IMAGE READING APPARATUS

Abstract

An image reading apparatus includes an irradiation unit which includes a light source for irradiating an original; a reading unit which reads an image of the original at a reading line based on a reflected light from the original irradiated with the light source; and an adjusting unit for adjusting an angle between an irradiating line formed by the irradiation unit and the reading line.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a scanner which is of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates configurations of an irradiation unit and a reading unit in a first movable block which is a main part of the scanner of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the first movable block of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a graph illustrating distribution performance of CCD output;

FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates configurations of an irradiation unit and a reading unit in a movable frame which is a main part of the scanner of the second embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the first movable block of the first embodiment.

Claims

1. An image reading apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit which includes a light source for irradiating an original; anda reading unit which reads an image of the original at a reading line based on a reflected light from the original irradiated with the light source,an adjusting unit for adjusting an angle between an irradiating line formed by the irradiation unit and the reading line.

2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit includes an optically-scanning reading unit which is moved in a sub-scanning direction, the sub-scanning direction intersecting the irradiating line of the irradiation unit, the image reading apparatus further comprising: an original base plate on which the original is placed, the irradiation unit irradiating the original with the light; anda light-source holding member which holds the irradiation units in which a plurality of the light sources is arrayed along the irradiating line and are provided in the optically-scanning reading unit while a position of the light-source holding member is adjustable,wherein the adjusting unit adjusts a rotation angle position of the light-source holding member within a plane parallel to the original base plate while adjusting a position of the light-source holding member in the sub-scanning direction on the optically-scanning reading unit.

3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the optically-scanning reading unit includes: a first movable block which is moved in the sub-scanning direction while holding the irradiation unit; anda second movable block which bears a reflecting member which reflects the light to be moved in the sub-scanning direction at a moving speed slower than a moving speed of the first movable block.

4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein two of the irradiating lines can be formed by arranging two of the light-source holding members in parallel on the first movable block.

5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the adjusting unit is provided in both end portions in a direction of the irradiating line of the light-source holding member to independently position one end portion and the other end portion of the light-source holding member.

6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the adjusting unit includes: positioning pins which are respectively provided in both end portions in a direction of the irradiating line of a movable platform constituting the first movable block;the light-source holding member which has a first long hole, the positioning pin piercing through the first long hole;an adjuster which has a second long hole through which the positioning pin pierces, and which is placed in each of both end portion in a main scanning direction of the light-source holding member; anda set-screw which tightens and positions the light-source holding member and the adjuster in the movable platform, after positions of the light-source holding member and the adjuster are adjusted by moving the light-source holding member and the adjuster within a ranges of the first and second long holes while the positioning pin is set at a base point.

7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a plurality of LEDs.