JP2005157049A - Scanning optical device and photographic processing apparatus equipped with same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress deterioration in image quality resulting from dust, dirt, etc., sticking on a dustproof glass. <P>SOLUTION: Outside a housing 70 which houses a laser oscillator emitting laser light 52, a dustproof cover 80 having a projection hole 81 formed is arranged so as to cover the top surface of the dustproof glass 75 through which the laser light 52 is transmitted. Air is supplied into the dustproof cover 80 through air supply holes 82a to 82d formed on both flanks of the dustproof cover 80. Thus, air is made to flow passing through the projection hole 81 from the inside, to the outside of the dustproof cover 80. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a scanning optical device that performs scanning processing of an image using light emitted from a light source, and a photographic processing apparatus including the scanning optical device.

  A scanning optical device for performing a scanning process on a photosensitive medium such as a photographic paper or a photosensitive drum includes a laser oscillator 550 that emits a laser beam 552 like a scanning optical device 515 shown in FIGS. A mirror 555 for changing the direction of the laser beam 552, a polygon mirror 560 that scans the laser beam 552, and an fθ lens 565 that allows the laser beam 552 reflected by the polygon mirror 560 to pass therethrough. There is. Here, the laser oscillator 550, the polygon mirror 560, and the like are often housed in a housing 570 having a long hole 572 for emitting laser light 552 to the outside. In addition, in a state where the long hole 572 formed in the housing 570 remains open, dust or dust enters the housing 570 and moves on the optical path of the laser light 552, so that the laser light 552 is in the wrong direction. This causes a problem that normal scanning processing cannot be performed. Therefore, in order to avoid such a problem, in the scanning optical device 515, the long hole 572 formed in the housing 570 is closed by the plate-like dustproof glass 575.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-142545

  However, if dust or dirt adheres to the surface of the dust-proof glass 575 that closes the long hole 572 of the housing 570, the laser beam 552 is blocked, and the amount of laser beam 552 that performs scanning processing on the photographic paper 502 that is a photosensitive medium is reduced. As a result of the reduction, the density of the image becomes thin, or a phenomenon in which dust or dust is shaded on the photographic paper 502 (a so-called “vignetting phenomenon”) occurs, and the image is deteriorated. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically clean the surface of the dust-proof glass 575 and remove the attached dust and dirt. However, at present, an operator often wipes off dust and dirt adhering to the surface of the dust-proof glass 575 by hand, and the dust-proof glass 575 needs to be cleaned for a long time. Further, when the photographic processing apparatus provided with the scanning optical device 515 is operated continuously for a long time, if the periodic cleaning is performed, the operation of the photographic processing apparatus must be temporarily stopped. The processing capability of the processing apparatus will be extremely low.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a scanning optical device and a photographic processing device capable of suppressing deterioration in image quality due to dust or dust adhering to dust-proof glass.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  The scanning optical device of the present invention includes a light source, a scanning unit that scans the surface of the medium with the light emitted from the light source, the light source and the scanning unit therein, and the medium surface is scanned by the scanning unit. A housing having a first hole through which a light beam passes, a translucent member for closing the first hole, and a second hole through which the light beam transmitted through the translucent member passes, A cover member disposed outside the housing so as to cover the translucent member, and an air flow generating mechanism that generates a flow of air passing through the second hole in a direction from the inside to the outside of the cover member. I have.

  According to this configuration, dust and dirt floating outside the cover member are less likely to enter the cover member from the second hole, and therefore, dust and dirt can be prevented from adhering to the surface of the translucent member. . Therefore, even if the translucent member is not frequently cleaned, scanning can be performed in a state where dust or dust is not attached to the surface of the translucent member. As a result, image deterioration due to dust and dirt adhering to the surface of the translucent member is hardly caused.

  In the scanning optical device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the air flow generation mechanism does not generate an air flow that passes through the second hole in a direction from the outside to the inside of the cover member.

  According to this configuration, dust and dirt floating outside the cover member are less likely to enter the cover member, so that dust and dirt can be further prevented from adhering to the surface of the translucent member. Therefore, it is possible to perform scanning in a state where dust or dust is not attached to the surface of the light transmissive member even if the light transmissive member is hardly cleaned. As a result, image deterioration due to dust and dirt adhering to the surface of the translucent member is hardly caused.

  In the scanning optical device of the present invention, the cover member is formed with an air supply hole, and the air flow generating mechanism is configured to supply a fan and air sent from the fan into the cover member through the air supply hole. You may have a supply pipe for supplying.

  According to this configuration, the amount of air passing through the second hole can be easily adjusted. In addition, when the air supplied from the air supply hole into the cover member is blown onto the surface of the translucent member, dust and dust adhering to the surface of the translucent member are removed during maintenance and the second hole is removed. Can be discharged to the outside of the cover member.

  In the scanning optical device of the present invention, it is preferable that the air supply holes are provided in the vicinity of both end portions of the cover member.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the flow of air that passes through the second hole in the direction from the outside toward the inside of the cover member with high probability. Therefore, dust and dirt floating outside the cover member do not enter the cover member with a high probability, so that it is possible to reliably suppress the dust and dirt from adhering to the surface of the translucent member.

  In the scanning optical device of the present invention, an air flow adjusting member that is disposed in the cover member and prevents the flow of air passing through the second hole in the direction from the outside toward the inside of the cover member. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the flow of air passing through the second hole in the direction from the outside toward the inside of the cover member. Accordingly, since dust and dirt floating outside the cover member hardly enter the cover member, it is possible to more reliably suppress the dust and dirt from adhering to the surface of the translucent member.

  In the scanning optical device of the present invention, it is preferable that a gap is formed between the light transmitting member and the air flow adjusting member.

  According to this configuration, the air supplied from the air supply hole of the cover member passes between the air flow adjustment member and the light transmission member, and the air is interposed between the light transmission member and the air flow adjustment member. A flow is generated. Therefore, the dust and dirt adhering to the translucent member can be removed by this air flow at the time of maintenance or the like, and can be discharged from the second hole to the outside of the cover member.

  In the scanning optical device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the amount of air passing through the second hole in the direction from the inner side to the outer side of the cover member is substantially uniform.

  According to this structure, it can suppress that the planarity is lost when the air discharged | emitted from the 2nd hole shakes a medium. Therefore, the light beam that has passed through the second hole is appropriately scanned with respect to the medium surface. As a result, a high-quality image can be formed on the medium surface.

  The photographic processing apparatus of the present invention includes any one of the above-described scanning optical devices.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately perform the exposure process by the scanning optical device in a state where dust or dust is not attached to the surface of the translucent member. As a result, a high-quality print can be output.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a schematic configuration of a photographic processing apparatus provided with a scanning optical device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a photographic processing apparatus provided with a scanning optical apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the photographic processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the long photographic paper 2 drawn out from the paper magazine 11 is cut by the cutter 12 along the width direction so as to have a predetermined length. A desired character is printed by the printing unit 13 on the surface (back surface) of the cut photographic paper 2 where the photosensitive emulsion layer is not formed.

  An exposure unit 14 is disposed on the downstream side of the printing unit 13. The exposure unit 14 performs exposure processing based on digital image data on the photographic paper 2 that is a photosensitive material. The exposure unit 14 appropriately processes the laser light emitted from the laser oscillator and scans the photographic paper 2. A scanning optical device 15 is provided. Details of the scanning optical device 15 will be described later. Further, at a position facing the scanning optical device 15, two pairs of transport rollers 16a and 16b for transporting the photographic paper 2 are arranged symmetrically with the exposure position interposed therebetween. Based on the digital image signal relating to the latent image to be formed on the photographic paper 2, the conveyance timing of the photographic paper 2 by the conveyance roller pairs 16 a and 16 b and the exposure timing of the scanning optical device 15 are controlled, so that the A latent image of a desired image can be formed by line exposure of the photosensitive emulsion surface.

  A guide transport mechanism 18 for bending the transport direction of the photographic paper 2 by 90 ° is disposed on the downstream side of the exposure unit 14. The guide transport mechanism 18 is bent 90 ° so as to be gently curved, and is a pair of upper and lower flat paper guide 19a and paper lower guide 19b, and an opening (not shown) provided in the paper lower guide 19b. Three drive rollers 21, 22, 23 arranged so that a part protrudes from each other, and a part protrudes from an opening (not shown) provided in the paper upper guide 19 a and each drive roller 21, 22, 23 And three pressure rollers 25, 26, 27 arranged so as to be pressure-bonded.

  A paper sorting unit 30 is disposed on the downstream side of the guide transport mechanism 18. The paper sorting unit 30 is used to sort the photographic papers 2 that have been transported in one row so far into two or more rows, and to allow the photographic paper 2 to be transported in parallel downstream from here.

  On the downstream side of the paper distribution unit 30, a delivery conveyance unit 31 for delivering the photographic paper 2 discharged therefrom to the processing liquid unit 32 is disposed. In the processing liquid section 32, the exposed photographic paper 2 is subjected to processing such as development, bleaching and stabilization. As a result, the latent image on the photographic paper 2 formed by exposure is made visible.

  Next, the detailed structure of the scanning optical apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a scanning optical device included in the photographic processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the scanning optical device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the scanning optical device 15 includes a laser oscillator 50 that emits laser light 52, a reflecting mirror 55 that is disposed in the direction in which the laser light is emitted from the laser oscillator 50, and a laser. A polygon mirror 60 having a hexagonal cross section for scanning light and an fθ lens 65 through which the laser light reflected by the polygon mirror 60 is passed are provided. A long hole 72 (see FIG. 3) is formed in the housing 70 so that the laser beam 52 reflected by the polygon mirror 60 is emitted to the outside. The long hole 72 is closed by a dustproof glass 75. Yes.

  The laser oscillator 50 includes a semiconductor laser and / or a solid-state laser that emits laser light 52 having a predetermined wavelength. The laser beam 52 emitted from the laser oscillator 50 is guided onto the photographic paper 2 by the reflecting mirror 55 and the polygon mirror 60, and the photosensitive emulsion layer of the photographic paper 2 is exposed and scanned, so that the latent image of the image becomes the photographic paper 2. Formed on top. The reflecting mirror 55 is for changing the laser beam 52 emitted from the laser oscillator 50 in a direction toward the polygon mirror 60.

  The polygon mirror 60 has a reflecting mirror arranged on each side of a regular hexagonal column, and can rotate at a constant speed around the axis of the regular hexagonal column. Therefore, the laser beam 52 incident on the polygon mirror 60 is scanned with the rotation of the polygon mirror 60 by being reflected by the reflection mirror disposed on one side surface of the regular hexagonal prism. The fθ lens 65 disposed between the polygon mirror 60 and the photographic paper 2 forms an image of the laser light 52 reflected by the polygon mirror 60 on the photographic paper 2.

  The dust-proof glass 75 is a transparent member through which the laser light 52 can pass, and is a rectangular plate-shaped member having a size that can sufficiently cover the rectangular long hole 72 formed in the housing 70. Therefore, dust and dirt floating outside the housing 70 hardly pass through the long hole 72 and enter the housing 70. The dust-proof glass 75 is covered with a dust-proof cover 80 disposed outside the housing 70.

  Here, the detailed structure of the dustproof cover 80 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 is a front view of the vicinity of the dust cover 80. FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the dustproof cover 80 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view near the dust cover 80. The dust cover 80 is a substantially box-shaped member and completely covers the surface of the dust glass 75. Further, an emission hole 81 for allowing the laser light 52 transmitted through the dust-proof glass 75 to pass is formed at a position corresponding to the optical path 52a (see FIG. 6) of the laser light 52 of the dust-proof cover 80. Here, the length L1 of the dustproof cover 80, the length L2 of the emission hole 81, and the exposure width W (see FIG. 2) have the relationship shown in the following (Equation 1).

  L1> L2> W (Formula 1)

  In addition, air supply holes 82 a to 82 d for supplying air sent from a fan 90 described later into the dustproof cover 80 are formed on both side surfaces of the dustproof cover 80. The air supply holes 82a to 82d are formed such that the air supply hole 82a and the air supply hole 82b face each other, and the air supply hole 82c and the air supply hole 82d face each other. The air supply holes 82a and 82b are formed above the optical path 52a, and the air supply holes 82c and 82d are formed below the optical path 52a. The air supply holes 82a and 82c and the air supply holes 82b and 82d are formed at positions that are symmetrical with respect to the optical path 52a.

  Inside the dust cover 80, prismatic blocks 83a and 83b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the optical path 52a. That is, the block 83a is arranged above the optical path 52a, the lower end of the block 83a is arranged so as to coincide with the vicinity of the upper edge of the emission hole 81 of the dust cover 80, and the block 83b is arranged below the optical path 52a. The upper end portion of the block 83b is disposed so as to coincide with the vicinity of the lower edge portion of the emission hole 81 of the dustproof cover 80. Therefore, the laser beam 52 emitted from the long hole 72 covered with the dust-proof glass 75 passes between the block 83a and the block 83b (hereinafter referred to as “space A”) and is emitted from the emission hole 81. .

  The lengths of the blocks 83a and 83b are equal, and the length L3 is slightly longer than the length L2 of the emission hole 81 and shorter than the length L1 of the dust cover 80. Therefore, the relationship shown in the following (Equation 2) is established between the length L3 of the blocks 83a and 83b and the length L2 of the emission hole 81.

  L1> L3> L2 (Formula 2)

  Between the both side surfaces of the dust-proof cover 80 and the block 83a (hereinafter referred to as “space B”) and between the both side surfaces of the dust-proof cover 80 and the block 83b (hereinafter referred to as “space C”) Spacing gaps are formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the block 83a is arranged at a position where the upper surface of the block 83a passes through the centers of the air supply holes 82a and 82b when the dust cover 80 is viewed from the side. Similarly, the block 83b is arranged at a position where the lower surface of the block 83b passes through the centers of the air supply holes 82c and 82d when the dust cover 80 is viewed from the side.

  Further, between the block 83a and the dustproof glass 75 (hereinafter referred to as “space D”) and between the block 83b and the dustproof glass 75 (hereinafter referred to as “space E”), the upper surface of the dustproof cover 80 is provided. And the upper surface of the block 83a (hereinafter referred to as "space F") and a width L6 that is sufficiently narrower than between the lower surface of the dust cover 80 and the lower surface of the block 83b (hereinafter referred to as "space G"). The gaps are respectively formed. On the other hand, the inner side surface of the dust-proof cover 80 (the surface facing the dust-proof glass 75) and the one end surfaces of the blocks 83a and 83b are in close contact with each other.

  The fan 90 can take in clean air from which dust and dirt have been removed by the filter 92 and can discharge the air ionized by the ionizer 93. Further, the supply pipe 91 connects between the fan 90 and the air supply holes 82 a to 82 d of the dust cover 80. Therefore, the air discharged from the fan 90 is supplied into the dustproof cover 80 through the supply pipe 91. Thus, since the air supplied to the dustproof cover 80 is clean air from which dust and dirt have been removed, there is almost no dust or dirt in the dustproof cover 80. In addition, since the air supplied into the dustproof cover 80 is ionized, it is possible to prevent dust and dirt from adhering to the dustproof glass 75 due to static electricity.

  Next, the flow of air supplied into the dust cover 80 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, most of the air supplied into the dustproof cover 80 from the air supply holes 82a and 82b flows into the space F, and the air supplied from the air supply holes 82a and the air supply holes 82b near the center of the space F. The supplied air collides. At this time, a part of the air supplied into the dust cover 80 from the air supply holes 82a and 82b (air other than the air that has flowed into the space F) collides with the vicinity of the upper end of the side surface of the block 83a to enter the space B. Into space A.

  Similarly, most of the air supplied into the dustproof cover 80 from the air supply holes 82c and 82d flows into the space G, and the air supplied from the air supply hole 82c and the air supply hole 82d near the center of the space G. The air supplied from the air collides. At this time, a part of the air supplied into the dustproof cover 80 from the air supply holes 82c and 82d (air other than the air flowing into the space G) collides with the vicinity of the lower end portion of the side surface of the block 83b to enter the space C. Into space A.

  On the other hand, the air that has reached the vicinity of the center of the space F in the dustproof cover 80 flows into the space A through the space D between the block 83 a and the dustproof glass 75. At this time, an air flow is generated in the space D from the space F above the block 83 a to the space A below the block 83 a and substantially parallel to the dust-proof glass 75. Similarly, the air that has reached the vicinity of the center of the space G in the dust cover 80 flows into the space A through the space E between the block 83 b and the dust glass 75. At this time, an air flow is generated in the space E from the space G below the block 83 b to the space A above the block 83 b and substantially parallel to the dust-proof glass 75. Therefore, an air flow substantially parallel to the dust-proof glass 75 is blown from the vertical direction onto the surface of the dust-proof glass 75 in the space A that becomes the optical path 52 a of the laser beam 52. Therefore, the dust and dirt adhering to the portion that becomes the optical path 52a on the surface of the dustproof glass 75 are removed.

  In this way, the air that has passed through the spaces F and D and has reached the space A, the air that has passed through the spaces G and E and has reached the space A, the air that has passed through the space B and has reached the space A, and the space The air that passes through C and reaches space A merges in space A and is discharged from emission hole 81. At this time, it is preferable that the amount of air discharged from the emission hole 81 is substantially uniform over almost the entire area of the emission hole 81.

  Next, a simulation result of the flow of air discharged from the emission hole 81 of the dustproof cover 80 when air is supplied into the dustproof cover 80 in the scanning optical device according to the present embodiment will be described. 7 and 8 show the simulation results of the flow of air discharged from the emission hole 81 of the dustproof cover 80 when air is supplied into the dustproof cover 80. Here, FIG. 7 shows the flow of air when the dustproof cover 80 is viewed from above, and FIG. 8 shows the flow of air when the dustproof cover 80 is viewed from the side. In addition, the magnitude | size of the arrow shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 represents the speed of the air flow, and the direction represents the direction of the air flow.

Here, each condition in the simulation was determined as follows.
Dust-proof cover 80 length L1: 349 mm
Length L2 of the emission hole 81: 334 mm
Block 83a, 83b length L3: 337mm
Block 83a, 83b width L4: 16mm
Height L5 of block 83a, 83b: 6mm
Space D, E width L6: 1mm
However, the length L1 of the dust cover 80 is the length of the inner surface of the dust cover 80.

  From FIG. 7, the direction of the air flow discharged from the vicinity of both ends of the emission hole 81 is slightly from the center of the emission hole 81, but no air is sucked into the dustproof cover 80. In addition, the speed of the air flow discharged from the vicinity of the central portion of the emission hole 81 is slightly higher than the speed of the air flow discharged from the vicinity of both ends of the emission hole 81, but the air flow discharged from the emission hole 81 Is substantially uniform over the entire region of the emission hole 81 in the width direction. Therefore, the amount of air discharged from the injection hole 81 is substantially uniform over the entire region in the width direction of the emission hole 81. In addition, it is preferable that the speed of the airflow discharged | emitted from the center part vicinity of the emission hole 81 is about 1 m / s. Thus, when the velocity of the air flow discharged from the exit hole 81 is very small, the flatness of the photographic paper 2 is hardly deteriorated by this air flow.

  From FIG. 8, no air is sucked into the dustproof cover 80 in the vicinity of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the emission hole 81. Further, the speed of the air flow discharged from the emission hole 81 is substantially uniform over the entire region of the emission hole 81 in the height direction. Therefore, it is substantially uniform over the entire region in the height direction of the emission hole 81.

  The results shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are examples, and the direction of the air flow discharged from the emission hole 81 is the direction from the inside of the dustproof cover 80 to the outside in the entire area of the emission hole 81. In addition, it is preferable that the amount of air discharged from the emission hole 81 is uniform over the entire area of the emission hole 81 in a direction perpendicular to the front surface of the emission hole 81.

  As described above, according to the scanning optical device 15 of the present embodiment, the air in the dustproof cover 80 is discharged outside from the emission hole 81 of the dustproof cover 80, so that dust and dirt floating outside the dustproof cover 80 are collected. It becomes difficult to enter the cover member, and adhesion to the surface of the dust-proof glass 75 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to perform scanning in a state where dust and dust are not attached to the surface of the dust-proof glass 75 without cleaning the dust-proof glass 75. As a result, the productivity of the photographic processing apparatus 1 provided with the scanning optical device 15 is greatly improved, and image deterioration due to dust and dirt adhering to the surface of the dust-proof glass 75 hardly occurs.

  Further, according to the scanning optical device 15 of the present embodiment, an air flow substantially parallel to the dust-proof glass 75 is blown from above and below to the portion corresponding to the optical path 52a on the surface of the dust-proof glass 75. Dust and dust adhering to the surface of the dust-proof glass 75 can be removed and discharged from the emission hole 81 to the outside of the dust-proof cover 80.

  Further, according to the scanning optical device 15 of the present embodiment, the block 83a for adjusting the air flow in the dust cover 80 so that the amount of air discharged from the emission hole 81 to the outside of the dust cover 80 is substantially uniform. 83 b is arranged in the dustproof cover 80. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the flow of air in the direction from the outside to the inside of the dust cover 80 that occurs in the vicinity of both ends of the emission hole 81. As a result, it becomes difficult for dust and dirt floating outside the dust-proof cover 80 to enter the dust-proof cover 80, and it is possible to reliably prevent the dust and dust from adhering to the surface of the dust-proof glass 75.

  Next, a photographic processing apparatus provided with the scanning optical device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The configuration of the photographic processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is mainly different from the configuration of the photographic processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in that the dust-proof glass of the scanning optical device 15 provided in the photographic processing apparatus 1. 75 is covered with a dustproof cover 80 in which two pairs of air supply holes, air supply holes 82a and 82b and air supply holes 82c and 82d, are formed, whereas the photo processing apparatus of the present embodiment The dust-proof glass 175 of the scanning optical device 115 provided in is covered with a dust-proof cover 180 in which a pair of air supply holes 182a and 182b are formed. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the photographic processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Here, the detailed structure of the dustproof cover 180 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a schematic front view near the dust cover 180. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view near the dust cover 180. As shown in FIG. 10, the dustproof cover 180 covers a portion corresponding to the optical path 152a on the surface of the dustproof glass 175 and a portion above the portion.

  At a position corresponding to the optical path 152a of the laser beam 152 of the dust cover 180, an emission hole 181 having a length L8 for allowing the laser beam 152 transmitted through the dust glass 175 to pass therethrough is formed. Air supply holes 182a and 182b for supplying air into the dustproof cover 180 are formed on both side surfaces of the dustproof cover 180 so as to face each other. The air supply holes 182a and 182b are formed above the optical path 152a.

  Inside the dust cover 180, a prismatic block 183 is disposed above the optical path 152a so that the lower end of the block 183 coincides with the vicinity of the upper edge of the emission hole 181 of the dust cover 180. Therefore, the laser beam 152 emitted from the long hole 172 covered with the dust-proof glass 175 passes between the lower surface of the dust-proof cover 180 and the block 183 (hereinafter referred to as “space H”) and passes through the emission hole 181. Emitted.

  The length L9 of the block 183 is slightly longer than the length L8 of the emission hole 181 and shorter than the length L7 of the dust cover 180. A gap with a predetermined interval is formed between both side surfaces of the dust cover 180 and the block 183 (hereinafter referred to as “space I”). Further, the block 183 is disposed at a position where the upper surface of the block 183 passes through the centers of the air supply holes 182a and 182b when the dust cover 180 is viewed from the side.

  Further, the space between the block 183 and the dust-proof glass 175 (hereinafter referred to as “space J”) is sufficiently greater than the space between the upper surface of the dust-proof cover 180 and the upper surface of the block 183 (hereinafter referred to as “space K”). A narrow gap having a width L10 is formed. On the other hand, the inner side surface (the surface facing the dustproof glass 175) of the dustproof cover 180 and one end surface of the block 183 are in close contact with each other.

  Next, the flow of air supplied into the dust cover 180 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

  First, most of the air supplied into the dustproof cover 180 from the air supply holes 182a and 182b flows into the space K, and from the air supplied from the air supply hole 182a and the air supply holes 182b near the center of the space K. The supplied air collides. At this time, a part of the air supplied into the dust cover 180 from the air supply holes 182a and 182b (air other than the air flowing into the space K) collides with the vicinity of the upper end portion of the side surface of the block 183, so Through the space H.

  On the other hand, the air that has reached the vicinity of the central portion of the space K in the dust cover 180 flows into the space H through the space J between the block 183 and the dust glass 175. At this time, an air flow is generated in the space J from the space K above the block 183 to the space H below the block 183 and substantially parallel to the dust-proof glass 175. Therefore, an air flow substantially parallel to the dust-proof glass 175 is blown from above onto the surface of the dust-proof glass 175 in the space H serving as the optical path 152a of the laser beam 152. Therefore, dust and dirt adhering to the portion that becomes the optical path 152a on the surface of the dust-proof glass 175 are removed.

  In this manner, the air that has passed through the spaces K and J and has reached the space H and the air that has passed through the space I and has reached the space H merge in the space H and are discharged from the emission hole 181. At this time, the amount of air discharged from the emission hole 181 is preferably substantially uniform over the entire area of the emission hole 181.

  As described above, according to the scanning optical device 115 of the present embodiment, dust and dirt floating outside the dust cover 180 enter the dust cover 180 as in the case of the scanning optical device 15 of the first embodiment. And the adhesion to the surface of the dust-proof glass 175 can be suppressed. In addition, since the dust cover 180 can be reduced in size, the scanning optical device 115 can be reduced in size.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims. Is. For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the air flows in the direction from the inside to the outside of the dust cover is described by supplying air into the dust cover, The means for generating an air flow in the direction from the inside to the outside of the dust cover is not limited to this. For example, by increasing the temperature in the dust cover, an air flow in the direction from the inside to the outside of the dust cover may be generated.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the air supply holes are formed on the two left and right side surfaces of the dust cover is shown. It may be formed on one side. Therefore, the air supply hole only needs to be formed on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the dustproof cover and the left and right side surfaces.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the case where there is almost no backflow of air from the outside to the inside of the dustproof cover and the amount of air discharged from the emission hole of the dustproof cover is almost uniform will be described. However, the amount of air exhausted from the exit hole of the dust-proof cover does not necessarily have to be uniform, and even if a reverse flow of air from the outside to the inside of the dust-proof cover occurs, the back-flowed air flows into the dust-proof glass. As long as it does not reach and dust or dust does not adhere to the dust-proof glass. Therefore, the block for preventing the flow of air passing through the emission hole in the direction from the outer side to the inner side of the dust-proof cover is not necessarily arranged in the dust-proof cover.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, a gap is formed between the block and the dustproof glass, but there may be no gap between the block and the dustproof glass.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, a scanning optical device that includes a laser oscillator that emits laser light of one wavelength and exposes a latent image corresponding to a black and white image has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three laser oscillators each emitting red (R), green (G), and blue (B) laser light are provided, and a latent image corresponding to a color image is provided. It may be a scanning optical device for exposure.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the photographic processing apparatus provided with the scanning optical apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the inside of a scanning optical device included in the photographic processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a scanning optical device included in the photographic processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a front view of the vicinity of a dustproof cover included in the photographic processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a typical enlarged view of the dustproof cover part of FIG. It is a typical side view of the vicinity of the dustproof cover of FIG. It is the top view which showed the flow of the air in the dustproof cover of FIG. 4, and the exit hole vicinity. It is the side view which showed the flow of the air in the dust-proof cover of FIG. 4, and the exit hole vicinity. It is a typical front view of the vicinity of the dust-proof cover contained in the photographic processing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the vicinity of the dustproof cover of FIG. 9. It is a schematic plan view inside a conventional scanning optical device. It is a schematic side view which shows the structure of the conventional scanning optical apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Photo processing device 15, 115 Scanning optical device 52, 152 Laser beam (light beam)
52a, 152a Optical path 72, 172 Long hole (first hole)
75, 175 Dust-proof glass (translucent member)
80, 180 Dust-proof cover (cover member)
81,181 exit hole (second hole)
82a to 82d, 182a, 182b Air supply hole 83a, 83b, 183 Block (air flow adjusting member)
90 Fan 91 Supply pipe

Claims (8)

A light source;
A scanning unit that scans the surface of the medium with the light emitted from the light source;
A housing having the light source and the scanning unit therein, and having a first hole through which a light beam scanned on the medium surface by the scanning unit passes;
A translucent member for closing the first hole;
A second hole through which a light beam transmitted through the light transmissive member passes, and a cover member disposed outside the housing so as to cover the light transmissive member;
A scanning optical apparatus, comprising: an air flow generation mechanism that generates a flow of air passing through the second hole in a direction from the inside to the outside of the cover member.   2. The scanning optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air flow generation mechanism does not generate a flow of air that passes through the second hole in a direction from the outside to the inside of the cover member. An air supply hole is formed in the cover member,
The air flow generation mechanism is
With fans,
The scanning optical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a supply pipe for supplying air sent out from the fan into the cover member through the air supply hole.   The scanning optical device according to claim 3, wherein the air supply holes are provided in the vicinity of both ends of the cover member.   The air flow adjusting member is further provided in the cover member so as not to generate a flow of air passing through the second hole in a direction from the outside to the inside of the cover member. The scanning optical device according to claim 3 or 4.   The scanning optical apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a gap is formed between the translucent member and the air flow adjusting member.   The scanning optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an amount of air passing through the second hole in a direction from the inside toward the outside of the cover member is substantially uniform.   A photographic processing apparatus comprising the scanning optical apparatus according to claim 1.

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