JP2004037836A - Scanning optical device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a scanning optical device and an image forming device for which constitution is simplified, assembly tact is shortened, a device main body is miniaturized and costs are reduced. <P>SOLUTION: The scanning optical device comprises: at least one scanning optical system provided with a plurality of light source units, a deflection means having a rotary polygon mirror for reflecting and deflecting light beams emitted from a plurality of the light source units on the respectively different reflection surfaces of the rotary polygon mirror and an image forming optical system for image-forming and scanning the light beams reflected and deflected by the deflection means on a prescribed surface; and an optical box housing a plurality of the light source units, the deflection means and the image forming optical system. A plurality of the light source units are fixed to the optical box by one fixing member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of forming an image on a transfer material (recording medium) such as a sheet, for example, a copier, a printer, or a facsimile apparatus, and is particularly provided in these apparatuses. The present invention relates to a scanning optical device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a scanning optical device for performing optical writing scanning on a photosensitive member or the like in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an LBP (laser beam printer), a digital copying machine, and a digital facsimile is configured as shown in FIG.
[0003]
The collimated light extracted from the laser unit 30 including the semiconductor laser, the collimating lens, the laser driving circuit and the like is reflected and deflected by the rotating polygon mirror 31, passes through the scanning lens 32, the return mirror 33, and the like in order, and finally is formed. Reaches the photosensitive drum surface (not shown). Here, the laser unit 30 may be called a light source device.
[0004]
The collimated light is shaped by the scanning lens 32 so as to be scanned as a beam that is optimally narrowed down within the width of the writing drum, and a part of the scanning beam is used to detect writing synchronization and prevent a writing position shift. Is also reflected by the BD mirror 34 and has a function of detecting light by the BD unit 35.
[0005]
The BD unit 35 has a photodetector (not shown) inside.
[0006]
In general, a cylinder lens 37 is used to transfer a beam extracted from a laser on the polygon surface in order to prevent the beam from being displaced in the vertical direction (sub-scan direction) due to a tilt error of the polygon surface. The polygon image and the photoreceptor surface are conjugated in the sub-scanning direction.
[0007]
Further, when these components are mounted on the optical box 36 ', they are devised so as to be within the dimensional tolerance while using a reference pin or the like.
[0008]
In these configurations, the laser unit 30 has a collimator lens 38 and a semiconductor laser 39 disposed inside as shown in FIG. 12, and is assembled after adjusting the optical axis and adjusting the focus.
[0009]
Further, inside the semiconductor laser 39, the laser light L from the edge emitting laser chip 40 is extracted through the window 41 to the collimating lens 38 side and becomes a collimated laser beam Lc.
[0010]
On the other hand, the backside laser light L 'from the laser chip 40 is detected by the photodiode 42 built in the package, and is used for a so-called APC operation for keeping the light amount constant.
[0011]
These APC operations utilize the fact that the laser light L and L 'change substantially equivalently with respect to the laser drive current, and usually start writing outside of the effective writing area by the scanning laser light every scanning. These light amount adjustments are performed immediately before or during the interval between the pages to be passed.
[0012]
Recently, a color image forming apparatus having a plurality (for example, four) of scanning optical devices has been proposed (see JP-A-6-183056 and JP-A-10-186254). A color image forming apparatus that deflects two light beams with one polygon mirror has also been proposed.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the above-described related art, a plurality of light beams from a plurality of light source units face the polygon mirror, and thus the following problem occurs.
[0014]
If each light source unit is fixed with each fixed part, the number of parts increases and the assembly tact becomes long. As a result, there is a problem that the apparatus body becomes large in size to increase the cost and the space for the fixed part. Would.
[0015]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and aims at simplifying the configuration and shortening the assembly tact time, reducing the size of the apparatus body and reducing the cost. It is another object of the present invention to provide a scanning optical device and an image forming apparatus.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention,
A plurality of light source units, a deflecting unit having a rotating polygon mirror for reflecting and deflecting light beams emitted from the plurality of light source units on different reflecting surfaces of the rotating polygon mirror, and a light beam reflected and deflected by the deflecting unit An imaging optical system that forms an image on a predetermined surface, and at least one scanning optical system,
An optical box containing the plurality of light source units, the deflecting unit, and the imaging optical system;
In a scanning optical device having
The plurality of light source units are fixed to the optical box by one fixing member.
[0017]
It is also preferable that the fixing member includes an elastic portion for urging the light source unit against the optical box.
[0018]
A rib provided on the optical box so as to protrude substantially perpendicularly to a reference plane serving as a reference for mounting the scanning optical system and positioning the light source unit in a direction substantially parallel to the reference plane; A seat surface for positioning and holding the light source unit in the direction,
It is also preferable that the elastic portion urges the light source unit toward the rib and the seat surface.
[0019]
A plurality of holding units having a V-groove for holding one light source unit among the plurality of light source units are provided in the optical box such that the optical axes of the light source units held in the V-groove are substantially parallel,
The light source unit held in the V-groove is preferably urged into the V-groove by the elastic portion.
[0020]
It is also preferable that the elastic portion contacts each of the plurality of light source units at a plurality of points.
[0021]
It is also preferable that each of the plurality of light source units abuts on the optical box at a plurality of points, and a position in the optical axis direction in contact with the optical box is substantially the same as a position in the optical axis direction in contact with the elastic portion. is there.
[0022]
The plurality of light source units each have a flange portion substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, and the flange portion is fitted to a fitting portion provided in the optical box, thereby positioning the optical box in the optical axis direction with respect to the optical box. Is preferably performed.
[0023]
It is also preferable that the light source unit has a light-emitting element that emits a plurality of light beams, and is fixed to the optical box by being rotated about an optical axis.
[0024]
It is also preferable to provide a lubricating layer at a portion where the light source unit and the optical box are in contact with each other.
[0025]
The light source unit fixed to the optical box by the fixing member is preferably fixed to the optical box by bonding.
[0026]
The elastic portion is preferably a spring.
[0027]
A plurality of light sources; a deflecting unit having a rotating polygon mirror for reflecting and deflecting light beams emitted from the plurality of light sources on different reflecting surfaces of the rotating polygon mirror; An imaging optical system that forms an image on a surface, and at least one scanning optical system having:
An optical box containing the plurality of light source units, the deflecting unit, and the imaging optical system;
In a scanning optical device having
The plurality of light sources emitted to one deflection unit are held by one holding member to form one light source unit, and the light source unit is fixed to the optical box by one fixing member. Features.
[0028]
The image forming apparatus includes the scanning optical device described above, and guides the light emitted from the scanning optical device onto the corresponding image carrier surface to scan the image carrier, and A toner image obtained by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the carrier is transferred to a transfer material to form an image on the transfer material.
[0029]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. It is not intended to limit the scope to the following embodiments. The same components as those described in the section of the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0030]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a color image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, the beams LC, LM, LY, and LBK, each of which is light-modulated based on the image information, are emitted from each optical box 36 and correspond to the corresponding photosensitive drum as a predetermined surface as an image carrier. The latent images are formed by irradiating the surfaces 46C, 46M, 46Y and 46BK.
[0032]
The latent images are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 46C, 46M, 46Y, 46BK which are uniformly charged by the primary chargers 47C, 47M, 47Y, 47BK, respectively, and are developed by the developing units 1C, 1M, 1Y, 1BK. Each color image is visualized into a cyan, magenta, yellow, and black image, and is electrostatically transferred by a transfer roller 2C, 2M, 2Y, and 2BK to a transfer material 45 conveyed on a transfer belt 44 in order. Is formed.
[0033]
Thereafter, the residual toner remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 46C, 46M, 46Y, 46BK is removed by the cleaners 48C, 48M, 48Y, 48BK, and the primary chargers 47C, 47M are again formed to form the next color image. , 47Y, 47BK.
[0034]
The transfer material 45 is stacked on a paper feed tray 49, is sequentially fed one by one by a paper feed roller 50, and is sent out onto a transfer belt 44 by a registration roller 51 in synchronization with an image writing timing.
[0035]
A cyan image, a magenta image, a yellow image, and a black image formed on the photosensitive drums 46C, 46M, 46Y, and 46BK while being accurately conveyed on the transfer belt 44 are sequentially transferred onto the transfer material 45. The image is transferred to form a color image.
[0036]
The drive roller 52 accurately feeds the transfer belt 44 and is connected to a drive motor (not shown) having small rotation unevenness. After the color image formed on the transfer material 45 is thermally fixed by the fixing device 53, the color image is conveyed by a paper discharge roller 54 or the like and output outside the apparatus.
[0037]
2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the scanning optical device according to the present embodiment, where FIG. 2A is a schematic top view, and FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view.
[0038]
Beams emitted from the semiconductor lasers 39C and 39M are scanned in different directions by a polygon mirror 31a as a rotating polygon mirror constituting a deflecting unit. The beam scanned by the polygon mirror 31a passes through the scanning lenses 32C and 32M, is reflected by the return mirrors 33C and 33M, and forms an image on a photosensitive drum (not shown). Here, the scanning lenses 32C and 32M and the return mirrors 33C and 33M constitute an imaging optical system.
[0039]
By arranging two pairs of such scanning optical systems in parallel, scanning light is guided on four photosensitive drums.
[0040]
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the light source unit in the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is the optical axis direction of the two laser units (light source units) 30 in FIG. 3 and is substantially perpendicular to the mounting reference surface 36a. It is the schematic sectional drawing cut | disconnected in the direction.
[0041]
First, the semiconductor laser 39 is press-fitted and fixed to the laser holder 4, and the collimator lens 38 is bonded and fixed to the collimator barrel 5.
[0042]
Then, the collimator barrel 5 is positioned with respect to the laser holder 4 so as to be within the dimensional tolerance with respect to the three-dimensional direction of the focusing direction (optical axis direction) and the irradiation position XY direction (direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis). Are unitized (laser unit 30) by adjusting and bonding.
[0043]
The laser units 30 are assembled to the optical box 36 in pairs. The paired combination is two laser units 30 whose beams are incident on the same one polygon mirror 31 (not shown).
[0044]
In FIG. 2, laser units 30 that emit beams for forming cyan and magenta images and yellow and black images are paired. The paired laser units 30 are fixed to the optical box 36 by one fixing member 3 as shown in FIG.
[0045]
Here, in the present embodiment, the fixing member 3 includes a leaf spring 3a as an elastic portion.
[0046]
The laser unit 30 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the optical box 36 has ribs 6 which are substantially perpendicular to the mounting reference surface 36a of the cylinder lens 37 and the scanning lens 32 shown in FIG. There are two standing.
[0047]
The two laser units 30 are obliquely directed downward (see FIG. 3) with reference to a corner 6b that is a corner formed by the two ribs 6 and a bottom surface 6a as a seat provided between the two ribs 6. It is urged by the leaf spring 3a in the direction toward the corner 6b) and assembled.
[0048]
The fixing member 3 includes a main body 3b having a U-shaped cross section that covers the outer side surfaces of the two ribs 6, an upper surface of the rib 6, and a main body 3b that covers the laser unit 30 that is disposed with the corner 6b as a reference. And two leaf springs 3a extending in a direction substantially parallel to the mounting reference surface 36a from the side surface 3c and bending in the direction toward the corner 6b, and a hole 3d provided in the side surface 3c.
[0049]
The fixing member 3 is a composite spring in which two leaf springs 3a are combined as shown in the figure, and urges the two laser units 30 individually.
[0050]
The fixing member 3 fixes the laser unit 30 by bending the distal end of the leaf spring 3a downward by approximately 45 ° (toward the corner 6b) so as to abut the laser unit 30 in the direction of the corner 6b of the optical box 36.
[0051]
The fixing member 3 is fixed to the optical box 36 by hooking a hole 3d on a protrusion 6c protruding laterally from two ribs standing from the optical box 36.
[0052]
According to the present embodiment, the two laser units 30 can be fixed to the optical box 36 with one fixing member, so that the number of components can be reduced.
[0053]
Conventionally, two or three screws are fixed to the optical box 36 for one laser unit 30. In the present embodiment, however, a total of 4 to 6 screws are provided by using one fixing member. And four laser units 30 are used per image forming apparatus, so that a total of 8 to 12 screws are reduced.
[0054]
Further, at the time of the conventional assembling, it was necessary to tighten the screws one by one while controlling the torque with an electric screwdriver or the like, but in the present embodiment, two laser units 30 are placed at predetermined positions of the optical box, and thereafter, In addition, an easy operation of fitting a leaf spring from above is sufficient, and the time required for assembly is reduced as compared with the conventional operation of tightening 4 to 6 screws.
[0055]
In other words, the so-called tact time, which is an index of the production speed per product, is shortened, and the cost required for assembling is reduced, resulting in a reduction in product costs.
[0056]
Further, beams that form images of different colors are incident on the same one polygon mirror 31, and beams that form images of different colors are incident on facets (polygon mirror surfaces) different from each other, and images of different colors are formed. In a system in which the beams to be formed are parallel to each other, the interval between the parallel beams is limited by the diameter of the polygon mirror.
[0057]
Recently, since the diameter of the polygon mirror is small and about φ20, the beam interval is required to be at least 20 mm or less.
[0058]
Although it depends on the design of the scanning lens system 32, when the beam is designed to be incident on the center of the facet, the beam interval is required to be substantially 10 mm.
[0059]
In such a very narrow beam interval, two laser units 30 can be efficiently arranged in the present embodiment. As a result, the entire scanning optical device and the entire image forming apparatus can be reduced in size.
[0060]
Further, since the fixing member 3 is a composite spring in which two leaf springs are combined, and the two laser units 30 are individually urged, the two laser units 30 are stabilized without being influenced by the posture of each other. And is fixed to the optical box 36.
[0061]
Further, the two ribs 6 standing from the optical box 36 match the direction in which the optical box 36 is removed from the mold when the optical box 36 is formed.
[0062]
Thereby, the mold of the optical box 36 does not need to be slid, and the mold cost is reduced.
[0063]
Conventionally, since the laser unit 30 is assembled along the fitting of the cylinder to the optical box 36, the optical box is provided with a cylindrical hole shape to slide the mold, and the structure of the mold becomes complicated. As a result, the mold cost was higher than in the present embodiment.
[0064]
In the present embodiment, the laser unit 30 is fixed to the optical box 36 by the fixing member 3. However, the laser unit 30 can be fixed to the optical box 36 reliably by using adhesive.
[0065]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of a light source unit of the scanning optical device according to the second embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0066]
This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the plate spring is urged at two points (two positions of the urging portions A and B shown in FIG. 5) for one laser unit 30. are doing.
[0067]
That is, in the fixing member 3A of the present embodiment, the leaf springs 3a are provided on both sides in the optical axis direction of the main body 3b.
[0068]
According to the present embodiment, the posture of the laser unit 30 can be stabilized by urging the laser unit 30 at two points.
[0069]
For example, if two fixing members are used in order to urge at two points, the cost will increase. However, by increasing the number of places to be urged by one fixing member, the performance of the light source is stabilized while avoiding unnecessary cost increase. Can be done.
[0070]
In the present embodiment, the leaf springs 3a are provided on both sides of the main body 3b of the fixing member 3A in the optical axis direction. However, in the leaf spring 3a shown in the first embodiment, a plurality of convex portions May be provided.
[0071]
(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the light source unit of the scanning optical device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view showing the optical axis direction of the two laser units 30 in FIG. It is the schematic sectional drawing cut | disconnected in the perpendicular direction. The same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0072]
This embodiment is a modification of the first and second embodiments. As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom surface 6a on the side of the optical box 36 against which the laser unit 30 is abutted is separated in the optical axis direction, There are two surfaces 6A and 6B that support the unit 30.
[0073]
Further, these two surfaces substantially coincide with the position where the plate spring 3a of the fixing member 3A biases the laser unit 30 in the optical axis direction.
[0074]
According to the present embodiment, since the receiving surface on the optical box 36 side also has two surfaces, the posture of the laser unit 30 can be further stabilized.
[0075]
Furthermore, in the optical box 36, by setting the bottom surface 6 a for positioning and fixing the laser unit 30 to two surfaces, the precision surface range is limited and narrowed, and the mold for forming the optical box 36 is easily manufactured.
[0076]
Further, as the range of the precision surface is narrowed, the influence of roughness and undulation of the precision surface is reduced and the dimensions are stabilized.
[0077]
Since the position where the leaf spring 3 biases the laser unit 30 coincides with the optical axis direction, the laser unit 30 can be fixed stably.
[0078]
Conversely, if the position is deviated, the laser holder 4 which is a member that constitutes the laser unit 30 and is actually pressed by the leaf spring 3 is a resin material, and thus is deformed by the force of the leaf spring 3 and deformed. There is a possibility that the guaranteed angle of the optical axis may be bent with 30 pieces.
[0079]
In the present embodiment, the bottom surface 6a on the optical box 36 side is separated in the optical axis direction. However, by providing a projection on the laser holder 4 of the laser unit 30, the bottom surface 6a may be brought into contact with the bottom surface 6a at a plurality of points. Good.
[0080]
(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the light source unit of the scanning optical device according to the fourth embodiment. The same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0081]
This embodiment is a modification of the first to third embodiments, in which the laser holder 4 of the laser unit 30 has a flange 4a perpendicular to the optical axis as shown in FIG.
[0082]
The laser unit 30 is positioned in the optical axis direction by fitting the flange 4a into a groove 36b between two precision surfaces formed with high precision in the optical box 36.
[0083]
According to the present embodiment, the laser unit 30 can be positioned in the optical axis direction by a simple method and configuration.
[0084]
Further, in the multi-beam scanning method in which a plurality of beams are emitted from one laser unit 30 and they scan the same photosensitive member, the laser unit 30 itself is rotated in the optical axis direction, and a plurality of light-emitting points in the laser unit 30 are rotated. In such a case, the laser unit 30 can be easily rotated around the optical axis along the groove 36b of the optical box 36. Since the position of the laser unit 30 does not shift, it can be rotated stably.
[0085]
In the above-described multi-beam scanning method, since the laser unit 30 needs to slide smoothly with respect to the optical box 36, the sliding portion between the laser unit 30 and the optical box 36 has, for example, a uniform thickness. A film-like member made of a fluorine-based resin having a small coefficient of friction, such as Teflon (registered trademark) tape, is adhered, or fine particles of Teflon are dispersed in a quick-drying volatile solvent and applied before the laser unit 30 is assembled. By adding a solid lubricating layer by such a method, better slidability can be obtained and rotation adjustment becomes easier.
[0086]
The reason for using a solid lubricating layer is that, since the laser unit 30 and the optical box 36 are plastic molded products, if oils, which are general lubricants, are used, the oil will invade the molecular bonds of the plastic over time and eventually cracks will occur. This is because there is a danger that they will be lost.
[0087]
(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the light source unit of the scanning optical device according to the fifth embodiment. The same components as those in the first to fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0088]
This embodiment is a modification of the first to fourth embodiments. As shown in FIG. Have been. Here, the angles of the V-grooves 6d each make an angle of 45 ° with respect to the assembly direction.
[0089]
The direction in which the leaf spring 3a urges the laser unit 30 is the groove bottom direction (corner direction) of the V-groove 6d, and is the downward direction (the direction substantially orthogonal to the mounting reference surface 36a) in FIG.
[0090]
At this time, the two laser units 30 are urged in the same direction by one fixing member 3.
[0091]
According to the present embodiment, since the bottom surface of the optical box 36 is the V-shaped groove 6d, assembly becomes easy.
[0092]
Here, it is preferable that the V-grooves 6d of the optical box 36 be opened at an angle of 45 ° in the assembling direction, and the assembling becomes easier.
[0093]
Specifically, after assembling the laser unit 30 to the optical box 36, the laser unit 30 is held by the V-groove 6d and does not move until it is fixed by the fixing member 3, so that the position must be stabilized. Can be. This stabilizes the assembly and facilitates the work.
[0094]
Since the bottom surface of the optical box 36 is formed as a V-groove, the direction in which the leaf spring 3a is urged is only in the downward direction. Therefore, the tip of the leaf spring 3a needs to be bent as in the above-described embodiment. Instead, the bending process is reduced and fabrication is simplified. Further, the direction in which the leaf spring 3a is urged is also the direction in which its own weight is applied, so that the position of the laser unit 30 is easily stabilized.
[0095]
The shape of the bottom of the V groove 6d may be an R shape or a flat portion. If the laser unit 30 is held by two slopes, it is substantially the same as the V groove 6d.
[0096]
(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the light source unit of the scanning optical device according to the sixth embodiment. The same components as those in Embodiments 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0097]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, one laser holder 4A holding two semiconductor lasers 39, two collimator barrels 5, and two collimator lenses 38 is provided, and the laser holder 4A is provided as one fixing member. It is fixed by 3B.
[0098]
According to the present embodiment, the two laser units 30 can be combined into one unit, so that the number of parts is reduced and the assembling tact is shortened as compared with the case where four laser units 30 are assembled in the optical box 36. Is done. Eventually, the cost of the product can be reduced.
[0099]
Accordingly, the degree of freedom in design is improved without being limited by the distance between the optical axes, the span between the semiconductor laser 39 and the collimator lens 38, and the symmetry of the mold shape with respect to the optical axis, and the number of applicable products increases.
[0100]
Since the circuit board for driving the semiconductor laser 39 can be held in the state of the laser unit 30, the circuit board and the semiconductor laser 39 can be electrically connected at an early stage of the assembly, so that the load of the semiconductor laser 39 such as static electricity can be reduced. This makes it possible to protect relatively weak components, thereby reducing the defect rate in the process. As a result, the cost of the product is reduced.
[0101]
The posture of the laser unit 30 can be determined over a wider span, the accuracy of adjusting the irradiation position of the collimated light can be improved, and a margin can be provided for the allocation tolerance. As a result, it is possible to reduce the irradiation position adjustment failure in the assembly and reduce the assembly cost.
[0102]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a scanning optical apparatus and an image forming apparatus that have a simplified configuration, a reduced assembly tact time, a reduced apparatus body, and reduced costs. It becomes possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of the scanning optical device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 2A is a schematic top view and FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of a light source unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a direction substantially parallel to an optical axis direction of the laser unit 30 in FIG. 3 and substantially perpendicular to a mounting reference surface 36a.
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a light source unit of a scanning optical device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a light source unit of a scanning optical device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis direction of the laser unit 30 in FIG. 6 and substantially perpendicular to the mounting reference surface 36a.
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a light source unit of a scanning optical device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of a light source unit of a scanning optical device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a light source unit of a scanning optical device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a scanning optical device according to the related art.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the structure of a semiconductor laser.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 developing device 2 transfer roller 3 fixing member 3a leaf spring 3b main body 3c side surface 3d hole 4 laser holder 5 collimator barrel 6 rib 6a bottom surface 6b corner 6c protrusion 6d V groove 30 laser unit 31 polygon mirror 32 scanning lens 33 folding mirror 34 BD mirror 35 BD unit 36 Optical box 36a Mounting reference surface 37 Cylinder lens 38 Collimating lens 39 Semiconductor laser 40 Laser chip 41 Window 42 Photo diode 43 Light emitting point 44 Transfer belt 45 Transfer material 46 Photosensitive drum 47 Primary charger 48 Cleaner 49 Paper feed Tray 50 paper feed roller 51 registration roller 52 drive roller 53 fixing device 54 paper discharge roller

Claims (13)

A plurality of light source units, a deflecting unit having a rotating polygon mirror for reflecting and deflecting light beams emitted from the plurality of light source units on different reflecting surfaces of the rotating polygon mirror, and a light beam reflected and deflected by the deflecting unit An imaging optical system that forms an image on a predetermined surface, and at least one scanning optical system,
An optical box containing the plurality of light source units, the deflecting unit, and the imaging optical system;
In a scanning optical device having
The scanning optical device, wherein the plurality of light source units are fixed to the optical box by one fixing member. The scanning optical device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member includes an elastic portion that urges the light source unit against the optical box. A rib provided on the optical box so as to protrude substantially perpendicularly to a reference plane serving as a reference for mounting the scanning optical system and positioning the light source unit in a direction substantially parallel to the reference plane; A seat surface for positioning and holding the light source unit in the direction,
The scanning optical device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic portion biases the light source unit in the direction of the rib and the seat surface. A plurality of holding units having a V-groove for holding one light source unit among the plurality of light source units are provided in the optical box such that the optical axes of the light source units held in the V-groove are substantially parallel,
The scanning optical device according to claim 2, wherein the light source unit held in the V groove is urged into the V groove by the elastic portion. 5. The scanning optical device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic portion contacts each of the plurality of light source units at a plurality of points. 6. Each of the plurality of light source units abuts on the optical box at a plurality of points, and a position in the optical axis direction in contact with the optical box is substantially the same as a position in the optical axis direction in contact with the elastic portion. The scanning optical device according to claim 2. The plurality of light source units each have a flange portion that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, and the flange portion is fitted to a fitting portion provided in the optical box, thereby positioning the optical box in the optical axis direction. The scanning optical device according to claim 1, wherein the scanning is performed. The light source unit includes a light-emitting element that emits a plurality of light beams, and is fixed to the optical box by being rotated about an optical axis and fixed. 2. The scanning optical device according to claim 1. The scanning optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a lubricating layer is provided at a portion where the light source unit and the optical box are in contact with each other. The scanning optical device according to claim 1, wherein the light source unit fixed to the optical box by the fixing member is fixed to the optical box by bonding. The scanning optical device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic portion is a spring. A plurality of light sources; a deflecting unit having a rotating polygon mirror for reflecting and deflecting light beams emitted from the plurality of light sources on different reflecting surfaces of the rotating polygon mirror; An imaging optical system that forms an image on a surface, and at least one scanning optical system having:
An optical box containing the plurality of light source units, the deflecting unit, and the imaging optical system;
In a scanning optical device having
The plurality of light sources emitted to one deflection unit are held by one holding member to form one light source unit, and the light source unit is fixed to the optical box by one fixing member. Characteristic scanning optical device. A scanning optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the light beam emitted from the scanning optical device is guided on each corresponding image carrier surface to scan the image carrier, An image forming apparatus, wherein a toner image obtained by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is transferred to a transfer material to form an image on the transfer material.

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