Image sensor unit and image reading apparatus

• US 9,131,099 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2014
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Components Incorporated (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Components Incorporated (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kiyota, Hideo, Yoshida, Hidemasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Cheukfan
• Application Number:
  US14/510,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20150022870A1
• Time in Patent Office: 334 Days
• Field of Search: 358/475, 358/484, 358/482, 358/483, 358/509, 358512-514, 362/606, 250/227.11, 250/227.28, 250/239, 250/208.1, 250234-236, 399/220, 399/221, 355 67- 71
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0249 Arrangements for mounting or supporting elements within a scanning head H04N1/02481 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/02835 in combination with a light guide, e.g. optical fibre, glass plate light-guides per se G02B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0318 Integral pick-up heads, i.e. self-contained heads whose basic elements are a light-source, a lens array and a photodetector array which are supported by a single-piece frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/032 for picture information reproduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/02456 Scanning element, e.g. CCD array, photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/02462 Illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/02497 Additional elements, e.g. sheet guide plates, light shields H04N2201/02489 - H04N2201/02495 take precedence

Abstract

A configuration is adopted in which an image sensor unit includes: a sensor substrate on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are mounted; a light source that includes light-emitting elements and is for illuminating a document; a light guide that guides light from the light source from one end face in a longitudinal direction and linearly illuminates the document; a rod lens array imaging reflected light from the document on the sensor substrate; and a frame attaching each of these, and in which the frame detachably includes a spacer provided in proximity to the light source, and the spacer includes a light shield roof elongated so as to cover the light source and the end of the light guide.

Claims

1. An image sensor unit comprising:

a sensor substrate on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are mounted;

a light source that includes a light-emitting element and is for illuminating a document;

a light guide that guides light from the light source from one end face thereof and illuminates the document with light output from a light emission surface of the light guide in a light emission direction;

an image forming element imaging reflected light from the document on the sensor substrate; and

a frame holding the sensor substrate, the light source, the light guide, and the image forming element,

wherein the frame includes a detachably mounted slide member disposed in proximity to the light source,

wherein the slide member includes a light shield covering the light source and a portion of the emission surface of the light guide, so that the light shield and the portion of the light emission surface overlap each other in the light emission direction, and

wherein the light shield and the light guide are spaced apart so that an air space is provided therebetween.

2. The image sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting element includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

3. The image sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the slide member includes a protrusion.

4. The image sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein a back of the light shield has a surface treatment for absorbing light.

5. The image sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the slide member is formed of self-lubricating plastic.

6. The image sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the slide member is formed of plastic including a solid lubricant.

7. An image reading apparatus comprising:

an image sensor unit; and

an image sensor unit moving device for moving the image sensor unit,

wherein the image sensor unit comprises;

a sensor substrate on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are mounted;

a light source that includes a light-emitting element and is for illuminating a document;

a light guide that guides light from the light source from one end face thereof and illuminates the document with light output from a light emission surface of the light guide in a light emission direction;

an image forming element imaging reflected light from the document on the sensor substrate; and

a frame holding the sensor substrate, the light source, the light guide, and the image forming element,

wherein the frame includes a detachably mounted slide member disposed in proximity to the light source,

wherein the slide member includes a light shield covering the light source and a portion of the emission surface of the light guide, so that the light shield and the portion of the light emission surface overlap each other in the light emission direction, and

wherein the light shield and the light guide are spaced apart so that an air space is provided therebetween.

8. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the light-emitting element includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

9. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the slide member includes a protrusion.

10. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a back of the light shield has a surface treatment for absorbing light.

11. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the slide member is formed of self-lubricating plastic.

12. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the slide member is formed of plastic including a solid lubricant.