JP2004145181A - Scanning optical system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely seal a drawer port for a harness with simple and small configuration without adding any new parts. <P>SOLUTION: A sealing member P of a planar body for sealing the gap between a housing H constituting an optical box and a cover K is provided with a notched part. The drawer port is sealed by inserting the harness R30 into the notched part of the sealing member P so as to knit the same and inserting these in this state between the housing H and the cover K. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a scanning optical device used for an electrophotographic image recording device such as a laser beam printer and a laser facsimile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The scanning optical device includes a light source that emits a light beam, a deflecting unit that deflects and scans the light beam emitted from the light source, an imaging unit that forms an image of the light beam from the deflecting unit on a photosensitive member, and a light source for detecting a writing position of the light beam. It has a scanning optical component such as a signal detection sensor. These scanning optical components are built in an optical box composed of a container-like housing and a lid closing an opening of the housing.
[0003]
When assembling the scanning optical device, first, the scanning optical components are attached inside the housing, and finally, the lid is attached to the opening of the housing to seal the optical box. At this time, in order to prevent dust and the like from entering from the outside of the apparatus and deteriorating the image quality, a configuration is adopted in which a sealing member made of an elastic material or the like is interposed between the housing and the lid to seal the opening. Sometimes.
[0004]
On the other hand, the scanning optical components include electric components such as a motor and a signal detection sensor that constitute the deflection unit. These components receive power supply and control signal input from outside the device. Therefore, it is necessary to draw out the harness (cable) connected to the scanning optical component from the outlet of the optical box to the outside of the apparatus.
[0005]
As a conventional technique for ensuring the sealing performance of the harness withdrawal outlet, for example, configurations disclosed in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 are known. In Patent Literature 1, a harness is arranged so as to meander on a plurality of partition walls provided in a housing, thereby preventing intrusion of dust from outside the device. In Patent Document 2, dust is prevented by attaching an elastic body to a harness outlet of a housing.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-105656 A [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-11-133336
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the above-described conventional technology, the following problems have occurred.
[0008]
In the case of Patent Literature 1, it is necessary to provide a plurality of partition walls and to secure a sufficient space inside the housing for meandering the harness, which leads to an increase in the size of the scanning optical device and an increase in cost. . In addition, the work of passing the harness through the hole in the partition wall is complicated, and there is a problem that the assemblability is deteriorated. Further, since the hole in the partition wall is undercut, the molding process of the optical box becomes complicated.
[0009]
Further, in the case of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to newly add an elastic body to seal the harness outlet, which leads to an increase in the number of parts and an increase in cost. In addition, it is necessary to secure a structure and a space for holding the elastic body inside the housing, which leads to an increase in the size of the scanning optical device.
[0010]
Further, in adopting the conventional sealing structure, the installation position of the harness outlet is restricted due to the space for the partition wall and the elastic body, so that the degree of freedom in design is reduced.
[0011]
On the other hand, recently, there is a strong demand for downsizing and cost reduction of the scanning optical device, and in many cases, a space for providing a partition wall and an elastic body cannot be sufficiently secured, and the above-described sealing structure may not be adopted in some cases.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of securely sealing a harness outlet with a simple and small configuration without adding new parts. Is to do.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a scanning optical device according to the present invention includes a housing having an opening and a lid closing the opening, and an optical box containing a scanning optical component, and an optical box between the housing and the lid. A sealing member sandwiched between the optical box and sealing the opening, and a harness connected to the scanning optical component and drawn out of the apparatus from an outlet provided in the optical box, provided on the sealing member. In a state where the harness is inserted through the hole, the outlet is sealed by sandwiching the harness between the housing and the lid.
[0014]
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. These scanning optical devices are suitable for use in an exposure unit that scans a photosensitive member with a laser beam (light beam) in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer, a copying machine, and a laser facsimile. .
[0015]
The dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in the following embodiments are intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them unless otherwise specified. is not.
[0016]
(1st Embodiment)
A scanning optical device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the scanning optical device, and illustrates the internal structure of the scanning optical device with a lid and a seal member partially cut away. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the configuration of the scanning optical device, in which the lid is removed and a part of the seal member is cut away to show the internal structure. FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating the configuration of the scanning optical device, and illustrates the internal structure with the lid and the seal member removed.
[0018]
The scanning optical device A is equipped with a semiconductor laser and a collimator lens, and emits a laser beam J. A light source device E, a cylindrical lens G that linearly condenses the laser beam J emitted from the light source device E, and the laser beam J Deflection scanning device R as deflection means for deflecting and scanning, imaging lenses F10 and F20 as imaging means for imaging laser light J from deflection scanning device R on a photosensitive member (not shown), folding mirror M, writing position And a scanning optical component such as a detector mirror B for guiding a part of the laser beam J to the scanning start signal detector D.
[0019]
These scanning optical components are incorporated in an optical box including a container-shaped housing H having an opening at the top, and a lid K closing the opening of the housing H. The light source device E is mounted on the wall surface of the housing H, and the cylindrical lens G and the deflection scanning device R are arranged on the bottom surface of the housing H so as to be located on the optical axis of the laser beam J. In the optical path of the laser beam J between the deflection scanning device R and the photosensitive member, the imaging lenses F10 and F20, the folding mirror M, the scanning start signal detector D, and the detector mirror B are provided on the bottom surface of the housing H or the like. Are located in
[0020]
The deflection scanning device R includes a polygon mirror R10 that reflects (deflects) the laser beam J from the light source device E, a motor unit R20 that drives the polygon mirror R10 to rotate and scan the laser beam J, and a deflection scanning device R. And a harness (cable) R30 for supplying power and inputting control signals. One end of the harness R30 is connected to a substrate of the deflection scanning device R.
[0021]
When assembling the scanning optical device A, each of the above-described scanning optical components is attached to a predetermined position from an opening of the housing H, and is fixed inside the housing H by a fixing tool such as a screw or an adhesive. Thereafter, a plate-shaped sealing member P made of an elastic material is placed on the contact portion H10 of the housing H, and the lid K is mounted thereon, whereby the scanning optical device A is configured. Note that one end of the harness R30 is drawn out of the apparatus from an outlet C provided in the optical box.
[0022]
The basic operation of the scanning optical device A having the above configuration will be described. The laser beam J generated from the light source device E passes through a cylindrical lens G and irradiates a polygon mirror R10 of a deflection scanning device R to be deflected and scanned. Thereafter, the laser beam J is reflected by the turning mirror M via the imaging lenses F10 and F20, and is imaged on the surface of the photosensitive drum having the photosensitive member on the surface layer. The laser beam J formed on the photosensitive drum forms an electrostatic latent image by main scanning by rotation of the polygon mirror R10 and sub-scanning by rotation of the photosensitive drum. A part of the laser beam J deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror R10 is introduced into the scanning start signal detector D by the detector mirror B, and the semiconductor laser (light source) of the light source device E is output by the output signal of the scanning start signal detector D. (Illustration) starts the write modulation.
[0023]
Next, dust prevention of the scanning optical device A will be described. As the definition and speed of the image forming apparatus increase, the deflection scanning device R is required to rotate at a higher speed. The higher the rotation speed of the deflection scanning device R, the more easily dust enters the inside from the outside of the device through the gap, opening or fitting portion between the housing H and the lid K as a path. When dust enters, the scanning optical components inside the scanning optical device are contaminated and image performance is deteriorated. Therefore, high dust-proof performance is required as the definition and speed are increased. In the configuration of the present embodiment, the gap between the housing H and the lid K and the outlet C of the harness R30 are important sealed parts.
[0024]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the seal member P. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, almost the entire opening of the housing H is covered with a plate-shaped sealing member P made of an elastic material, and a lid K is mounted thereon, and the housing H and the lid are mounted. A structure in which the opening (gap between the housing H and the lid K) is sealed by tightly mounting the seal member P between the bodies K. Thereby, high sealing performance can be realized. Further, since the structure of the seal member P is simple, the production is easy and the cost is excellent.
[0025]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the harness outlet C is also sealed by the seal member P.
[0026]
A plurality of (four in the present embodiment) cut portions (holes) P20, P30, P40, and P50 are provided in a portion of the seal member P serving as a drawing path of the harness R30. Since the cut portion can be formed simultaneously with the outer shape of the seal member P, the punched portion P10, and the like, when the seal member P is punched, the processing is easy.
[0027]
When attaching the seal member P, first, the harness R30 is inserted through the cut portions P20 to P50 provided in the seal member P. At this time, the harness R30 may be inserted into the plurality of cut portions P20 to P50 of the seal member P so as to be alternately knitted (see FIG. 1).
[0028]
When the sealing member P in this state is attached to the opening of the housing H, the insertion portion of the harness R30 is positioned on the concave guide H20 provided on the housing H, and the end of the harness R30 is connected to the outlet C. Is positioned. Thus, the wiring path of the harness R30 is automatically positioned only by attaching the seal member P to the housing H, so that the harness R30 can be easily assembled. Further, since both the harness R30 and the seal member P are thin and are arranged along the surface of the lid K, the space in the optical box is not pressed, and the size of the device can be reduced.
[0029]
Thereafter, the lid K is overlaid on the seal member P in which the harness R30 has been inserted, and the seal member P is sandwiched between the housing H and the lid K so as to be in pressure contact with each other, thereby fixing the lid K. Thus, as described above, the seal member P acts to seal the gap between the housing H and the lid K all around. At the same time, at the guide portion H20, the seal member P acts to seal the outlet C. That is, the sealing member P also serves as a sealing means for the opening and a sealing means for the outlet C.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of the outlet when the cover K is mounted. As shown in the figure, when sandwiched between the housing H and the lid K, the sealing member P is pressed against one surface (the upper surface in the drawing) of the harness R30 and the other surface (the lower surface in the drawing). ). Therefore, in the guide portion H20, the seal member P can simultaneously seal both the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the harness R30, and the outlet C can be reliably sealed.
[0031]
The seal member P bends the harness R30 when sandwiched between the housing H and the lid K. When the harness R30 bends, the gap between the harness R30 and another member (the seal member P, the housing H, or the lid K) that is in close contact with the harness R30 also bends. Therefore, an action similar to that of the labyrinth seal can be achieved, and the outlet C can be more securely sealed.
[0032]
As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the harness R30 has a simple and small configuration using the sealing member P that seals the gap between the housing H and the lid K without adding new components. Can be sealed. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent dust from entering from outside the apparatus, and it is possible to perform high-quality image formation for a long period of time.
[0033]
(Second embodiment)
6 to 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0034]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the seal member P according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the seal member P has a projecting portion P60 projecting from the harness outlet C to the outside of the apparatus, and a hole P70 through which the harness R30 is inserted is provided in the projecting portion P60. Since the projecting portion P60 and the hole P70 can be formed simultaneously with the outer shape of the seal member P, the punched portion P10, and the like, when the seal member P is punched, the processing is easy.
[0035]
When attaching the seal member P, first, as shown in FIG. 7, the harness R30 is inserted into the hole P70. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the tip of the protruding portion P60 is folded back toward the inside of the device, and the upper surface and the lower surface of the harness R30 are sandwiched by the protruding portion P60.
[0036]
When the sealing member P in this state is attached to the opening of the housing H, the projecting portion P60 projects from the outlet C, and the harness R30 is positioned at the guide portion H20 of the housing H, as shown in FIG. Thus, the wiring path of the harness R30 is automatically positioned only by attaching the seal member P to the housing H, so that the harness R30 can be easily assembled.
[0037]
Thereafter, the lid K is overlaid on the seal member P in which the harness R30 has been inserted, and the seal member P is sandwiched between the housing H and the lid K so as to be in pressure contact with each other, thereby fixing the lid K. Thus, as in the first embodiment, the seal member P acts to seal the gap between the housing H and the lid K all around. At the same time, at the guide portion H20, the seal member P acts to seal the outlet C. That is, the sealing member P also serves as a sealing means for the opening and a sealing means for the outlet C.
[0038]
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the outlet when the cover K is mounted. As shown in the figure, when sandwiched between the housing H and the lid K, the seal member P has a portion that is pressed against one surface of the harness R30 and a portion that is pressed against the other surface. Therefore, in the guide portion H20, both the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the harness R30 can be simultaneously sealed, and the outlet C can be reliably sealed.
[0039]
The seal member P bends the harness R30 when sandwiched between the housing H and the lid K. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the operation according to the labyrinth seal can be achieved, and the outlet C can be more securely sealed.
[0040]
As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the harness R30 has a simple and small configuration using the sealing member P that seals the gap between the housing H and the lid K without adding new components. Can be sealed. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent dust from entering from outside the apparatus, and it is possible to perform high-quality image formation for a long period of time.
[0041]
Further, in the present embodiment, a hole P70 is provided in a protruding portion P60 protruding from the outlet C, a harness R30 is inserted into the hole P70, and a tip end of the protruding portion P60 is folded back inside the apparatus. Since they are sandwiched between the housing H and the lid K, sufficient sealing performance can be obtained even if the width (thickness) L of the guide portion H20 is reduced as compared with the first embodiment. Can be reduced in size.
[0042]
Note that, in the present embodiment, only one hole P70 through which the harness R30 is inserted is provided. However, as in the first embodiment, a plurality of holes are provided, and the harness R30 is woven into those holes. It is also preferable to pass through.
[0043]
As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustratively described, but the present invention is not limited to these, and includes the following embodiments.
[0044]
(Embodiment 1)
An optical box including a housing having an opening and a lid closing the opening, and incorporating a scanning optical component,
A sealing member sandwiched between the housing and the lid to seal the opening;
A harness that is connected to the scanning optical component and pulled out of the apparatus from an outlet provided in the optical box,
In the scanning optical device, the harness is inserted into a hole provided in the seal member, and the harness is sandwiched between the housing and the lid to seal the outlet.
[0045]
(Embodiment 2)
The seal member has a projecting portion projecting from the outlet to the outside of the device,
The hole is provided in the projecting portion,
The scanning optics according to claim 1, wherein the harness is inserted through the hole, and the protruding portion is sandwiched between the housing and the lid in a state where the tip of the protruding portion is folded back inside the device. apparatus.
[0046]
(Embodiment 3)
3. The scanning optical device according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is a plate.
[0047]
(Embodiment 4)
The first, second, or third embodiment, wherein the seal member has a portion that is pressed against one surface of the harness and a portion that is pressed against the other surface when the seal member is sandwiched between the housing and the lid. 4. The scanning optical device according to 3.
[0048]
(Embodiment 5)
The scanning optical device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the seal member bends the harness when the seal member is sandwiched between the housing and the lid.
[0049]
(Embodiment 6)
The scanning optical component includes a light source that emits a light beam, a deflecting unit that deflects and scans the light beam emitted from the light source, and an imaging unit that forms an image of the light beam from the deflecting unit on a photoconductor. The scanning optical device according to any one of aspects 1 to 5.
[0050]
(Embodiment 7)
The scanning optical device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of holes are provided in the seal member, and the harness is inserted through the plurality of holes so as to be woven into the seal member.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably seal the outlet of the harness with a simple and small configuration without adding new parts.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a scanning optical device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view showing a configuration of the scanning optical device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view showing a configuration of the scanning optical device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a seal member of the scanning optical device in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a harness outlet when a lid is attached.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a seal member of a scanning optical device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which a harness is inserted into the seal member of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which a harness is inserted through the seal member of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a view showing a state where the seal member of FIG. 6 is attached to a housing.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a harness outlet when a lid is attached.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List A Scanning optical device B Detector mirror C Outlet D Scan start signal detector E Light source device F10, F20 Imaging lens G Cylindrical lens H Housing H10 Abutment H20 Guide J Laser light K Cover M Folding mirror P Seal Members P20, P30, P40, P50 Notch (hole)
P60 Projection part P70 Hole R Deflection scanner (scanning optical parts)
R10 Polygon mirror R20 Motor part R30 Harness

Claims (1)

An optical box including a housing having an opening and a lid closing the opening, and incorporating a scanning optical component,
A sealing member sandwiched between the housing and the lid to seal the opening;
A harness that is connected to the scanning optical component and pulled out of the apparatus from an outlet provided in the optical box,
A scanning optical device, wherein the harness is inserted through a hole provided in the seal member, and the harness is sandwiched between the housing and the lid to seal the outlet.

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