Optical devices

Abstract

To provide an optical device that can emit light efficiently with a compact structure.SOLUTION: An optical device 1 of the present invention includes: a light source 100; a first reflection surface 101 for reflecting light from the light source 100 to an object 103; and a second reflection surface 102 for reflecting part of the light from the object 103 to the object 103, the first and second reflection surfaces having different shapes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, optical devices are known that detect substances contained in an object by receiving light reflected or scattered by the object. Patent Document 1 discloses an optical device that detects particles contained in a gas by irradiating the gas with light from a light source and then receiving the light scattered by the gas with a light-receiving element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-26545 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the optical device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the light source and the light receiving element are provided on different sides of the gas flow path, which makes the device large. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an optical device that has a compact configuration and is capable of efficiently irradiating an object with light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention measurement The apparatus includes a light source and A light receiving element; a first reflecting surface that reflects light from a light source toward an object; a second reflecting surface that has a shape different from that of the first reflecting surface and reflects a portion of the light from the object toward the object; and a third reflecting surface that reflects a portion of the light that has been reflected by the second reflecting surface and then reflected by the object toward a light receiving element. a calculation unit that calculates the content of at least one type of substance in the object based on the output of the light receiving element; The present invention is characterized by having the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical device that can efficiently irradiate an object with light with a compact configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing how light is reflected by an object in the optical device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing how light is reflected by an object in the optical device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 6 is a graph comparing the relative amounts of reflected light in the optical device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing how light is reflected by an object in the optical device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a graph comparing detection amounts in the optical device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are a partial projection view, a partial top view, and a partial cross-sectional view of an optical device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a graph showing a breakdown of the amount of light received according to the number of reflections in the optical device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are a partial projection view, a partial top view, and a partial cross-sectional view of an optical device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are a partial projection view, a partial top view, and a partial cross-sectional view of an optical device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are a partial projection view, a partial top view, and a partial cross-sectional view of an optical device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are a partial projection view, a partial top view, and a partial cross-sectional view of an optical device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are a partial projection view, a partial top view, and a cross-sectional view of an optical device according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 14]13A and 13B are a partial projection view and a cross-sectional view of an optical device according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing how light is reflected and transmitted in the optical device according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 16] 13A and 13B are a partial projection view and a cross-sectional view of an optical device according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a measurement device including an optical device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a sub-scanning cross-sectional view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The optical device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the drawings may be drawn at a scale different from the actual scale in order to facilitate understanding of the present embodiment.

[0009] [First embodiment] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, optical devices have been proposed that efficiently collect diffused light from an illuminated object onto a light receiving element using a spherical reflecting surface and an ellipsoidal reflecting surface. For example, a detection device is known that detects particles contained in the air using an optical system in which the focal point of an ellipsoidal reflecting surface and the center of a spherical reflecting surface are at the same position. Also known is an inspection device that inspects the surface of an object by irradiating the object with light from a light source using a spherical reflecting surface.

[0010] Conventional optical devices such as those mentioned above have the problem that they require a separate device to efficiently illuminate the light from the light source, which makes the device larger, and that because they use light reflected from the inner surface of a spherical reflecting surface, it is difficult to efficiently irradiate the light from the light source onto an object. Therefore, an object of this embodiment is to provide an optical device that has a compact configuration and can efficiently irradiate an object with light from a light source.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical device 1 according to the first embodiment. The optical device 1 according to this embodiment includes a light source 100, a first reflecting surface 101, and a second reflecting surface .

[0012] The light source 100 is a light emitting means such as a light emitting diode (LED), and emits light toward the first reflecting surface 101. As the light source 100, a light emitting element or light emitting device such as a laser light source or a spectral light source may be used instead of a light emitting diode.

[0013] The first reflecting surface 101 is a reflecting means such as a mirror, and in order to efficiently illuminate the object 103, it includes the center of the light source 100 and has a concave curvature, i.e., convex power (refractive power), in a cross section perpendicular to a reference plane parallel to the object 103 (a cross section parallel to the paper surface). The second reflecting surface 102 is a reflecting means such as a mirror, includes the center of the light source 100, and has a linear shape in a cross section perpendicular to a reference plane parallel to the object 103 (cross section parallel to the paper surface).

[0014] That is, the first reflecting surface 101 and the second reflecting surface 102 have different shapes and are spaced apart from each other. The light receiving element 104 is a light receiving means such as a photodiode (PD), and receives a part of the light reflected by the second reflecting surface .

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, in the optical device 1 according to this embodiment, light emitted from a light source 100 is incident on a first reflecting surface 101. Then, the light reflected by the first reflecting surface 101 toward the object 103 is reflected by the object 103, and then a part of the light is incident on the second reflecting surface .

[0016] Next, the light reflected by the second reflecting surface 102 is incident on the object 103 again. Then, a part of the light reflected by the object 103 again is incident on the second reflecting surface 102 again. Then, a part of the light reflected again by the second reflecting surface 102 is incident on the light receiving element 104 .

[0017] That is, in the optical device 1 according to this embodiment, the first reflecting surface 101 is defined as a reflecting area that reflects light from the light source 100 toward the object 103, and the second reflecting surface 102 is also defined as a reflecting area that reflects a portion of the light from the object 103 toward the object 103.

[0018] 2(a) and 2(b) are schematic diagrams showing how light is reflected by objects 103a and 103b in the optical device 1 according to this embodiment, respectively.

[0019] The object 103 to be illuminated in the optical device 1 according to this embodiment is a member that reflects light, such as a white plate. Instead of the white board, the object 103 may be paper, powder, a liquid or gaseous object, or the like.

[0020] The object 103 generally contains a main substance 1031 which is a substance that mainly constitutes the object 103 , and impurities 1032 other than the main substance 1031 . Here, for example, the main substance 1031 may be a substance such as barium sulfate that reflects a portion of the incident light according to its reflectance, and the impurity 1032 may be a substance such as graphite that absorbs a portion of the incident light according to its absorptance.

[0021] Furthermore, the main substance 1031 may be a substance such as cellulose or fluororesin that reflects a portion of the incident light depending on its reflectance, and the impurity 1032 may be a substance such as water that absorbs a portion of the incident light depending on its absorptance. The object 103 illuminated in the optical device 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to the above combinations, and a wide variety of combinations are possible as long as it is composed of a main substance 1031 that reflects a portion of the incident light according to its reflectance and an impurity 1032 that absorbs a portion of the incident light according to its absorptance.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2( a ), the object 103 a contains only the main substance 1031 and does not contain the impurity 1032 . At this time, when light A reflected by the first reflecting surface 101 is incident on the object 103a, the light A interacts with the main substance 1031 inside the object 103a, causing light B to be diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103a.

[0023] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2(b), it is assumed that the object 103b contains impurities 1032 in addition to the main substance 1031. At this time, when light A reflected by the first reflecting surface 101 is incident on the object 103b, light A interacts with the main substance 1031 and the impurity 1032 inside the object 103b, causing light C to be diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103b.

[0024] Therefore, in the optical device 1 according to this embodiment, the light B reflected by the object 103a and the light C reflected by the object 103b are received by the light receiving element 104, and the amounts of light are compared with each other. This makes it possible to detect the ratio of the impurities 1032 to the main substance 1031 in the object 103b.

[0025] 3(a), (b), and (c) are schematic diagrams each showing how light reflected by object 103b in the optical device 1 according to this embodiment re-enters object 103b via the second reflecting surface 102.

[0026] First, as shown in FIG. 3(a), when light A reflected by the first reflecting surface 101 is incident on the object 103b, the light A interacts with the main substance 1031 and the impurity 1032 inside the object 103b, causing light C to be diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103b. Next, the light C diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103b is reflected by the second reflecting surface 102 as described above, and is incident on the object 103b again, as shown in FIG. 3(b).

[0027] When light C reflected by the second reflecting surface 102 is incident on the object 103b, the light C interacts with the main substance 1031 and the impurity 1032 inside the object 103b, causing light D to be diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103b. Next, the light D diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103b is reflected by the second reflecting surface 102 as described above, and is incident on the object 103b again, as shown in FIG. 3(c). When light D reflected by the second reflecting surface 102 is incident on the object 103b, the light D interacts with the main substance 1031 and the impurity 1032 inside the object 103b, causing light E to be diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103b.

[0028] In this way, in the optical device 1 of this embodiment, by making light re-enter the object 103 through the second reflecting surface 102, the number of interactions between the light and the main substance 1031 and impurities 1032 contained in the object 103 can be increased. As described above, the impurity 1032 absorbs a portion of the incident light, and therefore the amount of light reflected by the object 103b decreases as the number of interactions increases.

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a graph comparing the relative light intensity RI of each light in the examples shown in FIGS.

[0030] In FIG. 4, the relative light intensity RI is set to 1 when the light receiving element 104 receives light B reflected from the surface of the object 103a that does not contain the impurity 1032 as shown in FIG. 2(a). As shown in Figure 3(a), when light A reflected by the first reflecting surface 101 is incident on an object 103b containing impurities 1032, part of the light A is absorbed by interacting with the impurities 1032 (first time), and then light C is diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103b. At this time, the relative light intensity RI of light C is assumed to have decreased to 0.90.

[0031] Then, as shown in Figure 3(b), when light C is reflected by the second reflecting surface 102 and re-enters the object 103b, light C interacts with the impurity 1032 again (for the second time) and is partially absorbed, after which light D is diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103b. At this time, the relative light intensity RI of light D decreases to 0.81.

[0032] Next, as shown in Figure 3(c), when light D is reflected by the second reflecting surface 102 and re-enters the object 103b, light D interacts with the impurity 1032 again (for the third time) and is partially absorbed, after which light E is diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103b. This reduces the relative light intensity RI of light E to 0.73.

[0033] Figures 5(a), (b), and (c) are schematic diagrams showing how light A reflected by the first reflecting surface 101 in the optical device 1 of this embodiment is incident on objects 103c, 103d, and 103b, respectively.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), the objects 103c, 103d, and 103b each have a different content of impurities 1032. Specifically, the content of impurities 1032 in object 103c is 1% relative to the main substance 1031, the content of impurities 1032 in object 103d is 2% relative to the main substance 1031, and the content of impurities 1032 in object 103b is 3% relative to the main substance 1031.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5(a), when light A reflected by the first reflecting surface 101 is incident on the object 103c, a portion of the light A is absorbed by interacting with the impurity 1032, and then light F is diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103c. Also, as shown in Figure 5(b), when light A reflected by the first reflecting surface 101 is incident on the object 103d, a portion of the light A is absorbed by interacting with the impurity 1032, and then light G is diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103d.

[0036] Also, as shown in Figure 5(c), when light A reflected by the first reflecting surface 101 is incident on the object 103b, a portion of the light A is absorbed by interacting with the impurity 1032, and then light H is diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103b. That is, in this case, the light H is the same as the light C shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0037] FIG. 6(a) shows a graph comparing the detection amount T of the content of the impurity 1032 in each of the object 103c, the object 103d, and the object 103b shown in FIG. Here, the detection amount T relating to the content of the impurity 1032 is defined as the difference between the relative light intensity RI (=1) of the light B reflected from the surface of the object 103a that does not contain the impurity 1032 shown in FIG. 2(a) and the relative light intensity RI of the light reflected from the surface of the corresponding object, that is, as shown in the following equation (1): T=1-RI (1)

[0038] First, the relative light intensity RI of light H (i.e., light C) reflected from the surface of object 103b, which has an impurity 1032 content of 3%, is 0.90 as shown in FIG. 4, so the detected amount T when light H is received by light receiving element 104 is calculated to be 0.10 from equation (1). Furthermore, the detection amount T when the light receiving element 104 receives the light F reflected from the surface of the object 103c containing 1% of the impurity 1032 is calculated to be 0.10×(1 / 3)=0.03.

[0039] Furthermore, the detection amount T when the light receiving element 104 receives the light G reflected from the surface of the object 103d containing 2% of the impurity 1032 is calculated to be 0.10×(2 / 3)=0.07. That is, when the light incident on each of the objects 103c, 103d, and 103b interacts with the impurity 1032 only once, the detection amount T shown in FIG. 6(a) is obtained.

[0040] Next, consider the case where light that has already interacted twice with the impurity 1032 contained in each of the objects 103c, 103d, and 103b is incident again on each of the objects 103c, 103d, and 103b as shown in FIG. 3(c). In this case, the light H reflected from the surface of the object 103b having a content of the impurity 1032 of 3% is the same as the light E shown in FIG. 3(c). Since the relative light intensity RI of light E is 0.73 as shown in FIG. 4, the detected amount T when light H is received by the light receiving element 104 is calculated to be 0.27 from equation (1).

[0041] Furthermore, the detection amount T when the light receiving element 104 receives the light F reflected from the surface of the object 103c containing 1% of the impurity 1032 is calculated to be 0.27×(1 / 3)=0.09. Furthermore, the detection amount T when the light receiving element 104 receives the light G reflected from the surface of the object 103d containing 2% of impurities 1032 is calculated to be 0.27×(2 / 3)=0.18.

[0042] FIG. 6(b) shows a graph comparing the detection amount T relating to the content of the impurity 1032 in such cases. As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the detection amount T can be increased by increasing the number of interactions between light and impurities 1032 inside the object 103. As the detection amount T increases, the content of the impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be determined with high accuracy.

[0043] As described above, in the optical device 1 according to this embodiment, by providing the first reflecting surface 101 and the second reflecting surface 102, the light from the light source 100 can be efficiently irradiated onto the object 103. Furthermore, by reflecting light from the object 103 by the second reflecting surface 102, the object 103 can be illuminated multiple times, thereby increasing the number of interactions between the light and the main substance 1031 and impurities 1032 that make up the object 103.

[0044] [Second embodiment] 7(a) and (b) respectively show a partial projection view and a partial top view of an optical device 2 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7(c) shows a cross-sectional view of the optical device 2 according to the second embodiment taken along line 7C-7C in FIG. 7(a).

[0045] The optical device 2 according to this embodiment includes a light source 100, a reflecting element 200, and a substrate 105.

[0046] The light source 100 is a light emitting means such as a light emitting diode (LED), and emits light toward the first reflecting surface 202. As the light source 100, a light emitting element or light emitting device such as a laser light source or a spectral light source may be used instead of a light emitting diode.

[0047] The light receiving element 104 is a light receiving means such as a photodiode (PD), and receives a part of the light reflected by the third reflecting surface 203. The substrate 105 is a member that holds the light source 100 and the light receiving element 104, and has an opening 105a (first opening) formed therein.

[0048] The reflecting element 200 has a function of reflecting light from the light source 100 and light from the object 103, and is made of a resin. As the material for the reflecting element 200, various materials such as metal may be used instead of resin.

[0049] In addition, in the optical device 2 of this embodiment, the reflective element 200 has a second reflective surface 201, a first reflective surface 202, and a third reflective surface 203, all of which are mirror surfaces with metal vapor deposition, and are connected to each other. Instead of applying metal vapor deposition to the second reflecting surface 201, the first reflecting surface 202, and the third reflecting surface 203, various reflecting means such as total reflection or gloss coating may be provided.

[0050] The second reflecting surface 201, the first reflecting surface 202, and the third reflecting surface 203 each have a curved surface defined by the following formula (2), where the point of intersection with the optical axis is the origin, the axis parallel to the optical axis is the X-axis, and the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis is the YZ cross section.

[0051]

number

[0052] The first reflecting surface 202 and the third reflecting surface 203 are aspheric surfaces that satisfy the condition -1.0≦K<0.0 regarding the Conic coefficient K, as shown by the hatched areas in FIG. 7(a). Specifically, the first reflecting surface 202 and the third reflecting surface 203 are part of an ellipsoid of revolution with a radius of curvature R of 7.5 mm and a Conic coefficient K of −0.444.

[0053] Furthermore, an optical axis O1 passing through (including) the vertex of the surface of the spheroid forming the first reflecting surface 202 on the light source 100 side and the focal point is inclined by θ=20.964° with respect to the reference plane RP. Furthermore, an optical axis O2 passing through (including) the focal point and the vertex of the spheroid forming the third reflecting surface 203 on the light receiving element 104 side is inclined by θ=20.964° with respect to the reference plane RP. In other words, the optical axes O1 and O2 are each non-parallel to the surface of the substrate 105 (substrate surface).

[0054] Here, the optical axis O1 is parallel to the major axis of the spheroid that forms the first reflecting surface 202, and the optical axis O2 is parallel to the major axis of the spheroid that forms the third reflecting surface 203. The second reflecting surface 201 is a part of a spherical surface with a radius of curvature R of 18 mm and a Conic coefficient K of 0. That is, the first reflecting surface 202 and the second reflecting surface 201 have different shapes. Specifically, the first reflecting surface 202 and the second reflecting surface 201 have different curvatures.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7( c ), the light source 100 is disposed so as to include one focal point (first focal point) of the first reflecting surface 202 . The light receiving element 104 is disposed so as to include one focal point (first focal point) of the third reflecting surface 203.

[0056] In addition, the second reflecting surface 201, the first reflecting surface 202, and the third reflecting surface 203 are formed in the reflecting element 200 so that the other focal points (second focal points) of the first reflecting surface 202 and the third reflecting surface 203 are positioned near the center of the second reflecting surface 201. It is preferable that the other focal points of the first reflecting surface 202 and the third reflecting surface 203 are located at the same position as the center of the second reflecting surface 201 . The object 103 is placed so as to include at least one of the other focal points of the first reflecting surface 202 and the third reflecting surface 203 .

[0057] As shown in FIG. 7( c ), in the optical device 2 according to this embodiment, part of the light emitted from the light source 100 is incident on the first reflecting surface 202 . The light reflected by the first reflecting surface 202 toward the object 103 is reflected by the object 103 , and then part of the light is incident on the second reflecting surface 201 and the third reflecting surface 203 .

[0058] Next, the light incident on the second reflecting surface 201 is reflected by the second reflecting surface 201 and is incident on the object 103 again. Then, a part of the light reflected again by the object 103 is incident on the second reflecting surface 201 and the third reflecting surface 203 . A part of the light reflected by the third reflecting surface 203 is incident on the light receiving element 104 .

[0059] That is, in the optical device 2 according to this embodiment, the first reflecting surface 202 is defined as a reflecting area that reflects light from the light source 100 toward the object 103, and the second reflecting surface 201 is defined as a reflecting area that reflects a portion of the light from the object 103 toward the object 103. The third reflecting surface 203 is defined as a reflecting area that reflects a portion of the light from the object 103 toward the light receiving element 104 .

[0060] 8(a) and (b) are graphs each showing a breakdown of the amount of light received by the light receiving element 104 in the optical device 2 according to this embodiment according to the number of times it is reflected by the object 103. Here, the total amount of light received by the light receiving element 104 is set to 100%.

[0061] As shown in Figures 8(a) and (b), in the optical device 2 of this embodiment, it can be seen that the amount of received light also includes light that has traveled back and forth between the object 103 and the second reflecting surface 201 more than 10 times, i.e., light that has been reflected by the object 103 more than 10 times. In other words, by adopting the above-described configuration in the optical device 2 of this embodiment, it is possible to guide light that has traveled back and forth between the object 103 and the second reflecting surface 201 10 or more times, i.e., light that has been reflected by the object 103 10 or more times, to the light receiving element 104.

[0062] As a result, the number of reflections by the object 103 increases compared to the optical device 1 of the first embodiment, and as explained using Figure 6, the detection amount T related to the content of impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be further increased. As the detection amount T increases further, the content of the impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be determined with even greater accuracy.

[0063] As described above, in the optical device 2 according to this embodiment, by providing the first reflecting surface 202 and the second reflecting surface 201, the light from the light source 100 can be efficiently irradiated onto the object 103. Moreover, it is possible to efficiently illuminate the object 103 located outside the reflective element 200. By adopting the above configuration, the number of times that light travels back and forth between the object 103 and the second reflecting surface 201, that is, the number of times that light is reflected by the object 103, can be further increased.

[0064] [Third embodiment] 9(a) and 9(b) are a partial perspective view and a partial top view, respectively, of an optical device 3 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9(c) shows a cross-sectional view of the optical device 3 according to the third embodiment taken along line 9C-9C in FIG. 9(a). The optical device 3 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the optical device 2 of the second embodiment, except that it has a reflecting element 300 instead of the reflecting element 200. Therefore, the same components are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.

[0065] The optical device 3 according to this embodiment includes a light source 100, a reflecting element 300, and a substrate 105.

[0066] The reflecting element 300 has a function of reflecting light emitted from the light source 100 and light reflected by the object 103, and is made of a resin material. As the material for the reflecting element 300, various materials such as metal may be used instead of resin.

[0067] In addition, in the optical device 3 according to this embodiment, the reflecting element 300 is formed with a second reflecting surface 301, a first reflecting surface 302, and a third reflecting surface 303, all of which are mirror surfaces on which metal vapor deposition has been performed. Instead of applying metal vapor deposition to the second reflecting surface 301, the first reflecting surface 302, and the third reflecting surface 303, various reflecting means such as total reflection or gloss coating may be provided.

[0068] The first reflecting surface 302 and the third reflecting surface 303 each have a curved surface defined by the above formula (2), where the point of intersection with the optical axis is the origin, the axis parallel to the optical axis is the X-axis, and the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis is the YZ cross section. Specifically, the first reflecting surface 302 and the third reflecting surface 303 are each aspheric surfaces with a Conic coefficient K in the range of −1.0≦K<0.0, as indicated by the hatched areas in FIG. 9(a). More specifically, the first reflecting surface 302 and the third reflecting surface 303 are part of an ellipsoid of revolution with a radius of curvature R of 7.5 mm and a Conic coefficient K of −0.444.

[0069] Furthermore, the optical axis passing through the vertex and focal point of each of the first reflecting surface 302 and the third reflecting surface 303 is tilted by 20.964° with respect to the reference plane.

[0070] The second reflecting surface 301 has a retroreflective function, that is, it is a retroreflective surface, and specifically has a shape in which a large number of minute corner cubes are arranged. As the second reflecting surface 301, a retroreflective surface having various shapes with a retroreflective function, such as an arrangement of many minute spheres, may be used instead of the many minute corner cubes.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 9( c ), the light source 100 is positioned so as to include one focus of the first reflecting surface 302 . The light receiving element 104 is disposed so as to include one of the focal points of the third reflecting surface 303 .

[0072] Furthermore, the first reflecting surface 302 and the third reflecting surface 303 are formed in the reflecting element 300 so that the other focal points of the first reflecting surface 302 and the other focal points of the third reflecting surface 303 are located close to each other. The object 103 is placed so as to include at least one of the other focal points of the first reflecting surface 302 and the third reflecting surface 303 .

[0073] As shown in FIG. 9( c ), in the optical device 3 according to this embodiment, part of the light emitted from the light source 100 is incident on the first reflecting surface 302 . The light reflected by the first reflecting surface 302 toward the object 103 is reflected by the object 103 , and then part of the light is incident on the second reflecting surface 301 and the third reflecting surface 303 .

[0074] Next, the light incident on the second reflecting surface 301 is retroreflected by the second reflecting surface 301 and is incident on the object 103 again. Then, a part of the light reflected again by the object 103 is incident on the second reflecting surface 301 and the third reflecting surface 303 . Then, a part of the light reflected by the third reflecting surface 303 is incident on the light receiving element 104 .

[0075] By adopting the above-described configuration, the optical device 3 of this embodiment makes it possible to guide light that has traveled back and forth between the object 103 and the second reflecting surface 301 10 or more times, i.e., light that has been reflected by the object 103 10 or more times, to the light receiving element 104.

[0076] As a result, the number of reflections by the object 103 increases compared to the optical device 1 of the first embodiment, and as explained using Figure 6, the detection amount T related to the content of impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be further increased. As the detection amount T increases further, the content of the impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be determined with even greater accuracy.

[0077] As described above, in the optical device 3 according to this embodiment, by providing the first reflecting surface 302 and the second reflecting surface 301, the light from the light source 100 can be efficiently irradiated onto the object 103. Moreover, it is possible to efficiently illuminate the object 103 located outside the reflecting element 300. In addition, by forming the second reflecting surface 301 so as to have a retroreflective function, the thickness of the reflecting element 300 can be made thinner than that of the optical device 2 according to the second embodiment.

[0078] [Fourth embodiment] 10(a) and 10(b) are respectively a partial perspective view and a partial top view of an optical device 4 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10(c) shows a cross-sectional view of the optical device 4 according to the fourth embodiment taken along line 10C-10C in FIG. 10(a). The optical device 4 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the optical device 2 of the second embodiment, except that it has a reflecting element 400 instead of the reflecting element 200. Therefore, the same components are given the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0079] The optical device 4 according to this embodiment includes a light source 100, a reflecting element 400, and a substrate 105.

[0080] The reflecting element 400 has a function of reflecting light emitted from the light source 100 and light reflected by the object 103, and is made of a resin material. As the material for the reflecting element 400, various materials such as metal may be used instead of resin.

[0081] In addition, in the optical device 4 according to this embodiment, the reflecting element 400 is formed with a second reflecting surface 401, a first reflecting surface 402, and a third reflecting surface 403, all of which are mirror surfaces on which metal vapor deposition has been performed. Instead of metal deposition on the second reflecting surface 401, the first reflecting surface 402 and the third reflecting surface 403, various reflecting means such as total reflection or gloss coating may be provided.

[0082] The first reflecting surface 402 and the third reflecting surface 403 each have a curved surface defined by the above formula (2), where the point of intersection with the optical axis is the origin, the axis parallel to the optical axis is the X-axis, and the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis is the YZ cross section. Specifically, the first reflecting surface 402 and the third reflecting surface 403 are each aspheric surfaces with a Conic coefficient K in the range of −1.0≦K<0.0, as indicated by the hatched areas in FIG. 10(a). More specifically, the first reflecting surface 402 and the third reflecting surface 403 are part of an ellipsoid of revolution with a radius of curvature R of 7.5 mm and a Conic coefficient K of −0.444.

[0083] Furthermore, the optical axis passing through the vertex and focal point of each of the first reflecting surface 402 and the third reflecting surface 403 is tilted by 20.964° with respect to the reference plane.

[0084] The second reflecting surface 401 is composed of a first partially reflecting surface 4011 , a second partially reflecting surface 4012 and a third partially reflecting surface 4013 . The first partially reflecting surface 4011 is a part of a spherical surface with a radius of curvature R of 15 mm and a Conic coefficient K of 0.

[0085] Second partially reflecting surface 4012 is a part of a spherical surface with a radius of curvature R of 16.5 mm and a Conic coefficient K of 0. The third partially reflecting surface 4013 is a part of a spherical surface with a radius of curvature R of 18 mm and a Conic coefficient K of 0. The centers of first partially reflecting surface 4011, second partially reflecting surface 4012, and third partially reflecting surface 4013 are all at the same position.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 10( c ), the light source 100 is positioned so as to include one focus of the first reflecting surface 402 . The light receiving element 104 is disposed so as to include one of the focal points of the third reflecting surface 403 .

[0087] In addition, the second reflecting surface 401, the first reflecting surface 402 and the third reflecting surface 403 are formed in the reflecting element 400 so that the other focal points of the first reflecting surface 402 and the third reflecting surface 403 are located near the center of the second reflecting surface 401, i.e., the center of the first partial reflecting surface 4011, the second partial reflecting surface 4012 and the third partial reflecting surface 4013, respectively. The object 103 is placed so as to include at least one of the other focal points of the first reflecting surface 402 and the third reflecting surface 403 .

[0088] As shown in FIG. 10( c ), in the optical device 4 according to this embodiment, a portion of the light emitted from the light source 100 is incident on the first reflecting surface 402 . The light reflected by the first reflecting surface 402 toward the object 103 is reflected by the object 103 , and then part of the light is incident on the second reflecting surface 401 and the third reflecting surface 403 .

[0089] Next, the light incident on the second reflecting surface 401 is reflected by the second reflecting surface 401 and is incident on the object 103 again. Then, a part of the light reflected again by the object 103 is incident on the second reflecting surface 401 and the third reflecting surface 403 . Then, a part of the light reflected by the third reflecting surface 403 is incident on the light receiving element 104 .

[0090] By adopting the above-described configuration, the optical device 4 of this embodiment makes it possible to guide light that has traveled back and forth between the object 103 and the second reflecting surface 401 10 or more times, i.e., light that has been reflected by the object 103 10 or more times, to the light receiving element 104.

[0091] As a result, the number of reflections by the object 103 increases compared to the optical device 1 of the first embodiment, and as explained using Figure 6, the detection amount T related to the content of impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be further increased. As the detection amount T increases further, the content of the impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be determined with even greater accuracy.

[0092] As described above, in the optical device 4 according to this embodiment, by providing the first reflecting surface 402 and the second reflecting surface 401, the light from the light source 100 can be efficiently irradiated onto the object 103. Moreover, it is possible to efficiently illuminate the object 103 located outside the reflecting element 400.

[0093] In addition, by providing the first partially reflective surface 4011, the second partially reflective surface 4012, and the third partially reflective surface 4013, which are parts of spherical surfaces each having a different radius of curvature R, as the second reflective surface 401, the thickness of the reflective element 400 can be made thinner than that of the optical device 2 of the second embodiment. Furthermore, even if the radii of curvature R of the first partially reflective surface 4011, the second partially reflective surface 4012, and the third partially reflective surface 4013 are made the same as each other, that is, even if the second reflective surface 401 is designed to have the shape of a Fresnel surface, the same effect as that of the optical device 4 of this embodiment can be obtained.

[0094] [Fifth embodiment] 11(a) and 11(b) are a partial perspective view and a partial top view, respectively, of an optical device 5 according to the fifth embodiment. 11(c), (d), and (e) show cross-sectional views of the optical device 5 according to the fifth embodiment taken along lines 11C-11C, 11D-11D, and 11E-11E in FIG. 11(a), respectively.

[0095] The optical device 5 according to this embodiment includes a first light source 1001 , a second light source 1002 , a reflecting element 500 , and a substrate 1005 .

[0096] The first light source 1001 and the second light source 1002 are each a light emitting means such as a light emitting diode (LED). Note that, instead of the light emitting diode, a light emitting element or a light emitting device such as a laser light source or a spectral light source may be used as the first light source 1001 and the second light source 1002. The light receiving element 1003 is a light receiving means such as a photodiode (PD). The substrate 1005 is a member that holds the first light source 1001, the second light source 1002, and the light receiving element 1003, and has an opening 1005a formed therein.

[0097] The reflecting element 500 has a function of reflecting light from the first light source 1001 and the second light source 1002 and light from the object 103, and is made of a resin material. As the material for the reflecting element 500, various materials such as metal may be used instead of resin.

[0098] In addition, in the optical device 5 of this embodiment, the reflecting element 500 is formed with a second reflecting surface 501, a first reflecting surface 502, a fourth reflecting surface 503 (first reflecting surface), and a third reflecting surface 504, all of which are mirror surfaces with metal vapor deposition. Instead of metal deposition on the second reflecting surface 501, the first reflecting surface 502, the fourth reflecting surface 503 and the third reflecting surface 504, various reflecting means such as total reflection or gloss coating may be provided.

[0099] The second reflecting surface 501, the first reflecting surface 502, the fourth reflecting surface 503, and the third reflecting surface 504 each have a curved surface defined by the above formula (2), where the point of intersection with the optical axis is the origin, the axis parallel to the optical axis is the X-axis, and the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis is the YZ cross section.

[0100] The first reflecting surface 502, the fourth reflecting surface 503, and the third reflecting surface 504 are each aspheric surfaces with a Conic coefficient K in the range of −1.0≦K<0.0, as shown by the shaded areas in FIG. 11(a). Specifically, the first reflecting surface 502, the fourth reflecting surface 503, and the third reflecting surface 504 are part of an ellipsoid of revolution with a radius of curvature R of 7.5 mm and a Conic coefficient K of −0.444.

[0101] Furthermore, the optical axis passing through the vertex and focal point of each of the first reflecting surface 502, the fourth reflecting surface 503, and the third reflecting surface 504 is tilted by 20.964° with respect to the reference plane. The second reflecting surface 501 is a part of a spherical surface with a radius of curvature R of 18 mm and a Conic coefficient K of 0.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 11( c ), the first light source 1001 is disposed so as to include one focal point of the first reflecting surface 502 . As shown in FIG. 11( d ), the second light source 1002 is disposed so as to include one of the focal points of the fourth reflecting surface 503 . 11(e), the light receiving element 1003 is disposed so as to include one of the focal points of the third reflecting surface 504.

[0103] The second reflecting surface 501, the first reflecting surface 502, the fourth reflecting surface 503 and the third reflecting surface 504 are formed in the reflecting element 500 so that the other focal points of the first reflecting surface 502, the fourth reflecting surface 503 and the third reflecting surface 504 are positioned near the center of the second reflecting surface 501. Furthermore, the object 103 is disposed so as to include at least one of the other focal points of the first reflecting surface 502, the fourth reflecting surface 503, and the third reflecting surface 504, respectively.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 11( c ), in the optical device 5 according to this embodiment, part of the light emitted from the first light source 1001 is incident on the first reflecting surface 502 . The light reflected by the first reflecting surface 502 toward the object 103 is reflected by the object 103 , and then part of the light is incident on the second reflecting surface 501 and the third reflecting surface 504 .

[0105] Next, the light incident on the second reflecting surface 501 is reflected by the second reflecting surface 501 and is incident on the object 103 again. Then, a part of the light reflected again by the object 103 is incident on the second reflecting surface 501 and the third reflecting surface 504 . As shown in FIG. 11( e ), part of the light reflected by the third reflecting surface 504 is incident on the light receiving element 1003 .

[0106] 11(d), in the optical device 5 according to this embodiment, a part of the light emitted from the second light source 1002 is incident on the fourth reflecting surface 503. As shown in FIG. The light reflected by the fourth reflecting surface 503 toward the object 103 is reflected by the object 103 , and then part of the light is incident on the second reflecting surface 501 and the third reflecting surface 504 .

[0107] Next, the light incident on the second reflecting surface 501 is reflected by the second reflecting surface 501 and is incident on the object 103 again. Then, a part of the light reflected again by the object 103 is incident on the second reflecting surface 501 and the third reflecting surface 504 . As shown in FIG. 11( e ), part of the light reflected by the third reflecting surface 504 is incident on the light receiving element 1003 .

[0108] By adopting the above-described configuration, the optical device 5 of this embodiment makes it possible to guide light that has traveled back and forth between the object 103 and the second reflecting surface 501 10 or more times, i.e., light that has been reflected by the object 103 10 or more times, to the light receiving element 1003.

[0109] As a result, the number of reflections by the object 103 increases compared to the optical device 1 of the first embodiment, and as explained using Figure 6, the detection amount T related to the content of impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be further increased. As the detection amount T increases further, the content of the impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be determined with even greater accuracy.

[0110] As described above, in the optical device 5 of this embodiment, by providing the first reflecting surface 502, the fourth reflecting surface 503, and the second reflecting surface 501, the light from the light source 100 can be efficiently irradiated onto the object 103. Moreover, it is possible to efficiently illuminate the object 103 located outside the reflecting element 500.

[0111] In addition, in the optical device 5 according to this embodiment, the wavelengths of the light emitted from the first light source 1001 and the second light source 1002 are made different from each other, so that the light can interact with various impurities 1032 in the object 103. In this case, a plurality of light receiving elements 1003 may be provided so as to be able to receive light of a plurality of wavelengths. Furthermore, by providing a filter to the light receiving element 1003, it is possible to select the wavelength of the light to be received.

[0112] [Sixth embodiment] 12(a) and 12(b) are respectively a partial perspective view and a partial top view of an optical device 6 according to a sixth embodiment. 12(c), (d), and (e) show cross-sectional views of the optical device 6 according to the sixth embodiment taken along lines 12C-12C, 12D-12D, and 12E-12E in FIG. 12(a), respectively. The optical device 6 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the optical device 5 of the fifth embodiment, except that it has a reflecting element 600 instead of the reflecting element 500. Therefore, the same components are given the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0113] The optical device 6 according to this embodiment includes a first light source 1001 , a second light source 1002 , a reflecting element 600 , and a substrate 1005 .

[0114] The reflecting element 600 has a function of reflecting light from the first light source 1001 and the second light source 1002 and light from the object 103, and is made of a resin material. As the material for the reflecting element 600, various materials such as metal may be used instead of resin.

[0115] In addition, in the optical device 6 of this embodiment, the reflecting element 600 is formed with a second reflecting surface 601, a first reflecting surface 602, a fourth reflecting surface 603 (first reflecting surface), and a third reflecting surface 604, all of which are mirror surfaces with metal vapor deposition. Instead of metal deposition on the second reflecting surface 601, the first reflecting surface 602, the fourth reflecting surface 603 and the third reflecting surface 604, various reflecting means such as total reflection or gloss coating may be provided.

[0116] The second reflecting surface 601, the first reflecting surface 602, the fourth reflecting surface 603, and the third reflecting surface 604 each have a curved surface defined by the above formula (2), where the point of intersection with the optical axis is the origin, the axis parallel to the optical axis is the X-axis, and the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis is the YZ cross section.

[0117] The first reflecting surface 602, the fourth reflecting surface 603, and the third reflecting surface 604 are each aspheric surfaces whose Conic coefficient K is in the range of −1.0≦K<0.0, as shown by the shaded areas in FIG. 12(a). Specifically, the first reflecting surface 602, the fourth reflecting surface 603, and the third reflecting surface 604 are part of a paraboloid of revolution with a radius of curvature R of 9 mm and a Conic coefficient K of -1.

[0118] Furthermore, the optical axis passing through the vertex and focal point of each of the first reflecting surface 602, the fourth reflecting surface 603, and the third reflecting surface 604 is inclined by 20° with respect to the reference plane. The second reflecting surface 601 is a part of a spherical surface with a radius of curvature R of 18 mm and a Conic coefficient K of 0.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 12( c ), the first light source 1001 is disposed so as to include the focal point (first focal point) of the first reflecting surface 602 . As shown in FIG. 12(d), the second light source 1002 is disposed so as to include the focal point (first focal point) of the fourth reflecting surface 603.

[0120] 12(e), the light receiving element 1003 is disposed so as to include the focal point of the third reflecting surface 604. The object 103 is placed so as to include the vicinity of the center of the second reflecting surface 601 .

[0121] As shown in FIG. 12( c ), in the optical device 6 according to this embodiment, part of the light emitted from the first light source 1001 is incident on the first reflecting surface 602 . The light reflected by the first reflecting surface 602 toward the object 103 is reflected by the object 103 , and then part of the light is incident on the second reflecting surface 601 and the third reflecting surface 604 .

[0122] Next, the light incident on the second reflecting surface 601 is reflected by the second reflecting surface 601 and is incident on the object 103 again. Then, a part of the light reflected again by the object 103 is incident on the second reflecting surface 601 and the third reflecting surface 604 . As shown in FIG. 12( e ), part of the light reflected by the third reflecting surface 604 is incident on the light receiving element 1003 .

[0123] 12(d), in the optical device 6 according to this embodiment, part of the light emitted from the second light source 1002 is incident on the fourth reflecting surface 603. As shown in FIG. The light reflected by the fourth reflecting surface 603 toward the object 103 is reflected by the object 103 , and then part of the light is incident on the second reflecting surface 601 and the third reflecting surface 604 .

[0124] Next, the light incident on the second reflecting surface 601 is reflected by the second reflecting surface 601 and is incident on the object 103 again. Then, a part of the light reflected again by the object 103 is incident on the second reflecting surface 601 and the third reflecting surface 604 . As shown in FIG. 12( e ), part of the light reflected by the third reflecting surface 604 is incident on the light receiving element 1003 .

[0125] By adopting the above-described configuration, the optical device 6 of this embodiment makes it possible to guide light that has traveled back and forth between the object 103 and the second reflecting surface 601 10 or more times, i.e., light that has been reflected by the object 103 10 or more times, to the light receiving element 1003.

[0126] As a result, the number of reflections by the object 103 increases compared to the optical device 1 of the first embodiment, and as explained using Figure 6, the detection amount T related to the content of impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be further increased. As the detection amount T increases further, the content of the impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be determined with even greater accuracy.

[0127] As described above, in the optical device 6 of this embodiment, by providing the first reflecting surface 602, the fourth reflecting surface 603, and the second reflecting surface 601, the light from the light source 100 can be efficiently irradiated onto the object 103. Moreover, it is possible to efficiently illuminate the object 103 located outside the reflective element 600.

[0128] In addition, in the optical device 6 according to this embodiment, the first reflecting surface 602, the fourth reflecting surface 603, and the third reflecting surface 604 are designed to be part of a paraboloid of revolution, thereby enabling the object 103 to be uniformly illuminated. This makes it possible to reduce the change in the amount of light received by the light receiving element 1003, that is, the detection amount T, even if the position of the object 103 changes.

[0129] [Seventh embodiment] 13(a) and 13(b) are respectively a partial perspective view and a partial top view of an optical device 7 according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 13(c) shows a cross section of the optical device 7 according to the seventh embodiment taken along a cross section perpendicular to the reference plane.

[0130] The optical device 7 according to this embodiment includes a light source unit 703 , a reflecting element 700 , and a substrate 105 .

[0131] The light source unit 703 is composed of a light source 7031 and an illumination lens 7032 . The light source 7031 is a light emitting means such as a light emitting diode (LED), etc. As the light source 7031, a light emitting element or light emitting device such as a laser light source or a spectral light source may be used instead of a light emitting diode. Furthermore, the illumination lens 7032 performs a predetermined refraction action on the light emitted from the light source 7031 .

[0132] The light receiving unit 704 is composed of a light receiving element 7041 and an imaging lens 7042 . The light receiving element 7041 is a light receiving means such as a photodiode (PD). The imaging lens 7042 also focuses the incident light onto the light receiving element 7041 .

[0133] The substrate 105 is a member that holds the light source unit 703 and the light receiving unit 704, and has an opening 105a formed therein.

[0134] The reflecting element 700 has a function of reflecting light from the light source unit 703 and light from the object 103, and is made of a resin material. As the material for the reflecting element 700, various materials such as metal may be used instead of resin.

[0135] In the optical device 7 according to this embodiment, the reflecting element 700 is formed with a second reflecting surface 701 and a first reflecting surface 702, both of which are mirror surfaces on which metal vapor deposition has been performed. Instead of metal deposition on the second reflecting surface 701 and the first reflecting surface 702, various reflecting means such as total reflection or gloss coating may be provided. As will be described below, in the optical device 7 according to this embodiment, the first reflecting surface 702 also functions as the third reflecting surface in the optical devices according to the first to sixth embodiments.

[0136] The second reflecting surface 701 and the first reflecting surface 702 each have a curved surface defined by the above formula (2), where the point of intersection with the optical axis is the origin, the axis parallel to the optical axis is the X-axis, and the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis is the YZ cross section.

[0137] The first reflecting surface 702 is an aspherical surface with a Conic coefficient K in the range of −1.0≦K<0.0, as indicated by the hatched area in FIG. 13(a). Specifically, the first reflecting surface 702 is a part of a paraboloid of revolution with a radius of curvature R of 28.8 mm and a Conic coefficient K of −1.

[0138] Furthermore, the optical axis passing through the vertex and focal point of the first reflecting surface 702 is inclined by 90° with respect to the reference plane. The second reflecting surface 701 is a part of a spherical surface with a radius of curvature R of 18 mm and a Conic coefficient K of 0.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 13( c ), the light source unit 703 is arranged so that light emitted from the light source 7031 is condensed near the center of the second reflecting surface 701 via the first reflecting surface 702 . The light receiving unit 704 is disposed so that light (divergent light) from the vicinity of the center of the second reflecting surface 701 is condensed onto the light receiving element 7041 via the first reflecting surface 702 .

[0140] Furthermore, the second reflecting surface 701 and the first reflecting surface 702 are formed in the reflecting element 700 so that the center of the second reflecting surface 701 and the focal point of the first reflecting surface 702 are close to each other. The object 103 is placed so as to include at least one of the center of the second reflecting surface 701 and the focal point of the first reflecting surface 702 .

[0141] As shown in FIG. 13( c ), in the optical device 7 according to this embodiment, light emitted from the light source 7031 passes through the illumination lens 7032 and then enters the first reflecting surface 702 . The light reflected by the first reflecting surface 702 toward the object 103 is reflected by the object 103 , and then part of the light is incident on the second reflecting surface 701 and the first reflecting surface 702 .

[0142] Next, the light incident on the second reflecting surface 701 is reflected by the second reflecting surface 701 and is incident on the object 103 again. Then, a part of the light reflected again by the object 103 is incident on the second reflecting surface 701 and the first reflecting surface 702 . A part of the light reflected by the first reflecting surface 702 passes through the imaging lens 7042 and then enters the light receiving element 7041 .

[0143] By adopting the above-described configuration in the optical device 7 of this embodiment, it becomes possible to guide light that has traveled back and forth between the object 103 and the second reflecting surface 701 10 or more times, i.e., light that has been reflected by the object 103 10 or more times, to the light receiving element 7041.

[0144] As a result, the number of reflections by the object 103 increases compared to the optical device 1 of the first embodiment, and as explained using Figure 6, the detection amount T related to the content of impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be further increased. As the detection amount T increases further, the content of the impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be determined with even greater accuracy.

[0145] As described above, in the optical device 7 according to this embodiment, by providing the first reflecting surface 702 and the second reflecting surface 701, the light from the light source 7031 can be efficiently irradiated onto the object 103. Moreover, it is possible to efficiently illuminate the object 103 located outside the reflective element 700.

[0146] In addition, in the optical device 7 according to this embodiment, the first reflecting surface 702 is designed to be part of a paraboloid of revolution, and the optical axis of the first reflecting surface 702 is tilted by 90° relative to the reference plane, thereby increasing the area (reflecting area, effective area) onto which light is incident on the first reflecting surface 702. This makes it possible to expand the area in which the light source 7031 and the light receiving element 7041 can be arranged.

[0147] [Eighth embodiment] FIG. 14(a) shows a partial projection view of an optical device 8 according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 14(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the optical device 8 according to the eighth embodiment taken along line 14B-14B in FIG. 14(a).

[0148] The optical device 8 according to this embodiment includes a light source 100, a first reflecting element 800a, a second reflecting element 800b, and a first substrate 1051.

[0149] The light source 100 is a light emitting means such as a light emitting diode (LED). Note that the light source 100 may be a light emitting element or light emitting device such as a laser light source or a spectral light source, instead of a light emitting diode. The light receiving element 104 is a light receiving means such as a photodiode (PD). The first substrate 1051 and the second substrate 1052 are members that hold the light source 100 and the light receiving element 104, respectively.

[0150] First reflecting element 800a has a function of reflecting light emitted from light source 100 and light reflected by object 103, and is made of a resin material. Second reflecting element 800b has the function of reflecting light that has passed through object 103, and is made of a resin. As the material for first reflecting element 800a and second reflecting element 800b, various materials such as metal may be used instead of resin.

[0151] In the optical device 8 according to this embodiment, the first reflecting element 800a is formed with a second reflecting surface 801a and a first reflecting surface 802a, both of which are mirror surfaces on which metal deposition has been performed. The second reflecting element 800b is also formed with a fourth reflecting surface 801b (second reflecting surface) and a third reflecting surface 802b, both of which are mirror surfaces on which metal deposition has been performed. Instead of metal deposition on the second reflecting surface 801a, the first reflecting surface 802a, the fourth reflecting surface 801b, and the third reflecting surface 802b, various reflecting means such as total reflection or gloss coating may be provided.

[0152] The second reflecting surface 801a, the first reflecting surface 802a, the fourth reflecting surface 801b, and the third reflecting surface 802b each have a curved surface defined by the above formula (2), where the point of intersection with the optical axis is the origin, the axis parallel to the optical axis is the X-axis, and the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis is the YZ cross section.

[0153] The first reflecting surface 802a and the third reflecting surface 802b are each aspheric surfaces with a Conic coefficient K in the range of -1.0≦K<0.0, as indicated by the hatched areas in FIG. 14(a). Specifically, the first reflecting surface 802a and the third reflecting surface 802b are part of an ellipsoid of revolution with a radius of curvature R of 7.5 mm and a Conic coefficient K of −0.444.

[0154] Furthermore, the optical axis passing through the vertex and focal point of each of the first reflecting surface 802a and the third reflecting surface 802b is inclined by 20.964° with respect to the reference plane. The second reflecting surface 801a and the fourth reflecting surface 801b are part of a spherical surface with a radius of curvature R of 18 mm and a Conic coefficient K of 0.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 14(b), the light source 100 is disposed so as to include one focal point of the first reflecting surface 802a. The light receiving element 104 is also disposed so as to include one of the focal points of the third reflecting surface 802b.

[0156] In addition, the first reflecting element 800a is formed with the first reflecting surface 802a and the second reflecting surface 801a, and the second reflecting element 800b is formed with the third reflecting surface 802b and the fourth reflecting surface 801b, so that the other focal points of the first reflecting surface 802a and the third reflecting surface 802b are positioned near the centers of the second reflecting surface 801a and the fourth reflecting surface 801b, respectively. The object 103 is placed so as to include at least one of the other focal points of the first reflecting surface 802a and the third reflecting surface 802b.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 14(b), in the optical device 8 according to this embodiment, part of the light emitted from the light source 100 is incident on the first reflecting surface 802a. The light reflected by the first reflecting surface 802 a toward the object 103 is reflected by the object 103 or passes through the object 103 .

[0158] Next, a portion of the light reflected by the object 103 is incident on the second reflecting surface 801a. On the other hand, a part of the light that has passed through the object 103 is incident on the fourth reflecting surface 801b.

[0159] Next, the light incident on the second reflecting surface 801 a is reflected by the second reflecting surface 801 a and then incident on the object 103 again, and is then reflected by the object 103 or passes through the object 103 . Furthermore, the light reflected by the fourth reflecting surface 801b toward the object 103 is reflected by the object 103 toward the fourth reflecting surface 801b or the third reflecting surface 802b, or passes through the object 103. A part of the light reflected by the third reflecting surface 802b is incident on the light receiving element 104.

[0160] FIG. 15(a) is a schematic diagram showing how light is reflected by or transmitted through an object 103a in the optical device 8 according to this embodiment. FIG. 15(b) is a schematic diagram showing how light is reflected by or transmitted through an object 103b in the optical device 8 according to this embodiment.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 15( a ), it is assumed that the object 103 a contains only the main substance 1031 and does not contain the impurity 1032 . At this time, when light A reflected by the first reflecting surface 802a is incident on the object 103a, light A interacts with the main substance 1031 inside the object 103a, causing light B to be diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103a and light I to be diffusely transmitted through the back surface of the object 103a. Here, the front and back surfaces of the object 103a are the surfaces facing the second reflecting surface 801a and the fourth reflecting surface 801b of the object 103a, respectively.

[0162] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15(b), it is assumed that the object 103b contains impurities 1032 in addition to the main substance 1031. At this time, when light A reflected by the first reflecting surface 802a is incident on the object 103b, light A interacts with the main substance 1031 and the impurity 1032 inside the object 103b, causing light C to be diffusely reflected from the surface of the object 103b and light J to be diffusely transmitted through the back surface of the object 103b.

[0163] Therefore, in the optical device 8 according to this embodiment, the light I transmitted through the object 103a and the light J transmitted through the object 103b are detected using the light receiving element 104, and the respective light intensities are compared with each other. This makes it possible to detect the ratio of the impurities 1032 to the main substance 1031 in the object 103b.

[0164] By adopting the above-described configuration in the optical device 8 of this embodiment, it becomes possible to guide light that has traveled back and forth between the object 103 and the second reflecting surface 801a and the fourth reflecting surface 801b 10 or more times, i.e., light that has been reflected by the object 103 10 or more times, to the light receiving element 104.

[0165] As a result, the number of reflections by the object 103 increases compared to the optical device 1 of the first embodiment, and as explained using Figure 6, the detection amount T related to the content of impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be further increased. As the detection amount T increases further, the content of the impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be determined with even greater accuracy.

[0166] As described above, in the optical device 8 of this embodiment, by providing the first reflecting surface 802a, the second reflecting surface 801a, and the fourth reflecting surface 801b, the light from the light source 100 can be efficiently irradiated onto the object 103. Moreover, it is possible to efficiently illuminate the object 103 located outside the first reflecting element 800a and the second reflecting element 800b. Additionally, the optical device 8 according to this embodiment can also detect light that has passed through the object 103 .

[0167] In the optical device 8 according to this embodiment, the first reflecting element 800a and the second reflecting element 800b are provided as separate bodies, but the present invention is not limited to this and they may be provided as an integral body. Furthermore, in the optical device 8 according to this embodiment, the first substrate 1051 and the second substrate 1052 are provided as separate bodies, but this is not limiting and they may be provided as an integrated body.

[0168] [Ninth embodiment] FIG. 16(a) shows a partial projection view of an optical device 9 according to a ninth embodiment. FIG. 16(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the optical device 9 according to the ninth embodiment taken along line 16B-16B in FIG. 16(a).

[0169] The optical device 9 according to this embodiment includes a light source 100, a reflecting element 900, and a first substrate 1051.

[0170] The light source 100 is a light emitting means such as a light emitting diode (LED). Note that the light source 100 may be a light emitting element or light emitting device such as a laser light source or a spectral light source, instead of a light emitting diode. The light receiving element 104 is a light receiving means such as a photodiode (PD). The first substrate 1051 and the second substrate 1052 are members that hold the light source 100 and the light receiving element 104, respectively.

[0171] The reflecting element 900 has a function of reflecting light emitted from the light source 100 and light reflected by the object 103, and is made of a resin material. As the material for the reflecting element 900, various materials such as metal may be used instead of resin.

[0172] In the optical device 9 according to this embodiment, the reflecting element 900 is formed with a second reflecting surface 901 and a first reflecting surface 902, both of which are mirror surfaces on which metal deposition has been performed. Instead of applying metal vapor deposition to the second reflecting surface 901 and the first reflecting surface 902, various reflecting means such as total reflection or gloss coating may be provided. In addition, in a part of the reflecting element 900 including the second reflecting surface 901, an opening 905 (second opening) is formed through which a part of the light reflected by the object 103 passes, as shown in Figures 16(a) and (b).

[0173] The second reflecting surface 901 and the first reflecting surface 902 each have a curved surface defined by the above formula (2), where the point of intersection with the optical axis is the origin, the axis parallel to the optical axis is the X-axis, and the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis is the YZ cross section.

[0174] The first reflecting surface 902 is an aspherical surface with a Conic coefficient K in the range of −1.0≦K<0.0, as indicated by the hatched area in FIG. 16(a). Specifically, the first reflecting surface 902 is a part of an ellipsoid of revolution with a radius of curvature R of 7.5 mm and a Conic coefficient K of −0.444.

[0175] Furthermore, the optical axis passing through the vertex and focal point of the first reflecting surface 902 is inclined by 20.964° with respect to the reference surface. The second reflecting surface 901 is a part of a spherical surface with a radius of curvature R of 18 mm and a Conic coefficient K of 0.

[0176] As shown in FIG. 16( b ), the light source 100 is disposed so as to include one focus of the first reflecting surface 902 . On the other hand, the light receiving element 104 is disposed outside the reflecting element 900 .

[0177] Furthermore, the first reflecting surface 902 and the second reflecting surface 901 are formed in the reflecting element 900 so that the other focal point of the first reflecting surface 902 is located near the center of the second reflecting surface 901 . The object 103 is positioned so as to include the other focal point of the first reflecting surface 902 .

[0178] In the optical device 9 according to this embodiment, the distance between the center of the light source 100 and the center of the light receiving element 104 is equal to the distance between the focal points of the first reflecting surface 902 within the reference plane.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 16( b ), in the optical device 9 according to this embodiment, part of the light emitted from the light source 100 is incident on the first reflecting surface 902 . Then, after the light is reflected by the first reflecting surface 902 toward the object 103, a portion of the light is incident on the second reflecting surface 901 or passes through the opening 905 and then incident on the light receiving element 104.

[0180] Next, the light incident on the second reflecting surface 901 is reflected by the second reflecting surface 901 and is incident on the object 103 again. Then, a part of the light reflected again by the object 103 is incident on the second reflecting surface 901 again, or passes through the opening 905 and then is incident on the light receiving element 104 .

[0181] By adopting the above-described configuration, the optical device 9 of this embodiment makes it possible to guide light that has traveled back and forth between the object 103 and the second reflecting surface 901 10 or more times, i.e., light that has been reflected by the object 103 10 or more times, to the light receiving element 104.

[0182] As a result, the number of reflections by the object 103 increases compared to the optical device 1 of the first embodiment, and as explained using Figure 6, the detection amount T related to the content of impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be further increased. As the detection amount T increases further, the content of the impurities 1032 in the object 103 can be determined with even greater accuracy.

[0183] As described above, in the optical device 9 according to this embodiment, by providing the first reflecting surface 902 and the second reflecting surface 901, the light from the light source 100 can be efficiently irradiated onto the object 103. Moreover, it is possible to efficiently illuminate the object 103 located outside the reflecting element 900. Additionally, in the optical device 9 according to this embodiment, the second substrate 1052 and the object 103 are spaced apart from each other, which increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement of both.

[0184] [Measuring equipment] 17(a) and (b) each show a schematic cross-sectional view of a measurement device 50 according to this embodiment.

[0185] The measuring device 50 of this embodiment includes a light source 100, a reflecting element 200, a light receiving element 104, a substrate 105, an emission control device 1000 (emission control unit), an arithmetic device 2000 (arithmetic unit), a memory device 3000 (memory unit), and an output device 4000 (output unit). The configurations of the light source 100, the reflecting element 200, and the substrate 105 provided in the measurement device 50 according to this embodiment are the same as those of the optical device 2 according to the second embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0186] The light emission control device 1000 controls the amount of light emitted from the light source 100, the timing of light emission, and the like. The calculation device 2000 performs various calculations to calculate the detection amount T and, ultimately, the content of impurities 1032 in the object 103, based on the output of the light receiving element 104, specifically, the amount of light received by the light receiving element 104.

[0187] The storage device 3000 stores the calculation results of the arithmetic device 2000 and outputs the stored calculation results to the arithmetic device 2000. The output device 4000 is, for example, a monitor or an external output terminal, and outputs various calculation results calculated by the calculation device 2000.

[0188] In the measurement device 50 according to this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 17(a), measurement is performed on a standard object 113. Here, as the standard object 113, for example, a standard white plate whose characteristics are known in advance, specifically, whose impurity content is known, is used.

[0189] Specifically, by illuminating the standard object 113 with light that is set by the light emission control device 1000 to be emitted from the light source 100 at a predetermined light intensity, the light receiving element 104 detects the light having the predetermined light intensity, as shown in the second embodiment. The arithmetic unit 2000 then performs averaging or the like on the detected light amount to obtain the light amount I1, and then stores the light amount I1 in the storage unit 3000 as the detection result for the standard object 113.

[0190] Next, the measurement device 50 according to this embodiment performs measurement on the test object 123, as shown in FIG. 17(b). Here, the object to be inspected 123 is an object containing impurities as an inspection target.

[0191] Specifically, by illuminating the test object 123 with light that is set by the light emission control device 1000 to be emitted from the light source 100 at a predetermined light intensity, the light receiving element 104 detects light having the predetermined light intensity, as shown in the second embodiment. Next, the arithmetic device 2000 performs an averaging process or the like on the detected light amount to obtain the light amount I2.

[0192] The calculation device 2000 then reads out the detection result for the standard object 113, i.e., the light intensity I1, from the memory device 3000, and then calculates the relative light intensity RI and thus the detection amount T from the ratio between the light intensity I1 and the light intensity I2, thereby calculating the impurity content in the test object 123. The results calculated by the arithmetic unit 2000 are then output by the output unit 4000.

[0193] [Image forming device] FIG. 18 shows a sub-scan cross-sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus 60 equipped with a measuring device 50 according to this embodiment.

[0194] The image forming apparatus 60 is a tandem type color image forming apparatus in which four optical scanning devices are arranged in parallel, each recording image information on the surface of a photosensitive drum serving as an image carrier. The image forming apparatus 60 includes optical scanning devices 61, 62, 63, and 64, and photosensitive drums 81, 82, 83, and 84 as image carriers. The image forming apparatus 60 also includes developing units 31 , 32 , 33 , and 34 , a measuring device 50 , a conveyor belt 51 , a printer controller 53 , a fixing unit 54 , and a paper cassette 95 .

[0195] Image forming apparatus 60 receives R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color signals (code data) from external device 52, such as a personal computer. These color signals are converted into C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) image data by printer controller 53 within the apparatus. These image data are input as image signals and image information to optical scanning devices 61, 62, 63, and 64, respectively. These optical scanning devices 61, 62, 63, and 64 then emit light beams 71, 72, 73, and 74 modulated according to the image data for each color. These light beams scan the photosensitive surfaces (scanned surfaces) of photosensitive drums 81, 82, 83, and 84 in the main scanning direction.

[0196] In image forming apparatus 60, for example, a C (cyan) image signal is input to optical scanning device 61, an M (magenta) image signal to optical scanning device 62, a Y (yellow) image signal to optical scanning device 63, and a K (black) image signal to optical scanning device 64. Then, the image signals are recorded in parallel on the photosensitive surfaces of photosensitive drums 81, 82, 83, and 84, respectively, to print a color image at high speed.

[0197] As described above, the image forming apparatus 60 uses light beams based on image data from the four optical scanning devices 61, 62, 63, and 64 to form electrostatic latent images of each color on the photosensitive surfaces of the corresponding photosensitive drums 81, 82, 83, and 84. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent images of each color are developed into toner images of each color by developing units 31, 32, 33, and 34, and the developed toner images of each color are transferred in multiple layers by a transfer unit onto a transfer material conveyed by a conveyor belt 51. The transferred toner images are then fixed by a fixing unit 54, forming a single full-color image.

[0198] In addition, in the image forming apparatus 60, a measuring device 50 according to this embodiment is provided near the paper cassette 95. The amount of moisture contained in the transfer material fed from the paper cassette 95 can be measured using the measuring device 50 of this embodiment, and various adjustments can be made in the image forming device 60 based on the measurement results.

[0199] Furthermore, for example, a color image reading device equipped with a CCD sensor may be used as the external device 52. In this case, the color image reading device and the color image forming device 60 constitute a color digital copying machine. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 60 is not limited to a configuration with four optical scanning devices and four photosensitive drums. For example, it may be configured with only one optical scanning device and one photosensitive drum. It may also be configured with two, three, five or more optical scanning devices and five or more photosensitive drums.

[0200] Although the preferred embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist thereof.

[0201] For example, in the optical devices according to the second to ninth embodiments, the shape of each reflecting surface is defined as in the above formula (2), but this is not limiting, and a higher-order aspherical shape may be added to further improve optical aberration. Furthermore, in the optical devices according to the second to ninth embodiments, all of the aspherical surfaces are formed solely from spheroids of revolution or solely from paraboloids of revolution, but this is not limiting. That is, effects equivalent to those of the present embodiment can be obtained even if some of the aspherical surfaces are formed as spheroids of revolution and the remaining aspherical surfaces are formed as paraboloids of revolution, or even if some of the aspherical surfaces are added with a higher-order aspherical shape.

[0202] Furthermore, in the optical devices according to the second to ninth embodiments, the first and second reflecting surfaces can be formed to be parts of a spherical surface and have different curvatures, thereby achieving the same effect as in this embodiment. Furthermore, in the optical devices according to the second to ninth embodiments, even if the first reflecting surface is formed to be part of a spherical surface and the second reflecting surface is formed to be part of an aspherical surface, the same effect as that of this embodiment can be obtained. In the optical devices according to the first to ninth embodiments, the areas where the light sources and light receiving elements are arranged, the number of light receiving elements, etc. can also be changed within the scope of the gist of the present embodiments.

[0203] Furthermore, in the optical devices according to the first to ninth embodiments, by using a light source that emits multiple light beams with different wavelengths, it is also possible to calculate the content of multiple types of substances contained in an object, in other words, the content of at least one type of substance. In this case, the light receiving element may also be configured to be capable of independently detecting a plurality of lights having different wavelengths. [Explanation of symbols]

[0204] 1 Optical device 100 light sources 101 First Reflecting Surface 102 Second Reflective Surface 103 Object

Claims

1. A light source and A light receiving element; a first reflecting surface that reflects light from the light source toward an object; a second reflecting surface having a shape different from that of the first reflecting surface and reflecting a portion of the light from the object toward the object; a third reflecting surface that reflects a portion of the light reflected by the object after being reflected by the second reflecting surface toward the light receiving element; a calculation unit that calculates the content of at least one type of substance in the object based on the output of the light receiving element.

2. 2. The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second reflecting surfaces have different curvatures.

3. The intersection point with the optical axis is the origin, the axis parallel to the optical axis is the X axis, the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis is the YZ cross section, the radius of curvature is R, and the conic coefficient is K. The shapes of the first, second, and third reflecting surfaces are [Equation 1] When expressed as above, at least one of the first, second and third reflecting surfaces is -1.0≦K<0.0 3. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the following conditions are satisfied:

4. The first reflecting surface is -1.0≦K<0.0 4. The measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the following conditions are satisfied:

5. 5. The measurement apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the light source is disposed so as to include a first focal point of the first reflecting surface.

6. 6. The measurement apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first reflecting surface is a part of an ellipsoid of revolution.

7. 7. The measurement apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the object is positioned so as to include a second focal point of the first reflecting surface.

8. the second reflecting surface is a portion of a spherical surface, 8. The measurement apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second focal point of the first reflecting surface and the center of the second reflecting surface are located at the same position.

9. 6. The measurement apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first reflecting surface is a part of a paraboloid of revolution.

10. 10. The measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate for holding the light source, the substrate having an opening formed therein through which the light reflected by the first reflecting surface passes.

11. 11. The measurement apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the optical axis of the first reflecting surface is non-parallel to the surface of the substrate.

12. 12. The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second reflecting surface is a part of a spherical surface.

13. 12. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the second reflecting surface has a shape in which a large number of minute corner cubes are arranged.

14. 14. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second reflecting surfaces are connected to each other.

15. 15. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the light source emits a plurality of light beams having different wavelengths.

16. 16. The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third reflecting surface is a part of a curved surface having a focal point, and the light receiving element is disposed so as to include the focal point.

17. 17. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving element detects a plurality of light beams each having a different wavelength.

18. 18. An image forming apparatus comprising: an optical scanning device that scans a surface to be scanned; a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface to be scanned by the optical scanning device into a toner image; a transfer device that transfers the developed toner image to a transfer material; a fixing device that fixes the transferred toner image to the transfer material; and the measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, which measures the transfer material as the object.

19. 18. An image forming apparatus comprising: an optical scanning device that scans a surface to be scanned; a printer controller that converts a signal output from an external device into image data and inputs the image data to the optical scanning device; and a measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 17 that measures a transfer material as the object.

Images