초록 ▼

A scanner module and an image scanning apparatus employing the same. The scanner module comprises an illuminator for illuminating light on an object to be scanned. The illuminator includes a light emitting diode, a light guide extending in a main scanning direction to change a direction of the light

A scanner module and an image scanning apparatus employing the same. The scanner module comprises an illuminator for illuminating light on an object to be scanned. The illuminator includes a light emitting diode, a light guide extending in a main scanning direction to change a direction of the light received from the light emitting diode, and at least one elastic member to elastically support at least one longitudinal end of the light guide. As the light guide is elastically supported by the elastic member, convex deformation or bowing of an emission face of the light guide due to thermal expansion can be reduced.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An illuminator for use in an image scanning apparatus to illuminate light on an object to be scanned, comprising: a light emitting diode configured to produce the light;a light guide having an elongated shape with its length extending along a first direction, the light guide being configured to r

1. An illuminator for use in an image scanning apparatus to illuminate light on an object to be scanned, comprising: a light emitting diode configured to produce the light;a light guide having an elongated shape with its length extending along a first direction, the light guide being configured to receive the light from the light emitting diode, and to change a direction of the received light;a light source holder to mount the light emitting diode to the light guide; andat least one elastic member elastically supporting at least one of longitudinal ends of the light guide. 2. The illuminator according to claim 1, wherein the light guide comprises an incidence face formed on at least one longitudinal end of the light guide, the light guide receiving the light from the light emitting diode through the incident face, and wherein the elastic member elastically supports the light emitting diode, so as to cause the light emitting diode to be in close proximity to the incidence face of the light guide. 3. The illuminator according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member supports the light emitting diode is disposed so as to elastically bias the light emitting diode toward the incidence face of the light guide. 4. The illuminator according to claim 3, wherein the elastic member is made of a thermally conductive material. 5. The illuminator according to claim 4, wherein the elastic member comprises a metallic leaf spring. 6. The illuminator according to claim 3, wherein the elastic member is made of a resin material, and a radiating member made of a thermally conductive material is provided between the elastic member and the light source holder. 7. The illuminator according to claim 6, wherein the illuminator is integrally formed with a body of a scanning module, and wherein the radiating member extends outward from between the elastic member and the light source holder, and is fixed to the body of the scanner module. 8. The illuminator according to claim 7, wherein a thermal coupling is provided between the light source holder and the radiating member. 9. The illuminator according to claim 3, wherein the light source holder having a hole through which the light emitting diode is exposed. 10. The illuminator according to claim 1, further comprising: a guide holder having formed thereon a mounting recess into which the light guide is received, the guide holder further including a light source mounting portion in which the light source holder is mounted,wherein the elastic member is provided between a wall surface of the light source mounting portion and the light emitting diode. 11. The illuminator according to claim 10, wherein the elastic member includes a elastic portion convexly raised to exhibit an elastic force, and supporting portions formed at both sides of the elastic portion to allow the elastic member to be supported at both ends of the light source mounting portion. 12. The illuminator according to claim 10, wherein the light guide is received into the mounting recess in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 13. The illuminator according to claim 1, further comprising: a guide holder having formed thereon a mounting recess into which the light guide is received, the mounting recess including an entrance portion, through which the light guide enters the mounting recess; andat least one supporting protrusion formed at the entrance portion of the mounting recess to protrude into the mounting recess to, when the light guide is received ion the mounting recess, be in an interfering contact with the light guide to restrict movement of the light guide in at least a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. 14. The illuminator according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member comprises a pair of elastic members, each of which pair supporting a corresponding respective one of the longitudinal ends of the light guide. 15. A scanning module for use in an image scanning apparatus for scanning an object, comprising: an illuminator configured to illuminate a light on the object to be scanned; and a sensor configured to detect the light reflected from the object,wherein the illuminator comprises:a light emitting diode configured to produce the light;a light guide having an elongated shape with its length extending along a first direction, the light guide being configured to receive the light from the light emitting diode, and to change a direction of the received light;a light source holder to mount the light emitting diode to the light guide; andat least one elastic member elastically supporting at least one of longitudinal ends of the light guide. 16. The scanning module according to claim 15, wherein the light emitting diode facing the incidence face of the light guide and wherein the elastic member supports the substrate opposite a side of the substrate on which the light emitting diode is disposed so as to elastically bias the light emitting diode toward the incidence face of the light guide. 17. The scanning module according to claim 16, wherein the elastic member is made of a thermally conductive material. 18. The scanning module according to claim 16, wherein the elastic member is made of a resin material, and a radiating member made of a thermally conductive material is provided between the elastic member and the light source holder. 19. The scanning module according to claim 18, wherein a thermal coupling is provided between the light source holder and the radiating member. 20. The scanning module according to claim 15, further comprising: a guide holder having formed thereon a mounting recess into which the light guide is received, the guide holder further including a light source mounting portion in which the light source holder is mounted,wherein the elastic member is provided between a wall surface of the light source mounting portion and the light source holder. 21. The scanning module according to claim 15, wherein the elastic member comprises a pair of elastic members, each of which pair supporting a corresponding respective one of the longitudinal ends of the light guide. 22. An image scanning apparatus, comprising: a scanner module; anda controller configured to control an operation of the scanner module,wherein the scanner module comprises: an illuminator configured to illuminate a light on an object to be scanned; anda sensor configured to detect the light reflected from the object,wherein the illuminator comprises: a light emitting diode configured to produce the light;a light guide having an elongated shape with its length extending along a first direction, the light guide being configured to receive the light from the light emitting diode, and to change a direction of the received light;a light source holder to mount the light emitting diode to the light guide; andat least one elastic member elastically supporting at least one of longitudinal ends of the light guide. 23. The image scanning apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the light emitting diode facing the incidence face of the light guide and wherein the elastic member supports the light emitting diode is disposed so as to elastically bias the light emitting diodetoward the incidence face of the light guide. 24. The image scanning apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the elastic member is made of a thermally conductive material. 25. The image scanning apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the elastic member is made of a resin material, and a radiating member made of a thermally conductive material is provided between the elastic member and the light source holder. 26. The image scanning apparatus according to claim 25, wherein a thermal coupling is provided between the light source holder and the radiating member. 27. The image scanning apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising: a guide holder having formed thereon a mounting recess into which the light guide is received, the guide holder further including a light source mounting portion in which the light source holder is mounted,wherein the elastic member is provided between a wall surface of the light source mounting portion and the light source holder. 28. The image scanning apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the elastic member comprises a pair of elastic members, each of which pair supporting a corresponding respective one of the longitudinal ends of the light guide.