Image scanning unit

An image scanning unit comprising:

• a light source unit,
• the light source unit including:
• a light guide which is formed into a rod-like shape extending in a main scan direction and has, at at least one end thereof, an end face for taking in light, a diffuse reflecting surface for diffusely reflecting the light taken in from the end face, and a light exit surface for emitting the light that is diffusely reflected at the diffuse reflecting surface towards an irradiation surface;
• a light source facing the end face of the light guide;
• and a light guide holder member holding the light guide;
• an image reading section receiving reflected light from the irradiation surface;
• a plurality of reflecting members forming a reading light path guiding the reflected light from the irradiation surface to the image reading section;
• and
• a frame housing the light source unit and the plurality of reflecting members, wherein
• the frame divides a space facing the irradiation surface into at least two including first and second spaces to form a first housing section for housing the light source unit in the first space and a second housing section for housing at least one of the plurality of reflecting members in the second space adjacent to the first space,
• a first reflecting member of the plurality of reflecting members first receiving the reflected light from the irradiation surface is disposed at a side opposite to the irradiation surface with respect to the first housing section, and
• a light-shielding member is provided between the first reflecting member and a reflecting member of the at least one of the plurality of reflecting members other than the first reflecting member positioned in the second space so as to prevent the light from the first reflecting member that has strayed from the reading light path from entering the reflecting member in the second space.