Image reading optical system and image reading device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10778859-B2
Application number	US-201916282310-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 22, 2019
Priority date	Sep 25, 2018
Publication date	Sep 15, 2020
Grant date	Sep 15, 2020

Abstract

An image reading optical system includes an image reading portion, multiple light reflection portions, and a diaphragm. The image reading portion includes an array of reading elements that read incident light. The light reflection portions reflect light traveling from a readable object to the image reading portion. The diaphragm regulates light traveling from a first one of the light reflection portions to a subsequent one of the light reflection portions in a specific direction. The diaphragm includes a first light shielding portion and a second light shielding portion disposed at different positions in a travel direction of the light with respect to the first one of the light reflection portions to block part of the light. The first light shielding portion and the second light shielding portion are located in substantially a common plane. The first light shielding portion is disposed along an optical axis of light incident on the first one of the light reflection portions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An image reading optical system, comprising:
a sensor including an array of reading elements that read incident light;
a plurality of imaging mirrors that reflect light traveling from a readable object to the sensor;
a first diaphragm that regulates light traveling from a first one of the imaging mirrors to a subsequent one of the imaging mirrors in a specific direction, the first diaphragm including a first light shielding portion and a second light shielding portion disposed at different positions in a travel direction of the light with respect to the first one of the imaging mirrors to block part of the light, the first light shielding portion and the second light shielding portion being located in substantially a common plane,
wherein the first light shielding portion is disposed along an optical axis of light incident on the first one of the imaging mirrors; and
a second diaphragm that has a light receiving surface that receives part of light traveling from the first one of the imaging mirrors to the subsequent one of the imaging mirrors to regulate the light in a direction crossing the specific direction,
wherein at least one of the first and second light shielding portions deviates from a plane passing the light receiving surface.

2. The image reading optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the first light shielding portion and the second light shielding portion are formed from a single member.

3. The image reading optical system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the first light shielding portion is located closer to an optical path of the light incident on the first one of the imaging mirrors than the second light shielding portion, and
wherein a distance between the first light shielding portion and the first one of the imaging mirrors is greater than a distance between the second light shielding portion and the first one of the imaging mirrors.

4. The image reading optical system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the second diaphragm that regulates light in the direction crossing the specific direction regulates the light in the direction crossing the specific direction using a projection projecting, from a side of an optical path of the light traveling from the first one of the imaging mirrors to the subsequent one of the imaging mirrors, toward the optical path, and
wherein, when an end pass plane that passes a free end portion of the projection and extends along an optical axis of incident light incident on the first one of the imaging mirrors is assumed, the first light shielding portion and the second light shielding portion are located in, of two opposing spaces with the end pass plane interposed therebetween, a space in which a base of the projection is located.

5. The image reading optical system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a plate member disposed to cross an optical path of the light traveling from the first one of the imaging mirrors to the subsequent one of the imaging mirrors, the plate member being disposed at an angle with respect to an optical axis of the light,
wherein at least one of the first and second light shielding portions is formed from the plate member.

6. The image reading optical system according to claim 5 , wherein the plate member is disposed along an optical axis of light incident on the first one of the imaging mirrors, and/or disposed parallel to an optical axis of light emerging from the subsequent one of the imaging mirrors.

7. The image reading optical system according to claim 6 ,
wherein the optical axis of the light emerging from the subsequent one of the imaging mirrors extends along the optical axis of the light incident on the first one of the imaging mirrors, and
wherein the plate member is disposed along both the optical axis of the incident light and the optical axis of the emerging light.

8. The image reading optical system according to claim 5 ,
wherein the plate member has an opening that allows the light traveling from the first one of the imaging mirrors to the subsequent one of the imaging mirrors to pass therethrough,
and
wherein the second diaphragm that regulates the light in the direction crossing the specific direction regulates the light in the direction crossing the specific direction using a projection projecting from an opening edge of the opening.

9. The image reading optical system according to claim 8 , wherein the projection and the plate member are integrated with each other.

10. An image reading device, comprising:
a light source that emits light to illuminate a readable object; and
an image reading optical system that receives light from the readable object to read an image on the readable object,

wherein the image reading optical system is the image reading optical system according to claim 1 .

11. An image reading optical system, comprising:
a sensor including an array of reading elements that read incident light;
a plurality of imaging mirrors that reflect light traveling from a readable object to the sensor;
a plate member that is disposed at an angle with respect to a travel direction of light traveling from a first one of the imaging mirrors to a subsequent one of the imaging mirrors to cross the light,
wherein at least part of the plate member is disposed along light incident on the first one of the imaging mirrors;
a first diaphragm that regulates light traveling from the first one of the imaging mirrors to the subsequent one of the imaging mirrors in a specific direction; and
a second diaphragm that regulates, in a direction crossing the specific direction, the light traveling from the first one of the imaging mirrors to the subsequent one of the imaging mirrors with a projection projecting from the plate member.

12. The image reading optical system according to claim 11 , wherein the plate member and the projection are integrated with each other.

13. The image reading optical system according to claim 11 ,
wherein the plate member has an opening that allows the light traveling from the first one of the imaging mirrors to the subsequent one of the imaging mirrors to pass therethrough, and
wherein a portion of the plate member around the opening regulates the light traveling from the first one of the imaging mirrors to the subsequent one of the imaging mirrors in the specific direction.

14. The image reading optical system according to claim 11 , wherein the plate member is disposed along an optical axis of light incident on the first one of the imaging mirrors, and/or disposed along an optical axis of light emerging from the subsequent one of the imaging mirrors.

15. An image reading optical system, comprising:
a sensor including a plurality of reading elements arranged in a first direction;
a plurality of imaging mirrors that reflect light traveling from a readable object to the sensor;
a first diaphragm that has a light receiving surface that receives part of light traveling from a first one of the imaging mirrors to a subsequent one of the imaging mirrors, the first diaphragm regulating the light in the first direction; and
a second diaphragm that regulates the light traveling from the first one of the imaging mirrors to the subsequent one of the imaging mirrors in a second direction crossing the first direction, the second diaphragm including a first light shielding portion and a second light shielding portion disposed at different positions in a travel direction of the light to block part of the light, at least one of the first and second light shielding portions deviating from a plane passing the light receiving surface.

Assignees

• Fuji Xerox Co Ltd

Inventors

• Hachisuga Masaki
• Aikawa Kiyofumi
• Hiramatsu Takashi

Classifications

• H04N1/00795 Primary

  Reading arrangements (details of scanning heads H04N1/024; scanning arrangements therefor H04N1/04) · CPC title

• H04N1/10

  using flat picture-bearing surfaces {(H04N1/113, H04N1/195 take precedence)} · CPC title

• H04N1/1937

  using a reflecting element, e.g. a mirror or a prism · CPC title

• H04N1/00615 Primary

  Guiding elements, e.g. plates · CPC title

• H04N1/1936

  using a light guide, e.g. an optical fibre bundle or array · CPC title