Manufacturing method of mold and light-shielding part

Abstract

To obtain a mold that can suppress the thinning of the resin thickness between a hole and another hole in the molded product, compared to the case where supply ports are formed on both sides perpendicular to the direction in a mold in which cylindrical bodies are lined up in a molding space extending in one direction and a plurality of rows of cylindrical bodies lined up in one direction are provided.SOLUTION: The mold has a pair of molds that form a molding space extending in one direction, a row of cylinders extending in a cross direction that intersects the molding space in one direction, a plurality of cylinders arranged in a row in the other cross direction that intersects with the one direction and the cross direction, a supply port that is formed in the pair of molds and located only on one side of the other cross direction to the molding space to fill the molding space with resin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mold. and Light-shielding part Manufacturing method Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] The light-shielding member described in Patent Document 1 extends in one direction and has a plurality of cylindrical through-holes extending in an intersecting direction that intersects the one direction, through which light passes. Furthermore, the light-shielding parts are arranged in one direction so that the ends of adjacent light-shielding parts overlap in the intersecting direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-145262 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The light-shielding portion formed by injection molding has a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in one direction. The light-shielding portion has a plurality of through-holes aligned in one direction. That is, the light-shielding portion has two rows of through-holes aligned in one direction.

[0005] The mold used to mold this light-shielding part is formed with a supply port (gate) through which the resin to be filled into the molding space is supplied. Also, this molding space is provided with a plurality of cylinders for forming the through holes of the light-shielding part. Specifically, the molding space is provided with two rows of a plurality of cylinders aligned in one direction.

[0006] In the past, supply ports were formed on both sides of the molding space that were perpendicular to one direction, through which the resin to be filled into the molding space was supplied. When resin was supplied to the molding space from both sides in this way, a cylinder placed near one supply port would bend toward the other supply port due to resin pressure, and a cylinder placed near the other supply port would bend toward the one supply port due to resin pressure. This resulted in a thin resin thickness between one through hole and another through hole in the molded product (light-shielding portion).

[0007] The object of the present disclosure is to prevent the resin thickness between the through holes of the molded product and other through holes from becoming thin in a mold in which cylinders are lined up in one direction in a molding space that extends in one direction and multiple rows of cylinders lined up in one direction are provided, compared to when supply ports are formed on both sides perpendicular to one direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A mold according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising a pair of dies forming a molding space extending in one direction; a row of cylinders arranged in one direction, the row comprising a plurality of cylinders extending in a cross direction intersecting the one direction and crossing the molding space, the plurality of cylinder rows being arranged in the one direction and in another cross direction intersecting the one cross direction; and a supply port formed in at least one of the pair of dies and positioned only on one side of the molding space in the other cross direction, for supplying resin to be filled into the molding space.

[0009] A mold according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the mold according to the first aspect, characterized in that the base ends of the plurality of cylinders are attached to one of the molds, and the other mold is formed with recesses into which the tips of the plurality of cylinders are respectively inserted.

[0010] A mold according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the mold described in the second aspect, when the other mold in a clamped state moves relative to one of the molds in the intersecting direction, the other mold is provided with a slide mold that moves in the other intersecting direction while moving in the intersecting direction so as to move away from the solidified resin that has solidified in the molding space.

[0011] A mold according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the mold according to the third aspect, characterized in that at least a portion of the slide mold separates from the solidified resin after the plurality of cylindrical bodies have been released from the solidified resin.

[0012] A mold according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a mold according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that at least one of the pair of molds has a discharge port formed on the opposite side of the molding space from the supply port, through which resin is discharged from the molding space.

[0013] A mold according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the mold described in the fifth aspect, a discharge space that is filled with resin flowing out of the discharge outlet and extends in the other intersecting direction is formed by a pair of the molds, a runner that passes through the resin flowing into the supply port and extends in the other intersecting direction is formed by a pair of the molds, and the other mold is equipped with an ejection pin that pokes the solidified resin that has solidified in the discharge space and the solidified resin that has solidified in the runner, thereby demolding the solidified resin that has solidified in the molding space.

[0014] A light-shielding portion according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a light-shielding portion in which a plurality of rows of cylindrical through-holes extending in one direction and extending in a cross direction intersecting the one direction, through which light passes, are arranged in the one direction and in another cross direction intersecting the one direction and the cross direction, and which is characterized in that a plurality of welds extending in the cross direction are formed on only one side of two side surfaces facing the other cross direction.

[0015] An optical device according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that it comprises a substrate extending in one direction and having an optical element mounted thereon, a light-shielding member in which a plurality of light-shielding portions as described in claim 7 are arranged in the one direction and the through holes are arranged so as to face the optical elements, and an optical member arranged between the substrate and the light-shielding member and having a plurality of lenses each facing the through holes.

[0016] An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by including the optical device according to the eighth aspect and an image forming section that forms an image read by the optical device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the mold of the first aspect of the present disclosure, in a mold in which cylinders are lined up in one direction in a molding space extending in one direction and multiple rows of cylinders lined up in one direction are provided, it is possible to prevent the resin thickness between the through holes of the molded product and other through holes from becoming thin, compared to a case in which supply ports are formed on both sides perpendicular to the one direction.

[0018] According to the mold of the second aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the tip of the cylinder from moving due to the resin pressure during molding, compared to a case in which a recess into which the tip of the cylinder is inserted is not formed.

[0019] According to the mold of the third aspect of the present disclosure, the solidified resin can be more easily demolded from the other mold than when the other mold is formed as a single unit.

[0020] According to the mold of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the entire slide mold can suppress deformation of the solidified resin compared to when the multiple cylinders separate from the solidified resin before they are released from the solidified resin.

[0021] According to the mold according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress underfill of the resin filled into the molding space, compared to when only the supply port is connected to the molding space.

[0022] According to the mold of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, deformation of the solidified resin solidified in the molding space can be suppressed compared to when all of the ejector pins directly poke the solidified resin solidified in the molding space.

[0023] According to the seventh aspect of the light-shielding portion of the present disclosure, the molding state of the through hole can be confirmed using the welds, compared to when multiple welds extending in the intersecting direction are not formed on the other intersecting side surfaces.

[0024] According to the optical device of the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the variation in light passing through the through hole (uneven light intensity) can be suppressed compared to a case where the optical device is provided with a light-shielding portion having multiple welds extending in the intersecting direction formed on two side surfaces facing the other intersecting direction.

[0025] According to the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, degradation in the quality of the output image can be suppressed compared to when the image forming apparatus is not provided with the optical device of the eighth aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image reading unit provided in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 4] 1 is an overall perspective view showing an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 5] 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are operational diagrams illustrating the operation of an image reading unit provided in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 8] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, taken in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. [Figure 10] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure taken along a longitudinal direction. [Figure 11] 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, taken in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; [Figure 12]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a microlens array provided in an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a light collecting unit provided in the image reading device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a microlens array provided in an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a light collecting unit provided in the image reading device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a light blocking member provided in the image reading device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a light blocking portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a side view showing the entire light-shielding unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a molding space formed by a mold according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a mold according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a mold according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an entire mold according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an ejector pin provided in a mold according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 24] 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are process diagrams illustrating a mold according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a process of opening the mold from a clamped state. [Figure 25] 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are process diagrams illustrating a mold according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a process of opening the mold from a clamped state. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a mold according to a comparative embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 27]1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing a mold according to a comparative embodiment of the present disclosure, and a cross-sectional view showing a light-shielding portion molded by this mold. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Examples of a mold, a light-blocking member, a reading device, and an image forming device according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 27. Note that arrow H shown in the figures indicates the up-down direction (vertical direction) of the device, arrow W indicates the width direction (horizontal direction) of the device, and arrow D indicates the depth direction (horizontal direction) of the device. The up-down direction, width direction, and depth direction of the device are perpendicular to one another. Note that the up-down direction of the device may also be referred to as the up-down direction.

[0028] (Overall configuration of image forming apparatus) As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment is equipped with, from bottom to top in the vertical direction (direction of arrow H), a storage section 14 in which a sheet material P as a recording medium is stored, a transport section 16 that transports the sheet material P stored in the storage section 14, an image forming section 20 that forms an image on the sheet material P transported from the storage section 14 by the transport section 16, and an image reading unit 60 that reads the image formed on the document G, in this order.

[0029] [Storage section 14] The storage unit 14 is provided with a storage member 26 that can be pulled out from the housing 10a of the image forming apparatus 10 to the front side in the device depth direction, and sheet materials P are stacked on this storage member 26. Furthermore, the storage unit 14 is provided with a delivery roll 30 that sends out the topmost sheet material P stacked in the storage member 26 to a conveyance path 28 for the sheet materials P.

[0030] [Transport unit 16] The conveying section 16 is provided with a plurality of conveying rolls 32 that convey the sheet material P along the conveying path .

[0031] [Image forming unit 20] The image forming section 20 is provided with four image forming units 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between Y, M, C, and K, the terms Y, M, C, and K may be omitted.

[0032] The image forming units 18 for each color are detachably attached to the housing 10a. Each image forming unit 18 for each color includes an image carrier 36, a charging roll 38 that charges the surface of the image carrier 36, and an exposure device 42 that irradiates the charged image carrier 36 with exposure light. Each image forming unit 18 for each color also includes a developing device 40 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device 42 exposing the charged image carrier 36 to light, and visualizes the electrostatic latent image as a toner image.

[0033] The image forming unit 20 also includes an endless transfer belt 22 that rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, and a primary transfer roll 44 that transfers toner images formed by the image forming units 18 of each color onto the transfer belt 22. The image forming unit 20 also includes a secondary transfer roll 46 that transfers the toner images transferred onto the transfer belt 22 onto a sheet member P, and a fixing device 50 that applies heat and pressure to the sheet member P onto which the toner images have been transferred to fix the toner images onto the sheet member P.

[0034] [Image reading unit 60] 2, the image reading unit 60 includes a first transparent plate 62 (so-called platen glass) on which a sheet of original G is placed when the image of the original G is read, and a second transparent plate 72 disposed on one side of the first transparent plate 62 in the device width direction (on the left side in the figure). The first transparent plate 62 and the second transparent plate 72 are fitted into the upper part of a housing 60a of the image reading unit 60. The first transparent plate 62 is an example of a glass plate.

[0035] An opening / closing cover 66 that opens and closes the first transparent plate 62 and the second transparent plate 72 is disposed above the first transparent plate 62 and the second transparent plate 72. Inside the opening / closing cover 66, a transport device 64 (a so-called ADF device) is provided that transports multiple sheets of document G along a transport path 70 inside the opening / closing cover 66 and passes the document G through a document reading position R above the second transparent plate 72.

[0036] Also provided inside the housing 60a is an image reading device 100 that reads an image of the document G placed on the first transparent plate 62 and an image of the document G transported to the document reading position R by the transport device 64. Furthermore, the image reading unit 60 is provided with a drive device 74 that drives the image reading device 100 in the device width direction. The image reading device 100 is an example of an optical device. The image reading device 100 will be described in detail later.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drive device 74 includes a shaft 76 extending in the device width direction (the direction of movement of the image reading device 100), and a sliding member 78 attached to the underside of the housing 114 of the image reading device 100 and slidably supported on the shaft 76.

[0038] Furthermore, the drive device 74 includes a motor 80, a drive pulley 84 that is rotated by the driving force transmitted from the motor 80, a driven pulley 86 that rotates in response to the motor 80, and an endless belt 82 that is wound around the drive pulley 84 and the driven pulley 86. The drive pulley 84 is attached to one end of the shaft 76, and the driven pulley 86 is attached to the other end of the shaft 76.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, the sliding member 78 is attached to a portion of the lower surface of the housing 114 that is toward the center in the depth direction of the device. As shown in Fig. 5, the sliding member 78 is formed with a slit 78a that extends in the vertical direction and into which a portion of the endless belt 82 is fitted, and a sliding surface 78b that is semicircular when viewed from the width direction of the device and slides against the shaft 76.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 60a is integrally formed with a pair of support portions 90 that support both end portions of the shaft 76 from below.

[0041] In this configuration, when reading an image of the document G conveyed by the conveying device 64, the driving force of the motor 80 (see FIG. 4) is transmitted to the image reading device 100 via the endless belt 82, and the image reading device 100 moves to a conveying and reading position on the end side in the device width direction and stops, as shown in FIG. 6. Then, the image reading device 100 arranged at the conveying and reading position reads an image of the document G conveyed by the conveying device 64.

[0042] 2, when reading an image of the original G placed on the first transparent plate 62, the image reading device 100, which is placed at the reading start position (solid line in the figure), moves in the device width direction along the first transparent plate 62 toward the reading end position (chain double-dashed line in the figure) while reading the image of the original G. In this way, the image reading device 100 reads the image of the original G placed on the first transparent plate 62.

[0043] (Image reading device 100) Next, the image reading device 100 will be described in detail. The image reading device 100 shown in FIG. 7 reads an image formed on an original G (object) using a known CIS (Contact Image Sensor) system. As shown in FIG. 8, the image reading device 100 includes a light-receiving substrate 102, a pair of wiring cables 104 connected to the light-receiving substrate 102, and rigid substrates 106 connected to the respective wiring cables 104. The image reading device 100 also includes a light-emitting element 128 mounted on the rigid substrate 106, a pair of cylindrical light guides 110 (so-called light guides), a light-collecting unit 112 that collects light reflected from the original G, and a housing 114. The image reading device 100 also includes a glass plate 122 that covers the top surface of the housing 114. The light-receiving substrate 102 is an example of a substrate.

[0044] [Housing 114] As shown in Fig. 8, the housing 114 is box-shaped and extends in the device depth direction. As shown in Fig. 9, the housing 114 is formed with a pair of light guide housing sections 114a in which the pair of light guides 110 are respectively housed, and a lens housing section 114b in which the light condensing section 112 is housed, between the pair of light guide housing sections 114a. Furthermore, the housing 114 is formed with a pair of substrate housing sections 114c in which the rigid substrates 106 are housed, so as to sandwich the light guide housing section 114a from the device depth direction, as shown in Fig. 10.

[0045] -Light guide housing portion 114a- 9 and 10, a pair of light guide housings 114a are formed side by side in the width direction of the device, and each light guide housing 114a extends in the depth direction of the device. Furthermore, a cross section of each light guide housing 114a intersecting the longitudinal direction is semicircular with an open top.

[0046] -Lens housing section 114b- 9, the lens housing portion 114b is formed between the pair of light guide housing portions 114a in the device width direction, and penetrates part of the housing 114 in the vertical direction. A pair of protrusions 116 is formed in the lens housing portion 114b to support the end of the lower surface of the light collecting portion 112 in the device width direction.

[0047] -Substrate accommodating section 114c- 10, a pair of substrate accommodating portions 114c are formed on the rear side and the front side of the light guide accommodating portion 114a in the device depth direction. Specifically, the substrate accommodating portions 114c are formed between the wall portions 119 on both ends of the housing 114 in the device depth direction and the light guide accommodating portion 114a.

[0048] -others- 9 and 10, a step 115 is formed on the upper part of the housing 114, supporting the edge of the glass plate 122 from below. Also, a countersunk surface 117 is formed on the lower part of the housing 114, as shown in FIG. 9, and is in contact with the upper surface of the light-receiving substrate 102.

[0049] [Light guide 110] 9, the light guide 110 is housed in a light guide housing portion 114a of the housing 114, and is formed of a transparent material (for example, acrylic resin) into a cylindrical shape extending in the depth direction of the device. A pair of light guides 110 are provided side by side in the width direction of the device.

[0050] The light guide 110 has a central portion in the longitudinal direction fixed to the housing 114 by a fixing portion (not shown) so that both ends in the longitudinal direction can expand and contract in the depth direction of the device. When the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 110 is fixed to the housing 114, the end surface 110a of the light guide 110 and the LED 128 arranged inside the wall portion 119 of the housing 114 are spaced apart in the depth direction of the device (see FIG. 10 ). Note that FIG. 10 illustrates the end surface 110a of the light guide 110 and the LED 128 as being in contact with each other in the depth direction of the device. However, in reality, the end surface 110a of the light guide 110 and the LED 128 are spaced apart so as not to come into contact with each other even when the light guide 110 expands in the depth direction of the device due to a temperature change. In other words, the gap between the end face 110a of the light guide 110 and the LED 128 is set to a dimension that prevents contact between the end face 110a and the LED 128 even if the light guide 110 extends in the depth direction of the device due to a temperature change.

[0051] In addition, a reflective member (not shown) is provided along the longitudinal direction of the light guide 110, which emits light that enters from the end surface 110a of the light guide 110 and travels in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 110 toward above the light-concentrating section 112 (in the direction of arrow B in Figure 9).

[0052] [Light collecting section 112] 9, the light collecting unit 112 is housed in a lens housing portion 114b of the housing 114. The light collecting unit 112 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the depth direction of the device, and includes a light blocking member 150 and a pair of microlens arrays 152. The pair of microlens arrays 152 are an example of an optical member.

[0053] Furthermore, the light collecting unit 112 has its lower end in the device width direction supported by a protrusion 116 of the housing 114, and is fixed to the housing 114 by a fixing means (not shown). In this state, both longitudinal ends of the light collecting unit 112 are spaced apart from the inner surface of the wall 119 of the housing 114 in the device depth direction (see FIG. 10). The light collecting unit 112 will be described in detail later.

[0054] [Light receiving substrate 102] 9, the light-receiving substrate 102 has its thickness oriented in the vertical direction and is disposed at the lower end of the housing 114. The light-receiving substrate 102 is fixed to the housing 114 by a fixing means (not shown) with the upper surface of the light-receiving substrate 102 in contact with the countersunk surface 117 of the housing 114.

[0055] The light receiving substrate 102 has a rectangular shape extending in the depth direction of the device when viewed from above. A plurality of light receiving elements 126 are mounted on the upper surface of the light receiving substrate 102 in a line in the depth direction of the device. The light receiving elements 126 mounted on the light receiving substrate 102 face the light condensing unit 112 in the vertical direction (see FIG. 9). Here, "mounting" means attaching to an object to realize some function. In this embodiment, the light receiving element 126 is attached to the light receiving substrate 102 using a fixing means such as solder so that the light receiving element 126 can receive light. The light receiving element 126 is an example of an optical element.

[0056] [Wiring cable 104] 8, the wiring cables 104 are so-called flexible flat cables whose base ends are connected to both end portions of the light receiving substrate 102 in the device depth direction. The base end of one wiring cable 104 is connected to the end portion of the light receiving substrate 102 on the far side in the device depth direction (left side in the figure), and the base end of the other wiring cable 104 is connected to the end portion of the light receiving substrate 102 on the near side in the device depth direction (right side in the figure).

[0057] [Rigid substrate 106] 8, a pair of rigid substrates 106 are provided, and are connected to the ends of the distribution cables 104, and are rectangular in shape extending in the width direction of the device when viewed from the depth direction of the device. Furthermore, two LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 128 (hereinafter referred to as "light-emitting elements 128") are mounted on one surface (opposite surfaces) of each rigid substrate 106 and aligned in the width direction of the device.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 10, the rigid substrate 106 is accommodated in a substrate accommodating portion 114c of the housing 114 in a state where it faces an end surface 110a of the light guide 110.

[0059] [Glass plate 122] As shown in Fig. 8, the glass plate 122 has a thickness direction in the up-down direction and a rectangular shape extending in the depth direction of the device when viewed from above. As shown in Fig. 9, the glass plate 122 is fixed to the housing 114 by a fixing means (not shown) with the edge of the glass plate 122 in contact with the step portion 115 of the housing 114, and is disposed so as to cover the upper surface of the housing 114.

[0060] (Function of image reading device 100) Next, the operation of the image reading device 100 will be described.

[0061] 10 irradiates light onto the end surface 110a of the light guide 110. Furthermore, the light guide 110 guides the light incident from the end surface 110a of the light guide 110 in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 110. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the light guide 110 emits the light reflected by the reflecting member toward above the light collecting section 112 (in the direction of arrow B in the figure).

[0062] Furthermore, the light collecting section 112 guides (collects) the light that is emitted from the light guide 110, irradiated onto the document G, and reflected from the document G to the light receiving element 126. In this way, the light receiving element 126 receives the light that is reflected from the document G and converts it into an electrical signal.

[0063] (Configuration of light collecting section 112) Next, the light collecting unit 112 will be described. As shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 11, the light collecting unit 112 includes a light blocking member 150 and a pair of microlens arrays 152 (hereinafter referred to as "lens arrays 152"). The light blocking member 150, one microlens array 152, and the other microlens array 152 are arranged in this order from the glass plate 122 side to the light receiving substrate 102 side. The lens array 152 is an example of an optical member.

[0064] [Microlens array 152] The microlens array 152 is integrally formed using, for example, a transparent resin material, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the device depth direction. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the microlens array 152 has a rectangular upper surface 152a that faces upward and extends in the device depth direction when viewed from above, and a rectangular lower surface 152b that faces downward and extends in the device depth direction when viewed from below. Furthermore, the microlens array 152 has protrusions 154 formed on both ends of the upper surface 152a in the device width direction, extending in the device depth direction and protruding upward, and protrusions 156 formed on both ends of the lower surface 152b in the device width direction, extending in the device depth direction and protruding downward.

[0065] Furthermore, a plurality of lens surfaces 158 are formed on the upper surface 152a and the lower surface 152b, protruding from the upper surface 152a or the lower surface 152b, respectively. The amount of protrusion of the lens surfaces 158 is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the protrusions 154, 156.

[0066] These lens surfaces 158 are arranged in two staggered rows along the depth direction of the device (see FIG. 14). Note that "staggered" means alternately. Furthermore, in the vertical direction of the device, lens surfaces 158 formed on upper surface 152a and lens surfaces 158 formed on lower surface 152b are arranged at the same, equivalent, or similar positions. In other words, the lens axis (optical axis) of lens surface 158 formed on upper surface 152a and the lens axis (optical axis) of lens surface 158 formed on lower surface 152b overlap, and this pair of lens surfaces 158 forms a microlens 164. Note that microlens 164 is an example of a lens.

[0067] [Lens array 152] 13 and 15, in this configuration, the tops of the protrusions 154, 156 of the microlens arrays 152 are butted together so that the optical axes of the microlenses 164 of one microlens array 152 overlap with the optical axes of the microlenses 164 of the other microlens array 152. Then, each (pair of) microlens arrays 152 is fixed in this state using a fixing member such as an adhesive (not shown), thereby forming the lens array 152.

[0068] [Light blocking member 150] 16 and 17, the light blocking member 150 extends in the depth direction of the device, and is formed with a plurality of circular through-holes 170 that penetrate in the up-down direction of the device. This light blocking member 150 is a member that reduces light in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the through-holes 170 by allowing light to pass through the through-holes 170. The depth direction of the device is an example of one direction, and the up-down direction of the device is an example of an intersecting direction.

[0069] The through holes 170 are arranged in two staggered rows along the device depth direction. Specifically, the through holes 170 are arranged at the same, equal, or similar intervals along the device depth direction. Two rows of through holes 170 are provided lined up along the device depth direction. Furthermore, the positions of the through holes 170 in one row and the through holes 170 in the other row in the device depth direction are offset. In other words, two rows of through holes 170 extending in the device up-down direction and lined up in the device depth direction are formed in the device width direction. The device width direction is an example of another intersecting direction.

[0070] As a result, the plurality of through holes 170, as viewed from above, overlap with the plurality of microlenses 164 (see FIG. 12) formed in the lens array 152, as viewed from above. In this embodiment, as an example, the length of the light blocking member 150 in the device depth direction (L1 in FIG. 16) is 336 mm, and the diameter of the through holes 170 (D1 in FIG. 17) is 0.45 mm. The interval (pitch) between the through holes 170 in the device depth direction is 0.55 mm.

[0071] The light blocking member 150 is configured by joining six light blocking sections 160 extending in the depth direction of the device together using an adhesive or the like while lining up in the depth direction of the device.

[0072] -Light blocking part 160- The light-shielding portion 160 is integrally molded from a black resin material (for example, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin (ABS resin)). In this embodiment, as an example, the length of the light-shielding portion 160 shown in Fig. 18(A) in the device depth direction (L2 in Fig. 18(A)) is 56 mm, and the thickness in the up-down direction (T1 in Fig. 18(B)) is 5 mm.

[0073] 18(A), a through-hole 170 is formed in the light-shielding portion 160, and two semicircular grooves 172 extending in the vertical direction of the device are formed at each end of the light-shielding portion 160 in the depth direction of the device. When the light-shielding portions 160 are lined up and joined in the depth direction of the device, adjacent grooves 172 face each other, thereby forming one through-hole 170.

[0074] Furthermore, the light-shielding section 160 has a base section 160a extending in the depth direction of the device, and protruding sections 160b that are located at the center and both ends of the base section 160a in the depth direction of the device and protrude out on both sides in the width direction of the device relative to the base section 160a. As a result, the side surface of the light-shielding section 160 facing the width direction of the device is not a single flat surface, but is made up of multiple surfaces arranged at different positions in the width direction of the device.

[0075] The base portion 160a has a parallelogram shape extending in the device depth direction when viewed from the device top-bottom direction, and the protruding portion 160b has a parallelogram shape extending in the device depth direction when viewed from the device top-bottom direction with one corner chamfered. The pair of protruding portions 160b located at both ends have the same length in the device depth direction. The length in the device depth direction of the protruding portion 160b located in the center is twice the length in the device depth direction of the protruding portions 160b located at both ends.

[0076] In this embodiment, as an example, the width of the base portion 160a (W1 in FIG. 18(A)) is 2 mm, and the width of the extension portion 160b (W2 in FIG. 18(A)) is 2.6 mm.

[0077] In this configuration, light reflected from the document G passes through the through-holes 170 formed in the light blocking member 150 and enters the microlenses 164 of one of the microlens arrays 152, as shown in FIG.

[0078] Of the reflected light passing through through-hole 170, light that is tilted with respect to the vertical direction of the device may be reflected once by the inner surface of through-hole 170 in light-shielding section 160 and enter microlens 164. However, light that enters through-hole 170 at a large tilt angle is repeatedly reflected by the inner surface of through-hole 170 multiple times, thereby repeatedly attenuating the amount of light, and therefore, even if it does enter microlens 164, the amount of light will be negligible. In this way, stray light with a large amount of light is prevented from entering microlens 164.

[0079] Then, light incident on a microlens 164 of one microlens array 152 exits from the microlens 164 of one microlens array 152 and enters a microlens 164 of the other microlens array 152. Light incident on a microlens 164 of the other microlens array 152 exits from the microlens 164 of the other microlens array 152 and is collected (focused) on the light receiving element 126.

[0080] (Mold 200 for light-shielding part 160) Next, the mold 200 used to mold the light shielding portion 160 will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 25. The light shielding portion 160 is molded by injection molding. The mold 200 will be described using the direction of the light shielding portion 160 to be molded.

[0081] The mold 200 includes a pair of molds. Specifically, the mold 200 includes a fixed mold 210 and a movable mold 260. The fixed mold 210 and the movable mold 260 in a clamped state form a molding space 200a (a so-called cavity) extending in the depth direction of the device for molding the light blocking portion 160, as shown in Fig. 19. Note that Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the movable mold 260 cut in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction of the device.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 20, the fixed mold 210 and the movable mold 260 are separated in the vertical direction of the apparatus, with the movable mold 260 being disposed below the fixed mold 210.

[0083] [Fixed type 210] 20, the fixed mold 210 has a rectangular cross section when viewed from the depth direction of the apparatus. Specifically, it has a rectangular shape extending in the width direction of the apparatus, and a lower surface 210a of the fixed mold 210 serves as a mating surface with the movable mold 260. When viewed from the width direction of the apparatus, the fixed mold 210 has a rectangular shape extending in the depth direction of the apparatus.

[0084] 21, the base ends of a plurality of cylindrical bodies 214 that extend in the vertical direction of the apparatus and cross the molding space 200a are attached to the fixed mold 210. The cylindrical bodies 214 form through-holes 170 (see FIG. 17).

[0085] The cylinders 214 are arranged in two staggered rows along the depth direction of the device. Specifically, the cylinders 214 are arranged at the same, equal, or similar intervals along the depth direction of the device. Two rows of the cylinders 214 arranged along the depth direction of the device (cylinder rows) are also provided in the width direction of the device. Furthermore, the positions of the cylinders 214 in one row are offset from the positions of the cylinders 214 in the other row in the depth direction of the device. Specifically, when viewed from the top-bottom direction of the device, the centers of two adjacent cylinders 214 in one row and the center of one cylinder 214 in the other row that is closest to both of the two cylinders 214 are arranged to form vertices of an equilateral triangle. Similarly, when viewed from the top-bottom direction of the device, the centers of two adjacent cylinders 214 in the other row and the center of one cylinder 214 in one row that is closest to both of the two cylinders 214 are arranged to form vertices of an equilateral triangle.

[0086] In addition, with regard to the cylinders 214 shown in each cross-sectional view such as Figures 20 and 21, the cylinders 214 in one row and the cylinders 214 in the other row are shown lined up in the device width direction so that the relative positions of the cylinders 214 in the device width direction can be easily understood.

[0087] 20, the fixed mold 210 is formed with a spool 216 through which the molten resin flows. The spool 216 is one of the passages for feeding the molten resin into the molding space 200a. The molten resin (melted resin) may also be referred to as molten resin.

[0088] Specifically, the spool 216 extends in the vertical direction of the apparatus and penetrates the fixed mold 210. The spool 216 is disposed on only one side of the molding space 200a in the width direction of the apparatus. As shown in Fig. 22, a pair of spools 216 are formed side by side in the depth direction of the apparatus.

[0089] [Movable type 260] The movable mold 260 is a mold that is moved downward relative to the fixed mold 210 by a driving means (not shown), and has a rectangular cross section when viewed from the depth direction of the apparatus, as shown in Fig. 20. Specifically, it has a rectangular shape extending in the width direction of the apparatus, and an upper surface 260a of the movable mold 260 serves as a mating surface with the fixed mold 210. Note that the movable mold 260 has a rectangular shape extending in the depth direction of the apparatus when viewed from the width direction of the apparatus.

[0090] The movable mold 260 is also formed with a recessed molding portion 262 for forming a molding space 200a between it and the fixed mold 210. The molding portion 262 is also formed with a plurality of recesses 268 into which the tips of the plurality of cylindrical bodies 214 are inserted, respectively, when the molds are closed.

[0091] -Runner 264- As shown in Figure 20, a runner 264 is formed between the upper surface 260a of the movable mold 260 and the lower surface 210a of the fixed mold 210 by making the upper surface 260a of the movable mold 260 concave. The runner 264 is disposed on only one side of the molding space 200a in the width direction of the device and extends in the width direction of the device. The runner 264 is one of the paths for sending molten resin into the molding space 200a and is designed to receive the molten resin that has flowed through the spool 216.

[0092] 22, a pair of runners 264 are formed side by side in the depth direction of the device. Specifically, an end of the runner 264 is connected to one surface 262a for forming the base portion 160a in the molding section 262 of the movable mold 260. Even more specifically, the end of the runner 264 is connected to the longitudinal center portion of one surface 262a.

[0093] In the fixed mold 210 and the movable mold 260 in the mold clamped state, the portion that connects to one surface 262a of the runner 264 serves as a supply port 266 (gate) that supplies the molten resin to be filled into the molding space 200a.

[0094] -Exhaust space 270- 20, a discharge space 270 (a so-called void cavity) is formed between the upper surface 260a of the movable mold 260 and the lower surface 210a of the fixed mold 210 by making the upper surface 260a of the movable mold 260 concave. The discharge space 270 is disposed only on the other side of the molding space 200a in the device width direction, and extends in the device width direction.

[0095] 22, a pair of discharge spaces 270 are formed side by side in the depth direction of the device. Specifically, an end of the discharge space 270 is connected to the other surface 262b that is used to form the base portion 160a in the molding section 262 of the movable mold 260. Even more specifically, the end of the discharge space 270 is connected to the longitudinal center portion of the other surface 262b. As a result, the discharge space 270 extending in the width direction of the device is offset in the depth direction of the device with respect to the runner 264 that extends in the width direction of the device.

[0096] The portion of the discharge space 270 that is connected to the other surface 262b serves as a discharge port 276 through which part of the molten resin is discharged from the molding space 200a. This allows the discharge space 270 to be filled with the molten resin discharged from the discharge port 276.

[0097] -Ejector pin- As shown in FIG. 23, below the runner 264 and the discharge space 270, ejection pins 274 (so-called ejector pins) extending in the vertical direction of the device are provided.

[0098] The ejector pin 274 is provided on the movable mold 260 and is configured to be moved up and down between two positions, a protruding position and a retracted position, by a driving means (not shown). Specifically, in a mold clamping (mold closed) state, the ejector pin 274 does not protrude from the surface of the movable mold 260 that forms the runner 264 and the discharge space 270 (retracted position). After the mold is opened, the ejector pin 274 thrusts the solidified resin that has solidified in the discharge space 270 and the solidified resin that has solidified in the runner 264 from below (by protruding from the surface of the movable mold 260 that forms the runner 264 and the discharge space 270 (protruding position)), thereby releasing (demolding) the solidified resin that has solidified in the molding space 200a and is located in the molding portion 262 of the movable mold 260.

[0099] -Slide type- 22, the movable mold 260 is provided with a slide mold 280 that moves in the width direction of the device while moving downward so as to move away from the solidified resin that has filled and solidified in the molding space 200a when the clamped movable mold 260 moves downward relative to the fixed mold 210. The slide mold 280 is formed with one surface 262c and the other surface 262d for forming the protruding portion 160b.

[0100] Three slide dies 280 are arranged on one side of the molding space 200a in the width direction of the device, and three slide dies 280 are arranged on the other side of the molding space 200a in the width direction of the device. These six slide dies 280 have the same configuration, although some have different lengths in the depth direction of the device.

[0101] In the region where the sliding mold 280 is arranged in the depth direction of the device, the movable mold 260 includes a main mold 278 and a sliding mold 280, as shown in FIG. 24(A).

[0102] The cross section of the main body mold 278 in this region is rectangular extending in the width direction of the device. In addition, the main body mold 278 in other regions is integrally formed as shown in Figure 25(A).

[0103] The slide mold 280 will be described in detail below. As shown in FIG. 24(A), the slide mold 280 has a lower surface 280a that contacts (slides against) the upper surface 278a of the main mold body 278, surfaces 262c and 262d that face the molding space 200a, and an inclined surface 280c that is formed on the opposite side of the surfaces 262c and 262d and is inclined relative to the up-down direction. The slide mold 280 also has a side surface 280d that is positioned below the inclined surface 280c and faces outward in the width direction of the apparatus. Furthermore, the surfaces 262c and 262d have protrusions 282 that protrude into the molding space 200a. Here, the surface 262c is the surface that faces the molding space 200a of the slide mold 280 arranged on one side in the width direction of the apparatus, and the surface 262d is the surface that faces the molding space 200a of the slide mold 280 arranged on the other side in the width direction of the apparatus (see FIG. 22).

[0104] Meanwhile, in the region where the sliding mold 280 is arranged in the depth direction of the device, the fixed mold 210 is provided with a corresponding mold 220 corresponding to the sliding mold 280. The corresponding mold 220 is formed with an inclined surface 220a that comes into contact with the inclined surface 280c in the mold clamping state, and an opposing surface 220b that faces the side surface 280d with a gap therebetween in the mold clamping state. In this embodiment, a total of six sliding molds 280 are provided, and therefore a total of six corresponding molds 220 are also provided.

[0105] In this configuration, in the mold clamped state, as shown in FIG. 24(A), a molding space 200a is formed between the fixed mold 210 and the movable mold 260. Molten resin is filled into the molding space 200a, and after the filled molten resin solidifies into solidified resin, the mold is opened. During mold opening, as shown in FIG. 24(B), the movable mold 260 moves downward relative to the fixed mold 210. The sliding mold 280 moves downward and also in the width direction of the device so as to move away from the solidified resin. Specifically, the sliding mold 280 is pressed in the width direction of the device by a pressing means (not shown) so as to move away from the solidified resin. Specifically, the sliding mold 280 is constantly pulled in the direction (orientation) away from the solidified resin in the width direction of the device by an elastic member such as a tension coil spring. In other words, the three slide dies 280 arranged on one side of the molding space 200a in the device width direction and having the surface 262c are constantly pulled by the elastic member in a direction away from the molding space 200a (upward in the plane of the paper in FIG. 22). The three slide dies 280 arranged on the other side of the molding space 200a in the device width direction and having the surface 262d are constantly pulled by the elastic member in a direction away from the molding space 200a (downward in the plane of the paper in FIG. 22). The inclined surface 280c of the slide dies 280 is pressed against the inclined surface 220a of the counter die 220, causing the slide dies 280 to move downward in the device width direction. This gradually reduces the gap between the side surface 280d and the opposing surface 220b, and the side surface 280d of the slide dies 280 comes into contact with the opposing surface 220b of the counter die 220. In this state, the protrusions 282 of the slide mold 280 lap over the solidified resin in the device width direction. In other words, the three protrusions 282 of the slide mold 280 on which the surface 262c is formed and the three protrusions 282 of the slide mold 280 on which the surface 262d is formed are each inserted into a recess (undercut portion) formed in the surface of the solidified resin facing the device width direction. Therefore, the solidified resin moves downward together with the downward movement of the movable mold 260. In other words, the solidified resin is prevented from remaining on the fixed mold 210 side while adhering to the cylindrical body 214 (the so-called "take-up phenomenon").The recesses formed on the surface of the solidified resin facing the width direction of the device are formed in the solidified resin by the molten resin around the protrusion 282 formed on the surface 262c of the slide mold 280 and the molten resin around the protrusion 282 formed on the surface 262c of the slide mold 280 cooling and solidifying, and there are a total of six recesses.

[0106] When the movable mold 260 moves further downward, the cylindrical body 214 attached to the fixed mold 210 comes out of the solidified resin, as shown in Figure 24(C). Until the cylindrical body 214 comes out of the solidified resin, the side surface 280d of the sliding mold 280 and the opposing surface 220b of the counter mold 220 are in contact (sliding) with each other. In other words, in the device width direction, the protrusion 282 of the sliding mold 280 laps over the solidified resin. Therefore, the solidified resin moves downward together with the downward movement of the movable mold 260, thereby suppressing the above-mentioned take-up phenomenon.

[0107] As the movable mold 260 moves further downward, as shown in FIG. 24(D), the inclined surface 280c of the sliding mold 280 reaches the corner 220c at the lower end of the opposing surface 220b of the corresponding mold 220. As the inclined surface 280c of the sliding mold 280 is pressed against the corner 220c of the corresponding mold 220, the sliding mold 280 moves downward in a direction (orientation) away from the solidified resin in the device width direction. Then, the protrusion 282 of the sliding mold 280 comes out of the recess formed in the solidified resin. In other words, the protrusion 282 of the sliding mold 280 moves away from the solidified resin in the device width direction.

[0108] (Action of mold 200) Next, the operation of the mold 200 will be described in comparison with a mold 600 according to a comparative embodiment. First, the mold 600 according to the comparative embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the mold 200 of this embodiment.

[0109] [Mold 600] As shown in Fig. 26, the fixed mold 610 of the mold 600 has spools 216 formed on both sides of the molding space 200a in the width direction of the device. Furthermore, the movable mold 660 of the mold 600 has runners 264 formed on both sides of the molding space 200a in the width direction of the device. Thus, the mold 600 has supply ports 266 for supplying molten resin to be filled into the molding space 200a formed on both sides of the molding space 200a in the width direction of the device. Note that the mold 600 does not have a discharge space, and furthermore, the mold 600 does not have a slide mold.

[0110] [Injection molding] When molding the light-shielding part 160 by injection molding using the mold 200, as shown in Figures 24(A) and 25(A), the fixed mold 210 and the movable mold 260 are clamped together, and a molding space 200a is formed by the fixed mold 210 and the movable mold 260. In addition, the tip of the cylindrical body 214 attached to the fixed mold 210 is inserted into a recess 268 of the movable mold 260 (see Figure 21).

[0111] In this state, molten resin is poured into the molding space 200a from the supply port 266 shown in Fig. 20, thereby filling the molding space 200a with the molten resin. Specifically, the molten resin is poured into the molding space 200a from only one side in the device width direction of the molding space 200a, and the molding space 200a is filled with the molten resin. In the mold 600 according to the comparative embodiment, the molten resin is poured into the molding space 200a from the supply ports 266 on both sides in the device width direction of the molding space 200a, and the molding space 200a is filled with the molten resin (see Fig. 26).

[0112] Furthermore, in the mold 200, the resin that has passed through the molding space 200a and is discharged from the discharge port 276 fills the discharge space 270. In other words, in the mold 200, a portion of the molten resin that has filled the molding space 200a passes through the discharge port 276 and fills the discharge space 270. Then, the molten resin that has filled each portion is cooled and solidified.

[0113] After the molten resin cools and solidifies into a solidified resin, the mold is opened. During mold opening, the movable mold 260 moves downward relative to the fixed mold 210, as shown in Figures 24(B) and 25(B). The sliding mold 280 shown in Figure 24(B) moves downward and also moves in the width direction of the device so as to move away from the solidified resin.

[0114] Specifically, the sliding mold 280 is pressed in the device width direction by a pressing means (not shown) so as to move away from the solidified resin. Then, the inclined surface 280c of the sliding mold 280 is pressed against the inclined surface 220a of the corresponding mold 220, causing the sliding mold 280 to move downward in the device width direction. Also, the side surface 280d of the sliding mold 280 comes into contact with the opposing surface 220b of the corresponding mold 220. In this state, the protrusion 282 of the sliding mold 280 laps over the solidified resin in the device width direction.

[0115] When the movable mold 260 moves further downward, the cylindrical body 214 attached to the fixed mold 210 comes out of the solidified resin, as shown in Figures 24(C) and 25(C). Until the cylindrical body 214 comes out of the solidified resin, the side surface 280d of the sliding mold 280 shown in Figure 24(C) and the opposing surface 220b of the counter mold 220 are in contact. In other words, in the device width direction, the protrusion 282 of the sliding mold 280 laps over the solidified resin.

[0116] As the movable mold 260 moves further downward, the cylindrical body 214 attached to the fixed mold 210 moves away from the solidified resin, as shown in FIGS. 24(D) and 25(D). Also, the inclined surface 280c of the sliding mold 280 shown in FIG. 24(C) reaches the corner 220c at the lower end of the opposing surface 220b of the corresponding mold 220. The inclined surface 280c of the sliding mold 280 is pressed against the corner 220c of the corresponding mold 220, causing the sliding mold 280 to move downward and in the width direction of the device. Then, the protrusion 282 of the sliding mold 280 comes out of the solidified resin. In other words, the protrusion 282 of the sliding mold 280 moves away from the solidified resin in the width direction of the device. That is, since the mold 200 is provided with the slide mold 280, when the mold is opened, the solidified resin is prevented from adhering to the cylindrical body 214 of the fixed mold 210 and remaining on the side of the fixed mold 210. Meanwhile, since the mold 600 according to the comparative embodiment is not provided with the slide mold 280, when the mold is opened, the solidified resin is often adhering to the cylindrical body 214 of the fixed mold 210 and remaining on the side of the fixed mold 210 (so-called "taken out").

[0117] In this manner, the mold 200 is opened. With the mold 200 in the opened state, the ejector pin 274 shown in Fig. 23 moves upward and pushes the solidified resin solidified in the discharge space 270 and the solidified resin solidified in the runner 264 from below, thereby demolding the solidified resin solidified in the molding space 200a.

[0118] Furthermore, by post-processing, the solidified resin that has solidified in the discharge space 270 and the solidified resin that has solidified in the runner 264 is removed, and the light-shielding portion 160 is formed.

[0119] In the mold 200, the molten resin is poured into the molding space 200a from only one side in the device width direction (see FIG. 20). In contrast, in the mold 600 according to the comparative embodiment, the molten resin is poured into the molding space 200a from both sides in the device width direction (see FIG. 26).

[0120] 27(A), in the mold 600 according to the comparative embodiment, the cylindrical body 214 arranged on one side in the width direction of the device is curved convexly toward the other side in the width direction of the device due to the resin pressure of the molten resin poured into the molding space 200a from the supply port 266 formed on one side in the width direction of the device (see the two-dot chain line in the figure). Similarly, the cylindrical body 214 arranged on the other side in the width direction is curved convexly toward the one side in the width direction of the device due to the resin pressure of the molten resin poured into the molding space 200a from the supply port 266 formed on the other side in the width direction of the device (see the two-dot chain line in the figure). Therefore, in the light-shielding portion 560 molded using the mold 600 according to the comparative embodiment, the resin thickness between one through-hole 170 and another through-hole 170 is thin, as shown in FIG. 27(B). When the resin thickness is thin in this manner, problems may occur, such as light passing through a through-hole 170 entering another through-hole 170, or light passing through another through-hole 170 entering another through-hole 170. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 27(B), the gap between the curved portion of the cylinder 214 arranged on one side in the device width direction and the curved portion of the cylinder 214 arranged on the other side in the device width direction becomes narrow, making it difficult for molten resin to enter this narrow gap. Therefore, in the light-shielding portion 560 molded using the mold 600 according to the comparative embodiment, a molding defect may occur in which a through-hole 170 is connected to another through-hole 170. Note that the degree of curvature shown in each figure may be exaggerated to facilitate understanding.

[0121] In the mold 200 according to this embodiment, the molten resin is poured into the molding space 200a from only one side in the device width direction, so all of the cylinders 214 are curved in the same direction due to the resin pressure of the molten resin. Specifically, the cylinders 214 in one row are curved so as to convex toward the other side in the device width direction, and the cylinders 214 in the other row are curved so as to convex toward the other side in the device width direction. Therefore, in the light-shielding portion 160 molded by the mold 200, thinning of the resin thickness between one through-hole 170 and another through-hole 170 is suppressed.

[0122] Furthermore, in the mold 600, molten resin is poured into the molding space 200a from both supply ports 266 in the device width direction. Therefore, in the light-shielding portion 560, the molten resin collides in a complex manner within the molding space 200a, making it difficult to form multiple welds extending in the vertical direction of the device on the side surface facing the device width direction. Here, a weld refers to a seam-like portion that inevitably occurs when converging flows of molten resin collide with each other.

[0123] In the mold 200, molten resin is poured into the molding space 200a from only one side in the device width direction relative to the molding space 200a. The molten resin poured into the molding space 200a collides with a cylindrical body 214 that crosses the molding space 200a from one side in the device width direction and branches along the circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 214. The molten resin branches upon colliding with the cylindrical body 214 and then collides with each other on the opposite side of the cylindrical body 214. Therefore, in the light-shielding portion 160, multiple welds extending in the vertical direction of the device are formed only on the side facing the other side in the device width direction out of the two side surfaces facing the device width direction. In other words, in the light-shielding portion 160, one weld corresponding to one through-hole 170 is formed on the side facing the other side in the device width direction out of the two side surfaces facing the device width direction. Therefore, in the light-shielding portion 160, it is possible to check the molding state of the through-hole 170 by checking the state of the weld on the side surface facing the other side in the device width direction. In other words, in the light-shielding portion 160, it is possible to check (inspect) whether or not there is a molding defect in the through-hole 170 based on the position, inclination, curvature, etc. of the weld (a line extending in the vertical direction of the device) on the side surface facing the other side in the device width direction.

[0124] (summary) As described above, in mold 200, compared to mold 600, thinning of the resin thickness between through-hole 170 formed on one side of the light-shielding portion 160 in the device width direction and through-hole 170 formed on the other side of the device width direction is suppressed.

[0125] Furthermore, in the mold 200, recesses 268 into which the tips of the multiple cylinders 214 are respectively inserted are formed in the movable mold 260. As a result, in the mold 200, movement of the tips of the cylinders 214 due to resin pressure during molding (resin pressure when molten resin is poured into the molding space 200a) is suppressed compared to when the recesses 268 are not formed. In other words, in the mold 200, variation in the positions of the tips of the cylinders 214 is suppressed.

[0126] Furthermore, the mold 200 is provided with a slide mold 280 that moves away from the solidified resin solidified in the molding space 200a when the mold 200 is opened. Therefore, in the mold 200, the solidified resin is more easily released from the movable mold 260 than when the entire movable mold is integrally formed. In other words, the mold 200 prevents the solidified resin from remaining on the fixed mold 210 side while adhering to the cylindrical body 214.

[0127] Furthermore, in the mold 200, the protrusion 282 of the sliding mold 280 separates from the solidified resin after the multiple cylinders 214 have been released from the solidified resin. Therefore, in the mold 200, deformation of the solidified resin due to friction between the cylinders 214 and the solidified resin is suppressed compared to when the protrusion separates from the solidified resin before the multiple cylinders are released from the solidified resin. Furthermore, in the mold 200, the solidified resin is prevented from remaining on the fixed mold 210 side while adhering to the cylinders 214.

[0128] Furthermore, in the mold 200, a discharge port 276 through which resin (a part of the molten resin) is discharged from the molding space 200a is formed on the opposite side of the supply port 266 across the molding space 200a. Therefore, in the mold 200, the occurrence of underfill in the resin filled into the molding space 200a is suppressed compared to when only the supply port 266 is connected to the molding space 200a.

[0129] Furthermore, in the mold 200, the ejector pins 274 poke the solidified resin solidified in the discharge space 270 and the solidified resin solidified in the runner 264 from below, thereby demolding the solidified resin solidified in the molding space 200a. Therefore, in the mold 200, when demolding the solidified resin solidified in the molding space 200a from the movable mold 260, the number of ejector pins 274 that directly poke the solidified resin can be reduced or eliminated. In other words, in the mold 200, deformation of the light-shielding portion 160, which is the solidified resin solidified in the molding space 200a, caused by the ejector pins 274 is suppressed compared to a case in which all of the ejector pins 274 directly poke the solidified resin solidified in the molding space 200a.

[0130] Furthermore, in the light-shielding portion 160, of the two side surfaces facing the device width direction, multiple welds extending in the device vertical direction are formed only on the side surface facing the other side in the device width direction. On the other hand, in the light-shielding portion 560, multiple welds extending in the device vertical direction are less likely to be formed on the side surface facing the device width direction. As a result, in the light-shielding portion 160, compared to the light-shielding portion 560, the state of the through-hole 170 formed by the cylindrical body 214 can be confirmed using the welds.

[0131] Furthermore, the image reading device 100 includes a light-shielding member 150 that includes the light-shielding portion 160. Therefore, compared to a case where the image reading device 100 includes a light-shielding member that includes the light-shielding portion 560, variations in the light received by the light-receiving element 126 between light-receiving portions (unevenness in the amount of light) are suppressed. When forming the light-shielding member 150 by connecting multiple light-shielding portions 160 at their longitudinal end faces, it is desirable to align the sides on which the welds are formed in all of the light-shielding portions 160. That is, as shown in FIG. 16 , when multiple light-shielding portions 160 are lined up in the depth direction of the apparatus and bonded with an adhesive, it is desirable to align the sides on which the welds are formed in all of the light-shielding portions 160 so that they face the other side in the width direction of the apparatus (e.g., the lower side of the paper surface in FIG. 16 ). This is because the light-shielding portion 160 is molded using a mold 200 in which molten resin is poured into the molding space 200a from only one side in the width direction of the apparatus. In this way, when molten resin is poured into the molding space 200a from only one side in the width direction of the apparatus, the cylindrical bodies 214 in one row are curved so as to convex toward the other side in the width direction of the apparatus, and the cylindrical bodies 214 in the other row are curved so as to convex toward the other side in the width direction of the apparatus. When the molten resin cools and solidifies in this state to form the light-shielding portion 160, the through-hole 170 bends (curves) in the same direction as the cylindrical body 214. Furthermore, of the two side surfaces of the light-shielding portion 160 facing the device width direction, a plurality of welds extending in the vertical direction of the device are formed only on the side surface facing the other side in the device width direction. Therefore, by aligning the side surfaces on which the welds are formed in all the light-shielding portions 160, the bending directions of the through-holes 170 of all the light-shielding portions 160 can be aligned. In other words, variation in the bending directions of the through-holes 170 of the light-shielding portions 160 can be suppressed. This suppresses variation in the light received by the light-receiving elements 126 (uneven light intensity) between the light-receiving portions, compared to when the side surfaces on which the welds are formed are not aligned.

[0132] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 includes the image reading device 100. Therefore, degradation in the quality of the output image is suppressed compared to when the image reading device 100 is not included.

[0133] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the above embodiment, two rows of the cylindrical bodies 214 are provided, but three or more rows may also be provided.

[0134] In addition, in the above embodiment, recesses 268 into which the tips of the cylindrical bodies 214 are inserted are formed, but recesses may not be formed. In this case, the effect achieved by forming the recesses 268 will not be achieved.

[0135] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the movable mold 260 includes the slide mold 280, but it is not necessary to include the slide mold 280. In this case, the effect achieved by including the slide mold 280 will not be achieved.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the protrusion 282 of the slide mold 280 is separated from the solidified resin after the columnar body 214 is removed from the solidified resin, but the protrusion 282 may be separated from the solidified resin before the columnar body 214 is removed from the solidified resin. In this case, the effect achieved by separating from the solidified resin after the columnar body 214 is removed from the solidified resin is not achieved.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the optical device is described as the image reading device 100, but it may be an exposure device that irradiates a charged image carrier with exposure light. In this case, a light-emitting element is used as the optical element.

[0138] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the light-shielding portion 160 was formed by the mold 200, but it is sufficient if there are multiple rows of through holes, and for example, it may be a toy with multiple rows of through holes formed, or a block with multiple rows of through holes formed.

[0139] Below, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. (Appendix 1) 1 shows a method for manufacturing a light-shielding part using a mold according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 10 Image forming device 20 Image forming unit 100 Image reading device (an example of an optical device) 102 Light receiving substrate (example of substrate) 126 Photodetector (example of element) 150 Light blocking material 152 Microlens array (an example of an optical component) 160 Light blocking section 164 Microlens (Example of a lens) 170 through hole 200 molds 210 Fixed type (an example of one type) 214 Cylinder 260 Movable type (an example of the other type) 264 Runner 266 Supply Inlet 268 recess 270 Exhaust space 274 ejector pin 276 Outlet 280 Slide Type

Claims

1. a pair of molds that form a molding space extending in one direction; a plurality of columns extending in a cross direction intersecting the one direction and crossing the molding space are arranged in the one direction, and the plurality of columns are arranged in another cross direction intersecting the one direction and the cross direction; a supply port formed in at least one of the pair of molds and disposed on only one side of the molding space in the intersecting direction, for supplying a resin to be filled into the molding space; Equipped with At least one of the pair of dies has a discharge port formed on the opposite side of the molding space from the supply port, through which the resin is discharged from the molding space.

2. The plurality of cylindrical bodies have base ends attached to one of the molds, The other mold has recesses formed therein into which the tips of the plurality of cylindrical bodies are inserted. The mold according to claim 1 .

3. When the other mold in a mold clamped state moves relative to the one mold in the intersecting direction, the other mold is provided with a slide mold that moves in the other intersecting direction while moving in the intersecting direction so as to move away from the solidified resin that has solidified in the molding space. The mold according to claim 2.

4. At least a portion of the slide mold is separated from the solidified resin after the plurality of cylindrical bodies are removed from the solidified resin. The mold according to claim 3.

5. a discharge space that is filled with the resin flowing out of the discharge port and extends in the other intersecting direction is formed by the pair of dies, a runner through which the resin flows to the supply port and which extends in the other intersecting direction is formed by the pair of dies, the other mold is provided with an ejector pin that ejects the solidified resin solidified in the discharge space and the solidified resin solidified in the runner, thereby releasing the solidified resin solidified in the molding space from the mold. The mold according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for manufacturing a light-shielding part, in which a plurality of rows of cylindrical through-holes extending in one direction and extending in an intersecting direction intersecting the one direction and through which light passes are arranged in the one direction and in another intersecting direction intersecting the one direction, The mold according to claim 1 is used to mold a light-shielding portion in which a plurality of welds extending in the intersecting direction are formed on only one of the two side surfaces facing the other intersecting direction. A method for manufacturing a light-shielding part.

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