JPH1138523A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image reader constituted by mounting an illumination unit capable of stabilizing both light quantity distribution in the longitudinal direction of a long-length light source and that in the width direction of slit light with an optical axis as center. SOLUTION: A light distribution restricting plate 217 is constituted so that it may be inserted and retreated on an optical path between a halogen lamp 11 and a reflector 213A. The light going to the reflector 213A is reflected and equally distributed to a specified area with the optical axis L as center on a platen glass 202, so that the light is equally reduced in the specified area in accordance with the insertion quantity of the plate 217. Therefore, the unevenness of the light quantity is not caused in the specified area even when the insertion quantities of five light distribution restricting plates 217 are different.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus which irradiates light from a lighting unit to a member to be read and reads the member to be read by a solid-state image sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a copying machine or the like, a member to be read (original) is placed on a transparent glass surface (platen glass surface), and external light is shielded by a pressing plate. The image is read by a scanner unit disposed below the platen glass. The scanner unit is composed of a slit light source in the main scanning direction that irradiates light to the original through the platen glass, and an optical system that guides light reflected by the original, and moves the slit light source in the sub scanning direction. While reading the image.

In the copying machine, light reflected from the original is guided to a charging drum to form a charged portion and a non-charged portion based on an image, and the toner is transferred to a predetermined sheet via the charged drum. Get an image. When an original image is read digitally, digital image data is obtained by guiding light reflected from the original to a CCD line sensor and sequentially reading the image with the CCD line sensor.

FIG. 9 shows a conventional illumination unit 500 for irradiating a document with light.

An original (flat image) 504 is placed on the surface of the platen glass 502, and an illumination unit 500 that moves in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 9) is placed below the platen glass 502. It is arranged.

The lighting unit 500 includes a long halogen lamp 506 and a long halogen lamp 5
The reflectors 508A, 508B, and 508C reflect the light from the light source 06 and guide the light toward the document 504.

Here, the light from the halogen lamp 506 has an unstable light quantity distribution in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of light distribution limiting plates 510 are provided between the halogen lamp 506 and the platen glass 502 in the longitudinal direction of the halogen lamp 506. The amount of light reaching the original 504 is limited, and the light amount distribution in the longitudinal direction is stabilized.

However, at the position of the light distribution limiting plate 510, as shown by the oblique lines in FIG. 9, only the light to the right side when the member to be read is not a planar image but a three-dimensional object is blocked. Therefore, a light amount difference is generated between the left side and the left side (see the imaginary line in FIG. 4). Further, if the light distribution limiting plate 510 is inserted into the optical path in a large amount, the light distribution limiting plate 510 may affect a two-dimensional image at a point beyond a certain area (the position of the imaginary line in FIG. 10).

As described above, the light distribution limiting plate 510 can stabilize the light amount in the longitudinal direction of the halogen lamp 506, but the light amount distribution (the width direction of the slit light) around the optical axis is not good. The problem of becoming stable arises.

In view of the above facts, the present invention provides an illumination unit that can stabilize both the longitudinal light amount distribution of a long light source and the slit light width distribution around the optical axis. It is an object of the present invention to obtain an image reading apparatus equipped with a.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus which irradiates light from a bar-shaped light source onto a member to be read and reads the light from the member to be read. A reflector disposed around and opposite to the light source so as to reflect light that is not radiated directly to the member to be read from the light source and irradiate the light onto the member to be read again. And provided so as to be able to enter and exit the light beam emitted from the light source to the reflector,
A light distribution limiting member that limits irradiation of reflected light from the reflector onto the member to be read.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light distribution limiting plate can enter and exit the light beam emitted from the rod-shaped light source to the reflector, and shields the light from the rod-shaped light source just before the reflector. I made it. Even if the shielded light is reflected anywhere on the reflecting surface without being shielded, it is reflected almost all around the optical axis. Absent. Therefore, even if the member to be read is a three-dimensional object, the light to the right side and the left side of the three-dimensional object is not restricted by the light distribution limiting plate.
It is possible to irradiate a stable light amount to the member to be read. Naturally, even if the member to be read is a flat image, no unevenness in light amount occurs.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of reflecting surfaces of the reflector are provided, light from the light source is reflected on each surface, and the light distribution limiting plate is provided on the reflector. It is characterized in that it shields each surface.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the amount of light reduction can be recognized in advance by blocking each reflection surface with the light distribution limiting plate. That is, the reflecting surface can be used as a scale.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus which irradiates light from a bar-shaped light source onto a member to be read and reads the light from the member to be read. A reflector disposed around the light source so as to reflect unirradiated light and irradiate the light on the member to be read again, and the reflector is divided into a plurality of pieces in the longitudinal direction of the light source. And a light distribution restricting member that is provided so as to be able to enter and exit the reflected light flux to the member to be read, and restricts irradiation of the reflected light from the reflector onto the member to be read.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the light distribution restricting plate can enter and exit the reflected light flux to the member to be read reflected by the reflector, and shields the light reflected by the reflector. . Even if the shielded light is reflected anywhere on the reflecting surface without being shielded, it is reflected almost all around the optical axis. Absent. Therefore, even if the member to be read is a three-dimensional object, the light to the right and left sides of the three-dimensional object is not restricted by the light distribution limiting plate, and a stable light amount is applied to the to-be-read member. Can be. Also,
Of course, even if the member to be read is a planar image, no unevenness in light amount occurs.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the reflector has a plurality of reflecting surfaces, and the light beams reflected by the respective reflecting surfaces of the irradiation light from the light source are independent of each other. An optical path is formed, and the light distribution limiting members are provided corresponding to the respective independent optical paths.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, each light reflected by the reflecting surface has a light beam, and each light beam has an independent light path. For this reason, the light distribution limiting plate can be arranged by selecting the reflection surface to be shielded.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the light emitting device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of reflecting surfaces are concave mirrors, and the light reflected by the concave mirrors is condensed light so that the independent optical path is formed. Is formed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to form the independent optical path, the reflecting surface is a concave mirror. Thereby, the reflected light becomes the condensed light, and it is possible to easily obtain an independent region where the respective light beams do not overlap.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the plurality of reflecting surfaces are plane mirrors, and light incident on the plane mirror or light reflected by the plane mirror is reflected by a convex lens. By condensing the light, the light beams reflected by the plurality of reflection surfaces form independent optical paths, and are irradiated to the reading member.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, a convex lens is provided on the optical path to form an independent optical path.
The disposition position may be on an optical path for input to or an optical path for output to the multiple reflecting surfaces of the reflector.
In this case, the reflector can have a conventional structure.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth or sixth aspect of the invention, the light distribution restricting member is disposed so as to be able to enter and exit the optical path at the focal position of the condensed light. It is characterized by having.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, by forming the condensed light, the light flux reaching the member to be read has a focal point. By arranging the light distribution limiting plate at this focal position, the light distribution limiting plate can be reduced in size, and
Light can be blocked for each light beam.

[0025]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an image reading / recording apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The image reading / recording apparatus 10 is composed of a scanner section SCN as an image reading section and a printer section PRT for recording an image. I have. Also, the printer unit PRT
Are arranged inside the machine base 12. (Scanner Unit SCN) FIG. 1 shows a scanner unit SCN according to the present embodiment.

Box-shaped casing 20 of scanner unit SCN
0, a rectangular opening is provided at the center of the upper surface, and a transparent platen glass 202 is fitted therein. The platen glass 202 has a function as a flat original placing table, and a reflective original or a transparent original on which a planar image is recorded is placed thereon.

As shown in FIG. 2, the platen glass 20
A press cover 204 that can be opened and closed is provided on 2. The holding cover 204 is a cover 2 of the light source unit driving unit 234 provided on the back side of the casing 200.
34A is attached via a pin 204A. The holding cover 204 is provided with a hinge portion 204B, and is rotatable around the hinge portion 204B.

Accordingly, in the case of the reflection original 205, the original can be pressed and held in the direction of the platen glass 202 from above when the holding cover 204 is closed.

The light source unit driving section 234 has a slit-shaped notch 400 having a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction of FIG.

An arm (not shown) extends from the notch 400 in the direction of the platen glass 202. A transparent original scanning unit 232 is connected to this arm, and reciprocates on the platen glass 202 from the left end to the right end in FIG. The transparent document scanning unit 232 is retracted further to the left side of FIG. 1 than the platen glass 202 when the holding cover 204 is used.

The transparent original scanning unit 232 is provided with a transparent original light source unit 408 having a halogen lamp 404 as a light source and a reflector 406. The light source unit 408 for the transparent original is a platen glass 202
1 (from the near side to the far side in FIG. 1), which is the main scanning direction when a document is placed on the platen glass 202.

Here, the light source unit 40 for the transparent original is
Reference numeral 8 is applied when a transparent original is placed on the platen glass 202. In this case, the holding cover 204 is opened and retracted from the moving space of the transparent original scanning unit 232.

An operation / display panel (not shown) is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the casing 200 so as to instruct various functions and display an operation state in the apparatus.

A scanning unit 208 is provided in the casing 200. The scanning unit 208 includes a controller 209
Is controlled by The scanning unit 208 includes a halogen lamp 21 extending in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the original image.
1 and a first light source unit 210 including a reflector 213A, 213B, and 213C, and a first mirror 212 extending in the width direction of the original image together with the reflective original light source unit 210. Carriage 214, a second carriage 220 in which the second mirror 216 and the third mirror 218 are incorporated, a filter group 224 composed of a diaphragm 222, a color adjustment filter, an ND filter, and the like, and an image. Lens 226 for
And a fixing unit 228 composed of

The first carriage 214 irradiates the original placed on the platen glass 202 with light from the reflective original light source unit 210, and reflects the reflected light (light of a hanging optical axis) on the first original. The mirror 212 deflects by 90 ° and guides the second carriage 220 to the second mirror 216. Further, the first mirror 212 of the first carriage 214 irradiates the transmitted light emitted from the transparent original light source unit 408 and transmitted through the transparent original to the second mirror 21.
6

In the second carriage 220, the reflection surface of the second mirror 216 faces the first mirror 212,
When the light is received from the first mirror 212, the light is deflected by 90 ° by the second mirror 216 and further deflected by 90 ° by the third mirror 218.

The light finally made parallel to the surface of the platen glass 202 by the third mirror 218 passes through the fixed unit 228 and reaches the light receiving section of the CCD line sensor 230. The light receiving section of the CCD line sensor 230 according to the present embodiment includes three lines for independently detecting the amount of received light for each color (RGB).

In the fixed unit 228, the stop 222
The light amount is adjusted by the ND filter of the filter group 224 and the color balance is adjusted by the color adjustment filters of the filter group 224. The lens 226 forms a document image on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 230. The lens surface of the color adjustment filter has an IR cut filter corresponding to an IR cut filter.
A cut film is deposited.

The first carriage 214 and the second carriage 220 reciprocate in the sub-scanning direction below the platen glass 202 along the document surface. At this time, in order to always keep the optical path length from the document reflection (or transmission) position to the light receiving portion of the CCD line sensor 230 constant, the second carriage 220 is moved at the same speed as the first carriage 214 at half the transport speed. It moves in the direction. This first
One reciprocating operation of the carriage 214 and the second carriage 220 is scanning for one image (image reading during forward movement),
As a result, a document image on the platen glass 202 can be read.

The transparent original scanning unit 232 performs the same operation as that of the first carriage 214 by the driving force of the light source unit driving unit 234. That is, when scanning a transparent original, the transparent original scanning unit 232 operates in synchronization with the first carriage 214. At this time,
Light source unit 21 for reflection original of first carriage 214
By turning off the light 0 and turning on the halogen lamp 404 of the transparent original light source unit 408 in the transparent original scanning unit 232, a transparent original image can be obtained by the first mirror 212. Subsequent operations are the same as those for the reflection original.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the light source unit 210 for the reflection original mounted on the first carriage 214.

The light radiated from the halogen lamp 211 includes light radiated directly toward the platen glass 202,
Reflected by the reflectors 213A-C, the platen glass 2
Light emitted in the 02 direction.

That is, the reflector 213A reflects the light from the halogen lamp 211 and guides the light toward the platen glass 202. Further, the reflector 213B reflects the light from the halogen lamp 211 and guides the light to the reflector 213C. The light reflected by the reflector 213C reaches the platen glass 202.

With the above structure, the platen glass 202
A uniform amount of light can be obtained from the reflective document 205 placed on the upper side within a predetermined area on the left and right in FIG.

For example, when a three-dimensional object is placed on the platen glass 202, direct light from the halogen lamp 211 reaches the right side of the three-dimensional object, and is reflected by the reflector 213C on the left side. Since the light arrives, even if the object is a three-dimensional object, the light can be uniformly irradiated on the left and right including the side surface up to the height H around the optical axis L.

Here, a light distribution limiting plate 217 as a light distribution limiting member is provided between the halogen lamp 211 and the reflector 213A.

The light distribution limiting plate 217 is movable between an area where the light path is blocked between the halogen lamp 211 and the reflector 213A and an area where the light path is retracted.

A plurality of the light distribution limiting plates 217 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the halogen lamp 211 (five in the present embodiment). By setting the insertion amounts of the plurality of light distribution limiting plates 217 on the optical path, unevenness in the amount of light in the longitudinal direction of the halogen lamp 211 can be corrected.

Here, when the light distribution limiting plate 217 is provided on the optical path, only light that reaches the reflector 213A is blocked. The light reflected from the reflector 213A is light that is evenly distributed to a predetermined area centered on the optical axis L on the platen glass 202. Area can be uniformly dimmed (see the solid line in FIG. 4). (Printer Unit PRT) FIGS. 1 and 2 show the printer unit PRT in the machine base 12 of the image reading / recording apparatus 10.

A photosensitive material magazine 14 for accommodating a photosensitive material 16 is disposed inside the machine base 12, and the photosensitive material 16 extracted from the photosensitive material magazine 14 is exposed (exposed).
The light-sensitive material 16 is placed in the light-sensitive material magazine 14 such that the surface faces left.
It is wound up in a roll.

A nip roller 18 and a cutter 20 are arranged in the vicinity of the photosensitive material outlet of the photosensitive material magazine 14, so that the photosensitive material 16 can be cut out after the photosensitive material 16 is drawn out from the photosensitive material magazine 14 by a predetermined length. The cutter 20
For example, it is a rotary type cutter including a fixed blade and a movable blade. The movable blade can be moved up and down by a rotary cam or the like to cut the photosensitive material 16 by meshing with the fixed blade.

A plurality of transport rollers 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34 are sequentially arranged on the side of the cutter 20, and a guide plate (not shown) is provided between the transport rollers. . The photosensitive material 16 cut to a predetermined length is first conveyed to an exposure section 22 provided between conveying rollers 24 and 26.

An exposure device 38 is provided on the left side of the exposure section 22. The exposure device 38 is provided with three types of LDs, a lens unit, a polygon mirror, and a mirror unit (all are not shown). Are exposed.

It is also possible to employ a configuration in which LEDs are arranged in the main scanning direction and one line is exposed at the same time, without using a configuration in which the LD is scanned by a polygon mirror like a pendulum.

Further, above the exposure section 22, there are provided a U-turn section 40 for transporting the photosensitive material 16 in a U-shaped curve and a water application section 50 for applying an image forming solvent. In the present embodiment, water is used as the image forming solvent.

The photosensitive material 16 ascended from the photosensitive material magazine 14 and exposed at the exposure unit 22 is nipped and conveyed by conveyance rollers 28 and 30, respectively, and is applied with water while passing through a conveyance path near the upper side of the U-turn unit 40. It is sent to the unit 50.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a receiving magazine 10 for storing an image receiving material 108 is provided at the upper left end in the machine base 12.
6 are arranged. A dye fixing material having a mordant is applied to the image forming surface of the image receiving material 108, and the image receiving material 108 is pulled out from the material receiving magazine 106 so that the image forming surface of the image receiving material 108 faces downward. It is wound in a roll shape around 106.

A nip roller 110 is disposed in the vicinity of the image receiving material take-out port of the material receiving magazine 106 so that the image receiving material 108 can be pulled out from the material receiving magazine 106 and the nip can be released.

The cutter 11 is located beside the nip roller 110.
2 are arranged. The cutter 112 is, for example, a rotary type cutter including a fixed blade and a movable blade, similar to the above-described photosensitive material cutter 20, and the movable blade is moved up and down by a rotating cam or the like to engage with the fixed blade. Thereby, the image receiving material 108 drawn out from the receiving material magazine 106 is cut into a shorter length than the photosensitive material 16.

At the side of the cutter 112, the transport roller 13
2, 134, 136, 138 and a guide plate (not shown) are arranged, and the image receiving material 108 cut to a predetermined length is provided.
Can be conveyed to the thermal development transfer unit 120 side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heat development transfer section 120
Each has a pair of endless belts 122 and 124 that are wound around a plurality of winding rollers 140 and formed into a loop with the longitudinal direction being the vertical direction. Therefore, when one of these winding rollers 140 is driven and rotated, the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 wound around these winding rollers 140 are respectively rotated.

In the loop of the endless belt 122 on the right side of the pair of endless belts 122 and 124, the heating plate 12 formed in a flat plate shape with
6 is disposed facing the inner peripheral portion on the left side of the endless belt 122. A linear heater (not shown) is disposed inside the heating plate 126, and the heater can heat the surface of the heating plate 126 to a predetermined temperature.

Accordingly, the photosensitive material 16 is fed between the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 of the thermal development transfer section 120 by the last transport roller 34 in the transport path. Further, the image receiving material 108 is transported in synchronization with the transport of the photosensitive material 16,
In a state where the photosensitive material 16 is advanced by a predetermined length, the photosensitive material 16 is fed between the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 of the thermal development transfer unit 120 by the last transport roller 138 in the transport path, and is superposed on the photosensitive material 16.

In this case, the image receiving material 108 is the photosensitive material 16
Both the width dimension and the longitudinal dimension are smaller than that of the photosensitive material 16, so that the periphery of the photosensitive material 16 is overlapped with all four sides protruding from the periphery of the image receiving material 108.

As described above, the pair of endless belts 122 and 12
Photosensitive material 16 and image receiving material 1
08 is nipped and conveyed by a pair of endless belts 122 and 124 while being superposed.
Further, the superposed photosensitive material 16 and image receiving material 108
However, when completely stopped between the pair of endless belts 122 and 124, the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 stop rotating once, and the sandwiched photosensitive material 16 and image receiving material 108 are heated by the heating plate 126. The photosensitive material 16 is heated by the heating plate 126 via the endless belt 122 at the time of the nipping conveyance and at the time of stopping, and the movable dye is released with the heating, and at the same time, the dye is transferred to the image receiving material 108.
Is transferred to the dye fixing layer, and an image is obtained on the image receiving material 108.

Further, a pair of endless belts 122, 124
On the downstream side in the material supply direction, a peeling claw 128 is arranged.
Of the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108 nipped and transported between the endless belts 2 and 124, only the leading end of the photosensitive material 16 is engaged, and the leading end of the photosensitive material 16 protruding from between the pair of endless belts 122 and 124. It can be peeled off from the image receiving material 108.

On the left side of the peeling claw 128, the photosensitive material discharge roller 1
The photosensitive material 16, which is moved leftward while being guided by the peeling claw 128, can be further transported to the waste photosensitive material container 150 side.

The waste photosensitive material storage section 150 has a drum 152 around which the photosensitive material 16 is wound, and a belt 154 partially wound around the drum 152. Further, the belt 154 includes a plurality of rollers 15.
The belt 154 is rotated by the rotation of the rollers 156, and the drum 1
52 rotates.

Therefore, when the photosensitive material 16 is fed in a state where the belt 154 is rotated by the rotation of the roller 156, the photosensitive material 16 can be accumulated around the drum 152.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, receiving material discharge rollers 162, 16 are provided so that the image receiving material 108 can be conveyed from the lower side of the pair of endless belts 122, 124 to the left.
4, 166, 168, and 170 are arranged in this order, and the image receiving material 108 discharged from the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 is applied to these material receiving rollers 162, 164, and 16
6, 168, 170, and the tray 172
Will be discharged to

The operation of the present embodiment will be described below. First, the control of reading a document image in the scanner unit SCN will be described.

When an original is placed on the surface of the platen glass 202, the pressing cover 204 is closed, and the start of reading is instructed by operating the keys on the operation / display panel, scanning starts. In this scanning, the dynamic range of the CCD line sensor 230 is adjusted so that the minimum density range can be reliably read and saturation does not occur.

After the above adjustment, in the case of a reflection original, the reflection original light source unit 210 is turned on, and the first carriage 214 is turned on.
Then, the operation is started by synchronizing the second carriage 220 with the second carriage 220. In the case of a transparent original, the light source unit 4 for the transparent original is used.
08 is turned on, and the operation is started by synchronizing the first carriage 214 and the second carriage 220.

[0075] At this time, the conveying speed V ₁ of the first carriage 214, the relationship between the conveying speed V ₂ of the second carriage 220 is V ₁ = 2V _2. By maintaining this, the optical path length from the document image surface to the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 230 can always be kept constant.

The image data is recorded in a RAM memory or a hard disk of a personal computer or the like, subjected to predetermined image processing, and sent to the printer unit PRT.

In the reflection original light source unit 210, the halogen lamp 211 is long in the main scanning direction, and if there is unevenness in the amount of light emission along this longitudinal direction, this directly causes unevenness in image reading of the CCD line sensor 230. Becomes

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the light emitted from the halogen lamp 211 is limited, and unevenness occurring in the longitudinal direction of the halogen lamp 211 is eliminated in advance.

That is, a portion where the amount of light of the halogen lamp 211 is large and a portion where the amount of light is small are measured in advance. Next, the average light amount Lave for each area corresponding to each light distribution limiting plate 217
(1) to Lave (N) are calculated, and the average values Lave (1) to Lave (N) are calculated.
Based on (N), the arrangement or non-arrangement of the light distribution limiting plate 217 is determined. Note that N is the number of light distribution limiting plates 217, and N = 5 in the present embodiment.

The light distribution limiting plate 217 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the halogen lamp
The halogen lamp 2
11 can obtain a uniform light amount over the longitudinal direction. Therefore, unevenness in image reading by the CCD line sensor 230 can be prevented, and image data can be obtained with high accuracy.

Here, the light distribution limiting plate 217 has a structure inserted and retracted on the optical path between the halogen lamp 211 and the reflector 213A. This reflector 2
The light reaching 13A is reflected to a predetermined area (the irradiation width in FIG. 4) on the platen glass 202, which is the center of the optical axis L.
Therefore, the predetermined area can be uniformly dimmed according to the insertion amount of the light distribution limiting plate 217 (see FIG. 5). Therefore, even if the insertion amounts of the five light distribution limiting plates 217 are different, unevenness in the light amount does not occur in the predetermined area.

Further, in the case of reading a three-dimensional object, conventionally, the light from the left side and the right side of the three-dimensional object is different due to the structure in which the direct light from the halogen lamp 211 is blocked. However, in this embodiment, since only the light that is uniformly distributed to the predetermined area is blocked by the light distribution limiting plate 217, the left and right side surfaces of the three-dimensional object are evenly illuminated, and the CCD line sensor is used. There is no reading error caused by 230.

In this embodiment, the light distribution limiting plate 21
Although five elements 7 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the halogen lamp 211, the greater the number, the finer the control. However, on the contrary, the work for controlling the light quantity becomes complicated, and it is necessary to determine the number in consideration of these.

In the description of the present embodiment, the light distribution limiting plate 217 is considered as an opaque member, but a member that transmits some light (transmittance of 1% or more and less than 99%) may be used. (First Modification) FIG. 6 shows a first modification according to the present embodiment.

In this modified example, the mirror surface of the reflector 213A is divided into a plurality of plane mirrors (in this first modified example, it is divided into five plane mirrors 219A to 219E, but the number is not limited to this). It consists of. Therefore, each mirror surface 21
9A to 9E, it is easy to recognize the arrival state of light, and the light distribution limiting plate 2
17 can be used as a scale when inserting. (Second Modification) FIG. 7 shows a second modification of the present embodiment.

In this modified example, the mirror surface of the reflector 213A is a plurality of concave mirrors (in this second modified example, it is divided into five concave mirrors 223A to 223E, but the number is not limited to this). I have. As a result, it is possible to form a focal point where the reflected light temporarily converges before reaching the document 205. That is, each concave mirror 223A-E
An independent light path is formed for each light source, and the light amount control width can be widened by selectively disposing the independent light distribution limiting plates 217 in accordance with the focal positions. (Third Modification) FIG. 8 shows a third modification according to the present embodiment.

In this modification, a plurality of plane mirrors 219A to 219E are formed as in the first modification, and
The light input to 9A to 9A is condensed by the convex lens 221 to form a focal point. The light distribution limiting plate 217 may be selectively arranged at this focal position. According to this, complicated processing for making the reflector 213A concave is unnecessary.

Next, the operation of the printer unit PRT will be described. After the photosensitive material magazine 14 is set, the nip roller 18 is operated, and the photosensitive material 16 is moved to the nip roller 18.
Drawn by. When the photosensitive material 16 is pulled out by a predetermined length, the cutter 20 operates to cut the photosensitive material 16 into a predetermined length, and transports the photosensitive material 16 to the exposure unit 22 with its photosensitive (exposure) surface facing left. Is done. Then, the exposure device 38 is operated simultaneously with the passage of the photosensitive material 16 through the exposure section 22, and the image is scanned and exposed on the photosensitive material 16 located at the exposure 422. The exposure device 38 includes the scanner S
The image data read by the CN unit is image-processed and input by a personal computer. Based on the input data, the light amount of the light source is controlled, and the image is scanned and exposed. When a laser (semiconductor laser) is used as a light source, main scanning is performed by reciprocating the optical axis of a laser beam whose light amount is controlled by duty control like a pendulum, and movement of the photosensitive material 16 is sub-scanning. And it is sufficient.

When an LED array is used as a light source and arranged in the main scanning direction such as an LED, the amount of light is controlled by controlling the current or voltage of the LED light source so that one main scan is performed at the same time. do it.

When the exposure is completed, the exposed photosensitive material 16 is exposed.
Is sent to the water application unit 50. The photosensitive material 16 to which water as an image forming solvent has been applied in the water application section 50 is
The sheet is fed between the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 of the thermal development transfer section 120 by the conveying roller 34.

On the other hand, as the photosensitive material 16 is scanned and exposed, the image receiving material 108 is also pulled out from the material receiving magazine 106 by the nip roller 110 and transported. When the image receiving material 108 is pulled out by a predetermined length, the cutter 112 operates to cut the image receiving material 108 into a predetermined length.

After the operation of the cutter 112, the cut image receiving material 108 is transported by the transport rollers 132, 134, 136 and 138 while being guided by the guide plate. When the leading end of the image receiving material 108 is nipped by the transport roller 138, the image receiving material 108 is transferred to the heat development transfer unit 120.
Is in a standby state just before.

As the photosensitive material 16 is fed between the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 by the conveying rollers 34 as described above, the conveyance of the image receiving material 108 is resumed, and the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 are resumed. The image receiving material 108 is fed integrally with the photosensitive material 16 between them.

As a result, the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108
Are stacked, the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108 are nipped and conveyed while being heated by the heating plate 126, and are subjected to thermal development transfer to form an image on the image receiving material 108.

Further, a pair of endless belts 122, 124
When these are discharged from the image receiving material 108, the peeling claw 128 engages with the leading end of the photosensitive material 16 which is transported a predetermined length ahead of the image receiving material 108, and the leading end of the photosensitive material 16 is
Peel from 8. The photosensitive material 16 is further conveyed by a photosensitive material discharge roller 148 and is disposed in the waste photosensitive material storage unit 1.
50. At this time, since the photosensitive material 16 dries immediately, it is not necessary to further provide a heater for drying the photosensitive material 16.

On the other hand, the image receiving material 108 separated from the photosensitive material 16 is applied to receiving material discharge rollers 162, 164, 166, and 1
The sheet is conveyed by 68 and 170 and discharged to the tray 172.

[0097] When a plurality of images are to be recorded, the above steps are performed successively.

As described above, the pair of endless belts 122, 1
The image receiving material 108 on which a predetermined image is formed (recorded) by the thermal development transfer process sandwiched between the pair of endless belts 1
After being discharged from the transfer rollers 22 and 124, the sheet is nipped and transported by a plurality of receiving material discharge rollers 162, 164, 166, 168 and 170, and discharged to a tray 172 outside the apparatus.

[0099]

As explained above, claim 1 or claim 3
The invention described in (1) has an excellent effect that both the light quantity distribution in the longitudinal direction of the long light source and the light quantity distribution in the width direction of the slit light centered on the optical axis can be stabilized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the light distribution limiting plate shields each reflection surface, there is an effect that the amount of light reduction can be recognized in advance.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a light distribution limiting plate can be arranged by selecting a reflection surface to be shielded.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain an independent area where the light beams do not overlap.

According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to obtain condensed light while keeping the reflector in the conventional structure.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, by disposing the light distribution limiting plate at the focal position, the light distribution limiting plate can be reduced in size, and light can be reliably blocked for each light flux. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an image reading / recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an upper portion of a scanner unit.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a light source unit for a reflection original.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing a light quantity distribution state in an irradiation width (an imaginary line is a conventional one, and a solid line is a characteristic diagram of the present embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the amount of light reduction based on the amount of light distribution limiting plate insertion according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a reflection original light source unit according to a first modification of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a reflection original light source unit according to a second modification of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a light source unit for a reflection original according to a third modification of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a light source unit for a reflection original according to a conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram showing a reduced light amount based on a light distribution limiting plate insertion amount according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 image reading / recording device SCN scanner unit PRT printer unit 202 platen glass 210 light source unit for reflection original 213A-C reflector 214 first carriage 217 light distribution limiting plate (light distribution limiting member) 220 second carriage 230 CCD line sensor (Solid-state image sensor)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus which irradiates light from a rod-shaped light source onto a member to be read and reads light from the member to be read, by reflecting light not radiated from the light source directly to the member to be read. A reflector disposed around and around the light source so as to irradiate the light on the member to be read again; and a light beam that is divided into a plurality of pieces in the longitudinal direction of the light source and is radiated from the light source to the reflector. And a light distribution restricting member that restricts irradiation of reflected light from the reflector onto the member to be read. 2. The reflecting surface of the reflector is multi-faced,
2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light from the light source is reflected on each surface, and the light distribution limiting plate shields each of a plurality of surfaces formed on the reflector. 3. An image reading apparatus which irradiates light from a rod-shaped light source onto a member to be read and reads light from the member to be read, wherein light which is not directly irradiated from the light source to the member to be read is reflected. A reflector disposed around the light source so as to irradiate the light again onto the member to be read; and a reflector divided into a plurality of members in the longitudinal direction of the light source and reflected by the reflector. A light distribution limiting member that is provided so as to be able to enter and exit the reflected light beam, and limits the irradiation of the reflected light from the reflector onto the member to be read;
An image reading apparatus comprising: 4. The reflector has a plurality of reflecting surfaces,
The light beam reflected by each of the reflection surfaces of the irradiation light from the light source forms an independent optical path, and the light distribution limiting member is provided corresponding to each of the independent optical paths. The image reading device according to claim 1. 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of reflection surfaces are concave mirrors, and the light reflected by the concave mirrors is condensed light to form the independent optical path. 6. The plurality of reflecting surfaces are plane mirrors, and light incident on the plane mirrors or light reflected by the plane mirrors is condensed by a convex lens, so that light beams reflected by the plurality of reflecting surfaces are independent of each other. 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a light path is formed to irradiate the member to be read. 7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the light distribution restricting member is disposed so as to be able to enter and exit an optical path at a focal position of the condensed light.