Optical: systems and elements – Deflection using a moving element
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-13
2002-04-16
Phan, James (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Deflection using a moving element
C355S067000, C358S474000, C358S497000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06373613
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a scanner, in particular to the light source of the scanner.
(2) Description of the Related Art
In the optical system of a scanner, the light source module can be subdivided into a “light source module” and a “lens module”. The light source module refers to the light source components including the light source and the base for supporting the light source. The lens module including reflecting mirrors and focusing lens, etc. is to process the light ray with imaging signals. Conventional light source module and lens module are fixed with respect with each other.
FIG. 1
shows the top view of a typical optical module. The light source
16
is mounted on an L-shaped base
12
by means of two brackets
18
as shown in
FIG. 2
, which is the side view of FIG.
1
. The L-shaped base
12
is mounted over the lens module
10
. The light source scans and irradiates document
50
placed over a scan window
20
and produces a reflected light ray to pass through the light slot
14
on the lens module
10
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the reflected light ray
22
through the light slot
14
contains image signal and is reflected by the mirror
102
for further signal processing. The L-shaped base
12
has a vertical flange. While the flange can reinforce the base to prevent bending and concentrate the light intensity to prevent scattering, the vertical flange protrudes upward toward the scan window
20
typically to an elevation higher than the brackets
18
as shown in FIG.
2
. Due to manufacturing variations, allowance must be made to tolerate the any variations in the dimensions of the different components in the light source module and the lens module. In a practical design, the highest point in the light source module must clear the bottom of the window
20
by 3 mm. Otherwise, when the optical module scans the document back and forth, the top of the L-shaped base
12
may scratch the bottom of the scan window and the optical module may even be blocked. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the distance
66
is the minimum distance of 3 mm allowed for variations in mechanical dimensions of the different components. In practical scanners, the
3
mm allowance is barely enough to prevent scratching.
Such an allowance is not desirable, because the light source
16
must be moved away from the scanned document and is weakened as it irradiates the document.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to irradiate the scanned document with a more intense light. Another object of this invention is to move the light source closer to the document being scanned. Still another object of the present invention is to provide smoother scanning motion for the optical module.
These objects are achieved by mounting the light source module over the lens module through a spring. The spring pushes the light source module against scan window with minimum clearance. Thus, the light source is moved closer to the document being scanned and the intensity is increased.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5712718 (1998-01-01), Chen
patent: 5828939 (1998-10-01), Yoshiuchi
Avision Inc.
Lin H. C.
Phan James
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