JP2007249104A - Optical scanner, image forming apparatus and color image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect and correct a scanning position deviation with high accuracy in a subscanning direction in an optical scanner making a plurality of light beams which are emitted from a plurality of light sources, deflected and scanned in a main scanning direction. <P>SOLUTION: The optical scanner deflects and scans the plurality of light beams which are emitted from the plurality of light sources in the main scanning direction by rotating a deflector having a plurality of faces at a predetermined rotation period. The optical scanner has: a photodetector having a light receiving face which is located at the position which is scanned with the plurality of light beams and the width of the light receiving face in the main scanning direction at the central part in the subscanning direction is different from the width of the other parts of the light receiving face in the main scanning direction; and a correction means which corrects the positions of the light beams on the basis of the detection signal from the photodetector. The plurality of light sources have at least one term in which the light beams are continuously emitted for a predetermined time at substantially the same period as the rotation period of the deflector, and the reflected light at the specific face of the deflector is detected as a signal with the photodetector. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical scanning device, an image forming apparatus, and a color image forming apparatus.

  In the tandem multicolor image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like, the photosensitive drums corresponding to the respective colors are arranged along the conveying direction of the transfer body, and the toner images formed at the image forming stations of the respective colors are superimposed. Thus, a color image can be formed in one pass, and the speed can be increased.

  However, unless the writing position of the electrostatic latent image formed on each photoconductor drum and the inclination or curvature of the scanning line are accurately matched, color misregistration or color change due to misregistration of each color plate causes image quality to deteriorate.

  Conventionally, this misregistration is not classified into those due to the optical scanning device and those other than the optical scanning device, and as shown in Patent Literature 2, Patent Literature 3, and Patent Literature 4, a misregistration detection pattern formed on the transfer body. Thus, there is known an example in which the position of the head line is corrected by periodically detecting at the time of starting up the apparatus or between jobs, and by adjusting the writing position at every other polygon mirror surface. .

  On the other hand, a multi-beam scanning device has been proposed as means for speeding up the optical scanning device. The multi-beam scanning device can scan a plurality of beams at once and simultaneously record a plurality of adjacent lines, and can increase the speed without increasing the rotation speed of the polygon scanner as a deflecting unit.

  In Patent Documents 5 and 6, the light source unit on which the semiconductor laser array is mounted is rotationally adjusted around the optical axis of the imaging optical system, thereby adjusting the sub-scanning intervals of the beam spot rows by the plurality of light emitting sources. An example is shown.

Patent Document 7 discloses a method in which a plurality of lines are simultaneously formed by performing batch scanning using a two-dimensional array element.
JP 2002-341273 A Japanese Patent Publication No.7-19084 JP 2001-253113 A JP 2003-154703 A JP-A-56-42248 JP 2000-75227 A JP 2003- 211728 A

  By the way, conventionally, a plurality of light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources are deflected and scanned in the main scanning direction by rotating a deflector having a plurality of surfaces at a predetermined rotation period, and scanned by a scanning image forming means. In the optical scanning device that condenses light toward the medium, there is a problem in that it is impossible to detect and correct the amount of scanning position deviation in the sub-scanning direction of a plurality of light beams.

  In the present invention, a plurality of light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources are deflected and scanned in a main scanning direction by rotating a deflector having a plurality of surfaces at a predetermined rotation period, and a scanned medium is scanned by a scanning imaging unit. To provide an optical scanning apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a color image forming apparatus capable of detecting and correcting a scanning position shift amount in the sub-scanning direction with high accuracy in an optical scanning apparatus that focuses light toward Yes.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources are rotated in a main scanning direction by rotating a deflector having a plurality of surfaces at a predetermined rotation period. In an optical scanning device that performs deflection scanning and collects light toward a scanned medium by a scanning imaging unit, a light receiving surface is disposed at a position where the plurality of light beams are scanned, and a main portion of the light receiving surface at the center in the sub-scanning direction is disposed. A photodetector having a width in the scanning direction different from the width in the main scanning direction of the other part of the light receiving surface; and a correcting means for correcting the position of the light beam based on a detection signal from the photodetector. The plurality of light sources have at least one period of continuous lighting for a certain period of time at substantially the same period as the rotation period of the deflector, and the light detector detects the reflected light on a specific surface of the deflector. It is characterized by being to do.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device of the first aspect, at least one photodetector is provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device according to the first or second aspect, the light detector is arranged outside an effective scanning area of a scanned medium.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical scanning device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the photodetector is disposed at a substantially central position of an effective scanning region of the scanned medium. Yes.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device according to the first or second aspect, the optical detector is located at a substantially central position outside the effective scanning area of the scanned medium and the effective scanning area of the scanned medium. It is characterized by being arranged respectively.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device according to the third or fifth aspect, the signal detection by the photodetector arranged outside the effective scanning area is performed during the writing of the image data. It is characterized by that.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, the photodetector disposed outside the effective scanning region and / or the effective scanning. The signal detection by the photodetector arranged at the substantially central position of the region is performed outside the image data writing period.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device according to the seventh aspect, the correction unit performs sub-scanning position shift correction between pages (for example, between sheets).

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device according to the seventh aspect, the correction unit performs sub-scanning position deviation correction between image writing jobs.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the photodetector is disposed in an optical path of the scanning imaging means. It is characterized by.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, a surface emitting laser configured on the same chip is used as the plurality of light sources. An optical scanning device characterized by the above.

  A twelfth aspect of the invention includes the optical scanning device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of optical scanning devices that perform optical scanning with image signals corresponding to a plurality of colors, and latent images of images corresponding to the respective colors by optical scanning with the respective optical scanning devices. In a color image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of latent image carriers on which images are formed; a developing unit that visualizes the latent images formed on each latent image carrier; and a transfer unit that transfers the developed images in a superimposed manner The optical scanning device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is used as the optical scanning device.

  According to the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention, a plurality of light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources are deflected and scanned in the main scanning direction by rotating a deflector having a plurality of surfaces at a predetermined rotation period. In the optical scanning device that collects the light toward the scanning medium by the scanning image forming means, a light receiving surface is arranged at a position where the plurality of light beams scan, and a main scanning direction at a central portion in the sub-scanning direction of the light receiving surface Has a light detector whose width is different from the width of the other part of the light receiving surface in the main scanning direction, and correction means for correcting the position of the light beam based on the detection signal from the light detector. The plurality of light sources have at least one period of continuous lighting for a certain period of time at substantially the same period as the rotation period of the deflector, and the light detector detects a signal of light reflected from a specific surface of the deflector. The sub-scanning method is It is possible to detect and correct the amount of scanning position deviation with high accuracy, and to correct pixel position deviation caused by the shape error of the reflecting surface of the deflector, the error of the distance between the reflecting surface and the rotation axis, and fluctuation. When applied to an image forming apparatus, it is possible to reduce image quality degradation.

  That is, in the invention described in claims 1 to 11, in the photodetector in which the light receiving surface is arranged at a position where a plurality of light beams scan, the main scanning direction at the center in the sub-scanning direction of the light receiving surface of the photodetector. By making the width of the light receiving surface larger or smaller than the width of the other part of the light receiving surface, it is possible to detect the amount of scanning position deviation of the plurality of light beams in the sub-scanning direction with high accuracy, and In order to reduce the influence of the amount of sub-scanning position deviation for each surface of the deflector, the position deviation amount can be detected with high accuracy by performing signal detection of the scanning position of a plurality of light sources during scanning on the same surface of the deflector. it can. We also provide an optical scanning device that can realize highly accurate misalignment correction by optimizing the arrangement of photodetectors and controlling the timing of misalignment correction between jobs and pages in the case of a color machine, for example. can do.

  Particularly, in the invention according to claim 11, in the optical scanning device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a surface emitting laser configured on the same chip is used as the plurality of light sources. High-definition and power-saving pixel formation is possible.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus comprising the optical scanning device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects. An image forming apparatus capable of realizing high image quality and energy saving can be provided.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of optical scanning devices that optically scan with image signals corresponding to a plurality of colors, and an image corresponding to each color by optical scanning with each optical scanning device. Color image formation having a plurality of latent image carriers on which latent images are formed, developing means for visualizing the latent images formed on each latent image carrier, and transfer means for transferring the developed images on top of each other In the apparatus, since the optical scanning device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is used as the optical scanning device, a color capable of correcting the pixel position in the sub-scanning direction with high accuracy. A high-definition and high-quality color image forming apparatus with little deviation can be provided.

  In recent years, multi-color image forming apparatuses (color image forming apparatuses) have been used for simple printing as an on-demand printing system as the speed has been increasing year by year. However, there is a stricter view on color change and color change, but on the other hand, as the number of prints in one job increases, misalignment is likely to occur due to temperature fluctuations during printing. Therefore, for example, when the correction using the misregistration detection pattern as shown in Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, and Patent Document 4 is performed as described above, the correction using the misregistration detection pattern is troublesome. Even if it is executed, it will be misaligned during the job. If the print operation is paused by interrupting the job and correction using the misregistration detection pattern is not performed frequently, stable print quality cannot be maintained. However, if the time required for this is long, there is a problem that productivity cannot be improved even if the printing speed is increased. As a countermeasure against this, it is conceivable to form and correct a misregistration detection pattern on the transfer body during a period in which the recording paper is not transferred, such as between pages. However, the method of changing the posture and shape of the optical element mechanically as described above (as shown in Patent Document 5 and Patent Document 6) can change the trajectory of the scanning line in an analog manner, and thus the correction range. However, it is difficult to operate in a short time corresponding to the interval between pages.

  The multi-color image forming apparatus includes a plurality of optical scanning devices as writing means, and the temperature of each writing means changes due to the influence of heat generated by a polygon scanner or a fixing device as a deflector. This temperature change changes the optical characteristics such as the displacement of the lens and light source in the optical scanning device and the change in the refractive index of the optical element, resulting in the deviation of the spot position of the light beam on the surface to be scanned and the bending of the scanning line. Will occur. As a result, the relative positions of the scanning lines for the respective colors are different, and color misregistration occurs and the quality of the color image is deteriorated.

  Further, in the scanning optical system, the variation in the distance from the rotation axis of the deflecting / reflecting surface of the deflector such as a polygon scanner causes uneven scanning speed of the light spot (scanning beam) that scans the surface to be scanned. This uneven scanning speed causes image fluctuations and image quality degradation. When high quality image quality is required, it is necessary to correct scanning unevenness. Dot misalignment caused by the shape error of the reflecting surface of the deflector and the error of the distance between the reflecting surface and the rotation axis has slightly different characteristics depending on the surface of the deflector. Therefore, it is necessary to detect and correct the displacement amount for each surface.

  The present invention is for solving the above-described problems and problems, and a plurality of light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources are mainly obtained by rotating a deflector having a plurality of surfaces at a predetermined rotation period. In an optical scanning device that deflects and scans in the scanning direction and collects light toward the scanned medium by the scanning imaging means, it detects and corrects the writing timing in the main scanning direction and the amount of scanning position deviation in the sub-scanning direction with high accuracy. It is intended to provide an optical scanning device, an image forming apparatus, and a color image forming apparatus that can be used.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an optical scanning device (optical scanning unit) that scans four stations. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a light source unit used in the optical scanning device (optical scanning unit) of FIG. The optical scanning device in FIG. 1 scans a plurality of light beams corresponding to four stations from the light source unit with a single polygon mirror, deflects them in opposite directions, and scans each of the four photosensitive drums. 101, 102, 103, and 104 are integrated.

  In FIG. 1, four photosensitive drums 101, 102, 103, and 104 are arranged at equal intervals along the moving direction 105 of the transfer body, and a color image is formed by sequentially transferring and superposing different color toner images. It has become so.

  As shown in the figure, the optical scanning device that scans each of the photosensitive drums 101, 102, 103, and 104 is integrally formed, and each optical beam is scanned by a polygon mirror 106 that is configured in two stages.

  Each of the light source units 107 and 109 is provided for each of two stations that scan in the same direction. The light beam splitting prisms 108 and 110 are used to emit light beams in two upper and lower stages corresponding to the upper and lower surfaces of the polygon mirror 106. The image is branched and images corresponding to the stations are alternately formed on the photosensitive drums 101, 102, 103, and 104.

  The light source units 107 and 109 and the fθ lens and toroidal lens constituting the imaging optical system are arranged symmetrically with respect to a symmetry plane including the rotation axis of the polygon mirror 106 and parallel to the photosensitive drum axis. The light beams from the light source units 107 and 109 are deflected in opposite directions and guided to the photosensitive drums 101, 102, 103, and 104.

  Therefore, the scanning direction at each station is the opposite direction between the opposing photosensitive drums, and the width of the recording area, in other words, the magnification in the main scanning direction is matched, and one scanning start end coincides with the other scanning end. The electrostatic image is written as if.

  Further, in this configuration example, for each of the photosensitive drums 101, 102, 103, and 104, as shown in FIG. 12, n columns × m rows arranged in a matrix form at equal intervals d in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. Are provided as the light source units 107 and 109, and the entire light source unit is inclined by γ. Thus, the inclination is adjusted so that the beam spot pitch p on the photosensitive drum in the sub-scanning direction matches the scanning line pitch corresponding to the recording density, so that 32 lines are simultaneously scanned for each station.

  Here, when the sub scanning magnification βs of the entire optical system is used, the tilt amount γ is expressed by the following equation (Equation 1).

  Of course, at the stage of the processing process of the surface emitting semiconductor laser array, it may be laid out in advance so that the arrangement direction of the light emitting points is inclined by a predetermined angle.

  In the liquid crystal deflecting element 117, only the polarization component that matches the liquid crystal alignment direction is deflected, so that the polarization direction of the light emitting source is aligned in one direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light beam splitting prism 108 has a half mirror surface 141 and a mirror surface 142 parallel to the half mirror surface 141, and a plurality of beams from the light source unit 107 are respectively half mirror surfaces. A half light amount is reflected, and the remaining half is transmitted and branched into two vertically, and the directions are aligned and emitted at a predetermined interval in the sub-scanning direction. In this example, this distance is set to 6 mm together with the vertical distance between the polygon mirror and the fθ lens.

  Further, the liquid crystal deflecting elements 117 are respectively provided above and below the exit surface of the light beam splitting prism 108, and when a voltage is applied, a potential distribution is generated in the sub-scanning direction, the liquid crystal orientation is changed, and a refractive index distribution is generated. The direction of the light beam can be tilted, and the scanning position on the photosensitive drum surface can be made variable according to the applied voltage.

  FIG. 5 shows an outline of the liquid crystal deflecting element 117 as the optical axis changing means. The liquid crystal deflecting element 117 has a configuration in which liquid crystal is sealed between transparent glass plates, and electrodes are formed above and below one glass plate surface. When a potential difference is applied between the upper and lower electrodes, a potential gradient occurs as shown in the right cross section of FIG. 5, and the orientation of the liquid crystal changes to generate a refractive index distribution. Can be tilted slightly. Here, nematic liquid crystal having dielectric anisotropy or the like is used as the liquid crystal. Therefore, if an electrode is provided in the sub-scanning direction, the scanning position on the photoreceptor surface can be made variable according to the applied voltage.

  The cylinder lenses 113 and 114 are provided in two stages corresponding to each branched light beam, and one of them is attached so as to be rotatable around the optical axis so that the focal lines are parallel to each other. And is incident on each of the polygon mirrors 106 formed in two stages at intervals of 6 mm in the sub-scanning direction.

  The cylinder lenses 113 and 114 have a positive curvature in at least the sub-scanning direction, and once the beam is converged on the polygon mirror surface, the deflection point and the photoconductor surface are sub-scanned by the toroidal lens described later. A surface tilt correction optical system having a conjugate relationship with the direction is formed.

  Further, the polygon mirror 106 has four surfaces, and deflects and scans a plurality of beams from each light emitting point array at the same time by the same deflection surface. Further, the phases of the upper and lower polygon mirrors are shifted by 45 °, and the scanning of the light beam is alternately performed in the upper and lower stages.

  The imaging optical system is composed of an fθ lens and a toroidal lens, both of which are made by plastic molding. The fθ lens 120 has a beam at a constant speed on the surface of the photosensitive member as the polygon mirror rotates in the main scanning direction. It has a non-circular arc shape with power so that it moves, and it is integrally formed by stacking in two layers.

  The scanning beams that have passed through the toroidal lens are incident on photodetectors (light detection sensors) 138 and 140 arranged on the scanning start end side and photodetectors (light detection sensors) 139 and 141 arranged on the scanning end side, respectively. Then, based on the detection signals of the photodetectors (light detection sensors) 138 and 140, a synchronization detection signal for each light source is generated, and the timing of starting writing is taken.

  On the other hand, the detection signals of the photodetectors (light detection sensors) 139 and 141 arranged on the scanning end side are the light beams from the photodetectors (light detection sensors) 138 and 140 arranged on the scanning start end side, respectively. By measuring the difference in detection time and comparing it with a predetermined reference value, the pixel clock for modulating each light source is made variable, so that the magnification deviation in the main scanning direction is corrected, as will be described later.

  FIG. 11 shows the path of the light beam in the sub-scan section.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of light emission sources 301 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the optical axis of the coupling lens 302, and each light beam converted into a parallel light beam by the coupling lens 302 is emitted from the light source unit 107. Thereafter, the light beam is once converged in the vicinity of the rear focal point of the coupling lens 302, is incident on the fθ lens 120 while widening the light beam interval in the main scanning direction, and the polygon mirror deflection surface by the cylinder lenses 113 and 114 in the sub scanning direction. Is again converged in the vicinity of, and enters the fθ lens 120.

  Further, as described above, the plurality of light beams from the light source unit 107 are bifurcated vertically by the light beam splitting prism 108 and guided to the photosensitive drums 101 and 102 corresponding to each station.

  That is, beams 201 (see FIG. 11) emitted from the lower stage of the light beam splitting prism 108 are deflected and scanned at the lower stage of the polygon mirror 106 via the cylinder lens 113, and the lower stage of the fθ lens 120 is scanned. Then, the light enters the toroidal lens 123 by the folding mirror 129, forms a spot image on the photosensitive drum 101 via the folding mirror 130, and forms a latent image corresponding to yellow image information as a first image forming station. Form.

  Also, beams 202 (see FIG. 11) emitted from the upper stage of the light beam splitting prism 108 are deflected and scanned at the upper stage of the polygon mirror 106 via the cylinder lens 114 and pass through the upper stage of the fθ lens 120. Then, the light enters the toroidal lens 124 by the folding mirror 127, forms an image on the photosensitive drum 102 through the folding mirror 128, and forms a latent image corresponding to the magenta image information as the second image forming station. To do.

  Similarly, in the opposite stations, a plurality of light beams from the light source unit 109 are bifurcated up and down by the light beam splitting prism 110 and guided to the photosensitive drums 103 and 104 corresponding to each station.

  That is, beams 203 (see FIG. 11) emitted from the lower stage of the light beam splitting prism 110 are deflected and scanned at the lower stage of the polygon mirror 106 via the cylinder lens 115, and the lower stage of the fθ lens 121 is moved. Then, the light enters the toroidal lens 126 by the folding mirror 132, forms a spot image on the photosensitive drum 104 via the folding mirror 133, and forms a latent image corresponding to black image information as the fourth image forming station. Form.

  In addition, beams 204 (see FIG. 11) emitted from the upper stage of the beam splitting prism 110 are deflected and scanned on the upper stage of the polygon mirror 106 via the cylinder lens 116, and the upper stage of the fθ lens 121 is scanned. Then, the light enters the toroidal lens 125 through the folding mirror 135, forms a spot image on the photosensitive drum 103 through the folding mirror 136, and forms a latent image corresponding to cyan image information as a third image forming station. Form.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of light beams from the surface-emitting type semiconductor laser array 301 monolithically arranged two-dimensionally are subjected to S by a branch mirror 303 having a polarization separation surface formed immediately before entering the coupling lens 302. The s-polarized light component that has been divided into two, the polarized light component and the p-polarized light component, is arranged symmetrically with respect to the optical axis by the arrangement adjustment of the coupling lens 302 in the x, y, and z directions, and is emitted as a parallel light beam. .

  On the other hand, the P-polarized component reflected by the branch mirror 303 is detected by the light detection sensor 310 installed on the control substrate 313 on which the surface-emitting type semiconductor laser array 301 is mounted via the converging lens 304, and each surface of the polygon mirror is detected. During the time from the start of scanning to the image area, each light source is sequentially turned on in time series to detect the intensity of each beam, and the output of each light source becomes a predetermined value compared to the reference value. The injection current is set as follows.

  The set injection current is held until the scanning of the image area is completed, and is set again at the next scanning on the polygon mirror surface so that the beam intensity is kept constant.

  The control board 313 is formed with a power control circuit that keeps the light emission output of the light source constant and a drive circuit that modulates each light source according to image information, and is held together with the coupling lens 302. The light source unit is configured.

  As described above, the plurality of light emitting sources of the surface-emitting type semiconductor laser array 301 has a limited number m of arrangement in the sub-scanning direction and an arrangement number n in the main scanning direction in order to keep the deviation of the bending amount within an allowable value. I have to increase a lot.

  For this reason, if the light emitting sources are not aligned in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the coupling lens, the focusing state of the beam emitted from the coupling lens differs for each light emitting source, and the imaging position is shifted from the surface of the photoreceptor. As a result, the beam spot diameter becomes a deviation, and periodic density unevenness occurs. Alternatively, image deterioration such as a change in color occurs depending on from which light source the first row is recorded.

  In this configuration example, the light emitting sources arranged at the ends in the main scanning direction are aligned with each other so that the light emitting sources are aligned with the coupling lens. Specific examples will be described below.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a main scanning section of the light source unit. Referring to FIG. 15, the light source unit includes a holder member that holds the coupling lens 302 and a base member that holds the control substrate 313 on which the surface emitting semiconductor laser array 301 is mounted on the optical axis of the coupling lens 302. It is configured to be integrated by joining at an orthogonal reference plane and screw fastening.

  Here, the base member includes a first member 321 that holds the control substrate 313, and a second member 324 that incorporates the branch mirror 303, the converging lens 304, and the light detection sensor 310, all of which are made of aluminum die cast. It is formed by.

  The surface-emitting type semiconductor laser array 301 has a configuration in which a chip forming a light source is accommodated in a ceramic package provided with lead terminals, and a surface formed in parallel with the array surface of the light sources is defined as a first member 321. The control board 313 is screwed to the two columns 323 so that the semiconductor laser array 301 is sandwiched in the optical axis direction.

  The first member 321 has two contact points (i.e., arranged in the main scanning direction across the mounting portion of the semiconductor laser array 301 on the mounting surface formed on the second member 324 and parallel to the reference surface). The protrusion 326 formed integrally with the first member 321 and the tip of the adjustment screw 327 screwed to the first member 321 are abutted and joined to increase or decrease the protrusion amount of the adjustment screw 327. Thus, with the protrusion 326 as a fulcrum, the inclination of the semiconductor laser array mounting portion can be adjusted within the main scanning section.

  By adjusting the inclination and adjusting the arrangement of the coupling, the position of the light emitting point with respect to the coupling lens between the light emitting sources arranged at the end in the main scanning direction can be adjusted.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the support housing of the toroidal lens.

  The toroidal lens 305 is integrally formed with a rib portion 306 so as to surround the lens portion, and a positioning projection 307 is formed at the center portion.

  The support metal plate 301 and the presser metal plate 302 are formed by bending the short end into a U-shape and sandwiching the spacing members 303 and 304 at both ends to face each other, and the toroidal lens 305 is housed in the frame and held. Is done.

  The toroidal lens 305 has a projection 307 formed at the center portion engaged with a notch 316 formed at a standing bent portion of the support metal plate 301, and an installation surface 321 extending inward from the spacing members 303 and 304 at both ends of the rib upper surface. 322 is positioned in the sub-scanning direction, and the flange portions 323 and 324 protruding from the rib end surfaces in the longitudinal direction are positioned in contact with the side surfaces of the spacing members 303 and 304 to position the optical axis direction. A pair of leaf springs 306 sandwiched and supported between 304 and the presser plate 302 are urged from two directions on the upper and side surfaces of the toroidal lens 305 to hold both ends, and can be freely moved in the longitudinal direction even if there is thermal expansion. It can be expanded and contracted.

  The tip of the adjustment screw 308 screwed into the screw hole 312 of the support metal plate 301 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the rib of the toroidal lens 305 at three positions, a center point and an intermediate point obtained by dividing the distance between both ends into three parts. The plate springs 307 mounted on the sheet metal 302 are biased so as to face each other from the lower surface of the rib.

  Since the toroidal lens 305 is long and has low rigidity, it deforms (warps) even when a slight stress is applied, and it deforms due to the difference in thermal expansion due to the temperature distribution accompanying changes in the ambient temperature. By holding at a plurality of locations along the sheet metal 301, the shape is stably maintained, and the linearity of the busbar is maintained.

  The support metal plate 301 is formed to extend to the outside of the toroidal lens 305. One end of the support metal plate 301 is attached to the bottom surface of the housing. The support metal plate 301 receives the sub-scanning direction on the receiving surface 309 and the optical axis direction on the abutting surface 310. They are positioned in contact with each other, and are urged and supported by a leaf spring 314.

  A stepping motor 315 is fixed to the other end, and the leading end of the movable cylinder 317 screwed into a feed screw formed on a shaft extending downward is passed through the extension portion of the presser plate 302 to form a receiving surface formed on the bottom surface of the housing. It is abutted against the bottom surface of 312, positioned in contact with the abutting surface 311 in the optical axis direction, and urged by a leaf spring 314 to be fixed to the housing so as to be bridged.

  One end to which the stepping motor 315 is fixed can be displaced in the sub-scanning direction by its rotation.

  As a result, the toroidal lens 305 can follow the forward / reverse rotation of the stepping motor 315 and can rotate and adjust with the receiving surface 309 as a fulcrum in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis (that is, γ can be adjusted). Correction can be made so that the bus line of the toroidal lens in the scanning direction is inclined and the scanning line as the imaging position of the toroidal lens is inclined so that the scanning lines between the stations are parallel.

  At this time, the movement of the movable cylinder 317 with respect to the rotation angle of the stepping motor 315 is determined by the pitch of the feed screw. In this example, however, the shaft is rotated via the reduction gear 316 in order to obtain a resolution for further inclination correction. This is transmitted to the movable cylinder 317.

  Since the rotation of the stepping motor 315 is transmitted in the order of the gear 1 arranged on the shaft, the gears 2 and 3 arranged on the reduction gear 316, and the gear 4 arranged on the movable cylinder 317, the number of teeth of the gear 1 and the gear 4 is determined. By slightly shifting, the rotation angle of the movable cylinder 317 relative to the rotation angle of the shaft can be delayed or advanced by the difference, and the tip of the movable cylinder can be moved little by little.

  Note that the movable cylinder 317 and the reduction gear 316 are sandwiched between the respective sheet metals and are rotatably supported.

  In this configuration example, the tilt correction mechanism is attached to the toroidal lenses of the first, second, and third stations, so that the scan line tilt with respect to black is automatically determined for each color based on the tilt detection result described later. Will be corrected.

  FIG. 4 is a view of the toroidal lens attached as seen from the optical axis direction.

  When the protruding amount of the three adjustment screws 308 is not sufficient for the portions of the installation surfaces 321 and 322, the toroidal lens 305 warps so that the generatrix 312 of the toroidal lens is convex upward.

  On the other hand, when the protruding amount increases, the projection warps downward. Therefore, by adjusting these adjusting screws, the focal line of the toroidal lens is curved in the sub-scanning direction, and the bending of the scanning line can be corrected to higher order components.

  In general, the bending of the scanning line is a combination of components due to the placement error of the optical elements constituting the optical system and the twisting and warping of the surface during molding. Each of the scanning lines on the surface of the photosensitive drum is formed by bending the toroidal lens 305 in three directions along the main scanning direction so as to cancel the shape. Can be straightened.

  In this example, each of the toroidal lenses is provided so as to adjust the curved shape between the scanning lines of each station at the time of assembly.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing beam spot position deviation control in this configuration example.

  The position of the beam spot between the stations is determined by the transfer belt 105 shown in FIG. 1 at a predetermined timing such as when the power is turned on, when recovering from the standby state, or when a predetermined number of prints have elapsed. By reading the detection pattern 143 of the toner image formed above, the resist in the main scanning direction, the magnification, the resist in the sub-scanning direction, and the inclination are detected as relative deviations with respect to a specific station. The registration in the scanning direction is corrected by varying the timing at which the synchronization detection signal is generated, and the magnification is corrected by varying the pixel clock that modulates each light emitting point.

  On the other hand, for registration in the sub-scanning direction, first, every other polygon mirror, that is, the number of simultaneously scanned beams is n. In this example, the write start timing at which the registration deviation is minimized is set in units of 32 line pitches. For the excess, the light source that forms the first row is selected from a plurality of light sources, and the writing position of the first row is adjusted in units of one line pitch. Operate and correct by tilting the toroidal lens.

  The toner image detection pattern detecting means comprises an LED element 154 for illumination, a photo sensor 155 for receiving reflected light, and a pair of condensing lenses 156, and a line pattern inclined about 45 ° with respect to the main scanning line. Then, the detection time difference is read according to the movement of the transfer belt.

  In this example, it is arranged at three locations, the center and both left and right ends, so that the inclination is determined by the difference between the left and right ends, and each magnification from the center to the left and right ends is detected and adjusted to the reference station. To correct.

  However, since the printing operation is interrupted in this correction mode, if this frequency increases, there is a disadvantage that not only the productivity of printing is reduced but also excess toner is consumed. It is desirable that the beam spot position be stably maintained for a long time.

  Next, the operation of the write control circuit will be described with reference to FIG. The image data rasterized for each color is temporarily stored in the frame memory 408, read out sequentially to the image processing unit, and the pixels of each line according to the matrix pattern corresponding to the halftone while referring to the relationship before and after. Data is formed and transferred to the line buffer 407 corresponding to each light emitting point.

  That is, the write control circuit includes the same number of line buffers 407 for each light emitting point of the semiconductor laser array, and each read out is triggered by the synchronization detection signal as a trigger to independently modulate each light emitting point.

  Therefore, by selecting the line buffer for transferring the pixel data in order, it is possible to switch the light emitting point for recording the first row.

  Next, the clock generation unit 401 for modulating each light emitting point will be described. The counter 403 counts the high-frequency clock VCLK generated by the high-frequency clock generation circuit 402, and the comparison circuit 404 externally outputs this count value, a preset value L set in advance based on the duty ratio, and the transition timing of the pixel clock. Is compared with the phase data H instructing the phase shift amount, and when the count value coincides with the set value L, the control signal l instructing the falling edge of the pixel clock PCLK coincides with the phase data H. At this time, a control signal h for instructing rising of the pixel clock PCLK is output.

  At this time, the counter 403 is reset simultaneously with the control signal h and starts counting from 0 again, whereby a continuous pulse train can be formed. In this way, the phase data H is given for each clock, and the pixel clock PCLK whose pulse cycle is sequentially changed is generated.

  In this example, the pixel clock PCLK is divided by 8 of the high frequency clock VCLK so that the phase can be varied with a resolution of 1/8 clock.

  FIG. 8 is an example in which the phase of an arbitrary pixel is shifted, and is an example in which the phase is delayed by 1/8 clock.

  If the duty is 50%, a set value L = 3 is given, and the counter 403 counts 4 and the pixel clock PCLK falls. Assuming that the 1/8 clock phase is delayed, phase data H = 6 is given and rises with 7 counts. At the same time, the counter is reset, so it falls again at 4 counts. That is, the adjacent pulse period is shortened by 1/8 clock.

  The pixel clock PCLK generated in this way is supplied to the light source driving unit 405, and the semiconductor laser is driven by the modulation data in which the pixel data read from the line buffer 407 is superimposed on the pixel clock PCLK.

  By arranging the pixels that shift the phase at predetermined intervals in this way, the density of the pixel intervals along the main scanning direction is adjusted so that the main scanning registration deviation becomes zero at the boundary of each divided section. The deviation of magnification can be corrected.

  That is, the overall magnification is corrected by uniformly expanding and contracting the pixel interval by shifting the pixel clock PCLK itself, and the partial magnification is corrected by changing the pixel interval every predetermined number of pixels.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 10, the main scanning region is divided into a plurality of sections, and the interval and the shift amount of the pixels for shifting the phase are set as shown below and given as phase data.

  Now, assuming that the change in magnification with respect to the main scanning position x is L (x), the change M (x) in the beam spot position deviation is expressed by its integral value as shown in the following equation (Equation 2).

  Assuming that the beam spot position deviation is corrected to 0 at the start and end points of the divided section, the deviation of the divided section width due to the change in magnification of the arbitrary divided section is Δm, and the phase shift resolution is σ (constant). When the number of pixels in the divided section is N, the interval between the pixels for shifting the phase is D≈N / (Δm / σ). However, D is represented by an integer, and the phase may be shifted by σ for each D pixel.

  In the above example, σ is 1/8 pixel. Therefore, the number of divisions set in advance may be determined with reference to the fact that the beam spot position deviation residual generated at the intermediate position of the division section is within the allowable range.

  In this example, eight equal divisions are set. Of course, partial division may be performed by changing the division interval width.

  Conventionally, a photodetector (for example, the photodetector 138) in which a light receiving surface is arranged at a position where a plurality of light beams (laser beams) for forming an image scans is sub-scanned by the plurality of light beams. Therefore, there is a problem in that the amount of scanning position deviation in the direction cannot be detected, and therefore the imaging positions in the sub-scanning direction of a plurality of light beams cannot be corrected.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a detection pattern by a photodetector (for example, a photodetector 138) in the prior art.

  As shown in FIG. 14, consider a case where a plurality of light sources 1 to 7 having different positions in the sub-scanning direction are scanned with respect to a conventional photodetector (rectangular photodetector).

  When the light sources 3, 4 and 5 are turned on, the relationship of t3 = t4 = t5 is obtained, assuming that the signal width obtained by the photodetector is t3, t4, and t5. This is because, conventionally, the shape of the photodetector is the same in the sub-scanning direction, and it is a detection time width to detect which part of the photodetector is scanned by a plurality of light sources. It is very difficult to obtain from (signal width).

  Therefore, in the present invention, in a photodetector (for example, the photodetector 138) in which a light receiving surface is arranged at a position where a plurality of light beams (laser beams) for forming an image scan, the light reception of the photodetector. The width in the main scanning direction of the central portion in the sub-scanning direction of the surface is made different from the width in the main scanning direction of other portions of the light receiving surface.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, in the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction (sub-scanning direction), the width of the central portion in the main scanning direction is larger than the width of the other portions in the main scanning direction. Alternatively, the width is reduced (in the example of FIG. 6, the width of the light receiving surface in the main scanning direction is reduced from the center in the sub scanning direction toward the end in the sub scanning direction). The longest (or shortest) time is obtained by comparing the time widths of the detection signals of the photodetectors detected by the later-described deviation amount detection means 601 when scanning a plurality of scanning lights from the scanning start end side. The sub-scanning resist of each color image is shifted by feedback control using, for example, the liquid crystal deflecting element 117 based on the sub-scanning position shift amount between the position of the light source having the width and the light source located in the center of the sub-scanning direction of the plurality of light sources. Not run Position can hold.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the light sources 1 to 6 having different positions in the sub-scanning direction. Signals obtained by the photodetector when scanning each of the light sources 1 to 6 are set as detection signals 1 to 6, and the detection time thereof. Let the width be t1 to t6. At this time, by counting the ON times of the detection signals 1 to 6 with the detection clock signal for comparing the detection times, different count values can be obtained from the detection signals of the plurality of light sources. For example, the case of the light sources 4, 5, and 6 is shown in FIG. 6, but in this case, the count value is N4 ≧ N5 ≧ N6 from the relationship of t4> t5> t6. When the period of the detection clock signal is small relative to the time difference of the detection signal, the time difference can be compared as a count value, but when the period is large, the count value of the detection signal obtained by scanning of a plurality of light sources becomes the same value, Since the determination of which light source is scanning the center position of the detector and the detection accuracy deteriorate due to the comparison of the count value, the detection signal of the light sources that scan different sub-scanning positions is the period of the detection clock signal. It is desirable to set so that different count values can be obtained.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the light source is arranged at substantially the same position in the main scanning direction, and scanning is performed in the main scanning direction as shown in the figure with respect to the photodetector having the light receiving surface as shown in the figure. In this case, when the detection signal rises when light begins to scan the light receiving surface of the photodetector, the fall timing of each detection signal is the same timing.

  On the other hand, since the rising timing varies depending on the scanning position of each light source with respect to the light receiving surface of the photodetector, it is possible to control the image writing start timing by controlling the light emission timing of the light source based on the falling timing. Further, by detecting the light source having the largest count value, it is possible to detect the shift amount of the plurality of light sources with respect to the sub-scanning center position light source, and based on the detected shift amount of the plurality of light sources with respect to the sub-scanning center position light source. Thus, it is possible to correct the imaging positions of the plurality of light beams in the sub-scanning direction.

  In other words, in the example of FIG. 6, one edge of the light receiving surface of the photodetector is set to be perpendicular to the main scanning direction. At this time, a plurality of light sources (a plurality of light beams) are provided. When passing through this edge, the fall timing of the detection signal is the same regardless of the sub-scanning position for any light source (any light beam). Therefore, it is possible to create a main scanning synchronization detection signal for timing the lighting of the light source based on the falling timing of the detection signal of a certain light source (a certain light beam). Both the main scanning synchronization detection function and the sub-scanning position shift detection function can be achieved. A photodetector having a function can be realized.

  FIG. 16 shows another example. That is, the example of FIG. 16 is a case of a plurality of light sources arranged in substantially the same position in the main scanning direction in the example of FIG. The position is different. In the example of FIG. 16, since the positions of the plurality of light sources in the main scanning direction are different, the signal falling position is different for each light source. Therefore, the time difference between the falling signals is counted by the detection clock signal, and when a plurality of light sources emits light simultaneously, the light sources located closest to the photodetector in the main scanning direction (in the example of FIG. 16, six light sources). The light source 6) is used as a reference for the light emission signal, and the light emission time is shifted by the amount of shift of the falling signal from the light source, thereby forming pixels at substantially the same position in the main scanning direction on the scanned medium. Is possible.

  FIG. 17 shows still another example. That is, in the example of FIG. 17, a plurality of light sources are two-dimensionally arranged, and half of the light sources of FIG. 16 are shifted and arranged in two rows in the sub-scanning direction. Also in the example of FIG. 17, as in FIGS. 6 and 16, it is possible to determine which position of the entire light source is scanned by the plurality of light sources by counting the signal width of the detection signal based on the detection clock signal. This makes it possible to perform high-accuracy pixel formation by performing sub-scanning position deviation correction based on the deviation amount.

  As described above, in the present invention, in the optical scanning device that deflects and scans the plurality of light beams emitted from the plurality of light sources in the main scanning direction and collects the light beams toward the scanning surface by the scanning imaging unit, The photodetector has a light receiving surface disposed at a position where the light beam scans, and the light detector has a width in the main scanning direction at the center of the light receiving surface in the sub-scanning direction. Because it is different from the width in the direction, it is possible to detect the light source position deviation in the sub-scanning direction by detecting the light source position where the time width of the detection signal is wide or narrow when scanning the center of the light receiving surface It becomes.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the light receiving surface of the photodetector has an edge that is perpendicular to the main scanning direction.

  Here, the edge that is perpendicular to the main scanning direction of the light receiving surface of the photodetector has a function as synchronization detection means in the main scanning direction (so that a synchronization detection signal can be detected). By having this function, the write timing in the main scanning direction can be detected and corrected with high accuracy.

  That is, when at least one edge of the light receiving surface of the photodetector is perpendicular to the main scanning direction, the light beam is scanned from the light receiving surface side so that substantially the same main surface on the scanned medium is obtained. It becomes possible to detect the scanning timing at the scanning position. Further, since at least one edge of the light receiving surface of the photodetector is perpendicular to the main scanning direction, the light beam is based on the timing signal when scanning the light beam from the light receiving surface side. By detecting the synchronization in the main scanning direction, it is possible to simultaneously detect the sub-scanning position shift amount of the plurality of light beams and the main scanning synchronization timing detection.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the optical scanning device of the present invention is based on the detection signal from the photodetector (for example, the photodetector 138 and / or the photodetector 139), and the light source position in the sub-scanning direction. A shift amount detecting unit 601 for detecting a shift amount, and a correction for correcting the imaging positions of the plurality of light beams in the sub scanning direction based on the light source position shift amount in the sub scanning direction detected by the shift amount detecting unit 601. And means 602.

  Here, specifically, the correction means 602 changes the optical axis by changing the voltage applied to the liquid crystal deflecting element 117 in the example of FIG. 1 or changes the angle (tilt) of the light source 107 itself, for example. By changing the position, the imaging positions of the plurality of light beams in the sub-scanning direction are corrected.

  Thus, based on the detection signal from the photodetector, a deviation amount detection unit 601 that detects a deviation amount of the light source position in the sub scanning direction, and a light source position in the sub scanning direction detected by the deviation amount detection unit 601. Further, a correction unit 602 that corrects the imaging positions of the plurality of light beams in the sub-scanning direction based on the amount of deviation detects the amount of scanning position deviation of the plurality of light beams in the sub-scanning direction. Thus, the imaging positions of the plurality of light beams in the sub-scanning direction can be corrected.

  As described above, in the optical scanning device of the present invention, the scanning imaging means has a plurality of optical members (for example, 120, 129, 123, 130) housed in a single housing. A plurality of light beams are scanned by the deflection scanning means capable of simultaneously scanning the light beams and pass through the scanning image forming means comprising the plurality of optical members to reach the scanned surface. Here, the photodetector (for example, 138 and / or 139) is arranged in the optical path of the scanning imaging means.

  In the example of FIG. 1, for example, when attention is paid to a station (first image forming station) for the photosensitive drum 101, one of the two photodetectors 138 and 139 is used as the above-described photodetector of the present invention. However, it is more preferable that both of the two light emitters 138 and 139 be the above-described photodetectors of the present invention in order to detect the amount of scanning position deviation in the sub-scanning direction with higher accuracy. . In this case, for example, the deviation amount detection unit 601 in FIG. 26 takes the average of the detection signal from the photodetector 138 and the photodetector 139 and detects the amount of deviation of the light source position in the sub-scanning direction based on this average. be able to.

  In the example of FIG. 1, similarly, it is preferable to use the photodetector of the present invention for the photodetectors 140 and 141 of the station (second image forming station) for the photosensitive drum 102. Furthermore, it is preferable to use the photodetector of the present invention for the photodetectors of the third and fourth image stations.

  FIG. 27 shows a configuration example of a conventional general image forming apparatus such as a laser printer and a digital copying machine using an electrophotographic process. In this image forming apparatus, laser light emitted from a semiconductor laser unit 1009 that is a light source is deflected and scanned (scanned) by a rotating polygon mirror 1003, and is a photosensitive medium that is a scanned medium via a scanning lens (fθ lens) 1002. A light spot is formed on the body 1001, and the photosensitive body 1001 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. The phase synchronization circuit 1006 sets the modulation signal generated by the clock generation circuit 1005 to a phase synchronized with the photodetector 1004 that detects the light from the semiconductor laser unit 1009 deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror 1003. That is, the phase synchronization circuit 1006 generates an image clock (pixel clock) that is phase-synchronized for each line based on the output signal of the photodetector (photodetector) 1004, and the image processing unit 1007 and the laser drive circuit. To 1008. In this way, the semiconductor laser unit 1009 controls the light emission time by the laser driving circuit 1008 in accordance with the image data generated by the image processing unit 1007 and the image clock whose phase is set for each line by the phase synchronization circuit 1006. As a result, it is possible to control the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 1001 that is the medium to be scanned.

  However, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for higher printing speed (image forming speed) and higher image quality. To meet this demand, the polygon motor, which is a deflector, and the pixel clock, which serves as a reference clock for laser modulation, are being used. Although speeding up has been supported, the limits of both speeds are approaching, and the conventional methods are not able to handle them. In such a scanning optical system, the surface tilt of a deflector such as a polygon scanner and the variation in the distance from the rotation axis of the deflecting / reflecting surface are caused by the displacement of the scanning position of the light spot (scanning beam) scanned on the scanned medium. Causes uneven scanning speed. The scanning position deviation and the scanning speed unevenness cause image fluctuation and image quality deterioration. When high quality image quality is required, it is necessary to correct scanning position deviation and scanning unevenness.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical scanning apparatus (image forming apparatus) of the present invention using an electrophotographic process. In the configuration example of FIG. 18, when the semiconductor laser unit emits light at a position where the photodetector is scanned for each scan, based on the output signal of the photodetector 1004 for each line, with respect to the prior art of FIG. The counter circuit 1020 counts the signal from the photodetector 1004 (counts the number of signals detected by the photodetector 1004), and sets the count value to be the same as the number of faces of the polygon mirror 1003. It becomes possible to acquire the signal of the photodetector 1004 when the same surface of 1003 is scanned. As a result, the amount of positional deviation in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning of the plurality of light sources in the photodetector 1004 on a specific surface of the polygon mirror 1003 are not affected by the detection error of the photodetector 1004 due to the polygon surface of the polygon mirror 1003. It becomes possible to detect the amount of direction displacement with high accuracy.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a specific example of the misregistration detection circuit shown as the counter 1020 in the configuration example of FIG. Referring to FIG. 21, the signal detected by the photodetector 1004 in FIG. 18 is input to the detection signal selector and polygon surface counter in FIG. In the polygon surface counter, as shown in FIG. 19 to be described later, a signal having a period tp1 / 6 obtained by the photodetector 1004 is input, and the polygon surface counter indicates that the signal is input six times when the number of polygon surfaces is six. Count on. The detection signal selector selects and outputs only the detection signal on the specific surface of the polygon based on the signal of the period tp1 obtained by the polygon surface counter. In the detection time counter, based on the detection signal output from the detection signal selector, the time width of the detection signal is counted by the high frequency clock from the clock generation circuit and detected as detection time width data. Next, the memory stores detection time width data obtained from the photodetector for each rotation of the polygon mirror. The detection time width data indicates the amount of positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the photodetector of the light emitting light source, and the amount of sub-scanning positional deviation of the light source on the polygon specific surface is obtained by comparing the amount of positional deviation of the plurality of light sources. It is done.

  FIG. 19 is a timing chart for explaining a processing operation example of the optical scanning device (image forming apparatus) of FIG. Referring to FIG. 19, when the semiconductor laser unit 1009 is controlled to emit light every time the vicinity of the photodetector 1004 is scanned in the optical scanning device of FIG. 18, the photodetector 1004 sets the rotation period of the polygon mirror 1003 to tp1. In this case, a repetitive signal having a period of tp 1/6 is obtained as in the case of light detection on each surface of the polygon mirror 1003. When the polygon mirror 1003 has six surfaces, signals for six surfaces are repeatedly obtained. Therefore, every time the signal is obtained six times by the counter circuit 1020 as shown in the configuration example of FIG. By adopting a configuration for acquiring signals, it is possible to acquire signals for only surface 1 to surface 6 in FIG. First, let us consider a case where the main scanning direction positional deviation information and the sub scanning direction positional deviation information from a plurality of light sources are acquired by the photodetector 1020 at the timing of only the surface 1. Here, a plurality of light source signal acquisition counters for counting the acquisition of signals for a plurality of light sources (not shown, but for counting that a plurality of light sources emit light sequentially and all light sources emit light, a laser driving circuit If the count value is for a plurality of light sources, light detection is performed on signals detected on each surface of the polygon mirror 1003. By sequentially shifting the signal acquisition count timing of the device 1004 by one signal, it is possible to acquire the main-scanning-direction positional deviation detection signal and the sub-scanning-direction positional deviation detection signal for all surfaces of the polygon mirror 1003. With the configuration in which the positional deviation correction amount is changed for each surface, more accurate main scanning direction positional deviation correction and sub-scanning direction positional deviation correction can be performed. The ability.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another example. In the configuration example of FIG. 18, when signal detection by the photodetector 1004 is performed at the detection signal timing of only the surface 1, the case where the photodetector 1004 is scanned with the six light sources shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, by sequentially switching the light sources that emit light at intervals of the polygon rotation period tp1, the positional deviation amounts of the plurality of light sources in the main scanning direction and the positional deviation in the sub scanning direction with respect to the specific surface of the polygon mirror. The amount can be detected. In addition, when the light emission control is performed at the same period and timing as the lighting time width t1d3 of the light source 3, the lighting control signal can be simplified, but in the main scanning direction with respect to the photodetectors of the plurality of light sources. The light sources 1 and 6 having the different scanning times need to be set to a time width capable of sufficiently scanning the photodetector. That is, when a plurality of light sources are scanned in the main scanning direction with respect to the photodetector, when the light sources shown in FIG. 16 are simultaneously turned on and off, the time width is the width of the photodetector or the main scanning of the plurality of light sources. When the difference in scanning time between the light sources farthest in the direction is sufficiently large, the lighting control signal is scanned for all the light sources by changing the light source for each surface of the polygon mirror. Detection is possible. On the other hand, when the time is short, for example, the light source 6 can obtain a detection signal while scanning the photodetector, but the light source 1 uses the same signal, but if the detection signal cannot be obtained, the light emission timing is obtained. A light emission control signal that is shifted is required. Since the circuit scale is large for generating the light emission control signal for each of the plurality of light sources, if the light is emitted with the common light emission control signal and the signal can be detected by the detector, the configuration is simple.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, in the present invention, the plurality of light sources further have at least one period of continuous lighting for a certain period of time at substantially the same period as the rotation period of the deflector, and the specific surface of the deflector. The reflected light is detected by the photodetector.

  Here, in the case of FIG. 19, there are six periods of continuous lighting for a certain period of time at substantially the same period as the rotation period of the deflector, and in the case of FIG. 20, a certain period of time at approximately the same period as the rotation period of the deflector. There is one continuous lighting period.

  The optical scanning device (image forming apparatus) in FIG. 18 is an example in the case where one photodetector 1004 is arranged outside the effective scanning area of the scanned medium. Although it corresponds to a photodetector (for example, 138) in a scanning apparatus (image forming apparatus), in the present invention, the arrangement position of the photodetector is not the effective scanning area outside the scanned medium, It is also possible to dispose at approximately the center position of the effective scanning area of the scanning medium, and it is also possible to dispose them at the outside of the effective scanning area of the scanning medium and at the approximately central position of the effective scanning area of the scanning medium. .

  FIG. 22 shows a configuration example in which a plurality of photodetectors are arranged with respect to the configuration example of FIG. That is, in the example of FIG. 22, in addition to the light detector 1004 (light detector arranged outside the effective scanning area of the scanned medium) shown in FIG. A detector 1004 ′ is further arranged. When the light beam scans the approximate center position of the effective scanning area of the scanned medium, for example, a part of this light beam is reflected (spectral) by a half mirror and the light detector 1004 ′. Are arranged to scan. In the configuration example of FIG. 22, by further providing the photodetector 1004 ′, it is possible to detect the amount of positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction at the scanning center position. Detection can be performed with the approximate center position of the image as a reference. Thereby, the sub-scanning direction displacement correction of a plurality of light sources can be performed with higher accuracy.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a photodetector, a scanned medium, a detection signal, and a light emission signal with respect to scanning light. FIG. 23 shows a case where the optical scanning device has a configuration as shown in FIG. 18 (that is, one photo detector 1004 (A in FIG. 23) is arranged outside the effective scanning area of the scanned medium). ), The scanning light scans in the order of the photodetector A and the medium to be scanned, and the detection signal 1 is obtained in the photodetector A by the light emission signal 1. In the case of an area where an image is not written on the scanned medium, the detection signal can be obtained by the signal 1 described above. On the other hand, in the area where the image is written, since the image data is emitted in the effective writing area like the light emission signal 2, the light emission signal for simultaneously performing the signal detection by the photodetector within one scan is the light emission signal 2. It becomes. At this time, the detection signal 2 similar to the detection signal 1 is obtained in the photodetector. Therefore, in the configuration of FIG. 23 (that is, in the configuration in which the photodetector is arranged outside the effective scanning area of the scanned medium as shown in FIGS. 18 and 22), the amount of misalignment even during the writing of the image data. (That is, signal detection by a photodetector arranged outside the effective scanning region can be performed during writing of image data), and the position in the main scanning direction due to a variation factor such as temperature variation. It is possible to perform correction at high speed with respect to deviation fluctuations and sub-scanning direction positional deviation fluctuations.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example in which a photodetector C is further provided at substantially the center position of the effective writing area with respect to the example of FIG. 23 (in the optical scanning device of FIG. 22, the photodetector 1004 (A in FIG. 24) is a diagram showing an example in which a photodetector 1004 ′ (C in FIG. 24) is further arranged). In the example shown in FIG. 24, since the light detector C cannot detect the amount of positional deviation in the main scanning direction and the amount of positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction in the image data area (that is, depending on the light emission signal 2 and the detection signal 2, Since the detector C detects the image data itself, it is impossible to detect the amount of positional deviation in the main scanning direction and the amount of positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction). The detection signal 1 detects the positional deviation amount in the main scanning direction and the positional deviation amount in the sub scanning direction, and corrects the positional deviation in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction with high accuracy.

  In other words, in the present invention, the signal detection by the photodetector (for example, A) arranged outside the effective scanning area can be performed during the writing of the image data.

  In addition, signal detection by a photodetector (for example, A) disposed outside the effective scanning region and / or a photodetector (for example, C) disposed at a substantially central position of the effective scanning region, This can be done outside the image data writing period.

  In particular, the signal detection by the photodetector arranged at substantially the center position of the effective scanning area needs to be performed outside the image data writing period.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus using the optical scanning device of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 13, there are a charging charger 902 for charging the photosensitive drum 901 to a high voltage, and a toner charged to an electrostatic latent image recorded by the optical scanning device 900, around the photosensitive drum 901 that is a scanning medium. A developing roller 903 for making the toner image visible by attaching the toner, a toner cartridge 904 for supplying toner to the developing roller 903, and a cleaning case 905 for scraping and storing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 901 are disposed.

  As described above, a plurality of lines of images are simultaneously recorded on the photosensitive drum 901 by scanning for each surface of the polygon mirror.

  Four image forming stations are arranged in parallel in the moving direction of the transfer belt 906, and yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are sequentially transferred onto the transfer belt at the same timing, and are superimposed to form a color image.

  Each image forming station basically has the same configuration except that the toner color is different.

  On the other hand, the recording paper is supplied from the paper supply tray 907 by the paper supply roller 908, and is sent out by the registration roller pair 909 in accordance with the recording start timing in the sub-scanning direction, and the color image is transferred from the transfer belt 906, and the fixing roller. After being fixed at 910, the paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 911 by a paper discharge roller 912.

  FIG. 25 is a simplified diagram of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 13. The optical scanning devices 10a to 10d are units for scanning the photoreceptors 9a to 9d, respectively, and a to d represent YMCK colors. FIG. 25 shows an example in which writing is performed on papers 1 to 4, and a color image is formed through the units a, b, c, and d in order from paper 1 to 4. On the other hand, since other sheets pass before all colors are written, when an image is formed on each of sheets 1, 2, 3, and 4, correction is performed by changing the amount of sub-scanning position deviation between sheets. This makes it possible to form a highly accurate color image. In addition, with the configuration in which the sub-scanning position shift amount is corrected between jobs, it is possible to perform pixel position shift correction without causing an image difference due to the position shift correction between the same jobs.

  In other words, in the present invention, the correction unit 602 can perform sub-scanning position deviation correction between pages (for example, between sheets). Alternatively, the correction unit 602 can perform sub-scanning position shift correction between image writing jobs.

  Further, as described above, in the present invention, it is preferable that the photodetector is disposed in the optical path of the scanning imaging means.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that surface emitting lasers formed on the same chip are used for the plurality of light sources. When surface emitting lasers configured on the same chip are used as the plurality of light sources, it is possible to form pixels with high definition and power saving.

  Further, as described above, by applying the optical scanning device of the present invention to a color (multicolor) image forming apparatus, the scanning position of the light beam for each color is detected with high accuracy, and the detection result is used. By holding the scanning position so that the sub-scanning resist of each color image does not shift, it is possible to provide a multicolor image forming apparatus that can reduce the beam spot position shift amount and realize high image quality.

  In each of the above-described examples, the case where the optical scanning device of the present invention is applied to a color image forming apparatus (an image forming apparatus having a plurality of (for example, four) image forming stations) has been described. Of course, the apparatus can be applied to an image forming apparatus other than a color image forming apparatus (monochrome image forming apparatus having only one image forming station). Accurate dot position correction is possible, and a high-quality image can be obtained.

The present invention can be used for a writing system such as a digital copying machine or a laser printer.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the optical scanning device (optical scanning unit) which scans 4 stations. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the light source unit used for the optical scanning device (optical scanning unit) of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the support housing | casing of a toroidal lens. It is the figure which looked at the wearing state of a toroidal lens from the optical axis direction. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the liquid-crystal deflection | deviation element as an optical axis change means. It is a figure which shows an example of the photodetector of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a write-control circuit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the phase of an arbitrary pixel is shifted and the phase is delayed by 1/8 clock. It is a block diagram which shows beam spot position shift control. It is a figure which shows the case where a main scanning area | region is divided | segmented into a some area. It is a figure which shows the path | route of the light ray in a subscanning cross section. It is a figure which shows an example of a light source unit. It is a figure which shows the example of the image forming apparatus carrying the optical scanning device of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the detection pattern by a photodetector in a prior art. It is a figure which shows the main scanning cross section of a light source unit. It is a figure which shows an example of the photodetector of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the photodetector of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the processing operation example of the optical scanning device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing operation example of the optical scanning device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a position shift detection circuit. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the optical scanning device of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the optical scanning device of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the optical scanning device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

107, 109 Light source 106 Polygon mirror 120 fθ lens 129, 130 Folding mirror 123 Toroidal lens 138, 139, 140, 141 Photodetector 601 Deviation amount detection means 602 Correction means 1001 Photoconductor 1002 Scanning lens 1003 Polygon mirror 1004, 1004 ′ light Detector 1005 Clock generation circuit 1006 Phase synchronization circuit 1007 Image processing unit 1008 Laser drive circuit 1009 Semiconductor laser unit 1020 Counter

Claims (13)

By rotating a deflector having a plurality of surfaces at a predetermined rotation period, a plurality of light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources are deflected and scanned in the main scanning direction, and are collected toward a scanned medium by a scanning imaging unit. In the optical scanning device that emits light, a light receiving surface is disposed at a position where the plurality of light beams scan, and a width in the main scanning direction of a central portion of the light receiving surface in the sub-scanning direction is the same as that of the other part of the light receiving surface. A light detector having a width different from that of the light detector; and a correcting unit that corrects the position of the light beam based on a detection signal from the light detector. An optical scanning device characterized in that it has at least one period of continuous lighting for a certain period of time in the same cycle, and the reflected light from a specific surface of the deflector is detected by the photodetector. 2. The optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein at least one photodetector is provided. 3. The optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the photodetector is disposed outside an effective scanning area of a scanned medium. 3. The optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the photodetector is disposed at a substantially central position of an effective scanning region of the scanned medium. 3. The optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the photodetectors are respectively disposed outside an effective scanning area of the scanned medium and at a substantially central position of the effective scanning area of the scanned medium. An optical scanning device. 6. The optical scanning device according to claim 3, wherein signal detection by a photodetector arranged outside the effective scanning region is performed during writing of image data. 6. The optical scanning device according to claim 3, wherein the photodetector is disposed outside the effective scanning region and / or is disposed at a substantially central position of the effective scanning region. An optical scanning device characterized in that signal detection by a photodetector is performed outside an image data writing period. 8. The optical scanning device according to claim 7, wherein the correction unit performs sub-scanning position deviation correction between pages (for example, between sheets). 8. The optical scanning device according to claim 7, wherein the correction unit performs sub-scanning positional deviation correction between image writing jobs. 10. The optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the photodetector is disposed in an optical path of the scanning imaging unit. 11. 11. The optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein surface emitting lasers configured on the same chip are used as the plurality of light sources. An image forming apparatus comprising the optical scanning device according to claim 1. A plurality of optical scanning devices that optically scan with image signals corresponding to a plurality of colors, and a plurality of latent image carriers that form a latent image of an image corresponding to each color by optical scanning with each optical scanning device In the color image forming apparatus, the optical scanning device includes: a developing unit that visualizes a latent image formed on each latent image carrier; and a transfer unit that transfers the developed image in an overlapping manner. A color image forming apparatus using the optical scanning device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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