Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/JP5974581B2/en
Timestamp: 2020-04-05 21:13:25
Document Index: 181645728

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 73', 'art 87', 'art 43', 'art 02', 'art 02', 'art 87', 'art 87', 'art 101', 'art 102', 'art 103', 'art 101', 'art 102', 'art 103', 'art,\n61', 'art,\n64', 'art,\n71', 'art,\n73', 'art,\n88', 'art,\n116']

JP5974581B2 - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents
JP5974581B2
JP5974581B2 JP2012075434A JP2012075434A JP5974581B2 JP 5974581 B2 JP5974581 B2 JP 5974581B2 JP 2012075434 A JP2012075434 A JP 2012075434A JP 2012075434 A JP2012075434 A JP 2012075434A JP 5974581 B2 JP5974581 B2 JP 5974581B2
JP2012075434A
JP2013207612A (en
伊藤　昌夫
2012-03-29 Application filed by 富士ゼロックス株式会社 filed Critical 富士ゼロックス株式会社
2012-03-29 Priority to JP2012075434A priority Critical patent/JP5974581B2/en
2013-10-07 Publication of JP2013207612A publication Critical patent/JP2013207612A/en
2016-08-23 Publication of JP5974581B2 publication Critical patent/JP5974581B2/en
Regarding a conventional image reading apparatus, a technique described in Patent Document 1 below is known.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-229722 as Patent Document 1, an LED (6) that emits UV light along the longitudinal direction of a rectangular light guide (4) made of transparent resin or glass is a base (12 ) Are arranged at regular intervals, and a technique is described in which the protrusions (14) provided at the back end of the light guide (4) are fitted into the holes (24) of the base (12). Yes.
JP 2001-229722 A ("0021" to "0022", FIG. 1)
This invention makes it a technical subject to reduce the whole structure, suppressing the distortion of a light guide member.
In order to solve the technical problem, an image reading apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
A light source member having a plate-like substrate portion extending in a preset main scanning direction, and a light source portion that is supported by the substrate portion and emits light along the main scanning direction;
An incident portion that is disposed to face the light source portion and receives light emitted from the light source portion, and an emission portion that emits incident light, and is directed toward a preset irradiation position. A light guide member for guiding light;
A support member for supporting the light source member and the light guide member, wherein the support member has higher rigidity than the substrate portion of the light source member and the light guide member;
A first positioning portion that is provided on the support member and determines a position of the light guide member in the sub-scanning direction that intersects the main scanning direction and the main scanning direction;
A second positioning portion provided at a position away from the first scanning portion in the main scanning direction and determining a position of the light guide member in the sub scanning direction;
A reading member that receives light from the irradiation position and reads an image of the irradiation position;
The first positioning part and the second positioning part formed in a hole shape penetrating the support member;
A first positioning portion of a light source member formed in a hole shape penetrating the substrate portion and formed corresponding to the first positioning portion;
A second positioning portion of the light source member formed in a hole shape penetrating the substrate portion and formed corresponding to the second positioning portion;
A first positioned portion that protrudes from the light guide member and is positioned through the first positioning portion and the first positioning portion of the light source member;
A second positioned portion that is formed to protrude from the light guide member and is positioned through the second positioning portion and the second positioning portion of the light source member;
The invention according to claim 2 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
The substrate part constituted by a plurality of substrates;
The invention according to claim 3 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The support member made of metal sheet metal;
The invention according to claim 4 is the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A holding member made of an elastic material that holds the light guide member in a state of being supported by the support member across the light guide member and the support member;
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
An insulating member that is disposed between the substrate portion of the light source member and the support member and insulates between the substrate portion and the support member;
The invention according to claim 6 is the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The light guide member having a reflection portion that reflects light incident from the incident portion toward the emission portion,
The invention according to claim 7 is the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An adjustment member that adjusts the optical axis by pressing and deforming the light guide member from an intersecting direction with respect to the optical axis through which the light guided by the light guide member passes. Adjusting the amount of deformation of the light guide member by adjusting the adjusting member to adjust the optical axis of the light emitted from the emitting portion;
In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 8 is provided.
An image recording unit for recording an image on a medium;
The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which reads an image recorded by the image recording unit;
According to the first and eighth aspects of the present invention, the overall configuration can be reduced in size while suppressing distortion of the light guide member, as compared with a configuration in which the first positioning portion is not provided in the central portion in the main scanning direction. Can do.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the deviation of the light source unit as compared with the case where the plurality of substrate units are not provided.
According to invention of Claim 3, it can thermally radiate with metal sheet metal and can reduce the thermal deformation of a light guide member.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the distortion of the light guide member during thermal deformation as compared with the case where a holding member made of an elastic material is not used.
According to invention of Claim 5, a light source member and a supporting member can be insulated reliably.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the distortion of the reflective light guide member can be suppressed.
According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the optical axis can be adjusted.
FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the image reading apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment, FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of a main part of the image reading apparatus, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a main part of the light source device. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of a first reading system and a second reading system in the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of a main part, and FIG. 4B is a diagram viewed from an arrow IVB direction in FIG. is there. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a second reading system of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6A and 6B are explanatory views of a main part of the second reading member of Example 1, FIG. 6A is an external view, and FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6A. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the characteristics of the two reading members used in Example 1. FIG. 8A is a graph of spectral characteristics in which wavelength is plotted on the horizontal axis and transmittance is plotted on the vertical axis, and FIG. 8B is plotted on the horizontal axis. It is a graph of the optical system resolving power with the spatial frequency taken and MTF taken on the vertical axis. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a chart image for adjusting the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the light source device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the light source device according to the first embodiment, and is a view seen from the direction of the arrow XI in FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a clip as an example of a holding member is removed from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a sheet metal as an example of a support member is removed from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a state in which an insulator as an example of an insulating member is removed from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the LED unit as an example of the light source member is removed from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a leaf spring as an example of a holding member is removed from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the light guide member of Example 1, and is an explanatory diagram of a state where no external force is applied to the light guide member. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a main part of an end portion in the main scanning direction of the lamp according to the first embodiment. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of the holding member, FIG. 19A is an explanatory view when a convex portion is provided on the holding member side, and FIG. 19B is an explanatory view of a state where the convex portion is worn in the configuration of the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of the light amount distribution of light emitted from the lamp. FIG. 20A is an explanatory diagram when the light source unit is not arranged outside the outer edge of the maximum size recording sheet, and FIG. FIG. 20C is an explanatory diagram of the light amount distribution in the configuration of the first embodiment, and FIG. 20C is an explanatory diagram when the configuration for reducing reflection is not provided on the inclined surface of the light guide member. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of the image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the light source device of the second embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 3B of the first embodiment. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the light guide member of the second embodiment.
Next, examples as specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
(Description of Overall Configuration of Printer U of First Embodiment)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
1 and 2, a printer U as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a main body U1 of the image forming apparatus and a feeder unit U2 as an example of a supply device that supplies a medium to the main body U1 of the image forming apparatus. And a discharge unit U3 as an example of a discharge device that discharges a medium on which an image is recorded, an interface module U4 as an example of a connection unit that connects between the main body U1 and the discharge unit U3, and a user operation And an operation unit UI.
(Description of Marking Configuration of Example 1)
1 and 2, the main body U1 of the image forming apparatus is an example of a control unit C1 that controls the printer U or an information transmission apparatus connected to the outside of the printer U via a dedicated cable (not shown). A communication unit (not shown) that receives image information transmitted from the print image server COM, a marking unit U1a as an example of an image recording unit that records an image on a medium, and the like. Connected to the print image server COM is a personal computer PC as an example of an image transmission device that is connected through a cable or a line such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and that transmits image information to be printed by the printer U. Yes.
The marking unit U1a prints photoconductor drums Py, Pm, Pc, Pk for each color of Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, K: black, and photographic images as an example of an image carrier. A photosensitive drum Po for glossing the image. The photosensitive drums Py to Po have a surface made of a photosensitive dielectric.
1 and 2, around the black photosensitive drum Pk, along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum Pk, a charger CCk, an exposure device ROSK, an example of a latent image forming device, a developing device Gk, A primary transfer roll T1k as an example of a primary transfer unit and a photoconductor cleaner CLk as an example of a cleaning unit for an image carrier are disposed.
Similarly, around the other photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, Po, chargers CCy, CCm, CCc, CCo, exposure units ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, ROSo, developing units Gy, Gm, Gc, Go, 1 Next transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, T1o, and photoconductor cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, CLo are arranged.
A toner cartridge Ky, Km, Kc, Kk, Ko containing a developer supplied to the developing devices Gy to Go is detachably supported on the upper portion of the marking portion U1a as an example of a storage container.
An intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member is disposed below each of the photosensitive drums Py to Po. The intermediate transfer belt B includes photosensitive drums Py to Po and primary transfer rolls T1y to T1o. It is sandwiched between. The back surface of the intermediate transfer belt B includes a drive roll Rd as an example of a drive member, a tension roll Rt as an example of a tension applying member, a walking roll Rw as an example of a meandering prevention member, and a plurality of examples of a driven member. The idler roll Rf, a backup roll T2a as an example of an opposing member for secondary transfer, a plurality of retract rolls R1 as an example of a movable member, and the primary transfer rolls T1y to T1o.
On the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B, a belt cleaner CLB as an example of an intermediate transfer member cleaner is disposed in the vicinity of the drive roll Rd.
A secondary transfer roll T2b, which is an example of a secondary transfer member, is disposed opposite to the backup roll T2a with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween. The backup roll T2a is charged with developer by the backup roll T2a. In order to apply a voltage having a polarity opposite to the polarity, a contact roll T2c as an example of a contact member is in contact. A conveyance belt T2e as an example of a conveyance member is stretched between the secondary transfer roll T2b of Example 1 and a drive roll T2d as an example of a drive member arranged on the lower right.
The backup roll T2a, the secondary transfer roll T2b, and the contact roll T2c constitute the secondary transfer device T2 of Example 1. The primary transfer rolls T1y to T1o, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer device T2, and the like. Thus, the transfer devices T1, B, and T2 of Example 1 are configured.
Below the secondary transfer device T2, paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are provided as an example of a storage unit that stores a recording sheet S as an example of a medium. A pickup roll Rp as an example of a take-out member and a separating roll Rs as an example of a separating member are disposed diagonally to the right of each sheet feeding tray TR1, TR2. A conveyance path SH that conveys the recording sheet S extends from the separation roll Rs, and a plurality of conveyance rolls Rs as an example of a conveyance member that conveys the recording sheet S to the downstream side are arranged along the conveyance path SH. Yes.
As an example of an unnecessary portion removing device, the recording sheet S is set at a preset pressure on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S with respect to the position where the conveyance paths SH from the two sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 merge. A deburring device Bt that removes unnecessary portions of the edge of the recording sheet S, that is, a deburring device Bt is disposed.
On the downstream side of the deburring device Bt, a detection device Jk for measuring the thickness of the recording sheet S passing therethrough and detecting a state in which a plurality of recording sheets S overlap each other, so-called double feeding is disposed. A correction roll Rc that corrects an inclination with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S, that is, a so-called skew, is disposed on the downstream side of the double-feed detection device Jk as an example of a posture correction device. On the downstream side of the correction roll Rc, a registration roll Rr as an example of an adjustment member that adjusts the conveyance timing of the recording sheet S to the secondary transfer device T2 is disposed.
The feeder unit U2 is also provided with paper feed trays TR1, TR2, paper feed trays TR3, TR4, etc., which are configured in the same manner as the pick-up roll Rp, the pick-up roll Rs, and the transport roll Ra. The conveyance path SH from TR4 merges with the conveyance path SH of the main body U1 of the image forming apparatus U on the upstream side of the double-feed detection device Jk.
A plurality of conveying belts HB that hold the recording sheet S on the surface and convey the recording sheet S to the downstream side are arranged downstream of the conveying belt T2e in the conveying direction of the recording sheet S.
A fixing device F is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S with respect to the conveyance belt HB.
A cooling device Co that cools the recording sheet S is disposed on the downstream side of the fixing device F.
On the downstream side of the cooling device Co, a decurler Hd that applies a pressure to the recording sheet S to correct the curvature of the recording sheet S, that is, a so-called curl, is disposed as an example of a medium curvature correction unit.
An image reading device Sc that reads an image recorded on the recording sheet S is disposed on the downstream side of the decurler Hd.
A reversing path SH2 as an example of a transport path branched from the transport path SH extending toward the interface module U4 is formed on the downstream side of the image reading device Sc. A first gate GT1 as an example of the switching member is disposed.
In the reversing path SH2, a plurality of switchback rolls Rb as an example of a conveying member capable of rotating forward and reverse are arranged. On the upstream side of the switchback roll Rb, a connection path SH3 is formed as an example of a transport path that branches off from the upstream portion of the reversing path SH2 and joins the downstream side of the branch section of the transport path SH with the reversing path SH2. Has been. A second gate GT2 as an example of a transfer direction switching member is disposed at a branch portion between the reversing path SH2 and the connection path SH3.
On the downstream side of the reversing path SH2, a folding path SH4 for reversing the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S, that is, for switching back, is disposed below the cooling device Co. In the return path SH4, a switchback roll Rb as an example of a conveying member capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions is disposed. In addition, a third gate GT3 as an example of a conveyance direction switching member is disposed at the entrance of the return path SH4.
The conveyance path SH on the downstream side of the return path SH4 merges with the conveyance paths SH of the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2.
In the interface module U4, a transport path SH extending toward the discharge unit U3 is formed.
The discharge unit U3 is provided with a stacker tray TRh as an example of a stacking container on which the recording sheets S to be discharged are stacked, and a discharge path SH5 branched from the transport path SH and extending to the stacker tray TRh is provided. Yes. In the conveyance path SH of the first embodiment, when an additional discharge unit and a post-processing device (not shown) are additionally mounted on the right side of the discharge unit U3, the recording sheet S is attached to the added device. It is configured to be transportable.
(Marking operation)
In the image forming apparatus U, when image information transmitted from the personal computer PC is received via the print image server COM, a job which is an image forming operation is started. When the job is started, the photosensitive drums Py to Po, the intermediate transfer belt B, and the like rotate.
The photosensitive drums Py to Po are driven to rotate by a driving source (not shown).
The chargers CCy to CCo are applied with a preset voltage to charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py to Pk.
The exposure units ROSy to ROSo output laser light Ly, Lm, Lc, Lk, Lo as an example of light for writing a latent image in response to a control signal from the control unit C1, and output the photosensitive drums Py to Pk. Write an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface.
The developing units Gy to Go develop the electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photoreceptors Py to Po into visible images.
The toner cartridges Ky to Ko replenish the developer consumed with the development in the developing units Gy to Go.
The primary transfer rolls T1y to T1o are applied with a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charged polarity of the developer, and transfer the visible image on the surface of the photosensitive drums Py to Po to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B.
The photoreceptor cleaners CLy to CLo remove and clean the developer remaining on the surfaces of the photoreceptor drums Py to Po after the primary transfer.
When the intermediate transfer belt B passes through the primary transfer region facing the photoreceptors Py to Po, the images are transferred and stacked in the order of O, Y, M, C, and K, and then transferred to the secondary transfer unit T2. It passes through the opposing secondary transfer area. In the case of a single color image, an image of only one color is transferred and sent to the secondary transfer area.
The pickup roll Rp records from the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 to which the recording sheet S is supplied according to the size of the received image information, the designation of the recording sheet S, the size and type of the stored recording sheet S, and the like. The sheet S is sent out.
The separating roll Rs separates and separates the recording sheets S sent out from the pickup roll Rp one by one.
The deburring device Bt applies a preset pressure to the passing recording sheet S to remove burrs.
The double feed detection device Jk detects the double feed of the recording sheet S by detecting the thickness of the recording sheet S passing therethrough.
The correction roll Rc corrects the skew by bringing the recording sheet S passing therethrough into contact with a wall surface (not shown).
The registration roll Rr sends out the recording sheet S in accordance with the timing when the image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B is sent to the secondary transfer area.
The secondary transfer device T2 records the image of the intermediate transfer belt B on the recording sheet S by applying a secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the developer charging polarity set in advance to the backup roll T2a via the contact roll T2c. Transfer to sheet S.
The belt cleaner CLB removes the developer remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B after the image is transferred in the secondary transfer area and cleans it.
The conveying belts T2e and HB hold the recording sheet S on which the image has been transferred by the secondary transfer device T2 on the surface and convey the recording sheet S to the downstream side.
The fixing device F includes a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating member and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure member, and a heater as an example of a heat source is accommodated inside the heating roll Fh. Yes. The fixing device F fixes the unfixed image on the surface of the recording sheet S by heating the recording sheet S passing through the region where the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp are in contact with each other while applying pressure.
The decurler Hd applies pressure to the recording sheet S that has passed through the cooling device Co to remove the curvature of the recording sheet S, so-called curl.
The image reading device Sc reads an image on the surface of the recording sheet S that has passed through the decurler Hd.
When double-sided printing is performed, the recording sheet S that has passed through the decurler Hd is actuated by the first gate GT, conveyed to the reversing path SH2, switched back by the return path SH4, and passed through the conveying path SH. The image is retransmitted to the registration roll Rr and printing on the second side is performed.
The recording sheet S discharged to the stacker tray TRh as an example of the discharge unit is transported through the transport path SH and discharged to the stacker tray TRh. At this time, when the recording sheet S is discharged to the stacker tray TRh with the front and back sides reversed, the recording sheet S is once carried into the reversing path SH2 and the rear end of the recording sheet S in the conveying direction is the second gate GT2. , The second gate GT2 is switched and the switchback roll Rb rotates in the reverse direction, and is conveyed through the connection path SH3 and conveyed to the stacker tray TRh.
On the stacker tray TRh, the recording sheets S are stacked, and the stacking plate TRh1 is automatically raised and lowered so that the uppermost surface has a preset height according to the stacking amount of the recording sheets S.
(Description of Image Reading Apparatus of Example 1)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the image reading apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment, FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the main part of the image reading apparatus, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the main part of the reading position.
In FIG. 3, the image reading device Sc according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a reference roll 1 as an example of a conveyance member that contacts the lower surface of the recording sheet S that is conveyed along the conveyance path SH and conveys the sheet downstream. A main body 2 of the image reading device Sc is disposed above the reference roll 1 with the conveyance path SH interposed therebetween. The main body 2 includes a hollow box-shaped optical system housing portion 3 extending in the conveyance direction and width direction of the recording sheet S at the upper portion, and an irradiation system housing portion disposed at a lower portion and a left portion of the optical system housing portion 3. 4 and.
A lamp 7 extending in the front-rear direction, which is the width direction of the recording sheet S, is disposed in the irradiation system accommodation section 4 as an example of a light source. The lamps 7 according to the first exemplary embodiment are arranged one by one at a position that forms an angle of 45 ° with the normal direction of the surface of the recording sheet S with respect to the reading position 6 set in advance on the conveyance path. The lamp 7 of the first embodiment is configured by a white LED, but is not limited thereto, and a light source that outputs light having continuous intensity in the visible light wavelength range can be used. For example, a tungsten lamp Etc. can be suitably used.
Further, a fan 8 for cooling the lamp 7 is supported in the irradiation system housing 4 as an example of a cooling member.
4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of a first reading system and a second reading system in the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of a main part, and FIG. 4B is a diagram viewed from an arrow IVB direction in FIG. is there.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a second reading system of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment.
3 to 5, an opening 11 extending in the front-rear direction is formed above the reading position 6 in the irradiation system accommodation section 4, and the reflected light from the recording sheet S can be transmitted through the opening 11. A transparent window member 12 is supported.
As an example of a first optical member, a plate-like first plate that extends in the front-rear direction and reflects light from the reading position 6 to the right is disposed inside the optical system housing 3 above the window member 12. The mirror 13 is supported. A plate-like second mirror 14 that extends in the front-rear direction and reflects light from the first mirror 13 upward is supported on the right side of the first mirror 13 as an example of the second optical member. Yes. A plate-like third mirror 15 that extends in the front-rear direction and reflects light from the second mirror 14 to the left is supported above the second mirror 14 as an example of a third optical member. Yes. The mirrors 13, 14, and 15 constitute the optical systems 13 to 15 of the first embodiment.
3 and 4, an example of the first imaging system is provided at the center of the front-rear direction through a window-like opening 16 that shields disturbance, irregularly reflected light, and the like on the left side of the third mirror 15. The first imaging unit 17 is supported. The first imaging unit 17 includes, as an example of a first imaging member, a first imaging lens 17a that focuses the light from the third mirror 15 to form an image. The imaging lens 17 is accommodated in a hood 17b as an example of a light shielding member that reduces the incidence of disturbance light.
On the left side of the first imaging unit 17, an image sensor 18 that receives light and reads an image at the reading position 6 is disposed as an example of a first reading member. In the first embodiment, a conventionally known CCD image sensor having a color filter of R, G, and B: a charge coupled device image sensor is used as the image sensor 18. However, the image position, color unevenness, image defect, etc. It is possible to employ any imaging member capable of capturing an image for detecting the like.
Note that the light is not parallel light at the positions where the mirrors 13 to 15 of the first embodiment are disposed, and the first imaging lens 17a is changed from the third mirror 15 to the first imaging lens 17a. The reaching light 19 is condensed on the image sensor 18, thereby projecting the area A 1 at the reading position 6 onto the image sensor 18. Therefore, the image pickup device 18 according to the first embodiment, as an example of the reading area, displays an image in the range of the first reading area A1 that is set in advance, which is almost the entire area in the width direction of the recording sheet S that passes through the reading position 6. It is configured to be readable.
6A and 6B are explanatory views of a main part of the second reading member of Example 1, FIG. 6A is an external view, and FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6A.
3 and 5 to 7, a colorimetric unit 21 as an example of a second reading system is disposed on the left side of the third mirror 15 and on the right side and in front of the imaging lens 17. Yes.
5 to 7, the color measurement unit 21 has a cover 22 as an example of a light shielding member. In FIG. 6, the cover 22 is disposed outside the optical path of the light 19 incident on the first imaging lens 17 a, and is disposed in a shape and position that does not adversely affect the image captured by the image sensor 18. ing. That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, the color measurement unit 21 according to the first embodiment is arranged outside the optical path of the light 19 read by the image sensor 18 and is measured by the color measurement unit 21 as compared with the case of the image sensor 18. The optical path length of the light 20 is shortened. In the color measurement unit 21 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the color measurement sensor 27 is inside the first reading area A1 and the longitudinal direction of the mirror 15, that is, the first reading area A1. Further, it is arranged on the rear side of the position corresponding to the front end of the mirror 15.
6 and 7, a hood 23 as an example of a light shielding member is supported inside the cover 22, and a third mirror 15 as an example of a second imaging member is provided inside the hood 23. A second imaging lens 24 that focuses and collects the light from the second imaging lens 24 is supported. An aperture 26 as an example of a light shielding member is supported on the left side of the second imaging lens 24, and a colorimetric sensor 27 as an example of a second reading member is supported on the left side of the aperture 26. Has been. Therefore, the second imaging lens 24 and the colorimetric sensor 27 are arranged in a state surrounded by the hood 23.
The colorimetric sensor 27 according to the first embodiment is a colorimetric sensor that includes a spectroscope (not shown) inside and a detection element that detects the dispersed light and reads the color of the image at the reading position 6. Various colorimeter and colorimeter configurations can be employed. Specifically, the color is measured and measured using a sensor that performs spectral measurement using a spectral member such as a grating or a prism, or a bandpass filter that can divide the visible wavelength range into about 6 to 8 regions. A conventionally known colorimeter such as a sensor can be used. That is, the colorimetric sensor 27 of Example 1 is specialized in colorimetry with higher wavelength resolution and color resolution and higher colorimetric accuracy than a known CCD sensor having three color separation filters for RGB. A high-performance colorimeter can be used.
In FIG. 5, the colorimetric sensor 27 of Example 1 has a position of 70% or less when the distance from the center A1a in the width direction of the recording sheet S to the outer end A1b in the width direction is 100%. That is, an image of the second reading area A2 set in advance at a position included in the first reading area A1 inside the position A1c of 70% is measured. Therefore, the first embodiment has a configuration in which the longitudinal direction of the first reading area A1 read by the image sensor 18 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the second reading area A2.
In FIG. 3B, the optical axis of the colorimetric sensor 27 of Example 1 is set within 10 ° with respect to the normal line of the measurement surface of the recording sheet S. Since the incident angle of the illumination light to the recording sheet S is set to about 45 °, the specular reflection component from the illumination is incident on the sensor 27 by setting the tilt angle of the optical axis of the sensor 27 within 10 °. The colorimetric accuracy can be improved.
(Description of characteristics of image sensor and colorimetric sensor)
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the characteristics of the two reading members used in Example 1. FIG. 8A is a graph of spectral characteristics in which wavelength is plotted on the horizontal axis and transmittance is plotted on the vertical axis, and FIG. 8B is plotted on the horizontal axis. It is a graph of the optical system resolving power with the spatial frequency taken and MTF taken on the vertical axis.
In FIG. 8, the characteristics of the imaging optical systems 12 to 15, 17, and 18 are indicated by broken lines, and the characteristics of the colorimetric optical systems 12 to 15, 24, and 27 are indicated by solid lines. As shown in FIG. 8, the colorimetric optical systems 12 to 15, 24, and 27 have high transmittance over a wide wavelength range as compared to the imaging optical systems 12 to 15, 17, and 18, and MTF: Modulation Transfer Function The demand for is apt to be low. That is, the colorimetric optical systems 12 to 15, 24 and 27 have a high ability to measure the wavelength of light, that is, the color, while the imaging optical systems 12 to 15, 17 and 18 require the spectral transmittance. The resolution is high but the resolution is high, and the position of the image can be measured with high accuracy.
(Explanation of reading chart)
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a chart for adjustment of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment.
In FIG. 9, a reading chart 31 as an example of an image read by the image reading device Sc of the first embodiment has a plurality of band-like regions 31 a extending in the width direction of the recording sheet S in the conveyance direction. In each band-shaped region 31a, images having different colors and densities are formed as an example of a preset color adjustment image. In the first embodiment, when a preset adjustment operation is started, for example, when an input from the operation unit UI or a preset number of prints is performed, a reading chart is recorded on the recording sheet S by the marking unit U1a. 31 is formed, and the reading chart 31 is set in advance so as to be read simultaneously by the image sensor 18 and the colorimetric sensor 27. That is, in the first embodiment, the reading chart 31 is a first image for image quality determination read by the image sensor 18 and functions as a second image for color determination read by the colorimetric sensor 27. Also have.
(Operation of Reading Device of Example 1)
In the reading device Sc of Example 1 having the above-described configuration, when the adjustment operation is started, the marking unit U1a creates the reading chart 31, and after the reading chart 31 is transferred, fixed, and cooled on the recording sheet S, Pass the reading position 6. When passing through the reading position 6, the light emitted from the lamp 7 is reflected by the reading chart 31 and measured by the image sensor 18 and the colorimetric sensor 27 via the optical systems 13 to 15, 17 and 24.
Based on the image measured by the image sensor 18, the control unit C <b> 1 discriminates the positional deviation of the image on the surface of the recording sheet S, image defects such as color unevenness in the width direction, and white spots. Then, the controller C1 adjusts the rotational speed of the photosensitive drums Py to Po and the transport speed of the recording sheet S according to the positional deviation at the time of the next and subsequent printing, and exposers ROSy to ROSo according to the color unevenness. Processing such as adjusting the output in the width direction of the image or performing a display prompting the user to inspect or replace the part according to the image defect is performed. Further, based on the measurement result of the colorimetric sensor 27, the control unit C1 discriminates the difference between the color of the printed image and the measured color, and the control unit C1 determines each color according to the color deviation. The color is adjusted by adjusting the outputs of the exposure units ROSy to ROSo, the voltages of the charging units CCy to CCo, the developing units Gy to Go, and the like.
Therefore, in the reading device Sc according to the first embodiment, two different readings for an image of imaging and colorimetry can be performed by the image sensor 18 and the colorimetric sensor 27 using the common optical systems 13 to 15. Therefore, the configuration can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which an optical system is separately provided.
In particular, in the first embodiment, the lamp 7 that is a light source is also used in common for imaging and colorimetry, and is reduced in size and power consumption.
In the first embodiment, the first reading area A1 in which the image sensor 18 performs measurement and the second reading area A2 in which the colorimetric sensor 27 performs measurement have a common longitudinal direction. As compared with the case where the recording sheet S is different, the reading area in the moving direction of the recording sheet S can be made smaller. Therefore, the illumination lamp and the mirrors 13 to 15 can be downsized, and the image reading device Sc can be downsized. Furthermore, in general, the image forming performance is likely to be unstable at the outer end portion in the longitudinal direction of the printer U as compared with the center portion, and the accuracy of the image characteristics of the measurement target may be reduced. Then, the second reading area A2 is arranged on the inner side of 70% with respect to the X direction of the recording sheet S, and the colorimetric accuracy is improved as compared with the case where the second reading area A2 is arranged on the outer end side.
In the first embodiment, the second imaging lens 24 of the colorimetric sensor 27 is configured separately from the first imaging lens 17a used in the image sensor 18, and the colorimetric sensor 27 and the image sensor are imaged. The position with respect to the element 18 can be shifted. Therefore, the degree of freedom in design is improved.
In particular, the colorimetric sensor 27 is disposed at a position close to the third mirror 15 with respect to the image sensor 18, and the optical path of the light 20 is shortened. In general, as the optical path becomes longer, it is necessary to use a lens with a large aperture to secure a certain amount of light, and the second imaging lens 24 may be increased in size. The optical path of the light 20 incident on the sensor 27 is shortened, the enlargement of the second imaging lens 24 is reduced, and the miniaturization and cost reduction are achieved.
Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the second imaging lens 24 is disposed with an inclination angle with respect to the normal direction of the surface of the recording sheet S within 10 °, and regular reflection light from the illumination lamp 7 does not enter. Highly accurate color measurement is possible.
In the first embodiment, the reading chart 31 printed on the recording sheet S by the marking unit U1a is read by the image sensor 18 and the colorimetric sensor 27. That is, unlike the case where a visible image developed on the surface of the photosensitive drums Py to Po and a visible image transferred on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B are picked up to discriminate colors, color unevenness, and the like. In 1, the image printed on the recording sheet S that is actually touched by the user is read. Therefore, measurement is performed based on an image that is closer to reality than when reading images on the surface of the photosensitive drums Py to Po, and the deviation between the calibration result and the printing result is reduced.
Furthermore, in the first embodiment, with one reading chart 31, the image quality such as color unevenness and image defect in the position and width direction of the image and the color can be measured and determined at the same time, and the measurement is performed individually. In comparison, the time required for measurement and adjustment can be shortened, and the overall speed can be increased.
Further, in the first embodiment, the light shielding members 17b, 22, 23, and 26 are disposed, and the adverse effect of disturbance light on the imaging lenses 17a and 24 is reduced. In particular, the colorimetric sensor 27 is arranged in a state surrounded by the hood 23, and the reduction in the colorimetric accuracy is reduced.
(Description of light source device)
Next, a description will be given of a lamp as an example of a light source device of the image reading device Sc of the first embodiment. In the light source portion of the first embodiment having two lamps 7, the lamps 7 are arranged symmetrically. In the following description, the left lamp 7 will be described, and the description of the right lamp 7 will be omitted.
In FIG. 3B, the lamp 7 according to the first embodiment is supported by the main body U1 via a fixing plate 41 as an example of a support body of the light source device.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the light source device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the light source device according to the first embodiment, and is a view seen from the direction of the arrow XI in FIG.
12 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a clip as an example of a holding member is removed from the state shown in FIG.
In the following description of FIGS. 10 to 20, for the simplification of the explanation of the XYZ coordinate system, the X-axis direction matches the X-axis direction of FIGS. The Y axis direction is described as a direction orthogonal to the X axis direction and the Z axis direction. That is, in FIGS. 10 to 20, the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction do not match those of FIGS. 1 to 9.
3B and FIGS. 10 to 12, the lamp 7 according to the first embodiment includes a sheet metal 42 as an example of a support member. The sheet metal 42 of the first embodiment is made of steel as an example of metal, but is not limited to steel, and can be changed according to design, specifications, and the like. The sheet metal 42 has a plate-like flat plate portion 43 extending in the front-rear direction, that is, the main scanning direction which is the width direction of the recording sheet S, and a reinforcing bent portion 44 extending upward from the left end of the flat plate portion 43. . 11 and 12, the flat plate portion 43 is formed with a cutout concave portion 45 at a front portion and a rear portion with respect to the center portion in the front-rear direction. Screw holes 46 as an example of a fastening portion are formed on both front and rear sides of each recess 45.
In FIG. 12, a round hole 47 as an example of a first positioning portion is formed in the center portion in the front-rear direction of the flat plate portion 43. Further, at both ends in the front-rear direction of the flat plate portion 43, elongated holes 48 extending in the front-rear direction are formed as an example of the second positioning portion. Further, a fool hole 49 having a diameter larger than that of the round hole 47 is formed behind the round hole 47 of the flat plate portion 43 as an example of the third positioning portion.
The flat plate portion 43 is formed with a front positioning hole 51 and a rear screw hole 52 as an example of a fixing portion of the holding member in front of the front long hole 48. Further, a front screw hole 53 and a rear long hole 54 are formed on the rear side of the rear long hole 48 as an example of a fixing portion of the holding member.
The flat plate portion 43 is formed with a plurality of through holes 56 along the front-rear direction through which screws as an example of fastening members (not shown) pass when the metal plate 42 is fixed to the fixing plate 41.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a sheet metal as an example of a support member is removed from the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a state in which an insulator as an example of an insulating member is removed from the state shown in FIG.
3B and 12 to 14, an LED unit 62 as an example of a light source member is supported on the lower surface of the flat plate portion 43 of the sheet metal 42 with an insulator 61 as an example of an insulating member interposed therebetween. As the insulator 61, a known insulating tape having high insulation and thermal conductivity can be used as an example of a band-like body. As such an insulator 61, for example, Sircon 15GTR manufactured by Fuji Polymer Industries Co., Ltd., single-sided adhesive can be used.
3B, 13, and 14, the lamp 7 of the first embodiment has a total of two LED units 62 in a pair of front and rear, and each LED unit 62 is configured similarly. The LED unit 62 of Example 1 includes a plate-like substrate portion 63 that extends in the longitudinal direction, which is the front-rear direction. A round hole 63a as an example of the first positioning portion of the light source member is formed at the front end portion of the substrate portion 63 of the first embodiment, and an example of the second positioning portion of the light source member is formed at the rear end portion. A long hole 63b extending in the front-rear direction is formed.
A plurality of LED chips 64 that emit light, as an example of a light source unit, are arranged on the lower surface of the substrate unit 63 at predetermined intervals along the front-rear direction. Further, a connector 66 as an example of a terminal portion for supplying power to the LED chip 64 and inputting / outputting control signals is supported on the rear portion of the upper surface of the substrate portion 63. A concave portion 45 of the sheet metal 42 is formed corresponding to the connector 66, and the LED unit 62 is supported by the sheet metal 42 without the connector 66 interfering with the sheet metal 42.
In the substrate portion 63 of the first embodiment, a through hole 63c having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the screw is formed at a position corresponding to the screw hole 46 and the through hole 56. The insulator 61 is formed so as to cover the upper surface of the substrate portion 63, and holes 61a, 61b, 61c are formed at positions corresponding to the holes 63a, 63b, 63c.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the LED unit as an example of the light source member is removed from the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a leaf spring as an example of a holding member is removed from the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the light guide member of Example 1, and is an explanatory diagram of a state where no external force is applied to the light guide member.
3B and 14 to 17, a light guide 71 extending in the front-rear direction is supported as an example of a light guide member below the LED unit 62. The light guide 71 according to the first embodiment is made of a transparent material that allows light to pass through, and is made of a transparent resin material as an example of a material having a lower rigidity than the metal sheet metal 42. In FIG. 17, the light guide 71 according to the first embodiment is configured such that the other end of the light guide 71 is opposite to the one end in the front-rear direction in a state where no external force is applied, that is, in a state where the light guide 71 is not assembled to the LED unit 62 or the sheet metal 42. It is formed so as to have a shape along a direction away from the sheet metal, that is, a shape warped with respect to the sheet metal 42.
FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a main part of an end portion in the main scanning direction of the lamp of the first embodiment.
3B and 11, the light guide 71 of the first embodiment includes a guide body 72 having a trapezoidal cross section that decreases in width in the left-right direction toward the reading position 6 as an example of a lower irradiation position. . 11 and 18, the guide main body 72 according to the first embodiment is inclined upward, that is, toward the substrate portion 63 toward the outer side in the front-rear direction at both front and rear ends, which are ends in the main scanning direction. An inclined surface 72a is formed. The inclined surface 72a is formed to be inclined in order to avoid interference with a leaf spring, which will be described later, and to improve releasability when the light guide 71 is formed. Therefore, it is possible to make the configuration compact and improve the accuracy of the light guide 71 by forming the inclined surface 72a as compared to the case where the inclined surface 72a is not formed. The surface of the inclined surface 72a according to the first embodiment is roughened to irregularly reflect light in order to reduce light reflected from the LED chip 64 in a specific direction by the inclined surface 72a. In addition, as a means for reducing reflection, although rough surface processing was performed in Example 1, it is not limited to this, It is also possible to perform the coating which reduces reflection, what is called coating.
18, in the light guide 71 of the first embodiment, the LED chip 64 disposed on the inclined surface 72a or the outer end in the front-rear direction has the outer end S1 of the recording sheet S having the maximum readable size set in advance. It is set so that it may be arranged outside.
15 and 16, in order to form a gap 71b on the upper surface of the light guide 71, in which the LED chip 64 can be accommodated and air flows for cooling the LED unit 62 that generates heat between the LED chip 64 and the light guide 71. A groove 73 extending in the front-rear direction is formed. Accordingly, the bottom surface 73a of the groove portion 73 constitutes an incident portion 73a where light enters the light guide 71 from the LED chip 64, and the lower surface of the guide body 72 emits the incident light toward the reading position 6. Part 73b is configured. Therefore, the light guide 71 guides the light incident from the incident portion 73a toward the emitting portion 73b by passing through the guide main body 72 or being reflected by the left and right inclined surfaces of the guide main body 72 having a trapezoidal cross section. Then, the light is output from the emitting unit 73b toward the reading position.
3B, 11, and 16, the light guide 71 of the first embodiment is integrally formed with edge portions 74 extending in the front-rear direction on both the left and right sides of the guide main body 72. 15 and 16, the right edge 74 is formed with overhangs 76, 77, 78 projecting to the right at the center, front end, and rear end in the front-rear direction.
A positioning pin 81 as an example of a first positioned portion is formed on the front projecting portion 76 so as to protrude upward on the front side, and a positioning pin as an example of a third positioned portion is formed on the rear side. A pin 82 projects upward. In the first embodiment, the front positioning pin 81 has an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the round hole 47 of the sheet metal 42 and has an outer diameter corresponding to the width in the left-right direction of the long hole 63 b of the LED unit 62. It is formed in a cylindrical shape.
Further, the rear positioning pin 82 has the same outer diameter as that of the front positioning pin 81, that is, an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the round hole 63 a of the LED unit 62, which is smaller than the inner diameter of the baffle hole 49 of the sheet metal 42. It is formed in a cylindrical shape having a diameter.
Further, a positioning pin 83 as an example of a second positioned portion is formed on the protruding portion 77 at the front end so as to protrude upward, and the second positioned portion is also formed on the protruding portion 78 at the rear end. As an example, a positioning pin 84 projects upward. The front end and rear end positioning pins 83 and 84 of the first embodiment are formed in a columnar shape having an outer diameter corresponding to the width in the left-right direction of the long hole 48 of the sheet metal 42.
The left edge portion 74 is formed with ribs 86 that extend upward and come into contact with the lower surface of the substrate portion 63 as an example of contact portions at positions corresponding to the overhang portions 76 to 78. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the portion where the rib 86 is not provided, the gap 71b and the outside are connected between the lower surface of the substrate portion 63 and the upper surface of the edge portion 74 to dissipate heat. A slit 71c is formed as an example of a gap through which cooling air can pass.
In FIG. 17, the front end portion and the rear end portion of the light guide 71 are hemispherical convex portions formed in a convex shape that protrudes downward as an example of a contact portion in front and rear of the guide main body 72. 87 is formed.
In FIG. 3B, FIGS. 10 to 15, and 18, a leaf spring 88 as an example of a holding member is supported outside the light guide 71 in the front-rear direction. The plate spring 88 according to the first embodiment includes a fixed portion 88a supported via screws 89 in holes 51 to 54 provided at both front and rear ends of the metal plate 42, and a vertical portion extending downward from the fixed portion 88a. It has the board 88b and the pressing board 88c extended diagonally downward toward the convex part 87 from the front-end | tip of the vertical board 88b.
Therefore, in the first embodiment, the plate spring 88 is held in a state where the presser plate 88 c pushes the convex portion 87 at the end of the light guide 71 toward the sheet metal 42, and the light guide 71 is supported with respect to the sheet metal 42. The At this time, in the first embodiment, the force that the leaf spring 88 pushes is a force that can sufficiently bend the light guide 71 in a warped state as shown in FIG. It is preset to work.
In FIG. 18, the lower end of the vertical plate 88 of the first embodiment is set below the lower end of the convex portion 87. Accordingly, the contact position between the pressing plate 88c and the convex portion 87 is inward of the outer end of the convex portion 87 in the front-rear direction, and the force F acting at the contact position causes the pressing plate 88c to move the convex portion 87 to the sheet metal 42. Not only the force F1 of the component in the pushing direction but also the force F2 of the component in the direction of pushing the convex portion 87 outward in the front-rear direction acts. That is, the leaf spring 88 according to the first embodiment presses the light guide 71 against the sheet metal 42 and applies a pulling force to the outside in the front-rear direction.
The plate spring 88 according to the first embodiment is made of a metal having higher rigidity than the rigidity of the convex portion 87, that is, the rigidity of the light guide 71 formed integrally with the convex portion 87.
In FIG. 3B and FIGS. 10 to 11, a clip 91 as an example of a holding member is attached to the center portion of the light guide 71 in the front-rear direction. The clip 91 according to the first embodiment is configured by a metal plate spring. The upper plate 91a is in contact with the upper surface of the flat plate portion 43 of the metal plate 42. The clip 91 is below the metal plate 42 and the light guide 71 from the right end of the upper plate 91a. A lower plate 91b that is curved to wrap around and contacts the lower surface of the central overhanging portion 76 of the light guide 71. The upper plate 91a of the first embodiment is formed with a round hole 47, a long hole 63b, a fool hole 49, and a fool hole 91c through which the positioning pins 81 and 82 penetrating the round hole 63a can pass.
Therefore, the clip 91 according to the first embodiment is mounted with the light guide 71, the LED unit 62, the insulator 61, and the sheet metal 42 sandwiched therebetween. It is held in a state of being pressed against 42.
(Operation of Light Source Device of Example 1)
In the lamp 7 of the image reading device Sc of the first embodiment, the light guide 71 is positioned with respect to the sheet metal 42 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction with the positioning pin 81 arranged at the center in the front-rear direction fitted in the round hole 47. Is decided. Further, the positioning pins 83 and 84 at both front and rear ends are fitted into the long holes 48 of the sheet metal 42 to determine the position in the left-right direction. And the positioning pin 82 arrange | positioned at the back side of the center part of the front-back direction will be in the state which penetrated the hole 50 of the sheet metal.
Therefore, the light guide 71 of the first embodiment is held by the sheet metal 42 in a state where the positioning pins 81 to 84 are fitted in the holes 47 to 49 of the sheet metal 42 and the positions are determined at preset positions. In particular, in the lamp 7 according to the first embodiment, the positioning pins 83 and 84 at both ends are arranged at positions away from the longitudinal direction with respect to the positioning pin 81 at the center, and are arranged at close positions. As compared with the case, the positional deviation is easily reduced.
Here, in the lamp 7, the LED guide 62 may generate heat due to light irradiation, or the light guide 71 may thermally expand and contract as the room temperature of the room where the printer U is installed. If positioning is performed by fitting in a round hole at the position of the positioning pin on one end side in the front-rear direction, the influence of expansion and contraction on the other end side tends to increase as the length in the longitudinal direction increases. Therefore, if the longitudinal direction of the light guide 71 is curved with respect to the front-rear direction due to a manufacturing error, an assembly error, etc., the influence of the bending at the other end side becomes large, and the deviation of the optical axis, so-called shaft bending is deteriorated. However, there is a problem that the image reading accuracy is lowered and the image quality is lowered. In order to reduce this influence, it is necessary to arrange a configuration for correcting the deviation of the optical axis on the other end side. With the increase in the number of parts and the securing of a space for arranging the configuration for correcting the deviation. Therefore, there is a problem that the whole is enlarged.
On the other hand, in the lamp 7 according to the first embodiment, the positioning is performed by the positioning pin 81 at the center, and the distance from the positioned center to both ends is shorter than the distance from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction. The influence of expansion and contraction of the light guide 71 is easily reduced. Therefore, in the lamp 7 of the first embodiment, the adverse effect of heat is reduced, and the number of parts is reduced and the size is reduced as compared with the case where a configuration for correcting the deviation is provided on the other end side.
In particular, unlike an original reading apparatus in which an original is fixed on a glass plate or is automatically conveyed and pressed against the glass plate, the image reading device Sc according to the first embodiment is formed on a glass plate or the like. The recording sheet S conveyed without being pressed is read, and the recording sheet S is likely to fluctuate with respect to the reading position 6 in the thickness direction of the recording sheet S, that is, in the light irradiation direction. Therefore, the light emitted from the lamp 7 needs to ensure sufficient illuminance within a certain range in the irradiation direction. In other words, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient depth of illumination. Therefore, the image reading device Sc according to the first embodiment is required to have higher accuracy in the light guide 71 than the document reading device. Correspondingly, in the lamp 7 of the first embodiment, the position of the light guide 71 is reliably determined with reference to the sheet metal 42 having higher rigidity than the light guide 71, and the direction of the optical axis of the guided light is set. Is done. Therefore, in the lamp 7 according to the first embodiment, it is easy to secure the depth of illuminance by reliably positioning while downsizing the entire configuration.
Further, in the lamp 7 of the first embodiment, both end portions of the light guide 71 are supported in a state where the convex portion 87 is pressed by the leaf spring 88. Therefore, both ends are supported in a state of being movable in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction as compared with the configuration in which both ends are fixed with screws. In the configuration where the light guide 71 is thermally expanded and contracted and fixed with screws, both ends of the light guide 71 are restrained and the deformation is restricted, and the light guide 71 is distorted or bent. As a result, the guided light may have an adverse effect such as an axis bending or uneven illuminance. However, in the first embodiment in which both end portions are pressed by the leaf springs 88, when the light guide 71 expands and contracts, the convex portion 87 moves in the front-rear and left-right directions, and the occurrence of distortion and the like of the light guide 71 is reduced. Therefore, the adverse effect of heat on the light guide 71 is reduced, and the occurrence of bending of the shaft, uneven illuminance, etc. is reduced.
In particular, in the first embodiment, the leaf spring 88 that pushes both ends of the light guide 71 also acts the force component F2 that pushes the convex portion 87 outward in the front-rear direction, and pulls the light guide 71 outward in the front-rear direction. Yes. When the force for pulling the light guide 71 does not act, the light guide 71 may bend in the front-rear direction when the light guide 71 expands or contracts. However, in the first embodiment, the light guide 71 is pulled outward. Thus, the bending of the light guide 71 is reduced, and the axial bending is reduced.
Furthermore, in the lamp 7 according to the first embodiment, the light guide 71 is warped in a direction in which the other end side is away from the sheet metal 42 as compared with the one end in the front-rear direction in a state where no external force is applied as shown in FIG. It has become. If the other end side is closer to the sheet metal 42 than the one end side, the center part in the front-rear direction is lifted from the flat plate part 43 of the sheet metal 42 while both ends are pressed by the plate springs 88. Even if the center portion in the front-rear direction is fixed with a screw, there is a possibility that the space from the front end to the center portion or the portion from the center portion to the rear end may float from the flat plate portion 43. Therefore, the light guide performance may fluctuate in the front-rear direction, and the irradiated light may not be stable. Further, even when the light guide 71 is set parallel to the flat plate portion 43 of the sheet metal 42, the other end side may be warped in a direction approaching the sheet metal 42 as compared with the one end side due to a manufacturing error or the like. The irradiated light may not be stable.
On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the light guide 71 is warped in the direction away from the sheet metal 42, and the rigidity of the light guide 71 is lower than the rigidity of the sheet metal 42. Therefore, in a state where both end portions are pressed by the leaf springs 88, the light guide 71 is deformed into a state along the flat plate portion 43 of the metal plate 42, and the distance between the light guide 71 and the flat plate portion 43 is the entire area in the front-rear direction. It tends to be constant. In particular, in Example 1, it is positioned by the positioning pin 81 at the center portion in the front-rear direction and is held by the clip 91, and the front and rear ends are pressed against the flat plate portion 43 with respect to the center portion, Compared with the case where the other end is pressed against one end, the case where both ends are pressed with the central portion as a reference has a smaller amount of deformation and the accuracy can be easily obtained in the case of the same warp.
Here, when the warped light guide 71 is pressed, a force for elastic recovery of the light guide 71 is applied, and a force directed inward in the front-rear direction is applied. Here, when the leaf spring 88 applies only the force F1 that pushes the convex portion 87 toward the flat plate portion 43, the convex portion 87 slides inward in the axial direction with respect to the leaf spring 88, and thermal contraction or the like also occurs. Then, the convex portion 87 may be detached from the leaf spring 88. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the leaf spring 88 that pushes both ends of the light guide 71 also acts the force component F2 that pushes the convex portion 87 outward in the front-rear direction. Sliding is easy to reduce.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of the holding member, FIG. 19A is an explanatory view when a convex portion is provided on the holding member side, and FIG. 19B is an explanatory view of a state where the convex portion is worn in the configuration of the first embodiment.
Further, in the first embodiment, the rigidity of the convex portion 87 is formed lower than the rigidity of the leaf spring 88, the convex portion 87 is formed on the light guide 71 side, and the plate spring 88 side is a flat pressing plate 88c. It is comprised by. If the leaf spring 88 has a lower rigidity, even if the convex portion 87 is to be pressed, the plate spring 88 having a low rigidity is easily plastically deformed, and it is difficult to hold it sufficiently. Further, in FIG. 19A, when the convex part 02 is provided on the highly rigid leaf spring 01 side and the light guide 03 side has the shape of the flat surface 04, the light guide 03 having low rigidity is brought into contact with the convex part 02 and the flat surface 04. There is a risk that the contact portion 04a on the flat surface 04 side may be deformed so as to be recessed, worn or scraped. When the light guide 03 is used in the front-rear direction for thermal expansion or contraction from the state shown in FIG. 19A, the convex portion 02 is caught in the recessed portion, the movement of the light guide 03 in the front-rear direction is prevented, and the light guide 03 is distorted. There is a risk that.
On the other hand, in Example 1, the convex part 87 is formed in the light guide 71 side, and even if the convex part 87 side is worn out as shown in FIG. 19B, the movement of the light guide 71 is hardly hindered. The distortion of the light guide 71 is reduced. Therefore, shaft bending or the like is reduced.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of the light amount distribution of light emitted from the lamp. FIG. 20A is an explanatory diagram when the light source unit is not arranged outside the outer edge of the maximum size recording sheet, and FIG. FIG. 20C is an explanatory diagram of the light amount distribution in the configuration of the first embodiment, and FIG. 20C is an explanatory diagram when the configuration for reducing reflection is not provided on the inclined surface of the light guide member.
In FIG. 20A, when the LED chip 64 is not arranged outside the outer end S1 of the maximum size recording sheet S, the portion S2 other than the outer end is not only from the LED chip 64a at the corresponding position. The light from both sides in the front-rear direction is incident and the light quantity is ensured, but the light from the outer side in the front-rear direction is not incident on the outer end S1, and the light quantity may be insufficient. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20B, when the LED chip 64 is arranged outside the outer end S1, the inclined surface 72a is reflected when the configuration for reducing reflection is not provided. The light generates a position S3 where the amount of light is locally high at the inner position in the front-rear direction, which may cause unevenness in the light amount distribution in the front-rear direction.
On the other hand, in Example 1, as shown in FIG. 20C, the inclined surface 72a is roughened to reduce reflection, and the shortage of the light amount at the outer end S1 is reduced and the local surface is locally treated. The occurrence of the position S3 with a large amount of light is suppressed. Therefore, unevenness of the irradiated light is reduced, and the accuracy of reading an image is improved.
In the lamp 7 of the first embodiment, the LED unit 62 is positioned by positioning the positioning pins 81 to 84 of the light guide 71 through the round hole 63a and the long hole 63b. Therefore, the LED chip 64 is positioned with respect to the light guide 71, and the LED unit 62 is also positioned on the sheet metal 42 via the light guide 71. Here, when the LED unit 62 has a configuration for positioning on the sheet metal 42 without using the positioning pins of the light guide 71, if the accuracy of the positioning members is different, the LED chip 64 and the light guide 71 However, in the first embodiment in which the positioning pins 81 to 84 are used, the LED chip 64 and the light guide 71 are positioned with high accuracy, and the optical axis is misaligned and the light quantity distribution is uneven. Reduced.
In particular, in the LED unit 62 of the first embodiment, the rigidity of the substrate 63 is set lower than the rigidity of the sheet metal 42, and the sheet metal 42 is deformed together with the light guide 71 pressed by the clip 91 or the plate spring 88. Fixed as a reference. Therefore, the positions of the LED unit 62 and the insulator 61 are determined with respect to the sheet metal 42 as in the case of the light guide 71, and the positions can be determined with reference to a common member as compared with the case of using different members as a reference. In Example 1, the accuracy is easily improved.
Moreover, the two LED units 62 of Example 1 are arrange | positioned along with back and front. Although it is possible to arrange the LED chips 64 side by side in the front-rear direction with respect to one substrate 63, the position of the LED chip 64 tends to vary due to manufacturing errors as the length in the front-rear direction increases. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the two LED units 62 are positioned and supported, the variation of the position of the LED chip 64 in each LED unit 62 is suppressed, the shaft is bent, the light quantity distribution is uneven, and the like. Is easily reduced.
Further, in the lamp 7 of the first embodiment, the sheet metal 42 is made of a metal material having a relatively high thermal conductivity, and the insulator 61 is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity, so that the LED unit 62 generates heat. It is easy to conduct and dissipate heat. That is, the sheet metal 42 also has a function as a heat radiating member, a so-called heat sink, and the thermal expansion of the light guide 71 is reduced as compared with the case where the sheet metal 42 does not have the function of the heat sink.
In the lamp 7 of the first embodiment, a gap 71b is formed between the light guide 71 and the LED chip 64, and the gap 71b and the outside are connected via a slit 71c. Therefore, the heat generated in the LED chip 64 is reduced, and the light guide 71 is heated and the thermal expansion is reduced.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of the image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the light source device of the second embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 3B of the first embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the light guide member of the second embodiment.
Next, the charging device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be made. Is omitted. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.
In FIG. 21, a pair of lamps 7 ′ as an example of the light source device of the second embodiment are arranged symmetrically on the upstream side and the downstream side with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S, as in the first embodiment. In the following description, the downstream lamp 7 'will be described in detail, and the detailed description of the upstream lamp 7' will be omitted.
21 to 23, the lamp 7 'according to the second embodiment is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment except that the lamp 7' has a light guide 71 'different from the first embodiment.
The light guide 71 ′ according to the second embodiment includes a first main body 101 that extends downward along the light emitted from the LED chip 64, and a second main body 101 that extends from the lower end of the first main body 101 toward the reading position 6. Main body 102. As in the first embodiment, a groove 73 for accommodating the LED chip 64 is formed at the upper end of the first main body 101, and the light incident portion 101a is formed at the upper end of the first main body 101. Is formed.
In the lower right part between the first body part 101 and the second body part 102, a reflection part 103 for reflecting the light incident from the incident part 101a is formed. At the lower left corner, there is formed an emission part 102a from which the light reflected by the reflection part 103 is output.
Note that the light guide 71 ′ of the second embodiment is supported in a positioned state in the same manner as the light guide 71 of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
(Operation of Light Source Device of Example 2)
In the lamp 7 ′ of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the light guide 71 ′ is positioned at the center in the front-rear direction on the sheet metal 42 and both ends are pushed by the leaf springs 88, as in the lamp 7 of the first embodiment. And held by the sheet metal 42. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the lamp 7 'of the second embodiment also has improved positioning accuracy and reduced adverse effects of shaft bending and thermal expansion.
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is performed within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. It is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H015) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above-described embodiment, the printer U as an example of the image forming apparatus is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer U is configured by a copying machine, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having a plurality or all of these functions. It is also possible to do.
(H02) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the developer of five colors is used as the printer U is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a multicolor image forming apparatus.
(H03) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration using three mirrors as the optical systems 13 to 15 has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of mirrors may be two or less or four or more. It can be changed. In addition, as an optical member, a plate-like reflecting mirror is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and depending on the shape and width of the optical path, a reflecting mirror such as a cylindrical mirror, a spherical mirror, or a parabolic mirror can be used. It is also possible to use a transmissive lens such as a condenser lens.
(H04) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which two LED units 62 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to use a substrate portion or a configuration in which three or more are arranged.
(H05) In the above-described embodiment, the sheet metal 42 is configured to have a heat sink function. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a separate heat sink is configured to contact the LED unit 62 and the light guides 71 and 71 ′. It can be changed.
(H06) In the embodiment described above, the shapes of the leaf springs 88, 88 'and the clip 91 are not limited to the configurations illustrated in the embodiment, and can be arbitrarily changed according to the design, specifications, and the like. In the configuration of the first embodiment, it is desirable to sandwich the center portion in the front-rear direction with the clip 91, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the center portion in the front-rear direction can be fastened with screws.
(H07) In the above-described embodiment, it is desirable to provide the insulator 61. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the insulator 61 may be omitted if non-conductive sheet metal is used or insulation is provided by other methods. . The insulator 61 is desirably made of a material having high thermal conductivity, but is not limited to this. If the heat generation amount is small or if the heat sink can be sufficiently radiated by a heat sink that directly contacts the LED unit 62 or the like, Materials with low thermal conductivity can be used.
(H08) In the second embodiment, the adjustment screw 116 is provided and the adjustment is performed by tightening or loosening the screw. However, the adjustment is not limited to this. For example, other adjustment methods such as using a piezoelectric element may be used. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for adjustment. Moreover, although it is desirable to provide the adjustment screw 116, it is also possible to omit it.
(H09) In the above-described embodiment, the leaf springs 88 and 88 'are preferably configured to pull the convex portions 87 and 87' outward in the front-rear direction, but may be configured not to pull.
(H010) In the above embodiment, hemispherical convex portions 87 and 87 'are exemplified, but the invention is not limited to this, and can be changed to any shape such as a columnar shape, a conical shape, a polygonal columnar shape, a polygonal pyramid shape, etc. .
(H011) In the above embodiment, it is desirable that the light guides 71 and 71 ′ be warped in a direction away from the sheet metal 42 and 42 ′ when no external force is applied. Depending on the accuracy and manufacturing error, it is possible not to have a warped shape.
(H012) In the above-described embodiment, the chart exemplifies the configuration of printing by the marking unit U1a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and conveys images whose colors, image positions, and the like have been measured in advance from the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. Thus, the image reading device Sc may be configured to read without forming an image.
(H013) In the above-described embodiment, the image reading device Sc is disposed at a position where the recording sheet S after being fixed, cooled, and curved can be read. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if it is permitted by the required image quality, specifications, etc., it can be placed directly downstream of the fixing device F, or an arbitrary position such as immediately before the reverse path or the discharge tray TRh. Is possible. The image reading device Sc is not arranged in the transport path SH, but is incorporated in a reading device that reads a document image, a so-called image scanner, and the recording sheet S that has been printed and discharged to the discharge tray TRh is placed on the image scanner and image reading is performed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which reading is performed by the device Sc.
(H014) In the first embodiment, it is desirable to provide a configuration for reducing reflection on the inclined surface 72a. For example, when the position where the amount of light locally increases is disposed outside the outer end S1, Can be omitted if the amount of light is low and the amount of light is unlikely to increase locally.
(H015) In the first embodiment, it is desirable to provide the inclined surface 72a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the inclined surface 72a is not a slanted surface, but a stepped form is used. It is also possible to do.
6 ... Irradiation position,
18, 27 ... reading member,
42, 42 '... support member,
47. First positioning portion,
48 ... second positioning part,
61. Insulating member,
62: Light source member,
63 ... substrate part,
64 ... light source part,
71, 71 '... light guide member,
73a, 111a ... incidence part,
73b, 112a ... emitting part,
88, 88 ', 91 ... holding member,
113 ... Reflecting part,
116 ... adjustment member,
S ... medium,
Sc: image reading device,
U: Image forming apparatus,
U1a: Image recording unit.
JP2012075434A 2012-03-29 2012-03-29 Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus Active JP5974581B2 (en)
JP2012075434A JP5974581B2 (en) 2012-03-29 2012-03-29 Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
US13/597,656 US9134671B2 (en) 2012-03-29 2012-08-29 Image reading device and image forming apparatus
AU2012227364A AU2012227364B2 (en) 2012-03-29 2012-09-26 Image reading device and image forming apparatus
CN201210374793.4A CN103369187B (en) 2012-03-29 2012-09-27 Image read-out and image processing system
JP2013207612A JP2013207612A (en) 2013-10-07
JP5974581B2 true JP5974581B2 (en) 2016-08-23
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JP2012075434A Active JP5974581B2 (en) 2012-03-29 2012-03-29 Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
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