 mm) can be tolerated for an A3-size document. become. If this displacement is replaced by the displacement on the CCD side, 0.74
/ 9 = about 0.08 mm. In other words, if the tolerance for the deviation of the parallelism of the CCD 28 is set to 0.25%,
In the case of an A3 document, the CCD 28 can tolerate a displacement of 0.08 mm.

In other words, when the allowable amount is set to 0.25%, the parallelism of the CCD 28 should be at least 0.1 mm.
Therefore, a mechanism for finely adjusting the inclination of the CCD 28 is required. Considering the ease of adjustment, it is desirable to provide an adjustment mechanism in which the amount of movement of the mechanism with respect to the amount of operation by the operator is reduced.

Hereinafter, the CCD 28 will be described with reference to FIG. 3, and the adjusting mechanism 120 as the adjusting means for adjusting the parallelism of the CCD 28 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the first embodiment of the present invention
The CCD 28 according to the embodiment has a substantially rectangular casing 28b in which a plurality of CCD sensor chips 28a are arranged along the longitudinal direction, and is located at a position adjacent to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of CCD sensor chips 28a. Are provided with LEDs 29 as light emitting units, respectively. Since these LEDs 29 serve as a reference for adjusting the parallelism of the CCD 28, they need to be arranged with high straightness. Then, the casing 28 thus formed is formed.
b is a substantially rectangular CCD sensor PC board 27 having a CCD drive circuit section 121 and an LED lighting circuit section 122.
(See FIG. 3b).

As shown in FIG. 4, the CCD 28 constructed as described above is attached to a substantially rectangular plate-shaped bracket 124 and positioned at a predetermined position, that is, a focal position of the imaging lens 26. . In this case, the CCD 28 is configured such that the light receiving surfaces of the plurality of CCD sensor chips 28a are
The copying machine 1 is arranged so as to face the copy machine 1 (see FIG. 1) in a horizontal direction from the front side to the rear side.

As shown in FIG. 5, wedge-shaped portions 124a are formed at both ends of the bracket 124, that is, near the front end and the rear end of the copying apparatus 1. Each wedge-shaped portion 124a is
(To the left in the figure).

Adjustment members 126 are provided below the wedge-shaped portions 124a to cooperate with the inclined portions 125 to move the wedge-shaped portions 124a vertically and vertically. Each adjusting member 126 has an arc-shaped portion 126 a at the tip thereof that cooperates with the inclined portion 125, and is moved along the inclination direction of the inclined portion 125 by a screw 127.

For example, when the screw 127 is turned in the direction of the arrow a in the figure, the adjusting member 126 is moved in the direction of the arrow b in the figure, the arc-shaped portion 126a is moved along the inclined portion 125, and the wedge-shaped portion 124a is moved. It is raised in the direction of the middle arrow c. Note that the inclination angle of the wedge-shaped portion 124a and the curvature of the arc-shaped portion 126a are set so that the amount of movement of the wedge-shaped portion 124a is smaller than the amount of movement of the adjustment member 126.

Since each wedge-shaped portion 124a is disposed near both ends of the bracket 124, the amount of movement of both ends of the CCD 28 disposed inside each wedge-shaped portion 124a is limited by the wedge-shaped portions 124a. (See FIG. 6).

Accordingly, the moving amount of the wedge-shaped portion 124a is smaller than the moving amount of the adjusting member 126, and
Since the amount of movement of the end of the CCD 28 is smaller than the amount of movement of the wedge-shaped portion 124a, the amount of movement of the CCD 28 is smaller than the amount of rotation of the screw 127 by the operator. For example, the ratio of this movement amount is
Is rotated once in a predetermined direction, the arc-shaped portion 126a becomes 0.5
mm, the wedge-shaped portion 124a is moved by 0.2 mm, and the end of the CCD 28 is moved by 0.13 mm.

When the parallelism of the CCD 28 with respect to the original is adjusted by the adjusting mechanism 120 configured as described above,
The CCD 28 is moved as shown in FIG. For example, when the screw 127 on the front side of the copying machine 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow a in the figure, the front end of the bracket 124 is swung in the direction of arrow A in the figure. That is,
By rotating the screw 127 on the front side and the screw 127 on the rear side in both the forward and reverse directions, the front end and the rear end of the bracket 124 are moved up and down.
The parallelism of the CD 28 can be adjusted.

Next, the CCD 2 is adjusted by the adjusting mechanism 120.
A configuration for confirming whether or not the CCD 28 is arranged in parallel with the document when adjusting the parallelism of 8 will be described.

FIG. 7 shows the document table 11 of the scanner section 2. At one end of the platen 11, there is provided a document indicating plate 11 a for abutting one end of the document placed on the platen 11 to position the document. The platen 11 has an area of 297 mm width on which an A3 original (original of the maximum size) is placed.
8 has a 318 mm wide area that can be read. Then, outside the 318 mm width area (CCD2
8 outside the readable area) and the document indicating plate 11
Marking 131 as a projection unit for checking the parallelism of the CCD 28 is formed at a position adjacent to a.

Each of the markings 131 provided on both sides of the area readable by the CCD 28 has the first and second carriages 18 and 20 on which a plurality of optical systems are mounted, arranged at the above-described home position, and the CCD 28 Each of the LEs provided on the CCD 28 in a state of being arranged in parallel with high precision.
It is provided at a position where the light from D29 is projected. Further, a frosted glass is provided at the position where each of the markings 131 on the document table 11 is formed so that the projected light can be diffused and displayed.

The LED provided on the CCD 28
As shown in FIG. 8, the light from 29 is enlarged and projected on each marking 131 formed on the document table 11 via the imaging lens 26. That is, the parallel state of the CCD 28 can be confirmed on the document side by the image of the LED 29 projected on the marking 131. Then, the adjusting mechanism 120 moves the CCD 28 so that the enlarged and projected image of the LED 29 is aligned with the marking 131, and adjusts the parallelism of the CCD 28. This allows CC
The parallelism of the CCD 28 can be easily and reliably adjusted by slightly moving the D28. Further, since the light of the LED 29 is enlarged and projected on the marking 131 provided on the document table 11 side, a slight inclination (shift) of the CCD 28 can be confirmed, and the parallelism of the CCD 28 can be adjusted with high accuracy.

For example, when the diameter of the LED 29 is 2.0 mm, the image of the LED 29 projected through the 1/9 magnification imaging lens 26 becomes 9 times on the marking 131.
That is, the diameter of the image of the LED 29 projected on the marking 131 is 2.0 × 9 = 18.0 mm.

Here, consider the case where the allowable amount of deviation from the parallelism of the CCD 28 is set to 0.25% (A3
(In the case of a document) A tilt of the CCD 28 of 0.08 mm can be tolerated. However, in consideration of the adjustment accuracy and the like, it is desirable to suppress the tilt of the CCD 28 to about 0.03 mm. As described above, in order to suppress the inclination of the CCD 28 to 0.03 mm, the displacement of the image of the LED 29 projected on the marking 131 may be suppressed to about 0.03 × 9 = 0.27 mm.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
31 is doubled and the width of the inner area is set to LED 29
Is set to be the same as the diameter of the image (18.0 mm), and the width of the outer region is set to a size (18.27 mm) in consideration of the deviation, and the image of the LED 29 is projected at least in the outer region. In the case of FIG. 9A, it is determined that the parallelism of the CCD 28 has been appropriately adjusted, and when the parallelism deviates from the outer region (in the case of FIG. 9B), it is determined that the parallelism of the CCD 28 has not been appropriately adjusted. I decided to judge.

Next, C according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The CD will be described with reference to FIGS.
Since the basic configuration of these CCDs is the same as that of the CCD 28 according to the above-described first embodiment, different components will be denoted by different reference numerals, and will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 10, the CCD 140 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a cover 142 on the front surface of the casing 28b. The cover 142 has a long hole 142a for exposing the CCD sensor chips 28a aligned along the longitudinal direction of the casing 28b, and a pair of holes for exposing the LEDs 29 formed at both ends of the long hole 142a. 142b is formed.

The diameter of the hole 142 b for exposing the LED 29 is selected within a range smaller than the diameter of the LED 29, and adjusts the diameter of the image of the LED 29 projected on the marking 131 on the document table 11. Accordingly, the size of the image of the LED 29 due to the size of the LED 29 is not restricted, and the size of the image projected on the marking 131 can be adjusted to a desired size.

If the hole 142b exposing the LED 29 is formed on the cover 142 with high precision positioning,
There is no need to position and arrange the ED 29 with high accuracy, and the straightness of the light emitting unit can be maintained with higher accuracy.

As shown in FIG. 11, the CCD 150 according to the third embodiment of the present invention has a CCD sensor PC board 2
7 is provided with one light emitting unit 152, and the light from the light emitting unit 52 is transmitted to the CC through two optical fiber cables 154.
The light is led to light emitting regions provided at both ends of the D sensor chip 28b. At both ends of the CCD sensor chip 28b, holes 29 '(light emitting areas) penetrating the casing 28b are formed so that light is guided from the back side of the casing 28b. Thus, the hole 29 'functions as a light emitting unit.

As described above, the casing 28 serves as a light emitting portion.
By forming the hole 29 'penetrating through the b, the size of the image projected on the marking 131 can be adjusted to a desired size, as in the second embodiment described above.
The straightness of the light emitting section can be maintained with higher accuracy.

In the CCDs 28, 140, and 150 according to the first to third embodiments, the LED 29 or the hole 29 'is provided as a light emitting portion. Paint may be applied to both sides of the plurality of CCD sensor chips, and the paint may be checked on the document side. In this case, it is not necessary to make the portion where the marking 131 is formed on the document table 11 frosted glass, and the same effects as those of the above-described first to third embodiments can be obtained with a simpler configuration.

If marking on the document table 11 is not possible due to manufacturing restrictions or cost problems, a document indicating plate 11a for aligning the document with the edges of the document.
This can be dealt with by forming a marking portion on the surface or by cutting out a part of the cover that covers the scanner unit upper surface. Also in this case, it is desirable to provide frosted glass for diffusing light in each marking portion.

Next, an example in which markings are formed on the first carriage 18 of the scanner unit 2 instead of the markings 131 formed on the document table 11 in the above-described first to third embodiments will be described.

As shown in FIG. 12, the first carriage 18
'Denotes an exposure lamp 12 for illuminating a document placed on a document table 11, a reflector 14 for condensing the light of the exposure lamp 12 on the document, and a first mirror 16 for bending light reflected from the document at predetermined positions. Is provided with a casing 160 positioned and arranged at a predetermined position. Casing 160
Mark 161 is formed at a predetermined position outside the exposure lamp 12 outside the illumination area of the exposure lamp 12 to align the image of the LED 29.

Each of the markings 161 corresponds to the CCD 28 (14
0, 150) is formed at a position through which light from a light emitting unit (paint) provided in the first carriage 1 is passed.
8 'is formed as a rectangular hole penetrating a rectangular part obtained by bending a part of the upper end of the casing 160 substantially inward in the horizontal direction. Therefore, even if the first carriage 18 ′ is moved along the platen 11 and placed at any position below the platen 11, the marking 16
1 can be confirmed by the operator.

The CC of the first to third embodiments described above
When light emitting portions are provided on both sides of the CCD sensor chip 28a as in D28, 140 and 150, the marking 1
Ground glass in 61 rectangular holes or marking 1
A ground glass is provided in an unreadable area of the document table 11 above a path along which the 61 moves. On the other hand, when the above-described paint is provided instead of the light emitting unit, it is not necessary to provide frosted glass at the marking 161 portion.

As described above, by providing the marking 161 on the first carriage 18 ', the CCD 28 (140) can be moved in the state where the first carriage is moved to the home position as in the above-described first to third embodiments. , 150), the parallelism of the CCD can be adjusted wherever the first carriage 18 'is located. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
Various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0080]

As described above, the image reading apparatus of the present invention has the above-described configuration and operation, so that the parallelism of the CCD can be easily adjusted with high accuracy and with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a CC incorporated in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a shift in parallelism of D and an amount of inclination of a document.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating a CCD according to a first embodiment incorporated in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3B is a front view of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the parallelism of the CCD shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of a main part of the adjustment mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a ratio of a movement amount of a CCD sensor chip to a movement amount of a bracket of the CCD in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a document table and its peripheral members of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

8 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which light from an LED provided on the CCD shown in FIG. 3 is projected onto a marking provided on a document table shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows an LED projected on the marking of FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a CCD according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a CCD according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a marking is formed on a first carriage incorporated in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copier, 2 ... Scanner part, 11 ... Document table, 12 ... Exposure lamp, 18 ... 1st carriage, 20 ... 2nd carriage, 26 ... Imaging lens, 28 ... CCD, 29 ... LED, 120 ... Adjustment mechanism , 131, 161 ... marking.

Claims (9)

[Claims] An illuminating means for illuminating the original; an image reading means having a light receiving section for receiving reflected light from the original, and reading an image of the original based on the reflected light received by the light receiving section; An optical unit for guiding the reflected light from the document to the light receiving unit; a display unit provided integrally with the light receiving unit; and an image of the display unit guided reversely by the optical unit from the light receiving unit. A projecting unit, and an adjusting unit that moves the light receiving unit so that the image of the display unit in the projecting unit is projected at a predetermined position, and adjusts an arrangement position of the light receiving unit with respect to the document to an appropriate position. An image reading apparatus comprising: 2. An illumination device for illuminating an original, a plurality of optical members for transmitting reflected light from the original, and a light receiving unit for receiving reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members. Image reading means for reading the image of the document based on the reflected light received by the section; light collecting means for collecting the reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members to the light receiving section; A display unit provided integrally with the light receiving unit; and a state in which the display unit is disposed to face the display unit via the light condensing unit, and the light receiving unit is disposed at an appropriate position with respect to the document. A projection unit having an area in which an image of the display unit enlarged through the light condensing unit can be adjusted; and an image of the display unit enlarged through the light condensing unit being the area of the projection unit. Move the light receiving part so that it is projected inside And an adjusting means for adjusting the parallelism of the light receiving section with respect to the document. 3. A document table on which a document is placed, illuminating means for illuminating the document placed on the document table, a plurality of optical members transmitting reflected light from the document, and the plurality of optics Image reading means having a light receiving portion in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the reflected light transmitted by the member, and reading an image of the original based on the reflected light received by the light receiving portion An imaging lens for imaging reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members on the light receiving unit; a display unit provided in the plane adjacent to the plurality of light receiving elements; In the state where the light receiving section is arranged at an appropriate position with respect to the original, the image of the display section which is enlarged via the imaging lens and transmitted by the plurality of optical members is aligned. Markings and images of the display unit Image reading apparatus characterized by comprising moving the light receiving portion so as to be projected into the marking, and adjusting means for adjusting the parallelism of the light receiving portion to the document, the. 4. The display section comprises a pair of light emitting sections disposed adjacent to both sides of the plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a line, and the marking is provided outside a readable area of the document table. 4. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the image reading device is formed on the ground glass so as to correspond to the pair of light emitting units. 5. The display section includes a pair of paint sections disposed adjacent to both sides of the plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a line, and the marking is provided outside the readable area of the platen. 4. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the image reading device is formed corresponding to each of the paint units. 6. A document table on which a document is placed, illuminating means for illuminating the document placed on the document table, a plurality of optical members transmitting reflected light from the document, and a plurality of optics Image reading means having a light receiving portion in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the reflected light transmitted by the member, and reading an image of the original based on the reflected light received by the light receiving portion And an imaging lens that forms reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members on the light receiving unit; and a pair of in-plane provided adjacent to both sides of the aligned plurality of light receiving elements. A light-emitting unit, and a display unit having a cover formed with a hole having a predetermined diameter that defines a light-emitting area of each of the light-emitting units; and The imaging lens Moving the light receiving unit so that the image of the display unit transmitted through the plurality of optical members is enlarged through the marking, and the image of the display unit is projected into the marking. Adjusting means for adjusting the parallelism of the light receiving unit with respect to the document. 7. A document table on which a document is placed, illumination means for illuminating the document placed on the document table, a plurality of optical members transmitting reflected light from the document, and a plurality of optical members Image reading means having a light receiving portion in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the reflected light transmitted by the member, and reading an image of the original based on the reflected light received by the light receiving portion An imaging lens for imaging reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members on the light receiving unit; provided in the plane adjacent to both sides of the plurality of aligned light receiving elements; A display section having a pair of light-emitting regions each having a diameter, a light-emitting portion, and an optical fiber for guiding light from the light-emitting portion to the pair of light-emitting regions, respectively; and In the proper position In the placed state, a marking on which the image of the display unit, which is enlarged through the imaging lens and transmitted by the plurality of optical members, can be combined, and the image of the display unit is projected into the marking. Adjusting means for moving the light receiving unit so as to adjust the parallelism of the light receiving unit to the document. 8. A document table on which a document is placed, a carriage on which illumination means for illuminating the document placed on the document table is movably mounted along the document table, and reflected light from the document. A plurality of optical members for transmitting light, and a light receiving unit in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members. Image reading means for reading an image of the document based on light; an imaging lens for forming reflected light transmitted by the plurality of optical members on the light receiving portion; and the surface adjacent to the plurality of light receiving elements And a display unit provided in the carriage, wherein the light receiving unit is provided at an appropriate position with respect to the document, and is enlarged through the imaging lens to be expanded by the plurality of optical members. Of the above display A marking on which an image can be aligned; and adjusting means for moving the light receiving unit so that the image on the display unit is projected into the marking, and adjusting the parallelism of the light receiving unit to the document. An image reading apparatus comprising: 9. An illuminating unit for illuminating a document, a light receiving unit for receiving reflected light from the document, a converting unit for converting the reflected light received by the light receiving unit to image data, Light collecting means for collecting the reflected light on the light receiving unit, a display unit provided integrally with the light receiving unit, and a projection unit for projecting an image of the display unit enlarged via the light collecting unit. An adjusting unit that moves the light receiving unit so that the image of the display unit in the projection unit is projected at a predetermined position, and adjusts an arrangement position of the light receiving unit with respect to the document to an appropriate position; An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium on which an image is formed based on the converted image data.