Patent ID: 6172784
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image reading apparatus comprising:a light source adapted to illuminate an original;a plurality of mirrors for reflecting a light beam from the original illuminated with said light source;an imaging lens for forming an image of the light beam reflected by said plurality of mirrors;a reading unit arranged at an image forming position of said imaging lens; andan integrated scanning optical unit movable in a scanning direction, said integrated scanning optical unit integrally accommodating said light source, said plurality of mirrors, said imaging lens, and said reading unit, thereby obtaining image information of the original,wherein an optical axis L connecting, of said plurality of mirrors, a mirror B optically closest to an incident surface of said imaging lens, said imaging lens, and said reading unit is substantially parallel to the original surface, said mirror B, said imaging lens, and said reading unit are located at a lowest position of said integrated scanning optical system unit with respect to the original surface, and of said plurality of mirrors, a mirror A optically closest to the original surface is disposed in a space between the optical axis L and the original surface and between the incident surface of said imaging lens and said reading unit,wherein said mirror A is disposed substantially at a middle position between said mirror B and said reading unit, an on-axis light beam of said mirror B is incident on said mirror B substantially at 45.degree., and a light beam regulation slit is disposed on a light beam incidence side of said mirror B.