U.S. patent application number 12/508085 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-19 for light guide, illuminating device having the light guide, and image reading device and information processing apparatus having the illuminating device.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Osamu Hamamoto, Toshimitsu Iso, Satoshi Itabashi, Tatsundo Kawai, Shinichi Takeda.
Application Number | 20090284810 12/508085 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26341149 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090284810 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawai; Tatsundo ; et
al. |
November 19, 2009 |
LIGHT GUIDE, ILLUMINATING DEVICE HAVING THE LIGHT GUIDE, AND IMAGE
READING DEVICE AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS HAVING THE
ILLUMINATING DEVICE
Abstract
In an illumination device, a light guide is adapted to emit the
light from a face thereof and is provided with an area, on a face
opposite to the light emitting face, for diffusing and/or
reflecting the light introduced into the light guide from an end
face thereof or is provided with uneven light emitting
characteristics along the longitudinal direction of the light
guide, and the center of the light source positioned at the end of
the light guide is placed at a position aberrated from the normal
line to the area, whereby attained are compactness, a low cost, a
low electric power consumption, a high efficiency of utilization of
the light emitted by the light source, and excellent and uniform
illumination characteristics. An image reading device and an
information processing apparatus can also be equipped with the
above-mentioned illumination device.
Inventors: |
Kawai; Tatsundo;
(Hadano-shi, JP) ; Hamamoto; Osamu;
(Hiratsuka-shi, JP) ; Takeda; Shinichi;
(Hiratasuka-shi, JP) ; Itabashi; Satoshi;
(Chigasaki-shi, JP) ; Iso; Toshimitsu;
(Hiratasuka-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
1290 Avenue of the Americas
NEW YORK
NY
10104-3800
US
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
26341149 |
Appl. No.: |
12/508085 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
11336982 |
Jan 23, 2006 |
7593139 |
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|
12508085 |
|
|
|
|
10295925 |
Nov 18, 2002 |
7057778 |
|
|
11336982 |
|
|
|
|
08948661 |
Oct 10, 1997 |
6512600 |
|
|
10295925 |
|
|
|
|
08471756 |
Jun 6, 1995 |
|
|
|
08948661 |
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08183367 |
Jan 19, 1994 |
5499112 |
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08471756 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/475 ;
358/484 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/0038 20130101;
G02B 6/0001 20130101; H04N 1/0313 20130101; H04N 1/0316 20130101;
H04N 2201/03145 20130101; H04N 1/02815 20130101; G02B 6/0013
20130101; G02B 2006/0098 20130101; H04N 1/0282 20130101; H04N 1/03
20130101; H04N 2201/03141 20130101; G02B 6/0046 20130101; H04N
1/0289 20130101; G02B 6/0061 20130101; H04N 1/0318 20130101; G02B
6/42 20130101; H04N 2201/03129 20130101; H04N 1/02885 20130101;
H04N 2201/03112 20130101; H04N 2201/03125 20130101; G02B 6/0036
20130101; G02B 6/0043 20130101; H04N 1/0284 20130101; G02B 6/0055
20130101; G02B 6/10 20130101; G02B 6/0031 20130101; H04N 1/02835
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/475 ;
358/484 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/04 20060101
H04N001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 19, 1993 |
JP |
5-6925 |
Apr 9, 1993 |
JP |
5-105983 |
Claims
1. An information processing apparatus comprising: an illumination
device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light
introduced from a light source and for emitting the light along a
longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member
arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said
light source; a photoelectric converting device having a plurality
of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image
illuminated by said illumination device and for outputting an image
signal; and a processor for processing the image signal output from
said photoelectric converting device.
2. An information processing apparatus comprising: an illumination
device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light
introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the
light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal
reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting
the light from said plurality of light sources; a photoelectric
converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion
elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination
device and for outputting an image signal; and a processor for
processing the image signal output from said photoelectric
converting device.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of application
Ser. No. 11/336,982, filed Jan. 23, 2006, which is a divisional
application of application Ser. No. 10/295,925, filed Nov. 18,
2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,057,778, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 08/948,661, filed Oct. 10, 1997, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,512,600, which is a divisional application of application
Ser. No. 08/471,756, filed Jun. 6, 1995, now abandoned, which is a
divisional application of application Ser. No. 08/183,367, filed
Jan. 19, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,112, the entire contents of
all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a light guide, an
illuminating device having the light guide, and an image reading
device and an information processing apparatus having the
illuminating device, and more particularly an information
processing apparatus (such as a copying machine, a facsimile
apparatus, a scanner or an electronic blackboard), an image reading
device adapted for use in such an information processing apparatus,
an illumination device adapted for use in such an image reading
device, and a light guide adapted for use in such an illumination
device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] For illuminating the image reading device of the information
processing apparatus such as the facsimile apparatus, electronic
copying machine or the like, there has conventionally been employed
a discharge tube such as a florescent lamp or an LED array
consisting of an array of a plurality of LED's. Particularly in
recent years, the LED arrays are being used more widely, because
compact and inexpensive products are requested for home-use
equipment such as the facsimile apparatus.
[0006] An example of the illumination device utilizing such LED
array will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, wherein
shown are an LED array 41, a plane 42 to be illuminated, such as
the surface of an original document, and LED chips 43. FIG. 1A
shows the schematic structure of the illumination device employing
an LED array, together with the original to be illuminated, while
FIG. 1B shows an example of the illumination intensity distribution
of the surface of the original when it is illuminated with the
illumination device shown in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 1B, a
substantially uniform and high illumination intensity can be
obtained by increasing the number of the LED chips, namely by
densely arranging the LED chips. However, because of the increased
number of the LED chips, it is difficult to achieve a sufficiently
low cost, and to reduce the power consumption beyond a certain
limit even though the power required for an individual LED is quite
low.
[0007] A reduced number of the LED chips, or a less dense
arrangement of the LED chips, for the purpose of cost reduction,
will result in an uneven illumination intensity distribution on the
illuminated surface, due to the increased gap between the LED
chips, as will be explained in the following with reference to
FIGS. 2A and 2B, wherein the same components as those in FIGS. 1A
and 1B are represented by the same numbers.
[0008] FIG. 2A shows the schematic structure of the illumination
device utilizing an LED array, together with the illuminated
original, as in FIG. 1A, while FIG. 2B shows an example of the
illumination intensity distribution when the original is
illuminated with the illumination device shown in FIG. 2A. If the
number of LED's in the array is decreased, there results, as shown
in FIG. 2B, an extremely uneven illumination state in which the
illumination intensity on the original surface is high in positions
corresponding to the LED chips but is low in positions
corresponding to the gaps between the LED chips. The precise
original reading becomes difficult under such an illumination
intensity distribution, and a circuit is required to compensate for
the unevenness in the illumination intensity distribution,
eventually leading to a higher cost.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the details
of a linear light source similar to that explained above.
[0010] As shown in FIG. 3, such a linear light source is composed
of LED chips 43, individually constituting a point light source,
mounted linearly on a substrate 45 bearing electric wirings 49, and
a voltage is applied between input terminals 48 of the wirings 49
to cause light emission from the LED chips 43, thereby constituting
a linear light source.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows an elevation view of the light source, seen
from a direction C shown in FIG. 3, and the light amount
distribution on an illuminated surface (not shown), schematically
illustrating the variation of the light amount corresponding to the
positions of the LED chips 43. A curve 44 indicating the
distribution of the light amount becomes higher in positions
directly above the LED chips 43 but lower in positions
corresponding to the gaps between the LED chips 43, because of the
linear arrangement thereof. As a result, there is formed unevenness
in the light amount corresponding to the arrangement of the LED
chips 43. In reading image information with such a linear light
source, the reflected light from the illuminated surface also
involves unevenness in the light amount similar to that shown in
FIG. 4, so that a large burden is required in the post-process such
as image processing for improving the tonal rendition.
[0012] On the other hand, there is conceived a linear light source
of the configuration as shown in FIG. 5, in which a light bulb,
such as a tungsten lamp or a halogen lamp, is employed as the light
source and the light emitted from the light source is developed
into a linear form. In FIG. 5 there are shown an electric light
bulb 1, such as a halogen lamp; a mirror 2 of a light condensing
form, such as spherical or elliptical form; a translucent member 3
with a circular cross section, such as a quartz rod; an entrance
face 4 where the light beam emitted from the light bulb 1 enters
the translucent member 3; an area 5 for taking out the light beam,
propagating in the translucent member 3, from the member by
reflection or scattering, the area 5 being formed on a part of the
translucent member 3 by forming a coarse surface or coating the
surface thereof with light diffusing/reflecting paint; and a
reflective face 6 provided at an end of the translucent member 3
opposite to the bulb 1 and formed either by evaporating a metal
such as aluminum or applying light diffusing/reflecting paint on
the end face of the translucent member 3 itself, or as a separate
member. The translucent member 3 may also have a square or
rectangular cross section.
[0013] The light beam L, emitted from the light bulb 1 and entering
the translucent member 3 through the entrance face 4 thereof
propagates in the member 3 by repeated reflections on the internal
walls thereof, then is reflected by the end face opposite to the
entrance face 4, and propagates again in the interior of the
translucent member 3. In the course of repeated reflections, upon
entering the above-mentioned area 5, the light beam is scattered
therein and a part 1.sub.1 of the light beam is released to the
exterior through an exit face opposite to the area 5. The remaining
part 1.sub.2 of the diffused light beam, entering the exit face
diagonally, is totally reflected thereon and propagates in the
translucent member. The light reaching the entrance face 4 after
repeated propagations is released therethrough to the exterior.
[0014] When the light bulb 1 is used as the light source, as the
amount of light emission can be increased by the use of a larger
electric power, there can be obtained a considerably high
illumination intensity despite the light loss by the light emission
to the exterior through the entrance face 4.
[0015] However, the use of the light bulb is associated with the
drawbacks of a large electric power consumption in return for a
high illumination intensity, difficulty in compactization of the
device because of the large heat generation, and lack of
maintenance-free character as in the case of LED's, since the
electric light bulb has a service life considerably shorter than
even that of the fluorescent lamp and has to be replaced when the
light amount becomes low or when the filament is broken.
[0016] Consequently, the illumination device to be employed as the
image reading light source for an information processing apparatus,
such as a facsimile apparatus, preferably employs LED's as the
light source and is adapted to emit the light beam from the LED's
in a linear form. As another example of the illumination device
employing the LED chips as the light source, there has been
conceived a configuration shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, which
respectively are a schematic view of the illumination device
together with an original to be illuminated, and a chart showing an
example of the illumination intensity distribution on the
illuminated surface 42 when the original is illuminated with the
device shown in FIG. 6A. More specifically, the illumination device
shown in FIG. 6A is similar to that shown in FIG. 5 except that the
light source is replaced by an LED light source 71. In FIG. 6A, the
components equivalent to those in FIG. 5 are represented by the
same numbers.
[0017] The LED light source is available in various types, among
which there is known so-called surface mounting LED chips
convenient for compactization and actual mounting. FIG. 7
illustrates such a surface mounting LED light source, wherein shown
are an LED chip 81; a substrate 82; a reflecting frame 83;
translucent resin 84; and electrodes 85, 86 formed on the substrate
82. Such an LED light source is already available in a compact
form, with the size of the light source itself of 2-3 mm and the
height of 2 mm or less. As the electrodes 85, 86 are extended to
the rear side of the substrate 82 through the lateral faces
thereof, the light source can be efficiently mounted on the
mounting substrate, merely by placing on the mounting substrate
printed with cream solder and heating in a reflow oven.
Consequently, the use of such an LED light source is more desirable
for constructing a linear light source.
[0018] However, since such an LED light source has a directionality
in the light emission as shown in FIG. 7, in illuminating the
original in combination with the translucent member 3 as shown in
FIG. 6A, an unevenness will result in the illumination intensity
distribution, which is higher at the side of the LED light source
71 and is lower in the remaining part, as shown in FIG. 6B.
[0019] This is because the lights diagonally emitted from the LED
light source 71 directly enter the area 5 of the translucent member
3, are scattered in the area 5 and released from the translucent
member 3.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of another example of
the conventional linear light source, in which light sources are
provided on both ends of an oblong translucent member constituting
a light guide 3. In FIG. 8, the light is emitted in a direction
1.sub.1. The oblong translucent member 3 has a constant cross
section, and the faces thereof are formed as mirrors except for the
light-emitting face. The light is introduced from LED chips 71
provided on substrates 45 into the oblong translucent member 3
through the end faces thereof, and is released to the exterior
either directly or after reflection by the mirror faces of the
translucent member 3. FIG. 9 shows an elevation view, seen from a
direction D shown in FIG. 8, and the illumination intensity
distribution on the illuminated surface (not shown). As shown in
FIG. 9, there is obtained a uniform light amount within an area
a-c, but the level of light amount is low and is considerably
different from that in the vicinity of the light source. 10a, 10b
and 10c are cross sections at the positions a, b and c of the
oblong translucent member 3, and 44a, 44b and 44c indicate the
illumination intensity distributions at the corresponding
positions. Also hatched portions represent mirror faces (except for
the light emitting face and light entering faces of the oblong
translucent member 3).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] An object of the present invention is to resolve the
drawbacks associated with the conventional illumination means
utilizing the linear array of LED chips and with the information
processing apparatus employing such an illumination means, such as
the difficulty in achieving a sufficiently low cost due to the
large number of LED chips to be used, the limit in reducing the
electric power consumption even though the electric power
consumption in an individual LED chip is relatively low, the uneven
illumination state where the illumination intensity on the
illuminated original is high in positions corresponding to the LED
chips but is low in positions corresponding to the gaps between the
LED chips, encountered when the number of the LED chips is reduced
in the array, the uneven illumination intensity on the illuminated
original encountered when the LED chips are positioned at the end
faces of the translucent member, and the cost increase resulting
from the necessity for a circuit to compensate for the unevenness
in the illumination intensity.
[0022] Another object of the present invention is to resolve the
drawbacks associated with the conventional illumination means
utilizing the electric light bulb and with the information
processing apparatus employing such an illumination means, such as
the large electric power consumption, the difficulty in
compactization of the device because of the large heat generation,
and the difficulty in attaining a maintenance-free
configuration.
[0023] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an illumination device with high uniformity in the illumination
intensity, a low electric power consumption and easy
compactization, a light guide adapted for use in the illumination
device, and an information processing apparatus utilizing the
illumination device.
[0024] Still another object of the present invention is to resolve
the drawbacks of the unevenness in the illumination intensity and
of the significant difference in the illumination intensity between
a side close to the LED light source and the opposite side, when
the LED is employed as the light source for a linear illumination
device.
[0025] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a light guide having a light entrance face at an end thereof and a
light exit face for emitting the introduced light, along the
longitudinal direction, different from the end face, comprising an
area provided along the longitudinal direction in a part of the
side opposite to the light exit face and adapted to reflect and/or
diffuse the light beam introduced into the translucent member.
[0026] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an illumination device provided with a translucent member having a
light entrance face at an end thereof and a light exit face for
emitting the introduced light on a face, along the longitudinal
direction, different from the end face, and a light source for
emitting the light beam to be introduced through the light entrance
face, wherein the translucent member comprises an area provided
along the longitudinal direction on a part of the side opposite to
the light exit face and adapted to reflect and/or diffuse the light
introduced into the translucent member, and the center of the light
source is aberrated from the direction of a normal line to the
area.
[0027] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an information processing apparatus provided with:
[0028] (a) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of
photoelectric converting elements positioned opposite to the image
of an original sheet to be read;
[0029] (b) an illumination device for illuminating the original
sheet;
[0030] (c) transport means for transporting the original sheet;
[0031] (d) an output unit for recording an image on a sheet by
electrical signals corresponding to image information; and
[0032] (e) a controller for controlling the photoelectric
converting device, the light source, the transport means and the
output unit;
[0033] wherein the illumination means includes an illumination
device provided with a translucent member having a light entrance
face at an end thereof and a light exit face for emitting the
introduced light, along the longitudinal direction, different from
the end face, and a light source for emitting the light beam to be
introduced through the light entrance face, wherein the translucent
member comprises an area provided along the longitudinal direction
on a part of the side opposite to the light exit face and adapted
to reflect and/or diffuse the light introduced into the translucent
member, and the center of the light source is aberrated from the
direction of a normal line to the area.
[0034] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an image reading device including an illumination device provided
with a translucent member having a light entrance face at an end
thereof and a light exit face for emitting the introduced light,
along the longitudinal direction, different from the end face, and
a light source for emitting the light beam to be introduced through
the light entrance face, and also including a photoelectric
converting device for receiving the light emitting from the light
exit face and reflected by an illuminated area, wherein the
translucent member comprises an area provided along the
longitudinal direction on a part of the side opposite to the light
exit face and adapted to reflect and/or diffuse the light
introduced into the translucent member, and the center of the light
source is aberrated from the direction of a normal line to the
area.
[0035] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a light guide for use in an illumination device, composed of a
translucent member adapted to receive the light from a light source
through a face of the translucent member and to emit the light
through a lateral face thereof, wherein the translucent member has
uneven light emission characteristics in the longitudinal direction
thereof.
[0036] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an illumination device including a light source positioned on a
face of a translucent member and adapted to emit the light from a
lateral face of the translucent member, wherein the translucent
member has uneven light emission characteristics along the
longitudinal direction thereof.
[0037] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an image reading device provided with an illumination device
including a light source positioned on a face of a translucent
member and adapted to emit the light from a lateral face of the
translucent member, and a photoelectric converting device adapted
to receive the light emitted by the illumination device and
reflected by an illuminated area, wherein the translucent member
has uneven light emission characteristics along the longitudinal
direction thereof.
[0038] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an information processing apparatus provided with:
[0039] (a) a photoelectric converting device including a plurality
of photoelectric converting elements positioned opposite to the
image of an original sheet to be read;
[0040] (b) an illumination device for illuminating the original
sheet, the device including a light source positioned on a face of
a translucent member and adapted to emit the light from a lateral
face thereof;
[0041] (c) transport means for transporting the original sheet;
[0042] (d) an output unit for recording an image on a sheet by
electrical signals corresponding to the image information; and
[0043] (e) a controller for controlling the photoelectric
converting device, the light source, the transport means and the
output unit;
[0044] wherein the translucent member of the illumination means has
uneven light emission characteristics along the longitudinal
direction thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 are views showing examples of
the illumination device utilizing an LED array;
[0046] FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B are views showing examples of the
illumination device utilizing a translucent member;
[0047] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an
example of the LED light source;
[0048] FIG. 8 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 9 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 10 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 11 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 12 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 13 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 14 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0055] FIG. 15 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0056] FIG. 16 is a view showing preferred embodiment of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0057] FIGS. 17A to 17C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0058] FIG. 18 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0059] FIGS. 19A to 19C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0060] FIGS. 20A to 20C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0061] FIGS. 21A to 21C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0062] FIGS. 22A to 22C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0063] FIGS. 23A and 23B are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0064] FIGS. 24A to 24C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0065] FIGS. 25A to 25C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0066] FIGS. 26A to 26C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0067] FIG. 27 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0068] FIG. 28 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0069] FIGS. 29A to 29C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0070] FIGS. 30A to 30C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0071] FIGS. 31A to 31C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0072] FIG. 32 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0073] FIG. 33 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0074] FIGS. 34A to 34C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0075] FIGS. 35A to 35C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0076] FIGS. 36A and 36B are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0077] FIGS. 37A to 37C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0078] FIGS. 38A to 38C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0079] FIGS. 39A to 39C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0080] FIG. 40 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0081] FIG. 41 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0082] FIGS. 42A to 42C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0083] FIGS. 43A to 43C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0084] FIGS. 44A and 44B are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0085] FIGS. 45A to 45C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0086] FIGS. 46A to 46C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0087] FIGS. 47A to 47C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0088] FIGS. 48A and 48B are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0089] FIG. 49 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0090] FIGS. 50A to 50C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0091] FIGS. 51A to 51C are views showing preferred embodiments of
the light guide and the illumination device of the present
invention;
[0092] FIGS. 52 and 53 are schematic cross-sectional views showing
preferred mounting methods of the light source;
[0093] FIG. 54 is a view showing preferred embodiments of the light
guide and the illumination device of the present invention;
[0094] FIG. 55 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an
information processing apparatus in which the illumination device
of the present invention is applicable;
[0095] FIGS. 56 to 58 are schematic partial cross-sectional views
showing information processing apparatus employing the illumination
device of the present invention;
[0096] FIG. 59 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet
recording head applicable to the information processing apparatus
of the present invention;
[0097] FIGS. 60 and 62 are schematic perspective views showing
examples of the ink jet recording unit applicable to the
information processing apparatus of the present invention; and
[0098] FIG. 61 is a block diagram showing an example of the
configuration of the information processing apparatus of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0099] In the illumination device consisting of the aforementioned
linear light source, the total light amount is low and the light
intensity distribution is uneven as explained before. This is
because the light from the light source consisting of the LED chip
is not emitted, in a uniform and sufficient manner, from the oblong
translucent member (light guide) 3 to the exterior.
[0100] According to the present invention, the oblong translucent
member (light guide) is given uneven light emission characteristics
along the longitudinal direction thereof, thereby attaining almost
uniform light emission characteristics along the longitudinal
direction over the entire linear light source. Thus the difference
in the light amount between an area close to the light source and
an area far from the light source can be reduced, and there can
thus be realized a linear light source showing reduced unevenness
in the light amount on the illuminated surface.
[0101] Also there can be realized an illumination device with
reduced unevenness in the light amount, by providing the
translucent member with an area for reflecting and/or diffusing the
light introduced into the member and specifying the position of the
area.
[0102] Now the present invention will be clarified in detail by
preferred embodiments thereof, shown in the attached drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0103] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment 1 of the
linear light source of the present invention, wherein shown are an
oblong transparent (translucent) member 3, substrates 45; LED chips
71 mounted on the substrates 45, and a light emitting direction
1.sub.1. A lateral face 3a of the transparent member 3 constitutes
the light emitting face, while other lateral faces 3b, 3c and 3d
are formed as mirror faces to constitute light reflecting
faces.
[0104] The oblong transparent member 3 is provided at both ends
thereof with the LED chips 71 constituting the light sources, and
the light therefrom enters the transparent member 3 from the end
faces thereof and is emitted from the lateral face 3a in the
direction 1.sub.1 either directly or after reflection on the
lateral faces 3b, 3c, 3d. In this embodiment, the lateral face 3d
is tapered so that the transparent member 3 has a smaller cross
section at the center, whereby the light can be efficiently
reflected in the direction 1.sub.1. In this embodiment, the lateral
face 3d is inclined by a constant angle, but such a constant angle
is not essential.
[0105] FIG. 11 shows the elevation view of the light source seen
from a direction A in FIG. 10 and the light intensity distribution
on an illuminated surface (not shown), wherein a curve 44 shows the
illumination intensity distribution, while 10a, 10b, 10c show the
cross sections of the transparent member 3 at positions a, b, c,
and 44a, 44b, 44c indicate the illumination intensity distributions
at the positions. The present embodiment can provide a uniform
light amount distribution with an increased amount of light in the
area a-c.
Embodiment 2
[0106] FIG. 12 shows the elevation view of an embodiment 2 of the
linear light source of the present invention, seen from the
direction A shown in FIG. 10, and the light amount distribution on
an illuminated surface (not shown). Components that are the same as
those shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are represented by the same numbers
and will not be explained further.
[0107] In the present embodiment, the lateral face 3d of the oblong
transparent member 3 is tapered so as to reduce the cross section
thereof at the center as in Embodiment 1, and the transparent
member 3 is formed so as to have a trapezoidal cross section having
the shorter side at the light emitting face and the longer side at
the opposite face. Such a trapezoidal cross section, as shown in
FIG. 12, allows the light to be emitted in the transparent member
3, in a more condensed state, into the direction 1.sub.1, thereby
increasing the illumination intensity on the illuminated surface,
in comparison with Embodiment 1, within the area a-c. The cross
section of the oblong transparent member 3 is not limited to the
trapezoidal form but may also be formed as a partially cut-off
circle, as shown in FIG. 13.
Embodiment 3
[0108] FIG. 14 is a plan view of an embodiment 3 of the linear
light source of the present invention, seen from a direction B
shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 16 shows the elevation view of the
embodiment seen from a direction B shown in FIG. 10 and the light
amount distribution. Components that are the same as those shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11 are represented by the same numbers and will not be
explained further.
[0109] As shown in FIG. 14, the oblong transparent member 3 of this
embodiment is provided, in the vicinities of the light sources on
the light emitting lateral face 3a, with light attenuating films
306, which attenuate the light emitted from the vicinity of the
light sources, thereby providing a light amount distribution, as
shown in FIG. 16, on the illuminated surface.
[0110] The attenuating films 306 may be replaced by light shielding
films 307 for reducing the light amount in the vicinity of the
light source. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an example in which
the light shielding films are provided in the vicinities of the
light sources, on the light emitting lateral face 3a of the oblong
transparent member 3. The light amount distribution, as shown in
FIG. 16, may also be obtained on the illuminated surface by
intercepting the light in the vicinity of the light source by means
of the light shielding films 307 as shown in FIG. 15.
Embodiment 4
[0111] FIGS. 17A to 17C are schematic views of an embodiment 4 of
the illumination device of the present invention, wherein FIG. 17A
is a schematic lateral view of the device, illustrated together
with an original constituting the illuminated surface, FIG. 17B is
a schematic cross-sectional view of the translucent member 3 and an
area 5, cut in a plane perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 17A, and
FIG. 17C is a schematic lateral view of the device, seen from a
direction A shown in FIG. 17A. As shown in these drawings, the
illumination device of this embodiment is provided with an LED
light source 8 at an end face in the longitudinal direction of a
translucent member 3 of a rectangular cross section, and with an
area 5 for reflecting (or diffusing) the light beam, provided in a
part of the translucent member 3 on a face opposed to the light
emitting area thereof and formed by a coarse surface or by a
coating with light diffusing-reflecting paint. On the end face
opposite to the LED light source 8, there is formed a reflecting
portion 6 adapted to reflect the light propagating in the
translucent member 3 and formed by evaporation of a metal such as
aluminum or by coating of light diffusing-reflecting paint on the
end face itself of the translucent member 3 or by forming such
means as a separate member.
[0112] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17C, the center of the
LED light source is aberrated (with an offset) from the normal line
passing through the center of the shorter width of the area 5.
[0113] The light beam emitted from the LED light source 8 normally
propagates inside the translucent member by repeated reflections
therein, and returns toward the LED light source 8 after reaching
the reflecting portion 6. Also, the light entering the area 5 in
the course of propagation is diffused or reflected therein and
emitted through the exit portion toward the original constituting
the illuminated surface (1.sub.1) or propagates again within the
translucent member by reflections therein (1.sub.2).
[0114] In this embodiment, since the LED light source 8 is
aberrated from the normal line passing through the center of the
width of the area 5, the light directly entering the area 5 from
the LED light source 8 is reduced, so that there can be
sufficiently resolved the unevenness that the illumination
intensity is higher only at the side of the LED light source 8 in
the longitudinal direction of the translucent member 3. Also since
the light entering the area 5 is principally the indirect light
reflected inside the translucent member 3 after being emitted from
the LED light source 8, the light beam emitted from the exit
portion is made uniform over the longitudinal direction of the
translucent member 3.
[0115] These situations will be explained further in the following,
with reference to the attached drawings.
[0116] FIG. 18 shows a lateral face that is the same as that shown
in FIG. 17C, wherein a part of the light emitted from the LED light
source 8 is indicated by arrows 1.sub.3, 1.sub.4, which
respectively indicate direct and indirect lights from the light
source 8.
[0117] In the present embodiment, since the LED light source 8 is
aberrated from the normal line passing through the center of the
area 5, the proportion of the direct light 1.sub.3 decreases while
that of the indirect light 1.sub.4 increases, so that the light
beam emitted from the exit portion can be made uniform over the
entire translucent member 3.
[0118] The amount of the aberration of the LED light source 8 is
defined as at least out of the normal line passing through the
center of the area 5, but it should be suitably determined in
practice, because in case of an excessively large amount of
aberration, the light coming from the LED light source 8 is mostly
composed of the indirect light and there will also result in a loss
of the light beam in the translucent member 3. In particular, an
extremely large aberration should he avoided since the illumination
intensity becomes lower at the side of the LED light source 8.
[0119] FIGS. 19A to 19C are given for explaining the difference
between the illumination device of the present embodiment and other
illumination devices. In these drawings there are shown schematic
lateral views of the translucent member and the LED light source,
seen from a direction similar to the direction A in FIG. 17A and
corresponding illumination intensity distributions along the
longitudinal direction of the translucent member. FIGS. 19A and 19B
illustrate reference examples to be compared with the device of the
present embodiment, while FIG. 19C illustrates the device of the
present embodiment.
[0120] FIG. 19A shows an example employing a translucent member of
circular cross section, which is positioned so that the center
thereof coincides with the center of the LED light source and the
center lies on the normal line passing through the center of the
area 5. Also FIG. 19B shows an example employing a translucent
member of rectangular cross section, which is positioned so that
the crossing point of the diagonals of the rectangular cross
section coincides with the center of the LED light source and the
center lies on the normal line passing through the center of the
area 5.
[0121] On the other hand FIG. 19C shows an example of the
illumination device of the present embodiment, employing a
translucent member of rectangular cross section, wherein the center
of the LED light source 8 is aberrated by a distance "a" from the
normal line passing through the center of the width of the area
5.
[0122] In all the cases, the center of the light source is
separated by a same distance "a" from a face of the translucent
member on which the area 5 is formed.
[0123] The light emitted from the LED light source 8 and introduced
into the translucent member can be divided into direct incident
light entering the area 5 directly without any reflection on the
internal walls of the translucent member, and indirect incident
light entering the area 5 after at least a reflection on the
internal walls of the translucent member.
[0124] The amount of the direct incident light depends on the angle
.DELTA..theta. of the area 5 seen from the LED light source 8, and
increases with an increase in the angle. In the arrangements shown
in FIGS. 19A and 19B, where the LED light source is positioned
directly above the area 5, the angle can be represented as
.DELTA..theta.={2tan.sup.-1(w/2)/2}.apprxeq.w/a, wherein "w" is the
width of the area 5 and "a" is the distance along the normal line
from the LED light source to the light exit face.
[0125] On the other hand, in the present embodiment shown in FIG.
19C, wherein the LED light source is not positioned directly above
the area 5 but is aberrated laterally by a distance "a", the angle
can be represented as
.DELTA..theta.=2tan.sup.-1{(w/2.times.2.sup.1/2)/2.sup.1/2.times.a
}.apprxeq.w/2a, and is therefore about a half of the angle that is
depicted in the arrangements shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B.
[0126] For this reason, the amount of the direct incident light
becomes lower in the present embodiment than in the conventional
configurations. On the other hand, the amount of indirect incident
light increases correspondingly. As a result, the entire
illumination intensity distribution is improved, because of the
relaxation of the peak in the vicinity of the LED light source.
[0127] These situations will be readily understood from the curves
of the relative illumination intensity as a function of the
distance from the light source. In the case of FIGS. 19A and 19B,
the direct incident light has a peak and shows a high light amount
at the side of the light source, so that the total light amount,
consisting of the direct and indirect incident lights, is uneven,
having a peak at the side of the light source. On the other hand,
the present embodiment shown in FIG. 19C provides a uniform light
amount over the entire device, though the light amount at the light
source side is lowered. Consequently, the illumination device of
the present embodiment is more convenient for use.
Embodiment 5
[0128] FIGS. 20A to 20C show a variation of the illumination device
of the present invention shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C. The variation
is different from the latter in that the translucent member 3 is
provided with a protruding portion 35, and the area 5 is formed on
an end face of the protruding portion 35, in order to further
reduce the direct incident light from the LED light source.
[0129] As the area 5 is formed on the lower face of the protruding
portion 35, extended from a face 31 of the translucent member 3, as
shown in FIGS. 19A to 19C, the amount of direct incident light from
the LED light source to the area 5 becomes smaller in comparison
with the case shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C. Stated differently, most
of the light emitted from the LED light source does not enter the
area 5 directly but after at least a reflection within the
translucent member 3.
[0130] Thus, in the illumination device shown in FIGS. 20A to 20C,
the amount of direct incident light decreases and the proportion of
the indirect incident light becomes even higher. In comparison with
the case shown in FIG. 19C, the illumination intensity at the light
source side is lower due to the decreased proportion of the direct
incident light, and the illumination intensity of the indirect
incident light increases, though slightly, due to the increased
proportion of the indirect incident light.
[0131] Consequently, in the configuration shown in FIGS. 20A to
20C, providing the translucent member 3 with a protruding portion
and forming the area 5 on the end face thereof allows obtaining a
higher illumination intensity with improved uniformity.
Embodiment 6
[0132] FIGS. 21A to 21C show another variation of the device shown
in FIGS. 17A to 17C. In this variation, the translucent member 3 is
extended to a side opposite to the LED light source, with respect
to the area 5.
[0133] Such a configuration achieves more uniform illumination
intensity for the indirect incident light, so that, though the
illumination intensity is higher at the light source side, the
illumination intensity becomes more uniform in the remaining
portion excluding a part at the light source side.
Embodiment 7
[0134] FIGS. 22A to 22C show an illumination device in which the
configurations shown in FIGS. 20A to 20C and FIGS. 21A to 21C are
combined. More specifically, the translucent member is provided, on
a face opposite to the light exit face, with a protruding portion
35, and the area 5 is formed on the end face of the protruding
portion 35, and the translucent member 3 is extended to a side
opposite to the light source 8 with respect to the area 5.
[0135] In such a combined structure, the area 5 principally
receives the indirect incident light more reflected within the
translucent member 3, so that the illumination intensity
distribution becomes more uniform for the indirect incident light.
The situation for the direct incident light is similar to the
configuration shown in FIGS. 20A to 20C.
[0136] Consequently, the total illumination intensity becomes more
uniform in comparison with the case shown in FIGS. 20A to 20C,
since the contribution of the indirect incident light is made more
uniform.
Embodiment 8
[0137] The light amount of the LED light source is less than that
of the incandescent electric bulb. For increasing the light amount,
the number of the LED chips can be increased.
[0138] For positioning a larger number of the LED light sources
while satisfying the principle of the present invention, the end
face of the translucent member, where the LED light sources are to
be positioned, can be made larger.
[0139] For example, as shown in FIG. 23A, an increase in the light
amount can be achieved by positioning an LED light source 8 also on
the extended side of the translucent member 3. In such a case, both
the direct and indirect incident lights to the area 5 increase, but
the illumination intensity can be made more uniform over the entire
area, without local increase at the side of the LED light source 8,
by suitably balancing the amounts of the direct and indirect
incident lights from the LED light source 8 to the area 5 (for
example, by suitably separating the position of the LED light
source 8 from the protruding portion 35 (area 5)).
[0140] On the other hand, if the LED light sources 8 on both sides
of the area 5 (protruding portion 35) are separated from the area
5, the illumination intensity may decrease at the side of the LED
light sources 8 due to the decrease of the direct incident light
into the area 5 and may increase at the side far from the LED light
sources 8 due to the increased proportion of the indirect incident
light into the area 5. In such a case, there may be provided an
additional LED light source 8, as shown in FIG. 23B, in a position
corresponding to the area 5 (protruding portion 35) of the
translucent member. Such an arrangement increases the illumination
intensity both at the side of the LED light sources 8 and at the
side far therefrom. Naturally, such an arrangement of the LED light
sources 8 is to be designed in consideration of the balance of the
direct and indirect incident lights into the area 5.
[0141] Since the illumination intensity of the illumination device
is approximately proportional to the number of the LED chips, the
configuration as shown in FIG. 23A or 23B enables an additional
increase in the illumination intensity.
[0142] The arrangement of the LED light sources as shown in FIG.
23A or 23B, which has little effect on the size of the illumination
device in comparison with those shown in FIGS. 21A to 21C and 22A
to 22C, is desirable in case a higher illumination intensity is
required.
Embodiment 9
[0143] For achieving a more uniform and higher illumination
intensity, it is desirable, instead of providing the LED light
source 8 only at an end face of the translucent member 3 as in the
foregoing embodiments, to provide the LED light sources 8 on both
end faces of the translucent member 3.
[0144] An example of such an arrangement is shown in FIGS. 24A to
24C, wherein FIG. 24A is a schematic lateral view of the
illumination device of the present embodiment, illustrated together
with an original constituting the illuminated surface, while FIG.
24B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the translucent member 3
and the area 5 along a plane perpendicular to the plane of FIG.
24A, and FIG. 24C is a schematic lateral view of the illumination
device seen from a direction A shown in FIG. 24A.
[0145] As shown in these drawings, the illumination device of the
present embodiment is provided with the LED light sources 8 on both
end faces of the translucent member 3, so that the illumination
intensity can be increased further and the distribution of the
illumination intensity can be made symmetrical along the
longitudinal direction of the translucent member 3. Also in the
foregoing embodiments 4 to 8, there may naturally be provided the
LED light sources 8 on both end faces of the translucent member 3.
Such LED light sources 8 are preferably provided in the same number
and arranged in a similar manner on both end faces, but such
conditions are not essential.
Embodiment 10
[0146] In an information processing apparatus, such as a facsimile
apparatus, the area read by the line sensor in a scanning period,
in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, namely in
the direction of relative movement between the original and the
sensor, is not so large. Also, among the light scattered and/or
reflected in the area 5, only a portion emitted from the exit
portion opposite to the illuminated surface contributes to the
illumination thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 41, and, since the
admitted light is diffuse, the illumination intensity on the
illuminated surface declines rapidly with an increase in distance
from the light exit portion of the translucent member 3 to the
illuminated surface.
[0147] Therefore, if a higher illumination intensity is desired, it
is effective to condense the light, emitted from the translucent
member 3, by means of a lens.
[0148] FIGS. 25A to 25C show an example of such an arrangement, in
which a cylindrical lens 9 is provided, facing the illuminated
surface and along the translucent member 3 of the illumination
device shown in FIGS. 24A to 24C. As shown in FIGS. 25A to 25C, the
cylindrical lens 9 is effectively positioned so that the center
thereof corresponds to the area 5, but such positioning is not
essential as long as the necessary illumination intensity can be
obtained.
[0149] Such a lens arrangement, being capable of illumination of
the illuminated surface by condensation of the light emitted from
the translucent member 3, allows increasing the average
illumination intensity, though the distribution thereof is
substantially not affected.
[0150] Such an arrangement enables the use of a sensor of a lower
sensitivity, or image reading with higher speed if the sensitivity
of the sensor is not changed. It can also resolve the loss in the
light amount resulting from the color filters used in color image
reading, while maintaining a sufficiently high image reading
speed.
Embodiment 11
[0151] The above-explained area 5, formed by a coarse surface or by
coating with the light diffusing paint can uniformly diffuse the
incident light, but it is not satisfactory in terms of the
efficiency of utilization of the light emitted from the LED light
source 8, since a proportion of the light returns to the end face
of the translucent member 3. To further increase the average
illumination intensity, therefore, the above-mentioned area 5 may
be replaced by a reflecting face of sawtooth shape.
[0152] FIGS. 26A to 26C show an embodiment in which the area 5 of
the illumination device, shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C, is formed as a
reflecting face of sawtooth shape. The sawtooth-shaped reflecting
face of the area 5 can be formed, in a part of the lateral face of
the translucent member 3, by integral molding with the translucent
member 3, or by cutting work thereon, or by adhesion of a separate
sawtooth-shaped member onto the lateral face of the translucent
member 3 with adhesive material or by ultrasonic adhesion. Among
these, the integral molding with the translucent member 3 is
preferable in consideration of the cost and the decrease of the
manufacturing steps. The surface of the area 5 constituting the
sawtooth-shaped reflecting face is preferably subjected to the
evaporation of a bright metal such as aluminum or silver.
[0153] As shown in FIG. 26A, a part of the light emitted from the
LED light-source 8 enters the area 5, is reflected by the
reflecting face of the area 5 and illuminates the illuminated
surface. Since the area 5 in this case is not composed of a coarse
surface or a coating of the light diffusing paint, the light
entering the area 5 is substantially not subjected to diffuse
reflection. Consequently, the incident light is efficiently
reflected toward the illuminated surface.
[0154] Now reference is made to FIGS. 27 and 28 for further
explaining the sawtooth-shaped reflecting face constituting the
area 5.
[0155] FIG. 27 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the
translucent member 3, and FIG. 28 is a partial magnified view of
FIG. 27. The light L emitted from the LED light source 8 enters the
translucent member 3 through the entrance end face 4, and
propagates in the translucent member 3, repeating reflections
therein. A part of the light L reaches the sawtooth-shaped
reflecting face 7 of the area 5 after being reflected in the
translucent member 3, then is reflected in the area 5 and emerges
from the translucent member 3.
[0156] In this manner, the light from the LED light source 8 enters
the reflecting faces 7, arranged along the X-direction, of the area
5, then is reflected by the reflecting faces and is taken out to
the exterior.
[0157] The angle .theta. of the incident light from the LED light
source 8 to the X-axis in the translucent member satisfies a
relation -.theta..sub.c<.theta.<.theta..sub.c, wherein
.theta..sub.c is the critical angle determined by the refractive
indexes of the translucent member and of the external medium
(normally air).
[0158] Also, when the light propagates by repeating total
reflections on the lateral face of the translucent member, the
angle .theta. of such propagating light satisfies a condition
-(90-.theta.)<.theta.<(90-.theta..sub.c), because the light
has to have an angle exceeding the critical angle .theta..sub.c
with respect to the normal line to the lateral face.
[0159] Consequently, in order that the light beam emitted from the
LED light source 8 and entering the translucent member through the
end face thereof can propagate in the member by repeated
reflections, the angle .theta. of the light beam with respect to
the X-axis has to satisfy the narrower one of the above-mentioned
two conditions.
[0160] If .theta..sub.lim is taken as the smaller one of
.theta..sub.c and (90-.theta..sub.c), there should be satisfied a
condition -.theta..sub.lim<.theta.<.theta..sub.lim.
[0161] In order that the light beam can enter and be reflected by
the sawtooth-shaped reflecting faces 7, the angle .theta. of the
light beam has to be in the negative range, or a range from 0 to
.theta..sub.lim, as shown in FIG. 28. If the angle .alpha. of each
reflecting face 7, with respect to the X-axis, is selected as
.alpha.={90+(-.theta..sub.lim/2)}/2, the light beam is reflected
within an angular range of 90.degree. .+-.(.theta..sub.lim/2) with
respect to the X-axis and is released to the exterior through an
exit area positioned opposite to the area 5. If the exit area and
the X-axis are substantially parallel, the incident angle of the
light beam to the exit area does not exceed (.theta..sub.lim/2).
Since .theta..sub.lim is defined as the smaller one of
.theta..sub.c and (90-.theta..sub.c), there stands a relation
.theta..sub.lim.ltoreq..theta..sub.c, indicating that the incident
angle to the exit area is smaller than the critical angle.
[0162] Consequently, there is reduced the proportion of the light
which is totally reflected on the exit area, then proceeds
inversely in the translucent member and is released from the
entrance end face thereof, and there is obtained an illumination
device of a higher illumination intensity, with a higher efficiency
of utilization of the light.
[0163] Even if the above-mentioned angle .alpha. does not
completely coincide with the foregoing definition
{90+(-.theta..sub.lim/2)}/2, a similar effect can be obtained as
long as a condition: (90-.theta..sub.c)<.alpha.<(90
+.theta..sub.c-.theta..sub.lim) is satisfied, because the incident
angle of the light beam reflected by the sawtooth-shaped reflecting
faces 7 and entering the exit area exceeds the critical angle
.theta..sub.c.
[0164] For example, if the translucent member 3 is composed of
acrylic resin, there is obtained a condition
.theta..sub.lim=.theta..sub.c.apprxeq.42.degree.. Thus, by
selecting the angle .alpha. as
{90+(-42/2)}/2=34.5.apprxeq.35.degree., it is possible to
efficiently take out the light beam, entering from the LED light
source 8, from the translucent member 3. In terms of the angle
.alpha. mentioned above, this corresponds to a condition
24.degree.<.alpha.<47.degree..
[0165] If the diameter of the translucent member 3 is sufficiently
smaller than the length thereof, the light propagating therein is
almost uniformly distributed within a range from +.theta..sub.lim
to -.theta..sub.lim. It is therefore preferable to select the angle
.alpha. as close as possible to 90+(-.theta.lim/2) because the
principal ray of the emerging light beam becomes perpendicular to
the exit area.
[0166] FIGS. 29A to 29C and 30A to 30C respectively show variations
of the illumination devices shown in FIGS. 20A to 20C and 21A to
21C, wherein the area 5 is modified to the sawtooth-shaped
reflecting faces 7.
[0167] Such sawtooth-shaped reflecting faces formed on the end face
of the protruding portion 35 allow not only to reduce the
unevenness in the illumination intensity but also to increase the
average illumination intensity.
Embodiment 12
[0168] As explained in the foregoing, the light entering the
translucent member 3 may be released to the exterior upon reaching
the end face thereof, and such phenomenon results in a lowered
efficiency of light utilization. Such loss is mostly represented by
a proportion of the light that has never entered the area 5 during
repeated reflections within the translucent member 3. Also, among
the light emitted from the LED light source 8, an angular component
perpendicular to the lateral faces of the translucent member 3 or
close thereto repeats the reflections between the lateral faces, as
shown in FIG. 33, and does not easily enter the area 5. It is
therefore possible to further improve the illumination efficiency
by causing a reflection so as to facilitate the entry of the light
into the area 5 in the course of propagation within the translucent
member 3, as will be explained in the following.
[0169] FIGS. 31A to 31C schematically show another embodiment of
the illumination device of the present invention, wherein FIG. 31A
is a schematic lateral view of the illumination device, illustrated
together with an original constituting the illuminated surface,
while FIG. 31B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the
translucent member 3 and the area 5, along a plane perpendicular to
that of FIG. 31A, and FIG. 31C is a schematic lateral view of the
device, seen from a direction A shown in FIG. 31A. The basic
configuration of the illumination device of the present embodiment
is the same as that shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C, except that a
lateral face of the translucent member 3, positioned opposite to
the area 5, is made non-parallel to another lateral face at the
side of the area 5, and that the transversal length of a face,
bearing the area 5 thereon, of the translucent member 3 is made
shorter than that of the opposite face at the illuminated surface
side. Stated differently, a lateral face of the translucent member
3, positioned farther from the area 5, is formed as an inclined
face 201, spread toward the illuminated surface.
[0170] A part of the light emitted from the LED light source 8
repeats reflections within the translucent member 3 as mentioned
above and as illustrated in FIG. 32, but, in this embodiment, the
inclined lateral face modifies the angle of reflection, thereby
increasing the probability of entry into the area 5. As a result,
the efficiency of utilization of the light emitted from the LED
light source is improved, whereby the illumination intensity can be
increased.
[0171] Such an inclined lateral wall is also applicable to the
foregoing translucent members of other shapes. In any case, the
presence of such an inclined lateral face increases the probability
of light entry, thereby attaining a further increase in the
illumination intensity. As examples, FIGS. 34A to 34C show a
variation, having such an inclined lateral face 201 in the
translucent member 3, in the illumination device shown in FIGS. 20A
to 20C, and FIGS. 35A to 38C show variations, having similar
inclined lateral faces 201 on both lateral faces of the translucent
member 3, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 22A to 25C. In the
translucent member including the extended portion, as shown in
FIGS. 35A to 38C, the inclined face may be formed on at least
either of the lateral faces. Also, the area 5 in these cases may
naturally be either of the diffusing type and the reflecting type
explained before.
Embodiment 13
[0172] For further increasing the illumination intensity, as
explained in the foregoing, it is effective to condense the light
beam, emerging from the translucent member, with a lens. However,
if such lens is incorporated as a separate component into the
illumination device, there will result an increase in the cost,
because of the high precision required for alignment of the lens,
and of an increased number of assembling steps. Also, since the
lens is formed as a separate component, there will result a loss of
the light, at the entry of the emerging light into the lens, by
reflection on the lens surface. Although such a loss by reflection
is about 4% at maximum, such a loss should naturally be prevented
in order to increase the illumination intensity.
[0173] Such a reflection loss can be substantially avoided by
applying an antireflective treatment to the lens surface. However,
such a treatment raises the cost, because of the steps required for
such an antireflective treatment. Also, the antireflective
treatment can resolve the problem of reflection on the lens
surface, but is unable to resolve the above-mentioned problems
associated with the precision of assembling or the number of steps
required therefor.
[0174] It is therefore desirable, in the formation of the
translucent member with a plastic material such as acrylic resin or
with glass, to integrally form the lens at the same time. With
either material, the translucent member and the lens can be
integrally formed, for example, by molding.
[0175] FIGS. 39A to 39C schematically show another embodiment of
the illumination device of the present invention, wherein FIG. 39A
is a schematic lateral view of the device, illustrated together
with an original constituting the illuminated surface, FIG. 39B is
a schematic cross-sectional view of the translucent member 3 and
the area 5 along a plane perpendicular to that of FIG. 39A, and
FIG. 39C is a schematic lateral view of the device, seen from a
direction A shown in FIG. 39A. The basic structure of this
embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 17A to 17C, except
that a face of the translucent member 3, opposite to the face
bearing the area 5 thereon, is formed as a convex lens 36.
[0176] With such a configuration, the light beam diffused and
reflected in the area 5 is condensed by the function of the lens
portion 36. In the device shown in FIGS. 39A to 39C, the light
diffused and reflected in the area 5 emerges from the lens portion
36 of the translucent member 3 in a state of a substantially
parallel light beam, as will be explained in the following with
reference to FIG. 40.
[0177] As shown in FIG. 40, a part of the light emitted from the
LED light source 8 enters the area 5 after at least a reflection in
the translucent member 3. The incident light to the area 5 is
diffusely reflected therein, and a part of the light is reflected
again in the translucent member 3, while the remaining part
proceeds toward the lens portion 36, and, upon emerging therefrom,
it is condensed by the lens effect thereof and is emitted, in a
state of a substantially parallel light beam, toward the
illuminated surface.
[0178] Therefore, since the illuminated surface can be illuminated
with a sufficiently high illumination intensity even when the
illumination device is distanced from the surface, there can be
achieved extremely efficient illumination. Also, for the same
reason, the information processing apparatus employing the
illumination device has a larger freedom in designing.
[0179] Furthermore, the structure shown in FIGS. 39A to 39C can
achieve more uniform illumination, in comparison with the structure
shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C, because the translucent member 3 is
extended laterally by the lens portion 36.
[0180] In the present invention, the lens is not required to
completely condense (or focus) the light, which is diffused or
reflected in the area 5, onto the illuminated surface.
[0181] The above-explained translucent member 3 with lens function
can not only achieve compactization and cost reduction, but can
also provide an illumination device with more uniform illumination
intensity. Such translucent member 3 with lens function is not
limited to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 39A to 39C, but, as
illustrated in FIGS. 42A to 46C, the lens function may naturally be
given to the translucent members 3 of the illumination devices
shown in FIGS. 20A to 20C, 31A to 31C, 36A to 36C and 37A to
37C.
Embodiment 14
[0182] The intensity of the indirect incident light emitted from
the LED light source and entering the area 5 decreases as the light
propagates inside the translucent member 3 (or as the distance from
the LED light source increases). Also, the intensity of the direct
incident light entering the area 5 decreases as the distance from
the LED light source increases. Consequently, the illumination
intensity at the center of the translucent member tends to become
lower if it is extended longitudinally, even when it is provided
with the LED light sources at both ends. FIG. 48A shows the
relative illumination intensity along the longitudinal direction of
the translucent member 3, in the illumination device shown in FIGS.
45A to 45C. As will be apparent from these charts, the distribution
of the illumination intensity is significantly uniform in
comparison with that in the conventional devices. Nevertheless, the
relative illumination intensity is lower in the central portion in
the longitudinal direction, and it is desirable to rectify such
unevenness, as will be explained in the following.
[0183] FIGS. 46A to 46C schematically illustrate another embodiment
of the illumination device of the present invention, wherein FIG.
46A is a schematic lateral view of the device, illustrated together
with an original constituting the illuminated surface, FIG. 46B is
a schematic cross-sectional view of the translucent member 3 and
the area 5 along a plane perpendicular to that of FIG. 46A, and
FIG. 46C is a schematic lateral view of the device, seen from a
direction A shown in FIG. 46A.
[0184] As shown in these drawings, the illumination device of the
present embodiment is provided with the LED light sources 8 on both
end faces of the translucent member 3 having a lens portion (light
condensing portion). The translucent member 3 is further provided,
in a position opposite to the lens portion, with a protruding
portion 35, and the area 5 is formed on the end face of the
protruding portion 35. The cross section of the translucent member
3 is trapezoidal, with the shorter side closer to the area 5,
bearing a convex lens portion thereon. On each end face, there are
provided three LED light sources 8, one being at a position
corresponding to the area 5 and the remaining two being positioned
on both sides thereof. Also, in the illustrated device, the
translucent member 3 is made thinner in the central portion in the
longitudinal direction, than in the end portions thereof.
[0185] FIGS. 47A and 47B are respectively a schematic plan view and
a schematic lateral view of the device of the present embodiment,
and FIGS. 47B and 47C respectively correspond to FIGS. 46A and 46C.
In the present embodiment, as shown in these drawings, the
outstretched portions of the translucent member decrease toward the
center in the longitudinal direction, so that the cross sectional
area of the member decreases from both ends thereof toward the
center.
[0186] FIG. 48B shows the illumination intensity distribution of
the above-explained illumination device, along the longitudinal
direction of the translucent member 3. When the translucent member
3 is constricted in shape at the central portion as in the present
embodiment, the illumination intensity in the central portion
increases because the light emitted by the LED light source 8 at an
end has a higher probability of entering the area 5 (namely
becoming the indirect incident light) before reaching the other
end. More specifically, the light proceeding from an end to the
other by repeated reflections is eventually reflected by the
inclined face 201 to constitute the indirect incident light, due to
the decrease of the out-stretched portions. Consequently, in
comparison with the case without such constriction, the amount of
the incident light to the area 5 increases, whereby the
illumination intensity over the entire area, particularly that in
an area distant from the LED light source, can be increased.
[0187] The amount of the constriction is preferably determined in
consideration of the length, thickness and cross sectional area of
the translucent member, the width of the area 5, arrangement of the
LED light source, etc.
[0188] When the translucent member has the lens portion, it is
desirable that the constriction does not affect the characteristic,
for example the shape, of the lens portion, and it is also
desirable to maintain a constant distance between the area 5 and
the lens face.
[0189] Also, the shape of the constriction may be linear as shown
in the foregoing drawings, or may be curved or a combination of
these shapes.
[0190] Furthermore, the translucent member 3 may be formed as shown
in FIG. 49. The translucent member 3, excluding the lens portion,
has a rectangular entrance end face for the light from the LED
light source, and a trapezoidal cross section with the shorter side
at the bottom, at the central portion in the longitudinal
direction. In a position closer to the center from the entrance end
face, the cross section is rectangular with cut-off lower comers,
and the cut-off areas are progressively enlarged to develop into
the inclined lateral faces of the trapezoidal cross section.
[0191] Such illustrated form can provide an illumination device
having more uniform illumination intensity characteristics in the
longitudinal direction.
[0192] FIGS. 50A to 50C show a variation in which the area 5 of the
illumination device shown in FIGS. 46A to 46C is changed from the
diffusing surface to the sawtooth-shaped reflecting faces explained
before. If the angle of the light condensing part, seen from the
area 5, is sufficiently large (for example 60.degree. or larger,
though it depends on the depth and shape of the protruding
portion), the incident angle to the area 5 becomes close to the
perpendicular entry, but the sawtooth-shaped reflecting faces
employed in the present embodiment reflect the incident light
principally to the light condensing part, whereby the light emerges
therefrom in a parallel or substantially parallel light beam.
Consequently, the configuration of the present embodiment provides
an illumination device with a higher illumination intensity which
is more uniform in the longitudinal direction.
[0193] FIGS. 51A to 51C show a variation in which a cylindrical
lens 9 as the light condensing part is added to the illumination
device shown in FIGS. 50A to 50C. Such a configuration, being
capable of further condensing the emerging parallel light beam, can
illuminate the object surface with a further increased
intensity.
Embodiment 15
[0194] In the following there will be explained the method of
mounting the LED light source. In the foregoing embodiments there
have been explained the arrangements of the LED light sources, but
the specific mounting method therefor has not been explained. In
the following there will be given a detailed explanation of such a
mounting method. Such a mounting method is applicable to any of the
aforementioned illumination devices, or to any variation or
combination thereof.
[0195] In the mounting of the LED light source, there are required
the mounting precisely at the designed position, a simple mounting
process including the maintenance of precision, and the possibility
of introduction of the light from the LED light source into the
translucent member with minimum loss. The mounting method for the
LED light source has no particular limitation, as long as these
requirements are met.
[0196] A simplest example of the mounting method is to adhere the
LED chip onto the end face of the translucent member. However, such
an adhesion method does not allow easy replacement of the LED light
source, and may lead to certain drawbacks, such as peeling of
adhesive or breakage of the LED due to the expansion and
contraction resulting from variations in temperature and humidity,
particularly when the translucent member is composed of a resinous
material such as acrylic resin.
[0197] Also, if the LED light source is positioned separate from
the translucent member, there may result a light loss due to a
variation in the distance between the LED light source and the end
face of the translucent member, resulting from expansion and
contraction thereof.
[0198] FIG. 52 shows a mounting method capable of avoiding these
drawbacks.
[0199] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 52, the translucent
member 3 has a protruding portion 3a on the end face thereof, and
the LED light source 8 is provided with a reflecting frame 83
extended so as to fit on the protruding portion 3a.
[0200] Such a structure can avoid the light leakage to the exterior
due to the presence of the reflecting frame 83, despite the
eventual presence of a gap between the external surface of
transparent sealing resin 84 and the entrance end face 4 of the
translucent member 3. Also, since a part of the light reflected by
the reflecting frame 83 enters the translucent member 3 through the
entrance end face 4, the efficiency of utilizing the light, emitted
from the LED chip 81, can be improved. The reflecting frame 83 may
be adhered to the protruding portion 3a of the translucent member
3, but it is preferably fitted merely on the protruding portion, in
order to relax the stress resulting from the expansion or
contraction of the translucent member 3 and the reflecting frame
83.
[0201] Also, the precision of positioning of the LED light source 8
can be improved by fitting the light source 8 onto the protruding
portion 3a formed on the translucent member 3, and the mounting
process can be simplified if the mount is conducted by mere fitting
only.
[0202] FIG. 53 shows a variation of the mounting method for the LED
light source shown in FIG. 52. In this variation, the LED chip is
surface mounted on a mounting board 11, and is surrounded by a
reflecting frame 10, which is made of white resin or a metal
integrated with the board 11 and is fitted on the protruding
portion 3a.
[0203] Such a configuration allows one to obtain illuminating
characteristics matching the requested performance in an easier
manner, since the protruding portion 3a can be formed with a
desired shape and size and the LED light source can be mounted on
such a protruding portion.
[0204] An additional reflecting portion may be formed in at least a
part of the area, other than the mounting area for the LED light
source. The presence of such reflecting portion causes the light,
returning from the other end face of the translucent member, to
continue the internal reflections without being released from the
entrance end face, thereby improving the efficiency of light
utilization.
[0205] The presence of the above-mentioned protruding portion 3a is
not essential, but is preferable in consideration of the
aforementioned improvement in the positioning accuracy. The
protruding portion 3a can be molded simultaneously with the
formation of the translucent member 3, but it may also be formed,
if necessary, by cutting and/or grinding.
[0206] The LED light source may also be mounted by fitting into a
recess formed on the entrance end face of the translucent member.
Such a mounting method causes a loss in a part of the light emitted
from the LED chip, but is effective in the positioning precision
and in a smaller protruding distance in the mounting portion.
[0207] FIG. 54 is a schematic perspective view of an example of the
photoelectric converting device, utilizing the illumination device
of the present invention shown in FIG. 53 and constituting an image
reading device. There are shown a sensor substrate 14, a protecting
glass 15, and a casing 16 of the photoelectric converting device.
On the sensor substrate 14, there is provided a one-dimensional
array (or plural arrays) of a plurality of photoelectric converting
elements, which are formed utilizing a thin semiconductor layer for
example of amorphous silicon or polysilicon. The protective glass
15 is provided on the plural photoelectric converting elements (not
illustrated), for protecting the elements from eventual breakage
caused by the contact with the moving original. The casing 16 is
provided therein with a space for fitting with the illumination
device and the cylindrical lens 9, which are set in a predetermined
position by insertion from an end face of the casing 16. The LED
light sources 8 are mounted on a mounting board 11 and mounted on
the protruding portion 3a of the translucent member 3 by fitting
the reflecting frame 10 thereon, and the mounting board 11 is fixed
by a screw 162 fitted into a threaded hole 161 formed on the
casing.
[0208] The translucent member 3 is provided with mounting portions
37, engaging with the casing 16. Naturally, the mounting portions
37 are not essential, nor are they limited to the illustrated
shape. Such mounting portions 37 may naturally be provided also in
the translucent members 3 in the foregoing embodiments 1 to 14
Embodiment 16
[0209] In the following, there will be explained application of the
illumination device of the present invention to an information
processing apparatus.
[0210] FIG. 55 illustrates an example of the information processing
apparatus (for example, a facsimile apparatus) utilizing the
photoelectric converting device of the present invention.
[0211] There are shown a feed roller 102 for feeding an original 17
to a reading position; a separating member 104 for securely
separating the originals P one by one; and a transport roller 18
provided at the image reading position of a photoelectric
converting device 100, for defining the image reading plane of the
original 17 and also serving to transport the original 17.
[0212] A recording medium W, in the form of rolled paper, is
subjected to formation of an image read by the photoelectric
converting device 100, or, in the case of a facsimile, an image
transmitted from the outside. A recording head 110, for the image
formation, can be of various types such as a thermal head or an ink
jet recording head. Also, the recording head can be of serial type
or of line type. A platen roller 112 is provided for transporting
the recording medium W to the recording position by the recording
head 110 and for defining the recording plane of the recording
medium.
[0213] An operation panel 120 is provided with switches for
entering commands for operations, and with a display unit for
displaying messages and a status of the apparatus.
[0214] There are further provided a system control board 130,
provided thereon with a control unit for controlling various units
of the apparatus, a driving circuit for the photoelectric
converting elements, a processing unit for the image information, a
transmission-reception unit, etc., and a power source 140 for the
apparatus.
[0215] FIGS. 56 and 57 are schematic magnified views of the
photoelectric converting device, employable in the information
processing apparatus shown in FIG. 55. FIG. 56 shows the case of a
contact sensor, utilizing the photoelectric converting device
(image reading device) shown in FIG. 54. FIG. 57 shows the case of
a system employing an imaging optical system 19, wherein the
original 17 is illuminated by the light emitted by illumination
means of the embodiment 14 shown in FIGS. 46A to 46C, and the
reflected light, corresponding to the image information, is focused
on the photoelectric converting device 20 through the imaging
optical system 19.
[0216] It is also possible, as shown in FIG. 58, to form an imaging
optical system 25 at the original side, and to read the image by
focusing, through a protective layer (protective glass) 23, on a
photoelectric converting device 22 formed on a sensor substrate 21,
utilizing a thin semiconductor layer.
[0217] In both cases, the original surface was illuminated with
extremely uniform distribution of illumination intensity, so that
the image could be read in an extremely excellent state.
[0218] Also, other illumination devices explained in the foregoing
embodiments 1 to 13 enable much superior image reading, in
comparison with the case employing the conventional illumination
devices.
[0219] The illumination device of the present invention, being
capable of providing a sufficiently high light amount, is also
suitable for color image reading. Also, for modifying the color
temperature or the hue of the illuminating light, a filter may be
provided between the LED light source and the end face of the
translucent member 3, or the translucent member itself may be dyed.
In the case of such a dyeing, the entrance end face is preferably
dyed, but, if surficial dyeing is enough for the purpose, the light
exit face of the translucent member is preferably dyed. This is
because, if the entire translucent member is dyed or colored, the
light is attenuated significantly in the course of internal
reflections, whereby the light intensity becomes lower in the
central portion or in a position distant from the LED light
source.
[0220] For image output applicable to the information processing
apparatus shown in FIG. 55, there can be considered, as explained
above, the thermal transfer recording method or thermal recording
method utilizing the thermal head, and the ink jet recording method
utilizing the ink jet recording head.
[0221] In the following, there will be explained an embodiment of
the information processing apparatus, employing such a recording
head as the output means. The following explanation will be limited
to the output part only.
[0222] Among various ink jet recording methods, the present
invention brings about a particular effect when applied to a
recording head of a system utilizing thermal energy for ink
discharge, because the entire information processing apparatus can
fully enjoy the effect of compactization of the illumination
device, as the recording head itself can be made compact.
[0223] The principle and representative configuration of the system
are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and
4,740,796. This system is applicable to so-called on-demand
recording or continuous recording, but is particularly effective in
the on-demand recording because the entire apparatus can be
compactized.
[0224] In brief, in this system, an electrothermal converting
member positioned corresponding to a liquid channel or a sheet
containing liquid therein is given at least a drive signal,
corresponding to the recording information and capable of causing a
rapid temperature increase exceeding nucleate boiling, to generate
thermal energy in the electrothermal converting member, thereby
inducing film boiling on a heat action surface of the recording
head and forming a bubble in the ink in one-to-one correspondence
to the recording signal. The ink is discharged from a discharge
opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, thereby
forming at least an ink droplet. The signal is preferably formed as
a pulse, as it realizes instantaneous growth and contraction of the
bubble, thereby attaining highly responsive discharge of the
ink.
[0225] Such a pulse-shaped drive signal is preferably as disclosed
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262. Also, the conditions
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,124 relative to the temperature
increase rate of the heat action surface allows one to obtain a
further improved recording.
[0226] The configuration of the recording head is given by the
combinations of the ink discharge openings, liquid channels and
electrothermal converter elements with linear or rectangular liquid
channels, as disclosed in the above-mentioned patents, but a
configuration disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 in which the
heat action part is positioned in a flexed area, and a
configuration disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600 also belong to
the present invention.
[0227] Furthermore, the present invention is effective in a
structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No.
59-123670, having a slit common to plural electrothermal converter
elements as a discharge opening therefor, or in a structure
disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 59-138461,
having an aperture for absorbing the pressure wave of thermal
energy, in correspondence with each discharge opening.
[0228] A full-line type recording head, capable of simultaneously
recording over the entire width of the recording sheet, may be
obtained by plural recording heads combined so as to provide the
required length as disclosed in the above-mentioned patents, or may
be constructed as a single integrated recording head.
[0229] Furthermore, there may be employed a recording head of an
interchangeable chip type, which can receive an ink supply from the
main apparatus and can be electrically connected therewith upon
mounting on the main apparatus, or a recording head of cartridge
type in which an ink cartridge is integrally constructed with the
recording head.
[0230] Also, the information processing apparatus of the present
invention is preferably provided with the discharge recovery means
and other auxiliary means for the recording head, in order to
realize a further advanced maintenance-free system.
[0231] Examples of such means for the recording head include
capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means,
heating means composed for example of an electrothermal converter
element for heating the recording head, and means for effecting an
idle ink discharge independent from the recording operation, all of
which are effective for achieving stable recording operation.
[0232] Furthermore, the recording mode is not limited to recording
of a single main color, such as black, but also covers recording of
plural colors or a full-color image, by means either of an
integrally constructed recording head or of a combination of plural
recording heads.
[0233] In the foregoing explanation, the ink is assumed to be
liquid, but there may also be employed ink which is solid below
room temperature but softens at room temperature. In the
above-explained ink jet recording system, the ink itself is usually
temperature controlled within a range of 30.degree. C.-70.degree.
C. for maintaining the ink viscosity within a stable discharge
range, so that the ink needs to be liquid only when the recording
signal is given. In addition, there may also be employed ink which
is intentionally changed from solid to liquid by heating with
thermal energy.
[0234] In the following, there will be given a brief explanation of
an ink jet recording head, utilized in such an ink discharge
recording system utilizing thermal energy.
[0235] FIG. 59 is a schematic view of such an ink jet recording
head, composed of electrothermal converter elements 1103,
electrodes 1104, liquid channels 1105 and a ceiling plate 1106,
formed on a substrate 1102 through a semiconductor process
involving the steps of etching, evaporation, sputtering, etc. The
recording ink 1112 is supplied from an unrepresented ink reservoir
to a common ink chamber 1108 of the recording head 1101 through a
supply pipe 1107, provided with a connector 1109 therefor.
[0236] The ink 1112 in the common ink chamber 1108 is supplied into
the liquid channel 1110 by capillary action, and is stably held
therein, by forming a meniscus at the discharge opening (orifice)
at the end thereof. Electric power supply to the electrothermal
converter element 1103 rapidly heats the liquid thereon, thus
forming a bubble in the liquid chamber, and the liquid is
discharged from the opening 1111 by the expansion and contraction
of the bubble, thereby forming a liquid droplet.
[0237] The above-explained configuration allows to arrange the
discharge openings with a high density such as 16 nozzle/mm or even
higher, thereby obtaining an ink jet head with 128 or 256 discharge
openings, or even a full-line ink jet recording head having an
array of the discharge openings over the entire recording
width.
[0238] FIG. 60 is a schematic perspective view of the external
structure of an output unit utilizing the ink jet recording
method.
[0239] In FIG. 60 there are shown an ink jet recording head 1801
for discharging ink according to the recording signals, thereby
recording a desired image; and a carriage 1802 for moving the
recording head 1801 in the recording (main scanning) direction. The
carriage 1802 is slidably supported by guide shafts 1803, 1804, and
reciprocates in the main scanning direction by means of a timing
belt 1808, which is supported by pulleys 1806, 1807 and driven by a
carriage motor 1805 through the pulley 1807.
[0240] A recording sheet 1809 is guided by a paper pan 1810, and is
pressed, by pinch rollers, to an unrepresented transport roller for
transporting the sheet.
[0241] The sheet transportation is achieved by a feeding motor
1816. The transported recording sheet 1809 is given a tension by a
discharge roller 1813 and a grooved roller 1814, and is transported
in close contact with a heater 1811, by means of an elastic
pressure plate 1812. Thus the recording sheet 1809, bearing thereon
the ink, discharged from the recording head 1801 and deposited on
the sheet, is heated by the heater 1811, whereby the deposited ink
is dried and fixed to the recording sheet 1809.
[0242] A recovery unit 1815 is provided for maintaining the proper
ink discharge state of the recording head 1801, by removing the
dusts and highly viscous ink, deposited on the discharge openings
(not illustrated) of the recording head 1801.
[0243] A cap member 1818a, constituting a part of the recovery unit
1815, is provided to cap the discharge openings of the recording
head 1801, thereby preventing the clogging of the openings. Inside
the cap 1818a, there is preferably provided an ink absorbent member
1818.
[0244] At a side of the recovery unit 1815, closer to the recording
area, there is provided a blade 1817 for coming into contact with a
face, having the discharge openings, of the recording head 1801,
thereby eliminating the dust and ink sticking to the face.
[0245] In the present invention, as shown in a block diagram in
FIG. 61, the original transported by original transmission means
2007 to the image reading part of an image reading device 2000 is
read by photoelectric converter elements 2001 thereof, then thus
obtained electrical signals bearing image information are converted
by image processing means (not shown) into electrical signals for
recording, and the recording operation is conducted by a controller
such as a CPU 2000 controlling the carriage motor 2003, recording
head 2004, sheet feeding motor 2005, recovery unit 2006, etc.
[0246] The electrical signals bearing image information may be
transmitted through communication means 2008 to another image
processing apparatus for image output therein, or may be received
from another information processing apparatus through the
communication means 2008 and recorded by the above-mentioned
recording head 2004.
[0247] FIG. 62 schematically shows the output unit provided with a
recording head 1932 of full-line type.
[0248] A conveyor belt 1965 transports an unrepresented recording
medium, by the rotation of a transport roller 1932. The bottom face
1931 of the recording head 1932 is provided with a plurality of
discharge openings, corresponding to the recording area of the
recording medium.
[0249] Also, in this case the recording operation can be conducted
in a similar manner as in the recording head of serial type
explained above.
[0250] Naturally, the output units explained above are given as
examples, and there can be conceived various modifications.
[0251] However, the above-explained ink discharge system utilizing
thermal energy, being capable not only of compactization but also
of more highly precise recording, can exhibit the effect of the
present invention more conspicuously, and can therefore provide an
information processing apparatus excellent in overall
performance.
[0252] As explained in detail in the foregoing, the present
invention can provide a compact illumination device capable of
uniform illumination with a high intensity.
[0253] Also, the present invention can provide an illumination
device which is simple in structure and can simplify also the
manufacturing process.
[0254] Furthermore, the present invention can provide a
photoelectric converting device and an information processing
apparatus capable of stable image reading.
[0255] Furthermore, the present invention can provide a secure
mounting method for the light source, which is simplified in the
mounting steps.
[0256] Furthermore, the present invention can realize a linear
light source with reduced unevenness in the amount of illuminating
light on the illuminated surface, thereby achieving improved tonal
rendition without increasing the burden of image processing.
[0257] The present invention is subject to various modifications
within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. Also, the
embodiments explained before may naturally be combined in suitable
manner.
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