Abstract:
A reflection mirror support structure, applied to support a reflection mirror of an optical scanner. Using three points or a single point and a line to construct a plane, projecting rib and projecting point are formed on a carrier to hold the reflection mirror. The image distortion caused by bending the reflection mirror and twist deformation because of structures not being parallel to each other is improved.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates in general to a reflection mirror support structure, and more particularly, to a reflection mirror support structure used in an optical scanner. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The conventional optical scanner as illustrated in FIG. 1 has a light source  100 , a reflection mirror set  400 , a lens  500 , an enclosure  900  and an optical sensor such as a charge couple device (CCD)  600 . While performing scanning, light from the light source  100  is incident onto a document  200  to obtain an image light by reflection or transmission. The reflection mirror set  400  comprises several reflection mirrors  401 ,  402 ,  403  and is located in an optical path of the image light. The image of document  200  on the light transmissible plate  300  is directed to the reflection mirror set  400  and reflected to the lens  500  by the reflection mirror set  400 . The lens  500  can receive the image light of the document  200  transmitted by the reflection mirror set  400  and display the image light on the charge couple device  600 . 
     The conventional method of mounting the reflection mirror is shown in FIG.  2 . The enclosure  900  inside the optical scanner contains therein a pair of vertical planes and a pair of parallel supporting seats  700  is formed thereon. Each supporting surface  705  for holding the carrier seats  700  has a projecting rib  701 , while the bottom surface of both ends of the reflection mirror  401  are in line contact with the projecting ribs  701  on the supporting surfaces  705  and are held thereby. After adjusting the position of the reflection mirror  401 , a tool such as a pair of tongs is used to attach the two ends of the reflection mirror  401  to the two carrier seats. 
     When the carrier seats  700  and the enclosure  900  of the optical scanner are integrated by injection molding, the supporting seats  700  are easily formed unparallel to each other due to poor conditions of injection molding. Under such circumstances, the reflection mirror  401  attached to the supporting seats  700  is easily twisted and deformed to manifest an unstable angle. Further, angle variation easily occurs during shifting or transportation to cause the image dislocation, which affects the image quality. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a reflection mirror support structure applied to the reflection mirror of an optical scanner. Using three points or a single point and a line to construct a plane, the reflection mirror is held. The image distortion caused by bending the reflection mirror or twisted deformation because of an unparallel surface angle is improved. 
     The reflection mirror holding structure located in a scan module bulk enclosure inside of an optical scanner holds at least one reflection mirror. The reflection mirror support structure comprises a first supporting seat, a second supporting seat and at least a fastener. The first supporting seat is formed on the scan module bulk enclosure. The first supporting seat has a supporting surface, on which a projecting rib is formed. The second supporting seat is formed on the scan module bulk surface. The second supporting seat has a supporting surface on which a projecting rib is formed. The supporting surfaces of the first and second supporting seats are level with each other. The heights of projecting ribs on the first and the second supporting surfaces are the same, while the projecting ribs of the first and the second supporting surfaces extend perpendicular to each other. The fastener is used to fasten and attach two ends of the reflection mirror to the first and second supporting seats, respectively. The bottom surfaces of the two ends of the reflection mirror are respectively in contact with the projecting ribs of the first and the second supporting seats, while these two projecting ribs are in point and line contact. 
     The invention further provides another reflection mirror support structure located in a scan module bulk enclosure of an optical scanner to hold at least one reflection mirror. The reflection mirror support structure comprises a first supporting seat, a second supporting seat, and at least one fastening member. The first supporting seat formed on the scan module bulk enclosure has a supporting surface, on which a projecting point is formed. The second supporting. seat formed on the scan module bulk enclosure has a supporting surface, on which two projecting points are formed. The supporting surface of the second supporting seat is on a same plane of the supporting surface of the first supporting seat, and the projecting point of the first supporting seat is not on the line drawn between the projecting points on the second supporting seat. The fastening member is used to attach two ends of the reflection mirror to the first and the second supporting seats. When the reflection mirror is attached to the first and the second supporting seats, the bottom surfaces of the two ends of the reflection mirror are respectively in contact with the projecting points on the second supporting seat and the first supporting seat. The contacts for the projecting points of the second and first supporting seat are in a form of point contact. 
     Accordingly, perpendicularly projecting ribs are formed on two supporting seats, and the theory for forming a plane with a point and a line is applied to attach the reflection mirror to the two supporting seats. Thus constructed, the supporting seats are parallel to each, and twisting deformation is eliminated. 
     Further, a projecting rib and two projecting points are formed on two supporting seats, respectively. The theory of forming a plane with three points is applied to attache the reflection mirror to the two supporting seats. Thus, the supporting seats are parallel to each, and the twisting deformation is eliminated. 
     Further, a projecting point and two projecting points are formed on two supporting seats, respectively. The theory of forming a plane with three points is applied to attach the reflection mirror to the two supporting seats. Thus, the supporting seats are parallel to each, and the twisting deformation is eliminated. 
     Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of a conventional optical scanner; 
     FIG. 2 shows a reflection mirror support structure used in the conventional optical scanner; 
     FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of a reflection mirror support structure of an optical scanner according to the invention; 
     FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a reflection mirror support structure of an optical scanner according to the invention; 
     FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a reflection mirror support structure of an optical scanner according to the invention; 
     FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of a reflection mirror support structure of an optical scanner according to the invention; 
     FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of a reflection mirror support structure of an optical scanner according to the invention; and 
     FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of a reflection mirror support structure of an optical scanner according to the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of a reflection mirror support structure according to the invention. On two parallel vertical planes of the enclosure inside of the optical scanner, parallel supporting seats  710  and  720  are formed respectively in the same level. The supporting seats  710  and  720  hold the reflection mirror  411  on supporting surfaces  715  and  725  thereof, respectively. Projecting ribs  711  and  721  perpendicular to each other are formed on the reflection surfaces  715  and  725 . Two ends of the reflection mirror  411  are in point and line contact with the projecting ribs  711  and  720 , such that the reflection mirror  411  is held and supported thereby. After adjusting the position of the reflection mirror  411 , a fastening member such as clip is used to attach the two ends of the reflection mirror  411  to the supporting seats  710  and  720 . 
     The projecting ribs  711  and  721  on the supporting seats  710  and  720  form a plane based on the theory of forming a plane with one point and one line. Consequently, when attaching the reflection mirror  411  to the supporting seats, the image distortion that affects the scan resolution due to twisted deformation by unparallel supporting seats is eliminated. 
     Second Embodiment 
     FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a reflection mirror support structure according to the invention. On two parallel vertical planes of the enclosure inside of the optical scanner, parallel supporting seats  710  and  720  are formed respectively in the same level. The supporting seats  710  and  720  hold the reflection mirror  411  on supporting surfaces  715  and  725  thereof, respectively. One projecting rib  711  and two projecting points  722  are formed on the reflection surfaces  715  and  725 . The line drawn by the two projecting points  722  is perpendicular to the projecting rib  711 . Two ends of the reflection mirror  411  are in line contact with the projecting ribs  711  and the projecting points  722 , such that the reflection mirror  411  is held and supported by the supporting seats  710  and  720 . After adjusting the position of the reflection mirror  411 , a fastening member such as clip is used to attach the two ends of the reflection mirror  411  to the supporting seats  710  and  720 . 
     The projecting ribs  711  and projecting points  722  on the supporting seats  710  and  720  form a plane based on the theory of forming a plane with one points. Consequently, when attaching the reflection mirror  411  to the supporting seats, the image distortion that affects the scan resolution due to twisted deformation by unparallel supporting seats is eliminated. 
     Third Embodiment 
     FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a reflection mirror support structure according to the invention. On two parallel vertical planes of the enclosure inside of the optical scanner, parallel supporting seats  730  and  720  are formed respectively in the same level. The supporting seats  730  and  720  hold the reflection mirror  411  on supporting surfaces  735  and  725  thereof. Two perpendicular projecting ribs  731  and  721  are formed on the supporting surfaces  735  and  725 , respectively. Further, an elastic suspension wall  800  with clamping surface  805  parallel to and opposing the supporting surface  735  is integrated into the supporting seat  730 . The elastic suspension surface  805  has a projecting rib  801  thereon. The distance between the projecting rib  801  on the elastic suspension wall  800  and the projecting rib  731  is smaller than the thickness of the reflection mirror  411 . One end of the reflection mirror  411  is located between the supporting surface  735  of the supporting seat  730  and the clamping surface  805  of the elastic suspension wall and is in point contact with the projecting ribs  731  and  801  of the supporting seat  730  and the suspension wall  800 . With the elastic of elastic suspension wall  800 , the reflection mirror  411  is attached thereby. The other end of the reflection mirror  411  is in line contact with the projecting rib  721  of the supporting seat  720 . Using a clamping tool, the reflection mirror  411  is then attached to the supporting seat  720 . 
     The projecting ribs  731  and  721  on the supporting seats  730  and  720  form a plane based on the theory of forming a plane with one point and one line. Consequently, while attaching the reflection mirror  411  to the supporting seats, the image distortion that affects the scan resolution due to twisted deformation by unparallel supporting seats is eliminated. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of a reflection mirror support structure according to the invention. On two parallel vertical planes of the enclosure inside of the optical scanner, parallel supporting seats  730  and  720  are formed respectively in the same level. The supporting seats  730  and  720  hold the reflection mirror  411  on supporting surfaces  735  and  725  thereof. A projecting rib  731  and two projecting points  722  are formed on the supporting surfaces  735  and  725 , respectively. The line drawn by the projecting points  722  is perpendicular to the projecting rib  731 . Further, an elastic suspension wall  800  with clamping surface  805  parallel to and opposing the supporting surface  735  is integrated on the supporting seat  730 . The elastic suspension surface  805  has a projecting rib  801  thereon. The distance between the projecting rib  801  on the elastic suspension wall  800  and the projecting rib  731  is smaller than the thickness of the reflection mirror  411 . One end of the reflection mirror  411  is located between the supporting surface  735  of the supporting seat  730  and the clamping surface  805  of the elastic suspension wall  800  and is in point contact with the projecting ribs  731  and  801  of the supporting seat  730  and the suspension wall  800 . With the elastic of elastic suspension wall  800 , the reflection mirror  411  is attached thereby. The other end of the reflection mirror  411  is in point contact with the projecting points  722  of the supporting seat  720 . Using a clamping tool, the reflection mirror  411  is then attached to the supporting seat  720 . 
     The projecting ribs  731  and the projecting points  722  on the supporting seats  730  and  720  form a plane based on the theory of forming a plane with three points. Consequently, when attaching the reflection mirror  411  to the supporting seats, the image distortion that affects the scan resolution due to twisted deformation by unparallel supporting seats is eliminated. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of a reflection mirror support structure according to the invention. On two parallel vertical planes of the enclosure inside of the optical scanner, parallel supporting seats  710  and  720  are formed respectively in the same level. The supporting seats  710  and  720  hold the reflection mirror  411  on supporting surfaces  715  and  725  thereof. Projecting point  712  and the projecting rib  721  are formed on the supporting surfaces  715  and  725 , respectively. The projecting point  712  is not along the extending direction of the projecting rib  721 . Two ends of the reflection mirror  411  are in point and line contact with the projecting point  712  and the projecting rib  720 , respectively, such that the reflection mirror  411  is held and supported thereby. After adjusting the position of the reflection mirror  411 , a fastening member such as clip is used to fix the two ends of the reflection mirror  411  to the supporting seats  710  and  720 . 
     The projecting ribs  711  and  721  on the supporting seats  710  and  720  form a plane based on the theory of forming a plane with one point and one line. Consequently, when attaching the reflection mirror  411  to the supporting seats, the image distortion that affects the scan resolution due to twisted deformation by unparallel supporting seats is eliminated. 
     Further, a elastic suspension wall  800  of the supporting seat  730  in the third embodiment can be integrated into the supporting seat  710  to replace the fastening member to clamp the reflection mirror  411 . 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of a reflection mirror support structure according to the invention. On two parallel vertical planes of the enclosure inside of the optical scanner, parallel supporting seats  710  and  720  are formed respectively in the same level. The supporting seats  710  and  720  hold the reflection mirror  411  on supporting surfaces  715  and  725  thereof. Projecting points  712  and  722  are formed on the supporting surfaces  715  and  725 , respectively. The projecting point  712  is not along the line drawn by the projecting points  722 . Two ends of the reflection mirror  411  are in point contact with the projecting points  712  and  722 , respectively, such that the reflection mirror  411  is held and supported by the supporting seats  710  and  720 . After adjusting the position of the reflection mirror  411 , a fastening member such as clip is used to attach the two ends of the reflection mirror  411  to the supporting seats  710  and  720 . 
     The projecting points  712  and  722  on the supporting seats  710  and  720  form a plane based on the theory of forming a plane with one point and one line. Consequently, when attaching the reflection mirror  411  to the supporting seats, the image distortion that affects the scan resolution due to twisted deformation by unparallel supporting seats is eliminated. 
     Further, a elastic suspension wall  800  of the supporting seat  730  in the third embodiment can be integrated into the supporting seat  710  to replace the fastening member to clamp the reflection mirror  411 . 
     According to the above, the invention has at least the following advantages: 
     (1) Two perpendicular projecting ribs are respectively formed on two supporting seats to apply the theory for forming one plane with one point and one line. Thereby, when the reflection mirror is attached to two supporting seats, the image distortion caused by twisted deformation because of unparallel supporting surfaces is eliminated. 
     (2) One projecting rib and two projecting points are respectively formed on two supporting seats to apply the theory for forming one plane with three points. Thereby, when the reflection mirror is attached to two supporting seats, the image distortion caused by twisted deformation because of unparallel supporting surfaces is eliminated. 
     (3) one and two projecting points are respectively formed on two supporting seats to apply the theory for forming one plane with three points. Thereby, when the reflection mirror is attached to two supporting seats, the image distortion caused by twisted deformation because of unparallel supporting surfaces is eliminated. 
     (4) By integrating an elastic suspension wall on the supporting seat to clamp the reflection mirror, the number of the fastening members is reduced, and the cost is thus reduced. 
     Other embodiments of the invention will appear to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein.. It is intended that the specification and examples to be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.