Light projecting device, image reading device including same, and image forming apparatus including the image reading device

A light projecting device, comprising:

• a base board on which a plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in a line in a main scan direction;
• a light guiding member facing a radiation surface of the light-emitting elements to guide light projected from the light-emitting elements onto a target irradiation region of a target object;
• a holding member to hold the base board in place;
• a cover to cover the base board and the light guiding member;
• a positioning member to position the light guiding member relative to the holding member;
• and
• a chassis on which the holding member is detachably mounted, Wherein the holding member and the cover are attached to the chassis at a same plane thereof,
• wherein the cover is attached to the chassis by a plurality of screws to prevent the cover from deforming,
• wherein the holding member, the light guiding member positioned by the positioning member, the base board, and the cover constitute a single unit which is detachably mountable relative to the chassis, and
• wherein a bottom surface of the light guiding member contacts a top surface of the base board.