Integrated Optical Component for Image Reading Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image reading apparatuses face challenges in miniaturization and focal depth, leading to increased complexity and errors due to the large number of optical components required to maintain image quality across different scanning modes.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus with a minimized number of optical components, featuring a light source, light receiving unit, and an optical system with a splitting component and a common component that splits light in the main direction, allowing for improved imaging performance by reducing the number of optical components and simplifying adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a splitting optical system with multiple optical components is used to maintain image quality across different scanning modes, then imaging performance is improved, but device complexity increases and adjustment becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical components (lens mirror array, reflecting mirrors, diaphragm) into a single integrated optical element. This merging reduces the number of separate components from multiple discrete parts to one unified component, simplifying the overall optical system while maintaining the necessary functionality for image quality across different scanning modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a lens mirror array for light focusing, includes reflecting mirrors for optical path management, incorporates a diaphragm for light control, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing complexity while preserving imaging performance.
2Ease of operation
If multiple optical components are used to split and guide light in different directions, then light distribution control is improved, but adjustment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple optical functions into a single element, the patent eliminates the need for separate adjustment of multiple discrete components. The unified structure allows light distribution control to be achieved through a single adjustment mechanism rather than coordinating multiple independent components, significantly reducing adjustment difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical element contains internally segmented functional zones (lens mirror sections, reflecting surfaces, diaphragm aperture) that work together as a unified system. This internal segmentation maintains precise light distribution control while the external unity simplifies adjustment, as the segmented functions are pre-coordinated within the single component.
3Manufacturing precision
If sensors are disposed in two rows in a staggering manner with multiple optical components, then image overlap is eliminated, but the number of optical components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the optical components necessary to eliminate image overlap (lens mirrors, reflecting mirrors, diaphragm) into a single unified optical element. This merging maintains the precise light path control needed to prevent image overlap while reducing the component count from multiple separate parts to one integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical element simultaneously provides light splitting, path management, and overlap prevention functions through its multi-functional design. The single component performs what would otherwise require multiple specialized components, maintaining image quality while reducing system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves improved imaging performance and reduced complexity by minimizing the number of optical components, facilitating easier adjustment and production while maintaining high image quality across different scanning modes.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that emits light in a main direction toward an object to be read
Implementation Method 2
light reflected from the object to be read
Implementation Method 3
an optical system that allows the light receiving unit to receive the light reflected from the object to be read
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of optical components for guiding the light reflected from the object to be read to each of the plurality of light receiving elements
Implementation Method 5
a splitting component that splits the light reflected from the object to be read in a direction corresponding to the main direction
Implementation Method 6
a light receiving unit that receives light reflected from the object to be read; a plurality of light receiving elements disposed such that a plurality thereof are aligned with a plurality thereof along a direction corresponding to the main direction
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a light source, a light receiving unit, and an optical system. The light receiving unit includes a plurality of light receiving elements. The optical system includes a plurality of optical components for splitting the light reflected from the object to be read, and guiding the split light to each of the plurality of light receiving elements. The plurality of optical components include a splitting component that splits the light reflected from the object to be read in a direction corresponding to a main direction, and a common component provided with a common portion. The common portion has an optically acting area causing a common effect on the tight split by the splitting component. A cross sectional shape of the optically acting area orthogonal to a direction corresponding to the main direction is the same shape along the direction corresponding to the main direction.